Hour 2: Hulk Hogan - Don, Hahn & Rosenberg

Transcript

Don Hahn (0:00)

Rated T for teen.

Tony Hawk (0:01)

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Peter Rosenberg (0:30)

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

Don Hahn (0:34)

That sounds like heaven to me.

Peter Rosenberg (0:35)

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.

Don Hahn (0:47)

404 in the big city. Don Hahn and Rosenberg with you till 7 o'. Clock. And then it's Pat O'. Keefe. His show at 7 as he's filling in for Dan Grassa, who's filling in for Brian. Rick DiPietro. It's called the Summer Man. Jordan Ronan's filling in for two people today, both Peter. What's that?

Jordan Ronan (1:03)

Everyone needs vacation.

Don Hahn (1:04)

Huh? Everybody needs vacation. Now's the time to get it in the summertime. So Alan will be back on Monday. Peter will be back August 4th. That's when I go away.

Jordan Ronan (1:13)

Was that like six weeks off? Peter?

Don Hahn (1:15)

It's a whole like fugazi paternity thing. I say fugazi because he took it after the baby was already born and.

Jordan Ronan (1:24)

It'S kind of delayed. Huh?

Don Hahn (1:25)

The baby's, you know, is gonna be in kindergarten. So just. But no, listen, listen. They offer it and he took advantage of it. But he's gonna be joining us at 4:30 to talk about the death of Hulk Hogan.

Jordan Ronan (1:36)

So that's what I was gonna say. He's jumping on anyway and he's downtime and it's vacation time.

Don Hahn (1:41)

Sure. So we were just breaking down just how frustrating the Yankees are. And listen, I'm one of those people too. Like, hey, you're 10 games above.500, you're gonna probably make the playoffs anyway. You still have a chance to win this division even though they're four back. But technically it's five because the Blue Jays hold the tiebreaker for winning the season series. So. And it's still a lot of baseball left to be played and this team is going to look a lot different once we hit the deadline. But it is frustrating because it's the same thing all the time and it's. They fundamentally believe. And there's a Sense of arrogance around it too, that this is how we believe you win. And because they don't make any changes, tells you that they believe they're winning. I brought this up a couple of weeks ago when he passed away. Frank Layton, okay, executive. He coached the Utah Jazz. Remember he.

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: Hulk Hogan

Podcast Information:

Title: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg
Hosts: Don Hahn, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Episode: Hour 2: Hulk Hogan
Release Date: July 24, 2025
Description: ESPN New York and New Jersey legend Don La Greca, sportswriter and Knicks broadcaster Alan Hahn, and Hip Hop veteran Peter Rosenberg explore topics ranging from New York sports to broader cultural discussions.

1. Introduction and Host Updates (00:30 - 01:37)

The episode begins with Don Hahn and Peter Rosenberg discussing upcoming changes in their show's lineup. Jordan Ronan fills in for Peter Rosenberg during his paternity leave, set to last until August 4th. The hosts touch on the importance of taking vacations and the impact of these absences on the show's dynamic.

Notable Quote:

Don Hahn [01:04]: “Everybody needs vacation. Now's the time to get it in the summertime.”

2. Frustrations with the New York Yankees (01:41 - 05:37)

Don Hahn expresses his frustration with the Yankees' management, criticizing their approach to maintaining a winning culture without making necessary changes. He compares the Yankees to other storied franchises like the Spurs and the Cowboys, arguing that the Yankees' arrogance and lack of accountability prevent them from achieving sustained success.

Notable Quote:

Don Hahn [04:01]: “So there's no accountability. So this championship or bus mantra that I hear from the fans all the time, you're farting in the wind.”

Jordan Ronan counters by emphasizing the importance of championships over mere competitiveness, using the Yankees' limited recent success as a key example. The discussion highlights the tension between organizational strategy and fan expectations in major sports franchises.

3. Shift to Hulk Hogan’s Passing (19:00 - 27:04)

The conversation takes a somber turn as the hosts announce the passing of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan. Pat O'Keefe recounts how the news impacted his live show, comparing it to the sudden loss of other sports icons. The discussion delves into Hogan's significant influence on professional wrestling and his cultural legacy.

Notable Quote:

Don Hahn [19:13]: “Peter Rosenberg is going to join us because we lost a legend today in Hulk Hogan.”

4. Hulk Hogan’s Legacy and Impact on Wrestling (27:04 - 34:52)

Pat O'Keefe elaborates on Hulk Hogan's status as an iconic figure in wrestling, likening his impact to that of global superstars like Michael Jackson. He underscores Hogan's role in shaping the wrestling industry, making it a mainstream entertainment powerhouse. The hosts discuss the duality of Hogan's legacy—celebrated for his contributions to wrestling and criticized for his controversial actions.

Notable Quote:

Pat O'Keefe [28:28]: “Hulk Hogan was able to have the greatest heel turn of all time because he was the biggest baby face of all time.”

Peter Rosenberg adds perspectives from within the wrestling community, acknowledging the mixed emotions fans and industry professionals feel about Hogan. The conversation reflects on Hogan's unparalleled influence and the complexities introduced by his personal controversies.

5. Tributes and Future Wrestling Events (34:52 - 35:17)

The hosts anticipate how WWE and the broader wrestling community will honor Hulk Hogan's legacy. They discuss upcoming events like Smackdown and SummerSlam, speculating on the nature and scale of the tributes. Pat O'Keefe expects an outpouring of love and appreciation, given Hogan's pivotal role in the industry's growth.

Notable Quote:

Pat O'Keefe [34:06]: “It's going to be a very interesting time to see just how much do they give it? ... I think it will largely be just an outpouring of love and appreciation.”

6. Personal Reflections and Closing Remarks (35:11 - End)

Don Hahn thanks Peter Rosenberg for his contributions and expresses eagerness for his return. The hosts briefly touch on upcoming topics, including discussions on other sports figures and events. The episode concludes with light-hearted banter, maintaining the show's engaging and personable tone.

Notable Quote:

Don Hahn [35:23]: “We got Yankees, we got Mets. We got so much to discuss.”

Key Takeaways:

Yankees’ Management Critique: Hosts voice frustration with the Yankees' lack of strategic changes despite consistent performance.
Hulk Hogan’s Legacy: In-depth discussion on Hogan's monumental impact on professional wrestling and the mixed feelings surrounding his personal controversies.
Industry Tributes: Anticipation of WWE's tributes to Hogan in upcoming major events, reflecting on his lasting influence.
Personal Anecdotes: Hosts share personal stories and reflections, adding depth and relatability to the discussions.

Notable Quotes:

Don Hahn [04:01]: “So there's no accountability. So this championship or bus mantra that I hear from the fans all the time, you're farting in the wind.”
Don Hahn [19:13]: “Peter Rosenberg is going to join us because we lost a legend today in Hulk Hogan.”
Pat O'Keefe [28:28]: “Hulk Hogan was able to have the greatest heel turn of all time because he was the biggest baby face of all time.”
Pat O'Keefe [34:06]: “It's going to be a very interesting time to see just how much do they give it? ... I think it will largely be just an outpouring of love and appreciation.”

This episode seamlessly transitions from discussing sports management frustrations to honoring a cultural icon, providing listeners with insightful analysis, personal reflections, and a comprehensive look at Hulk Hogan’s enduring legacy.