The Underdog from the Underground takes on The Destroyer in this impromptu Monday Night Raw matchup.

This cannot be denied: A fired-up Sami Zayn is a different Sami Zayn. But it still wasn’t enough to stop Samoa Joe.

The monstrous Superstar extinguished The Underdog from the Underground’s fire in Raw’s grueling opening bout, gradually wearing down Zayn’s furious efforts to defend the honor Raw General Manager Mick Foley.

Of all The Samoan Submission Machine’s opponents thus far, Zayn came as close as any to scoring the upset win. He thwarted Joe’s attempt to administer the Muscle Buster and roared back from a near count-out defeat to put Joe on his heels.

He even busted Joe open by ramming him headfirst into the post, but a wobbly Joe still caught Sami with the Uranage seconds before the Helluva Kick was about to make landfall. One Coquina Clutch later, and Sami had no choice but to tap out.