Countdown to WWE Backlash France: May 4, 2024

Get the latest breaking news, rivalry analysis from a panel of experts, and much more on the Countdown to WWE Backlash France!

Stream WWE on Peacock https://pck.tv/3ZTjVE7 in the U.S. and on WWE Network http://wwe.yt/wwenetwork everywhere else
———————————————————————
Follow WWE for more exciting action! – Subscribe to WWE on YouTube: http://wwe.yt/
———————————————————————
Check out WWE.com for news and updates: http://goo.gl/akf0J4
Watch WWE on Sony in India: http://www.wwe.com/SonySportsNetwork
Watch WWE on Disney+ Hotstar in Indonesia: http://www.wwe.com/hotstar
Watch WWE on Shahid: http://www.wwe.com/yt-shahid
Find the latest Superstar gear at WWEShop: http://shop.wwe.com
———————————————
Check out these other channels!
———————————————
UpUpDownDown: https://www.youtube.com/upupdowndown
Celtic Warrior Workouts: https://www.youtube.com/@CelticWarriorWorkouts
WWE Music: https://www.youtube.com/wwemusic
————————————
WWE on Social Media
————————————
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wwe
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wwe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwe/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wwe
Giphy: https://giphy.com/wwe
————————————

>> THE EXCITEMENT,
UNCONTROLLABLE.
>> ALWAYS EXCITED ANYTIME WE CAN
COME TO FRANCE AND SHOW THE
WORLD WHAT WE DO WHICH IS
ENTERTAIN BETTER THAN ANYBODY
ELSE ON THE PLANET.
>> IT IS A LOVE INDESCRIBABLE.
WHERE TIME STOPS AND
UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS ARE
CREATED.
>> ♪
[CROWD CHANTING]
[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY
WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT,
INC.]
>> NOW, A NEW ERA IS UPON US.
>> WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED!
>> IT IS TIME TO CREATE SOME
MAGIC OF YOUR OWN!
>> AND NOW, WWE PRESENTS
"COUNTDOWN TO BACKLASH."
>> THE COUNTDOWN IS ON.
THERE SHE IS, OUR WOMEN’S ROYAL
RUMBLE WINNER, NOW OUR WWE
WOMEN’S CHAMPION.
HER FIRST TITLE DEFENSE WILL
COME IN A TRIPLE THREAT MATCH
WHICH WILL FEATURE THIS WOMAN
WHO IS ROLLING INTO BACKLASH,
MISS NAOMI HAVING A GOOD TIME,
IN GOOD SPIRITS.
IS IT TIFFANY TIME?
ONE OF THE FASTEST RISING STARS
IN RECENT MEMORY, TIFFANY
STRATTON HAS PUT HERSELF IN THE
TITLE PICTURE.
HOW ABOUT THE NEW TAG TEAM?
THEY ARE ALWAYS SEEMINGLY ON THE
SAME PAGE.
THEY LOOK GREAT.
HELLO, EVERYBODY, AND WELCOME TO
THE SHOW.
THIS IS THE COUNTDOWN TO WWE
BACKLASH.
I AM YOUR HOST, JACKIE REDMOND.
AND I AM THRILLED TO BE
ALONGSIDE TWO STUDS AS WE GET
YOU SET FOR BACKLASH.
>> LOOK AT US.
>> YOU BOTH LOOK DAPPER.
WE HAVE BIG E IN THE HOUSE.
>> IS A 38-YEAR-OLD MAN, I AM SO
EXCITED TO HAVE AFTERNOON OR
MORNING EVENTS IN THE STATES.
I’M SO TIRED OF BEING INVITED TO
DINNERS AFTER 9:00.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
BIG FAN.
JACKIE: HE HAS SAID HIS PIECE.
WE ALSO HAVE THE BEST IN THE
WORLD, CM PUNK, BACK WITH US.
>> WORDS I HAVE NEVER SAID
BEFORE IN MY LIFE.
I WISH I WAS IN FRANCE.
I LIKE BEING HERE WITH YOU TO
TALK ABOUT THE PLA BUT SEEING
THE ECLIPSE WITH THE CROWD,
ABSOLUTELY INSANE.
JACKIE: YOU BOTH HAVE WRESTLED
IN FRANCE.
WHAT STANDS OUT ABOUT THE
FANBASE?
>> IT IS INCREDIBLE.
WE WOULD DO EVENTS OVER THERE,
10,000-PLUS.
I DO NOT KNOW IF YOU REMEMBER
THE LIVE EVENT FROM A YEAR OR SO
AGO.
IT IS INCREDIBLE.
THAT IS NOT A SHOT AT CORBIN.
TYPICALLY, YOU DO NOT GET A
RESPONSE LIKE THAT.
THE FRENCH FANS ARE INCREDIBLE.
JACKIE: CORBIN, IF YOU ARE
WATCHING, CALL US.
CM PUNK: EVERY SINGLE TIME I
HAVE WRESTLED IN FRANCE, MAIN
EVENT.
BELIEVE IT OR NOT.
I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO WORK
WITH SUPERSTARS.
I TAGGED WITH SHAWN MICHAELS IN
FRANCE.
JACKIE: YOU WANT TO BRUSH YOUR
SHOULDER OFF?
CM PUNK: WE WILL REVISIT IT.
THEY ARE STARVED, HONESTLY.
THEY ARE PASSIONATE FANS.
WE DO NOT GO OVER THERE AS OFTEN
AS THEY LIKE.
SO, THEY SHOW UP.
JACKIE: JACKIE:.
THAT WAS –THEY CERTAINLY
DO.
THAT WAS ON DISPLAY LAST NIGHT.
ACCORDING TO TRIPLE H
HIMSELF, THEY RECEIVED A WARNING
ABOUT THE NOISE LEVEL AT THE
ARENA.
ABSOLUTELY INSANE.
WATCHING ON TELEVISION, YOU
COULD FEEL IT.
IF THAT WAS AN INDICATOR OF WHAT
IS TO COME TONIGHT FROM THIS
CROWD, BUCKLE YOUR SEATBELT.
WHAT IS THE HOTTEST OR LOUDEST
CROWD YOU REMEMBER?
E: SANTIAGO, CHILE, 20,
INCREDIBLE.
WE DID TWO NIGHTS BACK TO BACK.
THEY WERE BETTER THE NEXT NIGHT.
ONE OF THE CROWDS I WILL NEVER
FORGET.
CM PUNK: INTERNATIONAL CROWDS
ARE ALWAYS INCREDIBLE.
THE NIGHTS AFTER WRESTLEMANIA
HAVE BEEN PREDOMINATELY PEOPLE
WHO HAVE TRAVELED
INTERNATIONALLY, SO THEY BRING
THIS ELECTRICITY THAT A LOT OF
THE TIMES YOU CANNOT GET IN THE
STATES.
SELFISHLY, I HAVE TO SAY CHICAGO
IS ALWAYS THE LOUDEST PLACE, BUT
THAT GOES BACK TO ME BEING A
LITTLE KID AND FORTUNATE TO SEE
HOCKEY GAMES IN THE OLD STADIUM
BEFORE THEY BLEW IT UP AND
TURNED IT INTO A PARKING LOT.
ALLSTATE ARENA, WHEN I CAME BACK
AT SURVIVOR SERIES, I COULD NOT
HEAR ANYTHING.
IT WAS WHITE NOISE.
I THOUGHT I WAS HAVING A STROKE.
TURNS OUT, I WAS NOT, IT WAS
TODAY REALLY LOUD CROWD HAPPY TO
SEE ME.
JACKIE: KUDOS TO THE WWE
UNIVERSE IN FRANCE.
THEY SHOWED UP AND SHOWED OUT.
THEY WILL DO THAT IN LESS THAN
AN HOUR FOR DEBBIE DEBBIE
BACKLASH.
I HAVE TO IMAGINE ONE OF THE
LOUDEST ENTRANCES WILL BE FOR
HIM.
HE IS TAKING ON DAMIEN FOR THE
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP.
LET’S CHECK IN WITH BYRON
SAXTON.
>> THANK YOU, JACKIE.
I’M STANDING OUTSIDE THE LOCKER
ROOM OF THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE
CODY RHODES.
HE HUSBAND HOLED UP IN HIS
LOCKER ROOM.
THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF NOISE
FROM CRITICS WHO WONDER WHETHER
HE WILL BE AS HUNGRY AS HE WAS
WHEN HE WAS PURSUING THE
UNDISPUTED WWE CHAMPIONSHIP.
ALSO, A LOT OF CRITICS WONDERING
WHETHER HE CAN MATCH THE
AGGRESSIVENESS OF A.J. STYLES
TONIGHT.
BEING AROUND CODY, GETTING THE
VIBE FROM CODY EARLIER, IT IS AS
SIMPLE AS THIS.
THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF TALK
BETWEEN HIMSELF AND A.J. STYLES.
HE MADE IT ABUNDANTLY CLEAR TO
ME HE HAS GOT TO GO OUT THERE
AND BACK IT UP.
HE HAS GOT TO BEAT A.J. STYLES
AND RETAIN HIS CHAMPIONSHIP.
IF HE DOES NOT, ALL THE TALK
ABOUT FINISHING THE STORY MEANS
NOTHING.
THAT IS THE WORD FROM THE LOCKER
ROOM OF THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE.
NOW I WILL SEND THINGS OVER TO
MY COLLEAGUE, KAYLA BRAXTON.
>> I SAW HIM LOOKING MORE
CONFIDENT THAN EVER AHEAD OF HIS
CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH AGAINST CODY
RHODES LATER TONIGHT.
I HAD THE CHANCE TO SIT DOWN
WITH A.J. LAST WEEK TO CHAT
ABOUT HOW HE GOT TO THIS POINT.
THOSE OF YOU WATCHING WILL HAVE
AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WHAT HE
SAID LATER IN THE SHOW.
IN THE MEANTIME, BACK TO YOU,
JACKIE.
JACKIE: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.
LET’S LOOK AT WHAT IS ON THE
DOCKET TONIGHT IN FRANCE.
THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IS ON THE
LINE.
THE WOMEN’S TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS
WILL ALSO DEFEND THEIR TITLES
AGAINST BIANCA BELAIR AND JADE
CARGILL.
ELSEWHERE IN TAG TEAM ACTION,
RANDY ORTON AND KEVIN OWENS
TAKING THEM ON.
WHO IS THE TRIBAL CHIEF? THE
QUESTION LINGERS BUT THESE TEAMS
WILL GO HEAD-TO-HEAD TONIGHT IN
FRANCE.
IT IS A TRIPLE THREAT MATCH FOR
THE WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP.
IN OUR MAIN EVENT, THE
UNDISPUTED WWE CHAMPIONSHIP IS
ON THE LINE.
CODY RHODES TAKES ON A.J.
STYLES.
>> WHEN ONE GOOD STORY ENDS, AN
EVEN BETTER ONE BEGINS!
>> CODY IS NOT DONE YET!
COME ON, CODY!
FINISH THE STORY!
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> FOR EVERY MOMENT THAT HAS
DEFINED ME, FOR EVERY SINGLE FAN
WHO HAS BELIEVED IN ME, FOR
EVERYONE WHO EVER DREAMED, YOU
AND I RIGHT HERE AND NOW ARE
STANDING ON TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN!
MY NAME IS CODY RHODES.
UNDESIRABLE HAS BECOME
UNDENIABLE AND NOW, YOUR
UNDISPUTED WWE CHAMPION!
♪
>> IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL THING TO
SEE YOU FINISH YOUR STORY.
>> AJ IS THE NUMBER ONE
CONTENDER.
>> BUT IT IS A SHAME THAT YOUR
TITLE REIGN WILL END AT
BACKLASH.
>> YOU HAVE SOMETHING I WANT.
TO WIN BACK THE CHAMPIONSHIP AND
PROVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WRONG.
THEY THINK MAYBE I AM DONE.
I HAVE WORKED UP BESIDE YOU MY
WHOLE CAREER.
YOU KNOW WHAT HAS CHANGED SINCE
THEN?
NOTHING.
>> WE HAVE TWO GEORGIA BOYS
READY TO MIX IT UP FOR THE FIRST
TIME FOR THE BIGGEST PRIZE IN
THE GAME.
>> WE HAVE NOT CROSSED PATHS
YET, BUT WE HAVE BEEN DOWN THE
SAME ROADS, AND WE HAD TO PROVE
OURSELVES OUTSIDE OF WWE.
I LOOK AT THIS RIGHT HERE.
THE WEIGHT OF THIS IS NOT JUST
THE LEATHER AND GOLD.
AT BACKLASH, WE ARE GOING TO SEE
IF YOU CAN CARRY IT!
>> IT SEEMS YOU ARE IMPLYING I
CANNOT CARRY THE WEIGHT OF THAT
CHAMPIONSHIP.
THAT MEANS THAT NO MATTER HOW
PHENOMENAL YOU ARE, THIS IS NOT
A DREAM MATCH FOR ME.
IT IS A MUST WIN.
>> ♪ THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE ♪
>> I AM GOING TO DEMOLISH
EVERYTHING!
>> IT IS NOT ABOUT WINNING THE
TITLE.
IT IS ABOUT KEEPING IT.
>> ♪ THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE
STAND UP
STAND TALL ♪
>> I HAVE WAITED FOR MY TIME.
I AM SORRY THAT YOURS IS UP.
>> IF YOU COME AT THE KING, YOU
BEST NOT MISS!
>> ♪
JACKIE: CODY RHODES BECOMING THE
UNDISPUTED WWE CHAMPION WAS A
STORY TWO YEARS IN THE MAKING.
NOW, HE LOOKS TO STAY AT THE TOP
OF THAT MOUNTAIN.
HIS FIRST TEST COMING IN THE
FORM OF A.J. STYLES.
THERE IS NO DOUBT THERE IS
PRESSURE AT THE TOP.
BOTH OF YOU IN YOUR CAREERS HAVE
HELD CHAMPIONSHIPS.
YOU HAVE BEEN AT THE TOP.
HOW HARD IS IT TO STAY THERE?
E: IT IS NOT EASY AT ALL.
CODY’S FOIL IN A.J., I AM ONLINE
MORE THAN I SHOULD BE, THE
SCUTTLEBUTT RECENTLY, SOME
PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE GALL TO SAY
A.J. IS NEAR THE END.
THEY ARE COUNTING THE DAYS UNTIL
HE TURNS IT IN.
YOU CAN SEE THIS RENEWED FOCUS
AND ENERGY WITH A.J.
YOU SEE HIM DOING THE COLD
PLUNGE.
I DON’T KNOW WHAT THIS MAN HAVE
BEEN INGESTING, BUT HE IS
MASSIVE.
A.J. I THINK IS GOING TO TAKE
THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW PEOPLE
HE HAS NOT LOST A STEP, THAT HE
IS READY TO TAKE THE
CHAMPIONSHIP.
FOR CODY TO HAVE TWO YEARS TO
GET TO THIS POINT, TO LOSE IT
TONIGHT WOULD BE DEVASTATING.
CM PUNK: I LOOK AT HIM AS
SOMEBODY WHO IS INSPIRATIONAL.
HE IS SOMEONE I RUBBED SHOULDERS
WITH EARLY IN OUR CAREERS.
HE HAS THE SAME STORY AS CODY.
HE SAID WE TRAVELED THE SAME
ROADS, WE HAVE NOT CROSSED PATHS
YET.
I CROSSED PATHS WITH BOTH AT
VARIOUS STAGES IN THEIR CAREER
AND MY CAREER.
THIS IS THE BATTLE OF GEORGIA.
WE ARE GOING TO FIND OUT WHO IS
THE PEACHES SPEECH — PEACHIE
ST PEACH ON THE PEACHTREE.
JACKIE: I THOUGHT HE MADE A
GREAT POINT WHEN HE SAID YOU
NEEDED ALL OF THEM TO COME OUT
AND HELP YOU AT WRESTLEMANIA.
I BEAT ALL OF THEM.
I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF
PRESSURE ON CODY RHODES TO
DELIVER AS THE UNDISPUTED
CHAMPION.
WE GOT SOME NEWS WE NEED TO HIT
ON WITH THE WWE UNIVERSE.
EARLIER TODAY ON X, WE FOUND OUT
TODAY, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING
BACKLASH IN FRANCE, THERE WILL
BE A SPECIAL WRESTLEMANIA
ANNOUNCEMENT DURING THE 150TH
KENTUCKY DERBY PRERACE SHOW
AIRING ON NBC.
WE WILL CERTAINLY BE TUNING IN
FOR THAT IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING
BACKLASH.
I DID TALK TO A FRIEND OF MINE,
ANY OLD CHECK — EDDIE OLCHECK.
I DID A LITTLE BIT OF HORSE
RACING RESEARCH.
CATCHING FREEDOM HAS A NICE RING
TO IT.
I MIGHT HAVE TO PLACE A BET OR
SOMETHING.
CM PUNK: TYING IT ALL TOGETHER
COHESIVELY.
JACKIE: WE ARE OFF TO A GREAT
START.
WE HAVE A JAMPACKED AND EXCITING
SHOW FOR YOU AS WE CONTINUE TO
COUNT DOWN TO WWE BACKLASH.
WE WILL HEAR FROM JEY USO,
BIANCA BELL OUT — BIANCA
BELAIR, AND JADE CARGILL.
DON’T GO ANYWHERE.
ANNOUNCER: FOR THE FIRST TIME
EVER, FROM THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI
ARABIA COMES FRIDAY NIGHT
SMACKDOWN AT THE SUPERDOME.
FOLLOWED THE NEXT NIGHT BY THE
KING AND QUEEN OF THE RING.
ONE KINGDOM, TWO EPIC NIGHTS.
>> FROM THE CRADLE OF
CIVILIZATION!
ANNOUNCER: FRIDAY NIGHT
SMACKDOWN AND KING AND QUEEN OF
THE RING FROM SAUDI ARABIA!
>> SUFFERING THROUGH
EXCRUCIATING PAIN RIGHT NOW.
HISTORY IS ON THE LINE!
MAKING THE CLIMB, THE CHAMPION
IS DOWN.
>> ♪
>> CAN SHE DO IT?
SHE DID IT!
TALK ABOUT GUTSY, COURAGEOUS,
BRAVE.
FOR THE FOURTH TIME IN HER
CAREER, AND FOR THE FIRST TIME
IN WRESTLEMANIA, SHE CAN CALL
HERSELF WOMEN’S CHAMPION!
>> I FEEL SO PROUD TO CALL
MYSELF YOUR NEW WWE UNDISPUTED
WOMEN’S CHAMPION!
I’M SO EXCITED TO START THIS
BRAND-NEW JOURNEY WITH YOU.
WHY DON’T WE START IT OFF BY
GIVING OUT A BRAND-NEW
OPPORTUNITY?
IT IS TIFFY TIME.
>> I ACCEPT.
>> IT IS TIFFY TIME.
>> THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE,
TIFFANY STRATTON.
>> TIFFANY STRATTON MAY BE THE
BEST ATHLETE IN THE ENTIRE WWE.
>> SHOWING OFF THE TEAM USA
GYMNASTICS BACKGROUND.
>> AND I LOOK IN THE MIRROR, I
THINK I AM THE EPITOME OF WHAT A
TRUE WWE SUPERSTAR IS.
>> SORRY TO BURST YOUR BUBBLE.
WE HAVE SOMEBODY IN MIND.
THE ONE AND ONLY NAOMI.
>> NAOMI COULD BE AS DANGEROUS
NOW AS SHE HAS EVER BEEN.
>> FORMER 2-TIME SMACKDOWN
WOMEN’S CHAMPION, TAG TEAM
CHAMPION.
>> I HAVE HEARD EVERY SINGLE
THING I HAVE GOTTEN IN THE WWE
AND I DO NOT PLAN ON STOPPING
NOW.
>> BAYLEY WILL MAKE HER FIRST
TITLE DEFENSE AGAINST LONGTIME
FRIEND AND FORMER CHAMPION,
NAOMI!
>> THE CHAMPIONSHIP HANGING IN
THE BALANCE.
>> WHAT DOES TIFFANY STRATTON
THINK THAT SHE IS DOING?
>> IF YOU WILL NOT GIVE IT TO
HER, SHE IS GOING TO TAKE IT.
>> BAILEY WILL HAVE TO DEFEND
HER CHAMPIONSHIP IN A TRIPLE
THREAT MATCH.
>> WHO BETTER TO WIN THE WWE
WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP?
>> ♪ SMILING FACE
NOT ANYMORE ♪
>> STATEN NEVER AFRAID TO STEP
ON TOES ON HER WAY UP THE
MOUNTAIN.
>> THERE’S NOTHING I WILL LET
GET IN THE WAY OF MAKING THE
MOST OF THIS MOMENT.
>> THERE IS ONE THING THAT IS
NOT GOING TO CHANGE.
THAT IS ME AS THE WWE WOMEN’S
CHAMPION.
>> ♪
JACKIE: WELCOME BACK TO THE
COUNTDOWN TO WWE BACKLASH IN
LYON, FRANCE.
WE CANNOT BRING FRANCE AND
WRESTLING TOGETHER WITHOUT
MENTIONING ANDRE THE GIANT.
>>’S LEGEND WILL LIVE FOREVER.
>> ANDRE THE GIANT!
>> FANS, TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?
>> THERE IS NO DOUBT AT 7’4" AND
WEIGHING 520 POUNDS HE WAS
INDEED THE EIGHTH WONDER OF THE
WORLD.
>> ANDRE THE GIANT, HE IS THE
EIGHTH, NINTH, AND THE 10TH
WONDER OF THE WORLD.
>> FRANCE WILL ALWAYS BE KNOWN
FOR ITS TIMELESS CULTURE.
BUT PERHAPS ITS GREATEST EXPORT
WAS ANDRE RUSIMOV.
>> THIS MAN DRAWS MORE PEOPLE
THAN ANY OTHER ATTRACTION IN THE
WORLD TODAY.
>> THE NEW HEADQUARTERS IN
CONNECTICUT IS A 450,000
SQUARE-FOOT TECHNOLOGICAL
MARVEL.
ENTERING THE LOBBY, YOU ARE
GREETED BY A MASSIVE FIVE-STORY
NEURAL THAT TOOK WEEKS TO CREATE
OF THE ONE SUPERSTAR THAT
EMBODIES THE GRAVITAS OF WWE.
ANDRE’S IMPOSING FRAME MADE HIM
A MUST SEE ATTRACTION AROUND THE
GLOBE.
>> THIS IS THE $15,000 SLAM
MATCH!
>> LOOK AT THIS!
>> AS HE LEFT HIS FOOTPRINT ON
THE WRESTLING WORLD.
GOING UNDEFEATED FOR OVER 15
YEARS.
>> THERE IS THE MAN WHO HAS
NEVER LOST A MATCH.
>> YOU ARE UNQUESTIONABLY THE
BIGGEST PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE IN
ANY PROFESSIONAL SPORT ANYWHERE
IN THE WORLD.
>> THE BIG MAN HIMSELF, ANDRE
THE GIANT, CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM.
>> ANDRE THE GIANT!
>> [LAUGHTER]
>> HOW ABOUT GETTING YOUR FOOT
OFF MY SHOULDER?
>> HEY!
>>’S CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT WOULD
COME ON THE GRANDEST STAGE IN
PONTIAC, MICHIGAN, MARCH, 1987.
>> A BRAND-NEW ATTENDANCE RECORD
OF 93,173!
>> THE IMMOVABLE OBJECT.
>> ANDRE GRACEFULLY PASSED THE
TORCH AND ARGUABLY THE MOST
ICONIC MATCH IN HISTORY.
WWE PAID HOMAGE TO ANDRE YEARS
LATER BY IMMORTALIZING HIM AS
THE FIRST EVER INDUCTEE INTO THE
WWE HALL OF FAME.
>> I DID IT MY WAY, THE GIANT
WAY.
>> ANDRE THE GIANT.
THE MAN BORN IN FRANCE WILL
FOREVER BE KNOWN AS THE MAN WHO
TURNED PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING
INTO AN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS.
AND HE DID SO WITH HIS HEARTY
LAUGH AND BIG HEART.
>> [LAUGHTER]
>> THERE IS ONLY ONE ANDRE THE
GIANT!
[APPLAUSE]
>> [BESPEAKING FRENCH]
E: AS GREAT AS THE PACKAGE IS,
WE DID NOT EVEN GET INTO
"PRINCESS BRIDE," "$6 MILLION
MAN."
HE WAS LARGER-THAN-LIFE.
HE WAS BIGGER THAN JUST
WRESTLING, BEING THIS CROSSOVER
CHARACTER, DOING MOVIES AND
FILM, ALL THE THINGS HE DID,
INCREDIBLE.
HE LEFT A LASTING LEGACY.
WE STILL TALK ABOUT HIS
MYSTIQUE.
JACKIE: HE CERTAINLY TRANSCENDED
WRESTLING.
THERE WILL ONLY BE ONE ANDRE THE
GIANT.
THERE MAY ONLY BE ONE BAILEY.
CM PUNK: WE GO FROM THE EIGHTH
WONDER OF THE WORLD TO ANOTHER
WONDER OF THE WORLD.
SHE IS GREAT.
SHE WON THE WOMEN’S ROYAL
RUMBLE.
SHE DEFEATED A TOUGH CHAMPION AT
WRESTLEMANIA.
NOW, I DO NOT LIKE HER ODDS.
SHE CAN LOSE HER CHAMPIONSHIP
THAT SHE SO RICHLY DESERVES
WITHOUT BEING PINNED OR
SUBMITTED.
IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS MATCH.
JACKIE: SHE HAS NAOMI TO DEAL
WITH WHO HAS HER OWN RESUME
HERSELF.
THE YOUNG UPSTART IS RISING THE
RANKS QUICKLY.
I AM SURE IT WILL BE A HECK OF A
MATCH.
I THINK BAYLEY IS UP FOR THE
CHALLENGE.
ELSEWHERE, DAMIAN PRIEST DEFENSE
AGAINST JEY USO.
>> FOR DAMIAN PRIEST, IT IS ALL
ABOUT ONE THING, WANTING HIS
NAME TO LIVE FOREVER.
>> ♪
>> NOBODY THOUGHT I WOULD BE ON
THIS STAGE.
>> I CLEARLY HAVE A DESIRE TO BE
A CHAMPION.
>> CHAMPIONSHIPS WILL COME.
>> LEGACY WAITS FOR NO MAN.
>> DAMIAN PRIEST!
>> MONEY IN THE BANK.
>> HE HAS SEEN YOUR MONEY IN THE
BANK.
>> HE JUST DROPPED MCINTYRE!
RUNNING INTO THE RING WITH THE
CONTRACT!
>> ♪
>> HE HAS WON THE WORLD TITLE!
>> ALL RISE!
>> ♪ THIS IS THE MOMENT ♪
>> MAIN EVENT JEY USO!
[APPLAUSE]
>> I AM JUST FIGHTING FOR ME
NOW, >> I HAVE GOT A LOT TO
PROVE.
PROVE TO THE WORLD WHO I SAY I
AM.
>> DAMIAN PRIEST, WORLD
HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP.
IT COMES DOWN TO THESE TWO MEN.
>> SPLASH!
USO GETS PRIEST FOR THE WORLD
TITLE!
>> MAIN EVENT JEY USO!
>> WHATEVER YOU THINK I AM OUT
HERE FOR, YOU ARE WRONG.
YOU SAID ME NEXT, YOU WERE
RIGHT.
HALF RIGHT, I WAS NEXT.
THIS SHOWS WHY I AM NOW.
YOU ARE JUST THE FIRST ON A LIST
OF PEOPLE THAT THE MACHINE IS
GOING TO FEED ME TO MAKE SURE
THIS LOOKS GOOD ON ME.
YOU GET TO BE THE FIRST TO LEAD
THE FANS ACROSS THE WORLD IN
MAKING SURE THAT ALL RISE!
>> THAT IS ALL YOU SEE ME AS?
TOUGH TALK COMING FROM THE
LEADER OF THE JUDGMENT DAY.
THE ONLY REASON YOU ARE LEADER
OF THE JUDGMENT DAY IS BECAUSE
RIPLEY GOT HURT.
YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MAKE YOU TO
ME RIGHT NOW?
>> WHEN IT COMES TO JEY USO, I
DO NOT NEED YOUR HELP TO BEAT
HIM.
>> ♪
>> WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!
>> YOU THINK THEY ARE GOING TO
FEED ME TO YOU?
YOU GET FED TO ME!
BECAUSE I AM NEXT!
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> JEY USO, I APPRECIATE YOU
TAKING A MOMENT TO TALK TO MEET.
I WANT TO GO TO LAST FRIDAY.
YOU ARE PICKED BY MONDAY NIGHT
RAW AS THE NUMBER ONE DRAFT
PICK.
TONIGHT, YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO
PUT A STAMP ON THAT BY BECOMING
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION.
WHERE ARE THE EMOTIONS AT?
>> I HAVE GOOSEBUMPS RIGHT NOW.
YOU CANNOT SEE THEM BUT I HAVE
GOOSEBUMPS.
I APPRECIATE YOU BEING THERE
FROM DAY ONE, FROM THE JUMPSTART
OF MY CAREER, TO TONIGHT.
YOU GET TO WITNESS A CAREER
DEFINING MOMENT FOR JEY USO.
DAMIEN IS A BEAST BUT I HAVE GOT
TO PROVE TO MYSELF THAT I CAN DO
THIS ON MY OWN.
I’M GOING TO STAND ON MY OWN TWO
FEET.
BY THE END OF THE NIGHT, FRANCE
AND THE WORLD ARE GOING TO MEET
THE NEW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT
CHAMPION, MAIN EVENT JEY USO!
COME ON.
>> GOOD LUCK.
JACKIE, WE COULD BE LOOKING AT
THE NEXT WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT
CHAMPION RIGHT HERE.
GOING TO SEND IT BACK TO YOU.
JACKIE: BYRON, THANK YOU SO
MUCH.
I INTERVIEWED TATE USO ON OUR
HOLIDAY SHOW PRETTY SAID HIS
GOAL WAS TO BECOME A SINGLE
CHAMPION FOR THE FIRST TIME IN
HIS CAREER.
WE WERE DAMIAN PRIEST TO SAY HE
IS NOT SINGLE CHAMPION CALIBER
OR WORTHY.
JOE USO, IS HE READY –IS JEY
USO READY FOR IT?
E: HE SAID I HAVE A LOT TO
PROVE.
RECENTLY, HE TALKED ABOUT HIS
WRESTLEMANIA MATCH AGAINST HIS
BROTHER AND TALKED ABOUT BEING
DISAPPOINTED.
I THINK THERE WAS SOME FAN
BACKLASH AS WELL.
PEOPLE EXPECTED MORE.
I KNOW HE PUT SO MUCH PRESSURE
ON HIMSELF.
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE HAVING A
MATCH THAT IS DISAPPOINTING OR
CUTTING A PROMO THAT IS
DISAPPOINTING AND IT EATS AT
YOU.
I THINK THAT WILL BE HIS MAJOR
MOTIVATOR OWING INTO TONIGHT,
AM GOING TO GO OUT THERE AND
NOT ONLY WIN BUT HAVE A MATCH
PEOPLE REMEMBER FOREVER.
JACKIE: TO BOTH OU A THANK YOU
BECAUSE THIS MATCH IS KIND OF
HAPPENING BECAUSE OF YOU.
CM PUNK: I AM FULL OF GRATITUDE.
I LIKE GIVING GIFTS.
SOMETIMES, IT IS STARBUCKS GIFT
CARDS, SOMETIMES A BROKEN ELBOW.
RECEIPTS LEFT AND RIGHT.
I HAVE NOT GOTTEN MY FRUIT
BASKET FROM DAMIAN YET.
I AM SURE IT IS IN THE MAIL.
JEY IS MY GUY.
HE TALKS ABOUT RYAN SAXTON BEING
THERE FROM THE START OF HIS
CAREER.
I FEEL LIKE I WAS ONE OF THOSE
GUYS ALONG WITH YOURSELF
WATCHING HIM MATURE FROM THIS
YOUNG KID TO THE TAG TEAM
SPECIALIST TO NOW TRYING TO
BREAK THROUGH AND BECOME A
SINGLE START.
— STAR.
JACKIE: I THINK BOTH SUPERSTARS
HAVE A LOT TO PROVE TONIGHT.
LET’S BRING IN SPECIAL
CORRESPONDENT PETER ROSENBERG
WITH HIS THOUGHTS.
PETER: I HAVE GOT TO TELL YOU I
AM INCREDIBLY PUMPED FOR THIS
MATCH.
JEY USO, DAMIAN PRIEST FOR THE
WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP.
A LOT OF TIMES, I THINK WE OVER
ASK WHO NEEDS IT MORE.
EVERY WWE SUPERSTAR WANTS TO WIN
EVERY MATCH, PARTICULARLY IF
THERE IS GOLD INVOLVED.
IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING.
WHAT MAKES THIS MATCH SO
COMPELLING GOES BEYOND THE
TITLE.
IT IS ABOUT THE REPUTATION AND
THE NAME MAIN EVENT USO.
HE HAS BECOME ONE OF THE FACES
OF WWE AND MONDAY NIGHT RAW.
NOW HE CAN BECOME MAIN EVENT JEY
USO.
IF HE LOSES, THAT IS A TOUGH
LOSS.
DAMIAN PRIEST, A GUY A LOT OF
PEOPLE THOUGHT NEEDED JUDGMENT
DAY.
A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER
HE IS A ONE-HIT WONDER.
HE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE THIS
MATCH EITHER.
THERE IS SO MUCH THAT MAKES THIS
MATCH COMPELLING BEYOND THE
TITLE WITH WHAT IT MEANS TO BOTH
SUPERSTARS.
FORCED TO CHOOSE, I’M GOING
DAMIAN PRIEST.
I THINK THERE IS A TON OF
MOTIVATION.
I HAVE SEEN THE SPACE HE HAS
BEEN IN SINCE HE WON THE TITLE.
HE SEEMS LIKE A DIFFERENT DUDE.
HE IS THE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT
CHAMPION AND I’M GOING WITH
DAMIAN PRIEST.
BACK TO YOU GUYS.
JACKIE: WE APPRECIATE YOU.
HE MAKES A GOOD POINT THAT THEY
BOTH HAVE SOMETHING TO PROVE.
HE LIKES DAMIAN PRIEST’S ODDS
BUT I WOULD SAY JEY USO IS
COMING IN WITH THE MOMENTUM.
JUDGMENT HAVE BEEN IN DISARRAY.
IT HAS NOT HELPED DAMIAN PRIEST
THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.
E: WHEN YOU HAVE A MONIKER,
THERE IS A LOT OF PRESSURE TO
LIVE UP TO THAT.
MY NAME IS BIG E, I AM NOT VERY
TALL.
I KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO HAVE
THAT MONIKER AND CONSTANT
PRESSURE.
JACKIE: WE WILL SEE HOW HE DEALS
WITH THE PRESSURE.
IT COMES ON THE HEELS OF A BUSY
WEEK FOR OUR WWE SUPERSTARS WHO
HAVE BEEN ALL OVER THE GLOBE.
RAW LAST WEEK IN KANSAS CITY.
WE GO TO ITALY.
THAT WAS JUST STOP NUMBER ONE
OVER THE LAST WEEK.
CM PUNK: A LOT OF TIMES, YOU ARE
IN HOTELS AND BUSES AND
AIRPLANES.
WHEN YOU ARE FINALLY IN FRONT OF
THE LIVE CROWD, THAT IS WHEN YOU
COME ALIVE.
BIG E: ONE TIME, I WOKE UP IN
VIENNA, HAD A SHOW IN PARIS, AND
WENT TO SLEEP IN LONDON.
I AM OUT OF THE GAME FOR THE
LADIES RIGHT NOW.
LOVE YOU, CHRIS.
CM PUNK: I CERTAINLY DO NOT KNOW
ANYTHING ABOUT THAT.
NOW HERE WE ARE IN LYON, FRANCE.
I KNOW A GUY NAMED LYON.
HE IS FROM FRANCE.
HE IS A PROFESSIONAL.
[LAUGHTER]
JACKIE: WE JUST SAW TRIPLE H IN
THE PACKAGE SAYING, ARE YOU
READY?
THAT IS THE BIG QUESTION AS WE
INCH CLOSER AND CLOSER TO WWE
BACKLASH.
WE ARE LESS THAN 30 MINUTES AWAY
FROM GOING LIVE TO LYON, FRANCE.
THERE ARE OVER 400 SECRET
PASSAGEWAYS IN THE CITY THAT RUN
THROUGH COURTYARDS AND BUILDINGS
USED BY SILK WORKERS TO
TRANSPORT GOODS.
BASED ON MY RESEARCH, YOU CAN
GET REALLY GOOD SILK AND LYON —
IN LYON, FRANCE.
SHE FOUND FRENCH-CANADIAN
KEVIN OWENS AS HER TOUR GUIDE.
>> ♪
>> BON JOUR.
IT IS ME.
I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FUN TO TRY
OUT SOME OF THE LOCAL CUISINE.
HERE IS THE PROBLEM I AM
REALIZING.
MY FRENCH IS RUSTY OR
NONEXISTENT.
I FIGURED I WOULD BRING IN ONE
OF OUR FRENCH-SPEAKING WWE
SUPERSTARS.
KEVIN, I AM TALKING.
THERE IS A SWAN.
YOU SEE IT?
>> HEY, BUDDY.
>> DO YOU HAVE A SWEET TOOTH?
>> ONLY FOR CHOCOLATE.
I’M GOING TO GET SOMETHING FOR
RANDY.
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
A LOT OF HAZELNUT AND CHOCOLATE
MOUSSE.
I HOPE THESE DO NOT MELT.
>> I WANT TO TALK MORE WITH YOU
ABOUT RANDY, YOUR RELATIONSHIP
WITH HIM OVER THE YEARS.
IT WILL TAKE A LOT OF BRAIN
ENERGY.
I NEED COFFEE.
I DO NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU.
>> I DO NOT DRINK COFFEE.
C4 ENERGY.
LET’S GET YOU A COFFEE AND I
WILL HAVE A CRÈME BRÛLÉE.
ONE IS NEVER ENOUGH.
IT IS REALLY FUNNY BECAUSE RANDY
IS A VERY INTIMIDATING GUY.
WHEN YOU FIRST GET TO THE WWE,
YOU WANT HIM TO LIKE YOU BECAUSE
HE IS RANDY ORTON.
WHEN I FIRST STARTED, I FIGURED
HE DOES NOT WANT PEOPLE TO BE
INTIMIDATED BY HIM.
I THINK THAT IS WHY HE TOOK A
LIKING TO ME.
OUR FIRST MATCH, I WAS THE SAME
WITH ANYBODY ELSE IN THE RING.
HE COMMENTED ON THAT LATER ON.
THE FIRST TIME WE WRESTLED, HE
DID NOT TREAT ME LIKE ANYONE
ELSE.
RANDY IS GREAT.
>> ♪
>> CARS CANNOT DRIVE HERE,
OBVIOUSLY.
>> WHERE DID YOU GET A BAGUETTE?
>> I FOUND IT EARLIER.
>> I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU
HANGING OUT AND DOING THIS WITH
ME.
I WANT TO SEE YOU DO YOUR THING
WITH RANDY ORTON TONIGHT AT
BACKLASH.
>> [INDISCERNIBLE]
>> WHAT?
YES.
>> I THINK HE IS TRYING TO TELL
US TO LEAVE.
JACKIE: NOW I WANT CRÈME BRÛLÉE.
KEVIN TEAMING UP WITH RANDY
ORTON.
IN THE WOMEN’S TAG DIVISION,
LET’S CHECK IN WITH BYRON
SAXTON.
>> BIANCA BELAIR AND JADE
CARGILL, TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT
WHEN YOU LADIES WILL HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO WRESTLE AWAY THE
WOMEN’S TAG TEAM TITLES FROM
DAMAGE CTRL.
>> I AM SO TIRED OF TALKING
ABOUT DAMAGE CTRL.
I AM DONE.
READY TO BE DONE WITH THEM.
ALL I KNOW IS TAKING THOSE
TYPING TITLES AWAY FROM THEM
MEANS I AM DONE WITH THEM FOR
GOOD.
I DON’T KNOW HOW MANY WAYS I
HAVE TO KEEP REPEATING MYSELF.
I’M TIRED OF TALKING ABOUT THEM.
WE WILL BE DONE WITH FILM AFTER
TONIGHT — WITH THEM AFTER
TONIGHT AFTER WE TAKE THE
TITLES.
>> WE ARE EXCITED TO BE THE NEW
TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TIME FOR THIS.
I DO NOT HAVE TIME FOR THIS.
LET’S GO.
WE HAVE THINGS TO DO.
BYRON: DO YOUR THING.
GOOD LUCK TONIGHT, LADIES.
BACK TO YOU ON THE PANEL.
JACKIE: BYRON, THANK YOU SO
MUCH.
PUNK?
CM PUNK: WAIT.
>> [CROWD CHANTING "CM PUNK!"]
CM PUNK: I LOVE FRANCE.
JACKIE: IT NEVER GETS OLD
HEARING A CROWD OF THOUSANDS
CHANT YOUR NAME.
CM PUNK: I WISH I WAS THERE.
I AM HAPPY TO BE HERE WITH
Y’ALL.
I WISH I WAS THERE WITH THEM.
I PROMISE, FRANCE, NEXT TIME YOU
SEE ME, I WILL HAVE MY BOOTS ON.
I PROMISE.
JACKIE: I THINK THE PEOPLE IN
LYON, FRANCE, WISH YOU WERE
THERE AS WELL.
THE CROWD HAS BEEN LOUD ALL
WEEK.
THAT CONTINUES ON THE OTHER
SIDE.
MORE BACKLASH COMING UP,
INCLUDING A SIT DOWN WITH A.J.
STYLES.
>> ♪
>> NOW, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER,
IT IS COMING TO APEX ARENA WITH
BATTLEGROUND.
>> BY ORDERS OF THE TRIBAL
CHIEF, THE BLOODLINE ACCEPT
ACCOUNTABILITY.
>> ♪
>> YOU ARE NOT INVITED.
THIS IS A BROOM CLOSET.
THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES TO LOSING
.
>> LIKE A PHOENIX RISING FROM
THE ASHES, YOUR TRIBAL CHIEF!
>> LOSING AND WINNING MATTERS.
SO, THAT MEANS CONSEQUENCES NEED
CHANGE.
>> LAST TIME I TOLD YOU!
>> I AM THE SON OF THE MAN
WRECKING JAPAN FOR YEARS!
>> ♪
>> WE LOVE YOU.
>> ♪
>> WHO IS CALLING THE SHOTS NOW?
>> IS JIMMY OK?
>> ♪
>> BY ORDERS OF THE TRIBAL CHIEF
—
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
>> ♪
>> WERE YOU AWARE OF THIS?
>> ONE OF THOSE RENTAL CARS
BELONGS TO KEVIN OWENS.
THE OTHERS IS YOUR BOY’S.
I WILL NOT TOLERATE THIS SAVAGE
BEHAVIOR.
TELL ME YOU UNDERSTAND.
>> I UNDERSTAND.
>> BECAUSE, PAUL, IF YOU DON’T,
THE REPERCUSSIONS WILL BE
EQUALLY SAVAGE.
>> UNLEASHED!
>> LOSING IS NOT THE ONLY THING
THAT HAS CONSEQUENCES.
>> ♪
>> PAUL HEYMAN IS USUALLY THE
PICTURE OF CONTROL.
>> HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE WISE
MAN LOOK SO UNCOMFORTABLE?
>> HE IS SEEMINGLY OUT OF THE
LOOP.
>> ARE YOU DONE YET?
>> WHEN IT COMES TO THE
BLOODLINE.
>> OH, GOD!
>> ♪
>> HE IS BRINGING THE FIGHT TO
HIM!
>> THE NUMBERS YET AGAIN
OVERWHELMING!
>> ♪
>> TALK ABOUT AN UNEXPECTED
ALLY!
>> HE HAS GOT TO BE HAPPY TO SEE
ORTON.
>> THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT THE
LAST WE HAVE SEEN FROM THESE
FOUR.
>> [SPEAKING ANOTHER LANGUAGE]
>> R.K.O.!
>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I COME
OUT HERE WITH WISDOM.
BACK OUT OF THIS MATCH NOW!
>> LOOK OUT!
>> THESE GUYS CANNOT EVEN WAIT
24 HOURS UNTIL BACKLASH!
>> VITRIOL AND BLOODSHED!
>> THIS IS CRAZY!
>> ♪
JACKIE: WWE MAKES HISTORY
TONIGHT HOLDING THEIR FIRST EVER
PREMIUM LIVE EVENT IN LYON,
FRANCE, THE BIRTHPLACE OF
CINEMA.
THEY CREATED THE FIRST MOVING
PICTURES.
WE ARE LESS THAN 20 MINUTES AWAY
FROM WWE BACKLASH.
LET’S CHECK IN WITH BYRON SAXTON
WHO IS INSIDE THE ARENA TO SET
THE SCENE FOR US.
BYRON: I HAVE THE BEST GIG RIGHT
NOW BECAUSE I GET TO WALK YOU
THROUGH WHAT THE SUPERSTARS ARE
GOING TO FEEL WHEN THEY COME
MARCHING DOWN THE AISLE TONIGHT
OF BACKLASH.
THEN THEY HAVE THAT MOMENT WHEN
THEY LIFT UP THEIR HEADS AND
LOOK AROUND AND ABSORB THE
ENERGY OF THE PEOPLE.
THE PEOPLE TO THE RIGHT, THE
PEOPLE TO THE LEFT.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND ME GOING NUTS!
I’M GETTING CRAZY RIGHT NOW.
I FEEL LIKE GETTING IN THE RING
RIGHT NOW AND HURTING SOMEBODY
BUT I WILL NOT DO THAT BECAUSE I
HAVE AN EXPENSIVE SUIT.
THIS IS WHAT WE ARE TALKING
ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT
PALPABLE ENERGY IN FRONT OF
THESE INCREDIBLE FANS!
SPEAKING OF ENERGY, THAT MUSIC
RIGHT THERE IS FOR OUR WWE
FRENCH COMMENTARY TEAM.
THESE GUYS ARE LIKE ROCK STARS
IN FRANCE.
YOU CAN HEAR THE OVATION.
WHAT IS UP, GUYS?
>> HAVE A GOOD SHOW!
BYRON I’M GOING TO HANG OUT —
BYRON: I’M GOING TO HANG OUT
HERE AND ABSORB MORE ENERGY.
SENDING IT BACK TO YOU ON THE
PANEL.
JACKIE: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THE CROWD IS ALREADY LOUD IN
FRANCE.
THERE IS RANDY ORTON HIMSELF
ARRIVING FOR A MASSIVE MATCH AS
HE TEAMS UP WITH KEVIN OWENS.
THEY GO PERFECTLY WELL TOGETHER.
R.K.O., LIKE A PERFECT MATCH.
I THINK SO.
THERE IS KEVIN OWENS WEARING THE
R.K.O. SHIRT.
THEY ARE THE TWO THEY WILL TAKE
ON IN THE MATCH TONIGHT.
IT IS A BIG ONE.
I DO NOT EVEN KNOW WHERE TO
START WITH THIS ONE.
PAUL HEYMAN HAD A LOT OF
INTERESTING THINGS TO SAY LAST
NIGHT ON SMACKDOWN.
HAS NOT TALKED TO ROMAN REIGNS
SINCE WRESTLEMANIA.
WHO IS THE TRIBAL CHIEF?
NOBODY KNOWS.
WE DO KNOW THEY WILL TAKE ON
KEVIN OWENS AND RANDY ORTON.
BIG E: I’M EXCITED TO SEE WHAT
HE DOES.
HE IS ONE HALF OF THE TEAM IN
JAPAN WITH HIS BROTHER.
HE IS USED TO TAGGING WITH
FAMILY.
I KNOW THINGS.
CM PUNK: SOMETIMES I AM STILL —
BIG E: WHERE THE LINE IS.
CM PUNK: YOU CAN’T SAY NEW JAPAN
ON TV.
HE IS USED TO TAGGING WITH
FAMILY.
BIG E: HE WILL BE DOING THE SAME
TONIGHT.
HE BROUGHT A VICIOUS STREAK.
WE HAVE NOT SEEN ANYTHING LIKE
THAT RIGHT NOW.
I’M EXCITED TO SEE WHAT TONGA
DOES AND HOW HE STARTS TONIGHT.
TONIGHT WILL BE BIG FOR HIM.
I’M NOT SURE WHAT IT MEANS BUT
IT SCARES ME A LITTLE.
CM PUNK: I KNOW WHAT IT MEANS
BUT I AM NOT ALLOWED TO SAY IT
ON THE BROADCAST.
SHOUT OUT TO THE FRENCH
COMMENTARY TEAM.
CERTAINLY HOPE NOTHING TERRIBLE
HAPPENS TO THEIR DESK.
PEOPLE CALL SAMOANS SAVAGES FOR
A REASON.
IT INVOKES THESE IMAGES OF GRASS
SKIRTS AND RAW FISH AND STUFF
LIKE THAT.
THAT IS A COMPLETE MISNOMER.
IT IS BECAUSE THEY WILL BREAK
YOUR FINGERS.
THEY WILL BITE YOUR NOSE OFF.
THEY WILL TAKE YOUR EYEBALLS
OUT.
RANDY ORTON AND KEVIN OWENS HAVE
THEIR HANDS FULL TONIGHT.
WHO IS THE TRIBAL CHIEF?
IS IT JIMMY, SOLO, STILL ROMAN,
OR SOMEBODY ELSE WE HAVE NOT
SEEN YET?
I HAVE HEARD THEY HAVE BEEN
CALLING HIM FINAL BOSS.
JACKIE: YOU HAVE KNOWN PAUL
HEYMAN A LONG TIME.
ANY THOUGHTS ON HIS VIBE ON
SMACKDOWN LAST NIGHT?
SEEMS LIKE MAYBE HE DOES NOT
HAVE THINGS UNDER CONTROL.
CM PUNK: YOU TAKE A WHITE BOY
AND DROP HIM IN THE MIDDLE OF A
BUNCH OF SAMOANS?
100% GOING TO BE NERVOUS.
JACKIE: LET’S TURN OUR ATTENTION
TO TONIGHT’S MAIN EVENT.
AMERICAN NIGHTMARE CODY RHODES
DEFENDING HIS CHAMPIONSHIP
AGAINST A.J. STYLES.
EARLIER THIS WEEK, KAYLA BRAXTON
HAD A CHANCE TO SIT DOWN WITH
A.J.
LET’S SEE WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.
KAYLA: I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING
TIME TO CHAT WITH ME AHEAD OF
YOUR MATCHUP AT BACKLASH.
I WANT TO GET BACK TO TALKING
ABOUT THE NEW ATTITUDE WE HAVE
SEEN FROM YOU SINCE SHE RETURNED
A FEW MONTHS AGO.
— SINCE YOU RETURNED A FEW
MONTHS AGO.
>> ♪
KAYLA: WHAT BROUGHT ON THIS NEW
PERSONA?
A.J.: ATTITUDE.
I SEE IT AS MORE LIKE FOCUS.
I AM DIALED IN.
I WAS OUT.
GOT MY MIND RIGHT.
NEW WHAT I WANTED, GOT FOCUSED.
THAT IS WHERE I AM AT RIGHT NOW.
KAYLA: IT HAS BEEN NEARLY SIX
YEARS SINCE THE LAST TIME YOU
WERE WORLD CHAMPION IN WWE.
DO YOU THINK THAT TIME IS WHAT
HAS FUELED THIS RUTHLESSNESS WE
HAVE BEEN SEEING?
A.J.: IT WAS ME WONDERING WHY I
NEEDED TO BE COMPLACENT WITH
WHERE I WAS AT.
WHAT WAS SO GREAT ABOUT WHERE I
WAS AT?
I COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT.
SO, AGAIN, I GOT MY MIND RIGHT
AND I GOT FOCUSED.
KAYLA: AS WE KNOW, YOU ARE THE
NUMBER ONE CONTENDER FOR THE
UNDISPUTED CHAMPIONSHIP.
YOU ARE FACING SOMEONE YOU HAVE
NEVER FACED BEFORE IN CODY
RHODES.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON CODY
IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH YOU’RE
GOING TO SHARE?
A.J.: I TOTALLY RESPECT CODY AND
WHAT HE HAS DONE.
I HAVE BEEN THERE.
I UNDERSTAND IT.
IT MAKES SENSE TO ME PRAYED I —
IT MAKES SENSE TO MEET.
I KNOW THE DRIVE HE HAS.
I WANT THAT AS WELL PRAYED NOT
JUST THE TITLE BUT THE WAY IT
FEELS GOING OUT THERE AS THE
CHAMPION.
I WANT ALL OF THAT.
I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN WHAT IT
FEELS LIKE.
KAYLA: YOU AND CODY RHODES HAVE
NOT FACED EACH OTHER IN THE RING
YET IT SEEMS LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN
LIKE SHIPS PASSING IN THE NIGHT
MOST OF YOUR CAREERS.
MONTHS AFTER YOU DEBUTED WWE,
CODY RHODES LEFT WWE.
DOES THIS MATCH RESONATE ON A
MORE PERSONAL LEVEL?
A.J.: IT IS NOT PERSONAL, IT IS
BUSINESS.
BUT I TAKE BUSINESS VERY
PERSONAL.
I DO NOT WANT TO HURT CODY, BUT
I NEED TO BEAT HIM.
SO, WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
KAYLA: WHERE SAIS — WORST-CASE
SCENARIO, THINGS DO NOT GO YOUR
WAY AT BACKLASH, WHAT IS NEXT
FOR A.J. STYLES?
A.J.: THAT IS NOT EVEN IN HERE.
I WANT IT MORE THAN CODY.
I NEED IT — I DO NOT NEED IT, I
WANT IT MORE THAN HE DOES.
IT TOOK CODY TWO YEARS TO FINISH
HIS STORY AND WIN THE
CHAMPIONSHIP.
BUT IT IS ONLY GOING TO TAKE HIM
27 DAYS TO LOSE IT.
JACKIE: STRONG WORDS FROM A.J.
STYLES LOOKING TO DETHRONE CODY
RHODES LESS THAN A MONTH AFTER
HE REACHED THE TOP OF THE
MOUNTAIN.
IT IS THE MAIN EVENT.
LET’S BRING IN SAM ROBERTS FOR
HIS THOUGHTS.
WHAT HAVE YOU GOT?
HE HAS A SPOILER STARING ACROSS
THE RING FROM HIM.
WE KNOW HE WAS AT HIS BEST WHEN
HE HAD A CHIP ON HIS SHOULDER
BUT NOT WHEN HE WAS ASKING IN
SELF INTEREST.
I KNOW YOU WERE IN THE RING WITH
CODY AT WRESTLEMANIA CELEBRATING
HIS VICTORY.
YOU KNOW WHO WAS NOT IN THE
RING?
A.J. STYLES WAS NOT PART OF THE
COLLECTIVE VICTORY.
A.J. STYLES WAS NOT PART OF
PROPPING UP THE NEW ERA BECAUSE
A.J. STYLES WAS NOT THINKING
ABOUT THE NEW ERA OR WWE.
A.J. STYLES WAS ONLY THINKING
ABOUT A.J. STYLES.
WHEN HE’S ONLY THINKING ABOUT
A.J. STYLES, HE IS NEVER MORE
DANGEROUS.
I’M NOT SAYING CODY RHODES IS
NOT DANGEROUS, BUT WHAT IF
INSTEAD OF LEAVING WITH A
VICTORY PARADE, CODY RHODES IS
LEFT DREAMING A DREAM OF TIME
GONE BY AND LOOKING A.J. ST
YLES FROWNED THE NEW CHAMPION?
— FROWNED THE NEW CHAMPION —
CROWNED THE NEW CHAMPION?
JACKIE: WHAT IF YOU LOSES?
DOES NOT BECOME ONE OF THE
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENTS IN WWE
HISTORY AFTER MARK –?
BIG E: I THINK SO.
CODY HAS NO INTENTION OF DOING
THAT.
HE IS ON A LOT OF PEOPLE’S MOUNT
RUSHMORE OF THE GREATEST TO EVER
DO IT IN THE RING.
HE IS NOT OF THAT MIND.
HE IS TRYING TO WIN A
CHAMPIONSHIP TONIGHT TO FURTHER
CEMENT HIS LEGACY.
CM PUNK: BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
IN WWE HISTORY?
NOT A CHANCE.
THAT IS A FEATHER IN HIS CAP.
WILL IT BE CODY RHODES BIGGEST
DISAPPOINTMENT?
I WOULD THINK SO.
YOU MIGHT HAVE TO BURN — HE
MIGHT HAVE TO BURN HIS BOOTS.
WILL THAT HAPPEN?
WHEN CODY GETS KNOCKED DOWN, HE
GETS BACK UP.
THEY HAVE SO MUCH TO LOSE.
I COULD SEE IT GOING EITHER WAY.
JACKIE: AND SO MUCH TO GAIN.
THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE DEFENDING
HIS CHAMPIONSHIP AGAINST A.J.
STYLES.
WE ARE MINUTES AWAY FROM WWE
BACKLASH.
IT FEELS LIKE A GOOD TIME TO
CHECK IN WITH MICHAEL COLE AND
COREY GRAVES.
I IMAGINE IT IS ALREADY INSANELY
LOUD INSIDE THE ARENA IN FRANCE.
>> 27 YEARS I HAVE BEEN DOING
THIS, I HAVE NEVER HEARD A CROWD
AS LOUD AS THEY HAVE BEEN FOR
THE PAST HOUR BEFORE THE SHOW
EVEN BEGAN.
I SAW YOUR WATCH LIGHT UP WITH
THE NOISE WARNING.
>> MY APPLE WATCH WENT OFF WITH
THE DECIBEL WARNING.
>> IT WILL BE A NIGHT OFF FOR
YOU AND MEET.
THERE IS NOTHING THESE 11,000
MANIACS ARE NOT LETTING THE
WORLD KNOW.
>> WE MISS YOU GUYS.
CM PUNK: WE MISS YOU.
PLEASE BRING SOME WINE FOR ME
AND SOME CHEESE FOR BIG E, AND
WE WILL STILL BE FRIENDS?
JACKIE: WHAT ABOUT ME?
CM PUNK: AND CHOCOLATE FOR
JACKIE.
JACKIE: THE TRIFECTA.
YOU COULD HEAR THE CROWD THROUGH
THE SCREEN.
HOW INSANE THAT IS.
YOU WALKED OUT IN FRONT OF
CROWDS ALL THE TIME.
WHEN IT IS LIKE THAT, IT HAS TO
BE SOME DIFFERENT TYPE OF LEVEL.
BIG E: IT TAKES YOU TO ANOTHER
LEVEL.
I HAVE CHILLS RIGHT NOW.
YOU WANT TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS.
IT IS ABOUT MAKING MOMENTS.
IS SO EASY TO MAKE AN INCREDIBLE
MOMENT IN FRONT OF A CROWD LIKE
THAT.
CM PUNK: MY PERSPECTIVE HAS
CHANGE COMING BACK AFTER 10
YEARS.
THE LAST TIME I WRESTLED IN
FRANCE WAS PROBABLY 2012, 2013.
OBVIOUSLY, INJURIES SIDELINED
ME.
HAVING THE PLE IN PERTH, YOU
TALK ABOUT TRAVEL AND MISSING
RELATIVES AND LOVED ONES.
YOU MISS BIRTHDAYS,
ANNIVERSARIES, FUNERALS.
MOMENTS LIKE THAT, CROWDS LIKE
THAT IN FRANCE MAKE IT ALL WORTH
IT.
THEY MAKE ALL OF YOUR ACHES AND
PAINS GO AWAY.
YOU HAVE A MIGRAINE?
YOU WALK OUT THERE AND IT IS
GONE.
AFTER THE MATCH, IT COMES
FLOODING BACK.
IN THOSE MOMENTS IN FRONT OF AN
INTERNATIONAL CROWD LIKE THAT,
YOU ARE SUPERMAN, THE KING OF
THE WORLD, AND YOU ARE ON TOP OF
THE WORLD.
NO ONE CAN TELL YOU WHAT TO DO.
IT IS A BEAUTIFUL THING.
I MISS IT.
JACKIE: WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF
TIME.
THE MATCHER MOST INTRIGUED BY?
BIG E: I KNOW IT IS OBVIOUS BUT
I THINK THAT WILL BE A
BARNBURNER.
CM PUNK: THIS IS A PIVOTAL
MOMENT IN WWE.
WE HAVE TWO NEW CHAMPIONS IN
CODY AND DAMIAN PRIEST.
WE HAVE NEW WOMEN’S CHAMPION
BAYLEY.
EVERYBODY HAS A TARGET ON THEIR
BACK.
I WILL ENJOY WATCHING.
PLE, SORRY, I AM THE NEW GUY.
JACKIE: I APPRECIATE YOU, CM
PUNK ADN BIG E.
I AM JACKIE REDMOND.
THE FIRST PREMIUM EVENT EVER.
ENJOY WWE