The Salty Thoughts of Mike Steph Podcast

Michael A. Stephens

Welcome to the Salty Thoughts of Mike Steph Podcast! This podcast delivers unfiltered sports talk, wrestling commentary, and NYC-focused discussions, hosted by Mike Steph. Content covers New York sports including the NY Knicks, NY Jets, and NY Mets, along with professional wrestling news, reactions, and event recaps featuring WWE, AEW, and independent wrestling (IWA). You’ll find sports opinions, live reactions, podcast clips, wrestling vlogs, and real talk on trending topics in sports, wrestling, and New York culture. Mike Steph brings honest takes, passionate debate, and a no-filter approach to every episode. If you’re a fan of NY sports talk, WWE and wrestling podcasts, or raw sports opinions, this channel is for you. New videos and podcast episodes are uploaded regularly — subscribe to stay updated.

  1. 1d ago

    Jets Lose 31-24 to Lions : Are They Actually Improving? | Giants 2-1, NFL Week 3 Reaction

    JETS ARE “RIGHT THERE”... BUT ARE THEY GOOD ENOUGH? | Giants Win + NFL Sunday Reactions The New York Jets are improving... but improvement doesn't always show up in the win column. After another frustrating loss, the Jets are left with that familiar feeling of being “right there” with some of the NFL's better teams, only to come up short when it matters most. On this edition of Sunday Night Live: Salty Thoughts of Mike Steph, Mike Steph breaks down the latest Jets loss, the encouraging signs from the team, the concerns that remain, and whether this season is actually headed somewhere different. 🟢 THE JETS ARE BETTER... BUT ARE THEY GOOD ENOUGH? There were plenty of positives. Geno Smith showed toughness and resilience, completing 31 of 37 passes for 321 yards, 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Garrett Wilson continued to show why he's one of the Jets' most important weapons, making several outstanding catches and finishing with 10 receptions for 107 yards, including a huge 23-yard touchdown that tied the game at 24-24 with 4:06 remaining. And rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq announced himself with a breakout performance, catching 7 passes for 105 yards and his first career touchdown reception. So what exactly are the Jets after three games? They're interesting. They're fun to watch. And they're clearly better than they were last season. But... Are they good enough to actually win football games? That's the question. The Jets now turn their attention toward Chicago, where they'll face the Bears. Can New York bounce back, get to 2-2, and continue showing that this team is genuinely improving? Or are we headed toward another Jets season filled with could've, should've and would've? 🔵 GIANTS GET TO 2-1 Meanwhile, the New York Giants came away with a 12-7 victory over the Tennessee Titans at home, improving their record to 2-1. It wasn't exactly an offensive fireworks display, but as the saying goes... A win is a win. Now the Giants look ahead to next week's matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at home. Can the Giants continue building momentum? What should we make of this team at 2-1? 🧂 MIKE STEPH MUST'VE BUMPED HIS HEAD! And of course, Mike Steph brings back another edition of “Mike Steph Must've Bumped His Head” 🤦🏾‍♂️💰 Mike breaks down his NFL wagers, picks and predictions from Sunday's action and takes a look at what went right, what went wrong and where the football gods decided to collect their debt. 🔥 Jets loss reaction 🔥 Geno Smith's performance 🔥 Garrett Wilson dominates 🔥 Kenyon Sadiq breakout game 🔥 Are the Jets actually improving? 🔥 Can the Jets get to 2-2? 🔥 Giants improve to 2-1 🔥 Giants vs. Cardinals preview 🔥 NFL Sunday reactions 🔥 Mike Steph's NFL picks & wagers All that and so much more on a SUNDAY NIGHT LIVE edition of the Salty Thoughts of Mike Steph Podcast! 🧂 Unfiltered opinions. NFL analysis. Jets. Giants. Picks. Predictions. And plenty of SALT. 👇 JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Are the Jets truly building something, or are we watching another season of “almost”? Can the Jets bounce back and get to 2-2? And what do you make of the Giants sitting at 2-1? 👍 LIKE the video 💬 COMMENT your thoughts 🔔 SUBSCRIBE to Mike Steph for more Jets, Giants, NFL, WWE, Knicks, Mets and unfiltered sports commentary. #NYJets #NewYorkJets #Jets #JetsNation #GenoSmith #GarrettWilson #KenyonSadiq #NYGiants #NewYorkGiants #Giants #GiantsPride #NFL #NFLWeek3

    Jets Lose 31-24 to Lions : Are They Actually Improving? | Giants 2-1, NFL Week 3 Reaction
  2. 1d ago

    JETS & GIANTS HAVE SOMETHING TO PROVE! Week 3 Is HUGE for New York Football

    🏈 JETS & GIANTS FACE PIVOTAL WEEK 3! Can New York Bounce Back? | Friday Night Live Week 3 of the NFL season is here, and both the New York Jets and New York Giants face pivotal matchups this Sunday! 🏈🗽 After two very different starts to the season, both New York teams have plenty of questions to answer. On this FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE edition of the Salty Thoughts of Mike Steph: Sprinkle of Salt Edition, Mike Steph breaks down the biggest storylines surrounding the Jets, Giants and the rest of the NFL heading into Week 3. 🟢 NEW YORK JETS vs. DETROIT LIONS The Jets are trying to rebound after their heartbreaking 20-17 overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers, a game in which New York blew a 17-7 fourth-quarter lead. Now the Jets travel to Detroit to take on the Lions, and this matchup presents an entirely different challenge. The Jets are also dealing with injuries at key wide receiver and tight end positions, putting even more pressure on Geno Smith to navigate the offense. Can Geno lead the Jets to a road victory? And then there's the fascinating matchup involving Aaron Glenn. Glenn returns to Detroit with the Jets' defense facing his former team. Can his defense continue its strong start and slow down the Lions' offense? Will Aaron Glenn's defensive scheme give the Jets a chance to get back on track? Or will the injuries and offensive questions prove too much? 🔵 NEW YORK GIANTS vs. TENNESSEE TITANS The Giants are entering a new chapter after losing second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart for the season following Monday night's game against the Rams. Now Jameis Winston takes over at quarterback as the Giants return home to face the Tennessee Titans. Can Winston provide the Giants with enough offense to win? How will John Harbaugh have his team respond after the devastating news surrounding Dart? And perhaps most importantly... Which Giants defense shows up? Will we see the dominant unit that helped New York defeat Dallas on Opening Day? Or will we see the defense that struggled against the Rams? Mike Steph breaks down the Giants' quarterback situation, the defensive questions and what this Week 3 matchup could mean for the rest of their season. 🏈 PLUS, MUCH MORE NFL TALK! Mike Steph also gives his thoughts on Thursday Night Football, the Los Angeles Chargers trying to avoid an 0-3 start, their matchup against Buffalo, and plenty of other NFL storylines heading into Sunday's action. 🔥 JETS vs. LIONS 🔥 GIANTS vs. TITANS 🔥 GENO SMITH & THE JETS' INJURY CONCERNS 🔥 AARON GLENN RETURNS TO DETROIT 🔥 JAMEIS WINSTON TAKES OVER FOR THE GIANTS 🔥 JAXSON DART'S SEASON-ENDING INJURY 🔥 CAN THE GIANTS DEFENSE BOUNCE BACK? 🔥 CHARGERS TRYING TO AVOID 0-3 🔥 NFL WEEK 3 STORYLINES & PREDICTIONS It's time for another FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE edition of the Salty Thoughts of Mike Steph Podcast: Sprinkle of Salt Edition! 🧂🎙️ Tune in LIVE tonight and bring your football takes with you! 👇 JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Who has more pressure on them in Week 3, the Jets or Giants? Can either New York team get back on track? 👍 LIKE the video 💬 COMMENT your Week 3 predictions 🔔 SUBSCRIBE to Mike Steph for more NFL, Jets, Giants, Knicks, Mets, WWE and unfiltered sports commentary. Hidden Gems Football Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwC-t_WRik2-aF8qPMnzodUgu-1wxM93H&si=7oLpDrorehEP3U5I

    JETS & GIANTS HAVE SOMETHING TO PROVE! Week 3 Is HUGE for New York Football
  3. Sep 25

    JETS BLOW 17-7 LEAD! Aaron Glenn Under Fire After OT Loss to Packers | 20-17

    JETS MELTDOWN: 17-7 LEAD GONE! Packers Beat Jets 20-17 in OT | Salty Thoughts It was so close to euphoria... and then it became another familiar Jets nightmare. 😫 The New York Jets blew a 17-7 fourth-quarter lead, surrendering 10 unanswered points in the final 7:58 of regulation before ultimately falling to the Green Bay Packers 20-17 in overtime at a soggy MetLife Stadium. After an impressive Week 1 victory over the Tennessee Titans, the Jets entered this game with an opportunity to prove that their opening-week performance was more than just beating a bad team. For nearly four quarters, the Jets looked like they were ready to answer that question. Then everything fell apart. The Jets' defense was outstanding for most of the afternoon, holding the Packers to just 199 total yards, limiting Green Bay to 1-for-9 on third down, and forcing four Packers fumbles. But the Jets recovered only one of those fumbles, and when the game reached its critical moments, New York couldn't close the deal. The Jets had a 17-7 lead with 11:04 remaining after a 32-yard Jason Sanders field goal. But instead of putting the Packers away, the Jets watched Green Bay storm back and tie the game. And that raises some serious questions about Aaron Glenn's decision-making. Why didn't Glenn go for it on 4th-and-1 from the Packers' 9-yard line with a chance to potentially extend the lead? Then, with the game tied 17-17 and less than two minutes remaining, Glenn made the opposite decision, going for a risky 4th-and-1 from midfield. One decision could have helped put the game away. The other could have ended the game in regulation. Instead, the Jets went to overtime... and lost. 🟢 Was this a classic Jets meltdown? 🟢 Is Aaron Glenn over his head? 🟢 Who deserves the blame for this loss? 🟢 Was this a season-defining defeat? 🟢 Can the Jets recover from blowing a 10-point fourth-quarter lead? 🟢 Was Week 1 actually a sign of progress, or was this the same old Jets story? Mike Steph gives his Salty Thoughts on the latest painful chapter in New York Jets football, breaks down the collapse against the Packers, examines Aaron Glenn's coaching decisions, and looks ahead to whether this team can rebound. And that's not all... It's another edition of "Mike Steph Must've Bumped His Head" 🤦🏾‍♂️💰 as Mike Steph breaks down his NFL wagers, picks and predictions from Sunday's football action. All of that and much more on a LIVE Salty Thoughts of Mike Steph Podcast! 🧂 SALTY THOUGHTS. UNFILTERED FOOTBALL. NO SUGARCOATING. 👇 JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Was this loss on Aaron Glenn, the players, or both? Can the Jets bounce back next week? 👍 LIKE the video 💬 COMMENT your thoughts on the Jets' collapse 🔔 SUBSCRIBE to Mike Steph for more Jets, NFL, Giants, Knicks, Mets, WWE and sports commentary. #NYJets #Jets #NewYorkJets #JetsNation #AaronGlenn #Packers #PackersVsJets #NFL #NFLWeek2 #JetsVsPackers #GangGreen #NFLFootball #NFLPredictions #NFLPicks #MikeSteph #SaltyThoughts #MikeStephMustveBumpedHisHead #JetsNews #JetsFans

  4. Sep 25

    JETS and GIANTS: Who Goes 2-0? Week 2 Preview Rams vs Giants & Packers vs Jets Mike Steph Podcast

    NEW YORK FOOTBALL IS BACK! And after Week 1, both the New York Jets and New York Giants are 1-0 after impressive opening-week performances! On this LIVE Salty Thoughts of Mike Steph Podcast: Sprinkle of Salt Edition, Mike Steph breaks down the Week 1 victories for both New York teams and the very different narratives developing around them heading into Week 2. The formula was old school football: DOMINATE THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE. RUN THE FOOTBALL. PLAY PHYSICAL. PLAY BULLY BALL. 💪🏈 But now comes the question: Was Week 1 a sign of things to come, or are we getting ahead of ourselves? The Giants earned plenty of praise after their impressive victory, but some are already saying their win was more meaningful because it came against a supposedly better opponent. Meanwhile, the Jets shocked plenty of people with their performance, but critics are pointing to the opponent: a putrid Tennessee Titans team. Now both teams enter Week 2 as underdogs. 🔵 NEW YORK GIANTS vs. LOS ANGELES RAMS 🟢 NEW YORK JETS vs. GREEN BAY PACKERS Can the Giants take advantage of a Rams team that is already reeling? Can the Jets pull off another upset against a disappointing Packers squad? More importantly... 🔥 WHICH NEW YORK TEAM HAS THE BETTER CHANCE TO START 2-0? 🔥 WHICH TEAM'S WEEK 1 PERFORMANCE WAS MORE LEGITIMATE? 🔥 CAN EITHER TEAM SUSTAIN THIS STYLE OF FOOTBALL FOR AN ENTIRE SEASON? 🔥 ARE THE JETS AND GIANTS ACTUALLY GOOD, OR ARE WE OVERREACTING TO WEEK 1? 🔥 AND WHAT DOES THE MEDIA SPIN GET RIGHT...AND WRONG? Mike Steph gives his unfiltered thoughts on both Week 2 matchups, the expectations surrounding the Jets and Giants, and the media narratives developing after one week of NFL football. This is Salty Thoughts of Mike Steph: Sprinkle of Salt Edition. No corporate talking points. No sugarcoating. Just football, opinions, analysis and plenty of SALT. 🧂 👇 JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Which New York team has the better chance to go 2-0? Are you buying the Jets and Giants after Week 1? Drop your thoughts in the comments! 👍 LIKE the video 💬 COMMENT your Week 2 predictions 🔔 SUBSCRIBE to Mike Steph for more NFL, Jets, Giants, WWE, sports and unfiltered commentary. #NFL #NYJets #NYGiants #NFLWeek2 #Jets #Giants #JetsNation #GiantsPride #NFLPredictions #Football #SaltyThoughts #MikeSteph #SprinkleOfSalt #Packers #Rams

  5. Sep 14

    Bayley RETURNS! WWE RAW, Oba Femi -Bronson Reed , The Bloodline & Dave Meltzer Gets SALTY!

    🔥 THE SALTY THOUGHTS OF MIKE STEPH PODCAST IS LIVE! 🔥 Mike Steph is back with a special “Sprinkle of Salt” edition of the Salty Thoughts of Mike Steph Podcast, bringing the unfiltered opinions, hot takes, and plenty of SALT to a potpourri of topics making waves in the world of WWE, wrestling media, and the IWC! This LIVE episode dives into the latest fallout from WWE RAW, including the return of Bayley, the ongoing Royce Keys & OTM vs. The Bloodline storyline, and the developing Oba Femi vs. The Vision story. But the wrestling conversation doesn't stop there! Mike Steph also reacts to controversial comments from Dave Meltzer regarding Lil Yachty, including the claim that Yachty is a “waste of space,” and discusses the increasingly reckless things being said throughout the Internet Wrestling Community (IWC). Is wrestling discourse getting completely out of control? Are some people saying anything for attention? And where does WWE go from here with these storylines? Mike Steph gives his unfiltered thoughts, honest opinions, and plenty of SALT on all of it! 💥 TOPICS INCLUDE: • WWE RAW latest news and reactions • Bayley returns to WWE • Royce Keys & OTM vs. The Bloodline • Oba Femi vs. The Vision • Dave Meltzer and Lil Yachty controversy • “Waste of space” comments • Reckless takes from the IWC • WWE storylines and booking • Wrestling media and fan reactions • The latest WWE news and rumors • And MUCH MORE! 🎙️ The Salty Thoughts of Mike Steph Podcast World renowned. Hardly ever listened to or viewed. But ALWAYS salty. 🧂 If you enjoy WWE news, wrestling commentary, WWE RAW reactions, wrestling debates, IWC discussions, and unfiltered opinions, make sure to LIKE, COMMENT, SUBSCRIBE, and TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS so you don't miss the next episode! #WWE #WWERaw #Bayley #ObaFemi #Bloodline #WWEUpdates #WrestlingNews #IWC #DaveMeltzer #LilYachty #WrestlingTwitter #WrestlingPodcast #MikeSteph #SaltyThoughts Intro- 0:00 WWE Usos vs Royce Keys- 5:34 Bayley RETURNS- 21:49 Oba Femi-Bronson Reed- 30:15 Dave Meltzer-Lil Yachty- 42:13 IWC Tribalism- 51:16 Bomani Jones-Pablo Torre/Clippers- 58:25 Outro- 1:15:15

    Bayley RETURNS! WWE RAW, Oba Femi -Bronson Reed , The Bloodline & Dave Meltzer Gets SALTY!
  6. Sep 14

    Was Stephen A. Smith SET UP? Cari Champion & Jemele Hill Interview Gets MESSY!

    WAS STEPHEN A. SMITH DISRESPECTED? OR WAS THIS ALL JUST CLOUT CHASING? 🔥 Mike Steph is taking the Salty Thoughts of Mike Steph Podcast LIVE for an unfiltered conversation about one of the biggest media controversies involving Stephen A. Smith, Cari Champion, Jemele Hill and Joy Reid. Last week, Mike Steph discussed the growing disagreements between Stephen A. Smith, Cari Champion, Jemele Hill and Joy Reid. Now, after the much-anticipated 3-hour conversation between Stephen A. Smith, Cari Champion and Jemele Hill on the “Flagrant and Funny” podcast, there is even more to unpack. The conversation was released in two parts on YouTube and covered plenty of ground, but one topic dominated the discussion: Did Stephen A. Smith actually play a role in helping Cari Champion land her position on ESPN's First Take a decade ago? Both Stephen A. and Cari Champion gave their respective versions of what happened. But did the conversation actually settle anything? Apparently not. After the interview, Cari Champion and Jemele Hill discussed their reactions to the conversation, and they later appeared on Joy Reid's show, where they further explained and defended their positions. And that's where things get even more interesting. The public reaction appears to have shifted somewhat in Stephen A. Smith's favor, with many people sympathetic to his willingness to sit down and have a difficult conversation with Cari and Jemele, only to feel afterward that the situation turned into something very different from what he believed he had agreed to. Stephen A. Smith has also claimed that what was discussed and agreed upon beforehand was not ultimately what happened during the interview, and he has indicated that the experience will change how he handles similar situations in the future. So tonight, Mike Steph asks the questions that matter: ❓ Was Stephen A. Smith RIGHT to feel disrespected? ❓ Was he manipulated into providing publicity for Cari Champion and Jemele Hill's podcast? ❓ Did Cari Champion and Jemele Hill hold back during their conversation with Stephen A. Smith? ❓ If they agreed with Joy Reid's criticisms, why weren't those points made directly to Stephen A. during their 3-hour conversation? ❓ Who is telling the truth? ❓ Who is actually in the right? ❓ Was anybody manipulated? ❓ And is Stephen A. Smith deserving of sympathy in this situation? Mike Steph breaks down the Stephen A. Smith controversy, the Cari Champion and Jemele Hill interview, the Joy Reid fallout, the ESPN history between these personalities, and the bigger question of trust, accountability and media clout chasing. This is another LIVE edition of the Salty Thoughts of Mike Steph Podcast, so expect an unfiltered, honest and salty conversation about sports media, celebrity journalism, personal history, public perception and the battle over whose version of the truth should be believed. 🔥 WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON? STEPHEN A., CARI & JEMELE, OR JOY REID? Drop your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation! 👍 LIKE the video 💬 COMMENT your opinion 🔔 SUBSCRIBE to Mike Steph 📢 SHARE this video with someone who has been following the controversy #StephenASmith #CariChampion #JemeleHill #JoyReid #FirstTake #ESPN #FlagrantAndFunny #SportsMedia #StephenASmithControversy #SaltyThoughtsOfMikeSteph #MikeSteph #SportsTalk #MediaControversy

    Was Stephen A. Smith SET UP? Cari Champion & Jemele Hill Interview Gets MESSY!
  7. Sep 2

    Stephen A. Smith Has Become TOO MUCH? Is the Backlash Finally Justified?

    Is Stephen A. Smith Finally Getting What He Deserves… or Has the Criticism Gone Too Far? Mike Steph is taking the Salty Thoughts of Mike Steph Podcast LIVE for an unfiltered conversation about one of the most polarizing figures in sports media: Stephen A. Smith. Over the past year, the criticism, backlash, and outright vitriol directed toward Stephen A. Smith have seemed to reach another level. But the question is: Has Stephen A. earned all of this criticism, or has the audience simply reached the point of viewer and listener fatigue? With Stephen A. seemingly everywhere across sports media, television, podcasts, interviews, and other platforms, has he simply spread himself too thin? When you have that much airtime and rarely turn down an opportunity to appear on another platform, does your audience eventually become tired of hearing your opinions, regardless of whether the point you're making is actually valid? Mike Steph breaks down Stephen A. Smith's increasingly complicated relationship with the media, fans, and even members of his own community. From his public disagreements and clashes involving Jemele Hill, Cari Champion, Joy Reid, Jasmine Crockett, and others, to the recent NABJ conference controversy where Stephen A. received the infamous thumbs-down award, it seems like the backlash against SAS is coming from all directions. But perhaps the biggest question isn't whether Stephen A. Smith is controversial. It's this: Has Stephen A. Smith sold out his own community in his pursuit of fame, success, and becoming one of the biggest personalities in sports media? Is Stephen A. a victim of an increasingly hostile media environment? Or is he simply a victim of his own success? Has the constant exposure made audiences tune him out? And has Stephen A. reached the point where people are no longer willing to hear what he has to say, even when he might actually have a legitimate point? Mike Steph tackles all of that and more in this LIVE edition of the Salty Thoughts of Mike Steph Podcast. 🔥 Is Stephen A. Smith being unfairly targeted? 🔥 Has viewer fatigue finally set in? 🔥 Has Stephen A. overexposed himself? 🔥 Is the criticism justified? 🔥 Has SAS lost credibility with his own community? 🔥 Did Stephen A. Smith sell out in the pursuit of fame? This is going to be a SALTY conversation, and as always, Mike Steph isn't afraid to say what he thinks. 👇 JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Do you think Stephen A. Smith has earned the backlash he's receiving, or has the criticism gone way too far? Drop your thoughts in the comments! LIKE 👍 | COMMENT 💬 | SUBSCRIBE 🔔 | SHARE 📲 #StephenASmith #StephenASmith #SAS #ESPN #SportsMedia #SaltyThoughts #MikeSteph #SportsTalk #SportsDebate #JemeleHill #CariChampion #JoyReid #JasmineCrockett #NABJ #MediaCriticism #SportsCommentary

    Stephen A. Smith Has Become TOO MUCH? Is the Backlash Finally Justified?

About

Welcome to the Salty Thoughts of Mike Steph Podcast! This podcast delivers unfiltered sports talk, wrestling commentary, and NYC-focused discussions, hosted by Mike Steph. Content covers New York sports including the NY Knicks, NY Jets, and NY Mets, along with professional wrestling news, reactions, and event recaps featuring WWE, AEW, and independent wrestling (IWA). You’ll find sports opinions, live reactions, podcast clips, wrestling vlogs, and real talk on trending topics in sports, wrestling, and New York culture. Mike Steph brings honest takes, passionate debate, and a no-filter approach to every episode. If you’re a fan of NY sports talk, WWE and wrestling podcasts, or raw sports opinions, this channel is for you. New videos and podcast episodes are uploaded regularly — subscribe to stay updated.