The End of an Era: Beloved Comedy Show Faces Uncertain Future

In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital entertainment, few shows have managed to carve out as unique and beloved a niche as one particular comedic series that has captured the hearts of fans across multiple entertainment worlds. What started as an experimental venture has grown into a cultural phenomenon that bridges the gap between professional wrestling and mainstream comedy, creating moments of pure entertainment gold that have resonated far beyond its original intended audience.

Now, after years of building a devoted following and establishing itself as a must-watch destination for both wrestling enthusiasts and comedy lovers alike, the show’s future hangs in the balance. The creator and host has begun dropping hints that suggest the beloved series may be approaching its natural conclusion, leaving fans wondering whether they’re witnessing the beginning of the end of something truly special.

The potential conclusion of this groundbreaking show represents more than just the end of a successful run—it signals the possible close of a chapter in entertainment history that has redefined what’s possible when creativity, humor, and genuine passion combine in the digital age. As audiences grapple with the possibility of losing one of their favorite sources of weekly entertainment, questions arise about what legacy this show will leave behind and whether anything can truly fill the void it would create.

The Rise of a Digital Comedy Phenomenon

Hey! (EW), the comedic YouTube series that has become synonymous with irreverent wrestling entertainment, first burst onto the scene in March 2022 with a simple yet brilliant premise: what happens when you combine professional wrestling personalities with genuinely funny, off-the-wall interview questions in a format that throws traditional sports entertainment conventions out the window?

Hosted by RJ City (real name RJ Skinner), a comedic wrestling personality who has spent years perfecting his craft in the often-serious world of professional wrestling, the show quickly distinguished itself from the countless other wrestling-related content flooding digital platforms. Unlike traditional wrestling interviews that focus on upcoming matches, storylines, or behind-the-scenes drama, Hey! (EW) carved out its own unique space by embracing absurdity, improvisation, and genuine human connection.

The show’s format, while deceptively simple, proved to be its greatest strength. Each episode features City conducting brief interviews filled with comedic questions, improvised comebacks, and carefully crafted scripted bits that somehow manage to feel spontaneous and authentic. This winning combination has created a viewing experience that feels both familiar and completely fresh, drawing viewers back week after week to see what unexpected moments might emerge.

Backed by All Elite Wrestling (AEW), one of professional wrestling’s most prominent promotions, Hey! (EW) gained immediate credibility and access to a roster of talent that spans decades of wrestling history. This backing provided the show with resources and connections that many independent content creators could only dream of, while still maintaining the creative freedom necessary to push boundaries and take risks.

A Stellar Cast of Characters

The success of Hey! (EW) can be largely attributed to the incredible array of guests who have appeared on the show, each bringing their own unique energy and personality to City’s comedic framework. The guest list reads like a who’s who of professional wrestling and entertainment, spanning multiple generations and styles of performance.

Wrestling legends like Chris Jericho, one of the industry’s most charismatic and longest-tenured performers, have appeared alongside current stars like Bryan Danielson, creating intergenerational conversations that reveal new sides of familiar personalities. The show has also featured crossover celebrities like David Arquette, whose own complicated relationship with professional wrestling has provided rich material for comedic exploration.

Character actors like Paul Walter Hauser have brought their Hollywood sensibilities to the wrestling-adjacent format, while broadcasting legend Jim Ross has shown a willingness to engage with City’s unconventional interview style in ways that reveal different facets of his legendary personality. ECW icon Rob Van Dam and WWE Hall of Famer Jake “The Snake” Roberts have used the platform to showcase their personalities in ways that traditional wrestling programming rarely allows.

More recent wrestling stars like Bobby Lashley, Saraya (formerly known as Paige in WWE), and Jon Moxley have demonstrated how current performers can benefit from a format that allows them to break character and show more authentic versions of themselves. Veterans like Ricky Steamboat and Billy Gunn have proven that the show’s appeal transcends generational boundaries, while performers like Matt Hardy and the theatrical Toni Storm have shown how the format can accommodate various wrestling personas.

Perhaps most significantly, AEW founder Tony Khan’s appearance on the show demonstrated the format’s versatility and City’s ability to create compelling content with subjects ranging from in-ring performers to corporate executives. Each guest has contributed to the show’s growing reputation as a place where wrestling personalities can let their guard down and engage in genuinely entertaining conversations.

The Art of Comedic Wrestling Content

What sets Hey! (EW) apart from other wrestling-related content is City’s unique approach to comedy within the wrestling context. Rather than relying on insider jokes or industry references that might alienate casual viewers, the show creates humor through unexpected juxtapositions, absurd scenarios, and City’s own comedic timing and delivery.

The show’s comedic sensibility draws from multiple traditions: the awkward interview style popularized by comedians like Eric Andre and Tim Heidecker, the improvisational spirit of alternative comedy, and the larger-than-life personalities that define professional wrestling. This combination creates a viewing experience that works on multiple levels, entertaining wrestling fans while remaining accessible to viewers who might not typically engage with wrestling content.

City’s background as both a wrestling personality and a comedian provides him with the credibility necessary to navigate both worlds effectively. His understanding of wrestling culture allows him to ask questions and create scenarios that wrestlers find genuinely engaging, while his comedic instincts ensure that the resulting conversations produce genuinely funny moments rather than forced attempts at humor.

The scripted elements of the show are seamlessly integrated with improvised moments, creating a viewing experience that feels both polished and spontaneous. This balance is particularly difficult to achieve in comedy, where overproduction can kill spontaneity while underproduction can result in unfocused content that fails to connect with audiences.

Signs of an Ending

The first hints that Hey! (EW) might be approaching its conclusion came during City’s recent appearance on the podcast Tights and Fights, where he offered surprisingly candid insights into his thinking about the show’s future. His response to questions about the show’s longevity revealed a creator who has been thoughtfully considering the natural lifecycle of his creation.

“Maybe not much longer,” City said when asked about his plans for continuing the show. This simple statement, delivered without fanfare or dramatic announcement, carried the weight of a potential ending that fans had never seriously considered. The casual nature of the revelation somehow made it more impactful, suggesting that City has been quietly contemplating this decision for some time.

City’s reasoning for considering an end to the show reflects a creator who understands both the practical and artistic considerations involved in sustaining long-term creative projects. “I think we are closer to the end than we are the beginning, mainly because we’ve almost gotten everyone,” he explained, highlighting one of the fundamental challenges facing any interview-based show with a finite pool of potential guests.

This honest assessment reveals the practical constraints that even successful shows must navigate. While the wrestling industry continues to evolve and new personalities emerge, the core group of established stars and legends that have made Hey! (EW) appointment viewing represents a limited resource that City has been systematically working through since the show’s inception.

The Challenge of Completionism

City’s approach to potential guests reveals both his ambition for the show and the challenges inherent in that ambition. His acknowledgment that there are “a couple holdouts” demonstrates his desire to create as comprehensive a collection of wrestling interviews as possible while respecting the autonomy of potential guests who might not be interested in participating.

The host’s refusal to name specific holdouts publicly, despite clearly having particular individuals in mind, shows a level of professionalism that has likely contributed to the show’s success in booking high-profile guests. However, his slip into naming Christian Cage, Mercedes Moné, Samoa Joe, Kenny Omega, and Kazuchika Okada while claiming he wouldn’t name names provided insight into his thinking about which major wrestling personalities have yet to appear on the show.

This completionist approach to guest booking reflects both City’s ambition for the show and the pressure that can come with success. The desire to “get everyone” is understandable for a show that has achieved the kind of access and reputation that Hey! (EW) has built, but it also creates an endpoint that more open-ended formats might not face.

City’s comment that “I never thought I’d get this far” suggests that the show’s success has exceeded his initial expectations, creating new possibilities but also new pressures. The tension between wanting to capitalize on the show’s momentum and recognizing natural stopping points is a common challenge for creators of successful content.

The Philosophy of Endings

Perhaps most revealing about City’s mindset regarding the show’s potential conclusion is his philosophical approach to endings in creative work. His stated preference for being “sad about things ending, as opposed to going ‘Thank f—ing god!'” reflects a creator who wants to maintain his passion for the project rather than letting it become a burden or obligation.

This approach suggests that City is thinking about the show’s legacy and his own creative fulfillment rather than simply maximizing short-term opportunities or revenue. The desire to end while still enjoying the creative process shows a level of artistic integrity that can be rare in the digital content landscape, where creators often face pressure to continue successful projects indefinitely.

City’s commitment to finality—”Once it’s done, it’s done”—also reflects a thoughtful approach to creative closure. Rather than leaving the door open for potential revivals, reunion specials, or one-off episodes that might dilute the show’s impact, he seems committed to the idea that Hey! (EW) would have a definitive ending if and when that time comes.

The mention of wanting to create “a last episode” suggests that City is thinking about how to properly conclude the show’s narrative arc, treating it as a complete creative work rather than an indefinitely ongoing project. This approach could provide closure for both creators and fans while preserving the show’s artistic integrity.

The Repetition vs. Length Paradox

City’s observation about “repetition” versus “length” in his creative work provides insight into the psychological challenges facing creators of successful ongoing content. His comment that “I’ve been doing the same thing for so long. It’s more repetition than it is length” suggests a creator who is beginning to feel the weight of format constraints, even within a format he created and perfected.

This tension between consistency and innovation is common in successful entertainment properties. Audiences come to expect certain elements that define the show’s identity, but creators can begin to feel constrained by those same expectations. City’s awareness of this dynamic suggests he’s thinking carefully about when creative satisfaction might begin to decline.

The challenge of maintaining freshness within an established format becomes more difficult as shows mature and creators exhaust their most obvious creative avenues. For Hey! (EW), which has built its identity around a specific type of interaction between City and his guests, finding new ways to surprise audiences while maintaining the core elements that make the show successful represents an ongoing creative challenge.

Impact on Wrestling Entertainment Culture

The potential end of Hey! (EW) would represent more than just the conclusion of a successful YouTube series—it would mark the end of a unique experiment in wrestling entertainment that has influenced how both wrestlers and fans think about the intersection of comedy and sports entertainment.

The show has demonstrated that wrestling personalities can successfully engage with alternative comedy formats, opening doors for similar projects and showing that the wrestling audience is receptive to more diverse types of content than traditional wrestling programming might suggest. This influence extends beyond wrestling into the broader landscape of digital entertainment, where the show’s success has proven the viability of niche comedy content that serves specific communities while remaining accessible to broader audiences.

Hey! (EW) has also contributed to the ongoing evolution of wrestler personas in the digital age. By providing a platform where performers can show different sides of their personalities outside of traditional storyline constraints, the show has helped wrestlers develop more multifaceted public identities that can enhance their overall careers and fan connections.

The Legacy Question

As Hey! (EW) potentially approaches its conclusion, questions about its lasting impact become increasingly relevant. The show has created a archive of wrestling personalities engaging with comedy in ways that were previously uncommon, providing future fans and historians with a unique window into this particular moment in wrestling culture.

The influence of the show’s format on other wrestling content creators is already becoming apparent, with various independent creators adopting similar approaches to interviewing wrestlers and celebrities. This influence suggests that even if Hey! (EW) ends, its impact on wrestling entertainment will continue through creators who have been inspired by City’s approach.

For the wrestling industry itself, the show has demonstrated the value of allowing performers to engage with audiences in less structured, more authentic ways. This lesson could influence how wrestling promotions approach social media content, interview segments, and other opportunities for wrestlers to connect with fans outside of traditional storyline contexts.

Looking Toward an Uncertain Future

Whether Hey! (EW) continues for months or years to come, or whether it concludes in the near future as City seems to be contemplating, the show has already secured its place as a unique and influential entry in the annals of wrestling entertainment. Its success has proven that audiences hunger for content that combines the larger-than-life personalities of professional wrestling with the unexpected delights of alternative comedy.

For fans of the show, the potential ending represents both a loss and an opportunity to appreciate what has been created. The possibility that each new episode could be among the last adds a poignancy to the viewing experience that might not have existed when the show’s future seemed indefinite.

As the wrestling entertainment landscape continues to evolve and expand across digital platforms, Hey! (EW) has shown what’s possible when creators are willing to take risks, embrace absurdity, and trust that audiences will follow them into unexplored creative territories. Whether the show continues or concludes, that lesson will likely influence wrestling content for years to come.

The ultimate question facing Hey! (EW) isn’t whether it will end—all shows eventually do—but whether it will end on its own terms, at the height of its creative and cultural impact, leaving fans wanting more rather than relieved that it’s over. Based on City’s thoughtful approach to these questions, there’s reason to believe that whatever decision he makes will prioritize the show’s artistic legacy over short-term commercial considerations, ensuring that Hey! (EW) is remembered as fondly as it has been enjoyed.