Raw Recap with Sam Roberts & Megan Morant — WrestleMania Night One (April 20, 2025)

Episode Overview

This lively episode of “Raw Recap” is dedicated to WrestleMania Night One, dissecting the major title changes, emotional betrayals, and standout performances that defined the evening. Sam Roberts and Megan Morant offer firsthand insights from the arena, interview newly crowned champions, and grapple with the huge implications of Paul Heyman’s shocking turn on Roman Reigns. The episode features direct backstage interviews with Jey Uso and The New Day while exploring narrative shifts and what’s to come for WWE’s top Superstars.

Main Event Breakdown: Seth Rollins, Paul Heyman, and Roman Reigns

The Heyman Betrayal

• The main conversation centers around Paul Heyman's stunning betrayal of Roman Reigns in the WrestleMania Night One main event: Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk (Triple Threat for the soul of WWE).
• Sam is deeply emotional about Heyman's actions, stunned by his turn:
  • “The wise man Paul Heyman has turned his back on the tribal chief, Roman Reigns… Why?” (00:40-01:56)
• Megan connects this to Heyman’s pattern as a survivor, referencing Heyman’s past betrayal of CM Punk.
  • "Everybody who’s been on Roman's side has betrayed him at one point or another... Paul Heyman is a survivor." (03:36–04:43)
• Discussion about the logic behind Heyman's move: Was this simply aligning with the winner, or is there something deeper?
• The dueling perspectives of Rollins and Roman:
  • Sam: “Roman’s point of view was… there were stars like me. Like the tribal chief, Roman took ownership of the deals WWE has been making.” (05:27–06:25)
  • Megan: “Workhorses like Seth freakin' Rollins… what they have done to pay it forward… is that what’s best for business?” (06:41–06:59)

Layered Emotions & Industry Shifts

• Both hosts reflect on the emotional impacts:
  • Sam: “We make a sad face and go, oh, poor Roman. When his reign was kind of a reign of terror.” (11:40–11:51)
  • Megan: “Roman did give this all to us. But CM Punk is correct, and Seth Rollins is correct as well.” (12:15–12:22)
• The implication is that the foundation of WWE is shifting — not just in championships but in narrative and loyalty.

Notable Quotes

• Sam: “Everyone turns on Roman Reigns… Why would the wise man turn on the tribal chief?” (00:40–01:56)
• Megan: “If this match was significant as it was described for the soul of WWE… What does that tell you about what Paul Heyman thinks of Seth Rollins?” (04:48–05:00)
• Sam: “What’s the reason why? I mean, Roman Reigns stated his purpose… They all viewed the industry from a different perspective.” (05:27–06:25)
• Megan: “Paul Heyman is someone who does what is best for business.” (06:41–06:59)

Timestamps

• Paul Heyman betrayal & analysis: 00:40–09:26
• Impact on Rollins, Punk, Reigns: 09:26–13:12

Jey Uso: New World Heavyweight Champion

Backstage Exclusive Interview (~19:14–27:22)

• Emotional and Physical Toll:
  • Jey Uso describes his physical pain post-match and the surreal reality of holding the championship:
    • “I can’t even feel my chest right now… but I’m happy though. I got the damn gold plate on my chest.” (20:07–20:28)
  • Shares that he had to be “Joshua Fatu” to win, but now returns to “Yeet Master” energy.
• Journey to WrestleMania:
  • Unable to reflect fully, wanting to stay present and celebrate with his family and friends.
  • Calls out the importance of perseverance and blocking out doubters:
    • “Pick and choose which people to listen to… Just believe in yourself, man, and do what works for you.” (26:39–27:22)
  • Addresses his relationship with his brother Jimmy and father Rikishi — emotional highlights about family seeing his victory.
    • “Love my brother… Stop comparing me to my brother. Because we together.” (25:05–25:27)
    • “Somebody better take [Rikishi’s] phone… He’s my dad.” (25:34–26:14)
• Crowd Connection:
  • Jey talks about realizing the crowd was with him:
    • “I heard them when I was hitting them splashes… That’s what makes our fan base so special.” (23:41)
• Reflection:
  • Jey is grateful for doubters and supporters alike and stresses the storytelling power of wrestling.

Timestamps

• Jey’s interview begins: 19:14
• Jey on family & legacy: 24:43–26:14
• Advice to young Jey: 26:39

Notable Quotes

• Jey Uso: “I wasn't going out there as Jey Uso. I was going out there as Joshua Fatu the whole night.” (20:40–21:07)
• Jey Uso: “Pick and choose which people to listen to… Believe in yourself.” (26:39–27:22)

Other Major Results and Takeaways

United States Championship: Jacob Fatu’s Arrival

• Jacob Fatu wins the United States Title; Solo supports him ringside.
• Recognized as a force: “At one point was not deemed fit for society, is now the United States Champion of WWE.” (37:01–38:04)
• Megan & Sam marvel at his unprecedented athleticism and dominance.
  • Megan: “Everybody should fear Jacob Fatu. Everyone.” (38:52–38:55)
  • Sam: “Winning a championship at WrestleMania is massive… now you are the representative.” (37:17–38:04)

Women’s Division: Tiffany Stratton Retains & Jade Cargill Shines

• Tiffany Stratton’s victory over Charlotte after a personal build:
  • Megan: “She left WWE and things have changed.” (42:04–42:06)
• Sam: “This women's division is as competitive as it's ever been.” (42:15–42:28)
• Jade Cargill defeats Naomi, impressing with pure athleticism:
  • Megan: “Her strength was on full display… I put Jade Cargill in that conversation [of best athletes].” (45:13–45:29)

Lucha Libre Influence: El Grande Americano & Vikingo’s Presence

• El Grande Americano (possible Chad Gable alter ego) defeats Rey Fenix, with heavy hints and comic denials from Sam and Megan (43:21–44:35).
• Vikingo gets directly involved at ringside.

The New Day: New World Tag Team Champions (49:50–70:53)

Backstage Chaos & Philosophy

• Woods and Kofi confront Sam and Megan for “low energy” and disrespect, demanding acknowledgment for their accomplishments.
  • Woods: “You call the tag team champions on your show as guests… and you do me the dishonor of not even having a legit mic here. What is this, bro?” (49:50–50:18)
  • Kofi: “Do you know how many times Ric Flair has been world champion?... In the tag team division, do you know who has the most title reigns?... It's the New Day.” (51:38–52:10)
• They refute claims that they turned on Big E, blaming him for leaving the group and feeling unfairly vilified.
  • Kofi: “He [Big E] left us. He got hurt… and eventually you heal up… [but] he chooses not to come.” (54:22–55:13)
• Fires back at the crowd and critics for negative energy, claiming the negativity originated externally.
  • Woods: “We are reflecting the negative energy that you guys presented. We didn’t come out with the negative energy.” (59:06–59:16)

The Tag Division & Legacy

• New Day boasts 13 WWE World Tag Team Championships, considering themselves the best ever and the standard for the division.
• Verbal jabs at Sam and Megan throughout—a playful but tense interview.
  • Woods: “Who’s asking good questions? Not Sam.” (65:23–65:26)
  • Kofi: “When the New Day has the tag team championships, the tag team championships are interesting. You know who the champions are. The other tag teams know that they can’t beat us for these.” (66:19–67:30)
• The origin of the “Not Sam” and Shetland pony jokes (becomes a recurring rib throughout).

Notable Quotes

• Woods: “We are the Van Gogh of tag team wrestling… We are objectively the greatest of all time, and y’all treat us like trash.” (50:30–52:35)
• Kofi: “If you don't like that, then that has nothing to do with me. That has – that’s a you problem.” (56:46–57:33)
• Kofi: “You bring the kids that you have that you don’t really want with the spouse you’re not really happy with... You come to see people who have made the correct decisions.” (63:06)
• Woods: “When you point that one finger at everybody else, you got four of them pointing back… Technically three, and a thumb.” (64:02)

Timestamps

• New Day interview starts: 49:50
• Big E discussion: 54:19–55:30
• Tag division legacy: 66:19–67:30

Memorable Entrances and WrestleMania Moments

• Megan highlights CM Punk’s entrance, a recreation of his first-ever WWE promo, and the use of Living Colour on stage. (71:50–72:57)
• Sam discusses the visual spectacle of the event, including Roman’s new attire symbolism and Seth’s elaborate entrance gear.

Looking Ahead & Final Thoughts

• Sam and Megan tease Night Two’s huge main event (Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena) and wonder about changing crowd dynamics, implications for WrestleMania’s future, and their own emotional investment.
  • Sam: “How do I come in here? What kind of energy do I have if, let's say, John Cena does ruin wrestling?” (74:27–74:54)
• Megan notes the significance of seeing John Cena as a heel in a WrestleMania main event for the first and possibly last time. (74:27–74:36)
• Episode closes with humorous callbacks to the New Day interview and Sam’s emotional recovery, setting the stage for the next night’s recap.

Quick Reference Timestamps of Key Segments

• Heyman’s betrayal and Main Event analysis: 00:40–13:12
• Jey Uso interview (first reactions/new champ): 19:14–27:22
• Jacob Fatu/US Title: 36:36–39:45
• Women’s division (Tiffany, Jade): 40:41–45:29
• New Day interview (tag team revolution): 49:50–70:53
• CM Punk’s entrance/memorable moments: 71:50–72:57
• Night Two preview: 73:10–end

Episode Tone and Style

• High-energy, irreverent, and filled with inside jokes (e.g., “Not Sam,” “Shetland pony,” “yeet”).
• Heavy focus on storytelling and emotional investment, blending kayfabe and real backstage insight.
• Lively exchanges with talent, particularly New Day, providing a direct line into both the competitive and personal stakes of WrestleMania.

This episode is a must-listen for WWE fans eager for nuanced analysis, behind-the-scenes reactions, and memorable quotes from both hosts and Superstars in the immediate wake of one of WWE’s most shakeup-laden WrestleMania nights ever.