[epic music playing]
-[Triple H] Then. -[crowd cheering]
[Triple H] Now.
Forever.
Together.
[music concludes]
[dramatic music playing]
[music intensifies]
[music concludes]
-["One Eyed Bastard" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Over the past two years,
WWE has had shows in 17 different countries,
including tonight in the capital of Western Australia. This is Perth.
Thousands of WWE fans are here to experience all the live action
of the greatest superstars in the world.
The Vision, without world champion Seth Rollins, who's nowhere in sight.
A big night tonight for Bronson Reed,
who meets Roman Reigns in an Australian Street Fight.
Seth Rollins must be preparing for this man,
the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes,
the undisputed WWE Champion.
The Crown Jewel Championship on the line tonight.
On the women's side of things, on the left-hand side,
the Women's World Champion, Stephanie Vaquer. On the right side,
the WWE Women's Champion, Tiffany Stratton.
They battle for the Crown Jewel Championship tonight.
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles renews one of his great rivalries
with the GOAT, John Cena.
Cena's final appearance overseas in a WWE ring tonight.
And there are the Kabuki Warriors.
A very strange relationship between Asuka and Kairi Sane,
but they will team together in tag team action tonight…
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] …against the Aussie heroine, Rhea Ripley, and her teammate, Iyo Sky.
Rhea and Iyo versus the Kabuki Warriors live.
♪ I'm makin' an offer That you cannot deny… ♪
[Michael] And the WWE Universe is electric and raring to go.
Welcome to WWE Crown Jewel, Perth.
There is electricity in the air tonight. Can you hear it?
-[song concludes] -[tense music playing]
[Ripley] We start in silence.
-[chain rattling] -[Ripley] Finding the calm in our minds…
[exhales]
…and the peace in our hearts.
But we are not meant to stay there.
Not when we hear it.
-Can you hear it? -[music softens]
-[crowd cheering] -[music continues]
[Ripley] Our sound isn't just heard.
It's felt.
-["Demon In Your Dreams" playing] -[crowd cheering]
♪ This is my brutality ♪
-[Ripley] It's the war. -[crowd] Ooh-aah.
[Ripley] The rhythm.
[crowd] ♪ They council me, they understand, they talk to me ♪
[Ripley] The chaos.
-[crowd cheering] -[Ripley] The chant.
[crowd chanting "Yeet"]
[Ripley] From every corner of the globe.
[crowd] ♪ Hey! Hey, baby! ♪
[crowd chanting in German]
[crowd singing in Spanish]
[crowd chanting in French]
[Michael in English] The camera is bouncing.
[crowd singing, cheering]
[Ripley] These sounds need no translation.
[crowd chanting "Oh whoa oh"]
[Ripley] That is what real sounds like.
[crowd chanting "This is awesome"]
[Ripley] Can you hear it?
♪ Yeah! ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Ripley] Tonight.
[wrestler] Let's go!
[Ripley] For my beloved island nation.
-Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! -[crowd cheering]
[Ripley] We will be louder.
[crowd chanting "Roman, Roman Reigns"]
-[Ripley] We will be bolder. -Who's the man?
[crowd chanting "Thank you, Cena!"]
[Ripley] And we will show the world what Australia sounds like.
[crowd cheering]
-[Ripley] Can you hear it now? -[crowd cheering]
[Ripley] I can.
[music concludes]
["One Eyed Bastard" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] You are looking live
at a sold-out RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia.
We are sold out, 13,683 WWE fans
have packed this place as we get ready for WWE Crown Jewel.
[music concludes]
-["Battle Tested" playing] -[crowd cheering]
♪ I'm war ready, I'm battle tested ♪
♪ This is the story of a fighter Who's got nothing to lose ♪
♪ Battle tested next opponent he choose ♪
♪ Will be left broken and bruised ♪
♪ Just me and my crew We battle tested ♪
♪ Coming for everything And you know we'll wreck it ♪
♪ Let the first warrior stronger than me ♪
♪ Take a shot at coming here To try and brawl with me ♪
♪ I'm ready for war ♪
-♪ I'm ready for war ♪ -[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following
is an Australian Street Fight!
Introducing first, accompanied by WWE Hall of Famer,
The Oracle, Paul Heyman,
representing The Vision,
from Black Forest, South Australia,
weighing in at 330 pounds,
"Big" Bronson Reed!
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, the Auszilla said
that it is a dream come true.
A dream to return to his homeland of Australia
and kick off Crown Jewel against one of the all-time greats,
the OTC, Roman Reigns.
Bronson Reed wants to put the world on notice tonight.
Hello again, everybody, at ringside, I'm Michael Cole,
joined by Wade Barrett.
And, Wade, an opportunity tonight for Bronson Reed
to really build on what he did back in August at Clash in Paris,
when he sent Roman Reigns to the hospital with fractured ribs and made a statement.
It's an opportunity for Bronson Reed to put himself permanently
in the main event tier here in WWE.
Beating Roman Reigns in a one-on-one matchup
is almost as big as becoming a world champion.
[Michael] Remember, this is Street Fight rules here tonight.
♪ No stalling with me ♪
♪ I'vе climbed to the highest point Thеre's no falling with me, yeah ♪
♪ This is your moment You better own it ♪
♪ Go hard tonight Until there's nothing more left ♪
♪ And I've been waiting for this So I'm well rested ♪
♪ I'm war ready I'm battle tested ♪
-[song concludes] -[crowd chanting "Roman, Roman Reigns"]
-["I Am Greatness" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[crowd cheering]
[Alicia] And his opponent, from Pensacola, Florida,
weighing in at 265 pounds,
the OTC,
Roman Reigns!
[Michael] It is an incredible sight here at the RAC arena.
You can see it in the background there.
Over 13,000 WWE fans have ones in the air
for the Original Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns,
who told Pat McAfee on The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN earlier this week
that "we are going to go head to head
into the wall Goldberg style." It's going to be a mess physically tonight
under Australian Street Fight rules versus Bronson Reed.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] The man who once reigned in WWE
for 1316 days as World Champion.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] The man who has main evented ten WrestleManias,
more than anyone in history.
And tonight has revenge on his mind
against the man who sent him to the hospital
at Clash in Paris, Bronson Reed.
[Wade] And all wrestlers have an entrance, but this ain't an entrance.
When it's Roman Reigns, this is an experience,
and there is nothing quite like it.
[Michael] Under Street Fight rules, you win via pinfall or submission.
Other than that, anything goes.
There are no count outs, there are no disqualifications.
You can use anything you want as a weapon.
-[crowd chanting "Roman, Roman Reigns"] -[music concludes]
[crowd chanting "Roman, Roman Reigns"]
[bell ringing]
[Michael] And the bell rings and we are underway.
Not really a home field advantage tonight, Wade, for Bronson Reed.
[Wade] No, the home field advantage
isn't just about Australia and this audience.
It's about the conditions of this match.
Street Fight rules that encourages chaos
and that favors the smash mouth power of Bronson Reed
more than the methodical style of Roman Reigns.
[crowd chanting "OTC"]
[Michael] Roman Reigns came to the ring with a double ula fala,
of course paying homage to his father and his uncle.
The late great Wild Samoans now as Roman Reigns unloads on Reed
to start this matchup. Roman has been focused,
he's been looking forward to this date for weeks.
His return a couple of weeks ago to seek retribution on Reed.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And Bronson Reed, I believe, Wade,
is gonna have to do everything he can to weather the early storm.
[crowd counting]
[Wade] Yeah, huge danger here for Bronson Reed.
Not just that he's in there with an all-timer like Roman Reigns,
who's incredibly angry.
[Michael] Oh! And Reed now sent over the top rope to the floor.
[Wade] But on top of that, you can be swallowed up
by this atmosphere and the magnitude of this moment for Bronson Reed.
[Michael] So, if you're the Oracle, Paul Heyman, Wade,
what are you telling Bronson Reed
at this moment in time?
[Wade] Well, the truth is you've already prepped Bronson Reed for this exact attack
-from Roman Reigns. -[Michael] Oh! Classic Roman Reigns,
the Drive-By as he drives Reed into our announce table.
And look at the look of confidence
in the face of Roman Reigns, constantly in control.
[Wade] Bronson Reed hasn't got a shot in thus far, and this is turning
to a complete disaster now for Bronson Reed.
[Michael] Yeah, big right hand drives Bronson Reed out into the WWE Universe
here at the RAC Arena. And now…
kicking some Prime bottles out there at the Auszilla.
[Wade] Well, going back to your previous question,
there's literally nothing Paul Heyman
could say to Bronson Reed now to get him out of this predicament.
Bronson Reed has to rely on his durability to try and weather this storm.
[Michael] And now Reed with a… continuing to retreat from the OTC.
[Wade] It's the nature of this kind of match.
The entire arena is now a battlefield. And finally, Reed gets one shot in.
[Michael] And also looking at what happens later on tonight
when The Vision's Seth Rollins takes on Cody Rhodes.
This is an important match for Reed, Wade, to set the tone for The Vision
for the entire night.
[Wade] Then the whole stated aim of The Vision is complete.
-[Michael] Oh! -[Wade] Complete control,
complete power, and seizure of all the gold in WWE.
[Michael] Roman Reigns just feeding off the sold out crowd here tonight.
And he continues to drive that garbage can into the spine of
"Big" Bronson Reed, who, to your point,
has offered no offense at all since the start of this matchup.
[crowd chanting "OTC"]
-[Wade] What an absolute-- Oh my God! -[Michael] Oh!
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael] That is a cricket bat.
[Wade] Cole's been doing his research.
[Michael] And that is a rugby ball. Oh! And he just tossed it at Heyman.
I've never seen Heyman run that fast.
-Oh! [chuckles] And now back to Reed. -[Wade] No forward throws in rugby.
[Michael] And now Reigns has become the batsman.
[Wade] Looking like Steve Smith out here.
-The ashes are coming up. -[Michael] Not the ESPN Steve Smith.
[Wade] Definitely not. All right, Ricky Ponting, let me go with him.
[Michael] Uh-oh! Look out, batter up.
-[Wade] Oh! -[Michael] Oh! For Bronson Reed's sake,
I hope this cricket match doesn't last four days.
[Wade] Well, that one is a boundary, and it's a five-day cricket game,
Michael Cole. That's Test cricket for you.
And right now, the ribs of Bronson Reed are getting tested…
by that willow bat.
-[crowd chanting "OTC"] -[Michael] Did you see the smile
on the face of Roman Reigns?
He's enjoying what he's doing to Reed here tonight.
[Wade] Well, contrast that with the agony etched all over the face of Bronson Reed.
[Michael] Oh, look out! Roman took a little too much time.
And the bowling-ball-like Bronson Reed
just bowled his way through Reigns.
[Wade] Well, that's the biggest mistake you can make if you're Roman Reigns.
Start enjoying yourself too much.
Regardless of how well this started for Reigns,
there was inevitably gonna be a moment
-that Bronson Reed stepped up. -[crowd chanting "This is awesome"]
[Michael] Well, Roman Reigns always wanted to face a rock and he's facing one here.
A man who cut his teeth on the Australian independent circuit
in Rampage Australia, Explosive Pro
for many years before he got the opportunity
to go overseas to Japan and Britain.
And now the NXT North American Championship,
and now into WWE,
and look at Reigns driving Reed face first into the post.
[Wade] Yeah, such smart attacks there from…
-[Michael] Oh! -…Roman Reigns, dodging out of the way
just in the nick of time.
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael] And it's amazing, Wade,
every time Reed tries some sort of offense, Roman Reigns is there,
bending the kendo stick over the back of Reed.
-[crowd cheering] -[Wade] It's not just the caliber
of Roman Reigns, it's the experience factor
of a man who has walked this path many, many times.
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael] Oh!
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And again, a big smile across the face of the OTC
who's enjoying himself. Paul Heyman looks like he's gonna have a heart attack
on the other side of the ring.
[crowd chanting "Roman, Roman Reigns"]
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Michael] Oh!
Perth!
[crowd cheering, applauding]
If you want tables…
acknowledge me!
-[crowd cheering] -[mic thumping]
[Michael] I think they're gonna get their wish, Wade.
Well, that was unanimous.
Don't let the people down now.
[crowd cheering, chanting "OTC"]
[Michael] I mean, Wade, Roman Reigns has been
in complete control
-since the start of this match. -[crowd cheering]
-[Wade] Street fights are supposed to be-- -[Michael laughs]
[Wade] Street fights are supposed to be fun for the audience, not the competitors.
[Michael] Heyman looked like a Jets receiver there.
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael chuckles]
And Reigns now putting the table under the ring,
and from behind, Roman took a bit too much time,
and Bronson Reed able to attack him from behind.
And now the Auszilla goes to work,
driving Reigns shoulder-first into the steps.
This is supposed to be my home.
[crowd booing]
[Michael] Reed had his marching orders, start the night off right for The Vision.
And now Bronson with an opportunity to, uh,
not give the Aussie fans what they want, put the table back under the ring.
[crowd booing]
[Wade] Perhaps treat your countryman a little nicer,
and maybe you'll get what you want. Nice job, Bronson.
[crowd booing]
[Michael] Now, a clubbing blow to the back of Roman Reigns.
And this is what Roman Reigns had to avoid, Wade,
getting put in this position.
Because you have to believe Roman Reigns isn't 100 percent.
His ribs aren't healed from that assault by Bronson Reed back at Clash in Paris.
[Wade] Throwing a rugby ball at Paul Heyman!
[Michael] Bang! And a step off the face.
[Wade] Simply cannot take your eye off Bronson Reed for a second,
-regardless of the-- -[Michael] And again,
off the head of Roman Reigns as he collapses into the barrier.
[Wade] The amount of peril that Roman Reigns might be in.
-[crowd booing] -[Michael] And again, a reminder
as Reed now mocks Reigns.
This is a Street Fight where everything goes.
[Wade] Well, here's the biggest issue with Bronson Reed.
So big and strong, obviously, but the man is lightning quick.
-Such a fast turn of pace. -[inaudible]
[crowd chanting "We want Cena"]
[Michael] And now Reed tossing more furniture into the ring,
a couple of steel chairs. And for the first time in this matchup,
Reigns is in severe trouble.
And Reed now to the ribs, and again, focusing on the injured ribs.
Remember the fractured ribs from the number of Tsunamis
that Reed delivered back in Paris.
[Wade] I mean, if you're gonna soften up Roman Reigns, soften him up
for your big hit at the Tsunami, the man that has destroyed everyone
it has come into contact with, including tonight's victim, Roman Reigns.
[Michael] You're just salivating at the opportunity
to call the Tsunami, aren't you?
-[Wade] My favorite. -[Michael] Bang to the spine!
[Wade] I ain't gonna lie, I would not be saying that
if I was a member of the locker room still, however.
Terrifying.
-Hey OTC! You feel better? -[Heyman shouting indistinctly]
[Michael] Reed trash-talking,
Heyman chiming in in the background as well.
And again, the assault now to the midsection and the ribs of Reigns.
And this is tremendous strategy from Bronson Reed.
[Wade] I mean, Roman Reigns must be getting PTSD, now.
I don't know if those ribs were still injured from that attack
in Paris or not, but certainly now softened up.
And my, oh, my, hasn't the look on the face
of The Oracle, Paul Heyman, changed significantly
in the past two minutes?
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And again, I mentioned earlier, Reed had to weather that early storm
of Roman Reigns as he continues to mock Reigns
-and the WWE fans here in Perth. -[crowd booing]
[Reed jeering indistinctly]
[crowd booing, clamoring]
[Michael] Oh, look at Roman.
Lifted Bronson Reed up, that was 330 pounds!
-A Samoan drop through a chair… -[crowd counting]
…into a cover, kick-out by Reed at two!
[Wade] God, that steel chair just collapsed like it was made of foil.
-I assure you, it certainly is not. -[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Just the sheer weight of Bronson Reed being driven
through the metal.
[Michael] Wherever you are watching around the world today,
we are so glad you could join us, especially in the States,
getting up early for WWE Crown Jewel.
The kickoff match for the night. Roman Reigns, Bronson Reed
in an Australian Street Fight in front of over 13,000 in Perth, Australia.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Michael] Critical moment in this match for both of these men.
Roman looking to rally, Reed looking to keep the pressure on.
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael] Clothesline by Roman,
Reed still on his feet.
And another one by Reigns.
[Wade] Clotheslining a refrigerator with legs.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Just like a refrigerator, no give here with Reed.
-But Reigns will not give up. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] I have to admit, Wade, this is the most focused,
the most active I've seen Reigns in months.
[Wade] 'Cause Reigns is fully aware
of the danger his opponent holds in his hands.
He's tasted that danger before and needs to snuff it out tonight.
[Michael chuckling] Somehow, Reed is still on his feet.
Roman says, "I gotta go to the well again."
[Michael] And he does, and Reed dropped to the bottom rope.
[Wade] Exhausted Roman Reigns in the process-- Wait a second!
[Michael] That'll take Reed down.
An explosive jumping clothesline, and they're on their feet for Reigns.
[Wade] Tapping into that patented second wind of Roman Reigns,
-and here we go, Michael. -[Michael] Locked and loaded.
Ah, caught by Reed, Reed now with Reigns up there!
Jagged Edge, Death Valley Driver
-for the win. -[crowd counting]
-[Michael] Oh, and a kick-out by Roman. -[Wade] God, so many of the techniques
and holds that you rely on simply do not work
against the massive frame of Bronson Reed. And this is one of them.
Signature stuff from Roman Reigns.
He's flowing until he hits naught,
and he's just hit a brick wall named Bronson Reed.
[Michael] And Bronson Reed now, after the near fall, has…
-brought a stop sign into the ring. -[crowd chanting "Stop"]
[Michael] And again, repositions the chair in the corner.
[Wade] And it just takes one moment for someone as strong as Bronson Reed to…
[Michael] Oh, that's a big, old piece of metal to the spine.
[Wade] Knocked the stuffing out of Roman Reigns.
[Michael] And again, the focus of this entire attack,
the midsection of Reigns.
[crowd chanting "Read the sign"]
[Michael] Reigns now able to counter.
-A couple of elbows to the jaw. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And another, creating some space.
[Wade] The issue at this point in a match for anyone is the exhaustion
-is starting to kick in. -[Michael] Uh-oh. Oh!
Uranage drives Reigns onto that
-steel sign and a cover… -[crowd counting]
…and another near fall for Reed.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Wade] Just effortless, raw power from Bronson Reed
to the spine of Roman Reigns. And all of that onto that steel stop sign.
And Roman Reigns now suddenly looking like a beaten man.
[Michael] Reed has stopped Reigns in his tracks as he delivers
the last senton, nobody home,
Reigns averting disaster.
[Wade] Once again, it's that issue with pace slowing down later in the match,
allowing your opponent a little more recovery time.
'Cause you simply cannot drop the hammer, you're so exhausted.
[Michael] It looks like Roman needs a lot more recovery time here.
[crowd cheering, chanting]
[Wade] You take what you can get this deep into an Australian rules Street Fight.
Two bodies broken and battered, but the fight rages on.
[Michael] Nobody home, Reed face first off the chair
that he placed into the corner.
And now a Superman punch right on the jaw,
-cover by Roman. -[crowd counting]
[Michael] And Reed kicks out at two.
[Wade] We're now in danger of this becoming a runaway train
in favor of Roman Reigns connecting with a classic Superman punch.
And the fact that Bronson even kicked out will be a surprise to some,
but Bronson Reed is built double tough.
[Michael] And Roman Reigns looks better than ever tonight,
and Bronson Reed's been able to absorb all of the punishment.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Wade] I mean, the truth is at Clash in Paris,
Bronson Reed dominated the whole match. But still, Roman Reigns prevailed.
Roman Reigns has actually done better tonight than he did in Paris.
-[crowd] Ooh-aah! -[Michael] And now looking for the spear,
Bronson Reed wise to roll out of the ring.
[Wade] Incredible instincts there from Bronson Reed,
can barely stand on his own two feet,
but knew, "Hell, I gotta get out of Dodge right now."
Well, there is nowhere to hide in an Australian Street Fight.
Prowling already is Roman Reigns.
-Ooh-aah! -[crowd] Ooh-aah!
[Michael] And Roman gonna look to build a big head of steam here.
-Reigns around the ring, focus, look out! -[Wade] God! Bron Breakker with a spear!
[Michael] The Unpredictable Badass intercepting Reigns.
[Wade] And it's all perfectly legal, Michael Cole.
Nothing the referee can do about this under Australian Street Fight conditions.
[Michael] I was wondering when Breakker was gonna show up.
Now Bronson Reed looking at our table.
-Tearing things apart. -[Wade] Always a matter of when, not if.
And now the dogs are loose and running wild.
[Michael] And it's a two-on-one situation for Roman Reigns.
We've seen this before. Reed, Breakker, God rest his shield.
-[Reed] Ooh-aah! -[crowd jeering]
[Wade] I mean, if you thought the humiliation in Paris was bad,
imagine being nailed with your own move.
[Michael] Yeah, the move that has taken out
so many superstars over the years by the iconic group The Shield,
Rollins, Ambrose, and Reigns.
And tonight, it's Breakker and Reed with their own version,
driving Reigns through the announce table.
[Wade] And Bron Breakker is simply playing guard dog right now,
staring over the battered body of Roman Reigns
while Bronson Reed has all the time in the world
to concoct something downright evil in that ring.
[Michael] And it's a damn shame because you knew this was gonna happen.
You knew at some point Breakker was gonna come out here
at the behest of Heyman to help his buddy Reed.
[Wade] Why do you pay Paul Heyman? Exhibit A.
-♪ Uso! ♪ -["Main Event Ish" playing]
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Michael] Reigns has been cut up since he went through the table,
but he's got some backup now.
Jimmy and Jey, his cousins, the Usos are here.
♪ It's just me, uce Day one ish ♪
[Wade] Yeah, not a moment too soon, but keep your eyes peeled.
[Michael] Well, remember, Roman Reigns told Jimmy and Jey to stay out
of his mess this past Monday on Raw.
But the cousins, understanding Reigns was in trouble,
and in a two-on-one situation, have come to Roman's aid here.
-And Jimmy and Jey are teeing off. -[crowd chanting]
They have serious issues with The Vision as well.
[Wade] Exactly the moment in time you wanna have this kind of family
to rely on if you're Roman Reigns.
-[Michael] Double super kick by The Usos. -[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Just a few days ago in tornado tag action against The Vision,
picking up where they left off.
[Michael] But the problem is, they've taken out Breakker,
-they're taking out Reed. -[crowd chanting "Uso"]
[Michael] Roman Reigns still hasn't moved here on the floor
as the Usos back things up.
[Wade] Roman Reigns currently dripping with blood,
looks like his arm is sliced open.
He's got some major issues on the outside here,
may even need medical treatment.
[Michael] And there you go, 1D, one and done for Jimmy and Jey.
[Wade] And I'd say Bron Breakker is one and done after that.
[Michael] The Usos doing a number on The Vision.
[Wade] Usos looking like a well-oiled machine,
every inch, the greatest tag team in history.
[Michael] Meanwhile, Jimmy went up top, Bronson Reed dumped him off the top rope.
Meanwhile, Bron Breakker back to his feet. Now Jey's in trouble. Bron Breakker now.
God. Military pressing Jey Uso over his head and down into the knees.
[Wade] Bron Breakker got 1D less than a minute ago.
[Michael] Yeah, he's a different cat, Wade.
[Wade] Absolute freak, crazy powers of regeneration.
And now he looks fresh as a daisy.
And he looks like he's cooking up something quite dastardly.
[Michael] Bron Breakker looking across the ring.
That's Jimmy Uso, who's down on his knees over here.
Breakker looking for a full head of speed.
Here comes Bron Breakker around the ring
and a spear through the barricade!
[crowd applauding]
[Wade] And Bron Breakker just wiped himself out in the process,
but Jimmy Uso is done and dusted.
[Michael] And Bronson Reed, now looking to regroup and figure out
what he needs to do as he sees Jey Uso in trouble in the ring.
-Bron Breakker was just a blur. Uh-oh. -[Michael] Uh-oh. Wait, wait, wait.
[Wade] Now Jey Uso, who wasn't supposed to be part of this match,
is about to get pancaked.
[Michael] Roman Reigns with a Superman punch
to Reed on the top rope.
And another one and Reed goes down.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[crowd] Ooh-aah!
[Michael] He was looking for the spear,
has to deliver a Superman punch to Breakker.
Bronson Reed now.
Looking to drive Reigns to the table. Roman Reigns trying to fight back here.
He's able to counter.
-Oh, no! Oh, no! Oh, no! -[Wade] Oh, no!
[Michael] Jey Uso just speared his cousin, Roman Reigns, through the table.
An awful miscommunication between the family.
Come on, man, come on, man.
-[Wade] Completely in a-- [exclaims] -[Michael] And a spear to Jey.
[Wade] What a disaster, and this is perhaps why Roman Reigns
did not want the Usos out here. He made that clear. And wait up, Cole.
-Tsunami! -[Michael] And the cover by Reed.
-[crowd counting] -[Wade] Holy hell,
-Bronson Reed has beaten Roman Reigns. -[bell ringing]
["Battle Tested" playing]
[Alicia] Here is your winner, "Big" Bronson Reed.
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, Bronson Reed is just the second man
to pin Roman Reigns in a one-on-one match in years.
-I mean, years. -[crowd cheering]
The biggest win in the career of the Auszilla.
[Wade] What a statement.
The absolute core of The Bloodline have been completely wiped out
at the feet of Bron Breakker and tonight's victor,
"Big" Bronson Reed.
[Michael] After that Shield bomb by Reed and Bron Breakker,
the Usos would get involved.
Remember, Roman told Jimmy and Jey to stay out of his business.
He wanted to do this on his own.
The Usos had all the great intentions in mind, Wade,
to come out and even the odds for their cousin.
But then this, just an absolute mess.
[Wade] Complete confusion here, the hit by Jey Uso driving Roman Reigns
through a table inadvertently, getting speared himself.
And you're right, Cole, that is why the Usos weren't supposed to be out here,
-because one Tsunami later… -[crowd counting]
…and "Big" Auszilla has just pinned Roman Reigns
in the most violent of matches imaginable.
[Michael] So, Wade, we can paint this picture however we want.
We can blame Bron Breakker, we can blame Jimmy and Jey,
but at the end of the day, Bronson Reed beat Roman Reigns
in a Street Fight tonight, in the biggest win of his career.
And The Vision off to an unbelievable start here tonight
on Crown Jewel.
[Wade] Power is never given, it must be taken.
And now, what a disaster in ring.
["Battle Tested" playing]
♪ I'm war ready, I'm battle tested ♪
[music fades]
[inaudible]
[indistinct chatter]
I told you I'm gonna do this and now…
-We were trying to be there for you. -I get it. I get it.
I want you to be there for me. But this ain't the old times, man.
This ain't the old times.
It only works if you--
This only works one way.
I told you all that before.
It only works one way.
I love… I love you.
I love you. I love you.
But I don't want to see you all till Christmas.
Come on, man.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Michael] A very disappointed Roman Reigns
reading the riot act to his cousins, Jimmy and Jey.
[crowd chanting "Someone's in trouble"]
[crowd continues chanting]
[chanting fades]
[crowd yelling]
[Usos speaking indistinctly]
We're just trying to help you. That's it.
[Jey] He gonna do him.
[Reigns muttering indistinctly]
[Jey] He gonna do him.
[Jey] He gonna leave right now. He gonna do him.
[Jimmy] Listen, I'll be here for you. I'll be here for him.
He gonna always do him.
[Jey] Man, I'm out too.
Come on.
[crowd booing]
He gonna do him, uce.
-No matter what, he always gonna be him. -Hey, but you don't need to go down there.
[crowd yelling]
[Michael] Well, family…
it's torn apart.
[Wade] It's not like old times anymore, is it?
[crowd cheering, clamoring]
[crowd applauding]
[Michael] There is the Women's Crown Jewel Championship.
Over 3200 precious stones, Australian crystals,
50 carats of diamonds.
Who will win the prestigious Crown Jewel title?
It is champion versus champion.
["One Eyed Bastard" playing]
[Michael] The world champion from Monday Night Raw, Stephanie Vaquer.
The WWE Women's Champion Tiffany Stratton.
Is it La Primera or is it Tiffy's time?
Live, next.
[song concludes]
["One Eyed Bastard" playing]
-[bell ringing] -[Michael] Last year's inaugural
Crown Jewel Champion was Liv Morgan.
[Alicia] The following is a champion versus champion match
to determine the Women's Crown Jewel Champion.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
["Bury Me" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] As I was mentioning, Liv Morgan, who is out injured
for the past few months, is the inaugural Women's Crown Jewel Champion,
defeating Nia Jax last year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Tonight we crown a new Crown Jewel Champion.
Perhaps it will be this woman, the World Champion from Monday Night Raw,
Stephanie Vaquer. And man, what a year she's had.
[Wade] I mean, turn up at NXT,
dominate there with the NXT North American Championship.
Win the NXT Championship, immediately get called up by Raw.
And within two months, force your way into a World Championship bracket
and win it on your first attempt.
Yeah, I'd say that's one hell of a 12 months
for Stephanie Vaquer, may never be better.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Definitely could use a drink after that first match.
Wow, what chaos and bedlam.
We just about got through it by the skin of our teeth.
-We ain't slowing down. -[music concludes]
-["Tiffy Time" playing] -♪ It's Tiffy Time! ♪
[crowd cheering]
♪ Drop, I'm going in Bass so loud, it's in my skin ♪
♪ Drop, I wanna see you drop Drop, drop, drop, drop… ♪
[Michael] Now, Wade, talk about somebody having a year.
Tiffany Stratton won the WWE Women's Championship
back on the 3rd of January,
when she beat Nia Jax, cashing in her Money in the Bank contract.
Since then, she's been champ for 281 days.
And perhaps just as importantly, Wade, she's undefeated in 2025.
[Wade] Yeah, it feels really difficult to do this,
but try and roll the clock back to December last year
when Tiffany Stratton was Miss Money in the Bank.
So many questions remained about this woman.
Can she really cut it at the very top? You have the cash-in in January,
and then this woman has had one of the most
dominant championship reigns we have ever seen.
She has passed every test put in front of her
and keeps on getting better.
The sky really is the limit for Tiffany Stratton.
[Michael] Let's head up to the ring and the great Alicia Taylor.
-[music concludes] -[bell ringing]
Introducing first,
from San Fernando, Chile,
she is
the Women's World Champion,
Stephanie Vaquer.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
And her opponent from Minneapolis, Minnesota,
she is the WWE Women's Champion,
Tiffany Stratton.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Wade, I thought you made a very good point
on the Countdown show earlier today.
Talking about Tiffany Stratton and how she has been battle-hardened.
Look at the women that she's knocked off over this past year,
Nia Jax on a number of occasions.
Bayley, Jade Cargill, the Hall of Famer Trish Stratus,
Charlotte Flair, among others.
And the point you made was Stephanie Vaquer,
she's been great this year, but has not had the resume
that Stratton has had at this level yet.
[Wade] Absolutely not, Tiffany Stratton is now a proven commodity
and it's shown she can beat a range of different styles
of fighters at their own game.
Stephanie Vaquer, we may be saying the same in 12 months,
but she needs to now back up this initial championship reign
with the kind of 12 months that Tiffany Stratton has already had.
-[bell ringing] -[Wade] That is why I see Stratton
-as the favorite in this one. -[Michael] Matchup underway.
Stephanie Vaquer had a very interesting interview
with the Dallas Morning News this week in the States.
And she talked about Wrestlepalooza where she won the world title
and having a dream match with Iyo Sky.
Very emotional, of course, her dad Héctor in the front row.
But she calls herself a perfectionist,
and that's what she wants to show the world tonight.
Nice takedown of Tiffany Stratton.
[Wade] Well, she better be perfect tonight if she's gonna beat Stratton
because nobody else has figured out Stratton
this entire calendar year.
Stratton really has developed an aura of invincibility in 2025.
Whereas Stephanie Vaquer, I promise you, as a fresh champion in WWE,
the women's locker room are licking their chops
at the prospect of getting an opportunity at Vaquer
and really testing her out.
[Michael] Well, let's give Stephanie some credit.
She won a Battle Royal back at Evolution to earn a world title opportunity.
And then her and Iyo Sky in what we called the match of the night
at Wrestlepalooza, stealing the show as Stephanie would win
the vacant World Championship.
So, what do you expect out of Tiffany Stratton
in this match tonight?
[Wade] Well, Tiffany Stratton has two clear advantages
over Stephanie Vaquer.
And the one we've already spoken about is that experience at the very top level.
The other one is that Tiffany Stratton is probably the number one athlete
in all of WWE, male or female.
She has that Team USA Olympian level ability.
And quite simply, nobody can match her.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Vaquer had a paint brush through there
and Tiffany able to duck underneath.
And now Stephanie, nice takedown from behind, pinning combination,
kick-out by Stratton. That's what Tiffany's gotta be careful of.
Stephanie Vaquer has it all. She can fight with the best of them.
-Another cover here by Stratton. -[crowd counting]
[Michael] And a stalemate early on. Vaquer is crafty.
She can grapple. She's a true mat technician,
but she can fly when she needs to.
[Wade] Well, we just talked about the advantages
that Tiffany Stratton has.
Here's the real advantage of Stephanie Vaquer at this point.
It's the question mark, the unknown.
It's really what has taken her to the very top here in WWE in quick time.
Simply, we don't know enough about her.
And the question is, does she still have tricks up her sleeve
that she can surprise Tiffany Stratton with?
[Michael] And I would say, yes, Stephanie has been successful
all over the world, Japan and Mexico, among other places.
And she has brought that success here to WWE.
It is indeed Tiffy Time here in Perth.
And Stephanie Vaquer quickly out of the corner and makes Tiffany pay.
And you can see right here, Stephanie's been scouting Stratton.
She's been watching the tapes.
She knew what was coming there and she moved out of harm's way.
[Wade] Yeah, and that goes back to the advantage that Vaquer has.
You don't have enough tape on Stephanie Vaquer
to really figure out every single one of her moves.
There may be things in her locker she's not yet had time to pull out in WWE.
[Michael] It's hard to believe that Tiffany Stratton,
just four years ago,
made her first appearance in a wrestling ring.
Not in WWE, an actual wrestling ring.
For Stephanie Vaquer, she's only been in WWE for 15 months.
And now these two are battling it out on the grand stage of Crown Jewel.
Ooh, big kick.
[Wade] Vaquer's trying to pull out some of her own athleticism
and beating Tiffany to the punch.
[Michael] And again, champion versus champion
for the Crown Jewel Championship and bragging rights for the next year.
[Wade] That shot really rocked Tiffany Stratton.
It's hard to believe at this point in the match
that these two were actually tagging last night
successfully on SmackDown.
The gloves are really coming off now though.
[Michael] Stephanie right to the face of Tiffany Stratton,
there's the leg drop. And Stephanie Vaquer again into a cover,
and again a kick-out by the WWE Women's Champion.
[Wade] And this has been really pleasant and polite and respectful
between these two over the past couple of weeks.
I wanna see who really takes those gloves off first.
Who's gonna take a cheap shot?
You wanna be the absolute top in this industry,
you have to have those moments of being cutthroat.
[Michael] Well, you saw early on, Tiffany tried to shake Stephanie's hand,
and Stephanie wasn't buying it. Right to the elbow now of Stratton.
Both these women, former NXT champions.
Stephanie made history when she became the first woman to hold the NXT
and NXT North American title at the same time.
And now working on the ankle of Tiffany Stratton.
Again, submission specialist is Stephanie Vaquer,
-and she's got one locked in here. -[Wade] We'll talk about unique holds.
Wow, zero chance Tiffany Stratton had any game plan
to be in this kind of predicament.
[Michael] Again, Vaquer traveling around the world
has learned submission holds from the greatest.
As you see Stratton now fighting out.
Great counter though by Tiffany for the escape.
[Wade] Well, we know just how tough she is from those wars
with Charlotte Flair and Nia Jax that we talked about earlier.
[Michael] And Tiffany-- Nice back suplex delivered,
and both women down.
Is this what you expected at this point in the matchup?
[Wade] I mean, it has been a stalemate, an incredibly hard-hitting stalemate.
I'm impressed with Vaquer not being swallowed up by the moment.
But I feel now the toughness of Tiffany Stratton
is starting to come to the fore.
[Michael] Sold out tonight, middle of a great weekend.
SmackDown was last night, of course, Crown Jewel tonight.
Monday Night Raw will be here at the RAC Arena in Perth on Monday
as Stratton delivers a clothesline. And now Tiffany Stratton is raring to go.
And now she finally delivers that spring elbow.
[Wade] Well, the signs of wear and tear are starting to show on Vaquer.
[Michael] Alabama slam! Unique way to get into that.
Stacks her up and a kick at two. That was a great move by Stratton.
She uses the Alabama slam, but never seen her go into it like this.
[Wade] I mean, this is some of the signature stuff
of Tiffany Stratton, just with a little extra stank on there.
And you really do have to pick up the pace
and pick up the impact when you're competing at this level
against a fellow world champion.
[Michael] And Tiffany Stratton now caught by Vaquer.
Almost had her there, and a kick-out, great move by Stephanie, wise to it.
Again, so evenly matched throughout this matchup.
Vaquer now, she used this last night, Wade, the Angel's Wings,
but Tiffany Stratton able to counter.
[Wade] Every single time you pull out a move,
you give a little tell to future opponents
of what tricks you're gonna be pulling out of your bag.
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael] Oh, a Dragon Screw.
Oh my goodness. That'll rip a knee apart.
[Wade] I don't think Tiffany Stratton with all her experience
over the past 12 months has ever tasted something quite like that.
[Michael] Knees into the corner. Man, that was nasty.
[Wade] The Iyo Sky Bullet Train connecting there.
[Michael] And a cover, and Stratton kicks out.
[Wade] Tiffany Stratton is now hurting in a big way.
Let's take another look at this Dragon Screw.
Just sweating the knee ligaments of Tiffany Stratton,
who has not moved well since.
[Michael] Yeah, and it was interesting watching Stephanie Vaquer, the viciousness
that she delivered that move with.
[Wade] You know full well the caliber of your opponent. And you-- Oh!
[Michael] Up top, Tiffany Stratton able to dump her out toward the steps.
[Wade] Both women trying desperately to beat their opponent to the punch.
Really has been counter for counter, hold for hold, step for step.
[Michael] Launched herself over the top rope, landed awkwardly,
and Tiffany Stratton takes advantage.
[Wade] Stratton ducking out of the way right at the exact moment.
[Michael] Oh, goodness.
Knees to the back, off the backbreaker, cover now, for the win,
and Stephanie kicks at two.
[Wade] You've really seen Tiffany Stratton asking some new questions.
Now, you mentioned it earlier, and once again,
pulling out a few different wrinkles from the playbook.
-[crowd cheering] -[Wade] Still learning, still growing,
still developing, still getting better.
[Michael] And you can hear the respect being shown
by the WWE fans here tonight.
Tiffany going up top, perhaps looking for the moonsault.
Stephanie Vaquer able to counter, and now Tiffany's in trouble.
[Wade] That was the moment
Stephanie Vaquer had to be nimble on her feet,
get out of trouble quickly.
[Michael] Landed high on the back of her neck.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And here we go. Oh, look out.
Looked like Stephanie was going for Devil's Kiss,
Tiffany Stratton with a kick to the face.
Cover now by Stratton, hook to the leg and a kick-out.
[Wade] Both women coming incredibly close to tasting danger there.
World's Prettiest Moonsault attempt, the Devil's Kiss attempt,
both denied for now.
[Michael] Tiffany looks so crisp tonight, doesn't she?
[Wade] Yeah, she looks like a completely different animal.
This is Tiffany Stratton at her very best.
Looking to take flight once again.
[Michael] I talked to her earlier today,
she felt like she had something massive to prove tonight
against Stephanie Vaquer.
Right to Stratton.
Stratton's in trouble, no idea where she is.
And now Stephanie Vaquer has her where she wants her.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Devil's Kiss.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Michael] I've never seen a move activate the WWE fans
quite like the Devil's Kiss.
[Wade] I kept my eyes closed for that one.
-[Michael] I know. -[Wade] No comment.
[Michael] You got in trouble last time, and look at--
Oh! Stephanie. Knee right to the spine,
cover now, is it enough to put her away, kick-out at two.
[Wade] And that was one of the heaviest hitters
from Stephanie Vaquer, but it wasn't enough to put away Stratton.
And that is demoralizing as we take another look
at Vaquer just getting those knees up to the back of the head
of Tiffany Stratton, who has not looked the same since.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Now, Steph trying to lift Stratton up,
Stratton able to land on her feet.
[Wade] She's going for that Angel Wings again,
that was Vaquer, but denied.
[Michael] Stratton with that rolling senton,
now up to the top rope, looking for the Prettiest Moonsault Ever,
but nobody home.
[Wade] Well, now that's the second attempt by Stratton,
and Vaquer is now looking to take flight, Cole.
[Michael] Stratton made a mistake, and there's that corkscrew splash.
-[Wade] What a high beam landing. -[crowd counting]
[Michael] Stephanie Vaquer is your Crown Jewel Champion.
["Bury Me" playing]
[Alicia] Here is your winner,
the 2025
Women's Crown Jewel Champion,
-Stephanie Vaquer! -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] An emotional Stephanie Vaquer
who continues a magical ride in 2025 in WWE.
Fifteen months since bursting on the scene,
she has become World Champion and Crown Jewel Champion.
Well, here was the moment of the matchup.
[Wade] Yeah, it's one slip up, that's all it takes at this level.
Two world champions, and this was Tiffany going for
the World's Prettiest Moonsault, and it was pretty, it just didn't land.
And that was the only window Vaquer needed to hit this corkscrew splash of hers.
Still need to find a name for that
that's a little catchier than corkscrew splash.
But it got the job done, completely knocking the wind
out of Tiffany Stratton and finally a victory over Stratton
in the year 2025.
And it's Vaquer who does it.
[Michael] Stephanie Vaquer wins the Crown Jewel Championship,
an emotional moment in the ring
with the chief content officer of WWE, Triple H,
who was so instrumental in bringing Stephanie to WWE,
15 months ago. I'll tell you one thing,
Tiffany Stratton impressed the hell out of me tonight.
Stratton knew what she was in for, she made changes, she adjusted,
she added offense to her repertoire.
But in the end, Stephanie Vaquer is the Crown Jewel Champion.
[Wade] Yeah, there was nothing in that match whatsoever.
A piece of paper divided those two competitors.
But it is Vaquer who gets to wear the ring.
Vaquer, who is the Crown Jewel champ.
[Michael] That ring, 175 diamonds, 1.91 carats.
And then of course the beautiful Crown Jewel Championship.
Liv Morgan was a very proud champion for the first year of its existence.
Stephanie Vaquer will wear it proudly in 2025.
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael] Congratulations…
to La Primera, Stephanie Vaquer.
[crowd cheering]
[inaudible]
[Michael] I can only imagine the words of wisdom that The Game is…
giving Stephanie there.
As our own Jackie Redmond heads into the ring for an exclusive interview.
-[music concludes] -Stephanie, congratulations.
You are the second ever Women's Crown Jewel Champion.
[crowd cheering]
You're also 21 days as our Women's World Champion.
We just heard the crowd chanting, "You deserve it."
What does all of this mean to you?
[crowd chanting "You deserve it"]
[in Spanish] Australia, I'm so happy to be here.
[in English] Tonight, we make history together.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
And this, this is not just a beautiful championship.
This represents all the motivation, support,
and love all have you given me.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
I follow my dream.
You believe in me, now I believe in me.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[in Spanish] I'm here thanks to all of you.
[English] La Primera…
is the WWE Women's World Champion,
-and now Crown Jewel Champion. -[crowd cheering]
-["Bury Me" playing] -[Michael] Stephanie Vaquer
is the epitome of "Dreams do come true."
[crowd cheering]
[music concludes]
He was unable to beat for how many years?
You did that tonight. You did that.
Congratulations.
Tribal Thief over Tribal Chief.
-Always. -From now on,
when people talk about The Vision of the future of this industry,
they talk about the both of you.
-I'm proud of you. -Thank you.
[Heyman] Oh!
Little thing. Um, Seth Rollins versus Cody Rhodes.
If for some reason during that match,
Seth Rollins climbs to the top rope,
faces the locker room, flails his arms in the air,
and begs all three of us to come out to help him…
It's a meritocracy, boys.
Seth Rollins is better or Cody Rhodes is better
and we're gonna find out tonight.
And just in case,
I'll start making arrangements for a victory party
for when we get back to the United States.
Proud of you.
But what happens if Cody wins?
Then what? We have--
I think you both know the answer to that question.
[Michael] Wow.
And that's still to come tonight, ladies and gentlemen.
["One Eyed Bastard" playing]
[Michael] Need I say more.
Only five dates remain
in the retirement tour of the greatest of all time.
One of them's tonight, and it's next.
♪ I never forget a face That's quite so ugly ♪
♪ Ay-oh! ♪
[song concludes]
-["Phenomenal" playing] -[crowd cheering]
♪ No, they don't want none No, they don't want none ♪
♪ They looking scared No they don't really want none ♪
♪ We some southern boys With the farmer strength ♪
[Alicia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Gainesville, Georgia,
weighing in at 220 pounds.
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles!
[Michael] You know what? John Cena is not the only one
that people have been talking about when it comes to retirement.
AJ Styles, during the kickoff show yesterday,
told me that 2026 will be his final year in a wrestling ring.
Says it's time to put family first, and he wants to go out with a bang
and he starts that tonight against John Cena.
The renewal, Wade, of a great rivalry between Styles and Cena.
[Wade] Yeah, this is really about legacy, nostalgia, and closure.
We are waving goodbye to a golden era.
Two Mount Rushmore careers that have really dominated this industry
for the past 25 years.
Perhaps the two most talked-about superstars in that time.
There's a tinge of sadness to tonight,
but we are gonna get a spectacle here between these two.
[Michael] Both of these men who were the faces of their promotions
for many, many years.
John Cena, of course, in WWE, that man AJ Styles in TNA.
And tonight, Styles and Cena clash one final time.
[Wade] One last chance to beat up John Cena, I love it.
♪ No, they don't want none No, they don't want none ♪
♪ They looking scared No they don't really want none ♪
♪ I'm a mack truck Don't get run over ♪
♪ We some country boys Working overtime for it ♪
♪ Kings of the south We never had nothing ♪
♪ Blue collar boys do it With our hands muddied ♪
♪ They don't want none No, they don't want none ♪
♪ No, they don't want none No, they don't want none ♪
♪ They don't want none No, they don't want none ♪
♪ They looking scared No they don't really want none ♪
♪ They don't want none No, they don't want none ♪
♪ No, they don't want none No, they don't want none ♪
-[song concludes] -[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting "Cena"]
-["The Time Is Now" playing] -[crowd cheering]
♪ Krrr, Amadou! ♪
Wow.
Dude.
[crowd] ♪ Your time is up, my time is now ♪
♪ You can't see me, my time is now ♪
I'm gonna shoot for you.
[crowd] ♪ It's the franchise Boy I'm shining now ♪
♪ You can't see me, my time is now ♪
Man, this is crazy right here!
♪ In case you forgot or fell off I'm still hot knock your shell off ♪
♪ My money stack fat plus I can't turn the swell off ♪
♪ The franchise, doing big bid'ness I live this ♪
♪ It's automatic I win this Oh you hear those horns, you finished ♪
♪ A soldier And I stay under you fighting ♪
♪ Plus I'm storming on you chumps Like I'm thunder and lightning ♪
♪ Ain't no way you breaking me kid I'm harder than nails ♪
♪ Plus I keep it on lock Like I'm part of the jail ♪
♪ Slaughtering stale, competition I got the whole block wishing… ♪
Let's go to work. Last one overseas, man.
Let's go to work.
[crowd cheering]
♪ In any weather I'm never better your boy's so hot ♪
♪ You'll never catch me In the next man's sweater ♪
♪ If they hate, let 'em hate I drop ya whole clan ♪
♪ Lay your ass down For the three second tan ♪
[Alicia] And his opponent, from West Newbury, Massachusetts.
Weighing in at 251 pounds,
John Cena!
[Michael] Soak it in, ladies and gentlemen!
Counting tonight, there are only five dates left on the retirement tour.
As John Cena looks to pick up a one-hundredth career victory
in premium live events tonight.
[crowd chanting "Cena"]
[crowd cheering]
[Alicia] Ladies and gentlemen, he is The Greatest…
of All Time!
The Never Seen 17,
celebrating with each and every one of you here tonight
-in Perth, Australia! -[crowd cheering]
[Alicia] One final time,
The Last Real Champion,
John Cena!
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting "Cena"]
[crowd chanting "Thank you, Cena!"]
Ladies and gentlemen.
The definition of Total Nonstop Action.
The ace and undisputed boss of The Bullet Club.
It is our honor as fans and my honor as an opponent
to see if he can beat up John Cena one final time.
He is the face that runs the place.
"The Phenomenal"
AJ Styles!
[Michael] And Wade, it is our honor to be able to sit here
at ringside tonight and call what should be a classic matchup.
You know, every athlete wants to end their career
under their terms.
And that is what John Cena has been able to do this year.
And as the time slowly makes its way through the hourglass,
we don't have many more of these moments left.
[Wade] John never wanted the retirement tour to be a nostalgia act,
wanted to test himself against the very best,
rather than guaranteeing wins against superstars low down the totem pole.
Well, Cena, once again,
you have got a real test tonight.
[Michael] And remember, this matchup came about because of you,
the WWE fans who demanded this match happen.
It was a rivalry that reached a peak in 2016
when AJ Styles would battle John Cena as he was holding the WWE Championship.
And then at the Rumble in 2017,
the night that John Cena won what would be a record-tying
16th World Championship, defeating AJ Styles.
And now they do it once again here tonight, nice leapfrog by Cena.
John went for the arm drag and AJ hung on.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Now, right off the bat you see the reflexes of AJ Styles
and that is gonna be an issue for John Cena.
John Cena clearly has the power advantage.
[Michael] I don't know about that anymore.
-AJ Styles is jacked. -[crowd chanting "This is awesome"]
[Michael] Nice waistlock into a headlock from John Cena.
[Wade] For the eyeball test,
I would suggest John Cena's got about 30 pounds over AJ Styles.
And John Cena has always been an absolute freak in the gym,
even to this day.
Although I'll agree with you, AJ Styles' physique is on point,
adding a ton of mass over the past few years
as he's extended his career beyond the normal range.
Well, both men have, to be honest.
[Michael] Well, Wade, you also have to wonder the mindset of John Cena,
not only all the emotions of the retirement tour,
but what he went through against Brock Lesnar
-back at Wrestlepalooza last month. -[Wade] I'm glad you brought that up.
I promise you mental scars remain for Cena,
questioning in his mind, "Have my powers waned?"
"Or can I use this match against AJ Styles as a palate cleanser
and get myself back on track
in these final two months of the retirement period."
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Michael] This feeling-out process in the beginning of this matchup.
Caught in an elbow tie-up for Cena and Styles.
The official, Ryan Tran, working this match.
And looking for a clean break, which we get.
[Wade] All been very polite and cordial, hasn't it?
Here's the deal, both men heading into retirement,
obviously Cena's in the next two months.
They can ill afford losses at this point, especially Cena.
I mean, you don't wanna close out a Mount Rushmore career
on a losing streak.
[Michael] Well, that was the point AJ was making
when I talked to him yesterday. Go out on your terms,
go out so people remember you as being in your prime,
the best that you can be, and not go out, you know, washed up,
and that's what AJ Styles and John Cena are trying to prove.
[Wade] Well, that's what they are both doing by choosing their retirement
and not getting kicked out of the industry 'cause they simply can't cut it anymore.
But you still have to get to that retirement date,
beating the very best to say you went out on top.
[Michael] And Cena now and quickly lifts AJ Styles up
on his shoulders looking for a quick AA, and Styles will hit him with a forearm.
And into the corner now, Styles with that running clothesline, AJ snapmare.
Here comes Styles, and right now, you're seeing classic AJ Styles
moving at that quick pace, into the cover. Shoulders are down, kick-out by Cena.
[Wade] Right off the bat, you'd say advantage AJ Styles.
And I talked about the mental scars remaining after that Brock match.
It was only three weeks ago.
I'm sure there are some physical scars in there too.
[Michael] And again, Styles deliver it into another snapmare.
And AJ again, flying across the ring into another cover on Cena,
hook of the leg, and another near fall for Styles.
[Wade] So let me be clear, John Cena's retirement year,
the matches he's won, the matches he's done best in,
he's done so because he could control the pace of the match.
Right off the early goings of this one,
it's been 100 miles an hour from AJ Styles
and Cena rarely fares well in that kind of pace.
[Michael] Styles into the corner again, and he's gonna try it a third time.
Snapmare, here comes Styles flying across the ring.
Oh! And it takes out John for a third time.
Is it a charm?
Cover, hook to the leg, kick at two by Cena.
[Wade] I mean, this has been dominance from AJ Styles in the early goings.
-It's just like the Brock Lesnar match. -[Michael] Yeah, good point, Wade.
John has not been able to get out of the blocks.
[Wade] I mean, there is a time in any athlete's career,
they just hit a wall and sometimes it's suddenly
and it may be two months too soon for John Cena.
[Michael] Is Styles gonna go to the well again?
Oh! And he runs into a clothesline by Cena.
[Wade] Well, there you go, much needed breathing room,
a chance to reset for John Cena, get the body working again,
get the mind working again.
Try and get your hands on AJ Styles and slow that man down.
[Michael] John gonna drag himself to his feet by the use of the rope,
Styles up as well.
AJ misses wildly, John Cena now with a shoulder tackle.
And another one to Styles.
And Cena's starting to feel it now.
Oh, and telegraph that, AJ caught him in the shoulder.
[Wade] Cena just a little too slow on the uptake on that one,
and of course, those reflexes. Oh!
[Michael] Down goes Styles, Cena's in position.
[Wade] Spoke too soon, the reflexes of John Cena come to the fore.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And Styles… Oh, and a kick caught John in the back of the neck.
[Wade] These two know each other so well, digging into their own playbooks.
It's simply the stuff that both men were expecting, that's been the issue.
[Michael] Cena plants Styles again.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd] You can't see me!
[Michael] Five Knuckle Shuffle!
John looking to make quick work of Styles, has him in position,
center of the ring, Attitude Adjustment.
[crowd counting]
[Michael] AJ kicks out.
[Wade] Yeah, not that easy, not against someone the caliber
of AJ Styles who is on a mission tonight.
The Attitude Adjustment that carried John Cena all the way
to 17 world championships.
Not enough tonight, not right now anyway.
[crowd chanting "This is awesome"]
[Michael] An incredible scene tonight in Perth, Western Australia,
sold out at the RAC Arena, over 13,000 watching John Cena
perform in a WWE ring overseas for the final time in his career.
And now Styles hits it. Oh my goodness!
[Wade] To the knee of AJ Styles.
I think he injured himself in the process there.
That caught the back of the head of John Cena.
And if AJ could have got the pin there, I think he could have got victory.
Take another look at this.
It was like an AA, but with some added knee.
[Michael] The ushigoroshi from AJ Styles to John Cena.
-[Wade] Ushigoroshi? -[Michael] Yeah, pull that out.
Shout out to my buddy, Mauro.
[Wade] Shout out to Corey Graves too.
That's really where you got it from. [chuckles]
[Michael] He taught me how to pronounce it.
And now, Styles-- Uh-oh.
John Cena, though, able to slip underneath.
-And now-- Oh, hey! -[Wade] Oh!
-[Michael] A Skull-Crushing Finale. -[crowd counting]
[Michael] And a cover by Cena, and a kick-out.
[Wade] Stealing a page from the playbook of one of his great rivals, The Miz,
-just out of nowhere. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Yeah, the man he met at the main event in WrestleMania,
The Miz, who used the Skull-Crushing Finale
against John Cena on the Grandest Stage.
[Wade] John Cena knows how highly effective that move can be.
And I promise you,
of all the things AJ Styles came here tonight expecting,
a Skull-Crushing Finale was not one of them.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Miz is kinda pissed off that he didn't have a match with John Cena.
He was complaining online about that.
[Michael] He made a racket on social media, didn't he?
And now, Cena dragging Styles up on the ropes.
[Michael] AJ to the top rope now. What's John planning to do here?
Tricky predicament for both of these men.
[Wade] Well, "Tricky" is the middle name of AJ Styles.
Such a tough customer maneuvering his way out of that one.
[Michael] Oh, and a backbreaker by Styles.
Oh! And down goes Cena. Cover now by AJ.
Is it enough to put him away? And Cena kicks out.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Wade] Torture act turned into, I guess, a UFO slam.
Cena crashing down hard, but it's not quite enough
to put the Greatest Of All Time away.
And these two have absorbed a ton of punishment.
We're getting into the deep waters now, and both men are hurting.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Michael] Cena drags himself up on the corner.
AJ Styles now-- Ooh. Another clothesline delivered to John.
-And now, Styles-- Oh! -[Wade] Ooh! God!
-[Michael] Scorpion Death Drop by Styles… -[crowd counting]
…and a kick-out by Cena.
[Wade] His reverse DDT connected. The back of the head of John Cena
just bounced off the mat on impact there. Brain is scrambled.
[Michael] An homage to another one of AJ Styles' great opponents.
And Styles now with an intense look on his face.
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael] And now, AJ…
looking to put John away with a Styles Clash,
-but John able to pick the ankle. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Dragging AJ, center of the ring, here it is.
[Michael] STF, trying to lock it in.
[Wade] Trying to crank the head of AJ Styles back,
does not have it extended yet.
Agony all the same, but now, it's locked in deep.
[Michael] Yeah, the STFU.
John Cena with it locked in, center of the ring.
Styles, is he gonna tap out? Styles, though, able to slip underneath.
-[Wade] Nice. -[Michael] And now, AJ…
[Wade] Locking in that crossface now.
[Michael] There, he's got Cena's arm trapped.
[Wade] Cena a long way from the ropes here.
[Michael] Crossface locked in. John does not wanna tap out here
at Crown Jewel.
[Wade] Just almost can't even imagine John Cena tapping out.
It's been a career of denial when it comes to tap outs.
And once again, maneuvering his way out of danger.
-[Michael] Oh, look at this now! -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] A Camel Clutch, or an Accolade applied.
[Wade] Shout out, Rusev.
[crowd chanting "Rusev Day"]
[Michael] And now, is AJ Styles in trouble?
And is AJ gonna pass out? Is AJ gonna tap out?
Oh, picks the leg of John Cena.
And Styles now-- Is that a Coquina Clutch?
[Wade] A rear naked choke,
but I guess you're right there, absolutely.
And it's locked in deep,
and Cena is fading.
[Michael] John Cena's in trouble. Is Cena gonna tap here?
Is Cena gonna pass out?
Now, John Cena-- Look at the power in John.
-[Wade] The power and the desire to win. -[Michael] Roll through.
Styles is looking for the Calf Crusher. John not gonna allow that to happen.
-[Michael] And now, John hooks both legs. -[Wade] No, no way.
[Michael] Are you kidding me? John Cena, John Cena!
This isn't a Boston crab, ladies and gentlemen.
[Wade] Break the walls down.
The Walls of Jericho with Styles in the middle of the ring.
Styles may tap out. Styles may tap out.
[Michael] AJ, though, able to reverse, onto his back.
Styles now…
back to his feet, roll through yet again.
-AJ looking for the Calf Crusher. -[Wade] Oh!
[Michael] The Calf Crusher now on John.
Back and forth we go. Both these men punishing each other.
[Wade] Yeah, what an incredible transition that was from AJ Styles,
who certainly did not expect to be locked in that Walls of Jericho there.
[crowd chanting "This is awesome"]
[Wade] We are getting the greatest hits of professional wrestling from these two.
[Michael] Now, a roll through by Cena.
And Cena now gonna turn things around on AJ Styles.
And Cena's got him, trying to lock that STF again.
AJ Styles trying to do a good job to counter here,
but AJ, exhausted,
as he tried to drag himself to the bottom rope.
[Wade] AJ trying his best to keep his head as low as possible,
-prevent that crank on the neck. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] AJ hooks Cena again, in position.
-AJ Styles-- Styles Clash! -[Wade] Oh!
[Wade] Terrifying move,
-but executed to perfection. -[crowd counting]
-[Michael] Cena survives. -[Wade exclaims]
How the hell did Cena kick out of that one?
Landed flush.
And his already exhausted state from that Styles Clash,
this was the second attempt.
Second time is a charm, eating it face first with Cena,
but still not enough.
[Michael] Man, this is an incredible scene.
Quite the atmosphere tonight, sold out in Perth.
-[crowd chanting "Let's go, Cena"] -[Michael] John Cena,
as his retirement tour rolls on
against one of his great rivals, AJ Styles.
[crowd chanting "Let's go, Cena"]
[Michael] Now, AJ wants to put this one away, Wade.
[Wade] Not listening to the crowd, does not wanna fight forever,
wants this one over.
AJ's in agony, and so's John Cena, and the end may be nigh.
[Michael] Off the top rope, Styles went for the Phenomenal Forearm,
-Cena picked him out of the air. -[Wade] What?
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] God bless Bray Wyatt.
-Sister Abigail. -[crowd counting]
-[Michael] Styles kicks at two. -[Wade exclaims]
Oh, God, we knew they had to ask questions of each other.
That tribute there to Bray Wyatt.
-We miss you, pal. -[crowd counting]
[Wade] Not quite enough to get the job done here,
but Cena digging deep into his greatest opponent's repertoire,
as well as his own. And look at this scene.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Paying homage to the late great Bray Wyatt,
one of the most incredible minds in the history of professional wrestling.
And the fireflies are out in Perth.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] John had a great relationship with Bray Wyatt
as Bray was coming through the system.
It's a story for another time as John Cena now measures his man,
-AJ Styles looking to put him away. -[crowd chanting "Thank you, Wyatt"]
[Michael] Styles to his feet. John Cena lifts him up.
Cena with him in position, Styles lands on his feet,
-and now, AJ Styles-- Oh, goodness. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Angel's Wings to Cena.
-Here's the cover by Styles… -[crowd counting]
-…and a kick-out by John again. -[Wade] God, AJ did everything right there
as you would expect from a veteran on that pin,
grabbing the arm of Cena, hooking the leg,
preventing Cena getting to that bottom rope.
But a kick-out still from the greatest of all time
-after his Angel's Wings connect. -[crowd chanting "This is awesome"]
[Wade] And there is just no-- Look at the pin there.
Everything was textbook from AJ.
But so is that will to win from John Cena. There will never be another like this man.
[Michael] A tremendous respect from both of these athletes
to the men who have helped make their careers over the years.
As you mentioned, the greatest hits tonight, Wade,
as Cena and AJ Styles now exchange blows in the center of the ring.
[crowd shouting] Whoa, hey! Hey!
Whoa, hey!
[Michael] Cena barely able to stand.
[Wade] Two old sluggers, two titans of the industry.
[crowd shouting] Hey!
[Wade] And one last stand, who's dropping?
-[crowd shouting] Whoa, hey! Whoa, hey! -[Michael] Ooh, chop.
[crowd shouting] Hey! Hey!
Whoa, hey! Hey!
[Michael] Oh, Cena picked AJ.
AJ lands on his feet. AJ Styles looks to go on offense.
-John Cena now sends AJ flying. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Oh, look at John Cena now.
Wade, we know the boss is in the house. Cena was going for a Pedigree.
-Oh, goodness! Oh my God! -[Wade] Oh my God.
[crowd clamoring]
[Michael] And the official, Ryan Tran, checking on both these superstars.
[Wade] John Cena was just planted flush on the top of his head.
-Cover by Styles. Is it enough? -[crowd counting]
-[Michael] And again, John Cena survives. -[Wade] Oh.
I mean, you are millimeters away from paralysis
on a move like that.
The one John Cena just absorbed, flush on the crown of the head,
compressing all of the discs in the neck.
And clearly, Cena getting some issues with his hands after that landing.
-But still, the will to win lives on. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Cena back to his feet. Styles now seems to have the upper hand.
Cena creates some space, sends Styles out to the apron.
[crowd cheering]
[speaks indistinctly]
[Michael] Vintage John Cena.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting "RKO"]
[Wade] Oh, God. Cena's hearing those voices in his head.
And it's all these Aussies who packed out this arena.
[Michael] One of his all-time great opponents.
-The Viper, Randy Orton. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] RKO by Cena for the win!
[crowd counting]
[Michael] And Styles kicks out!
[Wade] I don't want this match to ever end.
Please keep going. What a treat!
[Michael] Two of the all-time greats, emulating some of the all-time greats.
And what is turning out to be an all-time great classic matchup
at Crown Jewel.
Oh, he can't be.
No. No, he's not… he's not thinking of this.
-John Cena's not thinking of this. -[Wade] Oh God.
[Michael] He didn't need to pull this one out of the Viper's playbook.
[Wade] The most sadistic shot of them all.
[Michael] Cena went for the punt, nobody home.
Styles rolls out of harm's way, and now, Styles with Cena on the down.
An AA!
-An Attitude Adjustment to John Cena… -[crowd counting]
…who kicks out at two!
[Wade] This is like when you make your own character on a video game
and you just give him everyone's finishing move.
They're both doing that right now, in real life.
-[Michael] It's like 2K25. -[Wade laughs]
[Michael] We're even the voices on that.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Michael] What an electric feeling here tonight, folks.
I mean, this is absolutely incredible. I've got goosebumps here at ringside.
Wade, this is why we all do what we do.
I mean, for moments like this, to celebrate these two men,
to celebrate this great sport.
[Wade] Every single one of us who ever entered the ring
dreamed of being able to do it
at the level that these two men have done it
-for the past 25 years. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And now, Styles.
-Uh-oh, no! -[crowd cheering]
-[Michael] Cena goozles Styles! -[Wade imitates bell tolling]
[Michael] Chokeslam!
-Cover! -[crowd counting]
-[Wade yelps] -[Michael] Styles kicks out!
[Michael] The Phenom almost took out the Phenomenal One.
[Wade] I don't know what to say anymore. I've… I've run out of ideas.
This match has just blown my mind.
I don't think anybody saw it going the way it's gone.
But, damn, am I thankful we are getting this.
-[crowd chanting "619"] -[Michael laughs]
[Wade] Well, that I would love to see.
-[Michael] Oh, yeah. [laughs] -[Wade] I don't… [chuckles]
I don't know if that one is physically possible
for 99 percent of professional wrestlers, I'll be honest with you.
[Wade chuckles]
[Michael] Cena, Styles, back to their feet.
Man, they've given everything in this matchup.
[Wade] Oh God! There's no way, there's no way, John.
-[Michael] There's no way, no way, no way! -[Wade] Don't do it, don't do it.
[Michael] It's gonna be…
[Wade] Uh-oh.
[Michael] I thought it was gonna be John Cena once again.
But John Cena going for the 619 was interrupted by AJ Styles.
[Wade] John Cena trying to give the people what they wanted.
-It may have backfired, however. -[Michael] And a kick to the ear.
Cena's down. Styles may have him where he wants him.
This could be the beginning of the end.
Styles…
-450! -[Wade] Oh!
[Michael] Classic 450 by AJ Styles.
[Wade] Knees connecting with John Cena, kind of overshot the runway,
but it may have had even more impact as a result.
[crowd clamoring]
[Wade] Some old school AJ Styles.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Wade.
-I think we're tuning up the band. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Sweet Chin Music!
-HBK would be proud! -[crowd counting]
[Michael] And a kick-out by Cena. Another great Cena rival.
[crowd clamoring]
[Wade] There will never be another two competitors like these two.
And there will never be another match like the one we are witnessing here.
[Michael laughs] Styles trying to figure out,
-"What the hell do I do now?" -[Wade laughs]
[Michael] "Are there any moves left?"
-What was your finisher? -[Michael] The An-Cole Lock.
[Wade] Uh, don't use that.
-That would ruin this experience. -[crowd chanting "This is awesome"]
[Michael] Uh-oh, Styles has got Cena. He took the elbow pad off.
John Cena in trouble.
Phenomenal Forearm to Cena!
-Cover by Styles. -[crowd counting]
[Michael] John Ce-- Oh!
And now, AJ starting to second-guess himself, or maybe,
third-guess himself or fourth.
[Wade] Just running out of moves at this point. You've tried literally everything.
I don't know where you possibly go at this point.
I'm exasperated.
This audience is blown away. AJ Styles is flummoxed.
[crowd chanting "Yes"]
[Michael laughs] This is… This is incredible.
[Wade] The audience really dictating the match at this point.
[Michael] Uh-oh, Cena with Styles up on his shoulders.
Styles with a couple of well-placed elbows.
-Can he create the separation he needs? -[Wade] Oh!
-[Michael] And he does. -[Wade] God, they were solid shots.
Nothing pretty about that. This could be a KO here.
Referee needs to take a look.
[Michael] Cena, though, powers up Styles!
Attitude Adjustment!
-The AA by John Cena! -[crowd counting]
[Michael] Oh, AJ kicked out again!
-[Wade] My God. -[Michael yells] Are you kidding me?
[Wade] That was 2.99, it could not be any closer.
Just when AJ built a head of steam, a flash AA,
and look how late this kick-out is. Oh my God.
Referee's hand less than an inch away from the mat
when AJ lifted that shoulder.
[Michael laughs] I mean… I… Words can't describe this anymore.
This is an incredible atmosphere. It is an unbelievable match.
[crowd chanting "This is awesome"]
[Wade] "This is awesome." It's also surreal.
I feel like I'm delirious with jet lag at this point.
I keep pinching myself. "No, this match is actually happening."
[Michael] And now, Styles placed on the top rope now,
and you gotta wonder what's going through Cena's mind.
He's throwing everything he has at AJ Styles and--
[Wade] Well, the ropes is traditionally not John Cena territory.
It is territory for AJ Styles.
[Michael] And Styles trying to fight out of this,
but John Cena now has Styles on his shoulders.
[Wade] Go big or go home.
[Michael] And Styles fights out of it, delivers an elbow to the ear,
and another one to John Cena.
[Wade] The elbow shots have been so effective for AJ Styles,
and now, John Cena lands awkwardly in the ring.
[Michael] And now, Styles, caught by Cena, roll through, and as JBL would say,
"Big Match John is here!"
-[crowd gasping] -[Wade] Oh my God.
-[crowd cheering] -[Wade] No way!
-[Wade screams] -[Michael] Tombstone Piledriver!
-AJ Styles, rest in peace! -[crowd counting]
-[bell ringing] -["The Time Is Now" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Alicia] Here is your winner!
John Cena!
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen,
this is why we all fell in love with professional wrestling!
The display that was put on by the greatest of all time
and one of the all-time greats was indescribable tonight.
The passion, the emotion,
the performance of John Cena and AJ Styles was one for the ages.
[Wade] Man, I wish every single wrestling match
was exactly like what we just saw.
That was incredible.
What an ode to professional wrestling that match became.
♪ I drop their whole clan Lay your ass down for the three… ♪
[Wade] Take a look at some of the highlights.
The entire match was a highlight.
This was the vintage John Cena tribute, that Randy Orton DDT.
One of several highlights followed up by a flush RKO.
They came so close to putting away the Phenomenal One,
but not quite ready to go to bed.
[Michael] And then, John Cena, I mean just the power,
the classic of Cena.
And he would turn this into, well, the final homage of the evening,
to the American Badass, the all-time great, The Undertaker.
The Tombstone Piledriver, and Cena would pick up the win off the AA.
[crowd chanting "Thank you, Cena"]
[crowd cheering]
-[crowd cheers] -["The Time Is Now" playing]
[Michael] Enjoy it while you can, ladies and gentlemen.
Because next year will be the final year
in the career of that man, AJ Styles.
And for the greatest of all time, John Cena, only four dates remain
in a legendary career that has crowned a 17-time world champion,
who has become a movie star, and above and beyond all that,
a philanthropist and a humanitarian.
And John Cena embracing his lovely wife, Shay.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] John Cena… another classic performance
in decades of classic performances.
[crowd clamoring, cheering]
-[crowd cheers] -[Michael] The last time is now.
Four dates remain.
♪ You can't see me, my time is now ♪
[Wade] Four dates remain.
I don't know how you top what we just saw, but I do know John Cena will try.
♪ Of all stances A gift and you insist it's my rep ♪
♪ John Cena, Trademarc You'll are so-so ♪
♪ We talked about the bread you make ♪
♪ But don't know the recipe For dough, though ♪
♪ Aiming guns in all your photos That's a no-no ♪
[Michael] Well, that man, Cody Rhodes, knows that he's in Seth Rollins' head.
He's had his number, has never lost to Seth one-on-one,
and he knows he can damage Rollins' vision tonight.
The main event is coming up in a matter of moments.
-It's champion versus champion. -["One Eyed Bastard" playing]
Take a look at the career numbers, Wade, of two surefire Hall of Famers.
[Wade] Yeah, absolutely.
A couple of best of their generations right there.
But who is the superlative best? It can only be one.
Both men believe they are the leading light
of this company, of this industry. But something has to give tonight.
And I do wanna take one quick moment to do this.
And that is a standing ovation for what we just saw
from John Cena and AJ Styles.
One of the greatest matches that I've ever witnessed here in WWE.
But coming up next,
Australia is about to blow the roof off this place
because one of their own is in action.
None other than Rhea "Bloody" Ripley as she teams up with Iyo Sky
to take on The Kabuki Warriors.
[dramatic music playing]
Asuka, Kairi! I always knew that it would come to this.
Try me.
[shouting in Japanese]
-[indistinct arguing] -Stop fighting!
There was a little part of me
that hoped that we could settle things in the ring.
-[Joe] Oh, the mist! -[Wade] Poison Mist to the eyes!
So, Kabuki Warriors, come and get me!
-[crowd cheering] -[mouths] Come on!
[Sky] You are right about Asuka and Kairi.
-But they are my family! -[suspenseful music playing]
And I still love them!
Iyo-chan, it's up to you what happens next.
Iyo-san, we can be a family again!
But for Rhea, it's too late!
I'm sorry, Rhea!
[crowd groaning]
[crowd gasping]
[Joe] The Kabuki Warriors attacking Rhea, Wade.
And here comes Iyo!
[in Japanese] Asuka, your jealousy and your disrespect changed everything.
[Wade in English] Poison Mist in the eyes of Iyo Sky!
[Sky in Japanese] Asuka, you only want what's best for you.
[in English] We are not family anymore.
[in Japanese] But I'm starting to find out who is.
[tense music playing]
[Joe in English] Betrayed, and now on the other side
of those she considered family,
Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley will take on The Kabuki Warriors.
What you did to Iyo, that crossed the line.
At Crown Jewel, you'll find out that Asuka isn't ready for Iyo.
[music concludes]
[Michael] And ladies and gentlemen, we are just a matter of minutes away
from this classic tag team matchup.
The toxic relationship of Asuka and Kairi Sane,
The Kabuki Warriors, as they look to group together
to take on Australia's own Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky next.
[song concludes]
[Michael] We are in the beautiful capital city of Western Australia.
This is Perth. Middle of an unbelievable weekend here.
SmackDown last night, Crown Jewel tonight.
And of course, Monday, we wrap things up with Monday Night Raw.
[Wade] That rollercoaster-looking bridge, we drove past that yesterday.
["Reigning Warriors" playing]
-[Michael] Thanks. -[Wade] You're welcome.
-[Michael] I'm sure the people… -[Wade laughs]
…people really care about that note.
[Wade] All right, I'll leave the tourism stuff to you next time.
-I get it. I'm standing on your toes. -[Michael laughs]
[Wade] Is that what you're worried about?
-Jeez. -[Michael laughs]
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following is a tag team match scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first,
the team of Asuka and Kairi Sane,
The Kabuki Warriors!
[Michael] I sweat through my suit in that last matchup.
-[Wade laughs] -[Michael] And we still got more to come,
including this! You know, this relationship,
and I was firsthand to it yesterday at the kick-off show,
-it's toxic. -[Wade scoffs] What?
[Michael] It's borderline abusive between Asuka
and the way she treats that woman, Kairi Sane.
At one point yesterday,
Kairi was cowering in fear of Asuka, standing behind me, of all people,
trying to get away from this crazy Asuka.
[Wade] No, I'd say Kairi's crazy if she's standing behind you for protection.
But more to the point, Asuka just has a domineering personality.
-[Michael] You think? -[Wade] Kairi is more of a wallflower.
Not everybody in this world is built to be a leader.
-Asuka is a leader. -[Michael] Yeah, but Asuka--
-[Wade] Kairi is a follower. -[Michael] Asuka is pitting Kairi Sane
against one of her longtime friends in Iyo Sky.
Kairi doesn't wanna be in this. She doesn't wanna be conflicted like this.
She wants everybody to be a big family and Asuka has no interest in that.
[Wade] Well, Kairi would not have to be conflicted
if Iyo Sky didn't turn her back
on her friend and mentor, Asuka, in the first place.
[Michael] Boy!
-Getting hungry, getting thirsty. -[Wade chuckles]
Can we get some refreshments at the desk, please?
-[Michael laughs] -[Wade] I'm begging you!
-I mean, but on a serious point… -[music fades]
…the two before us here, The Kabuki Warriors,
genuinely are one of the greatest women's tag teams of all time.
-["Tokyo Shock" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Wade] And their opponents tonight really have their work cut out for them.
-[screams] -[Alicia] And their opponents,
first, from Tokyo, Japan,
Iyo Sky!
[Michael] Iyo Sky, who-- I mean, I feel terrible for this woman.
She was brought up, of course, in the Japanese system,
where Asuka was the senpai, which is the leader of the group,
the senior member.
Iyo Sky, well, she was the junior member in the kohai system, and…
Asuka says that she never treated Iyo Sky as less than.
-She always treated her as an equal. -Let's go!
[Michael] Iyo Sky has a different opinion on all this.
[Wade] Well, I'd say if Iyo Sky's career has gone like it has,
and she's won World Championship after World Championship,
many people say she is, bell-to-bell, the best wrestler in the world.
[Michael] I think she's the greatest in the world today.
[Wade] Well, that's great. You know who you thank for that?
The mentor, the person who guided her there,
and that just so happens to be Asuka, the one you're now calling toxic.
[Michael] I think Asuka was jealous of Iyo Sky
and all she accomplished without the help of The Kabuki Warriors.
[Wade] Stop right there. Stop right there.
Asuka tried to help Iyo Sky at Wrestlepalooza beat Stephanie Vaquer
and was told by Iyo Sky, "No, don't do it."
-[Michael] Good! -[Wade] Asuka has been trying to help--
It wasn't good!
-Iyo lost the match! -[music concludes]
[crowd clamoring]
-["Demon In Your Dreams" playing] -♪ This is my brutality! ♪
[crowd screaming, cheering]
♪ Hey! ♪
[crowd cheering]
♪ I eat, sleep, bleed The demons in your dreams ♪
♪ I eat, sleep, bleed ♪
♪ Look at my eyes, look a… look alive ♪
♪ Look at my eyes, this is do or die… ♪
[Alicia] And her tag team partner
from Adelaide, South Australia,
Rhea Ripley!
[Michael] It has been quite the return to Australia for Rhea "Bloody" Ripley.
Remember the last time she was in Perth, February 2024, Wade,
she main evented Elimination Chamber against Nia Jax.
♪ Do or die ♪
[Wade] Biggest wrestling star this country has ever produced,
a major crossover star.
Everyone who is anyone knows exactly who Rhea "Bloody" Ripley is.
And what a hero's ovation she's getting here.
[Michael] From the humble beginnings of Riot City Wrestling here in Australia
to becoming a three-time World Champion, a Royal Rumble winner, an NXT champion.
Rhea Ripley is on top of the world.
And now she hopes to follow in the footsteps
of what fellow Australian, Bronson Reed, accomplished earlier tonight.
And that was a victory over The OTC, Roman Reigns.
[Wade] A hard-fought victory was that,
and this is not gonna be any easier for Rhea Ripley and her partner Iyo Sky.
Now, we talked about the break-up
in the relationship between Iyo Sky and The Kabuki Warriors.
The catalyst for that was Rhea "Bloody" Ripley.
And Asuka was not impressed
that Iyo was showing some loyalty to Rhea Ripley
rather than staying with the original crew from Japan.
That's where these issues really became a problem.
[Michael] Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky go way back.
They've teamed together a number of times in NXT.
They've of course been competitors and rivals.
A lot has been made over the fact that Rhea's never been able
to beat Iyo Sky in one-on-one action.
But tonight they find themselves teammates--
-[bell ringing] -[Michael] Oh, look out now.
Kabuki Warriors wasting little time, going right after Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley.
And this is great strategy by the former tag champs.
[Wade] Yeah, as well they should.
I'll say right now, that shows a tag team in the Kabuki Warriors
against two individuals, Iyo and Rhea Ripley,
who were still having a powwow as the bell was ringing,
trying to figure out who was starting the match.
[Michael] You know, I asked Iyo Sky yesterday
if she could put all these feelings aside
and actually fight her once former best friends,
and she unequivocally said, "Of course I can."
And now the fight is underway, Ripley back into the ring.
[Wade] I'll tell you right now, I don't care how good a friend you are
with anyone in this industry, when that bell rings,
you better be ready to fight or you're in serious jeopardy
of going straight to the hospital.
[Michael] Rhea Ripley who knocked off Asuka in action…
-[Wade] Oh, jeez! Oh my God. -[Michael] …a couple of weeks ago,
driven head-first into the post!
[Wade] What a smart move by Asuka there.
And Kairi Sane's taking a dip out the ring in the meantime.
-[Michael] And now, here we go. -[crowd chanting "Iyo"]
[Michael] Asuka and Iyo Sky grew up together in the Japanese system.
Former tag team in a group called Triple Tails,
becoming the best of friends as they came to WWE NXT in the United States.
Okay?
[shouting in Japanese]
[Michael] And now opponents tonight.
[Wade] Loyalty and respect are huge in Japanese wrestling culture.
Almost a maternal relationship between Asuka…
-[Michael] Oh! -[Wade] …and her protégé, Iyo.
Well, that's all out the window here.
[Michael] Yeah, the high-octane offense of the Genius of the Sky, Iyo Sky.
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael] And I unabashedly say, Wade,
I believe she's the greatest wrestler on the planet today.
[Wade] I'm certainly not gonna argue with that.
However, the mentor, Asuka,
probably knows a few tricks that she never taught Iyo.
[Michael] Yeah, The Empress of Tomorrow, Asuka, in that conversation as well.
Greatest NXT Women's Champion of all time.
[Wade] Iyo really is a woman who is at the peak of her powers this year,
not long removed from being World Champion.
[crowd chanting "Iyo"]
[Wade] Nearly lost it through Money in the Bank cash-in.
[Michael] Yeah, between the two in the ring,
five world championships combined.
Both have been NXT title holders as well.
And now Iyo and Asuka, which…
classic matchup, no matter how you look at it.
Asuka, there's the quickness.
[Wade] These two know each other's strengths and weaknesses so well.
[Michael] Oh, Iyo Sky with a dropkick to Asuka.
[Wade] The ability to second-guess what their opponent is gonna do.
Don't forget, this is a tag match, as much as it seems to have turned
into a one-on-one for the time being.
-[speaking Japanese] -[crowd chanting "Iyo, Iyo Sky"]
[Michael] Iyo Sky looking to teach Asuka
perhaps a lesson in respect.
[crowd chanting "Iyo, Iyo Sky"]
[Michael] And Asuka rolls out of harm's way.
Great move by the veteran.
[Wade] Barreling out of the ring, she had to.
-She was under a flurry of attacks. -[Michael] Iyo!
-[Wade] Oh my God! -[Michael] Suicide dive!
-[screams] -[Wade] It's never felt more suicidal
than when Iyo Sky does it, so reckless with her own body.
[Michael] And Kairi Sane tried to help Asuka out,
ran into her right hand,
but that distraction allows Asuka to take over.
-And that kick, did you hear that? -[Wade] Oh!
Well, that head straight into the steel was exactly what took down Rhea Ripley,
and we've not seen her since.
And now it looks like it's flatlined Iyo Sky.
This dive from Iyo always looks completely reckless,
but it's always so effective.
And now finally, Rhea Ripley has been stirring.
Bell was rung a few moments ago--
Her bell was rung, I should say, not the match bell.
But now it's Iyo Sky who is the legal one for that team, and…
[Michael] Yeah, she's in trouble, she hit the post hard.
-[Wade] In a real mess. -[Michael] And a big kick by Asuka.
-[referee] Four! -[crowd clapping rhythmically]
[Michael] Iyo trying to drag herself back into the ring.
Count of five now by the official Jessika Carr.
[Wade] "Fast Count Carr," as she's known.
Gave a fast count couple weeks ago.
[Michael] That's actually the nickname you gave her.
[Wade] It's true, she is a fast count.
[Michael] Seven. Iyo's in trouble.
Iyo, you're at eight now.
Iyo, you're at eight, and she just beats the count,
back into the ring.
[Wade] May have wanted to stay down there, Iyo,
and just take the loss.
[Michael] And this is the pace you want now
if you're The Kabuki Warriors.
[Wade] Well, you've got a wounded Iyo Sky
who has had the stuffing knocked out of her,
is not moving well at all, is looking defenseless.
Yeah, you can slow this down to whatever pace you want.
Iyo simply is incapable of fighting back.
[crowd gasping]
One, two…
[Wade] Torturous hold here from Kairi Sane.
Just pick your shot right now.
All the time in the world to abuse the body of Iyo Sky.
[Michael] And Kairi off the top rope.
Oh! And there's that flying forearm.
-Cover now, stacks up Iyo for the win! -[crowd counting]
And a kick-out by Iyo Sky.
[Wade] Kairi might have hit Iyo a little too hard there,
almost bounced all the way across the ring and within the range of Rhea Ripley.
[Michael] The one thing that I will give Asuka credit for
when it comes to Kairi Sane,
she's brought out the aggression in Kairi.
[Wade] Well, it took long enough.
Kairi Sane was almost hesitant to strike Iyo Sky a couple of weeks ago.
[Michael] And I guess she's bought into the propaganda.
I guess she's been brainwashed by Asuka.
You see the way that she's assaulting Iyo Sky in this matchup tonight.
[Wade] Well, Kairi's not an ingrate like Iyo Sky.
Kairi appreciates what Asuka has done for her career.
-[crowd chanting "Iyo, Rhea"] -[Wade] She shows loyalty to Asuka,
to her mentor,
to the woman who brought her all the way to the top here in WWE.
[Michael] Well, if I'm Iyo Sky, I'd go it alone.
She's had a lot of success that way, as Asuka now…
just having her way with Sky, continues to punish Iyo.
[Wade] How's that success going for you now, Iyo Sky?
[Michael] And now Asuka just mouthing off to Rhea Ripley.
Her attitude is incredible.
[mockingly] "Respect me!
[Asuka speaking inaudibly]
[crowd chanting "This is awesome"]
[Michael] Oh! And a kick by Asuka to the spine.
-And Asuka again. And look at Asuka go. -Back down, let's go! Come on now!
Hey, hey, hey! [counts]
[Michael] Well-precisioned strikes by The Empress of Tomorrow.
[Wade] And right now, it looks…
[Michael] And a cheap shot by Kairi.
[Wade] It looks like a mentor against a rookie in there.
And that is how easy it has been for The Kabuki Warriors
since they took the upper hand against Iyo Sky.
And it really was that headshot against the steel post to Sky
that has completely taken the wind out of her sail.
[Michael] Asuka is so smug.
And Iyo trying to fight back.
Trying to make a tag to Rhea Ripley.
If that tag's made, this place is gonna explode.
[Wade] How badly does Rhea Ripley need to get into this match?
How badly does Iyo Sky need to get out of this match?
[Michael] What a blow to the back of the head!
[chuckles] And now just-- Look at-- Just mocking Ripley.
-[inaudible] -[crowd booing]
[Wade] I know you don't like Asuka, but I find her incredibly entertaining.
Brilliant competitor, of course, we both agree on that.
[Michael] I said earlier, I had a very unique perspective
when it came to Asuka and Kairi yesterday at the kick-off show.
And Asuka missed wildly with a kick. Iyo trying to make it across the ring.
Tag made. Kairi's legal.
Can Kairi prevent Iyo Sky from making the tag?
And she does.
[Wade] Nice job, Kairi, following orders to a T.
-[Sane] We are family! -No, you're not!
[Michael] Now Kairi mouthing off to Rhea, a little bit of that attitude.
[Wade] "We are family," that's what Kairi is saying to Rhea Ripley.
And you know full well, Kairi would re-embrace Iyo Sky
-in a moment's notice… -[Michael] Oh!
[Wade] …but Iyo has to make that decision for herself.
[Michael] Kairi went for a cheap shot, Rhea Ripley drawn into the ring.
Wise move by Kairi Sane 'cause it's gonna allow the double team.
[crowd booing]
[Wade] And Rhea Ripley is causing this beatdown of Iyo Sky.
She's becoming completely unhinged in the corner.
[Michael] I told you, Rhea felt guilty last week
when Iyo got misted on Raw
and she wasn't there because she was in Australia,
taking care of her personal and business issues.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Michael] And again, you heard the "We are family" before, Wade.
Asuka and Kairi blamed Rhea Ripley
for Iyo Sky leaving the nest, so to speak.
And Iyo trying to fight back now. Look at Iyo go, as tough as they come!
[Wade] Hardest shots you will not see in a wrestling ring.
-Oh my God! -[Michael] Oh, what a backhand!
Oh, what a backhand and a kick by Asuka!
-[Wade] How is Iyo still standing? -[Michael] No idea.
[Wade] They were like four K.O. blows in a row.
Iyo's ate them all.
I don't think she knows where the hell she's at.
That's probably a good thing.
[Michael] She's gonna find out real quickly that Kairi Sane's legal.
[crowd booing]
-[crowd gasping] -[Michael] Oh, goodness! Iyo Sky's done.
-Cover by Sane. -[crowd counting]
[Michael] Hooks the leg and a kick-out,
but that was a great cover by Kairi, to grab the leg closest to the rope,
forcing Sky to expend energy by kicking out.
[Wade] So much vindictiveness in every single shot
that The Kabuki Warriors are throwing at the body of Iyo Sky.
What an absolute mugging this has turned into.
And Rhea Ripley in the corner, probably feeling fresh as a daisy,
cannot get in there.
[Michael] The anxiety's setting in for Rhea, Wade.
She understands this is a critical moment, that her friend Iyo's in trouble.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Wade] And this audience here came here expecting the Rhea Ripley Show.
It's not gone that way at all, far from it.
[Michael] It has been all The Empress of Tomorrow
and her tag team partner Kairi Sane,
-showing you why they've been… -[Wade] Oh!
…multiple-time world tag champions.
[Wade] Got so much hatred here,
but somehow weathering the storm is Iyo Sky.
-Oh my God! -[Michael] Iyo's switching gears!
-[screams] -[crowd cheering]
-[crowd groaning] -[Michael] Ooh!
[Asuka shouting in Japanese]
[Michael] I think that slap just made her more angry.
[Wade] Ooh. I'm so glad I'm retired.
[Michael] Iyo with Asuka, face-down goes Asuka,
-Iyo with an opportunity. -[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Wade] That was the right move from Iyo Sky.
It was a strikefest, knocking lumps out of each other,
pulled out a flapjack unexpectedly
and bought yourself a chance to crawl and escape from this
and blow the roof off this place!
-[crowd roaring] -[Michael] Here comes Rhea Ripley!
The Eradicator!
[crowd cheering]
Bang, down goes Kairi! Asuka runs into a dropkick.
[Wade] The most physically dominant woman this industry has ever seen.
-[chuckles] -[Michael] What about the power?
-[Wade] This is Rhea Ripley right here. -[Michael] Cover!
[referee and crowd counting]
[Michael] And Kairi able to kick out.
[Wade] Remember, being misted and beaten down
by The Kabuki Warriors a couple of weeks ago.
Check this kick out.
-[Michael] Boom. -[Wade] Ouch.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Like one of the Matildas players putting that ball in the back of the net.
-However, it was the skull-- -[Michael] Who?
[chuckles] And Kairi Sane, it's football or soccer over here.
[Michael] Oh, now, looking for the Razor's Edge,
and Kairi Sane able to work out of that maneuver.
[Wade] Kairi Sane has been absolutely vicious tonight
and I'm loving it.
[Michael] Yeah, it's been a new-look Kairi Sane tonight.
I think Asuka finally, uh… I think Kairi Sane basically said,
"I just gotta deal with Asuka and do what she tells me,"
and it's been effective.
[Wade] Try and match the kind of abuse that Asuka regularly throws
at her opponents, and Kairi has done a sterling job this evening.
-They've now neutralized Rhea Ripley. -[Michael] Ooh! And Asuka--
-Cover now by Asuka. -[crowd counting]
[Michael] A shining wizard and a kick-out by Rhea Ripley.
[Wade] It was Kinshasa-esque.
Shinsuke Nakamura-type shot there to the jaw of Ripley.
[Michael] Yeah, we saw the return of Shinsuke
on Friday Night SmackDown, last night.
And now, Kairi Sane up to the top rope,
Rhea with a clothesline.
And now, Kairi, nobody home, went for that flying forearm.
And Rhea-- What a kick! She about decapitated Kairi!
[Wade] Man, these women are going bananas in this ring tonight.
-Just the heaviest of hitters. -[Michael] Tag.
[Wade] And now, Iyo Sky back in the fight.
[crowd cheering]
-[Michael] Rhea with a Razor's Edge. -[Wade] Oh!
What a high landing on the back of the neck of Kairi Sane.
[Michael] And Iyo Sky, The Genius of the Sky.
Missile dropkick!
[crowd cheering]
-[Michael] Cover for Iyo! -[crowd counting]
[Michael] Somehow, Kairi survives.
[Wade] Yeah, I've no idea how Kairi Sane kicked out of this.
A little tribute to the Terror Twins' Damian Priest,
followed up by this shot from Kairi,
from-- Excuse me, Iyo Sky.
-[Asuka shouting] -[crowd applauding]
[Wade] I mean, how tough are these four women?
How hard-wearing have they had to be?
[Michael] As physical as it comes, Iyo Sky not going to allow Kairi
-to make the tag as she shook her head… -[Asuka] Kairi! Kairi!
[Sky screams]
[Michael] …at Asuka. Kairi able to counter.
[Asuka cheers]
[Michael] And now, Sane with an Alabama Slam.
[crowd booing]
[Michael] And Kairi, with a cheap shot to Ripley.
[Wade] It's about as smart a thing as you can do.
You might not like it, but getting Ripley down now.
Iyo Sky, even if she gets to the corner,
there's no one there to save you, Iyo.
[Michael] Iyo back to her feet.
It looked like that Kairi was setting up for the Insane Elbow--
Oh! A deep arm drag from off the ropes for Sky.
-[crowd cheering, applauding] -[Michael] Iyo gonna go up top.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] She was looking for Over the Moonsault
before Asuka provided the distraction and Kairi Sane takes control.
[Wade] Head of Iyo just bounced off the top of that ring post.
Nothing the referee can do, Asuka did not touch Iyo,
ducked out of the way, now goading Rhea Ripley.
[Michael] A baseball slide drops Rhea to the floor.
[Wade] Again, what a master plan by The Kabuki Warriors,
just baiting Rhea Ripley in and pouncing,
-disabling the powerhouse Australian. -[Michael] Oh, into the steps!
[Michael] And again, The Kabuki Warriors, Wade, have had an answer for everything.
They have dominated this match since the get-go.
[Wade] Well, that's how you win tag team matchups.
You get on the same page, you build chemistry,
and yeah, you'd be pretty damn good individuals too.
But that's the difference. Iyo Sky…
-Oh, here we go. -[Michael] Moonsault!
-A springboard moonsault from Iyo. -[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Wade] Was gonna say Sky and Rhea Ripley just don't have that same telepathy
that The Kabuki Warriors do, but Sky might win this on her own now.
[Michael] Iyo sending Kairi back into the ring.
Kairi rolls toward a corner.
[crowd chanting "Iyo, Iyo Sky"]
[Michael] Being serenaded by the sold-out crowd here tonight.
And there's Iyo's bullet train attack!
Has Kairi where she wants her. Iyo up to the top rope.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Sky with Over the Moonsault.
-Here's the cover. -[crowd counting]
-[Michael] Asuka just saving the match! -[Wade] Oh!
A millisecond away there, superb timing from Asuka.
Will turn apace right when she needed it.
-[crowd gasping] -[Michael] Ooh, what a kick by Rhea.
Rhea's had enough, she's about to explode.
[Wade] Rhea ain't legal though, she may be in a second.
Referee giving both teams a ton of leeway in this tag team match.
[Michael] Tag made, Rhea now legal.
Ripley now, lifting Kairi Sane up.
Asuka though,
causes Iyo to balance and fall on the top turnbuckle.
-Roll through by Sane for the win. -[crowd counting]
-[Michael] Rhea kicks at two. -[Wade] Ooh, so close there.
-[crowd gasping] -[Michael] Oh, what a headbutt.
-[Michael] And Rhea… -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Looking for a little Riptide, but Kairi…
Tag made by Asuka.
[Wade] One move you wanna avoid it is that Riptide,
and Kairi did a great job of wriggling out of that.
Now, dropped with that spinning back fist.
[Michael] And then a big kick by Asuka.
One!
[Michael] Asuka has Rhea in position.
-[Wade] We've seen this… -[Michael] Kairi Sane from the top rope.
[Wade] We've seen this double team several times recently.
-Oh! -[Michael] And the Insane Elbow to Ripley.
-Asuka into the cover. -[crowd counting]
[Michael] And this time it's Iyo Sky saving the matchup.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Wade] Well, both teams have been a millisecond away from victory here,
only for their partner to save the day.
[crowd chanting "This is awesome!"]
[Wade] With all four women barely able to move at this point, fighting on fumes.
[Michael] Kairi with a step-up enzuigiri, stuns Iyo Sky.
Rhea back to her feet with a kick of her own.
And now, Asuka.
Iyo Sky off the top rope,
missile dropkick to Asuka, right in the jaw.
[Wade] Yeah, right to the face.
When you try and position yourself when someone's flying at you,
you try and catch it on the chest at least.
Asuka just did not get the chance.
Take another look at the impact here.
Look where the feet go, right on the kisser.
-Boom! -[Michael] Oh goodness.
[Wade] There you go, mentor, thanks for everything.
[crowd applauding]
[Michael] Gotta say, Asuka had that coming.
[crowd shouting indistinctly]
[Michael] Asuka, Rhea Ripley, face-to-face.
[Wade] These four women are gonna need a month off after this match.
-So vicious. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Two women in the ring that have dominated the women's division
-for many years here in WWE. -[crowd booing]
-[Michael] Asuka, Rhea exchanging blows. -[crowd cheering]
[crowd booing, cheering]
[Michael] And it's Asuka now, with a backslide, shoulders down,
Rhea able to kick out. Misses wildly with a kick,
Rhea caught her-- Oh, went for a boot of her own.
Asuka with a great block that time.
And Rhea with a kick to the face, drives Asuka to the corner.
[Wade] Durability of Asuka has taken a real beating
-in these last few minutes, and this… Oh! -[crowd gasping]
[Michael] Face-first off the turnbuckle, and Rhea's feeling it.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Shrugging off all that pain and exhaustion,
tapping into that anger and looking for catharsis.
[Michael] And now, Rhea Ripley gonna drag Asuka up.
Headbutt now delivered to The Empress of Tomorrow.
Rhea looking to hook Asuka,
perhaps, for a big Avalanche Riptide here, Wade.
[Wade] One way to finish things for--
[Michael] Kairi Sane just tagged herself in.
Wise move by Kairi.
Rhea was gonna hit the Avalanche Riptide,
-and Kairi Sane… -[Wade] Oh!
[Michael] …just ran into a big boot by Ripley.
[Wade] Well, what loyalty from Kairi Sane,
shoving Asuka out the way and eating the bullet herself.
And, oh God, Cole, she may live to regret that selfless act.
-[Michael] Rhea Ripley with a Riptide. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Tag made by Iyo Sky.
Top rope, Iyo!
Over the Moonsault, cover!
[crowd counting]
-[Michael] And the win! -[bell ringing]
-[crowd cheering] -["Tokyo Shock" playing]
[Alicia] Here are your winners!
The team of Rhea Ripley
and Iyo Sky!
[Michael] Wade, you know what they say,
blind faith in your leaders will get you killed.
And Kairi Sane just got destroyed here tonight.
[Wade] Well, this is the save by Kairi Sane, shoving Asuka out the way.
Asuka's been down since. Asuka was about to be down and out.
Kairi saved the day for her, but ended up eating this double whammy.
The Riptide, followed by the Over the Moonsault,
and how good must that have felt for Iyo Sky.
Delivering the death knell to The Kabuki Warriors tonight.
-Tight hook pin, never in doubt. -[bell ringing]
[Michael] And Rhea Ripley celebrates the tag team victory.
Her home country in Australia.
["Demon In Your Dreams" playing]
♪ Look at my eyes, do they look alive? ♪
[Michael] Well, Wade, take a quick break now
for a programming note. Of course, Monday Night Raw will be here
-live in Perth this coming Monday. -["4X4" playing]
♪ Damn, lil' bro, he did it, one-and-done, yeah ♪
♪ Out my closet, that none-of-none, yeah ♪
♪ That's a vibe, that's a one-on-one, yeah… ♪
[Michael] That's Monday Night Raw on Netflix.
And look at the Intercontinental title match,
"Dirty" Dom and Penta.
[Wade] What a massive matchup against two great luchadors.
["One Eyed Bastard" playing]
[Michael] And also, this great tag team match.
[Wade] Bayley and Lyra Valkyria have had countless problems
with The Judgment Day of late.
Well, they go head-to-head, two-on-two, this Monday live on Raw from Perth.
♪ I can remember all the bad memories ♪
♪ I never forget a face That's quite so ugly… ♪
[Michael] Well, last year, Cody Rhodes won that title
and became the inaugural Crown Jewel Champion.
Tonight, he looks to go back-to-back with the World Heavyweight Champion
from Monday Night Raw, who is in a must-win situation.
With all the pressure on his shoulders, Seth Rollins stands in his way.
[music fades]
[dramatic music playing]
[Rollins] We both had some hoops to jump through to get to this point.
[Rhodes] You changed my life.
[Corey] The prodigal son has returned!
Cody Rhodes has defeated Seth Rollins.
[Rhodes] You changed my life.
[Jimmy] Battered, bruised,
Cody Rhodes defeats Seth Rollins inside Hell in a Cell.
[Rhodes] You changed my career. You were the shield for me.
[Michael] Cody Rhodes is champion!
[Rollins] But here we are.
Crown Jewel Championship.
The Undisputed WWE Champion against the World Heavyweight Champion.
The winner of that match may decide the future
of this entire industry.
I have done everything right.
I have taken two young men under my wing.
I am the one to lead this industry into the future.
[Rhodes] You talk of the future, but all I see is you cribbing plays
from the past,
surround yourself with some muscle,
and act like you are better than everyone else.
But if you want to live in the past, that's fine by me,
because the scoreboard back there still reads three-zero.
At Crown Jewel, I'm gonna cleanse the timeline.
And you will find out what happens to those
who stand between me and fulfilling my vision.
Don't do it. He's in your head. Don't do this.
[music fades]
What happens if I lose?
[tense music playing]
[Heyman] You throw away everything that we've built since WrestleMania.
You lose the faith of Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed.
And you become nothing more in history than a de facto secondary Champion.
I have to win.
[Rhodes] At Crown Jewel, bring everything you have
and you'll find out it's still not enough to beat me.
[Rollins] Two of the best in the world in their prime.
[Rhodes] Champion versus Champion.
[Rollins] May the best man win.
[music concludes]
["One Eyed Bastard" playing]
[Michael] We are moments away, ladies and gentlemen, from our main event.
It is to crown the new men's Crown Jewel Champion.
Will it be the undisputed WWE champion, Cody Rhodes,
or will it be the world heavyweight champion, Seth "Freakin" Rollins?
♪ …Bada bing, bada bing, bada boom ♪
♪ Bada bing, bada bing, bada boom ♪
[song concludes]
[Michael] Thirty-three hundred embedded stones,
50 carats of diamonds, 250 total carat weight.
It is the beautiful Crown Jewel Championship.
And that is up for grabs right now.
[music fades]
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following contest is a Champion-versus-Champion match
to determine the Men's Crown Jewel Champion.
-["The Vision" playing] -[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting "Oh whoa oh"]
-♪ Burn it down ♪ -[crowd] ♪ Burn it down ♪
[Michael] The weight of the world on the shoulders of Seth Rollins,
who goes into the match alone tonight.
You heard Paul Heyman tell both
Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker earlier tonight,
that Seth Rollins needs to do this by himself.
[crowd chanting "Oh whoa oh"]
♪ Burn it down ♪
[Michael] Cody Rhodes is in this man's head.
Seth Rollins has never defeated Cody Rhodes
in a one-on-one matchup.
[crowd chanting "Oh whoa oh"]
[crowd cheers]
[Rollins shouting indistinctly]
[Wade] Gotta say, Cole, the pressure really is on Seth
in more ways than one tonight, of course, after what Paul Heyman said.
Then, on top of that, what The Vision did earlier tonight,
ripping the heart out of The Bloodline.
Seth has to prove he can lead those killers.
-♪ Burn it down ♪ -[crowd] ♪ Burn it down ♪
-[music concludes] -[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting "Oh whoa oh"]
[crowd cheering]
-["Kingdom" playing] -[crowd cheering]
♪ Wrestling has more than one Royal family ♪
♪ Adrenaline in my soul Every fight out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
♪ Crowd is here, about to blow Waitin' for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
-♪ Whoa! ♪ -[crowd] ♪ Whoa! ♪
♪ And my father said, when I was younger ♪
♪ Hard times breed better men ♪
♪ You took it all away, I give it all away Can't take my freedom ♪
♪ Here to change the game A banner made of pain ♪
♪ I built my kingdom ♪
♪ Now you bow to me You took my dreams but not my name ♪
♪ You'll follow me into the end I am my kingdom ♪
♪ Lights go down, I'm ready now Tear this roof off for the town ♪
♪ Gonna give 'em what they came to see ♪
♪ Hear the crowd… ♪
[Michael] That is the Crown Jewel Championship ring
that Cody Rhodes is sporting.
Of course, he is the inaugural Crown Jewel Champion.
-♪ Whoa! ♪ -[crowd] ♪ Whoa! ♪
♪ And my father said, when I was younger ♪
♪ Hard times breed better men ♪
♪ You took it all away, I give it all away Can't take my freedom ♪
♪ Here to change the game A banner made of pain ♪
♪ I built my kingdom ♪
♪ Now you bow to me You took my dreams but not my name ♪
♪ You'll follow me into the end I am my kingdom ♪
-♪ You tried to tell me what to do ♪ -♪ I saw the door and kicked it down ♪
♪ I stepped right over… ♪
[music fades]
[Michael] Let's head up to the ring and Alicia Taylor.
[bell ringing]
Introducing first,
from Davenport, Iowa,
weighing in at 225 pounds,
he is the World Heavyweight Champion,
-Seth "Freakin" Rollins! -[crowd] Rollins!
[crowd chanting "Oh whoa oh"]
[Alicia] And his opponent,
from Atlanta, Georgia,
-weighing in at 222 pounds… -[shouts indistinctly]
…he is Undisputed
WWE Champion,
"The American Nightmare"
-Cody Rhodes! -[crowd] Cody Rhodes!
[Michael] The man who is known as Quarterback One
who wants to do for WWE over the next two decades
what John Cena did the past two decades,
lead this company into the future.
[crowd chanting "Cody, Cody Rhodes"]
[Michael] For Seth Rollins,
what he has built over the past year is at stake.
His vision is at stake in a must-win situation.
Earlier tonight,
Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker destroyed Roman Reigns.
Reed pinning Reigns and, in fact, perhaps destroying The Bloodline.
If Rollins loses tonight,
what does that do for Bron and Bronson as they look to this man for leadership?
Will The Vision disintegrate before our very eyes?
[crowd chanting indistinctly, applauding]
[Michael] You know, Seth hasn't talked to many people, Wade,
over the past couple of weeks.
But he did tell me heading into this matchup
that his gear was going to be bits of gear that he wore in his matches
against Cody Rhodes over the past number of years.
And then, of course, the watch of Seth Rollins.
[Rollins speaks indistinctly]
[Wade] All the polka dots, we've seen those before.
It's from the Hell in a Cell match between them.
[bell ringing]
[Wade] These are the ghosts of Seth's past with Cody.
A reminder of the demons he is trying to exorcise tonight.
[Michael] And now Rollins and Cody Rhodes start this matchup off,
and a very aggressive Rollins in the early going.
One, two, give me a break. Three, listen to me, hey.
Back off, keep it open.
[Wade] You know Seth is fired up for this one.
Laser-focused,
and if you aren't laser-focused when you've got so much in your mind,
you are in danger of unraveling.
There was a couple of times in the early goings here
Seth has over-committed, and it hasn't worked out.
[Michael] Wade, there's just some point in your career
that there's someone who has your number, right?
-I mean, that you're just not gonna-- -[Wade] Oh, me? Everyone had my number.
[Michael] That you're just not gonna be able to beat.
[Wade] But-- I agree, but that's Seth Rollins,
that isn't the case.
And that's the big issue,
because the only person that's ever been the case with
is Cody Rhodes, this is the Achilles' heel.
And that's why Seth has taken that so badly.
Seth sees himself as the unabashed number one.
And again, Cody just turned around,
and when Seth Rollins looked like he was building up some momentum,
took it away from him.
[Michael] Cody now, vertical suplex to Rollins.
-Face-first goes Seth. -[Rhodes yells]
[Michael] And Cody is fired up.
Again, this is for the bragging rights, as Rollins gets upset with the official.
[Wade] Rollins is upset with himself more than the official.
He's yelling at the official, perhaps,
but he knows he's beaten himself in the early goings here.
[Michael] Shawn Bennett working this matchup.
[Wade] And now listen to this chant. They're getting in the head of Seth too.
It's all conspiring to pull The Visionary himself downwards tonight.
[Michael] Yeah, but if Rollins is gonna be considered
an all-time great, he's gotta focus.
These are the matchups he needs to focus in,
he can't allow the WWE fans to get in his head,
he can't worry about what Paul Heyman's thinking,
what Bron and Bronson are thinking,
he's gotta take care of business tonight,
and knock off the one man he's never been able to beat.
[Wade] Seth's issue…
[crowd jeering]
[Rollins shouting inaudibly]
[Wade] I mean, this just does not all go well whatsoever
for Seth Rollins,
who's completely losing his mind in the early goings.
You can see how much Cody is getting into the head
-of Seth Rollins here. -[Michael] Cody playing the game right.
[speaks indistinctly]
[Rhodes] Taking what Rollins is giving him here.
[inaudible]
[Wade] Seth really needs to lock in or this is gonna go south in a hurry.
And I think that little walk around the outside of the ring,
once he blocked out the audience,
probably did a world of good for Seth Rollins.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd chanting "Cody, Cody Rhodes"]
[arguing indistinctly]
-Let's just do this. Let's just do this. -You just wanna do it?
-You just want to fight? -Let's just do it, all right?
[Michael] And Rollins, turned around with a cheap shot,
he runs into the forearm of Rhodes.
[Wade] "Cody, you just wanna fight?" Well, Cody's always game for a fight.
[Michael] Rollins with a kick.
-Rollins just went for a Stomp. -[Wade] Real low.
[Michael] Now looking for a Pedigree, Cody able to duck out of it.
-Oh! And a big right hand to Rollins. -[Wade] This is going horribly for Seth..
And now Cody Rhodes sends Seth Rollins over the top rope!
[Wade] I'll tell you right now.
Seth Rollins, every single time you see him in that ring,
he is the picture of ice-cold cool.
-Tonight, it's not been the case at all. -[Michael] Wade, he's out of control.
[Wade] I mean, right from the early goings,
-he's trying to drop the big bombs! -[Michael] Relax!
[Wade] That is not how Seth Rollins operates.
-[Michael] He's throwing a fit! -[crowd jeering]
[Wade] I mean, he's going for a Stomp right at the early goings.
He's going for a Pedigree at the early goings.
Seth Rollins is unraveling before our eyes.
And this is how you lose a match to somebody like Cody Rhodes.
-And this is perhaps… -[Michael] And Seth Rollins--
[Wade] …why the Achilles' heel that is Cody Rhodes
has been such a big problem in Seth's career.
[speaking inaudibly]
[Michael] Seth. Seth, just relax now.
-Just relax, come on. -[crowd gasping, jeering]
[Michael] Relax. Nobody even called you anything.
-Come on now. -[crowd cheering]
You okay?
-[Wade] I'm good, Cody. -[Michael] Yeah.
[Wade] Go take care of him now.
Uh-oh, Cody Rhodes sending the table flying.
Seth Rollins in trouble here.
Rollins, though, took advantage.
Rollins drives Rhodes into the steel steps.
And now Rollins
driving Cody Rhodes into the announce table.
And Rollins, who's completely unhinged here tonight,
is trying to turn this into his favor.
An emotional Seth Rollins.
[Wade] He seems to be turning it around now finally,
and the place is getting absolutely trashed.
Referee giving a long count to everybody here.
Seth Rollins now on the barricade.
Rhodes is in deep trouble, doesn't wanna be in that spot, Wade.
-Seth Rollins-- Oh! -[Wade] Oh!
[Michael] The shoulders of Rhodes, driving them to the floor.
[Wade] Don't forget that Cody has had major shoulder issues before
relating to that pec tear he suffered in that…
[Michael] And a cover now by Rollins.
-And a kick-out. -[Wade] …Hell in a Cell match.
[Michael] Rollins is just--
He's acting desperately is what he's doing here in this matchup.
Cover, off the suplex to Rhodes.
And a kick-out by Cody.
[Wade] Well, I'd argue that that desperation has finally started
to pay off for Seth Rollins.
It went horribly wrong in the early goings,
and I don't know what the hell that was about with us two.
[Michael] Well, he lost control--
[Wade] But finally he's locked back in, and he's got control of the match,
which is really the entire point of tonight for Seth.
[Michael] And Cody fighting back. The point is, it's been 15 years,
Seth Rollins has made a career out of being in control.
The things that he has done to better his career and better himself
is because he's in control of the situation.
Cover now by Rollins. Is it enough? Cody's got a kick-out at two.
[Wade] Well somehow, inadvertently,
he's managed to get in control of the situation tonight
and is looking back to being dominant once again.
[Michael] Yeah, but wait, can he finish the job here tonight?
Can he finally beat Rhodes?
[Wade] History would suggest no,
based on the track record between these two.
However, the future demands that yes, he has to finish this.
[Michael] Rollins kick to the midsection, trying to hook Cody again.
And Cody Rhodes able to turn it around, looking for the Figure Four.
And Seth Rollins counters.
And now Rollins, kick again.
Cody will land on his feet.
-And Seth Rollins, Disaster-- -[Wade] Nice!
-That was beautiful! -[Michael] Counters with a powerbomb!
Here's the cover! And a kick-out by Cody.
[Wade] God, that was the absolute best of Seth Rollins right there.
And this is now the absolute worst of this version of Seth.
[Michael] It looked like Cody was gonna go for the Disaster Kick here.
-[Wade] Yeah, he was. -[Michael] And Seth Rollins is right there
and he turned it into that sit-out powerbomb.
[Wade] Well, not only do you have to have amazing reflexes,
but incredible technique there.
Seth Rollins really does have it all. Apart from his faculties right now,
as he's continuing to scream at the referee.
[Michael] Which is, Wade, it's why I find it odd.
Seth Rollins with moves like that has proven
he is among the best on the entire planet. He's a six-time world champion.
But he's just let Rhodes get into his head.
He's been eaten up with ego over the fact that he can't beat Cody.
[Wade] I wouldn't say it's ego, it's his entire future.
He needs to keep Paul Heyman on-side.
He needs to keep The Vision on-side.
He needs to remain the leader of this industry.
It's far bigger than just simple ego.
[Michael] It's ego. His entire career has been ego.
His entire career has been about nobody but himself.
-It's been all about Seth Rollins. -[Wade] Nonsense.
Primary motivation of Seth Rollins has always been the advancement
of this industry.
From day one, he's taken this industry
-to new heights. -[Michael] Oh! And again!
[Wade] And he can only do that if he's leading from the very front.
He wants to be the guy. He wants to be QB1.
The problem is somebody else currently is in that role.
[Michael] Well, then act like it. How about that?
[Wade] Well, you act like that by beating the guy who is in the role of QB1.
Let the world know, Seth.
[Michael] Cody trying to drag himself back in and he's hurting.
[crowd chanting "Oh whoa oh"]
[Michael] And Rollins, as you mentioned before, Wade,
he's starting to settle in now.
He's starting to believe a little bit more.
[Wade] I'll tell you right now, some guys, and Seth isn't usually like that,
are slow starters in matches. I always was in my career.
I needed to be kicked around for a few minutes
before I really slotted into game mode.
And the adrenaline was running, and you feel like Seth
got through that early ten minutes of the match…
[Michael] And he still has an issue with what you're saying here.
[Wade] He can't hear what I'm saying. I'm saying good things about you, Seth.
[Rollins speaking inaudibly]
They said it Seth, not me. That's not my opinion.
I shouldn't have said that thing on SmackDown.
[Michael] Yeah, you almost got me beat up because of your big mouth.
I'll pick your ass apart.
Every part of this body, bitch.
[crowd chanting "We want Barrett"]
I'll rip you apart.
[crowd chanting "We want Barrett"]
[Wade] Well, you're not getting him. I promise you that much.
I'm staying sitting here.
[chuckles] I know what's good for me.
[Michael] And Cody fighting back now, taking the fight to Rollins.
-Oh! -[crowd gasping]
[Michael] Dragon Screw by Rollins and Cody's all beat up,
bad arm, bad leg now.
[Wade] And that confidence crisis of Seth Rollins,
you just see it dissipating as the seconds tick by.
The confidence started to seep out of these pores.
-[Michael] And again. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Talk about overconfidence.
Now this is ridiculous.
The man has not beaten Cody Rhodes,
and now he's screwing around doing cartwheels in the ring.
[Wade] Well, that's a little Stardust for you, isn't it?
Two can play at the mind games, you know? "Let me get into your head."
"Remember who you really are, Cody. You're not QB1, you're Stardust."
[Michael] Now again, concentrate on beating the man, finally.
Then you can do all the cartwheels you want.
You can even paint your face gray if you want.
Now…
And again, uh…
You know what he's doing there.
Of course, his dad, the late great American Dream, Dusty Rhodes,
and Cody fighting back though.
[Wade] Pushed the wrong button on that one, didn't you Seth?
[Michael] Uh-oh, and Rollins, takedown.
And now Seth looking for a Figure Four.
And Rollins trying to lock it in.
Center of the ring and now Cody's in trouble.
[Wade] Stealing one of Cody's own moves there.
Again, the mind games and the physical torture continue.
-And again, Cody Rhodes… -How about it, Rhodes, what do you say?
Cody, you wanna quit? How about it, Cody?
No! No. Cody, what do you say?
[Michael] Cody doesn't have any quit in him,
trying to roll under his belly and reverse the leverage here,
reverse the pressure.
How about it? No, no!
[Michael] Rollins brings him right back to the middle of the ring,
-and Cody's in trouble here. -[crowd counting]
-[Wade] Here's the issue, Cody put… -[Michael] Shoulders down.
[Wade] …a lot of energy trying to reverse that pressure, it didn't work.
Just like Flair beat your daddy's ass, son!
[referee] How about it, Rhodes, what do you say?
Cody! How about it Cody? What do you say?
-[Rollins] No, no! -[Rhodes grunts]
-[Michael] Cody reverses it! -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And now Cody Rhodes has control, and Rollins is in pain.
And Seth needs to make it to the rope for a break.
Rope! Come on, boys. Hey, break it up!
[Michael] Again, Rollins feeling the effect of that reversal
on the Figure Four.
[crowd chanting "CM Punk"]
[Michael] That's one way to get under Rollins' skin.
[Wade] I mean, they've done it nonstop
since the second Seth Rollins walked out here.
Seth Rollins against everybody at the moment,
and it's not working out too well for Seth.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Michael] Even matchup so far. Cody…
With a big right hand--
Oh, nope, Seth still holding on.
Oh! And hanging up Cody on the top rope.
[Wade] Seth Rollins at his best is just a little bit quicker than Cody Rhodes.
Always has been a freakish mover has Seth Rollins.
Right now, Cody cooking up something here.
[Michael] Cody's got Rollins in all kinds of trouble here.
-[crowd gasping] -[Michael] Oh goodness!
Both men down.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Vertebreaker action here, shoutout Shane Helms.
Cody has so much taken out of him, did not follow it up with a pin.
[Michael] This is for the Crown Jewel Championship.
Cody Rhodes, the inaugural Crown Jewel Champion.
Battling Seth Rollins here tonight. Champion versus champion.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd cheers]
[Michael] Cody blocks.
Builds momentum, down goes Rollins.
And there's the power slam.
[Wade] And is this where Seth Rollins starts to spiral once again?
You had your time of dominance,
-it has passed. -[Michael] Disaster Kick.
[Wade] And now Cody in the ascendancy and looking unstoppable.
[Michael] Now the left hands, the southpaw Cody.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Bionic Elbow!
And Seth driven out of the ring.
[Wade] Well, spilling to the outside rather fortuitously,
but there's nowhere to hide here.
[Michael] And a suicide dive driving Rollins into the barricade.
[Wade] Cody with all the momentum in the world.
And it's all again just going wrong for Seth Rollins.
Maybe it's too much pressure on his shoulders.
Too much weight to carry in The Vision.
[crowd chanting "Cody, Cody Rhodes"]
[Wade] His vision of the future starting to slip away before our eyes.
[Michael] Cody now off the second rope.
Cody Cutter!
Cover by Rhodes to win the Crown Jewel Championship.
Rollins gets the shoulder up.
[Wade] Another look at this Cody Cutter.
[inaudible] …that's Seth "Freakin" Rollins,
a further test of ambition in this industry.
Who is the guy? Who is the superlative best?
And if you're a betting man, you are betting on QB1 himself.
[Michael] Cody dragging himself back to his feet.
-[roars] -[Michael] Has Rollins where he wants him.
Looking for Cross Rhodes to put Seth away.
-Seth, though, able to roll Cody up. -[crowd counting]
[Michael] Kick-out at two.
And a step-up enziguri caught Cody.
Dropped down. [chuckles] That was unique.
-[Wade] Little trick for you. -[Michael] Oh! And Rollins…
Pedigree!
-Seth for the win. -[crowd counting]
[Michael] Cody's still in it.
[Wade] Well, dropping those heavy bombs now is Seth.
He tried right at the beginning of the match.
It was way too early, but now you've got your opponent softened up.
Nice kick to the gut, following up with that pedigree.
That is a move that Seth has won countless matches with.
It's a little different when you're in there with a WWE champion
the level of Cody Rhodes.
The two best in our game right now.
[Michael] The RAC Arena in Perth sold out tonight over 13,000…
on hand for WWE Crown Jewel.
[Wade] Question remains, who is gonna continue pulling the train
into this brave new world?
Cody Rhodes or the man on top right now, Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[Michael] Now, Cody back to his feet, hooks Rollins.
Went for Cross Rhodes, Seth, Cross Rhodes of his own, cover by Rollins.
-[crowd] One, two… -[Michael] Cody somehow kicks out!
[Wade] Cody living dangerously here,
looked at one point like he was lining up a Stomp.
He got out of there and connected with his own move,
the Cross Rhodes.
Seth now incredibly frustrated and forlorn in the ring, questioning,
"What the hell do I have to do to finally get a win against this guy?"
[Michael] Keep the pedal to the metal, keep the pressure on.
[Wade] Is that Seth Rollins starting to believe it's just not his destiny
to be the leader, to be number one?
Is he always gonna be in second place?
[crowd chanting "Oh whoa oh"]
[Michael] Rollins heading up to the top rope.
[Wade] Taste of that freakish aerial ability. Oh!
[Michael] Misses as Rhodes moves out of harm's way.
Seth misses wildly. Cody, top rope.
-Top-rope Cody Cutter… -[Wade] What a heavy landing.
[Michael] …Rollins moves out of harm's way.
Seth will hit a pedigree on Cody!
And now Rollins with a Stomp to Cody Rhodes.
Cody made a mistake.
-Rollins capitalized. -[crowd] One, two…
-[crowd gasps] -[Michael] And Cody kicked out!
Now, Rollins has gotta be wondering,
"What the hell do I need to do to put Cody away?"
[Wade] From disbelief to despondency for Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
Two of his biggest shots landed one after the other.
-And still no. -[crowd chanting "This is awesome"]
[Michael] Rollins arguing with the official Shawn Bennett.
Thought it was a slow count. Cody beat the count.
Now, Rollins trying to figure out what he's gotta do.
[Wade] Seth is bugging out now, his eyes bulging out of his head.
It's like he's living in a dream world.
[crowd gasping]
[Wade] He's looking like a man possessed here
and I'm not quite sure what's going through his mind.
[crowd booing]
[Wade] The gift that Cody gave to Seth after WrestleMania XL
when Seth assisted Cody in climbing to the pinnacle of this industry
and becoming the WWE Champion.
[Michael] And how ironic it would be if Seth Rollins would use
that gift to finally slay his demon,
to exorcise his demon of Cody Rhodes.
But he thinks twice about it, and it may cost him.
Cody with a kick.
[Wade] It would have been a disqualification,
-the referee would have seen it. Oh, God! -[Michael] Top-rope Cody Cutter!
Rhodes, Cross Rhodes!
-Cover! -[crowd] One, two…
[Michael] Oh, my goodness, I thought Rhodes won it.
[Wade] The lightest and the latest of kickouts,
Seth Rollins almost beat himself with that distraction.
Holding the Rolex watch, allowing Cody Rhodes to do this.
And then following up with a Cross Rhodes
while both men have now connected with two of their heaviest shots
back to back.
And their opponent, their fellow world champ has kicked out.
[Michael] And now, Wade, is Cody starting to question himself perhaps?
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Well, Cody historically knows he can get the job done.
He has done this against Seth before.
He knows he's gotta dig deeper than against 99 percent of opponents.
The question is, what else is in your playbook, Cody?
-And how quickly can you execute it? -[crowd chanting "Cody Rhodes"]
[Michael] Cody going up to the top rope.
Rollins trying to make it back to his feet.
And he does, and he causes Cody to lose his balance.
[Wade] God, so perfect was that from Seth Rollins.
A light tap on the back of the knee was all it took
to collapse Cody, a shot at the right spot.
[Michael] Now Cody hung up, locked in,
and Seth Rollins takes advantage of a defenseless Cody.
[indistinct reprimand]
[Michael] Rollins right back into the fight.
The official warning him, he's got a count of five or could be disqualified.
[Wade] Seth's gotta be careful here,
his world turns to black if he does get disqualified.
And again, trying to lock back into the fight, shut out the noise.
Cody Rhodes looks like a dead body in the corner.
All that blood rushing to his head,
you guarantee his faculties aren't there right now.
The body is in agony.
And if Seth can drop the hammer here, he has a victory in sight.
[Michael] Well, Rollins got something on his mind.
Looking across the ring to Cody Rhodes,
who's just trying to somehow get back into the fight.
Rollins now from the top rope!
Rollins perched.
Rollins! Oh, my goodness, Coast-to-Coast! Rollins!
[Wade] Coast-to-Coast like you've never seen before, Seth, you madman.
[crowd jeering]
[Michael] And that could turn the tables in Rollins' favor.
Cover on Rhodes, and Cody somehow kicked out again!
[Wade] Seth went for broke, he hurt himself in the process.
I think he's messed up that left arm-slash-shoulder.
Take another look at this, it was the landing of Seth.
It did a real number on Cody Rhodes,
but I think the left arm of Seth damaged on that landing,
it could be elbow. Seth's in a bad way here.
[Michael] And Cody Rhodes, can he take advantage?
Rollins couldn't put Cody away with that Coast-to-Coast,
and Rhodes now has a chance.
And the doubt again creeping into the mind of Rollins.
[Wade] I mean, tricks like that that you've never pulled out before
that risk your own body in the process.
And now shaking out that left arm,
trying to get a little feeling back in there.
That's not what you want this deep into a match
against your mortal enemy.
Against a man who could ruin your entire future in this industry.
[Michael] Cody Rhodes in trouble now on top of the top turnbuckle.
[Wade] Let's face it, both men are in big trouble
at this point of the match. I don't care who's leading the charge,
both men are in a really bad way.
And still shaking out that left arm is Seth Rollins, and struggling gingerly
to climb the turnbuckles.
[Wade] Well, there can be no let up.
If you wanna be the leader, if you wanna be the best,
now is the time to dig deeper than you ever have done before.
[Michael] And that's what Cody's doing.
Cody with the right hand knocks Rollins off the ropes.
[Wade] Seth could barely brace on that landing, that arm is so bad.
[Michael] Seth up to the top rope now.
Surprising Cody there.
[Wade] How are you doing, Seth?
-Oh! [Michael] Oh, my goodness.
-Rollins, Spanish fly. -[Wade] Spanish fly.
[Michael] And now Seth… Down goes Rhodes!
-Cover for the win. -[crowd] One, two…
[Michael] Cody again.
Oh, my God.
[Wade] I mean, what's worse for Seth Rollins at this point,
the physical agony that he is clearly in,
or the mental agony that Cody's refusal to die is putting Seth through.
[crowd chanting "This is awesome"]
[Michael] Cody somehow still in this fight
after the abuse that Rollins has handed him
over the past number of minutes.
Rollins clearly favoring that left arm, Wade.
[Wade] Yeah, it's in a bad way.
I don't know what damage has been done to the elbow,
the shoulder, the tricep. It just isn't working properly.
It's been ever since he went coast to coast in a suicide fashion.
[Michael] And Rollins staring down at Cody,
crawling across the ring on his knees.
Rollins has Cody in position.
[Wade] Cody's inadvertently crawled right into the danger zone,
exactly where-- Oh, no.
[Michael] Oh! He went to the second rope, he took too much time,
and it allowed Rhodes to get back in it.
[Wade] Well, Cody may have been playing a little possum there,
dragging his carcass over to the corner where Seth was laying.
Seth is in a really, really bad way.
I cannot stress this enough, that left arm.
[grunts]
Get down, guys, come on!
[Wade] There was no letter from Cody Rhodes,
nor should there be at this level.
How badly do you want it? Well, you're getting your answer now.
[Michael] Cody with-- He's got Seth hooked,
both men up on the top rope.
-[Wade] Oh! -[Michael] Cody Rhodes!
Cover for the win! Shoots the half, hooks the leg.
-[crowd counting] -[Michael] Rollins is still in it.
[Wade] Oh, God.
A Cross Rhodes off the top rope after all this damage.
This was the end. This was the end of the match.
This was good night. Goodbye, Vision.
It all comes crumbling down for Seth Rollins.
I don't know if this was instinct or what, his brain can't be working,
but somehow Seth's future in this game lives on
thanks to that incredible kick out.
[Michael] A massive Avalanche Cross Rhodes could not put Rollins away.
And this fight continues for the Crown Jewel Championship.
[Wade] Just both men are spent.
-[crowd singing indistinctly] -[Wade] I mean, the referee close
to calling this one off to protect both men,
but the consequences are too great. We need a winner.
[Michael] Yeah, these two are not gonna give up, Wade.
You're gonna have to drag him out of the ring.
[Wade] Seth is just a broken man in there, physically and mentally.
[Michael] And Cody taking advantage.
[Wade] Point in a match where you need to leave humanity at the door
if you really wanna be the top dog.
Seth looking like the one-armed bandit here,
but still valiantly throwing bombs the way of the face of Cody Rhodes.
[Michael] Well, let's not forget the amount of punishment
Cody has suffered as well.
-[indistinct crowd chanting] -[wrestlers grunting]
[Michael] Still fighting.
[Wade] Here's the issue, Seth couldn't block any of those shots.
He was throwing with his right, he couldn't block with his left.
[Michael] Rollins, looked like he was going for a Stomp.
And now it's Cody Rhodes delivering the kicks to Rollins.
[Wade] Again, Seth is fighting one-handed here.
And it's all Cody Rhodes now.
[Michael] Cross Rhodes and Rollins able to counter.
Kick again to the midsection and Cody now looking for a pedigree,
Rollins escapes and… He just grabbed that Rolex watch.
-[Wade] Cody has no idea. -[Michael] Neither does the official.
[Wade] Referee blindsided for now.
[Seth grunts]
[Michael] Oh, kick by Rhodes and the official knocked down.
Cody with an opportunity.
Rollins used the watch to knock out Rhodes.
[Wade] The referee's winded in the corner after that inadvertent collision.
And Seth Rollins tied it perfectly.
[Michael] Seth Rollins…
delivered the Death Blow to Rhodes with the Rolex watch
that Cody gifted him.
And now Cody Rhodes with no clue where he's at, barely moving.
-Rollins with a Stomp. -[crowd cheers]
[Wade] Apparently, one's not gonna do it. Seth knows how tough Cody is.
Seth's tried this before, it didn't work, it needs something extra.
[Michael] And now, Seth perched on the top rope,
Cody Rhodes coming too.
Rollins has got Rhodes where he wants him, Seth Rollins.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Michael] From the second rope with another Stomp to a helpless Cody.
Seth Rollins falls into the cover.
[crowd counting]
-[bell ringing] -[Michael] Rollins exorcised his demons.
-[crowd cheering, applauding] -["The Vision" playing]
[Alicia] Here is your winner, the 2025
Men's Crown Jewel champion…
-[Michael] Well the frus… -[Alicia] …Seth "Freakin'" Rollins.
[Michael] The way the frustration built throughout this matchup
for Seth Rollins, he became desperate.
He couldn't put Cody Rhodes away, and at the end of the day,
he grabbed the Rolex watch, he delivered a knockout blow to Cody,
which set up two Stomps to earn Seth Rollins the victory
in his first career win over the American Nightmare.
[Wade] I don't know if Seth Rollins is in ecstasy right now, mentally speaking.
But by the look on his face, maybe he is, or if it's just the relief
of years of his Achilles heel.
Cody Rhodes having a three-and-O advantage over him.
This is the moment I thought Seth had blown his entire chances.
With that coast to coast suicide style, Spanish flies attempted too.
Cody was equal to all of them though. Cody just kept kicking out.
[Michael] Just kept coming back and he kept surviving.
And then Cody Rhodes from the top rope with an Avalanche Cross Rhodes,
which we thought was the end of this, Wade.
[Wade] Yeah, it looked like it was,
and any normal competitor, it would have been.
But this is Seth Rollins on a promise, on a mission tonight.
With everything in Seth's world on the line.
This was the moment he grabbed that Rolex watch
behind the referee's back and got winded in this incident here.
A chance to take a cheap shot at the jaw of Cody Rhodes, cold-cocking Cody.
And following on with first a regular Stomp and then a Super Stomp,
giving Seth "Freakin'" Rollins finally a victory
-over Cody Rhodes. -[bell ringing]
[Michael] And Wade, how the landscape has changed.
A couple of years ago, it was Seth Rollins who helped Cody Rhodes
finish his story at WrestleMania.
Cody Rhodes was so thankful that he gifted Seth Rollins that Rolex watch.
And tonight, Rollins uses it against Rhodes…
-Nice and tight, boss man. -[Michael] …to finally…
Nice and tight, we done this a couple times.
[Michael] …to finally slay his demon.
[crowd chanting "Oh whoa oh"]
-[Seth] You better put my name on it. -[Michael] And the beautiful
-Crown Jewel watch, 175 diamonds… -[laughs] That's right.
[Michael] …2.86 carats, given to Seth Rollins, who…
Like a glove!
[Michael] …who now, Wade, finds his vision clearly intact.
[Wade] It was all or nothing for Seth "Freakin'" Rollins tonight.
And Seth, to his credit, did exactly what he said he would do.
He won this 1,000 percent on his own, with no backup,
no help, and Paul Heyman…
you can start planning that party, but back in the USA.
[Michael] Wade, I can't argue with you. Seth Rollins did do it on his own.
You might be upset with the way he accomplished the feat,
but he got it done.
And Rollins finally…
finally ends years of distress at the hands of Cody Rhodes.
And the World Heavyweight Champion is now the Crown Jewel Champion.
He's got the-- Cathy Kelly-- Oh, well…
-Oh, well. -Oh, boohoo!
I don't need your question, Cathy. I know what you're gonna ask.
How does it feel to get that monkey off your back?
How does it feel?
[crowd cheering, applauding]
It feels better than any of you could ever imagine.
Because some of us dream impossible dreams.
And some of us have the fortitude to reach those dreams.
But there is only one man, one man.
-[chuckles] -[crowd clamors]
Only one man who reaches higher than the highest.
I am no longer just the greatest of my generation.
I prove tonight I'm the greatest of all time!
-[crowd cheering, applauding] -That's right, that's right.
There's only one, and he is a visionary.
He is a revolutionary.
-He is Seth… -[crowd] "Freakin'" Rollins.
[Michael] Well, thank goodness he was humble.
["The Vision" playing]
[Michael] I'm really interested, Wade,
in what happens now come Monday Night Raw…
from right here in Perth.
To see what Seth Rollins and Paul Heyman and Bronson Reed
and Bron Breakker have planned. What the vision is for the future.
[song continues]
[Michael] The celebration of champions here tonight, Seth Rollins…
the Men's Crown Jewel Champion…
and the Women's Crown Jewel Champion, Stephanie…
Vaquer
It has been an incredible night here tonight in Perth, Western Australia.
Again, we invite you to join us Monday night on Raw. , Western Australia.