1:44 PM PT — Ronnie Radke has responded to Nev‘s take on the debacle … and as you can imagine, Ronnie went scorched earth on Nev.

Nev Schulman says he hasn’t launched into any kind of formal investigation … but he’s inclined to believe Brittany Furlan over Ronnie Radke when it comes to all this catfishing drama.

The former “Catfish” host sat down for a conversation on “The TMZ Podcast” with Charlie Neff and Charlie Cotton … and they asked him what his take on all the drama is.

Remember … Brittany claims she and her husband, Tommy Lee, nearly split because she was talking to Ronnie online — but Ronnie insists Brittany was being catfished. He’s since filed a restraining order against her.

Ronnie said he’d be happy if Nev jumped in to help clear his name … though he may want to think again since it seems Nev’s not totally convinced he can trust the guy.

Take a listen … Nev says he knows Brittany and WWE star Saraya — AKA Paige, Ronnie’s ex-girlfriend — and he thinks they’re genuinely trustworthy people … while he’s heard Ronnie tells lies.

Schulman says he’s not trying to judge the guy — revealing he’s been untruthful in some of his own relationships in the past — but he’s just not sure he can take Ronnie at his word.

Again, Nev hasn’t seen any of the evidence — and our hosts point out there’s no smoking gun connecting Ronnie to the online catfish … but, if asked to make a snap judgment, Nev admits he believes in siding with women.