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WWE Royal Rumble 2026 Live 1/31/26 part 2
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00:00:00On the line, against the ring general, Gunther, the career killer.
00:00:05If AJ Styles loses, he must retire.
00:00:11And again, what a moment, moments ago.
00:00:14Liv Morgan realizing a lifelong dream, first Sol Ruka eliminated by Tiffany Stratton.
00:00:20And then Liv would take advantage with the oblivion, sending Tiffany to the floor.
00:00:25Liv Morgan, with that surprise of just joy on her face.
00:00:29And she joins the likes of Asuka, and Becky Lynch, and Charlotte Flair, and
00:00:37Bianca Belair, and Ronda Rousey, and Rhea Ripley, Bayley.
00:00:43And of course, Charlotte again last year.
00:00:46Liv Morgan is going to WrestleMania.
00:00:55He keeps screaming hell afterwardæ ¹ontists.
00:01:00We'll be very fast.
00:01:02Sure.
00:01:06We'll be back soon.
00:01:06keep smiling feel.
00:01:08stomp
00:01:40The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
00:01:51If AJ Styles loses, AJ must retire.
00:01:57Introducing first, from Vienna, Austria, weighing in at 250 pounds, the Ring General, Gunder!
00:02:10The man I have called the career killer.
00:02:15He sent Goldberg into retirement last summer.
00:02:21He made John Cena give up in Cena's final match of his legendary career.
00:02:26And tonight, he looks to end the 25-year career of the phenomenal AJ Styles.
00:02:35Well, Gunther is unquestionably in the year 2026.
00:02:40Two things.
00:02:41Number one, the most hated man in wrestling.
00:02:45Number two, the yardstick.
00:02:47Bell to bell for this industry.
00:02:50And it's that last point that makes the threat to the career of AJ so great.
00:02:57And this match tonight is brought to you by Wingstop.
00:03:00Made to order.
00:03:02Always fresh.
00:03:03Don't miss any of the action.
00:03:04Get flavor delivered to your door at wingstop.com.
00:03:08Thank you so much.
00:03:31I'll be right back.
00:04:01And his opponent, from Gainesville, Georgia, weighing in at 220 pounds, the Phenomenal A.J. Stiles!
00:04:31A.J. Stiles has made it clear that 2026 is his final year in professional wrestling.
00:04:41But he wants to go out on his terms.
00:04:44He'd love to have a year-long retirement tour and face some of his all-time great rivals.
00:04:49But he was suckered into this match, Wade, by the ring general, Gunther.
00:04:53Yeah, he was goaded into putting his career on the line against the career killer,
00:04:59which to me was a huge unforced error.
00:05:02Sometimes when you think emotionally, you don't think clearly, your thinking becomes irrational.
00:05:09And I understand the pride that A.J. has built up throughout his long 25-plus years at the top.
00:05:15But that pride for me has made it put his career on the line against a guy who conceivably may not be beatable.
00:05:26I mean, how long have we been watching Gunther in WWE?
00:05:29Six, seven years, whatever it is.
00:05:30I would guess, off the top of my head, maybe five losses in that time.
00:05:35Could you, could you, uh, have you got the stats to hand?
00:05:38Actually six.
00:05:39Six, okay, well it's close enough.
00:05:40It's a handful of losses.
00:05:42But listen to these numbers.
00:05:43When he was NXT UK champion, he was champ for 870 days.
00:05:47When he was Intercontinental champion, Gunther held the title a record 666 days.
00:05:51And he's a double-time world champion.
00:05:54And he's only been beat six times in the past couple of years in one-on-one action.
00:05:59And he may be in the best streak of his career right now.
00:06:02Yeah, his last loss, of course, was to world heavyweight champ CM Punk.
00:06:07And CM Punk himself, the great CM Punk, said he doesn't feel he beat Gunther.
00:06:12He feels he just survived Gunther.
00:06:18The referee in this match is Dan Engler.
00:06:21He refereed many of AJ Styles' matches back when Styles was the, uh, the man who ran TNN.
00:06:33Will this be the final time we see Styles compete in the ring?
00:06:38Or will he knock off the ring general and keep his career alive?
00:06:42Hear that audience suddenly firing up there, willing AJ Styles to victory there.
00:06:46Very quiet on AJ's entrance because there was a severe sense of dread
00:06:51of foreboding because the consequences of this match are almost too great for this audience to enjoy.
00:06:58So if you're AJ Styles, what do you have to do to win this match tonight?
00:07:02Well, you've got to figure out that Gunther simply has no weakness.
00:07:05Even when you have him in the center of the ring, bang to rights and a calf crusher,
00:07:09as we saw several weeks ago in Dusseldorf, Germany.
00:07:12He's still not beaten.
00:07:13Let me interrupt you.
00:07:14Gunther may have an Achilles heel, so to speak.
00:07:17He has tapped out on a couple of occasions, and he tapped out a few weeks ago, as you mentioned, to AJ Styles.
00:07:23Whether it was a ruse or it wasn't, he was caught in the calf crusher, and he did tap.
00:07:27I'll correct one thing you just said.
00:07:29You said he has Achilles heels.
00:07:31I will say he had Achilles heels.
00:07:33When he's been beaten in the past, he will never be beaten the same way again.
00:07:37He goes back to the drawing bar and corrects that.
00:07:39Styles right back to the calf.
00:07:42Going to be a point of attack as he looks to soften up Gunther for the calf crusher here tonight.
00:07:47I mean, we will never truly know if Gunther was genuinely tapping out on the aforementioned calf crusher,
00:07:53or if it was just a ruse.
00:07:55So if that is the point of attack, we may find out the truth tonight.
00:07:58I asked AJ, why?
00:08:00Why 2026?
00:08:02I mean, 25-year career, but he's still in the best shape of his life.
00:08:06He moves great in the ring.
00:08:07He said, I want people to remember me like this.
00:08:10I want people to remember me at the top of my game.
00:08:13I don't want to hang on for a number of years and be a shell of myself.
00:08:17And you have to applaud that.
00:08:19Absolutely.
00:08:20It's noble, but it is high risk against someone like Gunther.
00:08:24And let me add this to the mix.
00:08:25What has AJ done over the past seven days?
00:08:28He's been in absolute wars with Shinsuke Nakamura and CM Punk.
00:08:34Gunther, nicely rested, been in the gym, worked on his prep, and completely ready to end this career tonight.
00:08:41AJ's strategy early is the leg of Gunther.
00:08:45Soften him up for the calf crusher.
00:08:48Yeah, you're right.
00:08:48It is going for that leg, soften him up.
00:08:50That's a physical attack.
00:08:51But also, it's a mental attack on Gunther saying, I know your weakness.
00:08:54I'm going to get you again.
00:08:55And then, uh, hit Gunther with his own chops.
00:08:57And now Gunther with a side headlock, wrestling AJ to the mat.
00:09:01AJ Styles' career began back in 2001 with a handful of tag matches.
00:09:06And WCW had a handful of matches in WWE at that point in time as well.
00:09:12Before he went on to become the megastar at TNA.
00:09:15Went on to New Japan, became a world champ.
00:09:18Came to the WWE a decade ago at the Royal Rumble 2016.
00:09:22Went on to win a couple of WWE championships, United States, and Intercontinental titles.
00:09:28Yeah, he's a man who's done it all.
00:09:29And is certainly not ready for it to end tonight.
00:09:33Unlike Gunther.
00:09:34But going back to that, that fake tap-out we talked about in that match in Dusseldorf.
00:09:38What's Gunther always prided himself of?
00:09:41The match is sacred, right?
00:09:43But that was the cheapest win of his entire career.
00:09:46And to Gunther, that was a statement to stumble.
00:09:49Nice dropkick by Styles.
00:09:50I got a question for you.
00:09:52Gunther has declared for the Royal Rumble match later tonight.
00:09:55He's in that match.
00:09:56Do you think he's looking ahead to that and the opportunity to main event WrestleMania
00:10:00and maybe not completely focused on Styles?
00:10:03I mean, it might be that.
00:10:05Well, I suspect, though, it's a simple message being sent to AJ Styles.
00:10:09I'm so confident that I'm going to wipe the floor with you in your retirement match.
00:10:13I'm also going to go and win the Royal Rumble.
00:10:16And after a slow start here from Gunther, things have suddenly picked up
00:10:21right in the solar plexus of AJ Styles.
00:10:25Take another look at this.
00:10:27The level of impact.
00:10:28First with that shot.
00:10:29And second, the landing, the flip landing of AJ on the floor.
00:10:34And AJ struggling to breathe here.
00:10:36I'm not surprised at this at all.
00:10:38You wouldn't expect Gunther.
00:10:39And now dropping Styles on the table.
00:10:42Just smashing our monitors in the process.
00:10:45That's the point I was making.
00:10:46I wouldn't expect Gunther to want to count out victory of AJ Styles.
00:10:49He wants to tap out AJ.
00:10:51He promised to do that tonight.
00:10:53And Styles driven in to the ring post.
00:10:55And I'll tell you right now, I was watching that Irish whip into the ring post.
00:10:59Normally you try and resist that.
00:11:00There was no resistance at all from AJ.
00:11:02AJ's in a bad way here.
00:11:0425,000 here tonight in Riyadh.
00:11:14Trying to will on AJ Styles to dig down deep.
00:11:18But a chop by this Terminator-like.
00:11:20Gunther drops AJ.
00:11:22And now Styles whipped into the barricades.
00:11:31Styles is looking like jelly.
00:11:33Even in the early goings here as a serious mischief big dog.
00:11:38To the midsection of AJ Styles who's grabbing that sternum repeatedly.
00:11:43I'll tell you right now, movement is one thing with a cracked sternum.
00:11:46Breathing is another thing.
00:11:48Well, hey, here's the problem with Gunther too.
00:11:50He's relentless.
00:11:51He has no mercy.
00:11:53No absence of malice in Gunther.
00:11:56He just keeps coming at you.
00:11:59Will not give you a chance to breathe.
00:12:03And AJ Styles having problems breathing now.
00:12:05As the ribs went into the barricade.
00:12:07Well, in here with tactics clearly was Gunther.
00:12:11And you're right.
00:12:11He's as callous, as ruthless.
00:12:13And as barbaric as they come when he gets the upper hand.
00:12:19You know, Wade, I had that sit-down interview with him on Raw Monday night.
00:12:21I was looking into his eyes.
00:12:23This man relishes the opportunity to end people's careers.
00:12:27It drives him.
00:12:29It makes him what he is today.
00:12:30Yeah, and it adds to the massive aura that this man has built up over the years.
00:12:36Just crossing off names.
00:12:39Retiring your favorites.
00:12:41All of them Hall of Famers.
00:12:44You notice blood on Gunther.
00:12:45The official has gloves on.
00:12:48I wonder if AJ's been busted open.
00:12:50I can't quite see.
00:12:51Yeah, there's blood speared on both men here.
00:12:52It's on the forearm of AJ too.
00:12:54It's kind of all over the body.
00:12:55Oh, what a back body drop.
00:12:59Quite no where that blood is.
00:13:00Oh, there it is.
00:13:01There's a cut right on that left forearm of AJ Styles.
00:13:05I think it may have happened when he came down hard on the announce table.
00:13:08Look at the height in this back body drop.
00:13:10As Gunther just flings him to the mat.
00:13:12Well, the obvious damage, of course, is to that left forearm.
00:13:15I think you're right.
00:13:16I think he got smashed against our monitor.
00:13:18But the true story is the sternum of AJ.
00:13:20Well, Gunther promised that he was going to tap out AJ Styles.
00:13:24Can he do it with a Boston Crab in the middle of the ring?
00:13:28Gunther screaming, ask him, ask him.
00:13:31This has all gone horribly wrong.
00:13:34We're right from the start for AJ Styles.
00:13:36And AJ trying to reverse the pressure here.
00:13:38Onto his back now.
00:13:40Fighting out of it.
00:13:42Styles is relentless as they come.
00:13:44As resilient as anyone.
00:13:46And that kick right to the ribs again.
00:13:48And AJ's having some problems breathing.
00:13:50Relentless.
00:13:51The word you just used for AJ is similarly true.
00:13:53Perhaps even more so for this man, Gunther, once he gets the upper hand.
00:13:59And it's that slow pace.
00:14:02Methodical at times.
00:14:03But little wasted motion.
00:14:06One word Gunther wants to use.
00:14:08And that's punish.
00:14:09Punish his opponents.
00:14:11Punish them into submission.
00:14:13I mean, there are so many strengths to Gunther.
00:14:18You could write a book about the man.
00:14:20But one of his biggest ones has to be his callous nature.
00:14:24His mind is a compassion-free zone.
00:14:27AJ knows it.
00:14:28And AJ building up some momentum here.
00:14:30Yeah, there's no give up in AJ Styles.
00:14:32Styles now with a kick to Gunther.
00:14:34Maybe he has Gunther on the ropes a bit here.
00:14:36Styles now with Gunther up and down.
00:14:38Waist locked by Gunther.
00:14:39Missed with a clothesline.
00:14:40Pele kick by AJ.
00:14:42AJ blocking out the pain now.
00:14:44And he really needed to get something going.
00:14:47Because this was slipping away in a hurry.
00:14:49And with it, the career of the Phenomenal One.
00:14:54This match is for the career of AJ Styles.
00:15:00AJ must win to continue on in WWE.
00:15:05If he loses, he goes home.
00:15:08I'll tell you right now, Cole, you're in the ring against Gunther.
00:15:11Gunther is a strategic expert.
00:15:13You need to have all your faculties.
00:15:15You need a game plan.
00:15:17It's tough to do that for AJ with the weight of the world on his shoulders,
00:15:22knowing what is lurking with a loss.
00:15:24And looking to take Gunther out of his comfort zone here.
00:15:28And this is good from AJ.
00:15:30He needs to pick up the pace, go as fast as possible.
00:15:32Tough to do with a busted sternum, but he's managing it.
00:15:36Styles into the corner now with Gunther up on his shoulders.
00:15:40Down goes Gunther.
00:15:42Knee to the neck.
00:15:43Cover.
00:15:43Hook to the leg.
00:15:44Gunther kicks out at two.
00:15:46So close for Styles.
00:15:47I mean, you've got to go for broke now if you're AJ Styles.
00:15:50And he's doing exactly that.
00:15:52There's nothing to be left on the table tonight.
00:15:54And that knee to the back of the neck of Gunther may well have changed things in a big way here.
00:16:01You know the wheels are turning.
00:16:03The cerebral AJ Styles trying to think a couple of steps ahead here.
00:16:08What he needs to do to keep Gunther down.
00:16:10Is he looking for a Styles clash?
00:16:12But Gunther now.
00:16:13And there's the roll through by Styles.
00:16:15Oh, here we go.
00:16:16Has him in possession.
00:16:17Gunther could be in trouble, but couldn't quite lock it in.
00:16:19Scorpion kick to the head of AJ Styles to get out of that.
00:16:22Followed by the old baseball bat-like clothesline.
00:16:25And the cover and a near fall.
00:16:27It's old school as they come.
00:16:29Just a swinging lariat.
00:16:32Straight away out of the disaster.
00:16:34The almost befell Gunther there with that attempted Styles clash.
00:16:38Just old school.
00:16:39I guarantee you the Hall of Famer JBL with a big smile on his face
00:16:43after that lariat-like clothesline from the ring general.
00:16:47Yeah, as old school as they come is Gunther would thrive in any era
00:16:54going back over a hundred years.
00:16:56Oh, you're thinking about Stan Hansen.
00:16:57Gunther's getting right in with me.
00:16:59AJ looking to roll through into the cap crusher here.
00:17:01Gunther's felt this before.
00:17:03Looking to hang on.
00:17:04Gunther holding onto the top rope to prevent that roll through.
00:17:06That was really smart.
00:17:07And it goes back to what I was saying.
00:17:09He never gets caught the same way twice.
00:17:11Oh, he's a complete student of the game.
00:17:14He lives and breathes this sport.
00:17:16And a slow plow around the ring when he's got AJ down.
00:17:28That's just Gunther going through his list of ideas in his mind.
00:17:31His strategies.
00:17:32He's put together.
00:17:34And Gunther gets to the ropes and AJ locking it in.
00:17:40He's got a five count.
00:17:41Gunther clearly panicked on that one, but smartly immediately on the rope.
00:17:47Did some damage, though.
00:17:48You do have that five count, as you mentioned, to break.
00:17:51Yeah, but think about the embarrassment for Gunther Wade if he tapped out to AJ Styles tonight.
00:17:58It's maybe partly physical, partly flashbacks.
00:18:01Remember, they're remembering the pain of that match in Dusseldorf and the desperate measures that were required to get out of it.
00:18:07Oh, and there is that dinosaur dropkick from Gunther.
00:18:12And Gunther now lifting Styles up.
00:18:17Powerbomb to AJ.
00:18:19Stacks him up.
00:18:19Will this be it?
00:18:21Styles stays in it.
00:18:22Man, you saw that over-rotation attempt from AJ at the top of that Powerbomb.
00:18:27Trying to get over the other side for a roll-through.
00:18:30Gunther just too strong.
00:18:31Let's not forget, after a low blow, of course, that Powerbomb is what finished up AJ in their first match.
00:18:42Gunther learning a lot about the guts of AJ Styles.
00:18:46And what has made him one of the greatest competitors on this planet for the past 25 years.
00:18:52Here's part of the issues where AJ Styles, of course, he is the veteran.
00:18:55We talk about his 25-plus years at the top.
00:18:58He's never competed against anyone quite like Gunther.
00:19:01So all of that knowledge, all of that experience, you don't have that much to pull on when you're in there against Gunther.
00:19:07Get out of there, come on!
00:19:10What are those chops do to you, Wade?
00:19:12I have never actually taken one, and I never intend to, but I promise you from talking to the guys in the locker room,
00:19:19A, it's the initial sting, B, it's the feeling of fire burning through the-
00:19:24AJ rolls through again, he went for the leg, look at the cap crusher now on Gunther.
00:19:28Now they're toward the center of the ring.
00:19:29Gunther trying to somehow stay in it, but Styles has got it locked in.
00:19:34Will Gunther tap out? Will Gunther tap?
00:19:37I guarantee you the ref is hyper-aware about Gunther's tactics here for a tap-out.
00:19:41If he does try something smart, smart by Styles, roll him back away from the ropes.
00:19:46And this is the end of the center of the ring.
00:19:48This is the exact moment Gunther tapped out in the last match.
00:19:51Is he going to do it again?
00:19:52At a great point, the official Dan Engler putting himself in perfect position to see what Gunther does.
00:19:57And now Gunther trying to power his way out of this.
00:20:00A sleeper? That's a sleeper call.
00:20:02A sleeper now locked into Styles.
00:20:03And now Styles trying to hang on.
00:20:05He's got to get back to a vertical base and create space.
00:20:08Well, that was desperation from Gunther.
00:20:10He couldn't get the heels hooked in, but he has.
00:20:12No, he hasn't reversal.
00:20:14Shoulders are down, and it forces Gunther to break.
00:20:16And now Styles quickly into a sleeper.
00:20:19Trying to power out there is the big man Gunther who does so.
00:20:22And now once again locked into AJ in the middle of the ring.
00:20:25This is where Gunther is so dangerous.
00:20:27Once he gets it locked in, it's so hard to break, but Gunther dumped out to the floor.
00:20:32And it buys AJ critical time here.
00:20:36Wow, that one just swung back and forth about five or six times in the space of 30 seconds.
00:20:41Shows you how dangerous these two men are.
00:20:44Shows you how deep their forms of attack can run.
00:20:47And Styles now with a phenomenal forearm as he launches himself over the top rope to the floor.
00:20:53Come on, AJ.
00:20:56It was a bullseye shot from AJ.
00:20:59Unfortunately for AJ, wrong side of the ropes.
00:21:03And Gunther down.
00:21:04He might be KO'd.
00:21:05He's stirring now.
00:21:06But AJ needs to get that carcass of the big Austrian back in the ring and finish the job.
00:21:12AJ going to send Gunther back into the ring.
00:21:16Styles trying to do what he can to stay in this match.
00:21:21Styles is completely locked in.
00:21:22You feel the pressure has now left him.
00:21:24He's simply in fight mode and fighting freely.
00:21:30And Styles going to the top rope.
00:21:31Took too much time.
00:21:32And Gunther quickly back to his feet, delivering a chop.
00:21:35Yeah, so difficult to move at your usual speed.
00:21:38Especially for a pacey guy like AJ when you've been beaten to a pulp by this absolute monster.
00:21:44Now what does Gunther have in mind?
00:21:53Trying to turn AJ into a superplex.
00:21:55AJ slips underneath though.
00:21:56He's got Gunther in trouble.
00:21:59Gunther though lands on his feet.
00:22:00Hooks Styles.
00:22:02Looking for the powerbomb.
00:22:03Ooh.
00:22:05Styles with one of his own.
00:22:08Stacks up Gunther for the win.
00:22:10Gunther kicks out.
00:22:11Just a taste of his own medicine for Gunther.
00:22:14And it is a rarity that you see Gunther being hit with his own move like that.
00:22:21Well, that would have been a major shock to the system, to the ring general.
00:22:25Of course, the height of AJ not the same as Gunther.
00:22:28The impact therefore not being quite as great.
00:22:32But almost a three count and almost salvation for the career of AJ Styles.
00:22:37But Wade, what's important for Styles now is this.
00:22:40The match is deep now.
00:22:41And Gunther hasn't been able to put him away.
00:22:43In fact, AJ is in control.
00:22:46Gunther's got to have that in his head.
00:22:48And AJ's lining up something big here.
00:22:50He takes victory.
00:22:52Off the top rope.
00:22:53AJ Styles.
00:22:55Springboard 450 connects.
00:22:58And Styles.
00:23:01Looking for the Styles clash.
00:23:03Gunther's fighting it, but it's lost.
00:23:04Styles clashes in.
00:23:06Come on, AJ.
00:23:07AJ into the cover.
00:23:08Solvers down.
00:23:10Gunther kicked out.
00:23:11Oh, God.
00:23:14Oh, God.
00:23:16Watch this.
00:23:16Springboard 450.
00:23:18You stack this move immediately with your biggest hitter of them all.
00:23:23A massive frame.
00:23:25The Styles clash.
00:23:26It's over.
00:23:27It's one.
00:23:28It's two.
00:23:29It's not over, guys.
00:23:30It's never over against Gunther.
00:23:32What does that do to you mentally?
00:23:35I mean, it's a shock to the system, to everyone in this arena, everyone watching at home.
00:23:40But AJ Styles thought he was in winner's enclosure.
00:23:45He thought the career was safe.
00:23:47It's not.
00:23:48What else have you got, AJ?
00:23:49And I would say, one tug of that elbow pad tells us exactly what is coming next.
00:23:55Gunther slow to his feet.
00:23:56AJ Styles on the apron.
00:23:58Looking for his signature move here.
00:24:01Styles going to launch himself off the top rope.
00:24:03Went for the phenomenal forearm.
00:24:04Caught in the sleeper by Gunther.
00:24:06AJ able to switch into a sleeper of his own.
00:24:09And Gunther now grabbing the official.
00:24:12Oh, that was a low blow.
00:24:13That was a low blow behind the referee's back.
00:24:15He grabbed the official and delivered a low blow into a power bomb.
00:24:19Stacks up AJ.
00:24:20Not like this.
00:24:21Styles kicks out.
00:24:23Well, the combo that beat AJ Styles in Dusseldorf three weeks ago simply didn't work tonight.
00:24:33That damn dirty Gunther grabbed the official to blind the official.
00:24:38And then delivered that mule kick to Styles.
00:24:41Going down low into the power bomb.
00:24:44And Styles survived.
00:24:45Well, both men at this point, at least in their own minds, have had this match won only for their opponent to kick out and keep it alive.
00:24:55And Gunther is not responding well.
00:24:58Gunther screaming at the official.
00:25:00Said it should have been a three count.
00:25:02AJ Styles trying to drag himself back to his feet on what could be the final match of his career.
00:25:08When the dirty tricks come out, it's because Gunther is in a major panic mode.
00:25:13Desperate.
00:25:14But Gunther still has the upper hand.
00:25:17AJ's reeling.
00:25:21And now a chop to Styles from Gunther.
00:25:29Gunther just punishing Styles, torturing Styles.
00:25:34Now barbarism begins here in Riyadh.
00:25:36And Styles may regret kicking out of that last combo.
00:25:46Because it only gets worse from here.
00:25:48Well, the official Dan Angler trying to show some mercy for Styles there.
00:25:51And Gunther says, the hell with that.
00:25:53But Gunther's become completely unglued at this point.
00:25:55Well, he thought he had the three count, Wade.
00:25:57Well, he's normally in full control.
00:26:00This could play to AJ's advantage if he could somehow climb back into this.
00:26:04It's difficult to see a way back in.
00:26:08So beaten up.
00:26:10So tortured at this point.
00:26:11Gunther's got to be extremely careful.
00:26:24Referee may even throw this out.
00:26:29AJ looks like a beaten man here.
00:26:30There's no way.
00:26:31There's no way the official could do that with everything that's on the line here.
00:26:34I get that.
00:26:35He has to protect competitors.
00:26:36When competitors cannot fight back.
00:26:39Keep up.
00:26:41Come on.
00:26:42Come on, AJ.
00:26:44Come on.
00:26:44Come on.
00:26:46And another one.
00:26:56AJ can't even get his hands up.
00:26:58Styles has been defenseless from these chops.
00:27:00He just collapses into Gunther.
00:27:03Tolerance is great from AJ.
00:27:05He should have given up a long time ago.
00:27:07He's as ugly as it comes.
00:27:09And we talked about Gunther's mind being a compassion-free zone.
00:27:13This is why this man is the most dangerous man in professional wrestling.
00:27:19Take it from me.
00:27:20This man likes no one.
00:27:24This man is all about himself.
00:27:26Doesn't care what he does to his competitors.
00:27:29All he cares about is the win.
00:27:32Absolutely pitiless.
00:27:34And he's willing AJ to get up and take more of this abuse.
00:27:37Styles back to his feet.
00:27:39Styles brushed it off his chest.
00:27:40Almost like he was calling for more.
00:27:42And here comes Styles fighting back with the forearms.
00:27:45And a top of his own.
00:27:47And Styles with a flurry.
00:27:52And AJ beating down Gunther.
00:27:54Even Gunther a taste of his own medicine.
00:27:56Fighting fire with fire.
00:27:58Where the hell is AJ pulling this from?
00:28:02It's about his career.
00:28:03Everything hangs in the balance weight.
00:28:05You have to do everything you can to win this match.
00:28:08AJ looked like a dead man walking.
00:28:10But there's life still in the phenomenal water.
00:28:13Cock in the elbow.
00:28:15Went with a phenomenal forearm.
00:28:16Gunther though with AJ on his shoulders.
00:28:21AJ lands on his feet.
00:28:23Sleeper.
00:28:23He was trying for the Pele.
00:28:25But Gunther caught him in a sleeper.
00:28:26Well Gunther's gone for this sleeper several times.
00:28:29He hasn't had the heels locked in.
00:28:31But AJ in a severely weakened state is fading.
00:28:34And the sleeper hold locked in.
00:28:36The arm slipped underneath the chin.
00:28:37And look at the positioning of Gunther.
00:28:39Putting all his own weight on top of the frame of AJ.
00:28:43And AJ's now collapsed.
00:28:44AJ's fading.
00:28:44Unlike the hunks.
00:28:45The hunks are in now.
00:28:46AJ Styles.
00:28:48How much does AJ have left?
00:28:50Can he fight back here?
00:28:51High drama at the rumble.
00:28:53Lips are turning blue.
00:28:55Oh, as they tap out.
00:28:56Here it is.
00:28:57Styles fighting back.
00:28:58Gunther trying to keep the sleeper locked in.
00:29:01And you got to wonder.
00:29:05Was that AJ Styles' last gas effort?
00:29:08Well the lights are really fading now, Cole.
00:29:12AJ's going to tap here.
00:29:14There's no way out.
00:29:18AJ trying to fight.
00:29:19Trying to fight.
00:29:21His arm's still going.
00:29:22Trying to still fight out of Gunther.
00:29:24Delivering those shots now to the leg of Gunther.
00:29:26AJ on his belly.
00:29:28But Gunther still with that sleeper locked in.
00:29:29Not even more pressure put on the body of AJ.
00:29:32As he's desperately trying to suck in some air.
00:29:34Trying to make it to the ropes AJ.
00:29:36Fingertips away.
00:29:37Can he make it to the ropes to force a break here?
00:29:39And survive.
00:29:40So close.
00:29:42Tantalizing me close to some respite.
00:29:44And faded again.
00:29:45Oh no.
00:29:46AJ Styles.
00:29:47Can he make it to the ropes?
00:29:49How much does AJ have left?
00:29:50He's a fingertip away.
00:29:52Gunther drags him back.
00:29:54Drags him back away from the ropes.
00:29:55Gunther just has all the answers.
00:29:57Whatever you try.
00:29:59He has a reply for it.
00:30:03And this is getting damn ugly now.
00:30:05And now the sweeper really locked in.
00:30:09AJ with nowhere to go.
00:30:11AJ Styles.
00:30:13How much does AJ have left?
00:30:16The career.
00:30:17The legacy of AJ Styles fades to black.
00:30:25Here's your winner.
00:30:44The ring general.
00:30:48Gunther.
00:30:57The lore.
00:31:02Of Gunther.
00:31:04Grows.
00:31:07The mystique.
00:31:08Heightened.
00:31:09The career killer.
00:31:12Is indeed.
00:31:14Just.
00:31:15That.
00:31:20Notice AJ.
00:31:22When he woke up.
00:31:25I think it's finally.
00:31:28Dawning on him now.
00:31:29He's asking the official what happened.
00:31:31I don't think I've ever heard a crowd.
00:31:36As packed as this fall so silent in shock.
00:31:39And this was just the.
00:31:41A small piece of the absolute.
00:31:44Brutal.
00:31:45Warfare that Gunther brought tonight.
00:31:48And it looked like AJ was done.
00:31:50These were the.
00:31:51Final embers burning in AJ.
00:31:53Desperately trying to get something started.
00:31:55And this was the end here.
00:31:56The beginning of the end.
00:31:58Going for that phenomenal forearm.
00:32:00Gunther had it scouted.
00:32:01And then straight into this sleeper.
00:32:05And it was a long long time in that sleeper.
00:32:09AJ trying anything and everything.
00:32:11Desperately.
00:32:13Grinding out of there.
00:32:14Time and again.
00:32:15And everything.
00:32:16AJ tried.
00:32:17Gunther came up with something else.
00:32:20And finally.
00:32:21Look at the pain on the referee's face.
00:32:23He doesn't want to do this.
00:32:24But he has to.
00:32:25It's his job.
00:32:26The career's over.
00:32:28AJ is out.
00:32:29You got to feel for the official.
00:32:31Long time friend of AJ Styles.
00:32:33You have to feel for the 25,000 here tonight.
00:32:36Of the millions.
00:32:37Watching at home.
00:32:42That's all history.
00:32:43But I'm proud of history.
00:32:44You ever want to be a witness to.
00:33:55CHOIR SINGS
00:34:25CHOIR SINGS
00:34:55CHOIR SINGS
00:35:00CHOIR SINGS
00:35:04CHOIR SINGS
00:35:06CHOIR SINGS
00:36:08It's hard to leave, isn't it?
00:36:25You'll see the regret in the eyes of AJ Styles and, of course, his entire audience.
00:36:32With them to the brakes.
00:36:36Thank you, AJ.
00:36:44We don't be scared, but they don't really want none
00:36:48I'm a Mack truck, don't get run no more
00:36:51Wasted country boys, working overtime boys
00:36:54Kings of the South, we never had nothing
00:36:57Blue-collar boys do it with our hands, money
00:37:00They don't want none, they don't want none
00:37:03They don't want none, they don't want none
00:37:06They don't want none, they don't want none
00:37:09We don't be scared, but they don't really want none
00:37:12They don't want none, they don't want none
00:37:17They don't want none, they don't want none
00:37:22We don't be scared, but they don't really want none
00:37:37And there is the spectacular Penta, Iron Man of last year's
00:37:42Royal Rumble match, Dragon Lee as well
00:37:45Entering the Royal Rumble match
00:37:47And the legendary Rey Mysterio
00:37:49Looking to win a second Rumble match in his career
00:37:53And join the likes of some legends
00:37:56Big John Stutter, Yokozuna
00:37:59Three-time winner, Stone Cold Steve Austin
00:38:02Two-time winner Triple H, of course Rey Mysterio
00:38:05One back in 2006, Cody Rhodes back-to-back
00:38:10Orton, a two-time winner as well
00:38:12Heavy is the crowd
00:38:14Fire in the sunlight
00:38:16Glasses when you dance
00:38:17Let's go!
00:38:42Wow!
00:38:44Wow!
00:38:49Wow!
00:38:50Wow!
00:38:50Wow!
00:38:51Wow!
00:38:53Wow!
00:38:55Wow!
00:38:56Yeah!
00:39:01Fabulous!
00:39:03Yeah!
00:39:04Wow!
00:39:05Wow!
00:39:06Wow!
00:40:09Clearly, the WWE fans weighed in his corner.
00:40:14He believes he carries an entire country on his shoulders tonight.
00:40:18Yeah, these people are always elated when Sami Zayn shows up.
00:40:22And let's be honest, Sami Zayn, when he's in this part of the world, has been unbeatable.
00:40:28These people, this atmosphere, the Middle East just lifts Sami Zayn to a whole new level.
00:40:35Well, he needs all of these people and perhaps more tonight to get the job done.
00:41:09The way the undisputed WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre, told us earlier today that he will do anything.
00:41:37And he means anything to make sure he doesn't lose the championship.
00:41:42But he did admit to us, Wade, that this is a Sami Zayn, a different Sami Zayn than he's faced in the pack.
00:41:50And he realized that when Sami Zayn slapped him across the face a couple of weeks ago.
00:41:55Yeah, I think if you look back a couple of years, if Drew had talked a little smack about Sami's family,
00:42:01I think Sami would have either shrugged it off or at least maybe just said a few words to Drew, hey, you went too far.
00:42:07You're right, it's a different Sami Zayn.
00:42:09He's laser focused, he's locked in, he's got the eyes of an assassin.
00:42:14And he is ready to take Drew McIntyre to hell tonight.
00:42:17A lot of numbers to talk about in this matchup.
00:42:22The most prominent, 11-0.
00:42:25That is the career record in one-on-one matches for Drew McIntyre over Sami Zayn.
00:42:32Zero.
00:42:33The number of world championships that Sami Zayn has won in his career.
00:42:38The number of world championships that Sami Zayn has won in his career.
00:43:08The number of world championships that Sami Zayn has won in his career.
00:43:38This undisputed WWE championship match is presented by Ram Trucks.
00:43:50Nothing stops Ram.
00:43:55And nothing stops our ring announcer, Mark Nash.
00:43:59The following contest is scheduled for one fall and is for the undisputed WWE championship.
00:44:20Introducing first, the challenger from Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
00:44:33Weighing in at 212 pounds, Sami Zayn.
00:44:40And his opponent from Air Scotland, weighing in at 285 pounds, he is the undisputed WWE champion,
00:45:06Drew McIntyre!
00:45:12Sami Zayn told us that this match tonight is eerily reminiscent of Elimination Chamber a couple of years ago
00:45:19in Sami's hometown of Montreal.
00:45:22The night that Sami Zayn met Roman Reigns for the undisputed WWE championship
00:45:27and came within a whisker of winning his first title.
00:45:31His first title.
00:45:43Sami Zayn has momentum.
00:45:45What a fatal four-way to get here.
00:45:47And he has 25,000 strong in his corner here tonight.
00:45:51Yeah, you talked about 0-11.
00:45:53Well, the difference maker to make that 1-11 tonight could well be this highly vocal, highly partisan Riyadh crowd.
00:46:02Sami Zayn has never lost in a match in Saudi Arabia.
00:46:05What does Sami need to do to finally win that elusive world title tonight?
00:46:09Well, first of all, he needs to tap into this boost from the audience.
00:46:13And then he needs to be acutely aware of this domineering presence that is the WWE champ, Drew McIntyre.
00:46:20I thought it was very telling, as I mentioned earlier, that Drew admitted that this is a different Sami Zayn that he's beaten in the past.
00:46:27And I think that's scary for Sami because that means Drew has adjusted everything.
00:46:30Yeah, and Drew's absolutely right on that one.
00:46:32However, it's also a very different Drew McIntyre.
00:46:35This is a Drew McIntyre who had an arduous climb to return back to the top of WWE.
00:46:42We saw all the failures that he went through over the years against top opponents and world champions.
00:46:48Well, now he's got that title.
00:46:49He is prepared to be as inhumane as can be to make sure he maintains.
00:46:55Finally got that bitter taste out of his mouth when he won the world title at WrestleMania,
00:47:00only to have Damian Priest cashing in on him that night.
00:47:03And McIntyre just relentless in the attack.
00:47:09Go back over the last few years for McIntyre, what the clubline did to him when he was chasing gold,
00:47:14what CM Punk did to him when he was chasing gold.
00:47:17So many near misses.
00:47:18And Sami knows the same story in a completely different way,
00:47:22but these are both two men who are prepared to go all out tonight.
00:47:26And there's McIntyre.
00:47:27Hook to the leg and a kick out by Sami.
00:47:29It's also a testament to McIntyre and his desire.
00:47:33The fact that he lost a number of title matches to Cody Rhodes,
00:47:36but he kept coming back for more.
00:47:37And finally in the end, despite the circumstances,
00:47:40he won three stages of hell to win the title.
00:47:42Yeah, these two are eerily similar.
00:47:45When you go away from the obvious, which is the personality between these two,
00:47:49these two both believe in their hearts.
00:47:51They are the best on the planet.
00:47:53They're not going to give up until they've proven it.
00:47:55Now, Drew has proven it.
00:47:57He is the king at the very top of the world.
00:48:00He's going to have to be at his best tonight for this version of Sami Zayn.
00:48:03I have a question for you, Wade.
00:48:04You had a great career in WWE, but you never won a world championship.
00:48:08For someone like Sami Zayn, how important is that when you look back on your career?
00:48:13I mean, to me, it's everything.
00:48:15Of course, I ride on the fact that I was a five-time intercontinental champion.
00:48:19I would love to check that warm box to say,
00:48:22no, I stood at the very top of this industry.
00:48:24I got close, but every time I got near there, I slipped back down.
00:48:28And Sami...
00:48:28Sami over the top takes out McIntyre.
00:48:31It may have hurt himself.
00:48:32Sami may have hurt himself.
00:48:33I mean, it was a bullseye on McIntyre who did the damage, but you're right.
00:48:38I think he's...
00:48:39I don't know if he's hyper-extended the back or he landed on that tailbone or what,
00:48:42but the lower back is just...
00:48:44Look at this.
00:48:45That's the problem with a high-risk maneuver like that in a championship match.
00:48:50What mistake could cost you?
00:48:52Well, I'll tell you right now, the back really didn't hit the ground.
00:48:55It was more that the feet hit and the lower back got jarred.
00:48:57It's almost like a pile driver that does a lot of damage to the neck,
00:49:00but this was to the lumbar spine of Sami Zayn.
00:49:04Oh, God, this is completely changed.
00:49:05And this is what's scary for Sami.
00:49:07He's got a bullseye on his lower back now,
00:49:09and Drew McIntyre is going to make him pay.
00:49:12Drew is as smart as they come when he sees a weakness,
00:49:16and he's ravenous now for the blood of Sami Zayn,
00:49:19and Sami's about to face some severe punishment.
00:49:21Well, it's hard enough going into the ring with McIntyre at 100%.
00:49:24With a serious injury to the lower back.
00:49:28So I'll tell you right now, we talked about this crowd,
00:49:30how being in Saudi Arabia was going to give Sami a boost.
00:49:33That's great, but it can make you a little over-excited,
00:49:37a little over-zealous, a little over-committed.
00:49:40I think Sami just slightly over-shot that dive,
00:49:44but a little too much energy in there,
00:49:45and he's paying the price now.
00:49:46And what Drew has done with this, Wade,
00:49:48is he's taken the crowd out of this match-up.
00:49:51Well, the crowd sensed the damage to their man, Sami Zayn,
00:49:54the so-called hometown hero here.
00:49:57They're all living their dreams through this guy
00:49:59until our Saudi friends produce a top superstar.
00:50:02But right now, Sami Zayn's hopes are slipping away.
00:50:05Maybe the new trainee, Fahad Tweek, that we saw
00:50:07on the kickoff show yesterday.
00:50:10He is a big, big dude.
00:50:11Once he gets his skills in order,
00:50:13no doubt we're going to see him compete in here,
00:50:14but right now, all concerns, laser-focused on Sami Zayn
00:50:18and that lower back.
00:50:20It has been some night tonight.
00:50:23Liv Morgan won the Women's Royal Rumble,
00:50:26and I can't even believe I'm saying this.
00:50:29The professional wrestling career of AJ Styles ended.
00:50:33Trying not to think of that.
00:50:35Trying to move on, at least for now,
00:50:37and break that down in the aftermath,
00:50:39although the aftermath of this particular match
00:50:42may be imminent, because Sami's got seemingly nothing left,
00:50:45and his body has given out on him.
00:50:53Fans trying to rally Sami.
00:50:57Zayn ducks underneath.
00:50:59Sami Red right into that tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.
00:51:02Covered by the champ, Sami.
00:51:04And that was a weak kick out.
00:51:06Yeah, and ever since that lower back
00:51:08started acting up after that dive,
00:51:09it looks like Drew McIntyre against a rookie
00:51:12with zero experience,
00:51:15because Sami Zayn is offering next to nothing in return.
00:51:18Tell me about this.
00:51:19When you have a lower back injury like that,
00:51:21and a 280-pound man lays on top of you
00:51:24in a pinning predicament,
00:51:25how difficult is it to kick out?
00:51:27Well, you use your spine and your legs
00:51:29for leverage on a kick out,
00:51:31but that is the least of Sami's worries right now.
00:51:34Just any movement, any breath,
00:51:36if that lower back is flaring up,
00:51:38is going to be stinging,
00:51:39and Sami's elusive nature
00:51:41is entirely compromised here
00:51:43against a bigger, more powerful opponent.
00:51:45And if that's gone away,
00:51:47you question how the hell can Sami win this?
00:51:49Superplex may break his back.
00:51:52Sami realizing that looks to counter.
00:51:54Got to be wondering what's going
00:51:55through the mind of an injured Sami Zayn here.
00:51:58Sami fighting back.
00:51:59Who hasn't pulled the muscle
00:52:01getting out of bed
00:52:02and had to limp around
00:52:03for the next few days?
00:52:05Well, oh, so it's a flip powerbomb!
00:52:07Cover!
00:52:09McIntyre just kicks out!
00:52:10And what was the key in that move there?
00:52:12That was not the power of Sami Zayn.
00:52:14It wasn't really the movement of Sami Zayn.
00:52:16It was using Drew's leverage
00:52:17on the ropes against him.
00:52:19There are ways to hurt McIntyre here for Sami,
00:52:22even if he's physically compromised,
00:52:24although it's going to be difficult,
00:52:25and Sami has to be the smartest fighter
00:52:28he's ever been in this one.
00:52:29And Sami realizes he's got to take advantage now.
00:52:31Oh, that's not going to work!
00:52:32Yeah, I thought he was looking
00:52:33for Blue Thunderbomb.
00:52:34And Drew McIntyre able to counter,
00:52:37but Drew's back hurting as well.
00:52:38I'll tell you right now.
00:52:39Oh!
00:52:40Drew is 280 pounds of Scottish beef.
00:52:43That's tough to lift at the best of times,
00:52:45even more so when your lower back
00:52:47simply doesn't work.
00:52:48A kip up by the champion.
00:52:52Sami with a desperation
00:52:54sunset flip powerbomb moments ago.
00:52:57And McIntyre lining up Sami Zayn.
00:53:00Sami to his feet.
00:53:01McIntyre went for the claymore,
00:53:02and Sami intercepted.
00:53:03And now Sami Zayn
00:53:04with a Blue Thunderbomb!
00:53:06Cover for the championship!
00:53:08And a kick out by McIntyre!
00:53:09Yeah, and Sami, though,
00:53:11astoundingly pulled off
00:53:12that Blue Thunderbomb.
00:53:13You saw the pin!
00:53:14It wasn't its usual stat
00:53:16south for Sami Zayn.
00:53:18He immediately,
00:53:19after the landing,
00:53:19goes to grab the lower back.
00:53:21He's not tight on the pin,
00:53:23and McIntyre gets a free pass
00:53:24to kick out.
00:53:27An incredible atmosphere
00:53:28here at Riyadh Season Stadium
00:53:31at Kaft in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
00:53:34First time
00:53:35the Royal Rumble
00:53:37has ever been held
00:53:38outside of North America.
00:53:39I don't know if atmosphere
00:53:41can act as an anesthetic,
00:53:43but if it does,
00:53:45Sami Zayn might have a chance here.
00:53:47I'm sure Sami wants to get into a
00:53:48slugfest with McIntyre,
00:53:50Costco kiss.
00:53:52And I agree with you on that.
00:53:53The problem is Sami can't move out
00:53:54of the way of a slugfest.
00:53:55He has no choice but to trade
00:53:57with the bigger, stronger McIntyre.
00:53:59And again, McIntyre
00:54:00perched in the corner,
00:54:01begging Sami to get to his feet,
00:54:02looking for a claymore
00:54:03that he tried earlier on.
00:54:06Three, two, one!
00:54:09Went for the claymore and missed!
00:54:11Sami rolled out of harm's way!
00:54:13Opportunity, pinning combination,
00:54:15shoulders down and a kick out
00:54:16again by McIntyre.
00:54:18And every movement of Sami Zayn
00:54:19having to block out this pain.
00:54:21What a fight Sami Zayn is in
00:54:23with his own body.
00:54:24Forget the fact that he's in there
00:54:25with McIntyre,
00:54:27the WWE champ.
00:54:29Two battles at the same time
00:54:31for Sami Zayn here.
00:54:33I guess Sami just trying to fight
00:54:34fire with fire,
00:54:35but again, just collapses.
00:54:37Sami!
00:54:38Sami!
00:54:39Sami!
00:54:40Sami!
00:54:41Sami!
00:54:42Sami!
00:54:43Sami!
00:54:44Sami!
00:54:45Sami!
00:54:46What the sound like this
00:54:48do for Sami Zayn.
00:54:49It raises those endorphins.
00:54:51Endorphins can block out that pain
00:54:53and make you do superhuman things.
00:54:56And Sami might be able
00:54:58to pull off a miracle,
00:54:59but McIntyre clearly
00:55:00other ideas.
00:55:01Yeah, Drew McIntyre
00:55:03just continues to push forward.
00:55:05Is this what you expected
00:55:10out of this match thus far?
00:55:11I mean, the second Sami
00:55:13hurt that lower back,
00:55:14yes, because Drew
00:55:15has been in complete control.
00:55:17He's controlled the pace.
00:55:19And Sheamus
00:55:19is throwing things at the TV.
00:55:21There it is!
00:55:22White noise!
00:55:24Sorry, Sheamus.
00:55:24Cover by McIntyre!
00:55:27And a kick out.
00:55:29I think Sheamus
00:55:29would be happy if Drew
00:55:30won with that.
00:55:31No, he wouldn't.
00:55:32He has told me he wouldn't.
00:55:33It was his birthday
00:55:34the other day, too.
00:55:35That was a belated gift here
00:55:37from McIntyre.
00:55:38And Sami Zayn's lower back
00:55:40once again bearing the brunt
00:55:42of that massive white noise
00:55:44from the second rope.
00:55:45More frustration now
00:55:47for Drew McIntyre,
00:55:48but Drew McIntyre knows full well
00:55:50he holds all the cards
00:55:52for victory here
00:55:53so he can go home
00:55:54with that championship.
00:55:55This is for the undisputed
00:55:56WWE title.
00:55:58McIntyre the champion.
00:55:59Sami Zayn the challenger.
00:56:01Ducks underneath
00:56:01looking for a backslide.
00:56:03Can he pull it off?
00:56:04He does.
00:56:05McIntyre rolls through, though.
00:56:07Oh, there it is!
00:56:08The future shock!
00:56:10McIntyre not done yet!
00:56:13And another to Zayn!
00:56:15Zayn might be out here.
00:56:16Yes!
00:56:17Oh, we're not done.
00:56:18This is sadistic now.
00:56:19Yeah, McIntyre.
00:56:24Third time!
00:56:27And that may be all she wrote
00:56:29for Sami Zayn,
00:56:31who's still somehow in it.
00:56:33Well, first of all,
00:56:34it's incredible that
00:56:35Sami Zayn did kick out at all,
00:56:37but that is the weakest kick out
00:56:39I have seen in a long, long time.
00:56:41There's nothing left
00:56:42in the tank for Sami.
00:56:45McIntyre has gone for the claymore
00:56:46a couple of times.
00:56:47You feel like now
00:56:48is a prime opportunity
00:56:50to really finish this man off.
00:56:52Yeah, McIntyre a bit disappointed
00:56:54that he didn't put Sami Zayn away
00:56:56with the trifecta,
00:56:58and now measuring his man.
00:57:00Looks more pissed off than anything else,
00:57:02and Sami Zayn's got nothing here.
00:57:03Oh, maybe he does.
00:57:08Looking for the exploder,
00:57:10but McIntyre with an elbow to the neck
00:57:13and then a clothesline to Sami.
00:57:14Well, the brain is still sharp,
00:57:16but the body not working for Sami Zayn here.
00:57:18Oh, runaway train, McIntyre
00:57:20continuing here to punish Sami Zayn.
00:57:24That's the problem.
00:57:25Sami's fighting on his...
00:57:26No, it isn't!
00:57:27Look for the haluma kick,
00:57:28almost caught him.
00:57:30Claymore by McIntyre!
00:57:32Claymore!
00:57:35Sami got his foot on the bottom rope,
00:57:38and he's still in it.
00:57:39Well, he doesn't have the power to kick out,
00:57:42but McIntyre made the cardinal sin
00:57:44for a veteran like him.
00:57:46Sami with those long legs,
00:57:47it's simply too close to that lower rope,
00:57:49but that was Sami throwing the dice one last time.
00:57:52Did not pay off.
00:57:53The speed of McIntyre is something to behold
00:57:55for a true heavyweight like him.
00:57:57Yeah, McIntyre should have hooked the outside leg.
00:58:00I'll tell you right now,
00:58:01that was an arrogant pin from McIntyre,
00:58:03who thought he was home and dry.
00:58:04Sami Zayn had other ideas.
00:58:11He's been careful there.
00:58:12McIntyre not above knocking out an official.
00:58:15He's going to do that recently.
00:58:17I see him.
00:58:18I've got my left eye worse.
00:58:23Oh!
00:58:24Haluma kick!
00:58:25Haluma kick by Sami!
00:58:28Trying to drag himself and crawl into the cover!
00:58:33McIntyre barely got the shoulder up!
00:58:35Oh, God, and if Sami Zayn's body worked any better,
00:58:40A, he would have got there quicker,
00:58:41B, he would have hooked two legs tightly,
00:58:44and this one would have been over.
00:58:45The dream would have come true for Sami Zayn.
00:58:50Once again, immediately to that lower back.
00:58:53And now Drew McIntyre, the champ, needing to regroup.
00:59:04Well, that was a shocker for McIntyre,
00:59:06who was completely distracted, yelling at the official.
00:59:11Big, big error in this championship match,
00:59:14and the back door has been opened here for Sami Zayn,
00:59:17stumbling around as he may be.
00:59:22Sami Zayn back gave out.
00:59:23The back gave out.
00:59:26McIntyre.
00:59:27Oh, my God!
00:59:29The spine, the spine, right through the table.
00:59:34Sami Zayn buckling.
00:59:35Look at the position of his body.
00:59:37Well, we've talked time and time again about these tables.
00:59:40They are made of metal.
00:59:42They rarely collapse.
00:59:44It takes an extreme amount of force,
00:59:46and all that force has now been absorbed
00:59:48by the lumbar spine of Sami Zayn,
00:59:51who may well need a backboard
00:59:53to be carried out of here.
00:59:55Referee taking a close look.
00:59:56Yeah, I'm not sure if Sami Zayn
00:59:58is going to be able to continue in this match.
01:00:03Got some more officials out here checking on Zayn.
01:00:08And McIntyre said,
01:00:09uh-uh, I want more punishment.
01:00:11I want to destroy Sami Zayn here.
01:00:12And he's perfectly right to do this.
01:00:14The referee wants to throw the match out, do so.
01:00:16McIntyre.
01:00:19Until the bell rings, keep fighting.
01:00:22Sending Zayn into the ring.
01:00:24You can't blame McIntyre for this.
01:00:26It's distasteful,
01:00:27and it pains the fans of Sami Zayn,
01:00:29but McIntyre is fighting
01:00:31to retain the championship,
01:00:32and I don't blame it.
01:00:33Well, he said he'd do anything,
01:00:35anything in his power
01:00:36to make sure he doesn't lose
01:00:38the WWE title.
01:00:46A defiant Sami with an exploder
01:00:55into the corner.
01:00:57Oh, God, this is Sami Zayn
01:00:59tapping into something else.
01:01:00He may be beaten,
01:01:02Sami Zayn may be battered,
01:01:04but the heart is the last thing to go.
01:01:07McIntyre refusing the pin.
01:01:21There's going to be more.
01:01:24Well, the body of Zayn is done.
01:01:26The brain of Zayn might be done,
01:01:29but the heart is still beating,
01:01:31and McIntyre is about to take that out, too.
01:01:34Look me in the eye.
01:01:36Claymore again.
01:01:40The death blow.
01:01:41McIntyre retains.
01:01:44Here is your winner,
01:01:50and still the undisputed WWE champion,
01:01:57Drew McIntyre.
01:02:00It wasn't pretty,
01:02:05but it was effective.
01:02:11Sami Zayn, as gutsy as they come,
01:02:14but after that lower back tweak
01:02:16in the early goings,
01:02:18this match was simply
01:02:19never the same again.
01:02:21Just unsurpassed,
01:02:23heart and drive from the challenger.
01:02:26But how the hell do you stop
01:02:27a man like McIntyre,
01:02:29who was prepared to snoot
01:02:31to the depths of humanity?
01:02:34A high-risk move
01:02:36by Sami Zayn.
01:02:38Set off a chain reaction,
01:02:41in which Drew McIntyre
01:02:43would retain his title.
01:02:47And this is the moment
01:02:49hopes seem to go away for good
01:02:51for Sami Zayn.
01:02:53It's that lower spine,
01:02:54connected with that desk,
01:02:56collapsing the entire thing.
01:02:57But Sami Zayn still had
01:02:59a little something left.
01:03:01McIntyre slapping the hell out of Zayn.
01:03:03Zayn responding somehow
01:03:04with that exploder
01:03:06on a delayed hallouba kick.
01:03:08It was all in touch for McIntyre
01:03:10to pull out that Claymore.
01:03:12Think about the pin
01:03:13and think, hell no,
01:03:14Sami's gonna kick out here.
01:03:16I'm gonna finish it for good.
01:03:17No mistake,
01:03:18the second time around,
01:03:20stacking maximum offense
01:03:22on the challenger.
01:03:23And McIntyre wins once again.
01:03:31Come here.
01:03:32Now!
01:03:33Come here, you!
01:03:35Do your damn job!
01:03:36Do your job!
01:03:37Do your job!
01:03:40Wins are not here!
01:03:41I love you!
01:03:52That's why I'm the god champion
01:03:54of the world.
01:03:56Hey, you ever have a thought
01:03:59that feels too big
01:04:00to ever come alive?
01:04:01Because I just had one.
01:04:04Imagine that there's a match
01:04:05where people start appearing
01:04:07and disappearing.
01:04:09One by one.
01:04:11Friends, enemies, celebrities,
01:04:15and time ain't moving no more.
01:04:16Three, two, one!
01:04:18It's going backwards.
01:04:20Imagine if superstars are fighting,
01:04:23dancing, flying,
01:04:25and the floor turns into lava.
01:04:27And at the end,
01:04:29somebody standing by they said,
01:04:31man, imagine that.
01:04:33That would be what's up.
01:04:34Imagine Wi-Fi so intelligent
01:04:36and reliable,
01:04:36it can make your home
01:04:37feel like the main event.
01:04:38That's the power of Xfinity.
01:04:40Imagine that.
01:04:44You know, the big game
01:04:45is just around the corner
01:04:46between the AFC champion
01:04:48New England Patriots
01:04:49and NFC champion
01:04:50Seattle Seahawks.
01:04:52Support your team
01:04:53ahead of next Sunday
01:04:53with your own WWE
01:04:55NFL legacy title belt
01:04:57available now
01:04:58on WWE Shop.
01:05:02And some future
01:05:03PLE news today.
01:05:05Triple H announced
01:05:06early on social media
01:05:07that Backlash
01:05:08is going to take place
01:05:10in Tampa, Florida
01:05:11on Saturday, May 9th
01:05:12at Benchmark International Arena.
01:05:15Airing live on the ESPN app
01:05:17in the United States
01:05:17and Netflix internationally
01:05:19on Saturday, May 9th.
01:05:20Presale for tickets
01:05:21begins Thursday, February 19th.
01:05:24On sale the next morning,
01:05:25February 20th.
01:05:27Visit WWE.com events
01:05:29for more information.
01:05:32Again at ringside,
01:05:33thanks for joining us
01:05:34all over the world
01:05:35for the 39th annual
01:05:36Royal Rumble.
01:05:37I'm Michael Cole,
01:05:38he's Wade Barrett.
01:05:39It has been quite the night
01:05:40so far,
01:05:41but it was quite the day
01:05:42earlier on
01:05:43on the countdown show
01:05:44because we found out
01:05:45who was going to be
01:05:46number two
01:05:46in the men's Royal Rumble match
01:05:48and I rate Paul Heyman
01:05:49would confront
01:05:50general manager Adam Pearce.
01:05:52Oh, what the?
01:05:57What the hell?
01:05:57Are you in private?
01:05:59Or do you want me
01:05:59to make a fool out of you
01:06:00right here in front of everybody?
01:06:00What are you doing?
01:06:01What are you doing?
01:06:02You couldn't just make it
01:06:03number one, right?
01:06:04And make it obvious
01:06:04for everybody
01:06:05how you want to screw around
01:06:06with everything.
01:06:07How you want to fix this thing,
01:06:08right?
01:06:09No, you have to make it
01:06:09number two.
01:06:10You're talking about the Rumble,
01:06:10that's a random drawing.
01:06:12You know that as well as I do.
01:06:13Random draw my culture took us.
01:06:14Don't tell me it's a random draw.
01:06:16Time and play, Cainan.
01:06:17All of a sudden
01:06:18it's a random draw.
01:06:19Listen to yourself.
01:06:20Listen to yourself.
01:06:20How many years did people think
01:06:22that number one
01:06:22was the worst position?
01:06:24Number one was the worst.
01:06:25No, number two is the same
01:06:26as being number one.
01:06:27You start off
01:06:28and number one
01:06:28has the high ground.
01:06:30So number two
01:06:30is even worse than number one.
01:06:31And you want to make him
01:06:33number two?
01:06:33Really?
01:06:34Everybody knows
01:06:34when you run Rumble
01:06:35is a random drawing.
01:06:36You're going to realize
01:06:36how out of your mind you are.
01:06:37It is a random drawing.
01:06:38I don't know what you're
01:06:39accusing me of,
01:06:40but I don't like it.
01:06:41And I think it's preposterous.
01:06:43You're out of your mind
01:06:44right now.
01:06:44You need to think about this.
01:06:45It's a random draw.
01:06:47What are you doing?
01:06:50You want to play
01:06:52F-A-F-O with me?
01:06:55Mr. Pierce,
01:06:57I will play
01:06:59F-A-F-O
01:07:01with you.
01:07:06Well, Braun Breaker
01:07:07is going to have to go
01:07:08from number two
01:07:10and outlast 29 other superstars
01:07:12in order to join
01:07:14these superstars
01:07:16and call himself
01:07:17a Royal Rumble winner.
01:07:23Coming up next,
01:07:25the 30-man
01:07:26over the top rope
01:07:27Royal Rumble match.
01:07:29Who's going to main event?
01:07:30school
01:07:44to
01:07:49the
01:07:541-1 we
01:07:54have to 약
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