Raw Recap with Sam Roberts & Megan Morant

Episode: Can Paul Heyman make it through WrestleMania?

Date: April 8, 2025

Episode Overview

This week’s Raw Recap dives deep into the final stretch before WrestleMania, breaking down the chaotic fallout of Monday Night Raw on Netflix. Hosts Sam Roberts and Megan Morant dissect Seth Rollins’ mind games with Paul Heyman, speculate about Heyman's future amidst divided loyalties, analyze the brewing intensity in Jey Uso vs. Gunther, and celebrate the official women’s world championship triple threat. They’re also joined for backstage interviews with World Heavyweight Champion Gunther and WWE Superstar Big E, each bringing their unique perspective and energy.

Major Themes:

• The perilous situation and loyalties of Paul Heyman in the WrestleMania main event picture.
• Jey Uso’s evolution, Gunther’s dominance, and tension heading into their title match.
• The announcement of a blockbuster Women’s World Championship triple threat.
• Faction turmoil, merch talk, and the intricate storytelling driving the road to WrestleMania.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Seth Rollins, Paul Heyman, & the Question of Favors

Timestamps: 00:31 - 16:35

• Sam and Megan recap Raw’s dramatic closing: Seth Rollins threatening Paul Heyman with a stomp, forcing Heyman to confront his alliances.
• Rollins’ logic: If CM Punk got a favor from Heyman, why not Seth—and is intimidation a legitimate way to claim it?
  • Sam: “Maybe Seth Rollins has decided not to play by these conventional adult terms. Maybe Seth Rollins is like, ‘either you give me a favor or you won't be around to offer your services to CM Punk or Roman Reigns.’” [02:48]
• Dissecting Heyman’s “Swiss cheese logic”—claiming loyalty to both Reigns and Punk, despite their opposition in the WrestleMania triple threat.
  • Sam: “When he says, ‘I could be loyal to CM Punk and Roman Reigns without being disloyal to either one of them,’ I’m like, what are you smoking, dude?” [04:49]
• Megan questions if Heyman's so-called "guys" (Reigns, Punk) are actually loyal to him—a negative verdict from both.
  • Megan: “No, not even close… Actions speak louder than words.” [07:14]
  • Sam: “Nobody came to save Paul Heyman.” [08:59]
• They note CM Punk’s slowness to rescue Heyman from danger, which raises further questions about true friendship and loyalty.
  • Sam: “CM Punk, like, he wasn’t going to put up with a face smush, but he didn’t come out… Where is this guy?” [09:51]
• Both acknowledge how Rollins is now manipulating Heyman, effectively turning the tables and controlling the narrative.
  • Sam: “Geppetto has strings attached to him. The puppet master is getting moved like a marionette by Seth Rollins.” [11:48]
• The hosts predict, despite his tears and peril, Heyman will “survive” WrestleMania—he’s always found a way before.

Notable Quotes:

• “Paul Heyman forever has been the master of manipulation. He’s the wordsmith of all wordsmith. That’s why it’s so fun to watch this guy speak.”
  — Sam [03:24]
• “It is literally like, try as I might… I love Paul Heyman. But I don’t think even on a personal level, I could even find it in myself to feel bad for Paul Heyman.”
  — Sam [14:19]
• “Paul Heyman will be standing strong at WrestleMania. Why? Because he’s a survivor.”
  — Sam [15:24]

2. Jey Uso vs. Gunther: Stakes Raised & Emotional Turns

Timestamps: 17:15 - 20:02 | 35:26 - 42:57

• The buildup between Jey Uso and Gunther intensified with one week to go before WrestleMania.
• Last week’s segment “defined” the match, elevating it from mere storyline to a personal, must-see rivalry.
  • Sam: “We were reminded last week why we want to see Jey and Gunther... this is the match to see.” [17:23]
• Gunther’s assault on Jimmy Uso, forcing Jey to watch his twin brother injured, is cited as the emotional turning point for Jey’s character.
• The hosts highlight Jey’s change of demeanor—dropping crowd-pleasing “yeets” for more raw, personal emotion.
  • Sam: “When Jey’s getting emotional, don’t yeet him then. And also, when it’s no holds barred, don’t chant, ‘We want tables.’” [18:59]
• Jey’s promo went personal, from referencing familial pain to delivering powerful lines:
  • Sam: “He said… He’s gonna ask God to forgive me for the man I’m about to become. Before WrestleMania. I got chills when he said that.” [35:27]
• Big E later emphasizes this needed darker edge for Jey:
  • Big E: “If you gotta see your twin brother up close gushing blood… If you don't give us that guttural… then kind of mid card can be where it tops out for you.” [37:31 & 39:02]
  • “Only seeing the most focused version of Jey Uso do I think he could be world champion.” [41:05]
• Discussion about Gunther’s unique reaction to Jey’s intensity—his first time showing real worry.

Notable Quotes:

• “If he's focused, I’m telling you, that man will walk out of Vegas… Only seeing the most focused version of Jey Uso do I think he could be world champion.”
  — Big E [41:05]
• “In the last two weeks, last week we got it from Gunther, this week we got it from Jey. We have arrived at this point, whereas a fan, I can say, yeah, I want to see those two fight.”
  — Sam [38:55]

3. Backstage Interview: Gunther (World Heavyweight Champion)

Timestamps: 21:13 - 27:33

• Gunther, refusing to discuss Jey Uso, insists the conversation focus on his championship reign.
  • Gunther: “If you have any further questions that are about myself, then I’m happy to have an interview… otherwise…” [21:18]
• He highlights his European tour, record-breaking crowds, and his “duty” as champion, showing confidence bordering on arrogance.
• Asked about his interactions with The Undertaker and former WrestleMania opponents, Gunther remains stoic, uninterested in nostalgia:
  • Gunther: “I've been teaching and coaching… I know my experience in that, and I know what I'm looking for in people, and I think in that regard, I have more experience than Taker has himself.” [24:55]
  • “If I live in the past… I’m never going to progress forward… There’s a lot of weight on my shoulders right now, and that’s where my focus is.” [25:57]
• Gunther ends the interview abruptly, reinforcing his robotic, business-first mindset.

Notable Quotes:

• “There’s a duty to fulfill and I’m gonna do that.”
  — Gunther [23:35]
• “You are two pundits sitting in a studio. I’m the one out here week by week.”
  — Gunther [25:57]

4. Backstage Interview: Big E

Timestamps: 29:55 - 49:11

• Big E joins to comment on recent Raw quips about him, the erasure of his role in the New Day, and ongoing Twitter discourse.
  • Big E: “People will say what they want… Their opinion is not my business.” [30:30]
  • “Look, I know it is… their duty to try to erase me from their history. People know I was there. There is no New Day without me.” [32:19]
• He preaches Zen and self-validation, emphasizing: “When you have the validation from within, all the rest is just chatter.” [33:44]
• Turning to Goldberg rumors: Big E expresses interest in a Goldberg vs. Gunther match and reflects on career dream matches.
• On Jey Uso, Big E underscores the necessity of serious, focused intensity for a main event player and the importance of emotional, personal stakes.

Memorable Quotes:

• “I want the discourse to be had without me. Honestly, I have no desire to weigh in on that. I didn’t sign up for this.”
  — Big E [31:36]
• “He needs to bring his very best against Gunther, and we need to see more of that Jey next week and going into WrestleMania.”
  — Big E [37:31]

5. Intercontinental Title Fatal Four-Way: Faction Drama & Predictions

Timestamps: 43:03 - 48:46

• Sam, Megan, and Big E analyze the increasingly messy dynamics within Judgment Day as both Finn Balor and Dominik Mysterio enter the IC Title match, along with Braun and Penta.
• Big E sees an inevitable implosion within Judgment Day, calling it his “surest bet for WrestleMania.”
  • Big E: “If I could put money down… I’d put money on a Judgment Day implosion.” [48:13]
• Sam playfully hypes Dominik as a “low key legend,” praising his improvement and fan engagement.

6. Women’s World Championship: The Triple Threat is Official

Timestamps: 52:01 - 60:18

• Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, and Iyo Sky’s match is finally set, with high praise for each performer.
  • Megan passionately defends Iyo’s credibility amid ongoing storyline disrespect.
    • Megan: “Iyo’s over right now… She deserves it because everybody’s disrespecting her. And she is the champion, bro.” [55:21]
  • Sam notes the odd “entitlement” between Bianca and Rhea, and how Iyo’s crucial victories have been overlooked.
• Discussion turns to crowd reactions, with both predicting Iyo might enter WrestleMania as the audience favorite despite Rhea’s “larger than life” presence.
• Megan’s fan allegiance has shifted from Rhea (last year) to Iyo, reflecting the growing groundswell behind Iyo’s underdog narrative.

Notable Quotes:

• “There is this groundswell under Iyo Sky and this acknowledgement that she’s so damn good.”
  — Sam [58:03]
• “If you don't give us that guttural, that deep within you… then kind of mid card can be where it tops out for you.”
  — Big E [39:02]

7. Other Noteworthy Segments & Next Week’s Hype

Timestamps: 60:18 - 62:34

• Surprise announcement: Grande Americano vs. Rey Mysterio set for WrestleMania.
• The return of Roman Reigns to Monday Night Raw next week is highly anticipated.
• Final hype: Karrion Kross vs. AJ Styles, faction storylines, and the sense of WrestleMania anticipation are all front and center.

Memorable Moment:

• Sam nerds out over the return of the “Blood from a Stone” Austin T-shirt, reflecting on Attitude Era merchandise legacy. [50:32]

Highlighted Quotes & Timestamps

• “Maybe Seth Rollins has decided not to play by these conventional adult terms. Maybe Seth Rollins is like, ‘either you give me a favor or you won't be around to offer your services…’” — Sam [02:48]
• “When he says, ‘I could be loyal to CM Punk and Roman Reigns without being disloyal to either…’ I’m like, what are you smoking, dude?” — Sam [04:49]
• “If you have any further questions that are about myself, then I’m happy to have an interview.” — Gunther [21:18]
• “He’s a survivor. And he will find a way.” — Sam [15:24]
• “People know I was there. There is no New Day without me.” — Big E [32:19]
• “In the last two weeks… we have arrived at this point, whereas a fan, I can say, yeah, I want to see those two fight.” — Sam [38:55]
• “Iyo’s over right now… She deserves it because everybody’s disrespecting her. And she is the champion, bro.” — Megan [55:21]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Seth Rollins vs. Paul Heyman Drama: 00:31 – 16:35
• Uso vs. Gunther Rivalry & Emotional Shift: 17:15 – 20:02, 35:26 – 42:57
• Gunther Interview: 21:13 – 27:33
• Big E Interview & Jey Uso Discussion: 29:55 – 49:11
• IC Title Four-Way & Judgment Day Drama: 43:03 – 48:46
• Women’s World Title Triple Threat: 52:01 – 60:18
• Previewing Next Week, Announcements: 60:18 – 62:34

Overall Tone & Style

The conversation was fast-paced, passionate, and full of insider knowledge—mixing kayfabe analysis with tongue-in-cheek banter and genuine investment in the storytelling. Sam brings dry wit and fanboy nostalgia; Megan defends favorites ardently, especially Iyo Sky. Both are unafraid to call out narrative logic, poke fun at management decisions, and speculate wildly as WrestleMania looms.

For New/Returning Listeners

If you missed Raw or want a deeper understanding of the current WWE landscape as WrestleMania approaches, this episode is a must-listen for its blend of sharp analysis, exclusive backstage insight, and unpredictable guest interviews. From the shifting alliances leading to WrestleMania's main event to the elevation of underdog champions and faction implosions, Sam and Megan break it all down with humor and heart.