Skip to playerSkip to main contentSkip to footer
  • 8/5/2025
Transcript
00:00You think you know me.
00:17The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
00:22On the way to the ring.
00:30And the opponent, from St. Louis, Missouri, weighing in at 245 pounds, Brandy Orton.
00:45Ladies and gentlemen, he's Taz and I'm Michael Cole here at ringside welcoming you to Minneapolis, Minnesota.
00:52Hey, I got top billing tonight. I'll tell you later.
00:55Well, what can I say? These Minneapolis fans have got me in such a great mood.
00:59I'm feeling especially generous tonight.
01:04A textbook reversal. Can you follow up?
01:14Each of these competitors is looking for the slightest hint of weakness in the other.
01:19That's the Lord of Jungle, Cole.
01:21And injured superstars like a wounded animal.
01:25It's survival of the fittest.
01:27And that also means that if you're not at 100%, you've got to be able to hide it from your opponent.
01:34You got that right, Cole.
01:35This is as psychological as it is physical.
01:38You can't let your opponent lose your pickings.
01:41Well, I wouldn't consider any of these superstars to be easy pickings.
01:45No matter how beaten up they get.
01:55Can you believe this match will fall, Cole?
01:58I really can't, Taz.
01:59This isn't anything like what I expected from these competitors.
02:03Yeah, I gotta admit, they're surprising the hell out of me here, too.
02:06And I think it's that unpredictability that makes these superstars so exciting to watch.
02:12Nice reversal.
02:13You know, instead of showboating to the fans, maybe you should really keep your head to this match.
02:22Come on, Taz.
02:23You're looking at a superstar who can feed off a crowd and use that energy to win the match.
02:29You know, you can show off for the crowd all you want, but all that does is let your opponent rest up.
02:38Actually, Taz, I think it's a great display of confidence on the part of this great superstar.
02:52Edge is such a jerk.
02:54I'm amazed that he still has a job on Raw after some of the stuff he's pulled.
02:59Hey, Cole, lighten up a little bit.
03:01Maybe he's not got the best attitude in the world, but you gotta admit, he anticipated that move perfectly.
03:08He knows his opponent is completely helpless to resist the submission hold.
03:17And that means you gotta either dig deep and find a way to break it, or you gotta just flat out tap out.
03:25What a reversal.
03:26These superstars are on top of their game, but only one of them is gonna have their hand raised at the end of this one.
03:43And that's a real shame, because like you said, this has been a great match so far.
03:48Well, what do you want, Cole?
03:49You want to say that everyone wins so nobody gets their feelings hurt?
03:53I never said that.
03:55I'm just saying that in a great match like this, everyone involved...
03:59There's a reversal, Cole.
04:00Edge is so quick and so deadly, you can't take your eyes off him for one second.
04:13And that's doubly true if you're the referee.
04:16I don't think Edge has ever met him.
04:17This could be a finishing move right here.
04:19One.
04:20He can talk all he wants, Cole, but once he's lost the match, this guy's gonna wish that he spent more time doing this for his opponent.
04:30I think you're wrong about that, Taz.
04:32I think this is going to make his victory tonight that much sweeter.
04:39I don't think the fans like that one too much.
04:41I'm sure this breaks this guy's heart.
04:43It should.
04:44These fans are the lifeblood of WWE, and he doesn't give a damn what they think.
04:50I don't think there's anything Edge wouldn't do to get what he wants, and that's what I like about this guy.
05:04That's funny, because that's exactly what I can't stand about Edge.
05:08He might be a great competitor, but he's a lousy human being.
05:12Hey, man, does the portal look like a pulp with that counter?
05:15I've said it before, and I'll say it again.
05:22Nothing.
05:23Look out!
05:23The referee's been knocked out!
05:25And this is where things start getting a little interesting, Cole.
05:28I feel like a real jerk when somebody counters you like that.
05:31You suck!
05:32You suck!
05:34You suck!
05:35You suck!
05:36You suck!
05:37You suck!
05:38You suck!
05:39It's not easy maintaining this type of intensity week after week after week, Cole.
05:44Look at him go!
05:45Wow!
05:46What an RKO!
05:48What a counter that was!
05:52One, two...
05:54You almost got the tree right there, Cole.
05:56And there's the reversal.
06:09This could be three right here.
06:11I hope he didn't seriously think he was getting a pin there.
06:19This is going to be big, one way or the other.
06:22That was a textbook reversal.
06:37Man, there's a lot of blood, sweat, and tears shed in that ring over the years.
06:41And if these superstars have their way, there's going to be a lot more shed here tonight.
06:46You know, I know I say this a lot, Cole, but this is not ballet.
06:59You step between those ropes, you better be prepared to take some punishment.
07:03And to dish some out as well.
07:05I don't think I've ever seen a superstar win a match by being a tackling dummy.
07:11That reversal might stop his opponent's momentum dead.
07:13Look at this, Cole!
07:19Look at this!
07:20Oh my God!
07:21There's a reason that's called the finishing move.
07:24The match usually doesn't go much longer.
07:35Man, and here's the cover!
07:37All right, not even a two count.
07:38I can't deny that the legend killer, Randy Orton, had a pretty impressive career so far, Cole.
07:53But he better be careful that he don't burn out too quick.
07:56I don't think there's much of a chance of that, Taz.
07:59I haven't seen any...
08:00What a counter that was!
08:03I think he's trying to make fun of his opponent, Cole.
08:05One.
08:12I hope this isn't the last time we see these superstars face off.
08:18You're not going to hear me say this much, Cole, but I definitely agree with you.
08:21This has all the makings of a nice, long feud.
08:25I don't know how nice it is, but there are certainly some issues between these superstars,
08:29and I think this match might only exasperate them.
08:33Geez, Cole, watch your language, will ya?
08:35It's a family show.
08:36I said exasperate.
08:38Not...
08:39Oh, never mind.
08:48Man, this match is so good, it's even worth sitting next to you to watch it, Cole.
08:52Yeah, thanks a lot, Taz.
08:54You know, you're not always my number one choice for a broadcast partner, right?
08:57You know what you should do, Girl Pants?
08:59You should team up with Jerry Lola.
09:01Well, it could be...
09:03He was one step ahead on that one.
09:13I don't think there's anything Edge wouldn't do to get what he wants.
09:17That reversal might stop his opponent's momentum dead.
09:20I think they're slowing that pace down a little bit, Cole.
09:32And that's a good way to refocus your energy, but you'll also give your opponent time.
09:36And there's the reversal.
09:37I can't remember the last time I've seen a crowd so pumped up.
09:50I know what you mean, Parker.
09:52These superstars have really brought the fans to life here tonight.
09:57Dude.
09:57Okay, yeah, great.
10:01That's just great.
10:02Now, why don't you quit showing off and get down to business here?
10:05He is getting down to business.
10:07He's in the sports entertainment business, isn't he?
10:10These superstars give everything they got for them in a match like this.
10:24But a lot of people don't realize what they sacrificed behind the scenes also.
10:29No question.
10:30If you want to make it in the WWE, you've got to sacrifice just about everything for your career.
10:36It has to be as important to you as anything else in your life.
10:41Cole, what you've got to realize, to make it in the WWE, this is not a job.
10:45This is a lifestyle.
10:47That's why you see so much passion for what they do in the ring.
10:51And that's something you won't see anywhere else.
10:54With all due respect, I think they're not playing around.
10:58That's another statement, Cole.
11:00What a wicked execution.
11:03Look at this.
11:04No fear on the face of this superstar.
11:07Yeah, that's 50 cents to get you a couple of coffee.
11:18This is not just a match, Cole.
11:21These superstars have got a legitimate beef with each other.
11:25They do indeed.
11:27There's a lot of...
11:28On the mat, shoulders down.
11:29This could be it.
11:30One, two.
11:31He's got to do more damage before he can get a three count.
11:36That was a textbook reversal.
11:38I don't know.
11:39He's putting a lot on the line going up there.
11:42There's going to be a finishing move right here.
11:44It's crazy to think we actually have pain to be...
11:55Look out!
11:56The referee's been knocked down.
11:58And this is where things start getting a little interesting, Cole.
12:01Oh, man.
12:02Here he comes.
12:03RKO!
12:05RKO!
12:05RKO!
12:06And there's the pin!
12:13He hasn't done nearly enough to get the pin yet.
12:22Nice quick counter.
12:23RKO!
12:23You look at any other sport in the world, and you won't find a single athlete that can compare with a WWE superstar.
12:39And there's a reason for that, Taz.
12:42There are no off-seasons here in the WWE.
12:45If you're a superstar, you're performing every week of the year.
12:49We're not talking about just swinging a bat or kicking a...
12:52Here it comes.
12:53Let's go!
12:54Oh, man.
12:55Many a superstar has fallen prey to that finishing maneuver.
13:07Man, I can't tell you how impressed...
13:10He wasted no time going for that pin.
13:12No trouble getting out of that one.
13:19This is a big risk.
13:23Will it pay off?
13:26I knew it was only a matter of time before we saw that.
13:30I don't like it.
13:31But as long as it wins matches, it's going to keep happening.
13:35That's the bottom line, Cole.
13:36If you're not doing everything you can to win, then you're in the wrong game.
13:44And there's the counter, Cole.
13:46Man, I'm telling you, for my in-ring experience, trust me, you could cut this tension with a knife.
14:00I don't think you need in-ring experience to feel the tenacity radiating off these superstars, Taz.
14:06I don't think anything could be more obvious.
14:09Spoken like a guy who's never been in that...
14:12Great reversal!
14:12Great reversal!
14:16I don't know, Cole.
14:22I'm kind of unsure about Randy Orton.
14:24I mean, he's a pretty boy.
14:25Let's face it.
14:26He's accomplished a couple of big things, but I still think that he's about 90% higher.
14:33A couple of big things?
14:34Wow, look at that submission.
14:37I ain't never seen it executed better.
14:39Neither have I, partner.
14:40And this might be enough to get the tap out right here.
14:44He anticipated that move perfectly.
14:51What a cowardly move.
14:53He can't win fair and square, so he tries to screw his opponent out of the victory.
14:58Hey, look.
14:59There's nothing wrong with him doing whatever it takes to win the match.
15:02If it was that bad, the ref would have de-qed him, right?
15:11He's going for the submission.
15:13And he might get it.
15:14He's got that hole locked in.
15:16Wow.
15:17Great reversal.
15:18It looks as if the damage may have been done here.
15:28I think we're one submission move away from the end of this match.
15:35I feel like a real jerk when somebody's counting on his dad.
15:40Oh, boy.
15:41Looks like someone's moving up in the world.
15:43The conditions are right for a finishing move.
15:46He's going for the pin.
15:55One.
15:56Two.
15:57That was nowhere near a three count.
16:00What a reversal.
16:10Look at these superstars, Cole.
16:12I mean, they're not even contemplating the fact that they might lose here tonight.
16:16They've sacrificed some...
16:18Here's the pin.
16:19This could be it.
16:19One.
16:21Two.
16:29I've got a good call.
16:31There's the cover.
16:32Can he do it?
16:33Two.
16:34That wasn't even two.
16:35He dodged that bullet.
16:41He likes fighting dirty.
16:42And it's easy to see why.
16:44He's pretty good at it.
16:45He certainly is.
16:46And I hope he's proud of himself.
16:48Personally, I find it disgusting.
16:52Let me see a finishing move right here.
16:54Oh, man.
16:58Here it comes.
17:00And that might be the end of the match right there.
17:02There's a reason.
17:03That's called a finishing move.
17:05It's so...
17:15He can pin his opponent from here.
17:18Way too early to get a three count.
17:24He saw that one coming.
17:31One.
17:32Man, I don't envy that ref.
17:36Two.
17:36You know, the last place I'd want to be is between these superstars.
17:39You can say that again.
17:40Three.
17:41Talk about hazardous to your health.
17:44Four.
17:48Five.
17:48You know, you can show off for the crowd all you want.
17:51But all that does is let your opponent rest up.
17:53Actually, Taz, I think it's a great display of confidence on the part of this great superstar.
17:58Five.
18:02Five.
18:04Man, his opponent looks like a punk with that counter.
18:12He's getting covered.
18:17Here's the reversal call.
18:19And he's going for it.
18:21And he's got it.
18:22RKO.
18:26There's the pin.
18:27Can his opponent kick out?
18:28One, two, three.
18:31I had a feeling he was going to pull this out.
18:33I don't know if everybody's going to be happy with the decision.
18:35But it's pretty clear who won that one.
18:37Here's your winner.
18:38It's hard to argue with the referee's call.
18:40The ref ran out of the pin.
18:42And that's that.
18:43Randy.
18:43Randy.
18:43And that's that.
18:44Randy.
18:45Randy.
18:45Randy.
18:45Randy.
18:45Randy.
18:45Randy.
18:46Randy.
18:46Randy.
18:47Randy.
18:47Randy.
18:47Randy.
18:47Randy.
18:47Randy.
18:48Randy.
18:48Randy.
18:49Randy.
18:49Randy.
18:49Randy.
18:49Randy.
18:49Randy.
18:50Randy.

Recommended