Raw Recap with Sam Roberts and Megan Morant — "An RKO for the Last Real Champion"

WWE x Fanatics Podcast | April 22, 2025
Episode: The Raw After WrestleMania 41 on Netflix, Featuring Big E

Overview:

This must-listen episode of Raw Recap drops you right into the seismic fallout from the Raw after WrestleMania 41, live from Las Vegas. Sam Roberts, Megan Morant, and special guest Big E break down a game-changing night filled with shocking alliances, unexpected betrayals, shifting allegiances, debuts, emotional championship moments, and a return that shook the WWE Universe. This raw, real-time backstage conversation goes match by match and moment by moment, blending analyst insight with passionate, fan-driven responses.

Main Segments & Key Discussion Points

1. A New Dangerous Alliance: Paul Heyman, Seth Rollins & Bron Breaker

• [01:53] Big E expresses shock at the surprise formation of a "modern day dangerous alliance" led by Paul Heyman. “Paul Heyman has said in so many interviews, I would never work with anybody except Roman Reigns...and all of a sudden...he’s gone over to Seth Rollins and he’s gone to the youth.”
• [02:52] Sam calls Bron Breaker “the kid is it,” and predicts Paul Heyman will "take him to the next level.”
• [03:31] The panel acknowledges a dramatic shift in WWE’s landscape: “We’ve got these two superheroes now in CM Punk and Roman Reigns...against these two super villains in Seth Rollins and Bron Breaker with Paul Heyman.”
• [04:45] Both Roman and Punk go after Heyman, who takes a Superman Punch—an unusual sight and a signal of seismic change.
• [05:01] Sam speculates on possible new alliances and rivalries, including “a forced tandem of Roman and Punk” and wonders how far Heyman’s new stable could go: “I am so intrigued...this is going to carry us for...the next six months, maybe the next three years.”

2. Roman Reigns: The Lone Wolf

• [11:31] Sam & Big E discuss the oddness and significance of Roman Reigns now appearing without the Bloodline, with Big E noting the stripping away of all the “red”: “There’s no bloodline anymore. Paul Heyman...wasn't a drop of red on his body as he stood next to Seth Rollins.”
• [16:40] Roman’s journey since losing the titles is framed as a total reset: “Instead of watching a year of Roman rebuilding...we were watching a year of Roman slowly losing everything else outside of the title.”
• [17:58] Megan draws parallels to the earlier years when Roman was rejected by the fans, questioning if this is a chance for true solo evolution: “Now...without the bloodline...are we now ready to embrace this person we weren’t?”
• [21:17] Big E on cheering Roman as a good guy: “I was having so much fun cheering for Roman Reigns as a good guy with the rest of the audience all together—being like, yes, this is the final form.”
• [23:03] Big E affirms: “He had years of that being a rough time...Now...without the bloodline, without Paul Heyman, without being a villain...are we now ready to embrace this person that we weren’t?”

3. Jey Uso’s Emotional Crowning & The Bloodline’s Legacy

• [24:50] Big E recounts Jey Uso’s first address as World Heavyweight Champion, celebrating with Sami Zayn and Jimmy Uso. He admits his own suspicion, fearing a sudden betrayal—highlighting the trauma of WWE twists: “I was very, very fearful that Sami Zayn was gonna drop a Helluva kick.”
• [26:28] Sam: “We need nice things, too.” Megan echoes, “That handshake—it's like, oh, we are so back.”
• [28:31] Big E emphasizes Jey’s journey out of the tag team shadow: “It can be so hard to break out of, ‘hey you’re a tag team guy,’ especially as twins...for them to be able to break out on their own...The feels, man, it is very real.”
• [29:42] Big E shares an anecdote about Jimmy & Jey’s loyalty, underscoring their mutual support.
• [31:11] Megan notes how the Bloodline storyline elevated not just Roman, but Sami, Jey, Jimmy, and the broader roster.

4. John Cena: The Last Real Champion Controversy & Randy Orton’s RKO

• [34:43] Sam rips into John Cena, criticizing the new “Last Real Champion” merch and Cena’s countdown of appearances: “He’s here to ruin wrestling...Now he’s counting down his appearances because he wants to leave with the championship.”
• [36:03] The panel laments the absence of The Rock and the ambiguous motivations behind Cena and Dwayne’s actions.
• [40:15] Big E draws attention to Cena wearing the title “backwards,” symbolically putting the championship and company behind him.
• [41:03] The crowd erupts when Randy Orton delivers an RKO to John Cena:

  "When John Cena just let the sh...did you hear that one syllable escape before?” —Big E [41:47]

• [41:53] The conversation turns to Orton’s incredible condition and focus, especially with Backlash coming up in his hometown.
• [44:49] Big E on Randy’s title ambitions: “To see him finally have this moment where he’s holding up that thing he’s been looking at for months...It’s time for me to go ahead and take this.”

5. Women’s Division: NXT Rising & Becky Lynch Turns on Lyra Valkyria

• [47:08] Megan raves about the NXT women’s division, spotlighting Stephanie Vacair’s massive reaction and her RAW debut match vs. IYO SKY. Roxanne Perez and Julia (Joshi superstar) follow, with Rhea Ripley joining for an epic in-ring standoff.

  “That stare down between Julia and Rhea...instantly, you’re like, now. I don’t want to wait. Give this to me now.” —Big E [50:45]

• [67:15] Megan shares her emotional attachment to Lyra Valkyria, who lived her dream by tagging with Becky Lynch at WrestleMania—only for Becky to turn on her after a tag-title loss on RAW.

  "If I could be any wrestler, I would be Lyra Valkyria...she's living out my dream.” —Megan [67:15] “You know, they say never meet your heroes for a reason, Megan.” —Big E [67:41]

• [68:52] The crew wrestles with whether Becky truly lifts up young talent or simply steps on them to further her own legacy. Sam: "Her critics have called her Becky Hogan."

6. Rusev Returns!

• [53:32] “Rusev is back, baby!” —Big E
  The trio celebrates the shocking return of Rusev, who interrupted a New Day match and immediately made his impact felt, sparking “Rusev Day” chants.
• [54:51] Sam jokes about the “meat” chant and Big E’s influence, while Big E questions whether WWE will finally realize Rusev’s potential after an early, legendary run.

7. Gunther Unhinged: Pat McAfee Choked Out

• [59:00] After losing his World Heavyweight Championship, Gunther lashes out at commentary, choking out Pat McAfee after Michael Cole goads him.

  “Gunther Cope is not something that we’re used to seeing at all. He's so stoic.” —Big E

• [60:56] Sam warns: “He does not want that Gunther smoke.”
• [61:04] Megan observes the new, dangerous edge Gunther brings post-defeat, while Big E and Sam debate if Pat McAfee can—or should—respond.

8. Dominik Mysterio: Intercontinental Champion & Fan Reaction

• [75:43] Big E, ever the Dom defender, details how Dominik Mysterio has gone from being overlooked and booed to being genuinely beloved:

  "Dominik Mysterio has...he's gotten booed, which you love." —Big E [77:44]

• [77:58] Sam on Dom’s appeal: “In many ways, he is a reflection of our culture...he’s a hedonist. That’s what he is.”
• [80:00] The crew laughs about Dom’s childish habits—Capri Suns and “chicken nuggies”—yet he’s got the title and the fans’ adoration.

  “He’s a man child, but somehow...has some of the most beautiful women by his side. Now he’s Intercontinental champion. He’s got it all doing things his way.” —Sam

9. Judgment Day Tension

• [81:27] Megan points out the tension as Dominik pins Finn Balor, planting seeds for a Judgment Day split:

  "I thought that they were gonna break up." —Megan

• [82:24] Sam: “Finn is...just now seeing this younger guy kind of supplant him in many ways. How could he be comfortable with that?”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [02:52] Sam: "This kid is it. I think Paul is going to help take him to that next level of being a main eventer."
• [03:31] Big E: "You see this completely new vision...CM Punk and Roman Reigns, the biggest of the good guys, versus...super villains in Seth Rollins and Bron Breaker with Paul Heyman."
• [16:40] Big E: "He loses the title, and what do we all say...okay, Roman rebuilds for a year...Instead(!) he comes out...with even less...He is truly, completely alone."
• [21:17] Big E: "I was having so much fun cheering for Roman Reigns as a good guy with the rest of the audience. This is what we've been waiting for."
• [41:03] Big E: "Randy Orton coming out and RKOing John Cena, myself included, on the floor here...going nuts."
• [50:45] Big E: "That stare down between Julia and Rhea, you're just like, now. I don't want to wait. Give this to me now."
• [67:15] Megan: "If I could be any wrestler, I would be Lyra Valkyria...she's living out my dream."
• [73:38] Sam: "A lot of her critics have referred to her as Becky Hogan...because there's this idea that...she is there to...step on them, to continue to climb higher and higher."
• [53:32] Big E: "Rusev is back, baby. You talk about the speculation around who may show up at WrestleMania..."
• [58:59] Megan & Big E: “Gunther...shows up on RAW after tapping out to Jey Uso...Gunther Cope is not something that we're used to seeing.”
• [80:00] Big E: "He’s a man child, but somehow hedonistic man-child...has some of the most beautiful women by his side. Now he’s Intercontinental champion.”

Important Timestamps

• 01:40 — The fallout from WrestleMania 41: Everything has changed.
• 02:42 — Roman Reigns’ rare appearance and being laid out.
• 03:31 — The good vs. evil dynamic shifts with Heyman’s new alliance.
• 05:01 — Potential alliances: Roman & Punk, Seth & Bron, future of Heyman’s stable.
• 24:50 — Jey Uso’s emotional championship segment and Sami Zayn reunion.
• 34:43 — John Cena’s “Last Real Champion” promo & backlash, new merchandise.
• 41:03 — Randy Orton’s huge RKO on Cena.
• 47:08 — NXT Women’s Division showcase, RAW debuts, and Rhea Ripley stare-down.
• 53:32 — Rusev returns and immediate impact.
• 59:00 — Gunther attacks commentary, chokes out Pat McAfee.
• 67:15 — Megan on why Lyra Valkyria is her dream wrestler; Becky Lynch’s betrayal.
• 75:43 — Big E fawns over Dominik Mysterio’s rise, fan reaction, and championship win.

Tone & Language

• The tone is high-energy, often humorous, sometimes emotional, and deeply passionate.
• There’s plenty of locker-room camaraderie, good-natured ribbing, and inside knowledge, making fans feel part of the action.

Summary:

This episode is a masterclass on how to recap a landmark RAW. Sam, Megan, and Big E’s blend of behind-the-scenes insight and visceral, fan-driven responses cover every major shift in the WWE landscape. From the Heyman-led heel revolution, Roman’s lone journey, Jey Uso’s long-awaited victory, and the charged atmosphere of the women’s division, to generational moments with Cena and Orton, the electric return of Rusev, and Dominik Mysterio’s anti-hero ascent—this recap makes the wild, unpredictable RAW after WrestleMania 41 come alive for anyone who missed it.

Don’t miss:

• The emotional dissection of the Bloodline’s evolution
• Wild speculation about future alliances and betrayals
• Coverage of every major WWE and NXT talent on the rise
• Unfiltered takes on John Cena’s legacy, fan backlash, and more

For lovers of WWE storytelling and hot takes, this is your indispensable guide to an unforgettable RAW.