Insight with Chris Van Vliet - Je'Von Evans Wants To Be WWE Youngest Champ, Randy Orton, Crazy OG Cutters, WrestleMania Debut

Episode Date: August 18, 2026

Get tickets for the next Insight LIVE! https://cvvtix.com Je'Von Evans (@wwjevonevans) is a professional wrestler on WWE Raw. He sits down with Chris Van Vliet in Minneapolis, MN to discuss starting wrestling training at just 13 years old, wrestling Randy Orton on NXT, being the first person younger than the Elimination Chamber to compete inside the structure, possibly being the youngest World Champion in WWE history, his unbelievable jumping cutter on Bravo Americano, why his match with El Grande Americano was stopped, and more! Please support our sponsors: HELIX SLEEP: Flash sale! Go to https://helixsleep.com/cvv for 27% off sitewide! COZY EARTH: Go to https://cozyearth.com/CVV for up to 20% off! BEAM: Go to https://shopbeam.com/INSIGHT and use code INSIGHT for up to 40% off Beam’s Dream Powder DELETEME: Use the code INSIGHT to get 20% off your DeleteMe plan at https://joindeleteme.com/INSIGHT FACTOR: Get 50% off your first box, plus Free Breakfast for 1 Year with the code INSIGHT50OFF at https://factormeals.com/INSIGHT50OFF PURE PLANK: The future of core fitness! Use the code CVV to save 10% on Pure Plank designed by Adam Copeland & Christian: https://gopureplank.com/cvv SEAT GEEK: Use my code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/CVV Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount NORDVPN: Exclusive deal! https://nordvpn.com/cvv Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! PRIZEPICKS: Download the PrizePicks app today and use code INSIGHT to get $50 bonus credit in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! For more information about Chris and INSIGHT go to: https://chrisvanvliet.com If you have ever enjoyed any of these episodes, could I ask you to please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcast or Spotify? It takes less than a minute and makes a huge difference in helping to spread the word about the show and also to convince some hard-to-get guests. Follow CVV on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/ChrisVanVliet Twitter: twitter.com/ChrisVanVliet Facebook: facebook.com/ChrisVanVliet YouTube: youtube.com/ChrisVanVliet TikTok: tiktok.com/@Chris.VanVliet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ladies and gentlemen, Chris Van Flee! Finally. We're doing it. It's here, bro. It's happening. It's time. So good to officially meet you. Vice versa.

How are you? I'm doing great. Busy day, day. Yeah, I guess. Not as busy as yours, I'm sure. Yeah, mine is pretty crazy. My mom is pretty OD. Thank you for squeezing us in here.

Of course, of course. Add to you. You supposed to Ben, do this. Wait, I think we were supposed to do this like a month ago. Yes, yes, yes. And then at the last minute, they're like, yeah, Javan had to leave. It was like a raw and you weren't booked for the raw, but you were going to be there. Yeah, I was going to be there.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then they were like, oh, he ended up flying out. He's not here. Back to the crib, unfortunately. But we here today. So here we are. We're doing it. Let's get to it.

How many bracelets are you, Roggan? Look at all these. I don't even know. Are these from fans? These are from fans. I usually try to keep them or at least like wearing when I'm doing like appearances and stuff

just show fans that like I appreciate y'all and I'm gonna keep on wearing them What do they? They all say different things it looks like Yeah usually it will say like bouncy or like Yangoji or Jvon I think we got a new one I can't find it but it said Oh here's a new one we outside

This is the first one Whoever made this if you're watching this This is my first we outside bracelet so I appreciate it You want to request some because somebody's going to watch this and go, you know, I want an original one. Oh, honestly, y'all can put your names on there, you know what I mean? We outside is fire. I go, that's tough, that's tough.

Usually to get the bouncy, the Javan. Let's see, what's this? Oh, somebody put an icon. That's cool. I just saw that. Appreciate you for that. But yeah, man, whatever y'all, man, whatever y'all want to give me, but I'm down. I'm a rocket.

How did your boy is bouncy get attached to you? So I just started saying it. Obviously, I was in, like, the independent scene. So, like, I was wrestling one time, and I liked to talk during my matches, so I feel like it's very, like, an interacting thing. You know what I mean? Like, if you watch a movie with no sound,

like, it's cool, but, like, you're not going to really feel connected to it. You're just watching pictures, you know what I mean? But you hear the sound, you hear them talk, then, you know, that draws, like, some type of connection to you, you know what I mean? Especially at an indie show. Exactly. That's how you, like, you relate to a character.

So, like, usually I'll talk during my matches. And one time I just did this move and I was like, that boy bouncy. You know what I mean? And everybody was just like, oh, that's fire. That's fire. So I started saying it, saying it. And then I had my tryout. And I did that boy bouncy.

And then I did a drop kick and everybody was like standing on their feet. It was just me doing me, you know what I mean? But yeah, yeah, that's really how it started for you. Your drop kicks high. Like, I feel like you've got to bring it down for some people. Oh, but honestly, I don't know if I know, bro. Like sometimes, usually it's high, but like sometimes I'll get too high. You know what I mean?

Like sometimes like I'll be locked in and somebody just comes charging. I just jump as high as I can. And eventually I'm like, oh, I don't like. Yeah, you're going to be like jumping over people. Oh, most likely, yeah. Yeah. But I want to get down like a drop kick. So it's kind of like a dropout.

So like somebody does a drop kick, but like they do a backflip and they're in their stomach. But back in the day, I forgot who did it. But somebody did like a drop kick and like backflip but landing on their feet. Oh, man. I feel like you could pull that off. I think I can pull it off. I think so.

I think so. What's your earliest memory of watching wrestling? Oh, man. Earliest memory. All right. Early's memory. I remember being in my mom's living room. room, right? We had a little

lamp in the corner. You feel, we had a little TV. It was on Monday Night Raw. And I remember Triple H was in a storyline with Shamish. So, like, they was beefing about something. I can't remember, but, like, I remember they're brawling, and

then Triple H, like, clears the announce table. He grabbed Shamis, and he gives Shamus a penigree through the announce table. And I remember, like, watching that, and I was like, oh bro this is what i want to do for the rest of my life you know like i i literally i feel like i got connected to that moment bro like it was just like a like a whoa this is fire you know what i mean at what point did you feel like it was a realistic dream to chase after because you tell people

growing up i want to be a wrestling yeah that's nice but what do you really want to do no bro front of jump front of jump i already knew like once i saw that moment i said okay this is this is what i want to do so you started training at 14 13. 13. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Train 13. 13 years old.

How do you even get into a wrestling school at 13? Man. Yeah, just look it up. No, no, no. No, so one of my brothers, they was training, and I reached out to the company. Actually, how it really started was one of my brothers were training, and he had a show. And I was like, oh, I want to go. So we went to the show, and the school was called Firestar Pro.

wrestling. Greensboro, Carolina. Pull up. All right. All right. Y'all pull up to that school. You see me? But they're having this show and I think I was probably around 12. Yeah, I think I was 12. And after the show, like, I'm going crazy. It's probably like three, four people in the audience. If I'm like the loudest one, you know what I mean? Because this is like the first time me being this close to like wrestling. Like the ring is right in front of me. You know what I mean? So, uh, they have the show and they, after the show, I go up to the trainer of LeBron Cozone. And I'm like, hey,

I want to train. Like, how old do I have to be? He was like, I'll start training you at 15 years old. So I'm all right. Three years? I can wait three years. You know what I mean? And then I turned 13, and I reached out to one of the wrestlers that was on the current roster. And I was like, hey, like, what's the word, man? Like, I know I got to wait until I'm 15. He was like, no, but we're training somebody at 13 named Jack.

All right, that said less. So I go to the school and I meet up with the trainer and I'm like, hey, I know y'all training somebody named Jackson. So I want to see if I can, you know, train too. I'm 13. And Cozy was like, or Cozon, he was like, all right, I got you, right. So we signed a waiver. We put the money down and then now look at me.

You believed in yourself at 13. You knew you were going to make it. Oh, yeah. Did other people in your family in your life? Did they believe in you? Um, some people did. And most of them didn't, honestly, because wrestling is just such a, uh,

it's such a rare dream. Yeah. You know what I mean? So few people actually get to make it. Especially, especially, especially in North Carolina, too. You know what I mean? Like, everybody wants to be like a hooper, like a, you know, a polio's officer or something like that.

Something that, like, they can actually chase, you know. But me going around saying I was a, or I want to be a professional wrestler, everybody's just like, or a W.W.E. wrestler, more specific. It was like, okay, yeah, like, every kid dreams to be a W.W. wrestler, like, that's cool.

You know what I mean? So nobody really, like, believed in me, even me training and, like, having shows and stuff. Like, everybody's okay, cool. Like, you do that now. Yeah, but what are you actually going to do? Exactly, exactly. And every time a teacher would, like, say that,

I'm like, bro, I'm going to be a wrestler. Like, it kind of got bad because, like, I wasn't really like a, school person. Like I never did my work. Do y'all work though? To the kids I was watching this, bro, do y'all work because you're going to need it for sure. But for me, but I didn't do my work. I didn't do none of it, right? Because I was just telling my teachers, I was like, hey, look, I said, I just need to learn how to count money and read contracts. Literally. For real, I told my teachers that and it was like, oh, okay, whatever. But then, you know, they still had to do their job,

and I was giving them a hard time. So I would like to. apologize to all my teachers, you know? Did you have any sort of backup plan of like... Oh, no. I don't believe in backup plans. You feel what I feel like? If you got one goal, you strive for that goal. And then whenever it happens,

and if you have a new one, you achieve that one. You know what I mean? I don't really believe... Because I feel like if you have like a plan B, then like you're already second-guessing yourself or self-doubting. Like, oh, what if this happens? You know what I mean?

I'll bump that, bro. So... Did you take inspiration from the Hardy Boys, also being from North Carolina? Yeah, of course. Jeff Hardy's like, one of my favorite, bro. You know?

So it was cool and being able to, like, say that I'm a professional wrestler that made it to WWE, or one of the professional wrestlers from North Carolina to be able to say, oh, you know,

I was a DVD wrestler, it's cool. You know, you got Ray Flair, Hardy's, you feel me? Like, they have... Some legends.

Exactly. They have their own legacy. Yeah. You know, and I feel like, that kind of helps me because, you know, you got a legacy in North Carolina.

I guess I can contribute to that. You feel? So you're 13, you start training. you start having your first few matches. When does it start clicking for you? I don't even know, dog, for real. I think it was just over time, honestly, you know?

Like, I feel like the more I experienced, you know, situations and scenarios and just problems within, like, my wrestling career and getting advice and stuff from other indie legends or just legends in general, it just kind of just start making sense. You know, you have, like, a puzzle, and you start finding, like, the puzzle. Like, it takes time, but eventually it starts coming together.

Yeah. I feel like, you know, that's with me. Like, I have, like, this big puzzle. And right now I just have a couple of pieces that are about to create this beautiful big picture. Visit BetMDMDM Casino and check out the newest exclusive. The Price is Right Fortune Pick. BetMDM and Game Sense remind you to play responsibly, plus to wager. Ontario only.

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The U.S. Soccer Podcast. I'm your host, Megan Klingerberg, and after interviewing so many dudes during this Men's World Cup, I'm so happy to be back with my U.S. Women's Asht team. players. I know the U.S. Ben's National team has changed how I think about myself, how I think about being an American, how I think about being on a team. It's one year out from that World Cup, and we're

going to talk about the brightest prospects in U.S. soccer. You ready? I'm ready. Let's do it. The U.S. Soccer podcast, presented by Henkoe. Follow and listen on your favorite platform. When you first had your W.W.W. Re tryout. How did you feel when you were getting the news that you had that opportunity? Oh, bro. I was, uh, I mean, I was nervous, of course, bro. Like, knowing me, bro, I was so nervous. But I felt like it was something that I needed in that moment, you know, because I felt like I was just trying to prove a point,

especially in North Carolina. Like, I was trying to prove that, like, nobody can touch me in the indie game, you know? Like, that was just, like, that was my thing. And then I got the tryout to WWE. And I was, oh, well, I guess this proves my point even more. You know? But, you know, once I got that trial,

I knew that, like, I wasn't just trying out to get signed to WWE. You know, I was trying out to become the greatest WWE wrestler of all time. You put something out on Instagram. I want to read this so I get it right here. Oh. You know what I'm talking about. You put this out recently, and it's kind of what you're talking about right now, this idea of, like, you don't want to just be a superstar.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. The superstars. So you said, here it is right here, I won't be a goat. I will be the goat. There's a difference. And I'm about to show you.

I did say that. And I stand 10 toes down on that. And if I had 20 toes and 30 toes and 40 toes, I would stand on 20, 30, and 40 toes on that. You know what I mean? Yeah. No, honestly, I feel like that's just something that I am, dealing with right now.

You know, I'm kind of like in my head recently, you know, but like just being so young and having so much time to accomplish a lot of things, you know, it's, it's a blessing. It's not even a curse for real. It's just a blessing. What does it mean for you to be the goat? Oh, to me, bro, it's the legacy you created.

Inside the ring and outside the ring. You know, like the impact. I've made on younger and older fans, the views I can get to WWE that's not even wrestling fans, you know what I mean? The impact I make in the ring, like being one of the greatest wrestlers all around, you know, in WWE, you know, I don't really try to stick myself to, like, being a high flyer or, you know, being like a striker or anything. Like, I'm just, I'm just me.

You know what I mean? I feel like that's going to help me become the greatest to ever do it. Who do you think is the greatest ever do it right now? Oh, man, bro. Right now, so of course, Sean Michael's, to my opinion, he's the goat, you know, and he's just his wrestling game was insane and just like, even like the moments that he ran into and stuff like that helped him become who he is now, you know, and the knowledge that he has.

But right now, bro, I, have to say Roman, bro. It's kind of crazy, but, like, there was a time at wrestling where, where especially, like, in WWE, we were, like, we was just losing a lot of views, you know, especially during that COVID era and stuff like that. Yeah. Like, we was losing a lot of money. And at Roman, bro, he came back into the game and, and, right, he carried WWE for, like,

I wouldn't even say four or five years. Like, he's doing his thing. When he returned at SummerSlam, and he was this version of Roman Rains? Yeah. Everything changed. Yeah, exactly. He changed the game.

Yeah. He changed the swagger, bro. He changed the swagger, bro. He changed everything, bro. I feel like, like, no matter what, bro, like, kind of like Sina, for real. Like, no matter what, bro, he can take a break, come back and still get that big reaction.

You know what I mean? Bro, like, it's insane. It's insane. It's insane for sure. So you say Sean Michael. to you is the greatest of all time. For sure. You got to work very closely with Sean Michaels.

Oh, yeah, that's pops. What kind of knowledge has he bestowed upon you? Oh, bro. So much, so much. It's kind of crazy to think about because, like, you know, me coming from the indie scene or just indie wrestlers in general. Like, we think about wrestling differently.

And then when you get into, like, a professional business that's been running forever, and they actually show you how, like, wrestling is ran at, and how wrestling fans think about wrestling or how they look at wrestling, then it's kind of like, oh, this is, this is a whole different world.

I've heard a lot of people talk about the difference between TV wrestling, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Playing to the cameras, understanding this is a commercial break or whatever it happens to be. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. No, it's so different because, like,

even when you're, like, talking backstage, like, you have to, like, position your body a certain way. You know what I mean? like you're talking crazy somebody you're like this you know like oh I'm gonna beat you you know what I mean like that meme of how Brett Hart watches TV yeah like yeah literally literally but no

it's cool because like that's how the business is and even like small details like that not even make you stand out but like it's it's like a like I say like a bigger picture you know like I'm looking I'm looking weird right but on camera it looks

Exactly, exactly. And even like a fan can look at how you're positioned and be like, I don't know, like, why is you looking at him that way? You know what I mean? Like, it's so much smaller details that like people don't really think about. It's pretty crazy. Your real name could be a good wrestling name. Yeah, it could. How did you come up with Javon Evans? Oh, okay. So, um, I don't be real, Doc. They said... And for people that don't know, what's your real name? Oh, Malika. Malika. Malika Jeffers. It's pretty good wrestling name. It's pretty tough. It's pretty tough.

I have a twin brother named Jay Malachi that people don't really know about. Well, maybe it's a tag team partner in the future. I think so. I think so. It could, could. But no, man. Yeah, but Malachi Jefferson would be probably, probably go crazy. So why are you, Javons?

So Javon really happened with before I did my level up match. I think like the day before or maybe two days before, one of the writers were like, hey, we're going to put you on TV so we need to give you a name. I was like, all right, cool. And it was like, send me 10 names. And I was like. What was your name on the Indies? Some people say it was J. Malachi, but like I don't really, you know, me, you know.

You don't know what your name was? Well, you know, it was kind of back and forth. You know what I mean? Like Jay Malachi, but like because some people think, like me and my twin brother got like, you know, we're twins. you know, so we would get mixed up. Like, we both be called J. Malachi. It's pretty. You know, if you look into it, you know, you'll see the resemblance, I guess, you know.

But now, yeah, bro, basically I just looked up, you don't be real, bro. I looked up 10 black people names. And then I just did 10 first names and then, like, one of them were Javon and 10 last names and one of them were Evans. And then I sent it to them and they're like, hey, we like Javon Evans. We like Javon Porter and then something else. I wanted Javon Porter because there hasn't been like a porter in WWE. MVP. So this is good.

So this is actually good. Okay, okay, because I was like, I'm going to be the first porter. Javon Porter, I'll meet the first one. But I had MVP. So, all right, we had MVP. Maybe they were thinking that too. Yeah, facts, facts, facts, facts. But yeah, they picked Javon Evans.

And at first I was like, okay, that's cool, I guess. And then I went into NXT and Sean walks up to me. He's like, hey, so, you know, Evans, you cool with that name? You okay? And I was like, yeah, that's cool. He's like, you're sure because it's going to be your name for the rest of your life. And I was like, yeah, it's okay. I promise.

Okay, okay. And then he walked off. Yeah, that was it. I was like, all right. I guess it's Javon Evans now. Do you feel the pressure that's being put on you by fans, by your peers, by your friends? at this young age. Are you feeling that? Oh, yeah, for sure, for sure.

And honestly, I feel like it's half of the pressure, I'm sorry, I just bit my tongue. How much the pressure is me, for real. You know, I carry myself to such a high, high standard, you know, so I just feel like I have so much to approve, you know, especially being young because, like, I just want to show everybody right now that, like, I want to be the best and I'm going to be the best, you know? So half that pressure is me But of course, you know, you got the fans And, you know, I'm going against, like, to me right now,

I'm going against two of, like, the biggest stars right now in WW, which is not Brock, but Oba and Trick. You feel me? Like, we all got caught up at the same time. You feel me? And we was the big three in NXT, you know? So, like, now, you know, we still have that same competitive nature. It's all love for both of them, you know.

But, like, I'm trying to be the best now, you know, in the future. you know, in the past, if that was possible, you know what I mean? Like, I want to be the grades in general. And I feel like they had the same goals. So, you know, of course, of course, of course, I feel like I have a chip with my shoulder. With you, there's a few numbers that get thrown around a lot. Yeah. 23, you could be the youngest intercontinental champion.

Yeah. 24, you could be the youngest world champion. Yo. 26, you could be the youngest WWE champion. Yeah. And as you sit here right now, you've got a year or so to be the youngest intercontinental. champion. I do. And a few years to accomplish those other ones. I do. I do. I do. I am very, very locked in and focus on that, you know, because I feel like I have an opportunity to recreate history, you know.

And it's cool because, like I said earlier, I have so much time, you know. To me, with these goals, I don't have so much time, you know. In general, I do, you know. But, bro, everybody's trying to compete for something, you know? So, like, of course, yeah, like, I have a year to be youngest ICA or champion, but, like, you know, I still got to go against or go through Chad Gable. I'm pretty sure I eat the page want that, you know what I mean? I'm pretty sure Dragon Lee wants it, you know what I mean?

I want to be World Heavyweight champ, I'm pretty sure Oban Trick won it, you know? I'm pretty sure Seth wants it. Like, like, I have people that I have to go through. Yeah. But that's a part of the journey. When you look at the names, I'm sure you know who they are, the people who currently hold those records. Yeah.

Jeff Hardy is the youngest intercontinental champion. Oh, yeah. Brock Lesnar is the youngest WWE champion. Yes, he is, he is. Randy, Randy, the youngest world champion. Yeah, Uncle Randy. Bro, I got hit up Uncle Randy. I ain't talking in a little minute.

You know, he's been a little crazy recently, you feel me? So I'm trying to give him some room, but he's getting me worried. But pretty crazy that you could replace one of their names in the history books. All three of their names. Oh, okay. A three of them. It's not me being cocky, but I just know that, like, I'm going to work hard to accomplish those goals, you feel

me? It's not no off-season here, bro. You feel me? It's straight ground, bro. So where's that line, then, between cocky and confidence? Oh, well, honestly, there's a difference, but to me, bro, like, when I'm with the homies, of course, like, I'm cocky, like, that's just me, like, having fun and trolling, you know?

But honestly, bro, like I'm so blessed to be in this in this position and and having all these opportunities at this age you know and I feel like bro this could this could get taken away from me like so quick you feel me so bro I I feel like honestly I'm just I'm confident bro like I know I know I'm gonna work hard you know I know that I'm a bust my ass for a very long time to stay here and accomplish the goals that I want to You are working hard. No, I'm trying to, bro. I'm sure you saw this, but you've worked the most TV matches this year.

Yeah, I just saw that. The main roster. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. How do you feel when you see that? Oh, bro, I, I'm not surprised. Yeah, I mean, I'm surprised. Yeah, in 2026, nobody's worked more matches on TV than you. That's fired.

Dang. Yeah, man, I'm working hard. You know, bro, I'm trying to, bro. I'm trying to, but, and bro, all those matches, I try to. stand out, you feel me? I try to make sure that each one of my matches are gonna be a match of your candidate.

You know what I mean? Like every single one of them. So take me backstage before one of your matches. What are you doing? If I found you five minutes before a match, what would you do on? Oh, five minutes before, bro,

I'm probably cussing up a storm and guerrilla, bro. I'm pouring water on myself and I'm just so nervous. I'm just bleat, bleat, bleat, bleat, bleat, you know what I mean? And I hear my music and I try to like,

I try to like pop, Uncle H, you feel in me, Hunter? You know what I mean? Like, every time I walk out, I hear my music, and I'm like, hey, Hunter, was that like a pop? Like, am I over yet? Or like, no? Okay, all right.

I'll just, like, I'll go walk out, I guess. I don't know. And then, right, usually it's just me trolling, bro. I'd just be having fun for real. Do you have a general mindset that you bring into a match? So if you're chatting with your opponent earlier in the day, what's the overall mindset that you're trying to take into that match? Oh, aside from, like, what does,

the boss man won. Sure, like how are we getting to this finish? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Sorry for now, bro. Just trying to make sure his matches is great. Trying to make sure that it's matching the night, match to the year, you feel in me?

I'm like, realistically matcher the night. You feel like, I try to take that position every time, right? Matching the night, Youngo G. Devon, you feel me? I try to go crazy every match. I'm trying to think. And, of course, just trying to make sure

that, like, we both look good in that scenario. in that match. Yeah. Yeah. So I feel like you're so fluid in the ring. I appreciate that. You move so effortlessly.

Yeah, yeah. Has that always been the case? No, I was actually very ass when I was younger. I love it, bro. I had happy feet, brus, stutter stepping, all that, man. But that was just me being so excited in the ring and me being a fan in a wrestler ring. And I had to realize I can't be a fan in a wrestling ring.

I got to be a professional. Was there a piece of advice? someone gave you early on in your wrestling career that helped maybe put you on the right path to becoming a better pro wrestler? Honestly, I don't even know. I think the path that got me to be a better professional wrestler was actually my friend or my best friend Jackson Drake.

He's part of Vanity Project. When we was younger, he was like so much better than me, bro. He was getting so much traction. And I was like, all right, bro, let me stop playing around. Let me lock in, bro, because, like, I'm trying to get as much matches or as many matches as Jackson get in. You feel me? Yeah. But, like, I feel like that really made me lock in and made me in.

Let me see. Yeah, it made me lock in and it made me realize, like, hey, like, this ain't no game no more, bro. Like, it's a job, bro. You feel? There's people that want the same thing you won't, you know? You know? And there's only so many spots. Bro, it's a limited amount of spots.

Limited for sure. There's some fans that think you're just a high flyer. Yeah. What do you say to those fans? I appreciate it. You take it as a compliment? Thank you. Thank you.

Because now I have time to show you that I'm not just a high flyer. You know what I mean? Like, I don't put myself in any, like, category, bro. I'm just myself, you know? Like, we've all been in a situation where we're about to fight, you know? Like, there's going to be times where we're, where we're, We're throwing hands and you catch me with one good one. I'm like, all right, let me lock in.

You know what I mean? Like, there's going to be tons for that. You feel me? I feel like it matches. Like, of course, we're going to start off fun. You know, like, you got the crowd, bro. Like, if you had your entries, you walk out and the crowd is cheering or even booing, you're going to be like, oh, yeah, this is, here we go.

You know what I mean? Like, you're going to be some type of energetic. And then when somebody starts beating you up, then you got realized like, oh, hold on, I'm in the fight. You know what I mean? I feel like that's why I do in my matches. Like, yeah, let's have fun. Let's do all the flippy stuff.

Yeah, that boy bouncy. Yeah, hey, you know what I mean? All that. You know, but then eventually I'm going to have to lock it in and be like, all right, bro, you've been beating me up for three or four minutes. Now I got whoop your ass. What's a match from NXT that if someone didn't watch you in NXT, that they should go back and see what you're all about?

Ooh. I have a couple, dog. I got a couple. Man, so I feel like my My breakout match was My first PLE match It was a fatal four-way heat wave For the NXT championship

I think it was me Trick Williams Sean Spears and Ethan Page Oh, but yeah I feel like I kind of went crazy You know, I kind of did my thing Another one, me versus West Lee I think it was just like a random like

NXT I was I was too turned that match I think I was pretty mad about something you know what I mean I was I was pretty mad like I saw something on the internet that was like OJvonne evidence

something I was like alright let me let me show you all real quick where I can get down what I can do you feel me I'm trying to think uh man oh I think

me versus Obafimmy um it was after I won Iron Survivor. And that next Tuesday I was like, you know what? No, I'm not waiting to New Year's Eve.

Give me even a match tonight. You know? And we went crazy. We went crazy. So those are the three matches I think y'all should check out. And if they're all ass, just let me know. And I'll just, I'm like, okay, my bad.

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If you have questions or concerns about your gambling or someone close to you, please contact connects Ontario at 1-866-531-2,600 to speak to an advisor. Free of charge. BetmGM operates pursuant to an operating agreement with Eye Gaming Ontario. You got to wrestle Randy Orton in NXT. I did. Uncle Randy. So when you found out you're getting this match, what are you feeling?

So honestly, I kind of, they tried to, like, surprise me. But I knew before it was going to happen. And I'll tell you why. I'll tell you that. Okay. So before the match, not before the match announcement, maybe like a couple of days, we had like promo class at NXT, and I'm talking to the writer.

And I'm like, hey, like, you know, do I get new gear for this show, whatever, whatever? And he was like, yeah, you know, we're working on something, whatever, whatever. All right, cool. Say less. And then we had, it was me and Cedric versus, I think, no quarter cash crew, I believe. And before the match, Randy Orton follows me on IG. And I'm like, oh, fire. All right, that's cool.

That's cool. And then I'm about to go out. And I'm not going to say their name because they're probably, actually, it already happened. Right. They're not going to get in the show. Bro, Harlem Lewis. and who was it? It was Harlem Lewis and

I can't remember I think it was just Harlem Lewis maybe it was just him but he's like, yo, did you see this post? And I'm like, what post? He thought you were you going against Randy Orton

and this is before the match. I'm like, I yell, he shows me the post and I'm like, okay, that's fire, whatever. And then I go have the match and then the ref is like, hey, stay in here, staying here, just react to whatever's on the screen.

I was like, all right, cool. And then I look at the screen. and Insta Post that, like, I saw it before the match. And I was like, yeah, you know. So it was very, uh, Harlem Lewis is your fault. And you're probably going to get you for it, you know. Why is the uncle Randy to you? Oh, bro, because he taught me so much in that match.

Um, and I feel like we just kind of, kind of like connected off the rip. Like, it was kind of weird, you know. He, like, before the match, I was trying to, uh, or me, and Terry Taylor, we were just trying to find him. And this is when he, like, just came back. He's like, yote, you know? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

And he's walking. And we're, like, at the, we're at the stage. We're like, bro, where's Randy? He has, like, a hoodie on. But he's like, so yo, we didn't even, like, recognize him for real. You know what I mean? And he turns around. He was, oh, Jvonne.

Dude, bro. He looked like the Hulk, bro. But, yeah, bro, like, off the rip. It was just, like, it was a connection. and I feel like even just like, you know, being able to learn from him was such an insane moment, bro. Like, I would always remember just being in the ring with him and just like, like, communicating and talking about the match and just like about, or even before the match and after the match, you know, it was just like I met his family after the match. Like, it was cool, right. It was insane.

Man, you got to hit him with the OG cutter. I did. He said it was his first. time taking a springboard cutter like that. So it was pretty cool. And he, like when you think of cutters, he's certainly one of the guys who comes to mind. Yeah, he's the guy.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's like Diamond Dallas Page and him. Yeah, exactly. Exactly. For sure. For sure. So you're giving the RKO guy a version of the RKO. Exactly.

Exactly, which is pretty insane. It's pretty tough. You guys missed the finish of that match with the RKO. Yeah. And I could just tell how much it was getting to you. I was pissed, dog. Had you walked through it earlier in the day? No, no, we didn't.

It was literally just us saying, oh, this is going to be a cool idea to do it. And then Randy's like, I think we can do it. Literally, literally, he was like, you do like a spitty thing. And I'm thinking you just like, spin out and catch you. I was like, yeah, I was thinking the same thing.

But I think just like position wise, like we didn't try it before the show. Maybe, no, it was just kind of like a thing we had an idea about, you know. But, And it took me a while to watch that match because of that. Like, I didn't watch that match for months, you know. But also, it's cool to look at it and be like, that was just a real moment, you know? Like, that was, everything in wrestling is not pretty.

You know what I mean? Like, we're still fighting at the end of the day, you know? And I just love, like, now I can look back at the moment, kind of like this, you know? But I still look at it, like, okay, you know. But I can look back at it and say, dang, like, I learn for that moment. And then even if we hit that smoothly, we probably went in. I got the Rainy Orton moment saying like, hey, bro, you're the man. You know what I mean?

Yeah. So at the end of the match, you say to him, I'm so sorry. Yeah. What's he saying to you? Right. He was like, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. Don't worry, bro. You're the FTA man.

Raise my hand, bro. Of course I was still pissed by my head. I'm like, all right, bro, Randy just said, I'm the man, bro. That's a hell of a moment. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. It's crazy. And now, bro, I can hit him up and, and text them and talk about whatever, you know? And that's a great guy to get advice from. Yeah, for sure.

Because Randy Orton was in your shoes 20-ish years ago. Exactly. When he was the young guy with all these expectations put on him. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's, like I said, brother, it's a blessing just to be able to reach out to him and talk about whatever, you know, love them for it. You got to work on John Sena's final match at the Saturday night's main event. Yes, sir.

First of all, when you get that call that you're going to be part of that special night, what does that mean to you? Oh, bro, it's a crazy moment. Like, I remember my first thing of merch. W.W.E. merch was Sena's wristbands and headband, because that was, like, the only thing I could afford it. That was the first thing you own. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

So, like, that was cool, Brian, just being able to be, like, wrestle for his last show, you know, or not, it was his last show. Yeah, I wrestled on his last show, yeah. I was about to say it was a tournament, but, like, I wrestled in a tournament, too, you know. But, yeah, just being able to wrestle on his last show was such an honor and a blessing. Did you have a moment with him that night? Yes, yeah, yeah, yeah. Before the show, I walk into the building, he's getting a haircut. I'm like, oh, what's up, OG?

And we're just talking. He was giving me advice about one of my recent matches and how, like, I can slow it down and let the crowd react, you know. And it was, bro, like, I walked in and he already just dropping knowledge, you know? And I was like, yes, this is what I need, bro. You know? Advice from Johnson. Yes, yes, yes.

I'm kind of sad that I caught the... the back end of it, you know what I mean, on his way out. But I just know, bro, like, if he was still in that locker room, bro, we would be learning so much, bro. And not long after that, you got called up to the main roster. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Do you feel like it was because of your performance at Saturday night's main event? Yeah, for sure.

I also feel like it was, it was my performance just in general prior, you know, just trying to, just trying to prove that, like, I can hang with the big dogs, you know, at a very young age. I don't know if we're ever entirely 100% ready for anything. Yeah. But did you feel ready when you got called to the main roster? No. No, not at all. Because I wanted to learn in NXT.

Like, of course, I wanted to defeat Oba for the title, but like I wanted to learn how to carry a company in NXT, you know. Like if I wanted to be the guy. Yeah, I wanted to be a guy. and learn how to because in my head, not even in my head, like,

it's just going to happen. I'm going to work towards it, but like, I know that one day I'm going to be the guy in WWE, you know. So I feel like if I were to learn how to, like,

carry a brand, you know, and, and, and worry about, like, views and, like,

and tickets and stuff like that. Like, if I were to learn that in NXT, then when I get to that moment, get to that spot here in, in the main roster, then I know how to do it and what to do it.

and what to do, you know what I mean? If you want to be the guy in WWE, who are you watching? Who are you modeling after? To me, I'm watching Roman, uh, Cody. And honestly, bro,

I'm watching Hunter, bro. Like how, how he, how he controls everything. You know what I mean? Um, of course, you know,

talking to Cody and, but Roman for sure, because he's so like, like I said, he changed the game, so he kind of understands, like he understands this is not like a, a, we don't got like an old fan base anymore.

You know what I mean? So you know it's how to kind of get like the, the new fans and the old fans. Like he knows that, that line in between. Yeah. So this past year was your first Royal Rumble. Yeah.

Do you have any great memories or stories from being in your first Rumble? Oh, yeah. Bro, I actually love Rumbles because, I can tease, like, almost falling out, like, very well, especially with my long legs, like, and kind of, like, you know, shrink when I need to, you know? Um, but I feel like the main moment that stuck out to me was being in the ring and, uh, hearing Brock Elizabeth's theme song hit, you know?

And I just remember, like, when his, when his theme song hit, bro, what's the word? It's like nostalgia, I think. It was like, I literally, like, saw myself as a kid while looking at the screen and, like, hearing his music. And I was just like, bro. With his, like, with his, uh, you remember his Titan Tron? Of course. It was like the, when he first came back against Sina, it was like the, like the, like the, uh, smat down. Here comes the paint.

Or, yeah, smack. Like his, uh, dang, what is it? Dang, dang, dang, dang. It's a Titan Tron, right? Yeah, Titan Tron. but like it was just like flashes of him just like flexed like the old school one yeah yeah yeah turning around yeah yeah yeah with the rain in the back yeah stuff like that bro i just remember watching that and just having those emotions about brock coming out and it's just like

oh my god bro like brock's he's about to break somebody's arm you know because in that era bro he was breaking triple h's arm saw michael's arm like when i was a kid you know man brock lesnar debuted before you were born yeah yeah yeah he did he did Yeah, it's pretty wild to think about, bro. There's all those stats when it comes to you. Yeah. You competed in an elimination chamber. Yeah.

Elimination chamber is older than you. Yeah, it is. It is. I'm the youngest participant in the chamber. Like there's so many of those stats. Yeah, yeah. That's what I'm saying. There's a lot of stats that I can just replace and have it be me.

You know, I know it's not going to be hard. I mean, I know it's not easy. There's a stat right now that no one born in the 90s. has become a world champion yet. Really? Yeah, I don't, I don't, yeah, I don't think so. In the 90s? So you would,

wow. You would, you definitely have the potential to be the first in the 2000s. Oh yeah, most definitely. Yeah, I don't think there's anyone in the 90s that's been a world champion or WWE champion. Was Trichenoble born in the 90s?

Yes. Yeah. You think? Yeah, fuck that they're born in the 90s. Nice. Nice. So you have the, you have all these crazy,

stats. Yeah, yeah, yeah. When you hear stuff like that, how does it make you feel? Bro, it makes me feel nervous. Nervous for sure. I'm not going to lie, bro. I can't even front, bro.

Because I know there's a lot of people that want to be that guy. I want to be the face, you know? I know everybody is striving for a title or just being the head of the table. Yeah, you know what I mean? Smackdown's older than you. Yeah, bro. Literally, bro. And now, like, I wrestle on Smackdown.

I wrestle on Raw. Yeah. Rumble, chamber, you know. Young against hell. So, right, it's crazy, bro. Such a blessing. Such a blessing. When you made your WrestleMania debut,

the emotion on your face is so real. Yeah. Right? So, like, you're dropping curse words. Yeah. What are you thinking in that moment? Bro, I was like, damn, it's a lot of people in here,

bro. That's so many people here. bro. I remember like looking up and I was just like looking down slowly and slow. It was it was insane, bro. And it's not a lot of, not a lot. You just only get one first WrestleMania, you know. I was, I was actually crying before my match, bro. Yeah, bro. Because it was so like, because Oba just had his match and I was so happy for Oba. You know what I mean? Trick was the match after me. So I was just like so emotional, but I was just happy, happy for the squad. happy for myself. I love that you took a moment to take that in. Oh yeah, got to.

Like, you took a moment to stand at the top of the ramp for even just a second, to look around. Yeah. And then you locked in. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like I said, you don't get a lot of first ones, you know. And then you have a WrestleMania moment that night. Yeah. How did you know you'd be capable of, you didn't jump from the top rope? You jumped from, what do you even call that? The ring post. The ring post. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. All the way across to Rusev, who's in your the top of the ladder. Yeah, yeah. Um, it actually happened that day, uh, because we, we have like different ideas about, you know, me doing something, like was, you know, if somebody's in this position, then I can't hit the cutter here or something. I knew that I wanted to hit the OG cutter,

for sure, for sure, but not in a normal way, in a different way, you know. Um, I just remember, like, seeing Roussev hanging off. And, bro, before the show, I'm standing on the ring post. And I'm Like this is like a solid base. I was like, maybe I'll just like jump off the top and then do it. I was like, nah, bro, I don't think nobody's jump front of ring posts in the middle of the ring, you know? Bump it. Let's do it. Let's see what happens, right?

Literally, let's just see what happens. And we did it. It was crazy. Probably one of one of the craziest OG cutters I've done. It's wild. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. It's pretty crazy.

And now you have a-all go watch it. Now you have a WrestleMania moment forever. Exactly. Exactly. one of many. When you hit the OG cutter on Bravo Americano. Yo. Where it's top rope to top rope.

Yeah. Oh, man. And that shot, right? Yeah. The drone shot of it? Fire. But I was so... I'm a nervous guy.

I was so nervous about that, because, like, of course, you know, I jump high, and then he had to jump literally maybe like a couple milliseconds before I jump. Like, we had the timing off perfectly. And then, uh, we did it. And I was so proud, bro. I was so proud about that, bro. Like, because I knew that, like, if I messed up,

then, of course, the fans were like, oh, Japan needs to stop doing the dumb stuff. You need to, you need to calm down. But because he did, if he hit it correctly, yeah. Now everybody's like, oh, that was fine. And man, the timing on that had to be so perfect. Oh, yeah.

Like, it couldn't be off by a 10,000. of a second. Exactly. Exactly. It had to be, bro. How did you guys nail that timing so perfectly? Yeah, that was God, dog. I don't even know how it happened, for real, man. Literally, he jumped, and I just, I just was like staring. I was stalking like a, like a hawk, bro. Looking at his feet, and I'm like, when he jumps, I have to jump literally like a couple seconds before, you know, and we did it, bro. We did it. So good. It's fire, bro. It's self-hired. You had a match against Al Grande-A Americano on Raw that had to get stopped.

Yeah. What's the story behind this? Why did the match stop? So, basically, I think before we went to commercial, me and El Grande buttheads, right? And for, like, a couple of seconds, I was, like, seeing stars or whatever. But, like, I'm from the indie scene, bro. Like, you get hurt, bro. you keep going, you know, unless you can't go no more, you know?

So he, we butt heads and I was kind of stunned for a little minute. But then I continued, and then we went to break. And so I went to the ref. I'm like, hey, look, I'm seeing stars, but I was seeing stars, but I'm good. I'm going good. She's like, what? I'm like, I was seeing stars, but I'm okay. He said, do we need to call medical?

And I'm like, no, no, we don't. We don't. I just got here, dude. Like, I'm okay. And then she's like, no, no, we got to call metal because it's a head injury. Concussion. Exactly. Exactly.

So we got a miracle, and then they was asking me questions. I was like, I promise I'm okay. But because we hit heads and because I was seeing stars, I had to call it Metro. Yeah. Yeah. But you were feeling all right after that? Oh, yeah. I was feeling great.

I was like, oh, I just got stunned, bro. Like, I've been through worse. That's the right move in a situation like that. It is. It is. bro, you just got to be careful. You got to be careful, but, like, head injuries are nothing to play about. What a match you had with Penta with the Intercontinental Championship on the line?

Yeah, bro. It's actually such a great match, bro. That was my first time going against Penta. And I was marking out because I've always watched Pinta, especially in Lucha Underground. Oh, man, he was so good Lucha Underground. So I was, I was just, like, going crazy. Like, oh, I've got to go against, bro, Pence, and Junior, you know what I mean?

Yeah, Pentagon Dark. Yeah, exactly. Like, crazy, crazy, crazy. And I was just so nervous about, like, taking his chops. Because, you know, his chops on Lucha Underground is so loud. Dude, Gunther told me that he has the loudest, or hardest chops. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So if Gunther's telling you that Pentas chops are the worst,

yeah. That's saying something. Exactly. Exactly, bro. But it was great, bro. I was just there. I was like, just come on, let's go.

Let's do it. Just do it. You know? It was fired. I almost brought my back in that match too. What do you mean? Man,

so we did something to where he went on the outside and I was going to try to go for a dive and hit the ropes and he was going to like catch me and then throw me over the announce table. Oh, but I think the table was like

that far. So like, he tried to grab me and I tried to like post off his shoulder, but it just didn't go off well, and then I turned. So I saw the table, and I was like, okay, I'm not making it over the table.

So I'm either going to eat the table with, like, my face or, like, my chest, or, hey, I just got to, I got to shift my body, you know? And, uh, I shed my body and literally, like, my tailbone, like, my exact tailbone hit the edge of the table. and bro like you can probably see it but like I hit the table

and I'm like like like squeaked but you can me but bro that was probably like

one of the worst things I've ever felt in first thing possible but like it was bro honestly real talk

like and I think I was I had a bump on my tailbone bro like for a couple weeks after that and then like

it hurts to sit down Oh yeah, bro, me, you know, sit down to roll. You know what I mean? Walking. Because I think, like, on the way to the airport, I had like a limp. Then we had a plane ride, you know, so I'm like, I'm just going through it during the plane ride. Yeah. But yeah, yeah, probably top three worst injuries.

I don't even think it was an injury, but like, man. Worst moments. Visit BetMDM casino and check out the newest exclusive. The Price is Right Fortune Pick. BetMGM and GameSense remind you to play responsibly. 19 plus to wager. Ontario only. Please play responsibly.

If you have questions or concerns about your gambling or someone close to you, please contact connects Ontario at 1-866-531-2600 to speak to an advisor, free of charge. BetMGM operates pursuant to an operating agreement with Eye Gaming Ontario. The U.S. Soccer Podcast. I'm your host Megan Klingerberg. And after interviewing so many dudes during this, men's work. World Cup. I'm so happy to be back with my U.S. Women's National Team players. I know the U.S. Men's National Team has changed how I think about myself, how I think about

being an American, how I think about being on a team. It's one year out from that World Cup, and we're going to talk about the brightest prospects in U.S. soccer. You ready? I'm ready. Let's do it. The U.S. Soccer Podcast, presented by Henkel. Follow and listen on your favorite platform. When you look at the entire main roster right now, who's the dream match for you? dream match entire roster so of course you know

the romance is up there punk's up there most deaf I think I want Ray Mysterio in a one-on-one match we all want that yeah yeah yeah bro me and Ray I feel like we would go

crazy crazy um fun fact bro Xbox just told me that I'm his dream match wow Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, you know, man, OG want to come back for one more match, dog.

Two-time Hall of Fameers telling you that you're the dream match. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, pretty insane, right? Yeah. Who's the dream match for you? Maybe someone who's not with us anymore or someone who's retired. Sina, for sure. Sina for sure, because I would have learned so much from Sina. I love that you're looking at it from that point of view of, like, I could have learned a lot from that.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Most dove. Most dove. Because I think a lot of people would go, oh, man, I'd love to see you in there with Eddie Guerrero because stylistically a great match.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Or you and Sean Michaels, what a great match. Exactly. Don't get me wrong. They would go crazy. Yeah, those matches would go crazy. But now,

but I'll learn so much from all three of them, you know, because everybody looks at wrestling a different way and they react to wrestling a different way, you know? So that's how they kind of, uh, that's how they think when they're doing their matches,

you know? So I wouldn't run so much if I was in the ring with them, bro. Like, it would have been so insane. Is there something you feel like you need to do to level up so that when you're 25, you're laughing at this 22-year-old version of yourself? Or when you're 32, you're laughing at this 22-year-old version of yourself. Yeah, man. Well, you know, I'm getting that weight room.

So I'm getting a little big, you know what I mean? So hopefully about 25, I'm looking like Brock Lesner. And then... Look at the ShapeC. Munk's stuff. in right now. That bro. Yeah. You gotta be working out

with Jay Faruja as well. No, for real. No, real talk. Real talk. I might have to. But honestly... So you think putting on some masks? Oh, yeah.

One thing you're looking at? Yeah, yeah. Putting on some masks, for sure. For sure. I feel like that would kind of... That would help me stand out. And, of course, still doing, like, my moves and stuff, you know? Talk to Uncle Randy.

Yeah, literally. Actually, he told me he said he just ate a lot of snacks. A lot of nice. Wasn't eating Nutella by the tub? Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Sounds wonderful. Exactly. I might have to get some, like, peanut butter and just go crazy.

Yeah, your metabolism is probably through the roof right now. Oh, yeah, it is. So, yeah, you could be eating. Bro, literally, I eat tons of calories. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I eat whatever. I try to eat at least 3,000 calories a day. Well, maybe you bump it up to 4,000. I might have to.

Bump it up to 5,000. I have to. I mean, it covers you eat every day. Yeah, probably 22-ish, 100, 23. three-ish hundred. Nice. Nice. I got young kids.

They're keeping me on my toes, chasing around. Yeah, yeah, but also I'm not wrestling. So, like, man, we got to get you in that ring.

Uh, I don't know if anybody wants to see that. Nah, we got to get Chris in the ring. Y'all, we have to get Chris in the ring. Please, we have to make it happen. I trained.

I trained in 2003. Really? You weren't even alive. I still wasn't for me yet. Yeah, I trained for a summer, and then it was time to go back to school. And it was like,

do I focus on wrestling school or school school? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Because like you, like, I want to be laser focused on one thing. Yeah. And I was studying communication studies, the passion for broadcasting. I'm like, I'm going to do that. Wrestling will always be. So every once in a while, I do a thing or two in the ring.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. But I cannot do what you guys do. Amen. But I appreciate that I get to talk to you guys about doing what you. Oh, no, I think I can speak for the homies, bro. I think we very much appreciate you because this is where we can just. relax and chill and just have a conversation. Thanks, man.

Yeah. And I love that people are able to see who you are behind the character. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, man. Javan is Malacchaz, Malacchaz, Javon. Malacaz Javon. We just cool, chilling. So what do you do when you're not wrestling? What do you do if we found you at home?

Oh, I'm playing the game. What am playing? Yeah, bro. WWE, NBA 2K, UFC, Call of Duty, uh, Fortnite, Madden. When you play NBA, who's your game? team? I can take anybody.

Okay, well, who's your team then in general? Oh, team in general? All right, team in general. Give me, give me all the sports. Who are your teams? Let me see. All right, so, of course, team in general, well, right now is the Timberwolves. Okay.

Because mellow and aunt, that's a crazy combination. I think that's insane. What about football? Football, New York Giants. I just grew up. Yeah, I grew up loving the Giants. My mom. My parents.

Yeah, no, man. much love to the Panthers, you feel me, but I got to stick with the roofs, dog. What about baseball? Baseball Detroit Tigers. Okay, you watch any hockey?

No, I don't. But I want to get into it because I actually want to go to a game. I want to go to a game. Oh, you haven't been to one yet? No, no, no. I want to go to a game. I just went to a soccer game recently.

That was fires, so I have to go back to a soccer game. Well, you're not that far from the Tampa Bay Lightning. That is true. So when the season starts back, up. They're pretty great. Say less. And guess what? Young O. G's in there.

Come on. How old were you when you went to your first WWE show? Oh, I think I was Oh, hold on. Let me think, let me think. I was probably seven. Yeah. I think I was like seven or eight. Do you remember any of the matches?

Do you remember any of the superstars you saw there? I think Daniel O'Brien was going against Mark Henry in a still cage match. It was a Smackdown. Okay. And what city? Raleigh, or Charlotte.

And then that night, I think it was a double taping, maybe. But it was the night where Randy Orton went against David O'Tunga in the Christmas Street fight, I was there. I was in the Rafters for that match. And then- And then fast forward all these years, and you get to wrestle Randy Orton. Exactly. Insane, right?

That's pretty crazy. For a crazy, crazy moment, full circle moment, whatever, bro. Like, it's just a crazy feeling just to know that, like, once I was up there, now I can call Randy, you're like, yo, what's the word? You feel me? Not everybody gets to live their dream. Yeah. You're doing it.

Yeah, yeah. And bro, it's such a blessing. But I'm just blessed for sure. Isn't, and this is the crazy thing about having massive goals or massive dreams, is once you accomplish it, now it's something. time to dream bigger. Oh yeah. Oh yeah. For sure. For sure, most definitely. I feel like my, like I said, bro, my main goal is to be the, the greatest, you know, the greatest W.W.E. Wrestler of all time. That's, that's, that's, that's what it is. That's concrete. You know what I mean?

That's, that's, that's way it is. But after that, bro, I don't, I don't, I don't even know if I'll be able to, to see if I am the greatest of all time, you know what I mean? But no, bro, it's, I got to say, I'm just such a blessed person, bro, because anybody could be in this situation, you know, but it's me. You're doing it. No, but I'm trying to. Congratulations on all your success so far. I appreciate you. Vice versa.

Oh, thank you, man. Come on now. Thank you. I love that I'm talking to you at this stage, your career. Yeah. Because then when we have another interview in a year or two from now, so much will have changed. Oh, yeah. And then fast forward to, like, if we do this.

interview in 2036. Yeah. Think of all the different things that would have happened between now and that. Bro, don't tell me that. I'll start planning it. Like, all right, two years from today, we'll have another interview, see what happened. SummerSlam, 2028.

Let's do it. Okay. Let's see you there. Yeah. Thank you, man. So appreciate you. I will ask you the question I ask everybody at the end because gratitude and being grateful is such a huge focus of my life.

Yeah. With everything you're doing in your life and all the dreams and goals that you've accomplished and the bigger ones that you're setting out to accomplish. What are you grateful for in this moment right now? Oh, this moment right now, bro, just being able to wake up and being able to strive for whatever dreams I got

or whatever goals I got, you know what I mean? It's a blessing. Now, a lot of people wasn't able to wake up this morning, but I was one of them to wake up and strive and continue to achieve what I got going on. I love that. So it's a blessing. So give me three things you're grateful for.

So that's one. Yeah, bro. You woke up this morning. You get to chase your dreams. Yes, that's one. Two, being able to call my family, you know what I mean, being able to make sure they're okay and having a great day. And number three, bro, being signed to WWE.

Let's show. Grateful for that, man. grateful for that. Well, man, congrats again. I can't wait to see what's next for you. Oh, yeah, man. I can't wait for our interview in two years. Then let's see what happened. Let's see. Let's do it.

Start your day with the morning jolt of Drake Toll. See, now it's on demand. My podcast is kind of a radio thing, I think, but also it's a bit of a TV show and it's about whatever I want it to be. It's listening live as it happened when it happened with the instant reaction. Your home for talking sports. We go back, the Great Toll Show, Westwood One Sports Network. and there will be on demand on your radio. Anywhere in the country, I'll see you there. Westwood One Sports Talk, your home for Drake Toll.

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