Before heading off to Dallas to cover WrestleMania for BT Sport, Ariel catches up with professional wrestling journalist John Pollock. The two old friends preview pro wrestling's biggest event by discussing topics like Ronda Rousey's relationship with the fan base, if Cody Rhodes will square off against Seth Rollins like everyone expects, and Pat McAfee's highly-anticipated return to the ring. Plus, the guys also talk about their favorite WrestleMania matches of all time, as well as MJF's upcoming free agency in 2024.

You can follow Pollock on Twitter and Instagram @iamjohnpollock.

John Pollock is Canadian professional wrestling and MMA journalist. He's the co-founder of PostWrestling.com, a news site that covers all the biggest stories in the crazy world that is professional wrestling. 

For more episodes of The Ariel Helwani Show, please follow the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or on Ariel's YouTube channel.

Theme music: "Frantic" by The Lovely Feathers

John Pollock

"The Ariel Helwani Show" brings you MMA journalist Ariel Helwani like you've never heard him before.

Sports

When I asked Tom Aspinall if he would be okay with me interviewing his head coach and father, Andy Aspinall, he doubted I would be able to get him do it. But lo and behold, I managed to convince the U.K. martial arts O.G. to join me on the latest episode of The Craic. 

On today's episode, Andy describes how he packed in a successful I.T. career at 40 to pursue jiu-jitsu and to spend more time with his kids, how Tom became enamoured with combat sports at a young age, and how his links with Peter Fury saw Tom become a training partner to Tyson Fury, and later, Rico Verhoeven. 

Now Tom’s head coach, he talks about the unprecedented number of big men he brought in to share the mats with Tom ahead of his return to action on July 22nd, when he faces Marcin Tybura in the main event of UFC London.

BREAKING NEWS: The Craic is moving! Next Tuesday, the show will have its own home. Go follow The Craic NOW on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so that you can keep hearing from all of the biggest names in European MMA and beyond.

Rebuilding Tom Aspinall (with Andy Aspinall) | The Craic with Petesy Carroll

Oprah Winfrey teeing off at the US Open, Jeff Bezos in the starting five of an NBA Finals team, Richard Branson taking centre court at Wimbledon … none of these things could happen.

However, in the wild world of MMA, the sport’s most powerful man, Dana White, is on a promotional tour for a potential UFC clash between 51-year-old engineer, Elon Musk, and celebrated data miner and jiu jitsu white belt, Mark Zuckerberg. 

The legend, Philip O’Connor, returns to set the audio feed on fire again on the back of his epic appearance in April.

BREAKING NEWS: The Craic is moving! Next Tuesday, the show will have its own home. Go follow The Craic NOW on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so that you can keep hearing from all of the biggest names in European MMA and beyond.

The ABSURDITY of Mark Zuckerberg vs. Elon Musk | The Craic with Petesy Carroll

On today's episode, Ariel returns to give you a conversation with pro wrestling legend Eric Bischoff. Together, the guys discuss Endeavor's purchase of WWE, if the upstart AEW has what it takes to topple WWE (11:32), Tony Khan's fitness for leadership (15:49), MJFs upcoming free agency (17:16), and much more.

Eric Bischoff is a titan of the professional wrestling industry. He is the former Executive Vice President of World Championship Wrestling, the pro wrestling organization that competed head on with Vince McMahon’s WWE, most notably in the ‘90s. After leaving WCW, Bischoff joined WWE’s creative team. Now a proud resident of Wyoming, the 68-year-old WWE Hall of Famer lives a much quieter life than when he was one of the biggest names in the business.

Today's episode is brought to you by My Postglow! Take advantage of a limited-time offer of 10% off before the 4th of July to secure a meaningful gift for your child at  discounted price at MyPostglow.com.

Former WCW EVP Eric Bischoff on Tony Khan, MJF, The State of WWE, and More!

Following his viral post-fight address in Paris last year, UFC London star Nathaniel Wood discusses his battle with anxiety and OCD.

“The Prospect” gives his take on his back and forth with Lerone Murphy and looks forward to his main card meeting with Andre Fili. 

A proud Londoner, Wood also shares his dream of one day fighting in the main event of UFC London, on the back of his stellar run with Cage Warriors which saw him headline a host of events in the English capital. 



Nathaniel Wood on Anxiety, UFC London and Lerone Murphy | The Craic with Petesy Carrol

A fellow northside Dubliner, Kiefer Crosbie, joins Petesy following his career-best win over UFC veteran Alex “Cowboy” Oliveira and also on the back of the announcement of his boxing debut against reality TV star and former MMA fighter Aaron Chalmers at the 3 Arena on July 15.

“BDK” discusses keeping his finances in order while awaiting a UFC call-up, the dilemma of leaving himself available for a UFC call-up, how the boxing bout with Chalmers came to fruition, getting ducked by Anthony “Pretty Boy” Taylor,and how his time with Bellator may have delayed his call-up to the UFC.

John Pollock

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