Raw Recap with Sam Roberts and Megan Morant

Episode: John Cena shows NO REMORSE in last match with Randy Orton: Backlash Recap
Date: May 11, 2025

Overview

This episode of "Raw Recap" dives deep into WWE Backlash, focusing on John Cena’s controversial win over Randy Orton in what’s billed as their final match. Hosts Sam Roberts and Megan Morant debate Cena’s actions, the emotional aftermath, and the match’s historical context. The episode also features a lively interview with United States Champion Jacob Fatu, quick takes on Raw’s other marquee matches and moments, live reactions to press conference chaos between Cena and R-Truth, and special guest analysis with Big E.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. John Cena vs. Randy Orton – A Bitter Final Chapter

• Historical Perspective and Emotional Weight

  • The hosts set the scene, highlighting the significance of Cena vs. Orton as a generational rivalry finally (ostensibly) coming to an end in St. Louis.
  • Sam reminisces about their origins from OVW, noting how their respective paths seemed different but led to the same destination: “It was just two different ways to go to the exact same destination. ...John Cena is the one the era is defined by.” (06:09)

• Match Breakdown & Cena’s Actions

  • The match is described as a classic, three-act wrestling story with both signature finishers hitting at the same time (Attitude Adjustment and RKO), escalated violence (tables, belt shots), and multiple referee knockouts.
  • Notably, Cena opens the bout feigning sportsmanship but pokes Orton in the eye—a role reversal for the two.
    • "Who would have thought in their last match, Randy's the one who trusts John for the handshake, and John's the one who shoves his thumb in Randy Orton's eye." — Sam Roberts (09:04)

• Controversial Finish & Aftermath

  • Cena retains via low blow and a belt shot, leaving fans deflated.
  • Post-match, Cena appears conflicted, potentially remorseful:
    • “He looked...exhausted. He looked like he was questioning...this is kind of how it ends. ...You wonder if he's starting to have a little bit of that buyer’s remorse.” — Sam Roberts (06:09)
  • Megan picks up on the ambiguity:
    • “There was a moment on his face, it said to me, ‘Is this really the way I'm saying goodbye?...Is this really how I'm closing the book on St. Louis?’” (07:32)

2. Backlash Chaos – Interference & Authority Breakdown

• Nick Aldis & Mass Official Mayhem
  Multiple refs get knocked out, Nick Aldis and a horde of agents attempt to restore order, but Orton delivers RKOs all around—evoking "Stone Cold in ’98.”
  • “I thought it was stone cold in '98. I couldn't believe it.” — Sam Roberts (15:20)
• R-Truth’s Shocking Involvement
  R-Truth runs in, eating an RKO in a futile attempt to aid Cena (“he cost Randy Orton the WWE Championship,” per Sam) (18:09).

3. Cena Press Conference – R-Truth Confronts Cena

• [48:08-51:59]
  • Live, John Cena attempts a rare display of contrition, claiming he wants to be “more accepting and empathetic,” when R-Truth interrupts to congratulate him, jokingly adding, “Even if people say you suck and can’t wrestle.”
  • Cena, incensed, assaults R-Truth with an Attitude Adjustment through a press conference table.
  • Sam explodes: “What a piece of garbage. What a bad guy. I told you he's a bad guy. This guy sucks.” (50:22)
  • The segment cements Cena as a heel in the eyes of the hosts.

4. Jacob Fatu – United States Champion Interview

[21:55-39:42]

• Sam and Megan welcome Jacob Fatu ("fresh off a successful defense") for a heartfelt, high-energy interview.

Highlights:

• On Finally Making It in WWE

  • “It's mind blowing. ...To hear that [fans chanting Fatu], man, it's mind blowing. ...That’s our last name. ...God damn, does it feel good, though?” — Jacob Fatu (23:09)

• On Pride, Family, and Distinguishing Himself

  • “You're gonna feel everything that I've been through. ...When you bring up my name, you're going, ‘Okay, yeah, we know who USO is.’ You know, we know his story...But that ain't even just my story, man. There's a lot of young cats out there...” (24:24)
  • On taking moves from his family: “What's new has been forgotten...I'm just taking a little bit something from my family and just added it, you know, just giving my own ...flavor.” (29:02)

• On His Signature Moonsault

  • “Gangrel, he had me doing it with no crash pad...By the grace of God, you know, everything's been going smooth, but it's just me more believing in my work, believing in my craft...” (30:51)

• On Bloodline Drama & Solo Sikoa/Jeff Cobb

  • Jacob demurs on the Solo/Cobb alliance developments: “I'm gonna keep it 100. I don't even want to speak on that...I can't tell you if I don't know anything...” (35:03)

• Vision for the Future

  • “Let's not forget who I was in the ring with...These men had made a name for themselves...So I feel like I stepped up my game....Whoever want it, come on, come get it. ...My whole life has just been happening organically, you know, just going with the flow, but also just playing my position...” (37:54)

5. Lyra Valkyria vs. Becky Lynch – Women’s Title Drama

[47:01-54:46]

• “Get them wangs out!” — Sam, referencing Lyra’s signature look and persona (47:01)
• The hosts praise the storytelling: Lyra defeats her idol Becky in a hard-fought bout (including a notably difficult second-rope moonsault).
• Becky, showing sour grapes, attacks Lyra post-match and tries to break her arm:
  • “Becky lynch is just making enemies everywhere...She tried to break her arm after breaking her nose. ...Becky lynch, the bad guy.” — Sam Roberts (55:12)

6. Pat McAfee vs. Gunther – Special Guest Analyst: Big E

[58:29-63:47]

• Big E joins to analyze Pat McAfee’s gutsy but doomed effort versus Gunther.
• “Look, anyone who does this for a living...Even me...It's been three years since I've been in the ring—to expect that I could just get off the couch and wrestle Gunther...I would expect that I would also be stretchered out.” — Big E (59:16)
• Praises Pat’s heart, noting that Gunther eventually had to put him to sleep—a parallel to Gunther’s finish at WrestleMania.
• Big E and hosts agree Gunther's post-match “nod” suggests respect and closure.
  • “I think he gave them the nod saying, this is behind us. Let's move forward.” — Meghan Morant (66:51)

7. Dom Mysterio Retains Intercontinental Title (vs. Penta)

• Dom gets cheered (“over 17,000 in St. Louis”), despite Megan’s preference for his previous heel heat (69:31).
• Finn Balor’s interference backfires (he "farted around" too long with a chair and gets Judgment Day ejected).
• Discussion of Penta’s entrance (“Coolest in WWE, I’m saying it.” — Megan, 70:20), Grande Americano’s interference, and speculation on alliances.
• Sam notes the deeper backstory tying Chad Gable and Dom via lucha libre connections (73:06).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Cena-Orton's Ending (07:32):
  “There was a moment on his face...is this really the way that I'm saying goodbye to all these...for a moment?” — Meghan Morant

• Cena’s press conference heel turn (50:22):
  “What a piece of garbage. What a bad guy. I told you he's a bad guy. This guy sucks.” — Sam Roberts

• Jacob Fatu’s gratitude (23:09):
  “To hear that [fans chanting], man, it’s mind-blowing. ...God damn, does it feel good, though?”

• On being himself (27:15):
  “I feel like people gravitate [to] me because just I’m myself...be yourself.” — Jacob Fatu

• Big E on Gunther-McAfee (59:16):
  “To expect that I could just get off the couch and wrestle Gunther...I would expect that I would also be stretchered out.”

• Becky Lynch’s “passing of the torch” refusal (55:12):
  “She's not interested in passing the torch, and she told us so much.” — Sam Roberts

Important Timestamps

• Cena vs. Orton main segment: 00:03 – 20:28
• Jacob Fatu interview: 21:55 – 39:42
• John Cena press conference & R-Truth brawl: 48:08 – 51:59
• Pat McAfee vs. Gunther w/ Big E: 58:29 – 63:47
• Lyra Valkyria vs. Becky Lynch recap: 47:01 – 54:46
• Dominik Mysterio match & aftermath: 69:27 – 73:54

Tone & Style

• Humorous, passionate, and fan-focused.
• Sam is often melodramatic and direct—calls Cena a “bad guy,” mocks antics, and revels in wrestling chaos.
• Meghan provides thoughtful, sometimes empathetic counterpoints and fuels playful debates, especially about R-Truth and Dom Mysterio.
• Banter is fast-paced, packed with jokes and allusions, but grounded in real wrestling insight.

Summary Conclusion

This jam-packed Backlash recap episode captures the chaos, emotion, and underlying storylines shaping WWE on Netflix. The ending of the Cena-Orton rivalry blends nostalgia, heel drama, and possible regret, while the interview with Jacob Fatu brings raw authenticity and family pride to the fore. Cena’s on-air explosion and the explosive press conference moment with R-Truth define his new villainous edge. Analyses of Pat McAfee’s effort, Becky vs. Lyra’s torch struggles, and Dom Mysterio’s evolving relationship with the fans round out a true “backstage pass” to the current state of WWE’s Monday Night Raw.

For more reactions and fallout, listen to the Raw recap every week—new episodes drop Monday night after Raw on Netflix.