The Ringer Wrestling Show

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: With the minimum WWE salary being around $300,000, what would you do in pro wrestling for that salary (0:37)? David and Kaz kick off the show discussing the WWE equivalent of Mac McClung three-peating in the Slam Dunk Contest (5:19). Then, they discuss the winners and losers of the weekend including: Mercedes Moné (12:30) Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay, Konosuke Takeshita, and Kyle Fletcher (21:00) Toni Storm (31:49) Roxanne Perez (37:40) Bianca Belair and Naomi (41:29) Adam Copeland and Jon Moxley (45:30) Finn Bálor (54:26) The build to WrestleMania 41 (63:30) Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X.Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem FamuyideProducer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Which wrestler did you not like as a kid, but you would wear their merch today (0:35)? David and Kaz close the week with a stacked show, discussing the following: Ricky Starks shows up on NXT (10:53) Who has the biggest upside in WWE between Starks, Miro, and Aleister Black (20:11) AEW Grand Slam preview (33:50) NXT Vengeance Day preview (59:38) They close the show with love to Chris Bey, who posted an inspirational video to celebrate his 29th birthday (1:08:45).Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X.Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem FamuyideProducer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben, Khal, and Brian kick off the show by talking through what the pro wrestling feud equivalent  of the Kendrick Lamar–Drake beef is (4:33). Then they are joined by David to recap the following from 'Raw': CM Punk doesn't know Logan Paul’s music (12:46) Jey Uso picks Gunther as his WrestleMania opponent (14:56) Who will be the final participants in the Women’s Elimination Chamber match? (24:26) Bron Breakker wears a cowboy hat while confronting AJ Styles (35:00) Then, in Nostalgia Freakz, they revisit the night Shawn Michaels “lost his smile” (39:38) before reacting to a They Said What?! question from you, the people, on which wrestlers should perform their entrance music as they enter the ring (51:12).They close the show by discussing why Ricky Starks, Malakai Black, and Miro are parting ways with AEW and what their paths to WWE could look like (59:08).For an opportunity to have your hot take featured on They Said What?!, leave a voicemail at (202) 417-8160, or drop your Am I the Heel? situations at ringerwrestlingshowworldwide@gmail.com.Check out Khal’s piece on ringer dot com where he discusses Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show http://performance.Be sure to check out our videos on the Ringer TikTok account @RingerWrestling, Instagram Threads, and X.And don’t forget to check out the 'Worldwide' page on the Ringer Dot Com!Hosts: Ben Cruz, Khal Davenport, and Brian H. WatersGuest: David ShoemakerProducer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: WWE trademarked a bunch of names. Which one of these is most likely to headline a WrestleMania (0:45)?David and Kaz kick off the show by discussing the Super Bowl and the squash-match equivalent to the beatdown the Eagles put on the Chiefs (03:30). Then they discuss the WWE Superstars who were released over the weekend and where they will fit (16:55). Later they talk about how this WrestleMania does not have a concrete ending the way last year’s did (27:29). Then they close the show with some more ‘Wrestle-Maybias’ (53:27).Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X.Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem FamuyideProducer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David and Kaz kick off the show by recapping AEW Dynamite, starting with how to improve Kenny Omega’s threads (5:05). Then they discuss Dustin Rhodes going face-to-face with MJF (21:48).Later, they get into WrestleMania "maybes," where they discuss matches they believe will happen at the Showcase of the Immortals in Las Vegas (33:30). Then Khal tags in to answer a few mailbag questions from X (1:04:53).Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X.Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem FamuyideGuest: Khal DavenportProducer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben, Khal, and Brian kick off the show by discussing Brian’s incredible weekend; he went two for two in our Royal Rumble draft, and his Lakers made a WWE-to-AEW-like trade, acquiring Luka Doncic (0:30). Then, they discuss an action-packed 'Raw': Kevin Owens closed the show by beating down his best friend, Sami Zayn (9:50) Early Elimination Chamber predictions (16:40) Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns at WrestleMania loading (23:25)? Jey Uso’s heartfelt promo after winning the Rumble (35:22) Rhea Ripley confronted Charlotte Flair (51:57) The New Day’s new theme song (57:45) Where the hell is Chad Gable going (1:00:46)? Then, in Nostalgia Freakz, they revisit the empty arena match between the Rock and Mankind at Halftime Heat in 1999 during Super Bowl XXXIII (1:02:31).Last, in They Said What?!, they react to a HOT take from you, the people, responding to Shoemaker’s hot take on Jey Uso being a “1B main-eventer” (1:15:20).For an opportunity to have your hot take featured on ‘They Said What?!,’ leave a voicemail at (202) 417-8160 or drop your ‘Am I the Heel?’ situations at ringerwrestlingshowworldwide@gmail.com.Be sure to check out our videos on the Ringer TikTok account @RingerWrestling, Instagram Threads, and X.Don’t forget to check out the Worldwide page on the Ringer Dot Com!Hosts: Ben Cruz, Khal Davenport, and Brian H. WatersProducer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What is the pro wrestling equivalent of Luka Doncic getting traded for Anthony Davis (0:36)?Kaz is back from Indy to take a victory lap as he and David discuss Jey Uso’s Royal Rumble win (8:15). They also discuss the stories within the Rumble match, including Roman Reigns, CM Punk, and Seth Rollins's fight outside after getting eliminated (23:50). They go on to discuss why Kevin Owens can be in the running for Mr. Royal Rumble after a wild match with Cody Rhodes (41:00). Later, they discuss Charlotte Flair’s win in the Women’s Royal Rumble match and the surprises inside the match (55:27). They close the show by debating whether or not Jey Uso can carry the company to WrestleMania (73:18).Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X.Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem FamuyideProducer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How many Hall of Fame rings can Triple H accumulate (0:30)?David and Kaz are ready for this Saturday’s ‘Royal Rumble’. First they react to the Ringer Wrestling Worldwide ‘Rumble’ draft picks (9:19). Then they predict who will win this year’s men's and women’s rumble (20:35).Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X.Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem FamuyideProducer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben, Khal, Brian, and David kick off the show by discussing Roman Reigns’s 'WWE 2K25' cover reveal and each share their favorite pro wrestling video games (1:00). Then they get into some of the highlights from 'Raw,' including: CM Punk and Cody Rhodes’s epic promo to close the show (10:51) The best use of WWE’s big-name stars at WrestleMania (20:25) Debating who wins a world title first: Logan Paul or Jey Uso (35:24) Then, in Nostalgia Freakz, they revisit the 2013 Royal Rumble, when the Rock ended CM Punk’s 434-day WWE title reign (43:15). Later, in ‘They Said What?!’ they react to a question on whether or not Jey Uso’s “YEET Movement” compares to Daniel Bryan’s “YES Movement”(56:07).Then, to close the show: It’s draft time! They each draft a man, a woman, and a wild-card pick for this Saturday’s Royal Rumble winner, using snake draft rules (66:34).For an opportunity to have your hot take featured on ‘They Said What?!,’ leave a voicemail at (202) 417-8160 or drop your ‘Am I the Heel?’ situations at ringerwrestlingshowworldwide@gmail.com.Be sure to check out our videos on the Ringer TikTok account @RingerWrestling, Instagram Threads, and X.Hosts: Ben Cruz, Khal Davenport, and Brian H. WatersGuest: David ShoemakerProducer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Who's better, Jacob Fatu or Peak Jeff Hardy (0:37)?David and Kaz kick off the week by discussing Toni Storm revealing that she has been "Timeless" all along (4:11). Then they recap Saturday Night’s Main Event: Gunther’s win and whether or not there is a disconnect with the fans (14:48). Can Jey Uso be “the guy” in WWE (22:20)? Jacob Fatu making his mark on broadcast television (31:17). Sheamus bringing the best out of Bron Breakker (37:24). Shawn Michaels giving Kevin Owens some Sweet Chin Music (48:11). Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X.Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem FamuyideProducer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices