The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: Hour 1: Zaslow Cries At John Cena's Final Match
Date: December 15, 2025

Episode Overview

Broadcasting from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and their crew deliver their signature blend of South Florida sports talk, pop culture banter, and playful ribbing. This hour features everything from passionate wrestling fandom and the John Cena retirement match, to college football power rankings, coach Marcus Freeman’s meteoric job prospects, and a humorous roast of the Dolphins’ radio broadcast.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The “Jordan vs. LeBron” Shoe Culture Debate

[01:51–03:42]

• Tony Koladiu declares Michael Jordan the GOAT, but not for the usual reasons:

  "The impact globally for the culture that Jordan has made from the shoe perspective I think outweighs anything that LeBron could do on the court, off the court." (02:08, Tony Koladiu)

• The panel quickly derails into what motivates “10 Day Tony,” who says it’s always about “the next thing,” illustrating the show's meandering, improvisational humor.

2. College Football: LSU Love, Miami Dominance, and Marcus Freeman's Golden Touch

[04:03–13:17]

Coach O’s Critique of Brian Kelly

[04:38–05:35]

• Ed Orgeron (Coach O) is played in a clip reflecting on how Brian Kelly "never fit" at LSU, emphasizing the culture and personal touch as critical to success:

  "You gotta go in there and love them. It ain't so much about the X's and the O's...he didn't do that." (05:01, Coach O)

Panel Debates 2019 LSU vs. 2001 Miami Hurricanes

[06:29–08:32]

• Names get dropped like it’s the NFL Draft:

  "Team had seven first round picks, which is great. Miami of 2001 had 17." (08:14, Tony Koladiu)

  • Ed Reed, Andre Johnson, Frank Gore, and more.
• Dan Le Batard:

  "I'm just gonna say it. '01 Canes would kick the shit outta them." (08:32, Dan)

• Heated back-and-forth draws lines in the sand over who had the better roster and why.

Marcus Freeman's Hot Coaching Stock

[07:47–13:17]

• Mike Ryan argues Freeman is now possibly the most coveted coach in football, mainly because he inherits success without the blemish of defeat:

  "If you're Marcus Freeman's agent, it's the best thing that could have possibly happened...now you can get any job that you want." (09:22, Mike Ryan)

• NFL interest is rampant:

  "There are entire divisions that want Marcus Freeman..." (11:08, Mike)

• The crew debates the politics of coaching, leverage, and inevitable job hopping, suggesting Freeman’s job market might never be hotter.
• Flaw watch: Freeman’s “bad losses” and hairline are about the only knocks the group can muster.

3. John Cena’s Final Match: Fan Passion and Pro Wrestling’s Theatre

[20:03–30:51]

Cena’s Retirement and Zaslow’s Fandom

[20:03–22:03]

• Dan Le Batard describes the scene as,

  "the center of what was a pop culture phenomenon over the weekend...Cena comes out for his entrance. It's his final entrance ever. The whole crowd is singing...It was wild." (20:14, Dan Le Batard)

• Panel immediately turns personal:

  "You cried." (20:55, Tony Koladiu)
  Dan and others joke about the emotional payoff.

Wrestling Outcomes: Scripted Farewells & the Heel Turn

[22:03–26:37]

• The "retiring wrestler always loses" trope is dissected, and the crowd’s anger at new heel Gunther is described,

  "They had to escort him to his bus...they're chanting, you, Gunther. They're so angry...they’re gonna attack him." (24:54, Dan Le Batard)

• Greg Cody laughs off the finality:

  “After an appropriate amount of time, 4 months, 5 months...John Cena comes back.” (22:03, Greg Cody)
  Dan counters that with Cena's clean-cut image, a return would be a betrayal.

The Meta-Discussion: Adult Wrestling Fandom & The “Theatre” Analogy

[26:31–29:37]

• Greg Cody, skeptical of grown men invested in wrestling, pokes fun but gets schooled by Dan and Mike, who treat wrestling as “theatre” and a live play with passionate fans.
• Dan Le Batard:

  "There are millions of people just like you who will frown on me for traveling and going to this kind of show. But I was at a pop culture phenomenon...That shit was fun." (26:39, Dan Le Batard)

• The group debates whether Cena will return, with most betting the wrestling script will win out over any real-world “honor code.”

Notable Quote

"If he comes back, he literally would have scammed paying customers." (29:33, Dan Le Batard)

4. Obscene Gestures in Sports: Middle Fingers & Hall of Fame Voting

[34:05–40:09]

• Mike Ryan segues into Tony Jefferson's ejection for an "obscene gesture," triggering a silly but detailed analysis of which gestures are “first-ballot hall of famers.”
• Greg Cody:

  "What I grew up calling the bird." (39:54, Greg Cody)

• The conversation veers absurd, comparing Italian gestures, Michael Jackson moves, and whether “grabbing the package” is Hall-worthy.

5. The Dolphins Radio Broadcast Roast

[40:20–45:04]

• Mike accuses Dan (in-character as Zaslow) of voting the Dolphins’ radio team dead last in an Awful Announcing poll.
• Dan feigns innocence, but then essentially admits his distaste for Cephalo’s work:

  "Listen, are all of those things the way that I feel? Yes, they are." (43:42, Dan Le Batard)

• The panel reads scathing “anonymous” critiques (likely from Dan), e.g.,

  "Cephalo is, quote, the worst in the business for the last 20 years..."

• Dan Le Batard:

  "Cephalo didn't tell you what was going on until Kenny and Drake was at the 10 yard line." (45:01, Dan)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Dan Le Batard:

  "‘01 Canes would kick the shit outta them." (08:32)

• Tony Koladiu:

  "The impact globally for the culture that Jordan has made from the shoe perspective I think outweighs anything that LeBron could do..." (02:08)

• Mike Ryan:

  "If you're Marcus Freeman's agent, it's the best thing that could have possibly happened...now you can get any job that you want." (09:22)

• Dan Le Batard (on Cena match):

  "I had my hands on my head like this. When he tapped out, I was shook...I really wanted him to win." (21:12–21:16)

• Greg Cody:

  "People are going like this...it's only a matter of time before [Cena] makes his big comeback." (25:28)

• Dan Le Batard (on fandom):

  "That shit was fun. Didn't get the ending I wanted, of course, but that was a fun, fun night." (26:39)

Notable Timestamps

• Jordan vs. LeBron Impact Debate: 02:01–02:39
• Coach O on Brian Kelly and LSU: 04:38–05:35
• Miami Hurricanes vs. LSU Talent Comparison: 06:29–08:32
• Marcus Freeman’s Coaching Trajectory: 07:47–13:17
• Cena final match lead-up and aftermath: 20:03–27:37
• Obscene Gesture Hall of Fame: 34:05–40:09
• Dolphins Broadcast Critique: 40:20–45:04

Tone and Style

Free-wheeling, irreverent, locally-infused and consistently self-aware. Banter is loaded with inside jokes, inter-crew jabs, and sincerely passionate arguments, especially on sports legacies and fan investment. Even when poking fun, the show maintains affection for its subjects and listeners alike.

For Newcomers

This episode is a microcosm of the show: sports debates morph into cultural discussions, pro wrestling is examined with as much gravity as playoff football, and the panel isn’t afraid to roast their own local heroes—or each other. Whether you care about John Cena’s legacy, Marcus Freeman’s job prospects, or the art of the middle finger, you’ll find a home here if you thrive on snappy, chaotic, deeply local sports radio energy.