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00:00Let's go!
00:30Let's go!
01:00Let's go!
01:30Let's go!
01:35Let's go!
01:37Let's go!
01:42Sami Zayn, a Muslim, considers tonight a home game in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
01:49Clearly, the WWE fans weighed in his corner.
01:54He believes he carries an entire country on his shoulders tonight.
01:58Yeah, these people are always elated when Sami Zayn shows up.
02:02And let's be honest, Sami Zayn, when he's in this part of the world, has been unbeatable.
02:07These people, this atmosphere, the Middle East just lifts Sami Zayn to a whole new level.
02:14Well, he needs all of these people and perhaps more tonight to get the job done.
02:19Let's go!
02:24Let's go!
02:28Let's go!
02:29Let's go!
02:30Let's go!
02:31Let's go!
02:32Let's go!
02:33Let's go!
02:34Let's go!
02:35Let's go!
02:36Let's go!
02:37Let's go!
02:38Let's go!
02:39Let's go!
02:40Let's go!
02:41Let's go!
02:42Let's go!
02:43The Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre
03:12told us earlier today that he will do anything, and he means anything, to make sure he doesn't
03:21lose the championship.
03:23But he did admit to us, Wade, that this is a Sami Zayn, a different Sami Zayn than he's
03:29faced in the pack.
03:30And he realized that when Sami slapped him across the face a couple of weeks ago.
03:35Yeah, I think if you go back a couple of years and Drew had talked a little smack about Sami's
03:40family, I think Sami would have either shrugged it off or at least maybe just said a few
03:45words to Drew, hey, you went too far.
03:47You're right, it's a different Sami Zayn.
03:49He's laser focused, he's locked in, he's got the eyes of an assassin, and he is ready to
03:55take Drew McIntyre to hell tonight.
03:57A lot of numbers to talk about in this matchup.
04:02The most prominent, 11-0.
04:05That is the career record in one-on-one matches for Drew McIntyre over Sami Zayn.
04:12Zero.
04:13The number of world championships that Sami Zayn has won in his career.
05:32And nothing stops our ring announcer, Mark Nash.
05:39The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
05:51And it's for the undisputed WWE Championship.
06:00Yeah!
06:01Introducing first the challenger from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, weighing in at 212 pounds, Sammy Zay!
06:20And his opponent, from Air Scotland, weighing in at 285 pounds, he is the undisputed WWE Champion,
06:50Sammy Zayn told us that this match tonight is eerily reminiscent of Elimination Chamber a couple of years ago
06:59in Sammy's hometown of Montreal.
07:01The night that Sammy Zayn met Roman Reigns for the undisputed WWE Championship and came within a whisker of winning his first title.
07:10His first title.
07:11He has momentum.
07:24What a fatal four-way to get here.
07:26And he has 25,000 strong in his corner here tonight.
07:31Yeah, you talked about 0-11.
07:33Well, the difference maker to make that 1-11 tonight could well be this highly vocal, highly partisan Riyadh crowd.
07:41Sammy Zayn has never lost in a match in Saudi Arabia.
07:45What does Sammy need to do to finally win that elusive world title tonight?
07:49Well, first of all, he needs to tap into this boost from the audience, and then he needs to be acutely aware of this domineering presence that is the WWE champ, Drew McIntyre.
08:00I thought it was very telling, as I mentioned earlier, that Drew admitted that this is a different Sammy Zayn than he's beaten in the past.
08:06And I think that's scary for Sammy because that means Drew has adjusted everything.
08:10Yeah, Drew's absolutely right on that one.
08:12However, it's also a very different Drew McIntyre.
08:15This is a Drew McIntyre who had an arduous climb to return back to the top of WWE.
08:22We saw all the failures that he went through over the years against top opponents and world champions.
08:28Well, now he's got that title.
08:29He is prepared to be as inhumane as can be to make sure he maintains.
08:34Finally got that bitter taste out of his mouth when he won the world title at WrestleMania, only to have Damian Priest cashing in on him that night.
08:43And McIntyre just relentless in the attack.
08:48Go back over the last few years for McIntyre, what the bloodline did to him when he was chasing gold, what CM Punk did to him when he was chasing gold.
08:56So many near misses.
08:58And Sammy knows the same story in a completely different way, but these are both two men who are prepared to go all out tonight.
09:05And there's McIntyre, hook of the leg and a kick out by Sammy.
09:09It's also a testament to McIntyre and his desire.
09:12The fact that he lost a number of title matches to Cody Rhodes, but he kept coming back for more.
09:17And finally in the end, despite the circumstances, he won three stages of hell to win the title.
09:22Yeah, these two are eerily similar when you go away from the obvious, which is the personality between these two.
09:29These two both believe in their hearts.
09:31They are the best on the planet, not going to give up until they've proven it.
09:35Now, Drew has proven it.
09:36He is the king at the very top of the world.
09:39He's going to have to be at his best tonight for this version of Sammy Zane.
09:43I have a question for you, Wade.
09:44You had a great career in WWE, but you never won a world championship.
09:49For someone like Sammy Zane, how important is that when you look back on your career?
09:53I mean, to me, it's everything.
09:55Of course, I ride on the fact that I was a five-time Intercontinental Champion.
09:58I would love to check that warm box to say, no, I stood at the very top of this industry.
10:04I got close, but every time I got near there, I slipped back down.
10:08And Sammy over the top takes out McIntyre.
10:11It may have hurt himself.
10:12Sammy may have hurt himself.
10:13I mean, it was a bullseye on McIntyre who did the damage, but you're right.
10:17I think he's, I don't know if he's hyper-extended the back or he landed on that tailbone or what,
10:22but the lower back is just a...
10:24Look at this.
10:25That's the problem with a high-risk maneuver like that in a championship match.
10:30What mistake could cost you?
10:32Well, I'll tell you right now, the back really didn't hit the ground.
10:35It was more that the feet hit and the lower back got jarred.
10:37It's almost like a pile driver that does a lot of damage to the neck,
10:40but this was to the lumbar spine of Sami Zayn.
10:43Oh, God, this is completely changed.
10:45And this is what's scary for Sami.
10:47He's got a bullseye on his lower back now, and Drew McIntyre is going to make him pay.
10:52Drew is as smart as they come when he sees a weakness, and he's ravenous now for the blood of Sami Zayn.
10:58And Sami's about to face some severe punishment.
11:01Well, it's hard enough going into the ring with McIntyre at 100%, but with a serious injury to the lower back.
11:08So I'll tell you right now, we talked about this crowd, how being in Saudi Arabia was going to give Sami a boost.
11:13That's great, but it can make you a little over-excited, a little over-zealous, a little over-committed.
11:19I think Sami just slightly over-shot that dive, but a little too much energy in there, and he's paying the price now.
11:26And what Drew has done with this, Wade, is he's taken the crowd out of this match-up.
11:31Well, the crowd sensed the damage to their man Sami Zayn, the so-called hometown hero here.
11:37They're all living their dreams through this guy until our Saudi friends produce a top superstar.
11:42But right now, Sami Zayn's hopes are slipping away.
11:45Maybe the new trainee, Bahad Tweek, that we saw on the kickoff show yesterday.
11:49He is a big, big dude.
11:51Once he gets his skills in order, no doubt we're going to see him compete in here.
11:54But right now, all concerns laser-focused on Sami Zayn and that lower back.
11:59Well, there's been some night tonight.
12:02Liv Morgan won the Women's Royal Rumble, and I can't even believe I'm saying this.
12:09The professional wrestling career of AJ Styles ended.
12:13I'm trying not to think of that.
12:15Trying to move on at least for now and break that down in the aftermath,
12:19although the aftermath of this particular match may be imminent,
12:22because Sami's got seemingly nothing left, and his body has given out on him.
12:34Fans trying to rally Sami.
12:36Zayn ducks underneath.
12:38Sami right into that tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.
12:42Covered by the champ, Sami.
12:44And that was a weak kick out.
12:46Yeah, and ever since that lower back started acting up after that dive,
12:49it looks like Drew McIntyre against a rookie with zero experience,
12:54because Sami Zayn is offering next to nothing in return.
12:58Tell me about this.
12:59When you have a lower back injury like that,
13:00and a 280-pound man lays on top of you in a pinning predicament,
13:05how difficult is it to kick out?
13:07Well, you use your spine and your legs for leverage on a kick out.
13:11Well, that is the least of Sami's worries right now.
13:14Just any movement, any breath, if that lower back is flaring up, is going to be stinging.
13:19And Sami's elusive nature is entirely compromised here against a bigger, more powerful opponent.
13:25And if that's gone away, you question how the hell can Sami win this?
13:29Well, Superplex may break his back.
13:31Sami realizing that looks to counter.
13:33Got to be wondering what's going through the mind of an injured Sami Zayn here.
13:37Sami fighting back.
13:39Who hasn't pulled the muscle getting out of bed and had to limp around for the next few days?
13:44Well...
13:45Oh!
13:46Flip powerbomb!
13:47Cover!
13:48McIntyre just kicks out!
13:50And what was the key in that move there?
13:52That was not the power of Sami Zayn, it wasn't really the movement of Sami Zayn.
13:56It was using Drew's leverage on the ropes against him.
13:59There are ways to hurt McIntyre here for Sami, even if he's physically compromised.
14:04Although it's going to be difficult, and Sami has to be the smartest fighter he's ever been in this one.
14:09And Sami realizes he's got to take advantage now.
14:11Oh, that's not going to work!
14:12Yeah, I thought he was looking for Blue Thunderbomb.
14:14Oh!
14:15And Drew McIntyre able to counter, but Drew's back hurting as well.
14:18I'll tell you right now.
14:19Oh!
14:20Drew is 280 pounds of Scottish beef.
14:23That's tough to lift at the best of times, even more so when your lower back simply doesn't work.
14:28A kip up by the champion.
14:30Sami with a desperation sunset flip powerbomb moments ago.
14:37And McIntyre lining up Sami Zayn.
14:39Sami to his feet.
14:40McIntyre went for the claymore and Sami intercepted.
14:43And now Sami Zayn with a Blue Thunderbomb!
14:46Cover for the championship and a kick out by McIntyre!
14:49Yeah, and Sami, though, astoundingly pulled off that Blue Thunderbomb.
14:53You saw the pin.
14:54It wasn't it's usual stat.
14:56South for Sami Zayn.
14:58He immediately after the landing goes to grab the lower back.
15:01He's not tight on the pin.
15:02And McIntyre gets a free pass to kick out.
15:07Incredible atmosphere here at Riyadh Season Stadium in Kaft in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
15:14First time the Royal Rumble has ever been held outside of North America.
15:20I don't know if atmosphere can act as an anesthetic, but if it does, Sami Zayn might have a chance here.
15:27I'm sure Sami wants to get into a slugfest with McIntyre.
15:30Costco kiss.
15:31And I agree with you on that.
15:32The problem is Sami can't move out of the way of a slugfest.
15:35He has no choice but to trade with the bigger, stronger McIntyre.
15:38And again, McIntyre perched in the corner, begging Sami to get to his feet.
15:42Looking for a claymore that he tried earlier on.
15:44Three, two, one!
15:49Went for the claymore and missed!
15:51Sami rolled out of harm's way!
15:52Opportunity!
15:53Pinning combination!
15:54Shoulders down and a kick out!
15:56Again by McIntyre.
15:57And every movement of Sami Zayn having to block out this pin.
16:00What a fight Sami Zayn is in with his own body.
16:04Forget the fact that he's in there with McIntyre, the WWE champ.
16:08Two battles at the same time for Sami Zayn here.
16:12I guess Sami just trying to fight fire with fire, but again, just collapses.
16:17Sami Zayn! Sami Zayn! Sami Zayn! Sami Zayn! Sami Zayn! Sami Zayn!
16:26What the sound like this do for Sami Zayn.
16:29It raises those endorphins. Endorphins can block out that pain and make you do superhuman things.
16:35And Sami might be able to pull off a miracle, but McIntyre clearly other ideas.
16:41Yeah, Drew McIntyre just continues to push forward.
16:45Is this what you expected out of this match thus far?
16:51I mean, the second Sami hurt that lower back, yes, because Drew has been in complete control.
16:56He's controlled the pace.
16:57Uh-oh!
16:58And Sheamus is throwing things at the TV.
17:01There it is, white noise.
17:03Sorry, Sheamus.
17:04Cover by McIntyre.
17:07And a kick out.
17:08I think Sheamus would be happy if Drew won with that.
17:10No, he wouldn't.
17:11He has told me he wouldn't. It was his birthday in the game too.
17:14That was a belated gift here from McIntyre.
17:17And Sami Zayn's lower back once again bearing the brunt of that massive white noise from the second row.
17:24More frustration now for Drew McIntyre, but Drew McIntyre knows full well he holds all the cards for victory here so he can go home with that championship.
17:34This is for the undisputed WWE title.
17:37McIntyre the champion.
17:39Sami Zayn the challenger.
17:41Ducks underneath looking for a backslide.
17:43Can he pull it off?
17:44He does.
17:45McIntyre rolls through though.
17:47Oh, there it is.
17:48The future shock.
17:50McIntyre not done yet.
17:53And another to Zayn.
17:55Zayn might be out here.
17:56Yes.
17:57Oh, we're not done.
17:58This is sadistic now.
17:59Yeah, McIntyre.
18:00Third time.
18:04And that may be all she wrote for Sami Zayn who's still somehow in it.
18:13Well, first of all, it's incredible that Sami Zayn did kick out at all, but that is the weakest kick out I have seen in a long, long time.
18:21There's nothing left in the tank for Sami.
18:24But McIntyre, he's gone for the Claymore a couple of times.
18:27You feel like now is a prime opportunity to really finish this man off.
18:32Yeah, McIntyre a bit disappointed that he didn't put Sami Zayn away with the trifecta.
18:37And now, measuring his man.
18:39Looks more pissed off than anything else, and Sami Zayn's got nothing here.
18:46Oh, he does.
18:48Looking for the...
18:49The exploder, but McIntyre with an elbow to the neck and then a clothesline to Sami.
18:54Well, the brain is still sharp, but the body not working for Sami Zayn here.
18:58Runaway train, McIntyre, continuing here to punish Sami Zayn.
19:04That's the problem, Sami's fighting on his...
19:06Oh, it isn't!
19:07Look for the haluma kick, almost caught him!
19:09Claymore by McIntyre!
19:11Claymore!
19:12One, two, three!
19:15Sami got his foot on the bottom rope, but he's still in it.
19:19Well, he doesn't have the power to kick out, but McIntyre made the cardinal sin for a veteran like him.
19:25Sami with those long legs, it's simply too close to that lower rope.
19:29And that was Sami throwing the dice one last time.
19:32Did not pay off.
19:33The speed of McIntyre is something to behold for a true heavyweight like him.
19:37Yeah, McIntyre should have hooked the outside leg.
19:40I'll tell you right now, that was an arrogant pin from McIntyre who thought he was home and dry.
19:44Sami Zayn had other ideas.
19:46You have to be careful there, McIntyre not above knocking out an official.
19:55Seen to do that recently.
19:56I see him.
19:57I got my left eye work.
20:03Oh!
20:04Haluma kick!
20:05Haluma kick by Sami!
20:07Trying to drag himself and crawl into the cover!
20:10One, two, three!
20:12McIntyre barely got the shoulder up!
20:15Oh God, and if Sami Zayn's body worked any better, A, he would have got there quicker, B, he would have hooked two legs tightly, and this one would have been over.
20:25The dream would have come true for Sami Zayn.
20:30Once again, immediately to that lower back.
20:33And now Drew McIntyre, the champ, needing to regroup.
20:43Well, that was a shocker for McIntyre who was completely distracted, yelling at the official.
20:50Big, big error in this championship match, and the back door has been opened here for Sami Zayn.
20:57Stumbling around as he may be.
21:02Sami back gave out.
21:03The back gave out.
21:06McIntyre.
21:08Oh my God!
21:09The spine!
21:11The spine!
21:12Right through the table!
21:14Sami Zayn buckling!
21:15Look at the position of his body!
21:17Well, we've talked time and time again about these tables.
21:20They are made of metal.
21:22They rarely collapse.
21:24It takes an extreme amount of force, and all that force has now been absorbed by the lumbar spine of Sami Zayn, who may well need a backboard to be carried out of here.
21:34Referee taking a close look.
21:36Yeah, I'm not sure if Sami Zayn is going to be able to continue in this match.
21:41Got some more officials out here checking on Zayn.
21:47And McIntyre said, uh-uh, I want more punishment.
21:50I want to destroy Sami Zayn here.
21:52And he's perfectly right to do this.
21:54The referee wants to throw the match out, do so.
21:58McIntyre.
21:59Until the bell rings, keep fighting.
22:01Sending Zayn into the ring.
22:03You can't blame McIntyre for this.
22:05It's distasteful, and it pains the fans of Sami Zayn, but McIntyre is fighting to retain the championship, and I don't blame it.
22:13Well, he said he'd do anything, anything in his power, to make sure he doesn't lose the WWE title.
22:19A defiant Sami with an exploder into the corner!
22:37Oh God, this is Sami Zayn tapping into something else!
22:40He may be beaten, Sami Zayn may be battered, but the heart is the last thing to go!
22:49Klaymoor!
22:59McIntyre refusing the pin.
23:01There's gonna be more!
23:03While the body of Zayn is done, the brain of Zayn might be done, but the heart is still beating, and McIntyre is about to take that out too!
23:14Look in the eye!
23:16Klaymoor again!
23:18The death blow!
23:21One, two, three!
23:22McIntyre retains!
23:24Here is your winner, and still the undisputed WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre!
23:40It wasn't pretty, but it was effective.
23:47Sami Zayn, as gutsy as they come, but after that lower back tweak in the early goings, this match was simply never the same again.
24:01Just unsurpassed heart and drive from the challenger, but how the hell do you stop a man like McIntyre, who is prepared to stoop to the depths of humanity?
24:13A high risk move by Sami Zayn, set off a chain reaction in which Drew McIntyre would retain his title.
24:25Now this is the moment, hopes seem to go away for good for Sami Zayn, as that lower spine connected with that desk collapsing the entire thing.
24:37But Sami Zayn still had a little something left.
24:40McIntyre slapping the hell out of Zayn, Zayn responding somehow with that exploder on a delayed halluva kick.
24:47It was all in touch for McIntyre to pull out that claymore.
24:51Think about the pen and think, hell no, Sami's gonna kick out here.
24:55I'm gonna finish it for good.
24:57No mistake, the second time around, stacking maximum offense on the challenger.
25:03And McIntyre wins once again.
25:11Come here.
25:12Now, come here.
25:14Do your damn job.
25:16Do your job.
25:17Do your job.
25:18Do your job.
25:19You're you.
25:20You're your.
25:21You're my if you fit.
25:26Do your job.
25:28Come here.
25:30Come here.
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