WWE Now - Is Rhea Ripley destined for title gold at WrestleMania? | WWE Elimination Chamber Recap

7:23Megan Morant:You were very enthused. You were happy that it was Seth Rollins. Paul Heyman looked like he had seen a ghost. I mean, talk about the chickens coming home to roost. That's what Paul Heyman was going through. He had not planned on this being Seth Rollins at all, which is ironic because at the Royal Rumble, Paul Heyman was the one guy going, that's Seth Rollins. That's Seth Rollins. And that's almost like that's the look on Paul Heyman's face when he realizes that Paul Heyman was right. And Seth Rollins just looking down. Now, Seth Rollins, I thought, was in a very complicated place because while, yes, he took out Logan Paul, and I'm sure he was happy to cost the vision this chance to main event WrestleMania with Drew McIntyre with the WWE Championship on the line, the reality is he just helped Cody Rhodes.

8:14Sam Roberts:I know, and I was just looking at the tension between Cody and Seth when they're looking back at each other. And all of a sudden, all these flashbacks are going through my head. I'm thinking of last year at the Elimination Chamber when Seth Rollins stomped CM Punk. I'm thinking of when Seth Rollins was Cody Rhodes' shield for Cody Rhodes to finish his story. And here he is again. Here is Seth Rollins, and it looks like Cody Rhodes has the opportunity once again to win the Elimination Chamber.

8:42Megan Morant:Well, I mean, Seth Rollins couldn't have set the table more. But again, now Logan Paul has to leave. Now Seth Rollins is going to leave. And they don't. I mean, I don't know if they have to make the door smaller or if, you know, I don't know. I don't know how they do this. But more people just flood in there because now Cody Rhodes is standing up and Drew McIntyre is able to get into this chamber and just. And he said he was going to do it. Yeah. You'd think they'd really be watching.

9:09Sam Roberts:Of course. I mean, Nick Aldis needs to be on this. You always get on Adam Pearce about how Pearce isn't doing a great job. I think you need to hold Nick Aldis a little bit more accountable, especially when we're talking about Drew McIntyre, because he's been doing whatever the hell he wants.

9:23Megan Morant:Well, I mean, both, right? What brand does Seth Rollins wrestle for? Raw. Neither one of those general managers know how to secure an elimination chamber. The whole purpose of the elimination chamber is that those six guys are the only ones in there. Nobody can get in. It's like the Wonka factory. Nobody ever goes in and nobody ever comes out.

9:41Sam Roberts:except here everybody comes in i would just like uh nick aldis to keep a better eye particularly on

9:48Megan Morant:drew mcintyre well i don't know if you had seen the beginning of the post show i'll tell you about it in a second because he also feels that pressure i think on him because drew gets in he hits cody the back of the head with the title he's beating up cody rhodes right now randy orton's in there randy fights drew mcintyre off and i'm sitting there going randy what are you doing why are you helping cody again let it happen like if you look at this chain of events the reason that drew mcintyre is the wwe champion he would tell you he was going to get out of the cage regardless however the circumstance being what the circumstance was if jacob fatu was going to interfere in that match.

10:34Megan Morant:Jacob Fatu went in and started beating up Drew McIntyre. If Cody had walked out of the cage, he would have gotten the WWE championship. He would have still been champion today. Cody did not walk out of the cage. He interfered and he got Jacob Fatu away from Drew McIntyre. Now the physicalities on the other end gave Drew McIntyre a chance to escape. As if we hadn't learned from this, we go to the Elimination Chamber Qualifier. Drew McIntyre gets involved. He beats up Jacob Fatu, like Jacob pointed out on SmackDown. He Claymore'd Jacob. He Claymore'd Cody. He didn't Claymore Sammy Zayn, but Sammy Zayn got involved and it created the distraction that Cody Rhodes needed to hit Crossroads.

11:19Megan Morant:Boom, one, two, three. Now I'm watching this chamber match and Randy is getting involved in business that isn't his. I'm going, what are you doing Randy now I did recall that a week ago Drew McIntyre cost Randy Orton that match with Aleister Black and I'm sure that doesn't sit well with Randy Orton but I and I maybe I shouldn't have been concerned right because after he beats up Drew McIntyre Randy is a 3D chess player I think he might have done this on purpose he's beating up Drew McIntyre but it's just some shots it's not you didn't RKO him no he didn't go crazy he just got him off of Cody just warming

11:53Sam Roberts:it up a little bit.

11:54Megan Morant:That's it. Just enough for Cody to hit Drew with crossroads, which once again, history repeats itself, provides Randy Orton all that Randy Orton needs to be waiting for Cody and take his good friend Cody and gently cup his head into his arms and slam him to the ground with an RKO. One, two, three. A situation that I think not a lot of people saw coming. Randy Orton takes advantage of it, as he should have. And Randy Orton wins the Elimination Chamber match.

12:29Sam Roberts:Now, last night on SmackDown, there was a lot of tension between all six competitors that were in the Elimination Chamber.

12:36Megan Morant:Well, we saw the tension before we knew it was all six, right? That's right. Right.

12:39Sam Roberts:Before it was all six. Yes, it was between the five. Because Logan Paul wasn't in the match yet. Jey Uso had just gotten taken out.

12:45Megan Morant:But to your point, there's always tension with Logan Paul.

12:47Sam Roberts:That's right. But anyways, Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton, they exchange. really a tense stare down yeah in a lot of ways yeah and it brought me back to all of the many many months that we saw Randy Orton eyeing that title eyeing that championship on Cody Rhodes and when Cody Rhodes lost the title I was wondering you know is this about Cody or is this about the title and I think our answer was given to us tonight it was always about the title That Randy Orton, you know, he was able to get the job done.

13:20Megan Morant:Yes, he was able to get the job done and take one step closer to being the 15-time champion. Now, I want to tell you about Nick Aldis, but the other thing that I want to tell you about is that Pays. You know about Pays? No, I don't know about Pays. Let me tell you about this. From title belts to smactacular shorts. Smactacular. WWE Merchant Fanatics is 30 % off. Deals. When you use Pays, which is a fast, easy online checkout that is offered by banks and credit unions. With Pays, your actual card numbers aren't shared with merchants. So you can snag your Fanatics swag with added security. Use Pays with code PaysPerks, that's P-A-Z-E-P-E-R-K-S, for 30 % off at Fanatics until March 31st, 2026.

14:15Megan Morant:Terms apply at fanatics.com slash pays promo. So when we start this post show, Randy Orton is, you know, he's out there with the fans, kissing babies, slapping hands.

14:32Sam Roberts:Heck yeah. Because, you know, he did his job. He's going to WrestleMania.

14:36Megan Morant:He's feeling good about himself. Yeah. And he should in the right spot, the championship match. But backstage, Nick Aldis is losing his mind. Nick Aldis blowing a gasket Nick Aldis and Drew McIntyre And Drew's sitting there going like I told you I was going to do this Nick Aldis has said this is exactly what I told you not to do Not to do But from Drew's perspective It's almost like He's the champ You know what I mean He's the guy who's running the show You didn't get a chance to see it? No I didn't see it I think we have it If we could share it with you guys Look at this He comes in Looking for Drew Oh, he's fuming.

15:15Megan Morant:Fuming. Fuming. I love Drew. What do you mean? What do I do? What do you mean? I mean, I wouldn't be surprised.

15:22Sam Roberts:Oh, they're holding Nick Aldis back.

15:23Megan Morant:Yeah, I mean, it looks like if I didn't know that Randy Orton was going to WrestleMania to fight Drew McIntyre, I think Nick Aldis was going to WrestleMania to fight Drew McIntyre. I mean, Nick Aldis has been pushed to the brink.

15:39Sam Roberts:I mean in Drew's defense He did tell him that he was going to do it That's my truth telling champion right there

15:46Megan Morant:In Nick Aldis' defense He specifically told him Don't do it

15:51Sam Roberts:And he said I'm not listening

15:53Megan Morant:Well guess what Now we're in a Cody Rhodes measuring contest To use terms Now we have to figure out Who's in charge of the show And I think Drew won Tonight he did Are they playing FAFO?

16:07Sam Roberts:I don't know If they are, it's Drew one, Nick Galdis nil.

16:11Megan Morant:Drew's got a lot of points in the FAFO.

16:14Sam Roberts:Sounds like it.

16:15Megan Morant:Yeah, yeah, yeah. Paul Heyman's still not doing well with that game, by the way. No, no. Yeah, so it'll be, I mean, it's going to be really interesting to see.

16:22Sam Roberts:If Paul Heyman can find a way to come back, that would be unbelievable. Yeah, I think so.

16:28Megan Morant:Is that official control room? Did that just get announced? Okay. It was just announced on the post show. This is crazy. I love that it's all happening. Friday on SmackDown, Cody Rhodes versus Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship.

16:43Sam Roberts:This Friday?

16:44Megan Morant:I guess it's this Friday on SmackDown, which, I mean, that doesn't seem. Look, I guess if it's Randy Orton, what difference does it make to him?

16:56Sam Roberts:Yeah.

16:56Megan Morant:So we may go to WrestleMania. That's why we don't have a graphic. We don't have a graphic of Drew and Randy, right? We don't have a graphic. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, because we don't have, I saw the graphic for Rhea and Jade. We do not have a graphic for Cody.

17:11Sam Roberts:And I saw the punk Roman graphic.

17:15Megan Morant:That's beneficial. Yeah. But we don't have a graphic for Drew and Randy, which means it's not official official. So Drew, this whole mission, it wasn't necessarily just about making Cody's life difficult. Drew's whole thing was, Cody, you can't have a championship match.

17:32Sam Roberts:Yeah, why does he get a rematch? there was no rematch clause

17:38Megan Morant:I would imagine I didn't watch the post show I was doing this show but I would imagine it's because Drew McIntyre has interfered in every opportunity that Cody Rhodes has had

17:46Sam Roberts:because Drew's not following the rules so why does

17:49Megan Morant:well because Drew literally eliminated Cody Rhodes from the Royal Rumble Drew wasn't in the match Drew was responsible for Cody Rhodes getting eliminated from the elimination chamber Drew wasn't in that match either so it's like it's one thing to say you don't get a rematch. It's another thing to manipulate the results in every match. So it's almost like you're getting to a point where as champion, you're picking and choosing who your opponents are because you're just interfering in every qualifier. It's, yeah. Right? So I would imagine that that has to be the thinking that goes in because look, if I'm Paul Heyman, I'm going to try to step up to the plate and see if I can get something for Logan Paul because there was interference there too, but it wasn't interference from Drew McIntyre.

18:32Megan Morant:That, I think, is the egregious thing here. And this isn't the first time that Drew interfered in the Royal Rumble match. Drew interfered.

18:43Sam Roberts:Saturday night's main event.

18:44Megan Morant:In the Saturday night's main event match. Yeah, but yes, yes. I mean, it wasn't a qualifier per se, but he was involved. But he did interfere in the Elimination Chamber qualifier. Yep. He interfered in the second Elimination qualifier with Jacob Fatu last night. and now he's interfered in the elimination chamber match. So I think that that would be where Nick Aldis, and honestly, if Nick Aldis doesn't do something, he looks like a bump on a log.

19:13Sam Roberts:Yeah, at some point, this clause, you just...

19:16Megan Morant:Well, it's not even a rematch at this point. It's just like this guy deserves the match because you keep interfering in his matches. You know what I mean? This isn't we're giving him a rematch because he used to be champion. This is we're giving him a match because you won't let him win matches anymore. you're interfering and going back to Saturday night's main event you're making sure he doesn't win any of his matches

19:35Sam Roberts:and at some point there's no choice right

19:37Megan Morant:yeah yeah yeah like it's never gonna happen because you keep interfering even though I tell you like he was like you're not on the show and Drew's like well I'm gonna hang out in this luxury box so you go okay you can hang out in the luxury box and he just came right down and interfered in the match you know what I mean like so I would imagine that that is where that's where Nick Aldis is coming from

19:56Sam Roberts:and Cody wants to fight him I mean we saw Cody come out at the start at the beginning of SmackDown last night.

20:02Megan Morant:He's been coming down to SmackDown every single week. Everybody wants to fight Drew McIntyre. Jacob wants to fight Drew McIntyre. Goaty wants to fight Drew McIntyre. The only one who gets to fight Drew McIntyre is Randy Orton.

20:12Sam Roberts:Well.

20:13Megan Morant:And now that Nick Aldis has stepped forward and said that on SmackDown. So, I mean, that's so crazy that Drew's title reign might not actually make it to WrestleMania. you would think, I mean, one of the, and I guess that wouldn't be unprecedented, but you, you kind of feel like once this PLE is over, that's the last PLE before WrestleMania, we're kind of set in stone. We're on the road.

20:43Sam Roberts:I mean, you and I sat down to record the preview podcast and we were talking about how we'd probably leave here Saturday night with four graphics of what WrestleMania

20:54Megan Morant:would look like yeah and we'd feel pretty good about it we got three graphics right we have we have roman punk roman punk ria jade ria jade have we seen a live stephanie well we saw the breaking news yes yeah that counts enough so there's three but we don't have the fourth we don't have the fourth and we're definitely not getting it they're not going to do a graphic if like because think about the champion right because in in five days there's another championship match so like the graphics team's not gonna they're gonna go like we'll wait five days we're gonna make two graphics we'll just wait five days and then make a graphic after that because otherwise you know and it's like okay i get that well graphics are a big deal you know yeah they're not paid by the hour you know so it's like we're not gonna make a you know infinity graphics tell us what the match is then we'll make the graphic yeah you know and that's why these graphics are so important that's why i base everything on the graphics man well there's utter chaos obviously coming out of the men's elimination chamber match nick aldis is trying to keep everything together i think we're a little bit more cut and dry with the women's division on smackdown yes we have a a challenger for jade cargill's title her name is rhea ripley and she joins us on the WWE Now Elimination Chamber recap.

22:15Megan Morant:Welcome to WWE Now. Fresh off of the Elimination Chamber, the winner of the 2026 Women's Elimination Chamber match. The woman who is going to WrestleMania to compete for the WWE Women's Championship, Rhea, bloody Ripley. Rhea, how are you?

22:39AJ Lee:Uh, I'm alive. I'm alive. So there's that. Um, I'm feeling great. I really am like as much as my body is not feeling the best right now, mentally, I am feeling awesome. Um, obviously going into the match, I was a little bit everywhere because of what happened on SmackDown last night with me and Io losing our tag team championships. but I feel on top of the world right now. I feel like I did her proud. I feel like I won that one for Io and I just punched my golden ticket to WrestleMania against Jade Cargill, someone who I've never stepped in the ring with. So we'll see how that goes.

23:12Megan Morant:Well, have you thought about that as well? I mean, I think that a year ago or maybe a little more than a year ago, the last time you held a singles women's championship, there was no question about who was on top of the division. you are all of a sudden you you've spent several months in as part of a tag team and that tag team division has been building and building and building but literally over the course of 24 hours I think everybody just woke up and remembered oh yeah Rhea Ripley is the singles wrestler that stood on top of this division and and and and a lot of people forgot is there is there a part of you that is ready to return to that type of business?

24:02I love when people forget because then they're doubting me

24:05AJ Lee:and that's what I thrive on. That's what I've always thrived on. Obviously, I'm still so sad about Io and I losing. I was really looking forward to defending our women's tag team championships at WrestleMania, but that doesn't mean that I'm not ready to go into the singles action either. I've always been ready. I've always stayed ready. That's the whole point of being a champion. And just because I don't hold a belt now doesn't mean that I'm not going to hold a belt after WrestleMania.

24:33Megan Morant:It's really interesting, your relationship with WrestleMania, I think, because, I mean, last year it was a matter of you trying to win your title back that you had just lost like a month or month and a half before WrestleMania. But in WrestleMania's prior, you can really kind of track your career by WrestleMania. I feel like at WrestleMania 40, it was like, is Rhea Ripley that big match wrestler that can win a match against Becky Lynch? Before that, it's, is she even ready for WrestleMania? Before that, it's like, it has always felt to me like a testing ground for you. And in the last several years, you keep passing those tests and passing those tests and passing those tests.

25:12Megan Morant:to the point that I think that you're beyond being tested. Have you thought about, I mean, I know it's only been minutes, but have you thought about what it's going to feel like going into WrestleMania, not as somebody who is being tested, but as somebody who has graduated to the point that maybe you are the test?

25:35AJ Lee:Hmm. I like the way you put that. I do like the way you put that. because I'm Rhea Bloody Ripley. Yes. I am the best. So I think that seeing the two names, Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill next to each other, that's a big match feel. That's something that people get excited for. But the thing that Jade doesn't realize, and she hasn't really been taking into consideration the last few weeks when she's been coming up and talking crap and just staring me down is that I am who I am. And, yeah, it's going to be a challenge for me because she's new. I've never stepped in the ring with her before. She's obviously strong.

26:20AJ Lee:She's intimidating. But I don't get intimidated. I really don't. And I don't know if that's smart or stupidity by my part, but I don't really get intimidated by a lot. So I'm going into WrestleMania and she can think that she's, excuse my French, but the top bitch and all she wants and she's that bitch and she's all that but like she's not she's still new here and just because she holds the title doesn't mean that she's walking in any better than I am because I'm Rhea Bloody Ripley and I'm going to remind her exactly who the hell I am over these past few weeks and over the next few weeks and over Wrestlemania weekend when I put boots to asses and I kick her butt.

26:59Sam Roberts:Rhea I think we're all so excited to see you back Back in singles action. I mean, the reaction from the audience just when you make your entrance is completely undeniable. But what you and EO Sky formed as Rio was really special. So special, in fact, that you sit down with us just minutes after punching your ticket to WrestleMania and you say, I feel like I won that match for EO tonight. So what is the future for Rio and what's your relationship with EO Sky moving forward?

27:30AJ Lee:there's always been respect between ero and i no matter what we're doing and moving forward the respect will still be there um obviously i want to be there for her through whatever she's going through and whatever comes um and i know that she's got my back with everything that's going to be coming in my direction as well with smackdown and and jade um but i also i can't I can't read the future um obviously the tag team stuff might have to be put on hold for a little bit but whatever she's doing I'm still going to be there for her um and vice versa I don't know it's it's kind of sad to think about because I feel like Io has kind of been in my life here in the WWE over the past like what year and a half like we've been pretty much inseparable whether we've been facing each other or we've been tagging together just like growing that bond I've I've seen her family betray her she's seen my family betray me and um we've been there and we've helped each other through everything and she's kind of been the one to pull me out of that dark place where I don't I didn't trust anyone like I didn't think that friends were real I didn't think that I could form a bond with anyone and trust anyone and then there's EO being a little ray of sunshine that you just can't help but to love.

28:56And yeah, it's going to be weird.

28:58AJ Lee:It's going to be very, very weird. I can't tell exactly what's going to happen, but if she ever needs me, I'm going to be there and vice versa. I know she's got my back through thick and thin.

29:09Megan Morant:When you look at who was in that chamber match tonight and you look at what the women's division looks like right now and how strong and how deep this division is, I think one of the reasons is that you have people in that chamber match. that were on the main roster before you, like Alexa Bliss. You have people that came up around the same time as you, and you have people that have come up since you've kind of established yourself on the main roster as the top person, like a Kiana James. You were in the ring with Lash Legend last night, and she got a pin over you. What is it like for you right now, who I feel like within the last year and a half, like you were just saying, is when I think that you fully established that you're the top superstar in the division.

29:58Megan Morant:And then an entirely new generation came right under you and said, nope, it's our time now. Just as you kind of sink your teeth into it and go, I did it. You have no time on top before this next generation comes in and goes, we're here for the top spot. For you to now already be in that position where you're an established superstar, and you could say Jade Cargill too, that is defending that spot that you had to work to get. How does it feel?

30:36AJ Lee:Honestly, it might be weird, but it feels good. It feels really good. I always love a challenge. That's why I'm here in the WWE. I challenge myself every step of the way, and I made it here. so why not invite some more challenges I'm always here for a battle I'm always here for the brutality I'm here for a fair fight but a real fight you know and Bianca and I used to say it when we were coming up I might have stolen it from her but you know I'm going to claim it as well you don't have to leave but you're going to have to move over and I remember us saying that to the four horsewomen and now we're in that spot because we did take over they might have moved over a little bit but we've kind of taken over and now the new generation's here and they're knocking at the door and they're scratching it and pushing it and punching it open and I invite it I invite it because it means that the women's division is thriving it means that we get bigger matches more intense matches and I get to pull out a little bit different moveset here and there especially with someone like lash legend uh normally i'm the bigger person in the ring and it's very very rare for me to be the smaller person but with her she's so incredibly strong like she's i don't think people give her enough credit because she is an insanely strong woman like last night she put my leg over her head picked me up to the point that i couldn't even touch the floor with my hands And I felt like a defenseless little animal.

32:13AJ Lee:So there's that. But at the same time, I invite that challenge. I thrive in the chaos of people doubting me. And I just, I love it. Like, I really do love it. So what do I do? I sit up, I start punching her in the head and I go for a sunset flip. You know, like, it's just what we do. So I'm glad that the newbies are knocking because I'm here to defend my spot at the top and remind everyone exactly who Rhea Ripley is.

32:41Megan Morant:I mean, speaking of new movesets tonight, you standing on top of that chamber, I mean, that was like a game-changing moment for sure. And like just kind of swan-tonning into Raquel that's on the top turnbuckle. It's one thing to envision that before you're going out there and to think like, okay, yeah, that may be something that I do tonight. When you're standing on top of that chamber, which is, I think, higher above the top rope than people realize, And I'm sure from your perspective, it was. And you go, you have that here goes nothing moment. What was that like?

33:17AJ Lee:Coming from someone who doesn't really like heights and is scared of that falling feeling. I don't know what was going through my mind at that time, but I just know that I wanted to win. So who better but Raquel to flip on to? Because I know that she's not going to want to budge. So it might help me a little bit with the falling situation. But at the end of the day, I'm also going to land on her. So I get a bit of a cushion. So I don't know. It's really scary standing on top of the pods. Like it's literally so much higher than people think, especially when you're standing because then you're even higher because you're higher as well on top of that.

33:54AJ Lee:So to do something like a cannonball, man, I wasn't really thinking. I was just thinking about winning. And that's what's so dangerous about me sometimes.

34:04Megan Morant:That is. it's a little psychotic speaking of psychotic actually that's good that's a great transition is there you know wrestlemania is now where we're going and and and there is something about you you've become one of those superstars that the minute the first note of the music hits the minute your presence is felt there's just an instant change in the room and it's clear that this is this is what we've paid a ticket to see. And part of that is the, is the aesthetic is the, is the visual that you provide. And I'm thinking about war games. I'm thinking about the, about all the amazing looks. Is there any thought of, of reaching out to Damian Leone and, and bringing art, the clown in for a WrestleMania cameo?

34:49Megan Morant:I mean, it would make my, it would make my life.

34:51AJ Lee:It would make my life too. I would absolutely love that.

34:57Megan Morant:Oh man.

34:58AJ Lee:Now you got me thinking. Yeah. It's hard because like I was so prepared to communicate with EO and plan a together outfit for us. Now I have free range for myself. And it's like now I get to be creative on my own and make it something for me. So maybe having Art the Clown there would be really cool. Like I would love that. Don't tempt me with a good time. I'm like, I would like my little serial killer clown to get me revved up to go out there and be the little serial killer that I want to be.

35:31Megan Morant:That's awesome. That's awesome. Well, Rhea, congratulations. I'm so excited to see you go back into WrestleMania, go back into a championship match, get one of those Rhea bloody Ripley moments. And I mean, you're 100 % right. And it's something Megan and I have been talking about as we were speculating as to who could win Elimination Chamber. Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill on a poster together. I mean, that is what a giant wrestling match looks like. It's a spectacle. That is what a spectacle is. And I can't wait to see it. So congrats.

36:13AJ Lee:Thank you. I appreciate it.

36:17Megan Morant:Well, huge thanks to Rhea Ripley. I mean, minutes after winning the Elimination Chamber. So awesome. Sitting down with us here on the Elimination Chamber recap on WWE Now. And I've got to tell you, it's a big time. You can celebrate Rhea Ripley's Elimination Chamber victory with this official winner's tee. The Rhea Ripley, look at that, with the purple on top. The Rhea Ripley Elimination Chamber winner's tee is available now. on WWE Shop and Fanatics. It looks amazing. By the way, you can also get, as much as Nick Aldis is trying to figure everything out, the Randy Orton Elimination Chamber victory T-shirt.

37:02Megan Morant:You can celebrate the victory with the official winner's T-shirt. Look at that, with the Viper and everything on it. So cool. Available now at WWE Shop and Fanatics. And of course, what a night in Chicago. You can keep the hometown energy going with the exclusive CM Punk Chicago Blackhawks collection, including the Signature Series Spinner Championship title. Two icons, one city. Shop now before it's gone at WWE Shop and Fanatics. That is one cool title. Now, we were just talking to Rhea Ripley about this women's elimination chamber match, about the swanton she pulled, whatever that was. She called it a cannonball.

37:45Megan Morant:I'm going to throw my body at you off this chamber. Great chamber match for the women. I thought Kiana James looked incredible.

37:55Sam Roberts:Oh, what a match for Kiana James. Yes. Starting off with Tiffany Stratton. And there was one point where there was four contestants in the elimination chamber. And Kiana James was standing tall. And there was just three bodies scattered beside her. and they were all bodies of former champions. Yes. In Tiffany Stratton, in Alexa Bliss, and in Asuka. And I thought, wow, is the future bright for Kiana James.

38:24Megan Morant:Yes, absolutely. You wonder what the future's gonna be like for the Kabuki Warriors, for Alexa Bliss, for Charlotte, Alexa Bliss eliminated first. I guess Charlotte can stop eating ice cream. She doesn't have to worry about Alexa Bliss going to WrestleMania.

38:39Sam Roberts:She did seem a little worried. She said she was fine.

38:41Megan Morant:She said she was okay.

38:42Sam Roberts:Yeah, but as Wade Barrett told us, when a woman says they're fine, they're never fine.

38:46Megan Morant:I assure you they are not. Which has been my experience, too. But I will say. Oh, boy. Alexa Bliss got misted and eliminated first from the Elimination Chamber, which I thought was a surprise. I thought Raquel Rodriguez was a real standout in this match. a Tejana bomb stacking up Asuka on top of Kiana James after Kiana got smashed through a chamber.

39:21Sam Roberts:How about that stack elimination?

39:23Megan Morant:To pin them both at the same time.

39:25Sam Roberts:I was like, is this WrestleMania 37?

39:27Megan Morant:Whoa. Whoa. We're not going to start comparing people to the Tribal Chief. Okay?

39:32Sam Roberts:That's my big sexy over there. No, no, no.

39:35Megan Morant:She's big sexy for sure. We love Raquel. We love Raquel, but let's not start comparing people to Tribal Chief. Okay? These are things we can't see about.

39:44Sam Roberts:I haven't seen the stack since then, and I got all kinds of excited. Okay.

39:47Megan Morant:What's an exciting thing, but we don't.

39:48Sam Roberts:Okay.

39:49Megan Morant:That's a different thing.

39:50Sam Roberts:Okay.

39:51Megan Morant:Okay. That's a totally different thing. And by the way, Roman Reigns had his own statements to make about the show. We're going to get to that. We will get to that. We will absolutely get to that. However, it was not after Rhea's leap off the chamber, that was kind of all she wrote for Raquel. And then you ended up with Tiffany Stratton being the iron woman of this match, starting the match and ending the match, but her match was ended in a way that she didn't want it to go. Rhea Ripley wins this thing. And I thought it was interesting hearing the discussion with Rhea that even going into this chamber match, it seemed like Rhea Ripley still looked at herself as a tag team wrestler.

40:35Megan Morant:They lost the tag team championships, her Neo Sky, last night on SmackDown to Lash Legend and Nia Jax, the irresistible forces. Looking at Rhea Ripley as she points at that WrestleMania sign, and I was telling you this before, I was saying it on the WWE Now podcast, I was saying it everywhere. It just feels right. It just feels right that Rhea Ripley would be in a singles championship match at WrestleMania. And I love Rhea. I love the tag team. But when you look at this graphic, which, as I said, is gospel, Jade Cargill and Rhea Ripley is a spectacle. It's an attraction. It's, I mean, it's just big.

41:22Sam Roberts:I mean, you think about when Jade Cargill signed with WWE before she even had a match. You see all these different appearances of Jade Cargill. She was down in NXT. She was walking around backstage at Raw. She was walking around backstage at SmackDown. She was sitting ringside. All of these different interactions that she had. And one of them, throughout all of them, you're thinking, oh, I'd love to see Jade Cargill with this person. I'd love to see Jade Cargill with that person. Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill is a dream match. It's a dream scenario.

41:51Megan Morant:It was a what if.

41:53Sam Roberts:Yeah.

41:53Megan Morant:And now we're going to find out what if April 18th or 19th in Las Vegas at WrestleMania. It's a massive match for Jade Cargill. And it's really interesting because she carries herself. Like she's so above it all. Like she's such a superstar. But this is by far the biggest match in Jade Cargill's career.

42:13Sam Roberts:She says she's that.

42:14Megan Morant:I know what she says. All right. and for Rhea Ripley I think we touched on it with her and I think it's probably hard like within a 24 hour period you lose the tag team championship you win the elimination chamber you're just trying to get back down to earth but the reality is that like a lot of other Wrestlemania matches for Rhea Ripley either it's last year where it was really not about Rhea Ripley it was about Io every year before that has been about Rhea Ripley arriving.

42:46AJ Lee:Yep.

42:46Megan Morant:Arriving on different levels. And that goes all the way to WrestleMania 40 when some would argue that she already was. I mean, she already was the eradicator. She already was Rhea Ripley. But having Becky Lynch as that challenge was that kind of last piece of the puzzle for Rhea Ripley. And I don't think that there's been a time that she's walked into WrestleMania like this in a position where she's not coming in to prove herself in any way, shape, or form. She's coming in to go, okay, I spent some time in the tag division, but I just need to remind you guys who I am. You guys seem to have forgotten.

43:26Megan Morant:You know, a lot of people got very confident in my absence in this singles division. So now it's time to remind you guys who I am.

43:34Sam Roberts:And this is where I belong, and I haven't gone anywhere. And it's going to be really interesting because however that match goes, if, if, I mean, I would argue

43:46Megan Morant:if Jade Cargill beats Rhea Ripley, if Rhea Ripley beats Jade Cargill, if I'm Lash Legend. Oh, she pinned her. I'm sitting there going the night before chamber, I pinned Rhea Ripley. Whether I'm a tag team, I'm a tag team champion right now. I'd like to be singles champion as well. I mean, there's a lot of people that are going to be in line for that title. But I can't wait. I can't wait to see what Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill looks like at WrestleMania.

44:09Sam Roberts:And I mean, you heard from Rhea Ripley talking about just the different size of these women in the division now and going in there with someone like Lash Legend and how she can do different moves because she's used to being the bigger person. Well, I kept thinking about what is it going to look like when she's in there with Jade Cargill?

44:30Megan Morant:That's exactly right. Talk about size, right? Yeah. Yes. Yes. Absolutely. Listen, that was one of the big moments at Elimination Chamber, as was Randy Orton winning. There were a ton of them. And you know who captures milestone moments and viral moments from the biggest events? That, of course, is Topps now. They always do it, you know? Before every PLE, Topps puts out the poster cards, and they did it again for Elimination Chamber. The Elimination 2026 poster card featuring CM Punk and AJ Lee. Collectors who buy the base card, they will have the chance to receive rainbow foil short prints and even gold super short print limited to 26 copies.

45:13Megan Morant:If you're watching on YouTube, there's the gold one out of 26 short print that you can get. The card is only available until Monday, March 2nd at 3 p.m. Eastern. So make sure that you get it now. As always, make sure that you're following at Topps on social and sign up for notifications on Topps.com so you don't miss the big moment cards coming out of Elimination Chamber. And of course, tune in to WWE Now on Tuesday for more card info and graphics. And I got to tell you, I would be shocked if AJ Lee doesn't have a card or a CM Punk AJ Lee celebration card. We were just talking about Becky Lynch.

45:55Megan Morant:Big moment for her tonight. Not in a positive way in any way, shape, or form. Becky Lynch lost the Intercontinental Championship.

46:05Sam Roberts:And who was the referee?

46:07Megan Morant:We'll get there However I have to cough

46:14Sam Roberts:Excuse me Excuse me No that was for real

46:20Megan Morant:Nobody thinks you were faking it

46:21Sam Roberts:I wasn't

46:23Megan Morant:I mean I was just about to throw it to an interview You could have saved yourself the embarrassment

46:26Sam Roberts:Oh my gosh I didn't know where you were going If Sam gets any sense that I need to cough He's going to continue talking

46:34Megan Morant:Yeah, no, no, no. I was just about to throw it. So I'm going to throw it now, now that we've seen that. Now that we've seen that. Listen, you know what AJ Lee did right after winning the Intercontinental? AJ Lee, here's what her schedule was. AJ Lee won the Intercontinental Championship. Then she watched CM Punk retain the World Heavyweight Championship. Then she came right to WWE Now to break it down with us. welcome to wwe now the new women's intercontinental champion aj lee there it is there's the title aj not a set you have side plates already oh they were ready ready they believed in it yeah i mean listen me saying that sentence out loud a year ago is not a sentence i thought i would be saying is it i mean you living this reality would you have pictured this a year ago

47:34Rhea Ripley:no i honestly wouldn't have pictured a few months ago i my goal was not to uh i i don't know if i had particular like milestone goals i think i was just so excited to come back to this world when it felt really healthy and really safe and really fun and just like have a blast and have the time of my life and um I think this the really fun part was not having those goals and not being like I have to do this I did all the things I wanted to do um and I didn't think I was gonna keep adding to the list of accomplishments and so this is like a really pleasant surprise and I'm very grateful and uh man these are some sprinkles on top of the sundae right now

48:16Megan Morant:I mean I you know better than anybody what wrestling does to people especially someone like you who has loved wrestling as long as you have and I know that very well and has has fought for to to achieve the things that you achieved in WWE and obviously continue to achieve wrestling has a way of whether you intend for it or not sucking you back in like once you I just put a foot in I just put a little bit in and now all of a sudden you're engulfed again are you

48:46Rhea Ripley:starting to are you starting to feel that a little bit i mean kind of but i keep keeping very kind to myself and to my heart and just saying uh i'm not expecting anything i'm not gonna plan too far ahead i'm just gonna like give every moment my best and maybe every moment is my last moment but i'm gonna try and make it count uh man i kind of thought it was just gonna come in we're gonna have this fun tag match and I was going to defend my husband's honor and um I've just been having so much fun yeah I keep coming back so we'll see what happens but it this has been such a blast and

49:26Sam Roberts:just really cool really like healing in a lot of ways too well AJ you said something very interesting on the countdown show with Michael Cole and that sit-down interview and you were talking about the word evolution and how a lot of times you plant the seeds to make the world better but you never get to stick around to appreciate what those seeds grow into. And now you're actually getting the rare chance. You planted the seeds in the women's division. Now you're back. The women's division looks entirely different and you're a champion. So what does it feel like to see all of these seeds grown and you're a part of it?

50:03Rhea Ripley:It's surreal because honestly, you do just hope, you know, people, everything's better for people who come after you. And, um, you were so, it warms my heart to have seen what they've accomplished. And I feel so lucky to be able to be just in their locker room. But now I've got something I think maybe a lot of them are going to try and come for. So I've been, you know, just praising them. They're all so wonderful and so talented. I've been saying I want to get in the ring with them. Might have to now.

50:36Megan Morant:Yeah, yeah, yeah. A lot of, a lot of new doors have all of a sudden been open. Like you said, you come back for the tag match. And when you're in a tag match, you know, as physical as it gets and as big a deal as it is, you're looking over there. CM Punk is over there. Seth Rollins is over here. Like there's other things going on. When you go into the War Games match, you have teammates in the War Games match. You had your first singles match tonight in over a decade. How did it feel once you got into it and you looked around the ring and you realized it was back to AJ Lee business?

51:11Rhea Ripley:Yeah. Um, man, it was a little scary. I'm not gonna lie. It was really great to have, you know, the best in the world in the tag and have the best tag teams in the world in another tag and just feel like that support but I was on my own. And Becky is no slouch. So I just knew I was gonna, you know, if I didn't give it to her, I was gonna get my ass handed to me. So it was a little scary. I'm really happy it happened here because what I needed was a little extra support and Chicago gave me that. So I'm really grateful to Chicago for all of my title wins have been here for most of them. Yeah.

51:51Megan Morant:I mean, it's a it's an amazing thing. And your your your husband was also able to retain the World Heavyweight Championship in Chicago. I remember distinctly CM Punk winning a championship in Chicago and that title going in the fridge. Is there any possibility that tonight we get two championships inside the refrigerator?

52:10Rhea Ripley:You know, I mean, we haven't gone food shopping in a minute. You know, it's been a crazy week, so it is pretty empty. There's some space for lots of carbs and cookies and cake and maybe some old pizza. And then possibly the IC title if I'm not sleeping with it tonight.

52:32Megan Morant:I love it. Well, AJ Lee, thank you so much for joining us here on WWE Now. And really, I mean, as a former WWE Divas champion, congratulations on not only being here to see the women's division in such a prosperous place that there is a women's intercontinental title, but now being the women's intercontinental champion.

52:55Rhea Ripley:I mean, who would have thought? Look at us.

52:57Megan Morant:Look at us. Not me. Thank you, AJ.

53:03Megan Morant:Thanks to AJ Lee for making the time after winning the intercontinental championship at the elimination chamber, making some time to share that moment with us. Are you OK?

53:14Sam Roberts:I'm fine.

53:15Megan Morant:Well, you're about to be a lot better than fine because the number one sports fan festival, Fanatics Fest, returns to the Javits Center in New York City. From July 16th through the 19th, 2026, Fanatics has just announced the return of Fanatics Games, bringing back its high stakes cross sport competitors from everyday fans that go head to head with some of the biggest name in sports. The 2026 Fanatics Games introduces an expanded format, a$2 million total prize pool and new nationwide qualifying opportunities for fans to compete alongside elite athletes. The inaugural winner, Tom Brady. Yes, that Tom Brady, as well as last year's runner-up UFC fighter, Justin Gaethje, and reigning fan champion, Matt Dennis, will all be back.

54:12Megan Morant:Additional athletes joining Brady and Gaethje for a shot at the title include WWE superstars Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan, Cody Rhodes, and Jey Uso. Head to FanaticsFest.com to apply to compete or grab your tickets to Fanatics Fest. You don't want to miss out.

54:33Sam Roberts:We played a big role in that last year.

54:35Megan Morant:Huge role. We were judging superstar entrances. That was one of the great games within Fanatics Fest. And we did a fabulous job judging Speaking of doing a fabulous job AJ Lee soundly beating Becky Lynch To win the Intercontinental Championship tonight Huge night for AJ Lee So you can congratulate her

54:56Sam Roberts:I just wonder how she feels about using an exposed turnbuckle To win her first championship back in WWE Who exposed it? Becky Lynch exposed it

55:09Megan Morant:who ran into it

55:13Sam Roberts:Becky Lynch ran into it

55:15Megan Morant:who attempted to hit AJ Lee's head into it

55:21Sam Roberts:Becky did

55:21Megan Morant:cool cool cool and so then after she did hit her head on the turnbuckle that she exposed she found herself for the second time in the match in the Black Widow submission and as she had done twice before not tonight she did do it earlier tonight But as she had done in the tag team match at Wrestlepalooza, as she had done in the War Games match, Becky Lynch taps out to that black widow. She knows now once she gets in that thing, she ain't getting out.

55:50Sam Roberts:I don't even know how Corrupt Car got this assignment. I don't know how this continues to happen.

56:02Megan Morant:I mean, she's a standard official.

56:04Sam Roberts:Yeah, but there's clearly a bias and there's some issues.

56:07Megan Morant:Well, they let you podcast, and you have a bias so bad you can barely swallow.

56:14Sam Roberts:I'm just having a hard time with the fact that Becky Lynch is no longer the women's intercontinental champion.

56:19Megan Morant:Apparently, you're having a physical reaction to it.

56:21Sam Roberts:I am.

56:22Megan Morant:I can't believe it. I know it's hard to say. Say it with me. AJ Lee. Just say it. Say AJ Lee.

56:32Sam Roberts:AJ Lee.

56:33Megan Morant:Is.

56:35Sam Roberts:Is.

56:35Megan Morant:My.

56:36Sam Roberts:I'm not saying that. Our? The. How about the?

56:40Megan Morant:The.

56:41Sam Roberts:The.

56:41Megan Morant:New.

56:42Sam Roberts:New.

56:43Megan Morant:Women's.

56:44Sam Roberts:Women's.

56:45Megan Morant:Let me see if she starts coughing, guys. Make sure the water's ready. Intercontinental.

56:50Sam Roberts:Intercontinental.

56:51Megan Morant:Now say champion. Champion. She said it. She said, way to go, Megan. And you got it all out. You are a pro.

56:56Sam Roberts:You tried to get me to say my. She's not my.

56:59Megan Morant:Well, she's the. She's the. She's the. And she's mine. For now. She's mine. She's the. Holding that title up. Who would have thought? Remember, you said on the podcast she could not do this. She clearly did do it. AJ Lee, the women's intercontinental champion, after over 10 years gone from singles competition, she's back and she is now a champion headed in to WrestleMania season. Look at that.

57:25Sam Roberts:Why do they got a close-up on me? Look at that. Two happy winners. It's just that. Two happy winners. Becky is always, she's my forever intercontinental champion. Forever.

57:34Megan Morant:She doesn't have a title. Well, she'll get it back. From, I mean, I don't know.

57:40Sam Roberts:I think this is terrible. There's corruption going on in the control room right now that they're on my single shot.

57:45Megan Morant:Are you accusing corrupt KC? Corrupt KC. Not corrupt KC.

57:49Sam Roberts:It's zooming in on my face right now to get my reaction because this is actually harassment in the workplace.

57:56Megan Morant:You think so?

57:57Sam Roberts:And Becky said that she's going to get her big lawyers, the big rhino, is coming after. coming after the WWE and coming after Corrupt Car. Oh, they're zooming in.

58:07Megan Morant:Yeah, look at that.

58:08Sam Roberts:And this is Corrupt KC coming after me right now. Zooming in on my face for everybody who's watching on YouTube.

58:13Megan Morant:She's just there. He's just there to document it.

58:16Sam Roberts:Documenting my misery. Look at that.

58:19Megan Morant:Look at that. Look at that. Now a nice slow zoom out. This is, you know what the cinema, cinema right there. That's what they call it. That's what the kids are all calling it. Cinema. I mean, you got to admit, AJ Lee won that match fair and square.

58:34Sam Roberts:Well, I do have to admit she had a lot less ring rust than I anticipated her having.

58:40Megan Morant:That's right.

58:41Sam Roberts:I mean, to come in, in all seriousness, into a match with someone as accomplished as Becky Lynch, whether she is crashing out, as you say, or not, what she's accomplished in this business is completely undeniable. to come in not being a part of this division, 10 years removed from having a singles match, in a sold-out United Center in Chicago, and to win the Intercontinental Championship, a title that didn't exist in AJ's era, is remarkable.

59:11Megan Morant:That's right. It's really remarkable. And it really does showcase what AJ Lee was able to do and the foundation that was laid.

59:20Sam Roberts:I'm not happy about it, but it's remarkable.

59:22Megan Morant:You looked happy in the close-up.

59:24Sam Roberts:I'm fine.

59:24Megan Morant:Okay. Okay, well, I'll tell you what's fine, WWE Slam. WWE Slam by Topps is offering fans the exclusive chance to collect all the nonstop, high-stakes action of one of WWE's most dangerous matches. Celebrate the chaos with the WWE Elimination Chamber box set out now, plus daily releases of Elimination Chamber No Escape cards featuring Randy Orton, Tiffany Stratton, LA Knight, Rhea Ripley, and more. WWE Slam by Topps is your go-to destination to build the ultimate elimination chamber digital collection. Download WWE Slam now in the App Store and Google Play. And I will tell you, for me, a highlight of the night was a moment that it did sound to me like a lot of WWE fans didn't quite know what to make of it.

1:00:15Megan Morant:but I you know we were talking we were we were we were texting uh with the crew all day today talking about guests I said you know I'd love to speak to this guest I'd love to speak to this guest I said what if we could get whoever's in the crate to be on the show and you know what they said to me no human being could survive in a crate for two weeks Sam that's ridiculous you fool you ignorant fool how could a human being live in the crate for two weeks what are you an idiot i said i don't think i'm an idiot i don't think that that was at all necessary but i suppose i see your point i feel like somebody could but maybe maybe they couldn't however could you i believe that i could i believe if you gave me a big gulp in a bucket i could survive two weeks in that crate no problem you're built different i am built different what i what i i loved is that these guys because they didn't believe they got their comeuppance not only was there a man in that crate but there were about half there were a dozen maybe a baker's there were about 15 people in that crate and there was a coffin there was a coffin and 12 to 15 people inside that crate for the last two weeks just waiting to dance you see nick aldis and there was so much speculation as to what and who might be in this crate and what this could mean for the future of WWE and the ramifications that this crate could have.

1:01:43Megan Morant:And does Johnny Gargano even know what he was laying down on top of on SmackDown? And then they opened this crate, Nick Aldis and Adam Pearce together. And you're right, there was a coffin inside the crate. And then the coffin opens and about a dozen dancing, spooky, face-painted girls come out, just doing almost like 1950s Munsters type dance. And then I'm hearing this voice, and he's laughing, and he's talking about being very evil. And I go, oh, my God, I know that voice. Tell me it's happening. Tell me it's happening. And then, boom, Danhausen appears for all of us to see. Dan Housen makes his impact in the WWE at the Elimination Chamber PLE.

1:02:34Megan Morant:There's Dan Housen Tron graphics. He comes out. He's got Dan Housen tights on and a Dan Housen cape. The song was amazing. He's got his own Dan Housen song. I mean, this is a guy who just as he appears here, this isn't some concoction that was created. okay just as he appears here he was a a staple of the independent wrestling scene he has been wrestling everywhere for i mean five years or more as dan hausen and he goes and you know what he does this is something that you may not be ready for megan and i think a lot of people in wwe aren't ready for and a lot of wwe fans aren't ready for you know what he does what he curses people He curses people.

1:03:21Megan Morant:And we've never had a superstar in the WWE that can curse people. But Dan Housen curses people. And I said, will Dan Housen have all the accoutrement that I know Dan Housen to have if he were to get to the WWE? And you know how I know he does? Because he put a jar of teeth on Michael Cole's desk. And Dan Housen collects teeth. you know and he would bring his he brings his jar of teeth with him to the ring they're human teeth that he keeps in a jar and he'll sometimes he'll sometimes he'll sometimes pour them in a in a wrestler in an opponent's mouth and then kick him and the teeth go flying he i mean he's got all kinds of very evil tricks up his sleeve this dan hausen now i think that the wwe audience that maybe maybe they weren't exposed to enough dan hausen uh coming into this thing didn't quite know what to make of it.

1:04:13Megan Morant:They didn't know how to react to this insane thing that was they don't even know how this applies to professional wrestling.

1:04:18Sam Roberts:Maybe they just don't want to get cursed.

1:04:19Megan Morant:And maybe, maybe they don't want to get cursed. But there's been, I mean, for years now, wherever this guy goes, you know what people do? They love that Dan Housen. And I am very much anticipating the mark that Dan Housen makes on the WWE. I cannot believe that we saw that pop out of the crate tonight at the Elimination Chamber. What did you make of Dan Housen? It was a spectacle. Yes.

1:04:49Sam Roberts:An absolute spectacle. Right. And the way that Dan Housen just arrived.

1:04:54Megan Morant:Yes. With all of the entourage.

1:04:56Sam Roberts:Oh, yes. Disappeared right before our eyes.

1:04:59Megan Morant:Lights go out, he's gone. And Michael Cole goes, I don't know what that was. I think he spoke for a lot of people who didn't know, but they will. I believe that everybody will. Now, what we do know, and this is the beauty of professional wrestling. We can have very, very serious. We can have very, very bizarre. We can have a lot. We can have everything. It's a buffet. And we got very, very. Poopoo platter. That's right. That's right. But it became very real tonight. We got CM Punk versus Finn Balor in Chicago for the World Heavyweight Championship. Of course, CM Punk coming out to.

1:05:32Sam Roberts:Boom, boom, boom. Boom, boom, boom. Boom, boom, boom. Boom, boom, boom. Boom, boom, boom.

1:05:38Megan Morant:It was awesome.

1:05:39Sam Roberts:What an entrance. And then Ray Clay.

1:05:43Megan Morant:The PA announcer. For the Chicago Bulls, the 90s Chicago Bulls, announcing CM Punk in the United Center.

1:05:53Sam Roberts:And that's when it really dawned upon me, you know, like growing up in Chicago, I think of all the Chicago legends, right? Like people who could show up in Chicago and never have to buy a beer, if you will, would never have to, you know, pay for a meal. And I think CM Punk, especially after watching that entrance night, before this, for sure. But I felt like tonight was really special, right?

1:06:17Megan Morant:Well, what was nice for CM Punk is he never had to buy a beer in Chicago. Well, he's straight edge.

1:06:22Sam Roberts:But a meal. Whatever. But a meal. You know what I mean?

1:06:25Megan Morant:Of course. It's a turn of phrase.

1:06:27Sam Roberts:Yes, exactly. CM Punk's on that list.

1:06:30Megan Morant:Oh, 100%. He's, I mean.

1:06:32Sam Roberts:I mean, that music's playing. He's walking out. Ray Clay. This guy.

1:06:36Megan Morant:Epic.

1:06:37Sam Roberts:Yes.

1:06:38Megan Morant:And he's wearing Blackhawks gear too.

1:06:40Sam Roberts:The socks that looked like exactly like the -

1:06:42Megan Morant:Hockey socks on his kick pads. Really, really cool. Just really, really cool stuff. I loved it all. Great match with Finn Balor. Finn Balor even had this moment where he looked to the entryway to consider whether or not he was going to call the judgment day. Michael Cole said on commentary that JD McDonough and Dominic Mysterio were both in the house.

1:07:01Sam Roberts:Were you a little bummed you didn't get to see Dominic?

1:07:02Megan Morant:I would have loved to have seen Dominic. I thought it was honorable the way Finn Balor handled himself. But I would have loved, I always love, I mean, the idea that I would have been able to see Dan Housen and Dominic Mysterio on the same show.

1:07:14Sam Roberts:Dream for you.

1:07:15Megan Morant:Dream for me. We did not because Finn Balor went the honorable way. And that was good to see, too. Finn Balor losing the match fair and square and shaking hands with CM Punk after it was all over.

1:07:28Sam Roberts:Finn Balor did get the better of CM Punk on one coup de grace.

1:07:32Megan Morant:Yes.

1:07:33Sam Roberts:Next coup de grace. kicked out he kicked out the next coup de gras punk was able to get the leg up and then get him

1:07:39Megan Morant:into the sharpshooter yes that was a crazy uh uh counter which seemed for a second michael is he putting him in a sharpshooter right well because you have to then lift your like you have to usually you start the sharpshooter in a standing position to start in a laying down position you then have to lift your opponents like the the the back half of their body with you it's a a whole other thing but punk pulled it off yeah he did and it was awesome uh big win for cm punk great to see him celebrating with aj lee great to see them in the ring together both champions i like the handshake i do wonder how the judgment day is gonna feel about finn balor coming off of that what did you think about uh cm punk putting the one up wow okay now we're taking shots i i got excited because we're taking shots i thought it was disrespectful i didn't love it i don't know why AJ Lee has to put her one up too that's a little disrespectful as well but I said okay all right CM Punk and and and I mean the idea that he would come off of an epic confrontation like that and have the presence of mind to be like I know exactly what's next I'm ready for it CM Punk putting the one up I said that's a little a little far isn't it CM Punk and then I went on Twitter and I said huh I guess CM Punk didn't go too far after all well it's funny because I opened up

1:08:56Sam Roberts:Twitter and I see this tweet and I said, oh, no, that has to be a fake account. That didn't go out. So then I actually search Roman Reigns, pull it up. Sure enough, this is indeed the tweet that Roman Reigns himself tweeted.

1:09:10Megan Morant:Yeah. Roman Reigns was watching the Elimination Chamber at home, watching CM Punk and Finn Balor.

1:09:14Sam Roberts:And I'd love to see a setup.

1:09:16Megan Morant:Oh, I'm sure it's amazing. Many different monitors, full on surround sound. It's probably great. I would love to see the Roman Reigns tweet. I don't want to paraphrase this at all. Okay, this is tough. This is tough. Utter savagery on the internet. Roman Reigns tweeted, not sure who looked more tired, the crowd or the champion, enjoy this final month of relevancy. Every word of that is biting. I mean, all of it. The idea that like it's one thing to say you look tired. It's another thing to say the audience looked unenthused by your performance.

1:09:59Sam Roberts:In your hometown.

1:10:00Megan Morant:In your hometown and still a third to claim this is going to be it for your relevancy. I mean, if this is where we're starting on Twitter while the match is happening and the realization sank into me immediately, which is on Monday Night Raw, this Monday, Roman Reigns is there. He's back. we've gotten the roman punk confrontation that first one which fueled me for two weeks that's all i was thinking about at least all i was thinking about i'm choosing you because i hate you i've always hated you and i go just i want to see this right now oh when he was talking about

1:10:41Sam Roberts:back at war games walking up the ramp something that i didn't even notice no it wasn't on

1:10:46Megan Morant:Television. How could you notice it?

1:10:48Sam Roberts:Going back to look at the pictures of it, going back to see, oh my gosh, that did tick him off.

1:10:54Megan Morant:Everything's up here. Everything's up here. He's talking about podcasts from a decade ago. Everything is here.

1:10:59Sam Roberts:And then Punk the nerve to just go out there and throw the one up.

1:11:02Megan Morant:Well, Punk is not a guy who's sitting there going like, oh, gee golly, maybe I disrespected Roman Reigns. This is who CM Punk is. I don't know how many people need to do history on CM Punk, but CM Punk is the type of guy that if you push him or you give him a reason to have a chip on his shoulder, he's as dangerous as he could possibly be. I mean, CM Punk is the perfect guy to be in this scenario because he's not going to be, especially at this state in his career, he's not going to be intimidated or back down an ounce. I mean, this is going to be two alpha animals just attacking each other for the next, what is it, six weeks?

1:11:40Megan Morant:Five weeks? Six weeks?

1:11:41Sam Roberts:Six, seven.

1:11:42Megan Morant:Could be 6-7 until WrestleMania. I can't wait. I can't wait to see what happens on Monday Night Raw following Elimination Chamber. Of course, we will be here to recap it on WWE Now. So make sure you're subscribed across all audio platforms. Make sure you're leaving comments and hitting like on YouTube. And we'll see you late night Monday after Raw for more WWE Now. We'll be right back.