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- [00:03]
Gunther
David?
- [00:03]
Sam Roberts
Yes. Have you ever noticed that the way.
- [00:05]
Chad Gable
We use our phones is ironic?
- [00:08]
Gunther
Phones are for connection, but we look.
- [00:10]
Sam Roberts
At them more than we look at each other.
- [00:12]
Gunther
That's ironic.
- [00:13]
Chad Gable
Griffin, it's like rain on your wedding day.
- [00:15]
Sam Roberts
Listen.
- [00:16]
Chad Gable
That's ironic.
- [00:17]
Sam Roberts
So U.S. cellular created U.S. mode to help us reconnect, you and I.
- [00:23]
Gunther
That's right.
- [00:23]
Sam Roberts
A phone company wanting people to use.
- [00:25]
Chad Gable
Their phones, less ironic.
- [00:27]
Sam Roberts
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.
- [00:40]
Chad Gable
What are the other things that are ironic?
- [00:48]
Sam Roberts
We have a new World Heavyweight Champion. John Cena and CM Punk have a stare down. The King and the Queen of the Ring have begun. I'm get it. We have a guest. We have guest. The world champions on the show. We have Chad Gable on the show. The World champion's gonna be on the show. Can we run the intro? Run the intro. All right, guys, welcome in. Welcome in. Raw recap. Megan Morant, Sam Roberts. And with us, this is very, very special, the new. And I'm. You know, I don't want to say I'm surprised to say, but I think a lot of people, we're shocked at the outcome, and maybe we shouldn't have been World Heavyweight Champion. A man who honestly delivered on every single thing that he said he would deliver on to the chagrin of a lot of people, not only in Phoenix, but all over the world. Gunther, I say all that to say congratulations, you're the World Heavyweight Champion.
- [01:43]
Gunther
Thank you. Of course I am. You said call everybody by surprise. I don't know what's surprising about this. I guess going in, it got perceived as a little bit like of a nothing match, just a mania rematch. And everybody was speculating, like, Seth Rollins is going to do something with his briefcase. Goldberg is going to show up to finally kick my ass. The reality is, when I was World Heavyweight Champion the first time, all those big names, they stayed away from me for a very good reason. Because ever since I arrived in this company, I've been the most dominant guy around here. Yes, I lost at WrestleMania, and yes, I lost to Jey Uso. And I'm going to give him credit for this, but this is a marathon, not a sprint. And in that case, nobody matches me. Nobody's got the mental ability, nobody's got the confidence, nobody's got the stamina to last that long. That's only me. I'm competing in my own class.
- [02:47]
Sam Roberts
Wow. I mean, incredibly difficult to Argue. And the other thing is, I often describe you as the ultimate power of reality. Meaning that reality is that thing that wakes us up from our dreams. Reality is that thing that reminds us that fairy tales are fairy tales and reality is here to come and crush all that and just give you that dose. Fair or unfair in your mind, reality is always gonna be reality. And somehow, and I think pro wrestling is that way. We, we think and we've been able to escape into a world of fantasy for years and years and years. And there's something about you, Gunther, that has finally brought that dose of reality into pro wrestling. And I think it can be uncomfortable for fans like me that have grown up knowing that the good guy wins regardless of how crazy it might seem.
- [03:40]
Gunther
Well, I, I agree with you. Because yes, professional wrestling, this is a crazy, exciting and a beautiful world. And a lot of Michael, my colleagues, a lot of other competitors, they all live in dreamlands. For them, it's about they gotta have a nice outfit, they gotta have a great music, they gotta stand out and be a star. I care about none of that, man. I care about being the best in that ring from bell to bell. There's nobody that matches me and all that other stuff everybody else can get excited about. I'm numb to it. It means nothing. The only thing that means something to me is carrying this and being the best in the world at what I do.
- [04:24]
Sam Roberts
So, I mean, on that note, maybe you just answered the question. But when you have a victory like that, I think a lot of performers, professional wrestlers and everywhere, the reaction, the crowd, the reaction at home is part of it and it's part of the motivation for you to do something that you set out to do and achieve the ultimate goal. You're now a two time world heavyweight champion. But I feel like the minute that that bell rings, you don't have adulation, you don't even really have all that many boos. You have disbelief. Again, the air gets sucked out. Which is what happens when you wake up from that dream. How do you feel when you don't get that sort of, yay, we're having a good time. You're smiling as I describe it.
- [05:13]
Gunther
Well, reactions like today.
- [05:16]
Chad Gable
Yeah.
- [05:17]
Gunther
And I highlighted, I was hanging on with everything I had to Jay and that moment, why felt he's going numb. And that reaction, it takes a few seconds for the audience to realize that that reaction after that, that's what I'm doing it for. Like you said it, the air got sucked out of the whole room. All that positivity all that excitement because I get to Phoenix, Arizona, it's a fantastic house. That place is gigantic. It was sold out today and for them, I guess it was special to see Jay after that whole journey leading up to Wrestlemania. That guy carries so much baggage with him. Before Wrestlemania and even after. And I was so upfront. I told him the last weeks leading up to today what the issue is. And he finally comes to Phoenix, Arizona, finally steps in the ring as the world every champion in front of those passionate fans. And to be able to be in that position to room that evening, that happening, that experience, that's what I thrive off. Nothing makes me happier.
- [06:24]
Sam Roberts
Wow. I mean in this room, Megan, my co host here, she was sitting there going what? Like it can't be.
- [06:31]
Megan Morant
She's I'm wearing a yeet T shirt. I mean, I feel like my hopes and dreams were, were crushed tonight by you.
- [06:37]
Gunther
That's on you first mistake was burning your money for a T shirt like that. Could have invested it to do something useful with it. And secondly, it's not Disneyland Megan out there, it's man against man. And the better man wins. And in 99.9% of the matches I'm in, I'm the better man. So you should not be surprised about that, to be honest.
- [06:59]
Megan Morant
It's not necessarily like a surprise. I mean you are the best wrestler arguably in the entire world. I mean that's why you are the world heavyweight champion. But it just, you know, we all saw the speculation. Even you referred to that speculation and you know, the fanfare and the hype around Jey uso, like none of it got to you or distracted you whatsoever.
- [07:27]
Gunther
Yeah, I mean, at the end of the day, like I said, that worked on my whole career and that's what made me different. That's what made me special. Everybody gets excited about everything in this business. For a lot of the people I don't know, a lot of my colleagues don't seem to have many friends at home or something like that. For them it's very important to have a good time here at work with all the guys together. And when somebody achieves something, they come to the bag and everybody's there hugging them and all of that. When I walked backstage today, there was no one. Everybody left. Guess all the other guys saw it on the screen, saw the finish and left to the hotels or travel home or something like that. And I like that. I enjoy that position. I don't need friends. I'm not here to make friends. I'm not here to whatever bond and have lifelong friendships. I have a few friends. I have a great family. That's all I need. And I'm here for business. I'm here to uphold the standard and the prestige of this great sport. And I'm the sole representation of what really matters in professional wrestling. And that's the reason why I'm so successful.
- [08:31]
Sam Roberts
I mean, I think it also has to do with Jay USO as a world Champion. I think that the story leading up to your match at WrestleMania was that Jay Uso, a lot of people, and you. I think you're somebody that pushed the agenda, was not suitable to be a World Heavyweight Champion, did not belong in a World Heavyweight Championship match. You. You said you didn't think you should be wrestling that guy. At WrestleMania, you were almost disappointed in the fact that that was your WrestleMania match. I felt like since WrestleMania, Jay had risen to the occasion more so than I think a lot of people gave him credit for. And it started to feel like he had found this identity as a World Heavyweight Champion. And I think that that's part of what goes in that he's finally found this thing that makes him, and he's established his reign and now he goes in there with you. When you. This man that you competed with tonight, did you feel like he was somebody who ultimately did at least establish a reign? Did he. Did you feel like you were beating a World Heavyweight Champion?
- [09:31]
Gunther
Oh, yeah, for sure. And I said it before. I gotta give it to Jay, I think. Well, I think everybody that is heading into a match with me is considered the underdog. I think, especially Jay, before WrestleMania was because I'd beaten him, I think, three or four times before that for the Intercontinental Championship, for the World Heavyweight Championship before. And, yeah, to me, it was like dumb business. It was like, okay, I beat that guy and move on from it, but he's stuck to it. And he kept grinding. He won the Royal Rumble. So we ended up at WrestleMania again. And I got to give it to him. I think he stepped up. I think he fulfilled a lot of the hopes and expectations that the people had in him. But everybody, the audience and everybody backstage should have been realistic enough that it was fun while it lasted. But over time, reality has to set in.
- [10:28]
Sam Roberts
Seth has the money in the bank briefcase. King of the Ring tournament is happening. The finals are going to be at the King and Queen of the Ring at Night of Champions Premium Live events. You've got people already lined up. Who do you look at now? Now the target's on your back. You're not chasing anymore. Who do. Who do you look at as people that you go yet? Maybe he's next. Yeah, this is somebody who I'd like to defeat as world heavyweight champion.
- [11:00]
Gunther
I mean, that's what I always say when I'm in this position. And I'm not the one to look at people and be like, who's my next challenger? Who care less one and holds that price that everybody desires. So it's up to everybody else to knock on my door and prove themselves. And yes, ever. Holland has got the money in the bank briefcase. Good for him. When I was champion the last time, he was nowhere to be seen. So let's see if he feels a little bit more confident now as the briefcase holder with his set of new friends. Maybe feels a little bit more confident now. And just in general, everybody else, I'm not intimidated by anyone. I'm not afraid of anyone. I'm not afraid or intimidated by any high pressure situation. That's what I worked my whole life for, to be in this dominant position. So whatever the future holds, I'm more than prepared for.
- [11:52]
Sam Roberts
And you think that the reason that we didn't get a cash in, the reason we didn't get a Goldberg run in, the reason we didn't get anything, we didn't get a bloodline thing. We didn't get anything. We just got a, uh, putting jey uso to sleep was the fact that people realized that Gunther is not. Is not the one to try tricks with.
- [12:11]
Gunther
It is nothing. It's got. Did you see what happened out there? Did you. Did anything look like it's a pleasure? Did anything look like it's. We're having a great time out there. I'm not here to get out with my colleagues and have a great match. Let's kill it tonight. I don't care about any of that. I'm not here for a good time. I'm here to be the best. I'm here to become rich. That's what I'm here for. Not interested in anything else. So whoever is next, whoever wants to be next, whoever qualifies is fine with me. I'm more than prepared. And I highly doubt that anyone feels comfortable walking into this ring when he's about to face me.
- [12:56]
Sam Roberts
Well, Gunther, I can't tell you how much we appreciate you being as generous as your time, with your time as you have been. You know, you're generous with your time.
- [13:04]
Gunther
It's not like I had a choice. Like, I've been told to come here. Oh, I didn't think. Well, let me Catch up with those guys. It's fun, but I hope I answered all you guys questions. Yeah, yeah. Get comfortable and settled with the reality.
- [13:18]
Megan Morant
I'm trying to. Thank you so much.
- [13:23]
Gunther
Being on top again. See you guys later.
- [13:29]
Sam Roberts
Guys. Summer is here. And all the goodness that comes with summer is coming along with summer once again. I'm talking about more light. I'm talking about more time to do all the things that you love. I'm talking about not being in a kitchen, cooking your food indoors. That's where factor comes in. We love factor factors. Chef crafted dietitian approved meals. They're ready in two minutes. They take all the hassle out of eating and eating. Eating well. Factory meals arrive fresh. They're ready to eat. They're perfect for any active lifestyle over summer and beyond. With 45 weekly menu options, you can pick gourmet meals that fit your summer gains and goals. They got all kinds of options. Calorie smart. They got protein plus they got keto. They got everything they f. Power factor powers. As a matter of fact, your day from sunup to sundown. Look, forget all this stuff. Not only do I eat factor because I got no time in the day, but I gave factor to my kid. My kid said, what are you eating? Can I have one of those meals? I want to start training, too. I want to get big like a wrestler is what he said. He loved this thing. These kids, they don't eat anything. He opened his factor meal, he started eating it. The whole thing was gone. He loved it. And I think you will, too. Listen, you can get started@Factor Meals.com RAW RECAP 50 off and use code RAW RECAP 50 off to get 50% off plus free shipping on your first box. That's code RAW RECAP 50 off at Factor Meals.com/ RAW RECAP 50 off for 50% off plus free shipping. Factor Meals.com/RAW RECAP 50 off. I mean, the world, the world heavyweight champion is Gunther. And I get what you're saying, Megan. And we watched it here. Let's just be honest, because this is a lot. First of all, amazing. Regardless of if he's appreciative or not, whoever hooked the interview up, it was a good get. I was kind of blown away that I'm literally cutting the cold because we do have Chad Gable on the show and I can't wait to talk to Chad Gable. But in my headphones, like as we're cut because we do the show right after Raw and I'm getting. We got Gunther. We got Gunther.
- [15:44]
Megan Morant
We got Gunther, which is uncomfortable for me, wearing a Yeet T shirt and sitting here heartbroken.
- [15:49]
Sam Roberts
You whispered that as the. As the thing was playing, you're like, I'm wearing a Yeet shirt. But, I mean, you brought it up. You felt true to it. Here's what. So, like, first of all, during that interview, I was trying to be delicate. Cause, like, when I said that the life got. Or the wind got sucked out of the room, like, usually people take that as an insult. And I didn't want to tell him, you know what I mean, that you suck the wind out of the room in a way that, like, it was an insult. It was more just in a. In a. That's. Honestly, that's the most. Most true to who Gunther is as a character. He would suck to win. But the fact that I, like, kind of started to try to dance around that, and Gunther was like. Just started smiling and goes like, oh, yeah. You know, I love to do that.
- [16:34]
Megan Morant
Well, I love how you described him as reality.
- [16:38]
Sam Roberts
Yeah. I mean, it is.
- [16:40]
Megan Morant
We. We live in this fun fantasy world where we're yeeting. I mean, you and I were on the floor at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, and we did, like, four rounds of Yeets Jey uso. And it was so much fun.
- [16:54]
Sam Roberts
I threw my right shoulder out.
- [16:56]
Megan Morant
You did?
- [16:56]
Sam Roberts
Yeah. I woke up sore.
- [16:58]
Megan Morant
But tonight, we woke up from that fun fantasyland dream. We were bummed about it.
- [17:03]
Sam Roberts
Yes, yes, yes. And it was just this sort of prize. You are. Yes, you are. Yes, you are. Yeah. Yes, you are.
- [17:13]
Megan Morant
I wasn't ready for it to end. I didn't think it was going to end so abruptly.
- [17:17]
Sam Roberts
And that was my question about, like, Jay finally becoming the champion that he, like. I felt like it was finally getting settled. Two weeks ago, I did my rant on here about how I don't want to hear any more about Jay not being ready to be a champion. Jay not being a good champion. This, that, and even, like, money in the bank. He's, like, standing tall with Cody Rhodes. We're the guys. And then Gunther comes in, and you just asked me, like, you just said, I'm bummed. Aren't you? And I was, like, emotionally, yeah. Who has been more supportive? I literally. On the Not Sam podcast, I was the only one that predicted Jey USO was going to win the Royal Rumble.
- [18:04]
Megan Morant
You were.
- [18:05]
Sam Roberts
I wanted it from before the Royal Rumble, and then I got it. And then I was like, gunther is the one I want. And then I wanted him to beat Gunther, and then I wanted him to be the champion. I wanted Jay USO to have this. I wanted him to have the run that he had.
- [18:17]
Megan Morant
And you've been defending him against all of the haters on the Internet all the.
- [18:21]
Sam Roberts
From the beginning and even more so now. And I was sitting there saying, I get like, I don't see how Gunther could lose to Jey uso again because he's Gunther. But also, I can't for the life of me figure out a reality where Jay would become the champion. And just as that's being established, it goes away.
- [18:47]
Megan Morant
Yeah. A WrestleMania rematch on a random Monday.
- [18:51]
Sam Roberts
Night Raw with a Raw after money in the bank. But you're right, but it's not a. It's not a premium live event.
- [18:56]
Megan Morant
Yeah.
- [18:58]
Sam Roberts
Like, it wasn't money in the bank. It wasn't. It was just like, okay.
- [19:00]
Megan Morant
And we went on this ride with Jay USO to becoming a single star.
- [19:04]
Sam Roberts
Yeah. Yeah.
- [19:06]
Megan Morant
So he's just not champion anymore.
- [19:09]
Sam Roberts
But, like, you know, there's a feel.
- [19:14]
Megan Morant
Like Jay let me down, though.
- [19:17]
Sam Roberts
Well, yeah, Jay didn't do anything. You got beat by Gunther. Everybody gets beat by Gunther. And that, you know why you don't feel like Jay let you down? Because no matter how you feel. You know what I mean? The Gunther saying, I want the life to get sucked out of the room. Gunther saying, like, I want people to be disappointed. Gunther looking at you and saying, you could have invest. Like, he thought that instead of buying a yeet shirt, you should put it into a 401k. It's the least fun answer I've ever heard in my life. He didn't even say buy a Gunther shirt, I guess. But what's 30 bucks in a 401k gonna get you?
- [19:52]
Megan Morant
I mean, you do the math times however many years.
- [19:55]
Sam Roberts
I guess I'd rather have a wrestling shirt, wear it over and over again.
- [19:58]
Megan Morant
But Gunter's always thinking, my kid's gonna.
- [20:02]
Sam Roberts
Be so sad tomorrow. He's gonna be so bummed.
- [20:07]
Megan Morant
You're gonna have to really think about how. How you deliver this one.
- [20:10]
Sam Roberts
Yeah, I.
- [20:12]
Megan Morant
But you have to tell him. You can't let him get to school and find out.
- [20:16]
Sam Roberts
Oh, no, you're right.
- [20:17]
Megan Morant
You have to tell him.
- [20:20]
Sam Roberts
I just bought him a world heavyweight championship, like, kids title from the store for money in the bank. And he was like, that's Jey uso's belt. Oh, but you asked me, like, aren't I bummed out? And I said, emotionally, yes, because you want to go on this ride. But at the same time, as a fan of this Art form as like this great sport. I mean, like, literally, I'm obsessed with pro wrestling.
- [20:47]
Megan Morant
Yeah, I know.
- [20:48]
Sam Roberts
By now I feel like we should know this, right?
- [20:50]
Megan Morant
I mean, look around the room.
- [20:52]
Sam Roberts
I mean, I think about it literally all the time. Like, I don't stop thinking about it. When have you ever texted me a pro wrestling thing? And I've been like, not now.
- [21:00]
Megan Morant
Never, Never, never, Not once.
- [21:02]
Sam Roberts
You were asking me king of the ring predictions on Sunday night, you know where I was? I had just landed. I was sitting on the tarmac in JFK waiting to get off the plane. I was like, oh, you know, that's a good idea. Like, I'm thinking about it all the time. And there is a truthfulness to the Gunther character. To who? Gunther. Is this idea that there is nothing too sacred? There is nothing that, like. Well, no, because this just feels good. Like Gunther would. If we're to believe that Gunther is Gunther. Gunther would show up on a Monday night and completely out of nowhere, just end your favorite wrestlers fairy tale run. That is 15 years in the making.
- [21:51]
Megan Morant
He doesn't need a premium live event. He doesn't need the fanfare. I mean, he got pyro when he won, but he doesn't need it.
- [21:58]
Sam Roberts
But he almost thought it was funny that he got pyro because everybody's so disappointed. Like, you've never seen a less happy fireworks show than Gunther's world championship winning fireworks show.
- [22:11]
Megan Morant
Correct.
- [22:11]
Sam Roberts
They were just. And you're like, what? And like you're. You're sitting and it says the credits come up and here's your executive producers. And you're like, falsy, right?
- [22:19]
Megan Morant
There has to be something else. And I pull my phone up and I'm looking at social media, I'm looking at Twitter. There's got to be something, right?
- [22:26]
Sam Roberts
We told. Here's how serious we told him in the truck. Can you. Whatever's happening in the arena, can you put it in our ears? And it was just like Jay saying thank you. It was like it was over. This, like. And that's life. Like, that's real life. It's not fantasy life. It's not like pro wrestling cartoon show. But it's real life. Things just end because a thing ends them.
- [22:49]
Megan Morant
And you don't have to like it, but you have to accept it.
- [22:52]
Sam Roberts
There's an inevitability to Gunther that. I mean, it's amazing because, like, you can have moments. And moments are fun. Well, what do I always tell you about moments? And then what, Right?
- [23:06]
Megan Morant
They end.
- [23:07]
Sam Roberts
And then what? Right? Sami Zayn can Beat Gunther at WrestleMania and you get that moment, and then what? Gunther gets it all back. Jey Uso can beat Gunther at WrestleMania. Oh, and then he said this. Gunther tapped so fast, he'll never be the same. That's what they said. He tapped so fast to Jey uso, he'll never be the same. You know what they said? They said this. He was buried.
- [23:32]
Megan Morant
Didn't look.
- [23:32]
Sam Roberts
I don't think so. I don't think so.
- [23:34]
Megan Morant
Did not look buried.
- [23:34]
Sam Roberts
I don't think so. Because there is an inevitability to Gunther the likes of which we've never seen before. This is not an inevitability of a superstar that's been built over the course of nine months. And, like, you build up this monster so that eventually the good guy can destroy him. That's not an inevitability. That's like, oh, he's the guy of the moment, right?
- [23:55]
Megan Morant
Mm.
- [23:55]
Sam Roberts
I'm talking about years. I'm talking about a guy who. Whatever that stat is, 80% of his WWE career, he's been a champion. And guess what? He's not ready for that stat to be messed with. I'm talking about a guy who was in NXT UK and tearing everybody up. NXT and tearing everybody up. And the minute he gets to wwe, he takes the Intercontinental Championship and makes it his own. He takes the World Heavyweight Championship and makes it his own. And you know what the. The truthfulness of Gunther, you know what the thing that I think is bumming you out is? And maybe you don't even realize it, but because he won in a way that is so true to who Gunther is, you know what else that means? He ain't losing it.
- [24:40]
Megan Morant
No, Gunther.
- [24:42]
Sam Roberts
Because this is two things Gunther does. He beats your favorite wrestler, regardless of his catchphrase.
- [24:48]
Megan Morant
He holds on to the title, and.
- [24:49]
Sam Roberts
He does never lose as a title.
- [24:50]
Megan Morant
I also love how he said he walks backstage and no one's there cheering for him, hugging him, celebrating with him, and he likes it.
- [24:59]
Sam Roberts
It was so. I'm so glad.
- [25:00]
Megan Morant
Not surprising whatsoever, though.
- [25:02]
Sam Roberts
It's so glad you pointed that out, because wrestlers like, you know, you go back in the day and you'll watch like, a shoot interview or whatever when you're. And. And like these wrestlers will tell you, they don't ever tell you this, but being the champion is the loneliest spot on the card. It's the loneliest job there is because you go out there and you tear the house down. You come back after a big win, and nobody's there to congratulate you. And I've never heard a wrestler tell that same story and go, isn't it great?
- [25:32]
Megan Morant
Everybody leaves me alone. I just show up. I do business, and I enjoy it. Go home to my family.
- [25:38]
Sam Roberts
I thought it was a remarkable thing, too, that, like, these sleeper holes, chin locks, whatever you want to call them, they've been a part of wrestling forever, to the point that, like. But. But you. You'd almost go, you can't finish a match with a sleeper hold anymore. Because, you know, we've. We've. We've seen it. It's not exciting enough. It's not this. And I mean, the battle between these two. First of all, early in the match, Jay immediately trying to lock the sleeper hold on. I thought that was a smart way to tell this story of, like, he. Remember, he learned from Wrestlemania. This is how I beat him. Let me try to beat him quick right now with. But Gunther putting that sleeper hold on him and watching Jay's eyes flutter. You're watching television, and you're seeing his eyes flutter, and you're seeing the hope, right? And you're. And you. And you're hearing, yeet, Yeet. And you're thinking. You know what I was thinking about when the crowd was going, yeet. I was thinking back to Hulkamania. And the crowd would cheer, and Hulk would start raising his arm, and the impossible would happen. And the bad guy would go, how's he doing this? And they go, let's go, Hulk it. And he'd shake, and he'd shake, and he'd with all his power break this hold. And the bad guy would go, I can't believe it. And then he would hit him, and Hulk would shake it off, and he would hit him again, and Hulk would shake it off, and then he would hit him again, and Hulk would march around the ring and march around the ring, then hit him again, and Hulk would stop him and go, no, no, no. You get a big boot and a leg drop, and the good guy wins. And it was like that for years.
- [27:07]
Megan Morant
That's what I wanted tonight.
- [27:08]
Sam Roberts
Years. Every match. Years. And it was. And everybody was happy. But guess what? Gunther wasn't around then. Gunther wasn't around then. How about this? I put you to sleep. And if that doesn't work, I'll powerbomb you. And if that doesn't work, I'll throw you somewhere. And if that doesn't work, I'll suplex you. If that doesn't work, I'm gonna kick you in the chest until you're you know, your whole. Whatever caves in. And he did it, and that's what he did. And Jay uso's kid was there. His son, who everybody is. You know, you see his son at every big match now. You know, he's on the road with them all. And you grow to love. You grow to. Because we've been a part of Jey Uso's whole family. We've been there with him and his brother Jimmy, even with Solo. We've been there with the cousin Roman, the whole bloodline. Then to see Jay become a man on his own, and as he's becoming a man on his own, you not only see him as a main event superstar and a man on his own, but as a father who's bringing his son to see his dad do these spectacular things, to see his dad do things that nobody thought was possible. And his son got to see reality front and center tonight.
- [28:18]
Megan Morant
And it. It's so fitting because all day I'm thinking about this main event, right? And I'm on. I'm on social media.
- [28:25]
Sam Roberts
Of course, you're getting all the goss.
- [28:26]
Megan Morant
Looking at all the predictions I tweeted out today. What are your predictions? Goldberg's coming back. Seth's cashing in. Roman's coming back. I mean, everybody had something to say. All eyes were on this main event. And when it just ended with Gunter.
- [28:41]
Sam Roberts
Putting Jay to sleep, how many. How many of those replies. How many of those replies said, gunther wins clean, and the show goes off the air?
- [28:48]
Megan Morant
0. 0.
- [28:51]
Sam Roberts
But. But if you study the Gunther character, if you analyze what happens in Gunther matches and that. But. But that's what makes it. That's the magic of it. You don't believe it when it. Like, I wouldn't have said. I wouldn't have replied to your tweet. Gunther wins clean, and everybody goes home sad. But how many. Every Gunther match. Gunther wins clean, and everybody goes home sad. That's a Gunther match.
- [29:16]
Megan Morant
I agree.
- [29:19]
Sam Roberts
But reality is somehow sometimes hard to kick in. It wasn't the only. I mean, we got. Literally, we do the whole thing. I know. I know. So let's go back to the beginning. Let's. Let's jump in the time machine and go back to the beginning of the show and John Cena coming out.
- [29:36]
Megan Morant
Surprise. Right? We didn't think we'd see Cena.
- [29:39]
Sam Roberts
I knew. I thought we would see Cena be. Only because I saw the Phoenix merch, which, by the way, thanks for leading me into that organically. If you like that Phoenix merch, you can get it on WWE Shop. Did you know that?
- [29:52]
Megan Morant
I sure did.
- [29:53]
Sam Roberts
That's true. You can get all the Phoenix merch right now on WWE Shop. It was. It was themed, I think after the Phoenix Suns. Purple, orange, looking really, really cool. Of course, all the farewell gear, uh, goes over to WWE Shop. This is all super ultra collectible stuff. Yeah. I mean, this is the third shirt this weekend. He had Bakersfield. You, of course, had Los Angeles. Now he's got Phoenix. The T shirts, the socks, the wristbands, the hats, everything, all available on WWE Shop. And of course, Father's Day. Father's Day.
- [30:29]
Megan Morant
Don't forget for you.
- [30:30]
Sam Roberts
Yes. Father's Day is this weekend. I'm hoping for a lot of John Cena shirts.
- [30:35]
Megan Morant
I go shopping.
- [30:37]
Sam Roberts
I want all of them. I want my collection. You don't have to go shopping. WWE Shop has you covered. Just go. You just go to the website. Get the Superstar dad tees. The WWE dad sandals. I think they're slides. I don't think they're thongs.
- [30:53]
Megan Morant
You could wear the sandals with the socks.
- [30:55]
Sam Roberts
I would. I would. The John Cena socks and some WWE dad sandals. A hundred percent. What about the iconic dad316t shirt? All of it is up now. Whether he's a tribal chief or a certified legend. Show your dad he's the undisputed best with gifts worthy of a hall of Fame dad. All available right now, thanks to fanatics at WWE Shop.
- [31:18]
Megan Morant
So tribal chief or certified free.
- [31:22]
Sam Roberts
So I don't know if they have that second shirt, but you couldn't. I could tell you were like, I'm not gonna do it. I'm doing it, doing it.
- [31:29]
Megan Morant
I'm saying it. And I'm glad you did because you said certified. I was like.
- [31:36]
Sam Roberts
So punk. And Cena. Cena comes out and he says he's beating everybody, which, by the way, I don't know if he saw the show last on Saturday.
- [31:45]
Megan Morant
He didn't win.
- [31:46]
Sam Roberts
He didn't win.
- [31:47]
Megan Morant
Well, Logan Paul, you know his team didn't win. Yeah. And I think he. He'd be blamed that one on. On good old blame.
- [31:54]
Sam Roberts
Blame it on whoever you want. But I will say this for Jay uso. If John Cena and Jay USO are both in a match, Cena ain't winning. Who's the one guy that's been in both of the two matches that John Cena has lost this year?
- [32:08]
Megan Morant
They uso.
- [32:08]
Sam Roberts
Boom. And who's won those matches? Right. Royal Rumble and the Money in the bank tag, of course. We got the return of our truth. Who I mean, we'll talk about that, because that was unbelievable. Ron Killings, I put. I'm putting a lot of respect on his name, but this was a moment that we've been waiting for for a long time. And it was very different than the moment that we got at Elimination Chamber when Punk and Cena put hands on each other. You know, last year, at some point you said, what are John Cena matches I have to see? What did I say? Money in the bank, 2011.
- [32:49]
Megan Morant
Yes.
- [32:49]
Sam Roberts
That was top of the list.
- [32:50]
Megan Morant
Yes.
- [32:51]
Sam Roberts
Because that's one of my favorite matches ever. And I think that's. A lot of people say that story is just one of the most remarkable stories. The way it was all pulled off in that match was amazing. But this rivalry and the timing of.
- [33:01]
Megan Morant
It as well, unbelievable. What was going on with CM Punk, his contract, the pipe bomb promo.
- [33:06]
Sam Roberts
Absolutely, absolutely. Cena coming out and saying, I've beaten the best. And by the way, as he was saying that he's beaten the best, there was this, like, the crowd was chanting CM Punk real quick, before the music even hit. They said, you have not. We've been. And that's how you know how much people have been waiting for this. Punk comes out, and he has words for John Cena. He did point out the irony of the fact that Punk is more. He clarified that it may look like he's more of the defender of the establishment, whereas John Cena is anti establishment. But that wasn't the case. I think in simple terms, the irony is that CM Punk is the absolute baby face good guy, and John Cena is the absolute bad guy heel.
- [33:54]
Megan Morant
Well, Punk pointed out he's the voice of the voiceless. He. You know, he works for the fans, right?
- [34:00]
Sam Roberts
He said he wasn't a stand for tko, Correct? Yes.
- [34:03]
Megan Morant
And Cena, his real problem since he's returned is with the fans.
- [34:09]
Sam Roberts
With the fans. Punk said he wasn't here to kiss his final boss's ass, which that seemed unnecessary to me, but. But he said something interesting and. And there was something in John Cena's eyes. First of all, the way CM Punk and John Cena look at each other, very different than the way John Cena's looked at anybody else he's been in the ring with this entire farewell tour. There's a different energy, there's a different feeling towards CM Punk, and I think that that does come around with, like, with Cody, you're the. You're the new guy. You're the guy who wants to replace me. With Jey uso, it was like, come on, Junior, you're a tag team guy. I was the main event guy when you were just a tag team guy. Even with Randy Orton, it's like, we have history, but I was always the man. Well, after that, with Punk. With Punk, it was, we have history, and you're the guy. You're the one guy who threatened my spot. You're the guy who the fans said, no, no, no, no, we want him.
- [35:16]
Megan Morant
Well, and remember after the match with Randy Orton, when we talked about on this show how there was something in the. The facial expression of John Cena where it almost is like, is this really. Yes. Is this really how my last run is gonna go? And I almost felt like we saw another moment with John Cena today where Punk called him out, and it was like he was digesting that this is really who he is right now.
- [35:45]
Sam Roberts
Yes, yes. Punk saying last words you said to me were, I'm sorry before I lost consciousness in the elimination chamber. And he said, the reason you said that is because, you know, you knew what you were about to do was the wrong thing, and, you know you're doing the wrong thing. And there was this look on John Cena's face where it's like, yeah, yeah. It's almost like old John Cena flashes in for just a second. And that has happened on more than one occasion, I think. And that, to me, is extremely compelling. Punk says he's ready to become a monster, to destroy this monster. I can buy that. And then Cena says, let's do it. It's on like Donkey Kong, but not here. He wants to do it at Night of Champions, which, if we get that at Night of Champions. King of the Ring Finals. Queen of the Ring Finals, Cena versus Punk. This is the match. I mean, this is not a very short list of matches that it's like, we have to get one more of these. And Punk Cena is like, I mean, that's the match. Do you think Punk is the guy to take the belt back?
- [36:48]
Megan Morant
He could be. I mean, yeah, but this is a different John Cena than the one in 2011. It is very different.
- [36:59]
Sam Roberts
It is.
- [36:59]
Megan Morant
And I mean, he's. Look, I mean, Cena does deserve 17, right? He's the greatest of all time.
- [37:07]
Sam Roberts
No.
- [37:07]
Megan Morant
And now he's winning in a different way.
- [37:09]
Sam Roberts
You don't just get to have 17, and sometimes 17 if you win him. No, no, wait. No, you're cheating to win matches.
- [37:14]
Megan Morant
Yeah. Because he needs to reinvent himself if he wants to be selfish for his last run. Doesn't he hasn't. John Cena earned the right to do whatever the hell he wants.
- [37:24]
Sam Roberts
No, nobody earns. Nobody's bigger than the show. Nobody's earned the right to do whatever the hell they want, especially if they're taking up room in the top of the card. No, nobody's earned the right to just.
- [37:34]
Megan Morant
There could be an argument to be made.
- [37:36]
Sam Roberts
Okay, make it.
- [37:37]
Megan Morant
Cena just. He's coming back, right? He comes back.
- [37:40]
Gunther
Yeah.
- [37:41]
Megan Morant
The whole landscape has changed. A different way to win.
- [37:45]
Sam Roberts
You don't get to just ruin wrestling because you're like, well, I'm John Cena, so I get to ruin wrestling. It's like, no, you don't.
- [37:50]
Megan Morant
All the things that he's given us.
- [37:51]
Sam Roberts
No, you don't get that. You hate because he didn't create you. If he. Maybe if he created it, he could destroy it. But even if he had created it, it's now bigger than what he created because of us. So you've lost the right to destroy it because it's too big for one person to hold. No. No, John Cena has not earned the right to ruin wrestling. No, he hasn't.
- [38:14]
Chad Gable
Okay.
- [38:15]
Sam Roberts
That's where I stand. I'm glad you. And I'm glad you asked the question, and I'm glad you were someone who's.
- [38:20]
Megan Morant
The greatest of all time. Right. It's like, well, they've done their due.
- [38:26]
Sam Roberts
Tom Brady can just be like, no more football for anybody else. I'm going to make this. I'm going to make this thing suck.
- [38:31]
Megan Morant
Well, I mean, I had a real big problem when he left New England to go to Tampa, and the New England fans cheered for him because he's the goat. Oh, and then he can just turn his back on you, and you're still gonna cheer for him? Well, then I had a problem with it. A lot of other people just said, y. Yay. Yippee. Oh, it's Brady. I had a problem with it. Turned his back on New England.
- [38:51]
Sam Roberts
Okay, but now you're okay with Cena. You care more about New England than wrestling. What kind of villain are you, of all places?
- [39:00]
Megan Morant
I'm just. I'm just saying there's an argument to be made. Right?
- [39:02]
Sam Roberts
Yeah. And I, I.
- [39:04]
Megan Morant
And you're shutting it down.
- [39:05]
Sam Roberts
I'm completely shutting it down. But I'd love to. I mean, I love arguments, so I'd love to have it, but no, no, I'm on the opposite end of that spectrum. How about at the end of the whole thing, right? Where we may get this match at Night of Champions? May. And then Seth Rollins just appears. He doesn't have to say a word and has. Boy, is he owning. Being that money in the bank. Briefcase holder, green suit, green backing on the video screen, green. Everything just like almost being this force, this, this thing. And I think we talked about it on the money in the bank recap where it's like now every championship match. And we talked about it with Gunther, now we're talking about it with Cena, every championship matches. But then there's Seth, every single one.
- [39:47]
Megan Morant
Top of the cards heavy.
- [39:49]
Sam Roberts
Top of the card is heavy. And somebody that is, I think, making his way to the top of the card. Whether you like him or not, Michael Cole is Chad Gable. Chad Gable, our guest on on Raw recap. I think we're ready to go to him. Yes. Guys, before we go any further, I'd like to share a story with you. I was just walking around Los Angeles, you know, I was out there for money in the bank and I, I put my arms up in the air saying, finally, I made it. I'm in la la land. Oh, no. I realized I stunk to high heaven. It was embarrassing, it was humiliating. And then it was fear inducing because I realized what comes after the spring, the summer. We've got heat, we've got humidity right around the corner. I can't smell like this. However, I got the good news that Mando has just launched something that takes sweat control to the next level. I'm talking about the Mando deodorant plus sweat control. Solid stick. It's double protection. Finally, you get the odor control that you already love with Mando plus powerful sweat control. It's deodorant that is re engineered to stop odor before it starts. It doesn't just mask odor. No, it prevents it. 100% of study participants experienced all day odor protection. Mando is not about attacking the symptoms. It's about attacking the cause and taking out the symptoms altogether. Mando starter pack, I've got to tell you, is perfect for new customers. It comes with a solid stick deodorant. It comes with a cream tube Deodorant comes with two free products of your choice like the mini body wash or the deodorant wipes and free shipping as a special offer for listeners. New customers are going to get 20% off site wide with our exclusive code use code RAW recap. That's raw recap@shopmando.com for 20% off site wide and free shipping. S H O P M A N D O.com Please support our show and tell them we sent you. Mando's got you covered with deodorant plus sweat control. Say goodbye to sweat stains and hello to long lasting freshness. The world is full of tours. But you don't choose a Toyota truck.
- [42:11]
Chad Gable
To follow the beaten path. You choose it to find the places.
- [42:16]
Sam Roberts
In between.
- [42:18]
Chad Gable
The detours where each adventure.
- [42:21]
Sam Roberts
Pulls you toward the next.
- [42:23]
Chad Gable
And wrong turns turn out right.
- [42:27]
Sam Roberts
So why would you ever take a tour when you could take a detour? Toyota trucks. We welcome to the RAW recap. Coming straight to us from Phoenix, fresh off of his match with AJ Styles, Chad Gable. Chad, first of all, thank you for making the time. Not, you know, an overly successful outing necessarily tonight, but after the weekend that you had, kind of amazing that you would step into the ring with the man that some would say is the greatest to ever do at A.J. styles.
- [43:04]
Chad Gable
Well, that's very kind of you to say that. First of all, to acknowledge the weekend I had. It was, I mean, I, looking back on it now, I hardly had time to reflect on it, but it was kind of maybe the most special day of my entire career. Now that I reflect on it, just such a, a whirlwind, you know, going down to AAA and doing something new that felt really fresh and just something I've never done before. Totally new experience was really unique to me. And wrestling a guy I've never wrestled before in front of a crowd, that really felt different for those that maybe were even in the building or, or watching on YouTube, you know, it even felt like a different crowd. So it was such a unique day for me overall. And it just coming out the other side, let's, why not have one more awesome match with one more incredible freak of an athlete, you know?
- [43:56]
Sam Roberts
Yeah. I mean, it kind of like I feel like for a long time, like those of us that have been following you and following your career, it's been this sort of like, why won't they just let him do what we see that he can do? Why won't they just, like open the gates? Why? And now it feels like they have. And it feels like watching for me anyway, that you keep getting put into these positions where it's like, okay, you think you're that good? We think you're that good. But let's find out. Like you said, let's put you in there with Vikingo for a triple A audience. And by the way, the whole show is kind of an experiment in the sense that, like, we don't know what this is going to do. It happened to do unbelievably well and have the biggest YouTube audience that the WWE has ever had live. Um, but, like, for you going into this stuff, do you process that idea that, like, man, everything is sink or swim, or do you go out there with the confidence of, I mean, an Olympic athlete?
- [45:00]
Chad Gable
So I look at it in this way. The pressure you alluded to is there. I consider pressure a privilege, right? Some guys might crumble under it. I consider it a privilege. And it drives me. You know, I. I don't beg for opportunities. I. Which may be sometime to my detriment. But what I'm good at, I think, is taking advantage of them when they're presented to me. And so the AAA thing above almost, maybe any other one I've almost ever gotten, was an opportunity and pressure like I've never felt. Because it's this new relationship that we've started with this company and this thing that we're trying to build it. Like, so, to me, it's like a special thing. Like, we're building this together from the ground up now, this new version of it, right? Or the new take on it. And so that falls on my shoulders as being the first part of the first main event. And so, hey, man, if you think pressure is a privilege, this is like, pressure like never before. Because you better deliver and show that you did. And I think we did that by the numbers we produced. People obviously enjoyed the show. I thought it was knocked it out of the park. Everybody. Every other guy in that locker room that night. You could tell they came to make an impact, to show the world a new audience that maybe had never seen any of them before. This is who I am. This is what I do. And this is Lucha. This is aaa. And they did just, like, above and beyond what I could have even expected to deliver that. And now the buzz is out there, right?
- [46:33]
Gunther
So it's cool.
- [46:34]
Chad Gable
The thing was created, we did it, but now there's buzz on top of that. Like, did you see that first one? Wait till the next one, and it's just going to get bigger and bigger.
- [46:41]
Sam Roberts
I also think that. And you hit it, right? You hit the nail on the head when you said, this is Lucha. Because I think in times past, a move like this would happen, and the move would be to bring WWE style to Triple A. And that was clearly not what was going on. Like, your job was to get in there and be a name that people recognize and somebody that can deliver an amazing match to show the world what AAA is, is doing. So when you realize, like, okay, I have to, like, wrestle lucha style with one of the best to ever do it in Vikingo, and in such a way where it's like, like you just said, we're introducing this whole wrestling world that we've curated, a lot of whom have not seen AAA before, to what makes this promotion so great. Do you sit and, like, spend a lot of time watching tape? Do you. Have you been following the product from the beginning? And we're kind of ready to. To kind of get your hands on it. Like, how do you.
- [47:40]
Chad Gable
A lot of time would be the understatement of the year. I'm such a wrestling nerd, like, to a degree that I think a lot of people don't even know. So if you go back to, like, the 90s, like, I. If you traded tapes in the 90s, I bet you got something from my house, right? Because I was a massive tape trader. I watched everything. But even going back to, you know, recently, I had just become infatuated with a lot of the lucha stuff because I got such a. So heavily involved with guys like Ray and Dragon Lee and Penta, of course. And so I went back to my roots, started watching that stuff again. And I've been watching just. I almost became a scholar for Lucha libre over the past, like, six months, because I, like, go down and walk on my treadmill every morning, right? Every morning. It's part of my routine.
- [48:26]
Megan Morant
So.
- [48:26]
Chad Gable
But on the TV in front of me, what I'm watching is lucha libre from, like, 93, 94, or Ray stuff and Psychosis from you, their first matches before anyone heard about the ECW matches that got so famous. And so, like. And it's not just those everything. And so, like, yeah, to. To be able to now come and contribute to this version of aaa, which I thought stayed very authentic to what they do, what they did before. This is just such an honor. And. And I took it as a personal challenge to adapt my style.
- [48:58]
Sam Roberts
Not.
- [48:58]
Chad Gable
Not so much say, oh, I'm going to wrestle, you know, this specific style and do these moves because it's lucha. But say, you know what? Vikingo is a guy that has a style that I've never wrestled before. He's got moves that I've never faced before. Let's see what he's got. And I'm going to react and respond in my own way. It's almost like art, you know, it's like you just flow with it, you go with it.
- [49:21]
Megan Morant
And.
- [49:21]
Chad Gable
And what you got was something that I think was our audience was just not used to, and they're going to fall in love with Megan.
- [49:27]
Sam Roberts
I'm so hoping that we have Post Office receipts somewhere, because the idea of Sam Roberts and Chad Gable at one point in our lives exchanging wrestling tape.
- [49:36]
Megan Morant
Got to look at that.
- [49:37]
Sam Roberts
I mean, it's very, very possible. There's no question about it happened that it did too well.
- [49:42]
Megan Morant
And Sam, you brought up, you know, a lot of the WWE audiences is not familiar and hasn't been following Triple A. And Chad Gable, you were really that one of those links, right? We were familiar with CH matches. How much of a responsibility did you feel on your shoulders heading into World's Collide to kind of bring these two audiences together?
- [50:02]
Chad Gable
Yeah, as I said, like the, like, pressure, right. And I like the privilege of being that conduit between, like WWE's main roster product and now this evolution of AAA, but also maintaining the balance between what Triple A was and its history and now bringing this to it. What a privilege and an honor to be asked to do that. And a heavy, heavy, high pressure day that I think was just. I. I thrive in those situations. Like I said online, it, like, it gives me life, man. Like, I felt so alive that day, just with the opportunity, with the atmosphere, with what was in front of us. It's like you're on the doorstep of something that. That's going to be really big. And there's very few and far between are those days that feel like that, like in the building where, you know, you know, something big is just happening. You're. You're in the middle of it, it's happening. And that was one of those days. It was really cool.
- [51:00]
Megan Morant
Did you go back and watch it already?
- [51:02]
Chad Gable
I've seen clips. I haven't even had time to go back and watch it. I've been running wild since then, doing some things here and there, but also traveling and, you know.
- [51:12]
Sam Roberts
Yeah, it's been. It's been a busy time. I mean, and somehow, by the way, psychology has never escaped you either. Who. How did you know that Grande Americano would really need a fireball ladder? Like, what kind of strategy went into the fact that the fireball ladder? Because in all the tapes that I've traded, I never saw. Well, I never saw Grande, but yeah.
- [51:34]
Chad Gable
You must have not got any of the stuff from, like, the. The late 60s, you know, early days, earlier days of Lucha libre, when Grande was really hitting his stride back then. I mean, people don't know this. Grande was involved in some of the earliest ladder matches before anyone that claims they invented them ever were around. And these things were Gnarly, dude. We're talking down. We're talking like dusty dirt road type ladder matches that you've never seen before. Grande's been doing this for years, so when he's seen, he's seen our product, he knows. Well, we got the typical ladders. We got the eight footers, the 10 footers, the massive twelves. But he knows how to elevate the game, baby. So, yeah, he saw the chance at the fireball and said, that's my ticket.
- [52:18]
Sam Roberts
What do you think of. Of Michael Cole going out of his way? I would listen. I've gone on record. I think the guy's a hater. Okay? And I've said that before, and I'll say it again. Yeah, you agree?
- [52:30]
Chad Gable
Well, I heard there was an extensive conversation about my nipples on that pay per view broadcast. So let's put an end to any Chad Gable nipple talk right now. Well, you know, I don't try to hide them. No, nothing to hide now, you know, like, so what are you telling me? You're going to match someone's nipples? Because you can. I mean, ridiculous.
- [52:53]
Sam Roberts
I mean, I just can't imagine Grande in there breaking his back for the entertainment of all of us. And the voice of the WWE is too busy comparing nipples to superstars. I mean, that's crazy.
- [53:05]
Chad Gable
What are we doing here?
- [53:05]
Sam Roberts
What are we doing?
- [53:07]
Chad Gable
All right, now I'll tell you who I do respect. Pat McAfee. That guy's a genius.
- [53:13]
Gunther
You think?
- [53:13]
Chad Gable
So, what he's talking about, trust him, Take him at his word, face value. Everything that man says, take it to the bank, baby.
- [53:23]
Sam Roberts
The boots. The boots that you lent Grande Americano. I saw you tweet about it. People were like, oh, you know, Grande was wearing Chad Gable's boots. It said Chad Gable on the boots. And you said, why? Loaned him boots, did you? Number one, did you get those back? And number two, are they in some kind of, like, place of esteem in your home to be like, you know, this Lucha legend actually wore my boots. That's huge.
- [53:46]
Chad Gable
Yeah, well, they're in a place of. They're not in a place of esteem. They're just tucked away because I can't wear them no more. He's got slightly bigger feet than me, so stretch out. Last thing I would do is risk an ankle sprain. But I was happy to do it. I mean, I always carry an extra pair with me. I'm a professional. Grande, he's been around the block, he's been around longer than I have. But sometimes those guys let that get the Best of them get full. I was happy to do it. You know, he. He asked me to be kind of his mentor, show him the locker room, show him how it works around here. What, am I going to say no to the guy? He needs a pair of boots. You want him wrestling barefoot? No, no, nobody does. No one wants to see that.
- [54:23]
Megan Morant
He has a, you know, impressive performance from Grande over the weekend in the Money in the bank ladder match, but obviously he didn't walk away with the briefcase. So now he has to go back to the Dr. Come up with another plan to earn a world title. Have you talked to him at all about maybe putting the mask on the line for a world title opportunity?
- [54:44]
Sam Roberts
Mask versus title?
- [54:46]
Chad Gable
Should that really be necessary? Are we really, like. Like, has the man not proved himself enough? I don't even know that he's been pinned yet since he's been made his debut here in wwe, Right? And we're already talking about. Oh, to get a chance at a title, you've got to put your most prestigious thing that you own on the line. Like, let's. Let's dial this back a little here, okay?
- [55:08]
Sam Roberts
And, Megan, that's very disrespectful of lucha culture, too. Yeah, yeah, I was just.
- [55:11]
Megan Morant
I mean, he didn't walk away with the Money in the bank briefcase, so I was. I was just.
- [55:15]
Chad Gable
He hardly walked away from the match at all. Did you see how much damage he took? Did you see what they did to him? Unjustly, unfairly walk away with the briefcase? I mean, he's lucky to be walking today. Let's just put it that way.
- [55:28]
Megan Morant
He's walking, though.
- [55:30]
Sam Roberts
He's.
- [55:30]
Chad Gable
He's. He's getting around.
- [55:32]
Sam Roberts
All right, That's. That's. Can I tell you, too, what Biggie said on this podcast while we're talking about what these broadcasters. Broadcasters are saying, look at you.
- [55:38]
Megan Morant
This is like, gotcha journalism. Well, I see what this one, because.
- [55:41]
Sam Roberts
I think people try to get away with gossip.
- [55:43]
Megan Morant
Recap. What are we doing?
- [55:44]
Chad Gable
Sometimes the quotes are justified. I get it.
- [55:47]
Sam Roberts
Thank you. Thank you. He said. And you remember, he said it here on Raw. Recap. He said. Because I was talking about Grande and Chad as two separate superstars.
- [55:55]
Megan Morant
Well, they are. Yeah.
- [55:56]
Sam Roberts
And Biggie said, don't start that with me. I know every inch of Chad Gable's body. I've showered with that man.
- [56:04]
Megan Morant
He did say that.
- [56:05]
Sam Roberts
And when I see the body of Grande Americano, I know I'd never forget that body. He says.
- [56:12]
Chad Gable
Well, bodies change, as you know, age does a lot of things. To people. So, Biggie, I mean, no lies told there with. We share a locker room. Okay. Full disclosure, but we haven't shared an actual locker room like that in years and years. As you know, he's been. He's taken on other roles. I love the guy. He's doing fantastic. But I mean, I'm a few years older than the last time he saw me, so who's to say once he seen me recently in the shower? Okay.
- [56:43]
Sam Roberts
I don't know. Yeah, I have no idea. I would. I wouldn't even assume.
- [56:47]
Chad Gable
Well, yeah, yeah. Don't make assumptions.
- [56:49]
Sam Roberts
I wouldn't. I wouldn't. Yeah, yeah, I want to do that. Yeah, I think. Go ahead.
- [56:56]
Chad Gable
Let's cool it with this talk until you see me in the shower again soon. Okay.
- [57:02]
Megan Morant
Is that an invitation? A Biggie?
- [57:03]
Chad Gable
No, I'm just. No.
- [57:05]
Megan Morant
Okay.
- [57:06]
Sam Roberts
Yeah, no, it's just. He wouldn't know. Is it? Hey, listen, listen. I don't know if you read the Internet, but on Twitter there are people saying Chad Gable has shown himself to be possibly the best in ring wrestler in the industry right now. I don't know if you watched, if you saw the clip, but I mean, while we're talking about broadcasters saying inappropriate things, Conan, while he was doing the commentary for Worlds Collide, talked about the aura, the kind of presence that people like LeBron and Michael Jordan gave off, and he compared that in wrestling to people like Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Rey Mysterio, and then he put both Vikingo and you in that category.
- [57:55]
Chad Gable
I did not hear that.
- [57:57]
Sam Roberts
When you start hearing that praise about your work kind of finally coming to you.
- [58:03]
Chad Gable
Yeah.
- [58:04]
Sam Roberts
What do you think?
- [58:06]
Chad Gable
So I'm a little taken back by that because I hadn't heard that yet. Conan, obviously going back however many years, 30 years, is one of my favorites. And the way that he stayed involved with the industry and I think the amount of respect he's garnered, you know, just for opinions, is the way he thinks about what we do is on like kind of this next level tier that, that you kind of come to respect. So for him to say that first of all is what, what a compliment. But what I will say is I've gotten a lot of feedback from my peers just about the weekend that just happened and things like that. And personally, the, the type of guy I am, nothing, nothing in the world possibly means more to me than the respect of my peers.
- [58:49]
Sam Roberts
Right.
- [58:51]
Chad Gable
You could tell me what a great wrestler I am. I could hear it from the fans, even my peers telling me if they think I'm a Good wrestler. That means almost nothing compared to what they think of, like, my work ethic and dedication to what we do. It's kind of a. A different deal to me to know for. To know that I am actually projecting and doing what I want to be projecting, which is that this is what matters to me. This is everything to me, and it always has been. It's been my dream since I was, you know, 8 years old. It's what I've wanted to do and contribute, and the fact that I'm now contributing at a level that's getting praise and respect from the peers, like. Like, guys that I value up here, it just means more to me than anything else possibly could.
- [59:41]
Sam Roberts
That's awesome, man. Well, we love that you gave us some of your time here on Raw. Recap. You deserve a rest. I think maybe a couple days to figure out.
- [59:50]
Chad Gable
Can you get that for me?
- [59:51]
Sam Roberts
I don't know. I don't know if I have that kind of pull.
- [59:53]
Chad Gable
I don't.
- [59:54]
Sam Roberts
I don't know. But, yeah, I mean, to physically heal and also mentally kind of come back down to Earth. Earth and be like, wow, I just did that. So, yeah, you've earned it, man. Thank you so much. And.
- [60:04]
Megan Morant
And send our best to Grande.
- [60:06]
Sam Roberts
Yes, yes.
- [60:08]
Chad Gable
I got him on speed dial, baby. I'll get him. The master.
- [60:10]
Sam Roberts
That's great. Thank you, man.
- [60:12]
Chad Gable
Thank you, guys. Appreciate it.
- [60:15]
Sam Roberts
Look, we'll get right back to it, but we all know whether this time of year it can turn on a dime. It is so hard to know what to wear and to be stylish all winter long. You just see me in a hoodie and a pair of jeans. As soon as it becomes summer, I am lost. That was lost, I should say, until I found Mack Weldon. You know, one minute you're sweating through your shirt, and then the next, you wish you brought your jacket. You're going inside, you're going outside, you're getting things done in the yard. Mack Weldon has you covered with absolutely everything. Their new tech linen line combines the easy charm of classic linen with cool max technology to help you look and feel your best all season long. Listen, you want breathable clothes. You want something you feel comfortable, and you want. You don't want stuff that feels like it's. It's. It's. It's dragging on you or that you're sweating through it or anything like that. Mack Weldon is the answer. I got one of those Mack Weldon polos just because my wife wanted to see what I look like in a polo. I can't take the thing off. She's not even asking me to put it on anymore. I like wearing it so much. The breathable underwear. Oh, they're perfect. The sweatpants on a summer night, a pair of Mack Weldon sweatpants. There's nothing better, dude. Give your closet a breath of fresh air for spring. Go to mack weldon.com and get 25% off your first order of $125 or more. That's 25% off with promo code RAW RECAP at mack weldon.com promo code RAW RECAP. That was great. Thank you to Chad Gable. And I really do hope that at some point we traded wrestling tapes. I have to believe that we did.
- [61:55]
Megan Morant
You gotta go through the archives. And knowing you, you still have them.
- [61:58]
Sam Roberts
I'm sure I do. I'm sure.
- [61:59]
Megan Morant
I mean, I have somewhere in this basement.
- [62:01]
Sam Roberts
Absolutely. Well, you know what? It's all about moments. Chad Gable created a bunch of moments over the weekend. That's why you would trade wrestling tapes before there was YouTube, so you could have these moments and watch them over and over again. You know who's great about capturing those moments and saving them forever?
- [62:16]
Megan Morant
Tops.
- [62:17]
Sam Roberts
Yeah, that's exactly what I was gonna say. I can't believe you knew that. Topps does it better than anybody else. I'm talking about Topps now. You know, this weekend on the Money in the bank recap, we were talking about how the winners were going to get Tops now cards, which are available for a couple few days and then done. You can get all kinds of limited edition, serial numbered, parallel versions of cards, signed versions of cards. But you just. You go on, you order, and they make them right away. So we have the Naomi card here. This is the Naomi card available now@tops.com as well as cards from Seth Rollins, from Logan Paul. Stay on the lookout for more cards from the biggest Moments from Money in the bank and Worlds Collide. I don't know if you know this Mr. Iguana is getting a. Got a Tops now card.
- [63:10]
Megan Morant
I need it.
- [63:11]
Sam Roberts
I saw it. Mr. Iguana has a Tops now card. You go on, you get the Mr. Iguana. I do. I don't know if there is one. I would love a green refractor on the Mr. Iguana. I just think that that would be. I mean, you talk about the color match to end all color matches.
- [63:28]
Megan Morant
Mr. Iguana was the star of the weekend.
- [63:30]
Sam Roberts
He set the world. Don't let Chad Gable hear you say that. He set the world on fire. And you can. You can cherish that whole weekend via Tops. Now just go follow ops on social media and subscribe to notifications on tops.com so you don't miss out on any of these releases. And you say that Mr. Iguana was the man of the weekend, and, you know, I don't think anybody would disagree with you. And he was a lot of fun. But who was the man that everybody was talking about?
- [64:04]
Megan Morant
It was our truth. And everybody's been talking about our truth for the last week.
- [64:08]
Sam Roberts
You know, and I was thinking, too, after we did our pod, like, literally after we did our money in the bank recap pod, and we talked about it on that podcast, but since then, Saturday night, all day Sunday, all day Monday, it's just this conversation that I'm having with wrestling fans. What's real, what's fake, what was planned, what was.
- [64:34]
Megan Morant
And this is all part of the story. Was he ever released? Did his contract expire? What happened?
- [64:42]
Sam Roberts
The what's real, what's not real conversation? It doesn't matter. I don't remember. Well, no, but the conversation is the best. I don't remember the last time there was this vehement of a conversation about what's real and what's not real. But when you can get there, it's the magic of pro wrestling. It's just the like. Like, like experiencing that and going through it again, I felt. I mean, you almost feel like you're watching the NWO again. Something like that. You're like, I don't know. I'm lost in this world where reality and storyline just completely merged together, and you're, You're. You're back into what captivated you about wrestling to begin with.
- [65:29]
Megan Morant
And when fans feel like their voice is heard, it makes fans want to use their voices even more, which I think is really fun about wrestling.
- [65:38]
Sam Roberts
And guess what? Their voices were heard. Our voices were heard. That is what happened. And our truth comes out tonight. And the conversations. And we had it on the money in the bank pod, that tweet came up, and I said, it said, ron Killings. I said, what is this all about? R. Truth pops out of the audience again tonight on Raw. And he gets up and he credits the fans for bringing him back. He said, they heard you. They understood you. They felt you. And now the truth is back. Everybody loves our truth, but he might be too funny sometimes, might be too forgiving sometimes. And all of a sudden, he takes out this. These scissors. And I go, I mean, you were with me.
- [66:26]
Megan Morant
No, no, he's not gonna cut his hair, is he. No, there's no way.
- [66:30]
Sam Roberts
And he takes those clumps of braids and just snip, snip. And cuts all of his braids off and lets the world know. You think I'm a gimmick. You think R. Truth is a gimmick. You think I'm a sideshow clown. By the way, all this stuff too forgiving. If you think I'm a gimmick, if you think I'm a sideshow clown. All of it is pointed right at John Cena. He's the one who's saying this stuff. But the fact that he takes his hair off and then says Ron Killings is here I am the truth. And you're going to need to put some respect on my name. And it's not my bad. It's not like, you know, who can say the most ridiculous thing? It's not. I'm wearing a silly costume.
- [67:20]
Megan Morant
He wasn't confused whatsoever.
- [67:22]
Sam Roberts
I'm going to tell you something. People have been in love with R. Truth for a long time. Am entertained by R Truth. You love R Truth.
- [67:29]
Megan Morant
Yes.
- [67:30]
Sam Roberts
Ron Killings is a former world champion. Before he was R Truth, when he was Ron Killings, he was a world champion. This is who Ron Killings is. And he has the ability to be this entertaining guy. He has the ability to. To sing, to Joe, to laugh, to.
- [67:54]
Megan Morant
Be a 247 champion.
- [67:56]
Sam Roberts
And by the way, take a title that most of us thought was a hideous idea. Let's just be honest and make it something. Take something that we're all saying this stinks, and turn it into something that's like must see television.
- [68:13]
Megan Morant
It's also like, in what world would our truth ever be in the Judgment Day and make it work? Sure, we thought it was just a funny one or two off, but at a point. But it was probably my favorite iteration of the Judgment Day.
- [68:29]
Sam Roberts
No, no, Dominic Mysterio. But at a point. At a point. You do go number one. What is this all being paid off to? And number two, maybe I'm not as appreciated as I thought I was. Maybe I need to remind people who Ron Killings is. Like, did you guys think that this is all I had to offer? I mean, based on what? Truth, Killings, whoever he was saying tonight, it felt way more like he probably would relate to the things that Gunther was saying than the things that anybody else was saying. You know what I mean? And I just. I just think the idea that we now get the opportunity to see this side of the person that we called our truth is compelling. Is an understatement. I was literally getting texts just saying, this is great. As Truth was up there doing his thing. It is. So. I mean, Megan, this was a great episode of Raw, and we are all of a sudden heading into summer at 250 miles an hour.
- [69:31]
Megan Morant
Yeah. I mean, we just got off of Money in the Bank. Not this weekend, but next weekend. We have King and Queen of the Ring, Night of Champions.
- [69:40]
Sam Roberts
Yeah. And we've already got people qualified for that tournament. We have Roxanne Perez go in there. We have. We have Sami Zayn going in. We have Liv Morgan, who's got issues with Roxanne Perez, but now also has issues with Nikki Bella. We're about a month away from Evolution. We got. I mean, it's nuts how much is going on right now.
- [69:59]
Megan Morant
Bailey return.
- [70:00]
Sam Roberts
Bailey. How do we not even mention Bailey returned and attacked Becky Lynch.
- [70:04]
Megan Morant
Crazy.
- [70:06]
Sam Roberts
We could do a whole second Raw recap podcast. But for now, this is where we will cease. We appreciate all you guys. Make sure you're subscribed across all audio platforms. Spotify, Apple, wherever you get podcasts. Make sure you're also checking us out on the WWE YouTube channel every single week. And, and, and hitting thumbs up and hitting like. And telling your friends, hey, there's this great WWE podcast the WWE is letting Sam and Megan do in their basement. I don't think any of the higher up are watching, but it's amazing what they're saying. Tell them all, we'll see you next week right here on Raw Recap.