AEW WrestleDream recap + Roman Reigns & Sami Zayn get personal | The Still Real to Us Show | Episode #871 – 10/22/26

0:00 It's still real to be damaged! [Music] Welcome everybody! Welcome to this week's This Is Still Real-Best Show. I was number 871 for October 22nd, 2026. This is your AW Rental Preview Cap and Review Edition of S-R-T-U. I am one half of the show. I am Jeff Packen joined every single week of my co-host, the one I'm only Dr. Tray. Franklin, Dr. Tray, did Roman Reigns get a stone cold pop on Monday Night Raw this past week, my friend?

0:45 Very, very close. I still, like, I don't know if I'm still supposed to cheer Roman Reigns or boom. I'm still a good-of-war. I think you're supposed to. Okay, because I'm like, yeah, I'm like, sometimes he's kind of a jackass. Sometimes his character's okay. But I'm like, alright, we'll row with it. Yeah, it was a really, like, the last pop when they came out for the 946 one, that was Stone Cold, Road Warrior-type pop right there for that. Yeah, I mean, that was one that we will discuss certainly later in the show, but I figured, I mean, I've watched it happen in Lifetime. I've watched the clip several times. I'm like, that is a legit pop.

1:31 And for a lot of stuff that's been said about him lately from, like, Conrad Thompson that started a debate about Roman Reigns and we certainly brought it up here on the podcast over the last couple of months. He's a legit star. I mean, people love Roman. Whether you love him or not, I think he is more in the John Cena category bucket than he is the Stone Cold Steve Austin in Rock Bucket where you don't appreciate him when he's at the top. But when he's coming down and you realize that this is the end, you're like, oh man, that guy was good. And that's how I feel about Roman. I don't know if he's coming down like John Cena did, but these last six years of Roman Reigns' character Dr. Trey has been some of my favorite character developments and storylines I've seen in wrestling in the last 15 to 20 years, at least the longevity of this show.

2:21 Yeah, I mean, just going from the sufferance suck attached and the big dog days and all of that, really this tribal chief air that we've seen over the last six years does show what somebody can do if they really evolve their character and how it can kind of transcend the sport. I know Paul Hamin said, I saw an interview with him and he was talking about how they kind of came up with the tribal chief character, but it has helped him elevate his game and also be much more comfortable in his own skin. I think some of these promos we've seen over the last six years, especially since he's kind of came back as this baby face, you get back to seeing the real Roman Reigns.

3:07 Maybe the real Roman Reigns is that guy who kind of walks the line of like, you know, your friend, but he's also an A-hole because that kind of vibe you get from him. And maybe honestly, it goes back to a lot of it was when Sammy Zane joined the bloodline and kind of brought out that extra layer of character in Roman Reigns. So this match coming up with him and Sammy kind of brings everything full circle, but I think the next step from like right now for me, he feels like when Cena first did the Marine and started exploring Hollywood a little bit where you're like, you're just waiting for that one kind of roll to kind of put them on mainstream pop culture's mind.

3:52 Like he's right there and maybe the Street Fighter movie does it maybe it's something else, but he just needs that one kind of role to kind of get on everybody's radar and then he'll be in a whole different level. Yeah, I like Roman. I think he's a lot of depth. I think he's very talented. And you know what's funny is I feel like there's were a couple interviews out there when they talked about Roman and the character that he had pre-COVID pre-triple chief OTC. That I remember some wrestler saying in interviews like you're not seeing the Roman that we get to see behind the scenes like he is like cool guy very fun chill to be around great guy and was kind of just given like a shitty character. And he has said in interviews where he just did not stand up for himself enough back in those days because he wanted to be a yes man he wanted to be a company guy he knew is the face of the company wanted to lead by example.

4:40 And for some things he should have said no when he didn't and he has certainly learned by that with the OTC character that he is perceived him right now will talk more about that stone cold pop will talk more about the interactions with the 946 that closed out Monday night raw this past week and more here on this week's edition of SRT you but Dr. Trey let's get into wrestle dream it was this pass Saturday from the edition financial arena in Orlando Florida on the tailgate we had divine dominion defeating the sisters of sin the Don Calis family defeating Alex breeze poppy D and Reese Maddox which was a massive upset the dogs and the death writers defeated the back band gang and the conglomeration on the main show we had the Motor City machine guns defeating FTR and match one of their best five series Mercedes Monet defeating Teclat to retain the AW women's world championship Nick Wayne who has been on the rise as of late to feeding Chris Jericho the young bucks defeating Kyle Fletcher and Kevin Knight to retain the AW world tag team championship Persephone defeating Danny Luna high and in Queen Amanata to retain the AW TVS championship on Drade el Edelow defeated to muscle champ to retain the AW national championship hangman Adam Page bandito and Brody King defeating Swarth Strickland in the new level to win the AW world trials championship they won two to one in the best of three John moxley defeats Mark Davis retain the AW Continental championship and will Osprey defeat some Ojo speedball Mike Bailey Adam Copley can Oskiett to Keshe because it's got a ricochet and Darby Allen in the clock work Orange clockwork carnage match I always want to say clockwork of orange match but that I believe it was TNA so we retain the AW world championship

6:16 the biggest takeaways from the show clockwork carnage worked better than it looked on paper the scoring phase created multiple believable winners and the final seconds actually mattered Osprey pin Adam Copeland with a hit and blade just before time expired to finish with three points one ahead of Copeland Darby Allen Smojo Copeland near win matters even more after announcing the 2027 will be his final years an active wrestler AW now as a built in world title chase for his retirement tour. Ilya dragon off officially debuted for AW as this now instantly opens matches with Osprey moxley Ocata to Keshe hangman Darby and just about anyone else on the roster that you want to see Ilya dragon off take on a hangman bandito and Brody came winning the trios titles gave the show its biggest championship change and swarves reaction afterward keeps his issues with the new level alive Mercedes used her protective face mask behind the referees back before eventually putting Teclo away giving AW an easy reason revisit this match Nick Wayne beating Jericho again is quietly one of the biggest wins of Wayne's career J White also returned during the tailgate braw after being cleared surely before the show bottom line Russell dream did not need a massive roll title change to matter strengthens Osprey's rain launched Copeland's final chase debuted Ilya dragon off and moved several major stories forward.

7:27 So dr. Try ask you first did clockwork carnage work well enough that AW should make it a recurring match. I will say I'll go back to what I said last week I still wish they had used it in a. Lower tier title match first to kind of work I still think there's a fun match. But you know for the first time trying to get it took me a little bit to kind of figure out. The elimination stuff then the scoring system it took me a little couple spots in there were some near falls and nobody's trying to break up near false. So I do wish they had kind of worked it on a smaller scale first to then bring it up to the world title but overall it was a very very fun match so.

8:09 I absolutely think they should bring it back because it's unique it's different it's like the iron survivor challenge in WWE where you're just like. There's nothing nobody else does a match like this so yeah that's that's kind of make hang on to it and make it a staple. Yeah it's definitely something I think they should bring back as my dog certainly agrees I don't know if you can hear in the background. Dr. Trays, Ilya Draganov the kind of signing AW should immediately push towards the world title picture so they start them off small like they've done with the muscle champ in the past. I don't think he's as big of a name to be in the title picture. I mean you just look at that clockwork carnage match and I think almost everybody in that match maybe outside of speedball who apparently that's who he's wrestling on dynamite in his debut match.

8:54 Maybe outside of speedball like in like that's the only guy I think Ilya has a bigger name there so when you look at all the guys on the roster Ilya has got to build that name up to show that he can be in that conversation to help carry a company so I would kind of keep him in the middle somewhere. Yeah Ilya getting on there at the AW roster I think he's one of those guys that while I think he could be a future main eventor it's something that you need to see a lot more from him as we move forward here in the future. And I think paths that we've seen with guys even like Osprey when they brought him over in Osprey was a world title contender I think the path that they did Osprey could be one for Ilya to see if he sings or swims.

9:35 Dr. Trey before we move on here from Russell Dream is there any other thoughts that you want to bring up from the show any other takeaways that sit out to you. You know I said last week I was really sorry for the champa on draw day match and if you told me there's going to be one match on the show that has some weird comedy spot that would not have been the one I picked but it was in there and it was like oh I do like when these guys show a little bit extra range in their character so champa going crazy and beating up on draw day's pants. I kind of laughed for it really excited to see with the how this motor machine motor city machine gun I always have a hard time saying them the motor city machine gun FTR rivalry builds out and then also taking the the trios title off new level sets up a young bucks new level match here sooner than later because FTR's tied up with the motor city machine guns so we could be getting that match here like they could kick that thing off tonight on dynamite as we record the show.

10:38 And we could be getting that match that has been dreamed of for says it was some dragon con thing or something like six seven years ago where they talked about actually having a match at some point so it's right there and then a moxley paying homage to pop was really touching as well so that you can you can tell moxley that was that was personal to him that meant a lot to him and just good to see you know him giving his his flowers the pop show soon after his passing. Yeah it was a very fun show that was a very solid show doctor tray and yeah it was a great job overall by eight w to deliver on some great wrestling this past Saturday night.

11:19 Doctor try moving on here to w e to the smack down brand so Cody roads finally use Randy or in spunt. But did the viper get exactly what he wanted so Cody roads calls out Randy or not smack down the supposed to be face to face but of course Baron Corbin interrupted him and then I quickly was remember that like or Corbin as a heel is one of the most amazing annoying heels that we will certainly have by by and mean I was a he's the best annoying big man of all time he really is he does a great job with everything that he brings to the table there without a doubt.

12:00 Orn interfered in Cody versus Corbin the impromptu match and he caused the disqualification Cody tried to punt orn about Corbin stopped him Cody responded by turning around delivering the pun to Corbin while not exactly executed to the best abilities it was still pretty damn good and it happened directly in front of Randy or in so why does this all matter Randy has spent weeks trying to pull Cody away from the version of himself that stays composed and focused. And money the bank Cody chose revenge over qualifying now Randy has Cody using one of the most violent moves associated with Orn's career the important question is no longer whether Cody can beat Randy it is how much of Randy Cody becomes before they finally have their match bottom line in this all Dr. Trey Randy or may not have taken a punt but seen Cody use it on somebody else may have been exactly what he wanted turn him to the dark side.

12:44 So I ask you this Dr. Trey Randy weren't successfully turning Cody roads into a darker version of himself. Yeah it's it's layers of character we we talked about the opening of the show with Roman Reigns and over the years seeing that depth develop like this is now Cody not just the white meat baby face shaking hands kissing babies signing autographs baby face this is somebody that you know you can get into his head like so that character developments really really good for Cody plus. It keeps a fresh take on it and you know we've seen it with john Cena we saw a Cody in a w when you play the white meat baby face characters who long people start to turn on you you know so keeping that extra layer and that edge on Cody keeps him fresh in the hearts of fans and keeps him at the top of those t shirt buys.

13:32 Do you think I mean Cody is a well known star wars fan we always always always contribute wrestling story lines to star wars for whatever reason because I think it's one of the best story lines of all time whether your fan of star wars or not if you look at the precipice of star wars it is one of the best story lines that you can have out there is this is this his star wars I mean we've seen this before where he's had these types of things with the blood line right the evil empire but now here he is Luke Skywalker the good guy maybe trying to go into his dark side. Maybe this is that that Darth Vader or Darth Maul type character for for Cody Rhodes. Well I mean in some ways Randy Orton is Cody's wrestling daddy you know like he's the one that kind of you know he learned under the Randy or entry when they were legacy they've always been good friends I mean like they've said themselves like Cody was the one that was driving Randy around when Randy was having all of his personal issues and you know Cody kind of learn from that and this is a little bit that return the Jeff.

14:30 Part where you know Luke Skywalker had the the black cloak on showing that he he had understood he started to understand the dark side and then he had to make a choice and that's kind of where Cody's at right now where he's tapping into the dark side of the force in this pursuit of Randy Orton at some point he's going to have to make a judgment whether he turns to the dark side or stays to the light damn I know too much about star wars. But yeah that's it's a very very good comparison that you know this is his this is his loose Skywalker trilogy against the Randy Orton Darth Vader so it's a great analogy use there.

15:11 Yeah to me it's like it's so spot on and again if you're somebody who doesn't like Star Wars or has never seen it. If you haven't seen it go see it to get that understanding if you don't like it and you've seen it then don't forget anything we just said the last five minutes. What kind of match does this rivalry ultimately need after weeks of escalation I I feel like this is Helen a cell to me. Oh Helen a cell or I quit that's a good one would Randy would Randy quit before Cody punitive that's that's how I'm picturing it like would Randy like really mess with the yellow I yeah would Randy I quit right as Cody setting up for the puns I mean we got what survivors are we I mean the cage is going to be set for war games I mean you could basically just take what one.

16:02 Put the top on the thing and have your I mean you can't really I don't know if you can do it a survivor series that that might be a little bit tricky with the war games cage and then a hell on a cell cage that's a lot of moving parts. But you know they're going to pull the trigger on the sooner than later because this is where everybody's wanting to see the big pay off so I think it might be I quit or it might be last man standing because then the pun would knock somebody out. Okay yeah I like the I quit aspect like that would be something right I mean that would be some really good booking if it's like just before he does he's like I quit I quit. Well I think the way that would execute this though doctor try is like okay Cody would be like really pissed that he didn't get a chance to do it he is quit and then Cody does the pun to like kind of close it out right yeah I mean I think well.

16:52 If so typically we've seen in years past the punt put somebody out for months Randy punts Cody is out for a week but does a Cody punt take Randy off the board you know till rumble if they have that match in survivor series so. And then if Cody does if Randy quits Cody's declared the winner and then Cody still punts him does that mean Cody has turned to the dark side to use your Star Wars analogy so it's it's good storytelling it's it's it's that's what we want we want a good story that has kind of a cliff hanger ending or a oh my god they did that what happens now it's like preventing so yeah either way I got to me yeah the I quit idea would be fantastic if they pull it off because then if you want to continue to feud on.

17:41 You can and then lead to a final hell in a cell match I mean not everything has to be a trilogy you could do four matches and I don't think people get I don't think anybody's really getting tired of Randy and Cody yet no I don't think so either I think they've done a good job of spacing it out that has everything to do with the fact that Randy was out on injury I was going to ask you is this is this the I mean here we are October 22nd is this the the few of the year right now. I have to sit down to think about trying to in my head I'm like probably in WWE at least yeah because you know punk really since WrestleMania it's been him and Sammy and then really didn't have any long rivalries before it Seth and Roman it wasn't that long but yeah so probably I'd you know it's probably Cody and because that's been going on since before WrestleMania so we're coming up on eight months of it now at least okay yeah I mean it to me I think it's a slam dunk right I really don't feel like there's anything that's even remotely touching the feud between them I would say story wise I enjoyed for the most part parts of the death writers will osprey relationship and what that did to get him like the will osprey journey I think has been a good storyline but not the best feud I'm digging what they're doing with 946 and bloodline but I think that's way too early and we just you know I mean that's something that happened

19:11 like late August early September I think right I mean yeah to me it's just it's it's it's it needs a little bit more time to breathe but yeah timing was it is what it is. So there you go Cody Rhodes and the punts heard potentially around the world at some point I like the fantasy booking here the Dr. Triner throwing out there. Dr. Tray speaking of Roman Reigns he has three problems right now on the raw side of the the world we've got Sammy Zane looming Penta looming and the 946 all coming for the OTC. Roman Reigns and Sammy Zane open raw head of their champion versus champion match at crown jewel November 7th I think that's going to still happen Saudi Arabia.

19:55 What started as mutual respect quickly became an argument over which championship and which champion actually carries more prestige. Roman's basic argument was that the person makes the championship not the other way around. He also questioned whether Sammy would even still be undisputed WWE champion by the time crown jewel arrives. Meanwhile you've got Penta Larkin he walked out with the money break bank briefcase cross pass with Roman and then stared down Sammy Zane without saying anything we reminded everyone that Penta can disrupt the crown jewel picture whenever he wants. Later Penta defeated Braun Breaker after Javanev has neutralized Austin Thierry and used the briefcase against Breaker. Penta is already being presented less like a lucky money the bank winner and more like someone who belongs around WWE's top champions.

20:39 And then you've got the bloodline more that's not going away later in that same night the 946 overwhelm the Usos and Solosakowa. Roman returned after appearing to have left the arena and helped his family clear the ring after months of trying to keep his distance from the family chaos Roman is increasingly being dragged back into it. The direction toward a larger bloodline versus 946 showdown potentially war games is becoming harder to ignore. So why does this all matter Roman is simultaneously WWE's World of Weight Champion Sammy's crown jewel opponent and the biggest possible piece in the bloodline 946 war. Penta's briefcase means neither world champion can completely control the road to crown jewel. WWE has several major storylines orbiting Roman again but this time they do not all feel like the same bloodline story.

21:23 The bottom line and in all is Roman Reigns is once again WWE's gravitational center but Sammy Zayn's Penta and the 946 are all pulling him in different directions. With that said Dr. Trey is Roman Reigns versus Sammy Zayn more interesting when the issue is championship prestige instead of simply revisiting their bloodline history. If they make no allusion to the past history then it's not that interesting but I think what they did on Raw even early on in that promo when Roman's like man I missed you like kind of played into it but I do think they made some very salient points in the fact that like you know Roman had Sammy's title for 1400 days and it was the prize.

22:05 Now Roman has the other title does that devalue the one that Sammy has so making it about the man who holds the title but also the prestige of the title is a good storyline but the backstory makes the feud even more compelling. Yeah it's some fun stuff going on there and I think it's fitting that it's Sammy Zayn. I really dig with everything going on with the bloodline and the 946 that Sammy is the one who's the opposing champion that's looming around Roman Reigns I think that was very well executed. I know that there's some belief of going back to Saudi Arabia having the championship around Sammy is certainly an influence but from a storyline standpoint I dig what they're doing there. Dr. Trey should Penta cash in before crown jewel or is he more valuable keeping both world champions looking over their shoulders?

22:50 No it's more fun with them looking over their shoulders because you know the surprise cat plays you got our pencil baby face. It's one thing when the heel does the sleazy I hate saying so that's when the heel takes advantage of a situation it kind of plays into the character. You know if Penta actually comes out and calls his shot I think is you know kind of the right baby face way to do it but making them look over their shoulders stressing them out. And then he's going to tie it in to the Roman storyline where if he's got to you know keep one eye on Sammy one eye on 946 one eye on Penta it spreads him thin so if he does drop that title it kind of doesn't devalue him but it means something to ever takes it off of him.

23:35 So I think this it's the right methodology to do with having Penta just kind of lurking in the shadows waiting to strike on one of those guys. So we started off the show talking about the pop let's finish up the show talking about the pop. Go back to it here I mean I I think it was it was stone cold like I mean that reaction was loud and it was job well done by everybody involved from the people that are writing the story to all the guys and girls that are executing the story in the ring right now. And it was clearly the thing that the fans wanted to see they wanted to see Roman get involved now he is. Did this just get elevated to a level that we should be very very excited about.

24:18 Yeah I mean because it does show that Roman does care about his family that's a big thing you know we we talked about a last we show Roman had the comments of Kathy Kelly where he's like look my family understands that the title is more important than everything else and this is the man who what. Two months ago basically made so you know he made Jacob joined the bloodline forced Jacob to join the bloodline forced so join the bloodline but then there he is out there with his family fighting this you know this gang coming in to take them down so. I think it worked really really well because that's what we've been waiting you know we want to see that side of Roman where he cares about something else other than just his reputation in the title and then also having him if you watch closely when they square off four to four he's he's squaring off with Royce keys so I think that makes helps out Royce keys as well and we talked about that last week like Royce keys needs to feel like a threat to Roman reigns and he hasn't done anything on the main roster to make him feel like a threat so by having Roman single him out to square off when they go to battle helps Royce keys elevate his level as well.

25:31 Take a look at like Bronco Neiman Lucien price in this entire thing I mean like four or five weeks ago I think they're refuting with birthright in NXT and here they are on one of the top store I mean much longer than that now I think it was obviously like August timeframe but now here they are feuding with some of the top V top star in the cut and one of the top stars in the industry and some of the top stars in the entire industry and one of the biggest stables we've ever had in WWE history as well in the bloodline I mean that is just absurd in Jada Parker who I've always been a huge fan of like getting this opportunity to be in the main event pictures of female is phenomenal and fantastic and I can't wait to see how that potentially balances out maybe somebody should be proceeding with caution as they move forward.

26:11 Dr. Tray last thing I will ask you here what when do we expect Jacob ought to back you just brought him up when when should fans expect Jacob ought to back when do you expect to back here are October 22nd war games is about a month from now I would imagine at some point he's involved but when do you we think that is within two weeks I don't think it'll happen on raw if I think you might get you know you might get somebody jumping in because if he jumps in this week it does overshadow the Carmelo Hayes joining 946 you want to give a little bit of space in there but I I honestly right now at this point I think Jacobs joining 946 and LA nice join the bloodline and war games I that's why that's why I think we're headed with all this so and it maybe it's similar to the punk situation a couple years ago where you're going to owe me a favor if I help you guys out in this and then LA I get another shot at the title and then LA wins and Pentecaches and on LA night.

27:09 Yeah that's my vibe is we talked about it for a little bit on last week show I think Jacob does get to join the 946 I think it makes sense from a storyline standpoint and then I love the comparisons there to see him punk from a couple years ago to LA night being involved with the bloodline as well because I think there's some now mutual respect between he and Roman that they built up and wanting the bank. So there you go that is a lot of stuff there going on the world of professional wrestling a lot of good story lines that are taking place a lot of good pay per views we just saw and it's a good time to be a wrestling fans we close out 2026. Dr. Trey with that said let's get a couple plugs and sponsors out of the way you can download the show at patreon dot com slash SRT you podcast and the store where the show feed on Apple Spotify wherever you download this podcast don't forget to rate review and subscribe you could fall individually on X for myself at SRT you Jeff and for Dr. Trey Franklin at the Dr. Trey and of course don't forget the fall show on X at SRT you podcast with that being said what is going on in the one full world of Dr. Trey Franklin this week.

28:09 Well like Jeff said you can follow me on X at the Dr. Trey you can find me on Instagram and Facebook Dr. Trey Franklin when you're on Facebook go check out Rocketsy Chabish your wrestling we have our next big show coming up November 4th. So be on the lookout for that we just use our our building to help out other company FCW here in Alabama so but go check out the Facebook page Rocketsy Chabish your wrestling go check out the YouTube page YouTube dot com slash Rocketsy Chabish your wrestling as well for all the past shows in history but get out and support your local independent wrestling show where you two might be able to see some guy who's like 19 years old defeated guy who's damn near 55 in a wrestling match but they won't be in a good shape as Nick Wayne in Chris Jericho.

28:56 I'm diggin the Nick Wayne character right now man I'm happy for him. I mean he is such I mean his character sometimes was so like over the top with the arrogance that it just felt a little uncomfortable but now that he is like really kind of like owning that a lot more it's been phenomenal and I think putting him with Jericho has been has been absolutely great so lots of good stuff going on the world professional wrestling again anything that we talked about on this week's edition the show please comment over at the Patreon page patreon.com/deroldoshow and more importantly if you're a fan of the show you enjoy listen to us listen to us listening to us each and every week please sign up join over at Patreon it's completely free and that way you know we know who are audience in our bases that's tuning in and enjoying the show each and every week so have a great weekend thank you for making us part of your week for anything that you listen to in the wrestling content world and until next week for Dr. Tray Franklin I am Jeff Peck this has been the still with the show.