Raw Recap with Sam Roberts & Megan Morant

Episode: Roman Reigns’ SHOCKING return ahead of SummerSlam

Date: July 15, 2025
Podcast: WWE x Fanatics Podcasts

Overview & Main Theme

This episode revolves around the stunning return of Roman Reigns on Monday Night Raw just ahead of SummerSlam. Hosts Sam Roberts and Megan Morant provide an in-depth, passionate breakdown of this week’s explosive Raw on Netflix, including on-site reactions, dissecting the new twists heading towards SummerSlam, and capturing candid moments with Superstars—most notably, a heartfelt interview with Nikki Bella about her singles return after seven years.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Roman Reigns’ Electrifying Return & Shifting Raw Landscape

Timestamps: 01:20, 14:41, 65:03

• Immediate Reaction: Both Sam and Megan describe Roman’s return as a jaw-dropping moment that “changes everything.”
  • Sam (01:20): "We were standing up in our viewing suite slash my living room watching as this all goes down... Roman Reigns is going to come back."
• Impact on SummerSlam Card: With SummerSlam looming, Roman’s presence reshuffles Raw’s top scene.
  • The “OTC” (One True Chief) moniker is introduced, symbolizing his new era post-Bloodline.
  • Sam (03:37): “Roman Reigns reminds you like, no, no, no, no, no. Just because I'm not here doesn't mean I'm not here. This is still my house. This is still my table.”
• Interactions & Dynamics:
  • Pausing on Roman and Jey Uso’s interaction since Jey became World Heavyweight Champion, noting an evolution in their dynamic from tense to one of “almost equals.”
  • Discussion of Paul Heyman calling Bron Breakker "Big Dog" (04:24), with the hosts reacting to the retirement of the nickname for anyone but Roman.

2. SummerSlam Picture—Mega Matches & Wild Speculation

Timestamps: 10:18, 13:14, 52:07

• Confirmed/Anticipated Matches:
  • Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena, CM Punk vs. Gunther, a Women’s Triple Threat (Naomi vs. Rhea Ripley vs. IYO SKY), and more.
  • Sam (13:14): “Can you imagine a stadium full of people in New Jersey losing their minds when CM Punk wins the World Heavyweight title?... Except it’s Gunther.”
• Fantasy vs. Reality:
  • Playful tension between thinking "of course CM Punk will win," yet Gunther remains a daunting champion.
  • Megan (13:41): “And reality is Gunther.”
• Wild Speculation:
  • The hosts enjoy indulging in “where could Roman fit, who challenges next, what about Heyman’s stable…,” keeping the tone light and speculative.

3. Spotlight: Bron Breakker, Gunther, and the New Generation

Timestamps: 08:42, 11:39, 67:21

• Gauntlet Match Praise:

  • Sam applauds Bron Breakker for his stamina and ability to shine in long matches, comparing him to classic “Goldberg-style” monsters but with superior endurance.
  • Sam (11:39): “This is one of the reasons why Bron Breakker is so special... he’s got the athleticism and the gas... that allows him to just keep going and going... remarkable.”

• Dynamics with Heyman:

  • Noting the seeds of potential feuds: Bron vs. Gunther; question marks about Seth Rollins’ future and Heyman’s loyalties.

4. Nikki Bella’s Emotional Singles Return – Exclusive Interview

Full Section: 23:34–44:52

Key Moments:

• On Returning After 7 Years:

  • Nikki shares open vulnerability and pride, recalling her nerves, ring rust, and the shock of nearly attempting her old “Rack Attack” finisher—the move that broke her neck.
    • Nikki (25:54): “It was like riding such an old bike that I went and put Chelsea up in my old Rack Attack. That broke my neck... What am I doing?”
  • Admits being “blown up” (winded) and the difference in wrestling conditioning post-motherhood.

• On Accepting Imperfection & Building Anew:

  • Nikki (31:26): “This era... is to give myself a lot of grace... even if I fall on my face, at least I know where I’m going to start and I know where I want to go.”
  • Will not shortcut her way to a title: “I want to earn that spot... I’m not there yet. So I’m going to build.”

• Women’s Evolution Reflections:

  • Both hosts and Nikki marvel at how the division has grown—Nikki isn’t guaranteed top spots anymore and welcomes working her way up among extremely talented newer stars (Bailey, Lyra, Raquel, Stephanie, Naomi).

• Motherhood Motivation:

  • Like Trish Stratus, Nikki is inspired to show her son Mateo “what made mommy” and says her dream is for him to one day watch her ringside.
  • Nikki (37:34): “He will always be first more than anything. But… to see me in the ring… that will be the highlight of my entire career.”

• On Competitors Chelsea Green & Piper Niven:

  • Nikki relishes eliminating Green and her crew, points out there’s unfinished business, and laughs with Megan about Megan’s Chelsea Green fandom.
    • Nikki (41:10): “She started to get under my skin when she kept calling me out on Twitter... I couldn’t get rid of her and her crew... tonight was just the beginning—it’s not over with Chelsea Green.”

5. Raw Women’s Division – New Energy, Fresh Matchups

Timestamps: 49:03, 56:19, 63:18

• Naomi as Women’s World Champion:

  • Newly crowned, Naomi asserts her authority, calling out the “Raggedy Heifers of the Raw roster.”
    • Sam (49:03): “She did send a direct message to what she called... the Raggedy Heifers of the Raw roster. Making sure that the Raggedy Heifers proceed with caution.”
  • Ready-made tension with Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY, who also challenge her position.

• Triple Threat Announcement:

  • Sam (52:07): “At SummerSlam, we’re getting the Triple Threat Women’s World Championship on the line: Naomi, Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY.”

• First Hour of Raw:

  • Mega emphasis placed on women—“whole first hour, 90 minutes, however long it was, was all women.” (56:44)

• Fresh Talent & Generational Shifts (w/ guest Big E):

  • Lyra Valkyria, Raquel Rodriguez, and tag teams praised for evolving styles and responding to veteran advice (notably, Kevin Nash’s to Raquel).
  • Big E credits the women for pushing creative boundaries, urging the men’s division to step up (61:21).

6. Memorable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |---|---|---| | 03:37 | “This is still my house. This is still my table. I’m still the one who puts the food on it.” | Sam Roberts (on Roman’s return) | | 06:33 | “Seeing Roman Reigns, the respect and the way he’s looking at Jay—and Jay not looking back in awe, but looking back like, ‘yes, you got it, because that is who I am.’” | Megan Morant | | 14:44 | “And then you see him and it’s better than you expected it to be.” | Megan Morant (on Roman’s entrance) | | 25:54 | “I went and put Chelsea up in my old Rack Attack. That broke my neck. What am I doing?” | Nikki Bella | | 31:26 | “This era…is to give myself a lot of grace.” | Nikki Bella | | 49:03 | “She did send a direct message to…the Raggedy Heifers of the Raw roster.” | Sam Roberts (on Naomi) | | 61:21 | “Truly think the women are setting the bar right now…Men, I’m telling you, let’s huddle up and let’s step up because the women are really leading this thing.” | Big E | | 65:03 | “Roman Reigns returns…still when Roman Reigns stands in that ring, like a hush falls over everything else and…time stands still.” | Sam Roberts |

7. Insider Banter, Merch Mania & New Announcements

Timestamps: 17:07, 45:22, 47:23

• Hosts riff on the new OTC1 Roman Reigns merchandise line, the ever-evolving WWE Shop tee selection (including Solo Sikoa and Dominic Mysterio), and urge Craig (presumably a producer) to send over samples and belts.

• Sam (45:22): "There's a championship belt with Roman's face on it."

• Naomi’s Money in the Bank cash-in trading card (Topps Now) revealed to include actual caution tape, creating collector frenzy.

• Logan Paul’s "Impaulsive" joins the WWE/Fanatics podcast family.

Guest Spotlights

Nikki Bella (23:34–44:52)

• Candidly reflects on physical/emotional challenges of her return, motivation as a mother, the evolution of women’s wrestling, and her desire to build from the ground up as an underdog.

Big E (53:22–70:08)

• Provides colorful analysis on Naomi’s confidence, the freshness of the women’s division, SummerSlam’s build, Roman Reigns’ return, and the significance of Bron Breakker’s star-making gauntlet match.

Notable Timestamps

• 01:20 – Roman Reigns' return: hosts' live react
• 04:24 – Paul Heyman calls Bron Breakker "Big Dog"
• 06:33 – Roman-Jey Uso staredown
• 11:39 – Bron Breakker in the Gauntlet
• 13:14 – SummerSlam main event talk, Punk vs. Gunther fantasy vs. reality
• 23:34–44:52 – Nikki Bella interview: emotional, insightful, must-listen
• 49:03 – Naomi addresses “Raggedy Heifers” on Raw
• 52:07 – Triple threat women's title match officially made
• 56:44 – Big E on the loaded women’s first hour of Raw, rising stars
• 61:21 – Big E on women setting the bar, calling out the men’s division
• 65:03 – Roman Reigns' unmatched star power
• 67:21 – Bron Breakker’s star-making performance

Episode Tone & Style

• Energetic, reverential, slightly irreverent, with athletic admiration and plenty of warm banter between the hosts and guests.
• The episode is fan-inclusive, high-energy, and unafraid to be emotionally raw—highlighting WWE’s current “fresh era” and the unpredictability of the post-Evolution landscape.

Summary for the Uninitiated

This episode is a must for anyone invested in the road to SummerSlam and the modern evolution of WWE, especially the women’s division. It blends breaking analysis of Roman Reigns’ return, the elevation of Nikki Bella’s comeback, behind-the-scenes reflections on SummerSlam’s top matches, and unfiltered insights from current and past Superstars. The podcast is as much about change and reinvention (for both wrestlers and WWE's storytelling) as about nostalgia, hype, and the electric present of pro wrestling.

Skip the ads, grab your merchandise, and get ready—the One True Chief is back, the women’s division is on fire, and SummerSlam is primed to be unforgettable.