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00:00:00I got this feeling in my bones, so good, I never felt this strong, and I can't hold it, and no more, the truth will set me free, I'm sure, you got me feeling so good,
00:00:29and you know that I, world, you got me feeling so good, and you know that I, you got me feeling so good, and you know that I, world, you got me feeling so good, and you know that I,
00:00:59Let me holler at you for a minute.
00:01:13At WrestleMania.
00:01:17Brother.
00:01:20Versus.
00:01:21This is surreal.
00:01:22Brother.
00:01:23Could be historic.
00:01:26I'm gonna knock the heat out your ass.
00:01:28Jey Uso.
00:01:30Jimmy Uso.
00:01:31These two brothers are gonna go face to face.
00:01:35Want me?
00:01:36Big bro.
00:01:37Got you.
00:01:44I want you got me feeling so good.
00:01:47And you know that I.
00:01:57I love you.
00:02:15I don't know.
00:02:16I love you.
00:02:17I'm gonna knock and knock.
00:02:18The biggest tag team match in the history of professional wrestling.
00:02:48The Rock and Roman Reigns will end your story tragically.
00:02:56Breathe and sit!
00:03:18A little up inside, girl, don't you go now.
00:03:21Yes, I gotta hold you better.
00:03:24They need the drinks to go down, down.
00:03:27You're ready to beat to get down, down.
00:03:30Baby, let's get out of town, town.
00:03:33They need the drinks to go down, down.
00:03:36Down, down, they need the drinks to go down.
00:03:41Down, down, they need the drinks to go down.
00:03:50Down, down, they need the drinks to go down.
00:03:56Down, down, they need the drinks to go down.
00:04:00Ha, ha, ha!
00:04:30So tell me, can you feel that rush?
00:04:34And can you feel that love?
00:04:37And can we raise it up?
00:04:40We can be the best that ever did it.
00:04:44We can be the best, we can be the best, we can be the best that ever did it.
00:04:51What's up, everybody?
00:04:57Welcome on in to another edition of WWE's The Bump.
00:05:00We are 17 days away from WrestleMania,
00:05:04and who better to have on the show than Mr. Wrestling himself.
00:05:08There you go.
00:05:09Johnny Gargano punched his ticket to the show of shows.
00:05:13We're gonna talk about all of that, but he is pumped up.
00:05:16I am Megan Morant, he is Sam Roberts.
00:05:18Gentlemen, how are we feeling today?
00:05:20Great.
00:05:21Yeah, I'm feeling great, because not only do we have Mr. Wrestling,
00:05:23some people would refer to you as Mr. WrestleMania.
00:05:26Mr. Wrestling Mania.
00:05:27Because they think you're Shawn Michaels.
00:05:29I mean, there are some that feel that way.
00:05:32Many.
00:05:33Many?
00:05:34I thought I was thinking one.
00:05:35Many, one.
00:05:36I could name one.
00:05:37Name five other people.
00:05:38Many on the internet.
00:05:39That's true, the internet is.
00:05:40Plenty of people on the internet.
00:05:41The internet is a dangerous place, though.
00:05:42Yeah.
00:05:43You don't know who is on there.
00:05:44Well, speaking of the internet.
00:05:45Maybe R-Truth has like a million different internet accounts.
00:05:48He might.
00:05:49Lots of burners.
00:05:50I wouldn't be surprised by burners.
00:05:51But speaking of the internet, let's check in with Ryan Popola, because Ryan is monitoring
00:05:56social media.
00:05:57How you doing, bud?
00:05:58I'm doing great.
00:05:59Keep track on all those internet accounts.
00:06:00And if you.
00:06:01Internet accounts.
00:06:02There's a lot of them.
00:06:03There's a lot of those things.
00:06:06If you have at least one internet account, and you want to be part of the conversation
00:06:10today, you know how to do it.
00:06:12Hashtag WWE The Bump on all the platforms, you know, Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube chat.
00:06:17I'm there with you for the next hour.
00:06:18If you have questions.
00:06:19If you have comments.
00:06:20If you think Johnny Gargano is Shawn Michaels, anything across the board, let your voice be
00:06:24known.
00:06:25Get in on the conversation.
00:06:26Hashtag WWE The Bump.
00:06:27Megan.
00:06:29Look at my name on X.
00:06:30Yeah, check it out.
00:06:31Look what it says.
00:06:32Not.
00:06:33It says not Shawn Michaels.
00:06:34Not Shawn Michaels.
00:06:35Right.
00:06:36I don't like the rhyme.
00:06:37But Shawn Michaels is in the name at the same time.
00:06:38With that internet account.
00:06:39All right, you guys.
00:06:40Well, we gotta talk about everything that we're gonna get to here on WWE's The Bump.
00:06:44It is a jam-packed show.
00:06:45Of course, we have Johnny Gargano here.
00:06:47We're gonna talk about all things WrestleMania.
00:06:49We are also celebrating Women's History Month.
00:06:51And our very own Jackie Redman sat down with Natalia, Shayna Baszler, and Liv Morgan to
00:06:57discuss all of that.
00:06:58And then we have a very special guest.
00:07:01We are so excited to have Special Olympics athlete Cody Flagg on in the studio.
00:07:06He is the Impact team's correspondent.
00:07:09I'm sorry.
00:07:10It is Cody Field who is coming on the show.
00:07:12He is the Impact correspondent.
00:07:14So excited to get Cody on in here.
00:07:17But before we can get to-
00:07:18We want Cody.
00:07:19All of that.
00:07:20Yes, we do.
00:07:21We want Cody.
00:07:22And he's not a Cody crybaby.
00:07:23No, no, no, no, no.
00:07:24No, no, no.
00:07:25He is a gold medal athlete.
00:07:27But we gotta get to everything that's going on around WWE.
00:07:30Because on Friday Night SmackDown, we were treated to a rock concert.
00:07:35Which was so much fun and very exciting.
00:07:38But then it got serious when The Rock addressed Mama Rhodes.
00:07:42Your hero's gonna bleed and need some stitches.
00:07:49So whine about that, you crybaby .
00:07:54There's some lines you just don't cross.
00:07:58You all can kiss the ass of the final boss.
00:08:05Mama Rhodes, The Rock knows that you're watching.
00:08:12The Rock knows you're listening.
00:08:14You don't know The Rock, but you're gonna know The Rock in ways that you wish you hadn't.
00:08:19So Mama Rose, let The Rock break it down for you and how WrestleMania is gonna go.
00:08:23Your son Cody took something from me and I'm gonna make him pay.
00:08:27I'm gonna make your family pay and I'm gonna make you pay.
00:08:30And The Rock is gonna take this belt and he's gonna beat your son.
00:08:35He's gonna beat the piss out of your son and The Rock is gonna make your son bleed.
00:08:40He's gonna tear his skin, tear his flesh, and he's gonna whoop him.
00:08:46He's gonna whoop him like a dog over and over and over again.
00:08:50And Mama Rhodes, your son's blood is gonna be on this belt.
00:08:54The Rock is gonna take this belt full of your son's blood and he's gonna walk over to you.
00:09:00Mama Rhodes, The Rock needs you sitting in the first row so the world can see.
00:09:05And The Rock is gonna walk right over to you, Mama Rhodes, and he's gonna hand you this belt.
00:09:11He's gonna hand you this belt right here.
00:09:14He's gonna put it in your lap and you're gonna be crying just like your son and that's okay.
00:09:20Because then The Rock is gonna whisper in your ear, Mama Rhodes.
00:09:26And with all the blood on your son's belt here and your tears on that belt, The Rock is gonna whisper in your ear.
00:09:33He's gonna wipe your tears away and he's gonna say, Michelle, what can I say except you're welcome?
00:09:45So very fun with The Rock concert, but then things got serious, gentlemen.
00:09:50What'd you make of what The Rock had to say to Mama Rhodes?
00:09:52Well, this is what is so scary about this version of The Rock.
00:09:56That he will lure you into this false sense of security by being charming, by being charismatic, singing songs that you wanna snap along with.
00:10:03Maui!
00:10:04Maui!
00:10:05Maui!
00:10:06He booked Maui!
00:10:07And then you realize how serious it is.
00:10:08It's like what Maui did.
00:10:10Making you think, oh, we're singing songs, we're having fun.
00:10:12Yeah.
00:10:13No.
00:10:14I just locked you in a cave and I stole your boat and I'm leaving the island.
00:10:17This is what we're seeing out of this version of The Rock.
00:10:19I will say though, I will say, big nostalgia trip, the fact we finally got the Hollywood Rock theme song.
00:10:28Oh, what a moment.
00:10:29Love it.
00:10:30Again, I'm very open about this.
00:10:31One of the greatest theme songs of all time, that Hollywood Rock theme.
00:10:34Well, we knew that Cody would have a response to The Rock and we would get one on Monday Night Raw.
00:10:40Rock, the TKO folks, they said to you, oh my gosh, yes, Rock, yes, put on your Gucci shirt, your muscles look so big.
00:10:50Yes, yes, yes, yes.
00:10:51The reason they said it is because they are yes people, they are enablers, they don't tell you like it is.
00:10:57So I'm going to.
00:10:58You are the only guy that I will ever stand across from in the ring that I can honestly say is a Mount Rushmore wrestler.
00:11:08But Rock, you are also a terrible salesman, a carny succubus.
00:11:15And for those who don't know what that means, you're a whiny .
00:11:22You haven't been in the ring in years in real time action.
00:11:26And April 6th, the bell is going to ring.
00:11:29And what happens, Rock, when the bell rings, right?
00:11:32Are you going to bring the great one?
00:11:34Are you going to be the hero that I had growing up?
00:11:36Are you going to have all that big Dwayne energy?
00:11:39Or is it just going to be LDS?
00:11:41Little syndrome.
00:11:43I don't think you're going to be the final boss.
00:11:49At WrestleMania, I think you're just Roman's side chick.
00:11:55Well, speaking of Roman Reigns, the American Nightmare Cody Rhodes will come face to face with the Tribal Chief this Friday on SmackDown.
00:12:05I asked Sam this on Raw Talks.
00:12:07I'm going to ask you.
00:12:08We saw Paul Heyman come out and tell Cody that if he arrives alone, Roman will also arrive alone.
00:12:17Do you think Cody's being set up?
00:12:19I mean, it's Paul Heyman, right?
00:12:22The Tribal Chief is an honest man.
00:12:24Paul Heyman made that distinction.
00:12:25Sure.
00:12:26But again, it's Paul Heyman.
00:12:28He always has a plan.
00:12:30I'd say you, it's 50-50, right?
00:12:34Okay.
00:12:3550-50.
00:12:36But leaning more towards probably no.
00:12:38I mean, you can't trust that.
00:12:40Has Paul Heyman ever put a client of his in a position not to win?
00:12:43No.
00:12:44Never.
00:12:45That's why he said it's Paul Heyman.
00:12:46You're right.
00:12:47It's Paul Heyman.
00:12:48And sticking with the bloodline, this wasn't the only news surrounding the bloodline.
00:12:51We saw Jimmy Uso accept Jey Uso's challenge and the two estranged brothers would come face to face on Monday Night Raw.
00:12:59Regardless of what happened and the bad blood between me and you, I miss you.
00:13:14I do.
00:13:15Yeah, who left who, huh?
00:13:18You forgot me.
00:13:19Everything you did big is because of big bro.
00:13:24Your biggest moment in your career, your biggest moment in your career is because of me.
00:13:36My biggest moment in my career is gonna be my dream match at WrestleMania 40.
00:13:46Me versus you when I knock the yeet out your ass.
00:13:55For the third time in WrestleMania history, we will get brother versus brother and things are heating up, guys.
00:14:02Yeah, but look at this.
00:14:03Look at this.
00:14:04This is how dangerous the bloodline is, Megan.
00:14:06You gotta understand that if anybody should be prepared for this group, it's Jey Uso, a founding member.
00:14:11And he wasn't ready for the bloodline interference.
00:14:14But Cody Rhodes once again getting in the mix here with the bloodline and Solo Sokoa.
00:14:21It's great that Jey has friends like Cody Rhodes.
00:14:24But can you think of anybody busier WrestleMania weekend than Cody Rhodes?
00:14:29Seth?
00:14:30Maybe Seth?
00:14:31Maybe Seth.
00:14:32Maybe.
00:14:33But there is no way that Jey can count on Cody being there to have his back at WrestleMania when he's one-on-one with Jimmy.
00:14:42We saw a different side of Jimmy.
00:14:43Yes, we did.
00:14:44Jimmy and Jey have been there since the very beginning of the bloodline.
00:14:48And I think Jey may have bitten off a lot more than he can chew.
00:14:52Alright, Ryan, let's check in with you and see what the internet accounts are saying about everything going on in WWE.
00:14:59A lot of internet accounts talking about Jimmy and Jey, but also talking about everything going on in the WWE Universe.
00:15:04Let's take a little trip around said universe because Becky Lynch and Nia Jax had an incredible last woman standing match on Monday that Becky Lynch won.
00:15:11She said after the fact, nothing and nobody else is standing in the man's way to becoming the Women's World Champion at WrestleMania.
00:15:17Rhea Ripley, she might have some thoughts on that as we saw at the end of Raw.
00:15:22Can't wait to see where that goes.
00:15:23Let's kick it over to SmackDown though and talk about the US title.
00:15:26Talk about Logan Paul.
00:15:27Excuse me, because Andrew says we're getting a triple threat with KO Logan and Randy at WrestleMania.
00:15:32It's confirmed.
00:15:33It is official.
00:15:34Let's go.
00:15:35You know who wasn't pumped about it?
00:15:36Logan Paul.
00:15:37Because as Nikki here says, Logan's face dropping made me giggle.
00:15:40Not even those brass knucks are going to save that pretty face.
00:15:43Also, no saving on Friday was Austin Theory, who was kind of in the mix in all of this happening.
00:15:48That stunner RKO to Austin Theory made my night Austin Theory, he may still be soaring somewhere on the way to this Friday SmackDown.
00:15:55Let's talk about Seth and Drew, the World Championship match coming at WrestleMania.
00:16:00It started by Seth Rollins interrupting Drew McIntyre's entrance.
00:16:03Oh boy was right.
00:16:04It got very personal as it does every single week between these two.
00:16:07Ultimately, Drew took the social after the fact saying, not the moment I deserve, the moment I have bloody earned at WrestleMania.
00:16:14Cannot wait to see, as we get closer on this road to WrestleMania, what happens between these two.
00:16:19One more, we're going to stick with Raw.
00:16:20We're going to talk about another title.
00:16:21We're going to talk about Gunther and Sami Zayn because they signed the contract.
00:16:25And Chad Gable, before that contract signing, said he's letting Sami have it.
00:16:29Excuse me.
00:16:30Ultimately, Chad Gable, I don't know if he's upset or trying to get in Sami's head.
00:16:35But ultimately, Mark here says, Chad Gable says to Sami, if you don't change your mentality, you can't beat Gunther.
00:16:40Megan, nobody has yet.
00:16:41We will see what happens as we continue on this road to WrestleMania.
00:16:45Ryan, thank you so much for the update and keeping tabs.
00:16:48It is now time to our very special round table discussion earlier this week.
00:16:56Our very own Jackie Redman sat down with Liv Morgan, Natalya, Shayna Baszler to discuss Women's History Month and the elevation of the women's division in WWE.
00:17:08We are honored to celebrate Women's History Month here in WWE by spotlighting the longstanding legacy of women in the WWE Universe.
00:17:18And to do that, we're going to have a conversation today with three of the most influential women in WWE.
00:17:23Liv Morgan, no big deal.
00:17:25Shayna Baszler and Natalya.
00:17:27Ladies, thank you for doing this.
00:17:28Thank you for having us.
00:17:29All right, I'll start with this.
00:17:31You know, what does it mean for each of you to not only be a successful woman in sports and entertainment, but to use your platform to help inspire and motivate the next generation, Liv?
00:17:42Using my platform to hopefully inspire the next generation.
00:17:47That's literally, I think, all I can ask for is knowing that we are carving a way and shaping a path for generations and generations of future women athletes, future WWE superstars, to hopefully continue where we left off and continue making history to keep on breaking barriers and boundaries and to, you know, just keep doing more and more and more and more and more and more and more.
00:18:08And we never want to stop. We never want to stop.
00:18:12I think it's crazy because for me, I always talk about all the different, like, I'm really blessed to have been, like, not just a part of what's going on now, but throughout my MMA and wrestling career.
00:18:24Like, I was on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter that had women.
00:18:28I was in the first all-women's MMA organization.
00:18:31I was on the first Mae Young Classic.
00:18:34Like, there's all these moments where I'm like, what could, what's left?
00:18:38You know what I mean?
00:18:39As far as, like, women's, like, evolution, right?
00:18:44And it's really cool and I feel really blessed to, like I said, not just be a part of it, but be active at the top of all of it.
00:18:53It's crazy to think about.
00:18:54Yeah, you just never know whose life you're gonna touch.
00:18:57Mm-hm.
00:18:58Going back to a little bit what Liv said, like, you know, to be able to inspire the next generation.
00:19:02And I think back to when we were filming Total Divas and there was a little girl that came up to me right before one of our live events and she was on tape while we were filming the show.
00:19:11And it was Roxanne, Roxy from NXT and she came up to me when she was a little girl and said, I wanna be a WWE superstar.
00:19:20What is it gonna take?
00:19:21And there's footage of us on camera saying, like, you know, having that moment, that interaction together and she wanted to do this.
00:19:27And now, look at all that she's done in WWE.
00:19:30It's crazy.
00:19:31And same thing with Cora Jade.
00:19:32She was at one of our shows.
00:19:33You know, we see so many examples.
00:19:34It's wild.
00:19:35And I remember pointing to the audience and pointing at Cora Jade, like, kind of like acknowledging her in the crowd.
00:19:40And later on, I would end up wrestling her at NXT.
00:19:43And so the impact that we have to touch people's lives around the world, especially girls with big dreams, it's huge.
00:19:50I think, too, we talk all the time about the influence on young girls at home that are watching or young girls that are in the audience.
00:19:57But even as grown women doing our thing and working in sports and entertainment, we get inspired by each other, too.
00:20:04So I'm curious to know who inspires each of you now.
00:20:08Like, what women do you see either in WWE or maybe even outside of the WWE university?
00:20:13You're like, wow, this person inspires me with everything that they're able to do.
00:20:17Yeah.
00:20:18I mean, I love Shayna, but I'm always inspired by Natty.
00:20:20Like, always.
00:20:21No, really.
00:20:22Because I watch Total Divas, too.
00:20:24And, you know, I knew I had a tryout coming up.
00:20:27And I'm watching Total Divas and I'm seeing the life that you guys live.
00:20:31And just, like, I wanted that so, so, so badly.
00:20:34And just all that you continue to do.
00:20:35You know, you've had an unparalleled career in WWE and you continue to use your voice.
00:20:40You continue to, you know, make sure that the women are represented in all our premium live events, including WrestleMania.
00:20:46It's just what you do is so much more than, like, an in-ring scenario.
00:20:52You're truly, like, a pioneer and someone that I always look up to.
00:20:55And, like, I hope that I can have as decorated and respected career as you have.
00:21:02Oh, that means everything.
00:21:03I didn't expect that.
00:21:05I got chills.
00:21:06I think, like, not even, people don't really know how Natty goes to bat for the women.
00:21:10Yeah, it's like, she's like an unsung hero as far as.
00:21:14Yeah.
00:21:15But I think at the same time, at the same time, like, she's doing that while still being, like,
00:21:21a mainstay actively in the ring in the women's division.
00:21:26It's not like she's retired into this other role and she's doing that behind the scenes and that's her job.
00:21:31She's doing, her job is to be in the ring trying to beat us up.
00:21:35Trying.
00:21:38And she's still, and she's still able to do that.
00:21:40Yeah, like, she could just be focusing on her own career still.
00:21:43And that's what I was going to say.
00:21:44She, like, fights for everyone else as ferociously as she fights for herself.
00:21:48And I think, like, there's something to, like, say in that, you know?
00:21:52No, I, I didn't, I did not expect that.
00:21:54Especially from Shayna.
00:21:55Do you ever let this get out?
00:21:58It clearly, like, makes you emotional.
00:22:01You know, how much does it mean to you to know that, that you're actively impacting people around you?
00:22:06Even just, like, with Liv's recovery coming back from, you know, from being away.
00:22:10She, I hope you don't mind if I say this, but she was working ferociously to come back and be the best she's ever been.
00:22:17And she was, like, for me, it inspired me to see how hard she was training when she wasn't 100%, her body wasn't 100%.
00:22:26She was training as if it was WrestleMania on a Wednesday night in the middle of nowhere in an old warehouse with a ring with no air conditioning.
00:22:32And I always go back to those moments and think that inspires me so much because seeing somebody's passion like Liv and, like, Shayna, knowing how their journey is and how it wasn't easy to get here,
00:22:43it reminds me of my passion and how we have to keep fighting for our dreams and we have to, we can never rest on the great stuff that we've done.
00:22:50We have to keep moving forward and keep creating magical moments because it's a fast-moving wheel, but it's also, this is also a dream come true.
00:22:57And to get to share it with these girls is, like, magical.
00:23:00I can see it in your eyes how emotional it makes you just even talking about it.
00:23:06So kudos to you. I know I'm relatively new on the scene, but you take care of everyone.
00:23:11I mean, you were the first person to come up to me my first week and make sure that I was cool and I was okay and everything was good.
00:23:17So I think there's a reason that people talk about you the way that you do and it's, you obviously have a very decorated career
00:23:25and have been around for a long time, but I think it extends beyond that to who you are as a person.
00:23:30It sets a tone for sure. Like, we all should be encouraging each other and welcoming to each other.
00:23:36Especially in, you know, WWE, this used to not be, you know, as diverse.
00:23:44Diverse. It was, you know, we always say it's a very male-dominated sports.
00:23:47And so for us women to be in this industry, I think it's important that, you know, we know what the greater goal is.
00:23:52And so we need to stand together. We need to be kind to each other. We need to help each other and support each other where we can.
00:23:57Has the locker room dynamic changed over your time from the beginning to now?
00:24:01I think the great thing about our locker room right now is that the bonds that we have are closer than ever before.
00:24:07But we are as competitive as we've ever been. And I think that competition makes everybody better.
00:24:13So as much as I love Liv and as much as I like Shayna, like, don't, listen, she and I have a very heated rivalry in the past.
00:24:22I had one of my favorite WrestleMania matches against her. But as much as I respect and adore these girls, we also want to be the best.
00:24:31So everybody is just so, so competitive with each other, but the bonds are close.
00:24:35So we want to celebrate each other's accomplishments, but also we all want to be the best.
00:24:39And I think that like, I think that breeds a really amazing product.
00:24:44And it feels like you all have a shared goal of making the women's division as a whole be as good and as competitive as it can be.
00:24:51And for that to work, everybody has to raise, right? Everybody has to rise.
00:24:56Everybody has to succeed and move forward and get better and better.
00:25:00I want to take all three of you back to 10 years ago, NXT TakeOver, Natalya versus Charlotte.
00:25:06A lot of people look at that match as one of the pivotal shifts for women in WWE.
00:25:12Natty, since you were in the match, I'll start with you.
00:25:15What do you remember feeling in that moment that night?
00:25:20Did you feel like it was going to have the impact that it eventually did?
00:25:25Well, when Triple H asked me to be a part of that match, I jumped at the opportunity to work with Charlotte Flair.
00:25:33Because we do have a lot in common in the sense that we both have big boots to fill.
00:25:38And a lot of people don't know, but before Charlotte was Charlotte and she was just kind of a young up and coming talent,
00:25:44she and I had a conversation where she kind of broke down and said to me, like, I just, I don't know if I'm good enough.
00:25:50I don't know if I could ever be as good as my dad.
00:25:52And I don't know if I can ever, like, fill everybody's expectations of what they have for me.
00:25:57And this is way before she ever became a superstar in WWE, but she was just getting started at NXT.
00:26:02And I remember saying, like, I've been through all of those things and I've had that feeling before of, like, not being enough.
00:26:07We have to blaze our own trail here as women.
00:26:10So many women are celebrated in this industry, but it takes a mountain.
00:26:14It takes thousands of people coming together.
00:26:17It takes hundreds of women that have paved the way before us to really make each person what they are.
00:26:22So I think, you know, for me, I'm proud to be one of those women that has helped other women rise to the occasion.
00:26:31And in return, I've risen to the occasion.
00:26:33So it takes an army of people to get there.
00:26:35But we wouldn't be where we are today in the women's evolution without having those moments.
00:26:40Even if it was in front of 200 people, to me, it was my WrestleMania moment.
00:26:43Yeah.
00:26:44Actually, it's funny because Natty came out to my MMA gym I was at to train.
00:26:49I did.
00:26:50Because...
00:26:51Were you wrestling yet?
00:26:52I asked for her help.
00:26:53I wasn't.
00:26:54Before this match?
00:26:55Yes.
00:26:56And I wasn't doing any sort of pro wrestling.
00:26:58I was signed to the UFC and I was fighting.
00:27:02And she wanted to come learn some submission transitions.
00:27:06Yeah.
00:27:07Because we had sharpshooter versus figure eight sort of thing.
00:27:09And so for me, my pro wrestling, I came up on this arm of like Billy Robinson and Josh Burnett and this sort of Japanese grappling, hard hitting style.
00:27:23In the recent history, the women's division didn't wrestle like that in the WWE.
00:27:28And that's not to take away anything that was done before.
00:27:31It was just the style that I was brought up to learn in pro wrestling was not the style that was shown at the time.
00:27:38So to see a little bit of like, you know, Natty comes out to train and then I watch the match and I see stuff.
00:27:47Like this was mind blowing to me.
00:27:49Like, oh man, it's stuff.
00:27:51It's like real stuff that I showed her.
00:27:54Yeah.
00:27:55She showed me how to like transition into different submissions.
00:27:57What motivated you to reach out to her?
00:27:59Like how did that enter your state of mind?
00:28:02So I had met Shayna through a mutual friend, I believe Miss Eve Torres.
00:28:06And Eve had introduced me to Shayna and Rhonda and Marina and Jessamine.
00:28:11And I loved Shayna's passion for fighting.
00:28:15And I thought like she's, she's, she's, she, she was there before anyone.
00:28:20She was a pioneer in this industry before there was even Rhonda.
00:28:23Oh, they say true pioneer.
00:28:24Like she's a pioneer in the industry and she was somebody that I just loved her passion for it.
00:28:29And I wanted to like, I wanted to pick her brain and I wanted to take her skills and to be able to incorporate them into pro wrestling,
00:28:35because I knew that I always just had this vision that my, my work with Charlotte would be one of the most pivotal moments in my career,
00:28:41but also for women's wrestling.
00:28:42So when you want to be the best, you train with the best.
00:28:45Hey, go get the head.
00:28:48We gotta keep Shayna humble today.
00:28:51I try not to blow her up.
00:28:53So I want to know from each of you and it doesn't necessarily have to be something that happened in WWE,
00:28:58but just on your individual journeys as a whole,
00:29:01the biggest hurdle maybe that you've had to overcome on your way to getting to where you are now as a woman.
00:29:07I have the immediate answer I have is that I am not on paper right away.
00:29:16The prototype of what like people look for in a marketable women's athlete.
00:29:25Yes, I'm marketable and I'm not trying to be like,
00:29:28but I'm just saying like, I'm aware of, you know, I'm not, I don't even know how to explain it.
00:29:34To me, you're way prettier than Cindy Crawford.
00:29:38Cindy, I didn't.
00:29:39I'm joking.
00:29:40I get what you're saying.
00:29:41I'm not talking about like how pretty I am or, or how I even.
00:29:45There was like a box.
00:29:46There was like a stereotypical box.
00:29:48Luckily we broke that box, but there was a box.
00:29:51There was a box and I was outside.
00:29:53It's okay to say that.
00:29:54I think it's okay.
00:29:55Like you cannot move forward and progress, and progress, excuse me, without acknowledging what was, right?
00:30:01So I think it's okay to acknowledge.
00:30:03I like to deny that I'm not, I'm not trying to take away from anything, anyone in the box.
00:30:08Yeah.
00:30:09But I'm just saying I, I, I'm very aware going into things or I was very aware going into things of like that box and I'm not in that box.
00:30:17So what can I, and to be fair, my coach, Josh, he was always very big on, I'm, this is gonna make him sound so mean, but not in a mean way at all.
00:30:29I look at him like a second father, but you know, you're not in this box, so let's make a box for you.
00:30:35Right.
00:30:36Love that.
00:30:37And that's been my hurdle is I'm not, I'm not someone that when you are picking in a lineup that is gonna be in that first pick perhaps, but.
00:30:45I think even just for myself, it's, a lot of people think because I came from a big wrestling family that, you know, I had it like easier that I got handed this position and I remember it took me over five years to get hired by WWE.
00:30:58Um, there was a lot of conflict with, with the hearts and, and, and WWE at one point, I think we could refer back to the Montreal screw job for that.
00:31:05Um, many, many documentaries have been made about it, but for me, like it was very challenging to get hired here because going back to what Shayna said, um, I didn't fit into a certain, like, I wasn't exactly what they wanted.
00:31:18And so no matter how hard I tried to be, um, what I thought that they wanted, I ended up finding my most successful points in WWE when I was just myself.
00:31:29And I've heard Rhea Ripley say that when she just started being herself is when she really became accepted and she really started to do her best work.
00:31:36So, um, I think just being myself and not worrying about what everybody else thinks, but just being authentic, um, has been, has really been awesome.
00:31:45But yeah, it's been hard because like, you know, we've gone through so many different stages of the women's evolution where we were trying to be certain ways to fit into that moment.
00:31:54And really the best thing is, is when we can be our authentic selves.
00:31:59I think for me, my biggest hurdle was just feeling like I never had the credentials to, like, to fulfill what I needed to do here.
00:32:09I mean, I came from nothing.
00:32:11I had no, you know, I'm not a generational superstar.
00:32:15I don't have a crazy sports background.
00:32:18Um, I just loved WWE with like every fiber of my being.
00:32:22And so I just always just felt like, um, like imposter syndrome.
00:32:26Like there's no way I'll be good enough.
00:32:28There's no way I can compare to these other women that, um, are such athletes and were like, you know, kind of born into this business to do this.
00:32:41I just didn't have any of that.
00:32:42So I always doubted myself and I always thought I lacked because I didn't have either of those things.
00:32:46So I think my biggest battle was just like me versus myself truly.
00:32:50And, um, I think over time, just putting in the work, being consistent, having such great, um, camaraderie around me.
00:32:58Um, I was able to like find my own and feel like finally, like I belonged.
00:33:02And so it just was just, yeah.
00:33:05What's crazy about your story.
00:33:07And I think it, it goes back to something you said, Natty, which is the authenticity.
00:33:11And I think, you know, when you got that first women's championship in that moment, I mean, it was undeniable how much.
00:33:18I don't think people realize, like, I'll say this because I don't know if Liv even knows that it, it doesn't go unnoticed.
00:33:27That like, because she's talking about like, she doesn't come from, you know, she's not like a D1 superstar athlete or was in the UFC or whatever.
00:33:35I think, to be fair, I think it took longer for people to, even, even other talent to take Liv seriously.
00:33:44Yeah.
00:33:45And I think you see it where there, so much had happened and her winning the women's championship was truly, like, she had to work for that.
00:33:55That wasn't anything that was like, eyes were on her right away, you know what I'm saying?
00:34:00So it doesn't give them a notice that you had to put in a ton of work, man.
00:34:07Yes, yeah.
00:34:08Yeah, I felt like I couldn't make any mistakes and because no one was expecting anything of me anyway, you know?
00:34:13And so I just, yeah, thank you for saying that.
00:34:15But I feel like that's why the audience got so behind Liv, because she, they, our audience could see something in Liv that they could see in themselves,
00:34:22that she was somebody that was like them, that, you know, was a, was a person that had a big dream and fought very hard for it
00:34:29and was, is very resilient and didn't give up.
00:34:32Kept fighting.
00:34:33Yeah, kept fighting. And by the way, the fights, the fighting never stops.
00:34:35The fighting never stops.
00:34:36We're always going to keep fighting.
00:34:37And to go back to that moment too, it's like, it was undeniable that the WWE Universe feels connected to you on a very personal level.
00:34:46And you, you worded it perfectly because it's kind of, it's the American dream, right?
00:34:50It's like, I might not be in the best position or have the best hand to become a WWE superstar.
00:34:56But if I work hard enough at it and dedicate myself to it, then I can do it.
00:35:01So I guess my question is, you know, how, how much pride do you take in every conversation that you have with, I assume, you know, you were a fan, you're a super fan of WWE.
00:35:17You become a superstar. And now I imagine that those conversations with young women that you meet or young girls are super meaningful.
00:35:26It is because I remember being younger and like, you know, whether you're at a school event and you have people come to visit you and you look at these people like larger than life, like I can, I can never be like that.
00:35:37And so when I like talk to little girls, I always want to like, I hope to stress enough that like, I don't want you to see me and think like, you can't have what I have or like, you can't have the same successes that I have.
00:35:50Like, I want you to know that I was literally you like I, I was you. And so I just hope that they look at me and feel that really and not just like, yeah, yeah, yeah, I could never be that.
00:36:04It's like, no, I promise you, like you really, really can. And if I did it, you can do it. And so I just hope that they have that like belief that they can do it.
00:36:10I think they do. One thing I always bring up in these conversations over the years is, you know, we spend so much time talking about the impact and the influence on young girls, which is obviously immensely important.
00:36:20But I think it's just as important that young boys are sitting at home and watching women main event Monday Night Raw or main event at PLE or put on like a match of the night at WrestleMania.
00:36:32I always think about that because, you know, someone like me, I didn't grow up in a world where there was a lot of women covering sports.
00:36:40I didn't have that. And so my male classmates didn't think there was a place for women to do that.
00:36:46And so I think the impact on young boys is just as important. Is that something you guys have ever thought about?
00:36:51Well, yeah, I think I grew up amateur wrestling, the only girl against boys. I grew up in sparring in an MMA gym, the only girl with boys and wanting to be taken seriously.
00:37:05I had to. I had to. And to be fair, it's not like guys. It's it's just the culture of things.
00:37:14It's the evolution. I need you to treat me the same way you're going to treat that guy the next round.
00:37:20Don't don't baby me because I'm a girl. If I'm if I'm if I'm fighting for equality, I need you to treat me equal.
00:37:28Yeah. And so I think helping boys, helping men understand that it's OK to do that, because I think it's been ingrained very, you know, old fashioned, old school to maybe not be that way, especially like a wrestling or a combat sport, something like that.
00:37:47Anything that's like male dominated, which is most things, to be honest. Yeah.
00:37:53Just getting getting that culture to where the men also treat you equal, not just you fighting for it all the time is huge.
00:38:02It helps cultivate like healthy mindset in sports and in life that like we are on the same playing field in all things.
00:38:11All right, ladies, before we wrap this up, thank you to all of you guys for sitting with us and having such an open, honest conversation.
00:38:17I feel inspired leaving it. I've cried or I've almost cried like three separate times during this conversation.
00:38:24But before we go, you know, WWE is involved with so many different campaigns to support Women's History Month.
00:38:29We just saw Sonya Deville partner with American Corporate Partners for a live seminar the other day to talk about Women's History Month.
00:38:36And Liv, I know you're involved on the road to WrestleMania in a campaign where a bunch of sports bras are going to be donated to young girls in Philly to keep them involved in sports.
00:38:45What can you tell us about that?
00:38:46Yeah, so we've donated over 3,000 sports bras to aspiring women's athletes in Philly because there was such a huge dip in young girls' participation in sports.
00:39:01And so we're trying to figure out why. Why is this happening? It's because they were not given the proper equipment.
00:39:08You know, something as minuscule as like sports bras, they don't have this equipment to even be able to participate in the sport.
00:39:16And so Fly Forward came in in partnership with WWE and we donate over 3,000 sports bras so that women athletes can have what they need to even want to try to be in sport.
00:39:28Can you imagine just like not even being able to participate because you don't have the proper equipment?
00:39:34Versus.
00:39:35How many future Olympians, women athletes, you know.
00:39:39Liv Morgans.
00:39:40You know, Liv Morgans are going to come from this group of women that are now given the opportunity to try because they are given the correct equipment.
00:39:49Very cool.
00:39:50And so, yeah, so they're doing great and the numbers, it's risen astronomically.
00:39:55Wow.
00:39:56Astronomically because they are given the proper equipment.
00:39:58Yeah.
00:39:59All right.
00:40:00I love that.
00:40:01Sounds like a great initiative.
00:40:02Ladies, again, all three of you are such badasses.
00:40:03I'm so glad that I got to do this interview.
00:40:05I appreciate the crap out of all three of you.
00:40:08So, thank you for this.
00:40:09Love it.
00:40:10And enjoy the rest of the road to WrestleMania, too.
00:40:12Yes.
00:40:13And the West, the West.
00:40:14The West.
00:40:15The woman is three months.
00:40:19My dream is to put this one in a sharpshooter later this afternoon.
00:40:23Dream on.
00:40:24Dream on.
00:40:25Dream on.
00:40:26I'll figure out how to get out of all of it and be able to put all of us in.
00:40:31But, yeah, thank you so much, Jackie.
00:40:33You guys are really nice.
00:40:35Thank you so much, Jackie Redmond, Liv Morgan, Shayna Baszler, and Natalia.
00:40:41I'm just going to say all four of you are such badasses.
00:40:44I am so inspired.
00:40:45I know you guys are, too.
00:40:47We were just talking about the great work that WWE is doing to celebrate Women's History Month.
00:40:53As you can see, we all have our shirts on right here.
00:40:56I didn't get one.
00:40:57Well, we'll get you one.
00:40:58And if you have to order one, you can go to WWE shop.
00:41:01Because the proceeds are going to add counsel.
00:41:05The code is right there.
00:41:06The internet accounts.
00:41:07You can scan that code and make sure you check out these shirts.
00:41:11It's such a great cause.
00:41:12All of the money, again, is going to add counsel as part of the initiative for love has no labels.
00:41:18Ryan, this is just such an awesome time in WWE.
00:41:22And you know what else is awesome?
00:41:24Sundays right now in WWE.
00:41:27Absolutely, Megan.
00:41:28An incredible conversation and an incredible amount to look forward to this Sunday and every Sunday on A&E.
00:41:33Because WWE Superstar Sunday on A&E is back.
00:41:36And it's where unrivaled storytelling reigns supreme.
00:41:39This week we have a new episode of WWE Rivals.
00:41:42With this episode tackling undoubtedly one of the greatest tag team rivalries of all time.
00:41:47With the Hardy Boys versus the Dudley Boys versus Edge and Christian.
00:41:50Which will be immediately followed by WWE Legends.
00:41:53And this week's legend is the British Bulldog.
00:41:56That's this Sunday starting at 8 on A&E.
00:41:58Let's take a first look at this weekend's upcoming episodes right now.
00:42:02Hardys, the Dudleys, and Edge and Christian.
00:42:05They were perfect for each other.
00:42:06WWE Rivals.
00:42:08We're gonna do everything in our power to steal the show.
00:42:11We're just gonna go for it and tear the house down.
00:42:14And then WWE Legends.
00:42:16He was unbelievably talented without even trying.
00:42:19Just seeing the Bulldog as a kid inspired me.
00:42:22But I think it's fair to say that Davey had issues.
00:42:25WWE Superstar Sunday.
00:42:27New episodes Sunday at 8.
00:42:29Only on A&E.
00:42:30Watch next day on the A&E app.
00:42:33So much to look forward to on Superstar Sunday.
00:42:36And as we get ready for it, it's become a theme here on The Bump.
00:42:39We put a poll up on The Bump X account asking all of you,
00:42:42who were you siding with in the rivalry between the Hardys, the Dudleys, and Edge and Christian?
00:42:46We have those results right now.
00:42:48The Hardys with 59.9%.
00:42:51That makes sense.
00:42:53Team E&C, 21%.
00:42:54And the Dudleys, 18%.
00:42:55Johnny, I know you have many, many thoughts on that.
00:42:57Is that where you were landing back in the day?
00:42:59So, obviously, I was between the Hardy Boys and Edge and Christian.
00:43:01What?
00:43:02Love Edge and Christian.
00:43:03Yeah.
00:43:04I mean, you're a Dudley Boys fan, right?
00:43:06Yeah, I know.
00:43:07Hardys, come on.
00:43:09Hit the tables?
00:43:10Yeah, but they were exciting.
00:43:11Hardys were jumping off things.
00:43:13Oh.
00:43:14Edge and Christian.
00:43:15Bob is not gonna be happy.
00:43:16Come on.
00:43:17I mean, did you see that advertisement over there?
00:43:19Yeah.
00:43:20He was on it.
00:43:21Yeah, no, I saw it.
00:43:22You were on it, too.
00:43:23Twice.
00:43:24Twice.
00:43:25Twice.
00:43:26Two of me.
00:43:27All right, well, we have so much to get to with Johnny Gargano,
00:43:29because you're coming off a pretty big night on Monday Night Raw.
00:43:33A little bit.
00:43:34My tag team partner Tommaso Ciampa isn't here with you,
00:43:37but you guys picked up the victory against the Creed Brothers,
00:43:40a team that had your number for quite a while.
00:43:44Didn't matter, you got it done when it mattered most.
00:43:46Boom.
00:43:47And now, for the first time in your career, ten years in the making, Johnny,
00:43:52you are going to WrestleMania.
00:43:55Yeah.
00:43:56So how are you feeling after picking up such a big win?
00:43:58And what's it like to watch this moment back right now?
00:44:01I don't know if it's really hit me yet.
00:44:03Being able to sit back and watch that and see the fans' reaction,
00:44:07seeing them go crazy, and you always dream of that moment of being able to be in
00:44:12that ring and point to that WrestleMania sign.
00:44:15Mm-hm.
00:44:16And if you're just pointing to it, it's whatever.
00:44:17But to be able to point to it and say,
00:44:19I am finally having a match at WrestleMania, just, it just, it means the world to me.
00:44:25Like you said, it's ten years.
00:44:26Like, I had my first tryout here in 2015.
00:44:28I've done various things in this company for a very, very long time,
00:44:31but I've never been at WrestleMania.
00:44:34And the fact that it's finally happening, me and Tommaso together, DIY,
00:44:39something we've always talked about, something we've always dreamed about.
00:44:41And the fact that it's in Philadelphia.
00:44:43Yeah.
00:44:44Philadelphia, a city that has meant so much to my career.
00:44:47Mm-hm.
00:44:48Takeover Philadelphia against Andrade, one of my most famous matches.
00:44:52We ain't gonna talk about what happened afterwards with Tommaso,
00:44:54but you know, that's a story in itself.
00:44:55Yeah.
00:44:56But we have such a story in that city.
00:44:59And again, even before that, on the indies, I went to Philadelphia so many different times.
00:45:05That is one of the most hardcore wrestling fan bases in the world.
00:45:08And to be able to make my WrestleMania debut there, it's perfect.
00:45:12We talk more about WrestleMania, because we're going to.
00:45:14I want to talk about Monday and the Creed Brothers specifically.
00:45:18Yes.
00:45:19Because that is a team that I know the first time I saw them,
00:45:22I was like, this is something special.
00:45:24And you're getting that more and more as they're on the main roster now in matches,
00:45:27like we saw on Monday, fans are responding in a huge way.
00:45:31What was your impression of these two when you felt firsthand stuff like this?
00:45:38Yeah.
00:45:39So I've sat in this chair before and sung the praises of the Creed Brothers
00:45:42when they were in NXT.
00:45:44Whenever anyone asked me, like, who is the future of WWE in NXT currently
00:45:48during that time, it was the Creed Brothers.
00:45:50Creed Brothers, in my opinion, are going to appear at and maybe main event.
00:45:55Many WrestleManias for years to come for this company.
00:45:58Wow.
00:45:59Right now, it's our time.
00:46:00But I promise you, for many, many years to come,
00:46:02those two guys are so incredibly, incredibly talented.
00:46:06They're so incredibly, incredibly young.
00:46:08They have such a bright future, and they are the future of the tag team division
00:46:12here in WWE.
00:46:13But right now, the tag team division is about DIY.
00:46:16So you're talking about, you know, it's always been a dream to be at WrestleMania,
00:46:20especially to be there with Tommaso, who you and he combined are in the midst
00:46:25of one of the best, longest stories in the history of the industry, you could argue.
00:46:31But the moment, right, it's one thing to know it's a possibility.
00:46:36It's one thing to know that it's a dream.
00:46:38But the moment the referee's hand comes down for the third time,
00:46:42and Tommaso's hand grabs your face and points it at that sign.
00:46:46Grab my face in a good way this time.
00:46:48Right.
00:46:49And you, that's right.
00:46:50Yeah.
00:46:51But you realize it's real.
00:46:52It's reality.
00:46:53It's no longer a dream.
00:46:54This is happening mere weeks from now.
00:46:57What is that crash into reality like?
00:47:00I don't think it's happened yet.
00:47:01Really?
00:47:02I honestly don't think it's happened yet.
00:47:03I don't think I'm going to realize what's happening until I'm out there for that match.
00:47:07And that's just real.
00:47:08Yeah.
00:47:09Like, the fact that me and Tommaso have had such a long history, even, like,
00:47:14just the fact that I was sitting on the ground and pointing up at that WrestleMania sign.
00:47:18I remember sitting on the ground with Tommaso during the Cruiserweight Classic.
00:47:21Cool.
00:47:22That was, like, the first time we felt like we made a name for ourselves in WWE,
00:47:26was that Cruiserweight Classic match.
00:47:28And now, years later, we're sitting almost in that same position,
00:47:32but I'm pointing at the WrestleMania sign.
00:47:34It's just, it's poetry, man.
00:47:35Hey.
00:47:36Goosebumps.
00:47:37That's amazing.
00:47:40Johnny, as we bring it to social and we start to look ahead to WrestleMania,
00:47:45the undisputed tag team title match, the six pack challenge, and the ladder match,
00:47:49we have to look ahead to some of your opponents, including your partners in Regeneration X.
00:47:55A lot we could break down on this.
00:47:56We've already talked about it a little bit.
00:47:57Quite a pickle.
00:47:58Yeah.
00:47:59I was going to say that.
00:48:00You know.
00:48:01That was incredible.
00:48:06Johnny, or should I say heartbreak, or should I say Johnny?
00:48:09Who knows?
00:48:10What have been your thoughts on the Regeneration X experience thus far?
00:48:13Obviously, we are going to find ourselves in quite a pickle if we do end up in that ladder match looking across from one another,
00:48:20which we are at this point.
00:48:21You are now.
00:48:22We are.
00:48:23Like I told you, you've got to realize it's reality.
00:48:24That was the question.
00:48:25I can't think it's reality.
00:48:26That was the question last week is what if it happened?
00:48:28It is going to happen.
00:48:29Regeneration X is going to, I'm not going to say it's going to explode.
00:48:33I feel like our bond these past couple weeks have been just, you can't stop us.
00:48:38Right.
00:48:39And we made a plan.
00:48:40We wanted to get those titles off of the Judgment Day.
00:48:42And we're in a prime position to do that.
00:48:44So, reacts baby.
00:48:46That plan cannot be broken down if you will.
00:48:51Now, Johnny, we know that WrestleMania is your sole and entire focus right now as it should be.
00:48:57But we got massive news last week that SummerSlam is coming to Cleveland Brown Stadium.
00:49:02A lifelong dream of yours as you elaborated on in this post.
00:49:05I know how big of a deal this is to you.
00:49:07You and I talk about Cleveland sports literally on an hourly basis sometimes.
00:49:10Yeah.
00:49:11As we get closer and closer now, have you begun to really think about what that moment will feel like?
00:49:16Have you been putting yourself in Cleveland Brown Stadium this August in your head?
00:49:19I've been putting myself in Cleveland Brown Stadium since I was a small child, okay?
00:49:23Like Ryan, you know, we both know, being Cleveland sports fans,
00:49:27I have sat so many Sundays in that stadium where the Browns were just awful.
00:49:32They were horrible.
00:49:33They were losing in the fourth quarter.
00:49:35And I'd be sitting in Cleveland Brown Stadium just daydreaming.
00:49:38Just wondering like, man, if WWE ever ran a big event here, it'd be just so incredible to wrestle in this building.
00:49:46And you just, I never thought it would happen.
00:49:48I literally just, I accepted that WWE is not going to run a big four pay-per-view, big four event in this building.
00:49:54It doesn't happen because it's just, you know, like Cleveland is a smaller market.
00:49:57Like it's not going to get it.
00:49:59And the fact that SummerSlam is coming to Cleveland, Ohio, August, it's just, I don't know.
00:50:04What a year for you.
00:50:05It's crazy.
00:50:06I don't want to jinx anything, but it's so incredible.
00:50:09Hopefully the hometown team does better if you're there.
00:50:11Yeah.
00:50:12Yeah.
00:50:13They're not going to be playing one.
00:50:14You'd be you.
00:50:15Oh, I would be the team.
00:50:16You'd be the whole town.
00:50:17I would be the team.
00:50:18You'd be the one.
00:50:19And I will say, it's just so, like, SummerSlam 1996.
00:50:21I'm not going to be playing.
00:50:22I'm not going to be playing.
00:50:24A Browns game isn't going to be going to be on during SummerSlam.
00:50:26SummerSlam, Sam.
00:50:29SummerSlam 1996 was the very first pay-per-view I went to.
00:50:34And that was like the night I decided I needed to become a professional wrestler.
00:50:38So the fact that full circle SummerSlam is back in Cleveland, Ohio.
00:50:42I did the math.
00:50:43It was like 28 years later or something like that.
00:50:45Like, it's incredible.
00:50:47Well, let's talk about the field because your ticket is punched.
00:50:50You're going to WrestleMania.
00:50:51Let that sink in and you will do so.
00:50:53Do I get a literal ticket?
00:50:55You actually don't need one.
00:50:56I don't need one.
00:50:57If you have a match, you no longer need a ticket.
00:50:58So that's kind of a weird analogy.
00:51:00Like, I punched my ticket, but I don't really get a ticket.
00:51:02It's a pickle.
00:51:03A wickle pickle.
00:51:04You and Tommaso have a chance to win tag team goal in this six-pack ladder match challenge.
00:51:10You take a look at the field.
00:51:12We see that awesome truth is in there.
00:51:14We know you guys have your history with Regeneration X.
00:51:17But have you and Ciampa talked about how to compartmentalize?
00:51:21No.
00:51:22The field itself, like right now, like there are so many great teams.
00:51:30Obviously, the Judgment Day, they are dominant in WWE.
00:51:33Awesome truth.
00:51:34We have our history with them.
00:51:35Like, we have an alliance with them.
00:51:37And also, you look at New Day.
00:51:38Yes.
00:51:39New Day.
00:51:40One of the most decorated tag teams.
00:51:41Arguably one of the best.
00:51:42If not the best.
00:51:43Yes.
00:51:44I'd say New Day and the Usos are probably 1A and 1B there in the best tag teams in WWE history.
00:51:50So, they are always in the running and always going to go for gold.
00:51:54I think it is our time now to solidify ourselves.
00:51:57We said this run is going to be about our legacy.
00:52:00We have done amazing things in WWE.
00:52:02We have made evented takeovers, made incredible moments, incredible memories.
00:52:05But we get a chance to wrestle at the grandest stage of them all.
00:52:10This is where you become legends.
00:52:12And to be able to step on that stage in Philadelphia and get a chance at the WWE Tag Team Championship.
00:52:20To live that dream.
00:52:21We've never won a title here on Raw or SmackDown.
00:52:24We've won many titles in NXT.
00:52:25Never won one here.
00:52:26When we grew up, those were the titles we looked at.
00:52:29I said I wanted to be WWE Tag Team Champion.
00:52:31And the fact that I have a chance to make that happen at WrestleMania.
00:52:35Like, again, we did the Goosebumps thing, but that's very real.
00:52:38Yeah, I got him again.
00:52:39I got him again.
00:52:40I got him again.
00:52:41I got him again.
00:52:42So, we're talking about the teams that are in this match.
00:52:44There are still two teams to be named in the tag team division.
00:52:47Yeah.
00:52:48I would argue as competitive as it's been in years right now.
00:52:51Yeah.
00:52:52I mean, one of those teams that could advance from SmackDown is the Authors of Pain.
00:52:57Have you thought about that?
00:52:58The fact that those two forces, DIY and AOP, could collide once more in this setting at WrestleMania?
00:53:06My body aches whenever you just say the words AOP.
00:53:09Given the fact that if you want to talk about full circle, the last time me and Tommaso were in a ladder match together was against the Authors of Pain.
00:53:17How was that?
00:53:18It didn't go well.
00:53:19It did not go well.
00:53:20We ain't gonna talk about what happened after that match.
00:53:22Sure.
00:53:23I think things will end up a little bit different this time.
00:53:25Me and Tommaso are two completely different individuals now.
00:53:28We're both dads now.
00:53:29Both our kids will be there in attendance.
00:53:31Wow.
00:53:32So, I mean, it's just, we're fighting for so much more now than we were back then.
00:53:35And, but you mentioned Authors of Pain.
00:53:38Authors of Pain are always, oh.
00:53:41That's the best way I can describe them.
00:53:43Before we wrap up your interview portion, do you have any final words for the WWE Universe for any of the members that you will be competing against in the six pack ladder challenge or just a message of any kind?
00:53:56Honestly, just seeing that graphic, it just really just hits close to home.
00:54:00I've been dreaming about this.
00:54:02Like, we mentioned 10 years, but this is really just a lifetime.
00:54:05A lifetime dream that we're going to accomplish.
00:54:08The fact that we get to wrestle at WrestleMania, the WWE Tag Team Championship.
00:54:12Tommaso is my best friend in the world.
00:54:15And the fact that the two of us have an opportunity to go there and make history, become the WWE Tag Team Champions at our first WrestleMania.
00:54:27Just feels right.
00:54:28Definitely feels right.
00:54:29And I feel like we have always talked about our moment, right?
00:54:33Me and Tommaso have always said, this is going to be our moment.
00:54:35This is our moment.
00:54:36It feels like genuinely right now, in this time, it is our moment.
00:54:42Well, we look forward to 17 days from today.
00:54:46That's how long it is?
00:54:47That's how long it is?
00:54:48Wow, that's close.
00:54:49That's close.
00:54:50Right around the corner.
00:54:52Well, you guys, it is...
00:54:53I gotta get some gear made.
00:54:54I gotta get some gear made.
00:54:55Oh, yes, you do.
00:54:56Mania gear.
00:54:57Well, it is now time to welcome on a very special guest.
00:55:01He has become the correspondent for the Impact Team here at WWE.
00:55:07He is a Special Olympics athlete and he met Cody Rhodes at the Royal Rumble.
00:55:13Let's take a look at this.
00:55:14You have been selected by the Community Impact Team to be the first ever community correspondent for us directly.
00:55:22You're serious?
00:55:23I see you.
00:55:24Oh!
00:55:25Yeah, we're working together.
00:55:26We gotta put you to work and the first thing you're doing.
00:55:28Aw, man.
00:55:29Cody, my man.
00:55:30Congratulations.
00:55:31And now it is time.
00:55:34Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome on WWE Impact correspondent Cody Field.
00:55:42Yeah.
00:55:43Okay, now we're talking.
00:55:46There we go.
00:55:47Oh, yeah.
00:55:48Now we're speaking words of wisdom.
00:55:50Yes!
00:55:51How you doing?
00:55:53So good to meet you.
00:55:54I tried to get disturbed for you, man.
00:55:55I tried to get disturbed for you.
00:55:56It didn't work out.
00:55:57No, no, no.
00:55:58In my mind, it's like, no worries.
00:56:00Oh, my goodness.
00:56:02It is so awesome to have you here in the studio.
00:56:05How you doing today?
00:56:06Oh, my gosh.
00:56:07I'm like, I'm completely Undertaker-ready.
00:56:10Oh.
00:56:11Yeah, buddy.
00:56:12Now, Cody, you have had quite the day.
00:56:14You got the grand tour of the new WWHQ.
00:56:17Now you're hanging out with us.
00:56:18I haven't even gotten that, by the way.
00:56:19I haven't even been there yet.
00:56:20I'm going to WrestleMania.
00:56:21I haven't even been there yet.
00:56:22Look it, right there.
00:56:23I haven't even been there yet.
00:56:24It is jaw-dropping.
00:56:25I haven't seen it.
00:56:26No.
00:56:27I'm going after this.
00:56:28I'm going after this.
00:56:29Who was?
00:56:30Epic as ever.
00:56:32You're going to have an ultra-epic experience, dude.
00:56:34I hope so.
00:56:35I know it, Johnny.
00:56:36Look at that.
00:56:37Are you on the wall?
00:56:38You're on the wall.
00:56:39Wow.
00:56:40Wow.
00:56:43Johnny's got to win at WrestleMania to get on the wall as champions.
00:56:46You already made it.
00:56:47I already made it on the wall, and I'm like, what is this?
00:56:50Well, the reason you are on the wall is because you are a champion, Cody.
00:56:54You are a three-time Special Olympic gold medalist.
00:56:59You're known as the Flying Spartan because of what you do, going, shredding it up on the snowboard.
00:57:05Yeah.
00:57:06Showing no mercy.
00:57:07So where did your love for snowboarding come from?
00:57:11Where did this passion come from?
00:57:12In Colorado, there's a place in the Rocky Mountains called Loveland.
00:57:17And my dad and my stepmom, Charlotte McDuff, who is out there personally right now watching this.
00:57:22What's up, Charlotte?
00:57:23Shout out.
00:57:24Shout out to you.
00:57:25And my dad is my head coach.
00:57:27But the thing is, is I learned at Loveland.
00:57:30I first started with skiing, but then I switched when I saw Shaun White do the double McTwist in Vancouver Olympics.
00:57:36Oh, that was an iconic moment.
00:57:38And my sister had this snowboard.
00:57:40She wanted me to try out.
00:57:41Ghost.
00:57:44Wow.
00:57:45Yeah.
00:57:46Very cool.
00:57:47I'm telling you, Megan, that thing was like, it was a clip-in board, but my real snowboard now is above me.
00:57:53It's 185.
00:57:54I'm telling you, this thing is like a power straight up house.
00:57:58Kind of like the rock in Roman Reigns, but I'll tell you this.
00:58:02I will tell you this.
00:58:03Okay.
00:58:04Uh-oh.
00:58:05The Undertaker is seeing a demon from Denver right here.
00:58:08You shout out The Undertaker right now?
00:58:10I'm going up.
00:58:11Yeah.
00:58:12Wow.
00:58:13Now you, I mean, one of the reasons that you're here is that you're such a huge WWE fan.
00:58:18You got to meet a ton of the WWE superstars at the Royal Rumble.
00:58:23What was it like to meet Cody, to meet Rhea Ripley, to meet Otis?
00:58:26To meet Otis, Chad Gable, and Cody?
00:58:28Oh my gosh.
00:58:29Cody Rhodes.
00:58:31I look, my nephew looks up to him.
00:58:33There's Chad.
00:58:34There's Chad.
00:58:35There's Chad.
00:58:37And Triple H, of course.
00:58:38The game himself.
00:58:39Johnny's partner.
00:58:40It's your partner, man.
00:58:41Yeah.
00:58:42And that's my mom, Cody, and me.
00:58:44What?
00:58:45That's my mom, Karen Field.
00:58:46That's Damien Priest right there.
00:58:48And the best part.
00:58:50Oh, there's Chad and Cody and me.
00:58:52I wore his t-shirt for one obvious reason.
00:58:56Whoa.
00:58:57Because I'm a Cody Rhodes fan alongside my nephew.
00:58:59Kevin Riddick and Riley Renier, you're calling out me!
00:59:02Yes.
00:59:03But not a Cody crybaby.
00:59:06I'm never a Cody crybaby.
00:59:07I'm a Cody revenger.
00:59:09Whoa.
00:59:10Whoa.
00:59:11Alright, so you're a big Cody Rhodes fan, but we know The Undertaker is your all-time favorite WWE superstar.
00:59:18What do you love about The Undertaker?
00:59:19The streak.
00:59:21For one obvious reason.
00:59:23Because in snowboarding in my state at Colorado, Winter Games, I am 34 gold medals and zero losses!
00:59:31That's a streak.
00:59:32That's a streak.
00:59:33That's a double streak!
00:59:34And I'm extending Undertaker's streak for major purposes.
00:59:39To make it legend.
00:59:41Ooh.
00:59:42Oh, that is awesome.
00:59:43To show him he's still got it.
00:59:45Sam.
00:59:46Yeah.
00:59:47Undertaker has been my legend since I was like 13 to 5 years old.
00:59:51And he started his WrestleMania streak in 1991.
00:59:55I was born the year after that.
00:59:57That is, it's kismet.
00:59:58You also, I mean, didn't you shout out The Undertaker?
01:00:01What was it?
01:00:02At the X Games?
01:00:03The X Games?
01:00:04As the bow came up?
01:00:05When I got my silver medal from X Games?
01:00:06Yeah, yeah, yeah.
01:00:07Oh my gosh.
01:00:08I did his eyes.
01:00:09I did like, the bow.
01:00:10He does a WrestleMania.
01:00:11Well, I mean...
01:00:12You want me to try it?
01:00:14Yeah.
01:00:15Johnny!
01:00:16I think you kind of have to.
01:00:17Here we go.
01:00:18I haven't seen this yet.
01:00:19Whoa!
01:00:20Dude, that is...
01:00:22There it is.
01:00:23Oh, there it is.
01:00:24There it is.
01:00:25Look at the eyes.
01:00:26Look at the eyes.
01:00:27Oh, yeah.
01:00:28Wow.
01:00:29Oh, wow.
01:00:30Just a mini-me of The Undertaker.
01:00:32Turn the eyes.
01:00:33Show the people the eyes.
01:00:34Camera two.
01:00:35Look at that.
01:00:36Camera three.
01:00:38Oh, wow.
01:00:39You will rest in peace.
01:00:49Oh, my God.
01:00:50Cody, you think I'm a different person.
01:00:52That's why they call me the demon from Denver at times,
01:00:55because I took it from Undertaker.
01:00:58Remember his nickname, the demon from Death Valley?
01:01:01Yes.
01:01:02Yes.
01:01:03I rephrased Death Valley to Denver to make a legend.
01:01:05In tribute.
01:01:06In tribute to The Undertaker to make him look even better as a role model.
01:01:11Well, when we talk about WrestleMania, you have somebody sitting right next to you.
01:01:15Who's going to WrestleMania.
01:01:17As the big fan that you are, are there any questions that you have for Johnny wrestling?
01:01:21What do you got?
01:01:22As he's on this role?
01:01:23What's going to go through your mind when you're in the tag team six-pack challenge?
01:01:27What do you call him?
01:01:28Probably a lot of pain.
01:01:29He's going to be like, oh, this hurts a lot.
01:01:30Really bad.
01:01:31Johnny, why are you climbing this ladder?
01:01:33This is very high.
01:01:34Oh, my God.
01:01:35Why are you falling off this ladder that doesn't feel very good?
01:01:37Probably a lot of that.
01:01:38But also, I can't believe there's so many people here.
01:01:40I can't believe you're wrestling at WrestleMania.
01:01:42Is this real life?
01:01:43What's happening?
01:01:44Are you dreaming?
01:01:45Where's Tommaso at?
01:01:46Is he hurt?
01:01:47Where's R-Truth at?
01:01:48Is he still climbing the ladder?
01:01:49There's going to be a lot of things going through my head.
01:01:50And there's one more I got for you from D-Generation X themselves.
01:01:53What do you got?
01:01:54Are you ready?
01:01:55Oh, I love that.
01:01:57I think I'm ready.
01:01:59I think I'm ready.
01:02:00I think I'm ready.
01:02:01You think.
01:02:02I know.
01:02:03He's born to be ready.
01:02:04Born to be ready.
01:02:05Like me.
01:02:06Well, now we saw some of the footage from what you got to do at the Royal Rumble.
01:02:10Yes.
01:02:11Another thing that you got to do was talk to Byron Saxton.
01:02:13I heard that you've always wanted to be a WWE correspondent.
01:02:17So what tips did Byron give you?
01:02:19He told me that when you actually interview some superstars, you have to lean back a bit.
01:02:24And also he told me to spread the legs to make it look shorter than the superstar.
01:02:29Yes.
01:02:30We appreciate that.
01:02:31There's another one.
01:02:32He said if they're coming in behind you and they're just staying there, you have to
01:02:35give a nudge forward.
01:02:37Yep.
01:02:38Get them to nudge a little forward.
01:02:39That's right, Megan.
01:02:40I know that.
01:02:41I know that all too well.
01:02:42Oh my gosh.
01:02:43I'm only 5'10".
01:02:44I'm Otis' height.
01:02:45You know I'm taller than Vic Joseph?
01:02:47Really?
01:02:48You are taller than Vic Joseph?
01:02:49I am way taller than Vic Joseph.
01:02:50Oh my God, man!
01:02:51Yeah.
01:02:52I guess I didn't realize that.
01:02:53Yeah.
01:02:54Way taller than Vic Joseph.
01:02:55Well, you're a pretty tall guy.
01:02:56And I got to tell Johnny this.
01:02:57One of the tallest.
01:02:58One of the tallest.
01:02:59But he's way better than HBK himself.
01:03:01Whoa!
01:03:02Whoa!
01:03:03Whoa!
01:03:04Whoa!
01:03:05He's running against you!
01:03:06No, no, no.
01:03:07Whoa.
01:03:08Besides the Undertaker, did you grow up a Shawn Michaels fan?
01:03:12Shawn Michaels is one of the greatest opponents the Undertaker has ever had.
01:03:15He really is.
01:03:16He really is.
01:03:17He's actually known as Mr. WrestleMania.
01:03:20Yes.
01:03:21We might have a next Mr. WrestleMania here besides Shawn.
01:03:24Whoa!
01:03:25I already got Mr. Takeover.
01:03:26So, I mean, got to go to the next step of evolution there.
01:03:28Oh, yeah.
01:03:29That's a couple stars.
01:03:30Johnny Wrestling Mania?
01:03:31Yeah.
01:03:32Johnny WrestleMania?
01:03:33I like it.
01:03:34I may have to drop the ng.
01:03:35I don't know.
01:03:36The ng kind of is my thing.
01:03:37Yeah, but the ng.
01:03:38Johnny Mania.
01:03:39Johnny Mania.
01:03:40Johnny Mania.
01:03:41Johnny Mania is way better actually.
01:03:42Johnny Mania is good.
01:03:43Johnny Mania is great.
01:03:4417 days away.
01:03:45We'll throw this up at the wall here.
01:03:46What are you most excited about for WrestleMania?
01:03:48I'm hoping Taker shows up and finds me.
01:03:51Okay.
01:03:52Well, you told me this before the show.
01:03:54You told me that you had made a plan that if somebody wins a match, you're buying a replica championship.
01:04:00Oh, two guys.
01:04:01Who are we hoping for?
01:04:03Who are we hoping for?
01:04:04I'm hoping that Cody Rhodes finishes the story because it is just beginning.
01:04:08And who's the next one?
01:04:09Drew McIntyre!
01:04:11Whoa!
01:04:12That's unexpected there.
01:04:14So, if that happens, you're purchasing two.
01:04:17Two replica belts.
01:04:18Two new champions.
01:04:19Okay.
01:04:20The Undisputed Title and the World Heavyweight Championship in a replica.
01:04:25Cody.
01:04:26Drew, it's on you guys.
01:04:27Yeah, it's on you guys.
01:04:28I must finish the story.
01:04:30Two double duos in their prime.
01:04:32Well, you guys, that's going to do it for this week's episode of WW's The Month.
01:04:36Thank you all so much for watching.
01:04:38Thank you to Cody.
01:04:39Thank you to Johnny.
01:04:40Thank you to the women who did the sit down, to Sam and to Ryan.
01:04:44We will see you guys next time.
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