- 48 minutes ago
Category
✨
PeopleTranscript
00:10The following contest is scheduled for one call, and is for the United States Championship!
00:21Introducing first the challenger from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, weighing in for £212.
00:32Sami Zayn!
00:33Sami has the phrase, ride or die, written on his knee pads.
00:37That, of course, came homage to the longtime fans that have stuck with Sami Zayn through thick and thin.
00:43The problem is, many believe many of those fans have moved on.
00:48He's a grizzled and bitter, angry veteran, running out of time to accomplish the one goal that is eluded him.
00:55A world championship, and many think that pressure is finally getting to Zayn.
01:00Yeah, I think that's a really harsh take.
01:01I think Sami Zayn has dedicated his body, his soul, to this industry for the past 20 plus years.
01:07Main event in WrestleMania, an incredible legacy of achievement here.
01:11In the past few months, Trick Williams has come along, and apparently allowed management, the audience, the locker room, to
01:17turn Sami Zayn into a punchline.
01:20And I understand Sami's frustration.
01:22Yeah, Kathy Kelly's backstage with the champ. Let's check on her.
01:28Yeah, guys, I am here with United States champion Trick Williams and Lil Yachty.
01:33I spoke to Sami Zayn earlier, and he said that he is feeling great.
01:38What is your response?
01:40Sami's feeling great.
01:42Quit lying.
01:44You've been lying for weeks, saying you the one with all the experience.
01:48You the veteran.
01:49Sami, quit lying.
01:51Since you met me, I've been running this.
01:53I'm the puppet master.
01:55I'm the vet in the game.
01:57It's Trick Williams' world.
01:59And tonight, all the games is over.
02:02And you're going to see that.
02:04Let's talk about it.
02:22Four- step comes in!
02:28Four- step comes in!
02:32Four- step?
02:43Next time, pick will you cast return this, three-number green.
02:44Four- step comes in!
02:46Four- step makes a difference.
02:54And his opponent, accompanied by Grammy Award-nominated, multi-platinum and diamond artist, Lil Yanni.
03:05From Columbia, South Carolina, weighing in for 240 pounds, he is the United States Champion, Trek Williams.
03:18Hey, the kendo stick that Lil Yanni's carrying looks a bit familiar.
03:22It was last night at the Gingerbread Man's funeral.
03:26Lil Yanni and company tricked Sami Zayn, and all of us.
03:30Yes, they did.
03:31And Lil Yanni inside the corpse of the Gingerbread Man.
03:35But in a nutshell, that Gingerbread Man crop has been used to taunt Zayn.
03:40It really epitomizes what Sami used as the disrespect from the relative newcomer,
03:46for Trek Williams and his rapper friend Lil Yotti.
03:49For Trek Williams, what an important matchup tonight.
03:53He beat Sami Zayn at WrestleMania.
03:55And in this WrestleMania rematch, Trek Williams can prove to the world
03:59that what happened in Las Vegas last month was not a fluke.
04:02Oh, here we go.
04:04A little frustration from Sami right off the bat.
04:06And the normally cool, calm, and collected Sami Zayn has become completely erratic and frazzled
04:13since the arrival of Trek Williams, completely under the former champ's skin.
04:19The official going to have her hands full in this matchup, Daphne LaShawn.
04:22This is for the United States Championship.
04:27Sami Zayn looking to win the United States title.
04:31The third time in his career.
04:36Lil Yotti just handed you a punch.
04:38Oh, my God.
04:39I love Lil Yotti.
04:40I am absolutely rich.
04:42Dollar, dollar bills, y'all.
04:44What are you going to do with all those dollar bills tonight?
04:45You and I, you can't let them spend them.
04:47The only place you can spend dollar bills, Michael Cole.
04:49You fill in the blanks.
04:50Sami Zayn now backing Williams into the corner.
04:53And Sami Zayn looking to be aggressive in this match tonight.
04:56What does Sami need to do, Wade, to win the United States Championship?
04:59Sami Zayn needs to be really careful.
05:01Obviously, he wants to win the United States Championship.
05:03He's also said he wants to humiliate Trick Williams the way Trick has humiliated him over the past several months.
05:10But you've got to stay in control.
05:13Don't get ragged.
05:13Don't get yourself disqualified.
05:16And make sure you can stay in control of your emotions.
05:19Oh, and leaping clothesline by Trick Williams.
05:22Much like we saw in the previous match, Wade.
05:25Veteran versus relative newcomer.
05:28Sami Zayn looking to use his experience against Trick Williams tonight.
05:31Yeah, he has to.
05:32Trick Williams clearly has the superior power, athleticism, and has the power of this audience firmly behind him.
05:40Trick has had some success here in Tampa, Florida.
05:43Last year, he won the TNA World Championship at NXT Battleground in this city.
05:49Pretty much built from the ground up right here in this state of Florida.
05:55Over the road in Orlando.
06:04Infectious charisma from Trick Williams.
06:08I'll tell you right now, he's got the industry excited in ways I've not seen in a long time.
06:13Just put Trick Williams under the spotlight, and it will work.
06:18And again, that pisses somebody like Sami Zayn off.
06:20Oh, for sure.
06:21Well, Trick Williams has so much charisma and talent, he's got a rocket ship to the very top.
06:26Oh, whereas Sami Zayn had to grind it up for years the hard way.
06:32Fighting for every inch that he's got in this industry.
06:35But again, getting back to Sami Zayn, it's about evolving, right?
06:39It's about the evolution in this industry.
06:41Changing things up.
06:42Change the way you do things.
06:43And Sami Zayn's been very stubborn to change the way he does things.
06:48I agree with you to an extent, but recently we've seen fractures, let's say, in his personality.
06:54He started saying, okay, fans who don't want me anymore, no problem.
06:59Just like this here.
07:00Trying to use the steel steps.
07:02But again, Sami's got to be careful, he's not disqualified.
07:04Trick Williams has the champ's advantage in this match.
07:07And again, I understand why Sami's so frustrated.
07:09We've got Lil Yachty on the outside swinging that kendo, that candy cane kendo stick around.
07:14That's a major distraction.
07:15Why should Sami Zayn not be upset at that?
07:18And Sami now, mounting Williams and hammering away on the champion.
07:25Again, you hear the WWE fans getting all over Sami, and Sami just can't quite understand why.
07:33I mean, what has Sami done wrong over the past several months?
07:36Go back six months, everybody loved him.
07:38Everyone was cheering him on to finally become the world champion.
07:41Well, listen, I've always been a fan of Sami's, but he has been acting a bit of a jerk lately.
07:45I'm not so sure he has.
07:47I think he's been the victim of a lot of games and fun at his expense from Trick Williams.
07:52Not least, of course, the gingerbread man that was brought along simply to mock Zayn.
07:56I think that will get anyone to the end of their tether.
07:59Oh!
08:00Victim syndrome for Sami Zayn.
08:02Interesting cover.
08:03Trying to win the championship and a kick out by Trick.
08:06Another cover by Sami.
08:08Wrapped the arms this time, hooked the leg.
08:10This time he's going to put his full body weight on Trick.
08:12He's got to kick out.
08:13I mean, Trick simply cannot match.
08:24And again, Sami sucks.
08:26Chance ring out.
08:28This is a man who's dedicated his life to this industry.
08:31Entertain these fans, these WWE fans for over 10 years with some of the best matches we've seen.
08:37Now their loyalty has completely shifted to the hot new star.
08:42The latest fashionable thing, Trick Williams for all his talent.
08:46I feel bad for Zayn.
08:48A lot of things for Sami Zayn changed the night that he brought...
08:51Oh, wow!
08:52Great neckbreaker.
08:54My, Trick Williams.
08:55A lot of things changed for Sami Zayn the night that he beat Carmelo Hayes.
09:00Another young up-and-comer who's the United States champion.
09:03Fans didn't take too kindly to that as you take another look at the athleticism of Trick Williams.
09:09Well, as much as I've taken a shot at these fans for jumping onto Trick Williams, he is a very,
09:14very easy superstar to like.
09:16And that's just one glimpse of exactly why freak athleticism, especially for such a massive frame.
09:24Ah, Trick caught him.
09:25Now that spin kick.
09:27And now big power slam to Zayn.
09:37Takes his time.
09:40Really has developed in the ring.
09:43Always had all the talent in the world.
09:46Now he's got the poise, too.
09:50Oh!
09:50Takedown by Sami.
09:51Oh, and a big kick to the face by Trick.
09:54You get a little too cocky in there with someone like Sami Zayn.
09:57Who is as resilient as they come.
10:00And he needs it all here because Trick has the wind in his sails.
10:04Williams measuring his man.
10:06Went for a trick kick.
10:07And Sami Zayn able to turn it around.
10:09Went for the blue thunder bomb.
10:10Countered by Williams.
10:11And Williams with a bookend.
10:13Slammed Sami Zayn.
10:15And a kick out by Sami.
10:17Oh, and Sami's head bounced off the mat.
10:19Harbour take another look at some of this action.
10:22This big uranagi bookend style.
10:27Almost wiping out Sami Zayn.
10:29But there's that toughness of Zayn that has been his signature over the past 20 years.
10:34Yeah, Trick Williams with that bookend pain homage to a man who's been in his corner since the very beginning.
10:38The great Hall of Famer.
10:40The voice of NXT, Booker T.
10:43And now Williams with Sami up on the top rope.
10:47Both men sucking on oxygen here.
10:49The bodies are starting to give out.
10:52How deep can you dig here?
10:54It's all about the prestigious United States Championship.
10:58Sami looking to get the upper hand.
11:01Beating Trick Williams down.
11:02Sami's just looking to exhaust Trick Williams at this point.
11:06Thinking he can simply outlast the United States Champion.
11:10The crowd's getting in his head.
11:11He's got to be careful.
11:12Sunset flip.
11:13Powerbomb by Zayn.
11:15Cover.
11:15To regain the championship and a kick out at two.
11:18And I'll tell you right now.
11:19Once the crowd are in your head.
11:21The only thing you can do to shut them up is to win gold.
11:25Hold it high above your head.
11:31Zayn knows that.
11:32And needs to stay focused.
11:34Ignore Yachty.
11:35Ignore the crowd.
11:36Focus on taking down Trick.
11:39Now, Sami trying to rally the crowd.
11:41And he gets booze instead.
11:43How many riders dies here tonight?
11:46Sami looking for an Oluva kick.
11:48Williams catches it with a boot to the face.
11:51Yeah, that was a desperate move from Trick.
11:53Went for that Cyclone kick.
11:54Sami Zayn.
11:55Blue Thunderbomb.
11:57Cover for the championship.
11:59Another near fall by Zayn.
12:01Well, Sami Zayn starting to show Trick Williams that there are indeed levels to this.
12:07Everything you throw at me are bob and weave, duck and move, and come back with moves like that blue
12:13Thunderbomb.
12:15When you feel that spirit starting to ebb away from Trick Williams.
12:19How gritty can you get, Trick?
12:21You're going to need it here.
12:22It has been inspiring to watch the maturation process of Trick Williams over the past few years.
12:31Such a fast learner, fast developer, as tough as they come.
12:37Sami springboard leapfrog.
12:39They have injured his knee.
12:40Came down hard on his knee.
12:42Tweaks his knee and forces the official to back the champ in the corner.
12:45Well, a non-contact injury in this game is never something you want to see.
12:51And that is Sami Zayn screaming in agony.
12:53They officially want to get a doctor over here.
12:55Oh, Williams.
12:57Trick Williams.
12:58Oh, look at Sami Zayn, though.
12:59Roll up.
13:00He's hit it up.
13:01And Trick kicks out.
13:02Sami playing a little possum pass.
13:04That is a veteran move from Zayn and went off.
13:08Little Yachty now on the apron.
13:11Sami with a kendo stick to Trick.
13:13Little Yachty arguing with the official backfired.
13:17Sami Zayn into the cover.
13:19Not this way.
13:20No kick out.
13:22Well, it would have been poetic justice if that had backfired on Yachty.
13:27And Trick had gone down for the count on that one.
13:31Especially after the treatment of last night on SmackDown and the so-called Gingerbread Man funeral.
13:39I understand what Yachty was trying to do there.
13:41That's just a level of inexperience, you would think, from Lil Yachty.
13:45The wrong time to jump up.
13:46The wrong time to take the referee's attention.
13:49The wrong time to leave that kendo stick lying around.
13:54And Yachty understands that he may have cost Trick Williams this matchup.
13:59There's Trick's in deep trouble.
14:01Trick is not getting up.
14:03And now he's getting a mud hole stomped him in, stomped him in, in the corner.
14:11Again, he's got a five count before he has to break.
14:14And Sami knows the rules.
14:16That Sami will take all of that 4.99 seconds before backing off.
14:21That is the smart veteran thing to do.
14:24Especially with gold on the line here.
14:26Oh, Sami understands the champ's in trouble.
14:28This is his opportunity.
14:29Yeah, and there can't be no latter for this point.
14:39This is eerily reminiscent of how Sami defeated Carmelo Hayes several.
14:45Oh, look at Lil Yachty now.
14:47What a payback.
14:48Kendo stick to Sami.
14:51Trick Williams.
14:52Cover.
14:53One, two, three.
14:55And Sami kicked out after the Cyclone boot from Williams.
15:00Well, how quickly did that pendulum swim back in the favor of Trick Williams, thanks to Lil Yachty.
15:09But both men down in a heap and hurting.
15:13And the belt, the championship hanging in the balance.
15:16Is Lil Yachty out of nowhere behind the referee's back.
15:19And a little payback with that Kendo stick.
15:22But Sami's showing the resilience of a veteran tonight.
15:27And this place has been electric all night long.
15:30United States championship on the line.
15:34Williams and Zane.
15:35Two competitors running on fumes at this point.
15:39But Sami, with the wherewithal, the smarts, still has his head in the game.
15:46And plenty more to come tonight over on the ESPN app with the unlimited plan.
15:50Roman Reigns, Jacob Fontu.
15:52World title.
15:53Sami now trying to clock Lil Yachty and drops him.
16:02Well, that's a couple of months of frustration paid back right there.
16:06It's a Lil Yachty, but focus on the task in hand, Sami.
16:13And allows Tripp Williams to recover.
16:16And a clothesline drops Sami on the steps.
16:18Club to the ear almost.
16:20But a highly effective drop in Zane.
16:24Looks like he's going to go for a bookend on the steel steps.
16:27And Sami with the DDT.
16:30Oh, that could be a cold KO right there.
16:34Tripp Williams on the crown of his head, eating the steel.
16:39And now Sami's got to get the champ in the ring.
16:41Remember, champ's advantage.
16:42Pinfall or submission.
16:43Only way Sami can win the gold.
16:52Now, Sami Zane now.
16:55A little kick to the back of the head of Lil Yachty.
17:00Enough's enough, Sami.
17:02You already beat the hell out of the guy earlier.
17:05And Yachty is down for the count.
17:07And so soon may be Tripp.
17:10A little kick incoming.
17:13Tripp moves out of the way.
17:15Tripp shot.
17:16Tripp shot.
17:18One, two, three.
17:19Williams retains.
17:22Here is your winner.
17:24It's still the United State Champion.
17:31Tripp Williams.
17:34I'll put these dollar bills in my pocket.
17:36As Tripp Williams celebrates.
17:39Tripp Williams, ladies and gentlemen, proves that WrestleMania is no fluke.
17:47Well, the humiliation of Zane is fully complete.
17:51And oh, it's...
17:52Wait, sit down.
17:53Ooh, look, Yachty's making it rain out here.
17:55I know it's more money you make in a year, but...
18:01Celebrating in style with a major victory for Tripp Williams.
18:05The retention of the United States Championship.
18:08And here is how it went down.
18:11This is Sami Zayn thinking he had a major upper hand here.
18:15Spiking Tripp Williams on the top of his head on that steel step with a DDT.
18:21But this is where Lil Yachty got taken out with that halubra kick from behind.
18:26And when Sami Zayn was ready to kill this for good, Tripp Williams with a burst of speed.
18:32One Tripp shot.
18:33And a one, two, three later.
18:35The champ has retained the superior movement when it counted.
18:41Championship poise and timing from Tripp Williams, who's legend in this industry, is continuing to grow.
18:47So, you are holding $2 in your hand.
18:50What is that going to get us tonight?
18:52Vegas will take what they can get.
18:55Tripp Williams celebrating.
18:57And again, the frustration continues to grow for the veteran Sami Zayn.
19:02We want to remind everyone that...
19:04Well, thank you for joining us on ESPN2.
19:06We head over to the ESPN app with the unlimited plan in just a couple of moments.
19:12And of course, our main event tonight is this family civil...
Comments