Raw Recap with Sam Roberts and Megan Morant

Full Clash in Paris Preview

Podcast: WWE x Fanatics Podcasts
Date: August 28, 2025
Special Guest: Big E

Episode Overview

This lively special edition of Raw Recap ditches the usual week’s match breakdowns to focus entirely on previewing the upcoming Clash in Paris event. Sam Roberts and Megan Morant are joined by fan-favorite analyst and former WWE superstar Big E. Together, the trio engages in passionate debate about which match deserves the main event spot, breaks down the deep stories woven into every top bout, and analyzes what’s at stake for WWE’s biggest stars in Paris. Expect colorful storytelling, first-hand anecdotes, and plenty of playful banter, all delivered with signature WWE energy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Should Main Event Clash in Paris?

(Starts: 01:27)

• Sam Roberts immediately dives into the overarching debate: with five “mega, mega ramifications” matches, which should be the main event?
  • “I think you could make an argument that John Cena vs. Logan Paul main events this show... I personally think you could also make the argument that Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed could main event the show.” (01:29)
• Big E backs the Fatal Four Way World Heavyweight Championship (Rollins vs. Punk vs. LA Knight vs. Jey Uso):
  • “For me that is the main event and is worthy of the main event and just seeing the dynamic as well. I think there’s so much. It’s very juicy from a story perspective as well.” (02:26)
  • Points out the open chance for interference: “This is a match in which there is no disqualification... interference can happen at any moment with no repercussions.” (03:35)
• Megan Morant highlights how future storylines and the outcome of matches earlier in the show may redefine which main event feels best:
  • “Let’s say Rollins retains the championship in the Fatal Four way... and then at the end of the night... Bronson Reed absolutely decimates Roman Reigns. Maybe that is something to put at the end of the show.” (09:17)
• Big E also advocates for John Cena vs. Logan Paul, especially given Cena’s retirement tour and the Paris crowd:
  • “Because we have been promised this retirement tour by John Cena and we’ve... gotten heel John Cena. Now we have baby face... John Cena finally back his last time in Paris against Logan Paul.” (06:10)

2. Fatal Four Way World Heavyweight Championship

(Timestamps: 02:26, 11:03, 12:25, 14:38)

• Key players: Seth Rollins (champ), CM Punk, LA Knight, Jey Uso.
• Sam: Confident this should main event because it’s the core title, and it’s filled with combustible elements.
  • “If we’re relegating the world title to an opening match... I don’t love that.” (07:43)
  • Outlines each competitor’s arc:
    • LA Knight: Will he finally break through the “glass ceiling”?
    • Jey Uso: Is he destined for top status, or just a merch-mover?
    • CM Punk: Rejuvenated and focused since returning.
    • Adds unpredictability with Paul Heyman, possible alliances, or betrayals: “Could we see a Jey USO decide to side with the Vision? Could we see LA Knight do the same? Could we see CM Punk get back with his old friend Paul Heyman? That’s what I love...” (11:03)
• Megan: Wonders if Jey Uso’s confidence is strong enough:
  • “If we see a Jey Uso who is a little shaky in his confidence... I don’t think Jey Uso walks out as world champion.” (14:38)
• Big E: Adds that the outcome may reshape the entire WWE landscape post-Paris:
  • “Nobody really knows what after Clash in Paris looks like.” (10:51)

3. John Cena vs. Logan Paul

(Timestamps: 06:10, 17:00)

• Big E:
  • Argues for Cena’s farewell as a main event, praising Logan Paul’s performance level:
    • “This is the greatest of all time. And I would love to see him main event a show in Paris. Why not?” (06:10)
• Megan:
  • Loves “babyface” Cena and compares the match to Cena’s classic rivalries:
    • “That heel version of John Cena no good at main events... Baby face John Cena. Main events. Great main events.” (07:06)
  • Praises Cena’s soul-crushing promo style:
    • “It’s soul crushing John Cena... He’s like, I know we’ve been having fun, but I’m the smartest person here, and I see everything. And here I’m serving you on a platter. The truth... ‘You’re not an outsider. You’re a parasite.’” (17:00)
• Sam:
  • Shares personal anecdotes about Cena’s “dad energy” backstage:
    • "When Dad Cena appears, I'm telling you, there is something so soul crushing, it makes you feel like a small child again..." (17:40)
• Everyone recognizes Logan Paul as a disruptor:
  • “It doesn’t matter if Logan is a parasite or not... He is someone who’s clearly just here for himself... but he’s come in, he’s been a disruptor, he’s gotten his viral moments.” —Sam (19:06)
• Big E and Megan highlight the wild card: the lingering Brock Lesnar storyline.
  • “I would love to see John Cena and Logan Paul because of the Brock Lesnar element.” —Big E (10:51)

4. Becky Lynch vs. Nikki Bella (Women’s Intercontinental Championship)

(Timestamps: 21:01–24:58)

• Big E:
  • Lauds Becky Lynch for “lifting others up” and continuing greatness through her career and current title run.
• Sam:
  • Challenges the narrative of Becky being the ultimate locker room leader for balance:
    • “Let’s not act, especially as a journalist, where. Where is the impartial journalism from you, Meghan? A little disappointing here.” (21:42)
  • Sees Nikki Bella’s return as a serious challenge, not just a nostalgia act:
    • “This is not the same Nikki Bella I knew... She’s grown a lot. She’s had a lot of life challenges to deal with, and I think she’s stronger for them.” (22:51)
  • Notes Becky’s “craftiness” and experience may be decisive.
• Megan:
  • Insists Nikki rapidly proved herself at the top, both in promos and physicality.
    • “Nikki Bella looks out of step or in the wrong position at all. So I’m… very much looking forward to it.” (24:58)

5. Sheamus vs. Rusev – Good Old Fashioned Donnybrook

(Timestamps: 25:51–29:00)

• Sam:
  • Wishes this hard-hitting contest got even more spotlight:
    • “If I was the commissioner of this thing... we would do weigh ins, they would be pack… I want to know how long their limbs are… I would love to be the one who, who measures a live measuring.” (26:14)
  • Explains Sheamus thrives on PLEs in Europe:
    • “Sheamus comes alive even more... Especially in Europe... He feeds off that energy.” (26:21)
• Big E:
  • Both men bring out the best in each other, and the violence will deliver:
    • “I've had several singles matches with Rusev in my career, and I think this version of Rusev hasn't lost a step... if you're looking at a dark horse match to be the one people are buzzing about afterwards, this is it.” (28:07)
• Megan:
  • Likens Sheamus’ brutal matches to “something Shakespearean.”
  • “Somehow turn, I mean, just utter brutality into something Shakespearean...” (29:00)

6. Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed

(Timestamps: 29:00–36:28)

• Megan:
  • Sees this as the start of a new Roman Reigns chapter after his dominant “Bloodline” saga:
    • “Everything that Roman Reigns has done since WrestleMania 40 has almost had an exhibition feel... for the first time since WrestleMania 40, feels like we’re getting that Roman story of what we’re finally getting. What is next for Roman Reigns?” (30:00)
  • Praises Bronson Reed’s rise and personality.
• Sam:
  • Highlights the “State of the Union” promo Roman cut, showing focus and hunger for more titles:
    • “I love knowing... I still want a world championship. I am not on the Cena goodbye farewell tour.” (31:49)
  • Stresses how this is a litmus test for Bronson’s career trajectory:
    • “Is Bronson going to be a guy we see at the top of the card... or is he a guy who flames out quickly?” (32:31)
  • Wants to see Bronson’s “mental resilience” in the all-important match.
• Big E:
  • All eyes will also be on Paul Heyman, teasing his shifting allegiances:
    • “I want that same all 22 camera but on Paul Heyman because we heard him say that he loves Roman reigns, that he misses his tribal chief. And I cannot wait to see how he’s going to react in Paris when the tribal thief takes on the tribal chief.” (36:09)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I feel like he's butting his head up against that glass ceiling and you keep waiting for him to break through. And I think having a great performance in Paris can allow him to break through also.”
  — Big E on LA Knight (03:05)

• "It doesn't matter if Logan is a parasite or not...he's come in, he's been a disruptor, he's gotten his viral moments."
  — Sam Roberts (19:06)

• "Sheamus has this very unique ability...to somehow turn, I mean, just utter brutality into something Shakespearean."
  — Megan Morant (29:00)

• "If he has one foot out against a guy like Bronson, it’s over...I want to see if mentally, when I think he's a great hammer, a guy who is really good when he's leading the charge...how do you react when you're the nail?"
  — Sam Roberts on Roman vs. Bronson Reed (32:31)

• “All eyes for me will be on Paul Heyman...when the tribal thief [Bronson] takes on the tribal chief [Roman].”
  — Big E (36:09)

• “You’re out there. And I feel like that message had to be delivered loud and clear on that Monday night Raw show. That was the last Raw before Clash of Paris. When you've got La Knight now getting into it with Punk and being fed up and not only having that confrontation…”
  — Megan Morant (12:25)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:27 — Debate: Which match should main event?
• 02:26 — Fatal Four Way as main event; breakdown of participants
• 06:10 — Big E’s case for Cena vs. Logan Paul as main event
• 09:17–10:51 — How match outcomes could shuffle the main event; Lesnar as wild card
• 12:25 & 14:38 — Fatal Four Way’s combustibility; Jey Uso’s mindset
• 17:00–19:06 — Cena vs. Logan Paul promos; “Dad Cena” moments
• 21:01–24:58 — Becky Lynch vs. Nikki Bella; title history, expectations
• 25:51–29:00 — Sheamus vs. Rusev Donnybrook; European energy, brutality
• 29:00–36:28 — Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed; state of Roman, Bronson’s test, Heyman intrigue

Summary

This packed preview thrives on honest, energetic analysis, combining deep knowledge of WWE’s storytelling with personal experiences and wit. The hosts make clear that Paris will be an unpredictable, history-making night, with every top match bringing both stakes and spectacle. Whether you care about the main event slot, the rise of new stars, or the emotional gravitas of veteran goodbyes, this episode is a must-listen for WWE fans eager for Clash in Paris.