Punk & Knight go from partners to opponents at Clash in Paris: Raw Recap, August 11, 2025

Summary

Raw Recap with Sam Roberts and Megan Morant
Episode: Punk & Knight go from partners to opponents at Clash in Paris: Raw Recap, August 11, 2025
Release Date: August 12, 2025
Hosted by WWE x Fanatics Podcasts

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1. Opening Breakdown: The Crowded Heavyweight Title Scene

The episode kicks off with Sam Roberts highlighting the intense competition for the World Heavyweight Championship at Clash in Paris. He remarks, “First between LA Knight and CM Punk, and then LA Knight and CM Punk and Jay Uso... we’re at the point where you've got superstars that are arguing as to who gets that first opportunity” (00:16). Megan Morant echoes the sentiment, noting the unexpected alliances formed on Raw, such as CM Punk teaming up with LA Knight and Jey Uso.

2. General Manager Adam Pearce’s Emotional Interview

A significant portion of the episode features an interview with Adam Pearce, the General Manager of Monday Night Raw. Pearce passionately addresses Seth Rollins’ deceptive actions, stating, “Seth Rollins lied for weeks on end... now he has a chance to look everyone else in the eye and prove he belongs in the upper echelon” (02:43). He emphasizes the legitimacy of the upcoming Fatal Four-Way match, saying, “Clash in Paris, we find out if Seth freakin Rollins is the World Heavyweight freakin Champion” (05:15).

3. The New Day’s Quest for Redemption

Megan Morant brings attention to The New Day's frustration regarding their tag team championships. She humorously references Xavier Woods' expensive hat acquisition, “...Xavier Woods requesting that you refund the $12,087 plus shipping for his designer hat” (07:25). Adam Pearce dismisses the expense, quipping, “I can't believe that any person would pay 12 grand for that thing” (08:13). The discussion underscores The New Day’s continued pursuit of the tag titles, with Pearce asserting, “They want a world Tag team title match, they're going to earn it” (08:46).

4. Paul Heyman and Seth Rollins Alliance

The conversation delves into the strategic alliance between Paul Heyman and Seth Rollins, with Adam Pearce expressing concern over their combined power: “Bronson Reed wrecks everything in his path... guided by a Hall of Famer” (10:32). The hosts speculate on the implications of this partnership, highlighting the potential dominance Rollins could exhibit at Clash in Paris.

5. Women’s Division Highlights: Roxanne Perez and Roxanne’s Victory

A pivotal moment discussed is Roxanne Perez pinning Iyo Sky in a match that even Rhea Ripley hasn’t achieved: “She [Roxanne Perez] pick pinned Eosky. This is something that even Rhea Ripley has not done yet” (54:58). Sam Roberts praises Roxanne’s performance, stating, “Anytime you've seen Roxanne Perez in these big spots, it’s almost as if she knows, no, this is exactly where I'm supposed to be” (58:11). Big E adds, “This win for Roxanne is massively important... she’s going to continue to prove to people now she's picked up a lot of losses along the way” (55:21).

6. Bailey’s Career Crossroads

Big E provides insightful commentary on Bayley’s current state, noting her feelings of being lost despite her accomplishments: “She hasn't held a major title in quite some time... she is not someone who is willing to go quietly into that good night” (50:13). This segment sheds light on the emotional and professional challenges faced by seasoned performers in WWE.

7. The Rise of Dominik Mysterio and Triple Mania

The hosts explore the unexpected collaboration between Dominik Mysterio and El Grande Americano, drawing parallels to CM Punk’s earlier career: “They look different, they dress different, they sound different, they wrestle different. But the spirit, there's a similarity there” (29:51). Sam Roberts speculates on Dominik’s potential double championship status, “It's not a long shot chance either” (43:58), highlighting his strategic prowess and in-ring intelligence.

8. The Shoe-Stealing Antics of Bronson Reed

A lighter yet intriguing topic is Bronson Reed’s antics of stealing shoes, adding a layer of comic relief to the intense narrative: “He [Reed] cut a whole promo about, I'm going to keep taking your shoes... you better show up in nothing but socks” (66:16). Big E humorously discusses the possibility of Roman Reigns adjusting his footwear to avoid Reed’s ploys, enhancing the rivalry's entertainment value.

9. Final Thoughts and Future Outlooks

Concluding the episode, the hosts express excitement for the upcoming Clash in Paris and Triple Mania, anticipating high-stakes matches and dramatic developments. They emphasize the evolving dynamics within WWE’s roster, the emotional journeys of its superstars, and the relentless pursuit of championships that keep fans engaged and invested.

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Notable Quotes:

• Sam Roberts (00:16): “First between LA Knight and CM Punk, and then LA Knight and CM Punk and Jay Uso... we’re at the point where you've got superstars that are arguing as to who gets that first opportunity.”

• Adam Pearce (02:43): “Seth Rollins lied for weeks on end... now he has a chance to look everyone else in the eye and prove he belongs in the upper echelon.”

• Adam Pearce (05:15): “Clash in Paris, we find out if Seth freakin Rollins is the World Heavyweight freakin Champion.”

• Megan Morant (07:25): “Xavier Woods requesting that you refund the $12,087 plus shipping for his designer hat.”

• Sam Roberts (54:58): “She [Roxanne Perez] pick pinned Eosky. This is something that even Rhea Ripley has not done yet.”

• Big E (50:13): “She hasn't held a major title in quite some time... she is not someone who is willing to go quietly into that good night.”

• Sam Roberts (29:51): “They look different, they dress different, they sound different, they wrestle different. But the spirit, there's a similarity there.”

• Sam Roberts (66:16): “He [Reed] cut a whole promo about, I'm going to keep taking your shoes... you better show up in nothing but socks.”

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the Raw Recap episode, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners and fans eager to stay updated on WWE happenings.

Transcript

[Megan Morant]

With the American Express Gold card, I can earn four times membership rewards points at US Supermarkets. So with all these groceries, I'm also getting points. Learn [e-mail] US Explore Gold Terms and points Cap apply.

[Sam Roberts]

Seth Rollins was just given not one, not two, but three opponents for Clash in Paris. Roxanne Perez gets a victory over Iyo Sky. Becky lynch winds up on top again. We've got Big E on the show, we've got Raw general manager Adam Pearce on the show, and so much more. This is WWE Raw recap. A WWE and Fanatics original production Megan Morant. What an episode of Monday Night Raw on a show where we were sitting here trying to figure out who's in what line and what the order of that line is. First between LA Knight and CM Punk, and then LA Knight and CM Punk and Jay uso. I mean, we've talked about how crowded this world Heavyweight title scene is, but now we're at the point where you've got superstars that are arguing as to who gets that first opportunity, and at the end of the night, it's everybody.

[Megan Morant]

And we saw CM Punk working together with La Knight working together with Jay uso because, as Corey Graves put it, my friend of my enemy.

[Sam Roberts]

No, my.

[Megan Morant]

My enemy. I'm going to screw this up.

[Sam Roberts]

No, my. My enemy's enemy is my friend. Are you sure? Positive.

[Megan Morant]

The enemy of my friend is my.

[Sam Roberts]

No, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Why would the enemy of your friend be your friend?

[Megan Morant]

All right, this is very confusing to me, but we saw all of these guys working together.

[Sam Roberts]

We have a special guest here to shed some light on what's going on. Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time on Raw recap, the general manager of Monday Night Raw coming off of yet another, by the way, chaotic ending to an episode of Raw, Adam Pierce. Adam, what's in the bottle?

[Adam Pearce]

This would be agua H2O. This is the nectar of the gods. And yes, I do need a drink. Thankfully, I got one. It's the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

[Megan Morant]

Thank you so much. I mean, were you just as confused as I was watching what transpired tonight at the end of Monday Night Raw?

[Adam Pearce]

Confused in what way?

[Megan Morant]

I mean, the world Heavyweight title pitcher is awfully crowded. We saw, you know, different Superstars working together that I personally never thought that we would see operating on the same page. I mean, especially after last week on Monday Night Raw. I thought CM Punk and La Knight had problems. Apparently they don't, but they're both after the same thing.

[Adam Pearce]

You Know the thing about what we saw tonight, at least if you're looking through my eyes, granted, I'm not wearing my glasses now, is I saw opportunity. Seth Rollins lied for weeks on end and had the entire world believing, including his child, believing that he was injured, in need of surgical repair and was on the shelf. And now we're a couple weeks removed from the biggest ruse that he has pulled over anyone's eyes. I have known that man for 20 years. He looked me dead in the eye week after week after week and lied. He lied. So now he has a chance to look everyone else in the eye and prove. Prove that he belongs in the upper echelon. Prove to the world that he is what he indeed says he is, the World Heavyweight Champion in that Clash of Paris, we are going to find out because it's going to get down to the get down in Perry.

[Sam Roberts]

Everything that you're saying is true and I can't wait as a spectator for this Fatal Four way. And ultimately that is your job to put on the best matches for the audience. But at the same time, ever since SummerSlam specifically, it feels like you've been leading very emotionally, and it doesn't feel like the general manager of a show, generally speaking, should be leading with emotion.

[Adam Pearce]

And whose opinion is that? That's your opinion.

[Sam Roberts]

My opinion.

[Adam Pearce]

Your opinion. Well, your opinion don't be squat to me how that sound.

[Sam Roberts]

Okay. All right.

[Adam Pearce]

I lead with emotion for a simple reason, right? 30 years I've spent in this industry at every level and every person that I encounter on Monday Night Raw has either worked with me or for me before we set foot in wwe. So I have an intimate knowledge of all of these men. I have seen them at their low head and here we all sit at the top. So you're damn right I lead with emotion. I wear my heart on my sleeve every day of my life because I love what I do and I love the people I do it with. So do not insult me, Sam Roberts. I. I don't feel my size thirteens, brother.

[Sam Roberts]

It's the last thing I want. I do not mean to insult you. What I ask is, is your making this match, this Fatal Four way match, are you making this match because CM Punk, Jay, USO and L A Knight are equally entitled to this opportunity? Are you making this match to punish Seth Rollins?

[Adam Pearce]

Opportunity is the opportune word. And if Seth Rollins feels like he's being punished. Oh, Paul Brace, Ito, Seth Rollins, you lied to the entire world. You looked into the eyes of your daughter and lied. You told The WWE Universe, by virtue of your action that you were on the shelf, you carried the money in the bank briefcase, and I will extend this bit of congratulations in pulling off the greatest ruse of the modern era. And you walked in and stole, and I use the word, you stole, the World Heavyweight Champion. And now you will prove that you are worthy of calling yourself the World Heavyweight Champion. And if that sounds emotional, it's because it's filled with emotion. Clash in Paris, we find out if Seth freakin Rollins is the World Heavyweight freakin Champion.

[Sam Roberts]

It seems like Raw is. Is one of the things that makes Raw. Raw. Is the amount of chaos that you have on your show even unique from smackdown. Smackdown has its share of chaos, but there is nothing like the chaos that happens week in and week out on Monday Night Raw. Is that something that you try to harbor or is that something that is out of your control?

[Adam Pearce]

There's a fine line right between control and chaos. I love to say that Monday Night Raw is controlled chaos. We see it week in and week out. I embrace it for what it is.

[Sam Roberts]

The world.

[Adam Pearce]

What do they do when something happens like happened tonight? You heard it as well as I do. What do they chant when my referees and my security run out there every single time? What do they chant? Let them fight.

[Sam Roberts]

That's true.

[Adam Pearce]

Let them fight.

[Sam Roberts]

Yeah.

[Adam Pearce]

It doesn't matter what city, what country, what continent we're on. That is a constant that remains. Let them fight. Adam Pierce lets them fight. So we can second guess. And Monday morning quarterback after the fact. All we want. I am giving the people what they want. I'm giving the superstars what they want. And the chips fall where they may. Period, point blank.

[Megan Morant]

Well, two superstars that haven't exactly gotten what they've wanted from you are the new day. They've been asking for a rematch to get back the tag team championships. I saw today on social media Xavier woods requesting that you refund the $12,087 plus shipping for his designer hat. And you know you are headed to Clash in Paris. It's. It's a. A culture that really revolves around fashion. How do you. How do you feel about disrespecting Xavier woods the way you did and. And not granting the new day a title match?

[Adam Pearce]

Did you see the sombrero he wore last week?

[Megan Morant]

I don't. I don't think. I don't think it's appropriate to refer to that as a sombrero.

[Adam Pearce]

And let's see the contraption that sat upon his head last week.

[Big E]

You.

[Sam Roberts]

If I remember correctly, Megan you said it was a trampoline.

[Megan Morant]

It looked similar to the chandelier.

[Adam Pearce]

The man. The man wore a trampoline, in your words, on his head and is talking about anyone disrespecting him. No, the mirror. And anyone with two eyes that can see would say that he disrespects himself. Now, I'll ask you this and listen, I'm not taking anything away from the new day, Their acumen, what they've done. They are the most decorated tag team in WWE history. Right?

[Megan Morant]

This is true.

[Adam Pearce]

Am I right?

[Sam Roberts]

Yes. Yes.

[Adam Pearce]

They've earned the accolades. Did they grant a rematch when they were their last grasp on the world Tag Team title? Did they want to give a rematch to anybody? Did they want to give an opportunity? I played ball with them. I didn't force them into situations. But now the shoes on the other foot. They lost the gold and they want it back. Great. I want them to be hungry. I want all my Superstars to be hungry. But they're not going to come in and demand rematches because the goose, dude. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. You get what you give in our business, period. They want a world Tag team title match, they're going to earn it. That's the only what's going to happen. Sombrero, trampoline or not. And I can't believe that any person would pay 12 grand for that thing.

[Megan Morant]

I think it was 12,087 plus shipping.

[Sam Roberts]

I mean, when you're as decorated as the new day, you got a pretty significant hat budget. They've done very well for themselves, obviously.

[Adam Pearce]

His hat tonight, by the way.

[Sam Roberts]

Oh, I saw a picture of it. Yeah, I guess it was your. It was very small, very.

[Adam Pearce]

I'm gonna date myself. But did you watch Popeye when you were a kid?

[Sam Roberts]

Absolutely, yes. He had the little tiny.

[Adam Pearce]

That was what brother had on his head tonight.

[Sam Roberts]

That's exactly right. What are we doing?

[Adam Pearce]

How much does that thing cost, Megan?

[Megan Morant]

I'll have to check social media. I. I haven't seen that one yet.

[Adam Pearce]

El Twitter. I said hi.

[Sam Roberts]

What? What did you. I mean, listen, clearly you've taken a lot of what Seth Rollins has done personally, and that's not a shot. I don't blame you for it. What is it like now that Paul Heyman and Seth Rollins are on the same team? Do you. Dealing with Superstars is one thing, but dealing with Superstars representatives is another thing. How is it dealing with Paul Heyman in trying to deal with people like Seth Rollins, Bron Breaker, Brunson Reed.

[Adam Pearce]

Paul Heyman is a bona fide hall of Famer. We know this. He's a genius at what we do and has been for decades on top of decades. This is a nightmare on top of a nightmare. Egos run wild. Bron Breaker, the future of our industry. A pedigree that is perhaps unmatched and hasn't even scratched the surface. Big Bronson Reed wrecks everything in his path. Has yet to be stopped. Now has a Hall of Famer guiding him and Seth freakin Rollins. I said everything I wanted to say about Seth earlier. Multiply it by a thousand when you. When you add the Oracle. Is that what we're calling him now? The Oracle?

[Sam Roberts]

I believe he referred to himself earlier tonight as the adorable Oracle.

[Adam Pearce]

Good God almighty. Somebody get me a little something stronger than this, please. It's Nightmare on top of Nightmare, there's four of them. They run roughshod. I don't know if there's any force in our universe, in the WWE Universe, or in the Milky Way galaxy that's going to stop him. Someone needs to step up. There is a grand opportunity at Paris and one of those four men is going to walk out of the ring with the World Heavyweight Championship. And if it's Seth Rollins, I will look him in the eye and I will shake his hand. And I will say, you have proved me wrong and you are the World Heavyweight Champion. We'll find out what happens in Paris.

[Sam Roberts]

I believe that you'll do that. It doesn't seem like that's something you specifically want to do. It feels like you would prefer if maybe one of the other superstars were to win that championship. When you're standing there at ringside and you come out and you've made your decision, you're going to let Seth know, okay, you've lied again. Cause he said he had gone home. He's lied again. He's ruined the main event for your show. Now he's trying to injure Superstars. He comes out there and you go, good. Well, guess what? You've got now. A fatal four way. You've got no champions advantage. You've got three opponents now at Clash. But immediately, I mean, immediately following that announcement, Seth and Bronson and Braun. Annihilate isn't the word. All three opponents, they annihilate. Jay uso, they annihilate CM Punk. Bronson Reed was fish hooking his mouth before he got stomped. And they annihilate L A Knight. When you're standing there at ringside realizing even after that announcement was Made that you're looking at these three men do what they've been doing and just kind of, I mean, for lack of a better term, take the law into their own hands. What goes on in your head, it's.

[Adam Pearce]

An uphill battle for anybody that's going to set foot in line with those guys, okay? And I just handed the greatest opportunity in the world to Jey uso, to LA Knight and to CM Punk. Men I have known for years, okay? They all have the common enemy. It's Seth freakin Rollins. And they know what they're up against, okay? Bottom line is I can make the match official. We still have to get to Paris. Who's going to pull up their boots and lace them as tight as they can? Who is going to measure themselves against the very tippy top of our industry today? And that's a freaking Rollins. Which one of those men is going to look him in the eye and take the gold? Because that's what it's going to take. And as I said, if Seth somehow, some way weathers that storm at Clash in Paris and holds that gold over his head, I will be the first one to congratulate him, period.

[Sam Roberts]

Before we. Before we let you go, there's another group that has caused chaos, generally not on. On Raw, but over on smackdown. That was on your show tonight. What was solo? What were solo.

[Adam Pearce]

So, yeah, why is all this not sitting here?

[Sam Roberts]

Okay, right.

[Adam Pearce]

So I called the man, right? He brings up. Well, Sammy was on smackdown last week. Yeah, we talked about Sammy being on smackdown last week. All this is the one that put him in a match.

[Sam Roberts]

Yep.

[Adam Pearce]

There's nothing to do with me. That's one. Sami Zayn. I got the MFT here showing up unannounced, right? You tell me all this. Didn't know anything about it. He sure acted like he didn't.

[Sam Roberts]

I don't buy that.

[Adam Pearce]

Not one bit. So, no, I don't like surprises. I have enough chaos. As you said so eloquently earlier, on Mondays. I don't need the mfts sticking their nose in here. And since then, oddly enough. Have I called all this back? He doesn't answer. I wonder why that is.

[Megan Morant]

Oh, it's weird.

[Sam Roberts]

Is it weird? It's strange. That is strange. I mean, it's a big incident involving his Superstars. It's strange that he wouldn't pick up the phone. Yeah, Control.

[Adam Pearce]

When was the last time you saw my RAW Superstars running a rough shot on somebody else's show? Don't answer that.

[Sam Roberts]

Yeah, yeah, I won't I won't. I won't.

[Megan Morant]

Even with all the chaos, though, you have on Ron Raw, how thankful are you that you do not have to deal with Chelsea Green every single week?

[Adam Pearce]

You just. You are batting a thousand tonight.

[Sam Roberts]

Megan, did you see.

[Adam Pearce]

Did you watch the program tonight? I know the answer is yes. It's rhetorical. I know you watched it. Then you bring up, literally, the. The name. Are you old enough to have gone to school when there were blackboards in the room?

[Megan Morant]

Of course.

[Sam Roberts]

Chalkboards. Remember those?

[Megan Morant]

Yes.

[Adam Pearce]

So you know the sound when the teacher perhaps would screech her fingernails across the chalkboard. Do you remember what that sounds like?

[Megan Morant]

I do.

[Adam Pearce]

That's what you've just done to me.

[Sam Roberts]

Why'd you do that?

[Adam Pearce]

I need a drink. And I'm gonna go get one. Good night and God bless.

[Sam Roberts]

Thank you, Adam Pierce.

[Adam Pearce]

You're welcome.

[Sam Roberts]

Yeah, you didn't have to ruin that again. You ruin all our interviews.

[Megan Morant]

I was trying to put a positive spin. He was saying, you know how chaotic Raw is. I'm like, well, at least you don't have to deal with Chelsea Green.

[Sam Roberts]

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[Megan Morant]

You know what gets me every single Monday?

[Sam Roberts]

What the.

[Megan Morant]

Thank God for the new day Instagram post.

[Sam Roberts]

You like that?

[Megan Morant]

I'm obsessed with.

[Sam Roberts]

Even though they're very rude on this show, they're, like, extremely rude. Not to me, I guess that's a good point.

[Megan Morant]

Not to me, no. I love the. Thank God for the new day. I loved Xavier Woods's post, and I. I guess I. I underestimated this new fashion trend.

[Sam Roberts]

It's not a trend. I haven't seen the hat on one other person. That's why we had to stop everything and talk about the hat last week.

[Megan Morant]

Maybe the hipster. That's the people.

[Sam Roberts]

You think they're in Brooklyn wearing. Wearing $12,000 hats.

[Megan Morant]

They definitely. People wearing $12,000 hats now. Hats that look like that, right? $12,000. Don't know.

[Sam Roberts]

I think it's $12,000 hats that are designed to look like $15 hats.

[Megan Morant]

That's right.

[Sam Roberts]

But they actually cost $12,000. That's probably more accurate. But yeah, we did see. I mean, you know that they're. All three of them now have this beef with Penta because I guess Pento disrespected the hat. So, I mean, the new day, like what. I don't know what they're doing. The new day have gone from mourning the tag team championship.

[Megan Morant]

I think they're still mourning.

[Sam Roberts]

I think so, too. But they've completely. I mean, they've lost focus because now they're going. You know what our real beef is with the guy who disrespected the hat. I hope they didn't see last week's show because they would hate. You know what? Both of us, you included, no matter how much you want to rewrite history said about that hat. But I am glad you brought it up with. With Adam Pierce. And I noticed you didn't do any ball jokes because he seemed like he was not in a great mood.

[Megan Morant]

I thought about the ball jokes, but then when I messed up that friend of friend of enemy, you know, that I got off to a bad start. So I was like, you know, I'm going to. I'm going to save those ball jokes for another day because I could get a blonde joke.

[Sam Roberts]

That's true. He could hit you right back, and you're not ready for that.

[Adam Pearce]

No, no, no, you can't.

[Sam Roberts]

You can't handle that. Look, I mean, I do think that I, you know, I don't know if being a general manager like Nick Aldis on smackdown, he doesn't lead with emotion. He's almost got. There's almost a stoicism to Nick Aldis. There's almost something paternal about Nick Aldis. Whereas, like, you know, Adam Pierce is more of a like, uncle who comes into town, like a whirlwind, you know what I mean? And I'm listening to both of them, like Uncle Buck. I don't know if it's my Uncle Buck or maybe it's. It's the uncle from Christmas vacation who has.

[Megan Morant]

He's in the RV outside the house.

[Sam Roberts]

Yeah. With the. With the hat and the robe on. You know, it's full. So I don't know. I don't know. But it's just two different styles of leading. And. Yeah, I mean, it seems like. I mean, maybe Adam Pierce is just a far more emotional guy because he was emotional right there. But I do not believe that in any way, shape or form does. I think the match is being made because he does not want Seth Rollins to be the World Heavyweight Champion.

[Megan Morant]

Yeah, it seemed like this was sort of payback, right? He's punishing Seth Rollins for lying and.

[Sam Roberts]

You go, are you punishing Seth for lying on the show? Are you punishing. Because he said, I've known Seth for 20 years, I've known. Are you punishing Seth for his behavior on the brand, or are you punishing because you were lying to me? Because that's totally personal.

[Megan Morant]

Or is this about everybody else in the locker room?

[Sam Roberts]

And I wasn't going to bring it up because he seemed like he's a bad mood. But what you do in a Fatal four way now is technically, yes, you've got Seth looking right down the barrel with no champions advantage at three of the best in the industry. Two, technically, two former World Heavyweight Champions. Even though Punk was only five minutes, he still counts. And one guy who fans have been waiting to have the World Heavyweight title on for, it feels like a year now. They've been asking to give LA Knight a run with this championship. And those are the three people that Seth Rollins is looking at. However, while there is no champions advantage in a Fatal four way, one of the reasons for that is because there's no disqualification in a fatal four way, which means Braun Breaker and Bronson Reed become huge assets to Seth Rollins in a match like this. And also it makes it so that when we start talking about, like, what could happen in this championship match at Clash in Paris, that has to be part of the conversation.

[Megan Morant]

I mean, you can't have the conversation of Seth Rollins defending his title in a no DQ match without talking about Paul Heyman, without talking about Bron Bronze. You just can't, can. You can't. But you know, this is punishing Seth Rollins who do you think benefits from this? Because to me, it seems like L A Knight does.

[Sam Roberts]

Well, how so?

[Megan Morant]

LA Knight had a World Heavyweight Championship match last week, right. That he deserved because of what happened at Saturday night's main event.

[Sam Roberts]

He did deserve it. I also think it was made because Adam Pierce was mad at Seth Rollins, but he did not. It's not to say he didn't deserve the match, but the match was made in that moment because Anna Pierce is really mad at Seth Rollins.

[Megan Morant]

Punk comes in, interferes in the match.

[Sam Roberts]

Ruins it for LA Knight.

[Megan Morant]

Correct. We think there's.

[Sam Roberts]

Although Punk and Punk saying, I was going to. That your head was going to get smashed in the concrete.

[Megan Morant]

Not wrong.

[Sam Roberts]

You know what I mean? He probably wouldn't have won after that, but regardless, wouldn't have, couldn't have. These are all hypotheticals until they actually happen.

[Megan Morant]

To me, though, it seemed like LA Knight wasn't going to get an opportunity for a little while.

[Sam Roberts]

I don't know. I mean, look, it's possible you're possibly right, but the argument amongst all of those guys, Jay uso, that kind of came out of nowhere. Jay USO wasn't even on. I didn't know that this was what he was after. Jey USO wasn't on RAW last week. And all of a sudden, like, LA Knight is patrolling this building. And maybe that's why you were like, oh, maybe because he's too worried about it. You think that he's the one who's most likely to lose his spot in line. Because that's what it was all about for two and a half hours. Louisiana Knight going door to door across this locker room, making sure everybody knew that he was next in line. Except both Jay USO and CM Punk were like, no, no, I'm going to go next. I'm not going to. No, I'm not lining up behind you.

[Megan Morant]

And when CM Punk and Jey USO say that, I.

[Sam Roberts]

So you're saying. You're saying. Because, Jay, why do you say that LA Knight would not have been successful in getting his spot at the top of the line because he's not a former champion.

[Megan Morant]

Partially, yes.

[Sam Roberts]

Because he got his match most recently. So it's almost like, okay, well, we'll get back. We will get back to it.

[Megan Morant]

He just had the match at Saturday night's main event. He just had the match at Monday Night Raw. Now, obviously, both of those endings, wonky cross. Correct. But he had two chances.

[Sam Roberts]

Yeah.

[Megan Morant]

So at some point you say, I'm sorry, but you had two chances.

[Sam Roberts]

We'll get back to it.

[Megan Morant]

That's right.

[Sam Roberts]

I understand this didn't go how you.

[Megan Morant]

Wanted it to go, but there's many other people.

[Sam Roberts]

Except then does La Knight then turn around? Like, let's say they had gone. Now we're going into hypothetical lane. But let's say they do go. Okay, well, then CM Punk, you're going to get it. Does LA Knight go, Cool, I'm going to ruin that one then.

[Megan Morant]

Probably.

[Sam Roberts]

Probably, Right?

[Megan Morant]

Yeah.

[Sam Roberts]

And it was, you know, I mean, it's interesting because you said, when you're talking about with Adam Pierce, you said, I thought they might have a problem with each other, but apparently they don't because they get in the ring together. Right. And Ross starts first. Ross starts with the announcement about Naomi, which we'll. We'll get into, but that's still kind of a mystery. You know, Stephanie Vacair even made reference to it. And we don't know where that's going to go. But CM Punk gets in the ring and says he has a Seth Rollins problem. And, you know, to be fair, CM Punk has a pretty solid argument at going like, yeah, I deserve, like a legitimate World Heavyweight Championship match. I won that title at SummerSlam.

[Megan Morant]

And CM Punk is really, if you really want to dive into it, he's had a Seth Rollins problem since he returned to WWE.

[Sam Roberts]

100%, he has.

[Megan Morant]

I mean, Seth Rollins said long ago that he would make sure that CM Punk never holds a championship.

[Sam Roberts]

Maybe he meant for longer than five minutes.

[Megan Morant]

Yeah. While he's in wwe. And then all of a sudden he's holding the championship and here comes Seth Rollins.

[Sam Roberts]

That's true. But that's to say maybe, you know, not only did Seth call his shot and execute on it, but that Money in the Bank. I know everybody thought Seth had a knee injury, and everybody was like, well, Seth's not going to be here at SummerSlam. But there's not that many people who know the Money in the bank rules better than CM Punk.

[Megan Morant]

That's true.

[Sam Roberts]

Twice. Yeah, twice he was able to pull it off, but he didn't fake an injury to pull it off. So I guess that would be the difference. But he says he's going to get his title back, but then he's also going to break Seth's legs for real. That's what he says he's going to do. Now La Knight interrupts. And I feel like, you know, LA Knight does shake CM Punk's hand. LA Knight does go face to face with CM Punk. And I've got to tell you there's something very compelling about LA Knight and CM Punk together. I feel like there is a lot of CM Punk in LA Knight in terms of being that guy that maybe wasn't positioned to be top of the card guy the same way Punk wasn't positioned to be top of the card guy. But the fans reacted to in a certain way, demanded things in a certain way, and he went out and proved through his performances that this is exactly whether. Whether you have me penciled in here or not, this is where I'm going to go. And so I think that there is a similarity there in the ascension of LA Knight now and CM punk, you know, 10, 12 years ago.

[Megan Morant]

I love that you're pointing that out because I always thought the similarity was closer between Seth and CM Punk, but didn't draw it between LA Knight.

[Sam Roberts]

Yeah, I think so.

[Megan Morant]

I like that.

[Sam Roberts]

Yeah. Cause I think that Seth was a. Because of his involvement in the Shield, was a little bit more. Yeah, he's got the potential to be a main event guy. Whereas they didn't say that for CM Punk when he first.

[Megan Morant]

Definitely didn't say it about LA Knight.

[Sam Roberts]

He didn't say it about LA Knight. He's going to be a manager. And he had to prove him wrong. And the audience had to. Had to say, hey, we agree with LA Knight on this one. That's what we want at the top. And he had to kind of fight for everything the same way CM Punk had to fight for everything. They look different, they dress different, they sound different, they wrestle different. But the spirit, there's a similarity there. So that's why I find it very fascinating when you see these guys kind of head to head like this. And LA Knight is in there in deep waters. And I love that. I mean, that's the best when somebody goes, I deserve to be in this spot. And it's like, okay, let's see you in this spot then. And it's like it's a sink or swim. You're going mic for Mike in the middle of the ring in Canada with a hot crowd. That crowd was electric all night. And you've got to go now, Mike for Mike with the best guy on that microphone. The guy who made the pipe, he named the pipe bomb. It's like, you know, the same way Chris Rock coined the mic drop. CM Punk coined the pipe bomb. And it's like, now you got to go face to face. Now you're in deep waters. You show me what you got. And if you can have the audience believing that you should be the One to get that World Heavyweight Championship match, then you've done it. That's the way wrestling works for me. You know what I mean? And so. So I liked seeing that back and forth. I was surprised that L A Knight was not more aggressive with Punk, that he said, I don't want to have a problem.

[Megan Morant]

He shook his hand, and he continued to say it throughout his exchange with Punk.

[Sam Roberts]

Right.

[Megan Morant]

We don't have a problem.

[Sam Roberts]

We don't have a problem yet. We don't have a problem yet. You did this at the wrong place in the wrong time. And it's almost like coming off of Raw last week. I didn't think L A Knight would let Punk off with a warning, but at least he did at the beginning of the show, I think. I think there's a big difference between the beginning of the show and the end of the show. At the beginning of the show, he let Punk off with a warning, it felt like. But at the same time, I don't know, the Punk was taking his request seriously. You know, L.A. knight was saying, like, look, I'm next in line, but don't worry, I'm going to beat Seth Rollins. You're going to get the first shot. And I don't think Punk was taking that seriously at all. Now, it didn't seem like LA Knight did say, there's levels to this and you're not on my level. Which I was like, that's a. That's a bold move. That's a bold strategy. Let's see if this. Let's see.

[Megan Morant]

I mean, talking to CM Punk, of all people.

[Sam Roberts]

I love that. I love that. And before we could really get to the bottom of it, of course, ladies and gentlemen. And Punk just goes, I wasn't finished. I wasn't done yet. Here comes. This is where Paul Heyman.

[Megan Morant]

But we should also mention, though, in the exchange between LA Knight and CM Punk, a lot of talk about favors.

[Sam Roberts]

And I'm glad that Paul Heyman reference. That's the last person you want to talk to about favors, because CM Punk's favors will ruin your life. Because the end, by the end, you and I both reference this while we watch in the show. But, like, listening to Paul Heyman talk about what he's lost, he's standing right next to Bronson Reed and Bron Breaker.

[Megan Morant]

Bronson Reed is wearing the Shula fala.

[Sam Roberts]

Right? Right. Which Kathy Kelly claims ownership of, being the first person to think of that. I don't think she was, but I don't think so. But she's mad that I won't say that she was, but I don't think she was. But. But maybe she was. I don't think so, but Bronze has now got both pairs of sneakers around his neck. He's having a great time. Bron Breaker is having a great time. And all of a sudden, Paul Heyman is talking about what he lost. Paul Heyman is talking about what CM Punk's favor because it goes back to War Games last year and the slow disintegration of the relationship between Paul hey and Roman Reigns, where Paul Heyman finally got to WrestleMania this year and felt that he only had one choice because he had lost everything else because of this favor that he owed CM Punk that he promised him at Survivor Series War Games. But the way he was talking about losing his tribal chief, losing years of his life, losing his career, it was almost like when you're hanging with your girlfriend, your wife, and she starts talking about how painful her breakup was right before you, and you're like, is that painful? You know what I mean? Like, you still kind of. You still kind of hurt by this. Did I know? Did I know how much this was affecting you still? I feel very uncomfortable with this.

[Megan Morant]

I thought we were talking about the future of the industry. Right?

[Sam Roberts]

But you're okay now, right? Like, you're happy now? Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Megan Morant]

I'm glad you made that decision. No regrets, right?

[Sam Roberts]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. No regrets. No regrets. I was like, wait a sec. There's a little bit of a jilted lover in there.

[Megan Morant]

Yeah, I mean, I mean, awfully bold, too, when big Bronson Reed with the Shula follow around his neck and Braun Breaker are standing right next to you.

[Sam Roberts]

But I do think that Bronson Reed, the satisfaction of stealing two pairs of sneakers from Roman Reigns has probably made him deaf to any sort of negativity or criticism. You know what I mean? Like, look at the positive energy, just radiant radiating off of Bronson Reed. He literally said, tonight, I'm not going. I'm going to keep stealing your shoes. Like, he told.

[Megan Morant]

I was like, sam might have to, you know, like, give him some tips on collecting shoes. I mean, this entire basement that we're sitting in has boxes and boxes of shoes.

[Sam Roberts]

This is a professional studio. I mean, that might be over there, but, you know, you're. You're not wrong. I'm going to have to send him some of these boxes. You are to store them because there's no way he's going to carry him around his neck. He said, until Roman Reigns acknowledges him as the tribal Thief. He's going to take. Keep taking Roman Reigns sneakers.

[Megan Morant]

I saw a lot of memes this week of him, Bronson Reed just in a massive shoe collection, and they're not his. No, no.

[Sam Roberts]

I mean, it's crazy the way it's all going down. Um, but yeah, I thought all that was interesting. Now Paul Heyman, who this is where he calls himself the Adorable Oracle, which clearly Adam Pierce did not take kindly to, creates the tag match. And then Punk accepts the tag match. And then La Knight says, you can't speak for me, but I also except the tag match. And by the end of it. By the. By the end of it. And the announcement is now made that the four way match is happening at Clash in Paris by general manager Adam Pierce. That's when it's like. It's almost like Punk and La Knight don't have to pretend to like each other anymore.

[Megan Morant]

Yeah, because I thought our business here is done.

[Sam Roberts]

Right. I don't have to convince you that I'm next in line and you don't have to convince me that you're next in line. We're both next in line. Now I'm going to punch you in the face. And that's when they immediately went to blows. Now, I do think that it works in Seth's favor that in this case, you've got a situation where the danger would be that the three all have this common enemy and the enemy of.

[Megan Morant]

My enemy is my friend.

[Sam Roberts]

Nailed it. Nailed it, nailed it. Which is, by the way, what I said. But. But, yeah, that you would think they go like, okay, let's take Seth out and then we'll figure things out. But I think there's so much animosity between these three already that there's no. That strategy is not going to work.

[Megan Morant]

And I think they all want the World Heavyweight Championship so badly that they're unwilling to work together.

[Sam Roberts]

I think you're right. I think you're right. And look, maybe the reason that Bronson, Bron Breaker was not, you know, terribly affected at Paul Heyman, who was being terribly affected, is because he got a new T shirt. Have you seen the new Braun Breaker T shirt?

[Megan Morant]

I have not.

[Sam Roberts]

Badass Bron Breaker, ooh, has a new authentic tee at WWE Shop and Fanatics available right now. If you want to go. If you're going to celebrate Clash in Paris, if you're going to be at RAW in Philly next week, whatever you're going to do, if you just want to roll up and let your friends know who you. Who you support that new Braun Breaker, the badass Braun Breaker shirt is available when you head to WWE Shop. Check out all the new superstar TE's. Logan Paul's humble T shirt is available right now. You got the Roman Reigns OTC1, you got the Stephanie Vacair La Primera. All of it available right now at WWE Shop. And fanatics. This is the story of the one. He's responsible for keeping a leading healthcare facility clean and safe. And he trusts Grainger's high quality H vac cleaning and safety products combined with their world class supply chain to consistently deliver, ensuring he's covered inside and out so he can focus on keeping his facility clean to help protect the health of everyone inside. Call 1-800-GRAINGER clickranger.com or just out by Granger for the ones who get it done. Very, very exciting stuff going on. But you know, very, very exciting stuff going on throughout the WWE right now. I'll tell you, speaking of four way matches, speaking of, you know, multi person and getting along, I was fascinated by the chemistry between El Grande Americano and the king of the luchadors, Dominic Mysterio. And the reason I was fascinated is not because it did. It doesn't surprise me that there's a great deal of respect from Grande Americano seeing you know, the king of the luchadors, Dominic Mysterio. It does surprise me that these two are both part of this fatal four way match at Triple Mania, which is on Saturday. And, and that the Triple A Mega Championship is on the line. To see them completely on the same page on Monday Night Raw tonight was kind of, kind of startling.

[Megan Morant]

And Dominik Mysterio once again outsmarting AJ Styles.

[Sam Roberts]

That's not that surprising. Shout out to Dominic Mysterio. I mean, he's a smart cookie. He's a big brain guy.

[Megan Morant]

Wasn't smart. But I'm. We're talking about A.J.

[Sam Roberts]

Styles. A.J. styles is great. Dominic's a big brain guy.

[Megan Morant]

Okay.

[Sam Roberts]

You know, AJ Styles is one of the best wrestlers of all time, but.

[Megan Morant]

Not a big brain guy.

[Sam Roberts]

Dominic Mysterious is one of the smartest guys ever. Like he knows this business.

[Megan Morant]

No disrespect to aj, not at all.

[Sam Roberts]

It's a. Dominic Mysterio is the greatest Mysterio of all time.

[Megan Morant]

I was just checking, but yes, I'm with you. It was interesting to see these two on the same page. You know, Dominic, we've seen El Grande kind of lurking around a little bit near Dominic. Yeah, near the Judgment day.

[Sam Roberts]

Right, right.

[Megan Morant]

Didn't know they were quite on that level.

[Sam Roberts]

No, as a matter of fact, the Judgment Day was kind of taken aback the Grande Americano was in their clubhouse at all. Yeah, they were kind of like, what are you bringing people in here for? Which, by the way, the same questions were asked when.

[Megan Morant]

Yeah, I mean, Finn just brought Roxanne in.

[Sam Roberts]

Yeah, that's right. That's 100. Right. But you. You know, I think Finn had his reasons for doing that, and they were questioning Dom's. But listen, if Dom can bring the Triple A Mega Championship back into the Judgment Day clubhouse.

[Megan Morant]

More gold, baby.

[Sam Roberts]

Not only is it more gold, that's a. That's a top level championship to have in there. That's massive. Massive.

[Megan Morant]

And then Dominic would become a double champion.

[Sam Roberts]

A champ. Champ, Dominic. Two belts. Are you ready for that? You've been hater of the century with this guy for so long. I mean, I don't know that day, going back to Raw talk days. Hater of the century.

[Megan Morant]

I don't think I'm a hater of Dom. I respect what he's done. It's just your adoration for him is a bit overwhelming at times.

[Sam Roberts]

Okay, okay. I can accept that. You know, I wear my heart on my sleeve. Me and Anna Pierce were emotional guys, but honestly, like, most of the stuff that I've said about Dom has ended up being true.

[Megan Morant]

You're wearing your Judgment Day flannel right now.

[Sam Roberts]

Oh, is this the same. Is this the same color as Judgment Day? I had no idea. Is this like when I wore yellow plaid to meet Alicia Silverstone? I had no idea. I had no idea that Alicia Silverstone would notice I was wearing yellow plaid. I didn't know that. You think. You think Judgment Day will see this? I had no idea. You wear purple and black also.

[Megan Morant]

You bought that because it's Judgment Day colors.

[Sam Roberts]

Oh, I just noticed that it was. I had no idea. Oh, I'm so embarrassed. I'm. So anyway, I guess we got to keep going with the pod. But I'm so embarrassed. I mean, based on. And I know, like, you know, you're.

[Big E]

You're.

[Sam Roberts]

You're just kind of starting to get into the Triple A world.

[Megan Morant]

Yeah.

[Sam Roberts]

I think Mr. Iguana is the gateway for a lot of people.

[Megan Morant]

I'm in.

[Sam Roberts]

But what do you think the odds are? I think there's a pretty. Did you see when Dom showed up at aaa? Did you see the reaction that he.

[Megan Morant]

Was out of this world?

[Sam Roberts]

I mean, there's a real chance that he's going to be the Triple A Mega Champion by the time we get to Raw next week.

[Megan Morant]

Yeah. I don't think.

[Sam Roberts]

Which is nuts.

[Megan Morant]

It's not a long shot chance either.

[Sam Roberts]

It's not a long shot. It's. He's not in it. This isn't an ironic.

[Megan Morant]

No thing.

[Sam Roberts]

This is like a real, like. Well, I mean, obviously Vikingo could retain here. Vikingo is one of the best in the world. Obviously, Dragon League could win this thing.

[Megan Morant]

Obviously.

[Sam Roberts]

Obviously. Grande Americano has been building his reputation across Lucha for decades. At this point, I wonder if Chad Gable is going to be watching Triple Mania.

[Megan Morant]

I'm sure he's going to be watching. He's a student of the game. I mean, you were talking about it. You guys probably traded.

[Sam Roberts]

Yeah, we probably. I mean. Yeah, we've probably traded copies of very old versions of Triple Mania.

[Megan Morant]

Yeah. So obviously he would be watching. I don't know why you said that with.

[Sam Roberts]

No, you're right.

[Megan Morant]

You're 100 sarcasm.

[Sam Roberts]

100% right.

[Megan Morant]

No, but really, I mean, all jokes aside about Dominic Mysterio, to watch his rise.

[Sam Roberts]

Yeah.

[Megan Morant]

I mean, and now at the point where not only is he the Intercontinental champion, even though he hasn't defended the title all that often, I'll give it to him Summer Slam not long ago.

[Sam Roberts]

When he does defend it, he wins.

[Megan Morant]

That's right. The fact that we're looking at a scenario where Dominic Mysterio could be a double champion.

[Sam Roberts]

Yeah. Do you think. When do we get to the point, right. Where for the longest time, the conversation about Dominic Mysterio, and this is not like me doing my thing. This is a real question. When do we get to the point where the thing about Dominic Mysterio that was the hubris was ironic. The fact that he thought he was the best in the world. There was an irony to that. That irony, the ego and the hubris. I like that word. And has not gone away. Except the irony is slowly starting to slip away. Like, when do you get to the point where these things that he says about himself, you go, yeah, they might be obnoxious, but they're actually kind of true.

[Megan Morant]

It's tough because one of his biggest claims is that he's the greatest Mysterio of all time.

[Sam Roberts]

Right.

[Megan Morant]

And his father is Rey Mysterio.

[Sam Roberts]

But I don't tough.

[Megan Morant]

And I'm not saying that Dominic can't get to that level.

[Sam Roberts]

Rey Mysterio never won the Triple A Mega Championship.

[Megan Morant]

That's true. It is true.

[Sam Roberts]

Dominic has not won the WWE Championship.

[Megan Morant]

You heard the crowd tonight. They were electric. Dirty, dirty Dom Dirty, dirty Dom we're watching it upstairs. Your son says, dad, is he a good guy?

[Sam Roberts]

And I go in this house, son, of course he's always been a good guy.

[Megan Morant]

No, you said he's doing the same thing he's always done. But the crowd loves him.

[Sam Roberts]

That's 100% what I said. I'm teaching myself.

[Megan Morant]

And that's exactly what's happened, 100%.

[Sam Roberts]

Don't change anything. Let the crowd realize that you were right the whole time.

[Megan Morant]

And I got a little nervous when Dom won the intercontinental championship at WrestleMania and everybody cheered because I loved when Dom could not speak into the mic because everybody was booing. And I got nervous that because everybody was cheering him that something about Dominik Mysterio was going to change.

[Sam Roberts]

Right.

[Megan Morant]

But nothing has changed about Dominic Mysterio. Our. Our reaction has changed. Yours has not.

[Sam Roberts]

Yours was mine. Yeah.

[Megan Morant]

My reaction.

[Sam Roberts]

I'm glad I was a day one. And it is funny though, when you, when you interact with him in person, you. You do find still find it difficult to be supportive because he makes it tough for you.

[Megan Morant]

I was just trying to ask him a question about A.J. styles.

[Sam Roberts]

I know, I know you are.

[Megan Morant]

That's it.

[Sam Roberts]

How genius was it though, that you're like, I wonder why he's wearing the mask today. Sometimes he wears it at the big, you know, ple matches. But why is he walking into Raw with that mask on? Boom. He's got all these tricks up.

[Megan Morant]

Always has a plan, always all these.

[Sam Roberts]

Tricks up his sleeve. It's like he lies, he cheats, he steals. It's. I wonder where he got that from. Maybe it's genetic. Speaking of undeniable, Jelly Roll, undeniably great at SummerSlam, I think. Very, very impressive. We talked a little bit about this last week fresh off of SummerSlam. Jelly Roll sign. The pair of, you know, remember the match? Yeah. The Sabrina twos. And now Sabrina signed them as well as Jelly Roll. Thanks to fanatics, the leader in authentic memorabilia. You can bid on these one of one sneakers with proceeds going to both Sabrina and Jelly Rolls charities. So not only are you getting the sneakers that Jelly wore in his debut match at SummerSlam, but they're also signed and signed by Sabrina as well, which is massive. Just a massive collectible. You can click the link in the show notes for the. For the official auction. Bidding is open right now. It ends on August 15th. So bid now. Bid early. Bid often. This, I mean, you say one of one and that, that gets thrown around a lot. But this is like as much a one on one, a one of one collectible as you're ever going to get. It's a piece of. Of. Of basketball history. It's a piece of music history. It's a piece of WWE history. Match use sneakers by Jelly Roll. So check those out. And Megan, we love the analysis here. And we've got another guest to help us out with the analysis. Let's bring in our next guest, of course, Megan. I'm talking about our favorite, the one, the only, Biggie is back. Biggie. How are we?

[Big E]

I am well. I am quite well. Thank you for asking, Samuel.

[Sam Roberts]

Of course, of course. I, I'm glad that you're here because I would love your insight, your. Your wisdom on something that I think Megan and I might be able to opine on and assume knowledge on. But only you out of the three of us would have firsthand knowledge of what is going on with this new Bailey that we saw on Raw. And I think that it's very interesting to me because there is, in a very real way this idea that I think a lot of us as fans look at Bailey and go, well, when you get to a place that you've accomplished as much as Bailey, it's almost like, I don't want to say take for granted because that's a very negative way of saying it, but it's almost like we expect performers to be like, well, you've done it, so now you're on cruise control and you just get to be Bailey for the rest of your career. But you saw and what I think was very real in terms of Bailey saying that she has very little to be proud of in what she's accomplished this year and that she feels lost. Is that something that you found surprising? Is that something that maybe more prevalent in performers than we realize?

[Big E]

Yeah, I definitely think this is something that a lot of us go through. It is very much a what have you done for me lately? Business. And we, as we, as. As wrestlers, as superstars, you don't spend a lot of time thinking about your legacy. At least I didn't. It's always, how do I stay relevant? What's next? And when we talk about Bailey, so many of her accomplishments, we talk about what she did in nxt, we talk about what she did years ago, but honestly, her last six months or so, and a lot of this is no fault of her own, but being taken out of WrestleMania by Becky, losing that opportunity. And also, you know, in this division, we talk so much about the health and the strength of the women's division on the main roster in NXT as well. And it's just, man, it is. Seeing so many of these women rapidly cycle. Look, a year ago, we weren't talking about Stephanie. Now we're talking about her as one of the biggest names in the industry. And there's so many people who are moving up the ladder and getting title opportunities, and it's very easy to be forgotten about. And when you've done as much as Bayley has, I think oftentimes as fans, we talk about her resume, we talk about her legacy, but she's not someone who is willing to go quietly into that good night. She's not at that stage of her life or career where she just wants to coast or just be there. So seeing her kind of deal with this emotional turmoil, trying to figure out her place in her career and in the locker room, I thought was really interesting. I don't know which way this is going. I don't know what this direction this is going, but I'm intrigued and I'm definitely paying attention. Also, I. I don't know what it means. I don't know if it's anything but that kind of weird, mysterious laugh at the end.

[Sam Roberts]

The cackle. I'll call it a cackle. Can I go so far as to say cackle?

[Big E]

You know what, Sam?

[Sam Roberts]

Yeah.

[Big E]

Spot on.

[Sam Roberts]

Thank you.

[Big E]

A cackle is perfect. I didn't know what to make of it. It didn't sound warm and gentle. It didn't remind me of the Bailey we typically know. I wasn't sure if it was her. I didn't know what it meant. But I'm really intrigued to see this evolution of Bailey, to see how this progresses, because I do think she is at a bit of a crossroads in her career. She hasn't held a major title in quite some time. Not being figured in. In WrestleMania, seeing so many of the women who have, you know, who are kind of a few years behind her, who are younger, seeing them flourish. She still has so much to give, so much to offer. She clearly. I loved her match with Lyra. The two out of three falls match. This woman clearly is not done. So let's not count her out. But I definitely think a lot of fans don't realize just one. A lot of us deal with this insecurity and this imposter syndrome. Is my time up? Is someone going to replace me? What's next for me? And I think Bailey's kind of ruminating on a lot of those thoughts right now.

[Sam Roberts]

And I wonder, too, because we've talked about this before, about the idea of this being the potential other Side of the coin, when we talk about how stacked the women's division is, and we talked about that a little bit, too, with, like, Charlotte and Alexa Bliss and stuff like that. When you go, like, look at, you know, when NXT is going, we've got the best women's division in wrestling, and we're going like, yeah, look, you got this, you got that, you got this, you got that. And. And you wonder if some of the women that have been here for a minute and have defined what the division even is and what the standard of that division is, but are certainly not done by a long shot if they're sitting there going, like, cool. Yeah. No, no, no. All these new people are great, but, like, we're. We're here and we're not. It's not like we paved the road and now we're just done. We're paved.

[Adam Pearce]

We're.

[Sam Roberts]

We're still paving.

[Megan Morant]

And it was interesting to hear Bailey talk about the role model, right? Because she was saying she didn't even really realize she was a role model. And we've seen her down in NXT a lot, like, working with some of the younger talent. And we've seen a lot of those talent level up because Bailey has been there helping them. One of them tonight had a match on Monday Night Raw. Roxanne Perez taking on Eos Guy. And I don't know if we are giving this enough attention, but Roxanne Perez pick pinned Eosky. This is something that even Rhea Ripley has not done yet. So what did you make of Roxanne pinning?

[Sam Roberts]

Before you say anything, Biggie, I wanted to say that for as far as that NXT talent goes, I wouldn't say they leveled up. I would say they evolved.

[Megan Morant]

Oh, my gosh, Sam.

[Sam Roberts]

See what I did there? You see? I just didn't want to lose it. I didn't want to lose the. There was a pocket to get it in.

[Big E]

Huh? You could go derailing us.

[Sam Roberts]

Thank you.

[Megan Morant]

Thank you so much. Now, let's talk about, in my opinion, the biggest accomplishment that any superstar had tonight on Monday Night. Rob.

[Sam Roberts]

Whoa.

[Megan Morant]

We're not giving her enough attention. She pinned Eos Guy. Even real.

[Sam Roberts]

I mean, there was help. Sure, there was help, but there was an asterisk.

[Megan Morant]

Still has Rhea Ripley ever pendyo sky?

[Sam Roberts]

I didn't know this was throw shade at Rhea Ripley Day. Didn't realize I didn't check my calendar before we started.

[Megan Morant]

Well, on my calendar it says celebrate Roxanne Perez day. So he. Go ahead, take it away.

[Big E]

You're spot on this woman is 23 years old.

[Megan Morant]

Thank you.

[Big E]

She is so young to have accomplished something that we. We talk about Rhea as I think she's a clear future hall of Famer. She's going to be considered one of the best to ever do it when her career is over. But this win for Roxanne is massively important. And wondering kind of what Roxanne's place is now that she doesn't hold the tag team titles with Raquel anymore, and kind of wonder, like, what is her direction, where is she going here? Also wondering, like, what happens when Liv comes back. But Roxanne has made it very clear that her place in the Judgment Day doesn't define who she is as a wrestler. It doesn't define her career. I think with or without the Judgment Day, she's such an incredible talent and someone who is very hungry. It shows in the way she is in the ring. And she has. She carries herself with a certain moxie and a presence where she doesn't look overwhelmed by the moment by any means. She doesn't look like someone who cowers in fear because she's in the ring with someone who is truly one of the best to do it, male or female in eo. And, yeah, I, I think that Roxanne is going to continue to prove to people now she's picked up a lot of losses along the way, but when you're swimming with sharks, that's. That's. That's gonna happen. But already has won titles on the main roster, and beating IYO is such a huge, huge feather in her cap, and I think it's just going to continue. Not that she was really suffering for confidence, but I think that's going to continue to build that momentum for her moving forward. But, like, whether it comes with an asterisk or not, it's. It's a huge, massive win and something she can. Can brag about and build upon for, you know, months to come.

[Sam Roberts]

And I will say too, something that you said there that I really agree with and I think is like something to really point out with a Roxanne Perez is the idea of the moment never being too big. Like, the idea that, like. And look, I would imagine that this match did not come with a lot of advance notice. We all found out that Naomi was not medically cleared, and I can't tell you how much I hope that whatever's going on, she's medically cleared quickly and by next week. Because, I mean, Naomi versus Stephanie Vacair is not something I'm really willing to Give up right now. But the idea that Roxanne Perez even walks into that match and has. You could see it in the eyes. You could see it in the posture. You can see the fact that she. There's nothing about this moment that she feels, or at least appears to feel is too big for her. Any. Any. Anytime you've seen Roxanne Perez in these big spots, it's almost as if she knows, no, this is exactly where I'm supposed to be. And I think that that's not something you can. You can take for granted. I think that that's something that is. Is very difficult for some people to achieve.

[Big E]

No, absolutely. And I also think that's because, look, this is not a shot. I was also an athlete who came in with no experience, so I don't want to take a shot at a lot of the locker room, like, you know, people like Tiffany and others who. Who kind of had to find a love for this a little bit later. But we're talking about someone who has been a lifelong fan of wwe, has been a lifelong fan of pro wrestling, someone who has wanted this for a long time, who started training as a teenager. This is in her blood. This is something that means so much to her, and I think because of that lifelong fandom, I think her passion for this is a huge reason. I think she's someone, I would imagine, who projected herself in this moment, being in the ring with these women years ago, well, before she probably had a driver's license. You know, someone who has wanted this for. For quite some time. And I think because of that, because of that innate passion, I think she. She is just. She's arrived, and she arrived even before she actually got to this stage. I think she's someone who just realized, this is where I belong, and this is where I want to be.

[Megan Morant]

Chipendiyo. You guys think she deserves a title opportunity?

[Sam Roberts]

I mean, there's a lot of people arguing about title opportunities right now. And, I mean, Adam Pierce. Adam Pierce has a lot on his plate. I mean, does she.

[Megan Morant]

I mean, she pinned eo.

[Sam Roberts]

She pinned eo. Yes. I think that, like, she deserves to be looked at.

[Megan Morant]

Okay.

[Sam Roberts]

You know, I do. I go, okay, next week, title opportunity for sure. No, I mean, like I said, asterisks, lot going on. Kabuki warriors, the whole thing. The whole thing.

[Big E]

It's interesting that you. You keep bringing up the asterisk, but you never do that with Dom.

[Megan Morant]

I know. Thank you for calling him out on that.

[Big E]

His wins are filled with asterisks all the Time.

[Sam Roberts]

What? When? Was filled with an asterisk. I mean, if anything, it seemed like at SummerSlam, AJ Styles was trying to cheat and like. And Dom had to do everything that he could to be like, I gotta, I gotta figure out something here. And then what? Because tonight he decides to uphold the traditions of Lucha Libre in that match. I don't think that's cheating. I think that's cultural heritage if nothing else.

[Big E]

You're quite the way with words and spinning them.

[Sam Roberts]

Thank you. Well done. Thank you very, very much. Thank you very, very much. I appreciate that. I mean, we saw Becky Lynch.

[Megan Morant]

Yeah, we did.

[Sam Roberts]

We saw Maxine Dupree speaking of somebody who had a big opportunity.

[Megan Morant]

Sweet cheeks.

[Sam Roberts]

Sweet cheeks. That she was referred to last week. Maxine Dupree getting the match with Becky Lynch. And I'll tell you, I mean, I think that Maxine Dupree is one that people sleep on, but I think that Maxine Dupree is one that steps up to the plate when it's time to step up to the plate. I think that there were multiple. I very much enjoyed. I very much enjoyed the arm drag, you know, that came when Becky was holding the rope open and the takeover there. I thought that I liked that. Before we got the disarm her, we got some very close roll ups, you know what I mean? Just enough to keep it competitive. Of course, Becky lynch ends up on top, but I mean, I thought it was a good, a good overall moment for Maxine still, even in defeat.

[Big E]

I agree. And, and I'd like to see more from Maxine. I think her growth has been really beautiful to see and, and she just has a likability that I think is very much undeniable. And I hope she gets more of these opportunities. I don't think we see her in the ring enough, but someone. When I feel like every time we see her in the ring, you see the progress, you see someone who really has a passion for this. And obviously, you know, there are a lot of women who've been training 10, 20 years who are so far ahead of her, but it's clear that she wants to get better, it's clear she wants to improve. And look, there's still quite a ways to go for her, but I agree with you. I think she had a great showing tonight. She's in the ring with arguably. I don't know if there's much of an argument for being the greatest of all time. Becky will remind you, but Sports Illustrated names are the greatest of all time. But yeah, when you're. When you're in the ring with one of the best to ever do it. It's. It's going to be an uphill challenge. But I think she impressed a lot of people and. And I would love to see her in the ring more often.

[Megan Morant]

Hey, I love the social media interactions all week. I loved Becky at the beach with the beach towel getting ready. I liked Maxine prepping for the match. I listened to pro wrestling 24 7. I heard Natty, you know, talking about Becky giving Maxine this opportunity and, and really leveling up. But I, but say, I mean, Natty did disrespect Becky at the end of the match. And Natty, you know, she's lucky that, that Becky didn't take her Louboutins, because the man, when the man comes around, she takes what she wants.

[Sam Roberts]

Yeah, I'd be a little careful. I'd be a little careful. I think that ever since popping into a bloodsport ring, we've seen a different side of Natty. I'd be a little careful with Natalia at this moment.

[Big E]

Don't. Don't let Natty put on that black singlet problem. Yeah, you take those ropes off the ring is. I love bloodsport Natty. I want to. I would love to see that version in the ring with Becky as well. An intensity that a lot of people didn't realize she had. And it's crazy to think someone who has been on the main roster for just about 20 years hasn't really missed much time at all in her career. She has been a consistent mainstay of this division. And further, for her to still add wrinkles to her game and show different dimensions. And although we've seen a lot of that outside of wwe, I would love to see elements of that here as well. But, yeah, it's. I'm intrigued to see if things progress with Natty and with Becky.

[Megan Morant]

I love the contrast. Right. We have bloodsport Natty, and then tonight we have Natalia wearing the Louboutin.

[Sam Roberts]

Yeah. And I was just going to say, yeah, wouldn't it be great if we got that match right? We have. It's Natalia versus Becky. And then all of a sudden, instead of like, you know, the Heart foundation music kicking in, it was like the old, like, brawl for all music or something like that kicks in. And here comes. Here comes Natty instead of Natalia with the cornrows and the. And the black singlet and everything. Oh, I would love it. And I think that there is. I think that there is a place for it, and I think that there's such a. There's an inherent respect for Natty Natalia. I think fans would really get a kick out of that sort of ass kicking version of Natty.

[Megan Morant]

And Becky would still tell her that she's the goat.

[Sam Roberts]

Becky would probably think that of herself. I believe that that's true.

[Big E]

But I need. I need. I need Natty cussing, too.

[Sam Roberts]

Oh, yeah.

[Megan Morant]

That's what I need.

[Sam Roberts]

Yeah. What do you think of this? Speaking of absolute savagery, what do you think of the. Of. Of the. The absolute, I mean, despicable nature of Bronson Reed walking around with a shoe collection around his neck?

[Big E]

Look, I mean, to the victor goes the spoils. And if the man is able to rip the shoes off of Roman Reigns, I say, why not? I think as soon as I heard Shula Fala, I was in. You have a catchy nickname and I'm in. But I think it also demonstrates that I think seeing Bronson Reed, I think when he first came on the main roster was clearly very talented. I also remember the matches with Braun Strowman. They were a lot of fun. Seeing his performance in that War Games match, which unfortunately he got injured. I'm seeing someone who, I think there was a lot of. It felt like there was a lot of untapped potential with him when he first came up. But he's had big showing after big showing after big showing. And now being aligned with Paul Heyman, this is such a great opportunity for him to show. Like, I have no fear of anyone here on this roster. I'm not worried about being polite about, yes, sir, no, sir, waiting in line, waiting my turn. Any of those things I want to see from the Bronze, I want to see two people who aren't worried about seniority. They're not worried about any of those things. And I think the Shula Fala is evidence of that. They're not worried about decorum by any means. And that's very clear.

[Sam Roberts]

No, bro. He cut a whole promo about, I'm going to keep taking your shoes. I'm not going to stop taking the shoes. You better show up in nothing but socks because anything you put on your feet is going home with me every time.

[Big E]

Yeah. Although I will say so, I'm not a sneakerhead. But Kaz did say, apparently these are not top shelf shoes.

[Sam Roberts]

He's 100% right. Cass nailed it. And I brought this out. I do wonder, and I've got a question. I would question Roman the same way if maybe there is some trepidation in Roman Reigns if he's showing up Going, oh, Bronson Reed is here. Maybe I'll wear my Spizykes this week. Maybe I'll wear my Mids this week. Cause he's not. You know, there's no Travis Scott's around Bronson's neck. There's no. Oh, there's not even any. These aren't OG Ones around Bronson's neck. And by the way, Bronson knows that as well because Bronson is a sneaker head. He knows. And I almost feel like that that's. That's motivating him even further. Once I see you with some like, meh on your feet. I mean, when Roman wears it, everything shines. But once I see what's a man, that's. That means, you know, I'm going to take him. And guess what? That means I'm taking them.

[Megan Morant]

We'll know if the OTC starts showing up in, like, Crocs or something. He's really scared.

[Sam Roberts]

Yeah.

[Big E]

So you're accusing Roman of purposely wearing his beaters because he knows that he's gonna get jumped and, and get his shoes taken.

[Sam Roberts]

I'm saying, I'm saying that if I were wearing those sneakers and a bully took them from me, I could come home and say, I don't even care. Those weren't even my best ones. That would be me. That would not be the tribal chief. That would be me, though.

[Big E]

You might be onto something. As soon as I. We need. Okay. I need. We need, like, a sneaker watch. And someone needs to inform me when Roman is wearing some heat because now, now, now I'm paying attention. Like, what, What's. Yeah, right. Willing to let them go.

[Sam Roberts]

Yeah, like, oh, no, not the Concords. Not the concords. No, that's 100%. That's 100%. Right. And I'm, I'm anxious to see where this goes. I mean, I think the most offensive thing is even now saying I'm going to steal more shoes is like, this is now. I mean, it's almost. It moved from schoolyard bullying to, like, prison bullying. Like, something has to be done here.

[Big E]

I mean, the one time is. I mean, that's. That's enough to twice.

[Sam Roberts]

Twice is tough, right?

[Big E]

If there's a third time, I don't know how Roman responds. I don't know. You come back from that.

[Sam Roberts]

No, no. I mean, if anybody could pull it off, it might be Roman Reigns. But. But I'm with you, man. I'm. I'm 100% with you. Well, Biggie, we always appreciate your insight here on all things pro wrestling. As well as sneaker stealing. It's all very, very important and valuable to us and I can't wait to have you back on the show.

[Big E]

I appreciate it. Thank you guys for sure.

[Sam Roberts]

Thank you very much. Biggie and Megan, I do want to tell you.

[Megan Morant]

Let's Hear it.

[Sam Roberts]

About Fanatics 1. Have you heard about Fanatics 1?

[Megan Morant]

I have not heard about this.

[Sam Roberts]

Fanatics 1, tell me. Oh, it's brand new. That's why you haven't heard about it. I'm introducing it. Fanatics One for all you give to the game now there's a loyalty program that'll give back to you. Yes. Because being a fan deserves to be rewarded. Only Fanatics 1 members earn fan cash and all that and everything that comes with the fan cash. Right. Exclusive apparel, iconic experiences, rewards tailored to your fandom. It's better than anyone else in the game. Join now on the Fanatics app and enjoy exclusive member benefits from day one. I'm talking free shipping and returns. I'm talking exclusive access to product drops and the ability to earn and redeem fan cash whenever you shop and play with Fanatics. So go over to that Fanatics app, sign up, be a member of Fanatics 1, because otherwise you and I don't have much to talk about. I. That literally is a prerequisite these days with relationships that I have. I go, what's your Fanatics1 username? They go, I don't have one. I go, well, we're done. Let me know when you do. Because we don't have a lot in common otherwise. That's where I'm at.

[Megan Morant]

Cutthroat.

[Sam Roberts]

Well, you have to be. Society has made it that way and Fanatics One has done the same. Luckily, it's very easy to sign up, so it shouldn't be any trouble, I don't think.

[Megan Morant]

Yeah, I think a lot of people are going to be signing up just so they can continue a friendship with you.

[Sam Roberts]

I mean, I don't know what other motivation that you could possibly have. We appreciate all you guys hanging out. If you're not already, make sure you're subscribed across all audio platforms. We're on Apple, we're on Spotify. Check out all the other great WWE and Fanatics original production podcast. Stephanie McMahon, Cody Rhodes, Undertaker, the whole Logan Paul, even. And of course, if you're watching on YouTube, make sure you hit like, make sure you leave a comment. Tell all your friends Raw recap is the place to be. And we'll see you next week live in Philly. Maybe Raw recap returns in a week. See you then.