Between The Ropes

Brian Fritz and Michael Wiseman preview this Sunday's WWE Royal Rumble including possible surprises, who they think will win the Rumble, along with the championship matches, and the ramifications for WrestleMania 33.

Three interviews on the podcast! First, Brian Fritz talks with WWE Champion AJ Styles about this Sunday's Royal Rumble where he will face John Cena, his first year in the company, thoughts on some of his old friends joining him on main roster and more. Then, Drew Galloway discusses Saturday's 5 Star Wrestling show airing live on Spike TV in the UK, the exploding scene overseas along with his contract status with Impact Wrestling and his future. Plus, Charlie Ebersol talks about his ESPN 30 for 30 doc "This Was the XFL".

WWE executive Paul “Triple H” Levesque speaks with the media for the NXT: TakeOver San Antonio conference call as he discusses the upcoming event, deals with UK talents and their contracts overseas, comparing the formats between the CWC and UK tournaments, where he feels the cruiserweight division is now, why Shinsuke Nakamura isn’t on the main roster, Matt Riddle and where he feels NXT is right now.

Brian Fritz talks with former WCW and WWE champion Bill Goldberg about returning to the ring, beating Brock Lesnar in under 90 seconds at Survivor Series, coming full circle in his career and being in the Royal Rumble on Sunday. Then, Brian talks with Xavier Woods about The New Day becoming the longest reigning tag team in WWE history, #BlackExcellence and why the group will live forever.

Brian Fritz and Michael Wiseman discuss the WWE UK Championship tournament, Kenny Omega talking about his future, the week in WWE on Raw and SmackDown including the return of Mickie James, Kurt Angle being inducted into the Hall of Fame and they once again try to "Guess WrestleMania".

Brian Fritz talks with Rocky Romero about Wrestle Kingdom 11, becoming a 7-time IWGP Junior Tag Team champion, the main event between Kazuchika Okada and Kenny Omega, NJPW expansion and coming to Los Angeles in the summer, Omega's future, his second album and other projects he is working on.

Brian Fritz talks with 3-time Ring of Honor champion Adam Cole about winning the title at Wrestle Kingdom 11, the main event between Kazuchika Okada and Kenny Omega, what's next for him and Ring of Honor and the possibility of Kyle O'Reilly leaving the promotion. Then, Michael Wiseman joins Brian to discuss WK11, Omega's future, the week in WWE and the latest Guess WrestleMania.

Brian Fritz is joined by SI.com's Justin Barrasso to discuss NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11, Kenny Omega going forward, Ring of Honor free agency, and the WWE heading into the Royal Rumble and then WrestleMania 33.

Brian and Michael recap the year in wrestling in 2016 and their year-end awards from most memorable moments, best feud, wrestler of the year and the top matches.

Brian catches up with Robbie E to discuss the big changes in his life over the past year, his expectations for 2017, TNA Wrestling moving forward, "Broken" Matt Hardy and standing out in wrestling, reforming the BroMans with Jesse Godderz and living a stress-free life.