Between The Ropes

WWE Executive Vice President of Talent, Live Events and Creative, Paul “Triple H” Levesque speaks with the media about NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II at the Barclays this Saturday, putting the cruiserweight division on Raw, spotlighting veterans versus younger talents, talent working elsewhere and NXT, training styles, the NXT broadcast team going forward, 50/50 booking and more.

Brian Fritz talks with Kevin Kelly — who is in Tokyo, Japan to call the finals of the NJPW G1 Climax — about being in Japan with Steve Corino, how the tournament has played out, Michael Elgin's success over the past few years, his new role in Ring of Honor, where he sees ROH growing the most in the next year, their new partnership with CMLL and continuing to work with NJPW as well as Friday's Death Before Dishonor XIV airing live on PPV.

Two interviews on the podcast! First, Big Cass jumps on to talk about getting called from from NXT, his WWE debut with Enzo Amore, the most outlandish things his partner has said, working singles while Enzo was injured and their big SummerSlam match against Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho. Then, a conversation with Jason Static on his pro wrestling play "We Don't Play Fight" which will next be showing on August 19 in Central Florida.

Brian Fritz and Michael Wiseman discuss Raw and SmackDown including how the show's are doing following the brand split, the uniqueness of Dean Ambrose, Rusev becoming a star, Finn Balor's chances at SummerSlam and both Ryback and Joey Styles gone from WWE.

Brian Fritz is joined by Justin Barrasso of SI.com to discuss the WWE brand extension, which brand will be in a better position by WrestleMania 33, other possible talent being signed away from TNA Wrestling or brought up from NXT, using the cruiserweight division on Raw and how SummerSlam is shaping up.

Brian Fritz and Michael Wiseman talk about this week's editions of WWE Raw and SmackDown, the card for SummerSlam, how Rhyno is doing in his political run in Michigan, Paige's status and Booker T retiring the Spinaroonie.

Brian Fritz and Michael Wiseman look back at WWE Battleground and then discuss the new era of the WWE with both Raw and SmackDown along with a look ahead to SummerSlam and Brock Lesnar's status with the company.

Brian Fritz brings on former WWE creative team member Kevin Eck — now with The Eck Factor blog (http://www.kevineckwrestling.sportsblog.com) to discuss the WWE draft, how the roster shaped out for each brand, NXT talent not called up and how to use that brand, if a brand split was even necessary, being detail-oriented with storylines and taking other ideas from other promotions.

Brian and Michael recap the WWE Draft including their thoughts on how the rosters shaped up and how talent could be used going forward, their own ideas on some things they wanted to see, NXT call-ups, the ending of Raw with the world title controversy and a preview of Sunday's Battleground event.

It's the Between The Ropes WWE mock draft! In anticipation of the WWE draft, Brian and Michael do one of their own and with their own rules with each making 30 picks from the current WWE and NXT rosters and then they each make 10 more from talent anywhere in the world. After you listen, go to Twitter (@BetweenTheRopes) and vote either #TeamFritz or #TeamWiseman.