Latest / The 3Ts: Tables, Tailgates, and Toploaders / The 3Ts Hits Chicago

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The 3Ts Hits Chicago · The 3Ts: Tables, Tailgates, and Toploaders

• WEBVTT 00:00:11.339 --> 00:00:14.910 What's up friends, welcome to episode... 48 of 00:00:14.910 --> 00:00:17.250 tables, tailgates, and toploaders. So happy 00:00:17.250 --> 00:00:19.530 to have you all aboard for this episode. I'm 00:00:19.530 --> 00:00:21.929 your host, TB. Thank you so very much for stopping 00:00:21.929 --> 00:00:24.589 in and checking out the 3Ts. We have a lot 00:00:24.589 --> 00:00:26.850 to get to, so I don't want to waste any more 00:00:26.850 --> 00:00:29.149 time. Wrestling marks, you are on the clock. 00:00:29.250 --> 00:00:32.490 How are we feeling after Elimination Chamber? 00:00:32.810 --> 00:00:35.070 We have a lot to talk about after the Chicago 00:00:35.070 --> 00:00:38.390 pay -per -view on Saturday night. Now, full disclosure, 00:00:38.549 --> 00:00:41.070 my wife and I were there in person at the United 00:00:41.070 --> 00:00:44.240 Center in Chicago. had gotten me tickets to the 00:00:44.240 --> 00:00:47.560 show for my birthday, and this was the first 00:00:47.560 --> 00:00:50.840 time I was there. Now, I had gone and torn my 00:00:50.840 --> 00:00:54.460 meniscus about two weeks ago at this point, but 00:00:54.460 --> 00:00:56.840 we decided to still try to make the trip, and 00:00:56.840 --> 00:01:00.920 I hobbled my busted -up self there, crutches 00:01:00.920 --> 00:01:03.880 and all. And we still had a great time. And this 00:01:03.880 --> 00:01:05.859 was, like I said, this was my first time in the 00:01:05.859 --> 00:01:09.219 United Center. So it was pretty special. I was 00:01:09.219 --> 00:01:11.680 a kid. I was about, what, 11? I think I've talked 00:01:11.680 --> 00:01:14.000 about this before, but I was about 11 years old. 00:01:14.060 --> 00:01:16.469 And when I was a kid growing up. One of the things 00:01:16.469 --> 00:01:19.969 I loved the most was watching Chicago Bulls basketball 00:01:19.969 --> 00:01:22.849 with my dad. I was a huge Bulls fan, had the 00:01:22.849 --> 00:01:24.730 starter coat. Michael Jordan was my favorite 00:01:24.730 --> 00:01:27.170 player, still is my favorite player of all time. 00:01:27.349 --> 00:01:29.450 I just loved it. We watched pretty much every 00:01:29.450 --> 00:01:32.909 game, followed them through the whole decade 00:01:32.909 --> 00:01:36.349 plus of time that they were winning championship 00:01:36.349 --> 00:01:39.769 after championship. So for me to be in the arena 00:01:39.769 --> 00:01:43.370 where all this Michael Jordan magic and those 00:01:43.370 --> 00:01:46.290 teams were assembled, was pretty, pretty special. 00:01:46.510 --> 00:01:48.849 Now being on crutches, I wish I could have walked. 00:01:49.159 --> 00:01:51.560 around the arena a bit more, seen some of the 00:01:51.560 --> 00:01:54.439 trophies, spent some time with the statues and 00:01:54.439 --> 00:01:56.379 things like that, but at least we were there 00:01:56.379 --> 00:01:59.200 to see the show, the Elimination Chamber, and 00:01:59.200 --> 00:02:01.040 that's all that matters. And talking about the 00:02:01.040 --> 00:02:03.359 Bulls, I got to start with CM Punk versus Finn 00:02:03.359 --> 00:02:06.099 Balor and that match, and more specifically, 00:02:06.340 --> 00:02:10.379 CM Punk's entrance, because holy cow, this was 00:02:10.379 --> 00:02:12.919 awesome. You want to talk about paying homage, 00:02:13.139 --> 00:02:16.060 paying tribute to the iconic Michael Jordan and 00:02:16.060 --> 00:02:19.099 the teams of the 90s, those 1990s Chicago Bulls 00:02:19.099 --> 00:02:22.400 teams CM Punk came out to their entrance music 00:02:22.400 --> 00:02:24.719 that was used to announce this team specifically 00:02:24.719 --> 00:02:28.520 back in the 90s and they even brought back legendary 00:02:28.520 --> 00:02:32.020 PA announcer Ray Clay to do the introduction 00:02:32.020 --> 00:02:36.080 of CM Punk it was fantastic it was awesome to 00:02:36.080 --> 00:02:40.340 hear that I got almost chills when it started 00:02:40.340 --> 00:02:43.620 and to see the promo package and the whole the 00:02:43.620 --> 00:02:47.069 whole thing was beautifully done it was well 00:02:47.069 --> 00:02:49.810 well done it was awesome and having seen those 00:02:49.810 --> 00:02:52.330 bulls entrances hundreds and hundreds of times 00:02:52.330 --> 00:02:54.849 as a kid and then getting to actually be in the 00:02:54.849 --> 00:02:57.650 same building and recreate that feel for the 00:02:57.650 --> 00:03:00.069 hometown hero CM Punk it was truly awesome it 00:03:00.069 --> 00:03:02.370 was magical it was probably the highlight of 00:03:02.370 --> 00:03:05.689 the entire night it was spectacular I can't say 00:03:05.689 --> 00:03:07.969 enough good things about the start of that match 00:03:07.969 --> 00:03:10.409 in the intro and I will say that even though 00:03:10.409 --> 00:03:13.509 Finn Balor lost it was a great match it was a 00:03:13.509 --> 00:03:16.550 great match. Those two put on a show. Fantastic. 00:03:16.949 --> 00:03:20.310 Nothing bad to say. I was sad that Finn Balor 00:03:20.310 --> 00:03:23.210 didn't actually win. And at some point in the 00:03:23.210 --> 00:03:24.849 match, there was probably a moment where I was 00:03:24.849 --> 00:03:26.889 like, could they actually do this? Could Finn 00:03:26.889 --> 00:03:29.650 actually pull this off? That's all I needed. 00:03:29.789 --> 00:03:32.349 I needed that small glimmer of hope. Obviously, 00:03:32.349 --> 00:03:34.530 he didn't win. I knew he had no chance. But for 00:03:34.530 --> 00:03:38.090 that one fleeting moment to actually believe 00:03:38.090 --> 00:03:40.629 that he could win in Chicago against the hometown 00:03:40.629 --> 00:03:44.430 hero was awesome. Deep down, he had no chance, 00:03:44.530 --> 00:03:46.789 but the presentation and the match itself was 00:03:46.789 --> 00:03:49.210 outstanding. The post -match handshake between 00:03:49.210 --> 00:03:51.990 Finn and CM Punk was classic, and it really solidified 00:03:51.990 --> 00:03:54.389 the respect that these two have for each other. 00:03:54.729 --> 00:03:57.530 That was a special moment for me as a fan, as 00:03:57.530 --> 00:04:00.750 a kid, talking nostalgia runs and just being 00:04:00.750 --> 00:04:03.370 in that building to do the whole Chicago Bulls 00:04:03.370 --> 00:04:07.349 entrance for CM Punk with the PA announcer. It 00:04:07.349 --> 00:04:11.030 was awesome, and I'm so blessed. And just I can't 00:04:11.030 --> 00:04:13.110 believe I got to be there to see that in person. 00:04:13.169 --> 00:04:17.110 But yeah, that was a freaking highlight and definitely 00:04:17.110 --> 00:04:19.730 something I will remember forever. But the rest 00:04:19.730 --> 00:04:22.430 of the show, the women's chamber match. Let's 00:04:22.430 --> 00:04:24.990 start with that. Now, here's the thing. In person, 00:04:25.189 --> 00:04:29.029 it could be a bit tricky seeing some of the spots 00:04:29.029 --> 00:04:32.730 in the elimination chamber because you put this 00:04:32.730 --> 00:04:36.290 huge structure on top of the ring. Look, unless 00:04:36.290 --> 00:04:41.610 you're sitting front row and your sight is dead 00:04:41.610 --> 00:04:45.009 straight on, it's going to be not always the 00:04:45.009 --> 00:04:47.889 easiest viewing experience. But I tell you, it 00:04:47.889 --> 00:04:50.709 was quite the spectacle to see this chamber in 00:04:50.709 --> 00:04:53.029 person. I have always wanted to be there for 00:04:53.029 --> 00:04:55.449 a chamber match. It was on my bucket list. And 00:04:55.449 --> 00:04:58.649 shout out to my wife for being able to hook your 00:04:58.649 --> 00:05:00.930 boy up for his birthday. But it was awesome. 00:05:01.009 --> 00:05:04.029 But the women's match, they went safe. We had 00:05:04.029 --> 00:05:06.319 talked about it in the... the preview. They went 00:05:06.319 --> 00:05:08.560 safe with Rhea Ripley winning, and I totally 00:05:08.560 --> 00:05:11.519 get it. I had wanted Alexa Bliss, but I thought 00:05:11.519 --> 00:05:13.819 Rhea would actually win, and that's exactly what 00:05:13.819 --> 00:05:16.439 happened. I rewatched this one back once we got 00:05:16.439 --> 00:05:18.959 home, and I kind of liked it better after the 00:05:18.959 --> 00:05:21.060 rewatch. I'll be honest. I thought it was a really 00:05:21.060 --> 00:05:23.480 solid match in person, but I thought after the 00:05:23.480 --> 00:05:26.480 rewatch, it was even better. I thought all six 00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:29.259 of the women did really well. Kiana James, look, 00:05:29.360 --> 00:05:31.839 she is here to stay, and she put herself on the 00:05:31.839 --> 00:05:34.370 map with this performance. She was great. Raquel 00:05:34.370 --> 00:05:38.889 Rodriguez showcased herself as a dominant powerhouse 00:05:38.889 --> 00:05:41.310 force. I absolutely loved what she did in the 00:05:41.310 --> 00:05:44.009 chamber, just exerting her power, her will, her 00:05:44.009 --> 00:05:46.209 dominance all over the place. She's setting herself 00:05:46.209 --> 00:05:48.730 up for a good run. I would like to see her with 00:05:48.730 --> 00:05:51.509 some gold soon. Tiffany Stratton, look, you know, 00:05:51.569 --> 00:05:55.050 I have kind of said she's kind of taken a few 00:05:55.050 --> 00:05:59.540 steps down, but wow. Rewatching this, Tiffy Time 00:05:59.540 --> 00:06:02.480 took some damage in this match. I mean, she was 00:06:02.480 --> 00:06:05.420 getting her ass beat. And I give her a ton of 00:06:05.420 --> 00:06:07.899 credit. She looked really strong. It was nice 00:06:07.899 --> 00:06:11.100 to see her bounce back after some less than stellar 00:06:11.100 --> 00:06:14.220 matches over the last month or so. And Rhea Ripley, 00:06:14.339 --> 00:06:15.899 I mean, what can you say at this point other 00:06:15.899 --> 00:06:18.899 than she is fantastic. She's great. And it's 00:06:18.899 --> 00:06:21.360 going to be a good showdown between her and Jade 00:06:21.360 --> 00:06:24.199 Cargill at WrestleMania. I think it was a really 00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:26.540 good chamber match. And it was a great start 00:06:26.540 --> 00:06:28.720 to the show. And like I said, having rewatched 00:06:28.720 --> 00:06:31.980 it back once we got home, you pick up some of 00:06:31.980 --> 00:06:35.000 the smaller details that you miss seeing live 00:06:35.000 --> 00:06:36.639 in person. But yeah, I thought it was great. 00:06:36.740 --> 00:06:38.839 So let's talk about the second match of the night. 00:06:38.959 --> 00:06:41.500 The disappointment match. This was Becky Lynch 00:06:41.500 --> 00:06:44.379 versus AJ Lee for the Intercontinental title. 00:06:44.540 --> 00:06:46.600 Now this one, I got to tell you, this one shocked 00:06:46.600 --> 00:06:50.220 me. I was shocked that they put the title on 00:06:50.220 --> 00:06:53.899 AJ. I just don't think AJ looked good in this 00:06:53.899 --> 00:06:56.350 match. at all. Now, you'll probably say, well, 00:06:56.410 --> 00:06:58.089 that's because Becky Lynch is one of your favorites, 00:06:58.189 --> 00:07:01.310 and she is, but I think Becky carried the crap 00:07:01.310 --> 00:07:04.470 out of this match. I think she tried like hell 00:07:04.470 --> 00:07:07.910 to carry her and to make AJ look good. 10 years 00:07:07.910 --> 00:07:10.370 is a long time to be out of the game, so I don't 00:07:10.370 --> 00:07:12.910 know whether she is actually running through 00:07:12.910 --> 00:07:17.569 matches on the side, but I don't know. I don't 00:07:17.569 --> 00:07:20.230 know. I think the match was entertaining. but 00:07:20.230 --> 00:07:23.449 I don't know what the long -term story is with 00:07:23.449 --> 00:07:26.310 AJ winning this IC belt. She came out on Monday 00:07:26.310 --> 00:07:28.610 Night Raw last night. She issued kind of an open 00:07:28.610 --> 00:07:30.970 challenge, and now there's going to be this gauntlet 00:07:30.970 --> 00:07:33.050 match with a whole bunch of women, I think six 00:07:33.050 --> 00:07:35.310 or seven women, to determine who the number one 00:07:35.310 --> 00:07:38.370 contender is to face her, probably at WrestleMania, 00:07:38.649 --> 00:07:41.350 but there was no sign of big -time backs on Monday 00:07:41.350 --> 00:07:43.610 Night Raw, so I'm not sure what to think. I was 00:07:43.610 --> 00:07:45.689 hoping that they would run this back at WrestleMania, 00:07:45.870 --> 00:07:48.170 but I don't know if that's going to be in the 00:07:48.170 --> 00:07:50.610 cards for... Becky so I don't know where they 00:07:50.610 --> 00:07:53.670 turn or who Becky will feud with next or maybe 00:07:53.670 --> 00:07:56.250 she takes some time off but I'm just not sure 00:07:56.250 --> 00:08:01.050 AJ Lee is a fit for a long title run and I hope 00:08:01.050 --> 00:08:03.490 that's not what we're getting yeah it's fine 00:08:03.490 --> 00:08:06.110 you pop the crowd a little bit but I don't I 00:08:06.110 --> 00:08:08.990 don't know at one point in in Chicago they were 00:08:08.990 --> 00:08:11.430 chanting you can't wrestle and it was it was 00:08:11.430 --> 00:08:13.329 kind of rough it was kind of rough I did think 00:08:13.329 --> 00:08:15.470 like I said I thought the match was was entertaining 00:08:15.470 --> 00:08:19.569 but I do think that Becky Lynch did a ton of 00:08:19.569 --> 00:08:23.629 the heavy lifting in this match. So yeah, I was 00:08:23.629 --> 00:08:25.949 definitely disappointed that they took the belt 00:08:25.949 --> 00:08:28.910 off Becky and gave it to AJ, but what are you 00:08:28.910 --> 00:08:31.529 going to do? And then before we get to the main 00:08:31.529 --> 00:08:33.750 event, before we talk about the men's elimination 00:08:33.750 --> 00:08:36.669 chamber match, let's take a second to talk about 00:08:36.669 --> 00:08:39.850 the big crate reveal. This was the crate opening 00:08:39.850 --> 00:08:42.710 probably heard around the world. I mean, look. 00:08:45.019 --> 00:08:48.120 Sometimes it's so easy to fall in line with all 00:08:48.120 --> 00:08:51.340 the internet haters, with all the online wrestling 00:08:51.340 --> 00:08:54.179 community. Look, it's very similar. I've talked 00:08:54.179 --> 00:08:56.200 about this before. The internet online wrestling 00:08:56.200 --> 00:08:59.399 community is very similar to Bell's Mafia and 00:08:59.399 --> 00:09:02.820 the vocal clowns that just go and crap all over 00:09:02.820 --> 00:09:06.120 everything. So it's easy to fall in line with 00:09:06.120 --> 00:09:08.139 all the crap that the internet has put out since 00:09:08.139 --> 00:09:10.909 Saturday and the big crate reveal. I have to 00:09:10.909 --> 00:09:13.590 be honest, in person, seeing this in person, 00:09:13.649 --> 00:09:16.750 being in the arena for this event, it was a bit 00:09:16.750 --> 00:09:18.710 of a letdown. It was a bit of a letdown. And 00:09:18.710 --> 00:09:21.409 I guess that's because we like to psych ourselves 00:09:21.409 --> 00:09:24.299 up into having these. ridiculous expectations 00:09:24.299 --> 00:09:27.399 that I just don't think it's ever possible that 00:09:27.399 --> 00:09:30.799 our expectations are going to be met. What are 00:09:30.799 --> 00:09:32.919 our expectations? Who knows? We talked about 00:09:32.919 --> 00:09:34.679 it. Well, what's in the crate? What would the 00:09:34.679 --> 00:09:37.000 possibilities have even been? And we talked about 00:09:37.000 --> 00:09:39.240 Chris Jericho, and everyone's hoping Chris Jericho 00:09:39.240 --> 00:09:41.120 is coming at some point. Maybe he is, maybe he 00:09:41.120 --> 00:09:43.779 isn't. I don't even know at this point. But would 00:09:43.779 --> 00:09:46.299 there have been a scenario in which we would 00:09:46.299 --> 00:09:48.840 have been happy? And that's the thing I go back 00:09:48.840 --> 00:09:52.700 to. are doing something like this and you have 00:09:52.700 --> 00:09:56.559 a month to prep for an event to happen and you're 00:09:56.559 --> 00:09:58.480 really not sure which way it could go and you 00:09:58.480 --> 00:10:00.960 set your own expectations, you set them so high 00:10:00.960 --> 00:10:03.500 that it has no choice but to fail. Would Chris 00:10:03.500 --> 00:10:05.779 Jericho actually coming out of the crate have 00:10:05.779 --> 00:10:08.340 made sense? No, probably not at all. But would 00:10:08.340 --> 00:10:10.460 he have gotten booed out of the building? Probably 00:10:10.460 --> 00:10:12.940 no to that too. And that's... kind of where the 00:10:12.940 --> 00:10:15.620 issue lies. So the crate is wheeled onto the 00:10:15.620 --> 00:10:17.899 stage, the GMs come out, they get their crowbars, 00:10:18.100 --> 00:10:20.100 they're prying open the lid, and all of a sudden 00:10:20.100 --> 00:10:22.879 you see a coffin. And I'm like, oh, this is weird, 00:10:23.019 --> 00:10:26.200 right? And then the lid to the coffin pops open, 00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:29.200 and then suddenly you see a bunch of dancing 00:10:29.200 --> 00:10:31.759 vampire girls, and this leads the way for the 00:10:31.759 --> 00:10:35.289 debut of... dan hausen now i've heard of dan 00:10:35.289 --> 00:10:38.149 hausen but honestly i wasn't totally familiar 00:10:38.149 --> 00:10:40.809 with his work and it's one of those things where 00:10:40.809 --> 00:10:42.549 you're in the moment and you're kind of looking 00:10:42.549 --> 00:10:44.309 around with everybody else and everyone's like 00:10:44.309 --> 00:10:46.789 what the hell is this so i just talked to my 00:10:46.789 --> 00:10:48.809 wife and i go well that was kind of disappointing 00:10:48.809 --> 00:10:52.029 so he gets to the ring they're all dancing around 00:10:52.029 --> 00:10:55.899 they're all in vampire you know face paint and 00:10:55.899 --> 00:10:58.220 all kinds of stuff. He does his pose. He goes 00:10:58.220 --> 00:11:00.700 down, he hands Michael Cole some teeth in a jar, 00:11:00.799 --> 00:11:03.080 and then he just disappears under the ring. And 00:11:03.080 --> 00:11:05.179 then that's it. That's it. That's the whole thing. 00:11:05.419 --> 00:11:08.379 So everyone's like, what? What just happened? 00:11:08.580 --> 00:11:12.080 And so then the place literally is raining booze 00:11:12.080 --> 00:11:15.559 down on this thing. Just raining booze all over 00:11:15.559 --> 00:11:19.340 the United Center. It was a bit crazy. Now, look, 00:11:19.460 --> 00:11:21.639 I watched Monday Night Raw last night. I saw 00:11:21.639 --> 00:11:24.299 his backstage segment with... Adam Pierce. I 00:11:24.299 --> 00:11:26.139 thought it was great. And then he's introduced 00:11:26.139 --> 00:11:29.179 to the Judgment Day. And now I understand what 00:11:29.179 --> 00:11:32.419 the purpose is of bringing him on board is. And 00:11:32.419 --> 00:11:35.559 look, I'm totally on board. So in the span of 00:11:35.559 --> 00:11:39.740 three days, I've done a 180. And it's because 00:11:39.740 --> 00:11:43.059 you allow your expectations to kind of like psych 00:11:43.059 --> 00:11:45.200 yourself. You psych yourself up so much that 00:11:45.200 --> 00:11:47.580 nothing could ever meet what you hope it's going 00:11:47.580 --> 00:11:50.299 to be. And like I said, I just... I don't know. 00:11:50.379 --> 00:11:52.779 But going back to what I've talked about wrestling 00:11:52.779 --> 00:11:56.000 being this whole big variety show, there needs 00:11:56.000 --> 00:11:58.519 to be something for everybody. And I think bringing 00:11:58.519 --> 00:12:01.679 Dan Housen in fills in a definite niche for some 00:12:01.679 --> 00:12:04.320 people. He's going to be this dark comedy aspect 00:12:04.320 --> 00:12:08.220 of the show. And it's all about like. You know, 00:12:08.259 --> 00:12:10.659 he's going to kind of play up to the kids. But 00:12:10.659 --> 00:12:13.320 I like some of these gimmicks. I like some of 00:12:13.320 --> 00:12:15.080 this stuff. We talked about R -Truth way back 00:12:15.080 --> 00:12:17.279 when I started the podcast and the role R -Truth 00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:20.139 has as far as the comedy act. And we talked about 00:12:20.139 --> 00:12:23.419 some of these guys from before with Santino Morella 00:12:23.419 --> 00:12:28.399 and certain character wrestlers like that. And 00:12:28.399 --> 00:12:31.919 it's kind of lacking. This role is lacking in... 00:12:32.220 --> 00:12:34.179 in the product right now. And so I'm totally 00:12:34.179 --> 00:12:36.080 okay with it. So he shows up on Monday Night 00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:38.679 Raw. He curses Dom Mysterio, which I thought 00:12:38.679 --> 00:12:41.120 was great. And then Dom goes on and loses the 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:43.860 IC belt to Penta. And look, if they play their 00:12:43.860 --> 00:12:46.840 cards right, now you have a automatic feud between 00:12:46.840 --> 00:12:49.639 Dominic and Dan Housen. That would be great. 00:12:49.799 --> 00:12:52.159 It would be great. I think it would be a good 00:12:52.159 --> 00:12:55.139 story to tell right off jump if they do it right. 00:12:55.259 --> 00:12:58.460 Now, obviously you have Finn there and how do 00:12:58.460 --> 00:13:01.159 I know, or how do we know what? what the next 00:13:01.159 --> 00:13:02.840 feud is going to be. Is Finn going to feud with 00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:04.980 Dom? Who knows? But to have Dan Housen versus 00:13:04.980 --> 00:13:06.700 Dirty Dom right off jump, I think that would 00:13:06.700 --> 00:13:09.159 be a great feud. Depending on how they want to 00:13:09.159 --> 00:13:12.279 handle Finn Balor, I think that would be fantastic. 00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:14.279 I think it could be a lot of fun. I think you 00:13:14.279 --> 00:13:17.799 could have... You could really entertain the 00:13:17.799 --> 00:13:20.100 crowd, and that's an aspect of wrestling that's 00:13:20.100 --> 00:13:22.559 kind of lacking right now. I know they're trying 00:13:22.559 --> 00:13:25.259 to do it a little bit with the Grande Americano 00:13:25.259 --> 00:13:28.299 thing, but that seems to be just dragging and 00:13:28.299 --> 00:13:30.399 dragging and dragging. But we shall see what 00:13:30.399 --> 00:13:33.360 happens. So Dan Housen, look, yeah, at first 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:36.000 I was like, what the hell is this? And then now 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:38.980 that I can actually see what the vision is and 00:13:38.980 --> 00:13:41.320 if they lean into this, I think it would be good 00:13:41.320 --> 00:13:43.720 for the company, good for the product, and kind 00:13:43.720 --> 00:13:46.450 of mix things up a little bit. shall see but 00:13:46.450 --> 00:13:48.970 let's talk about the main event the men's chamber 00:13:48.970 --> 00:13:51.870 match we got to start with the first entrant 00:13:51.870 --> 00:13:55.230 trick williams dude oh my goodness this guy is 00:13:55.230 --> 00:13:58.929 over as you can imagine i mean this guy has star 00:13:58.929 --> 00:14:01.470 power written all over him he should be on a 00:14:01.470 --> 00:14:04.710 path to a major title very soon they need to 00:14:04.710 --> 00:14:07.210 take advantage of this they can't let this sit 00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:11.700 This dude is fire. He comes out. His music hits. 00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:15.379 And the entire arena is just chanting, whoop 00:14:15.379 --> 00:14:19.179 that trick. And I was joining in. I'll admit 00:14:19.179 --> 00:14:23.179 it. It was fun. And this guy is star written 00:14:23.179 --> 00:14:25.960 all over him. So please, WWE, take advantage 00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:27.840 of this. Strike while the iron's hot. People 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:30.840 already love this guy. He is the total package. 00:14:31.259 --> 00:14:34.039 Strap a rocket to his back and get him right 00:14:34.039 --> 00:14:37.740 into a title picture. Javon Evans. His in -ring 00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:40.679 ability is off the charts. I mean, your eyes, 00:14:40.820 --> 00:14:45.659 even in a six -man match, you're glued to this 00:14:45.659 --> 00:14:47.860 guy. You're glued to him when he's in the ring. 00:14:48.100 --> 00:14:50.879 He's flying all over the place. His in -ring 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:53.919 ability is fantastic. It's crazy. So a couple 00:14:53.919 --> 00:14:56.519 little tweaks here and there, a little character 00:14:56.519 --> 00:14:59.519 work, a little mic work. And I think... Literally, 00:14:59.539 --> 00:15:03.340 WWE can print money off of this guy. So these 00:15:03.340 --> 00:15:06.460 two guys are fantastic. And then if we can get 00:15:06.460 --> 00:15:09.340 Oba pushed to the moon, some of these new guys 00:15:09.340 --> 00:15:12.360 they got coming in to the main roster, fan -freaking 00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:15.100 -tastic. Can't wait to see what happens during 00:15:15.100 --> 00:15:18.820 2026. Looking at some of the reviews of this 00:15:18.820 --> 00:15:21.480 men's match, some said this match was an overbooked 00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:24.200 mess with all the interference, all the interferences, 00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:27.480 all the extra people added. I totally, totally 00:15:27.480 --> 00:15:29.879 disagree. I think this is exactly what you need 00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:32.220 to do with a match like this. Number one, the 00:15:32.220 --> 00:15:34.700 rest of the show was. pretty straightforward 00:15:34.700 --> 00:15:37.379 so saving all the run -ins for this match made 00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:39.559 total sense and number two this is exactly where 00:15:39.559 --> 00:15:42.220 you have it because there's a lot of people there's 00:15:42.220 --> 00:15:45.139 so much happening and i i love it i love it and 00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:47.840 it's already kind of messy with the whole chamber 00:15:47.840 --> 00:15:50.600 thing anyway so just bring everybody in and have 00:15:50.600 --> 00:15:53.539 a freaking free -for -all it was awesome so yeah 00:15:53.539 --> 00:15:55.960 there's not much else everything else kind of 00:15:55.960 --> 00:15:59.889 played it straight Finn Balor and CM Punk, there 00:15:59.889 --> 00:16:01.590 was no interference. That was a straight match. 00:16:01.870 --> 00:16:04.649 Now there's a little ref shenanigans with the 00:16:04.649 --> 00:16:08.330 Becky AJ match, but all in all, that was pretty 00:16:08.330 --> 00:16:10.250 straightforward. And then the women's match, 00:16:10.409 --> 00:16:13.169 that was as straightforward as it gets. So yeah, 00:16:13.230 --> 00:16:17.289 put all the schmazola in this men's match and 00:16:17.289 --> 00:16:19.710 it was great. And it made total sense. So the 00:16:19.710 --> 00:16:22.529 hooded figures coming in, they were fakes and 00:16:22.529 --> 00:16:25.129 leading to the next hooded figure stomping out 00:16:25.129 --> 00:16:27.519 Logan Paul after he hit. had eliminated single 00:16:27.519 --> 00:16:29.820 -handedly three of the six entrants and then 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:32.179 you have the Seth Rollins reveal after this the 00:16:32.179 --> 00:16:35.299 curb stomp to Logan Paul Seth pulling off the 00:16:35.299 --> 00:16:36.940 mask, everyone knew it was going to be him, but 00:16:36.940 --> 00:16:38.879 the reveal itself was brilliant. We all knew 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:41.320 that it would be him eventually, but it didn't 00:16:41.320 --> 00:16:45.120 make it any less awesome. So I was jazzed. It 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:47.720 was fantastic. And anytime you get a surprise, 00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:50.700 not surprise, Seth Rollins reveal, I think it's 00:16:50.700 --> 00:16:53.600 magic. And it was a welcome sight in my book. 00:16:53.700 --> 00:16:55.740 The Drew run -in that happened shortly thereafter 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:58.559 where he came in, he hit Cody Rhodes with the 00:16:58.559 --> 00:17:01.570 belt. You figured he was going to interject himself 00:17:01.570 --> 00:17:04.230 into this match some way, somehow. It didn't 00:17:04.230 --> 00:17:07.410 make it any less awesome there either. So I thought 00:17:07.410 --> 00:17:09.849 it was great. And I'm pretty sure everyone else, 00:17:09.869 --> 00:17:11.549 including myself, was getting a little nervous 00:17:11.549 --> 00:17:13.849 when it was down to Cody and Randy as the last 00:17:13.849 --> 00:17:16.450 two entrants in this match. So I'm like, please, 00:17:16.589 --> 00:17:19.990 something happen and get Cody out because I can't. 00:17:20.200 --> 00:17:22.660 I know we'll probably end up there next Friday, 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:25.980 but that's for another show. But the Drew run 00:17:25.980 --> 00:17:28.880 in, the smash on Cody, it was awesome. And then 00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:32.559 instantly Randy waiting that split second and 00:17:32.559 --> 00:17:35.859 hitting him with the RKO to drop Cody as soon 00:17:35.859 --> 00:17:38.480 as they got rid of Drew McIntyre was fantastic. 00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:40.799 I thought the ending to this match was perfect. 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:43.220 I thought the timing was on point. I thought 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:45.839 it flowed smoothly right into the very surprising 00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:48.819 RKO that came out of absolute nowhere. And the 00:17:48.819 --> 00:17:50.970 one, two, three, four. Randy Orton. Chicago went 00:17:50.970 --> 00:17:52.769 crazy. They were very happy with the ending. 00:17:53.529 --> 00:17:55.950 yeah, I don't know if people really want to see 00:17:55.950 --> 00:17:58.869 Cody with the belt anymore, he's got his entrance, 00:17:59.130 --> 00:18:00.769 everyone loves the entrance, and then kind of 00:18:00.769 --> 00:18:03.250 like, okay, you can go off to the back now, because 00:18:03.250 --> 00:18:05.250 nobody really wants to see him with the belt, 00:18:05.329 --> 00:18:08.890 I sure as hell don't, and so seeing Randy RKO 00:18:08.890 --> 00:18:10.829 him out of nowhere after the Drew interference 00:18:10.829 --> 00:18:14.109 and run -in was fantastic, and getting Orton 00:18:14.109 --> 00:18:17.809 to the title match, hopefully we get there at 00:18:17.809 --> 00:18:19.890 WrestleMania, because I would love to see Randy 00:18:19.890 --> 00:18:24.029 win the belt at Mania, but All in all, I thought 00:18:24.029 --> 00:18:25.609 it was a really good show. I thought it was a 00:18:25.609 --> 00:18:27.750 ton of fun to be there in person. Some of the 00:18:27.750 --> 00:18:29.930 match outcomes weren't what I was hoping for, 00:18:30.069 --> 00:18:32.289 but hey, look, it's professional wrestling, and 00:18:32.289 --> 00:18:34.230 that's to be expected. I'm not going to get what 00:18:34.230 --> 00:18:36.750 I want, but I thought this was a fantastic show. 00:18:37.009 --> 00:18:40.109 My wife and I had a ton of fun, and so I think 00:18:40.109 --> 00:18:43.190 I'm going to give it a 3 .5 out of 4 turnbuckles. 00:18:43.769 --> 00:18:45.890 Now, maybe that's a little higher because I was 00:18:45.890 --> 00:18:47.529 actually there in person, but hey, what can I 00:18:47.529 --> 00:18:50.400 say? I had a great freaking time. Having said 00:18:50.400 --> 00:18:52.940 that, I don't really recommend trying to go to 00:18:52.940 --> 00:18:56.579 a pay -per -view event on crutches. It's not 00:18:56.579 --> 00:18:59.740 the easiest thing to deal with. And most people, 00:18:59.839 --> 00:19:02.039 well, some do, but most people don't care that 00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:04.220 you're walking, you're hobbling around on crutches 00:19:04.220 --> 00:19:06.759 and they're just... They could care less. They'll 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:10.319 kick your legs out if they're given the opportunity. 00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:14.279 So whatever. But there was no way in hell I was 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:17.160 going to miss this. And it was so much fun. But 00:19:17.160 --> 00:19:19.519 anyway, this is going to be a nice segue right 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:21.920 into the top loader portion of the show. Car 00:19:21.920 --> 00:19:24.660 enthusiast, you are on the clock. How are we 00:19:24.660 --> 00:19:28.380 feeling? Because Topps WWE Universe just hit 00:19:28.380 --> 00:19:30.619 the shelves this week. And well, it has been 00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:34.640 a very long time coming. Topps hasn't exactly... 00:19:34.920 --> 00:19:37.880 nailed down the return. They haven't really crushed 00:19:37.880 --> 00:19:41.299 it so far. Getting the WWE license back under 00:19:41.299 --> 00:19:43.539 their wing, under their umbrella. It started 00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:47.180 out great. Last January, 2025, they started out 00:19:47.180 --> 00:19:50.680 on fire with the return of Topps Chrome WWE. 00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:53.880 That was a smash hit. We talked about that before. 00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:56.019 It was my favorite product of the year. And then 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:58.819 they went basically into hibernation for the 00:19:58.819 --> 00:20:01.599 rest of the program, program for the rest of 00:20:01.599 --> 00:20:03.960 the year. I know they came out with a few things. 00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:06.299 here and there, but it was kind of a mess. And 00:20:06.299 --> 00:20:09.569 it was delay after delay. I'm not really sure 00:20:09.569 --> 00:20:12.269 what happened, but here we are in March of 2026, 00:20:12.509 --> 00:20:17.230 and we're finally getting 2025 Topps WWE Universe. 00:20:17.410 --> 00:20:20.349 So yeah, they are a bit behind. And the problem 00:20:20.349 --> 00:20:22.809 with delays is that there are a ton of wrestlers 00:20:22.809 --> 00:20:25.890 in this product that aren't even employed with 00:20:25.890 --> 00:20:28.589 the WWE any longer. So that could be problematic 00:20:28.589 --> 00:20:31.190 when you spend a lot of money opening this up, 00:20:31.250 --> 00:20:34.250 and then you realize none of these people, or 00:20:34.250 --> 00:20:36.349 not none, but a good portion of these people 00:20:36.349 --> 00:20:38.640 no longer have jobs. especially when you hit 00:20:38.640 --> 00:20:40.920 an auto of someone that isn't even with the company, 00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:43.579 that could be a little frustrating. But the base 00:20:43.579 --> 00:20:46.900 set to this, 300 cards. The first 200 are your 00:20:46.900 --> 00:20:49.759 standard wrestlers. And then the next 100 are 00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:52.779 what they call base event variations. So they'll 00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:56.200 focus on like a specific pay -per -view, a specific 00:20:56.200 --> 00:20:59.339 show, something like that. So a little different. 00:20:59.420 --> 00:21:02.099 Before you dive in, because these prices are 00:21:02.099 --> 00:21:03.680 going through the roof, I would encourage everyone, 00:21:03.839 --> 00:21:06.079 if you are interested, maybe watch some openings. 00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:08.819 Look over the checklist. These are paper products. 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:12.660 They're not chrome. So the quality isn't as great 00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:15.960 as you're going to see in the upcoming 2026 Topps 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:18.680 Chrome release that they're starting to hint 00:21:18.680 --> 00:21:21.200 at. I have no idea when this is coming out. Everything 00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:23.900 seems to be delayed, but I'm expecting a pre 00:21:23.900 --> 00:21:26.380 -sale on that very soon. But anyway, back to 00:21:26.380 --> 00:21:28.339 the Universe product. As far as parallels go, 00:21:28.779 --> 00:21:31.480 there are currently, as far as what I'm seeing, 00:21:31.579 --> 00:21:33.980 there are 12 parallels to each card, which isn't 00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:35.819 great, but it isn't terrible either. I think 00:21:35.819 --> 00:21:37.980 with Baseball Series 1, you had like, I don't 00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:40.660 know, 50 freaking parallels. It was ridiculous. 00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:44.140 So to have 12, that's much more manageable, and 00:21:44.140 --> 00:21:47.259 we shall see what happens. So now on a personal 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:50.880 level, I was able to order four. blaster boxes 00:21:50.880 --> 00:21:54.799 before the prices for wwe universe went through 00:21:54.799 --> 00:21:57.660 the freaking roof now each blaster i bought this 00:21:57.660 --> 00:22:01.460 was 24 .99 so 25 bucks and i was able to get 00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:04.180 them through fanatics if you could believe it 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:07.900 it was very uh limited window but uh yeah i was 00:22:07.900 --> 00:22:10.200 able to order four so dropped 100 now let's talk 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:12.700 about it so because now these same blasters are 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:16.140 going for 50 55 60 bucks on the secondary sites 00:22:16.920 --> 00:22:19.339 It's crazy. But my personal review, let's start 00:22:19.339 --> 00:22:22.059 with the base cards. These are what I just talked 00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:24.640 about. The first 200 base cards, the design, 00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:28.140 I have to be honest, folks, I am not a fan at 00:22:28.140 --> 00:22:32.289 all of the first 200 base card design. I've watched 00:22:32.289 --> 00:22:35.289 openings online. And online, when you're looking 00:22:35.289 --> 00:22:37.890 at some of these openings online, the base cards 00:22:37.890 --> 00:22:40.349 look bigger on the card. Like the wrestlers look 00:22:40.349 --> 00:22:43.910 bigger on the card. In person, it's totally different. 00:22:43.990 --> 00:22:46.210 In person, and then this usually isn't the case. 00:22:46.309 --> 00:22:48.089 A lot of times I like the cards better when I'm 00:22:48.089 --> 00:22:50.529 opening them myself. This is not the case at 00:22:50.529 --> 00:22:52.910 all. I open these and the ratio on the base card, 00:22:52.970 --> 00:22:55.589 the ratio of the superstar to the card, the background 00:22:55.589 --> 00:22:58.210 portion of the card, I think it's way off. I 00:22:58.210 --> 00:23:00.250 think the wrestler is way too small. I mean, 00:23:00.269 --> 00:23:02.700 way too small. And God forbid you get a horizontal 00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:05.220 card. I think it's even worse. The wrestler is 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:08.740 smaller. I absolutely hate them. Hate them. Specifically 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:11.740 the sideways ones. They're stupid. But the regular 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:13.900 base cards, the vertical ones, I don't like them. 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:16.220 I think it's kind of disappointing because wrestling 00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:17.960 cards are some of my favorite cards to collect. 00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:21.059 Now, listen, I'm not a snob when it comes to 00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:24.119 base, collecting base. Actually. enjoy collecting 00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:26.440 base i like putting sets together and i take 00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:29.039 my time when i open product i i go through the 00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:31.660 base i read the backs i look at them like i i 00:23:31.660 --> 00:23:34.420 enjoy them but unfortunately for me with this 00:23:34.420 --> 00:23:37.220 universe set this is not it at all so the first 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:40.259 200 base cards numbers 1 through 200 not for 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:42.539 me but things get a little bit better when you 00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:45.180 look at the last 100 of the base checklist so 00:23:45.180 --> 00:23:47.720 the whole checklist 300 cards first 200 trash 00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:53.400 so 201 to 300 now these are a cards, the WWE 00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:55.859 event card. The proportion is a little different. 00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:58.819 So about two thirds of the card in the picture 00:23:58.819 --> 00:24:02.039 is the actual wrestler. And then it's a small 00:24:02.039 --> 00:24:04.299 icon of the event that the picture was taken 00:24:04.299 --> 00:24:07.299 from. Plus on the back, and I know how dare we, 00:24:07.319 --> 00:24:09.599 how dare I read the actual back of these cards, 00:24:09.660 --> 00:24:13.259 but they write a synopsis of that wrestler and 00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:15.420 that event. So I like it. It's way better, way 00:24:15.420 --> 00:24:17.680 better. So a third of the base I like, two thirds 00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:20.259 I hate. Trash. Where I think this set really 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:23.180 takes off is the inserts. Now, many people just 00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:25.079 pass over the inserts, but I think there are 00:24:25.079 --> 00:24:28.220 some pretty dope inserts in Topps Universe. I 00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:30.180 think some of the designs are pretty fire. So 00:24:30.180 --> 00:24:32.839 there's one called Namesakes. I love these. These 00:24:32.839 --> 00:24:35.299 are great. They have almost a full scale picture 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:37.440 of the wrestler and behind them is their individual 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:39.799 logo, which I think is the nice touch. These 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:42.660 look absolute fire. I pulled a CM Punk namesake. 00:24:42.839 --> 00:24:45.599 So it shows a picture of him almost full scale 00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:49.579 and or on the card, you know, full picture of 00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:52.440 him. And then behind him, it shows his two hand 00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:55.160 wrapped fists and it says best in the world kind 00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:58.319 of, you know, arcing around the photo. And I 00:24:58.319 --> 00:25:01.059 think those are great. And that's exactly what 00:25:01.059 --> 00:25:02.920 I need. So give me more of the namesake card. 00:25:02.990 --> 00:25:05.630 they look great another insert the ring leaders 00:25:05.630 --> 00:25:08.210 i think these are very cool to me that's the 00:25:08.210 --> 00:25:10.490 design of what the base card should have looked 00:25:10.490 --> 00:25:13.470 like for this product uh another one dazzling 00:25:13.470 --> 00:25:16.250 debuts these aren't terrible they're not great 00:25:16.250 --> 00:25:18.289 they're not terrible the colors seem a little 00:25:18.289 --> 00:25:20.930 weird but i do like how it lists the date and 00:25:20.930 --> 00:25:23.980 the event that the wrestler debuted To me, if 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:26.720 you are a flagship fan for baseball, Top Series 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:29.180 1, 2, and Update, these are kind of like the 00:25:29.180 --> 00:25:31.799 rookie debut cards in Top Series 2 and Update. 00:25:31.940 --> 00:25:34.799 I really appreciate these types of cards. I like 00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:36.680 to know stuff like this. There's also one called 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:39.240 the Rage Inserts. These are really cool. I managed 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:42.880 to pull a Gold Stone Uncle Howdy Rage Insert, 00:25:43.059 --> 00:25:45.099 which is numbered to 75. I think it's probably 00:25:45.099 --> 00:25:47.319 the best card I pulled out of the four blasters. 00:25:48.490 --> 00:25:50.650 Full disclosure, I did get an auto, but this 00:25:50.650 --> 00:25:52.390 kind of goes back to the beginning talking about 00:25:52.390 --> 00:25:54.769 this product when I said that there's an issue 00:25:54.769 --> 00:25:57.049 with the delay in getting these cards out. Don't 00:25:57.049 --> 00:26:00.210 forget this is a 2025 Topps Universe set that's 00:26:00.210 --> 00:26:02.750 releasing in 2026. There's wrestlers who are 00:26:02.750 --> 00:26:05.230 no longer in the company. So I pulled an autograph 00:26:05.230 --> 00:26:08.829 of NXT General Manager Ava. This is The Rock's 00:26:08.829 --> 00:26:12.630 daughter. And whatever. It's fine. It's fine. 00:26:13.349 --> 00:26:16.609 It's not the best considering she made some pretty... 00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:19.640 hot topic you know pretty political comments 00:26:19.640 --> 00:26:21.519 right before she kind of walked out the door 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:24.480 didn't resign uh they they offered her a new 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:26.539 contract she kind of turned it down and she's 00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:28.859 no longer with the company but hey to get an 00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:31.160 auto out of a blaster box tells you that there's 00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:33.759 a chance at least so yeah all in all i think 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:36.160 it was a fun rip if i had to spend 60 bucks instead 00:26:36.160 --> 00:26:38.900 of 25 there's no chance there's no chance i don't 00:26:38.900 --> 00:26:41.480 think that these cards are worth anywhere near 00:26:41.480 --> 00:26:44.880 that but if you can get them for $25. I think 00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:47.059 it's a good price point. I would be in at that 00:26:47.059 --> 00:26:48.819 price point. But what else is on the horizon? 00:26:49.039 --> 00:26:52.220 Topps Exalted WWE was listed for pre -sale for 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:54.920 about, I don't know, 60 seconds. And we've talked 00:26:54.920 --> 00:26:56.940 about this before, the craziness with the pre 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:59.380 -sales and the EQLs. With this set, Topps is 00:26:59.380 --> 00:27:01.160 definitely venturing into the higher end with 00:27:01.160 --> 00:27:02.740 some of their wrestling products. This is one 00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:05.460 pack. You get one single pack. You get five cards. 00:27:05.599 --> 00:27:07.880 You're supposed to get two autos and one relic. 00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:10.859 And this is the product that is supposed to have 00:27:10.859 --> 00:27:14.180 event -worn memorabilia from John Cena's last 00:27:14.180 --> 00:27:17.039 WrestleMania. Right now, the cheapest you can 00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:20.660 find this product, WWE Exalted, is for right 00:27:20.660 --> 00:27:24.059 around $325 a box. So that's going to be a hard 00:27:24.059 --> 00:27:25.880 pass for me. But if you're feeling adventurous, 00:27:26.200 --> 00:27:30.880 I would dive right into Exalted. Bowman's Best 00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:32.960 Baseball comes out next week. This is usually 00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:35.880 a pretty big product in the scope of Bowman. 00:27:36.359 --> 00:27:38.200 Yeah, it looks great. Some of the cards look 00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:42.200 absolute fire, but your buy -in cost is $500. 00:27:42.740 --> 00:27:46.960 $500 for a hobby box currently on your secondary 00:27:46.960 --> 00:27:49.279 markets. And for me, that's just not happening. 00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:52.700 I can only talk about it so many times, but it's 00:27:52.700 --> 00:27:55.000 just like, I don't have, well, it's not that 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:57.299 I don't have the money. It's just, I can't operate 00:27:57.299 --> 00:28:01.390 in that. area of this hobby where I'm dropping 00:28:01.390 --> 00:28:05.490 $500 for a box of cards. It's absolutely ridiculous. 00:28:05.970 --> 00:28:08.049 So personally, I'm kind of getting back into 00:28:08.049 --> 00:28:10.470 buying up singles all over the place. I love 00:28:10.470 --> 00:28:13.029 to get onto eBay and check out what's going on, 00:28:13.109 --> 00:28:15.369 but baseball is about to start. I love to search 00:28:15.369 --> 00:28:17.910 for my guys that I PC and try to find some good 00:28:17.910 --> 00:28:20.789 deals. I just grabbed the 1991 throwback on card 00:28:20.789 --> 00:28:23.970 auto from top series one of CJ Abrams. Look, 00:28:24.049 --> 00:28:26.289 I've told you before top series one, I'm digging 00:28:26.289 --> 00:28:27.930 it. And the throwback cards, you know, I love 00:28:27.930 --> 00:28:30.890 my throwback cards. That card is fire. The auto 00:28:30.890 --> 00:28:33.650 is super clean. The card looks great. And I paid 00:28:33.650 --> 00:28:37.529 less than $18 for an on -card auto of CJ Abrams. 00:28:37.630 --> 00:28:40.589 Is he a freaking superstar? Is he Aaron Judge? 00:28:40.809 --> 00:28:43.690 No, but he's a guy PC. I like the Nats. My son 00:28:43.690 --> 00:28:46.730 loves the Nats. And so there's some guys on that 00:28:46.730 --> 00:28:50.009 team. I love to PC CJ Abrams and Dylan Cruz and 00:28:50.009 --> 00:28:53.970 James Wood. And I mean, come on, 18 bucks for 00:28:53.970 --> 00:28:58.579 a on -card CJ Abrams fire auto. You can't go 00:28:58.579 --> 00:29:00.980 wrong with that. But also some of the other stuff. 00:29:01.119 --> 00:29:03.140 I grabbed some Diamante Parallel singles for 00:29:03.140 --> 00:29:05.559 super cheap. It's probably my favorite parallel 00:29:05.559 --> 00:29:09.019 out of Series 1. They're hanger box exclusive. 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:11.700 So I think the price point for a hanger box is 00:29:11.700 --> 00:29:14.440 perfect. Perfect. Don't bother with the retail 00:29:14.440 --> 00:29:17.440 value boxes. They're absolute trash. But if you 00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:19.240 can get your hands on some hangers and you have 00:29:19.240 --> 00:29:21.960 interest in Series 1 baseball, then go for it. 00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:24.599 And then I missed out on this Stadium Club release. 00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:27.140 But what I did, I went and I bought a bunch of 00:29:27.140 --> 00:29:29.319 the base. blue singles some of the baby blue 00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:32.359 parallels they're super cheap that I was I was 00:29:32.359 --> 00:29:34.720 able to get like five or six of them for I don't 00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:38.009 know less than a 10 bucks. And I think they look 00:29:38.009 --> 00:29:40.930 awesome. I love the way they look, love the color 00:29:40.930 --> 00:29:43.430 parallel. So that's kind of where the space I'm 00:29:43.430 --> 00:29:46.309 living in these days. And it's a lot of fun. 00:29:46.329 --> 00:29:48.490 And I could get way more bang for my buck than 00:29:48.490 --> 00:29:51.069 dropping $500 on a hobby box or something. But 00:29:51.069 --> 00:29:53.269 anyway, I think that's going to wrap up the card 00:29:53.269 --> 00:29:55.210 portion of the program. Bills Mafia, you are 00:29:55.210 --> 00:29:57.609 on the clock. How are we feeling? Can we please 00:29:57.609 --> 00:29:59.829 speed up this portion of the off season? Because 00:29:59.829 --> 00:30:02.130 not much is happening outside of the Spencer 00:30:02.130 --> 00:30:04.650 Brown restructure. I mean, this happened last 00:30:04.650 --> 00:30:07.079 week. It was one we saw coming from a mile away 00:30:07.079 --> 00:30:09.819 last year. Spencer Brown signed a four -year, 00:30:09.900 --> 00:30:12.460 $72 million contract extension, which I still 00:30:12.460 --> 00:30:15.980 think is a pretty good deal considering. I think 00:30:15.980 --> 00:30:19.259 he's become one of the top right tackles in football, 00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:23.400 at least top 10, if not higher. And he was an 00:30:23.400 --> 00:30:26.119 obvious restructure candidate. He's definitely 00:30:26.119 --> 00:30:27.720 going to be on the team for at least the next 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:29.599 few years. So they went ahead, they flipped the 00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:31.900 switch, they kicked the can down the road a little 00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:35.759 bit for certain parts of that deal. save themselves 00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:39.640 $10 .5 million. So easy peasy, no problem there. 00:30:39.759 --> 00:30:41.859 That makes total sense. I have no issue with 00:30:41.859 --> 00:30:44.599 that. But everything else, other than that move, 00:30:44.819 --> 00:30:46.819 it's been nothing but speculation. It's article 00:30:46.819 --> 00:30:49.119 after article. It's report after report of who 00:30:49.119 --> 00:30:51.400 the bills have been linked to. They are linked 00:30:51.400 --> 00:30:54.180 as one of the possible teams listed in the Max 00:30:54.180 --> 00:30:56.720 Crosby trade sweepstakes. And how do we feel 00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:59.279 about that? Do we want to be involved in the 00:30:59.279 --> 00:31:03.119 Max Crosby trade speculation? Because look, there's 00:31:03.119 --> 00:31:05.460 a couple problems with this deal. It's going 00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:08.859 to cost you at least a first round pick plus. 00:31:09.079 --> 00:31:12.420 Are we okay with giving multiple picks for Max 00:31:12.420 --> 00:31:15.160 Crosby and then still having to pay this guy? 00:31:15.640 --> 00:31:18.319 He's going to want a big deal. I'm not really 00:31:18.319 --> 00:31:22.019 sure what. the cost is on his contract. I don't 00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:23.839 think it's crazy, but he's going to want some 00:31:23.839 --> 00:31:26.079 kind of extension. So you're talking about high 00:31:26.079 --> 00:31:29.759 trade costs plus extra money added in that I'm 00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:33.299 not sure we can operate in that scenario. Another 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:35.670 player, AJ Brown. Look, we're probably not going 00:31:35.670 --> 00:31:38.230 to have to give up as high of draft picks to 00:31:38.230 --> 00:31:41.269 get A .J. Brown as we would Max Crosby. But the 00:31:41.269 --> 00:31:44.250 money seems a lot more reasonable for his deal. 00:31:44.390 --> 00:31:46.210 I think the first two years of this, we could 00:31:46.210 --> 00:31:49.789 easily fit under our cap situation. And the money, 00:31:49.849 --> 00:31:51.630 I think he signed with Philly for the next three 00:31:51.630 --> 00:31:53.970 seasons. So he has three to go. It seems like 00:31:53.970 --> 00:31:56.390 a pretty manageable deal. And from what I'm hearing, 00:31:56.410 --> 00:31:58.390 it's probably going to cost you about a second 00:31:58.390 --> 00:32:00.509 round pick for A .J. Brown. How do we feel about 00:32:00.509 --> 00:32:03.069 that? I'd be down for two to three years of A 00:32:03.069 --> 00:32:05.000 .J. Brown. You're going to get him on his best 00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:07.559 behavior as soon as he walks in the door. I think 00:32:07.559 --> 00:32:10.859 if you can tell me two of the three years are 00:32:10.859 --> 00:32:14.640 going to be high quality, top what? Top 10, top 00:32:14.640 --> 00:32:17.539 15 receiver in the league. Production out of 00:32:17.539 --> 00:32:19.259 A .J. Brown for a second round pick. Yeah, I 00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:21.420 think I would sign up for that. Other things, 00:32:21.500 --> 00:32:24.299 multiple league executives are linking. We've 00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:27.579 said this name before, Rashid Shahid. And here's 00:32:27.579 --> 00:32:29.920 the new one, Romeo Dobbs to the Bills. Romeo 00:32:29.920 --> 00:32:33.599 Dobbs coming from the Packers. Shahid, obviously, 00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:37.720 he was the free agent, or not free agent, but 00:32:37.720 --> 00:32:41.220 the trade deadline acquisition of Seattle. I'd 00:32:41.220 --> 00:32:43.140 be fine with either of them. But here's the thing. 00:32:43.079 --> 00:32:45.599 thing. It needs to be cheap because I don't want 00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:48.440 another number three or number four receiver. 00:32:48.579 --> 00:32:51.880 I want a number one receiver. I want a number 00:32:51.880 --> 00:32:54.779 one. Can either of these guys be a number one? 00:32:54.880 --> 00:32:57.559 No, no chance. Romeo Dobbs is probably closest 00:32:57.559 --> 00:32:59.980 to number one, but I think he's a number two 00:32:59.980 --> 00:33:04.869 at best. Just look at the stats. I'm not saying 00:33:04.869 --> 00:33:07.650 he can't flourish with Josh Allen, but I don't 00:33:07.650 --> 00:33:09.849 know. I want a number one receiver. I'd be fine 00:33:09.849 --> 00:33:12.309 with either of them, but it has to be cheap and 00:33:12.309 --> 00:33:15.109 it cannot be the only move we make to solidify 00:33:15.109 --> 00:33:17.650 that wide receiver room. Don't tell me that you're 00:33:17.650 --> 00:33:20.109 signing one of these guys and then Brandon Bede 00:33:20.109 --> 00:33:22.430 goes and hangs the offseason championship banner. 00:33:22.549 --> 00:33:25.869 That doesn't solve the problem of totally addressing 00:33:25.869 --> 00:33:28.269 the wide receiver room. Mike Evans, we talked 00:33:28.269 --> 00:33:30.720 about this last week. Now reports are linking 00:33:30.720 --> 00:33:32.599 him to the Bills. I don't know where these reports 00:33:32.599 --> 00:33:34.400 come from. I don't know who comes up with this 00:33:34.400 --> 00:33:36.200 stuff, but it's just like, oh, the Bills need 00:33:36.200 --> 00:33:38.039 receivers, so we're going to link A .J. Brown, 00:33:38.339 --> 00:33:41.000 Romeo Dobbs, Rashid Shaheed, Mike Evans, everybody 00:33:41.000 --> 00:33:43.299 that can catch a football in the last 10 years 00:33:43.299 --> 00:33:44.859 is going to be linked to the Bills. Great, fine, 00:33:45.000 --> 00:33:47.140 whatever. This is the same thing they used to 00:33:47.140 --> 00:33:49.220 do with running backs before we signed James 00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:51.599 Cook to an extension. Every running back under 00:33:51.599 --> 00:33:53.319 the sun was somehow linked to the Bills, and 00:33:53.319 --> 00:33:56.059 now we're doing it for the wide receivers, so 00:33:56.059 --> 00:33:58.599 whatever. Yeah, I mean, Mike Evans, I talked 00:33:58.599 --> 00:34:01.099 about this. last week can we get him in town 00:34:01.099 --> 00:34:04.500 signed up for one to two years on a manageable 00:34:04.500 --> 00:34:07.359 deal i can't pay this dude 20 plus million dollars 00:34:07.359 --> 00:34:10.639 a year can we pay him 13 15 million i'd be fine 00:34:10.639 --> 00:34:13.880 with that but Is he going to want to take almost 00:34:13.880 --> 00:34:16.920 a pay cut to come play with Josh Allen in Buffalo 00:34:16.920 --> 00:34:19.320 and potentially win a championship? I would love 00:34:19.320 --> 00:34:22.539 to see Mike Evans get one more ring. You add 00:34:22.539 --> 00:34:25.500 Mike Evans and then a Rashid Shaheed, okay, now 00:34:25.500 --> 00:34:28.460 we're talking. Or go draft someone much more 00:34:28.460 --> 00:34:31.019 cost -controlled in the first two rounds of the 00:34:31.019 --> 00:34:34.480 draft. Yeah, I would be all on board. But the 00:34:34.480 --> 00:34:37.000 problem is it's all guessing. People are just 00:34:37.000 --> 00:34:39.369 guessing. Part of the problem with this portion 00:34:39.369 --> 00:34:41.949 of the offseason, it's just guessing. So get 00:34:41.949 --> 00:34:44.130 me to next week. Get some stories flowing. Get 00:34:44.130 --> 00:34:45.989 some deals done. And then we can come on here 00:34:45.989 --> 00:34:47.349 and we can talk about it and we can see what 00:34:47.349 --> 00:34:49.809 everybody thinks. Bills are thankfully off of 00:34:49.809 --> 00:34:52.750 the international slate of games for 2026. And 00:34:52.750 --> 00:34:54.610 the only thing I got to say in response to this 00:34:54.610 --> 00:34:57.550 is good. Good. Because to me, this has gone way 00:34:57.550 --> 00:35:00.949 too freaking far. This push to grow the game 00:35:00.949 --> 00:35:02.829 internationally, I think, is getting completely 00:35:02.829 --> 00:35:04.769 out of control. It's getting completely out of 00:35:04.769 --> 00:35:07.829 hand. I don't like it one bit. It takes away 00:35:07.829 --> 00:35:10.849 from the fan base of whoever these home teams 00:35:10.849 --> 00:35:13.090 are that are losing a game to another country. 00:35:13.329 --> 00:35:15.869 It's very similar to me and my attitude about 00:35:15.869 --> 00:35:18.329 losing the Royal Rumble this year to Saudi and 00:35:18.329 --> 00:35:20.949 then losing WrestleMania next year to Saudi Arabia. 00:35:21.150 --> 00:35:25.030 It's all nonsense. Don't give up our games to 00:35:25.030 --> 00:35:27.389 other countries. I don't know. You want to go 00:35:27.389 --> 00:35:29.750 do preseason or exhibition games over there? 00:35:29.989 --> 00:35:34.389 Fine. But this is like who? Who as a fan of a 00:35:34.389 --> 00:35:36.829 NFL team is supposed to feel good about this? 00:35:36.909 --> 00:35:39.409 Who likes this? Is there a single fan in the 00:35:39.409 --> 00:35:41.510 United States rooting for a team that wants to 00:35:41.510 --> 00:35:43.570 see their team play in another country as the 00:35:43.570 --> 00:35:45.750 home team, mind you? Do you want it to happen 00:35:45.750 --> 00:35:47.949 just so you can travel someplace else and watch 00:35:47.949 --> 00:35:49.690 your team? I mean, are you that desperate to 00:35:49.690 --> 00:35:51.750 go travel that you have to wait for your team 00:35:51.750 --> 00:35:54.690 to give up a home game and then go spend way 00:35:54.690 --> 00:35:57.210 more money than you would have to spend to see 00:35:57.210 --> 00:35:58.969 your team play anywhere else in the United States? 00:35:59.849 --> 00:36:02.750 Just so you could travel? I don't know. I'm kind 00:36:02.750 --> 00:36:05.349 of over this. It's just getting worse and worse 00:36:05.349 --> 00:36:08.030 every year. And now here we are. In 2026, there's 00:36:08.030 --> 00:36:10.110 going to be an NFL record nine international 00:36:10.110 --> 00:36:13.269 games for the upcoming season. They're going 00:36:13.269 --> 00:36:14.769 to Spain. They're going to France. They're going 00:36:14.769 --> 00:36:16.630 to Brazil. They're going to Germany. They're 00:36:16.630 --> 00:36:18.210 going to Mexico. And they're going to freaking 00:36:18.210 --> 00:36:21.070 Australia. Are you serious? Are you really going 00:36:21.070 --> 00:36:24.030 to go to Australia to watch your team play? I 00:36:24.030 --> 00:36:26.510 mean, come on. Unless you are filthy rich and 00:36:26.510 --> 00:36:29.969 you got... like laying in your couch cushions, 00:36:30.090 --> 00:36:33.110 like what are we talking about? Who is actually 00:36:33.110 --> 00:36:35.690 ponying up the money to go see their team play 00:36:35.690 --> 00:36:38.650 in Australia? I mean, we're talking about a very, 00:36:38.710 --> 00:36:41.510 very small percentage of these fan bases that 00:36:41.510 --> 00:36:44.849 have the means to go travel internationally to 00:36:44.849 --> 00:36:46.429 some of these games. It's just, I don't know. 00:36:46.570 --> 00:36:49.590 And hey, Jaguars, Jaguars, Jacksonville, what 00:36:49.590 --> 00:36:51.849 are you doing? You're going to London again for 00:36:51.849 --> 00:36:54.730 two more games again? And this time you're signing 00:36:54.730 --> 00:36:57.369 up to be the home team for both games? Are you 00:36:57.369 --> 00:36:58.929 kidding me? And you're telling me it's because 00:36:58.929 --> 00:37:02.809 of stadium renovations? Look, there's 52 weeks 00:37:02.809 --> 00:37:06.110 in a year. 52 weeks in a calendar year. You can't 00:37:06.110 --> 00:37:08.489 work on your stadium in the regular football 00:37:08.489 --> 00:37:11.070 offseason. There aren't enough weeks in the year 00:37:11.070 --> 00:37:13.710 in sunny Florida to fix your beat up old ass 00:37:13.710 --> 00:37:16.530 stadium outside of the regular season. Whatever 00:37:16.530 --> 00:37:19.409 the cost is to be a season ticket holder for 00:37:19.409 --> 00:37:21.909 the Jacksonville Jaguars, I would want like... 00:37:22.269 --> 00:37:25.349 A third of that slashed off immediately just 00:37:25.349 --> 00:37:27.269 because you're dealing with this ridiculousness. 00:37:27.469 --> 00:37:31.409 I don't know. But I guess it's better. I guess 00:37:31.409 --> 00:37:33.909 they're preparing the fans for 2027 when they 00:37:33.909 --> 00:37:36.469 don't have any home games at all. So who knows? 00:37:36.590 --> 00:37:38.530 But come on. Jags, really? What are we doing? 00:37:38.730 --> 00:37:42.309 Can we do stadium renovations in the offseason? 00:37:42.550 --> 00:37:45.949 I don't know. But let's end on a positive note 00:37:45.949 --> 00:37:48.429 because here we go, Bills Mafia. The Bills did 00:37:48.429 --> 00:37:51.610 make one signing and buckle up because... Sam 00:37:51.610 --> 00:37:54.269 Franklin Jr. is back. That's right. He signed 00:37:54.269 --> 00:37:58.010 a three -year deal worth upwards of $7 .5 million. 00:37:58.269 --> 00:38:00.849 This is a special teams only player. So if that 00:38:00.849 --> 00:38:02.969 doesn't get you fired up for the regular season, 00:38:03.210 --> 00:38:05.909 I'm not sure what will. But I think that will 00:38:05.909 --> 00:38:09.510 wrap up this episode of the three Ts. If you 00:38:09.510 --> 00:38:11.630 have enjoyed this episode of Tables, Tailgates, 00:38:11.650 --> 00:38:14.289 and Top Loaders or any other episode, please 00:38:14.289 --> 00:38:16.369 do your boy a favor. Hit that follow. Hit that 00:38:16.369 --> 00:38:19.150 like. Share it with someone who is a fellow Mafia 00:38:19.150 --> 00:38:21.530 member, a avid... card collector, or someone 00:38:21.530 --> 00:38:23.869 who just loves professional wrestling. Help your 00:38:23.869 --> 00:38:26.329 boy out because I'm trying to grow this one episode 00:38:26.329 --> 00:38:28.730 at a time. And as always, I appreciate y 'all 00:38:28.730 --> 00:38:34.929 very, very much. So until next time, whether 00:38:34.929 --> 00:38:37.630 it's ripping packs, breaking tables, or dropping 00:38:37.630 --> 00:38:40.269 elbows, keep doing what you love. And as always, 00:38:40.469 --> 00:38:41.550 Go Bills!