‘The Ringer Wrestling Show’ brings you instant reactions to the biggest matches, breakdowns of the hottest feuds, and analysis of all the latest gossip in the wild world of professional wrestling. Join "The Masked Man" David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide, Ben Cruz and Brian H. Waters for a podcast feed that redefines what it means to be a wrestling fan.
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This episode dives into the dramatic events in pro wrestling, highlighted by Bron Breakker's shocking betrayal of Seth Rollins and the resulting breakup of The Vision. The hosts analyze WWE's renewed focus on elevating young talent, explore John Cena's potential retirement angle with a world title, and review major championship changes in TNA and IWGP. They also speculate on the unpredictable future of War Games and discuss other key character developments across promotions, emphasizing a thrilling new era for wrestling.
COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: You have to spend the rest of the week in Pac's or Moxley’s ring gear; whose are you choosing (1:04)? David and Kaz kick off the show discussing Santos Escobar re-signing with WWE and Kofi Kingston’s and Xavier Woods’s contract extensions (8:34). Then Ben Cruz and Brian joins to predict WWE Crown Jewel (25:22). Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky , TikTok , Instagram Threads , and X . Hosts: David Shoemaker, Kazeem Famuyide, Ben Cruz, and Brian H. Waters Pr...
COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: With the recent celebration of Teacher Appreciation Day, which WWE superstar participating in Crown Jewel looks the most like a teacher (0:45)? David and Kaz discuss a few highlights from the weekend and 'Raw,' including: Santos Escobar doesn’t re-sign with WWE and enters free agency (5:37) Could more wrestlers turn down WWE contracts (22:52)? Maxxine Dupri shocks the world in win over Becky Lynch (31:25) Is there tension between Roman Reigns and the Usos (47:00)?...
COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Would you rather be in a car accident or Darby Allin in a match (:45)? David and Kaz close your week with a few recent headlines, including: Andrade’s return to AEW (3:41) Adam Hangman Page and Samoa Joe’s build-up for the world title (31:25) NXT Showdown preview (51:09) Why Oba Femi should not face John Cena (58:14) Is Je’Von Evans too young for Raw or Smackdown (1:09:00)? Roman Reigns to be the WWE QB1 soon (1:17:19)? Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky ,...
COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Who had a better weekend—Ricky Saints, Je’Von Evans, or Oba Femi (0:18)? David and Kaz kick off the week with a round of applause for a friend of the program and Thursday’s guest, Ricky Saints, who won the NXT World Title at ‘No Mercy’ (8:27). Then, they discuss the following: Sami Zayn and Je’Von Evans steal the show on 'Smackdown' (15:37) Who will be world champion first—Oba Femi or Sami Zayn (23:44)? The next generation of Black main-eventers (24:35) Bad Bunny ...
COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: The Pro Wrestling Illustrated 500 came out this week, but who is no. 1 in the Kaz 500 (0:19)? David and Kaz kick off the show with their reactions to the PWI 500's top 10 (4:55). Then they discuss the John Cena vs. AJ Styles match (44:17). Later, they welcome the no. 1 contender for the NXT Championship, Ricky Saints, ahead of his title match with Oba Femi at No Mercy (1:15:20). He discusses the following: Getting really personal with his vignette in his hometown ...
David and Kaz delve into a comprehensive recap of WrestlePalooza and AEW All Out, dissecting the controversial "C" grade given to WrestlePalooza by Andreas Hale, the implications of WWE's ESPN partnership, and John Cena's potential final opponent. They also analyze key moments from AEW All Out, including Kyle Fletcher's main event loss, surprising returns like Pac and AJ Lee, and the polarizing character development of Hook and the Death Riders. The hosts share their overall grades for both events, offering insights into booking decisions, fan expectations, and the broader landscape of professional wrestling.
COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What’s the weirdest response you've ever gotten from someone when they find out you cover pro wrestling (0:40)? David and Kaz kick off the show with a real conversation about the state of pro wrestling at the moment and its predictability, despite all the publicity and mainstream coverage (5:49). Then they pick up their predictions game with picks for AEW All Out (42:59) and WWE Wrestlepalooza (1:05:00) Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky , TikTok , Instagr...
COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Would you rather be like MJF and get thrown into tables and thumbtacks, or like Shawn Michaels and get both knees replaced (1:04)? David and Kaz discuss the news about Andrade being released from his WWE contract over the weekend (6:15). Then they discuss Dominik Mysterio's AAA Mega Championship win and ask whether he will become a bigger star than his dad, Rey Mysterio Jr. (30:33). Later, they look over WWE Wrestlepalooza and AEW and discuss what they are looking...
David and Kaz delve into the controversial announcement of WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia, examining TKO’s profit-driven motives and the impact on fans. They dissect current WWE storylines, including AJ Styles' "last run" promo, the dynamic between Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch, and potential heel turns for LA Knight and Jey Uso. AEW news covers Daniel Garcia's turn and the "Greatest Of Our Time" list challenge. The show concludes with an insightful interview with AEW TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher, who discusses his rapid rise, character evolution, reaction to critiques, and his readiness for the AEW World Championship.
COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: On any given day in Chicago, who gets the biggest pop—Michael Jordan, Mike Singletary, CM Punk, or AJ Lee (0:30)?David and Kaz kick off the show with a huge announcement for next week’s episode of 'The Masked Man Show' (4:11). Then, we get another hot take from Kaz, and he says there is ONE thing AEW could do to get back in the fight with WWE (8:34). Later, they discuss the following: John Cena’s last match (16:11) Looking back on John Cena’s heel turn (25:39) AJ ...
After Kaz’s hot take from Tuesday, he and David fire up the mics to continue the conversation about whether John Cena is the greatest of all time (3:38). Then Brian joins in for a rapid-fire debate on the greatest WWE superstars ever (26:45). After that, they recap the highlights from NXT and AEW Dynamite (45:13). Last, they are joined by Phil Schneider, who talks about his latest piece on The Ringer, where he lists the 10 greatest matches in the history of the ECW Arena (64:31). Be sure to chec...
David and Kaz break down the events of WWE Clash in Paris, focusing on Becky Lynch's surprising interference to help Seth Rollins and its implications for their on-screen dynamic with CM Punk. They also discuss Sami Zayn's U.S. Championship victory and the ongoing debate surrounding babyface champions. The hosts also passionately debate John Cena's "Greatest of All Time" status, considering his longevity, accomplishments, and recent match quality, alongside top wrestler of the year candidates from both WWE and AEW.
COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Who between Oba Femi and Claudio Castagnoli would throw their opponent the farthest? David and Kaz kick off the show by recapping AEW Dynamite, which was live at the 2300 Arena (3:40). Then Brian and Ben make predictions for WWE Clash in Paris (41:45). Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky , TikTok , Instagram Threads , and X . Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adcho...
David and Kaz dive into a chaotic weekend of pro wrestling, offering a detailed recap of AEW Forbidden Door, including the Lights Out Steel Cage Match, the overbooked MJF vs. Hangman Page finish, and the controversial tag title change. They also cover NXT Heatwave highlights, singling out Je'Von Evans' immense potential and the stellar Jordynne Grace vs. Blake Monroe bout. The hosts also touch upon the Raja Jackson incident, the "is it a work?" debate surrounding Killer Kross at GCW, and WWE's return to SportsCenter, offering a comprehensive look at the week's major wrestling news.
David and Kaz fire the mics and have a lot to discuss after a heavy news week in pro wrestling. They discuss the following: Naomi announcing her pregnancy and vacating the Women’s world title (0:23) Adam “Hangman” Page vs. MJF stipulations changing (3:49) WWE announcing WrestlePalooza and moving PLEs to ESPN in September (17:16) AEW Forbidden Door preview (33:40) Whether WWE is trying to get rid of its competition (56:01) Athena vs. Toni Storm for the AEW Women’s Championship (1:24:20) Oba Femi ...
COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: With reports that Chris Jericho’s contract is up in December, how would you book him in WWE in 2026 (0:36)?David and Kaz discuss the rumors that WWE is putting together a show against AEW All Out (10:16). They also discuss the following: Naomi to address the crowd on WWE 'Raw' (35:54) Konosuke Takeshita wins the G1 Climax (41:06) Omos goes viral, and El Hijo del Vikingo gets booed at Triplemanía (47:59) Will WWE bring back Alberto Del Rio after the reactions at Tr...
COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Who from the SmackDown tag team division would you book for the main event of WrestleMania (0:36)? David and Kaz kick off the show by discussing the latest on Karrion Kross after his interview about his WWE contract status (9:00). Then they discuss the following: Dominik Mysterio, Dragon Lee, and El Grande Americano vs. El Hijo del Vikingo at Triplemanía (14:57) Dominik Mysterio’s trajectory for the WrestleMania 42 main event (26:00) Is WWE attempting to put AEW o...
COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What pro wrestling T-shirt would your family surprise you with (0:15)? David, Kaz, and Brian discuss Karrion Kross’s documentary, in which he revealed that his time with WWE is up. They discuss whether or not it’s part of a big story line or whether it’s real. They also discuss the possibility of this leading to fan outrage and his return to WWE (4:55). Later, they recap AEW Collision (59:00) and play a game deciding who would be better off as El Grande Americano ...
David, Kaz, and Adnan Virk fire up the mics early Thursday morning to discuss the WWE-ESPN deal and what it’s like working as a broadcaster at WWE! They talk about the following: Who’s most likely to win a title: LA Knight, CM Punk, or Roman Reigns (0:22) Virk joins to talk about his new book 'Cinephile' (22:01) How WWE can benefit from working with ESPN (30:10) Virk’s as a WWE broadcaster (33:22) Karrion Kross and Scarlett contract extensions (1:05:00) MJF and the Hurt Syndicate (1:10:15) Be su...
David and Kaz welcome Bret “The Hitman” Hart to the show live at Gramercy Theater in New York City. Bret discusses his career, which wrestlers currently remind him of himself, who he is not currently a fan of, and more. Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky , TikTok , Instagram Threads , and X . Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Guest: Bret Hart Producer: Brian H. Waters Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
The Masked Man Show crew offers an early morning recap of WWE SummerSlam, delving into the shocking return of Brock Lesnar and the surrounding controversy, alongside a detailed analysis of the acclaimed John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes main event and Seth Rollins' cunning Money in the Bank cash-in. The hosts also break down other key matches, including Dominik Mysterio's continued rise, the Women's World Championship, and the TLC Tag Team Title match, while touching on broader wrestling themes like wrestler longevity, fan engagement, and lingering conspiracy theories.
It’s SummerSlam weekend and David, Kaz, Ben, and Brian are all together in New Jersey with a few WWE superstars! Alexa Bliss discusses her return, how she began working with Charlotte, the possibilities of working with the Wyatt Sicks, the stories of each variation of her character, and more (2:28) Then to close the show, David, Kaz, Ben, and Brian each make picks for SummerSlam—with a twist (31:44)! Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky , TikTok , Instagram Threads , and X . Hosts: David S...
It’s SummerSlam weekend, and David, Kaz, Ben, and Brian are all together in New Jersey to sit down with a few WWE Superstars! Here is the second half of their interviews. Drew McIntyre explains why he was held up from returning back to the United States, why Jelly Roll doesn’t belong in a wrestling ring, his goal to get back to pursuing the WWE title, having a run in front of fans, and more (0:53). Aleister Black talks returning to WWE from AEW, what’s different in his current run, and a little ...
It’s SummerSlam weekend, and David, Kaz, Ben, and Brian are all together in New Jersey to sit down with a few WWE Superstars! Chelsea Green talks 'WWE: Unreal,' what creative decisions she would die on a hill for, being the comedic relief, being the first United States champion, and more (1:00). Ron Killings then joins and talks about getting released and the outpouring love on social media that brought him back. Plus, he talks about cutting his hair on live television and his upcoming country a...
COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What’s your favorite Hulk Hogan memory (0:16)? David and Kaz continue the conversation about the late Hulk Hogan and the legacy he leaves behind (3:36). Later, they share some quick SummerSlam picks (71:00). Then David welcomes Marc Raimondi, author of ‘ Say Hello to the Bad Guys, ' to discuss Hogan’s career and how he changed the landscape of professional wrestling through the NWO (76:00) Read David’s piece “The Mortal Hulk Hogan ” on The Ringer's website. Get yo...
David and Brian open by reacting to the surprising news of Hulk Hogan's death at 71, reflecting on his complicated legacy and immense impact on pro wrestling. They then preview the upcoming Summer Bash event with Bret 'Hitman' Hart and Action Bronson. The hosts also dive into recent AEW Dynamite and Raw shows, covering Will Ospreay's injury, the Hangman Page vs. Jon Moxley rematch, Trick Williams' rise, and the intriguing 'El Grande Americano' gimmick.
David and Kaz dive deep into the professional wrestling world, discussing Kazeem's on-screen appearance at TNA Slammiversary, the controversial end to Goldberg's final match, and the significance of Roman Reigns' return to Raw. They also preview the highly anticipated CM Punk vs. Gunther match for SummerSlam and share detailed critiques and highlights from AEW All In and WWE Evolution.
David Shoemaker and Brian H. Waters recap a massive wrestling weekend featuring ROH, NXT, AEW All In, and WWE events. They list their top winners, discuss major injuries like Seth Rollins and Adam Cole, and dive into the mailbag to answer fan questions on topics including Naomi's cash-in, Hangman Page's title win, potential rising stars, match quality debates, and broader industry discussions.
COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Which wrestler would you hang with instead of watching the four big wrestling shows this weekend (0:45)? David and Kaz have a special Masked Man Royal Rumble of all 23 matches announced for TV this weekend to see which match is the last one standing (3:40). Then they welcome Sol Ruca to the show ahead of a weekend when she'll be doing double duty and will have an opportunity to leave with three championships. She talks the following: Transitioning from gymnastics ...
