Donnie DaSilva The Game Plan interview on Money in the Bank

Donnie DaSilva The Game Plan interview covered his pick of Roxanne Perez for the women’s Money in the Bank match, a possible same-night cash-in by Bron Breakker, and Adam Copeland’s emotional appearance for Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling in Toronto. Speaking with Giancarlo Aulino, the Huge Pop host also discussed Scott D'Amore’s plans for MLP, Steve Maclin’s future and the difficulty of booking Oba Femi against Bronson Reed.

What did Donnie DaSilva say about Adam Copeland at Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling?

Donnie DaSilva said Adam Copeland’s match with Steve Maclin at the Mattamy Athletic Centre mattered most for what the night meant to Copeland. He praised the match, but said the emotional response to Copeland wrestling in the former Maple Leaf Gardens was the central story. DaSilva also came away wondering how much longer Copeland wants to wrestle.

Adam Copeland’s night in Toronto

DaSilva called the Copeland–Maclin match excellent and nearly perfect, describing its quality as an added benefit to an occasion Copeland would have valued regardless of his opponent or place on the card. Looking backstage during the live pay-per-view production, DaSilva found none of the chaos he might have expected. He said the show ran smoothly and that any problems were too small for the audience to notice.

After hearing Copeland speak, DaSilva thought he sounded closer to retirement than to an extended run. That was DaSilva’s impression, not an announcement from Copeland: he said Copeland seemed to miss being home even while enjoying wrestling.

Christian Cage and Steve Maclin

DaSilva asked Copeland at the post-event press conference whether wrestling at the Gardens would be a similar ambition for Christian Cage. Copeland’s answer, as DaSilva recounted it, pointed to the shows the two attended there together.

Maclin’s performance also strengthened DaSilva’s view of him. DaSilva traced Maclin’s path from World Wrestling Entertainment developmental prospect to a successful Total Nonstop Action Wrestling run and then free agency after leaving TNA. He said he did not expect Maclin to remain a free agent for long.

What did Donnie DaSilva say about Scott D'Amore and Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling?

Donnie DaSilva was not surprised that Scott D'Amore pursued a national television platform for Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling. Having known D'Amore for about 30 years, he described him as a capable businessman with extensive wrestling contacts. DaSilva said he expected a television deal to be a priority from the time MLP was announced.

The first season of MLP Mayhem had ended, and DaSilva expected the promotion to regroup over the following months. He also referred to D'Amore’s stated plans to work with Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre, without presenting those plans as a completed partnership.

For DaSilva, MLP’s value extends beyond its Canadian talent base. He said international wrestlers seek out the promotion because a televised show gives them another place to display their work. That opportunity, alongside the Canadian roster, is why he sees the platform as useful to wrestlers at different stages of their careers.

How did Donnie DaSilva assess Bronson Reed against Oba Femi?

Donnie DaSilva said a Bronson Reed–Oba Femi match presents a difficult booking choice because both men need to retain their momentum. He was wary of another inconclusive result for Femi after Femi’s non-finish with Bron Breakker, but thought Reed was at an especially sensitive point in his comeback.

DaSilva said repeated non-finishes could leave fans feeling that Femi was merely surviving opponents rather than beating them. Reed, meanwhile, had already impressed him before his injury and weight loss; DaSilva cited Reed’s win over Roman Reigns as evidence of his standing.

Explaining why a defeat might be harder on Reed, DaSilva gave his clearest assessment:

I think Oba can actually sustain a loss better than Bronson Reed can right now.

DaSilva did not rule out Reed losing, but said that outcome would require Reed to reassert himself immediately afterward. He also saw a path to a Reed victory, particularly because Reed could win without doing so cleanly. He described both wrestlers as future world champions and said he was interested in how their matchup would be handled.

What did Donnie DaSilva predict for the men’s Money in the Bank match?

Donnie DaSilva separated winning Money in the Bank from becoming a long-reigning world champion. His speculative scenario had Bron Breakker winning the briefcase and cashing in that same night, possibly on a newly crowned LA Knight rather than Roman Reigns. DaSilva stressed that this was an idea he could imagine, not a firm prediction.

A possible LA Knight title change

In DaSilva’s version of events, interference could help LA Knight stumble into a world title win, only for Breakker to take the championship from him moments later. DaSilva thought the abrupt reversal would fit Knight: a title reign that began unexpectedly and ended almost at once.

Oba Femi’s King of the Ring title opportunity

DaSilva then imagined Breakker holding the title until the Royal Rumble, where Oba Femi could use the King of the Ring title opportunity DaSilva said he still possessed. That would set up the head-to-head match between the two that DaSilva wants to see.

He reasoned that resolving those title opportunities before WrestleMania would leave the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber routes to shape the championship picture. DaSilva acknowledged that his scenario depended on Roman Reigns losing the title, which he considered the least likely part of it.

Why did Donnie DaSilva pick Roxanne Perez for women’s Money in the Bank?

Donnie DaSilva picked Roxanne Perez as the favorite for the women’s Money in the Bank match because he rated her the strongest bell-to-bell performer in the field and saw a compelling story afterward. He also identified Lash Legend as an outsider and Tiffany Stratton as a winner with an existing storyline, rather than ruling either out.

The challenge of an inexperienced field

DaSilva liked the decision to give newer wrestlers the opportunity, but was surprised the match did not include a veteran such as Nia Jax or Charlotte. He said multi-person ladder matches are difficult to assemble and carry physical risks. Even Stratton, who had won Money in the Bank before, was still relatively new to the main roster, he noted.

Huge Pop producer Boris picked Legend. DaSilva said she could fill a valuable power role, catching and throwing opponents and helping set up major moments. He nevertheless gave Perez the edge, arguing that a briefcase in her hands could create friction with Liv Morgan and uncertainty around The Judgment Day.

Tiffany Stratton’s alternative story

Stratton winning for a second time would raise another possibility DaSilva found interesting: a cash-in on her friend Chelsea. He saw less immediate direction for Jacy Jayne or Sol Ruca, while viewing Lola Vice’s place in the match as a significant opportunity so early in her main-roster run. His pick remained Perez.

What does Donnie DaSilva cover on Huge Pop?

Donnie DaSilva said Huge Pop publishes a wrestling podcast each week with interviews and discussion involving people from World Wrestling Entertainment, All Elite Wrestling, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and independent wrestling. His co-host is longtime referee Jimmy Corderas, whom DaSilva said Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling had recently honored for his work at the Gardens.

DaSilva also posts show clips and Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling press-conference material on Instagram. He said an upcoming Huge Pop episode would feature Fabian Eichner ahead of an X Division title match at Bound for Glory.