Can Roxanne Perez stay hot vs. Rhea Ripley in Birmingham?: Raw Recap, Aug. 25, 2025

Summary

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Raw Recap with Sam Roberts & Megan Morant

Episode: Can Roxanne Perez stay hot vs. Rhea Ripley in Birmingham?

Date: August 26, 2025
Podcast: WWE x Fanatics Podcasts

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OVERVIEW

This episode dives into all the major moments and evolving storylines from the August 25, 2025, edition of Monday Night Raw (now streaming on Netflix), just days before Clash in Paris. Hosts Sam Roberts and Megan Morant unpack Roman Reigns' evolving role post-championship, the Fatal Four-Way intrigue for the World Heavyweight Title, Roxanne Perez’s surge against Rhea Ripley, faction dynamics within Judgment Day, and fiery confrontations heading into Paris. The show also features in-arena interviews with Roxanne Perez and Raquel, and debates over what’s next for the women’s division, Becky Lynch vs. Nikki Bella, and more. The hosts’ playful banter, backstage insights, and hot takes make this a can’t-miss listen for WWE fans.

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KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

1. Roman Reigns' Promo and Presence

Timestamps: 02:51–24:36

• Roman Reigns opened Raw with a rare, extended promo (first since SummerSlam), commanding the crowd’s attention in Birmingham and reflecting on his changed circumstances: no title, no Bloodline, and no Paul Heyman.
• The hosts praise the intangible “aura” of Roman and note the fans chanting his name even as he stands merely in the entryway.
• Sam Roberts (03:36): “You don’t understand aura unless you’ve witnessed The Tribal Chief…until you’ve seen Roman Reigns.”
• Roman hints at “big plans” for the rest of 2025 and into 2026, teasing a future World Title pursuit.

Heyman–Roman Dynamics:

• Paul Heyman confronted Reigns, expressing love and “buyer’s remorse” about siding with Bronson Reed and company, blurring the lines between mind games and genuine longing for their prior alliance.
• Roman’s blunt response:
  Roman Reigns (12:24): “Hey, dumbass, you’re gonna have to kiss my ass because I’m gonna kick his ass.”
• The hosts dissect if Heyman’s remarks are calculated or slip-ups, with Megan questioning Heyman’s loyalty from the perspective of Seth Rollins and the current Paul Heyman guys.

Physicality and the “Shoe Saga”:

• Reigns fends off Bronson Reed, preventing him from stealing another pair of Roman’s shoes (a running Raw gag), culminating in a Superman Punch off the top rope.
• The match saw Roman upping his footwear game—symbolizing his new, vulnerable but scrappy persona.
• Sam (19:36): “Roman had a presence all night…for the first time, it felt like he’s not only not the guy he used to be—he knows it.”

Roman’s Evolving Leadership:

• Later segments show Roman in a more advisory role with Jey Uso, encouraging family success rather than dictating orders—a notable departure from his old, controlling Tribal Chief style (22:57).
• Sam draws a comparison to Reigns’ “systems” mindset: previously, everything ran on autopilot. But now, “I need to fight. I need to be active.”

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2. The Fatal Four-Way & Main Event Scene

Timestamps: 25:08–32:07

• Fatal Four-Way for the World Heavyweight Title will feature Seth Rollins, Jey Uso, LA Knight, and CM Punk, but with multiple rivalries tangled between the four.
• Megan and Sam discuss CM Punk’s true motivations—is he fixated on revenge against Seth Rollins, or simply laser-focused on finally capturing WWE gold again?
  • Sam (28:04): “I don’t think CM Punk has personal animosity with Seth the way Seth has with Punk…for Punk, it’s about accomplishing things he never did before.”
• LA Knight’s shifting attitude—initially attempting not to make things personal with Punk—is seen as naive, given the stakes and historic self-interest of his character.
• Jay Uso cements his status as a top contender with a surprise superkick to both LA Knight and Punk, underlining his intent to reclaim the World Title and escape the perception that he’s just another “feel-good story.”
  • Sam (30:58): “It goes back to Roman—like, having to put action to word…Winning that world title at WrestleMania means the bigger picture is you are now a main event person. So stake your claim.”

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3. Roxanne Perez vs. Rhea Ripley & Judgment Day Interview

Timestamps: 32:17–48:45

• Fresh off a hard-fought but losing effort against Rhea Ripley, Roxanne Perez joins the show, joined by Raquel in a lively, candid segment.
• Roxanne is asked about stacking up potential wins over both Rhea and IYO SKY; she’s dismissive of accolades that aren’t gold:
  • Roxanne Perez (34:51): “Checks and championships, baby.”
• She insists her priority is to help Judgment Day maintain dominance, suggesting the “only people who deserve any championships…are the Judgment Day.”
• Perez and Raquel reflect on their rapidly developing chemistry as a tag team, rooted in shared backgrounds: “We’re pretty much cousins, if you really want to think about it.” (Raquel, 37:29)
• Liv Morgan’s continued influence is acknowledged, with Megan’s prodding about any tension shut down in unison—the group stays “Judgment Day strong.”
  • Raquel (38:45): “Liv is still very much important in the Judgment Day. She’s a beacon…We gotta keep Liv’s name alive [for] la hurita. Mi hermanita. Liv Morgan.”
• Sam playfully stirs the pot about Roxanne’s past with Dominik Mysterio, but both women deflect back to focus and unity.
• On her fast adaptation to the main roster, Roxanne attributes her success to a decade of experience and her “Prodigy” mentality:
  • Roxanne (41:49): “I’ve mastered my craft. And that’s exactly why the Judgment Day let me slip right in…They don’t just let anyone in the Judgment Day.”
• Both Roxanne and Raquel repeatedly tout Judgment Day as “the most influential faction in WWE history,” backing it up by noting every member has simultaneously held gold—a feat unmatched by other legendary stables.
• Looking ahead, Roxanne keeps her focus on what’s best for Judgment Day, dodging attempts to expose selfish ambition—she’ll take whatever match helps the faction win more gold.
  • Roxanne (47:48): “Whatever is going to help the Judgment Day succeed is what I will do.”

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4. Women's Division: Championship Vacancies & New Contenders

Timestamps: 48:45–51:13

• The Women’s World Championship is vacated; Adam Pearce intends to crown a new champion in a direct match rather than a tournament, puzzling both hosts.
• Stephanie Vacair is named as a key participant in this new championship match, but specifics are unclear.

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5. Becky Lynch vs. Nikki Bella: Personal Barbs and Bragging Rights

Timestamps: 51:13–59:47

• Nikki Bella calls out Becky Lynch in Birmingham for a direct confrontation after a blistering promo in Dublin where Becky managed to get Irish fans to boo her.
• Sam (53:03): “If there’s any woman on the roster that has aura that I could compare to Roman…Becky’s got aura.”
• Both hosts marvel at Becky’s manipulative mastery of live crowds—turning cheers into jeers and vice versa at will.
• Becky pokes fun at Birmingham and at Nikki, reusing the infamous “Broke Neck Barbie” jab.
• Tension escalates as Nikki calls Becky a “coward,” to which the hosts strongly object, with Megan stating:
  • Megan (55:32): “Preposterous…She’s the Intercontinental Champion and defended it more than anyone since probably Macho Man Randy Savage.”
• Sam is skeptical, demanding stats, but concedes Becky’s championship legacy is firm.
• The segment ends with Nikki laying out Becky, holding the title aloft—setting the stage for their upcoming clash in Paris.

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6. Intercontinental Title: Dominik Mysterio vs. AJ Styles

Timestamps: 60:17–63:16

• Megan and Sam’s debate shifts to the men’s Intercontinental scene, where Dominik Mysterio faces criticism (and accusations of avoiding AJ Styles), but they note Dom has already beaten AJ on major stages.
• AJ’s repeated losses fuel his obsession; Sam points out AJ is now essentially stalking Dom, while Adam Pearce (as GM) somehow “rewards” AJ with another shot.
• Sam (62:18): “To me, it’s like, not only did I beat you in the Intercontinental title match, I outsmarted you. And since then, AJ won’t let it go and is now stalking Dominic Mysterio.”

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7. Looking ahead to Clash in Paris

Timestamps: 63:39–65:44

• The hosts preview their upcoming special recaps around Clash in Paris and tease more major developments for the next show.
• They acknowledge the unpredictable landscape across all title divisions, both for men and women.

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MEMORABLE QUOTES & MOMENTS

• On Roman’s “aura”
  Sam Roberts (03:36):
  “You don’t understand aura unless you’ve witnessed The Tribal Chief…until you’ve seen Roman Reigns.”

• Paul Heyman’s declaration
  Paul Heyman via Sam (10:13):
  “I love you, I care about you, and I miss you…and you need tough love beaten into you—and I can’t do that.”

• On LA Knight’s naïveté
  Sam (25:46):
  “…Every strategy that I’ve ever seen LA Knight with…he’s completely out for himself. So to hear him go, ‘Let’s not make it personal, Punk’—since when? Why are you choosing now?”

• Roxanne Perez’s focus
  Roxanne Perez (34:51):
  “Checks and championships, baby.”

• Raquel on Judgment Day’s bond
  Raquel (37:29):
  “We’re both from Texas. We were both raised in Hispanic households. I mean, we’re pretty much cousins…This was kind of inevitable.”

• On faction greatness
  Raquel (43:29):
  “Did every single member have a title out of the five? …Cuz we did.”

• Sam’s praise of Roxanne
  Sam (48:04):
  “The scary thing…is that as much as we’re seeing from you now, I feel like we’re only—it’s just the tip of the iceberg.”

• Megan on Becky’s title run
  Megan (55:32):
  “…The last Intercontinental Champion that defended the title the way Becky Lynch has? If I had to rack my brain, it’d be Macho Man Randy Savage.”

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STRUCTURE & FLOW

Raw Recap starts with energy, quickly dropping listeners into the biggest news: Roman Reigns’ commanding return and complex evolution; transitions to the tangled men’s title picture and Fatal Four-Way dynamics; pivots seamlessly to the women’s division with an extended, candid interview with Roxanne Perez and Raquel; ends with heated analysis and predictions for ongoing storylines, especially Becky vs. Nikki and Dominik vs. AJ.

Playful teasing, in-jokes about “sneaker culture” and WWE Shop merch, and the hosts’ open disagreements create an insider’s atmosphere, mirroring the unpredictable, multi-threaded nature of WWE TV.

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TIMESTAMPS for KEY SEGMENTS

• Roman Returns/Heyman Drama: 02:51–24:36
• World Title Fatal Four-Way & LA Knight/Punk/Jey: 25:08–32:07
• Roxanne Perez & Judgment Day Interview: 32:17–48:45
• Women’s Title & Becky vs. Nikki: 48:45–59:47
• Dominik vs. AJ Title Feud: 60:17–63:16

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FINAL THOUGHTS

For anyone who missed Raw or wants richer context for WWE’s latest twists ahead of Clash in Paris, this episode is a masterclass in story breakdown, character psychology, and WWE’s living history. Sam and Megan’s dynamic keeps the pace brisk and fun, while superstar drop-ins add authenticity and depth.

Raw is truly at a crossroads, with legends reinventing themselves, upstarts staking their claims, and new alliances reshaping the roster’s balance of power. This podcast captures it all.

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Transcript

[A]

David. Yes. Have you ever noticed that the way we use our phones is ironic? Phones are for connection, but we look at them more than we look at each other. That's ironic. Griffin. It's like rain on your wedding day. Listen, that's ironic. So U.S. cellular created U.S. mode to help us reconnect, you and I. That's right. A phone company wanting people to use their phones, less ironic. A phone company wanting people to use their phones, less ironic. But let's find US again with US mode from US Cellular. Visit uscellular.com/built for us to get started. What are the other things that are ironic? CM Punk, L.A. knight, Jey USO Seth Rollins absolutely implode. Roman Reigns turns Monday Night Raw into his playground. The confron happened between Nikki Bella and Becky Lynch. Roxanne Perez is going to be on the show. It's the last Monday night Raw before Clash in Paris. Let's recap it. It's a WWE and Fanatics original production. Megan, Megan, Megan Morant. Where do we begin?

[B]

We got a lot to talk about.

[A]

That's exactly what you said to me as RAW was kind of going off the air. We have a lot to talk about.

[B]

I mean, it all just sort of hitting me as J USO's Music Hits. We see La Knight in the ring, CM Punk's Music Hits. Seth Rollins is out there. And I'm thinking all of this and the tribal chief was on the show tonight.

[A]

Right. And because, because as you're going, you're going like, well, why isn't Big Bronson Reed out there to help Braun Breaker and Seth Rollins. Oh, that's right. He had a Superman punch served up to him UK style backstage before this match between Braun Breaker and La Knight. There are. So they're, they're. And, and I love when you get this right, when you get a faction of three superstars and add into that a fatal four way match for the championship and add into that elements from the faction members that aren't in the fatal four way, and you have, you have this kind of this pressure cooker, this story that involves all these people, but in reality, it's all these different stories layered throughout all over the place.

[B]

Yeah, I think if you would have told us a couple weeks ago that there was going to be a fatal four way match for the World Heavyweight Championship, all of us would have said, well, obviously Roman Reigns is going to be in that match.

[A]

But that was when he had all his shoes.

[B]

That's correct. No shoes anymore.

[A]

And so, okay, so since you brought it up. Let's start with Roman. I wouldn't have. I never would. Not me. Me and Roman Reigns.

[B]

You're welcome.

[A]

If you really want to talk about Roman Reigns, fine, I'll talk about Roman Reigns.

[B]

Please, Sam.

[A]

No.

[B]

This once.

[A]

All right, all right, I'll do it. Yeah. I mean, look, Roman comes out and. And I thought his. His promo tonight to start RAW was. I mean, it was. It's always impactful. And part of the reason it's impactful is because even with Roman now back for a handful of Monday night raws, the last couple, he's just been a surprise at the very end of the show. There's just some physicality and more. His presence was felt.

[B]

Yeah. We haven't seen an extended promo by Roman Reigns on the mic in months.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. Well, weeks. I mean, maybe a month. Yeah, Right. Coming right off SummerSlam.

[B]

It's been a while, right?

[A]

I think. Unless there's.

[B]

We haven't heard from him since he lost his shoes.

[A]

We have not heard from him since he lost his shoes because I would remember if we had heard from him since he lost his shoes. But he comes out and of course, I mean, these kids and they throw this word aura around, but you don't understand aura unless you've witnessed the tribal chief. You don't understand what aura is until you've seen Roman Reigns.

[B]

I wish you were wrong, but you're 100% right.

[A]

I know, right? Don't you wish this was more like Robert's hyperbole? But it really isn't. It really is true. When they just like, first of all, the fact that there's nobody, they're already singing Roman, Roman Reigns, except with a British accent as his music. His music hasn't stopped. So they're not singing his music. They're singing their hooligan chants for Roman. Everybody else, you at least wait until the music stops so you can own it. But they couldn't. They couldn't. It was too like, we want to chant this too badly. And Roman just stands there. He stands there in the entryway just taking it all in. And then he gets in the ring and he stands there in the middle of Birmingham, England, just taking it all in and letting them all sing his name and letting them all do their chants and just, just accepting all of it.

[B]

Never has taking it in looked so.

[A]

Cool and never, never has it looked so cool. Or the fact that it's almost like this delayed gratification where he spent three and a half years as world champion and he's a Villain. He's a bad guy. Fans are booing him. Right. And even when they are cheering him, it wasn't about the fans. It was about him. Now he can finally, like, accept this adulation and he's into it, man. And he's like, he's like, yeah, this is what it's all about. But, you know, I think that first of all, believe it or not, I got super excited when he said, I have big plans for the rest of this year and next year. Because what do we always talk about? The fact that Roman Reigns isn't there.

[B]

Yeah, I mean, I, I was even listening to Cody Rhodes podcast this week and. And he and Becky were talking about bus drivers winning driver of the year.

[A]

I didn't even know that was.

[B]

Yeah, it is. And Roman's driver won it. And both of them were saying, he doesn't even work.

[A]

Yeah, he's probably really good at driving. I don't think Roman's going to have a guy. Here's the thing about Roman Reigns. He only has the best around him. So you've got. It's not. And like, it's not the most miles driven award. I would think that it's a. Like these awards, like when Oscar season comes around and somebody gets best actor, they're not going like, well, I was in more scenes in my movie than he was in in his movie. If you're Daniel Day Lewis, but you just got in one scene, but you wrecked it. I mean, tore the house down in that one scene. I don't care if you're, you know, Paul Giamatti, who's also excellent, but in every single scene. Not quite Daniel Day Lewis, but I.

[B]

Mean, if we're talking about driving, I think that's a bit of a different situation because we all drive every day. And listen, if I'm in a rush, maybe I'm not going to a complete stop at the stops.

[A]

Are you serious?

[B]

So listen, I just can't believe that. But if I'm not driving as often, I'm probably better at it. Less room for error.

[A]

I think that if you're driving the tribal chief, you're probably better at it because you realize you have precious cargo.

[B]

And what Cody and Becky are just.

[A]

It's the tribal chief. It's Roman Reigns after all. It's like driving around, like, you know, when you have groceries, you have to drive a little slowly because you don't want the eggs to get knocked off the seat that times a million. Because it's Roman Reigns, you know, it's your best driving Ever. But regardless, drivers are. No.

[B]

Congrats to Roman's driver.

[A]

Congrats to Ro. And he deserves it. You know, I don't know about that.

[B]

But congrats to him.

[A]

I love that you're such a Becky, Stan.

[B]

We save that for later.

[A]

You're like, you know, who doesn't get enough credit? Becky's driver.

[B]

Well, listen, you're talking about Roman doesn't work. I'm just saying if Roman's not working, his driver's.

[A]

No, you're right. You're right.

[B]

Off to.

[A]

You're right. But we're getting from the control room. He's the obd, the original bus driver, and the only bus driver acknowledge him. Okay, we're about to get into a podcast war on our own podcast network.

[B]

It is.

[A]

I'm going hard for Roman's driver. And, you know, and I'm going to be 100% honest. I've never been driven anywhere by Becky's driver or Cody's driver or Roman's driver. You know, who drives me to the shows? Me. But I'm telling you, I gotta get Roman's drivers back on this one.

[B]

Driver of the year for me.

[A]

For me, that's where I land. But. But Roman saying he's got a lot to do for the rest of this year and a lot to do next year.

[B]

Driver's gonna be busy.

[A]

All of a sudden. We're putting miles on this bus.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Right where you like. You're starting to get like, oh, we might have some things to do. And the fact, too, that Roman also brings up that there will come a time for him to get the world title back, that that is in the future, that that is what he's going towards. But right now, he's got this. The fact that there is a goal and there are obstacles in front of that goal, and he plans on taking care of the obstacles and then going for the goal leads me to believe again that this is the most optimistic that I've been about having more Roman than I've been in a long time. Look, I mean, you know, towards the end of his reign as champion, it was almost like, I've done it all until somebody can beat me, then somebody beat him. And it took a good year for Roman to be like, who am I? Who am I without this title? And on RAW tonight, he acknowledges Cody was right. I got no bloodline. I got no wise man. I got no title. It all got taken away from me. He said, Seth was the one that did it. But Cody was right in his prediction.

[B]

And it was interesting because I think Paul Heyman comes out then and he points out that, you know, you're standing there alone. And yes, he is alone, but I think he's not, because the entire audience starts chanting for him. And that brought me back to Sam. You were there in attendance the Royal Rumble, where it was dangerous to wear a Roman Reigns T shirt.

[A]

I went with a friend and I told her, like, zip your hoodie up. Hide that Roman Reigns T shirt in Philadelphia. And I want to leave here in one piece. I mean, even the Rock wasn't enough to get the fans to cheer for Roman Reigns. And it's different now. He is that guy. The inevitable has happened.

[B]

Yeah. And it was that moment where it's like Heyman saying, look, you have nothing. And the entire crowd is like, no, he has us now.

[A]

What did you. Okay, what did you make of this? What did you make of Paul Heyman saying, I love you, looking at Roman Reigns and saying, I love you. I care about you and I miss you, and you need tough love beaten into you, and I can't do that. But I'm going to have Bronson Reed do that. There were a couple of looks from Bronson where he was like, he's our enemy, dude. What are you talking about? Like, and then he was like, oh, okay, I guess I see what you're saying, but do you think that there is. Do you think there's any buyer's remorse in Paul Heyman when he sees Roman Reigns and goes, that's the. That's the. That's the boat that I used to be anchored onto.

[B]

We talked about this, what, three weeks ago on the show. Now, there was buyer's remorse then in Paul Heyman's voice.

[A]

He's still doing it.

[B]

Exactly. And he's not trying to hide it. Which is the weird thing. Like, listen, when he says, I still love you, Roman Reigns, I get it. Because you look at Roman and you go, how could he not? Right?

[A]

How could one not?

[B]

That's what I'm saying.

[A]

Right?

[B]

But if I'm Seth Rollins, if I'm Bronson Reed, if I'm Bron Breaker, I don't like hearing my oracle.

[A]

Your adorable oracle.

[B]

My adorable oracle. I don't like hearing my adorable oracle telling the OTC that he loves him, misses him.

[A]

Yeah. I'd be like, you got to chill with that love stuff, dude. Like, you really got to chill with that, because it comes across.

[B]

We respect. I respect.

[A]

Okay, okay.

[B]

Love.

[A]

I mean, but is. Is Heyman doing this Heyman thing again? Possibly as well, mind games, you know, of course he's always got tricks and he doesn't make moves willy nilly. Does Paul Heyman.

[B]

Everything is calculated.

[A]

Yes, yes. It just, it depends on whether he's calculating properly or not.

[B]

Now just when you think he slips up and says, you know, the late great, right.

[A]

You realize how he did it on purpose. It's a mean guy. But yeah, Roman responding to him like he was Tony Hinchcliffe at a roast, going, hey, dumb ass, you're going to have to kiss my ass because I'm going to kick his ass.

[B]

I love the way when, how Roman Reigns calls him dumbass. It doesn't get old and it never.

[A]

Will get old and it's such like a childish insult. But for some reason Roman just, just the way he, like, especially after Heyman, like. And I think that this might be part of the, the sort of mind game going on where Heyman is like trying to keep the value that Roman once placed on Paul Heyman. I'm not doing this without my wise man. It's a package deal. Like, every story you ever heard about Roman Reigns was that the Roman Reigns Heyman relationship was not simply an on screen relationship. It was his life. And the idea that like Heyman on one end is trying to be reflective of that relationship and give it this weight potentially so that like Roman is still lost and Roman is just like discarding him. Hey, dumbass, like, it's like, it's what your gym teacher called you in 1978. You know what I mean? It's like, it's like just the most like dismissive I have. I'm not giving you any. What did you even just say like did to like pour your soul out to somebody and go like, Would you say dumbass? Never mind. Then.

[B]

You know, it really is perfect because Paul trying to pull out the heartstrings.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Bringing up the past.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And Roman discards it.

[A]

Just discarding him. Which is as, I mean, Roman has always been so good at using that, that, that feature that he's built in with that no matter how, how big I present myself as, I can just discard you. Like, I'm better than you. Right. And the way he used to look at the audience where he's like, I don't, I don't care what you guys say about me. This isn't about you. I'm the one in charge of this thing now. He looks at Heyman that way. I was the one employing you. What, me? So good. So then we get the physicality and for A moment, Roman. I was a little worried because he had upgraded his footwear since the two times that Bronson had taken the shoes from his feet.

[B]

Well, I have a question. Did you know that Bronson was Samoan?

[A]

No. And there's a difference between American Samoan and Australian Samoan.

[B]

I didn't know any of this and I did.

[A]

Well, I. Yeah, I think that what Bronson like was born in Australia, but I believe his heritage is Australian Samoan. So, you know, and I. I guess I. I never. He's not part of the Samoan bloodline.

[B]

He's not us.

[A]

He might be Ooze, but, like, a lot of us are Ooze. I've been told as much. I can't claim it, but. But I have been told as much by some very high ranking members of the bloodline. They've oozed me. All I'm saying is that he's more.

[B]

Samoan than Bronson Reed.

[A]

American Samoan. I'm not more. I'm definitely not more Australian Samoan.

[B]

But you might be more American Samoan.

[A]

Maybe Ooze. I don't know. I would never make the claim. I would never make the claim because he almost stole my shoes the last time I saw him. And I prefer you not get me in trouble. My mom saw the podcast and she said, I swear to you, Sammy, if you lose one more pair of sneakers to one of the big kids, I don't know what I'm going to do with you.

[B]

That's a really big kid.

[A]

That's what she said. He is one of the big kids. So. No, no, no. Bronson is more everything than me as far as I'm concerned.

[B]

Good answer.

[A]

Yeah, I think so. That's a safe bet. But we see the physicality and Roman's up to shoe game and Bronson goes for him and I go, he's not going to take a third pair. He's already got a T shirt. A T shirt, by the way, you know, you get that on WWE Shop. You can WWE Shop and Fanatics if you have the audacity to wear a shirt for the tribal thief commemorating when those shoes were stolen. It is on WWE Shop. Both Braun Breaker and Bronson Reed have new shirts out right now on WWE Shop and Fanatics. I'm talking fear the spear and I'm talking tribal thief featuring the stolen shoes. You know, you're not getting Roman shoes, but you can get a T shirt and it'll look like you got Roman shoes around your neck. And that's about as close as most of us will ever get. I might just get it because, you know, as much as I want Roman to keep his shoes on his feet, just the, the fact that that much sneaker culture has been infused into WWE programming, it's a moment and I'd like to commemorate that moment. You can also get, you know, speaking of this Fatal Four way that that is wrapped up into all this, your own WWE Championship title on WWE Shop right now, the current World Heavyweight Championship, the Retro Classics. You can get the John Cena Spinner. You can get the Winged Eagle. That's my favorite. That's my era from growing up. You can own a piece of WWE history is what it is. Those are all available on WWE Shop and Fanatics. We're going to get right back to it. But you know as well as I do that the Internet can be a wild, wild place and we need to make sure that we are protected. That is where surfshark VPN comes in such handy. Yeah, surfshark vpn. See, a VPN is going to mask your IP address by changing your virtual location. And it really does allow you to feel completely protected online. You're not going to have anybody following you, you're not going to have anybody tracing your movements, be able to pin down exactly where you are and what you're doing. It's also going to allow you to unlock a whole world of otherwise censored content. Who knows why these things are geo blocked? With Surfshark vpn, you just change your location and boom, you're in. How about all those public WI fi dangers? All those alerts that pop up letting you know that that WI fi is not secure? There's a reason for that. It goes away once you mask your IP address with Surfshark vpn. Plus with Surfshark, they offer it on unlimited devices, which means every device in your household can be protected. If you got people in your house, kids, whatever, who knows what they're getting into. Protect yourself with Surf Shark. You can also use Surf Shark Search. Yeah, it's an innovative tool that lets you browse the web without being tracked or bombarded by ads. All those, all those weird pop ups that show up looking exactly what exactly? Like what you just looked at on the Internet a minute ago? No, never again. This is what we're offering you. A risk free 30 day money back guarantee with Surf Shark. You can secure your privacy with Surf Shark. Right now go to surf shark.com raw recap and you can get four extra months of surf shark. That's surf shark.com raw recap or use code raw recap at checkout to get four extra months of surf shark vpn. So he doesn't get the Roman Reigns shoes because he went for him early. Now he's getting greedy for shoes. Is this Bronson Reed? If we could break this down. I saw like Roman hadn't been beaten to the point where he's going to get his shoes stolen. And then, you know, what's he going to do? He's got his foot in his hand. Roman starts kicking him. Come on, bro. He got. He got like a little ahead of himself. Tried to go for a tsunami. Slowed down. A couple of security guards caught a headbutt, an Australian Samoan headbutt, which is still just. I mean, Samoan headbutts are as brutal as it gets.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

American or Australian, but it's just enough delay for Roman Reigns to deliver that superman punch, knocking him right off the top rope. It was great. Awesome. Back and forth all the way to the back. And. And, and it's what I mean. Roman had a presence all night. It was almost like for the first time, I mean, literally since WrestleMania 40, when he lost the title in a year and a half. Now for the first time, it felt like Roman not only in the words that he said to the audience, when he said, I'm not the guy that I used to be, he said that. And the audience said, you still are. But he's not.

[B]

No, he's very different.

[A]

And he said that. It was almost like also in his actions, I thought his actions on the show reflected that same sentiment in the fact that, like, he realized that he's not just the top guy.

[B]

No. And I think that came out during his promo too, when he was talking about Jay uso. And he's like, anybody who's saying that Jay USO doesn't belong in this fatal four way matchup. What are you talking about?

[A]

I mean, he got the win at SummerSlam.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

And I mean, Roman took the bullet for him to get the win at SummerSlam.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Because Roman was like, this is how the team wins. But I think the idea that Roman going, like, there was a long time where he's like, well, I'm just. I don't even have to do anything. I'm just the top guy. And, you know, I actually interviewed him at Royal Rumble weekend as part of a 2K event. And, like, it was fascinating.

[B]

This past Royal Rumble weekend.

[A]

Yeah, In January. Okay. Back in January at the beginning of the year. And it was fascinating when Paul Heyman was Still by his side. And it was fascinating to hear him talk about, like, how he operates and the fact that, like, he studies CEOs and huge business people and those people put systems in place. And he said he just applied that to professional wrestling. Putting systems in place so that everything takes care of itself so he can step back and the systems are in place. It felt like tonight on Raw he realized that those systems aren't in place anymore. That, like, whether it's in a good way that Jay USO is a bona fide singles main event guy with or without Roman Reigns, or in a bad way, that there are people actively taking everything from him down to his wardrobe, that it's like, oh, I need to fight. Like, I can't just rely on the systems that keep me as the top guy in the company. I need to fight. I need to be active. And so we see him throughout the show. He's not doing his segment and going home. He's there throughout the show. In the build up to the. To the end of the night, he's with Jey uso and he's reminding him, like, look, bro. And he said too, it wasn't the old Roman that was giving orders. It wasn't the old Roman that was like, here's what you have to do. And if you don't listen to me, I'm gonna take it as a personal betrayal and I'm gonna ruin your life. Cause that's what the old Roman did. If you don't, here's what you need to do. And if you don't, I'm gonna ruin your life. This was like, hey, you want my advice? Here's my advice. And he was telling Jay, it's not about, you know, making sure you or one of your friends gets the world title. It's about making sure we have it in our family.

[B]

Which is displaying how much Roman has changed.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Right now his driver is sitting in the parking lot like, man, I gotta wait here the whole show.

[A]

Yeah, I didn't, I didn't. I mean, he's earning money because he never had to wait before.

[B]

Never had.

[A]

It was in and out.

[B]

He's like, I'm telling you, this guy, Roman Reigns, different, right? My life different.

[A]

Roman said, I'm going to be in there. He's like, all right, meter's on. Just so you know, meter stays on running. Yeah, I'm on the clock. I'm on the clock. But if you need to take care of business, he's like, it's worth the investment. And then at the End of the night, as we're seeing before this build up to the main event of LA Knight and Bron Breaker, what happens back there? Roman Reigns shows up. He's fighting and he's like, you know, I don't have to, but let me just punch. He already. Superman punched Bronson Reed tonight. He already did it once. He's like, let me punish him. Let me humiliate him. I'm going to punch him in the face again just because I'm still here.

[B]

I did it once, but he took my shoes once and then took another pair. So I'm going to make sure I.

[A]

Keep punching him in the face. Right, right. It's like. It's like I'm going to punch you in the face and you need to go home because if you don't go home, I'm going to keep punching you in the face until you go home. And Bronson Reed didn't go home, so Roman Reigns punched him in the face again. And I think that there is this thing where, like, somebody like Bronson Reed is going, well, look, as long as I don't have to deal with Roman when he's in my face, he's not going to be anywhere near here. And Roman's like, okay, I see that. That's the psychology now. I see that that's the game plan. I need to switch up the game plan. And I think that that's what he did, and I loved every bit of it. We get in from there. Did you notice that change, too? Like the fact that, like, Roman was so omnipresent?

[B]

Yeah. And it sounds weird to say that Bronson Reed had the momentum heading into this match.

[A]

I mean, he had all those weird.

[B]

To say because he stole two of Roman Reigns shoes.

[A]

Nobody's ever been that disrespectful to Roman Reigns.

[B]

That's correct.

[A]

Right. As much fun as we're having with the shoes, he's insulting, like, being, like, directly, like, insulting to Roman Reigns. And there's a lot of momentum that goes along with getting away with doing that multiple times.

[B]

I mean, we're just mere days away from Clash in Paris. Roman had to do this to Bronson Reed heading into their match.

[A]

That's right. That's right. And then we get to the main event where we see throughout the night, you know, L.A. knight did his promo where he's talking about how he had to learn from what was going on with CM Punk. And I've got to say, I find it almost naive that at first LA Knight was, like, not taking it Personally, I've like, like every strategy that I've ever seen LA Knight with, every time this character speaks, I go, he's completely out for himself. You could call him a baby face or heel, whatever, but it's always like, no, no, no, no. I'm just here for myself. Right?

[B]

It's true.

[A]

And so to hear him go, wrong place, wrong time, but let's not make it personal, Punk. It's like, since when? Why are you choosing now? Personal, right? The World Heavyweight titles on the line and now it's not personal.

[B]

Like, that's been L A Knight's entire story, right? Is he's. He's overcome the odds. He's gotten the audience to like him despite everybody telling him he couldn't. Right?

[A]

That's. Except the audience. That's right, because the audience, everybody's saying L A Night. Yeah, that's right. That's 100% correct.

[B]

But I did want to ask you last week. This came up to me. I mean, we have some questions. We have some questions answered after tonight's episode of Raw, but last week I kept wondering, is CM Punk more interested in getting revenge on Seth Rollins or is CM Punk more interested in winning the World Heavyweight Title? Because we saw him approach La Knight and we saw him approach Jey USO and sort of present the idea of, hey, guys, maybe we should work together. Which is interesting. Heading into a fatal four way. I'm not. I'm not saying it's dumb because the champion doesn't need to be pinned, which is why.

[A]

Why work together? Just pin someone else.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

So it's like, why are you all. Like, everybody's got a singular goal, but.

[B]

Then it's like, is it because he has issues with Seth Rollins?

[A]

Right? Is he trying to be the champion or is he trying to make sure Seth isn't the champion?

[B]

That's what I was wondering.

[A]

Those are two separate goals. I think it's a great question. I think it's one that. That we could go back and forth with for a while. In my mind, I don't think CM Punk has personal animosity with Seth the way Seth has personal animosity with CM Punk.

[B]

Way to put it.

[A]

I think that. That Seth has been obsessed with destroying CM Punk. Seth was vocal about not wanting CM Punk in the WWE publicly. In interviews before CM Punk came back, Seth was very public about his feelings about CM Punk coming back to wwe. From the time he stepped foot in the All State arena at Survivor Series, Seth Rollins made it clear that he. He wanted to ruin CM Punk. He hated CM Punk. And that's been. That's been Seth's story. But I don't think Punk's ever had those feelings about Seth Rollins. And I get it. You could say. But Seth's the one that ruined Punk's night.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

@ SummerSlam. And that's 100% right. And he also blew it for Punk by costing him Heyman when Punk finally got the main event at WrestleMania at 41. But I think if you follow the story that Punk's been telling us, that ultimately, CM Punk wants to do things that he never got to do before. CM Punk wants to win the World Heavyweight title. Because on this. Because who would have thought CM Punk would be wwe, a WWE Champion again?

[B]

Nobody.

[A]

I can see it's making you cry. You're choked up, just.

[B]

Yes, that's why I'm crying. Not because I have a cough or.

[A]

No, you're choked up thinking about the story of CM Punk.

[B]

We went to the same high school. Emotional.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Very emotional.

[A]

I get it. I get it. I'm going to EpiPen you because you can't believe it. But no, I think that. I think that this is 1000% about CM Punk winning the World Heavyweight title when nobody said that he could. I think Seth is.

[B]

Tonight, his actions sort of supported that.

[A]

That's right. That's right. I think that. I think that the Drew McIntyre rivalry was a personal one, and I think it's going to take a lot to get CM Punk sucked into something like that again.

[B]

He's not going to get easily distracted from the title. From the mission.

[A]

I know. Yeah. From the mission at hand. I don't think so.

[B]

Because his goal is coming back. Main event, WrestleMania.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Win a World Heavyweight title right now.

[A]

Which is. Which is why things exploded with LA Knight and CM Punk. Like, I thought it was so interesting. Right. Louisiana Knight being perceptive of the fact that, like, CM Punk is willing to work with LA Knight, but really doesn't care what happens to LA Knight, which, you know, is obvious to everybody. I'm glad that LA Knight has figured that out before Clash in Paris. But what I don't think people saw coming was Jey USO going, appreciate the advice uce and clearing the ring tonight.

[B]

I did not see that coming at all.

[A]

And first, like, LA Nike gets pushed into Ju. So there's physical contact there. Ju. So super kicks LA Knight. Cool. Got it. But then Jay uso super kick CM Punk, and I'm sitting there going, jey uso and Cm Punk have publicly been friends for a long time. Who cares?

[B]

He took his cousin's advice.

[A]

Show friends or show business, where it's a World Heavyweight championship match, it's on the line. We'll be friends tomorrow. We'll be friends on Monday in Paris, not before Sunday in Paris.

[B]

And to me, this is really showing that this is so much more than a feel good story for Jay uso. The first time he becomes World Heavyweight Champion. We have this moment at WrestleMania. Everybody's on their feet, everybody's eating. Jay's coming off of winning the Royal Rumble. It was the feel good moment. It was the happy ending. And what Jay did tonight showed me a totally different side of him. This is no longer about, hey, this happy moment. This is about becoming a world champion again.

[A]

And the idea that you have to silence people, you have to show people it again. It goes back to Roman. Like having to put action to word like Jay uso. It's not enough to be like, hey, man, I won the world title and I tapped out Gunther at WrestleMania, pat myself on the back. I'm going to call it a career and ride into the sunset. It's like, no, like winning that world title at WrestleMania, even though you've lost it since, means the bigger picture is that you are now a main event person. So stake your claim. And that's, I think what he did is he staked his claim because the truth, the fact of the matter is people weren't talking about Jey USO going into this match. They weren't. They were talking about Seth and they were talking about, you know, Punk and then Punk's rivalry with La Knight. But it's like, oh, yeah, and J USO's in there too. That'll be fun. Now it's added a whole new wrinkle to the story where it's like, oh, and Jay USO is a serious contender in here who's not really wrapped up in a rivalry with this one or a rivalry with that one or whatever it is. It's. It's. J uso now has a clear desire to be the World Heavyweight Champion.

[B]

I love it.

[A]

It's so good. It's so good. Well, lots of championship aspirations from a lot of people. We've been talking a lot about Roxanne Perez lately.

[B]

I have.

[A]

Well, I have to. We've said different things. However, she had a. She had a night tonight. She had her match with Rhea Ripley. The question was if she beat Rhea Ripley by hook or crook on Monday night Raw. That puts EO and Ria in her column of people she's defeated, they're not both in there because she didn't defeat Rhea Ripley, but. But hardly a consolation prize. Maybe even better. She's our guest on Raw Recap tonight. Can you believe that?

[B]

Let's go.

[A]

Yes. You hear that? That's not just a Toyota truck. That's the sound of no crowds, no alerts, no distractions, and no telling what you'll find next. You know, like a detour. So why would you ever take a tour when you could take a detour? Toyota trucks. Fresh off a battle with Rhea Ripley in Birmingham. Roxanne Perez is here. Roxanne, not the greatest night in the world. Not the result, not the ending that you were, I would imagine, looking for, but thank you for. For being here with us.

[C]

You're welcome. You're very welcome. Gracing you with my presence.

[A]

Yeah, no, we feel. We feel very lucky. We know you know that. I mean, look, this is the thing about this world of professional wrestling. Sometimes it goes the way you want to, sometimes it does not. But the thing about you is that I feel like whether people think they know whether you're going to win these matches or not completely changed a couple of weeks ago when you pinned EO Sky. Not a lot of people have done that. You did that. And I think it did change the conversation. I know it changed the conversation between Megan and myself when you walked in.

[C]

So smart. Over here.

[B]

Thank you so much, Roxanne. I'm always trying to make sure you're acknowledged. Sam here, on the other hand, was. Was trying to point out that the Kabuki warriors were involved, but I think you overcame the numbers game.

[C]

I. I saw 13 Ripley over here.

[A]

Well, no, I just. All I try to do is just call it like I see it, you know, when it's going, however it's going. And you did get a pin over Eos guy. You did not get one over Rhea Ripley. Is that something that. Is that an accomplishment that you look at as something that you would like to do? Commentary pointed out that you've never beaten Rhea Ripley. Do you look at people like that, or are you a checks and championships type of person?

[C]

Checks and championships, baby.

[A]

That's.

[C]

It doesn't matter if I beat Rhea Ripley or not, because I beat EO sky and she's a former Women's World champion.

[B]

There it is.

[A]

Do you. Where do you think as far as that women's World Championship sits right now? We saw Adam Pierce. He tells Stephanie Vacair that she won't have her match at Clash in Paris. But she will have a championship match for the Women's World Championship. That's now. Wow. It's vacated right now. Do you think that you. Have you been asked, do you think you should be the one in that match with Stephanie?

[C]

I think anyone in the Judgment Day should be in that match with Stephanie, because I think the only people that deserve any championships, for that matter, is the Judgment Day. So, yeah, sure, throw me in. Throw Raquel in. As long as it's in Judgment Day, that's all that matters.

[B]

You know, I wanted to ask you about your relationship with Raquel and your relationship with the Judgment Day, because when you first joined the Judgment Day, not too long ago, Finn Balor brought you in. There were a lot of questions about where you stood within the group. But now, ever since Liv Morgan has been gone and you and Raquel have become a tag team, it seems like you guys are getting along just perfectly. So what changed?

[A]

Weird.

[C]

Oh, funny. Just talking about you.

[D]

We're talking about Liv and myself.

[B]

Oh, hey, Raquel.

[A]

Hey, Cal.

[C]

Such a great tag team together.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah.

[D]

Okay. Not starting any little rumors. Are we bringing up the live situation again?

[B]

Well, you guys, you and Roxanne weren't friends, and now you are friends, and it's going great for the two of you, so I just wanted to see how that all came to be.

[A]

You're being nice.

[C]

Knows I have her back now.

[D]

No, we've worked together for a while, so obviously a relationship is going to get built up through this time. But, you know, until we have those tag titles back in the clubhouse, I think it's safe to say that there's still a little bit of work that needs to be done.

[C]

Yeah, we're.

[B]

We're always working.

[D]

We're always working, but we're both willing to put in the work, and I think that's what's important here.

[A]

Yeah, I mean, Raquel, remember, it wasn't that long ago. It feels like. Anyway, we were graced with an interview here on Raw. Recap live from the Judgment Day clubhouse with you, but it was with your. With your previous tag team partner, Liv Morgan. And there was this. This chemistry that existed between the two of you. Whether it's like where you see one, you see the other, and it just feels like very, like, startling. Startlingly quickly, that same chemistry started existing with. With Roxanne Perez. To. To what do you credit this sort of instant connection?

[D]

You know, we talked about this. Our instant connection obviously comes from us having similar backgrounds. We're both from Texas. We're both from the border of Texas. We were both raised in Hispanic households. I mean, we're pretty much cousins, if you really want to think about it.

[A]

You know what I'm saying?

[D]

Basically. So this was kind of inevitable at the end of the day, and I think that's what really makes us such a good team.

[C]

Now, Raquel, I consistently prove to the Judgment Day that I have their back, regardless of whether we have championships or whether we don't. So why would they not. Why would they not trust me at this point?

[B]

Sorry to cut you off there, Roxanne.

[C]

Oh, no, you're fine.

[B]

But I do have a question about Liv Morgan. Because, Raquel, I know you consistently bring her up. We see you backstage in the clubhouse, always reminding everybody about Liv Morgan. But, Roxanne, I wanted to hear from you. Have you kept in touch with Liv at all? Especially now that you've. You've really assumed this. This role in the Judgment Day. In Liv's absence, she talks to all of us.

[A]

We.

[C]

We always have her on FaceTime.

[B]

Yeah. And she's. She's cool.

[A]

Very detailed answer.

[B]

She's cool.

[D]

There's no problems here, Meg, if that's what you're trying to ask. There's no issues.

[C]

What are you trying to instigate?

[B]

Huh?

[D]

What are you talking about? Because Liv is still very much important in the Judgment Day. She's a beacon in the judgment Day. We got to keep Liv's name alive so that you know. You guys know that we're not forgetting about la hurita. Mi hermanita. Liv Morgan.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Don't be trying to start nothing here. You mix and you stir in a pot. She got a spoon in her hand.

[A]

That's surprising from you, Meg?

[B]

No, I. I've just been impressed by this chemistry. I mean, it was shocking. It was a while ago. Thank you.

[D]

Because we are impressive. We are very impressive. Thank you.

[A]

Roxanne, what was it about Dominic Mysterio that made you first say, this is a guy I need to be, like, close with. This is a guy I need to be friends with. Need to get him gifts.

[D]

All right, now you're stirring the pot.

[A]

See what you did?

[D]

Megan handed the spoon over, and now Sam's just taking a swing at it. We don't need to bring up Dominic in this situation. You guys brought us on here.

[C]

Why would you even say that?

[D]

You wanted to talk about tonight, about her match with Rhea Ripley, didn't you?

[A]

Yes.

[D]

Involved. Dom was not involved.

[A]

No, he wasn't involved. You were, Raquel. You. And I'm Glad that you're here. I mean, there was. You know, for those of us that have been following Raquel and Ria for as long as people like some of us have been following, you guys have a very, very deep history together. To see the two of you now as kind of key members of the Monday Night Raw roster, tippity top of the division, and to have that stare down, that confrontation, to be in the ring together now, what does it feel like, especially in comparison to where you were, you know, going back to nxt?

[D]

I mean, what can I say? It feels great to know I'm at the tippity top of every Monday Night Raw, to know that I'm the biggest and the baddest heel on Monday Night Raw. It feels really, really good. And there's one thing that'll never get old, and that's kicking Ria's behind. I don't know how PG rated this show is, because I could say another word, but you know what I mean?

[A]

I do. I do. And, you know, I mean, you know, we see people come up from NXT all the time, and a lot of times there's this transitional period. It's not. It's not such an easy thing always for everybody to just go, okay, I had this identity in nxt, and now I'm on Monday Night Raw or I'm on smackdown, and this whole new audience is seeing me, and I have to reconnect with this whole new audience. We see people sometimes taking a significant amount of time to kind of refine themselves and then have that connection. But, Roxanne, it feels like you came over from NXT and instantly knew how to kind of own your space, own your moment. You knew and continue to know exactly who you are.

[B]

And.

[A]

And there's this feeling, I was thinking about it as I was watching you tonight, where it's like there is nothing in the way you move, in your eyes, in anything that feels remotely out of place, to the point that I think the audience forgets that you haven't been on the main roster all that long. Why do you. How do you think you were able to make that jump so quickly and connect so quickly?

[C]

I mean, I think the difference between everyone else and me is that there are no prodigy. Prodigy. I've been doing this for 10 years. I've mastered my craft. And that's exactly why the Judgment Day let me slip right in. They don't just let anyone into the Judgment Day. They're. They're the most influential faction, WWE history, and they just let me just like that within three months of being on the main roster. And look at. Look at. Look at me now. I've been WWE Tag Team Champions with. With Raquel. And we're continuing to. To climb up and we're going to get those WWE Tag Team Championship Championships. Excuse me. Ria headbutted me a little too many times.

[A]

Yeah, I know.

[D]

She's got a head.

[C]

Yeah, she does. Big, big head.

[A]

I'm a massive, massive Judgment Day fan. Nobody could accuse me of being anything else. But did you just say that the Judgment Day was the most influential faction in the history of. Of.

[C]

Yeah. Why are you laughing?

[D]

No, it's not funny.

[C]

You think that's funny?

[A]

It's just a really bold.

[C]

Right now we can.

[A]

No, no. I want you to say. I want you to. You're highly. I mean, the Judgment Day success can't be overstated. But I mean, it's just been. It's. It's been a faction. Rich brand, the whole wwe. Whether you're going back to Degeneration X. The NWO existed for a period of time in wwe. I mean there's.

[C]

And then there's Judgment Day and were the best.

[D]

When did any of those factions, all of the members, carry a title?

[B]

When?

[A]

I mean, there was. There have been periods, multiple periods of time where there's been significant gold as a Judgment Day.

[D]

Did they have five members with five titles?

[C]

Exactly five.

[D]

Did every single member have a title of the five of the factions with five people?

[B]

I don't think so. No.

[D]

Cuz we did.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Yep, we did.

[A]

Even the Horsemen. There was four. Four Horsemen.

[B]

Not five.

[A]

Not five. Four.

[D]

Not five. Not five.

[C]

Roxanner. Judgment Day.

[A]

Wow.

[D]

Uncomfortable on another level. Uncomparable.

[B]

Roxanne, you have accomplished so much in your career in wwe. But also you've made such an impression since being on the main roster. And I think back to your Royal Rumble appearance. I mean, you are one of the final women standing. Then you go to Evolution as a champion. You're in. In the Judgment Day, you pin EO Sky. Have you had time to reflect on the year that you've had so far on the main roster? Because you've accomplished quite a bit.

[C]

Yeah, I mean. I mean, I think that's. That's why I am where I am right now is because I do live in the present. But I'm also thinking about where we're going to go next and how we're going to get our Tag Team Championships back. How are we going to bring gold, more gold to the Judgment Day. I'M always thinking, next step, next step, next step. You can. You. You can. You can look back at all your accomplishments, and that's great. But. But we keep going.

[D]

That's right.

[C]

Keep going.

[D]

We look forward.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Do you think that Megan just asked you an overly flattering question because she was upset that you called her out on when she was stirring things up or.

[B]

Because I'm impressed with what she's been able to ask me.

[C]

I'm just impressed. And you should be impressed, too.

[D]

Fight over our favor right now. Don't fight for our favor. Okay.

[A]

No, you're right. You're right. I'm super impressed. I'm super impressed. Roxanne, what was the connection with you and Finn Balor? How was that?

[B]

Oh, that's a good one, because he.

[A]

Kind of introduced you to the Judgment Day. How was that. How was that connection really made?

[C]

Yeah. Well, I got called up to the main roster, and everybody here knew who the prodigy was. And Finn Balor, a very smart man, came up to me and said, I have a great idea. I think you would be a perfect fit in the Judgment Day. You know, they. The boys got backup, and Liv and Raquel only had each other, so why not bring me into the mix? And now everybody has backup.

[A]

And that's all it was to it. I mean, that's all that.

[C]

That's all it was. There is nothing else.

[A]

Pie. Wow.

[C]

Nothing else.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Finn Balor just has an eye for talent.

[C]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

That's really good.

[D]

I mean, look at the faction he created, right? We're all title holders here.

[A]

I don't know.

[B]

Finn created.

[A]

Finn Balor created the Judgment Day.

[B]

Wow.

[C]

But he kept it going, right?

[A]

No, he did. He's done a great job. I'm not trying to.

[D]

I'm not trying to faction, all right? I'm not talking about this current. We live in the present. We look forward.

[A]

No, you're right.

[C]

This is the best the Judgment Day has ever been.

[A]

How do you think there was. It seemed like there was some tension with. With Dominic not being able to help out jd. It seems like, you know, and I'm not trying to drive a wedge here because, like, the Judgment Day has its ups and downs all the time. One of the things that's remarkable about this faction is the way you guys kind of recover it. Just when everybody thinks it's over, it gets even stronger. But again, you see that dissension. Finn Balor, where were you? Dominic says I was here. Where were you? How do you.

[C]

Yeah, families fight. Friends. Friends have tension. You guys Fight all the time. And look at you. Why do you have a podcast together?

[A]

Yeah, you're. We're family.

[C]

So you better stop instigating. All right.

[A]

Are you saying we're like the Judgment Day of podcasts? Like, the best. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

[D]

Only if you finally agree to us being the best faction.

[B]

I think you're going to have to.

[C]

Elon. Say it.

[D]

You agree to it. Maybe we'll think about. Say, you guys have a great podcast. I don't know. We'll think about it.

[A]

I mean, Roxanne, to move on to a different topic. Well, would you. I mean, you're talking about the Tag Team Championship, but you're also talking about, you know, getting pinfalls over single stars. If. If Adam Pearce came to you and said, look, we could either get you involved in finding out who's going to be the Women's World champion, or we could get you involved in a match for the Women's Tag Team Championship. What are you taking? He's really fishing.

[B]

He's.

[C]

Seriously, you're. You're something else.

[A]

Thank you.

[C]

Look, whatever is going to help the Judgment Day succeed is what I will do. Okay? That's all you need to know.

[A]

You could run for office.

[C]

I. I could. If it helps the Judgment Day.

[A]

You do very well. Well, listen, listen. The fact that you have this much composure, even after everything that you've been through tonight, it really is a credit to. To the fact that you. You indeed are the Prodigy. And I think that. I think that the scary thing, for lack of a better term, is that as much as we're seeing from you now, I feel like we're only. This is the tip of the iceberg. I feel like you're barely even showing us what's there and that. I think we're going to be in store for a long and decorated career of Roxanne Perez.

[C]

Well, you are. I'll be here for a long, long, long, long time. Just.

[B]

Thanks.

[A]

Look at how they just get along.

[B]

They're like, great. I know.

[A]

It's fantastic. Thank you guys so much for joining us. So thank you to Roxanne Perez. I mean, this is. She knows how to operate. She knows how to operate in these circles.

[B]

We tried.

[A]

We tried hard. We tried hard. And she. I mean, look, there's I and I, but I believe it. I buy into all the prodigy stuff. She is incredible. She's great. Yeah, she's great. And, I mean, there hasn't been a spotlight too big for her yet or even close.

[B]

And she's young too.

[A]

It's crazy. It's crazy, man. I gotta tell you. Topps Chrome, who has I'm sure for years to come, will be highlighting moments from, from Roxanne Perez's career. Have more to highlight coming up because Cactus Jack, WWE is making its hobby debut on August 29. People have been waiting for this. We got a little taste of it at WrestleMania. But Topps Chrome, Cactus Jack WWE is officially here and it's making its hobby debut August 29th. We've got a 100 card base set where you can find your favorite WWE Superstars past, present, future. I'm sure Roxanne Perez will be in there as well. You're going to be able to find in randomly inserted autographs, chase rare inserts like Astro Nights Festival Fury, Famed Phantoms, Rodeo Rebels. All of them are going to be randomly packed into, into all of these card packs. They're going to be available on tops.com and hobby shops everywhere this Friday. They are going to go crazy, crazy fast. So I would, I would recommend anybody that even sniffs this hobby do every, that's right, do everything they can to get on this Cactus Jack drop as soon as it drops on Friday. But while we talk about the women's division and we talked to Roxanne and we talked to her also about the World Women's World Championship. Vacant, Vacant still. Stephanie Vacair. It sounded to me like Adam Pierce has a one on one match in mind for the Women's World Championship.

[B]

This is crazy. I mean, I didn't think Adam Pierce could just, I mean, he's the general manager. I guess he can do whatever he wants.

[A]

I couldn't.

[B]

I just sort of thought there'd be like a tournament or something. I don't know.

[A]

It's his. It's up to him. It's his show. And by the way, if you want to question Adam, you know, he's the last one that came on this show. Very hot under the collar. I don't think you want to question Adam Pierce's decision to his face anyway. No, no.

[B]

Behind his back. Let's do it.

[A]

That's right. That's right. Wow. That's not the only women's championship that has people talking because while Stephanie Vacair will not be competing in Paris, Nikki Bella will be competing in Paris. The showdown went down.

[B]

Becky lynch, he's talking about that broke neck Barbie. That's, well, neck Barbie.

[A]

I wouldn't have said broke neck Barbie myself, but I know somebody that did, of course, last week. Nikki Bella says I'm Going to call out Becky lynch on Raw. And Becky says, picture that. And she shows up to Raw herself to get in front of it. And I mean, man, there is an art. Becky showed up to smackdown.

[B]

It was great.

[A]

Ireland's finest in right there in Dublin. And somehow got Dublin to boo her, right? And got Dublin to boo her so hard that Birmingham in England wasn't ready to cheer her. And she was like, okay, I understand. I mean, it's so manipulative. It's crazy, the fact that she can go in there, right? And she goes, oh, I'm not getting cheered. Like I thought I was getting cheered. It's like the audience, the crowd, an arena full of people to the brim. It's just a musical instrument. It's like she's very good at the flute. You know what I mean? Just knows how to play every single little note, right, to the. To the exact tune that she wants to hear it. Because she goes like she wants. She wants to. She wants to get them, right? She wants to get them. She wants to earn her booze. So what does she do? She shows up and she figures out a way to get herself cheered. And they fall for it every time.

[B]

I can't believe this crowd falls for it after watching what happened on smackdown.

[A]

But, I mean, wouldn't you.

[B]

I mean, it is Becky Lynch. I mean, come on, do it.

[A]

I don't know if it's the. I mean, I mean, you. Look, if there's any woman on the roster that has aura that I could compare to Roman.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

I mean, Becky's got aura.

[B]

I'm so happy to hear you say this because I tweeted watching Friday. I know this is Raw recap, not Smackdown recap, so we won't dive into Becky Lynch. But I already, like, I mean, I sent you page text messages about Becky's promo on Friday, and were you just so excited?

[A]

We just sit there looking at your text going, it's weird.

[B]

I wonder why he's not response about Becky Lynch.

[A]

But I.

[B]

But I tweeted out, I said, Becky F in rules, and people in the comments said that you were gaslighting me. So I'm glad to hear that you're giving Becky the praise.

[A]

I've never not given Becky the praise that you. That she deserves. However, you've said absurd comments on the show that I can't.

[B]

Any of them are absurd.

[A]

I can't let pass. Well, we'll see. I'm sure we'll get to one, but. But it's a dangerous topic. To broach. But I mean, she gets them to cheer and it's like, I mean, she can't help herself. It's almost like it's Pavlovian. Like the minute they're cheering, she's like, aha. But. And like stabs him in the back, completely turns on them and they go, ah, you got us again.

[B]

I mean, she's like, 13 years ago, I had my WWE tryout here.

[A]

It's like, oh, lucky right here in Birmingham.

[C]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

And it was a dump then. It's still a dump now. Speaking of dumps, Nikki Bella, so good.

[A]

Just one guy going. Got him. That's right. She says, speaking of dumps, Nikki Bella, which I don't even. I'm not even 100% sure how you would frame that. In a second I laughed. I was like, I've never heard that insult before. And then Nikki Bella comes out. Of course, Becky calls her Broke Neck Barbie, but Nikki Bella stands up for herself quite well and then ends up saying that, you know, Becky lynch is. Well, she's a. A C word. A coward.

[B]

I thought she was going to say another C word.

[A]

Well, yeah. And Becky said, that's way worse than the one that I was thinking of.

[B]

Well, because actually, in the uk, I don't think that C word is as bad.

[A]

She's talking about coward. I don't know what word you're talking about.

[B]

Well, I don't think that Becky. I don't think calling her a coward is quite fair if we really want to look at it.

[A]

Hit me with your. Yeah, I'm sure you've, you've thought this out.

[B]

I have. I mean, she's the intercontinental champion and she's not exclusive. She's defended this title probably. I mean, the last intercontinental champion that defended the title the way Becky lynch has. If I really had to rack my brain about it, I would say it's probably Macho Man, Randy Savage.

[A]

Okay, you're going back to like 1987.

[B]

I don't think anybody has ever defended it.

[A]

You don't think. Have you done the research or just your gut?

[B]

I mean, this is my gut. Okay, but if you really want me to dove in, I can come back with numbers.

[A]

No, I don't, because you will come back with numbers and it'll be infuriating. You'll twist the numbers. You'll twist the numbers to match whatever strange narrative that you have.

[B]

She's not a coward. I mean, do cowards write best selling books?

[A]

I mean, yeah, there have been cowards that write bestselling books. Sure. I mean, you can do cowards make.

[B]

History in main event WrestleMania.

[A]

There are less cowards that have main evented WrestleMania and made history. But like writing. Yeah. I mean, don't you think that a lot of authors were probably, like, avoiding getting beaten up at school a lot. Like, they're probably a lot of cowards.

[B]

Bestsellers, though.

[A]

I think so.

[B]

Bestsellers.

[A]

I think there are a lot of best sellers that have been cowards. Not all. Mick Foley's the bestseller. He's not a coward.

[B]

Not a coward at all.

[A]

No, opposite of a coward. He's the man.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

But I think there are definitely also a man. I shouldn't. I should have used a different term. Yeah, I'm going to give you that one because I should have used a different term. That was very good. But. But no, no. There aren't as many cowards as have main evented.

[B]

I mean, do cowards have hot husbands? And Becky's not the only one saying that she has a hot husband. Megan in the control room is also saying that Becky has a hot husband. When she said it, she texted us it. We have it in writing.

[A]

Well, I don't need to hear that from.

[B]

Not me. Megan. Megan, in the control.

[A]

In the control. You wouldn't be so blatant.

[B]

No, I mean, listen, I.

[A]

Well, you haven't. You have a. You're a journalist. You can't say that type of stuff. I wish Megan in the control room would stick to the control. Not worried about hotness of anybody's husband.

[B]

Anyways, calling Becky a coward is just preposterous.

[A]

Okay, you found that to be preposterous.

[B]

You struggled with that word.

[A]

Yeah, I did. I did. It was. I forgot where the. Well, it doesn't matter. Well, Nikki laid out Becky lynch, took the title, held it in front of her face and laid her out. We're getting to Nikki Bella now versus Becky Lynch. Were you shocked that Nikki Bella was able to remain so dominant over Becky?

[B]

I was.

[A]

You were?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You did not see that coming.

[B]

No, I didn't.

[A]

Do you think that Becky lynch may not realize the level to which. You know, you're talking about Nikki Bella, the longest reigning divas champion. You're talking about Nikki Bella's a hall of famer. You're talking about Nikki Bella, who's. I mean, she's. She's like she said. I mean, she laid the blueprint for a lot of this.

[B]

She did. And everything you're saying about her is absolutely right. And I think a lot of people have Maybe looked at Nikki Bella and said, okay, yeah, you did that. But that was then, this is now. And Nikki Bella.

[A]

What do you mean? A lot of people. Who's. A lot of people that have said. I mean, I heard Becky say that, but that's one.

[B]

I mean, even Nikki Bella, when she came on this show talking about how difficult it has been to come back. Right?

[A]

Yeah, but I'm pretty sure that Becky lynch bringing up previous relationships, that's probably that shock of cold water that you need to get right back into the throw of things.

[B]

Yeah, that's true.

[A]

You know what I mean? Like. Like sometimes people just need a reason to want to beat somebody up. And I do think that Becky lynch has given Nikki Bella that reason.

[B]

Oh, without question.

[A]

Right.

[B]

But I think that's the version of Nikki Bella that Becky lynch wants her best. Yes.

[A]

Wow. Which would make it preposterous to say that Becky lynch is a coward. Because a coward wouldn't want that.

[B]

That's what I'm saying about Nikki. I mean, now you just convinced yourself into agreeing.

[A]

It's an if, then statement. If you're correct about Becky wanting Nikki to be at her best, then Becky is not a coward.

[B]

Bingo.

[A]

If, then, bingo. But which. But you would still have to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Nikki. That Becky wants Nikki at her best. If you could prove that, then it would in turn prove that Becky's not a coward. To be completely fair, the Becky I know, she wants.

[B]

She wants every. Everybody to be at their best.

[A]

The Becky you know?

[B]

Yeah, that's the Becky I know. Come on.

[A]

I didn't realize. I didn't realize you were so fact based. Duh. Yeah.

[B]

I'm a journalist. Medill School of Journalism.

[A]

Hello, Roberts.

[B]

Fact. Fact based.

[A]

No, I know you are. I know you. Look, it's an impressive school you went to, so.

[B]

Right.

[A]

They don't just let anyone nick in there.

[B]

They didn't let you in.

[A]

No, certainly not. Certainly not. And I applied. They rejected me.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

That's right.

[B]

As they should have.

[A]

So taking liberties now. So speaking of intercontinental champions, we also.

[B]

Speaking of cowards. Oh, my God.

[A]

Why would you. I was so good to you in the whole Becky segment.

[B]

Yeah, you backed me up.

[A]

I was so fair just putting over.

[B]

Becky on how she defends this Intercontinental Continental championship. Dominic has a match to defend his intercontinental championship against AJ and he's like, oh, I don't want to.

[A]

Becky was challenged to defend the title tonight and she said, no, not till Sunday.

[B]

Yeah, because the people in Birmingham suck. They do that's according to Becky. And you listen, I've never been there, so I'm going to take her word.

[A]

For it because she's fairly trustworthy or at least accurate about a lot of stuff.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

New York Times bestselling authority.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

Wow. No, I mean, Dominic's defending the title, but by the way, Dominic was just in a championship match for the Triple A Mega Championship. He's wrestling all over the place. And. And, yeah, I, I don't. I. I'm excited to see A.J. styles vs. Dominic Mysterio. But let me ask you this. If Dominic Mysterio beats AJ Styles next week, I think he might have something to say to Finn Balor. Go like, hey, bro, look who I just beat. And by the way, Dominic's already beaten AJ Styles before. If we could really break this down, People like to talk about, like, you know, who's in the right and who's in the wrong here. Dominic already beat AJ Styles like that. Like, the idea of, like, we have to figure out the only reason, like, AJ Styles. This is just facts now. Same way we had facts for Becky Lynch. And a lot of your facts are right. And that's why I wasn't. I can't fight a lot of them. But, like, realistically, when you break down what's gone on with Dominic and AJ Styles, you could make an argument that Dominic was avoiding AJ Styles before.

[B]

Yes, you could.

[A]

Regardless, they got to SummerSlam. Dominic beat AJ Styles and AJ was the one being sneaky.

[B]

And then AJ was sneaky again at Triple Mania, and then AJ was sneaky again tonight on Raw.

[A]

So it's like AJ has been stalking Dominic because he's mad that he lost.

[B]

Are you a little jealous that he's stalking him? Come on.

[A]

I could stalk Dominic if I wanted to. AJ is mad that Dominic outsmarted him at the game that AJ decided to play. AJ's the one who put flames on his tights. AJ's the one who put a Styles Heat shirt on. AJ is the one who drove a low rider to the ring. And then Dominic beats him with an eddy trick to go like, bro, what are you even doing? Right to me, it's like, not only did I beat you in the intercontinental title match, I outsmarted you. And since then, AJ won't let it go and is now stalking Dominic Mysterio. And this Adam Pierce goes, I know what we're going to do. Reward AJ Styles. And I go, what is this, the Twilight Zone? Is this Henry Bemis and his glasses are broken now he's finally got time to read. What are we doing? Am I. Did I take cuckoo pills?

[B]

Wow. We are both kind of on the same page. I agree with you on Dominic. You agreed with me on Becky, and we both are criticizing Adam Pierce.

[A]

Well, you know, I'll tell you this. You probably, if you'd put money on that, you would have won a lot because the odds are not great that that happened. And we just, especially after that Roxanne interview that got tense between us, but we still end up on the same page.

[B]

I love it.

[A]

All right. That's why sometimes you got to put the smart money on what you want to happen. And look, the Fanatics NFL survivor pool is live now in the Fanatics app. Megan, they're calling your name.

[B]

I know. I had a college football teaser in this weekend.

[A]

The rules are simple. You join the pool. You pick one NFL team to win each week. If your pick wins, you move on. If they lose, you're out. The last fans standing win it all. Here are the prize details. Okay. The pot starts at a million dollars, but it's already growing. For every player that joins the pool, fanatics is adding $1 to the pot, up to $10 million. That's a guaranteed cash prize of over a million dollars. The more people that play, the bigger the prize is. So share and get your friends to join. Download the Fanatics app, join the NFL Survivor pool and get your pick in before September 8th. Last fans standing win it all. I'll see you on a leaderboard. Very exciting times. Very, very exciting.

[B]

Really is is that time of the year when you think you're down and out and you turn on your TV and you can always bet on Hawaii.

[A]

We're back, baby. Let's go. Well, listen, listen. We've got so much going on. Of course, Clash in Paris coming up on Sunday. Here's the plan. Right now, you and I will be recapping Clash in Paris right after it happens on Sunday, which I cannot wait because every single match on that show has serious ramifications. I'm sure there'll be a lot to talk about, but we're also going to get together and have a chat before Clash in Paris so we can break down this monster card. Make sure that you're subscribed to WWE Raw recap across all audio platforms. That's Apple, Spotify, everywhere. You get podcasts and of course, on the WWE's YouTube channel, hit like leave comments. Megan, what a show.

[B]

It was a blast.

[A]

It was a blast. We will see you very soon as there is always more to recap here on RAW Recap. We'll see you guys later. Sam.