Nightcap - Nightcap - Hour 1: LIVE from WrestleMania Radio Row: Charlotte Flair, Jacob Fatu & MORE join

Episode Date: April 16, 2026

Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson are LIVE from Las Vegas for WrestleMania 42 radio row featuring CM Punk, Jey Uso, Charlotte Flair, LA Knight, Je'Von Evans, Jacob Fatu, Carmelo ...Hayes, Nia Jax, Lash Legend, and many more! Download the PrizePicks app today and use code SHANNON to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/NIGHTCAP Timeline:00:00 - Nia Jax & Lash Legend31:50 - Jacob Fatu56:10 - Charlotte Flair (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements.) #ClubSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Starting point is 00:00:00 I'm Daniel Alarcon, and this is my friend. This is much more famous than I am. I wouldn't go that far, but I'm John Green, co-host at the podcast The Away End, with my old friend Daniel. On our podcast, The Away End, we'll share with you the magic of international football, all leading up to the 2026 World Cup. Together, we'll find out why, of all the unimportant things, football, soccer, is the most important. Listen to The Away End with Daniel Alarcon and John Green on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Hey, it's Edwin Castro, also known as Castro 1021. And I'm Kunky, his best friend and business manager.
Starting point is 00:00:39 And we've got a new show called The 1021 podcast. I'm taking you behind the scenes on how I became one of Twitch's most popular streamers. We also love sports. And with the World Cup right around the corner, we'll be breaking down the biggest storylines ahead of the big tournament here in the USA. Listen to the 1021 podcast on the I. I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Will Ferrell's Big Money Players and IHeart Podcasts presents soccer moms.
Starting point is 00:01:12 So I'm Leanne. Yeah. This is my best friend, Janet. Hey. And we have been joined at the hips since high school. Absolutely. A redacted amount of years later, we're still joined at the hip. Just a little bit bigger hips.
Starting point is 00:01:22 This is a podcast. We're recording it as we tailgate our youth soccer games in the back of my Honda Odyssey. With all the snacks and drinks. Why did you get hard seltzer and stuff? a beer. Oh, they hit a bogo. Well, then you got them. Listen to soccer moms on the IHeart Radio
Starting point is 00:01:36 app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Miles Turner. And I'm Brianna Stewart. And our podcast, Game Recognized Game has never been done before. Two active players giving you a real look at our
Starting point is 00:01:49 lives and what we actually think on and off the court. Nothing's off limits. We talk tanking. I might get in trouble for this answer, but I think it's like definitely happening in the WBA. We talk about our mistakes, too.
Starting point is 00:02:02 They pulled me to the side and was like, hey, man, we got a call last night, man. You can't be rolling around the city like this tonight before games. Check out Game Recognized game with Stuy and Miles on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is Julian Edelman, host of games with names. On our latest episode, we got comedian, Blake Anderson from Workaholics and The Hilarious This is Important Podcast. Let's go! We did beat them in improv. You had an improv against the team?
Starting point is 00:02:29 Yes, we would pull up their schools, would be their. with signs for us is competition. What you would win is a bottle of gold slager. James Fester threw it out of a van because he didn't want us drinking it. For more games with names, visit the Iheart Radio app or wherever you get your podcast.
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Starting point is 00:03:39 Use Coach Shannon to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup. That's Code Shannon to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup. The Nightcap WrestleMania Takeover. I'm your favorite up. Y'all know me. This is my partner and co-host, Deliberty City Legend. Bingo ring of fame. Honor. a former Pro Bowl and an All-Pro Pro, that is Chad Ochosinko Johnson. We don't have to waste a whole lot of time because the guests are already here. So without further ado, here they are, Naya Jack and Lash Legend. Come on lady.
Starting point is 00:04:16 Good morning. Yes, yes. Good morning. On one side, the other on the other side. Sorry, guys. Hello, beloved. How you doing? You good. It's good to you, my pleasure.
Starting point is 00:04:27 Thank you so much. Hello, beloved. How are you doing, love? You good? Sorry. Thanks for having us. Thank you for coming. Appreciate it.
Starting point is 00:04:35 That's right. We're here. We're here. You guys will defend. So let's get this straight. Okay, you guys are going to defend the title. Right. But it's a four-way tag team.
Starting point is 00:04:44 Mm-hmm. So help me understand. What's going on? Can you hear? Hello? Channing your mic. No. Okay.
Starting point is 00:04:51 My bad, I moved the mic out of the way. Okay, it's, you guys are going to get Charlotte Flair and her partner, but it's a four-way. Yes. So explain that to us. Yeah. I mean, first of all, we're going to be in the ring with Hall of Famers, future Hall of Famers. First, I'm a rookie, you know.
Starting point is 00:05:07 I'm coming in. I'm six months in, officially on the main roster. So be able to have this opportunity to be in the ring led by the legendary Naya Jackson. Okay? Her history is amazing. But, yes, we're going to be in the ring with all these girls. It's going to be eight of us. It's going to be four tag teams all competing for our.
Starting point is 00:05:24 At one. So, hold on. It's going to be all of you guys going to be in the ring at once? Yes. Well, one of our teammates will be. I feel like these women know they can't take us one-on-one. Exactly. So these bitches all have to gain.
Starting point is 00:05:36 So they had the handicaps. They tried to be in the ring to try to take us down. They're trying to stack the cards against us already. So whatever. We're not worried. So you guys captured the championship last year. What is the difference between maintaining the championship as opposed to chasing the championship? Yeah, well, we got it in February.
Starting point is 00:05:54 Yes. February of this year. And so it was such an amazing opportunity. This is actually my first gold. My first gold ever. And I'm super stoked about it. But yeah, I mean, clearly we're the biggest girls in the entire women's division. And we're together.
Starting point is 00:06:09 Naya wanted me to be on her team. I'm like, yes, that's so smart. So nobody has been able to stop us. And that's the difference maker. We're the grandest, the most dominant tag team ever. So, yeah, so they had to put us in a fatal four-away tag just to help the other little Pipsqueaks out, you know, give them a chance, you know, against us. But it's not going to work. It's not going to help.
Starting point is 00:06:29 It's not going to work. No. You know what? Will you look at the perspective where women's wrestling is right now in the world, not just WWE, just in general, it's out of this stratosphere? Yes. With the opportunities that all of you are getting to do right now, from your perspective, what do you think of the state of women's wrestling right now?
Starting point is 00:06:48 Well, we are the best that's ever been. This is the most athletic roster that DVD's ever seen. We have a professional WMBA player coming in. We have gymnasts coming in that come from the Olympic backgrounds. we have all kinds of track athletes. Track and field athletes, I saw that, yeah. We literally have such an array of athletes, but not only that, like, I will say,
Starting point is 00:07:06 a lot of our girls are just gorgeous. Like, we're beautiful. We're out there representing just being beautiful, confident athletes out there that they're putting us on the same level as the men. Yeah. So, like, we show up and show out, like, you know, we're great. Exactly.
Starting point is 00:07:17 Clock, clocking. What we talk about? That's great. Yes. Did you guys follow wrestling? Because I remember in the 1980s, there were not a whole lot of women. You had the fabulous Moolah.
Starting point is 00:07:27 You had Wendy Richter. You had a few, you had some, you know, and then you came to the 90s and you had China, you had Sable, you had Jacqueline, you know, you had Luna. And so did you guys follow wrestling when you were growing up? Oh, yeah, absolutely. I mean, I come from a wrestling family. Yeah, my cousin. It's the rock, so you know his father and so he had a lot. Yeah, and like actually my first encounter with wrestling was seeing my uncle Peter, my via, which is Duane's grandfather, just bloody.
Starting point is 00:07:54 And I was like, Dad, what's that? And he told me, and I was like, I want to do that. But, like, you know, growing up, I loved watching China. I love watching Sable. Like, yes, the women were in there and being a little sexual, showing off a little, a little skin, you know. But you know what? At the time, that was marketing. Men loved it.
Starting point is 00:08:10 Like, who showed up to the shows? Who paid the tickets? Who were getting the merch? Right? Like, and then you have China in there, like, rolling with the guys, beating the crap out of the men. Like, that was so cool and empowering to watch that, now look at us. Yeah. For me, carrying it on.
Starting point is 00:08:23 Yeah. Yeah. Like, so for me, I come from, you know, traditional sports. basketball track, volleyball, cross country, all of that. And so when I was in middle school, I remember watching, seeing all the, like, the attitude era. I'm like, this is so cool. But to be honest, I never thought that I could actually be doing that.
Starting point is 00:08:39 Right. As a black woman as well, like, I saw, like, a lot of greatness. I saw China. She was amazing. But I watched it as a fan and just was like, oh, that's cool. And then it's full circle moment when I got the opportunity to try out. I was like, I can actually have this opportunity to do it. And, you know, it was Bianca Bel Air and Naomi and,
Starting point is 00:08:56 Naya, like, they're killing. I'm like, heck, yeah, I want to go for it. And so, you know, it's the best decision I've ever made in my career. So I'm very grateful to be doing this. But growing up, I didn't think it was possible. When I look at the state of the women's wrestling today, you guys are more, you guys are, do you remember to show American Gladiator? Of course.
Starting point is 00:09:13 That's what you guys remind me up because you guys are so athletic. You guys can actually move. It's just, look, and it's not to take away anything because everything, this thing called evolution. 80s, 80s were better than the 70s, and 90s are better than the 80s. thousand. Right. But when I look at you, you were like an All-American basketball player, 27 rebiles in the game, transferred.
Starting point is 00:09:33 Record holder. Yes. And so now, and you mentioned, you mentioned, you got gymnast coming in, you got track and field, and now these guys get an early, a head start. They get to go to NTX, they get to train, and then the next thing, you know, boom, here they are on the big stage. Yeah, I mean, NXT has been an amazing, just foundation for a lot of people that's transferring over their careers, you know, coming from collegiate sports and or professional sports.
Starting point is 00:09:56 And so I was down at NXT for five years and I learned so much. Of course I was eager to be on the main roster. I'm like, now you're like, I need to come up there. Yes, five, a little over five years. But, you know, I was grateful for that because I learned so much. I understood the business where I thought I was ready. But honestly, who knows if I would came up a little earlier? Things might not have been, you know, this, you know, destiny and ordained for me at this point.
Starting point is 00:10:19 So it all worked out. But NXT has really helped so many people transition. Speaking of destiny, when it comes to any type of partnership, no matter what you're doing, whether it's relationship, whether it's friendships, whether it's what you two were doing, you know, and having the success that you are, the one main key ingredient is chemistry. Yes. How did you know in picking a partner that the chemistry you guys would have
Starting point is 00:10:39 would be what it is now? So I had the opportunity to go down to NXT and get in the ring against Lash. Okay, okay. And we, I mean, we were two big hosses, like going back and forth, beating the crap out of each other. Oh, my gosh. I mean, my poor girl, at the end of the match, I think I, like, almost knocked a rib-out. Like we were, she put me through a big ass table.
Starting point is 00:10:57 Like, we were just going back. I'm surprised we didn't break the ring. I know, seriously. We were going back and forth. So, like, I was like, hey, I'd rather have her with me than against me. Right, right. But there was a moment and I spoke about before my mom, and we saw it was Lash and Trick praying before we went out there. And I was like, you know what?
Starting point is 00:11:11 We're both, like, she's, I'm so faith-driven and she is too. And I felt like, we just clicked so immediately that that was one of the reasons I was like, you know what? We'll be good. In and out of the ring, we're just here. That's dope. Yeah. You know, because there is a lot of storylines. there's a lot of writing that goes on with the WWE.
Starting point is 00:11:25 Do they let you choose your partners, or do they choose partners for you? I think it depends on the level of, like, a veteran, right? Like, you know, Roman Rain is going to go on and pick whoever he wants to pick. And then there's times where they're kind of bringing people up and they're like, you know what, you guys will be good together and we can make something out of this. So I think it just depends. Like, you know, there's times where it's like, hey, I have this pitch. I think that, you know, Lash and I would be a great, like, a great tag team.
Starting point is 00:11:48 You guys have never seen this. I was being humble. She's on that vet status where she actually asks for me. I'm so grateful for it. She asked to come down and work with me at NXT. And, you know, so I think they saw how well we worked together and they went for it. How much rehearsal goes in to, you know,
Starting point is 00:12:03 in front of the camera? Because a lot of it is just not wrestling. You got to sell this thing. You got to get in the ring? Yeah, come on. Ocho! He's really, he's really. Ocho can do it.
Starting point is 00:12:13 Ocho can do it. No, Ocho, I saw what you want to, you're trying to fight. Yeah, I'm just trying to fight. Yeah, I'm doing one bout, one bout, yeah. Oh, okay. There's no way I can be a part of something and not having the experience doing it. So I have no choice but to get an octagon, you know? Listen, if I lose, I lose.
Starting point is 00:12:29 But still I'll be able to have the credibility to talk it. We don't get you to the ring. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. You should do both. You need to. I think both of you did. He did. He did.
Starting point is 00:12:38 Make them. Make them. You need to get in the rain. Make them. Let me. Let me. I can be Bobby Debrainhiening. I could be Paul Hay.
Starting point is 00:12:46 I can talk. I can get it high. I can get the muscle. Yeah, yeah. I'm ready. I'm ready. Listen, I'll get in. We'll find me another partner.
Starting point is 00:12:54 Come on, let's do it. I'll do it. I'm ready. Hold on. So check this out. The Bella twins come back. And they's like, hold on, wait a minute. We gave up our title.
Starting point is 00:13:02 We're coming back. We're coming back. Like, hold on a minute. There's new queens on the block. Y'all ain't taking it. It's different. It's different. You know, but for them, they have, oh, my goodness.
Starting point is 00:13:12 They have such an amazing career. And clearly they're not done yet. But the thing is, when they were wrestling, these weren't a thing. The women's tag team, Championships were a thing when they were wrestling before. So now they're coming back like, hey, we help build this division. So now I understand.
Starting point is 00:13:28 I understand why they're trying to come back and come after, you know, our titles, but I'm going to go ahead and say they ain't getting it. Y'all try to retire again because that's what's going to happen. Y'all try to get new belts. When you think about your WWW. W. Mount Rushmore. I hate this much.
Starting point is 00:13:44 Not wrestlers. Not wrestlers. No, not wrestlers. Okay. Of fights all the time. I need three. Oh. Matches?
Starting point is 00:13:52 Matches. Okay. Mount Rushmore of all time. Yes. Okay, so this is a fairly new one that I feel like if you go back and watch, you're all going to say yes. It was the triple threat with E.O. Sky, Rearke and Bianca Bel-Air. Yes.
Starting point is 00:14:08 It was here last year. Yes. I personally believe it completely sold the show. Like, outshined all the men. They killed it. Yeah, that was definitely. Yeah. And, yeah, I agree with that one.
Starting point is 00:14:19 And another one for me is actually Bianca Bel Air and Sasha Vanks. Yeah. That one is actually. It actually really inspired me to be like, okay, I'm where I'm supposed to be. Like, I actually felt something watching the match, like, oh, my gosh. Like, I got emotional. So that one just hits different for me because it changed the whole trajectory of, like, my mindset in wrestling. Do you guys ever think, I mean, your partner and normally when partners, you kind of stay together,
Starting point is 00:14:43 but have you ever thought about doing anything single individually? Oh, I mean, you already know how this works in this business. Eventually, it's going to be one little greedy, me. Grady of me, I heard. She's going to want more of a little spotlight. And then we're going to go, you know, we've got to bowed it out. We're going to fight it out. And whenever she's ready.
Starting point is 00:15:00 No, we're not breaking up to answer your question. Not in the type suit, to be fair. We still have some destruction to do. I like it. I like it. Engage. Yes. Trick Williams.
Starting point is 00:15:10 Whoa, wait, wait, wait. Before you finish, you're engaged. That means at some point, that means you get married. Now, if you didn't know, I'm efficient. I can officiate your wedding. Stop playing. Tell her, aunt. certificate.
Starting point is 00:15:23 No, listen. Listen. Yeah. Tell them. You don't have a. He did Gary O. I did Gary and Brianna Owen. Yes.
Starting point is 00:15:30 Yes. Let me know. I only charged $500 and I can perform. He got a little mariachi band, you know. I don't know if you want to marry on. Taxophone.
Starting point is 00:15:41 Okay. We haven't released all the details. We can talk about it. Wait, we're going to Jamaica? I sound like Bob Marley. I do reggae too. So you're having a you having a destination.
Starting point is 00:15:50 We haven't released a date to the public, but we'll talk about it. Okay, my God. Yes, it is a destination wedding. Yeah, we'll talk about it. I got to get trick, Willie. Where am I going to talk right after this? Okay, bet, bet, bet, but you do realize now, and I'm sure they probably told you this.
Starting point is 00:16:06 You don't do some things where you eat, where you work. How difficult was that? Because you try to get messy. You try to get messy. He didn't. He didn't. He didn't get messy. I'm coming out here.
Starting point is 00:16:18 We're trying to grace, y'all. I know. I know. I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding. He's a wrestler. You're a wrestler. I think it works because you understand what he goes through. He understands what you go through. And so the sacrifices that each other have to make. And you know there's sometimes that he's on the road for 7, 8, 9, 10 days. You understand that. You're on the road 7, 8, 9, 10 days. He understands that. I'm Luke Wilson. Join me each week for Film Never Lies. Since retiring from the NFL, I've had a lot of my mind.
Starting point is 00:16:47 Now, got my own show. So if you're tired of lazy takes, if you want honest conversation, join us each week. Film Never Lies, available on all TSN platforms in the IHeartRadio app. I'm John Green. You may know me as the author of The Fault and Our Stars, and now I guess also as the co-host of The Away End, a brand new world soccer podcast. I'm Daniel Alarcon, a writer and journalist, and John and I have known each other since we were kids. My first World Cup was Mexico 86. I was nine years old. I watched every game and I fell in love. On our new podcast, The Away End, we'll share with you the magic of international football, all leading up to the 2026 World Cup. For us, soccer, football, is a story we've shared for over 30 years since Daniel was the
Starting point is 00:17:29 star player on our high school soccer team. Very debatable. And I was their most loyal and sometimes only fan. I love this game. I love its history, its hope, its heartbreak, and above all, it's beauty. Together, we'll find out why, of all the unimportant things, football, soccer, is the most important. Listen to the away end with Daniel Auerkone. and John Green on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Starting point is 00:18:00 American Soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramers sending on to Ernie Stewart the chip. I'm Tab Ramos. I'm Tom Bo. On our podcast, inside American soccer, you'll get the real storylines. I'm not worried about Policic. I'm not worried about Balligan.
Starting point is 00:18:22 I'm not worried about McKinney. My only concern is what happens in the back. decisions. If you're going to look at stats and numbers, he has no shot at making this World Cup team. And the truth about the U.S. national team. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals. The World Cup is almost here.
Starting point is 00:18:45 Experience it all with us. USA! Listen, Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogart and Tab Ramos on the IHeart Radio app, Apple podcast, wherever you get your podcast. Will Ferrell's Big Money Players And IHeart Podcast presents soccer moms So I'm Leanne This is my best friend Janet
Starting point is 00:19:05 And we have been joined at the hips since high school Now a redacted amount of years later We're still joined at the hip Just a little bit bigger hips, wider This is a podcast we're recording it as we tailgate Our youth soccer games in the back of my Honda Odyssey With all the snacks and drinks Sidebar
Starting point is 00:19:22 Why did you get hard seltzer instead of beer? They had a bogo Well then you got them Do you want a white claw or something here? Just hit it. Oh, what are y'all doing? Microphones? Are you making a rap album? Oh, I would. Come on.
Starting point is 00:19:33 I would buy it. Cuts through the defense like a hot knife through sponge cake. That sounds delicious. Oh, you're lucky I'm not a drug addict. You're lucky I'm not an alcoholic. You are. I'm not a killer. I love this team, and I'm really trying to be a figure in their lives that they can rely on.
Starting point is 00:19:53 Oh. Listen to soccer moms on the IHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up? I'm Miles Turner. And I'm Brianna Stewart. And our podcast, Game Recognized Game, has never been done before. Two active players giving you a real look at our lives and what we actually think on and off the court. Nothing's off limits. We talk trade requests. What's the vibe of that when it's like your star player is like, well, I want to leave? And then actually now I'm going to stay.
Starting point is 00:20:26 We talk tanking. I mean, honestly, like, I might get in trouble for this. through, but I think it's, like, definitely happening in the WBA. And yeah, we talk about our mistakes, too. They pulled me to the side and was like, hey, man, we got a call last night, man. You can't be rolling around the city like this tonight before games, no, you know, doing this, doing whatever. And of course, family stories. They'll be like, Mommy, why did you miss that? Mommy, do you play basketball?
Starting point is 00:20:55 Check out Game Recognized game with Stuy and Miles on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever. me you get your podcasts. Came like two months before him at the PC. So we basically got hired around the same time. We both were into, yes, but we were in two totally different relationships. Like, he was doing his thing, I was doing my thing. Okay. You know, it didn't work out for obviously our past, which I'm grateful for.
Starting point is 00:21:24 But, you know, I got to know him as a coworker and just a friend. Yeah. I didn't talk to him outside of work. It was just, you know, a good coworker. But then, you know, as I had more free time, I'm like, dang, this is a really good dude. And I ain't going to lie. The truth is, when I see him the first time, I said, oh, I got to stay away from him. Like, that's my type.
Starting point is 00:21:42 Let me go on. Okay, so I knew. I agree. Like, I never wanted to ever date anybody in any career field that I was in. Yeah, but dang, like, he is just, like, a gift from God. And I feel like he is my man for me. I like that. And with us working together in this career field, I'll say, wrestling, traveling all the time, missing holidays,
Starting point is 00:22:07 missing birthdays, missing all weddings. Like, y'all get to travel together. We get to travel together. And we're on the same roster because WWE has three tiers, Raw, SmackDown, and NXT. Obviously, we graduated from NXT, but he could have easily been on Raw or vice versa. But we're on SmackDown together, you know,
Starting point is 00:22:25 and so it's helped us so much. And we can both, you know, be real and bent to each other about, you know, just, you know, little adversities we're going through and we can understand each other. So, yeah. Like, you said something very interesting. You said my intentions were not to be involved with anyone in this field. But the heart wants what it wants.
Starting point is 00:22:44 The heart wants a lot of times. And what I tell people a lot of times is like the moth and the flame. You think the moth wants to go to the flame? It can't help it. Even though he knows what it's going to happen. It's attracted to drope. You knew, like, I got to stay away from him. But the more you stayed the way, the closer you got.
Starting point is 00:23:00 Yes. When you're around them, they are literally meant to be. Yes. They're like, you know, when you are married, husband and wife, wife, you become one, and I truly believe these two were meant to be from this show. I like it. I don't mean to be in personal business. Are you married?
Starting point is 00:23:13 No, I'm not. Boyfriend. No. Because I'm, you know what? I'm so glad you said that because I have a friend of mine that came in town with me that I think would be perfect. He would understand his schedule, huh? He understands sacrifice and all the things that entail and allowing you to still be great while
Starting point is 00:23:27 being an awesome partner. Okay. Now, you know, once the show is over, I introduce you. He's out back. Y'all got some men. Wait, you like football players? Listen, I don't talk about any of that. Okay, okay, okay.
Starting point is 00:23:42 I'm gonna get there. I'm gonna hit help. I'm here to bridge the gas. Well, I was told by my cousin, a famous cousin, he said, you don't shit where you eat. So obviously in wrestling, he was always just like, you know, don't ever date any of boys. Well, well, you're not a cheerleader, so that ain't where you eat at. So you'll be good. You straight.
Starting point is 00:24:00 You straight over. I like it. No, I love it. But thank you. Yes. So. Hands on the way. How much, I mean, how, I mean, obviously at some point in time, you got to think about starting a family.
Starting point is 00:24:11 And so clearly right now, but you had the 18 of it. I mean, you just getting started. Yeah, I don't even think I'm at my prime. But what's so cool and, like, what I've gotten to see while being here now, we have mothers who wrestle now, you know, that we literally, I've seen it where, you know, Becky Lynch, you know, all these wonderful women. Yes, they, you know, they do to do get the baby, but then they bring the baby along. And so it's possible, like, to be able to still pursue, you know, your career, your passion. So, you know, of course, I want to.
Starting point is 00:24:41 probably five little of mini-meas running around. No, for sure. For about five of them, you know, when the time is right. But, you know, if, you know, God willing, if it comes earlier than we expect, I want to still, you know, wrestle. You know what I'm saying? Well, it's just a hard question for women, too. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:24:56 Because it's like, you know, we want to. We want to be mothers and we want to do that thing. But it's in, then we have to stop, you know, what we're doing. And the train keeps going, you know, with them without you. So it's like, well, then you're going to miss out on that opportunity. It's different for men. Like, the women don't have the babies. And that's amazing.
Starting point is 00:25:10 The men don't miss a beat. Exactly. So for us, we're always just like, well, when is the right time to, like, stop and do it? Or are they going to forget about me? So it's definitely a difficult thing. But it's something that, you know, now is very welcoming in the WWE. You know, we have Alexa Bliss with her daughter backstage. We have Becky Lynch, you know what I mean?
Starting point is 00:25:26 Like, we have a lot of mothers that come through and they bring their kids. And, you know, Nikki and Bree, like they bring their beautiful boys. So it gives us hope that is possible. Yeah. That's dope. As a great collegiate basketball player, did you ever consider the WMBA? Well, I got drafted. Shannon.
Starting point is 00:25:41 She sure is. Seattle Storm. I was second round 24, and that was in 2019. Wait, first of all, let's shout out the WMBA, the women I get seven figures. Wow, yes. Superdose. Three year, five. Oh, shout out to her.
Starting point is 00:25:57 Shout out to all of them. All of them. Oh, I was like, well, damn. Shannon, when I got drafted, my paycheck was $68,000. It's a night and day difference. Yes, I'm making it now, but. You made more than I did when I got drafted. I made 63.
Starting point is 00:26:10 No way. No way. No. Back then? No. No. $63,000 a year. $63.
Starting point is 00:26:18 And then I made the next year I made $73. Wow. I had no. Only 70. Sorry. I'm very shocked by that. I remember you guys, well, both of you, like, your careers were insane. I played, I played way after.
Starting point is 00:26:29 How is that possible? I don't know. I'm trying to be respectful. But no, no, no. But when I first got to the league that was not free agency. Yeah. So it was kind of like the WMBA, so it had to and so the salaries started
Starting point is 00:26:42 to evolve and guys started to get compensated fairly. Kind of like the WMB you look at the women that came in and they made like... For us as well. Yeah. Like for as the, I mean I'm not trying to say anything bad but like for the women in WWE it's taking us a long time to get to a certain
Starting point is 00:26:57 level of pay. It's respectable. Yeah. Which like you know there's some men that will come in and they'll be like I can retire after six years because I've made a nice bucket right. Some of them depending on where they're booked and then there's women that's like I'm 10 years in. I can't.
Starting point is 00:27:12 I'm going to still have to work after this. I put my body through the line. But now, right now, I do believe it's a different landscape for the women. But understandably, like, I started in NXT and I was, like, making $30,000. Like, you know what I mean? So it's definitely, like, come a very long way. But I get where, you know, we're in the same boat. Do you, I mean, I don't know if you guys have looked around and checked the landscape
Starting point is 00:27:34 because I've been following into W&W. I've been following wrestling when it was Georgia championship, because wrestling used to be regional. So you had Georgia, you had Florida, you had Mid-Atlantic, you had the Atlantic to Midwest and so forth and so on. But when you look at it now, it seems to be more minorities are being involved, be it women of color. It does not matter.
Starting point is 00:27:54 Am I the only one? Am I seeing things? No. Not at all. We have, you know, like Naomi's been doing, like Naomi, I feel like she was, she's been pioneering for the black women for like over, like she's 15, 16 years. like that woman, and to me it makes me so mad
Starting point is 00:28:10 because I feel like she didn't even get the flowers she truly deserved. She's so incredible because she put up with so much. I could imagine. I mean, one day she'll tell her story, but she put up with so much that we all now get to, it's easier for us, right? And, you know, it is, but now it's like totally normal. You got Bianca Bellara,
Starting point is 00:28:26 Sasha Banks, they got to main event, but didn't come without somebody like Naomi and Jacqueline, like these women who really like paved the way. And it's incredible to see now because now it's just nothing different. Right. Even because if you go back and look even when the rock was at his height in the WVE, it was basically rock.
Starting point is 00:28:42 Now you got Jay Uso, now you got your guys. I'm like, well, damn, look at this. He's got hope over there, about his life against Brocklesser. Yes. Yeah. So, what was this?
Starting point is 00:28:55 The Royal Rumble, when they just keep bringing out women and they keep bringing out, I'm like, well, damn, hold on, let me get what her, did send her. I don't want 10, 50. women in the ring at once?
Starting point is 00:29:09 Yeah, it's a really cool match, though. And Naya made history. She was in the men's real rumble and beat up some of them. Damn! Yeah, the only woman to... I got Archaoed. Yes. They took me out.
Starting point is 00:29:20 I got 6.19. I got Arkeo. They took me out. But, Naya, I mean, I'm having to rethink this about trying to set you up with somebody. I mean, I got to be... Hey, bro, you do... Be aggressive.
Starting point is 00:29:30 We like to get aggressive. Especially a smallan woman. You know, she can body slam. Hey, whatever. Stay in line. You 320, she still can fireman carry your big air. You're so sad. Not for real.
Starting point is 00:29:42 You know what? I have one more question. Whenever we tell our stories, our stories are always beautiful. But most of the time, it's the end product of our said story. So Unk has a phenomenal story that we talk about all the time. I have a phenomenal story where there are certain lessons that we learn that catapult us to success and make sure and make us remember how and why we got to what we are. When it comes to YouTube, I want you to give me one lesson that you remember you learn.
Starting point is 00:30:06 and we went NXT to help you with that transition to the big stage. So this lesson I learned, it came from Vince McMahon. It was something where I got in trouble. We won't talk about why. Okay, we won't get into that. But he did tell me he's like, you're no bigger than anybody here backstage or in the ring because you need everybody from lighting to props to all the guys who come and set up the ring to make sure that you go out there and perform at your best.
Starting point is 00:30:34 So like never think that you're better than anybody in a little. always say humble. I like it. Yeah. She lives by that. Oh my gosh. I didn't even know that. Yeah. But she literally walks that every single day, speaks to everybody behind the who nobody even knows who these people are, but she's over there greeting them. And I love that. For me, I think my lesson that I learned at NXT in general was just through experience and a lot of time was patience. I felt like I was, my patience was very thin and many different, you know, avenues down there. But I feel like having the patience and just finally. been like, you know what, this is my journey.
Starting point is 00:31:08 I have to accept it. This is what I have to go through. So I better put my feet in the ground and, you know, just take heed to it. Like, it's okay. And I feel like when I finally did that, I finally got the opportunity to come up on the main roster, when I finally mentally accept it, like, okay, do your job what I'm supposed to be doing now. Instead of, you know, exactly, instead of my past of like, oh, if I just outwork everybody, oh, I'm going to be a started.
Starting point is 00:31:29 I'm going to take her spot. I'm going to get this, get this and all that. And so I had to learn. It's different, you know. So having that patience. and I feel like that helps me in my everyday life now as well. That's dope. Have you guys ever forgotten, like, okay, obviously we got certain things going to do this, going to do that.
Starting point is 00:31:45 Have you ever forgotten the sequence? And you're like, damn, what we spoke? Oh, in the ring, yeah. That happened? Oh, yeah. I don't know if you guys can see, but we're literally talking the whole time. I'm talking the entire time I'm in the match. I'm like, you know, if we're doing good, I'm like, damn, that was shitty.
Starting point is 00:32:01 Or, girl, we're killing it. Or like, what's next, next, next. We can't tell you. We're always chatting, like, because that's what, that's, it's a dance. The art, you know, to dance, you know. Dance, you know. Dancing in the style. Exactly.
Starting point is 00:32:12 It's a dance in there. Like, we, you know, as much as we go up against each other, we're dancing together to make sure we put on a good show for the fans. Right. So there are times where I'm like, I don't know where the hell we're going. And so, but our referee has a pretty, one of our producers in his year as well. And our producer, we usually know what's going on. And I'll be like, what the fuck is next. Right.
Starting point is 00:32:28 And then he'll tell me. And then we'll just keep going. And you know what? You guys don't know the difference. No. No. We do? Yeah.
Starting point is 00:32:33 So it's seamless. But they don't know the difference because, especially, like, for you, whenever you do go through that, she is so, like, confident in who she is, what character she represents that she's like, okay, even if I don't know what's next, I'm going to go out here and, you know, be the irresistible force that I am and, like, you know, have a moment, you know, whatever that looks like. So I feel like I'm learning that through her, too. Like, you know, even if stuff doesn't go as plan, we are performers at the end of the end of the movie,
Starting point is 00:32:58 so we got to put on the show. Because it was interesting that you were saying that because I was watching a documentary, I think of the WWE. And it was the first one where Hugged Hogan was fighting Andre the Giant and Andre could barely walk and they brought him in on this thing and got him in the ring
Starting point is 00:33:12 and he was basically telling Hogan, okay, slam him. Okay, it's like, my back was about to give out. I can't do this. And so he just went along. I was like, well, damn, they'd be talking enough like that. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:33:22 You can't even tell. No. Yeah. And there would be times where somebody is hurt and, you know, we got a docee dough and figure it out, you know, like there's been times in there that we just. Charlotte Flare, we had her own
Starting point is 00:33:31 and she's going to come back on again today. I think she was last time, she said she tore her ACL about 10 minutes in, and she still had to fill another 20 minutes. Yeah. It happens. And same, you know, with Nikki. She tweaked her, you know, ankle a little bit. In the beginning of that match, yeah. That was, you know,
Starting point is 00:33:46 the match, what, a couple months ago? A couple weeks ago. Yeah. And she powered, I mean, Nikki. That girl powered through the whole match. She kept it going and after we found out like, oh, shoot, are you good, girl? Yeah. But yeah, it happens. And, you know, you just got to fake it till you make it. Got it improvised. She must go on. Yeah, you must
Starting point is 00:34:02 go on. Has it been everything that you thought it would be? No, it's everything and more. Like, I didn't know what to completely expect. When I got my tryout, I didn't know exactly what it was, I've done a million other sports, but this was the hardest trial I've ever done in my life. And I'm like, oh my gosh, this is so hard. And it's bringing me to a mental and physical, like, level I've never reached, but I love it. Like, I want to really give it my all. And so, you know, I love being an entertainer. I love having my natural charisma, my aura, all of that. And personality. So, you know, I've always dreamed of like, oh, I want these WrestleMania moments and stuff, but now that it's here, it's like, dang, this is even
Starting point is 00:34:40 better than I expected. Because, you know what you said? You said, when I played basketball, if I work hard and everybody else, oh, I'm naturally going to be the starter. I'm not going to be this. It didn't work like this. It didn't work like this. It's so nice, even more gratifying because you accepted like, okay, my time is going to come. I'm just going to continue to work hard. And when it comes, I'm going to be ready and take full advantage of this opportunity. Absolutely. Yep. everything that you thought. Well, considering you've been at this thing for over decades,
Starting point is 00:35:04 so it has to be more than what you envisioned because you're still at it and still enjoying it. Yeah, well, it's incredible now because I get to be on the other side. Like, when I was younger, I had, like, you know, I had to learn it. But now I'm on the other side. Like, I get to help with the younger talent and just, like, teaching ways, you know, that, like, that has kind of been forgotten. Like, you know, traditional ways, like backstage and stuff like that.
Starting point is 00:35:24 But I love what I'm doing right now. I'm literally having a freaking ball. No, there's no time I'm not in the ring having a blast because if you get out there and you're not having a fronet fun and it's time to go. Time to go. Yeah. You say something, you're having fun teaching.
Starting point is 00:35:36 Yeah. Are you a patient person? Because to become a great teacher, you have to be patient. Well. She is. Even if she doesn't think she is, she really is. Certain things I'm patient on. Certain people I'm not patient with.
Starting point is 00:35:50 So, and you know that that's what Lash comes in on the other buffer. But certain things I am patient with, but certain people I'm definitely not patient with. She pays it for, like, she's had so many amazing career, like highlights. opportunities and I feel like, you know, she has literally taken me under her wing. She's going to stop.
Starting point is 00:36:06 Things that I, like, that she did not have to do. Right. And she let me know that she's like, I don't have to do this, but because like, you know, I've had my time and, you know, she was trying to give me credit of saying like, you know, you deserve this. And it's like, damn, this feels so good that somebody just made this transition so seamless because everybody doesn't get that. Everybody doesn't get a partner who was like, girl, I got you.
Starting point is 00:36:26 And genuinely means it. Because at the end of the day, it's still a lot of competitiveness. Yeah. Yeah. business and this money involved, all of that. But the fact that she genuinely, like, she wants to help me out is just such a blessing. So I told her, I told her this yesterday. I said, you know, you're doing all this for me.
Starting point is 00:36:41 I'm going to make sure when it's my time I'm going to pay it for it. I'm still a lot to learn, but she's teaching me. I need to make sure I pay it for them. I love that. Because I think the thing is as a teacher, when you go over something with so many, and who I was talking to, I think what Sean Michaels or some of the guys were saying, you go over something with someone so many times, and he still doesn't get it, or they still don't get it.
Starting point is 00:37:00 And you have to come to the realization, they're not you. Yeah. It came easy to you. And some people, it might take a little longer. It's not to say that they won't get it, but it's just going to take them a longer time to master it than what it took you to get. It's being coachable. Yes.
Starting point is 00:37:16 You know what I mean? Like you got to be coachable. Like, you know, Lash, I've had this beautiful time with her. And before I had, you know, Tiffany Stratton, you know, she's another super, she came from, she could have gone to the Olympics, but she decided to come to the WB. Like she was, she had, she had the athletic mindset of being coachable. Right. And that's what you need here because sometimes people think that it's all them doing it.
Starting point is 00:37:35 When in reality, it's a, like I said, it's a dance. All of us. Yeah. Yeah. Because sometimes it's like, I know, I know. Yeah. And you don't. Trust me.
Starting point is 00:37:44 Trust me. A lot of them just, a lot of people still that are in the match with us are thinking they know what they can do the whole thing by themselves. But don't worry. We'll show them. For sure. Here they are the raining world. tag team champion.
Starting point is 00:37:58 I'm a Jack and Lash Legend. Congratulations, lady. Thank you so much. Roane. Thank you for joining. I appreciate that. I appreciate it. I know. Is this going on it?
Starting point is 00:38:09 I'm Luke Wilson. Join me each week for Film Never Lies. Since retiring from the NFL, I've had a lot of my mind, and now, I've got my own show. So if you're tired of lazy takes, if you want honest conversations, join us each week. Film Never Lies available on all TSN platforms in the IHeart Radio app. I'm John Green. You may know me as the author of The Fault in Our Stars, and now I guess also as the co-host of The Away End, a brand new world soccer podcast. I'm Daniel Alarcon, a writer and journalist, and John and I have known each other since we were kids.
Starting point is 00:38:39 My first World Cup was Mexico 86. I was nine years old. I watched every game, and I fell in love. On our new podcast, The Away End, we'll share with you the magic of international football, all leading up to the 2026 World Cup. For us, soccer, football, is a story we've shared for over 30 years. since Daniel was the star player on our high school soccer team. Very debatable. And I was their most loyal and sometimes only fan.
Starting point is 00:39:05 I love this game. I love its history, it's hope, it's heartbreak, and above all, it's beauty. Together, we'll find out why, of all the unimportant things, football, soccer, is the most important. Listen to the away end with Daniel Auerkone and John Green on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Starting point is 00:39:25 American Soccer. It's about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramers sending on to Ernie Stewart for Chip. I'm Tab Ramos. I'm Tom Boe. On our podcast, Inside American Soccer, you'll get the real storylines. I'm not worried about Policic.
Starting point is 00:39:48 I'm not worried about Balligan. I'm not worried about McKinney. My only concern is what happens in the back. The biggest decisions. If you're going to look at stats and numbers, he has no shot at making this World Cup team. And the truth about the game. the U.S. national team.
Starting point is 00:40:05 It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals. The World Cup is almost here. Experience it all with us. USA! Listen, Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogart and Tabramos on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcast. Will Ferrell's Big Money Players and IHeart Podcast presents soccer moms.
Starting point is 00:40:31 So I'm Leanne. Yeah. This is my best friend, Janet. And we have been joined at the hips since high school. Absolutely. Now a redacted amount of years later, we're still joined at the hip. Just a little bit bigger hips, wider. This is a podcast.
Starting point is 00:40:43 We're recording it as we tailgate our youth soccer games in the back of my Honda Odyssey. With all the snacks and drinks. Sidebar. Why did you get hard seltzer instead of beer? Oh, they had a bogo. Well, then you got it. Do you want a white color or something here? Just take it.
Starting point is 00:40:57 Oh, what are y'all doing? Microphones? Are you making a rap album? Oh, I would. Come on. Could you believe? I would buy it. Cuts through the defense like a hot knife through sponge cake.
Starting point is 00:41:09 That sounds delicious. Oh, you're lucky I'm not a drug addict. You're lucky I'm not an alcoholic. You're lucky I'm not a killer. I love this team and I'm really trying to be a figure in their lives that they can rely on. Listen to soccer moms on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up? I'm Mott's Turn.
Starting point is 00:41:34 And I'm Brianna Stewart. And our podcast, Game Recognized Game has never been done before. Two active players giving you a real look at our lives and what we actually think on and off the court. Nothing's off limits. We talk trade requests. What's the vibe of that when it's like your star player is like, well, I want to leave? And then actually now I'm going to stay. We talk tanking.
Starting point is 00:41:56 I mean, honestly, like, I might get in trouble for this answer, but I think it's like definitely happening in the WBA. And yeah, we talk about our mistakes too. They pulled me to the side and was like, hey, man, we got a call last night, man. You can't be rolling around the city like this tonight before games, no, you know, doing this, doing whatever. And of course, family stories. They'll be like, Mommy, why did you miss that? Mommy, do you play basketball? Check out Game Recognized game with Stuy and Miles on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Starting point is 00:42:46 If you want to come out. Okay, okay, okay. You're welcome. You're welcome. When I'm not tied to the last, so I don't embarrass her. Right. Thank you so much. So beautiful.
Starting point is 00:43:03 I'm going to have a congratulations everything. Okay. Oh, yeah. No, no, no, no. You're not. Listen, I'm in Miami. Jamaica is a 30-minute flight. Thank you.
Starting point is 00:43:49 Thank you, baby. Good to see you. Thank you. Hey, Chad, I need a belt because my pants are a little too big. A little too big. Man, that was, that was the best 30 plus minutes. Yeah. What's up, bro?
Starting point is 00:44:28 You good? What's up, boy? No. Oh, I'm good now. What's up, babe? Joining us now, Jacob Atu. He defeated L.A. night last year at 41 for the United States title, one-time United States champion, one-time tag team champion.
Starting point is 00:44:53 Here he is, Jacob Fattu. How you doing, bro? Man, hold on, man. That was a hell of an introduction right there. Yeah, y'all, that I mean. man, we tapped in, locked in, even on the bad day. Hello. Thank you all for having me, sir.
Starting point is 00:45:04 It's a pleasure to be here, tapped in. Your rivalry with Jew McIntyre. You just haven't been building since 2025. What makes this feel so personal compared to the other ones that you've had? Well, you know what it was. It was, you know, let me take these. You know, the difference between, you know, having somebody like me tapped in with WWE.
Starting point is 00:45:23 This ain't no buildup. This ain't no work. This ain't no. Oh, this WrestleMania is going to be the number. No, it's none of that. Well, it came back down to, you know, before I was over here, you know, I was tapped in, you know, trying to figure out my life. I was in and out of the, you know, in and out of front of block from Northern California, to be exact. And, you know, there's only one thing.
Starting point is 00:45:43 My family and my wife is everything. You know, I wouldn't have been here and they say, Jacob, you should have, you should have got a job first, you should have, then you should have had your kid. No, no. I'm glad my life went the way it went, okay? I don't regret nothing, because it was all God's time. It ain't my timing. Right. Okay?
Starting point is 00:46:00 So to double back up, it just, it went south, and it went the other way when he spoke about my kids. You know, I'm a Uso, man, and we're Samoan around here. Oh, baby. Oh, man. You all know what? Whoa. You all, man, y'all don't have to come with all of us. Y'am, y'all are you going to have to come with all of us?
Starting point is 00:46:13 All right, are you going to have to get your ass rock like Troy Pollymahillam around and wham! Yeah, man, you know? But then it just came just from him, you know? You could talk, we could talk, speak like a man, but it's the difference when you're on national TV saying, I'm sorry, excuse me. You know, forget my kids. You know, screw your kids. Right.
Starting point is 00:46:29 And you know it's difficult. But now you have to see me on that. Yeah, come on now. Come on now. And then I know when people are saying, how are you feeling about WrestleMania? Okay, I'm very blessed. I'm happy to be here. Don't get it twisted.
Starting point is 00:46:38 But I'm on a whole other mode to hold another time. You know, I came here to take care of business. Get that check, man, and go right back to daddy duties, man. Yeah, I mean. And then recycle, get recycling it. But as of now, it's a different feeling from being here last year. Right. You know, I'm grateful.
Starting point is 00:46:53 I'm happy. But it's kind out the window. Man, I'm just here on some business. That's it. You know, I'm here to protect my family. To be the father who I'm supposed to be. What I'm supposed to be doing. Speaking of that business that you talk about, right,
Starting point is 00:47:04 has wrestling been everything from that transition to somewhat of a difficult life that you had? That I had. I had it too right with you. We got that same story. Has it been everything you thought it would be to this point? Absolutely. And you know what it was, too. And, you know, to break it down to be exact.
Starting point is 00:47:22 Yes, sir. Man, we took the streets more, you know what? Yeah. And we, you know, I mean? And we had to learn how to adapt and to do what work for us. Everybody's stories different, and it might work for everybody. But I know it worked for me. Yes, sir.
Starting point is 00:47:35 You know, I know they said, Jacob, you should have been here five years ago. No, Jacob is glad it took me 12 years. Jacob was here where you're supposed to be right now. Yeah. I said, no, this kid ain't ready yet. Right. Okay, despite the talent, despite I could do this, despite I could do, it didn't matter. If I showed up at the right time.
Starting point is 00:47:52 And I believe that, I went through all the struggles. And they saw, man, you went to, but you know what I needed to. I believe if God would have let me in here, maybe not even a year in early. If God would have let me in maybe a weekend early, then when he wasn't, oh, man, it would have been a rap. I really believe in that, you know? Yeah, yeah. So, but I did. And I took it.
Starting point is 00:48:12 And you know, you know, like, we could read the room. Yeah. You can walk in the room. We know when somebody's talking about us. We know, like, oh, yeah, that's fake love right there. Because most of the time we so used to just, hi, hey, you know. No, no. I need the people around me to tell.
Starting point is 00:48:25 me, yeah. Hey, brother, it looked like you're letting it get to your head. You know what I'm saying. Hey, you're changing a little bit. You know, not saying that's ever happened to me because y'all know I'm humble. I know what it could have been, you know what? Right. But you can't let that. You can't let it. You know, I can't let it.
Starting point is 00:48:40 I need to have people bring, have me grounded. And the people that have me grounded is my wife and my kids, you know. So, man, I wake up and I trip out sometimes. I'll trip out when I come to work and I see this sign right here. Right. You know, and shout out to my brothers who's been. doing it, the Uso's, Roman reign, Solo Sacoa,
Starting point is 00:48:59 you know, Tom, or T, they've been here and they've helped me, you know, to understand it. So, and I'm very fortunate to have them, because a lot of cats come in the business, they don't have family. Most of the time, it's just, hey, hey, yeah, it's a doggie dog-dog world.
Starting point is 00:49:12 They don't know about this business, you know? I'm not trying to put it down, but, man, you better learn how to pull your own way and learn how to bang it out around here. Wrestling and WWE is really big in your culture. Yes, sir. I mean, it's like, man, you see, the way you embrace it to see
Starting point is 00:49:26 the rock and to see Rowland Rain, you see Jay, and to see the way you that you just like embrace this. Oh yeah. Why, you know, Rafiki was one of the first ones. Yes, sir. Come on now. Why is it? What is it about the wrestling culture that your culture
Starting point is 00:49:43 has been able to wrap its arms around and embrace so much? Man, you know what it was that started from the Rock's grandfather. Okay. And we're out here in the West Coast, baby. Hey, man. And y'all keep forgetting about the world famous cow palace out there. Okay. It started with the Rock's grandfather. Hi, T. Peter Maville.
Starting point is 00:49:58 All right, man. I'm about to break it down. Hold on now. We're going to talk about now. Take your time. It came from Dau for the seat. It came from the Rock's grandfather, Peter Maville. First one to work.
Starting point is 00:50:07 Yep. For the company, you know. And then he was at a show against Paterson. Paterson spoke about this at a Hall of Fame. He was wrestling Paterson. And, you know, you go to San Francisco, the Bay Area, a lot of Uso, a lot of Tommons. A lot of Samo's over here.
Starting point is 00:50:22 You know, we come together. You got to rock with us. So, you know, not only are there fans in there, you know, you in San Francisco, you know, they're security guards too now. You know, we're working at the popcorn stands. We're doing a little bit everything. Paterson did some stuff. He got heat. Peter Ma' Vita's work.
Starting point is 00:50:39 He's bleeding and Pat Patterson's going in. Now, you know, he's like Peter Ma Ville was a god to our people. Yes. You know, especially around that time. Come on now. Paterson's giving it to him. You know, Samoans, even the ones that's working security, they know that they have. they at work, but they only could take
Starting point is 00:50:57 so much if you beat up our people. Next thing you know, security shirts come flying off, Alpha and Sika jumped over the rail. But what I'm trying to say is he took Alpha and Sika and he trained them and man, they started making money out of them. Not only money, it kept
Starting point is 00:51:13 them out of jail, kept them out of the way. It kept them to be free to take care of our families. And my uncle's Afa and Sika realized, you know, now what did they do? We're really one to all family. Yeah. We're not second cousins, third cousin. I mean, it's Samoans. Yeah, we probably are, but we're really one family.
Starting point is 00:51:31 Yeah, yeah. So, man, they found out, okay. And this is me just thinking, this might be the play for all of us. It took the nephews, took the nephews, and we were growing up in there, not knowing we were growing up in it. It's around us. We didn't know we're young. It's around the dinner table. It's in the car.
Starting point is 00:51:47 It's at the funerals. It's just everywhere. We're growing up to where it started being accustomed to us. And even with me, you know, I was a proven fact, Like, if I, and if I don't feel like if I would have, I didn't grow up now, I wanted to wrestle. But since it was around and it gravitated, this was the way for me to change my life and to give my kids a better future. Not only for them, but for me as well, you know, man. Yep, you understand.
Starting point is 00:52:10 It's doing. Big bro, let me tell you this. God damn, God damn, does it feel good to pay your taxes? You know what I mean? You know what I mean? Because that's what we all kind of, you know what I mean? But don't worry. We back on track right now, you know?
Starting point is 00:52:20 I mean, it feel good to do that now because I didn't, I mean, to get the party game. But, man, once I don't call you. and found out we was good at it and we embraced it and we just took all, but we had to learn how to respect it. Right. We had to respect it. Now, a lot, there's 30 of us. Like, a lot of of our cousins come in, but before they came in, Jacob,
Starting point is 00:52:37 this is how we feed our family. Don't think you're just going to come in, train, fucking think you're doing this and think you're just going to get on. No, it's not. It's sacrifices. It's birthdays, there's funnels. It's everything we miss. Now the schedule was a little bit more lighter. Right. But, you know, there's a lot of sacrifices, and I had to respect that when I came in there.
Starting point is 00:52:53 And that's why when I talk about my cousin Roman Raines and the Uso's, like I'm very happy and proud because, man, they didn't change the game. We're talking about changing. I'm not saying that because that's my cousins. And I keep looking in the camera because the internet, y'all can switch things up around here, yeah, man. But, man, yeah, shout out to my family, man, and I'm very happy to be a part.
Starting point is 00:53:10 Man, come on, I ain't know. I didn't know. I didn't know, I didn't know. I didn't know what I'm over here. You know what? Matter of fact, speaking of coming and tapping in, right? Think about where you are right now. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:53:19 What do you envision? What do you see your end goal and accomplishment, accomplishing at a WWU wrestler. Like, what do you envision? Man, definitely, definitely, I'm with that bill.
Starting point is 00:53:33 I mean, definitely, definitely, I mean, Roman, I ain't going to speak too much because I know this show weekend right now,
Starting point is 00:53:39 you know, but definitely the accolades, you know, what the best tag team my cousin of Uso's have. And, well, Roman, I mean, man, when it comes to me,
Starting point is 00:53:48 I speak about my family so much because not only are they the man's on the outside, man, when I was doing the independence, they were the ones calling me, keep at it, bro. Hey, keep at it, bro.
Starting point is 00:53:57 Hey, we see you on the in-learning. You need to chill out, you know. And, man, it's just to have what they had. When I brought up the taxes, they broke their cycle for us, you know? And, man, just get in the house and everything. But doing what I'm supposed to do. But in WWE, man, I mean, I think I'm doing pretty good.
Starting point is 00:54:14 So far, second year-end, I got two matches right off the bag out of there. But overall, I just want to make sure when you remember Jacob Fattu, don't remember me just as the cousin. You know, you're going to remember for the work, man, just to show stories to the kids that, man, to the youngsters that's in the hood right now that never get to leave, like, hey, it's possible, bro. It is possible.
Starting point is 00:54:33 Yes. Okay, don't, don't, it's possible for y'all to leave. And it was scary when I left. It was, but, man, did it feel so good leaving to be uncomfortable to be comfortable, if that makes sense, you know? Yeah. Yeah. You know, when you, the WrestleMania, that's the cream of the crop. You get on that ticket?
Starting point is 00:54:51 Yes, sir. You were really right. They can bring you up to the big show all they want to. Yeah, man. Come on. Hey, Jacob. Yeah. WrestleMania.
Starting point is 00:54:59 Oh, man, it was different. It was different. Man, man, I think I cried the whole morning on my first mania, you know. And I had my son and my mama and everybody there. Let me tell you, though, man, when I left that weekend, though, I got my room service bill. And, yeah, I wasn't looking too good. That's why I'm solo bolo this year. I'll see everybody at catering.
Starting point is 00:55:19 All right? That's who we going to be. Thank you, though. You said something very interesting. You said now they get an opportunity to see because you saw it. You saw, you said, Rock's grandfather started this whole movement. Yes, sir. So that was for the first time, you know, you can see, like, Ocho and I, for the most part,
Starting point is 00:55:39 we didn't see anybody that played in the NFL. We didn't have anybody to come talk to us and talk about the NFL. So now Ocho's been able to start a cycle because there are other guys that from Liberty City that made it, they can go back and talk to the kids. my Savannah State and where I grew up at they's like, damn, he lived here. Look at the house he grew up in. Ocho, look at it.
Starting point is 00:55:59 Man, Ocho, look at him. Come on. So now, there are generation after generation. Yes. The younger generation is going to see this thing go back four, five generation deep that started this. So I don't, I don't hear this.
Starting point is 00:56:11 Man, I ain't have nobody. Don't on. Yeah, it was hard now. Yes, you did. And you've seen it. And you know what? When they were going through this bloodline thing, Roman and Uso's,
Starting point is 00:56:20 they was the hottest got there. I mean, they still the hot, but, man, when that sting was popping, I was on the independence, so I will be there. Right. And I will see nothing but our own, our kids, Samoan and Tongan and kids that look like us, embrace them. Yeah. Walking around Uso and my cousins don't know, you know what I mean? Because we grew, I grew up on the West Coast.
Starting point is 00:56:38 They grew up in Florida. They ain't no wrong with that. I was born in Atlanta, Georgia, you know. Okay, that's what I mean? Okay, come on now. Come on now, bro. Come on now. Hey, you know, I mean, tap it in, baby, you know.
Starting point is 00:56:46 But they didn't, yeah, they didn't, they didn't, a lot of Samoans wasn't really in the south in the East Coast around that time. Now, oh yeah, now they're in the colleges. Yeah, you know what? God, damn. Dude, they all got down. Dude, they all got down. What the hell they come from?
Starting point is 00:57:02 But now, they're everywhere. But at that time, they didn't know the impact that they had. And it just felt good to be a Samoan cactus sea and just be like, damn, my brother's like, just how much they invest, how much sacrifices to where it's pouring out into our own culture, to our own kids. And, man, to them, they're gods to the kids. I mean, I like that, but y'all know what I'm saying?
Starting point is 00:57:22 You know, because none's higher than Jesus Christ, I know, you know what, you know? But, man, they just look up to them so much to where it's just such a great look. And now, you know, hopefully they're looking up at me too, right now. I'm still here, though. Y'all mean, pay your taxes, though, if I want to get something, though, yeah, man? If you could have one dream match for WrestleMania 43, who's your dream match? man you know I will as much as I would like to say Jeff Hardy or Umaga you know I would have to be my father it will be the Tonga kid
Starting point is 00:57:56 okay it will be San Fai too only because man my dad was the youngest one hit the youngest one uh 18 man to sell out Madison Square garden with Roddy Piper right you know back in the jay with Jimmy Snooker and him but um it will be my father I hear this all the time and this is something that keeps me in check though too my dad was young made mistakes and they always say Jacob, your dad was the best one out of us. Your dad did, he was the greatest. And I hear this all the time.
Starting point is 00:58:20 Your dad was the best one. In my dad, but man, if he just would have stayed with it, you know, because Pop got let go through just, you know, his, you know, his demons that he was fighting. Yeah. And it always wakes me up too, you know, because people always compliment me. But they always, hey, fuck, I don't want to be the
Starting point is 00:58:37 what if I would have stayed with it? What if I would have stick with it? So now. I'm Luke Wilson. Join me each week for Film Never Lies. Since retiring from the NFL, I've had a lot of my mind, and now I've got my own show. So if you're tired of lazy takes, if you want honest conversations, join us each week. Film Never Lies, available on all TSN platforms in the IHeart Radio app.
Starting point is 00:58:57 I'm John Green. You may know me as the author of The Fault and Our Stars, and now I guess also is the co-host of the Away End, a brand new world soccer podcast. I'm Daniel Alarcon, a writer and journalist, and John and I have known each other since we were kids. My first World Cup was Mexico 86. I was nine years old. I watched every game and I fell in love. On our new podcast, The Away End, we'll share with you the magic of international football,
Starting point is 00:59:20 all leading up to the 2026 World Cup. For us, soccer, football, is a story we've shared for over 30 years since Daniel was the star player on our high school soccer team. Very debatable. And I was their most loyal and sometimes only fan. I love this game. I love its history, it's hope, it's hard. heartbreak, and above all, it's beauty.
Starting point is 00:59:43 Together, we'll find out why, of all the unimportant things, football, soccer, is the most important. Listen to the away end with Daniel Alarcon and John Green on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. American Soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramers sending on to Ernie. Score at the chip. I'm Tab Ramos. I'm Tom Bo.
Starting point is 01:00:14 On our podcast, Inside American Soccer, you'll get the world. the real storylines. I'm not worried about Policic, I'm not worried about Balagan, I'm not worried about McKinney. My only concern is what happens in the back. The biggest decisions. You're going to look at stats and numbers. He has no shot at making this World Cup team. And the truth about the US national team.
Starting point is 01:00:37 It wouldn't be a huge surprise if our team ends up in the quarterfinals or potentially a great run into the semifinals. The World Cup is almost here. Experience it all with us. USA! Listen, Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogart and Tab Ramos on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcast. What's up? I'm Miles Turner.
Starting point is 01:01:02 And I'm Brianna Stewart. And our podcast, Game Recognized Game, has never been done before. Two active players giving you a real look at our lives and what we actually think, on and off the court. Nothing's off-livens. We talk trade requests. What's the vibe of that when it's like your star players like, well, I want to leave? And then actually now I'm going to stay.
Starting point is 01:01:22 We talk tanking. I mean, honestly, like, I might get in trouble for this answer, but I think it's, like, definitely happening in the WBA. And yeah, we talk about our mistakes, too. They pulled me to the side and was like, hey, man, we got a call last night, man. You can't be rolling around the city like this tonight before games, no, you know, doing this, doing whatever.
Starting point is 01:01:42 And of course, family stories. And we'll be like, Mommy, why did you miss that? Mindy, do you play basketball? Check out Game Recognized game with Stuy and Miles on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you are a founder or a freelancer or the friend who always says, hey, you know what, what if I started that? This is for you. I'm telling you I had nothing to my name. I didn't know a single person in New York.
Starting point is 01:02:10 And somehow I'm dressed by Oscar de Laurenta walking down that red carpet. This month, we sit down with entrepreneurs and creators who actually. did it, who turned the scary leave into a business, a paycheck, and a life they are proud of. Direct center of our happiness or our regrets is whether or not we're taking action on the things that matter to us. They're not selfish. They're so important. They actually lead to our greatest contributions because when we're living fulfilled, we actually show up better everywhere. We lead better. We're better friends. We're better relationships and collaborators and all those things because we have passion about the things we're doing. If you're trying to build something of your own this
Starting point is 01:02:47 year, join us in these conversations that will make you braver and smarter with your money. Listen to Dos Amigos as part of the Michael Tudor podcast network available on the IHard Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. That's to the side. I had enough time off. It took me long enough to get here. Now, it was work time and, you know, it's just some stuff, stuff like that just keeps me on my cues, on my P's and Q's.
Starting point is 01:03:09 You know what I mean? And I love my dad. He's, he's great. And but my dad always reminds me that. Hey, you don't want nobody calling you. What if? Or what if? So keep your shit straight, keep a narrow baby, and let's go to work, you know?
Starting point is 01:03:22 You speak so glowing in such high regard of the family. How many kids you have? I got seven. Yeah, I'm in the game. Yeah. Oh, I'm good at this, man. 20, 2017, 16, 14, 13, 9, and 4. I got eight, you got a, you got to get this.
Starting point is 01:03:42 Hold on. And I want two more. I want twins. You want two more, big girls? I want twins. Okay, I want twins. too. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Starting point is 01:03:49 Twins be running. Let me stay at this for a minute. Yeah, all right. Yeah, well, see, I told you I was on the Independence. I had no TV. Yeah, I got a TV now. I got a big one. But yeah, man, we tapped in seven.
Starting point is 01:04:04 Man, that's crazy. Hey, what do you say you want the twins? I want the twins, though, too, man. But as of now, man, man, man, she ain't playing around no more. Yeah, yeah. She's like, I'm enjoying my life now, you know what I mean? So, hey. shout out to my wife, though, man.
Starting point is 01:04:18 Does any of the kids want to do it? You know, with my girls. My girls, they're in love with it, and, man, my girls are the toughest. My boys are dope, too, you know what I mean? But they like, like, Paul Hamer, and, you know, they might like the cool cats in the back. But my girls is definitely tapped in with it.
Starting point is 01:04:33 So, you know, and shout out to the women of WWE, too, because, see, don't get the women twisting down on WWE. They would kick your ass just as much than any of the other guys, you know? I see y'all had Lash and Sister Jack's up here. You know, and he's a world-class athletes. So the women, man, shout out to all the women in WWE because, man, my girls look up to them as well. And, you know, they always think just because they're girls and, no, man,
Starting point is 01:04:58 the women do the same thing as the guys. Like, we all work together. We all get banged up. We all travel together. And, you know, the girls kind of, I feel like the girls kind of go through a little bit more, you know, because they're females and, you know, there's a lot of guys and more wrestling fans.
Starting point is 01:05:11 But, man, shout out to the women in WWE, man. All of my co-workers, everybody back there. because, man, my girls look up to them. Your father was in it, your cousins were in it, everybody you know was in it. And I remember when wrestling was basically a little regional thing and a little small gems, maybe 200 people, maybe 100 people. Yeah, yeah. And now they're selling out arena.
Starting point is 01:05:31 They're allegiances. They're selling out 30, 40,000-seat arenas and stadiums. Did you ever, when you were a kid, did you ever think wrestling would get as big as it is? You know what? I didn't. I really didn't. I mean, especially seeing it around the early 90s. when they're like doing like the little stock to kinds
Starting point is 01:05:48 and, you know, like little bingo hos? No, I didn't. Even when it was rocking, uh, rocking stone coal attitude era, that's when I, that's kind of when I felt like, like, okay,
Starting point is 01:06:00 but even I got lost between that rock and stone cold era when they came back. Right. But I didn't think it was going to be like this. I mean, man, there's a lot of people I'm meeting that I'm fans of. I mean, I'm on stage with one of them right now. I'm on stage with y'all right now,
Starting point is 01:06:12 tripping out. But it just goes back to, for me being grateful. like damn, I stuck with it. I stuck with it and here it is. And actually, I'm glad wrestling got bigger and changed his ways because, man, they changed so much where they don't let me in the dough.
Starting point is 01:06:27 I mean, so, man, I'm head down. But you said, they let the right one in it. Yeah, they did. But, you know, the thing is not, is that you mentioned that some of the trials and some of the mistakes that you probably made before you got here. And I think you have a greater appreciation.
Starting point is 01:06:38 Oh, I do. Of what it takes. Do not only get here, but to get here and stay. Oh, man. And I'm so grateful for them times. Yeah, it did suck. Yeah, it did. But people talk about the good times.
Starting point is 01:06:47 I love talking about the hard times because they got to understand. Makes you appreciate the good even more. Man, man, man, do it. Man, do it. Man, man, even, man, when we went food shopping the other day, my kids try to act like they didn't know what high pockets of noodle was. I'm like, okay now, okay now. They didn't try to eat ramen no more, Jacob.
Starting point is 01:07:06 No, come on now. They didn't try to get that good stuff. I told them, I said, I appreciate the hard times. And thank you for asking for it because I see people talk about the good times, Which is cool. Yes. But sometimes, you know, maybe this story might, somebody might hear something. You know, they might hear something.
Starting point is 01:07:22 I see the destination. Yeah. I see where you are now. Yeah. But tell me about the journey to get to the destination. Oh, man. We was locked in. So, man, I was, I don't want people to take.
Starting point is 01:07:31 I come from a great family. I had great parents. You know, my parents still married, great parents. It came from me making the wrong decisions. Yeah. You know, being us, being Samoan coming from Northern Cali, you know, okay, it's California. Yeah, you know, it's California. But, man, you know, Samoan's out there.
Starting point is 01:07:46 Like, we grow up, you grow up with a lot of blacks, a lot of Mexicans. I mean, like, it's not segregated the way, like, how the South is over there. So a lot of races, like we all, like we all intertwined and tap in. Yeah, we all tapped in, especially being from the Bay. They're from the Bay. They don't ban colors and stuff. Sacramento, gang's life's a little different, you know, but, man, grew up with a lot of blacks, man, tapped in playing football. You know what I'm playing football?
Starting point is 01:08:07 You know what I'm saying? It was me. I grew up with a lot of blacks, Samoans and Asians. Black Samoans and Tongans, man. That's what I'm saying, bro, you play football? No, man, we was. I was playing Will. I had a scholar.
Starting point is 01:08:17 I should have, I was living with Roman Wayne's sister. If I would have stayed out there, I really feel like it would have went to football. Man, she had me on, got me on my thing and see, let me let me let you know.
Starting point is 01:08:27 Football in the South. Oh, man. You're talking about, yeah, you talk about the movies? No, bro. Yeah, it's just like that, but maybe even worse.
Starting point is 01:08:34 Maybe even worse. Like, it's really, it's real. It's real. It's life out there. Yeah. Like, when you talk, okay, so when you go to Samoa,
Starting point is 01:08:41 a lot of our people enter the Army just to get off the rock, just to get off the island. That's what we call it, the rock. But, man, I feel like, man, when we was playing football out there in the sound, oh, you had to make it out. Oh, you had to.
Starting point is 01:08:53 No, no, no, no. This is eat, sleep. No, no, no, brother. Man, my first period was working out in football training in high school. I'm like, damn, usually like the last class, dude. They got me fucking breaking sweats on the first thing. But the journey was there.
Starting point is 01:09:07 If I would have stayed in Florida, I would have happened. God rest my sister's soul, she passed away in Oakland. I flew back. and that's when I stayed in Cali. That's when everything just went back down. Went back down.
Starting point is 01:09:20 I just got locked down, man. It was 16, my scholarship. Man, fucking Fresno was playing will. They was coming that week. I went to jail the day before they came. I had a 22 on me. Went to the liquor store. Still had my football jersey on,
Starting point is 01:09:35 thinking they wasn't going to surge me on it. The cops didn't care and sat. I went into the store and some told me to take it out because we knew the store owner. Some told me take it out, put it behind the bag of Cheetos, man. I went out there, then listen, the rookie cop felt it, pulled me over. I was like, man, I go to high school off here.
Starting point is 01:09:49 He was like, I don't care what you do. But went to jail, got a lockdown, 16 and 18, 2-Eleven robbery. You know what I mean? That was it. We didn't even really robbing with nothing, you know what I mean? But went there, but I learned my lesson, though. Then that's when that got uncomfortable. That's when I'm kind of glad.
Starting point is 01:10:06 I'm glad. I'm so happy it happened because now I'm up in there. I'm about myself, nobody, you know? And now it's like, damn, I'm fighting. this case for a robbery and man it got scary once they start talking about five years. Yeah, they start talking about that real.
Starting point is 01:10:21 No, no, yeah. Now you know, and it's real what they talk about. But man, did that. Went on the run for five years, but man, was on probation for 10 and, man, I did, I just did, I wasn't doing prison turns. I was just doing county years. You know, I was too smooth not to go to the prison terms.
Starting point is 01:10:38 I was like, no, I ain't going to prison. I was like, hold on. But I was never really like that, but I was just go in and out of jail for five years. and then I stopped. My wife was like, hey, you know, last time you went out of jail, my wife never came and seen me with the kids, never came and see me. And I understood that because she was like,
Starting point is 01:10:53 you think I'm bringing my kids in a shit hole like that? Right, right, right, right. Like, come on. Man, I didn't even know my wife was coming, man, pulled up when I got out, threw me in the car. Man, we live and direct. My uncle Rikishi started training us, start training us. I was bouncing for $60, and his son gave me a call, Tameco.
Starting point is 01:11:09 And he was like, you want to come check out wrestling. I didn't want to do it. I was trying to figure it out. I was like, nah, but I went over there and it was the best thing that happened. I walked in the ring and I just fell in love with it. Man, we start going crazy. And the history's there.
Starting point is 01:11:22 Independence, 13 years. Yeah. Been here for two years and, man, we're pretty doing pretty locked in right now, you know, man. It's seeing and out, man. Jacob Fettu. Appreciate you, bro. For sure.
Starting point is 01:11:33 I appreciate it. Still your grind. Still. Yeah. Hey, don't move off that square. Don't move off that square, bro. You're there now. I appreciate it.
Starting point is 01:11:59 So, yeah. Okay. Before we welcome my next guest, Charlotte Flair, after watching a friend grow through a loss a few years back, I saw how quickly grief can turn into financial stress. Ethos makes getting life insurance fast easy. 100% online, and you can get a quote in seconds, applying minutes, and get the same day coverage.
Starting point is 01:12:27 Protect your family with life insurance from ethos. Now, by going to ethos.com slash nightcap, take 10 minutes to get covered today with life insurance through ethos. Okay. Chat. I was very special guest. She's going to be joining in two minutes. She's doing an interview right now, but she's going to be joining us.
Starting point is 01:12:46 She's very, very, she's royalty. She is royalty. I think everybody knows her famous father. Rick. She's a 14-time women's world champ, a two-time tag team champ, a two-time royal rumble winner. She's seven in, in WrestleMania appearances, she's four and three, and it's WrestleMania 42 tag-team match versus the Belmont
Starting point is 01:13:10 twins, Nyjack, Lash Legend, and Bailey and Lera, Valcary. You can walk in front of this? You want to step up on stage or you want to walk on the road? Again, welcome to the stage. She's a 14-time women's world champ, a two-time tag team champ, a two-time Roy Rumble winner, a seven-time manial appearance, which she has a four-and-three record in Super Bowl and WrestleMania 42, tag team title match versus the Bella twins, Najack, Lash, Legend, and Bailey and Lira, Valkyrierie.
Starting point is 01:13:50 How are you? How are you? Great. That's a long resume, huh? A very, You're about to catch your dad. Right. I mean, have you talked to him about it like that?
Starting point is 01:13:58 I'm going to get that. He's a 16-time champion. Every day. I'm only like two away from time and three from winning. You know it's going to happen. Well, I've won two rumbles. He's only won one-one. I made him in a man.
Starting point is 01:14:10 He did not. Oh, man. Talk. He's got to breathe the record. Talk. No, my dad and I go. We, yeah, we go back and forth. But I remember sitting down talking to him.
Starting point is 01:14:20 And I was like, did you? I mean, your daughter, she's so big in WWE. Is that what you wanted for your daughter? He's like, no. He said, no, I didn't. But you told us, you did it because of your brother and your brother ended up tragically losing his life. He said, you did it because it was something
Starting point is 01:14:37 that he really wanted more than anything. No, yeah. My little brother had a really bad drug addiction. Yes. And I was pretty lost, not knowing what I wanted to do after college. I played volleyball in college. graduated was a personal trainer, and then Reed battling this drug addiction, and then him getting, well, my dad trying to get him into WWE. So when the producer, when we were at dinner in Miami, 2012, the producer was looking at Reed and being like, hey, you got to do this.
Starting point is 01:15:09 But then looked at me and was like, why aren't you doing this? And my little brother was like, oh, man, you got to do it. We can do it together. And I was kind of like looking for something to do. But I thought, hey, if I started this, if I moved to Tampa, Reed could move to Tampa with me. we could do it together. I could get him on the right path. And then he died eight months later.
Starting point is 01:15:26 And then I know I'm saying it so like I'm just trying to get through it so I don't cry. But like really because he had a dream. And you wanted to help him live that dream. And then I put like when he passed away, I didn't know how to move forward except like this is what he wanted to be and I'm going to be this. And then like now it's my dream. But like he really was the catalyst to all of this, not even my dad. You look at this, a world champion 14 times over, a tag team champion, a Roy Rumble winner.
Starting point is 01:15:57 After so many titles, and you've been at this thing for a minute, what still motivates Charlotte Flair? To be the best. Is that like, you never not want to win the Super Bowl, right? Every year. That's a good one. So, no, but, like, that's how serious I take it. Right.
Starting point is 01:16:13 Like, you, I don't know. I grew up super competitive. and even though wrestling, obviously, the outcome is scripted, but like I still look at it as a Division I sport or at WrestleMania as my Olympics or my Super Bowl. Whether I'm in a singles match or now I'm in the fatal four way, I still look at it as like, I'm going to have the best entrance, I'm going to be the most in shape, I'm going to have the best match.
Starting point is 01:16:40 I mean, like all those things that go into like, you know, when you're at the top of something, the food chain, you never stop wanting to be at the top of the food chain. So when it's all said done, when they talk, when they have these conversations, the greatest woman's wrestler in WWE, when they mention,
Starting point is 01:16:58 like the guys, they mention, okay, they mention Hogan, or they'll mention Stone Cola, they mention Sean Michaels, or they mention Randy Orton or however. When it's all said and done, when they talk about the women,
Starting point is 01:17:08 Charlotte Flair wants her name to be at the top of the food chain. My name will be with those guys. Ooh, I like that. I like that. I like that. I like that. I like that. I like that.
Starting point is 01:17:17 I like that. I like that. You'll see those names and then you'll see Charlotte Flair. You know, I have a question. How difficult was it transitioning from Royal Rumble winner? Yeah. The tag team partner in such a short amount of time. Okay, so before this year, I would say, like, I don't like sharing the spotlight.
Starting point is 01:17:42 Right. Like, it's just, like, I liked being the queen. Yes. I'm still the queen, but, like, having this opportunity with Lexi and saying that the heartbeat of our business is the fans. Yes. And because for many different reasons, the ability for the fans to connect with Charlotte wasn't there. And I think having this tag team, having this opportunity to, bond with Lexi and also bring down the walls.
Starting point is 01:18:20 Like it's, you know what, you can want to be the best. You can be the 14 times. I'm Daniel Alarcon and this is my friend. It's much more famous than I am. I wouldn't go that far. But I'm John Green. Co-host of the podcast The Away End with my old friend Daniel. On our podcast The Away End, we'll share with you the magic of international football,
Starting point is 01:18:39 all leading up to the 2026 World Cup. Together, we'll find out why, of all the unimportant things, football, soccer is the most important. Listen to the away end with Daniel Alarcon and John Green on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, it's Edwin Castro, also known as Castro 1021. And I'm Conky, his best friend and business manager. And we've got a new show called The 1021 Podcast.
Starting point is 01:19:07 I'm taking you behind the scenes on how I became one of Twitch's most popular streamers. We also love sports. And with the World Cup right around the corner, we'll be breaking down the biggest storylines ahead of the big tournament here in the USA. Listen to the 1021 podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Miles Turner.
Starting point is 01:19:35 And I'm Brianna Stewart. And our podcast, Game Recognized Game, has never been done before. Two active players giving you a real look at our lives and what we actually think on and off the court. Nothing's off limits. We talk tanking. I might get in trouble for this answer but I think it's like definitely happening
Starting point is 01:19:51 in the WBA. We talk about our mistakes too. They pulled me to the side and was like, hey man, we got a call last night, man. You can't be rolling around the city like this tonight before games. Check out Game Recognized game with Stuy and Miles on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts,
Starting point is 01:20:06 or wherever you get your podcasts. Will Ferrell's Big Money Players and IHeart Podcast presents soccer moms. So I'm Leanne. Yeah. This is my best friend, Janet. Hey. And we have been joined at the hips since I swear.
Starting point is 01:20:17 Absolutely. A redacted amount of years later, we're still joined at the hip. Just a little bit bigger hips. This is a podcast. We're recording it as we tailgate our youth soccer games in the back of my Honda Odyssey. With all the snacks and drinks. Why did you get hard seltzer instead of beer? Oh, they hit a bogo.
Starting point is 01:20:34 Well, then you got it. Listen to soccer moms on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. How much you wait, Wanda? Right now, about 130. I'm at 183. We should race. No, I want to leave here with my original hip. On the podcast of Matchup with Alia, I pair prominent female athletes with unexpected guests. On a recent episode, I sat down with undisputed boxing champ, Cloresa Shields, and comedian Wanda Sykes to talk about Wanda's new movie Undercard, The Art of Trash Talk, and what it really means to be ladylike.
Starting point is 01:21:02 Open your free IHeartRadio app. Search the Matchup with Alia and listen now. Brought to you by Novartis, founding partner of IHeart Women's Sports Network.

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