Hour 1: Dave La Greca joins the show

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast – Episode: Hour 1: Dave La Greca Joins the Show (Released June 26, 2025)

In the inaugural hour of the "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" podcast, hosts Don LaGreca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg welcome special guest David LaGreca, Don's brother and the driving force behind the newly launched SiriusXM channel, Pro Wrestling Nation 24/7. This episode delves deep into David's journey in the world of professional wrestling broadcasting, personal anecdotes, and reflections on the intersection of sports and entertainment.

---

1. Welcoming David LaGreca

The episode kicks off with a playful and relaxed atmosphere as Don LaGreca invites his brother, David, to join the show from SoHo.

Don LaGreca [00:53]:
"David LaGreca, of course, made this all happen. And I just couldn't be proud of you."

David shares his initial struggles and eventual triumph in launching his wrestling show, highlighting the support and skepticism he faced along the way.

---

2. The Rick Serone Incident and Its Impact

David recounts a pivotal moment involving ESPN New York's Rick Serone, which significantly influenced his career path.

David LaGreca [02:54]:
"He apologized to me. And then I am now able to watch the Yankees again."

This incident not only rekindled David's passion for the Yankees but also set him on the path to embrace professional wrestling, a transition that Peter Rosenberg humorously connects to David's innate passion for wrestling in his DNA.

---

3. Launch of Pro Wrestling Nation 24/7

A significant portion of the episode centers around David's announcement of his own SiriusXM channel dedicated to professional wrestling.

David LaGreca [05:37]:
"Starting July 1, Busted Open will be Pro Wrestling Nation 24.7, our own channel on SiriusXM."

Peter Rosenberg [07:25]:
"Cheap Heat Live will be on this channel every Friday noon to 2, starting next week."

David details the evolution of his show from a weekly one-hour slot to a full-fledged 24/7 channel, emphasizing the dedication and perseverance required to achieve this milestone.

---

4. Overcoming Adversity and Pursuing Passion

The conversation shifts to David's journey, balancing a 9-to-5 job while nurturing his true passion for wrestling.

David LaGreca [10:15]:
"I've learned from you, you're the same way."

Don lauds David's determination, recalling their shared history of producing shows and overcoming various professional challenges, including David's stint as a bank manager.

---

5. Personal Anecdotes and Wrestling Memories

David and Don share nostalgic memories of attending wrestling events, highlighting the bond their shared love for wrestling has forged between them and their family.

David LaGreca [32:37]:
"I took you to William Patterson College to see a show, and Piper was there, Snuka was there."

These stories not only humanize David but also showcase the deep-rooted connection he has with the wrestling community.

---

6. The Intersection of Wrestling and Traditional Sports

A significant discussion point revolves around how modern sports mimic the scripted drama of professional wrestling, blurring the lines between genuine competition and performative storytelling.

David LaGreca [17:27]:
"Athletes are cutting promos on other athletes all the time. There's feuds and that's like a quintessential pro wrestling feud right there."

The hosts explore how contemporary sports incorporate narrative elements to engage audiences, drawing parallels to wrestling's longstanding tradition of storytelling.

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7. Comparisons Between Wrestling and Other Major Events

David and Peter compare WrestleMania to events like the Super Bowl, discussing accessibility and fan engagement.

Peter Rosenberg [45:32]:
"WrestleMania has become extremely pricey, but it's still more accessible than the Super Bowl for the average fan."

They highlight WrestleMania's focus on fan experience and storytelling, contrasting it with the more corporate nature of other major sports events.

---

8. Reflections on Family and Personal Growth

The conversation takes a heartfelt turn as David reflects on his relationship with his father and how his passion for wrestling influenced their bond.

Don LaGreca [20:57]:
"There's no doubt. But I don't think. I think I would love to take you to an event now."

David shares anecdotes about his father's initial skepticism and eventual pride in his career, illustrating the personal sacrifices and support that underpin his professional achievements.

---

9. Building Relationships Within the Wrestling Community

David discusses his interactions with notable figures in the wrestling world, emphasizing the collaborative and supportive nature of the community.

David LaGreca [42:10]:
"My all-time hero and my favorite wrestler of all time is Ric Flair. To call him a friend is surreal."

These relationships have been instrumental in shaping his career and the success of Pro Wrestling Nation 24/7.

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10. Future Plans and Closing Remarks

As the episode wraps up, David shares his excitement for the future of Pro Wrestling Nation 24/7, outlining upcoming shows and initiatives.

David LaGreca [50:27]:
"Pro Wrestling Nation launches July 1, 24/7 on SiriusXM. It's a great story. Safe home."

Don and Peter express their pride and support for David, highlighting the podcast's commitment to covering both sports and the vibrant world of professional wrestling.

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Notable Quotes

• Don LaGreca [00:07]:
  "I hope you make the team."

• David LaGreca [05:37]:
  "Starting July 1, Busted Open will be Pro Wrestling Nation 24.7, our own channel on SiriusXM."

• Peter Rosenberg [18:04]:
  "It's the main part. I mean, I think Dave would... What I love is pro wrestling."

• David LaGreca [47:49]:
  "You gotta care about the fans. Otherwise it goes away."

• Peter Rosenberg [48:15]:
  "There's just a lot of good people in this business."

---

Conclusion

The first hour of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" effectively sets the stage for a podcast that seamlessly blends sports with the dynamic world of professional wrestling. Through heartfelt stories, professional insights, and a celebratory announcement of Pro Wrestling Nation 24/7, the hosts and guest David LaGreca provide listeners with an engaging and comprehensive look into their passions and careers. This episode not only honors David's accomplishments but also underscores the enduring bond of family and the relentless pursuit of one's passions.

Transcript

[Don LaGreca]

Close your eyes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Exhale.

[Don LaGreca]

Feel your body relax. And let go of whatever you're carrying today.

[David LaGreca]

Well, I'm letting go of the worry.

[Don LaGreca]

That I wouldn't get my new contacts in time for this class. I got them delivered free from 1-800-contacts. Oh my gosh, they're so fast. And breathe. Oh, sorry.

[David LaGreca]

I almost couldn't breathe when I saw.

[Don LaGreca]

The discount they gave me on my first order. Oh, sorry. Namaste. Visit 1-800-contacts.com today to save on your first order. 1-800-contacts. Don. I was fighting with obesity. I wore.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're losing Han, Don.

[David LaGreca]

Peter. Thank you, Alan. I hope you make the team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And Rosenberg. Richard, have you ever heard of Brazzers?

[Don LaGreca]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This isn't North Dakota, this is New York. This is Don Hahn and Rosenberg on 880 ESPN and the ESPN New York.

[Don LaGreca]

App, 3 o' clock in the big city. Don Hahn and Rosenberg with you until 6:30. Then it's Mets baseball, Mets, Braves. As the Mets finally get a win. Last Yankees too. But I gotta be honest with you, I want to talk about something different at this particular moment.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh boy. Hold on.

[Don LaGreca]

We're going to talk about the Knicks coach. We're going to talk about the Yankees win. We're going to talk about the Mets win. But my brother, thank you. My blood is David Lagreca and he's at my right, he's in studio. And we're going to say hello to my brother who came all the way over here to SoHo to say hello.

[David LaGreca]

Hello.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wow. Can you believe it?

[David LaGreca]

I'm excited.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Great job everybody.

[David LaGreca]

I was excited about talking about the Yankees, my team, the New York Yankees.

[Don LaGreca]

Did you hear this thing?

[David LaGreca]

It's my team.

[Don LaGreca]

He had Rick Cerrone on a couple of months ago and all of a sudden now the Yankees are his team. What's their record?

[David LaGreca]

But I have no idea how many.

[Don LaGreca]

Games in first place. Who's their best player?

[David LaGreca]

I have no idea.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But you know their best player. Do you know the best player?

[David LaGreca]

Aaron Judge.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There you go. Who says this man doesn't know baseball?

[David LaGreca]

Baseball left and right. And it wasn't just that Rick Serone came on the show, it's that he apolog to me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wait, why did Rick Serone owe Dave legreco an apology?

[David LaGreca]

Oh, can I tell this story?

[Don LaGreca]

Don, tell the story.

[David LaGreca]

I can't believe that we're starting with this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I love where we are.

[David LaGreca]

I like this start, but July 1982.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right.

[David LaGreca]

Yankee Brewers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[David LaGreca]

I'm a huge Yankee fan. My brother will tell you Yankee memorabilia, posters, pictures Everywhere.

[Peter Rosenberg]

In my room in the early days.

[Don LaGreca]

Yes. Cutting out articles in the newspaper, putting in the marble notebook. Okay.

[David LaGreca]

The jersey, the stirrup, the whole nine.

[Don LaGreca]

Wow. Stirrups.

[David LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a very interesting.

[David LaGreca]

Go to the Yankees, brewers game. Game's over. And I'm like, I'm gonna get the opportunity to meet my favorite Yankees. Reggie Jackson walks by, not even a look.

[Don LaGreca]

And that's. That couldn't have surprised you.

[David LaGreca]

Tommy John walks by. He gives me the hand. The hand.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, they didn't have surgery after.

[David LaGreca]

No time for me. They won the game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why are they in a good mood?

[David LaGreca]

But here comes my favorite player, Rick Cerrone.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, boy.

[Don LaGreca]

His favorite player.

[David LaGreca]

Favorite player walks right by. No acknowledgement. I went home that night, tore down all my Yankee posters and pictures. Never watched another game until May of 2025. Because Rick Serone came on the show, had no idea what he was in for. I told him the whole story. He said, who are you out there with? I said, my mom. He said, was she hot? I said, that's a judgment call. He said, that's probably why I didn't acknowledge you. And then apologize to me. And then I am now able to watch the Yankees again.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is now, you see, you thought that this was irrelevant to the conversation at hand, but it's completely irrelevant. Because the kind of kid that Dave Legreco was that he was so disturbed by this incident that he went home and tore the posters off the wall. That is why the man lives and dies with pro wrestling the way that he does. That's your DNA.

[David LaGreca]

Well, here's the thing. That game in question was a Wednesday, three days later, on a Saturday, three days later, I'm by my buddy Jeff's house. He's watching Georgia Championship wrestling on tbs. First time ever watch wrestling. Fell in love.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wait, literally the same week, three days.

[David LaGreca]

After Rick Serone gave me the E.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So wait, hold on. The thing gas face something else.

[David LaGreca]

But this is terrestrial radio.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The thing that we're here to talk about today, you're saying may have never happened if not for the Rick Serone moment.

[David LaGreca]

And I even thanked him, too, because in my opening monologue today, Peter, I don't know if you listened, you know, breaking news today about our future.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, yeah, that's big news.

[David LaGreca]

I not only acknowledged the people that supported me, but I acknowledged the people that did not support me and gave them a thank you. Because the people who don't support you also give you the fuel.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[David LaGreca]

To succeed. So in a passive aggressive way, I thank Rick Stella and so with that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Tell the people here listening to us what your big announcement was today.

[David LaGreca]

Well, for those who listen to the show, regular my brother has touted it, and I thank him. And you, Peter. I started what some executives might call a very small wrestling show, one hour once a week back in 2009.

[Don LaGreca]

You have pinhead suits there, too.

[David LaGreca]

Grew. Oh, please. Grew, grew and grew to. Starting July 1, Busted Open will be Pro Wrestling Nation 24. 7, our own channel on SiriusXM.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I remember. I remember the infancy. And here we are, a full 24. 7 channel.

[David LaGreca]

Naysayers are listeners to this show. Wrestling. Oh, my God.

[Don LaGreca]

No, it's true.

[David LaGreca]

Why is Peter talking wrestling? This is a sports show. Well, guess what, fool? You continue to do your meaningless job that you do every day.

[Don LaGreca]

Here we go.

[David LaGreca]

Nobody cares.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Cut it.

[David LaGreca]

And now I have my own channel on SiriusXM talking the predetermined sport, pro wrestling scripted.

[Don LaGreca]

Good for you, man. I'm so proud of you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's pretty cool.

[Don LaGreca]

It's something that he's been talking about and really, he mentioned it in his monologue today. It's something his audience was begging for and got. And that's pretty cool. That just shows you that when the voices rise up, they can move mouth.

[David LaGreca]

Yes, thank you.

[Don LaGreca]

And they were able to do something that was. Why does anybody want to talk about wrestling to now it's an entire channel. And, Peter, you're going to be a part of that channel.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, so. So I'm very excited to announce. I did earlier today. I haven't put up my official post yet. I'm about to do it. I finally was waiting for my graphic to come back. Cheap Heat, the wrestling podcast once of Grant Lynn, once of espn, once of the ringer, is now in its rightful home with Sirius xm. Thanks to my friend Dave legreca, thanks to Eddie, thanks to everyone over over at Busted Open, who got us a part of the Pro Wrestling Nation 24. 7. Cheap Heat Live.

[David LaGreca]

Cheap Heat Live. So now you get to take calls the whole.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So Fridays, Fridays from noon to 2, my wrestling program, Cheap Heat Live, will be on this channel that Dave is curating and super duper excited about this. This is. This is. Listen to me. What's so thrilling about it is when you're trying to grow something, you know, you have your audience, and it's hard to branch out and find new people with a podcast. The beauty of this channel is, is that everybody out there who loves wrestling, it's programmed. They get in their car, they go, let me throw on pro Wrestling Nation and see what's going on.

[David LaGreca]

Yep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I'm just excited that new people on a Friday when they're heading out of town for the weekend at one o' clock in the afternoon, what's going on here? And they'll find Cheap Heat. I'm just very excited to be a part of it.

[Don LaGreca]

I'm really just thrilled for you, David. I mean, it just. It's amazing what you were able to accomplish with that show. And I saw it from the ground up and you worked your tail off to get to where you are right now. I can remember him producing my shows here at ESPN in its infancy when I was doing Saturday shows and he was producing my NHL live show way back 20 years ago and, you know, working over at WFAN and unfortunately, when you're behind the scenes, you gotta find other work. And he was working at a bank and he was working at jobs.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I've heard about the bank that just he.

[Don LaGreca]

He was above, but he had to do banks.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They didn't work out, right?

[Don LaGreca]

No, it didn't work.

[David LaGreca]

Listen, I became a bank. I was a manager.

[Don LaGreca]

He was.

[David LaGreca]

I was a manager. I ran my own branch.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You ran your own branch.

[David LaGreca]

You don't know. Listen, you gotta do what you do. You try to succeed as best as you can with whatever's given to you. But you know what your true passion is? This is my true passion and I love it. Like my brother said, I produced here at ESPN Radio in New York. I remember producing my brother's Saturday show. I remember very clearly. I remember booking Michael Irvin, former Cowboys wide receiver.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[David LaGreca]

The general manager of the station calling me. I could say this, right?

[Don LaGreca]

We'll see.

[David LaGreca]

I remember the general manager of the station calling me and yelling at me and saying, why the hell do you have Michael Irvin on your radio? This is New York. Nobody cares about a former cowboy. And I just educated the general manager of the station that well, by the way, just so you know, Michael Irvin has signed with espn.

[Don LaGreca]

You're welcome. And he's also, you know, ton of.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Cowboy fans in New York. Never mind that he's a pretty big player. I mean, come on.

[Don LaGreca]

But the adversity that he had to go through working at Cintas, watching people crying, having to go into work because they just hated their job that much. To now being able to not only get on the air and do a show that many people thought, why would you do a show about wrestling? That's silly. Growing it into his own channel, I couldn't be prouder.

[David LaGreca]

I Appreciate that.

[Don LaGreca]

You put a challenge in front of him, he spits on it and just moves on to the next challenge and the next challenge after that.

[David LaGreca]

I learned from you, you're the same way.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, because that's the way it is. Sometimes you gotta take. You wait to be given and sometimes you gotta go out there and you gotta take it. And you took this and today is your day to shine. You're making the rounds promoting this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well. And also, this is a real cool thing for anyone listening out there, because a lot of people, I'm sure, Dave, you get this too. A lot of people ask us all, how do you find your way into this business, which is a very weird and hard business to get into. And I find that for most of us who do radio, and I'm not, podcasting is a different story. For most of us who do radio, it's not the easiest road to getting to any level of success. But, Dave, yours in particular is the real grind. I mean, you ended up producing it serious. And you're producing whatever show. I didn't even know what shows you were producing when you started showing up and doing Busted Open and you were at Radio Row and I would start see you, I would see you come around to do the wrestling interviews and I would be there doing interviews. I didn't know what your main job was at Sirius. I had no clue. I just know, oh, that's probably. Probably before I even worked with you. That's that guy, Dom Lagreca's brother, and he does a wrestling show. But really, you had a real job. That was your serious 9 to 5 that you were grinding with. And this is the lesson for people. You said, I'm doing the 9 to 5 producing this Fakocta Sports. I don't really care about that much. What I love is pro wrestling. Can I get an hour?

[David LaGreca]

That's it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And how long did it take? How long did you even have to work to just get them to give you the hour on the air?

[David LaGreca]

It took probably two years. I started the show with Doug Morbin. It probably took us two years of trying to convince them to give us an hour. And then as you know, and everybody kind of sleeps on how popular pro wrestling. Pro wrestling probably right now is more popular than it's ever been. It happened. Everything after that started to happen quickly because of the popularity of pro wrestling. But to your point, I worked a regular nine to five years.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What was your shift? So when you started doing Busted Open as a one hour show, when did it air?

[David LaGreca]

Originally, it ended it started at 2 o' clock in the afternoon.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What day?

[David LaGreca]

It was on Tuesdays.

[Peter Rosenberg]

On Tuesdays for an hour. What was your main job at that time?

[David LaGreca]

I was serious. I was the producer of the morning show on NFL Radio.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who was that? Who was doing that show?

[David LaGreca]

Bob Papa.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Got it. So you were doing Bob Papa's opening drive.

[David LaGreca]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then you'd have your one hour and you would just live for that hour every week. Like I get to have this put together. One hour.

[David LaGreca]

Yeah. And then it got to be two days, then it got three days, then it expanded to two hours, then we got five days and it just went from there.

[Don LaGreca]

I just remember, like talking to him about how he was just trying to get it to five days a week. And the one thing that Dave does so well is getting the audience involved. And they all wanted it more than just the three days a week. They wanted five days a week. And then five days a week ended up becoming, you know, seven days a week, then becoming his own channel. It is really just amazing to see how it grows. The perseverance to be able to take something and make it into what it is today.

[David LaGreca]

The name of the channel is not Busted Open. The name of the channel is Pro Wrestling Nation 24 7. I wanted to make sure and I named the channel. I wanted to make sure that it was based on our fans and the nation who has supported us for 16 years. It's not about me. It's not about the brand. It's about the fans. And I wanted to make sure that that name reflected the. The busted open nation that has supported us for 16 years.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah. And it's amazing. He does a great job. And all of the different people, Peter, you know this. That are into wrestling. I mean, did you tell me the people, the celebrities.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, yeah. Some of the best relationships I have.

[Don LaGreca]

That you've become close to because they listen to your show.

[David LaGreca]

Not WrestleMania. Not WrestleMania. SummerSlam is coming up in August. Two nights at MetLife Stadium. This isn't WrestleMania. This is SummerSlam crazy. Two nights at MetLife stadium.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now, listen, I'm not done. Let's be honest. I'm going to have to be careful. Okay. Being a part of Pro Wrestling Nation 24 7. By the way, I put the 247 in. 24 7.

[David LaGreca]

Oh, yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You had to have a 247 champion.

[David LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

To slap right on you.

[David LaGreca]

And congratulations. That will be remembered forever. That reign was historic.

[Don LaGreca]

Thank you.

[David LaGreca]

But yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now it's now on the 24 7.

[Don LaGreca]

Brief but historic.

[David LaGreca]

No, but you're a Former WWE title holder.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's right. That's right now. But here's the thing I have to be careful of. I am underemployed by wwe, and it's a decent deal. It certainly helps my life and a dream. It's a dream, and it's better than some other things I do. It does quite well for me. Your brother, he doesn't hold back. This man has managed to have relationships with WWE and aew, while also, I said have relationships. That includes all kinds of things.

[Don LaGreca]

Sure does.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I know him while, you know, really speaking freely. So I'm joking about me, you know, having to be careful. I know I've gotten pretty good at learning my line of being critical and attacking the things that make sense without saying things that. That Dave could get away with because he's not an employee of wwe.

[David LaGreca]

The Rock has come after me not once, but twice.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's the boss.

[David LaGreca]

That's the final boss. That's the final boss. I don't know what would happen if I ever met him face to face. Seriously.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I do. He'd probably pour a mighty shot of taramana. That's my guess. And he'd say, let's talk pro wrestling. Because that guy just lives pro wrestling. So I think he loves it. Is my guess. By the way, if he really felt strongly about how if he wasn't working and he really was angry, you guys wouldn't have WWE guests on every week.

[David LaGreca]

That's true.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a great point.

[David LaGreca]

Natalia is one of our hosts.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I got approved. I went to them to get approval for it. Like they approved me. Natalia, Sam. Yeah, Sam's approved. Everyone's got an approval to be there, so there's a reason for it.

[Don LaGreca]

So the big day is upon us.

[David LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

24. 7.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The day is Tuesday. Don.

[Don LaGreca]

The day is July 1st. July 1st is when it launches.

[David LaGreca]

Today we made the announcement. We go 24. 7.

[Don LaGreca]

Pro Wrestling Nation. 24. 7. July 1st. Channel 156.

[David LaGreca]

Yep.

[Don LaGreca]

On Sirius XM.

[David LaGreca]

Yes.

[Don LaGreca]

David LaGreca, of course, made this all happen. And I just couldn't be proud of you. I appreciate it. This is really just awesome. And you know, the thing that David brings up to me all the time, because we talk all the time, is how much actual sports have become a form of wrestling. Really, when you. When you see players demand trades or they complain after a game, it's almost like they're cutting the promo. Right? I mean, it's really interesting. As much as I think the sports world wants to shun wrestling because it's performative. It's scripted, it's not real. But if they woke up, they'd realize that the sports that they're watching that are supposed to be above and so much better than wrestling is becoming wrestling.

[David LaGreca]

It really is. I mean, I think the athletes are cutting promos on other athletes all the time. I mean there's feuds and that. What does that do? Look what's going on in the WNBA right now with Caitlyn and Angel Reese. Yeah, that's like a quintessential pro wrestling feud right there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

People are just desperate to have. That's what I find so funny.

[David LaGreca]

It's a storyline, you know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, it's, it's like the way people treat wrestling. It's like racists who sit in the sun and tan all day. You people say you hate wrestling but you're desperate to find drama in all your sports. So why are you mad at us who just own the fact that we really enjoy the drama part of it.

[David LaGreca]

Love it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's the main part. I mean, I think Dave would. I don't know if you'd agree with me, but I'm guessing you would. If I have a week where I'm rushing through TV because there's a lot of wrestling television on, what gets fast forwarded through is probably the matches. I have to get to what the big promo points were on the microphone.

[David LaGreca]

The mic work is probably more important than the actual stuff that's going on and that's important too.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But pay per view is different story. You get to a ple and the matches are very important. But on weekly tv, the drama and what's being said and how we're advancing the stories is probably the most important thing going.

[David LaGreca]

You're a Washington fan. My brother's a giant fan. Like you appreciate. You both appreciate football. But are you going to watch two sub 500 teams that have no chance of making the playoffs? Are you going to watch that game? Probably not. Even though. But you love football, right? But why do you watch your Giants? Because you're a fan. There's a story there. They're fighting for first place or they're fighting for a playoff spot. There's a story or this player is in the news or these two players don't like each other. That's pro wrestling. That's pro wrestling. You need a story. If you just are watching because I love football or I love baseball, then sit and watch two teams that are terrible.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. You're not that you have no connection to and some do.

[Don LaGreca]

But. But that doesn't move the needle. But that doesn't move the needle.

[David LaGreca]

You don't want to have a beer with that guy. But you know, what I'm saying is.

[Don LaGreca]

There needs to be a story tomorrow.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now let me ask a question. What would. Don't your. Because you mentioned at times the sometimes fraught relationship between your brother and your father. What would your father say on this day?

[Don LaGreca]

He would be. Here's the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

About your brother's. Yo, yo. Wrestling turning into.

[Don LaGreca]

I got. I gotta think about this because one of my favorite stories about my dad and dad comes up a lot on this show is when I first got to the Fan. And that was a dream, all right. To work at WFA and growing up watch. Listening to that radio station and finally getting a chance to do updates. My dad knew how important that was to me and he cared about my career. First day I do updates, overnights at the Fan, my father's work and shift work, listening to it. I come home all anxious. I said, dad, what you think? He goes, that music underneath you is very irritating. I'm like, okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's all the feedback we got.

[Don LaGreca]

Because he was old school and I could tell. And then later on, he was very proud of me. Very proud of what. What David was doing too. He would be. He'd be immensely proud, but he probably would get his shots in about. You know, it's wrestling and it's scripted, but he took you to wrestling.

[David LaGreca]

Probably more about me. Like, I never really thought you were going to amount to anything. Well, listen, things like that.

[Don LaGreca]

There is. But you did it there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You fight it yourself.

[Don LaGreca]

Because just fell into. Listen, we can't share half of the stuff on the air, but you made it challenging for him. Just the fact that you were a Yankee fan only because dad was a Met fan. You became a cowboy fan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why?

[Don LaGreca]

Because dad was a giant fan. You were that song you did live to antagonize him. And many made. People say we might have gotten a few years out of him and had it not been for Dave. I'm not gonna say that.

[David LaGreca]

But many people might have just did.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Many people might point out because David.

[Don LaGreca]

Did put dad through a lot.

[David LaGreca]

I did.

[Don LaGreca]

But he loved him. I'll never remember he worked at grand union of the many jobs that he had before he became famous. And being typical David, he always referred to it as the Goo. You know, gu.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I've heard. I've heard your stories of the Goo before.

[Don LaGreca]

And David got let go and he came home. My father's sitting there watching TV as he with his feet up. I'm sitting there on the couch because we weren't allowed to sit in the chair where my dad would sit. And David comes home getting fired from Grand Union, singing Happy, happy joy, joy, happy, happy, joy. Because he just was so excited not to have to work at the Goo.

[David LaGreca]

Anymore and I could collect unemployment because I got fired.

[Don LaGreca]

And my father looked at me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Spoken like a true winner, right?

[Don LaGreca]

My father looked at me as the better son, the son that had it figured out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don LaGreca]

And then looked at me and just, it just shakes his head like it's not going to work with him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's just not going to work.

[Don LaGreca]

It's not going to happen.

[David LaGreca]

Set very low expectations. But any little bit of success, in.

[Don LaGreca]

All honesty, seriously, Dave, he, he would be so proud of you. And also shocked and surprised.

[David LaGreca]

No, but all at the same time. I think I have both those feelings. But no, I'm very, I'm very, very happy for your that you supported me this whole way. I'm so happy that Peter's going to be a part of this project. It's 16 years in the making, but we finally did it. And thanks to Sirius xm, Eddie Brasili, everybody behind it that made this happen. So I'm excited about the future. And it's channel 156, Pro Wrestling Nation 24 7. 24 hours a day, seven days a week starting July 1st. You can hear pro wrestling talk with some of the greatest minds in the history of pro wrestling, which Peter is one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, stop. I don't know if I'm that. But I'll give you an entertaining show every Friday noon to 2, starting next week. I'm going to start on July 4, so all people are barbecuing because, you know, it's an awkward week. It's July 1st, right? But I'm not taking off July 4th. We got to do the show.

[Don LaGreca]

Are you going to tell you opening monologue going to be how much better you are than all the people that have taken off the way Michael did on Memorial Day?

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's exactly what I should do.

[David LaGreca]

And you know what? We were all going to be off that day.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're live too, right?

[David LaGreca]

I'm live too.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, we're going live. We're live, pal.

[Don LaGreca]

Right, because it's a birth of a nation. Pro Wrestling Nation 24 7. That's right. That's what it is. The Fourth of July is the birth of a new nation. Can you hang out? Would you mind hanging out with the.

[David LaGreca]

Philosophy here for a while?

[Don LaGreca]

I know you're all.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, let's, let's, let's talk to people.

[David LaGreca]

Fans really want me around.

[Don LaGreca]

Why wouldn't they?

[Peter Rosenberg]

By the way, maybe people have questions for Dave about Don or anything.

[David LaGreca]

Or challenge me on the wrestling or.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Tell him how much you hate professional wrestling and think he's a loser.

[Don LaGreca]

He'll respond well to him or does.

[David LaGreca]

How much I need to tell him get a championship.

[Don LaGreca]

There is something I want to tell my brother when we come back.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Don LaGreca]

I think it's going to be very, very important moving forward.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Really it is.

[Don LaGreca]

Don Hahn and Rosenberg hanging out till 6:30. Then it's Mets baseball right here on ESPN New York. You want to get the most for your money. That's why more Mazda buyers choose Ramsey Mazda Lisa Do 25 Mazda CX 5229 for 36 months or a buy with 1.9% financing up to 36 months. Start shopping now at Ramsey Mazda dot com. Choose wisely. Choose Ramsey Mazda. Call 833-853-2970 for details. Excludes tax, title, registration 0 Security Deposit Fin SN 317145 MSRP 32880 and 63025.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don LaGreca]

Summer's here, and Nordstrom has everything you need for your best dress season ever, from beach days and weddings to weekend getaways in your everyday wardrobe, discover stylish options under $100 from tons of your favorite brands like Mango Skims, Princess Polly and madewell. It's easy, too, with free shipping and free returns in store order, pickup and more Shop today in stores [e-mail] or download the Nordstrom app.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[David LaGreca]

From bold refreshers to rich cold brews, the sunniest season only gets better with the handcrafted ice beverage in your hand.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Available for a limited time, your summer favorites are ready at Starbucks. Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I didn't listen to anything you just said. Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.

[Don LaGreca]

Game Time is brought to you by Tellam or do Irish Whiskey. Because when it's game time fellas, I'm your idol. The highest title.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hey, there it is. Took a second, wasn't right. Not sure what happen. It's tolly time.

[Don LaGreca]

The Mets close out their series with the Braves coverage immediately following us right here on 880 at 6:30 Tullamore. Due the original triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast matured Iris whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or Tullamore Dew honey during today's action. Glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew responsibly. All right. David's known for his rants and if you do happen to rant today and we want to take calls at 1-800-919-377, we are still under FCC regulations so please be careful. I do think that's his cheat code though. Like his rants are always be better than mine cuz he can go there. I can't go there. Peter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You can't. You can't. But I wouldn't say they're better than yours. Why are you saying they're better than yours?

[Don LaGreca]

Well I think people they're more often.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well that's he brings a lot of them. He supplies the people with what they want. You keep your people waiting sometimes four.

[Don LaGreca]

Months for a rant and I'm wondering where that comes from. Cuz I wouldn't say mom or dad. Dad have any kind of rant in them. I, I don't. We didn't really meet our grandparents on my father on our dad's side but mom's grandpa and grandma on mom's side weren't rant people. Where does this come from?

[David LaGreca]

I don't know. But I know for me it's wrestling. Like wrestling gets me to rant because you want to be frustrated. Try watching wrestling every week. It gets you frustrated.

[Don LaGreca]

All right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But.

[Don LaGreca]

But I'm not a Russ. I'm not a wrestling guy. That's the one regret that I have with his Career is. I. I can't follow the way I wanted to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You haven't tried.

[Don LaGreca]

It's not my thing.

[David LaGreca]

You haven't tried, though. It's hard.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listen, I was working on Game of Thrones yesterday. It's one step at a time with this guy. I don't know if we're getting him to pick up wrestling at this point.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, I'm not anti wrestling. I love. This is not. You can't be into everything, Peter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No. You never treat it disrespectfully. Never.

[Don LaGreca]

And I was a part of those things with him growing up. Right. We went through those things together. I take.

[David LaGreca]

You didn't want to be there, but.

[Don LaGreca]

That shows you that I was a good brother.

[David LaGreca]

You are a good brother. There's no doubt. But I don't think. I think I would love to take you to an event now. And I think the only thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, the only thing he's taking you to is an indie show in New Jersey with like 200 people.

[David LaGreca]

Yeah, that's not good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, he's got a legend. No, no. You went to one AEW show, too, didn't you?

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, he took me there over at.

[David LaGreca]

The Rock, and I like the ISPW show. I took you was great. I took you to aew, but you're on your phone the most of the time.

[Don LaGreca]

But we were.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, who was playing? You know, was there a Canucks game that night?

[Don LaGreca]

Well, I just remember being into it when I was a kid, and we'd watch something and Superfly Jimmy Snuka was. Was performing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sure.

[David LaGreca]

Today.

[Don LaGreca]

And then Roddy Piper did a Piper's pit. And then like a week later, we went to William Patterson College to see a show, and Piper was there, Snuka was there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay. I've never heard this, I don't think, have I?

[Don LaGreca]

And it's the exact same thing I saw on television a week before. And that's when it, like, crystallized. Like, this is not like going to a baseball game with dad. This is the exact same thing I saw on television.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then it was explained. Similar, Max, but you have similar aspects.

[Don LaGreca]

It's kind of scripted, but there was that time where I was just trying to figure out, how can the exact same thing be happening?

[David LaGreca]

Well, because this is the tail end of the Territories, where not everything was televised, so you could kind of get away with some of those things. But you have a keen eye.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Did you ever find, Dave, that the people who seem to be the loudest when they would talk to you about hating professional wrestling? I found for a long Time. They were the people who were the most duped by it, thinking it was real.

[David LaGreca]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And also they felt offended by it at school.

[David LaGreca]

Like, a lot of the people that made fun of me for being a wrestling fan, like in 87, when it really hit, like WrestleMania 3, they became wrestling fans.

[Don LaGreca]

But there were. Yeah, there were moments for me where we talked about this, Peter. Like watching the Hulk versus the Iron Sheik. I remember watching that with dad as if we were watching, like a big giant game or watching a big Met game. That looked like a big deal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Mr. Dan Maloney.

[David LaGreca]

I would tell you now, if that match happened today, Iron Sheik would be the babyface and Hogan would be the heel.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, my God. That is so. If no words are truer at this moment, Iron Cheek would be the biggest.

[David LaGreca]

Baby face and Hogan would be booed.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Out of the building. I mean, he. Currently. He continuously gets booed out of the building. He does, Yep. What you gonna do when Hulkamania run wild on you?

[Don LaGreca]

And I remember, and I brought it up to Peter a few times, too. Sitting. My brother would sit there and videotape everything and watch wrestling on uhf. He would watch it on, like, Spanish stations. And he was watching a wrestling. It was all in Spanish. And Dusty Rhodes was in. Was in that. We've talked about this.

[David LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

Dusty Rhodes and whoever he was fighting, I guess, pulled his pants down. He had garter belts on J.J. dillon. And. And just the announcer speaking in Spanish.

[David LaGreca]

Is like the American dream.

[Don LaGreca]

Dusty Rhodes in garter belt and stockings.

[David LaGreca]

Was Hugo Savinovich on the play by Putt.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Was it?

[David LaGreca]

Yep, Hugo was doing the play by Putt.

[Don LaGreca]

So it started to lose me then. But, like, that shows that. How he craved it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He craved it, right? He wanted it in his blood.

[Don LaGreca]

That's my hockey. What hockey is for me is wrestling is Dave.

[Peter Rosenberg]

When. When did you start regularly going to shows? At what age?

[David LaGreca]

The first one I went to was late 83, so I was about 12.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then throughout the 80s. You went 80s MSG?

[David LaGreca]

No, the Meadowlands Arena.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Did you go to. You didn't go to Mania one?

[David LaGreca]

No, I was. I was more into the nwa, got it than I was into the wwf.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Did you now, did you go to NW Any. Any shows up here when Crockett would do stuff up north?

[David LaGreca]

Oh, yeah, I. All the time. 85, 86. And then once later on with WCW. Absolutely.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wow. Yeah, I never got to go. And I, you know, I grew up in the D.C. area, so it was the Capitol center and WCW run the Capital center as well.

[Don LaGreca]

They both.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I never went to a WCW show. I went to two WWF shows as a kid, and that was it.

[David LaGreca]

I was my dad, as my brother said, my dad took me all the time. That's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's so. That's interesting. And your dad did support.

[David LaGreca]

Oh, yeah. And he cheered, too.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He enjoyed it.

[David LaGreca]

Yeah, he enjoyed it.

[Don LaGreca]

He didn't have to be into it to show support. He was a good dad.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But he would. But he would actually pay attention when he was there.

[David LaGreca]

I remember seeing Hogan against Dr. D. David Schultz.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wow.

[David LaGreca]

And when Hogan came out, my dot. My dad jumped to his feet. And then I remember the Rock and Roll Express against the Midnight Express. Like, my dad said I could take both of them. Both guys of Rock and Roll Express. He goes, they look like skinny kids. I can take them both so good.

[Don LaGreca]

My dad, before his heart trouble, was an exceptionally strong guy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I've heard. I've heard the stories of his strength.

[David LaGreca]

And then my uncle took me once, and it was the Midnight Express, managed by Jim Cornette. And the Babyface was chasing Jim Cornette, and he was faking a heart attack. And my Uncle Bob was like, somebody help. The man's having a heart attack. Somebody help him.

[Don LaGreca]

Uncle Bob. And Polly's husband.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, well, I've heard about Aunt Polly.

[Don LaGreca]

What was. What did I take you to where mom gave you, like, 10 bucks to buy a hat?

[David LaGreca]

Yeah. It was the main event that night was George the Animal Steel against Danny Davis in a cage.

[Don LaGreca]

Wow.

[David LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

And he got a hat, a WWE hat.

[David LaGreca]

WWF @ the time.

[Don LaGreca]

Right. Because that's how far back it was. And we're on Route 17. And he wanted to know, could the hat stay on if I stick my head out the window? And it didn't stay on, and he wanted me to go back.

[David LaGreca]

Wouldn't do it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What hat was it? Do you remember how it was?

[David LaGreca]

It was the. It was the old school WWF logo hat.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like. Like. Like the bait. Like a styrofoamy baseball hat.

[David LaGreca]

Yeah, with a baseball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Or the painters. More like a painter.

[David LaGreca]

No, no, baseball cap.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Got it. Oh, man. Don, I would want to go back right now and find it. Let's go look for it.

[David LaGreca]

It's probably still there.

[Don LaGreca]

Well, I think I did the right thing not, you know, playing frogger on Route 17, trying to get the hat back.

[David LaGreca]

You're teaching me a lesson. Nothing good can come from sticking your head out the window while the car is in motion.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Dave, have you had any moments now that you're a father, where you think about how you drove Your dad nuts. And think different of it and think like, oh, God, I hope I don't get the same thing.

[David LaGreca]

Oh, yeah. Even at the time when I was doing it and I did some questionable things, I knew I probably shouldn't be doing this. My brother was more the guy that was like, I can't do this. You know, this isn't good. I kind of like doing bad.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's your version of the story of breaking Don's leg, by the way?

[David LaGreca]

No, Don broke my leg.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sorry. What's your version of the story of Don breaking your leg?

[David LaGreca]

Exactly. We were wrestling, I beat him, then he chased after me, ran up the stairs. He caught me by my right leg, dragged me down the stairs and broke my left leg.

[Don LaGreca]

But it wasn't. I didn't intend to break your leg.

[David LaGreca]

Well, you intended to do something. You dragged me down the stairs.

[Don LaGreca]

Because you ran.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Cuz you ran.

[David LaGreca]

And then I was like, dad, my leg. I think my legs broken. You got to be at work. I'm taking it to work. And I worked with a broken leg.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah. He bothered my. My father. You're like.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You were like the Kurt angle of children.

[David LaGreca]

That's right, that's right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like winning a gold medal with.

[Don LaGreca]

Many a. Times.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Many times.

[Don LaGreca]

Again, can't get a lot of detail, but many a times, dad in the LA Z Boy in the living room watching an old mash.

[David LaGreca]

Yes.

[Don LaGreca]

And David did something and dad would go and have to shut it off. Get out of the LA Z Boy and go take Dave to the hospital. Go pick Dave up because he got lost someplace. Interrupted many a MASH or Odd Couple because of your decision making.

[David LaGreca]

And I gotta be admit, for the longest time, I never watched Curb youb Enthusiasm, but everybody told I'm him. And I finally started watching it. I'm like, oh, my God, I am.

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah, well, he was. He had a thing. Like, he didn't watch his first Seinfeld like. Like maybe just a few months ago.

[David LaGreca]

No, I just started watching both Seinfeld and Curb youb Enthusiasm like within the year 2025.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, you had never watched either.

[David LaGreca]

No interest.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And how are you feeling now?

[David LaGreca]

Amazing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like, which are you liking more? Because it's very interesting. Curb. Yeah, Curbs better. Curb in the modern era feels though.

[David LaGreca]

The Library episode of Seinfeld may be the greatest episode of television in the history of television.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Which is the library episode.

[Don LaGreca]

The Booker. Because he's got the book that he never returned. Oh, yeah, yeah, That's a good one. Can't stand you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can't stand you. That's why yeah love Castanja With a.

[David LaGreca]

Venmo debit card, you can Venmo more than just your friends. You can use your balance in so many ways. You can Venmo everything. Need gas?

[Don LaGreca]

You can Venmo this.

[David LaGreca]

How about snacks? You can Venmo that. Your favorite band's merch? You can Venmo this or their next show? You can Venmo that. Visit Venmo Me Debit to learn more. The Venmo MasterCard is issued by the Bancorp bank and a pursuant to license by MasterCard International Incorporated. Card may be used everywhere. MasterCard is accepted.

[Don LaGreca]

Minimum purchase restrictions apply. This episode is brought to you by State Farm. Knowing you could be saving money for.

[David LaGreca]

The things you really want is a great feeling. Talk to a State Farm agent today to learn how you can choose to.

[Don LaGreca]

Bundle and save with the personal price plan. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

[David LaGreca]

Prices are based on rating plans that vary by state. Coverage options are selected by the customer.

[Don LaGreca]

Availability, amount of discounts and savings and eligibility vary by state.

[David LaGreca]

Hey there travelers. Kaley Cuoco here. Sorry to interrupt your music. Great artist BT Dubs, but wouldn't you rather be there to hear it live? With Priceline, you can get out of.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Your dreams and into your dream concert.

[David LaGreca]

They've got millions of travel deals to get you to that festival, gig, rave, sound, bath or sonic experience you've been dreaming of. Download the Priceline app today and you can save up to 60% off hotels and up to 50% off flights. So don't just dream about that trip.

[Don LaGreca]

Book it with Priceline. Go to your happy price.

[David LaGreca]

Priceline.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I didn't listen to anything you just said. Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.

[Don LaGreca]

ESPN New York has your chance to score two tickets to a special E60 score screening of Southpaw the Life and Legacy of Jim Abbott on Monday, July 7th at the Tribeca Tribeca Screening Room, including a special Q and A and meet and greet with Michael K and Jim Abbott. You can enter to win a pair of tickets on ESPN New York's app. Just find the contest tile and submit your entry brought to you by Bay Ridge Honda. Well, David's nice enough to join us here. My brother, David Legreca Pro Wrestling Nation launches July 1, so he's doing press for that. A show that he had one day a week begging to get three, begging to get five, now has his own channel so I couldn't be prouder of him. So I wanted to have him come up here and promote that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Dave, what was your, what was your age when the show really took fire and you started seeing the signs on TV and you're like, we've really, truly made it. How old were you?

[David LaGreca]

Are you talking about busted open? Yes, I would say that was probably our 10 year anniversary. So like six years ago. So I was, you know, 47 years old.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, isn't that an unbelievable, isn't that an awesome story for people to hear though, that you really hit your, like, first true critical mass as a professional at 47 years old?

[David LaGreca]

7 years old. Pretty cool, you know, you know, we, we drew, we just drew in Vegas for our live show, you know, 2,000 people, you know, to come, you know, and you know how Vegas is, man. That's, there's a lot going on and there's a lot going on and then you got to find the place and you know, we did it. But the fans are loyal, they follow.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And by the way, you know, respectfully, to the place that is now going to be throwing me a few bucks and having me do a show. We all know that Sirius xm, it's a lot of channels and a lot of shows. Some are really good and some are really good and don't get any ears because there's just too many things. So to be able to cut through all the channels that exist and all the options people have when they have serious and reach that many people, it says a lot about pro wrestling and it says a lot about the show that you guys have done.

[Don LaGreca]

Couple of things before we let you go. Who is the biggest celebrity you got to know through this show?

[David LaGreca]

Oh, I mean, for me personally, present.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Company excluded, of course.

[David LaGreca]

Of course. Well, I've been very lucky, you know, outside of wrestling, you know, Snake Sable from Skid Row, Lars Frederickson from Rancid.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Lars. That guy loves some wrestling.

[David LaGreca]

Yeah. So I've gotten to meet people outside of wrestling, but my all time hero and my favorite wrestler of all time is the nature boy, Ric Flair. So to be able to become, to call him a friend for me is surreal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So that's, it's a pretty good one.

[Don LaGreca]

And you got to know Billy Corrigan too, from Smashing Pumpkins. Right?

[David LaGreca]

Billy Corrigan, who runs nwa. I actually told him, one of the few people that told him to go F himself. So why did you on the air? Because he has his own podcast and he's extraordinary at it. And I was like, I had to go to school to learn this. And he just picked it up as a hobby. And you guys, he's really good. And I said, yeah, he's very good. So I told him to go scratch. Yeah.

[Don LaGreca]

And his reaction?

[David LaGreca]

Respectful. He laughed because it's lagreca. That's lagreca. You know, you know that.

[Don LaGreca]

That's La Greca.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, he has built a nice brand of. You can just say, well, that's Lagreca at the end. Which is a very nice thing to have.

[David LaGreca]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's.

[Don LaGreca]

What's the best event you've covered through busted open?

[David LaGreca]

Oh. I mean, doing WrestleManias is the first all in New Japan, when they're in Ring of Honor, when they're at Madison Square Garden, when nobody other than the WWE was ever able to perform the Garden. But WrestleMania. And you know, the biggest thing is, and as Peter knows, I changed the main event of WrestleMania 40.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, you know, it's. There are people who feel that way.

[David LaGreca]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

People feel he had quite an influence. The Rock has strong feelings about that.

[Don LaGreca]

That's why he was walking around in a robe in Philadelphia when we were down there.

[David LaGreca]

That's right. I am the Cody crybaby that the Rock was talking about. You're the definition of a Cody McAfee.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's right.

[Don LaGreca]

Is as somebody that got to cover Super Bowls and WrestleManias. Are there similarities between the two?

[David LaGreca]

There's no similarity. WrestleMania by far, far is a more fan friendly event. I think the super bowl for me, extremely corporate. WrestleMania, whether it's AEW, whether it's NWA, WWE, TNA, they know how important the fans are. So everything they structure is for the fans.

[Don LaGreca]

Awesome.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So it's a really good point. Like, because obviously WrestleMania weekend, there's a lot of money getting made. Right. No one's questioning that. But there is a certain level of like obligation to pleasing the fans that just hits a little bit different than the NFL. It is like, let me put it this way. WrestleMania has gotten extremely. It's pricey. It is up there. You want to go, especially in Vegas, it's a pricey ticket. It's not even in the same stratosphere. Like, if you are a regular hardworking person and you dream of going to WrestleMania and taking your kid, you can do it. Even with as expensive as it's gotten. No regular person can dream of realistically going to the super bowl. What, dropping 10 grand per ticket?

[Don LaGreca]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's just not an option now, is it. Is it the. Are we living in the prime era of. Do you remember that when Vince ran with the. The Best value in entertainment.

[David LaGreca]

It's a little different now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's a little.

[David LaGreca]

Yeah, it's become. It's a little different.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's become a little. There's a. There's a pricey ticket now.

[Don LaGreca]

There's a lot that didn't age well. There's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But, but. Yeah, but it's relative to the. Relative to the other major sports championship events. It's a way better deal.

[Don LaGreca]

The other thing I got to get to before we let you go.

[David LaGreca]

Thank you for having me on.

[Don LaGreca]

This is amazing, the way that we really bonded because we're. We're. There's a three and a half year difference.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, yeah, I've heard.

[Don LaGreca]

You know, I was born in 68. He was born in 71. Which growing up, we were close, but then there was a pretty big span of time where that three and a half years was pretty significant. A difference in interest and all that. The one thing that really kept us really bound for a long time was our love of football.

[David LaGreca]

Yes.

[Don LaGreca]

Maybe in a Giant fan, him being a Cowboy fan. But that's over for you now. Yeah. Like you were. This is before the Sunday ticket, Peter. So he was going out on Sundays with his buddies, watching the Cowboys at the bars, going to Dallas like he loved the Cowboys. An intense love of the Cowboys. One time, just in passing, Quentin Tarantino had something negative to say about the Cowboys. He shut down the Quentin movies because, like, he was a sick Cowboy fan. Now you don't even watch what happened.

[David LaGreca]

Completely detached. I think, you know, working with the NFL like I did, I think that's. It kills your fan. Now, the sausage was made, but wrestling's different. Every wrestler has a character, has a personality. They understand self promotion. They want that microphone in front of them. As you guys know, most major league players don't want that and don't understand the value of that. And I got to see that more and more and I got completely detached.

[Don LaGreca]

You know what I think, Peter? I wonder if you agree with this, that if you love something and you begin to cover it, let it go.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And if it comes back, it was meant to be.

[Don LaGreca]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, sorry. I thought this very.

[David LaGreca]

It was.

[Don LaGreca]

Listen, it would. If you hit with that, it would have been pretty big. You took your swing and you missed. I thought it was awesome that if you decide to cover something you love, it's going to go one of two ways. It's going to go the way David did with football, where you're going to lose interest because you see how the sausage is made. Or you'll Fall in love with it even more.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don LaGreca]

And I think that's what happened with me in hockey, and I think that's what happened with him with wrestling is that you take that chance of covering it and maybe exposing some things that you're not into, and then you kind of fall out of it. You covering it, it seems like you fell deeper in love with it.

[David LaGreca]

And that's awesome. I love it more than ever. I love it. I love it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, also, really doesn't hurt that the guys and girls who do it are like, generally wonderful.

[Don LaGreca]

Like, that does help.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I can't say 100% and. But Dave, I'm sure you would agree in your experience dealing with the talent, they're mostly awesome, like really good people. Quality, like this generation of people in the locker room are just good people for the most part.

[David LaGreca]

Agreed. I agreed. Right now in 2025, I think you're 100% right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's really. I mean, like, it's a lovely. I've never been to an AEW locker room, but in wwe, like, most everyone is like a.

[David LaGreca]

Well, like, you know, Will Ospreay, Swerve, Strickland, these guys, mjf, as you know, great guy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There's a lot. There's just a lot of good people in this business. And one of the things I always enjoyed about wrestling as opposed to sports is that wrestlers, they want to be entertainers, right? So you can interview an athlete and literally go, I love watching this person on the field. They have nothing to say. I want this to end. Because no wrestler is that way. No, because they're entertainers who want to communicate.

[Don LaGreca]

And you know what? I. And I've always felt like everything that you're saying about wrestling, I could say about hockey. All the players are great to deal with. And I think the difference is, is that they realize that marketing their sport is important. And I think when you get to big sports like football, basketball, even baseball, where the players don't feel like they have to market it right, they're almost aggravated by the fans. They're in the way. They want to just do their job. They don't care about forwarding the sport. They don't care about how much money the sport can make through them. They care about themselves. They care about their own dime. But the sports where, hey, listen, in wrestling, you gotta. You gotta care about the fans. Otherwise it goes away. It goes away with others, too. But I just think that some sports get so big, they feel like we don't have to promote, we don't have to care.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[David LaGreca]

Goes back to my story about Rick Serone. 1982, full circle, an hour.

[Don LaGreca]

And Tommy John, a man of God. You giving him the gas space?

[David LaGreca]

Yeah, the hand. He gave me the hand.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's not right.

[Don LaGreca]

That is a bad, bad man. Listen, this was amazing. I'm so proud of you.

[David LaGreca]

Thank you.

[Don LaGreca]

Thank you so much. Thank you to Pro Wrestling Nation. Launches 7-1-24 7 on Sirius 1:56. It's a great story. Safe home. I'll talk to you soon.

[David LaGreca]

Yep. Love you, Peter. Love you. Thank you, guys. Buddy, it really means a lot. Thank you.

[Don LaGreca]

All right, we got plenty to do. Ghost 6:30 is when we're going to get out of here. 1-800-919-3776. Talk some Mets, some Yankees, some Soto, some Nicks, all here on Don Hun and Rosenberg on ESPN New York now, you want to get the most for your money. That's why more Mazda buyers choose Ramsey Mazda. Lease a new 2025 CX90 preferred plug in hybrid for 299 for 24 months or buy with 1.9% financing for up to 36 months. Start shopping now at Ramsey Mazda dot com. Choose wisely. Choose Ramsey Mazda. Call 833-853-2970 for details. Excludes tax, title, registration, zero security deposit, VIN S 1194329 MSRP 51825 and 63025.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, man. I just want to know. It's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers.