The Ringer Wrestling Show

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Five years ago this week was AEW’s exploding barbed wire death match. If WrestleMania had that match, who would you want to see in it (0:30)? David and Brian open up the mailbag this week, respond to a few questions from the humanoids, and recap highlights from WWE ‘Raw.’ They discuss the following: Build a wrestler by picking from the legends' in-ring skills, mic skills, physical look, and signature moves (3:00) Brian’s perfect wrestler in MyRISE mode in 'WWE 2K26' (8:40) Is CM Punk working heel right now (20:33)? Whether or not David was one of the masked men on 'Raw' (50:10) Logan Paul’s WrestleMania and whether or not Tom Brady was involved (52:07) Oba Femi’s dominant win over Rusev (56:40) Cody Rhodes regains the Undisputed WWE Championship, and fans are buying bots to dislike the YouTube video (1:31:20) Then Ben speaks with AEW superstar Swerve Strickland, and they discuss the following: The total number of matches Swerve has had in his career (1:38:35) Looking back at his AEW debut four years ago (1:40:39) How he's evolved and become physically bigger since his debut (1:46:23) Reactions to Kaz’s description of his personality (1:49:34) Previewing his match with Brody King at AEW Revolution (1:52:30) His viral entrance with Prince Nana (1:57:24) Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker, Brian H. Waters, and Ben Cruz Guest: Swerve Strickland Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CM Punk Drills a Deep Cut With Roman Reigns OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre: Who is going to win (0:40)? David and Kaz kick off the show by discussing AEW Dynamite, which opened with an incredible match between MJF and Kevin Knight (3:40). Then they recap WWE 'Raw' with the following: Penta defeats Dominik Mysterio to win the Intercontinental Championship (20:49) CM Punk brings up Roman Reigns’s father in his promo (25:22) Wearing lucha masks is a part of everyday fashion (58:30) Hot take: David says that Demolition was better than Road Warriors (1:00:00) Later, Drew McIntyre speaks with David, Ben, and Brian ahead of his match with Cody Rhodes on SmackDown, a showdown that he is urging Nick Aldis to cancel. He also discusses the following: Thoughts on CM Punk and Roman Reigns's promo battle (1:05:32) Opponent preferences for WrestleMania (1:06:27) Working with Cody Rhodes in 2010 versus 2026 (124) His postretirement diet (1:15:00) Hosts: David Shoemaker, Ben Cruz, and Brian H. Waters Guest: Drew McIntyre Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What reveal from Saturday was more fulfilling, Danhausen coming out of the box or seeing Wheeler Yuta’s shaved head? David and Kaz kick off the show by discussing the reveal that Danhausen was the wrestler in the mysterious crate (2:53). Then they recap WWE Elimination Chamber: Will Finn Balor be OK after his loss to CM Punk (15:54)? Seth Rollins returns to Elimination Chamber as the Masked Man (22:26) Randy Orton wins the men’s Elimination Chamber match with Drew McIntyre’s interference (29:42) Rhea Ripley will challenge Jade Cargill at WrestleMania (46:20) Kiana James and Raquel Rodriguez were impressive in the Elimination Chamber (51:30) WWE 'Raw' preview (1:02:24) 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: Who do you think is the lone person with a 97 overall rating in 'WWE 2K26'? The show starts off with Kaz taking a victory lap after AJ Styles confirmed that he is retired from the ring (10:27). Then he and David discuss the MVPs of ESPN’s coverage leading into the Elimination Chamber (17:56). They also discuss: Who is the best booker in wrestling today? (33:42) How they would push the young talent in WWE (49:09) Predictions for the men’s Elimination Chamber (54:35) Predictions for the women’s Elimination Chamber (1:11:48) The show ends with Finn Bálor joining before he faces off with CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship this Saturday. They discuss the subtle changes to his character recently (1:39:01), his relationship with cannabis (1:49:03), and what AJ Styles has meant to him throughout his career (1:52:46). 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: Finn Bálor Producer: Bruce Baldwin Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If professional wrestling were an Olympic sport, who would represent the United States? David and Kaz kick off the show by discussing WWE superstars who are appearing on ESPN shows (10:01), before David doubles down on his Seth Rollins injury take (19:57). They also discuss: Kaz’s insights into how the WWE creative team pivots when wrestlers get injured (28:10) Whether recent injuries have thrown the WrestleMania plans out the window (36:20) Who the most surprising winner of the Men’s Elimination Chamber would be (47:50) Who they think the masked man is on 'Raw' (1:01:48) AJ Styles's retirement celebration on 'Raw' last night (1:10:12) 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: Bruce Baldwin Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David and Kaz kick off the show discussing Jon Heidenreich’s job at Walmart and which stores they could see wrestlers working in. (0:38) Then, they get into the following: Hangman’s proposed stipulation to challenge MJF for the AEW world championship (7:37) The latest happenings in NXT (48:42) What’s in store for the mysterious crate on 'SmackDown' (52:34) Be sure to check out our videos on⁠ BlueSky⁠,⁠ TikTok⁠,⁠ Instagram Threads⁠, and⁠ X⁠. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Producer: Stefan Anderson Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Who in WWE will be most likely to have a burner account (0:35)? A mystery crate has arrived in WWE, but what’s inside? David and Kaz kick off the show discussing Mercedes Mone’s $99 text service (7:50), then they discuss WWE’s new partnership (13:10). They also talk: Kevin Nash’s comments about Je’Von Evans and how Evans earned a spot in the Elimination Chamber (27:10). MJF’s upcoming AEW title defense against Zilla Fatu at House of Glory in New York City (43:31) AEW Grand Slam recap (49:10) The mystery crate that will be open at the end of the month (1:09:37). 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: What was your favorite part of the Super Bowl halftime show (0:37)?David and Kaz kick the show off by discussing Brody King not appearing on AEW and the discrepancies around it (5:21). Then they preview AEW Grand Slam (16:14) and a loaded 'Smackdown' (45:28). They close the show with “reported WrestleMania matches." (53:00)Be sure to check out our videos on⁠ BlueSky⁠,⁠ TikTok⁠,⁠ Instagram Threads⁠, and⁠ X⁠.Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem FamuyideProducer: Brian H. WatersAdditional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What was your favorite part of the Super Bowl halftime show (0:37)? David and Kaz kick off the discussion about which wrestler would host the best Super Bowl party (4:10). Then they discuss the following: WWE prohibiting local bars from showing WrestleMania (8:41) Whether or not a year-long story would help WrestleMania (20:44) AJ Lee-Becky Lynch and Liv Morgan- Stephanie Vaquer showdowns on 'Raw' (55:01) Rhea Ripley and LA Knight qualify for the Elimination Chamber (59:06) Then, new NXT Champion Joe Hendry joins the show and discusses the following: Working in the United States during the pandemic and going back to the U.K. (1:15:18) Going from having a viral song to becoming NXT champion (1:23:20) Being NXT champion and facing WWE champion Drew McIntyre (1:2434) Learning how to approach the art of timing from John Cena (1:27:23) And in a bonus interview, Ben Cruz speaks with Charlotte Flair at Super Bowl’s Radio Row, where they discuss the following: Throwing Alexa out at the Royal Rumble 1:31:47 Charlotte shows Ben how to do the heart hands (1:33:44) Joining Bayley at her Lodestone Women’s Wrestling camp (1:35:20) Her relationship with Bayley (1:36:57) Be sure to check out our videos on⁠ BlueSky⁠,⁠ TikTok⁠,⁠ Instagram Threads⁠, and⁠ X⁠. Hosts: David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide, Ben Cruz and Brian H. Waters Guests: Joe Hendry and Charlotte Flair Producer: Brian H. Waters Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Can a 48-year-old Brock Lesnar win in a real fight against Oba Femi (0:30)? David and Kaz kick off the discussion about which wrestler would host the best Super Bowl party (4:10). Then they discuss the following: Brody King defeating MJF to earn a shot at the AEW title (11:40) Will Ospreay is on his way back (14:05) Stephanie Vaquer retains Women’s World Title (24:53) Roman Reigns chooses CM Punk for his WrestleMania opponent (30:25) Building a WrestleMania card with majority of women’s matches (40:54) Then, Liv Morgan joins after her Royal Rumble victory and discusses the following: Breaking down backstage after winning the Rumble (1:03:31) Her attempt to help Raquel Rodriguez win the Women’s World Title on 'WWE Raw' (1:08:05) Wearing the Swarovski Jordan 1s in her Royal Rumble win (1:12:38) Waiting to pick her WrestleMania opponent (126:00) Be sure to check out our videos on⁠ BlueSky⁠,⁠ TikTok⁠,⁠ Instagram Threads⁠, and⁠ X⁠. Hosts: David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide, and Brian H. Waters Guest: Liv Morgan Producer: Brian H. Waters Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Which decision was worse: having Roman Reigns win the Royal Rumble or having LED lights (0:39)? David and Kaz kick off the show by discussing Roman Reigns’s Royal Rumble win and the reason why he is the most important WWE star today (2:24). They also discuss the following: Who else could have won if not Roman (20:30)? Liv Morgan wins the Women’s Royal Rumble, and Brie Bella makes a shocking return (34:16) Drew McIntyre defeats Sami Zayn (55:27) Gunther ends AJ Styles's WWE career (59:00) 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 Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David and Kaz kick off the show discussing Samoa Joe’s unfortunate non-contact injury that was revealed on Wednesday’s 'Dynamite' (0:37). Then, Ben joins the guys to discuss the following: The speed of which the Royal Rumble Saudi Arabia stadium was built (3:50) Betting odds for both the men’s and women’s Royal Rumbles (10:41) Royal Rumble card picks (47:13) Be sure to check out our videos on⁠ BlueSky⁠,⁠ TikTok⁠,⁠ Instagram Threads⁠, and⁠ X⁠. Hosts: David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide and Ben Cruz Producer: Stefan Anderson Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Following Sami Zayn's victory in the Fatal 4-Way on 'Saturday Night's Main Event,' which of the four competitors is most likely to become a world champion next (0:30)? David and Kaz kick off the show by discussing the possibility of Sami Zayn becoming the WWE champion at Royal Rumble (3:10).Then they discuss: Trick Williams’s performance in the Fatal 4-Way match (15:09) Jacob Fatu’s transformation and his match with Cody Rhodes (20:54) AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura take it back to Strong Style (31:00) Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky defend their tag titles against Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez (38:37) Who is the wild card to win the Royal Rumble (45:50)? Be sure to check out our videos on⁠ BlueSky⁠,⁠ TikTok⁠,⁠ Instagram Threads⁠, and⁠ X⁠.Hosts: David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide, and Brian H. WatersProducer: Brian H. WatersAdditional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David and Kaz fire up the mics and discuss whether or not the Rock ruined John Cena’s retirement tour by filming ‘The Smashing Machine’ (8:19). Then, they discuss a few things from Season 2 of 'WWE Unreal' (20:25). They also discuss the following: The debate whether or not AEW is building new stars (35:00) Lainey Reid and Ricky Sosa grab the attention of wrestling fans everywhere (1:02:21) David’s rant of the week: Wrestlers should never wear plaid on television (1:14:34) Saturday Night’s Main Event preview (1:22:9) 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 Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: After 'Monday Night Raw,' is Finn Balor still going to be OK (0:30)? David and Kaz return after the holiday with a big announcement from Kaz (2:32). Then they discuss the following from WWE Raw : Finn Balor fails to win the World Heavyweight Title (15:00) Giving CM Punk flowers for his current run as world champion (23:23) Royal Rumble predictions (42:35) 'WWE Unreal' Season 2 (53:23) TNA debut on AMC (58:00) Be sure to check out our videos on⁠ BlueSky⁠,⁠ TikTok⁠,⁠ Instagram Threads⁠, and⁠ X⁠. Hosts: David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide, Ben Cruz, and Brian H. Waters Producer: Brian H. Waters Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

THE LONGEST COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If wrestlers had shoe deals, who is the top superstar you’d be going after (0:30)? David and Kaz kick off the show with the latest in pro wrestling free agency: Powerhouse Hobbs is WWE bound (14:01) The Rascalz are AEW bound (28:11). Then they discuss NXT’s reset: Keanu Carver shows up and cleans house (34:30) Ethan Page and Shawn Michaels comparisons (47:43) Last, they recap AEW Dynamite (50:09). Be sure to check out our videos on⁠ BlueSky⁠,⁠ TikTok⁠,⁠ Instagram Threads⁠, and⁠ X⁠. Hosts: David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide, Ben Cruz, and Brian H. Waters Producer: Brian H. Waters Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Would it be better for Bron Breakker or Jacob Fatu to be mad at you (1:03)?The band is back together. David, Kaz, Ben, and Brian kick off the show by resuming their conversation about pro wrestling’s Trae Young comparison (4:20). Then they fantasy book a Survivor Series: WarGames match featuring USA vs. the world (10:50).Then David and Kaz recap the following from the weekend: Je’Von Evans's first match as part of the 'Raw' roster (15:33) Drew McIntyre defeats Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship (25:38) Finn Balor’s chances of defeating CM Punk for the World Heavyweight title (39:11) The women’s tag team division (56:00) Which NBA star could get a YEET entrance (1:06:29)? Oba Femi left the NXT title in the ring (1:12:27) Be sure to check out our videos on⁠ BlueSky⁠,⁠ TikTok⁠,⁠ Instagram Threads⁠, and⁠ X⁠.Hosts: David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide, Ben Cruz, and Brian H. WatersProducer: Brian H. WatersAdditional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: For $600, would you rather have a bad Ric Flair cameo or nosebleed seats at the Elimination Chamber (1:00)? Shoes is back, and he is joined by Ben and Brian. He has a few more cold open questions, including: A bad Ric Flair cameo or an immaculate AI ’80s Ric Flair promo (3:32)? Bigger loss: EC3 leaving NWA or Brock Lesnar retiring from wrestling events (6:19)? Who is the wrestling Trae Young (7:38)? Then they discuss the following: Bron Breakker’s path to the main event of WrestleMania (14:37) Oba Femi vacating the NXT title (21:53) Trick Williams and Matt Cardona join 'SmackDown,' Je’Von Evans joins 'Raw,' and Jordynne Grace is still deciding (27:34) Ricky Saints is now the guy in NXT (34:43) Andrade and Jake Doyle debut in AEW (36:00) Jon Moxley’s babyface turn (42:05) MJF’s reign as AEW World Champion (45:12) CM Punk’s comments about fans complaining (53:23) Why Damian Priest is too cool to be a babyface (59:19) Be sure to check out our videos on⁠ BlueSky⁠,⁠ TikTok⁠,⁠ Instagram Threads⁠, and⁠ X⁠. Hosts: David Shoemaker, Ben Cruz, and Brian H. Waters Producer: Brian H. Waters Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What is your pro wrestling New Year’s resolution? Ben and Brian fill in for David and Kaz and kick off the show by discussing the one-year anniversary of ‘WWE Raw’ on Netflix, which had a ‘Stranger Things’ theme. They talk about the following: Brian’s experience in the arena vs. Ben’s experience watching on Netflix (3:00) How WWE incorporated ‘Stranger Things’ (8:23) CM Punk retains the world title against Bron Breakker (13:56) Is the Vision lackluster without Seth Rollins (20:09)? Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky win the women’s tag team titles (25:45) Becky Lynch beats Maxxine Dupri for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship (33:34) Fans are upset that Chris Jericho did not appear on ‘WWE Raw’ (40:29) Trick Williams and Matt Cardona debuting on 'SmackDown' (50:00) Drew McIntyre challenging Cody Rhodes to a Three Stages of Hell match (54:39) MJF becoming AEW world champion and Willow Nightingale winning two titles, including dethroning Mercedes Moné (58:21) Then they recap a few things we missed over the break, including:Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: Ben Cruz and Brian H. WatersProducer: Brian H. WatersAdditional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: When is the last time you tapped out like John Cena (1:05)? David is joined by Ben and Brian and they kick off the show to discuss wrestling after Cena. Then they get open the mailbag and look at your responses for some end-of-year awards, which include best hair, best entrance, most not-for-me angle, best pivot, and more (25:01).Then, they welcome the man who brought so many tears to adults and children when he retired Cena: the Ring General, Gunther (1:37:40). He discusses the following: His trolling posts on social media after his win (1:38:30) The tension backstage the before Saturday Night’s Main Event (1:4916) How he is loving the boos (1:52:00) His interaction with AJ Styles backstage (1:54:23) Read David’s piece on The Ringer reflecting on John Cena’s career.Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X.Hosts: David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide, Ben Cruz and Brian H. WatersGuest: GuntherProducer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices