The Ringer Wrestling Show

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What was your favorite part of the Super Bowl halftime show (0:37)? David and Kaz kick off the discussion about which wrestler would host the best Super Bowl party (4:10). Then they discuss the following: WWE prohibiting local bars from showing WrestleMania (8:41) Whether or not a year-long story would help WrestleMania (20:44) AJ Lee-Becky Lynch and Liv Morgan- Stephanie Vaquer showdowns on 'Raw' (55:01) Rhea Ripley and LA Knight qualify for the Elimination Chamber (59:06) Then, new NXT Champion Joe Hendry joins the show and discusses the following: Working in the United States during the pandemic and going back to the U.K. (1:15:18) Going from having a viral song to becoming NXT champion (1:23:20) Being NXT champion and facing WWE champion Drew McIntyre (1:2434) Learning how to approach the art of timing from John Cena (1:27:23) And in a bonus interview, Ben Cruz speaks with Charlotte Flair at Super Bowl’s Radio Row, where they discuss the following: Throwing Alexa out at the Royal Rumble 1:31:47 Charlotte shows Ben how to do the heart hands (1:33:44) Joining Bayley at her Lodestone Women’s Wrestling camp (1:35:20) Her relationship with Bayley (1:36:57) Be sure to check out our videos on⁠ BlueSky⁠,⁠ TikTok⁠,⁠ Instagram Threads⁠, and⁠ X⁠. Hosts: David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide, Ben Cruz and Brian H. Waters Guests: Joe Hendry and Charlotte Flair Producer: Brian H. Waters Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Can a 48-year-old Brock Lesnar win in a real fight against Oba Femi (0:30)? David and Kaz kick off the discussion about which wrestler would host the best Super Bowl party (4:10). Then they discuss the following: Brody King defeating MJF to earn a shot at the AEW title (11:40) Will Ospreay is on his way back (14:05) Stephanie Vaquer retains Women’s World Title (24:53) Roman Reigns chooses CM Punk for his WrestleMania opponent (30:25) Building a WrestleMania card with majority of women’s matches (40:54) Then, Liv Morgan joins after her Royal Rumble victory and discusses the following: Breaking down backstage after winning the Rumble (1:03:31) Her attempt to help Raquel Rodriguez win the Women’s World Title on 'WWE Raw' (1:08:05) Wearing the Swarovski Jordan 1s in her Royal Rumble win (1:12:38) Waiting to pick her WrestleMania opponent (126:00) Be sure to check out our videos on⁠ BlueSky⁠,⁠ TikTok⁠,⁠ Instagram Threads⁠, and⁠ X⁠. Hosts: David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide, and Brian H. Waters Guest: Liv Morgan Producer: Brian H. Waters Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Which decision was worse: having Roman Reigns win the Royal Rumble or having LED lights (0:39)? David and Kaz kick off the show by discussing Roman Reigns’s Royal Rumble win and the reason why he is the most important WWE star today (2:24). They also discuss the following: Who else could have won if not Roman (20:30)? Liv Morgan wins the Women’s Royal Rumble, and Brie Bella makes a shocking return (34:16) Drew McIntyre defeats Sami Zayn (55:27) Gunther ends AJ Styles's WWE career (59:00) Be sure to check out our videos on⁠ BlueSky⁠,⁠ TikTok⁠,⁠ Instagram Threads⁠, and⁠ X⁠. Hosts: David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide, and Brian H. Waters Producer: Brian H. Waters Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David and Kaz kick off the show discussing Samoa Joe’s unfortunate non-contact injury that was revealed on Wednesday’s 'Dynamite' (0:37). Then, Ben joins the guys to discuss the following: The speed of which the Royal Rumble Saudi Arabia stadium was built (3:50) Betting odds for both the men’s and women’s Royal Rumbles  (10:41) Royal Rumble card picks (47:13) Be sure to check out our videos on⁠ BlueSky⁠,⁠ TikTok⁠,⁠ Instagram Threads⁠, and⁠ X⁠. Hosts: David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide and Ben Cruz  Producer: Stefan Anderson  Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Following Sami Zayn's victory in the Fatal 4-Way on 'Saturday Night's Main Event,' which of the four competitors is most likely to become a world champion next (0:30)? David and Kaz kick off the show by discussing the possibility of Sami Zayn becoming the WWE champion at Royal Rumble (3:10).Then they discuss: Trick Williams’s performance in the Fatal 4-Way match (15:09) Jacob Fatu’s transformation and his match with Cody Rhodes (20:54) AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura take it back to Strong Style (31:00) Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky defend their tag titles against Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez (38:37) Who is the wild card to win the Royal Rumble (45:50)? Be sure to check out our videos on⁠ BlueSky⁠,⁠ TikTok⁠,⁠ Instagram Threads⁠, and⁠ X⁠.Hosts: David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide, and Brian H. WatersProducer: Brian H. WatersAdditional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David and Kaz fire up the mics and discuss whether or not the Rock ruined John Cena’s retirement tour by filming ‘The Smashing Machine’ (8:19). Then, they discuss a few things from Season 2 of 'WWE Unreal' (20:25). They also discuss the following: The debate whether or not AEW is building new stars (35:00) Lainey Reid and Ricky Sosa grab the attention of wrestling fans everywhere (1:02:21) David’s rant of the week: Wrestlers should never wear plaid on television (1:14:34) Saturday Night’s Main Event preview (1:22:9) Be sure to check out our videos on⁠ BlueSky⁠,⁠ TikTok⁠,⁠ Instagram Threads⁠, and⁠ X⁠. Hosts: David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide, and Brian H. Waters Producer: Brian H. Waters Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK:  After 'Monday Night Raw,' is Finn Balor still going to be OK (0:30)? David and Kaz return after the holiday with a big announcement from Kaz (2:32). Then they discuss the following from WWE Raw : Finn Balor fails to win the World Heavyweight Title (15:00) Giving CM Punk flowers for his current run as world champion (23:23) Royal Rumble predictions (42:35) 'WWE Unreal' Season 2 (53:23) TNA debut on AMC (58:00) Be sure to check out our videos on⁠ BlueSky⁠,⁠ TikTok⁠,⁠ Instagram Threads⁠, and⁠ X⁠. Hosts: David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide, Ben Cruz, and Brian H. Waters Producer: Brian H. Waters Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

THE LONGEST COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If wrestlers had shoe deals, who is the top superstar you’d be going after (0:30)? David and Kaz kick off the show with the latest in pro wrestling free agency: Powerhouse Hobbs is WWE bound (14:01) The Rascalz are AEW bound (28:11). Then they discuss NXT’s reset: Keanu Carver shows up and cleans house (34:30) Ethan Page and Shawn Michaels comparisons (47:43) Last, they recap AEW Dynamite (50:09). Be sure to check out our videos on⁠ BlueSky⁠,⁠ TikTok⁠,⁠ Instagram Threads⁠, and⁠ X⁠. Hosts: David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide, Ben Cruz, and Brian H. Waters Producer: Brian H. Waters Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Would it be better for Bron Breakker or Jacob Fatu to be mad at you (1:03)?The band is back together. David, Kaz, Ben, and Brian kick off the show by resuming their conversation about pro wrestling’s Trae Young comparison (4:20). Then they fantasy book a Survivor Series: WarGames match featuring USA vs. the world (10:50).Then David and Kaz recap the following from the weekend: Je’Von Evans's first match as part of the 'Raw' roster (15:33) Drew McIntyre defeats Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship (25:38) Finn Balor’s chances of defeating CM Punk for the World Heavyweight title (39:11) The women’s tag team division (56:00) Which NBA star could get a YEET entrance (1:06:29)? Oba Femi left the NXT title in the ring (1:12:27) Be sure to check out our videos on⁠ BlueSky⁠,⁠ TikTok⁠,⁠ Instagram Threads⁠, and⁠ X⁠.Hosts: David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide, Ben Cruz, and Brian H. WatersProducer: Brian H. WatersAdditional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: For $600, would you rather have a bad Ric Flair cameo or nosebleed seats at the Elimination Chamber (1:00)? Shoes is back, and he is joined by Ben and Brian. He has a few more cold open questions, including: A bad Ric Flair cameo or an immaculate AI ’80s Ric Flair promo (3:32)? Bigger loss: EC3 leaving NWA or Brock Lesnar retiring from wrestling events (6:19)? Who is the wrestling Trae Young (7:38)? Then they discuss the following: Bron Breakker’s path to the main event of WrestleMania (14:37) Oba Femi vacating the NXT title (21:53) Trick Williams and Matt Cardona join 'SmackDown,' Je’Von Evans joins 'Raw,' and Jordynne Grace is still deciding (27:34) Ricky Saints is now the guy in NXT (34:43) Andrade and Jake Doyle debut in AEW (36:00) Jon Moxley’s babyface turn (42:05) MJF’s reign as AEW World Champion (45:12) CM Punk’s comments about fans complaining (53:23) Why Damian Priest is too cool to be a babyface (59:19) Be sure to check out our videos on⁠ BlueSky⁠,⁠ TikTok⁠,⁠ Instagram Threads⁠, and⁠ X⁠. Hosts: David Shoemaker, Ben Cruz, and Brian H. Waters Producer: Brian H. Waters Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What is your pro wrestling New Year’s resolution? Ben and Brian fill in for David and Kaz and kick off the show by discussing the one-year anniversary of ‘WWE Raw’ on Netflix, which had a ‘Stranger Things’ theme. They talk about the following: Brian’s experience in the arena vs. Ben’s experience watching on Netflix (3:00) How WWE incorporated ‘Stranger Things’ (8:23) CM Punk retains the world title against Bron Breakker (13:56) Is the Vision lackluster without Seth Rollins (20:09)? Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky win the women’s tag team titles (25:45) Becky Lynch beats Maxxine Dupri for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship (33:34) Fans are upset that Chris Jericho did not appear on ‘WWE Raw’ (40:29) Trick Williams and Matt Cardona debuting on 'SmackDown' (50:00) Drew McIntyre challenging Cody Rhodes to a Three Stages of Hell match (54:39) MJF becoming AEW world champion and Willow Nightingale winning two titles, including dethroning Mercedes Moné (58:21) Then they recap a few things we missed over the break, including:Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: Ben Cruz and Brian H. WatersProducer: Brian H. WatersAdditional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: When is the last time you tapped out like John Cena (1:05)? David is joined by Ben and Brian and they kick off the show to discuss wrestling after Cena. Then they get open the mailbag and look at your responses for some end-of-year awards, which include best hair, best entrance, most not-for-me angle, best pivot, and more (25:01).Then, they welcome the man who brought so many tears to adults and children when he retired Cena: the Ring General, Gunther (1:37:40). He discusses the following: His trolling posts on social media after his win (1:38:30) The tension backstage the before Saturday Night’s Main Event (1:4916) How he is loving the boos (1:52:00) His interaction with AJ Styles backstage (1:54:23) Read David’s piece on The Ringer reflecting on John Cena’s career.Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X.Hosts: David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide, Ben Cruz and Brian H. WatersGuest: GuntherProducer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If you were John Cena, who would you have wanted to put over in your last match? David and Kaz spend today’s show diving into every angle of John Cena’s retirement at Saturday Night’s Main Event this past weekend. They give their initial reactions to Cena tapping out to Gunther and the fan response to one of the biggest stars in wrestling history calling it a career. Plus, they discuss the following: Gunther as Cena’s final opponent (12:20) Who from NXT gained the most from SNME (34:31)? Gunther’s best WrestleMania opponent (43:56) How SNME affects John Cena’s GOAT status (58:35) Whether Saturday was Triple Hs "Mr. McMahon” moment (1:12:39) Be sure to check out our videos on⁠ BlueSky⁠,⁠ TikTok⁠,⁠ Instagram Threads⁠, and⁠ X⁠. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Producer: Bruce Baldwin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the eve of John Cena’s last match, David, Kaz, and Brian discuss his legacy and the hype meter for his final match with Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event (5:18) Then they discuss the following: Cody Rhodes vs. Oba Femi (39:15) Bayley vs. Sol Ruca (48:00) World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles & Dragon Lee vs. Je'Von Evans & Leon Slater (52:20) Who is the Masked Man in WWE (56:12)? Kyle Fletcher vs. SpeedBall Mike Bailey (1:03:20) LA Knight gets destroyed on 'Raw' (1:13:34) Then, they welcome NXT Champion Oba Femi ahead of his match with Cody Rhodes and he discusses the following: Preparing to serve Cody Rhodes a dish of dominance (1:25:10) Lessons he has learned from John Cena (1:30:12) How he is enjoying his run on top of NXT (1:40:30) Read David’s piece on the ringer dot com reflecting on John Cena’s career. Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide and Brian H. Waters Guest: Oba Femi Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Who is your favorite “old guy” wrestler (0:41)?David and Kaz kick off the show recapping NXT Deadline and comparing the current NXT men’s roster to the 2003 NBA draft (5:06). They also discuss the following: The Men’s and Women’s Iron Survivor Match (14:00) Gunther wins the Last Time Is Now tournament and will face John Cena (22:53) Breaking news regarding the Rock (25:15) Expected cameos for John Cena’s last match (31:15) Red Velvet defeats Mercedes Moné for the Ring of Honor Women’s TV Title (55:23) David proposes a new NXT championship title (58:10) Who is John Cena’s best rivalry (1:02:00)? Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X.Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem FamuyideProducer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Who would be the absolute worst musical act to feature in a pro-wrestling-match soundtrack? David and Kaz kick off the show by discussing the big news that is the Netflix–Warner Brothers deal and how they think this will affect AEW and WWE, before getting into some wild speculation (5:00). Plus, they discuss the following: TNA’s new television deal with AMC (24:19) Things that actually happened on wrestling programs this week (42:46) CM Punk’s beloved dog Larry passing away (50:38) Who'll win the ‘Last Time Is Now’ tournament (57:30) The women’s tag team divisions in both AEW and WWE (1:04:15) Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky⁠, TikTok⁠, Instagram Threads⁠, and⁠ X⁠. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Producer: Bruce Baldwin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If David, Kaz, Ben, and Brian were in a WarGames match, in what order would they go into the match (0:45)? The guys kick off the show by discussing the current state of Survivor Series and whether or not WarGames is still necessary (2:51). Plus they discuss the following: Could the Iron Survivor Challenge be a part of Survivor Series (21:45)? The WrestleMania main events set up at Survivor Series (26:00). Is Dominik Mysterio the fourth-biggest male superstar (34:45)? The Iyo Sky trash can (59:09) Who was the mystery man at the end of Survivor Series (1:07:50)? Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide, Ben Cruz, and Brian H. Waters Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Make up Bret Hart’s next controversial claim.David and Kaz kick off the week by recapping AEW Full Gear, where Samoa Joe regained the AEW World Championship from Adam “Hangman” Page (7:25).Later, they preview WWE ‘Raw,’ where the Time Is Now Tournament continues with Solo Sikoa vs. Penta and Carmelo Hayes vs. Gunther (1:03:40). Plus, they discuss the hype levels for WarGames vs. John Cena’s retirement match (1:08:19).Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X.Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem FamuyideProducer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If Kaz was in a wrestling match and refusing to tap out, when is it appropriate for David to throw in the towel? David and Kaz preview AEW Full Gear and discuss which wrestlers in each match have the most potential upside (3:09). The talk all 13 matches, including: Jon Moxley vs. Kyle O’Reilly (15:56) Sisters of Sin vs. Babes of Wrath vs. Timeless Love Bombs vs. Marina Shafir and Megan Bayne  (20:52) Darby Allin vs. PAC (27:52) Kyle Fletcher vs. Mark Briscoe (30:46)  Kenny Omega and Jurassic Express vs. The Young Bucks and Josh Alexander – Million-Dollar Trios Match (32:44) Kris Statlander vs. Mercedes Mone (46:46) Later, David and Brian discuss NXT Gold Rush, where Jacy Jayne regained her NXT Women’s Championship (52:27). Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide and Brian H. Waters Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If the babyface Survivor Series team were the Avengers, which Avenger would Jimmy Uso be (0:45)? David and Kaz kick off the show by discussing whose T-shirt they'd get first, Dolph Ziggler's, Matt Cardona's … or Cam Skattebo's (3:40). Then they discuss the first round of the tournament that will determines who faces John Cena in his final match (6:00). They also discuss the following: Je’Von Evans’s performance vs. Gunther (12:02) Maxxine Dupri wins the Women’s Intercontinental Championship (14:56) AJ Lee and Becky Lynch join the women’s WarGames match (18:20) Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar join the men’s WarGames match (22:32) The most expensive wrestling merch (41:29) Later, David and Brian welcome the AEW Women’s World Champion, Kris Statlander, ahead of her title defense against Mercedes Moné at AEW Full Gear (50:41)She discusses the following: Her mental headspace after two ACL injuries (52:19) Creating the alien gimmick (58:22) Her in-ring chemistry with Mercedes Moné (68:39) Falling onto the bed of nails at AEW Blood and Guts (76:20) Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide, and Brian H. Waters Guest: Kris Statlander Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices