25W: Eddie's Underwhelming Gift to Bobby + WWE HoF Jeff Jarrett In Studio + Revisiting Our Hot Takes

Summary

Summary of "The Bobby Bones Show" Episode 25W: Eddie's Underwhelming Gift to Bobby + WWE HoF Jeff Jarrett In Studio + Revisiting Our Hot Takes

Release Date: January 10, 2025
Host: Bobby Bones
Produced by: Premiere Networks

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1. Eddie's Underwhelming Gift to Bobby

The episode begins with Bobby Bones receiving a playful and somewhat underwhelming Christmas gift from his friend Eddie—a hat that lights up with the phrase "25 Whistles." Bobby humorously critiques the practicality and visibility of the hat, sparking laughter among the co-hosts.

• Bobby Bones [01:50]: "Eddie got me a hat for Christmas that lights up and it says 25 whistles."

2. Chiefsaholic Documentary Discussion

Bobby and Jason Demers delve into the story of "chiefsaholic," a dedicated Kansas City Chiefs superfan who went to extreme lengths to support his team, including robbing banks near away games. They discuss the release of a documentary on Prime that chronicles his dedication and downfall.

• Jason Demers [03:05]: "He robbed a bunch of banks, funding his dedication to the Chiefs."
• Bobby Bones [04:29]: "I will watch it then. It's on Prime."

The conversation highlights the intensity of fan dedication and the unintended consequences of such obsession.

3. Critique of Hulk Hogan

Bobby Bones openly criticizes Hulk Hogan, describing him as a bad person based on his off-screen behavior. The discussion includes a notable incident where Hogan sold a $4,000 memorabilia item gifted by a fan for a significant profit, which Bobby finds unethical.

• Bobby Bones [07:01]: "Hulk Hogan is a bad person based on his life. He's done a lot of shady things."
• Bobby Bones [07:43]: "It's so scummy. That's just... In so many ways, Hulk Hogan is..."

This segment underscores Bobby's disapproval of Hogan's actions despite his legendary status in wrestling.

4. Personal Stories About Gifts and Discoveries

Bobby shares a personal anecdote about gifting books to friends, only to have them later found at thrift stores. This story leads to a humorous exchange about the unpredictability of gift-giving and the sentimental value of personal notes.

• Bobby Bones [08:13]: "Someone found the book I gave Eddie at a dollar store."

5. Kevin’s Awkward Bathroom Story

Co-host Kevin narrates an uncomfortable incident that occurred before the recording, involving a maintenance worker with tools in the bathroom. The story is filled with awkwardness and highlights the sometimes bizarre experiences behind the scenes.

• Kevin [10:00]: "...I just had to make a run for it."

The group reacts with empathy and humor, acknowledging the awkwardness of the situation.

6. Zeke’s Move to the Chargers

The hosts discuss Ezekiel Elliott's transition from the Dallas Cowboys to the Los Angeles Chargers. They speculate on his role in the new team and his potential impact on their playoff aspirations.

• Jason Demers [13:36]: "He's going to the playoffs. Way to go, Zeke."

7. Steelers and Coach Tomlin Discussion

Bobby and the team analyze the Pittsburgh Steelers' performance and Mike Tomlin's coaching. They debate whether the Steelers are poised for success or facing challenges, particularly focusing on the quarterback situation.

• Bobby Bones [15:29]: "The Steelers will be crazy. Tomlin's awesome."

8. Interview with Jeff Jarrett

WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett joins the studio, offering insights into the wrestling industry, his experiences, and his perspectives on current wrestling trends. The conversation covers a range of topics, including wrestling history, safety in wrestling moves, and Jarrett's forthcoming retirement.

• Jeff Jarrett [54:35]: "There's a difference between stiff and reckless stiff."
• Bobby Bones [36:50]: "Do you feel the wrestling fan honoring you and other wrestlers that have been around for 20, 30 years in a way that's never happened before?"

Jarrett shares poignant memories, including the tragic Owen Hart incident, and discusses his contributions to wrestling both inside and outside the ring.

9. Announcement of New NFL Deal and Show

Bobby announces his new partnership with the NFL and introduces his upcoming show, "Lots to Say With Bobby Bones and Matt Castle." The discussion includes highlights from initial episodes featuring interviews with NFL legends like Kurt Warner and celebrity guests like Tim McGraw.

• Bobby Bones [81:53]: "It's called Lots to say. We have Kurt Warner. We have Tim McGraw."

10. Playoff Betting Parlay and Discussion

In a lively segment, the hosts engage in betting parlays for upcoming playoff games. They discuss their predictions and the logic behind their choices, encouraging listeners to participate using the DraftKings Sportsbook app.

• Bobby Bones [26:10]: "Steelers plus nine and a half. Bills minus eight and a half. Eagles minus four and a half bucks. Moneyline."

Despite their playful bets, the hosts share their optimism and frustrations with past betting outcomes.

11. Hot Take Revisit

The episode features a "Hot Take Revisit" segment where the hosts review their preseason predictions for the NFL season. They grade each other's predictions based on the current standings and outcomes, offering both criticism and camaraderie.

• Bobby Bones [98:37]: "I'll give you a D."
• Jason Demers [100:25]: "I was looking so wrong."

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with final thoughts on the discussed topics, a reminder to follow their new show and podcast, and a humorous nod to ongoing sports discussions. Bobby reiterates promotional segments briefly before signing off.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Bobby Bones [07:01]: "Hulk Hogan is a bad person based on his life. He's done a lot of shady things."
• Jeff Jarrett [54:35]: "There's a difference between stiff and reckless stiff."
• Kevin [10:00]: "...I just had to make a run for it."
• Bobby Bones [26:10]: "Steelers plus nine and a half. Bills minus eight and a half. Eagles minus four and a half bucks. Moneyline."
• Bobby Bones [15:29]: "The Steelers will be crazy. Tomlin's awesome."

Key Sections and Attribution:

• Eddie's Gift: [01:50]
• Chiefsaholic Documentary: [03:05]
• Hulk Hogan Critique: [07:01]
• Personal Stories: [08:13]
• Kevin’s Story: [10:00]
• Zeke’s Move: [13:36]
• Steelers Discussion: [15:29]
• Jeff Jarrett Interview: [33:14] – [77:57]
• NFL Deal Announcement: [81:53] – [84:00]
• Betting Parlay: [26:10] – [28:07]
• Hot Take Revisit: [98:37] – [101:54]

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This episode of "The Bobby Bones Show" offers a blend of sports analysis, personal anecdotes, and in-depth interviews, maintaining an engaging and conversational tone throughout. The hosts balance serious discussions with humor, making the content accessible and entertaining for both seasoned listeners and newcomers.

Transcript

[Adnan Virk]

What's up, everybody? Adnan Virk here to tell you about a new podcast. It's NHL Unscripted with Virk and Demers.

[Jason Demers]

Jason Demers here. And after playing 700 NHL games, I got a lot of dirty laundry to air out.

[Adnan Virk]

Hey, I got a lot to say here, too, okay? Each week we'll get together to chat about the sport that we love.

[Jason Demers]

Tons of guests are going to join in, too. But we're not just going to be talking hockey, folks. We're talking movies, we're talking tv, food, and Adnan's favorite wrestling. It's all on le table.

[Adnan Virk]

Listen to NHL Unscripted with Virk and Demers and the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Bobby Bones]

Playoffs. We're talking playoffs. Yeah, you bet we are. Get in on the action at DraftKings Sportsbook, an official sports betting partner of the NFL. Scoring touchdowns is key to winning in the playoffs, and you can score big by betting on them at DraftKings. New DraftKings customers can bet $5 to get $200 in bonus bets instantly. Download the DraftKings sportsbook app. Use the code Bobby Sports, then that's the code. Bobby Sports for new customers to get $200 in bonus bets instantly. When you bet just five bucks only on DraftKings sportsbook, the crown is yours. Gambling problem. Call 1-800-GAMBLER in New York. Call 877-8-HOPE AND WHY or text HOPE AND WHY 467-369 in Connecticut helps available. Problem gambling. Call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org Please play responsibly on behalf of Boothill Casino & Resort, Kansas 21/ Plus. Age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. 4 Boyden, Ontario. Bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG Co audio. This is a podcast called 25 Whistles. Talking Football. And they all wear a whistle. Yeah, it's stupid, but what did you expect? It's a podcast called 25 Whistles.

[Eddie]

25 Whistles.

[Bobby Bones]

Ayo Whistle. What's up, buddy? And for everybody watching on the podcast, Eddie got me a hat for Christmas that lights up and it says 25 whistles. Oh.

[Jason Demers]

I mean, you could program it to say whatever you want.

[Bobby Bones]

It's like a billboard. Electric billboard.

[Kevin]

Oh, my God.

[Casey]

Dang.

[Bobby Bones]

Is it bright enough? Can you see it?

[Jason Demers]

You can see it.

[Casey]

The middle, the I and the S.

[Bobby Bones]

Gets a little lost.

[Kevin]

Is that like a electrical hazard?

[Bobby Bones]

I know. It feels like My head's gonna.

[Jason Demers]

I don't know, dude. I got it on TikTok shop. I'm not sure.

[Bobby Bones]

Did you watch the Chiefsaholic thing?

[Jason Demers]

Awesome.

[Bobby Bones]

So Chiefsaholic's gotta rob the bank. Yeah, the Chiefs.

[Jason Demers]

The Chiefs. The guy that dressed as a wolf.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah.

[Jason Demers]

And he robbed all the Manx and sat front row at every Chiefs game.

[Bobby Bones]

So backstory me on and the listeners on who chiefsaholic is and talk about that show.

[Jason Demers]

He's a super fan, a chief superfan that went to every single game. And when you talk to people that go to Chiefs games, everyone knows him. He's very sociable. He goes to every tailgate. He's got front row to every single game. Well, what happened was he. He just kind of. He was really big on Twitter and, like, social media. All of a sudden, he goes radio silent. So everyone at the games, all his friends, his fans, everything is just like, what's happening? He tweets, like, 10 times a day, and there's been nothing. Well, turns out he was robbing a bank and he got busted.

[Bobby Bones]

He had robbed many, right?

[Jason Demers]

So it turns out that he had robbed out robbed a bunch of banks, and that's how he was funding his.

[Bobby Bones]

You know, his, like, lifestyle, when they actually. Because again, I knew the broad strokes. So they didn't know he had robbed many until they wondered why he wasn't responsive. This one time, they found he robbed one bank. And from that one bank, if I'm right, didn't they, like, place the banks at all away games? Like, he would, like, rob them as he was going to the away games.

[Jason Demers]

Every away game that's on the way, he would rob a bank.

[Bobby Bones]

That's dedication.

[Jason Demers]

He was even in Nashville. He robbed a bank here.

[Eddie]

Yeah, so.

[Bobby Bones]

So where's he now?

[Jason Demers]

He.

[Bobby Bones]

Well, you don't want to say. Okay, don't spoil it. I don't want to say because I'm going to watch it, so don't spoil it.

[Jason Demers]

And the reason I don't want to say is because I had forgotten how this whole thing ended. I probably knew at some point by reading the news, but I'd forgotten. And it helped me enjoy the documentary a lot. A lot better.

[Bobby Bones]

I will watch it then. It's on Prime.

[Jason Demers]

It's on Prime.

[Bobby Bones]

It's called chiefsaholic. Chiefsaholic.

[Jason Demers]

But, dude, what's amazing about this documentary is the footage. So the documentary starts when he gets out of jail. Like, so he gets arrested. And whoever made this documentary was so smart to move so quickly on it that the first Footage of him is when he walks out of jail, when he's out on bail and the documentary starts, and they have footage of everything. Him watching the super bowl from a hotel room with an ankle bracelet on. All of it.

[Bobby Bones]

I mean, I'm so in. I want to leave right now and not even do this and go watch that, because I knew I was so interested in the story. I didn't know there was a documentary on it already.

[Jason Demers]

Dude, you guys would love it.

[Casey]

Would you hang out with the guy?

[Jason Demers]

No.

[Casey]

Outside the whole bank Robin thing.

[Bobby Bones]

Oh. And I. Either, because I've seen stuff about him. He's annoying as crap, and he gets on, like, the message boards on fight with, like, other hardcore fan. I don't know if this is in the documentary, but he would, like, get into it with, like, the guy from the Jets. What's his name?

[Reed]

Fireman Ed Fire.

[Bobby Bones]

Like, all the. All the teams, like, have one of those super fans, right? And there was, like, this rivalry between them, and there would be rivalries between the teams and, like, a couple of the super fans that were trying to be, like, the main super fan. I mean, chiefsaholic, what do you get?

[Jason Demers]

What do you rate Chiefsaholic? Man, I give a 4.5. Wolf. Costume salad.

[Casey]

Wolf.

[Jason Demers]

Wolf.

[Casey]

Wolf.

[Jason Demers]

Wolf.

[Bobby Bones]

Wolf.

[Jason Demers]

Yeah. It's a wolf, right? He's a wolf.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah.

[Jason Demers]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

Wolf.

[Jason Demers]

I don't know what. Kevin's correcting me.

[Bobby Bones]

I hear wolf, and then you said.

[Jason Demers]

Wolf, like a dog.

[Casey]

Wolf.

[Bobby Bones]

Wolf.

[Jason Demers]

Wolf.

[Bobby Bones]

What? No. Wolf.

[Jason Demers]

I don't know. Dude, I gotta say wolf. Okay.

[Bobby Bones]

Love it. I want to start with that. I want to go to this. Listen, I think Hulk Hogan's a bad person, and this is not based on his political beliefs, because I don't think anybody's a bad person based on their political beliefs. Even if I disagree with him. I think Hulk is a bad person based on his life. He's done a lot of shady things. The whole N word. He just. The other wrestlers. By the way, Jeff Jarrett's coming up, and I think Hulk's a bad person. And I have thought that for a while. This story that I saw on TikTok about him, I want to play it. It's one minute long. The person who put the video up is shadyspidy. Here we go. Hit it. Imagine you meeting your childhood hero, and you give him a $4,000 gift, and he turns around and signs it and then puts it up for auction for $2,000 more than what it's worth. Well, you don't have to imagine it, because that's what happened to this guy who is a very reputable person in the Facebook wrestling belts. Collect him to post it. That means it must be true. And if you notice here something that just struck a chord with me is someone who lives paycheck to paycheck gives a gift worth 4,000 to Hulk Hogan. The Hulkster then signs it and lists it for sale for 6,000. Oh, my God. That's so scummy. That's so scummy. That's just. That's. In so many ways, Hulk Hogan is. He's doing very well for himself, I can tell you. I've seen his.

[Reed]

His sh.

[Bobby Bones]

Not far from where I live. He's doing. He's doing just fine. For him to put this piece of memorabilia up that somebody gave to them, it's just rolling. I was blown away. Except I really wasn't that blown away based on other things that I've even heard that I won't mention here on the air. I remember also, Hulk Hogan had sex with his friend's wife.

[Jason Demers]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

That's funny.

[Casey]

Really?

[Bobby Bones]

On camera was.

[Jason Demers]

There's a tape, right?

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. Love sponge. Yeah, Bobby love sponge. Yeah. Oh. So here's the thing. You got a super fan that probably saved up a lot to go meet his hero and give him a gift. And then Hulk Hogan just. Let's say he just sold it. He just immediately. Even if he wants to hold it for a couple of years.

[Reed]

Right.

[Bobby Bones]

Even that's better.

[Jason Demers]

Yeah, yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

You sell it. It's like, Eddie gave me this great hat.

[Jason Demers]

If I see that on ebay, dude, I'm so pissed. Maybe in two years, not so much.

[Bobby Bones]

Right. One time when I put a book out, I think in my second book.

[Jason Demers]

No, no, we're not talking about this. We're not talking about this.

[Eddie]

Uh.

[Bobby Bones]

Oh. And it wasn't like this grand gesture, but I was like, I'll give all my friends books. I wrote a little note how important they were to me in the process and in general. And then somebody sends me a picture of the book that I gave Eddie at a thrift store.

[Jason Demers]

Now, she called in on the radio.

[Bobby Bones]

Show, but I got the picture, though. Oh, yeah? Yeah. So it's like, eddie, dude, your best friend. And she found it at, like, a thrift store. And it was like, I think this was a book that you must have given Eddie.

[Reed]

Yeah, there's a personal note in it and everything.

[Jason Demers]

It's a true story. And the first thing I did was text my wife, like, did you get rid of my book? And she said, I don't know what you're talking about. And I told Bones, I promise, I did not sell that book. I didn't do anything with it. But turns out my wife did grab a bunch of books and took it to, like, Goodwill or whatever.

[Bobby Bones]

And I guess mine was just in a bunch of random books.

[Casey]

I was gonna say heartfelt note.

[Bobby Bones]

I have a picture of it. Eddie, dude. Yeah, Somebody found it at the dollar tree.

[Jason Demers]

It's terrible.

[Bobby Bones]

Did you guys have Abilities Unlimited where you grew up?

[Jason Demers]

No.

[Casey]

No. What is that?

[Reed]

Yeah, I don't know that.

[Bobby Bones]

It was the version of half price books. Goodwill.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

Okay. We had that instead of Goodwill, and there's probably Goodwill in Little Rock, but we had Abilities Unlimited. And what it was. There were a lot of the kids at special needs work there, so that's why it was Abilities Unlimited. But that was where you donated, like. And so I was gonna say found my book at Abilities Unlimited, but goodwill was the real thing to say.

[Casey]

Yeah, it's like, none of us would have got it.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Casey]

Reed, maybe.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah.

[Casey]

No, I don't think I've ever seen.

[Bobby Bones]

You have that in Arkansas.

[Kevin]

I've never seen one.

[Bobby Bones]

And you're from, like, 45 minutes from me.

[Kevin]

I know.

[Bobby Bones]

Oh, let's go to story number three. Eddie had that. Eddie led with chiefsaholic. I wanted to do Hulk Hogan. Reed, we don't know the story. And Reed goes, hey, guys, I got a good story to tell.

[Kevin]

It's a very unfortunate story, actually. It happened just about an hour ago before we were filming.

[Bobby Bones]

What?

[Kevin]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

Is this for on air or was. Are you gonna tell us? And it was gonna be sad and.

[Kevin]

No, I told Kevin. Kevin was like, dude, you need to share that?

[Bobby Bones]

Okay, go ahead.

[Kevin]

So I was like, okay, I don't really want to share it, but all right, whatever. So we're, you know, we're getting ready to record, and I'm like, man, I need to go to the bathroom. So I go to the bathroom. There's a man in front of me that goes right in front of me into the bathroom. We're at the I Heart Building. So they're nice bathrooms. We go in. Man number one goes in one stall. I go in the other, sit down, start to do my business. I can. I can see he's right next to me. It's dead silent. He's not making any noise. He clearly hears me, you know, do my business. He knows I went. And so I'm like, all right, I'm gonna finish up, do a little courtesy flush, you know, for everybody in there. Turn around and press the button, and it's just clank, clank. I was like, oh, no. And I look and there's wires coming out. There's a bag of tools that I clearly did not see at all.

[Bobby Bones]

My God. Literally took a dump in the toilet that I was working on.

[Kevin]

And so this dude next to me. This dude next to me clearly knows I just had, you know, a private time in there. The tools are, like, kind of back behind the toilet. Like, I'm just.

[Bobby Bones]

I'm.

[Kevin]

I'm lasered in. I go in there, I turn around. I'm like, too many calls, man. I'm going to let this happen.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Kevin]

I'm not thinking. So I hear that clank, and I'm like, oh, my God, what do I do? This guy knows I just went to the bathroom. Do I get up and clearly leave without flushing? He knows that. Or do I wait for him to get up, finish his business? And he's sitting there and I don't even. I think this dude's just playing on his phone. I don't know what he's doing, but five minutes goes by and I'm like, okay, I just gotta. I just gotta make a. Make a run for it. Cuz, like, if I wait any longer, like, maintenance dude is gonna come back.

[Jason Demers]

Yeah.

[Kevin]

And get his tools.

[Jason Demers]

Gonna be pissed.

[Kevin]

And so I, you know, I did. Did the good thing and, you know, covered everything up with toilet paper. You know, the best. Yeah, the best.

[Bobby Bones]

I could put dirt over it, but it was toilet paper. Yeah.

[Kevin]

Yeah. I got up and just awkwardly walked out, even though I know that guy was like, man, I do. Didn't flush. That's weird. And washed my hands. And then. Casey.

[Reed]

Yeah. So you shared the story in the green room. And then I had to go take a leak at some point. So I'm like, all right, let me. I'll go, like, scope out the situation. So then I went to the urinal, and, you know, everything smelled okay in there, but I was leaking. And then all of a sudden, I hear someone behind me just whistling. And it was the handyman. And he goes into the bathroom that Reed just annihilated for the first time.

[Kevin]

He must have had.

[Reed]

Definitely the first time.

[Kevin]

He must have got tools or something.

[Reed]

It was like, super casual. He was just going in there and you just. God, I'm like, sitting there at the urinal and I just hear his, like, God damn it.

[Bobby Bones]

You heard him see, acknowledge, and get pissed. Oh, I felt so bad. What do I do in that? I Would have thought somebody saw it and did it anyway. It's not what happened.

[Reed]

Yeah, well, I think that's what he thought.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, I would have thought that.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

Like, they. They saw the tools, and they still took a dominant.

[Kevin]

I feel so bad. I felt so bad.

[Reed]

Just like, one of those deep breaths where you're just like, man, my day.

[Jason Demers]

Just.

[Kevin]

God dang it.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Casey]

And then there's a layer to it where. Kate. I was coming in as Casey. I didn't know anything happened before.

[Reed]

I was trying to keep it cool.

[Casey]

Came out, and I went in. I'm at the urinal, and I hear a door slam, and I'm like, dang, somebody's really gotta go or something. So Reed starts telling me the story. I was like, were you in there, too? And that guy slammed the door. He's like, I think it was a maintenance guy pissed off and.

[Bobby Bones]

And rightfully so.

[Eddie]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. You didn't do anything with any malicious intent. Yeah, right. Yeah.

[Reed]

He desecrated the whole.

[Bobby Bones]

But I would have been so annoyed. There are tools there, the toilet's taken apart, and all of a sudden, I know, dude. And, like, Reed's like, the nicest, kindest guy of all of us. Like, he's never felt so bad.

[Casey]

Dude.

[Reed]

Just a mountain.

[Bobby Bones]

All right, man. Eddie, how do you. Going to the Chargers, huh?

[Jason Demers]

Zeke going to the Chargers. I mean, good luck. I mean, good luck. What are they gonna do with him? Is he gonna play?

[Bobby Bones]

Like, just in case?

[Jason Demers]

Okay.

[Reed]

Basically, yeah.

[Casey]

Yeah. Because. Is it Dobbins or Edwards? One of them's hurt.

[Reed]

I think Dobbins got banged.

[Casey]

Yeah.

[Jason Demers]

Backup thing, they said. You know, like, I think Jerry Jones said that we're gonna give him a chance to maybe join a team that can play in the playoffs or something like that. So they let him go, which I thought was a lie. I'm like, okay, yeah, right. Like, the Eagles are gonna pick him up. Okay. But, yeah, he's going. He's going to the playoffs. Way to go, Zeke.

[Reed]

All right, Zeke.

[Jason Demers]

You did it, dude. But I mean. I mean, what's he going to do? I'm not worried about it.

[Bobby Bones]

Well, you shouldn't be worried. I wonder how it made you feel, though. But I guess the fact that he already left once for a team doesn't make it so weird. Had he been a cowboy forever.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

And then he goes and does this. It's weird to see him in another uniform like Emmett Smith as an Arizona Cardinal is still strange, odd. Hakeem Olajuwon is a Toronto Raptor. Is still Odd. But Zeke did leave. But it is kind of cool that you can just go and jump on a playoff team.

[Jason Demers]

Yeah, for him, that's pretty cool.

[Bobby Bones]

It's like, Cowboys over, we suck. But hop on this team.

[Reed]

What's his name? Teddy Bridgewater. Just did that for the Lions. He's just going to get a ring.

[Bobby Bones]

And he wasn't even playing. He coached high school, won a state championship, first year coaching the high school team, and then went back and is now the backup in Detroit.

[Jason Demers]

Wait, Bridgewater got out of the league.

[Bobby Bones]

For a little bit. He coached a high school football. He won the state championship in Florida.

[Jason Demers]

I did not know that. That's crazy.

[Casey]

His back with the Lions.

[Reed]

Yeah, yeah, he signed on.

[Casey]

I have not seen that.

[Jason Demers]

Amazing.

[Reed]

A couple weeks ago or something like that.

[Jason Demers]

Yeah, that's life never given up, they say.

[Bobby Bones]

They say he's one of the smartest players in the NFL. And yeah, obviously he's not starting. And they think that he's smart enough to win emergency situations. He could come in and be a good back, a dependable backup. Right?

[Casey]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

But you should watch some of the videos that I'm talking about his high school football team and how he tough loved them. Gets tough love because he grew up, I think, in a similar area. And that's why he was there coaching. And he was like, when we got in trouble and he talked about how he would grab the fa. You have to watch the clip. But he went hard on those kids and they won. He goes, because these kids are from a place where it's hard all the time because it's not like he's coaching at a rich school. And he's like, they, some of them don't have moms, Some of them, they don't even know their dads. And the only way you can get to them is hard. And he goes, and I have to go hard because they had to go hard on me. And at first you're going. When they just show some of the clips of him going at some of the kids, you're like, dang. Remember the Trent Dilfer thing? Yeah. That was at a rich school.

[Jason Demers]

Yeah, that was rich kids.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. And Dilfer went. And it was like, dang, that's hardcore, dude. But he sets it up and he tells him why. He goes, a lot of these kids don't have parents and the only way to get to them is this. And he goes, when I go circle up and they circle up, they know it's about to be real bad because he just, I mean, gets in there A one state championship.

[Jason Demers]

Where was this?

[Bobby Bones]

Like, in Florida. Somewhere in Florida. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I wish I was. I'm not prepared, but I did keep up with it the whole year.

[Jason Demers]

That's cool. I did not know that.

[Bobby Bones]

Now he's backing up the Lions. Good story. Pittsburgh Steelers. I don't know. Do we care that they have had a winning record every year for 100 years?

[Jason Demers]

Pretty cool.

[Bobby Bones]

Go ahead.

[Jason Demers]

That's. I mean, it's cool. They've always been relevant, which is crazy.

[Eddie]

Right.

[Reed]

With Tomlin, too. He's never had a losing record, but I think a lot of Pittsburgh fans are kind of tired of him, though. That's like the vibe that I get.

[Bobby Bones]

It's easy to be tired of somebody until you get somebody that's worse.

[Reed]

Right.

[Bobby Bones]

And then you miss whenever you had something good. Yeah.

[Reed]

Like, I take Mike Tomlin in a heartbeat.

[Bobby Bones]

Me, too. And Tomlin did win a Super Bowl.

[Casey]

Yeah. 30 years ago.

[Bobby Bones]

But he did win a Super bowl. On the show that I do for NFL now. I was talking to Kurt Warner about this specifically, and I said, hey, man, are the Steelers in, like, purgatory? Because they never lose enough to have a top pick. They never are able to win enough to win a championship. It's always, they have a good coach. They win 10 games. Nine, 10 games. It's like a purgatory type place because they don't have a top three pick. They're never able to get one of those quarterbacks. And he had a pretty good diplomatic answer. And he was like, you know, there are a few quarterbacks there. You know, lamar Jackson, drafted 31st, fewer and far between. But it's like they have to get the quarterback situation right and they haven't. And I'm a big believer of. And not in the Pittsburgh situation only. But if think things are mid to slightly below mid for a long time, sometimes you have to burn it all down. Yeah. Because in the NBA especially, you don't want to be a.500 team. You either want to be terrible or you want to be awesome and have a chance at the title. Otherwise you're just going to stay mid because you're drafting after nine in the first round.

[Reed]

Right. Everyone's a project at that point.

[Jason Demers]

But it doesn't half the league go to the playoffs anyway in the NBA.

[Bobby Bones]

But it doesn't matter if you don't win. It doesn't matter.

[Casey]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

Like if you're not. If you don't have a shot at it, like, be terrible, Be Houston, be Detroit. And look at Houston now. NBA.

[Jason Demers]

Yeah.

[Casey]

Celtics got Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Top three because of that.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Casey]

Hit rock bottom.

[Bobby Bones]

I think the Steelers will be crazy. Tomlin's awesome. But. And they're trying. Here's the thing. If they weren't trying in the quarterback spot, I would go, maybe it is time to move on. But they are trying because, look, they went and got Russ had to pay no money for like a million bucks. That's it. Denver's eating that money.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

They went, got Justin Fields, who's had to play, and that's played pretty well at times because Russ is not playing that well right now.

[Eddie]

Yeah.

[Reed]

I mean, I wonder if they're going to use Justin Fields in this game coming up, maybe a couple packages.

[Bobby Bones]

But Package. Yeah. Yeah. I still think you don't pull Russ now because it's the playoffs and he's won a Super bowl, too. But yeah, I like, I feel with my team, we have hit our ceiling. Cowboys, Arkansas got it. Like, we're going to be mid to slightly below mid until something drastic happens. And that sucks. And I like the coach. I like Sam Pittman as a person a lot. I think he's a really good offensive line coach. He's been a fine head coach. But the problem is in the sec, at Arkansas, that's two difficult things. You're in the sec, the biggest, strongest conference ever. So if you don't have something extremely dynamic, you're already not even with the big schools. You're not even to start with the. And we can list them all. The LSU's, the Georgias, the Alabamas, the. I mean, look at a team like Ole Miss, who now is winning. That's who we're the same with. And they went dynamic with Lane Kiffin, who's able to dynamically get nil money because people believe in him. So you need us. Even if the splash misses hard, I'm much happier losing. Trying really hard and losing bad, then being pretty good without a real chance. I feel like now we don't have a real chance at Arkansas to win 10 games. We're going to win five, six games. We won six games this year. Playoff game or the bowl game doesn't count because everybody's playing half a team. But I think Pittsburgh is not that. I think Pittsburgh, if they get the quarterback situation right, I think they're really good again.

[Casey]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

It's just the hardest thing to do. And I think if they had a top pick, that's great. But they're so well coached. They have great personnel just about everywhere else. Pickens is nuts.

[Casey]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

I think if Pickens had a quarterback, though, that could slap some of that nuts out of him, it would be different.

[Reed]

Right.

[Bobby Bones]

I mean, Randy Moss was nuts until he played with Tom Brady.

[Casey]

Yep.

[Bobby Bones]

And then you have to respect Tom Brady. You don't. You know, Antonio Brown was nuts until he left the Patriots.

[Jason Demers]

Oh, man, that was crazy.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. So go Steelers. Keep Tomlin. But don't go Steelers. I hope you lose. And they're probably going to lose, are they? Ten point dog.

[Casey]

Yeah. Nine and a half last time I saw.

[Reed]

I feel like it's going to be closer than that.

[Casey]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

Just because of those two teams.

[Eddie]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

Those two teams do play.

[Reed]

Right. I still think they lose, but.

[Eddie]

Yeah.

[Casey]

And they're kind of Lamar's nemesis. Like, I think he's lost six of eight or something like that with them.

[Reed]

Good game.

[Casey]

Whatever reason.

[Reed]

Like that. That last one a few weeks ago.

[Casey]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

It is a, quote, rivalry. And professional sports rivalries are weird. The fans can hate each other, but that is a rival.

[Reed]

Yeah, it is. And it's Harbaugh and Tomlin. They've been doing it now for, like, almost 15 years. It seems like. Right. Wild 2000s. Yeah.

[Casey]

The Flacco Ray Lewis days.

[Bobby Bones]

When you hear this, because we're doing this Thursday afternoon, the Notre Dame, Penn State game happened already, so it's not like we're going to talk about that, but congrats to Notre Dame for winning. Played great.

[Jason Demers]

Great game.

[Bobby Bones]

How about Penn State? They won. They won one of the big ones. That's cool. Good for them.

[Casey]

Finally.

[Bobby Bones]

We're not going to edit either one of these out either. We could. We're not going to.

[Jason Demers]

We can't be wrong.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. We're just. What? What a game.

[Casey]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

That was awesome.

[Casey]

Crazy.

[Bobby Bones]

I can't believe it's a blowout.

[Jason Demers]

Oh, man.

[Bobby Bones]

Did not expect that.

[Jason Demers]

Saw that coming.

[Bobby Bones]

Who saw that coming? Wow. Wow, wow. Okay. Cool covered on that one. Yeah, we're good. And then tonight, Ohio State of Texas. These are the two teams I hate the most of the four.

[Jason Demers]

So you won't watch.

[Bobby Bones]

No. I hope Ohio State just goes BTA on them.

[Jason Demers]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

Like, I. And I hope it's a belt that has, like, shards of glass on it.

[Jason Demers]

Oh, my goodness.

[Bobby Bones]

And they take that bta, they go right. Belt just. And they just make text.

[Casey]

I didn't know what BTA meant. Now I know.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah.

[Jason Demers]

You know what it means now?

[Bobby Bones]

Belt to Hayward.

[Casey]

Yeah, I do.

[Bobby Bones]

Mike. Yep. How you feeling, Texas fan? Every time somebody says that now I just want us to win more. Like, everybody's been saying that we're ready to get rolled and now I just believe that we have a chance just because everybody's saying we have no chance.

[Reed]

Let's go.

[Bobby Bones]

Arizona State got pretty lucky playing them. Let's be honest. Not. Not a great team.

[Jason Demers]

Lucky you played Scatter Boo.

[Bobby Bones]

Not a great team.

[Jason Demers]

Scatter Boo almost beat you, dude.

[Bobby Bones]

Fell apart a little bit. But Arizona State, you had what it took to one. Yours came through. Not a great team, though. You shouldn't even been close like you should have when you. When they did. Look at the five star. And on each team, it was not even a comparison of with the two teams. Week one. It's been so long on the playoffs.

[Casey]

I know. Isn't it smu? No.

[Bobby Bones]

Texas played. Mike, you Texas play week one. Clemson. Clemson. Not a good team.

[Jason Demers]

Gosh.

[Bobby Bones]

Not a good team. You're about to play a good team.

[Casey]

Really good.

[Bobby Bones]

And you know what? I guess I kind of went either way because I hate Ohio State too, but I just hate Texas more. Want to both lose, Man, I tried that. It didn't work. I tried that at Texas Clemson.

[Jason Demers]

It doesn't work.

[Bobby Bones]

I tried that. It didn't work. So Ohio State's only a 6 point favorite. I thought it would be a little more than that. But I guess because Texas actually has really talented players and Sark is a great offensive mind.

[Casey]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

And if Sark were coaching anywhere else, I'd be like, I like Sark, but.

[Jason Demers]

He wears the burnt orange.

[Bobby Bones]

He's running the Iraqi army. So it doesn't matter who you are.

[Casey]

They got the dudes, but so did Oregon.

[Bobby Bones]

Ohio State's got the dude dudes, though. Like, oh, they played so well.

[Casey]

Two games in a row. It's like, come on, there's no way.

[Bobby Bones]

Like monster trucks demolishing the little cars that are sitting there in the speedway.

[Casey]

Against two really good teams.

[Bobby Bones]

That Oregon game was over. I mean, it was like immediate game on game. It's. It's the Homer Simpson gift mic with the. Where he walks in. Grandpa Simpson. Yeah. Takes his hat off, puts a guy, turns around, grabs it back on, walks out. That was Oregon in that game.

[Casey]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

As far as the NFL games. And we can do this and set our parlay real quick. And then we have Jeff Jarrett, which was awesome for me. I'm a massive wrestling fan. And Jeff Jarrett, he pro wrestling hall of Famer, like, still doing it. Okay, let's do the parlay here. We have to a parlay.

[Jason Demers]

Oh, man, we got.

[Bobby Bones]

It sounds so sad.

[Jason Demers]

Have you been thinking about it?

[Casey]

We got it.

[Bobby Bones]

I just, I like to go, I believe I'm going to win this game. I'm way down, though, by the way.

[Jason Demers]

Are you warming up, though? No, no, it's still cold.

[Bobby Bones]

It's freezing.

[Jason Demers]

Still in the freezer.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. Like, I'm excited to watch the games and not bet because it's been so bad for me. And I don't. I just don't want our listeners to think, oh, he always says when he went, no, no, I, I'm, I'm weight. I'm losing at a terrible pace. Okay, pick one of the game. Kevin, you can go. What stands out? I mean, let's just walk the line. Chargers minus three at the Texans. Steelers at the Ravens. Ravens favorite minus nine and a half. Broncos at Bills. Bills eight and a half point favorite. Packers at the Eagles. Eagles four and a half point favorite. Commanders at Bucs. Bucks minus three. So every home team is favored except the Texans. The Texans are at home and they're the dog. Take a stab.

[Jason Demers]

Come on, Kevin.

[Casey]

I'm gonna go the Steelers.

[Bobby Bones]

Mike, if we do four, will they put it up on the app? I can see. Okay. So you're gonna go Steelers plus nine and a half.

[Casey]

Plus nine and a half.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah.

[Jason Demers]

Stupid question. Can I take the Ravens and then cancel that one out and then you pick two. Can you do the opposite of the same parlay? Well, I've never done that.

[Bobby Bones]

You would lose the money.

[Jason Demers]

You lose the.

[Bobby Bones]

Well, in the parlay. You would lose because if you miss any, you're out.

[Jason Demers]

You're right. You're right. That's dumb.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. So he. But he is taking. So you cannot take that game, Eddie. So he's got Steelers plus nine and a half. Yep. And we'll try to get this on DraftKings. Eddie, go ahead.

[Jason Demers]

I think the Bills are going to roll. I think the Bills will have no problem taking on Denver. And they are favored by eight and a half. Let's do it. Bill's eight and a half.

[Bobby Bones]

Bill's plus eight and a half.

[Jason Demers]

Minus eight and a half.

[Bobby Bones]

I'm sorry. Bill's minus eight and a half. Yeah. Good. I'm gonna just go Bucks. Moneyline.

[Reed]

It's this good. Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

Smallest spread. It's at home. A coin flip.

[Jason Demers]

That one wins by a field goal. You know, like a last minute kick.

[Bobby Bones]

So I go Bucks, money line. That's three. We need four, Mike. Yeah, I do four. Okay, read. You want to do it?

[Kevin]

Yeah, man. How about Eagles minus four and a half?

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, how about it?

[Kevin]

Or just money line. What do you think?

[Bobby Bones]

I'd say anything. Three over three take. Do a spread.

[Kevin]

Okay.

[Bobby Bones]

Three is close enough to feel like Moneyline. You're not gonna lose too much on the odds. All right.

[Kevin]

Eagles minus.

[Jason Demers]

You believe in the Eagles?

[Kevin]

I believe in them, baby. Good call, Eagles.

[Jason Demers]

More of a screech kind of.

[Bobby Bones]

So we have. And would you text this Kevin, to Eddie and I or whatever we do, just so I know, instead of it, like, being. What do we bet?

[Jason Demers]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

Steelers plus nine and a half. Bills minus eight and a half. Eagles minus four and a half bucks. Moneyline. Oh, yeah. Sounds good.

[Jason Demers]

Casey, what do you think?

[Reed]

I was going to say the Rams, actually, because I think the Vikings are a slight favorite. I would just.

[Bobby Bones]

That game already happened.

[Casey]

That's not till Monday.

[Bobby Bones]

Oh, it's a Monday. Got it, got it, got it, got it.

[Reed]

So that was my choice.

[Bobby Bones]

I hate doing a parlay and you have to wait, like, a day. And you didn't realize it when you bet it.

[Jason Demers]

Yep.

[Bobby Bones]

No, you know what?

[Jason Demers]

I did one time? I picked one for the next week.

[Bobby Bones]

Oh, because you, like, scrolled down and didn't realize. Yeah, that sucks, too. I think I've done that, too.

[Reed]

Yeah, I've done that.

[Bobby Bones]

Not in a parlay, just a straight bet. And I'm like, oh, God.

[Jason Demers]

Gotta wait till a whole week.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. If you want to take the 25 whistles parlay, you can check out DraftKings Sportsbook. Do it. We do it. We love it. Hopefully we're up on the app. If not, I don't know. Do you want to run with us?

[Jason Demers]

They want to run with us.

[Bobby Bones]

I'm going to be the only one that misses. I'm so cold.

[Jason Demers]

No, dude, I'm cold, too.

[Casey]

I'm cold, too. Like, honestly, since we're confessing here, so.

[Reed]

Everyone take the opposite of what we're.

[Jason Demers]

But. But you know what that means, too? That means that everyone's cold. Like us three can't be the only ones that are cold. I bet it's just a cold season right now for just people playing games.

[Bobby Bones]

But I'm. I'm so cold as to what I'm used to. Even this year. I, like, I've been. I've had a good year. I can't get one right. I hate me. Anyway, have fun, everybody. New users, use the code Bobby Sports when you download the app. One word. Bobby Sports. Gambling problem. Call 1-800-GAMBLER in New York. Call 8778-HOPE-Y or text Hope and why 467-369 in Connecticut. Helps available for problem gambling. Call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org Please play responsibly on behalf of Boo Hill casino and resort, KS 21 +. Age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void In Ontario, bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG Co Audio Foreign.

[Adnan Virk]

What'S up, everybody? Adnan Burke here to tell you about a new podcast from iHeart podcast in the National Hockey League. It's NHL Unscripted with Birkin Demers.

[Jason Demers]

Hey, I'm Jason Demers, former 700 game NHL defenseman turned NHL Network analyst. And boy, oh boy, does daddy have a lot to say.

[Adnan Virk]

I love you, by the way, on NHL Network, we're looking forward to getting together each week to chat and chirp about the sport and all the other things surrounding it that we love. Right?

[Jason Demers]

Yeah, I just met you today, but we're going to have a ton of guests from the colliding worlds of hockey, entertainment and pop culture and you know what, Tons of back and forth and all things NHL.

[Adnan Virk]

Yeah, you're soon going to find out we're not just hockey talk. We had all kinds of random stuff on this podcast. Movies, television, food, wrestling, even the stuff that you wear on NHL. Now.

[Jason Demers]

You wish you could pull off my short shorts, Ferkie.

[Adnan Virk]

That's sure to cause a ruckus. Listen to NHL Unscripted with Burke and demers and the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Bobby Bones]

I'm a big wrestling fan. I will say, not so much today. I don't watch it every week now. Some clips will come up like, I can't act like I'm a big Roman Reigns fan. I know who he is.

[Jason Demers]

Is that a new guy?

[Bobby Bones]

No, not new, but he's like the biggest now. Okay, Like Cody Rhodes, like, absolutely. If I saw him, I'd be like, Cody Rhodes. But I'm a massive wrestling fan, like, over the course of my life. And Jeff Jarrett, dude, he's been around in so many, like, just decades. And he's been champion here in WCW and aew. And so he came in, here he is. He's in the Pro Wrestling hall of Fame. He's WWE hall of Fame Jeff Jarrett. He recently announced he signed his final contract. Going to be hanging it up in the near future. He has a big goal in mind for this year and we talk about that. He gave us some great insight. We talked Hulk Hogan, which you could tell. I won't put words in his mouth. But you could tell he felt very, very similar to how I feel. And I wasn't trying to lure him into anything. Clickbait. But you could definitely tell that maybe Hulk wasn't his favorite guy either.

[Jason Demers]

Eddie, what'd you think of the interview?

[Bobby Bones]

Just in general? Yeah. Thoughts before I hit. Before we play this.

[Jason Demers]

I mean, I thought that you truly enjoyed every minute of this interview.

[Bobby Bones]

It's awesome. For me. Yeah.

[Jason Demers]

You just. You loved asking questions. When he would talk, you would just light up and you'd have another question right after it. So it was really cool to see you get lit up by, like, an interview.

[Bobby Bones]

Weird way to say it, but you know what I mean? Weird way to say it, but I like it.

[Casey]

Like a compliment.

[Bobby Bones]

Yes, dude.

[Jason Demers]

Yes.

[Bobby Bones]

Here he is. Jeff Jarrett. Great to see you again, man. I watch. First of all, I follow you on Instagram, so I feel like I still, like, talk, even though it's a weird part of life where you see someone, but also, like, I see all your, like, your AEW stuff because I'm a big wrestling fan.

[Eddie]

Get out of here.

[Bobby Bones]

My.

[Eddie]

Well, you are from Arkansas.

[Bobby Bones]

That. And you're not even kidding, because that's what we had. Like, we would drive to Memphis as a young kid and go to the pyramid, you know, and do all the Mid south stuff. Like, I caught the very back end of the Von Erichs, so I should know this.

[Eddie]

Where in Arkansas.

[Bobby Bones]

So it's near. It's a 600 people, small town, but.

[Eddie]

But it's wrestling in 400. Like, Perego, black Oak.

[Bobby Bones]

All schools we played in sports.

[Eddie]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. So I'm from a town called Mountain Pine. We would never get a wrestling, but Hot Springs was big enough that occasionally.

[Eddie]

So you're that toward Hot Springs.

[Bobby Bones]

Yes, got it.

[Eddie]

Okay. So you really are.

[Bobby Bones]

Dude, we are hillbilly for sure. For sure. And so, yeah, so my TikTok is all like 90s to 2000s wrestling. Like, that's my algorithm that I'm on because I watch so much of it.

[Eddie]

Oh, boy.

[Bobby Bones]

That I followed your entire arc, you know?

[Eddie]

Of which arc.

[Bobby Bones]

Exactly. That's what I'm saying. But there are, like, multiple versions. I'm just. Let me start with now because I have friends that played, like, professional sports, one who played professional NFL for a long time. And I was like, man, after every game, does it hurt? And as a professional wrestler, after every match, do you just know it's going to hurt for a couple of days?

[Eddie]

You know, Bobby, that is really a loaded question, because this may sound crazy at 57 years of age. I wish I could wrestle more, because the wrestling, like, every three weeks or once a month, I know for the next 48, 72 hours. And I'm all into the recovery and the cryo and the saunas and all that kind of stuff, but there's just something about the lactic acid buildup, and it's rough. I mean, I hate to admit it, but it, it is really rough because.

[Bobby Bones]

I feel like I work out hard, but I do it hard three times a week. And even at my lactogas, it's, I'm older, it's old, and so I can't imagine going as hard as you're going. But also once every three weeks, that's like doing bench press heavy. Once every three. You'd be so freaking sore. But doing what you're doing with your full body, I would imagine you're so sore or you've taken so many bumps that it just kills your neck and back.

[Eddie]

Well, just the soreness, but I, I. It's funny, since the last time we saw each other, man, my life is, I guess you just sprinkle some of that Bobby Bones gold dust on me. It changed in so many ways. But, you know, during the pandemic, we were all shut in and all that, and I won't say the word, but I got really sick, and I was down flat of my back for about two weeks. And when I was laying there, I said, you know what? I'm going to get in the best possible shape I can when I get out of this bed. And I really put my mind on it. So I have trained harder, worked harder, not just with weights, cardio, flexibility.

[Bobby Bones]

Has that become more important to you? Because for me, it has.

[Eddie]

I do, I have. My streak's still going, but I do yoga every morning for the last seven years or six years. However, it is long.

[Bobby Bones]

Why? What have you found about the flexibility part of it?

[Eddie]

I live by this. My chiropractor, he's really applied kinesiologist. He looked at me one day when I was on the table, and he said, if you want to live a long life, live a long life. And he just met me, he said, man, you got to increase your flexibility. And there's a lot that goes with that. But I have found that I am stronger, faster, feel better. Not when you wrestle, you're still going to have that soreness. But, But I, I do the, the stretching and the yoga and the breathing and everything that goes with it. I do feel a noticeable bit better. I have better energy you know, another thing, during the pandemic, I got on this. Karen said, you got to get out of this house. But she didn't really say that. But I walked every afternoon for like 90 minutes and before the sun would go down and I kind of found just the movement, it just really has helped me. Not just physically, I think mentally and emotionally as well. Just a little quiet time with God, if you will.

[Bobby Bones]

I think wrestling fans are great historians. I'm a mid wrestling historian, but I think that there's a respect to the wrestlers that have lived many lives for our enjoyment. And you're one of those guys. Do you feel when you go in and you, your pop happens, or maybe it's not, it's the reverse. Do you feel the wrestling fan honoring you and other wrestlers that have been around for 20, 30 years in a way that's never happened before?

[Eddie]

So I'm not only a wrestling junkie, but I just kind of like data. And when you look at, now look, I'm not comparing it, but you know, you look at U2 or the stones or I'll call them all the legacy acts and just they keep on and they keep on and they keep on and they're selling the tickets and all that. And then when I go out to your point and I hear the response, a lot of times we'll call it that nostalgia pop because there is so much going on in this world today and our roster is almost 200 deep. But when you kind of look at a graph in the amount of times and the impressions, if you will, that I've been on TV or you know, just been around, people know me, they like me or they don't like me. But yes, there is a response. And last summer I did a about a 10 minute sit down interview that we aired on YouTube and I've had more people come up because it was a historical piece, but also I touched on Owen Hart and really got into that. And we have a tournament at AEW called the Owen Invitational. But that was something that brought the fans that had never heard of Jeff Jarrett or Owen Hart or whatever, it just kind of brought them up like, oh, this guy's been around a while. So yes, the short answer to your question, I told you how to build a watch as opposed to what time it was.

[Bobby Bones]

But yes, I feel like even the young wrestlers are historic. You almost have to be knowledgeable in the history of wrestling. It's almost like country music or if you're a young country music artist, you almost don't get the pass Unless you. You can prove that you can't get across this part of the bridge, unless you prove that you're an actual fan and that you've spent your life valuing it. And I feel like that with the young wrestlers, even towards some of those guys like yourself in the 90s and 2000s, like that has to happen.

[Eddie]

You know, Bobby, what. What I have observed is that the guys that really don't know the history of wrestling, they're not around, you know, in three months, six months, nine months, they weed themselves out. Because at the end of the day, what we do is not easy. And they're like, you know, I don't really like this stuff. And they excuse them way out of the business one way or another.

[Bobby Bones]

Can I ask one Owen Hart question?

[Eddie]

Oh, far away.

[Bobby Bones]

We were watching that pay per view, Kansas City, right. Did you. At the time, were you surprised they continued the show?

[Eddie]

Not at the time. I don't know if we talked about this last time, but that was the one thing when I went into recovery that I never processed at all at the time. It was, hate to say it, but it was work. And I've talked to his widow, Martha, and extensive conversations, all that, but it was just we were in a place that his match was on before me. You know, the backstage stage manager came and said, hey, Owen's going to the ring. You're up next. So I had in my mind about 18, 15, 18 minutes. And like three minutes later, they came, said, you're on now. And I went, did a promo and all that stuff was going around. They wheeled his body right beside me. I went to the ring, did that, came back, cop was there. I said, I want to go to the hospital right now. But it was as, I hate to say this, but it was the reality and it called up to me. It was unfortunately in my mind, another day at work with a tragic accident.

[Bobby Bones]

The blood in the ring. And afterward, it's easy to look at it because I think I would have felt the same as you as a performer. And there were still a lot of questions. And until Jim Ross came on later and was like, but again, you guys were there on the ground. I definitely don't want to make this into a hard thing, but I've been thinking about this. I think I would have been the same. I'd have been like, we go until we're told not to go, and then we figure it out after it's over.

[Eddie]

No doubt. I got in the ring. To this day, I haven't watched that back. That match Back for a number of reasons, but I felt the top rope very, very loose. And I went over in the corner where his body had fallen and there was a. And I can talk about it now. For years I wouldn't talk about it, but there was a dip in the ring. There was no blood, and it was where his body had fallen. And I just had a sense on. Okay. In my gut, and I didn't process it and intellectually think it through, but in my gut I was like, okay, this is bad.

[Bobby Bones]

Did I invent the blood in the ring up in my head?

[Eddie]

There was a little bit on the corner.

[Bobby Bones]

Okay.

[Eddie]

Yeah, there was some, but it wasn't.

[Bobby Bones]

In the ring where you're actually wrestling. Okay, got it.

[Eddie]

Yeah, his head hit the top rope, severed his aorta.

[Bobby Bones]

So do you know the story, Eddie? He fell from the top. Not really. He was on a wire and he came down. Was he with the Blue Meanie or was he just a one heart.

[Eddie]

Blue Blazer?

[Bobby Bones]

Blue Blazer. So. And it ended up being like the contraption, from what that I heard. The contraption's fault.

[Eddie]

He was rappel. Supposed to repel in the ring, in the top, feet in the air, repel into the ring, let go of his harness, and then wrestle. He was up top and however it released and he fell 82ft to his death.

[Bobby Bones]

Wow. In the middle. In the middle of the show. Like, did you know that, Kevin?

[Casey]

No.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah.

[Jason Demers]

You watch that live?

[Bobby Bones]

Once they didn't. So we're watching the pay per view and they didn't show it because the camera. The camera was just away. And they came back, he was just.

[Eddie]

Hanging up there, ready to go on cue to lower. So they were doing other things like that.

[Bobby Bones]

So no, they did. They didn't show. You didn't see it happen. You just saw after. And they kept going. And even watching it. But again, my mind, I've seen so many stories of what was happening at the time that I think even my memory's been affected by all the docus and. But now you see, like people cutting promos live, crying, not knowing, because they. But they know what had happened anyway. I don't understand that, but I appreciate you answering that.

[Eddie]

Yeah. Can I give you a little ironic? Please. To that?

[Bobby Bones]

Please do.

[Eddie]

So back in those days, it was WWF and wcw. That was the May pay per view of wwf. The May WCW pay per view. Because I left WWF and went to wcw. I was on that pay per view in a triple cage and I had to climb 62ft up. The following year, exact Same building. The ironic part of all that is it took me a long time, Bobby, I bet.

[Bobby Bones]

Just because one, even if it's just your friend or your co worker, but two, like you were on right. Right after.

[Eddie]

Yeah, right after life.

[Bobby Bones]

Why are you still going? Cause you're still good too. Like, why are you quitting? I have all these questions like, you shouldn't be as good, you still got it. It's crazy. Like, okay, why are you still going? But also why are you quitting?

[Eddie]

Well, let's just say this. I made the announcement every year. Literally this is my 37th year and I did this. I can't say I did it the first seven or eight years, but my dad and me had a conversation one year and out of that conversation I said, okay, every December I'm going to reevaluate my what it's going to look like next year kind of reflect how am I going to get better and what am I going to do moving forward? And I've done that every year. Years ago I started a wrestling promotion called tna. And one of the main things about that, Bobby, was is that I wanted to step out of the ring. You know, my grandmother said, you can wrestle, but don't wrestle, become a wrestler. Basically keep your business cap on. And then just kind of how all this has transpired and got myself in shape. Had no idea what I'd be doing here today, but like AEW stuff. Yeah, I mean we did a thing with Ric Flair and Ric Flair's last match and went through all that and that led to another thing. So, Bobby, I. Only by the grace of God am I still going wrestling. But I love it. I will say that I have been really, really, really lucky that I don't feel I've ever worked a day in my life in a lot of ways. Sure, it's. There's a grind, there's a lot of travel, but I absolutely love professional wrestling, everything about it. I'm one of five siblings. The other four had zero interest in it. I got bit by the bug. About two miles from here is where I grew up down by Overton High School. And I just love professional wrestling, everything about it.

[Bobby Bones]

Are you, how much a part of your creative are you now?

[Eddie]

Very little, very little. And that is, that's been an adjustment, good and bad because I don't have the responsibility. It is a full time non stop juggling act, but I have little to no real input. I can little tweaks here and there, but for the most part it's not my ball of wax.

[Bobby Bones]

Who in your career was good enough that you just. You could. If you had to, just call a match the entire time in the ring, like you got to do? No. Oh, who was that good where you felt or. Or you had the chemistry with them?

[Eddie]

Shoot, I could go down a list. I'm, you know, Jerry Lawler. We wrestled many 60 minute broadways and he wouldn't talk to me before we went out there, which was kind of amazing to me. Shawn Michaels, Kurt Angle, there's several guys that, that. It's just when you have the ability to kind of have a vision where you want to go and you know your opponent's strengths and weaknesses and play to the strengths and diminish the weaknesses. There's several guys that you could do that with.

[Bobby Bones]

Any of the guys ever protect you, and you protect them because you knew somebody was hurt during the match and you communicated it, and it's like on my right shoulder. So then you continued to have the match, but you just made sure to stay on the left shoulder, etc.

[Eddie]

You kind of always do that. That goes without saying. Yeah. When you said protect, I can remember breaking into the business, a wrestler came in who had a hair transplant. You had to protect that. Don't touch my hair. Don't touch my hair. But no, that goes without saying. It's a grind. So you have to be aware of the health of your opponent.

[Bobby Bones]

A couple of the bigger guys in my life that apparently worked pretty stiff, and I imagine if someone works stiff, you probably have to stiff back so you don't get hurt. Is that how that would work?

[Eddie]

Like.

[Bobby Bones]

Like Goldberg apparently was stiff because he was like, he didn't like to come up. He was just. Didn't know how to wrestle.

[Eddie]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

And they say that a lot about Ultimate Warrior. And I never wrestled either one of them, so I don't know how stiff they are or how. When you would wrestle somebody that was stiff, how would you. How would you do the dance?

[Eddie]

So this may be getting too.

[Bobby Bones]

Get in the weeds.

[Eddie]

Get in the weeds. I think there's a difference between. Between stiff and reckless stiff. You just work snug. You lay it in. I'm a huge fan of that. We understand what we signed up for, so get in there and don't. Don't make everything so light. So stiff is one thing. A guy who's reckless, the guy that might not have a skill set, might not have two left feet, if you will. You've got to be completely well aware of what's going on. And you just can't put yourself in a position to be hurt. You know, I've had several old timers guys that would come up to me and said, yeah, I know why you're around. You wouldn't do A, B and C, whatever the dumb crap is. And I think there's, there is some validity to that, that you have to be really aware that don't give yourself, don't give your body to, to a guy that might not be mean spirited, but certainly doesn't know how to take care of you. And then, hey man, you're not eating the next week or not earning a paycheck. So that's incumbent upon me.

[Bobby Bones]

What about moves like the DDT or a pile driver that is heavy neck if gone wrong, are there specific guys that you were like, I trust them fully if they're going to pile drive or DDT me and you can say the ones you trust. You don't have to say anything about the ones you don't. But is that a thing? Because again, those go wrong. That's real bad.

[Eddie]

So. And you know we're gonna really get in the weeds, the different moves, but you gotta just know how to protect yourself.

[Bobby Bones]

So it's on you. If you're getting pile drive, you gotta do the thing.

[Eddie]

You better know how to protect yourself. Yes, without question. It's, you know, now there's all kinds of new moves and getting thrown and flips and that kind of stuff. And sometimes guys put themselves in the position that you know dang well it's, there is a high risk of injury and they still do it.

[Bobby Bones]

I just don't think that's smart, especially running longevity. That's why I quit wrestling guys, if you want.

[Eddie]

There you go.

[Bobby Bones]

I was just like, I don't want to do it once because I'll die if like, if we like a guy like Cactus Jack, Mankind, Mick Foley, whatever, who like I don't know how good of an athlete he was because he didn't look like an athlete. But my assumption is he had to be a great athlete to last that long and also live through some of the risks he took. Was he a great athlete?

[Eddie]

He's a good athlete. He wrestled amateur but you know, and we could probably go down a list of guys, but a guy like Mick Foley, he had a passion almost to a detriment. I tell him that to his face, that he didn't mind sacrificing his physical health and gave it to the fans. Look it it we're talking about him today falling off a cage and all Kinds of stuff.

[Bobby Bones]

That's what I think of the. Under the undertaker, you know, falling. Excuse me, you know, falling through. Jumping off. Yeah, yeah. And I just think he has to because he didn't look at. But that's part of his gimmick, right?

[Eddie]

Yes.

[Bobby Bones]

Even in Mr. Sacca, like all the things he did, he had so much around him. But I always, I mean he must be a great athlete to be able to live through this many things.

[Eddie]

He had a desire to perform like none other. You know, he feels it to this day. You see him walk around today, he, you know, he doesn't get around as good as a. I'll say a 60 year old man should.

[Bobby Bones]

Sounds like a former NFL player. And guys that we know that are like, oh man, like it's hard for me to even get up in the morning because of that thing when you wore pants because you, you were never. Well, you mostly weren't tights guy pants.

[Eddie]

For a lot of long tights.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, it was all tights forever. Like, you know, underwear tights. Yeah, it was weird because everybody.

[Eddie]

The short tights.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah.

[Eddie]

And I wear short biker shorts now.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, but, but again. But you had pants.

[Eddie]

You have a whole long. Yes, for a long time.

[Bobby Bones]

But like all those guys from like early Ted DiBiase, Bruno San Martino, they all had like these gimmicks and then they would just be like just in tights. And I was. When you started to wear pants, was that uncommon that people were wearing things other than just the tights? The very beginning of pants.

[Eddie]

So the easy analogy was, you know, prior to cable television there were territory wrestling and it was truly called professional wrestling. And it was a mindset. Well, guy named Vince McMahon came along and said, I'm going to turn this into sports entertainment. And you kind of look at the transition and look in the early 80s there were long tight guys, but it was. You wear long tights or short tights, but all the costuming and Persona and yes, Gorgeous George and the real hardcore wrestling fans gonna say no, they were doing this and that. But the business really radically changed in the mid-80s when Hulkamania came along and you saw talent, you saw wrestlers on lunchboxes because of the licensing. And so when the licensing came along, that's when the real define costuming and Personas and all that changed.

[Bobby Bones]

Who was your favorite wrestler as a kid?

[Eddie]

Lawler Savage and that. My original OG was the Fabulous Jackie Fargo. I was mesmerized not just by his strut, but his demeanor. You know, he, his promo skills. If you will. He would just sit there and talk and make you laugh, and then he'd make you cry. And then at the end of his promo, he would be very calm and cool and just say, I'm coming down the Coliseum to kick your ass. And I believed it. His delivery. He was a really good actor that you wouldn't ever want to call Jackie an actor. He called himself a professional wrestler, but his delivery was so believable.

[Bobby Bones]

When did you get in the zone with promos? Because you're great. You're one of the best ever. But were you all. I'm assuming you weren't always. Because I wasn't always terrible. Yeah. When did it happen?

[Eddie]

I do a podcast. Dropped New My World, My shirt on every Tuesday. They just. We just recently played my very first promo. I wasn't just bad Bobby, I was horrible. But I tell you what, the reps that I got, WMCTV and Memphis TV, every Saturday morning, 10:00am, going out and do that. That you just got to reps and reps and reps. So it just took me a while. And then when I went to The WWF in 1993, it's the first time that I'd really been produced by someone other than my father. And that. That was a difficult relationship through the years with my father. Just because, yeah, he's my dad, but he's also. He was harder on me than anybody, and he did that by design. But when Vince started producing me and brought things out of me, and I tell guys today, man, find somebody that you like, but they need to produce. You don't produce yourself.

[Bobby Bones]

Who, as a peer, was a great promo.

[Eddie]

Man. There's so. I mean, Lawler comes to mind. Right. Up top. Mick Foley. Really, really good. Stone Cold had a. Had. Had his shtick down, if you want. Really, really good. The Rock, of course. I tell you what, you give Road Dog. Jesse James. Brian James. His father was Bullet Bob Armstrong, so he's a second generation. Brian was one of those guys like Fargo. He could make you laugh, he could make you cry. He could. And then he could deliver. Very, very, very, very believable. Former Marine. So he knew how to yell. Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

Road Dog was awesome.

[Eddie]

Oh, it's fantastic.

[Bobby Bones]

He did his own. He did his own, too. Like when coming out.

[Eddie]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

Wrestling. I was watching any. It's all my algorithm. It's crazy what that, like, the late 90s would allow at WWF.

[Eddie]

Oh, my gosh. Well, yeah, you'd been canceled. We'd been canceled a lot.

[Bobby Bones]

Crazy. I know. To look back and see some of that. There was one where Triple H was eating a hot dog at a table and he's looking down and then he's like, oh, yeah. And then afterwards, this girl just climbs out from under the table. Like that was the kind of. Just as wild. But I'm like 12 and I'm like, yes, I'm talking about.

[Eddie]

Exactly.

[Bobby Bones]

It's a different world.

[Eddie]

And cable television was a different world. You know, there wasn't four or five hundred channels and certainly not YouTube and streaming all that. It was still truly cable television. The numbers, when you just kind of look at everything, it was. It was a fun time to be alive in so many ways. But what exposure. Everybody watched it back then.

[Bobby Bones]

Well, especially when you're hillbillies. Like, it was our.

[Eddie]

There you go.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, it was our sports.

[Eddie]

You didn't want to care about titans and preds and football and basketball. That's that highbrow stuff.

[Bobby Bones]

No, we wanted to go to Memphis and watch Junkyard Dog.

[Eddie]

Exactly.

[Bobby Bones]

Because it was, you know. Did you watch Iron Claw by any chance?

[Eddie]

You know what I did on a plane. He was about a while after it came out, but I did.

[Bobby Bones]

What'd you think about it? The movie versus what? The reality.

[Eddie]

So my father in 1988 went out there and my dad was right on the end of the movie. And so I lived those tragedies. And I get it, it's Hollywood. They did it for their own reasons. But for me personally, that's why I don't want to sound like he's nego about this movie. But when I watched it, my experience was I could not remove the real life mentality of the Mints. Just unbelievable tragedy. And like, Chris wasn't even in the movie and he was, you know, took his life, but wasn't even mentioned. And I know they have their reasons and all that, but. So for a movie, I get it. You know, I. I'm certainly not a movie critic by any stretch of the imagination, but it was, you know, on the one hand, I'm glad they kind of in a way celebrated that story. But the real life story is much, much, much more tragic than the movie.

[Bobby Bones]

Which it's often the other way around is what's crazy. And I think hopefully, because I did this too. And again, I caught the tail end because Carrie was killing it mid south when I was young and we'd drive over, but hopefully people watched the movie and then like googled and then like read for real. Because that's what I did again. And it was like, oh, yeah, I forgot about all this. And I missed the older Von Erichs. Right. I wasn't old enough to see the older brothers. I mean, are you sad it's coming to an end, or do you feel like you're gonna come out of retirement for the fourth time like the Stones?

[Eddie]

No, look, that's the thing. I was really back to the situation that, you know, this time in our business, just last week in Asheville, we did a show called Fight for the Fallen, but it was dynamite. And it was our first ever streaming episode. WWE just premiered on Netflix. You know, we're on Max. And so the business as a whole is really transforming into. It's going to the next level. We just talked about the golden age of cable television. I've been lucky enough by the grace of God to be around. Here's the next ride. And so as a part of me signing my final contract, I just kind of put that out there because, look, I'm. I'm not riding off into the sunset. I'll be around in professional wrestling. But as far as an in ring career, I just kind of made up my mind that, okay, this is it. But I think I've also incentivized myself because I want one last shot at gold. I want to go out with a bang, somehow, some way, and then be done with it. But I'm not ready as I sit here today to be done with it at all.

[Bobby Bones]

Did you watch any of the WWE on Netflix?

[Eddie]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

Hogan got booed hard.

[Eddie]

And I did not see that.

[Bobby Bones]

But I was surprised.

[Eddie]

Now, why?

[Bobby Bones]

Only because it was such a celebration of wrestling now. But also they had heroes as well. And I was surprised because again, wrestling fans are such historians. I was surprised they didn't just cheer for the character and they didn't. They booed the person and.

[Eddie]

Well, why'd they boo the person, do you think?

[Bobby Bones]

I don't know your friendship. So I'm just gonna say this. I don't think Hulk Hogan's a good dude. And so I feel like.

[Eddie]

Was it a political boo?

[Bobby Bones]

No. No. Because Undertaker got a pop, big pop. And Undertaker came out and supported Trump. So that eliminated the political thing immediately because I was like, let's not make this. I don't want.

[Eddie]

Okay. That's why I'm curious.

[Bobby Bones]

Your lens through it, to me, it was not political because Undertaker and Kaine both sat with Donald Trump and said, we are saying vote for Donald Trump. Hogan, obviously, make America great. Again, it was not political. People respect the Undertaker as a wrestler and a person. People don't respect Hulk Hogan anymore. It's one thing after the other. And I think because of that people now know. There was a story about Hulk Hogan that I was going to talk about on our show this morning where this fan said hey, I saved up and gave Hulk Hogan this $4,000 belt as a gift because it was like my hero Hulk signed it in auction and sold it.

[Eddie]

Hello.

[Bobby Bones]

And sold it and sold it.

[Eddie]

So I think I gotcha.

[Bobby Bones]

When there's a hundred of those things, I think those people are cheering against that human. It was not political or they would have treated Undertaker the same way.

[Eddie]

Wow.

[Bobby Bones]

That's my thoughts.

[Eddie]

So I had a lot going on at my house last night. I watched the first hour and a half, two hours. I did not see that segment. I saw the very end of the last match. So you the first conversation I've had and that is that the whole Undertaker what you laid out for me is interesting. But it also, I guess to me it jumps off of the page at the wrestling fan. There has been such a stereotype oh my whole life. Oh, you like wrestling. You're bunch of low brow entertainment, blah blah blah. And at the end of the day, I've always believed this. Professional wrestling fans are pop culture. Sometimes we've been in front of the car, maybe sometimes not. But you look in political circles, it's a wrestling promo. You look at all the belts and all the, you know, there's so much to me there's a lot of professional wrestling in Touchdown dances and celebrations and all kind of things. But the wrestling fan is so easy to understand that I have a. You know, they put groceries on my table for three generations. But I have a lot of respect for the wrestling fans because they will tell you what they like and what they don't like sometimes more importantly.

[Bobby Bones]

And I feel like they're educated.

[Eddie]

Yes.

[Bobby Bones]

And I feel like they're so educated myself being one in that they still enjoy it. Knowing what a shoot is. Oh no, it's always been irrelevant.

[Eddie]

But whether it's real or not. And that's where the. For those that believe that old saying. Those that believe no explanations needed. Those who don't believe no explanation will do about fresh wrestling. It's the true fan could have. They could care less. They want to be entertained. But to your point, Hogan didn't, didn't pass the sniff test last night. It was embarrassing and they let him know it. That's where I respect the wrestling fan like okay. And I'm assuming they were selling the.

[Bobby Bones]

Beer right on his shirt. He came out With a shirt. So he comes out and he's like, brother. And I was so. I was not expecting them to boo. And I'm like, wow, they're booing. And so he has his beer on his shirt and he ends up doing the shirt rip. And it's like Netflix. And that part I got. But he also felt like a shill because he was just coming out to sell his beer. And had he come out in a Hulkamania shirt, I think maybe slightly different. But even then again, I was surprised that they just didn't cheer the character.

[Eddie]

I got you.

[Bobby Bones]

But they booed the human.

[Eddie]

That's the wrestling fan.

[Bobby Bones]

And. Yes. And it wasn't political again, because they went undertake. They went crazy.

[Eddie]

I saw that. The motorcycle rail ring.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, because it was like, you know, American ba. Undertaker motorcycle. Not, you know, death motor. You know, not dead funeral, not deadbearer. Yeah, that kind of thing. But.

[Eddie]

But the. The. Where was I going? Oh, the world we live in now. Just the evolution of the business. I mean, I love your beautiful new studios and I've heard you got a sports podcast. This may be on this just how things have continued to transform. That's wrestling. It's on Netflix. Who would have ever thought? We're all max every week now. Globally. It's. It's amazing where wrestling is going.

[Bobby Bones]

It's so pop culture that this interview, I'll be able to play it. It'll be on a podcast, it'll be on the radio show. And different parts of it are appealing to different people for different reasons. So, you know, we've done 40 minutes here, and I'll take three, four, five, six minutes and put it on the national broadcast radio show. I'll put 40 minutes of it as a podcast. It'll be 20 different two minute clip.

[Eddie]

Amazing.

[Bobby Bones]

It's every. Because that's. I mean, wrestling is that now.

[Eddie]

Yes.

[Bobby Bones]

And you're right. The belts, like every football team has a championship belt, like interception. I mean, it is. That's right.

[Eddie]

Our president is in the WWE hall of Fame. I say that tongue in cheek, but it is. I'm going back to the wrestling fan and pop culture and where our industry's at. And, you know, I tell guys, hey, man, if you want to really get good at it, go to YouTube and start watching, because you have that ability. Like you said, two minute clips, three minute clips. Wrestling's everywhere.

[Bobby Bones]

Before we conclude who's like an awesome dude, a famous wrestler that's like an awesome dude. Give me like three awesome dudes that I want to be happy. I like. Cheers. That I like.

[Jason Demers]

He says Hulk.

[Bobby Bones]

Well, that's why I said too. I was like, I don't know. But your friend. I just want to give my opinion before I even knew. But yes. Who are like awesome dudes.

[Eddie]

Oh my gosh, you're going to put me on the spot here. Bryan Danielson. New Daniel Bryan is, how you may.

[Bobby Bones]

Know it, newer version. Yes. Got it now.

[Eddie]

Yeah, yeah. That guy is salt of the earth and just. I can't tell you how genuine he loves the business. Well, anyway, you don't want me to go into all the characteristics, but Brian. Oh, boy.

[Bobby Bones]

You're gonna say, what about back in the day, man?

[Eddie]

So many different characters. Remember Dutch Mantell?

[Bobby Bones]

I do. That's. That's back. Back in the day.

[Eddie]

That's way back in the day.

[Bobby Bones]

That's 80s.

[Eddie]

I look at him as one of my mentors, but he was a guy and I was a promoter's kid. But he took the time. He's very well read. He taught me a lot. A really. When he didn't have to.

[Bobby Bones]

80S Dutchman tell 90s. Give me 90s. Like a good dude. That we know.

[Eddie]

A good dude. You know what? Yokozuna.

[Bobby Bones]

Really?

[Eddie]

Yoko. I got in there 93, 94. One day, one night after show. He said, who you riding with? And I said, well, I got to get to the airport to rent a car. He said, no, you're with me. And so I rode with him for a while. And the salt of the earth. But I mean, a gentle giant.

[Bobby Bones]

When he would, you know, he'd stick his butt in your head and he'd splash, you know, that's Rikishi Yoko. He wouldn't flop on you.

[Eddie]

Yeah, he would. Yeah, he would do it.

[Bobby Bones]

Yes, the flop, you know, but whatever you call it the whole. Ah. Because he was like sumo.

[Eddie]

Exactly. That's him. That's him.

[Bobby Bones]

Would he like pull the punch? Like, do you. When you do that and you're that big, can you pull that punch a little bit?

[Eddie]

His athletic ability was second to none. You know, Roman reigns, Rikishi, the Usos. It's all rocks. A part of that family. But to me, Yoko's athletic ability was. He was incredible because he knew how to take care of you. But his. He looks so vicious.

[Bobby Bones]

Oh yeah.

[Eddie]

I mean, he was great.

[Bobby Bones]

It's huge.

[Eddie]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

There are four people. And before I no do whatever, I would do this. I want to go to dinner sometimes and just like talk in real life.

[Eddie]

I would love to.

[Bobby Bones]

This is like my Favorite thing. Okay, go ahead.

[Eddie]

Owen Hart. I just cannot tell you. And people he was a river and a practical joker and all this, but, man, I was always amazed because growing up in a wrestling family like myself, it's just. We just kind of whack jobs. No, it's just a different upbringing. Owen, same thing. He's one of 10 kids and all that. But, man, you talk about having your head on straight. Owen, to me, is at the top of that list.

[Bobby Bones]

There are, like, four celebrities, and I've been very fortunate in my career to either have interviewed anybody ever wanted to interview or do show or just, like, have relationships. And there's, like, four on my list that I've never been able to get. One of them is the baseball player mark grace, number 17 for the cub. My favorite player growing up. Another one is David Letterman. Like, my hero, right? David Letterman was my hero. I saw somebody from. I'm from the south, but he's from middle America, who looked a little odd. I was an odd kid. I was like, oh, if he can do it. So I have these people in my life that are the white whale, that one of them of the four is a wrestler.

[Eddie]

No way.

[Bobby Bones]

And I can't get them to save my life. And I think, you know, I don't know if you guys are friends or not. Is. What. What is Sting like?

[Eddie]

Oh, wow.

[Bobby Bones]

Dude. I've tried to get. I've been like, let me interview you. I'll come to you. I wrote about him in my first book because of.

[Eddie]

Are you kidding me? No.

[Bobby Bones]

I don't know what Steve or Sting or whatever. Like, he will not acknowledge my existence. And it makes. And it makes me sad.

[Eddie]

Jeff, where's Scuba at? Who knows where I'll work my deal with him. I don't want you to pay me, but he'll pay me.

[Bobby Bones]

Okay, deal.

[Eddie]

No, no, no, I'm kidding. Do you mind if I would.

[Bobby Bones]

I like Sting as a person.

[Eddie]

Absolutely. You would.

[Bobby Bones]

That's my. He's my favorite.

[Eddie]

Would you mind if I put out feelers directly to him or.

[Bobby Bones]

You can do whatever you want. I've tagged him. We've, like, reached out to AEW that the pass.

[Eddie]

And again, I wrote. Did you just say you would go to him?

[Bobby Bones]

Absolutely. I wrote about him in my first book. When I talk about influences that made me want. And Sting was one of them. And so I was like, he's my list of people I've never met that I've been trying so hard to get to.

[Eddie]

Wow.

[Bobby Bones]

And that's what I'd like to tell you.

[Eddie]

Consider it none, but I've got to find out why.

[Bobby Bones]

But what? I like him. You can say maybe I wouldn't like him.

[Eddie]

You would. He's authentic. Really authentic. What a, you know, California kid that, you know, played basketball and then got in the gym. And maybe you don't. So what?

[Bobby Bones]

You didn't ask a question. You asked a question in your head and then answered it before you said the words.

[Eddie]

Maybe he doesn't know the connection between the Jarrett's and Sting.

[Bobby Bones]

Who, me?

[Eddie]

You?

[Bobby Bones]

I do not know that. Okay. Yeah.

[Eddie]

So.

[Bobby Bones]

Do you call him Sting or Steve when you see him? Because we call Lunchbox Lunchbox all the.

[Eddie]

Time when he walks in the door for wrestling.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, Stinger.

[Eddie]

What are we doing tonight?

[Bobby Bones]

Got it on the phone.

[Eddie]

Hey, Steve. Maybe a little both, but, but. So there were four guys called the Power Team that were trained out in California. They were all just in the gym. The way Sting got into it, he went to a show at LA arena and saw Hulkamania and said, yeah, I kind of give this a shot. So there were four guys called Power Team USA that they sent out their feelers to all kind of promoters across the country. That's how you used to do it. Black and white, eight by tens. My dad got the photos and said, holy smokes, these guys look great. Called them, got Jim Helweg on the phone.

[Bobby Bones]

Ultimate Warrior.

[Eddie]

Warrior, yeah, and Sting. Back in those days, they had landlines and Sting picked up the other phone and my dad said, hey, I'd love for you guys to come in, but I can only take two. I can't take all four. And they're both like. And I'm getting this story. It's kind of close, I think they were. But anyway, my dad said, I'll take this one, and I'll take this one. And it was Sting and Warrior. So Thanksgiving Day, 1985, Larry's in Hendersonville, Tennessee. You know, on Thanksgiving days, back in the day, I hear a knock at the door and I could look down over the balcony from second story, look down the front door, open the door, and I was on kind of the landing. My dad opened the door and that's the first time I ever laid eyes. I was a junior in high school and Sting drove cross country and he started wrestling for my dad in 1985.

[Bobby Bones]

That's a really cool story.

[Eddie]

Yeah. And I say all that to say that at tna, Sting, we called in a favor, him and my father, he came and worked for us when we were literally a startup Then he came on later full time when we got up and running. But, yeah, me and him go back to 1985, you know.

[Bobby Bones]

And two final things. The face paint is the greatest thing to conceal age for anybody. When he would come out even still, and he's in black and he's got the paint.

[Eddie]

Number two, spray tan.

[Bobby Bones]

Hey, I can say that, too. For my. When I have to freaking get on TV all the time. That spray tan is a plus. You gotta have it. But yeah, no, the face paint for. Or masks.

[Eddie]

Yep.

[Bobby Bones]

You know, Mysterio, you know, I have a mat. Because you never get older. You know, it's.

[Eddie]

Yes.

[Jason Demers]

What do you like about Sting? Like what? Why do you like him so much?

[Bobby Bones]

Blonde Sting was my introduction. Really?

[Eddie]

Oh.

[Bobby Bones]

Oh, yeah. By far. Blond Sting, back in the day.

[Eddie]

Day.

[Bobby Bones]

So Blonde Sting was like my introduction into wrestling. And then that's kind of when I started to play sports. And so, like, I would wrestle, like, with other dudes. This is weird to say. We would, like, wrestle. And I was like, oh, I can kind of play sports a little bit. And Sting, with my favorite Russell, I would, like, emulate him. Which then kind of gave me confidence to play other sports. So it's kind of that. It's a weird. It's a stupid story.

[Eddie]

I love it.

[Bobby Bones]

It's like a loser story. Like, I was wrestling with other boys and I'm like, I can do. But Sting was, like, the guy I would, like, do as. Because anybody could do the Scorpion Splash or the. The Death Lock, all that. So that's why I love that story. No. Yeah. I'm lame.

[Eddie]

No, he's not.

[Bobby Bones]

I love that. I'm so lame. I'm so lame. Final question. People will ask you to record a video or a picture. Does anyone ever want you to hit them with a real guitar? And you're like, I can't. I'm not gonna hit you with a real guitar really hard.

[Eddie]

I'm asked that more than you can imagine. Yes. And I'm reluctant. I'm not on Cameo, but, yeah. People want me to hit them with guitars or do this or do that. Yeah. I did a thing last summer. A reverend. He's a young preacher for the baby reveal, we put blue and pink. Yes. And I hit somebody over the guitar.

[Bobby Bones]

But it had to be a guitar that was crafted enough to fall apart easily.

[Eddie]

For sure.

[Bobby Bones]

But I'm saying I would imagine idiots would be like, hit me with this guitar, and it's a real one. And that would hurt. I mean, that's like. That's a whole different ball game.

[Eddie]

I was over in London and a guy was, I'm like, I'm not hitting you with that. He says, here's money. I said, I'm not doing that. He said, all right, here's more money. I said, dude, this won't break. It's going to knock you out. Please hit me with it. Okay.

[Bobby Bones]

But I never did follow real Jeff Jarrett on Instagram as I do promote.

[Eddie]

Your podcast My World with Jeff Jarrett drops every Tuesday morning.

[Bobby Bones]

How do you like doing that?

[Eddie]

You know, I told the guy, my partner, Conrad Thompson, no, for about two and a half years. I said, nobody wants to listen to my stories. And he goes, trust me, I'm very excited that I did it. And we've been going about two and a half, three years and record just recorded yesterday. And you know, we, we talk a little bit of current stuff for the first 20, 30 minutes and then we get into a wrestling story, whether it's a pay per view or specific wrestler, a time frame, all kinds of different topics, but it's a blast.

[Bobby Bones]

And then we're going to find out because your next to last match as we're live is tomorrow. So it's going to be yesterday when you're next to last match. But you're having one more match. You're not saying what it is.

[Eddie]

Oh, no, no, no, no. I signed a. I resigned last month, December. And it's. And I'm not going to give you the term of it, but it's more than a year.

[Bobby Bones]

Okay, okay. This has said promoting final match after this. So. Okay.

[Eddie]

No, I'm. What I said last week in Asheville, Bobby was I've signed my final talent contract and won't get into terms and all that kind of stuff, but this is the final one. But as far as signing it, I've made a goal in 2025. I'm going to win AEW Gold. It may happen this month, it may happen in December, but this year, you know, that's a 57 year old man. Winning AEW Gold does not happen. I'm a fan and I'm gonna try to make it happen.

[Bobby Bones]

I really want it to happen.

[Eddie]

I'm gonna really, I really am. I mean, I think it's just crazy enough and it was based off because my wife was like, are you sure you want to resign? And I got five kids and they were like, dad, you gotta hang this up at some point. You know, my oldest is 28 and I'm like, okay. And I've heard this for a Couple years. And I just kind of said, okay, this is the final contract. But I use the old analogy that my father told taught me, that his grandfather taught him, said, hey, if you ever want to climb a tree, don't get under the tree and figure out how you're going to get to the first branch. Get way away from it. Figure out how you're going to climb to the top, and you'll have the most success in life. So if I don't get a gold, I'm still trying to get it. I'm going to have a ton of fun. I don't want to just pick up a check, if that makes sense. I'm going for it all.

[Bobby Bones]

I'm a massive fan. I love when you come by.

[Eddie]

I appreciate you having me on.

[Bobby Bones]

I'll have Scuba give you my cell phone number two. You live here. I follow you. We should be friends. Because I. I would love to. I would just.

[Eddie]

And believe me, I am going to work. I am. If you knew how this guy was and when you said that, I'm like, what?

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, I will fly if he. I will fly to him. We will set up. I've tried so many times, and I don't want to put the burden on you to do that. I just. Because some people be like, I don't know if you guys will get a lot of love.

[Eddie]

He would love you.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, tell him that.

[Eddie]

No, he would. Because, look, he's. He's been around and dealt with. We won't leave names, but, you know, clickbaiters. Yeah. And Sting has a storied career, but what can. Will he knock Hogan? Will he knock a B and C D wrestler? And Sting is just. He's not. I mean, in real life, but obviously in professional life. But in real life, he ain't about that at all. He is.

[Bobby Bones]

Because I ain't either. I ain't about that either. I get my opinions, but. Well, Jeff, thank you, man. And no, thank you. I like to hang out with you in real life someday. And I don't ever say that to anybody, but I think. I think he doesn't say that to anybody. No, never.

[Jason Demers]

Nobody I don't like.

[Eddie]

Hey, you know what? I heard that he does something with baseballs.

[Bobby Bones]

Oh, yeah? Did you sign a ball for us?

[Eddie]

No, but since me and you spoke last time, I'm involved in Woodbat. It's minor league baseball. It's a college kid. So I'm a part of ownership group up in Springfield, Illinois.

[Bobby Bones]

Of what team? Of what?

[Eddie]

Springfield. Lucky horseshoes is the name of the team, it's a Woodbat league. And then we just acquired our second club over in Quincy, Illinois. But in. In the baseball world, so when the folks out there said, hey, you got to sign a baseball instead. Right on. That's new.

[Bobby Bones]

Since I was last time entrepreneur.

[Eddie]

Have I told you? No, I just told the story out there. You don't remember the gift? Y'all kick lunchbox out that way.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, you filled in with us. It was awesome. Yeah.

[Eddie]

Okay. So in my office at home, I've got.

[Bobby Bones]

I remember giving. Yes, I remember.

[Eddie]

What'd you give me? Do you remember?

[Bobby Bones]

It was goofy. It was like, okay, yeah.

[Eddie]

What a conversation base. So I'd tell it. Are we over time?

[Bobby Bones]

You're way over time. I would say for two hours with you, I don't want to keep you. So tell the story, but real quick.

[Eddie]

So I've got belts and all kind of memorabilia of Jeff. I got a Jeff Hardy painting and a couple of different things. But overall, one of my guitars, I have the action figure and it's signed. He signed it for me. You don't remember this?

[Jason Demers]

I don't remember it, no.

[Eddie]

Okay. But in 2018, I'd just done the hall of Fame and I'd gone back and done a one off, but there was a guy named Elias, a wrestler Elias. And you signed the figure. And so people will come in the office, I have a business meeting, and they'll look around and that's cool, Jeff. And look at that collector guy. And then they'll look at me and go, what's the deal with Elias? Figure is the most brain. My man, Bobby Bones.

[Bobby Bones]

I found it last minute. It was the whole thing.

[Eddie]

You on social present this entrepreneurship is second to none.

[Bobby Bones]

Well, thank you for coming in. I hope we didn't keep you too long. Let's get them. Let's get the belt. Get the. Get the belt. Bring it in.

[Eddie]

Oh, that's my bucket list.

[Bobby Bones]

Get the belt, bring it in.

[Jason Demers]

That's cool.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. And Sting, you're the man, Jeff. You are the man.

[Eddie]

No, no, I'm working on Stinger.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. You guys follow. Go listen to Jeff podcast. We'll put it in the show notes for you guys to go and search for it and love that you're here and hope to see you again soon, Jeff.

[Eddie]

Appreciate it, man. Really do.

[Bobby Bones]

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[Eddie]

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[Bobby Bones]

In Ontario, bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG Co Audio.

[Adnan Virk]

What's up, everybody? Adnan Burke here to tell you about a new podcast from iHeart podcast and the National Hockey League. It's NHL Unscripted with Virkin Demers.

[Jason Demers]

Hey, I'm Jason Demers, former 700 game NHL defenseman turned NHL Network analyst. And boy, oh boy, does Daddy have.

[Eddie]

A lot to say.

[Adnan Virk]

I love you, by the way, on NHL Network. We're looking forward to getting together each week to chat and chirp about the sport and all the other things surrounding it that we love. Right?

[Jason Demers]

Yeah, I just met you today, but we're going to have a ton of guests from the colliding worlds of hockey, entertainment and pop culture. And you know what, tons of back and forth on all things NHL.

[Adnan Virk]

Yeah, you're soon going to find out we're not not just hockey talk. We're into all kinds of random stuff on this podcast. Movies, television, food, wrestling, even the stuff that you wear on NHL.

[Jason Demers]

Now you wish you could pull off my short shorts, Virkie.

[Adnan Virk]

That's sure to cause a ruckus. Listen to NHL Unscripted with Virk and Demers, the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Bobby Bones]

I announced this week I signed a deal with the NFL and the first two episodes are out. It's called Lots to say With Bobby Bones and Matt Castle. Matt Castle played for Kevin's team, the Patriots.

[Casey]

Yep, yep.

[Bobby Bones]

He got famous because he had to fill in for Brady the whole season. One or 13 games, I think. Didn't make playoffs.

[Casey]

Yeah. And the crazy part is 15 years, whatever it is later, he's probably the best quarterback we've had Besides Brady.

[Bobby Bones]

That's crazy.

[Jason Demers]

Wow.

[Casey]

What do you think about that?

[Eddie]

Yeah.

[Reed]

11 and 5, right?

[Bobby Bones]

Whoever he was. Yeah.

[Eddie]

That's awesome.

[Bobby Bones]

Did he win 11 games or start?

[Reed]

Yeah, I think because they didn't make the playoffs. That was like the thing.

[Casey]

The Dolphins.

[Reed]

The Dolphins.

[Bobby Bones]

And that made him famous because it wasn't his play, although he did play pretty well. But that he was the one that had to go on for Tom Brady game one of that season after the.

[Casey]

Undefeated season the year after.

[Bobby Bones]

Well, almost undefeated. Yeah. Didn't go totally.

[Jason Demers]

There was that game. Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

You didn't go totally. Yeah, I don't remember that one. So it's Matt and myself and we've had a couple great guests. We had Kurt Warner on Hall of Fame, quarterback, wasn't drafted. I think I forget that sometimes.

[Reed]

He seems like a cool guy too.

[Bobby Bones]

He was awesome. I mean, they made a movie about him.

[Casey]

That's when you know you're big time American Underdog.

[Bobby Bones]

So it's called. I watched it, thought it was a little corny, a little Hollywood. I don't mind Hollywood. A little Lifetime esque. That's what it was.

[Casey]

Hallmark ish.

[Bobby Bones]

I did like it, but I. It was. That movie wasn't made for. It wasn't like Friday Night Lights for the hardcore football.

[Reed]

Any given Sunday.

[Bobby Bones]

Yes. It was made for somebody who doesn't spend every Sunday dedicated and dialed in. And I think it was a great movie for who it was made for. When you're a hardcore sports fan and you're like, well, that didn't really happen. That never happens like that. But that's only if somebody's watching sports all the time. So when I say corny, like to me, us, we'd have been like, that doesn't quite happen. Biopics with music does this all the time too. Like the Queen. One little corny movie was good. But you're like, they didn't quite happen like that. And for timing reasons, they had to get famous real quick. But it is. My wife really liked it. It's a good movie.

[Casey]

Really?

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. Check it out. And so we were talking about playoffs and for me it was the Lions offensive coordinator. He's going to be a head coach. And it's got to be weird to know you got to put a staff together right now as you're also trying to win an NFL title. So we talked about that and what type of mentality routine he had going to the playoff. So here he is. This is us. It's five minutes of us talking with Kurt Warner. Let's Talk about the human nature part of this. Like a Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator with the Lions who's, you know, didn't head coach last year. He said, I want to stay. I believe in the offense. I'm going to stay with Detroit. Great decision. He's killing it. He's going to have whatever job, probably he wants. However, these jobs are open right now. They're interviewing right now. He's not interviewing because he's. But still, you're a human, and it's like, that's got to be on your mind as well as you enter. And I looked a few minutes ago. The Lions are favored to win the Super Bowl. They're the number one team right now as far as, like, the odds. Like, that's the human part of. That's got to be difficult for somebody, right?

[Tim McGraw]

I would. I would think so. Like, I. I don't really know, you know, especially when, you know, you are. We use Ben Johnson as that example is like, you've never been a head coach, so this is, like, your moment, your opportunity. You got to be ready for these interviews. You've got to be thinking, like, okay, if the season's over and I get one of these jobs, like, who's going to be on my staff? Who am I going to take? Like, yeah. And then all of that, while whatever your normal schedule is to prepare and create and. And build a game plan, I mean, yeah, I don't know. I don't know how you balance it. I mean, you know, we always said as players, too, like, you know, family was kind of that other side of it. So we talked about Ben Johnson, like, head coaching spot and his current. Like, for us, it was. Or for me, it was the family. Like, okay, so this is the amount of time I'm going to spend, you know, preparing for football, and then I need to shut that off and try to, you know, be a dad or a husband or. Or focus on family over here. And it was really hard to do. You know, it was hard to, you know, for those things not to get all mixed together. And me thinking about football when I should be at home or me thinking about, you know, family and something that was going on when I should be at football and. And balancing that out. So I would have to think that would be a huge. I mean, I don't think you can, you know, if. If somebody's calling me today and going to do a, you know, head coaching interview. Interview with me today while we're getting ready for a playoff game a week and a half from now. Yeah. I mean, I think you're fully focused on, okay, how do I get this head coaching job? You know, what do I need to do and how do I have everything in place? And your current team has to take a little bit of a backseat in that regard. So figuring out that balance, I think, has to be key. But I think you're 100% right. Human nature is going to say, okay, I'm going to lean towards, you know, I'm going to have to lean into both of them and probably take some. Some time away from, you know, the current task at hand for the future task at hand.

[Matt Castle]

Kurt, you played in a lot of these playoff games, and we are having this discussion before, but he. Bobby was asking me, how does it change going into playoffs? Like, your mentality, and you know that the intensity goes up tenfold. But were you one of those players that had a specific routine and tried to stick to that routine, not make it bigger than it was? Were you also one of those quarterbacks? Look, I hated that feeling I used to get before the game. I always got those knots in my stomach. Oh, would overanalyze, do all those. But once you got out on the field, you get hit for the first time and you start to process and you go, hey, this is just football. I got to be reactionary, rely on my preparation, what I need to do. But what type of mentality do you have going into these type of weeks?

[Tim McGraw]

Yeah, playoffs was different. And so I was one of those guys that was really good at focusing. And so my kids still joke to this day, like, you know, even if I'm. If I'm sending you a text, Matt and my kids are in the room with me, and they're like, dad, dad, Dad. I don't hear them because, like, I'm focused on what I'm trying to say to you in the text, and I just tune out all the other noise. And they're like, dad, we're trying to get your attention. Like, all you're doing is texting. But I had an uncanny ability to focus, which obviously a lot of guys at our level, and especially playing quarterback with 70,000 people, have that ability to focus. But during the normal week, it would come about 3:30, 4:00 on a Saturday afternoon, and my wife would be like, all right, he's in the zone. Go to the hotel, go to your room. No reason for you to be around anymore because you're a different guy. When I got into the playoffs, it was always like, I had to tell my wife, okay, honey, I know in the past, you've given me 24 hours, 48 hours. Now I need four weeks. Like, I'm not going to be a good dad. I'm not going to be a good husband. I am locking in for the next four weeks, and it's going to be all football, and it's all focused on trying to win a championship, and then we can celebrate and go on trips and do that afterwards. But it was. It was really that kind of change for me, Matt, where it was like, I could never get it off my mind, and I didn't really want to. Like, I didn't want to separate it at that point. Like, I knew it was all about the regular season's great, but the regular season was just setting me up to have a chance to win it all. So once we got into the playoffs, that was it. Like, everything else is gone. Everything else is pushed out. I'm sorry, but this is my focus. And, you know, and just like we were talking about the split focus and bounce, I wasn't even looking to balance anymore. My mindset was, okay, we're playing Sunday. I am not taking a minute off in terms of my preparation, so I can be the best that I can be on Sunday. And, you know, obviously, my mindset was, I want to do it for four weeks because it's going to end up by us being in the super bowl and hopefully winning it.

[Bobby Bones]

So thanks to Kurt. Listen to the full interview and the full episode. It's called Lots to say. And then the second episode, we had Tim McGraw. Big sports fan, cool guy. Matt told a story about seeing Tim McGraw work out in the weight room when Matt was with the Chiefs. He walks in and McGraw's in there.

[Jason Demers]

Really?

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. We talked some LSU and how they feed Tim scores while he's doing a show. Here's a few minutes of Tim McGraw with myself and Matt Castle on our podcast, Lots to say.

[Matt Castle]

I've actually been to one of your concerts. I was in Kansas City, and I remember I was down in the facility one day, and it's before the day of the concert, and I walked down. I think it might have been a Saturday or something like that. And you're in the weight room getting after it. I mean. And so I. I walk in, I just see this guy, and he's ripped up. He's got his cutoff shirt. I think you were wearing a bandana on your head. And I asked my strength and conditioning coach, I said, hey, Coach, who is that? He's like, dude, that's Tim McGraw. He's getting after it. I was like, I can see that. I mean, is that something that you do on tour? Is that something that. Because I know obviously you're always in shape every time I've ever seen you, but is it something you go around and anytime you can get a workout in, you do?

[J]

Yeah, it's part of the routine every day. And most of the band guys do. It's just part of our everyday routine. And it's been that way for, gosh, 15 years now. We don't feel the same if we don't get a workout in during the day. And we have a gym that travels with us, and it looks like a prison yard out by our bus. We have ropes and chains and tires and everything outside the bus. And so we get in two or three workouts a day when we're on the road.

[Bobby Bones]

All right, let's get it. Let's get this.

[J]

And it keeps us out of trouble. Put it for a lot of reasons.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, yeah. Phil's time and you're on the road. There's a lot of freaking time. Okay, we're going to get personal here and see how you feel about this. Last season, lsu, Brian Kelly.

[Jason Demers]

I don't know.

[Bobby Bones]

A lot of people have a lot of stuff to say. Tim, what do you got to say?

[J]

I don't know, man. Look, that's just such a tough gig anymore to coach college players, I think. But with all the new money coming in and these guys don't want to listen. I don't want to put anybody down. I'm not trying to say that college players don't listen because I don't know them that well. But I can imagine trying to be a college coach where you used to have a complete control and everybody doing exactly what you say and when you say to do it, how you say to do it. And then you got these guys now that are. Not that I'm against them being able to eat and make. It's not that I'm for or against any of that stuff. It just seems like it makes the job of coaching tougher in that environment, because it's tough enough in the NFL when you're dealing with grown men with careers and making business decisions every day about their career and how long they're going to be around and the things they're going to do and what's good for them, what's good for their body, what's good for the team, that calculus and that alchemy, that all comes into effect. I just think that it makes it really tough to coach college, college football these days. And it takes a really strong personality to go in there and do that. Brian Kelly's a great coach now. Who knows if his style is going to work with a team like LSU or not.

[Matt Castle]

It is wild. I wouldn't want to be a coach right now in college football. With the nil, the transfer portal, you have to recruit people. You go in, I mean in the transfer portal to recruit more guys to come in. But in addition to that, you got to recruit your own players. Every single year these guys come in and say, hey coach, look, if you want me for the bowl game, I'm going to, I'm going to need another 200 grand. You know, like that's, that's the nature of the beast now, right?

[J]

And how do you do that as a coach and how do you, how do you do that as a coach and how do you do as an organization and a coach, coaching organization and still be able to layer your game plan down, put these guys in a position to win, put these guys in the right mindset to win, make these guys play as a team. It's just tough all the way around. And look there, it's. People are going to evolve with it. Coaches are going to evolve with it. Coaches are going to learn how to do it in a different way, I'm sure. But there is a curve that's going on right now.

[Bobby Bones]

I don't want to reveal the great mighty eyes. So if it's the secret that, that you don't feel like sharing, I'll start. If I'm doing a stand up show at a theater or even in my television contracts, if Arkansas is playing football and I am working or if it's a night game, I'll have a small screen on a monitor. I will have. And because I can't watch a game recorded, it doesn't exist. A recorded game I cannot go to afterward because I can't. It's on my phone everywhere. So I will have a monitor at all times so I can watch the game. If there is a big LSU game, Tim, and you are on stage, how are you getting information fed to you?

[J]

Through my ears, through my inner monitors. My, my guy Heath on the sides always telling me the score and he also used to do that when my kids were in high school and one of my daughters was a cheerleader. So we went to all the high school games and we were really invested in Emsworth High School football. So we tailgated it all stuff. So when I was, when I happened to be on stage and there was a game going on. I was getting fed scores right in the middle of songs. So if I dropped the word now, man, it's because I was pissed about the score. Happy about the score.

[Matt Castle]

Do you have an NFL team as well? I mean, obviously your ties to Nashville, maybe the Titans, but I don't know. I mean, who's your NFL team?

[J]

I root for the Titans, of course, because of being in Nashville. And I root for the Eagles because I have two brothers that live in Philly. And of course my dad played ball in Philly and spent a lot of time there and I grew up in Louisiana, so I'm still a Saints fan at heart as well.

[Bobby Bones]

This will always be my baby. This one right here.

[Jason Demers]

Oh, 25 whistles.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, this is it.

[Jason Demers]

But I bet it's pretty cool to say you signed a. Sign a deal with NFL.

[Bobby Bones]

That's my favorite thing to say actually, ever. It's my favorite thing to say.

[Jason Demers]

It's pretty cool, dude. I would be telling everyone signed deal with the NFL and then leave it like that.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. Walk away doing what? Don't worry about. What do you think?

[Casey]

I'll let you guys think.

[Bobby Bones]

Why do people. Why? Why do people sign with the NFL? You tell me. That's right. So, yeah, check out lots to say if you don't mind. And yeah, pretty cool. Okay, before we go, who's the upset? Give me the upset that wins, even if you don't believe one. Really? Will you have to pick an upset to win?

[Reed]

We're talking both sports, college and NFL. I won't do college, just NFL. Right.

[Bobby Bones]

You know what, give me an upset.

[Reed]

And anything in general.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, don't do. You can't do the game last night though.

[Reed]

Right?

[Jason Demers]

Right.

[Bobby Bones]

Or that's cheating because they both won and lost. That is Schrodinger's cat. Okay, cool.

[Casey]

I'm gonna go Texans.

[Eddie]

Yeah.

[Reed]

I mean, I'm gonna go Steelers just because I feel like, I don't know, everyone's been talking down on them. I feel like they could, they could rise up.

[Jason Demers]

Is that an upset?

[Bobby Bones]

Nine. They're a nine point dog.

[Reed]

They're probably upset.

[Jason Demers]

Oh, okay. So they win it. Okay.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah, yeah. So you're saying Texans beat the Chargers?

[Casey]

Yeah, I think that's pretty much a coin flip. You don't really know. I mean, the Texans aren't playing very well right now, but they're still at home and they could beat the Chargers.

[Bobby Bones]

And they always play at 3:30 on Saturday anytime they make the playoffs.

[Casey]

Is that crazy?

[Bobby Bones]

It's like 2011 Wildcard vs Bengals Saturday 3:30. Wildcard vs Bengals 2012 Saturday 3:30, 2015 Wildcard vs Chiefs Saturday 3:30. Wildcard Vs Raiders Saturday 3:30, 2016, 2018 Wildcard vs Colts Saturday 3:30, 2019 Wildcard vs Bill Saturday 330, 2023 Wildcard vs Brown Saturday 3:30, 2024. Wildcard vs Chargers Saturday 3:30.

[Jason Demers]

Wow.

[Reed]

Shout out Houston.

[Bobby Bones]

The NFL has no respect for the Houston television.

[Jason Demers]

Did you find that like yourself or did you see that somewhere?

[Bobby Bones]

Mike? Kevin had given me. I knew they had played a bunch of 330 games, but Kevin gave me the whole list all the way through. Oh, that's crazy, Eddie.

[Jason Demers]

Man, I feel bad even thinking this because I'm going against our parlay, but I feel like the packers could probably beat the Eagles.

[Reed]

They did it last year.

[Jason Demers]

I think that's one. And can I do another one?

[Bobby Bones]

Well, you get one.

[Jason Demers]

Okay, Packers.

[Bobby Bones]

That's the one.

[Jason Demers]

That's the one.

[Bobby Bones]

I'm gonna go with Texas to beat Ohio State.

[Reed]

I see what you're doing now.

[Bobby Bones]

I see I'm taking Texas. They're for sure gonna win. When yours is, dude, yours is going.

[Jason Demers]

Casey catches on quick.

[Bobby Bones]

They're only a six point dog. They got the athletes. Yeah. You know Ohio State's gonna see those guys come out of the tunnel and be like that burnt orange. Looks tough.

[Jason Demers]

They're like, we're playing them.

[Bobby Bones]

Oh. Oh. Exactly. Oh. So my underdog to absolutely win. I'd bet at all Texas.

[Jason Demers]

Wow.

[Casey]

Man at the house.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. Let's go.

[Jason Demers]

There's no way that's gonna happen.

[Bobby Bones]

Trust me. Let's go, Horns. Spelled W H O R N E. What's up?

[Jason Demers]

Nothing. Nailed it.

[Bobby Bones]

Let's go, Horns. Did you have one you wanted to do? You don't have to because I know you probably don't even know who's underdog and who's not. Yeah.

[Kevin]

How about Commanders?

[Jason Demers]

That's good. That was my second one.

[Reed]

All right.

[Kevin]

Yeah. That's why it was a small. I think it was like, what plus three were they? Plus three?

[Jason Demers]

He looks at the screen.

[Reed]

Yeah, Tampa's minus three right now.

[Kevin]

Plus three.

[Bobby Bones]

Did everybody pick one?

[Eddie]

Yeah, I did.

[Reed]

Steelers.

[Bobby Bones]

Hey. Okay, before we go, this would be the in conclusion part of the show, Hot take revisit from the preseason when we first started this show. Oh, cool.

[Jason Demers]

I love these hot take.

[Bobby Bones]

I've got hot takes from all four. Casey, Eddie, Kevin and myself. These are things when it was like, hey, make your hot take before we start. We'll start with Casey Yeah.

[Reed]

Not good.

[Bobby Bones]

He says there will only be one team from the NFC north to make the playoffs. Three of the four made the playoffs.

[Reed]

That backfired.

[Jason Demers]

They're.

[Bobby Bones]

We didn't expect the Vikings to be awesome, to be fair.

[Casey]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

Although we did think the Bears would be better. Yeah, right.

[Reed]

I thought the packers would not be as good, but.

[Bobby Bones]

So who did you think the one team would be? The Lions.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

Okay. So, Casey, swing and a miss. Big swing and a miss, Kevin. The Chargers win the division and Jim Harbaugh wins Coach of the Year. Not a huge miss. They didn't win the division. He probably won't win Coach of the Year, but he'll be top three or four.

[Casey]

Yeah, they had a good year. They made the playoffs.

[Bobby Bones]

I agree.

[Casey]

If the Chiefs weren't in that division, maybe it's a different story.

[Reed]

Right?

[Jason Demers]

Good job, dude.

[Bobby Bones]

So, again, he will not win Coach of the Year, but it's not like he's.

[Eddie]

For.

[Bobby Bones]

He sucked.

[Casey]

Right?

[Bobby Bones]

So I would. Casey, I give you a D. Yeah, that's.

[Eddie]

That's fair.

[Bobby Bones]

Kevin, I give you a B minus. Oh, you still made the honor roll there.

[Casey]

All right, all right.

[Bobby Bones]

I haven't even looked at mine yet. I don't know what mine is yet because I'm like, you guys. I haven't looked at mine yet.

[Jason Demers]

I'm trying to think what I say, Eddie.

[Bobby Bones]

Dude, yours is hilarious. What did I say?

[Jason Demers]

I was looking so wrong.

[Reed]

Cowboys.

[Bobby Bones]

No, Eddie's. No, Eddie's. Hot take was he believed a certain player was going to have one of the best years of his career. And the player on this team will lead this team to win the division and the conference. Any idea? Aaron Rodgers. You thought that Aaron Rodgers will have, if not the best year of his career, one of the best years of his career. And the jets will win not only their division, but the afc.

[Kevin]

Oh, wow.

[Bobby Bones]

Really?

[Jason Demers]

Just give me the F. Just give me the F. Appreciate the optimism.

[Bobby Bones]

That's an F. Mine is C.J. stroud. I said C.J. stroud's mediocre. This season, they'll win nine or 10 games.

[Reed]

Wow.

[Bobby Bones]

They finished 10. Seven. And Shroud's.

[Jason Demers]

He was mediocre.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. Last year he had 4,000 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, five interceptions as a rookie. This year, 3,600 passing yards. A little less. Four less touchdowns and seven more interceptions. Give me a B plus.

[Jason Demers]

Oh, man. That's really good, huh? I mean, he was a terrible fantasy quarterback, too.

[Reed]

Yeah.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. Terrible.

[Casey]

And he had, like, two games where you're like, oh, he's back No, I.

[Jason Demers]

Don'T even know we had those.

[Bobby Bones]

So. I made the honor roll, Kevin.

[Jason Demers]

Now you win for sure.

[Bobby Bones]

I'm trying to win. We just walked the honor. We get the court.

[Casey]

Yeah.

[Jason Demers]

Oh, that's cool.

[Bobby Bones]

We just want the cord on our graduation. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You didn't get to come again?

[Jason Demers]

You didn't get invited. I'm at my apartment.

[Bobby Bones]

With a little extra credit, maybe we can get you through this. If you want to watch the show on YouTube, read. What do they do?

[Kevin]

Go to Obbybones Sports on YouTube. You can search Bobby Bonesports or go to YouTube.com.

[Bobby Bones]

Bobby Bones Sports will give you money if they follow. And why is it important? Just for you personally.

[Kevin]

For me personally? Well, it allows me to keep my job.

[Bobby Bones]

That's correct, ladies and gentlemen.

[Jason Demers]

That's very important.

[Kevin]

My job once I leave. And so I don't. I don't, you know, live out on the street, even as a married man. So.

[Bobby Bones]

Cuz Read is moving, and he's hoping to keep part of his job, which is running the socials. And that's not gonna happen if there's not a following that's built.

[Eddie]

Oh.

[Bobby Bones]

So after I gave him, like, eight months to build something.

[Jason Demers]

Got it.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. So, guys, he's asking if you fall. Even if you don't want to watch the video, he's just asking you to follow. Nothing wrong with that, right?

[Jason Demers]

No, it's fair.

[Bobby Bones]

Yeah. Just. Just go follow at Bobby bowensports. Thank you, guys. Thanks to Jeff Jarrett. And there's no news on the super bowl yet, meaning we only have four tickets. We're not going to have five. But I haven't. Yeah.

[Casey]

What? No idea on the game yet.

[Bobby Bones]

I don't know who's playing.

[Jason Demers]

No one knows who's playing.

[Bobby Bones]

Kevin, they have to do a tournament first.

[Casey]

I'm talking about us now.

[Bobby Bones]

What happens is they've been seeded.

[Jason Demers]

Yes. They have to play each other.

[Bobby Bones]

And the one seeds are not playing this week. The Lions and the Chiefs and the rest start this week and they'll play in. The winner moves on. So anybody that loses a while since.

[Reed]

The Patriots have been in, they will.

[Bobby Bones]

Not be in the super bowl if they lose this. But anybody that wins this weekend, you have a chance to see at the game.

[Jason Demers]

But, Kevin.

[Bobby Bones]

Don't worry.

[Jason Demers]

Don't worry. This whole process is fun to watch.

[Bobby Bones]

It is fun. So just hang in there.

[Casey]

Okay?

[Bobby Bones]

We don't know about the game yet. Okay. Just have faith that there will be two teams at the end.

[Jason Demers]

Yes.

[Casey]

All right. Good to know.

[Bobby Bones]

Okay. Good buddy. All right, that's it. Thank you, guys. Eddie, blow the whistle.

[Jason Demers]

Here we go.

[Bobby Bones]

We'll see you guys Monday next week. Bye, everybody. Theme song written by Bobby Lynn Bones. That's me. And performed by Brandon Ray. Follow Brandon on socials at Brandon Ray Music. You can follow the show on Instagram @bobbybonesports. Thanks to our crew, co host producer Eddie, segment producer at KickOffKevin, video producer at Reed Yarberry, and executive producer at Mike Diestro. But most importantly, thank you for listening. I'm Bobby Bones. We'll talk to you next time here on 25 with whistles.

[Adnan Virk]

What's up, everybody? Adnan Burke here to tell you about a new podcast. It's NHL Unscripted with Virgin Demers.

[Jason Demers]

Jason Demers here. And after playing 700 NHL games, I got a lot of dirty laundry to air out.

[Adnan Virk]

Hey, I got a lot to say here, too, okay? Each week we'll get together to chat about the sport that we love.

[Jason Demers]

Tons of guests are going to join in, too. But we're not just going to be talking hockey, folks. We're talking movies, we're talking tv, food, and Adnan's favorite wrestling. It's all on le table.

[Adnan Virk]

Listen to NHL Unscripted with Virk and Demers in the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.