Hour 2: R-Truth joins the show

Summary

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

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

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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.

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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…”

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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.”

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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).

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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]

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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.

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Transcript

[Peter Rosenberg]

When did making plans get this complicated? It's time to streamline with WhatsApp, the secure messaging app that brings the whole group together. Use polls to settle dinner plans. Send event invites and pin messages so.

[R-Truth]

No one forgets mom 60th and never miss a meme or milestone.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All protected with end to end encryption. It's time for WhatsApp message privately with everyone.

[Alan Hahn]

Learn [e-mail] this is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don La Greca]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Alan Hahn]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8:80, ESPN, the ESPN New York.

[Peter Rosenberg]

App and your smart speakers.

[Don La Greca]

4:00 clock in the big city. Don Hahn and Rosenberg hanging out with you until 6 o'. Clock. Game time is brought to you by Telemardu Irish Whiskey. Because when it's game time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I like when he holds it.

[Don La Greca]

Mets continue their series with the Phillies coverage immediately following us on 8:80 at 6:05. Yankees host the Tigers at 7:05. And the Liberty are home for the Mystics at 7TU the original triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast matured Iris whiskey. Be sure to grab a Telemore Dew or try the new Telemurdo. Honey, during today's action, glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew responsibly. Our truth is on his way. Not on his way. So we'll continue with the phone calls of 1-800-919-3776.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Do have a little bit of NFL news, though. Real quick, Don.

[Don La Greca]

All right, go ahead.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You remember the Jalen Carter and the spitting incident on opening night, right?

[Don La Greca]

Of course.

[Alan Hahn]

It's hard to forget that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So Adam Schefter is letting us know that the league's fining him $57,000 and he will also serve a one game suspension. And so of course, Drew Rosenhaus said that after talking to the Eagles, the NFL and flpa, Jalen's decided not to appeal.

[Don La Greca]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So we can all now rest easy.

[Don La Greca]

Well, that helps the Chiefs.

[Alan Hahn]

In addition, what happened in one game suspension. That seems very excessive to me, especially given the fact that I understand. We agree that maybe what Dak did was not the exact same, but seeing as the video.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no, no. He was ejected. So that's the one game.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, that is the one game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That. That's the time, sir.

[Alan Hahn]

Got it. That's the time he was ejected.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like as the game began.

[Alan Hahn]

Got it. Okay. Sorry. But it's got to be held responsible.

[Don La Greca]

That's a pretty disrespectful.

[Alan Hahn]

Terrible. But you would have agreed a second game would have been a Lot.

[Don La Greca]

Well, yeah, two game. But if there. If there was not an automatic suspension attached to the ejection.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don La Greca]

I would not have a problem with him being suspended again. I don't know if a fine would be enough because what is a fine to these agrees.

[Peter Rosenberg]

57 grand, especially.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah. And. But listen, it's not nothing. He's their best defensive player. Got Kansas City coming in now. They are one and all, but it was.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He showed the right contrition immediately after the game. He handled it all. You know, he handled everything. He did like that. Look, it's still important what he did, but I think when you're the league, you recognize. All right. He handled the properly. He faced the music right afterwards. He didn't play the entire game. So let's just keep it moving.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, I think that's the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And to not appeal it is probably what they said. Don't you dare appeal the money because then we'll slap the. We'll give you the suspension.

[R-Truth]

That.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So that's why it's the smart thing to do is just keep it. Just move on.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah. And listen, if you want to appeal, I guess that buys you a week. But if you're gonna. If you're gonna get the one game anyway, you already lost a game. You already. You already lost the game, you're gonna get it anyway. And now if you lose the appeal now it's. Listen, you don't want to lose the Kansas City. But it's not a conference game. Right. So you don't want the suspension to end up having to be served in a bigger game later on in the season and all that. Just get it out of the way. You know, if you're not. You're not going to be able to fight city hall on this, so might as well just take a. Nate.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Don La Greca]

Let's go to Ira Staten Island. You're on ESPN New York. What's up? I.

[Caller Ira]

Hey, Dylan, how are you? And the suspension. I get it and I mean, listen, I'm old school but can't be doing it so I'm glad they took care of it how they did. Don, I feel your pain with the Giants and Wilson. I get that. But you know, you do have a quarterback of the future. Trust me on that one. And as the fields I was pleasantly surprised. What I saw Sunday and we watched it yesterday, I saw the guy that was coming out of Ohio State, what he could potentially be now. Now they have game tape. Is he going to be able to do that, you know, week after week? I don't know. We're going to find out. But if this guy could string games and he gives me, you know, 10, 12, 14 games like this this year, you know what? I might have to think about using a high draft pick because maybe he is a guy going forward. I love this pocket. We fell to the pocket how he took care of the snap count everything in the huddle. He made the plays with his suit. He bought himself time and you know, except for one or two games that Rogers might have had last year, I can't even think off the top of my head the last time I saw a jack quarterback play the way he did on Sunday.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Come on let you've seen some quarterbacks have decent performances. Sam Darnolds had good performances. Ryan Fitzpatrick's had good performances like that. That was good. That's probably what you're going to get out of him this year. That's it. And the running game is why he was able to play that way. As long as the running game is the strength then I think he can play this way. I I like in it. You remember this. I liken this to what you got out of Mark Sanchez. It's sort of the same thing. You're going to run the most, take advantage of it when they have to sit in the box and you could take advantage of it by making the easy throws and that's really what he did.

[Caller Ira]

Yeah but I want to see more. I want to see if this offense starts to evolve, you know, once again I don't want to get ahead of myself but if it happens to, you know, evolve and it goes forward I want to see them open up the passing game. I know they don't have a number two. I do.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I got to get a number two before you can really do that. My opinion that's why I keep saying Darren Muji's next job, his next assignment is to get the A.J. brown like the Eagles got next to Devonte Smith. That's what they've got to do. They've got to find that guy and then you can really start to develop. They have a good tight end. They love Taylor. You could see it like he's like that's a. That's an option but I let's not get too crazy about let him. I'll never forget Free Sanchez. Let him throw the ball and had.

[Don La Greca]

That look stay within yourself. See see here's where I disagree that you go back to 08 farve jets 8 and 3 inches shoulder all went.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Above but it was top 10 offense.

[Don La Greca]

So in comes Rex and They're like we got a really good team here so don't have the quarterback screwed up. But they did trade up for Sanchez at five. But at the time, don't let the.

[Alan Hahn]

Kids screw it up.

[Don La Greca]

But the hope was at some point we're going to open it up to find out if we got the guy. But we've got the team right now. Let's not mess up an opportunity to do something to go to back to back championship games. But at some point he's got to throw the ball down field. Can't do it. They don't have their quarterback. Fields is 26. You don't have a playoff team. You don't. So the idea is let's find out if this 26 year old quarterback can become a de facto pick and could become our franchise quarterback. So at some point I'd like to see if he can throw the ball downfield because if you have him just game managed to seven, eight wins, well then you go into next year not knowing if you got a quarterback.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're right there. But, but I'll. The only I'll counter with is this. You're going to find out because you know the good teams are going to stack the box against the run and make him a thrower, force him to make those throws and see if he can. Teams with good secondaries are going to do this.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, well that's when you're going to learn about him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So I, I don't, I don't think it's going to matter what your strategy is. Team's going to try to take that away. That's what I'm looking forward to seeing against the really good defenses with good second.

[Don La Greca]

Well, here's my bold prediction. All right, here we go. That's the most points the jets will score this year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

32 points. That's not crazy because I think, you.

[Don La Greca]

Know, you didn't have any film on what he was going to do. They dumbed it down in the preseason. Everybody thought they were just going to run the football. So obviously they were able to make some things happen. But when they needed to run on that second to last possession, couldn't do it. Three and out gave the Steelers the ball back. And on the final possession when everybody knew they were going to throw, didn't do anything.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You don't think they could do it against the Dolphins?

[Don La Greca]

Who you know, maybe by the way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not Danny Dimes apparently now it's Indiana Jones. Just so you guys know.

[Don La Greca]

Well, that makes sense I guess but. But he's hoping it Isn't the end of Jones of the dial of destiny when he was 83 years old?

[Alan Hahn]

That is pretty good though.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Dolphins look like a team that could be had that they're scared of the Panthers. Like there are some. There are some games here where they might be able to.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't even think the Dolphins have to be had. I mean, the Dolphins are just.

[Don La Greca]

Well, I think they stink.

[Alan Hahn]

They should just.

[Don La Greca]

That's why I said it's. It's a bold prediction because there are some bad teams on their schedule. My point is it's going to get harder and harder the more film agree is out there. And we'll find out exactly how good the Steeler defense is. It was good last year. Is this year's version good? You would think they've got the personnel, but I love Iris enthusiasm. Okay, but I'm glad you put him in place. Listen, you know, Ryan Fitzpatrick had a.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Really good year when they went tennis 2015. He was. He was doing all those things, bootlegs and some of the passes he was throwing like he. He had. He. There was fitzmagic. I. And I love Ira, but it's like.

[Alan Hahn]

Did you catch the other thing Iris said though? Allen?

[Peter Rosenberg]

What was the other thing?

[Alan Hahn]

He threw another one out very slickly early. Don, he goes, hey, hey, Don, trust me. Don't worry about it. I've seen you guys have your quarterback of the future. He already knows it's dart. He has not thrown a ball in a real NFL game yet. But Ira has seen enough.

[Don La Greca]

I don't want to pick on Ira.

[Alan Hahn]

It's an aggressive take, though. Matt. You can't say it's an aggressive take.

[Don La Greca]

It's a take.

[Alan Hahn]

Now.

[Don La Greca]

I will now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Positive. He always trends positive.

[Don La Greca]

He does say this. Let's just say this.

[Alan Hahn]

What do you got?

[Don La Greca]

I just looked at it. Oh, Zach Wilson's first game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, don't.

[Don La Greca]

Don't listen. Not as good. But he threw for 258 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. I remember then they lost to Carolina. Yeah, but.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But we thought we had a quarterback. Yeah, yeah. No, I'll. I'll remember it then.

[Don La Greca]

But then the next. Then the next week against New England. 210. No touchdowns, four picks. Denver 160. No touchdown. Two picks for one game. It's like. Oh, Zach. Well, he threw for 250, 58, two touchdowns.

[Alan Hahn]

Wasn't that game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wasn't that game in Denver though, when they lost Vera Tucker and Breeze Hall.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, that game was in Denver.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That was a brutal game. They lost. I Mean Breeze hall was great the first two weeks and they lost him to a brutal knee injury. And that was a huge weapon that they suddenly didn't have.

[Don La Greca]

But it's New England. It's Denver now.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

I remember. I think Peter does, too.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Pepperden remembers.

[Don La Greca]

Tennessee was a good team. Came to MetLife Stadium. Jets won that game in overtime. Zach Wilson, 297, two touchdowns in a pick. Completed 62% of his. Pat. I remember. That was a. They were. Then they. That was their win. Hey, you got something.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There was.

[Don La Greca]

And then we're back into the right. Right down in the crap.

[Alan Hahn]

What makes this job so hard.

[R-Truth]

Very.

[Alan Hahn]

Is that you have to be good for, like multiple seasons generally for people to believe you're the real deal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

But if you have three bad, bad games in a row, your entire life's work is in question. You cannot go out. Guys. As God is my witness, if Jaden Daniels plays three games in a row where he throws for like two 10, two picks, three picks. People go, I think we got it wrong. A year and a half, his whole career. Three college teams out the window. He sucks.

[R-Truth]

It's.

[Alan Hahn]

It's the hardest job.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What was the narrative going into the season about him? Peter?

[Alan Hahn]

He's got a show.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's the sophomore thing. Right now. The link shows him. There's this film, like. And that's the reality is you're like, okay, that was a good rookie season.

[R-Truth]

Do it again.

[Alan Hahn]

Then you got to. They keep waiting for you. Last year, Trevor Lawrence, he got hurt. He missed six games. He was a little bit. It wasn't as good, but you look at his numbers. They weren't terrible. People were ready to move on. It's over for Trevor Lawrence. They come out. Jags win week one. Shad Khan celebrating in the locker room. Everyone's ready to go again. It's. It's a nightmare job.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Is.

[Don La Greca]

It's a shame. But is Jacksonville Carolina, NFL Jays.

[Alan Hahn]

Of course. What do you mean?

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's like. It's fbs.

[Don La Greca]

How is that your week one game? Like, how are you doing the fans of those two cities any justice whatsoever?

[Alan Hahn]

They came together, right?

[Don La Greca]

Yes. And in there. And both in their second year went to the championship game.

[Alan Hahn]

That's right.

[Don La Greca]

But a lot. A lot's happened since then. Good and bad.

[Alan Hahn]

One of the great quarterbacks of all time, Jake Del Homy.

[Don La Greca]

But it is weird. It's been 20 plus years for these franchises. And yet they still have the stink of an expansion team, don't they?

[Alan Hahn]

They both do.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It really does have that expansion feel. Both of them, even though the Duvall thing, like, that's real. Cam Newton had a moment.

[Don La Greca]

Well, has gone to two Super Bowls. Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's hard to believe, but it's true.

[Don La Greca]

I mean, so it's not nothing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Jacksonville just won a AFC championship game, if I'm not mistaken. Right.

[Don La Greca]

They went. I think they went to two.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I know there was a Blake Bortles one right where.

[Don La Greca]

And then they went. They lost to the Patriots in that second year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Don La Greca]

That was with Mark Brunel. I'm not mistaken.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, that's way back. Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

Natron means business.

[Alan Hahn]

He loved a Tron.

[Don La Greca]

Means they had players. But it just. I don't know what it is about.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, listen, Carolina had a whole career from Steve Smith. They had good players for a long period of time. Luke Kukley, this is.

[Don La Greca]

It's more a Jacksonville problem than a Carolina problem. It is more of a Jacksonville problem than a Carolina problem. Yeah, but I don't know. Just. There's something about. I don't know. They both have the stink. Maybe younger kids don't.

[Alan Hahn]

When did the San Jose Sharks lose the stink?

[Peter Rosenberg]

When they had. When they had.

[Don La Greca]

So they went to a final in 16.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, but in 2016. But Don, I. I remember covering them 25 years, 100 years ago where they. They didn't have the stink anymore. I mean, they had some. Well, again, Solani was a.

[Don La Greca]

Here's the thing with the Sharks is that right out of the box, they're. They're beating President's trophy winning team. I beat Calgary. They beat Detroit, they beat St. Louis. They were the team you didn't want to play in the first round. They had gorgeous uniforms. Still do.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, the starter was on fire.

[Don La Greca]

And Linton, Thornton and Marleau are hall of Famers. Right, Right.

[Alan Hahn]

So not the same level of stench. They never had the same level of stench as Carolina Jackson.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think about it, the Golden Knights never had the stench.

[Don La Greca]

No stench. They still.

[Alan Hahn]

They smell like roses.

[Don La Greca]

They've gone to the playoffs every year of their existence except once, and they like lost it on the last day the season.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is there a greater start to a franchise's history than the Vegas Golden.

[Don La Greca]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can we think of another professional top? You know, again, the, The Big Four. Is there another team that came in as a, as a. As an expansion team? And just.

[Don La Greca]

And don't count the Blues because they put all the expansion teams in the same division.

[R-Truth]

So.

[Don La Greca]

So like an expansion team was going to the Stanley Cup.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's doing it year after year. Though what I'm talking about.

[Don La Greca]

But the Blues did. I think the Blues went to the Stanley Cup Final. What was it? Two, three straight years of their existence. But that was because they. All the expansion teams, right? That doesn'. No, it is pretty amazing. But I don't know. There was something. The Sharks just worked from the get go, Peter.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

I don't know what. Because they didn't. They hadn't had expansion really since the merger. And the uniforms were gorgeous and people loved them.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It made everybody change.

[Alan Hahn]

The Carolina uniform, the Panther uniform never did a thing for anyone.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, it's just. It's bad.

[Alan Hahn]

And the Jaguar. Jaguars. The Jaguars a little better, but still never did.

[Don La Greca]

I like that color green. But like again, who's their best player in the history of the Jacksonville Jaguars? Bacelli. When. When your best player is an offensive lineman.

[Alan Hahn]

That's not good. That's.

[R-Truth]

Damn it.

[Don La Greca]

Am I missing anybody?

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, yeah.

[Don La Greca]

Another running back.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Taylor, I was going to say.

[Don La Greca]

Was better. Bazelli's in the hall of Fame.

[Alan Hahn]

No, but Fred Taylor's the running back.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He can't.

[Alan Hahn]

And he was good. Very good. But.

[Don La Greca]

But basically still a better player. They're best players on offensive line.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like, you have to look up jersey sales all time.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Jaguars.

[Don La Greca]

Jeff Lagman, definitely number one. Oh, yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Maurice Jones. Drew had a moment in time.

[Don La Greca]

That's a moment.

[Alan Hahn]

That's mjd.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, mjd.

[Alan Hahn]

You and me.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And then he had a fantasy moment we all remember.

[Don La Greca]

Did he call out Cutler for leaving the championship game?

[Alan Hahn]

I don't remember that.

[Don La Greca]

Remember, Cutler left the. For the Cowboys with the Bears. Bears, packers championship game. He left because he was hurt and he was riding a bike. And Maurice Jones. Drew ripped him for leaving the game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Tim Tebow.

[Alan Hahn]

Tebow was a Jaguar.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Tebow was a. Was a Jaguar Charger now. And in less, less than 24 hours, sold out all of his jerseys.

[Don La Greca]

Wait, he was a Jaguar?

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's amazing, isn't it? Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Really.

[Peter Rosenberg]

One year contract in 2021. They gave him number 85. He was going to play tight end, if you remember. He was finally giving in.

[Don La Greca]

But he never played.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no, didn't matter. I was like, yeah, his jersey sold out.

[Alan Hahn]

Unreal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What was unreal?

[Don La Greca]

It is so amazing to me that the one tiny little dot of geography, the tiny, the smallest little dot of geography in the United States that doesn't care about college football was where Tim Tebow played with the Jets. Right.

[Alan Hahn]

Think about that.

[Don La Greca]

The worst place for him to play.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

Like really only the New York Metropolitan area is really the. I think the only place in the entire United States that doesn't really care about college football.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

It's so odd.

[Alan Hahn]

And is a relatively secular. And it's a somewhat secular place.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. But he still was a thing.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, yeah, he was definitely a thing. Not to mention the visuals of him with his shirt off. The soaking wet shirt again, Those rippling muscles.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I still say to this day, if you could, you would what?

[Alan Hahn]

Wear the shirt.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just, Just.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If it's raining, the media's there. You. You're built like him.

[Don La Greca]

No, but that makes him the tool.

[Alan Hahn]

But I have to tell you right now, I. This is. This is going to be one of the most honest things a human's ever said.

[R-Truth]

I'm going to.

[Don La Greca]

I'm not knowing what you're going to say, but I think I know. I'm just going to automatically.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Let's hear it.

[Don La Greca]

I'm going to agree.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Let's hear it.

[Alan Hahn]

I cannot possibly tell you what I would do, what I would be like, who I would be as a person if I had a body like Tim Tebow. I don't know.

[Don La Greca]

You would be insufferable.

[Alan Hahn]

I honestly don't. It might be like I just. I'm changing all the time. I'm just staying. You come in. Why is Peter shirtless again? I don't. Oh, I'm doing the whole show. Oh, we're working home Friday. I'll be on Zoom. Shirtless. I just don't know, Don. You don't know what you be.

[Don La Greca]

I don't know. But you know what. Was it that great a body that he had to do it? There's been better.

[Alan Hahn]

It's pretty good.

[Don La Greca]

It's pretty. Well, you just said pretty good. And then the fact that he can is the reason why you don't. If I do it, it's like, hey, Don's being funny. But when you can, you shouldn't. As you know, managing maintenance, repair and operations is never easy. But for the ones who always rise to the challenge, Grainger has your back. From professional grade products you can count on to fast, dependable delivery, they're there to help you keep things running smoothly. Plus, their technical product specialists are here to help answer your toughest questions. And because Grainger knows safety is always a priority, they're committed to being your partner in protecting both your people and your facilities. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by. This episode is brought to you by State Farm. Checking off the boxes on your to do list is a great feeling. And when it comes to checking off coverage, a State Farm agent can help you choose an option that's right for you. Whether you prefer talking in person or on the phone, or using the award winning app, it's nice knowing you have help finding coverage that best fits your needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

[Alan Hahn]

Hey, it's Ryan Reynolds here for Mint Mobile. Now I was looking for fun ways to tell you that Mint's offer of unlimited Premium Wireless for $15 a month is back. So I thought it would be fun if we made $15 bills, but it turns out that's very illegal. So there goes my big idea for the commercial. Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment.

[Don La Greca]

Of $45 for 3 month plan equivalent to $15 per month required new customer offer for first 3 months only. Speed slow after 35 gigabytes of networks busy taxes and fees extra. See mintmobile.com thanks for listening to the.

[Alan Hahn]

Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want.

[Alan Hahn]

Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. That's the sweet sounds of the man known as Ron Killings. AKAR Truth. I'm gonna get you, Michael. Yeah. Yeah. What? We're gonna get you some headphones so you can hear it.

[Don La Greca]

True. Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

It's funny. We were just talking about people with incredible physiques and in he walks our truth.

[Don La Greca]

Because we were talking about your age and we're stunned. You look fantastic for 64 years.

[Alan Hahn]

Why'd he do that?

[R-Truth]

You know what I'm saying? Who doing good.

[Alan Hahn]

Heroes do real well.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right?

[Alan Hahn]

Good.

[Don La Greca]

No, but that's what you say.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. 53 though, Don. 53.

[Don La Greca]

It's. It's pretty amazing.

[R-Truth]

Not bad. D. Right?

[Don La Greca]

Not bad at all. But what you missed before you had your headphones on was the I'm gonna get you, Michael K. After Peter took the 247 belt from you.

[Alan Hahn]

Championship.

[R-Truth]

Okay, yeah, now what?

[Don La Greca]

But Peter takes the belt by. By suckering you. Was like, there's John Cena. You go to look.

[Alan Hahn]

And then by the way, that's called long term storytelling.

[Don La Greca]

But so what made you scream out I'm going to get you Michael K. How did Michael K. Get involved in that?

[R-Truth]

Because he looked like Michael K. Right sideways. Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

You know what that sounds like to me, Don? If I were, if I were a betting man, I've never talked about this with him five minutes before. That means someone went, hey, afterwards you say, I'm going to get you Michael K. Yeah, that'll be a good pop for the radio show. That's what happened. He went, what? How do you say his name? Michael K. Okay, cool.

[R-Truth]

Michael K. Got it. Yes. Yes. That works for me.

[Alan Hahn]

How you been, man?

[R-Truth]

Man, I've been living a dream, though, as they would say.

[Alan Hahn]

You dropped a. You dropped your country album. The White Album is out.

[R-Truth]

Yes, man.

[Alan Hahn]

How did you make the transition to a country album at this point? Our truth, for people who don't know, is an. At this point, I'll say, iconic professional wrestler, a WWE stalwart. Now, for. For 20 years, just one of the most entertaining people in the business. In any business. Just as entertaining a guy as you'll meet. But you've been making music this entire time. I was telling Don, before you came on, I mean, there's famously a picture of when you were hustling you and Tupac. That's how long. That's how far back the hustle goes in music. Thirty years, you'd say at least.

[R-Truth]

At least, dog. Yes. And see, you know that because you're into hip hop, you're into rap, you into the culture. Like that, man. Like, I've been doing it for umpteen.

[Alan Hahn]

Years, Pete, bro, there's no teen. It's past teen.

[R-Truth]

It's past 10.

[Alan Hahn]

There's no teen.

[R-Truth]

You're right.

[Alan Hahn]

It's no 30. E. We're talking about 7. 90, right?

[R-Truth]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

Because how old. How old were you in that picture with Tupac?

[R-Truth]

See here, Go deal again with that.

[Alan Hahn]

Let me do the math. I'll do the math. It's got to be from What?

[R-Truth]

That's like 93, 25, maybe 24.

[Don La Greca]

Because I was thinking, based on how you look, I'm like, you must have been a teenager.

[Alan Hahn]

No, he was already on the ground.

[R-Truth]

I was already on the growth. I was out of the teenage day. But 23, 24, something like that.

[Alan Hahn]

And you were. You were locked up as a kid, right?

[R-Truth]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Like, you were very young.

[R-Truth]

What, my late teens? After high school. After high school, yeah.

[Don La Greca]

How long?

[Alan Hahn]

For how long?

[R-Truth]

How many times? Oh, well, it was just back and forth, hitting that brick wall. Hitting that brick wall, running, man. So it was at the same time learning at the same time, you know what I'm saying? And doing the Jack the Rapper stuff.

[Alan Hahn]

That's. And that's where you met Pac, was the Jack the Rapper.

[R-Truth]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

So after you got stopped getting in trouble and you started trying to just put yourself towards entertainment, that was on that path, that you were Jack the Rapper, which by the way, Don, back in the day, they used to have all these conferences. Rappers would go to these conferences, they get you to pay money, you know, get you to show up to a seminar, you know, like all the same rackets they have everywhere.

[R-Truth]

Tell them.

[Alan Hahn]

Except, you know, you might get to bump into some cool people like Tupac. Like, real artists would be there. And you get to mingle with people.

[R-Truth]

A and R's, right? Record labels, producers, executives, everybody will be there.

[Alan Hahn]

And, and how. What was. How far did you get at that point in your music career before you turned to wrestling?

[R-Truth]

Oh, I didn't get nowhere in the music career. It wasn't hurt. It wasn't happening, dog. And it was. I met Jack Crockett in a halfway house. Hitting another brick wall. Yeah, met Jack Crockett, man. And he said he never gave back before. And God told him to give back to me. And he said, it won't cost you nothing but time and dedication. Now this is where I was like a willing vessel now. So anything, you know what I'm saying? If you serve it, I'm eating it, I'm taking it. And professional wrestling was announced to me.

[Alan Hahn]

By the way, this is our. Let's talk about it Tuesday. Sponsored by Better Help Mental Health is health as truth is telling us about his origin story in wrestling. So before that, you hadn't. You hadn't made it at all with the music thing?

[R-Truth]

No. And then opening shows, man, for like, Kwame, Tracy Spencer, Chip Rock, Just a little show open. I was doing my thing. I was trying.

[Alan Hahn]

Were you. Were you paying to get on or were people paying you to open?

[R-Truth]

A little of both.

[Alan Hahn]

Got it.

[R-Truth]

A little of both, man. It was back then, it was a grind. I said on an interview yesterday, I still got the reel that I used to record on, man. You know what I'm saying? At the house. That's how long I've been recording.

[Don La Greca]

Oh, wow.

[R-Truth]

Trying to do this music to, you know, you fast forward life, man, through, like, going through this and going through that. Being a part of WWF the Attitude era and then graduated. Like, I'm just now able to do this music from the Jack the Rapper days, from the Tupac, from all those years. And then me getting bit by the wrestling bug and loving professional wrestling and sinking into this and producing what's up in My Son's Bedroom. Cause that's where my studio was at.

[Alan Hahn]

Your theme song that has become. Which has become just, you know, a part. A part of everything, One of the most popular, well known theme songs there is yeah.

[R-Truth]

And I wrote it in that same mentality. Man, was just like that hope, that faith, that believe that, that resilience that, that constant man going at it to now I'm able to like. And just some people don't know. A lot of people don't know. If you look up old wrestling tapes, when I was doing the Independence NWA Wild side, back when I would rap to the ring, I would finish it off with a country song.

[Alan Hahn]

Really?

[R-Truth]

Even back then, you could, you can go back and look at my old wrestling tapes. I would sing some Hank Williams Jr. Some Waylon Jennings or some Randy Travis Digging up bones.

[Alan Hahn]

So wait, so would you realize how crazy and full circle it all is that you started out in with rap stuff and now here you are at one of the biggest points of your career, as well known as you've ever been. And now the hip hop country thing is actually a thing.

[R-Truth]

I didn't even look at it like that.

[Alan Hahn]

Wow. Isn't it crazy? I mean, think about it like post the Shaboozy record. Yes, we are now in a world where like hip hop, country leaning into it. Beyonce and then Beyonce leans into it. All these different things have happened that have really kind of changed what country can be. It's kind of crazy.

[R-Truth]

It is, though. And I'm a part of it now. And it's again, using those words. I'm living the dream.

[Don La Greca]

So what's more important to you, music or wrestling?

[R-Truth]

Both, because they go hand in hand. Okay. It's almost like someone asking me, hey, what's your favorite match? What's your best? What's your most memorable moment? We have so many memorable moments and so many. 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. I've learned how to handle more business with my music because of wrestling. I've learned how to deal with people. I'm a people's person. A lot of my music is coming because of wrestling and me experiencing what I experienced. Man over this world. I feel like it was a whole. It was a made the B moment story for me.

[Alan Hahn]

And now here we are. The White Album is out. Wrestle Palooza is a week from Saturday. ESPN and WWE's first event together. And as we get to this big moment that like, is going to be an epic sort of another, yet again, another epic run for wwe where these premium live events are on espn, which is going to be crazy.

[R-Truth]

It's going to be crazy.

[Alan Hahn]

And you're Here. And yet just a few months ago, it seemed like it might all be over now.

[R-Truth]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

Now. Everyone always asks me, in the time that happened, you know, there was a lot of debate about when you were let go. Oh, was it a work? Was he. Was he really let go? What was the deal? And all I could tell people was, I called him on Sunday.

[R-Truth]

Yeah, he did.

[Alan Hahn]

I called you that day. We had a good talk.

[R-Truth]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

I put you in contact with my manager.

[R-Truth]

You did?

[Alan Hahn]

I said. I said. I said, you should talk to Dipperstein. He's a big fan, you know, I'm sure he could help you out.

[R-Truth]

You had my back.

[Alan Hahn]

You guys talked.

[R-Truth]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

And then fast forward five days later, and I'm at the show. And all I. This is what will happen to me at a show is they'll say, oh, something's happening after the man. And I'll go, oh, okay. Because we're doing the post show. But there's gonna be something at the end of the show, so I don't know what that means. No one tells me. I go, all right. No one. And then someone came up to me and said, I think I saw truth. I went, you think you saw our truth? I think it might have been Jackie Redmond. I think it might have been Jackie. I think I saw. I think I saw truth. And I went, no, you didn't see truth. And I swear I think I saw truth. So from that moment on, it's only like 20 minutes now until it's gonna happen. And I'm going, well, something's gon happened at the end, and someone told me they think they saw our truth. So I'm just waiting now, waiting for the moment. And when you came back and the crowd exploded.

[R-Truth]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Can you even put into words what that felt like to not only get. The fans demanded you back, they demanded WWE bring you back. And then you come back and get to have this moment and surprise everyone. What did that feel like, bruh?

[R-Truth]

From every thing I've told you about hitting that brick wall, every adversity that I went through in life, every special occasion, everything that I've missed, birthdays, graduations, everything. Every pain, every bump, every bruise. Peter D, bro, that was. That made it worth. Worth it all. I felt that. I felt that, man. Like, coming together just like. All same as the different color boots on the white album. It's unity, dog. Those different colors of that boot of that album, that represents the unity, the ethnicities, and the unity of people, bro. The overwhelming amount of people wanted me back. That's that's more powerful than anything we can imagine.

[Don La Greca]

Did you see it coming at all?

[R-Truth]

No, I wasn't looking for it. And that's when life gives it to you. That's when the universe compels you to, you know what I'm saying? Be a part of witness or be in. And I think we always. We always united, you know what I'm saying, on one thing, which is insane.

[Alan Hahn]

By the way, because a lot of great talents have been let go, right. And a lot of fans have been upset, but none of them led to as much, for lack of a better word, carrying on about it than you. Because, Don, usually it's a couple of days, there's some tweets. I can't believe they did it again.

[R-Truth]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And then they move on. And with truth, they just. The people.

[Don La Greca]

That's when it's special. That's when it's special.

[R-Truth]

People said, nah, dawg, this ain't right.

[Alan Hahn]

Now, what was it. What was it like when. When John Cena came up to you, and as far as I understand it from you, basically told you, hey, I want to do something with you on this run. That. That has to be a pretty cool thing as well. This guy's maybe the greatest to ever do it. He's only got limited opportunities to work with people. And he tapped you for one of.

[R-Truth]

Those things again, a moment. You can't Webster or Google or whoever. It don't have the words that can explain that feeling that it's energy. You know what I'm saying? Like, you can't. You can only show and feel it, bro. It was. It was worth more than. Than any money you could give me. Any amount or the money they gave.

[Alan Hahn]

You was pretty good, too, though.

[R-Truth]

I mean, that was good, too. We're not talking about that, but. Yeah, but still, though, dog, that was, man, it. John Cena, my dog, he's the goat. His last run, his. He's the pinnacle. He's what a lot of people like, you know what I'm saying? Try to achieve, to be, man. Like, he's done things in the game that flipped it. And elevated to work, bro.

[Alan Hahn]

On NBC, you guys had a free match on Saturday night's main event. What happened to the old story back in the day, by the way, that you and John Cena got in a fight at the airport, bruh. Hey, man, I swear, that was the story before. Before. This is true, man.

[R-Truth]

Yes, bro. I'm gonna tell you what happened, dog. This is. Oh, my gosh.

[Alan Hahn]

What actually happened.

[R-Truth]

Testify to this.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay?

[R-Truth]

Dog, me and John Cena was in the airport together.

[Alan Hahn]

Right, okay. And this is when you were at tna.

[R-Truth]

I was at tna.

[Alan Hahn]

He was at wwe.

[R-Truth]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[R-Truth]

And I had done. Done a couple of little, you know, mad rap songs about WWE event. I'm mad at you, blah, blah. But me and John Cena saw each other in the airport, and it was just up and we kept going, right? So I get to work at TNA and I tell Conan, you know, we with AAA now. Shout out to Conan. My dad. Shout out to Road Dog. So we at work, me, Conan, and Road dog with the 3 Live crew. And we're talking, you know what I'm saying? I'm like, bro, I just got in, blah, blah. Yeah. Cine was in Charlotte airport. He was like, oh, cool. So somebody walked up to us and said, hey, I heard Cindy. You guys was in the same airport. I was like, yeah, he was in Charlotte. I live in Charlotte. He was just connecting. He's like, oh, okay. He walked away right then Conan said, bro. He walked away disappointed. I said, what you mean? He said, bro, let me handle this. He said, you didn't do it, right. Somebody else came up. Why me? Rog and Cornell together. Hey, did John Cena see you at the airport? What happened? I said, bro, he saw me outside. We just spoke to each other and kept going. He went his way with mine. No, bro, but tell them about when you. You know what I'm saying? You pushed him and you told him. You know what I'm saying? What you want to do? You didn't see. Ronnie's not going to take, bro. Conan made up this whole story in front of me and Road Dog to one person, and it went, bro, like. Like a forest fire. He just went, yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And it made it all the way. It made it all the way to where people on the Internet. It became a thing that Ron Killings and John Cena got into a fight. And at the time, it made sense. They were these young guys. They both did rapping thing. I guess they just had problems.

[R-Truth]

Yes. They had rapper Heat.

[Alan Hahn]

They had rapper Heat, rapper wrestler Heat, Rapper wrestling.

[R-Truth]

Heat was a real thing.

[Don La Greca]

How it went down then, I wasn't.

[R-Truth]

It was fake.

[Don La Greca]

I know.

[Alan Hahn]

But you were okay with it?

[R-Truth]

I was cool with it because it was doing what it was supposed to do.

[Don La Greca]

All right.

[R-Truth]

Everybody was laughing and it was cool, man. It was. And it's funny because I came back to WWE in 07 08, and me and John saw each other in locker room. And this is the funniest part. John, you Remember this, bro? I remember Umaga. RIP my. Oof. Umaga was there. Charlie, Hoss, everybody. All the boys knew about this story. I just signed back. And when me and MVP came in, was looking around the locker room, everybody was like, oh, Cena's in the bathroom, bro. Everybody just sat down and scooted back. And you know how the boys are, right? Yeah. They was waiting, and, bro, Cena came out the bathroom, and here I'm standing there, we face to face. He said, we're not gonna have any problems, are. I said, bro? No. Give me a hug, man. You know what I'm saying? And, bro, ever since then, we was just. That's my older brother, dog. We dogs, man. He's helped me more than I can say or express.

[Alan Hahn]

Wow.

[R-Truth]

Really? Outside the ring? Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

I mean.

[Alan Hahn]

And you've always stayed in touch with him one way or another?

[R-Truth]

Oh, yeah, bro. I'll text him some stuff. I even text him when I want to start wearing the shorts. Cause I want. You know what I'm saying? It's a respect thing. It was. You know what I'm. He's like, bro, you don't have to. By all means, dog, you the goat. You the bro. Like, he's cool like that.

[Alan Hahn]

By the way, it should be noted, John is five years younger than you.

[Don La Greca]

Oh, I. I.

[R-Truth]

Who said that?

[Alan Hahn]

Well, no, you're.

[Don La Greca]

No, bro, he's my older brother, but not really.

[R-Truth]

Really? Really?

[Don La Greca]

No, not really real, bro.

[R-Truth]

This is documented.

[Alan Hahn]

Bruh.

[R-Truth]

This is documented.

[Alan Hahn]

1977. April 23rd, 1977, West Newberry, Massachusetts. John Cena.

[R-Truth]

That's AI. Listen, dog, that's AI.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm gonna show you in the math, right when he said it, right?

[Don La Greca]

Well, I just. Yeah, I was like. Well, first was like, really? And I'm like, crazy thing is, it's.

[Alan Hahn]

Cena's retirement tour, and our truth's just still. He's still right?

[R-Truth]

Really, bro? Look at me and dad right here.

[Alan Hahn]

Let me see.

[R-Truth]

Oh, that's me and dad.

[Alan Hahn]

That's you and John Cena's dad.

[R-Truth]

Me and Ron Cena.

[Alan Hahn]

Me and dad, Ron Cena and John Cena senior. Beautiful moment.

[R-Truth]

I got pictures of me who was a baby. We was babies, dog, together, really? With Daddy home, I don't have him with me, but I'll bring him back and show you.

[Alan Hahn]

Bring him back next time.

[R-Truth]

And John was a lot older than me back then.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Don La Greca]

I just thought I was a little taken aback by it, that's all. Now for people, he was doing the math, right? And I did it a few times. And every time I did it the same thing. Yeah. It just didn't. Didn't work out. Now, okay, we talked about how Peter got the 247 bell from.

[R-Truth]

Yes.

[Don La Greca]

But then Peter lost it to you as you came through the hotel room. It's hard to believe in February. That'll be five years ago. No, because it says 2-1-21.

[R-Truth]

Oh, wow, that's a long.

[Don La Greca]

And this is. This is how it sounded. Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Do you have a balcony?

[Don La Greca]

I do.

[R-Truth]

I think there's somebody coming in behind you, bud.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, you gotta look.

[Alan Hahn]

No, I'm telling you, there's somebody behind you. Peter.

[Don La Greca]

I didn't see anyone, but be very careful. Yeah, be very careful. Somebody again. No, there's definitely somebody behind you.

[R-Truth]

Peter, watch out.

[Alan Hahn]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, my goodness.

[Don La Greca]

I think you don't know titles on the line.

[Alan Hahn]

This is not good. Oh, I'm gonna be able to hold this. WrestleMania. Oh, no. 1, 2, 3. See ya. That's it. Rosenberg has lost a 247 championship. Michael K. First time, long time. Hey, don't.

[R-Truth]

What's up? This is my Legacy. Peter Rosenberg, Hot 97. More like Hot 24 7.

[Alan Hahn]

That's all, folks.

[Don La Greca]

Congratulations on getting your title back. It's one thing to be able to climb through a window at a hotel, but also have an official referee there to be able to count you out.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, that's what made him professional.

[R-Truth]

Yeah, that's right. It made it legit.

[Alan Hahn]

That's what makes it legit now, by the way, that was truly one of the great weekends of my life. I can't believe it's coming up on five years ago.

[R-Truth]

That's. That's wild, right?

[Don La Greca]

No, that's crazy.

[Alan Hahn]

It was you. You'd be. You'd be Don. Considering the one move that I had to do was what we respectfully referred to as a nutshot. Yeah, I. You'd be amazed at how long I had to practice that the all time wrestling icons who had to help me. I had Randy Orton on all fours be. No, you got to do. People were really explaining to me how to do this. And, and as much as I thought I appreciated the business at that time, which I'd already been like intensely obsessed with for a long time. I swear to you, I didn't have the appreciation that I had after when I realized in the moment. Because now if you go back and watch the video, I look so nervous. First of all. I missed the spot where I'm supposed to start talking. Truth has to elbow. Truth is like. Truth was supposed to say something, and then I'm supposed to jump in. I just forget. And then you see me, like, get elbowed. Like, oh, oh. I see John Cena, and. And then. And then Truth tells me, if you mess up this pin.

[R-Truth]

I did tell him that.

[Alan Hahn]

He says, if you put. If you mess up the pin, I'm kicking out.

[Don La Greca]

Because his reputation's on the line, too.

[R-Truth]

Yeah, my reputation. I'm like, bro, if you don't do this right. And you can see he's like, do it right.

[Alan Hahn]

And then. And then. And then when I go to do the pin, I do it wrong. And he had to help me through it. He had to help me through the whole thing. And I was like, I am so pathetic. You guys do this every single night live on tv. It's incredible.

[Don La Greca]

It is pretty incredible. But you got through it. And you had the title for how long?

[Alan Hahn]

20 hours. And I. And I got to bring it home.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, you got to bring it home.

[R-Truth]

It was a moment.

[Alan Hahn]

I took pictures with it. I brought it to the hotel. Yo, listen, the funny thing is two things. It's in. It is truly in the books. It stays there forever.

[R-Truth]

Done.

[Alan Hahn]

And from that moment on, I did make a decision that I have stuck to. I only sign my name if someone asked for an autograph. I only signed Peter Rosenberg, 24 7.

[Don La Greca]

No, you don't.

[Alan Hahn]

Every time. Still? Still.

[R-Truth]

Oh, I love that.

[Alan Hahn]

I made it my permanent.

[Don La Greca]

It's like hof.

[Alan Hahn]

One day. One day when I'm out of a job and I'm at WrestleCon, and we're like, I go get a few bucks. You gotta sign 24 7, and it's gonna work. You gotta have it built into the brand. So he gave me something.

[R-Truth]

He gave me.

[Alan Hahn]

It's a real. It was a real honor. That's that little title.

[R-Truth]

Certified.

[Alan Hahn]

Thank you. Thank you.

[Don La Greca]

Why'd they retire my dog?

[Alan Hahn]

Why did I? I don't know. It'll come back again, I'm sure. They used to have a Hardcore championship. They retired that, right? Then they brought the 24 7, which was kind of like the Hardcore championship. They retired that.

[R-Truth]

Right?

[Alan Hahn]

Listen, maybe it'll come back.

[R-Truth]

And maybe come back. Yeah, it was doing good numbers.

[Alan Hahn]

Maybe Wrestle Palooza R Truth, Peter Rosenberg. One on one. Because the card is stacking up right now.

[R-Truth]

Russell Palooza might have to do that.

[Alan Hahn]

You know what I mean?

[Don La Greca]

But thanks for coming by. This is really cool, man.

[R-Truth]

Appreciate It.

[Don La Greca]

That was an awesome time.

[Alan Hahn]

By the way, the White Album can be streamed everywhere you find music right now.

[R-Truth]

Everywhere.

[Alan Hahn]

It debuted a top 10 country album on the Billboard charts.

[R-Truth]

Yes, sir. Get to him.

[Alan Hahn]

So go support our man, R. Truth. And by the way, the music is a great fit. It. It really, it really, somehow when you hear the music, it really sounds like you, like you found your bag with this particular style of music.

[R-Truth]

Got my long lane, right?

[Alan Hahn]

You found your lane. It's perfect. So go stream the White Album by R. Truth. That was. Let's talk about a sponsor by BetterHelp. Visit betterhelp.com timeout today. For 10% off your first month of.

[Don La Greca]

Therapy, this isn't just another ESPN fantasy football season. It's your shot at greatness. With a refreshed design, the ESPN Fantasy app is sharper than ever. So you can draft like a pro and dominate your league. And introducing Gridiron Gauntlet, a new game mode where the best compete to be crowned the number one fantasy football player of 2025. One app, one shot, one champion. Download the ESPN fantasy app and sign up to play ESPN fantasy football today.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want.

[Alan Hahn]

Just subscribe to us, watch wherever you get your podcasts.

[Don La Greca]

Don, Hana Rosenberg with you. 6th and it's Mets, Phillies. Is this our truth? No.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, no, that's.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, you're right. It sounded like it could be.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, sure, anything could be anything. You know what I mean?

[Don La Greca]

My only Method Man. You know my Method man, right? This isn't your method. This is not my.

[Alan Hahn]

This is not that. That was a tough moment. But listen, we bounced back.

[Don La Greca]

It's only tough if I care. Like, I'm not a hip hop guy. And is it that crazy to think after having our truth on, we have maybe some of the White Album?

[Alan Hahn]

No, no. For sure.

[Don La Greca]

Alan, have my back here, man.

[Alan Hahn]

No, go ahead. Go ahead and try.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no, can't do it.

[Alan Hahn]

It's a huge song.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sorry.

[Alan Hahn]

The problem is it's a smash one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, that's a.

[Alan Hahn]

It's a big one. So you have to do. Imagine if it was the exact same thing.

[Don La Greca]

You couldn't cover it, but imagine if.

[Alan Hahn]

It'S the exact same thing. And when he walked out, they came back and were playing like, I don't know what, I don't know what the equivalent is, but like a really big rock record. And I just went, oh, is this also our truth? This is.

[Don La Greca]

This Is all right. So here's the equivalent for me, right?

[Alan Hahn]

If.

[Don La Greca]

All right, the day Ozzy died and we're talking about Ozzy and we come back from break and they play a Judas Priest song. Is that. Was that Ozzy? That would be a tough moment.

[Alan Hahn]

Exactly. Did that happen?

[Don La Greca]

But I'd let you up because I'd be like, I'm not even a metal guy.

[Alan Hahn]

All I said was it was a tough moment. I didn't say we can't be nice to have it.

[Don La Greca]

You know, at least one of my teammates have my.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, we have your back, though. Say it. Lie to you and say it wasn't a tough moment. These moments happen.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think we were helping you, but.

[Don La Greca]

No but, Alan, it's only.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You want us to have your back. What we were doing. We were propping you up.

[Don La Greca]

Am I supposed to know?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, you're not supposed to know.

[Alan Hahn]

No.

[Don La Greca]

And then you see the line of logic, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, I don't.

[Don La Greca]

But we just had our truth on. We were talking about his album. Right, but what.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What genre of music did you said.

[Alan Hahn]

The genre music was? It was a country album, too. Yeah, it was a country double tough.

[Don La Greca]

I'm good. I will tell you.

[Alan Hahn]

I just wanted somebody to have my back. Oh, well, what do you want? How could you have your back? What would have done.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Then I'm wrong. Now there's. Now we're both wrong.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. How would he have had your back.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If I would have said, yeah, Don. No, no, you were right. Don. No, he said country.

[Don La Greca]

I would just leave him alone, Peter.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, you could have just.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listen, stay out completely.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, this, by the way, this was a. This was a totally unforced error. All you had to do was start talking, bring us back. You just heard.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It went right.

[Alan Hahn]

This is our truth.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Do you think. Is that what Nancy does? You think at home and like Don just completely off the rails on something. She just goes, sure, dear. It just keeps it moving.

[Don La Greca]

No, she knows.

[R-Truth]

Don't.

[Don La Greca]

Correct. No, she'd be like, you're an idiot. She would have no problem calling me an idiot. Because we've known each other for so long. And by the way, since you brought it up, Al, here we go.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, boy.

[Don La Greca]

You know what happened 20 years ago today?

[Peter Rosenberg]

The greatest thing in your life, right?

[Don La Greca]

Got married. My wedding. My wedding anniversary. 20 years ago today.

[Alan Hahn]

20 today.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Greatest day of your life.

[Alan Hahn]

That is a big one.

[Don La Greca]

And so what I did. The. You know, the kids are having breakfast in the morning's Big, Big and bigly. So I asked Alexa to play a Song so that when Nancy came into the kitchen I could say Alexa unpause. And it was sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. You know why Allen, right? Tell me what's the first lyric of the song?

[Peter Rosenberg]

It was 20 years ago today.

[Don La Greca]

And that nice from for a Beatle fan to hear that.

[Alan Hahn]

Well how did she react to it?

[Don La Greca]

She thought it was nice. Happy anniversary.

[Alan Hahn]

What'd she do? Shit.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I might have gone. I might have gone with a different Beatles song. But okay.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah I mean I thought.

[Don La Greca]

Wait a minute. Why is that a bad moment? No, it's a bad moment. You Alan, you're supposed to be a Beatle guy. You were on the Beatle channel on series. Find it right now.

[Alan Hahn]

Jacob.

[Don La Greca]

Find the song right now. Why would be another Beatles song. What am I supposed to play Michelle?

[Alan Hahn]

No, you know what it was the problem.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Her name's not Michelle.

[Alan Hahn]

No, but Alan.

[Don La Greca]

That's a bad guy.

[Alan Hahn]

Alan, you and I are playing hold on Alan. What were you and I are thinking.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Are this is a romantic anniversary 20.

[Alan Hahn]

Years ago, 20 years ago today.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And Nancy's like why is he yelling at me? Of course we got the long version.

[Don La Greca]

This might be an acoustic version.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Then Nancy had a song it was help because you know what the first word in that song is right?

[Alan Hahn]

Help. Help.

[Don La Greca]

Well Jacob found. Yeah, we found I had the better version. Here we go.

[Alan Hahn]

And he's out.

[Don La Greca]

But it was 20 years ago because.

[Alan Hahn]

I got married 20 years ago. Screaming you, you.

[Don La Greca]

That doesn't matter.

[Alan Hahn]

She's a beetle fan.

[Don La Greca]

I can't believe this. This is so bad out something.

[Peter Rosenberg]

At least something in my life that would have worked and I love her.

[Don La Greca]

It wouldn't have worked. So she walks in something in the way she moves.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How about Obla D? Obla D. How about.

[Don La Greca]

How about 20 years ago today? Because 20 years ago today we got married.

[Alan Hahn]

Screaming it at her though.

[Don La Greca]

No, I hate you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I really do.

[Don La Greca]

Honestly. I will make we come back from the break. I'll forgive you you. But right now I hate now is.

[Alan Hahn]

That I will hate you through the entire break now, Alan. Let's just hope though for the love of God. For the love of God that there's something else planned for the anniversary besides screaming it was 20 years ago today in the woman's face.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I want to get her. I want to get her unfiltered reaction to. Because as I had him in a part I was like oh, oh, that's right. That's what that's about. I love you, Sergeant.

[Alan Hahn]

How do you not get that? We hope you enjoy the show. Okay. Oh, 20 years ago today.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Can we get to it, please? Here it is.

[Don La Greca]

What's wrong with that, John? That's it. You inherited me. You wouldn't have hired me if I interviewed you. If I died right here. You'd recover nicely, but at least have my back on this one. John, a happily married man. So, so much fun. He did it twice.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is that your go to. Would that John be your go to? If. No, it's not my style, but I.

[Alan Hahn]

I backed on, like, the reasoning for playing the song.

[Don La Greca]

She's a Beetle fan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think my wife would have been.

[Don La Greca]

Oblivious to the line because she's not a Beatle fan. But if she's a Beatle fan, what's.

[Alan Hahn]

What's her favorite job?

[Don La Greca]

What's her favorite band? She likes country music.

[Alan Hahn]

She'd know about our truth than Method man record.

[Don La Greca]

So if she liked Dwight Yoakum or something. If Dwight Yoakum like, song that said 20 years ago, like Yocum, She's Rascal. Flats are probably her. Okay, if they had a song that started 20 years ago today. It was your 20th anniversary. That makes sense.

[Alan Hahn]

Of course. Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

Because I didn't do it for Alan.

[Alan Hahn]

I would.

[Don La Greca]

I didn't do it for Peter.

[Alan Hahn]

Right? I don't know.

[Don La Greca]

I don't know, Don. You'd make a good overnight guy. That's all right. I'm gonna find out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Gonna find out tonight how it went.

[Alan Hahn]

That's right.

[Don La Greca]

I think that ship sailed now. I think we're beyond anniversary now. Now it's like, listen, the doctor said survived. That's where we're at. We'll see.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You need a script?

[Don La Greca]

Does it have to be me, or could anybody do it? 1-800-919-3776. You got another hour to go, Don on Rosenberg on ESPN New York.

[Alan Hahn]

All right, guys, let's talk FanDuel sportsbook for a moment, shall we? FanDuel is getting ready for kickoff with an offer you won't want to miss. New customers can bet just $5 and get 300 in bonus bets if you win. That's right. Pick a bet. Bet five bucks, and if it wins, you'll unlock 300 bucks in bonus bets, all right? That you can use all across the app. You could build parlays, bet player props, ride the live lines. Whatever your style, fanduel has you covered. The NFL season is finally here. The only question is, are you ready to play? Visit FanDuel.com Peter to download the FanDuel app today and get started. 21 and over in Fisli present New York first online real money wager only $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued is not withdrawable. Bonus best that expire seven days after receipt.

[Don La Greca]

Restrictions apply.

[Alan Hahn]

See [e-mail] for the gambling problem, call 877-8-Hope NY or text openy467369.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't want to know how the.

[Don La Greca]

Sausage is made, man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I just want to know it's good.

[Alan Hahn]

Hear more of Don Allen and Peter Weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And your smart speakers.