Independent Wrestler, Matt Cardona

Episode 562 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features a conversation with the wrestler known as the "Indy God," Matt Cardona.Cardona talks about carving out a massive career on the independent scene after being part of the WWE Covid roster cuts in 2020 and why he was thrilled at the time when he found out he was released from the company after 15 years there..In addition, Cardona discusses whether he wants to return to the WWE, what his current relationship is like with WWE and Triple H, what it's like to have his wife work in WWE and getting mentioned in a recent promo by John Cena. Cardona also reminisces about his time as Zack Ryder, holding the WWE Intercontinental title of just one day, his "Z! True Long Island Story" YouTube show being so ahead of its time.Cardona also talks about his new job on SiriusXM's Pro Wrestling Nation 24/7 channel, hosting the long-running "Major Wrestling Figure Podcast," and his love of Diseny World.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 561 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features a conversation with ESPN NFL analyst, Dan Orlovsky.Orlovsky talks about signing a new, four-year deal with ESPN after being a free-agent for a few months, whether he came close to leaving ESPN, why he decided to say at ESPN and why calling games is ultimately his main goal.In addition, Orlovsky explains what an NFL Sunday is like for him and how he watches the slate of games and how he breaks down film.Orlovsky also discusses why he was "furious" when he lost the Sports Emmy for Best Analyst to Charles Barkley, attending the surprise Taylor Swift performance at Tight End University and his notorious food takes.Following Orlovsky, Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York joins Jimmy for their weekly "Traina Thoughts" segment. This week, they discuss the Yankees airing on Amazon Prime, the Savannah Bananas, "The Bear." In addition, Jimmy and Sal answer reader emails.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 560 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features an interview with longtime ESPN reporter and host, Jeremy Schaap.Schaap talks about ESPN's upcoming E60, "Southpaw–The Life and Legacy of Jim Abbott," which covers the career of the pitcher born without a right hand who threw a no-hitter as a Yankee. Schaap also discusses another great E60 that he worked on, "The Great Imposter," about the life of Barry Bremen, who was known for sneaking into various sporting events.Other topics discussed with Schaap include his famous interview with Bobby Knight, whether he's ever come close to leaving ESPN, the story he missed out on that hurts the most, the state of journalism in 2025 and much more.Following Schaap, Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York joins Jimmy for their weekly "Traina Thoughts" segment. This week, they discuss the new price for NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube, the "torpedo bats" discussion completely going away, 4th of July plans celebrity encounters and more.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 559 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features a conversation with the Athletic's sports media reporter, Richard Deitsch, about all latest sports media news..Topics discussed during podcast include how Stephen A. Smith became an ongoing story during the NBA Finals; the ratings for the Pacers-Thunder series; whether all the off-court storylines regarding Caitlin Clark help or hurt the WNBA; a couple of recent live broadcasting moments that made headlines; Amazon vs. NBA for next year's NBA coverage; the WWE's upcoming Netflix series that promises an unprecedented behind-the-scenes-look and much more.Following Deitsch, Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York joins Jimmy for their weekly "Traina Thoughts" segment. This week, they discuss the sad state of New York baseball, the new season of "Quarterback" on Netflix and the trailer for the new Bruce Springsteen biopic featuring Jeremy Allen White. In addition, Jimmy answers listener emails.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 558 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features a conversation with sports journalist, Joon Lee.Earlier this week, Lee wrote a story titled, '$4,785. That’s How Much It Costs to Be a Sports Fan Now," for the "New York Times." The piece detailed what it costs someone to be a sports fan in 2025, from the abundance of streaming services sports fans need to subscribe to the massive increase in cost of attending live events. Lee explains how costs have skyrocketed in such a short time, how the fractured broadcast schedule has hurt sports fans, what's happened to sports bars in recent years and much more.Lee also shares insights into the current state of sports media, discusses getting laid off from ESPN in 2023 and why YouTube is dominating the digital landscape.Following Lee, Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York joins Jimmy for their weekly "Traina Thoughts" segment. This week, they discuss Father's Day, feedback that came in after Jimmy bashed the Savannah Bananas, Stephen A. Smith playing solitaire during the NBA Finals, the new "Naked Gun" trailer and more.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 557 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" is an all-Mailbag edition followed by the weekly "Traina Thoughts" segment.Jimmy tackles listener-submitted questions regarding the NBA Finals ratings, the presentation of the NBA Finals by ESPN, the way the NBA drags out the NBA Finals schedule, NFL Network's lack of respect for "Good Morning Football," All-Star Games, Brian Windhorst's status with ESPN, Greg Olsen's future, where the former ESPN MLB package of games will end up, John Cena's heel turn, the WWE controversy surrounding R-Truth, favorite late-night hosts, best decade for pop culture and more.Following the Mailbag, Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York joins Jimmy for their weekly "Traina Thoughts" segment. This week, they discuss the lack of juice for the NBA Finals between Netflix's amazing docuseries, "American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden," the appeal of Oz the Mentalist and the Savannah Bananas, the anniversary of "The Sopranos" final episode and more.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 556 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features a conversation with ESPN lead NBA analyst Richard Jefferson.Jefferson talks about calling his first NBA Finals, how he's changed his style since becoming a lead analyst for NBC/ABC, whether the Pacers have a chance against the heavily favored Thunder, his vices, the LeBron James-Stephen A. Smith dust-up, the NBA's replay system, mixing it up on social media with Bill Simmons, why he likes calling blowouts, whether the NBA is rigged, ESPN making him button up his shirts, working with Ian Eagle and much more.Following Jefferson, Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York joins Jimmy for their weekly "Traina Thoughts" segment. This week, they discuss the Knicks losing to the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, New York firing head coach Tom Thibodeau, Stephen A. Smith going to SiriusXM, another Sal ailment, the time Jimmy faked falling down a flight of steps and their most-hated athletes. The segment wraps with Jimmy reading and reacting to "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" Apple reviews for May.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 555 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features a conversation with The Athletic's Andrew Marchand about all the latest sports media news.Topics include: What does ESPN's direct-to-consumer product mean for ESPN+?; Who has done the better job hiring NBA talent for next season: NBC or Amazon?; Reggie Miller's work calling Knicks-Pacers;How will "Inside the NBA" look on ESPN?; How will Caitlin Clark's two-week absence due to injury affect Fever ratings?; NFL schedule release; Pablo Torre's reporting on the Bill Belichick/girlfriend soap opera and much more.Following Marchand, Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York joins Jimmy for their weekly "Traina Thoughts" segment. This week, they discuss the Knicks-Pacers series, an old "30-for-30" that Jimmy recently watched, Ben Stiller vs. Pat McAfee and the best Ben Stiller movies. Sponsored by: Underdog SportsMust be 18 plus (19 plus in Alabama and Nebraska; 19 plus in Colorado for some games; 21 plus in Massachusetts and Arizona) and present in a state where Underdog Fantasy operates. Terms apply. Concerned with your play? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.ncpgambling.org. In Arizona, call 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXT-STEP to 53342. In New York, call the 24/7 HOPE line at 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text HOPENYAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 554 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features a conversation with ESPN's Tony Reali.Reali talks about the end of "Around the Horn" after hosting the show for 23 years, the vagueness from ESPN about the show's cancellation despite strong ratings, his contract status with ESPN, whether he's had talks with ESPN about staying with the network and what his future looks like.In addition, Reali reveals one regret he had while hosting the show, whether he thinks his reluctance to do interviews and social media hurt him, what he plans on doing during his time off, making a personal connection with fans of ATH and much more.Following Reali, Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York joins Jimmy for their weekly "Traina Thoughts" segment. This week, they discuss the Knicks-Pacers Eastern Conference Finals, what Finals matchup ESPN/ABC wants, the Juan Soto fallout from the Subway Series, Netflix's new documentary on Brett Favre, George Wendt's passing and a dilemma over free Knicks ticketsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 553 of "SI Media With Jimmy Traina" features a conversation with ESPN legend Chris Berman.Berman talks about signing a contract extension with ESPN that will keep him with the network until 2029–his 50th year at ESPN, working the Super Bowl on Valentine's Day in 2027 and the "Fastest 3 Minutes In Sports."Berman also discusses turning 70, the simplicity of "NFL PrimeTime," whether he's still mad that NBC and the NFL killed "PrimeTime," Brent Musburger finally winning the "Pete Rozelle Television and Radio Award," the circus currently surrounding Bill Belichick, recent concerts he's attended and much more.Following Berman, Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV in New York joins Jimmy for their weekly "Traina Thoughts" segment. This week, they discuss the NBA playoffs, NBC hiring Michael Jordan to be a "special contributor," the NFL schedule, Sal's Mother's Day and Jimmy's dad having a remote control disaster.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy