Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 2 (September 9, 2025)

Special Guest: WWE’s R-Truth (Ron Killings)

Episode Overview

This episode features the usual lively New York sports debate and banter from Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg, but the centerpiece is a compelling, entertaining, and candid interview with WWE superstar and music artist R-Truth (Ron Killings). R-Truth discusses his historic wrestling career, new country album The White Album, his music and wrestling origins, and longstanding friendships in the industry. The conversation ranges from heartfelt to hilarious as the hosts dive into sports hot takes, share personal anecdotes, and collectively marvel at Truth’s longevity and reinvention.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

NFL News & Jets QB Debate

[01:30–13:12]

• Jalen Carter’s Spitting Incident:
  Rosenberg shares the news that Eagles’ Jalen Carter is fined $57,000 and suspended one game for opening night ejection, with Carter opting not to appeal.

  • Peter Rosenberg [01:55]: “...Jalen’s decided not to appeal. So we can all now rest easy.”
  • Interpretation: League takes contrition into account; better to get suspension over with now.

• Jets Quarterback Play:

  • Caller Ira [03:57–05:42]: Praises current performance, drawing comparisons to Mark Sanchez and Ryan Fitzpatrick eras, yet is curious about the team’s offensive evolution.
  • Don La Greca [06:27–07:28]: Emphasizes you must eventually “open it up” to truly gauge a quarterback’s potential, not just manage games.
  • Alan Hahn [11:10]: “What makes this job so hard is that you have to be good for, like, multiple seasons generally for people to believe you’re the real deal.”

• Team Outlooks:

  • Discussion around the Dolphins’ unpredictability, Jets’ schedule, and the “film catch-up” phenomenon for young QBs.
  • Bold prediction from Don: “That’s the most points the Jets will score this year.” (07:53)

Expansion Team "Stench" & Franchise Histories

[12:28–16:12]

• Alan Hahn [12:54]: “They still have the stink of an expansion team, don’t they?”

• Peter Rosenberg [13:02]: “It really does have that expansion feel. Both of them...”

• Debate: Do Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars still feel like “expansion” franchises, despite playoff runs and stars?

• Comparison with San Jose Sharks, Golden Knights (“no stench”), and discussion of teams that shook off expansion status quickly.

• Don La Greca [15:03]: “Is there a greater start to a franchise’s history than the Vegas Golden [Knights]?”

• Jaguars' best players: “When your best player is an offensive lineman [Tony Boselli]...” (16:02)

R-Truth Joins the Show

[21:01–43:55]

• Introduction, Age, and Longevity:

  • The hosts marvel at R-Truth’s agelessness; he jokes about being "53" at “64,” and trades friendly barbs.
    • R-Truth [21:23]: “You know what I'm saying? Who doin' good.”

• Career Origins: Hip-Hop Roots

  • R-Truth recounts his music hustle, meeting Tupac at Jack the Rapper (“at least 30 years ago”).
    • R-Truth [23:10]: “I've been doing it for umpteen...years, Pete, bro, there's no teen. It's past teen.”
  • Honest about rough upbringing—incarceration, learning from mistakes, meeting Jack Crockett who convinced him to try wrestling.
    • R-Truth [24:00]: “How many times? Oh, well, it was just back and forth, hitting that brick wall...learning at the same time.”

• Music–Wrestling Crossroads & Legacy

  • Early music career: Opened shows for artists, grinded for years; music and wrestling are inseparable for him.
    • R-Truth [27:27]: “...now the hip hop country thing is actually a thing...it's kind of crazy.”
    • R-Truth [27:46]: “It is, though. And I'm a part of it now. ...I'm living the dream.”

• The White Album, Hip-hop Country, and WWE Return:

  • New album “The White Album” out; leans into current country/hip-hop fusion wave.
  • Recent “release” from WWE: It was real, but the fervor of fan support brought him back. Explosive ovation on return underscored his unique connection with the audience.
    • R-Truth [31:00]: “...that made it worth. Worth it all...The overwhelming amount of people wanted me back. That's more powerful than anything we can imagine.”
    • R-Truth [32:41]: “People said, nah, dawg, this ain’t right.”

• Relationship with John Cena & Backstage Stories

  • Cena personally vouched for working with Truth on his farewell run.

    • R-Truth [33:03]: “John Cena, my dog, he’s the GOAT...He’s the pinnacle.”

  • Classic wrestling rumor: Story of a supposed airport fight with Cena was actually a joke started by Conan to entertain the locker room.

    • R-Truth [35:24]: “Conan made up this whole story in front of me and Road Dog to one person, and it went, bro, like a forest fire.”

  • Respect and camaraderie: Gives Cena credit as a mentor and real friend; jokes about asking permission to wear shorts like him.

• Iconic 24/7 Championship Antics & Legacy

  • Recaps wild “title change” with Rosenberg in a hotel room; fun with backstage choreography, real work behind comedic wrestling segments.
    • Peter Rosenberg [41:36]: “‘If you mess up this pin, I’m kicking out.’”
    • R-Truth [41:44]: “Yeah, my reputation. I'm like, bro, if you don't do this right…”
  • Rosenberg jokes he now always signs autographs as "Peter Rosenberg 24/7."
  • Speculates on the future of the 24/7 Title and possibility of a rematch at Wrestle Palooza.

• Personal Reflections & Takeaways

  • R-Truth [43:43]: “You found your lane. It's perfect. So go stream the White Album by R. Truth…”

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On the Hardest Jobs in Sports:

  • Alan Hahn [11:10]: “You have to be good for, like, multiple seasons generally for people to believe you're the real deal. But if you have three bad, bad games in a row, your entire life’s work is in question.”

• On Stereotypes of Expansion Teams:

  • Don La Greca [12:54]: “...yet they still have the stink of an expansion team, don’t they?”
  • Peter Rosenberg [15:02]: “Is there a greater start to a franchise’s history than the Vegas Golden [Knights]?”

• On Music & Wrestling Saving His Life:

  • R-Truth [27:53]: “Both, because they go hand in hand...Wrestling saved my life. Wrestling did things for me that educated and helped me and gave me the confidence and built my music and vice versa with music towards wrestling.”

• On Pop Culture Full Circle:

  • Alan Hahn [27:28]: “...now the hip hop country thing is actually a thing...it's kind of crazy.”

• On WWE Release & Comeback:

  • R-Truth [31:00]: “...that made it worth it all. I felt that, man...The overwhelming amount of people wanted me back. That's more powerful than anything we can imagine.”

• On the Cena Airport Fight Rumor:

  • R-Truth [35:24]: “Conan made up this whole story in front of me and Road Dog to one person, and it went, bro, like a forest fire.”

• On His Lasting Legacy:

  • Peter Rosenberg [42:23]: “And from that moment on, I did make a decision that I have stuck to. I only sign...Peter Rosenberg 24/7.”

Other Memorable Banter

• [47:22–51:01] Don celebrates his 20th wedding anniversary with a Beatles lyric and the hosts debate whether his song selection for his wife was ‘romantic’ enough, leading to playful teasing.
  • Don La Greca [47:22]: “Got married. My wedding. My wedding anniversary. 20 years ago today.”
  • Alan Hahn [47:55]: “It was 20 years ago today” (singing Sergeant Pepper).

Timestamps for R-Truth Segment

• R-Truth joins the show: [21:01]
• Early music & wrestling hustle: [23:10–27:28]
• Country album & wrestling return: [27:28–31:55]
• Fan demand and emotional return: [31:00–32:41]
• John Cena stories and “airport fight” myth: [33:43–37:09]
• 24/7 title antics with Peter: [39:09–42:49]
• Closing and promo for The White Album: [43:21–43:55]

Final Thoughts

The episode is packed with energetic sports talk, insider wrestling stories, and genuine reflection. R-Truth’s interview anchors the hour, showing a multifaceted entertainer whose career — spanning hip hop, country, and WWE — is a testament to resilience and reinvention. The camaraderie and humor among the hosts create a rich, engaging listening experience for sports and wrestling fans alike.