Hulk Hogan Controversy, Pat McAfee’s Hiatus & Inside WWE: Coach and Bro 062725

Before My Head Explodes with Vince Russo

00:00:00 – Welcome & Chicago Memories

• The Coach kicks off the episode live from downtown Chicago, reminiscing about his WWE debut alongside The Rock in 2000.

00:00:48 – Classic Baseball, Soft Fans & Sports Culture

• Vince Russo laments the decline of MLB batting averages and reminisces with Coach about athlete work ethic past and present.
• The cultural differences between California and New York sports fandom get a humorous deep dive, with Coach branding Cali fans “S-A-W-F-T soft.”

00:05:04 – How to Join the Conversation

• Vince encourages listener questions and super sticker participation to drive the discussion.

00:05:19 – Pat McAfee’s Exhaustion & WWE Grind

• The Coach and Vince break down Pat McAfee’s recent break from WWE, criticizing toxic wrestling Twitter and reflecting on the brutal schedule broadcasters endure.
• Coach shares a personal backstage story about balancing life outside WWE and “wrestling stink.”
• Vince and Coach discuss Corey Graves’ position and the entrenched work culture of WWE.

00:12:00 – WWE in Saudi Arabia: Morals vs. Money

• The hosts give a candid take on WWE's decision to run shows in Saudi Arabia amidst controversy, prioritizing profit over employee safety.

00:13:58 – Indies Get Mainstream Respect

• Discussion on WWE openly referencing indie stars like Matt Cardona and the implications of “blurring the lines” between major leagues and the indies.

00:15:43 – WWE Podcasts: Producer Woes, Ryback Shots, & Realness

• Coach and Vince talk about WWE's foray into podcasting and media, with Ryback responding to subtle jabs on social media.
• They reflect on Ryback’s reputation and challenges for outspoken performers not ranking as “A-listers.”

00:17:19 – Fun with Old School Photos & Wrestling Style

• Listeners prompt fun stories: Vince’s mullet as Vic Venom and Coach’s infamous “flow” hair, leading into a playful ‘show-and-tell’ of wrestling fashion.

00:20:08 – Dr. J & Fan Nostalgia

• Vince shares a cherished story about receiving an autographed Dr. J photo, evoking classic sports nostalgia.

00:21:19 – AEW 2025 Streaming & TV Numbers: Fact, Fiction, or FOMO?

• A viewer asks about Tony Khan’s claims about AEW’s successful 2025; Vince calls for pro wrestling to stop obsessing over finances publicly.

00:22:30 – Triple H’s Heir Apparents: Bron Breaker & Jacob Fatu

• Analysis of WWE’s potential new stars and whether Triple H is successfully grooming the next generation.
• Discussion of faction-building in wrestling and effective booking.

00:25:13 – Hogan & Bischoff’s Ticket Sales Drama: Promotional Pitfalls

• Vince brings up the backlash facing Hulk Hogan/Eric Bischoff’s new project and their lack of clear branding/promotion.
• Coach outlines what’s missing from their marketing and the wrong venue size for a fresh concept.

00:28:31 – Real Wrestling vs. Entertainment: Will Audiences Bite?

• The guys debate why authentic grappling-style shows rarely succeed as recurring TV events.

00:29:58 – Hulk Hogan’s Controversy & Industry Fallout

• Harsh realities of trusting Hulk Hogan’s star power; discussion on his reputation, backstage controversies, and high-profile WWE apology after racist comments.

00:34:09 – Fun Segment: Is Coach “High”?

• A lighthearted digression into Coach’s energy level and the demands of daily content creation.

00:34:37 – Calls for More Vic Venom Segments

• Listeners plead for Vince’s classic Vic Venom character; Coach considers it for future episodes.

00:35:42 – Life, Sleep, and the Grind

• The hosts bond over lack of sleep, workload, and what keeps them passionate about the business.

00:36:25 – Inside Hulk Hogan’s “Apology” After Scandal

• Coach details exactly how Hogan mishandled his apology to WWE talent, and why locker room respect vanished.

00:38:37 – WWE’s Upcoming Netflix Documentary: Will It Be Too Scripted?

• Debate on the pros/cons of WWE’s new behind-the-scenes Netflix show airing in July.
• Both hosts agree: overproducing the ‘truth’ risks breaking fan immersion for good.

00:43:24 – Why Criticize Hogan? Comparing Wrestling’s “Canceled” Legends

• Responding to a listener, Coach and Vince differentiate between Hogan’s excuses and other stars’ accountability.

00:46:12 – WWE Double Tapings & SmackDown Ratings Concerns

• The challenge of live events, double tapings, and audience fatigue gets a quick mention.

00:47:01 – Brawl for All: The JBL Backstory

• Vince Russo clarifies a fan question: Was the infamous “Brawl for All” just to see JBL put in his place?

00:47:28 – By Request: Vince Russo Sings “Manby Pamby”

• Special fan moment—Vince breaks into song for a paid super sticker.

00:48:01 – Coach’s Lunch Reveal & Pick-Me-Up

• Coach reveals his lunch delivery: ‘chicken fried chicken’ and more laughs about “big shooter” lifestyle.

00:49:08 – Closing Remarks & Show Plugs

• The guys wrap with show times, event reminders, and details for tuning in live each week.