[J.R.] Welcome to the 25th anniversary of WrestleMania!
[narrator] On this historic night, some rose to victory.
[Cole] He did it! John Cena's World Champion!
[J.R.] The Game plays on!
[narrator] Others suffered defeat.
But when the curtain closes…
Backlash begins.
["Ancient Emperor" playing]
[woman] Vengeance…
we all have our reasons.
Payback…
Obsession…
[Edge] I will stop at nothing to get what I want.
[woman] Pride…
You want to end it? End it right now! Come on!
[woman] It's a powerful urge with a long memory…
[Cole] That vicious punt to Batista's head!
[woman] …and a short fuse.
[Cole] Batista is back!
[woman] It unites us…
but can also tear us apart.
[Triple H] He tried to take out the mother of my kids while I watched.
With all due respect to you, Randy Orton is mine.
[woman] So what price are we willing to pay?
[Matt] I have to erase you from the WWE.
[woman] Where does it all end?
[Orton] I am going to beat Triple H.
I guarantee it.
[woman] And how far is too far?
[Edge] I will be the last man standing.
[narrator] And now WWE presents
Backlash.
["Seasons" by The Veer Union playing]
[J.R.] Welcome to the 11th Annual Backlash,
where tonight, championships will be decided.
A brotherly battle will result in surrender,
and a WWE Hall of Famer will fight for respect.
-["Just Close Your Eyes" playing] -Go!
♪ If you close your eyes, your life A naked truth revealed ♪
♪ Dreams you never lived And scars never healed ♪
[bell rings]
[Justin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall
and it is for the ECW Championship.
Introducing the Challenger from Toronto, Canada,
weighing in at 227 pounds, Christian.
[Cole] We are sold out tonight in the Dunkin' Donuts Center
in Providence, Rhode Island.
Hello again, everybody, I'm Michael Cole, and it is my honor
to be joined in ringside tonight by WWE Hall of Famers
Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler.
I've had my Dunkin' Donuts, King, can you tell?
[King] Well, yeah! But, you know, I love Backlash
because after WrestleMania, there's always so much fallout,
so many repercussions and unfinished business.
Tonight, it gets taken care of at Backlash.
[Cole] And what a huge night for Christian,
an opportunity at the ECW Championship.
♪ The person they taught me to be ♪
♪ Check one, two, oh, yeah! ♪
[Justin] And from Perry, Oklahoma, weighing in at 263 pounds,
he is the ECW Champion,
"The All-American American" Jack Swagger.
[King] All-American American,
this guy has some serious credentials, right, J.R.?
[J.R.] No doubt about it,
two-time Wrestling All-American, more importantly here in WWE,
Jack Swagger is on a legitimate roll.
[Cole] Back in January, Jack Swagger beat Matt Hardy
to win the ECW Championship,
but perhaps the man in the ring, "Captain Charisma" Christian,
maybe he has Jack Swagger's number. Remember the night Christian returned
to World Wrestling Entertainment, gentlemen,
he pinned the ECW Champion Swagger in a non-title match-up.
[J.R.] I think the key to that term, Michael, is "non-title."
We'll see how Christian does after returning after five and a half years
away from WWE.
No doubt Christian came back to be a champion again, King.
[King] Oh, I'm a fan of Christian.
I consider myself probably one of his Peeps.
-[J.R.] You're Peep-like, all right. -[laughter]
[Cole] This past Tuesday night on ECW during that contract signing,
a Gutwrench Powerbomb from Swagger drove Christian through a table
and really set the tone for tonight's championship match.
[J.R.] Well, if this were amateur rules, obviously,
Jack Swagger would have a huge advantage, but it isn't.
[Cole] Christian got to this point by defeating Finlay
in the finals of the Elimination Chase,
which, of course, began with four Superstars.
[King] Oh, man!
[Cole] I can imagine, J.R, the one thing that Swagger doesn't--
I should say Christian doesn't want to do
is get into a mat-based attack here against Swagger.
[J.R.] That would not be Christian's best path for the winning of the ECW title
without, without question.
[commentators exclaiming]
[Cole] That'll slap the arrogance out of your mouth.
Christian, a three-time Intercontinental Champion,
nine-time Tag Team Champion.
Ooh, and for Christian, he needs to keep the pace quick.
Hook of the leg, and the first near-fall of the match-up.
[King] Well, I think what Christian has just done here is, uh,
gain a little bit of respect.
Swagger came out here just looking to, I think, dominate Christian in this match,
but Christian's turned it around.
[J.R.] Swagger's been winning wrestling matches
since he was six years old,
but now that he's, uh, playing for money, it's a whole different ball game.
[Cole] The thing about Jack Swagger, you talk about his
technical aspect and approach to, to sports entertainment.
The thing about Jack, J.R., is he deceivingly big
and deceivingly powerful as you see here!
[J.R.] Well, there's a prudent point, Swagger close to 6'6",
weighs around 265,
vary range, and he's so young, is Swagger,
you know he's going to get nothing but bigger as the years wear on,
which may not bode well for the opposition.
[King] Well, here you see Swagger so, uh, sure of himself.
If I had been Swagger at this point, I would have waited to see if Christian
have been able to make it back in the ring on his own.
[J.R.] I think that's inexperience. I think it's a great point.
-Cover! Cover! -[Cole] And a kick out.
We take another look at the power of Jack Swagger.
[King] Christian could have been counted out after that.
[J.R.] Can't forget that Swagger is still a rookie,
technically, still a rookie here in WWE.
He's gonna make some rookie mistakes,
and those mistakes if they're three seconds or longer,
can cost you a title.
[Cole] Well, let's face it though, J.R., Swagger is so confident in his ability,
so confident that he can pin Christian here tonight,
this is what leads him into this.
Shoulders down and Christian rolls out at two.
[King] Well, "The All-American American" Jack Swagger,
he always seems to go back to-- What did you used to say?
You dance with who brung you, right?
-[J.R.] That's what they say. -It goes back to that…
that style of wrestling that you're seeing right there.
You know, that right there reminds me of,
you ever see the alligator when they get you in that death roll?
He has got an alligator-like grip on Christian.
[Cole] And that 260-pound frame bearing down.
[J.R.] Well, when you're 6'6" and have the amateur background that Swagger does,
you utilize leverage, and that's what he's doing there.
[King] Yeah, let's not forget, J.R.,
here's a man in Swagger who took the World Champion John Cena to the limit
a couple of weeks ago in that three-hour Draft Special on Monday Night RAW.
-[J.R.] Uh-oh. -[Cole] Uh-oh.
[J.R.] That was a nice block there and I'll tell you what,
that Swagger-Cena match was awesome. I thought the Swagger stock rose in it.
[Cole] Cover. Cover again by Swagger,
who hooks the leg and Christian has to kick out.
[King] Well, I'm gonna tell you something. Swagger has done his homework.
He just-- I mean, that's what he made into what was
intended to be a counter by Christian.
[J.R.] The counter got some very powerful offense and again leverage here.
Strength and leverage from a bigger, stronger man.
[Cole] Bear hug as Swagger focuses his attack on the back.
One thing we've learned about Christian over the years,
he has tremendous resolve, he can absorb a tremendous amount of punishment.
Here's a man who's been involved in Table, Ladders and Chairs Matches.
Shoulders down yet again!
[King] And somehow I got a feeling that he's gonna absorb
a tremendous amount of punishment in this match.
[J.R.] Swagger not getting out of his element,
not getting into a world that Christian likes,
and a pace that Christian enjoys, so Swagger would make a mistake.
[King] And as long as Swagger can keep things that way,
it bodes well for him.
[Cole] Christian trying to battle back in it,
build at least a little bit of momentum.
[King] Nice sharp forearms, but there's that strength again.
[Cole] Christian managing to counter for the moment.
-[King] Look at the quickness of Swagger! -[commentators exclaiming]
[Cole] Talk about the strength of Swagger, some tremendous quickness.
Again into another cover and a kick out.
[King] You know, all you can say, if you're honest about this,
is Swagger is besting Christian at the moment.
Swagger, no doubt, he has all the tools.
Loves to talk about it as well.
[J.R.] Well, some of those Oklahomans are braggadocios.
[King] You think? You know, this is… this is a point
where I think that if you're Christian, you know, you got to be, uh,
having some second thoughts about your strategy so far in this match.
You got to be wondering-- This is where some self-doubts might creep in.
[Cole] We saw his strategy early on, he wanted to quicken the pace.
J.R. alluded to it, but Christian hasn't been able to do it.
[King] No, Swagger's kept it at his pace. You're right, J.R.
-[Cole] Here's Christian! -[King] That time, it worked!
-He perhaps found an opening. -That's what Christian went for earlier,
but it was countered by Swagger, but this time--
[J.R.] Christian did attempt to quicken the pace
and Swagger made a very nice adjustment.
-What is this? -[Cole] Oh, and Christian countered!
The champion could be in trouble.
[King] And you know what, J.R? That was, if you ask me,
that was an example of Swagger getting out of his element, wasn't it?
[J.R.] Absolutely, and when you're a mat-based, amateur-based wrestler
and you leave your feet indiscriminately, sometimes bad things happen,
and right there, Swagger created his own problem.
[Cole] And it also allows Christian to buy himself some time.
[King] Little R&R for Christian, he's gonna need it.
[Cole] Christian begins his attack.
Trying to will his way through this match, fire himself up.
[J.R.] Christian still hurting in that midsection area.
[King] Yeah, ribcage. Able to land on his feet there, though.
-[overlapping conversation] -Could happen here!
-New champion! -[Cole] No, kick out at two and a half.
[King] Oh, that was close!
Swagger.
[King] I think that close call there on, uh,
from Christian there on Swagger made Swagger
say, "I gotta go back to the drawing board,
I gotta go back to, uh, what I've been successful with. Back to basics."
[J.R.] Swagger turned that single, that high single leg right into a slam
and now the Gutwrench by Jack Swagger.
[Cole] Christian realizing the damage the Gutwrench can do,
trying to counter it with everything he's got, holding onto that leg.
Doing a good job of it for the moment.
[J.R.] You can see that Swagger is, obviously, the stronger of the two.
He has outmuscled Christian on several exchanges.
[Cole] One thing Christian does bring to the table is the experience.
[J.R.] And that could be the deciding factor when all is said and done here.
[Cole] Christian-- he connected!
[King] That could be a difference-maker right there.
[J.R.] Swagger trying to cause separation, couldn't do it.
[King] Title changes hands right here.
[Cole] Oh, and kick out again by Swagger.
[J.R.] Man, Swagger tried to fight out of that
front face lock that turned into a DDT,
but Christian was tenacious.
[King] Boy, that, that, uh, I, I thought that was gonna be it.
-Then look at this! -[Cole] Swagger plants Christian again
who pops right out of that pinning predicament.
This match is so important for both of these Superstars.
Swagger trying to prove himself as Champion.
Christian trying to win this match-up and complete his comeback to WWE.
Swagger every day making more and more believers here in the WWE.
Of course, everybody-- Oh! Pretty much knows what Christian's capable of.
[J.R.] Certainly, Michael, you're right about that.
This match does have career implications without question.
[Cole] Oh, this, this move right here may have some serious career implications.
Christian doing all he can to hang on.
-[King] He's holding on for dear life! -[J.R.] Swagger's youth
has him in a very precarious position
not withstanding where Christian is on the apron.
-Oh, wow! -[J.R.] Smart move by Christian.
He can't win the championship from the outside.
[King] That's that experience you're talking about, Michael.
Needs a pinfall or submission to win the title.
[King] Is that a headbutt right into the midsection of Christian?
-[Cole] Oh, no. -[King] Uh-oh.
[Cole] Oh, what a backdrop from the top rope!
And Swagger all the way to the top rope himself.
-The momentum has swung again! -[Cole] This could be it!
Hooks the leg and Christian kicked out!
[J.R.] Oh, how close was that!
[King] What a great match this is!
[J.R.] 263 pounds crashing into Christian's midsection.
Great agility and athleticism displayed by Jack Swagger,
coming off the top rope in unfamiliar territory.
Give up!
[Cole] Not the moment to be trash-talking.
[King] Swagger trying to intimidate Christian, but that's not gonna work.
-Oh! -That will, though.
-Again the attack to the back-- -But Christian countered.
Shoulders down! Can he get him here? Can he get him here?
Did he get? No!
[Cole] Another near-fall for the Challenger.
[King] Great move by Christian, caught Swagger off guard.
This is what Swagger looked to do the first time.
With authority! Hooks both legs and a kick out!
[J.R.] Swagger using a modified version of an Oklahoma Stampede
made famous by WWE Hall of Famer "Cowboy" Bill Watts back in his day.
[Cole] Champion's gotta watch himself here.
He can ill-afford to get frustrated at this juncture.
[King] No, he was just back to being dominant once again, but…
-[J.R.] I don't like this. -[King] Uh-oh.
[J.R.] Christian may like it even less.
Wait a minute. Look at that move from Christian.
It's like a game of chess.
[King] Swagger being admonished by the referee--
Headfirst! Talk about turning the tables!
[J.R.] The Killswitch!
Christian outsmarted Swagger and wins the title.
[King] It's the experience factor!
[Justin] Here is your winner and the new ECW Champion,
Christian.
[Cole] Christian wins his first ECW Championship
and his first gold of any kind in over five years!
[King] And the Peeps are going wild in the WWE.
Captain Charisma is champion.
[J.R.] In our very first match here tonight at Backlash,
a championship has changed hands!
Could it be, ladies and gentlemen,
an omen of things to come as this night progresses?
[Cole] Jack Swagger looked great throughout the match-up,
he dominated at times,
but it was the experience factor that we talked about earlier
that allowed Christian to turn the tables and win the ECW Title.
[J.R.] Unfortunately, my fellow Oklahomer will be unable to say
"Boomer Sooner" tonight.
He can say goodbye, however, to the ECW Title.
[King] That's gonna be a bitter pill for Jack Swagger to swallow
when he goes back and reviews this film.
He thought he was getting one up on Christian
by taking and exposing that metal turnbuckle.
Instead, Christian was doing the same thing on the other end.
[J.R.] So we see here that the exposed steel that Christian facilitated
negotiates Swagger into the Killswitch.
An impressive victory for the new ECW Champion.
[King] Well, in other words, Christian cheated,
but he still won, he's still the winner.
[Cole] And for Christian, winning the championship
validates his return to the WWE.
[narrator] In an era where Champions rose…
[J.R.] The Boyhood Dream--
-Legends grew… -[Paul Bearer] Long live The Undertaker!
-…and greatness was personified… -If you smell…
-…a whole new attitude… ruled! -[King] The Austin Era has begun.
[Austin] Oh, hell yeah!
These are the greatest stars of the '90s.
For the first time ever, own nine hours of in-depth profiles
and rarely seen matches of the most captivating,
charismatic and controversial Superstars that redefined entertainment.
The Greatest Stars of the '90s.
Relive greatness now!
-Good job! -Thanks! Thank you, guys.
Thanks, man. Oh, my God! It was--
Excuse me for one second, guys.
[man] What's up?
[crowd cheering]
Well, I guess now that you have your Championship,
you somehow think you're better than me, is that it?
Well, don't get used to it, okay? It's only gonna be a matter of hours.
Don't get used to that feeling, Christian.
What happened, man? What happened with you?
Huh? What's your deal?
You used to be… I don't know…
fun.
What's the deal, man? Now you're this,
this, this bitter raving lunatic, man. What's the story? What's going on?
-You want to know what the story is? -Yeah, I do.
You want to know what's wrong with me?
-John Cena. -One guy? That's it?
Yeah, one guy, one guy!
I used to be a lot of fun, right?
All before John Cena!
It's, it's real simple. I used to be a lot of fun,
John Cena changed all of that.
He's the one who turned me into this, this bitter raving lunatic that you say
is standing before you.
You want me to be fun again?
Well, I'm gonna be fun by the end of the night
when I'm the World Heavyweight Champion one more time…
and I get rid of John Cena and get him out of my life forever.
Then I'll be fun.
["Break The Walls Down" by Chris Jericho playing]
[bell rings]
[Lilian] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, weighing in at 226 pounds, Chris Jericho.
[Cole] Never before has one man treated so many legendary figures in this industry
with such disdain, disparaging and vilifying
the likes of Roddy Piper and Jimmy Snuka and Ric Flair
and, of course, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat,
not to mention yourself Jerry "The King" Lawler.
[King] Well, this is a guy who thinks
that the sun is not the center of the universe, he is.
[Cole] Chris Jericho made his point at the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania
when he defeated Piper, Snuka and Steamboat
in that three-on-one match-up.
[J.R.] Hey, it takes a lot of talent to insult an entire generation.
[Ricky's theme playing]
[Lilian] And from Hawaii, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat.
[King] All right! I don't know about you guys,
-but I've really been waiting for this. -[Cole] Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat
who the night before WrestleMania was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame,
made one heck of an accounting of himself
at the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania and in the night after WrestleMania
on Monday Night RAW in that ten-man tag team match.
[J.R.] Very appropriate sign from the WWE Universe.
It is all about respect.
The last time that Ricky Steamboat competed in a one-on-one match
on pay-per-view, ladies and gentlemen…
What an ovation for this man! It's so deserved!
[King] Look how great he looks! This is terrific!
…was 15 years ago.
That was at the Bash at the Beach
when he battled a guy by the name of Steve Austin for the United States Title.
[Cole] And you have to wonder whether or not this is a good idea
for Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat to be competing.
It was Chris Jericho who goaded Steamboat into this match-up.
[King] I think it's a great idea.
[Cole] Remember it was on RAW Monday night
when Steamboat came out here and thanked Chris Jericho
for bringing back the passion
for one more time to turn back the clock and compete.
Jericho said that Steamboat was stealing his spotlight
and challenged him to this match.
Come on, get off me!
This has got to bring back memories for you, J.R.
[J.R.] Well, I recall some of the…
some of the great matches Steamboat competed in
back in the '80s, many against Ric Flair,
-a fellow WWE Hall of Famer. -[King] Oh, look at that move.
The veteran Steamboat,
a little cat-and-mouse game with Jericho and it pays off.
[J.R.] Well, Steamboat just out-maneuvered Jericho.
[King] Look at this! Hey, hey!
We talked about the experience factor in the Swagger-Christian match,
but the experience difference here is off the charts.
[Cole] Ricky Steamboat, so many memories over the years,
defeating Ric Flair for the NWA Title, and who will ever forget WrestleMania III?
One of the greatest WrestleMania matches of all time
against Randy Savage for the Intercontinental Title.
[J.R.] No doubt about that. WrestleMania III will…
will live in the memories of all of us for years,
but the thing about Ricky Steamboat and that arm drag,
Steamboat will make a lever off Chris Jericho with that arm drag
if Jericho's not careful.
[crowd chanting] You still got it.
[Cole] That chant the you just heard, "You still got it," enraged Chris Jericho.
[King] You guys remember WrestleMania III?
Over 93,000 people, still the all-time record
watched Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, I mean, do his thing.
This guy has pleased more WWE fans.
He's just absolutely amazing
and he could really please a lot of people tonight.
[Cole] What about the story Steamboat told?
A young Chris Jericho rushing up to Ricky to grab an autograph.
[J.R.] That was a true story also. Jericho--
-Vintage Steamboat. -[J.R.] Right back to the arm drag.
-Jericho, you gonna give up, huh? -No!
[King] I spent some time just last evening, as a matter of fact,
with Ric Flair talking to me, that's all Ric talked about,
this match here tonight at Backlash.
[J.R.] As far as Ric Flair's concerned,
Ricky Steamboat is, as he said at Hall of Fame,
Flair's all-time greatest opponent.
[King] Now, this is what Ricky Steamboat has gotta watch out for.
The total disrespect-- oh! Of Chris Jericho.
That'll teach him some respect.
[J.R.] Well, it'll be interesting to see how this match progresses.
Will it become a brawl or will it become a wrestling match…
[Cole] Whoa!
-…with Steamboat? -Look at this!
Skinning the cat!
[indistinct conversation]
[Cole] Chris Jericho told Steamboat that he's going to quote,
"Put him out of his misery."
Come on, Steamboat, let's go. Come on. One!
Two!
Three!
[J.R.] Steamboat trying to find his way back in and Jericho--
Jericho very, very proficient in utilizing the ropes for added momentum.
[King] And you know what?
We have to remember there's that youth factor.
[Cole] Well, the other thing, King, as well.
I mean, Chris Jericho is a five-time World Champion.
He's won the Intercontinental Championship eight different times.
That's unprecedented. First ever Undisputed Champion.
Come on, Steamboat.
[King] I know. Hey…
I have, I have-- Up until recently always--
What are you going to do, huh? You're washed up. Give it up!
-Give it up, Steamboat. -Get him up.
[Cole] We listen to Jericho berate a legend.
[King] I've always been a Jericho fan
until this… this attitude that he adopted here.
I mean, I've always thought, you know,
blowing out somebody else's candle doesn't make yours burn any brighter.
Why does Jericho… What's it going to do for him
to disrespect the Legends and the Hall of Famers
and the guys that came before him?
[Cole] He's attention-starved, he needs the spotlight on him.
[King] He's gonna have plenty of spotlight.
[Cole] J.R. gets to deal with him on Friday Night SmackDown now.
Chris Jericho, that is.
He was drafted from RAW a couple of weeks ago.
[J.R.] Jericho and all his talents and, obviously, all his insecurities.
[King] You think that's it, J.R?
[J.R.] I think that's part of it. I'm not Dr. Phil.
Well, he's a narcissist. We know that.
Oh, another deep arm drag by Steamboat.
[J.R.] Jericho can't stay away with an arm drag.
[Cole] Cover, cover by Jericho, looks to put Steamboat away.
A kick out by The Dragon.
[J.R.] You got to wonder, King, longer as this match goes,
one would, obviously, assume the favor goes to Jericho.
[King] Well, without a doubt. We talked about the youth factor,
I mean, that's just a fact of life that Jericho is gonna have more stamina
than a man the age of Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat.
Get off the ground!
[Cole] Steamboat will hope to feed off the WWE Universe,
who he says provided him with one of the greatest moments of his career
with the ovation he received at both WrestleMania and Monday Night RAW.
[King] That's one opponent that all athletes battle,
but you never win the battle against Father Time.
But you can fight him, you can keep him at bay.
[Cole] Steamboat had Jericho on his shoulders for a moment.
Ask him!
Come on, Steamboat! You're finished. Give up!
Ask him. Come on!
[Cole] Steamboat made a career out of resilience
in heart and guts and soul.
[King] You know what? You have to wonder
if we're looking at maybe the very last time ever
that we see Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat in the ring.
[J.R.] Certainly depends on the outcome of the match, one could think.
[Cole] Chris Jericho would love to crow over the fact that he
beat Steamboat in his last match.
[J.R.] You think about it, King.
How great would it be for Ricky Steamboat to get that,
if it is, that one last big victory
and have it happen here tonight at Backlash?
[Cole] Well, there's a counter from Steamboat
and perhaps he finds himself an opening.
[King] Well, J.R., what you're talking about,
that victory by Steamboat would almost be the perfect storybook ending,
but unfortunately, doesn't always happen.
Sometimes, reality sets in.
That's what Jericho is banking on.
Get him down, come on, Steamboat. Come on, let's go.
[King] Steamboat certainly not…
he's not taking any shortcuts.
He's going right… He's… this is the… He's the same moves.
The same Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat that we've seen in the past.
[J.R.] Steamboat's got to take a chance!
He's gotta take chances in this match perhaps he's never taken before.
[King] You gotta be kidding me! You have got to be-- Oh, my goodness!
-Superplex from the top rope. -[J.R.] That's a chance! Cover him, Ricky.
What a belly-to-back suplex!
From no man's land on the top turnbuckle.
[Cole] Can Steamboat somehow dig down deep one more time?
[King] Can Jericho believe that that just happened to him?
[J.R.] If Steamboat covers, he should have it.
[referee] Got two there.
You notice Jericho didn't kick out. He rolled his shoulder up.
[King] This is absolutely amazing. The Dragon striking
and Jericho gotta be wondering after just moments ago,
yelling, "Oh, you're finished! You're washed up!"
[Cole] These two men exchanging blows in the ring
and here comes Steamboat
and you can feel the momentum beginning to shift.
Classic Dragon.
Cover again! Does he have him? And a kick out.
[J.R.] Steamboat changing gears, going upstairs and downstairs,
but Jericho again just one step quicker.
[Cole] Scoop slam! Can Steamboat do it?
Two-count, no, and a kick out again.
[King] Half a second away.
The roof would come off this arena.
You know what? I'm going to ask you, Michael Cole,
don't you have to admit that this is far more competitive a match
-than you thought it would be? -Oh, my-- you think so?
Look at this cover! cover by Jericho, hook of the leg.
I thought honestly, King, and I didn't want to say it,
but I thought it was gonna be a blowout.
[King] Well, I had faith in Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat,
but I had my doubts, I was scared,
but he has given Jericho everything Jericho can handle.
Watch it here.
[Cole] There's that Running Bulldog and Chris Jericho,
-the expression is suddenly changed. -[J.R.] Yeah, I'll tell you what.
These veterans have always got something up their sleeve.
One more card they haven't played, right, King?
-[King] You got it! -And this could be it!
[King] Here's the home card right here, J.R.!
Jericho was going for the Lionsault.
Roll through. Jericho…
-Uh-oh! -Going for The Walls!
-[King] Not good! -[Cole] The Walls locked in.
The Walls of Jericho locked in.
[J.R.] I've never seen Steamboat submit in all the years that I followed his career
and this is a definite painful effective submission maneuver.
And Steamboat's gotta roll on his back, and he does!
Steamboat reverses it.
The Dragon.
[King] What's he going for here?
-[J.R.] Steamboat trying to… -[King] Oh!
-[J.R.] Steamboat's got the Figure Four. -[King] It's locked in.
[Cole] Shades of… look at this. Look at the agony and the pain writhing.
[J.R.] If anybody knows about the Figure Four,
it's Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat.
[Cole] Jericho trying desperately to make it to the ropes.
And, well, he's got to his belly. Reverse the pressure for a moment.
Rolls into the ropes, forcing Steamboat to break.
[J.R.] Steamboat never really got the Figure Four where he wanted it.
[King] I always hated a Figure Four.
I hated to have it applied, I didn't even like to apply it.
-It hurts both ways. -[Cole] Wild right hand!
Jericho paid for it.
Dragon looking for something big.
[King] Here we go! Oh, watch it! Watch it!
-Jericho-- -[King] Nobody home.
[J.R.] Jericho's head hit the ring post.
-Jericho's head-- -[King] That could be the turning point.
[Cole] Steamboat baiting Jericho in. There's that high crossbody.
Lateral press, he's got him, and a kick out at two.
[J.R.] Well, hand it to Jericho because instinctively,
Jericho was able to kick out.
[Cole] Do you ever think you'd see Steamboat
deliver that diving crossbody again?
[J.R.] Well, quite frankly, no, but I liked it.
[Cole] A Codebreaker! A Codebreaker!
-[J.R.] Good grief! What a counter! -[King] Oh, no.
[Cole] Steamboat in another time zone.
-[King] Oh! -[J.R.] Steamboat caught in midair
where he could not make a veteran-like adjustment.
[King] That Codebreaker may have been delivered
with more force than anyone Jericho's ever hit.
[Cole] Here's the cover, looking to put Steamboat out of his misery,
who gets his foot on the bottom rope.
[King] Jericho thinks he's won, no!
[J.R.] Those veterans play those cards at the right time,
and Jericho certainly having a word with the official,
but Steamboat knew where he was all along. He knew exactly where he was in the ring.
[King] And I don't know how after that Codebreaker.
[J.R.] Ring presence, the feel, just natural.
[Cole] Steamboat rolls through. He could have him! He could have him!
-And a kick out! -[King] Oh, man! That referee's hand…
Did it not hit the mat for a three-count?
[Cole] And Jericho caught Steamboat again.
-[King] Oh, no! He's got it locked in now. -[J.R.] In the center of the ring.
[Cole] What will Ste-- Steamboat has to tap.
-[bell ringing] -[J.R.] Had no choice!
-[King] All right, that's it. Let him go. -["Break the Walls" playing]
[J.R.] Come on, let go of it!
[Lilian] Here's your winner by submission, Chris Jericho.
[Cole] Just had to rub the wound a little bit more at the end
for Chris Jericho.
[J.R.] We'll be hearing about this on Friday Night SmackDown from Chris Jericho,
there's no doubt about that.
[Cole] Chris Jericho claimed that Ricky Steamboat was delusional.
He thought he had a chance in this match.
I think Chris Jericho may have been the one that was delusional.
[King] Yeah, I'm sure that over on SmackDown, J.R.,
Chris Jericho's gonna be crowing about this,
but in the back of his mind,
he's going to have to know
that Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat gave him one heck of a match here at Backlash.
[J.R.] Jericho got a run for his money,
and Ricky Steamboat has nothing, absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.
Magnificent effort from this WWE Hall of Famer,
who we could have seen here for the last time.
[crowd chanting] Thank you, Steamboat.
[King] Way to go, Ricky.
[J.R.] We're proud of you, Ricky.
[crowd chanting] You still got it.
[King] "You still got it" chant from our fans here tonight.
Yes, you do, you still got it, baby.
Oh, hey, so you're on your way, Santina?
Oh, that's great! I'll see you tonight.
Okay. Grazie.
Again with the phone? What?
And how did you get such a nice dressing room anyways?
Well, this is Santina's locker room.
She's Miss WrestleMania,
she gets many nice things.
Enough! Enough. Okay, Santino?
Why are you doing this?
You know there's a very confused 7'3" giant
that's waiting to kiss you right on the lips
unless you… you just admit the truth.
Just admit that you dress as Santina to become Miss WrestleMania,
and save yourself the embarrassment, okay?
-Please. -Santino, why are you being so stubborn?
Me? Stubborn? How about you?
You're the one that can't accept a younger,
prettier Diva with bigger garbanzos actually beat you at WrestleMania, okay?
And I happen to know that Santina will defend her Miss WrestleMania Title
any times, anywhere, any places.
She's a real womans.
Please. Enough with the real woman. Enough!
-You disagree? -Yes!
I have an idea. Why don't you go out there
and you kiss The Great Khali and prove her wrong?
Oh, no. You are not getting out of this, Santino.
I'm not kissing The Great Khali.
And as a matter of fact, I'm not kissing you anymore either.
Oh, yeah?
Well, when we're in the bed…
I fake…
I fake every… you know what.
["Man On Fire" playing]
-[bell rings] -[Justin] This bout is set for one fall.
Approaching the ring, weighing 323 pounds, Kane!
[Cole] Well, "The Big Red Machine" Kane
still believes that he should be Mr. Money in the Bank.
[King] You know, he can be Mr. Anything He Wants To, if you ask me.
[Cole] In front of 72,744
WWE fans at Reliant Park in Houston at the 25th anniversary of WrestleMania,
CM Punk and Kane battled it out high above the ring.
[J.R.] They were the last two men
in the eight-man Money in the Bank Ladder Match
that CM Punk won for the second year in a row,
and Kane has been thinking about this opportunity on pay-per-view
for three long agonizing weeks.
[Cole] Well, then on RAW Monday night,
CM Punk surprise Kane with a pinfall victory.
Kane got a little revenge on WWE Superstars on WGN America
with a victory over Punk in a tag team match.
["This Fire" by Killswitch Engage playing]
[Justin] His opponent, from Chicago, Illinois,
weighing 222 pounds… CM Punk.
[J.R.] A couple of Friday Night SmackDown competitors
going one-on-one here tonight in Backlash.
[Cole] Sixteen new Superstars for Friday Night SmackDown
thanks to the WWE Draft.
You guys are gonna have a lot of fun on Friday nights.
[J.R.] As well you guys beginning tomorrow night.
Fifteen new competitors on Monday Night RAW.
[Cole] Including the likes of Triple H and The Big Show.
-[King] There it is. -[Cole] MVP and The Miz.
[King] What a great feeling that must be for CM Punk
to know to have that in hand,
to have that, that, that contract inside that briefcase,
it's good for a championship match anytime, anywhere you want it.
[J.R.] Boy, real contrasting styles here between Kane's standup
at seven feet, near it, 300 pounds…
-give or take a brisket or two. -[King chuckles]
[Cole] It's Punk versus Kane here
as we welcome our WWE fans throughout the WWE Universe
watching Backlash in places like the United Kingdom, Australia,
New Zealand, Germany, and Spain,
and a special shoutout to the Armed Forces
watching on the Armed Forces Network.
[King] What a great trip WWE just had over to Europe!
Fantastic two weeks, see some of those photos on WWE.com.
Our Superstars visiting some really historic and famous places.
[J.R.] CM Punk's got to use all of his, uh,
his offensive attributes to stick and move against Kane.
Let's go, let's go! Come on, Kane, get him out of the corner.
[Cole] Kane has to use his physical prowess in this match-up.
Really dominated this past Monday night on RAW,
but CM Punk is a survivor, really, throughout his career.
His reign as World Champion, he seemed to survive each and every week.
You got to look pretty deep in the, uh, WWE Encyclopedia to find anyone
who had a better single year than CM Punk had…
-Look at Punk. -…in 2008.
And this Cross Armbreaker is gonna get Punk disqualified.
Broke on four, he would have been disqualified on five.
[King] That armbreaker doing some damage there.
So going for the shoulder and the arm.
It looks like, at least, the focus of the early strategy.
[J.R.] Yeah, of course, uh, Kane known for that devastating chokeslam,
and he's right-handed, is Kane.
Pretty good strategy by Punk, at least in the early going.
Let's see if Punk can maintain it.
[Cole] And Kane is taken out of his game early on.
Oh, look at Kane!
[J.R.] There's that right hand right there.
[King] Oh, no! And Punk hanging on!
-[J.R.] That's resourceful! -[King] Oh, that was a--
Oh, that was a match-saver right there.
[Cole] And Punk continues the assault,
taking the fight to the Big Red Machine,
which I didn't think we'd see here tonight.
[King] This match would have been, uh, already over by now
if, uh, Punk had suffered that chokeslam on the floor from Kane.
[Cole] Punk, a former World Champion, Intercontinental Champion,
ECW Champion, World Tag Team Champion.
[King] Possibly future Champion
as long as he's got that Money in the Bank Contract.
[Cole] CM Punk is on SmackDown now as you mentioned before, J.R.,
but he can cash in against any champion anywhere.
[King] He can do it tonight. You guys ever think about that?
I think about it every time he walks down that ramp.
[J.R.] Every man that has cashed in Money in the Bank
has become a champion.
So that's a pretty good percentage,
and pretty good odds it's gonna happen again for CM Punk.
[J.R.] The good news was that Punk got stopped by the ring post or…
or the bad news was that Punk got stopped by the ring post.
[Cole] Did you hear the crack of the back?
[King] Sickening.
[J.R.] Punk's body contorted as it wrapped around the steel ring post.
Kane is so big and so strong and the thing we don't--
[Cole] Cover. Cover, hook. Hooks the leg of Punk.
[King] This is just the way Kane loves to operate.
He loves to punish his opponents.
[Cole] It's that demented psyche of the Big Red Machine.
[J.R.] Ring post first and now those big legs second in the body scissors.
Kane sees evil, King, and he likes it.
[King] I know, and, and you know what?
The slower, the longer he can drag out that punishment of his opponents,
-the more Kane likes it. -[Cole] And it's not just physical,
psychological as well.
Just ask Rey Mysterio about the mental and mind games
that Kane can put you through.
[King] Kane putting the mind of CM Punk right to the front of his head there.
[J.R.] Kane is a very intelligent monster,
who has grounded CM Punk.
[J.R.] Punk gotta use those elbow strikes.
That's his only path of offense.
Now, look, he's going for the, uh, the elbow, attacking the joints
-of CM Punk. -[King] It got Kane to release that hold.
[Cole] Attacking the arm that was previously injured in this match-up.
See how Punk turned right around when he missed Kane?
[King] Oh, man!
-[Cole] Couldn't turn around from that. -[King] That could be it.
Kane off that clothesline, looks to put Punk away,
who kicks out again.
[J.R.] I've seen more gentile car crashes than this clothesline.
-Look at this. Boom! -[King] Wow!
Oh…
I think at this point if I just suffered that,
I might be reaching in my tights to see if I had a white flag I could wave.
[Cole] Kane. This is the point of the match
where he will wear down his opponent.
Again, targeting the small the back.
[King] I don't think, you know, and, and we talked about Kane's psyche.
I don't think he looks at this as wearing down his opponent,
I think he looks at this as punishing.
-[Cole] You think he's enjoying it? -[King] Look! What that face tell you?
-[Cole] Ugly? -[King] Other than that.
There was a smile on that ugly mug.
-[Cole] Sadistic, maybe. -[King] There you go.
[J.R.] Hard kicks right to the kidney area that just leaves that longlasting effect.
It's not gonna go away in a few seconds.
[Cole] The survivor mentality of CM Punk still there for the moment,
but Kane went for the chokeslam and Punk countered…
armbar driving Kane to the mat.
[King] Man, that kind of force could have snapped even an arm as big as Kane's!
[J.R.] And again, it's the chokeslaming right arm of Kane,
the object of the offense.
Now, watch Kane's arm get caught. Whoa!
[Cole] Now, remember, it was just three nights ago
that Punk dealt the chokeslam from Kane,
and he got beat in tag team match-up, so Punk knows the damage it can do.
So great planning and strategy by CM Punk tonight.
[J.R.] Good armbar takedown.
Punk trying to knot up the quadricep, the thigh muscle.
Again just got overpowered. There's quickness!
[Cole] Look at Punk.
Again applying the pressure.
Look the way the right arm is contorted on Kane.
[J.R.] And Punk intelligently listening to the referee's count.
[King] Five seconds ago, pressure of that hold does a lot of damage.
[Cole] Punk, very physical in this match tonight.
[King] Gonna to have to be.
When you're in there with a monster like Kane,
you gotta be physical or go home.
Go home hurting.
[J.R.] About a size 16 right in your ear doesn't fit well, doesn't feel good.
[Cole] One of the things for the near seven-footer he does so well, J.R.,
is he can really maneuver off the top rope.
Oh, but it cost him there!
[J.R.] Pretty good enzuigiri, that roundhouse kick.
Caught Kane in a vulnerable position.
[Cole] These are the moments that Punk will need to capitalize on.
You can't give Kane too many chances.
[King] Kane was going to the top here
with some evil intentions, but…
CM Punk caught him right in the side of the head.
[J.R.] Oh, look at this!
-[King] Look at the strength of Punk here! -[J.R.] This is a nap time for Kane!
[Cole] Looking for the Go to Sleep.
But remember, the damage to the back early on may have hurt Punk there.
[J.R.] Nice running knee.
[King] Kane's just too heavy for Punk to hit that.
[Cole] Off the Running Bulldog, Punk into the cover!
Hooks the leg and Kane!
[J.R.] Nice sustained offense by CM Punk, showing no fear and no intimidation…
against The Big Red Machine who has destroyed people.
[King] How do you look at Kane's face and show no fear?
His face can scare the chrome off a bumper.
-Oh! -[Cole] Wow!
Talk about rearranging facial.
Look at this! Hook of the leg! Kane's got Punk here! No!
And a kick out at two! How did Punk kick out?
[J.R.] I don't have an answer for that. Just guts and determination.
-The will to win. -[King] Listen to this, listen.
[J.R.] That is a serious uppercut.
-[Cole] And Punk! -[J.R.] Right arm!
[King] Once again, targeting that shoulder of Kane's and that arm.
[J.R.] Cross arm breaker there, in the armbar.
Punk trying to take the arm against its grain.
[Cole] Look at the pressure there.
[J.R.] Trying to hyperextend the elbow of Kane.
[King] We may see Kane tap out here.
[Cole] When's the last time you've seen a look of pain
on Kane's face like he had there?
[King] I don't think I've ever seen him tap out.
[Cole] But back to a vertical base and a side slam.
This time hooks the leg. Looks to put Punk away again!
[J.R.] Kane had a low pick over there. Punk was lucky
that that was the case because Punk was able to get a…
just roll his shoulder up.
High impact. No mistakes. That's Kane's style.
[Cole] Measuring Punk, but Kane… does he have full use of the right arm?
Does Kane have enough left in the right arm?
Oh! And another enzuigiri!
And Punk, who wants to use the feet in his offense, doing a great job of it.
[J.R.] Kane a perfect target for two roundhouse kicks!
-Oh! -And a back… a backhand.
[King] Kane's on spaghetti legs, I thought.
-Oh! -[Cole] Oh! Driving… CM Punk!
[J.R.] A slobberknocker of a pull from a chokeslam…
does it! That's impact!
That's smash mouth! That is Kane!
[Justin] The winner of this match, Kane!
[Cole] The injury to the right arm by Punk was great strategy.
But how did Kane combat that? He used both arms
to help him with that chokeslam to put CM Punk away here at Backlash.
[King] Kane actually caught CM Punk mid-kick.
I think one of… one of Punk's legs was still caught in the air.
And Kane grabbed him in that chokeslam.
Let's see if we can see this again now.
Kane was… Kane was going for the chokeslam earlier.
CM Punk stopped him with the kicks.
[J.R.] Great use of the feet. The kicks, the strikes by CM Punk.
[King] But watch this other attempted kick that got caught right there.
[Cole] And watch Kane. Using both arms.
[J.R.] That was great strategy.
Quite frankly, a monstrous, no pun intended, counter by Kane.
[King] Is that called going to the well once too often, J.R.?
[J.R.] I would suggest it is.
I'll tell you, CM Punk very impressive here tonight at Backlash.
That hurt my head. Wow.
We're gonna see a lot more of those guys on Friday Night SmackDown nonetheless.
Well, we got big thank yous here tonight for Backlash.
We want to thank those who performed to help us with our Backlash theme song.
Thanks to Veer Union for "Seasons."
The official Backlash theme song.
It's off the album Against the Grain.
Available now.
Well, it is the next chapter in this spiraling out of control sibling rivalry.
Jeff Hardy versus Matt Hardy.
Born out of jealousy, envy and rage.
It was taken to a new level at the 25th anniversary of WrestleMania.
[J.R.] Absolutely fearless is Jeff Hardy.
[King] No!
[Matt] You know, for years, I've been looked upon as the other Hardy.
But after all the talk, I knew that all it would take was three seconds.
I proved to the world that I am the superior Hardy.
But beating you isn't enough, Jeff.
As long as there's a little boy wearing one of your silly armbands…
as long as there's a little girl chanting your name…
it'll never be enough, Jeff.
I have to erase you from the WWE.
[Jeff] Matt…
you beat me at WrestleMania.
You said you were gonna send me home on a stretcher
and that's exactly what you did.
So congrats.
Matt, your overconfidence will kill you.
At Backlash, you'll see that I'm just as crazy as I've ever been.
And although we won't have ladders, tables, chairs, or stretchers,
…we will have the words "I quit."
[Jeff] You're sick.
You're twisted.
You're demented.
And so am I.
[Matt] Jeff, you've got a raging fire burning inside.
At Backlash, I'm gonna extinguish that fire.
[Jeff] After Backlash…
you will be known as the Hardy who quit when it mattered the most…
…for the rest of your life!
[bell rings]
The following is an I Quit Match.
There will be no pinfalls, no countouts, and no disqualifications.
The only way to achieve victory is to make your opponent say the words "I quit."
["No More Words" playing]
[Justin] Introducing first, from Camden, North Carolina, weighing 225 pounds…
Jeff Hardy!
[Cole] Well, late last year, Jeff Hardy realized his lifelong dream
of winning the WWE Championship,
only to have it ripped away by his own brother,
Matt Hardy at the Royal Rumble,
and, J.R., their relationship has imploded
and has deteriorated to such a… vicious, savage level.
[J.R.] Well, it's a brotherly bond that has been betrayed.
It is a family divided.
But one of these two brothers tonight will be forced to say, "I quit."
And the world will hear it.
[Cole] King, what are the psychological ramifications of saying those two words,
-"I quit"? -[King] It means more than getting pinned.
It means more than submitting.
I mean, it is a personal, deeply personal thing,
especially between two brothers.
When you have to look that person in the eye and say that you quit,
you're admitting they're the better man.
You're admitting that you are not up to their standards.
And that's something that neither one of these brothers want to have to do.
["Live For The Moment" playing]
[Justin] And his opponent, from Camden, North Carolina,
weighing 236 pounds,
Matt Hardy!
[Cole] J.R., simple question.
Does Matt Hardy have his brother Jeff Hardy's number?
[J.R.] Well, if the last three times they've met have any indication,
my answer would be yes.
It happened at WrestleMania and the Extreme Rules.
It happened on Friday Night SmackDown and the Spectrum match-up.
Then we saw recently on SmackDown in a tag team match,
where Matt Hardy had his brother's number.
Right now, Matt Hardy is 3-0
and looking for the four-game sweep of his younger brother.
[King] I'm gonna tell you something that I see just as a personal observation.
We're seeing a little bit of a different Jeff Hardy
in the fact that there's no face paint.
He doesn't look that extreme look that we usually see on Jeff Hardy.
You know, that takes time before a match.
Jeff has to sit down in front of a mirror. He has to paint his face.
But I don't think he wanted to take the time to do that tonight.
I think that he has been concentrating solely on this match
and solely on his brother. And that is all that is on his mind.
[Cole] Well, Jeff Hardy said on Friday night on SmackDown
that words like "extreme" and "intensity" used to mean everything to me.
But things have changed, Matt.
He claims Matt's overconfidence will kill him tonight.
This is an I Quit Match between two brothers.
[J.R.] So we're not looking for pins.
No countouts. No disqualifications.
The match can only end when one of these two men say, "I quit."
It's as simple as that.
[King] And it's gonna happen.
One of these guys is going to admit to the other that he quits,
that he's had enough.
[Cole] Jeff Hardy's had enough of Matt Hardy's antics
over the past number of months.
[King] I've been told that our referee has a microphone in his back pocket
and he will have that microphone close enough
that when those words are uttered, we're all gonna hear who says "I quit."
[J.R.] Jeff certainly seems focused on punishing his brother.
-Over the top… -[King] Look out!
…hit its mark.
[man] Get up! Get up!
[J.R.] And you notice the referee's not counting
because there are no countouts.
[King] Sometimes you watch these maneuvers
and these really death-defying feats that Jeff Hardy performs
and you think sometimes…
they're more detrimental to Jeff than they are to his opponent.
Now what's he got in mind?
[Cole] He's not worried about that tonight.
Matt Hardy!
Slamming spine and neck first into the barricade.
[man 2] Wow… Oh, my God!
[J.R.] Matt became a Hardy sandwich between his brother and the security wall.
And Matt Hardy now…
-Look at this. -[King] First, Matt thrown into the wall…
with great impact. And then…
Incoming! Jeff Hardy!
[Cole] Let's not forget that Jeff was the victim of a number of "accidents,"
quote-unquote, including a fire that killed Jeff Hardy's,
-his dog, the love of his life. -[crowd] Let's go, Jeff!
[King] Oh, Michael, come on, let's see. You're saying quote-unquote "accidents"?
I think we all know.
Matt was… Matt had to be behind these things.
-[Cole] Look at Jeff Hardy… -[King] Oh!
…who is punishing Matt!
[J.R.] Jeff fell on the back of his head there.
That may have rattled him as well when he delivered that mule kick to his brother.
-Look at this. -[King] I'm just waiting.
It's gonna happen soon that the referee's gonna pull out that microphone,
stick it in one of these brothers' faces.
[Cole] I'm just amazed at the relationship between these two brothers
has deteriorated to such a level.
[King] A lot of bad blood, a lot of…
seriously bad things have gone down between these two young men.
[Cole] Even the WWE was… both their dreams.
They've held the Tag Team Title six different times.
Matt, what do you say, huh? Do you wanna say it, Matt?
[J.R.] Remember, if Matt Hardy had uttered the words "I quit,"
this match would have been over.
[J.R.] Sounds awfully simple.
Two words, five letters.
"I quit," as the late Gordon Solie said,
but this is going to be one heck of a journey
before either of these two men will allow themselves to say, "I quit."
[King] You're right. No one… No one wants to say that.
-Look at Matt's face. -You can't allow yourself.
-It's unthinkable to say that. -What do you say, Matt?
[Cole] I got a question for you guys.
As Jeff Hardy continues the pressure in that sleeper hold on Matt Hardy,
you apply a hold like the sleeper and your opponent passes out?
-[King] That's not gonna end the match. -[Cole] Exactly.
-You have to utter the words "I quit." -[J.R.] Wake him up.
I'm sure he'll be happy to say, "I quit." And don't do this again.
[Cole] And Matt Hardy…
[J.R.] I just noticed that Matt Hardy's face looked a little…
already starting to swell a little bit.
His eyes are a little puffy from that onslaught,
early going, the early going onslaught by Jeff Hardy.
[Cole] I saw the expression in the face of Matt Hardy change.
You want to know what Matt Hardy's all about in a snapshot.
[King] I can say one thing about that swelling, J.R.
The swelling of his face kind of looks like his ego as of now.
-There you go. -It's swollen.
Jeff Hardy looking to take a high risk.
At that time, it backfired.
Watch out, huh?
What do you say, Jeff? Huh?
Uh, no.
No.
[Cole] Again, you want a snapshot of Matt Hardy.
Remember what happened a couple of weeks ago when Big Show knocked Jeff Hardy out?
Jeff Hardy was unconscious.
And Matt Hardy came into the ring and assaulted the man.
Jeff Hardy was helpless, defenseless. And his own brother attacked him.
[J.R.] And now, brother Matt, Matthew Moore Hardy,
as his brother Jeff called him, is in attack mode.
And this is just a brawl, an onslaught.
[King] I mean, we all know that this is gonna have to get really, really ugly
before it's over.
[Cole] Oh, the pride of both of these men.
Do you want to say it?
-Do you want to say it? -No!
[J.R.] Look at this.
[King] Oh, yeah. He's gonna have to say it here.
-Come on, Jeff, huh? -Or suffer a broken leg.
[Cole] What happened is, when Jeff Hardy was pushed off the top rope by Matt,
it looked like he tweaked his knee or some part of the leg.
And Matt Hardy has turned his attack, focused it on the legs of Jeff Hardy.
[King] Jeff said about his own brother Matt, he's sick, he's twisted,
he's demented.
I think we're about to see those qualities rise to the surface now that Matt realizes
-Jeff is hurt now. -[Cole] Look at his smile.
See the smile on the face of Matt?
-[King] Demented. -And Matt Hardy.
Ask him.
-Hear Matt screaming, "Ask him!" -Do you say it? Do you say it, Jeff?
Forget it! No!
[Cole] There are no submissions. Jeff Hardy cannot tap out here.
Perhaps the only way out of this is to say, "I quit."
-Do you say it, Jeff? -No!
[J.R.] That's an unusual strategy.
Matt Hardy did a lot of damage with that Figure Four.
And now let's see how much more damage Matt attempts on the legs of this brother.
[King] Oh, man.
[Cole] I think that Matt is without a doubt
targeting that left leg of his brother Jeff.
That's the one it looked like he tweaked when he was knocked off the top rope.
But the other thing about this, King, is, Jeff Hardy is such a high flyer.
He's such a daredevil. You take the legs out, he can't fly.
[King] Exactly right. Matt knows that.
That's the thing about these two guys.
No one on Earth knows each other better than they know themselves.
-And their brother. -[Cole] Oh, Matt mocking Jeff Hardy.
Well, the other thing these two men know about each other as well is the amount of
punishment each can take.
The type of matches they've been in over the years.
And again, Matt Hardy back to the Figure Four.
[J.R.] Matt left the Figure Four long enough to inflict more pain.
Goes right back to it.
Like the, uh… begrudging Matt Hardy or not,
be jealous of Matt Hardy or not…
-he is very, very intelligent. -Jeff, do you want to quit?
No!
[King] And we say there's no submission, but in effect, with this hold, if…
[Cole] Look it, reversing the pressure.
[King] If one of these men say, "I quit," they've submitted and they've lost.
[Cole] Now it's Matt Hardy who's suffering the pain.
Matt, do you want to quit?
No!
[King] Once you can roll your opponent over,
now it's back, the pressure is back on the legs of Jeff Hardy.
[Cole] The referee cannot break the hold if you get to the ropes.
Matt had to do that on his own accord.
Jeff's hurt.
[J.R.] Jeff trying to protect his left leg to no avail.
[Cole] Does Matt get some sort of sick joy out of this?
[King] Both these young men are hurt.
Oh!
[J.R.] I said that Matt Hardy has evil envy
towards his brother, and we're seeing that evilness in full display tonight.
[Cole] Look at the position of the leg and the knee.
Jeff may have to quit here.
Oh, quit!
Jeff, quit!
-[J.R.] The thing about is, Jeff Hardy-- -What do you say, Jeff?
Forget it!
Don't think you can be more adamant than that.
[J.R.] Jeff Hardy willing to have his leg snapped
to prevent himself from saying, "I quit!"
Jeff, quit!
Do you want to quit?
No!
Quit! Quit! Quit!
Matt is screaming, "Just quit, quit, quit!"
Frustration perhaps beginning to build.
[King] Now what? Oh! That.
[Cole] No telling what Matt Hardy is capable of.
Quit! Quit!
Almost in a weird state.
[J.R.] I think Matt Hardy has been unstable
for longer than perhaps we all knew.
I never knew that Matt had that inner jealousy that he obviously possesses
towards his own flesh and blood.
[Cole] Look at this, look at this, look at this.
[King] Look at the referee, the referee can't stop this
unless Jeff says he quits.
-Do you wanna say it? -No!
No!
He said no!
[Cole] And Matt is becoming increasingly frustrated.
Jeff, though, the fight he still has left in him.
Now it's Matt Hardy who perhaps is in trouble.
Jeff Hardy on one leg.
Can he balance himself?
He does!
[J.R.] Whisper in the Wind connects.
But look at the collateral damage done to these siblings.
[King] If this were a normal match,
that might have been enough for Jeff to get a three-count to get a pin.
But that's not gonna win this match. Look at this move, though.
[Cole] Just amazing he was able to balance on the injured leg.
Jeff Hardy's dragging his leg around the ring.
[J.R.] How challenging must this be for their own father to watch.
[Cole] Matt Hardy's… Oh, look it!
Matt Hardy's cut off all communication with his father
over the past couple of months.
[King] Hey, we talk about what, you know, this turn that we've witnessed.
And Matt, I mean…
Who would have ever thought that Matt Hardy was capable of this?
[J.R.] Look it, look it! Texas Cloverleaf!
Another submission maneuver!
I was gonna say, who would have thought that Matt Hardy was capable of these?
Look it, look it, look it! Matt's tapping, but he can't tap out.
-No submissions. -Do you want to quit?
No!
Oh, man!
And getting to the ropes won't stop this either.
[J.R.] Matt Hardy's "no" is of a very desperate tone.
And obviously, and rightfully so.
That Texas Cloverleaf is a lethal maneuver.
Going for the Twist of Fate.
Boom!
[Cole] Suddenly, it's Jeff Hardy with the clearer head.
And it is the Twist of Fate.
[J.R.] Jeff's center is going to be sick and twisted.
And that Swanton Bomb on your own brother
is about as sick and twisted as one can be.
-Well, Jeff says I'm… -Matt, do you want to quit?
-No. -He said no, Jeff, no!
[King] Matt Hardy says no.
[Cole] Jeff says, "I'm just as crazy as I've ever been."
He will need all of that to get Matt to quit.
[J.R.] I don't know that Matt Hardy has a conscience.
I'd like to think that his brother does.
And having a conscience may cost Jeff here tonight.
[King] Another Swanton!
[Cole] I don't know how you can have a conscience
after what Matt Hardy's put his brother through.
[King] I don't know how Matt Hardy could not say that he quits right now.
[J.R.] Whatever Jeff is thinking of bringing out is legal.
[King] Oh, the ante has just been upped.
[King] Oh, no, there's all…
sorts of things underneath the WWE ring.
And there's a table!
There was actually a chant earlier on from our WWE fans here tonight.
"We want a table." Well, you get your wish.
[J.R.] Jeff Hardy just drew pocket aces and got another ace on the flop.
He's gonna try to put his brother away here quickly,
emphatically, with an unfriendly table.
[Cole] For Jeff Hardy, you just look across the ring, J.R.,
you look in the eyes of Matt Hardy,
you just realize he's not your brother anymore?
-Is that the mentality you've gotta take? -[J.R.] I really don't know. I…
I can't identify with that. I just… I really can't.
[King] I can't either. I mean, I've got a… Oh!
…brother that's four years older than me, and we've had…
Oh, look at Matt Hardy!
Oh!
[J.R.] Oh, that's a mighty!
Good God, what a splat!
A human splat from both men!
[Cole] Well, Matt Hardy realized the table was in the ring.
He thought he had rolled out of harm's way to the outside, but…
may have cost him.
[King] I think any siblings can relate to disagreements,
even fights sometimes.
Like I said, I have a four year brother, four years older than me,
we fought but never, never anything to this extent.
Never anything like this. This is just…
This is vicious.
Matt, you've already got your table.
What the… Did he…
I don't know what that is.
[Cole] I thought I saw it. I did.
Duct tape!
[King] Jeff, what the--
[Cole] Oh, you've gotta be kidding me.
[King] Matt Hardy, he's been the victim of two Twists of Fate
two Swantons, and right now he's lying there in la-la land.
When his head clears and he realizes what's happened…
[Cole] What's Jeff doing?
What is running through Jeff Hardy's head?
[King] Well, technically, he just taped his brother up.
There's got to be some sort of reason behind it.
-[J.R.] A little wretched restraint by… -[Cole] Is that a…
Is that a rope?
[King] Well…
[J.R.] It's obvious that Jeff Hardy has given what he's doing some thought.
[King] This does not look good for Matt!
[Cole] Referee's helpless.
[King] J.R., can you help me out here? What is Jeff up to?
[J.R.] He's up there looking to get that one big win, that big move,
to get his brother to say, "I quit."
[King] You think he's trying to torture his brother?
[J.R.] Oh, I think that's exactly it. This is the mental part.
Do you wanna say it? Do you want to say it, Matt?
No!
[Cole] Oh, my Lord!
[King] I think you might wanna say it, Matt.
[Cole] Look at the fear in Matt's eyes.
Jeff! Jeff! Jeff! Jeff! Jeff!
Jeff! Jeff! Jeff!
Jeff! Jeff! Jeff! Jeff! Jeff! Jeff!
Jeff, Jeff. No, Jeff. Jeff.
I'm sorry! I'm sorry about the accidents, Jeff!
[wild cheering]
No, Jeff! Jeff!
I'm sorry about everything… I'm sorry about that.
You've been wronged.
I love you.
Jeff! I love you!
Jeff, listen to me.
I love you!
We're brothers.
Jeff, we're brothers.
A brother is the strongest bond you can have in the world.
Jeff, don't listen to them.
I've always told you, don't listen to them.
They get you in trouble.
Jeff, Matt loves you.
Matt and Jeff Hardy.
The Hardy Boys.
We can do it all again.
Jeff, Jeff…
Our mom wouldn't want this.
In heaven she's looking down on us, she wouldn't want this, Jeff.
Our dad's at home sick, Jeff!
Please… Dad, Daddy wouldn't like it if you did this.
Jeff, please.
Jeff, I love you.
Jeff, Jeff, Jeff, I'm sorry.
Jeff.
I quit!
[King] He said it.
[bell rings]
[crowd booing]
[King] Matt Hardy quit!
[J.R.] And Jeff Hardy did not accept the apology.
[Cole] For Matt Hardy, it was way too late
-for I'm sorry. -[Justin] The winner of this match,
Jeff Hardy!
["No More Words" playing]
[Cole] Was that a look of relief?
Was it a look of concern on the face of Jeff Hardy?
But ladies and gentlemen, the pictures tell the story of a tattered,
of a broken, of a destroyed family.
[J.R.] Jeff Hardy has paid a physical
and an emotional price for this I Quit victory tonight.
[King] But I feel like he's redeemed himself,
and I think Jeff Hardy feels the same way.
Joining me now is, of course, Randy Orton.
And, Randy, tonight should you and Legacy
defeat Triple H, Batista, and Shane McMahon,
you'll become the new WWE Champion.
When you consider the stipulation surrounding this match, you got to be--
Hold on. I have nothing else to say to Shane McMahon or Triple H,
but I do have something to say to Dave Batista.
You seem to have it all figured out, don't you, Dave?
Years ago, we were in Evolution together and… and what's changed?
I have Legacy and I am my own man,
and what about you?
After all these years, you're still doing Triple H's dirty work.
Now, I know you have an issue with me,
but don't you worry.
You'll be able to take out all of your anger in a matter of minutes,
but whatever you do, Dave,
don't get disqualified.
I mean…
you wouldn't want Triple H to lose his title,
would you?
I mean, that's what's important here, right?
Triple H…
and his title.
It's amazing after all these years,
it's still all about The Game…
for some people anyway.
I'll see you out there, Batista.
["Land of Five Rivers" playing]
[King] That's some chilling words from Randy Orton.
Speaking of chilling…
[Cole] The Punjabi Playboy, The Great Khali
and of course, Ranjin Singh.
I believe it's Kiss Cam time.
[King] I have seen some Khali Kiss Cams before,
but I'm thinking this is gonna be one for the ages!
The Great Khali says…
The Great Khali says it's springtime
and love is in the air!
[King] Oh, boy!
And while… while he can choose any WWE Diva to be his,
The Great Khali has chosen…
-Miss WrestleMania, Santina Marella. -[commentators chuckling]
So, Santina, please come out here, honey,
so the Punjabi Playboy
can show you what it feels like to be a real natural woman.
-[King] This is gonna be great! -Come on, Santina, don't be shy.
There's no reason to be bashful.
The Great Khali knows you want it!
So come on. Khali…
-Yes. -Come on, Santina!
Punjabi Playboy is waiting.
[conversing in Punjabi]
Oh, come on, San--
♪ You look so good to me ♪
[King] Here we go.
This may be the first time any man has ever wanted Santina.
[Cole] Uh, Miss WrestleMania.
[King] I heard she's been on so many blind dates,
she got a free dog.
Look, she's cute.
Don't you think, J.R.?
-Little bashful. -[J.R.] Yup.
[J.R.] You wanna borrow my glasses?
[King] Santina, does she look a little reluctant
to get this big kiss from The Great Khali?
[Cole] I like the tattoos.
-[J.R.] I heard that. -[laughter]
Hey, look at Ranjin.
There's nothing more I would like than to kiss The Great Khali,
but there's a reason why I have not.
You see…
I'm not exactly who I say I am.
[King] Get out!
Really?
[Singh] Wait… what's going on?
You see, I've been trying to pass as something I'm not.
A single girl.
You see, I'm in love with another man.
I have such strong feelings for this man
that to kiss the great Khali, it would betray everything I stand for.
[indistinct conversation]
The Great Khali says… Santina, The Great Khali says he wants to know who.
-Uh… uh… -Who is it?
[King] Yeah, who is it?
-Why, it's J.R.! -Oh, my God, what?
Oh, my!
Ever since, ever since WrestleMania, J.R. has been courting me.
He calls me his little slobberknocker.
-[King] J.R. -I didn't know!
-Yoo-hoo! Hey, Barbeque Sauce Man! -You, dog, you!
-J.R., I love you so much… -[King] Who would have thunk it?
-Oh, my! -Good for you.
…that I could not kiss this man under any circumstances.
-[J.R.] I wouldn't either. -I'm in love with him.
We're in love with each other.
[King] Has she ever given you a lock of her hair from her chest?
I'm happily married.
The Great Khali says that he had no idea!
I mean… J.R.? Wow! Okay!
Uh… Santina, Mr. Ross,
The Great Khali says he completely understands your predicament.
He does. He would never want to break up a happy couple.
So… The Great Khali says you no longer have to kiss him…
[Santina laughs]
[King] J.R., you don't have to be jealous.
[Singh] Provided… provided…
you prove your love…
-by kissing J.R. right now! -[Cole] Oh, my God.
That ain't gonna happen.
Oh, no. I assure you. That isn't going to happen.
-[Cole] Come on, Mr. Barbecue Man! -Mr. Barbecue Man--
-Who fed you that line? -That's what-- Santina called you that.
-Come on, J.R. -I wouldn't kiss her either.
That's her pet name for you.
Might get one of her chest hairs in your mouth.
I thought she had that cold sore last week.
[King] Come out of the closet, J.R., come on!
-Hi, honey. -How is it in the closet?
-[King] She's coming over here. -[Santina laughs nervously]
[Singh] Come on, Santina, come on.
Happily.
[Singh] Prove your love right now!
I think Santina's either gonna have to kiss you or The Great Khali.
You're not gonna let her come over here, are you?
-[King] Honestly, I'd like to see this. -I think I'm going to faint!
-I feel the vapors. -[King] She's fainting.
-What are the vapors? -[J.R.] Thank God for the vapors!
Whatever that is.
["Glamazon" playing]
-The Glamazon. -That's it!
That's enough! I have heard enough of this.
I am sick and tired of this!
Santina, Santino, whatever!
Miss WrestleMania, I am challenging you
for your Miss WrestleMania Crown right now!
[King] Hey, Santina did say anytime, any place.
You never should have been in the Battle Royale!
Get in here, referee.
Referee, I want you to ring the bell, right now! Ring it!
Wait, wait, wait! The Great Khali says-- The Great Khali says,
"How dare you, Beth Phoenix, interrupt this beautiful tender moment
between two people in love?"
Tender moment? Love?
Khali, this is Santino.
No.
-No, I'm Santina. -Khali, this is man! It's a man!
I don't understand. Man…
I don't understand what you're not understanding!
Is that, is that big cranium of yours full of rocks? Huh?
What's in that head of yours?
Are all the women in Punjab so damn ugly
that you find…
you find that to be attractive?
I'm pretty!
Either that…
or you are literally the biggest idiot
walking the face of this Earth today.
[conversing in Punjabi]
-Ring the bell! Ring the bell! -Ring the bell! Ring the bell!
[bell rings]
[crowd] One! Two! Three!
[bell rings]
[King] Oh, my!
♪ You look so good to me ♪
[J.R.] I don't really know what to say.
[King] I'm almost as speechless as J.R.
And, J.R., look! Your girlfriend's chin strap is showing!
[J.R.] Yeah, right!
Just think…
you guys better have every Monday night on Monday Night Raw.
[King] Uh-oh, this is, uh…
There's still some admiration here.
[Cole] Well, it is spring.
Wait a minute! We've got a, uh… wardrobe malfunction! Oh, my gosh!
Oh, no!
Hairy chest and all, we've seen it all!
[J.R.] I'm blind.
-I've lost my sight. -["Land of Five Rivers" playing]
[King] Wives all over the country are jealous.
-[J.R.] Oh, wait. -[King speaks indistinctly]
[Cole] Well, I guess we've seen it all, but…
[King] We really did see it all.
[Cole] Well, yeah, maybe, maybe so.
So do you really call Santina your little slobberknocker?
[J.R.] No, Michael.
[Cole] Is Mr. Barbecue Man a pet name or…
[commentators laughing]
-Oh, Lord. -[King] What a trophy!
[Cole] Well, ladies and gentlemen,
we are having a blast at Backlash tonight live and sold out
at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island.
-[J.R.] I need a donut. -[King] You need a cigarette.
[J.R.] Oh, God, no!
[laughter]
[Cole] Nonetheless, let's get serious, folks.
We still got a lot to come tonight including two championship matches.
-What? -What?
She's just lying.
-I'm happily married. -I can't believe you never told me.
There's nothing to tell.
Well, ladies…
[J.R.] Well, ladies and gentlemen, you gotta wonder…
in the most personal issues,
will the psychotic five-year odyssey of Randy Orton end
with a crowning tonight of a new WWE Champion?
[Cole] Randy Orton has said all along that his goal is to destroy the McMahon family.
[Orton] I bashed the old man and his son
in the skull.
I RKO'd and DDT'd Stephanie…
and sealed it with a kiss.
Tell me, Triple H, when you kiss your wife,
is that what you think about?
I am this close to getting what I want
and may God help the McMahon Family if they decide to get in my way again.
[Cole] And now the three-on-one assault.
[Vince] Randy, you're gonna get some backlash.
-[Cole] Oh, my! -[King] It's Batista!
[Cole] Batista is back!
[Vince] You're gonna get some backlash, it's gonna be a tidal wave coming at ya.
The three of you against my son-in-law Triple H,
my son Shane and "The Animal" Dave Batista!
[Batista] it took me almost four months to get back in this ring
and the one thing that drove me
was retribution…
[King] That vicious punt to the side of Batista's head.
[Batista] I've replayed that over and over and over again.
It's all I could think about.
And the worst part was waiting…
waiting to get my hands on Randy Orton.
[Shane] Randy Orton tried to separate my head from my shoulders,
but he also did it to my father.
So, if anybody's getting retribution, it's me.
[Triple H] Orton tried to take out my wife.
I started it and I am damn well gonna finish it.
[Orton] The Legacy is a well-oiled machine.
Triple H, your team is nothing but a bunch of hot heads and egomaniacs.
All it is gonna take is for one of your team members
to make one mistake, one disqualification,
or maybe one of us will just have to pin you or make you submit.
-[King] RKO from out of nowhere! -[Orton] At Backlash…
[Cole] And Randy Orton has pinned the WWE Champion!
[Orton] …I will take my rightful place
as your WWE…
Champion!
[bell rings]
The following is a Six-Man Tag Team contest,
and it is for the WWE Championship!
Now in this match, if Triple H or anyone on his team
gets pinned, counted out, forced to submit, or disqualified,
then Randy Orton will be declared the new WWE Champion!
♪ Here comes the money! ♪
Introducing first, from Greenwich, Connecticut,
weighing in at 234 pounds, Shane McMahon!
[Cole] J.R., let's cut to the chase.
There's no doubt Shane McMahon's an emotional person.
He's temperamental. He can be hotheaded.
He's gotta control those emotions tonight, or Triple H could lose the title.
[J.R.] Well, you can't be something that you're not,
and Shane McMahon comes with his competitiveness naturally.
So, yeah, you're right.
Shane McMahon gets carried away, gets too hotheaded,
he can cost his brother-in-law the WWE title.
[Batista's theme music playing]
Introducing his tag team partners, first, from Washington DC,
weighing in at 290 pounds, Batista!
[King] Well, you guys want to talk hotheaded?
The Animal can be more volatile than anybody I know.
[Cole] And the question is, King,
did Batista hear Randy Orton
when Randy Orton tried to plant that seed
of self-doubt a little bit earlier tonight?
[King] I don't know if that seed even needed to be planted.
It may have already been there, but we've got to realize,
Triple H has to realize, all these guys have their own agenda.
I don't think that Batista gives a damn if Triple H is the champion after tonight.
[Cole] Randy Orton's cost Batista
four months of his career when he punted Batista in the head.
[King] That's what Batista cares about.
He cost Batista the opportunity to be
a part of the 25th anniversary of WrestleMania.
[King] That's what Batista cares about.
[Cole] And he's lucky he didn't cost Batista his career.
[Triple H's theme music playing]
♪ Time to play the game ♪
[Lilian] And from Greenwich, Connecticut,
weighing in at 255 pounds,
he is the WWE Champion,
Triple H!
[Cole] J.R., Monday Night on RAW,
chaos ensued at the end of the Randy Orton and Triple H No-Disqualification match-up!
Orton took advantage and hit the RKO and pinned Triple H!
What will that do to The Game's psyche in this match tonight?
[J.R.] I don't know for sure what it will do to The Game's psyche.
Triple H is smart. He is the Cerebral Assassin.
The Game knows that he has the most to lose, obviously, of anyone in this match
being the WWE Champion.
What that victory did is give Randy Orton even more confidence that Orton leaves
here tonight with the WWE title.
[King] And you know, I don't know if I've ever seen a match like this.
A six-man tag battle with the WWE Championship at stake.
This may be a first ever,
where the champion Triple H is playing peacemaker.
So, without a doubt, the biggest dilemma is facing The Game.
You have to wonder, when we head to Judgment Day,
three weeks in Chicago, Illinois,
whether or not Triple H will still be the WWE Champion.
[J.R.] Well, the odds are, if you're a gambler,
and I've been known to place a friendly wager or two,
but the odds are that
The Game is not a favorite to leave this match WWE Champion.
Any one of his team gets counted out, disqualified, pinned, or made to submit,
Triple H kisses the title goodbye.
[King] An early show of solidarity for Triple H's team.
Let's see if they're hugging in the post-game,
as they are united, pre-bell.
[Randy Orton's theme music playing]
[Lilian] And making their way to the ring,
the team of Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase
and Randy Orton!
[King] This past Friday night on SmackDown,
Batista and Shane worked as a well-oiled unit.
They defeated DiBiase and Rhodes.
However, Randy Orton was not in the ring.
Randy Orton was not in the match-up,
so Batista and Shane could control their emotions,
and their rage of Orton on that one night.
Can they do it here tonight, with Orton in the ring?
[J.R.] Well, that's one of the reasons that we're here at Backlash.
To see how well Triple H's trio can hold their composure,
stay focused, and protect the WWE Title.
[King] That's not what the focus is about, J.R.
When it comes to Batista, or when it comes to Shane,
their focus is solely on the target. And the target is Randy Orton.
They're not gonna be caring if Triple H remains the champion.
[J.R.] Well, if your opinion is right, I'm not saying it isn't,
but if that's the case, then Triple H's title could be as good as gone.
[Cole] Hey, this past Monday at RAW, Batista said that
absolutely he will be on the same page as Triple H and Shane tonight.
[J.R.] That's what makes this match so intriguing.
So many variables, so many unknowns to factor in to this equation.
[King] We've seen one championship match earlier tonight,
and we've seen one title change hands.
[Cole] That was Christian winning the ECW Championship.
Remember what Randy Orton has done to these men in the ring.
He's punted Shane McMahon. He's punted Batista.
And he RKO'd and DDT'd Triple H's wife Stephanie,
and then had the audacity to kiss Stephanie McMahon
while her husband Triple H was handcuffed and looked on.
[J.R.] What Randy Orton did to that young mother,
that young woman, is absolutely unexcusable.
Should never be forgiven, should never be forgotten.
But let's also remember one thing as far as Orton is concerned.
He's been champion three times.
All three times, he has lost his title to Triple H.
[Cole] Now they're wasting no time going after the target Randy Orton,
and Triple H pounding away on Orton
as this Six-Man Tag Team match-up looks to get underway.
[J.R.] Beware of disqualifications.
[King] Now Triple H taking full advantage.
Remember, the bell has not rang to start this match-up yet.
So Triple H is trying to take advantage
of beating the heck out of Orton before this match begins.
They're fighting through the arena.
Where is Randy?
[Cole] Triple H back inside, but I don't see the leader of Legacy, Randy Orton.
[King] The Cerebral Assassin for the time being,
Randy Orton may be halfway up Route 95 right now.
[Cole] Making this a three-on-two match-up.
[J.R.] Legacy's-- Orton's not over here, fellas.
[King] Let's not forget DiBiase and Rhodes,
they're not innocent in all this.
[King] Oh, no, they've been side-by-side,
right in there as thick as thieves with everything,
every despicable thing that Randy Orton has done.
-[bell rings] -These guys have been right beside him.
While the referee makes the decision here to start this match-up,
it'll be three-on-two to begin. Triple H's WWE Title on the line.
[J.R.] Batista ready to start this match.
Who's gonna be man enough to man up here?
[Cole] Well, you know what's interesting about this, J.R.,
Cody Rhodes looks like he's gonna start.
…start and this match may stay three-on-two.
[Cole] If Rhodes or DiBiase could pin one of these three men without Orton out here,
Orton would still be the WWE Champion
because of the rules of this match-up.
[J.R.] Bizarre rules of…
bizarre stipulations in my estimation that make this match so unpredictable.
Nothing unpredictable about the power of The Animal.
-[Cole] And Batista… -That's the force.
…multi-time World Champion.
[King] I wouldn't wanna be either Cody Rhodes or… Oh, look out there!
…Ted DiBiase right now because…
you realize just how ticked off The Animal,
The Game, and Shane McMahon are that…
that Orton has left, has ran off.
Watch this kick.
[Cole] Meanwhile, Shane McMahon made the tag and…
great double-team between Shane and Batista.
[J.R.] Similar to the teamwork we saw on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Cole] Well, similar scenario. Orton's not in the equation,
so it allows the three men to work together
and focus on DiBiase and Rhodes.
[J.R.] What kind of leader is Randy Orton to desert the troops here?
[Cole] Always about Randy Orton.
[King] I think that pretty much speaks for itself.
Just think about the statement you just made,
a leader deserting the troops.
[Cole] He's the same guy who walked out the night after WrestleMania
and said Triple H's victory there proved nothing.
Triple H…
has been an emotional wreck over the past couple of months.
[J.R.] Triple H got to be very careful there
as he backed away from the referee's instruction.
That was good.
[King] If there's a disqualification, Orton wins the championship.
[J.R.] Tremendous velocity.
And this is really what Triple H, I would think, would really want.
Himself in the ring against either of any member of Legacy,
where Triple H can control his own destiny.
[King] Yeah, still, I mean…
given that Triple H and Batista and Shane,
if they get a victory here, it's not…
…Triple H remains the champion,
but they're not getting what they came here for.
That's their hands on Randy Orton.
[J.R.] I'll tell you what, you gotta have one priority, King.
I understand about retribution and revenge, but…
what's more important, retribution, revenge, or the WWE Title?
[Cole] And the third-generation Superstar Ted DiBiase comes in
and runs into a clothesline.
[King] If you ask Batista or Shane that question right now,
I would say they would say retribution and revenge.
[Cole] Another great double team by brother-in-laws Triple H and Shane.
And Shane pounding away.
Looks to put DiBiase away on the cover and a kick out.
Let me get back to your point earlier, what kind of a man Randy Orton is.
Randy Orton said he wanted to destroy…
[King] Look at how tenacious Shane is here.
[Cole] Shane got punted in the head as well.
He's got the ropes. Let's go, get him off.
Go ahead, Michael. I'm sorry to interrupt.
[Cole] No, just the point I was making
was Orton who said he wanted to take the WWE Title.
The last piece of his puzzle to destroying the McMahon family.
He's not even out here to do it.
[J.R.] Well, Orton knows, as a third-generation star,
that the WWE Title is akin to the McMahon family shield.
He knows how important it is,
the WWE Title I'm referring to, to the entire McMahon family.
[King] And like you said, like the coat of arms.
[Cole] Now, DiBiase and Rhodes just cannot get going in this match-up.
Look at Batista.
[King] Awesome power.
The blood rushing to the head of Cody Rhodes.
And Batista smiling as he stares into the eyes of DiBiase.
[J.R.] You just don't see too many men that can execute
a standing vertical suplex that sustained
and then do that kind of damage.
And Rhodes, to his credit, desperately raked the eyes and then made a tag.
[Cole] The referee was blinded by Batista. He did not see the rake of the eyes.
-And DiBiase comes in on the attack. -[King] DiBiase risking now…
risking disqualification.
[Cole] Rhodes behind the referee's back. Cheap shot from Cody Rhodes.
And DiBiase continues the assault.
[J.R.] Referee's really got a tenuous responsibility here tonight.
Even more than normal.
[Cole] And if you watch Rhodes and DiBiase,
they continue as they're out on the apron to look back towards the entranceway.
Probably disbelief that Orton's not out here either.
[King] They're doing all right for themselves right at the moment, though.
[J.R.] This is a great team.
These are two of the building blocks for the future of WWE, in my estimation.
-Rhodes and DiBiase. -Oh, and there's the power of Batista.
Watts got kind of moving around that time.
[Cole] And the intensity just picked up.
[King] I was about to say the future may be now, but…
[Cole] And The Animal…
[King] Rhodes and DiBiase may have the future of an ice cube
if The Animal has his way.
[Cole] …on keeping the title around the waist of Triple H.
[J.R.] The son of The Million Dollar Man about to be bankrupt.
-[King] DiBiase. -[J.R.] That is a timely retreat…
by DiBiase.
[King] Well, if either one of these guys were to get counted out here…
DiBiase…
well, Batista understands the rules, obviously.
It's not gonna be an easy walk back to the ring for Ted DiBiase.
Clubbing blows from behind by Batista.
That's it, hey!
[J.R.] Randy Orton striking from behind!
And ramming Batista into the ring post!
I don't think the referee saw the ring post!
[King] Orton's back in this match with a vengeance.
[Cole] Orton tags in. The opportune time against Batista, who is the legal man.
[J.R.] And Batista's head clanked off the ring post
unbeknownst to the official, Orton now taking full advantage!
[Cole] And the methodical assault on Batista by Randy Orton.
That Viper-like attack moments ago from behind.
[commentators exclaiming]
[J.R.] And a… a troubled look in the eyes of The Game.
And rightfully so.
Orton…
Batista could have a concussion.
[King] Well, you're right here because…
watch as Orton rams Batista headfirst into that steel ring post!
[J.R.] That was right between the eyes of Batista!
[King] And then as you saw Orton quickly get in his corner and say, "Tag me in!"
[Cole] Orton tags Rhodes. Now Batista in a world of a trouble
isolated in the corner against three other men.
[J.R.] It's as if the Legacy militia is now thinking as one.
Isolating The Animal.
[Cole] Look at the double team. See how Rhodes…
[King] Well, these guys are certainly risking disqualification.
[Cole] Rhodes drew the referee,
allowed the double team to happen as Batista continues to be punished.
[J.R.] One eye on Batista in the corner, the other eye on the official.
[Cole] And you mentioned earlier, J.R., that Batista perhaps has a concussion.
Remember, he's only been back for a couple of weeks
since the punt to the head by Orton.
[J.R.] Another cheap shot behind the referee's back.
You know, in hindsight, one could certainly suggest that maybe two officials
should have been assigned to this match.
But that's not the way that it is.
[King] Yeah, Orton was almost caught a second ago by our one official.
But if there had been two, he probably certainly would have been caught.
Man, this this…
[J.R.] Cohesion for Legacy.
[Cole] Orton back in. Look at the eyes! Look at the eyes of Orton!
-That deranged look… -[King] Oh, no, wait.
You know what's on the mind of Orton!
[Cole] …and a sick smile!
Sinister smile as he drops Batista on his skull!
[J.R.] The iniquitous eyes of Randy Orton!
-They have the cover! -And a kick out at two!
[J.R.] Remember, if Orton pins any member of Triple H's team,
Orton is the WWE Champion!
[Cole] You saw the look of concern again on the face of Triple H moments ago.
[J.R.] Right now, Triple H's WWE Title
is all up to how well Batista can weather this storm.
[King] Yeah, I don't know if I can remember
The Game's title being in this much jeopardy.
[Cole] DiBiase as Batista tries somehow to power out. Look at Orton.
Orton grabbed the arm, for a moment, of Batista
and it allowed DiBiase to get back on the attack.
[J.R.] Smart move by DiBiase forbidding Batista
from making Batista's way to the corner!
The drop-toe hold was timely, and right on the mark.
[King] And then get the big man down, ground him.
[J.R.] Nobody in this match can play the power game with Batista.
[Cole] Triple H is helpless,
the Champion is helpless with his title on the line.
[King] Right. He would love to be able to tag in,
because he could be standing on the apron and watch the title
vanish, go up and smoke.
[Cole] Could this be the opening Batista needs?
The Animal trying to will himself and crawl across the ring.
Here comes Orton!
Batista, a fingertip away!
[J.R.] Orton got the tag, Batista did not.
We may be talking about that moment later in this match…
as a key moment in this WWE Title contest.
[Cole] You can see and feel the wheels churning in the mind of Randy Orton.
[King] And Batista looks in bad shape right here.
-He suffered some damage. -[Cole] Orton taking his time…
torturing Batista.
[J.R.] Orton is devilishly deliberate.
And one could say, is he too deliberate?
[Cole] And effective recently for Orton.
As Legacy continues to wear down Batista.
Batista had to get back to a vertical base, he did that.
Looks to power out.
[J.R.] Hard shot to the head, though.
If Batista does have concussion issues,
Orton's gonna try to exacerbate it!
-And what a flying headbutt! -[King] Where did that come from?
[J.R.] Was that a headbutt or a shoulder?
-It drove the wind from Orton! -[Cole] Here comes Cody Rhodes!
Batista again makes the tag and here comes Shane!
[King] Now here's where Shane's gonna… need to control that frenzy.
He hit him!
The adrenaline-fueled Shane McMahon
off the neckbreaker!
Can he keep the title around his brother-in-law's waist?
And a kick out!
[J.R.] Maybe Shane is channeling Randy Orton
through Cody Rhodes!
Look at there! Shane, wait a minute, Shane!
DiBiase taken down by Shane!
Now look at this! Look at this! Rhodes has slid back into the ring.
realized a countout could be a possibility!
-Get him back! -[J.R.] Rhodes gets hung up there,
now Shane McMahon has the advantage again!
[King] What's Shane gonna do here?
-Rhodes! -[Cole] Shane with a…
-driving the elbow to the heart of Rhodes! -[King] Well, that could do it!
[Cole] Shane again, a cover.
-Hooks the leg once again! -Look out!
-And it's DiBiase… -[referee] Hey!
-…saving in the match-up, and look at this!
[crosstalk]
[J.R.] Shane McMahon's knees ran right into the steel steps
as he catapulted across those steps!
[Cole] And the referee was oblivious.
He was trying to get Triple H back into his corner,
never saw anything that transpired outside the ring!
Triple H trying to plead his case!
[King] Watch that…
[J.R.] Randy Orton can be Viperous.
[King] Well, yeah, especially when he senses that Shane is injured.
One RKO and it could be over with.
[Cole] Randy Orton, who did make the tag, gets in, hooks the leg, and Shane again!
And Shane had to fight out and fight out to get the shoulder up.
[J.R.] Orton knows how important it is
to not allow Shane McMahon to make the tag.
Orton beats Shane McMahon, Orton's the WWE Champion.
[King] Orton staring, glaring…
[Cole] Triple H gives an unsettling look…
in the icy eyes of Orton.
-And here comes DiBiase. -One!
Orton doing a…
good job of getting everybody of Legacy involved in this match
to wear Shane down.
Yeah, you heard Orton say as he drug Shane close to his corner, "Who wants him?"
And they both responded, "I do."
[referee] Get him inside.
[J.R.] Again, a countout's as good as a pinfall.
[referee] Let's go, get him back here.
One!
[Cole] Remember, a ten-count.
Gotta beat a ten-count back in the ring.
Look at Ted, trying to take advantage of a hurt Shane,
cover, cover, and a kick out!
Again, a reminder of the rules.
If anybody on Legacy pins anybody on Triple H's team,
Randy Orton is WWE Champion. It's as simple as that.
[J.R.] We're seeing amazing teamwork by Legacy.
-A lot of them are not. -[King] I'm wondering why the referee
is letting these guys close to disqualification here.
-A two-on-one? -Close.
[J.R.] Discretionary calls. Judgment calls.
[Cole] It's a championship match.
[King] Man, The Game gotta feel so helpless right now.
He stood there on the corner and he watched Batista take a beating.
And then the… You know, Triple H is begging to get in, but then…
Shane got tagged in.
[J.R.] Orton tags himself in.
With Shane McMahon in deep trouble.
[Cole] I believe if you asked Randy Orton
what his strategy was gonna be before this match-up,
perhaps Shane McMahon would be the one person
that he would like to isolate.
[J.R.] Well, I can see that because Shane McMahon
has the less ring experience, obviously,
than the WWE Champion and "The Animal" Batista.
-Shane is not a wrestler. -[Cole] What a kick…
-He's tenacious and very athletic, but… -…right to the temple.
-[King] That may do it. -Cover.
Orton looking right in the eyes of Triple H as he covers Shane.
That was unique watching that. A near fall by Orton.
[J.R.] No one can ever say that Randy Orton…
He may be psychotic, but he has amazing athleticism.
Standing dropkick. And now look at Ted DiBiase.
Third-generation star.
Dropping those elbows in the fourth generation.
[King] Yeah, talk about a…
outstanding athleticism. Ted DiBiase.
Oh!
Filled with bravado.
[Cole] DiBiase again into cover, hooks the leg on Shane.
Shoulders were up. Again, talk about two…
two young men, DiBiase and Rhodes, that have learned a tremendous amount…
That's your turn!
…negatively, some may say, from Randy Orton.
[King] You see that wrestling hold applied there by Ted DiBiase.
We talked about… Shane not being a wrestler, so to speak.
If this was just an out-and-out fight,
Shane gonna have as good a chance as anybody in there, but…
if it were an out-and-out fight… Shane would certainly, probably…
get disqualified.
[J.R.] This match does not play into Shane McMahon's strengths.
What a takedown and a shot by Ted DiBiase.
DiBiase and Rhodes have learned a lot,
good or bad, depending on your perspective from Randy Orton.
Let's not… discount their legacies.
Their bloodlines.
Their fathers were amazing competitors.
Dusty Rhodes, a Hall of Famer.
-The Million Dollar Man. -Look at Rhodes!
Cover by Rhodes!
Shane has been in the ring a long time.
He's taken a lot of punishment.
[J.R.] Shane's neck was twisted at a very uncomfortable angle…
from that chancery.
And again, Rhodes with his body… between Shane and Shane's corner.
It's an instinctive situation. Perfect tag team position.
[Cole] Batista… trying to will Shane on…
playing cheerleader for the moment in the corner.
Triple H… lying in wait… yet to get into this match-up…
at this late juncture.
[King] How hard… does this have to be… for Triple H… to feel this helpless?
Wanting so bad to get in there.
Come on, Cody!
[J.R.] Well, you're looking at something you…
you love more than anything in the world professionally…
slowly… perhaps slipping through your fingers.
And having no control over it.
[King] Oh, look at Shane!
Look at Shane trying to… trying to drag Rhodes to the corner!
Did he get there? No, he didn't make the tag!
[King] He missed by inches!
[Cole] I thought Shane made the tag… and he just missed!
[J.R.] Took a lot of guts, a lot of determination by Shane McMahon
to attempt to make that tag.
And he almost… was… got it done… inches away!
-Exasperation on the face of Triple H… -[Orton] Stay on him!
…when he missed the tag. Do you believe The Game
may have thought that was the last opportunity for Shane?
[J.R.] I wouldn't be surprised. I was thinking the same thing.
How many more second chances will Triple H and Batista get to make a tag?
[King] You mentioned it earlier, Michael,
I believe this was without a doubt the strategy… of Legacy.
Wait a minute! This strategy may not work!
[Cole] Can Shane get there? Can he get himself back to make a tag?
Rhodes is trying to drag himself to the corner!
-[King] Fall forward, Shane-- -[Cole] Here comes DiBiase!
Shane had a chance again and Legacy…
[J.R.] Shane did all he could… to backdrop his adversary…
but just could not make the tag.
And I… even the… not to interrupt, J.R., but even the movements
-of DiBiase and Rhodes in the ring… -Yeah, starting to mirror…
-Yes. -They mirror Randy Orton.
DiBiase just taking his time… and look at this.
I thought he was gonna set up Shane for Dream Street…
but Shane caught him!
[J.R.] Well-timed DDT but… look how far Shane is from his corner!
[Cole] Triple H, Batista.
He is pacing… Triple H…
trying to will Shane to the corner.
Trying to… trying to get Shane there!
[J.R.] This could be the biggest tag ever for Shane McMahon.
Here comes Orton!
-[King] There it is! -And here come The Game!
Exactly what Legacy did not want!
A rested Triple H going wild!
[King] They're gonna get disqualified!
[Cole] Emotion… pouring… from the pores… of Triple H!
[King] The Game has gotta control those emotions.
[Cole] It's Orton in trouble.
And DiBiase, thanks for coming.
Cody Rhodes suffers the same fate.
[J.R.] Rhodes gone, if you will!
But Randy Orton catching The Game!
[Cole] Spinebuster!
[J.R.] Off the AA version! Big time!
[Cole] Here's Triple H, covers Orton!
Hooks the leg! Look at DiBiase saving the match-up.
Batista's had enough!
And again, almost starting to spiral out of control.
Everyone out here has gotta be so careful.
[King] Wait, did you see Batista go face first, right in his mouth…
right into the wall.
-[J.R.] Look out, look out! -[Cole] Rhodes!
Oh, it's Triple H!
[J.R.] I don't know if the referee knows who's legal!
I don't think so either!
-[J.R.] Shane McMahon eliminates Rhodes! -[King] And himself.
But the two men who are legal…
[J.R.] Shane McMahon taking Rhodes over to the concrete!
[Cole] The two men who are legal are still in the ring.
Triple H and Randy Orton.
[King] Rhodes has something.
Watch it, Shane!
[Cole] Oh, my!
Shane has been knocked out!
The referee is counting!
Batista… right in the throat!
[J.R.] But the steel chair from Rhodes into the throat of Batista!
The referee didn't see it!
[King] Rhodes, what should have been two disqualifications.
[Cole] Batista trying to make Rhodes pay.
Referee Mike Chioda, I believe, at a count of seven!
To eight, as Orton and Triple H trying to get back to their feet!
Both are up!
Orton went for the RKO!
-Triple H! -[King] Pedigree!
[Cole] Oh! Wait a minute!
Triple H trying to one-on-one Batista!
The referee was about to disqualify Batista.
Well, you are right. That's the only thing The Game-- Look out!
[Cole] The Viper! The Viper has struck!
-Randy Orton! -My God! What an RKO!
-[bell rings] -Triple H kicked out!
Triple H kicked out!
I believe you heard the bell ring, ladies and gentlemen,
but the referee waved it off, it was a two-count! It was a two-count!
[J.R.] Exactly, a two-count, and this match continues!
Oh, no! Oh, no!
[J.R.] The kick! Orton just kicked Triple H's head off!
-Randy Orton… -[bell rings]
-["Voices" playing] -…is WWE Champion!
[Lilian] Here is your winner and the new WWE Champion,
Randy Orton!
[King] Did this just happen? Is Orton the champion?
[Cole] Randy Orton is the new WWE Champion!
The last chapter in his quest to destroy the McMahon family,
to take down Triple H and take the WWE title!
-[King] Oh, my God! -[J.R.] This crowd is stunned!
[King] Randy Orton, did you realize? Randy Orton has done it!
He has done it! He's destroyed the McMahon family!
[Cole] There was chaos at the end of this match-up, ladies and gentlemen!
[King] Watch this. Cody Rhodes with the steel chair started!
That should have been a disqualification!
Then Batista was about to retaliate! This would have been
if the referee was seeing everything!
[J.R.] Triple H was about to Pedigree Randy Orton into oblivion!
But instead, here was the sequence! Boom!
RKO!
[King] I thought that Orton had him there, but somehow, someway…
[J.R.] The Game was… he kicked out with the heart and soul of a warrior!
[King] The bell rang prematurely, but then… The Game's bell was rung…
by that punt…
-[J.R.] Look at this! -…from Randy Orton!
-Oh, my God! -[J.R.] A sick kick
wins Randy Orton a WWE title!
And with that punt, the Age of Orton begins again!
-[man] He's out. He's out. -[Cole] This is bad. I mean, this is…
Triple H's condition is the most important thing right now.
We've seen Mr. McMahon, Shane McMahon, Batista and now…
Triple H…
punted.
[King] That kick to the skull is just so devastating.
[Cole] Well, Batista knows full well… the damage that that punt can cause.
-So does that man Shane. -[King] Well, you never know.
I mean, it could literally be career-ending.
-How long was Batista out from that? -[Cole] Four months.
Shane McMahon out a number of months as well.
[King] I think it just…
probably just depends on how solid that kick connected,
and exactly where on the temple
or where on the skull of Triple H that it hit.
Hoping to see some sign of maybe The Game trying to talk or something, but…
-Watch this again. -Oh, good grief!
Punt not only spun The Game's body completely around.
[J.R.] It certainly addresses how solid the kick connected.
Well, and in watching that again and you see the way they're treating this,
the kind of treatment they're giving The Game here,
it may be his neck, I mean, that could be a whiplash effect,
a damaged vertebrae.
[Cole] You saw the way the neck and head twisted.
Hunter, it's Shane. Can you hear me?
All right, tighten now.
All right, let's get him to the side of the ring.
Let's get him out of here.
[King] This is where Triple H was caught… unsuspecting the RKO,
and then once again…
[Cole] Look at the neck, look at the way it twisted.
[King] That kick, watch, it lifts
Triple H's body completely off the mat, look it.
[Cole] And the neck and head just completely twist around full circle.
[King] Surreal.
Gotta immediately assess the damage with X-rays, MRI or…
[man] Up the ramp, boys.
[man 2] Got it? Let's go.
Well, you know, coming up next, risk and reward as well with the…
I expected a great match, I expected a lot of unpredictability,
but I certainly didn't expect to see what we saw from Randy Orton,
who's, obviously, literally, been waiting five years for that opportunity.
And it was ugly.
It was a five-year story for Randy Orton, who's never in his mind forgiven Triple H
for what he did to him the first time that Orton won that championship,
and it was just a methodical way that that Randy Orton went through
the entire McMahon family over the past couple of months.
And now he's done what he's set out to do. I mean, there's no two ways about it.
You gotta face that fact, this, this could conceivably destroy the McMahon family.
Again, you mentioned risk and reward
and coming up next, ladies and gentlemen,
risk and reward in the World Heavyweight Championship Match.
[J.R.] Well, certainly the WWE has changed tonight.
Will it change even more as the last man standing
will win the World's Heavyweight Title?
And certainly going into this epic confrontation,
Edge's last chance,
the number one contender has had a great deal to say.
[Edge] I rolled into Houston expecting the biggest win of my life
at the 25th anniversary of WrestleMania.
But that win…
and the World Heavyweight Championship, they were stolen from me.
-[J.R.] Cena! John Cena! -[Cole] He did it!
John Cena's World Champion!
[Edge] John, you have the strongest resolve of anyone I've ever fought.
It almost makes me want to respect you,
but I despise you too much with every fiber of my being.
I hate you.
Two weeks ago, John Cena looked me in the eyes
and told me I was a desperate man,
that he was tougher than me.
Told me that no matter what I threw at him in the past…
he keeps getting back up, I can't keep him down.
[Cole] John Cena! He's just gritty and determined.
[Edge] And he was absolutely right.
[J.R.] Somehow John Cena is willing himself to get back in this match!
[Edge] In 2006,
Cena won an Elimination Chamber Match,
I cashed in my Money in the Bank, I speared him twice
and I won my first ever World Title.
[Cole] Edge has shocked the world!
[Edge] And so ends the era of John Cena!
Since that night, I have brutalized him,
I have cost him World Titles,
I have beat him for World Titles,
I have even slapped his father across the face.
[Cole] Down goes Cena! Down go Cena!
[Edge] And yet through all of that, he still came back.
Look at the look of determination.
Cena will not be denied!
[King] After all that Cena's gone through, Edge can't believe it.
[Edge] At Backlash, I will be
the last man standing.
[King] Hey, it's Edge!
Look at that… that face.
[Edge] I hate you!
[Cole] Spear!
[Edge] I hate you!
I hate everything that you stand for!
John… I'm a desperate man.
I will stop at nothing to get what I want.
The winner in a Last Man Standing Match
-is the man who knocks… -One!
-Two! -…his opponent…
Three!
-…unconscious… -Four!
…for a count of ten.
Five!
-The winner… -Six!
and new…
Seven!
World Heavyweight Champion…
Eight!
The Rated-R…
Nine!
…Superstar…
Ten!
Edge!
[bell rings]
This is the Last Man Standing Match,
and it is for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Now in this match there are no pinfalls, disqualifications,
submissions or countouts.
The only way to win is to incapacitate your opponent where he cannot answer
the referee's count of ten.
♪ You think you know me? ♪
["Metalingus" by Alter Bridge playing]
♪ On this day I see clearly ♪
♪ Everything has come to life ♪
♪ Bitter place… ♪
[Lillian] Introducing the challenger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada,
weighing in at 241 pounds, he is the "Rated-R Superstar,"
Edge!
♪ Another chance to chase a dream ♪
[Cole] On SmackDown this past Friday night,
Edge said it has to come to an end.
The final battle in what has been a three-year saga.
[J.R.] Well, we know that this is Edge's last chance at John Cena.
The last chance at Cena's World Title.
And, King, you have been in the ring with a lot of desperate men.
And they are, perhaps, the most dangerous opponent
that one can step in the ring with.
[King] Yeah, that is one of the oldest sayings ever.
"Desperate men do desperate things."
Tonight, I would say that Edge is capable of just about anything.
[Cole] And Edge's beef in this whole thing
is that he lost the World Title to John Cena
back at the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania in a Triple Threat Match.
However, Edge was never pinned, was never involved in the decision.
So, in Edge's twisted logic, he should still be Champion.
[King] I can understand Edge being upset, but not so much at John Cena.
I mean…
Yeah, he wants to be the World Champion.
He is just…
-[J.R.] Delusional. -[King] Yeah, over the edge.
[J.R.] Way over the edge.
[King] No pun intended.
Look at that face.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
["You Can't See Me" playing]
[wild cheering]
[Lilian] And from West Newbury, Massachusetts,
weighing in at 240 pounds,
he is the World Heavyweight Champion,
John Cena!
[Cole] J.R., in all your years,
have you ever seen a Superstar who evokes as much emotion
across the entire spectrum the way that John Cena does?
[J.R.] Well, whether it's negative or positive,
the answer is no, Michael.
You either love Cena or you don't.
[Cole] And, King, you and I touched on this
this past Monday night on Raw.
How did the Con-Chair-To from Edge
affect John Cena, and how will it affect him tonight
in this Last Man Standing Match?
[King] Well, I think that's yet to be seen,
but I think it's definitely gonna have an effect.
How much of an effect, as I said, we will find out tonight.
[J.R.] I wrote about this on the WWE Universe on my blog this week,
I think it's gonna have a profound effect on John Cena.
[cheering]
[J.R.] John Cena needs to end this match early.
The more shots Cena takes to the head after taking a Con-Chair-To six days ago,
the worse it's gonna be for the Heavyweight Champion.
[Cole] It's about the World Heavyweight Championship.
This is a Last Man Standing Match.
There are no pinfalls, submissions, disqualifications or countouts.
[King] No disqualifications, let's face it.
You're gonna get some blows to the head.
[J.R.] It doesn't have to be with your fists, either.
-[King] You're right. -[J.R.] It can be with anything.
[Cole] You win when your opponent cannot answer a ten-count.
[J.R.] And we will be listening closely
for the referee's ten-count in this final saga
between Edge and John Cena.
[wild cheering]
You know it's time.
Well then, it's time.
Up.
[Cole] And here we go.
A traditional collar-and-elbow tie up
to start this untraditional Last Man Standing Match.
[J.R.] Let's just cut to the chase. The fight is on.
This is gonna be a fight.
[Cole] Edge has used some harsh words to describe John Cena in recent weeks.
He told John Cena, "I hate you."
[J.R.] Hate's an awfully strong word, shouldn't be bandied about.
[King] Cena, like you said, I think Cena wanted to make short work of this,
but Edge making Cena miss that Bulldog attempt.
[Cole] Well, Edge can take his time. There are no countouts, and it's Cena…
the chaser.
[King] Turning into a foot race.
Oh, Edge going for a Spear that was missed.
[Cole] Great athletic ability.
[J.R.] Cena thinking Attitude Adjustment real quick, real early
with all that strength and Edge…
Now listen, King, again, using your experience.
when you wrestle someone so many times, it's really hard to game plan for them
because you know what they're going to do,
they know what you're going to do.
[King] Well, it's almost as if you don't need a game plan.
You just go in there, each one of you knowing each other so well.
And it's a battle. Who's gonna hit the best stuff?
[Cole] And again, this is a special match-up.
A match-up these two men have not had before.
So you may see something new here. Pulling out all the stops.
[King] You saw early on, each one of these guys
have gone for their signature moves.
Unsuccessfully, but that's what the game plan is.
[Cole] John Cena told Edge that I am tougher than you.
That I always get back up.
-And thus far, John Cena has always… -[Cole] Fisherman's Suplex by Cena.
[J.R.] Nice Fisherman's Suplex by Cena.
I'm not so sure that Cena's not right about that.
I don't know if anybody is any tougher… in WWE than John Cena.
But there's that shot on the back of his head.
Now the story starts to unfold here somewhat.
[Cole] Because remember, the Con-Chair-To, just six nights ago to John Cena.
[J.R.] Edge may be thinking Spear.
And then again, maybe something to the head as we just saw.
[Cole] Cena trying to shake the cobwebs out.
I don't think that is lost… on Edge.
An eight-time World Champion.
[King] Oh, you're right.
Edge saw the way Cena grabbed the back of his head after that first time
Cena's his head hit the mat.
Look at this now.
Targeting the side and back of Cena's head.
-[Cole] Well, Edge told Cena that… -[J.R.] The count.
[referee] One!
[J.R.] Edge may have busted a knuckle on Cena's head.
-Three! -[Cole] Count of three.
Cena must get up before the count of ten.
-Four! -Last Man Standing rules.
Five!
Six!
[Cole] Edge…
realized Cena was probably gonna make the count, went on the attack,
but here's Cena trying to battle back.
[King] Man!
[J.R.] Big high-impact move by Edge.
Again, everything so far from Edge
that's gone the shoulders up… on John Cena.
One!
[Cole] Edge has made a career of being advantageous.
Count again begins.
Three!
[King] Well, we all know when we talked about earlier
how tough John Cena is.
-Four! -Ordinarily…
we'd be thinking there's no way
that's gonna keep John Cena down for a ten-count,
but when you add in the… the Con-Chair-To factor…
anything can keep John down if it's hit just right.
[J.R.] Cena instinctively fighting back,
trying to land those big hammers of right hands.
[Cole] Every time Cena tries to get some offense mounted, Edge counters.
Keeps the momentum.
And a sleeper hold would be very effective here.
[King] Yes, it would.
[Cole] If Edge could get Cena to pass out,
he's not making the ten-count, folks.
[J.R.] Cena's fingers… holding on.
[King] I had not even, you know, I had not even thought about,
or considered a sleeper hold, but you're right, Michael.
That could do the trick.
[J.R.] This is really smart by Edge, who at 6'4"
has got a leverage advantage standing over Cena…
gripping the neck.
[King] Cutting off that blood flow to that carotid artery…
and look at the color of Cena's face…
-with no oxygen to his brain. -[Cole] Cena's got to battle out of this
because if he gets to the ropes, he can't force a break.
It's Last Man Standing, that's the only rule.
-[King] Oh, man. -[J.R.] This compounds the sleeper hold.
[King] This is a serious sleeper right now.
Talk about toughness really quickly.
I'm sorry, but there are a lot of guys
that would have already been out by now.
[J.R.] In fact, Cena's…
fighting back tenaciously.
Edge, uh…
Edge has been a champion so many times,
so many different levels in WWE.
Another thing to see here, how strong is John Cena?
[Cole] I was gonna say he had stayed at a vertical base
but now Edge's got Cena right where he wants him.
[King] Yeah, Cena's gone limp here.
[Cole] Again, ladies and gentlemen, if John Cena…
passes out perhaps in this sleeper,
he'll make a ten-count.
[J.R.] It becomes academic.
If Cena loses consciousness, we're gonna find out here.
[King] Edge's feeling like… Cena's out!
-One! -[Cole] Well, he's moving a bit.
Two!
He's getting that oxygen to rush back into his lungs and to his brain…
Four!
Five!
Six!
Seven!
[Cole] See the look of angst come across the face of Edge?
And here comes Cena!
[J.R.] It was a wistful angst.
If that's not oxymoronic…
[Cole] How much did that little flurry take out of Cena?
[J.R.] That was a genuine adrenaline rush by John Cena!
-[crowd] You can't see me! -[J.R.] Uh-oh!
-Kicked right to the head! -[King] Edge did see…
Cena coming!
[J.R.] Sharp Shooter!
-[King] Good grief! -[J.R.] Now Cena can tap out,
-but the match is gonna continue! -[Cole] Exactly.
[screaming]
[King] I don't know about this. I mean, you're doing some damage,
you're wearing John Cena down.
He'd almost have to break John Cena's legs
to get him to not be able to answer a ten-count.
[J.R.] But if you incapacitate John Cena's legs,
he becomes less mobile and more susceptible to more headshots.
[Cole] And what Edge can do here is smart. He's using the ropes for leverage.
Normally, you're not allowed to do that,
but in this match-up you can because there's no rules.
[King] You see Edge using, like you said, the ropes for leverage.
Grabbing… John's ring attire there.
Cena's in trouble.
One!
Two!
Three!
Four!
-Five! -[King] Referee up to five.
[Cole] Edge trying to be patient.
[King] Oh, look at this!
[J.R.] John Cena almost in our lap!
[King] Did his head hit off our table?
[referee] You got a ten-count.
-One! -[J.R.] Cena could not stop, obviously.
Two!
[Cole] Could be out here.
Cena is, for the most part, motionless here in front of us.
-Four! -A count of four.
Five!
[Cole] Edge with almost a pleading look on his face.
[King] He's praying that this is it for Cena.
[Cole] Edge can't believe it that Cena again,
somehow, is making it back to his feet.
[J.R.] Referee's count is up to seven.
Oh!
Cena… Cena was moving at seven.
[Cole] Look at this. The attack on the skull of Cena continues.
[J.R.] Edge, the Ultimate Opportunist.
What evil intentions is Edge thinking here?
-[commentators exclaiming] -[Cole] And Cena sidestepping Edge.
[King] Huge! Huge mistake by Edge!
[Cole] This buys Cena some time.
Now Edge may not be able to get up.
[J.R.] Cena dodged a Spear, might as well have been a bullet.
[Cole] Cena's been punished throughout this match-up.
Gets himself some time to regroup.
Meanwhile, the referee in a count of…
[crosstalk]
[Cole] And Cena back on the attack,
realized Edge was gonna make the ten-count.
Oh, and Cena's turn!
[J.R.] Referee's count was up to six.
Cena thought he was gonna gain an advantage when he saw Edge rise.
But Edge is opportunistic enough to turn it around.
Two!
Three!
Four!
[King] Once again, Cena looks motionless over there.
-[man] Stay down, Cena! -Six!
[J.R.] Cena's stirring some.
-But will he stir enough? -Seven!
[Cole] But each time Cena's down for the count,
the count goes longer.
Each time, that time, nearly a count of eight.
[J.R.] Another shot to the head, well placed.
And again, Edge finds the stairs.
And the stairs don't care.
Alright, you got a ten-count. Here we go!
One!
Two!
Three!
Four!
Five!
Six!
[King] I think Cena realizes now that Edge is gonna get back up.
-Back to the ring they go. -[J.R.] Edge has had two six-counts.
Cena, a seven-count in the last few moments.
[J.R.] I don't know what John Cena is thinking, but…
[King] It's hard to tell you, I don't know what those steel steps weigh.
And that's the bottom step.
[Cole] Now you can see the wear and tear
that this match-up has taken on John Cena thus far.
But that's just the brute strength of Cena.
[J.R.] Cena is hell-bent on getting those steel stairs,
no matter what they weigh, in the ring one way or the other.
[Cole] This match has taken so much out of both of these men already.
Back to the head. Back to the skull.
[J.R.] Cena ran right into that big boot.
Edge was able to get a full extension of his leg in that kick.
So that means Cena caught all of it.
And now Cena's got the steps in the ring…
-[King] Yeah. -…which he may live to regret.
-[King] And right now he is! -[Cole] Did you see that?
The way the steps collapsed off the temple of John Cena.
-[King] Watch it-- -[Cole] Oh, my God!
[J.R.] Edge dropkicking the steel steps
into the prone defenseless body of John Cena.
But both men are down.
One!
[King] Sharp edge of those steps…
Two!
…on the ribcage.
-Three! -Listen.
Saw the reverberation as the steps were planted into the side of Cena.
Five!
Six!
[commentators exclaiming]
[J.R.] Cena able to use that…
unbelievable inhuman strength…
to catapult Edge over the top.
One!
Two!
Three!
Four!
[King] Up to four and Cena realizing once again
Edge is gonna make the… beat the count.
[Cole] What the… What in the w--
[King] I don't know, but that is the heaviest bottom
portion of those steel steps.
-[Cole] What is Cena gonna do? -[King] Look out!
-Oh, no! -Good lord!
[J.R.] If that doesn't do it then what will?
John Cena…
literally throwing those steel steps into the face of Edge.
[Cole] I've never seen a steel step used a weapon that way.
[King] Well, Edge said earlier he despised, even hated John Cena.
From the looks of that, there's mutual feelings.
Five!
Get up, Edge!
Six!
Seven!
He may do it, he may do it.
Trying to squirm his way back to his feet at a count of eight. Can he get up?
And he does.
[King] And John Cena called this one of the greatest rivalries
in the history of sports entertainment, and it continues for now.
[J.R.] A tenured and tenacious rivalry involving Cena and Edge.
But this is Edge's last chance.
-What a right hand. -[Cole] And Edge knows it.
[J.R.] And somehow Edge has actually got on his feet
and is battling back after encountering the steps.
[crowd] Yay!
[crowd] Oooh!
-Look at this. -Exhaustion.
Oh, both men down!
Now, it's gut-check time.
[King] The only thing that was holding them up was each other.
One!
-Count focused toward both men. -Two.
Three!
[King] You can see referee signal at count of five now, it's for both.
[Cole] What if neither one of them make it?
Six!
[J.R.] Very good question.
[Cole] Edge stirring, Cena stirring.
At a count of eight, Cena's up and so is Edge.
And Cena!
Went to the Attitude Adjustment. Edge with the counter.
Cena again!
Edge countered again!
[J.R.] And so does Cena!
A third time!
-A third counter! -The counter! The counter!
This time it's Edge!
Cena folding up like an accordion,
landing on his head and shoulders after a series of counters by both men.
In Cena's words, this match has been a knock-down brawl.
You can't see me!
-[King] The mockery. -Not smart.
-No, it wasn't! -Drop toe hold!
STF!
Again, it's last man standing.
Edge is tapping but it doesn't matter.
-Edge is tapping with both hands! -It's irrelevant if he taps.
He can tap dance if he wants.
But is there any way for Cena to get Edge to pass out in this maneuver?
[J.R.] You're doggone right it is.
And if that happens, Edge won't be able to reach the ten-count.
And Cena realizes it. And Edge may be out.
[King] Start the count, ref!
Referee's count has been deliberate all night long.
But consistent.
Slow start here. Come on.
One!
Two!
Three!
Four!
His count should be about seven right now.
Edge is shaking his head almost like he can't do it.
He can't make it.
Six!
-Seven! -Count of seven.
Edge has got to beat the count of ten.
[J.R.] How bad does Edge want to be the World's Heavyweight Champion?
Cena could not believe that Edge can get up from that.
Watch the Attitude Adjustment.
-Cena with a down break from the top. -Spear!
[J.R.] Edge connects with a Spear!
A scintillating Spear found its mark.
But again, both men find themselves down.
-One! -Both men are being counted.
Two!
[Cole] Edge stirring first because he delivered the Spear.
-Four! -He's gotta make it back to his feet.
Almost looked like for a moment,
Edge was gonna go for a cover there, which wouldn't matter.
Six!
The physical toll that this match has taken on both men.
-Edge back to his feet, Cena still down. -Cena trying to get up, though.
I don't know why he stopped the count, but…
Well, this better work, this better work
or it could be disaster for the number one contender
for the Heavyweight Championship of the World!
-This may be desperation-- -Look at this! Look at this!
This could be the biggest Attitude Adjustment in history!
-The brute power! -The Attitude Adjustment connecting!
-Bone rattling! -[King exclaiming]
-Cena strong as a Hereford bull! -But Cena's down too!
Unbelievable strength!
-One! -To control yourself
after all Cena's been through to keep his balance!
Three!
Cena is back to his knees.
Four!
-Referee's still counting, though. -Five!
[indistinct conversation]
[Cole] Cena back to his feet, but the count continues for Edge.
-Seven! -A count of seven!
-Eight! -This could be it!
Cena may retain the World Championship!
Nine!
Edge at a count of nine…
barely makes it back!
[J.R.] But is it too late for Edge?
Edge willed himself up! Look at this!
[King] How did Edge take this…
Look at, look at, look at Cena!
-…and somehow make it to his feet? -Got Speared! Cena Speared
out of midair!
[J.R.] Edge catching John Cena in midair
-with another Spear back to the sternum. -One!
Boom!
[Cole] And Cena as he clutched his stomach, he rolled over--
You can read his lips saying, "Oh, my God! Oh, my God," coming from the lips of Cena.
[King] Yeah, Cena may have broken ribs.
[J.R.] And Cena would know--
And Cena would know something's wrong internally.
He could feel it.
Seven!
Eight!
[Cole] Cena's only got two more seconds
to make it back to his feet, and he does again.
[King] You gotta look, you see…
[Cole] Falling out of the ring.
[King] Trying to look and see if you see blood coming from the mouth of Cena.
-[J.R.] This is not smart. -Hey, come on now.
-Edge, hey, wait a minute. -[J.R.] Come on.
How smart is this by Edge?
[Cole] Doing anything he can.
Anything he needs to.
[J.R.] Yeah, but the referee was gonna start his count.
-Is this the act of a desperate man? -[Cole] Well, it's his last chance.
It's Edge's last chance…
at the World Title.
-[man 1] Come on, Cena. -[man 2] Come on, Cena!
[Cole] What in the world you got… No, wait a minute.
-No. -Oh, my God.
Wait a minute.
-Cena's got… -John Cena.
Attitude Adjustment into the crowd!
[J.R.] Cena Attitude Adjusted…
Edge to the second row!
Right into the WWE Universe.
[King] Oh, my God.
[J.R.] There's no way that Edge is gonna be able to get up
after smacking the concrete!
[crosstalk]
-Get up. -[man] Count him!
-One… -The count begins.
Two.
John Cena just launched Edge… through the barricade and into the…
into the WWE fans.
Edge just went into orbit!
Five!
[crosstalk]
[King] J.R., this match is gotta be over.
[crowd screaming]
-Seven! -These people are hurt.
Edge is hurt.
-Eight! -[J.R.] A count of eight!
Edge is stirring at a count of eight.
A count of nine!
Edge made it back to his feet!
-And John Cena! -Cannot believe it.
It's like the blood just left his body!
John Cena in complete disbelief!
We gotta look at this again.
Here's another look!
Look at this ungodly strength!
And Edge is trying to run away!
Edge is trying to run away from Cena!
[King] Edge is hurt!
[J.R.] Edge's trying to run away, but remember there's no countouts.
And Cena's in pursuit!
Cena is in pursuit!
[J.R.] Where's the referee? Is he…
[King] How the hell is Edge even running or walking?
[J.R.] Now we're at the… on the concourse…
of the arena here!
[King] We gotta get some security!
[J.R.] I believe are they-- They're back in the arena somewhere!
[King] Edge is running for dear life! I don't blame him, but…
[J.R.] Edge is trying to get the heck away from John Cena!
[King] Where are they?
It's almost as if when Edge made it up
after that Attitude Adjustment, Cena said, "Enough's enough!"
-[King] Look out! -[Cole] Oh, man!
A Running Bulldog!
Off the steps!
And into that equipment area!
[J.R.] Edge went face first!
We should hear another referee's count momentarily!
One!
Two!
[King] Man, I think… I started to say I think this is mercifully over
but Edge still stirring!
-[Cole] He's hurt bad. -[J.R.] Yeah, but Edge is not standing…
[crowd chanting] Cena! Cena!
[J.R.] It's all about standing the ten-count.
[King] What is the count?
-Seven… -Now the count is seven.
-And Edge! -[King] Look out!
[J.R.] Edge, striking Cena with something.
Edge stood at the last moment.
[Cole] Well, here's the Bulldog that first incapacitated Edge.
And Cena, back in pursuit.
Now they're battling.
[J.R.] Cena looking for a right hand. Couldn't catch it. Oh!
And Edge, right on the steel girders for that DDT!
This has been a hellacious match.
One!
Two!
[King] Cena just took a DDT on this steel grates of the ramp there.
Four!
[Cole] And let's not forget,
this is for the World Heavyweight Championship…
that Cena owns, that Edge desperately wants.
[King] And the last man standing is gonna own it.
[J.R.] Who can endure the most pain and punishment?
-[Cole] Edge can't believe it. -[King] I can't believe it.
How either of these men are still getting up.
-Where's Edge going now? -Now where's he going?
-[J.R.] The number one contender. -Uh-oh. Oh, look at this.
-[crosstalk] -[King] Watch out, John!
-[Cole] Oh! Trying to rattle the brains. -[J.R.] All legal.
Remember the Con-Chair-To six days ago.
-And he's going for it again. -The ominous prediction connecting.
[J.R.] God almighty!
Cena's head.
Helplessly lying on the steel girder of the stage.
[Cole] Crushing the skull for the second time this week.
[J.R.] Look at Edge. He can barely stand.
Cena's not moving.
How can he move? His brain bashed with a chair!
-Five! -[Cole] I'm afraid this is it!
[crowd chanting] Cena! Cena!
Cena's stirring or is that just…
-Seven! -At seven somehow, John Cena…
trying to will his way back into this.
-But he still may not make it. -[J.R.] Cena's body is shaking.
-He's trying. -He made it to his feet.
My God. Cena's got up.
Cena is up and so is Edge! Edge is up.
-Hey, wait! What the hell! -The Big Show!
The Big Show!
What in the world is he doing?
-Big Show! -No!
Put him down!
-[King] Oh, my God! Look out! -Oh, my God!
Oh, my God!
[King] What the hell just happened? He threw John Cena into the spotlight!
[J.R.] And there's nothing anybody can do about it.
One!
-[J.R.] Referee's counting. -[Cole] Well, he has to.
John Cena covered in shards of glass.
Five!
[Cole] Not to mention the explosion.
Seven!
[Cole] Oh, my God. Not like that. You gotta be kidding me.
-[King] What's he up to? Nine. -Nine!
-[man] There you go, Edge! There you go! -Ten!
-Ring the bell. -[bell rings]
-[Cole] Edge! -[King] Edge is the World Champion!
[Lilian] Here is your winner,
and the new World Heavyweight Champion,
the Rated-R Superstar, Edge!
[Cole] Well, we talked about the rage in… in The Big Show over the last few weeks,
but to manifest itself this way tonight…
♪ Everything's come to life ♪
♪ Another chance to chase a dream ♪
[J.R.] There was just simply no way that John Cena
could endure the assault of the biggest athlete in the world,
which has led to Edge becoming a nine-time champion.
[King] And I don't think John Cena realizes it yet.
Get the assistance, medical assistance out here for John.
[Cole] J.R., you first coined the phrase years ago
that Edge is the Ultimate Opportunist.
Well, did he ever take advantage of an opportunity tonight.
[King] Need some help.
[J.R.] I don't know how anybody can be proud of
becoming a World Heavyweight Champion
in this manner, in this style.
I'm very concerned for John Cena and his physical condition at this moment.
It certainly supersedes Edge winning the World Heavyweight Title.
♪ Everything has come to life ♪
♪ An embrace and a broken dream ♪
[King] Well, you know what J.R., you gotta face something.
Edge,
Edge didn't win the World Heavyweight Title,
The Big Show did. Go on, here, watch.
Oh, my God.
[J.R.] Big Show with absolutely…
no, no conscience here.
[overlapping conversation]
And a complete disregard for John Cena's health
and his career.
Good grief!
Oh, that is hard to watch.
A disturbing way to end Backlash.
[Cole] It's been a disturbing night.
[King] Got cut glass everywhere.
That thing was on fire.
[J.R.] Let's just hope that John Cena is...
is gonna be fine.
We hope. Our thoughts are with John Cena
tonight at Backlash.
[song continues]
[King] I'm really concerned for John.
[man] Got it, got it, got it.
-[Cole] Again, here is just a disgusting-- -[King] Never seen anything like that.
You see behind those big Klieg lights, technical term, I guess.
Spotlight. Look at the fire.
This thing just blew when he threw John Cena into it.
You see the other spotlight on the other side.
[music ends]
[indistinct conversations]