[WWE intro music plays]
-[glass shatters] -[The Rock] If you smell…
[bell tolls]
-♪ The King of Kings ♪ -♪ You can't see me ♪
[crowd cheering]
[music fades]
[Heyman] Ladies and gentlemen.
[dramatic music playing]
[Heyman] My name
is Paul Heyman.
Saturday at Day 1, when Brock Lesnar showed up
looking to win a title from a champion, and one champion simply could not make it.
[Cole] Roman Reigns has tested positive for COVID-19.
[Heyman] But the other champion was in a Fatal 4-Way.
[Cole] Brock Lesnar is still hungry for a championship.
None of the other competitors have had any chance to prepare for the storm
that is Brock Lesnar.
[McAfee] Oh!
Hurt Lock. Hurt Lock.
Lashley has Lesnar.
The Beast is fading.
And Big E saving the championship.
[intense music]
[Cole] Oh, beautiful escape by Brock!
[McAfee] Uh-oh! Uh-oh! Uh-oh!
[Cole] F-5!
-[referee] One, two, three! -[crowd] One, two, three!
-[bell rings] -[Heyman] And tonight…
I'd like to introduce you
to my client.
And new…
[intense music]
[Heyman] …reigning, defending
Undisputed WWE Heavyweight Champion
of the World…
[intense music stops]
…Brock Lesnar!
["Next Big Thing" plays]
[crowd cheers]
[dramatic music playing]
[Lesnar] My advocate, for advocating my free agency,
for advocating all the strings you pulled Saturday
to help make me the WWE Champion,
Paul, thank you.
-Before we get this party started tonight… -[crowd cheering]
…I'd like to give a big shout-out to my good buddy,
Roman Reigns.
Get well soon, buddy. [clicks tongue]
[crowd cheers]
As I understand, there's a certain Tribal Chief
who's a little vulnerable without his special counsel nowadays.
Now, South Carolina,
acknowledge me.
[crowd cheering]
[Heyman] The greatest WWE Champion of all time,
Brock Lesnar!
["Are You Ready" plays]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Happy New Year, and welcome to 2022.
We're jam-packed in the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut tonight.
And Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection for home, auto, and more.
[song fades out]
["Head Of The Table" plays]
[McAfee] Yes!
[crowd cheering]
[McAfee] He has cometh back!
["Head Of The Table" continues]
He has arrived.
[Cole] You were doubting, Patrick?
[McAfee] No, no. No, no.
I've been thinking about this for over a week.
-Our Tribal Chief! -[crowd cheering]
[McAfee] Our Tribal Chief is back!
[cheering continues]
[male ring announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the Universal Champion,
Roman Reigns!
[crowd cheering raucously]
[explosions]
[Cole] For 495 days,
Roman Reigns has ruled as Universal Champion.
Approaching the number 503.
Those were the number of days
that Brock Lesnar once held the Universal Title,
the longest-reigning Universal Champion in history.
[McAfee] Obviously, our Universal Champion is back.
Just got done beating the hell out of COVID!
Now he's here in Connecticut!
[Cole] Roman's cousins are here as well, part of The Bloodline,
and a match sponsored by Jackson Hewitt.
Get your biggest refund, guaranteed.
King Woods and Sir Kofi Kingston have their final opportunity
to seize the Tag Titles from Roman's cousins, The Usos,
in a brutal, barbaric street fight, live tonight.
[McAfee] I can't wait to see the street fight,
but what you're staring at right now
is a man
who was created by the wrestling gods.
[Cole] Roman Reigns returning here tonight
after missing the Day 1 Premium Live Event this past Saturday
because he tested positive for COVID-19.
That was the night, as we just showed you, Brock Lesnar won the WWE Championship.
And Lesnar and his new advocate, Pat, Paul Heyman,
had some very inflammatory things to say about the Tribal Chief.
[McAfee] Yeah. Paul Heyman is obviously saying things
that don't reflect the opinions of others around here,
because COVID…
tested positive for Roman Reigns, not the other way around!
[explosions]
[McAfee] Couple Superman Punches, Spears,
and all the other physicality dominance
that Roman has displayed as Universal Champion,
to prove that he was the GOAT,
he did that to Uncle COVID.
Sent him back into the hellhole where he belongs.
And now our Tribal Chief gets to be acknowledged
by the beautiful people of Connecticut.
[Cole] Someone's fired up for the return of the champion.
[McAfee] How could you not be?
Thank you, Roman.
[crowd cheering raucously]
[McAfee] Fresh Yeezys on his feet.
A message to be sent.
[music fades out]
[McAfee] The GOAT has our attention.
[crowd cheering raucously]
New England…
acknowledge me.
[crowd cheers]
Where do I begin, huh?
I miss one week, and it all falls apart, I guess.
But when you're in isolation,
you do a lot of thinking.
There's so many things I wanted to do,
there's so many things I wanted to say,
and there's so many people that I wanted to see…
[crowd shouting indistinctly]
-[woman in audience] I love you! -…except for two people.
These two people, I don't ever wanna see them
for the rest of my life again.
And these two people
are Brock Lesnar…
[crowd cheers]
…and Paul Heyman.
[crowd cheers]
[McAfee] I don't blame him.
-["Next Big Thing" plays] -[crowd cheers]
[Cole] That didn't go too well for Roman.
[McAfee] If I had a better British accent, I'd say this better.
[in British accent] "Roman, I'm afraid I've got some bad news for you."
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] He promised on Raw Monday night that he would see Roman Reigns tonight.
There is the WWE Champion, Brock Lesnar,
flanked once again by his advocate, Paul Heyman.
[McAfee] I can't believe we're about to have…
[explosions]
[McAfee] …our two champions in the ring at the same damn time!
[Cole] And, Pat, you-you have to talk about the accomplishment
of Lesnar at Day 1,
defeating four of the top Superstars in WWE today to win the gold
in a match that he had no idea he was gonna be involved in.
[McAfee] Well, that's what the guy
that we would send to fight the aliens would do.
He would beat up everybody and win the championship.
It doesn't matter who's scheduled to fight him,
who's not scheduled,
that Viking barbarian is probably gonna win.
[Cole] And what a moment!
The WWE Champion, a nine-time World Champion, Brock Lesnar,
in the ring at the same time with the current Universal Champion
from SmackDown, Roman Reigns.
[McAfee] Probably the most intimidating human ever.
[Cole] How about "humans"? Roman and Brock.
[McAfee] Yeah, you're right. But, I mean, I'm just looking at this Brock thing.
Jeez, he gets bigger every time.
Ladies and gentle--
[speaks indistinctly, chuckles]
[McAfee] Oh.
[crowd cheering]
[cheering continues]
[McAfee] What the hell are we about to see here?
Ladies and gentlemen…
[McAfee chuckles]
…Tribal Chief,
Head of the Table,
allow me to introduce myself.
The reigning, defending
WWE Champion of the World,
Brock Lesnar!
[crowd cheers and applauds]
[McAfee] That's pretty good.
That was great.
-How did I do, buddy? -That was great. That was the best.
-Good. You just-- -Better than me.
Roman Reigns…
acknowledge me.
-[crowd cheers] -[Brock chuckles]
Roman,
you got a lot to say all the time,
and I don't.
Last Saturday,
I got what I wanted,
the WWE Heavyweight Title.
You got what you wanted.
Now, why don't we give everybody what they want?
-[crowd cheers] -[McAfee] Yeah! Let's do it.
Title versus title.
Champ versus champ.
Let's do this, Roman.
[crowd cheering and shouting]
[cheering intensifies]
[crowd shouting indistinctly]
[McAfee] Champ versus champ, Brock versus Roman.
This is a dream come true.
It's a good idea.
But it's not my idea.
[crowd booing]
And this is my show.
[crowd cheers]
And we do what I say on my time.
And on top of that,
I don't do business
with people who do business
with trash like Paul Heyman.
[crowd cheers]
[inaudible]
How can you talk to me that way?
Of all people in this world, you talk to me that way?
How did you get that Championship Match to begin with?
Me. That's how. Who negotiated you into that match? Me.
How did you keep that title all this time? Me. That's how.
I protected you. I protected you from Brock Lesnar.
Not because I thought Brock Lesnar could beat you,
but because you were my Tribal Chief, and I freaking loved you.
And what did you do? What--
[crowd cheers]
[Brock] What did you just say?
You don't understand. While you were gone, he was all I had in my life.
He was my Tribal Chief. I worshiped the ground that he walked on,
and he physically assaulted me, and he fired me--
Shut up, Paul.
[crowd cheers]
Shut up!
No, no, no. Don't cheer that. Don't talk to him that way.
Or what?
Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Brock. Brock.
Please don't talk to him that way.
[crowd cheers]
Paul, I told you to shut up.
[Cole] Oh, Superman Punch.
A cheap shot by Reigns.
[crowd cheering and booing]
[Cole] Meanwhile, Pat, what the hell is going on with Heyman?
[McAfee] Sounds like Heyman had a little case of the guilts there,
-letting it all out. -[indistinct]
[McAfee] I mean, I just found out that a model who licks toilets
was able to infiltrate The Buccaneers' hotel.
-The Universal Championship is mine. -[McAfee] And now,
Roman Reigns knocks out Brock while Brock is distracted.
I'm the greatest of all time. Understand that.
[Cole] Well, ladies and gentlemen, as we're try to process all this,
we have to look ahead to what's coming up next.
Before Sami Zayn gets his golden opportunity
at the Intercontinental Championship,
he'll have to tune up on Shinsuke Nakamura's partner,
the man on the right, Rick Boogs.
It happens live, next.
[narrator] What's the Royal Rumble like? Check it. Thirty men. Thirty women.
[upbeat music playing]
-They start like… -♪ You think you know me ♪
-[narrator] With a lot of this… -[Cole] Go over the top rope,
feet hit the floor, you're eliminated.
[narrator] And this…
-[Lawler] He saved himself. -[Cole] Did that really happen?
[narrator] And this…
[Cole] Line them up. Throw them over.
[narrator] And end like…
-[Graves] Get lost in the moment. -[Cole] He did it!
-[narrator] And the winners get… -[Graves] The main event of WrestleMania.
[narrator] All live from…
[announcer] The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis, Missouri,
for the first time ever.
This is the Royal Rumble.
[music ends]
[Cole] Moments ago on Friday Night SmackDown,
using an unplanned distraction by Paul Heyman to his advantage,
Universal Champion, Roman Reigns…
boom, with a Superman Punch to WWE Champion, Brock Lesnar.
[McAfee] Brock was dealing with Paul,
and Roman said, "I'll deal with both of you
with one Superman Punch."
-Sami. -Oh my God.
You've earned an opportunity to face Shinsuke Nakamura
-for the Intercontinental Championship. -My Intercontinental Championship, yup.
But tonight, you'll face his partner, Rick Boogs.
Hmm. Here's the thing, Megan.
It's been over a year
since I was robbed by this whole conspiracy,
robbed of my Intercontinental Championship.
And now a full year later, here I am as number one contender,
and now Shinsuke Nakamura's ducking me?
He's putting Rick Boogs in my way tonight?
Let me explain something about Rick Boogs, okay?
The man is a gorilla with a guitar.
He is no match for the Master Strategist.
And tonight--
[chuckles]
Look at this.
Oh, look at this!
Who do we have here?
Johnny Knoxville.
-Hi, Sami. -[crowd cheers]
This is amazing. What-what brings you here tonight?
-I'm here to talk to management. -Oh.
I'm campaigning to be in the Royal Rumble match.
Ah, that's right. That's right.
I saw your little video declaring you were gonna be in the Royal Rumble.
Look, let me-- Let me tell you something.
As a locker room leader,
let me tell you something that nobody else is gonna tell you, okay?
This isn't Jackass. You understand?
You can't just run into a brick wall a hundred miles an hour.
That's not how things work around here. You need technical wrestling skills.
You understand?
I don't need technical wrestling skills.
I just need to be able to throw someone over the top rope.
-I'm trying to be nice about this, Johnny. -Mm.
What I'm trying to say is…
you're not qualified to do this.
And you have not qualified for the Royal Rumble.
Now maybe if you showed me, the elder statesman of SmackDown,
if you showed me something,
if you showed me you had something, maybe you would qualify. Maybe.
But until then, just…
Just stay out of everybody's way, okay?
-["This Is It" plays] -Idiot.
[Cole] A bit harsh by Sami Zayn.
[McAfee] Well, I appreciate the fact
that Knoxville has been knocked out by Butterbean, a bull,
and now he wants in the Royal Rumble,
but he should not be listening to the likes of Sami freaking Zayn.
["This Is It" continues]
-[Cole] Sami Zayn. -[bell rings]
[ringside announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Montreal, Quebec, Canada,
weighing in at 212 pounds…
Sami Zayn!
[Cole] Sami Zayn created an opportunity for himself
when he won the 12 Days of Christmas Gauntlet Match
to earn himself an opportunity
at Shinsuke Nakamura's Intercontinental Championship.
[McAfee sings] ♪ Five golden… ♪
…conspiracies have really driven and powered Sami Zayn to this moment.
And it's what he wakes up every morning trying to prove,
that everybody is… [in Canadian accent] …against him.
Shout-out to the Canadian accent.
I think everybody is about sick of it,
but this is not what you could ever be sick of.
-[crowd cheers] -[electric guitar playing]
[Cole] What on earth? What do you--
-What do you have? -Hey-oh!
-[crowd and McAfee] Hey-oh! -I said, "Hey-oh!"
[crowd] Hey-oh!
All right, my name's Rick… [inhales]
-[crowd] Boogs! -…Boogs.
And I came to rock with the Intercontinental Champion.
Say it with me.
Shinsuke Nakamu…
[screams]
[electric guitar playing]
[McAfee] Oh! He hits that note every time!
[Cole] What? What do you have in your hand?
[McAfee] What's that?
-["The Rising Sun" plays] -[McAfee] This is a title.
-[Cole] What's it? -[McAfee] You ever get one of these?
You ain't never getting one of these, Michael Cole.
[announcer] His opponent,
accompanied to the ring by the Intercontinental Champion,
-Shinsuke Nakamura… -[Cole] What are you doing?
[announcer] …Rick Boogs!
[Cole] Sami Zayn says that, uh--
Will you stop?
[electric guitar plays]
I'm shredding the guitar with him.
You're shredding me is what you're doing.
[McAfee] Well, you deserve it! It's a lot to hide!
[Cole chuckles] Stop!
-[electric guitar continues] -["The Rising Sun" continues]
-[fireworks explode] -[crowd cheers]
[McAfee] This might be the greatest one yet.
[music fades out]
[Cole] Uh, nonetheless, Rick Boogs is set for action.
-[bell dings] -He's taking on Sami Zayn tonight.
Pat, Sami Zayn claims that Shinsuke Nakamura is ducking him,
hence the reason he has to face, as he calls him, "Nakamura's henchman,"
uh, Boogs, here tonight.
One, two.
-Gotta go. Three. -[Cole] Do you need oxygen?
-[McAfee chuckles] I need some air. -[grunts]
[Cole] Oh, look at the power of Boogs.
What a throw to Sami Zayn!
[McAfee] I don't know how Boogs is able to do all of this.
[Cole] He's a professional athlete.
[McAfee] Yeah, and I'm just retired and very wealthy all of a sudden,
but Rick Boogs is incredibly powerful.
-And Sami Zayn wanted-- -[Cole] Wow.
[Sami Zayn laughs]
[Cole] Well, Sami Zayn called Boogs, "A gorilla with a guitar."
Well, this gorilla is kicking the rear end of Zayn
here on SmackDown.
[crowd cheering]
-Oh my God. -[indistinct chatter]
[Cole] Pat, it has been quite the performance for Rick Boogs
here tonight against Sami Zayn.
It's just been a display of power
by Shinsuke Nakamura's lead guitarist.
-And look at him just rag-dolling Zayn. -[crowd cheers]
Of course, Zayn has an opportunity down the road
against Shinsuke Nakamura for the Intercontinental Championship.
If he makes it that far.
What a display by Boogs!
[McAfee] Yeah, Boogs has done nothing short of--
-Ooh! -[Cole] And the veteran…
Impress all of us on the guitar and in the ring,
-but this is what Sami Zayn can do. -[Cole] Indeed.
[McAfee] He's crafty.
You know, he called himself "The Elder Statesman" earlier.
I don't know if that's the case. He's been around a long time.
I don't know if he's really made any friends at all.
[Cole] Well, he fancies himself the locker room leader,
does Sami Zayn.
I'm not sure many people in the locker room agree with that, but…
[McAfee] Well, there's a lot of qualities that involve a leader,
and, uh, I do believe he has his own locker room, which is…
-[Cole] Sami? Yes. -[McAfee] So…
[Cole] Zayn, now, second rope
and looking to put Boogs away. Nice elbow! And Boogs now down.
Cover by Zayn. Is it enough to put Rick Boogs away?
Kick-out by Boogs.
Sami Zayn, a former Intercontinental Champion.
This whole conspiracy thing started, Pat, when Sami lost his Intercontinental Title.
Yeah, and he started thinking that everybody was working against him, and…
-[Boogs grunts] -[Cole] Oh, Boogs catching Zayn!
Intercepting Zayn in mid-air, and now a bear hug!
A bear hug applied by Boogs.
[McAfee] Certainly, an interesting offensive attack there from Boogs,
catching a man--
[Cole] And now, powering Zayn up into a vertical suplex.
[McAfee] A little delay there, Davey Boy, too much.
[Cole] Yeah, but Sami able to deliver the knee.
He's dropping Boogs to one knee and now to both.
[McAfee] Boogs, is he able to get him back up?
Is he able to get him back up?
-Look at the strength. -[Cole] This is incredible.
-[McAfee] Look at the strength! -[Cole] Oh my God!
-[McAfee shouting excitedly] -[Cole] What a suplex by Boogs!
[crowd cheers]
[McAfee] Took him a couple there, but somehow,
he was able to lift another grown man from his knees, up over his head
and suplex him.
[Cole] Look at Sami Zayn. He needs a breather.
He is trying to escape the Mohegan Sun Arena.
[McAfee] I don't know if it's a breather or a bathroom
because once you find out the person you're fighting can do that,
I think you need to poop immediately.
[Cole] You know, we saw WWE Hall of Famer
Bob Backlund here earlier today.
You know, Bob, I once thought was one of the strongest men
in the history of WWE.
Boogs is, uh, showing some power off here tonight.
[crowd chanting] Sami sucks!
[McAfee] Yeah, Boogs has been very powerful
and strong his whole life.
[chanting continues] Sami sucks!
[Cole] And Sami just trying to get Boogs back in the ring.
[McAfee] By the way, Bob Backlund did beat up Michael Cole.
-[referee] Four. -[Sami and Shinsuke speaking indistinctly]
-It's coming home with me, pal. -No way.
[McAfee] Shinsuke said, "You got one of these?"
[Cole] Sami said he's getting the championship back.
-Roll-up now by Boogs. Shoulders down. -One, two, three!
-[Cole] Boogs got him! -[bell rings]
-[crowd cheers] -["The Rising Sun" plays]
[male announcer] Here is your winner, Rick Boogs!
[McAfee chuckles]
[Cole] Rick Boogs with the victory.
[cheering continues]
-[McAfee laughs] -Sami Zayn can't believe it,
but the celebration is on at ringside.
[McAfee] Boogs, way to go!
[Cole] Oh, Sami decided to trash-talk
the Intercontinental Champion, Shinsuke Nakamura,
and Sami Zayn paid for it.
[McAfee] Sami-- Uh…
Sami Zayn gets dunked on by Johnny Knoxville,
then body bagged by Boogs.
-This is amazing. -[Cole] Pat, look.
S-Sami has no idea.
That's Johnny Knoxville behind Sami Zayn.
And Knoxville dumping Zayn over the top rope
like he would do at the Royal Rumble.
-[Jackass theme song plays] -[McAfee] That's all he has to do, Sami.
[Cole] Sami, did Knoxville show you something there?
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] The embarrassment continues for Sami Zayn.
[male announcer] I've just been informed that Johnny Knoxville is now qualified
to be in the Royal Rumble match!
-[Cole] Oh no. -[crowd cheers]
Pat, this isn't gonna be good.
Johnny Knoxville may have been in an anaconda ball pit,
crashed golf carts, flipped motorcycles,
but he's never been in a Rumble match against 29 other Superstars,
including the likes of these men, who've already declared
they will be a part of the 30-man Royal Rumble match.
And we will add Johnny Knoxville to the mix.
And, Pat, remember what's at stake.
The winner of the Royal Rumble
gets to battle for the championship of his choosing
-in the main event at WrestleMania. -Ouch!
[McAfee] There is a chance we see Johnny Knoxville die
at the Royal Rumble.
He could get killed out there,
but he has enough to get Sami out of the ring, for sure.
Yeah!
[music fades out]
Well, it is official.
Johnny Knoxville has qualified
to participate in the Royal Rumble match later this month.
But right now, please welcome my guests, King Woods
and the loyal Hand of the King, Kofi Kingston.
-[crowd cheering] -[vocalizing]
The King. [chuckles]
Well, King Woods and Sir Kofi,
tonight is your final opportunity
to win the SmackDown Tag Team Championship from the Usos
in a street fight.
Does it concern you to be forced to play by the Usos' rules?
As far as I understand,
a street fight means that there are no rules,
which is typical of those disgusting street urchins,
those barnacle boys, the Usos.
Oh, The King, along with myself,
will surely deliver a royal beating to both Jim and Jeyson Uso tonight.
Hmm.
They, just like the proverbial mackerel, have taken the proverbial bait.
And now, we must take our proverbial catch onto our proverbial boat.
But that's, my fair lady, is where the proverbs end,
because when this match reaches its literal conclusion,
you will be staring at your boys, The…
[together] New Day.
…as we stand tall as your actual…
…and factual…
…WWE World Tag Team
-Champions! -[laughs]
[both laughing]
Oh, my lady. My lady.
-Uh, two. Two. -Oh yes. Yes.
-Don't spend it all in one place. -[laughs]
["Recognition" plays]
[Cole] The New Day looking to become 12-time Tag Team Champions tonight.
[McAfee] That royal chuckle certainly hits different,
but they got their hands full with the Usos.
[Cole] Speaking of multi-time champions, Pat,
how about the 13-time Women's Champion?
[crowd cheers]
[male announcer] Please welcome the SmackDown Women's Champion,
Charlotte Flair!
[Cole] Man, you're having fun, you are worked up tonight,
and here comes Charlotte Flair.
[McAfee] I didn't think this show could get any better,
and, boom, Charlotte Flair,
lineage of greatness on Friday Night.
[crowd cheers]
-[Cole] The question is… -[explosions]
…will anybody on the SmackDown roster be able to dethrone Charlotte Flair?
Well, the SmackDown Women's Champ ended 2021 on a high note.
And Charlotte plans to kick off the new year in style.
The champ's here with us live, next.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored tonight
by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
Meanwhile, in the ring here at Mohegan Sun Arena
is the SmackDown Women's Champion, Charlotte Flair.
["Recognition" fades out]
[crowd cheering and booing]
Happy New Year.
[crowd cheers]
Let me guess,
your New Year's resolution was to eat healthy, and go to the gym,
and whatever boring stuff
normal people have to say to make themselves feel better.
But I mean, as the most decorated woman in sports entertainment,
my New Year's resolution was a little more ambitious.
My New Year's resolutions make history.
But speaking of making history,
in less than four weeks is the Royal Rumble pay-per-view.
And simply put, the Royal Rumble changes lives.
Whoever wins the Royal Rumble match
will get to choose the champion of their choosing
to main event WrestleMania.
[crowd cheers]
So, let's take a look at the competitors
who are going to compete in this year's Women's Royal Rumble match.
[narrator] The 30-woman Royal Rumble match.
Let's take a look at this year's star-studded lineup,
including current Superstars and returning legends.
["Ballin'" by Logic plays]
[narrator] Rhea Ripley.
Nikki A.S.H.
WWE Hall of Famers The Bella Twins.
Shotzi.
Natalya.
Michelle McCool.
24/7 Champion, Dana Brooke.
Carmella.
Queen Zelina.
-Mickie James. -[crowd cheers]
Tamina.
-Kelly Kelly. -[crowd roars]
Aliyah.
Summer Rae.
Naomi.
Shayna Baszler.
And WWE Hall of Famer, Lita.
♪ Fall back 'cause I'm coming through With my whole team, they coming too ♪
♪ That's ballin'… ♪
[narrator] The 30-woman Royal Rumble match.
The winner gets a championship opportunity of their choice in the main event
at WrestleMania 38.
The road to WrestleMania begins at the Royal Rumble.
♪ Ballin', ballin' I came from nothin' to something ♪
[Cole] What a star-studded field, an opportunity to main event
the most stupendous two-night WrestleMania ever.
[McAfee] Is that Mickie James,
the Impact Knockouts Champion?
She's gonna have an ax to grind
with the garbage that happened in the past.
A star-studded 30-woman Royal Rumble
for the most stupendous WrestleMania opportunity.
Wow.
Now that's an incredible list.
Former champions, rising stars, legends, WWE Hall of Famers.
But the reason-- [chuckles] Thank you.
But the reason, no, no, no,
that I bring up these women who are going to compete,
is because this year,
I have the great pleasure of announcing someone very special
who is going to be in this year's Women's Royal Rumble match.
[McAfee] There you go.
She's a game-changer.
She's a living legend.
She's a former Raw and SmackDown Women's Champion.
And she is someone that you all admire.
[crowd chattering]
She is…
Charlotte Flair!
-[crowd cheers and applauds] -[McAfee] Congratulations, Charlotte.
-I didn't expect that at all. -[Charlotte] Woo!
I'm going to be the first champion to win the Royal Rumble
and choose the competitor of my choosing to main event--
-♪ Bring it to the floor ♪ -["Amazing" playing]
[Cole] I think she was gonna say "WrestleMania."
[McAfee] I thought she was gonna maybe try to wrestle herself.
[Cole] Here's Naomi.
♪ Bring it to the floor… ♪
[Cole] Charlotte Flair trying to do something
that no one else has ever done,
be a champion and enter the Royal Rumble match…
[indistinct shouting]
…and choose her challenger.
Hey, Charlé.
You know, you don't have to wait till WrestleMania
to face the challenger of your choosing.
Because you can choose to face me
and put your title on the line right now.
[crowd cheers]
Seriously, I know you were SmackDown Women's Champion,
like, a couple-couple years ago,
but I don't know what you think you've done recently
to deserve a match with me.
[crowd boos]
[indistinct shouting]
Yup.
No lies detected. No lies.
No lies.
Well, I know I've done this.
[Cole] Oh!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And Charlotte… irate and sent through the ropes to the floor.
-[McAfee] Feel the glow, Charlotte. -["Amazing" playing]
[Cole] That is quite the way to call out the SmackDown Women's Champion.
Come on.
[Cole] You think we're gonna have a match?
[McAfee] I hope so.
[Cole] And we are back on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
Impromptu matchup now happening.
It's a Championship Contenders Match.
Charlotte Flair, the SmackDown Women's Champion versus Naomi.
Huge opportunity for Naomi,
and she marched out here tonight, pretty much demanded this match.
Cover now by Charlotte, and a kick-out by Naomi.
[McAfee] Naomi walked out here, smacked Charlotte in the mouth,
and has earned herself a match with the champion.
[Cole] Naomi, of course, a former two-time SmackDown Women's Champion.
As we heard moments ago,
Naomi will be a part of the 30-woman Royal Rumble match
three weeks, oh, from tomorrow night, exclusively on Peacock.
But also Charlotte Flair will be involved, looking to make history
as the first champion to enter and win the Royal Rumble match
and then pick the challenger of her choosing at WrestleMania.
And now-- Oh, and a sliding forearm by Naomi.
Hook of the leg on the champ, and a kick-out.
[McAfee] The word "opportunity" is a beautiful thing
when describing the Royal Rumble. You gotta seize it.
Well, Naomi came out here and created her own opportunity.
This is what the WWE has been all about since the beginning.
But when you call out--
-[Cole] Cover. -One, two…
[Cole] And a kick-out by Naomi.
[McAfee] When you call out a GOAT,
there's a chance you can get your back broken in half.
[Cole] Not only call out the GOAT, but walk in the ring
and smack her in the face like Naomi did.
Well, stop! One…
[Cole] Charlotte Flair continuing to punish Naomi here tonight.
-[referee] Off the ropes. -[Cole] Three weeks away,
The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis.
The Royal Rumble Premium Live Event,
to determine which man and which woman
will headline the most stupendous two-night WrestleMania ever.
[McAfee] Whoa! What is this maneuver?
[Naomi groans]
[Cole] Charlotte just pounding away at Naomi
and looking to teach Naomi a lesson here tonight.
[referee] Come on, Naomi. What do you say?
[Naomi grunts]
-Nope? -[referee] No.
Nope?
[Naomi grunts]
[McAfee] Will Naomi be able to seize this opportunity
that she created earlier?
[crowd applauds]
-[Charlotte grunts] -[Cole] Look at this now.
Naomi taken over by Charlotte. Just an athletic display by the champion.
[crowd shouts and cheers]
[McAfee] She's been able to control Naomi with her power
then her athleticism with the kip-up.
[Cole] Charlotte feels like she was humiliated tonight.
Naomi came out here and smacked her in the face.
Now Naomi looking to turn things around and take it to the champion.
Golden opportunity for Naomi!
Bounces Charlotte face-first off the middle turnbuckle.
[referee] Come on, Naomi. Let's go. Back in the ring.
[Cole] And now Naomi looking to head up to the top rope.
[McAfee] If you do recall Naomi's…
[Cole] Oh, Charlotte with a big boot!
Drops Naomi to the floor.
[McAfee] I was about to say, has been held back
by Sonya Deville over the last few months.
If she was able to get to the top there and get a win over Charlotte,
this would propel her back into the marquee.
-You don't need to… [indistinct] -[Cole] Oh! That's a big if.
As Naomi is driven into the timekeeper's area.
And Charlotte's showing
that's what happens when you disrespect the champ.
Oh, you want more?
[McAfee] Dust herself off and try to do it again.
[Cole] Oh! And Naomi with a kick right to the side of the face.
[McAfee] Incredible flexibility, getting her leg all the way up there.
[Cole] Now off the barricade! A blockbuster by Naomi.
-And now both women are down. -Seven.
-Eight. -[Cole] The official at a count of eight.
-Naomi back into the ring. -[Sonya] Wait a minute. Wait one second.
-[McAfee] Oh, look. -Okay.
-[McAfee] Nobody's happy. -I may have neglected to mention
that this match can't be won by count-out.
[Cole] Sonya Deville once again with an ax to grind with Naomi.
Still don't understand what her problem is.
[indistinct]
[Cole] Now Charlotte from behind.
Charlotte was never gonna beat the count back into the ring.
Naomi should've won this matchup by count-out.
Nonetheless, Charlotte Flair has taken control.
[Cole] And we're back. Charlotte Flair and Naomi continues.
And tonight Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive.
[McAfee] The only reason why this match is continuing
is because WWE official Sonya Deville
continues to have an ax to grind with Naomi
and extended this match to a…
[Cole] Well, Charlotte Flair was out.
She was never gonna make it back in the ring.
She was gonna be counted out.
Naomi was gonna own a victory over the SmackDown Women's Champion.
But, nope, Sonya Deville said, "Not gonna happen that way."
[McAfee] Sonya Deville pulled a classic,
"You ain't gonna forget about me that quick."
[Cole] And now Naomi looking to fight back against Charlotte.
Oh!
You heard that echo through the arena.
And Naomi now looking to turn things around.
Charlotte looking for that tilt-a-whirl again,
but this time, Naomi able to turn it into a lateral press,
and a kick-out by Charlotte.
And the big leg drop by Naomi.
-Cover again by the former champion. -One, two…
[Cole] Shoulders down, and a kick-out by Charlotte Flair.
-[grunts] -[Cole] Watch this impact. Bang.
[McAfee] Just with the quickness. Charlotte thought she had her.
Naomi said, "No. Kick to the mouth."
One, two…
[Cole] Naomi's had so many problems
with Sonya Deville over the past couple of months.
Oh! That could be it. Naomi may pin the champion here.
Is it enough? And a kick-out.
[McAfee] That was a two-piece, knee and boot to Charlotte Flair's mouth.
[Cole] At one point, Naomi called
Sonya Deville's treatment of her harassment.
And again, Deville strikes tonight.
We still don't know what Sonya's issues are with Naomi.
And Naomi looking to take out the champion here
and put all that to rest.
[McAfee] Sonya's been a bit cruel to Naomi, abusing her power,
and Naomi has fought through.
[Cole] Top rope crossbody lateral press for the win,
and Charlotte kicks at two.
Two of the best, very best athletes in WWE today going at it.
Oh, went for the Rear View,
caught out of mid-air by Charlotte, stacked up Naomi.
Now looking to put an end.
Figure-Four. Can she bridge to the Figure-Eight?
[Naomi groans]
[Cole] Middle of the ring, Charlotte Flair trying to bridge.
Can't quite do it.
Naomi trying to drag to the bottom rope to force the break and does.
[Sonya] Hold on.
-Hold on. Hold on. Hold on one second. -[McAfee] Is that… That's the devil?
I-I forgot to mention.
You also can't win this match by disqualification.
Sorry.
Actually, the only way that you can win this match
is by pinfall or submission.
[McAfee] Moving the goalpost.
Classic abuse of power.
[Cole] Oh, and Charlotte trying to take advantage.
But you gotta give it up for Naomi, Pat.
Every obstacle thrown her way, and she's still in the fight,
still looking to take out the champion.
Charlotte Flair, though, unloading on Naomi.
Remember, no disqualification. Now Charlotte can do whatever she wants.
[McAfee] The mental toughness of Naomi is admirable.
She's been against all odds
with Sonya in charge.
[Cole] Yeah, the very, uh, very biased WWE official, Sonya Deville.
[McAfee] The person who tries to make this show worse, Sonya Deville.
[Cole] And Charlotte now with Naomi in trouble.
And the SmackDown Women's Champion heading up to the top rope
high above the Mohegan Sun Arena.
Charlotte looking for the moonsault. Lands on her feet.
Connects the second time around for the win on Naomi
who kicks out at two, and Naomi still in this match.
-[crowd shouting] -[referee speaking indistinctly]
[Cole] Now Charlotte is muttering to herself.
That was at two.
[Cole] Thought she had put Naomi away there.
[McAfee] This ref, who has also had to dodge, duck, dip, dive,
and dodge his way through this match with rules change says, "No, only two."
[Cole] Naomi may still win here on Charlotte, who's got a kick at two.
Went for the big boot, blocked by Naomi,
and Naomi follows it up with a couple of forearms.
[McAfee] Big time right.
[Cole] Oh, and a double kick, and both women down.
[McAfee] You would never think that'd be able to happen.
Both of these Superstars in each other's mind almost.
[Cole] Watch this, Pat, the impact.
Critical moment of this match.
Who will make it back to their feet first to try to take the advantage?
[McAfee] Connecticut pulling for Naomi strong.
[Cole] Oh!
And Naomi, what guts in this match tonight.
Oh, and Charlotte grabbing the hair. Again, no disqualifications. That's legal.
[McAfee] No count-out.
[Cole] Naomi. Oh, look at that! Full nelson.
-Now rolling Charlotte through. -[crowd] One, two…
[Cole] Shoulders down, and the champ's got a kick at two,
and Naomi can't believe
she hasn't been able to put Charlotte away.
[McAfee] A devastating maneuver from Naomi
showcasing how great she is in the ring.
-[Cole] Hell of a matchup here tonight. -[thud]
[Cole] Naomi with a win could earn a championship opportunity.
-Very close here. -One, two…
[McAfee groans]
I mean, is Sonya counting for this ref now too?
[Cole] And again, you can only win this by pinfall or submission.
Those rules put in place by WWE official, Sonya Deville!
And now Charlotte…
realizing Naomi may have made a mistake there.
Looks for the victory, and a kick-out again!
Naomi still in this.
[McAfee] Naomi continuing to fight.
She came out here earlier, smacked Charlotte right in the mouth.
Now she has her opportunity to shock the world.
-Oh. -[Cole] Uh-oh. Naomi!
Face-first goes Charlotte.
Another golden opportunity for Naomi to pin the champion.
Hook of the leg this time, and a near fall again.
Both these women throwing everything they have at one another.
Split-legged moonsault. But, oh, Charlotte caught her.
[McAfee] It's an instant classic.
It's almost like Naomi knew that Charlotte moved.
She hesitated for a second, and Charlotte took advantage.
[Cole] And off the back suplex into Natural Selection.
Cover now by Charlotte.
-And Charlotte with the win. -[bell rings]
[Sonya Deville] And your loser,
Naomi!
And the winner,
-Charlotte Flair! -["Recognition" playing]
[Cole] Naomi should've won this match a long time ago via count-out.
Once again, Sonya Deville sticks it to Naomi here tonight.
And Charlotte Flair escapes with the victory.
[McAfee] I mean, congrats to Charlotte Flair.
She put on a show. She was obviously not the one
that was screwing over Naomi at every opportunity!
[music continues]
Quite a night for Charlotte Flair
from declaring herself for the Women's Royal Rumble match
to her questionable victory over Naomi.
But now please welcome my guests
who are looking to secure a victory of their own tonight.
They are the SmackDown Tag Team Champions,
The Usos.
-[chuckling] -Yes, sir.
-Let's go. -[Kayla] Now…
Gentlemen, the Kingdom of The New Day seem undeterred
by the fact that their final opportunity at the SmackDown Tag Team Championships
will be tonight in a street fight.
[chuckles]
Come on, man.
As they should be.
Hey, The New Day had a chance
to become SmackDown Tag Team Champions at Day 1.
-What happened? -[chuckles]
We paid homage to one of the dopest tag teams in the game.
Hit them with the dopest finisher in the game.
-3D. -A.K.A.
-1D. -One and Done.
The same thing is happening tonight, Kayla.
The classic rivalry
between the Usos and The New Day ends tonight.
They want that street fight? Cool.
Tonight, The New Day finally gonna know why they call us…
-The Ones. -Yeah.
[Cole] Street fight for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles
still to come tonight.
["The Good Life" plays]
[McAfee] And, uh, this should be good.
[Cole] It is time for the happy folks.
[crowd booing and cheering]
[Cole] I wonder if they've got potatoes here at the Mohegan Sun.
[McAfee] I mean, this guy…
[explosion]
[McAfee] His happiness stamina…
[male announcer] Please welcome the host of "Happy Talk,"
Happy Corbin!
[McAfee] That's on me, Rome.
I would never wanna interrupt you introducing anybody.
This guy, though, has the stamina of happiness
we should all strive to be.
An insufferable man with zero self-awareness
is back out here on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Cole] He's promised a special guest too
for this special edition of "Happy Talk," live next.
[McAfee] Really? Great.
[narrator] 2022,
the year of stupendous.
The biggest stadium. The biggest stars.
The most must-see night of your life.
-[record scratches] -Hold up.
Make that two nights.
The most stupendous two-night WrestleMania in history.
[Cole] The pageantry. The excitement.
-[narrator] In Dallas, Texas. -[Cole] The magnificence.
[narrator] So, get here because stupendous is better in person.
Tickets and travel packages available now.
["Are You Ready" playing]
[Cole] Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
is at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut tonight.
Still to come, in our main event,
the SmackDown Tag Team Titles are on the line.
The New Day, with one final opportunity at the gold,
versus the champions, The Usos,
in a street fight live here tonight.
At ringside, Cole and McAfee, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
Thanks for joining us, and happy new year, everybody.
And we kicked off the show tonight with WWE Champion Brock Lesnar in the ring
issuing a challenge to the Universal Champion, Roman Reigns.
Now, why don't we give everybody what they want?
[crowd cheers]
Title versus title.
Champ versus champ.
Let's do this, Roman.
[crowd cheering]
It's a good idea.
But it's not my idea.
And this is my show.
[crowd cheering]
And we do what I say on my time.
Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Brock. Brock.
Please don't talk to him that way.
Paul, I told you to shut up.
[Cole] And Roman Reigns would deliver a Superman Punch.
After Paul Heyman got a bit overzealous,
Reigns would take advantage of that distraction
and drop the WWE Champion, "The Beast Incarnate" Brock Lesnar,
with a Superman Punch.
I mean, I'm thinking about it, now could you imagine title versus title,
champion versus champion,
alpha male of our species versus the GOAT at WrestleMania?
That would be, shoot,
stupendous!
That would be awesome, Pat.
But WrestleMania, we still have a long way to go to get there
because at the Royal Rumble,
Brock Lesnar is going to defend the WWE Championship
against the "All Mighty" Bobby Lashley.
-What's up, Adam? -[McAfee] Oh hell yeah.
You and I need to have a conversation.
Listen, I mean, it wasn't exactly what--
No, look, look,
I've been on the phone all night with WWE management
because Roman doesn't have an opponent for the Royal Rumble.
Look, Lesnar and Lashley, they're gonna battle for the WWE Championship,
but Roman needs an opponent for the Universal Title.
-Hmm. -Based on the last conversation I had,
they're leaving that opponent up to me.
I could pick anybody I want.
-Wow. -Yeah.
-When are you gonna choose? -That's the kicker.
They want that choice made by the end of tonight.
Whoa!
So let's take a walk. I wanna bounce some ideas off you.
-All right, let's go. Let's figure it out. -Thank you.
[Cole] Who's Pearce gonna choose?
[McAfee] A walk and talk there.
[Cole] Well, tonight Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
You feel happy?
[McAfee] Do they have optics and audio insurance?
I believe my eyes and ears are about to get ruined.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to "Happy Talk."
[crowd cheering]
I wanna say thank you
to each and every one of you little Happy heads
for coming out here tonight.
[crowd cheering]
Now, as you can see,
I'm here by myself.
With COVID-19, you have to watch your back.
Somebody who failed to watch their back is Drew McIntyre
after his match with my good pal, Madcap Moss.
Now, if a few of you went out on New Year's Eve
and got a little too happy… [laughs]
…and missed Day 1,
this is what happened.
[McAfee, indistinct]
[narrator] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive.
A triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
-[dramatic music playing] -Drew, tonight you defeated Madcap Moss.
Are your sights now set on Corbin?
[grunting]
[groans in pain]
Put the chair on his head.
-Hey, hey. -Put it down.
Don't do it! Don't do it!
[metal clanking]
[dramatic music continues]
-[overlapping shouting] -[metal clatters]
[Pearce] Get me some medical over here!
[ominous music plays]
[crowd shouting and cheering]
I mean, that…
That makes me incredibly happy.
And you know what? It was worth every single penny
of that fine.
Now, I thought what Madcap and I did to Drew McIntyre
would keep him out for months and months and months and months and months.
But it turns out
-he's actually here tonight! -[crowd cheers]
[McAfee] That makes me happy.
So, ladies and gentlemen, please help me welcome my guest,
a man that is tougher than a slab of granite.
He's stronger than a silverback gorilla.
He is The Scottish Warrior,
Drew McIntyre!
["Gallantry" plays]
[McAfee] For the first time in years,
Happy said something awesome…
and accurate.
[Cole] What'd you say about him?
[crowd cheers]
[McAfee] That's not Drew.
-[Cole groans] -[McAfee] Oh my God. That's--
[McAfee] Oh my God! The flaccid sword of Madcap Moss.
Why would they--
These disrespectful punks.
[Cole] That's ridiculous.
[grunting]
[McAfee] He's wearing pants under a kilt. I mean…
It's disrespectful to all of Scotland.
William Wallace is getting--
I mean, he…
He's rolling over in his grave right now because of what Madcap's doing.
Look at that tiny little sword.
Help me out.
-I'm okay. -[Cole] Might be the joke.
[McAfee] I mean, to be clear, Madcap is absolutely shredded.
[Corbin] I mean, Drew, welcome.
And I gotta ask you right out the gate,
how are you even walking after what Madcap and I did to you at Day 1?
[in Scottish accent] Well, the official cuisine of Scotland is haggis.
It's sheep intestines boiled inside a sheep's stomach.
After a lifetime of eating that disgusting mess,
I can survive anything.
[McAfee chuckles]
Okay. I mean, you-you are tough and brave. So, I have another question for you.
How do you think a guy like me would fare in a match with you?
Oh, you'd murder me.
As soon as you got your hands on me,
I'd soil on my kilt.
Not that you could tell anyway.
I'd smell just the same as I always do.
[McAfee] Oh, low blow there.
Okay, okay, Drew. I got one final question.
When can all of us expect to see you compete again?
Oh, never again.
I could actually compete tomorrow,
but I'm going to milk this injury
and use it as an excuse to pursue my true passions…
painting watercolors
and writing poetry about the Loch Ness Monster.
[McAfee] Oh, here's the next question. When is this over, Happy?
Jeez.
[laughing]
[in normal voice] It's me, Madcap Moss. I fooled all of you.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] That was garbage.
I fooled them all. [laughs]
[McAfee] I mean, there isn't one single person
that is like, "Yeah, this is Drew."
[Viking Raiders' theme plays]
[McAfee] Certainly not.
[explosions]
[Cole] It's time to join the raid.
[McAfee] I don't think the Vikings found this funny either.
[Cole] Now, The Viking Raiders have a scheduled match
with Corbin and Madcap Moss.
And they did not enjoy "Happy Talk."
[McAfee] Nobody did.
[bell rings]
[male announcer] The following contest is a tag team match
scheduled for one fall.
Introducing, at a combined weight of 590 pounds,
Erik and Ivar, The Viking Raiders!
[McAfee] Hey, boys, they said we lost two million viewers during that segment.
-Gonna tie my hair up. -[Cole] Raiders and the happy folks next.
[Cole] Tag team action, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
The Viking Raiders… You see Ivar making the tag
against Madcap Moss, who's in the ring, and Happy Corbin.
Double-team now by the Raiders.
Erik dropping Ivar onto Madcap Moss.
Raid! Raid! Raid! Raid!
[McAfee] I'm not sure if Vikings have many friends that aren't Vikings,
but they're coming out here
and beating up these happy folks for Drew McIntyre.
[Cole] Tag. Here comes Happy Corbin.
-[grunts] -Corbin misses with a big boot.
Oh, Ivar caught him with one of his own.
The Viking Raiders, former Tag Team Champions.
They'd love to win the gold again here on Friday Night SmackDown.
[McAfee] A little thunder and lightning here from the Vikings.
Oh, guess what time it is?
-Entrée. -[grunts]
[Cole] Oh, right in Corbin's face.
Cover by Erik.
-Is it enough to knock off Happy Corbin? -One, two…
And a kick-out at two.
[McAfee] In some places, Viking ass is a delicacy.
Here in Connecticut, it is just Happy Corbin's dinner.
[Cole] Oh, and a big elbow.
And now, Madcap Moss with a cheap shot.
[groans]
[Cole] Oh, Deep Six.
-[Madcap Moss] Yeah, get him. -[Cole] Cover by Corbin.
-One, two-- -[Cole] Is it enough?
It's Ivar breaking things up for the Viking Raiders.
[McAfee] The Viking Raiders have been together a long time.
-[grunts] -There you go, baby.
[Cole] Yeah, they're probably as annoyed with Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss
as everyone else is.
[McAfee] I'm not sure of the Vikings' sense of humor,
but it doesn't matter.
Nobody's sense of humor seems to line up with the happy folks,
except for these two.
-[Cole] Madcap Moss. -[McAfee] Holy hell.
He is shot out of a cannon.
-[Cole] Just like that. -Woo!
[McAfee] Listen, he's got a 14-pack. He's yoked.
He's got thighs for biceps and triceps, and he's just--
[Cole] Had a great match with McIntyre last Saturday night at Day 1.
[McAfee] I mean, that was the quickest I've ever seen somebody in the ring.
[Cole] Trying to fight back now is Erik against Madcap Moss.
-[grunts] -[McAfee] What?
[Cole] Moss catching Erik in mid-air and a fallaway slam.
[groans in pain]
[McAfee] Maybe this Madcap guy should maybe get away from Happy Corbin.
Tag.
[McAfee] He might be wasting his talent. He's…
[Cole] They've been pretty effective as a team here.
[McAfee] Have they? I mean… We watched the same segment together.
[Cole] Look what they did to Drew McIntyre last weekend.
-Two. -[grunts]
[Cole] Drew gonna be out of action indefinitely.
We'll have an injury update on McIntyre in a few moments
as Madcap Moss comes in off the tag.
[McAfee] You can't get it twisted. That bald doofus that was just in,
he is a Golden Gloves Champ, former NFL-er.
[Cole] Former Money in the Bank winner. Multi-time champion here in WWE.
Look at-- former King of the Ring as well. As Madcap Moss unloading on Erik.
[McAfee] Whoo, spin move. Oh!
[Cole] He was deceptively quick.
[McAfee] No, it's not deceptively at this point. He is a…
incredibly explosive athlete.
[Cole] And Erik sends Madcap Moss outside the ring.
[McAfee] But once again, his agility, he lands on--
[Cole] Oh, but he ran into a knee right to the face.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Ivar wants in this matchup,
realizes this could be the turning point. Erik trying to make it there.
[crowd cheering and applauding]
[Cole] And Happy Corbin now dragging Ivar off the apron
and driving him into the ring post.
And Madcap Moss…
burying a shoulder in the gut of Erik.
[McAfee] Happy and Madcap helping each other out.
Good tag team sports entertainment.
[Cole] And Madcap Moss calls that the Punch Line.
One, two, three.
-[Cole] And Moss and Corbin with the win. -[bell rings]
[upbeat music playing]
[male announcer] Here's your winners, Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss!
[McAfee] It doesn't matter at all
if you get a laugh during any of your jokes
if you can perform like that in the ring.
And that's what Happy and Madcap need to do more.
[Cole] Indeed. They were poking fun at Drew McIntyre earlier tonight
after that severe attack this past Saturday
at the Premium Live Event, Day 1.
We have an update now.
WWE is reporting that Drew McIntyre suffered a cervical neck strain
with severe contusions.
And upon further evaluation by medical staff,
Drew will have a follow-up with an orthopedic cervical specialist.
We understand that as the swelling goes down,
that meeting with the specialist will come on Monday.
[McAfee] Ts and Ps for Drew McIntyre, bub.
Oh, cry me a river, will you?
Former sword-wielding hardman Drew McIntyre
is at home, building snowmen with a crick in his neck.
Who cares?
See, what I care about is my young protégé, Ridge Holland.
At Day 1, when I was stomping all over the "Swiss Android" Cesaro,
Ricochet was stomping all over Ridge's face.
I mean, the lad's nose is sticking out the back of his head,
and he's in misery.
The poor fella can't even smell the bacon and cabbage boiling on the stove,
and I can't help feel just a little bit responsible.
But I know what's gonna cheer young Holland up.
Because I'm entering the Royal Rumble match.
That's right. And I'm gonna put a smile a mile bleedin' long
on young Holland's face
when I eliminate 29 other men
and go on to face a champion of my choosing in…
[chuckles]
…the main event…
[thuds]
…of WrestleMania.
[Cole] And Sheamus knows what that's all about.
A decade ago, 2012,
Sheamus won the Royal Rumble match.
Will he do it again?
The field is starting to fill out,
including, as we heard earlier tonight, Johnny Knoxville of Jackass fame.
The 30-man Royal Rumble match,
three weeks from tomorrow night at the Royal Rumble Premium Live Event.
The winner is guaranteed a main event
at the most stupendous two-night WrestleMania ever.
[upbeat music playing]
[McAfee] All roads lead to a bad night for Johnny Knoxville,
but things just got better.
Royalty has arrived.
[Cole] It is the final opportunity, at least for the foreseeable future,
for The New Day at the SmackDown Tag Team Titles.
Ladies and gentlemen, we invite you to join the all-new WWE T-Shirt Club.
Get exclusive T-shirts and free shipping.
See WWEShop.com or scan the QR code for details.
[McAfee] Set it and forget it. Get a T-shirt each month.
What a beautiful sentiment!
You're looking at the King and his loyal Hand.
[Cole] Well, ladies and gentlemen,
and the matchup's sponsored by Jackson Hewitt.
Get your biggest refund, guaranteed.
The storied rivalry between The New Day and the Usos continues
in a street fight for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles.
It's live. It's next.
♪ Can't stop, can't quit Gotta make it legit ♪
♪ For the win, for the win, I'mma… ♪
Oh my…
[crowd chattering]
[knocking on door]
Come in.
Sit.
[sighs] What do you want?
So, Roman, I just wanted to give you a heads up
that I've chosen your next opponent.
[Roman scoffs]
-You chose him? -I did.
Well, unless it's you…
[scoffs] …I really don't care,
because there's nobody on this roster that I haven't smashed already.
So pick whoever you like, all right?
Okay.
I'd like to watch my cousins' match now.
-That means leave. -Okay.
[Cole] We are awaiting Adam Pearce's decision
on who will face Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble.
And Royal Rumble is sponsored by Cricket.
Everything you want, including the price.
The New Day final opportunity at the SmackDown Tag Team Titles.
No rules in this match.
-It's a street fight. -["Done With That" plays]
[McAfee] Adam Pearce in a terrible position.
Can't read social cues, though. That's on him.
This is gonna be…
unbelievable.
♪ Been down since ♪
♪ Day one ish, damn! Line 'em all up… ♪
[Cole] The question is, when Friday Night SmackDown on Fox,
heads to America's heartland in Omaha, Nebraska next week, Pat,
will the Usos still be the SmackDown Tag Team Champs,
or will The New Day hold the gold for a 12th time?
[McAfee] That'd be inaudible for sure.
Omaha, Omaha,
Peyton Manning's favorite city.
We're about to find out.
["Done With That" continues]
[Cole] Roman Reigns looking on.
He wants to watch his cousins defend the Tag Team Titles tonight.
But I think the curiosity has gotta be killing the champ, Pat,
who he's gonna face, who Adam Pearce is gonna…
who he's picked to face Roman Reigns at the Rumble for the Universal Title.
[McAfee] He didn't look worried one bit.
Roman Reigns said, "I ain't worried about nothing."
"I beat everybody's ass around here,
and earlier today I laid out the WWE Champion."
"Please allow me to watch my cousins do what they do best."
[bell rings]
[male announcer] The following contest is a street fight!
[crowd cheers]
[male announcer] And it is for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship!
Introducing the challengers,
representing The New Day, The Hand of the King, Sir Kofi Kingston,
and King Woods!
-[roars] -[crowd cheering]
[male announcer] And their opponents, they are the SmackDown Tag Team Champions,
Jimmy and Jey,
-The Usos! -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, this is #StreetFight.
And our main event tonight between the champions, The Usos,
and The New Day is sponsored by Jackson Hewitt.
Get your biggest refund, guaranteed.
[McAfee] Taxes ain't nothing to play with, just like these two tag teams.
-[bell rings] -[Cole] Yeah, a storied rivalry.
These, uh, teams just met six nights ago.
The New Day Premium--
I should say the Day 1 Premium Live Event in Atlanta.
The Usos escaping with a win.
But now The New Day, the 11-time Tag Team Champions,
double-teaming Jimmy Uso to start things off here tonight.
[McAfee] I think you're talking about the only match we got to call at Day 1.
New Day in--
[Cole] Cover by King Woods, and a kick-out by Jimmy Uso.
Quick tag to the Hand of the King.
Kofi Kingston, a former WWE Champion.
And now Jey Uso saving his brother momentarily.
[McAfee] I do appreciate the fact that this is a street fight,
and it started very, very copacetically.
[Cole] Kofi Kingston, though.
Trust Fall from the top of the ring post!
Can The New Day capture the Tag Team Titles on SmackDown?
[Cole] We are back live on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
And now it's turned into a street fight for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles.
The New Day and the current champions, The Usos,
fighting all over the place, Pat.
[McAfee] Made their way out of the ring.
And this is what we expected when we heard "street fight."
[Cole] And no love lost between these two teams
as Jimmy Uso is bounced off the giant LED boards.
And now King Woods taking the fight to Jey Uso
-and does the same thing. -[groans]
[screams]
[McAfee] Up here in New England,
New Day looking like Mac Jones.
[Cole] And ladies and gentlemen, street fight means there's no rules.
You only win via pinfall or submission.
No count-outs, so they can fight all over the arena.
No disqualification, so they can do this.
[groans in pain]
[Cole] The matchup has to end inside the ring, however,
with a pinfall or submission.
King Woods sending Jey Uso into the ring. And a big right hand by Jey Uso as well.
[McAfee] An open-hand slap right to the mouth of the King.
[Cole] Now Kofi Kingston…
[McAfee] Picked up and dumped onto the apron.
[Cole] And, oh, King Woods with a superkick.
-Drop-dropping Jimmy Uso. -[groans]
[Cole] And now Jey grabbing the King by his hair.
[McAfee] Early in the street fight here, both teams trying to garner an advantage.
-Slingshot. -[Cole] Oh, and then the tornado DDT.
And here, King Woods into the cover.
Is it enough to win the SmackDown Tag Team Titles?
Near fall.
[McAfee] Right here where the grass is greenest,
The New Day almost became champs again.
[grunting]
[Cole] Oh, and that pop-up Samoan Drop.
Cover to retain the Tag Team Titles.
Jimmy Uso now, and a kick-out by King Woods.
[McAfee] The Usos, our SmackDown Champions,
have represented this brand so well alongside their cousin in The Bloodline.
They The Ones for a reason.
[Cole] Kofi Kingston now, double-team.
-Oh, look at that. They ate it! -[McAfee] Alley-Uce!
[Cole] Cover.
And a kick-out again off the Alley-Uce.
And Roman Reigns, the Universal Champion, looks on.
His cousins defending the SmackDown Tag Team Titles.
Adam Pearce telling us that the decision has been made
on who will face Roman Reigns
for the Universal Title at the Royal Rumble.
Who will it be? We will find out tonight.
[McAfee] Jey Uso just said, "I don't want the waters or Gatorades."
"I want something else in this street fight."
[Jey] Hey! Tie him up, bro.
[Cole] Duct tape.
-[McAfee] That's brilliant. -Don't move!
[McAfee] Because duct tape is impossible to take off.
We've all been there. The number one trend in the United States.
How you doing? Keep it moving.
Two of the greatest tag teams on Earth.
[Cole] What do you mean we've all been there, duct-taped?
[McAfee] Well, just trying to get duct tape off is a-- Oh!
I don't know what type of freaky stuff you're into, Cole.
I'm talking about just trying to get duct tape off.
-Whoa, whoa, whoa. -[Cole] Wait a minute.
For the-for the championship!
Kofi Kingston almost stole it.
[McAfee] A little bit of a bobble there by Kofi.
-[groans] -[Cole] Another look, face-first.
Meanwhile, King Woods has been duct-taped to the rope.
Now, the Hand of the King, Kofi Kingston, freeing the hands of Xavier Woods.
[McAfee] That's why you need a loyal Hand of the King around if you're…
just in case you get duct-taped to a rope.
[Cole] Usos over the top rope.
And now dragging The New Day out to the floor.
The street fight spills out to the arena floor here again.
All for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles.
[grunts]
[Cole] Kofi driven face-first into the ring post.
[McAfee] While King Woods throwing Jey Uso.
[Cole] And now King Woods sailing into the WWE Universe,
and the Usos have taken over.
[McAfee] You would think that a street fight would favor the Usos
because they are not scared to do stuff like--
[Cole] Oh! Steps to the face of Kingston.
[McAfee] That.
-Watch out. -Get 'em, Uce.
[McAfee] Look at them, two movers. Let's take the stairs out yonder.
[Cole] Dragging the steel ring steps into the WWE Universe
in pursuit of King Woods.
-[metal thuds] -[Cole] Oh! Woods is down.
[metal clanks]
[McAfee] Stairs to the loyal Hand of the King.
Stairs to the face of the King.
We The Ones.
[Cole] And the Usos showing how dominant they are
as SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
[McAfee] Really good work, boys. Thanks for being our champions.
[Cole] It'll just be a matter of time between Jimmy and Jey…
-[crowd chanting] Usos! -[Cole] …put Kofi Kingston away.
[McAfee] The King is out in the crowd amongst his people
while the loyal Hand of the King is all by himself.
[Cole] King Woods trying to drag himself back into the arena!
And taking out both Usos.
The New Day have another opportunity.
Is King Woods hurt?
[narrator] What's the Royal Rumble like? Check it. Thirty men. Thirty women.
[upbeat music playing]
-They start like… -♪ You think you know me ♪
-[narrator] With a lot of this… -[Cole] It's over the top rope.
Feet hit the floor, you're eliminated.
[narrator] And this…
-[Lawler] He saved himself. -[Cole] Did that really happen?
[narrator] And this…
[Cole] Line them up. Throw them over.
[narrator] And end like…
-[Graves] Get lost in the moment. -[Cole] He did it!
[narrator] And the winners get…
[announcer] The main event of WrestleMania.
[narrator] All live from…
[announcer] The Dome at America's Center
in St. Louis, Missouri, for the first time ever.
This is the Royal Rumble.
[music ends]
[Cole] Three weeks from tomorrow night, but before we get to the Rumble,
this is the main event on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
The Usos and The New Day for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles.
This time around, it's a street fight.
Anything goes. No count-outs. No disqualifications.
Pinfall or submission must happen in the ring.
And Kofi Kingston, top rope,
could be the opportunity for The New Day to win their 12th Tag Team Titles!
Cover now and a kick-out!
And we do know that Roman Reigns, the Universal Champion,
there here is, the cousins of the Tag Champs, The Usos.
Roman Reigns watching the matchup.
But also before we go off the air tonight, we will learn who will face Roman Reigns,
who gets the opportunity at the Universal Championship
three weeks from tomorrow night at the Royal Rumble Premium Event.
[McAfee] And The King just found a knight costume.
[Cole] Yeah, they're always under the ring.
[McAfee] Of course, especially when The King's out here.
We're in a street fight. It's a dog-eat-dog world.
Both teams have Milk-Bone underpants on.
Kill or be killed.
Put on your Spartan costume.
[Cole] And a double-team by The New Day!
And Jimmy Uso…
-[McAfee] That's steel. -[referee shouting indistinctly]
[Cole] Oh! Well, see, it didn't even bother King Woods.
[McAfee] That helmet was built to eat horses' hooves.
[grunts]
-[Cole] What? -[McAfee] The knights.
That's what they used to ride around on, dude.
That is why King Woods is playing chess right now.
[Cole] And the Usos are in trouble.
And their Tag Team Championship reign could be closing in on ending.
-Can The New Day pick up the victory? -One, two…
[Cole] A kick-out…
by Jimmy and Jey at two.
[McAfee] This is incredibly strategic of The New Day,
utilizing weapons that only they knew were underneath the ring
to gain an advantage here late in this Tag Team Championship Match.
[crowd chanting] We want tables!
-[Cole] And the WWE fans… -[crowd] We want tables!
We want tables!
[McAfee] The Revolution region is asking for some wood.
[crowd] We want tables!
[Cole] And I think The New Day is gonna try to accommodate 'em.
-[crowd chanting] We want tables! -[shouts]
-[McAfee] Do you really want it? Yeah! -[crowd] We want tables!
-[crowd cheers] -[McAfee] Here we go!
[Cole] All legal in a street fight.
[McAfee] You see all the trash on the side of the ring?
That's 'cause during the break,
the Usos took a garbage can to The New Day.
[Cole] Yeah, dumped trash all over Kofi and King Woods.
[McAfee] The Usos were quoted as saying, "Pat, it's because they are trash."
Well, now the tide has turned.
A table is out in favor of The New Day.
[Cole] King Woods, is he gonna be able to put Jimmy Uso through a table?
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Can he secure a Tag Team Championship victory
for the 12th time for The New Day?
Blocked. King Woods now… close to going through the table.
Catches a right hand on Jimmy.
Jimmy Uso with a superkick now to King Woods.
Now Kofi Kingston…
-[Kofi grunts] -And a kick of his own.
Jey Uso now back in the ring.
Jey with a kick to Kofi.
[McAfee] The Usos say, "We know a thing or two about tables."
"Our cousin is the head of it."
-[Cole] That was good. -[McAfee] Thank you.
[Cole] Will the Usos be able to use the table, however,
to secure the victory and hold on to the SmackDown gold?
[McAfee] Jey Uso is eying an opportunity
to utilize the table right now.
-Uce…! -[crowd] …O!
[Cole] Jey looking to pack things up. Kofi Kingston crawls out of harm's way.
Trouble in Paradise.
Kofi for the win!
-For the Tag Team Titles! -One, two…
And Jimmy Uso saves it for his brother.
[McAfee] Saves it for SmackDown. Saves it for The Bloodline.
[Cole] And watch this.
Kofi Kingston with a Trouble in Paradise.
-[McAfee] Scrambles out of the way. -One, two…
[McAfee] And Jimmy has to come save him.
We almost had new Tag Team Champions.
[Cole] There are bodies strewn everywhere.
King Woods now climbing to the top rope. Jey Uso is gonna beat him there.
The storied rivalry.
Two of the greatest tag teams of the last decade in WWE!
Two of the greatest tag teams of all time in WWE,
battling it out for the SmackDown gold.
[McAfee] The knight's armor was gonna be used again instead.
[Cole] Double superkick!
[McAfee] Superkick sandwich.
They've been calling for it all night.
The Usos are happy to oblige.
[Cole] Table's set up. Kingston's in trouble.
[crowd shouting and cheering]
[Cole] The Usos proclaiming they're The One.
[McAfee] They're saying, "Get the tables!"
[Cole] Kofi trying to drag himself to his feet.
And the Usos with a 1D!
[crowd cheering]
[McAfee] And this thing is…
-one and done! -[crowd] One, two, three!
-[crowd roars] -[bell rings]
["Done With That" plays]
[male announcer] Here are your winners
and still the SmackDown Tag Team Champions,
The Usos!
[Cole] Say whatever you want about the Usos,
and their tactics, and what they're all about.
At the end of the day, Jimmy and Jey proving once again here tonight
that they are indeed the greatest tag team on the planet today.
[McAfee] And they've added a weapon to their arsenal in the 1D,
the most devastating maneuver in tag team wrestling history.
What a win for The Bloodline.
[Cole] Jimmy and Jey celebrate tonight
as the SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
♪ Day one ish ♪
♪ We been down since day one ish ♪
♪ Line ′em all up Knock 'em down like this ♪
[knocking on door]
Come in.
♪ Y'all already know Soon as you feel that creep ♪
♪ You 'bouts to get put to sleep ♪
♪ All right, all right It's not paranoia… ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Roman Reigns] Is there something I can do for you?
[chuckles]
[laughs]
♪ Day one ish ♪
♪ We been down since day one ish ♪
♪ Line 'em all up Knock 'em down like this ♪
[song ends] all up Knock 'em down like this ♪