Down The Middle Episode 65: Royal Rumble Predictions

[00:00:13] Uh-huh, and this time I didn't screw it up. Welcome everyone to Down The Middle and real quick. I'm just gonna make sure that we're rolling here There we are. Can I get an audio check for me my friend? Check one, check two. Perfect! Welcome!

[00:00:41] One in all wrestling fans and normal people who are boring. Welcome to Down The Middle. This podcast is brought to you by Boger Cammetry, more on them later, but tonight is a night of speculation.

[00:00:56] But first I have to be a little bit selfish and share my triumph. I've finally got my certificate. Four... ...Gnears! Finally, very proud of that. But it's funny is I got it tonight when I was a class and I actually forgotten about the certificate.

[00:01:19] So I thought an instructor was getting like promoted because he's made the guy who presented it, the instructor who presented it was making a really big deal about a particular instructor being very hard and working hard.

[00:01:31] And then he said, my name on my mother, oh yeah, I do get a certificate, don't I? I am special sometimes.

[00:01:37] Sometimes, I really feel like I didn't deserve it but I'm not going to argue with them because they can kick my ass. But anyway, so tonight the Royal Rumble, I'm actually really...

[00:01:48] It's the first time in a while that I've been excited for our pay per view and it's all WWE's fault. It's the best that's this kind of stuff they do to you.

[00:02:02] Well, for a while they didn't but I was about to be a real smart fellow can be like, I don't know what they're doing but I know exactly what they're doing. They put triple H in charge. That's true.

[00:02:16] We don't have to worry about shame doing this year's Rumble and it'd be a shit, so like last year's. Was that the, that was WrestleMania wasn't it? Oh no he was in the rumble. Yeah last year's rumble was kind of... Yeah he's been in book life.

[00:02:33] I think it was last year's. Last year's a year before that maybe it was last year's. I think it was because I remember being underwhelmed with the rumble last year. Not like it wasn't horrible but it wasn't... Yeah. I mean it wasn't.

[00:02:49] Case in point, I don't really remember it other than the fact that everyone knew Cody was going to win.

[00:02:56] Yeah. And this year it's so funny because this is how I feel and this is when wrestling is perfect for me. I want Cody to win. It makes sense for Cody to win.

[00:03:07] But they've cast enough doubt that even if Cody does win like not everyone but the bulk of the people.

[00:03:16] I don't know if it's the only one who won him to. A he will have earned it in storyline and the match won't be boring because last year literally everyone knew Cody was going to win the rumble.

[00:03:28] Yeah. It was no shock at all but this year he's gone back and forth with the likes of CM Punk, which that was on this past raw, which was phenomenal. A promo set like frankly only WWE can do today and that's saying something.

[00:03:50] And then Drew, I almost called him Drew Gallo, a Drew McIntyre is in on it. Seth is unfortunately out so it would seem due to injury but Gunther.

[00:04:05] I think I mean, Gunther's kind of put Seth on notice but Gunther is always a force to be reckoned with and he's in the rumble.

[00:04:13] And then last year he's in the rumble thus far so actually there's quite a few names that haven't been which I know they don't name them all.

[00:04:21] But anyway as far as the paper view goes and I disagree with this it may not be in this order mind you. But the card I'm looking at has the mens royal rumble match first.

[00:04:36] That's just with my opinion the rumble always needs to last and it might because we look, I look at the cards on Wikipedia always and they're not always in this order. Well my opinion I think I think to start. I think to start should be the world title.

[00:04:59] I honestly agree you get to crowd all the way up on our tippy toes and then you bring it back down with the women's rumble and then you throw some shots in there here and there.

[00:05:11] Actually I take that back I think so we're actually going to we're going to screw it up tonight we're going to go in the order we think they should go on.

[00:05:18] I honestly think as we got Logan Paul defending the US title against Kevin Owens and I think that should go on first. I don't know I'm not saying it'll be a stinker match but. I don't it won't be a stinker match at all. It will be really good.

[00:05:35] I think that is that's what will start it will be. The Logan Paul Kevin Owens I think that I start I think so too. And then we'll probably transition into. The women's will rumble.

[00:05:48] I would agree with that and then there's going to be some other matches they're going to have to be because they've only been full. I think that's going to be a lot of things that we're going to have to do with the show.

[00:05:58] But we're going to spend a lot of time tonight talking about who we think might show up because there's actually some. I'm going to leave it at possibilities because I have no certain these frankly but I have some ideas of who might show up.

[00:06:11] I also have some ideas of who might. Who might have been scheduled to show up but now will not show up but we'll get into that shit show later. Yeah, I don't ever expect anything when it comes to the role because it in my opinion anything happened.

[00:06:25] I mean a couple years ago we literally had. Mickey James show up that was in TNA holding the TNA knockouts title and then became out to her TNA song like.

[00:06:35] Yep, yep, I wow that's one of my big surprise and hello Hakim good to see you to my friend glad you saw found us on the new night because this is the. I think you've been here with us on Thursday before but I can't remember.

[00:06:46] I'm glad it keeps coming back. I know we have a fan. I'm grateful. What's better than none. Yes, I agree. But yeah, someone is a Logan Paul. I think it's going to be a great match frankly. I think Kevin owns a take it from him. I do.

[00:07:09] I don't know and you know what's funny this is one of the rare times where I really don't care. It can go one way or another I'll be fine but I get to see Logan Paul defy human physics and.

[00:07:16] Kevin Owens is great so it's going to be good. I will say one little and this isn't entirely WBE's fault but thanks to brawl out. You can't have backstage fights anymore.

[00:07:32] You can't unless you're going to go through the trouble of acting like you're actually finding people or disciplining them. And I. Explain that from a real quick. I'll get you.

[00:07:45] So they I saw it on TikTok but WBE shared it across their socials Kevin Owens and Logan Paul had a fake fight at the performance center. Okay, did. Here's the problem now though thanks to AEW we now know that real fights backstage have consequences.

[00:08:07] So now and it's funny because AEW still does backstage fight segments literally after brawl out and brawl in. Okay, when they when they fired CM Punk over it and suspended Jack Perry which he finally popped back up.

[00:08:27] Yeah and ripped up his AEW contract so I mean it's not a real contract but I'm not going to lie I liked it. I think it makes sense for him to wrestle somewhere else for a while.

[00:08:41] Yeah, it definitely makes sense to me. I think he was probably reprimanded backstage and I'm not sure because I don't have all the information.

[00:08:53] It kind of depends on how it all happened as to whether or not I think he should have been fired but for those who don't know Jack Perry popped up in New Japan.

[00:09:04] ripped up a fake AEW contract and grew out of beard so now he actually what they were joking though jungle man.

[00:09:12] Paches, patches, oh jungle man it's not a bad beard it's fine but then he also has an arm band that says scapegoat on it so this could be really interesting.

[00:09:22] Development but what did I say sorry Hati how can I want KO to win but I think they're going to give it to Logan unless his legal issues make make them take it off of him yeah and that that may be.

[00:09:36] I do think it's kind of time for Logan Paul to not have a belt. I don't know how I feel about him get I don't hate it but I don't love it. It's fine.

[00:09:48] It's fine it's one of those things where it's like yeah I don't know that I would have done it but it's not that it's not bad enough to warrant like a negative response it's whatever. What was like oh jungle boy I completely got thrown off track there.

[00:10:04] I don't come to me but yes so we're going to have Logan Paul and Kevin Owens. Should be a pretty good match and then like you said we had the women's role rumble I mean I hate to say it this way but honestly who cares.

[00:10:25] We could have was get Jade cargo finally. I think she'll be in the rumble but I don't think she'll. So thank you you just reminded me.

[00:10:35] I forgot Jade was there I'm sorry I'm running on not little sleep but I them and sleeping well at all I don't know what it is it's like no matter how much I sleep.

[00:10:44] I feel like I'm still not getting enough it's weird so my brains a little foggy but yes no I have I need them I need to get more he's referring to OMG CBD who is not the sponsor but screw it any of your OMG CBD Delta 9 Delta 8 needs visit OMG CBD and Columbus Indiana they will hook you up.

[00:11:05] But I mean okay from so from whatever would Jake Cargale like.

[00:11:12] Her mom was sick or I think it was her mom or her grandma maybe that was sick that's why she took some extra time to not debut or anything and then I heard that she got hurt while it's raining. I'm not sure.

[00:11:26] And now I'm not sure what they're going to do like but the rumble is the perfect time to finally debut or in my opinion in my opinion number 30. Yes yeah.

[00:11:38] For all the way to number 33 good it's okay number 30 I think is the perfect spot for somebody that's debut new or. Not somebody not somebody you want to squash because like a Santino Morella comes out at like number 12 and then gets thrown out I agree with you.

[00:11:58] It'll make an impact but she won't be in there long enough to if she's not ready she won't stink to join up but she's in there long enough where she is ready.

[00:12:07] She'll be able to showcase so it's it's kind of a win win for everybody another prediction I have. I don't I wish I had a list I don't know as Becky announced.

[00:12:16] Yeah sorry now she's happy and I figure I think we will see Lear of Alcaria from NXT. Okay okay I haven't been watching much in NXT. It's funny because I I for the most part found NXT pretty boring.

[00:12:37] I'm not faulting the show for this I just haven't been watching so I don't know who any of these people are so I found it boring but the first episode I watch of NXT after a very long break was Lear of Alcaria at I want to say was howling we have it.

[00:12:51] I don't know who she is but this is great. Like this is fantastic. I think Lear of Alcaria is phenomenal. Did you see on NXT the where they announced the rock's daughter as the new GM?

[00:13:13] I didn't see the announcement but I saw that she was GM and actually I'm sorry they don't pronounce her name that way even though they should they pronounce her name Lyra Valcaria. It needs to be Lear of Alcaria. Sorry not sorry and then the key to Lyons is.

[00:13:31] She's probably going to be in the rumble if I had to take a guess so as Nia Jax. I don't know if she's been announced yet but she's going to be in there. I could see I could see Alexa Bliss coming back possibly.

[00:13:47] Well she had a yes she had her baby I don't know how long ago off time I had so she might not quite be there but again it would be a good time to come back. But yes congratulations to Alexa Bliss for those who don't know.

[00:14:00] And Carmella you're right yeah Carmella had her baby as well so congratulations. Carmella have her after Lyx so I can see Alexa come back before Carmella agreed yeah I can see that. As far as a winner I'll be honest I've been bad.

[00:14:18] I haven't been watching enough wrestling I kind of half has predicted Becky will win the rumble. But that's solely based on that's based on the promo that was on Raw so I don't have any like real hard evidence for that.

[00:14:31] I personally think it might be Bailey I think Bailey might win maybe yeah yeah. Well outcast when it came to damage control. Possibly. Gamages control is what I like. She who are out of the mix. I think that should become EOs group.

[00:14:48] And I think Bailey may win it and go after EOs women's world title. Oh that would be good I change my vote I want Bailey to win it for that reason. I just Bailey's always been the odd ball group even though she started the group.

[00:15:06] Even back well but Bailey's Bailey's kind of been the odd ball in ever group she's been in. If you think about it because even the loose groups like the four horse women in NXT.

[00:15:16] Which oh my gosh remember how good that program was with her Sasha Becky and Charlotte all kind of always intermingling. I did hear there's rumors about Sasha. Oh that's okay that's another one yes I.

[00:15:37] What through so I don't know here's the thing if it weren't solely triple H in charge I would see but let's be real. And I'm not trying to I'm not trying to sling crap here but let's be honest. Who has been following Mercedes Monet.

[00:15:56] Addle ever since her botch in New Japan on her debut. Really very many people know and the promotions just there are some wrestlers who and I don't mean this is a dig even though it sounds like one there are some wrestlers who will shine like.

[00:16:16] Crazy in WWE but will fizzle literally anywhere else and I think Sasha Banks is one of those people it's not a lack of skill. It's especially if you're brought up in that system.

[00:16:34] You're used to that system you're used to that style you're used to playing to that sort of crowd it's a different animal wrestling in and. People that aren't wrestling fans don't really get this wrestling in New Japan is way different than wrestling in WWE which is why.

[00:16:54] People for example like Shinsuke it took him and again this is not fault I actually prefer the New Japan style so I don't mean this is a dig it took him years to get used to the WWE style and he's just now kind of where he fits and I'll be honest I don't like it as much but yeah.

[00:17:16] The fact remains and I think like you said I think Sasha Banks will be at the rumble. And I think that'll be her return to WWE.

[00:17:27] And I think a long return or you think it might be just a show up now I think it's going to be a full on return because where where she gonna go let's be real where she gonna go AEW.

[00:17:40] I mean maybe because AEW is a great place to get paid to do nothing. That's true. Especially if you want to start an only fans and your female wrestler go to AEW.

[00:17:54] I've laid this out so many times you've debuted you get a huge pop you get like a three month push that leads nowhere but in that time you get a bunch of male fans and then say by the way,

[00:18:05] I have an only fans please pay me $50 a month to look at me in a bikini. Exactly. Well, her team's right though yeah, he remembers her outfit in New Japan more than anything that's true so maybe she is going to AEW.

[00:18:20] But no I think I think we'll see her at the rumble. I would be legitimately surprised if she's not at the rumble and I'll be very disappointed if she signs with AEW frankly though.

[00:18:32] I'm kind of disappointed with anyone that signs with AEW right now which I will lead into one of my suspects for the male row rumble later but similar situation.

[00:18:44] But yeah, I'm with you now that you mentioned that I think Bailey will win the rumble and I think that will lead to a great WrestleMania match. And then next I think I think like you said. We've got a placeholder world title match. Better good one.

[00:19:04] Let's be real. It's a four way between Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, AJ Styles and LA Knight. But we all know. It's going to be Cody and Roman at Mania. We all know this. Yeah. Now as far as placeholder matches go it's pretty good.

[00:19:29] I think it'll be real solid match. I mean well and it does something for everybody Reigns has to be there. He's the champion. Orton gets back in the main event picture after coming back. Jack does hell. You got to you got to think too.

[00:19:48] Roman doesn't have to be pinned. No he does not but he won't be either. True. But hypothetically if Roman were to lose somebody else can get pinned and he can say he didn't lose. Yeah, Roman's going to somehow carry it.

[00:20:08] Now what'll be interesting though is if Roman has bought one of the other guys in the match. That will make it interesting. I don't see how because all the other everybody else is a baby face. Yeah. So it would be it would be a swirl.

[00:20:29] And then I don't consider AJ baby. Yeah, but he's not really a heel either. I don't know what they're trying to do with him. But AJ's another one of those people where like you can make him a heel and he can rest like a heel.

[00:20:45] But they're still going to be a large portion of the audience that loves everything he does. So I guess that's what I mean like he may very well be a heel. But let's be real. He's not like he can do it, but.

[00:21:01] At this point yeah, he's he's always going to have a large portion of the crowd with them. But anyway, so yeah, my prediction of that is going to be Roman's going to retain because it's got to be Cody. It's got to be Cody.

[00:21:17] It may be a it's got to be if it's not Cody at maybe at this time. It's it's too late. Then even if and when Cody wins against Roman, it's it's too late. Yeah, it's not going to matter anymore. I agree. I wrote.

[00:21:38] What's that who keeps says LA night could turn to get closer to Roman. I would agree with that except for the fact that boy have they been they've been light in a fire under LA night.

[00:21:48] And I can't I can't see them running the risk of him turning on the crowd. Yeah, that crouched keep behind him right now still. Now a year ago I would have said yeah, that's not the best idea so they'll probably do it but you're lately.

[00:22:04] I mean, the the game knows what he's doing. So either way, I'm stoked to see it. I'm stoked I'm ready. I'm ready to see it. So yeah, what do you do you agree that Roman or do you have another idea?

[00:22:23] I agree. I agree with Roman, but I mean. There's been a lot of things with the rocks speculation so maybe we might get the rock shows up possibly.

[00:22:34] Maybe the rock will be in the rumble, but if the world title matches first then I don't know it does kind of depend on match order.

[00:22:43] But anyway let's go to whatever buddy wants to talk about the men's were a one-room at liberal liberal match royal rumble match but first. Do you need a new kitchen?

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[00:23:27] No matter where you are in the United States, you just have to put them together but they are super easy. I've personally done it many, many times.

[00:23:35] And honestly, you can save literal thousands and still have an exceptionally nice kitchen probably better quality than a lot of the American made cabinets out there. I'm not joking. I've seen them. So if you want to say 30 to 40%. Visit bogercannotry.com. Link is in the description.

[00:23:57] But now, I'm just going to say it. I'm going to say it. I think Kuzuchiko Kata is going to be at the rumble. I agree. And here's, yep. I've seen many things where his contract was up in New Japan.

[00:24:10] Now, here's the interesting part and this is why it's beautiful. I think he will be at the rumble. He has signed. It's not an extension. Some sort of agreement has been made so that Ocada can appear at, I believe, two events in February for a New Japan.

[00:24:27] But his contract is expired and he did not reside. He's coming to the US. The speculation is AEW or WWE. The problem, well, it's not the problem. The thing is, Ocada and the young bucks are still to this day.

[00:24:43] It's very, very close. And there's speculation that Ocada has some nagging injuries from carrying New Japan on his back for a decade. So I suppose he could sign with AEW and he's not the oldest but I mean, I hope he comes to WWE.

[00:25:15] A year ago, I wouldn't have said that. With that being said, I have a bad feeling. He says he does come to a Deshaupa WWE at the rumble. I just have a bad feeling and he's going to put on NXT and not the main roster.

[00:25:35] I think so too but the reason I think that is because he's got to learn the WWE style. Now, here's the thing though. He can still come to the rumble and not show up on TV for a while because, like I said, he has those dates in February.

[00:25:55] Even if he signs with AEW, he could still show up at the Royal rumble. Maybe as a trial. Now that's a more Vince McMahon thing to do but

[00:26:07] I mean, it was also, remember, it was also triple-H that got Jewish and Thunder Liger to wrestle one match in NXT. That's true. So it's not outside the rumble possibility for a triple-H should be like, yeah, you will, you know, he's not under contract.

[00:26:24] So we could have him just show up at the rumble and then if we like him and he likes it, you know. Yeah, it'd be a good try and if I were a coder and I had that opportunity and I'm still deciding,

[00:26:35] be like, well, I might as well do the rumble. Yeah, I mean, I would. I mean, why wouldn't you, you know? It's one off thing. Put that could potentially lead to you.

[00:26:52] And imagine the moment he could have with AJ or Shinskay both, yeah, because they're both in the rumble or lead. I think they've opened an ounce for the rumble, but even if not, they're both going to be in the rumble.

[00:27:07] Let's talk about other people that could be in the rumble. I mean, Arthur's a page just came back. I don't know that they'll be in the rumble, but yes, I did hear that they came back although it would make sense for them to come back.

[00:27:22] I think we will see Braunbreaker. Yep, in the rumble. Braun and Bear has been doing some real funny stuff. They have, they have. So another, I don't know if I believe this, but I call it a call at a hunch.

[00:27:41] I think Cole Cogan might show up to the rumble. Off of that one pro that once video package he did, because it's the 40 year anniversary of Hulk Cogan's debut for the WWE.

[00:27:56] I mean, he did say he had one more in him. I mean, I think, I think, Borl production. I think we will see Hulk Cogan at the real rumble.

[00:28:10] I don't know how they're going to do it because if he falls off that apron, he might die, but I think we might see Hulkster. There's what you do. You have Hogan's music hit, he goes to come out and I attack some. There you go.

[00:28:26] I think he's going to hit the real one. I agree, that place will be rubbed, man. It would scream. The best part would be if he comes out after Ocada and real American hits. Oh my god. Don't do it. I want to see Hulk Cogan take a rainmaker.

[00:28:56] And other New Japan news, I recently learned that I recently learned that Hiroshi Tana Hashi is what was it the president of his, he's he's running the office at New Japan.

[00:29:11] I did not know that which I don't know of anyone better frankly because I think he's he might have one more. One more, one more big one left in him but.

[00:29:26] Well, from what I saw of his performances in a W like again, I'm not cutting him up because I love Hiroshi Tana Hashi's work, but father time catches up to us all and father time is undefeated so. Unless you're worked there unless you're rich.

[00:29:46] How many retired matches can we have? I don't know. Let's find out. I think a number four now. Is it only for thought it was more than that? Hey, we still so I and I actually think this will happen.

[00:30:00] Chris Jericho has said repeatedly but he also wrote in his book he wants his retirement match to be against Lance storm. Really? Yeah, and Lance storm can still he doesn't wrestle but he still can.

[00:30:11] I didn't know that I didn't know that one and I think and here's the funny part.

[00:30:16] This is one of those times what see a pun kind of did this stuff. I think knowing what I know about those two, it'll be a beat per beat rehash of their first match ever together, which Jericho says he can still lay out.

[00:30:33] I do remember thing where a. Seeing punk did say that he ever had a retirement match against Don Cena. Which that's another perk speaking of John Cena. I think seen all show up for the rumble. Thank you. Well.

[00:30:48] I don't think you will really. You don't think so. I really think his time is about. I think it is, but here's the thing like you said.

[00:30:57] I think I think WWE would be able to just print a money make a money machine even without a title if you got punk Cena to. Which I know it's not actually to it's like punk scene of 50 but as far as big big match.

[00:31:16] Or said the same thing also. He said he was a retirement match, but he would like to see it also. Well, Cena just needs to go on a retirement tour. He's going with the real legend killer.

[00:31:28] What you know what though for everybody who gives John Cena grief, which isn't as common now because he's not on Raw every week.

[00:31:35] And for remember for a good long while, better part of a decade, he was on Raw and SmackDown every week and Russell just about every week. What's there? He might be there to hype up the upcoming video game. Yeah, that's that's possibly true. Possibly.

[00:31:59] Yeah, which see him. But I love the way CM punk hyped up the video game in the middle of a promo and made it look like he wasn't doing a plug but we all know he was doing a plug.

[00:32:10] The way almost only CM punk can and I also love the way CM punk can we get the audience that knows.

[00:32:21] And that promo with Cody was just, uh, and Cody did phenomenal too not to take anything away from him. I'm more CM punk than CM punk and I'm like, you know what? He's kind of right. Because that promo wasn't a lie.

[00:32:45] CM punk said it, but Cody did it. Cody went out and formed a brand new company. That is true. That did effectively change the wrestling world at least temporarily. Now it's very much more of the same, but I mean and whether or not you agree or disagree.

[00:33:07] WWE did change some of the things they were doing because a. W exists. They had to exactly. They had to now after a while they realized that a. W wasn't actually. There's what a trip. LH says, like, okay, you beat our developmental. Congratulations. That's true.

[00:33:31] But they did be. I mean, NXT got taken off the bill never admitted this, but the timing is obvious. NXT got put on cable television because a W and got moved up to two hours.

[00:33:48] I didn't honestly, it was a it's been a couple years and everybody takes it for granted now, but I remember when NXT was only on the W. I mean we all remember.

[00:33:56] We just don't think about it. Yeah, NXT obviously got moved to Wednesday nights on cable at 8 p.m. Two compete with a W and a W did beat them a couple times. Well, more than a couple, I'd say it was a fairly strong victory.

[00:34:13] And NXT was having to pull out all the stops every week, you know, back when Adam Cole was in NXT they were, I mean, they were pulling out everything.

[00:34:23] And they want some times, but it's funny because, but at the same time and I think Triple H understands this in the day and age of streaming. I mean, TV rating is matter, but they don't matter as much in terms of direct competition. It matters to advertisers.

[00:34:41] Yeah. But speaking of streaming, I'm sure you saw the announcement raw is moving exclusively to Netflix. I see that. I don't know how I feel about it, but I mean, I'll still be on TV, but no, it won't. Well, no, it is exclusively streaming on Netflix.

[00:35:04] How are you going to life? I don't know. I don't know how they're going to do it. They can be done.

[00:35:17] Let's say, he came and said, I still missed the old black and gold NXT. I don't really watch the name of my angry man. Black and gold NXT was. I mean, it was it was the best wrestling for a couple years.

[00:35:29] Realistically from 2014 to 2016, I would say NXT was generally speaking the best wrestling on TV. That was when New Japan was starting to really find its groove. By 2016, I'd say New Japan was probably the best wrestling you could watch until about 2019. Man, I'm really more like 2018.

[00:35:51] Yes, Wendy, there were like these weird two year blocks that kept happening. I don't know. I just saw the, actually, I think I still have the announcement. So I'll read it verbatim because I may have. Oh, no, but I did send it to you. Let's see.

[00:36:11] Well, next year January 2025 starting in January 2025 next Netflix will exclusively stream WDW RAW in the US candidate UK and Latin America every single week all year long. I was going to still stay on Mondays.

[00:36:29] I would assume so because it's Monday and I raw, but I mean again, I don't. And it might be a year because they might be developing the technology to stream live on Netflix, which if that's what they're going to do and I think they will.

[00:36:47] That's a game changer. I know we, we, we, we, we're streaming live right now, but I mean for Netflix to do it. I know I don't know how I feel about it. I really, I truly don't know how I feel about it.

[00:37:08] It's going to reach a, it's going to reach a really wide audience. I just think it's going to be one of the things where we're just going to have to wait till then of like really figure what's going on.

[00:37:19] We are and what I'm really worried about is how is that going to affect the wrestlers pay? I just, I just don't know. I mean theoretically Netflix is just paying for the license so it really doesn't matter.

[00:37:34] So maybe that's enough to cover it. I just have a hard time seeing that sort of agreement like are they being paid per episode and that's every week. I don't see how that's financially feasible without taking a massive pay cut for the for the wrestlers, not for WWE.

[00:37:53] I just, I don't know but you still have SmackDown too, but there's still separate roster so. Man, I don't know, but I mean I trust it's endeavor. It's no longer solely WWE. So. I just, I don't know man. I don't know. I feel about it.

[00:38:13] I don't know either. Like, like I'm sitting there like trying to think like all the things that could go on and like what they could do. And it's just like. I just just don't know. I just don't.

[00:38:26] We won't know until January comes around in 2025 and then it finally says hey this is the date that's like actual date it's dropping to at this time.

[00:38:36] Until then we won't know. Yeah, and I'm really I'm really hesitant because we all know when they started to WWE network instead of doing traditional paper view the wrestlers got a massive pay decrease. For the for the paper views.

[00:38:53] Let's see who teams got some more the champa Johnny matches were amazing and I don't think about that. You could be right if it could affect their pay. Yeah, that's the only thing I'm really worried about.

[00:39:02] Because in it's it's really ironic because the streaming platform gives you a potentially much bigger audience. The traditional paper view and technically cable especially, but at the same time it's a it's a much lower cost per user. So I literally.

[00:39:22] The price is the talk about raising the prices in Netflix. Well, but Netflix now has tier so like what I did guess yes Netflix. But again, if you so the in this is why I'm really concerned so look at Netflix. I don't even know how big their catalog.

[00:39:34] But let's think about this. A television network has a finite amount of programming that they can show because there's only 24 hours in a day. Netflix has hundreds of thousands of hours of content that is accessible at any time anywhere for a user.

[00:39:54] So in my opinion, if that's what they're going to do the one or just. Why don't they just fully jump over from peacock to Netflix?

[00:40:02] Well, I think they have an existing deal with peacock for the premium live events, but this may be testing the waters. So who knows. I think this could backfire, but again, I just don't know. Because it's not. I'm going to give a W some grief for a change.

[00:40:30] You might not remember this. It was a few months back. It was last year. I had said that since Warner Brothers Discovery already owns max HBO Max. I said, why don't you have AEW dynamite streaming available on there. All the AEW shows.

[00:40:51] And because they already had the reality show on there. The AEW all access, because this was wrote to the top was over by the time this happens. Yeah.

[00:41:03] So you, I mean, they own the rights as the same company, right? I don't know why they didn't do it because. I'm not trying to give them grief, but like TBS and TNT. Like real, I'm pretty sure Max has a wider user base.

[00:41:19] But the only reason I can found them that they didn't do it is because it didn't make sense to financially. Yeah. So now we're looking at W to be in Netflix and I agree in Netflix is a bit of a different animal.

[00:41:32] Because they don't have a television network behind them. And it is a more expensive streaming service probably because they don't have the television network behind them. But now you can get Netflix for I think it's 599 or 699 a month.

[00:41:47] It just comes with ads and there's like a tiny bit of content that's locked for you, which I downgraded mine because I don't care about ads and pretty much all the content that's block. I don't want to watch anyway. So I don't really care.

[00:42:03] Now what'll be interesting though is if I have to upgrade to watch money in that raw, which I can foresee because it's a different animal if it's live.

[00:42:09] If it's not live, it's going to be very disappointing. I don't know. But like I said, we will see, we will see about that. Yeah, just go have to wait till the end.

[00:42:27] Yeah, it's like I said, that's 20 25. So we'll we'll see. But in Hakeem, I have a question for you. If you don't mind, I'm going to I'm going to type my Instagram in the chat. If you want to mine send me a message on there.

[00:42:48] I want to ask you something privately. But yeah, so who else do we think? Who else do we think we'll see in the Royale and the rumble Royale?

[00:43:10] I mean, you got names like Cardona to show up. Oh, yes, and I, you know what, he's been kind of sort of hinting at possibility.

[00:43:19] And it would make sense. I think Matt Cardona as long as they don't rename him Zach writer or name him again rename as a name him again, Zach writer just bringing back his Matt Cardona. He's proven himself.

[00:43:33] No, something that really make him hot. They just showed up at TNA. Is that Cardona? Yeah, and that I got us. I was simultaneously shocked and not surprised at all.

[00:43:48] Because the writings I can't believe they let him go, but the writing's been on the wall for over a year now. Well, here's my thing. He just showed him at TNA's hot. He's white hot dude. You you haven't showed up at the rumble as Nick name it.

[00:44:06] And he's going to jump from hot to even hot turrets. I think it's too soon for that. However, I have a proposal for the WWE take a page out of New Japan's book instead of releasing people.

[00:44:20] I think WWE should start sending wrestlers on excursion when they just when when the audience just needs a break from them.

[00:44:27] But send them to places like impact like oh my god. I don't know the AW would take him, but could you could imagine for a moment if you will.

[00:44:37] Let's say in this hypothetical world, let's say that the audience is just the audience is just tired of AJ Styles. They don't want to see him, but WWE understands we're not going to release him because he's way too valuable. They just need a breather.

[00:44:52] Send him to AEW for six months. Just call him up as if Tony Con would say no. So hey, Tony. Hey, Tony. It's Hunter. How you doing? Hey, listen, I was wondering if you would like AJ Styles to appear on your television show for six months.

[00:45:12] Just don't hurt him and don't bury him. Those are the only requirements. I mean, that would be perfect. And then like or a new Japan. Honestly, you do that. Then you open up the forbidden door. They need to have a survivor series.

[00:45:35] It's I. Well, and it's funny. It's funny though because for everybody who's saying that would never happen. It's just going back to the territory system. Yes, exactly. That's all it is. That's all you're doing and not just a W and W to be even if he says.

[00:45:53] And you got in W. Well, you do still have ring of honor, too, which Tony owns, but okay, what's the one. Do what? Such an ass. Okay, so what, okay, let's use that same hypothetical example.

[00:46:16] Triple H calls Tony, Connace. Hey, Tony, would you like to have AJ Styles wrestle for you for six months? Here are the conditions. Don't do anything intentionally dumb that's going to get him injured like a death match. Don't bury him.

[00:46:36] And he has to wrestle for ring of honor. Now if I'm Tony, Conn and I'm trying to build up ring of honor.

[00:46:44] AJ Styles is my R.O. It's champion like that and I've got him for six months, so I can build up one of my stars in a feud with AJ Styles. It's a win, win, win, win.

[00:46:59] And then AJ Styles can go back to WWE having the prestige of having just on a run of ring of honor reinvented himself and now he's back and he's hardcore, you know, he's he's the old AJ Styles again.

[00:47:12] That's just AJ. I mean, you could theoretically do that with anyone. So like let's rattle this off too. Randy Orton, which I'm going to take that back the WWE audience is never sick of seeing Randy or that would never happen. Yeah. I don't know, let's think of something.

[00:47:37] Or probably a better example would be an excellent talent that's at the performance center. Be like, you know, he's he's doing okay, but he's just not progressing. We just think he needs to get reps in.

[00:47:48] Send him to the endies and I think Triple A just done that with a couple of people. I think they don't have to evolve a couple times. Yeah, they definitely did it with a vault, but evolve closed correct. Not sure.

[00:48:01] Or did they reopen it? I can't remember, but I do think honestly, like instead of having another developmental care because NXT's a brand now. Let's face it.

[00:48:12] You've got to be ring ready to appear in NXT. So it's I get it. It's kind of developmental, but anymore it's it's really not. It's don't get me wrong. It's part of their developmental system, but it's it's really not developmental anymore.

[00:48:27] Yeah. So you almost need another developmental promotion like an indie, but just send them to the endies. Good in these that you have a relationship with like the way OVW was back in the day, which OVW is still around. It's just not the WWE farm system anymore.

[00:48:44] Yeah, it's also not the TNA farm system anymore. Now have you heard the rumors that WWE purchased TNA? I did hear something about that. I don't think they purchased it, but I I have reason to believe that they have fairly warm relations.

[00:49:04] Probably certainly more amicable than they were at which we saw they had Mickey James on in the real rumble. I mean. So that boost is somebody I'd like to see show up. That would be interesting. That turns some heads.

[00:49:20] I think next year. So for your idea about Nick Nemeth, I think if Nick Nemeth can become TNA World Champion and the next year's rumble he shows up as Nick Nemeth.

[00:49:32] I think that carries a lot more weight after he's got that championship under his belt or as his belt. Something like that.

[00:49:47] I can say I heard about it. I'm wondering wasn't true. I'll be honest. I don't know, but I see some things that indicate which again, it may not be a purchase situation, but it could be similar to the AEW impact relationship that lasted for a few months.

[00:50:04] So who knows? But by the way, that promo and TNA was awesome. And it's like nobody's going to wonder what happened in Nick Nemeth. Everybody's going to wonder what happened to Dolph Ziggler. And I was like, wow, I want to watch TNA for the first time in 10 years.

[00:50:24] Ten plus years probably more like 15. Yeah, that was a great TNA. TNA gets the award for survival. They just don't stop and I appreciate that. And they pat you up and then they just keep clawing at it.

[00:50:47] It showed up with an eye patch, crutches through 30 bandages and eyeballing it out, but by God, it showed up. It's too missing the cat. It showed up to fight Bravo, TNA. And you know what's funny? I'm actually glad it's going back to TNA.

[00:51:06] Yeah, so am I. So time is hard and I catch myself calling an impact. Like when we're from TNA to impact, I'm still calling a TNA for a bit. And then now that's impacting on the TNA again, I'm still calling an impact now. I'm like, not impacting anymore.

[00:51:20] For some reason TNA were you know wrestling federations need that three letters. They really do well except NJPW, but new Japan's it's three syllables new Japan.

[00:51:36] So honestly, who do you think? Who do you really think the rules go when a rumble? I think Cody's going to win the rumble.

[00:51:42] Well, and the reason they keep teasing, you know, it's like only two other men have one consecutive role rumbles. They're bringing it up. It's expected. There's they're sewing the seeds. They're planting the seeds.

[00:51:56] Hogan and Austin, I think were the only two people was Logan and Austin and Hogan's going to be at the rumble. So, Please hopefully hoping that I'm right. I don't know. Here's my thing is we still have elimination chamber for Mania Sue.

[00:52:15] Who's just say they don't do a number one container ship and the elimination chamber for the world title? I mean, maybe, but I still for the story. You know, because in this it's I don't know what you call this. Do you have to leave shortly?

[00:52:33] I'm okay about 10 minutes. Okay, we can wrap it up then. There's a term for it. I just can't remember. There's a thing that happens in life. It's a real life where everything just seems to happen in a way as though it was written like as a story.

[00:52:49] It's not necessarily, everything goes perfect, but it's just it's like it would be a great narrative if that were written down. Usually you say something like a great fiction writer couldn't come up with that.

[00:53:00] And WWE at its best writes those kinds of stories, but makes them believe it gives you believable doubt and that's exactly what they're doing with Cody. Exactly to the tea. All the seeds are planted, but they're casting just enough doubt.

[00:53:19] Because you have the seemingly insurmountable Cody has to defeat 29 other men and of those men, it's including Bobby Lashley, C.M. Pung, Drew McIntyre, plus a host of mystery people that nobody knows who's going to be there.

[00:53:35] Yeah, but you are here's my thinking on it like we know we're going to have punk at Mania in some way shape or form. Yes, I agree. You know it's probably going to be punk in Rawland's at Mania probably in some way shape or form.

[00:53:53] Yeah, maybe I don't know. Well, because I think well and the only reason I say that is because I think part I think part of the agreement and it may not be this WrestleMania. Like let's say punk signed a three year deal.

[00:54:07] Part of his deal, I'm sure is a WrestleMania main event which almost always means the title. Now I'm necessarily but almost always. And it's it can be night one or night two, but he okay, he will listen me out. These could get one of her couple ways.

[00:54:27] Cody wins. Cody goes on the face Roman. Then more than likely we get punk. The Golden Face Seth Rollins. More than likely. Wait number two. Punk wins. He goes face Rollins. Cody finds a way to face Roman.

[00:54:54] Yeah, and I like I guess that's what they say you see W one night stand two it's okay Rob will take it. It's not the best way but we'll take it. It's a narrow number three.

[00:55:08] You said to you can't give me a third when you said I'm just getting go for it. So there are number three. The whole audience went no. There are number three neither one meant when we get punk and Cody at Mania.

[00:55:26] If it were another year, I'd say sure, but I've Cody has to win the rumble and be Roman. He just has to man. He just has to because like we're still not sure if they're going to have Roman beat.

[00:55:46] Who's number one right now? Who's number one for longest raining? Bruno St. Martino where no. Yeah, but I think he's a ways away. Like I don't think that's possible because how long was Bruno St. Martino's rain? I mean, it was redonculus. St. Martino's rain. Number three I think.

[00:56:13] Yeah, but Bruno St. Martino was almost 10 years. Okay. Yeah, that's not going to happen. Yeah, he from so eight years, 1963 to 1971. That's not happening. Okay, so hoping was number three. No, he hasn't been a hoogens record yet.

[00:56:38] Damn cat. You're going to hit a key and knock the stream off. Let's see, longest WWE title rings. No, not. I don't care about the tag team titles. Longest WWE championship ring. Okay, Hulk Hogan was basically a year, 365 days at number 10. And macho man ties him.

[00:57:20] I'm sorry macho man tied AJ styled the 300 AJ styles 371 days. John Cena 381 days, CM Punk 434 days, Pedro Morales, 1,027 days Bruno Sam Martino. Well, that's not true. Bruno Sam Martino. Okay, hang on. According to WWE Bruno Sam Martino's title longest title ring was only 1,237. Wait, okay.

[00:57:50] These are separate title rings. Hulk Hogan's longest title ring was 1474. Bob Backland, 2135. And okay, Bruno Sam Martino's longest title ring at number 1 was 2,800 3 days. Where's Roman on that list? I don't know. This doesn't make any sense because he's beaten a lot of these people. What year was this?

[00:58:12] This doesn't make any sense. Okay, this is okay. This is an old article. So that's good. That's why Romans are not on this list. So Roman reigns universal. He has held the title for 1,243 days. This is like 1,300 and something. Okay, so yeah, he's pretty close.

[00:58:51] And how could it's like top three, I think? Okay, here's a different article. This might be more. Okay, Bruno Sam Martino, 2,800 3, Number two, Hulk Hogan at 1474. And Bob Backland at 2138. Roman reigns at 1100 at the time. So Roman reigns is now the fourth longest training.

[00:59:20] WWE championship holder, which is technically not true because it's. Not really. It's the universal title, which I mean we know it's the world champion. Yeah, is it though? I don't know. I mean it is effectively, but is it though?

[00:59:46] I don't know. I mean, props to Roman because he did what none of us thought he could do. Tell a long term story in WWE. Very very long. Very long term. Very very very long. And just for a change of pace, long. Yeah.

[01:00:08] But they do make it interesting just about every time. So kudos to that just about not every time, but just about every time. But yeah, who do you think is going to win the role, Rumble America?

[01:00:28] Or the UK because actually we have a lot of listeners in the UK. On mostly on Spotify, but yeah, I thought that was a fun fact and we even have some in India. Who do you think is gender mahal even in the match? Oh, Michael.

[01:00:45] You know what? I think he'll show up. I think he'll be there. Oh, and we know main event. Shaeu shows in the world, Rumble. E. O you can't say that anymore. Why can't you say E anymore? Because they have blocked off. He can't.

[01:01:03] He wears the E shirt, but they haven't blurred out every time now. Why? Khyperitis shoes. That's so stupid. Anyway, that's why when Jay wears the E shirt, his cross-dance says no. I'm sorry. I think that's funny. Oh, ready. Everybody. Well, those are our predictions for the role.

[01:01:29] Rumble. We shall find out on Saturday. I'll be watching. I wouldn't definitely be able to meet you. If I can't watch it Saturday night, I'll be watching it Sunday morning and do a social media blockout. So don't text me anything. Dang it.

[01:01:49] I was speaking of texting things. We got roughly five minutes. Do you want to tell the world what you've discovered about Brock Lesnar? I've discovered. We, yeah, I just children right now. Do not let you let children much in the business.

[01:02:01] So we don't know. We don't know how true everything is. But you obviously remember the sex, harassment things going on that was going on with events within the last year or so and why he had a step down.

[01:02:13] Yeah, yeah, and full full disclaimer and disclosure. These are purely allegations. That's nothing's a hundred and six through this is all. Every single bit's allegations. But apparently Brock Lesnar, a freak. Brock Lesnar, an adventure to freak. Well, we knew Vince was messed up. Yeah.

[01:02:35] Apparently whoever this lady is and I'm not sure who it is. I guess Vince talked to her and to Vince talked to her and to given Brock her number to get a hold of him to persuade him into signing the new contract that he got in.

[01:03:01] And I guess Brock asked her to take a video of her peen and if remember he called her a, it was what he cleared out but he called her a bitch. Yeah, called her a bitch. Now that was the only statement of that one.

[01:03:22] But there was also a text going on that I'd seen on Twitter stating that that this supposedly likes shit on people's chest. Which actually thinking back makes a lot of sense. I mean, and I'm one of those people.

[01:03:51] You know, whatever floats your bow but I mean, there's a line. Yeah, all this really sounds like a real shitty situation. Yeah, I know. Well, you know, it did just, it just. Scared the crap out of that scare the crap out of that lady.

[01:04:09] I'm sure, but you know what you do to make the best of shitty situation. Sign an NDA. Is, is Kylie or a still wrestling? I can't remember. She may do any stuff that's about it. I think so and not, I'm not trying to make.

[01:04:29] I just cannot resist the word play. Just make her gimmick in DA Kylie Ray. Perfect. I mean, talk about getting around an NDA. It's just her gimmick. No, she's not saying it's true. That is perfect though.

[01:04:50] I really like, I don't, I don't want to know but at the same time, like, If Jericho really is that creepy, I kind of want to know. But I don't want to know, you know, it's one of those things.

[01:05:02] I kind of like, I want to know how raw is going to be on Netflix, but at the same time, I don't. Yeah, yeah, I just, I just don't know. But anyway, now that the shit's out of the bag,

[01:05:16] I'm just thinking of how my boots on because shit's getting deep. Listen, that's her code name deep shit. Oh, but this has been down the middle. Everyone's 13th favorite wrestling program. And we're happy you are here to share with us.

[01:05:37] Um, I suppose next time we'll go over and tell you what we got right and what we got wrong with the real Rumble and we'll probably just do another wrestling recap because dang it, I'm going to be better.

[01:05:48] I'm going to, I'm going to watch wrestling on the regular again. I'm going to make myself do it. But WB, it's not nearly as much of a choice that used to be. I still skip some matches because it's like, there's no point like the new day.

[01:06:03] Although since when did the new day, like, start getting serious? She didn't start feeling in Perium. Yeah, well, you pretty well have to. How about eat them coming back as Pete Dunn and that butch? Finally. Now what I don't know, did they give them his old music back?

[01:06:26] I believe it is. Hmm, yes. The bruiser with back. I don't know why he's Irish. I don't know. They all sound the same. No, no, they don't. Yeah. Alrighty, well, this has been down the middle.

[01:06:49] I know you've got to go to your day job because unfortunately we're not your favorite Pro Wrestling podcast yet and that means we're not in paed yet. So hopefully we remember do that this year. There's actually a lot of very exciting things in the works.

[01:07:04] I will message you about them later. My friend because you got to go to work, but this has been down the middle. Hopefully you enjoyed it. Let us know in the comments what your predictions for a royal real rumble are because I'm curious.

[01:07:16] See them. And we will see you two Thursdays from now. The long. No, no. I'll feed those ain't good night.