WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:03.200 Hey, guys, football season is not too far away. I know it's 2 00:00:03.240 --> 00:00:06.559 May, but football season will be back before you know it. And what 3 00:00:06.719 --> 00:00:11.160 better time to get into a football podcast than right now? And that podcast 4 00:00:11.279 --> 00:00:16.920 is called Root of All Eagles. It's a podcast that's available on really any 5 00:00:16.920 --> 00:00:21.640 podcast streaming app but the best way you can find them is on Apple and 6 00:00:21.960 --> 00:00:26.440 or Spotify. And it's hosted by James Webb, who was originally born in 7 00:00:26.480 --> 00:00:30.320 San Diego. He grew up in Hawaii, and in Hawaii they didn't have 8 00:00:30.320 --> 00:00:34.280 any NFL teams to root for, but for as long as he can remember, 9 00:00:34.320 --> 00:00:38.119 he's been an Eagles fan and some of his favorite memories include watching players 10 00:00:38.119 --> 00:00:44.359 like Donovan McNabb, Brian westbook t O, Brian Dawkins and others as well. 11 00:00:44.600 --> 00:00:48.679 And nothing thrilled him more than, of course, seeing the Eagles get 12 00:00:48.679 --> 00:00:51.799 to the Super Bowl two times in five years and finally winning in twenty seventeen. 13 00:00:52.119 --> 00:00:56.119 It has been a dream come true for James and I'd really check out 14 00:00:56.240 --> 00:01:02.320 this podcast, guys. His passion comes through his authentic passion for football comes 15 00:01:02.320 --> 00:01:04.040 through it specifically for the Eagles, just like it does on the w W 16 00:01:04.200 --> 00:01:08.319 podcast. Guys. It is the equivalent over there and very listenable. And 17 00:01:08.400 --> 00:01:11.439 it's called Root of All Eagles. If you're an Eagles fan or you're just 18 00:01:11.439 --> 00:01:15.280 a football fan, there's no better place and time to go check out a 19 00:01:15.319 --> 00:01:19.760 football podcast. Get yourself ready for the NFL season again. It'll be here 20 00:01:19.760 --> 00:01:21.959 in just a few months, believe it or not, and I would really 21 00:01:21.959 --> 00:01:23.799 recommend you check it out. Guys. It's called Root of All Eagles. 22 00:01:23.879 --> 00:01:30.959 Check it out on Apple and Spotify. Today. This is ww superstar Drew 23 00:01:32.000 --> 00:01:44.480 McIntire and you're listening to the WWE podcast show, but one that everybody wants 24 00:01:44.680 --> 00:02:00.280 me definitely. Sixteen says Roots is modern. You're gonna acknowledge me, all 25 00:02:00.359 --> 00:02:05.200 right, everybody. Welcome to the WWE podcast Official Backlash twenty twenty three preview 26 00:02:05.280 --> 00:02:09.560 and prediction show. And it is also Synco de Mayo for those that celebrate 27 00:02:09.680 --> 00:02:14.159 or pretend we do, or just use it as a data to drink and 28 00:02:14.360 --> 00:02:19.199 an excuse to drink. So for those of you that are then a rebo, 29 00:02:19.759 --> 00:02:23.479 okay, as far as I go anyway, I hope all you do. 30 00:02:23.639 --> 00:02:25.960 Everybody's doing well and we've got a lot to cover today as Backlash is 31 00:02:27.000 --> 00:02:29.479 tomorrow night. As I record this. I'm it's a Friday morning, okay, 32 00:02:29.520 --> 00:02:31.159 So I have not seen SmackDown. I would imagine there's not too many 33 00:02:31.280 --> 00:02:36.520 last minute, last second changes to any matches or stipulations added. So if 34 00:02:36.520 --> 00:02:39.599 there are, then they aren't accounted for here. But let's let's dive into 35 00:02:39.639 --> 00:02:44.919 it, and let's just start reviewing and previewing rather the backlash event. And 36 00:02:45.199 --> 00:02:49.759 you know, one thing that I'm really excited for crowd reaction. You know, 37 00:02:50.120 --> 00:02:55.280 I have heard through just news outlets and interviews and everything else that the 38 00:02:55.360 --> 00:03:00.199 Puerto Rican crowd is intense, and that's awesome. It's a good thing. 39 00:03:00.240 --> 00:03:07.199 They're passionate, and they're passionate for their their brethren, right, meaning especially 40 00:03:07.280 --> 00:03:10.520 bad Bunny, who should get a monster reaction like it's Stone Cold coming out 41 00:03:10.520 --> 00:03:14.560 of retirement again or something like that. And it's going to be a lot 42 00:03:14.599 --> 00:03:16.280 of fun to listen to and hear how they react. Is it bizarre world? 43 00:03:16.360 --> 00:03:21.039 Do they chant cheer heels and boot baby faces? Or is it just 44 00:03:21.680 --> 00:03:23.960 you know, an amplified version of what wants cheering the baby faces, booing 45 00:03:23.960 --> 00:03:27.639 the heels. We'll see, you know, we'll see. It's going to 46 00:03:27.639 --> 00:03:30.120 be a very interesting night at the office, so to speak, and I'm 47 00:03:30.199 --> 00:03:34.560 really excited to see how that plays out. The crowd is such a massive 48 00:03:34.680 --> 00:03:38.120 part of the show, and I'm going to be paying special attention to that. 49 00:03:39.120 --> 00:03:44.159 Also, we are going to be doing a review show. I'll try 50 00:03:44.199 --> 00:03:50.159 to do it immediately after. It's not always plausible because my body shuts down. 51 00:03:50.520 --> 00:03:53.759 I can't tell you how many times I have fallen asleep during pay per 52 00:03:53.840 --> 00:03:58.840 views. I even fell asleep during WrestleMania because it's just it goes late into 53 00:03:58.879 --> 00:04:00.840 the night. My body has just kind of had it by then. But 54 00:04:01.240 --> 00:04:04.879 I will do my damnedest to make sure that there's a review show for Backlash 55 00:04:04.919 --> 00:04:09.120 as quickly as possible. Up, I here on the feed and that's going 56 00:04:09.159 --> 00:04:13.840 to be available to you, hopefully late Saturday night, but I can't promise 57 00:04:13.919 --> 00:04:16.560 anything. It may come Sunday morning at the very latest, So keeping ear 58 00:04:16.600 --> 00:04:20.199 out for that. All right, let's dive into it. I'm going with 59 00:04:20.720 --> 00:04:24.720 Let's see where do I want to start. I'm using what am I using? 60 00:04:24.720 --> 00:04:28.360 I'm using the Torch and their full card here. I really love the 61 00:04:28.399 --> 00:04:30.759 Torch. By the way, I'm sure you guys are you know if you 62 00:04:30.879 --> 00:04:34.000 are into wrestling podcast. Then you guys obviously know about them. They are 63 00:04:34.360 --> 00:04:38.040 there's such a joy to listen to. Yeah, I'd love their team there. 64 00:04:38.079 --> 00:04:41.560 And this is not a this is not a paid plug of any kind. 65 00:04:41.680 --> 00:04:44.240 I mean, they're the reason I'm here. Wade Keller and his team 66 00:04:44.279 --> 00:04:46.959 do such a great job, and I admire all the work they do, 67 00:04:46.040 --> 00:04:49.519 and I know how hard they all work being a fellow podcaster. They are 68 00:04:50.319 --> 00:04:55.360 just you know, they're the gold standard in wrestling podcasts. I really believe. 69 00:04:55.399 --> 00:04:58.879 All right, let's get to it. So let's start with Austin Theory. 70 00:04:59.319 --> 00:05:02.600 Bronson read him Bobby Lashly for the United States Championship. Let me just 71 00:05:02.639 --> 00:05:08.279 say, off the bat, this looks like a sleeper of a pick to 72 00:05:08.399 --> 00:05:12.560 be I don't know. It may be in the conversation at least for match 73 00:05:12.600 --> 00:05:16.600 of the night. While the story in this is lackluster, to be kind, 74 00:05:17.600 --> 00:05:23.279 the match quality should be very good. Austin Theory, we all know 75 00:05:23.439 --> 00:05:27.120 his talent. Bobby Lashley, I don't think often gets the credit he deserves. 76 00:05:27.120 --> 00:05:29.959 About how good he is in the ring and how muscular he is, 77 00:05:30.079 --> 00:05:33.639 yet how agile he is is really a crazy combination. So this should be 78 00:05:33.800 --> 00:05:36.000 awesome, and then of course you have Bronson Reid, who's going to play 79 00:05:36.000 --> 00:05:41.480 the monster. Now, this match is going to be about a couple things. 80 00:05:41.600 --> 00:05:45.399 Number One, it's going to be about building Bronson read. Okay, 81 00:05:45.839 --> 00:05:49.680 building Bronson Reid. He's obviously not going to take the pinfall here, so 82 00:05:50.160 --> 00:05:54.279 this is about building him as a monster, giving him a lot of time 83 00:05:54.319 --> 00:05:57.360 to dominate the match, and that's what it's going to be, I believe, 84 00:05:57.720 --> 00:06:00.040 And it's gonna be a lot of Bronson versus Bobby, which is the 85 00:06:00.199 --> 00:06:04.279 kind of the side program going on. Bronson read attacking Bobby, brawls, 86 00:06:04.279 --> 00:06:09.560 all that, and it's been fun and Bronson read I believe he' undfeated right 87 00:06:09.600 --> 00:06:13.720 now, as he should be, and so that's going to be something to 88 00:06:13.800 --> 00:06:17.319 watch as Austin theory probably takes a backseat to maybe half the match as he 89 00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:21.600 gets slammed through a table on the outside and then it's Bobby and Bronson going 90 00:06:21.680 --> 00:06:26.759 at it something like that. That's what I expect probably for part of the 91 00:06:26.839 --> 00:06:30.519 match. And you know that's number one. Number two, of course, 92 00:06:30.560 --> 00:06:35.439 wrestling quality, and that really is not going to be a concern here. 93 00:06:36.120 --> 00:06:41.920 I'd imagined this match is probably gonna go fifteen minutes, twelve to fifteen minutes, 94 00:06:42.600 --> 00:06:48.439 and I expect Austin Theory to walk out US Champion by pinning Bobby Lashley. 95 00:06:48.639 --> 00:06:53.199 And what I think is going to happen is Bronson Reid is gonna get 96 00:06:54.680 --> 00:06:59.519 a He's gonna hit the tsunami on Bobby not be able to make the cover. 97 00:07:00.040 --> 00:07:02.319 Austin Theory is going to steal the cover on Bobby and get the victory 98 00:07:02.360 --> 00:07:06.040 in Austin Theory is going to retain. Thereby, Bronson Reid was never pinned 99 00:07:06.079 --> 00:07:12.199 and also caused the pinfall, but Austin Theory retains, so you get the 100 00:07:12.240 --> 00:07:15.439 best of both worlds, and I think that's what's gonna happen. I don't 101 00:07:15.439 --> 00:07:16.839 think Bronson Reid is ready. We all know Bobby Lashley has no chance. 102 00:07:16.920 --> 00:07:20.199 He is the least likely to win, followed by Bronson and then Austin Theory, 103 00:07:20.199 --> 00:07:24.079 who I believe he is the most likely. It just doesn't make sense 104 00:07:24.160 --> 00:07:28.639 that you would have Austin Theory beat John c And at WrestleMania. And yes, 105 00:07:28.720 --> 00:07:31.600 he's been a little bit cold since that victory, which is bizarre given 106 00:07:31.639 --> 00:07:34.879 that the victory overseen and was meant to do the exact opposite. But I 107 00:07:34.959 --> 00:07:42.160 think Austin theory needs a bit of a reboot, and him going and winning 108 00:07:42.160 --> 00:07:46.279 the United States Championship makes total sense to me. I don't see any reason 109 00:07:46.399 --> 00:07:51.439 why he would lose it here outside of a shock victory just to get Bronson 110 00:07:51.519 --> 00:07:56.240 Read a little bit more momentum. I don't. I mean, to me, 111 00:07:56.360 --> 00:08:00.160 that doesn't even make much sense because people would look at that as too 112 00:08:00.240 --> 00:08:05.040 much, too soon. All right, So also, as I'm typing this 113 00:08:05.160 --> 00:08:13.480 in, let's see Bronson Read is on Oh yeah, Bronsonry was also drafted 114 00:08:13.519 --> 00:08:16.800 to draw, so you know, there's there's even less of a chance of 115 00:08:16.839 --> 00:08:20.720 Bronson Read winning here because the US title is going to SmackDown and the Icy 116 00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:26.399 title's going to Raw. So that's also another massive factor. Yes, Bobby's 117 00:08:26.399 --> 00:08:31.560 on SmackDown, So now that I'm thinking about it, my odds have been 118 00:08:31.680 --> 00:08:35.399 reversed where Bronson Read is the least likely to win simply because of the draft 119 00:08:35.440 --> 00:08:39.519 and he's not ready yet. And also Bobby Lashley is on SmackDown and the 120 00:08:39.639 --> 00:08:41.559 US title is gonna live on SmackDown, so Bobby has a much better chance 121 00:08:41.759 --> 00:08:46.240 of winning. So I still believe Austin theory should win. Otherwise, what's 122 00:08:46.279 --> 00:08:50.519 the point of the victory over Sena at Mania. That's a massive victory given 123 00:08:50.759 --> 00:08:54.279 well, not given how how he won, but he's still won. So 124 00:08:54.440 --> 00:08:58.360 there Austin theory. I'm gonna pick to retain, followed by Lashley and then 125 00:08:58.000 --> 00:09:09.120 Bronson read okay, Seth Rollins versus Omas, Okay, this this definitely is 126 00:09:09.159 --> 00:09:11.799 not going to be Match of the night. And it's not really pointing fingers. 127 00:09:11.840 --> 00:09:15.159 It's just the fact of physics. With Omas, he's too big of 128 00:09:15.200 --> 00:09:16.759 a dude to have the quote unquote five star match that we need, or 129 00:09:16.960 --> 00:09:20.559 well desire his fans, It's not gonna happen. They'll probably get eight minutes 130 00:09:20.679 --> 00:09:24.799 or so, I'd say eight. If it goes longer than ten, I'll 131 00:09:24.799 --> 00:09:28.519 be shocked. Seth Rollins is going to get the victory. I mean, 132 00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:31.440 how can he not? Which also scares me when there's one that you look 133 00:09:31.480 --> 00:09:35.480 at and go, that's a lock that said, this isn't a game, 134 00:09:35.840 --> 00:09:39.679 or this is not the time to play games with finishes. This is not 135 00:09:39.759 --> 00:09:43.720 a time for Seth Rollins to lose. In some kind of wonky fashion, 136 00:09:43.840 --> 00:09:48.240 somebody interferes causes Seth to lose. No, that's not what should happen here. 137 00:09:48.240 --> 00:09:52.639 Okay, there's no hanky panky. Seth Rollins should just get the plane 138 00:09:52.720 --> 00:09:54.240 victory. I don't care how he does it. He needs the victory. 139 00:09:54.279 --> 00:09:58.399 And why well, you know that new shiny old title that's on Monday night 140 00:09:58.480 --> 00:10:03.200 raw. Yeah, they got to continue to build him for the for the 141 00:10:03.320 --> 00:10:09.159 Championship, which he's in the top two contenders or favorites to win the belt. 142 00:10:09.519 --> 00:10:13.919 So Omas getting a victory here it's absolutely no sense at all. I 143 00:10:13.960 --> 00:10:16.919 mean, the only way that we could have a wonky finish is Omas getting 144 00:10:16.960 --> 00:10:22.799 disqualified by you know, using a weapon or something, or a low blow 145 00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:26.000 on Rollins or just not listening to the referees five calendar or something. But 146 00:10:26.120 --> 00:10:30.840 Seth Rollins gets the victory here. That's that's it. This is probably the 147 00:10:30.879 --> 00:10:33.960 most underwhelming Seth Rollins match that we've had in quite a while. But it's 148 00:10:33.960 --> 00:10:37.720 about the championship next and that's coming at Night of champions all right. Re 149 00:10:37.919 --> 00:10:43.360 Reply versus Alina Vega another match that you look at and go an absolute lock, 150 00:10:45.120 --> 00:10:48.240 one hundred percent lock, and this one also to me is one hundred 151 00:10:48.320 --> 00:10:54.120 percent. There's this one again. There's no time or there's no place here 152 00:10:54.159 --> 00:10:58.559 for Hankey Pankey at all, even more so than Seth Rollins and Omas. 153 00:11:01.120 --> 00:11:05.759 How can it not be Rear Ripley? How can it not imagine the uproar 154 00:11:05.960 --> 00:11:09.120 and the booing that would ensue. People would boo the hell out of Selena 155 00:11:09.200 --> 00:11:13.320 Vega because they're not ready for Ria Ripley. They've barely got in a chance 156 00:11:13.360 --> 00:11:16.240 to hear from her. I mean, Ria Ripley isn't even cutting promos yet, 157 00:11:16.279 --> 00:11:18.639 and the people still love her, and she's in a heel group, 158 00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:22.399 acting as a heel. But people want to love her, they're ready to 159 00:11:22.519 --> 00:11:26.440 love her, but she's still being masked as a heel. And Ria's got 160 00:11:26.519 --> 00:11:30.720 so much more to go here. There is a ton of track left on 161 00:11:30.840 --> 00:11:35.240 this title run, and Rea Ripley hasn't even started. I have said before 162 00:11:35.279 --> 00:11:37.399 and I'll say it again. Rii Ripley is probably going to go into WrestleMania 163 00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:41.639 forty as champion. I believe that, and she deserves it, and maybe 164 00:11:41.679 --> 00:11:46.360 beyond we're getting way ahead of ourselves, but I think it's deserving. I 165 00:11:46.399 --> 00:11:50.080 mean, hell, they've kept Bianca Bellair, who's been ice cold and boring 166 00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:54.000 as a champion for the last six months or more and they've kept the belt 167 00:11:54.080 --> 00:11:56.960 on her. What's the argument against keeping it on Ria. Yeah, there 168 00:11:56.000 --> 00:12:00.679 isn't one. So Selena have an ice showing, and you know what, 169 00:12:01.240 --> 00:12:03.399 if I were her, I look at this as, Yeah, the fans 170 00:12:03.480 --> 00:12:05.320 know I'm not going to win. I know I'm not going to win, 171 00:12:05.720 --> 00:12:09.080 but this is a chance for me to get back into the conversation of being 172 00:12:09.159 --> 00:12:13.840 in title matches. And this is arguably Zelena Vega's biggest match of her career. 173 00:12:13.799 --> 00:12:16.960 So that's the way I would look at it if I were Zelena and 174 00:12:18.039 --> 00:12:20.559 the fans and go, hey, you know what, let's just see what 175 00:12:20.720 --> 00:12:24.720 Zelena's got. This is the chance for her to have a breakout performance, 176 00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:30.960 and that's what you can hope for if you're a Zelena fan. All Right, 177 00:12:31.519 --> 00:12:35.240 bad Bunny and Damian Priest in a San Juan street fight. This is 178 00:12:35.279 --> 00:12:37.600 gonna be fun. This is going to be This is gonna be a lot 179 00:12:37.600 --> 00:12:41.720 of fun because we know the capability of a bad Bunny. Now he's no 180 00:12:41.799 --> 00:12:45.519 longer going to surprise us with his ability. We know what he's capable of. 181 00:12:46.279 --> 00:12:50.480 He's much better than he deserves. To or he has any business being 182 00:12:50.639 --> 00:12:54.080 right, Bad Bunny is going to have a I think a very good night. 183 00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:58.519 I think he's going to win this match, and maybe he gets beat 184 00:12:58.600 --> 00:13:01.720 down at the end by the rest of the judgment day or something. But 185 00:13:01.960 --> 00:13:03.200 I mean, this seems to be a one off, so I don't see 186 00:13:03.200 --> 00:13:07.120 this continuing. I think Damian Priests is gonna lose, but lose in a 187 00:13:07.200 --> 00:13:09.279 hell of an effort. This is gonna be physical, is gonna be a 188 00:13:09.320 --> 00:13:15.840 lot of tables and chairs and you know, kendlesticks involved in this matchup, 189 00:13:16.360 --> 00:13:18.879 and I expect it to be very good. I expect this one to be 190 00:13:18.960 --> 00:13:22.440 ten to twelve minutes somewhere around that time. Yeah, Bad Bunny is still 191 00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:26.799 as good as he as he's limited in the amount of maneuvers he knows and 192 00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:28.559 that kind of thing, or being able to call a long form match without 193 00:13:28.639 --> 00:13:31.960 the use of weapons anytime you see, by the way, a street fight, 194 00:13:33.039 --> 00:13:35.360 especially with somebody that's not there a lot or hasn't been there in a 195 00:13:35.399 --> 00:13:39.360 while, even in the case of Stone Cold's return, When you have the 196 00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:43.600 ability to use weapons and go outside the ring, it expands your arsenal of 197 00:13:43.720 --> 00:13:46.080 maneuvers and waste to tell the story, because if you're confined to the inside 198 00:13:46.080 --> 00:13:50.919 of the ring and only wrestling maneuvers, your weaknesses could be exposed. So 199 00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:56.279 I think Bad Bunny is going to win this match and send San Juan home 200 00:13:56.360 --> 00:14:00.039 happy. There. They're not going to be the main event, but I 201 00:14:00.519 --> 00:14:03.039 expect the crowd to be very hot for this one, given the ethnicity of 202 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:07.000 both men, and it's going to be interesting this one more specifically than any 203 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:13.320 other, what the crowd reaction is. And you know that's that's the most 204 00:14:13.519 --> 00:14:16.639 one of the most interesting aspects. As I've said, all right, Bianca 205 00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:22.879 Bela versus EO Sky for the Raw Women's Championship. This one's actually a little 206 00:14:22.919 --> 00:14:26.720 more difficult than than than on the surface. I don't think Bianca loses here, 207 00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:31.000 but there's a case to be made for EO Sky to win and for 208 00:14:31.960 --> 00:14:37.320 Bailey to become jealous over the next several weeks or months and then eventually turn 209 00:14:37.399 --> 00:14:41.480 on EO Sky. And that's one scenario. The other scenario is that Bailey 210 00:14:41.679 --> 00:14:48.320 directly costs EO Sky the championship, thus Bianca retains. This is tough and 211 00:14:48.440 --> 00:14:52.919 it shouldn't be on paper, but with Bianca so cold and boring as raw 212 00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:58.279 women's champion over the last six months, and EO Sky I think ready to 213 00:14:58.320 --> 00:15:01.480 break out, and really the fans are ready for the whole damage Control group 214 00:15:01.559 --> 00:15:03.080 to break away from each other. They've been ready for months and months. 215 00:15:05.039 --> 00:15:09.200 There's also that aspect, and it would benefit Yo Sky, to Kodakai and 216 00:15:09.320 --> 00:15:13.480 Bailey everybody. Right now, the sum of the parts is not greater than 217 00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:18.120 any individual one. Any individual part is greater than the sum of this group 218 00:15:18.200 --> 00:15:20.879 right now, and that's usually the opposite. It's just the group didn't work 219 00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:24.840 and it became ice cold quickly, and it's been ice cold for about a 220 00:15:24.919 --> 00:15:28.879 year now, and it's just ready. Right. So that said, my 221 00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:35.440 ultimate pick, I think Bianca retains, and I think she retains maybe by 222 00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:39.039 Bailey inadvertently, at least on the surface, looking like she didn't cost EO 223 00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:41.480 Sky, But ultimately we're going to find out that she did it on purpose. 224 00:15:41.840 --> 00:15:46.200 So maybe it'll quote unquote be an accident from Bailey accidentally tripping Eo or 225 00:15:46.200 --> 00:15:50.279 accidentally hitting her with an object that Bianca ducks or something. I think that's 226 00:15:50.320 --> 00:15:54.919 what's going to be the case here. Bianca retains all right, final two 227 00:15:54.960 --> 00:16:02.399 matches Sammy Zane and Kevin Owens and Matt Riddle versus the USOS and Solo Sokoa. 228 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:08.399 Okay, this one, on paper is likely to be likely to be 229 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:14.399 the match of the night if you're looking at it from if you're just ink 230 00:16:14.559 --> 00:16:18.519 and paper perspective, and it probably will be given the talent of all these 231 00:16:18.600 --> 00:16:25.679 men. It's just it's otherworldly. The question is this Roman show up? 232 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:29.279 Hey? Guys? Football season is not too far away. I know it's 233 00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:32.639 May, but football season will be back before you know it. And what 234 00:16:32.799 --> 00:16:37.240 better time to get into a football podcast than right now? And that podcast 235 00:16:37.399 --> 00:16:41.879 is called Root of All Eagles. It's a podcast that's available on really any 236 00:16:42.039 --> 00:16:47.720 podcast streaming app but the best way you can find them is on Apple and 237 00:16:48.080 --> 00:16:52.519 or Spotify. And it's hosted by James Webb, who was originally born in 238 00:16:52.600 --> 00:16:56.360 San Diego. He grew up in Hawaii, and in Hawaii they didn't have 239 00:16:56.440 --> 00:17:00.399 any NFL teams to root for, But for as long as he can remember, 240 00:17:00.440 --> 00:17:03.200 he's been an Eagles fan and some of his favorite memories include watching players 241 00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:08.920 like Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook, t O, Brian Dawkins, and others. 242 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:14.079 As well, and nothing thrilled him more than, of course, seeing 243 00:17:14.119 --> 00:17:17.039 the Eagles get to the Super Bowl two times in five years and finally winning 244 00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:19.759 in twenty seventeen. It has been a dream come true for James. And 245 00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:25.839 i'd really check out this podcast, guys. His passion comes through his authentic 246 00:17:26.160 --> 00:17:30.559 passion for football comes through a specifically for the Eagles, just like it does 247 00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:33.960 on the w W podcast. Guys. It is the equivalent over there and 248 00:17:33.319 --> 00:17:37.960 very listenable, and it's called Root of All Eagles. If you're an Eagles 249 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:41.400 fan or you're just a football fan, there's no better place and time to 250 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:45.119 go check out a football podcast. Get yourself ready for the NFL season again. 251 00:17:45.359 --> 00:17:47.160 It'll be here in just a few months, believe it or not, 252 00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:49.000 and I would really recommend you check it out, guys. It's called Root 253 00:17:49.079 --> 00:17:53.480 of All Eagles. Check it out on Apple and Spotify today. I'm gonna 254 00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:56.720 say no, I've heard ever rumors of Roman possibly showing up. I don't 255 00:17:56.720 --> 00:18:00.400 think he does. I think Roman doesn't come back until Hayman said he does, 256 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:07.160 which is the SmackDown in one week right, So May twelfth, I 257 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:08.960 think is when I believe he's going to return. I don't see a need 258 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:14.000 for it beforehand. So assuming Roman doesn't show up and nobody else outside interferes, 259 00:18:15.640 --> 00:18:19.079 Sammy saying Kevin Owens and Riddle probably win here, maybe are returning Randy 260 00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:25.480 Orton. Maybe maybe Orton comes out and returns here, And as the USOS 261 00:18:25.559 --> 00:18:30.680 and Solo are attempting to do something wonky, we have Randy come out and 262 00:18:32.119 --> 00:18:34.640 you know, even things out with whatever shenanigans they're trying to pull to get 263 00:18:34.680 --> 00:18:40.599 the victory. So there's a chance that Randy does return here a chance. 264 00:18:41.599 --> 00:18:45.240 But if nobody interferes, which I still think is the most likely that there's 265 00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:48.839 no outside interference, I believe Sammy, Kevin Owen, and Matt Riddle, 266 00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:55.640 Kevin Owens and Matt Riddle win because it furthers the story of what the hell 267 00:18:55.799 --> 00:19:00.920 is Roman going to do with everyone losing and with the ten sin rising between 268 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:06.039 the USOS and Solo, which has been the main narrative since WrestleMania. With 269 00:19:06.160 --> 00:19:10.880 an absent Roman is you want to further that. You don't want to make 270 00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:12.720 it look like all as well right now? You want to continue the tension, 271 00:19:12.839 --> 00:19:17.720 and how do you continue the tension by having a blind tag? Right 272 00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:21.680 like say, Solo looks like he has an under control he's about to hit 273 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:26.680 the Smollan spike, and Jay tags himself in and tries to finish off Riddle 274 00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:30.920 or something, and then it ends up blowing up in their face where Solo 275 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:37.039 had it completely under control and Jay screwed it up or Jimmy, doesn't matter 276 00:19:37.119 --> 00:19:41.400 which one, and they end up losing the match because of the blind tag, 277 00:19:41.799 --> 00:19:44.960 and then Solo is furious with them. I don't think they're going to 278 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:47.440 blow up physically, but there's gonna be a lot of death stairs with one 279 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:51.039 another, especially from Solo to the USOS. Ultimately, I think Kevin, 280 00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:55.839 Sammy and Matt Riddle win, and it's going to be because of miscommunication or 281 00:19:56.039 --> 00:20:00.079 just bad tag team management on the part of the USO s Solo or tension 282 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:06.359 or whatever that is how you further this story. And then what happens when 283 00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:10.759 Daddy comes home in a week that's going to be just so much fun to 284 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:14.240 watch. So that's what I think. In a match that I believe is 285 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:18.200 going to be a lot of fun to watch, This one probably gets fifteen 286 00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:22.519 sixteen seventeen minutes, should be I mean, a longer tag team match here 287 00:20:22.920 --> 00:20:26.039 as it should. It's the semi main event, all right. Now we 288 00:20:26.119 --> 00:20:29.680 get to the main event, which is no championship Matt, it's not a 289 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:33.079 championship match, but it's star power here and it's Brock Lesner versus Cody Rhodes. 290 00:20:33.640 --> 00:20:38.359 Now again, I'm very disappointed, and I'm not accepting or dismissive of 291 00:20:38.440 --> 00:20:42.720 the fact that they're or rather complacent with the fact that they did not tell 292 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:47.519 us why Brock attacked Cody, or rather Brock didn't bother to tell us, 293 00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:52.680 and management and the creative team didn't bother to feel if there's any reason to 294 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:56.920 tell us Brock why he attacked Cody. All we were left to speculate as 295 00:20:56.920 --> 00:21:00.720 well. The announcer should it's because of his position at Wrestlemanian Cody speculated is 296 00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:03.799 because well, I'm an agent of change. None of those make any sense, 297 00:21:03.839 --> 00:21:06.640 as I've described over the last several weeks, none of it's consistent, 298 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:11.799 and it's all speculative anyway. So it's it's like triple bad. And then 299 00:21:11.880 --> 00:21:15.160 you have Brock, who could have just said, I'm Brock Lesner, I 300 00:21:15.319 --> 00:21:18.480 do whatever the hell I want to do. While it's on the surface, 301 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:22.880 It may not seem like it's a reason, it kind of is because it's 302 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:26.480 from Brock telling you he just does what he wants. And I just don't 303 00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:29.000 like the fact that we're just left to just make up a reason on our 304 00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:32.519 own. That's lazy, creative. I don't forgive WWE for this. They 305 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:34.240 have done this in the past many times with Brock, and they feel that 306 00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:38.839 his star power is just substitutive of him having to have any kind of deep 307 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:44.880 reason for attacking people. It's it's it's hurting the matches overall, even though 308 00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:48.799 he's a massive star. We all know that. But that aside. Because 309 00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:52.400 I do not forgive ww for that, I don't give them a pass at 310 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:56.720 all. Outside of that, this match should be a lot of fun. 311 00:21:56.799 --> 00:22:02.440 I would imagine Cody Rhodes gets the victory here. The reason is Brock's not 312 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:06.400 going to be hurt by the loss. He just won't. Cody's on the 313 00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:10.720 ascent, Cody's more of the future than Brock is. Brock can lose eight 314 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:12.480 matches in a row, go away for six months, and come back and 315 00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:15.920 it's like he's just, you know, hit the reset button. There's no 316 00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:19.799 problem. Plus, you know, Brock Lesner's schedule we all know is uh 317 00:22:21.359 --> 00:22:26.880 kind of well, it's scattered at best. So I would imagine Brock probably 318 00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:30.000 takes a break and comes back towards money in the bank or Summer Slam here 319 00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:33.680 after the loss to Cody, Cody should get the victory. He came off 320 00:22:33.720 --> 00:22:37.440 a massive loss of WrestleMania. He needs to get some momentum back. Cody 321 00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:40.440 will do that. And when I think it's gonna be a fun match, 322 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:44.880 you know it typically with Brock it's been German German F five. You can't 323 00:22:44.920 --> 00:22:48.079 do that with Cody here because there's too much to tell, there's or there's 324 00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:52.039 too much skill there to be wasted away in the Oh, well, Brock's 325 00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:55.960 gonna just you know, do his uh you know, German German German F 326 00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:59.400 five, F five F five can't do that here. Okay, Brock is 327 00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:03.279 capable so of more. It's not like he's Goldberg, where he's a one 328 00:23:03.359 --> 00:23:06.440 or two trick pony. Brock is very good in the ring, and I 329 00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:11.799 think we often forget that because they've morphed brocks matches into just a few moves 330 00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:14.839 as well. But the thing is Brock is capable of a great match and 331 00:23:14.920 --> 00:23:18.799 I think they should kind of change the change the style here and have Cody 332 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:22.160 and Lessner actually have a wrestling match filled with a bunch of power moves. 333 00:23:22.200 --> 00:23:26.559 Of course, I'm not asking Brock to be a chain wrestler, but wrestle, 334 00:23:26.720 --> 00:23:30.319 you know, don't don't just go for finish finish finish finishers. You 335 00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:33.200 can do that in shockcases every once in a while, but not in this 336 00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:37.119 case. Doesn't make sense because you're going to waste Cody in what I think 337 00:23:37.160 --> 00:23:42.839 could be a really good main event and also in the running of the six 338 00:23:42.920 --> 00:23:47.799 man tag with the triple threat for the US title. Those three matches are 339 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:49.640 probably going to be one of the matches of the night if you're looking and 340 00:23:49.759 --> 00:23:55.920 care about such things. But Brock and Cody has the potential to be very 341 00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:59.240 good if given enough time. And what I mean by that ten twelve minutes. 342 00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:03.440 Okay, you know, I think that's fair for a main event, 343 00:24:04.440 --> 00:24:07.759 and I think ultimately Cody wins. Now the question is how does he win. 344 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:11.279 You can't have him cheat to win, I mean you you just can't 345 00:24:11.319 --> 00:24:17.119 do that. But I think Cody Rhodes wins here. And also the random 346 00:24:17.160 --> 00:24:22.400 potential is Randy Orton attacks Cody here. The history with legacy, Yeah, 347 00:24:22.680 --> 00:24:26.720 that's there. It's a very very dark horse prediction. I'm not saying that's 348 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:30.240 going to happen. That's not my official pick, but it's out there in 349 00:24:30.319 --> 00:24:34.079 the ether as like a two percent possibility, five percent possibility. I think 350 00:24:34.160 --> 00:24:41.000 Nobody interferes here. It's Cody beating Brock and beating him after getting pummeled by 351 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:42.799 Brock. Most of the match, Cody, you know, ends up maybe 352 00:24:42.839 --> 00:24:47.559 getting a small package on Brock, maybe he doesn't win with his finish, 353 00:24:47.640 --> 00:24:51.880 which protects Brock a little bit and makes it more believable that Cody snuck a 354 00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:56.240 you know, a small package on Brock. For example. You can have 355 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:57.799 these, you have that. Most of the match, Brock is beating down 356 00:24:57.880 --> 00:25:02.599 Cody. Cody has a couple hope spots that are ultimately you know, squashed 357 00:25:02.640 --> 00:25:04.000 by Brock. Squashed by Brock. Oh, Cody's coming back. Oh he 358 00:25:04.039 --> 00:25:07.160 gets hit with a clothesline. It looks dominant, dominant, dominant, and 359 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:11.279 that Lesner's just toying with Cody. F five. Yet Cody continues to kick 360 00:25:11.319 --> 00:25:15.440 out maybe one or two of them. But then after Cody looks like he's 361 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:21.440 lifeless Brock, Lesner gets arrogant, he's kind of standing on the body of 362 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:26.359 Brock. Cody slips in a small package for the victory. This is one 363 00:25:26.400 --> 00:25:30.400 I'd actually be okay with. While I hate the roll up, this is 364 00:25:30.480 --> 00:25:34.240 one where you could protect Brock a little bit by being surprised by Cody and 365 00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:37.000 not having Cody beat him with a finish. See, that's the most definitive 366 00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:41.759 way to beat somebody's with your finish clean over. If it's a surprise maneuver 367 00:25:41.880 --> 00:25:45.400 like the roll up, Cody could do it here. Brock is surprised and 368 00:25:45.599 --> 00:25:48.839 loses his mind. Cody slips out of the ring, gets the victory, 369 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:52.920 doesn't pull the tights, but he does get the victory, and it protects 370 00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:56.160 Brock. And that's the way I think this should go. After a beat 371 00:25:56.240 --> 00:26:00.920 down of Cody for like, you know, several minutes. So those are 372 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:07.599 my picks to review. Austin Theory retains Seth Rollins beats Omas Ripley, retains 373 00:26:07.640 --> 00:26:11.039 the SmackDown Women's Championship that will ultimately be the ROB Women's Championship. Bad Bunny 374 00:26:11.079 --> 00:26:18.000 beats Damien Priest. Bianca Belair retains the rob will be the SmackDown Women's Championship, 375 00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:22.799 Sammy, Kevin and Riddle beat the USOS and solo, and then Cody 376 00:26:22.920 --> 00:26:26.480 beats Brock. So now that I'm looking at it, there's probably only going 377 00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:36.799 to be two two heel wins and four baby face wins. So hey, 378 00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:38.759 if you're looking to be to quote unquote go home happy, this could be 379 00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:42.319 one of those shows for you. So again, as far as returns go, 380 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:45.400 Randy Orton is to me the only one that could possibly return in the 381 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:49.599 six man tag or against Cody Rhodes to cost him the victory. Here it's 382 00:26:51.160 --> 00:26:53.759 I don't I'm not counting on Randy, but if you're thinking about big fun 383 00:26:53.880 --> 00:26:57.160 returns, that could be one. But Triple H has shown that he hasn't. 384 00:26:57.359 --> 00:27:00.799 He hasn't done a whole lot of those since he took over. Like, 385 00:27:00.039 --> 00:27:02.920 I mean, how many times we thought the Rocks going to come back 386 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:07.119 or Randy Orton for the last year, Right, I'm still voting no on 387 00:27:07.240 --> 00:27:10.680 that, but it's it's possible, so keep that in the back of your 388 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:14.119 mind. Those are my thoughts. Hope you guys enjoyed it. And by 389 00:27:14.119 --> 00:27:15.960 the way, if you guys want to be able to talk with other fans 390 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:21.480 live in real time during the show. Join us on Patreon at Patreon dot 391 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:26.480 com slash w W podcast for not just the Discord server where you can chat 392 00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:30.440 with all the other Discord members or patrons, but you can also get everything 393 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:37.400 ad free, including the review show, our retro show, our SmackDown review, 394 00:27:37.599 --> 00:27:38.880 all of it is going to be available to you. And if you 395 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:42.240 go hire, you get the exclusive after Dark show, an adult version, 396 00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:48.960 you get video, and so that that's a little bit more of an incentive 397 00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:52.160 if you want to go hire. So also, if you guys want merch, 398 00:27:52.799 --> 00:27:56.960 we know have a merch store ww podcastshop dot com, or you can 399 00:27:56.039 --> 00:27:59.880 just go to our website ww podcast dot com and there's a link for the 400 00:28:00.039 --> 00:28:03.000 merch stores now open. You can click the button and join us there if 401 00:28:03.039 --> 00:28:07.319 you want to. So thanks so much everybody for listening. I will talk 402 00:28:07.359 --> 00:28:10.319 to you on the other side of Backlash and Joy and I'll talk to you 403 00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:12.759 next time. Hey, guys, football season is not too far away. 404 00:28:12.839 --> 00:28:17.079 I know it's May, but football season will be back before you know it. 405 00:28:17.160 --> 00:28:19.839 And what better time to get into a football podcast than right now. 406 00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:26.480 And that podcast is called Root of All Eagles. It's a podcast that's available 407 00:28:26.640 --> 00:28:30.799 on really any podcast streaming app but the best way you can find them is 408 00:28:30.880 --> 00:28:36.799 on Apple and or Spotify, and it's hosted by James Webb, who was 409 00:28:36.839 --> 00:28:40.880 originally born in San Diego. He grew up in Hawaii, and in Hawaii 410 00:28:40.920 --> 00:28:44.799 they didn't have any NFL teams to root for, but for as long as 411 00:28:44.839 --> 00:28:48.000 he can remember, he's been an Eagles fan and some of his favorite memories 412 00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:55.079 include watching players like Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook to Brian Dawkins and others as 413 00:28:55.119 --> 00:28:59.519 well. And nothing thrilled him more than, of course, seeing the Eagles 414 00:28:59.559 --> 00:29:02.359 get to the Super Bowl two times in five years and finally winning in twenty 415 00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:06.519 seventeen. It has been a dream come true for James, and I'd really 416 00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:11.559 check out to the podcast, guys. His passion comes through his authentic passion 417 00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:15.640 for football comes through a specifically for the Eagles, just like it does on 418 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:18.440 the w W podcast. Guys. It is the equivalent over there and very 419 00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:22.079 listenable, and it's called Root of All Eagles. If you're an Eagles fan 420 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:26.559 or you're just a football fan, there's no better place and time to go 421 00:29:26.839 --> 00:29:30.039 check out a football podcast. Get yourself ready for the NFL season again. 422 00:29:30.319 --> 00:29:32.480 It'll be here in just a few months, believe it or not, and 423 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:34.079 I would really recommend you check it out. Guys. It's called Root of 424 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:40.480 All Eagles. Check it out on Apple and Spotify today. Thanks for listening 425 00:29:40.599 --> 00:29:45.440 to the WWE podcast. Don't forget to subscribe on your favorite podcast app so 426 00:29:45.680 --> 00:29:51.720 you don't miss a show, or head to WWE podcast dot com and for 427 00:29:51.839 --> 00:29:56.759 all of these shows add free head over to Patreon dot com slash WWE podcast. 428 00:29:57.160 --> 00:30:00.319 Until then, we'll see you next time.