The Basement Bookers

Episode 626: Randy Orton Turns HEEL & BODIES Cody Rhodes! WrestleMania 42 Build Explodes

Randy Orton snaps in epic heel fashion, busting Cody Rhodes open with chairs and steps during their WrestleMania 42 contract signing—Undisputed WWE Championship drama is at an all-time high! The Basement Bookers break down the bloody betrayal, Sami Zayn's shady politicking, Judgment Day implosion, Rhea Ripley vs. Jade Cargill fire, CM Punk/Roman Reigns tension, and wild WrestleMania 42 predictions. From Orton's Legend Killer return to shocking attacks and title picture chaos, we cover the hottest Road to WrestleMania stories. Subscribe for weekly WWE reviews, AEW talk, and unfiltered wrestling takes!
 
The Basement Bookers Podcast with @BasementJer & @RichTheRiz

Episode 625: WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 FULL REVIEW: Randy Orton SHOCKS Cody Rhodes! Rhea Ripley Wins Chamber!

oin BasementJer and RichTheRiz on The Basement Bookers Podcast as we break down WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 from Chicago! Randy Orton pulls off the upset in the Men's Elimination Chamber with Drew McIntyre help to earn a WrestleMania shot, Rhea Ripley dominates the Women's Chamber for Jade Cargill WWE Women's Championship match at WrestleMania 42, AJ Lee shocks Becky Lynch to become NEW Women's Intercontinental Champion, CM Punk retains vs. Finn Balor with heated Roman Reigns promos incoming, and Seth Rollins return tease! Plus NXT Vengeance Day 2026 recap: Joe Hendry retains NXT Title vs. Ricky Saints, Tatum Paxley wins Women's North American Title, Lola Vice Underground win, and more. We discuss CM Punk's controversial lines, Rhea vs. Jade buildup, why Randy Orton should beat Cody at WrestleMania, Jordan Grace injury scare, and wild wrestling hot takes.
Subscribe for weekly WWE Raw, SmackDown, NXT reviews, WrestleMania 42 predictions, and pro wrestling debates! Like, comment your thoughts on Orton winning Chamber, and share!
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X/Twitter: @BasementJer @RichTheRiz

Episode 624: Elimination Chamber 2026 Picks and Predictions

In the shadowy underbelly of Chicago's United Center, the Elimination Chamber looms like a steel trap ready to snap shut. Clues point to Cody Rhodes emerging from the Men's Chamber unscathed, gunning for Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 42. Tiffany Stratton lurks in the Women's shadows, poised to claim her shot at Jade Cargill's gold. CM Punk defends his World Heavyweight Title against Finn Bálor in his own hometown—noir streets where alliances fracture and betrayals sting. Becky Lynch guards the Women's IC Title from AJ Lee's calculated comeback.
But what's really in the mystery box? A smoking gun? A double-cross? Or just another red herring from WWE's twisted playbook?
Detective Jer and RichTheRiz crack the case on The Basement Bookers Podcast: Full predictions, wild Judgment Day theories, overbooked rants, and the Road to WrestleMania 42 laid bare. Listen before the cage locks Saturday, Feb 28—because in this game, the truth hurts worse than a pod shot.

Episode 623: Thursday Night Raw Noir

Join Basement Jer and RichTheRiz on The Basement Bookers Podcast as we dive into the latest WWE Monday Night Raw highlights, Elimination Chamber 2026 qualifiers drama (Asuka, Je'Von Evans wins!), Charlotte Flair vs. Kiana James speculation, CM Punk vs. Finn Balor title defense preview, and wild theories on Brock Lesnar crashing the party. We roast high WrestleMania ticket prices, discuss the Road to WrestleMania 42, and end with AEW's Harley Cameron puppet mastery. Don't miss our unfiltered takes on WWE news, overbooking dreams, and why competition is missing in pro wrestling! Subscribe for more Basement Bookers Podcast episodes on WWE Raw, SmackDown, Elimination Chamber PLE, and WrestleMania buildup.

Episode 622: Elimination Chamber Qualifiers begin

Join Jer and RichTheRiz on the Basement Bookers Podcast as we break down the latest WWE Raw and SmackDown action on the Road to WrestleMania 42! We dive into the Elimination Chamber qualifiers – Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky looking unstoppable in the women's match, Cody Rhodes locking his spot in the men's, plus Gunther, Dominik Mysterio, and more battling it out. We discuss Becky Lynch vs AJ Lee building to a potential American vs American Mask match (wait, what?), the safe booking for WrestleMania, slow ticket sales concerns, Braun Strowman's injury excuse, and why WWE is playing it reliable this year. Plus, wild ideas like Jacob Fatu stalking his way into the main event! Don't miss our hot takes on the current WWE landscape.

Episode 621: WWE Royal Rumble 2026 Review: Liv Morgan & Roman Reigns WIN! AJ Styles RETIRES?

Fresh off WWE Royal Rumble 2026 in Riyadh, the Basement Bookers break down EVERY match! Liv Morgan shocks the world winning the Women's Royal Rumble, Roman Reigns claims his second Men's Rumble victory heading to WrestleMania 42, Gunther retires AJ Styles, Drew McIntyre retains vs. Sami Zayn, Oba Femi dominates, masked attacker drama, surprise returns (Brie Bella!), and SmackDown/Raw fallout including Roman choosing CM Punk for Mania. Hilarious takes, predictions gone wrong, and Booking 101 from @BasementJer & @RichTheRiz. Don't miss this full Royal Rumble 2026 recap! Subscribe for more WWE reviews, predictions & watch parties. #RoyalRumble2026 #WrestleMania42 #LivMorgan #RomanReigns #AJStyles #WWE #BasementBookers

Episode 620: Royal Rumble 2026 Riyadh Predictions: Who Wins the Rumble? + AJ Styles Retirement Match

The Royal Rumble 2026 is here — and the Basement Bookers are LOCKING IN picks, chaos, and maximum overbooking.
 
AJ Styles vs Gunther (Styles’ career on the line)
Drew McIntyre vs Sami Zayn for the WWE Championship
Women’s Royal Rumble picks: Bayley / Becky Lynch / Charlotte Flair vs Liv Morgan / Roxanne Perez / Becky
Men’s Royal Rumble picks: Braun Breakker, Roman Reigns, Jacob Fatu… plus Brock Lesnar, Gunther, and the wild Oba Femi swing
Surprise entrant talk (Jericho rumors, “don’t say his name” energy, and replacement-slot chaos)
Tiebreaker: 78 minutes vs 64 minutes for the main event length
🕑 Royal Rumble starts Saturday, Jan 31, 2026 at 2PM ET (US).
Drop your winners in the comments: Men’s Rumble, Women’s Rumble, and who you THINK shows up as the biggest surprise.
Follow the Bookers:X: @BasementJer | @RichTheRiz👍 Like, sub, and help us hit 500 subscribers.
(Notes for accuracy/SEO: Royal Rumble 2026 is in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and includes Styles vs Gunther (career stip) + McIntyre vs Zayn on the card.)

Episode 619: WWE Saturday Night's Main Event 2026 Predictions! Cody vs Jacob Fatu, Fatal 4-Way & More!

Saturday Night’s Main Event is almost here, and The Basement Bookers Podcast is breaking down everything WWE has announced so far — even if the card feels a little light.
 
In this episode, BasementJer and Rich The Riz dive into:
 
Cody Rhodes vs Jacob Fatu and why this match could be bigger than it looks
 
The Fatal 4-Way No.1 Contender’s Match featuring Sami Zayn, Randy Orton, Damian Priest, and Trick Williams
 
Why Sami Zayn might be running out of chances — and what a loss could mean
 
The Women’s Tag Team Championship match and why Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY retaining feels inevitable
 
Long-term booking thoughts, faction teases, and WrestleMania implications
 
Is WWE playing it safe… or setting the table for something bigger?
 
Drop your predictions in the comments and let us know where you agree — or where we’re completely off base.
 
🎙️ The Basement Bookers Podcast
📺 Live every Monday for WWE RAW Watch Parties
🐦 X (Twitter): @BasementJer @RichTheRiz

Episode 618: “BaldGate” on RAW: Pearce vs Breakker + Powerhouse Hobbs WWE Rumors

Powerhouse Hobbs might be WWE-bound, so naturally we break down what that could look like (and how fast we’d have him destroy The Miz). Then we get into “BaldGate”—Adam Pearce putting hands on Braun Breakker, and why WWE “logic” is absolutely gonna spin this into Pearce being the problem.
 
We also talk Gunther vs AJ Styles, the weird decision-making that led to the finish, and why a career vs title stip could actually work (and how this all should end with Brock vs Gunther). Plus: the Judgment Day red X mystery, Liv & Roxanne as #1 contenders, and some quick thoughts on WWE 2K26 rumors.
 
Let us know in the comments:
 
Should Hobbs go straight to the main roster or start in NXT?
 
Who’s in the wrong—Pearce or Breakker?
 
Does the red X mean anything or is it just TikTok brainrot?
 
Subscribe + Like if you enjoy the chaos.

Episode 617: He cried for it and it happened

We’ve got a NEW WWE Undisputed Champion as Drew McIntyre pulls it off in a wild Three Stages of Hell style situation — with Cody Rhodes, a cage escape, and the moment everything flips thanks to a certain “hooded” return…
Plus:
Jacob Fatu’s return and why it changes EVERYTHING for Drew vs Cody
Is Drew just a transitional champ… or is this the start of something bigger?
Our take on CM Punk’s comments about fans being “angry” (and the “mental illness” line…)
The Jey Uso discourse: entrance hype vs TV pacing (aka: “I’m a Yeetator”)
Quick hits: Jordynne Grace to SmackDown, Javon Evans, Oba Femi fantasy bookings, and more
Drop your take in the comments: Did WWE make the right call putting the title on Drew? And what’s the best move to WrestleMania?
Follow us on X: @BasementJer @RichTheRizBasement Bookers Podcast — the match is scheduled for one fall… so make it count.

Episode 616: 2025 Bookie Awards — Basement Bookers Hand Out the Golden Pencils

The Basement Bookers Podcast hosts their 2025 Bookie Awards, a tongue-in-cheek ceremony where the hosts hand out fictitious awards to wrestlers for the year’s most notable moments.Highlights include winners like Cody Rhodes, John Cena and Alexa Bliss across categories such as Superstar, Tag Team, Feud and Best Match.The hosts debate picks, dish out the golden pencil, and invite listeners to share their own votes and reactions in the comments.

Episode 615: WWE RAW & SmackDown Fallout: Bron Breakker’s Future, Judgment Day Tension & WWE’s 2026 Problem

It’s the final Basement Bookers Podcast of the year, and we’re closing things out by breaking down a chaotic week in WWE.
We dive into Monday Night Raw and SmackDown, including:
Austin Theory’s reintroduction and why WWE clearly sees him as a stand in for Seth Rollins
The growing tension inside The Judgment Day, especially on the women’s side
Bron Breakker’s momentum vs. WWE’s shaky long-term booking history
Gunther beating John Cena… and WWE doing almost nothing with it
CM Punk’s involvement and why the follow-up feels weak
Drew McIntyre getting rewarded for complaining (again)
SmackDown chaos, Carmelo Hayes, Ilja Dragunov, and questionable storytelling choices
Are they already booking WrestleMania 2026 and filling in the blanks later?
We also talk:
AJ Styles’ unclear retirement timeline
WWE loading rosters instead of using who they already have
Heel vs heel booking problems (Chelsea Green discourse 👀)
Why fans are right to be frustrated heading into the Netflix era
As always, we keep it honest, loud, and slightly unhinged.
👇 Sound off in the comments:
Is WWE working backwards?
Should Bron Breakker be fast-tracked?
Did Gunther’s Cena win actually matter?
📌 Basement Bookers Podcast📺 Subscribe for weekly WWE breakdowns, watch parties, and unfiltered opinions.
Follow us on X:@BasementJer | @RichTheRiz