The Ringer Wrestling Show

Cold Open Question of the Week: What kind of gimmick match would Kaz challenge Paul Pierce in? David and Kaz recap a wild crossover week in pro wrestling, including: Mercedes Moné's first match on AEW Dynamite (7:14) Adam Copeland fractures his tibia and vacates the TNT title (11:16) A Marty Jannetty story you will not hear anywhere else (17:50) Which wrestlers you would NOT want your daughter dating (20:50) Jordynne Grace shows up on NXT (26:54) Sexyy Red makes an appearance on NXT (30:11) Ethan Page says he is not signed to WWE after coming on NXT (33:57) Christopher Daniels is a new AEW on-screen authority figure (47:11) Bron Breakker’s rampage crosses over from his college football days (48:40) Response to critics of the Liv Morgan–Dominik Mysterio kiss (59:47) Be sure to check out our videos on the Ringer Wrestling TikTok account @RingerWrestling, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Cruz, Khal Davenport, and Brian H. Waters are joined by 'Ringer Wrestling' Tribal Chief David Shoemaker on this post-Raw Tuesday to discuss a number of important matters, beginning with an essential question: Why won’t Gunther wear the King of the Ring crown? Then, in Raw Is Headlines, the guys talk about Becky Lynch’s contract status and if and when the fan favorite will make her return to the ring. Meanwhile, with The Man and Rhea Ripley gone for the foreseeable future, who will lead Raw’s women’s division? After that, the guys talk about last night’s kiss between Dom Mysterio and Liv Morgan, which leads to the debut of The Ringer’s Official Infidelity Expert on the program. Plus, Ben asks the guys about their heavyweight championship power rankings in a post-SummerSlam world. And in They Said What?!, the guys take questions about how to get your kids into wrestling, as well as a possible WWE-UFC crossover. For an opportunity to have your hot take featured on They Said What?!, leave a voicemail at (202) 417-8160 or send an email to RingerWrestling@gmail.com. CHAPTERS: Gunther and the crown (00:00) Becky Lynch’s future (12:10) The women’s division (22:24) Liv Morgan kisses Dom Mysterio (26:02) Heavyweight rankings (36:58) They Said What?! (47:24) The Hot Tag with 'The Masked Man' (59:24) NXT preview (01:04:48) Hosts: Ben Cruz, Khal Davenport, and Brian H. Waters Guest: David Shoemaker Producer: Troy Farkas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cold Open Question of the Week: Of all the pro wrestlers who worked this weekend in AEW and WWE, who is the Jamaal Magloire (0:40)? David and Kaz dive into this Memorial Day weekend, which was full of pro wrestling, recapping the following from AEW Double or Nothing and WWE King and Queen: The Anarchy Rules match (10:250) Adam Copeland continues to win (17:31) Should MJF’s return have been saved for AEW Dynamite (27:13)? Fans' reception to Mercedes Moné as the TBS Champion (35:06) Drew McIntyre vs. Gunther at SummerSlam (41:53)? Is Sami Zayn a top five wrestler of the past decade (45:34)? Potential custody for Dominik match between Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley (53:11)? Looking back at how Triple H put Cody Rhodes in as quarterback of WWE (63:23) Be sure to check out our videos on the Ringer Wrestling TikTok account @RingerWrestling, 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 Kazeem are joined by WWE Hall of Famer Mike Rotunda. He comes on to celebrate the legacy of his son, the late Windham Rotunda a.k.a. Bray Wyatt, who would have been 37 today. They discuss many things about said legend, including: Windham’s love of horror films (5:00) The first time Windham won the WWE title (17:47) Windham getting in trouble with Pat Patterson as a child (34:0r0) They close out the show with official predictions for AEW Double or Nothing (45:54) and WWE King and Queen of the Ring (1:29:1r0) Be sure to check out our videos on the Ringer Wrestling TikTok account @RingerWrestling, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Guest: Mike Rotunda Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Cruz, Khal Davenport, and Brian H. Waters are joined by Ringer Wrestling's tribal chief, David Shoemaker, on today’s episode. Their conversation begins with calling The Rock’s ridiculously large muscles into question. Then, in the debut of ‘Raw’ Is Headlines (the repackaged Highspot Headlines segment), the Ringer Wrestling crew debates who should hold the Intercontinental title next, Bron Breakker’s violent Monday night performance, Lyra Valkyria punching her ticket to the Queen of the Ring finals, and more. The guys later take a very unusual chicken wing sauce–based question in They Said What?! And, to close things out, the guys look ahead toward tonight’s ’NXT.’ For an opportunity to have your hot take featured on They Said What?!, leave a voicemail at (202) 417-8160 or send an email to RingerWrestling@gmail.com. CHAPTERS: Intro (00:00) The Rock’s appearance (01:30) Intercontinental title debate (06:36) Bron Breakker on ‘Raw’ (16:24) Lyra Valkyria advances (23:20) They Said What?! (36:14) ‘NXT’ preview (50:42) Hosts: Ben Cruz, Khal Davenport, and Brian H. Waters Guest: David Shoemaker Producer: Troy Farkas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David and Kazeem open the show with a few WWE-NBA comparisons for a few of the stars left in the playoffs. Then they get into the following: How the WWE King of the Ring brackets unfolded (12:11) Cody Rhodes's revelation of the original WrestleMania XL plans (26:49) Then they are joined by Dominik Mysterio, who discusses the following: His connection to the Guerrero family (36:30) Watching Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio Jr. ringside (40:08) Addressing Liv Morgan’s mind games (44:48) They close out the show by discussing the Queen of the Ring, Cody Rhodes and Logan Paul, AEW Double or Nothing (50:32), and more. Be sure to check out our videos on the Ringer Wrestling TikTok account @RingerWrestling, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Guest: Dominik Mysterio Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David and Kaz are joined by Brian Gewirtz, former WWE head writer and executive producer of ‘Young Rock,’ to discuss which WWE superstars he thinks are the equivalent to different New York Knicks players. Later, they discuss Gewirtz’s latest project, ‘Who Killed WCW?,’ premiering June 4 on Vice TV. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Producer: Jonathan Kermah Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will Kofi Kingston ever get another shot at being world champion? Ben Cruz, Khal Davenport, Brian H. Waters, and the Ringer Wrestling’s tribal chief, David Shoemaker, begin the show by answering this question in High-Spot Headlines. Then, the guys discuss Karrion Kross’s place in WWE, the timeline for Lyra Valkyria becoming a champion, and whether it was the right call to have Jey Uso defeat Ilja Dragunov on ‘Raw’ last night. After that, the guys take calls in They Said What?! about a specific type of wrestling Mount Rushmore, Cody Rhodes’s heel situation, and whether Trick Williams or Lash Legend will have the better career. Plus, the show finally runs back Hot Tag With The Masked Man, then guys close it out with a preview of tonight’s NXT. For an opportunity to have your hot take featured on They Said What?!, leave a voicemail at (202) 417-8160 or send an email to RingerWrestling@gmail.com. CHAPTERS: Intro (00:00) Will Kofi Kingston get another title shot? (03:23) When will Lyra Valkyria become champ? (20:02) Jey Uso defeating Ilja Dragunov (26:56) They Said What?! (36:29) Hot Tag With The Masked Man (01:01:17) NXT preview (01:07:06) Hosts: Ben Cruz, Khal Davenport, and Brian H. Waters Guest: David Shoemaker Producer: Troy Farkas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David and Brian open up the mailbag this week, responding to a few questions from the humanoids, including: Falling in love with pro wrestling (5:55) Pro wrestling guilty pleasures (25:19) The Jalen Brunson of wrestling (32:35) Money in the Bank favorites (42:370) Fantasy booking All In and SummerSlam 2025 (62:40) Be sure to check out our videos on the Ringer Wrestling TikTok account @RingerWrestling., Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Brian H. Waters Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If you had to pick one WWE wrestler to be in the rotation for the Knicks, who would it be? David and Kaz are joined by the SmackDown first-round draft pick Carmelo Hayes who discusses the following: Elevating the NXT brand (6:48) Responding to Bobby Lashley on social media (10:55) Challenging Cody Rhodes on his first night on the SmackDown roster (13:24) His thoughts on the Drake-Kendrick beef (21:04) What it means for him seeing Trick Williams win the NXT title (25:00) Shawn Michaels’s influence (31:30) Then David and Kaz close out the show with the following: King and Queen of the Ring tournament with a few predictions (46:26) NXT highlights (63:53) Mogul Embassy betraying Swerve Strickland on AEW ‘Dynamite’ (70:38) WWE ‘Raw’ staying on USA through the end of 2024 (76:40) Kofi Kingston says he wants to wrestle Barack Obama (84:42) Be sure to check out our videos on the Ringer Wrestling TikTok account @RingerWrestling., Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Guest: Carmelo Hayes Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Cruz and Khal Davenport are joined by Ringer Wrestling Tribal Chief, David Shoemaker, to tackle this very important question: Which pro wrestler should be selected to mediate the beef between rappers Drake and Kendrick Lamar? Then, in Highspot Headlines, the guys discuss King of the Ring, Dragunov’s title aspirations, and how the women’s 'Raw' division will fare while Rhea Ripley rehabs an injury. Then, in They Said What?!, the guys take calls about Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes's championship run. CHAPTERS: Intro (00:00) Which wrestler can settle the Drake-Kendrick beef? (02:18) How much do you care about King of the Ring? (08:15) Dragunov’s title hopes (24:03) The plan for the women’s division (32:04) Whether Becky Lynch has had a boring title run (37:18) They Said What?! (42:35) NXT preview (01:07:00) For an opportunity to have your hot take featured on They Said What?!, leave a voicemail at (202) 417-8160. Hosts: Ben Cruz and Khal Davenport Guest: David Shoemaker Producer: Troy Farkas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dave Shoemaker and Kaz are back, and they’ve got a LOT to say about what went down at WWE Backlash in Lyon, France, on Saturday. After tackling the Cold Open Question of the Week, the guys discuss the CRAZY French crowd, how past all-American wrestlers compare to Cody Rhodes, what story line WWE should craft for Rhodes moving forward, and early predictions for what the SummerSlam main event will be. Plus, they get into the full slate of Backlash results. And later, they wonder how much weight Roman Reigns will put on during his time away from the ring. CHAPTERS: Cold Open Question of the Week (00:00) The display board economy (04:17) WWE Backlash crowd (06:12) Cody Rhodes comparisons (20:32) What to do with Rhodes? (27:17) Predictions for the SummerSlam main event (32:50) More WWE Backlash results (50:41) How much weight will Roman Reigns gain? (01:03:42) Jerry Lawler is out of WWE (01:25:53) ‘Raw’ preview (01:26:54) WrestleMania 41 goes to Las Vegas (01:31:50) Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Producer: Troy Farkas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David and Kaz kicks things off with their reactions to Kenny Omega’s return promo last night, along with some other AEW highlights (05:00). Later the guys dive into their Backlash France predictions (52:00). Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kareem Famuyide Producer: Jonathan Kermah Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Brian kicks things off revealing his feelings about the NFL’s Tribal Chief, Patrick Mahomes, showing up on ‘Monday Night Raw.’ Then, the guys are joined by the Ringer Wrestling Show’s Tribal Chief, David Shoemaker, and answer the following big questions from ‘Raw’: Who is the most impactful switch of the WWE draft? (4:13) Can CM Punk and Drew McIntyre keep their feud going while both are injured? (18:31) Should Jey Uso defeat Damian Priest for the world heavyweight title at Backlash? (25:21) Then after the break, they go to the Ringer Wrestling Worldwide Hotline for “They Said What?!” and react to a couple of hot takes from you, the people, regarding a potential Bloodline–Wyatt Family storyline and the psychology of the WWE draft (35:23 ). Then they introduce a new weekly segment called “The Hot Tag with the Masked Man,” in which David answers a big question of the week. Today, he reacts to Khal saying Cody is only over because of his theme music and his dance partners (48:58). The guys close the show previewing night two of NXT ‘Spring Breakin’” (61:13) For an opportunity to have your hot take featured on They Said What?!, leave a voicemail at (202) 417-8160. 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. Waters Guest: David Shoemaker Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: It’s Day 2 of the WWE draft. Who is your top prospect on the board? David and Kaz kick off the show by recapping the first night of the WWE draft and discussing some of the issues with the way it has been presented (2:48). They discuss some of picks from SmackDown, including: Bianca Belair and Carmelo Hayes to SmackDown (25:29) Adrade to SmackDown (30:00) Kiana James to 'Monday Night Raw' (36:22) Draft picks after SmackDown went off the air (42:03) The draft board ahead of 'Monday Night Raw' (46:10) Be sure to check out our videos on the Ringer Wrestling TikTok account @RingerWrestling., 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: Right now there is an 8-foot painting of Andre the Giant at the new WWE headquarters. Who will that painting be of in 50 years? Dave and Kaz kick off the show by discussing Tony Khan taking the Meltzer Driver at the end of AEW Dynamite and Jack Perry’s heel/face status with the company (6:10). Then, Ringer Wrestling Worldwide’s Ben, Khal, and Brian join the 'Masked Man' crew for the annual 'Ringer Wrestling Show' mock draft (29:40)! The mock draft rules: Snake draft Each team must come up with their own promotion name 20 picks for each team 10-second pick clock Injured wrestlers are eligible to be drafted Tag teams count as one pick Factions are broken up Be sure to check out our videos on the Ringer Wrestling TikTok account @RingerWrestling., Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Guests: Khal Davenport, Brian H. Waters and Ben Cruz Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the first repackaged episode of 'Ringer Wrestling Worldwide' (or 'Wednesday Worldwide on Tuesdays'?), Ben Cruz, Khal Davenport, and Brian H. Waters begin by debating the greatest repackages in wrestling history. Then, in Highspot Headlines, the guys get into Becky Lynch’s title victory on ‘Raw,’ WWE’s attempt to bring a level of prestige back to King of the Ring, Dom Mysterio’s injury, and Damien Priest’s title run so far. The guys also take a call about Samoa Joe in 'They Said What' before closing out the show by discussing tonight’s NXT Spring Breakin’, Swerve Strickland, and WWE’s sudden release of Cameron Grimes. To support the program, please FOLLOW ‘The Ringer Wrestling Show’ by clicking these Spotify and Apple Podcasts links. CHAPTERS: Intro (00:00) Historic wrestler re-packagings (01:55) Becky Lynch is the new champion (05:09) The return of King of the Ring (15:56) Dom Mysterio’s injury (27:54) Damien Priests’s title run (28:39) “They Said What?” (40:29) NXT Spring Breakin' preview (50:20) Who should Swerve Strickland’s first title feud be with? (53:42) WWE releases Cameron Grimes (01:01:37) Hosts: Ben Cruz, Khal Davenport, and Brian H. Waters Producer: Troy Farkas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If you could hear a diss track from any pro wrestler, who would it be? Dave and Kaz recap a history-making night from AEW Dynasty: Bryan Danielson and Will Ospreay wrestled in what many are calling the greatest match in American history (05:40) Swerve becomes the first Black AEW World Champion (27:27) Samoa Joe is one of the most important champions in AEW history (32:25) Jack Perry is back (46:53) Then they discuss Solo and Tama Tonga’s beatdown of Kevin Owens on SmackDown (69:46) Be sure to check out our videos on the Ringer TikTok account @RingerWrestling, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

‘The Ringer Wrestling Show’ brings you instant reactions to the biggest matches, breakdowns of the hottest feuds, and analysis of all the latest gossip in the wild world of professional wrestling. Join "The Masked Man" David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide, Ben Cruz, Khal Davenport and Brian H. Waters for a podcast feed that redefines what it means to be a wrestling fan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David and Kaz kick off the show by discussing the emergence of NXT’s Je’Von Evans after his match with Ilja Dragunov (5:30). Then they get into the following topics: Rhea Ripley vacates the Women’s World Title (11:00) Chad Gable turns on Sami Zayn (27:00) AEW Dynasty preview (42:57) Be sure to check out our videos on the Ringer TikTok account @RingerWrestling., Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Producers: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices