Nightcap - Nightcap - Hour 3: LIVE from WrestleMania Radio Row: LA Knight, Je'Von Evans & 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 - Carmelo Hayes17:21 - Alistair Black & Zelina Vega32:36 - Je'Von Evans43:41 - LA Knight (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements.) #ClubSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Conkey, his best friend and business manager.

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. 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 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.

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 IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Daniel Jeremiah. And I am Greg Rosenthal. I know that, Greg. We're teaming up on 40s and free agents, the podcast that owns the NFL offseason. This is where teams are built.

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Search 40s and free agents and listen now. Most people out here think that taking care of one another is important. And most people would step up for a neighbor going through a tough time. Most people around here help out friends and family when they need it. But the funny thing is, most of us won't look for help when we need it. Talk to someone if you're struggling with mental health. because most people out here really care. Find more information at loveyourmindtay.org.

That's loveyourmindtay.org. Brought to you by the Huntsman Mental Health Institute and the Ad Council. VDs are bodacious and he was a very unique bull. So a lot of I've seen bulls since do it. But he was really the first bull to do what we call a dive bomb. So he would dive straight down. And the moment he feels your momentum shift,

he would throw his head back. Yes, sir. And so, and Sammy Andrews, who owned Bodacious, he's like, you know what, he's going to kill somebody. He almost killed Tough Heedeman. Yes, sir. He ain't sure it is. And I remember when he came to Vegas for the World Championship

and they turned him and tough. Tipped his hat. He started to lose out. I don't want no more part of it. Yeah, I would probably do the same thing on that. Oh, no. That's what was crazy. We'd never seen a bull really that has a lot of, like it's verticals.

He's crazy. I mean, he's off the ground. He's 1800 pounds and he's off the ground. Yeah, like you said, he's not a small bull either. And whenever he comes up, like your moment. Menom's already going forward, and then he's coming back up. Yeah. meets you right there. So he kind of really had it. I don't really know how you're supposed to ride him. Just kind of stay. If you're strong on your core and your back, you'd probably be all right. But I think the thing is, he got to the point, like, you know what? I don't want nobody to steal me. Because people did ride him early.

Yes, sir. They did. But once he got to the point where he was really known as bodacious, where nobody tried to sit at all. Yeah, they would turn him out a lot. And, you know, they don't want to see that from, like, people. They don't want to see that. They want to see somebody get on it. Exactly. But the risk, and I think Sammy did the right thing by retiring because he was literally going going to kill someone.

Yes. Oh, yeah. No, it was dangerous. He got close to it a couple of times. Yeah, absolutely did. But Ocho talked about he wanted to ride Bushwacker. They retired. I think Bushwacker passed.

He passed away. He did pass away, yes, sir. He lived right there down the road from me about an hour. Yeah. Where are you from Texas? Texas, yes, sir. Yeah. And that bull, like, I don't know why you wanted to get on that bull.

That's crazy. You can see the difference, right? When you look at bulls and everyone and all bulls come out there shoot, I have yet to see a bull with that kind of athleticism like Bushwax. Yes, sir. Yeah. It was unbelievable. It was different.

It was unbelievable. Who, I'm trying to think. J.B. Mooney. Jay B. You rolling right for eight seconds. The only guy. The only person that rode him for eight seconds. And when I saw that ride, I don't know why.

You know what? I think I can do that. Yeah. I think that's the problem. I mean, when you go down in lure, when you look at Bodasias, you look at Bushwacker, you look at E. you look at a Tihana, you look at some of these boys

and you're like, okay, they go by, they got a name. And people, when you mention that name, if you're in this sport and they mention it, they already know. You already know who they are, what they are, what they represent. Best of the best.

And you're like, boy, if you had an opportunity to ride him, a yellow jacket. Oh, yeah, little yellow jacket. Yeah, a little small, but boy. He was, yeah, that's, growing up, that was like my bull I'd always want to get on was

little yellow jacket, because, like you said, everybody knows who he is, world champion bull. But he still, he does pretty good. I liked him a lot because every time they wrote him, they're up 96. Yeah, yeah. You want to, listen, I understand those bulls that those are the bulls that's going to give you the opportunity to win the title. 100%. You stay on them for the full, like, seconds, because they're mean they use the term rank.

You know that bull is going to give, he's going to buck, he's going to spin, he's going to twist. And if you can stay on him and match his energy, you get in a great score. Oh, yeah. And that's what, you know, if you want to be the greatest of all time, you want to ride those great bulls. And when you do, that's when you're like, oh, yeah, I'm a 10 foot tall. You said something very interesting. You said, now they can AI and they can get a combination. They want a certain type of bull.

They want a bull that's going to buck. Obviously, they don't, I mean, I don't think anything where they're breeding. Now, I think all the breeding probably done is artificially, whether it's horses, where it's dogs or anything or that nature. Because you don't want to run the risk of injuring the animal. Yes. Because a lot of times they'll kick, the bite, and you end up ridden. That's the last thing you want. You mess my bull over.

You mess my stud up. You'll be, we'll have a problem. So they're not taking any chances now. And so now, so who, man eater, is he the next, is he the next Bushwhacker? Is he the next bodacious? He's the next little yellow. So actually, unfortunately, he passed away the other day, manhater. Did he?

Yeah, he was in a competition. Whenever he's bucking, the guy was still on top of him, he ended up breaking his leg. And they tried it. They took him to the hospital or to the vet or whatever, and unfortunately. You can't. You're talking about some 1800 pounds. You can't. Like, it was a break where you couldn't fix it.

But they actually took some semen off of him, and they're wanting to do some AI stuff and trying to get it, trying to get the next man-a-old. What if they want to take that AI and get some of bodachians, get some of bushwhack and combine it? See, that's a crazy. thing. So you'd think Bushwacker would produce really good bulls. I really haven't seen I've never seen one that's like him.

It's funny that you say that because if you go up and study horse racing the greatest horses don't produce the greatest offspring. You get somebody like AP Indy, you get somebody like Storm Cat. They won, but not to like a secretary or Seattle's Blue, maybe

Fusaisi, Pegasus, some of those But it's AP India and Stormcat. If you go back and trace their lineage, those are the ones that really produce the best offspring. You would think, man, secretary, oh, boy, they might have a flu. Yeah, no. Nothing. Nothing. And they just end up being to breed something that you could breed to, you know, just because of the paper.

But the most, like bulls nowadays, you could probably get one from, that doesn't even have no papers, no nothing. Breed him to a cow. And you got something special. Best bull in the world. You never know. You never know. It's crazy. When are you, when you compete next?

Next event you're going to be in. Tomorrow. Here? No, I go to Billings, Montana. Okay. Yes, sir. Yeah. I ride there tomorrow and Saturday.

Yeah. And then we got two more events left to the World Finals. I like it. Where the World Finals this year? Fort Worth. Yes, sir. How many, how many, how many stops are on the circuit? So 19.

19. We start in about November, December, then go all the way to May. Wow. Every weekend. Yes, sir. That's dope. That's what you've always.

So how old were you when you first got on the back of your first bull? Six. Six years old. Six. Your dad put you on the back of a bull at six. See, me and him, when I was talking to him, he's like, hey, you're ready. Well, you didn't start with the little sheep first? You know how to throw him?

I mean, I read sheep, but I was like about three, four years old on the sheep, and then I want a couple buckles and stuff. And then I was like, I think I want to. Ready? I'm ready. Hey, but you saw what that sheep did? The sheep bucked them off. He came back and like, you see, not. Yeah.

See, that was funny. I wish I could have got on some sheet that buck like that, you know. That would be pretty fun back my day. That's the thing, like, when you're young like that, you try to win belt buff. Yes, sir. 100%. Yeah, that's what I want to do was be a bull rider and whenever the opportunity came with me getting on the first bull. I didn't stay on him very long.

But it was just a mere fact that six years ago on the back of a bull. Yeah, it was just the coolest experience ever. How did your dad convince your mom? Like, you know what, man, I think he's ready because, you know, moms are very protective. Yeah, my mom, she gets, she gets nervous and stuff, but she trusts my dad because, you know, he's in there, he did it. He did it. And he knows he's not going to put you in harm. Exactly.

He doesn't want, he doesn't want to overdo me. He doesn't want to push me or push me to do something I don't want to do. It's always something I want to do. Growing up, my mom knew that I was going to be a bored out of her. There was no, no other way, you know, so she was pretty, she was nervous, but she accepted it. Do you have siblings? I have a sister, yes, sir. She's younger than me, but she doesn't rodeo or anything.

Because I saw this one on IG where she was doing the barrels, and she's about two or three years old and she shook that hat off, and she let him go. She let him go. She lead him around and then she'd lead him around and she's like, let him go. I was like, okay, okay. Yes or that. Now it's like the timed event stuff, which is barrel racing and stuff like that.

They have age groups for younger girls, And they love doing that stuff. It's pretty cool. I think, you know, if you have, like, a daughter that wants to do that for that at young age, it's pretty cool watching that. Like, you said three years old. I like, I mean, I think the barrel and the cutters where the horse is trying to, they're trying to go. And the horses, like, uh-uh, I mean, they're like, uh-uh, you ain't going there. You ain't going there.

Yeah. I just, I mean, I've never been to a, a PB event. I'm going to, check that out. I mean, when comes to Vegas. Heck, yeah, that'd be awesome. Y'all need to come out there. I'm coming to world finals. You need to.

I'll be there. Come on now. The one that's in Vegas? What is in Vegas next year? No, it's this year in November, it's that 6th, November 6th weekend. Yes, sir. It's going to be here. Because I want to, you know, we got to, maybe Ocho on the back or something to see what

needs to. If you can stay for like two seconds. Here, you come World Finals, you see what bull, because World Finals is going to be the best of the best. It's going to be the top bulls. So you go out there and be like, I want that one. Yeah. We're going to get us lined up.

I got it. Yeah, we're going to buy one. We got to buy our own bull. Y'all need to. There you go, invest. What are we going to keep him at? We'll find some place to keep him at. Dude, I got a no guy.

I know a guy in Texas, you know. Okay, okay. Shoot. I got, I got a, so I have a arena at my house, and I actually do, I started messing with the breeding stuff. You started collecting. Yeah, sir, yeah. I bought some really good bulls that have, you know, good papers and stuff. I've been messing with it a little bit.

Hold on. Now we're talking about buying bulls right now. I'm very financial to conscious. That's what I'm known for being cheap. Yes, sir. Whatever you want to say. How much do bulls cost before I agree to do something like this? So it depends on what you're looking for.

How much paperwork you got on it? Yeah, if a bull's really good but it's a young bull, he'll range about 50 to 100 or 150. Oh, well, come on. Come on back home to me. 50,000, what? No, 50,000. Oh, shh. 50,000.

He's like about. Yeah, he's going back. He's going to be. Hey, can I put some money down? Hey, well, we get us a world champ. Right. Hey, but now world champ, you're speaking out. Now we're going to be able to sell the semen.

Yeah, 200,000 around there. But that's what I'm saying. If you invest on like a younger bull that looks like, hey, that looks like the real. You got to have an eye. Yeah. Yeah. Say, you know what? I believe it's kind of like the draft.

Uh-huh. Yes. You get somebody in the free agent. You get somebody to lay the round. You say what? I think this guy's going to be something. Yeah, everybody, hey, the first, oh, yeah, man, look at him, look at him, yeah. You're going to pay more, and then he turned out to be nothing.

I'd rather just see one that looks, I don't care if it's expensive. Yeah, I don't care if it's expensive. Like, I don't look at that. I try to see the way the bull bucks. Right. If he's going to be good, that's the one you need to buy, you know. Now, sometimes the one that's going to be good is the one that's going to be expensive. You never know.

But it's a gamble. Oh, yeah, because if I'm not a much. I think I think Sonny Andrews didn't pay a whole lot for Bodacious. No, it was... He didn't pay a whole lot for him. Yeah, it was like, I want to say maybe he got him out of cell barn, be honest. Yeah, I'm not too sure. Yeah.

But it wasn't nothing crazy. Because as a matter of fact, somebody had him, and they didn't want him because he wouldn't do nothing. What? Yeah, so I heard about that, too. So he never know. And it ended up being the best one... It might be my luck. I decided to take that investment, and he turned out to be...

The rink is bull level. There you go. And you can sell him for triple the money. Yeah. I like it. Yeah, it's a good way to do it. Feeding them is going to be, oh, Lord, have mercy. See, the feed wouldn't be too bad.

If you get the guy, be like, hey, I'll pay the money. Right. You just take care of my bull. Yeah. Well, I mean, if they got some acres, they can eat some grass, but they go eat, they go eat, they go, you have to put, they go eat grain. You got to bed? You got to get them grain.

Yeah, grain and hay, it'll be all right. Because you want them to grow. wanted to be big. I mean, something that weighed 15 to 18,100 pounds, he ain't eating 20 pounds a day. No, sir, yeah. They're getting grain. They're getting fed good, you know, and that's what's the crazy thing about it. Bulls nowadays, the way they treat them and stuff, it's better than us.

It's better than me. They eat better than me. They feed them top-knit grain. They got them growth. I mean, what gets expensive is to care of the vets. Yeah. Bet, yeah. That's a huge undertaking.

And you only take his vet. really if it's something wrong, but that's... 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, 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, 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 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. 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. American soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramos sending on to Ernie Stewart the chip. I'm Tad Ramos. I'm Tom Bo.

On our podcast, inside American soccer, you'll get the real storylines. I'm not worried about Polisic. I'm not worried about balligans. 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 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. Experience it all with us. Listen, inside American soccer with Tom Bowman. Ogred and Tabramos on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcast. I'm Daniel Jeremiah.

And I'm Greg Rosenthal. And this is 40s and free agents. The games may be over, but the NFL never stopped. This is my favorite part of the calendar. Yeah, mine too, Greg. Free agency, the combine. The NFL draft, Pro Days, trades. This is where teams reshape their future.

This is where Daniel Jeremiah makes his money. On 40s and free agents, we break down every move that actually matters. From my draft evaluations, mock drafts, and team fits to my top 101 free agents and how real rosters are built, cap space, contracts, and all the tough decisions included. You got quarterbacks on the move. We got teams rebuilding. It's hope season. Yeah, absolutely.

It's hope season. We'll tell you what's real, what's noise, and what it means for your favorite team. Smart analysis, real conversations every week. I don't know about the smart, but definitely analysis. Listen to 40s and free agents on the I-Hourdes. Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Most people out here think that taking care of one another is important. And most people would step up for a neighbor going through a tough time.

Most people around here help out friends and family when they need it. But the funny thing is, most of us won't look for help when we need it. Talk to someone if you're struggling with mental health. Because most people out here really care. Find more information at loveyourmindtay.org. That's love your mind today. brought to you by the Huntsman Mental Health Institute and the Ad Council. The biggest thing, if it ended up something happening in the vet bill,

it would probably be the most expensive thing. But other than that, you'd be all right. But if you love the bull very much, it's not expensive, you know. I like it. We're going to do it. We're going to buy a bull together. Next Bushwacker. Y'all going to buy the next Bushwacker.

Yeah, we got to come up. We got to come up with a crazy name. Yeah, what would the name be? with yon. Nightcap. What you mean the crazy name? Nightcap.

Our bull wouldn't be named like that. I like that. I like that. See? We might have to name him Doomsday. Because he's wrecking folks. Okay.

A.K. A.K. A.K.a. Doomsday. I like that. I like that. I like that. Hey, ain't nobody's dead on it. Hey, we want a bull that, hey, they're going to have to retire him because everybody going to turn him out because they don't nobody want to see it.

Hey, I wouldn't turn him out. You, you get on? I'd get on him for you. I'd try him out. Okay. See, now, if it's something like Bode Aces, I'll, please. See y'all boys later.

I'll watch it. Thank you. Thank you. Professional Bull Riders, John Krebber joins us. He's a two-time reigning PBR team's MVP and currently the number one ranked bull rider in the world, and he's just 20 years of age. John, thanks for joining you.

Yes, sir. Thank you, boss. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Nice to meet you, guys. Thanks for having me. Let's take a picture right there. Yeah, let's do it.

Yeah, see, hey, he got the creases there? He said, he got the thing made. Yeah, sir. He got a good baby made. Yeah, got to get them starts. We should have got your jeans. They need to be snug, because some people have snug jeans and some of them loosefitter. I like it.

Not too snug, but not too bad. Right. You know, happy medium. If you get it too tight, you can't get it around the boot. You know, you kind of want to have it around your boots. What I do when I get them jeans, I go wear my boots to it, try it on, if it looks Good on the boots. Good gun.

So I wear Ariet. Airy jeans. These are... We don't have... We got Harriet in Miami? No. But how are the Levi's and Wrangler? See, I used to be...

So Levi's, I used to get sponsored by them and stuff, and they ended up not wanting to sponsor Bulldiders anymore. Okay. Yeah. But, yeah, I don't know why. But Levi's was... I like Levi's. But Ariets are my favorite now. Okay.

That's all I wear. So, if y'all... Yes, sir. Thank you, bad. Nice to be your job. Yes, sir. Yes. I guess y'all didn't think I knew anything about Bulls.

Oh, Joe, that I didn't know anything about Bulls. We had to give y'all a little inside information. Being on the farm, it comes in handy sometimes because you never know who we're going to get. We had no idea that John was going to join us today, but we're glad he did. All right, coming to the stage now. He's a one-time U.S. champion, one-time NXT champion, two-time NX-N-American champion, 20-25, Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal winner. That's it?

Carmelo, hey. That's all the stats I got. That must be an error or something wrong on them. I'm good, Melo. How you doing, bro? Good, man. I mean, bro, that's what you always want to be a wrestler? I know you played football or something.

Yeah, so as a kid, I always want to be a wrestler, undersized. Okay. So I'm thinking, I'm like, there's no way. There's no way. So I played other sports, baseball, football. I did wrestling in college, I'm not in college, but, like, high school. You wrestling? So you, okay.

Yeah, to get to where I wanted to get to, bro. and then I felt completely out of love with it in high school and I got right back to it somehow and God is good and here I am. Here you are right now, man. How difficult it has to, I mean, fans are upset that you're not on the car. Does it get hard to stay patient,

not get frustrated knowing that, because if you talk, a lot of people that we've had up here says, you know, the hardest thing is to stay patient because a lot of times people want instant gratification. Well, I just started, I'm ready to do it now, three months in, six months in, even a year. And sometimes it takes three, four.

I think one of the ladies told us it took her like five years to make to the main car. So has it been frustrating? How have you been able to stay focused and realize that my time is coming? And when my time comes, I need to seize the moment. I feel like it's staying ready. And just knowing that I'm talented enough to, if they give me the ball, it's guarantee. You know what I mean? I think that's really what my mentality has always been.

You ever heard that phrase is success is not earned as given? Yes. I feel like that's a lot, you know, with WWE. And, you know, anybody really, it's like until they give you the ball, how will they know if you can score? Right. You know what I mean? Until they put you on the field, how will they know if you can make a play?

Right. I think that's really what it comes down to what we do is just, you know, waiting, I guess, for the ball or waiting for them to put you in. Right. What was your favorite moment? Favorite moment of mine? With the open challenge? Yeah.

Favorite moment? I mean, truthfully, probably winning it. I think winning it, you know what I'm saying? I mean, come on. Like, winning it was cool, man. Like winning it, like just filling the crowd, man. going to the top road feeling the crowd lift me up on the top rope it was a feeling I like I never felt in the ring before and it taught me to kind of start moving with my soul in the ring so like a lot

of times like I know you guys know we talk about wrestling right in the back and we kind of come up with it but throughout this whole period I learned to kind of feel I don't know how I explained it like I just learned to kind of move with my heart right and the fans started like feeling that yeah and then afterwards like I felt like I gave it my all through like my body as opposed to where I'm thinking You know what I'm saying? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Have you kind of conversation with Tric and Oba about, hey, you know what? We might be the next four horsemen.

We might need to lead. We need to lead this thing, man. Not a conversation, but I think it's a silent acknowledgment. You know what I'm saying? I think that we kind of all looking at each other like, they should never gave us the ball, man. They should have never gave us the ball. And we knew, you know what I'm saying? Yeah.

Cream rises to the top. But you came, you have a lot of confidence. Obviously, you know, all the sports. you did and you believe that I belong here. How important is confidence in this? Extremely important, but I do think it has a lot to do with, and you guys know, man, just being, like, having positive reps. Yes.

And doing it and knowing that, you know, there's nothing that I'm going to experience that I haven't experienced before. Right. And I think that's the cool thing with WWE and people's journeys. Like, whoever said they were in NAC for five years, that's a good thing. Yeah. Because it's not one thing that you probably have any experience that you're going to come up here and you don't know how to handle.

Right. So to me, I mean, that's where my confidence comes from. It's just being on the independence to get to this point in WWE. There's a lot of things, just a bigger scale. You know what I mean? A lot of things I had to deal with on the independence that really just like set me up for here. I'm like, oh, this is easy now because I dealt with it in the trenches. Mello, how difficult is it?

Because we've seen Ocho and now playing football. Yeah. We see a lot of guys you great at practice. Oh, man. They do it everything. they're running the ball, they hit the hole, they're D and everybody up. But when you put them in the game,

they can't translate that. Come on. And I'm sure you've seen guys that, like, okay, they're at the NXT level and they're doing everything right. But when they get the opportunity, they go to Raw, they go to Smackdown,

and it's like, well, damn, bro, why you can't replicate what you've been doing for the last three months, the last three years, why can't you replicate that on the big stage? Oh, bro. I think that Deion Sanders said it. He's like, practice how you play,

so play becomes practice. Yeah. Bro, come on. That's a good one. I'm telling you, man, I feel like I go so hard in practice and then the real show is easy. Yeah.

Truthfully, it really is. I mean, I don't practice as much as I used to because I'm like refined. I got it, right? But like, you know, now I go out there and that's my practice. You know, I go week-to-week TV and then hopefully, you know,

when I get on the WrestleMania, that's where it's like let all that show. But week-to-week, it's practice. Before you made it to WWB, what's one lesson that you? you've taken with you that you've never forgotten that has helped you transition

oh that's a good question yeah to this level I think it's just a matter of just being ready for whatever I think especially with WWE brother they'd be throwing anything at you and I think it's just being adaptable to whatever and just kind of in the in the blink of a blink of an eye in a moment of being

able to just adapt yeah so adaptability will probably be the biggest thing yeah what has been one is the thing that the game that you've had to evolve to survive the main roster. Patience, we talked about, patience. Just learning how to handle the lows and how to handle the highs. I heard something, y'all know the Mids, right?

Yeah. He told me the realest shit, he was like, if you can handle the bottom and you can succeed at the bottom, he goes, the top is easy. That's it. It's like the top, you'll be good. Like, it's people that only know the top that they got to figure out how to handle the bottom. Right.

And that's where the real challenge comes. Right. Yeah, when you handle the, and it's a roller coaster, you know what I'm saying? Just like everything. It's a roller coaster. How you handle the bottom is how you're going to handle the top? When it's all saying done, how would you like to be remembered in this sport? Because you look at, I'm looking at, CM says he's like he's pushing 40s.

He's about to be, I think he said 47. 48. And you wrote 48, okay, and Ray Mysterio. And you see some of Randy Orton, these guys have been at this thing 25, 30 years. You're a young man. You're just getting started. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I mean, shoot, man, a lot of people, they want to be remembered for like, I'm the biggest star, right?

But, I mean, realistically, bro, I want kids to be like, yo, I want to wrestle like Carmelo A's. Yeah. I think that's my biggest thing. I'm like, because, you know, there's not a lot of smaller guys. Right. And I think I make. Probably Ray Mysterio. Ray, Eddie, Sean.

Sean, you know what I'm saying? And Sean's a guy that when people ask me, they're like, who do you, you know, Sean Michaels. Right. And I want to be remembered as one of the greatest in ring guys. Yeah. I mean, the superstardom thing that's going to come with, that's going to come. You know what I mean? If they want to make a superstar, they're going to make a superstar.

You know what I mean? But as far as what happens in the paint, that's up to me. That's you. That's up to me. And that's one of the things that I take the most pride in because it's like, hey, they can't control that, man. They can't put a ceiling on that. You know what I'm saying?

They put you out there. It's all me. You know, no smoke and mirrors, no glist and glam. It's Carmelo Hayes. So I want kids to be able to go, man, when I grow up, I want to be a wrestler like Carmelo Hayes. Like, what's your style? I want to be like Carmelo Hayes or whatever.

The same way I do it with Sean and with Eddie Guerrero and guys like that. But you still get nervous? Because I think about before a game when we play. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Every single time, no matter how many years, year five, year six, year seven, even when I get to year 10, when I call that name, I walk out that tunnel and everybody's screaming that name, I'm still nervous. I do one of that.

I got butterflies. Yeah. Do you still have butterflies when you make that walk, even though you're confident in what you do? Sometimes. I think it's sometimes when you don't think and you're just like, all right, we're going. If your day is going quick and you're just like moving, It's like, oh, my music's playing, all right, let's go. You don't have that.

But if you sit and ponder in it, sometimes you'll get nervous because you start questioning yourself. Right. But when you give yourself the opportunity not to question yourself, you're just like, hey, it's just another day and you're confident in what you do. And also, too, I think, nervous sometimes and what we do where it's like so, you know,

anything could go wrong in any moment, you can, like, screw yourself up. Right. So I do think you almost have to go in with, like, you know what I mean? Whatever happens happens and let's just see what happens. What's the typical day? the night of a show.

You wake up, let's just say for the sake of the sake of a lot of the time. Let's just say 7.30, 8 o'clock you wake up. So what transpires until the match actually happens? Yeah, I mean, so we'll get the TV. Get the TV, you kind of find out what you're doing. You know, a lot of times, sometimes you don't know. That's another thing where you kind of like, I don't know what I'm doing, but that's where I say adaptability and staying ready, right?

Get the TV, find out what you're doing, get something to eat, you know what I mean? You kind of just mentally get yourself ready, figure out what the match is going to be, whatever it is, all the business of what we do and shit. and then you go out and perform, and then it's kind of just another day. You know what I mean? When you do a week to week, it just becomes another day.

I remember looking at the OGs on time when I first got called up. I was like, dang, y'all's so comfortable. Like, y'all just really do this. 15 years, I'm like, y'all just look so effortless, and now I see why. It's just repetition, you know what I mean? Right. Bro, thank you for joining us, man.

We really appreciate it. Yes, sir. Y'all see who this, Carmelo Hay. Appreciate you, O.G. Thank you, brother. Thank you, man. All right. Grab this picture right quick.

Oh, yeah. I feel great. I feel great. Chad, how are we doing, Chad? How's my hair? I feel great. Oh, yeah. Yeah.

Like with dad, won't you then? Okay. Sorry. No, but I was saying, I was just so I was telling no to. I was like, we really haven't had a whole lot of time to have to kill. Because we signed on and Lash and Neil was right here. Yeah. And, you know, we went to Charlotte Flair and we had Jacob.

CM Punk. I mean, it's just been a continuation, which is really, really good. We really appreciate the WBE for giving us this opportunity, giving us this great stage, giving us the guys and the women to come on. And so it's been amazing. None of this is possible without them. So we really appreciate our partners, Tommy John, ethos, all those people that make this stuff possible,

that make Ocho and our job really, really easy. But for the W.W.E to ask us to be a part of this, we can't thank them enough. So thank you again, W.W.E., TCO, everybody that had a party with Nightcap, myself and Ocho, and the team that's done an unbelievable job, directing us, getting us, ending out of traffic, making sure the reads are on points.

So we can't thank these guys enough behind the scenes that you don't get an opportunity to see. You get an opportunity to see Ocho and I and Joe do what we do. But there's people behind the scenes that really have the really difficult jobs and they make sure things go off without a hitch. But I want to thank everybody that's been a part of this that made this day really, really special. Absolutely. And we're back tomorrow too. So we're back tomorrow and we're going to be on Saturday night and Sunday night

to talk about the matches after they end. So we got a lot going on. We got a lot going on this weekend. We got a lot going on this weekend. And so we can't thank you guys enough. You was with us late last night. And, you know, a lot of you guys are in the chat with us early this morning. So we can't thank you enough.

But I can't wait to get home and get me a nap. I'm exhausted. Hell yeah. Don't want to go to lunch? You leaving. I ain't going nowhere. You say you were going home. I leave Friday.

Oh, that's right. Today is Thursday. Yeah. So you want to go to lunch? Go to lunch where are, don't you? Hey, Ash, I don't want to go to lunch with me again. And I'm right here.

I'm right here. I'm right here. I got to go, what you call it? I got to go. Oh, you got something to do, huh? I do. We do. I got to get some paperwork, side.

What kind of paperwork? I go with you. Some issue got me into. Me? Yeah. What time is? Oh, yeah, we got 20 money. Who we got next?

Who we got next? Oh, okay. Jibon, okay We got another We got another Okay But it was great Man I enjoyed talking to the board

The board rider He was amazing man Man that dude looked like he like 12 Yeah he looks small You look small don't he Yeah it looks small Hell he is small Yeah yeah yeah

That's exciting That's exciting That's one thing That's that you do you roll man eater Man Eater is the new bushwhacker Mm-hmm That's crazy Yeah

That's crazy But it's interesting, you know, to hear them talk and he knew who he was like. 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, 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, its hope, its heartbreak, and above all, its 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 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 Conkey, his best friend and business manager. 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 Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. American soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramos sending on to earn a score at the time. I'm Tad Ramos. I'm Tom Boone.

On our podcast, inside American soccer, you'll get 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 basketball. 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 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. Experience it all with us. Listen, Inside American Soccer with Tom Bogart and Tab Ramos on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, wherever you get your podcast. I'm Daniel Jeremiah.

And I'm Greg Rosenthal. And this is 40s and free agents. The games may be over, but the NFL never stopped. This is my favorite part of the calendar. Yeah, mine too, Greg. Free agency, the combine, the NFL draft, Pro Days, trades. This is where teams reshape their future. This is where Daniel Jeremiah makes his money.

On 40s and free agents, we break down every move that actually matters. From my draft evaluations, mock drafts, and team fits, to my top 101 free agents and how real rosters are built, cap space, contracts, and all the tough decisions included. You got quarterbacks on the move. We got teams rebuilding. It's hope season. Yeah, absolutely. It's hope season.

We'll tell you what's real, what's noise, and what it means for your favorite team. Smart analysis, real conversations every week. I don't know about the smart, but definitely analysis. Listen to 40s and free agents on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Most people out here think that taking care of one another is important. And most people would step up for a neighbor going through a tough time. Most people around here help out friends and family when they need it. But the funny thing is, most of us won't look for help when we need it.

Talk to someone if you're struggling with mental health. Because most people out here really care. Find more information at loveyourmindtay.org. That's loveyourmindtay.org. Brought to you by the Huntsman Mental Health Institute and the ad council. It is so true. And I think the thing is that people think you breed the best to the best and hope for the best.

And I think you see it. And sometimes, you know, you see two parents, they were great at this sport and he was, she was great at that sport. And the kid. Ain't by nothing. And then you take a pair that were. Random. Okay.

One was okay. And they produced a super child. The greatest ever. It's funny. It's funny how that works. It is. It is. And, um,

but to hear him talk about, and he seems so, I mean, so down the earth. I mean, I know my grandmother and my mom was not going to let Papa or my dad put me on the back of no damn bull at no six years of age. I like it, though. I like it. That's the world they live in, so they're used to it, you know. So, I mean, I can't wait to get back on there. But they do allow you, I will say this.

When you grow up with parents like that on the farm, they do allow their kids to do. I mean, they allowed a kid to be sitting in their lap and driving. They let them drive, operate machinery, tractors and bulldozers and bulldozers and things like that. It is definitely different than parents that don't grow up in or didn't grow up in that environment or have their kids around someone in that environment. So, okay. We got a very special guest. We got Alistair Black and Zelina Vega. Oh, okay.

Good morning. One on one side, one of the other. What's up, how you doing, man? Nice to meet you also. Alastair, Alastair, and Galena. You know, as a couple, I guess what is the most fun thing that you guys get to do? Because a lot of times, you know, we've heard CM and a lot of people say, you know what, it's kind of tough on a relationship if your partner is not in the sport so they don't really.

get a chance to go with you, but you guys are together, so you guys kind of get a chance to travel together, so you probably don't have the same hiccups that a couple that's not in this would have. Yeah. I think, obviously, because we're both in the same industry, we both have the same hopes and the same goals and the same mindset of a lot of things, I think it came to fruition a lot better. We don't have the same struggles, as you say, but that does not mean that there is within

the philosophies, within the philosophies, within. in both wrestlers and how we perceive our ability to wrestle as different, right? Obviously, it's a very different human being and character than I am. It sometimes leaves room for the creativity to be kind of discussed within ourselves. And my side has always been very creative, whether it's my presentation or my entrance or my character or my style. With her, she has a very different way of creating and expressing herself. therein lies a lot of growth for the both of us and also a lot of discussion, but it's a good discussion.

And I like that discussion. I welcome that discussion, especially because we have a good marriage together. Yeah, I mean, for me, it's the same thing. Plus, I'm a little bit of a hothead sometimes, so it's nice to be able to vent to somebody who actually will hear me out for me. Understands what you're going through. Exactly, exactly. And sometimes, you know, if I need help with my match,

and I'm like, damn, I need to figure out this one thing, or maybe how do I make this different? How can I make this more in the line of what we're doing now is where this darker character goes? Because for me, I'm like, if I were to bring Aliyah's like Akasha and Sindel for Mortal Kombat as a blend, what does that look like as this character? So it's just fun to play and have somebody to bounce that off of two. Have you had that each of you guys had that wrestle Romania moment where you realize like, wow, this is the Super Bowl of the WWE.

Yeah. And we're a part of this. That you no matter what, 10 years, 15, 20, 30 years from now, you'll always remember. that moment. What was that moment like for you? When I had my first wrestling man experience myself, I remember, because obviously with my entrance there's the big, the rick rise up. And I remember the whole day, I wasn't nervous. I came fresh out of NXT. We were doing NXT Smackdown and Raw. Like back to back to back. I was tagging with, with, with, with, with

ricochet. And I remember, I wasn't nervous that day because in my head, I'm like, if I'm not ready now, I'm not ready ever. So the good nerves and I remember just like, and I can still see it in my head. I have a picture of it as well when I rise up and I see, I think at the time it was like 78,000 people and I see just lights and all of it. I'm on top of this ramp and I'm standing even thinking about, I'm wearing a hoodie of course you can't see, but even standing on top of it, I remember just like getting this goosebumps and like that's something that will live forever, that walk from the top to down, obviously having the match, but just that little fraction of a moment where you have that five to maybe

eight seconds where you just stand there and everything slows down and stops and you look out and you're like, wow, if you tell your 15 year old self, hey man, back in Amsterdam, this is what you're going to do one day. And obviously I would have called myself a liar.

But that is a moment that for me will live in infamy until the day I am no longer presence on earth. Absolutely. Yeah. And for me it was coming out because we just had the first ever Queen of the Ring tournament that I won. So it's like, It's cool to know that when I open the WB history books,

the first ever queen will always be me. Like, that's something that I hold so close to my heart. So it's like getting to do that, hear my name, announce as the first ever queen of the ring and coming down the ramp with this really insane, huge crowd because I was a little following myself, you know, with my staff and everything, getting to see and just hear my name like that, being said like that was amazing.

And having my family in the front row, like, that's what it's all about, really. It's just family. And seeing, like, for me, I came from Queens. So to have them be there from just, Jump Street till now is just insane. If you could book One Dream Match for WrestleMania 43, no restrictions.

Whatever match you won't, you get to call it. I would say me and him versus E.O. Sky and Ray Mysterio. Okay, that's a good one. Yeah. It's a real good one. I'm going to be a little selfish

here, though. I'm sorry, I'm going to be a little selfish here. It would be me against CM Punk. simply because there's a similarity, there's a friendship, there's a history, there is a love for a specific type of professional wrestling that him and me both have. Right. And I think we would have the platform and the time to showcase that specific professional wrestling where my style leans very much into the technical, but the martial arts style.

And his is a technical yet a brawl style with heavy hits. And I think being brought up in that 80s, 90 wrestling with like a lot of, like, technical grapplers and stuff and heavy hitters, I think it would be a very different, unique blend under the umbrella of the WB with the WB flare to it. Did you always want to be a wrestler? How did each one of you guys get into the sport? I've wanted to be in the W.B.

Since I was four years old. Wow. Yeah, and that's because, I mean, my grandmother's brother, he's my uncle. He wrestled in Puerto Rico for the longest time. I mean, he wrestled even Bruno San Martino. So it's, it's been. in my family for a long time. My cousin, Amazing Red, so it's been in our family for a while, but I remember seeing it even just as far back as four years. We used to go to, like, Madison Square

Garden when I was a kid, so I've wanted to do it forever. But, you know, there's always the whole, oh, you're too short to do this or you're too, whatever, it would be whatever. And it's so nice to get to prove all of them wrong every single time. So, yeah. You mentioned you're from Amsterdam, right? Correct, yes. So how did you, when did you fall in low with the sport of wrestling? Well, so there is no wrestling in the Nailants. No. So I've remembered. You're I remember I was four or five years old and I'm sitting on the couch with my dad and he's flipping channels. And we had Eurosport. And Eurosport for a brief time had WWF at the time.

And he's flicking through channels and I see Yokozuna. And just a brief moment. I'm like, what's that? And my dad even stops. And then he flicked the channel and I'm like, wait, dad, go back. And obviously he didn't go back. But for some reason, that's ingrained into my brain. And then later on we had New Japan Pro Wrestling on TV.

so I divulged to the Orchddab and I saw two guys fighting in a ring I grew up in the 80s and the 90s so I grew up with like bloodsport and the best of the best all these action movies so I'm thinking this is fighting so my parents put me on karate

they put me on judo they put me on moitai and obviously by the age of nine I knew the difference between martial arts and pro wrestling but then when I was 15 I had the opportunity to turn into pro wrestling did that and then my main style became moitai and kickboxing

as my influence in so one helped the other become a wrestler. Both of you guys have been fan of the basically WWE for an extended period of time. Yes. Did you ever dream in your wildest dream that you would be a participant in the WWE and you'd be on WrestleMania?

No, no, no, absolutely not. I often joke saying like we have to create the mountains to climb over to become a wrestler, so we have to make them first. So no, I didn't even think that I was ever going to get out of Europe and never coming out of the Netherlands, maybe Germany, and then it just kind of kept pushing and pushing and pushing. So, yeah, no, never.

What is something else that you do like? Actually, both of you. Obviously, your life is dedicated to your craft, to your sport and what you do. But what if you weren't wrestling, what would you be doing? What do you think? Something else that you're passionate about that you don't have time for because wrestling takes up everything. So I have a wide array of very unique hobbies. Yes.

I also do antique trading. Okay. And I do a lot of stuff with that. I do stuff in firearms. I do stuff in gemstone trading and stuff like that. So as a kid, funny enough, this is completely 180. I wanted to be a baker for a while because I thought baking bread was cool. I know it sounds really stupid.

But, yeah, I've always been someone who has a deep interest in a lot of things. But I'd definitely probably be more like into like antiques and stuff like that still. So when you say antiques, when you say antiques are like like, like, they. Vazes or paintings? Artwork. Yeah, I collect a lot of like tattoo art as well. I'm a big fan of the history of tattooing and stuff like that. I would probably found my way in that.

Okay, okay. And I guess for me, something with animals, because I've always loved animals. So I would definitely... Like a bed or something, huh? Something like that, yeah. And just to end it on the last bit for earlier, I don't... I didn't have a plan B when it came to, like, what I wanted to do. You were all in on this.

This was it. And it's mostly because, you know, you talk about being a fan, but I had been a fan all my life. And, like, I used to go to, you know, again, Madison Square Garden and my dad and being able to, you know, be there as a kid, remember where I used to sit and come out later at a, you know, different paper views or whatever. It's nice that I get to do that for me, but also to represent my family. Like, I remember thinking to myself at one point, like, my dad passed away at 9-11 in the World Trade Center in taxes. Thank you. And it's nice to be able to be, you know, bringing the United States chance. championship to like the memorial and being able to have that and really own that as mine.

They share that with him. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Hey, guys. Thank you so much. Thank you very much for having us. Thank you. Really, really appreciate you guys.

Thank you. It's unbelievable to have you guys on. Oh, yeah. Thank you. It's a nice to meet you guys. Thank you. Oh, picture. Sorry.

Oh, thank you very much. All right, joining us now, the 21-year-old rising superstar, known for its high-flying agility, known as the young OG, a 2025 NXT male superstar of the year, his debut mania appearance, WrestleMania 42 Intercontinental Champion, ladder match. Here he is, Javon. Hey, OG, come on, you're doing a little crazy, OG. I got to get it, I got to. you.

Hey, the style, bro, you, I mean, you're all over the place. But you up in the air. Hey, man. Twisting and doing it, do it all that. Hey, man. I'm about to stop, you know what I mean? Starting to feel it. I'm right.

Hey, you know what I'm going to? I need to slow down. Right. You have a background at all in gymnastics or, or, or no, at all? No, no, no. I just learned how to do flips in the backyard. Right. You know what I mean?

Okay, same. Yeah, down the hill, you feel me? Yeah. Down here, you know, nothing too crazy. crazy even. But yeah, no, no, no, no gymnasist's background. I just, I did track during school. I did basketball and then started training at 13 years old. Right. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's live. When you got called up to the main roster, do you remember that conversation and where were you? Yeah, yeah. It was like two hours before Cina's last show. I'm just chilling. And then

Russo, or one of the writers, the main writer for NXT. He's like, hey, like, Sean wants to go talk to you. I'm like, all right, boom. Go to the office. I walk in. It's Triple H and Sean. I'm like, damn, what did I do? I'm about to get in. Yeah, you're sick.

Yeah. So this is your last match tonight? I'm like, oh, damn, all right. But now, I'll walk in. And then Sean's like, it's like, so, you know, you know, we just want to say like, NXT, you know, it's supposed to be your year. But, you know, unfortunately, and then AAA in the wrestling, he's like, hey, we're going to bring you up.

you're going to roll and I was like alright you know what I mean it was crazy and of course you know they was putting me on and telling me hey

like NXT is still here for you like you don't you know don't forget about it I'm like nah I just remember the feeling just like

dang like y'all telling me this on seeing this last show it's crazy you feel me but it was crazy it's such a great feeling did a part of you

want to stay back there like man I really want this NXT title too though why y'all bulljab I still yeah for sure I gotta want that bad.

Hey, can I stand back here just a little while long? Let me get this title and did make that run. You know what I mean? Yeah, no, no, I almost definitely had those thoughts. But, you know, you know, tribulation knows what he's doing. You know what I mean? He's been in the business for a long time.

So I feel like if he has a feeling that somebody's ready to, you know, get called up. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Hey, when you, that feeling, obviously, there's excitement. This is the finish line. This is the big stage. Yo.

Is it any, is it, I don't want to compare it to, like, getting drafted too, um, right? You think about all the work you put in, the sacrifice, all the obstacles we had to overcome. You think that feeling is the same. Obviously, you see when somebody a player gets drafted, the first thing they do is they cry. Yeah. Because they understand everything they went through. Was there anywhere close to that when they told you, listen, we bring you up to the big stage.

Anything close to that? Oh, for sure. I feel like, you know, I was a little bit emotional. Yeah, okay, okay, yeah, yeah. It was more like I was, you know, hella excited, too. You know what I mean? Like, y'all just telling me this before I got a reversal on Senna's last. show. So, and now I know, you know, this next Tuesday is going to be my last Tuesday.

Right. You know, it'll be on next Monday. And I'm like, like, this is fire. You know what I mean? Like, this is tough. Right. But no, it's, yeah, it's such a great feeling, man. I'm just blessed to be able to do all this to the age of 21 for real. Right. You know what I mean? That's just like, and I got so much, so many years left, you know, I'm just, I'm just, I'm just blessed, man. Yeah. For sure. Go ahead, don't you. Now I'm going to say, inspirations that are rastings. right now people you look up to you know most of the time you pull from other people and they have

certain paths that you want to follow to make sure you continue that same success on that route who would be one one wrestler I feel like I feel like that's that's kind of hard for me because I don't want to I don't want to like trace somebody else's footsteps right right right right right you know what I mean like like I can trail blaze your own pay yeah I want to make my own you know what I mean and I do study like the way, you know, Sean Michaels got to the top, the way Randy got to the top, you know what I mean? But, like, that's, that's just for me to learn and for me to accept and not accept.

You know what I mean? Like, the fields they did, you know, like, what did they learn? So now, okay, I know I'm not going to do this. You feel what I mean? And I kind of just take that with me on my own road. You feel me? Okay.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. What's been the most memorable part of your rookie year? My most memorable part of my rookie year. Okay, okay, I think I always remember this. So my first NXT, my first NXT PLE, we was in Canada for Heat Wave, and I was fighting for the NXT Championship. And I just remember, like, you know, I was going to get to Ethan Page, and he was, you know, well-known name.

Yeah. You know, I was going against Troy Williams, well-known-name. Sean Spears, well-known name. And then they said my name and like everybody was like, oh, hey, whatever. And that just clicked. It was like, oh, y'all don't know who I am? Say less. Oh, you know what I mean?

And then I'm doing my stuff and men match everybody. Yon go G. Yon go G. And I was like, oh, okay, see, now we good. You know what I mean? So I'll always remember that. You feel it to be just being able to. 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, 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 there most loyal and sometimes only fan. 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 Auer Kohn 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. I'm Kunky, his best friend, and business manager. 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 IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Daniel Jeremiah. And I'm Greg Rosenthal.

And this is 40s and free agents. The games may be over, but the NFL never stopped. This is my favorite part of the calendar. Yeah, mine too, Greg. Free agency, the Combine, the NFL draft Pro Days, trades. This is where teams reshape their future. This is where Daniel Jeremiah makes his money. On 40s and free agents, we break down every move that actually matters.

From my draft evaluations, mock drafts, and team fits, to my top 101 free agents and how real rosters are built, cap space, contracts, and all the tough decisions included. You got quarterbacks on the move. We got teams rebuilding. It's hope season. Yeah, absolutely. It's hope season. We'll tell you what's real, what's noise, and what it means for your favorite team.

Smart analysis, real conversations every week. I don't know about the smart, but definitely analysis. Listen to 40s and free agents on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. American soccer is about to explode. The World Cup is coming. Ramos sending on to Ernie Stewart the chip. I'm Tad Ramos. I'm Tom Boe.

On our podcast, inside American soccer, you'll get 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. 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. 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.

Most people out here think that taking care of one another is important. and most people would step up for a neighbor going through a tough time. Most people around here help out friends and family when they need it. But the funny thing is, most of us won't look for help when we need it. Talk to someone if you're struggling with mental health. Because most people out here really care. Find more information at loveyourmindtay.org. That's loveyourmindtay.org.

Brought to you by the Huntsman Mental Health Institute and the Ad Council. Being able to have a crowd that don't know who I am, turn to my favorite. Right. Feel me? It's crazy. You begin your wrestling journey in 2018. Your name was Jay Malachai.

It so was. Yes, so. How do you come up with Jay Malachai and then you transition now you to Young O.G? All right, so we're going to be real, real, real. When I first started, I think I had my first match. It was Jay Malachi, but then I turned into a name called Kid Black America. Right.

You know, I had a dad. His name was Captain Black America. Right. You feel that me? And we were just causing ruckets on the wrestling scene in North Kakalaki. Yeah. You know, but no. So, you know, my real name is Malika.

And my last name starts with Jay. And my grandma would always call me Malikai J. You know what I mean? And I just remember, like, coming up with names. I'm talking to my trainer. And I'm like, okay, let's do like Malachi kid. He's like, you're not going to be a kid forever. I'm like, okay, you're right, you're right, you're right.

I'm like, uh, let's try Malachi J. Well, okay, cool. And we had it for one match. And then my trainer, the next match, he flipped it to Jay Malikah. And I was like, no, it's Malikai. He was like, no. No, it was Jay Malikai. I was like, all right.

Hell you. Tighten it. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then I just, you know, started to learn more about myself and kind of just adding my real life situations, my real life attributes and attitude to my wrestling. And I was like, damn, like, the young OG is tough. Because I, you know, I had OGs.

Yeah. So I call myself the young OG, and I used to call myself the two-pock of this generation. Right. You know, just a little solid. Right. Winning the 2025 Iron Survivor Challenge, what did that do for your confidence? It boosted it. Boosted it for sure.

I feel like I feel like I was, I can I say it. It was something like I knew where I was going to go. I knew that I was going to get called up soon. You feel me? So when we had that, like, when I won, I was like, hell yeah. I was like, but if I win the NAC championship, then I'm only going to have it for a week or two weeks. You know what I mean?

Then go to the main roster. So it's kind of like it boosts my confidence, but it boosts my confidence more for main roster. You know what I mean? Because I feel like that kind of added a – Kind of out like a, what's the word, like an achievement under my belt, you know? Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, yeah.

You, uh, you lasted 40 minutes in your first Royal Rum. Yeah. Did that prove to you, I belong? Did it show them this kid belong? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Honestly, I don't know what it showed them for real. You know what I mean? I know for me, it was just more of like, dang, like, I'm in here with all these OGs, you know?

I'm in the ring with people I grew up watching. You feel me? Like, it's such a crazy feeling. So it did, you know, it did help me out. And all right. I feel like that boosted my confidence for real, just being able to hang in the ring and being able to be the last few in a match where, you know,

the last few are like the top dogs. Yeah. You feel I mean? So it was great. It was great for sure. Bro, we appreciate you joining us. Harry, you of the young OG. Come on, though.

I appreciate you. Oh, sir. Go ahead, Ocho. Chad, how y'all doing? I hope you all enjoy yourself. Obviously, I'm excited for WrestleMania. Obviously, here in Vegas at Allegiance Stadium,

I would love to go. I can go because Uncton invite me. He won't hang out with me as usual. But I hope you guys enjoyed everyone's story, what they had to talk about today. We had some legends, some icons, especially. That's been amazing. Hey, it's been really amazing.

It's definitely been amazing today. This is what it's about. I mean, look, the WWE, a lot of times when you come do this and you do it and they don't give you the athletes or the people that you really want to try to help them do what they want to do. But that's not what they did today. That's not what they did last time. Last time we had them on.

Remember we had Triple H and we had Taker. We had Sean Michael. You know, Charlotte Flair joined us again, you know, joined us again. for the second time today. So it's been unbelievable. W.W.E. has always done everything. Come on.

Has done everything. Yep. Harry is a two-time United States champion. Two-time mania appearance. WrestleMania 42. Six-man tag team, L.A. Knight, the Uso, Isospeed, Logan Paul, Austin Theory, the Vision. L.A. Night.

My man. How you doing, bro? I'm doing great, man. I'm just trying to recover from last night. What happened last night? Did we miss something? I was in my room just doing nothing. I was reading the Bible and stuff.

That's all. No, we were having a good time last night. That's all. Just getting our feet wet in Vegas. Right. You're going to be in this match with, I mean, and WWE has always done a great job of bringing celebrities and other entertainers outside of the sport

and introducing them into the main event. What's that going to be like for you? Well, this ain't my first time. Look, with Logan Paul back at 2024, you mentioned two-time U.S. Championship, I won that championship off Logan Paul. So for me, it's kind of... Our audience gets a little hot sometimes

when you bring in the outsiders. And especially when it's somebody who... Maybe they haven't paid the dues, maybe they haven't respected the business, yada, yada, yada, but... And they try to get up here to hold on that. Yeah. And the pro here, slow down.

Yeah. Exactly. And so we got to slow them down a little bit. Yeah. And, you know, when you're thinking about I show speed, well, I'm going to show fist right in his face. and that's what we're looking at. So it's going to be a good time.

But I got to give them credit. Because you talk about the crossover. You talk about the appeal there and whatnot and how we've been very good as a company and making those things work. They just put out a stat. I think the views on, I think, I Show Speed got pushed by Logan Paul into the back of me.

It's the largest viewed, highest viewed clip in the history of any of our social media clips. So I can respect that. I can take my hats off to those guys. But at the same time, Saturday, It's going to be a hard long night. Yeah. I mean, you think about it, man, L.A., the reach that the W.W.E.

have, and you talk about a Logan Paul who's supremely athletic. I mean, he could really do this full time if he really wanted to do. Sure. And in all honesty, he's been putting his heart and soul into it. Again, I can take my hats off to that. I know a lot of people don't like him. But the bottom line is he's been showing up a lot more often. He's not as part-time as he used to be.

He's in and he's doing it. And it's showing. So, I mean, I at least got to get him. drops for that. And then speed with the attention and the eyes that he's going to bring, he's international. I mean, he goes everywhere and he got thousands and thousands and thousand people just following him around. It's crazy. It's a part of this. Yeah. It's such a different universe too because it's like, you know, from being in sports, TV, everything, now all the streaming and everything, it's such a different animal, such a different universe.

And it's so crazy to see that because it's like, I don't know, it's just completely different. But it's cool. If you can make that. work to where now we can bring the two together. His audience comes to sees us. Our audience sees him. Man, we got a nice symbiotic relationship there. You look at the involvement with speed and he's added to the chaos to your match. So how do you, I mean, like I said, he's, Jake Paul has kind of been at this for a while.

Logan. Jake, excuse me. Jake's boxing. He got busted. Logan has been. The same thing happened to him is what's going to happen to I Show Speed on Saturday. But that's the thing is that he's going to be drinking through a straw, huh? He's such a beginner.

Yeah. He's not like Logan. Logan has been at this for a while. And so, you know, you would probably be able to do things and go a little further with Logan. Oh, yeah. Then you will with speed. Yeah. But I see him practice.

I see him jump off the top rope. Because he is athletic now. He is. And that's going to get you only so far. Because when it gets down to the business. Did he gritty? Exactly. Are you going to spare him?

Are you going to give him any grace? Because he's new? or is it though probably not no no no I don't think so look here's the thing

you can tell he's a little nervous about everything you were talking about with the training thing he's doing all the flips and everything that's his one advantage he's got speed he's got quickness got agility the ability to jump and all that stuff but when it comes to like all right well now can you grab this dude in a hold can you slam him

can you punch him can you kick him that's part where we're going to see what he's got yeah yeah can you get Can you get thrown into the ropes and not go through the ropes? Dude. But can you just get thrown in the ropes? Because look, we're used to that. Like me and the other guys, but like, you know how to...

Have you ever hit the ropes? Have you ever been in a ring? No. It is shocking. Like, because I mean, it's literal, actual rope that is pulled tight as hell. Yeah. And when you get in and you hit it, you get nasty marks and welts. It's just kind of like, I don't know if you ever play guitar or anything like that.

You kind of build up a callus. You play guitar? Yeah, yeah, yeah. All right. You build, like, those first little bits. It hurts. It's got to build up in callus. Same thing with hitting the ropes.

That first time you hit it, you're like, oh, my God. Right. And then after a while, you get used to it. He ain't ready for that. But is he going to get used to the falls? Because that's what you really get used to. That's what you know, you know, you know, like when somebody slams you, you know, when you do somebody suplex you or you do a drop kick.

Oh, my God. Or you jump off the top rope. Yeah. You know how to like that. You hit that ring. It's jolting. It's a padding, but still. The first week of training.

Like way, way back, I was just popping Advil all day. I had a headache constantly because it's just the jarring of the neck, the back, all that stuff. So it's serious business. And when you're thinking about that and a guy who doesn't ordinarily do this, that's going to be another factor to look at in those things. Your rise in the WWE felt very organic. Coming up. The fans just gravitated to you so naturally.

Why do you think that was? And I don't have an answer for that. Everybody comes up and tells me something different all the time. You know, some people tell me this, that it. Like the guy next door. That's me. No, usually it's like, oh, you remind me of, like, the guys from back in the day. You remind me of the guys with me attitude air, yada, yada, yada, yada.

I had a guy last night at the bar. He's a little tipsy, and he couldn't stop telling me. It's over and over again. Right. But, you know, just tell me, yeah, I like the way you talk all that trash, blah, blah, blah. I'm like, all right, man, I'm going to keep doing that. So I think it's just that. When I'm out there, I'm, like, in a trans.

I believe every single word I'm saying while I'm saying while I'm done. doing it. If that being the case, there's something in that that just grabs the people. And then you get in that ring, you can actually handle your business. Now you've got the full package. Let's it all together. I'm a, what I would call a professional wrestling wet dream. Right.

I'm everything you want. I think the thing is, though, is that you might have a greater appreciation for the W.W.E. because of how much time you spend on the independent circuit. Oh, sure. Do you have? Because it's like, it's kind of like a guy, you know, a baseball player. You go go to the minors, but you spend six weeks in the minor.

You have a different appreciation of the guy that spent six years in the minor. And it's, you're talking about not just appreciation, but frustration. There's so long being on the outside. You're just like, man, how am I not here? Right. But in a weird way, it worked out just right. Because I think if I had gotten here too soon, too early, like, I don't think it would have worked out the way it did because it was just like the way I came in as seasoned as I did

and all of a sudden, and, you know, everybody talks about 20 years to get an overnight success, but that's pretty much how it happened. Right. And, yeah, at this point, we're riding the rocket ship, and it's been three years strong. A lot of people compare your promo style to the rock and stone cold.

Yep. I get a lot of that. And I can see that. I hear it in the tone and the infliction of your voice. That's just my voice. Can't do anything about that, kids. You know, I wonder, though, I wonder, because I watched so much of them in high school.

Yeah. Like I had like, you know, the VHS tapes that the rock says and all. And Stone Cold said so. So I probably just embedded that stuff so hard in my head that that's just my speaking voice now. But I'll hear a flare. People say Piper. I've even heard Sean Michaels, which kind of confuses me at some time. But it's all in there because I just took all this stuff in since I was like five years old.

It's just wrestling with my life. And now I'm living that life. He's a two-time United States champion, a two-time mania appearance. He's one-in-one. And he's going to be a part of the six-man tag team. Here he is, L.A. night. Thank you, bro. Thank you, boy.

I watched you for so much when I was in. I lived in Cincinnati. I started wrestling there for my first six years. Okay, okay, okay. We're packed around on the TV all the time. We appreciate it. All right, I appreciate you, bro. Thank you, bro.

Thank you, guys, for joining us. We'll be back tomorrow at 2 p.m. Eastern, right? Manana. Oh, 2 p.m. Pacific. So five Eastern. All right. So we'll see you tomorrow. If you're on the West Coast, it's 2 p.m.

And if you're on the East Coast, it's 5 p.m. Eastern. 5 p.m. Eastern on the East Coast, 2 p.m. on the West Coast. Thank you guys for joining us. 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 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, 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 Auerkone 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. 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. 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 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 Stoian Miles on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Daniel Jeremiah. And I am Greg Rosenthal. I know that, Greg. We're teaming up on 40s and free agents,

the podcast that owns the NFL. off season. This is where teams are built. Free agency, combine, pro days, trades. Every move matters. From my draft boards and mock drafts to my vaunted top 101 free agents and how rosters come together.

Quarterback movement. Surprise signings. We'll tell you what it means and who really wins. Open your free IHeart radio app. Search 40s and free agents and listen now. Most people out here think that taking care of one another is important. And most people would step up for a neighbor

going through a tough time. Most people around here help out friends and family when they need it. But the funny thing is, most of us won't look for help when we need it. Talk to someone if you're struggling with mental health because most people out here really care. Find more information at loveyourmindtay.org. That's loveyourmindtay.org. Brought to you by the Hunsman Mental Health Institute and the Ad Council.