- 2 days ago
Category
✨
PeopleTranscript
00:00.
00:02.
00:04.
00:06.
00:08.
00:10.
00:14.
00:16.
00:18.
00:20.
00:22.
00:24.
00:26.
00:32.
00:34.
00:36.
00:38.
00:40.
00:42.
00:44.
00:46.
00:48.
00:50.
00:52.
00:54.
01:02.
01:04.
01:06.
01:08.
01:12.
01:14.
01:18.
01:20.
01:22.
01:22.
01:24Wade Barrett, there has been an edge to Gunther since he has returned.
01:40And it's in the midst of this last time is now tournament.
01:45A lot of us in WWE have been watching this man for many years,
01:49including his time in NXT UK, NXT, and of course,
01:53on Raw and SmackDown, and you can count losses practically on one hand.
02:00Gunther does not take losses well, and generally bounces back with a vengeance,
02:07and that's exactly what he's done thus far in this tournament.
02:23You don't get to choose the cards.
02:35Only how you play them.
02:38I've set a tables like this my whole life.
02:42Taking some hits.
02:46We ain't finishin' no story.
02:50Went all in a few times, and I'm still here.
02:53I don't waste time worrying about opponents.
02:58I was built for this moment, and everyone after it.
03:04WrestleMania Vegas, it's anyone's game.
03:12And his opponent, accompanied by
03:13Kala Tung.
03:14And his opponent, accompanied by Kala Tung.
03:17from Las Vegas, Nevada,
03:19We did her 200x.
03:20And his opponent, accompanied by Kala Tung.
03:24From Las Vegas, Nevada,
03:26We did her 200x.
03:27And his opponent, accompanied by Kala Tung.
03:30And his opponent, accompanied by Kala Tung.
03:37And his opponent, accompanied by Kala Tung.
03:40From Las Vegas, Nevada,
03:41We did her 250 pounds.
03:44Sojo Secoa.
03:47One bad, bad dude, followed by one big, big dude.
03:51And his opponent, accompanied by Kala Tung.
03:54And his opponent, accompanied by Kala Tung.
03:56And his opponent, accompanied by Kala Tung.
03:58One big, big dude in that Cubs spell.
04:01Trouble.
04:02The Gunthers plans to conquer this tournament.
04:05These two going head-to-head imminently
04:08For a place in the final of the Last Time Is Now tournament.
04:28There are moments where every second feels like a month.
04:35And there are moments where 25 years feels like a second.
04:41My lens through what WWE is, is like 220 dates a year.
04:47Five dates a week, a different town every night.
04:50And like, there are just gaps that I can't even...
04:53Like, I mean, I don't know what happened in 2006.
04:56You know?
04:57Like, uh...
04:59But if I have some time, and if I have a little bit of guidance of like,
05:02Hey, in 2006 you had a...
05:03Oh, I remember that.
05:05That's where like, the decades feel like seconds.
05:08Well, you probably just saw Tom Rinaldi on the Thanksgiving Day NFL game.
05:14Now you can see Rinaldi's full interview with John Cena.
05:17Available immediately following Raw next Monday on WWE's YouTube.
05:22The final match, the final week of John Cena.
05:26Of course, Saturday night's main event, Washington D.C. December 13th.
05:32It is time to see who can draw closer, get to the finals.
05:36Who can have that historic opportunity.
05:39There is Solo Sokoa, who was in the midst of a highly competitive quarter-final match last week.
05:44And this is how he advanced.
05:45While Solo was taking on the high, flying Penza.
05:47Penza went high risk with that hurricanrana, but just landed badly.
05:51Injuring the shoulder.
05:53Unable to compete per our medical staff.
05:56Which gave Solo a pass through to tonight's semi-final.
06:01Penza's going to be sidelined for an as yet undetermined amount of time.
06:06We wish him the best and we will keep you posted.
06:08Well, listen Wade, you hear it all the time.
06:11In tournament action, in any sport.
06:13Survive and advance.
06:15And the last time, it's now tournament semi-finals.
06:18If you advance, you will be in the finals on SmackDown against LA Knight.
06:25Of course, the massive prize.
06:28We've said it earlier.
06:29Titles.
06:30Championships.
06:31They come and go.
06:32Retiring John Cena once.
06:35And it will cement a legacy.
06:37Who will take a step closer right here?
06:41Gunther and Solo Sokoa, we are underway.
06:44Yeah, and I'm going to add to that, Joe Tess.
06:45I agree with everything you just said.
06:47But I'm going to put that final match of John Cena's up there.
06:51On a par with breaking the Undertaker's street.
06:54Wow.
06:55We saw Brock Lesnar do that many, many years ago.
06:58And we have not stopped talking about it.
07:00Whoever has that final match with John Cena.
07:03Who retires John Cena.
07:04Especially if they can beat John Cena on the way out.
07:08We will be talking about it for decades.
07:10Remember, LA Knight defeated Jey Uso earlier tonight.
07:14And now, to see who advances to face LA Knight.
07:19Then, December 13th, the winner against Cena.
07:22The ultimate prize in the industry right now.
07:26Such an interesting collision between these two in the ring.
07:30Oftentimes, they use similar playbooks.
07:32It might come down to who is the better at cheating in this particular match.
07:37And I would have to give a significant edge to Solo Sokoa
07:42based on the fact that there's this almost seven foot tall.
07:46Talatonga menacingly stalking the outside of the ring.
07:50And the ring general, Gunther, has to have his wits about him at all times.
07:55Yeah, try calling the match with Talatonga choosing to stand right in front of me here.
07:59Nearly seven foot tall.
08:01The imposing figure, the menacing force for Solo Sokoa.
08:07Well, these two have indeed clashed.
08:10Although it was several years ago, they competed back in their NXT days.
08:14And though both have massively, massively grown and developed since then,
08:18there's not a lot we can read into that particular match.
08:21Although, for the record, the winner on that occasion was Gunther.
08:26Was Gunther an NXT UK champ, Solo Sokoa, an NXT North American champ.
08:31Solo went on to be a United States champion.
08:33Gunther a two-time heavyweight champion.
08:35And the 666-day longest title reign in history as the Intercontinental champion for the IC belt that reign.
08:45Now Gunther trying to pick up the offense as they test each other's size and strength back and forth.
08:52Center of the ring.
08:53Broke a couple of powerhouses made of granite.
08:58And the first shot landed.
09:00The first big one goes in favor of Solo Sokoa.
09:03That is a big, big mental momentum builder.
09:09Solo Sokoa's got his hands full over on Friday night's SmackDown.
09:12Problems brewing with Uncle Howdy and the Wyatt Six.
09:15Needs to put that to the back of his mind for now at least.
09:18We saw that with the traditional survival series match the other night.
09:22Big boot from the ring general.
09:25Semi-final action to advance in the last time is now tournament.
09:31It was a very interesting opening pace to this match.
09:43And then things heated up moments ago.
09:45And now Solo Sokoa out to the floor as you see Talatanga standing over him.
09:50This is interesting.
09:51Normally Gunther would want to follow up on Solo Sokoa on the floor there.
09:54The reason he didn't I would have to assume is because.
09:57Solo Sokoa's partner in crime right next to him Talatanga was lurking.
10:03And Gunther fought twice.
10:04Which has given Solo Sokoa essentially a standing nine count there to get back in the ring.
10:12Although straight back into danger.
10:14And Gunther on the offense.
10:15Yeah driving down those elbows.
10:17And now he is going to follow him out there Wade.
10:19Too close to this.
10:21Oh big shot.
10:23Big shot.
10:24I mean a massive shot.
10:28Look at that steamed off.
10:30Not many people make Gunther look small.
10:34He's seven foot tall.
10:35There's an uppercut.
10:36From Sokoa.
10:37He's catching the eye of Gunther there.
10:39Rock the big man.
10:43Oh right into the post.
10:45Solo Sokoa knows full well.
10:46He has to.
10:48Oh.
10:49Oh.
10:50Man he may have damaged.
10:51That right hand.
10:52And Gunther goes right back to it.
10:54Well how.
10:55Missing on the spike.
10:56How smart is that of Gunther.
10:57That is the big danger shot.
10:59From Solo Sokoa.
11:00First crashing.
11:02Against that.
11:03Steel ring post.
11:06And then on the attack.
11:07Ever since.
11:08Aiming at that thumb.
11:09Trying to smash the hand of Solo Sokoa.
11:11Take away his biggest weapon.
11:12You can see Solo.
11:13Trying to inspect his stuff.
11:14Oh.
11:15And now on top of the steel steps.
11:16Talatonga.
11:17Desperately wanting to get involved.
11:18But a disqualification here.
11:19For Solo Sokoa.
11:20Will eliminate him.
11:21From the tournament.
11:22So Tala.
11:23Has to be incredibly careful here.
11:24And powerful he was.
11:25Because the referee.
11:26The second he turned his back.
11:27Tala.
11:28Like a sprinter.
11:29Pounced.
11:30Sweeping the legs of the ring general.
11:31You might not like it.
11:32But that is devastatingly effective.
11:33For one of the NFTs.
11:34And what it.
11:35And what it!
11:36And what it!
11:37And what it!
11:38And what it!
11:39The referee.
11:40The second he turned his back.
11:41Talatonga.
11:42Like a splinter.
11:43Pounced.
11:44Sweeping the legs of the ring general.
11:45You might not like it.
11:46But that is devastatingly effective.
11:47For one of the NFTs.
12:00And what it.
12:02A perhaps pivotal type.
12:03Pivotal turning point in this match
12:06That intervention by Teletonga was
12:09And there's no letter whatsoever
12:13From the former street fighting champ of the islands
12:16Who knows how to fight dirty
12:33Look at this scene here in Glendale, Arizona
12:38Massive crowd at Desert Diamond Arena
12:40Things have changed with Gunther and Solo Sokoa
12:43And that is because of the presence of the enforcer of Solo Sokoa, Teletonga
12:48Well, this was the second the referee turned his back on Teletonga
12:52So smart by the MFT sweeping the legs of Gunther
12:57And finally giving Solo a massive upper hand here
13:00Gunther once again trying to go for that weak spot
13:04Got a couple of shots on the hand of Solo Sokoa
13:07A little earlier in this matchup
13:09And now trying to fight back from underneath
13:11Yeah, Gunther dominated the first two rounds of this last time
13:15His now tournament to see who faces John Cena in Cena's final match
13:19It was Javon Evans and Carmelo Hayes that he got through
13:22This is a very different beast, Wade, with Solo Sokoa
13:26Completely different kind of animal
13:28And perhaps animal is the right word
13:31Because the mentality of Solo Sokoa is to be merciless
13:35And unyielding when he has the upper hand
13:38This is a perfect moment for Solo Sokoa to take a little breather
13:42Knowing full well he has the big Austrian opponent hurt at this point
13:46And unable to attack
13:48You can see Gunther reaching for his back
13:51Oh, chop down to the back of the neck
13:53Gunther himself was trying to take advantage moments ago
13:56When Solo Sokoa went for the Samoan Spike
13:58But hit the ring post and then Gunther was targeting that thumb
14:02And now back to the chop
14:04This time Gunther locking it up
14:13Yeah, so rare you see a block like that on a body slam
14:16But so technically astute
14:18Meanwhile
14:19Oh, but he collapses down
14:22And now this to advance for the finals
14:24Well two things
14:25Solo Sokoa is a massive massive human being
14:28He is just as thick as they come
14:31But combine that with the amount of headbutt attacks
14:34That he has fired at the lower back of Gunther
14:37And Gunther simply didn't have the power
14:40To make that body slam stick
14:42To veteran superstars who know what it means to win championships
14:46But you talk to everybody around this arena today
14:50And they say the big prize
14:52The one everybody wants is the chance to retire
14:55John Cena
14:56This is a semi-final
14:58Win here and you face L.A. Knight
15:00In the finals of the tournament
15:02Willie has turned to speed for Gunther at this point
15:05The power game simply isn't working
15:07That's normally in his bag of tricks
15:10It's not gonna work against Solo Sokoa
15:13Not when you're half beaten down
15:15Like the former world heavyweight chap is right now
15:18Gunther quick to his feet
15:20And catching Solo on top of the rope
15:22And now going up himself
15:26This has really turned into a war of attrition
15:30With these two giants
15:32All that size and weight
15:34Crashing down
15:36And you could see the ring shake
15:39But of course executing that move
15:41Even though Gunther was the man performing it
15:44That superplex there
15:45Landing on his own
15:47Lower back in the process
15:48You see him turn
15:49Try to avoid it
15:50Still catches his own lumbar spine
15:53And it's not the stopping out of Gunther
15:55As it did Solo Sokoa
15:57Winner here will be one win away from being John Cena's final opponent
16:13That historic pedestal that everybody desires
16:16This is how they started off the match
16:19And they're getting right back to it
16:21Towing the line
16:22Center of the ring
16:23Just two immovable objects slugging it out
16:27And something has to give tonight
16:29Oh what a chop
16:37Big right hand
16:38As durable and tough as they come
16:40Just wincing in pain
16:42Under this barrage of attacks from one another
16:45And refusing to go down
16:47Go down you might stay down
16:49Oh man
16:50Oh man
16:51Shot to the throat
17:06Solo Sokoa was able to utilize that right thumb
17:10But all the damage that was done
17:12In the image that was done
17:14In the lead up to that strike
17:16High above Desert Diamond Arena
17:18As we bring you down to the action
17:20Both men down here in the midst
17:23Of this last time is now
17:25Tournament semifinal
17:26The winner advances to face L.A. Knight
17:30On Friday night SmackDown
17:31Who will work their way to Saturday night's main event
17:34And be the final opponent
17:36In John Cena's greatest of all time career
17:39And this really is the point in the match
17:46It's usually championship time
17:48A place you can go to
17:49If you're good enough to find that extra gear
17:52Well it's championship time now
17:54Or John Cena time shall we call it
17:57And finally pulling it out is Gunther
18:00We know for a fact that lower back is screaming in agony
18:04And he wants to finish this right now
18:06Oh the splash from the big man
18:09The ring general to advance
18:11And just a moment shy
18:14As that right shoulder gets up
18:16When your body is screaming in agony
18:19And you feel like you've got the job done
18:21As Gunther just did right there
18:23With that body slam splash combination
18:25And your opponent kicks out
18:27It completely sacked all the will and drive out of your soul
18:32And Gunther is now struggling
18:34The crowd is getting loud here in Glendale, Arizona
18:39Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto! Let's go Soto
19:09club to the jaw right there from Gunther
19:12technique going out the window
19:14oh spinning solo
19:17the spinning solo slam for the window
19:19Gunther was in complete control of this
19:36last time is now tournament semi-final
19:38until moments ago when a spinning solo slam
19:42was delivered by Solo Sokoa
19:44we are now in the deep waters of this
19:47thrilling semi-final to see who will
19:49advance and draw closer in the last time
19:52is now tournament and be John Cena's
19:54final opponent the winner here advances
19:57to Friday Night Smackdown to face L.A.
20:00Knight oh the running hip attack by Solo
20:04and now he has complete momentum Wade
20:06while Gunther was the favorite for this tournament
20:09after all competitors were announced
20:11well the favorite Gunther might be about to get put to the sword
20:14or should I say put to the spike
20:17of Solo Sokoa
20:19he's revving the oh
20:22he came in for the hip attack and Gunther met him with a massive clothesline
20:28this is those gears we were talking oh my god
20:30what a counter by Sokoa
20:33massive clothesline by the ring general to win it right here
20:37and you just have to be uncompromising at this point in the match
20:44uncompromising with your opponent's health
20:47uncompromising with your own health
20:50ignore the fact that every sinew is screaming give up
20:55get back to the locker room live to fight another day
20:58remember what's at stake history hangs in the balance
21:03your opportunity to go down in history against John Cena
21:07at Saturday night's main event
21:09he was looking for the powerbomb earlier when Sokoa countered
21:13can he get him in position here
21:15big body thick solo Sokoa
21:18oh instead
21:20possible Samoan drop opportunity
21:23no
21:24getting out the back door and working on that thumb again
21:28he damaged it earlier
21:30and there it is
21:32the Samoan drop
21:34and now Solo hooking the leg to put away Gunther
21:39boy oh boy these two are just running on fumes right now
21:45giving it everything they've got
21:48and why not
21:49you will never get another opportunity like this in your entire career
21:54these things just don't come around very often
21:56Solo is looking for the spike
22:00once in a generation moment
22:04this is your only opportunity to see something like this
22:08and Solo Sokoa refusing to let it go
22:12Gunther's in the door
22:13oh what a chop
22:15knife's edge right across the neck of Solo Sokoa
22:19and another
22:23how much damage
22:26can Solo Sokoa take
22:29chop meat pecks
22:32Gunther delivering the blows
22:35spinning Solo Slam again
22:40just when you start writing Solo Sokoa off
22:45oh the flash
22:48this could be it
22:50Gunther survives
22:54just take a listen to this
23:01just as Solo is going in for the big one
23:07Gunther bounces back but then a spinning Solo
23:11fired by this iconic splash
23:13and it's still not enough
23:16to keep down the ring general
23:19why are we surprised
23:21Razzapato our official just looking at these two guys
23:25saying how much more can they give
23:27can they endure
23:28these are the decisions that real fighters make
23:32going for the spike again
23:36oh the sleeper's in wait
23:37locked in
23:38center of the ring
23:39and Solo Sokoa struggling for that rope
23:42he denies it
23:43Gunther denied that right hand
23:45and now able to make it over to the corner
23:47Solo's got over there
23:49oh he rips off the turnbuckle
23:51that was inadvertent or not
23:54but the turnbuckle is off
23:55German suplex connecting
23:57Solo Sokoa has no clue where he's at
24:00perhaps he thought that turnbuckle pad
24:02was his pillow
24:03because he is on Dream Street right now
24:05there's the pot is tending for the turnbuckle
24:07meanwhile
24:08Tawataga gets up on the apron
24:10that's the second time once again with the rest
24:12that was
24:12oh massive size 17
24:15burn to the kisser
24:17of Gunther
24:18the referee's back is completely turned
24:22as they team up to do damage
24:30Gunther delivers some food on his own
24:31oh the mule kick
24:32oh mule kick
24:34onions
24:34time
24:35done
24:36and that right thumb
24:38right on the apron
24:38the referee catching them in the act
24:42just when it was at its most crucial
24:44goal
24:46and now Talatonga dropped with that low blow
24:49and a low blow
24:50and a low blow
24:52referee didn't see it
24:54Gunther delivers the low blow
24:55oh what a powerbomb
24:58two advance
24:59two
24:59three
25:00he does it
25:01here is your winner
25:05here is your winner
25:07the ring general
25:09goal time
25:13well we talked at the beginning of the match about how these two styles were so similar how it could come down to who outcheeks who
25:23while the ring general gets it done again against overwhelming odds at times
25:29this is where the referee busted solo
25:33and that is one way to drop a seven foot tall mft
25:39and then sticking for the count with this powerbomb
25:50what an epic war between these two
25:53but it is now
25:54gunther who goes on to the final of this tournament that will take place
25:59this friday on smackdown it's going to be gunther versus the mega star
26:05l.a night the winner to face john cena
26:09in his final match december 13th and saturday night's main event
26:1416 men began
26:16to remain
26:27i'll tell you right now i want to feel damn impressive but i don't get a good guy
26:31what you do tonight what you do next week when you see me when you see this
26:36you ain't gonna hear this music play but i wish you the damn best all right you do what you can do
26:41and i'll see you soon
26:43yeah
26:45the chance to retire john cena the chance to fully cement a legacy it'll either be gunther
26:54or l.a night
Be the first to comment