August 11, 2025 • 61 mins
Brad and Tyler react to WWE's new partnership with ESPN, including potential implications for professional wrestling and the media industry. They also discuss MJF's summer storylines and the recent viewership spike of AEW Dynamite.
Other topics include:
Social: @gipod19
Web: gimmickinfringementpod.com, 19mediagroup.com
Goods: https://19-media-group.myspreadshop.com
0:00 Intro
6:31 Someday — Dance
12:00 WWE — ESPN, WWE, NFL, and $29.99
35:53 At the Movies — ‘The Pickup’
42:20 AEW — MJF v. Hangman, and the Ratings Bump on Dynamite
55:38 What We Missed
59:53 Closing
Other topics include:
- Alyssa Thomas Breaks a Record
- Dance Dad: Part II
- 'The Pickup' Review
Social: @gipod19
Web: gimmickinfringementpod.com, 19mediagroup.com
Goods: https://19-media-group.myspreadshop.com
0:00 Intro
6:31 Someday — Dance
12:00 WWE — ESPN, WWE, NFL, and $29.99
35:53 At the Movies — ‘The Pickup’
42:20 AEW — MJF v. Hangman, and the Ratings Bump on Dynamite
55:38 What We Missed
59:53 Closing
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
And now Cambage and Fringe Man.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Welcome everybody to the Gimmick Infringement Podcast. I am Brad
Winchester and with me as always as my tag team
partner Tyler McDowell, Blank and Tyler.
Speaker 3 (00:15):
It is Sunday.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
I'm still a little tired, little first week of school
hangover going on for me. I'm sleepy, but I am
also warm. It's still so hot in Arizona. I'm going
to talk about some other warm house related issues in
the second, but first, how are you doing?
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Yeah? As am I Brad. It's great to see you.
I am grateful today. Man. Like you said, we made
it through the first week of school. There was joy,
there was exhaustion, there were memories, memories were had already. Yeah,
like you said, we're also in an extreme heat warning
I think for the better part of this new week.
But you know, we're outside, we're inside, We're we're making it.
(01:01):
How you doing.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
I'm great. I'm waiting for the storms to hit us.
We need rain in Morana.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
I don't know if you're listening right now, if you
can make that happen, if you've got some like cloud
seating stuff you could handle for us, that'd be really.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
Great because it's just going right around.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Us, and I'd like some water here at some point.
But I've got water in the house, Tyler, and I
need to empty. I need to drain the hot water heater.
This is something that I have learned, is like if
we get the home maintenance home warranty stuff, and it's
just something I've just never thought of, because I think
before we had it part of a service package and
(01:37):
they just come out and kind of do stuff. Didn't
even have it on my radar that I should be
draining my hot water heater. I don't know that it's
ever been drained. This thing is probably going to be
like at least a foot deep of sediment on the
bottom of the tank. It's supposed to be drained every
six months to a year, depending on how much you
know stuff you have in your water. If you have
(01:57):
hard water, well water does different things. And we had
a bit of a sulfury smell coming out of the faucet,
and that's usually an indication of a bad anode. All
of these things I'm learning now. If you're a plumber,
help So I got my water heater, we got the
hot water line, the cold water line, ours is electric,
(02:21):
not gas. We have the electric going in and we
have the spot where the anode rod goes. So tell
me what the giant copper pipe is coming out of
the top and going to my exterior wall that has
nothing on the other side of it. It's either going
into my wall and then going out somewhere. But like,
what is happening? Why do I have two lines, which
(02:45):
one's out, which one's in. I have no idea what's
going on. Nothing's in the manual about this. It seems
like they just carved a new hole for it. I
have absolutely no idea what's going on. I went to
the in laws yesterday and I was asking him and
he's like, well, no, it's for no Ah.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
That can't be it. Well maybe it's hmm. I don't
think it's that either.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
It was a lot of that of just being totally mystified.
I have absolutely no idea. Again, I can identify the
hot water, the cold water, the electric, everything except for
this random copper pipe and I don't know what it's
for from the top to the wall. And he has
it there too, same thing. So I'm wondering if it's
like an Arizona building code thing I just don't know
what it's for, totally mystified. I just want to not
(03:31):
have to pay a service tech to come out when
it's literally like, unscrew a thing, take it out, replace
the thing, turn the water off, turn the power off,
and drain the thing and flush it.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
If you need to. I need to, so we'll I
don't know.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
It's starting to sound like I'm going to spend a
couple hundred dollars here, Tyler, but I don't want a
new water tank because that's more than that.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
So exactly, and the fact that it's not in the
manual going back to what you said earlier, is very disappointing.
Speaker 2 (03:59):
Well, the other thing, too, is Okay, if you own
a company and you got manuals and you've got multiple products,
can we stop making generic manuals for all of your products.
I hate that so much. If I have Model two B,
I just want it for model to be. I don't
want to have to turn the page for two B
and guess if I have two C, which has like
(04:19):
an optional like tattoo on the side of it or
something like. I just want to know what my thing
is and just figuring out from there. It's like there
are three pages of different models, and one of them
looks very similar to mine, but isn't. And it took
me a minute. I had to like go on YouTube
and I watched a bunch of YouTube videos because people
were gonna go like, well, why don't you just watch YouTube?
(04:40):
None of them have that copper pipe, all of them
have what the setup is in that manual.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
So I'm still sitting here going, what's that. I don't
know what that is. I'm afraid to do anything to.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
It because I don't know what's gonna happen if I
take that off, Like, shouldn't be this complicated?
Speaker 1 (04:56):
Man? Yeah? Here hit it? I guess I still for you?
Speaker 2 (05:03):
Well, yeah, you feel for the for the water bill
really a little worried about it because because the more
sediment in your tank, the less hot water it can hold,
obviously it's gonna fill up faster, and then there's just
less water in there, so then we burn through it faster.
The heater's on more, all of those things right now,
the heat is probably not even on. It's it's if
you don't live in Arizona, you don't know, Tyler, what's
(05:27):
coming out of your cold water tap?
Speaker 1 (05:29):
Yeah, that's Uh, you said it. You said it perfectly.
It's it is different out here.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
Yeah, it's just different.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
It's just it's it's like you have your hot water
line and your other hot water line.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
Yes, and and and sometimes sometimes.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
The cold water line is hotter than the hot water line,
depending on the time of day or if you haven't
turned it on in a while.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Uh, and then it comes in.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
We have to we have to teach our kids not
to drink water out of the garden hose out here,
because you could burn your face off just for its
sitting the sun and baking unless you run it for
a while. So the idea that you could set up
a sprinkler to cool off outside but accidentally give yourself
second degree burns is crazy. Arizona's just different. But February
(06:14):
is gonna be awesome. And it's still a great place.
And I still love having my kid out here, living
in the Arizona desert, in the Arizona heat and joined
the winter and dance classes. I think it's time Tyler
to play the music.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
It's it's time for some day when you have.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
Kids, and now it's time for Sundal Someday when you
have kids. That's all okay, cut.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
Tyler.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
I love that Fraya loves dance. I will not lie
to you that there is a significant amount of guilt
that I have an unpredictable thing, but a significant amount
of g for not being more involved with dance.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
And it's not because I don't want to.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
It's because the ballet class that Frey attends on Mondays
is that it starts at like four p thirty, four fifteen.
I as you know in Marana, getting from the high
school when you have a six period class and the
bell rings at three forty getting out of the parking
lot with all your stuff, four oh five is about
(07:28):
the time, by the time the buses get out of there,
when you can actually leave and not have to fight
traffic on your way out. So four oh five to
pick her up, get her change, get her in the car,
get down to show biz. That's not that Time's not
going to work out now. Thursday was hip hop. She
(07:51):
was super excited, I think, very nervous because she was
watching all these kids doing all these these moves and
hip hop, and so much of it is core stre
and leg strength and upper body strength. It's a whole
body workout. And she really wants to do all of
those things, and I can tell when she does it
that she's getting stronger and she really likes just trying stuff.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
She's like, check it out. I learned this.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
And then she hit a move on the floor and
I was like, Okay, this is gonna go. Well she's
she's already really liking this. But Tyler, the repetition for
an eight year old learning a new physical thing, you
are going to see it one million times and you
are going to have to tell them you gotta stop
(08:37):
before you break your face. Someday, when you have kids,
you're going to experience firsthand this, look what I can do,
Look what I can do, and they will do it
so often that they don't know yet what their physical
limits are. And watching her hit the star pos and
do all these things and like, I'm gonna try this
headstand or handstand. Trying to do it, actually the arms
(09:01):
gave out, the core gave out, and it's just a
lot of smacking into stuff, landing on the dog, like
just absolutely wild. Everybody's getting taken out. In the living room,
she's got these stretchy bands and they've been like used
like nunchucks. Repeatedly. It's just it's it's cartage. It is
is madness. It is wonderful. It is so fun to
(09:25):
watch her be interested in something and be excited to
do that with other people.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
And to learn how to perform. How can you hate
something like that.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
I'm stoked for you to experience that firsthand someday when
you have kids.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Our favorite third grader, man, she's just the best herd.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
It's crazy. I still think about that. I still think
about that picture with.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
The fiend mask, and that was and that was that
that was at MHS during the hybrid days. And now
she's in third grade, and I can't I can't believe
that it was that long ago, and that she's eight
and and all of those things. It feels very strange.
She's loving her class so far. She comes home excited
(10:07):
with homework. When she stays at LEAP, she does her homework,
she does her stuff, and then she comes comes home like, yeah,
I had homework, did it, no problem, Like it was.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
It's been awesome so far.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
Because she knows that yeah, because she knows she stays
at LEAP, She's like, I'm there anyway, I got homework,
I may as well get it done while I have
this time, and she just does it. She buckles down
and does it so she can play. She gets home
and she has her whole night to herself. It's really
really cool. So we've had a ton of fun this
year just watching her come home and be like, I
did all my work, I have nothing left, and it's
(10:44):
pretty dope. It also important when you also have dance
on two days out of the week. Shout out to
all the dance parents. I don't want to say dance moms.
I know there's some dance dads to show up at
those things too. I've been told I'm not one of them,
but I've I've been told that dance dads do exist,
and that it's a grind for those people that are
(11:05):
in multiple classes or are you know. Shout out to
Amy and Harper. We're there for twelve hours out of
the week doing dance. It's a big commitment, and you
also have to have fun, and you also have to
have school, and you also have to have life all
around those things. So I'm glad she's a part of something.
(11:28):
I think it's important to learn to work with a
group and work with others, especially if you're an only
child to just be involved where there's other kids around
and not just just.
Speaker 3 (11:38):
The parents all the time.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
I'm not saying we're not not fun.
Speaker 3 (11:42):
I guess.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
I wouldn't want to be around me all the time either.
I guess I'll put it that way. But Tyler dance
is expensive, and we know something else that's going.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
To get expensive. So it's time to get into it.
Hit me with your WWE question.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
Yeah, we got to talk about it. So WW announced
a partnership with ESPN for its premium live events starting
in twenty twenty six. And I'm quoting Yahoo Entertainment here.
Of course, these are previously known as pay per views,
but now WW includes them in its streaming deals. Okay, Brad.
The deal is worth an average of three hundred and
twenty five million dollars annually for five years, totaling one
(12:25):
point six billion dollars over the life of the agreement.
Of course, we know, Brad. Previously these events would air
on Peacock. This is a significant shift for WW ESPN,
as ESPN has traditionally focused its major event coverage for quote,
according to the Yahoo article quote unquote, real sports like
(12:48):
the NFL, whereas WWE. This this sport. This entertainment that
we love, it is scripted entertainment. So, Brad, final point
here you alluded to it. What does this mean for
us in our audience? If you're a Peacock subscriber like
Brad and I, you're used to watching WWWE on that app. However,
(13:10):
you we in twenty twenty six, heading into WrestleMania in particular,
will need to shift to ESPN's twenty nine ninety nine
per month service, which is more than we are paying
on Peacock currently. Brad, I'm gonna pause here. What do
you make of this deal?
Speaker 2 (13:32):
What's funny is that we talked in the production meeting.
I wrote, we have to talk about the deal, Tyler,
what do you make of this thing? So I'm glad
we talked about how we were definitely going to discuss
this for WWB today, Tyler. I think it's a good
move for the business of WWB and TKO Sports. Tto
(13:54):
obviously already in agreement with ESPN for UFC, so it
was a pretty natural shift to include all their brands.
And now that company conglomerate whatever we call them, now
they have this huge deal, but we can't offset this.
I wonder when it took place or was finalized before
(14:16):
or after the NFL network acquisition, with Red Zone going
to ESPN, with the NFL having a ten percent ownership
stake in ESPN as part of the deal. So now
we have the NFL partial owners of ESPN TCO partners
with ESPN. Which what are we going to see this
(14:40):
NFL season? Now that by like a transitive property, I
guess we directly indirectly connect WWE to the NFL. And
are we going to see more crossover on NFL platforms
and games on ESPN's specifically or not specifically. I'm not
(15:03):
sure how that will work.
Speaker 1 (15:05):
Will we see?
Speaker 2 (15:06):
You know, my guess is that there's going to be
advertising for the NFL playoffs a lot on the WWE products,
even though they won't be on necessarily those platforms, or
NFL will get into a sponsorship agreement for WWB or
vice versa. I could totally see that happening because they're
now sort of part of the same parent company in
(15:29):
terms of those pl east and the NFL having ownership.
So I'm really curious to see where this goes. The
second part is the twenty nine ninety nine I wonder
what will happen there because people are paying premiums for sports.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
We know this for you because your your.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
Services, your Internet services. Cox, correct, correct, Cox, get your
crap together. Give my man some bandwidth. That's number one.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
Number two, because you have cocks. You don't have what
I have. I have. I don't have peacock. I got
free cock.
Speaker 2 (16:07):
Okay, so I'm not paying for the WWE. Yes, I
said free cock. I'm not paying for WWE at all
for the PLS because I have the AD free for
like a year or.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
Whatever it is, or not the ad free.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
It's like their tiers are like with ads, no pls,
and then pls, but with ads and then everything ad free.
I have the middle one, so I have to watch
the commercials instead of just watching the same promo videos
over and over and over again. So I don't whatever.
I'm not losing anything there. I just hated if I
want to watch all the episodes of anything on there,
(16:44):
I got to watch all the ads.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
But I digress.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
To go from pay nothing to adding twenty nine ninety nine,
And of course many of you are probably thinking, well,
I can bundle it, right, like I can.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
I have Disney.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
Plus and Hulu, and I have the ESPN package, and
it's like our with ads, it's cheaper without ads. ESPN Plus,
Hulu and Disney Plus is twenty six ninety nine right now.
I know that because I added ESPN thinking i'd get
ahead of it because I want NFL network stuff I want.
Speaker 3 (17:18):
I would like to get red Zone.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
I got rid of my cable so I don't have anything,
no ability to watch an NFL game right now, which
will be different from last year. But when my cable
box died during the holidays, I was like, I'm not
even missing it. We were talking about that yesterday. Actually, well, anyway,
twenty six ninety nine is not what you're going to
be paying. The twenty nine ninety nine will be added
into that bundle. That twenty six ninety nine will become
(17:43):
forty six ninety nine a month, So you'll be paying
almost fifty dollars for ESPN, Hulu and Disney where right
now you're just paying north of half of that, and well,
I guess not half, it'd be under half, but it's
like twenty dollars more to have what you currently have,
And I just feel like that's criminal behavior.
Speaker 3 (18:08):
Because they're limiting the options.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
There to how you access that those services and that content,
and I understand they need to make money, but twenty
nine ninety nine is crazy. So I have a feeling
that they're going to change that model as we get
closer and be like, if you bundle all these services together,
you know, like cable, if you bundle all these services together,
the cost will come down. Because the WWE is in
(18:34):
a fascinating place right now, it's never been really bigger,
but it's also it's also been like just the vibes
are a little different.
Speaker 3 (18:43):
They're not as positive as they were a year ago.
It's it's been like, oh, this.
Speaker 2 (18:46):
Is really fun, but it doesn't seem like this is
this it right? Like it's just brock lessners split everybody
with his return we. I don't think we even got
to talk about that yet because last weekend was night
two after we recorded, you and I both heard that.
Speaker 3 (19:04):
All I could think.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
Was Okay, all right, guess that lawsuit's done. There's so
many questions that I have regarding those things. I think
I think the fans are sort of split with how
they feel about the product, about how they feel about
the way the product is presented, and whether or not
it represents who they are and what they believe in.
(19:27):
I I just think the acquisition of those things by
ESPN also lets everybody else know where Disney stands on
all these certain views. I wonder how happy they are
about this, given their you know, their breaks about you know,
with Johnny Depp and the Pirates franchise, and.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
You know the way he was dropped from.
Speaker 2 (19:54):
The Harry Potter prequel series as as the big bad
in those movies, just because of the allegations that came
out and then and then went to trial and all that.
I wonder how this stuff will change with with the
Mouse essentially being the overseer of that, and what's the
crossover with Disney? Here are we gonna see Elsa get
(20:16):
Bailey to bellied somewhere?
Speaker 3 (20:18):
Like, I don't know.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
And to your point, Brad, this is also coming off
the heels of ESPN parting ways with Shannon Sharp, one
of their most popular personalities of the past few years,
and granted the accusations against him different than brock Lesner,
but still under the umbrella of famous powerful men just
(20:39):
you know, allegedly doing unsavory things. Yeah, it's a fascinating
time for ESPN, as a media company and for w
W as well. When in the case of Brock Lesner,
as you brought up, I don't know that they needed
to bring him back. We've seen famous names from the
past brought in when WWE creatively was is at a
(21:00):
point where they needed something to really juice up the
weekly programming. But and to your point, creatively, I don't
know if you can say w IS is at the
peak of where it was at a year ago. But
also with John Cena turning back to being a good guy,
I think it really rejuvenated some of the fan base. Okay,
Cody's back on top as a good guy. John Sen
is a good guy. We have arguably the most talented
(21:22):
roster in the history of WWE. Bringing back Lesnard just
seemed I'm tempted to say, an unforced error. But at
the same time, you heard that reaction from the crowd
in Jersey. People lost their minds for him. So business wise,
it's probably gonna work out well for them, but it
(21:42):
just feels it just feels sicky to me.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
I think I don't think it's as necessarily Oh maybe
it is. I don't know if the hey, it's we
think it's time for you to come home. Right messages, yes, right, yes,
those messages. As long as they're legit, I guess I
can trust them. But I think that this is probably
a sena ask to go which I want to.
Speaker 1 (22:07):
Have, yeah, which is what said as the.
Speaker 2 (22:13):
Like think he wants to have that that huge rivalry
that has has spanned you know, a decade plus. Have
finally put a period at the end of that sentence
before John Cena hangs.
Speaker 3 (22:25):
It up, and I can get that, just get it.
Speaker 1 (22:26):
Just so happens there are no post show press conference,
in press conference anymore. The same weekend that brock Lesner
comes back.
Speaker 2 (22:32):
It's just well, and all the other stuff too, all
the White House stuff, like fitness stuff, like all of that.
Speaker 3 (22:38):
Crock Lester coming back.
Speaker 2 (22:39):
I think all of those things were like probably shouldn't
get in front of a public panel, Probably shouldn't do that.
And then wondering if the carrying across stuff is a
work or not. I will I will say I think
it's a work, but only because of the way that
Paul Hayman talked about it with Ariel Hawani this week.
(23:00):
I it is like it's working, isn't it. It's like, well, yeah,
it's like it's working. So I just feel like him
saying it like that, where it's like people are getting
mad that he doesn't have his spot and then he's
fighting for it and all that stuff, and and and
Hayman brought up, well, if he had the Intercontinental title,
(23:21):
do you think he'd be getting these reactions right now?
It's like, well, probably not. It's like, right, it's working.
What we're doing is working, so and it's organic, so
I think that's probably a work. But I also think
like number one, as an English teacher, you know that
(23:41):
English teachers and other people that are kind of like
us can overthink some things and over analyze some things
and look into it and go like, ah, what are
these blue curtains represent? You know, when it's like they're
they're just blue curtains.
Speaker 3 (23:57):
So we're like, is this a work? Is this real?
Speaker 2 (24:00):
What if he's playing it like it's a work but
it's not a work, and we're just like round and
round and round. I just feel like they laid this
one pretty bare. Not the cross stuff, but the yeah, oh,
it's just really good to be with the fans and
just sit with you and have a conversation.
Speaker 3 (24:18):
I love it, and it's like.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
Or avoid reporters, whatever, call it what you want to guess,
avoid reporters is probably more likely what's going on there.
Speaker 3 (24:28):
My guess is.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
That maybe it's because I didn't hear anything leading up
to this, but there were probably like rumors out there,
and TKO might have been like cautious more about the
merger than about Brock or about the deal in case
they get asked about a deal and they're legally not
allowed to say anything until it's finalized. I'm not sure
when all of that went down, So you know, it's
(24:51):
like when people have a project and they sign an NDA.
There could have been some of that and maybe they
just said, what's just not even put people in a
position to answer that question.
Speaker 3 (25:00):
So so who knows. That's why I'm saying, like, maybe we're
just reshorted this too.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
Much, but sure, and Shannon Sharp to clarify in case
our audience is and in the know. Here Shannon Sharp
allegedly committing sexual assault against a previous girlfriend. They settled,
then ESPN dropped him. Brock Lesner allegedly taking part in
a sex trafficking situation ring organized by Vince McMahon and
(25:27):
some of his flunkies, and that to my knowledge, Brad,
as of this recording, there's been no decisive conclusion to
that case or to the allegation to brock Lesner being
mentioned you know multiple times in said said lawsuit from
Janelle Grant, former employee of ww WE. This is all
this coming off the heels of Hulk Hogan passing away
(25:51):
and WWE. I mean, how many times during Summer Slam
did we see tributes for Hulk Hogan. It was very
much being laid on thick. And then, as you pointed out, Brad,
the close connection to the White House and how that
is being shown to us on social media and during
programming seemingly at nauseum. It's really the the abundance of
(26:11):
all of these decisions that it's a reminder that ww
is definitely in a new error era. Yeah, maybe an
error with TKO business as good as ever, but you
exactly very much you are and have been essentially locking
arms with the UFC, which is led by Dana White,
(26:31):
also not necessarily a beacon of one may say, morality,
and gets.
Speaker 2 (26:37):
On film slapping his wife and then runs a show
called Slap Flight and gets continued just doing whatever.
Speaker 1 (26:43):
Absolutely awful. Yeah, thank you. Yeah, So it's it's it
shouldn't be surprising, I guess, but for this to the crescendo,
the finishing point here to be they landed a deal
with ESPN, big money, much more fiscally attract than the
deal they had with Peacock. I would say, if there's
(27:03):
a best case scenario for this that I'm feeling it
really is another example that professional wrestling is as mainstream
as it's ever been before. The teenager in me who
felt shy about my love for wrestling and kind of
hit it when I would go to school, feels really
excited that, man, now you're in partnership with ESPN, the
worldwide leader. This is a sign that wrestling is cool.
(27:26):
It has been cool, and there are millions of new
fans over the last few years. And we've spoken at
length on Airbrad about you getting back into wrestling, and
you know, me really doubling down on well, I think
I'm more passionate about this than I was when you know,
I was twelve years old. It's the greatest. It's really
come leaps and bounds from when I was younger and
again felt like I had to shed my love for it.
(27:48):
Now you sign a big money deal with ESPN and
you're seeing you're not presenting it as a sport per se.
We even see that on Netflix. Is unreal. I've quite
a few episodes from that. It's clearly scripted. Everyone knows that.
But as you and I point out every single week
on here, the athleticism, the storytelling, it's just there's nothing
(28:09):
like it. It's the greatest.
Speaker 2 (28:11):
And I think they've been in a partnership with them
for a long time ESPN and WWE pronounce pal.
Speaker 3 (28:16):
I think it's the.
Speaker 2 (28:19):
At least the fifth year, maybe sixth that they've been
in a partnership with them for the sps. But because
they're like wrestling moment, but then they exclude every company
that's not WWE, and it's like, yes, there's better moments
on like four different platforms.
Speaker 1 (28:38):
Guest appearances on First Take all the time promoting the
Somnium or a rumble, and Mac of course, the Pat
McAfee of it all.
Speaker 2 (28:45):
Yes, yeah, And that's that's an interesting thing too, because
McAfee is ESPN, not ESPN. He's he's still allowed to
do his own thing. And I think it's really interesting
seeing these media companies pick up rights.
Speaker 3 (28:58):
Who was it? I think it's Fox.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
I'm pretty sure Fox picked up Barstool.
Speaker 1 (29:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (29:04):
Well, but but not all of it, right, Like it's
like part of it support Noy and his college football
thing got picked up. So it's rather than trying to
develop some new show and hoping he catches on, just
paying some shows or platforms that already have a huge following,
very much the same way that the WW is, like, yeah,
we will do stuff with the logan Paul because he's
(29:25):
already got a giant following and a huge platform. So
and he's he's really really good in the ring. So uh,
It's it's an easy transition to go like he's excellent
that this is If he did it full time, he'd
be probably one of the best ever to do it.
Speaker 3 (29:40):
H It hurts me to say that a little bit,
but I can't even hate ye.
Speaker 2 (29:47):
So, like, as long as I can separate what I
know and then some of the other stuff from like
what he does in the ring art from artists, I
I don't mind watching it at all. It's it's really
hard doing it for me, though it gets harder as
time go is on when people blurn the lines between
the two, or blend the lines between the two so
there's no more line.
Speaker 3 (30:07):
That part I really struggle with. And I think.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
You know now that we're going to have even more
access and a larger audience, maybe I think the idea
is to help ESPN, not for ESPN to help the WWB,
because ESPN struggling.
Speaker 3 (30:23):
I know.
Speaker 2 (30:24):
Yes, Disney reportedly had been shopping around for a while
for buyers or investors for ESPN because it's just not
what it used to be. Tyler Whin's the last time
you watched Sports.
Speaker 1 (30:36):
Center exactly around the horn wrapped up recently. We spoke
about that on the area.
Speaker 2 (30:41):
Can't believe they wouldn't let him get to the milestone.
I think that it was like five thousand. I think
they were at like four thy nine hundred something.
Speaker 1 (30:47):
So like just I don't think I realize that ESPN,
it just really's awesome. Yes, definitely shout out to stop boyd.
ESPN societally is in a very different position. And then
it was years ago, like you said, when you and
I would tune in for you, remember when you had
to watch Sports Center.
Speaker 3 (31:05):
Highlights it was sit down appointment viewing.
Speaker 1 (31:08):
Yes, But then YouTube is introduced YouTube shorts, Instagram, TikTok.
As consumers, the landscape is completely different and we have
so many options, quicker options. But we don't have to
wait until six o'clock for sports, and I can pull
up any of those apps and find what I'm looking
for and get it personalized and with as you said,
with Around the Horn wrapping up one of the flagship shows.
(31:31):
PTI is still on, but for sports.
Speaker 2 (31:34):
Let them retire out. I'm sure sure we've been doing
it for forty years. I feel like exactly.
Speaker 1 (31:40):
It sure feels that way. Those used to be musty
as sports fans. I remember coming home from school in
high school and watching that with my dad. We would
go rome Is burning Around the Horn. Yeah, yeah, you
know it that this was This was required viewing if
you were of a certain age. And now it's it's
it's completely different. So how does ESPN sort of maneuver
(32:02):
and become profitable in the way perhaps that they were
years and years ago, And Brad, we see this with
a lot of networks. As you pointed out, it really
is the live event business, particularly live sports. Netflix is
doubling down on that. We have Canelo Alvarez v. Bud
Crawford coming up soon actually next month. That's going to
(32:22):
be massive. You have raw on Netflix, you have the
move is clearly where are the eyeballs? Where is the money?
It's live entertainment and particularly love of sports, and the
ESPN deal with WWE proves that once again.
Speaker 2 (32:36):
The first episode of PTI aired in two thousand and one,
in October of two thousand and one, so they're approaching
their twenty fourth anniversary. Next toe you will be twenty five.
And if they hang it up after that, great, They
changed the landscape. They're the reason we have like this
sports talk right format. Otherwise we wouldn't have that debate
format at all. And that then translated the way that
the news is presented by having debate panels you so.
Speaker 1 (33:00):
And you mentioned the NFL as well. They get for ESPN.
What is going on? Extra game a week? Exactly what
happens to Scott Hansen? What is going to survive the
robot apocalypse that is definitely forthcoming in years football?
Speaker 3 (33:16):
We love football. If you have that to play it though, exactly, if.
Speaker 1 (33:21):
You have access to live football, if you can get
that on your network or on your app, you're probably
gonna be just fine. Netflix, ESPN doubling down on getting
additional NFL properties. It's something to track for show. I'm
really eager to see how ESPN not only finishes this year,
but moves into twenty twenty six and maybe regains some
of that cachet that it had ten years ago when
(33:44):
you and I were watching their programs several times a week.
Speaker 3 (33:48):
Properties and games.
Speaker 2 (33:50):
They're getting the network, but they're also I'm sure with
the network comes like a whole bunch of archival stuff.
NFL films will probably be available on the app. I
love watching those old like, oh, who was the.
Speaker 3 (34:03):
Person it was?
Speaker 2 (34:05):
I'm like the here's the NFL films guy that everybody
knows that hosted it, and then his dad was like
the og NFL films person, and he worked with a
composer that made like all of the famous football songs
right like they're all like John Phillips, who's a marching
band style songs, but that like.
Speaker 3 (34:23):
Dan It d day An.
Speaker 2 (34:26):
I love that stuff. Oh, I hope we can get that.
I love those things. So I'm really hoping that there's
some cool stuff on there that will entice me to
pay twenty nine ninety nine because I don't think I
can do it for plis. I say that knowing full
well that I'm about to drop fifty bucks on Forbidden
Door later this month and on the Sunday, the twenty fourth,
(34:48):
So I'm sad it's on a Sunday now that the
school year has started. Tyler, we need these Saturday plis
and pay per views.
Speaker 3 (34:54):
But uh, I am.
Speaker 2 (34:55):
Excited for it, really interested, and hopefully soon we will
have morepecific information for you if we can make our
schedules line up for something we have planned in the
future on this here podcast, so we'll see what happens.
I'm curious to see if we get more information coming soon,
(35:16):
because I believe the move for NFL was this month
and they wanted to start doing it right away. I
wanted to say it was like August twenty fifth, which
puts that on a Monday, so we'll see.
Speaker 3 (35:28):
That's Monday night football.
Speaker 2 (35:29):
Makes sense that it would be then that they would
do like a review and things like that.
Speaker 3 (35:35):
But Tyler, we've got to move on.
Speaker 2 (35:38):
I have so many more questions and thoughts about this,
but it'll have to wait for now. I got questions
because I don't even know what movie this is, So
we're going to play the music right now it's time
for Gi at the movies ceue it up and.
Speaker 3 (35:54):
Now it's John for Gi after the.
Speaker 1 (35:58):
Move, No fear, I got you. The Pickup is Amazon
Prime's latest big budget film.
Speaker 3 (36:12):
That's right. Oh yeah, I know what.
Speaker 2 (36:14):
I know.
Speaker 3 (36:14):
This movie got it?
Speaker 1 (36:15):
Yeah, I know you do. Maybe our audience is having.
Speaker 3 (36:17):
That we previewed this one. We previewed this Yes, we.
Speaker 1 (36:20):
Did, Yes, we did. Thank you Emily o'lero Jones of
the Female Driven podcast for joining us for our summer
blockbuster preview.
Speaker 3 (36:27):
I can't believe it's out. That's crazy.
Speaker 1 (36:29):
Yes, because here the formula is familiar. There's an interesting
plot I would say prestige actors, and there's been heavy
promotion on social for this film. It stars Eddie Murphy,
Pete Davidson, Eva Longoria who actually plays Eddie Murphy's wife,
which is interesting. I love both of them, particularly the latter.
Kicky Palmer Roman rains. There is a wrestling element to this.
(36:51):
Roman Reigns has a cameo as a prize fighter, a
boxer more specifically, and if you go to the bathroom,
you poss missing his scene. He's only in it for
a few minutes, but you know, you got to start somewhere,
and as he slows down his in ring schedule, obviously
he is not only carved out of stone, but is
(37:13):
one one would think clearly has Hollywood ambitions. I think
he's even said as much, and I think you know,
who knows. Maybe we'll look back on this film as
being a starting point for him, along with his cameo
in a previous Fast and Furious movie. I know, one
of your favorite franchises, but my favorite. We'll say that's
for a separate episode. Now for the pick up, A
little bit about the plot again, it just came out.
(37:35):
It's a heist action comedy film. It's produced and directed
by Tim's Story, so a familiar name there, and it
is about this this heist gone wrong, if you will.
There's a huge amount of comedy in it. There are
action scenes as well, so it really does have its
feet in both of those waters, if you will. I
will confess I did enjoy it more than Happy Gilmore too,
(37:59):
But that doesn't mean a film. But that doesn't mean
the film was good at all. It's and I love
Keky Palmer, huge Eva Longoria Fanarly Keki really did her thing.
She is in a lot of scenes, and without giving
any spoilers, her character is very dynamic. We see her
from the very beginning and it's one of those It's
one of those openers where within the first five minutes
(38:20):
you think, Okay, there's something to this character. I wonder
what's gonna happen here, and her character is very dynamic
in that regard. I don't really get the aura of
Pete Davidson. This is clearly a big look for him.
Eddie Murphy being back on screen makes me happy, and
I'll conclude with this. The film is not offensive, but
it's the standard fair streaming action film. There are some laughs,
(38:43):
there are surprises, there are character turns and villains with
questionable neck tattoos. So if you are into any where
all of that, you should check out the pickup. I
enjoyed it. I'm glad I did not have to go
to the theater to pay to see this film. Sure,
but it's enjoyable. You can turn it on and do
(39:03):
some stuff, move around and have it in the background
and upgrade from Happy Give More two. But it has
under thirty percent on Rotten Tomatoes right now, so you
decide as you will. Let us know what you think
at gipod nineteen in the comments here on YouTube. When
you see the pickup, let us know your review. We're curious.
Speaker 2 (39:21):
It's unfortunate, you know. I told I used to tell
my AP site kids, this is one of the easier
AP classes. Hear what I'm saying, it's.
Speaker 3 (39:32):
One of the easier really difficult things, not easy.
Speaker 2 (39:37):
And you go in like this is reminded me of
it when you're like, this is better than that bad movie.
But it doesn't mean it's good. It is the better.
Speaker 3 (39:47):
Bad thing is the opposite of what I was.
Speaker 2 (39:50):
Yeah, yes, so that's really unfortunate. But I was like,
what's your favorite Sharknado movie?
Speaker 3 (39:57):
You know, like and it.
Speaker 1 (39:59):
Leans it leads into the absurdity of it all, much
like Happie more Tuo does. So you and I speak
about this all the time. With films, Brad, expectation setting
is important. I did not go into this film thinking
it was going to be on awards lists later this year.
Speaker 3 (40:15):
Of course not.
Speaker 1 (40:16):
It's enjoyable, happy for Roman reigns, and that cast is
actually pretty pretty stellar. So let us know what you
think g iPod nineteen. I didn't love it. It was entertaining.
My dad actually really enjoyed it, so shout out, shout
out to Pops. I don't think my mom has seen
it yet, but the cast is like I said, it's sensational.
And if you're into questionable villain tattoos and a few
(40:38):
laughs and lots of items being blown up, this may
be the film for you. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (40:43):
I don't know why anybody would get a neck tattoo.
Speaker 4 (40:47):
Champion champion material. That's actually I should have It's crazy.
I should have zagged on that back in the day
when he I forget. I think maybe he was like
double or nothing against Anthony at Gogo. I want to say,
fighting for the Pride of the US is when I
think it was in Daly's place. Cody debuted that neck
tattoo and it was so jarring, but it's worked wonders
(41:09):
for him. He's selling merch with that. It's like a
walking advertisement for him. So if I should haveagged back
in the day, if only I knew.
Speaker 2 (41:16):
Very very along the lines of the Brahma Bowl right
like yes, where the Rock's original goofy cartoon looking tattoo
before he got it covered up, where it's like raising.
Speaker 3 (41:26):
The eyebrow and stuff.
Speaker 2 (41:27):
Yeah, that one, but he had it wasn't quite like that,
but it was very similar to that one, and now
he has more like the under armor one is on
his arm, I think, But yeah, you have that thing
that identifies you. And I don't think Stone Cold has
a tattoo, but I can't think of anybody more synonymous
with a symbol the skull. Then that's skull, yeah, the
(41:49):
flaming skull. But Undertaker's logo is there too, and I
don't think Undertaker has that tattooed on him. He's got tattooed,
so I don't know, very interesting, But yeah, Cody's because
I think it's like that's the one that's just you're
not missing it. Even he was like I thought it
would be a lot smaller, and yeah, it's like just
this whole neck.
Speaker 1 (42:07):
Yeah, I thought, oh, he's definitely gonna get this covered up. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (42:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (42:11):
Crazy works out really well and he's having to be
the biggest star in this entire industry. God for him.
Speaker 2 (42:15):
The only person that could hide a tattoo you like
that would be Christian Cage. So Tyler, we got to
get into a aw talk.
Speaker 3 (42:22):
Speaking of so hit me with your question, great transition.
Speaker 1 (42:25):
So earlier this year we discussed the roster members AW
was heavily promoting as a transition to HBO Max. We
discussed John Moxley and Mercedes Money, sort of Strickland and
will Ospray, and we continue to do so on the
show every single Monday. The other name we focused on
was MJF. He defeated Mark Briscoe on last week's Dynamite
uh oh. He also holds the Casino Gauntlet contract, ensuring
(42:49):
him the ability to challenge the adew World Heavyweight Champion
at a time of his choosing. I believe it's still
unclear if it's money in the bank rules or if
it's going to be an announced scheduled max ahead of time. Regardless,
the current champ, of course, is hanging in at him
page now. I'm JF was also recently booted out of
the Hurt syndicate. Brad, what do you make of where
(43:12):
MJF is at creatively and should he be the guy
to dethrone Hangman?
Speaker 3 (43:20):
It's really messy creatively, It's really really messy. They I mean,
I mean, I.
Speaker 2 (43:25):
Was thinking about it because of the backstage stuff where
he gets the third thumbs down. And then there's all
the stuff about the Hurt Syndicate potentially having heat in
the locker room and more so with MVP. But the
way that things are being presented about what's going on
back there, I don't know, kind of seems like MVP
knows what he's talking about, like they should be dominating
(43:47):
people because that gives the people like that actually finally
over overcome them, like that's it's going to mean something.
Speaker 3 (43:56):
But anyway, what would he know.
Speaker 2 (43:57):
He's only been doing this for like twenty years. All
of that is super interesting, and I don't think there's
any heat with Max and and anything like that. But
I liked the I do like his physical presentation. I
like what he's wearing. His gear has been really cool.
The stuff he's been wearing in the backs is great,
and he seems to be more like Day one MJF.
Speaker 3 (44:20):
He's just really.
Speaker 2 (44:21):
Good at being a bad guy and tearing people down.
Like the stuff he said about Brisco was vile and
it's still also wasn't like, oh, he's going to be
in the news for that one, you know, it was
like towing that line. And I thought he's been doing
a great job with the promo work. He's excellent in ring.
If he is the person to d throne hang Man,
(44:42):
it's not yet, you know, It's just like I don't.
Speaker 3 (44:47):
I don't feel that right way.
Speaker 2 (44:48):
You could, you could pull the trigger on that at
any point, but I think it's gonna I feel like
that that contract that he has at some point is
going to be taken by MVP or Lashley or Benjamin
or all three, because what's more business than a contract?
(45:10):
So I could see the Hurt Syndicate taking that off
his hands and him finishing the feud with them because
he just got kicked out and that's just done. Like,
I feel like that has to go somewhere, So I
feel like that's probably next. Is he a good person
to have be someone that Hangman feuds with? Yeah, I
also think he needs to lose. I think hang Man
(45:32):
needs to hang on to it for a while.
Speaker 3 (45:35):
So I don't know.
Speaker 2 (45:35):
I don't know who the first person is. I don't
know if it'll be then, but I feel like that
Max and Hurt Syndicate can't be over or it'll be
incredibly disappointing. But I'm not I'm not sure who the
other option is right now.
Speaker 3 (45:49):
For Hangman, right, it's.
Speaker 1 (45:51):
Been it's been a strange summer for MJF. When you
and I first saw him with the Hurt Syndicate, we
had so many questions and we still do. And I
lean toward what you said about this can't be it.
It seemed like it ended so abruptly, and I thought, Okay,
there has to be a plan if they're going to
(46:12):
put MJF with these three guys. Yes, it's giving us
owen Hart nostalgia and there's stuffing to be said for that.
That MGF wearing the MVP like gear is funny. Yeah,
And you and I were in the building for Double
or Nothing when all these guys were together, and MJF
is just, you know, just being the great character he is,
and it's just it's fun to watch when he really
puts it on eleven. But I have questions. It seems
(46:37):
like it's to let a play out pal situation. I
suppose the Mark Briscoe rivalry. I thought it had been
built well to me an event dynamite again Mark Briscoe.
Is it seeming to getting the most reps out of
anyone on the roster weekend and week out for AW
which I'm happy for him. I would argue there's other
other members of the roster that should be getting some
(46:58):
additional screen time, particularly on dynad might every week, and
that's that's really valuable real estate that Mark Briscow has
had for a long time. Now MJF with Hurt syndicate,
MJF versus Mark Briscoe and now this third element of
his character pursuing chasing Hangman page which aw has planted
the seeds for going back all the way to revolution.
(47:19):
Speaking of us being in the building, you remember when
we saw a dynamite in February, but MGF and Hangman
opened the show and had that promo doing Hangman ends
up beating him, So one would think MJF get gets
the win back. But is this going to be the
forbidden doormatch? I'm I'm getting all out Toronto vibes in September,
(47:40):
But like you, the Hangman redemption story, I think it
deserves a lengthy title run. I don't know that MJF
is going to beat him at the latest again at
that September show, Who's next for Hangman? Bobby Lashley is
always a viable contender if wardlow ever comes back I
saw Ifi pel select report confirming that he's healthy, and
(48:03):
he apparently wrapped up filming for Amazon's American Gladiators reboot.
Whenever war Though comes back, he is certainly a challenger
if they especially if they present him as a heel
that could slot right in. There's probably tons of people
I'm forgetting Brad again. Let us know igfod nineteen comments
here on YouTube. But MJF, I'm glad that he has
(48:23):
had creative because to me, he's as important as any
member of the AW roster. I just have questions about
what we're doing with the Hurt Syndicate. I suspect this
feud with Mark Briscow is in over, and then what
does all of this mean as he pursues Hangman at
him Paige, And if you and I are correct and
he loses the Hangman page, what happens then I suspect
(48:44):
it's going to be him going back to this Hurt
Syndicate storyline in some way. But I have questions. I'm
just glad he has not been forgotten about, because we
speak about all the people we love on this roster,
the men's division, the women's division. MJF to me, going
back to our conversation in January about the HBO Max advertisement.
MF to me is as important a character as as anyone.
(49:06):
He's homegrown, he's Day one, and he checks all the boxes.
Speaker 2 (49:12):
I think this Hangman storyline two has been you know,
let's not forget, because it does feel like he's just
sort of I don't know, for some reason. It feels
like it's disconnected. But if you've been paying attention, they've
been teasing this matchup for months and like going before
him winning the contract, even talking about how I don't
care who's there Hangman and him talking to Hangman, and like,
(49:35):
they've been really really feeding this story. And I think
people will go critical on AW for not having storylines
when they've had incredible storylines with amazing in ring action
this entire year, and and it's been it's been amazing.
Speaker 1 (49:49):
And there's there's something to be said for having two
of your Day one guys. Yeah, the roster is incredible.
Max has had the throne for a long time. I
think that's too me as a fan, as a Day
one there's something really cool about MJF versus hang Man.
They were there from the very beginning and here they
are here they are now, and of course Swerve is
feuding with Locata, but yeah, an insert Swerve to face
(50:12):
either of these two guys at their champ It's interesting.
Speaker 2 (50:15):
That death writer mox hit this week. Is why I
started smiling. That was on Dynamite. That was great, but.
Speaker 3 (50:22):
Oh that's gonna be good.
Speaker 2 (50:23):
Poor Port Wheeler coming out of a body with a
signed staple to his face.
Speaker 3 (50:27):
That was.
Speaker 1 (50:28):
That was.
Speaker 3 (50:28):
That was.
Speaker 1 (50:29):
It was a tough week for Willow Us.
Speaker 3 (50:31):
Yeah, it sure was, Tyler. My question is related.
Speaker 2 (50:36):
So the ae W numbers for Dynamite this week were
up by about one hundred thousand. It was a point
one eight. I want to say in the demo without
jerichos and not demo god. Do you attribute attribute the
number rise to the returning Mercedes Manette, to MJF and
(50:59):
his exposed You're in Happy Gilmore or.
Speaker 3 (51:02):
To some other factor?
Speaker 1 (51:06):
Mm hmmm.
Speaker 2 (51:07):
Because because this is a weird time of the year,
when people have the time on their hands, they tend
not to watch yeah.
Speaker 3 (51:13):
Which is weird.
Speaker 1 (51:14):
Yeah, and this card to me didn't scream oh this
is mussy as compared to any other weeks.
Speaker 3 (51:20):
Call that tag match though, holy bleep, you.
Speaker 1 (51:22):
Beat me to it. It turned out to be a
really fun show. People weren't tuned in to watch that
tag match. I hope, I hope they saw that brilliance.
Speaker 3 (51:31):
And if you, as an all the timer man.
Speaker 1 (51:33):
Go back and check out Dynamite. I couldn't agree with
you more, Brad. It gave me vibes of this was
early Collision days when you had Bang Gang versus. But
it was a completely different match structurally, three totally Brodido
brody king Bandido versus the Young Bucks. It was fantastic.
It was It was pay per view worthy.
Speaker 3 (51:54):
Yeah, it really was.
Speaker 1 (51:55):
It was.
Speaker 3 (51:55):
It was one of the best.
Speaker 1 (51:58):
I've seen all year.
Speaker 3 (52:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (52:00):
Was it Mercedes coming Back? Certainly could be? Was it
the MJF rub from Happy Gilmore? I would say that's
probably more likely because obviously Happy Gimore two was uber
successful for Netflix and The Carbs ended up being fantastic. Brad.
I suspect too, if people tuned in for either of
those two reasons, they probably stayed when they saw some
really great entering action and particularly having that tag team match.
(52:23):
I want to say that was at the middle point
of the show. It was just it reminded me why
I love wrestling. It was fantastic. I would say the
MJF rub from Happy Gimore two probably more likely than Mercedes,
but we can't forget the Mercedes money fan base is substantial.
She brings people with her and this obviously was her
(52:45):
first time back on television since losing to Tony Storm
at all in.
Speaker 2 (52:52):
I wonder if there's the I can't remember when it releases.
I wanted to say it was this year, but I
think it's next year.
Speaker 3 (52:59):
The there's a.
Speaker 2 (53:00):
Movie called The Grogu and the Mandalorian, or maybe the
other way around, and it's The Mandalorian, but they're not
I don't think they're doing another season. I think they're
putting the the period at the end of that sentence.
I like he's in that phrase apparently as a film
that will go to theaters. I wonder if they have
or will bring her back for her character in The Mandalorian,
(53:24):
because I know her it's kind of the same thing.
Her range extends beyond just you know, the wrestling ring,
because she's been in other projects and people might know
her from her versus Bianca.
Speaker 3 (53:38):
Back to the SPI's.
Speaker 2 (53:39):
Talk we had earlier, there's a lot of places you
can know her from but I think I think you're right.
I think it's MJF. I think it's all the interviews
that I think it was with Van Vliet with with
the Happy Gilmore media tour asking about working with MJF
and Adam Sandler saying he's like a son to me,
(54:01):
and he is the son in the show, but like,
who knows if he's joking around, but I think they
are really close. I think that's probably what got the
eyes on the product this week. But that's the point
of allowing your talent to go do other things.
Speaker 3 (54:15):
Who knows.
Speaker 2 (54:16):
Maybe because Twisted Metal came out on Peacock, maybe people
were like, oh, that's some mo Ojoe behind that mask. Cool,
I'm gonna go check that out. Who knows. Who knows,
but I'm just pumped about it. I think it's really cool.
And that's the demo from the cable viewership. I don't
think they released numbers from streaming, So that's on top of,
(54:36):
or in addition to whatever whatever happened with streaming, and
maybe people just want to put up with it. They
need to update the streaming. My friend, I don't always
get to check Collision Live and they don't have the
replay up.
Speaker 1 (54:50):
I ran into that yesterday as well. I was caught
up until the Ricochet Juice Robinson match. So happy for
Ricochet and engates in agony speaking people doing the best
work of their career, Ricky Man loving fire on Fire.
I stopped watching. There was also the Valkyrie Sparks game,
and there was something else that that caught my attention,
and I went back to Max to check out the
(55:10):
end of Collision, and like you, I thought I was
tripping Brad. It wasn't available for me.
Speaker 3 (55:15):
It wasn't there the spill either.
Speaker 1 (55:16):
I was in my big feelings.
Speaker 3 (55:17):
I was like, it's it's it's been like half a day.
Where is it? Put it up there? This is crazy.
Speaker 2 (55:24):
Usually you can go on like Peacock, the event will
end in like an hour later.
Speaker 3 (55:27):
You can do the replay.
Speaker 1 (55:28):
We don't. We don't ask for much.
Speaker 3 (55:30):
Come on, Max, you can't put the HBO back there.
You haven't heard Max o Max yep? Okay, Tyler, what
did we miss?
Speaker 1 (55:38):
Yeah? You know how we close every episode? Quick list
for you, Brad. First hip to the games H two DG.
You had to be their series.
Speaker 3 (55:46):
Good guest star this week.
Speaker 1 (55:47):
That's what I That's what I'm hearing. Much love to
host Desmond Pale, our fellow nineteen Media Group teammate. I
had the honor of joining him on his show to
relive the career of Phoenix Mercury legend Michelle Tim's again.
Check out Desmond, check out him to the games. I
was honored to join him and we had a really
really fun talk. Is he's still great at this brat?
I told him this off air's he is just the
(56:10):
best of us. Period fun episode. Okay. W w Rawl
returns to Glendale on December first at Desert Diamond Arena.
Speaker 3 (56:18):
Brad.
Speaker 1 (56:19):
I don't know how people have money to attend all
of these shows.
Speaker 3 (56:22):
So many events, but you.
Speaker 1 (56:24):
Know the service we provide to our viewers, especially our
audience members who like us are here in Arizona again.
That's on December first. Tickets go on sale this Friday.
Two final wrestling notes and I want to kick it
to you. Sending all of our best and our best
wishes and prayers and healing vibes to Jonathan Gresham. He
posted on social media this week that he suffered two
(56:45):
strokes and is recovering and is taking a break for
I think the next couple of months to focus on
his health.
Speaker 2 (56:51):
He's obviously the Jordan Grace thing where he's already asking
if you can go back and wrestle.
Speaker 1 (56:56):
Right of course. Partner of Jordan Grace of NXT fame,
Jonathan I'm actually quite sad that his dark octopus character
in TNA didn't have as many legs, yeah, conintended legs
as I thought it would, because I.
Speaker 3 (57:10):
Was really only like five or six.
Speaker 1 (57:12):
Yeah, it was like out of a Jordan Pield movie
was really intriguing. But the work he's done on Ash,
the work he's done in GCW, obviously he was ROH
World champ for a minute, one of my favorite wrestlers
anywhere on the globe, and we are thinking of him.
And then finally Nicki Bella, that's it, that's the tweet.
What do we miss Brett? Thank you?
Speaker 3 (57:32):
Thank you. I was just we talked about making sure
that we included Nicki Bella. That was enough.
Speaker 2 (57:37):
Said This week, Alyssa Thomas at a WNBA record for
the most triple doubles in history.
Speaker 1 (57:44):
Let's go with Mercury.
Speaker 3 (57:45):
I didn't believe in nineteen.
Speaker 2 (57:47):
With nineteen on top of having I believe several other
records recently too, and as a team, which is which
is really dope? And the NFL kicked off action. One
of the things I wanted to ask about was was
why are there so many injuries and concussions? And like,
(58:07):
I don't know if you saw I can't eve remember
the player's name to hope he's okay. I haven't seen
any updates that plays on the Lions where they ran
out the last six minutes because his head snapped back
and he immediately went into a seizure and fencing position,
really really bad scene, and they disagreed, like nobody's going
to be able to play after this, let's just run
(58:28):
the clock. I can't figure out why there's so many
there with the protection, but like you never hear about
this happening in rugby, where they're essentially doing a lot
of the same things. I know, it's a totally different sport.
I just feel like having the helmet makes you feel
more protected, which probably leaves you more open for injury.
And when you're three hundred pounds running at twenty nine
(58:50):
miles an hour because you got a V eight inside
of your chest, like it's a scary thing. When people
collide like that. I was really excited about the NFL
starting again, and then I was watching preseason football and
just going, oh my gosh, this is going so slow.
There's so many penalties and reviews and injuries and all
this stuff, and I was like, I don't know if
I can do it. But the NFL did start up,
(59:13):
and people are going to be going to be fed
through January now, and I'm sure people are already making
their predictions about who won the Super Bowl, about how
Aaron Rodgers will do in Pittsburgh of all places. It's
gonna be an interesting season see how it plays out.
But it staggered me already how many people are injured
(59:34):
right out the gate.
Speaker 3 (59:36):
And I just want to.
Speaker 2 (59:36):
See people be healthy and watch a show where I
don't have to worry if somebody's gonna die. Even though
we watch wrestling and we know that's always a risk.
I'd like to remove that risk out of my viewing
experience as much as humanly possible. And I just want
people to have long term health.
Speaker 1 (59:53):
Amen. Well, we thank you all for joining us. Brad.
We're heading into week two of the school year. Let's
get it. If your school year is starting, if you
know someone who is in school, or teaching or all that.
We just hope all of you are doing well out there. Again,
please be sure to follow us for exclusive show updates
and much more across the social spaces at gipod nineteen.
(01:00:17):
We thank you so much for tuning in and we
will see you next week. Gimmick Infringement It's part of
nineteen Media Group. You can listen to us on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio,
or wherever you find podcasts. You can also find us
on YouTube via the nineteen Media Group channel. Please like, subscribe, comment,
and share Yah
And now Cambage and Fringe Man.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Welcome everybody to the Gimmick Infringement Podcast. I am Brad
Winchester and with me as always as my tag team
partner Tyler McDowell, Blank and Tyler.
Speaker 3 (00:15):
It is Sunday.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
I'm still a little tired, little first week of school
hangover going on for me. I'm sleepy, but I am
also warm. It's still so hot in Arizona. I'm going
to talk about some other warm house related issues in
the second, but first, how are you doing?
Speaker 1 (00:38):
Yeah? As am I Brad. It's great to see you.
I am grateful today. Man. Like you said, we made
it through the first week of school. There was joy,
there was exhaustion, there were memories, memories were had already. Yeah,
like you said, we're also in an extreme heat warning
I think for the better part of this new week.
But you know, we're outside, we're inside, We're we're making it.
(01:01):
How you doing.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
I'm great. I'm waiting for the storms to hit us.
We need rain in Morana.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
I don't know if you're listening right now, if you
can make that happen, if you've got some like cloud
seating stuff you could handle for us, that'd be really.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
Great because it's just going right around.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Us, and I'd like some water here at some point.
But I've got water in the house, Tyler, and I
need to empty. I need to drain the hot water heater.
This is something that I have learned, is like if
we get the home maintenance home warranty stuff, and it's
just something I've just never thought of, because I think
before we had it part of a service package and
(01:37):
they just come out and kind of do stuff. Didn't
even have it on my radar that I should be
draining my hot water heater. I don't know that it's
ever been drained. This thing is probably going to be
like at least a foot deep of sediment on the
bottom of the tank. It's supposed to be drained every
six months to a year, depending on how much you
know stuff you have in your water. If you have
(01:57):
hard water, well water does different things. And we had
a bit of a sulfury smell coming out of the faucet,
and that's usually an indication of a bad anode. All
of these things I'm learning now. If you're a plumber,
help So I got my water heater, we got the
hot water line, the cold water line, ours is electric,
(02:21):
not gas. We have the electric going in and we
have the spot where the anode rod goes. So tell
me what the giant copper pipe is coming out of
the top and going to my exterior wall that has
nothing on the other side of it. It's either going
into my wall and then going out somewhere. But like,
what is happening? Why do I have two lines, which
(02:45):
one's out, which one's in. I have no idea what's
going on. Nothing's in the manual about this. It seems
like they just carved a new hole for it. I
have absolutely no idea what's going on. I went to
the in laws yesterday and I was asking him and
he's like, well, no, it's for no Ah.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
That can't be it. Well maybe it's hmm. I don't
think it's that either.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
It was a lot of that of just being totally mystified.
I have absolutely no idea. Again, I can identify the
hot water, the cold water, the electric, everything except for
this random copper pipe and I don't know what it's
for from the top to the wall. And he has
it there too, same thing. So I'm wondering if it's
like an Arizona building code thing I just don't know
what it's for, totally mystified. I just want to not
(03:31):
have to pay a service tech to come out when
it's literally like, unscrew a thing, take it out, replace
the thing, turn the water off, turn the power off,
and drain the thing and flush it.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
If you need to. I need to, so we'll I
don't know.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
It's starting to sound like I'm going to spend a
couple hundred dollars here, Tyler, but I don't want a
new water tank because that's more than that.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
So exactly, and the fact that it's not in the
manual going back to what you said earlier, is very disappointing.
Speaker 2 (03:59):
Well, the other thing, too, is Okay, if you own
a company and you got manuals and you've got multiple products,
can we stop making generic manuals for all of your products.
I hate that so much. If I have Model two B,
I just want it for model to be. I don't
want to have to turn the page for two B
and guess if I have two C, which has like
(04:19):
an optional like tattoo on the side of it or
something like. I just want to know what my thing
is and just figuring out from there. It's like there
are three pages of different models, and one of them
looks very similar to mine, but isn't. And it took
me a minute. I had to like go on YouTube
and I watched a bunch of YouTube videos because people
were gonna go like, well, why don't you just watch YouTube?
(04:40):
None of them have that copper pipe, all of them
have what the setup is in that manual.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
So I'm still sitting here going, what's that. I don't
know what that is. I'm afraid to do anything to.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
It because I don't know what's gonna happen if I
take that off, Like, shouldn't be this complicated?
Speaker 1 (04:56):
Man? Yeah? Here hit it? I guess I still for you?
Speaker 2 (05:03):
Well, yeah, you feel for the for the water bill
really a little worried about it because because the more
sediment in your tank, the less hot water it can hold,
obviously it's gonna fill up faster, and then there's just
less water in there, so then we burn through it faster.
The heater's on more, all of those things right now,
the heat is probably not even on. It's it's if
you don't live in Arizona, you don't know, Tyler, what's
(05:27):
coming out of your cold water tap?
Speaker 1 (05:29):
Yeah, that's Uh, you said it. You said it perfectly.
It's it is different out here.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
Yeah, it's just different.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
It's just it's it's like you have your hot water
line and your other hot water line.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
Yes, and and and sometimes sometimes.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
The cold water line is hotter than the hot water line,
depending on the time of day or if you haven't
turned it on in a while.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Uh, and then it comes in.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
We have to we have to teach our kids not
to drink water out of the garden hose out here,
because you could burn your face off just for its
sitting the sun and baking unless you run it for
a while. So the idea that you could set up
a sprinkler to cool off outside but accidentally give yourself
second degree burns is crazy. Arizona's just different. But February
(06:14):
is gonna be awesome. And it's still a great place.
And I still love having my kid out here, living
in the Arizona desert, in the Arizona heat and joined
the winter and dance classes. I think it's time Tyler
to play the music.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
It's it's time for some day when you have.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
Kids, and now it's time for Sundal Someday when you
have kids. That's all okay, cut.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
Tyler.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
I love that Fraya loves dance. I will not lie
to you that there is a significant amount of guilt
that I have an unpredictable thing, but a significant amount
of g for not being more involved with dance.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
And it's not because I don't want to.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
It's because the ballet class that Frey attends on Mondays
is that it starts at like four p thirty, four fifteen.
I as you know in Marana, getting from the high
school when you have a six period class and the
bell rings at three forty getting out of the parking
lot with all your stuff, four oh five is about
(07:28):
the time, by the time the buses get out of there,
when you can actually leave and not have to fight
traffic on your way out. So four oh five to
pick her up, get her change, get her in the car,
get down to show biz. That's not that Time's not
going to work out now. Thursday was hip hop. She
(07:51):
was super excited, I think, very nervous because she was
watching all these kids doing all these these moves and
hip hop, and so much of it is core stre
and leg strength and upper body strength. It's a whole
body workout. And she really wants to do all of
those things, and I can tell when she does it
that she's getting stronger and she really likes just trying stuff.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
She's like, check it out. I learned this.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
And then she hit a move on the floor and
I was like, Okay, this is gonna go. Well she's
she's already really liking this. But Tyler, the repetition for
an eight year old learning a new physical thing, you
are going to see it one million times and you
are going to have to tell them you gotta stop
(08:37):
before you break your face. Someday, when you have kids,
you're going to experience firsthand this, look what I can do,
Look what I can do, and they will do it
so often that they don't know yet what their physical
limits are. And watching her hit the star pos and
do all these things and like, I'm gonna try this
headstand or handstand. Trying to do it, actually the arms
(09:01):
gave out, the core gave out, and it's just a
lot of smacking into stuff, landing on the dog, like
just absolutely wild. Everybody's getting taken out. In the living room,
she's got these stretchy bands and they've been like used
like nunchucks. Repeatedly. It's just it's it's cartage. It is
is madness. It is wonderful. It is so fun to
(09:25):
watch her be interested in something and be excited to
do that with other people.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
And to learn how to perform. How can you hate
something like that.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
I'm stoked for you to experience that firsthand someday when
you have kids.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Our favorite third grader, man, she's just the best herd.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
It's crazy. I still think about that. I still think
about that picture with.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
The fiend mask, and that was and that was that
that was at MHS during the hybrid days. And now
she's in third grade, and I can't I can't believe
that it was that long ago, and that she's eight
and and all of those things. It feels very strange.
She's loving her class so far. She comes home excited
(10:07):
with homework. When she stays at LEAP, she does her homework,
she does her stuff, and then she comes comes home like, yeah,
I had homework, did it, no problem, Like it was.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
It's been awesome so far.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
Because she knows that yeah, because she knows she stays
at LEAP, She's like, I'm there anyway, I got homework,
I may as well get it done while I have
this time, and she just does it. She buckles down
and does it so she can play. She gets home
and she has her whole night to herself. It's really
really cool. So we've had a ton of fun this
year just watching her come home and be like, I
did all my work, I have nothing left, and it's
(10:44):
pretty dope. It also important when you also have dance
on two days out of the week. Shout out to
all the dance parents. I don't want to say dance moms.
I know there's some dance dads to show up at
those things too. I've been told I'm not one of them,
but I've I've been told that dance dads do exist,
and that it's a grind for those people that are
(11:05):
in multiple classes or are you know. Shout out to
Amy and Harper. We're there for twelve hours out of
the week doing dance. It's a big commitment, and you
also have to have fun, and you also have to
have school, and you also have to have life all
around those things. So I'm glad she's a part of something.
(11:28):
I think it's important to learn to work with a
group and work with others, especially if you're an only
child to just be involved where there's other kids around
and not just just.
Speaker 3 (11:38):
The parents all the time.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
I'm not saying we're not not fun.
Speaker 3 (11:42):
I guess.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
I wouldn't want to be around me all the time either.
I guess I'll put it that way. But Tyler dance
is expensive, and we know something else that's going.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
To get expensive. So it's time to get into it.
Hit me with your WWE question.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
Yeah, we got to talk about it. So WW announced
a partnership with ESPN for its premium live events starting
in twenty twenty six. And I'm quoting Yahoo Entertainment here.
Of course, these are previously known as pay per views,
but now WW includes them in its streaming deals. Okay, Brad.
The deal is worth an average of three hundred and
twenty five million dollars annually for five years, totaling one
(12:25):
point six billion dollars over the life of the agreement.
Of course, we know, Brad. Previously these events would air
on Peacock. This is a significant shift for WW ESPN,
as ESPN has traditionally focused its major event coverage for quote,
according to the Yahoo article quote unquote, real sports like
(12:48):
the NFL, whereas WWE. This this sport. This entertainment that
we love, it is scripted entertainment. So, Brad, final point
here you alluded to it. What does this mean for
us in our audience? If you're a Peacock subscriber like
Brad and I, you're used to watching WWWE on that app. However,
(13:10):
you we in twenty twenty six, heading into WrestleMania in particular,
will need to shift to ESPN's twenty nine ninety nine
per month service, which is more than we are paying
on Peacock currently. Brad, I'm gonna pause here. What do
you make of this deal?
Speaker 2 (13:32):
What's funny is that we talked in the production meeting.
I wrote, we have to talk about the deal, Tyler,
what do you make of this thing? So I'm glad
we talked about how we were definitely going to discuss
this for WWB today, Tyler. I think it's a good
move for the business of WWB and TKO Sports. Tto
(13:54):
obviously already in agreement with ESPN for UFC, so it
was a pretty natural shift to include all their brands.
And now that company conglomerate whatever we call them, now
they have this huge deal, but we can't offset this.
I wonder when it took place or was finalized before
(14:16):
or after the NFL network acquisition, with Red Zone going
to ESPN, with the NFL having a ten percent ownership
stake in ESPN as part of the deal. So now
we have the NFL partial owners of ESPN TCO partners
with ESPN. Which what are we going to see this
(14:40):
NFL season? Now that by like a transitive property, I
guess we directly indirectly connect WWE to the NFL. And
are we going to see more crossover on NFL platforms
and games on ESPN's specifically or not specifically. I'm not
(15:03):
sure how that will work.
Speaker 1 (15:05):
Will we see?
Speaker 2 (15:06):
You know, my guess is that there's going to be
advertising for the NFL playoffs a lot on the WWE products,
even though they won't be on necessarily those platforms, or
NFL will get into a sponsorship agreement for WWB or
vice versa. I could totally see that happening because they're
now sort of part of the same parent company in
(15:29):
terms of those pl east and the NFL having ownership.
So I'm really curious to see where this goes. The
second part is the twenty nine ninety nine I wonder
what will happen there because people are paying premiums for sports.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
We know this for you because your your.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
Services, your Internet services. Cox, correct, correct, Cox, get your
crap together. Give my man some bandwidth. That's number one.
Speaker 3 (15:59):
Number two, because you have cocks. You don't have what
I have. I have. I don't have peacock. I got
free cock.
Speaker 2 (16:07):
Okay, so I'm not paying for the WWE. Yes, I
said free cock. I'm not paying for WWE at all
for the PLS because I have the AD free for
like a year or.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
Whatever it is, or not the ad free.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
It's like their tiers are like with ads, no pls,
and then pls, but with ads and then everything ad free.
I have the middle one, so I have to watch
the commercials instead of just watching the same promo videos
over and over and over again. So I don't whatever.
I'm not losing anything there. I just hated if I
want to watch all the episodes of anything on there,
(16:44):
I got to watch all the ads.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
But I digress.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
To go from pay nothing to adding twenty nine ninety nine,
And of course many of you are probably thinking, well,
I can bundle it, right, like I can.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
I have Disney.
Speaker 2 (16:56):
Plus and Hulu, and I have the ESPN package, and
it's like our with ads, it's cheaper without ads. ESPN Plus,
Hulu and Disney Plus is twenty six ninety nine right now.
I know that because I added ESPN thinking i'd get
ahead of it because I want NFL network stuff I want.
Speaker 3 (17:18):
I would like to get red Zone.
Speaker 2 (17:21):
I got rid of my cable so I don't have anything,
no ability to watch an NFL game right now, which
will be different from last year. But when my cable
box died during the holidays, I was like, I'm not
even missing it. We were talking about that yesterday. Actually, well, anyway,
twenty six ninety nine is not what you're going to
be paying. The twenty nine ninety nine will be added
into that bundle. That twenty six ninety nine will become
(17:43):
forty six ninety nine a month, So you'll be paying
almost fifty dollars for ESPN, Hulu and Disney where right
now you're just paying north of half of that, and well,
I guess not half, it'd be under half, but it's
like twenty dollars more to have what you currently have,
And I just feel like that's criminal behavior.
Speaker 3 (18:08):
Because they're limiting the options.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
There to how you access that those services and that content,
and I understand they need to make money, but twenty
nine ninety nine is crazy. So I have a feeling
that they're going to change that model as we get
closer and be like, if you bundle all these services together,
you know, like cable, if you bundle all these services together,
the cost will come down. Because the WWE is in
(18:34):
a fascinating place right now, it's never been really bigger,
but it's also it's also been like just the vibes
are a little different.
Speaker 3 (18:43):
They're not as positive as they were a year ago.
It's it's been like, oh, this.
Speaker 2 (18:46):
Is really fun, but it doesn't seem like this is
this it right? Like it's just brock lessners split everybody
with his return we. I don't think we even got
to talk about that yet because last weekend was night
two after we recorded, you and I both heard that.
Speaker 3 (19:04):
All I could think.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
Was Okay, all right, guess that lawsuit's done. There's so
many questions that I have regarding those things. I think
I think the fans are sort of split with how
they feel about the product, about how they feel about
the way the product is presented, and whether or not
it represents who they are and what they believe in.
(19:27):
I I just think the acquisition of those things by
ESPN also lets everybody else know where Disney stands on
all these certain views. I wonder how happy they are
about this, given their you know, their breaks about you know,
with Johnny Depp and the Pirates franchise, and.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
You know the way he was dropped from.
Speaker 2 (19:54):
The Harry Potter prequel series as as the big bad
in those movies, just because of the allegations that came
out and then and then went to trial and all that.
I wonder how this stuff will change with with the
Mouse essentially being the overseer of that, and what's the
crossover with Disney? Here are we gonna see Elsa get
(20:16):
Bailey to bellied somewhere?
Speaker 3 (20:18):
Like, I don't know.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
And to your point, Brad, this is also coming off
the heels of ESPN parting ways with Shannon Sharp, one
of their most popular personalities of the past few years,
and granted the accusations against him different than brock Lesner,
but still under the umbrella of famous powerful men just
(20:39):
you know, allegedly doing unsavory things. Yeah, it's a fascinating
time for ESPN, as a media company and for w
W as well. When in the case of Brock Lesner,
as you brought up, I don't know that they needed
to bring him back. We've seen famous names from the
past brought in when WWE creatively was is at a
(21:00):
point where they needed something to really juice up the
weekly programming. But and to your point, creatively, I don't
know if you can say w IS is at the
peak of where it was at a year ago. But
also with John Cena turning back to being a good guy,
I think it really rejuvenated some of the fan base. Okay,
Cody's back on top as a good guy. John Sen
is a good guy. We have arguably the most talented
(21:22):
roster in the history of WWE. Bringing back Lesnard just
seemed I'm tempted to say, an unforced error. But at
the same time, you heard that reaction from the crowd
in Jersey. People lost their minds for him. So business wise,
it's probably gonna work out well for them, but it
(21:42):
just feels it just feels sicky to me.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
I think I don't think it's as necessarily Oh maybe
it is. I don't know if the hey, it's we
think it's time for you to come home. Right messages, yes, right, yes,
those messages. As long as they're legit, I guess I
can trust them. But I think that this is probably
a sena ask to go which I want to.
Speaker 1 (22:07):
Have, yeah, which is what said as the.
Speaker 2 (22:13):
Like think he wants to have that that huge rivalry
that has has spanned you know, a decade plus. Have
finally put a period at the end of that sentence
before John Cena hangs.
Speaker 3 (22:25):
It up, and I can get that, just get it.
Speaker 1 (22:26):
Just so happens there are no post show press conference,
in press conference anymore. The same weekend that brock Lesner
comes back.
Speaker 2 (22:32):
It's just well, and all the other stuff too, all
the White House stuff, like fitness stuff, like all of that.
Speaker 3 (22:38):
Crock Lester coming back.
Speaker 2 (22:39):
I think all of those things were like probably shouldn't
get in front of a public panel, Probably shouldn't do that.
And then wondering if the carrying across stuff is a
work or not. I will I will say I think
it's a work, but only because of the way that
Paul Hayman talked about it with Ariel Hawani this week.
(23:00):
I it is like it's working, isn't it. It's like, well, yeah,
it's like it's working. So I just feel like him
saying it like that, where it's like people are getting
mad that he doesn't have his spot and then he's
fighting for it and all that stuff, and and and
Hayman brought up, well, if he had the Intercontinental title,
(23:21):
do you think he'd be getting these reactions right now?
It's like, well, probably not. It's like, right, it's working.
What we're doing is working, so and it's organic, so
I think that's probably a work. But I also think
like number one, as an English teacher, you know that
(23:41):
English teachers and other people that are kind of like
us can overthink some things and over analyze some things
and look into it and go like, ah, what are
these blue curtains represent? You know, when it's like they're
they're just blue curtains.
Speaker 3 (23:57):
So we're like, is this a work? Is this real?
Speaker 2 (24:00):
What if he's playing it like it's a work but
it's not a work, and we're just like round and
round and round. I just feel like they laid this
one pretty bare. Not the cross stuff, but the yeah, oh,
it's just really good to be with the fans and
just sit with you and have a conversation.
Speaker 3 (24:18):
I love it, and it's like.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
Or avoid reporters, whatever, call it what you want to guess,
avoid reporters is probably more likely what's going on there.
Speaker 3 (24:28):
My guess is.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
That maybe it's because I didn't hear anything leading up
to this, but there were probably like rumors out there,
and TKO might have been like cautious more about the
merger than about Brock or about the deal in case
they get asked about a deal and they're legally not
allowed to say anything until it's finalized. I'm not sure
when all of that went down, So you know, it's
(24:51):
like when people have a project and they sign an NDA.
There could have been some of that and maybe they
just said, what's just not even put people in a
position to answer that question.
Speaker 3 (25:00):
So so who knows. That's why I'm saying, like, maybe we're
just reshorted this too.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
Much, but sure, and Shannon Sharp to clarify in case
our audience is and in the know. Here Shannon Sharp
allegedly committing sexual assault against a previous girlfriend. They settled,
then ESPN dropped him. Brock Lesner allegedly taking part in
a sex trafficking situation ring organized by Vince McMahon and
(25:27):
some of his flunkies, and that to my knowledge, Brad,
as of this recording, there's been no decisive conclusion to
that case or to the allegation to brock Lesner being
mentioned you know multiple times in said said lawsuit from
Janelle Grant, former employee of ww WE. This is all
this coming off the heels of Hulk Hogan passing away
(25:51):
and WWE. I mean, how many times during Summer Slam
did we see tributes for Hulk Hogan. It was very
much being laid on thick. And then, as you pointed out, Brad,
the close connection to the White House and how that
is being shown to us on social media and during
programming seemingly at nauseum. It's really the the abundance of
(26:11):
all of these decisions that it's a reminder that ww
is definitely in a new error era. Yeah, maybe an
error with TKO business as good as ever, but you
exactly very much you are and have been essentially locking
arms with the UFC, which is led by Dana White,
(26:31):
also not necessarily a beacon of one may say, morality,
and gets.
Speaker 2 (26:37):
On film slapping his wife and then runs a show
called Slap Flight and gets continued just doing whatever.
Speaker 1 (26:43):
Absolutely awful. Yeah, thank you. Yeah, So it's it's it
shouldn't be surprising, I guess, but for this to the crescendo,
the finishing point here to be they landed a deal
with ESPN, big money, much more fiscally attract than the
deal they had with Peacock. I would say, if there's
(27:03):
a best case scenario for this that I'm feeling it
really is another example that professional wrestling is as mainstream
as it's ever been before. The teenager in me who
felt shy about my love for wrestling and kind of
hit it when I would go to school, feels really
excited that, man, now you're in partnership with ESPN, the
worldwide leader. This is a sign that wrestling is cool.
(27:26):
It has been cool, and there are millions of new
fans over the last few years. And we've spoken at
length on Airbrad about you getting back into wrestling, and
you know, me really doubling down on well, I think
I'm more passionate about this than I was when you know,
I was twelve years old. It's the greatest. It's really
come leaps and bounds from when I was younger and
again felt like I had to shed my love for it.
(27:48):
Now you sign a big money deal with ESPN and
you're seeing you're not presenting it as a sport per se.
We even see that on Netflix. Is unreal. I've quite
a few episodes from that. It's clearly scripted. Everyone knows that.
But as you and I point out every single week
on here, the athleticism, the storytelling, it's just there's nothing
(28:09):
like it. It's the greatest.
Speaker 2 (28:11):
And I think they've been in a partnership with them
for a long time ESPN and WWE pronounce pal.
Speaker 3 (28:16):
I think it's the.
Speaker 2 (28:19):
At least the fifth year, maybe sixth that they've been
in a partnership with them for the sps. But because
they're like wrestling moment, but then they exclude every company
that's not WWE, and it's like, yes, there's better moments
on like four different platforms.
Speaker 1 (28:38):
Guest appearances on First Take all the time promoting the
Somnium or a rumble, and Mac of course, the Pat
McAfee of it all.
Speaker 2 (28:45):
Yes, yeah, And that's that's an interesting thing too, because
McAfee is ESPN, not ESPN. He's he's still allowed to
do his own thing. And I think it's really interesting
seeing these media companies pick up rights.
Speaker 3 (28:58):
Who was it? I think it's Fox.
Speaker 2 (29:00):
I'm pretty sure Fox picked up Barstool.
Speaker 1 (29:03):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (29:04):
Well, but but not all of it, right, Like it's
like part of it support Noy and his college football
thing got picked up. So it's rather than trying to
develop some new show and hoping he catches on, just
paying some shows or platforms that already have a huge following,
very much the same way that the WW is, like, yeah,
we will do stuff with the logan Paul because he's
(29:25):
already got a giant following and a huge platform. So
and he's he's really really good in the ring. So uh,
It's it's an easy transition to go like he's excellent
that this is If he did it full time, he'd
be probably one of the best ever to do it.
Speaker 3 (29:40):
H It hurts me to say that a little bit,
but I can't even hate ye.
Speaker 2 (29:47):
So, like, as long as I can separate what I
know and then some of the other stuff from like
what he does in the ring art from artists, I
I don't mind watching it at all. It's it's really
hard doing it for me, though it gets harder as
time go is on when people blurn the lines between
the two, or blend the lines between the two so
there's no more line.
Speaker 3 (30:07):
That part I really struggle with. And I think.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
You know now that we're going to have even more
access and a larger audience, maybe I think the idea
is to help ESPN, not for ESPN to help the WWB,
because ESPN struggling.
Speaker 3 (30:23):
I know.
Speaker 2 (30:24):
Yes, Disney reportedly had been shopping around for a while
for buyers or investors for ESPN because it's just not
what it used to be. Tyler Whin's the last time
you watched Sports.
Speaker 1 (30:36):
Center exactly around the horn wrapped up recently. We spoke
about that on the area.
Speaker 2 (30:41):
Can't believe they wouldn't let him get to the milestone.
I think that it was like five thousand. I think
they were at like four thy nine hundred something.
Speaker 1 (30:47):
So like just I don't think I realize that ESPN,
it just really's awesome. Yes, definitely shout out to stop boyd.
ESPN societally is in a very different position. And then
it was years ago, like you said, when you and
I would tune in for you, remember when you had
to watch Sports Center.
Speaker 3 (31:05):
Highlights it was sit down appointment viewing.
Speaker 1 (31:08):
Yes, But then YouTube is introduced YouTube shorts, Instagram, TikTok.
As consumers, the landscape is completely different and we have
so many options, quicker options. But we don't have to
wait until six o'clock for sports, and I can pull
up any of those apps and find what I'm looking
for and get it personalized and with as you said,
with Around the Horn wrapping up one of the flagship shows.
(31:31):
PTI is still on, but for sports.
Speaker 2 (31:34):
Let them retire out. I'm sure sure we've been doing
it for forty years. I feel like exactly.
Speaker 1 (31:40):
It sure feels that way. Those used to be musty
as sports fans. I remember coming home from school in
high school and watching that with my dad. We would
go rome Is burning Around the Horn. Yeah, yeah, you
know it that this was This was required viewing if
you were of a certain age. And now it's it's
it's completely different. So how does ESPN sort of maneuver
(32:02):
and become profitable in the way perhaps that they were
years and years ago, And Brad, we see this with
a lot of networks. As you pointed out, it really
is the live event business, particularly live sports. Netflix is
doubling down on that. We have Canelo Alvarez v. Bud
Crawford coming up soon actually next month. That's going to
(32:22):
be massive. You have raw on Netflix, you have the
move is clearly where are the eyeballs? Where is the money?
It's live entertainment and particularly love of sports, and the
ESPN deal with WWE proves that once again.
Speaker 2 (32:36):
The first episode of PTI aired in two thousand and one,
in October of two thousand and one, so they're approaching
their twenty fourth anniversary. Next toe you will be twenty five.
And if they hang it up after that, great, They
changed the landscape. They're the reason we have like this
sports talk right format. Otherwise we wouldn't have that debate
format at all. And that then translated the way that
the news is presented by having debate panels you so.
Speaker 1 (33:00):
And you mentioned the NFL as well. They get for ESPN.
What is going on? Extra game a week? Exactly what
happens to Scott Hansen? What is going to survive the
robot apocalypse that is definitely forthcoming in years football?
Speaker 3 (33:16):
We love football. If you have that to play it though, exactly, if.
Speaker 1 (33:21):
You have access to live football, if you can get
that on your network or on your app, you're probably
gonna be just fine. Netflix, ESPN doubling down on getting
additional NFL properties. It's something to track for show. I'm
really eager to see how ESPN not only finishes this year,
but moves into twenty twenty six and maybe regains some
of that cachet that it had ten years ago when
(33:44):
you and I were watching their programs several times a week.
Speaker 3 (33:48):
Properties and games.
Speaker 2 (33:50):
They're getting the network, but they're also I'm sure with
the network comes like a whole bunch of archival stuff.
NFL films will probably be available on the app. I
love watching those old like, oh, who was the.
Speaker 3 (34:03):
Person it was?
Speaker 2 (34:05):
I'm like the here's the NFL films guy that everybody
knows that hosted it, and then his dad was like
the og NFL films person, and he worked with a
composer that made like all of the famous football songs
right like they're all like John Phillips, who's a marching
band style songs, but that like.
Speaker 3 (34:23):
Dan It d day An.
Speaker 2 (34:26):
I love that stuff. Oh, I hope we can get that.
I love those things. So I'm really hoping that there's
some cool stuff on there that will entice me to
pay twenty nine ninety nine because I don't think I
can do it for plis. I say that knowing full
well that I'm about to drop fifty bucks on Forbidden
Door later this month and on the Sunday, the twenty fourth,
(34:48):
So I'm sad it's on a Sunday now that the
school year has started. Tyler, we need these Saturday plis
and pay per views.
Speaker 3 (34:54):
But uh, I am.
Speaker 2 (34:55):
Excited for it, really interested, and hopefully soon we will
have morepecific information for you if we can make our
schedules line up for something we have planned in the
future on this here podcast, so we'll see what happens.
I'm curious to see if we get more information coming soon,
(35:16):
because I believe the move for NFL was this month
and they wanted to start doing it right away. I
wanted to say it was like August twenty fifth, which
puts that on a Monday, so we'll see.
Speaker 3 (35:28):
That's Monday night football.
Speaker 2 (35:29):
Makes sense that it would be then that they would
do like a review and things like that.
Speaker 3 (35:35):
But Tyler, we've got to move on.
Speaker 2 (35:38):
I have so many more questions and thoughts about this,
but it'll have to wait for now. I got questions
because I don't even know what movie this is, So
we're going to play the music right now it's time
for Gi at the movies ceue it up and.
Speaker 3 (35:54):
Now it's John for Gi after the.
Speaker 1 (35:58):
Move, No fear, I got you. The Pickup is Amazon
Prime's latest big budget film.
Speaker 3 (36:12):
That's right. Oh yeah, I know what.
Speaker 2 (36:14):
I know.
Speaker 3 (36:14):
This movie got it?
Speaker 1 (36:15):
Yeah, I know you do. Maybe our audience is having.
Speaker 3 (36:17):
That we previewed this one. We previewed this Yes, we.
Speaker 1 (36:20):
Did, Yes, we did. Thank you Emily o'lero Jones of
the Female Driven podcast for joining us for our summer
blockbuster preview.
Speaker 3 (36:27):
I can't believe it's out. That's crazy.
Speaker 1 (36:29):
Yes, because here the formula is familiar. There's an interesting
plot I would say prestige actors, and there's been heavy
promotion on social for this film. It stars Eddie Murphy,
Pete Davidson, Eva Longoria who actually plays Eddie Murphy's wife,
which is interesting. I love both of them, particularly the latter.
Kicky Palmer Roman rains. There is a wrestling element to this.
(36:51):
Roman Reigns has a cameo as a prize fighter, a
boxer more specifically, and if you go to the bathroom,
you poss missing his scene. He's only in it for
a few minutes, but you know, you got to start somewhere,
and as he slows down his in ring schedule, obviously
he is not only carved out of stone, but is
(37:13):
one one would think clearly has Hollywood ambitions. I think
he's even said as much, and I think you know,
who knows. Maybe we'll look back on this film as
being a starting point for him, along with his cameo
in a previous Fast and Furious movie. I know, one
of your favorite franchises, but my favorite. We'll say that's
for a separate episode. Now for the pick up, A
little bit about the plot again, it just came out.
(37:35):
It's a heist action comedy film. It's produced and directed
by Tim's Story, so a familiar name there, and it
is about this this heist gone wrong, if you will.
There's a huge amount of comedy in it. There are
action scenes as well, so it really does have its
feet in both of those waters, if you will. I
will confess I did enjoy it more than Happy Gilmore too,
(37:59):
But that doesn't mean a film. But that doesn't mean
the film was good at all. It's and I love
Keky Palmer, huge Eva Longoria Fanarly Keki really did her thing.
She is in a lot of scenes, and without giving
any spoilers, her character is very dynamic. We see her
from the very beginning and it's one of those It's
one of those openers where within the first five minutes
(38:20):
you think, Okay, there's something to this character. I wonder
what's gonna happen here, and her character is very dynamic
in that regard. I don't really get the aura of
Pete Davidson. This is clearly a big look for him.
Eddie Murphy being back on screen makes me happy, and
I'll conclude with this. The film is not offensive, but
it's the standard fair streaming action film. There are some laughs,
(38:43):
there are surprises, there are character turns and villains with
questionable neck tattoos. So if you are into any where
all of that, you should check out the pickup. I
enjoyed it. I'm glad I did not have to go
to the theater to pay to see this film. Sure,
but it's enjoyable. You can turn it on and do
(39:03):
some stuff, move around and have it in the background
and upgrade from Happy Give More two. But it has
under thirty percent on Rotten Tomatoes right now, so you
decide as you will. Let us know what you think
at gipod nineteen in the comments here on YouTube. When
you see the pickup, let us know your review. We're curious.
Speaker 2 (39:21):
It's unfortunate, you know. I told I used to tell
my AP site kids, this is one of the easier
AP classes. Hear what I'm saying, it's.
Speaker 3 (39:32):
One of the easier really difficult things, not easy.
Speaker 2 (39:37):
And you go in like this is reminded me of
it when you're like, this is better than that bad movie.
But it doesn't mean it's good. It is the better.
Speaker 3 (39:47):
Bad thing is the opposite of what I was.
Speaker 2 (39:50):
Yeah, yes, so that's really unfortunate. But I was like,
what's your favorite Sharknado movie?
Speaker 3 (39:57):
You know, like and it.
Speaker 1 (39:59):
Leans it leads into the absurdity of it all, much
like Happie more Tuo does. So you and I speak
about this all the time. With films, Brad, expectation setting
is important. I did not go into this film thinking
it was going to be on awards lists later this year.
Speaker 3 (40:15):
Of course not.
Speaker 1 (40:16):
It's enjoyable, happy for Roman reigns, and that cast is
actually pretty pretty stellar. So let us know what you
think g iPod nineteen. I didn't love it. It was entertaining.
My dad actually really enjoyed it, so shout out, shout
out to Pops. I don't think my mom has seen
it yet, but the cast is like I said, it's sensational.
And if you're into questionable villain tattoos and a few
(40:38):
laughs and lots of items being blown up, this may
be the film for you. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (40:43):
I don't know why anybody would get a neck tattoo.
Speaker 4 (40:47):
Champion champion material. That's actually I should have It's crazy.
I should have zagged on that back in the day
when he I forget. I think maybe he was like
double or nothing against Anthony at Gogo. I want to say,
fighting for the Pride of the US is when I
think it was in Daly's place. Cody debuted that neck
tattoo and it was so jarring, but it's worked wonders
(41:09):
for him. He's selling merch with that. It's like a
walking advertisement for him. So if I should haveagged back
in the day, if only I knew.
Speaker 2 (41:16):
Very very along the lines of the Brahma Bowl right
like yes, where the Rock's original goofy cartoon looking tattoo
before he got it covered up, where it's like raising.
Speaker 3 (41:26):
The eyebrow and stuff.
Speaker 2 (41:27):
Yeah, that one, but he had it wasn't quite like that,
but it was very similar to that one, and now
he has more like the under armor one is on
his arm, I think, But yeah, you have that thing
that identifies you. And I don't think Stone Cold has
a tattoo, but I can't think of anybody more synonymous
with a symbol the skull. Then that's skull, yeah, the
(41:49):
flaming skull. But Undertaker's logo is there too, and I
don't think Undertaker has that tattooed on him. He's got tattooed,
so I don't know, very interesting, But yeah, Cody's because
I think it's like that's the one that's just you're
not missing it. Even he was like I thought it
would be a lot smaller, and yeah, it's like just
this whole neck.
Speaker 1 (42:07):
Yeah, I thought, oh, he's definitely gonna get this covered up. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (42:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (42:11):
Crazy works out really well and he's having to be
the biggest star in this entire industry. God for him.
Speaker 2 (42:15):
The only person that could hide a tattoo you like
that would be Christian Cage. So Tyler, we got to
get into a aw talk.
Speaker 3 (42:22):
Speaking of so hit me with your question, great transition.
Speaker 1 (42:25):
So earlier this year we discussed the roster members AW
was heavily promoting as a transition to HBO Max. We
discussed John Moxley and Mercedes Money, sort of Strickland and
will Ospray, and we continue to do so on the
show every single Monday. The other name we focused on
was MJF. He defeated Mark Briscoe on last week's Dynamite
uh oh. He also holds the Casino Gauntlet contract, ensuring
(42:49):
him the ability to challenge the adew World Heavyweight Champion
at a time of his choosing. I believe it's still
unclear if it's money in the bank rules or if
it's going to be an announced scheduled max ahead of time. Regardless,
the current champ, of course, is hanging in at him
page now. I'm JF was also recently booted out of
the Hurt syndicate. Brad, what do you make of where
(43:12):
MJF is at creatively and should he be the guy
to dethrone Hangman?
Speaker 3 (43:20):
It's really messy creatively, It's really really messy. They I mean,
I mean, I.
Speaker 2 (43:25):
Was thinking about it because of the backstage stuff where
he gets the third thumbs down. And then there's all
the stuff about the Hurt Syndicate potentially having heat in
the locker room and more so with MVP. But the
way that things are being presented about what's going on
back there, I don't know, kind of seems like MVP
knows what he's talking about, like they should be dominating
(43:47):
people because that gives the people like that actually finally
over overcome them, like that's it's going to mean something.
Speaker 3 (43:56):
But anyway, what would he know.
Speaker 2 (43:57):
He's only been doing this for like twenty years. All
of that is super interesting, and I don't think there's
any heat with Max and and anything like that. But
I liked the I do like his physical presentation. I
like what he's wearing. His gear has been really cool.
The stuff he's been wearing in the backs is great,
and he seems to be more like Day one MJF.
Speaker 3 (44:20):
He's just really.
Speaker 2 (44:21):
Good at being a bad guy and tearing people down.
Like the stuff he said about Brisco was vile and
it's still also wasn't like, oh, he's going to be
in the news for that one, you know, it was
like towing that line. And I thought he's been doing
a great job with the promo work. He's excellent in ring.
If he is the person to d throne hang Man,
(44:42):
it's not yet, you know, It's just like I don't.
Speaker 3 (44:47):
I don't feel that right way.
Speaker 2 (44:48):
You could, you could pull the trigger on that at
any point, but I think it's gonna I feel like
that that contract that he has at some point is
going to be taken by MVP or Lashley or Benjamin
or all three, because what's more business than a contract?
(45:10):
So I could see the Hurt Syndicate taking that off
his hands and him finishing the feud with them because
he just got kicked out and that's just done. Like,
I feel like that has to go somewhere, So I
feel like that's probably next. Is he a good person
to have be someone that Hangman feuds with? Yeah, I
also think he needs to lose. I think hang Man
(45:32):
needs to hang on to it for a while.
Speaker 3 (45:35):
So I don't know.
Speaker 2 (45:35):
I don't know who the first person is. I don't
know if it'll be then, but I feel like that
Max and Hurt Syndicate can't be over or it'll be
incredibly disappointing. But I'm not I'm not sure who the
other option is right now.
Speaker 3 (45:49):
For Hangman, right, it's.
Speaker 1 (45:51):
Been it's been a strange summer for MJF. When you
and I first saw him with the Hurt Syndicate, we
had so many questions and we still do. And I
lean toward what you said about this can't be it.
It seemed like it ended so abruptly, and I thought, Okay,
there has to be a plan if they're going to
(46:12):
put MJF with these three guys. Yes, it's giving us
owen Hart nostalgia and there's stuffing to be said for that.
That MGF wearing the MVP like gear is funny. Yeah,
And you and I were in the building for Double
or Nothing when all these guys were together, and MJF
is just, you know, just being the great character he is,
and it's just it's fun to watch when he really
puts it on eleven. But I have questions. It seems
(46:37):
like it's to let a play out pal situation. I
suppose the Mark Briscoe rivalry. I thought it had been
built well to me an event dynamite again Mark Briscoe.
Is it seeming to getting the most reps out of
anyone on the roster weekend and week out for AW
which I'm happy for him. I would argue there's other
other members of the roster that should be getting some
(46:58):
additional screen time, particularly on dynad might every week, and
that's that's really valuable real estate that Mark Briscow has
had for a long time. Now MJF with Hurt syndicate,
MJF versus Mark Briscoe and now this third element of
his character pursuing chasing Hangman page which aw has planted
the seeds for going back all the way to revolution.
(47:19):
Speaking of us being in the building, you remember when
we saw a dynamite in February, but MGF and Hangman
opened the show and had that promo doing Hangman ends
up beating him, So one would think MJF get gets
the win back. But is this going to be the
forbidden doormatch? I'm I'm getting all out Toronto vibes in September,
(47:40):
But like you, the Hangman redemption story, I think it
deserves a lengthy title run. I don't know that MJF
is going to beat him at the latest again at
that September show, Who's next for Hangman? Bobby Lashley is
always a viable contender if wardlow ever comes back I
saw Ifi pel select report confirming that he's healthy, and
(48:03):
he apparently wrapped up filming for Amazon's American Gladiators reboot.
Whenever war Though comes back, he is certainly a challenger
if they especially if they present him as a heel
that could slot right in. There's probably tons of people
I'm forgetting Brad again. Let us know igfod nineteen comments
here on YouTube. But MJF, I'm glad that he has
(48:23):
had creative because to me, he's as important as any
member of the AW roster. I just have questions about
what we're doing with the Hurt Syndicate. I suspect this
feud with Mark Briscow is in over, and then what
does all of this mean as he pursues Hangman at
him Paige, And if you and I are correct and
he loses the Hangman page, what happens then I suspect
(48:44):
it's going to be him going back to this Hurt
Syndicate storyline in some way. But I have questions. I'm
just glad he has not been forgotten about, because we
speak about all the people we love on this roster,
the men's division, the women's division. MJF to me, going
back to our conversation in January about the HBO Max advertisement.
MF to me is as important a character as as anyone.
(49:06):
He's homegrown, he's Day one, and he checks all the boxes.
Speaker 2 (49:12):
I think this Hangman storyline two has been you know,
let's not forget, because it does feel like he's just
sort of I don't know, for some reason. It feels
like it's disconnected. But if you've been paying attention, they've
been teasing this matchup for months and like going before
him winning the contract, even talking about how I don't
care who's there Hangman and him talking to Hangman, and like,
(49:35):
they've been really really feeding this story. And I think
people will go critical on AW for not having storylines
when they've had incredible storylines with amazing in ring action
this entire year, and and it's been it's been amazing.
Speaker 1 (49:49):
And there's there's something to be said for having two
of your Day one guys. Yeah, the roster is incredible.
Max has had the throne for a long time. I
think that's too me as a fan, as a Day
one there's something really cool about MJF versus hang Man.
They were there from the very beginning and here they
are here they are now, and of course Swerve is
feuding with Locata, but yeah, an insert Swerve to face
(50:12):
either of these two guys at their champ It's interesting.
Speaker 2 (50:15):
That death writer mox hit this week. Is why I
started smiling. That was on Dynamite. That was great, but.
Speaker 3 (50:22):
Oh that's gonna be good.
Speaker 2 (50:23):
Poor Port Wheeler coming out of a body with a
signed staple to his face.
Speaker 3 (50:27):
That was.
Speaker 1 (50:28):
That was.
Speaker 3 (50:28):
That was.
Speaker 1 (50:29):
It was a tough week for Willow Us.
Speaker 3 (50:31):
Yeah, it sure was, Tyler. My question is related.
Speaker 2 (50:36):
So the ae W numbers for Dynamite this week were
up by about one hundred thousand. It was a point
one eight. I want to say in the demo without
jerichos and not demo god. Do you attribute attribute the
number rise to the returning Mercedes Manette, to MJF and
(50:59):
his exposed You're in Happy Gilmore or.
Speaker 3 (51:02):
To some other factor?
Speaker 1 (51:06):
Mm hmmm.
Speaker 2 (51:07):
Because because this is a weird time of the year,
when people have the time on their hands, they tend
not to watch yeah.
Speaker 3 (51:13):
Which is weird.
Speaker 1 (51:14):
Yeah, and this card to me didn't scream oh this
is mussy as compared to any other weeks.
Speaker 3 (51:20):
Call that tag match though, holy bleep, you.
Speaker 1 (51:22):
Beat me to it. It turned out to be a
really fun show. People weren't tuned in to watch that
tag match. I hope, I hope they saw that brilliance.
Speaker 3 (51:31):
And if you, as an all the timer man.
Speaker 1 (51:33):
Go back and check out Dynamite. I couldn't agree with
you more, Brad. It gave me vibes of this was
early Collision days when you had Bang Gang versus. But
it was a completely different match structurally, three totally Brodido
brody king Bandido versus the Young Bucks. It was fantastic.
It was It was pay per view worthy.
Speaker 3 (51:54):
Yeah, it really was.
Speaker 1 (51:55):
It was.
Speaker 3 (51:55):
It was one of the best.
Speaker 1 (51:58):
I've seen all year.
Speaker 3 (52:00):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (52:00):
Was it Mercedes coming Back? Certainly could be? Was it
the MJF rub from Happy Gilmore? I would say that's
probably more likely because obviously Happy Gimore two was uber
successful for Netflix and The Carbs ended up being fantastic. Brad.
I suspect too, if people tuned in for either of
those two reasons, they probably stayed when they saw some
really great entering action and particularly having that tag team match.
(52:23):
I want to say that was at the middle point
of the show. It was just it reminded me why
I love wrestling. It was fantastic. I would say the
MJF rub from Happy Gimore two probably more likely than Mercedes,
but we can't forget the Mercedes money fan base is substantial.
She brings people with her and this obviously was her
(52:45):
first time back on television since losing to Tony Storm
at all in.
Speaker 2 (52:52):
I wonder if there's the I can't remember when it releases.
I wanted to say it was this year, but I
think it's next year.
Speaker 3 (52:59):
The there's a.
Speaker 2 (53:00):
Movie called The Grogu and the Mandalorian, or maybe the
other way around, and it's The Mandalorian, but they're not
I don't think they're doing another season. I think they're
putting the the period at the end of that sentence.
I like he's in that phrase apparently as a film
that will go to theaters. I wonder if they have
or will bring her back for her character in The Mandalorian,
(53:24):
because I know her it's kind of the same thing.
Her range extends beyond just you know, the wrestling ring,
because she's been in other projects and people might know
her from her versus Bianca.
Speaker 3 (53:38):
Back to the SPI's.
Speaker 2 (53:39):
Talk we had earlier, there's a lot of places you
can know her from but I think I think you're right.
I think it's MJF. I think it's all the interviews
that I think it was with Van Vliet with with
the Happy Gilmore media tour asking about working with MJF
and Adam Sandler saying he's like a son to me,
(54:01):
and he is the son in the show, but like,
who knows if he's joking around, but I think they
are really close. I think that's probably what got the
eyes on the product this week. But that's the point
of allowing your talent to go do other things.
Speaker 3 (54:15):
Who knows.
Speaker 2 (54:16):
Maybe because Twisted Metal came out on Peacock, maybe people
were like, oh, that's some mo Ojoe behind that mask. Cool,
I'm gonna go check that out. Who knows. Who knows,
but I'm just pumped about it. I think it's really cool.
And that's the demo from the cable viewership. I don't
think they released numbers from streaming, So that's on top of,
(54:36):
or in addition to whatever whatever happened with streaming, and
maybe people just want to put up with it. They
need to update the streaming. My friend, I don't always
get to check Collision Live and they don't have the
replay up.
Speaker 1 (54:50):
I ran into that yesterday as well. I was caught
up until the Ricochet Juice Robinson match. So happy for
Ricochet and engates in agony speaking people doing the best
work of their career, Ricky Man loving fire on Fire.
I stopped watching. There was also the Valkyrie Sparks game,
and there was something else that that caught my attention,
and I went back to Max to check out the
(55:10):
end of Collision, and like you, I thought I was
tripping Brad. It wasn't available for me.
Speaker 3 (55:15):
It wasn't there the spill either.
Speaker 1 (55:16):
I was in my big feelings.
Speaker 3 (55:17):
I was like, it's it's it's been like half a day.
Where is it? Put it up there? This is crazy.
Speaker 2 (55:24):
Usually you can go on like Peacock, the event will
end in like an hour later.
Speaker 3 (55:27):
You can do the replay.
Speaker 1 (55:28):
We don't. We don't ask for much.
Speaker 3 (55:30):
Come on, Max, you can't put the HBO back there.
You haven't heard Max o Max yep? Okay, Tyler, what
did we miss?
Speaker 1 (55:38):
Yeah? You know how we close every episode? Quick list
for you, Brad. First hip to the games H two DG.
You had to be their series.
Speaker 3 (55:46):
Good guest star this week.
Speaker 1 (55:47):
That's what I That's what I'm hearing. Much love to
host Desmond Pale, our fellow nineteen Media Group teammate. I
had the honor of joining him on his show to
relive the career of Phoenix Mercury legend Michelle Tim's again.
Check out Desmond, check out him to the games. I
was honored to join him and we had a really
really fun talk. Is he's still great at this brat?
I told him this off air's he is just the
(56:10):
best of us. Period fun episode. Okay. W w Rawl
returns to Glendale on December first at Desert Diamond Arena.
Speaker 3 (56:18):
Brad.
Speaker 1 (56:19):
I don't know how people have money to attend all
of these shows.
Speaker 3 (56:22):
So many events, but you.
Speaker 1 (56:24):
Know the service we provide to our viewers, especially our
audience members who like us are here in Arizona again.
That's on December first. Tickets go on sale this Friday.
Two final wrestling notes and I want to kick it
to you. Sending all of our best and our best
wishes and prayers and healing vibes to Jonathan Gresham. He
posted on social media this week that he suffered two
(56:45):
strokes and is recovering and is taking a break for
I think the next couple of months to focus on
his health.
Speaker 2 (56:51):
He's obviously the Jordan Grace thing where he's already asking
if you can go back and wrestle.
Speaker 1 (56:56):
Right of course. Partner of Jordan Grace of NXT fame,
Jonathan I'm actually quite sad that his dark octopus character
in TNA didn't have as many legs, yeah, conintended legs
as I thought it would, because I.
Speaker 3 (57:10):
Was really only like five or six.
Speaker 1 (57:12):
Yeah, it was like out of a Jordan Pield movie
was really intriguing. But the work he's done on Ash,
the work he's done in GCW, obviously he was ROH
World champ for a minute, one of my favorite wrestlers
anywhere on the globe, and we are thinking of him.
And then finally Nicki Bella, that's it, that's the tweet.
What do we miss Brett? Thank you?
Speaker 3 (57:32):
Thank you. I was just we talked about making sure
that we included Nicki Bella. That was enough.
Speaker 2 (57:37):
Said This week, Alyssa Thomas at a WNBA record for
the most triple doubles in history.
Speaker 1 (57:44):
Let's go with Mercury.
Speaker 3 (57:45):
I didn't believe in nineteen.
Speaker 2 (57:47):
With nineteen on top of having I believe several other
records recently too, and as a team, which is which
is really dope? And the NFL kicked off action. One
of the things I wanted to ask about was was
why are there so many injuries and concussions? And like,
(58:07):
I don't know if you saw I can't eve remember
the player's name to hope he's okay. I haven't seen
any updates that plays on the Lions where they ran
out the last six minutes because his head snapped back
and he immediately went into a seizure and fencing position,
really really bad scene, and they disagreed, like nobody's going
to be able to play after this, let's just run
(58:28):
the clock. I can't figure out why there's so many
there with the protection, but like you never hear about
this happening in rugby, where they're essentially doing a lot
of the same things. I know, it's a totally different sport.
I just feel like having the helmet makes you feel
more protected, which probably leaves you more open for injury.
And when you're three hundred pounds running at twenty nine
(58:50):
miles an hour because you got a V eight inside
of your chest, like it's a scary thing. When people
collide like that. I was really excited about the NFL
starting again, and then I was watching preseason football and
just going, oh my gosh, this is going so slow.
There's so many penalties and reviews and injuries and all
this stuff, and I was like, I don't know if
I can do it. But the NFL did start up,
(59:13):
and people are going to be going to be fed
through January now, and I'm sure people are already making
their predictions about who won the Super Bowl, about how
Aaron Rodgers will do in Pittsburgh of all places. It's
gonna be an interesting season see how it plays out.
But it staggered me already how many people are injured
(59:34):
right out the gate.
Speaker 3 (59:36):
And I just want to.
Speaker 2 (59:36):
See people be healthy and watch a show where I
don't have to worry if somebody's gonna die. Even though
we watch wrestling and we know that's always a risk.
I'd like to remove that risk out of my viewing
experience as much as humanly possible. And I just want
people to have long term health.
Speaker 1 (59:53):
Amen. Well, we thank you all for joining us. Brad.
We're heading into week two of the school year. Let's
get it. If your school year is starting, if you
know someone who is in school, or teaching or all that.
We just hope all of you are doing well out there. Again,
please be sure to follow us for exclusive show updates
and much more across the social spaces at gipod nineteen.
(01:00:17):
We thank you so much for tuning in and we
will see you next week. Gimmick Infringement It's part of
nineteen Media Group. You can listen to us on Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio,
or wherever you find podcasts. You can also find us
on YouTube via the nineteen Media Group channel. Please like, subscribe, comment,
and share Yah
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