[announcer] Yes, sir, we've promised you a great main event here tonight.
[man 1] Freddie Blassie, the maker of champions.
-[man 2] Andre the Giant! -WrestleMania.
[Hogan] Hulkamania is running wild.
-[Undertaker] Rest in… -My God! What a--
-[The Rock] If you smell… -[Vince] You're fired.
-[Austin] Give me a hell yeah! -[crowd] Hell yeah!
-[Jim] It's not over. -[Cole] The world is watching.
["Rise Up" by Drowning Pool playing]
♪ And I wont be denied ♪
♪ 'Cause all I've got left is my pride ♪
♪ And I will rise up ♪
♪ Break it out, break you down Breaking rules, breaking ground ♪
♪ Had your chance, now it's gone ♪
♪ All you take, all you've done ♪
[fireworks booming]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] History will be made tonight.
We welcome you to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
This is Friday Night SmackDown. Michael Cole and Tazz at ringside.
And tonight, Tazz, we will have a new United States Champion.
[Tazz] No doubt, Cole.
The question is can Chris Benoit complete
one of the greatest comebacks in wrestling history?
Benoit was down 3-0.
But if he wins tonight, he'll become the new United States Champion.
And, Cole, what a comeback this is!
[Cole] And also tonight, it is the return of the legendary "Rowdy" Roddy Piper.
Piper's Pit is back.
It is bound to be the most bizarre Pit ever,
Piper's guest, The Boogeyman.
[Tazz] Is Hot Rod gonna eat some worms or bugs, what's up?
["I Walk Alone" by Saliva playing]
[Tazz] Oh, boy.
[Cole] And we're kicking things off with the World Heavyweight Champion.
It's time to unleash "The Animal."
[Tazz] That's, uh… Well…
Here's our General Manager.
I wonder why Teddy Long is out here, our General Manager, with the Champ.
What an ovation, though, for Batista, huh?
[Chimel] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the World Heavyweight Champion, Batista.
[Cole] Well, ladies and gentlemen,
it has been a rough couple of weeks for the Champion,
of course, facing the sexual harassment lawsuit at the hands of Melina.
And also the fact that Batista has been manhandled
in recent weeks by "The World's Strongest Man" Mark Henry.
What about the rumors, Tazz, that have been running rampant
that the World Heavyweight Champion suffered injuries this past weekend?
[Tazz] I don't know, Cole. Batista looks pretty good to me.
The Champ looks, uh, he looks sharp as a tack, fit as a fiddle.
The question is, I'm telling you,
what the hell is our General Manager doing here?
-Teddy Long's in the corner there. -[Cole] That is a great question.
But we're kicking things off with the World Heavyweight Champion,
Batista, here at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
[Tazz] Well, the roof damn near came off this joint
when the Champ came out.
Now, Philly loves the Champ.
♪ The weight of the world Is falling on my shoulders ♪
[crowd chanting "Batista!"]
[Tazz] He looks-- He looks a little shook up.
Now, many of you may know,
most of you probably don't know,
because I've been keeping it to myself until I made a decision.
On Sunday night in a match against Mark Henry, I was injured.
[crowd booing]
Now, I've worked through injuries,
but this is a severe injury that I will not be able to work through.
I will-- It will require a surgery…
that will…
that will leave me sidelined indefinitely.
[crowd booing]
You know, when I first won the World Heavyweight Championship,
a real good friend of mine, Nate Paul, told me to enjoy the ride.
And, Paul, I've enjoyed every second of this ride.
Every time I walked through that curtain, it was the thrill of my life.
I was proud to be Champion. I am proud to be Champion.
I was proud to represent you people. I was proud to represent this company.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Batista!
It was my pride, my privilege, my honor to follow the great tradition,
men like Ric Flair "Nature Boy…"
[crowd] Woo!
…Harley Race, Triple H,
Dusty Rhodes, "The American Dream," baby.
It was my privilege, my honor
to entertain you.
I love you guys and you will never know how much.
[crowd cheering]
I always wanted to be the kind of Champion
to come out here and defend my title against whoever.
No matter how big, how small, from Big Show
to Eddie Guerrero. God bless you.
I love you, Eddie!
[crowd chanting] Eddie!
[Batista] I love you and I miss you.
But I am physically…
unable to do that and I must--
as a great Champion, I must do the right thing.
No! No!
[woman] Don't do it, Champ!
I have no choice…
but to surrender…
the World Heavyweight Championship.
No! No!
-[man 1] Don't do it. Don't do it. -[man 2] Don't do it!
Teddy, I wanna tell you one thing
and I'm gonna steal a line.
I'm gonna steal a line from my friend and my mentor.
"To be the man, you got to beat the man."
[crowd] Woo!
Y'all hear what I'm saying? "To be the man, you gotta beat the man."
And I know what you're planning to do with the World Heavyweight Championship.
But I gotta say, and I wanna say it to you,
I wanna say it to everybody else.
And I wanna say it to the next man who wears this belt.
Teddy, I will be back,
I will reclaim that title.
I will be World Heavyweight Champion again.
[crowd cheering]
-[Cole] Wow. -[Tazz] What the hell was this?
What have we just witnessed here?
[Cole] Well, the fact of the matter is,
Batista is now the former World Heavyweight Champion,
injuries forcing Batista to surrender his championship
to General Manager Theodore Long.
[Tazz] Hey, man, I'll tell you something…
[Tazz continues indistinctly]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Unbelievable.
A very proud Champion, a very proud Champion.
[Tazz] I don't know what to say. It's, uh…
I feel for-- I just-- I don't…
If you're gonna lose a championship, you want-- you want to lose it.
You wanna lose it like David Batista alluded to.
He's got to get beat, you know what I mean?
[Cole] It's got to be a terrible and an awful feeling, Tazz.
The bottom line is this, here's a Champion who at the top of his game,
who has not lost that Championship
since winning it at WrestleMania almost a full year,
at the top of his game, the Champion has got to surrender the title.
And a tremendous show of respect from the SmackDown fans for Dave Bautista.
Here's a man who loves this business.
And Batista showing respect in return to the great fans
who supported him throughout a Championship reign
which began at WrestleMania last year.
[announcer] It's the most volatile pay-per view event of the year.
Thirty Superstars, every man for himself.
Who has the edge in this year's Royal Rumble Match?
Find out in the January issue of Raw Magazine, available now.
[Cole] Dave Bautista is now the former World Heavyweight Champion.
Moments ago, Batista reluctantly surrendering the title
to the General Manager
because of an injury suffered this past weekend.
[Tazz] It's such a shame.
I mean, Batista on top of his game. I mean, I don't know what to say.
Unfortunately, he had to surrender his title which is heartbreaking.
I just feel for the man, big time, horrible.
David Bautista!
Look, I know that was a hard way to give that belt up.
I know it was hard.
-But I also know you'll be back. -Thank you.
All right, make it quick. All right, buddy.
-Make it quick. -All right, I will.
Big man. You'll come back stronger.
-Thank you. -Good.
-You're a great Champion. -Thanks, man. Thanks a lot.
-Hey, guys. -Hey, David.
Good luck.
-We'll see you soon I hope. -Thank you.
-Come back stronger. -Thanks, Champ.
Double… Wait a minute. Look at me now. Look at me.
You're just getting started, do you hear me?
-Yes, sir. -You'll get well.
Yes, sir.
-I'll see you soon. Get well. -Thank you.
Get well.
[chuckles]
[crowd cheering]
-I'll miss you, man. -I love you, man.
-I love you too, man. -You can do this, right?
You're gonna leave me solo, man.
No, man. You don't need anybody. I told you that.
You know what? I'm gonna do what I do best, man.
That's right.
-I'm gonna put it down. -That's what I'm talking about.
I'm gonna put it down for you and for all those people out there, man.
-I love you, Dave. -I love you. Thanks, man.
Take care.
I think that belt would look awfully good right around your waist.
[chuckles]
I love you, man.
-You can do it. -Thank you.
World Heavyweight Champion.
-Me? -Mm-hmm.
I love you, Dave. I love you.
Take care of yourself.
Ladies and gentlemen, Batista was right.
The legacy of this Championship must go on.
And it will continue right here tonight…
because right here in Philadelphia…
[crowd cheering]
…our big main event match
is going to be an Over The Top Rope Battle Royal.
[Tazz] Oh, yeah.
And, ladies and gentlemen,
I guarantee you this,
the last man standing in this ring
will be crowned the new World Heavyweight Champion.
-[Cole] Wow. -Thank you.
[Cole] Can you believe it?
Tonight on Friday Night SmackDown,
an Over The Top Rope Battle Royal
to determine the new World Heavyweight Champion.
[Tazz] Well, how many Superstars are in this Battle Royal?
This is gigantic, colossal. I mean, how many guys?
Well, we're gonna find out later on tonight.
But I'll tell you what, this may be the biggest SmackDown in history,
because we're gonna crown two Champions tonight.
I'll tell you something, sometimes we throw that around a lot,
"Biggest one ever." You know what?
I think you're right, partner. This may be the biggest SmackDown ever, for sure.
Well, we're about ready to kick things off
because coming up next, ladies and gentlemen,
we are going to have the United States Championship Matchup,
but of course, it's going to be Booker T,
his substitute, Randy Orton, taking on Chris Benoit.
The question is, can Benoit come all the way back?
This best of seven started a couple of months ago.
[Teddy] I am going to make an executive decision.
Booker T versus Chris Benoit
in a Best Of 7 Series.
And the winner becomes the Undisputed United States Champion.
[bell rings]
[Cole] The bottom line is Booker T only needs to win
one more match out of the next four.
Benoit has to win four in a row.
Benoit… Crossface is locked in. Booker T taps out.
-Benoit wins. -[Tazz] He did it.
[Cole] Chris Benoit is back in the game.
Teddy, you know what's going on,
-I'm hurt. -I know that you're hurt.
I'm injured and I cannot wrestle tonight.
Listen, we're in the middle of this series,
now, Booker, if you can't wrestle, I guess I'll just have--
Hey, I got a solution.
Maybe I can find a substitute.
Book, what makes you think I would wanna do you a favor?
Why would I wanna take your place?
[Booker] Listen, you go out there tonight.
You beat Chris Benoit, I'll become the Unites States Champion,
but you get all of the glory, man.
You prove to the world that you are the Legend Killer.
[Tazz] He's got that foot He's going for the Crossface.
[Cole] He's got it locked in.
-[Tazz] Oh, my God. Crossface. -[dramatic music plays]
[bell rings]
[Chimel] The winner of this match
as a result of a disqualification, Chris Benoit.
Yo, Randy. It wasn't supposed to go down like that, man.
It wasn't supposed to happen like that.
It's as simple as this, I'm gonna go out there tonight,
and I'm gonna bring you…
I'm gonna hand deliver this United States Championship.
Before I do…
[chuckles]
…we got to make one thing perfectly clear.
What's that, man?
You're gonna owe me one.
-[Booker] All right. Yeah. -All right.
What the hell do you want, man?
If you woulda let me go out there,
then you'd be United States Champion right now.
-Oh, yeah? -But hey…
You need to get your heels to tappin' right now.
You know what, I'm sick and tired of you laughing at me,
talking about tapping out, tap this, tap that.
The only way you get some respect around here, you gotta earn it.
-Do you want me to earn your respect? -You damn skippy.
All right.
Just remember, you said that, Book.
[Cole] Chris Benoit is down three matches to two.
It is do or die.
Benoit must win this matchup or Booker T will become United States Champion.
[Booker] He's gonna finish this, we're finna go home.
[crosstalk]
-What the hell is this? -Wait a minute.
-Who the hell is… -[Cole] It's Orlando Jordan.
Orlando Jordan just took out Booker T.
And now, Orlando with a chair to Benoit. The referee calls for the bell.
-[Tazz] What's going on here? -Benoit is back in it.
It's tied 3-3. The winner of the matchup
will become Undisputed United States Champion.
-Whoa, whoa, whoa, Teddy, Teddy. -What's up, dawg?
What's up, man? Hey, listen, I heard what you said and I'm excited.
I'm ecstatic, man, because you know that
no one knows about the legacy of the World Title…
-Like me. -Yeah. I know that.
After all, I was the youngest World Heavily Champion in history
and tonight, I'm gonna do it again, man, do you hear me?
-What? -"What?"
I'm gonna wear this around my waist by the end of the night
and I'm gonna do it in that Battle Royal.
-All I need you to do… -But wait, wait…
Listen, all I need you to do is to do--
Do what you got to do and postpone that match, man,
between me and Benoit, Best Of 7 Series. I need all the energy--
Postpone the match between you and Benoit?
I need all the energy that I can get for that Battle Royal.
Hold on just a minute, player. Hold on just a minute, Randy.
-Now, I'm sorry about that. -Sorry about what?
I'm not going to do that, okay?
Now, tonight, you and Chris Benoit
have one match only,
the match that has been advertised all week.
-Teddy. -Hey, listen, player.
It's the final match in the Best of 7 Series
for the Undisputed United States Championship.
Booker should be out there, not me. I don't need this around my waist.
Hey, you made a commitment to Booker T and you're gonna keep it,
so I suggest to you, you better get ready to get your shine on, player.
That match is going to happen right now. All right, man.
My shine.
["If Ya' Think" playing]
-[Tazz] Oh, nice try, Randy. -[Cole] Oh, really nice try.
[Tazz] I don't blame him for trying, to be honest with you. I don't blame him.
[Cole] The former Miss Black America, Sharmell,
Booker T 's wife.
[Tazz] She looks lovely. Look at that girl.
Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure
to introduce to you the man who tonight
will become your Undisputed United States Champion.
My man, Booker T.
["Can You Dig It?" by Jim Johnston playing]
[Cole] Well, in order for that to happen, Booker T's substitute,
Randy Orton, must beat Chris Benoit here tonight.
I don't know about you, partner, but it feels like a big fight feel
at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania here tonight.
[Tazz] Well, I agree with you completely on that.
And we see Booker T on crutches.
I know it's killing Booker with that groin injury.
He'd love to be wrestling for himself.
[Cole] And for the first time in WWE history,
a substitute can win a title for another man.
Will history be made? We'll find out next.
[people chanting] You screwed Breticus!
Shanegus, how do I appease these people?
Well, then, Caesar, this year, we have a new concept.
It's called the Royal Rumblis.
-Thirty men. -One lion's den.
[lion roars]
[crowd roaring]
Let the Rumblis begin!
[announcer] WWE Royal Rumble,
live, Sunday, January 29th, only on pay-per-view.
[groaning]
Et tu, Shanegus?
[Cole] We are back on SmackDown.
Booker T awaiting his handpicked substitute for tonight's matchup.
A win for Randy Orton and Booker T becomes the United States Champion.
[Tazz] Yeah, well, Randy Orton's not too happy either,
-I'll tell you that right now. -[Cole] For the first time in WWE history,
a substitute can win a title for another man.
["Burn In My Light" by Mercy Drive playing]
[Tazz] And here comes that substitute.
[bell rings]
[Chimel] The following contest is the seventh
and final match in the Best of 7 Series
for the Undisputed United States Championship.
Making his way to the ring from St. Louis, Missouri,
weighing in at 245 pounds,
"The Legend Killer" Randy Orton.
[Cole] Well, Tazz mentioned earlier on,
Randy Orton is not happy to be involved in this matchup,
but he's involved nonetheless.
[Tazz] Look at Randy Orton's chest,
he's been in some battles with Chris Benoit.
Those are the wounds from those deadly chops by the Rabid Wolverine.
[Cole] This is the third matchup in which Randy Orton will represent
Booker T with an opportunity to help Booker T
win the United States Championship.
[Tazz] Cole, it's been do or die for Chris Benoit the last three matches.
Tonight, it's do or die for both men.
Well, Cole, tonight, SmackDown is being brought to you by H&R Block.
And by Touchstone Pictures' Annapolis, coming to you in theaters, January 27th.
And by Subway, celebrate this new year by keeping a resolution,
start with the Subway restaurants. Subway, eat fresh.
["Whatever" by Our Lady Peace playing]
[Cole] Will it happen for Benoit tonight?
[Chimel] And from Atlanta, Georgia, weighing in at 234 pounds,
"The Rabid Wolverine" Chris Benoit.
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, it would not be a stretch to say
that a victory tonight for Chris Benoit
would complete one of the most improbable,
one of the greatest comebacks in wrestling history.
Chris Benoit went down 3-0 in the Best of 7 Series to Booker T,
but he's climbed all the way back to knot the series at three apiece.
And a win tonight would crown Benoit the United States Champion.
[Tazz] I'll tell you what, it's no secret to anybody
especially Chris Benoit,
he's got to keep, unfortunately, his eyes in the back of his head
and watch, you know, Sharmell.
I mean she's interjected herself in Booker's matches
-and these matches with Orton. -[Cole] Watch Sharmell?
-What about Booker T at ringside? -[Tazz] He's injured.
Booker T is on crutches, Cole. Come on, give the guy a break.
It's been eating at him and he's killing himself
trying to get in this match, he can't, Booker T.
He's injured. He got that torn-up groin.
[Cole] An amazing atmosphere here inside the Wachovia Center
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
It's all for the United States Championship.
Benoit with a victory becomes Champion. If Orton wins, Booker T will be the Champ.
[crowd clamoring]
SmackDown fans behind Chris Benoit in the early going of the matchup.
[Booker] Watch yourself, Randy. Watch yourself.
[Cole] Benoit and Randy Orton feeling each other out
in the early going here of this matchup.
[Tazz] You know, Cole, you got to wonder, Orton's motivation here.
He could have been in that Battle Royal tonight,
but as luck would have it,
he's committed to be in this match to wrestle for Booker T.
It's a tough break for Orton.
[Cole] Here's Benoit backing Orton into the ropes.
Referee Nick Patrick calling for a break
and both men back to the center of the ring.
And Randy Orton using the bottom rope for leverage there.
[Tazz] Both men jockeying for position, both men extremely powerful and strong.
And now the referee is gonna have to break here. Both men on the ropes.
He got a clean break. I don't know. Maybe not.
[Cole] And Orton backed into the ropes, there's the clean break by Chris Benoit.
Remember, it was Randy Orton who back at SummerSlam
a couple of years ago,
became the youngest World Heavyweight Champion in history, Tazz,
when he defeated none other than Chris Benoit.
[Tazz] And I know. Don't think Benoit doesn't know that.
You hear this loud-- It was a moment ago, a loud Benoit chant here in Philadelphia.
Chris Benoit's got a great history here in Philly
from days back in ECW and in WCW.
Tremendous success for Benoit all over the world
and right here in Philly, especially.
So, if you're Randy Orton, Tazz, what have you learned
about Chris Benoit over the past couple of weeks in these one-on-one matchups?
[Tazz] Avoid the suplex and watch that crippler Crossface,
that is what you got to watch with Benoit. Don't play a mat game with Chris Benoit.
[Cole] If you're Chris Benoit, what do you have to look out for in Randy Orton?
[Tazz] Well, Orton, for a-- for a young athlete is very savvy
and I think that's how some guys get caught by Randy.
I think Randy Orton is way ahead of his time and his age.
Benoit was going for a single leg, but Orton with that front headlock.
[Cole] And look at Chris Benoit, twisting that left arm of Randy Orton
and the Legend Killer grimacing in pain.
[Tazz] He's in a hammerlock right now. And that's a very painful hold.
And kick to the back of the knee, Benoit breaking down Randy Orton.
That's what you wanna watch. And Booker is concerned.
Sharmell is concerned.
Orton don't wanna get smacked, you know. I'm telling you, he's with the devil.
[Cole] And again Randy Orton is Booker T's substitute.
A victory for Orton tonight,
Booker T would become Undisputed United States Champion.
[Tazz] Nice takedown, but the tenacious Benoit,
key locks that hammerlock right there.
And see, he's got it all locked up and he's got the leg hooked.
Finds a way to get out, a nice escape by Randy Orton, and back into a headlock.
[Cole] Randy Orton rolling through that time.
And I was going to say, I don't think Randy Orton wants to get
into a mat-based game with Chris Benoit here in this match.
[Tazz] I just said that twice.
[Cole] And Orton backed into the ropes by Benoit.
Referee Nick Patrick begins the count.
[Tazz] They both tie up and Orton won't break the hold.
The referee is trying-- is trying to do his job.
-One! Two! -[Cole] Randy Orton…
[Tazz] He's just trying to put some pain, you know, he can't keep the hold on Orton…
trying to-- What has Orton got in mind? What is he doing?
[Cole] Looking to break Benoit perhaps the hard way. Benoit blocking it now.
[Tazz] Oh, now it's blocked by Benoit.
It's not his first rodeo, he's blocking that vertical suplex.
[Cole] Benoit blocks again.
Benoit trying to cinch it in on Randy Orton.
-[Tazz] Orton, Benoit… -[Cole] Orton hung off by the top rope.
That's the veteran instinct of Chris Benoit right there
and Booker T knows it.
[Tazz] Booker T knows and Booker T's eyeing up Chris Benoit.
[Cole] Uh-oh, whoa, whoa.
[Tazz] Watch out, Benoit.
Booker is capable of interfering at any time.
[Cole] Yeah, Booker T trapped-- Wait a minute. Whoa, whoa.
I guess Benoit just went down with the mat, holding his knee.
The referee is… What the hell is going on here?
[Tazz] Wait, the ref thinks Booker hit Benoit.
-[Cole] Wait a minute! -[Tazz] He's fooling him.
-[Cole] You're right. -[Tazz] Book didn't hit him, though.
What the hell? Are you kidding me?
[Cole] That was clever on Chris Benoit's part.
[Tazz] Booker didn't do anything.
[Cole] Booker T is being kicked out of the arena and Chris Benoit,
he just pulled one over on Booker T.
[Tazz] And that was right out of the playbook that Benoit's friend,
the late great Eddie Guerrero.
Chris Benoit is building momentum.
Can Benoit stay in the driver's seat when we return to Philadelphia
with the United States Championship on the line?
[indistinct chatter]
[Cole] We are back on SmackDown.
Chris Benoit and Booker T substitute, Randy Orton,
match number seven, Best of 7 Series tied at three apiece,
winner of the matchup becomes United States Champion,
that would be if Orton wins, Booker T becomes Champ,
but the breaking news here, Tazz-- and here's the cover by Orton.
And a kickout by Benoit, is the fact that Booker T and Sharmell
have been kicked out of the arena,
sent back to the locker room by referee Nick Patrick.
[Tazz] Well, Randy Orton's gonna have to do it on his own if he does win it.
Now look at that, trying to get out of this hammerlock.
-[Cole] Benoit with the backbreaker. -[Tazz] That was nasty.
[Cole] Sounds like two pit bulls flying right over our shoulder.
[Tazz] That wasn't, that's right over us.
[Cole] A high elbow by Chris Benoit
and now into the side headlock on Randy Orton.
What do you make of the pace of the matchup thus far, Tazz,
-between Orton and Benoit? -[Tazz] I've got to say, it's even-Steven.
I mean, let's take a look at one of his elbows by Benoit.
Let's see what-- look at that. There's one. There's another one.
Look at that! Something went flying out of Randy's mouth-- Orton's mouth.
I don't know what the hell it was.
[Cole] Both men locked up, center of the ring.
Randy Orton picking the leg of Chris Benoit, quickly on top.
[Tazz] Trying to get some control from the top
and going for a choke.
It looks like Orton and he better watch he don't get pinned.
Randy Orton is going for a mount position as Benoit is getting the guard on him.
But watch that arm now.
That's the beginnings of that Crossface, Cole. Look at this.
[Cole] Chris Benoit trying to lock in the Crossface.
[Tazz] That's that Fujiwara armbar which is the beginnings of that Crossface.
[Cole] Randy Orton wisely in the guard.
[Tazz] He's putting Randy-- He's putting Benoit
in that guard with that rear naked choke.
Very smart by Randy Orton.
That's a submission style of wrestling.
I've never seen Randy use that style, but it works for him.
It worked for him there, that's for sure.
[Cole] For the fourth week in a row, Tazz, it is sudden death for Chris Benoit.
He's won three matches in a row, but he's got to win again
tonight to win the United States Championship.
[Tazz] Well, Cole, it's sudden death for Orton too.
[Cole] Exactly.
[Tazz] More importantly, Booker T at sudden death,
It's three apiece, right? Three up.
[Cole] Booker T-- What do you think is going through his mind
having to watch this matchup now
back in the locker room area on some TV set back there?
[Tazz] He's got to be furious with all the monitors,
but he's got to be furious about it.
If I was Booker T, he wants to be out here, you know, this is-- Oh!
[Cole] Wow!
[Tazz] You know why, Booker T was unceremoniously
and incorrectly thrown out of ringside anyway.
[Cole] And that's why Randy Orton has all those red welts all over his body
and Orton backing Benoit into the corner. Rake of the eyes by Randy Orton.
[Tazz] Well, Randy Orton's pecs are like raw meat. There's another chop.
Oh, man, that hurts. I'm telling you, can't explain that. Oh.
[Cole] Benoit shoulder-first into the steel post.
Randy Orton, perhaps out of desperation,
just launched Benoit into the steel post
and it allows the Legend Killer to regain and catch his breath here.
[Tazz] Or regroup and that's what Orton needed to do.
Let's take another look at Benoit sailing into the steel post. Watch this.
See that? Bam!
Right across the turnbuckle, steel or the-- between the corner and the beam.
That hurts. That'll rip your arm off.
[Cole] Benoit sent back into the ring, Randy Orton quickly on the attack,
but walks into another chop by Benoit. Side headlock by Orton.
Nice takedown.
And Orton continues the pressure on "The Rabid Wolverine" Chris Benoit,
as we take another look. Watch this, listen to the impact.
[Tazz] Benoit is going in for the kill
and you can see him fall on the bicep and shoulder right to that steel post.
And now there's-- Uh-oh.
[Cole] Shoulder down and at two, Benoit rolled out.
And again, look at this. Orton, shoulders down, this time a two-count.
[Tazz] That's what I'm saying. On the mat, even though Benoit is in the hold,
he's on that side headlock by Orton.
Well, Chris Benoit knows how to go for a pin cover by turning the man stacking.
[Cole] Either one of these men have an advantage
at this point in this matchup, Tazz?
[Tazz] I do-- I still think it's kind of even, Cole. I mean, I really do.
Well, I don't know how much of Randy even wanted to utilize Booker,
if he was able to, but he got thrown out of here
where I don't think it was cool of him to get even.
[Cole] Shoulder knockdown by the cocky, arrogant, Randy Orton.
Orton up over the top of Benoit,
Chris Benoit went for the hiptoss, blocked by Orton. Look at this.
-[Tazz] Whoa, watch out. -[Cole] Benoit going for that armbar.
[Tazz] Going for that Crossface. He's got the armbar a little there.
[Cole] And Randy Orton in trouble, center of the ring.
If Benoit can lock it in here, it could be lights out for Randy Orton.
[Tazz] Benoit smart putting his hip behind Benoit's hip,
but, oh, my God, that armbar, that's the beginnings of the Crossface.
That-- Oh, man, Orton's in trouble. Look how far back his shoulder's bent.
-Holy smokes. -[Cole] Randy Orton rolling through again.
And Benoit locks in the armbar even tighter this time.
[Tazz] That's a great hold. That's a great armbar
and that Fujiwara armbar and now Orton…
[Cole] Ducks underneath the bottom ropes, wisely scooting out of the ring.
[Tazz] Scooting, but more importantly, breaking the momentum of Chris Benoit.
Making sure his damn arm doesn't fall off.
That armbar is nasty and Benoit is smart not going out after him.
[Cole] Oh, Randy Orton, Chris Benoit wants Orton back in the ring.
Benoit with a right hand to the Legend Killer.
Randy Orton knows what that Crossface feels like.
Looks like he was about to tap out to it a couple of weeks ago
before Sharmell picked Benoit… And what a suplex!
Orton coming in the hard way. Benoit, cover, hook of the leg.
Shoulders down and a kickout at two.
[Tazz] Remember, the score is 3-3 in the Best of 7 Series.
This is the final match. We will definitely crown a United States Champion.
Will it be Benoit?
Will it be Orton or Booker T, I should say, if Orton were to win but…
because he's the substitute.
[Cole] And that's what it's all about, the United States Championship.
A title that Chris Benoit held until October
when he was screwed out of the Championship
by Booker T and his wife, Sharmell.
[Tazz] I've said before, I'll say it again,
I think it's killing Booker T that he had to have a substitute due to that injury
that Booker can't be in here in this ring himself wrestling for the gold.
[Cole] I don't know if it's quite killing Booker T.
Maybe it's killing him that he can't be out here at ringside to witness this.
And Randy Orton made it to the rope.
It caused the forced break by referee Nick Patrick. And look at this.
Orton caught up on the top rope. Oh!
[Tazz] Those chops are brutal.
[Cole] Those knife-edge chops
sending an echoing thud throughout the Wachovia Center.
[Tazz] Orton's trying to block them.
Whether you like Orton or not, you got to feel for this man's chest.
I've been there. It hurts like hell. You can't explain it.
[Cole] And Orton realizing he's in trouble.
Trying to battle out.
Straight right hand to the head of Chris Benoit and another.
Chris Benoit teetering on the second rope.
Chris Benoit trying to keep his balance. Trying to stay in this thing.
Head butts by the Rabid Wolverine.
[Tazz] Look at that, that was one heavy-- there's another one.
Look at this. Benoit is so tenacious and pugnacious.
[Cole] And head butted off the top rope off the barricade!
[Tazz] He's out. Look at his eyes, Cole.
[Cole] Randy Orton may be out cold.
Combination of the headbutts and then bouncing off the barricade.
This is how vicious the Rabid Wolverine is.
[Tazz] Oh, my God. Jaw-first.
[Cole] Chris Benoit is in control.
Can he keep it up with the United States title on the line
when we return?
[Cole] Chris Benoit stalking Randy Orton. Welcome back to Friday Night SmackDown.
Winner of this matchup becomes the United States Champion
as Chris Benoit going for the Sharpshooter,
trying to put out Booker T's substitute, Randy Orton.
[Tazz] But Benoit has been all over Orton throughout this break.
And I'll tell you what, Orton is--
I'm sorry, Benoit's going for that Sharpshooter-- Oh, no, no.
Actually, it's not the Sharp-- Oh, it is the--
No, it's not the Sharpshooter.
[Cole] I don't know what Benoit is trying to do here.
[Tazz] Almost like a version of a standing--
Maybe a leglock of sorts.
-I don't know, but look at this. -Orton trying to battle out and he does.
Again, let's take another look
at the tenacity of the Rabid Wolverine, Chris Benoit.
[Tazz] Oh, my God, did you hear that, Cole?
Down first went Orton.
[Cole] Yeah, skull hitting skull
and then skull of Orton hitting the barricade outside the ring.
Again, to set the scene, ladies and gentlemen,
Randy Orton, if he wins this matchup,
Booker T becomes the United States Champion.
If Chris Benoit wins, he is the United States Champion.
As Orton continues the pressure on Chris Benoit.
-[Tazz] Watch out. -[Cole] Oh, and another knee.
[Tazz] That high flying knee right across that shoulder region of Benoit.
And now, you see Randy Orton on the prowl, on the stalk here.
[Cole] This is great strategy by Orton,
that it's well documented the conditioning of Chris Benoit.
You can try to take Benoit's breath away to gain an upper hand in the matchup.
And here's Orton with the right hand to Chris Benoit.
[Tazz] Well, Orton's had enough of Benoit chopping. I don't blame him.
I think that's a desperation deal by Randy Orton there. I don't blame him.
[Cole] Well, no doubt at all.
[Tazz] His chest is like raw meat, Cole, throughout out this whole match
he's been getting chopped to hell. Here we go, here we go.
[Cole] Cover, forearm to the face, kickout at one by Chris Benoit.
[Tazz] He's real quick. Randy Orton shot that half Nelson,
turned Benoit, going for the cover now.
This rear naked choke here and Benoit escapes.
Now, for a rear mount goes Randy Orton
with that rear naked chokehold submission in this deal here.
[Cole] I'm very impressed with Randy Orton in this matchup.
Hasn't really allowed Benoit to get any breathing room.
[Tazz] In the beginning, I said that Randy shouldn't go for a mat-based style.
-You know, I was wrong. -What do you say, Benoit?
[Cole] Randy Orton continuing the pressure.
Referee Nick Patrick, perfect position to make sure it wasn't a choke.
Great armdrag by Chris Benoit. Benoit back to his feet.
Chris Benoit is trying to build momentum
and walked into a standing dropkick
by the Legend Killer who slithers like a snake
into the cover. Hooks the leg.
One, two, shoulders down, kickout by Benoit at two.
And I'll tell you, Benoit will not go down easily in this matchup.
He's come from way back. And there's a dropkick on the button by Orton. Wow.
[Tazz] Textbook, textbook, and another textbook.
What a dropkick and back to that rear choke by Orton
on the surgically-repaired neck of Chris Benoit.
[Cole] Randy Orton knew, Tazz, that it wasn't gonna be easy
to put away Benoit in this matchup. Benoit has come back from 3-0 down.
He's come way back to tie this thing.
And Benoit will not go down easily here tonight.
[Tazz] Well, again, you see Randy Orton is keeping the pressure on,
keeping the pressure on,
I mean, Randy Orton looks damn frustrated now
because he couldn't be in that Battle Royal
for the World Heavyweight Title. Look at this dropkick.
That dropkick, oh, wow. Randy Orton, he's looking good right now.
[Cole] Benoit trying to create separation and does.
Another chop, a right hand by Orton, a chop by Benoit,
a right by Orton, a chop by Benoit, a right by Orton,
and now the slugfest begins center of the ring.
Here comes Benoit, knocking Orton down and the Wolverine is building momentum.
[Tazz] Look at how quick the feet are of Benoit.
Oh, my God, flying elbow there.
Dropped an elbow right on the raw chest of Randy Orton.
[Cole] And Benoit, kick to the midsection. Orton's in trouble.
[Tazz] Look at that fisherman suplex.
[Cole] Hooks the leg, the bridge, kickout at two by Orton.
[Tazz] Nice fisherman suplex.
That's when you hook the man's leg and you do a vertical suplex
and he lands in a cradle. Real nice by Benoit. And more chops.
[Cole] The chops…
[Tazz] I think we're gonna see the breast bone--
Chest bone of Randy Orton, rip the skin off his body.
[Cole] Orton trying to shove Benoit away,
but the Wolverine continues the relentless assault.
[Tazz] I think that Benoit might split open that chest. Look at that.
Look at raw and…
[Cole] And a rake to the eyes by Orton,
desperation perhaps for the Legend Killer.
[Tazz] Double leg. Now what?
[Cole] Oh, going for the Sharpshooter perhaps is Benoit.
Benoit trying to lock it in. He's got to roll Orton on his belly.
He's got to roll Orton over on his belly.
-[Tazz] He's gonna get him. -And he does!
And the Sharpshooter is locked in!
And Benoit could be moments away from being the new United States Champion!
[Tazz] Oh, my God, Randy Orton is trying to get the ropes.
What the hell is Booker T thinking in the back?
[Cole] Benoit is pulling Orton back to the center of the ring.
And now, Benoit sinks. Benoit sinks into the crouch.
[Tazz] He's trying. Benoit's trying,
but Orton, he's trying too to get to those ropes.
[Cole] And a fingertip away and he gets there.
-[Tazz] Oh, man. -[Cole] Wow.
Chris Benoit had the Sharpshooter locked in.
Orton with the wherewithal to make it to the ropes.
[Tazz] And Benoit just now--
Now you really got Orton hurt here. Watch out.
[Cole] German!
[Tazz] Hanging on.
Orton's gonna go for a ride with this hat trick. Here's the second.
Can Benoit pop off the third?
[Cole] And this time, a released German suplex.
Chris Benoit hits the hat trick in Philadelphia and Benoit is in control.
[Tazz] Benoit might walk out of Philly, right now, new United States Champion.
Look at that.
[Cole] Benoit heading out to the apron. Orton's in trouble.
Chris Benoit is gonna climb to the top rope.
Chris Benoit gonna risk it all here.
-[Tazz] Wait for… -Nobody home.
Nobody home as Orton rolls out of the way.
Benoit crashing and burning.
[Tazz] And that devilish look by Randy Orton.
Orton knows he just dodged a bullet, Cole. He dodged a bullet.
[Cole] Chris Benoit throwing his body
into the ring all for the United States Championship.
Orton whipped into the corner. Here's Chris Benoit.
Double leg again. Oh!
The referee knocked down inadvertently after an elbow by Benoit
as he was kicked out of the Sharpshooter by Orton.
[Tazz] Look out. Look at this. Watch out.
[Cole] Oh, what a backbreaker.
[Tazz] Just whiplashes that neck, that move by Orton.
[Cole] Oh, no. Randy Orton's stalking his man.
Benoit trying to shake the cobwebs.
Randy-- Wait a minute! That's Orlando Jordan!
[Tazz] What the hell is he doing here?
[Cole] He screwed Orton last week, but not this week, went for the RKO. Here it is.
Crossface. The Crossface. The Crossface is locked in.
Benoit's got the Crossface locked in.
[Tazz] There's Booker and Sharmell. What the hell? We got no referee.
[Cole] Referee's knocked down. Booker's out at ringside. Orton's in the Crossface.
-What the hell is Booker doing? -[Tazz] Wait a minute.
-Watch out. -[Cole] Booker with a crutch.
And Benoit with a right hand.
-[Tazz] But Booker's injured! -[Cole] Booker T…
knocked out of the ring by Benoit.
[Tazz] The referee is still down. Sharmell is beside herself.
-Booker's right out in front of us here. -[Cole] And Benoit's back on the attack.
The RKO and the cover again into a Crossface.
He's got him in the Crossface.
Benoit's gonna do it. Benoit's gonna do it here.
-[Tazz] We need a referee out here. -Benoit with the Crossface locked in.
-Orton's eyes rolling back to his head. -[Tazz] You see, he's tapping out.
[Cole] Orton's tapping out, but the referee's down.
[Tazz] Benoit should just win the United States Title. What the…
[Cole] Benoit should be the US Champion and the referee's been knocked down.
Orton tapped out.
[Tazz] What a raw deal here, you got to wake the referee,
that's what Benoit's doing.
[Cole] And referee Nick Patrick coming to.
-He's going back. -[Tazz] Benoit is smart.
[Cole] Back to the Crossface. And again, the Crossface locked in.
-Again, the Crossface locked in. -[Tazz] Orton already tapped once.
-Where's the referee? -[Cole] Wait a minute.
That's Booker again.
-Booker T's got the United States title. -[Tazz] Wait, no. Oh, my God!
[Cole] Across the back of the head.
[Tazz] The neck and head…
with Randy Orton-- Now the ref is up.
[Cole] Chris Benoit knocked cold by Booker T.
[Tazz] Cole, I don't think the referee saw any of this.
[Cole] I don't think the referee did.
And here's Orton into the cover.
-[Tazz] Oh, no. -[Cole] You got to be kidding me!
-No, you got to be kidding. -Give me a break.
-Come on. -No, no.
-[bell rings] -Come on.
["Burn In My Light" by Mercy Drive playing]
[Chimel] The winner of this match, "The Legend Killer" Randy Orton.
[Cole] You've got to be kidding me! Benoit comes all the way back from 3-0.
He gets Orton to tap out and he doesn't win the United States title.
["Can You Dig It Sucka" by Jim Johnston playing]
[Chimel] And the new Undisputed United States Champion,
Booker T.
[Tazz] Cole, for the first time ever, I mean, you know,
another Superstar wrestling for a Championship for another Superstar.
So, Randy Orton won the match, but Booker T is the United States Champ.
It's crazy, Cole, but hey, we've got a new United States Champion, he's right there.
[Cole] Look at Booker T, parading around the ring like he--
Like he did it himself.
Well, I guess he did do it himself.
He hit Benoit over the head with the damn United States title.
[Tazz] Well, mark my words, I can tell you one thing, Cole,
Booker T definitely owes Randy Orton one, you know what I'm saying?
[Cole] Well, remember what Orton said last week,
"I win the title for you, Booker, you owe me one, big man."
[Tazz] Booker T had…
Well, I think Randy Orton right there reminding the Bookman,
"You owe me one, you said you'd give me an opportunity."
It looks like Booker is a man of his words.
-Is Orton gonna do it? -Yeah, Booker is a man of his words. Okay.
-Nonetheless… -[Tazz] He got a smile on his face…
[Cole] Well, let's show you what happened here.
Let's show you, ladies and gentlemen, how for the first time in history,
one Superstar won a Championship for another Superstar.
Benoit had matchup won here, a tap out by Randy Orton,
but Booker T, with the referee knocked down,
-would take advantage. -[Tazz] Totally, totally.
[indistinct] Booker T took advantage. We have a new Champion.
Let's take a look at the former Miss Black America, Sharmell, the elation!
The happiness that her husband just courageously, Cole,
courageously became new United States Champ.
[Cole] Do you wanna talk about courageous?
Not Booker T,
Chris Benoit is the one who was courageous here.
He was down 3-0. He battled back to tie this thing at 3-3.
He had the United States title won before he was screwed again. Give me a break.
-[indistinct mumbling] -[crowd cheering]
-Oh, gee! -What?
[hissing]
Hot Rod, Hot Rod, Hot Rod. Hey. Hot Rod, big things happened tonight.
We have a new United States Champion crowned.
And tonight, JBL takes his rightful place as the World Champion.
In Piper's Pit, you can have JBL on for the first time ever.
And you got The Boogeyman.
I really think there's somebody standing here that people wanna
listen to a little more than The Boogeyman.
You know, you're right.
You've always been a smart guy.
I admired you. Your taste is something else.
You're right.
I just don't know how to interview myself. I could start here… No.
I could…
What?
-You don't want me in the Pit, do you? -No, no. I don't mean that.
You know, I'm a media maven,
longest reigning WWE Champion in SmackDown history.
How many times have you been WWE Champion?
[retching, choking]
Had to go there, didn't you? Deepest cut of my life.
Okey-dokey there, honey bunny,
you are gonna be the royalty in Piper's Pit tonight, all right?
You, JBL, I want you and nothing but you, all right?
Thanks, Hot Rod.
-You're not gonna regret it. -All right. God bless you.
Put her on a leash if you can.
[Tazz] JBL's in the pit now? What the hell?
[Cole] That's what it sounds like.
And, ladies and gentlemen, still to comes tonight on this history making edition
of Friday Night SmackDown,
for the first time in WWE history,
the World Heavyweight Champion will be determined in a Battle Royal.
It's tonight.
[emotional music playing]
[John] In the hearts of El Pasoans,
Eddie Guerrero has forever maintained the title of El Paso's Champion.
So, it's with great honor that today,
we present his family with the Star On The Mountain Award.
[applauding]
[Steve] The Star On The Mountain Award
is an award that was to celebrate El Pasoans
who have made a difference in the community.
And it got its name because here in the community in the Franklin Mountains,
year-round we have a star that's lit up on the mountain.
So, it's very prominent. When people come to El Paso,
that's one of the things they identify with the city.
When they said they were trying to give this award out, you know,
for people's accomplishments, I was overwhelmed
because, you know, they thought of Eddie to give this award to.
Eddie grew here, he loved this place.
[Vickie] This is where we were born and raised and have many memories
that will never be forgotten.
I think he brought great honor here to this city,
mostly because of what he went through
and the lessons that he taught us.
[Steve] Every time he would come back to the community for a wrestling event,
he would always make time to go talk to high school students
and was always very inspirational in speaking to individuals.
And people in El Paso had a special love for him
because he was from here,
so he'll missed by those in this community.
[Vickie] For him to get recognized for the work that he's done,
I am very proud of that and now I know that he's looking down on us.
[crowd chanting "Eddie!"]
Yeah!
["The Green Hills Of Tyrol" playing on bagpipes]
[Chimel] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome WWE Hall of Famer, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper.
-[Cole] Well, Hot Rod is back. -[Tazz laughs] Look at Hot Rod.
[Cole] The always controversial, the Hall of Famer, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper.
[Tazz] What happened though? A whole new change?
Boogeyman was supposed to be in this deal, in Piper's Pit.
And now, JBL kind of snookered his way in there.
[Cole] Well, you know how persuasive JBL can be.
You know something,
this is 2006.
We had the first Piper's Pit in Philadelphia 22 years ago.
[crowd cheering]
Twenty-two years!
We ought to be friends by now, I think.
Now it's time to make more history,
so I'm gonna bring out a man that has never been on Piper's Pit before.
["Longhorn" by Jim Johnston playing]
[Tazz] I think Hot Rod's giving the introduction but…
[Cole] Well, what do you expect?
JBL is a media hog. He loves the spotlight.
[Tazz] He's a media mogul.
He's not a media mob-- mogul.
-[Cole] Hog. -[Tazz] Cole. Look at that. Maven.
He's a media maven too.
A media maven and a media mogul. He's not a media mob.
And there he is, JBL and Jillian Hall with that thing on her face.
[Cole] Well, JBL, of course, getting ready for the Battle Royal later tonight.
Look at the two-step, he's all happy. Look.
[Cole] Oh, he'll be real happy if he wins the Battle Royal
to win the World Heavyweight Championship later on.
Absolutely. That's his image consultant, Jillian Hall, walking on his side.
And Hot Rod, I don't know, he seemed a little reluctant at first
to allow JBL to, well, come into the Piper's Pit.
-I was hoping to see The Boogeyman myself. -[Cole] Well, it is Roddy Piper's show.
I know it's his show, Cole. Twenty-three years ago.
Right here, it's like an anniversary party and JBL's part of it.
I would've brought a gift if I'd known
it was Hot Rod's anniversary for the Piper's Pit.
You would've brought nothing because you're a deadbeat.
First of all, just-- I know it's your first time,
but you know, it's a real neat trick
if you let me say your name first before you come in.
Now, I know, this being the first time on Piper's Pit
that you've got lots of stuff to say 'cause you were telling me about it.
So, I say, what the hell, it's time for JBL.
[crowd booing]
Twenty-two years of Piper's Pit and the Hot Rod, Roddy Piper
and finally the greatest icon of them all, JBL, is here.
[crowd booing]
It's a historic night.
Just like it was made history today
when Batista came in this ring
and gave up his Championship because…
of an injury.
You see, in my reign as Champion, the longest reign
in SmackDown history through broken bones, busted noses,
and more stitches than I care to count, not once, listen to me, not once
did I take a day off because my mommy wrote a note.
[crowd booing]
You see, I'm not gonna let my fans down.
Seems to me, Hot Rod,
we have a shortage of men in SmackDown.
-Well, I'd like to ask-- -Hot Rod, Hot Rod, Hot Rod!
It's my first time on Piper's Pit. I'm not through answering yet.
You see, ratings are gonna go through the roof
just like they did when I was Champion, pay-per-view buy rates, through the roof!
The stock price, through the roof!
The media maven, you will realize once again,
somebody call the sheriff, JBL's gonna steal the show.
It is the greatest sequel in wrestling history,
JBL's Championship reign, part two.
[crowd booing]
I'd like to ask--
Hot Rod, Hot Rod, I'm on a roll, buddy. Line them up.
Punch them up. A Battle Royal
works right into JBL's favor
-tonight in my home city… -[Roddy snoring]
…the greatest city in the world, New York City.
[crowd booing]
Money and fine wine will flow with the confetti
because Ms. Jillian Hall has already
set up the victory parade for me, JBL,
because we finally return to normalcy.
-[snoring loudly] -And the normalcy is this…
[Cole] Better wake up Piper, he conked out. Look at him.
The normalcy is this!
You better find a pine box, because nobody follows the killer.
I am a wrestling god!
[Tazz] "Find a pine box." I like that line.
Now, Hot Rod,
I think you had a question.
Are you done?
Piper's Pit, your show.
-Thank you. -Let's go.
Pardon me for asking, but…
what is dying on the side of your face there?
[crowd cheering]
It looks like herpes zoster 111. Do you know what they have?
Valtrex, which will bring that down, but wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
No, no, don't get vicious with me. Hang on.
I'm getting older, 22 years, let me take a look, you know, there.
Well, the damn thing's got lungs!
It's got-- It's got feet
and it's got more hair on it than George "The Animal" Steele's bum.
That's it! You watch your mouth!
You don't ever disrespect my Jillian Hall like that.
Shut up!
This is Piper's Pit, not yours.
Your name is JBL.
Your gene pool couldn't even figure out how to put a vowel in there.
You're as stupid as she looks.
Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you my guest,
The Boogeyman!
-[Cole] What? He is here! -[Tazz] No!
[The Boogeyman] And I'm coming to get you.
[Tazz] But I thought JBL was the guest.
[Cole] Well, no, Roddy Piper said The Boogeyman is his guest and…
-We saw last week what The Boogeyman-- -[Cole] Oh, wow . There he is.
Yeah, we saw the last week, The Boogeyman shoved those worms
-down Jillian's panties. -[Tazz] Yeah, I know.
And, JBL, high-tailing out of there. JBL's reading the riot act to Piper.
Now, look at this. It's The Boogeyman. Oh, no.
-[Cole] This guy is the-- -[Tazz] Oh!
[Cole] He's the biggest weirdo, the most bizarre freak
I've ever seen in my life, period.
[Tazz] Week by week, Cole, The Boogeyman is getting crackier and nuttier.
What the hell is around his neck? What is that thing?
[Cole] All I know is whatever is blowing out of that stick smells putrid.
[Tazz] Like a red, smelly, putrid red thing.
JBL, look at JBL.
-[Cole] JBL is ready to fight him. -[Tazz] He's ready to fight him.
Oh, God, look at him. He's breathing in that red smoke of his.
Puffing it back out.
[Cole] This guy, I don't know even how to describe him.
[Tazz] What do you say about the strangest man?
-Forget about in WWE history-- -Oh, look at that.
JBL just tossed Jillian at The Boogeyman. Hey, you're a big man, Bradshaw!
[Tazz] That wasn't cool at all, but Jillian Hall is just frozen. Oh, no.
[Cole] Oh, no, this isn't funny.
This is-- this could be… What the hell is he doing?
He's putting-- what the hell's he… Don't touch her.
What the hell's he… no.
What the hell is he… no.
-[Tazz] What the hell is… -[Cole] No. No.
[Tazz] What is he-- What is he, nuts?
He's smelling it.
[Cole] Jillian is scared to death.
-Oh, no. No. -[Tazz] Don't do that. No.
-You got to be-- Don't do that. -[Cole] Look at that. No. Oh, my God.
[Tazz] I'm gonna upchuck. That's disgusting.
-[cackling] -[Tazz] He likes it!
What the hell is wrong with this guy?
-[Cole] Oh, my God. -[Tazz] Look at that!
-What could that taste like? -[Cole] What the hell is he doing?
-He's eating the damn thing! -[screaming]
[Tazz] He's eating that mole off of her damned face!
Boogeyman just right out-- he just bit the damn mole off Jillian's face!
[Tazz] I'm gonna throw up. That's-- That's disgusting.
[Cole] He's eating the damn thing.
-He's chewing it. Oh, my God. -[Tazz] He's spitting it out.
He's upchucked… Maybe he's nuts.
Look at that thing. He's petting it.
[cackling]
[Tazz] He smushed it!
[Cole] What the hell is he doing?
-[Tazz] Look at that. Oh, my God, no. -[Cole] Don't do this.
[Tazz] That thing's got like a virus or some kind of blood in it.
[Cole] He's eating the damn thing!
-He's chewing that mole. -[Tazz] He's chewing that damn--
That-- Oh, my God, he likes it. Look. He's like freaking out.
JBL's right under-- He's under our desk.
JBL is under our desk and I'm gonna go with him.
Look at this.
Our Father who art in heaven, hollowed be the name,
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.
Hail Mary, full of grace, uh, beans… Hanukkah.
[indistinct chatter]
-Please. Don't hurt me. -[Cole] Oh, my God.
["Coming To Get Ya" by Jim Johnston playing]
-[Tazz] What the hell did we just witness? -[Cole] I'm sick. I'm absolutely sick.
[Tazz] The Boogeyman just ate that damn mole off Jillian Hall's face.
[Cole] The man used his teeth
-and tore a mole off Jillian Hall's face. -[Tazz] It's in his mouth.
That's a growth. It's not a mole. It's a cancerous growth.
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, this is the weirdest…
[Tazz] Who the hell eats a cancerous growth? Look at this.
[Cole] This is the weirdest replay we've ever had on SmackDown.
[Tazz] Well, first he licked it a few times, then he ate it, I guess--
What the hell-- Oh, my God. That's disgust-- Look at this.
Oh, my Lord.
-He's just like… -[Cole] Oh, my God.
[Tazz] He's eating it like it's a damn strawberry or something.
[Cole] He's eating it like a Moon Pie.
-This is-- This is-- This is just… -[Tazz] Meanwhile, back in the ring,
JBL is still under our damn desk over here, terrified.
He's chewing the mole still!
[Cole] I'm gonna vomit.
[overlapping chatter]
Last week, we finished off what we started.
-That's right. -We took out Batista.
-Yes. The big man went down. -Wait, hold on.
You. You took out Batista. My God, that is so awesome. Okay, okay.
-And tonight… -Glad you're on our side, Mark.
-Tonight is only the beginning. -I'm so glad.
-The odds are totally in our favor. -Mm-hmm.
Tonight, one of you is coming out of that Battle Royal
-as the World's Heavyweight Champion. -It could be me.
You guys go out there and you bring me back some more gold.
-You want more gold? -Yes, I want some more gold.
We got this.
-We'll bring it home tonight. -Are you ready? Are you ready, big man?
[Cole] Well, the numbers may be on Melina's side,
because, ladies and gentlemen, coming up next,
the World Heavyweight Champion will be determined
in an Over The Top Rope Battle Royal. It is next on SmackDown.
[announcer] For the first time in print, get an exclusive insight into
the colorful yet controversial life of one of the most influential Superstars
in wrestling history, "Superstar" Billy Graham.
This insightful autobiography of a man
who was decades ahead of his time is a must-have for every WWE fan.
Tangled Ropes: The "Superstar" Billy Graham Story. Available now.
[dramatic bagpipe music playing]
[man] This is the Giant's Causeway.
My father worked these shores while I was growing up.
It was here I'd watch him fight, leaving his opponents broken and badly hurt.
I'm proud of my father's reputation. It was how he took care of his family.
And he taught me to do the same…
My name is Finlay, and I love to fight.
[swords clashing]
[Tazz] Well, I'll tell you, that's one tough Irish bastard, man.
[Cole] Well, it's a historic night in Philadelphia for SmackDown.
And the US Champion Booker T has been crowned
and we will now crown
a new World Heavyweight Champion next in a Battle Royal.
Earlier on tonight, in an unprecedented act,
Batista surrendering the Championship
to General Manager Theodore Long because of injury.
[Tazz] It was just-- I'm still shocked about this, but it's real, it's a reality.
I mean, due to injury, it's a shame, reluctantly…
What a tough way to just-- to give up your title like that.
Well, I mean, feel for Batista, man.
[Cole] Meanwhile, in the Wachovia Center, the ring is filling with WWE Superstars.
It is time to crown a new World Heavyweight Champion.
Again, the rules are simple…
Over the top rope, both feet hit the floor,
you're eliminated, the last man standing becomes the World Heavyweight Champion.
[Chimel] Making his way to the ring, Bobby Lashley.
[Cole] And here we go! A young man who has a tremendous chance
to win this Over The Top Rope Battle Royal.
[Tazz] You're not kidding, my friend.
And believe me, every man in this Battle Royal
is probably worried about a man named Lashley,
and that's him right there, folks.
Because he's still gonna-- You know, I mean, we know his style,
but we've never really seen him be tested.
["Live for the Moment" by Monster Magnet playing]
[Tazz] I'll tell you know what, I like Lashley, yes,
but I also like this man.
This man could win it.
[Chimel] From Cameron, North Carolina, Matt Hardy.
[Cole] Matt Hardy joining the ring full of Superstars
for this Battle Royal for the World Heavyweight Championship.
[Tazz] Well, SmackDown and Raw present Royal Rumble
sponsored by the The Con for PlayStation Portable.
The Royal Rumble coming to you live Sunday, January 29th
from the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida exclusively on pay-per-view.
The Con for PlayStation Portable
where the fighting is dirty and the money is even dirtier.
It's not like it matters. Right, Cole?
["Paparazzi" by Jim Johnston playing]
[Tazz] There's the paparazzi.
Oh, man.
-Oh, she's so hot. -[Chimel] Making their way to the ring,
the Tag Team Champions, MNM.
[Cole] And you heard what Melina said moments ago, Tazz,
last week was the first part of the plan, take out Batista.
Tonight, the second part of the plan,
either MNM or The World's Strongest Man
winning the World Heavyweight Championship.
[Tazz] Oh, my God.
-There's the man who single-handedly… -[Chimel] The World's Strongest Man,
Mark Henry.
[Tazz] The man who single-handedly put out Batista.
That's the guy right there.
[Cole] Eighteen men are in the ring, two more to be announced.
Who will be the last to be added to the Battle Royal to determine
the World Heavyweight Champion? Next.
[Chimel] From San Diego, California, Rey Mysterio.
[Cole] Rey Mysterio joining a ring full of SmackDown Superstars
for this Over The Top Rope Battle Royal.
The last man standing wins the World Heavyweight Championship.
-This is absolutely unprecedented. -[Tazz] And what an opportunity.
What an opportunity
to show up here tonight Friday Night SmackDown
with all these SmackDown Superstars
and to find out, hey, I could become the World Heavyweight Champ.
[Cole] Well, last week's SmackDown,
the highest rated show in the history of UPN on Friday night,
can you imagine what the ratings are gonna be
after this historic SmackDown here tonight?
[Tazz] Well, we already crowned the new United States Champ.
Now we're gonna find out who our new World Champ is. We got one more entry.
Who is it?
["Medal" by Jim Johnston playing]
-[Cole] What? -[Tazz] What the hell is this?
[Cole] You gotta be kidding me.
General Manager Theodore Long,
does he know what's going on?
[Tazz] Well, I know what's going on.
[Chimel] Now entering the Battle Royal, Kurt Angle.
[Tazz] That's Kurt Angle from Raw! Kurt Angle is here on SmackDown!
[Tazz] Wait a minute, what the…
[Cole] Kurt Angle is a part of this Battle Royal
to crown a World Heavyweight Champion.
[Tazz] I don't know how he swung this.
Angle's part of Raw and JBL is waiting for him.
[Cole] JBL just told the SmackDown locker room,
"Move away. Let me take out Kurt Angle. I want Raw's Kurt Angle."
-Here we go! -[Cole] And here we go.
Kurt Angle and JBL. And there's a German suplex.
-[Tazz] Kurt Angle from Raw-- Watch out! -[Cole] And JBL has been eliminated.
[Tazz] Oh, my God.
-[Cole] JBL has been eliminated. -Wait a minute.
[Cole] Vito has been eliminated.
-This guy is not even from Smack… -[Cole] And now everybody…
Everybody ganging up on Kurt Angle!
[Tazz] Beat the hell out of him! You gotta!
[Cole] Kurt Angle from Raw showed up here tonight
and eliminated JBL and Vito from the get-go.
And now, this Over The Top Rope Battle Royal is underway.
Again, the rules, over the top rope,
both feet hit the floor, you are eliminated.
The last man standing becomes the World Heavyweight Champion.
[Tazz] Oh, Angle might go here.
Look at this, Matt Hardy and Simon Dean, and then…
[Cole] And Kurt Angle landing on the apron of the ring,
but again, your feet have to hit the floor.
Angle is back in the matchup. JBL cannot believe it.
[Tazz] I can't believe-- I can't-- I thought JBL might win this thing.
-Angle eliminated JBL single-handedly. -[Cole] The hell is Kurt Angle doing here?
[Tazz] I don't know, but we got a Battle Royal going on.
Winner is the new World Heavyweight Champ.
Twenty SmackDown… Well, I should say twenty Superstars start this matchup.
One was from Raw. Now, Kurt Angle hammering away at Rey Mysterio.
Their history has been well documented as well.
[Tazz] And Rey Mysterio is in trouble for sure.
And Kurt Angle, first he gunned after JBL.
And now, he's gunning after Mysterio. Now, who's he hanging out with?
Matt Hardy and Kurt Angle going at it.
[Cole] Kurt Angle with a big right hand to Matt Hardy.
-I mean, if you got to assume… -[Tazz] Hey, whoa.
[Cole] And look at this, Angle trying to eliminate Matt Hardy.
You got to assume, Tazz, that Kurt Angle's big matchup with Shawn Michaels
on Raw this Monday night is still gonna happen
despite the fact that Angle is here tonight on SmackDown.
[Tazz] I know, but I don't even understand why Angle-- Oh, watch out.
[Cole] Orlando Jordan, hung up on the top rope.
Rey Mysterio trying to eliminate him.
And Orlando Jordan back into the ring.
[Tazz] That's the SmackDown-- Matt Hardy is holding Angle,
but wasn't able to capitalize on it.
[Cole] Angle, of course, part of that Hallacious Elimination Chamber Matchup
at the New Year's Revolution pay-per-view from Raw just a short five days ago.
[Tazz] I don't-- I give Matt Hardy a lot of credit.
Matt should go and go right after Angle. Oh, now, look at this.
Now, Simon Dean might go.
-[Cole] Simon Dean saves himself. -[Tazz] Look at Kurt Angle.
Oh, man, it's a front headlock in the Battle Royal.
-Bet you've never seen that. -[Cole] Trying to wear Matt Hardy down.
Animal with the right hands to The World's Strongest Man.
[Tazz] War of the gargantuans.
[Cole] It's because of Mark Henry, Tazz, that we're having this Battle Royal.
And look at Mark Henry… And Animal's been eliminated!
By The World's Strongest Man, Mark Henry and MNM are rolling.
Who will become World Heavyweight Champion?
The Battle Royal rolls on.
[Cole] We are back on SmackDown. A Battle Royal is underway.
World Heavyweight Champion will be crowned.
The last man standing becomes Champ.
Let's show you what happened during the commercial break.
The elimination here of Simon Dean by Regal and Burchill.
[Tazz] Well, Simon Dean is out.
[Cole] But ladies and gentlemen, the story that had developed here
is the fact that Raw's Kurt Angle is involved in this Battle Royal.
Angle surprising everyone showing up in this Battle Royal here tonight.
[Tazz] Cole, you're right about that. That's a big story, Kurt Angle being here.
But the biggest story is Mark Henry, The World's Strongest Man,
because of Henry, because of Mark Henry, we are having this Battle Royal
to crown a new Heavyweight Champ,
because Mark Henry single-handedly took out Batista.
[Cole] And a lot of events this past--
Almost eliminated Matt Hardy, but Hardy hangs on and stays in the matchup.
An unprecedented act earlier tonight,
Batista citing that injury, had to turn the World Heavyweight Championship
over to the General Manager, hence the reason for this Battle Royal.
[Tazz] A moment ago-- Watch out. Might be a Snapshot here. Watch out.
[Cole] And Nunzio eliminated by MNM.
And I'll tell you, MNM and Mark Henry looking fabulous thus far.
[Cole] It looks like the SmackDown Superstars are trying to avoid Mark Henry,
Except for MNM because they kind of kissing his butt a little bit.
[Cole] Orlando Jordan with a right hand to Kurt Angle.
And a German suplex by Kurt Angle.
[Tazz] You got to get Angle out of this match, I'm telling you. Watch out.
[Cole] And Orlando Jordan eliminated right out here in front of us.
[Tazz] And Kurt Angle now with four uppercuts to William Regal.
Watch out. Heads up. What the hell?
[Cole] I'll tell you, Kurt Angle has eliminated at least four--
Make it five SmackDown Superstars.
[Tazz] Belly-to-belly suplex over the top rope.
-[Cole] The Olympic gold medalist… -[Tazz] Watch out. Oh, man.
[Cole] And from behind-- Angle's not eliminated. Angle has not been eliminated.
He was driven through the ropes and to the floor.
[Tazz] Neither is Mark Henry.
Mark Henry did not step over the top rope to go after Kurt Angle.
[Cole] Again to reiterate, both Kurt Angle and Mark Henry are still in this matchup.
Neither have been eliminated.
And look at Lashley. There goes Paul London.
What the hell is this?
[Tazz] I don't know, but I'll tell you, Cole, what a shadow…
[Cole] Oh, my Lord. Mark Henry, Mark Henry taking apart the announce table.
Hey, big man, the match is in the ring. The match is in the ring, big man.
[Tazz] Well, Cole, why don't you stop yelling at him?
You're gonna make him upset, and it's gonna be bad for both of us.
Now, what the hell? And Henry, obviously-- he's got bad intentions on his mind.
[Cole] And Kurt Angle with a right hand.
Battle Royal is still going out of the ring.
Kurt Angle and Mark Henry battling outside the ring here.
Uppercut by Kurt Angle.
-Kurt Angle… -[Tazz] Angle.
-Angle's going for a German. -[Cole] Oh, it's a German suplex.
Mark Henry throwing Angle kidney-first to the apron.
-Oh, my. Oh, my! -[Tazz] Watch out, watch out.
[Cole] No, don't do it! No, Mark! Oh, my God.
Kurt Angle press slammed through the announce table
by The World's Strongest Man.
-[Tazz] Oh, my God. -[Cole] Kurt Angle may be out cold.
Mark Henry press slamming Angle through the announce table.
We've got to take another look. Look at the strength of this man.
[Tazz] Kurt Angle, an Olympic splat right on this announce table.
[Cole] And the Battle Royal continuing in the ring.
[Tazz] Oh, Mysterio, look!
[Cole] And Mysterio hung on. Mysterio hung on on the apron.
Rey Mysterio hanging on on the apron.
Again, winner of the matchup becomes World Heavyweight Champion.
Rey Mysterio hanging on.
He's gotta get back in the ring.
[Tazz] Lashley and Henry, look at this develop-- look at this stare.
[Cole] Mark Henry, The World's Strongest Man.
Jaw-jacking with Lashley!
[Tazz] Hey, how good is this?
[Cole] These two-- these two heavyweights going at it.
[Tazz] Whoa, Lashley's rocking his world, but then Lashley ran into a wall.
Watch out!
[Cole] Lashley running into that brick wall of Henry again. Mark Henry.
-Lashley blocking a possible suplex. -Nice block. Yeah, that's a 400-pound man.
The action's completely stopped in this Battle Royal watching this.
[Cole] Lashley hung up on the top rope.
-Oh. Mark Henry. -[Tazz] Oh, my God.
[Cole] And Lashley's been eliminated.
-[Tazz] Brutal. -[Cole] Can you believe Mark Henry?
[Tazz] Watch out. Oh, goodbye, Kendrick.
[Cole] The World's Strongest Man tearing things up.
Is Mark Henry on his way to winning the World Heavyweight Championship?
We'll find out when we return to Philadelphia.
The story in this Battle Royal has been Mark Henry.
He has been a one-man wrecking crew.
He may be well on his way to winning the World Heavyweight Championship.
-Watch Henry eliminate Lashley here. -[Tazz] Look at this. Listen to this.
-[Cole] Watch it. -[Tazz] Oh, my gosh. Explosive.
[Cole] Mark Henry is the man who injured the World Heavyweight Champion, Batista.
It is why we have this matchup.
And Mark Henry looks determined to become Champion.
[Tazz] Well, we have, one, two, three, four-- We got six…
-Angle's still laid out here. Look out! -[Cole] Well, Kurt Angle's out cold.
[Cole] Mysterio trying to eliminate Nitro. Matt Hardy working on Sylvan.
-[Tazz] There goes Sylvan. -[Cole] Sylvan hanging onto the apron.
Matt Hardy can't believe he didn't eliminate him yet.
Oh, look at Hardy.
-Twist of Fate. He has been eliminated. -[Tazz] That was sweet.
[Cole] And we are down to five men.
-Matt Hardy eliminated. -[Tazz] Whoa.
[Cole] Can you believe "The World's Strongest Man" Mark Henry?
[Tazz] Mysterio is in a heap of trouble. Melina must be thrilled. Goodbye, Rey.
He's in trouble.
[Cole] Mysterio hanging on. Whoa. Nitro. Nitro's out.
-Nitro's out. -[Tazz] But how did he do that?
-[Cole] Mysterio hanging on, over the top. -[Tazz] Come on, Rey.
[Cole] There goes Joey Mercury!
Talk about David beats Goliath.
[Tazz] You took the words out of my mouth.
[Cole] It's Mysterio and Henry face-to-face.
[Tazz] And Mark Henry is looking at Mysterio like he's lunch.
[Cole] Mysterio cannot believe
he's looking into the eyes of The World's Strongest Man.
[Tazz] You feel this moment. This arena, Philadelphia is rocking.
They want Rey to take out Henry.
[Cole] If Rey takes out Henry, World Heavyweight Champion. Rey Mysterio.
[Tazz] And Rey can't believe his eyes.
[Cole] Rey's got to use his speed, he's got to juke and jive.
[Tazz] I don't like Rey's chances.
But I'll tell you what, you never can count out Mysterio.
[Cole] Mark Henry outweighing Rey Mysterio by more than 200 pounds.
[crowd chanting] Eddie! Eddie! Eddie!
[Tazz] Listen to these Eddie chants in this arena.
[Cole] Eddie and Rey, best friends, nearly brothers.
Rey Mysterio is trying to feed out-- feed off these SmackDown fans
trying to take this big sequoia out of its trunk.
-There's a dropkick to the back. -[Tazz] Gotta keep moving, Rey.
But Rey's been through hell. You got to keep moving, bro.
[Cole] Mysterio trying to knock Mark Henry down.
There's a big dropkick to the midsection.
Oh my. Dial it up, Cole!
-[Cole] He got him! Come on, Rey! -[Tazz] 619 right to the mush!
[Cole] Rey Mysterio, he could do this here.
-Rey could do it here. -[Tazz] He's so close, Cole.
Mark Henry's on Dream Street.
-[Cole] Come on, Rey. -[Tazz] Henry might be out of gas.
[Cole] Another 619 to the gut!
[Tazz] Smart to go to the gut when the guy might be out of gas.
Rey Mysterio, you'd better go for the kill now.
And Melina's bumming out, she can't believe this.
[Cole] That's Melina's insurance policy, Mark Henry.
Rey Mysterio trying to knock the big man off his feet.
Mysterio on top of Henry. Oh, my.
-[Tazz] Hang on, Rey! -[Cole] Come on, Rey!
-[Tazz] You got to hang on. -[Cole] Hang on, Rey.
Rey to the apron.
And look at-- Mark Henry's off his feet! Mark Henry's off his feet!
[Tazz] Henry's 400 pounds!
Oh, no. Don't let him grab you, Rey. Don't let him grab you.
[Cole] Mysterio on the apron
teetering close to elimination from this Battle Royal.
[crowd chanting] Eddie!
[Cole] Rey Mysterio.
-Oh, caught in midair. -[Tazz] Oh, no, no, no, no, no.
[Cole] Caught in midair. Oh, my God.
No. Rey Mysterio's been eliminated! Mark Henry!
Mark Henry, ladies and gentlemen, has eliminated Rey Mysterio.
[Tazz] Mark Henry won it, Cole. No, no, no, wait, I forgot.
[Cole] Kurt Angle, Kurt Angle's never been eliminated.
[Tazz] Melina thinks-- Wait a minute.
-[Cole] Kurt Angle was never eliminated! -[Tazz] Hold on. That's right, Cole!
[Cole] Angle was never eliminated. He was never thrown over the top rope.
Mark Henry-- Now, Mark Henry realizes.
You ain't done with me, Mark Henry!
[Tazz] What is this?
[ferocious war cry]
[Cole] It has come down to this! Angle and Henry!
[Tazz] Man, here we go! Kurt exploded, baby.
[Cole] Can you feel it? The right hands by Kurt Angle.
What an uppercut.
-[Tazz] Watch the speed of Angle here. -[Cole] And he just ran into a wall!
He ran into a brick wall.
[Tazz] God, I'll tell you, Cole,
Kurt Angle, he's giving up a ton of size here
and that momentum just got shut down by The World's Strongest Man.
[Cole] And don't forget, he just got press slammed
through the announce table a few minutes ago.
And Mark Henry gonna eliminate Kurt Angle here.
Kurt Angle from behind!
-[Tazz] Oh, my God! How did he-- -[Cole] Angle Slam! Angle Slam!
-[Tazz] Are you kidding me? -[Cole] Oh, my Lord!
[Tazz] Let's take a look at Kurt Angle
meeting this wall named Mark Henry. Bam.
[Cole] But can you believe this? Watch this.
Can you believe the Angle Slam?
[Tazz] Oh, my God, no, I can't.
That Angle Slam, somehow Kurt had pulled it off.
-Now what, Cole? -[Cole] Kurt Angle back to his feet.
Mark Henry back to his feet.
[Tazz] I got goose bumps, man, I'm telling you.
-[Cole] Two men remain. -[Tazz] Watch out!
[Cole] The winner becomes World Heavyweight Champion.
[screaming]
[Cole] And now all Mark Henry has to do is lift Kurt Angle up,
toss him over the top rope, and Mark Henry will have climbed the mountain.
[Tazz] And not a hard task when your moniker,
and the truth of the matter is, that you're The World's Strongest Man.
[Cole] Yeah, you saw how he ripped that steel door off the cage last week.
And again, crushing Kurt Angle.
And Mark Henry is moments away.
[Tazz] We're gonna crown a new World Heavyweight Champion.
And Melina is happy as a pig in you-know-what, and I don't blame her.
[Cole] Mark Henry, The World's Strongest Man
lifting Kurt Angle up on the top rope.
[Tazz] Uh-oh!
Kurt better try and do something because he's perched up
getting slapped across the face.
-What the-- -[Cole] What's Kurt Angle doing here?
Kurt Angle.
[Tazz] He's gonna-- Wait a minute, he's going for--
It's a-- It's like a headscissor, almost like a triangle choke.
[Cole] Kurt Angle trying to get Mark Henry on the top rope.
[Tazz] Got his head in a-- a scissors head-up.
[Cole] Mark Henry. Mark Henry. Mark Henry could be fataled here.
[Tazz] Whoa, Angle's trying--
-Henry's too strong. -[Cole] Yeah, way too strong.
But Kurt Angle still got it locked in. Kurt Angle's still has it locked in.
But Angle better be careful here. Angle's got to hang on.
Mark Henry's too tall, he's too thick to get over that top rope
with that headscissor.
[Cole] Kurt Angle trying to get Mark Henry over the top rope.
Even if Mark Henry passes out here,
how the hell do you get that dead weight over the top rope?
And Kurt Angle's in trouble!
[Tazz] He's gonna go flying. Angle's done.
[Cole] But Mark Henry-- Oh, my!
What a powerbomb.
A powerbomb released by Mark Henry.
And that might have been the last gasp for Kurt Angle.
[Tazz] Yeah, I think Kurt Angle's done.
He'll be heading back to Raw with a major-league headache after that.
[Cole] Kurt Angle, Olympic gold medalist, Mark Henry, Olympic competitor as well.
The World's Strongest Man against the nasty, rugged Kurt Angle.
The last man standing becomes World Heavyweight Champion.
Melina barking instructions to Mark Henry. Kurt Angle with the right hands.
Here comes Kurt Angle. But another clubbing blow by the near 400-pounder.
[Tazz] Well, all these SmackDown fans here in Philadelphia
are all on their feet, including me. This is off the chart, man.
[Cole] Kurt Angle whipped across the ring.
Kurt Angle ducks underneath the clothesline.
-[Tazz] Watch out! -[Cole] A German suplex! A German suplex!
[Tazz] I'll tell you what, that might have took everything out of Angle.
He's trying to peel off that whole throw, but…
[Cole] You know all about suplexes. What's it like to suplex a 400-pound man?
[Tazz] Well, how can you suplex or throw a 400-pound man? You can't.
Kurt Angle tried to back-break but it's still impressive.
That's amazing, I never threw a guy 400 pounds so I can't speak for him.
I never thought I'd hear "Let's go, Angle" chants in an arena,
-but we were hearing it a moment ago. -[Cole] Mark Henry back to his feet.
Kurt Angle in trouble.
Mark Henry's gonna eliminate Kurt Angle, but Kurt Angle hung on the apron.
[Tazz] He's got that front facelock hold.
We got Olympic gold medalist with a front headlock.
I don't care how strong you are, it's tough to get out of that.
[Cole] Kurt Angle using every muscle in his body
to try to immobilize Mark Henry here.
To try to teeter on the apron.
[Tazz] He's trying to pull him over the top rope.
Angle's trying to pull Mark Henry over the top.
[Cole] Mark Henry's off his feet.
-[Tazz] He's got him! -Mark Henry's on the top rope.
-But Mark Henry back to a vertical base. -[Tazz] Oh, man. Oh, man.
He's still got that choke on him.
[Cole] Kurt Angle is not giving in here.
It has been a relentless offense by Kurt Angle.
[Tazz] But the problem is Mark Henry, you can't just throw him.
He's got that wide base. He's going back to that headscissor again.
-Oh, my God, be careful here, Kurt. -[Cole] Angle in all kinds of trouble.
He's hanging on to the bottom rope. He's hanging on to the top rope.
The 400-pounder on the top rope as well.
-Kurt Angle is-- -[Cole] He's got him!
-[bell rings] -Mark Henry!
I think it was Mark Henry that hit first!
It is Kurt Angle! Kurt Angle is the World Heavyweight Champion!
[Chimel] …and the new World Heavyweight Champion,
Kurt Angle!
[Cole] We saw it plain as day, Mark Henry's feet hit the ground first.
Kurt Angle is the new World Heavyweight Champion.
I cannot believe this night.
♪ You suck! ♪
[Tazz] He's on Raw. What the hell? How can he be here?
[fireworks booming]
Well, then the celebration goes on, but I-- Cole, Angle is on Raw.
I mean, yeah, great match!
We have a new World Heavyweight Champion.
What is this-- What is going on here?
[Cole] I don't know what to tell you, partner.
All I can tell is this, Kurt Angle is the World Heavyweight Champion.
Let's take another look at this.
Remember, both feet have to hit the ground.
We will show you. Let's first take a look.
Both of Kurt Angle's feet do not hit the ground here.
-Watch this. -[Tazz] Hold on.
Let's watch, let's watch.
[Cole] Watch. Kurt Angle's one foot…
[Tazz] Hold on, listen, one foot doesn't count.
Both feet have to hit the ground, you get eliminated. Angle's one foot did.
There's your winner, Cole. Kurt Angle, the new World Heavyweight Champ.
He's from Raw. I don't get it.
[Cole] Kurt Angle has suddenly appeared here tonight.
He has surprised us all and captured the World Heavyweight Championship.
[Tazz] Kurt Angle's from Raw! I don't understand this! ght Championship.