[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]
["Are You Ready" from AC/DC plays]
♪ Are you ready ♪
♪ Are you ready for a good time ♪
♪ Who all need it ♪
-♪ Yeah! Yes, you do ♪ -♪ Who all need it ♪
♪ You all breathe it ♪
♪ We all need it ♪
♪ Are you ready for a good time ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
[song ends]
♪ Are you ready ♪
[Cole] With the Royal Rumble looming tomorrow night,
we welcome you to Friday Night SmackDown on Fox,
sponsored tonight by Progressive Insurance.
A triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
We welcome you live to the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
And a lot on the menu for Friday Night SmackDown tonight,
delivered by Papa John's.
New from Papa John's, New York-style pizza is here.
Order one today.
[McAfee] Oh, that sounds delicious.
And just one sleep, one brunch,
one day away from their big match,
Seth "Freakin" Rollins and Roman Reigns will go face-to-face,
one-on-one tonight on Fox.
[Cole] And after months of being beaten down and held back,
Naomi looks for revenge against the woman who suspends her managerial duties
and becomes a legit competitor, Sonya Deville, tonight.
Also tonight, Big E and Kofi Kingston team up
for the first time in a year and a half
to take on Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss.
-♪ Are you ready for a good time ♪ -[song fades out]
["All Hail The Queen" plays]
[McAfee] But first…
[Irvin] Please welcome the SmackDown Women's Champion,
Charlotte Flair.
[Cole] Well, ladies and gentlemen, this woman, Charlotte Flair,
two years ago, won the Women's Royal Rumble Match.
She looks to repeat that feat tomorrow night
at the Dome at America's Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
And if Charlotte Flair can win tomorrow night,
she'd become the first champion to win the Rumble
and pick her challenger for the main event at WrestleMania.
[thunderous explosions]
Pat, I cannot wait. I know it's your first Royal Rumble tomorrow night.
Now, in the Royal Rumble Match, two people are gonna start that match.
Others will enter at normally scheduled intervals.
They enter the ring.
You're eliminated when you go over the top rope and both feet hit the floor.
It's every woman for herself.
The last woman standing will punch her ticket
to the main event at WrestleMania.
[McAfee] Not just any WrestleMania,
the most stupendous two-night WrestleMania.
The Royal Rumble is where dreams come true.
Situations happen that you could never fathom or dream of.
What a moment. I cannot wait.
Hey, everybody, welcome to ringside. Michael Cole, Pat McAfee.
Charlotte Flair, the SmackDown Women's Champion in the ring.
Again, hoping to win tomorrow night to become the first champion ever
to win the Rumble and pick her challenger at WrestleMania.
[McAfee] That'd be a power play, for sure.
Kansas City!
[crowd cheering]
It is my honor, as your SmackDown Women's champion,
to do something that Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs will never do again.
[crowd booing]
You wanna know what that is?
That's bringing a championship to Kansas City!
[crowd booing]
Don't worry, guys, don't worry.
You won't be the only ones heartbroken this Sunday.
So will 29 other women who are going to be banged up,
bruised up, and tossed over the top rope, like garbage, by me.
[crowd booing]
No, no, no, listen, there is nothing more difficult in the WWE,
or unpredictable, than the Women's Royal Rumble Match.
It is almost impossible to prepare for it.
You have the shocking entrants,
the surprising returns, and my favorite,
the betrayals.
Now, once you step foot in that ring, it's every single woman for their self.
[crowd murmurs and reacts]
No, they're coming at you from every single direction,
knees diving, elbows flying.
It's every single woman scratching and clawing, doing whatever it takes
to throw each other over the top rope to the floor.
Now, listen, I didn't have to enter the Royal Rumble Match.
No, I-- [chuckles]
[crowd booing]
No, no, no.
I could've cruised all the way to WrestleMania
waiting on the winner to choose me, but that's not who I am.
That's not what kind of champion I am.
I don't rely on fate or chance.
I don't sit around hoping things are just gonna work out for me.
No, I take control.
That is why I am the most dominant champion in the history of the WWE.
[crowd booing]
Now, normally, the winner of the Royal Rumble
chooses the champion of their choosing to main event WrestleMania.
But tomorrow, I change the game again, as the winner,
when I win the Royal Rumble Match
and choose the challenger of my choosing to main event WrestleMania.
[crowd booing]
["Limb By Limb" plays]
[McAfee] Whoa.
[Cole] There is Shayna Baszler.
[McAfee] Blowing kisses to Kansas City.
I'm gonna be honest, this woman scares the hell out of me.
[Cole] "Queen of Spades," "The Submission Magician,"
Shayna Baszler also a part of the Women's Royal Rumble Match tomorrow night.
[McAfee] Shayna Baszler lives by a code,
"I'll make you snap, tap or crap if you get in the ring with me."
Charlotte was just getting to her point. I don't know what this is all about.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Bodies crashing, limbs snapping.
You're talking my language. That's music to my ears.
[McAfee] Symphony.
[crowd cheers]
Charlotte, look, there's no denying you are an incredible competitor.
But tomorrow night,
if it ends up me and you again,
I will not hesitate to snap you like a twig,
limb by limb.
-[crowd cheering] -[McAfee] Ooh.
But you know what?
I'll make you a promise.
After I throw you over the top rope,
I won't waste any time in declaring you as my opponent for WrestleMania.
See, all you'll have to worry about
is making sure your limbs are healed up in time.
Kind of like you did at the last Royal Rumble Match?
["It's All Boujee" plays]
[McAfee] Lots of interruptions out here. It's Rumble season.
[Cole] And there is Aliyah.
Look, Aliyah 3:17. She set the record for the shortest--
Hey!
I don't know if it's okay for me to be out here.
I mean, it seems like anybody could just walk out.
Oh my God, who are you?
-[McAfee] That's a world record holder. -I'm so sorry.
My name is Aliyah, and I just love this for me.
I'm so excited.
Tomorrow, I have my very first Royal Rumble Match.
And I've got a lot of butterflies in my stomach…
because this means, well maybe,
I get to compete at my first-ever WrestleMania.
-[crowd cheering] -[McAfee] Congrats, Aliyah.
[Cole] Three point one--
No, no, sweetheart. I wouldn't book your travel so fast.
Listen, you stand zero chance of winning tomorrow night.
Now, I know I haven't won a lot of matches.
However, I did beat Nattie in 3.17 seconds.
[McAfee] There it is, there it is. 3.17.
[crowd cheers]
Set the WWE record.
So call me optimistic, okay?
-But I have a good-- -["New Foundation" plays]
[McAfee] This is who she beat in 3.17 seconds…
Natalya, the most winning woman in the hi--
[Natalya] Aliyah, you are adorable.
Aliyah, there's a lot of things I would call you.
Rude, clueless, delusional…
and lucky.
But optimistic isn't one of them.
You can brag all you want about your one little fluke record…
but I am a three-time Guinness World Record holder.
[McAfee] Mm-hmm.
And tomorrow night, it's gonna be four.
[indistinct arguing]
["I Am a Psycho" plays]
[Cole] Holy hell, there's more!
Shotzi is on her way out here.
Well.
Well, look at this.
What a preview for tomorrow night.
All these massive egos colliding with each other
and descending into chaos. [chuckles]
Creating the perfect opportunity
for someone like… me.
Someone exactly like me
to sneak right in
and seize the spotlight. [laughs]
[McAfee] Carpe di-spotlight.
[indistinct arguing]
Absolutely not. You do not stand a chance.
All right, all right, this is absurd.
Enough!
None of you belong in this ring with me, and none of you
stand a chance of winning tomorrow night.
Nobody in this ring, nobody in WWE,
and definitely, definitely nobody--
[Cole] Wait a minute.
["Sky's the Limit (Remix)" plays]
[Cole] It's Boss Time.
Sasha Banks is here.
[McAfee] I believe Sasha just said, "Wait a minute, Charlotte."
"Before you run your mouth,
why don't you learn about who all is in this building tonight."
♪ …Sasha Banks, we the best, y'all… ♪
[Cole] The Boss is back.
♪ And if you in the way Let me say she comin' for you ♪
And Charlotte does not look happy.
[McAfee] Sasha Banks…
your favorite star's favorite Superstar.
Boss Time has arrived on Friday night yet again.
♪ S-A-S-H-A, how ya' do that there… ♪
[Cole] And he spotlight just got even brighter… on Friday Night SmackDown.
♪ That's my family and we so G ♪
♪ Bow down to the new champ of WWE ♪
-♪ Had a dream I had it made and… ♪ -Welcome back.
[McAfee] Aliyah's pumped. As am I.
How could you not be? Listen to Kansas City.
[crowd cheering]
The Boss is back, baby!
[crowd cheering]
And I'm ready to rumble.
[microphone drops on the mat]
[McAfee] Not a lot of words.
I'm 'bout that action, Boss.
[crowd chanting, "Sasha"]
[Cole] Oh!
[McAfee] What'd the five fingers say to the face
the night before the Royal Rumble?
Slap, Charlotte.
Shut up!
[Cole] And here we go!
[McAfee] Scores being settled. Natalya going after Aliyah.
[Cole] Shayna and Shotzi.
Oh, Natalya taking down the champ.
As Sasha looks on, making her presence felt.
Sasha's directing traffic while Shayna's hitting the heavy bag,
it looks like, there. Shotzi, calculated. Knee to the mouth.
[Cole] [laughs] Much like you're gonna see tomorrow, Pat.
The ring's gonna fill up with WWE Superstars
for the Royal Rumble Match.
[McAfee] Aliyah 3:17 with a big right step-up enzuigiri.
[Cole] And Shayna.
Oh!
Aliyah sends Shayna out of the ring.
[McAfee] Aliyah.
-[Cole] Oh! And a big boot by Charlotte. -[McAfee] Big bare foot to the mouth.
[Cole] Charlotte forgot about The Boss momentarily.
[McAfee] Sasha toying with Charlotte.
[Cole] Oh!
And now Charlotte dumped over the top rope to the floor.
-[McAfee] You okay? -["Sky's the Limit (Remix)" plays]
[Cole] Of course, Charlotte would've been eliminated
if it was tomorrow night in the Royal Rumble Match.
[McAfee] Sasha coming back and taking over.
[Cole] Oh my, the stakes have been jacked through the roof.
The Blueprint, The Boss is back.
And tomorrow night, Pat, at the Women's Royal Rumble Match,
up-and-comers, champions, legends,
and WWE Hall of Famers will all the involved
fighting for an opportunity to be in the main event at WrestleMania.
The most explosive evening in all of sports entertainment tomorrow night.
Nobody can predict what the hell's going to happen.
Nobody knows who the hell's going to be there.
I can't wait for my first time calling a Rumble.
The last time we had a Premium Live Event, back on January 1, Atlanta, Georgia,
it was WWE Day 1. Tag team matches.
Our own Ricochet against Ridge Holland and Sheamus. And watch this.
Ricochet right into the face of Ridge Holland,
shattering the nose of Holland.
Excuse me, Ridge. You're finally back in action,
in a Day 1 rematch against Cesaro and Ricochet--
It's about time, Megan.
I can still hear the crunch of my nose
as it got smashed into the side of my face by Ricochet.
And now, it's my turn to return the favor
and squash Ricochet like the parasite that he is.
[laughs] Ain't he great, Megan?
He's back. Ridgie is back. You know what I love about him?
He talks just like me.
He fights like me.
And tonight, when I become a two-time Royal Rumble Match winner,
he's gonna celebrate like me.
But right now, he's gonna go out
and beat the bajeezus out of Cesaro and Ricochet just like me.
But before we do that, fella, I have a little gift for you, mate.
Here you go, man.
Put that on you.
-[McAfee] Oh, here we go. -[laughs]
Look at that. Like Cinderella's shoe, I'm telling you.
And now, he looks just like me.
-["Hellfire" plays] -Come on, fella.
[Cole] Protection for that shattered nose.
It is Fight Night here on Friday Night SmackDown.
[McAfee] Two peas in a pod, Cole.
[explosive boom]
-[song continues] -[crowd boos]
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is a tag team match scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, the team of Ridge Holland and Sheamus.
[Cole] So remember, Pat, Sheamus once wore a face mask as well
after suffering numerous broken noses.
And now his protégé, Ridge Holland, has one.
Here's a look back at Sheamus, and now,
the new mask that has just been presented to his buddy, Ridge.
[McAfee] They say in basketball, if you stand under the hoop,
you stand in the paint, you're gonna get dunked on.
These two men like to fight.
When you fight, you're going to get your nose busted.
The mask looks great.
[Cole] It's Sheamus and Ridge Holland squaring off with Cesaro and Ricochet.
Live, next on Fox.
[Cole] WWE Royal Rumble is delivered with DoorDash.
And sponsored by Cricket. Everything you want, including the price.
Sheamus and his protégé, Ridge Holland,
now wearing the nose protector on his face,
set for tag team action tonight.
[McAfee] At the Premium Live Event 27 days ago,
Ridge Holland's face was Play-Doh.
[Irvin] And their opponents. First, from Lucerne, Switzerland,
weighing in at 232 pounds, Cesaro.
[Cole] Cesaro has had a long-standing rivalry
with both of his opponents here tonight.
Once tag team partners, Tag Team Champions with Sheamus.
[McAfee] They didn't just set the bar, they were the bar.
Now if they were at a bar together, they would fight each other at it.
That's what I'm seeing.
-["It's About to Go Down" plays] -♪ One and only ♪
[McAfee] How lucky are we?
♪ It's about to go down ♪
♪ Uh-huh, let's go! ♪
♪ Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey ♪
♪ It's about to go down ♪
-♪ Hey, hey… ♪ -[explosive boom]
[Irvin] And his tag team partner,
weighing in at 207 pounds, Ricochet.
[McAfee] That was a great introduction there of Ricochet.
A man who needs no introduction because of how electrifying he is.
[Cole] Earlier today, Ricochet was announced as a competitor
in the Royal Rumble Match, and he says he's ready.
Bounce around, fly through the sky, step on toes, or land on faces.
The only way to stand out is to rise above.
And winning the Royal Rumble Match,
now that, that will be my ultimate vindication.
However, beating Sheamus and Ridge tonight,
now that, that's cause for a celebration.
[Cole] You know, Pat, for high fliers like Ricochet,
you've gotta be careful in the Royal Rumble Match, however.
If you climb the ropes, which Ricochet likes to do,
you put yourself in a position to get knocked off the rope,
onto the floor, and be eliminated.
High risk maneuvers can cost you in the Rumble.
[McAfee] You're almost helping out everybody else
whenever you decide to climb to the top,
but Ricochet is very comfortable in all situations.
[Cole] Sheamus also in the Royal Rumble Match
tomorrow night in St. Louis.
He won the Rumble a decade ago, 2012.
Would go on and main event WrestleMania, winning the World Championship that year.
[McAfee] Some are saying this is the best Sheamus we've ever--
Get your dirty paws off of me! Your dirty paws!
[McAfee] "Get your dirty paws off of me."
Same old ruthless Sheamus, just seems to be more experienced.
The body looks good.
-[Cole] Celebrating a birthday today. -[McAfee] Is he?
[Cole] Would be a belated birthday gift to win the Rumble tomorrow night.
[McAfee] Happy birthday, Sheamus. Cesaro wants to beat your ass.
[Cole] And Sheamus, no interest.
[McAfee] Hey, happy birthday.
-Happy birth-- -[thud sound]
-All right. -[Cole chuckles]
[McAfee] All right.
[Cole] That's what he thinks about your birthday wishes, Pat.
[McAfee] Not everybody loves the day that they entered the world screaming.
But happy birthday, Sheamus. Good luck out there.
Fella…
[Cole] Again, Cesaro really has an issue with Sheamus.
They were once tag team partners on numerous occasions,
and Cesaro believes Sheamus has turned his back on him.
[McAfee] Whenever you hear tag team partners,
obviously everything you see on screen and in the ring and everything like that.
But all the years of driving together, eating together,
-staying in the same hotel rooms. -[Cole] Ooh!
[McAfee] Those types of tight relationships, whenever they turn sour,
can be the absolute worst.
[Cole] Sheamus has shown on a number of occasions
that he's a very selfish individual.
[McAfee] I don't know if that's exactly true,
but he is trying to make the most and get to the top any way he can.
[Cole] Great leapfrog by the athletic Cesaro.
Sheamus looked for a hip toss and ran into a clothesline.
And now the Swiss Cyborg-- Oh, and a stomp.
[McAfee] Nice of him to wipe his boots there
before he stomped through Sheamus' chest on his birthday.
[Cole] Cesaro dragging to the corner, making a tag to Ricochet.
-[crowd cheering] -Oh!
[McAfee] Big time elbow off the top rope,
but that's what you were talking about earlier.
Ricochet standing on that top rope.
Just one little push, one little slip, he's out of the Royal Rumble tomorrow.
-Ugh! -Back in the ring now, come on.
[Cole] Tag made. Here comes Ridge Holland.
[McAfee] First time we've seen him in 27 days in action.
Mr. Potato Head putting his face back together somehow.
Unbel-- His face was completely…
[Cole] Here's Ricochet now, up over the top.
And the quickness again of Ricochet.
[McAfee] The mask is already coming unhinged in the back there.
He's trying to catch a cricket with Ricochet, and he can't see…
Oh! …anything with that mask.
[Cole] Ridge Holland all over the place. Discombobulated at this point.
Ricochet launching off the top rope. Ridge taken out.
Ricochet and Cesaro rolling on SmackDown.
That's what I'm talking about!
[McAfee] That's what I'm talking about.
[Cole] Sheamus in control of Ricochet.
It's Sheamus and Ridge Holland against Ricochet and Cesaro
in this tag team matchup here on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
Ricochet looking to rally against The Celtic Warrior.
[McAfee] It's been quite a fight from Sheamus and Ridge Holland.
[Cole] Oh, Irish Curse backbreaker.
You know, the NFC Championship is Sunday right here on Fox.
Aaron Donald of the Rams would love this.
Bang! During the commercial break,
Ridge Holland shoulder tackling Ricochet out of the ring.
[McAfee] Aaron Donald, obviously a freak athlete.
Ridge Holland's face was damaged 27 days ago.
Now he's back in the ring throwing Ricochet around.
[Cole] Ricochet in trouble, as Holland goes 6'1", 253 from Yorkshire, England.
And look at that throw by Holland.
A powerhouse, rugged, rough around the edges,
-but learning from Sheamus. -Are you not entertained?!
[McAfee] I believe his skull is so large the mask won't even fit.
[Cole] Again, remember it was Ricochet who shattered
Ridge Holland's nose in the--
[McAfee] Is that a little--
[Cole] Some people may be thinking it improved the looks of Ridge.
[McAfee] I do believe he got a brand new nose on that face,
Tuck it and place it.
But I believe I saw a little bit of…
Ricochet's inside on his outside there in his mouth.
[Cole] Ridge Holland is beating the hell out of Ricochet.
[McAfee] Brutalizing Ricochet all through the break.
[Cole] Talked to Ridge Holland earlier today.
He said he liked to scrap as a youngster…
Cover now on Ricochet, and a kickout at two. …on the playgrounds.
[McAfee] The playground fights are cool.
I'm sure everybody that's in WWE has gotten into those.
The thing about Ricochet is he can fly around with Olympians,
but also he's so incredibly tough and durable.
Can eat punches.
What is this?
[Cole] God, Ridge Holland with a…
[McAfee] Is he breaking his back?
[Cole] …submission move locked in on Ricochet now.
He's got Ricochet bent in half over his shoulder.
[McAfee] How much more can Ricochet's T2 and T2 take?
[Cole] Ricochet fighting back, trying to make it to Cesaro for a tag.
Ricochet launches himself off the second rope into a moonsault.
This could create an opportunity.
Ricochet trying to make it to Cesaro,
and he does, and Sheamus legal as well.
[McAfee] That's good right there by Ricochet, getting Cesaro in here.
European uppercuts to the man from Ireland,
which is not in the UK, I learned.
[Cole] And look at Cesaro go.
Ooh.
Ooh. Elbow to the face.
Yeah, Sheamus got a bit upset when you mentioned he was from the UK.
Here, oh, corkscrew uppercut.
Launching himself off the second rope is Cesaro.
A freak athlete in his own right. Now Sheamus dumped over the top rope.
[McAfee] That would've been an elimination…
[Cole] …in the Rumble Match tomorrow night.
-[McAfee] Cesaro gaining steam. -[Cole] Uppercut train.
-Sheamus driven into the barricade. -[triumphant yell]
Yeah, dude.
How about that?
Almost knocked off by pinky ring, but that's what Cesaro does.
You get your block knocked off from a European uppercut train.
[Cole] And now Cesaro on the top rope. Cross body.
Sheamus able to roll through. I don't think Cesaro got all of it.
And Sheamus looking for the Irish Curse backbreaker again.
Small package roll up now by Cesaro.
Ridge Holland breaks things up for his team.
[McAfee] Sheamus able to get out of that, flip that. Ridge Holland saving him.
[Cole] Missile dropkick, launching himself off the top rope is Ricochet.
Oh, what a knee by Sheamus. Did you hear that?
[McAfee] I did, and Ricochet had to feel it.
[Cole] Now Cesaro with Sheamus up top, planting him.
Cesaro for the victory in this tag team match.
Hook of the leg. Sheamus has got a kick at two.
Watch this knee. Watch this impact, and listen.
[McAfee] Right on the button, the lifeless body of Ricochet.
[Cole] And now Cesaro positioning Sheamus
for the Gotch Neutralizer finishing maneuver.
Tag, Ridge Holland's legal.
Went for the Brogue, Cesaro ducked underneath it.
[McAfee] Swing time!
[Cole] But Ridge Holland's the legal man. I don't believe Cesaro realizes it.
Headbutt with that mask.
And now Northern Grit delivered by Ridge Holland for the win.
[bell rings]
["Hellfire" plays]
[Irvin] Here are your winners, the team of Sheamus and Ridge Holland.
[Cole] Pat, I'll tell you what, that duo is gonna be hard to stop.
[McAfee] I can tell.
Especially whenever they're bringing weapons into the match with their faces,
knowing they don't need them in the end.
[Cole] Look at Cesaro. Cesaro may have a broken nose
after Ridge Holland used the mask on his face to his advantage.
Well, tomorrow night, Seth Rollins versus Roman Reigns
for the Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble.
But Roman Reigns has no backup.
We'll show you why in our Progressive Match Flo.
[announcer] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive.
A triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
[Cole] The stakes are so high in our main event tonight.
Rollins and Owens win, then The Usos will be barred from ringside.
They can't help their cousin Roman Reigns.
[McAfee] When The Usos win, Seth Rollins has to forfeit
his Universal Title opportunity at the Royal Rumble.
[dramatic music playing]
And now he has The Usos right where he wants them.
Wait a minute. Reigns with a Superman punch.
[bell ringing]
Roman realized Seth was gonna get the victory,
and Roman Reigns struck.
[dramatic sting]
Rollins wins.
That means The Usos are barred from ringside
for the Rollins-Reigns match.
[McAfee] Roman Reigns is gonna have to do it alone.
The GOAT versus Seth "Freakin" Rollins at Royal Rumble.
-[dramatic music fades out] -["Are You Ready" plays]
[Cole] And many believe that man, Seth Rollins, could very well
end the record-setting Universal Championship reigns of…
of Roman Reigns tomorrow night at the Royal Rumble,
but tonight, Pat, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns face-to-face.
[McAfee] That's right.
Seth "Freakin" Rollins and Roman Reigns, the GOAT, face-to-face,
one-on-one, 24 hours before they meet at the Rumble.
Big week in Missouri. SmackDown in Kansas City tonight.
Tomorrow night, we're in St. Louis for the Rumble.
[Cole] And then on Sunday, for the fourth straight year,
Kansas City, the home of the Chiefs,
hosts the Bengals in the AFC Championship.
[Cole] And tonight, this is Friday Night Smackdown on Fox,
sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
Well, tomorrow night, it is the Royal Rumble
at the Dome at America Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
Your first Rumble. How excited are you?
I'm giddy. I am so pumped.
It's like the night before the first day of school when you were a kid.
I'm gonna get a chance to see everything happen live and in person, baby.
[Cole] We're gonna get an opportunity to call the Men's Royal Rumble Match.
I cannot wait.
Because when it comes to the Royal Rumble Match,
you know what, Pat?
It's all about the numbers.
[McAfee] Stat that.
-[dramatic music playing] -[woman] The Royal Rumble Match.
[man] This is what we've all been waiting for.
[woman] Thirty men and thirty women battling for the ultimate prize,
a championship opportunity in the main event at WrestleMania.
WWE Hall of Famer Pat Patterson's vision in 1988 created a legacy
of some of the most iconic moments in sports entertainment history.
[crowd chanting, "Cena"]
[Cole] Drew McIntyre's going to WrestleMania.
[Jesse Ventura] Hulk Hogan and The Warrior, one-on-one.
[Cole] AJ Styles is here.
[The Rock] Finally, The Rock is going to WrestleMania.
♪ You think you know me ♪
[dramatic music resumes]
[Booker T] You gotta be kidding me.
[explosive booms]
[Cole] It's been nine long years.
Edge is back.
[woman] Since its inception,
there have been 1,190 entrants into the Royal Rumble Match,
but only 31 individuals can say they've won.
-[Cole] John Cena. -[Jerry Lawler] Batista.
-[Cole] Becky Lynch. -[man] Triple H.
[Cole] Undertaker.
[woman] This incredibly rare achievement has propelled 19 superstars
to win a world championship at WrestleMania,
including five of the last six Rumble winners.
While victory at an early number is improbable, it's not impossible.
[Vince] Michaels is out.
-[Lawler] Wait a minute. -[Vince] One foot. One foot.
[Lawler] Shawn Michaels has won the Royal Rumble.
[woman] And last year, Edge entered at number one…
[Cole] Over 58 minutes in this match.
[woman] …and won it all.
But not everyone can survive.
-[Lawler] What did he last, one second? -I wasn't ready.
[Lawler] No redos, Santino.
[woman] Some struggle to even get in the ring.
[Cole] Oh my God, what the heck? What did Titus just--
I can't believe what I just saw.
[woman] While others defy the laws of physics to avoid elimination.
[Cole] What a move!
Kingston's a Rumble highlight reel.
[woman] Speaking of highlight reels,
Kane has competed in a record 18 Rumble matches,
where The Big Red Machine decimated his opponents
with a record 45 total eliminations.
But no one conquered a single Rumble quite like Brock Lesnar,
who accumulated a record 13 eliminations in one match.
To make this even more of an unfathomable achievement,
The Beast vanquished these 13 superstars consecutively.
This year, the 35th annual Royal Rumble Event will be unlike any other,
featuring a lineup of Royal Rumble all-stars.
The 2022 edition is emanating live from St. Louis, Missouri,
the same city where Sheamus won the Royal Rumble in 2012.
In 2006, Rey Mysterio set the endurance record
in a traditional 30-man Royal Rumble Match,
surviving 62 minutes, 12 seconds to claim a victory.
Last year, Bianca Belair spent the longest time
in the Women's Royal Rumble Match,
lasting a record-breaking 57 minutes and 12 seconds to win it all.
Will The EST win her second straight Rumble?
If she does, she'll join Hall of Famers Hulk Hogan,
Shawn Michaels, and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
as the only back-to-back Royal Rumble winners,
a feat that hasn't been accomplished in 24 years.
Eight superstars have won the Royal Rumble twice,
-but only one man… -[glass shatters]
…has won three times.
[Austin] Oh hell yeah.
[woman] There's no telling what will happen
at this year's Royal Rumble event,
as the competition contains more variety than ever.
With 60 superstars, including 22 former world champions,
six former Royal Rumble Match winners, three WWE Hall of Famers,
star of Jackass Forever Johnny Knoxville,
and an infinite number of surprises, it's truly anyone's game.
[JBL] Stars are gonna be made, legends created.
[Lawler] What an atmosphere this is tonight.
[woman] The only thing for certain…
[Cole] The road to WrestleMania starts now.
[crowd] Three, two, one…
[buzzer sounds]
["Amazing" plays]
[Cole] It is a huge 24 hours for this woman.
First, Naomi finally gets her hands on Sonya Deville tonight,
and tomorrow night, she enters the Women's Royal Rumble Match.
♪ Bring it to the floor ♪
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Orlando, Florida, Naomi.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Naomi. Will she finally get a fair shake tonight?
[McAfee] It feels like tonight is the night she gets a chance
to deliver some comeuppance to that she-devil, Sonya Deville.
[Cole] It's WWE official Sonya Deville normally, but tonight,
Sonya Deville is a compe--
[McAfee] Now here she is.
I don't think you're understanding me, Dan.
You work for me.
And your performance tonight reflects directly on me.
So when Naomi goes down and I pin her, you're--
Are you even paying attention? Hello!
-Sonya-- I'm sorry. -Pay attention when I talk.
I'm gonna have to call this match down the middle.
[scoffs]
Down the middle?
[sighs]
[McAfee] And therein lies the problem.
Sonya Deville, WWE official, is mindblown
that the official is going to call this thing fair.
That's the problem, and Naomi gets a chance to get a little payback.
[Cole] Well, after months of being beaten down and held back,
Naomi looks for revenge against the woman who suspends her managerial duties
and becomes a legitimate competitor.
It's Sonya Deville and Naomi, finally, one-on-one,
live, next on Fox.
["Amazing" continues]
Naomi saying, "I finally get a chance to shine… or feel The Glow, tonight."
Naomi one-on-one with Sonya Deville.
Official Dan Engler will be working this matchup.
He told Sonya Deville moments ago,
"I'm going to call this match down the middle."
[McAfee] Dan Engler from Indiana. I wouldn't see why he would be--
[Irvin] And her opponent, from Shamong, New Jersey,
Sonya Deville.
[Cole] This is Sonya Deville's first official singles match
since SummerSlam two years ago.
[McAfee] It's been a long time coming, and although Sonya looks ready to go
and has all the talent in the world in the ring,
she's been abusing her power as a WWE official for some time.
Now she steps back in there.
[Cole] She puts a good face on about this. She was interviewed a few days ago.
She said, "I'm always up for competition."
"Naomi's talented, I have no issue with her,
but she seems to have an issue with me."
All right, guys, listen.
I expect a fair and clean match, okay?
I'm gonna call it right down the middle.
-You are? -[Engler] Down the middle.
-Really? -[Engler] Ring the bell.
[bell rings]
[Cole] Matchup underway. Sonya Deville.
Get the hell back.
[McAfee] Sonya, this isn't the business. This isn't the corporate side of things.
This is the ring, okay? This match has started.
[Cole] Sonya ducked underneath the rope, and the official did what he had to do.
He moved Naomi out of the way.
[McAfee] Well, let's just keep an eye on that stripes there, I don't trust him.
You never know who Sonya's working with.
Oh, she looks fast, though.
We were wondering about a little bit of ring rust for Sonya Deville.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] She's definitely using the rules to her advantage.
You want to boo me?
[McAfee] They want to boo you, for sure.
You need to focus upon what you're doing in the ring, Sonya.
That's been the problem with Sonya.
Never worried about her job, just about screwing people over.
[Cole] Let's not make any mistake about it, Pat.
Sonya hasn't been in a matchup in about a year and a half.
But she is dangerous, as you can see here.
[McAfee] Said, "I'm looking for a fight, ground and pound."
"How you doing? Keep it moving, man."
[Cole] Now the official gonna…
That means a five-count, to clear when the official calls for it.
[McAfee] She might not remember the rules,
because the rules she's been living by is, it's her way or the highway.
-Naomi? -[indistinct]
[McAfee] That ain't how it goes here.
Hey, there are rules in there.
[Cole] Oh, face-first goes Naomi.
Sonya Deville would love nothing more than to humiliate Naomi here tonight
on the night that Naomi has an opportunity…
I don't hear her right now.
[Engler] What do you say, Naomi?
[Cole] …to end the months of abuse at the hands of Deville,
the WWE official, not the competitor.
[McAfee] Kansas City is on Naomi's side, as is the rest of the world.
[Cole] And Naomi creates some space,
and here comes Naomi now picking up the pace,
and Deville sent out to the apron.
[McAfee] "Welcome back," says Naomi.
All that chitter-chatter with your suit on.
Eat a hurricanrana.
[Cole] Ooh. Sonya continues to claim she has no problem with Naomi,
but there's been a lot of speculation that she's jealous of the former champion.
[McAfee] Speculation and evidence.
[Cole] Ooh.
-[McAfee] Sonya, she's a fighter. -[Cole] Known for her…
-[McAfee] That's a ruthless-- -[Cole] …ground and pound style.
Cover now by Deville on Naomi, who kicks at two.
-Count faster. -No.
-[McAfee] Oh, she just touched the ref. -That's two.
[McAfee] "Count faster," she was saying.
This is what's wrong with all these middle-management-like humans
across the world now.
You know, normally not qualified for the positions they're in,
got handed the baton by somebody else who was much better than them,
then they abuse the little shred of power that they have,
and then all of a sudden, boom.
They get dropped back down into reality
with a dropkick from somebody who's been eagerly waiting for their moment.
[Cole] Right in the mouth, and Deville cannot hide behind the suit tonight.
One.
Two.
[Cole] And Deville, oh, driven right into the apron again.
[McAfee] Might need Ridge Holland's mask by the end of the night.
It would fit the costume.
[Cole] Naomi back into the ring. Going to cover Deville now,
and a kickout by Sonya.
[McAfee] You know, Sonya has Damandyz Donutz.
I wonder if she's regretting all of her donuts now.
This isn't corporate America anymore, Sonya.
[Cole] Sonya rolling out of harm's way to try to catch a breather.
Naomi now went for the baseball slide.
Deville, though, was lying in wait.
[Engler] Let's go. Get her neck go.
[Cole] And now Sonya, oh, planting Naomi.
-And just like that, Deville is in charge. -[crowd booing]
-Count her out. -[Engler] One…
[Cole] We are back live on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
Naomi finally gets her opportunity to get her hands on Sonya Deville.
Tonight, Friday Night SmackDown sponsored by Progressive.
Naomi now caught by Deville. Spinebuster, cover now.
Almost had her. Kick at two.
Referee Dan Engler has been calling this match down the middle as he promised.
Sonya Deville is a legitimate competitor tonight,
not a WWE official, but she has been holding her ground with Naomi.
[McAfee] I'd say Dan Engler is gonna be a big part of this match,
because Sonya has been known in the past to pay off refs.
-[Cole] Or intimidate them. -Shut up!
[McAfee] We thought maybe a Tim Donaghy situation would happen with Dan Engler,
but that has not been the situation. That's 'cause he's a Hoosier.
He's a good man. And these two have been battling in here.
[Engler] Hey, come on…
[Cole] Now Deville is starting to assert her control.
[McAfee] Oh, look at-- You're invisible now, Sonya, okay?
[Cole] You got to feel for Engler as well, because here's the problem, Pat.
[McAfee] Refs stink?
[Cole] Cover now. Hook of the leg and a kickout by Naomi.
Once this match is over, you assume Deville is gonna put the suit back on
and be a WWE official.
[McAfee] Oh, classic middle management. Holding grudges.
Holding talented people back out of fear that they will take your job.
This Sonya is epitomized.
We need Naomi to beat the hell out of her for all of us.
[Cole] Naomi trying to rally the WWE fans,
and Kansas City… firmly behind Naomi tonight.
A kip-up by Naomi, and a kick to Deville, and Sonya was not expecting that.
[McAfee] Naomi much tougher than Sonya gave her credit for.
-[thud] -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Wow.
[McAfee] Set her up with a two-piece.
Catch my feet, springboard my feet, eat my feet.
[Cole] Oh!
[McAfee] Springboard stunner almost.
[Cole] Now Deville trying to crawl away from Naomi, who's feeling it now.
Oh.
[McAfee] Flying right in the corner.
[Cole] Big kick by Naomi.
Oh, face-first.
[McAfee] Sonya is wishing she's back at the suit store.
[Cole] Now Naomi looking to head up to the top rope.
Remember, she's part of the Rumble Match tomorrow night.
Oh, what a crossbody.
-Lateral press for the win… -One, two--
…and Deville gets the shoulder up.
[McAfee] Look at this kick.
Boom.
[Cole] Bang! And off that kick, I believe Deville was stunned.
The official now is checking on Sonya Deville.
I believe that kick knocked Deville for a loop,
and then the crossbody didn't help.
You had enough?
-[McAfee] I can't believe Sonya-- -[Cole] Big legdrop by Naomi.
Cover now on Sonya.
Hook of the leg, and Deville again gets the shoulder up.
[McAfee] I will say Sonya, incredibly manipulative and all that stuff,
showing great toughness.
Ate a shin there.
[Cole] Naomi understands. A lot of pressure on her tonight too.
She's wanted this moment for months and months now,
and now has the opportunity to knock Deville off.
Can she get it done?
[McAfee] Not just knock Deville off, but maybe knock Deville out.
[crowd chanting, "Naomi"]
[Cole] And then Naomi chants-- Oh my God.
[McAfee] A shot put there.
[Cole] Launched face-first into the turnbuckle,
and now Deville looking to put Naomi away once and for all.
-Vertical-- Oh! -[McAfee] Holy--
[Cole] Cover by Deville for the win on Naomi.
-And a kickout at two. -[screaming]
-Deville can't believe it. -What?! What?!
-[McAfee] I have never seen this before. -[Cole] Watch this. Bang!
[McAfee] What was this, Cole? You've been around here.
[Cole] Now turned it into an inverted DDT, it looked like.
[McAfee] No, it wasn't a DDT. That would've been from Naomi.
It was almost like a suplex into a sidewalk slam.
-Rock bott-- I don't know. -[Cole] [chuckles] No idea.
[McAfee] Incredibly athletic, impactful, and powerful.
[Cole] You got to be impressed with Sonya.
Again, she hasn't been in a singles match in a year and a half
and she's holding her own tonight.
[McAfee] I wouldn't say holding on. She's put on an absolute clinic at this point.
[Cole] Now Naomi-- Oh.
[McAfee] Dropped her on her bottom.
[Cole] Full Nelson into the cover. Kickout by Deville.
[McAfee] Just think about the tailbone there.
Up you go, down you go, straight on rear end.
[Cole] What a match this has been between Naomi and Sonya here tonight.
[McAfee] We obviously don't like Sonya as a human,
but in the ring tonight, she's been putting on a hell of a performance
Now she's grabbing the ring apron.
-[Cole] Look at this. -Rake of the eyes!
[Cole] The official didn't see it. He was dealing with the apron,
and Deville raked the eyes, and now rolls Naomi up,
pulls the tights, and Naomi still kicks at two.
[McAfee] Sonya said, "I'm up to my evil ways still."
[Cole] Deville raked the eyes, pulled the tights,
and still couldn't knock off Naomi.
-There's the eye rake. -[Naomi screaming]
[McAfee] She got hit with the thumb and the pointer finger, I believe.
[crowd chanting, "Naomi"]
[McAfee] You ever get stabbed in the eye?
-Feels like you're gonna puke. -[Cole] Naomi now--
Oh! She calls it the Rear View. Will it be enough to put Deville away?
No, she's gonna go for the split-legged moonsault.
Top rope, cover. Enough for the win on Deville.
-Finally, vindication for Naomi. -[bell rings]
-["Amazing" plays] -[Irvin] Here is your winner, Naomi.
[McAfee] It's like a Disney movie.
A picture-perfect ending.
Karma coming full circle.
[Cole] The official not hanging around.
He called the match down the middle like he promised.
Naomi, after months of harassment,
biased treatment by Sonya Deville,
Naomi finally gets her retribution here tonight.
[McAfee] And I know we hate her, but…
she had a hell of a fight.
Sonya Deville, welcome back to in-ring action.
-Naomi just-- -[Cole] Naomi's elated.
[McAfee] As she should be.
[Cole] And again, first the Rear View…
and then, this is a thing of beauty.
The split-legged moonsault off the top rope.
-One, two, three! -[McAfee] Picture perfect.
[bell ringing]
Couldn't have hit it any cleaner. Congrats to Naomi,
representing all of us who hate
-unqualified folks in powerful positions. -Whoo!
Guys, we did it!
[crowd cheers]
[McAfee] We did.
Woof, woof, woof, woof, woof. [laughter]
Oh my gosh.
After 153 days of Sonya Deville,
or Cruella,
throwing everything she had at me,
it still wasn't enough to stop The Glow.
-[McAfee] That's right. -[crowd cheers]
Somehow, I shined through,
just like I'm gonna shine brighter than ever
when I win the Royal Rumble Match tomorrow!
[crowd cheering]
So, Sonya, don't slip on your tears on your way out, okay, boo-boo?
Bye.
Bye, girl.
-Go on. -[McAfee] Who's in charge now?
♪ Na, na, na, na, hey, hey, goodbye ♪
[laughs]
["Amazing" plays]
[Cole] Naomi having so much fun tonight. And she's gotta be…
-Thank you. Love you. -…one of the odds-on favorites
for the Women's Royal Rumble Match tomorrow night in St. Louis.
-Again, it's the luck of the draw. -[Deville] Cut the music. Cut the music.
-[McAfee] Now here we go. -Turn the music off.
[crowd boos]
You're so excited about your little Royal Rumble Match tomorrow, right?
Because the Royal Rumble is Naomi's "favorite match of the year."
Well, guess what?
As your WWE official,
I can't let you go into the Royal Rumble Match
without a little surprise.
Because that's the kind of person I am.
You want to know what the surprise is?
It's a special guest entrant.
[McAfee] Oh, who is it?
And her name is…
Sonya Deville.
[McAfee] Of course! She puts herself in the Royal Rumble.
[Cole] She has the jacket back on, so she's an official now.
[McAfee] What has she done?
She lost for the first time in, what, years,
and now she deserves the chance to maybe go to WrestleMania?
[Cole] When you're the boss, you can do anything you want.
[McAfee] I hate that.
An impressive victory by Naomi, but tomorrow,
she'll once again have to face Sonya Deville
along with 28 other women in the Women's Royal Rumble Match.
But now please welcome my guests who are barred from ringside
tomorrow at the Royal Rumble,
they're the SmackDown Tag Team Champions, The Usos.
-Let's go get it, Kayla. -Put the one up, Kayla.
There you go.
Now, gentlemen.
Seth "Freakin" Rollins will go one-on-one,
face-to-face at the end of the night with your cousin, Roman Reigns.
What do you think Seth's message is going to be?
Hey, man, who cares what Seth says, Kayla?
Just because me and bro are banned from ringside tomorrow night,
one thing remains the same.
"And still Universal Champion,
Roman Reigns."
[crowd boos]
[crowd cheers]
Look who it is, Uce.
Our new challengers right here, the Viking Raiders.
This the team that throw axes, right?
This is the team that have feasts, and they…
[sniffs] …stank.
You know, you're right.
We do love a good feast.
[both sniffing]
And we do cultivate a very manly odor.
[laughs]
But one thing above them all,
we love our axes.
[laughs]
-And they're not just for throwing. -No, no, no, no.
You could trim a beard with these, or sever a finger.
Or cut a championship right in half.
[laughs] Wanna see?
Man, let's go.
We could trim that beard a little too.
Get that rattail right off.
["Worlds Apart" plays]
[Cole] What a strange night.
[McAfee] Are they eating liver too?
What's going on? They got… They had axes there?
[Cole] That was an axe, Pat. You ever done any manual labor in your life?
[McAfee] I got calluses on me.
[Cole] Nonetheless, listen, Sami Zayn says that he has some changes coming
to his new show called In-Zayn.
What on earth could Sami Zayn have planned for us?
We're gonna find out live next, here on Friday Night SmackDown.
[McAfee] That's in-zayn, man.
["Worlds Apart" continues]
All right, I'm Sami Zayn.
Welcome to In-Zayn.
[crowd boos]
Now, you may have noticed we've had to retool.
Things look different around here.
If I'm being honest, the stunts and the pranks got a little out of hand,
got a little dangerous the last couple of weeks,
and thanks to a certain Johnny Knoxville…
[crowd cheers]
Don't-- Ha, don't do that.
…I almost ended up in the hospital,
so to make a long story short, we've repackaged things a little bit,
and In-Zayn is now officially a live podcast.
[crowd boos]
And I want to introduce my very first guests.
Please, a little love for Jinder Mahal and Shanky.
[crowd boos]
Tonight, these gentlemen will be in tag team action
against the soon-to-be former Intercontinental Champion,
Shinsuke Nakamura,
who, by the way, still owes me a title match,
and his metalhead, musclebound friend Rick…
[crowd chants, "Boogs"]
…Boogs.
Gentlemen, I want to thank you very much for being here with me tonight.
It's an honor. Thank you.
Thank you, Sami.
It's an absolute pleasure to be here on the first episode, the pilot of In--
I'm sorry to cut you off. Can I just say this is so much better.
This is the show.
I mean, this is what the show should've been from the beginning.
I don't know what I was thinking doing stunts and pranks
and stooping down to Johnny Knoxville's level.
I don't want to talk about Johnny Knoxville.
In fact, I never want to hear the name Johnny Knoxville ever again.
[crowd chants, "Johnny"]
Okay. Ha. Okay. Shh.
Hey, we're gonna edit this part out. We're gonna edit this part out.
[McAfee] No, it's a live podcast.
The important thing is, this is the show intellectuals,
smart people having smart conversations about smart topics.
For example, Shanky, I would love to pick your brain
about consumerism in a post-modernist society.
But before we get to all of that, Jinder, tell me, what's going through your head?
Are you feeling good about this match tonight?
I have embarrassed Shinsuke Nakamura time and time again,
and tonight is no different.
We both have protégés. I have Shanky.
Look at the size of Sh--
Absolutely. Shanky, you know what?
Shanky, I actually owe you an apology,
because I'm here droning on and on about Johnny Knoxville, Johnny Knoxville.
The truth is, Shanky, you probably had never even heard of Johnny Knoxville
until a couple of weeks ago when he came to SmackDown.
Actually, Sami, Johnny Knoxville and Jackass are huge in India.
Not just India, but all over the world.
Ask Shanky. Ask Shanky.
I love the [indistinct].
I'm sorry. You love "the bungee porta potty"?
[chuckles] Okay.
I'm going to respectfully disagree here.
I don't think Johnny Knoxville is actually that famous in India.
I think the only people that like Johnny Knoxville are, like,
the yokels in Kansas City, maybe…
[crowd boos]
Hey, don't-- You can't boo.
You can't boo. I'm doing a podcast here.
[McAfee] You can boo a live podcast.
[crowd chanting "Johnny"]
-Both on Twitter and in real life. -[Cole] This is awful.
All of this is getting cut in the editing room, okay?
[guitar plays]
[McAfee] Oh my God, the live podcast…
Hey, yo.
[McAfee] …just got better.
Oh, hi. My name's Rick…
[crowd chants,"Boogs"]
Boogs, that's right, and I came to rock with the Intercontinental Champion,
Shinsuke Nakamur…
[screaming] …a!
[McAfee] I don't think Sami has any idea how expensive it would actually be
to have this performance on his live podcast.
[Cole] Hey, Pat, maybe it can be the theme of In-Zayn going forward.
-["The Rising Sun" plays] -[McAfee] Whoo! Whoo!
Whoo!
Oh, it sounds so good.
Come on, Cole. Come on, Cole.
Feel it, Cole.
-[Cole] Pat, sit down. -Feel it. You don't need to hear it…
-Ow. I think you dislocated my shoulder. -Yeah, it's so good.
Ow!
[song ends]
[music restarts with fireworks booming]
Attaboy, Boogs.
The Intercontinental Champion is here.
What a first podcast for Sami.
[Cole] Yes, it got a lot better.
Sami may get record numbers for his podcast.
[McAfee] I doubt it, but--
[Sami] Cut that.
Can we kill this?
-[McAfee] Keep it going, Boogs. -If any of you didn't notice--
[yelling inaudibly]
[crowd cheers]
[McAfee] Boogs killed it, dude.
[Cole] Oh!
[McAfee] And Shinsuke just killed In-Zayn.
["The Rising Sun" playing again]
[Cole] Shin's just getting warmed up.
Shinsuke and Boogs got a tag team match here in a matter of moments
against Jinder Mahal and Shanky.
[Cole] Tag Match started during the commercial break.
Shinsuke Nakamura, the Intercontinental Champion, and Rick Boogs
against Jinder Mahal and Shanky. Boogs makes the tag.
And joining us at ringside, I'm surprised you can still talk, Sami,
after getting kicked in the face by Shinsuke moments ago.
And there's the power of Boogs,
whose guitar performance interrupted Sami Zayn's In-Zayn podcast.
[McAfee] Added to the podcast.
As somebody who also does a live podcast, In-Zayn was great, Sami.
-[Sami] Was it? -[McAfee] I thought so.
[Sami] You think I don't see how you cheerlead for Nakamura every week?
How you cheer for Boogs every week?
[Cole] Look at the size of Shanky. Seven foot, over 300 pounds.
[Sami] I used to like you, Pat,
but you're becoming a real partisan hack, you know that?
-[McAfee] No. -[Sami] Yes, you are.
-[Cole] Look at the power of Boogs. -[Sami] He's really not that strong.
Can we stop talking about how strong he is?
[Cole] He just lifted a 300-pound man that's seven feet tall into the corner.
[Sami] I could also lift a seven-foot pound… whatever, whatever.
[McAfee] Yeah, you could.
[Cole] Johnny Knoxville has really gotten under your skin, Sami.
[Sami] I said I don't wanna hear about him anymore. You heard me say that.
[McAfee] He called you spineless.
[Sami] Which, by the way, the podcast is totally ruined.
How am I supposed to put out a three-minute podcast?
[McAfee] Those get good numbers because of how short it is--
-[Sami] I have advertisers. -[McAfee] I doubt it.
[Sami] Oh, Pat, come off it.
[Cole] Here's the same guy, Pat, who says that the champion, Nakamura,
is dodging you, ducking you.
-[Sami] Oh, he's not? He's not ducking me? -[Cole] Look at the power. Bearhug.
[McAfee] Look at the strength of Boogs. I don't know if Shinsuke--
[Sami] That's a front face lock by Shanky.
-Expertly applied, by the way. -[McAfee] And what's this?
[Cole] Look at the power of Boogs. Are you kidding me?
-[Sami] Let's all calm down. -[Cole] Vertical suplex.
[McAfee] You can't be a terrible prognosticator on your live podcast.
People will eat you alive on the internet.
[Sami] Give me a second.
[McAfee] Give you a second? Where's he--
[Cole] Well, Sami-- Oh, yeah, it's Shin off the apron.
Face-first goes the Intercontinental Champion, Nakamura.
Here comes Jinder Mahal.
[McAfee] This hack of a podcast host
gets an opportunity to speak with the GOAT Michael Cole…
[grunting]
…leaves that to go attack Shinsuke. Look at Boogs.
-[Cole] Look at Mahal. -[McAfee] Look at Boogs powering up.
[Cole] Boogs trying to fight back into this.
[grunting powerfully]
Mahal has no idea what's going on.
Tag.
[McAfee] Mahal got a bit freaked out, but definitely impressed.
[Cole] And now the double-team by Shanky and Mahal.
[McAfee] Seven-foot, six-foot-something trying to throw Boogs around.
[Cole] And Boogs…
Down goes Jinder with a… a Polish Hammer?
[McAfee] I believe. [chuckles]
[Cole] Now Boogs, oh, runs right into Shanky, who's still on his feet.
[McAfee] Two shoulder tackles, make it--
[Cole] Oh, down goes Shanky.
[McAfee] A Boogs hammer, as he peacocks around the ring.
The young Freddie Mercury, Rick Boogs,
only getting stronger as the match goes on.
[Cole] Well, there's no way Boogs is gonna be able to pull this one off.
[McAfee] This is like Hulk and Andre.
[Cole] The power of Boogs, are you kidding me?
The Boogs Cruise.
-Another one bites the dust. -One, two, three.
[bell rings]
["The Rising Sun" plays]
[Irvin] Here are your winners,
the Intercontinental Champion, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Rick Boogs.
[Cole] Boogs sent Shanky sailing on the Boogs Cruise.
That was unbelievable power. This is absolutely incredible.
[McAfee] He's able to lift him
and his dead weight all the way up to his shoulder,
get comfortable, get a good base, and then explosion.
Shanky through the canvas on the Boogs Cruise.
What an incredible performance
by our Intercontinental Champion and Rick Boogs.
-How are you feeling, Shinsuke? -[McAfee] And Sami Zayn's still a stooge.
[Sami] There's plenty more where that came from, pal.
Big victory for Boogs just one night before his first ever Royal Rumble Match.
But now, please welcome my guests who will also be a part
of the Men's Royal Rumble Match tomorrow, Kofi Kingston and Big E.
Yeah! You see it. [laughs]
Well, Kofi, how does it feel to have Big E officially back here on SmackDown?
Kayla, how does it feel? It feels--
Kayla, does a bear shed in the woods?
Is a pig's posterior pork?
Kayla, it feels great to have Big E by my side once again.
It's gonna feel great competing in the Royal Rumble Match tomorrow, baby.
Because it's like we always say,
when one of us wins the Royal Rumble…
[both] …we all win the Royal Rumble.
As far as Madcap Moss and Happy Corbin are concerned,
Kayla, oh, they're going to feel the…
-The power. -…the power, Kayla. It's the power!
They're gonna feel the power! They're gonna feel the power!
♪ It’s a new day, yes it is! ♪
-["New Day, New Way" plays] -[McAfee] A bear does shed in the woods.
It does a lot of other things in there as well.
And any time Big E and Kofi come out of that backstage together,
the arena is electrified.
[Cole] Can you believe that it has been 18 months, a year and a half,
since Kofi Kingston and Big E have teamed together?
[McAfee] That's some crazy shed for sure.
[Cole] And tonight, they take on the Happy Folks, Moss and Corbin.
It's live, next on SmackDown.
[yells]
[Cole] Two former WWE Champions teaming once again,
Big E and Kofi Kingston, live tonight on SmackDown.
[McAfee] Oh, a little gritty from Kofi. Big E feeling good on Friday.
["The Good Life" plays]
Hoping they… demolish this.
♪ Let's go, it's time ♪
♪ Jump, jump through the roof You know the one that you got to choose ♪
♪ That's me, me, feeling free ♪
♪ Take a look I know you like what you see… ♪
[Cole] The Happy Folks team up against Big E and Kofi tonight.
[McAfee] Every week it's surprising us that they've still got the pyro.
[Cole] Yeah, but they've been in a particularly good mood
ever since they attacked Drew McIntyre back at the WWE Day 1 pay-per-view.
Corbin, we go way back, and as annoying as he is, he can actually handle himself.
[Cole] Corbin and Moss double-teaming McIntyre back in the backstage area.
Because of this attack and what you're gonna see transpire here in a moment,
Drew McIntyre has been out of action with a serious neck injury.
[McAfee] Look at the disgusting, despicable act from the Happy Folks.
Don't do it.
[McAfee] Right across…
[metal clanging]
…Drew's neck.
So whenever you see them doing their little doofus thing
of laughy, laughy, happy, happy,
they also have that inside of them.
Full scumbag.
It's gonna make me so happy tonight to embarrass Big E and Kofi
just like we did Drew McIntyre when we sent him into early retirement.
[laughing]
Listen. Give me one of those Drew jokes, man. They're classic.
Oh, you mean about The Scottish Warrior? Okay.
What do you call Drew McIntyre
when we've injured him so badly that he can't even pee standing up?
"The Squattish Warrior."
[laughter]
[Cole] Thankfully, Drew McIntyre's injured neck does not require surgery,
but his return date for The SmackDown Warrior
still very unclear, as Big E starts things off
against Madcap Moss, or "Mad Crap Moss," as Kofi Kingston calls him.
[yelling]
[McAfee] Our sources haven't confirmed whether or not
Drew McIntyre can pee standing up, but Madcap Moss…
[Cole] Oh! Big leapfrog by Big E, and a high elbow drops Madcap Moss.
Cover by Big E. Hook of the leg, and a kickout.
Madcap Moss, he asked me earlier today, Pat,
he said, "Why don't people like Corbin and me?"
[McAfee] Did you answer or did you just say,
"Is that a setup to one of your terrible jokes?"
[Cole] No, it wasn't a setup, he was serious about it.
I said, "Maybe they don't like your jokes."
[McAfee] I don't think anybody likes his jokes.
-[Cole] Tag. -He is the most yoked comedian on earth.
-His jokes don't land. -[Cole] And Happy Corbin…
sending Kofi into the corner, and followed up with a splash.
[McAfee] Listen, Happy Corbin, even when he was down in the dumps,
like, actually living in a dumpster, broke before he hit big in Vegas,
incredibly talented in the ring.
[Cole] Corbin is from the Kansas City area.
In fact, he won three Golden Gloves championships here.
[McAfee] And this city still booed his ass on the way out here.
[Cole] Kofi top rope. Corbin's down.
Kofi looking to build some momentum now as he-- Tag made.
Madcap Moss is now legal,
and Kofi catches him.
-And Corbin… -Yeah!
-Look at Kofi. -[McAfee] What is Kofi thinking?
[Cole] Kofi heading up to the top rope.
Kofi Kingston. Oh, caught!
Caught by Corbin and Moss.
Oh, face-first into the post.
-[crowd boos] -[Corbin and Moss hoot and holler]
[Cole] It looks like it's gonna be a happy night
for Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss.
They're beating the hell out of Kingston, who's teaming in a tag team match
for the first time in 18 months with Big E.
Of course, Big E and Kofi's buddy, King Woods,
still out with an injured calf.
[McAfee] Happy Corbin and Madcap
have been dominant through the commercial break.
[Cole] Knee by Kofi, looking to rally. Through the legs of Corbin. Tag!
Here comes Big E.
[McAfee] That's what Kofi has done for so long,
and that is what Big E can do to anybody.
[Cole] A couple of belly-to-bellies to Happy Corbin.
Big E looking for a third.
Corbin creates space. Right to the throat.
[McAfee] Like an ear gouge almost.
[Cole] A ura-nage.
[McAfee] Catches him with one arm.
[Cole] Corbin slides through the ring.
Caught by Big E. Planted off the belly-to-belly.
[McAfee] Big E positioning Happy Corbin's body
into a place where he can hip thrust and wipe himself off.
[Cole] And deliver a big splash.
285 pounds crashing down…
-[crowd chanting "New Day rocks"] -…on Happy Corbin. Tag made. Here's Kofi.
[McAfee] Kansas City solely behind Big E and Kofi Kingston.
[Cole] Kingston, oh, caught by Corbin.
What a chokeslam backbreaker.
Tag.
[McAfee] Desperate times call for desperate measures.
[Cole] Madcap Moss driving his shoulder into the gut of Kofi Kingston.
Deep Six.
Cover.
Hook of the leg by Moss.
Almost had him, and a kickout.
What?!
[McAfee] This big baboon of a man off of our commentary table.
[Corbin] Pick him up.
[Cole] They're upset that they didn't win on that.
[McAfee] Well, Deep Six, Kofi kicked out of it, said, "That ain't enough, pal."
[Cole] Big E intercepting Happy Corbin,
and driving Corbin into the steps.
[crowd cheering]
[McAfee] Shoulder-first into the steel. Kofi Kingston able to fight back.
[Cole] Boot to the face. Tag made. Big E legal.
And Big E now lifting Madcap Moss up.
Long time since we've seen the Midnight Hour.
-[crowd] …two, three! -[bell rings]
["New Day, New Way" plays]
[Irvin] Here are your winners, the team of Kofi Kingston and Big E.
[McAfee] Nothing but love for Kofi and Big E in Kansas City.
That would be the case on any other night,
especially after you beat the asses of Madcap and Happy.
[Cole] All four of those men in the Royal Rumble Match tomorrow night.
And the Rumble, it just can't get any bigger.
[Heyman] Ladies and gentlemen…
[MVP] This is an official announcement…
[Graves] Lashley will challenge Lesnar for the first time ever.
[Smith] The two most physically dominant forces.
[Graves] Certifiable badasses.
For 20 years, you have been ducking and running from me.
It's impossible to beat Brock Lesnar when you're a Brock Lesnar wannabe.
[announcer] A dream matchup for the WWE Championship.
[narrator] WWE Royal Rumble Premium Live Event. Live tomorrow night.
Streaming exclusively on Peacock.
["Head of the Table" plays]
[Cole] And the question
as we head into the Royal Rumble event tomorrow night,
will this man, Roman Reigns,
extend his record-setting Universal Championship run?
As of tonight, Pat, Roman's held the title 515 days.
[McAfee] Truly remarkable stuff…
from our GOAT.
[Cole] Listen to this, Pat. Only four men in the history of WWE
have held a major championship longer than Roman Reigns.
-[crowd cheering] -Listen to these four names.
Pedro Morales,
Bob Backlund,
Hulk Hogan,
and Bruno Sammartino.
[McAfee] Icons of sports entertainment,
and you're looking at one right now, live in Kansas City.
[thunderous explosions]
I know it's been said that the GOAT of the NFL, Tom Brady, is retiring.
Well, the GOAT of the WWE, Roman Reigns, is in his prime, at his peak.
[Cole] Just like tomorrow night at the Rumble,
Roman Reigns comes out here by himself,
no Usos around, to go face-to-face with Seth "Freakin" Rollins. Live, next.
["Veil of Fire (Rise Up Remix)" plays]
[Cole] Kane has been in more Royal Rumble Matches than anyone in WWE history.
He will talk all about it tomorrow on Talking Smack, streaming on Peacock.
Get your Rumble day started with Talking Smack and Kane tomorrow.
["Head of the Table" resumes]
And tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
The longest-reigning Universal Champion in history…
[thunderous explosions]
…Roman Reigns,
on the eve of his title defense at the Royal Rumble.
Again, no Usos out here.
Roman Reigns' cousins barred from ringside in the championship match tomorrow night.
Roman goes it alone.
[McAfee] Roman ain't worried about nothing.
♪ Burn it down! ♪
-["Visionary" plays] -This man has transcended the sport…
for longer than anybody.
And here's Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
This joker right here…
can steal a night and steal a legacy out of nowhere.
♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪
♪ Burn it down! ♪
[Cole] So much history for these two men,
and the question is, when we get to Oklahoma City
next Friday night for SmackDown,
will Seth Rollins be the new Universal Champion,
or will Roman Reigns' record-setting reign continue?
[McAfee] We're gonna find out over there in the fine state of Boomer Soonerville.
Seth Rollins is ready. He's confident.
[Cole] He's confident because Roman Reigns
has never beaten Seth Rollins in a big matchup.
[McAfee] Yeah, but Seth Rollins, I understand,
he's found this different mindset and different switch,
but Roman Reigns is on another level right now.
He's in GOD mode.
I think Seth's about to learn that real quick.
-[music ends] -[crowd cheering]
[crowd chatter]
[overlapping chants]
Kansas City.
[crowd cheers and boos]
Acknowledge me.
[crowd boos]
[McAfee] He deserves it, Cole.
What, you think you're Patrick Mahomes now?
Come on, man.
[laughs]
But I will acknowledge the fact that last week,
I played you like a fiddle…
[laughs] …and I wanted to thank you for doing the right thing,
getting your cousins disqualified,
and making our little affair tomorrow night
the way it should be, one-on-one.
[chuckles]
It was a simple decision, honestly.
Either sit around and…
let you embarrass our family by pinning my bloodline,
or punch you in the face and get the same result.
Simple math.
[laughs] Wait. Wait, wait, wait.
It's an embarrassment to get pinned by Seth "Freakin" Rollins?
Well, if that's the case,
then you've brought more shame to your family than anybody.
-[laughs] -[crowd chatter]
I said it last week, you're still living in the past.
It's 2022.
The Tribal Chief equals GOD mode now.
-[chuckles] Oh yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah… -[McAfee] Thank the heavens.
…the whole GOD mode thing. No, I'm not living in the past,
I'm living for tomorrow, but the past is a good place to start.
You see, if we take a little stroll back in time,
we remember big moments, like the most famous
Money in the Bank cash-in of all time,
when I stole your first WrestleMania moment
right out from underneath you.
Or when I came back from a devastating knee injury,
and in my first match back, brought shame to your bloodline
by pinning your shoulders right here to this mat
and sent you packing for your 30-day vacay.
[laughs]
Like I said, man, water under the bridge.
Water under the bridge? Okay, okay.
Well, what about the time…
I took a steel chair
to your back
and changed the game forever.
Ooh.
[laughs]
That one stings a little bit, doesn't it?
Well, let me tell you something about that moment.
When I took that chair and I put it in your back,
I knew what I was doing.
It was for your own good.
I knew it would catapult you into superstardom,
and so you've got me to thank for all the money, all the private jets,
all the huge vacations, all the WrestleMania main events.
You are the greatest Superstar of our generation, right?
You've done it all, right?
You've beaten them all, right?
You've smashed them, stacked them, sent them packing, right?
You've done it all, except…
beat me when it matters most.
[chuckles]
And so tomorrow night,
I want you to know it's not personal when I take that title from you.
My brother,
I will always love you.
[laughs]
[laughs harder]
What, what, what?
Cat, cat, cat got your tongue?
[laughs] Come on.
[laughs]
Chair to my back?
Breaking up The Shield?
I tried to forgive you, I really have.
But I'll never forgive you for what you did to us.
I hate you.
-[crowd chatter] -[laughs] Ah, yeah.
I know you do.
Tomorrow, you're gonna hate me even more. You say I'm a clown?
Well, guess what, pal, you're the joke.
Your title reign's a joke.
Your bloodline's a joke.
Your family is a joke.
Your cousins, a joke.
Your daddy, your uncle, they're a joke, and tomorrow night…
[singing] …it all goes up in smoke.
[laughs]
You think this is a joke, huh? You think this is funny?
You wanna hit me again?
Huh? [laughs]
[crowd] Oh!
[Cole] Roman went for a Superman punch, and Seth Rollins…
-is up to the task. -["Visionary" plays]
Seth Rollins has claimed all along
that he knows all of Roman's insecurities, that he's inside Roman's head.
Will it be enough to wrestle the Universal Championship away from Roman Reigns?
Live, tomorrow night at the Royal Rumble, exclusively on Peacock. Roman Reigns?