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00:00This is our main event.
00:52This is our main event.
01:29This is our main event.
01:32This is our main event.
01:39Sami Zayn, who is a proud Muslim, and it has been a love affair every time this man comes
01:45to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
01:56It's safe to say here in the kingdom, Michael Cole, Sami Zayn is still the last real good
02:04guy.
02:19Let's go!
02:29And now the joy comes to an end.
02:33Speak for yourself!
02:35And now the joy comes to an end.
03:05The killer Gunther looking to win a third world championship tonight.
03:14Gunther has changed a bit over the past few months.
03:19He's whining much more.
03:21He's hiding behind attorneys.
03:23But one thing has not changed.
03:26This man is a deadly weapon.
03:30No doubt about it.
03:32A man who believes that the wrestling mat is sacred.
03:35And yes, I agree, Cole.
03:37We've seen a different side of Gunther recently.
03:39But there is certainly a level of legitimacy to the ring general's gripes.
03:44Back in Clash in Italy, a match you and I called.
03:48Cody Rhodes retained his WWE championship in very controversial fashion.
03:52And what about what Sami Zayn did when he was a special guest referee?
03:55Exactly.
03:56You have to understand why Gunther has had to resort to lawyers, et cetera, et cetera.
04:02Do you think Gunther's looking at Sami Zayn as an afterthought tonight?
04:07Yes, I do.
04:08Gunther has stated that publicly.
04:10Secondly, he called Sami Zayn a non-factor in this matchup.
04:15But Gunther, of all people, knows all too well what Zayn's capable of when it's backs against the wall.
04:20WrestleMania.
04:21Tonight, Zayn ended the 666-day reign as Intercontinental Champion.
04:31Wrestling has now gone.
04:34Royal family.
04:50Let's win.
04:52Let's go, everybody.
04:54Get back out of control, do it all to get them off the beat.
05:02Crowd is here about to blow, there for me to start the show.
05:09I'm a godlike, so I'm a fool.
05:13I'm a godlike, so I'm a fool.
05:15I'm a godlike, so I'm a godlike, so I'm a godlike.
05:25I'm a godlike, so I'm a godlike.
05:27I took it all away, I give it all away.
05:31You take my freedom, you take the game, I better pay the pay.
05:37I built my kingdom, now you start to pay.
05:42I dream to die my day.
05:45You don't follow me until the end.
05:49I am my kingdom.
05:51Lights go down, I'm ready now.
05:53Deadly proof of all the town.
05:57Gonna give what they came to see.
06:02Hear the crowd on the toes.
06:06Ready for me to start the show.
06:09I'm a godlike, so I'm a whole world.
06:15It's good.
06:16So I'm here.
06:19Red.
06:22Thase a king, I'm hems me.
06:25Verify neither do believe me.
06:27Though come on the toes.
06:30You take my freedom, give it to me.
06:55Let's head up to our ring announcer, Mark Nash.
07:01The following contest is a triple threat match scheduled for one fall and is for the undisputed WWE Championship.
07:15Introducing the challengers. First, from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, weighing in at 212 pounds, Sammy Zay.
07:33His opponent from Vienna, Austria, weighing in at 250 pounds, the ring general, Gunther.
07:52And their opponent from Atlanta, Georgia, weighing in at 222 pounds, he is the undisputed WWE Champion, the American Nightmare,
08:11Cody Roar.
08:16This is a triple threat match where the champion does not have to be involved in the decision to lose
08:22the title.
08:23First man to gain pinfall or submission will be WWE champ.
08:29The official in this matchup is Dan Engler. Remember, no disqualifications or countouts here tonight.
08:37And there is so much to break down in this match, and I'll start with Sammy Zayn.
08:40This is his 10th opportunity at a world championship. He's never held one in his career.
08:47In fact, here in Riyadh, back at the Royal Rumble, Sammy Zayn lost an opportunity at the title.
08:52And many believe, Corey, that was the night that this downward spiral began for Zayn.
08:57Sammy Zayn feels at times he's competing on borrow time.
09:01Understanding the championship opportunities are incredibly hard to come by in this game.
09:06If he fails on his 10th attempt, that might be it for Sammy Zayn.
09:10It's been a rough year for Zayn. Remember, he only held the United States Championship for 22 days before losing
09:16at WrestleMania.
09:19What an atmosphere in here.
09:28And here we go, and Gunther goes right after Sammy Zayn to take out the man he called the non
09:33-factor.
09:33And now Cody Rhodes and Gunther go at it.
09:35Rhodes owns a number of victories over Gunther, not just recently, but back in Saudi Arabia.
09:412024, when he beat Gunther for the Crown Jewel Championship.
09:46Now Gunther's sent over the top rope by Zayn.
09:48And Sammy Zayn decidedly the favorite by this capacity crowd of 18,000 plus tonight.
09:56Don't underestimate the crowd's support for the American Nightmare.
09:59Cody Rhodes was cheered just about as loudly as Sammy Zayn.
10:05Collar and elbow tie up, and Cody Rhodes now with a side headlock on Zayn.
10:10An opportunity for both these men to keep this a one-on-one matchup with Gunther out of the match
10:14at least momentarily.
10:15Another cover by Cody and a kick out by Sammy.
10:18And Cody dropped down, and there's the big right.
10:20It's a great strategy for any competitor in this matchup to always try to neutralize the third, whomever that may
10:27be.
10:27Make this as close to a one-on-one contest as possible.
10:30That said, it's incredibly difficult.
10:32So on the other side of the coin, if you are the odd man out, to use a phrase our
10:36good friend JBL utilizes,
10:38hang around the rim.
10:39Be ready to capitalize on any opportunity, because they may be few and far between in this match.
10:44It is a big fight feel here tonight for the undisputed WWE Championship.
10:49Leapfrogged by Rhodes.
10:50Gunther now gets involved again.
10:52And the man that Cody Rhodes labeled a mosquito, Sammy Zayn, taken out again by Gunther.
10:59And now Cody Rhodes fighting back against the man known as a career killer, Gunther.
11:05The man who ended AJ Styles' career here in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, back at the Rumble.
11:11The man who ended John Cena in Goldberg's career as well.
11:15And tonight looks to wrestle away a third world championship.
11:23And notice how cool, calm, and collected the ring general is at the moment.
11:28Gunther is locked in for the long haul.
11:32Before Oba's win tonight, these two men, Gunther and Cody, were the last two kings of the ring.
11:37Cody in 2024.
11:39Gunther last year.
11:40And now Sammy Zayn from behind, getting back in the fight.
11:43And Zayn just will not go away.
11:46I know Cody might have compared Sammy to a mosquito.
11:49And I can't believe I'm using this as a compliment.
11:52Sammy Zayn's probably closer to a cockroach.
11:54In that the man knows how to survive.
11:58Yeah, but has this obsession with champion finally gotten to him?
12:01The world championship.
12:03That isn't whipped into the corner.
12:04Goes Rhodes.
12:05And now Gunther in that zone.
12:08The zone where he wants to maim.
12:10The zone where he wants to cripple.
12:12The zone where he wants to take out Rhodes.
12:18Gunther bathing in the disdain of this Saudi Arabian crowd tonight.
12:22The ring general.
12:23He just doesn't care.
12:25Absolutely unbothered.
12:25He doesn't give a damn.
12:26He doesn't care what anybody thinks about him.
12:28It's about money and gold for Gunther.
12:30That's all it's about.
12:32It's about being the best wrestler in the world.
12:36And a chop drives the champion to the canvas.
12:39Cover now by Gunther Cody at one.
12:41And remember just moments ago Rhodes was driven sternum first into the top turnbuckle.
12:46Gunther immediately following with one of his epic chops.
12:49It's a smart strategy from the former champion.
12:52And Sammy Zayn once again back in the match.
12:55And a chop will drive him back to the corner.
12:58Sammy with an elbow.
12:59Looking to fight back here.
13:01Sammy Zayn runs into a chop by Gunther.
13:03I was just about to say.
13:05Despite what you think of his actions recently.
13:07Sammy Zayn has got heart.
13:08He's got tremendous resilience.
13:09He's built his career on that.
13:11But does he have enough of that tonight against Gunther and Cody?
13:18If anybody can figure out a way to summon the will to muster that little bit of extra.
13:23It is Sammy Zayn.
13:24He's made a career off it.
13:25That said he is opposing two of the greatest sports entertainers in the world.
13:36Cody realized what was at stake here.
13:38He didn't care.
13:39He said bring me Gunther.
13:40Bring me Sammy Zayn.
13:41Make it a triple threat.
13:44And no one thrives on pressure quite like the American Nightmare.
13:48Up and over goes Rhodes.
13:50Gunther runs into a power slam by Cody.
13:53And now Sammy into the fray.
13:54Cody caught him.
13:56Cover by the champ.
13:59Sammy still in it.
14:04Take a look at this exchange.
14:06Rhodes able to whip Gunther over with a power slam.
14:09And then following with a side effect to Sammy Zayn.
14:13And the champion in control for the moment.
14:16And here's Gunther now.
14:17Cody able to duck underneath it.
14:19Gets a double.
14:20Cody caught her.
14:21Cody looks good tonight.
14:23Sure does.
14:30Suicide dive by Rhodes.
14:33And Cody's got Gunther a bit out of sorts here.
14:38We talk so frequently about the importance of strategy.
14:41Went for the sunset flip.
14:43Gunther trying to hang on.
14:44Does it.
14:45Pitting combination.
14:46Kick out at two.
14:47Rhodes is no exception when it comes to planning the game for a match.
14:51And Gunther though went for that power bomb.
14:54Cody from behind looking for the crossroads.
14:56Gunther into a snap there.
14:59Hooks Cody up.
15:01Power bomb to Rhodes.
15:02Stacks him up.
15:03Is it enough?
15:05Sammy Zayn saves the match up for himself.
15:08For himself being the operative word, Cole.
15:10Because Sammy realizes that even though he may not be involved in the fall.
15:15His biggest opportunity could very well go up in smoke.
15:18This is what I'm talking about when it comes to hanging around the rim.
15:21Being ready for anything.
15:23We mentioned Gunther and what he did to Stiles back at the Rumble.
15:26I'd like to mention as well that remember the Rumble match earlier this year.
15:30Here in Riyadh.
15:31Gunther was runner up to Roman Reigns that night.
15:34Oh!
15:35As he's driven into the steps by Sammy.
15:37And Sammy showing a little of aggressiveness here tonight.
15:43I compared Sammy to Wemby.
15:45The center of the San Antonio Spurs.
15:47I called him entitled.
15:48I called him delusional and spoiled.
15:50Do you look at that with Sammy Zayn?
15:52It went for the blue thunderbomb.
15:54Cody able to counter it.
15:56Firing off a series of lefts.
16:00Oh!
16:01Sammy caught him!
16:03Blue thunderbomb!
16:04Zayn's got a chance!
16:06Cody kicks out!
16:08And to answer your question and your comparison between Sammy Zayn and Wemby.
16:13I absolutely disagree.
16:15I understand Sammy has a tendency to be a bit abrasive in his ways sometimes.
16:20But in Sammy's part, he believes he is justified in all of his actions.
16:24Whether you agree or not is irrelevant to Zayn.
16:27He wants what he wants.
16:30Sammy trying to feed off this capacity crowd tonight.
16:34Cody is in trouble in the corner.
16:36Sammy's got him.
16:38Looking for a haluba kick and Gunther again.
16:40Oh no!
16:43No count outs.
16:44No disqualifications under triple threat rules.
16:47It may be a while before we see Sammy again.
16:51It's interesting.
16:52Gunther keeps flinging Sammy out of the ring.
16:54Because he wants to pin the champion to win the title tonight.
16:58And this is what it all boils down to.
17:00Gunther believing that the mat is sacred.
17:02He is still very old school in his mentality.
17:04If you want to call yourself the champion, you want to beat the champion.
17:08Make it undeniable.
17:09Yeah, but there's so many whispers out there that Gunther can't beat Cody.
17:12And that sticks with Gunther.
17:13And he wants to make sure the world knows he can do it tonight.
17:16You're absolutely right again.
17:18Gunther now with a front face lock applied to the American nightmare.
17:21Not much real estate to work with for either man.
17:24Gunther looking to hook Cody here.
17:26Cody up on the top rope.
17:27Trying to block.
17:29He does.
17:30Drops Gunther to the mat.
17:31And what does Rhodes do now?
17:34Uh-oh.
17:35Gunther caught him.
17:36Waist lock now applied.
17:38Cody turns it around.
17:39Rhodes.
17:40Crossroads to Gunther.
17:42Cody to retain.
17:43Hook to the leg.
17:45Oh, and Sami Zayn pulls out the official.
17:48Completely legal.
17:52And I understand the frustration Rhodes is feeling.
17:55It may be unpopular.
17:56But it was absolutely necessary for Sami Zayn to prevent the count of three.
18:06And Cody wants Sami.
18:09Get in here.
18:10Get in here.
18:10Get in here.
18:11Get in here.
18:11Get in here.
18:11Get in here.
18:11Get in here.
18:12Get in here.
18:25And these two men who were once the closest of friends.
18:29Now fighting it for the biggest prize in the business.
18:41Remember the disaster kick
18:43Sammy rolled out of harm's way
18:47And Sammy
18:48Brain buster
18:50Cover
18:52And Gunther with a splash
18:54Breaks things up
18:58And now Gunther's opportunity
19:00With a powerbomb to Sammy
19:05Powerbomb to Cody and to Zane
19:10This Terminator-like Gunther
19:15Sammy! Wow!
19:17For the win! For the title!
19:19Gunther kicks out at two and a half
19:20What a move by Sammy
19:25Take a look at the dominance of the ring general
19:29Powerbombing the champion
19:30On to the other challenger Sammy Zane
19:33A little insurance
19:36Was what the goal was
19:38But Sammy Zane flips the script
19:40And nearly upset Gunther to become WWE champion
19:45This is for the undisputed WWE championship
19:49Rhodes the champion
19:50Zane and Gunther the challengers
19:52Triple threat rules tonight
19:55And now it's the American nightmare who's the odd man out
19:58Cody Rose has been neutralized
19:59His title in great jeopardy at the moment
20:03I guarantee you the king of the ring
20:05Ova Femi
20:06Watching this match up closely
20:07He has a decision to make
20:09WWE champion
20:10Or world champion
20:14Zane heading to the top rope
20:17Gunther to his feet
20:18Sammy's got to roll through
20:19And Gunther misses
20:21Gets hung up
20:21Gets hung up in the corner
20:23Sammy's got an opportunity
20:24Sammy's got an opportunity here
20:26Zane
20:27Haluma kick
20:28Haluma kick
20:30Sammy's gonna do it
20:31Sammy's gonna do it
20:32Oh and Cody Rhodes
20:35Pulls the official out
20:37Turnabout is fair play
20:42Desperate times
20:43Call for desperate measures
20:45And Rhodes realized
20:47He was a fraction of a second away
20:49From losing his title
20:50And to Sammy Zane
20:52Did it just flash in front of his eyes
20:54That that may have been his only chance
20:56His last chance
20:58At winning the title
21:00And now Sammy
21:02Gonna take the fight to Cody out here
21:03And a very frustrated Sammy Zane
21:06After he thought he had him beat
21:09And Cody now
21:10Ripping apart our announce table
21:12Rhodes doing a little redecorating
21:14With malice in mind
21:19But Zane from behind
21:22Thwarts whatever Cody was trying to cook up
21:24And now Cody
21:27And Sammy Zane now
21:29Gonna clear the Arabic announce table
21:31Both tables now have been cleared
21:34Sammy Zane
21:35Ripping equipment out everywhere
21:39And Cody now
21:40That's not where Cody wants to be
21:42I'll tell you that much
21:46What does Sammy
21:48Have in mind
21:49Sammy Zane now
21:51With Cody
21:52Cody Rhodes in trouble
21:58Sammy Zane
21:59Gonna go for broke
22:01Uh oh
22:02Sammy wants a package
22:03Piledriver
22:04Kevin Owens like
22:05Sammy Zane now
22:07Rhodes
22:08Fighting back
22:09Cody with a shot
22:10Back to the midsection
22:13And Al
22:14A back drop
22:15Boom
22:20Zane is down
22:23Sammy Zane sent crashing through our announce desk
22:26By a desperate American nightmare
22:34Sammy Zane sent crashing through our announce desk
22:39Tough to tell what he was planning
22:44Took out our audio
22:46Here Michael Cole's headset is out
22:48Trying to get this repaired
22:51We've got chaos at ringside
22:53The American nightmare now
22:55In the clutches of the ring general
22:57And Gunther
22:58Gonna follow suit
23:01Rhodes onto the announce table
23:07And a second
23:09Thunderous power bomb
23:11This is Gunther's moment
23:14Zane is down
23:15Rhodes is down
23:20Gunther trying to drag
23:22A lifeless American nightmare
23:24Back to the center of the ring
23:29Sleeper hold
23:30The sleeper hold is in
23:34Rhodes is starting to fade
23:36That's it
23:38What do you say
23:40Sammy's fading
23:41What do you say
23:42Gunther
23:42Like a constrictor
23:44Squeezing the breath
23:46Out of the WWE champion
23:48We finally got our audio back here
23:49As Gunther looks to put Rhodes away
23:53Sammy Zane has not moved
23:55Since being driven through our announce table
23:58And somehow
24:00Rhodes finding the strength
24:02To fight it way up
24:04Gunther still got it locked in though
24:06The sleeper is still locked in
24:08But now
24:08Cody Rhodes
24:09Creates some space
24:11And separation
24:12Gunther
24:13Gunther's back in
24:19Cody flailing desperately
24:23But it's triple threat rules
24:25No rope breaks apply
24:27Cody
24:29Cody come on
24:30What do you say man
24:31Cody
24:32Cody
24:32Cody
24:33The ring general
24:35Gunther
24:36About to claim
24:38The undisputed
24:39WWE title
24:40But Sammy Zane
24:41Sammy Zane would not let
24:45Cody's arm fall
25:00Gunther now
25:02With control over Sammy Zane
25:12I told you
25:14I told you
25:18And now Gunther
25:19Taking the fight to Sammy
25:20Corey
25:22Corey just gave me
25:23Gave me his headset
25:24Gave me his headset
25:25For the
25:26For this matchup here
25:27Between Gunther
25:28And Sammy Zane
25:29And Sammy now
25:31Into the corner
25:32An exploder
25:33Sammy's got a chance
25:35Sammy's got a chance
25:38Gunther back to his feet
25:40Sammy
25:41Hold on
25:42That kick
25:42Zane's gonna do it
25:44Here's the cover
25:46Gunther
25:47Gunther kicked out
25:48Gunther kicked out
25:52That may have been
25:53The last chance
25:54That may have been
25:56The last chance
25:56For Sammy Zane
26:02Sammy Zane
26:03With a golden opportunity
26:05And a Luma kick
26:06To Gunther
26:08And just like that
26:10Shoulder up
26:11By Gunther
26:12And everyone here tonight
26:13Thought Sammy had won
26:15The title
26:23Sammy has to dig down deep
26:25Sammy frustrated
26:27Sammy
26:28Does he have anything
26:29Anything left
26:30There's nothing left
26:30Here tonight
26:37Zane
26:37Dragging Gunther
26:39Back to his feet
26:43And Gunther with a
26:44Clothesline
26:45And that may be
26:47The death blow
26:48That may be it
26:49For Zane's opportunity
26:51Cody back in it
26:52Super cutter
26:58Rhodes looking
26:58For the crossroads
27:00Sammy turns it around
27:02Crossroads to Cody
27:08Sammy with another chance
27:11How much does he have left
27:15Gunther
27:15He's caught
27:17Sammy's caught
27:18In the clutches
27:18Of the ring general
27:19And now Sammy
27:20Turns it around
27:21On Gunther
27:21Cody getting into the mix
27:23Looking for a double
27:25Crossroads
27:29And Cody
27:30Is he going to look
27:31For one more
27:32On Sammy
27:32Is he going to look
27:34For one more
27:34Roll through by Zane
27:36Shoulders down
27:37Oh my god
27:40Miracle
27:40Miracle
27:41Miracle
27:42Sammy Zane
27:44The champion
27:46Here is your winner
27:51And
27:52New
27:55Undisputed
27:56WWE champion
27:59Sammy Zane
28:02Corey it happened
28:04It happened
28:05On his 10th try
28:08Sammy Zane
28:09Finally
28:10Is champion
28:19A miracle
28:21A miracle
28:22In Riyadh
28:35Sammy Zane
28:37Started this journey
28:39In 2002
28:422002
28:43A quarter
28:44Century
28:45Later
28:46Sammy Zane
28:48Is WWE
28:50Champion
28:51All of the years
28:53All of the miles
28:55All of the broken hearts
28:57And the sacrifice
28:58Has led to this point
29:01To the top of the mountain
29:03Sammy Zane
29:04Is WWE
29:06Champion
29:06Champion
29:09Corey I am still in shock
29:12Sammy had a number
29:13Of opportunities tonight
29:15And it looked like once again
29:17It just wasn't his night
29:19Sammy Zane fought valiantly
29:21Here are the closing moments
29:23Cody Rhodes
29:24Flying blind
29:25Cody Cutter
29:26Takes down
29:27Gunther
29:28Rhodes
29:29With the crossroads
29:31To Sammy
29:31But no
29:32Sammy reverses
29:34Delivers the crossroads
29:35To Cody
29:37And right as
29:39Sammy Zane
29:40Lined up the
29:41Haluba kick
29:42Gunther
29:43Would arrive
29:44Cinch in the sleeper hold
29:46And seemingly dash
29:48Sammy's championship dreams
29:51Cody Rhodes
29:52With a double stacked
29:54Cody Cutter
29:55And when it felt
29:57Like Sammy Zane
29:59Big dreams
30:00Weren't big enough
30:02Like fate
30:02Had other plans
30:04Sammy Zane
30:05Once again
30:06Proves the world
30:08Wrong
30:09Tonight
30:10In the kingdom
30:11Of Saudi Arabia
30:13Corey the scene
30:14Has to be
30:15Seen
30:16To believe
30:17Sammy Zane
30:19Celebrating
30:20Among the
30:21WWE fans
30:23Here tonight
30:23In Riyadh
30:29What a moment
30:32Despite what you think
30:34Of the man
30:35Sammy Zane
30:36Worked his ass off
30:38To get to this moment
30:40In his career
30:42No one believed
30:44It would happen
30:44I don't think
30:46Sammy Zane
30:47Ever believed
30:47It would happen
30:48I think Sammy Zane
30:50Is the only
30:51One who believed
30:59How sweet
31:01How sweet
31:01It is
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