June 28, 2025

Hulk Hogan Controversy, Pat McAfee’s Hiatus & Inside WWE: Coach and Bro 062725

49 minutes

00:00:00 – Welcome & Chicago Memories

The Coach kicks off the episode live from downtown Chicago, reminiscing about his WWE debut alongside The Rock in 2000.

00:00:48 – Classic Baseball, Soft Fans & Sports Culture

Vince Russo laments the decline of MLB batting averages and reminisces with Coach about athlete work ethic past and present.

The cultural differences between California and New York sports fandom get a humorous deep dive, with Coach branding Cali fans “S-A-W-F-T soft.”

00:05:04 – How to Join the Conversation

Vince encourages listener questions and super sticker participation to drive the discussion.

00:05:19 – Pat McAfee’s Exhaustion & WWE Grind

The Coach and Vince break down Pat McAfee’s recent break from WWE, criticizing toxic wrestling Twitter and reflecting on the brutal schedule broadcasters endure.

Coach shares a personal backstage story about balancing life outside WWE and “wrestling stink.”

Vince and Coach discuss Corey Graves’ position and the entrenched work culture of WWE.

00:12:00 – WWE in Saudi Arabia: Morals vs. Money

The hosts give a candid take on WWE's decision to run shows in Saudi Arabia amidst controversy, prioritizing profit over employee safety.

00:13:58 – Indies Get Mainstream Respect

Discussion on WWE openly referencing indie stars like Matt Cardona and the implications of “blurring the lines” between major leagues and the indies.

00:15:43 – WWE Podcasts: Producer Woes, Ryback Shots, & Realness

Coach and Vince talk about WWE's foray into podcasting and media, with Ryback responding to subtle jabs on social media.

They reflect on Ryback’s reputation and challenges for outspoken performers not ranking as “A-listers.”

00:17:19 – Fun with Old School Photos & Wrestling Style

Listeners prompt fun stories: Vince’s mullet as Vic Venom and Coach’s infamous “flow” hair, leading into a playful ‘show-and-tell’ of wrestling fashion.

00:20:08 – Dr. J & Fan Nostalgia

Vince shares a cherished story about receiving an autographed Dr. J photo, evoking classic sports nostalgia.

00:21:19 – AEW 2025 Streaming & TV Numbers: Fact, Fiction, or FOMO?

A viewer asks about Tony Khan’s claims about AEW’s successful 2025; Vince calls for pro wrestling to stop obsessing over finances publicly.

00:22:30 – Triple H’s Heir Apparents: Bron Breaker & Jacob Fatu

Analysis of WWE’s potential new stars and whether Triple H is successfully grooming the next generation.

Discussion of faction-building in wrestling and effective booking.

00:25:13 – Hogan & Bischoff’s Ticket Sales Drama: Promotional Pitfalls

Vince brings up the backlash facing Hulk Hogan/Eric Bischoff’s new project and their lack of clear branding/promotion.

Coach outlines what’s missing from their marketing and the wrong venue size for a fresh concept.

00:28:31 – Real Wrestling vs. Entertainment: Will Audiences Bite?

The guys debate why authentic grappling-style shows rarely succeed as recurring TV events.

00:29:58 – Hulk Hogan’s Controversy & Industry Fallout

Harsh realities of trusting Hulk Hogan’s star power; discussion on his reputation, backstage controversies, and high-profile WWE apology after racist comments.

00:34:09 – Fun Segment: Is Coach “High”?

A lighthearted digression into Coach’s energy level and the demands of daily content creation.

00:34:37 – Calls for More Vic Venom Segments

Listeners plead for Vince’s classic Vic Venom character; Coach considers it for future episodes.

00:35:42 – Life, Sleep, and the Grind

The hosts bond over lack of sleep, workload, and what keeps them passionate about the business.

00:36:25 – Inside Hulk Hogan’s “Apology” After Scandal

Coach details exactly how Hogan mishandled his apology to WWE talent, and why locker room respect vanished.

00:38:37 – WWE’s Upcoming Netflix Documentary: Will It Be Too Scripted?

Debate on the pros/cons of WWE’s new behind-the-scenes Netflix show airing in July.

Both hosts agree: overproducing the ‘truth’ risks breaking fan immersion for good.

00:43:24 – Why Criticize Hogan? Comparing Wrestling’s “Canceled” Legends

Responding to a listener, Coach and Vince differentiate between Hogan’s excuses and other stars’ accountability.

00:46:12 – WWE Double Tapings & SmackDown Ratings Concerns

The challenge of live events, double tapings, and audience fatigue gets a quick mention.

00:47:01 – Brawl for All: The JBL Backstory

Vince Russo clarifies a fan question: Was the infamous “Brawl for All” just to see JBL put in his place?

00:47:28 – By Request: Vince Russo Sings “Manby Pamby”

Special fan moment—Vince breaks into song for a paid super sticker.

00:48:01 – Coach’s Lunch Reveal & Pick-Me-Up

Coach reveals his lunch delivery: ‘chicken fried chicken’ and more laughs about “big shooter” lifestyle.

00:49:08 – Closing Remarks & Show Plugs

The guys wrap with show times, event reminders, and details for tuning in live each week.

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By Bleav

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