AA Podcast: Dave LaGreca on WrestleMania, Cody Rhodes, John Cena, and more

Host Brandon Contes interviews co-founder and host of Busted Open on SiriusXM Dave LaGreca. As WrestleMania approaches, Brandon and Dave discuss a wide range of topics including the lack of build for the non-main event WrestleMania matches, Cody Rhodes being the “Face of WWE,” John Cena being an effective heel, and more.

Here’s the full breakdown:

• :52: Dave’s Las Vegas schedule
• 1:27: Being inducted to the International Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame
• 2:25: Envisioning HOF induction when Busted Open started?
• 2:54: Getting into radio
• 3:59: Dave’s brother Don in radio
• 4:47: First role at SiriusXM
• 5:03: Starting Busted Open
• 6:21: Getting bosses to believe in a wrestling show
• 7:15: Pro wrestling going mainstream
• 8:02: Busted Open being the most popular sports show on SiriusXM
• 9:32: Realizing when Busted Open became a hit?
• 10:10: Has growth of Busted Open changed how Dave talks about pro wrestling?
• 10:46: Divide between WWE and AEW fans?
• 12:38: Is pro wrestling audience big enough to be split?
• 13:41: Does WWE and AEW like the divide?
• 14:21: Dave not considering himself as a journalist
• 15:38: Interviewing a pro wrestler as the person or as the character
• 16:59: Pro wrestling media scrums
• 19:13: Dave Meltzer’s value to pro wrestling
• 20:29: WrestleMania in terms of being the biggest event on the pro wrestling calendar
• 21:40: Dave’s favorite WrestleMania
• 22:35: What is this year’s WrestleMania build missing?
• 23:43: Being surprised by John Cena’s heel turn
• 24:25: How effective has Cena’s heel turn been?
• 24:50: Importance of having Cody Rhodes as the good guy in making Cena an compelling heel
• 25:38: What makes Rhodes compelling?
• 26:33: WWE flourishing without Vince McMahon
• 28:02: Any chance McMahon tries to come back to WWE?
• 29:04: How should wrestling fans view McMahon?
• 30:26: Would McMahon remain in pro wrestling in some form?
• 31:08: A wrestler that Dave was most surprised to see their character get over?
• 31:48: A wrestler that Dave thought would get over but didn’t?
• 32:59: Pat McAfee and pro wrestling
• 34:30: Joe Tessitore and WWE
• 35:07: Nick Khan’s influence in WWE
• 35:56: WWE getting away from PG
• 36:40: How does this current era compare to the Attitude Era?
• 39:10: Dave’s favorite era of wrestling?
• 39:50: Who wins at WrestleMania? Cody Rhodes or John Cena?

Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the show, subscribe and leave us a positive review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever else you get our podcasts.