Becky Lynch sets her sights on a returning AJ Lee | Raw Recap: WWE Now

Summary

WWE Now – Raw Recap (Feb 10, 2026): “Becky Lynch Sets Her Sights on a Returning AJ Lee”

Overview This episode of WWE Now—hosted by Sam Roberts and Megan Morant—dives into a jam-packed Monday Night Raw featuring huge Elimination Chamber developments, the much-anticipated return of AJ Lee, intrigue around the identity of the masked man, and evolving stories around the likes of Becky Lynch, Finn Balor, CM Punk, and Natalya. The hosts parse the night’s most electrifying matches, offer unique backstage insight, and are joined by special guest Natalya for an emotional segment.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Road to WrestleMania and Elimination Chamber Qualifiers

[01:39 – 05:01]

• The building excitement around WrestleMania, with Raw qualifying matches now filling the Elimination Chamber.
• Bron Breaker underwent surgery and is out indefinitely, which Host 1 notes is “the type of surgery that could end a mere mortal's career. Luckily, Bron Breaker is no mere mortal.” (03:07)
• Discussion on Vision faction losing their numbers advantage due to Breaker’s absence.
• La Knight vs. Penta vs. Austin Theory triple threat to qualify for the Chamber—Paul Heyman is specifically forbidden by Adam Pearce to interfere.
• The volatile “FAFO” (F— Around, Find Out) dynamic between Adam Pearce and Paul Heyman is dissected: “Paul Heyman's FAFO score is terrible right now with Adam Pierce.” (05:59, Host 1)

2. Triple Threat Chaos and the Mysterious Masked Man

[05:01 – 13:18]

• The triple threat descends into chaos: despite Adam Pearce’s edict, Vision members and Logan Paul escalate things, leading to outside interference.
• The masked man appears again; speculation intensifies as hosts note that key suspects (Logan Paul, Adam Pierce) are confirmed to NOT be the masked man.
• “The fact that we've now eliminated suspects from this masked man list, to me, is utterly fascinating.” (11:55, Host 1)
• The Masked Man hits a superkick and Seth Rollins’ stomp; the panel wonders if Seth Rollins could be behind the mask.

3. Elimination Chamber Filling Up

[13:19 – 14:23]

• La Knight secures his spot in the Chamber: “La Knight's fan base… I don't think they'll be happy until he's a world champion, and he's now one match away from a WrestleMania WWE title shot.” (13:59, Host 1)
• CM Punk will defend his WWE Title at WrestleMania—if he makes it there.

4. CM Punk vs. Finn Balor Announced for Elimination Chamber

[15:24 – 26:48]

• Official announcement: CM Punk vs. Finn Balor for the World Heavyweight Championship at Elimination Chamber in Chicago.
• Discussion about Finn’s chip on his shoulder and returning to “Balor Club” identity.
• “Finn Balor is getting ignored from the WrestleMania main event. Finn Balor isn't being considered for this thing.” (24:34, Host 1)
• Megan floats: “Do you think… Finn Balor shows up… as the demon?” (26:56)
• The hosts debate whether Roman Reigns even cares about this challenge, suggesting he may “secretly want Punk to lose so he doesn’t have to face him.” (28:20–29:24)

5. Natalya Joins the Show – Grudge Over Maxine and AJ Lee

[32:38 – 37:03]

• Natalya (Natty) is the night’s guest, post-vicious attack on Maxine.
• “That was peace. That was me reminding Maxine that Natalya elevates, but natty decimates.” (32:41, Natty)
• Natty is tired of being a “rung on a ladder” for others and is embracing a “good guys finish last” mentality: “For a very long time, I realized that doormats are good for one thing and one thing only, and that’s getting walked on.” (35:54, Natty)
• Resentment that Maxine thanked AJ Lee, not Natty, after winning the IC Title: “So Maxine. You know what? Maxine can kiss my ass.” (36:44, Natty)
• Hosts reflect on Natty’s legacy in helping build WWE’s women’s division, revisiting the iconic NXT Charlotte vs. Natty match as a turning point.

6. AJ Lee’s Return and the Becky Lynch Confrontation

[41:45 – 50:03]

• AJ Lee intervenes to assist Maxine, possibly making herself a new enemy in Natty and Becky Lynch.
• Becky Lynch is fuming at AJ’s presence, calling her a “Chihuahua ruining her life” (46:21, Host 2 paraphrasing Becky Lynch)
• Recap of recent Becky–AJ history: AJ has bested Becky repeatedly—at Russell Palooza, in tag action, and most recently at War Games.
• Becky challenges AJ Lee to a one-on-one match for the Women’s Intercontinental Title at Elimination Chamber.
• Sam insists, “If there’s one thing history tells us, it’s that no matter what type of match we’re in, AJ Lee’s beaten Becky Lynch.” (49:49, Host 1)

7. Other Notable Matches and Storylines

[51:51 – 61:31]

• Rhea Ripley and Tiffany Stratton have both qualified for the women’s Elimination Chamber.
• The Usos successfully defend the Tag Titles against Alpha Academy; Akira Tozawa and Javon Evans stand out for their effort and athleticism.
• Continuing storyline on "Original" vs. "Contemporary" Grande Americano—how audience reactions differ USA vs Mexico, similar to Bret Hart's '90s dynamic.
• Next week’s qualifying matches previewed: Gunther vs. Javon Evans vs. Dominik Mysterio, and Natty vs. Bayley vs. Asuka.

8. Looking Ahead & Final Thoughts

[61:31 – End]

• AJ Lee is confirmed for next week’s Raw—what will she say?
• Will Paul Heyman turn things around in his “game of FAFO”? “He’s in a big hole. And it keeps getting deeper.” (63:21, Host 2)
• The hosts tease more eliminations and confrontations building toward Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Bron Breaker’s injury:
  “Paul Heyman described [it] as the type of surgery that could end a mere mortal's career. Luckily, Bron Breaker is no mere mortal.” (03:07, Host 1)

• On the Masked Man Speculation:
  “The fact that we've now eliminated suspects from this masked man list, to me, is utterly fascinating.” (11:55, Host 1)

• On Finn Balor’s attitude:
  “Finn Balor’s got a steel trap up here in that Irish head of his.” (20:35, Host 1)

• Natalya’s awakening:
  “I realized that doormats are good for one thing and one thing only, and that’s getting walked on.” (35:54, Natty)
  “So Maxine. You know what? Maxine can kiss my ass.” (36:44, Natty)

• On Natty’s legacy:
  “If you want to go to where it started, you go to NXT Television and you go to Charlotte Flair versus Natalia. That was the singular match that started it all.” (39:19, Host 1)

• AJ Lee vs. Becky Lynch:
  “If there’s one thing history tells us, it’s that no matter what type of match we’re in, AJ Lee’s beaten Becky Lynch.” (49:49, Host 1)

• On Becky Lynch’s resilience:
  “You know the other thing about Becky Lynch, though? She always finds a way.” (50:03, Host 2)

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Key Segment Timestamps

• Bron Breaker injury, Vision’s numbers down: 03:00–05:01
• Triple threat qualifier & Masked Man speculation: 05:01–13:18
• La Knight qualifies, Chamber stakes: 13:19–14:23
• CM Punk vs. Finn Balor for the title set: 15:24–26:48
• Natalya interview – Maxine grudge: 32:38–37:03
• AJ Lee returns, Becky confrontation, title match made: 41:45–50:03
• Women’s & Men’s Chamber qualifiers recap: 51:51–61:31
• AJ Lee next Raw tease, Heyman’s “FAFO” saga: 61:31–63:21

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Tone & Style

The episode is packed with big-match energy, quick-witted banter, and deep insider perspective. The hosts keep things sharp and humorous, volleying playful jabs (“She’s like a Chihuahua that is ruining Becky’s life.” – Host 2 on AJ Lee, 46:21) and delivering genuine respect for wrestling’s past and present.

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For Listeners

This episode is essential listening for fans keeping score on the winding Road to WrestleMania. The return of AJ Lee, grudge matches, and chaotic faction intrigue make for a must-hear recap as WWE’s biggest season ramps up.

Transcript

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[WWE Now Host 1]

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[WWE Now Host 1]

Rhea Ripley and La Knight have qualified for the elimination chamber. AJ Lee is back. Finn Balor and CM Punk have a world title match coming up. Natty is on the show. Paul Heyman keeps playing F A F O. This is the Raw recap on WWE now at WWE and Fanatics. Original production. Oh baby. This is what it's all about. The road to WrestleMania as we start filling up the elimination chamber. There it is. Point to it.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Point to the 70.

[WWE Now Host 1]

We can point to it.

[WWE Now Host 2]

68 days.

[WWE Now Host 1]

That's right. Now. Pointing to it does not mean that we are declaring for the Elimination chamber. It means that we're going to also be talking about everything going on on the road to WrestleMania. And we certainly had a lot of that tonight.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Yes, qualifying matches are happening. It's really the season. Tis the season.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Tis the season, indeed. I mean, it's my favorite season. And we're. We're talking about AJ Lee, we're going to talk about CM Punk, we're going to talk about Finn Balor. But let's start. Let's start with the Vision, because first of all, we get breaking news to start Monday night Raw, which is the. The Internet rumors are true. Brom Breaker had surgery, which Paul Heyman described as the type of surgery that could end a mere mortal's career. Luckily, Bron Breaker is no mere mortal.

[WWE Now Host 2]

But he blamed Adam Pierce for this entire situation. Said he got Braun so upset that Bron Breaker went lifting.

[WWE Now Host 1]

I mean, look, listen, in order to function in society, I think it's better that Bron Breaker gets upset and goes lifting than does something else, because he's. If he's not lifting, he'll destroying something or someone.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Now, this wasn't just a typical laparoscopic surgery.

[WWE Now Host 1]

You did the word you wanted to say.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Laparoscopic.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Yeah, that's.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Haymon said it.

[WWE Now Host 1]

He did. He did. He's also. I mean, he's. He's also a great orator, but yet that's why. So. So it's. He's out indefinitely. Is Braum Breaker. Once again, the Vision, who prides themselves on a numbers advantage, is plagued by not having the numbers that they once did. Especially right now. There couldn't be a worse time to go down for injury. I would have imagined that Braun Breaker would have to be a key part of the elimination chamber. I couldn't imagine a triple threat scenario that he wasn't going to win to qualify. It's tough to believe an elimination chamber would come up. And even with names like Randy Orton and now we know La Knight in that match that anybody could stop Brom Breaker. They're caged in with the guy.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Well, especially after the Royal Rumble that.

[WWE Now Host 1]

He had, of course.

[WWE Now Host 2]

I mean, this guy is angry, the rage.

[WWE Now Host 1]

But now, apparently none of it's going to happen unless indefinitely is a shorter time than I realize it is. So now we have the vision, which it could be. Sure. Indefinitely is by definition not definite to any particular amount of time. But in the meantime. That's right. Well, I'm Webster, but in the meantime. In the meantime, I'm also Rand and McNally, but that's only for directions.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Okay.

[WWE Now Host 1]

And while we're on this road to WrestleMania, following these maps, we end up with a triple threat to determine a spot in the elimination chamber between La Knight, between Penta and between Austin Theory. I Think three superstars we can all say we would love to see in the chamber, but only one can get in. Paul Heyman. And the rest of the vision is specifically told by Adam Pierce, do not interfere in the triple threat. By definition, a triple threat match is going to have no DQ rules because you can't disqualify one guy because you're left with two guys after that. The Vision knows this, which is why Adam Pierce specifically said, don't do it.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Yeah, but then he said fao, which is sort of just, you know, dangling it in front of Paul Heyman.

[WWE Now Host 1]

What they've been saying, because Paul Heymon.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Is down to 2 and, oh, listen, an FA FO.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Paul Heyman's FA FO score is terrible right now with Adam Pierce. Right now.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Right now.

[WWE Now Host 1]

We're not at the end of the game.

[WWE Now Host 2]

I think if we. We talk about his career. Paul Heyman is. Has been. He's kind of made a career out of fafo.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Sure.

[WWE Now Host 2]

But not right now.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Guess what?

[WWE Now Host 2]

You know, what have you done for me lately?

[WWE Now Host 1]

Are we still Paul Heyman prime, or is this final season for Paul Heyman, you know what I'm saying right now? And look, you can't count the scoreboard in the middle of the game.

[WWE Now Host 2]

It's true.

[WWE Now Host 1]

It's a terrible thing to do. Unless you're watching the super bowl, you got a pretty good idea within five minutes. But other than that, that hurt. Well, it is what it is.

[WWE Now Host 2]

I know.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Other than that, field goal city, baby. Other than that, you can't count the scoreboard. And especially when Paul Heyman is on one side of the field, you can't count the scoreboard in the middle of the game. However, he has not been doing well with FAFO against Adam Pierce, who somehow always ends up with the last laugh. So we're watching this great triple threat, and regardless of what Adam Pierce said, Logan Paul got right in Adam Pierce's face and said, what are you gonna do? Which, I mean, Adam Pierce is a competitive guy. Adam Pierce is a proud guy. Adam Pierce is a guy who considers himself a leader and wants to lead this brand. And you got Logan Paul looking at you right in the face going, what are you gonna do?

[WWE Now Host 2]

Adam Pierce is also a guy who now must surround himself with security at.

[WWE Now Host 1]

All times, at all times, at all times. And he's a super emo guy. I mean, this guy is emotional. This Adam Pierce, he is not, you know, acting in a way that is sort of a rock. Dependable. And I tried and true.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Someone like Logan Paul knows that. So getting in his face and saying, what are you going to do about it? They're almost begging Adam Pierce to put his hands on another member of the Vision.

[WWE Now Host 1]

It's a great point, because don't even think about pro wrestling. Think about culturally. Is there anybody who's a bigger antagonist than Logan Paul?

[WWE Now Host 2]

No.

[WWE Now Host 1]

He is literally on red carpets super bowl weekend saying he's not excited about Bad Bunny. Like, he is an antagonist. Whatever. The thing is that one could say that it's just going to get on your nerves. Logan Paul is going to say it. This man has made a career out of it. Long before he was in a WWE ring, he had already made a career out of it. He is a professional. So I think you're 100% right that that is the thing. Like now I'm. I'm. I'm challenging you. What are you going to do about it? What could possibly be more antagonistic in a pro wrestling environment than a quote like that from Logan Paul, especially with.

[WWE Now Host 2]

His long hair getting right up in your face.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Yeah. I mean, yeah. Yeah. So he gets out there and of course, the Vision interferes, which they were always going to do. We get a Bronson Reed Tsunami. Logan Paul's at ringside. Everybody's there to help Austin Theory qualify for this chamber match. Just when you think that Austin Theory is going to get the pin over La Knight, there's Penta to save the day. Pulls Austin Theory out of the ring. Still, La Knight took a Tsunami. I don't. You know, there's. There's no quick getting up from that. Luckily, there didn't need to be a quick getting up from that, because as Penta gets back in the ring, here comes the Masked man again, I would imagine. I cannot say for sure. I saw four Grande Americanos tonight, so who's to say it's always the same masked man? But it appeared to be a masked man, similarly dressed, with similar motives, this time wearing gloves. I think the Masked man knows that the Internet likes to examine everything and is looking for the hands, is looking at everything. The mask may just get smarter and smarter, but he goes out pretty. I think it was a super kick that he hit first. Hell of a super kick. Athletic guy, I will say. And this with all due respect, because, you know, I'm. I'm trying to figure this out.

[WWE Now Host 2]

We all are.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Immediately I go, why Adam Pierce does not move like that? I don't know how Pierce. Adam Pierce was. I mean, he was more of a mat technician, you know, I don't know that he ever moved like that. I said, that's not how Adam Pierce moves.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Well, we had had a conversation when we first saw this masked man at the Royal Rumble. Who do we think it is? And we did speculate about it potentially being Logan Paul. So as soon as this masked man comes out, I'm yelling to you, where's Logan Paul? Where's Logan Paul? And I can't see Logan Paul. So I'm thinking, could it be?

[WWE Now Host 1]

Well, he's so slimy, you never know. He's slugged off someplace and put on this hood and everything. I go, maybe. And I go, I'm going to have to go back to the tape and check what pants Logan Paul was wearing. Are they pants that match the pants that that masked man is wearing? So the masked man hits him with that super kick. The masked man hits him with the Seth Rollins stomp again. And then the masked man retreats. Just as the vision follows him. Logan Paul chases out the masked man. Logan Paul was my pick. Logan Paul was the guy that said that Logan Paul is the masked man. He's up to no good. Now, for the first time, we didn't see any of this at the Rumble. The masked man is in the same location at the same time as Logan Paul, as Brunson Reed, as Adam Pierce, right there at ringside. Those three people were not wearing that mask tonight. It's impossible. I don't care what secrets that masked magician has to reveal, that ain't one of them.

[WWE Now Host 2]

It's not Penta.

[WWE Now Host 1]

It's not Penta. It's not La Knight. No, it is not. So, I don't know, it could be Byron Saxton.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Hey, he was wearing the same suit as Corey Graves tonight, I believe. You never know.

[WWE Now Host 1]

I believe that. Was Corey Graves wearing the same suit as Byron Saxton.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Is that how you're going to classify it?

[WWE Now Host 1]

Yeah, I think it was a Byron original.

[WWE Now Host 2]

I don't know if Corey would agree with that.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Probably not.

[WWE Now Host 2]

I think Corey would say that it was. It was him who originated that type of style.

[WWE Now Host 1]

He probably would say that. I would respectfully disagree. However, the fact that we've now eliminated suspects from this masked man list, to me, is utterly fascinating. And it's narrowed it down a lot tonight because I. Logan Paul was my pick. Adam Pierce was a lot of people's picks because Adam Pierce has been operating his show like a lunatic. Like the old Adam Pierce. No, he would never, you know, get physically involved. Like, the masked man has this version of Adam Pierce. He's out of his mind. However, it isn't him because he was in on, you know, in the same area at the same time. We saw him both.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Could it be Seth?

[WWE Now Host 1]

Of course. Of course. He's always had tricks up his sleeve. I watched. Unreal. Okay, I know. I'll tell you what. You know, who would know if it's Seth or not? His little girl's teacher, Miss Joy. Miss Joy. Miss Joy. I'm gonna ask Miss Joy, have you heard anything about this masked man? You know, are there any new rumors?

[WWE Now Host 2]

See if she's leaking in the sheets.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Do you know the dirt sheet that I could start if I got the exclusive scoops from Ms. Joy all the time, it really would be something special. But, yeah, so, yeah, I think Seth is still on the list. Obviously, it's not Austin Theory. No, because he's the one who got stomped. And now that that masked man has stopped both Bronson Reed and. I'm sorry, Brom Breaker and Austin Theory.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Yeah, it can't be Ron Breaker.

[WWE Now Host 1]

No, he's post surgery and he got stomped at the Royal Rumble, so it's not him. I mean, whatever. You know, here's the thing. We're sitting here talking about who's the masked man, and I think La Knight would be very, very offended by this conversation, because as far as he's concerned, the headline is that LA Knight.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Yeah.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Goes to the elimination chamber and gets to. Once again, he returned at the Royal Rumble. And there are a lot of fans that are waiting for La Knight to just have his moment that they will not be satiated.

[WWE Now Host 2]

They've been waiting since, like two Summerslams ago. Yeah, the Slim Jim battle royal, 100%.

[WWE Now Host 1]

But La Knight's a unique one, because with La Knight's fan base, I don't think they'll be happy until he's a world champion and he's now one match away from a WrestleMania WWE title shot. You know, one match away from Drew McIntyre's WWE Championship. Because CM Punk, I saw the match graphic, will be occupied at WrestleMania unless.

[WWE Now Host 2]

It is a match graphic.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Well, yeah, but they might have to change it.

[WWE Now Host 2]

That can always happen. Especially because now CM Punk has another challenger before he can even get to WrestleMania.

[WWE Now Host 1]

And we'd like. And we'd like to say, let me see this Mania match graphic, because these match graphics are everything to me. You know, how seriously obsessed with it. There it is. I look at that, ask for it, and it shall appear. There it is. I even got a question on the podcast this week. They said, is there an official match graphic? Someone trying to correct You. And I said, no, don't correct me. I'm a match graphic guy. Did you hear the way. And people know that about me. Did you hear the way I just commanded into the air? Allow me to see the match graphic. And here it is on the screen for all of us to enjoy. World Heavyweight Championship CM Punk versus Roman Reigns. Now, this is a big part of Monday Night Raw tonight because this is one of those main events, especially after the promo that we saw ending last week's Raw when we saw Roman Reigns and CM Punk in the ring together. And whether on paper we knew that the match that we wanted to see was the W was the best in the world versus the otc, or whether it was seeing them face to face that made us realize after that segment, there is no doubt in anybody's mind that this is the biggest match that you can possibly have this year at WrestleMania. And by the way, Cody Rose and Drew McIntyre, probably not terribly happy to hear a statement like that, especially if it's a measuring contest. But. But it is what it is.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Those are fighting words.

[WWE Now Host 1]

And. Well, look, I think that you can tell that based on how hard they're trying to. Which I didn't want to bring up with the measuring contest, but how much they're trying to protect this main event and how much Adam Pierce is trying to now protect this main event that was not in existence eight days ago is now so important to somebody like Adam Pierce and clearly so important to wwe, that Adam Pierce is once again emotional and shouting about not wanting CM Punk and the WWE Championship to be in that ring before the weekend of April 18th.

[WWE Now Host 2]

But it's going to be whether Adam Pierce likes it or not, because he made it official tonight on Raw that it's Finn Balor and CM Punk at the elimination chamber ple. In CM Punk's hometown of. Of Chicago. And the entire time that I'm watching CM Punk just go back and forth with Finn Balor and. And take this on like the fighting champion that he is. I'm wondering, what does Roman Reigns think of all of this?

[WWE Now Host 1]

I mean, not a thing. I don't think.

[WWE Now Host 2]

No.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Now, well, I'll tell you this. First of all, CM Punk shows up looking like a million bucks. We all got to say that of the jacket. That jacket was amazing. And by the way, I know you saw what CM Punk was wearing. And I know when I see CM Punk wearing a jacket like that, I start to think, could I pull it off?

[WWE Now Host 2]

You can't.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Maybe I could. Maybe I could. There's only One way to find out. WWE Shop and Fanatics. That's exactly where I'm going to get the new best in the world CM Punk coaches jacket. You can get it right now at WWE Shop and Fanatics. I'm going to prove Megan wrong. I believe I can pull it off. There might be a few people out there that can pull it off a little bit better than me. But regardless, it's awesome looking. Look at me. That blue pops. Not only do you have the new CM Punk jacket, but AJ Lee came back tonight. New AJ Lee merch is live show up to Chicago wearing the AJ Lee shirt and the CM Punk jacket. The spinning web since 2011 shirt is available now. You you can have this shirt on when AJ Lee defeats Becky Lynch. It's available now that in your copy sell I okay I miss Red's one little but that's when you would wear it when she defeats Becky Lynch. Celebrate your favorite wrestlers favorite wrestler. We're talking about A.J. lee. You can grab yours now at WWE Shop and Fanatics before it all disappears. And now before we you're having a.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Great time there and everything.

[WWE Now Host 1]

I just reading the copy.

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[WWE Now Host 1]

Now before we get into AJ Lee and Becky lynch. Because we will.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Can't wait.

[WWE Now Host 1]

We got to get into CM Punk and Finn Balor.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Yes.

[WWE Now Host 1]

So you're right. And we'll get back to that Roman Reigns question. It's a great question.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Thank you. I thought so too.

[WWE Now Host 1]

I'm glad. But sure that's why you asked it first. Dominic Mysterio kind of handing Finn that hard truth which it wasn't even like he was saying, look dude, I don't think you can beat CM Punk. It wasn't saying like hey, you should have beaten him before. It wasn't saying anything. It was simply Dominic Mysterio gone. I think it's spoken for. They made such a big deal last week out of Roman Reigns and CM Punk that I don't think there's going to be any WWE title match at the Elimination Chamber ple in Chicago two weeks from now. A week From Saturday. And Dominic was just two weeks from Saturday. Saturday's Valentine's Day, right? Two weeks from Saturday.

[WWE Now Host 2]

That's right.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Yes. Two weeks from Saturday in Chicago.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Dominic was just saying basically what all of us were thinking, right?

[WWE Now Host 1]

We saw this thing. This is the title match. We're looking. But that's not how Finn Balor sees it. Finn Balor's like, I'm not watching the whole show for the whole show. I'm watching the whole show for me.

[WWE Now Host 2]

And Finn Balor doesn't forget that before CM Punk addressed the tribal chief, Roman Reigns, he looked right at the camera and called out finn Balor.

[WWE Now Host 1]

He called out finn B. I mean, Finn Balor's got a steel trap up here in that Irish head of his. He's got a good brain in there. Because not only does he know that, not only does he remember two weeks ago, which we've all forgotten, because that promo was so memorable. It's true that Finn Balor took out CM Punk and the week before that, that Finn Balor had CM Punk dead to rights. I mean, within an inch. He made one mistake, and that's how CM Punk was able to beat him in Ireland. But Finn Balor also goes all the way back. Finn Balor also remembers that he has history with Roman Reigns. Finn Balor also remembers that during the bloodline reign of Roman that Finn Balor had his one shot and the rope broke. The rope broke, and that's what ro. And that was it. No, this. No. It was just a. The rope broke, and Roman Reigns took full advantage of it. And that's how that match ended. It was not satisfying for fans. It was not satisfying for Finn Balor. So he comes back two weeks from Saturday to the Elimination Chamber, pay per view, ple. And demands. Demands this title match. Adam Pierce says, no way, no way. We can't do it. No way, no way. And it's like this Adam Pierce, who's like. And Finn, we've known each other for so long, like we're buds. First you tell this guy. The nerve of this Adam Pierce. First you tell Finn Balor, the Prince. You tell this guy. Rom was full. Row Rumble's full. And then we see Mr. Iguana. But Royal Rumble's full.

[WWE Now Host 2]

It's never been full.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Have you ever heard anybody say, never ever? Never in my life. I've never in my life heard that the Royal Rumble was full. I've never heard anybody say that. They go, oh, I'm here to draw my number for the Royal Rumble. No more numbers. They got all Taken up full. Okay, okay, I'll deal with that. And then he goes and challenges the champion. And Adam Pierce says, no, we won our main event for wrestlemania. Too much. We can't have the champion defending his title. And at the ple in his hometown. No, we're not doing it.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Chicago would riot.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Fin Bal says, oh, really? And then here comes CM Punk. Look in my eyes.

[WWE Now Host 2]

The whole thing, jacket on, everything.

[WWE Now Host 1]

It looks like a million bucks.

[WWE Now Host 2]

No more hokas. Nikes.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Nikes. Because those are, you know, what, kick and shoes.

[WWE Now Host 2]

That's right.

[WWE Now Host 1]

And Finn Balor gets in there, and. And we see a Punk gets in there. And Finn Balor goes over to the table.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Oh, I loved this. With the security guards. They were all running around. And then Finn Balor ends up on the announce table. CM Punk ends up in the ring. Adam Pierce and the security guards are all confused what to do between these two guys.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Like, those security guards are stopping anyone. But he goes, no. And. And Punk goes, no. This is the. I mean, I'm here to be a fighting champion. And. And CM Punk. This is the new CM Punk. Where CM Punk was looking at Adam Pierce going, I'm the champion. I'd like to have some say in this. But it was really him saying, this is my call. Because he said straight up, either give me some say in this, or I'm spending the rest of the show hunting down Finn Balor.

[WWE Now Host 2]

And Cleveland was loving it. They're like, yeah, Cleveland thought they were going to get right now for a.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Second, I thought we were going to get a world title match right there, right then. But they made it for Chicago. They made it for the elimination chamber. Ple. Two weeks from Saturday, official CM Punk defending the title against Finn Balor. And I think a lot of people are going to go into that show, and they're going to go, there's no way Finn Balor's winning the title. A lot of people are going to go into that show going, I already saw the graphic. We already know what the WrestleMania main event is. Finn Balor's not winning the title. And I think that's the exact narrative. Finn Balor wants them. Yeah, it is, because that's the exact narrative people had before EOS guy won the women's world championship in the month of February, before wrestlemania last year. Here we are in the month of February, the very last day of it, February 28th in Chicago. Finn Balor has a chip on his shoulder. Finn Balor is getting ignored from the WrestleMania main event. Finn Balor isn't being considered for this thing.

[WWE Now Host 2]

He was ignored from the Royal Rumble.

[WWE Now Host 1]

He was ignored from the Royal Rumble. Not considered. They filled it up before they got to Finn Balor. So now what does he do? Finn Balor walks in to CM Punk's hometown, to Chicago, to the United center. And he walks in ready to not only spoil this for every fan in Chicago, but spoil it clearly for the powers that be in the WWE that are. That are. That have given Adam Pearce all this stress to make sure that this main event doesn't change. Because there is. There is a good chance that once the main event of March rolls around, it's Finn Balor's face that's on that graphic. This is Finn Balor, chip on his shoulder, motivated, scary Finn Balor. Finn Balor, the guy who decides to remind everybody that he is an industry shifting professional wrestler is a scary Finn Balor. Finn Balor wasn't having fun. Tonight on Raw. Finn Balor didn't walk to the ring in Judgment Day colors. Finn Balor didn't walk to the ring in a shirt that said JD or the Judgment Day anywhere on it. Finn Balor showed up in the old school. Balor club colors, Ballor club gear. I think. I think the real story of what we saw two, three weeks ago now on Raw was it was almost like waking up a sleepwalker. It woke this guy up, and it not only reminded us how good he is, it reminded him how good he is. And the fact that he hasn't been in the WWE or World Heavyweight Championship conversation for the amount of time that he hasn't been there, he now feels slighted by that. He feels disrespected by that.

[WWE Now Host 2]

No.

[WWE Now Host 1]

And he's looking at an ipod, and you know what he's saying? He's looking at the iPad and you know what he's saying?

[WWE Now Host 2]

I took that personally.

[WWE Now Host 1]

That's exactly right, Megan.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Now, I have a question for you.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Go ahead.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Do you think it's at all possible. Drumroll, please. That Finn Balor shows up at the United center as the demon?

[WWE Now Host 1]

It's always possible.

[WWE Now Host 2]

The demon.

[WWE Now Host 1]

It's always.

[WWE Now Host 2]

I mean, he talked about it on the Cody Rhodes podcast too, right?

[WWE Now Host 1]

Yeah, of course.

[WWE Now Host 2]

About how the black and Gold Demon was much different than the demon that we've most recently seen.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Very different. Very different. I think that black and Gold demon. Listen, Finn Balor is slipping back into his ways that he started in black and gold. I had a Balor club T shirt from NXT with the nxt.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Wow. It's a good year to be you. The Bremo T shirt, the Finn Balor club, all the old T shirts coming back for Sammy, 100%.

[WWE Now Host 1]

They're all there because they're so great. But yeah, I mean, I think that there's always that possibility. Or is that something he saves for Wrestlemania? Or is that. Or, or, or does this version of Finn Balor have that chip on his shoulder where it's like, no, I don't even. I'm Finn Balor. I'm not painting up. I'm not doing that. I'm Finn Balor. That's who you've got to deal with. And you have no idea what a problem it is. I think all things are on the table and possible. And to answer your other question about Roman Reigns, I don't think so. I don't think he's stressing about it. No, I don't think he's worried about this.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Do you think he's eye rolling a little bit like, here goes CM Punk again?

[WWE Now Host 1]

Yeah, I think that's that.

[WWE Now Host 2]

I think Punk's Phil again, I should say, I think so because Punk had a line. It was that you said, he's brave enough, humble enough, confident enough, and he went on brave enough to defend this title. He's humble enough to know that this could end at any moment. But he's also confident enough in who he is and who CM Punk is and to be a fighting champion. And it's just something to me, based on the interaction that we saw between him and Roman Reigns last week, that Roman is sitting there listening to him being like, like, come on, come on, man.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Yeah. And I think there could be an eye roll. But I, I, I think on some level, as much as I'm sure Roman Reigns wants Roman vs Punk to be the match, I think there's another part of Roman Reigns that would love for Punk to prove that he's not even good enough to make it to the match. Because that's what happens if Finn Balor wins that World Heavyweight Championship at the elimination chamber ple two weeks from Saturday in Chicago. Not only has he proven that he's the best and he's the champion, but he's proven that CM Punk, in his effort to be a fighting champion, wasn't good enough to make it to WrestleMania. And I think that that would bring Roman Reigns great joy.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Well, Roman Reigns did say last week that he hates CM Punk.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Hates him.

[WWE Now Host 2]

And it's not, he's not indifferent about CM Punk.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Hates him, hates him.

[WWE Now Host 2]

So, you know, he's actively rooting for his demise. Yes.

[WWE Now Host 1]

His Demise. I can't wait. I love that this match is happening. I love that we're getting in in Chicago and I'm telling you like it was a cool thing when it happened in Ireland. And I love too that the the one and one matches are are Finn's home country and CM Punk's home city.

[WWE Now Host 2]

That's great.

[WWE Now Host 1]

But I think that by the time we get to the elimination chamber, ple. This CM Punk Finn Balor match is going to have such a big match feel to it that I think a lot of people aren't going to see coming at first. It really is going to kind of expose what a superstar Finn Balor has always been.

[WWE Now Host 2]

I can't wait.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Yeah, me, I'm saying I've united center.

[WWE Now Host 2]

First time in what, like 30 years?

[WWE Now Host 1]

Long time, Long time. I can't wait to see it. I also, I'm very excited because WWE World is returning to Las Vegas this April 16th through the 20th. It is the can't miss destination during WrestleMania week. WWE World brings the WWE Universe closer than ever to the Superstars, legends and iconic moments that define wwe. With immersive exhibits, exclusive merchandise and experiences that you won't find anywhere else, you're gonna be able to see Superstars like Drew McIntyre, Liv Morgan, Jay Uso, Dominic Mysterio, Tiffany Stratton, and many, many more. With even more appearances still to be announced. As a matter of fact, I believe on Monday Night Raw what we announced Stone Cold Steve Austin. Oh, Stone Cold. Showing up at WWE World, which like as soon as they announced that on Raw I was like stop. What did they just say? And then you see the graphic and there he is. There he is pointing right down the center, still looking like he's ready to put a boot to you know where. Tickets, by the way are now on [e-mail] and you can save 10% with promo code WWE Now 10 get those tickets. WWE Now 10 is the code Megan and I, I hope will be there. That's why we keep pointing at our WrestleMania sign and we hope to see you there. But, but we have, we have our, our first guest here on Raw. Recap on WWE Now I believe we have a low key legend joining us from Monday Night Raw. Welcome from Cleveland, the low key legend to the Raw recap WWE now podcast. Natty. Natty, you promised to decimate and you did indeed decimate. My first question I have to ask you. When you were on the table, there was this moment and I noticed it in the replay when you had Maxine in the sharpshooter on the table. There was this look of peace, almost. Almost a meditative trance that overcame your face as you had Maxine locked in the sharpshooter. What was that?

[Natalya (Natty)]

That was peace. That was me reminding Maxine that Natalia elevates, but natty decimates. And, you know, when I think about when Maxine won the Intercontinental Championship, who did Maxine thank? She thanked AJ Lee. Some of the greatest superstars that have ever lived have come to my family, have come to the Dungeon, the place that my grandfather started in 1953. Some of the greatest professional wrestlers that have ever lived came through there, and my family taught them everything they know. And I gave Maxine something that was so special, and all she did was use me like a rung on a ladder, pulling herself up the ladder and not even thanking me for a thing. So tonight I found a lot of peace.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Yeah, it looked like that. I mean, you know, you for a long time, I feel like it's been. It's been years that you've kind of developed a reputation for helping people, for helping women get to the next level, for being that person. I don't want to say rung on a ladder, but for being that person that helps get a lot of different women to the next level. But I think that you are right that inevitably what happens when you're in that position is the people that get to the next level are the ones that get a lot of attention for it. I would imagine at some point that was rewarding to you. What. What kind of changed? What. What snapped in you that made you go, no, it's time for. It's time for me to reap rewards. Personally.

[Natalya (Natty)]

Legends like Mark Henry thanked my family, thanked my uncles for helping him reach greatness. Legends like Gorilla Monsoon, legends like Andre the Giant, who have had help from my family, have thanked my family for greatness. Maxine, I thought she was different, but she's just like the rest of them. She used me like a rung on a ladder, and.

[WWE Now Host 1]

I.

[Natalya (Natty)]

Am never going to forget it. And in some ways, I need to thank Maxine. I need to thank her for giving me this sort of awakening. But at the end of the day, good guys finish last.

[WWE Now Host 1]

You know, I mean, the match goes to a double count out tonight. And I can't imagine, you know, most of the time you get in there, you're getting in there to get the W. I didn't feel like you had gone in there with a specific mission in mind to win anything. It went in there like the mission in Mind was to. Was to hurt somebody, was to hurt Maxine, was to send this message and that. And that whatever the rules are inside the squared circle kind of were meaningless to you. When that bell rings and you realize that the double count out is the finish. Are you sitting there going, this was a terrible mistake. Are you sitting there going, I've taken this too far.

[Natalya (Natty)]

Does it even matter, Sam? Does it even matter when you. When you look at someone like Maxine Dupree? Like, I thought Maxine was different. That's. That's actually what hurts me more than anything. Like I said, nice guys finish last. And for me, for a very, very long time, I realized that doormats are good for one thing and one thing only, and that's getting walked on. I thought Maxine was different, but she's not. She's just like the rest of them. The rest of them that went on, grabbed everything that they ever wanted and forgot about the people that help them reach greatness. Maxine is no different than anyone else. She used me like a rung on a ladder to pull herself up and win a championship. And then who does she think? Sam, who did Maxine thank when she won the IC Championship? Who did she think? Megan, who did she thank?

[WWE Now Host 2]

Not natty.

[WWE Now Host 1]

A.J. lee.

[Natalya (Natty)]

Yeah, she thanked A.J.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Lee.

[Natalya (Natty)]

So Maxine. You know what? Maxine can kiss my ass.

[WWE Now Host 1]

So I. Thanks to Natty. Must have been something you said.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Me? I didn't even get a question in.

[WWE Now Host 1]

No. Well, I guess she said what she wanted to say. I mean, Natty, something has awakened.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Yeah.

[WWE Now Host 1]

In Natty. You know, I think. I didn't expect her to. I didn't think that she needs to walk.

[WWE Now Host 2]

I feel like this has been brewing for quite some time, and it was like maybe Maxine was the straw that broke the camel's back.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Yeah.

[WWE Now Host 2]

No, no, no.

[WWE Now Host 1]

I think that that's probably true. You know, I. I think that, look, Natty is a remarkable talent, and I think that it's possible that she feels like she's taken for granted. It's possible that, you know, she's been in this position where she's in almost a mentor like, role role, where she's been in WWE long enough. That's why they call her the low key Legend. She's been in WWE long enough that she's seen it all and done it all. But when was the last time she had a serious run anywhere near a World Championship while. But when was the last time she got somebody ready to have a run? That happens all the time.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Yes.

[WWE Now Host 1]

For the World Championship. And I think it gets to the point where you forget that she's the one behind all of this. So she showed up, and I noticed that, too. I know. I mean, look at, like, there's an intensity on her face when she has Maxine in the sharpshooter, but it's, it's, it's. It's a weird almost. It's not exactly a trance, but it is an absolute peace state where it's like, there's, There's a. Like, it's methodical in what she's doing. And the fact that she, like, came to the ring tonight not really trying to score a pin or get a submission, just like, I'm just going to beat the snot out of Maxine Dupree. And that's what she did, because that's.

[WWE Now Host 2]

What this is about for Natty, beating her up. I mean, this is about making a statement. This is about showing everybody who is maybe overlooked. Natty, maybe taking Natty for granted. I mean, you look at Maxine, right? She was built in the dungeon. By who? By Natty. You take a look at the last couple years, and you go up and down the women's roster. I mean, it wasn't long ago that Natty was down in NXT helping people like Roxanne Perez. You know, it wasn't long ago, like, she's. She's had her fingerprints on so much of this roster and helping build.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Forget about Roxanne Perez. You want to go back to the women's evolution? You want to go back to Divas champions becoming women's champions and Divas matches becoming women's matches. You can go back to take over Brooklyn if you want. You can go back to a lot of what was going on in nxt, but if you want to go to where it started, you go to NXT Television and you go to Charlotte Flair versus Natalia. That was the singular match that started it all. That was the first time that I recall way, way, way back then. This was pre Takeover. I believe this is way back when it was just this match on NXT TV that you got wherever you got it, but it was the first time people started buzzing that the women were doing something different. And that was Natty. And I don't. I think that, that while history has. Has continued to move, I don't think Natty's ever forgot that. And I think that the idea that people don't credit her with it every day probably bothers her.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Yeah.

[WWE Now Host 1]

And is. And. And has reached that. That boiling point.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Well, it clearly bothers her that Maxine didn't thank her. And Maxine's not the only one who hasn't thanked Natty.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Sure, sure. And I don't know, I mean, I don't know if Maxine has been pretty public with her gratitude towards Natty and being in the dungeon.

[WWE Now Host 2]

I mean, before Natalia completely screwed her over, you saw how excited Maxine was backstage to run into Natalia. What are you doing here? Oh, my gosh, I can't believe you're here.

[WWE Now Host 1]

You thought Natty screwed over Maxine? Well, you cuz that. I'm just saying what you just said. Well, that's what you thought.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Well, it didn't matter.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Ladies, gentlemen of the jury, let the.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Let it reflect because as we've talked about right here, it did matter.

[WWE Now Host 1]

It wouldn't be screwed over if it didn't matter. You said screwed her over.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Yeah, as friends. But it didn't. I mean, it didn't. Because we've also heard from Becky lynch that Adam Pierce was in the truck. He called for the wrong camera angle, and Becky was actually. She was. She was kicking out anyways.

[WWE Now Host 1]

That's Adam.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Shoulder was up, but Adam Pierce.

[WWE Now Host 1]

That's not what you just said.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Corruption.

[WWE Now Host 1]

That's not what you just said.

[WWE Now Host 2]

But Natalia's intentions were to hurt Maxine. Can we agree on that?

[WWE Now Host 1]

Yeah. What did you make of AJ Lee coming out to help Maxine?

[WWE Now Host 2]

Well, I just. I mean, I can't get over those eyebrows.

[WWE Now Host 1]

They were brought up. They were brought up today. Is it positive or negative?

[WWE Now Host 2]

Not good.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Okay.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Not good.

[WWE Now Host 1]

That's ridiculous. I thought. I think. I think she actually has remarkable eyebrows. If I'm being. If I'm telling you the truth, I think she has great eyebrows.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Good eyebrows, too.

[WWE Now Host 1]

I've had. In my younger days. I had good eyebrows. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[WWE Now Host 2]

You know, in the past.

[WWE Now Host 1]

In the past. In the past. Those are. Those are younger days. What can you do? But AJ Coming out after already being involved in business with Becky lynch, which we will talk about, coming out and being kind of one of the key people in breaking this thing up and helping Maxine out, I was very intrigued at the idea. And you could say it's because she's friends with Maxine and wanted to help her friend. But it feels like AJ Lee's making enemies with Natty. I would think with Natty, yeah. I wouldn't be thrilled if somebody came if I was trying to sharpshooter Maxine Dupree. I wouldn't be thrilled with any wrestler that came out and tried to stop it from happening, especially in the state that Natty's in. So I wonder if AJ Lee is going to have that on her plate. I also then see Becky lynch coming out and I wonder if, like, okay, if Becky lynch and Natty both end up with problems with AJ Lee, where does Becky lynch land on the fact that, I don't know if we mentioned this before, that Natty eliminated Becky lynch from the Royal Rumble? Where does Becky fall on that?

[WWE Now Host 2]

Megan, right now? I mean, Becky lynch also has a lot of. A lot of enemies because she's a champion. And when you're a champion in wwe, a lot of people are coming after you. And let's face it, a lot of people are jealous of Becky lynch and. And I don't blame them.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Becky was crashing out tonight on on Raw Monday Night Raw, Segment one. Actually, I didn't. Segment one. First segment of all, I didn't think.

[WWE Now Host 2]

She was crashing out at all.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Right at the tippity top of the Netflix broadcast.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Not what I would define as crashing out.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Well, we saw the crash out begin in the entrance shots, and I don't remember the last time I saw crash out in an entrance shot.

[WWE Now Host 2]

You know, one of the last time she saw A.J. lee was when A.J. lee showed up in New York City without a manager's license. So then to see AJ Lee backstage once again, war. Who even knows if she has a license?

[WWE Now Host 1]

War Games was after that.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Is it one of the last times?

[WWE Now Host 1]

Well, well, you know, it was one of the last times. Sure, A.J. lee's allowed to show up. I mean, number one, she wrestles for. She's WWE legend and still wrestles.

[WWE Now Host 2]

We heard Becky say tonight she's not even a official Raw Superstar. She's not officially on the Raw roster.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Well, she can go wherever she wants. She's wrestled. And plus she's married to CM Punk. She can be there to support him.

[WWE Now Host 2]

He's married to Seth Rollins, and Seth.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Rollins is also allowed to be backstage. He's also an official member of the Raw roster. But even if he wasn't, I think it'd be okay. I don't think anybody would be like, what's he doing here?

[WWE Now Host 2]

Well, can you imagine Becky? I mean, she spent the last week just fighting all of the injustices that took place after the Royal Rumble because her feet didn't touch the ground. And then she comes back to work.

[WWE Now Host 1]

I mean, her feet did touch the ground. So go ahead. Yeah, yeah, I watched the Royal Rumble.

[WWE Now Host 2]

I don't know. I saw a video of her getting driven backstage and she Said that if the corruption continues, she might have to cancel WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Okay. No, I didn't see that. I doubt she has the power.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Well, her lawyers, they may.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Yeah, they've done nothing so far. But go ahead.

[WWE Now Host 2]

They're working on it. You wait. You wait and see for how long. However long it takes. Okay, so anyways, Becky's backstage after fighting all of this corruption, taking big meetings in Hollywood, going to the super bowl with her hot husband, Seth Rollins. It's her saying it, not me. Hot husband, Seth Rollins and Kofi. And then she arrives at Monday Night Raw, and who does she see upon arrival? AJ Lee, who's there to greet the.

[WWE Now Host 1]

WWE Universe and hang out with some friends.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Wouldn't you be a little.

[Progressive Insurance Announcer]

No.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Taken aback?

[WWE Now Host 1]

No.

[WWE Now Host 2]

AJ Lee just shows up.

[WWE Now Host 1]

She's allowed to show up. Becky lynch was mad when I was in a. In a building, I was just.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Well, that's justified.

[WWE Now Host 1]

So Becky lynch comes out after ruining the entrance shot. Becky lynch comes out at the top of the show, and she just starts screaming about being mad that A.J. lee is there. Like, really crashing out hard. Just like, there's no point to what she's saying, except I'm mad that A.J. lee is here.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Well, she's like a little Chihuahua.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Who, Becky?

[WWE Now Host 2]

No, AJ when back.

[WWE Now Host 1]

And then. So AJ Comes out, eyebrows and all? Well, yes, she did bring her. Her eyebrows are attached to her, so she. Or she did have her eyebrows. And they look great, by the way she comes out and yes, Becky lynch did say that AJ Lee thinks she's so cute and doing her AJ Lee thing, but she's not cute. She's like a Chihuahua that is ruining Becky's life, which, I mean, the idea that Becky is. Is annoyed by somebody constantly, and it makes her feel like her life is being ruined. I don't know if she ever takes ownership over the things that she does to everybody around her.

[WWE Now Host 2]

I don't see anything that Becky's doing wrong.

[WWE Now Host 1]

She continues to crash out saying that she wants to fight AJ Lee. So so far, we've got Russell Palooza, tag team match, Seth and Becky, AJ Lee, CM Punk, AJ Lee beats Becky Lynch. Okay, then we have War Games.

[WWE Now Host 2]

When Becky was yelling at her team to come over and help AJ Lee.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Beat Becky lynch at War Games.

[WWE Now Host 2]

The tap out.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Yes.

[WWE Now Host 2]

All of these matches, by the way, have something in common.

[WWE Now Host 1]

What?

[WWE Now Host 2]

Corrupt car?

[WWE Now Host 1]

Jessica Carr. Is that why she didn't give her the intercontinental title at the Royal Rumble?

[WWE Now Host 2]

That's right.

[WWE Now Host 1]

She gave it to Eddie instead. Yeah. Well, now Becky has decided A one on one match is the way to go. And she's walked herself into this one on one match that apparently is going down at Elimination Chamber. With the Intercontinental Championship now on the line, She's. She accepted it. Whether we, Whether we have a manager's license or not, there's a real reality that AJ Lee also walks into Chicago like CM Punk does. And if CM Punk beats Finn Balor and AJ Lee beats Becky lynch, they both leave as champions, matching titles. Wouldn't that be cute?

[WWE Now Host 2]

It would, but it's. It's not even worth thinking about because A.J. lee hasn't had a match in over a singles match in over 10 years.

[WWE Now Host 1]

I know, but she hadn't had a match at all in. In 10 years. And she beat Becky lynch in the tag match.

[WWE Now Host 2]

This is different. She's. It's not a tag match and she'd only had one.

[WWE Now Host 1]

She hadn't had a War Games match ever. She beat Becky lynch in War Games.

[WWE Now Host 2]

This is very different. This is a one on one singles match against the greatest female wrestler of all time and a Becky lynch that in all seriousness, is doing some of her best work that we've ever seen.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Becky lynch is doing great work, but she's also making very emotional decisions.

[WWE Now Host 2]

She is.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Can you imagine if Becky doesn't make it to WrestleMania as the Intercontinental Champion?

[WWE Now Host 2]

No, I can't really. I can't imagine because I can think.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Of a scenario where that's exactly what would happen. Want to know what the scenario is?

[WWE Now Host 2]

What's that?

[WWE Now Host 1]

AJ Lee beats her at Elimination Chamber.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Yeah, but that's, that's. I mean, it would be likely. Likely? You're saying it's. It's likely for someone to just step into the ring with the women's Intercontinental Champion after not having a singles match in 10 years in defeat her?

[WWE Now Host 1]

If it's AJ Lee. Yeah. Yes. I've watched AJ Lee. You watch the product.

[WWE Now Host 2]

I do watch the product.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Does it look like there's ring rust on this lady?

[WWE Now Host 2]

No, but this is Becky lynch we're talking about.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Yeah. The lady got beat by AJ Lee.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Twice in different types of matches.

[WWE Now Host 1]

I know. Any type of match, throw any type of match, AJ Lee's beaten Becky Lynch. If there's one thing history tells us, it's that no matter what type of match we're in, AJ Lee's beaten Becky Lynch.

[WWE Now Host 2]

You know the other thing about Becky lynch, though?

[WWE Now Host 1]

What?

[WWE Now Host 2]

He always finds a way.

[WWE Now Host 1]

There have been a lot of times that she's found a way. A frustrating. A frustratingly lot of times. That she has found a way that, that, that I can't. I can't say you're wrong.

[WWE Now Host 2]

On.

[WWE Now Host 1]

I will say that there will be an opportunity for people to meet and greet Becky Lynch. Did you know that?

[WWE Now Host 2]

Please tell me more.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Oh, you're going to want to be there. The world's number one sports fan festival. I'm talking about Fanatics Fest. It is back making its return to New York City. Fanatics is bringing you closer to the leagues, teams and Superstars that you love across four action packed days in July. Meet your favorite WWE Superstars like Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley, E.O. sky, Liv Morgan, J. USO Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Yes.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Randy Orton, Stephanie Vicaire, Tiffany Stratton and Bianca Belair. They're all going to be in attendance as well as big names from across sports like WWE Superfan, Cam Scatterbo. You'll also be able to get your hands on exclusive merch and catch live WWE podcasts. Tickets are on sale now@fanatics fest.com and you can use code WWE now to get 10% off at checkout. Very, very exciting. We found out that Rhea Ripley, speaking of Rhea Ripley, who will be a Fanatics Fest, qualified for the elimination chamber. She beat Ivy Nile and Lyra Valkyria. You know, I mean, there was a lot of opportunity for upsets tonight. I think Maxine would have been an upset. Upset against Natty did not get the job done. I think the Alpha Academy would have been an upset to win the Tag Team Championship.

[WWE Now Host 2]

By the way, love their shirts. 100% pure babe.

[WWE Now Host 1]

That's right. Babe. Babe against the Usos did not get the job done. But I think, you know, you talk about waking people up, whether it's Natalia trying to wake people up, whether it's Finn Balor waking people up. I think Akira Tozawa might have just.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Told.

[WWE Now Host 1]

A lot of WWE fans tonight, hey, in case you don't know, I'm really good at this wrestling thing. You know, we have a lot of fun, but I'm really good. There were multiple times where I think he and and many fans thought that he was going to win, you know, that Senton. But ultimately it was the 1D on Otis, which I mean, I would have thought if we're going to hit the 1D, let's try to get it on Tazawa. But the fact that the USO's hit it on Otis. 1, 2, 3. The USO's retain and the.

[WWE Now Host 2]

And the double spear.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Oh, oh, double spear USO's. Yeah, they were on fire tonight. And then Also, we should mention, speaking of being on fire, I did not know what a great team that Javon Evans and Grande Original would make as they took on Rayo and Bravo Americano.

[WWE Now Host 2]

The OG Cutter from midair, couldn't even catch his breath, gets up and immediately from the ground jumps over the top rope, leaps.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Unbelievable. But yeah, I mean, Javon, we talked to him, I think it was last week.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Yes.

[WWE Now Host 1]

I almost wish we could talk to him again this week to just find out like what he found at what point in midair. Do you realize I've timed this correctly? I'm going to catch Bravo because Bravo is just looking for that splash or whatever. And from the other side of the ring, here's Javon Evans landing the thing. And the fact that after this match, after he hits the OG Cutter midair and then leaps over the top rope from flat footed on the mat, and then he's just having fun and dancing with Grande Americano after the match. I mean, I sometimes wonder if Javon is even and I hope he's not honestly aware of how good he is.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Do you think he has an inkling about it?

[WWE Now Host 1]

I think now I think his vocabulary has grown quite a bit in the last week or so. I think he might for the, and can you imagine this? Javon is young enough that he may have an inkling for the very first time in his life. He's, he's never, he would have never had an inkling before, I think. I think he might have an inkling. Yeah. No, no, I mean, I'm happy for Javon. I am too. I, I thought seeing him do his thing. I'm also so intrigued by the fact that Mexico and Triple A, the, the, the, the fans of AAA prefer Contemporary Grande Americano, but the American fans prefer Original Grande Americano. So when we're on raw, it's almost like a Bret Hart Heart foundation thing. Like with DX in the attitude era, going to Canada and all of a sudden he's a good guy, but then coming back to the States and all of a sudden he's a bad guy. When Original Grande is in America, he's getting cheered and Contemporary Grande is getting booed. But then they go over to Triple A in Mexico and Contemporary Grande is their guy. They're cheering him and booing Original Grande.

[WWE Now Host 2]

It's a little confusing.

[WWE Now Host 1]

It's fascinating.

[WWE Now Host 2]

It is. I would like Corey Graves to get to the bottom of that a little bit more because he's our resident expert.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Yeah, I mean, culturally, I guess. I guess Contemporary Grande is just connected with that audience more. And, you know, I mean, maybe.

[WWE Now Host 2]

And Contemporary has been doing the triple A shows a little bit longer.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Absolutely, he has. Absolutely he has. But, yes. So all that happened. As well as Rhea Ripley qualifying for the elimination chamber match, we have Rhea Ripley and Tiffany Stratton both in this thing on the women's side. On the men's side, we have Randy Orton and La Knight, both in the elimination chamber. Of course, on smackdown, we're getting a massive qualifying match. Cody Jacob, Sami Zayn in a qualifying match. Of those three, Cody Rhodes, Jacob Fatu, Sami Zayn, only one of them is getting into this chamber match, which is insane. And then next week on Raw, we've got Gunther, who promised to not only win this qualifier, but win the chamber match and become the WWE Champion at WrestleMania. And Gunther's had a pretty good track record as of late when it comes to these. These matches. Yeah.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Are you worried about your boy Dominic at all in this match?

[WWE Now Host 1]

I mean, how good would he look with a third title?

[WWE Now Host 2]

But he's in there with Gunter.

[WWE Now Host 1]

You know, they make those happen. They make those hot girls love Dominic Mysterio shirts in men's sizes.

[WWE Now Host 2]

You gonna get one?

[WWE Now Host 1]

I just checked. I mean, I don't think I'm checking sizes if I'm not planning on shopping.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Well, he gave Liv Morgan some roses and some chocolates tonight.

[WWE Now Host 1]

What a sweet guy.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Liv said she's gonna give him his gift later.

[WWE Now Host 1]

I wonder what it is. I don't know what a sweetheart Dominic Mysterio is. Can you imagine an early Valentine on Monday Night Raw? He's the best, Dominic. I mean, he's the like. Not only is he just so cool, but also caring. Because this is. Sometimes people don't realize it's cool to care.

[WWE Now Host 2]

I didn't realize that Liv Morgan knew Spanish.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Of course, she watched that bad Bunny halftime show. You know, that's how I learned, too. Stephanie Vicaire was out there. It was. It was. It was. Well, it was something. But next week, I don't know. Here's the thing. Gunther has a history with Javon Evans. I believe Gunther and Javon Evans met in the John Cena tournament. Gunther is going to have to deal with Javon Evans bouncing all over the ring and Dominik Mysterio looking for every trick in the book. We have not seen Dominic Mysterio wrestling in quite a while. And, you know, he's been at home concocting all kinds of different ways to win matches. So he's got to deal with the bouncing of Javon, the tricks of Dominik Mysterio. But if there's any way, right? Think about it. Javon Evans, who's more fun to watch than Javon Evans?

[WWE Now Host 2]

I don't think anybody.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Right? Whether you love him or hate him, who's more fun to watch than Dominik Mysterio? Nobody. Right? These are two of the funnest dudes on the show who kills fun for everybody.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Gunter.

[WWE Now Host 1]

You don't even want to talk about this, man. You hate talking about Gunther matches.

[WWE Now Host 2]

I do.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Because it all ends the same.

[WWE Now Host 2]

I do. I really hate talking about. I mean, I mean, it's wild that you just a couple moments ago were telling me, like, there's no ring rust on AJ Lee. And then you look at Dominic in this match, you're like, well, it would look cool if he had another title.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Look great. It would look great. And then on the women's side, you got a qualifying match on Monday Night Raw next week, which is Natty versus who's on the warpath right now versus Bailey versus Oscar. Oscar also on the war path. She wouldn't even let Kyrie Sane ride the golf cart with her coming back from the Royal Rumble.

[WWE Now Host 2]

I was going to say we haven't seen Oscar since she was eliminated by Kyrie.

[WWE Now Host 1]

By accident. Yeah, by accident. But yeah, she's going to be furious. And this is her last shot again. This is why these qualifying matches are so important. Because the elimination chamber really is that last shot to get in to a title match at WrestleMania. That is an absolute career changer.

[WWE Now Host 2]

I'm sure Bailey has a massive chip on her shoulder. We all know what happened to her last year. WrestleMania, right?

[WWE Now Host 1]

I mean, think about it. WrestleMania 40, she's in a title match. It's her dream come true. 41. She gets there the day of she's off the show. You don't think she wants to head back to Vegas this time or she does. In a position that nobody can mess with. It's good. This is what. This is going to be huge. This is going to be a sleeper of a qualifier next week on Monday Night Raw. And before we get to what else is next week on Monday Night Raw? You know, I got to ask a lot of WWE fans where you can experience the thrill and excitement of ripping tops card packs with the instant gratification of having your collection conveniently on your phone. While WWE Slam, of course by Topps offers fans around the world the chance to collect and trade their favorite WWE Superstars. Rip new digital packs every day, complete collector based missions and sessions and combine Cards to craft them into rarer digital collectibles. The app even offers in app challenges where you can win Topps WWE hobby boxes, full cases, graded cards, and even more just by ripping digital packs. Here's your chance to build the ultimate Topps WWE digital collection, featuring iconic Topps designs, original artwork, motion cards, and more. WWE slammed by Topps. You can download for free now in the App Store and Google Play. And next week, not only do we have those two qualifying matches, we've got AJ Lee confirmed for Monday Night Raw this week, which is nuts, because, like, literally, we had no idea she was back.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Nope.

[WWE Now Host 1]

And she just shows up on Raw. And now, not only is she back, she appears to be headed towards the elimination chamber in this match with Becky lynch for the Intercontinental Championship. And now that's two Mondays in a row. AJ Lee, live on Monday Night Raw. I mean, you got to be curious about what she's going to say.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Yeah, yeah, of course I am.

[WWE Now Host 1]

You think she's going to apologize for upsetting Becky?

[WWE Now Host 2]

I don't think she's going to apologize. I think she should apologize.

[WWE Now Host 1]

You do?

[WWE Now Host 2]

But of course she should. She insulted a living legend.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Who?

[WWE Now Host 2]

Becky Lynch. Oh.

[WWE Now Host 1]

I didn't know who you were talking about.

[WWE Now Host 2]

What do you mean you don't know who I'm talking? The greatest women's Intercontinental Champion of all time. Well, I mean, who else did it better?

[WWE Now Host 1]

Lyra. She was good.

[WWE Now Host 2]

Yeah. She can never challenge for the title again as long as Becky's holding it.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Even for the second run.

[WWE Now Host 2]

I think that's how it works. As long as Becky's holding it, Lyra can't challenge that.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Tough. We got to look into that.

[WWE Now Host 2]

There should be a clause.

[WWE Now Host 1]

I got to find Clarence Mason or my lawyers of my own, not Becky's lawyers, to find out if it's. If it's while Becky lynch is holding the title or if it was just the first run of Becky Lynch.

[WWE Now Host 2]

I think it was while she's holding the.

[WWE Now Host 1]

You might be right. That's bad news. I didn't even think about that.

[WWE Now Host 2]

She's the greatest women's Intercontinental Champion of all time. You cannot debate that.

[WWE Now Host 1]

I just did, but.

[WWE Now Host 2]

And it was wrong.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Who do you. But that's not how you debate. Who do you think? Speaking of debates, speaking of battles, you think we continue this game of FAFO next week?

[WWE Now Host 2]

I got a feeling that the game must continue because Paul Heyman is what we call a survivor.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Yeah.

[WWE Now Host 2]

And always seems to find a way to turn the tide.

[WWE Now Host 1]

I mean, we'll see. We'll see. We'll see if this masked man shows up.

[WWE Now Host 2]

He's in a big hole.

[WWE Now Host 1]

Oh, he's in a big hole. And it keeps getting deeper. He's trying to shovel his way out from the bottom. I don't know. It's not working so far. We'll see if it all pans out. Whatever happens, we will be here on wwe. Now to recap all of it, make sure you're subscribed across all audio platforms, leaving comments and hitting like on YouTube. And Megan and I will be right back here next week for another Raw recap on wwe. Now.

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