State of Combat with Brian Campbell

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WWE: Finn Balor's push, Braun Strowman's status, Andrade's future Jan 16, 2019

Show notes

Following a hot week of WWE programming, Adam Silverstein takes over the main chair as Brian Campbell takes his annual break ahead of the 2019 Royal Rumble. But don't worry, there is plenty for The Silver King to break down this week with Braun Strowman taking a seat to Finn Balor as the new No. 1 contender for the universal championship (6:15). What does this mean for the futures of Balor, Strowman and champion Brock Lesnar, and what direction will WWE go for WrestleMania 35? CBS Sports WWE editor Jack Crosby joins Adam to break down that along with the Ronda Rousey-Sasha Banks angle from Raw to open The Main Event (40:35). Up next, the guys discuss the two lead angles on SmackDown and whether WWE is actually enacting the change it promised the few weeks ago (45:10). Hero or Zero includes a look at the future of Andrade (01:01:02), sneak previews of the new NXT call-ups, the continued introduction of the women's tag team titles, some more adult-themed storylines on WWE TV and new intercontinental champion Bobby Lashley. Adam and Jack wrap things up by answering some of your DM slides (1:33:52) and sharing their Feel Spots (1:44:20).

MMA: UFC Brooklyn preview; Forrest Griffin, Dan Lambert stop by Jan 14, 2019

Show notes

Brian Campbell and Brandon Wise get you fired up for Saturday's UFC on ESPN+ debut, headlined by a flyweight superfight between Henry Cejudo and TJ Dillashaw. Hall of Famer Forrest Griffin talks about his new role bettering the health of fighters at the UFC Performance Institute and relives his 2005 brawl with Stephan Bonnar that saved the promotion. Plus, American Top Team coach/founder Dan Lambert talks Amanda Nunes's upset of Cris "Cyborg," his decision to welcome Greg Hardy and how his love of pro wrestling led to a heel manager role with Impact Wrestling in 2017.

WWE: Becky Lynch discusses her breakthrough and what's next for 'The Man' Jan 10, 2019

Show notes

In a must-listen interview, "The Man" Becky Lynch stops by to accept her CBS Sports Wrestler of the Year award and detail her breakthrough in 2018 that saw her rise to the top of WWE as the most exciting superstar in sports entertainment. Lynch explains her mindset when she was told to cut a promo against the fans that propped her up and tells us whether she was ever actually told that her accent was holding her back. She also breaks down her invasion of Raw, her straight fire social media game, Vince McMahon's reaction to her rise, John Cena's new hair and how the women of WWE have raised their game to take opportunities rather than be handed them by management. After the interview, Brian Campbell and Adam Silverstein go through everything Lynch said and preview her road to WrestleMania 35. This is a can't miss edition of State of Combat!

WWE: Hulk Hogan honors 'Mean' Gene, reaction to AEW rally Jan 09, 2019

Show notes

In an extended episode that covers all angles of a massive week in professional wrestling, Brian Campbell and Adam Silverstein convene to determine whether the return of Hulk Hogan to WWE television was well-intentioned or included an ulterior motive (1:06:56). But first, BC and The Silver King react to the formal introduction of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), including the signings of Chris Jericho and Pac, the potential for the company how it needs to set itself part from WWE and the future of Kenny Omega (6:20). The Main Event continues with a breakdown of NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13 (52:22) before the guys move on to Brock Lesnar's appearance on Raw and whether Braun Strowman can bounce back from a horrendous segment (1:16:46). The guys then debate Daniel Bryan's recent promo work, Sasha Banks's title shot, the top angle on NXT and much more in Hero or Zero (1:20:58) before closing with their Feel Spots.

Boxing: Pacquiao-Broner preview, handing out 2018 awards Jan 08, 2019

Show notes

Brian Campbell and Rafe Bartholomew return from an extended break to look back on the year that was in the world of in boxing and hand out their unique awards celebrating the wild and wacky in 2018 (18:54). The guys also go in depth for a preview of the Jan. 19 Showtime pay-per-view bout between Manny Pacquiao and Adrien Broner (1:36:55). BC and Rafe then debate whether Floyd Mayweather's exhibition win in Japan was a work (4:59), if the Charlo Twins took a step back in their Fox debut (10:15) and Amir Khan's decision to chase Terence Crawford (14:05).

WWE: Delivering over the holidays, AEW news, Wrestle Kingdom 13 preview Jan 03, 2019

Show notes

Before starting the first show of 2019, Brian Campbell and Adam Silverstein remember the late, great "Mean" Gene Okerlund, who died at age 76. The guys recap Okerlund's career and share their favorite moments from one of the most legendary voices in professional wrestling history. In the Main Event, BC and The Silver King break down all the known details for the newly announced All Elite Wrestling and share their expectations for the upstart promotion (12:25). Up next is a look at the last two weeks of taped WWE action as the company somehow found a way to deliver in a major way despite airing four taped episodes (41:49). Hero or Zero returns with Brian and Adam grading WWE's most impactful booking decisions, including character changes for AJ Styles and Seth Rollins (1:02:58). And last by certainly not least, the guys preview New Japan Pro-Wrestling's Wrestle Kingdom 13 card (1:18:17) before signing off. Start the new year off right with the State of Combat.

MMA: Amanda Nunes, Jon Jones steal show at UFC 232, 2018 year in review Dec 31, 2018

Show notes

Brian Campbell and Brandon Wise recap big wins from Amanda Nunes and Jon Jones at UFC 232 and what's next for two of the best fighters in MMA history. The guys also spotlight breakout performances from Alexander Volkanovski, Michael Chiesa and Petr Yan. Plus, a look back on 2018 as a whole and hand out a slew of year-end awards for best fight, fighter and more, as well as reaction to Floyd Mayweather's exhibition boxing win in Japan at RIZIN 14.

WWE: 2018 Year in Review, second annual Samson Awards Dec 26, 2018

Show notes

In this special year-end episode, Brian Campbell and Adam Silverstein bring you the second annual Samson Awards. The final show of 2018 kicks off with BC and The Silver King wrapping up the year that was in professional wrestling, including the highs and lows in WWE and beyond. The guys then hand out awards in a variety of categories. Who won the Katie Vick Award? Did Becky Lynch or Ronda Rousey get some much-deserved honors? Was Omega-Okada IV actually the match of the year? We cover it all as State of Combat wraps up for 2018 and gets ready for the new year and the road to WrestleMania 35. Don't miss it.

MMA: Jones-Gustafsson II headlines UFC 232, Mendes talks comeback Dec 24, 2018

Show notes

Brian Campbell and Brandon Wise set the stage for Saturday's final pay-per-view of 2018 when Jon Jones makes his return at UFC 232 for a light heavyweight title rematch against Alexander Gustafsson. The guys also preview the co-main event between Cris "Cyborg" Justino and Amanda Nunes, including how their legacies might change with a win. Former featherweight title challenger Chad Mendes stops by to talk Saturday's return, his hopes of facing Max Holloway and how a diet of wild game has changed his preparation. Episode taped before the UFC 232 card was moved from Las Vegas to Los Angeles.

WWE: Vince McMahon tries to shake things up after TLC Dec 19, 2018

Show notes

It's a brand new era both for CBS Sports and the podcast has been reinvented just as Vince McMahon returns to WWE television straight off the company's hottest pay-per-view of 2018. Did McMahon's "shake up" do as it promised to Raw and SmackDown, or was it once again much of the same when it comes to WWE? From new faces -- both those exiled on the main roster and those coming from NXT -- to seemingly adjusted storylines, plenty changed in WWE this week with the holiday season approaching. Whether WWE changed for the better remains to be seen, but there's certainly plenty of talk about and you won't want to miss a moment.

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