BASCHAMANIA

Latest Episodes:

Why Zain Retherford Came Back: The Story Behind His World Team Return | 412 Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

Fresh off earning a spot on his sixth U.S. World Team with a victory over Ridge Lovett at Final X, Zain Retherford returns to Baschamania for one of his most candid conversations yet. Zain opens up about the concussion and head issues that impacted his Olympic cycle, what motivated him to make another run at the world level, and how opportunities like Real American Freestyle helped fuel his return. We also discuss his plans for LA 2028, whether 65kg or 74kg is in his future, the incredible depth inside the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, balancing business ownership with training and coaching, and why he believes Levi Haines may be the best hand-fighter in the world. Plus, Zain answers fan questions and shares his expectations heading into the World Championships.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Zain Train Back on the Podcast!
0:46 - Competing at the World Team Trials
03:50 - LA 2028
04:40 - The Head/Concussion Issues from the Olympics
06:00 - The Role of the Leagues in His Return
07:30 - Zain’s Business In State College, PA
08:30 - Returning at the World Team Trials
10:30 - Levi Haines is the Best Hand Fighter in the World
11:00 - Toughest Part of Wrestling Ridge Lovett
13:00 - Making a 6th World Team & Expectations
16:30 - Competing with RAF
21:30 - 2028 Weight Plans - 65kg or 74kg?
23:15 - NLWC Depth & Penn State Depth
29:00 - Balancing Building a Business & Training/Coaching
31:25 - Fan Questions

BO ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/bo.bassett/

BO's NEW WEBSITE IS LIVE! https://www.bobassett65.com

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast. NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email info@baschamania.com.

BASCHAMANIA is a Basch Solutions Production. Learn more about Basch Solutions, a digital marketing agency specializing in custom websites, content creation, and digital strategy, at BaschSolutions.com.

Final X: Our Biggest Takeaways & a Full Rundown | 411 Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

FINAL X IS IN THE BOOKS & Our Men's Freestyle 2026 World Team is (Almost Fully) Set! On today’s Basch & The Brain, we recap Final X & talk all the storylines & takeaways.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - We're Back
02:05 - The Trip to Newark
09:30 - The Delays
18:20 - True Third Matchups
20:45 - 125 kg: Wyatt vs Mason
29:25 - 70 kg: Zain over Ridge
36:40 - 79 kg: Levi over Chance
48:55 - 74 kg: James Green over Carr
01:00:00 - 97 kg: Snyder over Buchanan
01:06:10 - 61 kg: Forrest/Blaze Season
01:21:40 - 57 kg: Spencer over Luke
01:27:10 - 86 kg: Dake over Zahid
01:37:10 - Postshow

Rokfin.com/MatScouts for all of Willie's Content!

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast. NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email info@baschamania.com.

Real Woods is OUT for Friday, Jordan Burroughs is BACK, + RAF 10 Rundown | 410 Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

It’s Final X week! On today’s Basch & The Brain, we’ll give some final thoughts before Friday’s big event and round up the rest of the sport, including RAF 10 and Jordan Burroughs returning & signing with RAF! Also, breaking news on the show: Real Woods is OUT on Friday.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Burroughs is Back!
08:30 - Arman/Burroughs
11:30 - Real Woods is Out for Friday
14:35 - Wrapping up Arman/Burroughs
16:20 - Macch/Hidlay Wrestle-off
25:10 - Shoutout Tony Ramos
28:25 - Bo Nickal Wins at UFC Freedom 250
30:40 - RAF 10 Rundown
37:15 - Pico’s Return to Wrestling & His Future
49:10 - Rest of RAF & The Fight

Rokfin.com/MatScouts for all of Willie's Content!

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast. NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email info@baschamania.com.

Final X Picks & Preview! + New Class of '28 Big Board With a New #1 | 409 Jun 08, 2026

Show notes

We've got RAF 10 this weekend, a New '28 Big Board, and Final X next weekend - let’s dive into it!

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - It’s RAF Week!
06:55 - Class of 2028 Big Board
13:20 - New ‘28 Top 10
24:05 - Stock Up
28:10 - Final X
31:00 - Spencer Lee vs Luke Lilledahl
39:30 - Jax Forrest vs Marcus Blaze
46:25 - Bo Bassett vs Real Woods
58:10 - Zain Retherford vs Ridge Lovett
01:02:00 - David Carr vs James Green
01:04:30 - Levi Haines vs Chance Marsteller
01:10:15 - Zahid Valencia vs Kyle Dake
01:20:40 - Kyle Snyder vs Stephen Buchanan
01:26:30 - Mason Parris vs Wyatt Hendrickson
01:31:00 - Kennedy Blades Going Full Time RAF/WFS

Rokfin.com/MatScouts for all of Willie's Content!

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast. NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email info@baschamania.com.

Bo Bassett on Final X, Making U20 World Team & U23 Team Spot! | 408 Jun 06, 2026

Show notes

Incoming Virginia Tech Freshman Bo Bassett is back on the show to talk about winning his spot on the U20 World Team, locking up a U23 World Team Spot, and looking ahead to Final X next week, where he takes on Real Woods!

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Bo Bassett Back
01:15 - Sitting Out at U20’s
04:20 - Unfinished Business at U20 Worlds
06:30 - Winning on a World Level
08:30 - Virginia Tech at U20’s
10:00 - The Move to Blacksburg
12:00 - Locking in U23 World Spot
15:20 - Facing Real Woods at Final X
20:40 - Bassett vs PJ Duke?
22:00 - Adjusting to Senior Level
24:00 - Bo and Jax at Final X
26:30 - Fan Questions
30:00 - Launching BoBassett65.com

BO ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/bo.bassett/

BO's NEW WEBSITE IS LIVE! https://www.bobassett65.com

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast. NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email info@baschamania.com.

All New Senior Class of 2027 Big Board Review! + RAF, U23s Talk | 407 Jun 04, 2026

Show notes

The MatScouts Class of 2027 Senior Big Board is OUT, and on today’s show, we take a look at the big board & its data!

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Start of Show
01:55 - U23 World Team Criteria
17:35 - Ben Askren Competing at RAF
25:05 - RAF Georgia
27:55 - New Class of 2027 Big Board
31:30 - The Top Ten
46:30 - The 5 Biggest Stock Up
55:50 - Content Coming Up
57:00 - Instagram Talk & Show Goes Off The Rails
01:06:55 - RAF & Busy Summer
01:13:10 - Macch/Hidlay in VA

Rokfin.com/MatScouts for all of Willie's Content!

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast. NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email info@baschamania.com.

Junior World Team is Set + RAF 09 & U23's in The Books! | 406 Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

Busy weekend with RAF 09, U20 World Team Trials & U23 Nationals! On this morning’s show, we dive into all the latest action & storylines.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Willie’s Back from Texas
01:00 - RAF 09
18:25 - Junior/U20 World Team Trials
21:10 - 57kg - 74kg
48:26 - U20 WTT’s 79kg - 125kg
01:07:15 - Summer Schedule & RAF in Vegas
01:12:30 - U23 Nationals & World Team Situation

Rokfin.com/MatScouts for all of Willie's Content!

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast. NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email info@baschamania.com.

Previewing U20 World Team Trials & Some Wild Fields & Match-ups! | 405 May 26, 2026

Show notes

After a long holiday weekend, we’re back with a lot to discuss & a big week ahead! From U20/Junior World Team Trials to U23 Nationals and RAF 09, there’s a lot on deck. Plus, we dive into all the latest news & storylines from around the sport over the past week.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Start of Show
03:00 - Junior Big Board Updates
05:30 - Worlds Moving
11:50 - Tratleton State
14:55 - Ohio State adds Jaxon Smith
18:00 - Citadel Hires Timmy McCall
21:30 - U20/Junior World Team Trials
22:50 - 57 kg Field
33:35 - 61 kg
35:30 - 65 kg
39:30 - 70 kg
47:00 - 74 kg
56:55 - 79 kg
01:01:15 - 86 kg
01:04:00 - 92 kg
01:15:15 - 97 kg
01:19:20 - 125 kg
01:24:00 - RAF 9 Saturday

Rokfin.com/MatScouts for all of Willie's Content!

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast. NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email info@baschamania.com.

FINAL X IS SET! Recapping World Team Trials Finals + Around the Sport | 404 May 18, 2026

Show notes

With the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament in the books, Final X is officially set. On today’s Basch & The Brain, we dive into the WTT Challenge Tourny results, talk the latest news around the sport of wrestling, and dive into the biggest roster battles we’re going to see next year!

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - We've Been Busy!
08:30 - NC State: Bob Guzzo Dies, Gantt Wins UFC Debut
11:30 - Iowa Adds Jenna Burkert
13:30 - Jordan Williams
15:15 - Zain/Antrell Taylor at RAF 09
21:15 - World Team Trials
22:00 - Spencer Lee Wins 57 kg
25:00 - 61 kg
31:05 - 70 kg
38:15 - 74 kg
45:30 - 125 kg

Rokfin.com/MatScouts for all of Willie's Content!

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast. NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email info@baschamania.com.

Recapping Day 1 of WTT & Previewing The Finals! | 403 May 15, 2026

Show notes

Day 1 of the World Team Trials was a thriller, and on deck today are the Finals! On today’s episode, we dive into yesterday’s action and preview today's!

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Intro & Start of Show
04:25 - Lorenzo Norman Commits to Oklahoma St
10:20 - World Team Trials!
17:55 - 57 kg - Spencer Lee vs Anthony Knox
21:30 - 61 kg - Jax Forrest vs Ben Davino
26:15 - 70 kg - Zain Retherford vs Caleb Henson
31:05 - 74 kg - Jayden James vs David Carr
40:10 - 125 kg - Mason Parris vs Isaac Trumble

Rokfin.com/MatScouts for all of Willie's Content!

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast. NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email info@baschamania.com.

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