[intro music playing]
[John Cena] Then.
-[glass shattering] -[The Rock] If you smell…
-[bell tolling] -[Cena] Now.
-[Triple H] The king of kings… -[Cena] You can't see me…
[Cena] Forever.
Together.
[Jimmy] Six years away from Monday Night RAW,
the return of The American Nightmare.
Cody Rhodes versus The Miz.
Seth Rollins taking a closer look at this matchup.
Rhodes has been feeling it six years away.
He's been waiting for this for a long time.
Most favorite, that left knee, oh!
[crowd groaning]
It's over. it's over.
Rhodes defiantly will not quit.
-[people shouting] -Bad leg, no problem!
Cross Rhodes!
Six years in the making. Welcome back!
[Seth] Cody!
[laughing]
Cody!
You were a surprise opponent going into WrestleMania.
You had every single advantage.
So, here's what I'm thinking.
Rematch,
Rollins versus Rhodes,
part two.
Yes.
-[laughing] -[inaudible]
[crowd cheering]
♪ Burn it down ♪
["Visionary" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[cheering continues]
[Jimmy] Challenge thrown out to Cody Rhodes the last week after his…
after his triumphant return to Monday Night RAW.
The Seth Rollins right now. Full of confidence.
[Saxton] Full of confidence, full of happiness, full of the awkward dancing.
Everything you expect from the visionary, Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome
Seth "Freakin" Rollins!
[crowd cheering]
Welcome everyone to Monday Night RAW, Jimmy Smith alongside Byron Saxton,
of course, the second week in a row, Jerry, The King Lawler.
We are blessed by royalty tonight,
but it all leads for Seth Rollins to one thing,
and that's WrestleMania Backlash in this showdown.
His revenge match against Cody Rhodes.
[Saxton] Revenge, redemption. You said it, Jimmy.
It all happens in the three weeks' time.
Streaming live on WWE on Peacock.
It is official. Rollins versus Rhodes part two.
Cody Rhodes goes one-on-one with Seth Freakin Rollins!
at WrestleMania Backlash.
[Jimmy] What a way to start Monday night, Rollins.
[crowd cheering]
[Jimmy] You're freaking me out.
[Saxton] Say what?
[Lawler] Of course, I am. It's awesome!
[crowd cheering]
[yelling]
Welcome to Monday Night Rollin!
[Saxton] Oh, yeah!
[crowd cheering]
Oh!
It is a party out here tonight.
And nobody wants to party alone.
So I got an invitation to make,
[laughing] an invitation
to my WrestleMania Backlash opponent himself,
Mr. Nightmare.
The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes!
Come on down, let's have a chat baby!
[laughing]
[crowd cheering]
[Saxton] Ah, this is going to be good.
[crowd cheering]
All right…
[crowd cheering]
["The American Nightmare" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Jimmy] Ask and you shall receive The American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes live on Monday Night RAW.
[Saxton] He said he came back to the WWE
to accept every challenge, all the tough matches.
[Jimmy] That's what he has in front of him.
[Lawler] Well, they gotta… not gonna get any tougher
-than this. -[gunshots]
Freakin Rollins.
[Jimmy] We know what Cody Rhodes has been through
just in the last couple of weeks,
defeating Seth Rollins at WrestleMania
and earning a victory over The Miz last week at RAW
and now the date is set. Another round,
another meeting, another battle against Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[Saxton] And how sharp he looked six years away from Monday Night RAW.
He came back and looked like he hasn't missed a step.
[Jimmy] Without a doubt, Cody Rhodes is on top of his game
in every sense of the word.
[Lawler] Talking about looking sharp, you admired an outfit that
Seth Rollins is wearing tonight. What about how bland is that
Cody Rhodes looking tonight.
[Saxton] Classic. Top notch.
Class on top of class.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
[Seth laughs]
No, don't stop on my account.
Come on!
Give me some more.
Cody! Cody! Cody!
Yeah!
This is him. The man of the hour.
Cody.
How does it feel to be on top of the world, baby?
Come on, give it up for The Nightmare.
[laughs]
[crowd cheering]
Allow me to stand on ceremony for a moment because this just…
It all feels so… familiar
Familiar as in you and I in this ring
in this city.
[crowd cheering]
For those who don't know the story,
I would say that Buffalo is Rhodes country.
[crowd cheering]
But, but…
familiarity and admiration are certainly strangers.
You've invited me out here.
Please.
What do you want to talk about?
Oh, Cody.
There has been, in fact, a lot on my mind
since WrestleMania in Buffalo.
As memory serves me right, might be Rhodes country.
But this is about respect, man.
I came out here to tell you how much I…
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody! Cody!
I respect.
[crowd cheering]
[Jimmy] What's… What's he trying to do?
Upstage Seth "Freakin" Rollins?
Don't ever do that to me again.
[crowd jeering]
[yells]
-[crowd cheering] -[Jimmy] What?
Nah!
This was gonna go one direction. Now it's going another.
You see, I was going to tell you
how much respect I had for your family name,
for your brother, for your daddy, The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes.
I was going to tell you how much respect I had for you
and your long journey.
You went away. You worked hard.
You came back as The American Nightmare.
[crowd cheering]
But instead, I want to remind you,
all that hard work that you put in is nothing
because Seth "Freakin" Rollins made you a star
in one night at WrestleMania, baby!
[laughs]
[Jimmy] That's right.
And you don't like that It's the truth.
A lot of foreplay here, a lot of pretense.
Why don't we just dispense with the pleasantries?
Why don't you do me a favor and just get to the point?
The point… [laughs]
is that at WrestleMania,
you had an unfair advantage.
You came in as Mr. McMahon's surprise opponent,
Mr. Cody Rhodes coming back after all this time.
I didn't have the proper time
to repair and prepare, and so…
I… I lost.
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody! Cody!
That's a tough pill for me to swallow, but what's even tougher is that
some of these people out here, and maybe even you,
think that that means that you're better than me.
[crowd cheering]
And that is something that I can't live with, because that's not the truth.
The fact is, I am better than Cody Rhodes
in every single possible way.
You may be the flavor of the month,
but you are not the future of this industry.
I talk the talk better than you.
I walk the walk better than you.
I most certainly dress the dress,
drip the drop better than you.
[laughs]
But most importantly, Cody,
you came back to fulfill your family legacy
to win the WWE Championship, an admirable goal.
I have been to the mountain top.
I have been WWE champion,
and that makes me better than you.
[crowd booing]
Forgive me,
I'm going to correct you.
Not only have you been to the mountain top,
from my understanding, you've been to the mountain top
four times.
[laughs]
Four times…
and me, none.
But if all of that, that whole diatribe,
that whole tantrum,
it doesn't change what happened at WrestleMania.
And in my absence,
for the last six years, I did have a management position.
I learned a little something called mediation.
You can sit here all day and tell me how great you are,
then I tell you how great I am.
We go back and forth, back and forth.
Why don't we involve a neutral party?
A third party.
Why don't we just ask the good folks of Buffalo?
[crowd cheering]
[Jimmy] All good folks out there.
And ask me.
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody! Cody!
So it won't be settled by you, or I will settle it right here.
Buffalo, do you think that I am better than Seth Rollins?
[crowd cheering] Yes!
[crowd chanting]
[Jimmy] A resounding yes.
I think they're saying Seth.
All right. All right.
Shut up.
[crowd booing]
You think it's so easy.
You all think it's so easy.
You just… you think it's so easy that you stand in the middle of the ring
and someone walks down and you can just beat them?
You think it's that simple?
Well, you know what? I got an idea.
I got an idea. How about we put the shoe on the other foot tonight?
How about in the main event, tonight,
you stand in the middle of this ring
and you wait to face a surprise opponent
handpicked by Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
How about that, Mr. Nightmare?
-What do you think? -[Lawler] That's a great idea.
Since it's so easy.
[crowd chanting] Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!
[Lawler] How you're gonna back down out of that? [laughs]
Look at me.
I think you already know the answer.
I think they already know the answer.
I didn't come back to WWE to run from challenges.
So absolutely, yes.
[crowd cheering]
[rock music playing]
[Jimmy] Cody Rhodes is about to enter the unknown tonight
with a hand picked opponent
-from Seth Rollins. -[Saxton] This is going to be great.
This is going to be awesome.
[Jimmy] It's not just a matter of facing the unknown,
it's facing an unknown opponent, as you said,
of Seth Rollins' choosing.
That can never be a good thing.
What do you mean? It'll be great!
Well, later on tonight, a big night.
Two opponents who do know each other very well.
Finn Bálor, United States champion, puts his title on the line
against Mr. McMahon's protégé, Theory.
Will Finn retain his title?
Or will the upstart, the always confident Theory
bring gold to Mr. McMahon?
We'll find out tonight.
[Saxton] But this to me, is why it's a big night, guys.
Who would have imagined the 24/7 title chase
would lead to wedded bliss?
Well, tonight, the respective couples of
Reggie and Dana Brooke and Tozawa and Tamina.
We have a double commitment ceremony officiated by R-Truth.
[Jimmy] Well, they know what's coming.
RK-Bro will compete against the Smackdown tag team champions, the Usos
at WrestleMania Backlash in a winner take all
championship unification battle.
But tonight they'll take on the always dangerous, Street Profits,
who they can't afford to look past.
We'll see that on Monday Night RAW later tonight.
[Saxton] It will be a heck of a challenge for the RAW tag team champion.
Oh, God! Can you feel it?
Can you feel the glow?
[Jimmy] He's out of his seat, dancing, King.
That's what he does whenever he sees Naomi,
and hears that music kick!
[Saxton] I guess I'm the only one that feels it.
["Glow" playing]
[Lawler] One half of the women's tag team champions.
[Jimmy] Not just glow sticks, but gold around her waist
earned at WrestleMania, no less.
[Saxton] Naomi would lend me her glow stick.
[Lawler] Probably not. Maybe if you sit down.
[Saxton] Okay, all right.
[laughs]
[Jimmy] And now that we've felt the glow…
-[Lawler] You know what time it is. -[Jimmy] I'm checking the time
and apparently, his first time tonight on RAW.
["Sky's the Limit" playing]
[Jimmy] Women's tag team champions.
Well, they will put their titles on the line.
Sasha Banks and Naomi versus The Nightmare,
Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan.
They run… They won them at WrestleMania.
Can they defend them tonight On Monday Night RAW?
We'll answer that question right now on Monday Night RAW.
Will the champions retain against some serious challenges?
-[Saxton] We'll find out, next. -[fireworks bursting]
[crowd cheering]
[Jimmy] And there are the WWE women's tag team champions,
Naomi and Sasha Banks.
["Liv Gone Mad" playing]
They'll face a big challenge tonight.
[announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall is for
the WWE women's tag team championship!
Making her way to the ring,
Liv Morgan!
[Lawler laughs] Look at Liv.
She's ready to wear that gold around her waist,.
[Jimmy] And so is her partner, King.
["Demon In Your Dreams" playing]
[Jimmy] And there's tag team partner.
[announcer] Rhea Ripley!
[Jimmy] And that could be the key to it, Byron.
Reah Ripley, former RAW women's champion,
former tag team champion with Nikki A.S.H.
She knows what it means to be champion.
[Saxton] And you recall, Jimmy,
Rhea Ripley is the reason we're having this match here tonight.
Couple weeks ago a very disappointing loss.
Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan suffered
to the women's' tag team champions.
Rhea actually went to WWE official and said,
"We want an opportunity."
She was granted that opportunity,
and now Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan
will lead Monday Night RAW tonight
as the new Women's tag team champions.
[Jimmy] We know they have the physical ability.
We know they have the strengths about the unity, the harmony.
Tag team champions means tag team chemistry.
Do they have it?
[Lawler] Well, you're right. They gotta stay on the same page.
It didn't work last time,
but hopefully, better luck tonight.
[Jimmy] Remember that we were supposed to see this match last week.
Unfortunately, Rhea Ripley not able to compete.
So think about it. Ripley and Morgan had another week
-to strategize and plan… -[all exclaim]
…for the challenge ahead.
Remember Rhea Ripley defeated Naomi last Friday on Smackdown.
They've had some individual success.
It's about bringing it together as a team. Quick tag.
Liv Morgan in.
And some team work already!
[Saxton] After WrestleMania, Liv Morgan was very public about
the faith that she had in this partnership with Rhea Ripley.
-Come on! -[all exclaim]
Cover already.
Quick kickout from Sasha Banks.
-[Jimmy] So far so good. -[Saxton] Morgan really…
-[all exclaim] -Really believes this team could go far.
And of course, obviously, you walk out here,
the tag team champions, that's a major statement.
-[all exclaim] -[Lawler] Goodness!
[Saxton] I don't see Naomi, who's now legal,
and Sasha Banks giving up easily.
They are proud champions. And they've shown great teamwork.
[Jimmy] Our champions who know each other very well.
Cover! Hook in the leg.
[Lawler] Kick out.
[Jimmy] Kick out just in time from Liv Morgan.
[Saxton] Relationship between Sasha Banks and Naomi going all the way back to 2015.
Attack made! Sasha Banks now on the top rope,
looking to strike across body to the cover.
[Lawler] Nice kickout from Liv Morgan.
[Jimmy] Naomi knocking Rhea Ripley not just off the apron but
almost to our commentary table!
[Lawler] Pre-emptive shot here by Naomi.
And you're seeing the excellent tag team chemistry here.
-of the women's tag team champions! -[Saxton] Speaking of!
-Two on one! -[Lawler] Oh, no!
[Jimmy] Oh, boy.
[Saxton] Right into the ring posing down goes Liv Morgan.
[Jimmy] Morgan is hurt and now Banks and Naomi!
Uh-oh, Ripley… Rhea Ripley has other plans!
Look at the equalizer. The strength of Rhea Ripley.
[Saxton] The boss has a weapon.
[crowd cheering]
A tandem offense from the challengers!
Riptide.
-[all exclaim] -Onto the barricade!
Folding the tag team champions in half.
Look at this.
[Jimmy] Welcome back to WWE Women's Tag Team championship match.
The champ, Sasha Banks and Naomi versus the challengers Rhea Ripley,
Liv Morgan. Shoulders down.
Smart move by Naomi.
[Lawler] Ripley so far on a roll in this match.
You gotta admit, Rhea Ripley is dominating this match.
[Jimmy] It goes back to the point we made earlier as the tag's made to Liv Morgan.
Rhea Ripley has been there before.
Rhea Ripley has been one half of the women's tag team champion.
She understands the kind of effort you have to bring to this environment.
And that could have lead to the frustration with Liv Morgan.
Oh, man!
Little mistimed there, but Liv Morgan still with the cover.
Oh!
Maybe she caught that… Oh! Cover again.
Perhaps if she'd caught that move flush, Byron,
it could have been over with.
[Saxton] Well, yeah, it speaks to the fact that Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley
are still building their chemistry as a tag team.
[Jimmy] I don't think…
Oh, cover. Shoulders down.
Able to roll through for Liv Morgan.
To your point, Byron. So popular.
Fans absolutely love them, but they are a new team.
They haven't quite figured out their chemistry completely yet.
[Saxton] Look out.
[Jimmy] Rhea just tagged herself in.
And Naomi has no clue the tag was made.
I don't know if the referee know. Yes, the referee knew.
Great job! Some teamwork!
Oh!
Beautiful powerbomb, in comes Rhea Ripley.
Might be ready to put this one away.
[Saxton] Ripley maybe looking for another Riptide.
-Sasha Banks… -[Jimmy] …
[Saxton] We're gonna have new champions!
Shoulders down, while we see new champions!
[all exclaim]
The Boss just in time.
[Jimmy] Oh, my gosh!
I thought for sure we were going to have new women's tag team champions.
Liv Morgan was able to keep
Sasha Banks out of the ring, but not long enough, Byron.
[Saxton] Yeah, you see Sasha Banks desperately almost feeling like
the tag team titles were slipping away at the last possible second.
Breaking up the pitfall. Huge kick from Naomi.
Momentum now on the side of the champs.
-[Jimmy] Look out. -[Saxton] We've seen this before.
Oh!
That might be it. Shoulders down.
The champs retain!
[crowd cheering]
Wow!
[announcer] The winners and still the WWE women's tag team champions,
Naomi and Sasha Banks!
[Lawler] I didn't even see what happened to Liv.
[Jimmy] A bit better with the timing, a bit more accurate.
A bit more in sync.
[Saxton] A very game effort by Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley.
They have nothing to be ashamed about.
But women's tag team champions just a little bit better here tonight on RAW.
[Lawler] We talked about the years of history,
the communication. That was all on display tonight.
[Saxton] And a frustrating loss to Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley,
but an ultra impressive victory for Sasha Banks and Naomi.
Can't take anything away from the champs.
[indistinct chatter]
[Jimmy] Rhea's trying to ask Liv where she was.
[crowd cheering]
You were supposed to help me. Where were you?
I was!
[indistinct conversation]
You know what? You know what?
You failed. You failed this time.
You failed. Where were you?
I needed you. I've always been there with you.
[indistinct conversation]
-[Jimmy] Really upset… -[Saxton] Oh, my God!
[Jimmy] Come on, Rhea.
[Saxton] Can't blame Liv, but you can blame her for that.
I get the frustration, but, come on.
[Jimmy] Attacking her tag team partner.
[Lawler] Where was her tag team partner when Rhea needed her?
[Jimmy] Completely losing control of herself.
Not done yet.
[Saxton] Oh, no! Look out.
Riptide at the expense of Liv Morgan.
[Jimmy] Right on the back of her neck.
I get disappointment, but this…
[Saxton] Wow! This is too far.
Listen, Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan had a great effort.
Had a great performance against the women's tag team champions.
But to respond like this, for Rhea?
[Jimmy] Looks like Rhea just does not like losing.
And who can blame her?
She doesn't like losing has boiled over
into an absolute attack that we did not see coming.
Another attack we did not see coming last week,
Sonya DeVille bringing out an open contract for Bianca Belair
to defend her RAW women's title,
but developed into something we did not expect at all, Byron.
I'm the fastest. I'm the roughest. I'm the toughest.
I'm the quickest, I'm the greatest and I'm the bravest.
So… So, whoever you've got,
let's do it.
[Jimmy] Bianca Belair wasted no time
signing the open contract for her future challenges.
Now let's bring out your opponent so she can sign this contract
and we can make it official.
[drums beating]
[Jimmy] As we gotta await the introduction of said challenger,
watch what happens next.
[Saxton] Well, you've heard the saying seeing pride goes before a fall.
Rhea Ripley was so proud of herself.
Your next opponent is me.
[Saxton] Blatant abuse of power by WWE official, Sonya Deville,
who will now challenge Bianca Belair.
[Jimmy] It was a stroke of brilliance.
[Saxton] Well, she made the move.
Will she suffer the consequences? That's the question.
["Made Me Stronger" playing]
[announcer] Please welcome WWE official,
Sonya Deville!
[Jimmy] Well, the WWE official Sonya Deville
made herself the first challenger for Bianca Belair.
What does she have in store for the E.S.T.?
We'll find out next.
Tonight we've come to you from Buffalo, New York,
one of the most loyal fan base in the country.
They call it Bills Mafia for a reason.
They support their Bills.
They support The Sabers.
They support us in the WWE.
And before the break it was for tag team gold,
but Rhea Ripley left all alone against the Champs.
[Saxton] Yeah, Liv Morgan was taken out by a backstab from Sasha Banks.
So to your point, Jimmy, Rhea Ripley
forced to take on the women's tag team champions all by herself.
And this would not end well for Rhea Ripley.
Sasha Banks and Naomi would retain
the women's tag team champions,
thus creating a frustrating moment for Ripley.
[indistinct conversation]
[Saxton] Uh-oh. And this is just… in my view, inexcusable.
Rhea Ripley would take all her frustration out
on her tag team partner, Liv Morgan.
[Jimmy] Well, that's what it's all about. When you have a tag team partner,
you expect them to be there when you need them.
Liv Morgan was not there when she was needed.
Excuse me, Rhea,
can you explain your attack on Liv Morgan?
What entitles you or anyone else to an explanation?
[Jimmy] Well, there you go.
Thank your partner or walk away.
Same could be said for Sonya DeVille.
[clears throat] As of late, I have heard chatter throughout WWE
[crowd booing]
[Saxton] Come on. You gotta…
That I am misusing my power
by making myself Bianca Belair's first challenger.
I need to remind you all of something.
First and foremost, I'm a competitor.
I never lost that.
I didn't just wake up one morning and decide to be a WWE official
because I was having some sort of quarter-life crisis.
No, no.
I was forced into this position…
I was forced into this position
until I could find my way back to being a WWE superstar.
[crowd booing]
Now, did I make the most of the opportunity
at my natural gift and ability
to lead those who surround me?
Absolutely!
And when I saw an opportunity, a window of opportunity,
I took it.
When Bianca Belair won the RAW women's championship
at WrestleMania,
I knew that that's who I wanted to be in the ring with.
Because Bianca Belair isn't just the EST of WWE.
She is the B-E-S-T in WWE.
[crowd cheering]
That's who I want to be.
That's who I want to win the title off of.
[crowd cheering]
The best and nothing less.
[crowd cheering]
So you guys can scrutinize me
as it pertains to abusing my professionalism.
But the bottom line is…
is that Bianca Belair wanted a challenger,
and I gave her one.
[crowd cheering]
It's nothing personal.
It's just business.
So if anybody
-has an issue in that-- -["Watch Me Shine" playing]
[Jimmy] Whoa…
I don't think Sonya Deville was depending on this!
[Lawler] Someone that might have an issue with it.
[Saxton] Yeah, the EST of WWE,
the RAW women's champion, Bianca Belair!
[Jimmy] You don't come out here and interrupt the boss.
What's the matter with you?
[Jimmy] Well, she's entering the ring to stand face to face
with the next challenger.
Stop the music.
Bianca, I know you're all excited about your championship match with me.
But standing right here, right now, I'm a WWE official.
So let me remind you, if you lay so much as one finger on me,
well, you'll be subject to repercussions.
[Jimmy] Oh, yeah.
It'll be tough too, I can guarantee you that.
[crowd chanting] Do it! Do it! Do it!
Well, you know what, Sonya?
I'm ready to put my hands on you once you're not acting like a WWE official.
So how about we have this title match right here, right now, tonight?
Let's go.
-[Jimmy exclaims] -[Saxton] Oh, no, no, no!
Hold on, hold on, hold on.
No, no! Don't get excited.
I didn't wait three years to have my opportunity
in this rusted owt suburb of New York City.
[crowd booing]
No.
No. It's not gonna happen in Buffalo.
-You know why? -Why?
Because it's gonna happen somewhere
where you're really gonna hate losing.
Let me think.
How about next week
in your hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee?
[Jimmy] Oh, my.
That sounds like a great idea! No…
You know what? I'm helping you out. ou know why?
Because when you lose the title,
you'll have your family and friends there to console you.
Have a shoulder to cry on.
I mean, Bianca…
At this point, they're so used to watching you lose title quickly.
Right?
What is it?
Do you want to say something?
What is it, Bianca? Go ahead.
[Jimmy] Pushing all the buttons.
[Saxton] Pushed one too many.
Wait a minute! Wait a minute!
Put me down, Bianca.
I will make sure you're fined, suspended and that title is taken away from you.
Put me down, now!
-[Saxton] Oh, boy! -[Jimmy] Oh!
[Lawler] She threw her down!
[Saxton] She put her down slightly aggressively.
["Watch Me Shine" playing]
[Jimmy] Oh! There's going to be some big repercussions from this.
[Saxton] Listen, Sonya Deville still okay.
Bianca Belair followed her instructions to put her down.
But Bianca Belair won't have to put her down nicely
when it comes time for the RAW women's championship matchup.
She didn't just put her down. She tossed her. She might have to…
She threw her down as hard as he could.
Might have some repercussions for that.
Speaking about repercussions, another attack that might have some,
Veer Mahaan over Dominik Mysterio, not just a win, but an assault.
["Roar" playing]
[Jimmy] Talk about a man that's created endless carnage.
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring, weighing in at 275 lb.,
Veer Mahaan!
[Saxton] This is the man who didn't just defeat Dominik…
Dominik Mysterio. He tore right through Dominik Mysterio
not just during the match itself.
[Jimmy] Sent Dominik Mysterio out on a stretcher.
Dismantled the Mysterio family.
Now what awaits the next victim of Veer Mahaan?
Next on RAW.
[instrumental music playing]
[Saxton] It's fitting a Titanic event.
SummerSlam. Tickets available this Friday.
The Home of the Titans, Nashville, Tennessee.
Can't wait for it now.
[Jimmy] Nissan Stadium is going to be rocking for SummerSlam!
[Lawler] Yeah, my home state of Tennessee. It's going to be awesome.
Look at this guy.
He's from Buffalo, right? Jeff Brooks.
[Saxton] Jeff Brooks from here in Buffalo.
Taking on Veer Mahaan.
[Jimmy] Too late to say a prayer for Jeff Brooks.
[Lawler] Does he play for the…
[all exclaim]
The Sabers?
For Buffalo Bills?
Come on, everybody's talking about how great these…
the city of Buffalo is.
What great athletes they have known for their determination.
He's fighting back. Oh, my goodness!
Unbelievable odds!
[Saxton] Just unmatched intensity from Veer Mahaan.
I mean, this was a mauling.
Not surprisingly so from the moment the bell rang.
[Lawler] Jeff Brooks hanging on, doing everything he can but,
-[shouting] -It's that…
That million dollar arm!
decapitating Jeff Brooks.
This is a man named Veer Mahaan who said succinctly last week,
I strike fear into the heart of any man.
Unfortunately, he does that by
dominating his opponents.
[yelling]
Height from Veer Mahaan.
Setting it up right into the cervical clutch.
-The immediate tap from Jeff Brooks. -[bell ringing]
Mercifully letting go.
[announcer] Here's your winnder by submission, Veer Mahaan!
[Jimmy] That was like a hit and run accident… he's going back.
A twist on the spine of Jeff Brooks.
[Saxton] Well, we saw this last week against Dominik Mysterio.
Veer Mahaan not content just to win the match.
He wants to punish and torture his opponent.
-[Jimmy] Once again… -[Lawler] Both you guys,
why don't you go in there and try to pull him off of him?
[Jimmy] Well, fortunately enough, people in there to do that for us.
[Lwler] Maybe not.
[Saxton] It's Veer Mahaan!
[Jimmy] These officials doing their best to break…
[Saxton] They gotta do it faster. Cranking the neck!
Jeff Brooks in agony right now.
[Jimmy] There is something to be very concerned about.
when it comes to Veer Mahaan and the cornage
that this man is capable of creating.
That's right.
[crowd cheering]
It's already taken care of.
Yeah, handle it myself.
Let me call you back.
Did you see what she did to me out there?
-She put her hands on me. -I saw.
Okay. And what are you gonna do about it?
There are gonna be severe repercussions.
As I said, it's being handled.
But listen, Sonya, you probably need to worry about your own repercussions.
What is that supposed to mean?
One word on the street is that the higher ups are looking into your conduct.
Official investigation.
My conduct?
Since the beginning, I have done everything by the book
and you're worried about my conduct?
Instead of our champion who put her hands on a WWE official?
That makes sense?
And as far as that goes, Bianca's already being fined.
-I handled that myself. -How much?
$50,000? $100,000? A million?
Honestly, she deserves the big EST fine
the women's division has ever seen.
But will that happen? Probably not.
Oh, absolutely not.
This right here is two WWE officials conducting official business.
So, see your way out. Thank you. Bye-bye.
Okay, Sonya.
I'm here to pay my fine.
Great. You can make the wire transfer to WWE…
-Here you go. -And I hope you learned your lesson.
Yeah, sure. A whole dollar's worth.
[chuckles]
What is that?
One dollar?
One measly dollar?
And you say I abuse my power?
I did it by the book.
-[Jimmy] Well, he had to levy a fine… -[Saxton] He did.
It was a fair fine…
[Lawler] I can't believe what I just saw.
What's wrong Adam here? He needs…
He needs to suffer some retribution.
[Jimmy] Oh, my goodness, guys.
Jeff Brooks had to be stretchered out, courtesy of Veer Mahaan.
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the host
of The KO Show,
Kevin Owens!
[Jimmy] Kevin Owens is adamant that Ezekiel is lying about his identity,
He's not the younger brother of Elias.
He's in fact, Elias himself.
Kevin Owens will conduct a lie detector test on his ego on The KO show
to get a definitive answer once and for all on RAW next.
[Jimmy] And welcome back. Before the break,
Veer Mahan versus Jeff Brooks here in Buffalo.
A match maybe isn't the right word for this.
[Saxton] It was a mauling.
it was destruction on display by Veer Mahaan
who had his way with this Jeff Brooks, competitor.
It wasn't pretty.
[Lawler] What do you mean? Jeff Brooks?
They said, Buffalo, give us your best athlete you have.
because we want to see what Veer Mahaan can do with him.
And you saw what happened.
Like I said a hit and run accident without a car.
[Saxton] We thought the match was over.
No, this was the third cervical clutch
delivered by Veer Mahaan.
It's all about torture. It's all about pain.
And you've got to wonder what kind of message does that send.
Out of the way.
[grunts]
Move it. Out of the way.
Clear path. Quick, please.
[Jimmy] Another soul added to the list of victims.
[Lawler] Another Buffalo crybaby.
[Jimmy] Now, The KO Show.
Kevin Owens joined by champion…
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome
to The Kevin Owens Show!
[crowd cheering]
[Jimmy] This is gonna be great.
Now, before we get started, let me make one thing very clear.
I despise liars.
I can't stand them.
Who doesn't, right?
Well, we have a new super-- A "new" superstar back there.
Calling himself Ezekiel,
fraudulently claiming that he is Elias' younger brother.
I am here to tell you that is a lie.
That man is Elias.
[crowd cheering]
So tonight, I've decided
to expose him as the fraud that he is
and prove to the entire WWE universe
that I am the only one sane enough to figure that out
by putting him through a lie detector test.
[Jimmy laughing] Oh, great.
That's right. Now, I would administer that test myself, normally,
but I want to make sure everybody knows that this is not biased in any way.
it's not rigged in any way so what I did, is I went out and got
the smartest man in the WWE universe
to administer this test.
Not only is he going to expose Elias as the fraud that he is,
then he's going to beat him in a match immediately after.
Ladies and gentlemen, the man
-with the 2.0 GPA-- -Oh, oh. 4.0.
The 4.0 GPA, Chad Gable!
[crowd cheering]
[Jimmy] Why is Gable qualified for this job?
[Saxton] Smartest man you will ever know.
Kevin, first of all, let me say, uh,
a thank you for having me back on The KO Show.
Tonight, in line with the scientific method,
I will remain objective
and trust me, I will uncover the truth
and find out if this so-called Ezekiel
-is who he says he is. -[crowd cheering]
And trust me, if he lies,
I'll beat the truth out of him in a match directly afterwards,
so don't worry about it.
-Money well spent, baby. -I love it.
I love your gusto. I love your IQ, your brain, your hair. I love it all.
Now, without further ado,
please welcome my guest, Elias.
-[Jimmy laughs] There you go. -[Lawler] Or Ezekiel.
["Domination" playing]
[Jimmy] You're getting to be like Ezekiel. You're factually challenged.
[Saxton] Well, it says Ezekiel.
-[Chad] We're going to find out. -He's a liar immediately.
[Jimmy] Well, remember how this all started
the Monday after WrestleMania,
Ezekiel came out, interrupted Kevin Owens,
and Kevin Owens says, "You're Elias." [stammers] I don't know.
[Saxton] Am I the only one who thinks it's kind of odd
that the biggest liar in WWE, Kevin Owens,
is actually hosting a lie detector test?
[Jimmy] What are you talking about?
[Lawler] He's certainly not taking one.
[Jimmy scoffs] He's lucky.
-Please have a seat. -[crowd cheering]
You're welcome.
Welcome to The KO Show, Elias.
[Chad chuckling]
Kev, I appreciate you having me on the show,
but you got it all wrong, man. I am not Elias, I am Ezekiel.
-I am Elias-- -No, you're not. No.
The younger brother stu-- No, no, no. You're Elias, okay?
[stammers] Let's just-- Just admit it.
You're Elias, okay? You used to have the guitar, the beard.
You used to come around here
and ask people if they wanted to walk with Elias.
That's you. That's you.
-[cheering] -[Chad] That's him.
Look, listen, Kev.
I-- I really want to take this lie detector test, but…
Before I do that, I have one question for everybody here tonight in Buffalo.
[crowd cheering]
Who wants to hear Zeke speak?
-[crowd cheers] -No, no, no. Don't answer that.
No. See, it's the same thing as the walk with-- you know what?
-It doesn't matter. Chad, hook him up. -All right.
You know? This is going to take care of this.
This is state of the art technology, okay?
This is a computer, huh? This is the best money can buy.
You're going to get exposed right now. Do you understand?
-Chad, you ready? -Yeah. Almost ready.
-Yes? Get it. Get it good. -Just making sure--
-Is that nice and tight? -Yes.
-Yes? Okay, wait. It's a little crooked. -All right.
It's all right. I'll take it--
-Okay, that's fair. Go ahead. -I'll take it from here.
Let's, uh, start with a few control questions
just to get a baseline, okay?
But first, uh…
Buffalo, all your babbling is interfering with my machine,
so for the next few minutes,
-please just do me a favor and kindly… -[crowd booing]
Shoosh!
[laughs cunningly]
-Okay. [clears throat] -Shush. Shush.
Uh, this first one, I'm going to need you to answer correctly.
Is the sky blue?
Yes.
-What's it say? -Nice, nice.
[stammers] He answered correctly like I asked.
-This one, -[Kevin] Okay.
please answer incorrectly.
Is tonight Monday?
No. Liar. He's lying.
See? He's a liar.
-I told you. -Yes.
Yeah, Kev, I… I told him to lie.
We're trying to get a baseline here.
He's supposed to lie.
-Carry on. -Heh.
[Chad] Okay, all right.
One last question. Um…
Is Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson a spoiled little brat
-that messed with the wrong guy -Chad. Chad!
-at WrestleMania? -[screams] Chad!
What are you doing? Focus.
This isn't about you. I'm paying you 150 Canadian Dollars for this.
-Focus. -[Jimmy chuckling]
-Okay. -Let's go back to my issue here.
-You're right. That's good money. -Come on.
Get started already.
-Enough with the baselines. -Get serious.
Yes or no.
Is your real name Ezekiel?
[crowd chattering]
Say it.
[crowd chanting] Say it! Say it!
[crowd chanting intensifies]
Yes.
-What? -Is he lying?
-Good god. -Yes?
-How bad is he lying? -He's telling the truth.
-[Saxton] What? -t's true.
-What? -[crowd cheering]
No, no, no.
No, ask him-- No. That-- No.
Ask him-- Ask him why he's lying.
Just ask him why he's lying. Why are you lying?
It doesn't work that way. It has to be a yes or no question.
[stutters] I got it. I got it.
Yes or no.
Is Elias is your older brother?
[crowd chattering]
Yes.
[crowd cheering]
Wait a minute. It's true.
-No. -It's true.
-That's impossible. No! Hey! -It's true, Kev.
-The machine doesn't-- -You're not asking it right.
-Ask it better. -I--
You ask it. I don't even know what you want from me.
The machine doesn't lie.
Okay, you know what I'll-- [stutters]
Your real name Elias?
No.
That's true, too. He's telling the truth, Kev.
What? Hey, no, no. What's going on?
-Is he paying you more than I am? -Paying me?
-Is that what's happening? -Look, Kev. You know me, okay?
I am a man of academic integrity,
and I'm sorry but all signs point to the fact
that he is, in fact, Ezekiel.
-You know what? -I don't know what you want.
I've had enough. He's making you out to look like a fool.
You're embarrassing yourself. Get outta here.
I'm not paying you. Get outta here.
I'll take-- And you. You.
-I am so sick-- -No, no, no. You know what?
I've had enough. I've had just enough, Kev.
I am tired of playing Law & Order here,
and I am tired of being called a liar by you.
The biggest liar in WWE.
-[crowd cheering] -[Jimmy] That's true.
Now, listen. This is a big night for me. I'm excited.
I get to have my first-ever match in WWE right here and right now.
You know what? No, no, no.
You know what? I don't care about this test.
I don't know how you got this.
I don't know how you worked this out but I know you're lying.
Know what? I don't care if you want to waste your "first match"
and have it in Canada's landfill,
of Buffalo, New York.
[crowd booing]
Oh, no. He said bad things.
Screw you all. You know what?
The only thing I care about is the truth,
and you're going to tell me the truth right now.
You are going to admit that you are Elias or else.
Or else what?
[crowd cheering]
[Jimmy] Wait a minute. Kevin, come back.
-Well, what is it-- -[commentators] Oh!
[Lawler] There you go.
[Jimmy] Chad Gable doing the dirty work from behind
as Kevin Owens walks off.
[Saxton] Chad Gable and Ezekiel are scheduled for a matchup next.
[crowd cheering]
[Jimmy] Well, we can now say with confidence,
Ezekiel versus Chad Gable.
[Lawler] Why, we can't?
He passed the lie detector test
on The KO Show administered by Chad Gable.
His opponent now.
[Jimmy] Listen, Kevin Owens was embarrassed.
His lie detector test experiment blew up in his face,
and now Ezekiel has his first match here on RAW against Chad Gable.
[Lawler] I'll still never believe that this guy is Ezekiel.
[Jimmy] King, you saw the test.
[chattering]
[Jimmy] Somehow, that test was in this second test
against Chad Gable, what Ezekiel can do in the ring.
So far, he's passing that as well.
If we know one thing about this Ezekiel--
Hey, what's he doing there?
-He's certainly not very photogenic-- -[Lawler] Oh!
'cause he's not here in person.
[Lawler] Good in-ring skills though. Shoulders down.
[Jimmy] Kick out from Chad Gable.
[Saxton] The guy with the 4.0 and the Olympic pedigree.
[hosts gasping]
[Saxton] Also administered that lie detector test a few moments ago.
[Jimmy laughing] The chops.
[Lawler] Ezekiel now lighting up the chest of Chad Gable.
[Jimmy] Chad Gable, though, incredible power.
Usually-- Oh! The smaller man in the ring,
but always a tactician.
He knows when to attack, he knows how to attack at all times.
[Saxton] As of late, obviously, Chad Gable has been in tag team action
alongside his Alpha Academy partner, Otis,
having to kind of readjust his mindset
to being a singles competitor here against Ezekiel.
Oh!
[Lawler] Great job attacking the left knee, the left leg.
[Jimmy] Continuing the attack on Ezekiel.
[groans]
[Saxton] Ezekiel had to know going into this match,
it was not going to be easy.
This is how Gable was able to-- Oh!
Turn things around.
Targeting the left knee.
[Lawler] Shoulders down. Northern lights suplex.
[Jimmy] Oh. Kick out from Ezekiel.
-Greco Roman. -[Lawler] Why don't you guys stop?
It's Elias.
-Shoosh! -[Lawler] Come on.
[Saxton] Why are you in such disbelief, King?
[Lawler] Because we all know Elias is-- he's a liar,
he's so dishonest.
-You know what? -[Saxton] Elias is a liar, King?
[Lawler] Elias, yes.
[Jimmy] Let's talk about Kevin Owens for a second and his lying.
[Lawler] Shoulders down.
Good awareness from Ezekiel sitting up in time.
[Saxton] What more proof do you need, King?
The guy willingly took a lie detector test,
he put himself out there and he passed.
Like I had my doubts too, but clearly Ezekiel is the younger brother of Elias.
[Lawler] You have to remember, it was Kevin Owens
who suggested the lie detector test.
It was Chad Gable who administered it.
Oh, look at the athleticism, the strength of Chad Gable.
[Saxton] Ezekiel was right there ready for Gable.
[Jimmy] He may have underestimated Ezekiel tonight.
[Saxton] Man, great offense, chaining together so amazingly well.
[Jimmy] I think Ezekiel feels disrespected by Kevin Owens and Chad Gable.
-[Saxton] Of course. -About the lie detector test.
I'm not who I say I am.
[Saxton] Ezekiel's had to prove who he is, affirm his identity,
[Jimmy] And now trying to prove himself in the ring.
[Lawler] I can't believe you two guys.
Every time you open your mouth, stupid comes out.
This guy is-- Oh! It's Elias.
[Jimmy] Beautiful throw from Chad Gable.
[Saxton] So far, his in-ring work's very good, King.
-Can't argue with that. -[Jimmy] Yes, but he's so dishonest.
I understand that they check his ID even when he pays cash.
That's how dishonest this guy is.
[Saxton] Gable now. He's about to be beaten on the top--
Oh! And exposed!
[Lawler] Right into the foot of Ezekiel.
Beautiful timing.
[groans]
Spinebuster.
[Jimmy] Nicely delivered spinebuster.
Who wants to speak with Zeke?
[Jimmy] Speak with Zeke.
Oh, now, look at that straight anklelock.
-Beautiful stuff. -[Lawler] Uh-oh, uh-oh.
Otis from behind.
-[bell rings] -Help from the Alpha Academy.
[Jimmy] How does he sneak up on anybody?
[Jimmy] He did, but fast.
[Jimmy] 330-pound tree trunk, Otis.
You know Otis had to sense defeat for Chad Gable.
That's why Otis decided to insert himself.
[Lawler] Right when everything was going Ezekiel's way.
[crowd cheering]
-Man, that's unfortunate. -[Saxton] What?
[Jimmy] That was great. It's fortunate for Chad Gable
who escaped defeat.
It'll be a victory for Ezekiel because of this.
Could've been a victory, but here, Otis mowing through Ezekiel.
Ezekiel never saw Otis coming.
Thank you.
[Saxton] Don't be on the tracks when that train's coming through.
[Jimmy] Alpha Academy a great tag team.
We know who this division, the tag team division belongs to.
The Usos, RK-Bro on a collision course.
Ezekiel, Elias, whoever--
[Jimmy Uso] Hey, you know exactly why we're here, uce.
To issue the challenge.
I want y'all to go to RAW and I want y'all to bring me
those RAW Tag Team Championships.
[crowd cheering]
[Jey] The Bloodline's going to have all the gold soon.
So let me get this straight.
You guys are going to come to our show
and you're going to challenge us for our titles?
["Bring the Swag" playing]
Dawks, do my eyes deceive me?
It's The Usos
using their Bloodline privilege
to cut to the front of the line
-For an opportunity. -Hey, hey, hey.
There's only one line and that's the Bloodline.
Nobody wants to see y'all talking and bickering.
We want to see a fight.
-[bell rings] -[commentator 1] We're going to get it.
The Street Profits versus The Usos.
[commentator 2] Every move they make is a message to RK-Bro.
[crowd cheering]
[commentator 1] Cover.
[commentator 2] At the last possible second.
[intense music playing]
[commentator 1] To the cover, hook of the leg.
-[bell rings] -Victory for The Usos.
What a title unification match that would be.
[suspenseful music playing]
[commentator 2] Wait, wait, wait.
RKO.
Superkick from The Usos.
[Jey] The Bloodline's going to have all the gold soon.
[Randy] On Monday Night RAW, our show.
The Usos came and they kicked me in the mouth.
Now, here we are in your ring, on your show, Usos.
So if you want an answer, get your ass out to the ring and let's give it to you.
[Jey] Hey, you know what though?
You're behind enemy lines, uce.
This is Smackdown Live where the Bloodline reside.
[crowd cheering]
You puppies want to yip, yip, yip.
The big dog left the bitches off the leash.
We accept.
[crowd cheering]
[commentator 3] Who will draw first blood as Riddle goes one-on-one with Jimmy Uso?
[commentator2] Randy now distracting the ref
and Jey Uso knocking Riddle off the top rope.
Oh! A superkick.
[crowd cheering]
Look out now. Jey Uso dropped right onto our announce table.
[commentator 3] Riddle rolled out of the way.
Oh, an RKO from out of nowhere.
[bell rings]
[commentator 2] That's just a taste of what it's going to be like
at WrestleMania Backlash
when Orton and Riddle take on The Usos to unify the tag team titles.
["Talk To Me" playing]
[Jimmy] From RAW to hostile territory in Smackdown back to RAW, RK-Bro,
the RAW Tag Team champions have shown no fear.
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is a Tag Team match scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first,
they are the RAW Tag Team champions,
Riddle and Randy Orton,
RK-Bro.
[Saxton] Jimmy, RK-Bro has got to show no fear. The stakes so high.
You know at WrestleMania Backlash,
it's either going to be RK-Bro,
it's either going to be The Usos,
who walk away with all the gold.
[Lawler] But you know when failure happens, when defeat happens,
when you're looking ahead,
when you're not thinking about the opponent in front of you,
trap matches happen. That could be the case tonight.
[crowd cheering]
[Jimmy] Well, ahead of their winner-take-all
championship unification match
at WrestleMania Backlash,
RK-Bro will now turn their attention to the Street Profits next.
[Jimmy] WrestleMania Backlash is presented by the official WWE Creditone VISA card.
Get closer to the action with benefits like superstar meet and greets,
sweepstakes, early ticket sales for select events, and more.
Visit ultimatewwecard.com to see
if you prequalify now, terms apply.
[Lawler] A team that always shines under the big lights, RK-Bro.
They're going to need that kind of energy for WrestleMania Backlash.
They face perhaps the greatest challenge of their tag team reign
when the RK-Bro, that's right, the RAW Tag Team champions take on
the Smackdown Tag Team champions,
The Usos, in a title unification match.
-Legacy on the line there. -["Bring the Swag" playing]
[Jimmy] The entire landscape of the Tag Team division,
be it on Friday night Smackdown or Monday night RAW,
it's going to be completely altered.
[Lawler] There's a team that might have something to say about that.
[announcer] Their opponents, at a combined weight of 492 pounds,
Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins,
the Street Profits.
[Jimmy] Indeed, the Street Profits' going to have a vested interest at the outcome,
but right now, another favorite part of the night.
Raining red solo cups.
How come you never get excited about this stuff like me, King?
[Lawler] Who knows? You got so much in common with these guys.
I heard that you and the Street Profits spent all day yesterday
hanging out with the Easter Bunny because you guys like the same kind of music.
[Jimmy] That's very true.
In fact, I was hanging out at The Buffalo Zoo with a couple of the easter bunnies.
-[Lawler] Yes, hip hop, right? -[Jimmy] Yes.
[Lawler] You, the Easter Bunny, and the Street Profits.
I get it, okay, okay. Very funny.
[Jimmy] Street Profits would love to play the spoiler tonight.
[crowd cheering]
[Saxton] This match is presented by Focus Features' The Northman,
"Fate has no mercy."
The Northman only in theaters this Friday.
[crowd chattering]
[Jimmy] RK-Bro cannot get caught tonight
-[bell rings] -looking ahead to WrestleMania Backlash.
[crowd chanting] RK-Bro! RK-Bro!
[Saxton] It is critical right now if you're RK-Bro,
you got to keep the momentum going.
This without question is the biggest challenge that has faced
the Tag Team career of Randy Orton and Riddle.
[Jimmy] You want to send a message when you have a--
A big opponent like that coming up in a big event.
Everything you do is a message to them.
If they can wipe the floor with the Street Profits,
they have momentum going into that match.
[Saxton] Think about the huge message
that Riddle sent this past Friday night on Smackdown
when he defeated Jimmy Uso in one-on-one action.
[Lawler] You guys are both wrong.
You're not out here trying to send a message to anybody in the future.
You're trying to win this match tonight.
-[Jimmy] Oh! -[screams]
[Lawler] You can't start thinking ahead about matches that are coming up
A week from now, a month from now.
You got to concentrate on tonight.
If you don't, you're going to lose.
[Jimmy] It's a very good point.
Street Profits certainly focused on tonight.
[Saxton] If you're Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins,
obviously, you don't know what the future of the Tag Team division is going to be.
You don't know if it's going to be The Usos or RK-Bro on top.
All you can do is come out here and have an impressive performance
and see where the chips fall.
[Jimmy] And there has been an edge to the street profits.
It began right before WrestleMania.
All right, they love the solo cups, they love the dancing around,
but there's been an edge to the Street Profits.
They don't want to participate, they want to be champions.
-It's been a marked change in attitude. -[Lawler] Look at this.
-Here we go. -[hosts gasping]
[Lawler] Great teamwork.
To the cover, shoulders down.
One, two--
[Jimmy] Kick out by Angelo Dawkins.
Riddle though going to work.
[Saxton] You mentioned, Jimmy, the new level of aggression we've seen
from the Street Profits, and that's much needed.
Some people say that added aggression is what Tag made,
what this team was missing to reach that next level.
[Lawler] Montez Ford in with a beautiful dropkick.
You talk about next level, the athleticism of Montez Ford-- Cover.
-One, two-- -It has always been such a gigantic factor
in their tag team success.
[Jimmy] Take a look at this. Tag made.
Incredible agility of Montez Ford,
and how about the message to Randy Orton?
[Lawler] Yes, that's right. A little bit of gamesmanship.
Oh!
[crowd chattering]
[Jimmy] This is where he's so good. Montez ford flying high.
[Lawler] Taking too long. Taking too long.
[Jimmy] You're right, King. Riddle right there on the rope.
[Lawler] Oh, my God.
Throwing off the top rope, lays out Montez Ford.
[Lawler] Welcome back to RK-Bro versus the Street Profits.
[Jimmy] What a match.
[Lawler] Incredible match.
[Jimmy] Montez Ford and Riddle just slugging away
at one another in the center of the ring.
[Lawler] Oh, look at Riddle.
[Jimmy] Picking it up, striking away on Ford.
[Saxton] Forearm after forearm, right to the head.
[Jimmy] Look at the athleticism, though, of Montez Ford.
Every time he needs to get back into a match,
it's by going airborne.
Beautiful kick, though, from Riddle.
Tag made to Dawkins.
Riddle a long way's away from tagging in Randy Orton.
[Saxton] Not going to get there.
[Jimmy] A double kick. He does!
A second attempt works. Enter The Viper.
[Lawler] A fired-up Randy Orton.
[laughs]
Angelo Dawkins. Oh! A beautiful snap body slam.
[crowd cheering]
Attitude to go with his aggression.
[Saxton] Here comes Riddle with a knee for Montez Ford.
Wait a minute. What's this going to be?
[Lawler laughs] Yeah, this is called teamwork.
[Saxton] Are you kidding me?
[Lawler] Out of the Viper's playbook!
Oh!
[Saxton] Stereo.
[Lawler] Both the Street Profits.
Neither one know where they are right now.
[Jimmy] Randy Orton is feeling it here in Buffalo.
[Saxton] Tag made to Riddle.
[Lawler] Riddle now the legal man. He's ready to go to that dark place.
[Jimmy] Riddle has enjoyed his time in that place
frequented by Randy Orton.
-["Done With That" playing] -[Lawler] Whoa!
The Usos might be coming to Monday Ni--No!
Oh!
[Saxton] In the meantime, the match continues,
The Usos' music has stopped.
Riddle now trying to get his attention to--
-There's the tag. -[Lawler] Montez Ford now the legal man.
[Jimmy] Ford from the top.
[Lawler] And, bomb!
-[Saxton] Man, high end. -[Lawler] To the cover.
-[commentators] One, two, three! -[bell dinging]
[Lawler] What a win for the Street Profits.
[announcer] Here are your winners,
the Street Profits!
No signs so far for The Usos.
[Jimmy] Well, Montez-- Yes, Montez apparently waving down The Usos
but we didn't see the Smackdown Tag Team champions.
[Saxton] We just heard their music and Riddle was temporarily distracted,
which allowed Ford and Dawkins to take advantage.
Guys, we were talking earlier-- Oh.
About how RKO needed to send a message to The Usos.
Well, RKO just got one-upped by The Street Profits.
What happened?
[Montez] What happened?
Man, I wonder who would cue The Usos' music
at this misunfortunate time for RK-Bro?
[crowd booing]
-Tell 'em, fam. -But you know what?
Let that be a lesson to everybody,
including RK-Bro.
The Usos ain't the only Tag Team you need to be worried about.
It's the Street Profits.
You did this?
Because the Street Profits are up…
[both] And we want the smoke!
[man] We want the smoke.
[Jimmy] Protect yourself at all times.
Do not allow yourself to be distracted.
That cost Riddle and RK-Bro.
RK-Bro brought the aggression out of the Street Profits.
Edge wanted The Pitbull out of AJ Styles.
[Saxton] He succeeded.
[crowd cheering]
Edge talked about my family.
And when you talk about my family, we got to throw hands.
[Jimmy] Watch what happens here.
AJ Styles talking about the conflict with--
[Lawler] Yeah, watch what happens-- Attacked from behind.
[Jimmy] Yes, AJ just lost himself.
I mean, this just shows you, King, how deep-rooted this issue is.
How emotional this had made AJ Styles.
He couldn't even complete his interview
the moment he laid his eyes on Damian Priest.
[clamoring]
[Lawler] Fast forward. Priest would then take on
AJ Styles on a one-on-one in a match up.
[Saxton] And King, you were here.
I still can't explain what happened after this.
Damian Priest would march to the center of the ring.
Dropped down to one knee.
Inexplicably, the lights would go out inside the arena.
And then-- And then shortly after that, Priest would just vanish.
[crowd cheering]
I'm sure you're all asking yourselves,
"What was that last Monday?"
Why are Edge and Damian Priest so set on making AJ Styles' life
so, so miserable?
Well, apparently, you all need to be reminded as to who the hell we are.
Damian's right.
Last week was mind games, and this side of me has always been there.
It's just been dormant.
These seeds were planted over 20 years ago
when I was in the brood, The Ministry of Darkness.
But how soon you all forget?
Only this version of that man is much more dangerous,
and those seeds will be watered by our opponent's tears.
All of you are asking, "Why? Why is this happening?"
You can't get it through your Cro-Magnons skulls.
AJ Styles can't understand, But he's a man of the people.
He's one of you. So that makes sense.
It's real simple.
We haven't lived up to our true capabilities.
We haven't used what destiny has given us.
Here's an example. Last year at WrestleMania,
Damian Priest,
he played supporting act to Bad Bunny.
Damian was the glue, but little Bunny got all the glory.
And the fact that sailed over everyone's heads
is that without Damian Priest,
Bad Bunny would have been smeared across that canvas like a Picasso.
Yet he didn't have a match this year at WrestleMania.
And you all have to ask yourself the question,
"Why? Why is this happening?"
[chuckles]
[stammers] And what do I have to complain about?
Well, where do I start?
I had to beg for someone to face me at WrestleMania.
Me, a first ballot Hall of Famer.
And unlike your, your Buffalo Bills
and your Buffalo Sabres, I actually win championships.
So I need to add to that.
-But despite all of those accolades, -[crowd booing]
all I started to hear was complaints.
After nine years of being asked daily,
"Edge, you can come back, can't you?"
I fought. I scratched, I clawed. I bit to get this back.
Finally. And all it took was two years.
For our WWE universe to become the jaded lemmings and malcontents
with an attention span of a gnat or a TikTok video
to start complaining about the fact that I was back.
I'm here too much. I'm here not enough.
I'm a part timer.
[crowd cheering]
I finally decided not to care what you think.
And take back what I never lost,
which is the pinnacle of this industry
that I call my mountain of omnipotence.
[crowd cheering]
We will pass judgment on anyone who stands in our way.
And right now, the only person who has--
The only person with the guts to stand in front of us is AJ Styles.
You know, AJ, at WrestleMania,
apparently we didn't get our point across.
So I am officially challenging you at WrestleMania Backlash.
I am going to put this point like a stake through your heart.
I'm speaking directly to you, AJ.
And I know you're going to say that our verdict isn't fair and and is it fair?
[chuckles] We don't care.
We finally decided to seize the day
and what that means for the rest of the WWE,
and most specifically what that means for you, AJ Styles,
is that it's your judgment day.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd cheering intensifies]
[Jimmy] That is a scary challenge from a very scary duo.
[Lawler] And knowing AJ Styles,
he's not going to waste any time accepting that challenge from Edge.
["A-Town Down" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Jimmy] Austin.
Look at him. The confidence.
I would say the, the arrogance, perhaps, of Theory,
Mr. McMahon's protege.
[Lawler] That's where all the arrogance and confidence comes from.
[Jimmy] You got Mr. McMahon in your corner, and it's hard not to.
[Lawler] A huge matchup coming up.
The United States champion Finn Bálor
defends his title against the upstart,
the man we've talked about his potential for months,
his ability to take the gold to Mr. McMahon.
Will he fulfill that potential on RAW
for the US Championship? Next.
[Jimmy] This is big.
["A-Town Down" continues playing]
[crowd cheering]
Excuse me, AJ.
A few minutes ago, we heard from Edge and Damian Priest.
Do you have a response to Edge's challenge for a match at WrestleMania Backlash?
Oh, you mean the judge, right? Judge Edge?
I guess that makes, I don't know,
Damian Priest his big, bad bailiff, right?
Yeah.
First, let me say this. Uh…
As far as Edge's challenge at WrestleMania Backlash, I accept.
And number two, he could save his judgment for someone he--
Sarah, you might want to go.
[crowd cheering]
[groans]
[Jimmy] Edge and Damian Priest in Styles' locker room.
Come here. [grunts]
[roars]
[Jimmy] Oh. Oh!
[groans]
[crowd cheering]
[Edge roars]
[grunts]
-[Lawler] Uh-oh. -[Jimmy] Oh!
-[grunts] -[groans]
[groans in pain]
[groans]
[Damian Priest] How's that arm, AJ?
-Sore. -[both laughing maniacally]
[groans softly]
I guess we just got a look at what judgment looks like
in the eyes of edge and Damian Priest.
I can see that's a dislocated shoulder, at the least.
Ah, that's not good at all.
And one person who makes very sound judgment, is Mr. McMahon.
So far, his investment in Theory, paying off.
[Theory] You can just call me Theory.
[R&B music playing]
The protege
of Mr. McMahon.
[R&B music continues]
Mr. McMahon never makes a mistake.
And I'm the best investment that he's ever made.
[R&B music continues]
My mentor, Mr. McMahon assured me
that I will have a United States Championship opportunity.
I got so many selfies of Finn Bálor knocked out in my phone,
I'm running out of storage.
[Jimmy] Theory is gonna take on Finn Bálor,
United States Championship on the line tonight.
[Lawler] Well, potential is one thing.
The opportunity to take home the title is something else entirely.
[Jimmy] Now, will Theory add a Championship selfie
-in his collection here tonight? -You know what it is, Finn. Let's run it.
Every time. All day.
["Catch Your Breath" playing]
[Jimmy] If the pressure is getting to him, he's not showing it,
but one man who brings pressure is the champ.
[crowd cheering]
Oh, you know the United States champ is going to be game
and going to be ready to defend his gold here tonight.
[Lawler] He knows Theory well.
They collided several times.
-He took-- -[crowd cheering]
Finn Bálor out of action for over a month,
earlier this year.
[Jimmy] If you sit with Finn Bálor for five minutes,
he'll tell you how proud he is to be part of the 47-year legacy
of the United States title.
Willing to defend that title
against any challenger that stands before him.
Intensity in the eyes of Finn Bálor.
But Theory's so good at getting under his opponent's skin,
making them dislike him to the point they make a mistake.
[Lawler] Yeah. Let me just tell you this about Theory.
He's so good at everything.
I mean, I can't see any weaknesses in this guy.
He's so good, he reminds me of me when I was back in the day.
I mean…
He is out here to do one thing tonight,
and that is to become a champion and make Mr. McMahon proud.
[Jimmy] And I'm sure you would be proud, King,
to take a selfie with Theory as well.
Hey!
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall,
is for the United States Championship.
-[crowd cheering] -[Jimmy] Oh, man.
[announcer] Introducing the challenger
from Atlanta, Georgia, weighing in at 220 pounds,
Theory!
[crowd cheering]
[Lawler] He's so confident.
[announcer] And his opponent, from Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland.
He is the United States champion.
Finn Bálor!
[Jimmy] King, I agree with you.
Theory is confident. He has many reasons to feel confident.
But we've also seen that confidence turn into overconfidence,
which in turn has cost Theory inside the ring before.
[Lawler] Yeah, but never in a match like this.
Never has he had a match
-of this importance. -[bell rings]
-[Saxton] He's gonna be so focused. -[Lawler] There goes the bell.
Austin Theory, stalking Finn Bálor, locking up quick.
[Jimmy] If Finn Bálor has an advantage, it's here, the tactical game.
He's more experienced, great joint locks but the physicality,
the explosiveness of Theory is really off the charts.
[Saxton] Very good point there. Also, remember, a couple weeks ago,
here on RAW, it was Theory who scored the pinfall victory…
[Lawler] Oh!
…over Finn Bálor in a six-man tag.
[Jimmy] Finn Bálor disappointed by that result.
Three!
[Lawler] When you talk to him about it, he sees that as a kind of personal attack.
He's the one that took the fall. It was Theory who pinned him.
Very upset about that.
You see, he's taking it out on Theory early.
[Jimmy] Yeah, he is.
[Lawler] But don't-- Oh!
Don't get your hopes up here if you're a Finn Bálor fan.
[Jimmy] Bálor has a great track record of bouncing back when it matters most.
[Lawler] What about Gary?
Come on.
Beautiful job by Theory. Look at the counter.
Took Finn Bálor by surprise.
[Jimmy] You know, King, to your point--
[Lawler] Yeah, Theory's got a lot of potential.
-A lot of talent-- -[Saxton] Cover. Hooking in the leg.
[Lawler] Kick out from the champ.
[Saxton] Theory still has something to prove.
And Theory can go a long way in doing that
if he can win his first singles title here in WWE.
[Lawler] Exactly. That's what this match is all about.
There comes a point where all of this potential
has to become reality.
And tonight is that night.
He has acted as though he is invincible,
he is invulnerable as long as he has Mr. McMahon,
but-- Cover.
If he fails to win a title tonight,
the disappointment, the pressure might get to him.
[Jimmy] And I'm glad you pointed that out.
It's great to be the protege of Mr. McMahon,
to have the support of Mr. McMahon,
but if you don't please Mr. McMahon,
if you don't impress Mr. McMahon,
think about the pressure that that Theory's got to be feeling
If he does fail here tonight.
What could happen after that?
Got it.
[Lawler] Doing a good job right now trying to wear down Finn Bálor.
Theory, the bigger man, a little bit stronger.
[crowd cheering]
Finn Bálor's smaller, faster. You want to wear a guy like that down.
Takes his advantages away.
Tricky move from Finn Bálor to the Jawbreaker.
Look at this. Look-- Oh!
[Jimmy] Excellent quickness showed by Theory now on the outside.
[Lawler] Oh! Neckbreaker outside of the ring.
-[Jimmy] That may do it. -[Lawler] Can the champ come back?
I'm gonna be the new champion.
[Jimmy] United States Championship on the line.
The champ, Finn Bálor, taking on Theory.
So far, the protege of Mr. McMahon doing very well.
[Lawler] Very, very well.
-Come on, champ! -[groans]
[Jimmy] Let me tell you what happened during the break
during this United States Championship match up.
[Lawler] Let me call this. Watch this.
This is the thing of beauty. Watch this dropkick.
Boom! In the face.
-That was awesome. -One! Two!
[Jimmy] Just a taste of some of the natural athleticism
that makes Theory such a talented competitor.
And also at WrestleMania,
the assault on Pat McAfee with Mr. McMahon.
This guy's willing to do just about anything
to please his mentor, to prove his devotion.
[Lawler]That's why I wonder why there's so many haters out there.
[Jimmy] It's his attitude, King.
[commentators exclaim]
[Lawler] He's taken every opportunity to antagonize
the crowd here in Buffalo, briefly taking his eyes off the ball.
[Jimmy] What I talked about earlier. Sometimes it's the overconfidence
of Theory that costs him,
but right now, the United States champion, Finn Bálor
is taking advantage.
[Lawler] Finn Bálor with a beautiful stomp,
taking all the air out of Theory.
Most chops will do that as well.
[Jimmy] A lot of history between these two men.
A lot of moments where Theory has tried to embarrass Bálor,
[Lawler] Oh!
Always takes a selfie.
-Shoulder down. -One, two--
Oh, almost saw a new champion there.
[Jimmy] Let's show you what happened earlier on in this matchup.
This was a huge turning point-- Oh!
[Lawler] This nasty neck breaker and the thud by Bálor.
[Jimmy]You can tell Bálor is still favoring that neck ever since.
It affects the arm as well.
You can tell his left arm, he keeps rubbing it like it's going numb.
[crowd cheering]
[Lawler] And the main thing is, don't forget the elephant in the room.
You know that Mr. McMahon is watching this match
very intently right now.
[Saxton] Without a doubt, King.
[Lawler] And Theory knows it as well.
Can you hear me?
[Lawler] We talked about the advantages of being McMahon's protege.
We're talking about the pressure as well.
[groans]
So far, he's handling it well.
[Jimmy] Theory's competing at a pace of comfort for himself,
striking at will.
[crowd cheering]
[Lawler] Taking those breaks to work the crowd.
But it does cost him some momentum.
Uh-oh.
Great counter. Oh!
[Jimmy] And once again, once again, it's Theory's mouth.
It's his-- His braggadocious nature
that creates an opening for Finn Bálor.
[Lawler] Right into a beautiful DDT
bouncing the forehead of Theory off the canvas.
[Jimmy] But look at Finn Bálor, he's still feeling the effect-- Oh!
[Jimmy] Well, Theory's going to feel the effect of that kick to the ribs.
Imagine finishing off Theory, not having to worry
about this guy ever again, not having to worry about his mouth.
[Lawler] Hang on, Theory.
[Jimmy] That's the goal for Finn Bálor right now.
-[Saxton] Oh, no! -[Lawler] Oh, nice.
[Jimmy] His entire title reign, he's had to deal with Theory.
[Saxton] Whoa! What a counter!
-[Jimmy] Shoulders down! -[Lawler] Oh, no!
[Jimmy] Oh! So close to retaining his title.
[Saxton] And take another look at this response from Finn Bálor,
-bad neck and all. -One! Two!
-[Theory grunts] -[crowd groans]
[Saxton] But not enough.
The United States Championship on the line,
live tonight on Monday Night RAW.
Finn Bálor defending against Theory.
[Jimmy] Right now, he's showing championship heart.
You know he's hurting from that neckbreaker outside of the ring.
-Of course, Theory going right for it. -[Saxton] It's a wise strategy.
Look, Theory knows what the bull's-eye is.
Theory knows what the weak point is right now of Finn Bálor.
It's the neck, and Theory continues to target it.
[Jimmy] You keep calling Theory an upstart… Oh!
Looking for a rollup. Oh! Beautiful stomp!
-Right in the chest of Theory. -[referee] One! Two! Three!
[Lawler] Come on, ref.
-[Saxton] "Come on, ref"? -Yeah. Get him off there.
[cheering]
[Jimmy] Looks like Finn Bálor looking to put this one away. Ohhh!
[Saxton] Bálor trying to power through, power through the pain,
power through the discomfort.
[Lawler] Oh, no, Mr. McMahon's got to be sitting
-on the edge of his chair. -[Jimmy] Dropkick right to the jaw.
-Thinking about going upstairs. -[Saxton] Bálor.
-[Lawler] Have… Have faith, Mr. McMahon. -[Jimmy] Coup de Grace's on his mind!
-[Lawler] Have faith! -[Saxton] Bálor looking to end this.
-[groans] -[Jimmy] Oh!
Great awareness by Theory. He's new
to Monday Night RAW, but he--
-[Lawler] Look at this. Wow! -…competes like a veteran
with moves like that! Shoulders down!
[screams]
-[Jimmy] Oh! -[Lawler] Oh, come on! That was three.
-That was three! -[Saxton] Well, the official says
it was two, King. But this was… this was…
-jaw-dropping. It's unreal. -A thing of beauty. A thing of beauty.
[Saxton] Springboard-like Spanish Fly,
-delivered by Theory. -[Lawler] Come on!
[Jimmy] He was sure he was the new United States Champion
-off that move. -[Lawler] I was too.
[Saxton] Well, unfortunately, uh, the reality is,
-this match continues on. -[crowd boos]
[Jimmy] I mean, you give everything you have. Your opponent's
still looking you right in the eye.
That's when you've got to dig deep. Looks like that's what Theory's doing now.
[Saxton] Theory's signaling for A-Town Down.
[Bálor yelling]
[Jimmy] And a beautiful counter! Ohhh!
-[groans] -[Saxton] Bálor with other plans.
[Jimmy] He's feeling that stinger in his neck at exactly the wrong time!
[Saxton] Sends Theory all the way to the outside of the ring, and now,
-Bálor, looking to take flight! -[Jimmy] Over the ropes! Oh!
Taking out Theory!
That hurt Finn Bálor as well. He's not in great shape.
-[Lawler] This is not good. -[referee] Two!
[Saxton] Maybe ill-advised, but Bálor not thinking about his health
and well-being right now, he's thinking about doing whatever it takes
to retain the United States Championship.
[Jimmy] Also not thinking about a count-out,
which would have kept him the title. No.
He wants to win this in the ring. Thinking of the Coup de Grace!
-Oh! -[Lawler] Ooh.
[Saxton] And look at the jarring impact on the neck when Bálor landed on his feet.
-And now once again, Theory! -[Jimmy] A-Town Down!
-[Lawler] Oh, man! Are you kidding me? -Shoulders down! One! Two! Three!
[Lawler] We've got a new champion!
-Whoo-hoo! -[bell rings]
-[Theory's music plays] -[announcer] Here's your winner,
-and the new… -[crowd booing]
United States Champion!
Theory!
[Jimmy] We knew the potential was there, the talent was there.
-He now has gold around his waist. -[booing continues]
[Lawler giggling exultantly] Selfies for everyone! Line up! Line up!
-[Saxton] Well, Finn Bálor-- -Watch this.
…I mean, you can't say enough about the effort.
Battling with an injured neck. And… And watch the neck.
Watch the neck here on the impact. Going for the Coup de Grace,
Theory moved out of the way, and just that…
-that almost-ricocheted effect. -[Lawler] Yeah, and watch the neck here.
Watch the neck.
Bang!
-[Theory shouts] Come on! -[referee] One! Two!
-[Saxton] Theory has now-- -[bell rings]
-…become a champion. -[crowd boos]
-A United States Champion. -[booing intensifies]
[Lawler] Yes, I want a selfie with the champ.
[Jimmy] So young, so early
-in his career. -[Lawler] Wait a minute. Wait a minute.
-Wait a minute. Look out! -[Jimmy] Whoa. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
-[Saxton] Cedric Alexander, uh, Otis. -[Lawler] Oh, yes! The celebration begins!
[Jimmy] It's the whole locker room.
[Saxton] Who would've thought Theory had so many friends?
[wrestlers cheering]
[Lawler] Everybody wants to be a friend of the champ.
-[indistinct talking] -[crowd continues booing]
[Saxton] Now, as it all started,
and this United States Championship matchup
with this neckbreaker.
Just listen.
[crowd] Ohhh!
That completely changed the complexion of this match.
And then this.
Finn Bálor, going for the Coup de Grace,
already been dealing with the pain in neck this entire match,
and that Theory would deliver A-Town Down.
-Watch the neck again of Finn Bálor. -[yelling] Come on!
And it is official. Theory is your new United States champion.
-["No Chance In Hell" plays] -[Jimmy] Being presented to the crowd here
-in Buffalo… Whoa! -[Lawler] Oh! Look at this!
-[crowd cheering] -[Lawler] Get your phones out!
[Jimmy] Not just the other superstars.
[cheering intensifies]
-[Lawler high-pitched] There he is! -[Jimmy] Mr. McMahon himself.
[Lawler] There he is!
[Saxton] We… We knew Mr. McMahon had to be watching,
and clearly the Chairman is proud of his protege.
[Lawler] All that hard work that Mr. McMahon put into this,
it's all paid off right now.
[Jimmy] He invested so much in this young man.
[crowd chanting Mr. McMahon's music] ♪ No chance! ♪
[Saxton] It makes sense why Theory had received
a grand celebration now.
[crowd chants] ♪ No chance! ♪
♪ No chance in hell! ♪
-Get over here. -[Jimmy] Greatest moment
-of Theory's career. -We've got to get this selfie.
-[Lawler] Here it is! -We got to get this selfie.
[Saxton] You knew it was coming.
-Championship selfie! -Look at that!
[Jimmy] Is that going to get a like from you, King?
[Lawler] Look at that. You better believe it.
You're the champ.
[Saxton] A proud mentor
-in Mr. McMahon-- -[yells]
-…celebrating Theory… -["A-Town Down" playing]
capturing the United States title.
[Jimmy] Whether you like it or not, Theory now the United States Champion--
-A-Town Down! -…in an incredible, incredible match.
We have more to come tonight. We--
-Are you literally taking photos, King? -Yeah, look! Look at that. [chuckles]
We have another main event tonight.
We know it's going to feature Cody Rhodes,
but his opponent is one of Seth "Freakin" Rollins' choosing.
What he will choose? Hopefully, we find out soon.
The night just keeps getting better.
[laughs]
Twitter is a wild place.
-Who is The Weeknd? -Excuse me, Seth.
Earlier tonight, you challenged Cody Rhodes
to a match against an opponent of your choosing.
So, have you decided who that person is yet?
Ooh… [laughs]
Indeed I have. [chuckles]
Wonderful. Would you be willing to share with the WWE Universe?
What?
Are… Are you dim?
Do you… Do you not understand…
how this works?
At WrestleMania, I was stood in the middle of the ring.
I had no idea who was going to walk down that aisle.
I need Cody Rhodes to feel the exact same way tonight
in the main event of RAW, or the test doesn't work!
What don't you understand?
God. What-- Ooh. Ooh, ooh. Wait, wait.
[laughs] It's Cody's opponent.
Too-da-loo.
["What's Up?" playing]
[Jimmy] Well, we still don't know who's going to be facing Cody Rhodes
in the main event tonight.
[Saxton] But do you know what's about to happen right now--
-[Lawler] Whoo-hoo! -[ecstatically] …guys? Jimmy? King?
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, R-Truth!
[mouthing] What's up?
[Jimmy] Talk about dressing sharp tonight.
-Is R-Truth ready to go? -[Saxton] Double commitment ceremony!
I've been waiting all night. R-Truth's going to officiate.
He… What did he call? The--
-[Jimmy] Officiant? -…certified… marriaging guy?
What did he call himself? I don't care.
-I… I am so excited about this. -[wedding music plays]
[Jimmy] Finally, a commitment ceremony that you're invited to, Byron.
[Saxton] Oh! Two unlikely couples about to enter into holy matrimony!
Dana Brooke and Reggie! Tozawa and Tamina!
Double commitment ceremony, and it is next!
I love love.
[wedding music continues playing]
[Jimmy] And we are set for our double commitment ceremony.
-R-Truth. Reggie, uh-- -[Saxton crying softly]
-[Jimmy] Are you… Are you crying? -[Lawler] Already?
-Come on. -[Saxton] Yeah, so?
[Lawler] You know, I got married once by a judge.
I should have asked for a jury.
But, uh, this should be a lot of fun here tonight.
-[Jimmy] Get some tissue, Byron. -[Saxton whimpering] It's so beautiful.
-[Jimmy] Microphone's all wet. -[Lawler laughs]
Simmer down. Simmer down, simmer down!
Zip it!
-Zip it. -[music stops]
Shh.
And that not just because your fly is down, Reggie.
[Jimmy] What?
[faint laughter]
[R-Truth] Got him!
[laughter]
Okay. All right, folks, let's be for real, for real.
On a serious note,
before I bring our lovely brides out,
I need to remind you all,
and that means
every last one of you single conniving, scheming snakes in the grass,
that an R-Truce has been set and agreed upon.
So, during this double commitment ceremony,
with Reggie and Dana Brooks,
and Tamina and Tozawa,
the 24/7 title is off limits.
[faint crowd exclamations]
-[Lawler] That's good. That's a good idea. -Yeah, I said it.
-[Lawler] Good idea. -You heard?
All right! Come on, y'all.
This is my first time officiating this thing.
-All right. -[Lawler chuckles]
[shouting] Buffalo, New York!
[crowd cheering]
-[R-Truth yelling] What's up? -[crowd chanting] "What's up?"
-[R-Truth] What's up? -[crowd chanting] "What's up?"
Buffalo! Make some noise for the lovely brides,
Dana Brooks and Tamina!
-[crowd cheering] -[Saxton] I can't wait to see the dresses.
-[wedding music playing] -[cheering continues]
[Lawler laughs]
[R-Truth] Oh, yeah!
[wedding music continues]
-I see a woman! -[Saxton] Get up, guys.
[Lawler] Yeah, stand up. Wow!
[Jimmy] All in white, absolutely beautiful.
-[R-Truth] Here we go! -[Saxton] It's Tamina!
[R-Truth] Man, them dresses look good!
[Lawler] Look at the bridesmaids.
-It's Naomi and Sasha. -[R-Truth] They're some beautiful dresses!
[Saxton] They look stunning.
[R-Truth] Y'all need to be on a box of cornflakes,
because y'all look great!
-[Lawler] That would be frosted flakes. -[Jimmy] Close enough.
[R-Truth] Tamina, you got to smile. This is your big day.
Help them up, y'all. Help them up.
[Saxton] I mean, Tamina's kind of smiling.
[R-Truth] It's gonna be good.
[Saxton] Look at how proud Tozawa and Reggie have to be right now.
[R-Truth] It's gonna be good. Y'all look beautiful!
[Lawler] You know, marriage is sort of like a three-ring circus--
-Don't they look beautiful, y'all? -…First comes the engagement ring,
then the wedding ring, and then the suffer-ring.
-[Saxton] King… -Give them a round of applause, New York!
This is as beautiful as y'all wanna be.
All right.
[wedding music stops]
-[Jimmy] Quit crying, Byron. -Y'all like that?
-[Saxton] Sorry. -All right!
Welcome you all, dear, honored, and beloved guests.
And all you schemers, too.
[crowd chanting] What?
We are gathered here to join the union
-of Dana Brooks-- -Truth! It's Brooke,
not Brooks. Brooke.
[crowd shouting indistinctly]
[imperceptible]
-My bad. -[Lawler chuckles]
Y'all, we are gathered here
-for Dana Brooke-- -Thank you, thank you.
…to be unified with Reggie.
[crowd chants faintly] What?
And for Tamina--
-[crowd chants] What? -…to get hitched to my main man,
-[high-pitched] Tozawa! -[faint applause]
[Lawler] Did he say, "Get hitched?" [chuckling]
So, without any further instigation,
punchinanation, with provocation…
Let's get down to business, folks.
-[crowd chants] What? -[Saxton] That's the important part.
Don't "what" me.
-[crowd chants] What? -[commentators laugh]
It's time for some vows, Dana.
[crowd chants] What?
[R-Truth] It got to come from the heart.
[crowd chants] What?
I said, "It got to come from the heart."
[crowd chants louder] What?
[Saxton] It kind of came from the heart.
[Lawler] It was a softball. He didn't hit it.
[R-Truth] You've got to mean what you say now.
[crowd chants] What?
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
Reggie--
[R-Truth] Okay, okay! Simmer down!
Let… Let her get her words out!
-Come on, New York! -[crowd exclaiming]
-Hold up! -[crowd chanting continuously]
Hold up!
Give her… Give her a minute. Give her a minute.
Y'all gonna want to get married one day, too.
[Lawler laughs]
Come on, Dana.
-Reggie. -[R-Truth] Tell him.
-You are my knight in shining armor. -[R-Truth] Yeah.
And for the first time you showed your willingness
to sacrifice yourself for me…
[crowd chants] What?
I knew you were a man of honor.
-[crowd chants] What? -[R-Truth] He had integrity, y'all!
[crowd chants] What?
And though it took a while for our relationship to grow
beyond just being friends…
-[crowd chants] What? -[R-Truth] Friend-zoned.
I always knew we were meant to be.
[crowd chants] What?
-And through the ups and the down-- -[crowd chants] What?
…our love has only grown stronger.
[crowd chants] What?
[R-Truth] Aw, I'm about to cry, y'all.
-That was good! -[man] That was good. That was good.
Reggie,
give her something from the heart, Reggie.
That was… beautiful.
Dana,
you are a dream come true.
-[crowd chants] What? -A goddess with everything
-I could ever want. -[Dana exclaims softly]
[crowd chants] What?
And everything we've been through, the trust issues, the temptations.
All of it has put us in a path to guide us to this moment.
[crowd chants] What?
Oh, and it has only made our love stronger.
-[crowd chants] What? -Oh, Reggie!
-[R-Truth] Now, that was deep. -Oh, Reggie.
That was deep. Okay, we got through that one.
-Tamina, Tozawa-- -[Tamina] Akira!
What she said.
[Dana] Aw, what I said?
-[R-Truth] Wait! -[crowd cheers]
-Can you do that? -[man 1] Okay.
[man 2] That works.
Okay. Tozawa…
Tamina.
Same.
-[Saxton] Okay. Straight to the point. -[Reggie] That was pretty good.
-That was pretty good. -Oh, it's like that, huh?
Okay. Well, uh… Before I finalize this commitmentship--
-[crowd chants faintly] What? -…um… Hey.
Before I finalize this thing,
are there any objections?
-Speak now, or forever shut your trap. -[Lawler laughs]
[Saxton] Don't say anything, King. Don't say anything.
[Lawler] Okay. Okay.
-[crowd boos and exclaims] -[yells indistinctly]
-[Lawler] Just remember-- -I object.
-[Lawler] Uh-oh. -[Dana] What?
-[Saxton] What? -[R-Truth] You…
-[man] What? Wait, wait! -[woman] Wait.
-[man] Wait! -[woman] What?
-[crowd exclaiming] -[Saxton] What is…
-[man 1] Oh, yeah! -[man 2] Oh!
-[woman exclaiming] -[Saxton] Groom switch?
-[man] Do it! -Okay, well,
-[indistinct talking] -That was an okey-doke
-I wasn't expecting to happen. -[indistinct talking]
-Okay, um, are there any more objections? -[indistinct talking]
[Dana] No, no!
Wait, wait, wait, wait.
[crowd chanting] Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!
[confused chattering]
[crowd chants] Jerry! Jerry!
-[man] Ooh! -[woman exclaiming]
-[crowd cheering] -[Saxton] What is happening?
-[woman squealing] -[cheering continues]
-[woman whooping] -[imperceptible]
-[women exclaiming excitingly] -[indistinct talking]
-[crowd and guests exclaiming excitingly] -[Lawler perplexed] What?
[crowd cheering intensifies]
[R-Truth] Y'all gonna get me fired!
-I don't even know if that's PG! -[Lawler giggles]
-[crowd laughs] -[commentator laughs]
No!
-[mumbles indistinctly] -No.
[R-Truth] Are there any more objections?
-[man] Come on… -[woman] What the…
-[man] Come on, man. -[Saxton] I'm so confused right now.
[crowd booing]
-[Jimmy] Truth has lost control. -[R-Truth] Oh. Come on, y'all.
Y'all with the person y'all wanna be with, right?
-[Dana] That's all that matters. -So…
Are there any more objections?
If it is, keep them to yourselves. Right?
Okay.
With the power in my vest,
-I'm certified-- -[Lawler laughs]
…to pronounce you all… committed!
Y'all can get your smooching on!
[Dana] The ring?
Oh, my bad.
Y'all got some rings?
Show them.
-[Saxton] You can't forget the rings. -Show the rings!
[Lawler] Yeah. Just remember, a wedding ring is like a tourniquet--
-Oh, he spent some money on that one. -…cuts off your circulation.
-You got a ring, Tozawa? -[mouthing] Yeah.
Put it on the left finger, put it on the left finger.
[man] Wow, looks big.
-[Lawler] The left finger. [chuckles] -[R-Truth] Now, that's good.
[Dana] Oh, my God, Reg!
[R-Truth] Okay, now… Now,
-by the power in my vest-- -[female guest] Yay!
-[Saxton] He got it. -[guest] Whoo-hoo!
[R-Truth] I'm certified to pronounce you all committed.
Now get to smooching on for real.
-[female guests cheering] -[Saxton] Yeah!
[R-Truth] Smooch away!
-Smooch deal, dog. -[Saxton excitingly] Time to smooch?
-[R-Truth] Be a smoochologist! -[woman] Kiss, kiss, kiss!
-[crowd and guests cheering] -[Saxton] Ooh… [laughs whimsically]
[wedding music playing]
-Uh-oh. -[R-Truth] There you go!
-Get your smooch on! -[Saxton] Come on, Reggie!
-[Lawler] Whoa! -[Saxton] Whoa… No, no, no, no, no!
-[bell rings] -[crowd cheering]
[Jimmy] He just pinned his new bride!
-[Saxton] Come on, Reggie. -[R-Truth] Oh, man!
-You already betrayed her! -[Jimmy] He broke the truce!
-Ohhh! -[crowd exclaiming]
-[Saxton] Tamina! -[Jimmy] With the cover! One, two, three!
-[R-Truth] Oh, no! -[bell rings]
-[Jimmy] She's now the 24/7 Champion! -[R-Truth] Hey,
y'all messing up my wedding!
-[cheering] -Y'all messing it up!
-[Lawler] What? -[Jimmy] That is now done.
[R-Truth] Tozawa!
-[all shouting] -Tozawa! You screwing up!
-[continues shouting indistinctly] -[Jimmy] Into the cover!
-[bell rings] -Now it's Tozawa!
-[R-Truth] Y'all messing everything up! -[cheering]
-[Saxton] They are messing everything up. -You're messing everything up!
[wedding guests whooping]
-Y'all going to get me fired! -[Lawler] Look out!
-[Jimmy] Dana Brooke off the top rope! -[Saxton] In a wedding dress.
-[Jimmy] To the cover, now she retains-- -[bell rings]
…wins back the 24/7 Title!
[Saxton] Well, I guess we're back where we started. Uh…
-[Jimmy] She's got to get out of here. -[Lawler] What happened to the R-Truce?
-[Saxton] That's what I'm wondering, King. -Carry me!
-[yelling] Run! -[Lawler] Look at this! Look at this!
-[yelling] Run! -[Jimmy] Riding R-Truth
-all the way out of here-- -[yells indistinctly]
…with the 24/7 Title in tow!
[Lawler] See?
All marriages are happy.
It's just the living together afterwards is tough. [scoffs]
-Mainly that's the difficult-- -But they're still happy, right?
-[laughs] -I think?
One thing we did know about at WrestleMania,
was that Omos was an absolute colossus.
But two weeks ago against Bobby Lashley, he got a very powerful ally.
[Saxton] Omos, uh, wanted to get his hands back on Bobby Lashley,
-but Lashley did not anticipate this. -[crowd groans]
Completely getting blindsided by his… former allies,
-former friend, MVP. -[crowd boos]
Well, last week, MVP would explain his actions.
When I came back to the WWE,
[yelling] you were floundering!
You couldn't even sniff a WWE Championship despite all of your immense talents,
until I resurrected you!
But you don't need me, right?
That's okay. That was the past.
This is the present,
and I'm looking at the future.
You barely survived your first match with Omos.
I promise you,
you won't survive the next.
You think you're tough because you're standing behind a giant?
Well, I'm gonna chop his ass down,
and then after I finish Omos,
I'm coming to get you.
[crowd cheering]
["All Mighty" playing]
-[indistinct conversation] -[Jimmy] Well, couches were flying
last week when he destroyed MVP's Lounge.
But this week, we get an exclusive interview
with "The All Mighty" next, on RAW.
[Saxton] Well, ladies and gentlemen, this month, WWE is supporting Make-A-Wish
during the lead up to World Wish Day on April 29th.
[narrator] For over 40 years,
we've come together to create joy, strength and hope.
You can help make every wish come true.
Hope begins with you.
[Saxton] Join WWE and Make-A-Wish to help restore hope for Wish Kids.
Visit wish.org/wwe to learn how you can support.
[crowd cheering]
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to Monday Night RAW.
And with me right now is "The All Mighty" Bobby Lashley.
Bobby, before we get your thoughts on the prospect
that you might have to deal with Omos as well as MVP,
we've received a message from MVP that he asked to be shown.
Let's take a look.
-Bobby Lashley, you are about to realize-- -[crowd booing]
…exactly how… big of a mistake you've made.
Trying to hog all the glory and spotlight to yourself.
Fighting in a WrestleMania solo without MVP.
I'm sorry, I digress. That… That's the past.
I've moved on to… bigger things,
meaner things, stronger things.
I moved on…
to the colossus, Omos,
an athlete who's superior to you in every way.
And now, he's sitting up under my learning tree,
and I'm teaching him all the things that I taught you…
to become WWE Champion.
I made you all mighty.
What could I do with the colossus, Omos?
And while we're figuring that out,
Omos would like to challenge you to a display of strength,
so that he can humiliate you again.
We were thinking an arm-wrestling match.
"The All Mighty" era is coming to an end.
[crowd boos]
You know, that's not surprising at all.
MVP thinks he's safe because he can stand behind Omos
and keep running his mouth and talking trash.
If I want to get to MVP,
I have to go through Omos.
And I guarantee you I'm gonna do that.
You know, but I can tell you one thing, MVP was right
about Omos is big, strong and scary.
But you know what? So am I.
Is he stronger than me?
We'll find out next week when we have that arm-wrestling match,
because I accept.
And I'm going to show MVP and Omos why they still call me…
"The All Mighty."
[Saxton] Not sure if that's a wise move by Lashley.
-["The American Nightmare" playing] -[Jimmy] Arm-wrestling match with Omos.
♪ Wrestling has more than one… ♪
[Saxton exclaims]
♪ Royal family ♪
[crowd cheering continuously]
♪ Adrenaline in my soul ♪
♪ Every fight out of control… ♪
[Jimmy] Well, the man is all about accepting
the biggest challenge, Cody Rhodes.
♪ Crowd appear… ♪
[Saxton] "The American Nightmare,"
about to enter the unknown.
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up, I'm home ♪
♪ Whoa-oh! ♪
-[fireworks bursting] -[crowd cheering]
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first from Atlanta, Georgia,
weighing in at 222 pounds,
-"The American Nightmare…" -[imperceptible]
…Cody Rhodes!
[Jimmy] Seth "Freakin" Rollins did it at WrestleMania.
Cody Rhodes says he will do it tonight.
Any opponent Seth "Freakin" Rollins chooses.
[fireworks bursting]
[Saxton] We saw Rollins earlier, and he seems to be pretty happy
with his hand-picked opponent for Cody Rhodes.
[Lawler] Let's just see how Cody Rhodes likes it
when he has to face somebody that he doesn't know who it's going to be.
He'll wipe that smile off his face quickly.
[Saxton] Well, to Rhodes' credit, King, he said,
"I'm not here to back down from challenges.
"I'm here to face them."
Well, Cody Rhodes, in just a few moments,
will take on the hand-picked opponent of Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
That match is next, live, on RAW.
[Jimmy] Well, it's hard to believe, but we just saw
"The All Mighty" Bobby Lashley agreeing to an arm-wrestling match
-with the colossus, Omos, next week. -[Lawler] Yeah, well,
"The All Mighty" may have some bulging biceps,
but there's no way on earth he can match the power
in the arms of the Omos. Look at that man.
[Saxton] That will be a compelling matchup. And… And so will this.
Some say, uh, it's an abuse of power
by WWE Official, Sonya Deville. But nonetheless, it is official,
Sonya Deville will challenge The EST, Bianca Belair,
in her hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee, next week
for the RAW Women's Championship.
[Jimmy] Sonya Deville promises to humiliate Bianca Belair
in her hometown.
Cody Rhodes, "The American Nightmare," you see the focus on his face,
but he doesn't know who he's competing against.
But Seth "Freakin" Rollins is motivated to make it tough on him.
Why? Because he's going to face Seth "Freakin" Rollins at Backlash.
"The American Nightmare" versus "The Visionary."
The WrestleMania rematch.
Seth "Freakin" Rollins on point with this match tonight.
[Saxton] All right. Just three weeks' time. But right now,
"The American Nightmare," Cody Rhodes, is about to find out…
-["Visionary" playing] -…who Seth Rollins'
hand-picked opponent will be.
-Oh, yeah! -[music fades]
-[crowd booing] -It's time! It's time!
It's time
for your main event.
It's time to show the world…
that you're not as good as you think you are.
-[imperceptible] -So, let's not wait anymore!
Allow me to introduce to you your surprise opponent for the evening.
He is a man of valor.
He is a man who never backs down from a fight.
He is a former world champion.
-[Lawler] Oh, boy. [chuckles] -And that's…
no… lie.
[laughs maliciously]
["Fight" playing]
-[Saxton] Oh. -[Lawler exclaims faintly]
-[Saxton] Now it makes sense. -[Lawler giggling] Yes!
[Saxton] Now it makes sense why Seth Rollins was…
Was so overjoyed
about his hand-picked selection.
[Jimmy] KO, Kevin Owens.
[Saxton] Yeah, also known as the best friend--
-[Lawler] There it is. -…of Kevin Owens-- oh, Seth Rollins.
[Jimmy] Tag team partner, they came within…
but inches of winning the Tag Team titles
from Alpha Academy in a Triple Threat Match.
Kevin Owens has shown he's going to do a lot for Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[Saxton] Well, we know how frustrated Kevin Owens has been tonight already.
Now, willing to do the bidding
of Seth Rollins here against Cody Rhodes.
-[music stops] -[man] Ring the bell.
-[bell rings] -[Jimmy] And also a tough competitor
at any time,
let alone when you've had no preparation.
[Lawler] That's exactly right.
Now, Cody Rhodes is going to find out what it was like for Seth Rollins.
[Jimmy] Quick single leg.
Not working out as they go into the clinch.
At the elite level, you know, Byron, preparation can be everything.
Knowing who you're going to face,
game-planning for that person at that time, that can be everything.
[Saxton] Indeed, and I reluctantly agree with Seth Rollins, but…
Look, Rollins was thrown for a loop.
He didn't know that he was going to face Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania.
And now, Cody Rhodes,
in the same position, not knowing until a few seconds ago,
that he'd be facing Kevin Owens.
[Lawler] Yeah. Cody Rhodes has been sitting back there in his locker room,
biting his fingernails.
[chuckles] His stomach probably needs a manicure right now.
He didn't know who he was going to face.
[Jimmy] Oh! Great counter from Kevin Owens.
-[Lawler laughs] -The bull in the china shop,
but also extremely experienced.
Very high ring IQ. I think that's overlooked
when we talk about Kevin Owens.
[Saxton] Yes, Seth Rollins mentioned it in Kevin Owens,
one of the most decorated superstars here in WWE, a former Universal Champion.
-[Cody grunts] -[Lawler] Uh-oh. Watch out.
[Jimmy] Great counter by "The American Nightmare."
[Saxton] Harsh right hand delivered by Rhodes. Now, he's picking up speed!
[Jimmy] On the move! Ohhh!
Caught right in between the ropes
-by Kevin Owens! -[Lawler laughs wickedly]
[Jimmy] Now outside we-- So dangerous into the barricade!
-[yells in anger] -Can "The American Nightmare" recover?
Welcome back. We have discovered the mystery opponent for Cody Rhodes.
-It is KO. Kevin Owens. -[Lawler laughs]
[Jimmy] Right now, putting in work on "The American Nightmare."
-[Saxton] By the hand-picked opponent. -[grunts]
By Seth Rollins, the former Universal Champion.
Cody Rhodes… has been in a fight here against Kevin Owens.
[Jimmy] Kevin Owens has done a great job of working on the left arm of Cody Rhodes.
-[Kevin groans] -Great athleticism there.
Look at that height on that dropkick!
[Lawler] Like you said it, WrestleMania.
I mean, Seth Rollins had no idea who his opponent was going to be.
Turned out to be Cody Rhodes.
And now, turnabout is fair play. Look at this. [laughs] Oh.
[Jimmy] To his credit,
Cody Rhodes taking this match,
not knowing who he would face in the main event.
-To the cover, shoulders down. -[referee] One! Two!
Kickout from Cody Rhodes.
[Saxton] And we've noticed a theme in this matchup
as we take another look here.
-[Lawler] Look at this impact. Oh… man! -A nasty impact from the stand.
-[Jimmy] Ooh! -[Lawler] Ooh.
[Saxton] Right to the lower back of Cody Rhodes.
We've seen it several times now in this match
where Kevin Owens has had an answer for Cody Rhodes.
Kevin Owens has been one step ahead of Cody Rhodes
and I think that goes back to the fact that Owens has had time to prepare
for this matchup here tonight against Cody Rhodes.
[Jimmy] He's come in with a good game plan.
He has executed it very, very well.
[Cody groaning]
He looks all recovered from the beatdown
he took at WrestleMania from The Texas Rattlesnake.
You know, Byron, Stunners aren't easy
-to recover from. -[Saxton] I'd rather not go back to that.
-[Lawler] Look out! -[Jimmy] Oh!
[straining]
-[Jimmy] Oh, not just the Backbreaker-- -I can't hear you now!
…but working on folding Cody Rhodes in half over his knee.
[Kevin mockingly] Cody! Cody!
[Saxton] A lot of pressure to lower back. And King, like, I think
it does say something about Cody Rhodes to come out here
and say, "Seth, I don't care who you pick. I'll take on whichever opponent you want."
[Lawler] And you know what? You're making such a big deal about that.
Hey, let's go back to WrestleMania.
Seth "Freakin" Rollins, he accepted. He… He fought whoever--
[Saxton] Oh, so, Cody returned the favor today.
[Lawler] Yeah, but you're making a big deal out of this,
a big deal that Cody Rhodes has accepted this match.
[Jimmy] And right now, Kevin Owens having a lot of fun
at the expense of Cody Rhodes.
-[grunts in effort] -[grunts]
[Lawler] I guarantee you, Seth Rollins is having a lot
of fun watching this too.
[Saxton] Of course, I mean, Seth Rollins is hoping that his friend,
Kevin Owens, will soften up Cody Rhodes ahead of WrestleMania Backlash.
[Lawler] Oh, come on. Let's face it,
Cody Rhodes shows up, like, you know,
the greatest thing since sliced bread here,
and he's, he's not really in the… He's not in the category--
-[Jimmy] Boom! -…of Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
I mean, he doesn't have the charisma that Seth Rollins has.
I think Cody Rhodes had a charisma bypass.
[Saxton] Oh, listen, King, regardless of the situation,
Cody Rhodes has victories over Seth Rollins--
-Boom. -…has victory over The Miz.
[Jimmy] Snap Suplex, shoulders down!
[Saxton] And… And could potentially add to that list with a victory
over Kevin Owens here tonight.
[Lawler sneering] Yeah, "potentially."
[Jimmy] Having a lot of difficulty with that lower back.
This could not have helped, Byron.
[Saxton] Not at all. Snap Suplex delivered by Kevin Owens.
More punishment on the way.
[Jimmy] Looking to add to it. Maybe another one.
[Lawler] Here we go. [chuckling] Here we go.
-[Cody strains] -[Lawler] A… Uh-oh.
-Come on. -[Cody grunts]
[Saxton] Rhodes trying to block it.
-[Cody grunts] -[Lawler] Oh, no.
[Jimmy] Beautiful counter. Can he get him up?
[Lawler] Gosh! You're kidding me!
-[Saxton] Bad back and all. -Oh, no!
[Jimmy] He wasn't able to get full height on that.
He's suffering, you can tell.
[Saxton] Oh, Cody trying to finish this off.
Looking for Cross Rhodes.
-[Jimmy] Oh! -[Lawler] Here we go! Whoa, oh, oh, oh!
-Planted him! -[Jimmy] That's got to be it.
-[Lawler] Yeah-- -Just in time,
getting that left shoulder up.
[Lawler] Oh, I'd love to see that again.
He planted… Watch this. Watch this.
[Saxton] Cody Rhodes was thinking Cross Rhodes.
-Kevin Owens had other plans-- -[Lawler] Oh!
-Man. -…Spiking DDT, and now Kevin Owens…
-on the top rope! -[Lawler] This could end it.
[Jimmy] Looking to put this one away.
-[Lawler] Oh! -Oh! The knees up
-from Cody Rhodes! Just in time! -[Lawler groaning] Man.
[Saxton] Owens looking for the Senton.
Great wherewithal, Cody Rhodes, to get his knees up.
[Lawler] Yeah, plus, we know that…
We know that Kevin Owens has a bad back.
-Well, so does Cody Rhodes. -[Lawler] Look out! Look out! Look out!
-[Jimmy] Oh, my goodness! -[crowd exclaims in shock]
[Saxton] Right here in front of us!
[Jimmy] Right through us
-across the table. -["Visionary" playing]
[Saxton] And imagine that.
[Lawler] What?
[Saxton] This match continues on,
but look who's decided to make his presence known!
Seth "Freakin" Rollins is here,
as this match between Cody Rhodes
and Kevin Owens continues!
-[Jimmy] Welcome back. Cody Rhodes… -[Lawler] Look at this, look at this!
…versus Kevin Owens.
[Saxton] Cody Rhodes, thinking Superplex here,
trying to hoist up Kevin Owens.
[Kevin] Argh!
[Jimmy] They both suplexed, they both countered the suplex.
[Cody grunts]
[Kevin grunts]
[Saxton] Trading shots are both Rhodes and Owens,
and a very hazardous situation for both these men.
[grunts]
[Lawler] There you go. Oh!
-[Saxton] Now, Owens-- -[Jimmy] It's about to get more hazardous.
[Lawler] Watch those knees again, watch those knees! There we go!
[Jimmy] Oh! This has got to be it! One! Two! [groaning] Oh!
-[Lawler] What? -Just in time, and Seth "Freakin" Rollins,
-being a cheerleader at ringside. -[Lawler] One more time!
-Whoa! -[Jimmy] Swanton!
-That's got to be it. -[referee] One, two!
[Lawler] Got it-- Argh!
[Jimmy] Can you believe the kick out
of Cody Rhodes
-after being smashed by Kevin Owens? -[Saxton] A lot of heart being shown
by Cody Rhodes. And Seth Rollins, obviously,
not enjoying the fact that Rhodes is still in this fight.
Watch. First, it was the Frog Splash by Kevin Owens.
That wasn't enough to put Cody Rhodes away,
so then Owens would hop right back to the top rope,
this time delivering a Senton.
[Lawler] How was Cody Rhodes able to kick out of this?
[Saxton] Cody Rhodes. Hey, it almost feels like Rhodes is just--
-Whoa, whoa, whoa! Inside cradle! -[Jimmy] Cradle!
-[Saxton] Inside cradle! -[groaning] Oh!
[Jimmy] Almost had Kevin Owens.
But now, Kevin, back on the offense,
[Saxton] Kevin looking for the Pop-Up Powerbomb.
-What a counter! -[Jimmy] Hurricanrana!
-[Jimmy] Oh! -[Saxton] Superkick delivered
-by Rhodes! -Oh! [laughs]
[Saxton] Response from Owens!
-[Kevin grunts] -Whoa!
[Jimmy] What a clothesline from "The American Nightmare"!
Seth "Freakin" Rollins can't believe it!
[Saxton] Take another look at that. Ooh, man!
[Lawler] He turned Kevin Owens inside out!
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody! Cody!
[Lawler] You're right. I don't like the looks of this.
Neither does Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[Saxton] Cody Rhodes, bad back and all, trying to answer the call,
trying to prove that he can handle the hand-picked opponent
-of Seth Rollins! -[Lawler] Oh!
-[Jimmy] Powerbomb! -That did it! That did it!
-[Jimmy] No! -[crowd exclaiming]
-You got to be kidding me! -[Jimmy] Kevin Owens cannot believe it!
[Lawler] That was a three, yes.
That was three, Jimmy, three!
-[Saxton] It was two. It was two, Seth. -[Seth] Really? Pop-Up Bomb?
Nobody kicks out of that.
-[Saxton] Rollins obviously-- -[Jimmy] Quite close.
-…Seth Rollins, take another look-- -[Lawler] Watch this again. Let me see.
-One, two, three. Come on. -[Saxton] Two, three.
What… What footage are you watching, King?
[Jimmy] Sunset Flip Powerbomb.
I mean, Kevin Owens has to start wondering at this point
what it's going to take to put away "The American Nightmare."
[Saxton] Well, based on the body language of Kevin Owens,
it seems like he's got a pretty good idea
of what he thinks it will take to put Cody Rhodes away.
I don't know, man. I don't know. You got it, Kev. Come on.
[Lawler] Seth Rollins starting to sweat here a little.
[Saxton] Cody Rhodes delivering a right hand in response to Kevin Owens.
[Jimmy] Can't let Kevin Owens get airborne again.
[Seth] Fight him off, Kev.
[Cody grunts]
[Saxton] Rhodes now unleashing on the lower back of Kevin Owens,
as he favors his own.
Rhodes, now, we saw him try this earlier on,
might be thinking Superplex again.
But Owens, attempting to thwart those plans, and he does.
-[Lawler] Oh! -[Jimmy groans]
[Jimmy] Every time it looks as though Cody Rhodes is out of the fight,
-he is able to slug his way back in it-- -[Saxton] Oh, my God.
-[Lawler exclaims high-pitched] -[Jimmy] Oh! Superplex!
[Saxton] Fisherman's Suplex…
from the top, delivered by Kevin Owens!
-[Seth] Come on! Come on! -Cody Rhodes is hurt.
[Jimmy] To the cover! One, two-- Oh! [Lawler] Oh… Oh, come on!
[Jimmy] Not enough left for a kick-out,
and that left leg getting to the bottom rope.
-Veteran move. -[Lawler] Easy way out.
[Saxton] That wasn't an easy way out, King. That was great ring awareness
by Cody Rhodes.
Is Seth Rollins starting to doubt his, his buddy, Kevin Owens, King?
[Lawler] No, he's not doubting Kevin Owens.
Kevin Owens, clearly got the upper hand right now.
This may do it right here.
-This may… Oh… Come on! -[straining]
-[Saxton] Rhodes determined not to-- -[Lawler shrieks]
-[Jimmy] Ohhh! -…let Owens go through with his plans!
[Lawler high-pitched] That may do it.
-[Saxton] Beautiful job dumping… -Kevin.
[Seth] Kevin.
-Two! -Stop! Stop, Chad. Stop!
-Three! -Stop, Chad! Kevin, Come on.
-[crowd] Four! -Come on, Kev. Get up.
-Come on! Get up! Stop! -[crowd] Five!
Kevin, get your fat ass up and get in there!
-Get your ass up and get in there! -[crowd] Seven!
-What did you-- -Take your ass up and get in there!
-It's your stupid match now! I'm done! -[crowd] Nine!
-Hey, what are you doing, man? -[referee] Ten!
-No, no, no, no! -[bell rings]
[crowd cheering]
["The American Nightmare" playing]
[announcer] Here is your winner as a result of a count-out,
"The American Nightmare…"
-[imperceptible] -…Cody Rhodes!
[Jimmy] Kevin Owens walked off.
"This is your match, not mine," is what he said.
[Saxton] Owens is not appreciating the abrasive words
-of Seth Rollins, and… -[imperceptible]
Rollins' hand-picked opponent, you're right, just walked out on him.
[Jimmy] But Cody Rhodes looks frustrated, disappointed to win that way.
[Saxton] Well… Obviously, Cody Rhodes wanted to win this match
in the middle of the ring,
-against Kevin Owens. -[Lawler] Look at… Look at this!
-[Lawler shrieking] Oh! -[crowd groans]
-[crowd booing] -[Seth yelling indistinctly]
[Jimmy] A cheap shot
-from Seth "Freakin" Rollins-- -[yelling indistinctly]
-…before Backlash! -[crowd booing]
[Lawler] Look, Rhodes is hurt. Rhodes is hurt.
-[Seth continues yelling] -[booing continues]