Planet Tyrus — Glenn 'Kane' Jacobs: From WWE Star to Mayor (November 4, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this energetic and candid episode of Planet Tyrus, host Tyrus (former WWE wrestler, comedian, and Fox News contributor) welcomes Glenn Jacobs—better known as the WWE legend Kane and, more recently, as Mayor of Knox County, Tennessee. The two discuss Jacobs’ unusual journey from pro wrestling stardom to public office, delving into life lessons from the road, the challenges of balancing family and career, the value of trade skills, and maintaining humility and purpose through triumphs and setbacks. The episode is rich with locker room stories, commentary on modern culture and education, and motivational perspectives on navigating failure and success.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Evolution from Wrestling Icon to Public Servant

• Respect in the Locker Room:
  • Tyrus opens by expressing deep respect for Jacobs’ humility despite his superstar status:
    "He always was in the dressing room with the boys...he felt his place was with us and his words of advice and encouragement, a lot to do with telling us to save our money and accept failures...a tremendous role model for how to carry yourself." (00:10)
• Parental Perspective:
  • Tyrus and Jacobs compare notes on parenting, especially step-parenting and how children shift as they grow older.
    Jacobs notes: "My daughters are my stepdaughters...they were already kind of getting there. Their mom's very strong, very independent, that's part of the reason we've been able to stay married." (02:42)

Family, Sacrifice, and Life on the Road

• Missing Milestones:
  • Jacobs reminisces about the difficulty of savoring moments during his wrestling career:
    "I would very much encourage anyone out there to just slow down and savor things, especially when you're in the middle of it...It's all a blur." (05:14)
• Balancing Regret & Gratitude:
  • Both discuss not considering their sacrifices as negative—opting to focus on how wrestling provided opportunity for their families:
    Tyrus: "I also walk into a home that my daughter rides horses because I took bumps...look at the life that it's afforded you and the opportunities that have come from it." (09:53)

Education, Trade Skills, and Society’s Shifts

• On the Importance of Trade Skills:
  • Jacobs: “Do you know what the most popular vehicle among millionaires is? Ford F150 truck. Because most millionaires out there are contractors or trades people who built their own businesses.” (12:54)
• Modern Education Critique:
  • Both discuss how pushing everyone into college has left some valuable skills behind, and how alternative paths like vocational training are crucial:
    Jacobs: "One of the worst mistakes that our country's made is we took shop out of junior high school...I took woodworking, eighth grade, metal working...a lot of places don’t have anything.” (14:39)
    Tyrus: "If I threw a spark plug at my stepsons, they wouldn't know what to do with it...It's not their fault. We simplified it." (16:00-17:04)
• Policy Initiatives:
  • Jacobs notes local moves in Tennessee: "Last year in Tennessee, we passed Universal School Choice Education Freedom Act..." (13:11)

Technology's Impact on Parenting and Youth

• Tech as a Master, Not a Tool:
  • Tyrus: "Social media is not the babysitter. And I think we're learning that painful lesson right now." (19:54)
  • Jacobs: "Technology should be a tool. Instead, for a lot of us, it's become a master." (20:57)
• Pandemic Reflections:
  • Both critique how the COVID-19 pandemic intensified technological dependence and affected mental health:
    Tyrus: "It was the only time in my lifetime that I ever felt like I was controlled...I think that was mentally destructive." (21:13)

Saving Money and Financial Wisdom from Wrestling

• Saving for Uncertainty:
  • Jacobs: "Every dime went home...You don't know how long this is going to go. It could change..." (32:49)
  • They discuss how, especially in earlier eras, WWE contracts could end abruptly, leaving wrestlers financially vulnerable:
    Jacobs: "It was literally almost—you eat what you kill...if you got hurt, there was no guarantee you'd still get paid." (33:19) Tyrus recalls negative checks on the road and learning tough financial lessons. (34:31-35:36)

Overcoming Setbacks and the Value of Plan B

• Personal Setbacks:
  • Both share vivid personal stories about the end of their football dreams due to injury and the depression that followed, but also how it forced them to pivot:
    Jacobs: “My life has all seriously been about overcoming failures...people see this snapshot of where I am now. They have not seen the entire movie...and the entire movie is not pretty.” (37:12-37:23) “I went up for a rebound, came down another dude’s foot, tore ligaments, ankle, ended my D1 scholarship offers.” (37:41) Tyrus: “I became...the guy who had all the jokes in the locker room to where I made the locker room uncomfortable...I hate this feeling—what am I going to do about it?” (43:27-46:49)

Leadership and Public Service Philosophy

• Motivation for Public Office:
  • Jacobs attributes his move to politics to a desire to serve his community and secure opportunity for youth:
    "I get to do the right thing. I'm not—some people get addicted to power, you know? I'm not. I already have...the fame." (53:48)
• Team Focus:
  • Jacobs: "My philosophy has always been, it's about the team...If the organization is not successful, I will not be successful." (54:20-54:55)
• On Political Candidness:
  • Tyrus: "You’re one of the very few politicians that when you speak, they hear the truth." (53:01)
  • Jacobs: "I'm going to do what’s right or at least what I think is right and that's my guide. If I don't get reelected...that's fine. I'm always going to be Kane." (53:27)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Family and Regret:
  “A lot of stuff, there's a lot of stuff that I missed that I wish that I could have seen, wish I could have been there for.” — Glenn Jacobs (06:14)
• On Plan B and Trades:
  “If you have a trade, you can do anything.” — Tyrus (12:17) “We deprive young people of the opportunity to use their gifts and skills...to better their economic situation, which in turn betters all of society...” — Glenn Jacobs (24:53)
• On Humility & Fame:
  “I already have that...I get to do the right thing. I'm not—some people get addicted to power...” — Glenn Jacobs (53:48)
• Wrestling Anecdote:
  "If I was you, I’d duck." — Glenn Jacobs, quietly warning Tyrus just before a kendo stick incident in the ring (55:45)
• On Failure:
  "My life's been about overcoming failures. People look at me and they see this snapshot of where I am now. They have not seen the entire movie and the entire movie is not pretty." — Glenn Jacobs (37:23)
• On Technology and Generational Change:
  "Technology should be a tool. Instead it's...become a master...But things do self-correct as well." — Glenn Jacobs (20:57)
• On Political Future:
  Repeatedly, Tyrus pushes about a White House run—Jacobs politely demurs but never completely dismisses the idea, staying focused on current responsibilities. (53:40-63:19)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Topic/Quote | |--------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:10 | Tyrus’ introduction and respect for Jacobs | | 05:14 | Jacobs on savoring life’s big moments | | 12:54 | Jacobs on trade skills and millionaires | | 17:04 | Tyrus on loss of hands-on knowledge in youth | | 20:57 | Jacobs on technology 'becoming the master' | | 32:49 | On financial wisdom in wrestling | | 37:12-37:23 | “My life's been about overcoming failures.” — Jacobs | | 43:20-46:00 | Both share pivotal football injury and post-injury struggle stories | | 53:01-53:48 | Tyrus on political candor, Jacobs on not being motivated by power | | 54:20-54:55 | Jacobs on team philosophy in leadership | | 55:45 | “If I was you, I’d duck.” Ring anecdote (Kendo stick) | | 60:08 | Locker room wisdom from Arn Anderson | | 62:23 | “We’re no longer in the side show.” — Jacobs on wrestlers in other fields|

Tone and Language

True to the show’s style, the episode blends humor, blunt wisdom, and warm nostalgia with straight-talk on politics, culture, and personal growth. Tyrus’ irreverent asides and Jacobs’ thoughtful reflections make for both entertaining storytelling and practical advice, resonating with listeners across generations and backgrounds.

Conclusion

This episode of Planet Tyrus is a powerful conversation about perseverance, humility, and adapting to life's unpredictable turns. Glenn Jacobs embodies resilience: from the heartbreak of career-ending injuries to fame as Kane and a successful political career, he remains grounded in values of service, teamwork, and honesty. Fans of wrestling, those interested in life lessons, and anyone seeking motivation will find plentiful takeaways, delivered with laughs and candor.