The Ariel Helwani Show

The lead singer of the iconic rock band The Smashing Pumpkins and owner of the legendary pro wrestling organization NWA joins Ariel for a wide-ranging conversation about the business of professional wrestling. The guys discuss: When he first fell in love with pro wrestling (6:14) His messy fallout with TNA Impact in 2016 (16:20) Why he decided to buy NWA in 2017 (22:50) The difference between MMA...

The former Head Writer at WWE and current SVP of Development at Seven Bucks Productions joins Ariel to talk about his time working alongside the biggest names in WWE, which he covers in-depth in his new book, There's Just One Problem...: True Tales from the Former, One-Time, 7th Most Powerful Person in WWE . The guys discuss: Why the pandemic was the perfect time for Gewirtz to write such an impor...

The legendary American boxing promoter joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation about his Hall of Fame career and business ventures, discussing things like: Getting inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame this past weekend (4:20)  The recent run of great fights in boxing (10:21) His issues with fellow promoter Eddie Hearn (21:47) The first time he met Muhammad Ali (44:28) What he feels are his...

The 43-year-old British boxing great, who returns to the ring on July 2 after a 10-year layoff, joins the show to discuss: Why he's decided to come back (6:40)  Struggles with depression and overcoming suicidal thoughts (10:19) Advice to fighters who can't find an identity after retiring (20:37) Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett’s weight issues (31:50) Sobriety (35:23) And much more. We are presented by...

The iconic American actress joins Ariel on the show to discuss a whole host of topics! Such as: Her deep-rooted boxing fandom and thoughts on some big upcoming fights (4:36)  The first time she met Muhammad Ali (18:58) What it was like working with Larry David on Broadway (28:50) The story behind her casting in "White Men Can't Jump" and how she feels about the remake (31:03) Why she believes so s...

The retired Canadian professional wrestler joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation about his career in the ring, his work with WWE behind-the-scenes, and the entire pro wrestling industry as a whole. He and Ariel discuss: A tough ending to his time working with WWE during the pandemic (13:27) The state of professional wrestling (21:15) WWE's power structure (24:38) If Sasha Banks and Naomi...

The New York Giants offensive lineman joins the show for a wide-ranging discussion about his NFL career, mental health struggles, and his less-than-ideal upbringing. Feliciano tells Ariel about: The end of his magical three-year run with Ariel's favorite team, the Buffalo Bills (4:10) His relationship with Bills QB Josh Allen (17:27) How he made it to the NFL despite being homeless while in high s...

The prolific sports journalist, TV personality, and author tells Ariel about his 29-year run at ESPN and some of the biggest and most controversial stories he's covered. The guys discuss: his iconic 2005 feature about former American chess grandmaster Bobby Fischer (4:45) the approach that his father, Dick Schaap, took to journalism (13:51) differences between journalism today and when he first ca...

One of boxing’s rising stars joins the show a few weeks ahead of his June 4 showdown with George Kambosos Jr. After telling Ariel how he discovered boxing, Haney discusses his relationships with Floyd Mayweather Jr., Terence Crawford, and Eddie Hearn, why he had to leave Matchroom to sign with Top Rank, why he converted to Islam in 2021 (26:30), how he plans to avoid the pitfalls of fame (29:42),...

The prolific Action Bronson joins the show this week! He’s an MMA superfan and one of Ariel's favorite entertainers, and he stops by to talk about the creative process behind his new album, Cocodrillo Turbo . He also talks about his favorite locations to perform, how losing over 150 pounds has made him better on stage, his pro wrestling fandom, AEW’s Hook using one of his songs as his entrance mus...

Ariel's favorite fitness instructor joins the show! After Ariel thanks her for helping him figure out life last year, Lovewell tells Ariel all about her wide-ranging career, which has taken her to the big stage alongside the megastars of the music industry, boutique fitness studios in New York City, the gardens of Martha's Vineyard, and now to one of the world's leading health and fitness companie...

One of the nation's top NFL reporters joins Ariel for a conversation about Glazer's public struggles with mental health issues, which he refers to as "the gray." Glazer tells Ariel why he decided to start speaking out about his struggles, how he hid his crippling anxiety for years, how his worst experiences have paved the way for the life he lives now, and so much more. Plus, he tells Ariel why he...

Before heading off to Dallas to cover WrestleMania for BT Sport, Ariel catches up with professional wrestling journalist John Pollock. The two old friends preview pro wrestling's biggest event by discussing topics like Ronda Rousey's relationship with the fan base, if Cody Rhodes will square off against Seth Rollins like everyone expects, and Pat McAfee's highly-anticipated return to the ring. Plu...

Maxwell Jacob Friedman, one of the biggest stars in pro wrestling, joins Ariel to discuss his young -- but very successful -- career. MJF tells Ariel when he first developed an interest in pro wrestling and then discusses his journey to AEW, if he thought AEW would be a formidable competitor to WWE when the promotion first launched, and what AEW is doing so well right now. He also discusses his in...

One of Ariel's best Hollywood friends joins the show this week to discuss Astin's acclaimed acting and singing career. The Pitch Perfect star tells Ariel what it was like growing up as a guy in musical theater, and also about his first big break. Then, Astin tells a great story about how he was selected for Pitch Perfect , why the movie franchise took off, and his well-documented relationship with...

The prolific sportswriter joins the show to discuss his illustrious writing career. Pearlman tells Ariel about the moment he knew he wanted to be a journalist and the 1999 incident that helped take his writing career to new heights while he was at Sports Illustrated. Then, Pearlman talks about his transition to writing books, the art of biography writing, how many more books he hopes to write, wha...

One of America's favorite sports broadcasters joins Ariel to talk about his 27-year run at ESPN, which concluded in spring 2021. The guys discuss Mayne's political commentary on social media and how ESPN executives felt about it, as well as Mayne's bold decision to enter into contract negotiations without an agent (15:52). Plus, he tells Ariel whether he still watches SportsCenter, if he holds any...

One of Canada's sports broadcasting legends joins the show to talk about his legendary career, telling Ariel stories about his iconic SportsCentre show on TSN and his relationship with his then-co-host, Jay Onrait. Plus, the guys discuss O'Toole's decision to leave TSN for the new FS1 in 2013, why he wasn't happy at FOX, his eventual return to TSN, moving from Toronto to Los Angeles, an online bat...

One of Ariel's favorite Hollywood personalities (and teenage crushes) joins Ariel for an extensive conversation. The two discuss a number of topics. like Burke's Jewish roots, the importance of mindfulness and mental health, her exit from Dancing with the Stars in 2013, if she regrets posing for Playboy, her eight engagements, and advice she'd give to her younger self. Oh, and some CRAZY love stor...

In a wide-ranging conversation about his INSANE life, Steve-O tells Ariel about his journey from clown school to the big screen. The guys discuss many things, like how a college breakup led to his daredevil career, using his body for medical testing, his relationship with Johnny Knoxville, how the idea for Jackass came to fruition, the intervention that turned his life around, his 14-year sobriety...

One of Ariel's childhood heroes joins the show for a wide-ranging discussion about his new book, The Last Enforcer, and many other topics, like Oakley's relationships with Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing, memories of playing for the '90s Knicks, his trade to the Toronto Raptors, the infamous 2017 incident with James Dolan at Madison Square Garden, the current state of the Knicks, and who Oakley w...

One of the most celebrated names in Hollywood joins Ariel for a conversation about his busy career before the guys talk about Lopez' high school wrestling days, the recently revamped Saved by the Bell on Peacock, things he hasn't accomplished yet, how he tries to stay neutral in political debates, how he's navigated his career during the pandemic, and much more. Mario Lopez is an American actor, p...

One of the best pitchers in baseball joins Ariel for an honest conversation about many subjects, like Snell's love of MMA, why he feels the need to give back to the community, and his Twitch channel . Plus, Snell opens up about his infamous May 2020 comments in the early stages of the pandemic (21:42), MLB's current lockout (26:30), the controversial decision to pull him from Game 6 of the 2020 Wo...

One of the most respected voices in sports media joins Ariel for an open and honest conversation (and I'm glad we're having it). The two friends discuss Le Batard's new outlook on life thanks to the founding of his new company, Meadowlark Media, and his relatively new marriage. He also discusses the separation of his personal and professional lives, why he's happier than he's ever been and the imp...

The prolific Michelle Beadle joins the show for a wide-ranging discussion about her life during and after her 8+ years at ESPN. Among many subjects, Beadle opens up about her unceremonious exit from the company, her infamous comment about not watching football, behind-the-scenes drama and much more. Plus, she talks about her solo international travels, how she landed her new gig covering the San A...