Episode 356: JR On The Call - AJ Styles vs CM Punk

·1 hr 11 min·5 clips

Jim Ross predicts Chris Jericho and Powerhouse Hobbs will make surprise appearances in the Royal Rumble.

The episode begins with Conrad Thompson delivering a promotional segment about mortgage and credit card debt relief. He then introduces Jim Ross, who discusses the snowy weather in Norman, Oklahoma. The conversation shifts to wrestling, with JR ranking WrestleMania as WWE's top event, followed by the Royal Rumble and SummerSlam. They talk about the Royal Rumble being held in Saudi Arabia, noting the rapid construction of the stadium and the afternoon airtime in the US. JR shares his favorite Royal Rumble memory of Stone Cold Steve Austin winning. They preview matches, including Drew McIntyre vs. Sammy Zane for the WWE Championship, and list announced Royal Rumble participants like Cody Rhodes, Gunther, and Brock Lesnar. Speculation arises about surprise entrants, with JR predicting Chris Jericho and Powerhouse Hobbs. They discuss the challenge of keeping surprises secret in the digital age. Betting odds are mentioned, with Roman Reigns and Liv Morgan as favorites. The focus turns to AJ Styles, with rumors of his retirement after facing Gunther. Conrad proposes a scenario where AJ wins the Royal Rumble. JR then calls a 2004 Ring of Honor Pure Championship match between AJ Styles and CM Punk, providing commentary on the action. After the match, they promote JR's BBQ products and share a story about Stephen Lake's illness. The episode concludes with JR recounting anecdotes about Andre the Giant from his Mid-South territory days, and they preview future episodes featuring classic matches.

As heard by us

A thoughtful look at AJ Styles, Nakamura, and a retirement-tour feeling hiding in plain sight.

The episode is at its best when it circles the idea that AJ Styles may be slipping into something like a retirement-tour stretch. His match with Nakamura becomes the clearest case study, framed through the emotional weight of Styles getting to say goodbye in Japan and the…

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Why you'd press play

You want AJ Styles, Nakamura, and a retirement-tour theory with Royal Rumble odds and a Super Bowl side road.

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