[dramatic music]
[Ric] Woooo!
[The Rock] If you smell...
[bell tolling]
-[Triple H] The King of Kings... -[Cena] You can't see me.
[Batista] WrestleMania. That's what it's all about, right?
The biggest stage...
[audience cheering]
...the biggest opportunity,
the biggest moment.
Legacies are built on those moments.
But listen up, champ. It's just that.
A moment.
Understand this.
What you possess is coveted,
and that puts a target on your back.
Trust me, I know.
Found myself a target a few times.
Could be for a short time, or it could be for all time.
The onus is on you,
because the backlash is coming.
♪ Let's start a tiny riot ♪
♪ Stop being so... quiet ♪
[Cole] Roman Reigns has to defend the Universal Championship
against Cesaro.
You will never be on my level.
[Charlotte] Asuka and Rhea can only take the division so far.
I can beat both of them in the same night.
♪ Turn the pouring rain to the wave ♪
♪ Of a tiny riot ♪
[roars]
I will leave Backlash still champion.
[Corey] We better reinforce the ring.
[Pat] This is the Bianca Belair era.
It's time for The EST to be G-O-N-E.
[Batista] Now what if, just once,
we did something just for us?
Tonight,
the stakes have risen.
And we never know who may show up.
[Corey] Three colossal larger-than-life Superstars collide.
[Batista] It's time to eliminate those who stand in your way.
[Roman] You're gonna challenge me?
I'm The Tribal Chief around here.
[man] Admittedly.
[Batista] Gamble with fate...
[man] When the chips are down, Drew McIntyre steps up.
...get on your strength.
[Bianca] I am the B-E-S-T.
Leave nothing and take everything.
At WrestleMania Backlash, I'm taking back what's mine.
It's not too late to go back.
[growls]
So, tell me something.
WrestleMania Backlash is here.
What are you gonna do about it?
[narrator] And now, Zack Snyder's Army of the Dead presents
WrestleMania Backlash.
♪ Start a tiny riot ♪
♪ Stop being so... quiet ♪
♪ Got a spark in your heart So strike it ♪
[Adnan] You are looking live from the critically acclaimed ThunderDome.
This is WrestleMania Backlash,
streaming exclusively on Peacock.
The 16th event with "backlash" in its title,
dating back to Backlash 1999
and the first non-WrestleMania pay-view to have WrestleMania in its name.
The last time two new champions were crowned
in a Triple Threat Match in the same pay-per-view
back to WrestleMania 34 in 2018.
And with that, we say welcome. Alongside "B-Sax" Byron Saxton,
and "The Savior of Misbehavior" Corey Graves.
I'm Adnan Virk. A tremendous night, Corey, on tap tonight.
How could you not be fired up?
We've got a Lumberjack Match, five championship matches,
the first of which, just moments away.
Speaking of those matches, the RAW Women's Championship,
a triple-threat right out of the gate, Byron.
I am amped up, I am so excited to see where the chips are gonna fall
when Rhea Ripley defends against Asuka and "The Queen" Charlotte Flair
in a Triple Threat Match to the RAW Women's Championship.
Many would say that the championship, we're walking into a nightmare,
is in serious peril.
[Adnan] The challengers, "The Nightmare" Rhea Ripley,
the champion is Asuka.
It is all about the RAW Women's Championship.
-[grunts] -Rhea Ripley,
she is bold and unapologetic.
You okay, Asuka?
[Adnan] A couple of rolls by Asuka, now, the kick, and now, Ripley stunned.
Asuka's in her zone.
-[audience] Oh! -[grunts]
[Saxton] This has been a back-and-forth matchup
between Rhea Ripley and Asuka.
[Adnan] Rhea Ripley asking for more.
-Uh-oh. -[Saxton] Oh, oh!
[Adnan] Riptide!
[audience] One, two, three!
Rhea Ripley wins the championship!
Rhea Ripley...
-[man] The new... -...RAW Women's Champion.
[Charlotte] A new champion was crowned, a star was born.
But she wasn't the only one thinking of opportunities.
I had an actual WrestleMania match taken from me.
You know, the biggest stage that all the talent dream of being on?
It was taken from me.
You know what they say?
Karma is a bitch.
[Corey] Asuka versus Flair.
I don't steal opportunities.
[Corey] Figure-Eight submission is in.
I am the opportunity.
[Saxton] Whoa, this would never-- Whoa, whoa.
-Three! -[Adnan] It's over!
Asuka pulls off a win.
Charlotte Flair clearly not pleased with the referee's decision.
[Saxton] Come on, Charlotte.
[Corey] The Queen has gone mad.
This is gonna cost Charlotte big-time, no doubt about it.
Classless behavior by The Queen.
WWE official ad appears that Charlotte Flair
will fined $100,000 and suspended indefinitely.
[Sonya] I am happy to announce
that Charlotte Flair's suspension
has officially been lifted.
And I have learned the error of my ways.
Now, you've already made the right decision.
Do it again, and add me to WrestleMania Backlash.
Sonya, be fair to Flair.
You make a compelling argument.
Charlotte, I'm gonna add you
to the RAW Women's Championship match, making it a Triple Threat Match.
[audience cheering]
[Rhea] Hold on, hold on. A Triple Threat Match?
I have put up with a lot out of this spoiled brat's mouth.
Sonya, I should've known
that this was all a part of your plan.
[Corey] Wait a second, we have more company.
This is bull crap!
[Corey] Gettin' crowded in a hurry.
Oh!
[Asuka] It doesn't matter!
I'm ready to become the RAW Women's champion.
[Charlotte] Darlin', you are gonna bow down
to your 13-time women's champion.
[Rhea] At the end of the day,
I'm here, I'm the RAW Women's Champion, and I am here to stay.
[Adnan] The Nightmare.
-[Corey] The Queen. -[Saxton] The Empress.
[Adnan] A Triple Threat matchup.
[Corey] The RAW Women's Championship on the line...
[Saxton] At WrestleMania Backlash.
[audience cheering]
[bell dings]
[Rome] The following contest is a Triple Threat Match
scheduled for one fall.
In this match, there are no countouts, no disqualification.
The first Superstar to score a pinfall or submission wins the match.
[Charlotte Flair's theme music plays]
[Corey] We are on the precipice of something extremely special, gentlemen.
Can you feel it in the air?
No doubt about it. A Triple Threat Match.
Look at the journey Charlotte Flair has been on.
As we just showcased to all of you, Byron,
this has been a rolling cavalcade of emotions.
But now, she's got a chance for the RAW Women's Championship.
[Saxton] This is where The Queen said she should be,
and now The Queen has a chance to back it up.
[Corey] Any time The Queen arrives, the lights shine a little bit brighter.
The air tastes a little bit sweeter.
Charlotte Flair on the big stage just feels right.
[Adnan] Think about all that we've heard over the last couple weeks,
claiming that the entire women's division needs her,
that the entire WWE needs her.
That strong-arming WWE official, Sonya Deville,
to be inserted into this match.
There's a lot of pressure, I think, on the shoulders of The Queen.
[Corey] When it comes to pressure,
nobody succeeds in high-pressure situations
quite like Charlotte Flair has.
[Adnan] To your point, Charlotte Flair said on RAW Talk this week,
"I've never been jealous of anyone."
Confident, not cocky, I ooze it.
I seize every opportunity, and I take what's given."
[Corey] And The Queen now with her focus on reclaiming the throne.
[Asuka's theme song playing]
[Adnan] When you talk about reclaiming,
that has been the mission of The Empress of Tomorrow
ever since losing the RAW Women's Championship at WrestleMania.
[Adnan] Yes, in 2020, Asuka lost the RAW Women's title to Sasha Banks,
then won it back that same year.
Now in 2021, she is hoping for the same outcome against Rhea Ripley.
[Adnan] What I'm curious to find out is which Asuka showed up
to WrestleMania Backlash.
Is this The Empress of Tomorrow
that was once the most feared Superstar in WWE?
Or is this the same woman who couldn't quite get the job done
at WrestleMania?
[Adnan] I think we saw a sign of resolve the last couple weeks in Asuka
who clearly made it. She said she didn't care.
She didn't care if it was Rhea Ripley.
She didn't care if she had to go to Charlotte Flair.
She will do whatever it takes to regain the RAW Women's title.
[Corey] When you're a Superstar the caliber of Asuka,
you can't just shrug off a loss on the grandest stage
at WrestleMania to Rhea Ripley.
[Rhea Ripley's theme song playing]
[Adnan] Speaking of The Nightmare...
We are about to be joined by the reigning RAW Women's Champion.
[Corey] Arguably, the woman with the most to lose in this matchup.
[Corey] And also the most to prove.
I talked to Rhea Ripley earlier today.
She said, "Tonight is of the utmost importance
because this match can legitimize my reign
as RAW Women's Champion."
Rhea Ripley may not like Charlotte Flair,
but Rhea respects what both Charlotte and Asuka have accomplished.
To be the face of the Monday Night RAW Women's Division,
-Rhea needs to win this match tonight. -And to that point, Corey,
Rhea Ripley's third championship match on pay-per-view.
The first was against Charlotte.
At WrestleMania 36, she lost her title.
The second was against Asuka at WrestleMania 37.
She won the title.
And now the third against both of these Superstars
going after her title.
[Corey] What we cannot forget tonight, triple-threat rules in effect.
No countouts, no disqualifications.
But Rhea Ripley doesn't have to be involved in the fall to lose her title.
Introducing the challengers.
First, from the Queen City, Charlotte Flair!
The Queen oozing confidence as always.
Next, from Osaka, Japan, Asuka!
And their opponent,
she is the RAW Women's Champion,
Rhea Ripley!
[Corey] We're about to find out what Rhea Ripley truly is made of.
But again, I can't overstate the facts at hand.
If Charlotte Flair somehow forces Asuka to submit,
Rhea loses the championship.
If Asuka makes Charlotte Flair tap out, Rhea loses the championship.
Rhea's got a lot riding against her tonight.
[Adnan] We know Rhea Ripley was very upset with the decision
to turn this match into a triple-threat.
But she has to be at peace with it now.
You have to simply try to survive to retain your title.
Every time the RAW Women's Championship is won in a triple-threat,
Charlotte Flair is involved in the match.
Inaugural champion back in that triple-threat in 2016
against Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks.
In 2019, Becky won Ronda Rousey's title in a triple-threat.
Charlotte's always in the action.
[Corey] All three of these women playing it cautious.
Smart move by Charlotte Flair.
[Saxton] Flair seemed to be content letting Asuka and Ripley go at it.
Asuka has other plans. And so does Rhea Ripley.
[Corey] The Queen stuck between a rock and a hard place.
-Oh! -[Adnan] Big clothesline from The Queen!
[Saxton] From behind!
[Corey] Backhand connects! Oh! Shoulders are down!
Whoa!
Expect the action to be frenetic in this one.
[speaking in Japanese]
[Saxton] Tense emotions in this matchup.
-Whoa! -For this prize in the women's division.
Now Ripley and Asuka going at it.
[Corey] Oh, my goodness! Charlotte Flair set hard to the outside.
[Adnan] Now Asuka gonna roll through! Shoulders down!
[Corey] Asuka looking to surprise Ripley.
And again!
[Adnan] Ripley able to roll through.
Again, you feel that the urgent pace that Asuka is trying to utilize here.
Nice roll-through. Minimizes the pressure.
But Asuka answers with a kick to the midsection,
and The Empress beginning to roll.
-Whoa! -Hip attack in the corner.
[Adnan] And here's The Queen. So smart!
Wow! Charlotte dragging Asuka out of the ring.
-Oh! -Whoa!
[Corey] What power by The Queen!
It is a brilliant strategy
that we just witnessed from Charlotte Flair.
She is picking her spots.
Waiting for the opportunities and openings.
I doubt the display of the experience that The Queen brings to this matchup,
and now The Queen will have Rhea Ripley isolated for the time being.
To that point, this is Rhea Ripley's sixth pay-per-view.
It's Charlotte's 52nd and Asuka's 30th.
Charlotte Flair, clearly, the most experienced.
Fourteen times! Fourteen times!
Fourteen times? Why don't you knock me down, then?
Go for it, princess. Do it.
[Corey] Ripley showing no fear.
But talking is not gonna get the job done in this one.
[Saxton] Neither woman goes down.
-Knock me down. -Go again.
Go again.
[Corey] Charlotte demanding Ripley, "Do it once again."
Oh!
And that's the inexperience of Rhea playing a factor.
-Charlotte Flair, a step ahead. -Oh, whoa!
[Adnan] Charlotte Flair, the 13-time champion.
That's what she's saying. She wants number 14.
[Saxton] That's a case of Charlotte allowing Rhea Ripley's emotions
to get the best of her and taking advantage as a result.
The Queen is cold, she is calculating,
and that's what makes Charlotte Flair so effective in the ring.
Very good catch herself on the apron.
-Here comes Ripley. -Oh!
Oh, look out!
There's Asuka.
Dropkick by Ripley.
The Queen is down once again, but Asuka scrambling to the top rope.
[Adnan] Whoa!
[Corey] Ripley dispatching of Asuka with a big-time kick.
And the RAW Women's Champion stands alone.
[Saxton] Think about what this is doing to the already confident champion.
-Oh! -Oh!
Charlotte takes Rhea Ripley for a ride.
You can't enjoy your success too long in a matchup like this.
[Corey] It's a cliché, but you've gotta keep your head on a swivel
in a Triple Threat Match.
Case in point, Ripley took her eyes off of Charlotte Flair for just a moment,
and The Queen made the champion pay.
What a difference a year makes. Last year at Backlash,
Asuka was the defending RAW Women's Champion, losing to Nia Jax.
Now she's facing one of the greats in Charlotte Flair.
That, man, speaks to how competitive this entire women's division is.
[Corey] This is the ruthlessness of Charlotte Flair
that has taken her to the top of the mountain so many times.
So much history between Charlotte Flair and Asuka.
You'll never beat me! Never!
And the mind games continue.
Even as Charlotte Flair is inflicting punishment,
she is mentally, verbally berating Asuka.
[Saxton] Think about it.
Months ago, these two were tag team champions.
Now, a much different story.
[Corey] Charlotte Flair with a Snapmare Takeover.
Perfect cartwheel and a stomp to the ear of Asuka.
The vicious boot and now the cover. Hooks the leg.
-One, two-- -Asuka able to power through.
-Another attempt. -One, two--
Wow.
That's a smart strategy. Even this early,
the more times you cover a fallen opponent,
the more energy you force them to exert.
Asuka.
-What are you gonna do? -[screams]
You know I'm better than you.
[Corey] I don't know if this is a smart strategy
to try to fire up Asuka.
A barrage of strikes from the Empress of Tomorrow.
[Adnan] These two know each other well.
Who has the advantage in such a rivalry?
Depends on which of these two learned the most
during their times in the ring together or as a tag team.
You've gotta use what you know about your opponent.
Beautiful takedown by Asuka.
Armbar is in. The Queen's in trouble.
[Saxton] Charlotte Flair trying to maneuver herself.
Asuka cranking on Charlotte Flair's right arm.
Charlotte able to create a little separation for herself
from the pressure of the armbar.
And now forces the official to get in there.
Asuka doing the wise thing, staying on The Queen.
There's not gonna be any rope breaks in a Triple Threat Match.
Asuka really targeting the left-- Charlotte Flair!
And there's Rhea Ripley with a stomp.
And this is a case of self-preservation.
Had Charlotte Flair submitted just there to Asuka,
Ripley would've lost her title. Ripley knows that,
which is why she broke up the submission.
Think about the challenge for Ripley.
Bursting in at WrestleMania, the RAW Women's Champion.
Now facing two of the greatest ever. Imagine her psyche, Byron.
Backbreaker by the Queen.
Oh, man.
There's got to be desperation mode this entire match for Rhea Ripley.
She knows her back is against the wall.
That will make or break a Superstar.
That's what makes or breaks champions.
We are about to find out what Rhea Ripley is made of.
But right now, it is all The Queen.
Asuka able to slip behind.
Oh, what a vicious elbow.
With a chop.
Much like The Queen just did to Rhea Ripley.
Lighting up the chest of Asuka.
And now Rhea Ripley, the clothesline.
And another one.
Series of short-arm clotheslines by the champ.
Oh.
Oh, what a dropkick by Rhea Ripley.
She has said there's a new era of females coming through.
And right now, trying to assert herself.
There's no time to get too comfortable if you're Rhea Ripley.
This is what it's about.
Unleashing the brutality.
Disrespect there to The Queen.
And it's Rhea Ripley now in full control in this Triple Threat matchup.
Northern Ice suplex. Shoulders are down.
Oh.
Asuka just in the nick of time.
A window of opportunity so small in a Triple Threat Match, too.
Trying to capture that. Boom!
Ripley's down.
Oh, but answers with a kick of her own right on the ear of Asuka.
Asuka responds.
The champion is down.
Both challengers are down.
Asuka now surveying the damage,
trying to figure out what her next move should be.
Another look at the impact of that kick.
From Rhea Ripley.
The side of Asuka's neck.
Rhea Ripley is said, "Put all the odds against me.
I'll show you why I'm the champ."
But now it's Asuka trying to seize this moment.
Asuka tapping into that undeterred fighting spirit.
Nice throw behind by Charlotte Flair.
Asuka catches her with a pair of elbows.
Oh!
Ice German suplex by Asuka.
Going for another one.
Charlotte Flair is reeling.
Now Asuka feeling it. Going after Ripley now.
Hip attack in the corner.
Got Ripley right in the sternum. And a boot for Charlotte Flair.
Asuka trying to figure out, "Who do I strike next?"
Why choose when you can do both?
-Absolutely. -Indeed.
Right now, The Empress of Tomorrow
teeing off on Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley.
Brutal kicks back and forth
to both Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley.
Sliding knee from Asuka.
The cover here from Asuka hooks the leg.
And Charlotte powers through.
Again, the confidence.
We talked about the confidence of Charlotte Flair.
We talked about confidence in spurts from Rhea Ripley.
We're seeing that same confidence from The Empress.
Charlotte Flair said, "Be fair to Flair" in talking to Sonya Deville.
This is what she wanted.
She wanted to be a party action for the RAW Women's Championship.
I don't think this is what Charlotte Flair wanted.
-From the top, Asuka! -Oh!
Drop kick finds the target.
But Charlotte able to evade for the moment.
Ripley out of the equation.
Now Asuka can turn her attention to The Queen.
Oh!
Sliding knee on the outside.
Ripley is rocked.
Great wherewithal from Asuka to take out Ripley.
And now what is going through the mind of The Queen?
Always so smart, so strategic.
No one can die.
Charlotte Flair, the most experienced of these three.
You already know the answer
to what's going through The Queen's mind, Saxton.
What does it take to be the best of all time?
What does it take to solidify my spot in history?
Oh, my!
Moonsault takes out Asuka.
And takes out Rhea Ripley.
Charlotte needs to hurry up
and get one of her opponents back in the ring
as we look back at the superior athleticism of The Queen.
Soaring through the ThunderDome,
taking out all of the opposition.
Charlotte Flair, now, making the climb to the top rope.
Flair might make good on her promise to become champion.
Not if Rhea Ripley has something to say about it.
Now Rhea thwarting that attempt.
Charlotte Flair perched on that top rope.
Now joined by the champion.
Precarious position for both of these competitors.
Ripley trying to muscle Flair over.
They're trying to block it. Now Asuka's back in the mix.
-Uh-oh. -Oh, whoa.
This may not end well.
Oh, my goodness.
Two's a company, three's a crowd.
This could be catastrophic for all three of these women.
Oh, double superplex!
My goodness.
All three athletes are down.
Obviously Asuka and Ripley feeling the effects
of delivering the double superplex to Charlotte Flair.
This is a pivotal point in this matchup.
Which of these three women can make it to their feet first?
Be willing to bet it probably isn't Charlotte Flair
after this crushing impact.
From the top rope.
Oh.
Again, Charlotte Flair, Asuka, and Rhea Ripley
all feeling the effects.
It is virtually anyone's game right now.
And now Rhea and Asuka focusing on each other.
Swinging wildly.
And now Charlotte wants in on the action.
This is what it comes down to. It comes down to who wants it more.
What are you willing to do that your opponents aren't?
Oh.
All three women throwing whatever they've got left at each other.
You can just feel how spent all three of these Superstars are.
From throwing haymakers to headbutts.
I think Rhea might have rocked herself for the moment.
Whatever works in the moment.
Charlotte wanted the big boot. Oh.
Counter for counter.
It looks like Asuka and Ripley are gonna work together again.
Flair once again on the wrong end of the numbers game.
-Whoa. -Oh, no.
-How about the move by Charlotte? -Double chop block!
-And now, The Queen. -Oh. my god.
-Wow. -Double natural selection.
-The Queen trying-- -Charlotte's gonna cover both.
Oh, Rhea Ripley able to push through.
Decent strategy by Flair trying to cover both competitors.
But in the process,
was unable to keep Ripley's shoulders down for the duration.
Look at the great balance shown by Charlotte.
Double chop block.
Taking out the knees of both opponents in a double natural selection.
We never would have heard the end of it
if The Queen actually captured the win in this match
by defeating Asuka and Rhea Ripley at the same time.
Trying to go two for the price of one.
Almost beat Asuka.
You just need to gain pinfall or submission of one.
But Charlotte was trying to go for both.
Charlotte Flair is trying to make a statement.
Deliver a reminder to the entire RAW Women's locker room
that she is what she says she is.
She is the opportunity.
The Queen gonna fly.
Double knees to the face.
The Queen's plan backfiring there. Watch Ripley.
Ripley from behind on Asuka.
-Now Ripley. -She's going for the Riptide.
It's hooked. No, no, no. Counter.
Asuka looks for the Asuka Lock. Ripley too strong. Able to fight out.
Now Ripley again trying to muscle up Asuka.
She's gonna get the advantage.
Whoa.
The huge kick from Charlotte Flair.
Asuka now has the Asuka Lock on Charlotte.
But she locked it in. No, The Queen able to roll through.
Flair was gonna go for that Figure-Four.
-Oh. -Big kick connects.
Asuka once again wants the submission.
Ripley thwarts it.
A kick for her troubles.
-This thing is breaking down in a big way. -Ripley might be out.
Backhand.
Lansing blow on the outside of the ring.
No.
Asuka eats a boot from Charlotte Flair in this time.
And now going for the Riptide!
Riptide! Riptide!
-The cover of Asuka by Rhea Ripley. -One, two, three!
-Wow. -[bell dings]
The RAW Women's Champion remains.
And still the RAW Women's Champion,
Rhea Ripley.
We know how important this matchup was for Rhea Ripley.
To establish her dominance on Monday Night RAW.
As RAW Women's Champion.
Much to the chagrin of Charlotte Flair.
You can feel the rage.
You can feel the disappointment in the eyes of The Queen.
This was an incredible matchup. And quite frankly,
I'm surprised that Rhea Ripley has escaped this triple-threat
with her RAW Women's title in check.
Rhea entered this matchup with the intention
of making the WWE Universe believe.
Mathematically, the odds were against Rhea Ripley.
But The Nightmare delivered.
Here were Asuka.
Full speed ahead into the boot from Charlotte Flair.
Which actually sent Charlotte off of the ring apron.
But this opened the door for Ripley to slam it shut.
The Riptide.
It's like WrestleMania all over again.
Ripley pinning Asuka.
And The Queen, once again, beside herself with rage.
This is a clear message from Ripley
that the RAW Women's division belongs to her.
Charlotte Flair was fuming that she was not a part of WrestleMania.
And Rhea Ripley vowed this would be a long tenure
as the RAW Women's Champion.
"It's gonna go longer than months", she said.
And so far, tonight, she proves it.
No lies detected.
Woo-hoo! Woof!
Look at the taunting.
[indistinct conversation]
[electricity buzzing]
[dance music playing]
Bobby Lashley and MVP
getting set for a huge Triple Threat matchup tonight.
As they'll be taking on Drew McIntyre and Braun Strowman.
Bobby Lashley looking better than he did tonight in the RAW
this past Monday.
Because Braun Strowman was absolutely huge on Monday, Byron.
And this was a chance for Drew McIntyre or Lashley
to build some momentum heading into WrestleMania Backlash.
But instead, it was Braun Strowman who decided,
"I'm gonna make a statement.
I'm gonna leave that lasting impression on my Backlash opponents."
There was a momentary sense of false hope provided by Strowman
before delivering another running power slam
to The All Mighty WWE Champion.
The Monster Among Men.
Excited to remind his opponents and the WWE Universe
just what sort of destruction he is capable of.
Indeed, just a small sample size, Corey,
of the carnage we may see later on tonight.
We are counting down the moments
to the WWE Championship triple-threat Match.
Well over 900 pounds of humanity.
As The All Mighty WWE Champion Bobby Lashley
defends against Drew McIntyre and Braun Strowman
under triple-threat rules.
Which means Lashley doesn't have to be involved in the fall to lose his title.
I mean, a Lumberjack match? Come on.
Does Damian Priest really think I'm gonna run from him?
Well, I mean, you did kind of run from him on Monday.
That's not the point.
Didn't you lose to him on Monday
which is the entire reason we're in this mess?
Why you got to bring up old stuff? I have everything figured out.
I know where the Lumberjack's locker room is.
I'm gonna go there and have a conversation with them,
make sure they know it is in their best interest
for you to win.
And how are you gonna manage that?
Johnny Drip-Drip can be very persuasive.
I'm gonna make sure everything is in place
so that Damian Priest falls right into our thirst trap.
I don't think you understand what thirst trap means.
They don't call me the most Moist Sea Superstar in WWE history for nothing.
[Cole] Well, what Miz does understand
is that he has a Lumberjack Match later on tonight
at WrestleMania Backlash against Damian Priest.
Hey. For Friday Night SmackDown on FOX,
I'm Michael Cole. He is Pat McAfee.
Your first pay-per-view tonight. How excited are you?
Massive night.
It's gonna be incredible from top to bottom.
It's an honor to be here. Let's get to some action.
We are moments away from the tag team title.
From SmackDown being on the line.
Ziggler and Roode defending against Mysterio and his son Dominik.
Trying to become the first-ever father-son tag team champions in WWE.
However, that dream may not become reality after what happened earlier tonight
at the WrestleMania Backlash kickoff show.
-[chuckles] -[laughs]
[laughs]
Just messing with you, kid.
-Get him. Get him! -[grunts]
Put him down, put him down.
Ready for tonight, kid?
Big night, Dom. Big night. Big night for you.
See you out there, kid.
Hey, we made no problems.
Looks like you're gonna need a new tag team partner.
No, I can go, I can go.
[speaking in Spanish]
I can go. I got it.
[speaking in Spanish] Stand up.
No, no, no, no.
No.
-Hey. -I'm sorry.
-No, you can't do this.
That's okay. Don't worry about it.
[speaking in Spanish] Okay?
-We live to fight another day, okay? -I'm sorry.
-We'll have more opportunities. -Sorry.
Take care of yourself.
I got this, I got this.
I love you, son.
[speaking in Spanish]
[Cole] It appears The Dirty Dawgs, the tag team champions,
got what they want, Pat.
They singled out Dominik, injured him,
and now it looks like Rey Mysterio may have to go it alone.
[Pat] Are The Dirty Dawgs arrested?
-No. -Are they suspended?
-No. -I don't absolutely love this,
but you gotta give props to the strategery here by The Dirty Dawgs.
The following contest, scheduled for one fall,
is for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship!
Introducing first, the SmackDown Tag Team Champions,
Dolph Ziggler and the Glorious Robert Roode!
[Cole] Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler
have held the SmackDown Tag Team titles
since January 8th of this year, 127 days.
They've had some interesting issues with Dominik and Rey Mysterio.
Well, Dolph has, in one-on-one matches the past couple of weeks on SmackDown.
Will that come into play here tonight?
[Pat] Yeah, Dolph is coming into tonight
with a two-match losing streak against the Mysterios, both individually.
I don't think that comes into play,
and especially since he knocked out one of the Mysterios earlier.
Yeah!
[Cole] Ziggler and Roode proud of the fact
that they are holding the gold,
but also proud of the fact that they, uh,
have effectively taken Dominik out of the equation here tonight.
So, the veteran Rey Mysterio, will he go it alone in this match?
[Pat] Rey said it. "I got this."
They said, "You need to find another partner."
He said, "You live to fight another day."
If Rey goes in this alone, he's a magnet.
They don't call them The Dirty Dawgs for no reason.
They know exactly what they're doing.
[Rey Mysterio's theme song playing]
♪ 619 ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka ♪
Watch this man.
And introducing the challenger, Rey Mysterio!
[Cole] Rey Mysterio, who has made a career
out of being the underdog, of battling through insurmountable odds,
but perhaps these odds are way too steep, Pat.
Mysterio, one on two, versus Ziggler and Roode.
[Pat] Rey Mysterio has defied the odds
for more than two decades in this industry.
This is an aggressive decision.
The Dirty Dawgs get exactly what they want.
Two-on-one to defend the titles here on WrestleMania.
[Cole] And we understand that Rey Mysterio's wife, Angie,
his daughter, Aalyah, are watching this match
on WWE Watch Along.
You have to wonder what is going through their mind
as they see their husband, father, Rey Mysterio,
walk into the ring alone against these two dangerous competitors.
[Pat] We've talked to Rey.
He gets more nervous for these tag team matches
because Dominik's involved. Now Dominik's not involved,
but he had to watch his son get absolutely brutalized by these two.
[Cole] But will that drive Rey Mysterio for payback and revenge
against Ziggler and Roode?
And Rey Mysterio goes right after Ziggler, the bell rings, and we're underway.
If Mysterio has any opportunity, Pat, he's got to strike early.
[Pat] I agree, but it felt like that was a gnat in the windshield there for a bit.
[Cole] And Mysterio sending Roode right into Ziggler,
knocking Ziggler out of the ring.
Mysterio rolling up Roode to try to win the tag team gold.
And a kick out of two by Roode.
Rey Mysterio with no one to tag.
Mysterio, though, at this point in time,
has singled out Roode
to make this one-on-one at least momentarily.
Oh, a baseball slide,
driving Ziggler right into the announce table.
Roode, a kick to the midsection. Trying to take advantage of the fact
that there's two of them against the one Rey Mysterio.
[Pat] Rey's gonna have to keep his mind on both guys this entire time.
He's obviously off to a hot start.
[Cole] Mysterio now sliding-- Oh, my lord!
Rey Mysterio!
With a baseball slide splash into Ziggler.
And now, from behind, Robert Roode.
And just like that, Roode takes advantage.
Watch this move by Mysterio!
That there, vintage Mysterio, but Roode has taken over.
[Pat] Vintage Mysterio, but vintage man advantage happened there.
Normally, that'd be a massive moment for Rey,
take advantage of it, but instead,
Roode comes over, clubs him right in the back,
and Rey's back at square one.
[Cole] Roode and Ziggler perhaps, uh,
gave us a little insight into what their strategy would be here tonight.
Meanwhile, Roode driven into the ring post by Mysterio!
[Pat] I talked to The Dirty Dawgs earlier today.
They said they did not give a single damn about family legacy for the Mysterios.
[Cole] Indeed, Mysterio now off the apron,
and the senton takes out Robert Roode.
And the question now becomes, can Mysterio do it?
The problem is, he's gotta pin or submit the champs to win the titles.
Countouts don't matter. Disqualifications don't matter.
This is a match for the tag team championship,
-although it is two on one. -Seven!
[Pat] Rey Mysterio fighting for his son Dominik Mysterio as well.
And also, a record that will go down
in the history books forever.
Father-son tag team champs for the first time in WWE.
[Cole] Mysterio's gonna have to knock off
two of the very best in the world today in Roode and Ziggler.
And now, Robert Roode kicked right to the midsection.
The champs now trying to quell this early rally
-from Rey Mysterio. -[Pat] You go back a few years,
Bobby Roode and Dolph Ziggler, two of the best singles performers
in the history of our business.
Now they've gotten on the same page-- They're champs for a reason!
[Cole] Shoulders down to win the titles!
And a kick out by Roode! What a clothesline!
And that right there may have snuffed out the rally.
[Pat] The Mysterios snuck two wins in against Ziggler in the past two weeks.
-Looking to be a third against Bobby. [Cole] To retain Mysterio in their fall.
Ziggler and Roode said they don't care about the Mysterio family dynamic.
They don't care that people wanna see the father-son tag team champions.
This isn't a charity business. It's the business of winning.
And that's what The Dirty Dawgs say they plan to do.
[Pat] And winning brings everything else that you could dream of.
For The Dirty Dawgs, it's chefs, it's the high life,
it's the leather jackets, and it's clotheslines!
[Cole] Boom! What an impact by Robert Roode!
Now, Pat, we mentioned Aalyah watching this matchup.
The daughter of Rey Mysterio, she is sticking behind her father.
She says she knows her dad can do this.
He's bucked the odds before, but perhaps nothing this steep.
[Pat] Aalyah understands her dad more than any of us, I would assume.
But watching Dolph rake his eyes, tag Bobby in here with the man advantage.
[Cole] And here comes Roode.
Earlier today, Rey Mysterio called this opportunity
that he expected to have with his son Dominik, quote, "Blessed."
[Pat] Yeah, you might be blessed for the opportunity.
But it might be a bad day to be a Mysterio, says Bobby Roode.
[Cole] And Roode now whips Mysterio across the ring,
colliding into the turnbuckle, Rey buckling to the mat.
[Pat] He's trying to throw him through the ring.
Oh, Bobby Roode, Robin is facing the fact that he doesn't have a partner.
[Cole] The fact that Roode and Ziggler are in a two-on-one situation,
they can punish, they can torture Mysterio.
[Pat] Looks like they're enjoying the hell out of this.
[Cole] Well, after Rey and his son Dominik
embarrassed Dolph the past couple of weeks.
[Pat] Yeah, you gotta assume there was some debts to be paid.
[Cole] Rey dropped toehold.
Roode now into the second turnbuckle.
Normally, this would give Mysterio an opportunity to tag,
but of course, he has no partner.
[Pat] The Dirty Dawgs have been dominant.
[Cole] Oh, and Ziggler ran into big boots by Mysterio.
Now a shoulder to the midsection and Rey trying to fight back.
This is Rey Mysterio.
And Dolph Ziggler, again the numbers game, catching up to Rey.
[Pat] He's stuck two in there, Michael Cole.
Just as he was mounting a comeback in the name of his son.
[Cole] Dolph Ziggler saying it's just a matter of time.
The clock ticking away on Rey Mysterio.
And again, Ziggler...
Using the entire... almost near five-count as Roode.
You gotta respect the fact that The Dirty Dawgs
are using every trick in the book still.
[Cole] Mysterio may be hurt.
He reached for his left knee as he collapsed to the floor.
[Pat] That would be the Dirty Dog's dream.
I'm not saying it's a good thing, but that is what they're looking to do.
I hope he's okay.
[Cole] And Dolph Ziggler going right after
what appears to be the injured leg of Mysterio.
Six!
-Again, nothing can replace experience. -Seven!
-[Pat] Rey has a lot of it as well-- -[Cole] Cover now by Ziggler.
Both legs hooked.
And that forces Rey to kick out with everything he's got.
[Pat] You gotta wonder, especially after the two losses for Dolph.
They can't get Rey to quit.
Is there a little doubt seepin' into The Dirty Dogs?
[Cole] I'm not sure... yet.
But perhaps as Roode again comes in on the attack of Mysterio.
[Pat] You know, Dolph gave a look as if he was befuddled, bewildered.
Oh, Rey.
[Cole] And Rey can... can't even stand on his leg.
The official's gonna have to step in and see if Rey can continue.
-[Pat] For the good of him. -He still wants it!
Timeout!
[Cole] And Roode not gonna give Mysterio any opening.
Allow him to catch any breath as he goes right back to work on the leg.
[Pat] We have to remember that the champs
have obviously been able to tag in and out.
Catch a breather on the side.
Rey Mysterio's been at this thing all by himself.
[Cole] But the thing is... And Rey Mysterio trying to fight back.
Trying to win the tag team titles. Trying to avenge the attack on his son.
But now The Dirty Dawgs...
Famouser! Dropping Rey on his face.
That should be enough to retain the titles.
Cover by Ziggler.
-And again, Rey! -Come on!
-Wow! -Come on, Ralph!
Watch the impact now. Rey face-first into the mat.
But still able to kick out.
Rey Mysterio has said all along, Pat, that he thought he was close to retiring.
That he was gonna hang up the boots.
But when his son Dominik became part of WWE,
it reinvigorated him. It gave him a purpose.
It gave him a reason to battle each and every week again.
[Pat] I speak for the entire WWE Universe.
I'm pumped and excited that Rey Mysterio is still here.
[Cole] But how much is gonna be left of him?
[Pat] That's what I'm wondering. And is he...
[Cole] About to use our announce table...
Oh, my God! Did you see that?
Ziggler with a kick to Rey.
Rey collapsing in front of us.
Bobby Roode throwing Rey out of the ring like a bag of bones.
Dolph kicking him in the mouth.
Now the champs are asking for the countout.
And again, watch it.
-[Pat] Boom! -What a kick by Ziggler.
The official now on the count of five.
Ziggler and Roode would love a countout victory.
[Pat] Famouser. Slide the super kick.
[Cole] Count of eight now.
Rey is trying to get back to his feet.
Count of nine. Rey Mysterio barely beats the count.
[Pat] Wow!
Bobby was celebrating already.
Dolph has no idea how that happened.
[Cole] Me neither, by the way.
But how realistic is it for Mysterio to still be in this thing?
I mean, he risks further damage, further injury now,
by beating the count back in the ring.
[Pat] He might be too courageous for his own self right now.
[Cole] Now Robert Roode with a headbutt flooring Mysterio.
Tag made. Now frequent tags by the tag team champions.
[Pat] Feels like his legs are locked right now with Rey.
-Whole body is in absolute... -[Cole] Double team.
Rey Mysterio though with a double DDT!
Great counter by Mysterio.
And the question is, Can Rey rally?
-Does he have anything left? -[Pat] Where did he pull that from?
This is WWE ThunderDome WrestleMania Backlash
SmackDown Tag Team Titles.
The Dirty Dawgs against Rey Mysterio.
Dominik was taken out earlier tonight. It's a two-on-one situation.
[Pat] Rey seems to have the upper hand. Bobby Roode into the post!
[Cole] From behind, Dolph Ziggler.
[Pat] The numbers game yet again here late.
-[Cole] And Rey lands on his feet. -[Pat] That knee.
[Cole] Oh! And posts Ziggler on the other side.
Now both members of the tag team champions may be down and out.
This is critical, Pat,
because it allows Rey Mysterio to try to regain his composure.
Get some feeling back in the leg. Get his breath back.
Ply back into the match.
Critical moment for Rey Mysterio.
And wait a minute.
Look in the background of your screen!
Dominik Mysterio, holding his injured ribs,
is walking down to the ring.
[Pat] Heading up the stairs.
[Cole] Dominik Mysterio is on the apron.
Dominik Mysterio wants a tag.
What are you doing, son?
-You're hurt! -Go! Come on!
And Dolph Ziggler is barreling himself into Mysterio
who is distracted by his son.
And now Rey Mysterio has Dolph in position perhaps for the 619.
Robert Roode blasted off the apron.
Dolph back to his feet.
Zigzag!
Ziggler for the win to retain the tag team titles.
Kick out by Mysterio! He's still in it!
Let's go! Come on!
[Pat] Dom thought about interrupting the count there.
Rey kicks out somehow still.
Dom saying, "You got it, come on."
619 was on its way, but...
[Cole] Zigzag by Dolph Ziggler!
And I thought this was it here, but somehow,
the biggest little man in the history of WWE
able to kick out and stay alive.
[Pat] Dominik's in this thing, huh?
[Cole] Dominik's in the match, he's on the apron, he wants a tag.
-[Pat] Here we go. -[Cole] And now, the tag team champions
continuing to punish the already injured Rey Mysterio.
Staring right at Dominik Mysterio as Roode continues to torture Rey.
Cover!
To retain the gold, and somehow, Mysterio stays in it.
[Pat] The Dirty Dawgs have to be so confused
by Dominik's appearance here tonight.
[Cole] They've also gotta be confused
over the fact they haven't been able to put Rey Mysterio away.
They've hit Mysterio with everything. Famousers, Zigzags,
still haven't been able to take him out.
[Pat] The ref was at a count of nine just moments ago.
Rey has been able to survive the onslaught his entire career and tonight.
[Cole] Robert Roode continuing to keep Mysterio away from his corner,
away from his partner, his son Dominik.
[Pat] Went to the turnbuckle two times back to back, how you feelin'?
-Come on, Dad! -[Pat] What's Bobby Roode doing?
[Cole] Oh, my goodness, Roode is climbing now to the second rope.
Mysterio high in the air on the shoulders of Roode.
[Pat] Punch to the liver, I believe.
[Cole] Mysterio will grab the rope and able to shift the balance now.
And now it's Mysterio on the attack.
Mysterio trying to go on offense.
Rey Mysterio with a bulldog!
Now Rey has a chance!
Can he make a tag?
[Pat] Dominik eager to get in, obviously.
Bobby Roode down. Dolph Ziggler on the outside.
Rey Mysterio just feet away from reprieve.
[Cole] Mysterio trying to make it to the corner,
trying to make it to his son Dominik.
Rey, is he hesitant? Does he wanna make the tag?
Does he wanna bring in his injured son? And that hesitation may have cost him.
[Pat] He's a dad!
[Cole] Roode trying to hang on. Mysterio driving Roode back.
Tag made. Here comes Dominik.
[Pat] Dom tagged himself in. Rey didn't make the decision.
[Cole] And now, Robert Roode loves what he sees.
But Dominik trying to run off adrenaline alone.
Taking the fight to Roode. Look at Dominik go.
[Pat] Payback from earlier in the hallway, huh boys?
[Cole] Dominik. Spinebuster!
And that may end it there.
He already injured Dominik.
With a ring-rattling spinebuster from Roode.
[groans]
[Pat] I didn't talk to the doctor, but he was holding his ribs.
[Cole] You gotta believe he has some internal injury.
[Pat] Spinebuster does not help especially.
[Cole] What an impact. And now the double team by the tag champs.
And Dominik punished again!
Neckbreaker assist by Roode.
Cover by Ziggler.
Two retained and Dominik at two!
[Pat] Just got word from the doctor. it is his ribs.
And The Dirty Dawgs know that.
[Cole] Well, Ziggler and Roode learning a little bit tonight
about the heart of the Mysterios.
[Pat] They've gotten a chance to experience it,
but nothing more prominent than now.
[Cole] He can barely stand on the apron. He's on his knees.
Dominik trying to drag himself back to his dad in the corner and just a...
Oh, and now Dominik sent into the post, shoulder first.
And all Rey Mysterio is can... All he can do is watch his son.
You should've stayed down!
You're an embarrassment! You don't belong here!
[Cole] He's cutting into his soul.
Oh, and Ziggler is trying to tune up the band,
and Dominik met him and intercepted him
and created an opening.
[Pat] "I do belong here," says Dominik Mysterio...
to Bobby Roode.
[Cole] Watch Dominik. What a counter. Caught Dolph right in the chin.
Dolph's down. Dominik's down. Who will make it to their corner first?
[Pat] I thought that was it for Dolph.
That was so clean on the jaunt.
Looked like the Padres fan to the Rockies fan earlier this week.
[Cole] And now, Mysterio.
Dominik trying to get to the-- Tag made to Roode.
Tag made to Rey. And now, Rey Mysterio goes up top.
That's his comfort zone.
Senton takes out Roode.
Ziggler now knocked off the apron.
-And Rey Mysterio is starting to move... -[Pat] Oh!
Interception. Cover for the win.
-[Pat] And still! -[Cole] And another near-fall.
Rey was just starting to get rolling, Pat.
And Roode intercepted him into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.
But nonetheless, Mysterio still in it.
And Roode now questioning himself. Questioning his team.
Right there. There's the tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.
And Roode is like, "How the hell did I not put Rey Mysterio away there?"
[Pat] I think Bobby and Dolph are thinking,
"How the hell did I not put Rey Mysterio away before Dominik came back?"
Now, Rey, after getting beat up all night, has his son in his corner.
[Cole] At some point, you gotta start questioning yourself.
Can we actually win this match?
[Pat] I don't think the Mysterios are questioning themselves at all.
They're laying it all on the line.
But it doesn't matter against the Dirty.
[Cole] And look at Rey Mysterio fighting back.
And Rey sending Roode into the turnbuckle.
[Pat] 619!
[Cole] In a very unique part of the ring, but Mysterio connects.
Rey, tag, Dominik, legal.
Rey Mysterio takes out Dolph Ziggler with a sunset flip into the barricade.
And now Dominik goes up top from the top rope, gonna fly.
The splash, connecting to Roode, cover, hook to the leg.
My God, they did it!
The Mysterios did it!
[Rome] Here are your winners
and the new SmackDown Tag Team Champions!
Dominik and Rey Mysterio!
[Cole] You have got to be kidding me.
[Pat] Father, son, holy tag team champions.
[Cole] Absolutely incredible.
For the first time in WWE history,
a father and son hold the WWE tag team titles.
The Mysterios kept fighting back, and fighting back, and fighting back.
And finally, it paid off.
[Pat] Against all odds, the Mysterios do something
that has never happened in the history
of this incredibly illustrious business.
[Cole] I can't wait to hear the Mysterios
on the Corey Graves' After The Bell podcast Friday.
And they're gonna definitely talk about that.
The 619 in the unique position in the ring,
and then father gives it to son, Dominik.
As Rey takes Dolph out of the equation.
Pat, this is a thing of beauty.
[Pat] Clear the way for Dominik Mysterio
for the splash from the heavens.
[Cole] The most beautiful splash Dominik Mysterio
-has ever done in his life. -[bell dings]
[Pat] Comes on a night where a documentary would be made about this.
[Cole] And I guarantee you the late, great Eddie Guerrero,
best friends with Rey Mysterio...
[Pat] What a moment.
...would be applauding that beautiful splash
from Dominik.
Dominik, Rey.
Congratulations.
Kayla, could you believe this?
For the first time in WWE history.
The first father and son SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
I'm on top of the world right now.
Whoo!
What an honor and blessing
to be able to share this moment with my dad.
And we made history tonight.
Time to celebrate.
-[Pat laughs] -Booyaka!
[Cole] Rey Mysterio said it.
Everything he's accomplished in his career.
Multiple world championships,
winner of the Royal Rumble match.
One of the greatest of all time.
Said that this moment, if it ever happened,
would be the highlight of everything in his life.
And Dominik made it happen.
A frog splash takes out Roode and Ziggler.
And the Mysterios can call themselves SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
Absolutely amazing.
-WrestleMania Backlash. -[Cole] What a moment.
They deserve every single second of this celebration tonight.
God is good.
We are blessed. Mysterios are blessed.
-Always, baby. -Yeah.
-God is good. -Love you, baby.
I'm here to extend to you a business proposition.
How would you like to make $50 million?
What if, just once, we did something just for us?
We are putting together a crew for a job.
Yeah, what does it pay?
[commentator] The impossible dream has become reality!
I'm in.
You don't wanna know the risks?
Why would I wanna know the risks? I'm in.
They're not what you think they are.
They are smarter. They're faster.
They're organized.
We gotta move.
Go!
[crowd booing]
Drip, drip.
Hey, guys, I've got an offer that you...
[growling, groaning]
What's up, Us?
Where's the champ?
The Head of the Table?
The Tribal Chief?
You know he wouldn't claim all those things
if it wasn't for you, right?
-Now, listen... -Us, you listen to me.
The name on the door says Roman Reigns.
It need to say Roman Reigns and Jey Uso.
Man, we gon' get our own locker room.
I know it ain't gonna be as nice as this one.
This one is palatial.
Our locker room? The name on our door?
Jimmy and Jey Uso.
Tag team champions, Us.
That's where we need to be at. That's where we need to get to.
Instead of you over here carrying Roman's bags around.
What else you do for him? Huh? You do his laundry on your day off?
I don't need to hear this from you right now, Us.
You better...
[audience booing]
Just wanna say good luck tonight, champ.
'Cause you gon' need it.
I open up the door to the Lumberjack locker room
and everyone in there is just like... [growls]
Because they're, like, dead. Or undead.
-They're undead. -What are you talking about?
Zombies, bro. I think the Lumberjacks are zombies.
Is this another one of your weird new-age motivational tactics?
John, this isn't about you.
This is about me embarrassing Damian Priest.
So, snap out of it.
Whatever you think you saw was just in your head.
-Okay. Yeah. -Come on.
Just in my head.
Yeah. It's crazy.
[growling, groaning]
I saw it.
I still don't think I believe it.
Maybe this makes a little sense, guys.
WrestleMania Backlash's sponsor is Zack Snyder's new film
Army of the Dead, which is currently in theaters, Netflix, May 21st.
It makes a little more sense now.
Starring WWE legend Dave Bautista. And Byron.
it makes it more clear what he tweeted today.
Today, the legendary Batista said so mighty,
He wished all our Superstars luck tonight.
But here's the key part of the tweet. He says, "Sorry I couldn't make it,
but some of my friends will."
So if you put two and two together,
I think you could be in store for a rather intriguing Lumberjack match.
[Corey] Well, thanks a lot, Dave.
I came to play.
[Adnan] If anybody can overcome these odds,
it's the A-lister.
The Miz is seeking WrestleMania-size redemption
against Damian Priest.
-♪ Now, listen ♪ -[bell dings]
[Rome] The following contest is a Lumberjack Match scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by John Morrison,
weighs 221 pounds,
The Miz!
[Corey] This is gonna be extremely interesting,
because while Morrison saw the undead,
Miz no idea what he's in store for.
[Saxton] That's been the theme of the entire week, Corey.
Miz had no control over the stipulation of this match,
being a Lumberjack match, and listen,
I think The Miz's fun is only about to get started.
[Corey] If anybody can handle this situation, Miz can.
He's an action hero.
[Saxton] Right.
[Adnan] Speak of the action, this match is brought to you
by Zack Snyder's Army of the Dead,
now playing in select theaters and coming soon on Netflix.
[Corey] Listen, let's be honest,
if this works out in Miz's favor, which it very well may,
he's a shoo-in to become Johnny Cage.
[Saxton] Oh, my gosh.
[Damian Priest's theme music playing]
And his opponent,
From New York City, weighing in at 249 pounds,
Damian Priest!
[Adnan] On the flip side, this is exactly what Damian Priest wanted.
He earned the right to name the stipulation of this match.
This is Priest's way of finally terminating this conflict
between himself, The Miz, and John Morrison.
The Archer of Infamy tweeted yesterday, "Tomorrow night, with nowhere to run,
The Miz gets dealt once and for all when I hit the lights on this rivalry."
[Corey] If anybody in WWE is equipped to deal with the undead,
it's probably Damian Priest
after all those years spent in New York City underground.
[Saxton] Nearly impeccable record
since joining the roster on Monday Night RAW.
You could not ask for a better couple months
of your debut.
[Corey] It could all be for naught if Priest can't finish the job tonight,
one on one with The Miz.
[Adnan] Corey mentioned his upbringing.
WWE Chronicle episode on Damian Priest available now on Peacock.
Bro, look! What the hell is that?
-[Corey] Miz, Johnny, get out of here. -[Saxton] Uh-oh, uh-oh.
Guess it wasn't all in John Morrison's head.
[Adnan] What the...
[Corey] They're everywhere. Oh.
[Adnan] This is insane.
[Corey] I-- I don't know what's going on.
I have no idea.
Guys. Guys!
Where are you going?
John!
-Let's go with the bell! -[bell dings]
[Adnan] With Byron Saxton, Corey Graves, and Adnan Virk,
we are now commentating from a safer place.
Right now, this is a surreal situation we're observing.
[Corey] Don't adjust your screen. No, we're not relaunching ECW.
The Lumberjacks are zombies.
Miz, get-- Just run.
Miz looks like he's frozen in time.
[Adnan] He just can't believe what this is.
-In fairness, who can? -Which way is Terminus?
-[Corey] Uh-oh. -[Adnan] Oh!
[Corey] Priest driving Miz face-first.
[Adnan] I still can't get over this scene. We are surrounded by the undead.
How can these guys focus in the action in the ring
when you got this outside?
[Corey] Priest bringing the fight to the zombies!
[Adnan] Wow, the Archer of Infamy.
[Saxton] Never thought I'd hear that line. Oh.
[Corey] And Miz with a well-placed boot to the jaw of Priest, into the cover.
This has gotta be an unsettling atmosphere
for both of these athletes to try and compete against one another
while surrounded by the undead.
[Adnan] Yeah, no question, this is gonna be a testament, potentially,
to the ability of The Miz or Damian Priest
to keep their focus and not be distracted by this
frightening sight around the ring.
[Corey] I've heard of The Walking Dead,
but never would I think I'd seen it on WrestleMania Backlash
as they're surrounding the ring.
[Saxton] And I honestly don't know how to thank Dave Bautista,
so I just won't.
[Corey] Miz now closed like an-- Oh, no!
Thattaboy, Miz.
[Adnan] You don't wanna be outside the ring, though.
[Saxton] Miz... Miz crawled under the ring.
[Corey] He's looking for Lucille.
[Saxton] I don't know if The Miz is gonna be safe there.
[Adnan] Oh. There's nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide.
[Saxton] And this is a big clothesline.
[Corey] Massive clothesline by Priest.
Miz in a great deal of trouble.
Both men are down.
As we take another look at this impact.
Miz running right into a lariat from Damian Priest.
[Adnan] Although as awkward and outside the box as it is,
this is the match Priest wanted
because The Miz has always displayed a propensity
to seek out the closest exit route to try to escape.
To try to get out of dodge.
[Corey] Big right finds the mark.
Priest wanted to settle this in the middle of the ring
-once and for all! [Adnan] Cover from Damian Priest.
The Miz powers through.
[Saxton] This match makes me wanna become a doomsday prepper.
Priest now wasting no time.
Headed all the way to the top rope.
-Sizing up The Miz. -[Corey] Oh, God.
Nasty landing might have affected Miz's knee into the cover.
-No. -Whoa.
[Adnan] Miz somehow stays alive as the match is prolonged.
[Corey] Priest connected with a spinning kick.
But I think with the majority of his impact,
his body weight landed on Miz's knee.
[Adnan] Priest looks poised to end this right here, right now.
[Corey] Against The Miz.
He was able to escape for the moment.
[Saxton] Priest trying to get the better of that exchange.
Double leg there by The Miz. He might be thinking Figure-Four.
[Corey] It is cinched in in the middle of the ring.
Damian Priest in a world of hurt.
[Adnan] The power of The Miz.
Trying to keep him away from the zombies.
And this... This would be the ultimate form of satisfaction for The Miz.
If he can force Damian Priest to tap out.
Miz is shocked.
[Corey] The zombie just prevented... Oh, my God.
Having flashbacks to Monroeville Mall.
Miz now just throwing hands at anything that moves.
[Adnan] You have The Miz and Priest fighting the same enemy.
And here's the key. You gotta focus on winning the match
rather than focus on these distractions.
[Corey] How do you not focus on zombies, Virk?
[Saxton] He has a good point.
The Miz and Damian Priest
are trying to clear out the distraction of the undead
so they can focus on this match.
[Corey] Damian and Priest are working in unison
to fight their way through a field of zombies.
[Adnan] Yup. Working harder than they could've imagined, I'm sure.
Besides, that's a...
Looks like something else, Damian.
-[grunts] -[Corey] Kick by Priest.
We see Priest's athleticism on everyone tonight.
[Saxton] Now, Priest and...
at least puts a high five.
[Corey] When you survive a zombie apocalypse together,
generally, it's a bonding experience.
-[Saxton] Damian Priest has other plans! -[Corey] Broken arrow!
[Adnan] The cover here on Miz from Priest.
And again, The Miz survives.
[Corey] Miz still favoring his left knee
from the impact of Priest crashing down from the top rope several minutes ago.
[Adnan] And so, when you've... got a guy favoring something here.
-What's the strategy from... -[Corey] Look who's back.
-[Adnan] Look who's back. -[Corey] Thank goodness.
[Saxton] Priest having to fight off John Morrison.
We've seen this scene before.
-What the-- -[Corey] Capoeira kick.
And a running knee by Miz! Priest is down!
-Into the cover! -[Saxton] Not like this.
Did he kick out?
-[Corey] He did. -[Saxton] Wow.
[Adnan] What an effort by Damian Priest.
There's Johnny Drip-Drip.
[Corey] They're coming, Johnny.
[Adnan] Oh, that was awesome!
What an athletic move there by Johnny Morrison.
[Saxton] Morrison just took out three of the zombies.
[Adnan] Add a fourth to that list.
[Corey] What on earth?
[Adnan] Could he use the barricade somehow?
[Adnan] Morrison trying to get... Uh-oh.
[Corey] Oh, no, another one! Two!
[Adnan] Bad strategy, John.
[Saxton] I think Johnny Drip-Drip's about to go bye-bye.
Just hoping that...
[Adnan] Back inside of the ring.
Damian Priest got to Miz.
Hit the lights!
[Saxton] Cover by Priest!
One, two, three!
[Adnan] And a surreal win for Damian Priest,
the Archer of Infamy.
[Rome] Damian Priest!
[audience cheering]
[Adnan] This has gotta feel good for Damian Priest
that the zombies are...
[Corey] Miz is about to be devoured before our very eyes!
Who cares how Damian Priest feels?
[Adnan] A bloodthirsty crowd, perhaps.
[Corey] This is no time for jokes, Adnan.
[Saxton] Not a good time to be an A-lister, huh?
[Adnan] This is most certainly not the scene we expected.
Not the kind of match we expected.
[Adnan] A win that Damian Priest will never forget.
I'm sure The Miz nightmare is constant.
Corey, why don't you go check on The Miz?
[Corey] I'm gonna make a request.
Dave Bautista, please stop sending your friends to our events.
Thank you. Sincerely, us.
[woman] They knew this day would come.
[buzzer rings]
It's too late now.
They have no choice.
How did it come to this?
It's time.
There is no turning back.
They must go.
The Cell is here.
[chains rattling]
[Cole] You are looking at 385 pounds of fury.
"The Monster Among Men" Braun Strowman,
looking to take down Drew McIntyre
and end the reign of "The All Mighty" Bobby Lashley
in our Triple Threat Match later on tonight for the WWE title.
Yo.
What the hell is all that about, Us?
Roman don't need no family distractions tonight.
Look, as long as you're in Roman's corner, what else he need?
You know what? Even with you in his corner tonight,
Roman might lose the title.
Then what you gonna do, Us? Huh?
What you gonna do then? Think about it.
Maybe...
the name on that locker room door right there
should say Roman Reigns...
and his bitch.
[audience cheering]
Well, the Reigns family appears to be splintering.
Again, the main event later on tonight,
Roman Reigns versus Cesaro for the Universal Championship.
Yeah, it's gonna be massive.
Obviously, the biggest night in Cesaro's life.
How will it all pan out?
We're gonna have to watch. I can't wait for it.
You're listening to Tiny Riot, an absolute banger from Sam Raiden,
an official theme song of WrestleMania Backlash,
available now on Apple Music and Spotify.
[Cole] And up next, it is all about the SmackDown Women's Championship,
the longest reigning women's champion in SmackDown history at 300 days, Bayley.
Watch her title back the champion, Bianca Belair,
her first title defense since WrestleMania.
The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the SmackDown Women's Championship!
♪ There's a feeling, there's a fire ♪
♪ There's a whisper Preaching to the choir ♪
♪ Keep on breathing, don't go under ♪
♪ Keep your ear to the ground Hear the thunder ♪
♪ When the earth quakes And the ground shakes ♪
♪ Throw your caution to the wind When the storm breaks ♪
-[Corey] Banks got all of... -[Saxton] Oh, my God!
Belair rolled through, you kidding me?
And now powered up with Banks in her arms!
♪ Start a tiny riot ♪
♪ Stop being so... quiet ♪
♪ Got a spark in your heart So strike it ♪
♪ Crush your way up here ♪
♪ Turn the pouring rain to a tidal wave And fight it ♪
[commentator] The E-S-T of WWE
is now the B-E-S-T of Friday Night SmackDown.
[Bianca] This moment is for all those little girls that are watching it,
especially for the ones that saw themselves
when they looked at me. This is for you.
[woman laughs]
Bianca Belair!
She's so naive.
She's so blind to this whole world around us.
Bianca's just getting started, but I'm here to crash her freaking party.
I am the longest-reigning SmackDown Women's Champion.
How many days?
Bayley with a 380-day reign.
Oh, my God!
The first-ever Grand Slam Women's Champion!
Damn, I'm good!
[Bianca] Girl!
Can I live?
You just can't let me be SmackDown Women's Champion, can you?
Like it or not, it's only about to get better at WrestleMania Backlash.
Because I'm on my way to becoming
the new longest-reigning SmackDown Women's Champion.
Bayley trying to take Bianca down.
Is that her earring?
I think she's trying to rip off her earring.
Listen up!
[Bayley] Ding-dong, hello. Bianca.
I'm taking back what's mine. The title and my spot
at the top of this division that I built.
[Cole] And for Bayley, the laughter has gone away.
She is now serious. She is aggressive.
She considers herself the role model
of the entire SmackDown Women's locker room.
And she holds the record of 380 days as SmackDown Women's Champion.
[Pat] She sure started out that way as a role model.
I don't know if what she's doing has been such,
but she's looking to get her championship back tonight for sure.
Bayley is known for shaving her opponent's name
in the back of her head.
She has "Bel Loser" shaved into her head tonight.
A direct reference to Bianca Belair.
Michael Cole just stepped all over the pyro there
that Bayley has added to her entrance.
Okay. Ding-dong. Cole, is anybody home?
But "Bel Loser" on the back
is certainly creative and committed to the bit.
But she's got her hands full with Bianca.
[audience booing]
It's my title, Bianca. Your fairy tale is over.
[Cole] Bayley believes the clock will strike midnight tonight
for Bianca Belair.
Ladies and gentlemen from SmackDown,
Michael Cole and Pat McAfee in WrestleMania Backlash
is presented by Zack Snyder's Army of the Dead.
Now playing in select theaters and coming soon on Netflix.
Can't wait to watch and see what happened to John Morrison.
I think two zombies ate him. Honestly.
Right over here.
We're gonna see what happens to Bayley tonight.
There it is. The "Bel Loser" shaved into the back of Bayley's head.
Will that be the case for the champion Bianca Belair here tonight?
[Bianca Belair's theme song playing]
[Cole] And for Bianca Belair, this is her first title defense
since defeating Sasha Banks at WrestleMania.
And here's the question, Pat.
That was such an emotional, such an historic night at WrestleMania.
But now, Bianca Belair heads in for her first championship defense.
What is going through her mind as she prepares for Bayley?
[Pat] She's not worried.
You're talking about one of the most confident humans I've ever seen.
And there's a good reason for that. She's unbelievable.
She's The EST of the WWE.
The best, the fastest, the toughest, the quickest, the roughest.
Everything you could think of,
she believes it because she is it.
If you have never seen her in action, welcome to the show.
-It's a battle of two. -[bell dings]
The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the SmackDown Women's Championship.
Introducing the challenger from San Jose, California,
Bayley!
[audience booing]
-Boo! -Oh, okay.
[indistinct arguing]
And her opponent from Knoxville, Tennessee,
she is the SmackDown Women's Champion,
Bianca Belair.
[audience cheering, clapping]
[Cole] It is about the SmackDown Women's Championship.
Speaking to Bianca Belair
and what she thinks of Bayley and Bayley's attitude toward her,
Bianca said, "People who hate you
because of mere jealousy over your success hurt themselves in disguise.
This is because you carry an image of who they wish they had become."
Those are the words Bianca toward Bayley, her opponent here tonight.
[Pat] Taylor Swift said "People throw rocks at things that shine.
And Bayley's been doing this to Bianca since she got here.
Bayley! Bayley! Come on!
She's looking for Michael Cole to start a Bayley chant.
Bayley, of course, the more experienced
of the two Superstars in this matchup.
She's held the NXT, the RAW, the SmackDown Women's Championship.
She's a Money in the Bank winner, a two-time tag team champion.
And Belair with her first title defense here tonight at WrestleMania Backlash.
Standing switch weight slot now by Bayley.
Bianca Belair returns the favor.
What does Bianca have to do to retain tonight, Pat?
[Pat] I think Bianca's gonna have
to do exactly she's doing right now, keep up with Bayley.
-Everything she can do... -[Cole] Oh!
[Pat] She's the fastest, the quickest, The EST of the WWE.
If she can keep up with the power of Bayley tonight,
which I think she can.
She has displayed incredible strength. That's how she retains tonight.
[Cole] One thing about Bianca Belair,
she doesn't seem to be affected by the spotlight.
As you take another look now at the switch by Bianca Belair.
Check out the look now on Bayley's face.
Yeah, Bianca surprised the OG, Bayley.
But again, Bianca doesn't seem to be affected by the spotlight,
the fact that she's champion.
Doesn't seem like she has those nerves build up.
Always in control.
[Pat] She's been waiting for this moment.
She did in college, obviously, as an All-American.
And as soon as she got into the WWE, she wanted the spotlight.
[Cole] Now Bianca Belair trying to control Bayley,
working on the left arm of the former champion.
This is smart. This is cerebral.
[Cole] You mentioned cerebral.
Many believe that Bayley has to outwit Bianca to win this match.
And reach back for the long braid of Bianca's hair.
-And we know... -Don't touch my hair!
We know what that long braid is capable of.
Ask Sasha Banks and the welt that Bianca Belair left
on Sasha at Wrestlemania.
[Pat] "Don't touch my hair," says Bianca to Bayley.
Bayley doesn't wanna touch that hair.
[Cole] Bianca effortlessly over the top. Now, rolls through.
[Pat] This is unbelievable.
[Cole] And Bianca with a leapfrog.
Uh-oh, Bayley though. Bayley caught her. Shoulders down.
And Bianca at two.
-[Pat] Bianca... -[Cole] A roll through again.
Stacking Bayley up. Is it enough? Bayley able to kick at two.
Bianca quickly up to the second rope.
[Pat] I believe she's saying, "Kiss my ass."
[Cole] The attitude by Bianca Belair.
And she has Bayley off her game in the early going.
Dropkicked into the kip-up.
[Pat] Attitude, agility, athleticism. Whatever you wanna call it.
It is amazing from Bianca Belair.
[Cole] There's no doubt that Bayley
is off her game early on here against Belair.
Bianca just oozing confidence.
-[Pat] Wouldn't you? -[Cole] Bayley whipped into the corner.
Wouldn't you? Historic night.
WrestleMania main event with Sasha.
-Bianca should be oozing with confidence. -[Cole] Oh!
Many have said, Pat, that Bayley is jealous.
That she's upset with what Bianca's accomplished.
The way the world has talked about her. Her abilities.
What she brings. The charisma she brings to the championship.
-[Pat] Bayley. -[Cole] Uh-oh.
-Bayley in trouble. -[Pat] Oh!
And Bianca slamming into the mat.
This has been all Belair so far.
The power displayed there.
-[Cole] And Bayley needs a timeout. -[Pat] Smart.
[Cole] Bayley trying to revert what has been a rout so far for Belair.
Watch Belair just muscling Bayley into the ring.
[Pat] That's that power that we were talking about earlier from Bianca.
She has everything that you could possibly dream of
to be a WWE Superstar.
[Cole] And Bayley now with Belair in pursuit.
Bianca able to leap over.
And then a shoulder tackle.
Pat, everything Bayley's trying to do here has backfired.
[Pat] You talked about that jealousy earlier.
Some people are saying that. I would not say that.
But this is classic old-school, new-school.
Bianca Belair isn't enough to put Bayley away.
Hook of the leg. To retain.
And Bayley able to stay in at a two.
[Pat] The OGs who have been great for a long time.
[Cole] Watch this.
Tremendous moonsault by Belair.
Almost put Bayley away. Listen, if you're Bayley, what do you do now?
Everything you've tried has not worked.
[Pat] "Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face."
Didn't Tyson say that?
Feels like that's potentially what's happening to Bayley.
And Bianca's... -[Cole] Uh-oh.
Bayley, though, grabbed the earring.
Much like we saw Friday night on SmackDown.
And now Bayley.
That one move there allowed the veteran to take over.
And here comes Bayley.
[Pat] You called Bayley a role model earlier. I'm not sure that's right.
But she will do anything to regain her claim as the top of the mountain here.
[Cole] Let's be clear, self-proclaimed role model.
And Belair is now hurt. Whipped into the corner.
And now Bayley has the advantage.
And we know how dangerous Bayley is in this type of situation.
[Pat] Bayley's been around a long time.
She's been at the top of her game for a long time.
-Two, three. -[Cole] Got to be careful.
She's not disqualified.
Remember, Belair has the advantage tonight. Cover.
On Bayley. Kick out at two.
Bayley's got to pin or submit Bianca Belair
to win the championship.
[Pat] Yeah, Bayley can't get disqualified for doing anything too dirty.
Right now, go ground and pound. Smart by Bayley, by the way.
[Cole] Well-placed knees into the spine.
Let's ground Bianca Belair and not allow her to use her power.
The athleticism that has taken her to the top of Friday Night SmackDown.
[Pat] I was talking to Bayley.
Just so happened to run into her.
She said she feels like she paved the way for this SmackDown Women's Championship
that is just, you know, the pinnacle of sports entertainment.
[Cole] Oh, Bayley loves to be on this stage.
WrestleMania Backlash from WWE ThunderDome
for the SmackDown Women's Championship.
Nice back suplex by Bayley.
Is it enough to put Belair away for the championship?
And Belair has got to power at two.
[Pat] Bayley, that's that headiness of being in there for a long time,
being at the top.
She's shrewd, no doubt about that.
[Cole] Gotta take advantage of the moment, take advantage of the situation.
[Cole] Bayley trying to head up to the top rope,
and Belair meets her with a right.
And now, oh, Bayley hangs Belair up on the second rope!
It's almost like Bayley's sucking her in, Pat.
[Pat] It felt like she was kind of setting her up for that whole thing.
The veteran experience, she told me to talk about her, I will.
Early, this thing did not look good for Bayley,
but here recently, she's been turning around.
[Cole] And Belair...
[Pat] This didn't work earlier for Bayley.
[Cole] Bayley trying to bring Belair over the top rope.
Belair able to block into a vertical suplex of her own!
[Pat] Well, Davey Boy Smith...
Delay at the top!
[Cole] And now, Bianca Belair looks to capitalize
on what's become an opening.
Watch this power by Belair!
And look it, Bayley rolls her up for the championship!
Almost stole one there!
[Pat] How?
[Cole] And now both women rolling over toward the bottom rope,
-and now out of the ring. -[Pat] Here we go.
Now, this is where Bayley likes to operate.
[Cole] Outside the ring,
Bayley dropping Belair onto the steel steps.
And all of a sudden,
things have turned tragic for the champion.
[Pat] Immediate... tide turner.
Her entire midsection dropped on steel, and then suplexed onto the floor.
[Cole] Suplexed by Bayley, the official counting.
Bayley realizes she's got to get the champ in the ring.
Rolls in for the cover.
-One, two... -Take the championship!
And Bianca's got a power.
But did you see the look on Belair's face?
Listen to this.
Right up on the steel.
[Pat] Look, a shin hit the post as well.
And then follows up with a-- Bow!
Suplex onto the floor.
[Cole] We're gonna learn a lot about Bianca Belair, the champion tonight.
[Pat] Wins the Royal Rumble,
main event's WrestleMania, becomes champion.
Now, she's getting battle-tested.
[Cole] Can she dig down deep against one of the most
prolific women's champions in SmackDown history?
Bayley up over the top. Belair back to her feet.
Shoulder tackle for Bayley. Bayley makes it to the ropes.
Does not allow Bayley to capitalize.
Now, Belair able to catch Bayley, though.
She went for a running cross body.
But still, Belair really hurting from hitting the steps.
And now, Bayley with Bianca up on her shoulders.
Oh! Is it enough?
That could be it!
To win the title! And a power-out again by Belair.
[Pat] That sounded like two there.
Two devastating shots from Bayley on Bianca.
We're learning a lot about Bianca.
The Belair era is getting tested.
-It's young. -[Cole] Oh!
And a running knee by Bayley. She claims it's midnight for Cinderella.
Cover now on Belair.
To win the championship!
And Belair powers out and powers Bayley out of the ring.
[Pat] This comes after getting slammed on the stairs.
[Cole] You know what? It ticked Bayley off.
It embarrassed Bayley.
And now, Bayley taking it out on the champion.
[Pat] I don't know how she has this power this late in the game.
The conditioning. The cardio.
The Sunday performance of Bianca Belair.
These are the nights that she's gonna have to get used to.
[Cole] Watch this power by Belair.
When you talk to her college coach, one of the things they'll tell you
is that Bianca Belair had unbelievable stamina.
She was in unbelievable condition as she is here tonight.
And Belair trying to stay in this match.
[Bayley laughs]
Come on! [laughs]
[Pat] I ask Bayley why she laughs at her.
-Come on! -Because this isn't real life.
What Bianca has been able to accomplish.
[Cole] Belair missed wildly.
Oh! That one caught Bayley and dropped her.
That'll shut Bayley up. That smack by Belair.
[Pat] Laughing at the champion in the middle of the match.
Poor decision.
[Cole] Now Belair grounding Bayley again.
And now, Bianca Belair's upset.
[Pat] The disrespect. Laughing in her face in this thing.
[Cole] On the fact that Bayley was screaming at her.
-Calling her a rookie. -[Pat] Bel Loser in the back of her hand.
[Cole] What a sweep by Belair. Bianca Belair's fired up.
And again, Bayley slung across the ring.
Drop kick by Belair.
[Pat] Bianca likes being the champion.
She lives for this.
[Cole] And Bayley wants to be champion as well.
Belair up over the top again.
Bayley slips out of harm's way and goes right for the back of Belair.
[Pat] Once again, felt like Bayley set her up for that.
[Cole] The veteran instincts of Bayley.
She's been in many big, big matches over the last decade.
And now looking for the Rose Planner.
Finishing maneuver. Belair was able to counter.
And now a spinebuster to Bayley.
Stacks her up to retain. Is it enough?
-Bayley able to kick a two. -[Pat] Wow.
Was it about an eighth of a second?
Bayley with the resiliency.
Spinebuster from Bianca.
[Cole] Look at the power again. Bianca Belair, just a freakish athlete.
Bayley with the wherewithal to get the shoulder up and survive.
[Pat] Bayley one up. Bayley one down quick.
-Now Bianca is settling in. -[Cole] You see Bianca?
Took a deep breath.
Relax. Slow the pace.
Try to power through barely here.
Oh, and now Bayley with a clothesline.
And Bayley now showing some signs of life.
Belair in trouble. Bayley going to the top rope.
Bayley with the flying elbow.
Champ maybe down.
Is it enough for Bayley to win a third SmackDown title?
Not right there.
[Pat] Perfectly placed elbow from the top from Bayley.
First it was the clothesline from Bayley,
and she dragged Bianca Belair into position.
In a perfectly placed elbow drop to the sternum.
Back to the stairs earlier.
Elbow to the sternum.
Bianca's have to be having trouble breathing right now.
[Cole] It's amazing how this is evened up
after the way Belair was dominating the early going.
Bayley trying to slide through and Belair able to counter.
And now Belair...
Oh! Bounce face-first off the post.
[Pat] Bianca was just eating those kicks there for a second.
One last ditch effort.
I'll throw her around the post and then Bayley takes advantage.
Can't win via countout. Bayley has to know that.
[Cole] And Bayley understands.
And now flies through.
Belair just sidesteps and Bayley crashes and burns.
[Pat] "Ole," says the young buck.
[Cole] And now Bianca Belair.
Oh, look at this.
Two!
-Right into the apron. -Three!
You gotta appreciate this as well.
Belair doesn't wanna win via countout. She wants to pin Bayley.
Center of the ring to retain,
and Bayley kicks.
[Pat] She wanted to say, "I'm better than you.
You know it.
And everybody else has to learn it as well."
A sidestep as Bayley crashed to the outside.
Could've let her just stay out there.
Ten count, get a win, retain, move on.
-Collect a paycheck. -[Cole] Bianca's a competitor.
She wants to prove.
She wants to be the best SmackDown Women's Champion ever.
And Bayley looking for a backslide.
Shoulders down. Bayley's got her feet on the ropes.
Bianca able to kick it too.
And Bayley now stacking Belair up. She's got the ropes a second time.
And finally, the official catches her.
[Pat] One time? No, that was two times.
You look like an NFL ref out there.
-Knock it off. -Hey, that's fine.
It's not illegal if you don't get caught, says...
[Cole] Still arguing with the official.
Bianca took a right. Right in the mouth.
Bayley and Bianca beginning to brawl
for the SmackDown Women's Championship here.
Now Bayley raked the eyes.
Used Bianca's body to blind the official.
But a rake to the eyes. Clear rake of the eyes by Bayley.
[Pat] This is that desperation win-at-all-costs that Bayley has.
Wants to get her championship back.
[Cole] And now Bianca Belair may well be blinded
after Bayley raked her eyes.
[Pat] The ropes twice. The eye rake. This is within the last 45 seconds.
[Cole] See where the referee was positioned?
Bayley putting her body right between the official and Belair.
Allowed Bayley to rake the eyes and take advantage.
And now, Bayley with a long braid of Belair.
[Pat] This is just smart from Bayley.
[Cole] And Bayley, ripcord...
into a Belly to Bayley!
Using the hair to advantage-- to win the championship,
and almost had her.
[Pat] This thing started with Bianca telling Bayley, "Don't touch my hair."
And Bayley almost just used the hair to get a win.
[Cole] Yeah, a ripcord into a Bayley to Belly.
A near-fall for the challenger.
[Pat] Disrespectful smack to the back of the head.
-That was for you, Pat. -[Pat] Whoa.
I didn't deserve that. Cole did.
[Cole] And Bayley right back to the braid of Belair.
Rolling through, looking for the rose plant.
Bianca able to roll through. Uses her hair!
Bianca using the hair. Had Bayley wrapped.
And Bayley, did she kick?
No, Belair got the win.
[Rome] Here is your winner and still the SmackDown Women's Champion.
Bianca Belair!
[Cole] And Bayley can't believe it. Bianca Belair turned the tables on Bayley.
Using her braid to her advantage,
got her some leverage,
and allowed Bianca to pin the challenger.
[Pat] Bayley tried to use the hair against Bianca.
Instead, it comes full circle,
and Bianca uses the hair to win. And Bayley is outraged.
You replay it right now!
She used her stupid hair
and wrapped it around my leg.
-Huh? -Replay it!
-What's that? -Write it in your notes.
Bianca's a cheater.
[Cole] I don't wanna tell Bayley this, Pat,
but it was Bayley who started the use of the hair in the matchup.
[Pat] She kind of flipped it on you. That's tough.
Especially with the haircut, Bayley.
Welcome to the Bianca Belair era.
[Cole] Bianca Belair successfully defends the SmackDown Women's title
in her first title events here tonight at WrestleMania Backlash.
-She used her hair as leverage. -I didn't see that.
But I did see you cheating. No, come on.
[man] Peacock's got WWE Network exclusively.
-Give me a, "Hell yeah!" -[audience cheering]
-In the ring... -[man 1] Watch out.
[man 2] There it is.
-...over the top... -Woo-hoo.
...from tag teams to tap-outs.
-[man 1] Good grief. -Action.
-To the top. This is gonna be good. -Reactions.
The only places to stream every live pay-per-view
from WrestleMania Backlash to SummerSlam.
[Seth] Are you ready?
[Rob] There's a lot of things that I would do differently now,
but I don't live with regret.
This was my journey.
To ECW fans, he was our Bruno Sammartino.
He was our Hulk Hogan.
I did everything my way, and I ended up at the very top.
I went through some really dark times.
-[sirens blaring] -[audience cheering]
And I put myself back together again.
When you ask people some of the most exciting talent of all times,
Rob Van Dam is in that argument every single time.
Congratulations to Bianca Belair
on retaining her SmackDown Women's Championship.
Now, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest, MVP.
[audience booing]
MVP, last Monday on RAW,
you approached Braun Strowman with a business proposition.
-What did you make of Braun's decision? -[chuckles]
Let's just say that Braun's display of destruction last week
shows that he makes poor business decisions.
Actually, he's...
He lacks the intellectual capacity
to hold the most prestigious title of the WWE,
the WWE Championship.
Let's face it, not everyone is intelligent enough
to see the broader picture.
Drew McIntyre, he is sharp enough to see the broader picture.
And he's also savvy enough to know
that that picture does not look very good for him.
So, are you in any way concerned that in a triple-threat,
the odds aren't exactly in Lashley's favor?
I wouldn't say I'm concerned, but everyone knows...
that Bobby Lashley is at an inherent disadvantage
being in a Triple Threat Match
where he could lose his championship without even being pinned.
And...
Look, I'm not concerned about Bobby Lashley,
because he'll overcome any obstacle that you place in front of him.
Bobby's not just a champion.
He's not just the WWE Champion.
He is The All Mighty WWE Champion.
[audience booing]
[Corey] There's the Scottish Warrior, Drew McIntyre.
One third of the WWE Championship Triple Threat Match
headed your way in moments.
And look in the eyes of the Scottish Warrior,
Drew McIntyre is ready for battle.
[Adnan] Drew's got a new book, A Chosen Destiny.
How about this latest chapter
in this Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship?
The All Mighty Bobby Lashley, The Monster Among Men Braun Strowman,
and The Scottish Warrior Drew McIntyre.
Here is how we arrived at this titanic moment.
Attention, WWE Universe, we have entered The All Mighty era.
Drew McIntyre is an absolute horror.
But he took his eye off the target for one second.
The MVP caused a distraction.
And The All Mighty Bobby Lashley
absolutely decimated, punished, and destroyed Drew McIntyre.
-McIntyre is fading. -[bell dings]
[Rome] And still WWE Champion.
Drew is like this piece of bubble gum
that's stuck on my shoe that I can't get rid of.
[man] The Triple Threat Match.
The winner will face Bobby Lashley in WrestleMania Backlash.
[Corey] Claymore kick.
[Adnan] McIntyre secured his rematch.
Now, at WrestleMania Backlash,
I have to defend my title against Drew McIntyre.
But this time, this is the Triple Threat Match?
[Adnan] If Strowman wins this match,
he is in the WWE Championship match
against McIntyre and Bobby Lashley.
[Corey] Braun's going to WrestleMania Backlash.
The All Mighty WWE Champion will now have to defend his crown
against both Drew McIntyre and Braun Strowman.
So, now, here we are.
Drew could beat Braun and regain the WWE Championship.
Braun could beat Drew and become the WWE Champion.
So you're telling me that, potentially, The All Mighty WWE Champion
could lose his title and not even have a hand in the outcome?
That's disgusting. That's unacceptable.
That's disrespectful.
[man] Decimate!
Both Drew and Braun know
that I can beat them in a head-to-head competition anytime.
It is now The All Mighty era.
[Braun] I'm The Monster Among Men.
I've destroyed more people than you can even imagine.
[Drew] We're gonna beat the hell out of each other.
But in the end, I will end The All Mighty era
and regain my WWE Championship.
[Corey] Claymore!
If Drew McIntyre got so injured
that he wasn't able to make it to WrestleMania Backlash...
It's gotta be a one-on-one match between The Monster Among Men
and The All Mighty WWE Champion.
[audience cheering]
[Corey] Braun Strowman!
That's good business, plain and simple.
[Adnan] Maybe not!
What are you doing, man?
[Corey] Braun's allegiance lies with no one.
[roars]
[Drew McIntyre's theme music playing]
It is now time, gentlemen.
If familiarity indeed breeds contempt,
Drew McIntyre is a man oozing with contempt
for The All Mighty WWE Champion Bobby Lashley.
Drew McIntyre is looking to become the 16th three-time WWE Champion
and the first since Roman Reigns in 2016 to reach three-time status.
And to Corey's point, these three participants
know each other awfully well.
I've had a chance of talking to Drew McIntyre a number of times
leading up to this match and he has vowed...
vowed not to make the same mistake he made
six weeks ago at WrestleMania.
Not to take his eyes off the ball
and instead to leave WrestleMania Backlash once again WWE Champion.
[Corey] To be fair, Byron, Drew didn't make many mistakes at WrestleMania.
His body betrayed him.
McIntyre passed out in the Hurt Lock.
We know what Drew McIntyre is made of.
We know what The Scottish Warrior is capable of.
Will tonight be the night
that McIntyre once again reaches the top of the mountain?
McIntyre put it best.
He said this match is gonna be about who can absorb the most punishment.
McIntyre has also said, "I can't be angry at Lashley."
He's a competitor. He's a fighter.
MVP is the one with all the talk. He's the one pulling the strings.
[Braun Strowman's theme music playing]
Enter the steam-breathing Monster Among Men.
Braun Strowman.
The former Universal Champion.
Braun would love to add the WWE Championship
to his already impressive list of accolades.
This is Braun Strowman's second opportunity
at the WWE Championship.
The first was the 2016 Royal Rumble match.
And he is ready to rule tonight.
For months, Braun Strowman has been nothing short of obsessed
with becoming WWE Champion.
Remember, Braun Strowman was a last-minute addition
to this Triple Threat matchup.
Braun Strowman stood on watch
on King Kong meets Godzilla meets the Incredible Hulk.
This is gonna be the battle of the titans.
McIntyre has not taken his eyes off Braun Strowman,
and Braun Strowman has not taken his eyes off of Drew McIntyre.
I appreciate the stoicism of McIntyre.
Staring a hole through Braun Strowman. No emotion shown.
[Bobby Lashley's theme music playing]
[audience booing]
Guys, Bobby Lashley's most recent title reign in WWE
ended in a Triple Threat Match when Riddle picked John Morrison to win.
Lashley was not involved in the decision.
You'd have to wonder how that past history is entering his mind.
[Corey] You don't need to wonder at all, Adnan.
Lashley is haunted to this very day that the match resulted the way it did.
But since then, nothing but destruction in the wake of The All Mighty
Lashley sent out a tweet earlier today that said,
"Tonight, WrestleMania Backlash,
The All Mighty era rolls on
and you will finally stop doubting my power."
We've seen over the last couple weeks
the attempts of MVP to conjure up these side deals
with Drew McIntyre, with Braun Strowman,
trying to create a temporary alliance in this matchup
because both these men understand...
Lashley and MVP understand how much jeopardy the WWE Champion is in.
And Bobby Lashley, at least publicly, confident as ever.
On Twitter, he questioned if Drew McIntyre
is the champion the WWE Universe wants and desires.
Tonight, it is every man for himself.
Likely to see some strange alliances in this one.
[Rome] The following contest is a Triple Threat Match
for the WWE Championship!
[audience cheering]
Introducing the challengers...
First, from Ayr, Scotland,
weighing in at 265 pounds,
Drew McIntyre!
Next, weighing in at 385 pounds,
Braun Strowman!
[indistinct conversation]
And their opponent, accompanied to the ring by MVP,
The All Mighty WWE Champion,
Bobby Lashley!
[audience booing]
Bobby Lashley made the declaration several weeks ago,
"In one-on-one competition,
I can beat Braun Strowman," and he did it.
Bobby Lashley also claimed he could beat Drew McIntyre
in one-on-one competition.
Did that at WrestleMania, almost did it again last week.
But, this is a triple-threat.
The rules, very, very different.
How will this work out for The All Mighty?
We are about to finally find out!
And the WWE Championship has not changed hands
in a Triple Threat Match since 2015,
when Seth Rollins cashed in Money in the Bank at WrestleMania 31.
Before, it was Daniel Bryan winning the title at WrestleMania 30.
And away...
Me and you! What?
Let's do it.
No?
We're talking about strange bedfellows in a match like this.
Temporary alliances of necessity.
But Strowman right now crushing both other competitors.
Braun Strowman trying to continue the dominance he displayed
-Oh! -...Monday night on RAW.
Bobby using his quickness advantage to down Strowman.
And maybe we'll have a temporary alliance with McIntyre in the last week.
In an environment like this, it's almost a necessity.
You've got to work together with one of your opponents,
at least temporarily.
Bobby coming to the aid of Drew McIntyre, now attacking Strowman.
Mauling Strowman.
But it's less about saving Drew McIntyre and more about harming Braun Strowman.
And yeah, you have to remember, this was supposed to be Bobby Lashley
and Drew McIntyre one-on-one.
Lashley marching.
It's supposed to be every man for himself, but right now, in this instance,
McIntyre and Lashley, working together.
How do you take down a monster?
Case in point!
My God!
-Unbelievable! -Power!
Thunderous suplex delivered by Bobby Lashley and Drew McIntyre.
And for a moment, Strowman eliminated from the equation.
Now it's more of a one-on-one environment.
Whoa!
Lashley gets launched by McIntyre.
McIntyre pleased with his work.
Glasgow Kiss delivered to Strowman.
Lashley very wisely picking McIntyre's ankle from the outside.
No countouts, no disqualifications in a Triple Threat Match.
And we expect this match to be intense, to be physical.
To be destructive.
We might need to rebuild the ThunderDome after these three are done.
Oh, my God. McIntyre on the shoulders of Lashley.
Lashley driven shoulder-first into the ring post.
And now, McIntyre burying knees to the body.
-Strowman! Oh, my goodness! -Oh, God!
Braun Strowman just went airborne
to take out Drew McIntyre and Bobby Lashley.
That was horrifying.
-Let's watch it again. -Yeah.
Three hundred eighty-five pounds.
Sacrificing and risking everything to take out the opposition.
Strowman in control.
Strowman manhandling Lashley.
-Braun just planted Lashley. -The cover here from Braun.
Strowman is the only man in this matchup
who has never tasted the glory of being WWE Champion.
But Braun was less than a half a second away
from getting that taste as we look once again
at Braun driving The All Mighty WWE Champion
into the mat and nearly capturing the WWE title.
You can feel the concern of MVP. Strowman trying to end this.
Trying to go for the Hurt Lock.
Bobby wants the Hurt Lock, but it's not gonna be easy
when you're dealing with Strowman.
That 385-pound frame is too large for Lashley.
Whoa!
Drew McIntyre flying.
Like a car crash mid-ring.
We saw Strowman go airborne this time. The Scottish Warrior.
Whoa!
Lashley again launched.
Strowman into the ring post.
And now, Drew McIntyre has a slight set on the WWE Champion.
The champion with the wherewithal to avoid for a moment.
But Drew McIntyre, now once again, from the top rope.
Down goes Lashley.
And up goes McIntyre.
McIntyre energized right now as he avoids Strowman.
Almost a version of a zigzag by McIntyre.
Probably here for McIntyre.
Lashley desperate to save his championship.
And this matchup continues.
Very fortunate situation for Lashley
to be at the right place at the right time.
To break up the pinfall.
Lashley now just raining down right hands.
The certifiable badass WWE Champion.
Oh!
And McIntyre tastes his own medicine.
Oh, my gosh!
That is freakish strength from Lashley.
Three hundred and eighty-five pounds,
-Lashley puts him down to cover-- -Whoa!
Whoa!
Somehow, Strowman stays alive.
That was three!
Look at this superhuman strength
by The All Mighty Bobby Lashley.
As McIntyre now launched into the barricade.
Look at the intensity in the eyes of Lashley.
It's the gaze of a gladiator.
Bobby Lashley needs this intensity. He needs this level of focus
if he wants to leave WrestleMania Backlash with his WWE title.
As this match progresses, it looks as though
Bobby Lashley's confidence continues to build.
Continues to grow.
Drew McIntyre has just said, "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.
I'm gonna turn Bobby's weaknesses into my strengths."
But it's all Bobby Lashley right now.
Does Bobby Lashley have any weaknesses, Adnan?
Because I sure as hell haven't seen any.
Lashley trying this again.
Good night, Drew.
Oh!
Braun Strowman!
This is perfectly legal. No disqualification.
Now Braun Strowman has Lashley off to himself.
Again with the steel steps.
Lashley just wrecked by the steel ring stairs.
Lashley made the mistake of taking a moment to celebrate
and walked right into those steel steps.
Second-time courtesy of The Monster Among Men.
Strowman possesses an over 100-pound weight advantage
to both of his competitors.
Using that size advantage very effectively.
McIntyre was able to strike with the Claymore
and send Strowman all the way over the barricade.
This is prime real estate, prime opportunity now for Drew McIntyre.
The Scottish Warrior showing his resolve
and his resilience right now against Bobby Lashley.
No time can be wasted.
Inflict as much punishment as you can
on Bobby Lashley if you're Drew McIntyre.
What must Bobby Lashley do right now?
Clearly, Drew McIntyre is the aggressor, Byron.
Right now, Lashley has got to find a way to survive this onslaught.
Drew McIntyre.
This won't be easy to survive if Drew lands what he's looking for.
McIntyre able to counter.
Lashley blocking and a reversal. Ugh.
[groans]
The unforgiving steel of that ramp.
Drop the lies, you got him! You hurt him.
You hurt him. You hurt him, baby. You hurt him.
Drew McIntyre is hurt.
This Triple Threat Match testing all of these WWE Superstars as Lashley.
Elbow right across the back of the neck of Drew McIntyre.
This could be a hazardous position for McIntyre and Lashley.
We've seen the destruction that Bobby Lashley
and Braun Strowman have caused.
In the past, could McIntyre be headed for a similar fate?
You got it! Do it, man! Finish him.
Lashley's got McIntyre hooked, oh, my gosh.
Oh!
What a counter by Drew.
Glasgow Kiss connects.
And Lashley now being dribbled off in the LED boards.
The Compose are set here.
We are seeing the bloodthirsty viciousness of Drew McIntyre.
That's what it's gonna take.
-Oh! -Oh, no!
Whoa!
Oh, my God, McIntyre's got daylight.
Drew McIntyre needs to only focus on Braun Strowman right now.
The WWE Champion has been eliminated from the situation for the moment.
I think you're right, Corey.
Drew McIntyre might have effectively disposed
of the WWE Champion in this match.
The unbridled aggression of Drew McIntyre as he takes out The All Mighty.
[crackling]
McIntyre hell-bent on making sure
that history does not repeat itself tonight.
But Lashley...
threw the LED boards on our set.
Guys, last time this happened, we didn't see Lashley for weeks.
Where the hell is he?
Drew's wondering the same thing.
Strowman now flattening McIntyre.
Man, there can be no hesitation.
Despite what happened to Bobby Lashley,
Drew McIntyre still has to worry about a hungry Monster Among Men.
But now, McIntyre in the sights of Strowman incoming!
Boom!
Strowman just mowed through McIntyre.
Braun Strowman said, "Since day one,
I told you I'm gonna do it and I've done it."
The monster's at the top of the food chain,
and now he tries to exact some vengeance here on Drew McIntyre.
Right now, Braun Strowman with a golden opportunity
to close this one out.
This could be the golden hour for the Monster Among Men.
-Strowman. -[roars]
-Whoa! -Primal concrete sledge to the heart!
-Senton by Strowman! -In the cover!
One, two--
Somehow, McIntyre survives.
Three hundred eighty-five pounds
crashing down across the chest
and sternum and rib cage of Drew McIntyre.
But somehow, The Scottish Warrior survives.
Somehow is right.
I don't know how McIntyre found the strength
to even kick out of that senton by Strowman. But Strowman...
I wouldn't be surprised if McIntyre's chest was crushed right now.
-Oh! -Oh! Big right hand!
-[yells] -Whoa!
-No way! -Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Michinoku Driver to Strowman! Into the cover!
One, two...
Whoa! Strowman!
Somehow, some way.
We've spent so much time talking about the power of Strowman,
of Lashley!
How about Drew McIntyre?
Even more shocking at this stage of the match.
After everything Drew McIntyre has been through.
Still finding the strength
to hoist up the nearly 400-pound frame of Braun Strowman.
You're absolutely right, Saxton.
It's the iron will. The lion heart of The Scottish Warrior
on display for the whole world to see.
Strowman vowed this was gonna be a war.
It's gonna reopen people's eyes to what this business is,
as he throws Drew over the ropes.
Braun bought himself a valuable couple of moments
to regain composure.
And now, it's time to clear the tracks.
The Strowman Express about to leave the station.
-Watch out! -Oh, McIntyre!
Oh, my God!
McIntyre caught Strowman!
Right on the back of Braun's neck.
All of Braun's body weight
sent crashing down across the top of his shoulders and neck.
At the last second, McIntyre avoided possible disaster.
Watch this landing.
Three hundred eighty-five pounds.
Strowman just narrowly avoided potential career catastrophe.
You have to wonder how much more can Braun Strowman take after that.
With a vitriol on the face of Drew McIntyre.
Oh, my God! Look out, fellas!
Good God!
McIntyre wanted the Claymore.
Strowman sensed it coming
and just flattened the Scottish Warrior through our announce table.
Look at this once more.
This was unreal.
Two hundred sixty-five plus pounds of McIntyre
caught out of mid-air
by a 385-pound Monster Among Men.
Take one more look at this tremendous response from Strowman.
Completely dismantled Drew McIntyre.
Absolutely staggering right now
what Strowman and McIntyre are doing to each other.
Braun Strowman has no intention of leaving the ThunderDome
without the WWE Championship.
Look at the intensity in the monster's eyes.
I think we might be just moments away.
Moments away from a new WWE Champion named Braun Strowman.
I think you might be right, Saxton.
McIntyre is virtually lifeless.
But McIntyre will fight until he is exactly that.
The Monster Among Men seizing the moment right now against the Scottish Warrior.
You're dead!
I'm done!
Strowman stating his intention to end this.
Braun wants the running power slam.
-McIntyre! -Wow!
The Claymore!
Braun is down!
But Lashley back into the match.
Whoa! Bobby Lashley out of nowhere!
That was Lashley! And Bobby Lashley the spear!
The spear!
-Cover! Lashley, the cover! -One, two, three!
The All Mighty remains the champion!
[Rome] Here is your winner and still The All Mighty WWE Champion,
Bobby Lashley!
Bobby Lashley delivering in the clutch.
We thought Lashley was done for.
This was a plan masterfully executed by The All Mighty WWE Champion.
Probably a little bit of credit needs to go to MVP as well.
Bobby Lashley waited.
Bobby Lashley stalked Braun Strowman and Drew McIntyre
as the two challengers virtually destroyed one another.
Opening the door for Lashley to nearly cut Braun clean in half
with a thunderous spear.
A thunderous spear at the ThunderDome
as the resolve and resilience of Bobby Lashley.
[Corey] Look at this once again.
The fact that Bobby Lashley survived this brutality
is amazing in and of itself.
But the closing moments, just as Braun could taste victory,
McIntyre delivers... boom!
The Claymore.
Strowman was done for.
But Bobby Lashley, lying in wait,
disposes of McIntyre,
and then, pow!
Drills Braun Strowman with a spear
that would put down Godzilla himself.
The All Mighty era continues to roll on.
Under the watchful eye of The All Mighty WWE Champion.
An incredible performance by Bobby Lashley.
Overcoming Braun Strowman and Drew McIntyre
and considerable punishment
before he gives the final blow.
A true Herculean effort by Bobby Lashley,
who is still your All Mighty WWE Champion.
We witness the true real-life Clash of the Titans.
And atop Mount Olympus sits The All Mighty.
[audience booing]
COVID-19 changed our way of life.
The way we work,
the way we play,
the way we live.
Right now, COVID-19 vaccines are available to millions of Americans.
Let's get back to our lives and get vaccinated.
Roll up your sleeve and do your part for those you love.
This is our shot.
And we can do this together.
[woman] They knew this day would come.
[buzzer blaring]
It's too late now.
They have no choice.
How did it come to this?
It's time.
There is no turning back.
They must go.
The Cell is here.
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, speaking of hell,
What about the hell that Bobby Lashley,
Braun Strowman, Drew McIntyre put themselves through moments ago?
[Pat] Braun Strowman catching Drew McIntyre,
curling him, putting him through this table,
insane Bobby Lashley retains.
All hell broke loose...
Well, speaking of hell.
This summer is gonna be as hot as hell.
Because Hell in a Cell comes your way in June this year
five weeks from tonight.
It is Hell in a Cell streaming live exclusively on Peacock.
But coming up next, ladies and gentlemen, it is our main event.
It is for the Universal Championship.
Cesaro in the biggest match of his career.
His first crack at the Universal title,
versus the head of the table, Roman Reigns,
who is still growing over his victory at WrestleMania.
I'm a man of my word.
The guillotine in.
Bryan's out.
Daniel Bryan is barred from SmackDown.
I gave Daniel Bryan what he wanted.
He didn't wanna be here.
So I smashed him.
And with his absence, we replaced him
someone who most certainly will acknowledge me.
♪ Uso! ♪
That's Jimmy Uso.
What a massive thing for the family.
Roman Reigns gets another right hand man.
I don't have time for you tonight, Roman.
I got my match with Seth Rollins to focus on.
Rollins attacking Cesaro from behind.
Cesaro wins.
He has an opportunity at the Universal Champion, Roman Reigns.
Jimmy distracting the official.
Hey, hey, no. Stay out of my business.
What did I tell you?
-You don't lie. -Come on.
Oh, and a super kick by Jimmy to Rollins.
And Cesaro now launching himself over the top rope.
One, two, three!
WrestleMania Backlash.
That man, Roman Reigns, has to defend the Universal Championship against Cesaro.
Me and your brother, we had a good operation.
But now, you're making mistakes that I don't wanna have to clean up.
You won't be talking to me any kind of way like you talked to my brother, Jey.
I ain't nobody's bitch.
Stand with us.
And acknowledge me.
Or you can take your ass home.
Just acknowledge him, bro.
And then we can get back to doing our thing, man.
I got Cesaro attacking Reigns from behind.
And now, Jey Uso trying to come to Roman's aid,
and Cesaro floors Jey.
And a conflicted Jimmy Uso.
I work every single day to get here.
I wanna be the proof that hard work pays off.
So, clearly, we got some problems.
One of them, your brother.
You like my shirt, Us?
Now's the time to hop on your boy's team.
I'm not sure if our boy here is gonna make it past Cesaro.
So let me guess, you can, right?
You really think you can do what I do, huh?
Do it! Do it!
Do it! Do what I do.
Well, Jimmy Uso with something to prove here tonight in our main event.
Let's beat this man, Cesaro.
It means the world to me to compete for the Universal Championship.
I'm not like Roman Reigns, asking for people to acknowledge me.
I try and earn it.
Jimmy Uso in his first action in 14 months right now.
And look at the power of Cesaro.
Well, there is Roman Reigns.
I told you. I run this place.
Yo, what you doing, dog?
You just had to make it about you.
You think this about you?
You think anybody cares if you beat Cesaro?
Oh, look out. Cesaro packing away.
Going after Jey Uso as Roman and Jimmy argue.
Get your ass in here and help.
Don't let go!
Can the Swiss Superman win the Universal Championship
as Roman Reigns' family implodes around him?
Man, I've dreamed about this moment for so long.
I know I can beat Roman Reigns and earn the Universal Championship.
[Cesaro's theme music playing]
Well, ladies and gentlemen.
For a decade, Cesaro has been part of WWE.
He has accomplished a lot in his career.
A United States Champion, a seven-time Tag Team Champion,
the winner of the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
But tonight, for the first time in ten years,
Cesaro gets an opportunity to battle for a World Championship.
What is going through Cesaro's mind, Pat,
in the biggest match of his career?
[Pat] He said it last week and the week before that.
He's been dreaming about this his entire life.
When he was a kid, he used to run trails in the Alps,
dreaming of a night like tonight.
Where he can cement his forever legacy as a Universal Champion.
[Cole] Cesaro proves that World Championship matches
don't come around very often.
He understands he has to make good
on this opportunity tonight.
His potential has always been there.
He's been flying at his highest altitude the last few weeks.
Ever since WrestleMania, the hottest Cesaro we have ever seen.
The biggest night of his life.
[Cole] Will it pay off in this match?
Yeah! Yeah!
Let's get it, Us! You ready?
I know you're ready! Let's go!
Just 21 minutes. What's all this talk about "we"?
What do you mean, Us? I'm always in your corner, bro.
What if...
What do you mean, what if?
You sound like your brother right now.
Maybe you should go find him.
[Roman Reign's theme music playing]
Well, it appears the head of the table...
is going to go it alone tonight.
It is a...
presence.
Roman Reigns brings an R to the WWE ThunderDome.
He is filled with confidence.
He believes he will retain tonight.
Pat, I don't think the gap could be any wider
between these two Superstars.
Paul Heyman gave us the statistics Friday night on SmackDown.
In Roman Reigns' career,
he has had 39 matches
for a world championship. 39!
He has main-evented a half a dozen WrestleManias.
For Cesaro, zero!
That is the number of world title matches he's had.
Advantage, Roman Reigns.
[Pat] Quite an advantage for Roman Reigns,
but that's not the only advantage for Roman Reigns.
You're talking about generational talent, Roman Reigns.
A man who's been dominant in this business as soon as he stepped foot in it.
[Cole] But Cesaro believes.
Cesaro walked out here tonight with a warm-up jacket that had the words,
"I know I can" emblazoned everywhere.
Cesaro believes in himself.
He believes he can knock off the champ tonight.
[Pat] A lot of people have believed in themselves
going against the Head of the Table, Roman Reigns.
This is the main event of WrestleMania Backlash.
This is where Roman Reigns is comfortable.
This is where he strives. This is where he lives.
This is why he dominates the WWE.
The face of the company.
The face of the best show in sports entertainment.
The Head of the Table.
So, believe that.
[Pat] I snuck a peek at Cesaro's eyes there.
[Cole] What do you see?
[Pat] I think he doesn't fully understand what he is signed up for.
[bell dings]
The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the Universal Championship!
Introducing the challenger from Lucerne, Switzerland,
weighing at 232 pounds.
Cesaro!
And his opponent, accompanied by his special counsel,
Paul Heyman.
Standing in at a weight of 265 pounds,
he is the Universal Champion,
Roman Reigns!
This is WWE ThunderDome.
This is the main event of WrestleMania Backlash.
One of the most dominant champions in WWE history.
The Universal Champion, Roman Reigns.
Defending against the upstart, Cesaro.
For the biggest prize.
The Universal Title.
Cesaro has these visions of a fairy tale.
Where his WrestleMania win over Seth Rollins
will catapult him to the Universal Championship
at WrestleMania Backlash, just over a month after that.
He's the hottest wrestler in sports entertainment.
Can he carry it to Reigns?
There's no doubt, Roman Reigns and Cesaro now
feeling out-processed early going in this matchup.
Cesaro, will he try to out-wrestle Roman Reigns?
Will he try to out-power the Universal Champion?
Gonna be an interesting strategy for Cesaro here tonight.
[Pat] Everybody has said, pound for pound,
Cesaro is the strongest man in this business.
Roman Reigns has put on 15 pounds of muscle as of late.
Strength verse strength.
Great verse great.
[Cole] Roman Reigns backs Cesaro to the corner.
And Roman tries to assert his authority on Cesaro,
who is now a break-force by the official.
[Pat] Roman feeling out Cesaro. Cesaro doing the same.
Cesaro not just feeling out Reigns, but also the big spotlight.
The main event of WrestleMania Backlash.
[Cole] When you entered your first championship match,
what was going through your mind?
When the game started, were the nerves there? Butterflies?
[Pat] It's the lead-up. I rode coattails into some games.
The lead-up is always the hardest part. The weight.
But once you get that first shot, that first bump, that first kick for me.
It's just back to the basics. Here we are.
[Cole] Side headlock.
Take down now by Roman Reigns controlling Cesaro.
Back to a vertical base.
Cesaro trying to create some separation.
Oh, shoulder tackle cover by Reigns.
And that right there was just to show Cesaro, "Hey, I can do this.
I can take you out when I want."
Forcing Cesaro to kick at one.
And now, Cesaro leapfrog up over the top of Roman Reigns.
And a shoulder tackle by Cesaro.
Cover now by the challenger. Kick out by Roman at one.
Cover again.
And Cesaro trying to tie up the champion.
And again the champ has to kick out.
And Roman Reigns is trying now
and he has to get a breather.
He's got to reset.
He goes to his special counsel now.
Concern on the face of Paul Heyman.
Roman Reigns was taken out of his game momentarily there by Cesaro,
and the champ is in a bit of trouble.
You're the Tribal Chief.
Cesaro had to have learned that I am supposed to be here.
I can be here.
Paul Heyman reminded Roman, "You're the Tribal Chief, bub."
[Pat] Roman Reigns slowly taking his time to get back into the ring.
Caught a bit off guard by Cesaro
and his mat-based wrestling ability moments ago.
[Pat] Notice how Roman is taking his time.
This is the championship mindset.
[Cole] But notice Cesaro, Pat. He's not overzealous.
He's not being overly aggressive. He's not taking himself out.
And just like that, slipped underneath the attempt by Reigns.
Waist lock by Cesaro. Elbow by the champion.
Very patient veteran Cesaro.
Let's not forget, first championship match,
but he is no rookie in the ring.
[Pat] He's been around.
He's done it all.
He's always been talked about.
Whenever he gets his opportunity, he's gonna run with it.
He's had it here. He's been hot. Right now...
[Cole] There it is! The springboard uppercut.
The champ's down. Caught him in the mouth.
That right there may be a wake-up call by Roman Reigns.
You see Heyman in the background. Paul Heyman obviously concerned.
Cesaro looking for a swing on the champion
and Roman Reigns trying to squirm away, and he does.
[Pat] Roman Reigns doing all of this alone out here alongside Paul Heyman.
[Cole] Yeah, no Usos.
Roman Reigns has relied a lot on Jey Uso to keep his championship.
Meanwhile, wait a minute.
Cesaro may have tweaked the left arm as he fell out of the ring hard.
Or is it the right arm?
The right arm of Cesaro, shaking it off now.
[Cole] Roman showing that strength, "Get out of here."
Cesaro had a little bit of a run, the champion.
By the way, look at Cesaro patiently getting back in there.
And let's see how Cesaro may have hurt his arm.
And right there, landed on the right shoulder of the elbow.
And will that come into play in this match?
Cesaro back into the ring, meets Roman Reigns.
And now, an uppercut by Cesaro.
[Cole] Same arm there with a European uppercut.
Big offensive weapon for Cesaro.
It looks like Cesaro grimaced a couple of times
when he threw the uppercut.
Oh, and Reigns!
Just like that, Roman Reigns back in control.
And that stunned Cesaro.
And shoulder-first into the post, and that's the bad arm.
Again, the bad arm by Cesaro.
Reigns realizing it, sent it shoulder-first into the post.
[Pat] He's the Head of the Table.
He obviously saw that Cesaro's right arm was in trouble,
eats a couple uppercuts,
and throws him into the post to further the damage.
[Cole] One of the reasons he's been one of the most dominant champions in WWE.
And now Cesaro bounced right off our announce table.
And still trying to fight back and bounced off again.
[Pat] Cesaro, I think, is wondering right now,
"Why did I wanna do this my whole life?"
Hey!
[Pat] Roman in complete control.
Not sure if you noticed, welts starting to build on the back of Cesaro.
Reigns into the middle of the ring, and a kick-out by Cesaro at one.
[Pat] Feels like Roman's toying with him, doesn't it?
[Cole] Cesaro just trying to regroup.
Reigns is not allowing any separation, any time to do that.
Now, the chin lock applied.
Roman has become unbelievable when it comes to wearing down opponents.
He's had his full body weight on Cesaro there momentarily.
[Pat] A lion never concerns himself with...
[Cole] Look at Cesaro now, trying to power up Roman Reigns.
And can't quite get him up.
And Reigns able to counter.
And Pat, is it because of the bad arm?
Reigns now, cover.
Forearm in the face, and Cesaro's got a kick at one.
[Pat] It has to be. He doesn't have it all right now.
Cesaro doesn't have leverage. He doesn't have all his power.
Roman senses that. Roman knows that.
Was able to block the suplex attempt and turn it all around.
Cesaro gathering himself here as Roman looks over.
-[grunts] -Big right.
[Cole] Just a look of disgust on the face of Reigns.
"You shouldn't even be in this ring with me, Cesaro."
He's been saying that ever since this thing started.
Now Cesaro trying to fight back.
Stopping Reigns and now delivering a right hand.
The champ now being driven back a couple of steps.
Cesaro trying to build momentum, and you heard that.
[Pat] Right to the mouth from Roman Reigns.
Roman tweeted earlier,
"Congratulations on earning the opportunity
to go back to the bottom."
I think he's just trying to smack him right in the mouth back down there.
Reigns relishes that.
[referee] Cesaro, do you give up?
Cole, you have to understand.
Roman Reigns has been at the top for so long.
The most dominant champion in the history of the WWE.
[applause]
Cesaro has kind of come out of nowhere to start challenging him.
[Cole] Yeah, but perhaps he catches Roman tonight.
Catches him by-- Oh, maybe not. Roman floors Cesaro.
Covered out by the champ. Hook of the leg.
Wraps his leg on the other, Cesaro still with a kick-out.
Reigns is like--
-[Pat] He's at the one. -Only a one count.
Roman could not believe Cesaro kicked at one.
[Pat] This is that incredible conditioning from Cesaro that we hear about.
[Cole] Well, when you've fought your whole life for something, Pat,
your whole life for an opportunity like this,
you're not gonna allow it to slip away easily.
Cesaro lives and breathes this. It's all he wants to do.
He trains three, four hours a day in the gym.
Constantly rolling around on the mat. Seven days a week.
He-- It's in his blood.
[Pat] I respect that.
But speaking of in his blood,
Roman has had a target on him since he walked in here.
And all he does is show up.
He gets everybody's best, including Cesaro's tonight.
Reigns with a Samoan drop. Cesaro landed high on the bad shoulder.
Cover. Both legs. Hook now.
Kick at two.
Closer now for the champion.
[Pat] Bear in mind, Roman is out here all by himself.
So all the naysayers and critics who say he needs help and all that,
he said, "I'm gonna do this myself.
-Go find your brother." -[Cole] You notice the body language.
Cesaro's hurting.
He's trying to get feeling back into his arm.
[Cole] Heyman's laughing over here.
[Pat] This is where they want him.
[Cole] So far, everything has gone according to plan for Roman Reigns.
[Pat] A couple little spurts by Cesaro, but...
[Cole] Locked and loaded.
Locked and loaded for Roman.
Measuring Cesaro.
Reigns. Cesaro ducked underneath.
There's the pop-up uppercut!
And this creates an opportunity now for the challenger
if Cesaro can capitalize.
[Pat] Thought we were gonna see a Superman Punch
-instead of a pop-up uppercut. -[Cole] Watch this.
And watch the impact. Cesaro...
Boom! Ringing the bell with the champion.
This is critical, Pat, because it allows Cesaro
-to regroup a little bit. -[coughs]
Re-gather his thoughts. Re-plan his strategy.
Let his body heal for a moment.
Roman struggling to get to his feet.
Cesaro now with that killer instinct. That look.
The big uppercut by Cesaro.
Roman Reigns about to become victim to the uppercut train.
Again.
[Pat] He's been dreaming for this.
[Cole] A kick, down goes the champion. Cover by Cesaro.
Is it enough? Can he stop the champ? Almost.
Two and a half. And now, Cesaro,
a hold of the leg of Roman Reigns.
Maybe setting him up for the sharpshooter.
The submission maneuver.
[Pat] For a swing.
[Cole] Oh, kick to the hand.
-Kick to the knee. -[Cole] Right to the knee again.
Weakening the limbs.
-[Pat] Attacking the base. -[Cole] This is for the sharpshooter.
He's gonna step through to use the sharpshooter.
Tried it moments ago. He's got Reigns weakened.
Submission move. Middle of the ring.
Reigns drags himself. Drags himself to the rope,
and forces the break.
[Pat] Roman willing himself to the rope.
The champ seems to be a little bit concerned.
[Cole] And Pat, now,
does Cesaro start to believe in himself?
Is Cesaro starting to gain a little bit of confidence?
Cesaro now launching himself over the rope!
Corkscrew plancha!
And Cesaro's fired up, as he should be.
This could be your night, Cesaro.
Watch Cesaro fly.
Pulling out all the stops.
Champion's advantage. Cesaro's got to pin or submit the champ.
Reigns realizes that. Rolls out on the other side of the ring.
[Pat] Roman was trying to do that,
and Cesaro took advantage. Took to the skies.
Cesaro says that, "If is how it's gonna be,
-this is how it's gonna be." -[Cole] And Cesaro
running through Reigns.
Again now, sending Roman back into the ring.
What's Cesaro gonna do? Can he put the champ away?
Heyman scatters. Cesaro, now...
gonna climb up to the top rope.
The Head of the Table is in trouble.
Cesaro, crossbody!
Lateral press for the championship,
and a kick-out by Reigns.
[Pat] Cesaro has to be thinking to himself,
"I'm supposed to be here."
[Cole] Earlier on in the matchup,
Cesaro... Watch this.
And the impact to Reigns.
The thing about Cesaro now, Pat, is he can't become frustrated.
Watch the crossbody.
Follows it up with a lateral press and a near-fall.
But if you're Cesaro, you've gotta get back on the offense.
You can't get frustrated here. You're in there against the best.
[Pat] And that might be some of the, you know,
learning curve for Cesaro in one of these massive matchups.
It's the main event. You can become the Universal Champion.
You can become the face of this company.
You've got to bury him when you can.
Now Roman gets a breather.
[Cole] Maybe not. Cesaro grabbing him by the ear.
-[Pat] Oh, boy. -Hey, come on!
[Cole] And Cesaro up the second rope, what does Cesaro plan to do here?
And Reigns, a couple of body shots.
[Pat] He took too long to grab the ear. Let Roman gather himself.
[Cole] Oh! And bounces him off the ring post.
[Pat] "Doesn't matter," says Cesaro.
I can take control of this thing with one swing of your head."
[Cole] You made a good point, Pat.
The inexperience in World Championship matches...
[Pat] You've got to get it when you can.
If you can win that thing, do it right now.
[Cole] Cesaro's gonna try. Grabs Roman Reigns.
Roman out on the apron. And again, Cesaro goes to the ropes,
and Reigns able to counter.
Roman Reigns, boot right to the face,
and continues to hold on.
Now that's the bad arm.
That's the arm Reigns has been working on throughout the entire matchup.
And more damage inflicted.
Watch this.
Boom! And notice how Reigns does not let go.
All the pressure to the bad arm of Cesaro.
Now it looks like Cesaro is favoring the bicep, perhaps.
[Pat] Elbow, bicep, tendon, ligament.
[Cole] And Reigns smells blood.
The champion smells blood.
Shoulder off the post.
And Roman Reigns looks to end this match right here
and retain the Universal title.
Shoulders are now down at Cesaro.
And that was a weaker kick-out
than we've seen out of Cesaro in the match.
[Pat] An early kick-out there, but you're right.
Has to be wearing down.
Has to be worried about his arm at this point.
I think it was bent like a chicken wing over the top turnbuckle there.
[Cole] Look at Roman, the smile. Look at the smile.
[Pat] This is what you wanted.
[Cole] Cesaro, though.
Still with fight left in. I don't believe Reigns can believe
that Cesaro is fighting back-- Right to the knee,
and back to the bad arm.
And now, Roman Reigns looking to torture Cesaro.
Look at the position of the arm.
Look at Roman cranking the arm of Cesaro.
It's your boy here. Hope you're enjoying the house.
[Cole] Oh, my goodness.
Oh, yeah, that's DB style.
Yeah, that's DB style.
[grunts]
[Cole] Headbutt by Cesaro. Anything he can do to break that.
Now an uppercut using the bad arm.
Reigns with a wicked clothesline.
The impact by the champion.
Cesaro has to kick this time at two.
You gotta give Cesaro credit.
He has-- will not give up.
[Pat] Roman Reigns is shaking his head.
"You should give up by now."
His right arm doesn't even work. Boom!
The Head of the Table. Knocking him inside out.
Got to love the strategy from The Head of the Table though.
I understand, 'cause it's fun for you, ain't it?
I love wrestling.
It's fun for me, huh?
You do this shit for joy.
[grunts]
[Cole] Roman Reigns hearkening back to the comments
that Cesaro and Daniel Bryan made
about Reigns not wrestling every night of the week.
That Cesaro and Daniel do this for love and Reigns does it for a paycheck.
And Reigns bringing those thoughts back moments ago
as he continued to punish Cesaro.
[Pat] In any business, it doesn't matter why you do it,
it's just how you do it, and Roman does it the greatest.
[Cole] Again, down goes Cesaro.
And now it's getting to the point where Roman Reigns is having his way.
Cesaro, uh...
fetal position and the referee checking on him.
[Pat] This is Roman Reigns though.
He picked apart his right arm,
which is a large part of Cesaro's offense.
Look at these titles and accolades.
That thing's a mail ticket, son.
You understand me?
I got a lot of responsibility. Get your ass down, boy.
You wanna bring a man or a son for me
to show your friends when I'm not even wrestling?
That's what you want? Huh?
[Pat] Let's remember Roman retired Daniel Bryan.
Daniel Bryan won in Cesaro's spot.
Roman Reigns retired.
[Cole] Roman Reigns also pinned Daniel Bryan and Edge
at the same time at WrestleMania.
He's now picking apart Cesaro.
[Pat] That's why he's The Head of the Table.
Cesaro dreamed of this moment.
That thing can become a nightmare quickly with Roman Reigns.
-[grunts] -[Cole] Cesaro with an elbow.
[Pat] Roman ate it.
[Cole] And an uppercut by Cesaro.
Trying to somehow claw back into this match.
-[Pat] Another kick to the arm. -[Cole] Back to the bad arm.
But Cesaro digs down deep, uses the arm as a weapon.
Down goes the champ.
[Pat] Fighting through obvious damage right now.
Every move hurts Cesaro.
[Cole] Yeah, but Cesaro realizes, Pat, he may never, ever, in his career,
get another opportunity at the Universal title.
Boom! By Cesaro.
[Pat] Broken arm.
Torn ligaments.
"Is my heart beating? Can I still fight?" That's Cesaro's mindset right now.
[Cole] It's about being the top champion.
It's about being the face of Friday Night SmackDown.
The face of Fox.
About representing WWE around the world as its champion.
And Cesaro wants that.
He's wanted it his entire life. His entire career.
[Pat] Roman has been that. His entire life.
His entire career.
[Cole] Cesaro realizing winning the championship, Pat,
would bring him riches and money
that he's never experienced in all his time.
Twenty years as a wrestler around the world.
Cesaro with an uppercut to Roman Reigns, knocking him back,
and Cesaro trying to crawl back into this.
Can he do it? Big uppercut to Reigns. And here comes Cesaro.
Body shots by Cesaro.
He's got to be careful. Got to be careful.
[Pat] Can't get disqualified right now, Cesaro.
Finding fight somewhere inside.
[Cole] Cesaro has tried this a number of times in this match.
It has not paid off yet.
Can Cesaro capitalize?
[Pat] Can he fight through an arm injury for a boyhood dream to come true?
[Cole] Can he lift Reigns up? And he does!
Superplex by Cesaro! Come on, Cesaro!
Into the cover!
Can he pull off the upset?
Now, two and a half!
[groans]
[Pat] Brute strength from Cesaro!
[Cole] This is incredible.
The power of the Swiss Superman.
There's a reason that's his moniker.
There's a reason, pound for pound, he's the strongest man in WWE.
He just showed it there.
[Pat] Somehow, with that broken right arm,
it feels like the hurt right arm was able to lift Roman.
[Cole] Oh, and now right to the in--
The inner quad of Roman Reigns.
Into the thigh again. And again, softening the legs up.
-[Pat] Swings? -[Cole] No, I think the sharpshooter.
Again, that's the submission move that Cesaro tried to go to tonight.
Look at Roman Reigns. Pat, Roman's in trouble.
Just watch the body language of Roman Reigns.
He's in trouble. He's drooping. His arms are down.
He can't protect himself. Cesaro's going for the neutralizer,
trying to put Roman Reigns away with the neutralizer!
And the bad arm gave out.
The bad arm by Cesaro gave out.
[Pat] He was onto something with his feet. His arm gave out.
[Cole] An arm bar by Reigns on the bad shoulder.
The bad arm of Cesaro.
And will Cesaro tap out here?
-Do you tap? -No.
[Pat] Everything you dreamed of, Cesaro.
[Cole] Cesaro trying to roll through, and he does.
Shoulders down to win the title. The champ trapped.
And he's got to kick it, too.
Cesaro off the second.
Roman Superman punch!
Reigns cover to retain.
-One, two-- -[Cole] Cesaro kicked out.
[audience cheering]
[Pat] Watched corkscrew uppercut instead, Superman punch!
[Cole] Boom! Right on the jaw.
[Pat] On the button.
[Cole] Both men down.
Critical moment in this match for the Universal Championship.
WWE ThunderDome is hosting the main event of WrestleMania Backlash.
Roman Reigns is the Universal Champion.
The upstart challenger in the match of his career is Cesaro.
Both men are down.
Critical moment in the match for the title.
-[Pat] Roman's smiling. -[Cole] Smiling? He's talking to himself.
[Pat] No. He knows exactly what's going on.
This is home for him. Main event. WrestleMania Backlash.
[Cole] I guarantee you,
Roman Reigns did not expect to be in this much of a fight.
And now, he's looking to put Cesaro away.
Roman Reigns went for the spear.
Instead, he ran into an uppercut.
And Cesaro went for the pump-up. The arm gave away again.
The bad arm gave out again.
-And now Cesaro looking to lock-- -[Pat] Guillotine!
[Cole] The guillotine submission is in.
Cesaro with nowhere to go.
And look how Roman Reigns wraps his legs around the body of Cesaro.
Cesaro needs to make it to a rope or somehow get back to his feet.
Can he power Roman Reigns up?
He's got Roman Reigns back up. Reigns has got the guillotine in.
Cesaro able to counter!
[Pat] With one arm.
And now, shoulders down.
Reigns has got to get the shoulder up. Look at Cesaro.
Looking for the sharpshooter.
[Cole] He's tried it a number of times in the matchup.
Cesaro has Roman Reigns neutralized.
And now, pounding away, Cesaro.
Ground and pound.
Sharpshooter's in.
He's stepped through to the Sharpshooter.
Can Cesaro do the unthinkable?
[Pat] It slipped through his arm, Cole.
The Sharpshooter slipped through. He had to catch it with his left hand.
[Cole] Now he's using his left arm.
His bad arm just being used to balance.
Reigns trying to drag toward the ropes.
Can Cesaro somehow put Roman Reigns away?
Traps the arm.
Blocks it from making it to the bottom rope.
Now, it slips into a crossface.
[Pat] Rolls him back to the middle.
[Cole] It's in. It's in again.
Is this it for Cesaro?
Is this the moment Cesaro's been fighting for?
Does he have anything left? Can he hang on?
[Pat] Middle of the ring. It's deep. This could be...
a brand-new WWE...
[Cole] Roman Reigns trying to power out.
Again, you gotta wonder if the bad right arm of Cesaro
didn't allow him to completely pull the grip in.
Allowed Roman Reigns to separate.
-Now, Roman Reigns... -[Pat] Pummeling.
He just broke that grip of his hand.
Definitely because his right arm's been beat up.
Now he's beat up his face, too.
[Cole] Was that the last gasp for Cesaro?
[Pat] No one expected this.
No one expected it to go this long.
[Cole] Punishing Cesaro.
That powerbomb, cover now.
And Cesaro, somehow, rolling the shoulder up at two.
[Pat] Still in it.
[Cole] Reigns has got to be thinking, "What do I do?
I've done everything.
I have done everything possible, and he's still in this match.
[Pat] I'm convinced Cesaro has an opportunity now.
At this point, this should be over.
Any other Superstar would be done right now.
Roman Reigns has beat everybody to a pulp in this business,
in WWE.
Cesaro's taking it, and taking it, and taking it.
Reigns cannot put him away.
[Cole] Yeah, but right back on the attack, pounding away again on Cesaro.
Cesaro almost defenseless at this point.
Somehow, still able to stay in the match. Trying to grab the arm.
Cesaro trying to power out of this. Trying to block Reigns.
[Pat] Keeping his shoulders up as well.
[Cole] Trying to make it back to a vertical base.
Roman Reigns sent across the ring.
Reigns now, right back on Cesaro again.
And now into the front-face lock. Rolling Cesaro over.
Referee right there.
Reigns floats over and right back into the guillotine.
[Pat] Unbelievable float from move to move from a technician like Roman Reigns.
[Cole] Absolutely incredible sequence by the champion.
To put himself this close to perhaps getting Cesaro to tap out or pass out.
Reigns just continuing to now--
[Pat] Cesaro trying to power out of this.
Where the hell is he getting this from?
But Reigns still has it locked.
Oh! Champ slipped out momentarily.
Cesaro trying to power through
right by Reigns.
Oh, my God. The guts of Cesaro to hang in this.
[Pat] He was out of it.
But once again, Roman's got it locked in. Roman's got it locked in.
Cesaro has nowhere to go at this point.
Cesaro has been fighting through everything,
but I think Reigns has caught him here.
[Pat] The Swiss Superman's head is turning purple.
[Cole] And again, trying to break the grip of Roman Reigns.
Cesaro doing everything he can to stay alive.
Oh, my goodness. Can you believe this?
[Pat] His hurt right arm is getting the guillotine unlocked.
[Cole] It was. And now, Roman Reigns locks it back in.
And now able to wrap the legs around Cesaro.
And Cesaro could be fading.
[Pat] The blood, the oxygen, everything being cut from Cesaro.
-[Cole] And it's over. It's over. -[bell dings]
Roman Reigns retains the title.
[Rome] Here is your winner and still the Universal Champion,
Roman Reigns.
[Cole] On the bottom line here tonight
is Cesaro has absolutely nothing to be disappointed about.
Cesaro gave it everything he had tonight.
He took the most dominant champion of the modern era to the limit.
But Roman Reigns is still the Universal Champion.
[Pat] Cesaro is just coming back to it.
Hate to break it to you, pal. You're not the champion.
But that was one of the toughest battles I've seen in some time.
[Cole] That was a war.
[Pat] Absolutely.
No Jey Uso.
No help.
Hottest Cesaro Cesaro has ever been.
Hottest sports entertainer in WWE.
Roman Reigns choked him out in middle of the ring.
[Cole] I've been asking this question for weeks now.
How on earth do you beat Roman Reigns?
How do you stop the dominant reign of the champion?
[Pat] This is one of those things you just can't stop.
[Cole] And now, there is a Jey Uso.
The cousin of Roman Reigns.
[Pat] Celebration.
Yeah, officially recognizing once again...
The head of the family. The Head of the Table.
[Cole] Jey Uso is sucking out the Roman Reigns.
Jey Uso now pummeling a helpless and a defenseless Cesaro.
Come on!
-Come on! -Come on! Come on!
What are you doing? Hey, come on!
Night, night. Night, night.
♪ Burn it down ♪
[Cole] Jey Uso, who is upset with what Cesaro has done to the family,
but now, another of Cesaro's arch rivals, Seth Rollins.
What is Seth Rollins doing?
[Pat] I have no idea. Rollins is...
here.
[Cesaro panting]
[Pat] Oh, my God, now Rollins attacking Cesaro.
[Cole] Rollins attacking Cesaro.
Who is beaten up by Roman, beaten up by Jey Uso,
and now, Seth Rollins picking the bones.
[Pat] Rollins felt disrespected by Cesaro.
[Cole] Oh, my goodness!
[Pat] Called it a fluke win at WrestleMania.
[Cole] Cesaro beat him a couple of weeks ago.
And Rollins...
said he'd-- Cesaro, right over the announce table.
[Pat] Rollins said, "You don't just move on from me, pal."
[Cole] And back to the already-injured arm of Cesaro.
[Pat] Seth Rollins is not afraid to take advantage of the arm.
What did you think was gonna happen?
What did you think... was gonna happen?
-[Cole] Oh, my God. -[groans]
[audience booing]
[groans in pain]
You know who I am?
-[yells] -[Cole] Oh!
Oh!
-[Pat] Cesaro has been... -[Cole] Wait, Pat, that's a bad arm.
That's the arm that was already seriously damaged
by Roman Reigns tonight.
[Pat] Seth Rollins does not care about that one iota.
-You know who I am? -No!
Seth "Freakin" Rollins!
-Yes! -[Cole] God, he's gonna tear the arm out!
Listen to me.
I'm Seth "Freakin" Rollins!
Nobody makes a mockery of me!
-[Cole] Oh, no! -[groans]
[groans in pain]
[Pat] Oh, my.
-[laughs] -[screams]
[Pat] Seth's proud of himself.
Wait, is Seth not done yet? No, no! The Stomp!
[referee] Come on, get out of here!
[Cole] On the floor!
[Pat] Seth Rollins...
[audience] You suck! You suck! You suck!
...beating the hell out of Cesaro!
[Cole] Blatant unbridled brutality!
[audience] You suck! You suck! You suck!
[Pat] Wow. You suck! You suck! You suck!