Is John Cena’s Heel Turn the Most Impactful Ever? | The Masked Man Show

Ben, Khal, Brian, and David kick off the show with an in-person recap from Khal who was at Madison Square Garden for ‘Monday Night Raw’ (1:06). Then, they discuss the following: Seth Rollins defeats CM Punk in a cage match; Roman Reigns returns (5:25) What could be the favor Paul Heyman owes CM Punk (10:32)? Where does Jey Uso-Gunther fall on the card for Mania (19:45)? How long can Cody Rhodes continue the match build without John Cena around (25:24)? Then, they go to the Worldwide hotline and react to a call regarding the Rock’s role as the Final Boss and how it has a few Star Wars elements to it (41:47). The guys welcome Ethan Page ahead of his New York City Street Fight at NXT Roadblock (51:12). He discusses the following: Why this will be the quickest Street Fight (52:04) What he does and doesn’t like about Je’Von Evans (54:50) His most difficult video game hobby (71:45) For an opportunity to have your hot take featured on They Said What?!, leave a voicemail at (202) 417-8160, or drop your Am I the Heel? situations at [email protected] sure to check out our videos on the Ringer TikTok account @RingerWrestling, Instagram Threads, and X.Don’t forget to check out the ‘Worldwide’ page on The Ringer! Hosts: Ben Cruz, Khal Davenport, and Brian H. Waters Guest: Ethan Page and David Shoemaker Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Which wrestler’s blood would you most want to lick off a steel cage? David and Kaz kick off the show by recapping the entire card from AEW Revolution, beginning with the lackluster main event between Jon Moxley and Adam Copeland (03:35). They then dive into the rest of the card from the show: Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher (18:21) Kenny Omega vs. Konosuke Takeshita (30:56) Toni Storm vs. Mariah May (34:10) The Hurt Syndicate vs. The Outrunners (47:33) Kazuchika Okada vs. Brody King (52:21) Swerve Strickland vs. Ricochet (58:07) Mercedes Mone vs. Momo Watanabe (01:05:34) Hangman Adam Page def. MJF (01:08:32) After going through the card, they briefly discuss Naomi and Bianca Belair’s segment from 'SmackDown' and preview tonight's episode of 'Raw' (01:20:20). Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Producer: Jessie Lopez Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If you could call any match from AEW Revolution this weekend, which would it be? (00:42) David and Kaz start the pod with a preview of AEW Revolution, including: Cope vs. Jon Moxley (05:47) Toni Storm vs. Mariah May (34:36) MJF vs. Hangman Page (41:10) Ricochet vs Swerve Strickland (45:46) Kenny Omega vs. Konosuke Takeshita (48:42) Mercedes Mone vs Momo Watanabe (52:26) Kazuchika Okada vs. Brody King (54:15) Kyle Fletcher vs. Will Ospreay (57:56) The Hurt Syndicate vs. The Outrunners (60:22) After, they discuss the potential of a CM Punk–Roman Reigns–Seth Rollins Triple Threat match at WrestleMania 41 and Iyo Sky’s upset win over Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship (65:34) and Rey Fenix’s reported release from AEW (72:56). Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Producer: Eduardo Ocampo Additional Production Support: Ben Cruz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben, Khal, and Brian kick off the show by discussing whether or not John Cena’s heel turn was bigger than Hulk Hogan’s in 1996 (1:05). Then, David joins in, and they all discuss the following: Iyo Sky is the women’s world champion (13:47) Jade Cargill attacked Naomi and the role Bianca Belair had in everything (28:22) CM Punk went after his enemies and brawled with Seth Rollins (40:25) In Nostalgia Freakz, they look back at Goldberg’s 23-second win over Kevin Owens in 2017 to become WWE Universal champion (49:55). Then, they go to the Worldwide Hotline and react to calls regarding the best segments of all time and wild-card picks for the United States championship at WrestleMania 41 (64:03). Read David’s new piece on The Ringer, where he details John Cena’s long-awaited heel turn. For an opportunity to have your hot take featured on They Said What?!, leave a voicemail at (202) 417-8160, or drop your Am I the Heel? situations at [email protected]. Be sure to check out our videos on the Ringer TikTok account @RingerWrestling, Instagram Threads, and X. And don’t forget to check out the ’Worldwide' page on The Ringer! Hosts: Ben Cruz, Khal Davenport, and Brian H. Waters Guest: David Shoemaker Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What is your emotional state after John Cena’s heel turn (0:36)? David and Kaz have made you wait long enough, so they fire up the mics to react to Cena turning heel at WWE Elimination Chamber (4:37). Plus they discuss the Rock’s Final Boss character benefitting him beyond the box office (24:51). Later, they discuss Jade’s return and beatdown on Naomi, Bianca Belair winning the Elimination Chamber (56:27), whether Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens are the rivalry of the decade (1:03:30), and whether Cena’s heel turn is more impactful than Hulk Hogan’s (1:07:41). Read David’s piece on The Ringer dot com, in which he details John Cena’s long-awaited heel turn. Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Would you rather take a conchairto from Cope or be in a death match with Swerve (0:37)? David and Kaz preview this Saturday’s Elimination Chamber match, first discussing who the Rock’s champion could be if Cody Rhodes declines (6:10). Then they predict the winners for the following matches: The men’s Elimination Chamber match (53:56) The women’s Elimination Chamber match (56:49) Tiffany Stratton and Trish Stratus vs. Nia Jax and Candice LeRae (1:08:50) Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn (1:10:46) Later, they welcome Damaris Lewis, who stars in 'Queen of the Ring.' She discusses portraying Babs Wingo, her friendship with Naomi, and more (1:18:32). Be sure to check out our videos on** BlueSky**,** TikTok**,** Instagram Threads**, and** X**. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben, Khal, and Brian kick off the show by discussing the viral YEET wedding introduction (3:16). Then, they are joined by David to discuss the following from 'Raw': Seth Rollins confronts Cody Rhodes about the Rock’s offer (8:22) Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez win the women’s tag team titles (22:16) Lyra Valkyria defeats Dakota Kai to retain her women’s intercontinental title (32:02) Then, in a rapid-fire session, Ben challenges the guys to book random names from 'Raw' for WrestleMania (41:03). In Nostalgia Freakz, they revisit Shane McMahon’s return in 2016 and the epic pop he received for it (48:15). Finally, in They Said What?!, they react to a question from you, the people, regarding the heat Xavier Woods can get by bringing back the curly boots and who has the bigger ceiling as heels: the New Day or the Street Profits (63:45). For an opportunity to have your hot take featured on They Said What?!, leave a voicemail at (202) 417-8160, or drop your Am I the Heel? situations at [email protected]. Be sure to check out our videos on the Ringer TikTok account @RingerWrestling, Instagram Threads, and X. Don’t forget to check out the 'Worldwide' page on the Ringer Dot Com! Hosts: Ben Cruz, Khal Davenport, and Brian H. Waters Guest: David Shoemaker Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: If you could go back and let any pro wrestler hold your newborn baby, who would it be (0:40)? This week, David welcomes the 'Worldwide' crew, Ben, Khal, and Brian, to talk about a couple of head-scratching moments in wrestling. The Rock wants Cody Rhodes to be his corporate champion (3:40) Thunder Rosa’s weird usage of the chair on AEW Dynamite (45:30) A Cope and Moxley world title match is loading for AEW Revolution (1:00:57) Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X. Host: David Shoemaker Guests: Ben Cruz, Khal Davenport, and Brian H. Waters Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben, Khal, and Brian kick off the show by discussing WrestleMania 41, which is exactly 60 days away, and their current excitement levels (2:56). Then, they are joined by David to get into Highspot Headlines: Ricky Starks becomes Ricky Saints and signs a NXT contract (10:40) Michael Cole says that WWE is “not professional wrestling anymore” (35:34) Then, in Nostalgia Freakz, they hop in the time machine to No Way Out 2002 for the nWo’s WWE debut (48:06). Finally, in They Said What?!, they react to a question from you, the people, regarding whether or not John Cena will finish his career with a 17th WWE title win (67:07). For an opportunity to have your hot take featured on They Said What?!, leave a voicemail at (202) 417-8160 or drop your ‘Am I the Heel?’ situations at [email protected]. Be sure to check out our videos on the Ringer TikTok account @RingerWrestling, Instagram Threads, and X. Don’t forget to check out the Worldwide page on the Ringer Dot Com! Hosts: Ben Cruz, Khal Davenport, and Brian H. Waters Guest: David Shoemaker Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

COLD OPEN QUESTION OF THE WEEK: With the minimum WWE salary being around $300,000, what would you do in pro wrestling for that salary (0:37)? David and Kaz kick off the show discussing the WWE equivalent of Mac McClung three-peating in the Slam Dunk Contest (5:19). Then, they discuss the winners and losers of the weekend including: Mercedes Moné (12:30) Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay, Konosuke Takeshita, and Kyle Fletcher (21:00) Toni Storm (31:49) Roxanne Perez (37:40) Bianca Belair and Naomi (41:29) Adam Copeland and Jon Moxley (45:30) Finn Bálor (54:26) The build to WrestleMania 41 (63:30) Be sure to check out our videos on BlueSky, TikTok, Instagram Threads, and X. Hosts: David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices