[epic music playing]
-[Triple H] Then. -[crowd cheering]
[Triple H] Now.
Forever.
Together.
[music concludes]
["4X4" playing]
[Joe] Welcome to Boston,
where the tapestry of WWE history has been woven for so many years.
Tonight, we begin the Last Time Is Now Tournament.
-Shinsuke Nakamura is in it. -[crowd cheering]
[Joe] It's the 16-man field
to see who will be John Cena's final opponent.
Nakamura goes up against fan favorite Sheamus here in Boston.
Plus, Damian Priest arrives for the other first-round match.
He does so with a damaged left eye by way of Aleister Black.
That's how Priest has to face Rusev to see who advances.
And the Women's Tag Team Championship match features The Kabuki Warriors.
Asuka and Kairi, they've been attacking rivals,
including Charlotte and Alexa, who are out to retain gold tonight.
-The Women's World Champion is here. -[crowd cheering]
[Joe] Stephanie Vaquer with Nikki Bella supporting her.
Vaquer has a massive challenge tonight,
trying to hold off Judgment Day's Raquel Rodriguez.
That title match is ahead.
And a week ago,
the scene that left us jaw-dropped and left CM Punk's jaw throbbing.
We'll discuss Logan Paul's brass knuckle punch,
shocking end to last week's brawl.
All from here at Boston's North Station.
Sports sacred ground,
and tonight the name in lights on the marquee is a living legend.
More significant, John Cena is a native son.
Just 35 miles north of here, you enter West Newbury, Mass,
a quaint New England town draped in Americana.
It's where Cena and his brothers were raised,
wrestling in the backyard, making championships out of cardboard.
That passion and intensity would shine playing football at Cushing Academy
-and college ball at Springfield. -[crowd chanting "Cena"]
[Joe] And just like many here tonight who made the ride down I-95 South,
Cena would come here to the Garden.
All those years later, the last time is now.
The last time he's here.
From West Newberry to on top of the world, hometown hero John Cena in Boston,
his final appearance.
-[crowd cheering] -[Joe] From inside a sold-out TD Garden,
here in The Hub, the 617.
-[crowd chanting "Cena"] -[song concludes]
["King of Kings" playing]
♪ Bow down to the, bow down to the King… ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Alicia] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome Chief Content Officer,
Paul "Triple H"
Levesque!
♪ He tasted his grin and it tasted good ♪
♪ The King took his head ♪
♪ Left him broken and dead ♪
♪ Bow down to the, bow down to the King ♪
-[song concludes] -[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting indistinctly, clamoring]
That will never get old.
We live in a magical time, right?
Time where we can all be here for a night like this.
We also live in a time where people don't agree on much.
Everybody has their opinion,
especially when it comes to this business.
It seems that everybody has an opinion, whether it's fans,
whether it's talent, whether it's media,
whether it's the people in the back running the business.
They all have their opinions on who the greatest of all time is.
[crowd cheering]
The thing is, you can measure it from a million different ways.
In-ring performance…
charisma, the ability to tear somebody up on this microphone,
the ability to do PR, the ability to be a box office attraction.
The categories are endless, but the truth is they are all subjective.
I have the unique ability to see it from a lot of different sides as a fan,
as a talent, as a performer, as a businessman, as a promoter.
I can see all sides of what it takes to be considered great in this.
And I think that tonight might be one of those nights
where everybody in this building can agree on one thing.
[crowd cheering]
Because when I break it down from every category, and from every side,
and look at it as maybe the most objective person there is…
there is only one person at the top of that list.
One person who was a box office attraction.
One person who left it in this ring every single night for 20 years.
One person that was ruthless on this microphone
and could tear anybody apart.
One person who did it all, did it all with a smile on his face.
Did it all because he loved this business
as much as anybody on the face of this planet,
and just wanted to see it elevated
to the biggest form of entertainment on this planet possible.
[crowd cheering]
That one person, when I look at it objectively,
is without a doubt the single greatest asset
that this business has ever seen.
For me, objectively,
he is without a doubt the greatest of all time.
And it is my honor to bring him out here now for you all.
[crowd cheering]
On your feet, ladies and gentlemen.
For your hometown hero, for the one, for the only,
the greatest of all time,
John Cena!
["The Time Is Now" playing]
[crowd cheering]
♪ Your time is up, my time is now ♪
♪ You can't see me… ♪
Farewell Tour, there we go.
♪ It's the franchise Boy, I'm shinin' now ♪
♪ You can't see me, my time is now! ♪
♪ In case you forgot or fell off I'm still hot, knock your shell off ♪
♪ My money stack fat Plus I can't turn the swell off ♪
♪ The franchise Doin' big bid'ness, I live this ♪
♪ It's automatic I win this Oh, you hear those horns, you finished ♪
♪ A soldier And I stay under you fightin'♪
♪ Plus I'm stormin' on you chumps Like I'm thunder and lightning ♪
♪ Ain't no way you breakin' me, kid I'm harder than nails ♪
♪ Plus I keep it on lock Like I'm part of the jail ♪
♪ I'm slaughtering stale competition I got the whole block wishing ♪
♪ They could run with my division But they gone fishing ♪
♪ With no bait, kid your boy hold weight ♪
♪ I got my soul straight I brush your mouth like Colgate ♪
♪ In any weather I'm never better your boy's so hot ♪
♪ You'll never catch me In the next man's sweater ♪
♪ If they hate, let 'em hate I drop ya whole clan ♪
♪ Lay yo' ass down For the three second tan ♪
♪ Your time is up, my time is now ♪
♪ You can't see me, my time is now ♪
♪ It's the franchise Boy, I'm shinin' now ♪
♪ You can't see me, my time is now ♪
♪ Yeah, it's gon' be what it's gon' be ♪
♪ Five pounds of courage buddy Bass tint pants with a gold T ♪
♪ It's a war dance and victory step ♪
♪ A raw stance is a gift When you insist it's my rep ♪
♪ John Cena, Trademarc, y'all are so-so ♪
♪ And talk about the bread you make ♪
♪ But don't know the recipe For dough though… ♪
[song concludes]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting "Cena"]
Man, what an introduction and what an amazing night we have here.
[crowd cheering]
Ever since I announced my retirement, the one question
I've heard a lot is who would you like to face?
[crowd chanting "Thank you, Cena"]
What goes on in here is a team effort,
and it does not happen without each and every one of you.
-Thank you very much. -[crowd cheering]
It's amazing how often this question came up,
who should John Cena face?
But through it all…
there was one question that I actually wanted to hear.
And one person asked me that question.
What do I want to do?
What is my goal in this exercise?
My goal is to leave this business better than I found it
and to do my damnedest to try to pay back all the opportunities
and chances to showcase myself in front of an audience
that the WWE has given me.
And that the fans have been gracious enough
to put up with over the years.
[crowd cheering]
I am super excited about tonight
because tonight in the Time Is Now tournament,
WWE Superstars will showcase their skills to earn an opportunity
for the chance to say maybe they retired John Cena.
Oh, they're gonna have to bring it 'cause I'm not going down without a fight.
-Don't you worry. -[crowd cheering]
Another thing I wanted to do and thank you for being so gracious to allow me
to make this announcement which means so much to me right here.
On my last performance on this December 13th,
Saturday Night's Main Event.
[crowd cheering]
This is where it gets good…
and this is where it means so much to me.
It is a night to close one chapter…
but it is also going to be, and thank you, a night of opportunity.
Yes, that's right, it will be my final in-ring performance, but also…
in a chance give people a time to shine and showcase their skills.
It will be a night where main WWE roster Superstars
host exhibitions for the brightest NXT has to offer for the future
of this business.
[crowd cheering]
I said this does not happen without you.
And without your interest on what goes on here,
we will cease to exist.
So, December 13th is about closing one chapter,
but also it is about paving the road ahead.
And that's what I want for this tour.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
I did have one last ask.
Thank you also for this one because it's selfish.
I wanted to come to Boston one last time.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
I don't book the dates, I don't book the towns.
Man, we've been in Brussels, we've been in London, we've been in Perth.
I just wanted to come to Boston one last time.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
I saw my first show in the old Garden.
And it means everything to me to stand in the TD Garden,
to feel the magic in the air,
to look up at the banners from the rafters,
to feel the greatness in this building.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
To be surrounded by friends, family, people I love,
to be filled with joy, and to be able to stand in this ring
and say thank you so much for all your support.
-["It Is My Time" playing] -[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Joe] Really, Dom, really?
[Wade] Well, if John Cena has been here the past 20 years of this industry,
-say hello to the next 20 years… -[Joe] No, no. No.
…of this industry, "Dirty" Dom Mysterio.
[Joe] But not while Cena is giving the ultimate thank you in his hometown.
That is reckless and limitless sense of entitlement to interrupt this moment,
truly distorted sense of self worth by "Dirty" Dom, Wade.
[Wade] That was a little strong, Joe Tess.
[Joe] That's John Cena back in Boston at this moment.
[Wade] "Dirty" Dom may just be coming out to say thank you,
John Cena, for the past 20 years.
Thank you for laying the groundwork for what this industry is going to be
under the reign of Dom Mysterio.
[music fades]
[crowd booing]
[in Spanish] I don't know what you were thinking by doing all this,
because I am the champion and I'm the boss around here.
[crowd booing]
[in English] You see, you're talking about the future.
[crowd booing]
Hunter, I wanna know what you're gonna do about what happened last week.
[crowd booing]
I am your AAA Mega Campeón,
the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time.
[crowd jeering]
And my celebration was interrupted by some deadbeat.
And you see that doesn't happen to me.
I interrupt old men's celebrations.
So I don't care what you got going on here because it's not as important as me.
Oh, oh, oh. Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on.
-[crowd cheering] -Let's calm down.
We got a rowdy crowd here tonight.
We got off to the wrong foot. Let's start again.
Dom Mysterio…
[crowd booing]
…welcome to Boston, Massachusetts.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
It's not about you or Boston.
[crowd booing]
So, why don't you go sit in that corner?
Let the grown folk handle business and speak when you're spoken to.
[crowd cheering]
Or… or… or I'll put you down.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[crowd jeering]
Fine speech.
But I think in the midst of your anger and your ego,
you forgot where you were and you forgot who you're talking to.
I'm John Cena. This is Boston, Massachusetts.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
On any other night, in any other city, I give you a chance.
Tonight, you don't have a chance.
Tonight, I am invincible.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
So, champ, choose your words very carefully,
because if you're next or to try to pick a fight with me,
I promise tonight you will lose.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
Wrong time, wrong place, wrong guy.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
But…
I'm gonna do you a favor… out of the respect I have for your father.
[crowd cheering]
Right now…
I'm gonna let you turn around
and walk your ass back through that curtain.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
Oh, really, John?
[crowd booing]
You're gonna need more than magic to touch me,
because I'm not even at my peak yet,
and I'm better than you ever were in your prime.
[crowd cheering]
Any time, any place, any era,
I would have whooped John Cena's ass.
[crowd jeering]
John, if I could take this for a second.
I agree with the people here in Boston, Massachusetts.
[crowd cheering]
What did you say, any time, any place, any era?
[crowd cheering, applauding]
Seems like a pretty damn good era.
Seems like a pretty damn good place.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
And seems like one hell of a time.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
So if it's okay with you…
Dominik…
you will defend that Intercontinental Championship.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
Tonight…
right here, right now…
-against the one and the only John Cena. -[crowd cheering, applauding]
Now, get me a referee…
[crowd cheering, applauding]
…and let's get to work.
[crowd cheering]
-[Joe] Wade Barrett, this is happening. -[Wade] No, no, no, no, no.
John Cena against "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio
for the Intercontinental Championship is happening right now.
[crowd cheering]
[Joe] We are already underway
in the Intercontinental Championship match that was just made,
and Dom Mysterio showed no respect.
He jumped John Cena on the last echo of the ring introductions, Wade.
[Wade] Well, you wanna compete at the very business end
of this industry, and John Cena knows all about that.
-You take whatever advantage you can. -[crowd chanting "Let's go, Cena"]
[Joe] Dom opened his mouth.
John Cena responded and said,
"Not tonight, not here, where I'm invincible."
And Triple H said, "Let's do it."
-IC Championship is on the line. -[crowd booing]
[Wade] To be clear, that is the one championship
in John Cena's career he has never won. This would complete the set for John Cena.
I'm flabbergasted that this match is even taking place.
It certainly was not the game plan coming into tonight.
[Joe] Of course, December 13th is gonna be the finale for Cena
in Washington, D.C., but here we are in Boston,
nobody saw this coming,
and his last chance to be a Grand Slam champion.
Win this IC, the Intercontinental Championship,
and he will complete that. He'll be a Grand Slam champion.
[crowd booing]
[Wade] One of the firsts left available for John Cena.
And by the luck of this, "Dirty" Dom happy to get himself counted out
and retain the championships. John Cena has other ideas.
[Joe] What did he say? "Wrong place, wrong guy."
In Boston against Cena, welcome to it, Dom.
[Wade] Look, "Dirty" Dom came down here tonight just to talk to John Cena.
Oh, man. Has he been thrust into it here?
But that is one way to stem the flow of offense coming from John Cena.
-[crowd booing] -[Wade] And potentially shocked
this partisan Boston crowd up for good.
[Joe] One of the loudest receptions we have ever heard.
Just happened moments ago when Cena came out,
but right now John running to the steel steps.
And "Dirty" Dom on top of those steps.
[crowd booing]
[Wade] Dirty Dog just feeding off this Boston crowd
who are spewing bile and venom at him.
It is just bouncing off the Intercontinental champ
and the AAA Mega Campeon.
[Joe] Incredible to hear the words that came out of his mouth, though,
to a 17-time world champion,
the record for the most world titles in WWE history.
One man who's so beloved, a hero to millions all over the world.
The other who has cheated his way to success,
-slandering his own Hall of Fame father. -[Wade] He'll slander if it's true.
He is a deadbeat dad.
Four!
[Joe] Besmirching the Mysterio name.
[Wade] Well, John Cena came out a little earlier and said,
"Not tonight, not here in Boston. In Boston tonight, I am invincible."
[Joe] This count is going on
-as Cena's down on the floor. -Eight!
[Wade] Certainly does not look invincible now.
Championship hope's about to die, but prolonged for how much longer?
[crowd booing]
[Joe] Now, Dom in the midst of going for three amigos against Cena.
-[crowd booing] -[Wade] That is exactly how it's done,
really knocked the stuffing out of Cena and this Boston audience.
A shimmy and a shake, let's put this one to bed.
[Joe] Oh, Mysterio in control…
-One, two-- -…into the cover,
and Cena able to get that right shoulder up and kick out.
[Wade] And "Dirty" Dom has just been unflinching
amidst the overwhelming abuse being thrown his way.
Amidst the greatest of all time, John Cena implying,
Dom, you have no chance, you're out of your depth.
And we are getting a "Dirty" Dom masterclass so far.
[Joe] I think the way the crowd's reacting,
it is deserved for "Dirty" Dom. Cena rises to his feet,
delivers a series of…
-[Wade] Oh! -[Joe] …right hands. He's got him up.
Looking for the attitude adjustment,
but instead, "Dirty" Dom with the DDT,
hooks the leg, looking to put him away,
and the kick-out.
The unexpected Intercontinental Championship match from here in Boston.
-[crowd booing] -[Joe] John Cena was in the midst
of a thank you to his hometown fans when "Dirty" Dom came out, interrupted.
They traded verbal barbs, Triple H said, "Let's just do it right now."
And here we are, Intercontinental Championship match,
-a sold out TD Garden in Boston. -[Wade] Oh, God!
It has been the "Dirty" Dom show so far, but things have changed.
[Joe] Here it comes, the running shoulder blocks.
[crowd cheering]
[Joe] And John Cena is revving that offensive engine.
-[crowd cheering] -[Wade] On a mission to win
the one championship that has eluded him his entire career.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Joe] One last time in Boston.
-[crowd cheering "You can't see me"] -[Joe] As loud as you'll hear it.
[crowd cheering]
-[Joe] Five Knuckle Shuffle. -[crowd cheering]
[Wade] And when John Cena hits this vein of form,
it could be lights out, "Dirty" Dom.
[Joe] Out the back door on the AA attack, and he puts him right to the post.
[Wade] Just smart, smart maneuvering once again from "Dirty" Dom,
who knew it was good night if that AA had connected.
Try something, try anything.
-Now "Dirty" Dom back to his usual tricks… -[Joe] Look at this.
…cooking up some shenanigans behind the referee's back.
[Joe] The metal on the turnbuckle is exposed.
As "Dirty" Dom now out on the floor right in front of us,
right past his Intercontinental Championship.
He's grabbing a steel chair.
[Wade] Steel chair, now the referee is distracted fixing that turnbuckle.
This is brilliant once again from Dom Mysterio.
-[Joe] Oh, no. -[Wade] A step ahead of all of us.
[Joe] Steel chair. Any style here.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Joe] That's brilliant by Cena. You wanna talk about brilliant?
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[chanting indistinctly]
[cheering, applauding]
[Wade] You're gonna applaud that too, Joe?
[Joe laughs] It's too good. It's just too good, Wade.
-[crowd cheering] -[Joe] That's it.
-[Wade] Oh, no. -[Joe] Here we go, right back into it.
[Wade] Bouncing and clinging on for dear life.
-[Joe] Second attempt and an out, oh, no. -[crowd cheering]
[Joe] The referee was taken down hard.
STF is locked in, but the ref was knocked down.
[Wade] Well, center of the ring, "Dirty" Dom in agony.
-There's the tap out. -[Joe] He taps out.
Cena should be the Intercontinental Champion.
-We've got no bell. The ref didn't see it. -[crowd cheering]
[Wade] You play to the whistle or you play to the bell, that did no ring.
Referee down, inadvertently knocked over.
[Joe] Dom tapped out, Wade.
[Wade] Referee doesn't see it, it doesn't count.
You know that as well as I do. John Cena knows that.
The emotion of the moment,
perhaps getting the best of Cena there, and with the ref down,
-the championship now coming into play. -[crowd cheering]
[Joe] And Dom's got the championship in his hand,
looking to line up Cena.
-Cena ducks it, right back to it. -[crowd cheering]
-[Joe] AA! -[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Well, you could count to 30 here.
-Oh, no. -[Joe] We got a ref, we got a live one.
[crowd counting, cheering]
[Joe] Two and change.
[Wade] And the hopes of this packed out audience
in the TD Garden just went up in smoke.
[crowd cheering]
-[Joe] John Cena. -[crowd cheering "Cena! Cena! Cena"]
[Joe] He has conquered everything else on the major roster
in terms of championships.
Trying to be a Grand Slam champion with a win tonight,
the winningest Superstar in Raw history.
Tripped up, Dom's lining him up for a 619 and delivers it.
[Wade] Right to the jaw of Cena
and this is the big finale for Cena here in Boston.
[Joe] Frog splash, but still Cena rolls right through
-with "Dirty" Dom in hand. -[crowd cheering]
-[Joe] AA for the win. -[crowd counting]
-[bell ringing] -[crowd cheering, applauding]
["The Time Is Now" playing]
[Alicia] Here is your winner.
The new…
Intercontinental Champion,
-John Cena! -[crowd cheering]
[Joe] The empty spot on the mantle place is filled.
John Cena is a Grand Slam Champion.
[Wade] Well, John Cena is a lot of things,
but he said, I am invincible in Boston here tonight.
And when this frog splash connected, it should have been game over.
And if John Cena wasn't invisible, invincible,
it would have been over, but one pop-up and an AA later.
[crowd counting]
-[Wade] And John Cena… -[bell ringing]
…has just shot and elated this crowd in equal measures.
[crowd cheering]
[Joe] In front of his hometown fans.
One last title in his grasp.
And you believe this in Boston.
Thank you so much, Boston, because of you,
tonight,
-the champ is here! -[crowd "The champ is here"]
[cheering, applauding]
[Joe] This year, we applied the phrase, "The Never Seen 17."
-And now, how about one for the road? -[crowd cheering]
[Joe] The Last Time is Now just came with a last call.
And it serves up the Intercontinental Championship
in the hands of New England's native son.
John Cena defeats "Dirty" Dom.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[music fades]
["4X4" playing]
[Joe] What a night here in Boston.
It's been the site of 14 PLE's through the years.
And moments ago, it was the site of something so special.
John Cena becoming an Intercontinental Champion.
♪ Make you numb, can you run? Can you come? ♪
♪ Girl… the sun Find the moon, find some fun ♪
-[group cheering] -[overlapping chatter]
[crowd cheering]
Congrats.
He really needed that ass-kicking.
Ah, he's a good kid. I hope it was a good lesson.
-I'm sure it was. -Thanks, Rey.
Congrats.
[all applaud]
-[crowd roaring] -Congratulations, champ.
John Cena's last night in Boston, wouldn't miss it.
Class act, champ. Thank you.
[upbeat music playing]
You saw some behind the scenes right there to see the celebration taking place.
Wade, I'm going to say this.
In a building that has seen some of the greatest moments in sports,
Larry Bird, Bobby Orr, Cena just added to Boston sports lore.
He should have a banner up here. Hey, Bruins and Celtics,
your hometown guy should have a banner up there
-that reads "17." -Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Now, let me be clear. Rey Mysterio has just tweeted out
three letters in response to that.
L-O-L, laughing at his son, Dom, losing the championship.
Very immature behavior, if you ask me.
Special night here in Boston, special to see Cena do that.
One of the stunning early headlines we have.
So much more to uncover,
especially surrounding our World Heavyweight Champion,
CM Punk, and the shocking events last week on Raw.
-[music concludes] -[epic music playing]
[Punk] Is it great to be champ on a Monday night
-in the great state of New Mexico or what? -[crowd cheering]
Anybody who deserves it, get in line because the champ is here.
No, no, no.
Look, anybody but you.
If anyone in this industry has earned a title shot, it's me.
[crowd cheering]
Ladies and gentlemen, you're not the front of the line.
[crowd cheering]
[Joe] Logan Paul, he's going back in the ring.
[Wade] Maybe the worst part of Logan Paul's career.
[crowd cheering]
[Joe] CM Punk, Jey Uso against the Brons.
[Wade] This one breaking down before our eyes.
This count's getting high. Better get back in the ring here, guys.
[bell ringing]
[Joe] I don't think they even care about a bell right now.
A super spear on Uso!
[Wade] This is what happens when you get in the way of The Vision.
-[crowd cheering] -[Joe] Logan Paul arrives?
He's there for Punk against The Vision!
[crowd gasping, booing]
[Joe] And look who's here in Boston.
Can't help but wonder why Logan Paul did what he did.
Took the beat down from The Vision, and then floored Punk.
Logan Paul is here live tonight.
[music concludes]
-["Rise For The Night" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following is a first-round match
in the Last Time Is Now Tournament!
Introducing first, from New York City,
weighing 249 pounds,
Damian Priest!
[Joe] Look at his left eye right there.
You see how much he was blinking as he heads down
to this massive clash
to see who advances in John Cena's Last Time Is Now Tournament.
It's Priest against Rusev.
-♪ Todos de pie ♪ -[crowd cheering]
[music fades]
["I Am The Tempest" playing]
[Joe] It is the Last Time Is Now Tournament,
first-round match. Damian Priest against Rusev.
You know, the balls are just randomly pulled out of the tumbler,
and we end up with this great first-round match
of Priest against Rusev.
As you see Rusev, he is ready to see if he can advance here.
Winner of this tournament, of course, faces John Cena, December 13th.
Now, we mentioned the left eye.
of Damian Priest, Wade.
[Wade] Now, Aleister Black had damaged the eye of Damian Priest
with a fireball several weeks ago.
Friday on SmackDown, Priest hit the ring to try and get a little payback,
but amidst some confusion at ringside, thanks to Zelina,
Aleister Black took the opportunity to gouge that damaged eye of Priest,
leaving the former World Heavyweight Champion
blinded and screaming in agony.
And now, he has to compete.
-[referee] Bell! -[bell ringing]
[Joe] A 16-man field randomly drawn to determine
John Cena's final opponent.
Remember, recently we heard from John Cena himself saying,
"My final opponent will be hard-earned, not hand-picked."
And it doesn't get harder than this
when you see this kind of a first-round matchup.
of Rusev against Priest.
[Wade] Two absolute alpha balls, but one of them is partially blinded.
It seemed like Rusev made a little play for the eyeball of Damian Priest there.
I did speak to Damian Priest earlier today
and Priest completely played down any vision issues in that left eye.
I separately went to our medical crew and they had a slightly different story,
indicating that Priest was suffering from blurred vision.
They also said at the match,
not been of this magnitude in the John Cena time.
The Last Time Is Now Tournament, Priest probably would not be competing,
but such is the allure to try and get that last match of John Cena's,
here we are.
[Joe] That was a massive right hand that he delivered.
By the way, very early on in this match,
and you brought it up having spent time,
there's shoulder from Rusev having spent time with the medical team.
If you could see the impact as Rusev comes flying in.
And goes right to the cover to advance and quickly Priest dismisses him,
but he was unable.
See that spinning back heel kick. As he was unable to defend himself,
I don't think he could see a right hand coming in
with that damaged left eye.
[Wade] Yeah, in all honesty, I don't think Damian Priest should be
anywhere near a ring right now, but Rusev certainly isn't gonna care.
I'll tell you right now,
Rusev is a horrible opponent at the best of times.
Coming in with what, 50% vision?
This may be a suicide mission for Damian Priest.
Despite the obvious toughness and caliber of the former World Heavyweight Champion.
[Joe] Series of right hands, of course, the striking attacks of Damian Priest,
always so effective, but back and forth these big men go.
By the way, I could only imagine what Rusev's reaction to seeing John Cena.
Winning Intercontinental Championship earlier tonight
when he thought he had just won it two weeks ago,
dealing with all those underhanded tactics of "Dirty" Dom.
[Wade] There's been two or three opportunities gone begging for Rusev
when it comes to that Intercontinental Championship
over the past couple of months, thanks to "Dirty" Dom's ways.
But win this tournament, maybe you will get a crack
at a different Intercontinental champ by the name of John Cena.
[Joe] What a great counter by Rusev as Priest was thinking old school.
The next thing you know, Rusev has him in his grasp
and Priest is out on the floor.
The Last Time Is Now Tournament first-round match.
[Joe] What a scene here in TD Garden in Boston.
Seventeen thousand six hundred and seventy-one, sold-out.
They opened up the night by seeing John Cena win
the Intercontinental Championship.
And now it's match number one of The Last Time Is Now Tournament
to see who will be John Cena's opponent on December 13th in his final match.
Damian Priest fighting back against Rusev.
[Wade] Well, Priest has got next to nothing in on this match so far.
He's been hampered by a major eye problem,
but finally building up a head of steam.
And starting to put the wood to the Bulgarian with that broken arrow.
[Joe] From the broken arrow into the cover.
But you can see him time and again reaching for that left eye,
the discolored left eye, the constant blinking.
He's been compromised defensively because of it.
Aleister Black and Zelina attacking Priest in recent weeks,
the fireball attack.
And then a week ago-- Oh, he was going for that big discus clothesline,
but instead, look at Rusev.
And Rusev trying to advance in the tournament right here
with the kick-out from Priest.
[Wade] How smart of that was Rusev,
just when Priest had a head of steam, you throw a roundhouse kick
to that left side of the face of Damian Priest.
Priest simply cannot see it coming, the vision is so blurred at this point.
You barely even opened that eye
and it connected flush to the temple of Priest,
knocking the stuffing out of the big man.
That's exactly where Rusev wants him.
[Joe] And you can see that Rusev strategized, scouted, and knew,
because the majority of the work has been with the right hand, the right move.
And how is Priest withstanding this?
[Wade] Well, man, they built Damian Priest double tough.
[Joe] Center of the ring, strike after strike, kick after kick.
Look at him go.
And now Priest ramps it up to a level beyond. Oh!
As Rusev delivers the big boot.
-Priest comes right back. -[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Priest just has that limb length advantage.
And if you can get past the vision issues, there is a pathway to victory.
For Damian Priest here.
[Joe] Remember he went for old school earlier today
and Rusev was able to get the best of him.
Now Priest lines it up…
-and delivers with the crossbody. -[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Now, wants to end this as quickly as possible,
get as much recovery time as he can before the next round of this tournament.
And he could be going in for it here, Joe.
[Joe] Looking for South of Heaven.
-Rusev goes right to that eye. -[Wade] Oh! Man, that was close.
[Joe] He went right to that eye.
-[Wade] Poke in the eye there… -[groans]
…and behind the referee's back here, gouging that eyeball
-just like Aleister Black did. -[crowd cheering]
[Wade] And now, a Machka Kick.
-[Joe] The Machka Kick… -[crowd counting]
-…for the win to advance. -[bell ringing]
-["I Am The Tempest" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Alicia] Here is your winner, Rusev!
-I can see you. Cena, I can see you. -[Joe] And that will advance Rusev
-in the Last Time Is Now Tournament. -And I'm coming for you. You'll remember!
John Cena's 16-man field that's randomly drawn,
and Rusev gets past an injured Damian Priest.
[Wade] Well, Rusev just hit the "You can't see me" pose.
Message to John Cena. Unfortunately for Damian Priest,
he couldn't see Rusev either after that shot to the eye
behind the referee's back, another gouge, followed up by this unsighted Machka Kick,
-completely knocking out Damian Priest. -[crowd counting]
-[round bell ringing] -[crowd cheering]
[Wade] And Rusev progresses to the next round of the tournament,
one step closer to a date with destiny at Saturday Night's Main Event
with John Cena.
[Joe] That was veteran work by Rusev, attack the eye and deliver.
That's right.
-We are the tag team champions. -Yes, you are.
We wanna keep defending. So, set them up, we'll knock them down.
-Love it. -[speaks Spanish]
We wanna make the difference with these titles.
So, I think you bring the opponents, and we bring the fire.
Oh, that's music to my ears. Let me dot my I's and cross some T's.
I will get back with you with challengers.
But in the meantime, do we have a team name?
-No-- -Yes!
-Yes, yes! -We do?
-Oh, boy! -You're gonna love this.
Los Dragones Con Estilo. Huh?
-"Dragons with style"? -Good, right?
-Is that what it is? -Yes.
That's what he said.
You know what? It's long, so, we'll keep working on it.
We'll keep working on it.
-It was a good one though. -Know what?
-Workshop it. That's a great idea. -Yeah, yeah, yeah.
-Okay. Okay. -I got it. I… [stammers]
-[scoffs] -[Dupri] Adam.
-Maxxine. -[chuckles]
Two questions for you.
How was the training, and are you ready for Becky?
Yes and no. Training is great and all,
but I've realized I can keep training forever
-waiting to feel ready. -Okay.
But ready isn't a feeling, it's a choice.
-I love that. -And I've made mine.
-I'm all ears. -Give me Becky.
-Yeah? You ready? -Yes.
Then try this on next week, New York City Madison Square Garden,
Maxxine Dupri versus Becky Lynch
for the Women's Intercontinental Championship.
-Perfect. -Then it is official.
-Thank you. -Good luck.
-Good luck, but you don't need good luck… -[chuckles]
…you got it.
-[exclaims, coughs, shrieks] -[crowd cheering]
[Lynch] You think you're ready? Welcome to the big time.
You don't stand a chance.
-[grunts] -["4X4" playing]
[Joe] A vicious attack by Becky Lynch, the Women's Intercontinental Champion.
Of course, we have a new Men's Intercontinental Champion.
It's John Cena here in Boston,
♪ Yeah That's a vibe, that's a one-of-one, yeah ♪
♪ Pillow talk, yeah, ♪
♪ Make you numb Can you run? Can you come? ♪
♪ Girl… the sun Find the moon, find some fun ♪
[song fades]
-["Cult of Personality" playing] -[crowd cheering]
♪ Look in my eyes, what do you see? ♪
♪ The cult of personality ♪
♪ I know your anger, I know your dreams ♪
♪ I've been everything you wanna be ♪
♪ Oh, I'm the cult of personality ♪
-♪ Like Mussolini… ♪ -[Alicia] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome the World Heavyweight Champion,
-CM Punk! -[crowd cheering]
[Joe] Wade, he was left down and out in the ring a week ago,
that brass knuckle sucker punch from Logan Paul.
[Wade] Watching his six right now, paranoid that another one may be coming.
Well, we're gonna hear from the World Heavyweight Champion,
CM Punk, right here, next.
♪ You won't have to follow me, only you… ♪
["Cult of Personality" playing]
-[music fades] -[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting "CM Punk"]
I'm a lot pissed off right now, and I'm not gonna wait.
I wanna call him out right here, right now.
And I ain't in my wrestling gear
'cause I'm not fixing to have no wrestling match.
I'm in Boston, and I'll fight someone in the streets.
[crowd cheering]
Stop me if you heard this before, but last week, I got sucker punched
with brass knuckles by a piece of garbage named Logan Paul.
[crowd cheering]
And I knew going into this what a piece of garbage Logan Paul was,
but I didn't know how big of a piece of garbage Logan Paul was.
And no, I ain't gonna fight you for my title,
I ain't gonna fight you for my strap, but I am gonna fight you.
You got your eyes on my belt,
well, I'm gonna have my boot on your broccoli-headed millennial neck.
-Come out here… -[crowd cheering]
…so I can give you this ass-ripping that you have earned.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
-♪ Ayo! ♪ -[Joe] Oh.
-["Still Humble" playing] -[crowd booing]
♪ Humble ♪
♪ How can I be so good lookin' And still humble? ♪
♪ How can I be so damn rich And still humble? ♪
♪ How can I do all this And I'm still humble? ♪
♪ I'm still humble ♪
-♪ My bloodline blessed… ♪ -[music ends]
Hey, Punk, Punk, Punk, why you so mad, dawg?
[crowd booing]
What are you mad about, that I'm smarter than you?
Hey, brother, it's not just you.
I'm smarter than every single person in this building.
[crowd laughing]
You're just buying yourself time before I bust
-that pretty little face up of yours. -[Logan] Shut up.
-Come down here. Come on. -Shut up.
You got it all wrong, dawg. I am Logan Paul.
I have been punched in the face by the greatest boxer of all time,
Floyd Mayweather. All right?
And that was nothing compared to getting literally flattened
by Bronson Reed last week. I mean, yo, you heard Paul Heyman.
Since they dropped Seth "Deadweight" Rollins…
if you're not conforming with those guys…
you're getting cracked every week.
Boston, let this guy know, we're not here to talk,
-we're here to fight. -[Logan] I'm talking, I'm saying…
[Punk] Let him know, Boston.
I said, "Cracked?" Me, every week? Me getting cracked every week? [scoffs]
That's a lot of cracking, too much cracking for me, no thanks.
See, Punk…
I thought that I knew it all.
But after taking that Tsunami, my eyes have been opened
to a whole new Vision.
[crowd cheering]
[indistinct chatter]
[crowd booing]
I got this.
Um…
Stop me if you've heard this one before.
You are the single most unlikable human being
I have ever met in my life.
You have no friends, you're friendless.
And it's not because your friends betray you,
it's because you betray your friendships.
Take it from your former best friend in the world.
You are simply one miserable rotten bastard.
You are the most unlikable person I've ever met.
You could not be more unlikable
unless your name was AJ Lee.
[crowd jeering]
If my wife, AJ Lee, was here right now,
she would leave all four of you in a pool of your own piss and blood.
[crowd cheering]
But she's not here, so I guess the job is up to me.
Come get some, boys. I'll fight all five of you.
And that's two of you, Heyman. Let's go. Come on.
[Joe] This doesn't bode well for Punk. He's got Bron Breakker,
"Big" Bronson Reed, and Logan Paul all heading his way, Wade.
[Wade] What are you hoping for from here, Punk?
What can possibly go well from here? I get--
[Joe] Oh, I guess he does have a friend, Mr. Heyman.
[Wade] That changes things.
Saw these two tagging last week against The Vision.
Jey Uso now standing shoulder to shoulder with CM Punk, but clearly--
[crowd chanting "OTC"]
-[Wade] Out num-- -["Kingdom" playing]
-[Joe] Three on two-- -[crowd cheering]
[Joe] "The American Nightmare," Cody Rhodes to even things up.
-[music ends] -[crowd singing] ♪ Adrenaline in my soul ♪
♪ Every fight out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
-[Joe] Here we go. -[Wade] Yes.
[Joe] It is on.
[Wade] Oh, we all wanted a brawl this evening
and it is spilling out by the ringside area now.
[crowd chanting "Yeet"]
-[Wade laughs] -[Joe] Oh, no! Punk's got hands on Heyman.
[Wade] Just shrugging off Logan Paul, but now Logan Paul bouncing back.
[Joe] Oh! He smashes him into the barrier.
[Wade] A little extra stank on that one
after last week's brass knuckles attack on the World Heavyweight Champ, CM Punk.
[Joe] Cody, steel chair attack on Bron Breakker.
[Wade] One way to take down The Vision,
but keeping them down is a whole other matter.
And now, isolated is the master of the Tsunami, Bronson Reed.
[Joe] "Big" Bronson Reed surrounded, a super kick by Jey.
Oh! And Punk with the steel chair.
[Wade] Bronson Reed and The Vision getting a taste of their own medicine here.
The numbers game in favor
once you equate that steel chair into the operation.
-[crowd chanting "Cody, Cody Rhodes"] -[Joe] Punk was willing.
Jey came to help Cody, the ultimate reinforcement.
["Cult of Personality" playing]
♪ Look in my eyes, what do you see? ♪
[Wade] And the rage pouring out of Bron Breakker,
this is not gonna end here.
Just put a pause on that for now.
Keep a very close eye on these guys going forward.
[Joe] A reminder that coming up tonight…
we will have our Women's Tag Team Championship match.
As Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss will take on The Kabuki Warriors.
Wade, some concern for Charlotte
after so much that happened this past Friday night.
[Wade] Yeah, this was on SmackDown. Charlotte Flair taking on Nia Jax when--
As the match was ongoing, out of nowhere,
the Boujee Bully from NXT, Lash Legend, hit the scene,
flattening and then choking out Alexa Bliss on the floor.
Now, this melee on the outside allowed Nia Jax to take advantage,
flattening Flair with an Annihilator for the win.
Big victory there for Nia Jax, Lash Legend looking on impressed now.
My girl.
[Wade] In the aftermath, while receiving treatment,
The Kabuki Warriors showed up…
-[wrestlers scream] -…misting the tag team champions,
compounding the misery for them on what was a disastrous SmackDown.
[Joe] That's on the line, the Women's Tag Team Championships.
And there you see them warming up, Charlotte and Alexa.
It has been an excellent title reign for Flair and Bliss.
The "We're Not Friends,"
beyond merch, it's royalty, it's chemistry, and it's been evident.
-[upbeat rock music playing] -[indistinct chatter]
[music concludes]
-["Bury Me" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Joe] In just over a month, that Stephanie Vaquer has held gold.
Also won Crown Jewel.
You see Nikki Bella by her side supporting her.
Stephanie has conquered so much this year. Everything's going her way.
Now, she has to overcome and defend against a dominant force,
as dominant as there is in the women's roster,
the Women's World Championship. Vaquer against Raquel Rodriguez.
That is coming your way, Raw live in Boston. More to come.
[music concludes]
["La Mas Ruda" playing]
[Joe] And there is the champ, Stephanie Vaquer,
with Nikki Bella to support,
as she is defending the Women's World Championship
against Raquel Rodriguez. You see Roxanne Perez always by her side.
For the official introductions, here's the great Alicia Taylor.
-[music fades] -[bell ringing]
The following contest is scheduled for one fall
and is for
-the Women's World Championship. -[crowd cheering]
Introducing first, the challenger,
representing The Judgment Day,
from Rio Grande Valley, Texas,
-Raquel Rodriguez. -[crowd jeering]
And her opponent,
from San Fernando, Chile,
she is the Women's World Champion,
-Stephanie Vaquer. -[crowd cheering]
[Joe] So, here we go. Gold on the line.
By the way, what a night here in Boston
that we have the unexpected Intercontinental Championship match.
We get the tournament first-round matches.
We have this Women's World Championship now
and still the Women's Tag Team Championship to come.
Stephanie Vaquer defending, Wade, against Raquel Rodriguez…
-[bell ringing] -…who has earned this moment.
Her towering presence, her incredible athletic ability,
leading Judgment Day to new heights this year,
and recently some wins that have really impressed.
Of course, the confrontations with Stephanie Vaquer
have taken the spotlight as well.
We saw that face-to-face showdown as well as attacks in recent weeks.
[Wade] So, Raquel and Roxanne beat Vaquer and Nikki Bella last week in tag action.
The real story of that match for me was the fact that the Women's Champion,
Stephanie Vaquer, was simply overwhelmed by the power of Raquel.
And that is a great thing
if you are Raquel or you're a fan of Raquel.
However, it's essentially given Stephanie Vaquer seven days
to try and figure out how to counter that.
But based on how this match has started, she simply hasn't figured it out.
[Joe] Yep, early start for Raquel Rodriguez.
You mentioned what happened last week in that tag team match.
That was finished off with Roxanne Perez hitting the Pop Rox on Nikki Bella.
I think it's great that Nikki Bella is here.
There she is, the Hall of Famer.
Just in case, as we know, Judgement Day and the silly business time to time.
[Wade] "Just in case." There's no "just in case" about it.
[Joe] No, there is a "just in case."
[Wade] If Roxanne has a chance, she's gonna get involved in the match.
[Joe] Oh. Oh, look at this.
[Wade] And, you know, obviously, it helps if you are Stephanie Vaquer
to have Nikki Bella out here on the floor
to try and clean up any mess that Roxanne might cause.
And I'll tell you right now, Joe, when you have the gold in this industry,
it is so competitive.
The hardest thing in the world to find are real friends.
So, Vaquer is very lucky
she's formed this friendship with Nikki Bella.
[Joe] Yeah, the friendship has developed recently
and it's been great.
You know, we heard Nikki Bella recently talk about it,
and Vaquer has paid respect, saying,
"You're one of the women who paved the way."
But then, we also heard Bella say,
"I really needed to hear the encouragement that you've given me."
She had some doubts. Oh! Wade, getting into the Devil's Kiss right away.
[Wade] I'm not allowed to look. I've been banned--
[Joe] Oh. Look at Raquel Rodriguez.
How do you power up like that out of a potential Devil's Kiss?
[Wade] Well, only one woman can, and that is the alpha female
-of the entire industry, Raquel Rodriguez. -[Joe] Wow.
[Wade] Wow, Raquel.
[Joe] To go all the way-- Oh, into the cover to win gold.
And Stephanie survives.
What a counter! From the Devil's Kiss to that.
[Joe] For over 50 days,
Stephanie Vaquer has been an outstanding Women's World Champion.
But, Wade, she is in a tough spot here
looking to defend against Raquel Rodriguez.
[Wade] Absolutely torturing the Women's World Champ with this hold.
Somehow Vaquer finding her way out of it but still cannot take Raquel
off her feet.
And now Raquel has snapped, and that does not bode well for the champ.
[Joe] A lot of motion coming into it
and that plays right into the hands of La Primera.
[Wade] Raquel's had an answer for everything
Vaquer has thrown at her thus far.
Although this could be a major, major opportunity
to stem the tide for the Chilean champ.
[Joe] The Chilean Superstar, the Women's World Champion
running into that corner against Rodriguez who was in control for most of the match
up until this recent assault from Stephanie Vaquer.
[Wade] And now Vaquer is starting to believe in herself once again.
Despite the amount of abuse thrown her way so far.
[Joe] Great crossbody,
the height that she was able to get here in Boston.
[Wade] Well, you've got to add a little momentum, a little extra gravity
if you wanna take Raquel off her feet.
And finally managing to do that is the champ.
[Joe] Meteora. Running in with the double knees into the corner,
and now Vaquer looks to take control.
-Trying to defend and retain right here. -[crowd counting]
[Wade] Just a side of Stephanie Vaquer we simply haven't had to see
over the past 12 months.
She's been physically dominated. She's got very little offense in.
She's had to show her resilience here.
And somehow, she's now got the wind in her sails.
And this is a big-- She tried this a couple of times last week and it failed.
[Joe] Trying to go for the SVB against Raquel Rodriguez
with the size and power advantage.
And Rodriguez counters again. Oh, but look at Vaquer.
[Wade] Trying for that sunset flip, but Big Mami Cool is simply too strong.
[Joe] Is she ever. Raquel Rodriguez as Vaquer…
[Wade] Trying for that spinning DDT perhaps, but again, the power…
[Joe] And again the power.
Right up into the suplex.
What a display of strength Rodriguez is putting forth.
[Wade] Now with the speed, with the power,
-with the precision, that could be it. -[Joe] We could have a new champion.
[Wade] And Raquel beside herself,
she tasted gold right there and that was a late kick-out.
But now we're gonna see the depths of the offense of Raquel Rodriguez.
Take another look at this.
All of the impact right on the jaw of the champ Stephanie Vaquer…
who is looking like a sitting duck.
Is Raquel perhaps going for the big one, Joe?
[Joe] She's looking for the Tejana Bomb against Stephanie Vaquer.
La Primera able to counter.
Right into the corner.
[Wade] Desperate situation there for Vaquer.
When you find your way out, you better make it stick.
[Joe] Another meteora.
-[Wade exclaims] -[Joe] And again. Are you kidding me?
From Rodriguez to power her up, and slam her down,
and try to win it right here on the kick-out at two and change.
[Wade] And Raquel has absolutely done everything right in this match.
And that is the hugely frustrating part when you still cannot quite get the three
despite this running powerbomb after catching that meteora.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] The strength of Raquel knows no bounds,
but is it gonna lead her to championship glory tonight?
[Joe] It's one thing to do it when she's lining up the Devil's Kiss,
but on the end of that meteora. Oh! And look at Stephanie Vaquer.
If we get a glimpse of all the skill and the complete varied offensive assault
-that she has. -[Wade] Oh, here we go, Joe.
[Joe] Roxanne Perez now getting involved on the apron.
Roxanne Perez. And this is exactly why
-Nikki Bella should be here. -[crowd cheering]
[Wade] The big equalizer herself, Nikki Bella.
Don't take your eye off Raquel.
[Joe] That's loyalty and friendship.
[Wade] Oh! That's power.
[Joe] Rodriguez catches her. Fallaway slam.
That has been the central theme tonight, the power and strength of Rodriguez.
And fortunately, Stephanie Vaquer gets out of the way.
Here we go, rolling right into a Devil's Kiss.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Completely rocking and rolling Raquel there,
whose brain has been scrambled
and that shot to the jaw is not gonna help.
[Joe] Oh, she's going up top, she is going up top.
[crowd cheering]
[Joe] Stephanie Vaquer.
There it is, sacacorchos! Corkscrew moonsault!
-[crowd counting] -[bell ringing]
-[crowd cheering] -["Bury Me" playing]
[Alicia] Here is your winner,
and still the Women's World Champion,
Stephanie Vaquer!
[Joe] Wade, we saw it in Indy.
-Sacacorchos-- Oh! What is going on here? -[music concludes]
[Wade] Yeah, hold that thought, Joe Tess.
After that victory, keep your eye on Roxanne
who is always looking to take a cheap shot,
but once again playing clean-up crew is the Hall of Famer, Nikki Bella.
[crowd cheering]
-[Wade] Not tonight, Roxanne. -[Bella] Yeah!
[Joe] Now, thank goodness this friendship has developed with Nikki Bella
-and The Judgment Day is neutralized. -[crowd cheering]
["Bury Me" playing]
[Wade] What a victory, though, for Stephanie Vaquer,
who got the hell beaten out of her in this one by Raquel.
Had to be resilient, had to show her durability in another--
-Oh! -[Joe] She just clocked her
-with the championship! -[music concludes]
[Joe] Nikki Bella just levels Stephanie Vaquer
-with the Women's World Championship. -[crowd cheering]
-[Wade chuckles] Oh! Wow! -[crowd cheering]
[Joe] Make it make sense, Wade.
[Wade] When you have the gold, the hardest thing in the world
-is to find real friends. -[speaks indistinctly]
[Wade] Nikki Bella is cold. Nikki Bella is calculating.
Nikki Bella wants the Women's World Championship.
And I applaud it.
[Joe] Can you believe that?
[crowd jeering]
-Appreciate you guys having my back. -Yeah, uce.
-Yeet, yeet. -[Punk] Thank you very much.
[Pearce] Everybody good?
No! I think physically we're all fine, but I know I'm pissed off.
I don't wanna speak for everybody.
-But yeah, I'm a little angry. -I can tell.
What I want you to do is find Paul Heyman. I got myself a team.
Go tell Paul Heyman to get himself a team, all right?
I'm done with the games.
Are you saying what I think you're saying?
Regal!
-[crowd cheering] -Thank you.
-WarGames! -[crowd cheering]
Boys, officially prepare for war.
[crowd cheering]
-[Joe] Oh, thank you, Mr. Regal. -[Wade] Ooh! Yes.
[Joe chuckles] Jey and Cody.
[Wade] The most wonderful time of the year, Joe Tess,
and that means we go to war.
[Joe] Two and a half weeks away from Survivor Series: WarGames.
["The Rising Sun" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following is a first-round match
in The Last Time Is Now Tournament.
Introducing first, from Kyoto, Japan,
weighing in at 220 pounds,
Shinsuke Nakamura.
[Joe] The King of Strong Style, and how about a styles
meeting up tonight with a classic, because it's Sheamus on the other side.
First round, Nakamura and Sheamus here in Boston next.
-I can't wait for this one, Barrett. -[Wade] This is going to hurt.
[music concludes]
-[bell ringing] -[Joe] Incredible scene here in Boston.
Sold-out, 17,671.
This is our second first-round match of the Last Time Is Now tournament.
That is the 16-man field,
randomly drawn to determine John Cena's final opponent on December 13th.
And this is a juicy matchup that was produced with that random draw,
Sheamus against Nakamura.
[Wade] Yeah, and you know what? Sheamus obviously from Dublin, Ireland.
Had he been from the US, I suspect he would have been from Boston.
Massive Irish contingent here in this city,
and Sheamus at times has made this place his own.
[Joe] You know, speaking of the podcast,
Sheamus gave an incredible interview to Sam and Megan this week,
reflecting on his memorable matches with John Cena and how he feels
it would be so fitting to earn the series of wins
and become Cena's final opponent.
[Wade] Well, Sheamus shocked the world back in 2009 as a fresh-faced youngster
when he beat Cena for the WWE Championship,
came as a blast out of nowhere, announced himself on the global stage.
And the world would love one more showdown between those two surefire Hall of Famers.
Let me add this little nugget into the mix, Joe Tess.
What's the one championship Sheamus has never won?
-[Joe] Oh, yes, exactly. -[Wade] The Intercontinental title.
So, Sheamus, if you need any added motivation
to get yourself all the way to Saturday Night's Main Event
and that showdown with John Cena, there it is.
[Joe] And there he is, delivering a unique smile
that only he can put forth.
The Intercontinental Championship was also the last empty spot
on the mantle place of John Cena.
And now John Cena, with his victory over "Dirty" Dom tonight,
is a Grand Slam champion. By the way, you mentioned what happened back in 2009.
Sheamus posted on X.com earlier today,
when he defeated Cena, it was December 13th of 2009.
Of course, Cena's final match will be
-December 13th of this year. -[Wade] Wow.
While Sheamus right now is looking like he's not gonna get anywhere
-near Saturday Night's Main Event… -[Joe] Oh!
…although that just turned around in a hurry.
Now the big Dubliner looking to concave the chest
of the Shinobi Assassin, Shinsuke Nakamura.
[Joe] Yeah, from Ten Beats to Nakamura, kick after kick.
And a crescent kick as Sheamus was going for the Ten Beats,
but Shinsuke, he's going up top.
And delivers the knees right to the back of the head of the Celtic Warrior!
[Wade] And I don't know if this match is gonna be about who can hit the hardest
or who can take the hardest shot and keep moving.
But we're getting a taste of both from each Superstar.
[Joe] Shinsuke… [chuckles] Sheamus showing you the power.
[Wade] And the brutalist ferocity of Sheamus coming to the fore here.
-[crowd cheering, applauding] -[Joe] That corner of the apron,
the hardest spot on the ring. They're loving him in Boston.
[crowd cheering]
[Joe] What a great match we're in the midst of here.
First-round match of the Last Time Is Now tournament
between Sheamus and Shinsuke Nakamura.
Earlier tonight we saw Rusev advance
in the tournament to see who'll be John Cena's final opponent.
And now Sheamus and Nakamura going at it here in Boston.
[Wade] Well, Sheamus jaw-jacking to the camera,
trying to send a message to John Cena, but that beat
taking the time to mouth off simply gave Shinsuke Nakamura
a path back into this. You don't celebrate until it's over.
[Joe] Oh, the superplex as the big man goes crashing down.
-[crowd counting] -[Joe] Shin trying to advance,
but the kick-out.
[Wade] Well, take another look at this.
You think of the size, the massive Sheamus,
he's right up there, 280, 290 pounds.
And felt all of that from the top turnbuckle.
And Shinsuke Nakamura now has a taste for victory here.
And there's very little moving in the body of Sheamus as these shots rain down
on the temple, the neck.
[Joe] Who will be the second man to advance in this tournament?
Rusev did it earlier. Then we have two first-round matches on SmackDown,
The Miz versus Jey Uso.
And LA Knight against a mystery opponent.
[Wade] Got booted right on the point of the chin and kind of shrugging it off.
[Joe] How in the world does Sheamus
invite this kind of violence and brutality? He invites it.
[Wade] Oh my God, the pain Sheamus feels here…
-Come on! -…versus the frustration
Shinsuke is feeling at these shots just bouncing off.
That is the game there.
[Joe] And in a town that loves a good fighter,
-this is their kind of guy here in Boston. -[crowd chanting "Yeah"]
[Wade] It's nothing spectacular, it's just meat and potatoes fighting.
Brutalism at its finest.
[Joe] Oh. That lower back of Shinsuke is feeling it now.
[Wade] Little Irish curse, and you know what's coming next?
[Joe] Ten Beats Of The Bodhrán right here in Beantown.
[crowd] One, two, three, four, five,
six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[crowd grunting]
[Wade] Well, in unison this packed-out arena wants it.
-But they're not gonna get it! -[Joe] Whoa!
[Wade] Modified sling blade there from Shinsuke Nakamura,
just about doing the job.
[Joe] And now, that sling blade could lead to Kinshasa.
Getting out of the way was Sheamus, and the big boot from Shinsuke Nakamura.
-[Wade] And it's-- Oh! -[Joe exclaims]
That knee right to the dome.
-[crowd counting] -[Joe] To advance.
-[Wade] Oh! -[crowd groaning]
[Joe] Very last second, Nakamura grabs the bottom rope.
[Wade] Well, that just really is the story of Sheamus being too exhausted
to reposition Shinsuke Nakamura.
Catching a flying Nakamura with that pump knee.
Crumbling on top of him in a very fortunate pin for Sheamus.
Unfortunately though, Shinsuke simply too close to the ropes.
That's what exhaustion does to any fighter,
and Sheamus and Shin are both feeling it now.
[Joe] They're taking this thing to the limit, aren't they?
[Wade] Well, the drive, the desire to make history.
-And what is Sheamus cooking up here? -[Joe] He's stepping up.
[Joe] Oh, do we have a little White Noise in the 617?
Nakamura trying to get himself free, and he does just that.
-[Wade] Oh, wow! -[Joe] Wow, and he delivers.
[Wade] Not known for his power, but that worked.
-[crowd counting] -[Joe] Lateral press,
and the kick-out at two and change.
[Wade] Yeah, not much change, that's the problem, Joe,
when you know exactly where Shinsuke's going from here.
-[Joe] He may wanna end it right here. -[Wade] Lining up.
[Joe] Second time he's lined up Kinshasa, he may be able to deliver right here.
Oh, instead, look at this, looking for a quick one up.
[Wade] Sheamus looking nimble here, and he has to be,
-but not nimble enough to block that one. -[Joe exclaims]
-[crowd cheering, screaming] -[Joe] Out of nowhere, Wade
-[crowd counting] -[bell ringing]
["10 Beats Of The Bodhrán" playing]
[Alicia] Here is your winner, Sheamus!
[Joe] One step closer to his ultimate goal,
trying to beat John Cena's final opponent.
[Wade] Well, this is a flash Brogue Kick out of nowhere,
just when Shinsuke Nakamura had the momentum.
It was reflexes, it was instinct from Sheamus, but ultimately,
it was an absolute banger as you've come to expect.
It was a victory and a progression
in the Last Time Is Now Tournament and some healthy respect
between two competitors who gave it their all tonight.
[Joe] That is great stuff right there.
To shake hands at the end of a match like that
from these two great spirited fighters,
and then for Shinsuke to raise his hand here in Boston.
[Wade] If Sheamus had done that to me, I would never speak to him again.
Good for Shinsuke.
-["The Time Is Now" playing] -♪ Your time is up, my time is now ♪
♪ You can't see me, my time is now ♪
♪ It's the franchise, boy I'm shinin' now… ♪
[Joe] Earlier tonight, history was made, John Cena becoming a Grand Slam champion
defeating "Dirty" Dom for the Intercontinental Championship.
♪ You hear those horns, you finished ♪
-♪ A soldier… ♪ -[music concludes]
-[dramatic music playing] -[Pearce] Next week,
on the hallowed ground that is Madison Square Garden,
the Last Time Is Now Tournament continues.
Which means that four men drawn at random will have the opportunity of a lifetime.
The chance to compete and advance and maybe, just maybe,
the chance to stand across the ring from the greatest of all time,
John Cena, in his final match.
[crowd cheering]
[Pearce] In our first matchup,
the incredible Young OG of NXT, Je'Von Evans…
will go one-on-one
with one of the most dominant Superstars of the modern era…
the returning Ringgeneral, Gunther.
And in our next matchup, the dangerous leader of the MFTs,
Solo Sikoa, will go toe-to-toe with…
You know what?
Why don't we all find out who he goes toe-to-toe with
live next Monday in Madison Square Garden.
And that is official.
[music concludes]
-["Way You Are" playing] -[Joe] As the 16-man field marches on,
next week's gonna be truly extraordinary, a moment that fans will never forget.
For the last time, John Cena in New York, Madison Square Garden,
John Cena's final appearance.
[Wade] And speaking of John Cena, the Last Time Is Now Tournament begins
because as we just heard, the man from NXT with those freakish flying skills,
Je'Von Evans, he's gonna be up against it.
This is the man you did not wanna draw, the former World Heavyweight champ,
"The Ring General," Gunther is back next week on Raw.
[Joe] Our other first-round match in the Last Time Is Now Tournament.
You just saw Adam Pearce moments ago.
Solo Sikoa's in, but he's not gonna be able to scout his opponent.
It's a mystery, we all find out together.
Raw on Netflix from Madison Square Garden next week.
[Wade] And as we heard a little earlier
in Madison Square Garden, next week,
Maxxine Dupri claims she's ready for the big time,
while the Intercontinental champ, Becky Lynch, does not seem to think so.
Those two square up for the gold in the world's most famous arena
in New York, New York, Madison Square Garden,
-next week live on Raw. -[music concludes]
-[crowd cheering] -["All Hail The Queen" playing]
[Joe] We are ready for our championship main event.
The sixth defense of the Women's Tag Team Championships
directly in front of Charlotte Flair
and Alexa Bliss.
-["The Fury" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Joe] The two veterans who have accomplished
nearly everything you can on Hall of Fame resumes.
Now having to lock in, control the emotions
for some retribution after what happened last week,
The Kabuki Warriors attacking on Friday night.
It is the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship match,
as Charlotte and Alexa look to defend against The Kabuki Warriors.
That's coming your way next.
[music concludes]
-["4X4" playing] -[Joe] Of course, the city that celebrates
the Celtics having won 18 NBA championships,
the most in NBA history.
John Cena's won 17 WWE World Championships, the most in history,
and then tonight, well, it's time to celebrate more.
Because John Cena won the Intercontinental Championship tonight.
The signs are out. The shirts are out. It's been roaring all night long.
He turned to "Dirty" Dom and said, "Tonight, I'm invincible." He was.
He is now a Grand Slam champion. History made tonight here in Boston.
["Reigning Warriors" playing]
[Joe] There are the champs, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss,
as let's cap an incredible night of historic action.
-[bell ringing] -[Joe] Here's Alicia Taylor.
The following contest is scheduled for one fall
and is for the WWE
Women's Tag Team Championship.
-[crowd cheering] -Introducing first, the challengers,
the team of Asuka and Kairi Sane,
The Kabuki Warriors.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
And their opponents. They are the WWE
Women's Tag Team Champions,
Alexa Bliss
and Charlotte Flair.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Joe] Wade, on Friday night, Charlotte was in singles action against Nia Jax.
Lash Legend came out, distracted Charlotte with an attack on Alexa,
helped Nia defeat Charlotte. But later in the night,
it was The Kabuki Warriors backstage attacking Charlotte and Alexa.
The Poison Mist was in play backstage. And now, on the heels of that,
we arrive at this Women's Tag Team Championship match.
[Wade] The Kabuki Warriors have not been shy
-about announcing their intent… -[bell ringing]
…over the past four weeks or so, they believe the tag gold is theirs,
and we've got a hot start in this one.
Clearly aggravated by that misting on Friday.
[Joe] There is no doubt about it.
You consider what happened Friday night and you just knew that Charlotte and Alexa
would wanna come out and make that kind of a statement and get to business.
[Wade] "Statement" is the right word,
and now, isolated is Kairi Sane, quick tag there.
Charlotte Flair is the legal competitor.
[Wade] Now Asuka getting in there.
[Joe] Able to get out of the way, both competitors,
veterans, so highly skilled, Asuka and Charlotte Flair.
[Wade] We know exactly how good The Kabuki Warriors can be
when they are on, and they were certainly on last week
against Bayley and Lyra Valkyria, earning this opportunity.
But really not getting out of the block so far in this one.
The caliber of Flair and Bliss simply coming to the fore too soon.
[Joe] Big kick up top from Charlotte Flair,
the 14-time World Champion.
One of the greatest to ever do it.
Asuka on the go as Flair gets out of the way,
delivers another kick to Asuka.
-Kairi Sane up top! -[Wade] Whoa!
[Joe] Coming down with that big flying forearm.
[Wade] Yeah, an unusual tag there from Kairi Sane.
I don't think Charlotte Flair was aware of it at all.
She certainly is now.
Whether she can do anything about it is another question.
Great maneuverability there from Kairi Sane,
but the power of Charlotte Flair
is something that is very often undersold in this game.
-There's one strong woman. -[crowd cheers]
[Joe] She just rids the ring of Kairi Sane.
[Wade] Now they cooked up something together.
Didn't quite hit though.
[Joe] She was looking for the baseball slide there.
Meanwhile, off the apron comes Kairi!
[crowd cheers]
[Joe] Kabuki Warriors in control here
in the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship match
as Alexa Bliss…
Oh! Double DDT by Alexa Bliss. She needed that.
-Did she ever need that, Wade! -[Wade] Needed it in a big way,
but it counts for zero if you don't get the tag to the fresh--
Let me stop right there.
Now legal is Charlotte Flair.
-[Joe] How about a little fly by Flair? -[Wade] Whoo!
-[Joe] Double crossbody. -[crowd cheers]
[Wade] No matter how many times you see Charlotte Flair,
she still wows and whoos.
[crowd chanting "Whoo"]
[Joe] Say it with her, Boston. Flair chop after Flair chop.
[Wade] Utterly devastated, and this one is swung in a big way.
-[Joe] Oh, the walk-over clothesline! -[crowd cheers]
[Wade] Swinging for the fences,
a little extra stank on that shot,
a little payback for that Poison Mist from Friday.
[Joe] Charlotte Flair, just when her team needed it,
trying to defend here against The Kabuki Warriors.
And the fallaway slam as she lines up both Kairi and Asuka.
[Wade] So elegant, so talented, so athletic.
They don't make them better than Charlotte Flair.
[Joe] And stepping over right into that corner.
You know she wants this moonsault.
They are in the drop zone after such damage was done.
-Charlotte Flair! -[Wade] Picture perfect.
[Joe] As good as can be to put it away!
-And Asuka survives. -[Wade] Such a late kick-out there.
The cogs starting to whir
after this outstanding tens-all-around moonsault
on two opponents there from Charlotte Flair,
who is now firmly in the driver's seat.
[Joe] Now Asuka trying to fight back into position.
Toeing that line against Flair, center of the ring.
[Wade] Bitterness and hatred between these two.
A slugfest now.
[Joe] There's a little something extra on these right hands.
[Wade] Yes, there is.
[Joe] Remember the Poison Mist attack on Friday night.
And that spinning kick right to the midsection.
And now the constant striking attack of Asuka.
[Wade] There's no way to duck out of it.
Rapid-fire attacks from the Empress of Tomorrow.
But the power gamer, Charlotte Flair, takes the upper hand.
[Joe] Able to neutralize the Empress Impact.
Oh, and a big right hand from Alexa.
[Wade] Completely wobbling Kairi Sane, who went for a sneak attack.
[Joe] We've seen this before.
She was looking for a Natural Selection, but it's an Asuka Lock.
[Wade] Connected on Kairi Sane, but locked in the middle of the ring now,
a million miles away from the tag or the ropes
while maneuvering out of there.
[Joe] Shoulders were down for a moment, but what an incredible sequence there is.
Asuka was smart enough to evade the Natural Selection,
get the Asuka Lock,
and now both Charlotte and Asuka affected.
[Wade] Both women completely wobbled,
but dragged away from the tag by Kairi Sane on the outside
was Alexa Bliss.
[Joe] Meanwhile, back to action on the inside.
Oh, Asuka!
[Wade] Well, Charlotte thought she got herself a breather,
but she'd been denied.
And now locked in is that armbar,
and trying to struggle out of there is Charlotte Flair,
trying to prevent the hyperextension of the elbow,
does so, and now looking for a pin of her own.
[Joe] Incredible stuff here
with the Women's World Tag Team Championships
on the line.
Flair, can she turn it over right here in Boston?
[crowd cheers]
[Wade] A vertical Boston crab right here in Boston,
and close to tapping now!
But kicking away is Asuka.
[Joe] What a counter! Pinning combination by Asuka.
-[Wade] So close there. -[Joe] Delivers the huge kick to Flair.
[Wade] Drilled on the back of the head.
A little trash talk here from the Empress of Tomorrow.
[Joe] She wants gold.
Big boot!
-And now Flair. Oh, here she goes. -[crowd cheers]
[Joe] Figure-four's locked in, can she arch it to the figure-eight?
-[Wade] Oh God, keep your eyes peeled. -[Joe] Oh no.
Charlotte doesn't see Kairi Sane!
[Wade] Well, Kairi doesn't see Alexa Bliss!
-[Joe] Oh, no! Alexa! -[Wade] She does now!
[Joe] Sister Abigail DDT! How about it, Boston?
[Wade] And the figure-eight locked in for good measure.
[Joe] That is awesome stuff!
-To retain… -[Wade] What the hell?
-[Joe] What in the world? -[Wade] Oh God, Lash Legend and Nia Jax.
[Joe] Nia Jax and Lash Legend interfere in the match.
[Wade] The referee didn't see that, so the match is now ongoing.
This one breaking down, Alexa Bliss is down. May be out.
[Joe] Alexa Bliss just got sent over the announce desk
and now Charlotte is all alone to try to battle The Kabuki Warriors!
[Wade] Well, Charlotte had it won!
[Joe] Kairi Sane!
Insane Elbow from up top!
[crowd counting]
-[Joe] We have new champs! -[bell rings]
["Reigning Warriors" playing]
[Alicia] Here are your winners
and new WWE
Women's Tag Team Champions,
The Kabuki Warriors!
[Joe] Alexa finally gets back to her feet.
She was damaged over the announce desk.
And that is how The Kabuki Warriors for the third time--
[Wade] Well, wait up, wait up, Joe. Oh God.
[Joe] Nia Jax and Lash Legend, Wade.
[Wade] Two women who were pivotal
in how the Tag Championships changed hands there.
Now coming out here to wreck shop
and wreck the bodies of the now former Tag Champs,
Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair.
[Joe] The Kabuki Warriors are back in the ring
as Lash Legend and Nia Jax are just attacking.
We could have something here.
[indistinct chatter]
[crowd jeering]
[Joe] Oh, and now all four are beating down
on the just recently dethroned champions.
-["Tokyo Shock" playing] -[Wade] Wait a second.
[crowd cheers]
[Joe] Help is on the way, and it's Iyo Sky!
[Wade] Who has had a major issue with The Kabuki Warriors
over the past few months.
Now dishing Lash Legend out of the ring.
[Joe] And a big kick to Nia Jax, Iyo Sky.
And now, former friends turned foe,
springboard dropkick takes out The Kabuki Warriors!
-[crowd cheering] -[Wade] Might wanna start moving, Nia Jax.
[Joe] Big uppercut.
Iyo Sky trying to save the day here.
Lash Legend… Lash Legend's back. Oh!
-[Wade] Oh my God! -[Joe] Oh, oh, Wade.
[Wade] Just blasted in the jaw by Lash Legend.
-[Joe] Wade… -[Wade] A freak of a powerhouse,
the Boujee Bully is causing chaos now here on Raw.
[Joe] As Charlotte and Alexa are down
-and Iyo Sky is-- -["Demon In Your Dreams" playing]
[crowd cheers]
[Joe] Rhea Ripley's back, face mask and all!
[music stops]
[Wade] There's never been a fight that Rhea Ripley doesn't bloody love!
And she's getting one now.
Oh God, clubbing blow there to Ripley.
Still wearing that protective face mask
after busting her nose several weeks ago.
[Joe] Suffered a broken nose over in Japan.
We haven't seen her and here she is.
Just when Charlotte and Alexa and Iyo needed her most.
[Wade] Oh God, Kairi Sane has been left to the wolves.
[Joe] Oh, Razor's Edge out to the floor to wipe them all up!
-[crowd cheers] -[Ripley] Give me a microphone!
[Joe] Rhea Ripley!
[crowd cheering]
-WarGames! -[crowd cheers]
[Joe] Let's do it!
Two and a half weeks to Survivor Series: WarGames.
["Demon In Your Dreams" playing]
[Joe] Charlotte, Alexa, Iyo,
and how about Rhea Ripley?
♪ Re-kill all of the devils in me… ♪
[yelling indistinctly] devils in me… ♪