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00:00Ladies and gentlemen, the Intercontinental Championship is hanging high above the ring.
00:03This is a six-pack ladder match.
00:05You climb the ladder, you grab the title, you become the Intercontinental Champion.
00:10Already here in the ring, J.D. McDonough, Dragon Lee, Rusev is prowling outside the ring
00:16as we get set for some incredible action.
00:55The legendary Hall of Famer, Ray Mysterio.
01:01Six wins all time at WrestleMania.
01:12From San Diego, California, weight gain at 175 pounds, WWE Hall of Famer, Ray Mysterio.
01:28Including 2006, one of the greatest moments in WrestleMania history,
01:33when Ray Mysterio won the World Championship in a triple threat here at WrestleMania.
01:37For Mysterio, he's no stranger to ladder matches.
01:40He's had some incredible ones over the years, including back in 1997 at Halloween Havoc,
01:46when he beats Eddie Guerrero for the WCW Cruiserweight title.
01:51And also at SummerSlam vs. Eddie, with custody of Dominic Mysterio.
01:55Yo, boy is bouncy.
02:05Yeah!
02:15Mediago G!
02:30his first wrestlemania his first ever ladder match and if he wins he'd be the youngest man
02:39to ever win a championship at wrestlemania what a future jamon evans has oh man just
02:4421 years old it's almost unheard of to have this much success in the men's division without the
02:51body even reaching full athletic maturity we're still figuring out just how good javon evans can
02:58be and this match is presented by wingstop made to order always fresh don't miss any of the action
03:07get flavor delivered to your door at wingstop.com
03:19tonight at wrestlemania there will be combat there will be danger i will beat anyone in the ring
03:28you know why porque yo soy penta
03:32in cero
03:35yes
03:40Let's go.
04:35Let's go.
04:37Just as Shao Kahn from Mortal Kombat, Penta, the Intercontinental Champion, making his way to the ring for this ladder
04:45match.
04:46And believe it or not, it was Penta's idea to have a ladder match for his championship at WrestleMania.
04:51Well, I'll tell you right now, that is an absolutely terrible idea if you are the champion.
04:57Why? Because at best, you have a one in six chance of winning this damn thing.
05:03So hard to strategize in a ladder match.
05:06They call this a car crash style of match for a reason that is both style and substance.
05:14A lot of people are going to get hurt in this one.
05:16Again, thank you for joining us on ESPN tonight, ladies and gentlemen.
05:20First time ever for WrestleMania.
05:22And look at J.D. McDonough goes right after Javon Evans.
05:25And we are underway.
05:27Ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship.
05:29Well, this is an absolute sprint from the word go.
05:32It favors the Nimble and took it out of Nimble.
05:35Well, Nimble really describes five of the six competitors in there tonight.
05:39And Rusev being the one that is more the power-paced athlete.
05:43However, Rusev has been in the ladder match before, Wade.
05:462018, money in the bank.
05:48But he could be the wild card in this whole thing.
05:50Yeah, that's the thing.
05:51His path to victory here is not being fast and scrambling up a ladder.
05:54It's wrecking every single body in the match.
05:57And taking a leisurely stroll to the top.
06:00You know, I talked to Dragon Lee earlier today, right?
06:02And he was so excited for this match.
06:05Now, remember, Rey Mysterio's been his mentor, right?
06:07Rey Mysterio gifted a mask to Dragon Lee many years ago.
06:11He called Dragon Lee the future of Lucha Libre.
06:14This is the first time that Dragon Lee and Rey Mysterio have ever been opponents.
06:17And he couldn't wait for tonight.
06:19Well, even Penta is tight with that crew.
06:22But all bets have to be off here.
06:23It's about the goal.
06:24Bang!
06:25Man up and apologize later.
06:28And Penta and Dragon Lee now going to turn the ladder, so to speak, on Rusev.
06:33Well, it was a smart move taking Rusev out and then going back to your one-on-one business.
06:37Or maybe not.
06:38Well, that didn't work out well.
06:39And Rusev, okay, he's in a mood.
06:43Well, this is an absolute brute of a human being.
06:45Get out of there, Wade.
06:46He's in a mood tonight.
06:47Well, Rusev told me a couple of days ago he is feeling buoyant right now.
06:51He said he's climbed the ladder of life.
06:54And by the way, this is your fault, Marcello.
06:58Oh!
07:00And Penta driving Rusev to the floor.
07:04And now Penta slides underneath the ladder.
07:07And the entire ringside area already.
07:10Javon Evans going to fly!
07:12Scene of carnage everywhere you look.
07:15Protect your health at all costs in this one.
07:22And now it's Javon Evans sending a ladder into the ring.
07:28Dragon Lee now!
07:30Rada!
07:31Into McDonough!
07:33And Dragon Lee, such a joy to watch.
07:36He's come into his own in the past year.
07:39Really the embodiment of Lucha's spirit.
07:42Student and mentor finally about to throw down.
07:45Here we go!
07:48Oh, Dragon Lee, he told me I'm not going to take it easy on Ray tonight.
07:51But mentor or not.
07:53And nor should he.
07:53You want to be at the top in this game.
07:55You have to be all covers.
07:56That includes the living legend, Ray Mysterio.
08:01And Ray now sending Dragon Lee into position.
08:07Went for the 619.
08:08Dragon Lee ducked underneath and caught him with a super kick.
08:11The Dragon Lee clearly studied his mentor as well as anybody knew exactly what was coming in.
08:17Now it's an opportunity for Dragon to scramble up there.
08:21Thought better of it.
08:22Perhaps that ladder was not quite tall enough for various sizes of ladders here.
08:27Rusev understands the concept of losing the ladder as a weapon.
08:31And Javon Evans, welcome to the big time, kid.
08:35This is exactly what Rusev needs to do.
08:38Forget the highlight reel stuff.
08:40Just smash bodies and climb.
08:43WrestleMania, of course, has been a great stage for ladder matches over the years.
08:47Remember the first ever at WrestleMania?
08:49Razor, HBK, Madison Square Garden, Intercontinental title.
08:54Right what I'm seeing from J.D.
08:55McDonough here.
08:56One of the smartest.
08:57No!
08:57I don't like that at all.
08:59Take that back.
09:00Oh, Jesus!
09:00I was going to say he's one of the smartest, shrewdest competitors in there.
09:03Highly intelligent.
09:04But perhaps intelligence would indicate you should stay well clear of this Bulgarian brute.
09:11And now it's Rusev setting up the ladder.
09:13Again, you climb the ladder to grab the title.
09:17And Rusev may be cruising to victory here.
09:20He's a fingertip away.
09:22And now Penta looking to keep his championship.
09:25You saw the speed of Penta scrambling up there.
09:28And now Rusev with a death grip getting broken.
09:32Oh!
09:34And that is not a landing.
09:36The massive frame of Rusev is designed to be taken.
09:40That was a bulldog by Penta off the ladder.
09:43Now Javon Evans runs into a super kick.
09:47By the spectacular Penta.
09:49J.D. McDonough running interference.
09:51Well, that was that smart, analytical presence of McDonough we've talked about before.
09:55You've got to head that size.
09:57You've got to be smart.
09:58Oh!
09:58And Javon Evans with a shot right to the kidneys.
10:01And now Evans to McDonough.
10:02Going to climb the ladder.
10:03Looking to win the gold.
10:04Oh, just fingertips away.
10:06And here we go!
10:07McDonough might have this.
10:09Yes!
10:09He just shuddered and think.
10:11Oh, no!
10:13Oh, no!
10:14Is he alive?
10:16Well, that was human skittles somehow.
10:18McDonough landing on his feet.
10:20And that has ended up rather favorable for the Irishman.
10:24How's McDonough still in there?
10:25He took a backdrop on his head on the ladder.
10:27And now McDonough quickly up the ladder.
10:29Javon Evans, tough rope, and a leap.
10:30Oh, my goodness!
10:32A lengthy clothesline by Evans.
10:35And now Dragon Lee pouncing.
10:37Looking to capitalize.
10:40Speed of thought.
10:42Speed of movement.
10:43Keep your wits about you.
10:45There's always somebody lurking on the outside.
10:47Oh, no!
10:48That's a sandwich!
10:49A sandwich board of the ladder by Rey Mysterio.
10:54This time the six would not connect!
10:56With some added steel for good measure.
10:59And now Rey's got a chance.
11:00Rey's got a chance now.
11:02Clear out the debris.
11:03Get that giant ladder.
11:05That is the one you need.
11:06Rey was right when he said this past week that couldn't be WrestleMania, couldn't be a ladder match without Rey
11:12Mysterio.
11:14And this is the moment.
11:15He just takes so much time to set that ladder up in a perfect position.
11:19And Javon Evans just leapfrogged over Mysterio, trying to climb the ladder.
11:22Well, they call him bouncy for a reason, Cole.
11:27Mysterio still going strong at this age.
11:29It's incredible.
11:30Pentanow with a superkick.
11:31Rey Mysterio.
11:32Oh, and he took out Rey.
11:34Bouncing of youth some time ago.
11:36And using Javon Evans as a weapon.
11:42And Javon looking up at the ladder got caught.
11:44Oh, and a suplex right into the ladder by Penta.
11:47Yes, spine first.
11:48Would not help the agility of anyone.
11:51Dragon Lee with a dropkick to a hung-up Mysterio.
11:54There you go, Mentor.
11:56Thanks for everything.
11:57You've served your purpose now.
11:58Can't defend yourself when you're hooked in the ladder.
12:01Now, J.D. McDonough sent flying by Dragon Lee, who's been spectacular tonight.
12:05I love this new level of aggression from Dragon Lee.
12:09Well, he's seen the success of other luchadors, and he wants some for himself.
12:12He's won tag goal before.
12:13He might be about to grab the Intercontinental, but denied by Rusev.
12:17Yeah, the Bulgarian brute planting Dragon Lee.
12:21Man, what a fast-paced, vicious match-up for the Intercontinental title.
12:26How impressive was Rusev here?
12:28Came very close to winning the Intercontinental Championship a couple of times last year.
12:33Denied by Penta, and indeed Gertie Dom, who was the then-holder.
12:37How sweet would it be to grab gold here in Vegas?
12:40For Rusev, his first WrestleMania in seven years.
12:45He said he was so focused coming into this, Javon, with a right hand.
12:49I'm not quite sure what Rusev's planning here, but it's not going to be good.
12:52He's designing some instruments of destruction, and it could be Javon Evans!
12:56Oh, my goodness!
12:58Who tastes it, and Javon Evans hooked up in a rather ugly fashion there.
13:02Have you been in a ladder match?
13:04Yes, I have.
13:05Guess how many I won?
13:07None.
13:08Absolutely zero.
13:09What does that feel like?
13:10Well, 2015 for the Intercontinental Championship, actually.
13:13I was in a ladder match, and all I recall is severe pain, and my body never feeling quite right
13:18ever again.
13:19I was also relieved of the goal on that occasion.
13:22No wonder you drank it.
13:23Oh!
13:25Penta.
13:28And Penta again.
13:30I mean, it's a smart thing.
13:31You've got to team up against the biggest, stronger athlete.
13:40And Penta discussing tactics with Rey.
13:45And now Rey Mysterio launched.
13:48Oh, my goodness!
13:49And now Rusev collapsing the ladder, breaking the ladder in half.
13:53Mysterio taking out Rusev.
13:55A West Coast pop over the top, through the body of Rusev.
14:00Mysterio's face hitting the steel at the same time.
14:08Take another look at this.
14:10But look at the face of Mysterio eating the steel on the way down.
14:14I'm astounded he's still moving.
14:16Rusev is done now.
14:17He's out of this one for sure.
14:19There are bodies everywhere.
14:21As Penta looks to keep his title, Rey Mysterio intercepts.
14:26Man, this is everything is advertised and more.
14:29About as dangerous as it gets here in WWE, but with a prize so great, it is worth it for
14:36these athletes.
14:37Rey Mysterio looks better than ever.
14:38This is absolutely incredible.
14:40He won his world title at WrestleMania 20 years ago, Wade.
14:43Well, we've been watching this guy for 30 years at this point.
14:46Bang! 619.
14:47And there's no slowing down, looking as good as ever.
14:51And now Rey going to climb the ladder.
14:53Can you imagine this moment?
14:54Can you imagine winning the Intercontinental title at WrestleMania?
14:57Dragon Lee now trying to thwart his mentor, his longtime friend.
15:04And now Dragon trying to reach out and grab the belt.
15:08And that small frame of Dragon Lee.
15:10And indeed Rey Mysterio is not helping here.
15:14Simply don't have the leg, limb length to get a good grip on this thing as it swings wildly above
15:19them.
15:20Man, it is so difficult to fight up there.
15:23Oh, oh.
15:24And Rey now using the ladder as a weapon.
15:26Dragon Lee knocked out.
15:28Rey may have a chance.
15:29It's Rey's for the taking now.
15:33And Rey now, he kicks right to the face of Dragon Lee.
15:37Mysterio still trying to hang on.
15:39Thinks twice about it.
15:40Gonna get...
15:40Oh, no!
15:42Impressive power there.
15:44Dragon Lee told me the Hall of Famer.
15:46AJ Styles gifted him the Styles class for the rest of his career.
15:51They held tag gold together recently and, oh, inches away from Intercontinental gold now.
15:58And now it's J.D. McDonough who's long been a thorn in the side of Dragon Lee from the Judgment
16:02Day.
16:03And McDonough looking to win gold.
16:08The entire body of these superstars must be on fire.
16:12What are you cooking up here, J.D.?
16:16As high-risk as it gets, but it paid off for J.D. McDonough.
16:21Now can he finish the job?
16:25Take another look at this high-risk offense.
16:28A Spanish fly from J.D. McDonough.
16:31Landing flush on Dragon Lee.
16:35But unfortunately, in the process, J.D. McDonough took a ton out of himself.
16:41Over 50,000 tonight.
16:43And they're a raucous.
16:45They're alive in Las Vegas for WrestleMania Sunday.
16:48And maybe the moment that J.D. McDonough has waited years for.
16:52An opportunity to win at WrestleMania.
16:55And Penta now climbing the ladder.
17:02I'll tell you right now, fighting like this on top of a ladder never ends well.
17:07Somebody is going to take a nasty drop here as that thing wobbles all over the place.
17:12Penta slowly climbing to the top.
17:15J.D. McDonough now hooking the Intercontinental Champion.
17:17There's a ladder just below them, folks.
17:19There's a ladder just below them.
17:21It looks like McDonough was looking for some sort of suplex.
17:23And Penta is clinging on for dear life, smartly so, and has now got the upper hand here.
17:29No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
17:32Not from there, Penta.
17:34Not from there.
17:35Not from there, Penta.
17:41Mexican Destroyer on the ladder.
17:46mcdonough's dead
17:49well scrape jd mcdonough off the canvas after this mexican destroyer head first
17:58onto a steel ladder
18:06i told mcdonough earlier today don't do anything stupid kid well that wasn't his fault that was
18:12all penta i mean the stupid part was entering this kind of carnage oh look at look at wave back
18:18in
18:19the ring javon evans just realizes he's got a chance everybody else is down there's bodies
18:24everywhere wake up kid make yourself a champion make yourself history tonight javon rewrite the
18:32history books oh he's got the title rusev's got the ladder javon is hanging on to the belt
18:39he can't unclip it from this position but he can certainly drop down
18:47and now evan sent over the top rope into the floor right in front of us
18:51and nobody's body is cooperating with them at this point everybody showing wounds of war
18:58how is rusev moving rusev has a body designed to take abuse and keep moving like no other we saw
19:05him fall through that ladder an epic crash from that west coast pop but just shrugging it off
19:12minutes later and you saw rusev was favoring his leg way right it's difficult he's trying to climb the
19:18ladder now really on one leg look at look at look at look at evans evans in the background evans
19:24in the
19:53background
19:54mush has the ability to win this whole downfield and penta trying desperately to protect this
20:00championship and oh mexican destroyer off the ladder to evans and penta is incredible where
20:07does he come up with this stuff it's just instinctive this guy has freakish abilities
20:13it's why the world has fallen in love with the current intercontinental champion made well
20:20he about to retain 20 years to get here 20 years to win the intercontinental championship penta
20:28on top of the ladder penta trying to grab the title penta still on top of the world
20:37here is your winner and still the intercontinental champion penta
20:49absolutely incredible
20:56i give it up for all six men in this match tonight
21:03i mean you think about what jd mcdonough put himself through that kid's a star he's a future champion
21:10you're talking about dragon lee and the aggression that he showed tonight you're talking about the
21:16toughness of rusev the biggest man in the match how about the fountain of youth that is inside
21:23ray mysterio getting bouncy with javon evans let's take a look at some of that highlights of this match
21:31dragon lee taking out former mentor ray with an epic attack there and now rusev just driving bodies
21:38through the steel i mean the entire match was a highlight reel got a hell of a job trying to
21:43cut it down this is that west coast bot that took out rusev almost ray mysterio too and then this
21:49jd
21:49mcdonough spanish fly from up above could not have landed more perfectly
21:57and then a mexican destroyer to jd mcdonough and mcdonough may never be the same again after that and
22:07here's one of those og cutters that will live in infamy forever as rusev was dropped for good in this
22:16match
22:20but in the end the intercontinental champion the spectacular penta the man that has taken wwe
22:28by storm does it again retains the intercontinental title in a ladder match for the ages
22:40i mean just wreckage everywhere you look both human and steel it's gonna take a while to clean up
22:48this mess but penta does not care penta going home with a goal won't feel a single wound right now
22:55just
22:56buzzing with adrenaline and i'd say this las vegas audience loves everything they are seeing
23:03again penta wins the intercontinental title but also tonight on espn the shocker of all shockers
23:10i had absolutely no idea what to think here
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