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 @RichTheRiz Basement Bookers Podcast — the match is scheduled for one fall… so make it count.

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.

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