[epic music playing]
[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[music concludes]
["4X4" playing]
[Michael] And this is Kansas City, Missouri,
home to the four-time Super Bowl champion,
Kansas City Chiefs, and tonight,
home to Monday Night Raw for an 18th time.
And downtown is the location of the T-Mobile Center,
which will be jam-packed tonight with over 11,000 WWE fans,
as part of a TKO weekend.
Filling in tonight for Raw General Manager, Adam Pearce,
is SmackDown General Manager, Nick Aldis.
Will he be able to keep order
on what could be another combustible show here tonight?
"The Eradicator" Rhea Ripley is here.
She's about to teach someone a lesson off of last week's chaotic situation
with Iyo Sky and some NXT superstars.
Like the former two-time NXT Women's Champion, Roxanne Perez,
Roxanne swims with the sharks versus Rhea Ripley live tonight.
The Pitbull of American Made, Ivy Nile, looking to make a statement tonight
and put herself in an envious position
because she takes on the NXT Women's Champion,
the sensational Stephanie Vaquer is in action.
Stephanie versus Ivy Nile tonight.
And fresh off his win over AJ Styles at WrestleMania,
Logan Paul is back on Monday Night Raw,
the social media megastar is here tonight.
Welcome to Monday Night Raw, ladies and gentlemen.
Michael Cole, Pat McAfee back here in action tonight
after the uncalled-for attack by a spiraling Gunther last week.
Adam Pearce, our general manager, has suspended Gunther indefinitely
and fined him an undisclosed amount of money.
He's also given me the opportunity to chit-chat
about the situation later in the show.
I will certainly take him up on that offer,
and I can't wait to get some words off my chest.
And we will take you back to the situation a little bit later on.
But first, we want to take you back
to the way that Monday Night Raw went off the air last week.
-[dramatic music playing] -[Rollins] I am a revolutionary.
I am a visionary.
I stole CM Punk's best friend.
[Heyman] I acknowledge you, my Tribal Chief.
I took a wise man from Roman Reigns.
Look!
[crowd gasping]
[Rollins] I am the winner of the main event of WrestleMania.
I am…
-["Cult of Personality" plays, fades] -[crowd cheering]
[intense music playing]
[inaudible]
[Heyman] There is a new
number one top star in this industry.
["I Am Greatness" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd roaring]
[music turns suspenseful]
[Michael] Bron Breakker!
[crowd gasping]
[music turns intense]
That's my Bron!
[inaudible]
[Michael] Oh my God!
Bring him in here!
Watch what's about to happen.
The future of this business runs through me!
-[crowd gasping] -[music turns suspenseful]
[music concludes]
-♪ Burn it down! ♪ -["The Vision" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting "Oh whoa oh"]
♪ Burn it down! ♪
[Alicia] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
WWE Hall of Famer, "The Wise Man" Paul Heyman,
Bron Breakker,
and Seth "Freakin" Rollins!
[Pat] The aura of these three…
is certainly stunning.
[Michael] What happened last week was stunning.
A lot of questions need answering.
But on paper, Pat, what a group.
[Pat] I mean, on paper, you got a super genius, a visionary…
and a monster.
[crowd chanting "Oh whoa oh"]
-[song fades] -[Rollins] Yeah!
[crowd barking]
[Pat barks] The dogs are barking in Kansas City, Cole.
Yes, sir.
[crowd chanting "Oh whoa oh"]
-Kansas City! -[crowd cheering]
Welcome to Monday Night Rollins!
I am your host, I am a visionary, I am a revolutionary,
-I am Seth… -[crowd] …Freakin Rollins!
And in case you didn't know, you've been living under a rock,
you are looking at the winner of the main event
of WrestleMania!
[crowd cheering]
And I know…
it's a little difficult for some of you out there
who still wanna chant for CM Punk.
[crowd booing]
[Michael chuckles]
[Pat] I don't hear it.
-[crowd chanting "CM Punk"] -[Pat] Here they come.
I knew there were still a few of them out there.
And I know it might be painful
for some of you who still wanna put your fingers in the air
for Roman Reigns.
[Pat] Yeah, we do. We certainly acknowledge.
[crowd chanting "OTC"]
But what you are looking at in this ring right now
is the future of our industry!
[crowd cheering]
The future runs through one man.
That man is not CM Punk. That man is not Roman Reigns.
Hell, it's not John Cena.
It's not Jey Uso. It's not Cody Rhodes.
The future of this industry,
with Paul Heyman to my left and Bron Breakker to my right,
the future of this industry
runs through Seth "Freakin" Rollins!
-["Worlds Apart" playing] -[crowd cheering]
-♪ Let's go! ♪ -[Michael] This is interesting.
[Pat] Well, hello, Sami Zayn.
[Michael] We saw Sami last week
when he celebrated with the new World Heavyweight Champion,
his friend Jey Uso.
[Pat] Are you feeling ucey out there?
Now.
I wonder what these vibes will be.
[indistinct chatter]
[song fades]
Ladies and gentlemen, Sami Zayn!
-[crowd cheering] -Hey. Easy, easy, easy.
Welcome back, my man, you were out for such a long time.
It is good to see you back on Monday Night Raw.
[crowd cheering]
I assume you-- you-- you caught WrestleMania, right?
Yeah, Seth, I saw the main event of WrestleMania, very good.
Ah. Yeah.
How long have we been friends?
-Long time, right? -Long time, long time.
Okay, I feel the need to come out here as a friend,
as someone who's known you a very long time,
and tell you to your face that this…
this is a load of crap, man.
[crowd cheering]
What are you… Hey, hey. No, no, no, no, no.
What are you talking about? What do you mean?
-What do I mean? -This isn't-- What are you talking about?
How much time did you spend talking about CM Punk,
talking about Roman Reigns?
And then the one thing that those two guys have in common
happens to be standing over your shoulder now.
So how are you any different?
Wait, wait, wait a minute, you're not seriously comparing me
to CM Punk and Roman Reigns.
How can this not be different? Come on now.
[Zayn scoffs]
For the longest time, I really started to believe
that you just had this deep anger, this hatred for CM Punk.
And you sounded so self-righteous when you were talking about Roman Reigns.
But now I'm starting to see that maybe you were just jealous.
[crowd cheering]
Maybe you just wanted to be in the position that they were in.
Sami, look, I am not CM Punk.
I am not Roman Reigns. This is the vision for the future.
You and me, we've gone back
many, many years talking about what that future would look like.
-This is our future. -[Zayn] Oh, well isn't that--
What a coincidence that is.
That the vision for the future of the WWE,
the vision for the future for this entire industry
for years to come, it all revolves around
Seth Rollins being front and center.
It's not a coincidence. I'm the best man for the job.
-You know this. -Yeah, that's my point, Seth.
That's my point. It's not a coincidence.
It's hypocritical.
And you spent all this time talking about The Bloodline this
-and The Bloodline that-- -This is not The Bloodline.
-Quit comparing me to them. -How is it different?
You've got the Wise Man right over there
and you've got your little dog right over there.
[crowd gasping]
Who, by the way, if he keeps looking at me like that,
is gonna get his face kicked in.
[crowd cheering]
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. Hey! Everybody, just calm down.
Hey, what is this?
What is this? What is going on here?
Sami, you came out here to be honest with me.
Well, let me be honest with you.
This, hey, this is the vision for the future.
And you are either with us or you become a target.
That's not a threat.
I don't want you to become a target.
Because this whole thing, it's bigger than us.
It doesn't matter if I hate you like I hate Roman and Punk.
It doesn't matter if I love you the way I love you.
You stand in our way, you become a target.
And I don't want that for you. I don't want that for you, honestly.
So, look, let's-- Look, we can find a solution to this.
We can find a solution. It doesn't have to come to blows.
We can get you out of harm's way.
The Wise Man-- Wise Man, you can pull some strings.
We can get you moved off of Monday Night Raw.
[crowd booing]
No, no, no, it's not. Look--
Look, this is not a threat. That's not a threat. It's just…
You're clearly--
You're clearly not going to buy in to what we are selling,
so maybe we can cash you out.
It's not a threat, Sami.
[crowd cheering]
It's an offer.
It's an offer. It's a favor.
So look, just…
just think about it.
Think about it.
But we're gonna need an answer by the end of the night.
[crowd chattering]
["The Vision" playing]
-[inaudible] -[crowd chanting "Oh whoa oh"]
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, a lot to unpack there.
Seth Rollins calling this group the future of the industry.
And Pat, basically offering Sami Zayn an opportunity to move away
from Monday Night Raw or face the consequences.
If you're Sami Zayn, what do you do?
I mean, the way it felt in there,
if I'm Sami, I'm trying to get my ass over to SmackDown, you know?
They're offering him reprieve,
they're saying, "You're either with us or you're a target."
Seems like they think Sami Zayn's a target.
Get your ass to Friday, kick off a good weekend on SmackDown.
Big decision for Sami Zayn to be made by the end of the show tonight.
Switching gears, let's take you back to last week on Monday Night Raw.
A dream match.
The world champion, Iyo Sky, and the NXT champion,
Stephanie Vaquer. This is our highlight of the night.
[music concludes]
[Michael] Iyo Sky and Stephanie Vaquer.
These women battling all over the ring, champion versus champion.
And as Iyo is closing in perhaps on a victory, an assault out of nowhere…
-[bell ringing] -…by NXT's Roxanne Perez.
And also Giulia, both who have had issues with Stephanie Vaquer.
And as the beatdowns commenced…
-["Demon In Your Dreams" playing] -[crowd cheering]
…coming to the aid of Iyo and Stephanie, none other than "The Eradicator,"
Rhea Ripley making a statement last week.
-[Pat] Absolutely, clearing house. -[crowd booing]
[Michael] And a loose alliance formed between Rhea and Iyo last week.
♪ This is my brutality ♪
-[crowd cheering] -["Demon In Your Dreams" playing]
♪ I eat, sleep, bleed The demons in your dreams ♪
♪ I eat, sleep, bleed… ♪
[crowd cheering]
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Adelaide, South Australia,
-Rhea Ripley! -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Pat, I had a chance to talk with Rhea earlier today,
and she said it's time to teach some lessons
to one Roxanne Perez tonight.
♪ There's no escaping from me… ♪
[Pat] It's an ass-kicker from Australia.
[Michael] Rhea's in action, live against Roxanne Perez on Raw.
-[crowd cheering] -[song fades]
[Michael] And we are back here live in Kansas City, over 11,000
for this very intriguing matchup between Rhea Ripley…
-[bell ringing] -…on the right, Roxanne Perez
-from NXT on the left. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] These two have had one one-on-one match in their career.
It happened back in 2022, Pick Your Poison match in NXT.
-Rhea Ripley would come out on top. -[crowd chanting "Mami"]
[Michael] But this is a very different Roxanne Perez
than we've seen in the past.
[Pat] Roxanne is known as "The Prodigy" for good reason.
A lot of confidence. Once again, for good reason, backs it up.
Phenomenal in-ring performer.
[Michael] Spent a lot of time on Monday Night Raw this year, Pat,
despite the fact that she's part of NXT.
In fact, she's 2-0 in matches here on Raw.
[Pat] Rhea Ripley, also an NXT icon like myself.
-[crowd booing] -[Michael] Oh, goodness.
[Pat] Love NXT around here, producing greatness
as we're seeing some head games coming from Roxanne Perez.
[Michael] Yeah, I'm not quite sure you wanna be playing mind games with Rhea,
but that paid off for Roxanne!
Great move, chop block to the back of the knee.
[Pat] I love what Roxanne has decided to do here.
[Michael] "The Prodigy," Roxanne Perez now attacking Rhea Ripley.
You take the leg out, you take the knee out,
Pat, you take away Rhea's power.
[Pat] Also playing a little mental games…
-[Michael] Oh! -…before Rhea even gets started.
And then smack Rhea Ripley in the mouth.
[Michael] And this is that change in attitude
that Roxanne Perez has gone through over the past couple of years.
It's been wonderful seeing the maturation process
of this young woman, whether you agree with her or not…
-[crowd cheering] -…as she runs into a boot by Ripley.
[Pat] It's just like Rhea Ripley told us WrestleMania week.
As long as you're your true self, you're gonna be your best form.
Rhea Ripley has done that, Roxanne thinks the same.
[Michael] Yeah, looking for Razor's Edge, Roxanne able to hang on to the top ropes.
Perez looking to use her speed in this matchup.
Rhea Ripley using her power.
[Pat] Ooh. Good roll through.
-[Michael] Roxanne now. -[Pat] Holy hell.
[Michael] Again continues to work on the left leg of Rhea Ripley.
[Pat] She's working hamstring down, remember it was an arm drop.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Roxanne Perez grew up in Laredo, Texas,
trained by the great WWE Hall of Famer and voice of NXT, Booker T.
[crowd chanting]
[Pat] We've been learning about Rox… [coughs]
…Roxanne through Booker T for a long time.
Obviously he has a lot of pride.
[Michael] And Perez with a suicide dive, caught though by Rhea Ripley.
And there's the power of "The Eradicator."
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] It sends Perez into the barricade.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Pat] That's the X factor for Rhea Ripley in every single match.
At any given moment,
she can catch you out of the sky and throw you off the barricade.
-She's always been like this. -[referee] Four!
[Michael] Ripley now, dropping-- Oh! Roxanne.
On the barricade and begins to take control of this matchup.
[referee] Knock it off, Rhea. Let's go. You're at six.
[Michael] Monday Night Raw tonight in Kansas City.
Nick Aldis, the general manager, one night only,
Adam Pearce has the weekend off.
Maybe we should have got Shaquille O'Neal to be our general manager.
[Pat] I just saw he just signed to be the general manager
of Sacramento State's college team, I believe.
[Michael] Ah, interesting.
Roxanne is knocked off the apron by Ripley.
[Pat] He's a good businessman as these two are
in an instant classic here on Monday Night Raw.
[Michael] Roxanne Perez holding her own and then some,
and again, continues to work on the left leg of Rhea.
This has been tremendous strategy by Roxanne Perez in this match.
[Pat] Think about from the very beginning where she delayed the start basically,
and then now she's been attacking the knee and the hamstring.
[Michael] Saw this aggressiveness in the match against Stephanie Vaquer
-on NXT. -[Pat] Oh!
[Michael] And again, Rhea in deep, deep trouble
-and Roxanne having her way with Ripley. -[crowd cheering]
[Pat] She's just chopping down Rhea Ripley here.
[Michael] Rhea though, caught, went for the side Russian leg sweep.
Ripley able to block.
-And a clothesline takes out Perez. -[crowd cheering]
[Pat] Rhea Ripley needed that as she checks on her knee.
[Michael] The three-time Women's World Champion
trying to regain control of this matchup. And again, just really cannot balance
on that left leg that's been assaulted by Perez in this match.
[Pat] Roxanne's been unbelievable here.
Rhea Ripley, not only a three-time champ, but also a main eventer in a stadium.
-[Michael] Went for the crossbody. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Rhea Ripley, though, able to catch her.
The power again of Mami.
-[Pat] Netflix, worldwide. -[Michael] Vertical suplex delivered.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And a drop kick by Ripley.
And Roxanne Perez rolling out of harm's way
as Rhea Ripley looks to recover. What a match this has been.
[crowd chanting "Mami"]
[Michael] Roxanne Perez climbing the ropes, moonsault to Ripley.
-Cover now! -[referee] One! Two!
[Michael] Oh! And a kick-out at two by Roxanne Perez.
[Pat] Everything Roxanne's doing is working right now.
She's got Rhea reeling.
[Michael] This has been an incredible strategy, ooh, by Perez.
[Pat] Attacking her knees, attacking her lower body,
trying to get her strength out of the match.
[Michael] Yeah, trying to…
get Rhea to submit.
Well, again, we'll take you to what happened moments ago when we--
-[Pat] Oh! Oh! -[Michael] Roxanne Perez, this is awesome.
It's a springboard moonsault by Perez. Been so impressive in this match tonight.
We talked a little bit ago
about the maturation process of this young woman.
She's taken Rhea Ripley to the limits.
And Pat, we said, can you imagine if Roxanne can knock off
this former three-time Women's World Champion tonight?
[Pat] Couldn't fathom what Roxanne Perez would feel like this evening.
[Michael] Rhea Ripley was not expecting this, I do believe.
[Pat] Her dream since she was 16, to be a WWE superstar,
and here she is, opening Raw.
[Michael] And look at the position of the leg of Rhea Ripley.
Rhea trying to fight her way out of it, Perez just continues the attack.
[Pat] I don't know how Rhea's knees are doing it.
[Michael] Yeah, relentless by Perez, still hanging on,
Rhea trying to fight out, trying to create some space.
-Finally able to do it. -[Pat] Big heel.
[Michael] Ooh! And a big kick to Perez, and now it's Roxanne Perez who's stunned.
Rhea really on one leg,
looking to turn things around with a clothesline.
Not allowing any space.
Nice kick to the midsection, bad leg though.
[Pat] Barely able to plant.
[Michael] Rhea though, with Roxanne up high.
Ripley, can she catch her balance?
-[Pat] There you go. -[Michael] Razor's Edge!
-[Pat] That's a big-- Oh, my word! -[Michael] What a kick, cover by Ripley!
-[crowd counting] -[Michael] And a kick-out.
Notice how she grabbed her bad leg.
She couldn't plant that bad leg, Pat. That allowed Perez to kick out.
-[Pat] First it was the… -[crowd cheering]
…Razor's Edge and then a shin to the jaw.
[Michael] But watch this, watch this.
I was gonna say, She couldn't plant her leg, Pat.
And that was one of the reasons that Perez was able to kick out
because of the injured leg.
Again, here's another look at that. This is important.
It's gonna be a story throughout this matchup.
As Rhea goes for the cover here, normally she would plant the left leg.
Not able to do that and allowed Perez to kick out.
[Pat] Only halfway on there, Perez was able to take advantage.
If Roxanne hadn't attacked Rhea's knees, that's probably one, two, three.
Oh! Now we got company.
[Michael] Yeah, Giulia, former NXT Women's Champion,
running buddy with Roxanne Perez, is out here.
Again, another NXT superstar invading Monday Night Raw's turf.
Rhea and Giulia got into it last week.
Rhea's gotta turn her attention to Roxanne Perez.
Cover, rolls up Rhea!
Rhea able to kick out at two!
The slight distraction by Giulia, and Perez now, face first goes Rhea.
[Pat] Hurricanrana DDT.
[Michael] Roxanne Perez could be closing in,
big knee to the back of the neck for a massive upset here tonight.
-Ripley kicks at two! -[Perez screams]
[Pat] I thought that was it, Cole.
I thought The Prodigy had the biggest win of her career here on Monday Night Raw.
[Michael] Screaming that the official wanted a quicker count,
but Rhea was able to kick out.
[Perez speaking indistinctly]
[Pat] Ooh, toughness check, late.
[Michael] Yeah, well that slap I think just ticked Rhea off, but maybe not.
Looking for Pop Rox, that's Roxanne Perez's finishing move.
Rhea able to hook her though.
Roxanne-- Oh! Big kick, down goes Perez!
And the dangerous Giulia lurks at ringside.
[Pat] Giulia just had to watch Roxanne's jaw get kneed
from here to Kansas City, Kansas.
[Michael] I can't wait to tell Giulia, scurry down the road.
Roxanne though, trying to roll up Rhea--
Headbutt by Ripley.
Looking for Riptide.
Giulia won't let it happen.
-Right to the bad leg of Ripley. -[bell ringing]
[crowd booing]
[Michael] And Giulia and Roxanne Perez, who made a statement last week,
gonna do the same thing again here tonight.
I have no idea
what these two young women are trying to accomplish
-coming up here from NXT. -["Tokyo Shock" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] But they've caused issues not only with Rhea,
but with this woman, the World Champion, Iyo Sky!
[Pat] Roxanne and Giulia trying to make a name for themselves.
Well, say hello to our champ!
[Michael] Uh-oh, Giulia inadvertently just struck her buddy.
Iyo Sky gonna make her pay.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Iyo repaying the favor from Rhea Ripley last week!
Iyo caught up on the ropes, kick to Perez.
[crowd chanting "Iyo"]
[Michael] Women's World Champion knocked off the ropes!
Giulia causing her to lose her balance,
and now again this pack-like attack by Perez and Giulia.
And on one leg, Rhea Ripley makes her way to the ring,
and the NXT stars scatter!
[Pat] Giulia and Roxanne leaving quite a mark
on the Monday Night Raw roster.
["Demon In Your Dreams" playing]
[Michael] Well, they certainly are making a name for themselves.
I'm not sure they wanna mess around with Rhea and Iyo.
[overlapping chatter]
[group] Hey!
-[Bálor] Hello, JD! Welcome back! -He's back, baby.
[Bálor] Hey, I need to talk to you about a couple things.
-Sure. -[Bálor] Can you give us a sec?
-Just a sec. Hey, come on. -[overlapping chatter]
Hey, I'm happy you're back and all, but I'm just gonna come out and say it.
I thought you would've told me you were returning last night.
I know. I told Dom, I just assumed it was gonna get back to you.
-I'm sorry. -Dom.
Look, it's cool that you told Dom.
But I wish you had told me, too.
I know. Listen, I called him, he won the Intercontinental Title.
I was congratulating him.
I was cleared quicker than I thought I was gonna be.
Hey, is everything okay here?
-Yeah, it's all good. -Yeah, all good.
-Just two mates catching up. -Oh, good.
But why aren't you guys getting ready for your match?
-Our match? -Yeah.
-What match? -I was gonna tell you.
Liv thought it would be a good idea for us to make another run
at the tag team titles. And I thought that was a great idea.
So I went to Nick Aldis and I got us a match with The War Raiders tonight.
You were supposed to tell him.
There's been so much going on in the clubhouse.
It must've slipped my mind. I'm so sorry. But since you're not a champion,
I thought you'd be interested.
-Of course I'm interested. -Right?
But in future, can we please,
please keep me in the loop around the corner? Okay?
-Of course. Absolutely. -Yes. Sorry.
-Yes. -All right, I better go and get ready.
-Tape up. -Have fun.
Come on, sis.
I'm sorry, it slipped my mind, it's slipped my mind.
Looks like everyone's gonna be a champion.
-Dominik, what? -I wish I could be a champion, too.
[Morgan] How are you guys doing over here?
-[indistinct chatter] -That would be cool.
[Morgan] You're winning so much.
[energetic hip-hop music playing]
[Michael] Always a treat, huh?
As is this man, Logan Paul, WWE superstar, social media megastar.
Logan's here live in Kansas City.
[mellow hip-hop music playing]
[music fades]
Hey, yo!
[crowd booing]
Hey, that's crazy 'cause I don't know if y'all remember…
but I beat "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles last weekend at WrestleMania.
[crowd booing]
And I hear you, you people still aren't satisfied.
Hey, hey, hey, I get it.
You're from Kansas City, you're a victim of circumstance.
You don't know greatness when it's standing right in front of you.
[crowd booing]
You people are so, so stupid.
[crowd booing]
You don't know what a true legend looks like.
And hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. I'm gonna say something,
and it might offend some of you, you're not gonna like it,
but a true legend certainly does not look like
your current World Heavyweight Champion, Jey Uso.
[crowd booing, jeering]
And you know, I had seven days to think about it and I realized,
man, I've done just about everything there is to do here in this industry,
except…
[chuckles] …win a world title.
So, Jey Uso, consider your days numbered,
'cause you have something that I want.
-["Main Event Ish" playing] -♪ Uso! ♪
[Pat] Yes! Is it a yeet party, Logan?
[Michael] Yep. Logan's gonna have to get used to this.
♪ Day one ish, it's just me, uce ♪
♪ Day one ish, it's Jey, I line 'em all up And knock 'em down like this ♪
-[Pat] Kansas Yeety… -[Michael laughs]
…showing up for our world champ!
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] That young man there in the front row getting yeet glasses.
The sign says it all. He beat cancer…
to be here in the front row in Kansas City for Monday Night Raw tonight.
♪ Day one ish, it's just me, uce ♪
♪ Day one ish, it's Jey, I line 'em all up And knock 'em down like this ♪
[Pat] I don't know how Logan isn't yeeting at this moment.
Michael Cole's yeeting.
[Michael] We're all yeeting.
♪ Day one ish, it's just me, uce ♪
[Pat] The Kansas City Yeets rocking the building.
[Michael] The new World Heavyweight Champion…
-[Pat grunts] -…kicking off WrestleMania weekend
with a defeat of Gunther to win his first world title.
[crowd cheering]
Hold up, hold up.
We gonna silence this noise, 'cause he think after 15 years,
me trying to make a name for myself, finally becoming World Champ,
that I'm gonna just hand this over to some punk ass YouTuber
like Logan Paul. Stop.
[crowd cheering]
-[Pat] Yeah. Yeah. -[yelling indistinctly]
Hey look, let me spin it, get real with you for a minute.
-I watched Gunther… -[crowd] Yeet!
-…beat my twin… -[crowd] Yeet!
…to a bloody pulp, uce, so it did something to me.
It lit a fire inside of me that ain't never going out.
[crowd] Yeet!
So, look.
This title is not given, it's earned and it's mine.
And if you want it, come take it.
Four letters, one word.
-Uh-uh! -[crowd] Yeet!
[crowd cheering]
"Yeet"? You sound so stupid, uce.
I've done more in four years than you have in 15.
All of you know that's true.
[crowd booing]
So, I got something for you, Jey. Here's how this is gonna go.
That title, I'm gonna take it from you,
and you are gonna do what you do best.
You're gonna do what you always do, and that is crash out,
screw up, and lose that title
in less time than you held the Intercontinental Championship.
[crowd jeering]
So, Jey, enjoy it while you still can.
-[Pat] Yeet! -[Michael] Super kick to Paul!
[crowd chanting "Yeet"]
[Michael] Jey Uso said he's a different man,
he's on a different plane, he's on a different level.
["Main Event Ish" playing]
[Michael] I'll tell you, Pat, where do I sign up?
Where do we sign up for Logan Paul and Jey Uso for the world title?
You're the man, baby! You're the man, Jey!
Yeet! Yeet! Yeet!
[Michael] You think that'll shut up Logan?
-Monday Night Raw is mine! -[Pat] I doubt it, brother.
-Monday Night Raw is mine. All mine, uce! -[Pat] And I like the way
-Jey Uso handled his business tonight. -Four letters, one word. Uh-uh.
[crowd] Yeet!
[energetic music playing]
[Michael] And these two have some business to handle
after losing their world tag team titles at WrestleMania.
Erik and Ivar, The War Raiders,
look to get back into the hunt for the tag team titles tonight,
but a team that stands in their way.
The returning JD McDonagh,
teaming up with Judgment Day's teammate Finn Bálor.
These two teams clash live next on Raw.
[music concludes]
[blow horn blaring]
-[Pat] Monday Night Raw is war! -["War" playing]
[Woods] You do it every time, and it's never funny.
-[Pat] Raiders. -[Woods] It's never funny.
[Kingston] What? War? You're out here promoting war?
-[Pat] War Raiders. -[Kingston] That's the same, man.
-[Pat] I know. -[Woods] We're here for peace.
[Kingston] You should be talking about peace.
Because the whole world's at peace right now
'cause we're the Tag Team Champions, you understand that, right, Patrick?
You understand that, Patrick?
-[Alicia] …Erik and Ivar, The War Raiders! -[speaks indistinctly]
We do wanna welcome the former WWE Champion, Kofi Kingston,
-former King of the Ring, Xavier Woods. -[Woods] Uh-huh.
There you go. Let 'em know.
Actually, we're so excited to see that Pat is here.
-My God, Pat! -You got choked out.
We were so concerned about your well-being.
And your friends did nothing to help.
-[Pat] They did! -It was absolutely ineffective.
[Pat] You know, nobody attacks Gunther!
[Kingston] Didn't Darius Butler play football?
He couldn't break through the security line to help his friend?
-[Woods] Horrible friends. -[Kingston] What happened, bro?
[Michael] And speaking of King of the Ring,
we'd like a shout out to our broadcast colleague, Wade Barrett,
who, ten years ago today, won the King of the Ring Tournament.
[Kingston] Why are you talking about Wade right now, bro?
[Michael] Because Wade's our partner
and we don't dump our partners like you dumped Big E.
[Woods] No, we dump dead weight. We dump dead weight.
-[Kingston] Yeah, we didn't need him. -[Michael] Match is underway.
-[Pat] We keep good Wade. -[Kingston] We didn't need him.
[Michael] War Raiders against McDonagh and Finn Bálor.
Interesting matchup because The Judgment Day lost their tag titles
to The War Raiders late last year, the night that…
And then later on, JD McDonagh would get injured.
I'm sure his life is flashing before his eyes in this matchup tonight.
[Woods] Yeah, maybe he'll know not to do something so dumb in this match.
-[Kingston] Wow! -[Pat] It's great to see JD McDonagh back.
Never good to think about The Judgment Day back in title contention.
[Kingston] You think that's impressive? JD McDonagh coming back, what's up?
[Woods] I tore my Achilles off the bone,
came back in nine months, nobody talked about me.
I picked myself up by my bootstraps, and we won the tag titles again.
[Michael] JD McDonagh almost killed himself.
[Kingston] Why didn't you talk about what Woods did…
-[Woods] Yeah, you see… -…with the same enthusiasm?
-[Pat] We did, we did. -[Kingston] Come on, man, you did not.
[Pat] You guys are on a beach, not listening to anything.
-[Woods] We're on vacation. -[Kingston] It's on vacation for us, bro.
We done did the hard work, bro.
[Michael] You sound like the Sanders family out here.
-[Michael] Oh, big back body drop… -[Woods] Backdrop.
…to JD McDonagh.
Xavier, I did mention the fact the Alicia Taylor haircut's great.
-I like that. -[Kingston] How dare you?
[Woods] That's so funny because I've been doing hair like this
for years. She just got here.
So whenever I have a cup of coffee, you're gonna put her over?
[Michael] Let's talk about these two teams,
'cause one of these teams who wins this matchup,
could be in line for a future tag team title opportunity.
-Who would you guys like to face? -[Kingston] It don't matter who we face.
We're at the top of the mountain, man.
[Woods] Judgment Day, you said they lost the titles to The War Raiders.
That was what? Their second or third defense
in like 140 days or something?
-[Kingston] Paper Champions. -[Woods] Look at that.
[Kingston] Paper Champions. Y'all don't wanna talk about that.
[Michael] But what is your issue with--
[Pat] You guys are scared of The War Raiders.
[Kingston] Who's scared of The War Raiders?
We just beat them at WrestleMania.
-What are you talking about, bro? -[Michael] Hey, they're friends,
they're solidified, they're a great friendship, great team.
[Woods] Oh, yeah, sure, because when Erik was gone,
what did Ivar do? He skyrocketed to the top.
[Pat] Look at The War Raiders having their moment.
-[Kingston] Don't look over here. -[Woods] They're in a match.
-[Kingston] Don't look over here. -[Woods] Focus on the match, boys.
[Kingston] See what happens when you don't pay attention?
[Pat] You see?
-[Michael] Well, that's what happens. -[Pat] Okay.
[Michael] The powerhouse of Ivar and Erik.
[Woods] These guys, they're just not really a team.
Because what happened when Erik came back, Ivar got pulled back down
off the pedestal that he built for himself.
[Kingston] Ivar was skyrocketing to the top.
-[Michael] That makes absolutely no sense. -[Pat] They were just champions.
[Kingston] And then he comes back, now what's Ivar doing?
Losing matches at WrestleMania, losing titles.
He should have cut the dead weight like we did.
[Michael] Ivar could have just kicked his partner to the curb
like other teams have because they got hurt, but he didn't do that.
[Kingston] Cut the dead weight is what it's called.
[Woods] We cut the dead weight.
We cut the dead weight, won these titles at WrestleMania.
We know Ivar clearly doesn't cut any kind of weight, except--
[Michael] Oh!
[Pat] Just shook the ring.
-It's impressive because he's fat. Wow. -That's the problem right there.
-Yeah. -[Woods] Big.
-Fat. -[Kingston] He's hefty, he's big boned.
[Pat] He's big.
-[Woods] Fat. -[Kingston] Big boned.
[Michael] JD McDonagh here in Kansas City and Finn Bálor
dominating The War Raiders, 11,000-plus here tonight.
We've been graced by the presence of the world tag champs.
[Woods] And you know what, like you said, talking about the match, JD McDonagh,
Finn Bálor been working on this man's neck,
but I don't hear you being upset about it.
When we did it, we were the bad guys, we were so evil.
They do it, they're revered.
[Michael] It's the way that you guys did it.
[Kingston] Why, by not putting a hand on him?
[Woods] We'd never hurt a hair on his head.
[Kingston] We would never hurt a hair on his head, on Erik's head.
-[Woods] Because he's bald. -[Kingston] He's bald. [laughs]
-[Michael] I'm glad you guys-- -[Kingston] You see what I mean?
-You guys have to explain your jokes. -[laughs]
Well, but this guy doesn't really know anything, so you gotta explain a lot.
-He's still learning. -[Woods] It's called a punchline.
[Kingston] You got a little talk show, Pat,
but you're still learning a lot when it comes to this business,
-and we gonna educate you. -[Pat] I agree.
Every single day, I'm trying to learn as much as possible.
[Michael] Here we go.
So, Xavier, explain what it's like to see this man
-doing that to you. -[Woods] This man doing that to me.
I'm looking at him as Finn Bálor right now
because he wants what we have right now, Michael.
Again, they're enabling him. That's impressive because he's fat.
-[Michael] Again, you-- -[Pat] Big.
-Agile, strong. -[Kingston] That's what he said.
[Kingston] No, we thought he was doing great when he was on his own.
He had that singles run like we said, man.
-[Pat] Oh, senton splash. -[Kingston] Highly impressive.
-[Pat] Cartwheel. -[Woods] Wow. That's great.
-[Michael] Big spinning heel kick. -[Kingston] Congrats.
[Pat] He just hit cartwheel spinning heel kick.
[Kingston] And he chooses to hang out with Erik who holds him down, why?
-[Woods] What time is it? -[Kingston] Now, why?
[Kingston] It's so impressive because a large man can move around?
[Michael] Ivar into the corner, Finn Bálor in trouble.
[Kingston] That's terrible. That's terrible.
[Pat] That's not good for Finn Bálor, I'll tell you that.
-[Woods] Really not. -[Kingston] No, it's not.
[Woods] I will say the Doomsault is a terrifying maneuver.
[Michael] I would say you guys may be scared of The War Raiders
because you keep trying to put them down at every turn.
[Kingston] You would say that, but you can't say that
because we beat The War Raiders at WrestleMania.
[Woods] And they're an incredible--
[Michael] Went for the Doomsault, Finn Bálor rolled out of harm's way.
[Woods] War Raiders are an incredible team.
We're just that much better than them.
-That's why we're champions. -[Kingston] That's what happened.
Yikes.
[Michael] Yeah, that's right, you didn't do any shenanigans to win the title.
[Kingston] Oh, my goodness, a little slow there.
[Woods] Shenanigans, by that you mean training,
working hard in the gym? Look at these abs that I got right now.
Look at these abs Kofi got right now.
[Michael] Believe me, we saw it all over social media this week.
-[Pat] The place looked awesome. -[Woods] Turks and Caicos.
[Michael] JD McDonagh in off the tag. Uses Ivar to his advantage.
-[Woods] Okay. -[Michael] Up over the top goes Ivar.
-[Pat] Great to have JD McDonagh back. -[Michael] Yeah.
[Woods] Did JD even get hurt? Look at this man go.
[Michael] Look at that moonsault. Down go The War Raiders.
-[Woods] Fired up. -[Pat] That's great.
[Woods] JD wants these titles back so they can just not defend them
-for 70 days again. -[Kingston] And y'all wanna see it.
Y'all wanna see them as champs,
they didn't defend the titles what, two times?
[Pat] They wanted to.
[Kingston] That's the kind of champions that you want?
-[Pat] They weren't given the opportunity. -[Michael] Oh!
JD McDonagh off the moonsault and Erik breaks things up.
-A near fall. -[Woods] Okay.
[Michael] Referee Jessika Carr with her hands full in this matchup.
Watch this, JD looks incredible in his return
-to action after-- -[Kingston] There you go.
-[Pat] Just at ease in the sky. -[Michael] Five months away.
[Kingston] Get Erik out of the ring,
just like Ivar should throw him off the team. That's simple.
-[overlapping chatter] -[Michael] Guys, stop.
[Woods] Here we go. Oh, look, so impressive, wow.
[Michael] That was really impressive.
[Kingston] Guys, I can do that easy.
[Michael] Yeah, and you don't weigh 330 pounds.
[Kingston] Yes, and that's not to my detriment.
[Woods] That's not an impressive thing, to not work out, Michael.
[Michael] I wouldn't know anything about it. So…
-[Kingston] Oh, boy. -[Michael] Erik now with JD McDonagh up.
[Kingston] Look at this right here.
-[Woods] Here we go. -[Michael] The War Raiders,
battering rams.
[Kingston] Get him in the ring, dummies.
Get him in the ring, dummy. You wanna be number one contender, right?
Take one, and then take the other. All in the ring.
-[Woods] There you go. -[Kingston] You know what to do.
Don't look at us. You know what to do.
Now, you take him and you throw him in the ring.
That's how you do it. There you go. Whoa, whoa!
[Michael] Whoa! It couldn't happen to nicer guys!
And Ivar taking the pile out!
Are you guys okay?
[Pat] The New New Day are on their ass over here.
[Michael] Carlito trying to get involved.
JD McDonagh looking for the win, kick-out by Erik.
And there is a jaw breaker by McDonagh using that big head of his.
[Pat] That cranium can bust any jaw, including a War Raider.
Carlito distracting Jessika Carr.
-[Michael] Look, look, look, it's Penta! -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Penta face-to-face with McDonagh!
The official didn't see it, thanks to Carlito.
Carlito's little plan backfired.
Tag made.
Ivar with a War Machine!
-Cover. -[crowd counting]
-[Michael] Penta with payback… -[bell ringing]
-…Raiders with the win. -["War" playing]
[Alicia] Here are your winners, The War Raiders!
[Pat] Finn Bálor was taken out, then Penta showed up,
and The War Raiders reign supreme on Monday Night Raw.
[Michael] And Penta, who's had an issue with Bálor and The Judgment Day
for many weeks now,
is going to gloat in Finn Bálor's face.
[Pat] Surf walk.
[crowd chanting "Cero miedo"]
[Michael] Penta with some payback, The War Raiders with the win.
And The New Day better get ready, Pat, because a war is coming.
[overlapping yelling]
-Come on, Sami. What's up with it, man? -Sorry, I got a lot on my mind.
[music concludes]
Could, uh… you give us a moment, please?
-Yes, sir. -Sir.
You know, Sami, I was thinking about what you said out in the ring
-about The Bloodline. -Hmm.
We're OG Bloodline.
That's true.
But you just blew up whatever was left of The Bloodline
with what you did at WrestleMania.
Well, I respected when you broke away from The Bloodline
and your reasons why.
And maybe one day you will respect why I had to do what I had to do.
Listen,
I didn't come here to talk about The Bloodline, you know that.
Seth Rollins views himself as the vanguard of the future
-of this entire industry. -Right.
And whether he is or he isn't, that's how he views himself.
And Bron Breakker, well, that's his dog at the gate.
And whether he is or he isn't, that's how Bron Breakker views himself.
And Bron Breakker right now is demanding a match…
with you.
And Seth and I, we can't say no to that because Bron Breakker is the key
to our plans.
But Seth Rollins, he holds you in such reverence.
He's offering you a pass.
If you accept being traded to SmackDown starting this Friday…
everybody wins.
Listen, I've spoken to Pearce. I've spoken to Aldis.
-Seth Rollins is going to do you a favor. -Is he?
If you accept this offer…
Sami Zayn, upon your entry into SmackDown,
you will face the winner of John Cena versus Randy Orton.
Just like that, instant undisputed title contender.
That's how much Seth Rollins thinks of you.
Think of your future, Sami. Think of the future for your family.
Sami.
You can live in the future…
or you can die with the past.
-[taps leg] -Think about it.
[Michael] A lot to think about for Sami Zayn now
with that offer on the table.
-Meanwhile, there is The Man. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And she has some explaining to do.
Becky Lynch destroyed her partner Lyra Valkyria
last week after losing the tag title. The Man is live.
[energetic hip-hop music playing]
-♪ Make it work ♪ -♪ Make it ♪
-♪ Make it work ♪ -♪ Make it… ♪
["4X4" playing]
[Michael] This is Kansas City
and the home tonight of Monday Night Raw live on Netflix.
And Kansas City's own, our buddy, is here tonight, Pat.
[Pat] That's right. The voice of baseball for the next generation.
MLB ESPN Insider, New York Times bestselling author,
Jeff Passan is in the building tonight.
And also, Ryan Blaney,
one of the featured NASCAR drivers on this season's Full Speed,
streaming on Netflix, May 7th. Is he gonna chug that beer?
No, he's not. Okay. Welcome to the show, Ryan Blaney.
[Michael] 2023 Nascar Cup Series champion.
[Pat] Just takes a sip of beer. We like that.
-["Celtic Invasion" playing] -[Pat] Probably driving.
Shouldn't drink at all then. You get it.
What's the craic?
[Alicia] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome The Man,
Becky Lynch!
[Michael] You can definitely understand the…
different reaction tonight for Becky Lynch after what she did
to the young Intercontinental Champion, Lyra Valkyria last week.
A woman who looked up to Becky Lynch, considered her a mentor.
A friend, someone who saved her WrestleMania moment,
teamed up with Becky after the unfortunate incident
involving Bayley, the attack on Bayley on WrestleMania Saturday.
[crowd cheering]
[Pat] Lyra was quickly loved by the WWE Universe.
A lot of different opinions
on watching her get her ass kicked by The Man.
Becky's a New York Times best-selling author…
Great actor, and a legend here at the WWE.
-[crowd cheering] -[music concludes]
The Man has come around to Kansas City!
[crowd cheering]
And The Man is back in business, so let's get down to business, shall we?
Bayley was tragically taken out of her WrestleMania match,
but there won't be any murder mystery, any weeks-long "who did it".
I have examined the evidence, I have reviewed the footage,
and we have found the culprit.
-It was me, I did it! -[crowd cheering, applauding]
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Don't act like I'm the bad guy here.
Don't you act like I'm the bad guy. Don't you feign outrage.
That woman has attacked me nonstop since 2019.
And not one time, not one time did she ever apologize to me.
But we're all supposed to forget about that,
much like Bayley seems to forget what this business is.
While she's out here going, "Oh, everybody, everybody, please like me."
While she's wearing everybody else's shirts,
and she's dancing to everybody's music.
And she's going, "Why amn't I a bigger star?"
Well, she got to see what a bigger star looks like
when I walked down the ramp at WrestleMania!
-[crowd cheering, applauding] -[Michael] Oh.
And that brings me to Lyra.
Because there's an old phrase that goes, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend,"
but the reverse also works,
because the friend of my enemy is my enemy.
Now, Lyra wouldn't be in this business if it wasn't for me.
I had high hopes for Lyra. I said that she was gonna be the future.
But while I was out, she was cozying up to the woman
who I've been fighting for the last six years.
I tried-- Even that, I still tried to save her,
tried to get her to ditch that [inaudible].
-[crowd gasping] -[Pat] Geez.
She never… she never would have won them tag titles with Bayley.
But it was too late. She was already compromised.
She's already a loser.
But I showed Bayley what I thought of her before wrestling.
-["Triumph" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Valkyria] You had high hopes for me?
[Becky] Yes.
Do you know how many women in that locker room
warned me about you?
[Becky] Oh, I bet they did, I bet they did.
-Bayley was one of the first, actually. -[Becky] Of course she was, yeah.
She told me that you would step on anybody's throat
if it meant getting ahead.
And I didn't buy it, I didn't buy any of it.
I didn't buy any of it because I was so caught up
in this stupid fairy-tale dream about winning
Irish Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania.
I didn't buy any of it because of the hopes that I had for you.
And I don't know how it took me
Manhandle Slam after Manhandle Slam after Manhandle Slam,
but I finally see it now.
[crowd] What!
I know exactly what you are.
[crowd] What!
The illusion of Becky Lynch is dead.
And I'm about to make you pay for what you did to me and Bayley.
Where are you going, Becky, really? You're gonna run away?
Come on, Kansas City wants to see a fight, right?
-[crowd cheering] -What's the matter? What's the matter?
Are you thinking about the last time we went one-on-one?
When I beat you and took your NXT championship?
[Becky] No, no, no, no, no.
From now on, The Man only fights when it matters,
-and it does not matter in Kansas City. -[crowd booing]
I should have seen that coming.
I'm sorry, Kansas, The Man is too good for Kansas City.
Fine, then, Backlash.
And I bet you're only gonna do it if I put this title on the line.
You got it.
All right, you're on.
I'm gonna make that matter like I made you matter.
Welcome to the big time.
How about shut the hell up, Becky, because you never made me matter.
I made me matter because I am no longer interested
in being the next Becky Lynch.
I am Lyra Valkyria, and I am going to be a better person than you.
And I already know I'm a better wrestler than you.
-[crowd cheering] -Listen to me, you little pup,
you wouldn't have a dream if it wasn't for me.
Everything that I've done, the roadmap that I've made for you.
[Michael] Oh, and Lyra Valkyria gonna make Becky pay,
and here comes Lyra.
Lyra's heard enough.
She had her dream shattered by Becky Lynch last week.
The most emotional
that I've seen Lyra Valkyria in her career.
The most fired up this woman's been. Becky Lynch pushed her to this point.
And Becky gonna retreat.
[crowd member] Becky!
[Michael] And I know Adam Pearce is off tonight,
but I hope our general manager is watching
and makes this match official for Backlash.
Because Becky has turned into a bitter and a jealous…
-It's gonna be the funeral of your ego. -["Triumph" playing]
…jealous woman.
She took out all those frustrations on Lyra Valkyria,
the Intercontinental Champion.
[Pat] And it feels like Lyra Valkyria is no longer little sister.
Lyra Valkyria said, "I'm here to be better than you, Becky."
[Michael] Welcome to the big leagues tonight, champ.
Lyra Valkyria sending a massive message to The Man.
[crowd cheering]
[Becky] …map that I've made for you.
[Michael] I mean, Becky just unhinged, Pat.
[Pat] Yeah, she lost her mind there as she was turning the corner,
and then Lyra puts two boots right in her mouth.
Becky Lynch scrambles to safety
after Lyra manhandles The Man here in Kansas City.
[Michael] Oh. And Becky Lynch from behind, just like last week.
[Pat] That's the veteran sneaking out the side door,
coming through the back door there.
[Michael] Yeah, well, if this match is made official for Backlash
a week from Saturday, there's gonna be no sneak attacks.
-[exhales sharply] -[Aldis] Penta.
-Hey. -[Aldis] Penta. Hey, listen.
-Hey, come on. -I need you to calm down, okay?
Tranquilo, all right? Now, listen.
I understand what The Judgment Day did to you last week.
-I understand. You want payback. -Yes.
So, tonight, I'm not gonna fine you, but I can't let that happen again.
-You know what I mean? -Okay, thank you.
-Okay, now, good news. -What?
I just made a match next week between you and JD McDonagh.
-Good, I've been ready. -All right.
-Thank you. [exhales sharply] -Penta.
I was just walking Ivy down for her match,
but I couldn't resist the opportunity to talk
to another luchador on his descent.
Thought you were pretty sweet pulling out a cheap victory against me
on our Netflix debut,
-but look at you now… -Hey.
…dropping the big one at WrestleMania.
-Nothing to say? What is it, zero miedo? -[scoffs]
Zero comebacks, you clown.
Hey, Penta.
You losing wasn't my favorite part of WrestleMania.
It was watching your useless brother Fenix drop his first match
to El Grande Americano.
-[grunts] -[Michael] Oh!
-[crowd cheering] -This is for my brother, [inaudible].
-You will respect the Lucha Bros. -[coughs]
Huh? And you know what? [in Spanish] Because I am Penta.
-El cero… -[crowd] Miedo!
-[inaudible] -[coughs]
-Are you okay? -[coughs]
[Michael] Ivy better stop worrying about Chad
because she's got her hands full coming up next in a match.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] NXT Women's Champ Stephanie Vaquer.
She's spectacular and she's in action next against The Pitbull
-from American Made, live on Netflix. -[upbeat music playing]
[music concludes]
-[dramatic music playing] -Once upon a time, I had it all.
The gold, the fame, the tank at WrestleMania.
[crowd cheering]
And then I lost myself.
I left the WWE, and on my way home to Bulgaria, I fell into the abyss.
In that abyss is where I found myself, healed myself, redeemed myself,
and fixed myself.
In the hell,
I realized I will no longer fight for a woman that isn't mine,
or a flag that never was.
And it would be for me.
I was finally free to crush people, not because I was told to,
but because I wanted to.
So now I will use my hands and jacked body for good.
I will hunt the flawed, the arrogant,
those who waste their talents like I did.
And through pain, I will perfect them all for good.
So my brothers, your lack of suffering ends now.
I am the tempest rolling in.
I will hunt you, forgive you, and fix you like I fixed myself.
But choose your next steps wisely, because for a righteous man,
saving you will be no hardship.
And in blood, there will be no loss.
[Michael] Hope the Raw locker room is paying attention.
Meanwhile, a very focused Ivy Nile.
Big matchup for the Pitbull of American Made tonight.
-["Bury Me" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
making her way to the ring from San Fernando, Chile.
She is the NXT Women's Champion,
Stephanie Vaquer!
[Michael] The Dark Angel, who has taken WWE by storm
since her debut last July in Mexico City.
The woman who has honed her craft around the world,
including in Mexico, in Japan.
The first woman to ever hold the NXT Women's Championship
and the North American Championship at the same time.
Stephanie Vaquer is here tonight, live on Raw.
[Pat] We talked about captivating an entire universe.
Vaquer has certainly done that quickly.
[Michael] Chad Gable claiming that
Ivy Nile is the future of the women's division.
Claims that Ivy is going to…
show Vaquer that she's not yet ready for Monday Night Raw.
And Chad's big issue was that all of a sudden,
all these women are showing up, getting all these opportunities.
Someone like Ivy Nile has been left in the dust,
so great opportunity for Ivy to prove herself tonight.
[Pat] Absolutely, any match
on Monday Night Raw is a great opportunity to prove yourself,
whether you're the NXT champion or if you're in American Made
and you haven't had a lot of opportunities.
[bell ringing]
[Pat] The women on the Raw roster are the best in the world.
[Michael] Yeah.
We saw Giulia and Roxanne Perez from NXT earlier tonight.
Roxanne with a great match against Rhea Ripley.
So Nile and Vaquer square off, first time ever.
Ivy Nile still looking for her first championship in WWE.
Cover now on Vaquer.
[Pat] Nice double leg tackle there by Ivy Nile.
[Michael] And both of these women mat-based technicians.
Ivy Nile with the MMA background, trained in CrossFit and jiu-jitsu as well.
[Pat] Also trained by Chad Gable, Olympic wrestler.
[Michael] Kick out by Vaquer.
And Vaquer with the standing switch now looks to control Ivy Nile.
And look at this cover now on-- Nile's got a kick-out at two.
[Pat] So clever, Vaquer.
[Michael] Successfully defended her title WrestleMania weekend
at NXT Stand and Deliver, and also this past Tuesday night
on NXT meeting Roxanne Perez and a great matchup.
[Pat] Great to hear Booker T on that call.
[Michael] Always is. And Ivy Nile.
[Pat] Shout out to the NXT crew and to NXT as a whole, creating superstars.
[Michael] HBK, Shawn Michaels, head of that whole program down there.
Had a chance to visit with Shawn during WrestleMania week,
always great to see him.
As Ivy sent across the ring by Vaquer.
And Ivy sends Vaquer.
[Pat] Great rana.
-[Michael] This is wild. -[Pat] Smooth throw into the ropes.
[Michael] Now, Stephanie Vaquer wrapping her up.
Again, another unique cover and a kick out by Ivy Nile.
Pound for pound, Pat, Ivy Nile may be one of the strongest women on the roster.
[Pat] Sure, and then Stephanie Vaquer is able
to manipulate the body and the momentum.
[Michael] Yeah, nice suplex by Vaquer.
[Pat] Something like we've never seen before.
She was going for a Hurricanrana and then she ended up with an inside cradle.
Just phenomenal work by Vaquer.
[Michael] And here comes Stephanie Vaquer,
where's Booker T when you need him?
-[Pat] I believe this is a-- -[Michael] Oh, no,
she's looking for Devil's Kiss and Ivy Nile able to counter.
-Great counter by Ivy. -[Pat] Booker T was looking for a smooch.
And now Ivy continues to punish Stephanie Vaquer.
[Pat] I think she was able to get the legs locked like she thought she was.
Stephanie Vaquer rolls through.
[Michael] Yeah, flows through and now she's gonna get her way.
[Pat] That's a Devil's Kiss.
Eat some mat, Ivy Nile!
Six smooches from Stephanie Vaquer and the Devil's Kiss
in Kansas City.
[Michael] And Chad is not happy.
[crowd applauding, cheering]
[Michael] Stephanie Vaquer, a joy to watch.
-Once again, Pat. -[crowd chanting] One, two, three,
-four, five, six, seven, eight… -[Pat] Another round of Devil's Kisses.
[Michael] Punishing Ivy Nile face first into the mat.
[Pat] And there's nothing you can do, your hands are locked,
your face is just eating mat, eating mat!
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] The thing about Vaquer, she's so confident,
she's so in control, no wasted motion. Oh! Into the corner with a meteora.
[Pat] Very chill.
[Michael] Doesn't let anything get to her, hooks the leg, and Chad Gable now.
-Referee Eddie Orengo didn't see it. -[crowd exclaiming]
[Michael] Big Mets fan, they won again today.
And now Stephanie Vaquer rolls out of the ring, and Chad, uh, you better…
[Pat] You're about to get a Devil's Kiss, Chad.
[Michael] And from behind, Ivy Nile with a German Suplex.
-And again, Gable paying dividends. -[grunts]
[Pat] Chad Gable has saved this match multiple times for Ivy Nile.
-[Gable] Here we go. It's on you now… -[Pat] Look how proud he is of himself.
I guess you can't hate it, he's out here and Ivy Nile is taking advantage.
[Michael] A big kick in the corner, Vaquer in trouble now,
and Nile looking for a big win tonight.
There's the German Suplex, cover, kick out by Stephanie.
[Pat] It was 2.75, 2.8, maybe even 2.9 there.
Ivy Nile had a win, Stephanie Vaquer desperation kick out.
You'll be the new face, Ivy.
-[Gable] Let's go. -[Michael] Ivy now looking to go up top.
[Pat] I don't know about the…
strategy here.
[Michael] Yeah, and it took a little too much time
and allowed the NXT Women's Champion to counter.
[Pat] She had Stephanie Vaquer down.
[Pat] When you get a champion like Vaquer down,
you gotta hop on top of that.
-[groans] -[Michael] Ivy trying to block.
A lot of fight in The Pitbull. Vaquer with a headbutt, and more and more.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Michael] The feisty Stephanie Vaquer.
[Pat] Love that she's just willing to do a headbutt up on the top rope.
-[Michael] And a Suplex. -[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Pat] Superplex to Ivy Nile as she's seeing stars.
[Michael] Nile still able to kick out there again,
the resilience of Nile.
-[Pat] Superplex here by Vaquer. -[crowd cheering, applauding]
Ivy Nile was in la-la land for half a second, able to kick out.
-[crowd chanting "This is awesome"] -[Michael] Indeed it is.
Stephanie Vaquer. What a talent, Ivy Nile,
one of the great up-and-comers in the women's division.
-Fighting it out here in Kansas City. -[crowd exclaiming]
[crowd exclaiming]
[Michael] And Vaquer with the kick to the midsection, that stops Nile.
And now, Stephanie Vaquer, looking to put it away.
Trying for her finishing move, the SVB, but able to counter by Nile. Oh!
Ivy Nile for the win, over the champ.
-Almost, oh! Two and a half. -[crowd cheering]
Oh, that was close.
[Pat] Both these women have had dubs tonight.
Who's gonna be able to finish it?
[Michael] What a performance by Nile here.
[Pat] What a performance by Vaquer here.
[Michael] Nobody home. Ivy Nile got caught up in the second rope.
Stephanie Vaquer looking to pounce.
She noticed the injured leg. Ivy Nile trying to protect herself.
Kick to the face. Watch this, this is nasty. A dragon screw.
Trying to rip the knee out. And that'll set her up.
Vaquer
hooking Ivy Nile, SVB, cover.
[referee] One, two…
-[Michael] Vaquer wins! -[bell ringing]
-[crowd cheering] -["Bury Me" playing]
[Alicia] Here is your winner, the NXT Women's Champion,
Stephanie Vaquer!
[Pat] Stephanie Vaquer is a problem, a menace, a disrupter, a champion.
[Michael] Yeah, she has changed the game at NXT,
and also Monday Night Raw the last couple of weeks.
But what a performance by Ivy Nile tonight.
You can't take anything away from Ivy Nile in this matchup.
[Pat] Well, "this is awesome" chants for good reason.
Ivy Nile almost had this thing won a few different times, including here.
Somehow, was able to kick out.
And this is where it really started turning south.
[crowd exclaiming]
[Pat] As Vaquer hits the SVB
for one, two, three.
-On Monday Night Raw. -[Michael] The impressive,
-sensational Stephanie Vaquer. -[crowd cheering]
AJ, I know things didn't go the way you hoped at WrestleMania.
Logan dug into his bag of tricks and pulled out that "W."
But look, if there's anybody I know who knows how to make a comeback,
it's the Phenomenal One. And that's why you are who you are.
So, if you wanna get back on the horse and bounce back,
I think we got a long list of potential opponents for you.
-Oh, yeah, I've got some ideas-- -Oh, Nick! [laughs]
I'm so sorry to tank the ratings on you all,
but I'm gonna be needing some time off because I'm gonna be filming
-a big Hollywood movie. [laughs] -Yes, I'm aware, congratulations.
It sounds very exciting, we're very pleased.
And as far as I'm aware, all the paperwork looks good, so yes.
Perfect, thank you.
-I need some time off too. -Yeah, him too.
-You? -[scoffs] Yeah, me.
-Why is that? -Oh.
Because I'm the champion and I can do what I want.
-Oh! [laughs] -Yes!
No, you should listen to your old man more.
When you're the champion, workload doubles,
you have to show up more often, Dom. So, um, request denied.
[Morgan] Wow.
If you don't mind, I'm in the middle of a conversation, yeah.
What are you gonna talk to AJ about? Finding a retirement home?
[The Judgement Day laughs]
Didn't you already break your hip like my deadbeat dad?
[chuckles] That's funny. Uh, no, I didn't break a hip.
In fact, I'm thinking about breaking something else.
-What do you think? -Do you know what?
We don't need this, AJ. We don't need this. Dirty Dom, let's go.
-You're so much better than AJ, let's go. -Good advice.
You know what, Nick, you talk about opportunities.
-I think I just got an idea. -[inhales] I think I know what you mean.
You've got a really big decision to make tonight.
And hopefully, you make the correct one.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to apologize briefly tonight.
My mouth got us,
me and Pat in a little bit of trouble last week, um,
and I dragged you into the situation with Gunther.
However, I believe in 28 years sitting behind this desk,
I've earned the opportunity to give opinions.
Sometimes I may get a bit carried away,
but that's because of my emotion and my love
for what we do out here tonight.
I wanna take you back to this unfortunate incident
from last Monday night on Raw, and Pat and I are just gonna watch this
along with you.
Michael, have you got something to say to me?
-Tell me right now! Tell me right now! -What are you upset with us for?
I'm not the one who tapped out.
[indistinct chatter]
[crowd cheers]
So, our general manager, Adam Pearce, has suspended Gunther indefinitely
and has fined him an undisclosed amount of money.
Yeah. I think it's time for me to address the sit--
[crowd cheers]
It is my honor to get a chance to chat
-in the city of the home of the… -[crowd] Free!
This place is glorious
and it's the right place for me to deliver this message.
I think there's a lot of people that have forgotten who the hell I am.
[crowd cheers]
I've had such a successful career on a microphone,
I think I have even forgotten who the hell I am.
This past week has made me look in the mirror
and realize some things.
That I'm still that dog
that was born in the East Hills of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
to a truck driver that was trying to go paycheck
to paycheck to paycheck!
I am a man that was not handed a lot in this life.
I am a man that is lucky to be blessed with great friends.
I am a man that went from being an irrelevant bum
to a human that is known in basically every city in this country.
[crowd cheers]
I don't have more talent than anybody.
I'm definitely not better looking than most folks.
But I happen to have a few things that I hope people will remember me by
whenever my time has come to pass.
When I die and I'm six feet in the dirt,
I hope they say, "That guy was an incredibly hard worker."
"He worked his ass off, not only for himself,
but for his friends, for his family, for his community."
[crowd cheers]
I hope they say, "He was an empathetic man."
"Whenever he received a lot, he gave back a lot."
-"He gave millions…" -[crowd] And millions!
…of dollars to his community
in children's hospitals across the country,
in military foundations, in homeless shelters,
-in LGBTQ communities… -[crowd cheers]
in public school foundations,
in underprivileged communities and societies."
I hope they say when I die that I gave back
and left the world better than whenever I came into it.
And last but not least, when I'm dead and gone,
they will say that I was a loyal [inaudible]…
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting "McAfee"]
You must ride for those that ride for you.
If one go, all go. You're either with me or against me.
And there's one man that has been with me since the day I met him,
and he just so happens to be the greatest of all time,
-Michael Cole. -[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting "Michael Cole"]
To Michael Cole, I will be loyal till I'm in the soil.
And if somebody wants something with him, they got something with me!
So, last week,
when that Austrian [inaudible] put his hands on the GOAT,
I had no other option but to protect my boy!
[crowd cheers]
It was deep in my soul. It was deep in my blood.
After it happened, obviously, I get attacked from behind.
And I see myself choked out all over the internet,
all over television.
I have my friends and family saying,
"I don't think you should be doing that to Gunther."
"He's in his prime."
"He's the former World Heavyweight Champion."
I said…
[inaudible]
[crowd cheers]
If I die, I die!
You got a problem with Cole, you got a problem with me, Gunther!
SmackDown's version of Adam Pearce, please come out here!
Mr. McAfee.
I know Adam Pearce's management style tends to be let chaos reign supreme
on Monday nights,
but I'm in charge tonight and I do things a little bit differently.
[crowd jeering]
Now you and I know that this is not the time or the place
for this discussion, but you called me out, so here I am.
So, please, keep it professional, Pat.
I know you're just a middle manager, just like Pearce,
and Pearce, we miss you.
But I know you have the power on this particular evening
to make some things happen.
I don't like that Adam Pearce suspended Gunther.
I don't like that Gunther isn't here.
I want you to lift Gunther's ban
and I want to fight Gunther ASAP!
[crowd cheers]
I had a feeling you might say that,
which is why I already discussed this ahead of time with Pearce.
As far as lifting the suspension on Gunther
so you can get your hands on him whenever you want,
-the answer is no. -[crowd jeering]
You two are far too valuable assets to the company,
I can't take that risk.
But speaking of value to the company, I have an alternative.
We can lift the suspension on Gunther,
and you can get your hands on him,
in a sanctioned contest inside a WWE ring.
Pat, what I'm proposing is this,
Pat McAfee versus the "Ring General" Gunther,
one on one at Backlash.
-[crowd cheers] -[Michael] Oh, boy.
Me and Gunther, one on one, St. Louis, Backlash?
-[Nick] That's what I'm saying. -[Pat] Deal.
-[crowd cheers] -["The Anomaly" playing]
Well, I…
I hope you know what you're doing, Pat.
Nonetheless, we'll get his reaction in a moment.
But speaking of Backlash, of course, John Cena--
To hell with Gunther, Michael Cole.
Speaking of Backlash,
John Cena and Randy Orton will battle for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
It may be the last time they ever meet for a title.
Let's take you back to the first time it happened.
-["Voices" playing] -[Michael] Cena versus Orton,
one of the great rivalries in the history of the WWE.
-♪ They talk to me ♪ -[music concludes]
[Michael] We welcome you to the biggest party this summer!
[Ross] Randy Orton, John Cena, WWE title at stake.
You have two extremely popular Superstars,
both traveling their own paths until you get a collision.
[Jerry] These two young men putting it all on the line,
giving their all.
This is what the WWE Championship is all about.
Both of those guys went into that knowing that,
man, we're gonna create history.
[Ross] Orton's soul dripping with malice.
It's legit like good versus evil.
[Jerry] He is looking to punt John Cena.
[Ross] Cena will move! Orton, caught in the STF!
[Jerry] It's locked in!
Like I can see just the way his body's moving,
and I know what he's going to do.
-[Jerry] Oh, no! -[Ross] RKO.
[Jerry] Out of nowhere! Cena's gone!
-[Ross] Orton got the cover. -[Jerry] Oh, man!
[Ross] My God, how close was that?
[Jerry] But if he hits another RKO, that's gonna be it.
-Hey, wait a minute! -[Ross] Cena!
-[Jerry] He did it! -[bell ringing]
[Jerry] And the party is over for Randy Orton at SummerSlam.
[Foley] It's like a great rivalry in sports.
Red Sox, Yankees really cemented both guys
-as the top names of their era. -[crowd cheering]
-[upbeat hip-hop music playing] -[Michael] Well, for nearly 20 years,
these two have battled for world championships around the world.
This could be the final time.
And it takes place in Randy Orton's hometown
of St. Louis, Missouri at Backlash.
Cena, Orton, for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
♪ I can't take a loss Watch your mouth and the way you talk ♪
♪ Iced out, check the wrists… ♪
-My brother from another mother. -[crowd cheering]
Just checking on you, man.
I know you got some big decisions to make tonight.
Oh, yeah. [breathes deeply] Big decisions, yeah.
Well, look…
whatever decision you decide to make…
it's gonna be best for you, uce.
I love you, dog.
-Love you too, buddy, thank you. -Yeah.
-Thank you for that. -For sure.
That's what I needed to hear.
-I gotta go. -Yeah.
-[Logan screams] -[Michael] Oh!
-Whoo! -[crowd booing]
That's karma, uce.
-Yeet. -[crowd jeering]
[Michael] Rusev returned.
He put the entire locker room at Monday Night Raw on notice tonight.
He takes on the 330-pound Otis from Alpha Academy.
And also next week, Penta…
looking for some retribution and revenge
on the returning JD McDonagh of Judgment Day.
Penta, McDonagh, live on Raw next week.
And yes, as long as Gunther approves, it's official,
and Pat McAfee's gonna have a wrestling match
a week from Saturday in St. Louis against Gunther.
What on Earth were you thinking?
Yeah, I think I kind of blacked out up there. I, uh…
Yeah, I mean, I'm fighting Gunther. That's what I'm doing.
The Ring General and I, next Saturday.
Well, let's get to Seth "Freakin'" Rollins,
who is in the ring.
We await the decision by Sami Zayn.
[crowd chanting "Oh whoa oh"]
Well, we are here, it is nearly the end of the night, so…
Sami Zayn…
I'd love for you to come out here…
-and let's talk this out, my friend. -[crowd jeering]
-["Worlds Apart" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Pat] Big decision time.
[Michael] Again, Paul Heyman and Seth Rollins
frame this as a favor.
"Sami Zayn, go to Smackdown,
stay out of the way of the "future" of the industry,
Heyman, Rollins, and Bron Breakker."
Seth made it very clear they will not allow anyone
to stand in the way of what they want to accomplish.
[Pat] A complete career altering decision here
for Sami Zayn.
-[Michael] Well, life altering decision. -[Pat] Amen, brother.
Sami, before we get to the decision,
I know you've had all night to think about it,
but just… I thought about it a lot since earlier, I--
Just hear me out, all right? Just hear me out.
You're putting me in a very, very difficult position.
You're putting me in a really tough spot.
Okay? Because we go back a long way and I… for the life of me,
I don't wanna see anything bad happen to you, okay?
And I get it, I get it.
You don't like Bron, you don't like Heyman,
but this is me we're talking about here.
Twenty years of friendship, this is you and me.
Last week, I watched you come back to Raw.
You celebrated in the center of this ring with Jey Uso because you guys are friends.
And when you came out here tonight,
I thought you were gonna give me the same respect.
[crowd jeering]
I know you don't agree with it…
but me and Bron and Heyman, that is the way forward.
I believe with my whole heart that that is the vision
for the best future of WWE.
[crowd cheering]
And trust me, I wish I had somebody else to believe in,
but there is nobody better to lead us into that future than me.
And the fact that you don't believe in me…
-[crowd jeering] -…that hurts.
Because this business is…
this business, man…
it tears relationships apart, it tears friendships apart.
We've both been on either side of those things.
And you know,
after everything that's been said and been done,
I mean, how many true friends can you count on one hand
that you've made in this business?
One, two, three, four, I don't-- Less than five.
But for me…
-you are one of those true friends. -[crowd cheering]
When my baby girl was born…
when my baby girl was born…
you were one of the first people that I called.
You just become a new father yourself. I was scared out of my mind, man.
I didn't know what to do, I didn't know where to turn.
I came to you, and you gave me some of the best advice
I've ever gotten in my entire life. I will forever be grateful for that.
-[crowd jeering] -Now, please…
allow me to return the favor…
and give you a piece of advice that could save your life.
[crowd cheering]
Take the pass, Sami.
Take the way out.
Whatever Heyman's got lined up for you, take it, man.
Because if you stay on Raw, and you don't believe in me…
bad things are gonna happen to you.
And I love you, man, and I don't want that to happen for you.
So, take the pass, Sami. Take the pass, man.
Take the out. I'm begging you, take the out.
[crowd chattering]
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[breathes deeply, clears throat]
If I hurt your feelings…
as a friend, I'm sorry.
Everything you're saying is absolutely true.
Our friendship transcends this business, our kids are very close.
We're good friends, they play together.
We're very good friends. You're right, a real one, a real one.
And outside of that ring, that is absolutely true.
When it comes to everything that you say inside of this ring…
[crowd cheering]
…I think you're playing games.
-[crowd cheering] -And you are good.
Seth, you're good, man. You've always been good.
I've never been that great at that stuff. You're really good.
That's why you're in the position you're in.
It's part of it. That's part of it.
And you know because of how close we are, you know exactly what card to play
because I have confided in you over the years.
I have told you how much the one thing that has eluded me my whole career,
how much it nags at me.
That one thing that has eluded me this whole time, a WWE Championship,
the World Championship,
and now you're dangling that in front of me.
That's what you're doing.
So, friend or not friend, for as long as you've known me,
Seth, have you ever,
-ever known me to run away? -[crowd cheering, applauding]
You talk about hurt feelings.
I'm not gonna stand here while my friend threatens me.
'Cause make no mistake about it,
what you're doing right now is you are threatening me.
You are saying that if I don't acquiesce, if I don't submit to your vision,
your plans of the future, then I become a target.
But guess what? I have been a target a thousand times before.
-[crowd cheering, applauding] -I can live with being a target,
but I cannot live being blackmailed,
blacklisted, blackballed, extorted, strong armed!
I will not be threatened!
[crowd cheering]
I will win a WWE Championship!
-I will become a world champion! -[crowd cheering, applauding]
And when I do, it will not be because of any favors from anyone.
It will be because I did it my way. I did it the right way.
So, buddy, as a friend, I respect you, I love you.
-But this is me telling you to go to hell. -[crowd cheering, applauding]
["Breakk And Destroy" playing]
[Michael] Well, Sami Zayn made his choice.
Paul Heyman said earlier tonight,
"You either live in the future or die with the past."
Sami Zayn, you're about to look in the eyes of a bad man.
♪ But if I fade away, then that shall go Will I find salvation? ♪
[Michael] "Live in the future,
-die with the past." -[bell ringing]
[Michael] The words from Paul Heyman to Sami Zayn.
And now Sami Zayn has made his choice.
He will not go to SmackDown,
he will try to fight Bron Breakker tonight,
does not believe in this new vision that Seth Rollins has for the industry.
And a belly to belly throw by the intense Bron Breakker.
[Pat] I mean, Bron Breakker is the perfect person
that I would add to a group.
If you need some business handled,
you need somebody's ass to be kicked or speared in half,
there's only one man for the job and that's Bron Breakker.
Seth "Freakin" Rollins has assembled a dream team here.
[Michael] And you know, listen.
A lot of people are gonna question Bron Breakker joining this group.
He's been very successful in his first year here in WWE,
a two-time Intercontinental Champion.
Lost in a Fatal 4-Way, wasn't pinned at WrestleMania.
Sami Zayn now fights back in this match-up.
-But if you're Bron Breakker, Pat… -[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Michael] I mean, you sort of can't--
Oh, and-- I thought he was gonna go for the Helluva Kick,
instead went to the gut. Sami Zayn's on fire now against Breakker.
If you're Breakker, why not align with Paul Heyman?
I mean, Paul Heyman has made the careers
-of many men in this industry. -[crowd chanting "Sami"]
[Michael] Caught by Breakker, great throw.
Think about what Heyman did for Brock Lesnar.
Think about what Heyman did for CM Punk.
Think about what Heyman did for Roman Reigns.
Think about what Heyman is now doing for Seth Rollins.
And Bron Breakker, perhaps the next Paul Heyman guy.
There's an argument to be made there that Breakker made a good decision.
[Pat] Yeah, certainly a good business decision if you're Bron Breakker.
Now, we don't know what all that's gonna call for.
-[Michael] Right, exactly. -Heyman likes you since the start…
[Pat] Paul Heyman always has, you know, the strings to pull.
But whenever Bron walked out here, smoke, lighting,
Paul Heyman over his shoulder, just felt different, it felt bigger.
[Michael] Indeed, I mean, remember, Paul Heyman, again,
has done it for everyone here.
-[Pat] Billions… -[Michael] Oh!
-…at the marquee. -[Michael] Big elbow to the face.
I mean, Sami made some really good points.
Do you think that this new alliance has some…
smells a little bit like The Bloodline?
[Pat] People are thinking that Seth "Freakin" Rollins
might be a little power hungry.
[Michael] Well, Sami Zayn called him "bitter and jealous"
-and said he was a Roman Reigns wannabe. -[crowd cheering]
[Pat] Seth "Freakin" Rollins had a great NFL Draft announcement
this weekend.
And now on Monday night, to run roughshod on the entire show.
[crowd cheering]
[Pat] Paul Heyman's excited by what he sees from Bron Breakker.
[Michael] Cover now by Bron and a kick-out by Sami.
[Pat] And I think Paul Heyman and Seth
are just getting started here with Bron Breakker.
Everything's brand new to them.
[Michael] Bron Breakker just turns that into a wicked spinebuster.
[Pat] He's a Steiner, obviously has the ability
to ground and pound if you need it, very comfortable in the ring,
has the explosivity that nobody else has in the WWE,
hits the ropes at 23 miles an hour, can super spear you in half.
And now he's got Seth "Freakin" Rollins and Paul Heyman by his side.
[Michael] Well, here's the deal too, as Sami Zayn leapfrogs up over the top.
I mean, here's the deal too with Breakker.
He doesn't have to change anything. He's an unbelievable athlete.
Now he just gets some tutelage from Heyman and Rollins as Sami Zayn now,
the wily veteran, sends Breakker outside the ring,
his territory, I don't believe Sami Zayn wants to be in here.
Bron Breakker grabbing the leg of Sami, rips him off the apron.
-Now Breakker bouncing Sami off the table. -[Pat] Look at Breakker.
[Pat] He's dribbling like he's an Indiana Pacer.
[Michael] Get the hell out of the way, Pat.
-[Pat] Oh, here comes the Jungle Cat. -[Michael] Get out of the way.
[Pat] Bron Breakker!
[Michael] Sami Zayn has no clue what's about to happen to him.
Breakker flies through the air and just about broke Sami Zayn in half.
-[Pat] And our desk. -[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Pat] This man broad jumping ten yards to give a lariat to Sami Zayn.
[Michael] You know, Sami Zayn has become the sacrificial lamb.
Zayn takes on Breakker tonight in front of over 11,000 in Kansas City
-on Monday Night Raw. -[crowd barking]
[Michael] Sami Zayn trying to fight back, stay in this match-up against the heavy,
so to speak, for the new Seth Rollins-Paul Heyman alliance.
And here comes Sami fighting back again, work over the shoulder of Seth Rollins.
I mean, what does Sami gain with a win tonight, Pat?
[Pat] I think tonight with a win,
Sami Zayn cements himself exactly who he is.
[Michael] Sunset flip powerbomb, cover on Breakker for the win…
-[crowd counting] -…and a kick-out.
[Pat] One of the top guys in the locker room
and then you gotta think about this new crew,
if Bron Breakker was to lose in front of Seth and Paul Heyman…
Night One?
-Sunset flip bomb from Sami Zayn… -[crowd counting]
…almost a three count there.
Paul Heyman's been smiling like a butcher's dog
as he looks at Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[Michael] Well, Sami's gonna be the hero of the locker room
-if he can pull this one off. -[Pat] Certainly.
[Michael] He could really stop the momentum of Rollins and company
in its tracks with a win here tonight.
Sami might end the group with the exploder.
And Breakker fighting back again.
These guys have had some battles.
In fact, Bron Breakker took the Intercontinental Championship
from Sami Zayn.
Zayn now. Oh, what a Tornado DDT, off the top rope!
Cover by Zayn, again hooks the leg of Breakker…
-[crowd counting] -…who kicks out at two.
And Mr. Heyman looks a bit concerned here at ringside.
[Pat] That was close, boys.
[Michael] Not what Heyman and Seth Rollins expected here tonight.
Sami Zayn is in this fight.
[Pat] The dog is in one.
[Michael] How embarrassing would this be for Heyman
if his hand-picked new Paul Heyman guy got beat by Sami Zayn tonight?
[Pat] Let's not leave out the embarrassment
that Seth "Freakin" Rollins would have to feel as well.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Pat] Sami Zayn, full momentum, heading to the sky.
[Michael] And Breakker though, gonna meet him there.
Bron Breakker…
tried to play defense as Sami Zayn continues to fire away.
[Pat] Oh, Cole.
[Michael] Breakker though, up to the top rope.
-[Pat] Frankensteiner! -[crowd barking]
[Michael] That is just how impressive this athlete is,
and one of the reasons Heyman tabbed him to be a part of this group.
[Pat] The dogs are barking in Kansas City,
and Sami Zayn has no idea he's about to be cut in two.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Michael] Went for the spear, Sami Zayn caught him with a kick.
And Sami with an exploder in the corner, and Sami's got life.
The man who has pulled off miracle after miracle in his career…
could take down the Heyman and Rollins coalition.
[Pat] Spear!
[crowd booing]
[Michael] Big sigh of relief from the Wise Man.
[Pat] And that… will do it.
[Michael] And again, just an emotionless…
Seth Rollins looking on, and Rollins,
he just nodded his head for Breakker to put away Zayn.
[crowd clapping, chanting "Let's go, Sami"]
[Michael] Zayn defenseless at this point, another spear by Breakker.
[crowd booing]
[Michael] I've called him an unpredictable badass
for his entire career. That is one of the reasons why.
[crowd cheering, chanting "Don't tap out"]
-[groans] -It doesn't have to be this way.
Take the out. There's still time.
Take the deal. Take the deal Heyman's got set up for you.
-You can still get out! -[pants]
Take it!
Go to hell!
-[crowd cheering, applauding] -[Michael] An ever defiant Sami Zayn…
telling Rollins he will not take the deal and more punishment is coming.
Zayn wants to be a martyr.
[crowd barking]
[Pat] And instead, he super speared for the third time in Kansas City.
[Michael] Man, Seth gave him an opportunity.
Sami. Talk to me, Sami.
[Michael] And again, our senior official Chad Patton is checking on Sami Zayn
after the three spears. He's called for the EMT.
I don't believe this match is gonna continue.
And Sami, he may have broken ribs.
He's actually gasping for breath, Pat, right here in front of us.
[Pat] I don't know how he'd be healthy after what Rollins just did to him.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd chanting "Woof"]
[crowd chanting "Woof"]
[Michael] Rollins, a glance and a word to Breakker.
-[crowd cheering, applauding] -[Michael] Oh, my God, Pat.
-[Pat] I think we know. -[Michael] Oh, my God.
Guys, look out, look out! Sami, look out! Oh, my God!
[crowd gasping]
-[screams] -[Michael] Get in there, stop this maniac!
That's enough! That's the fourth spear!
Paul, call him off! Call him off!
The man's practically-- He can't move.
Get out of his way!
[Michael] Seth, do something.
[Pat] Seth's the one that told him to do that.
[Michael] He can't even breathe.
[crowd chanting "One more time"]
-[referee] Come on. Hey. Come on. -[indistinct chatter]
[Michael] Come on, Paul.
Don't-- Hey! Hey, hey, hey! That's it! Hey, that's it! That's it! Ring the bell!
-[bell ringing] -[Pat] The ref's calling it off.
-Thank God. -[crowd booing]
[Michael] We got officials in the ring now.
Jamie Noble, getting backed off by Breakker.
-I mean, listen, he-- -It's over when I say it's over.
[Pat] They're gonna have to call the National Guard here, I think.
Remember, they're trying to set a precedent, this is Night One here.
[crowd chanting "One more time"]
-[Michael] Rollins calling Breakker off. -[crowd chanting "One more time"]
Come real close and listen to me.
You want to be a top guy in this business? You want to be a top guy in this business?
Tonight is your first lesson.
There are people that deserve our respect!
There are people that deserve our empathy, that deserve our compassion!
He made his bed, now he has to sleep in it!
[indistinct chatter]
[Michael] So much for that empathy and compassion.
And now Rollins now with a stomp!
He told Breakker, Sami made his bed and now he's gonna sleep in it.
[Pat] Consequences come with every choice that is made.
[Michael] What a force. The landscape has changed for Raw.
Paul Heyman has done it again.
Seth Rollins at the helm, Breakker has the power.
No one is safe on Monday Night Raw.
[crowd chanting "Oh whoa oh"]
Raw.