Why Hartline’s NAW or NEVER Might Be the Most Entertaining Disaster Ever
I love “Kill Tony”. The bucket pulls, the 60-second pressure cooker, the panel roasting people into oblivion — it’s high-stakes comedy that produces both legends and legendary trainwrecks.
But there’s one big caveat: it’s best when the panel has heavy hitters like Shane Gillis lighting it up with that unfiltered, lightning-fast savagery.
Now imagine that same chaotic format, except instead of tight stand-up minutes, it’s wrestling promos.
Welcome to NAW or NEVER (Nearly Average Wrestling), the brainchild of actor/comedian/former wrestler Shane Hartline.
The Concept
Names go in a bucket. Brave (or delusional) souls grab the mic for 60 seconds.
They cut a promo, invent a character, talk smack, or just vibe — and then the panel and crowd decide if they’ve “earned a contract” on the NAW roster.
It’s Kill Tony meets pro wrestling kayfabe, with zero script and maximum potential for beautiful failure.
The upcoming NYC show (May 23 at UCB, night before AEW’s Double or Nothing) features Shane Hartline, AEW’s Max Caster, Okieriete Onaodowan (Hamilton), and more.
Perfect crossover energy.
Why This Could Be Genius (Especially the Bad Ones)
The bad promos might be better than the good ones. That’s the magic.
A polished wrestler cutting a fire promo? Entertaining.
A random comedian trying to do a Hulk Hogan impression and bombing spectacularly? Comedy gold.
Some unhinged civilian going full method actor with a puppet or obscure wrestling reference? Instant meme material.
Wrestling promos have always been half performance art, half fever dream.
Strip away the production, give people 60 seconds and a live crowd that can be merciless, and you get unpredictable chaos.
Think Ric Flair energy from someone who’s never been in a ring.
Or a guy doing a serious “I’m here to take over” promo while wearing a dinosaur costume. It’s going to happen.
Shane Hartline’s background as a former indie wrestler who transitioned into acting (Station 19, Obi-Wan Kenobi, etc.) and comedy gives this the perfect authentic-yet-irreverent touch.
He’s not just slapping wrestling onto comedy — he’s blending real promo skills with open-mic vulnerability.
