Podcast Summary – Don, Hahn & Rosenberg

Hour 1: Schoen Stays & Seth Rollins
Date: January 5, 2026
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Special Guest: WWE Superstar Seth Rollins

Overview

The episode revolves around two main themes:

1. The ongoing instability and discussion around the New York Giants’ decision to retain General Manager Joe Schoen, with a particular focus on franchise ownership health concerns and the resulting organization dynamics.
2. An in-depth conversation with WWE Superstar Seth Rollins about his career, family, wrestling's evolving exposure, and his experience as a devoted Chicago Bears fan.

Throughout, the hosts maintain their trademark New York banter, offering sharp and humorous insights on sports drama, leadership personalities, and the cross-pollination of pop culture and athleticism.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Giants’ Leadership Crisis: Joe Schoen’s Retention

• Initial Reactions and Context ([03:20]–[09:16])

  • Don opens by explaining the Giants’ decision to keep Joe Schoen as GM, arguing that while there are valid opinions on both sides, recent dysfunction clouds everything:

    “You could really make the case either way, honestly ... If he deserves the job, then keep it. If he needs to be fired, get fired. What I don't like about it is twofold, guys: I want to punch the screen when I hear about continuity.” — Don ([03:20])

  • Skepticism over “continuity” when performance has been poor:

    “If the continuity sucks, you change it.” — Don ([03:54])

• Impact of John Mara’s Illness ([04:49]–[07:28])

  • The group discusses widespread speculation about owner John Mara’s health (unspecified cancer), how it has thrown operations into flux, and why retaining Schoen appears less about football than organizational stability:

    “...you saw John Mara get the game ball and you could see he’s not well ... maybe if John was well, they would make the change. But right now, how do I let him go when I've got an owner that may not be around very much longer?” — Don ([05:28])

  • Alan highlights how, in such situations, business decisions are often secondary:

    “There are things that are more important than football decisions.” — Alan ([06:44])

• Tanking vs. Pride and Growth ([07:28]–[09:16])

  • Don objects to the notion that the Giants should have tanked for draft position, instead taking pride in their win over the Cowboys and believing in quarterback Dart’s development:

    “I love the fact the Giants beat the Cowboys. They've got their quarterback. I love the fact that Dart threw two touchdown passes on third down. I still think there's value to him growing as a quarterback.” — Don ([08:46])

• Chaos and Dysfunction in the Giants’ Organization ([09:16]–[15:55])

  • Peter points out that, despite Schoen’s title, the organizational leader should be the head coach—a position the Giants have mishandled since Tom Coughlin.
  • The hosts debate whether keeping Schoen is a symptom of chaos or a bandaid in uncertain times:

    “There just aren’t a lot of football people in the room right now.” — Don ([15:42])

  • A recurring theme: The Giants aren’t truly choosing a coach—they’re effectively hoping a quality candidate chooses them.

Quotes on Giants Dysfunction:

• Alan:

  “Feel free to be gentle with the Giants on this day ... while also hammering that besides, there may be justification for the lack of change right now ... That doesn't justify the garbage they've been for the last decade.” ([22:48])

• Peter (On head coach hiring):

  “We gotta stop thinking about it in the old way of, like, Joe Schoen’s in charge and he's going to choose the coach. I think they're hoping that the right coach chooses them.” ([10:46])

2. Callers Respond: Frustration with Giants

• Callers echo growing fatigue with the franchise's leadership void:

  “It's an inexcusable way to run a franchise. It's organizational malpractice, you guys like to say.” — Brett, caller ([20:08])

• Don acknowledges organizational vulnerability but maintains sympathy for Mara’s situation.

3. Seth Rollins Interview: WWE, Family, and Football

(Begins [24:51]; Wrestling/Behind-the-Scenes Insights at [25:16]; Bears Talk at [33:28])

WWE Unreal and Wrestling’s “Curtain Lifting”

• Rollins discusses the new WWE Netflix docuseries “Unreal,” wrestling’s delicate balance between openness and magic, and the challenge of being real while maintaining mystique:

  “WWE has always been super top secret… this just rips the curtain all the way back. And again, I'm with you, Pete… I resisted. …there are some things that I want to protect and that I will protect. And if you cross those lines, we're going to have problems. But there are things that I'm okay with sharing.” — Seth ([26:16], [26:56])

• On family exposure:

  “This show is going to make my daughter a star. 5 year old Ru is all over this thing… she’s a star. So she's going to steal the show.” — Seth ([27:10])

The Magic of Wrestling Kayfabe

• On the importance of protecting the narrative:

  “I really want to protect my story. …I'm trying to provide a life for my daughter and the way I do that is by making money. And the way I make money is to make people care about my fights.” — Seth ([29:55])

Parenting, Fame & Identity

• Parenting perspective:

  “What’s the one thing she doesn't get is that not everybody's parents are in video games. Not everybody's parents have little dolls that look like them. That—that's weird to her.” — Seth ([30:21])

Locker Room Stories: Keeping a Secret Return

• Alan recalls Rollins’ successful effort to keep a surprise appearance secret—even to his friends and colleagues:

  “I saw him come in a restaurant with like, eight people there with crutches… No part of me thought there was a chance...” — Alan ([31:22]) “The magic now for us is being able to just, just plant that seed of doubt…” — Seth ([32:44])

Crossover: Athletes and Wrestling Personas

• Rollins comments on how sports at large now reflect wrestling’s showmanship:

  “Go back to Muhammad Ali. …He used to watch Gorgeous George promos, and that's where he got all the pomp and circumstance. He understood that's how you promote anything.” — Seth ([44:33]) “Now, you know, I'm hosting Good Morning Football on the NFL Network. And I get a chance to kind of bring that to that world.” — Seth ([45:44])

4. The Chicago Bears: Optimism, Pain, and Playoff Preview

• Rollins, a die-hard Bears fan, shares his exuberance for the team’s prospects:

  “For the first time… I'm like, we've got it, right? We've got a coach, and we've got a quarterback… I've never felt that way.” — Seth ([33:49])

• Conversation highlights the pain and cyclical nature of sports fandom, especially with comparisons to Giants/Jets fans.
• Playoff preview: Bears vs Packers, emotional investment, and Chicago’s football culture ([47:42]–[50:59]).

  “I would love to be drunk on the field after the game in Santa Clara in February.” — Seth ([47:38]) “It's a hell of a stage… it feels like football. I love it there.” — Seth on Soldier Field ([49:50])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Don (continuity skepticism):

  “Continuity is like a drug addict. Listen, I could kick drugs, but I do it every day. I want, I want the consistency...” ([03:54])

• Alan (Giants instability):

  “There are things that are more important than football decisions.” ([06:44])

• Peter (Giants’ real leadership):

  “The Giants need a stable leader in the organization, and that is usually the head coach.” ([09:16])

• Seth Rollins (on fan expectation):

  “Seth Rollins is Colby Lopez is Seth Rollins. Like, they're all the same thing. …there’s a different type of fandom that comes along with it.” ([28:40])

• Seth Rollins (on Bears fandom):

  “You could put the level of joy the Bears have brought me this year at an 11, a 12—we're off the charts at this point.” ([33:49])

• Peter Rosenberg (NFL playoffs):

  “We fought, Don. You and I got what we wanted. Parity is sort of dead. This year’s wide open now… every single team is flawed.” ([16:22])

• Seth Rollins (sports/wrestling crossover):

  “All of us… are trained salesmen. …Whether it's a grassroots level or on a big stage. …From Ali to McGregor, they're going to promote themselves, they're going to promote their sport, and they're going to promote their conflict.” ([44:33], [45:44])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:19 – Don catches up, jokes about dodging illness, show schedule.
• 03:20 – Discussion begins on the Giants' decision to retain Joe Schoen as GM.
• 04:49 – The impact of John Mara’s health, continuity, and uncertainty.
• 07:28 – Why tanking wasn’t plausible and Dart’s development.
• 09:16 – Critical analysis of Giants’ chaotic leadership.
• 24:51 – Seth Rollins joins the show, WWE Unreal and behind-the-scenes wrestling.
• 33:28 – Deep dive into Seth’s Chicago Bears fandom, football talk.
• 44:33 – Sports “promo” culture and the influence of wrestling on modern athletes.
• 47:42 – Bears-Packers playoff discussion and Soldier Field’s aura.

Tone & Style

• New York sports radio energy—irreverent, self-aware, at times caustic, but affectionate toward their teams and guest.
• Mix of analytical discussion, storytelling, and outright comedic moments.
• The interview with Seth Rollins is candid, energetic, blending pop culture and sports commentary seamlessly.

For Listeners

This episode offers a nuanced look at what happens when real-life health and legacy issues disrupt a foundational sports franchise, with panelists who’ve seen it all and aren’t shy about asking the tough questions.
The segment with Seth Rollins is a must for WWE fans and general sports enthusiasts alike, tearing down (and then re-raising) the “curtain” on wrestling, and showing how athlete personas dominate modern sports storytelling.
Plenty here for both hard-core New York sports loyalists and anyone fascinated by the intersection of sports, entertainment, and personality.