New Rory & MAL | Episode 478: “Trick Williams” (April 9, 2026)

Overview

In this energetic and revealing episode, Rory and Mal welcome WWE superstar Trick Williams as he gears up for a title match at WrestleMania. The conversation bounces from his wrestling journey and personal life to the intersections of hip hop and wrestling culture, with plenty of laughs and candid moments throughout. Trick reflects on his rapid rise, relationship with fellow star Lash Legend, athletic transitions, influences, and the surreal experience of becoming a face of WWE’s new generation.

Main Discussion Points

Trick Williams' Road to WrestleMania

• Immediate Success on the Main Roster (02:38-03:30)
  • Three months into WWE’s main roster, Trick is already wrestling for the title at WrestleMania.
  • He calls WrestleMania "the Super Bowl of our business."
  • Discusses his storyline with Sami Zayn, who he dubs "a placeholder."

    "If you look at me, you look at him, you see a star, you see somebody who, you know, he's a placeholder." — Trick Williams (03:31)

• Sami Zayn Feud, "On Sight" Energy, and Strategy (04:00-05:21)
  • Shares his philosophy: “I don't fight for free. If I'm gonna put my hands on somebody, I'm gonna get paid for it. Need the red camera on.”
  • Compares wrestling beef to UFC but keeps the business side in perspective: “You know, these guys, they've trained together before ... but I don't fight for free.” — Trick Williams (05:07)

Wrestling Roots, Influences, and Personal Branding

• Idols and Meeting Booker T (05:44-07:09)
  • Childhood favorites: Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Booker T.
  • Booker T gave early encouragement and tips on in-ring presentation.
  • Memorable quote:

    "When I met Booker T. ... he said, hey, man, you got something. You got potential. ... When you put that hold on, make sure you flex this bicep right here and you flex it at the camera so everybody see your muscles." — Trick Williams (06:22)

• Origin of ‘Trick’ (07:16-08:39)
  • Birth name: Matrick (after his parents Monica and Patrick).
  • “Trick was kind of an easier, you know, straight to the point, Matt or Trick.”
  • Humor about the name's alternate meanings, but stresses respect and positivity.

Life Off-Camera: Relationships and Support System

• Relationship with Lash Legend (08:43-10:07; 36:34-39:39)

  • Partners in and out of the ring—Lash elevates his life and career.
  • She guided his physical transformation for wrestling, pushing him to gain 30 pounds.
  • They complement each other: “You don’t get this version of Trick Williams without Lash Legend. She’s made my life totally just better, 180 since I met her.” — Trick Williams (09:09)
  • Revels in her athletic achievements: “She is the all time, current day, all time rebound leader in March Madness for women.” — Trick Williams (36:54)

• Parental Support and Career Transition (24:38-28:41)

  • Family is his backbone; parents have always supported his pursuits.
  • Story of getting cut from the Eagles, substitute teaching, and ultimately choosing wrestling—his father nudges him:

    “You ain’t making no money at the house. You need to get out there and wrestle.” — Trick Williams (28:01)

• Journey to WWE: Sweet Baby James and Hustle Lessons (29:12-31:41)

  • Lived with his uncle “Sweet Baby James” in Philly; learned hustle and character building.
  • Sweet Baby's yardstick for adulthood: $200 rent and life advice.

Athletic Transition: Football to Wrestling

• Comparative Physical Demands (10:07-11:33)
  • Football (receiver): stay on your feet. Wrestling: learn to fall, flip, and endure pain.
  • Respect for legends deepened after experiencing the ring’s physical toll.
  • Alluding to fans:

    “I encourage every single fan to get in the ring one time and just to see ... Just stand on the ropes.” — Trick Williams (11:33–11:44)

• Training Rigors and Rope Reality (11:44–13:16)
  • Wrestling ring ropes are steel cables, not elastic bands; they hurt, leave welts.
  • Many first-timers quit after one day.

Music, Hip Hop, and Wrestling Crossover

• Entrance and Locker Room Soundtrack (15:21-16:34)
  • Preferences run from Tyrese and Tank (slow jams) to reggae, 90s/2000s hip hop, Maze & Frankie Beverly.
• Rapper-to-Wrestler Potential and Cultural Marketing (16:37–18:43)

  • Trick says:

    “I think DaBaby would make a good wrestler. ... I think 50 Cent would have been a good ... Master marketer.” — Trick Williams (16:41)

  • Amusement at hip hop artists’ lack of athletic coordination (“Anyone that sold crack as a teenager didn’t participate in baseball, football. They were selling drugs.” — Mall, 17:22)

  • Discusses rappers/entertainers (Lil Yachty, Jelly Roll, Action Bronson) appearing in wrestling, and how hip hop’s promotion sensibilities mirror wrestling’s.

  • Battle Rap and WWE – Similarities and Potential Collabs (54:51–57:44)

    • WWE has embraced hip hop: Offset, Lil Yachty, Bow Wow have appeared.
    • Discusses ties with battle rappers (DNA, Tay Roc, Arsenal), imagining “URL vs WWE” events.
    • Mall observes:

      “Solo battle rap is ... theater almost ... they probably take a lot of cues from wrestlers.” (56:38)

    • Trick is hands-on about promos but admires battle rap’s spontaneity.

Longevity, Representation, and Impact

• Black Representation and New Generation (58:34-61:03)

  • Trick highlights the historic inclusion of Black talent in prominent WWE spots:

    “I can't say there's ever been a time in the industry that we've had so much rope to go do our thing. ... I'm just grateful for the opportunities that we are getting.” — Trick Williams (58:57)

• Inspiration for Young Wrestlers (59:59-61:10)

  • Notes a new wave of young Black wrestlers entering the scene, compared to earlier days when football was the default path.

Personal Reflections and Lighter Moments

• Family Stories, Mentorship, and Philosophy (Newfound Purpose) (26:07–31:41)
  • Being knocked off the pro football pedestal led Trick to humility and new purpose.
  • Sweet Baby James as a guide, symbolizing the importance of roots and hustle.
  • Humorous classroom anecdotes about teaching while aspiring to wrestle.
• Wrestler/Fan Interaction & Stardom (47:49–51:42)
  • Swapping fame stories: being recognized more outside the NFL, attention in public.
  • “It’s not even about who you are. It's who they think you are, man.” — Trick Williams (50:26)
• Planning for the Future (39:39-40:23)
  • Wants five kids with Lash Legend; jokes about creating a “wrestling dynasty.”
  • Laughs about future kids inheriting parents’ super-athlete genes.

WrestleMania Anticipation and Mindset

• What to Expect at Allegiant Stadium (40:23–43:11)
  • Anticipates 75,000+ fans a night; hyped to hear “Whoop That Trick” echo worldwide.
  • Key mental focus for a solo entrance:

    “For me, all I'm thinking about ... I look cool. If I hold my head this way ... people gonna feel that.” — Trick Williams (41:24)

• The Pressure of the Championship (53:01–54:31)
  • Discusses handling the increased workload and expectations that come with being champion.
  • Credits NXT and TNA runs for prepping him for main roster and media duties.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “This is WrestleMania. This is the Super Bowl of our business. ... Three months into my career on the main roster, I'm already getting a title match at WrestleMania.” — Trick Williams (02:54)
• “If I see Sammy on site, he's gonna walk the other way. ... And another thing, I don't fight for free.” — Trick Williams (04:38)
• “You don't get this version of Trick Williams without Lash Legend. She's made my life totally just better, 180 since I met her.” — Trick Williams (09:09)
• “We think these ropes is a guaranteed thing. ... No, these are steel wire, steel cables you wrap them in tape. ... These ropes hurt. A lot of people quit, you know, they first day.” — Trick Williams (12:11)
• “If you're gonna talk your trash, I'm talking trash to serious people. ... Obviously, [Sami Zayn] knows what he's doing.” — Trick Williams (13:58)
• “Get you a lady who will sing your song, man. That's my ... that's the difference maker.” — Trick Williams (14:43)
• “I think DaBaby would make a good rapper. Good wrestler. ... I think 50 Cent would have been a good.” — Trick Williams (16:41)
• “He’s a placeholder. ... There’s nothing wrong with that. Everybody has a role. As long as he knows his role, then we’ll be all right.” — Trick Williams (03:47)
• “You can be in shape, but you're not athletic. ... Like, a lot of guys.” — Rory (17:11)
• “It's not even about who you are. It's who they think you are, man.” — Trick Williams (50:26)
• “Now, whenever I'm outside, it's a big difference. ... I never get it confused. ... It's not taking away the talent and everything that people possess. But you can't never get lost in the sauce.” — Trick Williams (49:05–51:42)
• “If you ask me, from what I can see ... Seemingly, they're treating people good ... As far as I'm concerned, they treat everybody good.” — Trick Williams on WWE's embrace of hip hop (55:17)
• “I would love to see Charlie Clips and Paul Heyman go at it, just see what happens.” — Trick Williams (56:57)
• “I can't say there's ever been a time in the industry that we've had so much rope to go do our thing.” — Trick Williams (58:57)
• “Absolutely. ... I think it's gonna happen.” — Trick Williams on voting for The Rock for President (61:31)

Memorable Moments

• The “Sweet Baby James” origin story—moving to Philly, learning hustler wisdom, receiving Stacy Adams shoes, and $200 “lessons in manhood.” (29:12-31:41)
• Laughter over hip hop artists’ failed attempts at sports (50 Cent’s infamous first pitch, Jay-Z’s football throw). (17:18)
• Detailed insights into wrestling’s physicality, including steel ropes and calluses. (12:11)
• Trick’s genuine gratitude for his parents, fiancée, mentors, and opportunities ("I feel like could have raised me no better and prepared me for everything that I'm doing now." — 24:43)
• Loud, repeated “Whoop That Trick!” rallying cries as a symbol of his rising popularity and brand. (Various, especially 40:44 and 62:01)
• Mall and Rory ribbing Trick throughout about his shirtless style and public attention.

Additional Topics

• Fans and newcomers underestimate wrestling’s pain and physicality.
• Reflections on HBCU life at Hampton versus South Carolina—discipline, environment, and dreams.
• Brief March Madness banter, Lash’s SEC record, and their friendly household sports rivalries.
• Hopes for the future: representation in WWE, cultural influx from hip hop, and building a family "dynasty."
• Trick’s improvisational promo skills, never using a ghostwriter.

Conclusion

This episode offers a lively window into Trick Williams’ world as he readies for the biggest match of his career. With sharp wit and humility, Trick shares how faith, family, athletic discipline, and Black representation shape his path, both in and out of the ring. His chemistry with Rory and Mal keeps the vibe upbeat and authentic, delivering inspiration, plenty of jokes, and some wrestling game gems for both longtime fans and podcast newcomers.