Rooster and the Rookie

ROOSTER AND THE ROOKIE PREVIEW THE WRESTLEMANIA 41 MATCH CARD + MARK OF THE WEEK: SAM BRUCHHAUS / EP. 11

Welcome to another episode of ROOSTER AND THE ROOKIE with your hosts Chris Russell and Matt Essig. Don't forget to follow us on our show Twitter page: @roostandrook
 
It's a little different this week with a combo Ringside Main Event: Matt and Chris break down the story lines, the matchups, and their picks for every match on this week's card for WrestleMania 41
 
Mark of the Week: Sam Bruchhaus of Sumer Sports joins the show fresh off his NFL Draft analysis to give his thoughts on the WWE Roster and the upcoming Event in Vegas. 
 
All that and so much more in this WrestleMania preview episode of ROOSTER AND THE ROOKIE

WAS THE WWE'S EUROPEAN ROAD TRIP TOO LONG? WE'RE UNDER 3 WEEKS FROM WRESTLEMANIA + MARK OF THE WEEK/ EP. 10

Welcome to another episode of ROOSTER AND THE ROOKIE with your hosts Chris Russell and Matt Essig. Don't forget to follow us on our show twitter page: @roostandrook
 
Ringside Roundup: Rhodes got at Cena for his punk behavior, more drama between Rhea, Iyo, and Bianca, Gunther brutalized Jimmy Uso and much more.
 
Main Event: The WWE has just finished their three week tour through Europe and Chris and Matt ask, was it too long? Why did the WWE decide to hold a long road trip weeks away from WrestleMania?  and why did they think it was a good idea to go overseas while were on the road to Wrestlemania?
 
Mark of the Week: Chris' WrestleMania 40 parter in crime and ex-Audacy employee Alan Lapore joins the show to talk about the European tour and his thoughts leading into WrestleMania 41.
 
All that and so much more in this episode of ROOSTER AND THE ROOKIE

WHY IS THERE SO MUCH WRESTLING MERCH? WRESTLEMANIA MATCHES ARE BEING MADE + MARK OF THE WEEK/ EP. 09

Welcome to another episode of ROOSTER AND THE ROOKIE with your hosts Chris Russell and Matt Essig. First, the show has a new Twitter/ X account. Follow us @roostandrook
 
Ringside Roundup: Cena says he'll win and take the championship with him. Penta turns down an invitation from The Judgment Day. Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley are competing again for the Women's World Championship. Punk Vs. Reings Vs. Rollins has been announced for Wrestlemania + more
 
Main Event: Why is there so much wrestling merch? Matthew points out that every person in the WWE has 5 different shirts at minimum and asks if they serve a purpose. Chris talks about how the merch sales directly help the wrestler, and the kinship around wearing wrestling merch. Then Chris talks about some of his favorite wrestling merch. 
 
Mark of the Week: Matthew's best friend from college, Jets season ticket holder, and wrestling superfan Dennis D'Abbraccio Jr. The guys review some of Dennis' favorite bits of wrestling merch, what collectables he wishes he could get, and the build-up to Wrestlemania. 
 
All that and so much more in this episode of ROOSTER AND THE ROOKIE

IS THE ROAD TO WRESTLEMANIA TOO LONG? CENA HAS FINALLY SPOKEN + MARK OF THE WEEK: LOU DIPIETRO/ EP. 08

Welcome to another episode of ROOSTER AND THE ROOKIE with your hosts Chris Russell and Matt Essig. After a bit of a birthday vacation for the rookie, the guys are back to break down the latest on the road to WrestleMania 
 
Ringside Roundup: John Cena has finally spoken! His reasons for siding with The Rock though... questionable at best. Chris and Matt cover his comments, the explosive Miz TV episode last week, as well as the changes in titles and setups for Wrestlemania 41
 
Main Event: Is the road to WrestleMania too long? With us now 2 weeks into the road to Wrestlemania and storylines building Chris and Matt give their answers that it might be too long. Chris points out this is one of the longest gaps they will have to fill, and Matt points out that the structure for how the season is built is just weird. 
 
Mark of the Week: Senior digital content lead for Audacy, content lead for the Audacy DC, good friend of The Chris Russell Show, and two-time employee of the WWE Lou DiPietro joins the show. Chicken Parm Lou tells some stories from working in WWE, why he loves wrestling so much, and gives his take on if the road to WrestleMania is too long.
 
All that and so much more in this episode of ROOSTER AND THE ROOKIE

DOES THE ELIMINATION CHAMBER SERVE A PURPOSE, RECAPING THE ELIMINATION CHAMBER IN TORONTO/ EP. O7

Welcome to another episode of ROOSTER AND THE ROOKIE with your hosts Chris Russell and Matt Essig. Today the guys Dive deep into the most recent WWE PLE: The Elimination Chamber from Toronto
 
Ringside Roundup: March 1st was the WWE's Elimination Chamber from Toronto, Chris and Matt dive deep into all the biggest moments. The guys cover everything from Jade Cargill putting Naomi out of commission to Cena's shocking move at the end of the show. We will break it down and give you some thoughts on where the story will go from here.
 
Main Event: Does The Elimination Chamber serve a purpose? Chris and Matt talk about the history of the Elimination Chamber, what it serves in the WWE event lineup, and whether it should stick around or if it's time for a new gimmick.
 
Mark of the Week: Long-time fan of Wrestling and friend of the Chris's radio show Ross Rutter joins the show to give his thoughts on the Chamber and where the stories go from here
 
All that and so much more in this PLE Rewind episode of ROOSTER AND THE ROOKIE

IS WRESTLING CAMP? LOOKING AHEAD TO THE ELIMINATION CHAMBER & LA KNIGHT/ EP. 06

Welcome to another episode of ROOSTER AND THE ROOKIE with your hosts Chris Russell and Matt Essig. 
 
Ringside Roundup: The guys talk about Saturday's lineup for The Elimination Chamber. WWE employee morale is tanking. A much-deserved AEW roundup. And more!
 
The Main Event: With The Rock offering Cody Rhodes everything for his soul, the guys ask, "Is Wrestling Camp?" Matthew and Chris break down what camp is and why you can say that pro wrestling (especially the WWE) is campy. The guys close out the main event breaking down the hands-down CAMPIEST match in pro wrestling history. 
 
Mark of the week: A WWE Superstar mark this week as Chris got a chance to catch up with the one and only LA KNIGHT before Smackdown in Washington DC. Chris and Knight break down his childhood in Maryland, the effort it takes to work in the industry, and where he thinks he's at in his career.
 
All that and so much more in this episode of ROOSTER AND THE ROOKIE

IS JEY USO READY TO BE THE FACE OF WWE, THE ROAD TO ELIMINATION CHAMBER & MORE/ EP. 05

Welcome to another episode of ROOSTER AND THE ROOKIE with your hosts Chris Russell and Matt Essig. Ringside Roundup: The guys start by looking at the state of the WWE as we get closer to the elimination chamber. AJ Styles big return to Royal Rumble and his appearance on RAW. Roster Shakups between WWE and AEW. And the upcoming slate of events in Washington DC and on TV.
 
The Main Event: Is the WWE riding Jey Uso's rise to stardom too hard? Matt and Chris go over his history with the WWE and how he's become an icon of the industry. But Chris and Matt ask, is it all flash or is there substance behind the Yeeting legend.
 
Mark of the Week: Athan from Annapolis joins the show to talk about his love of wrestling and give his take on Jey Uso's rise to stardom.
 
All that and more in this episode of ROOSTER AND THE ROOKIE

Breaking Down WWE's Premium Live Events + Recaping THE ROYAL RUMBLE/ Ep. 04

This Episode of Rooster and the Rookie is dedicated to our friend and partner Pete Medhurst. If you could, please donate to his family's fund at https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-pete-medhursts-family-today
Matt and Chris share some life news before jumping into the 2025 Royal Rumble. The guys get deep into it and break down the biggest moments and all the winners from the event.
After that, the guys go over all the different WWE Premium Live Events (or PLE), what happens at them, and how do they tie into the greater story. 
Grab some snacks and enjoy the first "post-game" episode of Rooster and the Rookie!

What Is The WWE? Breaking Down the First RAW on Netflix Broadcast + NXT Trick Williams/ Ep. 03

The Rooster (Chris Russell) and Rookie (Matt Essig) open up with the big RAW on Netflix broadcast in Ringside roundup
Then in the Main Event, the guys break down the WWE and when and where to watch
Finally, NXT superstar Trick Williams joins Chris for a conversation after he lost his title belt.
All this and more on Rooster and the Rookie

What Makes Up A Pro Wresling Broadcast + RAW's Move To Netflix/ EP. 02

Episode 2 of Rooster and The Rookie Chris and Matt open up Ringside Roundup with January 3rd's Smackdown, John Cena's retirement tour, and the Chad Gable Vs. Otis match. 
Then in the Main Event, the guys talk about making up a professional wrestling show. How they open, the number of matches, the ring work, and how all of that may change Monday with RAW's move to Netflix
Finally, we are joined by Chris's long-time friend and fervent wrestling fan, Mark Of The Week: Fred!