Hour 1: Biopic or Bi-opic

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Episode: Hour 1: Biopic or Bi-opic
Release Date: August 11, 2025

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1. Introduction to the Social Network Sequel (00:31 – 03:55)

The hosts kick off the episode by delving into the news of a sequel to the acclaimed film The Social Network. Jon Weiner brings up the development of "A Social Network Part Two," questioning the absence of Jesse Eisenberg, who played Mark Zuckerberg in the original.

Notable Quotes:

• Jon Weiner (01:33): "So they're coming out with A Social Network Part two."
• Dan LeBatard (02:10): "It's in development. I don't know if David Fincher is attached to it. Did a great job."

2. Casting Concerns and Aaron Sorkin’s Involvement (03:09 – 05:18)

The conversation shifts to the potential casting of Jeremy Strong as Zuckerberg, replacing Eisenberg. The hosts express curiosity about how his portrayal might differ, especially under Aaron Sorkin's scriptwriting, though it remains unclear if Sorkin is involved.

Notable Quotes:

• Jon Weiner (04:32): "Jeremy Strong attached to this. I would love to see his interpretation of Zuckerberg in this whole new post Truth world."
• Dan LeBatard (05:10): "Yeah. You don't think he overdoes it a little bit?"

3. The Sequel Debate in Hollywood (05:22 – 10:20)

Chris Cody voices his fatigue with movie sequels, arguing that few surpass their originals, citing only The Godfather Part II. The hosts counter by mentioning Terminator 2 and The Dark Knight as examples of successful sequels, sparking a lively debate on the value of original content versus extended narratives.

Notable Quotes:

• Chris Cody (06:05): "Enough with the sequels. Have a new idea."
• Jon Weiner (06:32): "Okay, that's not true."
• Dan LeBatard (10:16): "Biopic. Biopic. Actually biopic."

4. WWE’s Landmark ESPN Rights Deal (10:26 – 12:24)

The hosts break down the recent $1.2 billion, five-year rights deal between WWE and ESPN. They analyze its significance in aligning WWE with other major sports properties, discussing its implications on television ratings and the perception of wrestling as both entertainment and sport.

Notable Quotes:

• Jon Weiner (10:26): "So last week you had big news with WWE signing their rights deal with ESPN..."
• Dan LeBatard (11:35): "TV rights deals. It's, it's athletic, it's not a sport. No, no one's making that argument."

5. UFC’s Paramount Deal and Shift from Pay-Per-View (12:24 – 26:10)

Jon Weiner introduces the substantial $7.7 billion, seven-year deal between UFC and Paramount, marking a significant shift from the traditional pay-per-view model to inclusion within Paramount+. The discussion highlights the potential benefits for consumers, such as increased accessibility and possibly lower costs, while also pondering future pricing strategies.

Notable Quotes:

• Jon Weiner (12:24): "And so UFC has signed with Paramount. It is a seven year, seven, some odd 7.7, $7.7 billion deal."
• Dan LeBatard (13:00): "Clearly, this makes these events more accessible and not something that someone has to pay per event for."

6. Consumer Impact and Streaming Models (26:10 – 28:10)

The group explores how these large streaming deals affect consumers, debating subscription pricing and the convenience of having multiple sports integrated into single platforms. Concerns about potential price hikes and the clarity of streaming service offerings are raised.

Notable Quotes:

• Billy Gil (26:10): "That's why I've been watching these second rate tennis matches this whole time."
• Dan LeBatard (27:55): "It's awesome. Yeah. Now if Tennis channel was a standalone thing, I'd much like."

7. Movie Preferences and Discussions on Prime Films (28:10 – 36:10)

The conversation shifts to personal movie preferences, juxtaposing appreciation for art films against mainstream blockbusters like Fast and Furious. The hosts share their viewing habits on platforms like Amazon Prime, highlighting differing tastes and the impact of streaming services on movie consumption.

Notable Quotes:

• Chris Whittingham (34:00): "I watch a movie and I move on with my life."
• Jon Weiner (35:16): "What’s a cookie? I mean, what's the problem with a cookie?"

8. WWE’s 'Unreal' Series on Netflix (36:10 – 44:45)

Amin Elhassan brings up WWE's behind-the-scenes series Unreal on Netflix, sparking a discussion about the authenticity and impact of such shows on the perception of wrestling. The hosts debate whether revealing creative processes enhances or detracts from the entertainment value, considering the fan base and the constructed nature of wrestling storylines.

Notable Quotes:

• Amin Elhassan (38:34): "I have and I love it because I love the behind the scenes of this type of thing."
• Dan LeBatard (42:23): "I do think that they provide insight. But I do think for some of the larger storylines that they have going, this is just another device for them to set their audience up."

9. Lighthearted Banter and Miscellaneous Topics (44:45 – 45:37)

The episode concludes with humorous exchanges about personal habits, technology mishaps, and light critiques of celebrity appearances. The hosts maintain a casual and entertaining rapport, wrapping up their discussions with laughter and camaraderie.

Notable Quotes:

• Jon Weiner (44:59): "Cena was very quick to say, hey, you deal him, I play them."
• Dan LeBatard (45:12): "That's the right move."

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Conclusion

In this hour-long episode, Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and the team navigate through a range of topics from Hollywood biopics and the prevalence of sequels to significant sports media deals involving WWE and UFC. They offer insightful analysis on the evolving landscape of sports entertainment and streaming services, interspersed with personal anecdotes and lively debates. Notably, the discussion highlights the balance between maintaining entertainment value and adapting to changing consumer preferences in the digital age.

Transcript

[Dan LeBatard]

Are you feeling more fulfilled now that.

[Jon Weiner]

You'Re back to work this Friday?

[Dan LeBatard]

No, I need a vacation.

[Chris Cody]

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

[Dan LeBatard]

You're right about that.

[Greg Cody]

They're coming after our family.

[Dan LeBatard]

Go fix this.

[Billy Gil]

Oh my.

[Chris Cody]

Nobody 2.

[Jon Weiner]

Rated R. Only in theaters Friday.

[Mike Ryan]

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[Dan LeBatard]

This is the Dan Levator show with.

[Chris Whittingham]

The Stu Guts podcast.

[Jon Weiner]

So I saw the other day, I think Mike Ryan brought this up. How a social Network to. You know the Facebook movie Social Network to a. I don't know why I'm looking at you on a movie.

[Dan LeBatard]

I've heard of it.

[Jon Weiner]

Okay. You've heard of Facebook.

[Chris Cody]

I've heard of Social Network.

[Jon Weiner]

Okay, so the Social Network which starred Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg. Aaron Sorkin wrote it. Aaron Sorkin, I love his movies and he used to write TV too.

[Billy Gil]

Great writer to bring it back to sports real quick. Jesse Eisenberg, cousin of Jamie Eisenberg, fantasy football expert on CBS Sports.

[Jon Weiner]

That's right. That's right. So they're coming out with A Social Network Part two.

[Dan LeBatard]

It's in development. I don't know if David Fincher is attached to it. Did a great job. That was, as you mentioned, certainly in contention for one of the best opening scenes.

[Jon Weiner]

What was the opening scene again?

[Amin Elhassan]

He's on a date with the lady and it's just really a way you get to know Zuckerberg while just seeing him on a date. Usually opening scene, they like slap you over the face with this is this.

[Chris Cody]

This is.

[Amin Elhassan]

It's just a great way to set up the whole premise for who this guy is. With just him on a date. He's just being a pompous asshole the whole time to her.

[Jon Weiner]

Isn't it Rooney Mara who plays the. The girlfriend that he breaks up with?

[Dan LeBatard]

I believe so. I don't know if she was in the same. The only thing that I really remember about that is they established that Zuckerberg is an a hole but also White Stripes ball and biscuit playing at the bar the entire time. Great track.

[Amin Elhassan]

I love that scene.

[Dan LeBatard]

It's a great scene. But they're. They're talking about developing a social network to more Facebook. Well, before there's a lot of people like, well, that was a great dramatic. You don't. That was a great dramatic film. You don't typically see sequels to popular dramatic films. Why?

[Jon Weiner]

Especially when they're based on true stories.

[Dan LeBatard]

Precisely. Why do unto this? Well, I mean I think Zuckerberg story only got even more interesting after the. The events of the social network one ended. I mean our lives are completely different because of what he created. Totally reshaped American politics. Misinformation. Fascinating stuff there. But apparently Jesse Eisenberg isn't attached to the project.

[Jon Weiner]

Why?

[Dan LeBatard]

Doesn't want to do it. Which would make perfect sense because.

[Jon Weiner]

Doesn't want to do it.

[Dan LeBatard]

Doesn't want to do it.

[Jon Weiner]

Hazen. Now you see me part three.

[Dan LeBatard]

I don't know why.

[Amin Elhassan]

I mean this is actually a movie that's respected.

[Dan LeBatard]

Maybe he doesn't want to just be pigeonholed into just being the guy that played Mark Zuckerberg. I don't think so.

[Chris Whittingham]

I just want to just be a pigeonhole as an asshole character because that's kind of what he does anyways on all his movies.

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, the replacement for him that's being talked about that is attached to the role of Zuckerberg is someone that would probably be pigeonholed into playing in a hole as well. Jeremy Strong.

[Jon Weiner]

Oh, great actor.

[Dan LeBatard]

I would love to see what he does with the role. It's a guy that played Kendall Roy in succession Method actor that is taken very seriously when he's not doing Dunkin donut ads. But Jeremy Strong attached to this. I would love to see his interpretation of Zuckerberg in this whole new post Truth world.

[Jon Weiner]

Has Jeremy Strong ever starred in a movie?

[Dan LeBatard]

You know he didn't get top billing in the Apprentice. That's his movie. Playing Roger. Roger Cohn. Like that was.

[Jon Weiner]

I don't even know what that is.

[Dan LeBatard]

Was it Roger Cohen or am I confusing him? I might be conflating it with Roger Stone, but yeah, the. The attorney that kind of took Donald Trump by the hand and made Donald Trump basically what he is. That. He was phenomenal in that movie.

[Jon Weiner]

He's a great. Is this going to be Aaron Sorkin again? Right.

[Dan LeBatard]

In the script, I think Fincher is attached. I'm not sure if Sorkin is attached to this.

[Jon Weiner]

I'll see anything Aaron Sorkin writes.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah. You don't think he overdoes it a little bit?

[Jon Weiner]

Why? That it's on. The dialogue's unrealistic.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah. Sometimes he just. Yeah, that's the Hallmark, Sorkin.

[Jon Weiner]

That's the Hallmark. I mean, you love the West Wing, right? Nobody talks the way all those Roy Cole do.

[Billy Gil]

You know, you don't get the dizzies when you watch Sorkin because it's so fast. It's just the camera following people in circles type of thing.

[Dan LeBatard]

It's just human beings on circle speak this way.

[Jon Weiner]

Correct.

[Dan LeBatard]

But I mean, yeah, you're watching a movie and you like the way that they speak. I'm with that. But human beings don't speak the way that they speak in Tarantino movies either.

[Jon Weiner]

Correct.

[Dan LeBatard]

And I like it. Only Tarantino speaks that way and you just kind of sign up for a whole. I mean, the guy's just pleasuring himself the entire movie anyways. Not literally, but, you know, go on. I mean, his movies are very self indulging.

[Jon Weiner]

Greg, is Mike Ryan selling you on Social Network poll Part two?

[Chris Cody]

You know what movies? Enough with the sequels. Have a new idea.

[Amin Elhassan]

Haven't heard this take.

[Chris Cody]

Okay, reboot. I'm tired of sequels. It's one of. Honestly, it's one of the many reasons why I'm not a big movie guy. Because, you know, it's, it's. Don't give me a version of what I've already seen.

[Billy Gil]

Tell me a news story.

[Chris Cody]

Thank you.

[Jon Weiner]

Okay, but you're saying that as if there is not a plethora of things films out there for you to choose from. As if the only movies for you to pick are sequels and unoriginal ideas. There are millions.

[Chris Cody]

But. But they haven't. There hasn't been a sequel that was better than the original since Godfather 2.

[Jon Weiner]

Okay, that's not true.

[Chris Cody]

Okay, name one.

[Jon Weiner]

Terminator 2. Way better. I think that Dark Knight.

[Chris Whittingham]

I think they've been having problems in movies like, especially like in digital movies where people only go see sequels. Like Disney hasn't had like original movies in a long. Like they had this movie Elio come out that no one saw. But if you have like the Incredibles 3 come out, people would go Swarm to see it.

[Chris Cody]

Right, I agree. And that's the problem, is that it's easy money.

[Billy Gil]

The problem with your argument on this particular movie, Greg, is that this was based on a true story. Right. And so there's more to the story that continues. It's as if we were to see a documentary on LeBron James career after he was done with the Miami Heat, and then you'd never see another documentary about LeBron James, ever. There's a lot more to that story, just like there's a lot more to the Zuckerberg story after Facebook.

[Chris Cody]

Yeah, but Zuckerberg is famous enough and out front enough where it doesn't anybody who's interested already know the story.

[Billy Gil]

So you know all the details of how he came about to Instagram and how it was maybe an issue in his life or how it, like, blew up and you know all those details?

[Chris Cody]

Well, I remember. I remember seeing and thinking it was.

[Jon Weiner]

Okay, yo, get in front of that microphone.

[Chris Cody]

I think I saw a social network.

[Dan LeBatard]

It's pretty wild that you got in front of the microphone for one second and you were just like, right back in, petered out. This might be a old dog, new tricks type of situation, but I think, like, the behind the scenes lobbying, the. Yeah.

[Jon Weiner]

Didn't he have to go in front of Congress?

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah. Speaking in front of Congress, seeing how his life was impacted by that, seeing how he impacted our lives, seeing how behind the scenes, how he manipulates the algorithm to kind of reinforce this age of misinformation. I think all that would be fascinating. And if Aaron Sorkin is writing it, then we can guarantee that it'd be highly dramatic.

[Chris Cody]

Yeah, but when he's speaking in front of Congress, that's in the news. We. I see that on tv.

[Dan LeBatard]

Right, right. I don't. I don't. I know what he said in front of Congress. I want to know about everything that happened around that. The dialogue at Facebook, the dialogue with his family, and that kind of stuff is interesting.

[Chris Whittingham]

Okay, so if. If this isn't at an actual, like, documentary, this is more like a depiction or like a based on true story situation. Why would Zuckerberg want that if you're just gonna kind of like make up what was going on behind the scenes?

[Jon Weiner]

He doesn't have a say.

[Dan LeBatard]

What? I mean, who cares?

[Chris Whittingham]

Well, I'm just saying, like, if you don't actually have access to it, you're like, oh, this is kind of what we think may have happened. Like, how's that gonna go?

[Dan LeBatard]

They research it. I mean, like, they're fake. I don't know if Patton was around to give his input on Patton. Like they're historians or people that this is all well done.

[Chris Whittingham]

Yeah, but it's like a documentary and based on a true story or different things.

[Dan LeBatard]

I don't like. This is a dramatic thing.

[Billy Gil]

If it's a scene where it's just Zuckerberg and there's nobody else in the room, yes, you can assume that is entirely fictionalized and they just came up. But if there's other people in a room, you could imagine they asked people questions, hey, what happened here? What happened here? What happened here? Without actually getting the detail by detail from Zuckerberg himself.

[Dan LeBatard]

Right. I love biopics. I understand that there's some creative license that's being taken, but also they're well researched.

[Chris Cody]

I've heard that pronounced biopic as well, which is correct.

[Dan LeBatard]

It's biopic. They both work.

[Chris Cody]

They both work.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah. I used to be like staunch one way or another, but it's kind of like Jiff and Gif.

[Billy Gil]

I think biopic is where people who are trying to be smarter than they really are use where if it's just biopic, you know exactly what the hell it is. Where it says it's a biopic. What the hell is a biopic? And then you go, oh, you mean biopic.

[Chris Cody]

Okay, but they're both acceptable. Is the bio.

[Billy Gil]

I think the only reason biopic is acceptable is because smart people said it wrong and say, no, no, that's the way you say it.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yes.

[Chris Cody]

What would the majority think, though?

[Dan LeBatard]

Biopic. Biopic. Actually biopic.

[Chris Cody]

Well, see, you're going both sides there.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah.

[Chris Cody]

In other words, it's controversy.

[Chris Whittingham]

I say biopsy sometimes. Yeah. When it's not that serious.

[Jon Weiner]

All right, it was big news this morning, guys.

[Dan LeBatard]

What happened?

[Jon Weiner]

So last week you had big news with WWE signing their rights deal with espn, which. We'll circle back to that in a second. It was a five year, $1.2 billion deal. Incredible. Incredible. Now where WWE is now in the same category when it comes to TV rights deals as other sports properties like that's Fricking Wild.

[Dan LeBatard]

The ratings kind of dictate that. And it's kind of. This is what they brought when they brought Nick Khan to the table, which was a business minded person that didn't necessarily subscribe to where the establishment would place wrestling, which is always viewed as something silly. They would all have probably a Greg Cody view of wrestling. This is all orchestrated, predetermined. This is not a real sport, but it is a real valuable television Property with weekly programming that rates really well with 10 pull monthly benchmarks that get people to tune in. So it would make sense that it should. Absolutely. And if you look at the social media metrics, it's one of the bigger properties on the planet.

[Chris Cody]

But you would agree it's an entertainment more than a sport.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yes, but who's still making the other case?

[Jon Weiner]

Like, yeah, like everybody knows that.

[Dan LeBatard]

No, it's not, it's not.

[Chris Cody]

You're just talking about it as, as being comparable to other sports when it.

[Jon Weiner]

Comes to TV rights deals.

[Dan LeBatard]

TV rights deals. It's, it's athletic, it's not a sport. No, no one's making that argument.

[Jon Weiner]

Five years, 1.2 billion, right? That's right. I mean, it's not what the NBA is getting or what the NFL is getting, but man, like it's, it's in.

[Dan LeBatard]

The same category and it's fairly limited for essentially just 12. Approximately 12 events a year. Yeah, that is an impressive number. But I do think that with framing that number now and where they landed is more. Made more interesting and made a little bit clearer given that the other big portion of TKO portfolio just signed. Yeah, a massive deal with Paramount.

[Jon Weiner]

So this was the huge news from this morning, which I don't know that it came out of nowhere. Like the WWE ESPN deal kind of came out of nowhere. Once you saw the WWE ESPN deal, you kind of knew that this was the next domino. And so UFC has signed with Paramount. It is a seven year, seven, some odd 7.7, $7.7 billion deal. So like I was thinking myself.

[Dan LeBatard]

Hmm.

[Jon Weiner]

You know, if WWE got that, I wonder what UFC is going to get in the next one. Well, UFC's are getting a lot more than what WWE just got. Is the answer.

[Dan LeBatard]

Rightfully so, because ufc, in terms of premium events, that UFC every weekend, how.

[Jon Weiner]

Much did they used to charge for their Pay? It's like 69.99 or.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, in that neighborhood, like 59, 99. 69, 99. But a big part of this deal is apparently the pay per view model is a thing from a bygone era ufc. Every major card is going to be included with your Paramount plus subscription now. No more pay per View.

[Unknown]

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[Dan LeBatard]

Howdy folks, it's Mike Ryan. Happy summertime everybody. Summer is fantastic.

[Amin Elhassan]

A lot of outdoor activities, a lot.

[Dan LeBatard]

Of concerts, a couple of championship parades if you're lucky enough. A lot of big time movies. Maybe you're going to a happy hour before you see a big summer blockbuster with your friends. One short or Miller Light at the bar. Whether it's via draft glass bottle or that beautiful white can or the cool special edition 50th anniversary gold cans. Making anytime this summer a Miller Time is always a great idea. You want to make a summer memory that lasts forever? Well, crack open a Miller Lite. You know why? Because since 1975, Miller Light has been the go to way to stock your cooler to celebrate those incredible summer moments. This year marks 50 years of Miller Time. 50 great years of taste. 50 great years of celebrating with great friends and making unforgettable memories. Brewed for flavor with simple ingredients like malted barley, it delivers that rich, balanced topping of flavor and golden color that just hits different Miller Lite. Great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com dan to find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. Cheers to 50 years of Miller time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.

[Jon Weiner]

Hey.

[Amin Elhassan]

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[Jon Weiner]

Don LeBatard. Jon, can you rate my Al Pacino from that billiard scene in Carlito's Way if I do it for you? I think it's pretty good.

[Chris Whittingham]

Yeah.

[Jon Weiner]

Okay.

[Dan LeBatard]

Stugats.

[Jon Weiner]

You think you're big time or you're gonna die big time.

[Amin Elhassan]

That is on my infamous scale of 1 to 10.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's a. That's a 7.6.

[Amin Elhassan]

Solid.

[Dan LeBatard]

Good job, Destiny. Good job. Good job. That's a suey nominee.

[Jon Weiner]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the st.

[Billy Gil]

Were those numbers doing well or were they not doing well? And so that's why you get rid of the pay per view.

[Dan LeBatard]

I'm not sure. I don't know how to answer that. It was a. It was a fear that ESPN would charge extra for WWE PLEs because they had established this pay per view view.

[Jon Weiner]

Model, which we don't. They're not very clear like we were. We're still kind of confused. What are we talking four days later after the WWE ESPN thing is announced? Although I think I understand how they're doing it, we're still confused there. The UFC Paramount deal is pretty clear, right? Pretty clear.

[Dan LeBatard]

You sign up for Paramount plus, you get the ufc, all their numbered pay per view events, all their UFC fight nights, all that stuff. Now Paramount now behind the Paramount plus.

[Billy Gil]

And we don't know if the Paramount plus price is going up.

[Chris Whittingham]

I would lock Into a year now. I would lock into a year subscription now before that goes up significantly.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, I would assume so if they're doing away with the pay per View model. Also, not only does this make us look back at the WWE deal and say like, okay, that was kind of like a make good for UFC leaving the ESPN platform is we know Dana White's political leanings, how visible Republican politicians in particular have been at his events. The elephant in the room here is that the FCC is very involved with this merger between Paramount and Skydance. And now you have Dana White, conservative icon Dana White and UFC going to Paramount plus in multibillion dollar.

[Chris Whittingham]

I think he'd take 7.7 from anyone that offered it.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, but I also see him like.

[Chris Whittingham]

And if there's like 7.9, I think he'd take that if it wasn't Paramount.

[Dan LeBatard]

There's all sorts of look, it's viewed as they gave Trump a bribe, but like, it's Paramount.

[Jon Weiner]

Are you saying like, is Paramount willing to be the highest bidder? Let's assume is Paramount willing to be the highest bidder? Because, like, they like what that represents.

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, this deal was. Deals take a long amount of time. And I imagine part of the subtext of getting this merger approved is Dana White also telling his political friends, like, I have this massive deal waiting for me, it's pending this merger, because without this merger, I don't get that. Again, subtext. But curious to look back on the framework on how the sausage got made, how the FCC's involvement with the CBS in particular, which is well documented. This is a nice little added layer. That's curious. But the shock waves here is that a sport that was predominantly behind a pay per view model ceases being a pay per view model and getting $7.7 billion.

[Billy Gil]

Just, just so I'm clear on this, what you're saying, Mike, is it sounded like while Donald Trump is suing Paramount, you're saying this was in the works with Dana White. And Dana might be like, hey, Donald, you might want to speed up that go ahead settlement, because I've got this deal with Paramount in the works.

[Dan LeBatard]

I don't know about speed up, but get what you need to get. But hey, just so you know, it would be really important to me, your friend over here, if this merger goes through because they have the top off.

[Jon Weiner]

Yeah.

[Billy Gil]

Cuz it does look weird just on the outside looking in if you don't know any details. Hey, didn't Donald Trump just sue this company? And now Donald Trump's right hand guy Dana White is now going into bed with this company. Just weird from the outside looking in.

[Dan LeBatard]

I mean, the Trump administration has gotten literally everything that they want. The only thorn in their side from a Paramount perspective appears to be south park going at them. And, you know, maybe that's the concession here, but either way, this is a massive day for the ufc. That is a major.

[Jon Weiner]

It's a great day for UFC fans. Great, great day.

[Dan LeBatard]

We'll see what the price point is, but I imagine we'll save money because we're paying.

[Jon Weiner]

You know, you say that though, we'll see what the price would like. I'm guessing I apparent amount, I'm guessing it's probably like 1299 that I'm paying right now. Whatever it is, I don't think it's one of the higher.

[Dan LeBatard]

I pay for Paramount just for the soccer properties that they have. I'm really happy about this as someone that likes the UFC and doesn't always come to the table to spend their money. Same for me on the paper, I.

[Billy Gil]

Paid a hundred dollars for the bigger UFC fights via pay crazy. So if I have to pay, even if they raise their thing to $20 a month, if I'm a UFC guy, that's a bargain.

[Dan LeBatard]

It's great for the sport because Dana White right now, you know, there's peaks and valleys when it comes to big time star attractions right now. I think UFC was coming off the heels of a time where they had some stars that generated pay per view buzz. Now they're in that mode that they often find themselves in. Where's our next Conor? Where's our next big time superstar that we can get as a draw? Well, you start making these more accessible and not something that someone has to pay per event for. Everyone's going to be paying more attention to the sport because.

[Jon Weiner]

And also, here's the thing, like, yeah, I would, I would assume Paramount is going to raise their price. I mean, how much? Can't be that much more that they raise it to, but they'll probably raise it paying 69, 99, 79, 99, whatever it is for these UFC pay per views. I've been out on that for a long time. It's a crazy amount of money to spend per month, especially because comparative to wwe, you know, wwe, they're both entertainment, obviously, but WWE scripted. So I know at least when I'm paying, whatever I'm paying for WWE each month, they're going to set it up in a way that they believe their audience is going to be very happy after they Plunk down their money. Ufc, you could put together whatever kind of card you want. It's quite possible that the, the fights end up stinking. And then you paid your 69.99799. It's like, man, you even get the.

[Billy Gil]

Fights that don't count because the dude didn't make weight and they're just like, ah, we got to do this anyway because we built it up this whole time. Yeah, this is by far, as a consumer, the lot. Not just more affordable, but the lot safer way to spend your money.

[Chris Cody]

Well, let me mention one thing. As a, as a UFC agnostic, I'm not a fan of the sport. I don't hate the sport. But my impression, Tell me if I'm right or wrong, is that four out of five UFC numbered main cards are not particularly compelling. One out of five, it has a main fight that, that everybody wants to see. That would be a pay per view draw. But the other four out of five are just sort of pedestrian.

[Billy Gil]

Not if you listen to Tony.

[Jon Weiner]

Well, I think what Greg is saying though, those other four out of five, if you're the hardcore fan, you're very excited, but you're not getting the casual fan to watch those four.

[Chris Cody]

Right.

[Jon Weiner]

I think you're probably spot on about that.

[Dan LeBatard]

This will, you'll be more inclined. They'll do a great job of marketing these events. There'll be whole new stars made. Because the hardest part in making stars is getting someone to pony up the 60 bucks approximately a month. The undercards, that's where you generate the stars. And right now they're at a place where the, the top bill isn't really drawing the same amount of, of business. So as someone that tries to follow the sport best they can, but won't justify paying the pay per view prices for every card, this is big for me because this is something that now can go on the second screen. A third screen I can fight can catch my eye.

[Jon Weiner]

Now casually watch it in the background.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yes, this is great.

[Billy Gil]

Quick question though, because anything's possible. We don't know what the plan is for the long term. Is it possible that because you said the big names not quite hitting as hard as they used to, we're just trying to get you in again for free to where, if we develop the big name all of a sudden.

[Dan LeBatard]

Hey, hey.

[Billy Gil]

This one in particular, 59.99 pay per view.

[Dan LeBatard]

I don't, I don't know if it's very hard to go back to that. WWE went away from the pay per view model. They went to 999 with their WWE Network. And then when they signed with Peacock, all the ples were embedded within your subscription. And now that is at least what they're aspiring to to go to with espn, which is it's included in your. In your ESPN streaming service. Once you go in the direction of we're no longer going to make you pay per view.

[Jon Weiner]

That's why I'm hesitant on the miscommunication we're having with you.

[Dan LeBatard]

All right. Yeah. You're really struggling. Did you get vertigo aller?

[Jon Weiner]

No, I have something in my throat.

[Billy Gil]

Don't look.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, it's been tough.

[Amin Elhassan]

I'll help him out.

[Dan LeBatard]

Look away.

[Jon Weiner]

Look away.

[Chris Whittingham]

I saw his friend's first day of school pictures and he's finally getting.

[Dan LeBatard]

He got literally choked up.

[Amin Elhassan]

At least your teammate's still there to help you.

[Jon Weiner]

I get very choked up when thinking about how I don't have to pay for UFC anymore. Like, it just. It makes my heart swell.

[Dan LeBatard]

I don't know if maybe there's an example where someone can remind me where someone decided to break away from the pay per View model, now give us.

[Jon Weiner]

A lot of money for it, and.

[Dan LeBatard]

Then go back to it after their fan base got used.

[Jon Weiner]

That's why, like, I'm hopeful that WWE. So we're still really unclear four or five days later if you have to pay your 2999amonth. I think the way that I understand it is if you have espn, per your cable provider, those are your credentials to be able to log into the DTC app and then you get the WWE shows where I'm not totally clear on.

[Dan LeBatard]

And I swear to God, this is not a bit. I don't know if this is a whole new streaming service or the one I already have. I don't know if they're launching something new. I'm not going to put the audience through that again. I'm just unclear on that.

[Jon Weiner]

Billy, why are you so frustrated?

[Chris Whittingham]

Because what do I do about Red Zone? I still don't know if I have to buy Red Zone or not.

[Dan LeBatard]

Right. I don't. I don't want to do that thing. We all sound super old, but it's still a little unclear to me, the messaging. I hate it when things are announced and we don't know. This is not the first time.

[Billy Gil]

Where the hell do you watch Inter Miami?

[Dan LeBatard]

That's on Apple.

[Chris Whittingham]

Unless they're on schedule, please explain it to me.

[Dan LeBatard]

But I do think that this is a big time win for consumers. And I also understand what the aspirations are for the WWE ESPN deal. I know that it's exactly what Zaz said. But those deals haven't been formally made with all the carriers. I have two different carriers. Come football season, I have YouTube TV and my Xfinity. I don't know if I see redundant YouTube TV. It's a luxury I afford myself during football season. Football. I like the multi screen.

[Amin Elhassan]

You got to do football, YouTube TV. It's just the multi. Why it's the best. I like having four games at one.

[Chris Whittingham]

Yeah.

[Jon Weiner]

I just like having Red zone on one of my TVs.

[Chris Whittingham]

Cancel your Comcast.

[Amin Elhassan]

You can go for red zone. And one, you pick your other three.

[Dan LeBatard]

I can't cancel my comcast because my comcasts are credentials. There are certain things that I watch like Tennis Channel. I'm a big time tennis channel guy. On Streamers on like YouTube TV, you only get Tennis Channel 2. I want Tennis Channel 1.

[Amin Elhassan]

College Football Saturdays. Also the YouTube 4 games.

[Dan LeBatard]

It's awesome. Yeah. Now if Tennis channel was a standalone thing, I'd much like. I'm losing a lot of money right now because the package that I have to have on my cable to have Tennis Channel is an upper tier. And I basically only play pay for that. For that and to the NA.

[Billy Gil]

That's why I've been watching these second rate tennis matches this whole time. That's Tennis Channel 2 I've been watching on YouTube.

[Dan LeBatard]

Wow.

[Billy Gil]

I had no idea. I got to upgrade.

[Jon Weiner]

That's a sequel that surpassed the original Greg. Yeah, Everybody knows that.

[Dan LeBatard]

Everybody is that Titanic. Yeah. Spider Man 2 was better than Spider Man 1 too.

[Jon Weiner]

So what? Octopus what is still on pay per view.

[Dan LeBatard]

Still adheres to a pay per view model.

[Chris Whittingham]

Boxing.

[Dan LeBatard]

Boxing? Yeah. You have to pay extra.

[Jon Weiner]

Yeah. Boxing is always going to be pay per view, right?

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah. No, no, I mean porn.

[Jon Weiner]

What are we talking about?

[Billy Gil]

High quality porn is still.

[Jon Weiner]

You see this right here? This is called an iPad. All right? I could get whatever I want right here.

[Dan LeBatard]

Stuffer in this pay per view.

[Jon Weiner]

What are you talking about?

[Billy Gil]

Only fans.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's the same iPad. Huh?

[Jon Weiner]

You work your.

[Billy Gil]

Use your work iPad.

[Dan LeBatard]

Huh?

[Jon Weiner]

What do you mean work iPad?

[Dan LeBatard]

My iPad is it.

[Billy Gil]

Oh, he does work with that iPad.

[Jon Weiner]

Listen.

[Dan LeBatard]

Greg, don't touch that iPad.

[Jon Weiner]

Listen, when you open up the browser, you open up Safari.

[Dan LeBatard]

Don't do it.

[Chris Cody]

Don't do it.

[Dan LeBatard]

Don't know.

[Jon Weiner]

Don't do you don't know what that thing has been. Private mode, different tabs. There's a private mode now. I will tell you, this has happened before. Could it have happened when? You know, I used to be on the Miami Heat radio broadcast team. Possibly when you open up the browser and you're still on the private. That could be embarrassing.

[Amin Elhassan]

Revealing a lot.

[Jon Weiner]

You gotta X out of that Tommy tag right next.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, Tommy tag over here.

[Jon Weiner]

Oh, look away.

[Dan LeBatard]

Hog cranking.

[Jon Weiner]

You gotta be careful, all right? You always gotta be careful with the cookies as well. That's how you get caught. You know about those cookies, Greg?

[Chris Cody]

I do not.

[Jon Weiner]

Well, make sure you clear them.

[Amin Elhassan]

I shouldn't be accepting all of them.

[Jon Weiner]

No, I should never do that.

[Billy Gil]

They're party cookies. You guys reject all walks of life.

[Amin Elhassan]

I always just accept them. I don't know.

[Chris Cody]

Yeah. What's a cookie? I mean, what's the problem with a cookie?

[Dan LeBatard]

Wow. I was gonna say, I'd love to see the look on your face if you got a banner that said, your phone has been hacked, But I don't want to see the look of your face in that moment.

[Unknown]

I don't know about you guys, but I'm someone that's constantly adding stuff to different carts on random websites. Like, there's a teal marlins hat that's been calling to me for, like, two and a half years that I'm constantly getting advertisements for is something eventually I'll purchase because I keep those things in the cart. Then I see it. That beautiful, glowing purple shop pay button.

[Dan LeBatard]

Boom.

[Unknown]

Checkout's done. I don't even have to get up and find my wallet. That, my friends, is Shopify magic. That little purple button means that the store is powered by Shopify, which doesn't just make it easy to buy, but ridiculously easy to start and run your own business, too. Whether you're a giant like Mattel or Gymshark or, you know, just launching something weird from your garage, Shopify has your back. Let's be real. If we can run a show with this much chaos, you can run a business with Shopify. With hundreds of beautiful templates, tools for payments, inventory analytics, marketing. It goes on and on, and it's all in one place. And yes, that purple button is why Shopify has the best converting checkout on the planet. If you want to see less carts being abandoned, it's time for you to head over to Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at shopify.com batard go to shopify.com shopify.com Bart Batard.

[Mike Ryan]

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[Greg Cody]

Eglis Librekizumab LBKZ, a 250mg per 2ml injection, is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 88 pounds or 40 kilograms with moderate to severe eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin or topicals, or who cannot use topical therapies. EBGLIS can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. Don't use if you're allergic to Epglis. Allergic reactions can occur that can be severe eye problems can occur. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening eye problems. You should not receive a live vaccine when treated with Epglis. Before starting Epglis, tell your doctor if you have a parasitic infection searching for real relief?

[Mike Ryan]

Ask your doctor about ebglis and visit ebgliss.lilly.com or call 1-800-lilyrx or 1-800-545-5979.

[Billy Gil]

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[Dan LeBatard]

Lowe's we help you save Don LeBatard.

[Jon Weiner]

That was a long story.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, it's the only kind he tells.

[Chris Whittingham]

It's a short one for me. I tried to speed it up for you guys.

[Dan LeBatard]

You forgot about the league's cup Stugats.

[Chris Whittingham]

Yeah.

[Dan LeBatard]

La Carreta is a place where the best of the celebrations has to be the 97 Marlin celebration because it was Levon.

[Chris Whittingham]

Well, when Fidel died the first time.

[Dan LeBatard]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the stugats. Foreign.

[Jon Weiner]

You have. You've been in on prime movies these days. You're finding stuff you like on Prime.

[Chris Whittingham]

I saw the pickup. Have you seen the pickup?

[Jon Weiner]

No. What's that?

[Chris Whittingham]

It's a new movie on Prime.

[Amin Elhassan]

Is that the Pete Davidson?

[Chris Whittingham]

Yeah.

[Dan LeBatard]

I just learned that Eddie Murphy had a new movie.

[Amin Elhassan]

Heard bad things.

[Chris Whittingham]

You Know, I think I, I gotta be honest with you. Like listening to you guys talk about movies and the way I watch and I. We're different. Like I think we do movies very.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, that's crystal clear.

[Chris Whittingham]

Very differently.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's right. We're. I think we're fine on our side and you're fine on yours.

[Chris Whittingham]

Yeah. Like, I watch a movie and I move on with my life. Like, I don't remember the opening scene 20 years later. I don't really think about it. I'm entertained for 90 minutes and then I kind of move on to the next thing.

[Jon Weiner]

Yeah, that's your cut off for a movie runtime. 90 minutes.

[Dan LeBatard]

And you.

[Chris Whittingham]

90 minutes is like a good. I love when Netflix had the 90 minute movie section on, on like their options. So, like there's comedy and then there's drama and then there's something like 90 minute movies. Or if like I'm on a plane and there's a 90.

[Jon Weiner]

Right.

[Chris Whittingham]

Movie.

[Jon Weiner]

Well, the plane.

[Chris Whittingham]

The plane depends on how long. Obviously my flight is. I'm not going to take a long movie if it's like a 90 minute flight. Right?

[Jon Weiner]

Yeah, right.

[Chris Whittingham]

Yeah. But I just kind of watch a movie and I move on.

[Jon Weiner]

And I mean, the pickup.

[Chris Whittingham]

Yeah, the pickup.

[Jon Weiner]

It's like it's Heist Davidson Murphy and you have no thoughts.

[Chris Whittingham]

It's not that I don't have any thoughts. It's. I enjoy it. A lot of times I'm like, I don't remember the character. Like if you're asking the characters names from the pickup, I don't remember. I watched it on Friday night or Saturday night, whatever night it was, and I moved on with my life.

[Chris Cody]

Good for Billy. Yeah, that's a healthy way to watch movies.

[Chris Whittingham]

I don't go to the theater often. I go, you know, once every four or five years if there's, you know, a big movie.

[Jon Weiner]

Four or five years.

[Billy Gil]

As to how people memorize these movie lines. Like, do you know how often you have to watch these movies to memorize these lines? Over a couple and no, I don't remember Goodfellas.

[Chris Whittingham]

I didn't remember. Yeah, you did it for Goodfellows a minute ago.

[Amin Elhassan]

I don't remember.

[Billy Gil]

20 times.

[Amin Elhassan]

There you go.

[Chris Whittingham]

I don't remember anything that happened in the Social Network. Just Mark Zuckerberg kind of like, I don't know.

[Amin Elhassan]

It's a different social network. The line is drop the.

[Dan LeBatard]

The.

[Billy Gil]

It's different than sports when something great happens. Facebook and you just watch highlight after highlight. Or the people tell you the next year hey, look what happened last year on this day. That's how it gets burned in your memory. But these movies, like, I just watch. I'm with Billy most of the time, 99% of the time. Watch a movie one time, move on with my life.

[Chris Whittingham]

Someone asked me, I said, like, I'm watching the pickup, and they say, what'd you think? And I go, oh. I mean, we get different things out of movies. You like art and I like Fast and Furious. So I enjoyed the pickup. You probably would not.

[Jon Weiner]

Who is this person that likes the art?

[Chris Whittingham]

The Art Coogler? He's out there. Yeah, I was talking to him about it because he's friends. You were friends with someone in the movie?

[Dan LeBatard]

You would think the whole thing that you project about being chill with movies would come with far less judgment.

[Chris Whittingham]

What do you mean? I'm not judging anyone.

[Dan LeBatard]

I love movies. I don't judge anybody that takes your approach. But you're like, wow, you like art. I like Fast and Furious, too. I love the big dumb movies.

[Chris Whittingham]

You shouldn't feel attacked. This isn't like a personal thing against you. I'm just saying I just watch a movie and I kind of.

[Dan LeBatard]

I do kind of feel attacked. Because your general vibe is not as chill as you project. Okay.

[Jon Weiner]

I don't like Pete Davidson.

[Dan LeBatard]

I don't either, man.

[Chris Whittingham]

He was pretty good. Well, okay. We don't like him.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah.

[Chris Cody]

Bug eyes.

[Jon Weiner]

The old bug eyes.

[Dan LeBatard]

I like Petey.

[Jon Weiner]

That's what you call them? Yeah.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah.

[Jon Weiner]

No, no. I don't get it.

[Billy Gil]

That was my worst Halloween costume ever.

[Dan LeBatard]

You were Pete Davidson. Yeah.

[Billy Gil]

Let's not talk about it.

[Chris Cody]

Really?

[Dan LeBatard]

On a route.

[Jon Weiner]

You brought it up. What do you mean? Let's not talk.

[Chris Cody]

I need a photo of that.

[Billy Gil]

Yeah, the blonde look like the Taco Bell commercials. It just wasn't good. I just realized he's not that popular.

[Dan LeBatard]

I forgot he was a Taco Bell pitch man. You know who I like? The dog. Bring that Chihuahua.

[Chris Cody]

Yeah.

[Jon Weiner]

So anyway, Billy likes Prime movies. Very good. Is there another movie on prime that you've seen recently that we should check out?

[Chris Whittingham]

Not lately.

[Jon Weiner]

Prime's not one of my go to, like, apps.

[Chris Whittingham]

No movies shows on, so I like.

[Jon Weiner]

Hearing if there's a good movie on Prime. I feel like. Like, I want to. I want to know that I'm paying for something. You know? Like, it's just the app that's there. I don't use it very often. I'd like to go to it.

[Chris Whittingham]

That one's fine, though, because, like, it comes included with, like, actual Amazon Prime. Right. So it's like. Yeah, if there's something there, it's just a bonus for me.

[Dan LeBatard]

Ok. Okay.

[Billy Gil]

Weren't two of middle arc's biggest documentaries on Amazon Prime?

[Jon Weiner]

Yeah. Is it like. I don't. I don't know.

[Chris Whittingham]

I love Prime.

[Dan LeBatard]

Taurasi out now.

[Jon Weiner]

Oh, that just came out. So that's on Prime.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah.

[Jon Weiner]

All right, that's something to watch then.

[Dan LeBatard]

All right, good, good rivals on prime and Tarasi is on Prime. The. The comeback is on Netflix. That won an Emmy, folks.

[Amin Elhassan]

Yeah, this Pete Davidson ain't good.

[Jon Weiner]

Oh, wow.

[Dan LeBatard]

You did get the haggard look.

[Amin Elhassan]

Confirming.

[Dan LeBatard]

You did. You did get the. Just roll that event after we have.

[Amin Elhassan]

It on the screen.

[Billy Gil]

It's the oh, we've been doing TV from home for a couple of years now look like that's zero assistance with the. The haircut, the makeup or.

[Amin Elhassan]

How cold was that? Crunchwrap.

[Billy Gil]

Oh, it was delicious.

[Dan LeBatard]

Is that the Supreme Court?

[Billy Gil]

Yeah.

[Dan LeBatard]

What's the difference?

[Amin Elhassan]

There any other kind?

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, that's my question. Is there.

[Amin Elhassan]

I've never seen it without the.

[Dan LeBatard]

Is it always just the Supreme? Can you just be like, I don't want the supreme one this time. I just want the regular crunch order.

[Amin Elhassan]

You can always go no.

[Jon Weiner]

So if I could put a bow on this ufc, Paramount, WWE ESPN conversation. Chris, you've seen some of this WWE Unreal that's on Netflix, right?

[Amin Elhassan]

I have and I love it because I love the behind the scenes of this type of thing.

[Jon Weiner]

I haven't seen any of it. Believe it or not, I am way.

[Amin Elhassan]

More into unreal than I am actually watching wrestling. I haven't really tuned in outside of big WrestleMania pay per views. I'm as casual wrestling fan, I appreciate it. But I love this Unreal because, you.

[Jon Weiner]

Know, this unreal, it's. It's a very controversial topic right now.

[Amin Elhassan]

It's behind the scenes and it's a lot of Triple H. And he's just like, you're getting to see where he tells who's the guy. The guy that won the. The rumble.

[Dan LeBatard]

Jay uso.

[Jon Weiner]

Yeah.

[Amin Elhassan]

Like you see the moment he tells him he's gonna win it. Like it's really cool behind the scenes stuff. But you're seeing how the sausage is made. It's something that I love because I don't really care about wrestling that much. I wonder are. Are they ruining. And I know that it's known even.

[Jon Weiner]

With this is why it's controversial. Yeah.

[Amin Elhassan]

But I'm talking about like kids like an a 10 year old, are they watching this or are these two different audiences, the people that tune in for the actual wrestling and the people that watch Unreal? Because I'm loving it, but I am worried that there are some people out there that it's ruining it a little bit for.

[Dan LeBatard]

I, I think I pinpointed why I have zero interest in this. And I've seen some of the clips and I'm like, I think some of like the guys talk in post match. I think that that's genuine access. But Triple H is overseeing their creative and. And you can tell he's very sensitive to criticism and things leaking out. I think Unreal is not actually what it's being positioned as.

[Amin Elhassan]

It's like Hard Knocks where they're not really showing us.

[Dan LeBatard]

They're showing you exactly what they want you to see. And it is just yet another card that he can play when it comes to playing his audience. Like they're doing something right now with this character, Karrion Kross, where he's out of contract. They've. He's in the alumni section. He can't stream his music anymore. He's coming back. They're working folks and they're. It's. It's a move that he goes to way too much because you're supposed to have people genuinely get people over. And I think they try to manufacture people into thinking a certain thing. I think this is all manufactured access. That is just another part of their storyline that I just, I watch the week to week stuff. I. But that's where you can work me.

[Jon Weiner]

That's how I feel. Because it may surprise you. I have not watched this WWE Unreal yet, which I think is probably getting really good numbers. It's in conversation a lot. It's very controversial for all the reasons that you just laid out. I haven't watched any of it yet because I kind of don't. And I love wrestling. Everybody knows that. I kind of don't want to know how the sausage is made. Like, I'm good with suspending my disbelief on a week to week basis. And I like, you know, Game of Thrones. Do I want to be in the writers room in Game of Thrones while they're. They're, you know, definitely not the final season. But do I want to be in the writers room hearing how they come up with everything? Not really. That's the cool one.

[Amin Elhassan]

It's so like, I'm like, this is how simple it is. It's literally Triple H kicking his legs back, being like, you guys think that CM should win this? Who you guys Think should win. And it's just like five people being like, I think USO should win. And it's like, oh, let me think about it. It's just five people just like. But to your point, maybe that decision was already made.

[Billy Gil]

Isn't this basically Amin's bring back DVD commentary? Yeah, it's just like, hey, if you want to know the inside details of how that scene was made or this was made, hey, you have this option. By the way, great name. Unreal. Fantastic.

[Dan LeBatard]

I do like that you get to see the workflow that goes into some of the decision making and I do think that that is real. Like people are pitching guys and I like seeing the original cards that they were working with. The fact that Bad Bunny was originally on the on the card. And you like to see the original plans and where they go and I do think that they provide insight. But I do think for some of the larger storylines that they have going, this is just another device for them to set their audience up into thinking something is real and true access. When really they're just working folks because.

[Billy Gil]

The storyline's still going, it's active and so, oh, we're giving you this. And you're like, I don't want to know because maybe I'll know what's going to happen next or maybe I'll sort of predict where it.

[Dan LeBatard]

Either way, there's distance. It's like how Formula one is like a season afterwards. This is the stuff that's going. I think WrestleMania is a build up.

[Jon Weiner]

Yeah, it's like five or six months ago, I think so.

[Dan LeBatard]

It happened before, but I just think that this is stuff and they could always kind of reverse engineer what they're going for and make things seem more successful than they actually did. Like, I think John Cena had the most failed heel turn of all time when you consider how it came out of the gates. Right. It was a topic of conversation on ESPN well before the deal thing there it was abject failure. And I think that they're going to try to spin it into Triple H thinking more meta than it actually was. I'm just not there for it. I, I watch the week to week content and you can try to get me there.

[Jon Weiner]

That's where I am.

[Dan LeBatard]

I just think it's just another tool in their toolbox where they can work folks. And I'm not that.

[Amin Elhassan]

I just didn't realize how produced these matches are. Yeah, I thought it was like, here's how the match will end, here's your finish.

[Jon Weiner]

I think it used to be like that when you were a kid.

[Amin Elhassan]

It's like the hearing of these are the seven moves that we have left. We're gonna have to skip these two. And they're telling the ref and the ref is. While you think the ref is checking on a, a wrestler, she's really like, oh, you're gonna skip. It's just I, I'm impressed by it. That's why for me, I love it.

[Chris Cody]

But that's not self serving though.

[Amin Elhassan]

That's what, that's what I'm asking. I don't know, because for me, I love it. But it's. Some 12 year old sees this, he's.

[Jon Weiner]

Gonna be like, what?

[Chris Cody]

Yeah, I mean fans of, of wrestling who want entertainment value, I don't think they want all that behind the scenes.

[Amin Elhassan]

It could be two audiences though, to.

[Jon Weiner]

Their point, I think it's two audiences.

[Billy Gil]

I don't know how many 12 year olds are watching any behind the scenes. Anything about kid maybe if you watched.

[Dan LeBatard]

I don't know.

[Chris Whittingham]

Well, the criticism of the whole thing has been that it's just a vanity project for Triple H to make him look like the mastermind of everything and make him like the Dana White of the wwe. So it's just a date, it's just a make Triple H the good project is what everybody.

[Amin Elhassan]

I mean it is that he is, he is running the show.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah. But the thing is he actually isn't because one of the underreported stories is the very legitimate power struggle that he finds himself in with the Rock, who is got a ton of influence over at tko and I'm not Triple H. I think is should chill out a little bit. I think we're kind of overdoing this. You're overcooking the turkey.

[Billy Gil]

Can I ask you if something I saw this weekend was current or not? Because I thought it was funny.

[Jon Weiner]

Go on.

[Billy Gil]

It was John Cena on a plug podium behind a microphone. And the reporter asked him, it's good to see you here. And he's like, come on. That particular phrasing.

[Dan LeBatard]

You see, Cena, not a fan of how Triple H handled that whole Brock Lesnar thing. WWE made the convenient decision to have their post pay per view press conferences no longer open to the media, which.

[Jon Weiner]

It's the right move.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah. I mean those were also a work anyways kind of too. But to make that decision when you don't have to answer questions about Brock Lesnar and the way that Triple H made it seem is John Cena, you know, gets to make this call. Cena was very quick to say, hey, you deal him, I play them. And they had to make a whole big thing where they're like, Nick Khan and Triple H reached out to Brock Lesnar the very next show. On the Brock Lesnar thing, you think.

[Jon Weiner]

They got rid of the press conferences so that they wouldn't have to answer questions about Brock Lesnar?

[Dan LeBatard]

I think that's. That's the timing. They may have gotten rid of it regardless, but I think that that's specifically the timing on the SummerSlam thing, which, by the way, a good decision because Triple H has proven time and time again when it comes to these types of situations, he'll say the wrong thing.