Raw Recap with Sam Roberts and Megan Morant

Episode: Reactions to Roman Reigns’ huge return, AJ Styles slams Logan Paul | Raw Recap
Date: March 11, 2025
Podcast: WWE x Fanatics Podcasts

Overview

This episode of Raw Recap dives into an explosive night on Monday Night Raw, aired live from Madison Square Garden. Sam Roberts and Megan Morant break down Roman Reigns’ jaw-dropping return, the high-stakes steel cage match between Seth Rollins and CM Punk, Cody Rhodes’ loaded promo, the surging women’s division drama, Jey Uso vs. Gunther, and an insightful live interview with AJ Styles as he unleashes his thoughts on Logan Paul. The show blends awe, analysis, and the signature blend of fandom and behind-the-scenes candor that WWE fans expect.

Main Topics & Detailed Breakdown

1. Roman Reigns’ Shocking Return and Its Fallout

Timestamps: 00:50 – 15:37

• Scene Recap:
  Roman Reigns makes a thunderous return, wrapping Seth Rollins in a choke outside the steel cage, sending the MSG crowd into chaos.

  • “And then those big Samoan arms wrapped around the neck of Seth Rollins, pulling him outside the cage. And we find out your tribal chief. Our tribal chief, the only tribal chief, Roman Reigns, is back from whatever injuries that he had at the Royal Rumble.” (Sam, 01:38)

• Live Fan & Celebrity Reaction:

  • “Andrew Schultz is texting me right now from the front row… He just wrote, holy, you know what? He's incredible.” (Sam, 03:06)
  • “That is only for one guy, and that is Roman Reigns.” (Megan, 02:40)

• Discussion:

  • Sam and Megan reflect on Reigns’ unique presence—no music, no fanfare, just pure dominance.
  • The speculation around who Roman was targeting most: Seth Rollins (revenge for being put on the shelf) or maybe even Paul Heyman via CM Punk.
  • Sam: “Roman Reigns was coming from a place where…it was, how dare you. Not that you tried to beat me, that you tried to take me away from this.” (07:19)
  • Power dynamics between Reigns and Paul Heyman, especially with Heyman's history with CM Punk (“He was my wise man before he was yours…” (Sam, 11:42)).

• Insight:

  • “Paul Heyman is a Roman Reigns guy, not the other way around.” (Sam, 14:05)
  • Megan speculates the attack was a message to Heyman, not just to CM Punk:
    • “My gut reaction tells me that what Roman did to CM Punk today was a message to Paul Heyman.” (Megan, 13:46)

2. The Steel Cage Classic: CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins

Timestamps: 18:11 – 21:38

• Match Recap:
  A brutal, innovative match with both men refusing to escape the cage, instead seeking to destroy the other.

  • “Two guys that wanted to tear each other apart. Two guys that had multiple opportunities to leave the cage, but they did not want to…” (Sam, 18:13)
  • “If you want to take my house, you gotta earn it.” (Seth, via Sam, 18:44)
  • Drone shots provide a new perspective in the Netflix era, highlighting a superplex from atop the cage.

• Memorable Moments:

  • Punk and Rollins trading finishers (GTS, STF, Anaconda Vice, Stomp).
  • “CM Punk doesn't have to do that... But he's doing it because he's fighting for this thing.” (Sam, 20:36)

• Key Insight:
  The match had no direct WrestleMania implication, but Seth’s aggression was aimed at ensuring Punk wouldn’t make it to the big show.

  • “I think Seth Rollins might be the first person staring at that WrestleMania sign, envisioning somebody not being there.” (Sam, 21:36)

3. Cody Rhodes: Ascending as WWE’s Top Guy

Timestamps: 22:09 – 28:39

• MSG Moment:
  Cody Rhodes holds the WWE title aloft where his father never could—MSG—a powerful story beat.

  • “That title, that don't look heavy to Cody Rhodes.” (Sam, 23:18)

• Promo Analysis:

  • Cody is pivoting away from fan-friendly champion to unashamed top guy, taking a direct shot at John Cena’s absence.
  • “He said, 'I'm the captain now.'” (Sam, 25:31)
  • Cody directly references a John Cena tweet: “Have the discipline to do what needs to be done, especially when you don't feel like it.” (Megan, 25:48)

• Reflection:

  • Cody is aware of the “burden” of being champion and welcomes it, applying lessons from his father’s career.
  • “He is the top guy today and the legend. It shouldn't be this, oh, my gosh, I'm so in awe of you. Sure, it should be. Those top guys are talking about this top guy.” (Sam, 26:46)

• Black Eye Drama:

  • Discussion of Travis Scott’s involvement, the “wrestling is real” t-shirt drop.

4. Women’s Division Drama: Iyo Sky, Bianca Belair, and Rhea Ripley

Timestamps: 31:23 – 37:36

• Iyo Sky’s Moment:

  • New Women’s World Champion gets a rare in-ring interview; interrupted by Bianca, then Rhea Ripley.
    • “She defeated Rhea Ripley to win the Women's World Championship.” (Megan, 31:56)

• Confrontation Highlights:

  • Rhea blames Bianca for her loss, tension flares.
  • Iyo inserts herself forcefully: “She slapped the taste out of Rhea Ripley. And then she slapped Bianca twice as hard. Just to let everybody know, in case you didn't know, there's a belt around my waist.” (Sam, 36:05)

• Analysis:

  • Sam and Megan praise Iyo’s in-ring and promo presence—her ability to command respect despite being overlooked by bigger, louder personalities.
  • “I'm sure Ria would like to be factored into the WrestleMania match, but I don't see what the path is.” (Sam, 37:36)

5. Other Highlights:

Jey Uso vs. Gunther, Mystery Fan, and Fanatics Fest
Timestamps: 40:08 – 45:14

• Jey Uso vs. Gunther:

  • Ongoing build as they “get in each other’s heads”—Sam notes the psychological battle.
    • “This is a slow cooking match.” (Sam, 41:17)
    • “I think Jey Uso has gotten to Gunther. I don't know if that's good news for Jey Uso.” (Sam, 42:49)

• Running Joke:

  • Masked fan at ringside suspected to be Chad Gable, but clearly not—Sam and Megan poke fun at conspiracy theories.
    • “It's clearly not. We saw him.” (Sam, 40:29)

• Fanatics Fest Preview:

  • Lineup includes Undertaker, Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley, Jey Uso, and Liv Morgan.
    • “Already we know that the Undertaker's gonna be there.” (Sam, 44:24)

6. Interview: AJ Styles Sounds Off on Logan Paul

Timestamps: 45:14 – 58:10

• AJ Styles’ Motivation:

  • “I'm just trying to do everyone a favor and get it done as quick as possible. Get him out of our ranks.” (AJ Styles, 45:54)

• On Logan’s “Respect”:

  • AJ and Sam agree: Logan Paul is a superb athlete, but has not paid the real dues to earn a place in WWE.
    • “He thinks he can just come to a WWE ring, not an independent wrestling ring like the rest of us had, or maybe at least the PC to train a little bit. He has done none of that and thinks he belongs in our ring.” (AJ, 46:31)
    • “But he is going to have to earn his spot on the WWE roster.” (AJ, 47:15)

• On Being Humbled:

  • “Everyone's capable of being humbled. Everyone. There's not a guy that's ever stepped foot in a WWE ring that hasn't been humbled.” (AJ, 53:18)

• On a Possible Match:

  • AJ is open but clear: “But if Logan Paul is going to beat AJ Styles, he's going to have to go through hell.” (AJ, 54:19)

• Fitness & Longevity:

  • AJ details his recovery from injury, new training regimens, cold plunges, and finding “biohacks” for longevity.
    • “If I hear about something, I'll try it. I fast all the time... If there's a chance…if it happens 1%, then that's more than what I had.” (AJ, 55:30)

• Fun Moments:

  • Andrew Schultz’ celebrity fandom shout-out: “Freaking Andrew's awesome…This is why we do it.” (AJ, 48:12)
  • Banter on cold plunges and training secrets—Sam jokes: “Did you all sell your souls to the Rock?”

7. Closing Hot Takes and Next Week’s Teases

Timestamps: 58:10 – End

• AJ vs. Logan Paul Anticipation:

  • Both hosts emphasize how much they want to see Styles humble Logan Paul.
    • “I really want to see this Logan Paul match. I really, really want to see this Logan Paul match.” (Sam, 57:44)

• Next Week Preview:

  • Intercontinental Title on the line (Dirty Dom Mysterio involved)
  • Penta vs. Ludwig Kaiser in a No Holds Barred match
  • Cody Rhodes and John Cena, both in the house for the first time since Elimination Chamber
  • Early start time due to Raw’s international location

• Memorable Parting Quote:

  • “I want to see Cody prove that he is the captain now. I want to see it happen. I can't wait to see it happen.” (Sam, 62:15)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Roman Reigns was not coming from a place that's rooted in love…Roman Reigns was coming from a place where…it was, how dare you.” — Sam Roberts (07:19)
• “Andrew Schultz…he's looking at Roman Reigns and going, he's incredible.” — Sam Roberts (03:06)
• “Paul Heyman is a Roman Reigns guy, not the other way around.” — Sam Roberts (14:05)
• “If you want to take my house, you got to earn it.” — Seth Rollins via Sam Roberts (18:44)
• “She slapped the taste out of Rhea Ripley. And then she slapped Bianca twice as hard.” — Sam Roberts (36:05)
• “He thinks he can just come to a WWE ring, not an independent wrestling ring like the rest of us had…” — AJ Styles (46:31)
• “Everyone's capable of being humbled. Everyone. There's not a guy that's ever stepped foot in a WWE ring that hasn't been humbled.” — AJ Styles (53:18)
• “But if Logan Paul is going to beat AJ Styles, he's going to have to go through hell.” — AJ Styles (54:19)

Final Thoughts

This episode encapsulates Raw at its most electric: shocking returns, classic matches, layered storytelling, and the intersection of WWE’s history with its present. Roman Reigns’ return resets the main event conversation, and the collision course between Cody Rhodes and John Cena looms. Meanwhile, AJ Styles vs. Logan Paul is primed to merge internet notoriety and wrestling tradition. Sam and Megan, with their mix of expertise and unabashed fandom, offer the perfect recap for diehards and newcomers alike.

For the next episode:

• Intercontinental Title match implications
• Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena face-off
• The ongoing celebrity and superstar crossover saga

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