Hour 2: Thursday Rewrite

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: Thursday Rewrite

Podcast Information:

• Title: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg
• Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
• Description: A dynamic trio comprising Don La Greca, ESPN New York’s Alan Hahn, and WWE personality Peter Rosenberg, discussing New York sports, hip-hop, and more.
• Episode: Hour 2: Thursday Rewrite
• Release Date: August 7, 2025

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1. Privacy in Messaging Apps

Timestamp: [00:01] – [00:30]

The episode opens with Peter Rosenberg discussing the privacy features of WhatsApp. He emphasizes that personal messages, including voice calls and password sharing, remain confidential and are visible only to the sender and recipients.

Peter Rosenberg [00:01]: "Your personal messages stay between you, your friends, and your family. No one else, not even us."

2. Balancing Personal Life with Football

Timestamp: [00:45] – [02:38]

The hosts delve into the intersection of personal relationships and football, using a hypothetical scenario where a dream partner interrupts a game, seeking action.

Don Hahn [00:51]: "If that person were to show up in the middle of a football game and say, 'I want action,' what would you do?"

Peter Rosenberg humorously references how different personalities might react, mentioning John Winthrop’s delayed response to prioritize the game draft.

3. Workplace Priorities and Intern Dynamics

Timestamp: [02:03] – [05:01]

Discussion transitions to workplace dynamics, focusing on interns' priorities and the varying expectations between interns and senior staff.

Don Hahn [02:03]: "People have different priorities. Listen, the interns, their priority was get out of Dodge."

Peter Rosenberg shares his "hall pass" philosophy, indicating his flexibility despite personal commitments, such as watching the Jets versus being available for family needs.

4. Dress Codes and Workplace Culture

Timestamp: [02:38] – [04:12]

The conversation shifts to office dress codes, where Don Hahn and Peter Rosenberg debate the appropriateness of wearing shorts versus polos and slacks. The hosts humorously critique Jake’s new look, suggesting he appears more relaxed, akin to someone heading to a hotel bar.

Don Hahn [02:52]: "Everyone here wears, like, a polo shirt and slacks. And today he's looking like he's rolling up to the hotel bar with, like, a daiquiri in his hand."

5. Birthday Oversights and Host Tensions

Timestamp: [04:24] – [19:25]

A significant portion of the episode centers around a missed birthday, leading to tension between Don Hahn and Peter Rosenberg. Don expresses regret over forgetting a colleague's birthday, while Peter critiques him for his oversight, labeling him a "snowflake."

Peter Rosenberg [10:35]: "Snowflake at your core. And I'm not saying this disrespectfully. It's respectfully."

The conversation escalates with callers like Anthony and Ty Butler chiming in, further intensifying the banter. Anthony accuses Ty of attempting to start a "coup" on the show, referring to behind-the-scenes manipulations.

Anthony [07:13]: "Connor. Absolute weasel."

Despite the friction, the hosts work through the misunderstanding, emphasizing accountability and camaraderie.

Don Hahn [11:17]: "No, no, but they're personal bias because he has freakish gigantic legs."

6. Handling Criticism and Accountability

Timestamp: [09:15] – [19:25]

The hosts navigate through critiques about missed acknowledgments and personal accountability. Peter urges Don to admit his mistake openly, fostering a discussion on maintaining authenticity on air.

Peter Rosenberg [09:50]: "I just want to let you know. Yeah, accountability. Fantastic. That's the great way to go. Take accountability."

Don Hahn struggles initially but eventually agrees, leading to a moment of reflection on their professional relationship and the importance of mutual respect.

7. The Thursday Rewrite: Hypothetical NFL Season Analysis

Timestamp: [28:07] – [40:40]

The highlight of the episode is the “Thursday Rewrite” segment, where the hosts collaboratively reimagine the New York Jets' 2023 NFL season under the condition that Aaron Rodgers remains healthy.

Imagining a Healthier Season

Peter Rosenberg sets the stage by recalling their previous discussions and posing the central question:

Peter Rosenberg [28:28]: "What happens if Aaron Rodgers does not tear his Achilles... what happens for the New York Jets that season and beyond."

Don Hahn and Ty Butler engage in a detailed breakdown, projecting the Jets' performance from a 7-10 record to potentially making the playoffs with an 11-6 or even 12-5 tally.

Don Hahn [30:15]: "You think they go at 10 and 7, 11 and 6. I think that's fair."

They analyze pivotal games, including victories against the Patriots and the controversial Black Friday game against the Dolphins. Ty Butler contributes by assessing how these hypothetical wins impact the Jets' playoff prospects.

Playoff Prospects and Team Development

The discussion extends to the Jets' potential playoff journey, considering matchups against teams like Buffalo and Kansas City. Don Hahn expresses skepticism about a Super Bowl run but acknowledges the team's progress.

Don Hahn [36:33]: "So we're not giving them the Super Bowl."

Peter Rosenberg counters by highlighting improvements in the Jets' defense and offense, arguing that under Rodgers' leadership, the team could sustain postseason success.

Peter Rosenberg [37:59]: "If you're a Jet fan, you can talk yourself into momentum."

8. WWE and ESPN Partnership Insights

Timestamp: [42:00] – [52:55]

The hosts shift focus to the recent WWE and ESPN partnership, analyzing its impact on both brands. Don Hahn elaborates on the strategic move, anticipating that major events like WrestleMania will draw massive viewership by being accessible through the ESPN app.

Don Hahn [44:56]: "WrestleMania is crushing the number of Sunday night baseball."

Peter Rosenberg acknowledges the resurgence of wrestling's popularity, attributing it to strategic business moves and the involvement of high-profile personalities.

Peter Rosenberg [47:54]: "I'm not very bright."

The hosts discuss the evolution of WWE’s audience, noting the cross-over appeal with sports fans and the integration of wrestling content into mainstream sports broadcasting.

9. Golf and Other Sports Updates

Timestamp: [52:55] – [54:19]

Towards the end of the episode, the hosts briefly touch upon current golf tournaments, providing leaderboard updates and humorous commentary on lesser-known players.

Don Hahn [52:55]: "That's your leaderboard update."

10. Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: [54:19] – [46:00]

The episode concludes with the hosts sharing light-hearted moments and teasing future topics, maintaining their characteristic blend of humor and insightful sports commentary.

Don Hahn [54:06]: "Catch the show on demand whenever you want."

---

Notable Quotes:

• Peter Rosenberg [00:01]: "Your personal messages stay between you, your friends, and your family. No one else, not even us."
• Don Hahn [10:24]: "Are you willing to admit you were a bad guy?"
• Peter Rosenberg [19:04]: "Jesus came so that we may have life and life more abundantly."
• Don Hahn [44:56]: "WrestleMania is crushing the number of Sunday night baseball."
• Peter Rosenberg [37:59]: "If you're a Jet fan, you can talk yourself into momentum."

---

Insights and Conclusions:

• Authenticity and Accountability: The episode underscores the importance of owning up to mistakes and maintaining genuine relationships within a professional setting.

• Impact of Leadership in Sports: The hypothetical scenario involving a healthy Aaron Rodgers illustrates how pivotal leadership can transform a team's season, potentially altering its trajectory towards playoff success.

• Cross-Industry Collaborations: The WWE and ESPN partnership exemplifies how strategic alliances can revitalize brands and expand their audience reach, blending entertainment with traditional sports broadcasting.

• Evolving Workplace Culture: Discussions around interns and dress codes highlight changing workplace dynamics and the need for adaptable and inclusive environments.

• Resurgence of Wrestling Popularity: The hosts attribute the renewed interest in WWE to effective business strategies and cultural shifts, positioning wrestling as a significant player in the broader sports and entertainment landscape.

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This detailed summary encapsulates the essence of the "Hour 2: Thursday Rewrite" episode of the Don, Hahn & Rosenberg podcast, offering a comprehensive overview of the key discussions, dynamic interactions, and insightful conclusions drawn by the hosts and their guests.

Transcript

[Peter Rosenberg]

On WhatsApp, no one can see or hear your personal messages. Whether it's a voice call message or sending a password to WhatsApp, it's all just this. So whether you're sharing the streaming password in the family chat or trading those late night voice messages, that could basically become a podcast, your personal messages stay between you, your friends and your family. No one else, not even us. WhatsApp message privately with everyone.

[Don Hahn]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. That sounds like heaven to me. Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers. I'm telling you, I work with psychopaths.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Let's see how things unfold in the first quarter.

[Don Hahn]

Is that what he said?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Then we can have a conversation.

[Don Hahn]

John Winthrop. We were just having the conversation we had yesterday on the air about if, like a dream woman, or if you're a lady, maybe in your dream man, or whatever your preference is, if that person were to show up in the middle of a football game and say, I want action, you have permission from your partner. What I'm saying is a normal person would say, oh, cool, let's do that. I'm not worried about the football game. That's what a normal person would say. Dave Rothenberg would say, I'm good altogether, completely pass on it. John Winthrop, who I thought would at least be normal and say, oh, yeah, I'm doing that. The example I use for him is Sydney Sweeney. I know how to appeal to the very generic white man. Sydney Sweeney is the choice of the day. The lady du jour, if her and her American Eagle jeans said, I want some Winthrop right now, his direct quote was, can you come back in the second quarter? Let's see how the first quarter plays out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Let's see how things are going in the first quarter, man.

[Don Hahn]

Priorities. People have different priorities. Listen, the interns, their priority was get out of Dodge.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So my hall pass, I've discussed this with Cassie Ashanti. It's forever been my hall pass.

[Don Hahn]

Wow.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like, if she pulls up, like, that's tough. Jets Broncos AFC Championship game. Like, that's tough.

[Don Hahn]

Is that tough?

[Peter Rosenberg]

But if she pulls up and she wants, as you said, action, Action, which would be odd because, you know, she's got the kids now and Nelly, but if she wants action, I'm doing it.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. Even in the Jets AFC championship game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I'm doing it.

[Don Hahn]

Yes. Because you know why? Ultimately, you're rooting for you. By the way, did you notice that Jake, the Jake that I was referring to, white Jake did you notice that his look today is, like, very different than usual?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, he cut off all his facial hair.

[Don Hahn]

Is that what. But also, everyone here wears, like, a polo shirt and slacks. And today he's looking like he's rolling up to the hotel bar with, like, a daiquiri in his hand, like, the whole beige vibe and, like, flowing shirt.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think it's the facial hair for me that he looks a bit different.

[Don Hahn]

Something looks different.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is there a uniform code here? No, not really a dress code. It's called that guy dress code. I got chastised for wearing shorts to work. I didn't think that in 2025, that was still a cool.

[Don Hahn]

Who was it, Han?

[Peter Rosenberg]

It was Pietro.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, they love doing that. They love Don. Don thinks wearing. Is it Don. Hold on. Does Don wear shorts? Don't wear shorts.

[Ty Butler]

I've seen the devil's tattoo a lot this summer.

[Don Hahn]

Okay, Don's wearing shorts. So it's. It's Michael. Oh, Michael Big can't wear shorts. But again, that's. That's personal bias because he has freakish gigantic legs. So he. He wouldn't wear shorts because it's too much leg to show those of us.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Who are 98 degrees like, we work.

[Don Hahn]

In a radio station.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I can't wear shorts.

[Don Hahn]

And by the way, the best dressed person here on any given day is wearing, like, khakis and a. And a. And a collar shirt. It's not like we don't exactly have. There's no Don Draper in our marketing department who's showing up every day with.

[Peter Rosenberg]

A suit and, like.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, with a Giorgio Armani tailored suit. Like, that's not happening here.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Respectfully, I want us to make sure we were on the same page with that, you guys.

[Don Hahn]

I mean, look, I'm wearing the Seth Rollins brace over my pants right now. I'll tell you what, though. Connor really did make the rest of the interns look bad.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Colin.

[Don Hahn]

Connor. Whatever his name was. Colin Connor. He still.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Connor.

[Don Hahn]

Connor. He may. He proved the point by staying. The other. Y' all have to admit, no one called up. To defend myself. To defend me. That the interns look nuts after. After all of that, I went out and made peace with them. I said, hey, guys, how are you?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Why did you have to make peace with them?

[Don Hahn]

Because if they misinterpreted yesterday's break because I had someone like you trying to make me a villain, they could have thought I was anti intern. Quite the opposite. I'm pro intern. I think there should be more interns. I think interns should have more opportunities to be involved.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I think when we present it as where's the interns? My car needs to be moved. Now. We're fighting an uphill battle. That's the point that I was making. Listen, for me, presentation matters.

[Don Hahn]

I think.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think ask John Winthrop. Presentation matters.

[Don Hahn]

Yo, imagine if you, like, interned for someone who turned out to be a legend and they had you drive their car your whole life. You'd be like, yo, I drove Howard Stern's car. I used to be sitting in the car. I'd drive it around the block, open the glove box, see what's going on. That's a story to tell. But the way you make it sound like it's so.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The way you presented it yesterday was hilarious. It was like, we're back in the 1960s, Ike Turner. Like that kind of.

[Don Hahn]

But that's because people are soft. And you have to acknowledge it these days that the intern thing is soft. I remember a wise man who I now will only refer to as redacted. Okay, Once said, no job is too small. And this is when he was already at the absolute top of the game and he said, if the artist that I'm with needs a white. A fresh white tea, I'm getting it. Whatever needs to get done, I get it done. That is what true hustlers do. And I think there is something valuable to learning that as an intern and even if it's not technically part of your responsibilities, volunteering, like, yo, whatever it is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Which he just said that they did.

[Don Hahn]

He said, I'm gonna find out if that's true.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because you. And that's another thing. You came in here fresh off of.

[Don Hahn]

A two month vacation, one month paternity.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Acting like you knew everything about what their job entitled. These guys do nothing.

[Don Hahn]

I didn't see what they're doing. Nothing. The amount that this man just makes up is wild.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And he said like, no, we actually offered K and Don and everyone.

[Don Hahn]

We don't know if that's true.

[Ty Butler]

They stood online for 45 minutes for Carlin's corner table for that prime rib sandwich that everybody's talking about.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Social media.

[Don Hahn]

What do you mean? To help.

[Ty Butler]

They stood online for him to get the 40. Like for 45 minutes to get the prime.

[Don Hahn]

That's a violation. If I were them, I'd report him.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So now you're back.

[Ty Butler]

Video evidence.

[Don Hahn]

There's a line. Exactly. There's on video. There's a line. Let's. Let's go to a Rob in Monmouth County. Hey, Rob.

[Anthony]

Okay. Hey, guys. Alright, so I'm taking a buckshot to everybody on this show. Okay, first off, Connor. Absolute weasel. Absolute weasel.

[Don Hahn]

In what way?

[Anthony]

The fact that he wouldn't. He. The fact that he wouldn't stand in solidarity with his fellow interns and took a cup.

[Don Hahn]

He kind of did.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, he did.

[Anthony]

He tried weasel. Ty.

[Don Hahn]

Okay, Ty.

[Anthony]

Ty.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Anthony]

Beginning of the day yesterday, 255 before the show began, you knew. You kind of. You kind of could have said something to Peter. All right, you kind of weaseled your way. Ty trying to start a coup on the show. He's trying to start a coup d'.

[Don Hahn]

Trap.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Rob, can I ask you a question?

[Don Hahn]

It's a great point by Rob.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Should I be required to remind the regular host on this show of his producer's birthday? Should that be a requirement for me? Let's be honest.

[Anthony]

The higher ground. The higher ground tie is always state classic.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now we want to go higher ground. Listen, when they go.

[Anthony]

Listen, listen, listen. You want to. You want to. You want to. You want to be the top. You got it. You got it. You got to be that every day. Doesn't matter now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Call out Peter.

[Anthony]

I want to hear you best, Ty. And you. And you might. You must have learned this from the. From the grand weasel of them all, Dave Rothenberg, because I. I know how much time you spent with him. Peter. Peter, my man.

[Don Hahn]

What did.

[Anthony]

I should know better than what you. This. This should. How long. How many years have you worked with Anthony?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like nine years?

[Don Hahn]

No, no. Well, no, no. Together, like since 21. Something like that. Four years.

[Anthony]

It's long enough, right? Long enough.

[Don Hahn]

Long enough.

[Anthony]

That's your boy. He takes care. He takes care of you. He makes you look good. He always speaks well of you doing. Enn. Always gives you your props when you're out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

True.

[Anthony]

Come on, Peter. You got it, Peter. It's your show.

[Don Hahn]

I gave him. Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse me. Excuse me. Did you just miss the. Did you just miss the birthday celebration? The magnolia cupcakes, the banana pudding?

[Anthony]

Okay, the day late in a dollar short cupcakes.

[Don Hahn]

They're day late. They're not a dollar short, Anthony. Are they dollar short?

[Ty Butler]

No, I think they're right on the money.

[Don Hahn]

They're exact. They hit it right boom. Because I bet Anthony, did you have. Anthony, did you have cake yesterday?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm sure he did.

[Don Hahn]

You did have cake yesterday. He did have you had cake today?

[Ty Butler]

No, I have not cake today.

[Don Hahn]

So it kind of hits today, you know what I'm saying? Because yesterday he already had cake. Yeah, that happens on Your birthday. Sometimes someone hits you with. You're like, oh, I just. I just had cake. I really don't need. But now, today. He came in today, Birthday's over. Now the birthday is extended with the banana pudding.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I just want to let you know. Yeah, accountability. Fantastic. That's the great. That's the. That's the way to go. Take accountability.

[Don Hahn]

For which part?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yo, I messed up. That's it.

[Don Hahn]

I messed up yesterday. Did I mess up?

[Peter Rosenberg]

You forgot his birthday. That's all I'm saying.

[Don Hahn]

I didn't forget because I never knew. I never knew.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, overwhelm him with kindness so that you just make up for that mistake.

[Don Hahn]

I'm thinking, are you taking accountability for the fact that you were intentionally a bad guy?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I learned.

[Don Hahn]

Were you intentionally a bad guy?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Ty, Never let honesty know the truth or the truth, which is honesty.

[Don Hahn]

What if the saying sounds better get.

[Peter Rosenberg]

In the way of a good radio bit?

[Don Hahn]

No, that's not the phrase. The phrase is never let the truth get in the way of a good story.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, but we were talking.

[Don Hahn]

Said the phrase is not. Never let honesty get in the way of a good radio bit. That's not a wise man. That's not what they said. You're botching the whole thing. Are you willing to admit you were a bad guy?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I was.

[Don Hahn]

All right, cool. Then I am willing to admit the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Betterment of the show.

[Don Hahn]

Okay, well, then there was a purpose.

[Peter Rosenberg]

To me being a bad guy to entertain the audience. What was the purpose of you being a bad guy?

[Don Hahn]

I wasn't a bad guy. I made a mistake.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay?

[Don Hahn]

Those aren't two different things. Do you think I knew it was Anthony's birthday and I intentionally was like, I'm not saying anything.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think that's not a bad guy is not knowing.

[Don Hahn]

That's not a bad guy. No, that's making a mistake.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, it's a pattern.

[Don Hahn]

Hold on. Was Anthony a bad guy for not knowing my birthday?

[Peter Rosenberg]

He knew your birthday?

[Don Hahn]

No, he didn't. He forgot. And Jacob called because Jacob's a good friend, and he called and told, and I guess. What. What did I do when I found it was a birthday? I made up for it. Exactly. I think everybody is just fine here, right?

[Ty Butler]

I was never not fine.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. Anthony found out it was my birthday, sent me a late text. I found out I missed Anthony's birthday. I got cupcakes.

[Ty Butler]

If I was here, I wouldn't have. I'll say this. If I was here, I wouldn't have forgot.

[Peter Rosenberg]

100% agree with better late than Never.

[Don Hahn]

I wouldn't have forgotten either if my co host or program director had told me yesterday. Or the other producer.

[Peter Rosenberg]

As a wise hip hop artist once said, never late is better.

[Don Hahn]

Never late is better. Who said that?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Better late than never. But never late is better.

[Don Hahn]

Who said that? Drake.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Drake.

[Don Hahn]

Figured sounded like some corny Drake would say. Will. Will in the Bronx. Hey, Will.

[Anthony]

Hey. What's going on, guys?

[Don Hahn]

What up, Will?

[Anthony]

This call will be recorded. Why does that keep happening? How you doing? I just want to say, with all due respect, Peter, congratulations.

[Don Hahn]

I played myself.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How?

[Anthony]

What you did? You forgot. There's a feature on your phone you could put in his birthday. You could get a reminder. All the important people in your life, you can have a reminder when's their birthday. It'll pop up.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, but will, will, will. That's a nice story you're telling, but usually what happens is if you wish someone a happy birthday via text, it will say, do you want to store their birthday?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Anthony, last year I probably saw on his birthday and just said, happy birthday. So it didn't give me the option of storing it. So now I'm going to have to go store it for next year. Anthony's birthday is August 6th. Done. So get ahead of it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

When Will calls, why is every time the call starts with your message is now being.

[Don Hahn]

Because he's recording the call like a weirdo.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You think he's doing that?

[Don Hahn]

You said it's only when he calls.

[Ty Butler]

Yeah, it's an iPhone thing.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, it's him. He's choosing to record calls.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

You record calls on your iPhone. How do you do? How do you do it? You push a button of some sort?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, you. What was it? Phone record or. Why would one do that? I'm curious. I just can't figure out evidence. Obviously he might. Evidence for what? Or content. It might be a podcast, but I like that it's a law that you have to announce it. Yeah. Because most states won't. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Don Hahn]

You got to at least announce it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I figured maybe he's calling from Rikers because they'll, you know, they'll do that. And holding.

[Don Hahn]

That's what it feels like. By the way, Eddie in Rockland. What's up, Eddie?

[Anthony]

Hey, Peter. I'm with you, man. You got a lot on your plate. The wrestling, the baby. Thank you. You're the number one dog. It's his job to pick up the slack. You know, just me and Urkel don't get along too well. Urkel always trying to step all over me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is that.

[Don Hahn]

Why do you call him Urkel?

[Peter Rosenberg]

My wife doesn't love it.

[Anthony]

I'll give you an example. He was on with Chris last week.

[Don Hahn]

All right.

[Anthony]

And out of. Coming out of commercial, Chris was scratching his lower back.

[Don Hahn]

Okay.

[Anthony]

And Urkel was like, where was your hand? Where was your. You know, it was lot longer. They made about 15 minutes of where was Chris scratching? That's an Urkel move.

[Don Hahn]

Why is that an Urkel move, though?

[Anthony]

What do you know? That's a nerdy move. Try to make something more.

[Don Hahn]

That's a nerdy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If I was on here figuring out, like, trigonometry equations, then you can.

[Don Hahn]

No, no. Like, if you wanted to turn every argument into, like, just stats and numbers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

You know, maybe he's like Stefan or Kel, but it's not Steven Urkel.

[Anthony]

I'm not sensing anything exactly like Stephen Urkel. I don't exactly.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know what I feel like?

[Don Hahn]

I feel like Eddie doesn't know any black people.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I feel like Eddie's family doesn't love him.

[Don Hahn]

Well, by the way, that's on the table.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I just. I just. I don't know. I get vibes from Eddie that just don't pass the radar test, if you will.

[Don Hahn]

You don't think. You don't think he's getting.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't get. I don't think he's got a family or friends who loves him. He keeps calling and does the same bit. Hey, Uraco. At some point, it's not funny anymore.

[Don Hahn]

Well, I got to tell you that there is. I don't want to go all Peter Rosenberg snowflake, but, like, when there's one black guy on the air at this moment in time, and then you go with the only, like, really famous black reference that doesn't remind anyone. It would be like, it made me call him, all right, Eddie Murphy. It's like he. Ty has.

[Anthony]

No.

[Don Hahn]

If Ty. Like Ty. If you said, all right, Q tip. Fair. Because Ty does sound kind of like.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Q tip, you know, Will Smith. Because, like, the physique and all that.

[Don Hahn]

I got.

[Peter Rosenberg]

With you.

[Don Hahn]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And he keeps doing Will Smith.

[Don Hahn]

Could have so many other meanings, by the way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. Nowadays.

[Don Hahn]

But. But, yeah, Urkel. It feels weird. It feels weird. I'm not into it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I contend Eddie's got a family who doesn't love him.

[Don Hahn]

I was just going with. I don't think Eddie has ever talked to any black people in his life. So he talks to one black person. Like, you must be like Steve Urkel. And by the way, what a bad sign. He takes in so little black content that his only reference point is Family Matters. It was canceled in 1994.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. We could have gotten other places.

[Don Hahn]

So many. Exactly. So many other places to go. You know what? Let's. Let's go to some. Let's go to Pat, who's in the car. Maybe Pat has something to offer us. Hey, Pat.

[Anthony]

Hi, guys. Peter just wanted to say, you know, forgetting birthdays and not such a big thing. I forget them a lot.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Anthony]

And also, if they want to paint you as the bad guy. So what? You and I were both WWE fans, so, like, one of my favorite wrestlers said, bad times don't last, but bad guys do.

[Don Hahn]

It's a great point.

[Anthony]

Why not just take the bad guy?

[Don Hahn]

So you're saying just be the heel and live in it.

[Anthony]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

So it's a.

[Anthony]

You know, why the greatest wrestlers. We're heels.

[Don Hahn]

That's true.

[Anthony]

In my opinion.

[Don Hahn]

What I've learned about myself is, though, the reason I'm not great at it, because I end up feeling bad. I don't know if I make a great deal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Snowflake at your core. And I'm not saying this disrespectfully. It's respectfully.

[Don Hahn]

It didn't sound respectful, though.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're a snowflake at your core.

[Don Hahn]

I am.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a good thing.

[Don Hahn]

I'm sensitive. I am.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a good thing.

[Don Hahn]

I have empathy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You don't want to be out here mean to people, so I don't know if that. That role fits you.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, let's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Let's.

[Don Hahn]

By the way, speaking of heels, how about this moment from Paul Heyman yesterday on the program? If you haven't listened, go back and listen to the podcast. But this is Heyman on the show yesterday from New York. I'm not supposed to say that. No, it's okay. We got it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's all good.

[Don Hahn]

But. Yeah, but we're live radio. I can't say. No, don't say it again. We're gonna run out of dump time. But that's a bad word. That's one of the words. Those are bad.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Stop.

[Don Hahn]

Stop.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It reminded him. If it reminded him of a Jimmy Carson bit.

[Don Hahn]

Johnny Carson.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Johnny Carson and I.

[Don Hahn]

And it was actually a buddy, Connor. Colin, by the way. That is. Can you. Can I get a drop of Anthony going on the air and call telling me his name was Colin?

[Peter Rosenberg]

But it was on the air saying.

[Don Hahn]

It wasn't on the air.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It was in your ear.

[Don Hahn]

So, honestly, was it a setup? No proof. Just tell us the truth. Was it just Heard. No, he definitely said Colin. You heard it, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, he said it directly.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, you said it just to me, in my ear. He definitely went. His name is Colin. So I just don't know now if he's setting me up or confused it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, seriously, did you not know his name?

[Ty Butler]

I knew his name. I think I said it wrong. I definitely said Colin.

[Don Hahn]

For sure you did say.

[Ty Butler]

But I know that it is Colin and I. So I combined the two.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is that a name people mix up?

[Ty Butler]

I mean, listen, Ty, it's all over for me. I'm not very bright.

[Don Hahn]

This was a crazy day.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm so down on him, son.

[Don Hahn]

I'm still.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Anthony, I need you to lift yourself up, man.

[Don Hahn]

Lift every voice and sing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, seriously, your birthday does matter.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, man, you matter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You do matter. Life and life more abundantly.

[Don Hahn]

I think what Ty is trying to say to you is that all lives, in fact, matter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, I'm not going there. What I am saying is that, listen, just to quote my favorite book, Jesus came so that we may have life and life more abundantly. So the fact that you are spitting on your birthday is disrespectful to Jesus.

[Don Hahn]

I don't want to wait. You're quoting your favorite book being the Bible?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don Hahn]

Is that really your favorite book now?

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Urku reference written work. Because I'm a nerd.

[Don Hahn]

You know, I was sitting home last night perusing the Bible. Speaking of which, here's Tristan in Rahway who has things to say. Hey, Tristan.

[Anthony]

Hey. What's going on, guys? Thank you for taking the call.

[Don Hahn]

Of course. What's up?

[Anthony]

Yeah, I think. I think, Peter, you get some heat for no reason, man. And. And I agree with the one guy saying that. That Ty was being a weasel, because that. That. That's a weaselly move.

[Don Hahn]

It was weasel.

[Anthony]

A buddy.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Anthony]

Yeah. Like, if you have a buddy and then you, you know, it's a birthday and like, you be like, oh, yo, yo, it's so and so's birthday. Make sure you like. I know you're trying to make a radio bit out of it. It's extremely entertaining. It's very fun. I've been cracking up, but it's still weasel.

[Don Hahn]

Still weasel.

[Anthony]

Very Weasley. And. And you know what? I've been. I was getting called Weasel Urkel when I was a kid. I kind of look like Ty a little bit. I was at the beach bash. The. The Rothenberg pitching shirt. And. But definitely being called Urkel, like, he's. He's. That's. That's inappropriate. Like, he's got to chill with that. That's not fun.

[Don Hahn]

I. I would like to say now, though.

[Anthony]

Appreciate you guys.

[Don Hahn]

Thank you. I appreciate it.

[Anthony]

You took a shot at me on one inadvertently when you were talking about. Talking about taking 50 milligrams of gummies. That's a different topic.

[Don Hahn]

Wait, but I didn't know obviously, that about you, did I?

[Anthony]

No, I know, I know. I was listening to it, and I was like, wait a minute. I got to. I had to open up my eyes for a second. Like, it was like a literally eye opening experience.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wait a minute.

[Anthony]

I might have a problem.

[Don Hahn]

An eye opening experience, when you've taken a 50 milligram gummy means, like, it involves tweezers. Like, you have to. You have to do real work. And by the way, I would just like to say right now, from what I know about Tristan, which is that he came to the beach bash wearing a Dave Rothenberg shirt, you deserve to be called Urkel more than Ty. I just want to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Exactly.

[Don Hahn]

The second you make your own Dave Rothenberg shirt during the conversation, it's a cult. Thank you, buddy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, but it's a cult.

[Don Hahn]

They are very cult, like, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, it's. It's not all of them, because I got mad love for some of the guys.

[Don Hahn]

You talking about the company?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. My man Lonnie and Harlem. He's cool.

[Don Hahn]

Lonnie's a good guy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Lonnie's. Lonnie's a good guy.

[Don Hahn]

Bit of a close talker.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like, he's in your face.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, my God.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like, you smell the breath.

[Anthony]

What?

[Don Hahn]

He's the one of the closest talkers in the biz.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Come on, Lonnie, you got to be better than that. He.

[Don Hahn]

You know what? He's not only a close talker. I'm gonna tell you something right now. He's also. Lonnie's a very sweet guy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is he touchy?

[Don Hahn]

Big touch. Ooh, hand on the shoulder guy. And there's some people you don't. I deal with it even though I don't love it. But there are some people who get very on edge about the hand on the shoulder.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I can't do that.

[Don Hahn]

When you put your hand on someone's shoulder, it's like, come here, son. Let me talk to you. I'm gonna show you how I do this, son. That's how it feels. It feels like, I'm gonna show you how I do this, son. And you can't do that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And he's adding in the close talker to it. So you're smelling the breath and feeling the spectacles of the saliva.

[Don Hahn]

Yes. And he's got his hand on your shoulder. And Lonnie does this one other thing that's very interesting. He always gives you this look when you first see him that's like, tell me if you know what I'm talking about, Jacob. He gives you this look like, what's up, man? You dissing me? Like, he always look at you like you did something wrong when he first greets you. It's a very odd.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He's from Harlem.

[Don Hahn]

Is that the Harlem thing?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Living up to his truth?

[Don Hahn]

It's Harlem. It's Harlem.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It' static at first, but then once we get into it, we cool.

[Don Hahn]

Wow. Drake is on the line and we'll get to him after the break with an incredible take. I can't wait to hear 1-800-919-3776.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The guy I just referenced, not your hero. He's not. Stop it. Don't put me in that category. Don't do that.

[Don Hahn]

The only two people you've quoted today so far, the Bible and Drake. Okay, that seems to be the class that he's in. All right, we'll talk to all of you guys. And we're going to get more into football. The rewrite is next. Who did the rewrite? Ty did. You got a rewrite?

[Ty Butler]

It's a combined effort.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, okay. Let's see. I'm excited about this. This is an ad by BetterHelp. And these days, guys, man, it feels like somebody's got advice for everything. Cold plunges, gratitude journals, do this, do that. You gotta do this to be healthy, you gotta do that to be healthy. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Now, me personally, I listen to my therapist and I get some really great insight, man. My therapist is so, so helpful, alright? And it's benefited me in every part of my life. And if you've been considering it, BetterHelp has over 30,000 therapists. It's the world's largest online therapy platform. 5 million people globally have been helped by it. Convenient, too. You can join a session with a therapist at the click of a button and you can fit therapy into your busy life. Plus, you can switch therapists at any time. Alright? It's the largest therapy provider in the world. BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise. Unwind from work. With BetterHelp, our listeners get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com timeout. That's betterhelp.com timeout. This is an ad by BetterHelp these days it feels like there's a vice for everything. Cold plunges, gratitude journals, screen detoxes. But how do you know what actually works for you? With the Internet and information overload about mental health and wellness, it can be a struggle to know what what's true and what actions to take. These days, using trusted resources and talking to live therapists can get you personalized recommendations and help to help you break through the noise. With over 30,000 therapists, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 5 million people globally. And it works with an App store rating of 4.9 out of 5 based on over 1.7 million client reviews. As the largest online therapy provider in the the world, BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise. Talk it out with BetterHelp, our listeners get 10% off their first [e-mail] timeout. That's betterhelp.com timeout.

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[Don Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I didn't listen to anything you just said. Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. The time continuum has been disrupted. Creating an alternate 1985. This is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Hey, Doc, are you telling me you.

[Anthony]

Built a time machine?

[Don Hahn]

The Thursday rewrite on Run. Roll of the dice. All right, so I don't even know what we're doing for the rewrite, but I'm told we're going to collaborate on it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is a fun one.

[Don Hahn]

So. So I'm going to follow your lead. Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's one we've spoken about in passing the other day. Uh oh, what's happening here? Cramping.

[Don Hahn]

I'm just stretching my leg out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Don Hahn]

And looking at the cupcakes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just want to make sure you're good. So this rewrite was collaborative. It's like the Yankee front office. It's collaborative. So Anthony and I were coming up with something we thought that would interest you. And we go back to the NFL season of 2023 and my question to you, Peter Rosenberg. What happens?

[Don Hahn]

I know where we're going.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If Aaron Rodgers.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, no, I don't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Does not tear his Achilles fourth play of the game. He stays healthy the entire season. Now, just a quick flashback to what happened that year. The jets end up winning that game, and it was like one of the most depressing wins I've ever experienced as a fan. But they lose the next three straight, pick up a couple wins, they're flying high, and then the wheels come off. So they end the season seven and 10 with Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle, Trevor Simeon as their quarterbacks. If Rodgers does not tear his Achilles, what happens for the New York jets that season and beyond.

[Don Hahn]

Man, that is fascinating.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now I want to take you back because I remember you did the interview with Aaron and you guys liked him and you guys started to get higher on the jets to just remember where you were when this was all going down.

[Don Hahn]

Well, it starts with what would they have finished that year?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think they make the playoffs.

[Don Hahn]

You think they go at 10 and 7, 11 and 6.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think that's fair. Because if you're going 7 and 10 with Wilson, Boyle, Simeon, healthy, Aaron Rodgers, that was one year removed from winning an MVP. I think you can make the case for a 10, 7 season. 10, 7, 11, 6. There are some wins on that schedule. I remember those games, you know, losing to the Raiders, that debacle against the Charters Chargers on Monday night. I remember a lot of those games that could have been won that they ended up losing. Even Kansas City on, on Sunday Night Football. So let's just say they go 10 and 7, 11 and 6.

[Don Hahn]

Man, they almost beat Kansas City. Right? That was Wilson. That was Wilson's heroic moment.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That was. The Mahomes was awful in that game.

[Ty Butler]

What about the Black Friday game?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh yeah, against the Dolphins.

[Don Hahn]

That was a bad one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The kick six, kick six game shout out Tim Boyle. That was awesome.

[Don Hahn]

All right, here are the games that could have been different even if they just had the Rogers of the next season of 20 of last year. If they had 20, 24 Rogers. I don't even need them to have 2022 Rogers. Let me just give them 2024 Rogers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay, week three, they win. I was at that game.

[Don Hahn]

Absolutely. They. The Patriots. Yeah, they beat the Patriots. All right, so they're two and one. I'm going to give them Kansas City to go to 3 and 1. They were that close with Zach Wilson. That then puts them at five and one heading into the buy. They come out, they beat the Giants.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Anyway and it was a bad game.

[Don Hahn]

Disgusting game. 6 and 1. Now you can't tell me they still get blown out by the Chargers. I have trouble believing that. But let's call it. Give them the loss. Yeah, 6 and 2.

[Peter Rosenberg]

6 and 2.

[Don Hahn]

That Raiders game at the Raiders, they lose by four.

[Peter Rosenberg]

By the way, they. So that game they ended, they were in the red zone with a chance to win it. And Wilson throws an interception. So that's the context of that game.

[Don Hahn]

So, so let's give them the win there. They're 7 and 2, blown out by Buffalo. 7 and 3.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is the Black Friday game. It's 34 13, but.

[Don Hahn]

I know, but it's. It's Tim Boyle, but it's Tim Boyle. So that. That's an iffy one. Let's give. Let's lose that one. Let's give him Atlanta and get them to 8 and 4. They beat Houston. They're 9 and 4. They get blown out by Miami. 30 nothing. 9 and 5. We'll say it's still a loss. They beat Washington in the game that gave us Jaden Daniels. 10 and 5. They lose to Cleveland 37, 20. So I'll still call that a loss. 10, 6. And they beat the Patriots. So we just got to do 11 and 6 pretty easily.

[Ty Butler]

And that won the division, by the way. Both the Dolphins and The Bills were 11 and 6.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wait, so the Week 17 game, wasn't that Flacco throwing a party on him? The 37 20? If I remember correctly, that was Joe Flacco going nuts on the jets, and they had no answer for Njoku.

[Ty Butler]

You are correct.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And Joko just lit them up.

[Ty Butler]

And did you give them the Black Friday win?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. No, he.

[Don Hahn]

No, I didn't. We still called it a loss because it was a big enough loss and because on the heels of it, I gave them the Atlanta win the next week. So let's. I just split those.

[Ty Butler]

So it's tiebreakers there. So they still might not make the playoff.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, but let me. Can I. Can I convince you or persuade you to think differently of the back of Black Friday?

[Don Hahn]

I remember it. It was not even a real game.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They are down 106 seemingly going into halftime.

[Don Hahn]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then the kick six happens and all the wheels come off, so it ends up being 34 13. But they're. They're. They're down 10, 6. That's a competitive game headed toward halftime. So I'm not being too much of a homer by saying they win that game with a healthy Amar Rodgers. You think so, Anthony? Like you, you were all over it. Ten, six.

[Ty Butler]

Yeah, sorry, I was just doing the math on everything.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a 10, 6 game before the kick six.

[Ty Butler]

I'll tell you this. Well, first of all, that. And that probably doesn't happen.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. If Rogers is not doing that. So. And we're talking about probably the best Hail Mary thrower in NFL history. Right. He.

[Ty Butler]

He's at least not letting it get returned. Put it that way.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, I would.

[Ty Butler]

I would be. You could arguably Give them that game. Even if you don't at the 11 and 6, you guys give them. I think obviously, everything else being equal, they actually take out the Steelers. So then they get the. I think they get the seven seed.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So they're in the playoffs. Yeah, they're in the playoffs that year. All right, the jets are now in the playoffs in 20, 23.

[Don Hahn]

So they get to the play now. That's the next level of conversation. I think that we would agree, though, no matter who they play in the first round.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So that's the year Baltimore, I think, ended up getting the one Baltimore has to buy. So they're playing whoever the two seed is that year. And I don't remember off the top of my head, they'd play Buffalo.

[Ty Butler]

In Buffalo, Pittsburgh lost to them 31, 17.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, I remember that game. Yeah, that was in the snow. That was ugly.

[Don Hahn]

They're losing to Buffalo.

[Ty Butler]

Well, hang on now. You're probably right. Yeah, snow game, the way that defense was playing, which at the time, I know we don't remember it, but they were pretty good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That jet defense was awesome.

[Ty Butler]

That jet defense, remember they beat the.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Eagles.

[Ty Butler]

And then you assume they're going to get blown out by Kansas. Well, actually, they would end up playing Baltimore because they were the seventh seed.

[Don Hahn]

Listen to this stretch. Well, no, they were hit or miss, man. That defense was very anemic and weird.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, but remember their offense couldn't score.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, but even if you just look at the points they gave up or down the stretch of that season they.

[Ty Butler]

Gave up, you still make the playoffs.

[Don Hahn]

They gave up 32, they gave up 34.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They're giving up a lot of points.

[Don Hahn]

Because they give 28 to Washington.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But they're on the field constantly and some of that has to do with like field position. So you can't just get scores.

[Don Hahn]

I hear you, but. But what are you pushing for? We got them in the playoffs. So. So no one thinks they're winning the Super Bowl.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no, I. But I.

[Don Hahn]

They're probably losing to Buffalo.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But. But I. I'm just pushing back on the Black Friday game. Do we know that That's a loss?

[Don Hahn]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

10, 6 headed to halftime.

[Don Hahn]

We don't.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So can I give them 12 and.

[Don Hahn]

Sure.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So. So 12 and 5 put that they.

[Don Hahn]

Gives them the division outright. Does it change them? Not well, it also moves Buffalo.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, it moves Buffalo.

[Don Hahn]

So. But we're not giving them the Super Bowl.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, no, but I think.

[Don Hahn]

Give them the second round.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don Hahn]

All right, so we gave them the second round. Now, the following year now we're going to the second. It's year two of Rogers, but remember, it's year two where the. It's. There's no rehab. It's the next step in a program with a healthy quarterback. We already saw what he did last year coming off of the Achilles, where even though he wasn't special by this, by the time the season really got going, midway through, he was. He was finding his way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Salah doesn't get fired. Their defense is still good.

[Don Hahn]

Miami's no good anymore. They're competing with Buffalo for the division right now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Buffalo was awesome last year.

[Don Hahn]

I don't think they're beating them out. Yeah, they're not beating out Buffalo.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Buffalo got to the AFC Championship game, so. But we're taught. But what we're talking about, Peter, is now a perennial playoff team, which is. Which is so odd to associate that with the Jets, a perennial playoff team. They're coming off of back to back playoff appearances and maybe getting a playoff.

[Don Hahn]

Win and full circle. That is why, if you're a Jets fan, you feel this team is cursed.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, so what happens this year? You've now won back to back playoff games or you've won a playoff game in back to back years.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You still have the same head coach. You still keep Rogers, presumably.

[Don Hahn]

Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And now we're heading into a season just locked up. Garrett just locked up Sauce.

[Don Hahn]

No, you're feeling very good. Listen, they're still not. Here's the hard part, though.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's what we learned, that they were never going to win this.

[Don Hahn]

That's the thing. The hard part is. So they're going to pass Kansas City or Buffalo or Baltimore.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Don Hahn]

Are they better? Are they better than Philadelphia?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, but it's better than what we got.

[Don Hahn]

Of course, what we got is a complete. What? You know, we got. We got wasted years on Garrett Wilson's career. We got wasted years in Sauce Gardner's career.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Got that anyway. Right.

[Don Hahn]

That's what I'm saying. Like, the years were just. They didn't get to grow even. No one even got to grow. Like, you're not really growing on a team. That's just bad. Like Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson were both worse last year. They didn't improve year to year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

I mean, listen, I think they'll be fine. Don't get me wrong, but you weren't as excited about Garrett Wilson last year as you were the previous year. That's what happens on teams that are bad generally. Very rarely do players start making vast improvements when so many facets of your team is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I'll tell you this because you're coming off of back to back years. You want a playoff game, you can, as crazy as it sounds, start to make the case because we just threw Kansas City out there. No one's beaten Kansas City. Last time I saw the Chiefs, man, they got waxed in the super bowl. And the Chiefs all year long. Last year didn't look great. They averaged 22 points a game.

[Don Hahn]

Who are you talking to? I was off the Chiefs all year.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's a. There's a statistic for eddie. They averaged 22 points a game last year, Kansas City. So I guess you can talk yourself into. I don't know, man. We're building on something, right?

[Don Hahn]

And by the way, you never know because styles make fights and maybe they end up with the right matchup. And I'm the Did anybody have Washington in the NFC Championship? They got the matchups that work.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm a big Lamar Jackson fan, but we know like the only yeah, but on his resume is playoffs. Right?

[Don Hahn]

That's the biggest. It's the Aaron Judge yet, but the worst. Yeah, but to have.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And then there's Buffalo. So at least coming into this season, if you're a Jet fan, you can talk yourself into momentum. Kansas City may be taking a step back. Lamar still has playoff struggles. We're right there. We're right there.

[Connor]

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[Don Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

Abercrombie app online or in stores.

[Don Hahn]

Valid in stores and online through August 11, 2025 in US and Canada. Excludes clearance price. Reflects discount code. Valid in US and Canada through August 11, 2025. Exclusions apply.

[Peter Rosenberg]

See details online.

[Don Hahn]

Are you feeling more fulfilled now that you're back to work on August 15th?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No.

[Anthony]

I need a vacation.

[Don Hahn]

See the movie that critics are saying is an awesome look at that crowd pleasing Fist pumping all out brawl of a film.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're right about that.

[Anthony]

They're coming after our family. Go fix this.

[Don Hahn]

Oh my. Nobody 2, rated R. Holding in theaters August 15th. Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I didn't listen to anything you just said. Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. Having a very interesting conversation.

[Peter Rosenberg]

John's a pretty bright guy.

[Don Hahn]

He is about most things. He has some odd takes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Really odd the music tastes.

[Don Hahn]

I mean, he's only been to one concert. It's Celine Dion.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Really.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. Who by the way, of course is one of the great. I know, but one of the great voices of all time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But that to be your only ever attended concert.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, it's a rough one. But we were just discussing the WWWE going to ESPN and I don't, I don't remember if we made this clear on the air yesterday.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We did not.

[Don Hahn]

We did not. Right. So I kind of figured it out later. So a lot of people were freaking out yesterday that I can't believe WWE is now going to go from being on peacock for like 5 bucks a month to expecting you to pay $30 a month for the new ESPN app. What I think people have failed to realize and it's okay to admit that if you're in this group, I'm going to make your day better. If you have ESPN, meaning you pay for cable or you have the DirecTV app, or you use Hulu for TV and you include ESPN as in your Hulu program. If you already receive ESPN not plus you still watch the linear channel ESPN in any way on your computer or on your television. You will have a login to get this app with WWE for free. You won't be adding more. You just have to have ESPN to then get to watch WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Backlash, Clash of Paris, all that stuff. To watch it on the ESPN direct to consumer app. But you will have access to it now because of that. Because to have the app is essentially to have ESPN. What's gonna stop them from just putting WrestleMania on main channel ESPN? Why would it not be like, think about like this, WWE just got the money. They got 325 million a year to work just on ples, which is the new term for Pay per views. $301.6 billion over five years just for the premium live events. If you're WWE, you don't need to sell the event anymore in the us so guys, are you telling me that Wrestlemania this year is going to end up airing On ESPN property.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Both nights. Right, Both nights.

[Don Hahn]

Why would it just be on the app? Unless I guess the only thing that could get in the way would be early season Sunday night baseball. That's not a.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, because that's April, right? Or is it late?

[Don Hahn]

It's April. No, late April.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, but espn isn't ESPN getting out of the baseball business? Business.

[Don Hahn]

That's what they say. But even if they had it, you're telling me you don't just. We're not doing Sunday night baseball this week. We're doing WrestleMania both nights. You know how many more eyeballs you're getting?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, I mean maybe they push it to ESPN.

[Don Hahn]

May, but. Push which? Oh, espn. Push the baseball to ESPN too.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, I don't know if Manfred's going for that, but the partnership I think ends at the conclusion of this season.

[Don Hahn]

Well then his deal better be bigger than WWE's deal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I guess.

[Don Hahn]

I mean, but I mean what's going.

[Peter Rosenberg]

To get the better number?

[Don Hahn]

WrestleMania is crushing the number of Sunday night baseball.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So you, I guess you put Sunday night baseball.

[Don Hahn]

What does Sunday night baseball do weekly?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Isn't like one one something.

[Don Hahn]

So it's losing to raw.

[Ty Butler]

Subway Series did two point something and that was.

[Don Hahn]

Subway series is the biggest you can do.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yankees Red Sox or Yankees Red Sox.

[Don Hahn]

Could get to three million. Yeah, two and a half. Three.

[Anthony]

Raw.

[Don Hahn]

RAW is getting you to three and a half million. Two million. Two and a half million. So Mania, they're going to get millions. Eight, nine million I bet will come. Because think about like this. If you are a lapsed wrestling fan like Ty Butler. Take Ty Butler. But you're not doing the radio show with Peter Rosenberg. You're just regular Ty Butler. You're sitting at home with your kids. You don't know me, but you're sitting at home with your kids living your life and you find out it's Sunday, it's Saturday afternoon and you find out WrestleMania is free on ESPN that night. Even being a lapsed fan, you're tuning in, you're flipping it on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Absolutely.

[Don Hahn]

You're going to flip on WrestleMania and see what it see.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Maybe I'm going too far. And how soon before this this heads to ABC?

[Don Hahn]

Whoa, you mean like for the big one Mania, they go where's going network television for WrestleMania?

[Peter Rosenberg]

And I guess SummerSlam's now was SummerSlam now the second biggest event? Yeah, you go network television.

[Don Hahn]

It's crazy. I thought that I had a complete understanding of how big this thing could get. And yet in the last week it's Somehow taken a bigger.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'll be honest. I was not. I was so ignorant to how huge wrestling still is. Like talking to Heyman yesterday and obviously doing a show with you all week and just seeing, you know, the numbers that have come out. Attendance at MetLife Stadium, people. I have conversations with the folks that were excited to go to RAW the next night. I didn't realize how big wrestling still is, especially to adults.

[Don Hahn]

It's gotten very big to adults.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So like, what happened? Like, what changed? Maybe that's a complex question that we can't fit in the next 155.

[Don Hahn]

It's a good time though. Cause it's the end of the hour. Right? So what changed?

[Peter Rosenberg]

They put you in the pregame show.

[Don Hahn]

I mean, listen, I'll tell you this. I didn't hurt the culture. It getting cool. It getting cool among people is definitely a factor. And I. It is funny. I do take a lot of credit for the early bringing it to get cool. Because when I came to Hot 97 and I started wearing my wrestling stuff everywhere and like repping it hard, that wasn't a thing rappers were doing at that time. And it's funny, like, no one's going to credit the dorky white guy in Hot 97 as being the dude who kind of influenced people feeling comfortable again with their wrestling. But like, there was a little rush of people that definitely helped in that world. But that's just one small piece of the pie, right? That's not why it got gigantic everywhere. So why did that happen? Attitude Era. You have a time in which WWE is going up against WCW. At that time, you have 5 million people watching each channel USA and Turner. So 10 million people were there weekly watching wrestling of some variety. WCW gets shut down and eaten up by Vince McMahon. And when you get to the early 2000s. 040506 RAW is still doing 5,6 million a night. Now. That number did go down as time went on and we got to like the last many years before the TKO deal. But then like there was just a series of things that happened. I would probably point a finger and I have no idea if there's statistics to back this up. I do think the pandemic shutting down the world and wrestling still rocking every week and month helped.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Robin Lumberg said that that's what he got. Got back into it.

[Don Hahn]

Oh. And it became his like a thing that he loves now it is fully engaged on. Sometimes he has some takes that are a little. But I love that he has them. Like he's one of those People he was one back over, oh, guess what? Then his kids watching with him, with him. Now your kids into it. So there's a perfect storm and then TKO from a business standpoint, I mean, not to be like company show guy, but Nick Khan is just a sick businessman. Like Nick Khan, for people who don't know, was a sports agent. First Greenies agent, Beatles agent, Kellerman's agent, got a lot of people, a lot of money, helped shape a lot of like get up existing. A lot of the programming on ESPN was from the handiwork of Nick Khan moving and shaking with his clients to get things done. And then he came into WWE and has a different level business acumen than they previously at any point really had. Obviously Vince McMahon was a great businessman, but it was his mom and pop shop and he operated in a different way. Nick Khan is a serious high level Hollywood businessman who came to the table. Right. So they are just a different level business conglomerate at this point. And then you have Cody Rhodes leaving and coming back. He becomes a megastar. Roman Reigns turns into a star. The Rock comes back. Now Bad Bunny is into it. Travis Scott is into it. Jelly rolls into. You have all these like perfect things happening. And most importantly, there are only so many bits of programming that demand people to watch things live.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Don Hahn]

And wrestling is closer to sports than anything else. You don't want to miss the result. You might try to watch it on your dvr, but if it gets ruined for you, it's annoying.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I also think there is some significance, like you seeing Tyrese Halliburton, Russell Wilson. So you get fans of sports teams that, you know, make you want to tune in. And whether that's like, you know, a large part of it or a small factor, I think it plays, it plays into it as well. The popularity of the wwe.

[Don Hahn]

When I saw Halliburton backstage the other day, I was like, yo, my man, you pulling a Seth Rollins or not? Drop the, drop the crutches, bro. We know what time it is. How are the boos, by the way? I was outside. How are the booze for Halliburton?

[Peter Rosenberg]

They were, they were loud. But he, you know, he's playing the role, he's welcoming.

[Don Hahn]

And by the way, wrestling fans secretly probably kind of love him because he's so into it. So even if they're hating on him, they kind of love that he plays along with it. Like he's a real fan, like the real, real deal. Hey, guys. The FedEx St. Jude championship, one of my favorite events is happening as we Speak and let's hit the leaderboard update brought to you by Schweppes. Okay, let's. Let's look for the first name we care about on the leaderboard. Justin Rose is at six under.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's good.

[Don Hahn]

Now, I haven't watched a lot of golf this season. I'm gonna be honest with you. I'm not familiar with the leader, and I feel bad because he's an American.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's his name?

[Don Hahn]

Bhatia. B A H, T, I. Akshay Bhatia.

[Ty Butler]

New to me.

[Don Hahn]

You don't know Akshay Bhatia, do you?

[Ty Butler]

No, I don't.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, Akshay Bhatia. Never. Kind of like a gangster name, though. But he might bate you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If looks could kill, then my style might.

[Don Hahn]

Bhatia.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There we go.

[Don Hahn]

Let's see. Kalamorakawa is tied for fifth. Ricky Fowler tied for seventh. Scottie Scheffler also tied for seventh at 4 under.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That was some leaderboard update.

[Don Hahn]

That's your leaderboard update. I'll give you the names you care about. By the way, did anyone give props? Let me finish. Leaderboard update, presented by Schweppes. Schweppes offers a hole in one refreshment experience and is proud to sponsor PGA of America. Enhance your summer with Schweppes Seltzer or Schweppes Ginger ale. Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know the sausage is made, man. I just want to know it's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter. Weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.

[Ty Butler]

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.

[Anthony]

And.

[Ty Butler]

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.