Dickie V Talking Final 4, WWE Champ Cody Rhodes, Fyre Fest And We Put The Pieces Back Together After April Fools

Summary

Pardon My Take - Episode Summary Release Date: April 4, 2025

Hosts: Big Cat & PFT Commenter (Stephen Che)
Guest Speakers: Dicky V & WWE Champion Cody Rhodes

---

I. Introduction

Big Cat and PFT Commenter kick off the episode by highlighting their two main segments: a brief appearance by Dicky V discussing the Final Four and an in-depth interview with WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. They also touch upon the ongoing NBA discussions and their excitement for the Final Four.

---

II. Final Four Analysis

The hosts delve into the 2025 Final Four, featuring Duke, Houston, Auburn, and Florida. They express high anticipation, considering it one of the best Final Fours due to the strength and competitiveness of each team.

• Big Cat ([03:22]): "This will be the best Final Four, I think, ever. Any other year a team like Duke is probably a champion without this type of competition."

• Stephen Che ([03:33]): "This weekend is going to be the best weekend of college basketball of my life."

The discussion covers team dynamics, key players like Cooper Flagg and Janai Broom, and strategic strengths, particularly Duke's efficiency in both offense and defense.

---

III. White Lotus Show Finale Recap

Big Cat proposes a companion segment to review the finale of the popular show White Lotus in the following episode, expressing frustration with certain plot developments.

• Big Cat ([04:45]): "Should we do a finale review of White Lotus next week? Because I have a lot of thoughts on this show."

• PFT Commenter ([05:45]): "He just, he just keeps staying at White Lotuses. It's crazy. He loves it."

---

IV. NBA Discussions

The hosts transition to discussing NBA topics, including potential moves of Aaron Rodgers and mock drafts involving teams like Chicago Bulls, Cavaliers, and the Thunder.

• Big Cat ([07:25]): "Houston, the number one team, has strong man strength that Duke's not ready for."

• Stephen Che ([10:28]): "The NBA has launched an investigation against John Moran. And I believe Buddy healed too for simulating a gun."

They also touch upon recent performances, injuries, and their thoughts on player awards like the Clutch Player of the Year.

---

V. Guest Segment: Dicky V

Dicky V joins the show to discuss his battle with cancer, Final Four predictions, and his ongoing efforts to raise funds for the V Foundation.

• Dicky V ([43:34]): "There's a reason I picked Duke to win it all. Any time a team is top five in both offensive and defensive efficiency, they got a great chance to win."

He shares personal experiences navigating cancer treatments and the emotional rollercoaster of awaiting scan results. Dicky V emphasizes the importance of community support and positivity in his recovery journey.

• Dicky V ([49:32]): "I'm a big fan of you guys. And I love how genuine you are."

Furthermore, he outlines his Final Four predictions for both men's and women's tournaments, highlighting key players and coaches to watch.

---

VI. Live Shows Announcement

Big Cat announces upcoming live shows in San Antonio, encouraging listeners to attend and participate.

• Big Cat ([37:00]): "We're doing a live show at River North Ice House on Friday and Saturday. Join us for some great basketball and fun times!"

Listeners are urged to use the GameTime app with code PMT for discounts on tickets.

---

VII. Guest Segment: Cody Rhodes

Cody Rhodes, the current WWE Champion, shares insights into his wrestling career, the challenges of maintaining his champion status, and his interactions with wrestling legends.

• Cody Rhodes ([60:19]): "Being the champion has been nothing like I anticipated. It's a bigger position than just man in tights wrestling."

He discusses the importance of authenticity in his persona and the influence of his family's wrestling legacy. Cody also touches upon his future aspirations, including potential endeavors in acting and further wrestling milestones.

• Cody Rhodes ([65:56]): "I wanted to win the championship for my dad, Dusty Rhodes. Bringing his legacy forward is everything to me."

Cody narrates memorable experiences, such as his time interacting with The Rock, Undertaker, and other wrestling icons, highlighting the blend of reality and performance in professional wrestling.

---

VIII. Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with the hosts reflecting on their discussions, thanking their guests, and reminding listeners about upcoming events and promotions. They encourage continued support for Dicky V's fundraising efforts and express excitement for future episodes.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Big Cat ([03:22]): "This will be the best Final Four, I think, ever."

• Stephen Che ([03:33]): "This weekend is going to be the best weekend of college basketball of my life."

• Dicky V ([43:34]): "Any time a team is top five in both offensive and defensive efficiency, they got a great chance to win."

• Dicky V ([49:32]): "I'm a big fan of you guys. And I love how genuine you are."

• Cody Rhodes ([60:19]): "Being the champion has been nothing like I anticipated."

• Cody Rhodes ([65:56]): "I wanted to win the championship for my dad, Dusty Rhodes."

---

Conclusion

This episode of Pardon My Take offers a rich blend of sports commentary, personal stories, and engaging interviews. From the electrifying discussions on the Final Four to heartfelt conversations with Dicky V and inspiring insights from WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, listeners are treated to a comprehensive exploration of current sports events and personal triumphs. The hosts maintain their signature blend of humor and depth, ensuring both entertainment and meaningful content for their audience.

Transcript

[Big Cat]

Hey, pardon my take listeners. You can find every episode on Apple podcasts, Spotify or YouTube Prime. Members can listen ad free on Amazon Music.

[PFT Commenter]

When your home system or appliance breaks.

[Hank]

Down, American Home Shield will help fix.

[Stephen Che]

Or replace the covered item, no matter its age.

[Hank]

Visit ahs.com listen for 20% off any.

[Big Cat]

Plan cahs.com contracts for coverage details, limitations and exclusions on today's part in my take, we have a twofer for the people we have Dicky V on the show talking final four. We only had him for about 15 minutes because his voice he's still working it back but it was have to have Dicky V on when offered. And then we have WWE Champion Cody Rhodes in studio. Really awesome interview. He was great, cool guy. So we had a lot of fun talking to him. We're talking some Final Four. Where the hell is Aaron Rodgers going to play football next year? We also had some NBA stuff go down and it's all brought to you by our friends at DraftKings. The finals for March Mania are here and the only thing for sure is it's the last time to bet on college basketball this season. It's been an amazing ride to get there, but full of unexpected happenings. Maybe there will be more getting on the all the action expected and unexpected with DraftKings sportsbook. With live betting, exclusive content, promos and parlays, DraftKings is the ultimate college basketball destination for March. Ready to make your first bet? Check out the matchups and pick a team to win. It's that simple. First time. Here's something special just for you. New DraftKings customers bet $5. Get 150 in bonus bets instantly. Bet the unexpected with DraftKings Sportsbook. Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app and use code TAKE. That's code TAKE for new customers to get 150 in bonus bets. When you bet just five bucks only on DraftKings, the crown is yours.

[Hank]

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[Big Cat]

Okay, let's go. Welcome to part of my take presented by DraftKings bet the unexpected with DraftKings sportsbook. Download the DraftKings sportsbook app and use code take. That's code take. For new customers. Get 150 in bonus bets when you bet just five bucks only on DraftKings. The crown is yours. Today is Friday, April 4th. And then there were four. March Madness comes down to San Antone. Do you say San Antonio? San Antonio.

[Stephen Che]

You can say San Antone if you want to sound like you're selling salsa.

[Big Cat]

San Antone. I realized too, Charles Barkley having to do live shows in San Antonio is great.

[Stephen Che]

Listen, Charles Barkley, when he's talking about the big old women, don't act like Charles doesn't sneak a peek.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, San Antonio.

[Stephen Che]

Who amongst us doesn't?

[Big Cat]

So we have it. We're ready. Duke, Houston, Auburn, Florida. This will be. I. It is the best Final Four, I think, ever. Just if you're looking at statistics, I.

[Stephen Che]

Have to tell myself that, yeah, I have to tell myself that this weekend is going to be the best weekend of college basketball of my life.

[Big Cat]

Every single team in this Final Four any other year is probably a champion without, you know, I mean, without this type of competition. That's how good they all are. And I have been saying for a month and a half now that it is Duke's year. And I do fully think that they are. They feel like even though it's a loaded Final Four, they feel a little step ahead. But I'm excited to watch the games. I will not be rooting for Duke, but I am also resigned to the.

[Stephen Che]

Fact they will probably win if Duke doesn't lose. You talk about an all time wasted meme from the White Lotus.

[Big Cat]

Right? I know.

[Stephen Che]

Like, it feels like that that has to be used at some point. Yeah, it would. It would be a real shame if it wasn't. I do find myself also rooting for Duke because they're fun to root for.

[Big Cat]

Well, I'm not rooting for, but then.

[Stephen Che]

Well, I find myself enjoying.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, yeah.

[Stephen Che]

Because they're, they're fun to watch. But also then I think about what would those crying faces look like? And there would be some good crying.

[Big Cat]

Really good crying.

[Stephen Che]

And you get crying moms that you've seen.

[Big Cat]

I think Con Nipple might be a good cry.

[Stephen Che]

He would be a great cry. That's what I'm focused on is like the cheeks would get extra red, would be a solid cry. So I'm going to be rooting for the Cougs. But I do think that Duke is going to win.

[Big Cat]

By the way, side tangent, should we do A finale review of White Lotus next week. Because I have a lot of thoughts on this show and it's, it's starting to piss me off. Should we do that?

[Stephen Che]

I think we could.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Max]

You want me to watch just the finale?

[Stephen Che]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

Yes.

[Max]

Okay.

[Big Cat]

Yes. No spoilers. But yeah, watch just the finale. Hank has not watched any of White Lotus. The finale is Sunday night.

[Max]

I've watched two episodes of season one, but I'm told that doesn't matter or they're not related.

[Big Cat]

They are. There's one little tiny. There's a thread.

[Stephen Che]

One thread. See if you can pick up on the thread.

[Max]

Okay.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, yeah. Watch the, Watch the first episode of season one, the first episode of season two, and then the finale of season three and see if you can figure out.

[Stephen Che]

I just keep thinking to myself, like, this is the place that Cliff Kingsbury bought a one way ticket to.

[Big Cat]

Oh, yeah, that's right.

[Stephen Che]

Remember that?

[Big Cat]

God. About.

[Stephen Che]

I think that's the horniest move that an adult male can do.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

Is to buy a one way ticket to Thailand.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. Yeah. I would say so.

[Stephen Che]

But now he's back.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. Horniest and weirdest. Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

I mean, we know from what's, what's Sam Rockwell's character.

[Stephen Che]

Yes.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. Which I, I got a lot of.

[Stephen Che]

We'll save it for the recap.

[Big Cat]

I just, yeah, the great Gary guy pissed me off.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

He just, he just keeps staying at White Lotuses. It's crazy.

[Stephen Che]

He loves it. He loves it. Like, dude, go to a different.

[Big Cat]

Go to any hotel anywhere in the world.

[Stephen Che]

Yep.

[Big Cat]

Just keeps going to White Lotuses.

[Stephen Che]

But yeah, basketball. Yeah, basketball pump for the Final Four. I don't know what to expect in Auburn, Florida. I can't. I, I've closed my eyes. I've tried to visualize this game. Basically if, if Clayton is hot, Florida wins.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. I, I'm curious to see what Florida's going to do because Condon's a really, really good defender and I think they might just be like, hey, look, we're going to, we're going to let Broom do what he does and if he scores, you know, in the post, that would be fine. We can't let the, you know, their guards Denver Jones and Pettiford just go crazy. But I'm, I. Both these games are going to be great. I'm, I'm very excited. I think they're going to deliver. I think we're going to get two close games because I keep going back to like Florida. Auburn to me is a complete, like, toss up because I just think Though both those teams are battle tested, Auburn was the best team for 29 of the 29 games of the regular season. Obviously the end weren't as good, but they found their footing. Florida is probably the hottest team going down the stretch. Houston, Duke. My only like hope as someone who does not like Duke is that Houston has man strength that Duke's not ready for. But I know that's also not true because Cooper flag's so good. Malawak is so good. Proctor so good. Like Nipple is so good. So they're in. And by the way, I know that I'm not saying his name right, but I'm calling him Nipple because that's just what we're doing.

[Stephen Che]

It's way more fun to say.

[Big Cat]

It's so much more fun.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah, you. You might be right. I. I don't know. Houston is a lot older. I do think that makes somewhat of a difference at that age.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. The only problem is Duke is like. So Duke is so fundamentally sound in every like portion of the game that like Houston, the. The way Houston wins these games a lot of times is, you know, they. They are not the best shooting team, but they get so many offensive rebounds and then Duke is just going to get all the defensive rebounds because Duke is just fundamentally sound. So it's like all those Houston. Houston's, Kelvin Sampson's. Houston always has that calculation where they're like, we don't have to shoot great because we'll just keep shooting and we'll get 15 more shots than the other team.

[Stephen Che]

They shot pretty good last week.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. Yeah. Hank, do you have any thoughts? You rooting for Duke?

[Max]

I'm rooting for Houston. I have a Houston future that I put in after the Eagles won the Super Bowl. So I have Houston straight up. I think it's nine to one. And then I have a natural parlay of Trey Young to win clutch player of the Year and Houston to make the natural. I just said, you know, hand in hand, like, obviously. Oh, parlay those things.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah, naturally. You had to also parlay Trey Young.

[Max]

Yeah. Like, if you're gonna bet Trey Young.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Max]

You have to win. You have to also bet Houston to make the Final Four.

[Stephen Che]

What were the odds? How do you go about setting the odds for clutch player of the Year?

[Max]

I just asked Stephen Shea. It was right after the Eagles won. And I'm like, stephen, I just want a bunch of money. I want to basically invest in some futures is how I think about, like, store some money away. And he gave me some very Steven Che analytical answer about How Trey Young is a. As a definitely going to win clutch player of the year. This was in February. It's not looking great right now. Yeah, so. And I guess he missed like three shots in the last two minutes last night, including the game winner.

[Stephen Che]

That could have been it.

[Max]

Yeah. So that's an issue. But I also have Houston straight up to win the championship. This is before the tournament, maybe get a cash out. Well, I don't think you can.

[Big Cat]

Stephen Che also, I, I unfortunately sat down in the gambling cave two days ago and. Oh, yeah, yeah, it was sell blue call and they were just talking about it. And so now I am rooting for Anthony Edwards, swimming clutch player of the.

[Stephen Che]

Year just to go against Stephen Che. No, no, no, no.

[Big Cat]

He said it's an incredible value. Yeah, he made me bet. I bet it. I have Anthony Edwards to win clutch player of the year. Such a made up award. Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

Can I. Is that, Is that bet still open? Can I.

[Big Cat]

Yes. Yes.

[Max]

Jalen Brunson is minus 170 right now, but he's hurt and there's a chance he doesn't meet the game requirements.

[Stephen Che]

Player of the year.

[Max]

Jokic is gonna win. Yeah, he's plus 190. Trey Young's plus 550 and that's dropped significantly like it used to. He was plus, you know, 190 for. For a while.

[Big Cat]

And Anthony Edwards was like 51. And Stephen Shea thinks that they just decided on who scores the most clutch points. And Anthony Edwards is only four points behind in the clutch points scored the.

[Max]

Most ridiculous award of all time. And it was also Stephen being like, Stephen, what should I, you know, I need a good, good future. He goes, oh, Trey Young, Clutch player of the Year.

[Stephen Che]

A fictional award, but he's got a hot feeling for it. There should be an opposite award. Least clutch player.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, I, I did like J.J. red. Did you guys see him just trashing the awards? Yeah, like that. The most improved player. He's like, this is the dumbest award because it's just a lottery pick who finally got good.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah, a good player that, that figured out how to play good in the NBA.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, good, Better. And he was just like, yeah, none of my guys are gonna win, so why would I talk about it?

[Stephen Che]

Yeah, there's also John Morant being investigated again.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

The NBA has launched an investigation against John Moran. And I believe Buddy healed too for simulating a gun, which I, I think this is progress. Yeah, this should be sim. This should be celebrated. The fact that John Morant is now not holding a gun.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, it Was an assault rifle, it looked like, but I don't know if.

[Stephen Che]

You watched, but I did see it. Yeah, he did do the two hands. Could have been a shotgun, could have been a shot, could have been a sporting gun.

[Max]

It also could have been one of those like super soaker spear.

[Big Cat]

Fishing spear.

[Max]

Fishing guns.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. I think also Draymond, kind of a snitch. Huge.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

Immediately was like, did you see that gun?

[Max]

So how he's gonna win defensive player of the year? That's crazy.

[Big Cat]

Who?

[Max]

Draymond?

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Max]

Heavy favorite.

[Stephen Che]

I just make up your mind, NBA. Do you want John Morant to hold a gun or do you want him to not hold a gun? Because that's all I saw last night was him not holding a gun.

[Big Cat]

He was not holding a gun. He was simulating it.

[Stephen Che]

His hands were empty.

[Big Cat]

We also taped early on Tuesday, so we missed Russell Westbrook ruin Joic's maybe greatest game ever, where he scored 61, had 10, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and then full Westbrook at the end of the game missing a layup, which he did need to take. And then following a three point shooter with no time left.

[Stephen Che]

He also did the Russ Russell Westbrook thing where he just decided to go full speed, like down the court. He's like, I'm going to sprint. I'm going to get as fast as I can, then misses it and then comes back and. And, and blows it again. That was a great game, though.

[Big Cat]

It was a great game. It was a great game. And Hank, I feel like the Celtics gave up on the one seed kind of following what you said, because didn't they sit players.

[Max]

They haven't worried about the one. The one seed's been been over for months. Yeah, there's no. There was never really a path. Yeah, the Cavs would have had to have like gone on a insane losing streak.

[Stephen Che]

Things do look pretty bad for Mr. Bing Bong too. For Jerry, for his Knicks. Because.

[Big Cat]

Don't even bring that up.

[Stephen Che]

It just feels. It feels every time they play one of the two teams they're going to have to play.

[Big Cat]

Yes.

[Stephen Che]

They get their ass kicked.

[Big Cat]

Yes.

[Max]

Your Knicks.

[Stephen Che]

Oh, I cashed out. Oh, I. I bet on the Knicks to win the NBA finals. And I think it was less than.

[Max]

A week later, the Celtics 40 pieced him.

[Stephen Che]

But I think it was. I think it was the Cavs. I think they lost to the Cavs. And I was like this. I am. I'm not going to just spend my money.

[Big Cat]

Hank, let me ask you a question, because you're not worried about the Cavs. Are you worried about the Thunder? Because the Thunder are really good.

[Max]

No, too young. If the Celtics are healthy, they can beat anyone.

[Big Cat]

Thunder are really. Thunder are a good team and they.

[Max]

Could do everything, but they don't have the experience. And I think even if both teams are fully healthy and playing their A games, the Celtics still win.

[Big Cat]

I don't know, man. Watching the Thunder, they're just. I mean, they're just. They have the mvp. What, you don't think so, Max?

[Memes]

No, I think Hank is acting way too confident.

[Big Cat]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Stephen Che]

I would agree. They're 64 and 12, Hank, and they.

[Big Cat]

Their defense is really good.

[Max]

Champions.

[Big Cat]

Okay.

[Memes]

Yeah, but how often do they champions win again?

[Stephen Che]

Yeah, it was a year ago.

[Max]

I mean, it's happened recently.

[Memes]

You're acting like because you're. You're the defending champions that it's just. Well, it's like, yeah, you're gonna win again.

[Max]

No, it's not automatic. But it' said.

[Stephen Che]

I'm not like, hey, Max, are you worried about winning the super bowl next year?

[Memes]

Yeah, of course.

[Stephen Che]

Exactly.

[Big Cat]

You should be because way to get worried. Leagues change time.

[Stephen Che]

Max knows ball.

[Big Cat]

That was smart.

[Max]

But if they had the same exact team, more or less, then I feel like he'd be like, we won the super bowl with this team. We can win the super bowl again.

[Memes]

But you also didn't play the. Like, you're playing different teams.

[Max]

Who said that they were going to advance?

[Memes]

You said you're going to advance.

[Max]

True.

[Big Cat]

We're going to get. I mean, NBA. What are.

[Max]

We were like end of April.

[Big Cat]

No, but the playing games are coming up, I think.

[Max]

Yeah. There's two more weeks regular season and then.

[Big Cat]

Way to go, Jerry Reinsdorf. The Bulls officially clinched to play in game. So that. That's all he wanted.

[Stephen Che]

Love that for you.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

Just end hang the banner.

[Big Cat]

Every year, 38 wins and a loss in the playing game. That's fucking so sick. That's how you build a team.

[Stephen Che]

But you had an exciting march.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. You know what? You know what's fun about having an exciting march in the NBA? March, NBA does not fucking matter. Because half the teams are not even trying.

[Stephen Che]

Yep.

[Big Cat]

So when you say, oh man, look at this team. So hot in March. Turns out that's all fool's gold. January, February, Bulls fake fake ass month.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

It's like if you look at the NBA any given night, I mean there's. There's the clear tanking teams, but then there's also teams that are like, we're going to just take this Night off. And then if. So, if you start playing well in March, you're just a fake team. That's really what it comes down to.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

Unless you obviously were already a good team and you just keep rolling. But any team that's like, wow, man, they're coming on strong in March. Fake.

[Stephen Che]

Any. Any team that's like, oh, we took a nosedive in March, it's like, well, you did that intentionally for probably a smart reason.

[Big Cat]

Right?

[Stephen Che]

Like the Sixers.

[Big Cat]

Right. And just like, oh, oh, wow. You beat a bunch of teams that aren't trying to win, that are actively trying to lose and get better draft position. Must. Must be really close to. To winning something big.

[Stephen Che]

Max, can you sim the lottery one time?

[Big Cat]

Oh, yeah, I like this.

[Stephen Che]

Give us one sim.

[Big Cat]

There we go. Oh, no, no.

[Memes]

There we go.

[Big Cat]

I saw the Wizards logo.

[Stephen Che]

I saw the butthole basketball.

[Big Cat]

You just celebrated the Sixers getting the first pick.

[Stephen Che]

It's fine. They're not allowed to have it.

[Big Cat]

Oh, my.

[Memes]

Gonna have to screenshot this one for Pug. I can't believe you. Why did you celebrate?

[Stephen Che]

Because the Wizard's logo was the last one that I saw, and I thought it stuck.

[Max]

Sixth.

[Stephen Che]

That'd be a nightmare.

[Memes]

You got six.

[Stephen Che]

I gotta be honest. I'm really. I'm terrible at Tankathon, at the simulator. I. I can never get, like, statistically, I should get it once every, what, eight times, seven times? Every morning I wake up, I go to Tankathon and I simulate it probably 20 times until it happens. I'm no good at it.

[Big Cat]

Hank, are you kind of sneaky, rooting for the Sixers to get Cooper Flag just so you can get Max off the mat when it comes to basketball? No. Okay. Okay.

[Stephen Che]

Wait.

[Memes]

What?

[Big Cat]

I was just wondering.

[Memes]

What do you mean, off the mat?

[Big Cat]

Like, you've just been dead?

[Memes]

Oh, no. I'm actively looting for rooting for the Sixers to lose.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. What I'm saying, though, is, like, if.

[Max]

You get Cooper Flag, you'll have to come back, and then when we beat.

[Big Cat]

You, it'll be right. And Joel, beat is probably never going to play basketball again. And so, like, you are, you're going to be heading back into a deep process, and if you get Cooper Flag, you could be out of the process pretty quickly.

[Max]

But they. It doesn't matter if they have, like, you know, an all world talent on their team, they're still going to lose.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah, why is that?

[Max]

They're the Sixers.

[Stephen Che]

They are the Sixers.

[Big Cat]

He's cocky, Hank.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah, he is.

[Big Cat]

He is feeling himself Hank. Big time. Big time. Did you guys see Anthony Edwards also just paid for his entire child support at once.

[Stephen Che]

Respect.

[Big Cat]

Wild.

[Stephen Che]

Lump sum. She took the lump sum.

[Big Cat]

She took the lump sum. It was like $1 million.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

For the next 18 years.

[Stephen Che]

You see what Elon paid that girl? Ashley?

[Big Cat]

No.

[Stephen Che]

He paid her 2.5 mil up front and then 500 grand a year.

[PFT Commenter]

Whoa.

[Stephen Che]

It's a pretty good. That's a great job.

[Big Cat]

Damn.

[Max]

Rocket baby.

[Big Cat]

Rocket baby. What's that noise?

[Memes]

I just.

[Max]

They're building the mini golf.

[Memes]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

Oh, they're building the mini golf.

[Stephen Che]

That's max farting.

[Big Cat]

We got Masters next week. Oh, I'm excited.

[Stephen Che]

Very excited.

[Big Cat]

Some great sports coming up.

[Stephen Che]

I gotta download the Masters app. That is. It is the greatest piece of technology to ever exist.

[Big Cat]

It's a great feeling.

[Max]

They're doing. They're doing like stats from the range.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah, I know.

[Big Cat]

You can watch every single range shot getting really clued.

[Max]

Insane amount of data.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

The sickos are gonna love this.

[Big Cat]

The golf course.

[Max]

Gambling sickos of golf that are like. Well, his range session, he was a little bit all over the place. Like that's. It's gonna be. It's too much information process by now. It's exciting to. I'm excited to see how people overanalyze range sessions.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. Yeah, yeah. All right, let's. We. We gotta do. We gotta pick our final four teams because we got a little competition we're gonna do. Also if you're trying to go to the games on Saturday or Monday or the women's on Friday and Sunday. Game time. The best part of college basketball is here. And we know you're as excited as we are to watch some big upsets throughout the tournament. While we're streaming in the cave, you can get out to see action. The action in person with Game Time, the official ticketing partner, Barstool sports Game Time makes getting tickets faster and easier. Prices on the app actually go down the closer it gets to showtime. Hank, can you look it up for me?

[Max]

Yep.

[Big Cat]

The Alamo Dome on Saturday. You can even find last minute tickets for the tournament for up to 60% off quickly and easily. Just pull up your chosen event, turn on the GT pick setting at the top of the screen, or browse the best local game time picks deals near you on your GameTime app homepage. What are the prices? Get in.

[Max]

$256.

[Big Cat]

Okay, that's pretty good. See? See? Maybe what could be the best final four ever this weekend in San Antonio. So go use a gametime app. Take the Guesswork out of bringing or. Sorry, take the guesswork out of buying tickets. With game Time. Download the Game Time app, create an account, use code PMT for $20 off your first purchase terms. Apply again. Create an account, redeem code PMT for $20 off. Download the game Time app today. What time is it? Game time. Game time has the best stuff out there. Oh, yeah, we got. Hey or Max just pulled up Padres of Cubs home opener pods. We're looking at like, I'm actually like tomorrow.

[Memes]

This is 1000% my plan. I'm going to go to. I'm going to go to the bar and then use game time right before the.

[Hank]

Before it starts.

[Big Cat]

Use code pmt. I wish I was going to the game. I'm going to San Antonio. Yeah, use Use code PMT Max. And you're ready to go. All right, the other thing, we're also brought to you by DraftKings. DraftKings. The finals for March mania are here. And the only thing for sure, it's the last time to bet on college basketball this season. Players are sweating out who will be taking home the championship. But you aren't. Don't miss your last chance to bet on college basketball this season with DraftKings Sportsbook. Bet the unexpected with DraftKings Sportsbook. Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app. Use code TAKE. That's code TAKE to get a no sweat parlay every single day only on DraftKings. The Crown is yours. So all customers a no sweat parlay every day for the final games of the season. How's it work? Opt in place a bet on any eligible parlay. If your bet doesn't hit, you'll get a bonus bit back in the amount of your original bet. Okay, so we have to pick teams, right? Max, how are we doing this? What's the order? What's the draft order?

[Memes]

We got to figure out an order.

[Big Cat]

So we get. So we're picking a team in the final four and we get money line. We're picking money line and then it's a rollover. So it's going to be with DraftKings. We're picking our teams. So if you bet Duke and then you obviously $1,000 would. When you have 600 bucks, I'll pull.

[Memes]

It up right now. Let's do a. Let's do a lotto ball to figure out the. The order and then we'll go and. And okay, in order. We can go 0 to 25, 25 to 55.

[Big Cat]

That's fair.

[Stephen Che]

Okay, I like that.

[Memes]

I'll take three and then we'll just go and clockwise.

[Big Cat]

Okay. Hank, you have 0 to 25. Max. You have 25.

[Stephen Che]

You have 51 to 75.

[Big Cat]

And then I have 76 to 99 or 144. I hope it's three. I really hope it's three. 39. That's Max.

[Hank]

So that's me.

[Memes]

So I get. So I get first one.

[Stephen Che]

We go clockwise.

[Max]

Counter.

[Stephen Che]

What?

[Memes]

What? We never go counter. My first pick will be.

[Big Cat]

Well, it's your only pick.

[Memes]

Yeah, my. Yes. But my first overall pick will be Auburn at plus 130. So that would be 1000. Would be 1300.

[Big Cat]

Okay.

[Memes]

So I would get a thirteen hundred dollar bonus bet.

[Stephen Che]

Okay. I will go Florida.

[Big Cat]

Oh, okay.

[Memes]

So if my pick's still here, that's minus 155. You'll get 1645. Yeah.

[Big Cat]

I'll take Houston. Longest odds.

[Max]

You're a piece of shit.

[Big Cat]

I mean, what did you. I don't know why they didn't take Houston.

[Memes]

That's +220.

[Big Cat]

I know, but it's free bets.

[Stephen Che]

I just want to fade, Max.

[Memes]

Yeah, well, I. I just. I like Auburn.

[Big Cat]

Okay. I like Houston.

[Max]

Can I take a crown game?

[Big Cat]

Nope. You're taking Duke.

[PFT Commenter]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

You can't you actually. Wait, cannot you love Duke?

[Memes]

The fall from grace with Hank and Duke is crazy.

[Stephen Che]

Duke. Where did Duke touch you?

[Max]

No, I'm just kidding. I'll take.

[Big Cat]

It's when Coach K died.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah, it's sad.

[Big Cat]

That was the death of. Of dookie head.

[Stephen Che]

You were a fan of a coach. Imagine that.

[Max]

That's not true. It's more just like I again, I've talked about it. Maybe I'll him are a lot alike. I'll talk. You are a rider that my dad. Chances of him watching this game are low. So it's like what?

[Big Cat]

Well, now you just called him out.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah.

[Max]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

You better watch the game, Mr. Lockwood.

[Max]

Yeah, if it's the early game, it probably will. He'll be listening.

[Big Cat]

No, it's the late game.

[Hank]

It's a late game.

[Big Cat]

So they already have the schedule out.

[Memes]

As if that.

[Max]

Well, I didn't look at it. I don't know which time they play at.

[Stephen Che]

You don't watch.

[Big Cat]

I actually kind of like that, Hank. I might. I might start taking that strategy when it's like the tournament or like maybe even NBA and NHL playoffs. Just not looking at the schedule and just being surprised with whatever game's on.

[Max]

Well, you know, it was like, oh, that's cool.

[Big Cat]

This game's on now.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah, that's how I'm with networks.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

Like I always wait till the last second to find out what network a game is on.

[Max]

No, my dad shouted. My dad. But he, he'll probably wake up at like 4am Sunday and check the score.

[Big Cat]

Got it. Early riser.

[Max]

Early riser.

[Big Cat]

Early riser. I got a question for you guys. Does Shohei Ohtani have aura? Because I think he has maximum aura.

[Stephen Che]

I mean he hit a walk off home run on bobblehead night.

[Big Cat]

And if you watch that clip. So the Dodgers have not lost, the Braves have not won. They were tied 5, 5 in the bottom of the 9th. Shohei comes up, the fucking place goes electric for his entrance. First pitch, home run. Just. He doesn't change anything about his like expression, swing anything. It's just business as usual. I think Shohei Otani has reached the next level of superstardom where he's just has the most aura in the game.

[Stephen Che]

This is an interesting debate. Yeah. Does. Does the best player in baseball have it? Does he have the it factor?

[Big Cat]

I think he has the aura factor.

[Stephen Che]

I think he's had the ora fact.

[Big Cat]

But we haven't had a best player in baseball have aura for a while.

[Stephen Che]

Well, for a while we knew that we didn't have that because debate was who is the face of baseball.

[Big Cat]

Correct.

[Stephen Che]

And I think it's settled. Shohei is in the arms.

[Big Cat]

He's everything.

[Stephen Che]

And his dog is the dog of baseball.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, he's everything. I just, I watched that clip and I got chills and that's when I knew, oh my God.

[Stephen Che]

No.

[Big Cat]

Because you also like, it's not necessarily like, hey, he's so good. That's why he has aura. Because obviously there's a language bearer barrier and he's not, he's not marketed in the state. I mean he is now, but for the first, whatever six, seven years of his career at the Angels. But now I think it's just Maximor.

[Stephen Che]

And he is the face it was against the Braves. Yeah, we're not having a great season so far. I think Braves fans, they need to burn Blooper and effigy.

[Big Cat]

I think they need to kill Blooper.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah, I, I said yesterday, light him on fire. I realized that was going a little too far.

[Big Cat]

No. Run them over with a truck.

[Stephen Che]

I think just lighting. Get your blooper dolls out. Have a little bonfire. Yeah, run the dolls over.

[Big Cat]

How many losses until you say run them over with a truck.

[Stephen Che]

Like two. Two more.

[Big Cat]

Two more. Two more. And then this. Run them over a truck.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

Max, you agree?

[Memes]

I think it's three more. I think right now they're 0 and 7, right?

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

They get the double digits.

[Memes]

Oh, and 10.

[Big Cat]

I think there was a stat. No team has ever gone to the playoffs after starting 0 and 7 in baseball. Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

It's a fact.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. I feel like that doesn't happen that often. Oh, and seven. Just because usually win one.

[Memes]

The Padres are also undefeated.

[Big Cat]

They are.

[Memes]

So that's interesting for that. That division.

[Big Cat]

Yes. That is.

[Memes]

Whatever. That was a bad. That was.

[Big Cat]

No.

[Memes]

Hey, hand up Bad Edition.

[Big Cat]

We're just happy you're back. We're happy you're here.

[Memes]

I opted in taking shots.

[Stephen Che]

I'm glad that you're listening to the show and you're contributing to it.

[Big Cat]

Yes.

[Stephen Che]

That's very good.

[Big Cat]

Not everyone can do that.

[Stephen Che]

No.

[Big Cat]

Not everyone can do that.

[Memes]

Correct.

[Big Cat]

That's a fact.

[Memes]

I'm happy that everyone on this show can.

[Big Cat]

Everyone on this show can. Hey, where's Aaron Rogers gonna play football next year?

[Stephen Che]

So I, I've been thinking this for the last like two and a half, three months. It's very strange how he hasn't made up his mind, obviously. And it's very strange how the Vikings took a while to commit to JJ as their starting quarterback. It took. It took longer than you think that it would. If they had a first round pick that they absolutely loved, they would just be like, oh, yeah, Sam can go, no problem. This is JJ's team, by the way. But there was. There was a. You have to admit there was a flirtation. Yeah, there's been some flirtations.

[Big Cat]

Can I make one point? I think. I think JJ McCarthy needs the last name. He hasn't earned JJ yet.

[Stephen Che]

JJ McCarthy.

[Big Cat]

He hasn't earned full JJ.

[Stephen Che]

Don't you agree that's fair? JJ McCarthy.

[Big Cat]

He's got to earn that.

[Stephen Che]

I think if, if he was just jj.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

Then it's like he's the starter.

[Big Cat]

Right. Once he's. Yeah. When we just call. Start calling him jj.

[Stephen Che]

He's been doing it because we already have a jj.

[Big Cat]

Right.

[Max]

Exactly.

[Stephen Che]

Justin Jefferson. So if Jettison gets the starting job, like right off the bat, if they're like, hey, Mr. McCarthy, we know that you're a guy for next year. I don't think they would even. They wouldn't pause right. If they. If they were firmly committed to it. But it took them a while and then they kind of got sick of the Aaron Rodgers thing. So then they said, yeah, J.J. mcCarthy is going to be our starting quarterback and we're fully committed to him. Meanwhile, I think Aaron Rodgers is Waiting to commit to the Steelers until he knows for sure that the door is shut in Minnesota. Yeah, that's what I think is happening.

[Big Cat]

That makes sense. But it just. We're getting. We're getting pretty close to the draft.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

And I don't know, like, if Aaron Rodgers. I mean, he's old enough to retire, so it's not like a. Baron Rodgers was 32 years old. I. I wouldn't. It wouldn't even be a thought in my head because, like, he's obviously playing. But as we get closer, if he wants to play for the Vikings, the Vikings say no. We're committing to J.J. mcCarthy. Could he retire?

[Stephen Che]

I don't. It all depends on what he saw on his most recent vision quest. Like, he could come in after a long week and be like, no, I'm not playing football anymore.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

Or he'd be like, yeah, I'd like to sign a five year contract.

[Big Cat]

He never replied to my Steelers question mark from a week ago.

[Stephen Che]

Disrespectful.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

So did he say, lose my number, bro?

[Big Cat]

No, but I wonder if that means no Steelers.

[Stephen Che]

He has not confirmed it or denied. He has not confirmed interest in the Steelers.

[Big Cat]

Confirmed or denied. Okay, what else we got? Oh, Hank lost his QB of the future.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah. Joe Milton.

[Big Cat]

Bazooka Joe.

[Stephen Che]

Bazooka Joe is a Dallas Cowboy, which both Max and I are upset about because we like Bazooka Joe and we want to root for him to be successful, and it's just impossible to do that with the Cowboys. So it's kind of a bummer for us. That's my analysis.

[Memes]

I think Bazooka Joe could be fun to watch, and I. I wanted him to go to a spot that he could, like, compete to be a guy.

[Stephen Che]

I mean, Dak doesn't always play. That's a good point.

[Memes]

That's a good point.

[Big Cat]

It's not. He's not a guy.

[Memes]

Yeah, he's literally. He's literally a guy.

[Big Cat]

Well, you don't know that. You can't assume that that's true.

[Stephen Che]

He is a guy. He is not the guy yet, but ever. From the outside, it's fun to root for Bazooka Joe.

[Memes]

Bazooka Joe has a sick arm, dude.

[Stephen Che]

He would not listen.

[Big Cat]

I've done the Bazooka Joe experience when he was in the Big Ten and then at Tennessee. Like, he's. He's Bazooka Joe. Yeah, but that's not touch past Joe.

[Stephen Che]

That's the beauty of Bazooka Joe is that we've all seen Bazooka Joe. And we know what he is. But it's fun to get re excited for Bazooka Joe.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, I just. I would. I would rather him just be in like, you know. You know what would make me excited? If dude perfect signed Bazooka Joe.

[Memes]

No, that would be in the NFL.

[Stephen Che]

I would hate that.

[Big Cat]

That would be sick videos with dude perfect. What? Hank, you're sad about Bazooka Joe.

[Max]

I'm not. I mean we got Drake May. That's. That's my quarterback of the future. 5th round pick. Kind of tells you everything you need to know, I think.

[Big Cat]

Well, I mean some good analysis.

[Stephen Che]

He improved in value. He got two rounds better last year.

[Max]

Yeah, but like I. A fifth round pick.

[Stephen Che]

Bill Belichick built his career off fifth round picks. That's all. He only drafted in the fifth round.

[Memes]

What was Tom Brady sixth? Yeah, that's what I thought.

[Stephen Che]

Good point.

[Big Cat]

Not fifth.

[Stephen Che]

Checkmate though.

[Big Cat]

Hank hates fifth. He hates. He thinks six is better than fifth. He'd rather be drafting in the sixth than the fifth.

[Stephen Che]

I mean the Belichick model was trade your first, your second, your third round picks and get 25 picks in the fifth round.

[Max]

Drake, man. Although I did Milton Tough was a great nickname. Would have been a great shirt.

[Big Cat]

We. We made those shirts.

[Max]

I don't think we sold them.

[Big Cat]

I'm pretty sure when he was the quarterback at Michigan, Dave was like built and tough and then he.

[Max]

We had a Patriots version that.

[Big Cat]

Oh yeah.

[Max]

And then we were waiting for him to do something.

[Stephen Che]

No, a lot of great quarterback shirts that we haven't put out yet.

[Big Cat]

We sold Joe Milton Tough shirt or Milton Tough shirts for Michigan. And I think he threw his first screen 3,000 miles an hour. And then Dave took him down. Yeah, that's probably what happened.

[Stephen Che]

We also changed the rules for Hard Knocks. Did you see that?

[Big Cat]

No.

[Stephen Che]

So now a team that made the playoffs last year can be a Hard Knocks team.

[Big Cat]

That's awesome.

[Stephen Che]

So my ass is in the jackpot now.

[Big Cat]

That's awesome. Is that why you brought it up?

[Stephen Che]

That's what made the news stand out to me.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. Wait, so what are the other rules? Are there any other rules?

[Stephen Che]

That's the only change.

[Big Cat]

It's the only change. So new, new head coaches out. You can't have it.

[Stephen Che]

You still can't do that.

[Big Cat]

Can't do that. And then. So that's it.

[Stephen Che]

Yep.

[Big Cat]

So that's fun because now we have actually some decent teams.

[Stephen Che]

We got some good teams we could go to. Yeah, I mean Pittsburgh would be awesome if Aaron Rodgers there get to run that back?

[Big Cat]

Yeah. I'm trying to think who I'd want on Hard Knocks this year.

[Max]

Almost kind of want the Pads.

[Stephen Che]

Well, you can't. New head coach.

[Big Cat]

New head coach. We just said that. You don't.

[Max]

No, no.

[Big Cat]

Max is being proven.

[Memes]

Just forgot. He forgot that Variable was a new head coach because he's been a coach in the NFL before. So. So I understand what he was thinking there.

[Stephen Che]

We should be. We should be rooting for the Chargers.

[Big Cat]

Chargers would be awesome. Harbaugh Chargers would be awesome.

[Stephen Che]

Hard Knocks, maybe.

[Big Cat]

You a new head coach. Okay.

[Stephen Che]

How's it going?

[Big Cat]

I don't know. I don't know. I don't know about you. Just run it back with the lines or Dan Campbell.

[Stephen Che]

Also, Kirk Cousins had a meeting with Arthur Blank.

[Big Cat]

Okay.

[Stephen Che]

Apparently it was an hour long meeting and Arthur Blank says that he took five pages of notes.

[Big Cat]

Wow.

[Stephen Che]

Conversation. I don't know what he could possibly.

[Big Cat]

How many of that were doodles?

[Stephen Che]

I don't know. Five pages of notes.

[Big Cat]

What would the notes be about?

[Stephen Che]

It might be a new chapter of the Bible. I don't know.

[Max]

Rich guys love taking notes during meetings.

[Big Cat]

Oh, yeah. Fake notes. Big time fake.

[Max]

Just writing things down.

[Stephen Che]

Look how productive I was.

[Big Cat]

But I will say there's something about showing up to a meeting with pen and paper. I always feel like such an asshole because I never show up to meetings with pen and paper. And then there'll be people with pen and paper.

[Stephen Che]

And I'm like, like, this should be a one. If anything, a one cheater. It should be. Yeah. It kind of sucked when you drafted a quarterback.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. Or. Or it could be five pages of notes where it's just like Kirk Cousins passing him a note saying, can I start? And him passing it back saying, no. Yeah, back and forth, over and over.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

How about now? Still no.

[Stephen Che]

Write down a team that you would be willing to go to. Not that one. Yeah, write down another team. Not that.

[Big Cat]

Not that one. That's an interesting five pages of notes. No idea what that was.

[Stephen Che]

I would pay a good amount of money for those notes.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

Good amount.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. Okay. Do we have anything else? Oh, did it. Was there another. I gotta say something. I'm. I'm officially done with conversations comparing eras in the NBA. I feel like that's all that is talked about at this point. I'm getting tired of it. I know lebron said it in relation to other people saying it, but wasn't there a recent one that like Stephen A. Smith or someone said, someone from this, the 80s said that. That Steph Curry couldn't even score, like, 15 points against us because we would have heard him.

[Stephen Che]

That is the most insane thing ever.

[Big Cat]

It's also just. I'm tired of it. We're never gonna. We gotta. We just gotta get the playoffs here. This is a late March situation.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah. I mean, we had a debate the other day of Shaq versus Jokic.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. Oh, yeah. That was a fiery one.

[Stephen Che]

They play different positions.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

And I'm sure that both could be successful in the other person's era.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. I would say both. I'd say Prime Shaq will be dominant anytime, and Prime Yoko should be dominant anytime. Yep.

[Stephen Che]

Agreed.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. Why can't we just say all the good players would be good in there?

[Stephen Che]

Why can't we just be like, these guys are really good at basketball. Let's enjoy watching them play?

[Big Cat]

They're so sick that we do need someone who. There needs to be someone in the media who just. Actually, it was J.J. redick. That's the. That's the problem. That's. Maybe that's what's happened. The vacuum for this debate is like the power vacuum, because JJ Redick is now coaching. JJ Redick was the guy who just was like, yeah. The players this, like, now are just incredible. Like, let's just enjoy that. Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

And if you took them and dropped them back into the 1980s, they'd be really, really, really. If you made them grow up in the 1980s, they'd probably be very good at basketball. Still not quite as dominant as they are now.

[Big Cat]

Right, right.

[Stephen Che]

Case closed.

[Big Cat]

Case closed. Happy we had that debate.

[Stephen Che]

Basketball is good. There you go.

[Big Cat]

Good. Basketball players are good. Yep.

[Stephen Che]

Agreed.

[Big Cat]

All right. Do we have anything else in the sports world that's going on? It's getting people upset. It's getting people ready. So Dicky V, we. Diggy V. We only had him on for 15 minutes. People were wondering. He's still working back with his throat and his voice. So we were offered. We're like, hey, you get. Dicky V. Wants to come on PMT, only give you 10 minutes. We're like, we'll take anything. It ended up being closer to 15. He's the best. He's the absolute best. And Cody Rhodes was awesome in person. Really, really fun, great time. Is there anything else, Max? I guess we'll talk about a fire fest. We'll do a little recap of what happened on Wednesday. Thank you, everyone, for subscribing after Wednesday's show.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah, appreciate that.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, please keep subscribing. We appreciate all the subscriptions. Okay, well, oh, also San Antonio. I will be there Friday and Saturday. We're doing live show. 6pm Central and 2pm Central on Saturday. 6pm Central, Friday, 2pm Central, Saturday. What's. Does anyone know where we're doing it? River Ice House. River, can you find it for me? River Ice House. I'm going to chip myself to death.

[Stephen Che]

Riverwalk.

[Big Cat]

I'm going to eat so many chips.

[Stephen Che]

I'm going to go to Austin. Solidarity. And have some breakfast tacos and some chips and queso and barbecue and it's going to kick ass.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

And cold beer. I'm back on beer.

[Big Cat]

Oh, beer's back.

[Stephen Che]

Beer's back. Beer is so good.

[Big Cat]

I would agree. Beer is very good. Wait, what? I didn't tweet it. So, Hank, you got it?

[Max]

I'm looking.

[Big Cat]

Hank's got it.

[Max]

I don't know who would have tweeted it, though.

[Stephen Che]

Dave Torpedo bats also, OV is three away. Oh, yeah, three away. And now I'm. I'm moving up my timeline. I think if. If he gets to one by Sunday, after Sunday's game. I think I'm gonna have to go to a game next week. I'm gonna try to chase this record.

[Big Cat]

Are you gonna withdraw from mini golf?

[Stephen Che]

No, but Tuesday. Oh, no. He only plays on Thursday next week.

[Big Cat]

All right.

[Stephen Che]

I hope OVI doesn't score until after this week.

[Big Cat]

Okay.

[Stephen Che]

And then he breaks the record.

[Big Cat]

That's fair.

[Stephen Che]

Going goat chasing.

[Max]

River North Ice House.

[Big Cat]

There we go. River North Ice House. It's that first tweet you just scrolled by a million times. Yeah. Barstool Live. River North, Ice House. So come on out. 6 p and 2pm Central, Saturday. Johnny Fanta's gonna be there on Friday night. And then. Yeah, let's have some fun. Final Four lists. Let's get some great games. We need some great games. All right, let's kick it to ourselves. Dicky V. And in a very, very. Even if you're not a wrestling fan, the Cody Rhodes interview was awesome because he's just a really cool guy in his whole story. So. And he was in person, really, really awesome interview. Okay, before we get to Dicky V, we are brought to you by our friends. It truly, truly Unruly is the first high ABV hard seltzer that actually tastes good. Truly Unruly is a hard seltzer that breaks all the rules. Drinks, light, parties. Hard with 8% ABV. It's hard. It hits hard, but still tastes amazing. Comes in four fresh flavors. Tropical Twist, Berry Blast. Citrus Crush, Strawberry Smash. My personal favorite. It's the official hard seltzer. Pardon my take. The weather's starting to turn. We're about to get to baseball, summer, golf, beach, backyards, everything. We're going to get unruly this summer with Truly. Find Truly Unruly to store near you or visit trulyhardseltzer.com Again, it's 8% ABV. It hits hard but still tastes amazing. Find Truly Unruly at a store near you or visit trulyhardseltzer.com we're also brought to you by our friends at American Home Shield. What do your March Madness brackets and your home appliances and systems have in common? They both tend to get busted. Now, as a benefit with select American Home Shield warranty plans, you can conveniently video chat with a live repair expert to help assess or fix an issue. Listen, they're taking it to the next level with American Home Shield. Thanks to American Home Shield, we were able to video chat in Hank to get an expert assist as you pick your favorite teams for the 2025 tournament.

[Max]

Hank, BYU holds the record for most tournament appearances without making a semi final. 30 times. That's happened 30 times. They haven't made a semifinal.

[Big Cat]

Wow. Thank you, Hank. We're here to help prevent a busted bracket, just like American Home Shield is here to help with a busted home appliance or system. I've had issues. I had a sink issue two weeks ago. Fixed American Home Shield. This is where our friends American Home Shield come in. When you have an American Home Shield warranty, they will help fix or replace covered parts of home systems and appliances, no matter their age. Plus, as a benefit with select plans, AHS offers a convenient video chat feature that lets you connect with a live expert repair expert to help assess or even fix a home issue in real time. If you're a homeowner, you know things break down. American Home Shield is there for you. Listeners can get 20% off any plan today. Just visit ahs.compmt to sign up. Don't wait until something is busted. Get ahead of home repairs with AHS. Go to ahs.compmt for 20% off any plan today. See ahs.com contracts for coverage details including limit amount, fees, limitations and exclusions. Okay, here he is, Dicky V. Okay, we now welcome on a very, very, very, very, very special guest, someone we've wanted on for a very long time. It is the legend, Dick Vital. Dicky V. We appreciate you so much coming on. Just so our listeners know, you are still, you know, working your way back all the way through Health. So your doctor said maybe seven to 10 minutes that you can talk to us, but we said any minutes if we had two minutes with Dickey V. We're taking it. So first of all, how are you feeling? How's everything going?

[PFT Commenter]

Well, first of all, you're very kind. I'll tell you, you guys really, I know, are so very, very popular. My grandkids called me up. Oh, my God. You're gonna be. I'm a big cat. Ptf. Unbelievable. You know, I. I feel really good physically. I. You know, when you're a cancer survivor, it's scan by scan. My last scan, I was totally cancer free. I'll get all nervous again when I got to go for another scan in May because let me tell you guys, my heart goes out to every cancer patient. I know that feeling, and I coached for years. And you get tense and all in the game when it's close. But there's nothing like waiting for the results because that phone call is life changing. If he tells you that scan's great, you're cancer free, man. It's heaven. But if he tells you cancer came back, it's back to chemotherapy, radiation, and all that. And it really gets nerve wracking. And I could feel for every cancer patient, and I might message any cancer patient listening as well, to always think positive and have faith, because really that got me through what I did. As you guys know, four different battles. One with melanoma, one with lymphoma, vocal cord cancer, which was the toughest for me. Couldn't speak for unbelievable weeks and weeks and just. And then I got lymph node cancer. So again, through it all, I want to talk basketball. Yeah, we got March Madness.

[Big Cat]

Yes, yes. So by the way, everyone may 2nd his gallup dick gala to benefit the V Foundation for Cancer Research. So we're raising money for pediatric cancer. You're doing a great job. So let's talk final four. Probably the best final four we've ever seen in terms of these four teams. Any other year are worthy champions. Is there a team out of the four that you see as a cut above?

[PFT Commenter]

Well, you know, certainly we got the best of the best plan. But, you know, also when you think about it, I was just thinking the other day, 1985 was pretty good too, when you had certainly Villanova and you had Georgetown and Memphis St. John's and we can take a lot of children, so pretty good. But it's special because these are the four teams that have been listed basically all year as the best of the best. So you're getting the best against the best and we got some great matchups. The one thing, and I've read from day one, I think Duke to win it all. And nothing's going to change my mind right now until we get results. But there's a reason I picked up number one. Any time a team is top five guys in offensive and defensive efficiency, I mean, they got a great chance to win because if you're not shooting well and you're defending well, you're going to stay in the game. And that's where Duke's the only team in the country that's top five by Ken Pomeroy in efficiency in both areas.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah. And if you were to pick apart Duke, what is their weakness? What would that be? If Houston finds a way to win this game, how do you think they do it?

[PFT Commenter]

Well, I think Houston number one, if they're going to win the game, they're going to rely on their great defense. I think there's going to be a lot of motion in the game for Houston as well, because last year they really had two kind of ropes. They had them on the ropes until their star got hurt. Sheed, who's now at the, he's with the Toronto Raptors. I believe he got hurt and that game turned around when he went out. So they're going to be playing a little chip on their shoulder. Plus, let's face it, when you're Duke, I don't care who you play. It's like my son in law told me, please play quarterback at Notre Dame. And I once was, I'll never forget saying, oh, you got a cupcake this week, man. You're going to play in Navy. That's a cupcake. So you're out of your mind. It's never a cupcake for us. Yeah, because everybody here at Northern, when they play Notre Dame, they're at another level. Well, same with Duke. You play Duke in basketball, you play Kentucky in basketball, you play schools like that, teams play at such a high level, they commit, so you got to match that. And I think John Shire has done a great job with that, getting his players to understand, understand how it really is important to play at a higher level because people want to beat you so badly.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah. And with Cooper Flagg, is he the biggest diaper dandy of all time? Because he's, he might be the youngest diaper dandy.

[Big Cat]

Right.

[Stephen Che]

Because he, he enrolled early.

[PFT Commenter]

Well, you're right about that, Patrick. He is so young. There's no doubt about it. I, I look at the kid I saw high school and I said this. I've said it on espn. Some people took it the wrong way. They got all over McCays because they said, oh, I'm going to be putting his name in there with LeBron and with. With Kobe and Magic. What I said was, if they listened, I said, at the same age, in my 45 years at ESPN, three guys that I've seen with skills and ability that he has, and that was LeBron. I did his game in high school. I'm talking about games of kids. I did in high school. I didn't do Kareem in high school, But I did LeBron in high school. I did a game with Kobe Bryant in high school, and I saw Magic a number of times in high school because I was recruiting him and I got rejected. He went to Michigan State. I was trying to give him the keys to the city of Detroit. But anyway, the bottom line is I just think he's so special. What he does is so rare and that he doesn't have to score to be probably the most valuable player on the court. Yeah, he does a phenomenal job. He draws so much attention. It creates angles and spacing for Knipple and the kid inside. Wow. Is he going to be special model Watch is unbelievable what he does defensively. Hey, guys, when you got three players right now, I looked at the draft yesterday at mock draft, three guys, they're going to be drafted in the top seven. Several others going in the second round. My God, you got a chance to win.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. Yeah. And so PFT mentioned Diaper Dandy Cooper flag. I mean, ptp or it's got to be Walter Clayton and Janai Broom, both those guys. That's. That's two PT peers going up against each other on the other side of the bracket.

[PFT Commenter]

Well, Clayton certainly has been Mr. Clutch. He's been unbelievable. You know, he played for Rick Patino down at Iona, but he wanted to stay in the state of Florida, where he's from, to go through his next stop. But if he went to St. John's Wow. Wow. Vespertino was my coach of the year this year. The job he did with St. John's yeah, agreed.

[Big Cat]

Dickey, are you. I know you had a stretch there where you only ate out, you never ate in, you never ate at home. Did you keep that alive? How long was that stretch for? Because I used to join your periscopes when you'd go out to breakfast every morning, and I'd just be sitting in there basically eating breakfast with you.

[PFT Commenter]

Wow, that's really cool, man. I'm really proud of that big cap. And the bottom line is, we go out every night. I love people.

[Big Cat]

I love it.

[PFT Commenter]

You know what it did for me, Even through my chemo, even through all my, my radiations. I told my wife I want to go out. I'm not going to sit home and mope and cry, you know, and feel sorry and because, let's face it, when you're a cancer patient, you're doing your chemo and your radiation, you always has a tendency, tendency when you're alone, to think all the worse is this. My last day? Is this. But if you get out. And I used to love to get out with people and be around people first. I love people, guys. I really do. I. I love. I've been that way. I've been a hot dog all my life. You got a mustard on me. I've been that way and little wacky like you guys. When I was younger, I was wacky like you guys. But that's why you're so popular. Popular because you're real, you're genuine. And that's what makes you guys the whole arsenal stuff with David. The bottom line is guys are all real. You tell them from your heart, you're not afraid to share an opinion. And people appreciate that.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah, I think people, a lot of people appreciate you, Dick. I'm sure that you've had a lot of people that reached out over the last couple years and, and let you know exactly how loved you are, how they're rooting for you. I'm curious though, when you were going through the treatment and you couldn't talk, what was that like? Because you're a guy that loves to talk. Like, that's, that's your thing. You. You love talking to people. Would you go home? Would you. Would you write? How did you get these thoughts out?

[PFT Commenter]

Yeah. I will tell you this, Patrick. No, no doubt about it was the toughest time for me. I felt trapped. I felt trapped. I had a whiteboard and I would write on the board and all that for my wife, you know, get me this, do this, do that. But even when you do that, you really can't communicate like you want. You get. So I've done many times I got so frustrated because I want. Especially when I was in the hospital doing a chemo and I couldn't talk and I'd write in a paper right on a trunk I had there whiteboard. And you can only write so much. You can't tell what you're really going through. And my darkest moment was and I'll tell you this, I've told other people this and I think about it all the time. Was in the hospital doing chemo and I had a bad, bad day. I mean it was a bad day. So much so that normally I would go home after the chemo and the doctors came in and they said Dick, we can't let you go home. We gotta monitor everything. And my family was there with me and wife, daughters, grandkids. And I got three at Duke, they're helping Duke wins. I got two at Notre Dame. My Notre Dame is a two time lacrosse national champ. And my dog Gran, she's watching right now. Sydney Swearzel, my granddaughter, she loves you guys, she's watching and she, she graduated Notre Dame, played tennis and I got three right now playing tennis on top 10 teams at Notre Dame, at Duke rather in tennis. So they're cheering for their dookies. But they were all in the hospital, they were there visiting me and it was time to leave at 9 o'clock and they left. And when they left I really, as I tell people, I cried like a baby. I'll never forget that. There's laws on. I was like hysterical. And the nurse came in and the nurse was terrific. She said Dick, what's. Calm down, you're gonna be fine. Why are you crying so much? I said I don't know, man. I wonder if that's the last time I see my. I get tripped up thinking about last time I see my family. I said it's been such a tough day. But anyway, bottom line is I came through it messages. I can't tell you how many messages. I hadn't used my phone that day for about six, seven hours and all of a sudden I went to my phone, I have messages, you name it coach, they Patinos and Caliper and is those right down the line. All the Italians naturally have on decent but the bottom line is they all, you know, wishing me the best. Keep fighting. Remember Jimmy V. Don't give up. Don't ever give up. And all of that meant so much to me that it made me really say to myself I'm going to beat this suck. I'm going to beat. I'm going to get out of here. I'm going to beat it. And fortunately it worked out that way. But like I said, cancer patients only know this like I do that. You go scan to scan and you wait for that next scan. I'm going to count the days early to May you mention my Gallup. I mentioned my Gallag I appreciate that so much. Because the bottom line is we've raised $92.8 million since I started for pediatric cancer. If people I know, you got a lot of fans, they want to help join my team. We're going to go over $100 million on May 2nd. And we got great, great people. Michael Strahan, who knows a lot about pediatric cancer, his daughter battling brain cancer now cancer free. We got the Grant Hill superstar. We got Danny Hurley coming in. We got John Calipari, Nancy Lieberman, I mean, Hannah Storm. It's going to be a special night special. But we're going to raise. And if anybody wants to join my team and help me raise those dollars, they, whatever they donate, 50, $100, $2,000. You guys will donate more because you're making big cash. I'm only kidding. But the bottom line is. Bottom line, just go to dickfitel.com simple community, dickfydal.com and you could donate. You can buy any of my merchandise, Every dollar that I would make on the purchase of any item, basketballs, books, I give to the V Foundation.

[Big Cat]

I love it. I love it. So I know we've taken you a little over time, so we have. I have one last thing.

[PFT Commenter]

My voice is.

[Big Cat]

Okay, okay. Yeah. I mean, listen, we. I hope you understand how loved you are. Where this show that we've been doing for almost a decade now, our big thing is sports are supposed to be fun. And you always were that guy. You were the guy who. Sports were fun and you welcome people in. And like you said, you're a people person. I have to mention one thing. So I've met you a couple times before. One was actually, you were nice enough to take a picture with me. 2006, when I was a student at Wisconsin, we beat Pitt. Aaron Gray, they were the number two team in the country. You were. You were. You took a picture at halftime. That's how great of a guy you are. He's calling the game at halftime. He's taking pictures. The other one, though, was maybe the coolest power move I've ever seen in my life. It was Florida State, Notre Dame Football, 2014, I want to say. And you showed up and you just walked right into this frat house that we're doing a show at. Use the bathroom. Your wife, by the way, ride or die, she stood outside the door, made sure no one went in. And then you had, like, these postcards that you were handing out that were signed postcards. I loved the move because everyone wanted. Everyone wanted to talk to you. And you're just handing them out. And I was like, this guy's the best. He's the man of the people. He's going to the bathroom in a frat house. He's the best. That's you.

[PFT Commenter]

Well, that's so nice of you. I really appreciate it. And I can tell you this. You went to Wisconsin. You're a hell of a student then. Because I couldn't, Bell was constantly asked me to go there. But the bottom line is, you know, I love people. I do. You do? Hey, people don't recognize me. I'm in a restaurant. I put a sign in. I'm back. Hey, I'm Dicky V. Remember me?

[Big Cat]

It is. It's the truth. But I. I like. You know, you meet people who are celebrities or in the. In the public eye, and sometimes they're not the same person. You are the same person. The two encounters I've had with you, just salt of the earth, just regular guy. And it's. It always struck me as like, man, he's exactly like I see on the tv. And I love that about him.

[PFT Commenter]

Tell you guys how about making my PR agents, man, I love you guys. Call me anytime if you want me on. Tell David. Tell David. Try some pizza here in beautiful Sarasota. And don't expect. He came. He was here one time, but he's going to try the pizza that's really, I think, good. At a place called Mucha Ballerina.

[Stephen Che]

Okay.

[PFT Commenter]

Ballerina.

[Big Cat]

Okay.

[Stephen Che]

It sounds great. So, Dicky, thank you so much for joining us. It's a dream come true to get to talk to you, and we hope you enjoy the game. So you got Duke against who in the championship?

[PFT Commenter]

I got Duke. Florida in the championship. Duke winning the championship. On the woman's side, you got great games, man. Tomorrow you've reached semifinals. You got Gino Ariema. I really worry. My heart wants Connecticut. I love Paige Beckers, and I want to see her get to the championship game. But UCLA is really good. They got a young lady named Bets who can really play. And then on the other side, you got Texas against South Carolina. I'm going with Dawn Staley, man. She just knows how to win. I'm hoping to see Staley and or in the finals. Two coaches that know what winning's about. And Paige Beckers is special, really special. Hey, guys. I just figured something out looking at both of you.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[PFT Commenter]

Now I know why I got fired by the Pistons. My guards look like you suckers. I know you can't.

[Big Cat]

Oh, man. Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

You nailed us.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. You did? Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

Knife for talent.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. All right. Well, Dicky, thank you so. Oh, one last thing. I got. I got a special friend who we work with named Stephen Che. Can you just say, hey, Stephen Che, you're awesome, baby.

[PFT Commenter]

Stephen Shay, man, you're awesome, baby. With a capital A. You're a PT Beer. You know, I lie a lot, Steven.

[Big Cat]

Thank you, Dicky. You're the best. We really appreciate your time and we're huge fans and keep fighting the good fight and we'll make sure we donate for that gala on May 2nd.

[PFT Commenter]

Thanks a lot for having me on. Remember dickflytel.com people.

[Big Cat]

We'll do it. All right, thanks.

[Stephen Che]

It was great to see you.

[Big Cat]

Appreciate it.

[Stephen Che]

Enjoy the games.

[Big Cat]

All right. See ya.

[Stephen Che]

Dicky V was brought to you by Taxact Tax Act. You know what day it is? It's actually April already. You know what day is coming up soon? That would be April 15th. Tax Day. Taxes are due. Hank, do you have any tips?

[Max]

Don't wait. The time is now. We're getting towards the finish line. So go to taxact.com use all the tools they have and they can that can help you do your taxes. Including expert assist. All tax experts are US based. The best place to get your taxes done.

[Stephen Che]

Taxact.com you said it. They're 100 credentialed, 100 US based. So they know the ins and outs of the tax laws. You can get the answers that you need starting at just $20. If you need a little help or a lot, they can answer all types of tax related questions. It's crunch time and you want to get it right. Tax act makes it easy so you can get them over with and be done for the season. What's that Website Again, Hank? Taxact.com you said it. Dicky V is also brought to you by our great friends over at NASCAR. Talladega Super Speedway is NASCAR's biggest, baddest track. Delivering heart pounding action pack racing thrills Keep drivers keep 3 wide and bumper to bumper at 200 mph. Playoff implications on the line making every lap more intense. Unpredictable finishes mean anyone can take the checkered flag. At Talladega, the fan experience is unmatched. Camping, tailgating, electric infield energy. Tickets are selling fast. So secure your spot [e-mail] Experience the rush at Talladega. Get your NASCAR tickets now for edge of your seat action. Secure your seats [e-mail] and now here's Cody Rhodes.

[Big Cat]

Okay, we now welcome on a very, very, very very special guest. He is the undisputed WWE Champion of the World, it is Cody Rhodes. He's got big, big time. WrestleMania coming up, April 19th and 20th at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. So, Cody, first of all, thanks for coming by. Let's start with how it feels. So it's going to be about a year now that you've been the champion. How are we feeling? Is it everything that you dreamed about? Because I know it was a lifelong dream, but a year being champion, was it everything that cracked up to be?

[Hank]

I feel like it's definitely a positive. It's not that it's a negative, but I will say that it's nothing like I anticipated it to be. What I really quickly found out is that it is almost a de facto position in the office. It's almost. It's. It's a bigger position than just man in tights wrestling, which is great. I love it because I love the infrastructure. I love the industry. I grew up in the business. My dad was behind the scenes, in front of the camera, all that. But that was a part for me that I thought, oh, there's a layer of responsibility, right? Like a team, Team captain, you know, And I tried to lean into it in the last, you know, several months where I'd like that. I like being the. The big dog here, as long as it's going to, you know, it's going to last. But it's been amazing, really. And especially for being a good guy character, right? To have the title this long is. Is rather unheard of because everyone just tries to murder you every week, right? I'm. I'm very lucky.

[Big Cat]

Is that so? So speaking of, like, being baby Face, because I. I think in today's day and age where people are more cynical, you know, edgier, whatever you want to call it, do you find that hard, having to be the good guy when you're like, man, it's probably easier to just be the bad guy once in a while.

[Hank]

Well, it's. It's always easier. I feel every week I think they're gonna boo me. And every week we've been lucky. Where it's been like, no, we like you. I genuinely find a surprise. And every night, and the way they do my entrance, I'm surrounded by all this cryo. And then it does this little sparks, these cold sparks, and then I can really hear the audience and it's legit. The coolest thing ever. I don't know. I don't know the. I don't know the formula. I think there's a element of being in the family and the love they had with my dad and the connection we have, I think it's because I took them on the full ride from the time I was back at wwe. Also when we, the suspension of disbelief in what we do. Everything about me is I don't, I don't have a character.

[Big Cat]

Right.

[Hank]

I am me. This is. And, and I'm, I'm really happy that it's worked out, but I'm always expecting like app today's the Barclays. Barclays or something, you know, like our Chicago is always notoriously a tough wrestling market. And then in those places they're like, nah, he's cool.

[Big Cat]

So it's, that's got to feel.

[Hank]

I'm, I'm, I'm very lucky at a certain point. Yeah, you know, who knows? But it's blessed.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

I mean your story is incredible. For those that don't know, like you bet on yourself, you actually, our good friend Robbie Fox.

[Hank]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

You and him became pretty close. He like drove you around. He showed me a picture where he took you to the emergency room. So, so tell, tell our listeners the story about how you bet on yourself, the road that you went on, that you brought people along.

[Hank]

When I was at WWE the first time and I was a legacy hire, you know, my dad was in the business, my brother was in the business. Godfathers, uncles, all that. I was in a great position. And then in the last three or four years, I, I technically, I hate using this term, but I technically became an enhancement talent, a jobber. And I was under the alias of Stardust. I was painting my face. It's. It just was very much, I say beneath me, but I wasn't doing the work to out kick it either. And I felt like I was trapped. So no one ever does this. What I would do next is really what set this all off. I ended up quitting wwe, wasn't going to get fired because of the legacy I had, but also things weren't going to get better. I quit wwe and when I left, that's where I got to do bet on myself, as you said, and got to mobilize the audience. I put a list together of various opponents, all different companies, all different continents. All this stuff I wanted to do because I was a lifelong WWE kid, I'd been made in their system and to be able to break out and do independent wrestling, death match style stuff, New Japan Pro wrestling, all this stuff that you didn't see as often. I was able to bring everybody who had, you know, all the equity. I Had at WWE and bring them along with me. And it was all a real journey in terms of I'm gonna try and get. If this place holds 400, I'm gonna try and get 500 people in there. You mentioned Robbie Fox. We were at La boom in Queens, New York, and hey, there's only 100 something people here. Well, guess what? We're gonna buy pizza for each and every one of them. We tried to make what I was doing everything destination. Even though it wasn't wwe, it wasn't usa, it wasn't Fox, it wasn't one of our television partners. I tried to make it Destination because streaming was becoming a thing. You could find me. That turned into all in, which was at. In Schaumburg. There's a plaque on the building still. I'm terrified they're going to take this plaque down at some point. Me and Mad Nick Jackson doing the first show ever. Because the bet was nobody could get more than 10,000. No company other than WWE could get 10,000 people. Twenty minutes later, we had 11,000 people. We had this Woodstock for wrestling. And really everything since that moment has just sparked off of that. An alternative wrestling promotion now exists in terms of AEW and being a founder at that, and then being able to come back to wwe, be so well received, be so trusted, and take up the first journey I had in the business, which was this. You know, my dad in 1977, wrestled superstar Billy Graham in Madison Square Garden. Wins the match, but doesn't win the title. But he got to do the thing where he held it up for the audience before the inevitable shoe drop from the announcer. And as a kid, that was it.

[Big Cat]

Right?

[Hank]

That was my legitimate, no matter how you look at our business, not real real. However, I wanted to win the damn belt for him. And when I came back, that was the one thing I was, hey, this is what I'm going for. It's as real as it will be presented on tv. It's the. It's as real behind the scenes as it is in front of the camera. And I. I was able to do it.

[Stephen Che]

That's very cool.

[Big Cat]

That's very cool.

[Stephen Che]

Do you carry the belt around with you? I mean, like, what's the longest that you've ever gone without touching the belt?

[Hank]

That's a great question. I feel like I touched. I feel like I touched the belt every day. Yeah. Because, I mean, how boring is it if I came in here and I didn't have the belt? Yeah, you gotta have the belt.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

To me, I. I have I. Yeah, there's multiple belts. Right. There's. There's one that's on tv, and there's one that you can kind of take on the road with you, but I keep the same one each time, which was the one that I know Roman wore to the ring at WrestleMania 40. I've never even seen, like, touched the other one.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

It's somewhere, so in case I was ever to forget it. But I get hands on it every day.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

Yeah. While you have it.

[Big Cat]

You got it.

[Hank]

You got it.

[Big Cat]

Well, don't give it up.

[Hank]

Just keep winning now. Well, that's. That's the BITTERsweet thing about WrestleMania this year, is I'm excited. This is another headline match. This is Cena retirement. But that's the. That's the bittersweet part.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

I have to do what John did for all those years. Just win.

[Big Cat]

Right, right.

[Hank]

That's not as. That's not that exciting to everybody who. Maybe he'll break Ric Flair's record, but, yeah, maybe he won't.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

Like you said, keep winning.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. So the story you told, it is great. Did you have. You had moments where you're like, this was the path I had to take because you're, You're. You mentioned your dad, Dusty Rhodes, legend, Hard Times, and the. Every man. And you kind of had to. Because for a while, you were. I. I don't want to say what people thought, but, like, I'm sure there were people like, oh, he's a Nepo, babies. Oh, yeah, he's in there because of his dad. And then you found it on your own, the Hard times. That's a really cool full circle moment where you're like, hey, I was given a lot, but then I had to go. Earn it. In its own way, it's.

[Hank]

It's almost a reverse situation from a lot of guys who work their way up. Whereas I got so many things afforded to me early, and then it's gonna sound like a silly parallel, but really, the best way I can think about is if you've ever seen the movie the Lion King, I went out there and, like, found my Timon and Pumbaa, and, you know, I had to find. Had to find what was inside. For me, it's such a silly way to look at it, but being a Nepo baby or being a second or third generation in our industry, that's one thing. When it's Dusty, you know, I think about some of these kids whose dads are essentially Mount Rushmore dads. You are forever behind the eight ball in A way you're forever trying to. You don't even want to say it out loud because it sounds mean, but you're trying to be better than he was.

[Big Cat]

Right.

[Hank]

I think the first person at WWE who realized, oh, man, I will accept Nothing less is Mr. Heyman is Paul Heyman. I think he's the first person who realized, oh, he's, he's trying to do essentially with the impossible. And I, I'm. I, I got flanked. It feels so good, but I got flanked by the best team when I came back. Yeah, I mean, there are people there and I, if I could shout them out. Michael Hayes, Triple H, I, I can't believe I'm gonna say this guy's name, but. The Rock, the final boss. Yeah, they, as much as what you see on screen is pretty volatile. The tools are right there. It's, you know, when wwe, right now, all those guys are right there to get that information from. And Triple H has been wonderful with me. He's been like a coach, putting me out on the field and just calling the plays and they've been great plays.

[Big Cat]

Do you think the Rock, one on one, is that going to be in the future? He did pin you last year.

[Hank]

He did. And I, I'm, I'm a, I'm a bit of a egocentric individual who wants his win back.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

You know what I'm saying?

[Big Cat]

He's got one over you. He could just retire tomorrow. Tomorrow and you'd be screwed.

[Hank]

I think, I think he's due for more than one match and I would love to be penciled in on, on one of those. Obviously that schedule is as intense as it gets, but he's still so involved with wwe. He could have easily been the final boss and just kind of taken that as a customary title.

[Big Cat]

Right.

[Hank]

But he has really gotten his hands involved in, in what we're doing. And the thing I, Even though we may not like one another, the thing I do like about him is instantly, no matter what he's done, record breaking Disney movie, whatever he did that weekend and then showed up, when you look at him, you can tell oh, brother's a wrestler.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, it's.

[Hank]

It's in there, it's hidden the ropes and when. And what the reaction you can get from doing wrestling moves in the ring and the, the promo on the interview, I, I really have enjoyed that connection with him. I'd like to, yeah, I'd like to be one of those. I think he has two matches he has to do.

[Big Cat]

Okay.

[Hank]

He has to do. And I, I'm not putting any pressure on anyone.

[Big Cat]

Put the pressure on.

[Hank]

I think he does. I'd love to see if him and his cousin Roman Reigns ever have this encounter.

[Big Cat]

Yep.

[Hank]

Maybe it's the greatest match we never get just because timing whatever it may be, and I think we need to finish our own story with. With him and with. With myself. But we'll see.

[Big Cat]

His cheat days are where he's like, oh, a lot of people. I'm the rock.

[Hank]

I'm so. I'm.

[PFT Commenter]

I'm.

[Big Cat]

I have huge muscles and I'm eating a hundred pancakes. Like, yeah, dude, eat 100 pancakes when you're already full and fat. That's. That's hard work. You know what I mean? Anyone could eat 100 pancakes with a six pack and be like, back to the gym.

[Hank]

A lot of people have a lot of opinions on his cheat meals.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, that's my opinion.

[Hank]

I feel like, fake.

[Stephen Che]

I think. I think he embellishes them. I don't think that, like, when he stacks up all those pancakes, I think he eats maybe a quarter.

[Big Cat]

And. And it just like, if you're in really good shape and you eat a lot of food, that's not hard. You know what I mean? Because you're just gonna go back to the gym the next day and you're gonna take a big dump if you're already fat and you feel like. And you can only wear a sweatshirt and you're like, I'm still stuffing my face. That's hard work.

[Hank]

So you don't think his cheat meals are hard work enough and you think his cheat meals are fake?

[Stephen Che]

Oh, I think they're completely forgiven.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. Yeah. So I guess we got takes.

[Hank]

So his cheat meals. I don't. Here's why. I don't think they're fake, okay? Because I think it's a feast or famine situation where if you diet and train like a lunatic, you will eat all 100 of those pancakes until you're in pain laying on the floor. Which, to answer yours. Maybe it is hard work.

[Big Cat]

No, it's not.

[Hank]

Maybe these sheet meals aren't such a negative. I. I don't know.

[Big Cat]

I've never. I've never seen a meat £100 over my head. I'm back on my grind.

[Stephen Che]

What big cat's saying is that it's stolen valor, right? To eat a big meal like that and to act like you're a fat guy and then to not have to suffer the consequences of eating like that all the time. Like, because I want to see his culture is not his.

[Big Cat]

I Want to see the Rock eat a cheat meal when he's already full?

[Hank]

So.

[Big Cat]

Because that's what I do.

[Hank]

I just. I just. For the record, his cheat meals have been referred to as stolen valor.

[Stephen Che]

Stolen valor.

[Big Cat]

Yes. 100. I agree.

[Stephen Che]

I. I agree with that. Take.

[Big Cat]

Yes.

[Stephen Che]

But I'll go one step further and say I don't think he actually eats everything that. I think that the Rock did his first cheat meal, which was organic, and it would not like in terms of organic food, but like, it was from his own brain. Hey, I'll post my cheat meal.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

Everybody was like, wow, the Rock. That's such a huge cheat meal. And then he was like, oh, that did a lot of traction.

[Hank]

So now he's got to keep it up.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

Find a different way to make my meal look bigger.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah.

[Hank]

What do you. If you had to have a cheat meal just because we're. Now we're in it on this cheat meal thing, what would you have?

[Stephen Che]

Well, it's all about how you photograph it. So if you want to make something look bigger, you got to get down from like a low angle.

[Hank]

The angle.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah. And angle it up and have it really right in the camera space.

[Hank]

I've been trying. I've been trying to get this. There's a place in. There's one in Brooklyn, location called Crispy Pizza.

[Big Cat]

Okay.

[Hank]

And they're all over Instagram. That's mainly that. My algorithm is just ice cream and wrestling and pizza.

[Big Cat]

Nice.

[Hank]

Is where it's kind of. That's where it's circling at the moment.

[Big Cat]

Mine's like big tits and cheeseburgers, but. Yeah.

[Hank]

Yeah. Each their own cheeseburgers.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Hank]

For whatever reason, I've been trying to get this pizza, but then finally I did a commercial shoot the other day, and I could have eaten it and somebody brought it, and I couldn't do it.

[Big Cat]

Why not?

[Hank]

I. I feel like I'm not to the finish line yet on the dieting, but I. It wouldn't have hurt either, was the thing.

[Big Cat]

Right.

[Hank]

I have this dumb game I play with myself where I tell myself if you have that, that you lose everything.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

And that seems like a sick therapist. Yeah, it might be.

[Big Cat]

That's up, man.

[Stephen Che]

No, but that's what makes you great.

[Hank]

But if you touch it, it's like you lose it all.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

House gone.

[Big Cat]

You know, like, everything's gone.

[Hank]

It's gone. So.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

You were talking about how you. You keep thinking next time you come out into the ring, they might boom me. Like, that's a thought. That's in the back of your head. I would imagine that to stay in the good graces of your audience, you. You have to think of ways at times like, what can I do to. To keep them cheering for me? But then it's kind of a catch 22 where if you go too hard, they can sense that.

[Hank]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

And then they'll start to boo you. So what. How. How do you deal with that mentally?

[Hank]

Well, I think it's. You can't do the latter in a sense, that you can't just do it to get the pop. You can't just do it to. Hey, they'll like this. That'd be easy. I'm gonna wear a. We're in Chicago's. I'm. Yeah, Chicago. I'm gonna wear a Bears jersey. You can't just go for what the low hanging fruit. It has to be an authentic thing. And one of the big disagreements John Cena and I have had, and we had this disagreement behind the scenes, and we had this disagreement right in front of the camera, is he feels I'm not authentic enough or as authentic as he was. And I think at this point at. I'm pretty confident.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

And who I am and proven it.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

And exactly. I feel like I got a proven, proven track record. But the answer is you. You can't. You can't be a hack about it. And. And maybe it's that. Let some of them who don't like you. You can't get them all. They may not like you. When I was wrestling Kevin Owens, he has a great fan base, just great equity in general. Most people booed, but there are some. You hear? You hear?

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

A wild thing here. Every now and then, you just got to let. You can't get them all. You know what I'm saying?

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

Have you ever seen the episode. This is such a random, deep, deep cut here. Ever seen the episode of Parks and Rec with Leslie Knope running for office?

[Stephen Che]

Oh, yeah.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, that. I love that.

[Hank]

When she's trying to get the guy and she's bowling with him.

[PFT Commenter]

Yeah.

[Hank]

That's the kiss of death. If you're a baby face in our business, that dude's not voting for you.

[Big Cat]

Right.

[Hank]

You got to move on. All right. You got to move on.

[Big Cat]

That's a good point. Yeah, that's a good point. So I have a question about your dad and growing up. Like, I. I grew up loving wrestling, but obviously I. I was removed from it. Was it ever, like, when you're growing up and you're watching it, was it ever different for you experiencing it and then knowing, like, oh, that's my dad out there, and he could get hurt. And, like, that whole feeling of, like, I can't love it. Like a fan can love it in the same way.

[Hank]

The way my dad raised me in the business, which will not be the way I raised my daughter was incorrect. And he never really gave me any inside. So I had to figure out very early on that he has a relationship with Ric Flair that's not just Ric Flair breaking his arm in the parking lot. I had to figure it out early on, and I never really did. Interesting, if that makes any sense.

[Big Cat]

So, like, if Ric Flair showed up to your house when you were, like, 10 years old, you'd be like, it's on site.

[Hank]

So even if I can't win the fight. Yeah, I would be willing to fight.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. Like, this guy is really mean to my dad.

[Hank]

It's. It's. He. Exactly. And. And the way my dad was, he might complain about something that happened on screen. He also might complain about something off screen. And they all blend together here. Here's what I've learned in my position at on the top, at WWE and with other top WWE stars that I've worked with. It might as well be the ufc. It might. When you get in this rare space, it's as real as it can possibly get in ways you wouldn't expect.

[Big Cat]

Right.

[Hank]

And that's almost terrifying. But that's why, again, growing up the son of Dusty Rhodes, I just was his biggest fan. And I, everyone, anyone across from him, just. I wasn't having it.

[Big Cat]

Right.

[Hank]

I wasn't having it. And I. I've told this story before, but it's the greatest example of. There's the toughest guy in the industry ever was a guy named Haku. Yeah. If you hear any of these big fish stories about him taking a man's eye out or smashing the McDonald's, you know, drive through window, throwing a body press lamp, they're all real. The real stories.

[Stephen Che]

Took a man's eye out.

[Hank]

Took a man's eye. I took a cop's eye out. This is a real story. You can look it up. But Ming Haku, he slammed a chair. My dad slammed a chair over his head, and he was so tough that he didn't sell it. And then he choked my dad out. My dad was bleeding and all this, and I'll never forget it. I was maybe 10 at the time. I probably should have had some. I'm backstage. I should probably know a little bit about what's Going on. I remember I'm sitting there next to my dad and he's bleeding and he's got his knees all wrapped up. And Haku walked in and I stood up. This is a man who's taken another man's eye out. And my dad just, like, shove me back down on the chair right next to him in a way, like, no. And I came over and he was the sweetest human being ever. Oh, Dusty, thank you. Legend helped him unwrap his knees and he kissed him on the forehead and I. He left. And I remember thinking, just so shocked. Instead of knowing. Instead of go knowing the performance, my dad just looked at me and he said, oh, there's different rules back here. We can't fight back here. And I bought it.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

I thought, yeah, okay, that makes sense.

[Big Cat]

That's incredible.

[Hank]

That's fair.

[Max]

Yeah.

[Hank]

No, but it was to me. There's that famous clip of the guy standing up saying, it's. It's still real to me.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah.

[Hank]

That. That's just me. I'm saying it in a more sophisticated fashion.

[Big Cat]

Did you ever have a rebellious, like, teenage years where it's like your dad caught you, like, putting on a butterfly robe and you're like, what the. I can't do this. He likes Ric Flair.

[Hank]

Now, I never had a. I was never rebellious against him, right. But there were certain wrestlers that I would like that I could tell. He's like, ugh. So he had explained to me, I. I liked Hulk Hogan as a kid, and he had explained to me that Hulk Hogan. And again, I thought this was my dad talking, but he had to explain me. Hulk Hogan stole. And in the proper way, stole. He was inspired by Dusty, he was inspired by Superstar. And I just thought, that's a dad talking. Years later, Hogan tells me, oh, I. I used to watch your dad in the Tampa Armory. I took everything from him.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

Oh, my gosh. Shawn Michaels. We were just talking about him on my bus, too. I was watching one of his matches. I thought Shawn Michaels was the coolest thing ever. I don't think my dad wanted his son at the time to like the guy with, you know, chaps and hoop earrings.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

And long hair. But I was in. Yeah, I was in on it. So he used me, I feel like, as a test. I'd watch and I'd tell him who I liked. And I could tell he would never try to sell me against my own joy.

[Big Cat]

Right.

[Hank]

About things. But I could tell there were certain ones he thought, like, what the.

[Big Cat]

I raised them better.

[Hank]

You know why?

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

Why, why this guy? But that's how he. I think that's how he kept young in the business.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

Great focus.

[Big Cat]

He.

[Hank]

Exactly. He knew like. No, no, that's the guy for the, this generation.

[Big Cat]

Were you Stone Cold or the Rock? Oh, important question.

[Hank]

So I was. In the moment I was stone Cold.

[Big Cat]

Okay.

[Hank]

And in the moment I was stone Cold because Stunning Steve Austin from WCW was on occasion my babysitter. Oh, on occasion.

[Big Cat]

That's pretty bad.

[Hank]

At center stage in Atlanta. And he was the nicest guy about it ever because he didn't really do a lot of babysitting as much as he'd sit me in the locker room and be like, hey, you want a soda?

[Big Cat]

Yeah, yeah, sure, Steve.

[Hank]

All right. Stay here though. Don't go anywhere. My match is next and then I'll be back. It was really basic. Just keep an eye. Because my dad was running the show at the time. So when he was showing up in WWE and became the man was. And had this, I thought that's, that's Steve. That's my guy.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

So, yeah, I, I was, I was with Steve early, early on and then, you know, I, I feel like I love the Rock like everybody else did as well. Yeah, he was so different and so unique. They, they really were great partners together.

[Big Cat]

That you just basically described like 12 year old me's dream. Stone Cold. Steve Austin's my babysitter.

[Hank]

Yeah, he was. And, and I had a lot of. At center stage in Atlanta for wcw, at the Omni, at all the local UTC Chattanooga, all these local WCW shows. He'd always get me somebody to watch me. But Steve, I felt like was one of the only ones that really took it serious.

[Big Cat]

I love that.

[Hank]

I remember Sherry Martel one time was watching me. She was not watching me. Ricky Steamboat stitched my eye up one time because I fell down the steps and busted my eye. He didn't want my dad to know about it, but how's he not gonna know about it when I have stitches and a black eye? Yeah, that. I had a. I had a fun group Harley Race.

[Big Cat]

That's incredible.

[Hank]

He was just whittling a stick with a pocket knife and the scariest man I've ever seen in my life. So they were unique babysitters.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, definitely.

[Stephen Che]

We'll get back to Cody Rhodes in a second. He's brought to you by Uber Eats. Introducing Subway's Hot Honey Subs featuring Subway's Hot Honey Sauce. A perfect blend of sweet honey and a spicy kick made with crispy chicken or piles of fresh sliced Meat loaded with melty cheese. Fresh chopped veggies topped with delicious hot honey sauce. A sweet and spicy flavor explosion. Subway also has two legends come together in a bold new way with Doritos. Stacked with Subway's best toppings like steak or rotisserie style chicken. Fresh cut veggies, two kinds of cheese and legendary Baja chipotle sauces. More toppings in every bite. A foot long design means better coverage. No more fighting over the best loaded chip. We know it's all about the toppings. Doritos. Bold crunch and flavor break out of the bag and onto a foot long of nachos loaded with quality ingredients for a legendary taste experience. Served and served warm in an easy to carry sleeve. Try it free. Get a hot honey foot long that's hot honey pepperoni and provolone or hot honey chicken free with a 25 minimum spend on Ubereats. And don't forget to try Subway's new Dorito foot long nachos topped with Subway's fresh ingredients for a limited time only. And now back to Cody Rhodes. What about like a rebellious phase where you thought that you weren't going to be a wrestler? Where you were like, maybe I'll be an account accountant.

[Hank]

Never, never accountant. But I got a little worried when I was 18 because when I was 18 I had a great amateur wrestling, folk style freestyle wrestling career. And I was always wanting to be a wrestler. That was it. I didn't want to go to college. The plan was pro wrestling. But I thought I was going to be 65 like my brother. My brother is 6 5. We had the same foot, you know. I thought like, I'm getting there. Still not there, guys. So that was a concern for me. I went to LA Howard Fine's acting studio out there and I thought, hey, maybe I can tell stories in a different way. Maybe wrestling. Pro wrestling. Those guys seem so big. Not to realize that I'm pretty normal sized in our game now. But it took me, it took me a little while of realizing this is not for me. Acting I did. I didn't go on a single meeting. I had a great coach and I really enjoyed it. But wrestling is where I wanted to tell stories first.

[Stephen Che]

You know, you're back in acting. You're going to be the, the new Naked Gun, right?

[Hank]

Yeah, I had a little cameo.

[Stephen Che]

That's pretty.

[Hank]

Love that I had a little cameo. I feel a little weird because they keep promoting me. You know what? I'm happy that they're promoting me. It's pretty cool. But I got to Do a scene with Liam Neeson.

[Big Cat]

That's awesome. That's legend. That.

[Hank]

Well, that's the. And there's so many different things you could say, like, Liam Neeson, this movie. Liam Neeson, this movie. I'm a die hard Star wars fan. So this is Qui Gon Jinn, man. This is Slim Neeson.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

You know, like, it's a. It's a yes.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

No matter what. But he was the. He was the coolest guy. He was in. In the way he was doing every scene. He'd take it a little differently. It was just cool to chop up with and learn from him. Just in that moment. It was very fun.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

I just saw the trailer a second ago, and it's. I. I can't remember the last time I laughed out loud at a trailer.

[Hank]

Nice.

[Stephen Che]

This one did it. I'm in on this movie.

[Hank]

Full lol.

[Big Cat]

Huh?

[Stephen Che]

Full lol. When they showed the picture of oj, that's what did it.

[Hank]

Oh, wow.

[Big Cat]

Okay.

[Stephen Che]

That was okay? Yeah, yeah, it was good.

[Hank]

Sweet.

[Big Cat]

Wait, so now that you've been the champion for a year and your story, some may say, you know, it was completed.

[Hank]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

Are you worried at all? Like, hey, what's next? Like, oh, but I have that piece of pizza, bro.

[Hank]

I could be sitting here peaked.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

And not know it. I could just hit.

[Stephen Che]

It's a pretty good peak, though.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, it's a great peak, but it also is very. It's got to be a little bit scary to be like, what's. What is next? Because this. You had such a great story arc to this point. I'm sure you'll find a way to tell more stories, but it's got. It's a reinvention almost.

[Hank]

Again, I think it's. Especially with John, who was my legitimate mentor tour. I drove him around for two years and learned everything I possibly could from him. And now to have the situation where it's me versus John Cena in the WrestleMania main event is a wild teacher student moment for me. But you have to win in those moments. Otherwise, the master was always the master. Right, Right. For. For me, so much was done for me. I. I certainly have worked very hard, and I have a great team around me, and I try to work harder than anyone in the locker room. However, so many people at WWE have done so much for me that I feel like I have to keep going. You know, it's. It's crazy to me that my dad never got one WrestleMania main event, and now this is fourth for me. And the third headline match going on last. It's like a drug, though. I just got to find a way to. To get. To get to another one. And the only way you can do that is beat John Cena.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah.

[Hank]

Which is why I can't have that pizza.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, you can't have that pizza.

[Hank]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

How do we feel about John Cena now? How should we feel about John Cena.

[Hank]

Or where are you from originally?

[Stephen Che]

Originally from.

[Big Cat]

Why that?

[Hank]

To turn the Geo.

[Stephen Che]

John CENA Right outside D.C. he's a.

[Big Cat]

Recurring guest on this show.

[Hank]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. He's been on twice. Second time didn't go so well.

[Hank]

I. John is so polar opposites. I feel like in terms of when he was teaching me, because he genuinely was. I'd get in the car with him, he'd get on the phone, hey, how'd we do? At the merch stand, he'd get every number breakdown. He'd then call his boss at the time, which was Vince. He'd talk about the show. He just. He was so committed and so locked in. And I watched all that, and I stole. He even said it to me this past Monday, you stole all of the playbook. You stole the playbook and you're using it wrong. I don't know what that means. You use it how you use it. I feel like fans, if they have a love for John Cena, if he's their hero, if you want to see him break the record, I would not discourage that. Kind of like we were talking about. My dad never tried to rob me of my joy. To some people, he's still John Cena, you know, picking up big show and edge and doing these amazing feats of strength. And to other people, especially the younger audience that's now seen John in the last month or so, he's kind of a dick. And I'm. I'm good wherever you sit on the fence with that. But when you come to WrestleMania 41, it's you. You're watching the end of John Cena.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

So you can enjoy it as his fan, or you can enjoy it as someone who's not his fan.

[Stephen Che]

Kind of a dick.

[Big Cat]

I like.

[Stephen Che]

I would agree.

[Big Cat]

Sorry.

[Hank]

I feel like.

[Big Cat]

No, that was good. No, that got. That got me right there.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

We're. We're here to watch the end of John Cena.

[Hank]

That's it.

[Big Cat]

And you're gonna do it.

[Stephen Che]

Showing up my biggest ops funeral.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

I'm gonna be so happy.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. You should whisper on his ear while you're wrestling, like, the part my take. Guys, say hello. He probably won't Remember us at all. But I don't know.

[Hank]

He's got a pretty good memory.

[Big Cat]

Then he. Then that would piss him off.

[Hank]

He's got a pretty good.

[Big Cat]

That would piss him off if you said it.

[Hank]

He went in on me on Monday in London and it just felt so deep.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

So deep to the point where, you know, I think I might have had the. A penis joke as a follow up, which I was. I was good with that. Yeah, that's good. We're here to have fun, guys. Yeah, this is. We're having fun. But also, I walked away from that thinking. He's been thinking about this for a while.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

If. If I'm meant to be his successor, it's. He ain't handing it over.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

All right, so you gotta tell him. Be like, you remember the time you went on the number one sports podcast with purple gloves and you couldn't take a joke? Maybe hit him?

[Hank]

You want me to hit him with that?

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

Do you want to. Do you want to know how dumb certain people think I am? By the way, they must have told me that you guys are the number one sports podcast. They're laughing because I told them to stop. Because I said. They say, hey, do you. Do you want to. Come on. Pardon my take. Yes. It was a yes. Yeah, we were. Yes. Let's go. And they were still. You know, it's the number.

[PFT Commenter]

What.

[Hank]

What part of me.

[Big Cat]

Yes.

[Hank]

What part of me indicated to you I wasn't interested? Yeah, they. That's an old school sell at wwe. It's. You guys are factually the number one sports podcast. Way back in the day. Wwe, like, hey, it's a great opportunity. You could really. That was always. I don't need that. Yeah, it's real. Just let it be. Yeah.

[Big Cat]

All right, so just tell them that the part might take guys like me more than you. Because that's a fact. You're a better guest than him.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

That you are a better guest than John Cena.

[Hank]

I'll tell him right now. Where's he at?

[Big Cat]

Yeah. John Cena.

[Hank]

John Cena. The. Pardon my take. Guys like me way more than they like you. And I am a better guest.

[Stephen Che]

It's not even close.

[Big Cat]

And our fan base likes you way more. More now than him because, again, it didn't go well the last time we had him on there.

[Stephen Che]

It is good job by your team, though. I think they sometimes teams remind people of that because when they sit down here, they're like. They forget that when they're talking to us and they're just like, how. How are these guys? Number one.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, cuz we're looking at. We actually cleaned up today for you. We actually. I don't know, brother. Your.

[Hank]

Your net. Your neighbors didn't clean up. Yeah, they have Brandon Walker and the. The wrestling gang.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

There's a big chewy box on the floor and no dog.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah, that's for Brandon.

[Hank]

What a tease.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, no, the guys came in and cleaned up. Yeah, they cleaned up. It looks really clean in here.

[Hank]

It looks great.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

I have maybe a dumb question for you about the signs that you see at wrestling events. Yes, they're always really funny. I feel like for the most part people are creative when they bring their signs in. Yeah, that's all I look at when I'm watching wrestling.

[Hank]

A good sign.

[Stephen Che]

A good sign. Yeah. I try to find the best sign. Do you spend any time at all reading the signs in the audience?

[Hank]

So there's a particular moment where it's been heavily complained about by some of my peers, but there's a lot of pyro for my entrance. And there's. There's a third one that may be a little indulgent where I'll go up on the buckle and they all yell whoa. In my song, when I get up on the buckle before I go in the ring, I try and look out and see as many signs as I can. Because a lot of times it might just be a little kiddo with an American Nightmare sign. I want him to know I see it. And that's also a good way for me to remind myself I'm doing this. We're doing this together. This performance, this competition is not just here in the squared circle. We're all involved. So I like to do it there. In terms of funny signs, I saw one that had a picture of me side by side saying that I look like Randall from Monsters, Inc. And for a moment my heart was broken, but then I kind of looked at the way my posture is and I'm a little Randall.

[Big Cat]

You're a little random.

[Hank]

I'm a little Randalled up. You know what? I'm good with that.

[Big Cat]

It's a compliment.

[Hank]

Yeah, Yeah, I was okay with it.

[Big Cat]

Wait, so are you saying other guys have big time pirates pyro envy of you? Are they mad that pyro's hard to get and you have all of it.

[Hank]

Pyro's hard to get.

[Big Cat]

Are you hogging the pyro?

[Hank]

If you were to look at a, like a line by line.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

Sheet.

[Big Cat]

Are you. Are you a pyro?

[Hank]

Hawk there. I am a pyro.

[Big Cat]

Okay.

[Hank]

But also I don't. So Triple H runs the show, right? I'm, I'm, I'm his guy.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

I don't want to blow that. Yeah, might have just blown it, but that's who picks out the pyro. So Kevin Owens is the one who's going on a rant lately as to why he doesn't have any pyro. And I feel like we could probably spare some pyro for ko.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

You know, like, you should just hand him.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. Like a little, like a sparkler or something. Yeah, buddy.

[Hank]

Well, there's a whole argument for maybe he doesn't need it.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

You know, Steve Austin never needed pyro. I'm not gonna lie. I don't mind the whole. Give me all the bells and whistles. Some guys are just right there in your face and they didn't need it. But I, I don't mind blowing the sky up when I come out there. It wakes him up. It's an exciting moment.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

So you think like every other guy sees your pyro and they're like, that is a firework that could have been used on me.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

Like every single time.

[Big Cat]

That one was too much. I could have had that one.

[Hank]

I heard a guy, literally, as I was walking out and the first one burst, tell the rest of the boys that were in the gorilla position, which is the behind the scenes position. There goes your Christmas bonus, guys.

[Big Cat]

Oh, I love it.

[Hank]

Hey, we don't get Christmas bonuses. It's just a. It's not how the pay works.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

And it's not. We're not taking money from the talent pool for the pyro.

[Big Cat]

But I love this because this is kind of what you're talking about how. Yeah, listen, we understand what wrestling is, but there's a real factor to it. The competition behind that is so real.

[Hank]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

That. That makes it awesome.

[Hank]

That's why. So when, like the F word, when people say fake, I always. I never get hot. Some wrestlers get real like a hot under the collar and they talking about injuries and things of that nature. The reason I never say it is because the competition at the top is as real as anything I've ever done in my life.

[Big Cat]

Right.

[Hank]

So I can't. And then the feeling, you see a kid and his dad or a whole family together and they come to a show, their feeling is as real as anything ever too. So it's a real crazy world.

[Big Cat]

I love that. Cody Rose, the pyro hog. So speaking of Entrances. You've wrestled Undertaker. Did you. Were you ever, like, this is the longest entrance ever?

[Hank]

So I didn't have that reaction to undertakers.

[Big Cat]

Okay.

[Hank]

I had that reaction to Romans.

[Big Cat]

Okay.

[Hank]

But then I found out mine clocks in a little longer.

[Big Cat]

Really?

[Hank]

And I thought, okay, fair. I'll tell you a cool Undertaker story from last year, because I. I believe the Undertaker might be. Shoot. Magical.

[Big Cat]

Okay. Explain that.

[Hank]

Well, so I think there's real magic there.

[Big Cat]

Okay.

[Hank]

And here's where. Here's where I saw it. WrestleMania 40. Undertaker's gonna come in, he's gonna choke, slam the Rock. This is gonna happen. He's gonna help me in my situation because there's 50 members of the bloodline, and I didn't have any. Anybody with me. So the gong hits, and then he appears, places their mind. And it's just a really. The energy. You can feel it. And I'm kind of laying there half beat to death, but one of my eyes was open. He chokes. Sam's the Rock. And he looks at me, and it never was on camera because he just looked back at me. I think he was looking to have a moment with me. I blew it, basically, because I'm just laying there half dead. And he literally just looked at me and went and winked. And then the lights went out. And I thought that, that, that happened.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

The Undertaker. I. I feel bad. I texted him at, I want to say, five in the morning, his time the other day on accident, because I was in Europe and we just did this big thing with Clash of Clans and Supercell, and he's one of the skins you can get. I just needed him to know how good the game was.

[Big Cat]

Right.

[Hank]

I don't know if he was interested. Yeah, I thought it was really cool.

[Big Cat]

That is cool. Yeah.

[Hank]

Taker's the best.

[Big Cat]

He is. He is the best.

[Hank]

You got to get him on your show. You had take on.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

Big UT guy.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

Texas guy.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. He's. He's the man. I mean, Undertaker and Kane, that storyline, I, I, no offense to any of your stories, I think that's the peak.

[Hank]

Of brothers fighting each other.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

It's just like I thought they were. Yeah. Well, I mean, brothers, the. The fire and everything and, you know.

[Hank]

Lightning bolt on one another. And they did some wild stuff being revealed.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

Yeah. That was that. Hell in the Cell is all together. One of the greater pieces of business. The match is amazing. Shawn Michaels is amazing. And then they reveal of Kane. I had to watch it. Remember, in pay per view, if you didn't order It.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

Or if it got screwed up, I waited too late, so I had to watch it in the. The fuzz.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

And just gotta be Kane. Yeah.

[Big Cat]

The best.

[Stephen Che]

How often are you actually surprised in the ring? Like, do. How often does the production pull something on you that you don't know is coming?

[Hank]

I honestly like to be surprised every week.

[Big Cat]

Oh.

[Hank]

Yeah. I like to be very disciplined, organized, know what I plan to do and. And be polished and prepared. But I'll say this. Working with Cena, I've been surprised every week. That's. That's not going to be. I don't want to say it's difficult. I want to say it's challenging. If you. Again, if you're meant to be my successor. Show me.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

And just. Jeez. All right. But production wise, they're pretty on about no. Nothing wild.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

With me, at least. It's a really good. Really good team at wwe. They can make stuff look quite amazing.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

What do wrestlers do for fun? What do you do for fun outside of wrestling? You don't eat pizza.

[Hank]

I want it, though.

[Big Cat]

You want it?

[Hank]

Crispy pizza, man.

[Big Cat]

You don't eat it. You should get, like, an assistant who just eats all your pizza for you. I'll do that.

[Hank]

I'm gonna be honest. Just go around with you kind of have that already.

[Big Cat]

Oh, you do?

[PFT Commenter]

Okay.

[Hank]

My brother's on the bus right now ordering an ice cream cake.

[Big Cat]

There you go.

[Stephen Che]

This is like. That is the scene from Dodgeball where Guy lafleur, he's sitting in the office, and he's just looking at pizza and shocking himself.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

So he won't eat it.

[Hank]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

That's. That's.

[Hank]

That's not unhealthy in any way. Right.

[Stephen Che]

He was a good character.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. But what do you do for fun?

[Hank]

Well, my daughter, she's almost four, so that is the journey.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

Just. That's the greatest thing ever, is just hearing about what's going on in her life and the trials and tribulations of super kitties. Yeah.

[Big Cat]

She's just.

[Hank]

Oh, my gosh. And she saw Snow White the other day. All kinds of opinions on that. Just. Just that to me, I never thought I was gonna have children. And me and my wife, that wasn't part of our plan. And then this has been. Oh, my gosh. We. Why weren't we doing this all along?

[Big Cat]

I know.

[Hank]

It's just been the greatest thing. Other than that. Other than hanging out with Liberty, I would say. I go to topgolf a lot.

[Big Cat]

Oh, yes.

[Hank]

I'm a slugger. At topgolf.

[Big Cat]

Okay.

[Hank]

I feel like a real golfer.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

Yeah. And I try to dress the part and everything, but I'm not a golfer.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

I'm just got. I'm a good little dress up.

[Big Cat]

Like it.

[Hank]

Yeah. I'm a good little top golfer.

[Big Cat]

I like. Top golf's very fun.

[Stephen Che]

So you smash it, you step up, you just hit driver.

[Hank]

Oh, yeah. Just. And if somebody sets it where they're playing Angry Birds, they're effing up the whole flow.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

Cuz that's not. When that's not skill based. That's not top golf. Yeah, it's not top golf.

[Big Cat]

That's not top.

[Hank]

Thank you.

[Big Cat]

Wait, do you actually golf on a golf course?

[Hank]

No, no, this is just. I just go to top golf.

[Stephen Che]

I'm just.

[Hank]

I'm just cranking. That's what I'm saying. I want to look the part and I. I would be ready. You know, you start talking to again. I mentioned kind of being in an office position. I'm always ready. Somebody asked me, go golfing.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, I'm.

[Hank]

I'm. I'm gonna fake it till I make it.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

I'm gonna go out there and do my best.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

You bring your own clubs to top golf?

[Hank]

No, not yet. I haven't got there yet.

[Stephen Che]

That's what you should do.

[Hank]

That's a bold move.

[Stephen Che]

Buy your own set just for top golf.

[Hank]

Gosh, that sounds great though. Yeah, Custom clubs too.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. Like a pool shark. Yeah. Show up and you're like, oh, I got this one.

[Hank]

You remember that unbelievable Fresh Prince episode where he big Uncle Phil and the hustler?

[Big Cat]

Yes, yes, yes.

[Hank]

It's a regular. This is a weird thing. I want. You watch weird stuff when you're on the treadmill.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

Weird things motivate you. Something about that scene makes me want to run through a brick wall.

[Stephen Che]

What does he name his pool cue?

[Hank]

Oh, it's got a female name for it. From Jeff.

[Stephen Che]

Is it Lucille?

[Hank]

Yeah, I think it's Lucille.

[Stephen Che]

Like, Jeffrey, fetch me Lucille.

[Hank]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

And then he's just so nasty.

[Hank]

He's just running it up on him. Oh, man.

[PFT Commenter]

Smooth.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. He's got that big guy. Smooth, man.

[Hank]

They don't make TV like that anymore.

[Big Cat]

No, they don't. They don't.

[Stephen Che]

I wish.

[Big Cat]

All right, well, this has been awesome. I got one last question for you. It's a roback question. R b, a k.com promo code. Take 20% off your first purchase. Q, zips, polos, hoodies, joggers, shorts. I'm wearing the sweatshirt right now. Roback.com promo code take. Okay, so we talked about your future in wrestling. Are you acting? Are we going to be. I know that you're in the new movie, but are you. Are we gonna be like lead man Cody Rhodes?

[Hank]

I'd love to. I'd love to get out there. There's some fun projects coming up. I'd love to get out there and tell stories that way for sure. And grow. I love pro wrestling. I'll always. Like I found with. With the Rock. It's here, right. He's a wrestler, but to get out there. And I love what Rock has done. I love what John has done and Dave Bautista as well. All of them have gone different routes when approaching Hollywood. And I think I might be next to join the fray.

[Big Cat]

Okay.

[Hank]

With all that.

[Big Cat]

And we're gonna. And we're gonna beat John Cena on April 20, right?

[Hank]

Yeah. You got to his last Wrestlemania.

[Stephen Che]

Promise us something. Can you. Can you just make him feel pain? Yeah, put him in pain.

[Big Cat]

Tell him this is part of my take.

[Hank]

It's naturally pretty painful, but.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah.

[Hank]

Extra pain. Extra pain for pardon my take.

[Big Cat]

This is for pardon my tank.

[Stephen Che]

Dial it up to 11.

[Hank]

A little PMT pain right here.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, yeah.

[Hank]

One extra. You know. Yeah.

[Big Cat]

He'll actually. He might get scared. He might be like, oh, my God, Sneak. Kill me.

[Hank]

Sneak one in, you know?

[Stephen Che]

Yeah, kill him.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. All right. Well, Cody, this has been awesome, man. We really appreciate you coming by.

[Hank]

Thank you.

[Big Cat]

A lot of fun talking to you and good luck. April 19. April 20 in Vegas. Be careful in Vegas. Can you. Can you go out after? Can you. Can you, like, enjoy yourself?

[Hank]

So I've been to Vegas a bunch of times.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Hank]

We were talking about the story earlier. I went from wrestling in Sam's Town, which is a local casino, which is a great. The killer's album's named after it. To Allegiant Stadium. I am Vegas out.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. So I can do it to you.

[Hank]

Yeah, I'm. I'm more worried about some of my peers.

[Big Cat]

Okay.

[Hank]

I need them to make it there Saturday and Sunday.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

Okay.

[Big Cat]

Do you have a fanny pack? I. I always loved wrestling, like 90s wrestlers. You always had fanny pack? I assume it was.

[Hank]

I tried shirt tuck, fanny pack and dip. I tried to be a chewer. I threw up on the side of the ring at OVW and CM Punk had to watch me and like, basically while I threw up in a trash can. So that didn't work for me.

[Big Cat]

Okay.

[Hank]

And the fanny pack. I didn't have enough stuff Ah, wrestlers always have. There's like everything in there. It's a bottomless bag.

[Big Cat]

What about more pyro?

[Hank]

I could always get more if you.

[Big Cat]

Just have more pyro in your face. Like when. When the next time someone complains, they're like, God, he's taking all the pyro. Be like, hey, buddy, look at this.

[Stephen Che]

Here's some black cats.

[Hank]

Oh, that's a great idea. Yeah, yeah.

[Big Cat]

Yo, you thought I took all the pyro. Look at this.

[Hank]

I had a little leftover, bro.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, they didn't know what to do with it, so I took it. All right, well, Cody, best of luck and stay champ.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah.

[Hank]

Thank you.

[Stephen Che]

Thanks, man.

[Hank]

Thanks, guys.

[Stephen Che]

That was great.

[Big Cat]

That was great.

[Stephen Che]

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[Big Cat]

Okay, Fire Fest of the week. Let's get it going.

[Stephen Che]

I don't think Henry has any Fire fest because he's been. You've been in such a great mood this week. That's. But it seems like you're really running on full cylinders.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, Actually, you know what? Let's. Let's. Let's go a different order this week. Max, do you have a fire fest?

[Memes]

I don't do fire fest.

[Big Cat]

Let's do one this week. Do you have a fire fest? Max, I don't do fire fests, okay? You got.

[Stephen Che]

You got fooled by America's top actor.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Memes]

Yeah. And I. I hope this is the last we talk about it.

[Stephen Che]

I think that's the real takeaway is Jerry O'Connell's back.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

The acting chops. Still got it.

[Big Cat]

We're victims as well.

[Stephen Che]

True.

[Big Cat]

We were just. We were victimized just like you, Max.

[Stephen Che]

I think me and Big Cat are actually the biggest victims.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Memes]

Disagree.

[Big Cat]

Okay. Do you. How did the 24 hours. You said your mom called and made fun of you.

[Memes]

My mom called, made fun of you. Me?

[Big Cat]

How? Any other reactions from. From people close to you?

[Memes]

Yeah, I got re. I got reactions from a ton of people.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. I mean, you had the crop. Listen, did it suck for you? Yeah. Are you a. Yeah.

[Memes]

I will say I got a lot of people who were. Who would text me as they were listening, being like, holy shit, you're going to the White House. And then being like, oh, fuck.

[Stephen Che]

So they fell for it too.

[Memes]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

But this was one of those moments that crossed over where, like, my friends in real life were like, holy shit, Max is such an idiot. And I was like, yeah, man, he was really, really dumb for that. But you. You. You put a smile on a ton of people's faces on Wednesday. That's a fact. Yeah.

[Memes]

I'm happy for those people.

[Big Cat]

How?

[Memes]

Hank was one of them.

[Big Cat]

How is your beef with Hank going?

[Memes]

I wish I thought of the pizza draft thing in real time. That. That. That was a miss by me.

[Max]

This is. This was gonna be my fire fest, but I. What was the first thing I said to you on. On Wednesday?

[Memes]

No idea.

[Max]

I apologize. I listened back. I said. I said. I said I was gonna listen back to make sure nothing was cut. And I remember laughing as hard as I did. I was like, this was really funny. And then as I listened back, I was listening to myself, and I was like, you know, chill out, Hank. Like, you're being an. I sounded like an. I felt bad, even though it did get the reaction. That was funny. But I felt like I was from. I didn't think I was as mean as I sounded when I listened back, and I was like, no, dude, you just sound like an. So I. My fire fest is. I was mean, and I apologize.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

Also, Hank's fire fest is Reminding you that he does listen to the show. Yeah, that was a good way of putting that, Hank.

[Big Cat]

And he wants credit for the apology.

[Stephen Che]

Yes.

[Max]

Well, no, that was gonna be my firefighters.

[Memes]

No, he just want to listen back because he's a sicko. And he was like, max sounded like an idiot. Let me go back and relive that moment.

[Hank]

Cast.

[Max]

I was like. Because you were like, we're gonna cut this. I was like, I'll make sure he doesn't.

[Memes]

You knew I wasn't gonna cut it.

[Big Cat]

Hand up. I listened back twice.

[Memes]

Yeah, yeah, you got it. But that had nothing to do with seeing if I was going to cut it. You just loved that moment and wanted to live through it again.

[Big Cat]

No, I was. I was laying in bed on Tuesday night, and I saw the podcast dropped, and I made my wife listen to it. I was like, you got to hear this.

[Memes]

Yeah, it was.

[Big Cat]

It was worth it.

[Memes]

But, yeah, also, my girlfriend listens to nothing. She didn't listen after the Eagles won the Super Bowl. She was like, oh, I got to listen to this. I was like that. Everyone just likes to listen. Likes to see me at my low points.

[Max]

And that's how I felt.

[Big Cat]

Bad.

[Memes]

No, you don't say. Don't say that.

[Max]

You're not a good guy. Why are you being such an.

[Stephen Che]

I can tell you it wasn't that.

[Max]

Like, when I was like, dumb. You're so dumb. You're so dumb. It's like. That was mean.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

It's been eating Hank up inside.

[Big Cat]

Oh, yeah. He's as guilty consciousness.

[Memes]

No, Hank's never had any moments like that where he falls for a prank.

[Max]

Well, I wouldn't get that upset if I did fall.

[Big Cat]

Oh, yeah. I was gonna say, here's the good news, Max. As long as you get over this prank, I would say within two years, you'll have gotten over faster than Hank did with the. The pizza. Mount Rushmore.

[Stephen Che]

Yes.

[Big Cat]

Hank was mad about it for legitimately two full years.

[Stephen Che]

You know. You know why Hank's been in such a good mood recently? Because this is as far away from Mount Rushmore season was as we can possibly get. Once we get back into Mount Rushmore season, he just becomes pissed off all the time.

[Big Cat]

That's true. Yeah.

[Max]

I mean, different circumstances, but I still, you know, Double olives.

[Stephen Che]

You know what? I was actually looking back at the Mount Rushmore pizza toppings. This is how I know that I'm getting a little bit old. The combination of ham, green olives, black olives, and mushrooms, like, that actually sounds.

[Big Cat]

Like a pretty good I think we did it.

[Memes]

Another Billy and Jake saying oregano with their. No. With their number two overall pick.

[Big Cat]

And then I did the. Oh, I thought you took sausage. How to get back to Hank. Oh, my God. Hank had everything. I do. We also do it with appetizers because someone sent me a graphic of our appetizers.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

And it was like we had the worst picks ever. That looked intentional.

[Stephen Che]

No, I think what we did on that, if memory serves, Hank had an all time bad draft of the worst appetizer.

[Max]

Oh, yeah.

[Stephen Che]

Put all the good ones. And so we tried to give that back.

[Max]

I won that.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Max]

Calamari's trash.

[Big Cat]

No, Calmar is good.

[Stephen Che]

No, but I can tell that you're really. You're beating yourself up over being mean to Max, and I appreciate that from you.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. Yeah. Really nice of you.

[Max]

Well, I do sometimes, because I do get people a decent body. Even. Even. I think my mom has asked me. She's like, are you Mac? Like, I'm like, yeah, me and Max are tight. Like, we're boys. She's like, really? Because it doesn't sound like that.

[Big Cat]

I know.

[Memes]

I like, that's my favorite question. When people come up to me and be like, you and Mac, you and Hank actually hate each other.

[Max]

But listening to this.

[Memes]

Yeah, I get it. I get it.

[Max]

Listen to the podcast. I completely get it, because it was, like, very intense. And I got you to your voice to screech.

[Big Cat]

Oh, man.

[Memes]

My voice screeches.

[Stephen Che]

Question. Do we have a way of, like, when you're going back and listening to the podcast and when Pug is editing it? Certainly you're. You're letting Pug edit in peace, right?

[Memes]

I got mad at Pug for doing what?

[Big Cat]

You didn't threaten him with violence, did you?

[Memes]

I. I don't think that I threatened him with violence. I don't remember threatening him with violence.

[Hank]

He did. We have a clip too.

[Stephen Che]

What do you say?

[Memes]

We don't have a real clip.

[Big Cat]

He did. Max does a thing that's very Italian.

[Hank]

He.

[Big Cat]

When he gets really, really mad, he goes like this. He raises his hand like this. Like he's gonna backhand.

[Memes]

Well, no, but that's like, I. That's me just speaking with my hands.

[Stephen Che]

That's. That's when he adds a period. Yeah, he chops.

[Memes]

Correct, Correct.

[Stephen Che]

So memes. What did he say to Pug?

[Hank]

So Pug was editing the podcast. It was his first time listening to it. And out loud, Pug just goes, I can't believe you fell for this.

[Memes]

No, that's not. That's not what he said. That's not what he said.

[Big Cat]

That's not what he said.

[Stephen Che]

Memes is talking.

[Memes]

Well, he just did it wrong.

[Stephen Che]

Well, memes is talking. He let Memes present his case, but he answered. Then you can object.

[Memes]

It was close. He was like. He genuinely asked the question, which made it even worse. He was like, you didn't actually believe this, right?

[Big Cat]

Oh, and.

[Memes]

And I. I was. It was when I was the most heated about it.

[Stephen Che]

That's what Memes just said.

[Memes]

And he said, no, no, no. Because the way that Memes portrayed that was. He was mocking me. But he wasn't mocking me. He was genuinely asking the question.

[Stephen Che]

Not.

[Memes]

Which made it. Which made it me even more angry. And then when I told him to shut up, he just kept asking, being like, no, like, you said it. Like, this is all. He was like, this is all a joke.

[Hank]

Like you trying to have your back kind of.

[Big Cat]

But it.

[Memes]

But it made me more angry because he couldn't possibly, Possibly fathom.

[Max]

He's like, surely after he said Hamas, you knew it was.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, no liberal judge you. I.

[Memes]

Nothing more from Hank. Nothing more from Hank after you've also been pranked in. In a way that is unfathomable to understand.

[Stephen Che]

Also to be fair.

[Max]

Well, no, that's competition. I believed in something, and I just didn't realize that you believe that Billy.

[Memes]

Football's first pick was oregano.

[Max]

Billy and Jake. And yes, Jake could definitely pick oregano as a favorite topic.

[Stephen Che]

To be fair to Hank or to be fair to Max.

[Big Cat]

He.

[Max]

Pft. Has terrible taste.

[Stephen Che]

He probably thought that. That Jerry said, no hummus, and Max was like, not a problem.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, never.

[Stephen Che]

Never an issue.

[Big Cat]

Never. Yeah. So I had to. I had to. I came in on Wednesday morning, so I think there's a lot of. This is in pmtv. Go watch it. I came in Wednesday morning and I. I was said hello to the boys, and they're like, did you hear Max threaten Pug with violence? So I had to call Max. I had to. I had to. To. To lay down the law. There's no threatening of violence to Pug. Everyone in this room can threaten violence to each other. That's. That's a totally fair thing. I think that's a good, healthy working relationship. If every now and then we're like, I want to beat your ass, but Pug, he's too precious. We cannot touch Pug. So Max agreed. No more threatening violence towards Pug. Fair Pug.

[Hank]

Also there.

[Big Cat]

I was like, did he threaten you? He's like, kind of And I was like, how'd that make you feel? He's like, well, he is my boss. I was like, that's bad. Yeah.

[Memes]

No, I should have done that. Yeah, I was. But I was.

[Hank]

I was mad.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah, you hate dogs.

[Memes]

Yeah, I have a dog, but credit.

[Big Cat]

To Hank for saying sorry to you.

[Memes]

What? No, no. Credit to Hank.

[Big Cat]

Sounds like you weren't listening.

[Max]

He was done with me.

[Stephen Che]

He's done.

[Max]

I.

[Big Cat]

We were.

[Max]

This was like maybe six hours later.

[Big Cat]

Later.

[Memes]

Well, that.

[Max]

That and me and Max crossed paths in the bathroom, and I saw him, and I just, like, you know, tapped him on the shoulder.

[Stephen Che]

Like he kind of chuckled.

[Max]

Yeah.

[Memes]

Hank just looked at me for the rest of the day with that stupid.

[Max]

Little grin on with you and stormed out of the bathroom.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, he was mad. I tried to give him a hug. He hates when I try to give him a hug.

[Max]

I always. Every time I leave the office and the boys are still working, I go up.

[Big Cat]

No, that's a lie. That's a lie. That's a lot.

[Stephen Che]

It's usually pretty late because you're working late and. Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's a lot.

[Memes]

Playing golf.

[Stephen Che]

Good guy.

[Max]

Cooking.

[Big Cat]

Great job.

[Max]

Hank and golf.

[Big Cat]

All right. Pft.

[Stephen Che]

Good friend. Even better co worker. That's what we say about Hank. My fire fest of the week. It's. It's all Blake related this week. So on Sunday, took Blake to a dog training class because we're trying to. We're trying to work on some of his behavior issues. And at the start of the class, the trainer went around the room and she said, everybody here, please introduce yourselves. Start with the pronouns. I thought she meant Blake, the dog. And I think he go. I think he's. He him is what? I think that was an awkward moment for myself. And then later on this week, I picked him up from daycare.

[PFT Commenter]

Why?

[Max]

What does it matter?

[Stephen Che]

What do you mean?

[Max]

Like, why was it awkward?

[Stephen Che]

Because I. Because the dog. I don't know. She wasn't actually asking for the dog's pronouns.

[Max]

She was asking for yours.

[Stephen Che]

She was asking for God pronouns.

[Big Cat]

God.

[Max]

But you're still he him.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah, but I. When I look at Blake, I'm like. I thought she was talking about introducing Blake.

[Max]

Did you introduce Blake? Is he him?

[Stephen Che]

I started to, and then I realized it halfway through, and it was very awkward and very embarrassing for me. And then I picked him up from daycare on Tuesday, and he wasn't putting any weight on his back, right leg, so I took him to the vet. He wouldn't let the vet touch him. Yesterday because he was like. I don't know. He's like, don't. My leg. So now I have to. I've got him doped up today. I gave him four pills this morning. I'm giving him four more this afternoon. Then I have to pick him up because he's going to be knocked out. Put him in the car, take him to the vet. Hopefully they'll examine him. But now it's looking like blake might be. Last summer is when he had the double elbows.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

And now he might have an acl. So I got to get. I don't know. Can we do blood spinning? Can we do h? Is there h?

[Big Cat]

Get him to germany.

[Stephen Che]

Get him to fly blake to germany. Yeah. Hopefully it's not the acl, but, yeah, he's. We're looking at maybe another summer where blake won't be able to go outside and play, which is a bummer. When you look at your dog, he just looks at you like, I'm depressed.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

I can tell that my dog is depressed.

[Big Cat]

People are starting to ask, can he stay on the field?

[Stephen Che]

Yeah. There's injury questions club in the top. You can't. There's injury questions for blake. He is. This is anthony rendone. I signed anthony rendone to be my dog, and I still love him. But it's tough looking at your dog when he's just like, this sucks, dude.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

Help me out.

[Big Cat]

So nothing you can do.

[Stephen Che]

Hopefully we get an answer today.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. Hopefully it's not a torn acl. That would suck.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah.

[Max]

Drive him over in the camaro.

[Stephen Che]

I don't own a camaro. I mean, you don't listen to the show.

[Big Cat]

Oh, wow. Doesn't listen again.

[Stephen Che]

The el camino is also not starting.

[Big Cat]

But I think it's also normal.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah. A lot of people are asking questions about the el camino. Here's the thing.

[Max]

No one had high expectations with el camino, though. That was kind of like when you drafted the el camino. It was like he already has torn four ACLs, and it'd be a shock if he can make it through a career. So that one at least is like, oh, you know, no one blinks an eye.

[Big Cat]

Right.

[Stephen Che]

We're taking a shot.

[Max]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

On a guy that. That had injury concerns in college and his high upside for it. But I think I figured out what's going on, and I'm fixing it up this weekend myself. I'm going to try to fix my car.

[Memes]

You're gonna make it worse.

[Stephen Che]

I'm not gonna make it worse. I'm Gonna better.

[Max]

Can you make something worse?

[Stephen Che]

That's good question, Hank.

[Big Cat]

No mean Hank, Max.

[Stephen Che]

You don't know anything about.

[Memes]

It could physically blow up. Like it could just cease to exist.

[Big Cat]

That sounded like a Italian threat. Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

Are you gonna put a bomb in my.

[Big Cat]

It'd be a shame.

[Max]

Yeah, it'd be a real shame if that happened.

[Big Cat]

If you. If you try to turn it on Pft. And it blows up.

[Stephen Che]

I bet I. I bet you, Max, that I get the car running by the end of this weekend with no help. No help. I get to use YouTube.

[Big Cat]

Well, it's probably. Don't and text Bet Max. Because it probably just doesn't have gas in it.

[Hank]

That's true.

[Big Cat]

That's not true. That's a good point.

[Stephen Che]

That's not true. Okay, I. I just put 2 gallons in my garage in there, and I filled it up on my way home from work and put 20 gallon or 20 bucks in there. So I think I know what it is. The battery is not hooked. The battery terminal had like a thing that was up on it. So I'm replacing the battery terminal, like the. The part that connects the wires to the battery this weekend. And I got tools. I bought 200 worth of tools at AutoZone.

[Big Cat]

By the way, do you know that, like, the new cars, it's crazy what they've been able to do to. To fix some of the old car things. Where I left my car door open overnight the other night because I was like getting my kids out of the car and I just forgot to close my door. All the lights turned off on their own. It's crazy. It just knows because usually that was. I remember like back in the day, you left the light on and your parents car, and they were just like, well, the battery's dead. You. Why would you do that? But like. And it was like the little light.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

Now they.

[Stephen Che]

They got it all figured out, except it's all computer now. So, like, it's way harder for you to fix it. Yeah, there's something wrong with it. Well, I got to take it in.

[Big Cat]

It was always hard for me to fix it.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah. I went from like, I have no car knowledge whatsoever. Now I feel like I'm. I'm elementary school level where I'm. I'm still like that guy from the meme where he stands in front of the server and just looks at it and hopes that he can figure out what to do. But I watch so many YouTube videos on how to replace a battery terminal. And I got the most expensive set of tools that actually here's here's what happened. I hit up the guy that sold me the El Camino, and I was like, hey, man, another problem. This is like my third time calling him. And he goes, okay, I think I know how you can take care of this. You're going to want to go to Lowe's, and you're going to want to buy a really expensive set of tools, and you're going to want to learn how to fix the car yourself. And then he hung up on me.

[Big Cat]

That's brutal.

[Stephen Che]

That's pretty bad.

[Big Cat]

That was like the. When I was. When I was like, 18 years old and I went to a GNC and I was like, hey, I'm looking for some type of pill or something, powder to. To lose weight and gain muscle. And he's like, you're going to want to just grab. I think I've told this before. You wish. Want to grab these big black plates, and then you're going to want to lift it up. And then you're going to lift it up again.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

And do, like, you know, sets of like, 10. And then do that five times.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah, that's. That's exactly what this guy said to me. And. And I was like, okay. And then I paused for a second. I was like, wait a second. This guy's with me. And he's like, okay, I got to run. Yeah, there's nothing worse. So step one accomplished. I bought the tools. Step two, I'm going to get this started. I'm going to drive it. If it's. If it's nice outside, I'm driving it to work on Sunday. You can take that to the bank, Max.

[Memes]

I'm looking forward to it. I hope you do, Max.

[Big Cat]

My fire fest. It's. It's Combo between you and I. We got to talk. It's. We're getting a T shirt weather. Do we have a plan? Because this is. This is a. I'm in trouble, too. Like, I've. This is. This happens every spring where the twinks here, Hank and pft, they get a little nice weather, and they put on shorts. They're like, I love this.

[Stephen Che]

I'm an otter.

[Big Cat]

My. The. The first nice day where it's like 70 degrees and you hold on to the sweatshirt and you're like, this is uncomfortable. And you realize I'm gonna have to start wearing a T shirt. It's the worst feeling in the world.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah, but you know what? I feel like swim shirts have become normalized for regular work. No, I'm just saying, like, if you're thinking about going to the pool.

[Big Cat]

Oh, no, no. I'm not talking about taking my shirt off. Once the shirt is off, it's all there. There's nothing you can do to hide it. I'm talking about the feeling of being uncomfortable wearing a T shirt outside, which all bigger men do around April. It's like, April happens and you're like, fuck, this sucks. I forgot that I couldn't just wear a sweatshirt for the entire year.

[Stephen Che]

You know, you should do. You should just become like a clean white quadruple XLT guy.

[Big Cat]

Like Kevin Federline.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah, like the ones that you can buy in gas stations.

[Big Cat]

That's a dated reference.

[Stephen Che]

Just become a giant T shirt guy.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, Max, should we become giant T shirt guys? I mean, Max and I have talked about this before. The Instagram ads that try to sell us the T shirts that make us look like awesome, but they never work.

[Memes]

Now nothing works.

[Big Cat]

Nothing works.

[Memes]

I just gotta get.

[Big Cat]

It's always like I'm just 10 to 15 pounds slews that. I also gained a little weight from March Madness, so that didn't help.

[Stephen Che]

Here's what you do. Giant T shirt, big ass preferably. And one basketball shorts that go down to like your shiny. And then walk around with a hand towel on your shoulder. That's a good look.

[Big Cat]

That is a good look. Like a Tarkanian.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Big Cat]

Max, so you got no plans, You've been lifting?

[Memes]

Yeah, I left, but I mean, it's. It's not enough. I don't do.

[Max]

He went all the way to a different Planet Fitness location because we had to move.

[Big Cat]

Oh, wow.

[Memes]

I've gone to two separate Planet Fitness locations this week. I was playing road games, so I'm trying. Trying.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. I did the. Nice. They were nice. I mean, we love playing fitness.

[Memes]

Yeah, they were great.

[Big Cat]

I did the thing where I started lifting again. I think I've lifted four times in the last week and a half. And then I tried to convince my wife. That's why I've gained seven pounds in the last week. I was like, well, it's muscle, it's power. Duh. Four times.

[Memes]

Yeah, it's this. The streaming. The streaming just eats so much food.

[Big Cat]

March Madness is just sit around and eat.

[Memes]

Yes.

[Stephen Che]

There's so much. So much. Reese's.

[Big Cat]

So much. Oh my God. And then we got blizzards and they were just. Oh.

[Stephen Che]

The thing is, when you're staring at a screen, you just absent mindedly eat stuff. You just graze all day long.

[Big Cat]

Right.

[Stephen Che]

But that's the cycle of life. It's like every single year. I'm pretty sure that we go through the same phase.

[Big Cat]

Correct.

[Stephen Che]

And it's like post normal spring break. It's our post March madness. And then we look at the clock and we've got. Oh, we got two months to get in shape.

[Big Cat]

But what happens every year is we get that one day that's like 70 degrees earlier in the week. Or, I mean, sorry, early in March. And you're like, oh, no, this. This T shirt is gonna be problem. But then you tell yourself, you convince yourself, oh, I still got like a couple months. We're like a week away from it just being T shirt all the time. And we're gonna be so. So I don't know what we got. We gotta do something about it. We gotta do something about it.

[Memes]

I just gotta eat less.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I gotta eat less. I gotta work out more. I gotta walk more.

[Max]

Calories in, calories out. Have you heard of that one?

[Big Cat]

Yeah, your little. Remember when you got a trainer because you were trying to dunk and then you didn't dunk.

[Stephen Che]

I remember that, yeah. Yeah.

[Big Cat]

Oh, you're going to dunk?

[Max]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

Oh, really?

[Max]

Yep.

[Big Cat]

You're still training?

[Max]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

Are you? That's interesting.

[Max]

I'm still working out. I'm not training for dunking, but I think I'm gonna, like, once September comes around, I'm gonna start training for dunking again.

[Stephen Che]

Are you nervous at all? For how much money?

[Max]

But I'm still getting stronger.

[Stephen Che]

Are you nervous at how much money you're going to owe me after the golf?

[Max]

Long drive, definitely.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. That's a lot.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah, could be a lot.

[Max]

Yeah.

[Big Cat]

A lot of cash.

[Stephen Che]

I've struggled with that because if I out drive hank by like 30 yards, am I actually going to be able to collect $30,000 from Hank?

[Big Cat]

Yeah. Jack McCarthy owns. Owes me $19,000 right now, so. Yep, I'm gonna collect that. Coming for that. Call your daddy.

[Memes]

Jackie Nova won their first crown game.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. But this also Mike Nardi. This is also going out on Friday, so we don't know that would suck if they lost tonight.

[Memes]

I. All I said was they won their first game.

[Big Cat]

They did. They won their first game.

[Memes]

That's a fact.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. All right, numbers. Four.

[Hank]

Whoa.

[PFT Commenter]

Three.

[Big Cat]

I'm getting it.

[Memes]

One.

[Hank]

Also, we got to play more hoops.

[Big Cat]

Yes, we do.

[Stephen Che]

91.

[Big Cat]

I thinking Monday afternoon hoops.

[Hank]

Monday afternoon.

[Big Cat]

We do morning.

[Memes]

Yeah, I like Monday. Yeah, Monday sounds great.

[Big Cat]

I'll go 73. Get in here, Pug. Quick memes going on too. 4. I'm getting 15 oh, I hope.

[Stephen Che]

I hope. Three hits so hard right now.

[Memes]

3.

[Big Cat]

93. Did you say 93?

[Stephen Che]

I said 91, I think.

[Big Cat]

Shane, what's up? You got a problem? You staring at it? Shane's looking at it all weird. Shane, you got a problem?

[Memes]

You got a problem?

[Big Cat]

You got a problem? Shane, problem. You looking at it weird?

[Stephen Che]

Hey, Pug, do you feel safe at work?

[Hank]

Pug, do you feel safe at work?

[Big Cat]

Do you feel safe at work?

[Hank]

All me and Max squashed the beef, so things are better now.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, but that's. That's kind of like someone's got a gun to your head. You're like, hey, I got no problem with him. Like, you could tell us, like, pretend Max isn't here. Max, are you worried about. Are you worried about it?

[Hank]

If he gets that mad again, there's no telling what he could do.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, see, there's small worry.

[Stephen Che]

Do you feel for your safety?

[Hank]

No one can get him that mad again.

[Big Cat]

I feel like we're gonna walk in one day, and we're just Pugs. Gonna have, like, a black eye. Like, Pug, what happens? Like, oh, no, I slipped.

[Stephen Che]

Or he'll be like, I said some things I shouldn't have said.

[Big Cat]

Yeah. Fell down the stairs. It's fine. It's fine. It's not Max's fault. Pug, we're here for you, okay? We could beat the out of Max. All of us combined. That's a fact.

[Hank]

We almost had to do that.

[Big Cat]

Yeah.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah. There should be a safety word.

[Big Cat]

Actually, you know what? I'm gonna get you a taser, Pug, in case he ever comes at you again, you can tase him. And if. Even if he, like. If he, like, steps to you, a little threatening. Tase is at ass. Okay. God damn, would that clip be incredible?

[Stephen Che]

Pug, if you're ever around Max and he's making you feel unsafe, like he might hurt you, let's think of a word we can say maybe. Maybe. Meatball.

[Hank]

I like that.

[Big Cat]

Okay. That might get him hungry, though.

[Stephen Che]

Yeah, well, that would distract him.

[Big Cat]

Yeah, true, true. Meatball. I want to go outside.

[Stephen Che]

Somebody say meeple. Love you guys.

[Big Cat]

Dance.