[dramatic music playing]
[man 1] On this edition of WWE Raw Classics…
The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes.
[man 2] From undesirable…
to undeniable.
[man 1] The son of a son of a plumber
has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top
since his return to WWE.
[man 2] This is surreal.
[man 3] The American Nightmare is here!
Boom!
[man 1] And today we look back at the defining moments
of The American Nightmare's career.
[Cody Rhodes] I have waited my whole life.
I will wait no more.
[man 1] It's the Raw Classics of Cody Rhodes.
Right here…
on Netflix.
[spectators chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
[intense music playing]
Oh, welcome, WWE Universe, to Raw Classics.
I'm your host, Big E.
And today I know what I wanna talk about…
The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes!
The man who left WWE,
rediscovered his passion and made his triumphant return,
ultimately capturing the Undisputed WWE Championship
at Wrestlemania 40, from Roman Reigns.
But before they were known
as "The American Nightmare" and "The Tribal Chief,"
a young Cody Rhodes would meet an emerging Roman Reigns
in Tag Team action.
Competing alongside his brother, Goldust,
Cody took on The Shield's Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins
for the WWE Tag Team Championship and the Main Event of Raw back in 2013.
[heavy metal music playing]
[bell dinging]
This is a new disqualification match
for the WWE Tag Team Championship!
[spectators cheering]
Introducing first, the challengers…
At a combined weight of 452 pounds,
the team of Cody Rhodes and Goldust!
[spectators cheering]
And their opponents, representing The Shield.
At a combined weight of 482 pounds,
they are the current WWE Tag Team Champions,
Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns.
[spectators cheering]
[Michael Cole] There's no denying, however, that Cody Rhodes and Goldust
have earned this opportunity
over the fact that they defeated The Shield
back at the Battleground pay-per-view
to win their jobs back.
Then just this past Friday night on Smackdown, John,
we saw Cody and Goldust knock off Rowan and Harper of The Wyatt Family.
[Jerry Lawler] You're right.
I mean, we know that Goldust and Cody are capable--
[bell dings]
…but now that we know it's a no-disqualifications match…
You know, Dean Ambrose at ringside is…
We've always talked about the numbers game being the main strategy
that The Shield applies or uses,
so that's what I'm foreseeing at the end of this match.
[JBL] It's Cody and Dustin's fault for not bringing their daddy.
[Cole] So Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes
starting things of in this Tag Team Championship match.
Seth Rollins tweeting out earlier today that
he wants the Rhodes to bring their best tonight.
[JBL] I get what you both are saying, this is more punishment.
The Authority is punishing Cody and Dustin
for doing a great job and being entertaining and best for business.
[Cole] Obvious to me-- Goldust!
[Jerry] No, I don't think the match is punishing.
I think that stipulation was the punishment.
[Cole] No disqualifications. The match, obviously, on paper--
-[Jerry] Tremendous opportunity. -[Cole] Exactly.
Rollins whipped into the corner by Goldust and here's--
[Jerry] So part of this is opportunity, part of this is punishment.
[Cole] I agree. Completely agree.
Goldust!
Rollins quickly to the cover, hook of the leg and a kick-out.
[Jerry] Let me say this, JBL,
you and I have both witnessed that guy we're watching in the ring, Goldust,
be as underhanded and despicable and break every single rule--
[Cole] Dropkick by Cody. Cover! And a kick-out.
[Jerry] So sometimes… Whoa!
…a no-disqualification stipulation may be right down Goldust's alley.
[JBL] So are they punishing The Shield or are they punishing Cody and Goldust?
I get confused.
[Jerry] I think the intention was to punish Goldust and Cody.
[Cole] It was in this building, back in May, at Extreme Rules--
[JBL] Because they got their jobs back, they're getting punished?
-[grunting] -Makes sense to me.
[Cole] Rhodes again, for the Tag Team Championship.
Hook of the leg on Rollins, and a kick-out.
As I was saying, in this building, Extreme Rules, May,
Rollins and Reigns won the Tag Team Championship
on the same night Dean Ambrose won the United States title.
[grunting]
[groaning]
[Jerry] And you know what, JBL, what you said is exactly right.
-Because Cody and Goldust won-- -[Cole] Cover again!
[Jerry] …because they won the match and won their jobs back,
yes, that flew in the face of The Authority
and, I think, now The Authority is going to find every way possible
to punish these two guys.
[spectators cheering]
[JBL] So Ambrose is being punished as well
because he is having to defend his title this week on Main Event.
So everybody's being punished.
So Brie is getting punished by facing a Hall of Famer's daughter,
Daniel Bryan is being punished
because he's got a World Heavyweight Champion
to fight against on Monday Night Raw.
[grunting]
And I guess we're being punished
because we get to call all of this action in front of the whole world.
[Cole] Cody Rhodes again and a kick-out.
Look at it however you want, John.
[JBL] I'm personally being punished 'cause I gotta deal with you two.
[Cole laughing] Yeah, right. You can leave now.
Whoa! King and I did fine for years.
[JBL] No, because that would then punish the fans.
I refuse to do that.
[Cole] King and I did fine.
[JBL] You didn't do that good. That's why I'm here.
[Jerry] Best for business. Call the match, you two!
[Cole] Out of the goodness of your heart, you're here, right, JBL?
Oh! No disqualification, remember, folks.
The stipulation of the match is a tag is made.
We see a very physical Roman Reigns.
[JBL] I'll do what's best for business.
[Cole] And remember that two-on-one attack is completely legal
'cause there's no disqualification.
[groans]
Hurt him now!
[Cole] Cody Rhodes is not where he wants to be.
And now Dean Ambrose wandering around at ringside,
very dangerous out there.
[Jerry] JBL, do you recall what we…
I mean, we were privy to the conversation
that Triple H and Stephanie had with The Shield
when he made this stipulation.
Do you recall anything that Triple H said--
[JBL] What do you mean? I was sitting next to you.
[Jerry] Did you hear Triple H tell The Shield--
[Cole] Hooks the leg!
-[Jerry] "Finish it"? "Finish them"? -Want some payback?
-[Cole] John doesn't hear that stuff. -[JBL] He said, "Finish it."
[Cole] Tag made and here comes Seth Rollins.
[groaning]
[Jerry] Big boot right to the midsection there.
[Cole] Love how you twisted it to "Finish it."
You see Rollins taking out his frustration on Rhodes.
[JBL] Why wouldn't Triple H want a conclusive winner?
Why would he not want to finish this match?
[groaning]
[Jerry] The devil's advocate.
[Cole] How about The Authority's advocate.
…know who he's in there with.
[JBL] You guys need to… All you have are conspiracy theories.
[Cole] Cody trying to fight back. He's got to make a tag to his brother.
[groaning]
[Jerry] I don't think there's any conspiracy anywhere.
[JBL] I agree with you. Nobody's being punished.
[Jerry] It's been made obvious.
[JBL] Guys, you can't tell me this thing's been-- Oh!
[Cole] Suplex! Rollins cover. Forearm right in the face.
And a kick-out by Rhodes at two.
[JBL] I love this! Cody Rhodes and Dustin have got their jobs back.
They're now in a title match.
This is what's best for business.
-[Cole] They earned the title match. -[JBL] I agree.
[Cole] They earned their jobs back.
[JBL] I agree. And who gave them the opportunity?
Who?
-[Jerry] Triple H and Stephanie. -[JBL] Thank you.
[Cole] I don't think Triple H or Stephanie thought there was any chance
that the Rhodes brothers were going to win at Battleground.
Look at Cody! Rollins slips underneath.
Cody rolls through. Makes a tag and in comes his brother, Goldust.
The Bizarre One, Goldust.
[man] Come on!
[Jerry] I'll tell you something. These guys, Goldust and Cody Rhodes,
they can hang with The Shield.
Just worried about that stipulation.
No disqualification.
[Roman] Hit him! No, no, no!
[Cole] Goldust, former Tag Team Champion. Cody Rhodes as well.
But never together. Never as brothers.
[spectators cheering]
That's vintage Goldust off the post.
Here's the cover! Is it enough to win the Tag Team title?
And a near fall.
[Jerry] It was close.
[groaning]
[JBL] I can't imagine what would happen
if Goldust and Cody win the Tag Team title.
[Cole] There'd be a celebration in the locker room, that's for sure.
Goldust, nobody home.
That's a dangerous place for Goldust to be.
It's dangerous out there.
No disqualification.
The Shield looking to retain their Tag Team title here
live on Monday Night Raw.
[Cole] We are back live on Monday Night Raw.
The question for Cody Rhodes and Goldust,
how do you stop The Shield?
Reigns and Rollins, the Tag Team Champions,
dominating under no disqualification rules.
[Jerry] Can you see these guys working Goldust over in the corner there?
The referee knows it's futile to admonish them.
I mean, they don't have to listen to a count to get off the double-teaming.
-[JBL] I'd like to do your job-- -[Cole] Right on his head!
[JBL] I'd like to do your job to remind everybody,
this is for the Tag Team Championship.
[Cole] I did that at the top. Here's a forearm right to the face.
-Cody Rhodes in off the tag. -[Jerry] There you go!
[Cole] And Cody unloading on Seth Rollins, the Tag Team Champs.
Cody and Goldust earning this opportunity
knocking off The Shield at Battleground a couple of weeks ago.
Beat The Wyatt Family this past Friday at Smackdown.
Remember, Triple H added the stipulation no disqualification.
[Jerry] And they have beat the gold off of Goldust's face this match.
[spectators clapping rhythmically]
[Cole] We were talking about this a little bit ago.
The Shield cannot be happy
after that loss to the Rhodes family at Battleground.
-And Goldust from behind-- -[Jerry] Hey, hey, hey!
-[Cole] …Seth Rollins to the middle! -[Jerry] New champs! Oh, man.
[Cole] Rollins with a clothesline.
[referee] One! Two!
[Cole] Again, a cover on Goldust, who kicks out at two.
Two.
[JBL] Could be that the Rhodes brothers have The Shield's number.
They found a way to beat Harper and Rowan. They found a way to beat The Shield.
[Jerry] If that's the case, we'll have some new champions tonight.
Is that your prediction, JBL?
[JBL] I'm not predicting anything. Just calling what I see.
[Cole] As mouthpiece for The Authority, is that good for business?
[JBL] I'll be Mr. T. My prediction is pain.
-[Jerry] Look! -[Cole] Roman Reigns!
Goldust with a little rally there. And a kick-out!
[grunting]
[man] Goldust!
[JBL] Cody Rhodes looking on. He just can't wait to get in there.
His brother Goldust needs a tag in the worst way right now.
[Cole] Roman Reigns, that huge body of his,
all the weight weighing on Goldust.
[JBL] The American Dream is sitting around
watching his boys somewhere.
Rooting for his two young boys to become the new Tag Team Champions.
[Cole] It was thanks, in part, to Dusty that--
[JBL] Dusty made a name for himself right here in St. Louis.
[Cole] …Goldust and Cody are here tonight.
[Jerry] Can you imagine the joy of The American Dream
if his boys become the WWE Tag Champs tonight?
-Whoa! -[Cole] Goldust with a back elbow!
[Jerry] They can do it!
[Cole] And now Cody Rhodes pacing on the apron.
He realizes point of the match could be the turning point
if he can get in here.
And then Rollins with a cheap shot.
[spectators booing]
[Jerry] Let me tell you something.
[Cole] No disqualification all around.
[Jerry] You're right, it's no disqualification. And this--
[Cole] Ah, jeez, just mocking Goldust.
-Goldust, powerslam. -[Jerry] Yeah! Caught in midair.
Let me put it this way… The Shield…
Hey, these guys are cocky. These guys are arrogant.
They're self-confident because they haven't really done that much
to take advantage of this no-disqualification stipulation.
[Cole] And here's the tag! And Cody in. Cody Rhodes in off the tag!
Turning point, perhaps. Rhodes hammering away on Reigns.
[JBL] It better be a turning point.
[Cole] And Cody Rhodes has got Roman Reigns, perhaps, in trouble.
-Look at this! -[commentators] Oof!
[Jerry] Shades of his brother. Wow.
-[JBL] Think he made Reigns mad. -[Jerry] You're right.
[Cole] Shoulder first to the post.
-[Jerry] Well, he may just be glad… -[Cole] Cody!
Stacks him up. Shoulders-- He get him? No!
Two and a half. Near fall.
[Jerry] Thought he had a chance!
[Cole] Cody, top rope.
-Moonsault! Down goes Reigns! -[Jerry] Cover! Cover!
[Cole] Into the cover! And Reigns is gonna power out.
[JBL] Daddy didn't do that.
-He thought about it. -[Jerry] Not long.
[Cole] Now Ambrose suffers a Disaster Kick.
[JBL] Disaster Kick.
-[Cole] Roman Reigns-- -[Jerry] Need to capitalize.
[Cole] Rhodes, the legal man.
[Jerry] The numbers game is not with The Shield right now.
Do something, Cody. Something big!
[spectators chanting] Cody!
[Cole] He's trying. He's trying!
[JBL] Can they pull a rabbit out of the hat again against The Shield?
[Cole] From the top rope! Is it enough for Cody Rhodes to do the unthinkable?
Will they win the Tag Team title?
And Rollins breaks it up! Now Goldust into the ring.
Goldust heads out after Rollins.
[Jerry] This is breaking down. You know what?
With no disqualification, I thought this would have happened a lot sooner.
-[JBL] This is all legal, King. -[Cole] Completely legal.
[Jerry] Goldust and Seth Rollins going at it on the outside.
-[Cole] Cody Rhodes going for-- Ambrose! -[Jerry] Look out!
[Cole] And the ref can do nothing about it!
It's a…
The numbers game favors The Shield.
[Jerry] You just had to know this was gonna happen.
[Cole] You knew this was coming.
Cody Rhodes trying to fight back with all his might.
Rhodes, Ambrose and Rollins.
[Jerry] You know who else knew this was coming?
The Authority. Triple H and Stephanie. They knew this was coming.
[JBL] They caused this. They caused the Biblical flood.
Yeah, they caused mad cow disease.
-They did it all. -[Cole] They caused this.
-Triple H made it no disqualification. -[JBL] This is legal.
[Cole] Why else would you make this no disqualification?
[Jerry] I don't know about you, I'm enjoying this.
[Cole] Of course you are.
-[Cole] Cody Rhodes is helpless. -[JBL] A good, old beat down.
[Jerry] It's action. That's what's best for business.
[Cole] And now Goldust with a steel chair!
-[JBL] Here comes more action! -[Jerry] Whoa, baby!
[Cole] And now to Rollins! And Ambrose!
-Goldust unloading! -[JBL] Wow! That's all legal.
[Jerry] Tell me this isn't best for business.
[JBL] That was a Tito Ortiz swing right there.
[Cole] And now Roman Reigns…
Reigns!
And just like that, The Shield with the numbers in their favor.
[spectators cheering]
[JBL] Man, how quick things turn around.
You idiot!
You never put the chair down!
[JBL] Uh-oh. He said, "You should never have brought a chair in."
[Jerry] Goldust may live to regret it.
[Cole] Yeah, Goldust may have sealed his own fate.
[spectators chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
[Cole] The beginning of the end, perhaps, for Goldust and Cody!
-[Jerry] He missed it! -[Cole] Reigns misses wildly! Goldust!
Wow! Chair on the chest of Reigns!
And Cody and Rollins still going at it.
[Jerry] What a match this has turned out to be here.
[Cole] Excitement everywhere.
Tag Team title's at stake. Oh!
[JBL] The Rhodes boys are going toe-to-toe with The Shield.
[Jerry] You're right. This is hanging-- Oh, no! No, no, no!
[Cole] Seth Rollins! Seth Rollins! Into the barricade!
Monday Night Raw is live on USA, in St. Louis, Missouri.
This is for the WWE Tag Team Championship.
No disqualification!
-Goldust and Cody against… -[Jerry] Rollins and Reigns of The Shield!
[Jerry] I don't know who's legal in this match.
Is it Goldust and Reigns?
[JBL] I think it's all legal.
-[Cole] It don't matter at this point. -[Jerry] You're right.
-[Cole] An atomic drop! -[Jerry and JBL] Oh!
-[Cole] Seth Rollins! -[Jerry] Oh, watch out!
-[Cole] Goldust got him too! -[Jerry yelps]
[Cole] There's the Goldust we know!
[spectators cheering]
Everybody's out of the ring!
-[Jerry] This is unbelievable! -[Cole] Chaos!
[JBL laughs]
-[Cole] Bodies everywhere. -[Jerry] Reigns may be hurt!
[Cole] For the WWE Tag Team titles!
-[Jerry] Watch it! Here comes Ambrose! -[Cole] Ambrose from behind!
And again, a distinct numbers advantage for The Shield!
[spectators booing]
[Jerry] And once again, no disqualification.
Anyway Dean Ambrose wants to get involved, it's okay.
[Cole] And Reigns driving Goldust into the apron!
And a probable rally.
-A tearaway! -[Jerry] This is awesome!
Oh!
Who would have thought that Goldust and Cody Rhodes
would hang with The Shield like this?
-[Cole] They do look-- -[Jerry] No! No! No!
Wow!
[JBL] He's done. He's done.
[Jerry laughing] These guys are destroying each other. I love it!
-[Cole] …in the arena. -[Jerry] I love it!
[Cole] Roman Reigns spearing Goldust right through the timekeepers' area.
[Jerry] Watch this. This is unbelievable.
Look at the impact! God!
One more look at this… devastation.
[Cole] And Ambrose. How smart was Ambrose?
Ambrose realized that with Goldust out,
he went across to the other side of the ring,
put Cody into the ring and now he's trying to drag Roman Reigns back in
to win this match-up.
[spectators cheering]
[JBL] Well, this is gonna be…
[spectators cheering loudly]
-What is this? -[Cole] What the… Oh, my God!
-Oh, my God! Big Show! -[Jerry] What is he doing?
-Call the police. Call the police! -[Cole] Big Show right here!
-Big Show right here in front of us! -[Jerry] Look out!
[Cole] Big Show is unloading on Ambrose.
[JBL] He just knocked out Ambrose.
[Cole] Big Show rode the line in to St. Louis.
-Big Show KOs Seth Rollins. -[Jerry groans]
[Cole] Big Show!
[Jerry] He's a one-man wrecking crew.
-[JBL] How is there no security? -[shouting indistinctly]
[Cole] Cody Rhodes misses-- Oh, a knockout!
A knockout by Big Show!
Come on, Cody! Come on, Cody!
-Capitalize! He's gonna do it! -[Jerry] Look at this!
[spectators] …two, three!
-[Cole] He did it! -[bell dings]
-[Cole] New Tag Team Champions! -[rock music plays]
New champions!
[JBL] Somebody arrest that man!
[commentators laughing]
[announcer] The winners of this match and new WWE Tag Team Champions,
the team of Goldust and Cody Rhodes!
[Cole] Big Show came rumbling through the arena
and knocked out everybody.
[JBL] How the hell does a seven-foot giant trespass?
[Jerry] Wait a minute! Wait.
-[Cole] Triple H is livid. -[JBL] Can you blame him?
[spectators cheering]
[Big E] With a little help from the Big Show,
Cody and Goldust became Tag Team Champions.
Fast-forward 10 years and a lot had changed.
Cody, frustrated by a lack of opportunities,
abruptly departed WWE,
spending nearly six years grinding around the world,
reigniting his fire
and transforming himself into The American Nightmare.
The stage was set
for Cody to make his epic return at WrestleMania 38.
[man 1] The prodigal son has returned!
Boom!
With Rhodes back home in WWE,
fans were eager to hear what was next for The American Nightmare.
[spectators chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
-[drum sting] -[spectators cheering]
[Cody] Wrestling has more than one royal family.
["Kingdom" playing]
♪ Adrenaline in my soul ♪
♪ Every fight out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
♪ Crowd is here, about to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
♪ Whoa! ♪
♪ And my father said, when I was younger ♪
♪ Hard times breed better men ♪
♪ Better men! ♪
♪ You took it all away I give it all away ♪
♪ Can't take my freedom ♪
♪ Here to change the game A banner made of pain ♪
♪ I built my kingdom ♪
♪ Now you bow to me ♪
[shouting indistinctly]
♪ You'll follow me until the end ♪
♪ I am my kingdom ♪
♪ Lights go down, I'm ready now ♪
♪ Tear this roof off for the town ♪
♪ Gonna give 'em what they came to see ♪
♪ Hear the crowd on their toes ♪
♪ Ready for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
♪ Whoa! ♪
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
The American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
[Corey Graves] What a moment we all witnessed
WrestleMania Saturday.
The shocking return of the prodigal son, Cody Rhodes,
to WWE.
[Byron Saxton] After six years removed from competing in a WWE ring,
not only did Cody Rhodes return at WrestleMania,
but how about the first impression upon that return?
Earning a victory over Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[Corey] It all feels right.
Cody back on Monday Night Raw after six years,
on what is ordinarily, the most rockest Monday Night Raw
of the entire year,
the Raw after WrestleMania.
♪ Can't take my freedom ♪
♪ Here to change the game A banner made of pain ♪
♪ I built my kingdom ♪
["Kingdom" fades]
[chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
[chanting fades]
[spectators cheering]
[spectators chanting] Welcome back! Welcome back! Welcome back!
[spectators cheering]
-[fan 1] We love you, Cody! -[fan 2] We love you, Cody!
[spectators cheering]
[spectators chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
-[shouting indistinctly] -[spectators cheering]
[spectators cheering]
So what do you guys want to talk about?
[spectators cheering]
It has been 47 days
since the abrupt news that I was a free agent.
Amongst that, I chose to remain silent.
And I heard stories…
defamatory whispers,
theories that surmised to be nonsense.
Everyone thinks the decision…
to return to WWE was difficult.
It was not.
[spectators cheering]
It was simple, really.
The star that left them in the dust…
the man standing here now
having signed a multi-year agreement with World Wrestling Entertainment.
[spectators cheering]
And if there was…
[spectators chanting] You deserve it! You deserve it! You deserve it!
If there was a glimmer of doubt,
a shred of trepidation,
the moment I rose up in front of 70-something-thousand fans,
the moment I made the walk at a WrestleMania,
and defeated one of the best superstar wrestlers in any era,
that being Seth Rollins,
that doubt was eradicated!
[spectators cheering]
I'm an avid reader and I stumbled across this quote.
It said a man often finds his destiny
on the path he takes to avoid it.
So if you will humor me,
let's all take a look at the 'tron, if you will.
[spectators cheering]
[spectators chanting] Dusty! Dusty! Dusty!
[chant fades]
Right there
is my father, The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes.
[spectators cheering]
It's so… It's so simple to say, "That's my father."
But in reality…
yeah, he's a legend.
[fan 3] He's the man!
Yeah, he's the son of a plumber.
He's a common man. He's all those things.
To me…
[voice breaking] …he was my hero.
[spectators cheering]
[spectators chanting] Dusty! Dusty! Dusty!
This photo was taken in 1977, Madison Square Garden.
That very photo right there,
he is holding the championship belt that eventually…
Hulk Hogan would get his hands on.
The Undertaker would get his hands on.
[cheering loudly]
The Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels…
[spectators cheering]
Oh, and, uh…
Triple H too.
[spectators cheering]
And many other greats.
I'm gonna tell you all a quick story which made this all very simple to me.
This photo…
This very photo…
was on the mantle in my parents' bedroom until my dad's last day.
And as I…
As I got hip to the industry,
I worked up a little courage and I remember I asked him.
And I worded it very poorly.
I said, "I didn't know you were champion like Hulk Hogan."
And he looked at me
with the same eyes that Liberty has and he said…
Very stern and very patiently,
he explained to me the Champion's Advantage.
He said that he had won the match,
but because it was by count-out,
he did not take home the championship belt.
So I'm eight years old…
what's a boy to do?
Right then and there, at eight years old,
I knew, not what I wanted to do,
what I needed to do.
I was going to win this championship belt, right here.
[spectators cheering]
I was going to place it…
I was going to bestow it
into the hands of The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes.
And I would tell him, "Nobody can take it away from you now."
And there are many here tonight who have followed my journey,
but for those who are new to it…
unfortunately…
that dream died.
It died right in front of me.
That opportunity passed.
[scattered encouragement]
That opportunity passed…
or did it?
[spectators cheering]
Yes, I cannot physically
put that title belt into my father's hands.
I cannot bestow it upon The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes,
but I certainly can put it around the waist
of The American Nightmare.
[spectators cheering]
[chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
[man chanting, clapping rhythmically] You can do it! You can do it!
[all chanting, clapping rhythmically] You can do it! You can do it!
[chant fades]
With that in mind,
the silence is broken.
My intentions are clear.
I've made them clear to all of you here.
I stand before you ready. Finally ready.
[spectators cheering]
And I'm going to do it.
I'm going to give the distinction that my family has long since been denied
and I'm going to do it for you,
I'm going to do it for me,
I'm going to do it for my family,
and I am going to do it…
for The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes.
[spectators cheering]
[exciting music playing]
[Big E] A touching tribute to his father,
the late great Dusty Rhodes.
As Cody made it known
he had his sights set on the head of the table,
Roman Reigns.
But that road to glory wasn't easy to travel.
It meant going through WWE's elite,
superstars like the tough and charismatic LA Knight.
[crowd] Yeah!
[music fades]
[bell dings]
[Kevin Patrick] Cody looks in immaculate condition.
[Corey] As does LA Knight.
Listen, LA Knight isn't some Johnny-come-lately
who's new to the business.
LA Knight has scratched and clawed
to take every opportunity just to get to this point.
But LA didn't come this far just to come this far.
[spectators chanting] Cody!
[Corey] Imagine what it would do to LA Knight's stock
if he were to knock off Cody Rhodes tonight on Raw.
[Kevin] Send shockwaves around the entire universe-- Look at that!
Vicious right from LA!
Cody rocked here early.
[Corey] Look at the confidence just dripping from LA Knight.
[Kevin] That may ignite a fire within Cody Rhodes.
[Corey] You're right. That's an easy way to get yourself caught
or find yourself in a position you'd rather not be,
is by overlooking or becoming overconfident
with someone as dangerous as The American Nightmare.
[Kevin] Speaking of positions you'd rather not be,
Cody Rhodes has injected himself
into the business of The Bloodline, Corey, in previous weeks,
coming to the aid of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
We saw him have a conversation in the background last time
with Kevin Owens.
Is this a wise strategy from Cody here?
[Corey] I don't know if it's the wisest decision from Cody,
but it feels almost inevitable.
When you are dealing with Roman Reigns, you are dealing with The Bloodline,
no matter what the circumstance may be.
It's a stark contrast to the preparation of Roman Reigns,
the reigning Undisputed WWE Universal Champion,
who, on the road to WrestleMania, is training.
He's got the best coaches in the world,
he's got the best physical therapists in the world
keeping him fresh--
[Kevin] Oh!
[Corey] …for the match-up.
Cody taking the polar opposite approach.
Hence, this match right now.
[Kevin] Waistlock applied, down goes LA Knight.
[Corey] He's tripped by the veteran Rhodes and a knee right between the eyes.
[Kevin] Cody may put this away early now. Cover! And a kick-out by LA.
[Corey] Smart move by Knight, taking a moment to compose himself.
I don't know if Cody's looking to afford LA any respite--
[Kevin] He's got ideas here-- Oh! Cody's been caught!
[Corey] Big right hand by Knight
stops The Nightmare in his tracks.
[Kevin] Dragging Rhodes to the outside.
Such a connection there from LA Knight.
But now face-first into the barricade!
Three!
[Kevin] Bit of urgency about Cody Rhodes now.
[Corey] Oh! But the urgency may cost him.
You are dealing with a veteran in LA Knight.
-But uh-oh! Uh-oh! -[Kevin] It's angered Cody Rhodes!
[Corey] LA took his eyes off the ball for just a moment
and now The Nightmare is making him pay.
[Kevin] Little bit of separation game inside the ring for LA Knight.
Cody Rhodes taking a climb. LA Knight at pace now!
[Corey] Wow!
Are you kidding me?!
[Kevin] Is The American Nightmare in trouble?
[Corey] He sure is!
[Kevin] We are 19 days from WrestleMania
and the biggest night of Cody Rhodes' life
when he'll main event against Roman Reigns.
And look at Cody Rhodes go inside the ring
in one-on-one action against LA Knight.
[Corey] Smart move by Knight.
The official's view was blocked by their bodies.
Knight went to the eyes… DDT. This could do it.
[Kevin] LA Knight now. What a win this would be.
Cody, shoulders up.
[Corey] WrestleMania weekend, a colossal two-night event,
kicks off two weeks from this Saturday.
You thought this would be practice, huh?
[Corey] And LA Knight is a superstar still looking for a path.
If you talk to Knight, he believes in his heart of hearts
that he belongs at a Showcase of the Immortals.
Some people may say that LA Knight's brash,
maybe that he's a bit overconfident,
but that's the sort of mentality it takes to make your mark in this business.
And LA Knight could be well on his way with a win tonight over Cody Rhodes.
[Kevin] Imagine the talk, the chatter, if LA Knight can get this done
against a man headed to the Main Event of WrestleMania.
[Corey] Just think psychologically what it could do to Cody…
-Picking up speed! -[Kevin] Look out!
[Corey] Forearm caught Knight off guard.
Big uppercut.
[Kevin] LA Knight's rocked to the corner. He goes… Evaded by Cody.
Cody's looking fresh.
[Corey] Powerslam by Rhodes
and now it's Knight in jeopardy.
[Kevin] Looking energized, Cody Rhodes!
[Corey] Disaster Kick!
[Kevin] Hooks the leg now, Cody, to put away LA Knight,
who kicks out at two.
Cody can't believe it.
[Corey] Cody keeping his focus now on LA Knight
who, no doubt, is earning Rhodes respect as this match progresses.
But Cody can't lose sight
of the task at hand.
LA Knight stands in the way of WrestleMania right now.
[Kevin] Caught by Knight.
-Can he end this now? -[Corey] Cover!
[Kevin] LA Knight, cover for the win. And Cody kicks out at two.
Come on!
[Corey] Knight beginning to show a little frustration.
Oh, looking for Blunt Force Trauma. Rhodes able to escape.
[Kevin] Cody. Hang on, look at this! Cody Cutter!
[Corey] Wow!
[screaming] Yeah! Yeah!
[Corey] And The Nightmare is alive in Providence.
[Kevin] Sizing the prize. Waiting for his moment to pounce.
Cross Rhodes!
[spectators] One, two, three!
[bell dings]
["Kingdom" playing]
[announcer] Here is your winner,
The American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
[Corey] Well, Cody wanted to keep his skill set razor-sharp
on the way to WrestleMania.
The Nightmare did just that tonight.
[Kevin] This is where it turned. Look at this from Cody Rhodes.
How spectacular is that?
[Corey] A Cody Cutter so nice, we'll show it to you twice.
Soaring through the air,
driving LA Knight face-first into the canvas.
And then a trip to the Cross Rhodes.
[spectators] One, two, three!
[bell dings]
[Kevin] Determination in the face of Cody Rhodes.
["Kingdom" fades]
The American Nightmare took care of business against LA Knight
and continued his climb to the top of the mountain.
But to get over that hump,
Rhodes would soon need to make alliances in WWE.
One of those alliances came in unlikely form,
former Bloodline member, "Main Event" Jey Uso.
Together, the two would become Undisputed Tag Team Champions
at Fastlane in October, 2023.
[man] Cross Rhodes!
Here's the cover!
One, two, three!
[man] We got new Tag Team Champions!
[Big E] And in their first title defense on Raw,
they faced a tough test against a formidable team
of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
[drum sting]
[Cody] Wrestling has more than one royal family.
["Kingdom" playing]
♪ Adrenaline in my soul ♪
♪ Every fight out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
[spectators cheering]
♪ Crowd is here, about to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
[spectators] ♪ Whoa! ♪
-["Kingdom" continues] -♪ And my father said ♪
♪ When I was younger… ♪
[Cole] For now, Cody Rhodes has turned his attention
to defending the Undisputed Tag Team titles
with his new partner, Jey Uso.
But Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens are hungry.
They finally get an opportunity
in winning their tag team titles back
and the odds, even this time around.
♪ I am my kingdom ♪
♪ Lights go down, I'm ready now ♪
♪ Tear this roof off for the town ♪
♪ Gonna give 'em what they came to see ♪
♪ Hear the crowd on their toes ♪
♪ Ready for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
[spectators] ♪ Whoa! ♪
-["Kingdom continues] -♪ And my father said ♪
♪ When I was younger ♪
[music fades]
[bell dings]
The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship!
Introducing the challengers,
the team of
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn!
[spectators cheering]
And their opponents,
they are the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions
"Main Event" Jey Uso
and The American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
[cheering]
[Cole] You know, Wade, it's one thing to surprise the world
and win the Tag Team titles,
play off the emotion of the surprise of Saturday night,
but now the going gets tough.
Because now you gotta defend the titles, week in and week out.
The first title defense tonight
against two men who've had differences over the years,
but have been longtime best friends.
Former Tag Team Champions, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
Could Cody and Jey be ripe for the picking tonight?
[Wade Barrett] I've gotta say that whenever I won a championship,
I really hoped, at least for my first defense,
I get a lay-up.
Give me someone easy, let's make it a procession.
Let me feel good about myself.
Let the world see me have an easy defense.
You're not getting that tonight, Cody and Jey.
You're gonna have to win this one the hard way.
[Cole] Nothing's easy in WWE.
You know that better than anyone,
former five-time Intercontinental Champion, Wade Barrett.
Here we go.
Cody Rhodes and Sami Zayn start things off in this match-up tonight.
[spectators chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
[Wade] Let's imagine that KO had stumbled…
[chanting continues] Cody! Cody! Cody!
[Wade] …stumbled across McIntyre and Jey Uso
about to get into it earlier tonight, like Sami did.
Would he have stopped them fighting? Certainly not.
[Cole] I doubt it.
[Wade] They would have had a really easy path
to winning back those championships.
I've always thought that Sami and KO are a very strange pair.
[Cole] They are, but here's the thing.
Sami Zayn's the one guy who has believed in Jey Uso all along.
Even back to the days when both were in The Bloodline with Roman Reigns.
Sami always stuck by Jey,
always believed that Jey should have been out on his own.
should have been away from the power and the greed
of Roman Reigns and company.
He's still with him today.
[Wade] More often than not though,
it bit Sami Zayn on the ass when he--
[Cole] You're right. True. Oh!
[Wade] Occasionally, it's worked.
[Cole] Now Cody Rhodes is with Jey Uso, it's got him gold. Tag team gold.
What are we doing, huh?
[Cole] Now Rhodes and Sami Zayn,
with the tag team titles on the line.
Things are starting to heat up.
Who's gonna win the Tag Team gold?
And we are back live on Monday Night Raw.
Huge crowd in Omaha.
This is for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles.
It's the new champs, Cody and Jey,
taking on Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
And things getting a bit feisty
during the commercial break, Wade.
[Wade] KO and Zayn have already gone into meltdown once.
[Cole] Cover by Sami to win the tag gold.
And a kick-out.
[Wade] A couple of minutes ago, Zayn had a chance to cheap shot Cody
and he elected not to do so--
-[Cole] Tag. -[Wade] KO lost his mind with Sami Zayn.
This is a championship match.
Take every opportunity you can get.
[Cole] Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn butted heads recently
over the fact that Sami supports Jey Uso.
[Wade] Just polar opposite philosophies on everything about life.
How on earth they are best friends is still, to this day, beyond me.
[Cole] Damn good tag team too.
Hoping to regain the gold here tonight.
Now Jey Uso and Sami Zayn.
And Jey, up over the top. Sami, nice leapfrog.
And now a right hand as Sami drops Jey Uso.
All business here tonight in this match-up.
Sami and Jey making sure that they told each other about that earlier.
[Wade] And I'll tell you this, you don't need any extra motivation
to win gold in WWE.
But do you not think Jey winning tag gold-- Oh!
…was a subtle shot at Jimmy Uso?
"Hey, I didn't need you."
"I was the reason why our tag team was so good."
[Cole] No doubt about it.
Speaking of Jimmy Uso,
Jimmy and Solo at Fastlane
lost to LA Knight and John Cena in a tag team match, right.
[Wade] Yup.
[Cole] Roman Reigns returns to Friday Night SmackDown…
The season premiere this coming Friday night.
…what mood is Roman Reigns gonna be in
with Jimmy and Solo losing to Knight and Cena this past Saturday?
[Wade] Yeah, I think you already know the answer to that.
And I cannot wait to tune in and see that go into meltdown.
[Cole] Now Kevin Owens and Jey Uso.
No love lost between these two men.
Hey, Jey's tried. He's tried to bury the hatchet.
Kevin Owens doesn't seem to want any of it.
A little cheap shot. Now Jey fighting back.
[Wade] This is what KO wanted from Sami Zayn a little earlier.
[Cole] Kevin Owens, Fight Owens Fight, wants the tag team title.
Double leg takedown.
Now the fight spills out to the floor.
And Kevin Owens and Jey Uso, hammering away on one another,
right here at our announce table.
[Wade] Going hell for leather in pursuit of the gold.
[Cole] Wade, you knew this was gonna blow up eventually.
Kevin Owens can't stand Jey Uso.
And now Rhodes trying to separate the men
and Sami Zayn getting involved.
And now things are boiling over.
[Wade] Thought we'd get a double count-out.
What on earth is going on?
[Cole] Things have reached a boiling point.
Kevin Owens and Jey Uso right next to us
beating the hell out of one another.
This is a Tag Team Championship match.
Senior official, Chad Patton, trying to give us some leeway here
with the titles on the line.
[Wade] The gloves are well and truly off now.
No thoughts of sportsmanship.
[Cole] Now Kevin goes after Cody Rhodes.
Kevin Owens back into the ring.
This thing breaking down in a hurry.
[Wade] Well, like it or not, Sami Zayn, you are now subscribing
to the Kevin Owens school of thought on this one.
Pugnacious as they come.
[Cole] Now both teams looking to regroup here.
KO!
What's up?
[Cole] Kevin Owens obviously has a bad temper,
to say the least.
[Wade] I've got--
[Cole] Now Kevin Owens spills out on to the announce table again
taking the fight to Jey Uso right here in front of us.
Jey and Kevin Owens continuing the fight
pounding the hell out of each other.
Now Sami and Cody going at it.
Somebody get control of this damn Tag Team Championship match.
My God!
[Cole] Well, senior official, Chad Patton,
actually got things settled down during the commercial break.
Inside the ring now,
Kevin Owens and Jey Uso.
Of course, Jey Uso's partner is Cody Rhodes.
Owens' Sami Zayn.
This is for the Undisputed Tag Team Titles.
[Wade] Jey Uso, 50% of the greatest tag team in history.
Can you imagine if Jey and Cody beat the record
that was set by The Usos?
And Kevin Owens, there's that senton, delivered to Jey,
to win the Tag Team gold again.
And a kick-out by Jey Uso.
Uso and Rhodes shocking the sports entertainment world
this past Saturday night at Fastlane,
winning the Tag Team Titles from the dominant Judgement Day.
Now Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
finally getting the rematch that they never had,
now on an even playing field.
And… Oh!
[spectators cheering]
Jey Uso with that kick to Kevin Owens
creates some space
trying to make it to the corner to tag in The American Nightmare.
[Wade] KO, perhaps, looking for that Frog Splash
but denied by the resiliency of Jey Uso.
Something KO knows all about
after their many battles over the years.
[Cole] Oh, no. Jey Uso, second rope,
hammering away on Kevin Owens.
Kevin with a shot to the ribs.
And now Kevin from the top rope!
Swanton, to win the titles.
Cover! Hook of the leg.
And a kick-out by Main Event Jey Uso.
Notice how Kevin Owens did not allow Jey Uso a breath.
Right back on the fight.
[Wade] Yeah, the problem with Jey Uso
if you allow him a breath, he's gonna go over and tag.
He's that rapid.
Once again, KO with that deep play,
but Swanton not quite enough to put Jey Uso away.
Cody Rhodes starting to look a little panicked.
[Cole] Jey Uso back to his feet. Owens as well.
[both grunting]
[spectators chanting] KO! KO! KO!
[Cole] Looking for a Pop-Up Powerbomb.
Jey lands on his feet, now catches Kevin Owens with a superkick.
Kevin Owens with one of his own.
Jey Uso up to the chin again to Kevin Owens.
Kevin stunned and then a clothesline.
Both men down.
[Wade] Shot for shot. Blow for blow.
Who has got the resiliency to make a tag here?
Both men giving it everything they've got.
[Cole] A critical moment in the match-up. Jey Uso trying to get to Cody Rhodes.
Kevin Owens trying to hang on and not allow him to make the tag.
Back up, Jey Uso. There's another kick drops Kevin Owens.
Uso down to one knee.
Critical moment here.
Tag to Cody. Tag to Sami.
Here we go!
And Cody Rhodes on fire.
[Wade] Just a step ahead of Sami Zayn there.
[Cole] Sami into the corner, Cody up over the top.
Oh, nice powerslam by Rhodes.
Yeah!
[spectators cheering]
[Cole] Cody, looking for the Cody Cutter!
[Wade] Nice.
[Cole] Cover on Zayn. Hook of the leg. For the win.
Sami kicked at two.
[Wade] The kind of offense
that is taking Cody Rhodes to the absolute pinnacle of this industry.
Unfortunately for him,
he's in there with one of the best in Sami Zayn.
[Cole] A thing of beauty
but Sami Zayn able to kick out.
[spectators] One, two…
[Wade] It's almost muscle memory for Cody
when he hits that move.
He thinks he's won the match.
The disappointment when someone rarely kicks out…
[Cole] Now Cody, perhaps looking for Cross Rhodes
to put Sami away.
Sami able to counter.
Now Sami Zayn trying for the Blue Thunder Bomb.
Cody, from behind.
Cross Rhodes, again blocked.
-Blue Thunder Bomb! -[spectators] One, two…
[Cole] To win the titles!
And a kick-out by Rhodes.
[Wade] Zayn such a scrappy, underdog fighter.
So easy to pull for.
Got this audience hanging on his every move.
One, two…
[Cole] And again, near falls for both of these men.
And the WWE fans loving it.
For the Undisputed Tag Team Titles,
here tonight on Monday Night Raw.
[Wade] Heavy-duty offense getting thrown in every direction.
[Cole] Cody Rhodes drops down, delivers the right hand to Zayn.
In the corner! Exploder by Sami.
And Cody hit hard.
[Wade] Zayn's in the zone.
Cody's in the worst spot possible.
[Cole] Cody's back to his feet. Went with the Helluva Kick.
But Sami… Caught him. Cross Rhodes for the win.
Can Cody Rhodes put Zayn away?
One, two…
[Cole] Kevin Owens breaks it off.
[Wade] Timed to perfection.
And it had to be a millisecond away
from a successful retention of the gold.
[Cole] That's gotta be so frustrating for Cody Rhodes.
Intercepted the Helluva Kick with a Cross Rhodes.
[Wade] Even when KO's down,
he's always got his eye on the action.
If his body can move, he's swinging.
Come on, Cody. Come on, Cody!
[Cole] Jey Uso, back up on the apron,
begging for Cody to make a tag.
Kevin Owens on the other side as well.
[spectators clapping rhythmically]
Uso looking to rally the WWE fans in this match-up.
Throw all the good will out the window
at this point in the match-up.
This is about surviving.
Cody!
Ah, with the hook, Sami.
Back bodydrop.
Come on, man.
Cody, come on!
[Cole] I hear Jey begging for Cody.
Sami will tag Kevin Owens,
Cody will tag Main Event Jey Uso.
And these two men who can't stand each other
going at it here.
[Wade] Man, I could watch these two fight every single week.
And I think they'd enjoy it too.
[Cole] Blow after blow exchanged.
Superkick after superkick.
[Wade] Jey refusing to go down.
[Cole] Kevin Owens is now down though.
-Uso falls into the cover! -One, two…
[Cole] To retain the titles and Kevin Owens gets the shoulder up!
What a match here in our main event on Monday Night Raw.
[Wade] KO just has that enduring spirit.
-Take another look at this. -[Cole] Bang!
[Wade] "Bring your best. I'll bring mine."
"You're going down first, pal."
[Cole] Both these teams throwing it all out there.
Putting it all on the line
for the Undisputed Tag Team titles.
[Wade] Four men with an unquenchable thirst for gold.
[Cole] Uso went with the Uso Splash.
Had to roll through as Kevin Owens moved out of harm's way.
Stunner!
-For the win! -[spectators] One, two…
[Cole] And this time it's Cody Rhodes repaying the favor.
[Wade] Well, they're one for one on those last millisecond break-ups.
And they had to be.
[Cole] Another look at the stunner by Kevin Owens.
[Wade] The reign of Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes--
-[Cole] Sami! -[Wade] …hanging by a thread.
[Cole] Sami Zayn taking out the Tag Team Champions.
Kevin Owens back on the fight. There are bodies everywhere.
[Wade] Yeah, the freshest guy has to be KO.
That's who you're backing now.
[Cole] And with Kevin Owens, Jey Uso is in trouble.
KO at the top rope. KO looks for a Swanton.
Jey got the knees up!
[Wade] Suckered in KO.
[Cole] Another superkick!
Sami Zayn runs into one!
Cross Rhodes by Cody!
Double superkick!
[Wade] Like a well-oiled machine.
It's like they've been tagging for years, Cole.
[Cole] There it is, the Cody--
One-dy! Cody Cutter!
-Cover by Jey Uso! -[spectators] One, two, three!
-[Cole] They retain the tag titles. -[bell dinging]
[hip-hop music playing]
[announcer] Here are your winners!
And still…
the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions
Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes!
[Cole] Well, for anyone who thought
that Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso would be a flash in a pan, think again.
[Wade] Yeah, when you put away a team like this,
it is rather incredible how short they've been tagging.
This is where it all got turned around.
Those knees up by Jey Uso
as KO was going in for the kill.
And how about this, Cole?
[Cole] Yeah, the Cody Cutter.
They could call it the Cody One-dy.
And again, the Tag Team Champions,
a successful retention here tonight,
live on Monday Night Raw.
[Big E] What a match!
And a great show of respect between four incredible performers.
Cody's road would eventually shift back to singles competition
and that long climb to the top of the mountain would continue.
Standing in his way was The King of Strong Style,
Shinsuke Nakamura,
who was set to face The American Nightmare in a Street Fight.
-[drum sting] -[spectators cheering]
[Cody] Wrestling has more than one royal family.
["Kingdom" playing]
♪ Adrenaline in my soul ♪
♪ Every fight out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
[inaudible]
♪ Crowd is here, about to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
[spectators] ♪ Whoa! ♪
-["Kingdom" continues] -♪ And my father said ♪
♪ When I was younger… ♪
[announcer] And his opponent from Atlanta, Georgia,
weighing in at 222 pounds,
The American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
["Kingdom" continues playing]
♪ Now you bow to me ♪
♪ You took my dreams but not my name ♪
♪ You'll follow me… ♪
[Cole] Cody Rhodes made that young man's night here tonight.
And when we get to Monday Night Raw next week in Little Rock, Arkansas,
we will be less than two weeks away
from the Royal Rumble match.
A match that that man, Shinsuke Nakamura,
won back in 2018.
A match that Cody Rhodes looks to win again this year.
♪ …lights go up, I'm home ♪
[spectators] ♪ Whoa! ♪
-["Kingdom" continues] -♪ And my father said ♪
♪ When I was younger ♪
♪ Hard times breed better men ♪
♪ Better men! ♪
♪ You took it all away I give it all away ♪
♪ Can't take my freedom ♪
♪ Here to change the game A banner made of pain ♪
♪ I built my kingdom… ♪
[Cole] This rivalry has become extremely personal
between these two men.
Cody Rhodes has talked a lot about finishing the story in 2024.
Shinsuke Nakamura says he wants
to finish Rhodes' story for him.
[spectators chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
[Cole] This is a Street Fight.
Anything goes.
You must win via pinfall or submission.
Nakamura, the master of, not only physical striking,
but mind games,
and he's going to make Cody Rhodes wait.
And Cody'll have none of it. Drop down, big right hand.
The American Nightmare goes right to work on Shinsuke Nakamura.
And I think the Street Fight rules may benefit Cody Rhodes, Wade,
because he doesn't have to keep his emotions in check.
[Wade] Yeah, emotions can be a cruel mistress,
if you lose control of them.
And if you lose control in a Street Fight,
it can really come back to hurt you.
[Cole] Rhodes and Nakamura fighting out on the ramp area.
Now out toward the WWE fans.
[Wade] Nothing at all is off limits.
It's all legal in Street Fight rules.
[Cole] Rhodes said it earlier tonight, "This should have been over already."
Rhodes should be focusing on the Royal Rumble match,
but, no, Shinsuke Nakamura still stands in his way.
Nakamura driven into the barricade.
[Wade] Cody is an emotional guy, you're right.
Shin is a guy who completely toys with opponents' emotions
like a master puppeteer.
[Cole] It's been an emotional year for Cody Rhodes
ever since winning the Rumble last year.
Heading to WrestleMania,
not getting the job done on the grand stage
against Roman Reigns.
And that has stuck in Cody Rhodes' craw. It's bothered him.
[spectators chanting] Cody!
[Cole] That's when he talks about finishing the story.
[Wade] How about that American Nightmare Before Christmas performance
a few weeks ago by Shinsuke Nakamura?
Taking potshots at Cody Rhodes' father,
The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes.
[Cole] Cody driving Nakamura ribs-first into the side of the announce table.
And now using a bottle to the face.
Completely legal, remember,
no count-outs under the Street Fight rules.
[Wade] Look for something solid, look for something hard, like steel,
and smash your opponent into it.
[Cole] Cody Rhodes said he came back to WWE to make history.
[spectators chanting indistinctly]
[Cole] He climbs to the top rope and Nakamura is gonna take a breather.
[Wade] Nakamura is a smart guy. He got out of Dodge while he still can.
[Cole] Part of that history Rhodes wants to make
is to become the first person in 26 years
to win back-to-back Royal Rumble matches.
The last person to do that, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
Oh! And a broom being used by Nakamura.
[Wade] Implements of destruction flying around ringside now.
Keep your wits about you, Cole.
[Cole] Now Nakamura unloading on Cody Rhodes…
and again, with a kendo stick for Shinsuke.
[Wade] It can be crucial to soften up your opponent first.
The first man to grab an implement, like a kendo stick,
can cause some real damage,
put himself in the driving seat in this kind of match-up.
[Cody grunts, groans]
[Cole] Cody Rhodes now trying to make his way out of harm's way.
Nakamura's in control of this Street Fight.
Can The American Nightmare get back in it?
[Cole] WWE fans here in Portland tonight trying to rally Cody Rhodes
in this Street Fight against Shinsuke Nakamura.
But, Wade, it has been all Nakamura-- Until now!
[Wade] One-way traffic.
But Cody finally showing some semblance of life.
[Cole] Anything goes.
The official is in there, Chad Patton, for one reason…
to call a pinfall or a submission.
And now Cody Rhodes with kendo stick in hand
and he's gonna tee off on Nakamura.
[Wade] A well-earned beat down.
[Cole] Cody Rhodes fired up. Nakamura ducks out of harm's way
and now Shin with a knee right to the mid-section.
[Wade] Speed of movement, speed of thought,
intense aggression.
Make one mistake and Shinsuke Nakamura will be all over it.
[Cole] The running knee by Nakamura.
And just like that, Shinsuke has taken control.
Cover now on Rhodes. Hook of the leg and a kick-out.
[Wade] And I'll tell you this about Street Fights, Cole.
Very often it comes down to who has the fewest scruples,
who is prepared to stoop the lowest,
who is prepared to leave their humanity at the door.
[Cole] Well, we know what Nakamura is capable of.
Just ask our World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins, about that.
[spectators booing]
Nakamura, 2018, won the Royal Rumble match,
was not able to turn that into a World Championship.
Much like Cody Rhodes last year.
One of the reasons that Nakamura said
Rhodes isn't the only one around here that has to complete a story.
[Wade] Yeah, and I get Cody Rhodes' motivation
outlining what he plans to do
but telling the world he's gonna win the Royal Rumble,
he's gonna go back to WrestleMania and he's gonna win a championship,
that is just putting a huge bullseye on your back.
And Cody might be regretting that now.
[Cole] Well, a lot of people standing in his way.
We already know "The All Mighty" Bobby Lashley,
Drew McIntyre, CM Punk,
among those that have already entered the Royal Rumble fray.
[Wade] Those are some heavy-hitters
and they're gonna keep coming over the next couple of weeks,
-mark my words. -[spectators chanting] Cody!
[Cole] Cody back to his feet again. The WWE fans trying to rally Cody.
Create some separation there.
[Wade] There's very little in the tank of Cody Rhodes at this point, seemingly.
[Cole] Kick right to the back of the neck by Nakamura.
[Wade] You just don't know how your body is going to react in a Street Fight
until you're in that ring.
And right now Cody's body is letting him down.
[Cole] Nakamura, I think he's trying to turn Cody onto his belly,
into a half-crab.
Cody just writhing in pain.
Nakamura continues to punish Rhodes.
Oh, and a kick by Shinsuke.
[Wade] Nakamura completely unraveled the mind of Cody Rhodes
leading up to this match-up
and now Cody's body is slowly following suit.
[Cole] All these matches are just so important
building momentum up to the Rumble and beyond.
Cody though, quickly meets Nakamura and down goes Shinsuke!
And now Cody Rhodes looking to build some momentum.
Powerslam by Rhodes!
[Wade] Unsurpassed heart and drive,
that is the Cody Rhodes story.
And he needs everything in his soul right now.
[Cole] Dig down deep. Fight back.
Cody!
Disaster Kick!
Cover on Nakamura.
Is it enough to put Shinsuke away?
And a kick-out by Nakamura.
[Wade] There's been a noticeable jump in energy
since Cody reawakened in this match-up.
Connections like this to the temple of Shinsuke Nakamura
are slowly softening up the Japanese superstar.
[Cole] Yeah, Cody connecting with a Disaster Kick
and now, once again, looking to feed off the WWE Universe.
-Cody Rhodes… -[spectators cheering]
I believe is gonna give them what they want.
[spectators cheering loudly]
Ask and you shall receive.
Street Fight, anything goes.
-And Nakamura-- -[Wade] Oh! Nunchucks.
[Cole] Shinsuke Nakamura, a master.
Now using them, striking at Rhodes.
Rhodes now driven into the timekeepers' area.
[Wade] It's Shin who gets a second wind, much needed.
[Cole] Nakamura with a grin on his face
striking at Rhodes again.
[Wade] Crunching the frame of Cody Rhodes.
[spectators exclaiming]
[Cole] A master of the nunchucks is Nakamura.
Oh! It's Rhodes with a shot to the midsection.
[Wade] That's not the first sickening beat down
Cody Rhodes has taken in his career.
[spectators chanting] Cody!
[Cole] "Cody!" chants again…
[Wade] A battle-hardened superstar.
[Cole] …ringing through the arena here tonight in Portland.
Get out of my way. I got this.
[Cole] Cody telling our timekeeper to get out of harm's way.
He wants the steel chair.
[spectators cheering loudly]
And Nakamura just blew the mist into our timekeeper, Berkley.
Cody Rhodes ducked out of harm's way!
[Wade] Well, that was how Nakamura took out Cody Rhodes several weeks ago.
You okay? Help! Help, help!
[Cole] Cody's asking for help. Again, Berkley Ottman, our timekeeper,
blasted with a poison mist by Nakamura.
And Cody Rhodes!
As Nakamura takes advantage with a steel chair.
And the beat down's on.
[Cole] Before the commercial break, Shinsuke Nakamura used a steel chair
to take control of this Street Fight over Cody Rhodes
and he is now dominating.
Thunderous shots with the chair to the spine.
[Wade] Cody Rhodes is slowly crumbling before our eyes.
[Cole] This is how Shinsuke Nakamura really took over.
Because first Cody ducked the mist.
The poison mist went into our timekeeper, Berkley Ottman's eyes.
And as Cody was trying to get medical help for Berkley,
Nakamura took advantage with a steel chair.
[Wade] We talked earlier how the person who left his humanity at the door
was most likely to win in this kind of match-up.
Cody was incapable of doing that,
showing concern for someone else and it's bitten him.
[Cole] Can't blame Cody for…
showing concern for another human being.
As Cody Rhodes looks to turn things around
and here comes The American Nightmare.
[Wade] It's rare you get a second opportunity
in this kind of match-up.
Cody Rhodes has somehow navigated his way
to exactly that.
[Cole] And there's a rumbling tonight at the Moda Center in Portland.
Cody is back in the ballgame.
[spectators cheering]
[spectators booing]
[spectators alternately cheering and booing]
[Cole] And now Nakamura with the strikes.
Misses with the right hand. Cody with a couple of left jabs.
[spectators] Whoa!
[Cole] Reliving the dream,
but Nakamura with a kick to the midsection.
Cody, though, with the elbow!
[Wade] Bionic Elbow! That's for Dusty.
[Cole] And another one.
[Wade] Both men's bodies must be screaming in agony at this point.
They've been put through the wringer.
But Cody just has…
an undeniable human spirit inside of him
that refuses to be denied.
[Cole] Cody Rhodes trying to figure out what he needs to do
to put Shinsuke Nakamura…
away in this Street Fight.
-[shouting indistinctly] -[spectators cheering]
[Cole] Cody trying to drag Nakamura back to his feet.
Oh! Shinsuke with a headbutt.
And now it's Nakamura's turn
to use the table to his advantage.
Nakamura to the second rope!
Shinsuke! Knees to the table to Cody Rhodes.
Cover, for the win in the Street Fight.
And a kick-out by Cody!
[Wade] Nakamura filled with poisonous intent
and that was almost enough
to put away The American Nightmare.
But still the dream lives on inside of Cody Rhodes.
[Cole] This is how this rivalry has broken down
to come to this tonight.
A Street Fight in our main event on Monday Night Raw.
[Wade] Dread to think
what dark thoughts are now swirling inside the mind
of Shinsuke Nakamura,
looking for an outlet, a vicious, deadly outlet at that.
[Cole] Yeah, sadistic as they come.
That sickening, sinister grin
on the face of Nakamura
as he wants to introduce another table in the match-up.
Look at Nakamura just smiling away.
Loves to inflict damage.
Cody struggling to make it back to his feet
after being driven through the table by Shinsuke.
[Wade] May have been better not getting up.
[Cole] Nakamura looking for a sleeper hold.
Cody Rhodes trying to fight out of it, middle of the ring.
Now Nakamura.
Cody lands on his feet.
A waistlock. Nakamura drives Cody to the corner.
[Wade] Chair was caught up in the ropes.
Cody's back smashing against that steel.
[Cole] Nakamura took advantage with that step up enzuigiri.
Cody Rhodes, though, kick to the spine.
Nakamura… This here vintage Shinsuke!
That sliding…
[Wade] Well, the target is set right on the spine of Cody Rhodes.
All the abuse directed point-blank right there.
[Cole] Now Nakamura from the second rope.
Oh! Down goes Cody!
Cover by Nakamura.
-Is it enough to put Cody away? -One, two…
[Cole] And a kick-out by Rhodes.
[Wade] Cody with barely anything left in the tank.
Take another look at this movement from Shinsuke Nakamura.
This deep into this kind of Street Fight…
I have no idea where Shinsuke is pulling it from.
Shows you what a dangerous, dangerous opponent he truly is.
[spectators chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
[Cole] Cody struggling for breath, struggling to make it back to his feet.
Nakamura could be lined up for the Kinshasa.
Cody, though, catches him with a kick to the face!
[Wade] Well, it was game over if that connected.
[Cole] And now Cody Rhodes!
Cover on Nakamura off a pedigree
and a kick-out at two!
Rhodes pulling out all the stops.
Nakamura went with a Kinshasa,
Rhodes intercepted.
[Wade] Pulling out something that Nakamura could never have anticipated.
That pedigree almost getting the job done for Rhodes.
What on earth is it gonna take?
[Cole] Rhodes looking to rally in the Main Event,
a Street Fight on Monday Night Raw here tonight.
[Wade] Trying to summon up something extra
because that's what it's gonna take to put away Shinsuke Nakamura.
[Cole] Cody, physically exhausted.
How much does he have left?
[Wade] Both men's bodies are broken.
[Cole] Cody Cutter!
Cover by Rhodes.
One, two…
[Cole] Nakamura kicked out!
[Wade] Just a torrent of abuse directed at Shinsuke Nakamura.
You don't have to like the man,
you don't have to agree with his methodology,
but you do have to respect that man's ability to endure.
[Cole] No doubt an incredible Main Event.
Two of the best in the world going at it tonight in a Street Fight.
[Wade] Who wants it more?
[spectators chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
[screaming]
[Cole] I think Cody does!
Setting up Nakamura, looking for the Cross Rhodes,
Nakamura counter into a pinning combination
and Rhodes kicks.
[Wade] Yeah, write off Nakamura at your peril.
[Cole] And now Nakamura looking for a Kinshasa!
-Driven into the table by Cody! -[spectators cheering loudly]
Cross Rhodes!
[spectators] One, two, three!
[bell dings]
["Kingdom" playing]
[announcer] Here is your winner,
The American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
[Cole] And for Cody Rhodes, it is now on to the Royal Rumble match
as he takes out Nakamura in a Street Fight.
[Wade] Just as Nakamura had Cody Rhodes lined up with that table,
Rhodes pounces, connects with a Cross Rhodes.
And once again, your victor,
Cody Rhodes, The American Nightmare.
[Big E] Cody brought the fight to Shinsuke Nakamura that night
and that fighting spirit would again show itself
when The American Nightmare would take on the Aussie icon, Grayson Waller.
[Cody] Wrestling has more than one royal family.
["Kingdom" playing]
♪ Adrenaline in my soul ♪
♪ Every fight out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
♪ Crowd is here, about to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
[spectators] ♪ Whoa! ♪
-["Kingdom" continues] -♪ And my father said ♪
♪ When I was younger… ♪
[announcer] And his opponent from Atlanta, Georgia,
weighing in at 222 pounds,
he is the winner of the 2023 and 2024
Men's Royal Rumble match,
The American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
[Cole] It's been interesting
because Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes have had enough.
Rollins talking earlier tonight about ending The Bloodline once and for all.
Cody Rhodes, at Elimination Chamber this past Saturday,
challenging The Rock to a match.
♪ Ready for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
[spectators] ♪ Whoa… ♪
[Cole] And Cody Rhodes is 40 days away
from, perhaps,
finally finishing his story.
The winner of the Royal Rumble
chose the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion,
Roman Reigns.
["Kingdom" continues playing]
[Pat McAfee] And while doing that, got smacked in the mouth
by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
[Cole] But it doesn't matter because in WrestleMania,
Cody and Roman battle it out
for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
["Kingdom" fades out]
Tonight Rhodes, Waller.
[bell dings]
[Pat] Waller's a man who, alongside Austin Theory,
would join The Bloodline if ever offered.
[spectators chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
[Cole] And let's not forget, Austin Theory is at ringside.
Having suffered a Cody Cutter and a Stomp by Rollins, Saturday night.
At the end of The Grayson Waller Effect, at Elimination Chamber,
you see the 2K ratings.
Cody Rhodes, a very great 93.
Grayson Waller disappointed with his 74.
[Pat] Cody Rhodes is the cover superstar of WWE 2K24.
[Cole] Among Bianca, Rhea as well.
[both grunting]
The game developing in just a couple of weeks.
-[Pat] The Aussie icon… Oh! -[spectators chanting] Cody! Cody!
-[Pat] …has a lot to prove. -[Cole] Cody sends Waller into the corner.
Grayson Waller was extremely disrespected.
Sent out a video earlier today
talking about how he was upset that Rhodes and Rollins came into his homeland,
and turned The Grayson Waller Effect into a farce.
One of the reasons he challenged Rhodes to this match tonight.
-[spectators booing] -[Pat] It wasn't a farce.
It was a massive evening for The Grayson Waller Effect.
Cody Rhodes challenges the biggest star on Earth on your show,
you should be thankful.
Hey, Pat, watch this!
[Pat] He just told me to watch that. This guy's attitude is something.
[Cole] Can you imagine, though, if Waller could knock off Rhodes tonight
what The Bloodline would think about that?
[Pat] I was just about to say.
This could be a pivotal evening in the history of Grayson Waller.
Seventy-four rating on WWE 2K.
[Cole] That's not considered great, by any stretch.
[Pat] It's terrible.
[Cole] Cody drops down, delivers the right, stunning Waller.
[Pat] This is the WWE.
[Cole] Rhodes, vertical suplex.
[spectators cheering]
Showing off some power here.
[Pat] Cody Rhodes!
Davey Boy Smith.
Into a front drop.
This is why Cody Rhodes is who he is.
[Cole] Oh! Rhodes sending Waller over the top rope.
And we got some breaking news.
They're saying all over the internet right now
that Paul Heyman is backstage here in San Jose.
[Cole] We are back. Sold out San Jose, California, 13,491…
Waller, Rhodes, our main event. Cover by Grayson Waller.
And a kick-out.
Grayson Waller took control of this match during the commercial break.
Check out this athleticism, Pat.
[Pat] Yeah, phenomenal stuff from Grayson Waller.
Called the rolling flatliner mate, I believe.
[Cole] We wanna remind everyone
of the breaking news we delivered before the break.
It was all over the internet,
and it's been confirmed now here at the arena,
Paul Heyman is here. Paul Heyman is in the back somewhere.
The Special Council to Roman Reigns.
[Pat] If Paul Heyman is here, who else is here?
Well, The Bloodline would have to be here.
[Cole] That does not bode well for Cody Rhodes.
[Pat] This is Rhodes' life. He picked this. He chose this life.
[Cole] Rock and Roman Reigns telling Cody,
"You're not making it to WrestleMania."
"You brought this upon yourself."
"You ruined a massive Main Event
so you could have your way
and take the opportunity from Roman Reigns."
Scoop slam by Cody.
[Pat] Every reasonable mind says that Cody Rhodes has earned…
[Cole] He has. Back-to-back Royal Rumble winner.
Cody going for the Cody Cutter off the-- Oh, no! Disaster Kick instead.
Cover on Waller. Shoulders down.
Oh, Waller at two.
[Pat] Grayson Waller calling out Cody Rhodes.
[Cole] Yeah, and now your buddy, Austin Theory,
up on the apron to cause distraction.
[referee] Back it up! Back up some more!
[Pat] Austin Theory looked a little scrawny earlier. Didn't like that.
[Cole] And Waller takes advantage dropping Cody.
[Theory] That's teamwork!
[Cole] Theory yelling, "That's teamwork."
-Theory shouldn't even be out here. -[Pat] Agreed.
[Cole] Oh, and Cody driving Theory up over our announce table.
And now Waller with a clothesline taking advantage again.
-[Pat] Holy hell. -[referee] Two!
-That's the real deal, Pat. -What?
The rolling flatliner again-- No!
[Cole] This time Rhodes caught him.
Cody Cutter!
[spectators cheering]
[Pat] That's the real deal there,
Mr. Grayson Waller.
Cross Rhodes!
-Cover! -[spectators] One, two, three!
-[Cole] Cody with the win! -[bell dings]
["Kingdom" playing]
[announcer] Here's your winner,
The American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
[Cole] Great way for Cody Rhodes as he builds momentum
toward WrestleMania.
-First, the Cody Cutter. -[Pat] Picture perfect.
[Cole] And that was about all she wrote.
The Cross Rhodes by Cody Rhodes.
[spectators] One, two, three!
[Cole] The American Nightmare celebrates.
And all Austin Theory can do was look on.
So we're ready for Philadelphia…
-We're ready-- -[man] Ladies and gentlemen!
["Kingdom" stops playing]
[spectators clamoring]
[Cole] Cody realizes the numbers…
are gonna be against him.
Ladies…
[spectators booing]
It figures that you'd boo "Ladies"
in San Jo-see, California.
[spectators booing]
You're ruining my shtick.
Ladies and gentlemen…
[spectators booing]
-My name is… -[spectators] Paul Heyman!
And I--
I don't give a damn what your name is.
If it's a Bloodline set-up,
I'm right here, come and get me.
Come and get me.
Everybody, calm down.
This is not a Bloodline set--
The only member of The Bloodline here tonight
is me.
Do you see…
Do you see a drop of Polynesian blood
anywhere in this line-up?
Rhetorical question. The answer is no.
These gentlemen are my friends
from the NYPD.
[spectators booing]
They are off duty officers--
Well, technically, they're not off duty,
they're all suspended.
But that's a whole different story and I digress.
I shlep out here all the way to California tonight
to let you know
no one's asking for an apology.
I understand how insulting it must be
to get Will Smith'd across the face.
I understand that.
But you need to take The Rock's name out your frigging mouth.
[spectators exclaiming]
Because my Tribal Chief,
Roman Reigns,
has authorized me to let you know
that if you back away from this--
You know, you don't just come out here and say, "I want a match with The Rock,"
and it happens like that.
Well, it happens like that if you are The Rock
and you want a match with Roman Reigns.
But you screwed that all up for us, didn't you?
And… And…
Because of our long history--
A year ago we were in the ring crying with each other.
…I forgive you.
But The Rock won't.
And understanding that you're the Main Event of WrestleMania,
against the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns,
for the Undisputed title,
I'm asking you…
I'm pleading with you, I'm begging with you…
please, Cody, please…
Pretty please…
with a cherry on top…
please withdraw this challenge from The Rock…
or else.
[Cody] "Or else"?
Or else what, Mr Heyman?
You want to know why I haven't rained holy terror
on this microphone about your new boy, Dwayne?
You want to know why I haven't trashed him in the media?
It's simple.
Myself, like almost everyone here tonight,
we were fans of The Rock.
-[spectators cheering] -How could you not be?
Put yourself in my shoes.
I come from a family that every meal determined by tickets sold
and nobody sold more tickets than The Rock.
But I am done!
I am absolutely fed up with being nice.
If it's a Bloodline set-up, like I said…
Come and get me.
[spectators cheering]
[Paul] I have a better idea.
[spectators clamoring]
-May I? -No.
You may not.
Oh, that's rude.
[Cody scoffs]
Okay, okay, okay.
Let me make this clear.
If one more person takes a step towards me,
I am dropping every single person standing in this ring.
[spectators cheering]
I respect that.
As I'm sure you will respect
that threat doesn't apply
if I'm that one person to come close to you, right?
Wrong!
[Cole] A defiant Cody Rhodes,
steel chair in hand,
unloading on Heyman's henchmen.
Cross Rhodes!
Come on! Send them!
[Cole] No wonder those cops got suspended.
Call Roman Reigns.
Call The Rock.
Go ahead. Go ahead, Mr Heyman, call them.
Because The Bloodline isn't hunting me,
I'm hunting The Bloodline.
[spectators cheering]
[Cole] Cody Rhodes is at a different level.
The Bloodline has pushed and pushed Cody…
This is not going the way I planned.
[spectators chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
[Cole] …and we've arrived at this moment.
[spectators shouting] Heyman!
[Cole] And Cody's not done yet!
He's gonna make an example
of these guys
and I guarantee you, Roman and The Rock are looking on.
[Pat] One stooge. Two stooge.
-Three stooge gone. -["Kingdom" playing]
[Cole] Cody Rhodes is standing tall
as he prepares for WrestleMania weekend
forty nights away in Philadelphia.
Cody and Roman,
for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
[Big E] There's no denying the heart, the spirit and will to win
of The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes.
Lazer-focused on dethroning the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns,
Rhodes manifested his dreams into reality.
Eventually becoming the Undisputed WWE Champion
at WrestleMania 40.
Finally writing the last chapter of his incredible and inspirational story.
We hope you've enjoyed this edition of Raw Classics
chronicling the journey of The American Nightmare.
I'm your host Big E saying so long.
♪ You took it all away I give it all away ♪
♪ Can't take my freedom ♪
♪ Here to change the game A banner made of pain ♪
♪ I built my kingdom ♪
♪ Now you bow to me ♪
♪ You took my dreams but not my name ♪
♪ You'll follow me until the end ♪
♪ I am my kingdom ♪