The Ariel Helwani Show

Jason Solomon is back with thoughts on an underwhelming Elimination Chamber and a good episode of Monday Night Raw, including the latest confrontation with Roman Reigns and CM Punk (5:43).  He also discusses the return of Seth Rollins, the MAJOR match signed for Smackdown this Friday, the polarizing debut of Danhausen and where things may be headed for Gunther at WrestleMania (26:39). The WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026 got a NEW addition yesterday in the form of Demolition and Jason explains why this one has been a long time coming, as well as another positive piece of Hall of Fame-related news this week as it pertains to an item that was stolen and has since been recovered (44:15). Additional news on WWE simulcasting parts of WrestleMania this year on ESPN and why NXT Stand and Deliver was moved AWAY from WrestleMania weekend this year, in a move that actually makes a lot of sense (55:38). Then he discusses the BOMBSHELL news that Netflix has dropped out of the bidding to acquire Warner Brothers Discovery, paving the way for a takeover by Paramount Skydance. He talks about what it means for the entertainment industry overall and, more specifically, for the future of All Elite Wrestling, as WBD serves as its media rights partner and owns a minority stake in AEW (58:43). Some AEW Dynamite news on the stipulations now decided for the AEW World championship match at Revolution between MJF and Hangman Adam Page, as well as the injury to Penelope Ford and fans online bullying Harley Cameron off of social media (1:08:44). Solomonster wraps up with more listener Q&A on topics including the actual start of the Road to WrestleMania, does the number of men's singles titles in AEW devalue its World championship and who was REALLY responsible for the downfall of TNA Wrestling on Spike TV (1:14:22)?

Ariel Helwani is back with a stacked show. Petr Yan joins first, reflecting on his massive win over Merab Dvalishvili to recapture UFC bantamweight gold, then talking about recovering from back surgery, hoping to fight on the White House card, and being willing to fight anybody, including rematches with Dvalishvili or Sean O’Malley (05:26). Petesy Carroll checks in to discuss Eddie Hearn hinting at a Croke Park event featuring Katie Taylor and Conor McGregor’s return (42:05). Rico Verhoeven is back on the show to preview his big fight against Oleksandr Usyk, talk about receiving offers to fight Anthony Joshua and Derrick Lewis, whether he could still fight in the UFC, his training for Usyk, and more (1:00:17). Dricus du Plessis reflects on the Khamzat Chimaev fight, revealing he watches it twice a week and believing he could make Chimaev quit. He also touches on whether he was offered a bout against Kamaru Usman, wanting to get back to the title, hoping to teach Brendan Allen a lesson, and more (1:32:12). Georgio Poullas joins to break down his rivalry with Arman Tsarukyan, stemming from their match and brawl at RAF 6. He also accepts Tsarukyan’s challenge to fight, responds to claims he’s wrestling dirty, then discusses how the match came together, his $1,000 takedown challenge, and more (2:05:45). Ariel answers your Super Chats to wrap up the show (2:48:55).

Ariel Helwani is back from the Olympics and he starts the show with a recap of recent news and notes from the combat sports space (11:21). Jiri Prochazka joins the show to discuss his light heavyweight title fight against Carlos Ulberg at UFC 327, his thoughts on Alex Pereira vacating the belt, training at altitude in Mexico City, the upcoming birth of his child, and more (23:20). Rising PFL prospect Patrick Habirora is up next, announcing his fight against Benson Henderson in Belgium, then talking about what he hopes to accomplish in the promotion, a potential fight with Cedric Doumbe, and more (50:43). Merab Dvalishvili is back, breaking down the RAF brawl between Arman Tsarukyan and Georgio Poullas, before moving on to his own career, reflecting on his second fight with Petr Yan, expressing interest in the trilogy being next, supporting Ilia Topuria during his hiatus, and more (1:04:11). Paulo Costa returns to preview his meeting with Azamat Murzakanov, discussing how the fight came together, diving into his beef with Khamzat Chimaev, predicting the outcome of a potential bout between Chimaev and Sean Strickland, explaining the long layoff from his last fight, and more (1:35:37). Ariel is joined by The Boys in the Back and Petesy Carroll to discuss hot topics, including the White House card, Conor McGregor’s next fight, Zuffa Boxing and UFC fighter pay drama, Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven, UFC Mexico, and more (2:07:04). Arman Tsarukyan is our final guest of the day, going into detail about his explosive grappling match and brawl at RAF 6, opponent Georgio Poullas’ dirty tactics, UFC offering him a title fight in September, linking up with Jake Paul, and more (3:31:15). Ariel answers your Super Chats to close the show (3:31:15).

Inside Boxing is back with the latest from the heavyweight division, as Oleksandr Usyk announced a fight with kickboxing legend, Rico Verhoeven, despite Verhoeven only having one professional boxing match (01:47).  Is the fight really warranted? Should Usyk have fought mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel (16:10)? Next, the attention moves to the thrilling Emanuel Navarrete vs. Eduardo Nunez unification fight, as well as a full fight card recap (33:23).

The Craic is back! Petesy Carroll, Chuck Mindenhall, and Ben Fowlkes return as usual. First up, they take a deep dive into Zuffa Boxing’s recent $15million signing of Conor Benn and what it means for TKO’s first move into boxing (0:14). That eye-catching payday didn’t go unnoticed in the UFC. The trio explore the growing rumblings of discontent among fighters (44:51). Then, breaking news lands mid-show, as the lads react live to the announcement that Oleksandr Usyk is set to defend his WBC heavyweight title against Rico Verhoeven (53:00). From there, they get into Ilia Topuria and Jake Paul’s war of words (59:41), before discussing fighters speaking out about not wanting to compete at the UFC’s proposed White House event (1:03:20). There’s UFC action this weekend as well, with Petesy and the lads previewing Brandon Moreno vs. late-notice replacement Lone’er Kavanagh (1:12:54). They wrap things up by answering your Super Chats (1:19:06).

Inside Boxing is back! First up, Dan Canobbio and Chris Algeri tackle the potential $1 billion lawsuit from Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions against TKO Group and Sela and the ramifications it could have on the sport (04:25). Next, Zuffa Boxing announces that Conor Benn will fight former champion Regis Prograis as the co-main event to Tyson Fury vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov (18:21). Lastly, the attention turns to the super featherweight title fight between Emanuel Navarrete and Eduardo Nunez, including picks, betting odds and analysis (46:10).

The Boys in the Back break down the drama from the boxing world, including additional details on Conor Benn's $15 million fight (01:47), Frank Warren's $1 billion lawsuit against TKO Group and Sela (19:31), and more (31:47). Next, they discuss the latest updates on the UFC's White House card (42:18), including reports that Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje might not be the main event (49:58). Then, they preview UFC Mexico City (1:17:29), make picks (1:34:37), and deliver their P4P loners (1:41:04), before closing the show with voicemails (1:59:51) and Super Chats (2:39:46).

Ariel Helwani reacts to his own classic interviews, providing additional insights and behind-the-scenes stories for each. This volume includes early conversations with some of MMA's most notable names, including Nick Diaz (08:26), 'Rampage' Jackson (19:56), Gina Carano (32:52), Pat Barry (47:40), Dana White (56:35), and Jon Jones (1:05:49).

Jason Solomon is back with interesting notes from a recent John Cena interview, including how he nearly won his record-breaking 17th World championship at Summerslam five years ago, and why plans changed at the last minute (06:55). After announcing his retirement from the ring earlier this month, Big E spoke with Sports Illustrated and shared his reasons for stepping away. Solomonster shares that and his own thoughts on the man's career (18:36). Then, he dives into what he thought was the WORST Monday Night Raw of the year last night, which did include one great segment with the AJ Styles tribute and surprise Hall of Fame announcement from The Undertaker.  It was a show that included an injury to Bronson Reed and what it means for the future of The Vision, the underwhelming announcement of Brock Lesnar's open challenge for WrestleMania and Liv Morgan making her decision on which champion to challenge (25:39). He then gets into the final card for the Elimination Chamber this Saturday and his predictions, but not before sharing some news on another local blackout for the show in Chicago when it comes to watch parties, the same tactic they're using in Las Vegas for WrestleMania (52:50). For as boring as Raw was this week, he thought AEW turned out its BEST episode of Dynamite last Wednesday, largely off the back of a stellar main event with Kenny Omega and Swerve Strickland, and a MAJOR heel turn after the match. He gets into that, plus the big stipulation added to the match with MJF and Hangman Page at Revolution (1:03:36). One person who's NOT too happy right now is the Ring of Honor Women's Pure champion, Deonna Purrazzo.  He explains why, based off her recent comments, her frustrations with Tony Khan and management there are valid. (1:12:01) Solomonster wraps up with some listener Q&A on topics including how to make AEW Collision more must-see, the men that have truly benefited from working with Brock Lesnar and when the Smackdown archives are leaving Peacock. (1:17:45)

The Boys in the Back kick off the show with some recent news and notes, including UFC 327 fight announcements (04:25), growing beef between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland (10:40), Robert Whittaker moving to light heavyweight (16:44), and more. Next, they discuss the recent wave of UFC fighters discussing their pay, on the heels of Zuffa Boxing signing Conor Benn to a reported $15 million deal (34:15) and check in on the latest UFC rankings (1:04:01). After answering a few On The Nose questions (1:14:11), the Boys are joined by Michael 'Venom' Page to talk about his upcoming Total Kombat show, his UFC career, his interests outside the cage, and more (1:37:58). The show closes with more of your On The Nose questions (2:12:19) and Super Chats (2:53:06).