WWE Raw Results 4/28/25

WWE Raw Results 4/28/25
T-Mobile Center
Kansas City, Missouri

You can follow me on Twitter @TheHootsPodcast

Commentators: (Michael Cole & Pat McAfee)

Ring Announcer: Alicia Taylor

Transcription by Josh Lopez

Seth Rollins, Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, Sami Zayn Segment

Seth Rollins: Kansas City! Welcome to Monday Night Rollins. I am your host. I am a visionary. I am a revolutionary. I am Seth Freakin Rollins. And in case you didn’t know, living under a rock, you’re looking at the winner of the main event of WrestleMania. And I know it’s a little difficult for some of you out there who still want to chant for CM Punk. I knew there was still a few of them out there. And I know how painful it is for some of you that still want to put your fingers up in the air for Roman Reigns. But what you’re looking at in this ring, right now, is the future of our industry. The future runs through one man. That man is not CM Punk, it’s not Roman Reigns, hell, it’s not John Cena, it’s not Jey Uso, it’s not Cody Rhodes. The future of this industry, with Paul Heyman to my left, and Bron Breakker to my right, the future of this industry runs through, Seth Freakin Rollins. Ladies and gentlemen, Sami Zayn. Welcome back, my man, you’re out for such a long time, it is good to see you back on Monday Night Raw. I assume you caught WrestleMania, right?

Sami Zayn: Yeah. Yeah, I saw the main event of WrestleMania, very good. How long have we’ve been friends, a long time, right? Okay, I feel the need to come out here, as a friend, and as someone who’s known you for a very long time, and tell you to your face that, this, this is a load of crap, man.

Seth Rollins: Hey, no, no, no. What are you talking about, man? What do you mean?

Sami Zayn: What do I mean? How much time did you spent talking about CM Punk, talking about Roman Reigns, and then the one thing those guys have in common happens to be standing over your shoulder now. So, how are you any different?

Seth Rollins: Wait a minute, now, you’re not seriously comparing me to CM Punk and Roman Reigns? How can this not be different, come on now?

Sami Zayn: For the longest time, I really started to believe that you just had this deep anger, like, this deep hatred for CM Punk, and you sounded so self-righteous when you’re talking about Roman Reigns, but now I’m starting to see that, maybe you’re just jealous. Maybe you just wanted to be in the position they’re in.

Seth Rollins: Sami, look, I’m not CM Punk, I’m not Roman Reigns. This is the vision for the future. You and me, we’ve gone back many, many years talking about what that future would look like. This is our future

Sami Zayn: What a coincidence that is, the vision for the future of WWE, the vision for the future, for this industry, for years to come, it all revolves around Seth Rollins being front and center.

Seth Rollins: It’s not a coincidence, I’m the best man for the job, you know this.

Sami Zayn: And that’s my point, Seth, it’s not a coincidence, it’s hypocritical. You spent all of this time talking about The Bloodline this, and The Bloodline that.

Seth Rollins: This is not The Bloodline, quit comparing me to them.

Sami Zayn: How is this different? You got The Wiseman over there, and you got your little dog, right over there. Who, by the way, if he keeps looking at me like that, he’s gonna get his face kicked in.

Seth Rollins: Hey, hey, hey, everybody just calm down. Hey, what is this? What is going on here? Sami, you came out here to be honest with me, let me be honest with you. This is the vision for the future. And you are either with us or you become a target. That’s not a threat, I don’t want you to become a target, because this whole thing is bigger than us. It doesn’t matter if I hate you, like I hate Roman Reigns and CM Punk. It doesn’t matter if I love you, like I love you. If you stand in our way, you become a target, and I don’t want that for you, I don’t want that for you, honestly. So, look, let’s find a solution to this, we can find a solution to this. It doesn’t have to come down to blows. We can get you out of harms way. Wiseman, you can pull some strings. We can get you moved off of Monday Night Raw. No, no, no, look, it’s not a threat, it’s just you’re clearly not going to buy in to what we’re selling, so maybe we cash you out. It’s not a threat, Sami, it’s an offer. It’s an offer, it’s a favor. So, look, just think about it, think about it. But we’re going to need an answer by the end of the night.

First Match: Rhea Ripley vs. Roxanne Perez

Perez is playing mind games with Ripley. Perez throws her jacket at Ripley. Perez delivers a chop block. Perez punches Ripley in the back. Perez with a flurry of toe kicks. Ripley grabs Perez. Perez slaps Ripley in the face. Perez with a drop toe hold into the middle turnbuckle pad. Perez with a Running Uppercut. Ripley kicks Perez in the face. Ripley goes for The Razor’s Edge, but Perez lands back on her feet. Perez ducks a clothesline from Ripley. Ripley blocks The Cazadora Bulldog. Perez repeatedly stomps on the left hamstring of Ripley. Ripley shoves Perez. Perez kicks out the legs of Ripley. Perez dropkicks Ripley to the floor. Ripley catches Perez in mid-air. Ripley throws Perez into the ringside barricade. Ripley dumps Perez face first on the barricade. Ripley rolls Perez back into the ring. Ripley launches Perez over the top rope. Ripley knocks Perez off the ring apron. Perez is throwing haymakers at Ripley. Perez repeatedly wraps the left leg of Ripley around the steel ring post.

Ripley blocks The Tilt-A-Whirl Side Russian Leg Sweep. Ripley goes for a Belly to Back Suplex, but Perez lands back on her feet. Ripley drops Perez with a Lariat. Ripley sends Perez to the corner. Perez with a leaping double boot. Perez goes for The Flying Crossbody Block, but Ripley counters with The Vertical Suplex. Ripley dropkicks Perez to the floor. Perez regains control of the match during the commercial break. Perez with The MoonSault for a two count. Perez drops her weight on the left leg of Ripley. Perez applies The Indian Death Lock. Forearm Exchange. Perez applies a standing toe and ankle hold. Ripley breaks free with a flurry of up kicks. Ripley with a Low Enzuigiri. Ripley ducks a clothesline from Perez. Ripley applies a wrist lock.

Ripley with two short-arm clotheslines. Ripley thrust kicks the midsection of Perez. Ripley delivers The Razor’s Edge. Ripley with The Shining Wizard for a two count. Ripley is raining down haymakers in the corner. Ripley gets distracted by Giulia. Ripley tells Giulia to bring it. Perez with an inside cradle for a two count. Perez with a Tilt-A-Whirl Headscissors Bulldog. Perez with The Scorpio Rising for a two count. Perez yells at the referee. Palm Strike Exchange. Perez with a Spinning Back Kick. Ripley blocks The Pop Rocks. Ripley with a knee lift. Ripley goes after Giulia. Ripley HeadButts Perez. Ripley goes for The Rip Tide, but Giulia counters with a chop block which forces the disqualification. After the match, Giulia and Perez gangs up on Ripley. Iyo Sky storms into the ring to make the save. Iyo uses the right leg of Giulia as a weapon. Iyo with a Roll Through Double Foot Stomp. Perez launches Iyo over the top rope. Iyo with a Roundhouse Kick. Giulia shoves Iyo off the top rope. The numbers game catches up to Iyo until Ripley runs back into the ring.

Winner: Rhea Ripley via Disqualification 

– Finn Balor wished that JD McDonagh gave him notice that he was coming back last week. He was medically cleared quicker than he thought he would. Liv Morgan eavesdrops into the conversation. Liv thought it would be a good idea for Finn & JD to fight The War Raiders tonight. Liv says that Finn should be happy because he’s not a champion at the moment. Finn just wants to be kept in the loop with big decisions going forward.

Logan Paul & Jey Uso Segment 

Logan Paul: Hey, yo, that’s crazy, because I don’t know if you remember, but I beat “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles last week at WrestleMania. And I hear that you people are still not satisfied. Hey, hey, hey, I get it, you’re from Kansas City, you’re a victim of circumstance, you don’t know greatness when it’s standing right in front of you. You people are so, so stupid, you don’t know what a true legend looks like. Hey, hey, hey, I’m gonna say something, and it might offend some of you, you’re not gonna like it, but a true legend certainly don’t look like your current World Heavyweight Champion, Jey Uso. And, you know, I had seven days to think about it, and I realized, man, I’ve done just about everything you can do in this industry, except win a World Title. So, Jey Uso, consider your days numbered, because you got something that I want.

Jey Uso: Hold up, hold up, we’re gonna silence this noise, because he thinks after 15 years, me trying to make a name for myself, finally becoming World Champion, that I would just hand this over to a punk ass YouTuber, like, Logan Paul, stop. Hey, look, let me spit it, let me get real with you for a minute. I watched GUNTHER beat my twin, uce, to a bloody pulp, so it did something to me, it lit a fire inside of me that ain’t ever going out. So, look, this title is not given, it’s earned, and it’s mine. And if you want it, come take it, four letters, one word, uh-uh, YEET!

Logan Paul: YEET! You sound so stupid, uce. I’ve done more in four years than you have in 15, all of you know that’s true. So, I got something for you, Jey. Here’s how this is gonna go. That title, I’m gonna take it from you. And you are gonna do what you do best, you’re gonna do what you always do, and that is, crash out, screw up, and lose that title in less time that you held the Intercontinental Championship. So, Jey, enjoy it while you still can.

Jey SuperKicks Logan to close this segment.

Second Match: The Judgment Day w/Carlito vs. The War Raiders 

The New Day joins the commentary team for this match. JD McDonagh and Ivar will start things off. McDonagh drop steps into a side headlock. Ivar whips McDonagh across the ring. Ivar drops McDonagh with a shoulder tackle. Ivar gets distracted by Balor. McDonagh grabs a side headlock. Ivar goes for a Bodyslam, but McDonagh lands back on his feet. Ivar blocks The O’Connor Roll. Ivar punches Balor. McDonagh attacks Ivar from behind. McDonagh repeatedly stomps on Ivar’s chest. McDonagh tags in Balor. Judgment Day gangs up on Ivar. Balor with a straight right hand. McDonagh tugs on Ivar’s bread. Ivar sends McDonagh across the ring. Ivar with a Back Body Drop. Ivar tags in Erik. Erik with a forearm smash. Erik ducks a clothesline from Balor. Erik with The Northern Lights Suplex. Erik runs around McDonagh. Erik with a Running Knee Strike. Erik tags in Ivar.

Ivar with a corner clothesline. Erik scores the forearm knockdown. Ivar drives his knee into the midsection of McDonagh. Erik nails McDonagh with Death Rowe. Erik dumps McDonagh out of the ring. War Raiders stare at New Day. Stereo Bodyslams to Judgment Day. Ivar bodyslams McDonagh. Erik bodyslams Ivar on top of McDonagh. Ivar tags in Erik. Ivar goes for a Running Crossbody Block, but Balor pulls McDonagh out of the way. Judgment Day has complete control of the match during the commercial break. McDonagh transitions into a corner mount. Erik knocks Balor off the ring apron. McDonagh kicks Erik in the gut. Erik rocks McDonagh with a forearm smash. Balor and Ivar are tagged in. Ivar drops Balor with a shoulder tackle. Ivar with a Sidewalk Slam. Ivar with a Running Crossbody Splash. Ivar follows that with a Leaping Seated Senton.

Ivar cartwheels around McDonagh. Ivar with The Spinning Heel Kick. Ivar plays to the crowd. Ivar hits The Bronco Buster. Ivar goes for The Doomsault, but Balor ducks out of the way. Balor tags in McDonagh. McDonagh blasts Erik off the apron. McDonagh sends Ivar tumbling to the floor. McDonagh with The Quebrada. McDonagh rolls Ivar back into the ring. McDonagh lands The MoonSault for a two count. Balor dumps Erik out of the ring. Erik tags himself in. Ivar runs through the double clothesline. Ivar with a Handspring Double Back Elbow Smash. Meeting Of The Minds. Erik rolls McDonagh back into the ring. Ivar throws Balor into The New Day. Ivar wipes out everybody with a Running Crossbody Splash on the outside. Erik punches Carlito. McDonagh rolls Erik over for a two count. McDonagh with The SitOut JawBreaker. Carlito rolls an apple into the ring. PENTA shoves McDonagh off the top rope. Erik tags in Ivar. War Raiders connects with The War Machine to pickup the victory.

Winner: The War Raiders via Pinfall 

– Paul Heyman interrupts Sami Zayn conversation with Otis. Paul Heyman reminds Sami Zayn that they’re part of The OG Bloodline. Sami says that Heyman just blew up whatever was left of The Bloodline at WrestleMania. Heyman had a lot of respect for Sami when he broke away from The Bloodline a couple years ago, maybe he’ll understand where The Wiseman is coming from. Heyman didn’t come here to talk about The Bloodline. Seth Rollins views himself as is the vanguard of the future of this industry. Bron Breakker is demanding a match with Sami. Heyman and Seth can’t say no that, because Bron is the key to their future plans. Seth Rollins holds Sami in so much reverence. If Sami agrees to being traded to SmackDown, starting this Friday, everybody wins. Heyman has spoken to both Adam Pearce & Nick Aldis. Seth is willing to do a favor for Sami. If Sami accepts this offer, upon his entry to SmackDown, he’ll face the winner of the John Cena/Randy Orton match, an instant Undisputed Title opportunity. Heyman tells Sami to think about the future of his family. Sami can live in the future or he can die in the past. Heyman tells Sami to think about it.

Becky Lynch & Lyra Valkyria Segment

Becky Lynch: The Man has come around to Kansas City. And The Man is back in business, so let’s get down to business, shall we. Bayley was tragically taken out of her WrestleMania match, but there won’t be any murder mystery, any weeks long who did it. I’ve examined the evidence, I have reviewed the footage, and we’ve found the culprit. It was me, I did it. No, no, no, no, no, no, don’t act like I’m the bad guy here. Don’t you act like I’m the bad guy, don’t you fake outrage. That woman has attacked me nonstop since 2019. And not one time, not one time did she ever apologize to me, but we’re all supposed to forget about that, just like Bayley seems to forget what this business is. While she’s out here going like, everybody, please like me, while she’s wearing everybody else’s shirts, and she’s dancing to everybody’s music, and she’s going, why aren’t I a bigger star?

Well, she got to see what a bigger star looks like, when I walked down the ramp at WrestleMania. And that brings me to, Lyra. Because there’s an old phrase that goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend, but the reverse also works, because the friend of my enemy is my enemy. Now, Lyra wouldn’t be in this business if it wasn’t for me, I had high hopes for Lyra, I said she was going to be the future. But while I was out, she was cozying up to the woman who I’ve been fighting for the last six years. Even then, I still tried to save her, I tried to get her to ditch that bitch. She would have never won those tag team titles with Bayley, but it was too late, she was already compromised, she was already a loser. But I showed Bayley what I thought of her before WrestleMania.

Lyra Valkyria: You had high hopes for me? Did you know how many women in that locker room warned me about you?

Becky Lynch: Oh, I bet they did, I bet they did.

Lyra Valkyria: Bayley was one of the first, actually.

Becky Lynch: Of course she was.

Lyra Valkyria: She told me that you would step on anyone’s throat if it meant you getting ahead. And I didn’t buy it, I didn’t buy any of it, because I was so caught up in this stupid fairy tale dream about winning Irish Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania. I didn’t buy any of it, because of the hopes that I had for you. And I don’t know how it took me Manhandle Slam after Manhandle Slam after Manhandle Slam, but I finally see it now. I know exactly what you are. The illusion of Becky Lynch is dead. And I’m about to make you pay for what you did to me and Bayley. Where are you going, Becky? Really, you’re gonna run away? Kansas City wants to see a fight, right? What’s the matter, what’s the matter, are you thinking about the last time we went one-on-one, when I beat you, and took your NXT Championship?

Becky Lynch: No, no, no, no, from now on, The Man only fights when it matters, and it does not matter in Kansas City.

Lyra Valkyria: I should’ve seen that coming. I’m sorry, Kansas, The Man is too good for Kansas City. Fine then, Backlash. And I bet you’re only going to do it if I put the title on the line, you got it.

Becky Lynch: Alright, you’re on. I’m gonna make that title matter, like I made you matter. Welcome to the big time.

Lyra Valkyria: Shut the hell up, Becky, because you never made me matter, I made me matter, because I’m no longer interested in being the next Becky Lynch. I’m Lyra Valkyria, and I’m going to be a better person than you, and I already know that I’m a better wrestler than you.

Becky Lynch: Listen to me, you little punk, you would never train if it wasn’t for me, everything that I’ve done, the road maps that I made for you.

Lyra clocks Becky with The Wrecking Ball Dropkick. Lyra rolls Becky back into the ring. Lyra transitions into a ground and pound attack. Becky hightails it out of the T-Mobile Center. Becky proceeds to attack Lyra from behind on the stage to close this segment.

– Nick Aldis tells PENTA to calm down. He understands that Penta wants payback. The good news is that Penta will battle JD McDonagh next week. Chad Gable joins the conversation. Gable is glad to see another luchador on the decline. Gable pokes fun at Penta for dropping the big one at WrestleMania. Gable calls Penta a clown with zero comebacks. Gable’s favorite part of WrestleMania wasn’t Penta losing, it was seeing his useless brother Fenix go down to El Grande Americano. Penta kicks Gable in the face. Penta calls Gable a pendejo. Penta tells Gable that he has Cero Miedo.

Rusev Promo 

Once upon a time, I had it all. The gold. The fame. The tank at WrestleMania. And then I lost myself. I left the WWE. And when I went home to Bulgaria, I fell into the abyss. And in that abyss, that’s where I healed myself, redeemed myself, I fixed myself. In that hell, I realized I will no longer fight for a woman that’s not mine or a flag that never was. I had an epiphany, I was finally freed to crush people, not because I was told to, but because I wanted to. So, now I will use my hands and jacked body for good, I will haunt the flawed, the arrogant, those who waste their talents like I did. And through their pain, I will perfect them all for good. So, my brothers, your lack of suffering ends now. I am the tempest rolling in. I will hunt you, forgive you, and fix you, like I fixed myself. Choose your next steps wisely, because for a righteous man, it will be no hardship. Ending you will be no loss.

Third Match: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Ivy Nile w/Chad Gable

Vaquer signals for the test of strength. Vaquer rolls around Nile. Nile with a double leg takedown for a two count. Nile with The Gator Roll. Nile grapples around Vaquer. Standing Switch Exchange. Vaquer with a Bridging Jackknife Cover for a two count. Nile kicks Vaquer in the gut. Nile applies a side headlock. Vaquer whips Nile across the ring. Nile drops Vaquer with a shoulder tackle. Vaquer drops down on the canvas. Vaquer with a shoulder tackle of her own. Vaquer whips Nile across the ring. Nile with a Tilt-A-Whirl Headscissors Takeover. Nile reverses out of the irish whip from Vaquer. Vaquer rolls Nile over for a two count. That leads us to a quick standoff in the center of the ring. Vaquer ducks a clothesline from Nile. Vaquer with a Vertical Suplex. Vaquer wraps her legs around Nile’s neck.

Vaquer goes for The Devil’s Kiss, but Nile counters with The Bow & Arrow Stretch. Vaquer escapes the hold. Vaquer delivers The Devil’s Kiss. Vaquer has complete control of the match during the commercial break. Vaquer with another Devil’s Kiss. Vaquer hits The Shotgun Meteora for a two count. Gable puts Nile’s foot on the bottom rope. Vaquer talks smack to Gable. Nile with a Release German Suplex on the floor. Nile rolls Vaquer back into the ring. Nile with a Running Sidekick. Nile with The Bridging German Suplex for a two count. Nile drags Vaquer to the corner. Nile ascends to the top turnbuckle. Vaquer slaps Nile in the face. Nile blocks The SuperPlex. Vaquer with repeated headbutts. Vaquer with The SuperPlex for a two count. Vaquer HeadButts Nile. Palm Strike Exchange. Nile with forearm shivers. Vaquer avoids The Roundhouse Kick. Vaquer thrust kicks the midsection of Nile. Nile blocks The SVB. Nile hits The Swinging Uranage Slam for a two count. Vaquer avoids The Running Sidekick. Nile with a straight right hand. Vaquer SuperKicks Nile. Vaquer drops Nile with The Dragon Screw Leg Whip off the middle rope. Vaquer connects with The SVB to pickup the victory.

Winner: Stephanie Vaquer via Pinfall 

– Nick Aldis had a backstage conversation with AJ Styles. Nick says that Pearce is lining up potential opponents for him. Liv Morgan walks into the office with Dominik Mysterio and Raquel Rodriguez. She’s requesting time off because she’s about to start shooting a major movie next week. Dom also request time off because he’s a champion, and he can do whatever he wants. Nick denies Dom’s request and reminds him that the workload doubles when you’re a champion. Dom wonders if AJ is planning to go to a retirement home like his deadbeat dad. AJ was near seconds away from punching Dom in the face. Liv had to step in and protect her Daddy Dom.

– Sami Zayn runs into Karrion Kross. Sami has a really big decision tonight, and Kross hopes that he makes the right one.

Pat McAfee & Nick Aldis Segment 

Pat McAfee: It is my honor to get a chance to chat in the home of the Chiefs! This place is glorious, and it’s the right place for me to deliver this message. I think there’s a lot of people that have forgotten who the hell I am. I’ve had such a successful career on the microphone, I think I have even forgotten who the hell I am. This past week has made me look in the mirror, and realize some things, that I’m still that same dog that was born in the East Hill of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to a Truck Driver, that was trying to go paycheck to paycheck. I am a man that was not handed a lot in his life. I am a man that is lucky to be blessed with great friends. I am a man that went from being an irrelevant bum, to a human that is known in basically every city in this country. I don’t have more talent than anybody. I’m definitely not better looking than most folks. But I happen to have a few things that I hope people will remember me by, when time has come to past. When I die, and I’m six feet under the dirt, I hope they say, that guy was an incredibly hard worker, he worked his ass off, not only for himself, but for his friends, for his family, for his community. I hope they say, he was an empathetic man, whenever he received a lot, he gave back a lot, he gave millions and millions of dollars to his community, to gyms, to children’s hospitals all across the country, to military foundations, and homeless shelters, and LQBTQ communities, and public-school foundations in under privilege communities and societies.

I hope they say when I die, that I gave back, and I left the world a better place than whenever I came into it. And last but not least, when I’m dead and gone, they will say, that I was a loyal motherfucker. You must ride for those that ride for you. If one go, they all go. You’re either with me or against me. And there’s one man that has been with me since the day that I met him, and he just happens to be the greatest of all-time, Michael Cole. To Michael Cole, I will be loyal until I’m in the soil, and if somebody wants something with him, they got something with me. So, last week, when that Austrian asshole put his hands on the goat, I had no other option, but to protect my boy. It was deep in my soul, it was deep in my blood. After it happen, obviously I get attacked from behind, and I see myself choked out all over the internet, all over television. I had my friends and family say, I don’t think you should be doing that to GUNTHER, he’s in his prime, he’s the former World Heavyweight Champion. I said, fuck that, if I die, I die. You got a problem with Cole, you got a problem with me, GUNTHER. SmackDown’s version of Adam Pearce, Nick Aldis, come on out here.

Nick Aldis: Mr. McAfee, I know Adam Pearce’s management style tends to be, let chaos reign supreme on Monday nights, but I’m in charge tonight, and I do things a little bit differently. And you and I know that this is not the time nor place for this discussion, but you called me out, so here I am. So, please, keep it professional, Pat.

Pat McAfee: I know you’re just a middle manager, just like Pearce, and Pearce we miss you. But I know that you have the power on this particular program this evening to make some things happen. I don’t like that Adam Pearce suspended GUNTHER. I don’t like that GUNTHER isn’t here. I want you to lift GUNTHER’s ban, and I want to fight GUNTHER, ASAP.

Nick Aldis: I had a feeling you might say that, that’s why I already discussed this ahead of time with Pearce. As far as lifting the suspension on GUNTHER, so you can get your hands on him whenever you want, the answer is no. You two are far too valuable assets to the company and I can’t take that risk. But speaking of value to the company, I have an alternative. We can lift the suspension on GUNTHER, and you can get your hands on him, in a sanctioned contest in a WWE ring. Pat, what I’m proposing is this, Pat McAfee versus “The Ring General” GUNTHER, one-on-one, at Backlash.

Pat McAfee: Me, GUNTHER, St. Louis, Backlash. Deal!

– John Cena/Randy Orton Video Package.

– Sami Zayn catches up with Jey Uso. Jey knows that Sami has some big decisions tonight. Whatever decision Sami makes, Jey knows that it’ll be what’s best for him. Sami gives Jey a big hug as heads back towards the arena. Logan Paul clocks Jey with The Titanium Punch. Logan says that’s karma, uce. YEET!

Seth Rollins & Sami Zayn Segment 

Seth Rollins: Well, we are here, it is nearly the end of the night, so Sami Zayn, I love for you to come out here, and let’s talk this out, my friend. Sami, before we get to the decision, I know you’ve had all night to think about it, but I thought about it a lot since earlier, just hear me out, alright, just hear me out. You’re putting me in a very, very difficult position. You’re putting me in a really tough spot, okay, because we go back a long way, and for the life of me, I don’t want to see anything bad happen to you, okay? And I get it, you don’t like Bron, you don’t like Heyman, but this is me who we’re talking about here. 20 years of friendship, this is you and me. Last week, I watched you come back to Raw, you celebrated in the center of this very ring with Jey Uso, because you guys are friends. And when you came out here tonight, I thought you were gonna give me the same respect. I know you don’t agree with it, but me and Bron and Heyman, that is the way forward. I believe with my whole heart that, that is the best vision for the future of WWE. And trust me, I wish I had somebody else to believe in, but there’s nobody better to lead us into that future than me.

And the fact that you don’t believe in me, that hurts. You see, this business, man, it tears relationships apart, it tears friends apart, we’ve both been on either side of those things. And you know, after everything that’s been said and done, how many true friends that you can count, one on hand, that you’ve made in this business? 1,2,3,4, less than 5? But for me, you were one of those true friends. When my baby girl was born, you were one of the first people that I called, you just become a new father yourself. I was scared out of my mind, man, I didn’t know what to do, I didn’t know where to turn. You came to me, and you gave me some of the best advice I’ve ever got in my entire life, I will forever be grateful for that. So, please, allow me to return the favor, and give you a piece of advice that can save your life. Take the pass, Sami. Take the way out. Whatever Heyman has laid out for you, take it, man, because if you stay on Raw, and you don’t believe in me, bad things are going to happen to you. And I love you, man, and I don’t want that to happen to you. So, take the pass, Sami, take the out, man. I’m begging you, take the out.

Sami Zayn: If I hurt your feelings, as a friend, I’m sorry. Everything you’re saying is true, our friendship transcends this business, our kids are very close, they play together, we’re very good friends, you’re right, a real one. And outside of that ring, that’s very true, but when it comes to everything you say inside of this ring, I think you’re playing games. And you are good, Seth, man, you’re very good, you’ve always been good, I’ve never been good with that stuff, you’re really good, that’s why you’re in the position that you’re in, that’s part of it. And you know, because how close we are, you know exactly what card to play, because I’ve confided in you over the years, I have told you how much the one thing that has alluded me my whole career, how much it nags at me, that one thing that has alluded me this whole time, the WWE Championship, the World Championship, and now you’re dangling it up in the air in front of me.

That’s what you’re doing. So, friend or not friend, for as long as you’ve known me, Seth, have you ever, ever known me to run away? You talk about hurt feelings, I’m not gonna stand here while my friend threatens me, because make no mistake about it, what you’re doing right now is threatening me. You’re saying, if I don’t aqueous, if I don’t submit to your vision, your plans for the future, then I become a target? But guess what? I’ve been a target a thousand times before. I can live with being a target, but I can’t live being blackmailed, blackballed, extorted, strong armed, I will not be threatened. I will win a WWE Championship. I will become a World Champion. And when I do it, it will not be because of any favors from anyone, it will because I did it my way, I did it the right way. So, buddy, as a friend, I respect you, I love you, but this is me telling you to go to hell.

Fourth Match: Bron Breakker w/Seth Rollins & Paul Heyman vs. Sami Zayn 

Breakker dives Zayn back first into the turnbuckles. Breakker with clubbing shoulder blocks. Breakker with an Overhead Belly to Belly Suplex. Breakker punches Zayn. Breakker rams Zayn’s face across the top strand. Breakker whips Zayn across the ring. Zayn kicks Breakker in the chest. Zayn decks Breakker with a back elbow smash. Zayn with a flying double axe handle strike. Zayn with a running toe kick. Zayn slams Breakker’s head on the top turnbuckle pad. Zayn goes for a Flying Double Axe Handle Strike, but Breakker counters with The Overhead Belly to Belly Suplex. Breaker talks smack to Zayn. Breakker with another haymaker. Breakker uses the middle rope to choke Zayn. Breakker whips Zayn across the ring. Breakker scores the elbow knockdown.

Zayn with a chop/forearm combination. Breakker drives his knee into the midsection of Zayn. Breakker applies a side headlock. Zayn whips Breakker across the ring. Zayn drops down on the canvas. Breakker Powerslams Zayn in mid-air for a two count. Breakker backs Zayn into the ropes. Breakker with Muay Thai Knee Strikes. Breakker whips Zayn across the ring. Zayn springboard off the ropes. Zayn with a Lariat. Zayn dumps Breakker out of the ring. Breakker yanks Zayn off the ring apron. Breakker repeatedly slams Zayn’s head on the announce table. Breaker with a Diving Lariat off the announce table. Breakker has complete control of the match during the commercial break.

Zayn blocks The SuperPlex. Zayn with clubbing blows to Breakker’s back. Zayn with The Sunset Flip PowerBomb for a two count. Breakker blocks The Exploder Suplex. Breakker kicks Zayn in the gut. Zayn slaps Breakker in the chest. Zayn drops Breakker with The Tornado DDT for a two count. Zayn ascends to the top turnbuckle. Breakker stops Zayn in his tracks. Zayn with hammer elbows. Breakker responds with The FrankenSteiner. Zayn blocks The Spear. Zayn with The Exploder Suplex into the turnbuckles. Zayn goes for The Helluva Kick, but Breakker counters with Two Spears. Rollins tells Zayn to take the deal. Zayn tells Rollins to go to hell. Breakker delivers The Super Spear. Zayn is receiving medical attention on the outside. Rollins gives Breakker the throat slash. Breakker nails Zayn with The Wrap Around Spear on the floor. Breakker rolls Zayn back into the ring. The referee decides to call off the match. After the match, Rollins plants Zayn with The Curb Stomp as the show goes off the air.

Winner: Bron Breakker via Referee Stoppage 

Total Run-Time: 2 Hours, 33 Minutes, 54 Seconds 

Checkout Episode 462 of The Hoots Podcast