WEBVTT 1 00:00:02.839 --> 00:00:13.359 This is WWE Superstar Drew McIntyre, and you're listening to the WWE podcast, 2 00:00:13.439 --> 00:00:29.000 the show, the one that everybody wants me God sixteen rs is modern. 3 00:00:29.399 --> 00:00:36.280 You're gonna acknowledge me. Welcome everybody to the official WrestleMania forty pre Dream Prediction 4 00:00:36.359 --> 00:00:40.640 Show. I've got Anthony Tomorco here pushing our regular show back a few days, 5 00:00:40.840 --> 00:00:43.960 but worth it here because we're gonna be talking about WrestleMania forty nine, 6 00:00:44.079 --> 00:00:48.840 one night two, potential returns, The weekend is finally here after all of 7 00:00:48.880 --> 00:00:52.159 the hype, all the way really from last year's WrestleMania, thinking about this 8 00:00:52.240 --> 00:00:55.119 year's and now here we are, and then just a few days it'll all 9 00:00:55.159 --> 00:00:58.520 be over and we will be already talking about WrestleMania forty one next year. 10 00:00:58.560 --> 00:01:02.200 But obviously a lots again through tonight, a lot to discuss, a lot 11 00:01:02.200 --> 00:01:04.920 of potential great matches, a lot of potential awesome returns coming as well. 12 00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:10.280 I think it's going to be a mix of the legends of yesteryear and today's 13 00:01:10.280 --> 00:01:15.799 stars. But Anthony, it's WrestleMania forty What do you think I mean? 14 00:01:15.159 --> 00:01:19.599 It's kind of crazy. I came home from work earlier today and I looked 15 00:01:19.599 --> 00:01:22.599 at my girlfriend and as she pretended to care, I said, can you 16 00:01:22.680 --> 00:01:26.879 believe that WrestleMania is tomorrow? And obviously this is a special one on many 17 00:01:26.920 --> 00:01:30.040 fronts. I mean you could look at it from several different angles as to 18 00:01:30.079 --> 00:01:34.680 why it's so unique. Obviously a big round zero forty. Every time they 19 00:01:34.760 --> 00:01:40.280 hit that ten year milestone, it feels that much more important. The Rocks 20 00:01:40.359 --> 00:01:46.519 first match in what eleven years, not counting to Eric Rowan debacle. Obviously 21 00:01:46.599 --> 00:01:51.280 from twenty sixteen to Wrestling thirty two? Are we finally going to see the 22 00:01:51.439 --> 00:01:55.159 end of Roman Reins? Is three and a half year championship run. It 23 00:01:55.200 --> 00:01:59.000 really does feel like the dawn of a new era in WWE. And I 24 00:01:59.000 --> 00:02:02.560 think Cody Roads is actual trademarking the Renaissance era, And as corny as that 25 00:02:02.680 --> 00:02:07.959 may sound, and maybe as force as it may sound to some, maybe 26 00:02:07.000 --> 00:02:12.520 he has a point. Maybe wrestle Mania forty is the official ushering into this 27 00:02:12.639 --> 00:02:15.960 new era, whatever that may be. Yeah, then the problem is we 28 00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:20.319 hate anything that comes from Cody, So even if it was a great idea 29 00:02:20.439 --> 00:02:23.840 coming from Cody, it's automatically tainted. But no, that may not be 30 00:02:23.000 --> 00:02:25.879 the worst idea, and it is kind of a landmark. It's a reset. 31 00:02:25.960 --> 00:02:30.199 It's like you said, these round numbers have a little bit extra special 32 00:02:30.719 --> 00:02:35.639 feeling to them, and I'm with you. It doesn't feel like WrestleMania weekend, 33 00:02:35.639 --> 00:02:38.400 though. I have to get myself into the mode because both of us 34 00:02:38.439 --> 00:02:42.080 have been crazy busy with other things in our lives that you have to get 35 00:02:42.120 --> 00:02:46.039 yourself in that focus of in that mindset that it's WrestleMania week and and I 36 00:02:46.039 --> 00:02:49.360 think we'll be able to do that pretty quickly. But yeah, this is 37 00:02:49.400 --> 00:02:52.319 a this is a special one and if it's the Renaissance era or whatever they 38 00:02:52.400 --> 00:02:55.360 call it or PG plus era, it is, it does feel like there's 39 00:02:55.360 --> 00:03:00.360 something that's going to change after this year's WrestleMania, and let's dive into it 40 00:03:00.400 --> 00:03:04.319 because there is a lot to get to Night one and night two. We'll 41 00:03:04.319 --> 00:03:08.240 get through every single match here of course potential returns and those will come throughout 42 00:03:08.240 --> 00:03:13.319 our predictions. So let's just dive in Night one. We'll start with Ramus 43 00:03:13.319 --> 00:03:17.479 Stereo and Dragon Lee, not Carlito to the fans, Dismay Versus Santos Escobar 44 00:03:17.639 --> 00:03:22.400 and Dominic Mysterio, So Ray and dom once again facing each other, this 45 00:03:22.439 --> 00:03:25.039 time in a tag team match. Your thoughts and predictions on this one, 46 00:03:27.240 --> 00:03:29.960 Well, look, I think it's a way to get Santos, Escobar and 47 00:03:30.000 --> 00:03:32.159 Dom on the card, as well as Dragon Lee to but to a lesser 48 00:03:32.199 --> 00:03:37.039 extent, and as you mentioned, kind of bizarre because Carlito was the low 49 00:03:37.080 --> 00:03:40.599 hanging fruit, has a built in rivalry with Santos, Escobar and the LWO 50 00:03:40.759 --> 00:03:45.919 and look out of a del Fantasma. But obviously they view Dragon Lee as 51 00:03:45.960 --> 00:03:49.840 like the next coming of raymis Giro and obviously a good worker. But I 52 00:03:49.879 --> 00:03:52.560 think it's gonna be Dom and Santos. I think they have a lot to 53 00:03:52.599 --> 00:03:57.199 gain here. I think Raymisdiro already beat Dom, so you don't have to, 54 00:03:57.240 --> 00:03:59.599 you know, go back to the well with that. I really think 55 00:03:59.639 --> 00:04:02.919 that's To's Escobar in particular could use this big victory. So I'm going with 56 00:04:02.960 --> 00:04:09.400 Santos and Dom. I'm gonna echo that. I would agree that at this 57 00:04:09.520 --> 00:04:12.919 point we need Dominic to get on some kind of role. I think that 58 00:04:13.120 --> 00:04:15.919 as much as he's hated, I think he still loses too much. So 59 00:04:15.960 --> 00:04:19.279 I this time, for me, it's going to be a definitive dominic masterial 60 00:04:19.319 --> 00:04:23.759 on Santos Escobar win. I don't care who takes the pinfall here. Ray 61 00:04:23.800 --> 00:04:27.360 got his victory over his son last year, so Dominic winning this year makes 62 00:04:27.439 --> 00:04:29.879 much more sense. I want dom to get on a role. I want 63 00:04:29.959 --> 00:04:31.600 him to be so hated. He already is, but I think he needs 64 00:04:31.639 --> 00:04:35.079 a deeper hatred. And I think that there might be something going on in 65 00:04:35.120 --> 00:04:39.920 the judgment day right now with Dominic undermining a lot of the decisions that are 66 00:04:39.920 --> 00:04:43.199 happening right now. There's a lot of tension bringing in Santos, bringing in 67 00:04:43.600 --> 00:04:47.199 you know, Andrade. I think there's a lot happening that will post May, 68 00:04:47.319 --> 00:04:51.800 post WrestleMania. Really start to see the makings of that, and maybe 69 00:04:51.839 --> 00:04:58.279 Dominic ends up, you know, turning on on Priest and turning on turning 70 00:04:58.279 --> 00:05:00.240 on Finn Balor and then you have, you know, a new group formed 71 00:05:00.560 --> 00:05:04.759 under Dominic mysterio who is the mastermind behind it? I mean really projecting out, 72 00:05:04.759 --> 00:05:06.879 but I think this could be the makings of that, and ultimately just 73 00:05:06.920 --> 00:05:11.399 Dominic needs the victory here. They say to Soda, Santos in his you 74 00:05:11.439 --> 00:05:14.879 know, for his defense, I think he had an amazing heel turn that 75 00:05:15.160 --> 00:05:18.120 really petered out over the last several weeks because they haven't paid attention to it, 76 00:05:18.160 --> 00:05:21.439 really, is all it is. So Santos and Dominic need this way 77 00:05:21.480 --> 00:05:26.759 more than Ray Mysterio and Ray Masterio Light do. So, like, for 78 00:05:26.800 --> 00:05:30.439 you, do you think that it's more because of what Santos and dom need 79 00:05:30.600 --> 00:05:33.920 over just Rey Masteriro kind of being the guy of Yesterdayear and dragon Ly not 80 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:38.319 that being that established yet. Yeah. I mean, plus there's a lot 81 00:05:38.360 --> 00:05:41.720 more to do with those. I think they have more plans for Santos and 82 00:05:41.759 --> 00:05:46.079 don than they do Ray and dragon Lee. But Dragon Lee is clearly, 83 00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:49.240 like you said, kind of the the replacement for Ray. If maybe that's 84 00:05:49.279 --> 00:05:53.839 a little bit too much, but I think he's He's a guy that you 85 00:05:53.920 --> 00:05:56.639 know, is going to get the rub from Ray, even though unfortunately he's 86 00:05:56.639 --> 00:06:00.439 going to stay under the shadow of Ray Masterio forever because every one that ever 87 00:06:00.480 --> 00:06:02.319 comes in as a Lutra door with a mask is going to be compared to 88 00:06:02.399 --> 00:06:06.759 Ray and they will never meet Ray's expectations. So I think it's about giving 89 00:06:06.839 --> 00:06:12.120 Dragonly that opportunity, but really more about just Sansos and Dominic moving forward. 90 00:06:12.160 --> 00:06:15.879 I think that they could have and have already shown on SmackDown an alliance of 91 00:06:15.959 --> 00:06:18.399 sorts that really is going to be the fracturing of the judgment days we currently 92 00:06:18.480 --> 00:06:21.879 know it. Yeah, and there's not too much to dissect here. I 93 00:06:21.920 --> 00:06:25.560 think it's low hanging through it. I think that's why they were able to 94 00:06:25.600 --> 00:06:29.759 throw this match together with a little build. Everyone knows what the beef is 95 00:06:29.800 --> 00:06:32.879 between the four men. Everyone knows what each guy could win from this or 96 00:06:32.920 --> 00:06:36.600 pull off of this. Like you know, it's a simple match. It's 97 00:06:36.639 --> 00:06:40.480 not going to blow the doors off. It's obviously going to be great from 98 00:06:40.480 --> 00:06:44.920 an in ring perspective. But I think it is relatively, at least to 99 00:06:45.040 --> 00:06:47.319 us obvious which team needs to walk away with the victory here, and that 100 00:06:47.360 --> 00:06:50.120 doesn't need to necessarily make it bad. But to me, it does seem 101 00:06:50.160 --> 00:06:54.399 predictable in a good way. Yeah, I'm cool with it. This is 102 00:06:54.399 --> 00:06:57.360 one of those deals. It doesn't need to be unpredictable to be the right 103 00:06:57.360 --> 00:07:00.680 decision. The right decision and predictable are often the same. All right, 104 00:07:00.759 --> 00:07:04.439 let's move on. We've got the six woman tag team match here, with 105 00:07:04.759 --> 00:07:10.680 Bianca, Naomi and Jade Cargill making her in ring debut outside of the Rumble 106 00:07:10.759 --> 00:07:15.639 of course against Damage Control. What I mean not Bailey. Bailey's in her 107 00:07:15.639 --> 00:07:17.360 own match, But what do you make of this? And boy is this 108 00:07:17.839 --> 00:07:20.759 If there's ever a match to put money on, this one seems to be 109 00:07:20.800 --> 00:07:24.920 the one. I don't know anyone that's picking Damage Control, but maybe you'll 110 00:07:24.920 --> 00:07:28.560 convince me otherwise. Well, no, not at all, but because I 111 00:07:28.600 --> 00:07:30.959 feel like this is almost kind of like the counterpart to the match we just 112 00:07:31.000 --> 00:07:34.839 spoke about, but in a more extreme fashion. Ben Like, there's no 113 00:07:34.920 --> 00:07:39.680 way Damage Control wins here. We know why this match was put together. 114 00:07:40.120 --> 00:07:43.959 We know probably that it's gonna end with a hot tag to Jade Cargill. 115 00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:46.439 Who's gonna get the w over one of the members of Damage Control? If 116 00:07:46.480 --> 00:07:49.920 I had to take a guess, probably Dakota Kai. You'll probably see a 117 00:07:50.040 --> 00:07:55.519 spurt where Naomi's the babyface trapped in the ring and there's being work put in 118 00:07:55.600 --> 00:07:59.360 on her by Oscar, Kyrie Sane and Dakota Kai. But I mean again, 119 00:07:59.600 --> 00:08:03.319 like you cannot have an up and coming star like Jake Cargill making your 120 00:08:03.360 --> 00:08:07.600 first in ring debut, or I mean, other than the Royal Rumble, 121 00:08:07.079 --> 00:08:11.439 a returning Naomi and Bianca Bellair, who was kind of cast aside on this 122 00:08:11.560 --> 00:08:16.240 road to WrestleMania lose to a group that you know, I mean, I 123 00:08:16.240 --> 00:08:20.279 don't want to say is boring, but it's stagnant. You know, they've 124 00:08:20.319 --> 00:08:24.079 done their job. They are who they are, They're they're the Lackeys to 125 00:08:24.240 --> 00:08:28.319 EO. Sky. They've done a fine job. But there's nothing for damage 126 00:08:28.319 --> 00:08:31.879 Control to win out of this. It's all meant to give Naomi and Bianca 127 00:08:33.000 --> 00:08:37.639 a proper spotlight and obviously catapult Jake Cargill and show her off in a real 128 00:08:37.679 --> 00:08:41.919 match setting other than just the royal rumble that obviously is all over the place. 129 00:08:41.960 --> 00:08:45.080 So I mean, again, much like the match we just talked about 130 00:08:45.159 --> 00:08:46.879 on the men's side of things, I don't think there's too much to dissect 131 00:08:48.080 --> 00:08:52.000 beneath the surface on this women's six man tag. No, this one, 132 00:08:52.039 --> 00:08:54.159 to me is out of every match, and even the Iosky and Bailey, 133 00:08:54.159 --> 00:08:56.840 which is heavily favored on Bailey as we all know, this one, to 134 00:08:56.879 --> 00:09:01.519 me, out of the whole card, is the most clear that we have. 135 00:09:01.600 --> 00:09:05.039 The victors be Naomi Bianca and Jade. And you're right, this is 136 00:09:05.039 --> 00:09:07.200 all about really Jade Cargill. If you're going to single it down to one 137 00:09:07.200 --> 00:09:11.840 person. It's about Jade Cargill's in ring debut, with the workload being kind 138 00:09:11.879 --> 00:09:16.559 of diversified among the other five women. It's really what it is. I 139 00:09:16.559 --> 00:09:18.000 mean, they didn't feel confident in giving her a one on one yet, 140 00:09:18.000 --> 00:09:22.200 and that's fine. Ease her in, get her on the WrestleMania stage, 141 00:09:22.399 --> 00:09:24.919 and it's going to be about giving her a few minutes here, a few 142 00:09:24.919 --> 00:09:26.240 minutes there, giving her the hot tach, giving her the victory, of 143 00:09:26.279 --> 00:09:30.919 course. But you know, the other story is that the fact that you 144 00:09:31.360 --> 00:09:35.000 mentioned it is is Bianca bel Air, who has been I mean, she's 145 00:09:35.039 --> 00:09:39.559 main evented a couple of WrestleManias on the women's side, winning the championship twice, 146 00:09:39.960 --> 00:09:43.440 and yet she has been just as you said, cast aside or given 147 00:09:43.480 --> 00:09:46.799 a lesser role. It just is. Now, that doesn't mean that this 148 00:09:46.879 --> 00:09:50.039 isn't supposed to set up a Jade Bianca match at some point. Maybe we'll 149 00:09:50.080 --> 00:09:54.679 see some tension in this match between Jade and Bianca which is going to further 150 00:09:54.799 --> 00:09:58.600 lead to an eventual match between those two, which which has to happen. 151 00:09:58.799 --> 00:10:01.679 So I don't know if those that's Henson will be shown tomorrow night, or 152 00:10:01.720 --> 00:10:05.080 if it's just going to be something that eventually they'll get to. Either way, 153 00:10:05.240 --> 00:10:07.120 all three women, all three women really deserve it too. I mean, 154 00:10:07.159 --> 00:10:15.279 they're infinitely more interesting than damage controlled Kyrie Saying and Naomi or osca Uh 155 00:10:15.399 --> 00:10:18.080 and Dakota Kai. So this one is a slam dunk, closed the door, 156 00:10:18.399 --> 00:10:20.080 lock up, you know, lock it up, throw away, the 157 00:10:20.120 --> 00:10:24.480 key type of decision for me, and and that's a victory for those three 158 00:10:24.519 --> 00:10:30.879 women. So all right, break down. No there's not I mean there's 159 00:10:30.919 --> 00:10:33.039 really not, And that's okay this It can be that simple and I'm okay 160 00:10:33.039 --> 00:10:37.759 with it. So all right. Six Pack Challenge the six Pack Tag Team 161 00:10:37.840 --> 00:10:41.120 Ladder Match for the Undisputed Tag Team Championship. We have Damian and Finn Our 162 00:10:41.200 --> 00:10:46.120 Truth and miz Di i Y with Shampa and Gargano. We have the New 163 00:10:46.200 --> 00:10:52.840 Day of Xavier and Kingston, Theory and Waller and then Pete Dunn and Tyler 164 00:10:52.840 --> 00:10:56.240 Bait and what is going to be I think a car crash match, and 165 00:10:56.279 --> 00:10:58.919 that's in a good way. I hope, I really hope no one dies 166 00:11:00.039 --> 00:11:01.759 in this match. I mean, like, really, my concern is the 167 00:11:01.799 --> 00:11:05.879 actual health and safety of the men in this match for real. But let 168 00:11:05.960 --> 00:11:09.399 me let me get your thoughts on it. Well. I mean, I 169 00:11:09.399 --> 00:11:13.000 don't think I've ever seen a twelve person ladder match. It's going to take 170 00:11:13.080 --> 00:11:15.720 a hell of a lot of planning from these guys, you know, like 171 00:11:15.960 --> 00:11:18.000 show aside, like from just a real life point of view. They are 172 00:11:18.039 --> 00:11:22.480 going to have to really have all their ducks in a row before they go 173 00:11:22.519 --> 00:11:24.960 out there. It is going to be so chaotic. I think the largest 174 00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:28.600 Matt ladder match I've ever seen was eight person in money in the bank, 175 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:33.200 and even at that it started out as a six person I believe back in 176 00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:37.720 the rest of my twenty one twelve people, I mean, I wish them 177 00:11:37.720 --> 00:11:41.360 well, But as far as my con prediction goes, I mean, it's 178 00:11:41.399 --> 00:11:46.039 a process of elimination, right Like Newday obviously isn't going to win. I 179 00:11:46.080 --> 00:11:50.440 don't think Tyler Bait and Pete Dunn are quite there yet, and then you're 180 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:54.440 down to four teams was Austin Theory and Grayson Waller. I mean, they 181 00:11:54.559 --> 00:11:58.279 certainly have a chance, but are they the ones to really walk away with 182 00:11:58.360 --> 00:12:01.919 the tag titles? I don't think so. Obviously, A judgment date could 183 00:12:01.960 --> 00:12:07.399 retain, but we've just kind of you alluded to it rather earlier that maybe 184 00:12:07.440 --> 00:12:11.919 you are planting the seeds for a dissolution of that group. And I don't 185 00:12:11.960 --> 00:12:15.759 think that they really have much more to give to the tag team titles. 186 00:12:15.759 --> 00:12:20.000 It's actually felt that they've somewhat kept them hostage. D I Y. I 187 00:12:20.039 --> 00:12:24.519 mean, probably a runner up favorite because of their history together in NXT, 188 00:12:24.679 --> 00:12:26.480 and I do think they have some kind of a backing. But to me, 189 00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:30.600 again, I think this is relatively obvious that's going to be the Miss 190 00:12:30.639 --> 00:12:33.519 and Our Truth. Obviously some wind has been taken out of the sales of 191 00:12:33.559 --> 00:12:37.159 Our Truth recently, but I still think the Philly crowd is going to be 192 00:12:37.159 --> 00:12:41.559 behind them. It'll give mis a nice thing to do at WrestleMania. The 193 00:12:41.639 --> 00:12:45.960 last prominent match he had at Mania, if I'm not mistaken, was against 194 00:12:45.960 --> 00:12:50.000 Shane McMahon at WrestleMania thirty five, I want to say, and he lost 195 00:12:50.039 --> 00:12:54.799 that match too, So a good win for the MIZ, a good win 196 00:12:54.879 --> 00:12:58.600 for Our Truth again, predictable but not necessarily a bad thing Our Truth of 197 00:12:58.639 --> 00:13:03.919 the Miss. Oh yeah, yeah, And once again we're in lockstep and 198 00:13:03.200 --> 00:13:07.360 we're three for three on that, but this is certainly better for them than 199 00:13:07.440 --> 00:13:09.200 last year is getting knocked out by Snoop Dog Didn't you get knocked out by 200 00:13:09.200 --> 00:13:16.279 Snoop DOGG last year with one of the most people. Yeah, so this 201 00:13:16.320 --> 00:13:18.240 is gonna be a little bit better for them. But yeah, this is 202 00:13:18.279 --> 00:13:22.240 a like, as I mentioned, it's a car crash match, not disrespectfully 203 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:24.759 meaning it that way, but it's going to be. And I don't envy 204 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:30.240 the announcers trying to call this match. It's gonna be really impossible to call 205 00:13:30.279 --> 00:13:33.360 this match in a way that's digestible and not fifty five hundred miles an hour. 206 00:13:33.559 --> 00:13:37.559 I mean, this is gonna be a crazy match, a spot after 207 00:13:37.559 --> 00:13:41.120 spot. It's gonna be a highlight reel after highlight reel. These guys are 208 00:13:41.159 --> 00:13:45.919 gonna be bumped, bruised, maybe accidentally cut, hopefully no broken bones in 209 00:13:45.960 --> 00:13:48.360 this match. Because it's WrestleMania, they're hyped up, crowds hyped up, 210 00:13:48.399 --> 00:13:52.799 they know what to expect from this, and it's gonna be one of those 211 00:13:52.879 --> 00:13:56.120 like oh my god, like you're looking for the X sign from the referee, 212 00:13:56.200 --> 00:14:00.320 Like it's gonna be one of those matches. I just hope that they're 213 00:14:00.360 --> 00:14:03.080 all coming out of this walking away from it and not being stretchered out. 214 00:14:03.559 --> 00:14:07.200 But ultimately, I'm with you. Our Truth in the Miz I think deserve 215 00:14:07.240 --> 00:14:09.200 it, especially our truth. I think that our Truth will be the one 216 00:14:09.200 --> 00:14:13.000 to grab the belts. The crowd is going to be with him all the 217 00:14:13.159 --> 00:14:16.080 way. Even though he's lost a little momentum over the last several weeks, 218 00:14:16.279 --> 00:14:18.639 they'll it'll get right back with him. The crowd will get right back with 219 00:14:18.720 --> 00:14:22.600 him once he ends up climbing that ladder and capturing those championships. Other than 220 00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:26.159 that, like you said, Champa and Gargano, they're a mild favorite. 221 00:14:26.559 --> 00:14:30.120 Like I said, they're probably the second favorite. And then you have Xavier 222 00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:31.919 in Woods who have I mean, they don't need the belts any they haven't 223 00:14:31.960 --> 00:14:37.559 needed the belts in about eight years for New Days. So that's really the 224 00:14:37.600 --> 00:14:39.159 only two teams, and it's gotta be our Truth in the Miz. You're 225 00:14:39.200 --> 00:14:43.000 not gonna give it to another heel team from a heel team that's already, 226 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:45.879 as you said, held at hostage. So I'm gonna look, I'm looking 227 00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:46.639 forward to it, though, I mean, it's gonna be one of those 228 00:14:48.039 --> 00:14:50.879 different style twelve people in this match, which is nearly half of a Royal 229 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:54.399 Rumble inside of this match, in the ladder match, it's gonna be wild. 230 00:14:54.600 --> 00:14:58.159 So yeah, it's gonna be fun. Probably fifteen minutes or so, 231 00:14:58.279 --> 00:15:03.000 fifteen twenty men and it's I'm just nervous for them. And I actually think 232 00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:09.000 this is a big time favorite to open up Night one because historically they've opened 233 00:15:09.080 --> 00:15:13.840 up Wrestling Is with these ladder matches. I think thirty one and thirty two 234 00:15:13.919 --> 00:15:18.960 opened with the Intercontinental Championship ladder match. Wrestling twenty three open with the Money 235 00:15:18.960 --> 00:15:20.399 in the bank, So I think this would be a good option to set 236 00:15:20.440 --> 00:15:24.759 the tone right off the bat for Mania. Yeah, that's a good good 237 00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:28.320 point because especially, I mean I'm thinking it's usually a babyface that opens the 238 00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:31.879 show. I mean unless they have a host come out or something like Hogan 239 00:15:31.879 --> 00:15:35.000 makes out appearance or Undertaker comes out, which I doubt it, but if 240 00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:37.960 they did, outside of that, the first match, yeah, you could 241 00:15:37.960 --> 00:15:41.039 easily have this be the first one. Set the tone. Crowds hot, 242 00:15:41.080 --> 00:15:45.679 they're ready to go. It's going to be maximum energy for this match. 243 00:15:45.759 --> 00:15:48.919 So all right, well on from a twelve person match to a one on 244 00:15:48.919 --> 00:15:54.240 one Jimmy versus jay ussof we get twin versus twin, brother versus brother, 245 00:15:54.720 --> 00:15:58.480 kind of a civil war hangover match if you will. That they I think 246 00:15:58.519 --> 00:16:02.279 have done it is good of a job of getting you interested as you can 247 00:16:02.320 --> 00:16:06.679 be. I'm still not particularly loving this because I don't I never really wanted 248 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:07.840 it to begin with, even when things are hot, I didn't really want 249 00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:11.720 to see them fight. But here we are, and I'm expecting a very 250 00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:15.919 good match. These two obviously can wrestle their asses off, and my personal 251 00:16:15.960 --> 00:16:21.639 pick is I'm choosing jay Us on this to beat Jimmy and the probably a 252 00:16:21.960 --> 00:16:23.960 sign of respect after the match, Jimmy maybe starts to see the light. 253 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:27.519 They give each other a handshake or a hug, and that's the way it 254 00:16:27.559 --> 00:16:32.000 goes out. That's kind of where I'm going with it with Jayoso victory. 255 00:16:32.679 --> 00:16:37.639 Yeah, again, I think it's jau So I did actually think maybe Jimmy 256 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:41.279 would come out with this. I thought about picking him just because of Wrestling 257 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:45.279 twenty five. Everyone expected Jeff to beat Matt, but Matt actually came out 258 00:16:45.320 --> 00:16:49.200 winning, and the Jeff and Matt dynamic was very similar I think to Jay 259 00:16:49.200 --> 00:16:52.960 and Jimmy, with Jimmy kind of being the disgruntled older brother living in the 260 00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:57.960 shadow of his younger brother who really found superstardom on his own. But I 261 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:02.159 just think Jay needs this win. I think you need to give him some 262 00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:04.559 kind of big payoff for the last, you know, eight months that he's 263 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:10.039 had, how much success he's found on Monday Night Raw the one thing that 264 00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:15.200 I hope, hope to God, unless there's a Rakishi special guest referee type 265 00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:19.920 of interjection here, I just wanted one on one, no hanky panky, 266 00:17:21.079 --> 00:17:25.079 no interference from solo, no Roman. I don't even want Paul Hayman at 267 00:17:25.160 --> 00:17:29.359 ringside. I just want it one on one, clean finish Because I think 268 00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:33.119 these guys, based on how well they know each other obviously they're brothers, 269 00:17:33.400 --> 00:17:37.440 how long they've been WWE, I would imagine they've been wanting to do this 270 00:17:37.559 --> 00:17:41.119 match personally for a very long time. I just want to see what they 271 00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:45.960 can do in a classic wrestling match. Mano Amano. No hanky panky, 272 00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:48.519 That's the one thing I'm really hoping for. But like you, I'm going 273 00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:52.079 with Jay and no tables, no chairs. We're gonna get enough of that 274 00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:56.599 with the six man ladder by six pack challenge. So yeah, I agreed, 275 00:17:56.920 --> 00:18:00.480 a straight up wrestling match. The one thing that I meant to ask, 276 00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:03.119 what do you think the over under is on the number of superkicks in 277 00:18:03.160 --> 00:18:07.119 this match? Oh my god, I mean you would have to set it 278 00:18:07.119 --> 00:18:10.720 at what twenty nine and a half. It's like, it's gonna be crazy, 279 00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:14.039 and look, it's gonna be. It is what it is. I 280 00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:18.039 mean, the build kind of rights itself. They didn't have to dedicate too 281 00:18:18.119 --> 00:18:21.400 much one on one time for Jimmy and Jay. But you just have to 282 00:18:21.400 --> 00:18:26.599 hope that the build or the in ring competition steals the spotlight. And you 283 00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:30.880 know, I remember AJ Styles versus Sean McMahon. I believe it was Wrestling 284 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:33.000 thirty three. I think that was a wrestling you were in attendance form, 285 00:18:33.599 --> 00:18:37.680 and that was I think a build that everyone was just like AJ Vershane, 286 00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:40.720 Like, why would anyone want to see this? It doesn't make sense for 287 00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:42.519 a stylistic point of view, But that was one of the best matches of 288 00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:47.839 the night on what otherwise was, in my opinion, a very disappointing WrestleMania. 289 00:18:47.880 --> 00:18:49.559 So I'm hoping it's something to that effect. Yeah, as I look 290 00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:52.880 back, I look back with anger that that was one of the more awful 291 00:18:52.920 --> 00:18:56.759 WrestleManias in the last ten years. Though, yeah, it was horrible. 292 00:18:56.920 --> 00:18:59.119 It was bad. It was bad. I'm thinking back, I'm like, 293 00:18:59.200 --> 00:19:02.400 what was a memorable mon Okay, the Hardy's returned, and I'm angry because 294 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:04.920 I actually took the one damn bathroom break during that return, so like, 295 00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:07.440 out of the one moment that everyone lost their minds, I wasn't there. 296 00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:12.359 Undertaker in Roman had a terrible match at the admittance of Undertaker. He hated 297 00:19:12.359 --> 00:19:15.319 it too. We all thought that was it for Taker. It wasn't good. 298 00:19:15.640 --> 00:19:18.079 I mean, it was just it was awful from top to bottom now 299 00:19:18.079 --> 00:19:21.920 that I think about it. Yeah, even though Bray Wyatt and Randy, 300 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:25.039 I mean, yeah, awful. But all right, let's continue on here. 301 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:27.039 We got so many more matches gun Through versus Sammy z Ain for the 302 00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:32.039 Intercontinental Championship. I think we're finally getting into the matches now that aren't so 303 00:19:32.599 --> 00:19:36.200 kind of lock it up type of decisions with gun Through versus Sammy. I 304 00:19:36.200 --> 00:19:37.920 know a lot of people are thinking Sammy's ain, but there's a lot of 305 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:41.880 argument for Gunther to retain here. Before I give my answer, I'm gonna 306 00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:49.400 hear yours well. For me, I want to know what Chad's Gables involvement 307 00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:53.400 is gonna be in all this. Is he gonna be outside, you know, 308 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:59.119 trying to even the odds with Imperium, who we haven't really seen by 309 00:19:59.119 --> 00:20:02.599 Gunther's side the last number of week weeks, which I actually think is a 310 00:20:02.599 --> 00:20:08.440 good thing. But I just feel like Sammy needs this moment, and more 311 00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:15.079 so than that, I feel like groundwork has been laid between Sammy and Chad 312 00:20:15.119 --> 00:20:18.240 Gable to have a really nice run here over the course of probably several pay 313 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:22.880 per views on Monday Night Raw over this championship ultimately culmenting with it going to 314 00:20:22.960 --> 00:20:27.240 Chad Gable because to me, Sammy Zane and I hate saying this in a 315 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:32.119 way, but you need these types of guys. Is the perfect transition champion 316 00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:37.680 at this moment to transition it off of Gunther and then go into a sequence 317 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:42.440 with Chad Gable and then ultimately give Chad Gabel his crowning achievement. And even 318 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:47.920 if that's a backlash or extreme rules, it could still be a big moment. 319 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:52.759 And I just think it's time for Gunther to move away from this championship 320 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:56.119 picture. It's time for him to move on to bigger and better things. 321 00:20:56.480 --> 00:21:00.839 Maybe he goes into a program with Imperium some way. I think he's already 322 00:21:00.880 --> 00:21:04.720 bordering on a babyface. I think him coming out in street clothes and a 323 00:21:04.759 --> 00:21:10.799 T shirt and justin suits, I think that's really broadened his character, humanized 324 00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:14.480 him from just kind of like a war general flashback. So for me, 325 00:21:14.640 --> 00:21:18.160 I think that there's more to do with Gunther without the championship right now, 326 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:22.880 and you've laid groundwork for Sammy and Chad Gabel beyond wrestling, and so for 327 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:26.720 me, I'm going with Sammy Zaane. But it's anything but a guarantee. 328 00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:30.920 Yeah. No, that's exactly the argument that anyone would say, not anyone 329 00:21:32.000 --> 00:21:36.359 smart people would say to make it that Sammy Zane wins this match. And 330 00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:40.359 it makes sense. You have a very very believable guy to beat Gunther. 331 00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:44.000 You have a guy that the fans do love, you have a guy that 332 00:21:44.160 --> 00:21:48.640 is established, he has written name recognition, and it makes sense if you're 333 00:21:48.640 --> 00:21:52.319 going to transition, and it's WrestleMania forty, which is a very pivotal event 334 00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:56.000 and all of those are ring very true. On the other side of it, 335 00:21:56.160 --> 00:22:00.440 Gunther could also continue his run people thought it would end just like with 336 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:06.400 Roman last year, and continue the He'll run for Gunther again. I know 337 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:10.960 he doesn't have much left to prove, but what if he wins Sammy Zaane 338 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:15.079 loses because Chad Gable, you would think he's out there to help Sammy with 339 00:22:15.160 --> 00:22:21.359 imperium. He ends up screwing Sammy for the championship, Gunther retains and then 340 00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:26.559 Guntherer either on WrestleMania Night after the match or the Mondonnet. Rothter WrestleMania claims 341 00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:29.920 there's no one left and out comes brock Lesner, who's floating around. I 342 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:33.079 mean, so if the brock Lesner factor is gonna happen, I understand that 343 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:36.839 him challenging for the Intercontinental Championship seems beneath Brock. I get it, but 344 00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:38.759 you know what, Gunther has added so much value to the IC title. 345 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:41.839 Is there any chance of Brock winning it? No, but the match of 346 00:22:41.880 --> 00:22:45.319 Gunther and Brock could include the IC title. As weird as that is. 347 00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:51.079 So, do you think brock Lesner could play a role at WrestleMania or the 348 00:22:51.119 --> 00:22:53.839 Mondayette raw after or maybe way down the line. Sorry say that again? 349 00:22:53.880 --> 00:22:57.839 You cut out quickly. I said, do you think that the brock Lesner 350 00:22:57.920 --> 00:23:03.079 factor could come into play at WrestleMania after the match Monday at Raw, after 351 00:23:03.079 --> 00:23:07.240 WrestleMania, or do you think it could happen way down the road with Gunther. 352 00:23:07.559 --> 00:23:11.119 I don't think. I don't think a WrestleMania just because of Chad Gable's 353 00:23:11.160 --> 00:23:17.440 involvement, because at this point Chad Gable's not involved here, but you clearly 354 00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:21.039 see that they want him to play some kind of a big factor, and 355 00:23:21.119 --> 00:23:26.200 brock Lesner would overshadow Chad Gable, who in turn is kind of overshadowing Sammy 356 00:23:26.279 --> 00:23:32.680 z Ain, who could quite possibly be the man to dethrone the longest ring 357 00:23:32.680 --> 00:23:36.680 Interconnel champion in history. So there's a lot of ode foreshadowing going on, 358 00:23:37.119 --> 00:23:40.960 and with Chad Gable. I think it's rightfully so. And you know, 359 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:44.400 you can make the argument that should be Chad Gable, but I just think 360 00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:48.400 that if you bring in brock Lesner, then Chad and Sammy's Ain, and 361 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:55.279 by correlation, the inter Connell Championship title Swaying would kind of be overshadowed completely. 362 00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:57.960 All right, Well, then in that case, I mean I've been 363 00:23:59.200 --> 00:24:03.039 I haven't made by this up until this moment. I'm gonna go I originally 364 00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:04.960 was going with Gunther, and I'm not just gonna do it to be contrarian. 365 00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:07.000 I'm gonna do it because I think it's the right call, and I 366 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:11.000 think sammy's Ain is probably the right guy because, as you mentioned, you 367 00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:14.680 could have Chad versus Sammy for the intercontinental title. Well, Gunther moves on 368 00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:17.519 to bigger and better things, which I think he should at this point, 369 00:24:18.440 --> 00:24:21.559 and that doesn't mean immediately into the world title picture. It just means he 370 00:24:21.599 --> 00:24:25.640 could work with different guys number one contenders for the title. He doesn't have 371 00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:27.400 to immediately get into it. But with Sammy Zain and Chad, we know 372 00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:32.400 what they're capable of. Hell with the Gauntlet match a few weeks ago when 373 00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:36.400 they ended it an amazing finish. I mean, these two are gonna have 374 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:40.000 classic matches. So one way or the other, we're gonna get Sammy z 375 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:41.920 Ain versus Chad Gable. And I'll agree with you on this one. I 376 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:48.039 wasn't originally because of my convictions for Gunther retaining, But the more I think 377 00:24:48.039 --> 00:24:51.000 about it and talk about it. This is the kind of the right time 378 00:24:51.039 --> 00:24:53.119 to do it. He's broken every record you can break, and it's time 379 00:24:53.160 --> 00:24:56.039 for Gunther to move on and Sammy to continue to work with Chad Gable and 380 00:24:56.039 --> 00:25:00.799 you're gonna get great matches out of that. And it's believable and there's nobody 381 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:04.240 really better on the roster right now. So all right, any final thoughts 382 00:25:04.279 --> 00:25:07.839 are you want to continue on to the women's world title here? No, 383 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:11.160 let's get to the women's world title. This be interesting Becky versus Rhea. 384 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:15.720 You know, this one seems like a lock, right, Ria Ripley should 385 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:18.759 win, and that's my pick, by the way, but there is a 386 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:22.039 case to be made for Becky to win. Not as strong, but Becky 387 00:25:22.119 --> 00:25:25.799 Lynch has gotten some momentum over the last several weeks. She's still not as 388 00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:30.160 interesting as she should be, not anywhere near it, but she's she has 389 00:25:30.440 --> 00:25:33.279 tried to feel different with her promos, her look a little bit. She's 390 00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:38.079 still leaning on WrestleMania thirty five's momentum, which has long passed her by from 391 00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:42.279 five years ago with Rondon and Charlotte. So I still don't think that Ria 392 00:25:42.359 --> 00:25:47.519 Ripley is going to lose. I think Becky Lynch is I don't think Becky 393 00:25:47.599 --> 00:25:49.799 Lynch is going to win, but I don't think it's absolutely overwhelming. Ria 394 00:25:49.880 --> 00:25:53.480 Ripley wins. The crowd's going to be with Rhea. The crowd reaction is 395 00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:56.880 going to be interesting to see if they actually boo Becky Lynch. I'm interested 396 00:25:56.920 --> 00:26:00.680 on that end, But ultimately, I think the man is going to be 397 00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:03.359 really good. I have no concerns about the quality of this match. Is 398 00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:07.799 going to be kickouts, the finishes all over the place as always, so 399 00:26:07.079 --> 00:26:10.880 this is gonna be a lot of fun if they get enough time. I 400 00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:14.440 just don't think it's Becky lynch'sn't It wouldn't help Becky Lynch. I actually think 401 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:15.359 if you're trying to keep her baby face, it would hurt her. I 402 00:26:15.359 --> 00:26:19.079 think the fans would feel like they've been kind of screwed out of a proper 403 00:26:19.160 --> 00:26:22.119 Ria Ripley run, which I feel like over only the last few months has 404 00:26:22.160 --> 00:26:26.160 started to gain momentum, and the crowd's going to be with Ria the whole 405 00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:27.960 time here. So for me, it's Ria Ripley. What do you think? 406 00:26:29.319 --> 00:26:32.519 Yeah, And I'll give them credit. They've made me care about this 407 00:26:32.640 --> 00:26:37.279 more with the build. I think they've had a pretty good build after several 408 00:26:37.359 --> 00:26:40.599 weeks of you know, Live being involved and Naya being involved, and you 409 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:44.279 haven't seen Naya and Live on Monday Night rot for several weeks here, and 410 00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:47.519 while they were doing their parts well and hats off to Live in Naya, 411 00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:51.440 you really need to make this about Riha and Becky. And they had a 412 00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:55.720 nice touch by Becky showing up at the MMA hour when Rio was doing your 413 00:26:55.720 --> 00:27:00.319 interview with Ariel Helwani and the pull apart brawls. You know, I still 414 00:27:00.359 --> 00:27:04.720 despise the Becky Lynch character. The leather tracksuit with the leather baseball cap, 415 00:27:04.839 --> 00:27:10.359 like just everything about her makes my stomach turn. But in terms of the 416 00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:12.240 build, they've made me care. They've made me care in the way that 417 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:15.839 I want to see real Ripley squasher, but they're still making me care. 418 00:27:17.319 --> 00:27:19.279 Still think it was the wrong decision. I still think it should have been 419 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:25.000 Beyonce bell Air. I still think that this is them doing you know, 420 00:27:25.160 --> 00:27:30.039 Rihea versus Charlotte two point zero. I think that they've already done her beating 421 00:27:30.119 --> 00:27:33.319 the gatekeeper of the women's division. But I understand it for a lot of 422 00:27:33.359 --> 00:27:37.519 people. Becky Lynch is probably the biggest star than Charlotte Flair. And if 423 00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:41.559 you think about it, this is very akin to John Cena going back to 424 00:27:41.640 --> 00:27:45.920 back with Triple H and Sewn Michaels at twenty two and twenty three with Ria 425 00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:51.119 going back to back against Charlotte and Becky Lynch. So I mean, good 426 00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:53.640 on them for making me care, but I do think that Ria is gonna 427 00:27:53.640 --> 00:27:57.039 win. She has to win, and for me, much like Seth Rawlins 428 00:27:57.079 --> 00:28:00.079 her husband, I think Becky should take some time I'm off and just go 429 00:28:00.160 --> 00:28:04.279 away for a bit. I think yes, time will be her best friend. 430 00:28:04.319 --> 00:28:08.279 If they don't want the fans to start to organically despise and resent her, 431 00:28:08.640 --> 00:28:12.200 I think it should be the best course of action, especially if I 432 00:28:12.200 --> 00:28:15.920 mean if Becky Lynch wins, I will say, I don't think the fans 433 00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:18.000 are going to take kindly to Becky Lynch. I think if Becky Lynch wins, 434 00:28:18.319 --> 00:28:22.599 there's gonna be some some very negative reaction, a lot of negative reaction 435 00:28:22.640 --> 00:28:25.839 to her, especially on the Monday night rafter wrestlemanting, and the fans are 436 00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:29.559 not going to be kind because it just it doesn't feel right. I mean 437 00:28:29.559 --> 00:28:33.400 again, Ry Ripley's just getting going here. Fans have really been behind her 438 00:28:33.440 --> 00:28:37.599 since the get go. She's a baby face even though she's in a heel 439 00:28:37.640 --> 00:28:41.119 group. I think that Becky Lynch though again the match quality is going to 440 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:45.079 be really what I'm looking at here. But ultimately I don't need any outside 441 00:28:45.119 --> 00:28:47.759 interference. Like with a lot of these other matches, It's not the time 442 00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:51.119 of the place for outside interference, so I don't need anybody trying to help 443 00:28:51.160 --> 00:28:55.240 Becky or help Riha. This should be just woman versus woman here, who's 444 00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:59.079 the better one? You know, there's no questionable victories here, even though 445 00:28:59.119 --> 00:29:02.680 I know Rea is the heel. You don't give even for heels, you 446 00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:07.880 really shouldn't typically as a general rule, outside of last year's match with Roman 447 00:29:07.920 --> 00:29:11.839 and Cody, you don't want a weird wonky finish that you could do and 448 00:29:11.839 --> 00:29:15.720 make an excuse for any other pay per view. So I'm for Rihea Ripley 449 00:29:15.799 --> 00:29:22.079 just getting a hard fought you absolutely brought to the brink of of her ability. 450 00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:26.039 Ria Ripley victory. You know, Becky takes her to the absolute limit, 451 00:29:26.079 --> 00:29:30.039 as they say, and then Ria Ripley gets the victory, and I 452 00:29:30.079 --> 00:29:33.240 think the crowd will love it. It's the right decision. I don't think 453 00:29:33.240 --> 00:29:36.960 we're ready for Riha to to enter her rain yet, So all right, 454 00:29:37.559 --> 00:29:41.680 you ready for the main event of Night one. Here we go Rock the 455 00:29:41.799 --> 00:29:48.000 Rock, the Final Boss and Roman Reigns versus Cody Rhodes and Seth Freaking Rollins. 456 00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:52.640 And I don't have my prediction yet. I'm still on the edge of 457 00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:56.799 both of this because you could make an argument either way with interference. Does 458 00:29:56.839 --> 00:30:00.559 the interference happen in this match? Does it happen on Night two? Are 459 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:03.920 is it bloodline rules? But if it's blood like, there's so many it's 460 00:30:03.920 --> 00:30:07.920 a spider web of possibilities here. I'm gonna just give it to you to 461 00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:12.079 give your thoughts and predictions on this. Well. For me, I don't 462 00:30:12.119 --> 00:30:15.519 think this is going to be the ending of I think a lot of people 463 00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:19.640 are calling it like the Avengers end game type of ending that we're kind of 464 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:25.000 expecting for Night two. I think this is mainly going to be just a 465 00:30:25.039 --> 00:30:29.640 straight tag team match. I do imagine Solo getting involved in some way. 466 00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:33.559 I think The Rock and Roman Reigns are going to come out with the win 467 00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:37.759 here. I think that it's set up to be Bloodline Rules the second night, 468 00:30:38.400 --> 00:30:42.519 and I think that you have to send seth Rawlins looking in weak for 469 00:30:42.559 --> 00:30:48.480 his match against Drew McIntyre to kind of save phase because I believe Drew McIntyre 470 00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:53.400 is going to beat seth Rawlins clean or spoiler alert, but I think it's 471 00:30:53.480 --> 00:30:59.640 kind of needed to give him what to properly explain my reasoning here. And 472 00:31:00.160 --> 00:31:06.160 so, as I mentioned on the last show we did Current State, I 473 00:31:06.200 --> 00:31:10.319 think that they may have planted some seeds for a double turn, and seth 474 00:31:10.480 --> 00:31:15.200 going into Night two with a loss would certainly enforce that and at least keep 475 00:31:15.240 --> 00:31:18.839 that thought lingering. So I don't know how much involvement there will be. 476 00:31:18.160 --> 00:31:22.920 I think it will mostly just be a clean match. I imagine Solo will 477 00:31:22.920 --> 00:31:26.599 be involved in some capacity. But I see the Rock and Roman coming out 478 00:31:26.599 --> 00:31:30.960 with victorious because of making a Bloodline rules, opening up the door for Night 479 00:31:32.039 --> 00:31:36.720 two to be the Avengers endgame and for seth Rawlins to carry that loss into 480 00:31:36.799 --> 00:31:44.000 Night two against Drew McIntyre. That's a very very logical reason for why the 481 00:31:44.079 --> 00:31:47.680 Rock and Rollman could win and why Cody and Seth should lose. And I 482 00:31:47.680 --> 00:31:51.880 mean Honestly, it doesn't really matter because I think the end of Roman Reigns 483 00:31:51.880 --> 00:31:53.519 and Cody Rhodes is probably what we all think it's going to be. So 484 00:31:53.880 --> 00:31:57.960 this really doesn't matter as far as the outcome of the match, I believe, 485 00:31:59.279 --> 00:32:02.000 But it's about the entertainment factor and the possibility of overbooking that we've talked 486 00:32:02.000 --> 00:32:06.119 about so many times. Do I think there's gonna be interference? Yeah, 487 00:32:06.119 --> 00:32:07.680 I think, like you said, Solo so CoA is probably gonna get himself 488 00:32:07.680 --> 00:32:12.279 involved. Maybe even Paul Hayman to some limited degree, could get involved in 489 00:32:12.279 --> 00:32:17.400 this matchup. So ultimately, what do I think I want? Bloodline rules? 490 00:32:17.559 --> 00:32:22.799 So I'm gonna say bloodline rules. But you could also, again, 491 00:32:22.839 --> 00:32:25.319 if Cody and Seth win, then the blood line's banned from ringside, but 492 00:32:25.359 --> 00:32:30.240 that doesn't mean somebody who's not in the Bloodline can't interfere in the match where 493 00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:34.359 they kind of find a loophole to have somebody help out Roman Reigns in Night 494 00:32:34.400 --> 00:32:37.079 two that's not in the blood Line and they're not contractually banned from ringside, 495 00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:40.359 so there's weird things that they could do to kind of have their cake and 496 00:32:40.400 --> 00:32:44.599 eat it too or Okay, there's no bloodline rules, but people outside the 497 00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:46.240 bloodline are gonna screw Cody. I mean, but who would that be. 498 00:32:46.279 --> 00:32:49.759 I don't know. I've heard anything from Seth Rollins too, I mean, 499 00:32:49.839 --> 00:32:53.880 who knows. So ultimately, no, my prediction is with yours, it's 500 00:32:53.920 --> 00:32:58.200 going to be the Rock and Roman reigns winning because again they want to stack 501 00:32:58.319 --> 00:33:01.519 the deck as high against Code as possible. He's beat down. It looks 502 00:33:01.559 --> 00:33:05.839 like no one's gonna be able to save him. Rock and Roman are standing 503 00:33:05.880 --> 00:33:08.400 tall, maybe even maybe even Cody Rhodes is busted open. Maybe we're Seth 504 00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:12.119 Rollins gets busted open. Into the end of that match, both men are 505 00:33:12.119 --> 00:33:16.480 bleeding left laying the Rock and Roman are standing tall, and it looks like, 506 00:33:16.640 --> 00:33:20.759 you know, Cody has no shot next the next night. I think 507 00:33:20.799 --> 00:33:23.160 that's a better story to tell, honestly, because one way or the other, 508 00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:27.640 I think Roman's gonna have interference on his behalf. But you could also 509 00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:30.480 say Rock and Roman ends up having some tension, maybe they start to show 510 00:33:30.519 --> 00:33:35.319 some cracks that eventually lead to a match in a year. So there's ways 511 00:33:35.319 --> 00:33:37.319 to go here. This is not a match I would put money on, 512 00:33:37.359 --> 00:33:39.160 and I'd stay the hell away from this match, for sure, but I 513 00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:42.880 think more fun. The more fun part is okay, blood eine rules, 514 00:33:42.960 --> 00:33:45.839 let's see who gets involved, does Austin come out, all that stuff. 515 00:33:45.880 --> 00:33:49.880 So I'm with you, Rock and Roman likely win this match, making it 516 00:33:49.920 --> 00:33:52.880 look like Cody is screwed for Night two, and you want to save that 517 00:33:53.039 --> 00:33:58.920 massive rejoicement in the crowd for night too, if in fact you think Cody's 518 00:33:58.960 --> 00:34:02.559 gonna win. You don't want to have everyone exhaust their energy by rejoicing to 519 00:34:02.599 --> 00:34:07.559 Cody's seth victory on night one and then night two. It's not like a 520 00:34:07.640 --> 00:34:10.559 letdown. Obviously won't be a letdown, but you want to maybe continue that 521 00:34:10.639 --> 00:34:15.920 build. You know, Cody's been destroyed for back to back weeks leading into 522 00:34:15.960 --> 00:34:20.559 this. They've gone everyone behind Cody because of how weak he's looked and how 523 00:34:20.679 --> 00:34:23.519 much the upper hand has gone in the direction of the Rock and Roman reigns, 524 00:34:23.719 --> 00:34:29.239 and just that one final step the night before, stacking the deck completely 525 00:34:29.280 --> 00:34:34.719 against him to the nth degree and keeping it open for interference to get that. 526 00:34:34.800 --> 00:34:37.119 I know I'm kind of overusing this, but that Avengers endgame type of 527 00:34:37.119 --> 00:34:42.119 finish, I just think it makes more sense even on the Seth side of 528 00:34:42.159 --> 00:34:45.519 things, I think that Seth Drew McIntyre match is a lot more compelling with 529 00:34:45.639 --> 00:34:50.079 Seth going in coming off of a loss, and it opens up more doors, 530 00:34:50.400 --> 00:34:53.440 gives him and out as to why he can maybe lose clean and again, 531 00:34:53.599 --> 00:34:57.360 if you want to do that double turn, that's also a door that 532 00:34:57.400 --> 00:35:00.559 you can keep open. I just think that when you wait both sides, 533 00:35:00.599 --> 00:35:02.400 it makes more sense for the Rock and Roman Rains to come out on the 534 00:35:02.719 --> 00:35:07.840 upper end on this one, right, and it's it's the Rocks match first 535 00:35:07.880 --> 00:35:09.920 match back in I said twelve years. I don't count what Michael Cole said 536 00:35:09.920 --> 00:35:15.000 of eight years. That's ridiculous. We don't count that stupid Eric Rowan match. 537 00:35:15.039 --> 00:35:16.840 I'm not gonna call it Aaron Eric Groan rock Bottom is what it was. 538 00:35:17.199 --> 00:35:20.159 So no, I mean, the Rock is back, He's wrestling a 539 00:35:20.199 --> 00:35:22.159 real match here, and I think that The Rock's probably not gonna lose his 540 00:35:22.159 --> 00:35:24.679 first match back on top of it, you know, I think the crowd 541 00:35:24.719 --> 00:35:28.679 is gonna be behind the Rock up until the point that you know, they 542 00:35:28.719 --> 00:35:31.360 start getting vicious on Cody Rhodes and beating him down, and it's really uncomfortable 543 00:35:31.400 --> 00:35:34.920 on all that, So, yeah, this is gonna be a lot of 544 00:35:34.920 --> 00:35:37.800 fun. I think the match is not gonna be any more than fifteen minutes, 545 00:35:38.079 --> 00:35:40.320 but hey, you know, maybe it's maybe it's a lot longer. 546 00:35:40.320 --> 00:35:43.559 They want to string this one out, but with the rock in there in 547 00:35:43.599 --> 00:35:45.920 Roman reigns, you don't want to You don't want to go too long else 548 00:35:45.960 --> 00:35:49.639 you don't. You don't also want to risk injury here because they both have 549 00:35:49.719 --> 00:35:52.079 matches, massive matches. Three out of the four men have matches the next 550 00:35:52.159 --> 00:35:55.639 night that are arguably more important than the first night. So you're gonna wanna 551 00:35:57.679 --> 00:36:00.599 I know it's Wrestlmania, but you're gonna want to take that into consideration. 552 00:36:00.920 --> 00:36:04.159 There's the longer they're in there, the higher risk of injury, and you 553 00:36:04.199 --> 00:36:07.599 know you gotta be careful. So any final thoughts on main events Night one 554 00:36:07.719 --> 00:36:10.599 match or are you ready for Night two? I think I'm ready for night 555 00:36:10.639 --> 00:36:15.719 too well. Coming from a super high to a super low and just kind 556 00:36:15.719 --> 00:36:19.079 of way that is here Bobby Lashley in the Street Profits versus the Final Testament 557 00:36:19.079 --> 00:36:23.159 and a six man tag team Philadelphia Street Fight, which is another name to 558 00:36:23.199 --> 00:36:29.280 say no d Q or false kN anywhere or bloodline rules. It's all the 559 00:36:29.280 --> 00:36:32.840 same, no rules in this matchup. Do you have a vested interest in 560 00:36:32.840 --> 00:36:37.960 this one? What do you think? You know what? I'm probably in 561 00:36:37.119 --> 00:36:42.960 like that one percent? Who does? Because I really like Carrying Cross and 562 00:36:43.000 --> 00:36:45.199 the Final Testament. I don't know what it is. I think there's something 563 00:36:45.239 --> 00:36:51.280 there with them. I think that this program specifically has been the most affected 564 00:36:51.760 --> 00:36:55.280 by the Rock and Roman reigns and Cody Rhoads and Seth rawlins eating up so 565 00:36:55.400 --> 00:37:02.199 much of SmackDown's time and the last SmackDown, and they shifted this storyline of 566 00:37:02.559 --> 00:37:07.079 you know, bloodline and Cody and Seth primarily to Monday Night Raw. I 567 00:37:07.119 --> 00:37:13.000 think you saw this program, specifically, among others, get more traction than 568 00:37:13.000 --> 00:37:16.000 they ever had before, in addition to the US title match, and in 569 00:37:16.039 --> 00:37:21.719 addition to La Night and AJ Styles. And I think that if this program 570 00:37:21.760 --> 00:37:25.199 had been given fifteen to twenty minutes a week on SmackDown for four or five 571 00:37:25.280 --> 00:37:30.480 weeks, people would be caring about this because look at the talent involved, 572 00:37:30.559 --> 00:37:32.760 the author's of pain. If you rewind five six years ago, they were 573 00:37:32.800 --> 00:37:37.000 a damn good up and coming tag team. We know what the street profits 574 00:37:37.000 --> 00:37:39.760 are, we know what Bobby Lashley is I think Carrying Cross and I think 575 00:37:39.800 --> 00:37:46.000 you shared this testament no pun intended, is a very untapped potential type of 576 00:37:46.039 --> 00:37:51.159 guy. I think that this match has the potential to steal the show, 577 00:37:51.519 --> 00:37:54.800 and maybe not steal the show, maybe that I'm over I'm exaggerating a little 578 00:37:54.840 --> 00:37:59.119 bit, but has the potential for a lot of people to come away saying 579 00:37:59.159 --> 00:38:00.719 like, oh my God, like they really went above and beyond here, 580 00:38:01.239 --> 00:38:06.519 especially with them towing the line of PG. Fourteen. If they get blood 581 00:38:06.559 --> 00:38:10.800 involved and this gets really vicious, I think this has the opportunity to be 582 00:38:10.840 --> 00:38:16.239 the biggest overachieving match. Now, as for who's gonna win, I think 583 00:38:16.280 --> 00:38:21.960 you have to go with Bobby Lashley in the Street Profits just because of merit. 584 00:38:22.320 --> 00:38:25.239 I don't think you've built up Carrying Cross and the Authors of Pain enough 585 00:38:25.559 --> 00:38:30.239 to give them that victory yet, even though I really do like that group, 586 00:38:30.360 --> 00:38:34.320 just because stylistically I think they're very intriguing. But I just think that 587 00:38:34.480 --> 00:38:38.079 given where it's come or where we've gotten to, based on the lack of 588 00:38:38.119 --> 00:38:42.280 time, you have to go with Lashley in the Street Profits based on merit. 589 00:38:42.679 --> 00:38:45.199 But overall, I think this is a big match for an opportunity to 590 00:38:45.320 --> 00:38:50.639 really overachieve. Yeah, I think that. While I don't think it'd be 591 00:38:50.639 --> 00:38:52.800 matched of the night, I think it would be. Like you said, 592 00:38:52.800 --> 00:38:55.800 the bar in expectation for this match is not high, so it's easy to 593 00:38:55.800 --> 00:39:00.000 exceed it. So if you even to have a good to like a decent 594 00:39:00.039 --> 00:39:00.760 into a good match, people are gonna go, wow, that was better 595 00:39:00.800 --> 00:39:04.800 than I thought, you know, So like if the bars low, people 596 00:39:04.840 --> 00:39:09.679 are going to be happy when it exceeds that expectation. I'm fine with the 597 00:39:09.800 --> 00:39:13.320 quality of the match. You know what you're getting here. I would agree 598 00:39:13.320 --> 00:39:15.960 that the Final Testament has been under utilized, specifically carrying Across, who just 599 00:39:16.840 --> 00:39:20.599 wwe cannot be consistent with him, and like you said, it is a 600 00:39:20.599 --> 00:39:22.199 lot of the Rock Roman Seth Cody thing that has been going on the last 601 00:39:22.239 --> 00:39:25.039 couple of months that has taken away. So I feel for them here. 602 00:39:25.119 --> 00:39:30.679 They are clearly the number one victim of being neglected or pushed aside for the 603 00:39:30.679 --> 00:39:34.239 whole program of the main event. So this to me is a match that 604 00:39:34.400 --> 00:39:38.400 is low expectation, but I could come along where they are. So all 605 00:39:38.559 --> 00:39:44.639 six of these men are so talented they're able to bring in the crowd. 606 00:39:44.960 --> 00:39:47.599 While while may not be a whole lot of initial reaction for their entrances, 607 00:39:47.880 --> 00:39:52.199 they may get the crowd involved in a surprising way. By the end of 608 00:39:52.239 --> 00:39:54.159 it. People are very invested in who they want to win. Now. 609 00:39:54.199 --> 00:39:57.920 As I said, or you said, who do I want to win? 610 00:39:58.480 --> 00:40:00.800 I actually I want the Final test to win. Do I think they're gonna 611 00:40:00.800 --> 00:40:05.119 win? No, I think it would probably go to Bobby Lashley in the 612 00:40:05.119 --> 00:40:09.159 Street Profits. But I'm gonna pick the Final Testament because while Bobby Lashley and 613 00:40:09.159 --> 00:40:13.719 the Street Profits have been together a little longer and they haven't got a whole 614 00:40:13.719 --> 00:40:15.639 lot of consistency, that is actually, to me an argument to break them 615 00:40:15.679 --> 00:40:20.599 up and just not They don't have to fight me to be a match, 616 00:40:21.000 --> 00:40:24.239 but together they clearly haven't done anything with them. The focus I think should 617 00:40:24.239 --> 00:40:28.280 be on the Final Testament, that I think is a longer term plan than 618 00:40:28.280 --> 00:40:30.199 Bobby Lashley in the Street Profits. They just don't know what to do with 619 00:40:30.280 --> 00:40:32.599 that group. They don't know what to call them. They don't even have 620 00:40:32.679 --> 00:40:35.800 a name for them yet. I've heard the Pride, I've heard all this, 621 00:40:35.880 --> 00:40:39.960 but it's nothing official to me. When they have an an unfocused group 622 00:40:40.440 --> 00:40:44.679 and they are at WrestleMania, then why would you give them the victory when 623 00:40:44.679 --> 00:40:47.960 you could establish another heel faction that has a lot more potential than I think 624 00:40:49.000 --> 00:40:52.159 a lot of the casual fans realized. So to me, the Final Testament 625 00:40:52.400 --> 00:40:54.639 needs the victory more than Bobby and the Street Profits do. It's a more 626 00:40:54.760 --> 00:40:59.519 valuable win for the Final Testament. And I think ultimately very is. This 627 00:40:59.599 --> 00:41:00.960 is tough, but I do think it's going to be the Final Testament that 628 00:41:00.960 --> 00:41:05.880 that gets the victory here in a h in the Street fight. But I 629 00:41:05.920 --> 00:41:07.719 don't know. Again, I'm probably wrong, but I'm gonna go Final Testament. 630 00:41:09.639 --> 00:41:14.440 Well, I'm hoping you're right. I'm hoping you're right. My prediction 631 00:41:14.559 --> 00:41:16.519 I'm sticking with the Pride is that their name is it the Pride? Is 632 00:41:16.559 --> 00:41:19.639 it? Not? The Pride is I've heard it, but they don't use 633 00:41:19.679 --> 00:41:22.800 it on TV. I've just heard it floating throughout social media. But yeah, 634 00:41:22.840 --> 00:41:24.800 well, I hope that you're right. I'm just guessing that they'll go 635 00:41:24.840 --> 00:41:29.320 with Lashley on the Street Profits. But I mean, I think the Final 636 00:41:29.360 --> 00:41:31.880 Testament is the right call. I'm with you that I'm I'm cheering for them. 637 00:41:32.159 --> 00:41:36.679 I think they have more of a ceiling because you haven't really tried with 638 00:41:36.760 --> 00:41:38.719 them. You've tried with the Lashley in the Street profits, but you don't 639 00:41:38.719 --> 00:41:42.679 know what you have with the Final Testament. So I'm still sticking with my 640 00:41:42.800 --> 00:41:45.119 pick, my pick. Though, No, it's it's good. I think 641 00:41:45.280 --> 00:41:47.920 again, this is a tougher match than people realize. I really, I 642 00:41:47.960 --> 00:41:51.840 really think it is. So all right l A Night and AJ Styles, 643 00:41:52.639 --> 00:41:55.039 I'll give you my prediction run off the bat. It's gotta be l A. 644 00:41:55.159 --> 00:42:00.760 Knight right like it's gotta be this match. While some people wanted in 645 00:42:00.800 --> 00:42:02.920 an La Night US title match, I'd rather have him been a one on 646 00:42:02.920 --> 00:42:06.639 one than in a multi person even if it's a US title match. I'd 647 00:42:06.679 --> 00:42:08.719 rather have one on one. There's more focus on you. It's it's showing 648 00:42:08.960 --> 00:42:13.320 the fans that they have more trust in you than having you in a tag 649 00:42:13.320 --> 00:42:15.679 team match or a six person tag team match where you have to you get 650 00:42:15.719 --> 00:42:20.119 to kind of share the workload with other guys. This is a lot of 651 00:42:20.119 --> 00:42:22.719 trust in La Night to have this match with AJ Styles, But you're working 652 00:42:22.719 --> 00:42:24.639 with one of the best in the world. LA Night and AJ could have 653 00:42:25.199 --> 00:42:29.480 a match that people come out of there going wow, you know this was 654 00:42:30.000 --> 00:42:32.480 this was a match that you know, on paper seem good, but this 655 00:42:32.679 --> 00:42:37.719 was great. The build has been fine to me. I haven't I haven't 656 00:42:37.760 --> 00:42:42.039 hated it. You know, AJ Styles playing the cowardly heel La Knight coming 657 00:42:42.079 --> 00:42:45.880 into AJ styles home and then a La Night being arrested when we've seen something 658 00:42:45.920 --> 00:42:49.159 like this before, I believe with the Orton in Triple H a dozen years 659 00:42:49.199 --> 00:42:52.800 ago. But it's something that I think has been fine. The build has 660 00:42:52.840 --> 00:42:54.440 been fine. I haven't loved it. I haven't hated it. It's been 661 00:42:54.480 --> 00:42:59.719 as It's been acceptable to me, and I think ultimately this this could be 662 00:43:00.119 --> 00:43:02.599 a statement victory for La Knight's career. I know' listen overuse statement but or 663 00:43:02.639 --> 00:43:07.760 overuse phrase, but I think La Knight could really use this to push his 664 00:43:07.840 --> 00:43:13.360 career to the next level and eventually get into world title or undisputed title contention 665 00:43:13.599 --> 00:43:16.199 again. But I hope it's not one of those La Knight wins and then 666 00:43:16.239 --> 00:43:21.320 it goes back to being a ghost on SmackDown. So La Night, to 667 00:43:21.360 --> 00:43:24.280 me, gets the victory. Yeah, I'm with you here. I mean, 668 00:43:24.400 --> 00:43:30.440 I think it's relatively predictable. I just like we we know what AJ 669 00:43:30.519 --> 00:43:36.039 Styles is and he is arguably the best in ring performer WWE has right now 670 00:43:36.400 --> 00:43:38.960 and of the last eight years, you could make the case that he's a 671 00:43:38.960 --> 00:43:44.440 top five wrestler at least on the men's side in WWE. Like in sixteen 672 00:43:44.559 --> 00:43:47.440 seventeen eighteen, you would have been hard pressed to find a better, more 673 00:43:47.480 --> 00:43:52.760 popular star than AJ Styles when he was you know, the guy who the 674 00:43:52.800 --> 00:43:57.000 house that AJ Styles built was SmackDown Live. But you know, we're several 675 00:43:57.079 --> 00:44:00.679 years removed here from AJ Styles being a prominent player as far as the main 676 00:44:00.679 --> 00:44:06.079 event scene goes. And that's okay, and him in his current version of 677 00:44:06.119 --> 00:44:09.199 himself is a breath of fresh air in my opinion, with the black coat, 678 00:44:09.519 --> 00:44:14.679 the heel version a more vicious version because past heal versions were more goofy 679 00:44:14.960 --> 00:44:19.840 and comedic. But La Knight needs this victory. He is certainly cooled off 680 00:44:19.840 --> 00:44:22.199 from where he was last summer, and you know that's okay. But to 681 00:44:22.239 --> 00:44:27.840 your point, I think a win like this it will be more meaningful than 682 00:44:27.880 --> 00:44:30.000 you know, winning the US title in a fatal four a match or whatever, 683 00:44:30.239 --> 00:44:32.760 or a ladder match or what have you. I think this could be 684 00:44:32.800 --> 00:44:37.840 a massive statement win because AJ Sells is one of the best wrestlers even outside 685 00:44:37.840 --> 00:44:43.000 of WWE, of the last twenty years. He has that much cachet in 686 00:44:43.039 --> 00:44:45.480 the professional wrestling scene. And again, this is a match that has the 687 00:44:45.480 --> 00:44:50.400 potential to steal the show when you really look at these guys and what they're 688 00:44:50.400 --> 00:44:55.960 capable of in the ring. And another match that probably suffered a bit on 689 00:44:57.000 --> 00:45:00.000 SmackDown with the lack of time. But the last few weeks, I think 690 00:45:00.119 --> 00:45:02.880 they've done a really nice job of getting people stoked for this match, and 691 00:45:02.960 --> 00:45:07.760 it has been a long build since aj Styles return in what was it was 692 00:45:07.760 --> 00:45:12.400 it December? I believe when they really started this when AJ Steles returned to 693 00:45:12.400 --> 00:45:15.480 SmackDown right after Survivor Series. So for me, I think that this is 694 00:45:15.519 --> 00:45:19.440 going to be a great match. I think it's one that should get a 695 00:45:19.440 --> 00:45:22.159 lot of time. But like you, I'm going with late Night. Yeah. 696 00:45:22.280 --> 00:45:25.199 I mean, I'm what more to say about it than that it's it's 697 00:45:25.239 --> 00:45:28.760 a match that I don't think it's talked about enough, and I think fans 698 00:45:28.760 --> 00:45:30.719 are going to come away going, yeah, this was a this was one 699 00:45:30.760 --> 00:45:34.760 that was worth watching. It's worth it was worth your time in the build, 700 00:45:35.239 --> 00:45:37.320 or rather the match exceeded to build. I think that's probably how most 701 00:45:37.360 --> 00:45:40.039 fans are going to feel coming out of this. I hope my fear is 702 00:45:40.039 --> 00:45:43.559 that they run out of time or have to cut this match, or they 703 00:45:43.599 --> 00:45:45.599 only get eight minutes or something odd. This needs to go, you know, 704 00:45:46.480 --> 00:45:51.159 ten, twelve, fifteen minutes in the you know, to really be 705 00:45:51.239 --> 00:45:52.960 able to tell their story and with aj styles in the match, I'm not 706 00:45:52.960 --> 00:45:58.400 concerned about match quality at all. So all right, US Title Triple Threat 707 00:45:58.400 --> 00:46:04.239 match. Logan Paul Randy Orton Kevin Owens my pick on the boy. This 708 00:46:04.320 --> 00:46:07.400 is another It gets tougher and tougher here. I mean there's a lot of 709 00:46:07.440 --> 00:46:13.079 people picking Kevin Owens in this match. I don't think Kevin Owens wins here. 710 00:46:13.119 --> 00:46:16.039 I think logan Paul continues, logan Paul has could done nothing but impressed. 711 00:46:16.440 --> 00:46:20.920 Love him or hate him. The fact of the matter is he has 712 00:46:20.960 --> 00:46:24.639 exceeded all expectations. He's fit right in immediately. Yes, he's kind of 713 00:46:24.639 --> 00:46:28.719 an absentee champion. We have enough of those so we know all that. 714 00:46:29.079 --> 00:46:32.320 But every time he's in the ring, he delivers on a massive level. 715 00:46:32.920 --> 00:46:37.599 I mean, we are getting a guy that is. It's a rarity to 716 00:46:37.719 --> 00:46:42.239 have anybody, especially somebody coming from an outside sport like boxing or MMA, 717 00:46:42.360 --> 00:46:45.000 to come in and just pick things up so quickly. There's a handful of 718 00:46:45.000 --> 00:46:47.159 people who have done that, and Logan Paul, who's so young, has 719 00:46:47.159 --> 00:46:52.119 so many years ahead of him, where Orton and Owens would not be hurt 720 00:46:52.159 --> 00:46:54.320 at all by losing this. I think you could make an argument, a 721 00:46:54.360 --> 00:46:58.519 strong argument for Logan Paul to retain. I think he's actually the right call. 722 00:46:58.840 --> 00:47:02.239 I know Kevin Owens hasn't done a whole lot as of late in getting 723 00:47:02.360 --> 00:47:06.480 big victories, but I believe that Logan Paul needs this, and I think 724 00:47:06.519 --> 00:47:10.079 Logan Paul probably does win this. It's not a no DQ, which means 725 00:47:10.079 --> 00:47:14.559 brass knucks are in effect, and I think they'll be behind the referees back. 726 00:47:15.599 --> 00:47:16.840 Now. How he does it or where he does it, I don't 727 00:47:16.840 --> 00:47:22.519 know against two, but I think Logan Paul capitalizes on either brass knucks or 728 00:47:22.559 --> 00:47:27.360 an RKO, and it's Randy Orton's finish that ends up like Logan Paul takes 729 00:47:27.360 --> 00:47:31.119 advantage and Logan Paul retains. I'm not confident, though, I'm not over 730 00:47:31.159 --> 00:47:35.480 confident at all on this. That's just my take. You know, I'm 731 00:47:35.480 --> 00:47:38.239 going back and forth too, even up until you start giving your answer, 732 00:47:38.280 --> 00:47:43.679 because I was a leaning Kevin Owens. But one thing that stops me with 733 00:47:43.719 --> 00:47:47.159 it is that if the crowd is going to see a babyface win, don't 734 00:47:47.199 --> 00:47:51.760 you think they'd wanta see Randy win? And as much as I love Kevin 735 00:47:51.760 --> 00:47:54.199 Owens, is as much as the fans like Kevin Owens, I feel like 736 00:47:54.239 --> 00:47:58.239 that would be kind of a letdown. Now. Personally, I think Kevin 737 00:47:58.239 --> 00:48:02.039 Owens needs this more than a one else. He hasn't held a singles championship 738 00:48:02.079 --> 00:48:07.599 since twenty seventeen. Ironically enough, for coincidentally enough, it was the United 739 00:48:07.639 --> 00:48:10.880 States Championship that he dropped to. I believe it his AJ styles. He 740 00:48:10.960 --> 00:48:15.440 needs this, but I don't think the time is right. And to your 741 00:48:15.480 --> 00:48:19.679 point, you know, Logan Paula has done an awesome job. I wish 742 00:48:19.880 --> 00:48:22.880 to God that he was there more often. I wish that he wasn't so 743 00:48:23.000 --> 00:48:28.239 part time. But when he's there, he's an awesome United States Champion. 744 00:48:28.559 --> 00:48:30.920 And to be honest, that was a championship that floundered for the better part 745 00:48:30.920 --> 00:48:36.679 of a year under Austin Theory and then Ray Mysterio and it feels legitimate on 746 00:48:36.760 --> 00:48:42.599 his shoulder or around his waist. And since he's come into WWE, I 747 00:48:42.639 --> 00:48:45.079 don't think he's really gotten that major pay per view victory like I mean, 748 00:48:45.119 --> 00:48:49.719 I guess you could say he got it over Ray Mysterio in Saudi Arabia to 749 00:48:49.760 --> 00:48:52.480 win the United States Championship, but that still doesn't feel big. You know, 750 00:48:52.559 --> 00:48:55.719 he lost the Big One to seth Rawlins at Wrestling last year. He 751 00:48:55.880 --> 00:49:00.280 lost the Big One to Roman Reigns in Saudi Arabia year and a half half 752 00:49:00.280 --> 00:49:04.679 ago. I believe he lost at SummerSlam that year. Was it to the 753 00:49:04.719 --> 00:49:07.239 mizz or maybe he won, But I mean, that's not a huge victory. 754 00:49:07.639 --> 00:49:10.079 This is the biggest match aside from the two I just mentioned. I 755 00:49:10.159 --> 00:49:14.280 think he needs this. I don't think he should hold it for much longer 756 00:49:14.320 --> 00:49:16.119 beyond this, But I do think if you want to legitimize Logan Paul, 757 00:49:16.440 --> 00:49:20.679 and he is certainly a badass, he certainly is legitimate. This is a 758 00:49:20.679 --> 00:49:23.519 good victory to put his way it is. It's one that I think he'll 759 00:49:23.519 --> 00:49:28.519 be able to brag about forever. I think the victory by Orton or Owens 760 00:49:28.519 --> 00:49:30.280 doesn't really help them in any way. I mean, again, Kevin Owens 761 00:49:30.320 --> 00:49:35.480 is not winning a singles championship in that long it's pretty that's a striking statistic. 762 00:49:35.519 --> 00:49:37.239 In what seven years he hasn't won. That's a lot of time. 763 00:49:37.280 --> 00:49:40.440 But at the same time, he's been He main evented WrestleMania last year, 764 00:49:40.440 --> 00:49:44.000 he won the tag titles in the main event of nine, won last year 765 00:49:44.039 --> 00:49:47.480 with Sammy's Ain. He does and has had main event match after main event 766 00:49:47.559 --> 00:49:51.559 match. Yes, he hasn't won a singles title, but it still feels 767 00:49:51.559 --> 00:49:52.639 like he's a big time player. And I don't know if he would be 768 00:49:52.679 --> 00:49:57.360 helped by winning the US title. To me, Logan Paul, who's got 769 00:49:57.400 --> 00:50:00.440 a lot more work to do than Kevin Owens or or you know, rock 770 00:50:00.480 --> 00:50:05.199 solid established in the business, and they're kind of teflon at this point. 771 00:50:05.719 --> 00:50:07.920 Logan Paul, you again, you could use this to have him brag I 772 00:50:08.039 --> 00:50:13.039 beat these two clowns on the biggest stage of them all. You could really 773 00:50:13.079 --> 00:50:16.119 do a lot with the Logan Paul victory. And again, it's not to 774 00:50:16.159 --> 00:50:20.880 say this is a lock either. Kevin Owens is easily a guy that you 775 00:50:20.920 --> 00:50:23.400 could look to and crazily enough, as big of a stars Orton is, 776 00:50:23.400 --> 00:50:27.480 no one's even giving Orton a chance. I mean, I'm and I'm not. 777 00:50:27.599 --> 00:50:30.719 I'm not saying it's impossible, but what is Orton going to do? 778 00:50:30.760 --> 00:50:32.559 At how old he is, like forty seven years old? You know, 779 00:50:32.880 --> 00:50:36.599 even though he's in amazing shape, he's got a few years left in him. 780 00:50:37.400 --> 00:50:38.840 Just what is Orton going to do as US champion? I mean, 781 00:50:38.880 --> 00:50:43.079 it just doesn't make sense, but there'll be some fun. RKO's in there, 782 00:50:43.119 --> 00:50:45.400 and Logan Paul I think is the favorite. Yep, same here, 783 00:50:45.400 --> 00:50:49.719 and it's probably the right call. I mean, I do think Kevin Owens 784 00:50:50.079 --> 00:50:53.000 should eventually get a United States championship, Like it's crazy that he hasn't held 785 00:50:53.280 --> 00:50:58.039 a singles title in almost seven years, but the time and place just doesn't 786 00:50:58.039 --> 00:51:00.840 feel right. And to be honest, I've actually like the build of this 787 00:51:00.960 --> 00:51:04.440 match. I think the chemistry with Kevin and and Randy has been funny at 788 00:51:04.480 --> 00:51:07.199 times. I think that their chemistry with Logan has been good. I think 789 00:51:07.239 --> 00:51:09.880 all in all, this build has been really really good for all three men. 790 00:51:10.280 --> 00:51:14.159 And my pick, like you, is Logan Paul coming out retain the 791 00:51:14.239 --> 00:51:17.280 championship, and that's you know, also another point like you made, It's 792 00:51:17.280 --> 00:51:20.960 not that Kevin Owens can ever be US Champion again. Maybe in a few 793 00:51:20.960 --> 00:51:23.639 months. It's just it has to be retained at forty. I don't even 794 00:51:23.679 --> 00:51:27.239 care if they give it to him a backlash, but the fact that he 795 00:51:27.280 --> 00:51:30.719 can brag that at WrestleMania forty, the biggest WrestleMania of all time, Logan 796 00:51:30.800 --> 00:51:35.239 Paul defeated Randy Orton and Kevin Owens at the same time, which he'll claim, 797 00:51:35.280 --> 00:51:37.760 you know something wild, That to me is a bigger statement of bigger 798 00:51:38.400 --> 00:51:43.599 There's more value in Logan Paul winning than any value being added to Kevin Owns 799 00:51:43.639 --> 00:51:45.599 or Randy Orton. So again, yeah, sure, Kevin Owns can absolutely 800 00:51:45.639 --> 00:51:49.920 be US Champion, it's just not yet. Maybe in like a couple of 801 00:51:49.920 --> 00:51:52.400 months even I'd be fine with it. But this, this to me, 802 00:51:52.519 --> 00:51:54.440 is a way to really establish Logan Paul and put him on the map in 803 00:51:54.480 --> 00:51:58.519 an even bigger way. So all right, onto this next match here, 804 00:51:58.559 --> 00:52:04.679 and this may be out side of the damage control Naomi Cargill bell Air match, 805 00:52:05.199 --> 00:52:07.719 the most predictable and really there's no other way to go here, guys, 806 00:52:07.719 --> 00:52:12.639 with Bailey versus Eosky for the WWE Women's Championship, there's just no way 807 00:52:12.679 --> 00:52:16.559 to go. You can't keep EO champion. You just can't do it. 808 00:52:16.960 --> 00:52:20.960 Sure, she's gotten a little more interesting over the last few weeks, but 809 00:52:21.079 --> 00:52:24.039 only because they had to make her more interesting because it's WrestleMania and she hasn't 810 00:52:24.039 --> 00:52:30.079 cut a promo yet. I mean, she's been invisible as the Women's champion 811 00:52:30.199 --> 00:52:34.119 up until the last month. I mean, she just has the Bailey World 812 00:52:34.159 --> 00:52:37.320 Rumble victory has been overshadowed by so much other stuff, and I feel bad 813 00:52:37.360 --> 00:52:40.599 for Bailey on that. But the build has been good and I've enjoyed it, 814 00:52:40.599 --> 00:52:45.920 and Bailey's attack on EO during the pre taped interview is unexpected and fun. 815 00:52:45.519 --> 00:52:51.280 But there's just you can't have EO Sky retain, even if it's for 816 00:52:51.360 --> 00:52:55.119 the simple fact of well, doing it for unpredictability for unpredictability's sake is a 817 00:52:55.159 --> 00:53:00.800 bad strategy. So I would not implement that. Bailey has to win here, 818 00:53:00.159 --> 00:53:04.719 And I say that with one confidence. Do I think that's one hundred 819 00:53:04.719 --> 00:53:07.920 percent that the shall win? No, I think it's like about ninety five 820 00:53:07.960 --> 00:53:10.639 from w we's perspective. But I'm picking Bailey. It's not even a it's 821 00:53:10.639 --> 00:53:15.000 not even a thought for me. What about you? Yeah, yeah, 822 00:53:15.000 --> 00:53:16.920 I'm going with Bailey. I mean, the build hasn't been grate to this. 823 00:53:17.639 --> 00:53:22.599 It certainly is kind of crappy given the fact that Bailey won the Royal 824 00:53:22.679 --> 00:53:25.639 Rumble and she has kind of taken a backseat to not only the other women's 825 00:53:25.679 --> 00:53:31.639 Championship match, but the six the Six Women tag team match involving her her 826 00:53:31.960 --> 00:53:36.920 her opponent's faction. But again, this is a This is a potential for 827 00:53:36.960 --> 00:53:39.880 a match that could steal the I say that a lot, and you can't 828 00:53:39.880 --> 00:53:45.400 have like eighty show stealers. But I mean, I do think that you 829 00:53:45.480 --> 00:53:50.000 have the potential for a lot of matches to make up for the lack of 830 00:53:50.119 --> 00:53:52.880 build. And I think that has kind of been a hallmark under the Triple 831 00:53:52.920 --> 00:53:57.920 Ah era. Is when a bill doesn't feel up to par going into a 832 00:53:57.920 --> 00:54:01.679 pay per view, the matches and the inn rink performance can outshine that and 833 00:54:01.719 --> 00:54:06.000 make up for it. I think this is one of those instances. And 834 00:54:06.000 --> 00:54:10.159 look, people inherently like Bailey. They organically wanted to to see her turn 835 00:54:10.239 --> 00:54:14.880 babyface, and they're gonna get that, And I really do think Bailey walks 836 00:54:14.880 --> 00:54:19.559 out as Women's champion here. There is no option but this. She hasn't 837 00:54:19.559 --> 00:54:22.840 been Women's champions since I believe the end of twenty twenty when she dropped it 838 00:54:22.840 --> 00:54:25.800 to Sasha Banks inside Hell on the Cell. So I'm just hoping that they 839 00:54:25.840 --> 00:54:30.679 could put on a performance like we know that they can that will make up 840 00:54:30.679 --> 00:54:35.760 for the bill that was very lackluster. Yeah, definitely there's gonna be. 841 00:54:36.760 --> 00:54:38.079 You know, again, the quality of the match I haven't eve early talked 842 00:54:38.119 --> 00:54:43.119 about, but I think that that isn't Again, honestly, if I'm not 843 00:54:43.119 --> 00:54:45.079 worried about any of the match qualities on any really any of the card here. 844 00:54:45.199 --> 00:54:50.800 These are all professionals that are capable of extraordinary matches. But you know, 845 00:54:50.840 --> 00:54:53.639 these two women I haven't really seen in a long form yet. Do 846 00:54:53.760 --> 00:54:57.400 I think that it's going to be a blowaway match, But I think it's 847 00:54:57.400 --> 00:55:00.840 gonna be match of the night. I don't. But my other thought is 848 00:55:00.880 --> 00:55:04.920 this, you know, Bailey's probably gonna win. Eosky has been underwhelming, 849 00:55:04.960 --> 00:55:07.599 to say the least as Women's champion, and that's not a slight on eo 850 00:55:07.719 --> 00:55:10.840 It's more of a kind of a knock on creative. But you know, 851 00:55:10.880 --> 00:55:14.559 two things with the Triple H regime. You like you said some of the 852 00:55:14.599 --> 00:55:16.960 hallmarks of Triple H's regime. I think one of them has been long title 853 00:55:16.960 --> 00:55:21.880 reigns. But the long title reigns have a purpose, and that is when 854 00:55:21.880 --> 00:55:24.159 a title changes hands, it actually means something. There's a reason, there's 855 00:55:24.199 --> 00:55:30.079 a long term idea, there's a there's a there's like a thought behind it, 856 00:55:30.119 --> 00:55:32.840 there's logic behind it. Whereas when Vince McMahon was in charge forever, 857 00:55:34.199 --> 00:55:36.360 especially towards the end, it was kind of like, yo, let's just 858 00:55:36.440 --> 00:55:38.159 change it. To change it and change things up. It feels stale, 859 00:55:38.199 --> 00:55:42.679 so just giving it to this person with no real idea or plan, and 860 00:55:42.719 --> 00:55:45.039 it oftentimes crashed and burned. Well. With Triple H, it seems he's 861 00:55:45.119 --> 00:55:50.039 very methodical and very conscious of title changes, and when he does it, 862 00:55:50.039 --> 00:55:52.679 it's supposed to mean something. Not every single time has been a success. 863 00:55:52.719 --> 00:55:58.320 But Triple H has not done a tunnel title changes. I mean he hasn't 864 00:55:58.360 --> 00:56:00.960 done none. He's done I don't, I don't know them, but under 865 00:56:00.000 --> 00:56:02.920 the it feels like almost none. Because of under Vince, it felt like 866 00:56:02.960 --> 00:56:07.440 every other week. But so that's one thing. The other thing is I'm 867 00:56:07.440 --> 00:56:09.800 thinking, you know, Charlotte Flair, as I've been watching her over the 868 00:56:09.880 --> 00:56:15.360 last several months, has really been busting her ass in the gym. It 869 00:56:15.679 --> 00:56:17.199 looks like when I look at her, that she's not has didn't even have 870 00:56:17.280 --> 00:56:22.559 knee surgery, and she looks like she could, at least if possible, 871 00:56:22.159 --> 00:56:27.639 do something limited to distract Eosky. And if I recall, I could be 872 00:56:27.679 --> 00:56:34.119 wrong when the injury happened, it was actually Oscar right that accidentally injured her. 873 00:56:34.159 --> 00:56:37.679 So there's something to be said for maybe Charlotte making an appearance, not 874 00:56:37.679 --> 00:56:43.639 not doing anything wild, but she could do something limited safely and and you 875 00:56:43.760 --> 00:56:45.880 kind of even things out there and make an appearance. I think the crowd 876 00:56:45.880 --> 00:56:50.039 would go crazy for Charlotte if she came out at the right time where it 877 00:56:50.039 --> 00:56:52.079 looks like, oh my god, damage Control is gonna screw Bailey again, 878 00:56:52.119 --> 00:56:57.599 and here comes Charlotte Flair and in maybe some way somehow she helps Bailey. 879 00:56:57.760 --> 00:57:00.800 Makes sense, I don't know, no for sure, I think so like 880 00:57:00.880 --> 00:57:05.519 I would prefer it there to be no hanky panky. I think a lot 881 00:57:06.079 --> 00:57:12.519 of these championship matches should be resolved with no outside interference and no tomfoolery. 882 00:57:12.920 --> 00:57:19.519 And I think this match because theoretically the goons of Damage Control should be neutralized 883 00:57:19.519 --> 00:57:22.519 on night one. I would like it to just be woman on woman. 884 00:57:22.920 --> 00:57:28.920 I think we saw how significant that could be with Rhea versus Charlotte last year 885 00:57:29.280 --> 00:57:31.599 in which was my in my opinion, the best match of both nights. 886 00:57:32.079 --> 00:57:36.840 So I'm hoping it's just Bailey versus EO. But to your point, I 887 00:57:36.880 --> 00:57:43.559 think Charlotte's impending return presents another option to go up against Bailey, because I 888 00:57:43.559 --> 00:57:47.039 don't remember the last time we had any type of Bailey Charlotte long term one 889 00:57:47.119 --> 00:57:51.559 on one rivalry. And then you also have Jay Cargill. You also have 890 00:57:52.400 --> 00:57:55.360 Bianca bell Air. Who knows what's gonna happen if they do the WWE draft. 891 00:57:55.760 --> 00:58:00.280 I just think that it's run its course with EO Sky, and it's 892 00:58:00.280 --> 00:58:02.599 been lacklustered, hasn't been great. I still think that they pulled the trigger 893 00:58:02.639 --> 00:58:06.639 way too early on her cashing and the money in the bank, but it's 894 00:58:06.639 --> 00:58:09.199 been okay. They've done the long term storytelling. I think they tried to 895 00:58:09.239 --> 00:58:15.159 emulate kind of like the Evolution Batista stuff from two thousand and five. But 896 00:58:15.239 --> 00:58:20.000 I just hope that there will be this match with no I guess monkey business 897 00:58:20.039 --> 00:58:23.119 from outside interference, just because I think a Wrestlmanium most title matches should have 898 00:58:23.239 --> 00:58:27.519 that type of finish. Yeah. No, I'm with totally with you, 899 00:58:27.960 --> 00:58:30.280 just from from history, from you know, the way that they've acted, 900 00:58:30.320 --> 00:58:36.159 the group acts it just it seems possible that you have one or two or 901 00:58:36.159 --> 00:58:38.159 three members of Damage Control try to help Bailey, and if they do, 902 00:58:38.719 --> 00:58:43.800 I could see a scenario where, you know, Charlotte does make a cameo 903 00:58:43.880 --> 00:58:46.519 appearance. Not that she's making a full return yet, but you want if 904 00:58:46.519 --> 00:58:50.360 she's close. I mean, I'd be advocating for her as well. If 905 00:58:50.400 --> 00:58:52.039 I was Charlotte, I'd be trying to find a way to at least make 906 00:58:52.079 --> 00:58:55.079 an appearance. I'm sure she wants to. There's that desire, I'm sure. 907 00:58:55.119 --> 00:58:59.559 So all right, Well, now we get to the final two matches. 908 00:58:59.559 --> 00:59:05.440 We get to the ones here. Seth Rollins Drew McIntyre World Heavyweight Championship. 909 00:59:05.480 --> 00:59:07.599 I know you kind of tipped your hand a little bit already, but 910 00:59:07.639 --> 00:59:10.599 it hasn't been a secret for weeks. I kind of think the listening audience 911 00:59:10.639 --> 00:59:15.159 knows kind of where we both land here, and my thoughts haven't really changed. 912 00:59:15.559 --> 00:59:19.960 And that's that Drew McIntyre captures the world title. But I guess add 913 00:59:20.000 --> 00:59:22.639 to that, how does that happen? Do you think? Do you think 914 00:59:22.639 --> 00:59:25.639 it happens because he lucks into it, like he's been lucking into so many 915 00:59:25.719 --> 00:59:29.480 of his victories. Do you think it's clean? How do you think this 916 00:59:29.599 --> 00:59:35.559 match goes? I think it will be clean technically speaking. I don't think 917 00:59:35.559 --> 00:59:38.760 he's going to hit a low blow or have someone interfere on his behalf or 918 00:59:38.880 --> 00:59:43.239 use a weapon to help him secure the victory. But I think they're going 919 00:59:43.320 --> 00:59:46.119 to play on the fact that Seth Throngs wrestled the night before and he is 920 00:59:46.239 --> 00:59:51.239 beaten down, kind of like what they've done with Shinski Nakamora or and what 921 00:59:51.280 --> 00:59:53.519 they've been playing on for the better part of the year and during his World 922 00:59:53.599 --> 00:59:58.440 Championship reign, that he is beaten down and he does need a break and 923 00:59:58.480 --> 01:00:00.719 his back might give out on him, and he is coming off of a 924 01:00:00.760 --> 01:00:04.760 knee injury that he suffered against Ginger Mahaal and that he hasn't had a one 925 01:00:04.800 --> 01:00:07.800 on one match saved for his match against Solo this past week, since that 926 01:00:07.840 --> 01:00:13.440 match against Gingder in late January, and I just think they're going to present 927 01:00:13.480 --> 01:00:16.960 Drew McIntyre as what he's been, just an opportunistic guy that will do anything 928 01:00:17.039 --> 01:00:21.679 to walk away the World Heavyweight Championship. And I think that's how it's going 929 01:00:21.719 --> 01:00:23.840 to go. And I think that it's something that we're ready to see. 930 01:00:24.159 --> 01:00:31.840 I think Drew McIntyre has been groomed into one of the more significant faces, 931 01:00:31.880 --> 01:00:36.840 not baby faces, but faces of the brand of not just the Raw brand, 932 01:00:36.840 --> 01:00:42.280 but WWE brand in general, despite being overshadowed at times by Roman and 933 01:00:42.360 --> 01:00:45.519 Cody and Seth and Rock and whoever. And I think it's a testament to 934 01:00:45.719 --> 01:00:51.000 what kind of work they've done with his character, the long term storytelling they've 935 01:00:51.039 --> 01:00:54.440 done going back to early last fall, and I think that it presents a 936 01:00:54.480 --> 01:01:00.920 whole new crop of main event talent for him to feud with Planted Seeds, 937 01:01:00.960 --> 01:01:04.960 going back to Survivor Series season with Damian Prize, what's going to happen with 938 01:01:05.000 --> 01:01:07.159 that money in the bank briefcase, you have the Clash of the Castle in 939 01:01:07.199 --> 01:01:13.719 Scotland coming this summer. I imagine Drew McIntyre's going to play a significant role 940 01:01:13.760 --> 01:01:15.719 in that, given the fact that he's from there. I just think it's 941 01:01:15.760 --> 01:01:21.400 a perfect storm for Drew to get his moment four years in the making after 942 01:01:21.440 --> 01:01:23.960 he won his first ever world championship in front of No. One due to 943 01:01:24.000 --> 01:01:29.760 the COVID nineteen pandemic at Wrestling thirty six against Brock Lesner. So that's how 944 01:01:29.760 --> 01:01:31.360 I think it's going to go. I really think that it's going to be 945 01:01:31.400 --> 01:01:39.360 Drew McIntyre just exploiting seth rawlins weaknesses, but not necessarily doing anything by Hooker 946 01:01:39.440 --> 01:01:43.960 Crook. That's the way it should be in this one. I understand he's 947 01:01:44.000 --> 01:01:46.079 a heel. I get it. And honestly, most of his victories have 948 01:01:46.199 --> 01:01:51.199 just been his opponents taking their eyes off off of him and that's their paul, 949 01:01:51.239 --> 01:01:54.119 that's their problem. And he's been Yes, he's gotten lucky in some 950 01:01:54.159 --> 01:01:58.119 of his victories, but he hasn't done anything like he said, low blows 951 01:01:58.159 --> 01:02:01.360 behind the referees back. He's won, but it's been because of the lack 952 01:02:01.400 --> 01:02:05.840 of intelligence of his opponents, and that's not his fault. So I think 953 01:02:05.840 --> 01:02:07.079 that, Yeah, on top of the fact that Seth is going to be 954 01:02:07.079 --> 01:02:09.559 wrestling the night before, and if he gets beat down at the end of 955 01:02:09.559 --> 01:02:15.880 that match, there's even more ways or reasons to have Drew win that match. 956 01:02:15.760 --> 01:02:19.440 But it also just feels right. It's time for Drew. And you 957 01:02:19.480 --> 01:02:22.239 know, the biggest reason for me if I was booking this would be the 958 01:02:22.280 --> 01:02:27.400 fact that, you know, the human being Drew McIntyre. The human being 959 01:02:27.480 --> 01:02:30.800 Drew mcatyre, to me, deserves this. I don't care what role he's 960 01:02:30.800 --> 01:02:35.119 playing, good guy, bad guy. He deserves this moment after being screwed 961 01:02:35.159 --> 01:02:37.519 out of it four years ago with the pandemic, I mean, and I 962 01:02:37.639 --> 01:02:40.280 felt. I still think of that and how uncomfortable it was, and how 963 01:02:40.320 --> 01:02:44.800 angry he must be and frustrated he must be that he gets it finally and 964 01:02:44.840 --> 01:02:49.719 no one's there in some unprecedented event across the world happens. So I think 965 01:02:49.760 --> 01:02:52.800 he deserves it. I think the fans will actually be receptive to this. 966 01:02:52.159 --> 01:02:54.400 I really don't believe the fans are going to boot the hell out of Drew 967 01:02:54.480 --> 01:02:59.599 mcatyre because they understand on a human level, like a real person level, 968 01:03:00.159 --> 01:03:02.519 this is bigger than who we're supposed to cheer or boo. I think the 969 01:03:02.559 --> 01:03:07.360 fans in the moment will get caught up in the moment and cheer Drew McIntyre 970 01:03:07.000 --> 01:03:10.199 when he wins this, when he wins the belt on the other side, 971 01:03:10.199 --> 01:03:13.519 And by the way, that's my pick too, if he doesn't win, 972 01:03:14.480 --> 01:03:17.599 If he doesn't win, I mean to me, I just I think that 973 01:03:17.599 --> 01:03:22.880 that could really hurt Drew. There's no reason, no, no explanations you 974 01:03:22.880 --> 01:03:25.119 can give me for Drew to not win this, because it would hurt It 975 01:03:25.119 --> 01:03:28.840 would hurt Drew. It also hurts Seth because the fans would, I think, 976 01:03:28.840 --> 01:03:30.639 start to really turn on Seth when they have been ready to embrace the 977 01:03:30.719 --> 01:03:36.679 Drew McIntyre of a title reign for a long time. Now. Well that's 978 01:03:36.719 --> 01:03:38.239 the other thing, like, how would you come back from that? You 979 01:03:38.239 --> 01:03:44.400 couldn't because this is, you know, his third crack at this and he's 980 01:03:44.679 --> 01:03:49.079 I just think that given where Seth is coming from, in the fact that 981 01:03:49.440 --> 01:03:53.920 he has had the you know, well documented several injuries and he is going 982 01:03:53.960 --> 01:03:59.960 to be distracted with the Bloodline match the night before and he will likely be 983 01:04:00.440 --> 01:04:03.000 you know, feeling some bumps and bruises from that match. If you make 984 01:04:03.119 --> 01:04:08.719 Drew lose, then what can you do to bring back the Drew McIntire character 985 01:04:08.800 --> 01:04:12.239 with any type of legitimacy or credibility, And for me, the answer is 986 01:04:12.280 --> 01:04:16.000 nothing. And they've been planting seeds for this that Seth will take Drew for 987 01:04:16.039 --> 01:04:20.119 granted, and he is at the bottom of his I guess radar, and 988 01:04:20.519 --> 01:04:24.840 he does have bigger fish to fry, and to me, they're positioning this 989 01:04:25.119 --> 01:04:29.039 entire match for Seth to take Drew lightly, Seth to come in not at 990 01:04:29.039 --> 01:04:31.199 one hundred percent, and for Drew to do what he's been doing for months, 991 01:04:31.199 --> 01:04:36.000 and that is to take advantage of other people's weaknesses or distractions. And 992 01:04:36.400 --> 01:04:40.920 maybe it's not the most I guess upstanding way to go about your business, 993 01:04:41.199 --> 01:04:45.159 but from a pure competition point of view, I think it's like what anyone 994 01:04:45.239 --> 01:04:47.639 would do if you were on a hockey team or a football team. You 995 01:04:47.679 --> 01:04:53.239 would exploit your opposition's weakness. It's just I guess human nature. And I 996 01:04:53.280 --> 01:04:59.199 think that's why this Drew McIntyre character, while predominantly a heel, has a 997 01:04:59.400 --> 01:05:02.840 very big part of him that you can relate to because he's doing things that 998 01:05:02.880 --> 01:05:06.960 the average person would do. And that is why I believe when this match 999 01:05:08.039 --> 01:05:13.639 is over, you'll probably see seth Rawlins shake his hand and do somewhat not 1000 01:05:13.719 --> 01:05:16.400 a passing of the torch, but they will embrace in some way. Maybe 1001 01:05:16.440 --> 01:05:21.079 then you could officially, you know, move seth Rawlins to the disabled list, 1002 01:05:21.119 --> 01:05:24.760 but you know, move him into the background for a bit, maybe 1003 01:05:24.800 --> 01:05:27.960 take a few months off. I think it's well needed, and then you 1004 01:05:28.039 --> 01:05:31.360 will maybe have a confrontation, a stare down between Drew and CM Punk who 1005 01:05:31.440 --> 01:05:35.840 Cmpunk will probably be a commentary, I just think again, not to say 1006 01:05:35.840 --> 01:05:41.599 it's predictable, but I think the right path is relatively obvious and it's one 1007 01:05:41.599 --> 01:05:44.639 that I think most people would be on board with. Yeah, I don't 1008 01:05:44.679 --> 01:05:46.960 think Punk is going to have a massive say in this. I know he's 1009 01:05:46.960 --> 01:05:49.960 going to be a commentary. It's just to keep his presence on WrestleMania, 1010 01:05:49.960 --> 01:05:53.119 and I respect that. I get it. He'll be find a commentary. 1011 01:05:53.159 --> 01:05:55.719 He's good at commentary, so I have no issue with that whatsoever. But 1012 01:05:55.800 --> 01:05:58.480 yeah, he could have a stare down. I don't know what physical thing 1013 01:05:58.519 --> 01:06:00.079 he could do, if at all. I keep him kind of out of 1014 01:06:00.079 --> 01:06:04.840 that and just build towards when he can come back and actually get physical with 1015 01:06:05.119 --> 01:06:10.960 Drew. But yeah, this is to me Drew's moment. It's time and 1016 01:06:11.119 --> 01:06:14.679 honestly, to be honest, it's kind of funny both Seth and Becky are 1017 01:06:14.679 --> 01:06:16.280 in the same place in their careers where they both kind of need some time 1018 01:06:16.320 --> 01:06:19.400 off. They both kind of need to recharge. They both feel the same 1019 01:06:19.480 --> 01:06:25.039 way, and you know Becky more so, but even Seth, who if 1020 01:06:25.079 --> 01:06:28.360 he's injured, give him time off to get him self prepared. No better 1021 01:06:28.400 --> 01:06:31.440 time, There's no better time than after right after WrestleMania to go away, 1022 01:06:31.960 --> 01:06:35.599 either just to recharge your batteries or to go get surgery and fix whatever problems 1023 01:06:35.599 --> 01:06:39.719 you have. And let me ask you that time. If you look at 1024 01:06:39.719 --> 01:06:45.079 the outlook of Raw's main events scene beyond and this isn't taking the draft into 1025 01:06:45.079 --> 01:06:50.559 consideration, but beyond WrestleMania, right up until Survivors Series, you can survive 1026 01:06:51.199 --> 01:06:56.400 without Seth rawlins. I mean, let's just for a second assume Cody's gonna 1027 01:06:56.400 --> 01:07:00.159 go to SmackDown as the champion. You could get a lot of months out 1028 01:07:00.199 --> 01:07:03.199 of Drew and Damian Priest with the cash in. Maybe they trade the title 1029 01:07:03.239 --> 01:07:06.800 back and forth. Sometimes you planted seats there if the judgment day is gonna 1030 01:07:06.800 --> 01:07:11.719 break up, then you could move Finn Balor into that role. Gunter's voting 1031 01:07:11.800 --> 01:07:17.519 around, sorry j jay Uso. Whenever Sampunk returns right around Clash at the 1032 01:07:17.559 --> 01:07:24.079 Castle, you can send him into that role. You do not need seth 1033 01:07:24.159 --> 01:07:28.239 Rawlins right now. And even on the SmackDown side of things, you're gonna 1034 01:07:28.280 --> 01:07:32.400 have Cody Rhodes presumably there. Randy Orton's still kicking around. You could flex 1035 01:07:32.480 --> 01:07:36.800 Kevin Owens into that role as well. Bobby Lashley is more than capable of 1036 01:07:36.840 --> 01:07:41.840 being a main event player for at least a few months. You do not 1037 01:07:42.119 --> 01:07:45.480 need seth Rawlins for at least six months, if not longer. This is 1038 01:07:45.519 --> 01:07:50.360 a stud filled roster. Not to mention bron Breaker, who I imagine will 1039 01:07:50.400 --> 01:07:56.760 go full time to SmackDown beyond WrestleMania. They have so much talent at their 1040 01:07:56.800 --> 01:08:00.360 disposal that if they need to give seth Rawlins time off, and I think 1041 01:08:00.400 --> 01:08:03.920 the fans needed, I think he needs it both personally and character wise, 1042 01:08:04.280 --> 01:08:09.320 then why not do it? You have the luxury to do so right now. 1043 01:08:10.679 --> 01:08:13.639 You do. And the other item that we haven't even talked about is 1044 01:08:13.679 --> 01:08:16.079 Damian Priest cash, in which I would argue highly against. The only thing 1045 01:08:16.119 --> 01:08:20.880 I could see them doing is if somehow Dom ends up accidentally quote unquote screwing 1046 01:08:20.920 --> 01:08:26.159 Damian Priest's cash in up, which further cements the cracks and the foundation of 1047 01:08:26.199 --> 01:08:29.159 the judgment day where you know, Dom looks like he did it on purpose 1048 01:08:29.279 --> 01:08:31.399 or by accident, but it's really on purpose. So I don't know about 1049 01:08:31.399 --> 01:08:33.760 you, but I don't want a Damien Priese cash in here. I mean, 1050 01:08:33.760 --> 01:08:36.720 there's still some time, but it's just the more I think about it, 1051 01:08:36.760 --> 01:08:40.239 the more I don't want a Damian Priest to get involved at all. 1052 01:08:40.439 --> 01:08:45.279 Well, I just think that Drew deserves this and the fans want it. 1053 01:08:45.720 --> 01:08:49.319 I don't think people want a priest cash in more than a Drew win. 1054 01:08:49.399 --> 01:08:54.000 And I'm not saying Drew has to have a seventh month long title reign. 1055 01:08:54.399 --> 01:08:58.840 I fully expect Drew to lose that championship before Clash at the Castle. You 1056 01:08:58.880 --> 01:09:01.920 know, I'm fantasy booking, or not even fantasy booking, just predicting three 1057 01:09:01.920 --> 01:09:06.039 months in advance here, But I fully expect Drew to lose the championship to 1058 01:09:06.119 --> 01:09:11.680 a cash in a from Damian Priest before, maybe by June, and then 1059 01:09:11.760 --> 01:09:16.920 that sets up a Drew McIntyre potentially positioned at the babyface going in to regain 1060 01:09:16.960 --> 01:09:20.840 his championship at Clash at the Castle in Scotland. Like, you don't need 1061 01:09:20.840 --> 01:09:26.079 to give Drew or anyone for that matter, automatically a seventh, eight or 1062 01:09:26.119 --> 01:09:29.279 ten month long title reign. There are such things, as you know, 1063 01:09:29.399 --> 01:09:31.359 short month title reigns that could be impactful. And I think, like, 1064 01:09:31.479 --> 01:09:34.720 imagine what he would do for like an Extreme Rules pay per view if you 1065 01:09:34.760 --> 01:09:38.319 got up money in the bank cash in there. I think that would be 1066 01:09:38.399 --> 01:09:42.199 major to kind of promote a B level pay per view that have otherwise at 1067 01:09:42.239 --> 01:09:45.359 times not featured world title. So you could do something like that. And 1068 01:09:45.439 --> 01:09:47.920 I don't think much to what you just said, this is the right time 1069 01:09:47.960 --> 01:09:51.520 to have him Damien Prize cash in. No, And that's assuming Damian Prize 1070 01:09:51.600 --> 01:09:55.279 isn't cash in on the Icy title or whatever if he goes after the world 1071 01:09:55.359 --> 01:09:58.600 title. Yeah, it's just I know we talked about it for several weeks 1072 01:09:58.600 --> 01:10:00.399 months here on the show and everybody else as well. But the more I 1073 01:10:00.479 --> 01:10:02.880 think about it, you don't want right now. It's not the time. 1074 01:10:03.000 --> 01:10:06.680 He still has until July to cash it in. That's several months. You 1075 01:10:06.720 --> 01:10:10.840 can still milk it and like you said, give Drew at least three four 1076 01:10:10.880 --> 01:10:13.840 month run hand it off to somebody. I mean, yeah, So all 1077 01:10:13.920 --> 01:10:16.039 right, let's get to it. The main event. It's here, It's 1078 01:10:16.079 --> 01:10:19.279 finally here. In two nights, we will know exactly what all of this 1079 01:10:19.439 --> 01:10:24.079 was leading to, what the finishes. We no longer have to pretend to 1080 01:10:24.199 --> 01:10:30.399 know or project out Roman Reigns versus Cody Roads for the undisputed Universal Championship. 1081 01:10:30.640 --> 01:10:34.720 Man, oh man, do you want to take this first? Yeah, 1082 01:10:34.720 --> 01:10:40.840 I'll take it. I'm going with Cody Rhodes. Much like what we just 1083 01:10:40.880 --> 01:10:45.239 talked about with Drew McIntyre. I don't know how you come back with a 1084 01:10:45.319 --> 01:10:49.079 Cody character if he loses and back to back years, it would be really 1085 01:10:49.159 --> 01:10:53.119 tough to build him back up, which I personally wouldn't care about. I 1086 01:10:53.199 --> 01:10:56.640 want to make that perfectly clear. If his character crash and burdened and I 1087 01:10:56.640 --> 01:10:59.600 never saw main event of Paper View again, it would be way too soon, 1088 01:11:00.239 --> 01:11:01.319 way too late, however you want to put it. I would not 1089 01:11:01.479 --> 01:11:08.319 give half of you know what, but objectively speaking and speaking for the masses, 1090 01:11:08.359 --> 01:11:12.640 and I know that we are vastly outweighed in our opinion of Cody Rhodes. 1091 01:11:13.720 --> 01:11:17.520 I think he has to win. They've really stacked the deck against him. 1092 01:11:17.920 --> 01:11:21.399 He's been beaten down in back to back Monday Night raws, looking very 1093 01:11:21.439 --> 01:11:27.319 weak. I think he's going to be coming off of a loss on Wrestlemany 1094 01:11:27.479 --> 01:11:31.680 Night one, and I think they've positioned us in a way to brace for 1095 01:11:31.800 --> 01:11:36.399 Roman Regins' run to come to an end. And I don't think that the 1096 01:11:36.439 --> 01:11:41.960 release of his A and E doc was a coincidence by any stretch. I 1097 01:11:42.000 --> 01:11:44.399 think it was maybe a wink and a nod to like, yeah, you 1098 01:11:44.439 --> 01:11:47.079 guys have hated on us for maybe almost two years now. That's been going 1099 01:11:47.079 --> 01:11:50.640 on too long, But maybe you don't know what you have until it's gone. 1100 01:11:51.119 --> 01:11:55.119 And I'll tell you After watching that documentary, I've thought like, man, 1101 01:11:55.800 --> 01:11:58.880 have we taken it for granted? And on a side note, I 1102 01:11:58.960 --> 01:12:01.079 think that we haven't take it for granted when he's there. It's only been 1103 01:12:01.119 --> 01:12:04.000 when he's not there. If he was full time, I would be okay 1104 01:12:04.039 --> 01:12:08.079 with him going maybe another year, because he is that damn good. But 1105 01:12:08.159 --> 01:12:12.720 I digress. I just think that they've done everything to position a new era, 1106 01:12:13.279 --> 01:12:16.920 ushering in a new generation in WWE, and Cody Rhodes, for me, 1107 01:12:17.159 --> 01:12:24.159 begrudgingly to admit it is the face of that, and objectively speaking and 1108 01:12:24.239 --> 01:12:27.479 taking my personal bias out of it, is probably the right guy for that. 1109 01:12:28.039 --> 01:12:31.479 And I don't know how you position him in any big on any bigger 1110 01:12:31.479 --> 01:12:38.359 of a stage than on Sunday Night at wrestle Air forty. The stars are 1111 01:12:38.359 --> 01:12:43.079 aligning for him. You can have him lose back to back matches in consecutive 1112 01:12:43.119 --> 01:12:46.560 years against Rowan Rains in the main event of WrestleMania, like I just outlined, 1113 01:12:46.640 --> 01:12:50.640 all the weeks of him being having the stacked against him. I think 1114 01:12:50.680 --> 01:12:55.239 this is going to be a very overbooked match, But at the same time, 1115 01:12:55.279 --> 01:12:58.560 I think we've were kind of preparing for that. I think we see 1116 01:12:58.600 --> 01:13:02.560 maybe Austin maybe, like I said, an Avengers endgame type of story here, 1117 01:13:03.039 --> 01:13:06.359 but I think it will all end with Cody Rhodes having his hand raised 1118 01:13:06.680 --> 01:13:14.920 as the new undisputed champion. So is it sad that the most the thing 1119 01:13:14.920 --> 01:13:16.560 I'm looking forward to most in this match is a stunt around the rock. 1120 01:13:17.039 --> 01:13:21.199 I mean, like I mean, I just I keep fantasizing about it, 1121 01:13:21.199 --> 01:13:25.880 and it's a real possibility, as we've talked about, and really, WWE 1122 01:13:25.920 --> 01:13:29.399 has provided Easter eggs for us throughout the weeks, especially the one with the 1123 01:13:29.439 --> 01:13:32.640 parking lot beat down on Cody where the background had the two faces of Sena 1124 01:13:32.680 --> 01:13:36.439 and Austin lit up purposefully in the background of the rock. I don't think 1125 01:13:36.479 --> 01:13:41.560 that's by accident. So there is a very real possibility, which to me 1126 01:13:41.800 --> 01:13:45.159 is just so nostalgic. It makes me all feel warm and fuzzy fuzzy inside, 1127 01:13:45.439 --> 01:13:48.279 So I really am. But honestly, it is I think it is 1128 01:13:48.319 --> 01:13:53.439 Cody's time. I begrudgingly it is it is time for him to win. 1129 01:13:53.840 --> 01:13:57.640 Could he come back from this? Sure would? I love, love love 1130 01:13:57.720 --> 01:14:00.920 to see how the fans react on Twitter and in person for a Cody Rhodes 1131 01:14:01.000 --> 01:14:06.039 loss. Yes, to me, the more interesting finish is Cody losing. 1132 01:14:06.399 --> 01:14:11.560 To me, that's way more interesting because once again, where we thought it 1133 01:14:11.600 --> 01:14:14.479 was a foregone conclusion that Cody wins for the second year in a row, 1134 01:14:14.680 --> 01:14:17.119 he doesn't. And I think the heat would be all over the company. 1135 01:14:17.119 --> 01:14:21.279 But you know what, as many fans that they say would stop done watching 1136 01:14:21.600 --> 01:14:26.560 nonsense, you would tune in the next night the second they go on the 1137 01:14:26.560 --> 01:14:30.159 air, because you'd be so angry that once you're that angry, you are 1138 01:14:30.199 --> 01:14:32.840 now emotionally invested in Anger is a hell of an emotion. When you're that 1139 01:14:33.000 --> 01:14:36.039 angry at the company to see what they do, you would not stop watching. 1140 01:14:36.079 --> 01:14:39.880 In fact, I think the opposite would happen. You'd get more viewership 1141 01:14:40.039 --> 01:14:45.000 because the social media hashtags would blow off the charts. You would have an 1142 01:14:45.039 --> 01:14:48.000 uprising that we've never seen in wrestling. There is a strong case to be 1143 01:14:48.039 --> 01:14:51.279 made for Roman to continue if you want to go on that bandwagon. On 1144 01:14:51.319 --> 01:14:56.800 top of the fact you have Hogan's record this far away and officials in WWE 1145 01:14:56.920 --> 01:15:00.560 realize they are not in their lifetime is going to have an opportunity again to 1146 01:15:00.600 --> 01:15:02.920 have a champion that you think you could hang on to that has to be 1147 01:15:02.920 --> 01:15:06.279 a heel. You can't have a babyface do this as a heel champion for 1148 01:15:06.359 --> 01:15:11.840 a four year rain. You're not gonna have another opportunity literally in our lifetime 1149 01:15:11.840 --> 01:15:14.039 to do that. I don't see anyone on the roster who would do it, 1150 01:15:14.039 --> 01:15:15.199 nor do I think they would even try to do it again. So 1151 01:15:15.319 --> 01:15:19.239 does a case to be made there's a case to be made for Roman Reigns 1152 01:15:19.239 --> 01:15:24.159 to retain. The people think it doesn't exist. It does that Hogan record. 1153 01:15:24.159 --> 01:15:28.000 We're gonna find out how much they value that Sunday Night. Yes. 1154 01:15:28.079 --> 01:15:30.520 Do I think it's gonna be overbooked. Yes, Like you said, if 1155 01:15:30.520 --> 01:15:32.039 we expect it, then it's not as bad. I guess. I think 1156 01:15:32.039 --> 01:15:34.119 Austin will be there. I think Sena will be there. I think jay 1157 01:15:34.239 --> 01:15:38.680 Usa will be there. And it's gonna be some stunners, some fews or 1158 01:15:38.760 --> 01:15:41.880 rather attitude adjustments, gonna you're gonna it's gonna be fun, and then it's 1159 01:15:41.880 --> 01:15:44.880 gonna be a you know, a three crossroads in a row victory one two 1160 01:15:44.880 --> 01:15:46.039 three. So yes, do I think Cody's gonna win? I do, 1161 01:15:46.479 --> 01:15:50.520 But I just want people to at least have that small, small little seed 1162 01:15:50.560 --> 01:15:55.039 of doubt. I want to plant that in your brain and water it because 1163 01:15:55.039 --> 01:15:59.720 it's possible. It's possible that Roman Reigns does retain. No, I I 1164 01:15:59.760 --> 01:16:02.359 think it is as well, and I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing. 1165 01:16:02.399 --> 01:16:05.920 And to be honest with you, Matt, if he was full time, 1166 01:16:05.960 --> 01:16:11.159 if we could get Roman Reigns there, not wrestling every week, but 1167 01:16:11.239 --> 01:16:14.560 there for every pay per view, and let's say there every second SmackDown. 1168 01:16:15.239 --> 01:16:19.000 I would be okay with him going another year. I'm being honest, because 1169 01:16:19.039 --> 01:16:25.439 it has been a brilliant run, and personally speaking, I think the main 1170 01:16:25.560 --> 01:16:30.920 bripe I've had with it, if not the only major one, has been 1171 01:16:30.039 --> 01:16:33.920 the fact that he's not there enough, and the championship has felt like it's 1172 01:16:33.960 --> 01:16:39.119 been held hostage. That's the only reason why I think so many people have, 1173 01:16:39.720 --> 01:16:44.399 I guess vocally been so against Roman Reigns continuing its title run. And 1174 01:16:44.479 --> 01:16:47.359 I do think that a lot of us are gonna rue the day when we 1175 01:16:47.760 --> 01:16:51.119 begg WWE to take the title off of him, And I think that was 1176 01:16:51.239 --> 01:16:56.159 kind of a wink win nod nod by WWE saying that to us when they 1177 01:16:56.199 --> 01:16:58.680 released the A and E doc, Like, Okay, you're getting what you 1178 01:16:58.720 --> 01:17:02.119 want, but this is what we're going to be losing. And I do 1179 01:17:02.239 --> 01:17:08.439 think that the Cody Rhodes fire is gonna burn out quicker than people think, 1180 01:17:08.760 --> 01:17:13.479 because once he conquers his stupid story and it's all you know, hunky dory 1181 01:17:13.560 --> 01:17:17.600 and farts and rainbows, than what then how you know how dull is it 1182 01:17:17.640 --> 01:17:20.600 gonna be weak to week. It's gonna be nice having an undisputed champion there 1183 01:17:20.680 --> 01:17:25.399 every week, for sure, But then what is the next step for Cody 1184 01:17:25.479 --> 01:17:28.760 Rhods, Because as much as people don't want to admit it, he has 1185 01:17:28.800 --> 01:17:32.479 been very, very, very one dimensional since coming back to w W two 1186 01:17:32.520 --> 01:17:36.600 years ago. He has it's been fishing his story. Dusty Roads is my 1187 01:17:36.720 --> 01:17:42.800 dad? Oh you know whoa fireworks? You know, my hair is blonde, 1188 01:17:42.880 --> 01:17:46.119 my dog like, it's very shallow and it's one dimensional. And once 1189 01:17:46.159 --> 01:17:50.840 he gets to finishing his dumb story, then what so I mean? I'm 1190 01:17:50.880 --> 01:17:55.560 with you. I think that in a world where Roman Reigns was at least 1191 01:17:55.560 --> 01:17:59.760 semi full time, it'd be the much better option. But I just think 1192 01:17:59.760 --> 01:18:03.479 that given the circumstances of roman schedule and how they've positioned everything, we have 1193 01:18:03.520 --> 01:18:09.720 to brace for it. Yeah. I think again the argument as we're making, 1194 01:18:10.600 --> 01:18:13.479 I think it's it's possible, and it is. There is a case 1195 01:18:13.479 --> 01:18:15.399 to me made, as we just said, But Cody seems to be the 1196 01:18:15.439 --> 01:18:18.479 right guy, as you just mentioned. With Roman Reigns prepared to take time 1197 01:18:18.520 --> 01:18:24.000 off after WrestleMania. The only thing I have to say about that is you 1198 01:18:24.000 --> 01:18:26.079 know, well, it's kind of like every other year. It's just kind 1199 01:18:26.079 --> 01:18:28.640 of business as usual. Then. I mean, Roman Rains does disappear after 1200 01:18:28.680 --> 01:18:31.920 WrestleMania, so like it's not different than the last four years. So I 1201 01:18:31.960 --> 01:18:34.520 mean that that, to me, isn't really evidence that he's dropping it and 1202 01:18:34.560 --> 01:18:38.880 taking time off because he's dropping it. It could just be he's doing what 1203 01:18:38.920 --> 01:18:43.960 he normally does every year after WrestleMania. So again, I think that this 1204 01:18:44.039 --> 01:18:45.800 is gonna be the match. Quality is gonna be, I think even better 1205 01:18:45.840 --> 01:18:49.600 than last year. There's gonna be some awesome false finishes. The only thing 1206 01:18:49.640 --> 01:18:54.800 I'm looking forward to less than the Cody Roads victory is Cody Roads the next 1207 01:18:54.920 --> 01:19:00.439 night on Raw opening the show and him like probably like shedding tears and bringing 1208 01:19:00.479 --> 01:19:02.640 his dog into the ring, and his mom is there and he's presenting the 1209 01:19:02.680 --> 01:19:08.720 championship to his mommy, and we're all supposed to just cry in unison with 1210 01:19:08.840 --> 01:19:12.600 Cody Rhodess tears of joy. I'm not even that sounds like an exaggeration, 1211 01:19:12.760 --> 01:19:15.800 but I can. I can imagine this happening Monnette Raw Wrestle many of him 1212 01:19:15.840 --> 01:19:19.039 opening the show as the champion and we're all supposed to just you know, 1213 01:19:19.159 --> 01:19:26.119 weep uncontrollably and sob for Cody Rhodes as he stands there and he tears up, 1214 01:19:26.279 --> 01:19:28.560 and you know, he tells us, well, I hope you guys 1215 01:19:28.560 --> 01:19:30.720 are entertained, you know, like come on. I mean so, that 1216 01:19:30.880 --> 01:19:33.640 to me is when I'm looking forward to the least out of all of this 1217 01:19:34.079 --> 01:19:38.119 is how we're supposed to feel the next guy on Raw, with Cody Rhoads 1218 01:19:38.119 --> 01:19:41.520 coming out and probably crying like a child in front of us. No, 1219 01:19:41.680 --> 01:19:44.920 it's gonna be awful, and be careful what you wish for. People, 1220 01:19:45.319 --> 01:19:49.359 Be careful what you wish for, because once Roman reigns, f's off and 1221 01:19:49.399 --> 01:19:53.199 his title reign is done. And hey, I'm not you know, walking 1222 01:19:53.239 --> 01:19:57.520 back what I've said. I've been very vocal that I want the title rain 1223 01:19:57.600 --> 01:20:00.279 to end, but I rather but you know, and as much as I 1224 01:20:00.600 --> 01:20:05.159 you know, despise Cody Rhodes, I'm okay with him getting the title back 1225 01:20:05.479 --> 01:20:10.439 and keeping it relevant week over week. That doesn't mean that I like it. 1226 01:20:10.479 --> 01:20:14.159 I just think it's the lesser of two evils. But if Roman reigns 1227 01:20:14.319 --> 01:20:16.880 was full time, or like I said, even semi full time, even 1228 01:20:16.920 --> 01:20:21.399 if he had the Brock schedule from you know, fifteen sixteen seventeen. I 1229 01:20:21.439 --> 01:20:26.439 think I'd be okay with this because if you were there every pay per view 1230 01:20:26.479 --> 01:20:30.640 and you were there, you know, every second SmackDown, that's enough. 1231 01:20:30.680 --> 01:20:32.560 And I actually think that, as we've seen on Monday Night, Row was 1232 01:20:32.640 --> 01:20:36.000 set at times there is like, you know, you get to a point 1233 01:20:36.000 --> 01:20:42.800 of dimishing returns. There has to be a separation between the World Champion and 1234 01:20:42.840 --> 01:20:45.159 the rest of the roster, and a perk to being the World Champions not 1235 01:20:45.159 --> 01:20:48.840 having to fight on free TV or be there every week. But it's just 1236 01:20:48.920 --> 01:20:54.279 gone to such a point with Roman that I think twenty twenty three was really 1237 01:20:54.319 --> 01:20:59.079 like the straw that broke the camel's back with the gap between WrestleMania and SummerSlam. 1238 01:20:59.479 --> 01:21:01.520 But as as much as I want Cody Rhodes to win just to get 1239 01:21:01.520 --> 01:21:06.520 the title there every week, I'm fully expecting myself to not be okay with 1240 01:21:06.560 --> 01:21:12.159 it and absolutely hate the run and probably two out of SmackDown more than I 1241 01:21:12.199 --> 01:21:15.600 ever have since twenty twenty when Roman first started this run. Yeah, it's 1242 01:21:15.600 --> 01:21:18.560 gonna be interesting to see what the ratings say after all this, and and 1243 01:21:18.800 --> 01:21:23.319 one little final point on this before we kind of wrap it up is if 1244 01:21:23.359 --> 01:21:26.920 anyone didn't see, The Rock had an interview just to I think it was 1245 01:21:26.960 --> 01:21:30.600 today with the Will Kaine Show, and he admitted that this wasn't the original 1246 01:21:30.600 --> 01:21:31.520 plan. So I think we can put it to rest for all the people 1247 01:21:31.600 --> 01:21:34.319 that still care, well, did wwe do this on purpose? Was it 1248 01:21:34.359 --> 01:21:38.960 supposed to be? He actually admitted it. Yes, it's it's a wrestle 1249 01:21:39.039 --> 01:21:42.920 Lamey Wrestle Lamia dot Com. Uh, it's on their Twitter feed. It's 1250 01:21:42.960 --> 01:21:45.560 about a fifty second clip. He admitted it's. It's on air. So 1251 01:21:45.600 --> 01:21:47.720 we can put that to rest that if it was by design or not, 1252 01:21:47.800 --> 01:21:51.479 it was not by design according to the Rock that it was. Suppose they're 1253 01:21:51.479 --> 01:21:56.039 supposed to be rocking Roman one on one for the championship. Uh. You 1254 01:21:56.079 --> 01:21:59.319 know, the question, of course is now because the opponent's different, does 1255 01:21:59.359 --> 01:22:00.960 the outcome of that match change? You know, Like, were they planning 1256 01:22:00.960 --> 01:22:04.039 on dropping the belt to Rock and if so, they're going to still drop 1257 01:22:04.079 --> 01:22:09.159 the belt to Cody. And conversely, if the idea was to have Rock 1258 01:22:09.199 --> 01:22:11.840 loose to Roman for the championship, would they still do that for Cody? 1259 01:22:11.880 --> 01:22:14.279 I mean that that's a question. I mean, I don't know. I 1260 01:22:14.319 --> 01:22:15.760 mean kind of an interesting one, you know, just because now we have 1261 01:22:15.800 --> 01:22:20.920 a different person facing Roman. Is the booking changed, you know? But 1262 01:22:21.560 --> 01:22:25.319 well, any final thoughts on this because I have two very quick well, 1263 01:22:25.359 --> 01:22:29.560 one follow up question regarding returns, and then we'll wrap it up. Any 1264 01:22:29.560 --> 01:22:32.680 final thoughts on this though, No, I think I've given my state of 1265 01:22:32.720 --> 01:22:35.079 the opinion and off on this. Say, I don't want to go down 1266 01:22:35.119 --> 01:22:38.600 to Cody Ran, which I feel is coming if I go any further, 1267 01:22:38.920 --> 01:22:41.479 well, wait till tomorrow, Monday night. Raw, Oh my god, 1268 01:22:41.600 --> 01:22:46.439 it's gonna be bring the statue of his dad and put the belt on the 1269 01:22:46.520 --> 01:22:53.760 statue. I don't know crap. I forgot the name. Was he a 1270 01:22:53.800 --> 01:22:59.399 wrestler? No, there's I don't think Wait a minute, I'll have to 1271 01:22:59.399 --> 01:23:01.399 google it. Somebody needs to tell me, some listener out there. I 1272 01:23:01.439 --> 01:23:04.359 can't remember the name of Cody's dad. I forget what profession he was in 1273 01:23:04.399 --> 01:23:08.760 though, If somebody can email me, please, because I'm I I just 1274 01:23:08.840 --> 01:23:13.239 it's it's being a race from in my mind. But that said, okay, 1275 01:23:13.279 --> 01:23:15.199 so we'll wrapped up on that. As far as Cody and Roman goes. 1276 01:23:15.239 --> 01:23:19.000 We both believe Cody's gonna win, but there's a chance Roman still remains 1277 01:23:19.000 --> 01:23:23.399 and they want to take Cocan's record out that bad and also the internet would 1278 01:23:23.399 --> 01:23:26.479 blow up, which is so interesting to me. I will pop out of 1279 01:23:26.520 --> 01:23:30.680 my mind if Roman reigns retained in a good way. All right, So 1280 01:23:30.359 --> 01:23:32.920 the last question I have for you is regarding returns. Of course, we 1281 01:23:32.960 --> 01:23:36.079 talked about Austin, we talked about Seena, which we believe might get involved 1282 01:23:36.079 --> 01:23:40.199 on Night two. What do you think about Undertaker? Do you think he'll 1283 01:23:40.199 --> 01:23:43.399 make an appearance as far as like maybe just coming into choke slam somebody and 1284 01:23:43.560 --> 01:23:46.279 like a you know, some heel runs his mouth on in some promo and 1285 01:23:46.319 --> 01:23:51.800 then Undertaker comes out and choke slam somebody. I think that you're going to 1286 01:23:51.840 --> 01:23:58.039 see a Bo Dallas appearance in some way there. Question. Yeah, yeah, 1287 01:23:58.199 --> 01:24:00.479 I think that you have to Again, I I don't think it's coincidental 1288 01:24:01.039 --> 01:24:05.760 that they dropped that documentary when they did. Obviously Austin Sena, we've already 1289 01:24:05.800 --> 01:24:10.000 touched on that. The Undertaker, I hope to god not. I don't 1290 01:24:10.000 --> 01:24:13.880 want to see him do anything physical. I think he's found a nice kind 1291 01:24:13.880 --> 01:24:18.079 of niche as like being involved in every single documentary that WWE drops and even 1292 01:24:18.159 --> 01:24:23.439 narrating some now with the bray Wyatt one. I just leave Undertaker out of 1293 01:24:23.439 --> 01:24:26.640 the ring. The last few times we saw him it was pretty tragic and 1294 01:24:26.720 --> 01:24:30.239 they don't want to see him get hurt. Aside from that, I mean 1295 01:24:30.319 --> 01:24:32.600 maybe the Hardy boys, I think their contract is up. But again, 1296 01:24:32.640 --> 01:24:36.359 I think you kind of already went down that path at the Wrestle May you 1297 01:24:36.399 --> 01:24:41.359 were at in Orlando. So I think that the big like, to be 1298 01:24:41.439 --> 01:24:44.199 honest, I don't think you need it. I think you have enough star 1299 01:24:44.279 --> 01:24:47.600 power here. So aside from Austin and Sena and Bo Dallas, I don't 1300 01:24:47.600 --> 01:24:51.079 think that we're gonna see any big returns. Yeah, I think that's fair. 1301 01:24:51.199 --> 01:24:54.319 I mean again, if the Undertaker, if I hear the gong, 1302 01:24:54.359 --> 01:24:57.239 I'm not gonna I'm not gonna not watch, you know. But I don't 1303 01:24:57.239 --> 01:24:59.439 want Undertaker in a match. If he comes out, The most I want 1304 01:24:59.520 --> 01:25:01.279 him to do is just hit a choke slamon leave and then that's it, 1305 01:25:01.359 --> 01:25:03.439 you know. But I'm not asking for it. But if it happens, 1306 01:25:03.439 --> 01:25:05.920 I'd watch and be like, Okay, cool, nostalgia. But I think 1307 01:25:05.960 --> 01:25:10.000 more importantly, like you said, Bo Dallas, what would be cool is 1308 01:25:10.000 --> 01:25:13.880 if he comes out as a tribute to his brother and comes out, you 1309 01:25:13.880 --> 01:25:16.439 know, in the fiend mask, or comes out holding the lantern and giving 1310 01:25:16.439 --> 01:25:19.800 the entrance of Bray Wyatt and just you know, maybe saying a few words, 1311 01:25:19.920 --> 01:25:23.520 just putting the lantern in the middle of the ring with fog and stuff 1312 01:25:23.560 --> 01:25:27.720 as a distribute to to bray Wyatt or for Wyndham Rotunda. I think that 1313 01:25:27.800 --> 01:25:30.840 to me would be a cool moment. I think they will do something tributary 1314 01:25:30.920 --> 01:25:34.039 to Bray through Bo Dallas during that during that segment, if it happens. 1315 01:25:34.039 --> 01:25:38.279 But yeah, that I would agree with that. So all right, I 1316 01:25:38.319 --> 01:25:41.640 think we'll conclude there. Ris ran a lot longer, but it was needed. 1317 01:25:41.680 --> 01:25:45.880 It's WrestleMania forty. No bigger WrestleMania than obviously tomorrow night, which begins 1318 01:25:45.000 --> 01:25:49.000 night one, seven o'clock Eastern time. Guys, you know, probably a 1319 01:25:49.000 --> 01:25:51.880 three and a half hour night. One three and a half hour night too. 1320 01:25:51.920 --> 01:25:56.119 It's typically about what it is sometimes four hours, so about eight hours 1321 01:25:56.159 --> 01:25:59.359 of wrestling is coming your way in the next couple of days. And so 1322 01:26:00.119 --> 01:26:03.960 final thoughts before we finally say goodbye before Mania. I just think it's going 1323 01:26:04.039 --> 01:26:08.920 to be a really awesome Mania. To be honest with you, I really 1324 01:26:08.960 --> 01:26:13.439 really think that this is going to be a great WrestleMania and one that is 1325 01:26:13.479 --> 01:26:16.439 going to stand the test of time. I think that recent years we've seen 1326 01:26:16.479 --> 01:26:20.119 good WrestleMania's. I think Wrestling thirty eight was really good, aside from the 1327 01:26:20.159 --> 01:26:25.680 main event, thirty seven and thirty six kind of affected by COVID, certainly 1328 01:26:25.680 --> 01:26:29.279 more so thirty six, But you know, the last one that in my 1329 01:26:29.359 --> 01:26:31.840 opinion, stood the test of time was Wrestling A thirty one with the Ice 1330 01:26:31.960 --> 01:26:36.840 of the Century staying versus Triple H and despite there being bad booking on that 1331 01:26:38.000 --> 01:26:41.720 end, I think the DXNWO stuff was really cool to see. I think 1332 01:26:41.760 --> 01:26:45.640 WrestleMania forty is going to be the next one that goes into that level of 1333 01:26:45.680 --> 01:26:48.399 staying the test of time that to me, I haven't seen since twenty fifteen. 1334 01:26:48.479 --> 01:26:54.239 So that's how I think optimistic I am for this WrestleMania. I agree, 1335 01:26:54.319 --> 01:26:58.319 I haven't been this excited for WrestleMania in recent memories, so this one's 1336 01:26:58.359 --> 01:27:00.720 going to be a definitive turning point for I think the company. I think 1337 01:27:00.760 --> 01:27:04.239 you're going to see a lot of names being made, a lot of I 1338 01:27:04.239 --> 01:27:08.000 don't know if a lot of title changes is really the theme here, but 1339 01:27:08.079 --> 01:27:12.000 I think match quality, I think star power is going to be the name 1340 01:27:12.000 --> 01:27:14.439 of the game here. And I'm looking for the hell out of this. 1341 01:27:14.479 --> 01:27:16.279 And I've really enjoyed the two night format. I don't think there's any going 1342 01:27:16.319 --> 01:27:19.439 back at this point. A two night event is much more enjoyable. You 1343 01:27:19.479 --> 01:27:23.960 get to think about two nights separately, it's easier to digest everything's not eight 1344 01:27:24.000 --> 01:27:27.600 hours long, you know. I think that this is a forever format and 1345 01:27:27.640 --> 01:27:30.720 it's been it's been awesome, So all right, well, I think we'll 1346 01:27:30.760 --> 01:27:35.199 stop there. You enjoy WrestleMania and we'll be chatting on Monday with a lot 1347 01:27:35.239 --> 01:27:39.560 to talk about. Looking forward to it. Man, enjoy this weekend, 1348 01:27:40.079 --> 01:27:45.960 you too. Thanks for listening to the WWE podcast. Don't forget to subscribe 1349 01:27:45.960 --> 01:27:50.479 on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss a show, or head to 1350 01:27:50.640 --> 01:27:57.000 WWE podcast dot com and for all of these shows add free head over to 1351 01:27:57.079 --> 01:28:03.199 Patreon dot com slash WWE podcast. Until then, we'll see you next time.