Also known to wrestling fans as The Savage Gentleman Victor Benjamin, Shane is now Mr. November and a member of the Calendar Crew for the Banana Ball Firefighters. He explains what a Banana Ball cast member does, how the experience compares to professional wrestling and why performers with wrestling backgrounds are uniquely prepared to entertain tens of thousands of fans in packed stadiums.

Shane shares the full-circle story of attending Banana Ball at PNC Park, immediately realizing that he belonged in that world and eventually receiving the opportunity to join the organization. He discusses performing in football stadiums, meeting fans throughout every level of the venue and experiencing Iowa’s emotional stadium wave to children watching from a nearby hospital.

The conversation also explores Banana Ball’s fans-first philosophy. Shane explains how small gestures, personal interactions and taking time to acknowledge supporters can create moments that last a lifetime. He reflects on faith, gratitude, career changes and learning to appreciate opportunities instead of immediately rushing toward the next destination.

Back in the wrestling world, Shane recounts being unexpectedly booked against Matt Riddle for Northeast Wrestling. The dream match brought his MMA and professional wrestling experiences together while reconnecting him with someone who helped influence the development of The Savage Gentleman character during an earlier EVOLVE seminar.

The weekend became even more surreal when wrestling legends Ron Simmons, Lex Luger, Jerry Lawler and Jimmy Hart began asking Shane about Banana Ball. Shane discusses the validation of seeing performers he admired recognize that his Banana Ball contract represents a major accomplishment—even without the traditional wrestling television contract he once pursued.

Sorg and The Riz also discuss the latest wrestling stories, including Lyra Valkyria’s character transformation, Danhausen’s Madison Square Garden opportunity, WWE’s upcoming card, the possibility of Nick Aldis returning to the ring and several standout matches from Enjoy Wrestling.

Other topics include Nick Gage’s Pittsburgh appearance, Sonny Kiss moving to Pittsburgh, the chaotic Captain’s Fall match, Dani Mo versus Hazuki, Violence Is Forever battling The Fourth Line and why wrestling promotions must make their characters and stories understandable to brand-new fans.

News Stories and Topics Discussed

• Lyra Valkyria’s character reset: The panel examines Lyra’s disheveled presentation and more emotionally unstable direction. They believe she has always possessed the wrestling ability but needed a character that felt uniquely hers.
• Learning from Bayley: The group discusses how working with an experienced performer such as Bayley could help Lyra develop the personality and presentation needed to reach another level.
• The problem with crowded wrestling promos: Sorg critiques multi-person in-ring promos where performers stand in positions that block the audience and television cameras.
• Danhausen at Madison Square Garden: The crew previews Danhausen’s match and speculates about possible celebrity appearances, New York personalities and outside involvement in the no-disqualification environment.
• Cody Rhodes and CM Punk attempting to coexist: The upcoming tag-team match against Gunther and Sami Zayn inspires a discussion about wrestling’s traditional “can they coexist?” storyline.
• Nick Aldis versus Gunther: The panel believes WWE is slowly building toward Aldis removing the suit and returning to the ring for a major confrontation with Gunther.
• Nick Aldis as an authority figure: Shane and Sorg praise Aldis for bringing credibility, composure and a believable sense of authority to his role.
• Chad Gable and Penta: The panel discusses the continuing masked-character storyline and the hometown reaction Gable could receive.
• Women’s Tag Team Championship: Fatal Influence’s match against Paige and Brie is discussed as a possible opportunity to finally establish the faction as a significant threat.
• Beastman’s Big Ass Birthday Bash: The show previews the unpredictable VCW event, including Beastman versus Toby Klein in a fans-bring-the-weapons birthday brawl.
• A mime at a deathmatch birthday party: The presence of Jean-Paul the Miserable leads to speculation about whether Shane would wrestle a mime.
• Congo Kong versus Jamie Jameson: The panel anticipates another violent and unpredictable championship encounter.
• Banana Ball explained: Shane describes Banana Ball as real baseball surrounded by nonstop entertainment, comparing its basic concept to the Harlem Globetrotters while emphasizing that it has grown into something much larger.
• The Banana Ball Firefighters: Shane explains that he is not a baseball player. As Mr. November, he is a cast member and part of the Calendar Crew responsible for energizing fans throughout the stadium.
• Why Banana Ball hires wrestlers: Wrestlers understand improvisation, crowd interaction, character work, physical entertainment and how to remain composed when plans change.
• Shane’s PNC Park revelation: After attending Banana Ball in Pittsburgh, Shane realized the presentation combined everything he loved about athletics, wrestling and entertainment.
• Fans-first ticketing: The discussion examines Banana Ball’s efforts to maintain affordable ticket prices and help fans exchange tickets without relying on inflated resale markets.
• Taking entertainment to every seat: Shane describes visiting suites, press areas and upper decks so fans far from the field receive the same attention as those near the action.
• The Iowa wave: One of Shane’s most meaningful experiences involved a stadium acknowledging children watching from a nearby hospital.
• Learning to reflect: Banana Ball’s travel structure has given Shane more opportunities to process his experiences, practice gratitude and appreciate what is happening in the present.
• Small gestures matter: Following a young fan, taking a photograph or stopping for a conversation may cost a performer nothing but can mean everything to the supporter.
• Wrestling Matt Riddle: Shane discusses accepting a last-minute Northeast Wrestling booking and finally having a dream match against another performer with an MMA background.
• The EVOLVE connection: Matt Riddle previously helped Shane during a seminar that contributed to the development of his Savage Gentleman presentation.
• Praise from wrestling legends: Ron Simmons, Lex Luger, Jerry Lawler and Jimmy Hart became interested in Shane’s Banana Ball career, creating one of his most surreal wrestling weekends.
• Redefining success: Shane admits he once struggled with never receiving a traditional televised wrestling contract, but Banana Ball has provided a different kind of national sports-entertainment opportunity.
• Faith and career direction: Shane explains how stepping away from another fight created space for the Banana Ball opportunity to arrive.
• Wrestling prepares performers for everything: From taking a microphone in front of thousands of people to responding to unpredictable situations, wrestling has prepared Shane for his new position.
• Nick Gage at Enjoy Wrestling: Sorg and The Riz recap the expected pizza cutter, tables, weapons and audience interaction from Gage’s Pittsburgh appearance.
• A different side of Nick Gage: Shane remembers sharing a car ride with Gage and receiving thoughtful wrestling and life advice.
• Sonny Kiss moving to Pittsburgh: The group reacts to the announcement that Sonny Kiss is relocating to pursue a doctorate at the University of Pittsburgh.
• Dani Mo versus Hazuki: The match receives enthusiastic praise as one of the strongest performances on the Enjoy Wrestling show.
• The Captain’s Fall match: The crew explains the elimination-style contest in which the match cannot end until one team’s designated captain is defeated.
• The Fourth Line versus Violence Is Forever: The hard-hitting tag-team encounter is recommended for anyone who appreciates physical independent wrestling.
• Pittsburgh wrestling connections: The discussion celebrates how Pittsburgh wrestlers, producers and personalities continue appearing throughout WWE, AEW, independent wrestling and Banana Ball.
• Creating understandable characters: Shane argues that audiences connect with clear characters and stories. A fan seeing someone for the first time should immediately understand who that performer is.
• Lifting the next generation: The group reflects on Wrestle Pit’s attempt to remove gatekeeping and provide opportunities to talented Pittsburgh wrestlers.

“What We Learned” Breakdown

Shane “The Smoke Show” Savage

Shane learned—or more accurately watched the rest of the world discover—that Danhausen is a legitimate star. Having previously worked with and booked Danhausen, Shane already understood his ability to attract attention and connect with fans. Seeing Danhausen featured prominently at Madison Square Garden reinforced how far he has come.

The Riz

The Riz noticed WWE leaning heavily into WrestleMania IX imagery with CM Punk’s black eye and championship presentation. The comparison to Hulk Hogan and Bret Hart led back to one of the show’s recurring theories: wrestling stories can be recycled after approximately seven years because they feel new to another generation of viewers.

Sorg

Sorg learned that one of the most entertaining “Pure Wrestling” matches he has seen was Mansoor versus Daddy Magic in Ring of Honor. The wrestlers appeared confused by—or intentionally resistant to—the Pure rules. They avoided the traditional handshake, quickly exhausted rope breaks and found ridiculous ways to incorporate a chair without technically using it as a weapon.

The match demonstrated that the Pure Wrestling format can support comedy and experimentation without completely abandoning its established rules.

Additional Match Recommendation

The Riz connected the Mansoor and Daddy Magic match to the absurd World of Sport Entertainment rounds matches presented by Mystery Wrestling. The comparison highlighted how complicated stipulations, rule manipulation and comedy can turn a familiar wrestling structure into something unexpected.

Shane shares how moments of upheaval led him toward clarity, spiritual grounding, and a renewed sense of purpose. Together, we explore how constant noise, digital distraction, and negativity pull us away from presence — and how reclaiming awareness allows us to respond rather than react. From the idea of “controlling the controllable” to surrounding yourself with people who align with your values, this episode is about choosing purpose over chaos.

We also touch on humor, humanity, and the importance of simple kindness — reminding us that being a good human being costs nothing but can change everything.

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Shane opens up about pivotal moments in his life, including losing his job, navigating divorce, physical injury, and rebuilding from the ground up. Through mindfulness, faith, and intentional living, he reframed setbacks as opportunities to grow and serve others. This episode explores the powerful connection between mind, body, and spirit, and how perspective and choice shape the quality of our lives.

Listeners are invited to examine their own blind spots, reclaim agency in difficult moments, and begin creating a life they don’t need a vacation from.

Subscribe to Fishing Without Bait on your favorite podcast platform.
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Part 2 dives deeper into the discipline and mindset that shaped Shane’s life. He reflects on learning to “play the film all the way through,” weighing consequences instead of chasing short-term gratification. Shane discusses burnout, stepping away from mixed martial arts, and the emotional toll of working in a system that no longer aligned with his values.

The conversation explores the difference between a risk and a gamble, why doing nothing can be the biggest risk of all, and how betting on yourself—when done with clarity and integrity—can lead to meaningful change. Shane also shares powerful insights on separating people from behaviors, personal responsibility, and choosing purpose over financial comfort.

This episode is a grounded, honest look at growth, regret, and the courage it takes to walk away from a life that’s no longer serving you.

Call to Action:
Subscribe to Fishing Without Bait on your favorite podcast player.
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Shane opens up about growing up in an environment marked by addiction, violence, and scarcity, while still finding moments of community, guidance, and protection. Rather than becoming a victim of his circumstances, he made intentional decisions to stay grounded in sports, discipline, and work — even when easier and more destructive paths were readily available.

Throughout this episode, Shane reflects on learning from the mistakes of others, refusing to settle for less, and choosing action over self-pity. Jim connects these experiences to mindfulness principles, recovery thinking, and the idea that real change comes from effort, behavior, and consistent choices — not just intention or wishful thinking.

Topics explored include:

Growing up without a safety net

Making conscious “wise mind” choices

Learning resilience through adversity

Taking action instead of living in “ifs, buts, and maybes”

Betting on yourself when others doubt you

Speaking intention into existence through action

This is Part 1 of a continuing conversation that sets the foundation for deeper discussions on identity, growth, and mindful living in future episodes.

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We are joined by Lady Frost and her Savage Gentleman for this week's episode. The pair is fresh off their recent travels, but take a break in preparations for their appearance on the upcoming Blackcraft Wrestling event to join us for some wrestling chat. They are joined by our mayhem crew of Sorg, Bobby F J-Town, and Rizz as we talk about:

SummerSlam happened. We're sharing some thoughts - including some MMA talk WITH the Savage Gentleman (who is a former MMA talent himself).
Ronda Rousey has gone from MMA to wrestling - just like our in-studio guest the Savage Gentleman.
Everyone's quick to judge Ronda Rousey, but you can't look at the current women's revolution without giving her props.
MMA was against having a women's division - but look at how much women have changed the sport.
Although Ronda Rousey may be "new" to WWE, she paid her dues in MMA and has built her legacy.
Putting a wrestler in the octagon does not have the same reaction as putting an MMA fighter in the ring.
Matt Riddle gets to do what he loves - wrestling.
Speaking of the women's Evolution, Ronda Rousey is going to make an impact.
You can't discredit someone's natural abilities.
Alexa Bliss vs Trish Stratus at Evolution? We. Can't. Wait.
NXT Takeover Brooklyn happened. We're sharing our thoughts.
The Savage Gentleman and Lady Frost are sharing how much they LOVED the first match of NXT Takeover Brooklyn.
Different kinds of wrestling are like different flavors of ice cream. Everyone has their own preferences.
Settling an in-house debate: Do you watch Facebook videos with or without sound?
Table for 3 is all about Twitter. Mayhem Show is all about Facebook.
Velveteen Dream going totally Rick Rude with his "Call Me Up Vince" tights = Priceless.
We're pretty much learning that what's old is new again.
We're talking some Ciampa v Johnny Gargano from NXT Takeover Brooklyn.
Demon Balor on SummerSlam seemed to go over more for the ladies than the gents.
So....Baron Corbin.
WWE is getting super techy with their 3D integrations.
This week's big question: What is your dream match for WWE Evolution?
There's a wrestling show coming up with a new group in town with Blackcraft Wrestling. Our guests the Savage Gentleman and Lady Frost will be on the show, and they're telling us all about it!
The Savage Gentleman might be cutting a promo on the show?
Lady Frost and the Savage Gentleman are sharing some happenings from their recent travels.
What did YOU learn in #Wrestling this week?
Shout out to Brutal Bob Evans from our in-studio crew. <3

Follow our stable on Twitter: Lady Frost (@RealLadyFrost), The Savage Gentleman (@RealSavageGent), Rizz (@TheeRizz), Bobby F J-Town (@BobbyFJtown), and Sorg (@Sorgatron).

If you are in Pittsburgh, you’ve got to go to Slice on Broadway (@Pgh_Slice) and get their food! (sliceonbroadway.com)

You can support the show at Patreon.com/wrestlingmayhemshow!

Go to wrestlingmayhemshow.com for more entertainment!

Thanks to Basick Sickness (@basicksickness) for the awesome intro for the show.

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