The Ringer Wrestling Show

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Of everybody, which loss hit you the hardest (0:25)? David and Kaz kick off the show discussing the reactions to ESPN writer Andreas Hale’s WrestlePalooza review (4:20). Then they get into the following from the weekend: Thoughts on Brock Lesnar dominating John Cena (0:00) Hangman Adam Page retains AEW World Title (18:42) PAC returns during the coffin match (25:27) Eddie Kingston returns with a win (38:53) Hook and C.J. Stroud comparisons (41:00) The Demand defeats the Hurt Syndicate (50:04) Cope’s tribute to John Cena; Beth Phoenix arrives in AEW (55:06) Stephanie Vaquer wins the Women’s World Title (70:40) Cody Rhodes retains the WWE Championship (74:00) Is Brock Lesnar going to join the Vision now? (78:20) AJ Lee returns and looks great (93:05) Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide, and Brian H. Waters Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What’s the weirdest response you've ever gotten from someone when they find out you cover pro wrestling (0:40)? David and Kaz kick off the show with a real conversation about the state of pro wrestling at the moment and its predictability, despite all the publicity and mainstream coverage (5:49). Then they pick up their predictions game with picks for AEW All Out (42:59) and WWE Wrestlepalooza (1:05:00) Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide, and Brian H. Waters Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Would you rather be like MJF and get thrown into tables and thumbtacks, or like Shawn Michaels and get both knees replaced (1:04)? David and Kaz discuss the news about Andrade being released from his WWE contract over the weekend (6:15). Then they discuss Dominik Mysterio's AAA Mega Championship win and ask whether he will become a bigger star than his dad, Rey Mysterio Jr. (30:33). Later, they look over WWE Wrestlepalooza and AEW and discuss what they are looking forward to the most (53:44). They close the show with potential matches for WrestleMania 43 (1:32:09) Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David and Kaz kick off the show by discussing the criteria for the GOOTs (greatest wrestlers of our time) and an official Masked Man list of wrestlers, and they determine whether they will qualify for the tournament (3:03). Then they discuss the following headlines: WrestleMania will be in Saudi Arabia in 2027 (6:06) Carmelo and Trick Williams reunite on NXT (27:30) The AJ Styles promo on WWE ‘Raw’ (31:50) Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch are doing their best work together (38:00) Is LA Knight up next (42:27)? AJ Lee’s first promo since WWE return (48:24). Daniel Garcia’s heel turn (59:22) Then they go over a list of 134 people and decide whether they fall above or below the Steiner line (1:03:01). Last, AEW TNT champion Kyle Fletcher joins the show and discusses the following: His approach to having the best match on the card every week (1:30:47) His character changes after the comparisons to other legends (1:37:43) His wardrobe and collection of pink suits (1:38:47) Becoming TNT champion  (1:41:08) Response to a critique from Stevie Richards (1:44:22) Challenging Adam Page for the AEW world title (1:52:23) Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Guest: Kyle Fletcher Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: On any given day in Chicago, who gets the biggest pop—Michael Jordan, Mike Singletary, CM Punk, or AJ Lee (0:30)?David and Kaz kick off the show with a huge announcement for next week’s episode of 'The Masked Man Show' (4:11). Then, we get another hot take from Kaz, and he says there is ONE thing AEW could do to get back in the fight with WWE (8:34). Later, they discuss the following: John Cena’s last match (16:11) Looking back on John Cena’s heel turn (25:39) AJ Lee's return to WWE (29:54) What match are you most excited for at  WrestlePoolza (51:31)? Most exciting matches for AEW Out (55:27) Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After Kaz’s hot take from Tuesday, he and David fire up the mics to continue the conversation about whether John Cena is the greatest of all time (3:38). Then Brian joins in for a rapid-fire debate on the greatest WWE superstars ever (26:45). After that, they recap the highlights from NXT and AEW Dynamite (45:13). Last, they are joined by Phil Schneider, who talks about his latest piece on The Ringer, where he lists the 10 greatest matches in the history of the ECW Arena (64:31). Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Guest: Phil Schneider Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David and Kaz fire up the mics and discuss WWE Clash in Paris, where Becky Lynch shocked the world and helped her husband, Seth Rollins, defeat CM Punk (5:46). They discuss the following: The possibility of CM Punk’s wife, A.J. Lee, returning (0:00) Who else would join the vision (12:50) Sami Zayn becomes the WWE United States Champion (26:30) The Mixed Match Challenge (34:32) Who is the front-runner for the 2025 wrestler of the year (43:31)? The case for John Cena being the greatest of all time (50:32) Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Who between Oba Femi and Claudio Castagnoli would throw their opponent the farthest? David and Kaz kick off the show by recapping AEW Dynamite, which was live at the 2300 Arena (3:40). Then Brian and Ben make predictions for WWE Clash in Paris (41:45). Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How much money would it take for you to eat your favorite cereal with the fork used on Darby Allin (0:17)? David and Kaz fire up the mics after a big weekend in pro wrestling and start the show by discussing some of the most brutal moments from the weekend (5:14). Then they recap the following: The lights out cage match (13:25) Adam "Hangman" Page’s win over MJF (20:11) Brodido becoming the new AEW Tag Team Champions (28:10) Kazuchika Okada’s win over Swerve Strickland (42:24) The best non-lifting finish moves in wrestling (44:00) Oba Femi’s win over Je’Von Evans (56:39) Blake Monroe’s win over Jordynne Grace (65:43) Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David and Kaz fire the mics and have a lot to discuss after a heavy news week in pro wrestling. They discuss the following: Naomi announcing her pregnancy and vacating the Women’s world title (0:23) Adam “Hangman” Page vs. MJF stipulations changing (3:49) WWE announcing WrestlePalooza and moving PLEs to ESPN in September (17:16) AEW Forbidden Door preview (33:40) Whether WWE is trying to get rid of its competition (56:01) Athena vs. Toni Storm for the AEW Women’s Championship (1:24:20) Oba Femi vs. Je’Von Evans (1:32:48) Dave and Kaz respond to the best alien wrestling fan questions (1:46:34) Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices