Insight with Chris Van Vliet

Killer Kross, a former WWE star and author, and Scarlett Bordeaux, a skilled wrestling manager, dive into their unexpected exit from WWE and the whirlwind of events that followed. They discuss the viral promo post-WrestleMania, contract negotiations, and their reaction to fans chanting their names at events. Kross reflects on his creative peak before the release, while both share insights on indie wrestling and future projects, including Kross' film endeavors and new matches for Scarlett. Their journey showcases resilience and the drive to create compelling moments in wrestling.

John Cena's final match is set for December 13, and speculation swirls around his opponents and potential returns, like The Rock. Chris shares a heartfelt review of 'Smashing Machine,' highlighting its emotional depth and Dwayne Johnson's performance. There’s a discussion about Rhea Ripley’s absence from championship contention and a breakdown of the PWI 500 rankings, defending Cody Rhodes as number one. Finally, Chris reveals his favorite instrumental wrestling theme songs, offering a fun nostalgia trip for fans.

Mark Kerr, a retired MMA fighter and UFC Hall of Famer, shares his incredible journey as the real-life 'Smashing Machine.' He discusses the emotional impact of his life story depicted in the new biopic, including how Dwayne Johnson became involved. Kerr reflects on his battles with addiction, his recovery journey, and his experiences wrestling Kurt Angle. He vividly recounts the origin of his nickname and the deep personal connections formed through his fighting career. Final thoughts reveal his gratitude for stability and relationships.

Santiago Zapata, known as SantiZap, is a wrestling content creator and YouTuber who shares his journey of rapid channel growth and daily uploads. He dives into John Cena's farewell tour and who should face him last, alongside lively debates about Logan Paul's wrestling skills and how WWE has showcased his reaction clips. Santi also shares his favorite matches, discusses underrated talents like Ludwig Kaiser, and celebrates the best entrance themes today. His blend of relatability and fandom makes his insights truly engaging!

In this discussion, critical moments from Wrestlepalooza are dissected, especially why Brock Lesnar decisively defeated John Cena. The prospect of Jey Uso's heel turn is debated, along with the sporadic buildup for AJ Styles vs. Cena. Chris shares insights on Edge's potential return and pays tribute to Cena's influence. He reflects on WrestleMania cities, naming favorites and least favorites, while also exploring which modern stars would have thrived in past eras. Plus, a humorous take on trying to book legends like Bret Hart adds a lighter touch!

Charles Robinson, a legendary wrestling referee with decades of experience in WCW and WWE, shares wild stories from his career. He reveals the notorious spear from Goldberg and his viral ramp run at WrestleMania. Charles discusses his influences, memorable bumps, and officiating Shawn Michaels’ retirement match. He talks about balancing fan interactions with production duties and reflects on key moments he experienced alongside stars like John Cena and Ric Flair. His passion for wrestling and gratitude for his career shine through in every anecdote.

Mark Chinook, known as Mark Nash, is a professional ring announcer and in-arena host for the Las Vegas Golden Knights. He shares his fascinating journey from Broadway, notably playing Timon in The Lion King, to wrestling. Mark discusses how he transitioned to WWE, including announcing for legends like John Cena and Cody Rhodes, and the creative process behind his iconic introductions. He also highlights his emotional experience winning the Stanley Cup and his ambitious plans for a mental health center through his community initiative, The Space.

Bold predictions for WWE Wrestlepalooza and AEW All Out take center stage. Discussion heats up around WrestleMania 43's impact in Riyadh and potential challengers for Cody Rhodes' title. Is Brock Lesnar nearing retirement? Chris dives into favorite wrestling gimmicks and who he'd love to interview. Personal favorites emerge, from Disney classics to MLB stadiums. It's an entertaining mix of insights, predictions, and heartfelt reminiscing!

Shawn Michaels, a retired professional wrestler and 2-time WWE Hall of Famer, shares insights into his illustrious career and current role as Senior Vice President at NXT. He discusses the shift from wrestling to coaching, emphasizing the importance of building personal connections with talent. Shawn reflects on defining moments in his career, his journey to becoming 'Mr. WrestleMania', and memorable matches against legends like The Undertaker and Ric Flair. He also shares what he's grateful for: his faith, family, and the wrestling world.

Grab a CVV Micro Brawler! - https://cvvmerch.comStephanie Vaquer (@Steph_Vaquer) is a professional wrestler currently signed to WWE. She sits down with Chris Van Vliet in Las Vegas, NV to discuss her incredible first year in WWE, winning the NXT Women's and Women's North American Championships to become a double champion, her quick call up to the main roster, Booker T's reaction to her Devil's Kiss move, the meaning behind her horns and face paint, her Clash in Paris title match being canceled, facing IYO SKY for the WWE Women's World Championship, future dream matches, and more!Quote I'm thinking about: “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” —Paulo CoelhoPlease support our sponsors! PURE PLANK: The future of core fitness! Use the code CVV to save 10% on Pure Plank designed by Adam Copeland & Christian: https://gopureplank.com/?ref=tibcloux SUPERPOWER: Go to https://Superpower.com and use code CVV to get $50 Off your annual Superpower subscription. Live up to your 100-Year potential. #superpowerpod SEAT GEEK: Use my code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/CVV2025 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discountPRIZEPICKS: Download the app today and use code INSIGHT to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup! TIMELINE: Go to https://timeline.com/insightto get 20% off your order of Mitopure! VUORI: Get 20% off your first purchase! Get yourself some of the most comfortable and versatile clothing on the planet at https://vuori.com/cvv ROCKET MONEY: Join Rocket Money today and reach your financial goals faster: https://rocketmoney.com/cvvMIRACLE MADE: Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made! Go to https://trymiracle.com/CVV and use the code CVV to claim your FREE 3 PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF ZOCDOC: Instantly book a top-rated doctor today at https://zocdoc.com/insightFAST GROWING TREES: Get 15% off with code INSIGHT at https://fastgrowingtrees.com BONCHARGE: Use the code CVV to save 15% off your infrared sauna blanket at https://boncharge.com/cvv BLUECHEW: Get your first month of BlueChew for free with the code CVV at https://bluechew.com For more information about Chris and INSIGHT go to: https://podcast.chrisvanvliet.comIf you have ever enjoyed any of these episodes, could I ask you to please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcast or Spotify? It takes less than a minute and makes a huge difference in helping to spread the word about the show and also to convince some hard-to-get guests.  Follow CVV on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/ChrisVanVlietTwitter: twitter.com/ChrisVanVlietFacebook: facebook.com/ChrisVanVlietYouTube: youtube.com/ChrisVanVlietTikTok: tiktok.com/@Chris.VanVliet Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.