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Predetermined: A Pro Wrestling Hangout- Episode 008- Predetermined is all in. Are you?
78 Plays8 years ago
This week the boys get excited about the recent announcement for the location of The Elite's All In show, Derrick breaks down attending WWE's first show at the United Center in 20 years and they answer listener submitted questions!
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Transcript
Podcast Introduction & Brock Lesnar Encounter
00:00:00
Speaker
Hey everybody, welcome to another episode of Predetermined, a Pro Wrestling Hangout. I'm your host, Garrett Callender. And with me, as always, a man who over the weekend came face to face with Brock Lesnar and did not back down. Yeah, I mean, maybe he was several hundred feet away, but he didn't back down. Derek Halpin. I am the reason he had such a short match because he was afraid to be in the same building as me for very long.
00:00:24
Speaker
I can't blame him for that. But we have a lot to talk about today, so let's just goddamn get
Bullet Club Arena Show Announcement
00:00:29
Speaker
to it. Hit our goddamn music.
00:01:04
Speaker
Oh man, I can't express to you how excited I am to talk some fucking pro wrestling today, man. There's a lot to talk about. We got so many topics to cover. Yeah, today, this was just a big, a huge week in indie wrestling, but also, I cannot wait to hear about this show you went to.
00:01:25
Speaker
I think it was just a big week in wrestling across the board. But we've got lots to talk about. Let's just start off with the news that dropped last night, which is relevant to both of us, but specifically to my location in the world.
Logistics of Sears Center Show
00:01:41
Speaker
Uh, the, uh, the Bullet Club has announced the, uh, location for their all in show, their 10,000 plus seat arena show that they've been planning on doing for a while. And, uh, Garrett, why don't you let everyone know who probably already do know, but why don't you make the announcement on where they're doing the show at? Chicago.
00:02:01
Speaker
Well, no, you're fucking wrong. You're fucking wrong, man. It's Hoffman Estates, man. Oh, hello, Mr. Internet. Mr. Internet? Is the Internet doing that today? We're like, that's not fucking Chicago, you piece of shit. No, it's basically Chicago. It's 25 miles outside of Chicago. Yeah. You mean I got an Uber for 25 fucking miles? I already flew in from God knows where. Have fun paying that Uber.
00:02:28
Speaker
Yeah, maybe rent a car or you know what make a goddamn friend get a ride out there. It's gonna be so much fun I'm actually reading the venue holds closer to eleven thousand five hundred
00:02:39
Speaker
Yep, over 10,000. I know that TNA has actually run some shows out of there before. Okay, what is the actual city called? It's called Hoffman Estates and the name of the building is the Sears Center. It's currently the home of the Chicago Bulls. They're minor league affiliate, the Windy City Bulls. They play out of there. It's actually a pretty nice suburb. I've been through there only like a couple of times, but I think it's a pretty wealthy community over
Ticket Speculation & Venue Size
00:03:08
Speaker
there.
00:03:08
Speaker
It's not often that my travels send me to a nice neighborhood. Well, I guess the Bolt Club was being very considerate to everyone. I'm so used to something being announced and me being like, oh, hope my car doesn't get broken. No, I think you'll be fine. Like I've never actually been to this venue before, but hey, I'm going to try to go.
00:03:29
Speaker
I had so many people text me at the same time last night just letting me know, did you see the news? And you know what? I love getting all those texts. I like seeing that many people in my phone excited about this. This is, I mean, the Young Bucks have created something that I think this has gotten bigger than they were expecting, possibly. Maybe, but at the same time, they did have the balls to announce that they believed that they could do this.
00:03:59
Speaker
So I mean, I don't know, maybe maybe it's gotten fucking big. It's gotten fucking bigger than I would have thought. And I was just happy as hell. They did actually announce Chicago. It had been rumored, you know, for quite a while that that might be the place that they pick. Didn't know what building there had been some rumors it could still be at Allstate Arena, which WWE does a lot of their shows out of, which that would have been a lot more than 10,000.
00:04:22
Speaker
I don't think it would have been a lot more. It's not nearly as big as people think it is as far as seating capacity, but good building. I'll talk more about that later. But, you know, there were places in the city that they could have done that. And I had actually just heard the rumor about Sears Center. I think last week that there were murmurs that it could be out there.
Potential Wrestlers & CM Punk Speculation
00:04:42
Speaker
So it's just it's so cool seeing people from all over the country and even just kind of worldwide. I've already seen people say they've booked plane tickets for that weekend.
00:04:52
Speaker
So my main concern right now is getting goddamn tickets Yeah, I'm right there with you. I fuck who and who knows what service they're gonna go through because this is
00:05:03
Speaker
Honestly, I think they're not giving themselves enough credit. I think they could have even booked a bigger venue. I think so too. That's what I'm saying. I think that they originally said 10,000 not realizing, but they also did such a good job with their web series being the elite building this up and just giving you such little information. Correct. About anything like other than just gradually dropping a wrestler with the
Excitement for Future Wrestling Events
00:05:28
Speaker
phrase all in.
00:05:29
Speaker
Right. No, I think, um, I don't know. It is concerning because this is going to be like a, like, like a mini WrestleMania for some people. I, there's going to be people who fly in from all over for this show. And the fact that it is only like about 11,000 seats, like I don't think they're going to have an issue filling that place. Like I think they're going to have to, that thing is going to be packed, packed to the gills, as they would say.
00:05:56
Speaker
Well, that's what I, cause I've had a lot of people message me today, like wanting to get a bunch of tickets together. And like some people want him front row and like people are just like, I'm not concerned. Like I'm just concerned about getting in the door.
00:06:09
Speaker
Yeah, me too. I'm right there with you. I think we'll find a way. Oh, I think we'll get in, but it's just like I'm...
WWE Show Experience & Bullet Club Merch
00:06:15
Speaker
Okay, I buy a lot of tickets to shit. And I will say like trying to get like eight seats together, you're gonna have like just so much worse luck getting good seats than if you're just going for two.
00:06:28
Speaker
Right. Absolutely. Because that's like a section. Yeah, I don't want to abandon anyone on this, but also for a big show like this, this is kind of an every man for themself situation. Absolutely.
00:06:41
Speaker
no absolutely like I don't think anybody could fault you for this kind of in a situation where if you want to go you're on your own this isn't this isn't like oh this will be kind of a casual thing that we can just kind of put one person in charge of and hopefully no this is gonna be rough there's gonna be some people who are left out and it's it's
00:06:58
Speaker
And the Twitters, they will be complaining. They will say that it was a flawed system and that it wasn't fair and that all the scalpers got them first. And if they go through Ticketmaster, that will be absolutely true. Well, it is not true.
00:07:14
Speaker
Ticketmaster's fine. Just like Bullet Club used to be. Fuck ticket, no. No, Ticketmaster's not fine. My mission's not fine. You know what? I will go ahead and say positive about wrestling here, but I don't have to stay positive about Ticketmaster. But... I'm just saying, at this point, it is every man for himself. I wish I could sit with everyone that, like, you know, that we've been talking to about this. But for real, I'm going for the throat on this one. I just need in that door.
00:07:43
Speaker
Yeah, I don't really give a shit where I'm at as long as I'm in the building. That's exciting. And it's minimum effort for me because I don't have to go very far for it. So yeah, it's goddamn in it. Like you said, though, for a lot of people, this is WrestleMania. This is this is like, you know, indie wrestling WrestleMania where I and we only have a handful of names like so far. It's really just the elite.
00:08:05
Speaker
plus Stephen Amell and Tessa Blanchard. And if you do watch the series being the elite, you will know Flip Gordon not invited. That's a strong no on Flip Gordon.
00:08:18
Speaker
So what do you think are the odds that they can actually get CM Punk in that building? See, this is one of those things that people are going to be like, you're all getting worked. He's not showing up. Yeah, he probably isn't. But guess what? They are working me right now. When I see CM Punk finally make a tweet about pro wrestling. It makes you wonder. Oh, that just gives a little. It just rushes a little bit of blood to my penis.
00:08:42
Speaker
Cause he doesn't have to. He's done a pretty good job of just not addressing pro wrestling at all. But recently has at least acknowledged people are still talking about him in relation. I mean, fuck dude, the guy has a shop on pro wrestling tease and still does a good job of avoiding talking about pro wrestling at any chance he gets. So, but the bucks did say that, uh, even if they booked, see him punk, they will not say anything. They said it would have to be night of that. He just shows up and you see him.
00:09:09
Speaker
Because they want to sell this out on their own or just you know them and their their crew
00:09:14
Speaker
Correct. They're not gonna have an issue with that, by the way. No, like, I mean, Kenny Omega is a draw. People are willing to travel for this. I have to imagine, like, they don't even have a matchup lined up yet. I mean, because it's so far out. But the possibilities of where they're going with this could just be so fun. I think the one match I can tell we're gonna get, I'd put money on it. I think we're definitely, we're gonna get that Hangman Page versus Joey Ryan match.
00:09:44
Speaker
Well, I think that's a possibility. I think they're going to do some more Cody Rhodes, Kenny Omega stuff. I guess it just depends where we're at in September. And that's true. Good thing is they got their own show kind of. So there's a there's a lot of people that could be added to this.
Brock Lesnar's Short Match Impact
00:09:59
Speaker
There's a lot of speculation, like, you know, just once again, possibly still Bola weekend. So are they I have to think that Bola would possibly change weekends rather than, you know, have to compete and have half the wrestlers be gone at this.
00:10:14
Speaker
You would think, but yeah, I mean, that was the big news that dropped last night. I had kind of a lazy day yesterday after I got home from work. I kind of napped all day, tried to watch some raw, ended up going back to sleep, and then I kind of woke up like right around the time the news dropped.
00:10:33
Speaker
And I got a text from you saying, hey, they're doing Chicago. It's been confirmed. And then I was awake for another 15 minutes, pretty excited, a little adrenaline burn off. And then I went back to bed. And so, uh, yeah, it's set September 1st. Well, Chicago, it's Chicago. It's technically Chicago.
00:10:55
Speaker
or for whatever. I can't wait. It's crazy. We have so much good wrestling coming up this year that we're attending. Today, Money in the Bank and NXT, Ticket for Chicago went on sale. I got us those. We're gonna be in the house for those shows.
00:11:16
Speaker
A lot of Chicago stuff to talk about today. I'm just I'm so much more excited for all in just because It's unknown and you know, they're gonna put on a good big show fuck. Yeah, they will But uh speaking of good shows I Had a good show over the weekend, too Shit, man. I so what where'd you go?
00:11:38
Speaker
Everyone kind of knows by now that I actually went to the first show that WWE has run out of the United Center in over 20 years. And it was a raw house show and fuck man, I just had a lot of fun. It had been about a year and a half since I'd gone to a wrestling show by myself. God, I feel like I've got so much to talk about, I don't even know where to begin. I had kind of- You went there pretty early, right?
00:12:05
Speaker
Yeah, you kind of had like a Ferris Bueller's Day off just hanging out in Chicago and doing some sightseeing, didn't you? Well, the thing is the United Center isn't far from where I live. I live just a little bit north of the United Center. So my girlfriend dropped me off in the neighborhood and I kind of figured I would just spend a few hours down around the area. I was kind of hoping to bump into somebody.
00:12:28
Speaker
Maybe get have a moment with somebody on the roster and didn't end up happening. So, you know, I got something to eat. I walked around, got to hang out because you see what I don't think a lot of people realize that the United is a great venue. They've actually done some renovations and some additions to it in the last year or two.
00:12:47
Speaker
And so they had like a new atrium area over on the east side of the building. They were showing pictures of the event on the outside of the building. Did I see that they had a chair or something from the first event they ever had there, which was I believe like a summer slam or something? Yeah, they had a chair there I think from summer slam. I can't remember what year it was.
00:13:09
Speaker
Um, but they had an autograph and it was in there like the, I guess they have like a place in the United center. That's like a museum for past events. And, uh, I didn't, I mean, they didn't have it on display for us as far as I could see, but, um, yeah, so I got there, uh, pretty early, kind of hung out, was catching the, you know, just picking up the vibes and like how excited people were. First thing I gotta say, I gotta, I gotta start off by saying this, I mean, this could be a whole rant on, on its own.
00:13:35
Speaker
A lot of people realize when you go to a WWE show that you will see a fuck ton of Bullet Club merchandise at WWE shows. I can't overstate that enough. And it wasn't like the crowd that was wearing them was all adults. No, the WWE crowd was a lot of fucking kids. There were so
Influence of Merchandise on Perception
00:13:59
Speaker
many children.
00:14:00
Speaker
at this show and children and adults alike so much fucking bullet club stuff so much Kenny Omega stuff so much Cody Rhodes stuff and I think it dawned on me at some point while I was waiting in line looking around all the people were in this bullet club merch I was like
00:14:19
Speaker
How the fuck does Ring of Honor and New Japan, or how do they not have like a mainstream cable network time slot? Because when that many people are showing up to a WWE show,
00:14:36
Speaker
like I think it finally hit me like not since like the NWO and WCW has there something been this big outside of WWE can you think of anything well I mean no I mean you mean just
00:14:51
Speaker
No, straight up anything outside of WWE since WCW and the NWO kind of the invasion angle. I like I really don't crazy like you have to imagine that all of the Bullet Club like, you know, grew up watching this shit.
00:15:08
Speaker
they're huge fans, probably dreamed of one day being in the WWE. That dream I'm sure changed, but still to be able to watch the show, and you can never turn on a WWE program without just seeing a sea of Bullet Club shirts. That has to feel pretty fucking cool. I bet it feels awesome, but here's the thing, this is a house show. So this isn't like somebody's wearing it so they can be seen on TV. This is just them wearing it to a wrestling show.
00:15:35
Speaker
And it was a lot of children. So it's not just like an adult. You know, people make the comment, you know, WWE is essentially the Disney of pro wrestling and that there's I mean, there's a fuck ton of truth to that. So I go to the show and I realize I think early on I was like, man, I think it finally hit me once again that just like, I don't know.
00:15:58
Speaker
how many kids were gonna be there, and then what that crowd was gonna sound like. And we lined up. Go ahead, go ahead. Oh no, I was just gonna say, but as far as wrestling t-shirts go, do you think that it's kind of like when you go to a concert, how it's not cool to wear a t-shirt or the band that you're going to see? Well, if you're going to a WWE show, do you think people feel like a little bit of rebellion, where they're sticking it to the thing that they just gave a bunch of money to?
00:16:25
Speaker
Well, here's the thing, I think a teen or an adult may feel that way, but I'm telling you, there were kids maybe 10 years old who were wearing Kenny Omega shirts. That's so awesome. I love that. And I think it just finally dawned on me. I asked the question earlier, if not now, then when? Because I can't imagine it getting any bigger. I can't. Well, have you read any of the interviews with Mark Cuban?
00:16:54
Speaker
No, I haven't. Cuban, I guess, has a hand in the Sinclair broadcast network that ends up broadcasting New Japan shows. And he's been doing a lot of interviews with like ESPN and Sports Illustrated, just kind of talking about New Japan pro wrestling being the future and that when people get their eyes on that, how
WWE Show Highlights & Crowd Reactions
00:17:15
Speaker
it's going to explode. And he isn't wrong, but I want to know what he's doing to help it get there.
00:17:22
Speaker
Yeah, I don't know. Timing is everything on stuff like this. So again, this isn't me trying to do a negative spin on the Bullet Club or the rise of indie wrestling. But like I said, I can't imagine it getting any bigger. The time to capitalize on this shit is now. Even just Ring of Honor. I think their shows are getting bigger and bigger. More people are showing up. I'm still running into a fair amount of people that
00:17:50
Speaker
only watch WWE and actually don't know the Bullet Club at all. But that's still pretty rare, I think, at this point. And it sucks because watching it, you're just like, fuck, if people watched this show, they would like this show better.
00:18:10
Speaker
Maybe. I just. I don't know. I guess that was my first impression while I was just kind of waiting in line for the show was I was I mean, I knew that a lot of people wore bullet club merch. I was just floored at the demographic and the quantity. I mean, it was everything like there. I think after.
00:18:29
Speaker
The Bullet Club merch, the number one superstar that I saw merchandise for there was actually Finn Balor. Really? Correct. There were a ton of kids there with Finn Balor stuff on. I saw people wearing the Balor Club leather jacket.
00:18:45
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, so we line up, we get in, I walk by the merch stand, didn't really see anything that kind of stood out. They kind of had disappointed merch lately. Well, and here's the other thing. Like older guys and like people that aren't even around anymore. Like, you know, it's it's hard to get just like somebody like the Miz or, you know, Elias or something like that.
00:19:09
Speaker
Well, yeah, and I and I mentioned this to my girlfriend the other day, I said. Never mind the fact that they've upped the price on the merchandise in person, like it's it's way cheaper to buy WWE shirts off of their website than it is to do it in person. And now a shirt there costs thirty five dollars. That could have been the United Center as well.
00:19:32
Speaker
No, no, no, no, no, no, no. It was like that. It was like that at Rosemont in December. And it was like that in September 2016 at the house show I went to because the shirt that I bought there was like, I think almost $40 after tax.
00:19:50
Speaker
So yeah, so I checked that out, didn't really see anything I liked, went and grabbed my pictures, and my seat was kind of off if you're facing the stage, I was to the right. Great seat, especially considering I spent like 20 bucks on it. Thought I was on the floor originally, that's what the guy told me, but ended up being a way better spot because actually where I thought I was gonna end up,
00:20:12
Speaker
was kind of that was like a section that didn't really sell like it was like the building was packed but like the floor section like closest to the stage and furthest away from the ring that there were a lot of empty chairs down there that's good you're paying so much for those seats and it's just it is not a lot of fun being at the very back of the floor
00:20:33
Speaker
No, I've been back there one time and it really isn't a great seat. I mean, you still have fun because you're kind of in the middle of the energy. But I mean, you're all you're going to have a good time wherever you sit in a building, whether it's, you know, the top row or the front row. But there is something about that. Like, I would rather be elevated a little bit in the arena.
00:20:53
Speaker
That's exactly where it was. I had a great view. If I could do that for 20 bucks, I would do that every fucking time. So show starts. And first match of the night that we got was Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt, which was actually Wyatt's entrance was fucking awesome. It's always fun to see that goddamn thing live.
00:21:14
Speaker
Yeah, it really, really is. I think I got, I don't know. You got goosebumps to go ahead and say it. I did. I wasn't expecting, first of all, it was actually a really good opening match. And I was curious, as soon as I heard his music, being like, ah, is this gonna be a good way to start off the show? No, great way to start off the show. I think the back and forth, their antics and the craziness worked. It felt like the crowd was way more into this one than they were even at the pay-per
Post-Show Reflections & Wrestler Sightings
00:21:42
Speaker
-view.
00:21:42
Speaker
Like were people a lot of people doing the delete thing were people into it people seem to be into it And why it was getting a pretty strong heal reaction I'm having a hard time reading if people are loving or not giving a shit about Jeff or Matt Hardy right now Yeah, I mean it was it was a good it was a good opening match
00:22:05
Speaker
Then they went and they did a cruiserweight fatal four way between Mustafa Ali, Jack Gallagher, Lince Dorado, and Aria Daivari. Did it feel different? Like when you're watching the cruiserweights at a house show, like how 205 Live is fucking awesome now. Did you feel that watching it on at a house show? Like did their match feel like a little more indie style or?
00:22:30
Speaker
Maybe it may have been like the third or fourth best match of the night. But I think it was different. This this show was different. At least this match was different because Mustafa Ali is a Chicago guy. So there was a lot of hometown reaction for him.
00:22:45
Speaker
and he ended up winning the match. So I think people were into the match primarily because they had like a rooting interest and like who won, but it was actually, it was a pretty good match. I was entertained by it and I'm not usually a big cruiserweights guy. So they had a lot of, you know, two or five livey cruiserweight spots, a lot of high flying and stuff. Um,
00:23:11
Speaker
yeah I mean good good match then they did a god I can't remember what the next match was but uh pulling it up here sorry they did oh Elias came out so Elias did like an extra long set I couldn't believe how long they gave him he let you know that how shitty Chicago was
00:23:33
Speaker
Yeah. I mean, he started off, he was actually he was he was he was being nice to Chicago. Like, I think he likes to pull the oh, I'm going to be good to this crowd. Oh, just kidding. Did the crowd love it? Well, that was the thing is that like there was definitely a percentage of the crowd that like he got the 50 50 reaction because there's I think there's people who appreciate like a really like witty creative heel. And that was definitely amongst that crowd. And
00:24:01
Speaker
Yeah, so so I forgot to mention this. So I get into my seat. And so during the show, I felt like I had like a pretty like, I've heard different reactions on social media about what the crowd was like. Maybe I was emerged in a in a specific
Chicago Indie Wrestling Scene
00:24:17
Speaker
like a section because
00:24:19
Speaker
Sitting directly behind me the entire row was filled like it was like I don't know if it was like a Boy Scout troop or what? But it was like 15 kids there for real is nothing more fun than being surrounded by children at a house show I mean You like nothing matters except the show exactly like I think and I think it was fun getting to watch them care about everything and
00:24:48
Speaker
Like literally every detail, like they cared, they were invested. And it was- Who did the kids pop for? Like who was the biggest kid pop of the night? Please tell me it was Kane again. It wasn't Kane. Fuck, Seth Rollins and Finn Balor got a good reaction. But that's just such a cool pairing. Like, because you didn't know they were gonna pair going into it, right?
00:25:15
Speaker
No, no, they could have gone a million different ways with those two. But Roman Reigns and John Cena got a good reaction too. So that can't be denied. But Elias and Strowman had a fun segment. Elias talked shit on Chicago for a little while. And then Strowman came out and interrupted him. Let me guess, he showed him those hands.
00:25:39
Speaker
He did show him those hands. Elias tried to avoid the match for as long as he could. Running away, Strowman got a hold of him, gave him the power slam. And then after the match was over, the crowd asked for one more power slam and Ron gave it to him. Got out of there. Such a nice guy. He is. Such a nice guy. A guy with nipple rings like you just don't expect.
00:26:02
Speaker
No, I think the crowd, I really liked the crowd for the show. So around this time, because I had gotten down there so early, my phone started getting really low on battery. So they set up the fourth match of the night, which was the club and Heath Slater and Rhino versus the Miztourage and the Revival. It was an eight man tag match. And... Wait, was the Miz involved in this? No, not at all. Miz wasn't there. Miz was not at this show at all. No. Well, then what was the point of going? I thought you said this was a good show.
00:26:34
Speaker
Let it go. He's a busy man. You know he's a busy man. I mean, I thought this was going to be the most must-see house show of all time. Look, we don't need to go off on a Ms. Tanden right now because I've got plenty of good things to say. Okay, okay. I'm just going into WrestleMania. Fair enough.
00:26:50
Speaker
But anyway, so around this time, I went out onto the concourse about halfway through this match to go charge my phone at one of the charging stations. The club, I was able actually to watch this match. They had it running on the TVs in the building. So I was able to kind of watch the match while I was charging my phone.
00:27:07
Speaker
The club ended up getting the pinfall, and this led into the match right before the intermission, which is the match that everybody's talking about on the interwebs. It was Brock Lesnar defending the Universal title against Kane, and the match lasted about 35 seconds. Brock Lesnar got a decent amount of cheers when he came out from the crowd.
00:27:31
Speaker
and I have to imagine like it's still like even though you know we're kind of pissed at him that we never get to see him there's still a when you're in person and you do get to see him it's still exciting a little bit
00:27:43
Speaker
I mean, it feels special, but like, here's the thing. He was the guy that they put front and center on all the advertisements for this show. And I didn't get, I wasn't fooled. I knew Brock Lesnar wasn't showing up to have like a 10-minute match with Kane. But I didn't- That would be hard on a pay-per-view. That would be hard anytime. That would be hard in your head. So- That would be hard on SmackDown 2, Know Your Role.
00:28:11
Speaker
which Lesnar was not on. You could create him though, you were always good at that. Yep, I was. Creator wrestler was my thing for a few years. One of my favorites that you created was Nosferatu. Nosferatu may very well be my greatest creator wrestler creation. Also did Jason Statham's character, the transporter. Jesus Christ. Like I picture you take him, give him Steve Blackman's moves and you've just got the transporter. That's basically what I did actually.
00:28:44
Speaker
But no, Nosferatu was my best. Whose moves did you give Nosferatu? I just gave him really, I think all of his taunts were really, really creepy. I gave him a lot of heel moves, like back rakes, because he had the nails and everything. I gave him biting moves, like where you lean down and bite the guy's face or whatever.
00:29:08
Speaker
I didn't give him like a ton of, I gave him stuff that involved him not being super mobile or high fly. Which maybe you should have because he's a bat.
00:29:19
Speaker
Maybe. Dude flies, man. This is the best tangent. Sorry. Continue. I wasn't being sarcastic like that. But yeah, so Lesnar comes out, does the... It got such a... Here's the thing. I was on the concourse. The match was so fucking short that I didn't even have a chance to go back in.
00:29:46
Speaker
Wait, so did you miss the, that match? Absolutely. Wait, you watched it on those TVs. Correct. Okay. So the match, the match lasted 35 seconds. So bell rings. Does two suplexes. I'm not exaggerating. This is a, this is a transcript of the match. The bell rings. Lesnar does two suplexes to Kane.
00:30:16
Speaker
Kane sits up, Undertaker style, and goes for a choke slam. He goes to pick Lesnar up for the choke slam. Lesnar reverses it, hits him with an F5, one, two, three. That was the match. And then Lesnar didn't even hang around in the ring and show off the belt. He grabbed the belt and made his way down the aisle with Heyman.
00:30:38
Speaker
What was Heyman? What did he look like?
Upcoming Chicago Wrestling Events
00:30:41
Speaker
Was he out there hamming it up and being Paul Heyman? He was being Paul Heyman. He came down and took the mic from Jojo. So you got to hear the entrance. Yeah, he did the entrance and that was it. If I were them, I would be a little annoyed that I had to get on an airplane for that.
00:31:00
Speaker
Well, you see, this was kind of my argument going and reviewing it. I mean, there's a lot of things I can say about Brock Lesnar's contract and his schedule in WWE. Motherfucker, if I'm getting on a plane and flying there, like maybe I'm just a different cat, but I would at least make it worthwhile, right? I think that that would be the thought process of some
00:31:30
Speaker
I mean, I would like to think it would be the thought process of most of the guys on the roster right now, maybe other than like Randy Orton. There's a few guys on that roster that even if they had Lesnar's contract and even if they had Lesnar's schedule, if they had to make that flight, they would occasionally think, I'm going to surprise them.
00:31:50
Speaker
And I'm gonna do something like that they just don't see me do. Like that crowd would have shit their pants if Lesnar wrestled a 2003 Brock Lesnar style match. Not that I ever expected that, not that anybody ever expected that going into this house show. I would have expected tops out of that match for five minutes.
00:32:11
Speaker
35 seconds for a match that they, I mean, they were really pushing that as like, oh, you're gonna see the Lesnar defend the Universal title. Sure. It was a squash match. And I think there may have been, I mean, how many people who paid full price for like a ringside ticket to that show, that was the match that they were looking forward to and that's what they got. Yeah, you mean like if you asked every single person in the room, do you feel like you got your money's worth on this match? No one is gonna walk away saying yes.
00:32:41
Speaker
Yeah, they're full of shit if they do. I got exactly what I paid for. Did they get their money's worth on the rest of the show? Absolutely. Okay, this is my question, and this is the main thing I wanted to talk about. I was reading that the crowd completely changed from that moment forward. Is that true? I just heard there was so many boos the rest of the show to anyone because of the Lesnar thing.
00:33:11
Speaker
No.
00:33:13
Speaker
I've seen those same reports, and yes, I know that I was sitting in a section with a lot of kids. I'm taking that into consideration. I don't know what the fuck people are talking about. Are they just starting some shit? It sounded like, I mean, that's what I took it as. So they do that match, and they did it at the right time. It was the match that led into intermission. You got to kind of go rinse your mouth out and come back. And the match that they came back with was the women's match.
00:33:43
Speaker
which may have been, I mean, it's, it was probably one or match number one or match number two of the night. Who, uh, who was in the women? Was it, did the women only get one match for the whole night? Yes. Um, it ended up being, um, Sasha Banks, Bailey, Mickey James, and, uh, Ossica against Alexa Bliss, Nia Jax, Mandy Rose, and Sonya Deville.
00:34:11
Speaker
Did they play up any any face heal things with Sasha and Bailey? Absolutely, they did. They actually had both Mickey James and Sasha Banks turn on their team. OK, so it looks like so if you so it appears that Sasha is going to be the one to turn.
00:34:29
Speaker
That to me, that's what I think, but they maybe just wanted me to think that. But to me, that'd be the right decision. I think Sasha Banks is a better heel. Well, we're saying that, but we have never seen Bayley as a heel. That's true. But I also think people... I wanted to get this in, even if it's only a couple seconds. That crowd on Saturday was really into Bayley.
00:34:55
Speaker
There's still a segment of that fan base that Bailey may be like the female John Cena, where they just like, there's nothing that like, I don't know. They were there. I mean, they, that crowd was chanting for belly. This is, and this is what I don't get is when we come out of the intermission, if anybody who was still down about the Lesnar Kane situation, I didn't hear it.
00:35:15
Speaker
Because people were really into that match. And people were really into Bayley in that match. See, I didn't read anything negative about that match. I read that, like, the crowd, because of the, like, it sounds like these were just garbage reports. But I was reading that fans took over the main event and just completely ruined it in protest to the Lesnar thing. Oh, Reigns Lesnar? No, uh, Reigns Cena.
00:35:42
Speaker
Oh, sorry, that's what I meant, that's what I meant, that's what I meant, sorry. Rain Cena. Here's the thing about that. So yeah, that was the final match of the night.
00:35:53
Speaker
That's some wicked spin, if people are saying that. People were... Fuck, Gary, I shouldn't even have to explain this to you. You know the reaction those two dudes get. They both got booed, they both got cheered. Correct! Like, I don't know what the fuck people are talking about. I heard that, like, people were chanting, this is boring, and it sounds like I just read a whole bunch of garbage reports.
00:36:17
Speaker
Yeah, to me, a lot of what I read was garbage. I heard, I saw one tweet from a guy who was at the show. He said, the crowd was fucking horrible for this show. And I was like, what the fuck are you talking about? It was great. And I'm not here to, what? I'm just saying the announcers are right. There's no such thing as wrestling journalism.
Ronda Rousey's Mic Struggles
00:36:34
Speaker
Well, I'm here to tell you the crowd, the crowd was pretty good. I'm not going to tell you it's the best credit I've ever been a part of, but it didn't bother me while I was there. And I thought they were pretty, they were pretty good. I think the thing with the, with the rain Cena match, like you said, the cheers that were there, the booze were there, the match, they started off slow.
00:36:51
Speaker
They did the match like they had some time because they did. So there were a lot of holds, there was a lot of, you know, Reigns would hit a move, Cena would roll out of the ring, Cena would come back in, get a move, and then, you know, Reigns would take a minute, so they did a little bit of back and forth. And so the crowd did have a boring champ, but if that was in response to Lesnar Kane, I didn't see it.
00:37:13
Speaker
Okay, so it was more in response to they were doing like a 25-minute main event match kind of thing. Correct. And anyone who's saying that was because, they would have gotten that response regardless. That was just the way... Was the match gimmicked at all? I feel like a lot of the matches or the house shows I've been to, for whatever reason, just always end with a street fight.
00:37:38
Speaker
Nope, this was, credit to them, this was just a straight one on one. No gimmicks. And it was an okay match. It may have been the third best batch of the night. I know Reigns kicked out of an AA, and Cena did not kick out of the spear. Just one. So there were, Reigns went over, took some time doing stuff, but I didn't really get a chance to talk. The match of the night, easily.
00:38:08
Speaker
Easily match of the night in my opinion was the bar against Finn Balor and Seth Rollins and that was so much fucking fun I believe that isn't that that's so crazy like I feel like people were really shitting on the bar there for a minute I feel like right now. No one's really saying much at all
00:38:24
Speaker
So about the bar. But those work hard and they look like they're having a pretty good time doing it. And I do think people like I know that you don't necessarily boo them. I do think people want to boo them. So they were getting a strong heel reaction in Chicago. So here's what I I'm almost embarrassed to admit this.
00:38:42
Speaker
I bought six bar t-shirts. All the same one, so that I can wear it every single day of the week, but Sunday. And different sizes, and different sizes too, in case my weight changes. Yeah, I never wanna not be able to wear this bar t-shirt. Hey, you don't gotta be embarrassed about that, man. No, this is not where this is going at all. I didn't buy a single piece of merch there, fucker. So, I got worked.
00:39:11
Speaker
In my heart, I got worked, maybe not outwardly, because they're doing an angle. This was before Raw on Monday, so keep that in mind. They had been doing an angle where there's been tension between Rollins and Balor on TV.
00:39:26
Speaker
And part of me started to wonder, as the match went on, it was a really good match. Basically, Rollins started the match, and then he tagged Balor in, and then Balor was trapped. And they wouldn't let Balor get the tag. They wouldn't let Balor get the tag. He got the hot tag. They were recording it, obviously, for the hard camera, for the video board there.
00:39:50
Speaker
but I kept looking for the guy who has the wireless camera down there. Because part of me was like, wouldn't it be nuts if they had them win the tag titles at a house show? They've done it before. And if you were gonna like, mind fuck people with a belt, why not make it those ones?
00:40:11
Speaker
Correct. And they've taken the belts on and off of the bar so many times that it wouldn't surprise me. And it would make for a decent storyline on Raw that Rollins and Balor have to have this awkward, like, oh, I guess we're tag champs now. So I wasn't sitting there expecting it, but part of me was like, man, wouldn't it be crazy if they just did like a surprise belt change at this house show? Because it was a big fucking house show. It was the first time they had been there in over 20 years. It was a sold out crowd.
00:40:41
Speaker
Um, I mean, that place was packed. They were rowdy. Everyone was into that match and ended with a DQ. Uh, I think Rollins took over the match after he got the hot tag back in and, uh, yeah, then they go.
00:40:57
Speaker
Looking fucking glorious. I think there's moments where I look at baller especially when when I saw him live and he's He's got such an athletic fucking build that sometimes I get a little a little embarrassed looking at him because he's just wearing wrestling tights and sometimes I feel like I'm just looking at a dude like that personification of dudes wrestling in their underwear Never hits me stronger than it does with Finn baller. I think he gives us all feelings
00:41:26
Speaker
There's a shot I took of him while I was there. I posted it up on our Facebook and on our Twitter where it's him from a side angle standing on the ring apron waiting for a tag.
WrestleMania Speculation
00:41:36
Speaker
And it's just like, man, that's just, that looks like just like a naked man from looking at him and you're thinking, you know what? Maybe if I was in a room alone with him and he's like, it'd be nice if we kissed Derek. You're like, yeah, I think you're right. Do you think that's what I would say? I mean, are you going to turn him down?
00:41:57
Speaker
I would like to think so. Oh, I don't think you care. I think you. Are you trying to pin me into a corner here? No, but he will. Not in a forceful way. He'll be he'll be a gentle lover. I like to see his coup de gras. Jesus. Just ends with you screaming.
00:42:21
Speaker
Screaming joy. So that was a match of the night, even though it ended with a DQ, which, again, does go to show that, yes, there are times where the wins and losses absolutely don't fucking matter. It's just the match. And it was a great fucking match. And they sent the crowd home happy because the bar tried to get out of there with their belts. And then I think Rollins grabbed a chair and whacked them. And then they ended up giving their finishers to both. And the crowd was happy. And then they went into the main event, which was Cena Reigns. And we already talked about that.
00:42:51
Speaker
Yeah, so after the show, I hung back, let the crowd foul out a little bit. And then I went to the backside of the building and I kind of hung out over kind of where the wrestlers leave in their cars and stuff. Got to see Mickey James leave. She said hi to a couple people. She was super friendly. So I saw Bailey and Sasha leave together.
00:43:12
Speaker
I saw Rollins leave. He had somebody next to him in his car. I don't know who it was. But here's the scandalous story I can tell you. I saw Bray Wyatt leave. And I saw Bray Wyatt leave with Jojo. What? Yeah. Bray Wyatt left with Jojo.
00:43:32
Speaker
From what I understand yeah, it's not it's not our business to see what Bray Wyatt's up to on the outside of his goal We're a pro wrestling podcast we can talk about whatever the fuck we want Well, I don't want to I don't want to get him and he's not in trouble. He's a grown man. He knows what he's doing I love me some Bray Wyatt if anything like it. She shouldn't be getting mixed up with one of these backwoods hillbilly guys
00:43:56
Speaker
Well, here's the thing, he can't take her home to the family anymore because Randy Wharton burned down the compound. Did she not watch that match and see his house? Maybe she did! Maybe that's what she likes. She's like, I went to the house of horrors, it's fucking filthy. It's not a place I want to have sex. Like, it is, you're gonna get an infection there. And the thing is, it's not like, it's not like hoarders filthy, it's just like a pretty dirty house. Yeah, it's, it's...
00:44:27
Speaker
So I saw Bray Whitley with Jojo. It was cold. You're like, I'm not discussing the goddamn House of Wars. Maybe that's an episode. Maybe we'll just do an episode where we talk about the weirdest fucking matches in history and that will be in there. That and that match where they fought on like a semi trailer while it was driving. Yep.
00:44:47
Speaker
Forklift matches. That's an episode. Fucking forklift matches. So yeah, so a great show. I had fun. Easily worth every penny of my 20 bucks would do that every time. I overheard one of the guys before the show actually say that as much as he loves Rosemont and that's where they're doing Money in the Bank from and you know, for the foreseeable future, he says they'll be back.
00:45:13
Speaker
because I think the United Center holds a bit more and I think it's just easier. I think people like it when it's in the city more. I think it's harder for people to travel after Rosemont than it is just to go to the United Center. But was there a situation kind of like with Madison Square Garden where Madison Square Garden charges too much for televised events and that's why they only have house shows there now?
00:45:36
Speaker
I don't know, I don't know the details on that. I've always heard that it's because, so for anyone who doesn't know, WrestleMania 22 and most of the big shows that happen in Chicago happen out in, technically it's Rosemont, Illinois. It's a suburb, it's northwest of Chicago. It's kind of by relatively close to O'Hare Airport. And here's the thing, the Allstate Arena,
00:46:03
Speaker
Out in Rosemont is is kind of famous for being a lot of wrestlers favorite building because it gets super fucking loud. It's got a wood roof. I know Stone Cold and Edge and Christian and a bunch of other wrestlers say they love wrestling in there because it traps the sound in there.
00:46:19
Speaker
and the place roars, and I can attest to this. It doesn't have a normal concourse like a lot of modern arenas do, because a lot of modern arenas, they do ramps and elevators to get to different levels and escalators. This is more stairs everywhere, and a lot of times when you're walking the concourse in all state, you can get lost, and you'll feel like you're just in a stared location in the back of a mall.
00:46:47
Speaker
But the building itself, it traps sound really fucking well. And yeah, loud building. That is kind of a bucket list venue for me, because you do hear so many wrestlers talk about it. And I'm really excited to go to Money in the Bank and the NXT Takeover there. I feel like there's not a lot of wrestling venues that you look at as a bucket list one, one where it's just like that place is where we should watch wrestling.
00:47:18
Speaker
Well, and that's the crazy thing about it is that as I because I've been to a bunch of shows there now, I don't think there's anything visually about it that really stands out. I don't think there's anything that like I don't get what makes it so special other than just it's loud and the crowds there are really good.
00:47:35
Speaker
I mean, it's I guess I think it has to do with I know Stone Cold said that when you're in the middle of the ring, it just sounds so loud that it's he said it sounds like you're wrestling in front of so many more people than you actually are. And I'm ready to experience that from the stands. I want to say for, yeah, for a good show like Money in the Bank.
00:47:54
Speaker
Well, especially like even the NXT TakeOver shows. I mean, I feel like every TakeOver show has at least one match that is a match of the year contender. And it's like, who's gonna get it on this show? That's kind of the special thing about the TakeOver shows to me.
00:48:09
Speaker
True. Very true. And that's coming up in June. And you and I will both be at that show. God damn, we've got a lot coming up in Chicago.
Fan Questions & Indie Wrestling Growth
00:48:17
Speaker
We've got those two. We've got Ring of Honor, New Japan, War of the Worlds. We'll be sitting up front for that one. Hopefully high five and Kenny Omega. Is that May or June? I think that one's June. No, that one's May.
00:48:32
Speaker
Okay. So there's one in May, there's one in June, there's one in September. One in September. And then also, holy shit, shout out to Dan Staggs for posting something on our Facebook earlier. What was that, Kaiju wrestling out of Chicago? Yeah.
00:48:49
Speaker
Didn't know anything about it, so you give Dan Staggs props for... Jesus Christ, I had never heard of this. It's a promotion where there's just indie wrestling regular, but because it is a kaiju promotion, they also have buildings set up on the outside of the rings and have matches with dudes in suits.
00:49:08
Speaker
When I say suits, I don't mean dressed up nice like the men in black. I mean, I literally watched Gumby with blood coming out of his mouth destroy a building. Yeah, that's some crazy shit. So this may be something I have to go check out in my spare time. Oh, I'm thinking like, you know, for me, it's a long ass drive up to Chicago and I have to kind of decide is this worth a 14 hour round trip drive?
00:49:35
Speaker
I think it might be. There, I've driven further for dumber.
00:49:42
Speaker
Well, here's the thing, man. Our indie scene up here is kind of blowing up, wouldn't you say? I mean, you've got at least two that I hear about often, AAW being the biggest, but I'm hearing a good amount about Freelance. And I saw that Freelance is doing a festival soon that's kind of a punk festival the descendants are headlining, and then Freelance is just going to have a show going on during it all.
00:50:08
Speaker
Correct. It's actually out in Tinley park where my girlfriend lives. And, uh, yeah, there's some big bands there. And, um, yeah, no, our indie wrestling scene appears pretty good. So the good news is I don't have to go too long before I have another opportunity at seeing a wrestling show of some sort. And WWE drops by here, you know, a few times a year and Ring of Honor usually does one or two shows here a year. So do you have any very indie shows?
00:50:34
Speaker
very, very indie shows. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Oh, we've got I'm actually friends with the guy on Facebook who is in charge of a very indie wrestling promotion over here that does shows out of a lot of bars and stuff with people I've never fucking heard of before. And I think it's a lot of people. How well do you know this man? Not well at all. Well, you get on that and make sure that we can call a match there.
00:51:01
Speaker
Here's the thing, I have every intention for an episode going to check out one of these shows because, man, as much as I love shit that's very indie, I need to go experience it for myself to report back to you. Oh, the next one for me, they did announce the next Southern Underground Pro Show here for Nashville. I believe it's a 422. Well, get on that. I'll be there, man. I'll be reporting.
00:51:29
Speaker
So what do you say, um, we get to some, uh, comments and some, uh, questions from our Twitter and our Facebook. Yeah. Hit me with them. Um, we had our good friend Dalton Kennerly. He asked a bunch of questions. Um, but I'll give you this one. Uh, and, uh,
00:51:48
Speaker
let you respond to him. But does it feel like the six-packs challenge at Fastlane, does it feel like it kind of cheapens the championship and that it's just thrown together?
00:52:00
Speaker
Yes. Just next question. No. When I see that as like a main event for a pay-per-view, my immediate reaction is like, I fuck. I'm like, I don't think I want to. I wouldn't drive to that. That's a. I mean, I would see it if it were close by, but that isn't a main event that like makes me want to travel to see it. Like that seems just like a multi man match I would see on Smackdown.
00:52:30
Speaker
Well, see, so here's the thing. That match started out originally as AJ Styles versus Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
00:52:39
Speaker
there was actually a dynamic there that made sense and that there was some actual like tension there that they had been working on for a while. So I understood and I guess they just flaked out on that and got nervous about going that direction. So they just started adding people. And now it's the whole roster. Basically. I'm pretty sure Dalton castles in that match. Is he? Yeah. And the boys. Um, and the gobbledygookers in it. Uh, boogeyman just got added the other day.
00:53:06
Speaker
Like here's the thing, I think it can still be a fine match. Like there's no, I really, I mean, yeah, it just seems thrown together. To me, that's the knock on it. I don't know if it necessarily cheapens the title because I feel like everyone knows where this is going anyway. Like we're pretty sure we're getting Styles Nakamura. So it's just about bridging the gap to Mania for that. So does it really matter? Probably not.
00:53:30
Speaker
Wait, sorry, my phone just buzzed. It says that Sergeant Slaughter is putting on his gear and he'll be in that match too. Oh, that's funny. You're good at jokes. Adam Stinson asked us, do you think that Ronda Rousey's struggles on the mic are due to the overscripted nature of the current WWE creative direction because she wasn't a bad talker when she was in the UFC?
00:53:56
Speaker
Like I said, I think Ronda Rousey's a good shit talker. I liked watching her do it in the UFC. She seemed tough as hell. But it was also her just coming out and saying what was in her head. I think that she'll get better on the microphone. But I have a feeling that, you know, like us, she's a fan. She's been a fan of this forever. And she just got thrown into the middle of all this. This was her like third, what, third time in the ring talking.
00:54:21
Speaker
Yeah, here's how I kind of look at the situation. I do think she actually is a natural on the mic. And I do think that the scripted nature of promos for some people, because I don't think everyone gets them as scripted as other people, I think probably the reason they're giving her more of a script than they do some of the other people on the roster is because she came from a shoot fight like my company.
00:54:47
Speaker
They're worried that if they just let her go out there as a green rookie and just start saying things, there's a potential she could drop an F-bomb on live TV. She does swear a lot.
00:54:59
Speaker
Yeah. So I think there's probably like, okay, like you have to go out there and talk shit, but you can't just like legit talk shit. Otherwise we're going to get in some, some trouble. So part of me thinks that that's why that they're probably giving her a lot more scripted promos, but, uh, who knows? I really think that if we just wait it out and cause you know, we're watching somebody learn on television.
00:55:25
Speaker
Like, no one else, you know, just gets thrown into fucking wrestling and has their debut match at WrestleMania and has to learn their mic skills live on TV.
00:55:39
Speaker
Yeah, I and you and I already talked about this. I think she's going to be fine. I think the I think the in ring stuff will come to her quicker than maybe the promo stuff. But I don't think the promo stuff is that far behind her ring stuff. I think she'll figure that out just to like she'll find that she'll find the balance. Do you think Kurt Angle was the most interesting choice to have as her partner?
00:56:02
Speaker
No, but I don't I don't think that the most interesting choice was available. Yeah, Dwayne wasn't available. But do you I don't know. At this point, can you get excited about Kurt Angle still as a wrestler or do you think they've made him too dopey as a general manager to take him seriously as a fighter?
00:56:20
Speaker
Well, it just depends on what Kurt Angle he is. There's been periods in Kurt Angle's wrestling career where he was the dopey guy, especially when he first came into WWE. Then he became the wrestling machine and he was super serious and he screamed a lot and he would break your ankle. And a lot of people love that Kurt Angle too. Is he the most interesting choice for that match?
00:56:44
Speaker
In the sense that Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle were both at one period, people who were like legit wrestlers and legit fighters, it's a cool pairing, but can Kurt Angle still wrestle? Can he still wrestle like a full match? Can he like step up and do like a big match? I guess we'll find out.
00:57:08
Speaker
There would have been a lot of, it would have made a lot of sense, I guess, for them to have Strowman available for that spot, because Strowman has recent history with Triple H. And I guess, you know, Angle did too. They really are waiting on Strowman. Like, it seems like they're gonna wait till the last minute to decide whether or not Roman and Brock should be a triple threat.
00:57:28
Speaker
So for anyone who didn't watch Monday Night Raw, what they've determined is that Miz is going to defend the Intercontinental Championship against both Seth Rollins and Finn Ballet WrestleMania. And to me that has a chance to be like one of if not the match of the night. I know Nakamura Styles will probably be hard to top, but they have a chance at it.
00:57:48
Speaker
I'm very excited that Miz is getting this match and actually is getting like a notable WrestleMania match. The thing that I am most concerned about with that is I'm hearing that like Joe is close to being able to come back and I'm afraid that they're just gonna throw like three more guys and a ladder into that match.
00:58:07
Speaker
Yeah, I've actually heard rumors they'd still plan on doing that. God damn it. They'll add Joe, they could still add Strowman. I mean, there's other people they could add, and then they could still make it a clusterfuck match. But which is a shame to me, because I think that those three have good chemistry, and they could really tear the fucking house down.
00:58:24
Speaker
They really could. I mean, honestly, even just if you had a Rollins baller match, that would be great. Throwing the Miz in there to just be, you know, be just shady walking around trying to fuck everybody. Not like sex. So weird, quick, like 30 second tangent. I'm a big fan of the triple threat match. And here's why. I love that when you add that third person or sometimes even the fourth person, but we'll talk about triple threats.
00:58:51
Speaker
I love that it's no DQ. And I love the dynamic that it adds where locking a guy in a submission or going for a pinfall doesn't just involve the guy needing to kick out. There's the dynamic of the other guy breaking up the submission. To me, it's exciting. It adds a whole other list of things that you can do when there's another guy in there.
00:59:14
Speaker
I completely agree with you on that. I think there's some really, really exciting triple threat matches. One that comes to mind is actually that Rollins seen a Brock Lesnar match from the Royal Rumble a few years ago. That was an awesome one. I do think though, I don't know, there's just something at WrestleMania. I want singles matches.
00:59:39
Speaker
Sure. And I think we're going to get them. As I look ahead to Mania, and I start kind of seeing how the card's going to shape out, if we do end up getting seen at Undertaker, there's going to be plenty of singles matches on this card. And it's good that this WrestleMania, so far, I don't want to jinx it or anything. They're not going to overload it with legends. The legends and the veterans and stuff only have a few bit parts, it seems like. And they're going to be quarantined to a couple matches.
01:00:09
Speaker
I can tell you my predictions for the matches that have the best chance to be matches of the night for this year's WrestleMania, obviously Styles and Nakamura. If the Miz, Rollins, Balor, Triple Threat holds up, that has a chance at it. If they end up giving Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens a match at WrestleMania, that has a chance of being match of the night because those two know each other so well.
01:00:33
Speaker
Um, so- Did you say Bailey and, uh, Sasha? Yeah! Bailey and Sasha. Like, that is- That- Oh my god. Just, those two against each other gets me as excited as Sammy and Kevin against each other.
01:00:49
Speaker
Well, yeah, that's the thing. This is shaping up to be a good WrestleMania. The problem is, how many times have we said this in the past, and then when time comes, they drop the ball? Not being negative, I think they have a good shot at actually pulling this one off this year. Just as long as they don't, already though, this is so many matches. I have a hard time believing that they're gonna give that many people singles matches, and that is what concerns me.
01:01:17
Speaker
Well, somebody's going to wind up on the pre-show, it's just going to be a matter of who it is. Right back. So one more question, then I guess we'll get out of here. What do you think is going to happen with Johnny Wrestling? This is coming from Ryan Harrington. I think that we're going to see huge things out of Johnny Wrestling in 205 Live. He's going straight to 205 Live? I say he debuts on 205 Live, the SmackDown after Mania.
01:01:45
Speaker
You know, the cruiserweights are on Raw. You could show up on Raw. Yeah, but I think that you save him as something special. Like, I feel like if you're really trying to sell me on 205 Live, he is a good champion or a good person to have chase a title.
01:02:01
Speaker
Sure. Could be the first challenger for whoever wins the Cruiserweight belt, too. And, yeah, God damn it. Like, where are we? I mean, obviously, we recorded this right after SmackDown happened, so we didn't get to watch 205 Live this week. But what's it down to now? Like, Roddy Strong and who else is still in this thing? You've been keeping up with it a little bit closer than I have. But I think Roderick Strong has a good chance of actually being the guy who wins it.
01:02:27
Speaker
Man, if I watched Roddy for like a year and a half be the champ at PWG, one of the best heels I've ever seen in my whole life, and if I get to see him have a singles match at WrestleMania for a title, that's fucking crazy to me.
01:02:47
Speaker
Yeah, we'll see what they do. I'm excited for having Gargano up on the main roster, so. Oh, yeah, Gargano is, even if he were just, you could put him on Raw and he would be great. He 100% fills that Daniel Bryan spot.
01:03:01
Speaker
Yeah, we talked about that. I think you're absolutely right. He could absolutely take that spot and and wrestle a hell of a match. And I don't think he has as many injuries either. So no, he I feel he doesn't really wrestle as dangerous of a style, but he's really just looking at his face. He's just such a likable guy.
01:03:21
Speaker
Yeah. Well, hey, man, this has been fun. Ring the fucking bell, dude. Oh, wait. Hey, we can't ring the bell just yet. Oh, yeah. Every week on this show. Because, you know, as wrestling fans, we complain a fair amount. But we do end every show by saying something nice, Derek.
01:03:40
Speaker
Dolph Ziggler. Dolph Ziggler. Not a guy I really like. I think he's got all sorts of fucking talent in the ring. Works one hell of a match. Worked one hell of a match tonight on SmackDown. Can be exciting at times. Just, I don't know. I don't know if I'm over, he's overexposed to me. But yeah, Dolph Ziggler's a great fucking worker. And probably maybe one of the best workers of the last decade.
01:04:10
Speaker
I'm not usually a fan of his, but fuck man, he can work one hell of a match. I mean, I can't deny that. I don't understand his career too much.
01:04:20
Speaker
Like, I... He's a guy that I've loved so many different times and just never got a payoff for liking him or buying those shirts. Except for that one Survivor Series where he was the sole Survivor for Team Cena. I'll never stop talking about that Survivor Series. What about you, man? Who you got? Well, I kind of spoiled this last week, but I realized when I said it that it's true. I have never cared for Bob Holly.
01:04:49
Speaker
I feel like if I met Bob Holly, he is gonna say something that makes me uncomfortable as a person. And probably hurt you. He's really gonna try and pick apart my masculinity, which is already low.
01:05:04
Speaker
And he's gonna make me really self-conscious and I feel like a lot of wrestlers wouldn't do that to me. But Bob Holly, you know what? Fuck it. I'll go to WrestleCon this year and I'll let you know when it happens. I'll wait in a line to meet Bob Holly and see if he degrades me in some way after I give him $20.
01:05:21
Speaker
I would, if Bob Holly beats the shit out of you, I'm not intervening in that one. Wait, that is the match that you're just like, nah. No. Brock Lesnar is worth winding up in a news headline over, Bob Holly is not. Fuck, like when he started out as a race car gimmick and then his gimmick, he was like spacely sprockets. And Brock Lesnar broke his neck.
01:05:48
Speaker
probably on purpose. He probably chopped them too hard. Oh, that's what I was going to say. Nice about Bob Holly. Hell of a chop. That's your nice thing. Cause I already said it last week, but I was like, Bob Holly seems like an asshole. Hell of a chop. Alberto Del Rio. He can, he can't, he's not my cup of tea, but boy, can he whistle and Bob Holly. Hell of a chop.
01:06:10
Speaker
Yeah, like I just I don't want to hang out with Bob Holly, not even a little bit. Like if you gave me a list of 100 wrestlers, he is going to be the last person on there. It's like, who do you want to hang out with? Great Kali or Bob Holly? I hear Great Kali is hilarious to hang out with. I bet he is. I bet he's Bob Holly's never even heard a joke. Bob Holly, he is a joke. Hell of a chop.
01:06:35
Speaker
I'll see you at the next pay-per-view, Bob.
01:06:57
Speaker
In theory, this is Thursday for you. This comes out every Thursday. Thank you for listening. Thanks to all the new listeners out there. We're starting to see some people pop up in the UK. That's awesome. Sweden. Yeah, it's tech Sweden. Thanks for showing up on there. You know, hop on the Twitter, the Instagram, let us know what you want us to talk about. Hey, thanks everyone for listening and we'll be back next week. And hit our goddamn music.