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00:13Then, now, forever.
00:37This is the vibrant Gulf Coast city of Tampa which is the epicenter of the WWE Universe tonight.
00:45Downtown is the benchmark international arena, home to the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning and tonight host of WWE Backlash.
00:55The United States title is on the line tonight. The champion Tripp Williams, his buddy Lil Yachty on the right
01:01to take on ex-champion Sami Zayn in a WrestleMania rematch tonight.
01:07Io Sky on the right-hand side of your screen looks to write the final chapter in a rollercoaster relationship
01:12with the Empress of Tomorrow, Asuka.
01:14They go one-on-one tonight. Very nice, very evil. He'll be Dan Housen's partner versus Kit Wilson and The
01:23Miz in tag-team action at Backlash tonight.
01:28The man who ignited a family civil war, Jacob Batu, the Samoan werewolf. Says he needs the world title but
01:35he says he needs to beat his cousin to do it.
01:38The tribal chief, the head of the table, the world heavyweight champion Roman Reigns.
01:43Can the OTC keep the title away from his cousin Jacob Batu tonight? Welcome to Tampa. We are live for
01:54Backlash.
01:55Backlash.
01:55Backlash.
01:59All this part-time crowd. We're gonna fix that.
02:03Oh!
02:05Y'all better make some room. Because y'all gonna see my ass all summer.
02:20I don't want that title.
02:24I need
02:25that title.
02:29You don't deserve it.
02:32You haven't earned it.
02:34Me allowing you to compete
02:36against me, I can't do that.
02:44You
02:50I
02:52Oh no, oh no, broadbreaker.
02:55You are the reason that I didn't get
02:57my hand raised at
02:58WrestleMania this year.
03:00The showdown is
03:03set.
03:05Now watch me go.
03:08I'll see you
03:09at Backlash.
03:12EO Scott
03:12versus Oscar.
03:17Trigg
03:18Williams.
03:19Rockin' knees.
03:21Limit never
03:22step-less.
03:24I cannot wait for this.
03:26Well,
03:26Ziggler Alaya's gonna be
03:27an explosion.
03:28It's time to grit your teeth
03:30and get ready
03:31for impact.
03:33Welcome
03:34to WWE
03:38Backlash!
03:38We're gonna be
03:38against
03:38As
03:39as
04:03I have to say
04:06If you could see me now
04:08You would be so proud
04:11I've been up there
04:13I've been up there
04:16I'm making you
04:17Now watch me go
04:28Burn it down!
04:56Burn it down!
05:02The following contest is
05:05Kendrick for one call!
05:07Introducing first, from Davenport, Iowa,
05:12we need a 225 pounds,
05:17Seth Freakin' Rollins!
05:34Burn it down!
05:37Burn it down!
05:48Burn It down!
05:58Burn it down!
06:15Helgen, everybody, thank you for joining us tonight on ESPN2, and of course internationally on Netflix.
06:21I'm Michael Cole, he's Wade Barrett.
06:23Seth Rollins looking to try to stop the rise of Braun Breaker.
06:27Yeah, it's kind of the theme of the night here tonight.
06:29Young Stars trying to take down some of the pillars of WWE from the past 10 plus years.
06:35Seth Rollins has his work cut out for him tonight against Braun Breaker.
06:40In this match tonight.
07:11Yeah!
07:28And his opponent, accompanied by WWE Hall of Famer, the Oracle, Paul Heyman.
07:38From a mana touch-up, weighted for 250 pounds, representing the vision, Braun Breaker!
07:53The unpredictable badass, Braun Breaker.
07:57And if you did a tail of the tape on this match-up, Wade, I believe on Seth Rollins' side,
08:02you'd have experience.
08:04And that would be it.
08:05Braun Breaker on the other side.
08:08Strength, power, speed, stamina.
08:11Breaker hopes to slay Rollins tonight.
08:13Yeah, Braun Breaker is potentially anybody in the locker room's worst nightmare.
08:19And Seth Rollins needs to be very careful not to be dragged into a war of attrition against this young,
08:26explosive, powerful superstar.
08:28Seth Rollins needs to use his brain here, turn this into a chess game, and try and outsmart Braun Breaker.
08:34I think there's two key points to this match-up.
08:37First, Seth Rollins needs to end this early.
08:39I think the longer the match-up goes, it favors Breaker.
08:41Number two.
08:42Seth Rollins has to be careful of that.
08:44He attempted spear by Breaker.
08:46He's hit that spear on Rollins a half-dozen times the past few weeks.
08:50And now a suicide dive by Rollins.
08:52And a lot of pent-up frustration with Rollins as it comes to Breaker.
08:56Yeah, and this is exactly what we're talking about.
08:58Braun Breaker taking out Seth Rollins over six months ago.
09:01Costing him numerous time in his career, costing him the World Heavyweight Championship with a vicious attack.
09:08And that is now exploding in the face of Braun Breaker.
09:12Breaker now, in a suicide dive, driving Breaker into the announce table.
09:19Rollins like a ball of fire to start this match-up tonight against Breaker.
09:24That's exactly how Seth needed to start.
09:27Get the upper hand early and try and finish the job, as you mentioned, Cole.
09:30You know, Seth Rollins told me on the Countdown Show at a very special interview that he's nearing 40 years
09:37old.
09:37He doesn't know how much time he has left at the top.
09:41He understands there's going to be many, like Braun Breaker, trying to take him down a notch.
09:45So this is such an important match for Rollins tonight.
09:47Yeah, forget just 40 years old.
09:49That's 40 years.
09:51And he spent much of that, a significant chunk of it, at the very top, competing in WWE.
09:57Takes down Breaker.
09:58And you have to admire the official for letting things go in the early part of this match-up,
10:02because there's been so much bad blood between these two.
10:05Remember, it was Rollins, the night after WrestleMania last year, who formed the Vision.
10:09He brought Braun Breaker in.
10:11He brought Bronson Reed in.
10:12And then in October of last year, Breaker turns on Rollins and excommunicates Rollins from the group that he formed.
10:20And Breaker pickied Rollins out of the air.
10:23Oh, God, here we go.
10:24And now, oh, shoot clacks right out to the floor.
10:26Well, that's that young power of Breaker coming to the floor early on.
10:32Did not want to fall in line behind Seth Rollins, saw Seth Rollins as somebody who was simply using Braun
10:38Breaker
10:38to keep himself at the top of the card, effectively using Breaker as a bodyguard
10:44to maintain his reign as the World Heavyweight Champion.
10:47And that simply did not work for Braun Breaker.
10:49And how much things can change in a year?
10:51Last year, right here in Tampa, Florida, Breaker and Rollins were actually a tag team
10:57as they took on CM Punk and Sami Zayn in a matchup.
11:01Now they are bitter enemies for Rollins, just his second match in the past seven months.
11:08The last one was at WrestleMania, a classic against Gunther before Braun Breaker would interfere
11:13and break things up.
11:14And Breaker now with a takedown of Rollins.
11:17And now Breaker on offense.
11:19Just fierce levels of aggression from Breaker.
11:21I'm glad you've raised the fact that this is Rollins' second match in seven months.
11:26There is an element of ring rust and ring cardio that simply might not be there for someone like Seth
11:33Rollins.
11:33It doesn't matter how much you train, you never get to game speed without being battle-hardened.
11:38And let's not forget, Wade, that Seth Rollins, Rollins, I should say Braun Breaker,
11:43Breaker missed some significant time too with an injury.
11:46Well, you'll know full well as an athlete.
11:48The younger you are, the quicker you bounce back from injuries.
11:51That is simple truth, especially with the amount of miles already on the body of Seth Rollins.
11:57And here's the cover and a kick-up by Seth at one.
12:00Braun Breaker likes to talk trash.
12:02He thinks very highly of himself.
12:04Interesting video of him in the gym this past week.
12:08Bench-pressing 400 pounds and slash-talking Seth Rollins as he did it.
12:13Yeah, 405, four reps with ease on the bench-press.
12:16That is just ludicrous.
12:18What a German duplex.
12:19And how quick, how quick was Braun there?
12:21Yeah, and here's part of the thing.
12:23The early onslaught that came from Seth Rollins has just bounced off the mentality of Braun Breaker.
12:29Didn't start to doubt himself.
12:31Didn't start to wonder, can I really make it at this level against Seth?
12:35Just absorbed that damage and is now bouncing back and replying tenfold.
12:42Tonight we knew that this man, Braun Breaker, was going to be a star.
12:46A future main eventer.
12:48Back in June of 2020, six years ago, Seth Rollins would go down to NXT,
12:55defend the world championship and retain it against Braun Breaker.
12:59He went to Shawn Michaels and said, listen, give me the best that NXT has.
13:03Shawn Michaels, the Hall of Famer, the Heartbreak Kid, said it's Braun Breaker.
13:06Yeah, no doubt about it.
13:08And let's talk about Paul Heyman on the outside.
13:10As this squeeze on the throat of Seth Rollins causing some major damage.
13:15Paul Heyman.
13:17Brock Lesnar has retired.
13:18He needs a new person to hook his teeth into a guaranteed future WrestleMania main eventer.
13:24You can barely pick better than Braun Breaker.
13:27Rollins now delivers a chop to Braun.
13:29You know, Braun Breaker understands that he made this bid and he has to lie in it.
13:34He has no friends, nobody to help him out.
13:37And he talked a lot about the parallels with Breaker.
13:40Breaker did to Rollins, much like Rollins did to The Shield a decade earlier.
13:45And here's the cover by Breaker.
13:47And Rollins just a two kicks out.
13:49Yeah, and I like that comparison with what Seth did to The Shield.
13:52Let's face it, in the history of this industry, power is never gifted to anybody.
13:57It has to be taken in a hostile fashion.
14:00And they don't come much more hostile than Braun Breaker and his treatment of Seth freaking Rollins.
14:05Tonight, the Rollins turned on The Shield.
14:07A chance.
14:09That's it.
14:10What's it doing?
14:11Come on, look.
14:12Change the entire trajectory of the industry.
14:14Everything for yourself.
14:17You're self-centered piece of trash.
14:21In many ways, Breaker's attack on Rollins last year did the same thing.
14:25They did the same thing, but it can also be said that perhaps Breaker preempted an attack from Rollins.
14:31Leopards don't change their spots.
14:33Rollins has form of doing that.
14:35Breaker just got to Rollins before, as Breaker sees it, Rollins inevitably attacked him.
14:41And I asked Rollins about his strategy tonight.
14:43He said, listen, when my back is against the wall, I am my best version of myself.
14:49He said the problem with Breaker is he took his shot a couple of times, delivering spears,
14:55and he wasn't able to kill Rollins.
14:57And Seth says that's going to come back and bite Braun.
15:01Tables seem to be turning in this match.
15:04Momentum slowly drifting towards Seth Rollins.
15:08And Braun could be paying the price right before our eyes.
15:12Rollins has said on a number of occasions, Braun is a future star, but he's just not ready.
15:18Yeah, I don't agree with that at all.
15:20Rob Breaker was born ready.
15:22Oh, my God.
15:23And now a big takedown with a clothesline to Rollins.
15:25Breaker collapses into the cover, hooked to the leg.
15:28Rollins has got to kick it to another near fall.
15:30But again, there's the quickness, the 23 mile per hour speed of Breaker.
15:34Take a look at this human blur.
15:37This is one huge human being, 250 pounds, and it's right across the larynx of Seth freaking Rollins.
15:44And I take umbrage with Seth Rollins saying, Braun Breaker is not yet ready.
15:49If you listen to guys at the top of the card, the young guys will never be ready.
15:54How many times have we seen top stars slow the momentum of guys they are threatened by?
15:59And that could be the case with Rollins and Breaker.
16:02Another release German by Braun, who is putting Rollins to the ringer.
16:06Remember, Rollins had the shoulder injury.
16:09He's had a history of knee injuries.
16:11Of course, he's got to be banged up internally after all the spears of the past few weeks.
16:16And those suplexes will hurt your insides even more.
16:19Cover by Breaker.
16:20Is it enough?
16:21And Rollins again kicks out a near fall.
16:23And it's been clear from the word go that there is a lunatic streak inside of Braun Breaker.
16:29You call them a head case on occasion.
16:31I would say the biggest asset he has is Paul Heyman on the outside guiding that lunatic streak,
16:39targeting it exclusively on Seth Rollins.
16:41He's a fry short of the Happy Meal is what he is.
16:43But nonetheless, to your point on Heyman, Rollins' Warren Breaker don't trust the man.
16:48Rollins knows that firsthand.
16:51Paul Heyman going to hook his wagon to the next star as he's done his entire career.
16:57There's been a history of it, but the rewards of having Heyman on your side,
17:00albeit for a temporary amount of time, are just too great to turn down for many superstars.
17:06And Seth was in that same position not so long ago.
17:10And Rollins now, he's actually biting Breaker, creating anything he can to create some space.
17:16Go fight tooth and nail against this guy.
17:20Frankensteiner, cover!
17:23Rollins still in it, and that's the reason the man is a six-time world champion.
17:29Yeah, did not execute that Frankensteiner quite as crisply as he wanted,
17:34and that could have been the difference of how Seth was able to kick out there.
17:37Enough damage caused, however, to keep the architect down for now.
17:41When you talk about Heyman, there you see the oracle, words of wisdom being directed the way of Braun Breaker.
17:48And that is the cheat code for Braun Breaker, who currently lacks the experience at the top-top level of
17:54a Seth Rollins.
17:55That's why he has to lean on the smarts of Paul Heyman.
17:57The vocal crowd, electric here tonight, over 15,000, sold out in Tampa.
18:03Braun Breaker has been dominating much of this match, but has not been able to put the veteran Rollins away.
18:09Dumps him out to the floor.
18:11Again, attacking those ribs of Seth Rollins.
18:13The ribs have taken so much abuse, as you mentioned, with spear after spear over the past several weeks.
18:19And Braun's got that look in his eye, and this rarely ends well for his opponents.
18:25Seth better turn around, because Braun Breaker, breakneck speed, and Rollins catches him with a superkick.
18:32I believe Breaker was going for the spear, and Rollins met him there.
18:36What an absolute bullseye from Seth freaking Rollins, and a moving target.
18:42Both men laid out, and the count is climbing, Cole.
18:44Yeah, now the official, counting with earnest, a count of five, ten count, we'll have a double count out.
18:52Count of six now.
18:54At seven, Rollins and Breaker are trying to stir.
18:57Count of eight, a count of nine, Breaker, and Rollins barely, barely beat the count.
19:04So close.
19:05Rollins was on 9.9 there, living dangerously.
19:08Tells you the toll that has been taken on Seth's body so far.
19:11Well, this may well now turn into a dogfight, and for me, that has to benefit Breaker.
19:18I mentioned earlier, the longer this match goes, Braun Breaker could start to take control.
19:27Turn on clotheslines by Rollins, just wearing down Breaker.
19:33Rollins just has that durability, that heart and drive that have served him so well through his career.
19:44Rollins has to duck underneath that.
19:46Now, big clothesline will drop Breaker.
19:48Rollins into the cover.
19:49Hook to the leg.
19:51Near fall for Seth.
19:52Yeah, that was a groggy.
19:54Uh-oh.
19:54Uh-oh.
19:54Breaker's in position.
19:56Seth with a kick to the face.
19:59Cover.
20:00Hook to the leg.
20:01And a kick out.
20:02Wait, I think the only thing that saved Breaker there, Rollins was going for the stomp.
20:06And Breaker just moved himself out of position.
20:09Rollins had to switch things and turn it into a kick.
20:11Take another look at this.
20:13Essentially a knee to the temple with what we can only assume was meant to be a stomp.
20:18But it shows you the issue of Braun Breaker, how resilient he is.
20:22He simply got it too fast that for Seth to pull off that stomp.
20:28Capacity crowd, electric tonight.
20:35Rollins, a grin on his face, believes he may have Breaker where he wants him.
20:41This is those deep waters that Seth is only too well versed in.
20:45But Braun, on the other hand, maybe has not been this deep so far in his career.
20:51New territory for the young man.
20:54Rollins had Breaker in position for the stomp.
20:57He just kissed Paul Heyman goodbye.
20:59Went for the stomp.
21:00Breaker caught him.
21:01Don't gloat until it's over, Seth.
21:04He'll let Heyman get to him a bit.
21:05And it allowed Braun Breaker to counter.
21:10Look at the power of Breaker.
21:12Military press into a knees to the gut.
21:17Sopping him up for a spear.
21:20But Rollins intercepted it with an E.
21:24Uh-oh, turning things inside out.
21:26And Rollins landed on the back of his neck.
21:29And that's not good for Rollins.
21:30Standing moonsault by Breaker.
21:32Great athleticism.
21:33Cover now.
21:33Kick out by Seth.
21:35I'm not sure what Seth was going for there, but the body just seemed to give up on him
21:39halfway through, and that might be that exhaustion, that pain factor, kicking in.
21:44And you know, full well, Braun Breaker senses that and has a major upper hand now.
21:49Well, you know, if you've only had one match in seven months, your stamina's not there.
21:53Yeah, no doubt about it.
21:54It's not helped anything by the fact that Braun Breaker has been beating the living daylights
21:58out of Seth Rollins from the word go.
22:00Hey, Rollins wanted this fight.
22:03Wanted retribution.
22:05Wanted revenge.
22:06Didn't have to be like this.
22:07Get down.
22:07Let's go.
22:07Wanted to show Breaker he was wrong when he dismantled the group as Rollins knew it.
22:19Rollins, though, going to turn things around.
22:21He's got Breaker in trouble.
22:22Braun trying to hang on.
22:23Not enough.
22:24Seth Rollins.
22:27With a buckle bomb.
22:31Oh, what a clothesline.
22:33The explosiveness of Braun Breaker.
22:37Just a home run slug to the throat.
22:44Take another look at this.
22:46Buckle bomb to Breaker.
22:48A move that's damaged so many superstars, but immediately a desperation response, perhaps,
22:54from Breaker at exactly the right time.
22:57What a way to kick off Backlash.
22:59Live on ESPN2 in the States.
23:01Netflix internationally over 15,000 WWE fans.
23:05Are we witnessing the rise of Breaker, or will Seth Rollins continue to stay on top?
23:13Seth Rollins looks like a broken man on the outside.
23:17Rolled to the outside to try and get some breathing room, but now in hot pursuit.
23:20Breaker's not even breathing hard, Wade.
23:23And he's laser-focused on doing maximum damage.
23:30Bouncing Seth off our announced table.
23:34Acutely aware of the count.
23:37Oh, God.
23:38Oh, God, Seth.
23:40Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no.
23:41We've seen Breaker do this before.
23:43Braun Breaker has become his calling card.
23:45That jumping clothesline onto the table, wiping out Rollins.
23:52While putting his own body on the line in a hellacious landing.
23:56Seth Rollins taking even worse of it.
24:00Both men flanned out as the count is now climbing.
24:03Wade, is this match as physical as you thought it would be?
24:06Well, perhaps even more so.
24:07It should have been over by now, and it may be over in a matter of seconds.
24:11We're up to four, Cole.
24:13I don't know how Braun Breaker does it.
24:14Launches his body through the air like that.
24:17Collapsing onto his opponent on the announced table.
24:20The official now on a count of seven.
24:23Breaker trying to drag Rollins back into the ring and does.
24:26Well, Breaker's here to make a statement.
24:27Does not want to win by counter.
24:29It could have been over right there had Breaker wanted it to be.
24:32And now Braun Breaker going to climb up top.
24:35Looking to go to the top rope.
24:36Seth Rollins, though, going to meet him there.
24:38Quick as a cat.
24:41Rollins with a superplex.
24:45Oh, Breaker.
24:47Breaker.
24:47What a counter for the win.
24:50Rollins is still in it.
24:52Holy hell.
24:53Rollins usually goes for the Falcon Arrow there.
24:56What a counter by Breaker.
24:59Here's the superplex.
25:01We've seen it a million times.
25:03But no, Braun Breaker is just built different to any other superstar that Seth has been in there with before.
25:11Both men living dangerously.
25:13But again, it could have been over in a blink of an eye there for Seth Rollins.
25:1715,000 plus trying to rally Seth Rollins here in Tampa, singing his song.
25:25The official checking on Rollins there.
25:27Fortunately, it might take more than a song to save Seth Rollins from this predicament.
25:37And Braun just now stalking and having his way with Rollins.
25:41How many times have we seen Seth turn that superplex into a Falcon Arrow and Breaker this time was able
25:47to counter?
25:48Well, Breaker just has the physical answers that perhaps nobody else in the locker room does have.
25:54Just freak levels of power and explosivity.
25:58And we'll get a little dose of it right here, perhaps.
26:02Rollins, though, trying to keep the fight.
26:06Couple of shots to the ribs.
26:08Well, we know full well, Seth Rollins has that fighting spirit, that drive that is unmatched.
26:14And now raking the back of Breaker.
26:16Old school tactic, but highly effective there.
26:19Created some separation, but not for long.
26:22And another Brekensteiner.
26:26And you have a clock in your head when you deliver damage to an opponent.
26:30You know how long it's going to take to let back up on their feet.
26:33Well, throw that clock out of the window when you're in there with Braun Breaker.
26:37Because time just speeds up.
26:39He just continues to move forward.
26:41Never comes out of fifth gear.
26:44And another Brekensteiner.
26:47Rollins somehow landed on his feet.
26:49Breaker can't believe it.
26:50Rollins getting fired up now.
26:53How does Rollins keep doing it?
26:57But this is why Seth freaking Rollins may be the best in-ring of his generation.
27:04No doubt about that.
27:05The visionary.
27:06Breaker, though.
27:08Counter momentarily.
27:10Pedigree.
27:13And Breaker's in prime position.
27:15Got to go for the pin, but no.
27:18Stop.
27:18Stop the Breaker.
27:20Can Rollins capitalize?
27:23Hammond now on the apron.
27:24He's livid.
27:35Big smile on the face of Seth Rollins.
27:38Yeah, but how wise was that of Hammond, Wade?
27:40Well, that was a Hail Mary from Hammond because he knew it was over there.
27:43But Seth Rollins apparently was expecting this.
27:48Not taken by surprise by the shenanigans.
27:52Oh, yeah.
27:53Rollins.
27:54Uh-oh.
27:54He was ready.
27:56Austin Theory of the vision.
27:57Logan Paul as well.
27:59Rollins knew they were hiding somewhere in the woodwork.
28:02And he was ready to your point.
28:05Well, he's used this playbook himself in the past.
28:08He may well have ridden the playbook.
28:09Stop the Theory.
28:12Heyman saved Breaker after the stomp by Rollins.
28:16Breaker was dead and buried in that ring.
28:18And Austin Theory has to be down for the count.
28:21And if Owen and Logan Paul put the afterburners on.
28:26Rollins has thwarted the vision's attack.
28:31But the attack and the insertion from Heyman.
28:35Oh, a spear!
28:37A spear by Breaker.
28:40One, two, three.
28:42Oh, and Rollins kicked out.
28:43I thought that was it.
28:44Oh.
28:45I thought that was it.
28:47Rollins at two and three quarters.
28:50Well, Heyman is in shock.
28:52The world is in shock.
28:54Breaker can't believe it.
28:56I will say this.
28:57Breaker did not make top speed on that spear.
29:00That perhaps is the only reason Rollins is still taking.
29:04Oh!
29:06Oh!
29:07Oh!
29:14They just made Breaker even more angry.
29:17Breaker was just recovering from that pedigree-stomp combo.
29:22Shaking off the cobwebs and this spells danger.
29:26Breaker went for the spear.
29:28Countered into a pedigree.
29:30Rollins countered the spear.
29:32And now Seth's got a chance.
29:35But will the body cooperate enough to put this one away?
29:40Rollins going up to the second rope.
29:43Looking for an avalanche stomp here.
29:46Breaker's spear!
29:57Breaker, with a torpedo spear to Rollins.
30:04One, two, three.
30:09Here is your winner, Braun Breaker.
30:16Ladies and gentlemen, the biggest win in the career of Braun Breaker.
30:25Braun Breaker has arrived.
30:31What a ferocious matchup and Braun Breaker's physicality in the end got himself the win.
30:41And this is when Logan and Theory had just been taken out by Seth after they inserted themselves in the
30:46match.
30:46It was this almost short spear from a groggy Breaker.
30:51Catching Rollins by surprise.
30:53Almost getting the win.
30:55And then he goes for take two.
30:57Got Rollins so smart, so reactive.
31:00Catching Breaker with a pedigree for a second time in the matchup.
31:04But then this, a leaping Rollins caught by an explosive from the ground spear.
31:10And this just popped things away for good.
31:13No way back after this one.
31:15A super turbo speed there.
31:18Spear right to the gut of Seth freaking Rollins.
31:22And you said it, Cole, the biggest win of Breaker's career.
31:25You have arrived at the very top, Braun Breaker.
31:29I asked Seth Rollins what a loss means.
31:32He said he wasn't expecting any.
31:35Well, ladies and gentlemen, coming up next here on ESPN2,
31:40Tripp Williams, the United States champion in a WrestleMania rematch against Sami Zayn.
31:46Tripp and Sami coming up next.
31:48Well, here's a look at the new Invincible Versus.
31:51Throw down in the most brutal and visceral three-on-three tag-fighting action in the universe.
31:56Invincible Versus is out now on Xbox Series consoles, PlayStation 5, and PC.
32:05You'll never take this plan.
32:07Your little fireworks won't stop one Viltrumite.
32:11Oh, hey, March Dad.
32:16You're making this too easy.
32:18Yes.
32:20Yes.
32:37And now Sami's got Williams exactly where he wants him.
32:41Trick shot.
32:43Trick shot.
32:47Trick Williams is officially anointed with the gold.
32:53That's right.
32:55Trick Williams is the opportunity.
32:57Right.
32:57If you're the anointed one, then I'm the prophecy.
33:02And if you want the United States champion, then you find Trick Williams.
33:09Whoa.
33:10Gingy, what are you doing?
33:17Oh, Sami.
33:21The gingerbread man represents Trick Williams a lot more than it does me.
33:26This is a shell of a man, and that's exactly what Trick Williams is.
33:35Help, somebody.
33:36Help, help.
33:39Tell me the news, Doc.
33:52It's the funeral for the gingerbread man.
34:00Can we get a moment of silence for my friend, the gingerbread man?
34:09Enough!
34:10Are you kidding me?
34:11You're trying to make a joke out of me?
34:15Al, this is personal.
34:17I'm going to make a joke out of you.
34:18This is a game?
34:19You think this is a game?
34:20This is my life!
34:21This is my life!
34:24The resurrection!
34:26Lil Yachty!
34:30Sami, at Backlash, I'm going to whoop that trick.
34:39With Club WWE, you'll be part of something bigger.
34:43A global network of passionate fans that we want to reward for dedication and loyalty.
34:50This is your destination.
34:53This is Club WWE.
34:55Become the ultimate insider.
34:58With Club WWE, you'll experience live shows like never before.
35:02Members get an exclusive 24-hour pre-sale window, but that is just the beginning.
35:09Now, you get the full experience of a Club WWE Gold membership at the best live events in the world.
35:17With dedicated entrances, members-only lounges, with superstars dropping by, band parties, events, and ways to earn reward points on
35:27site.
35:28Also, keep an eye out for Flash Disc House, only at Club WWE.
35:49Let's go!
35:52The following contest is scheduled for one call, and it's for the United States Championship.
36:03Introducing first, the challenger, from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, weighing in for 212 pounds, Sami Zayn.
36:15Sami has the phrase ride or die written on his knee pads.
36:19Is that, of course, paying homage to the longtime fans that have stuck with Sami Zayn too thick and thin.
36:25The problem is, many believe many of those fans have moved on.
36:30He's a grizzled and bitter, angry better, running out of time to accomplish the one goal that has eluded him.
36:37A world championship, and many think that pressure is finally getting to Zayn.
36:42Yeah, I think that's a really harsh take.
36:44I think Sami Zayn has dedicated his body, his soul, to this industry for the past 20-plus years.
36:49Main event is WrestleMania, an incredible legacy of achievement here.
36:53In the past few months, Trigg Williams has come along, and apparently allowed management, the audience, the locker room,
36:59to turn Sami Zayn into a punchline.
37:02And I understand Sami's frustration.
37:05Yeah, Kathy Kelly's backstage with the champ.
37:06Let's check on her.
37:10Yeah, guys, I am here with United States champion, Trigg Williams and Lil Yachty.
37:15I spoke to Sami Zayn earlier, and he said that he is feeling great.
37:20What is your response?
37:22Sami's feeling great.
37:24Quit lying.
37:26You've been lying for weeks, saying you're the one with all the experience.
37:30You're the veteran.
37:31Sami, quit lying.
37:33Since you met me, I've been running this.
37:35I'm the puppet master.
37:37I'm the vet in the game.
37:39Let's trick Williams' world.
37:41And tonight, all the games is over.
37:44And you're gonna see that.
37:46Let's talk about it.
37:47Let's do it.
38:36And his opponent, accompanied by Grammy Award-nominated multi-platinum and diamond artist, Lil Yachty.
38:47From Columbia, South Carolina, weighing in for 240 pounds, he is the United States Champion, Trick Williams.
39:00Hey, the kendo stick that Lil Yachty's carrying looks a bit familiar.
39:04It was last night at the gingerbread man's funeral.
39:08Lil Yachty and company, Trick Sammy James, and all of us.
39:12Yes, they did, with Lil Yachty inside the corpse of the gingerbread man.
39:17But in a nutshell, that gingerbread man crop has been used to taunt Zayn.
39:22It really epitomizes what Sammy Hughes has the disrespect from the relative newcomer Trick Williams and his rapper friend Lil
39:30Yachty.
39:32For Trick Williams, what an important matchup tonight.
39:35He beat Sammy Zayn at WrestleMania.
39:37And in this WrestleMania rematch, Trick Williams can prove to the world that what happened in Las Vegas last month
39:43was not a fluke.
39:44Yeah, absolutely.
39:45Oh, here we go.
39:46A little frustration from Sammy right off the bat.
39:48And the normally cool, calm, and collected Sammy Zayn has become completely erratic and frazzled since the arrival of Trick
39:57Williams.
39:57Completely under the former champ's skin.
40:01The official going to have her hands full in this matchup, Daphne LaShawn.
40:05This is for the United States Championship.
40:09Sammy Zayn looking to win the United States title.
40:13The third time in his career.
40:18Lil Yachty just handed you a punch.
40:20Oh, my God.
40:21I love Lil Yachty.
40:22I am absolutely rich.
40:24Dollar, dollar bills, y'all.
40:26What are you going to do with all those dollar bills tonight?
40:28You and I, you can't let them spend them.
40:29The only place you can spend dollar bills, Michael Cole.
40:32You fill in the blanks.
40:32Sammy Zayn now backing Williams into the corner.
40:35And Sammy Zayn looking to be aggressive in this match tonight.
40:38What does Sammy need to do, Wade, to win the United States Championship?
40:41Sammy needs to be really careful.
40:43Obviously, he wants to win the United States Championship.
40:45He's also said he wants to humiliate Trick Williams the way Trick has humiliated him over the past several months.
40:52But you've got to stay in control.
40:54Don't get ragged.
40:55Don't get yourself disqualified.
40:57And make sure you can stay in control of your emotions.
41:01Oh, and leaping clothesline by Trick Williams.
41:04Much like we saw in the previous match, Wade.
41:07Veteran versus relative newcomer.
41:10Sammy Zayn looking to use his experience against Trick Williams tonight.
41:13Yeah, he has to.
41:14Trick Williams clearly has the superior power, athleticism,
41:18and has the power of this audience firmly behind him.
41:22Trick has had some success here in Tampa, Florida.
41:25Last year, he won the TNA World Championship at NXT Battleground in this city.
41:31Pretty much built from the ground up right here in this state of Florida.
41:37Over the road in Orlando.
41:40Oh, that trick!
41:42Oh, that trick!
41:44Oh, that trick!
41:45Oh, that trick!
41:46Infectious charisma from Trick Williams.
41:50I'll tell you right now, he's got the industry excited in ways I've not seen in a long time.
41:55Just put Trick Williams under the spotlight, and it will work.
41:59And again, that pisses somebody like Sammy Zayn off.
42:02Oh, for sure.
42:03Well, Trick Williams has so much charisma and talent, he's got a rocket ship to the very top!
42:09Whereas Sammy Zayn had to grind it out for years the hard way.
42:14Fighting for every inch that he's got in this industry.
42:18But again, getting back to Sammy Zayn, it's about evolving, Wade.
42:21It's about the evolution in this industry.
42:23Changing things up.
42:24Change the way you do things.
42:25And Sammy Zayn's been very stubborn to change the way he does things.
42:31I agree with you to an extent, but recently we've seen fractures, let's say, in his personality.
42:36He started saying, okay, fans who don't want me anymore, no problem.
42:41Just like this here.
42:42Trying to use the steel steps.
42:44But again, Sammy's got to be careful, he's not disqualified.
42:46Trick Williams has the champ's advantage in this match.
42:49And again, I understand why Sammy's so frustrated.
42:51We've got Lil Yachty on the outside, swinging that Kendo, that Candy Cane Kendo stick around.
42:56That's a major distraction.
42:58Why should Sammy Zayn not be upset at that?
43:00And Sammy now, mounting Williams and hammering away on the champion.
43:07Again, you hear the WWE fans getting all over Sammy, and Sammy just can't quite understand why.
43:15I mean, what has Sammy done wrong over the past several months?
43:18Go back six months, everybody loved him, everyone was cheering him on to finally become the world champion.
43:23Well, listen, I've always been a fan of Sammy's, but he has been acting a bit of a jerk lately.
43:27I'm not so sure he has.
43:29I think he's been the victim of a lot of games and fun at his expense from Trick Williams.
43:34Not least, of course, the gingerbread man that was brought along simply to mock Zayn.
43:38I think that would get anyone to the end of their tether.
43:41Oh!
43:42Victim syndrome for Sammy Zayn.
43:44Interesting cover.
43:45Trying to win the championship and a kick out by Trick.
43:48Another cover by Sammy.
43:50Wrapped the arms this time, hooked the leg.
43:52This time he's going to put his full body weight on Trick.
43:54He's got a kick out.
43:55I mean, Trick simply cannot match.
44:06And again, Sammy Sox chants ring out.
44:10This is a man who's dedicated his life to this industry.
44:13Entertained these fans, these WWE fans, for over ten years with some of the best matches we've seen.
44:19Now their loyalty has completely shifted to the hot new star.
44:24The latest fashionable thing, Trick Williams, for all his talent.
44:28I feel bad for Zayn.
44:30A lot of things for Sammy Zayn changed the night that he brought...
44:33Oh, wow!
44:34Great neck breaker.
44:36By Trick Williams.
44:37A lot of things changed for Sammy Zayn the night that he beat Carmelo Hayes.
44:42Another young up-and-comer who is the United States champion.
44:45Fans didn't take too kindly to that.
44:47As you take another look at the athleticism of Trick Williams.
44:51Well, as much as I've taken a shot at these fans for jumping onto Trick Williams,
44:56he is a very, very easy superstar to like.
44:58And that's just one glimpse of exactly why freak athleticism,
45:03especially for such a massive frame.
45:06Ah, Trick caught him.
45:07That spin kick.
45:09And now big power slam to Zayn.
45:19Takes his time.
45:22Really has developed in the ring.
45:25Oh, he's had all the talent in the world.
45:28Now he's got the poise, too.
45:31Oh!
45:32Takedown by Sammy.
45:33Oh, and a big kick to the face by Trick.
45:36You can get a little too cocky in there with someone like Sammy Zayn,
45:40who is as resilient as they come.
45:42And he needs it all here because Trick has the wind in his sails.
45:46Williams measuring his man.
45:48Went for a trick kick.
45:49And Sammy Zayn able to turn it around.
45:51Went for the blue thunder bomb.
45:52Countered by Williams.
45:53And Williams with a bookend.
45:55Slammed Sammy Zayn.
45:57And a kick out by Sammy.
45:59Oh, and Sammy's head bounced off the mat.
46:01Harb there.
46:02Take another look at some of this action.
46:05This big Urinagi bookend style.
46:09Almost wiping out Sammy Zayn.
46:11But there's that toughness of Zayn
46:13that has been his signature over the past 20 years.
46:16Yeah, Trick Williams with that bookend pain homage
46:18to a man who's been in his corner since the very beginning.
46:20The great Hall of Famer.
46:22The voice of NXT, Booker T.
46:25And now Williams with Sammy.
46:27Up on the top rope.
46:29Both men sucking on oxygen here.
46:32The bodies are starting to give out.
46:34How deep can you dig here?
46:36It's all about the prestigious United States Championship.
46:40Sammy looking to get the upper hand.
46:42Beating Trick Williams down.
46:44Sammy's just looking to exhaust Trick Williams at this point.
46:48Thinking he can simply outlast the United States Champion.
46:52The crowd's getting in his head.
46:53He's got to be careful.
46:55Sunset flip power bomb by Zayn.
46:57Cover.
46:57To regain the championship and a kick out at two.
47:00And I'll tell you right now.
47:01Once the crowd are in your head,
47:03the only thing you can do to shut them up is to win gold.
47:07Hold it high above your head.
47:13Zayn knows that.
47:14And needs to stay focused.
47:16Ignore Yachty.
47:17Ignore the crowd.
47:19Focus on taking down Trick.
47:21Well, Sammy trying to rally the crowd and he gets booze instead.
47:25How many rider dies here tonight?
47:28Sammy looking for an aluba kick.
47:31Williams catches him with a boot to the face.
47:33Yeah, that was a desperate move from Trick.
47:35Went for that cyclone kick.
47:36Sammy Zayn.
47:37Blue thunder bomb.
47:39Cover for the championship.
47:41Another near fall by Zayn.
47:43Well, Sammy Zayn starting to show Trick Williams that there are indeed levels to this.
47:49Everything you throw at me are bob and weave, duck and move, and come back with moves like that blue
47:55thunder bomb.
47:57And you feel that spirit starting to ebb away from Trick Williams.
48:01How gritty can you get, Trick?
48:03You're going to need it here.
48:04It has been inspiring to watch the maturation process of Trick Williams over the past few years.
48:13Such a fast learner, fast developer, as tough as they come.
48:19Sammy springboard leapfrog.
48:21May have injured his knee.
48:22Came down hard on his knee.
48:24Tweaks his knee.
48:24And it forces the official to back the champ in the corner.
48:27Well, a non-contact injury in this game is never something you want to see.
48:33And that is Sammy Zayn screaming in agony.
48:35Well, they officially want to get a doctor over here.
48:37Oh, Williams.
48:39Trick Williams.
48:40Oh, look at Sammy Zayn, though.
48:41Roll up.
48:42He's hit it up.
48:43And Trick kicks out.
48:44Sammy playing a little possum, perhaps.
48:46That is a veteran move from Zayn and went off.
48:50Oh, Yachty now on the apron.
48:53And Sammy with a kendo stick to Trick.
48:56Little Yachty arguing with the official backfired.
48:59Sammy Zayn into the cover.
49:01Not this way.
49:02No kick out.
49:04Well, it would have been poetic justice if that had backfired on Yachty.
49:09And Trick had gone down for the count on that one.
49:14Especially after the treatment of last night on SmackDown and the so-called gingerbread man funeral.
49:21I understand what Yachty was trying to do there.
49:24Just a level of inexperience, you would think, from Lil Yachty.
49:27The wrong time to jump up.
49:28The wrong time to take the referee's attention.
49:31The wrong time to leave that kendo stick lying around.
49:36And Yachty understands that he may have cost Trick Williams this matchup because Trick's in deep trouble.
49:43Trick is not getting up.
49:45And now he's getting a mud hole stomped him in.
49:48Stomped him in the corner.
49:53Again, he's got a five count before he has to break.
49:56And Sammy knows the rules.
49:58Well, Sammy will take all of that 4.99 seconds before backing off.
50:04That is the smart veteran thing to do.
50:06Especially with gold on the line here.
50:08Oh, Sammy understands the champ's in trouble.
50:10This is his opportunity.
50:11Yeah, and there can be no let-up at this point.
50:21This is eerily reminiscent of how Sammy defeated Carmelo Hayes several.
50:27Oh, look at Lil Yachty now.
50:29With a payback.
50:30Kendo stick to Sammy.
50:33Trick Williams.
50:34Cover.
50:35One, two, three.
50:37And Sammy kicked out after the Cyclone boot from Williams.
50:42Well, how quickly did that pendulum swing back in the favor of Trick Williams, thanks to Lil Yachty.
50:51But both men down in a heap and hurting.
50:55And the bout, the championship hanging in the balance.
50:58As Lil Yachty out of nowhere behind the referee's back.
51:01Get a little payback with that Kendo stick.
51:04But Sammy showing the resilience of a veteran tonight.
51:09And this place has been electric all night long.
51:13United States championship on the line.
51:16Williams and Zayn.
51:17Two competitors running on fumes at this point.
51:21But Sammy with a wherewithal, the smarts, still has his head in the game.
51:28And plenty more to come tonight over on the ESPN app with the unlimited plan.
51:32Roman Reigns, Jacob Bontu, world title.
51:35Sammy now trying to clock Lil Yachty and drops him.
51:44Well, that's a couple of months of frustration paid back right there to Lil Yachty.
51:49But focus on the task in hand, Sammy.
51:55And allows Trick Williams to recover.
51:58And a clothesline drops Sammy on the steps.
52:00Club to the ear almost.
52:02But a highly effective drop in Zayn.
52:06Looks like he's going to go for a bookend on the steel steps.
52:10And Sammy with a DDT.
52:12And that could be a cold KO right there.
52:16Trick Williams on the crown of his head, eating the steel.
52:21And now Sammy's got to get the champ in the ring.
52:23Remember, champ's advantage.
52:24Pinfall or submission.
52:25Only way Sammy can win the gold.
52:35Oh, Sammy Zayn now.
52:37A little bit kicked in the back of the head of Lil Yachty.
52:43Enough's enough, Sammy.
52:44You already beat the hell out of the guy earlier.
52:46And Yachty is down for the count.
52:49And so soon may be Trick.
52:52A little kick incoming.
52:55Trick moves out of the way.
52:57Trick shot.
52:58Trick shot.
53:00One, two, three.
53:01Williams retains.
53:04Here is your winner.
53:06It's still the United States Champion.
53:12Trick Williams.
53:16I'm going to put these dollar bills in my pocket as Trick Williams celebrates.
53:21Trick Williams, ladies and gentlemen, proves that WrestleMania is no fluke.
53:29Well, the humiliation of Zayn is fully complete.
53:33And oh, it's...
53:34Wait, sit down.
53:35Look, y'all are making it right now.
53:37I know it's more money you make in a year, but...
53:43Celebrating in style with a major victory for Trick Williams, the retention of the United States Championship.
53:50And here is how it went down.
53:53This is Sammy Zayn thinking he had a major upper hand here.
53:57A spike in Trick Williams on the top of his head on that steel step with a DDT.
54:03But this is where Lil Yachty got taken out with that haluver kick from behind.
54:08And when Sammy Zayn was ready to kill this for good, Trick Williams...
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