[WWE intro music plays]
[John Cena] Then.
-[glass shatters] -[The Rock] If you smell…
-[bell tolls] -[Cena] Now.
-♪ The King of Kings ♪ -♪ You can't see me ♪
[Cena] Forever.
[crowd cheers]
Together.
[music fades]
♪ Are you ready? ♪
[crowd boos]
Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman,
and I serve as special counsel
to the undisputed Universal Heavyweight Champion
and the WrestleMania main event tonight.
SmackDown is blessed, not only with his presence,
but with your opportunity
to acknowledge The Tribal Chief,
Roman Reigns.
[crowd cheers]
Tonight, I'm going to make my first match on SmackDown
one to remember,
because Sonya Deville has been abusing her power
for far too long, and I'm going to remind her
that SmackDown is more than just the name of the show.
[crowd boos]
The only memorable thing
about Ronda Rousey's first-ever match on SmackDown
is going to be Ronda Rousey's first-ever loss on SmackDown,
because nothing can compete with the power of authority.
[crowd cheers]
The Usos have been playing a little game of hide-and-seek,
but Vikings don't play games, do they, Ivar?
No. We raid.
And that's not all,
because tonight we're going to shred and tear and claw their carcasses.
And then, we're going to rip the SmackDown Tag Team Championships
from whatever's left of them.
[crowd roars]
Man, you really think they're about to do all that to us tonight?
Maybe.
What's the chances of The Vikings beating The Usos tonight, Uce?
About the same as them trying to fit into a pair of skinny jeans.
Tell them why we're the champs, Uce.
[both] Because "We The Ones."
[crowd cheers]
People call Sami Zayn a lot of different names.
Self-obsessed, paranoid, aggravating, infuriating,
but they also call him talented, calculating, cruel, vindictive.
But the one thing after tonight that they will not be calling Sami Zayn
is Intercontinental Champion.
[crowd boos]
Look at that.
Hey, I guess all that high flying that Ricochet's been doing
is cutting off the circulation to his brain,
or maybe he just didn't see what I did to Johnny Knoxville last week.
See, I'm a man of many monikers.
They call me The Champion of the People, The Nakamura Knee Capper,
The Destroyer of Knoxville.
But most importantly,
Ricochet is going to find out why they call me The Master Strategist.
And after I beat him tonight, he's going to be calling me
what everyone around here is going to be calling me going forward,
which is the greatest Intercontinental Champion in history.
[upbeat theme music plays]
[crowd boos]
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, it is a big fight night
on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox,
kicking things off with a battle for the Intercontinental Championship.
And tonight we are live at the FTX Arena in Miami, Florida,
and Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the Intercontinental Championship!
Introducing first, from Montreal, Quebec, Canada,
weighing in at 212 pounds,
he is the Intercontinental Champion,
Sami Zayn!
[crowd boos]
[Cole] Michael Cole and Pat McAfee at ringside.
Pat, let's show you how
Sami Zayn became a three-time
Intercontinental Champion two weeks ago
In the battle with Shinsuke Nakamura,
Sami Zayn targeted the knee.
[McAfee] An absolute heartbreaker.
For me, I wasn't in attendance, but Sami Zayn takes advantage
and becomes champion.
[Cole] Then, last week on Friday Night SmackDown,
a celebration for the new champ.
I am happy to defend this championship
against any and all comers.
["Corona" by Minutemen plays]
[Cole] And then Sami Zayn would be interrupted by his rival,
Johnny Knoxville, of Jackass Forever.
Don't you want to be a fighting champion,
or don't you have enough balls?
[crowd roars]
[crowd chants] Johnny!
[Cole] Sami Zayn was just flat out humiliated
and embarrassed by Johnny Knoxville.
And Sami Zayn lost it.
A Helluva Kick.
[McAfee] Not just one. Two.
And that was the second boot to the face of Jackass star,
Johnny Knoxville.
[Cole] When asked why he did that,
Sami Zayn said, "I beat people up, it's what I do."
"He interrupted me, he deserved it."
Those are the words of Sami Zayn.
[McAfee] Sami said a lot of words including he wants to go down
as the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time.
♪ One and only ♪
[crowd cheers]
♪ It's about to go down ♪
[Irvin] And his opponent, weighing in at 207 pounds,
Ricochet!
[Cole] Hey, Pat, what an opportunity here tonight for Ricochet.
He's never been Intercontinental Champion,
but he is a man who has just been on a roll with building momentum
week after week after week.
Tonight's his opportunity.
[McAfee] I can't wait to see what Ricochet does
with the opportunity to become an Intercontinental Champion.
[Cole] Ricochet used a lot of adjectives to describe Sami Zayn.
Cool and calculating and vindictive.
Well, there are many ways to describe Ricochet.
How about exhilarating and exciting and even breathtaking?
[McAfee] Yeah, and you can add flawless on there.
Whenever you're thinking about creating a WWE Superstar
-on WWE 2K22 out soon, this is-- -Next Friday.
This is what you would create.
[Cole] Ricochet now out of the box, shoulders down, trying to catch Zayn.
Almost had it!
Two and a half!
Ricochet almost knocked off Sami Zayn.
[McAfee] He's fast, he's quick, he's explosive,
he's flawless in the ring, and right now,
he is giving Sami everything he can handle.
[Cole] Champion in trouble.
Back to his feet, dropkick by Ricochet.
[Cole] The inspiring former United States Champion, Ricochet.
[McAfee] Championship on the line.
You have to think there are some nerves, but Ricochet is showing none of that.
[Cole] Now rolling through is Ricochet.
Oh, and a big clothesline!
And Sami Zayn now looking to retain the championship.
Cover, center of the ring.
Hook of the leg, near fall.
[McAfee] I mean, it cannot go understated.
We almost had a brand-new Intercontinental Champion
just seconds into this match.
Aliyah's 3.17-second record was almost broken
for a championship.
[Cole] Now Sami Zayn looking to slow things down.
Pat, that's what you need to do against Ricochet.
You've got to slow the match down.
The WWE Universe trying to rally Ricochet here tonight in Miami.
[McAfee] I think everybody's sick of Sami Zayn
being a champion of anything and Ricochet is the perfect--
-Ooh! Backflip off a sternum. -[Cole] Then a Step-Up Enzuigiri
caught Sami again. Cover to try to win the gold.
Almost had him again and another near fall.
[McAfee] I…
Listen, everybody knows I maybe dabble in some vitamins.
This has been very close very early here.
Am I imagining that or have we been like eighth of an inches
away from a brand-new champ numerous times?
[Cole] Oh, and a kick caught Zayn right in the face.
-[McAfee] Smart. -[Cole] And Ricochet
out to the apron,
targeting Sami Zayn again.
Sami, though, able to block.
Oh, look at--
Right onto the apron on the back of his neck!
Zayn's taken over.
How can Ricochet get back in this championship match?
[crowd roars]
[Cole] And we are back live on Friday Night SmackDown.
Sami Zayn defending the Intercontinental Championship
against Ricochet.
[McAfee] Ricochet said when he entered the arena earlier today,
"I want to join the list of legends
who've held the Intercontinental Championship."
"The likes of Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels."
"I want to earn this title."
[Cole] Well, he's gonna have to earn it, Pat, because Sami Zayn is in deep control.
[McAfee] The flawless Ricochet definitely wants to earn it
and Sami Zayn says he wants to be
the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time.
[Cole] Now cover by Ricochet. Can he pull it off?
Oh, and again, a near fall.
Three near falls in this match for Ricochet.
Let's show you what happened before the commercial break.
Bang! Right on the back of Ricochet's neck.
[McAfee] On the apron.
Well, that does not budge.
[Cole] And Ricochet still feeling the pain of that maneuver,
and now Ricochet looking to launch himself over the top rope.
Oh, and Sami Zayn!
Cover off the Powerbomb,
and a kick-out by Ricochet at two.
[McAfee] Instant classic here between Ricochet and Sami Zayn.
Ricochet doing something one human on Earth can do.
Sami counters and drops him on his--
[Cole] The thing about this, Pat, that's twice now in this match.
Massive impact to the back of Ricochet's neck courtesy of Sami Zayn.
[McAfee] Yeah, Sami Zayn, you can say a lot of things about him.
Scumbag, disgusting, annoying, the worst, insufferable,
but whenever you think about in the ring, he's a tactician.
He will pick you apart, and he is ruthless.
-Oh. -[Cole] And Ricochet countering.
[McAfee] Got to think this is a moment that Ricochet has been dreaming of
-his entire life. -[Cole] Yeah, a ton of resilience
for Ricochet.
He's been so close before,
but Sami Zayn went for the Exploder.
Ricochet able to counter.
Roll-up now, shoulders down by Sami.
Two-count again.
Ricochet takes Sami's legs out from underneath him.
Standing Moonsault.
Cover by Ricochet.
Again, a kick out by the champion.
[McAfee] You are not watching an Olympian.
What you are watching is a WWE Superstar who can do stuff
that no other human on Earth can do.
[Cole] Sami Zayn now outside the ring to buy himself a little bit of time,
but this could be in Ricochet's dropzone.
Up over the top!
How the hell do you describe that?
[McAfee] Are you-- Flawless is how you describe that!
Backflip Moonsault.
[Cole] Watch this. Ricochet somersaulting his way over the top rope.
[McAfee] Cleared it with a foot or two to spare.
[Cole] Now, the champion back into the ring, Pat.
Can Ricochet capitalize?
[McAfee] That's all Ricochet has done throughout his entire career.
That was one of the most incredible feats
I've ever seen in my entire life.
Right on the button.
[Cole] Sami Zayn though, realizing he was in trouble,
and a big smile on the champion's face.
That's the difference between the champion and the contender, though.
Ricochet had him in a bad spot.
Went to the top rope to do even more and Sami said, "Uh-uh, cuz."
[Cole] It's champion's advantage for Sami Zayn.
Remember, Ricochet has to pin or tap Zayn to win the championship tonight.
[McAfee] Sami rocking the "Sami Zayn Forever--"
["Corona" by Minutemen plays]
[Cole] Speaking of forever. How about Jackass Forever?
Here comes Jackass star Johnny Knoxville
who has been a thorn in the proverbial side of Sami Zayn.
[McAfee] Johnny Knoxville got his ass kicked last week
and he's coming back for more.
Sami Zayn, "Intercontinental Chump," not champ.
Distracting Sami.
[Cole] Meanwhile, from behind, there's Ricochet!
Sami Zayn taken out. Cover. Shoulders down.
-[bell rings] -Ricochet did it!
Ricochet's the champion!
[Irvin] Here is your winner and new Intercontinental Champion,
Ricochet!
[Cole] An incredible matchup, and for the first time in his career,
Ricochet wins the Intercontinental Championship.
Johnny Knoxville with an assist.
Sami Zayn can't believe it.
-[Knoxville laughing] -We all know
how much the Intercontinental Championship meant to Sami Zayn.
[McAfee] Johnny Knoxville nothing but pumped
that he could ruin Sami Zayn's life.
[Cole] Sami Zayn distracted by Knoxville and Ricochet would take advantage.
[crowd] One, two, three!
[McAfee] What was that?
It's like a Hurricanrana Bomb.
I mean, what is Ricochet?
Ricochet is an anomaly.
Ricochet is a freakshow.
Ricochet is flawless.
[Cole] He's also the new Intercontinental Champion.
It is a big fight night here tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
Roman Reigns is here.
The Usos defend the Tag Team Titles against The Viking Raiders.
Ronda Rousey in action for the very first time ever
on Friday Night SmackDown,
and it's been quite the week in WWE
courtesy of my partner Pat McAfee.
What a day for you yesterday.
Write it down. Legendary moment.
I will remember it forever.
It is an honor to do what I do for a living.
I want to take it back to The Pat McAfee Show.
For the first time in 15 years, WWE chairman, Mr. McMahon,
interviewed live.
You're an absolute legend,
and I think we have some news to break, too, do we not, about Hall of Fame?
-Do you want to do that right now? -Yeah.
Undertaker, of course, is going to be in the Hall of Fame,
and I'm going to have the distinction of inducting him in the Hall of Fame.
-Let's go! -Wow!
[applause and cheers]
He's an extraordinary human being
as well as one of the premier, one of the all-time greats.
I know you love what we do and you're a part of the team.
Big time. People in the organization really enjoy you.
And fans all over the world really enjoy you being you.
I'd like to offer you an opportunity to actually wrestle at WrestleMania.
-Oh! That'd be a dream, boss. -In the ring.
Hey, I got a big right hand.
-What? -What?
-A big right foot. -What?
-Wait till I bring that knee out. -What?
Then the millions.
[in singsong] And millions!
The people will go banana lands
when that left with the rollie on it comes from the pocket.
Pow, right in the kisser!
-Thank you so much. -Great, you're welcome.
-Thank you. -That's awesome.
[Cole] Pat, there's the chairman's office.
Are we going to learn tonight who you face at WrestleMania?
[McAfee] I sure hope so.
I've been anticipating this my entire life.
A dream come true.
I'm nowhere ready physically, but I'm excited.
-[Cole] We may find out next. -[McAfee] Really?
[Cole] Friday Night SmackDown is in Miami tonight.
We're at the FTX Arena.
Home of the first place Miami Heat. Jimmy Butler's in attendance.
Also the Phins just up the road.
Of course, "Tua time" and a Derek Jeter-less Marlins
-downtown as well. -[McAfee] Miami's the place to be tonight.
[Cole] Hey, let's talk about what happened moments ago.
Johnny Knoxville, who's been a problem for Sami Zayn for months now,
came out and caused the distraction
as Zayn was defending his Intercontinental Championship
against Ricochet, and check out what Ricochet does.
[McAfee] An instant classic.
Ends with a brand-new something from Ricochet,
and Ricochet becomes Intercontinental Champion.
Johnny's pumped, Sami's pissed,
and Ricochet has a night in Miami he'll remember forever.
[Irvin] Ricochet!
[Cole] Brand-new Intercontinental Champion.
[McAfee] Good for Ric.
No! [screaming]
It should have been me!
That championship is mine!
[metal clanging]
[screams]
What are you following me for, huh?
Why are you following me?
You like following me with your little cameras
when I'm humiliated, is that it?
Is that it? You want to follow me when I'm down?
Just like Johnny Knoxville
following me everywhere.
Following me on Instagram, stalking me in my comments.
Following me every week to SmackDown.
I got an idea, Knoxville.
You want to follow me so bad?
Why don't you follow me to Dallas,
and I will see you at WrestleMania!
Sami and Knoxville at WrestleMania?
Well, perhaps. That's what Sami wants.
-He's furious. -Will Johnny Knoxville accept?
That's the question.
And speaking of WrestleMania,
who is going to be your opponent at WrestleMania?
-[up-tempo theme music plays] -The internet has ideas, I have none.
Woo.
For those who don't know my name,
my name is Austin Theory, and I--
[crowd boos]
You guys love me, I get it.
I compete on Monday Night Raw,
and I am the protégé of the chairman of the WWE, Mr. McMahon!
And Mr. McMahon, he is here tonight,
and wherever Mr. McMahon goes, Austin Theory goes.
[crowd boos]
Pat McAfee, I got to ask you a question, man.
Why was Mr. McMahon on your show?
He set you up!
[laughs] Nobody ever knows what that man's thinking.
You see,
he's always one step ahead,
or at least in your case, four or five steps ahead.
But you probably think
-Mr. McMahon likes you, right? -[McAfee] He loves me.
He does everything for a reason,
everything for the WWE,
and you, well, he knows that you're a loudmouth
and everybody just wants to hear you shut up.
Come on. [indistinct]
I don't know if that's what I took away from the conversation.
But hey, that's entertainment, right?
So, what are you gonna do when your mouth is wired shut
and you can't eat breakfast, lunch or dinner
without sipping it through a straw? [slurping sound]
What does that even mean? "Through the wire" like Kanye?
Why is he still talking to me right now, though?
Cole, you notice this?
All right.
[crowd cheers]
I'm your opponent at WrestleMania,
and I'm gonna beat you to a pulp.
-[Cole] Uh-oh. -[crowd roars]
WrestleMania! That's how it goes, baby.
[Cole] Pat, relax.
-Relax, dude. -[Theory] Oh!
Come back here, you little bitch.
-Get back here. -Woo! Going to WrestleMania, baby!
-[up-tempo theme music plays] -What?
[Cole] Pat.
Expect the unexpected, Pat.
-So good. Look at that. -[Cole] Don't let it bother you. Come on.
That's a mad man on a table.
[Cole] Well, I don't know, but if that--
[Theory screaming]
[Theory] Right there, baby.
Pat, if what he says is true,
-you'll get him in a few weeks. -Hey, I don't know who you are,
you little bitch swan!
-[Cole] Come on. -You're getting mad.
Let it go. Let him be.
[Theory] You didn't like that, huh?
Let him be.
So, Pat's gonna try to regain his-- regain your composure here.
-Listen, hey-- -What the-- What was that?
-He broke-- -Listen.
Pat, listen, we all apologize for the actions of Austin Theory there,
-marching out here, but listen if-- -Who is that, first of all?
Okay. Little boy toy, thirst trap,
Vince McMahon protégé smacked me in the face.
You're a horrible human being. Vince McMahon told me that.
You knew that was gonna happen.
Now I'm embarrassed in Miami
in front of Jimmy-- well, Jimmy Butler just went to the bathroom.
Now I got all of Miami who had no idea who that guy is,
walk out here and smack me in the face!
-This is your fault, Cole! -It's not my fault, Pat.
I knew nothing about it. Seriously, I knew nothing about this.
-We got a show to call. Let's just-- -[theme music plays]
-[crowd cheers] -[McAfee] Who is that dude?
I see him on Instagram.
[Cole] Listen, let's just be professional here.
You're a professional broadcaster.
You got the number one YouTube show in the entire world.
[McAfee] Yeah, the whole world.
[Cole] Get a hold of yourself here. Come on. Seriously.
We've known each other for a long time.
[McAfee] Shut up, Cole. Feel the glow.
Let's move on. That little punk bitch, okay?
[Cole] I am going to ask you one question.
Did what he did to you hurt?
[McAfee] Nah. Obviously not. Maybe emotionally.
The internet told me that was potentially going to happen.
[Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Sasha Banks,
from Orlando, Florida, Naomi!
[Cole] Naomi with Sasha Banks because it's boss time,
and tonight Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
is sponsored by Progressive insurance,
save when you bundle, auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
While Pat regains his composure,
remember Naomi and Sasha announced to the world last week
that they wanted to challenge
for the Women's Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania.
That match is going to happen against the champions,
Carmella and Queen Zelina.
Coming up next,
Naomi versus the WWE's most beautiful woman, Carmella.
It happens next right here on Friday Night SmackDown.
You good?
[McAfee] Yeah. I'll get past it
because I'm feeling the glow, but that was BS.
[Cole] After a blindside attack last week, The Baddest Woman on the Planet,
winner of the 2022 Royal Rumble match,
Ronda Rousey is out for payback when she competes for the first time ever
on SmackDown against WWE official Sonya Deville tonight.
[McAfee] Oh, you know that, but you don't know some punk
is going to come smack me in the mouth, huh?
[Cole] We were told during the commercial break
that indeed your match with Austin Theory is official for WrestleMania.
-You get him in four weeks. -["She's Bad" plays]
-[McAfee] I got to get in shape. -[crowd boos]
That dude deserves a right, a left, a punch in the mouth.
But Mella is money, and she is here.
[Cole] Let's do what we have to do here.
[Irvin] …accompanied to the ring by Queen Zelina,
she is one half of the Women's Tag Team Champions,
the most beautiful woman in WWE, Carmella!
[Cole] You have to check out the brand-new reality series
on the WWE YouTube channel, Corey & Carmella, extremely interesting,
especially since Carmella kicked Corey's rear end in the gym.
[McAfee] Yeah, absolutely. That was a great scene.
I think there's five episodes.
All very much worthy of a watch, for sure.
[Cole] Of course, Carmella and Queen Zelina,
the current Women's Tag Team Champions here in WWE.
A bit earlier today, we caught up with the Tag Team Champs
to talk about their WrestleMania match.
♪ I'm the baddest baddie, bad, B-A-D ♪
♪ Insane, ask around, They'll say "She's crazy" ♪
♪ Miss thing, slim waist, pretty face… ♪
Carmella, we are only one month away from the biggest night of the year.
-My wedding night. -What?
No, no, I'm talking about our Tag Team Championship match
at WrestleMania.
Oh yeah, well, that too, but tonight, much like my wedding night,
the only person who's going to glow is me.
[laughter]
I can't wait.
[Cole] And indeed at WrestleMania, Carmella and Queen Zelina
will defend the Women's Tag Team Titles
against Naomi and "The Boss" Sasha Banks,
WrestleMania Sunday.
[McAfee] Naomi and Sasha are a dream team.
[Cole] Well, indeed, Naomi and Sasha have teamed together before.
Remember Team BAD?
[McAfee] Got to protect the reality TV face.
I should've had that on earlier, Cole.
[Cole] Well, Naomi--
-[Carmella shouts indistinctly] -[McAfee] What did she say?
[Cole] She said, "Tell the world how beautiful I am."
She is the self-proclaimed most beautiful woman in all of WWE.
Naomi with a kick right to the side of the face.
Naomi has been on quite the roll, Pat, over the past month.
Took Charlotte Flair to the limit a couple of weeks ago.
Queen Zelina causing a distraction outside the ring,
and Carmella, former SmackDown Women's Champion, taking control.
Queen Zelina, the Queen of the Ring.
Mella has held every title here.
Obviously very accomplished. Women's Tag Team Champions but--
[indistinct] Naomi! I'm beautiful, Naomi!
-Interesting face. -Yeah, I don't know what it does.
-[Cole] It protects her face. -[McAfee] That does?
[Cole] She is the most beautiful woman in WWE.
You can't have that face tarnished, right?
[McAfee] She did tell you to say that,
so I respect that for you doing it, but here's Naomi.
[Cole] Now the power of Naomi,
and Carmella right off the jaw
as Sasha Banks looks on.
[McAfee] Kip-up from Naomi.
[Cole] And Carmella covering up the moneymaker.
Oh, and a kick! Knee to the face!
Cover by Naomi, and Carmella kicks at two.
[McAfee] Naomi looking to end this thing early.
-I won't smack you. -[Cole] Boom!
[McAfee] I'll kick you.
Feel the glow of these feet in the face for Carmella.
Wearing the mask has absolute grit in there.
[Cole] Yeah, Carmella,
as vicious as they come.
And now Queen Zelina trying to sneak her way into the picture,
and Sasha Banks gonna make Zelina pay.
Oh, Meteora into the steps!
Now Naomi taking out Carmella.
You can hear that echo through the arena. Now Naomi up to the top rope.
Split-legged Moonsault.
Cover on Carmella.
Is it enough? Hook of the leg.
Naomi with the win.
-[bell rings] -[crowd cheers]
[upbeat theme music plays]
[Irvin] Here is your winner, Naomi!
[Cole] And Natalya looking on as she's always scouting
the women here in WWE,
but nonetheless, Naomi victorious here tonight.
You have to wonder, Pat, can Naomi and Sasha
win the Tag Team Titles in four weeks at WrestleMania?
[McAfee] I mean, the teamwork was on point.
They helped each other out.
Naomi gets a win over Mella,
and just like her fiancé, the attention-starved commentator
from Monday, she stays gone!
[Carmela] Don't talk about my fiancé like that!
-[Cole] You ticked her off. -It sounds like it. That's good.
Hey, she didn't expect it.
-Let's go. -All right.
Look, look, look, hey, boys, come on.
I want to finish this hand so we can watch this Drew McIntyre match together.
Do a little bit of scouting, I got this man WrestleMania Saturday.
-That's right. -That makes me so happy.
-Woo! -[laughs loudly]
After that match at WrestleMania,
I'm still going to have nothing in that loss column…
Woo!
…just like Madcap's got nothing in his hand.
[laughter]
Check it out. Check it out. Drew McIntyre is one hell of a competitor,
but look at what I've done at WrestleMania.
In my debut, I won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
Then I defeated Hall of Famer Kurt Angle.
-Woo! -[laughter]
Drew McIntyre's just gonna be another
feather in the old fedora here.
-[laughter] -Oh, ace high flush, baby!
I am on the hottest winning streak of my career
and I'm going to stay on that
until old Drew McIntyre is in a retirement home
-telling stories about sea monsters. -[laughter]
Hey, Madcap. Give us an impression of Old Man McIntyre.
Oh, okay. Okay.
[clears throat]
[mimicking McIntyre] The other day,
I thought I saw the Loch Ness monster,
but it turns out
I just pooped in me bathtub.
[laughter]
[epic theme music plays]
[Cole] I don't understand why you continue
to try to make fun of Drew McIntyre. Are they ever gonna learn their lesson?
[McAfee] I also don't understand how Happy was able to win that hand of poker
without having any cards himself.
[Cole] Happy does realize he has a match with Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania, right?
[McAfee] Madcap has been talking out of pocket
about this SmackDown Warrior for far too long.
-[explosion pops] -[crowd cheers]
-Could you imagine-- -[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Ayr, Scotland,
weighing in at 265 pounds,
Drew McIntyre!
[McAfee] Could you imagine Drew McIntyre being somebody that doesn't like you?
Look at this dude!
[Cole] Well, McIntyre is focused on ending
Happy Corbin's undefeated streak at WrestleMania,
but before he gets there, Pat,
he has to take on the former WWE Champion,
"The Modern Day Maharaja" Jinder Mahal.
Of course with Angela, the sword named after his late mother,
Drew McIntyre is set for battle.
[McAfee] In the home of the heat,
Drew just brought ten-foot fire flames and this place loved it.
[Cole] McIntyre and Mahal coming up next here on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
Pat, I told you it is a big fight night
here on Friday Night SmackDown.
Already Ricochet defeated Sami Zayn
for the Intercontinental Championship.
Can The Viking Raiders pull off the win
over The Usos tonight?
[McAfee] Tag Team Championship on the line,
stacked card in Miami.
Speaking of stacked,
look at that dude's muscles on top of muscles and the kilt as well.
[Cole] And also, Drew McIntyre with a smile on his face,
because he knows in just four weeks
he finally gets his hands on Happy Corbin on WrestleMania Saturday,
an opportunity to shut his mouth and end the undefeated streak.
[McAfee] There's Happy, Madcap and a group of--
[Cole] They paused their poker game to watch Drew's match
against that man, the former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal,
accompanied by Shanky,
and you were going to call them a group of what?
-[McAfee] Stooges, whatever, friends… -[Cole] They're buddies.
[McAfee] …of Happy Corbin. Obviously, I'm sure that isn't strictly financial.
[Cole] It's amazing how when you have so much money
that you have so many people hanging around.
[McAfee] Yeah, it is pretty remarkable, actually.
[Cole] It's also amazing when you have so much money
that you're the target of so many people as well.
[McAfee] It really feels like I've learned a lot about that as of late.
[Cole] Mahal and McIntyre here one-on-one tonight.
Remember, Drew and Jinder, Pat, with a long history.
Used to be a part of a tag team together, really came up
in the business together as well.
[McAfee] Yeah, Jinder obviously no slouch,
neither is being the number one trend in the United States
with like three or four other things trending alongside of it,
that's what SmackDown is,
the A show,
the number one show, and we have two Goliaths battling
on the road to WrestleMania.
[Cole] WWE has been dominating Twitter over the past 24 hours.
McIntyre with a couple of chops now to Mahal.
Mahal ducks underneath that one.
[McAfee] Michael Cole is trending
for 13 hours, because he's a horrible human.
[Cole] Cover now and a kick-out. Not for all good reasons, by the way.
[McAfee] Well, that's normally how Twitter trends go.
[Cole] So, by the way, I would expect that out of Mr. McMahon,
but not the way you treated me tonight,
thinking that I had something to do with this whole Austin Theory thing.
[McAfee] Well, you're a knower of all things,
and then I got a little seed planted in my brain yesterday
that you might be a horrible guy,
maybe all the good things you did to me aren't real.
[Cole] Mahal trying to knock off McIntyre tonight
and stop the momentum of The SmackDown Warrior.
Oh, what a throw!
[McAfee] I haven't gotten to see Jinder Mahal live a lot.
-He's massive. -[Cole] He's in tremendous shape,
and of course, you got Shanky, seven footer
hanging out at ringside.
McIntyre, great throw by Drew McIntyre.
The former WWE Champion now measuring Mahal,
ducks underneath. There's the Neckbreaker,
and a kip-up by the big man.
[McAfee] About 900 pounds of freak athleticism out here,
and Drew McIntyre standing above them all.
[Cole] And Shanky is going to pay for that,
and Mahal going to look to take advantage.
Looking for the Khallas to put McIntyre away,
but McIntyre able to power out of it.
[McAfee] Look at the strength of Drew McIntyre,
The SmackDown Warrior.
[Cole] Oh, and the Glasgow Kiss!
[McAfee] Outpowering the Modern Day Maharaja.
[crowd chants] Three, two, one!
[Cole] Claymore!
[McAfee] The clock was on time.
-[crowd counting] -[bell rings]
[epic theme music plays]
[Irvin] Here is your winner, Drew McIntyre!
[Cole] The clock is ticking for McIntyre until he gets Happy Corbin
four weeks from tomorrow at WrestleMania.
[McAfee] Drew McIntyre displaying incredible strength
with a nice toss of Jinder Mahal
into a smooth Neckbreaker,
and then the countdown was on.
[crowd chants] Three, two, one!
Claymore County, Scotland.
[bell rings]
[Braxton] Drew, congratulations.
Now…
Now, Drew, does it bother you
that Madcap Moss and especially Happy Corbin
were having fun at your expense?
Yes, I'm going to cry myself to sleep tonight over it.
No, I don't give a damn what Madcap and Corbin think,
nobody does!
[crowd cheers]
They have absolutely zero respect in that locker room.
Nobody likes them. In fact, I'll prove it right now.
Miami,
with a show of hands,
tell me who wants to gouge their eyes out
every single time Happy Corbin is on their television screen?
[McAfee] Everybody's lifting both of their hands in Miami.
Come on, Kayla.
There we go, it's unanimous!
I will be doing the world a favor at WrestleMania.
Corbin, I know you're back there having the time of your life,
try have a night off, playing with yourself.
Here's the message for you.
You might be undefeated as Happy Corbin,
but at WrestleMania, all good things must come to an end.
At WrestleMania, I'm going to take you out!
[crowd cheers]
[epic theme music plays]
[Cole] Good luck, Happy.
[McAfee] Anytime you're on the receiving end of,
"I'm going to take you out,"
and then he grabs the six-foot sword
and threatens you, you're in a bad spot. That's Happy's life.
[crowd cheers]
Oh. Okay, okay, okay.
What do you call "The SmackDown Warrior" Drew McIntyre
when he chickens out of his WrestleMania match?
-"The Back-Down Warrior." -[scattered laughter]
[McAfee] Oh, none of the stooges paid to be there even laughed.
[Cole] Maybe not the time for jokes.
[McAfee] Happy knows that he's about to get his ass beat
by a big dude from Scotland.
[Cole] Last week it was the contract signing
for the biggest WrestleMania match of all time,
winner-take-all, Championship Unification.
Roman Reigns laid the trap for WWE Champion Brock Lesnar,
only to see The Beast unleash his trademark fury.
We're going to revisit the carnage
next on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
What a specimen.
[Cole] She is The Baddest Woman on the Planet,
the winner of the 2022 Royal Rumble,
and for the first time ever,
Ronda Rousey competes here live tonight
on Friday Night SmackDown.
It's gonna be great. It's a big fight night.
A massive Friday Night SmackDown only gets bigger.
The arm-breaking main event taking, global phenomenon,
ass-beating Ronda Rousey is here on SmackDown.
-This is huge. -If you describe Ronda like that,
I can only imagine how you're going to describe Brock Lesnar.
Let's take it back and show you what Brock did last week
in our Progressive Match Flo.
That cowboy be nasty.
[announcer] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
[loud popping]
[Cole] The biggest WrestleMania match of all time,
Reigns and Lesnar.
They sign the contract to make it official.
These security guards
are here to protect Brock Lesnar
from Roman Reigns.
If you think for one second
that these skid mark security guards
are going to stop me
from jumping across this table and kicking your ass,
you got another thing coming.
At WrestleMania,
I'm going to kick your ass and I'm going to kick your ass,
and you can bet your ass I'm going to get paid for it.
[Reigns] You must be confused, farmboy.
That title, that's my title.
You ain't got a chance.
This is my show!
This is my ring!
This is my cameraman.
These people, this commentary team,
that sign right there is mine!
I am this show.
I am WrestleMania.
I run this show, and everybody works for me,
including the security in the ring with you.
[Cole] Roman Reigns and The Bloodline set up Brock Lesnar
and Lesnar's making them pay!
[Cole] Take a long look, Roman, because this is what you face
on WrestleMania Sunday
on the biggest WrestleMania match of all time.
Winner-take-all Championship Unification.
Reigns, Lesnar, WrestleMania Sunday!
[upbeat music]
[McAfee] Dream booking, main event of WrestleMania.
Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns
in the biggest WrestleMania match of all time.
Winner-take-all Championship Unification,
WrestleMania Sunday, April 3rd, only on Peacock.
What a dream matchup this is.
[Cole] And tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox from Miami
is sponsored by Progressive.
[McAfee] Yes! Man, it just got hotter in the home.
-Hey-oh! -[crowd chants] Hey-oh!
-I said, "Hey-oh." -[crowd chants] Hey-oh!
-Hey-oh! Hey-oh! -[crowd chants] Hey-oh! Hey-oh!
-Hey-oh! Hey-oh! Hey! -[crowd chants] Hey-oh! Hey-oh! Hey!
[Boogs] Nice!
-My name's Rick… -[crowd] Boogs!
-Boogs! And I came to… -[crowd] Rock!
Rock! That's right, with, say it with me,
Shinsuke Nakamura! [guttural rocker scream]
[McAfee] Oh yes! It's back!
Woo-hoo!
[Cole] The former Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura.
Of course, Boogs on guitar with Pat McAfee.
[McAfee] Oh, it's great they're back.
It's so good with the-- Oh no!
[Cole] Oh, the Tag Team Champions,
Jimmy and Jey, The Usos,
ambushing Nakamura and Boogs from behind.
[McAfee] I like The Usos, but what are you doing, boys?
[Cole] Then a Superkick by Jimmy, and Jey laying out Nakamura.
[McAfee] What?
Why'd they do that?
[Cole] Great question.
[McAfee] You can tell Boogs is practicing and he's only going to get better.
A little remix on the anthem.
["Head of the Table" theme music plays]
-Oh. -[Cole] Now you get it.
[McAfee] It all makes sense.
The Head of the Table
wanted to be acknowledged.
It doesn't matter what's going on.
[indistinct chatter]
[Cole] For 551 days,
a record run with the Universal Championship
for Roman Reigns.
[crowd cheering]
I guess Roman said it was his time.
[McAfee] And that's what you can do when…
you're Roman Reigns.
Act as if.
If you're The Tribal Chief, you kick people out of the way.
"It's my show now."
[explosions popping]
A lot of ones to the sky here in South Florida.
[Irvin] Please welcome Paul Heyman,
the SmackDown Tag Team Champions, The Usos,
and the Universal Champion,
Roman Reigns!
[Cole] Pat, there is no doubt
that this will indeed be the biggest WrestleMania match in history,
the unification of the WWE and Universal Championships.
What will that do to the landscape of WWE?
How will this company change by crowning
one champion in four weeks at WrestleMania Sunday?
Will it be Lesnar?
Will it be Reigns?
[McAfee] There will be ripple effects felt across all industries around the globe.
Two immovable objects
face each other in Dallas
in a unification match for the ages.
[Cole] It happens on WrestleMania Sunday.
In the main event, the biggest WrestleMania match of all time,
winner-take-all Championship Unification.
There's been unbelievable, tremendous,
incredible main events in WrestleMania history,
but, Pat, none bigger than this,
because never before have the two biggest prizes
in the history of sports entertainment,
the WWE Title and the Universal Title been on the line,
winner-take-all, on one night.
[explosions popping]
[McAfee] Speaking of titles, look at this.
"We The Ones." The Bloodline draped in championships.
[Cole] But The Usos could lose those
Tag Team Titles in a matter of minutes.
They have to defend against The Viking Raiders tonight.
[McAfee] And I could do a lot of things.
Could is the word for people that have hope and are inevitably losers.
What will happen?
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Roman!
[crowd continues to chant]
[McAfee] Some people despise this man.
Miami loves their Tribal Chief.
Miami.
[crowd cheers]
Acknowledge me.
[crowd roars]
[crowd chanting] Roman!
All for you, my Tribal Chief.
All for you!
Tomorrow night,
myself
and Brock Lesnar defend our titles
at Madison Square Garden.
[crowd cheers]
And you already know what I'm going to do.
I'm going to smash whoever steps up
and I'm going to send them to the back of the line
like I've been doing for the past year and a half!
[crowd cheering]
But you see,
Brock's defense is where it gets interesting.
You see,
not all of us wanna see Brock with that title.
As a matter of fact, not all of us want to see Brock
even make it to WrestleMania, do we?
I hold a grudge.
We're past that now, it's okay.
Yes, my Tribal Chief. I'm learning to live with it.
But, you see, that's not how I feel.
I want Brock to make it to WrestleMania.
I want him to hand-deliver that WWE Championship
to his Tribal Chief.
Wise man.
Yes, my Tribal Chief?
What's that line you always say?
It's not a prediction,
it's a spoiler.
-Spoiler? -Yes, my Tribal Chief.
Shall we give Miami and the whole world a spoiler tonight?
[crowd cheers]
You are a most generous Tribal Chief.
Altruistic.
I'm like Babe Ruth around here.
I call my shot and I deliver every single time.
Every time! Every time!
Just look at last year's WrestleMania.
A week before, I said I was going to smash them,
I'm going to stack them,
and I'm going to pin them one, two, three,
and what did I do, huh?
Oh yeah!
So, this year I'm going to call my shot again.
At WrestleMania,
in the biggest main event of all time,
I'm going to smash Brock Lesnar.
I'm going to pin Brock Lesnar.
I'm going to stand over Brock Lesnar,
and with about five million dollars of fireworks going off,
I'm going to hold the WWE Championship,
I'm going to hold the Universal Championship,
and I'm going to raise them over my head.
[crowd cheers]
And Brock don't have no choice
but to acknowledge me.
[crowd cheers]
Acknowledge me!
Me!
He's going to acknowledge me!
Me! Me! Me!
[McAfee] Oh my.
Fired up.
[Cole] Brock Lesnar is definitely in Roman's head.
At WrestleMania…
Brock Lesnar…
will acknowledge me.
[Cole] Pat, I've never seen Roman Reigns worked up like this.
"The Beast" Brock Lesnar is in the head of The Tribal Chief.
[McAfee] Yeah, you're 100% right. It seems like over the last, what,
two weeks here, he's snapped.
He's been different.
He's not lacking confidence
but he seems to be losing his composure.
A much different Tribal Chief here.
[Cole] His world, Roman Reigns' world, could be turned upside down
four weeks from Sunday in the main event,
in the biggest WrestleMania match in history.
Meanwhile, The Usos stay in the ring
as The Viking Raiders hope to play the spoilers tonight.
The SmackDown Tag Team Titles are up for grabs.
It's a big fight night here tonight
on Fox, live, next.
♪ Raid! ♪
[Cole] It is time to join the raid on Friday Night SmackDown.
Tag Team Titles up for grabs.
♪ Raid! ♪
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship!
Making their way to the ring, at a combined weight of 590 pounds,
Erik and Ivar, The Viking Raiders!
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] WrestleMania is sponsored by Snickers.
Snickers satisfies,
and by WWE 2K22,
the biggest video game in WWE history, it hits different.
A week from tonight, next Friday,
featuring the redesigned GamePlay engine, stunning graphics, and new controls.
Pre-order today for bonus content.
So, Pat McAfee, for 229 days,
Jimmy and Jey, The Usos, have held the SmackDown Tag Team Titles,
the longest reign
in the history of SmackDown.
Well, tonight they put them on the line against the former Raw Champs,
The Viking Raiders.
Takedown by Erik.
A lot of bad blood between these two teams.
[McAfee] Just kicked Jimmy out of the ring.
-Threw Jey out of the ring, and-- -[Cole] Tag made.
[McAfee] I'd love to have Viking friends and say good things,
-but The Usos-- -[Cole] Ivar
bowling his way through the Tag Team Champions.
The Viking Raiders were upset.
They flew all the way to Saudi Arabia for Elimination Chamber
to have a Tag Team Championship match,
but The Usos ambushed them in the aisleway.
Never had the match.
[McAfee] I was about to say The Usos are untouchable as champions,
-but now-- -[Cole] Look! Maybe not now.
Up to the top rope goes Ivar.
The 300-plus pounder.
Splash, to win the titles here tonight on SmackDown.
Another title change,
and a kick-out.
Ricochet knocked off Sami Zayn
to win the Intercontinental Title earlier tonight,
and the Raiders were so close on taking the SmackDown gold.
[McAfee] How heavy is that particular Viking, Michael Cole?
[Cole] Over 300 pounds.
[McAfee] Flying with the greatest of ease,
right through an Uso sternum, and Jimmy is in it early here.
[Cole] Now looking to The Viking Experience to put him away,
and Jey Uso now saving his brother, Jimmy,
and driving Ivar into the post shoulder first.
And Now, standing switch.
Tag made.
Jey is legal.
I'm not sure Erik realized it, but he does now!
What a double-team by the Tag Champs.
[McAfee] Just a double-team,
picking the Viking up to the sky and planting him through planet Earth.
[Cole] And you know, Pat, Jimmy and Jey,
the cousins, of course, of Roman Reigns
really mirroring
the way that Roman Reigns was acting earlier tonight.
The aggressiveness, the viciousness.
[McAfee] Yeah, that was certainly a different Roman Reigns earlier,
and I think The Usos
-are all about whatever. -[Cole] Tag.
They're down for whatever.
That's why The Bloodline are champions.
[Cole] Jey Uso is legal, as Erik is dumped outside the ring again.
This has been a relentless assault thus far by The Usos.
You on my level? You're not on my level, boy!
-There's levels to this, says Jey Uso. -[Cole] Yeah, and Erik fighting back now.
[McAfee] And Meek Mill.
But Jey saying it to a Viking.
[Cole] Oh! Bang!
Erik face-first off the ring post.
Into the ring, tag made.
Jimmy is now legal.
Again, The Usos double-teaming
Erik, driving him into the barri-- Oh! Up over the top,
into the timekeepers' area.
Can the Raiders somehow get back in this title match?
[McAfee] I don't think so.
[Cole] Pat, The Viking Raiders had rallied during the commercial break,
but now the Tag Team Champions, The Usos, fighting back into the matchup.
Legal man is Jey Uso, so is Erik.
Up over the top, Ivar catches him.
And look at the double-team by the challengers.
Incredible action!
To try to win the Tag Team Titles
and end the streak of The Usos!
And a kick-out at two.
This is a matchup for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles.
[McAfee] We've already seen one title change hands this evening,
the Intercontinental Title earlier in the night.
Could it be the Tag Team Championships as well?
[Cole] Two hundred and twenty-nine days, The Usos have held the titles.
That's a record reign here on SmackDown.
Tag was made. Jimmy Uso is legal.
Erik, well, he realizes it now as he runs into a Superkick.
Now, Jimmy out to the apron, heading up to the top rope.
Erik's in trouble. Will The Usos retain?
Erik got his knees up!
Ivar back to the apron. Tag made.
[McAfee] The Uso Splash, Viking counter, and now the raid seems to be--
[Cole] Here we go! This is going to be it to win the gold!
Cover by Ivar for the win
and Jey Uso breaking things up off The Viking Experience.
[McAfee] My heart has nearly exploded this evening with how many times
I thought titles were about to change hands.
At the very last second Jey saves Jimmy
from a title reign coming to an end here.
[Cole] Ivar trying to roll to the corner and somehow make a tag to his partner,
but I don't know if Ivar even understands where he's at.
Now he does.
Erik's got to make the tag.
Jey Uso makes the tag as well.
Double-team again by The Viking Raiders.
And Jimmy catches Ivar, hangs him up on the top rope.
[McAfee] Oh, he just shook all of Miami
hitting the ground.
[Cole] And now, off the distraction,
Erik though with a knee to Jey Uso.
Superkick.
Oh, smart move by Jey.
Official didn't see Jimmy Uso with a kick outside.
Two-count, kick-out.
-[Cole] Counter! -[McAfee] Erik now to win the titles.
[Cole] Kick-out at two.
-Another near fall. -[McAfee] Kick-out at two?
-That was two and three quarters. -[Cole] Tag.
[McAfee] Two and seven eighths.
[Cole] Frequent tags by the champs, The Usos.
Jimmy Uso,
and here we come with the 1-D!
[McAfee] One…
-[crowd] One, two, three! -[McAfee] …and done!
[bell rings]
♪ Uso ♪
[Irvin] Here are your winners,
and still SmackDown Tag Team Champions,
The Usos!
[Cole] Well, The Usos were in a fight tonight
and their record reign with the Tag Titles
was in jeopardy on more than one occasion,
but in the end, The Bloodline retains.
[McAfee] Crafty, ruthless, incredibly talented.
That's The Bloodline, one and done!
[Cole] The 1-D putting away The Viking Raiders.
[McAfee] That's how you done "Dudley" it whenever you're in the ring
in a championship match.
The Usos, still champs.
[Cole] I wanna show you some footage of what happened earlier tonight
here on Friday Night SmackDown.
Pat, why don't you ever buy me a birthday gift?
Kofi Kingston got this ATV for Big E for his birthday last week.
[McAfee] That's an incredible gift for somebody that can contain
and handle that much power.
About 500 ponies under the hood, Cole.
You wouldn't know what to do with that quad.
♪ It's a new day, yes it is ♪
-[funky theme music plays] -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Well, time for Big E to focus.
He's got the Celtic Warrior in his sights.
[McAfee] Big E and Kofi Kingston.
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Kofi Kingston,
from Tampa, Florida, weighing in at 285 pounds,
Big E!
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Well, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
[McAfee] I'm not sure why you got paid by Vince McMahon yesterday
or why The New Day doesn't dap you up,
but I love it every time.
[Cole] Coming up next,
this will be as physical as they come.
Big E, "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus,
live on Friday Night SmackDown.
[announcer] The most stupendous two-night WrestleMania in history.
-♪ I sacrificed ♪ -♪ Sacrificed ♪
-♪ Your love for more of the night ♪ -♪ Of the night ♪
-♪ I try to put up a fight ♪ -♪ Up a fight ♪
-♪ Can't tie me down ♪ -Stupendous!
♪ I don't wanna sacrifice ♪
♪ For your love, I try ♪
♪ I don't wanna sacrifice ♪
♪ But I love my timе ♪
♪ My, ooh ♪
Stupendous!
-♪ I sacrificed ♪ -♪ Sacrificed ♪
-♪ Your love for more of the night ♪ -♪ Of the night ♪
♪ I try to up a… ♪
[Cole] Earlier tonight, Sonya Deville, who doubles as a WWE official
said you can't compete with the power of authority.
Sonya Deville goes one-on-one with Ronda Rousey
who has her first singles match ever
on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox tonight.
[McAfee] The world awaits The Baddest Woman on the Planet
beating up middle management.
[Cole] And there's Big E set for action.
That ATV, a gift from Kofi Kingston for his birthday last week.
-[Irish theme music plays] -It was a beautiful ATV,
just like the New Day are a beautiful--
[Cole] But right now it's fight night on SmackDown.
[fireworks pop]
[crowd cheers]
[Irvin] And his opponent, accompanied to the ring by Ridge Holland,
from Dublin, Ireland, weighing in at 267 pounds, Sheamus!
[McAfee] The lads from Donnybrook Lane are here.
[Cole] There is a reason that Sheamus and Ridge Holland
don't like that ATV at all.
Look at this.
You got yourself a new toy, have yous?
-[tapping] -You're going to need this yoke
to carry your sorry arse out of the building.
-Ain't that right, Ridgey? -Too right. [laughs]
[all laugh]
Then step out of the way!
[shouts in Gaelic]
[Cole] Maybe Sheamus was upset that Ridge didn't buy him an ATV.
[McAfee] Yeah, I'm not sure they're upset
about the ATV itself or how it was being used.
They said it was going to carry carcasses out.
Instead, they got embarrassed, but it's fight night
and Sheamus is not somebody you want to fight,
but Big E is in the middle of his prime right there.
[Cole] Two former champions going head-to-head in this match tonight.
[ATV horn honking]
[McAfee] Ridge gave me a weapon.
[Cole] And Kofi Kingston,
-Hey! -[horn honking]
[Cole] Pretty talented, using the horn to play The New Day theme.
[McAfee] Yeah, great rhythm for sure.
I'm not 100% sure of the body movement.
[Cole] Oh! And Ridge with a steel chair to the back of Kingston.
Ridge Holland handed me a weapon and then went and grabbed himself--
[Cole] Now beating the hell out of the ATV!
And from behind, Sheamus Chop Blocks Big E.
Distracting Big E,
knowing that that ATV couldn't take much more damage from that chair.
[Cole] What about Kofi?
Kofi got whacked with a steel chair by Ridge.
Kofi been taken out by Holland.
[laughter]
Look at this.
[Cole] Kofi is down, Big E is down.
Look at this.
[McAfee] A big…
-I always wanted to try-- -[McAfee] …pale,
incredibly tough fighter
is stealing an ATV right now!
[Cole] Pat, let's show you what happened during the commercial break.
[both grunting]
[grunting continues]
[Cole] For apparently no reason,
Sheamus and Ridge Holland destroying the ATV.
An ATV that was given to Big E
as a gift from Kofi Kingston for his birthday last week.
Yeah, I mean, they just beat the hell out of that ATV,
and that's a damn shame.
Certainly a message being sent to all of New Day.
And listen, Sheamus and Ridge did not intend to have a match.
They knew all along what they wanted to do here tonight.
Yeah, they had a plan. The chair under there.
"We're going to steal the ATV,
then we're going to bash it in with sledgehammers."
I don't know what's next but that's insanity.
Well, let's show you what happened earlier tonight,
because this was a championship match
between Sami Zayn and Ricochet
for the Intercontinental Title.
Johnny Knoxville, rival of Sami Zayn
for weeks and weeks and weeks caused the distraction
and Ricochet would capitalize,
winning his first Intercontinental Championship.
[McAfee] With an absolutely flawless finisher,
the "Intercontinental Chump," Sami Zayn, no more.
Brand-new Intercontinental Champion here on SmackDown is Ricochet.
[Irvin] Ricochet!
[Cole] Ricochet celebrated.
Sami Zayn was shocked.
Stalking me in my comments.
Following me every week to SmackDown.
I got an idea, Knoxville. You want to follow me so bad?
Why don't you follow me to Dallas, and I will see you at WrestleMania.
And now, please welcome my guest,
the man behind Sami Zayn's outburst
and the hilarious star of Jackass Forever, Johnny Knoxville.
[crowd cheers]
Now, Johnny, Sami Zayn blames you for losing his Intercontinental Title
and has challenged you to a match at WrestleMania.
So, Johnny Knoxville, what is your response?
Well, Kayla, Sami Zayn is a sad strange little man
and the only reason I showed up here tonight
is to remind him who he really is,
the "Intercontinental Chump."
But I guess no good deed goes unpunished.
And Sami, I know you're watching,
and I've put my body through more "insane" situations
than you can ever imagine.
I even broke my wee-wee once trying to backflip a motorcycle.
So if you think getting in the ring
with a low-down dirty cheat like yourself scares me,
you got another thing coming. [laughs]
I will see you at WrestleMania!
Woo! Sami sucks, Sami sucks!
-[McAfee] It's on! -Come on, Kayla. Sami sucks!
It is certainly on, and Johnny Knoxville has literally broke
-every bone in his-- -Drew McIntyre is "Yawn Connery,"
like a boring Sean Connery.
[laughter]
Hilarious.
You are terrible at darts. I'm destroying you.
-I got 15, 20-- Oh! -[shouting]
[crowd cheering]
Oh my God!
Yeah. Corbin has to take on McIntyre at WrestleMania.
McIntyre was pretty close to the triple 20 there,
but the message to Happy Corbin's head was, "Get out of the way."
"You're in Claymore County, pal."
Coming up next on Friday Night SmackDown, for the first time ever,
Ronda Rousey is in action.
I want to take you back to last week
where I had the extreme pleasure of interviewing
The Baddest Woman on the Planet, "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey.
Pat.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey!
[crowd cheers]
It had been three years
since you had stepped foot inside a WWE ring.
Why did you return at the Royal Rumble?
[Rousey] Main eventing WrestleMania in 2019, I broke my hand,
and after I rehabbed that I became pregnant with my daughter.
-[Rousey chuckles] -[crowd cheers]
I knew that, four months after giving birth,
I wanted to come back,
win the Royal Rumble and punch my ticket
to my second main event at WrestleMania.
And what's next is I want to be the first woman
to tap out Charlotte Flair.
[crowd cheers]
[rock theme music plays]
[Flair] Ronda, Saturday, I gave you a little taste
of a welcome back and it was so much fun.
I actually showed you a lot of mercy, Ronda.
Now, it's not going to be like that at WrestleMania
when I put you in the Figure Eight. And for the first time in your life,
you are going to scream for mercy and tap out,
which means I remain
the SmackDown Women's Champion.
And Ronda, the silver lining for you
is you get to go home and work on baby number two.
[McAfee] Sonya Deville!
[indistinct]
[Deville] What's your excuse now?
[McAfee] Charlotte taking advantage.
The right knee of Ronda Rousey.
You're such a failure. You're--
[Cole] Oh, and Ronda turning the tables on Sonya Deville.
Because of those actions,
next week
you are going to go one-on-one with Ronda Rousey.
I'm gonna show everyone what happens when authority figures step out of line.
[tense music playing]
[dramatic theme music plays]
-[bell rings] -[Irvin] The following contest
is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Shamong, New Jersey,
Sonya Deville!
[Cole] A WWE official, also a competitor.
Pat, she's got a nasty background of her own inside the ring,
but can she go toe-to-toe with Ronda Rousey?
[McAfee] I mean, that's what the world is looking forward to.
Everybody on Earth wants Ronda Rousey to break Sonya Deville.
[Cole] Ronda Rousey in action for the first time ever
on SmackDown, live, next.
Next week, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox,
it's the tag team match, Big E and Kofi Kingston
against Sheamus and Ridge Holland,
after what Sheamus and Holland did to Big E's ATV.
[McAfee] Yeah, the boys from Donnybrook Lane
took out the gift Kofi gave Big E,
and now they'll get a chance to settle the score.
[Cole] And earlier tonight, Naomi knocked off Carmella.
Can Sasha Banks do the same to Queen Zelina
as they approach their Tag Team Championship match at WrestleMania?
It all takes place next week on Friday Night SmackDown.
[McAfee] I love the road to WrestleMania.
It's my first time here for it and it's amazing.
-Matches we never thought we'd see. -Got it?
-I sign your paycheck. -I realize that.
-Call a fair fight. -I'll call--
[indistinct chatter]
Okay? Just keep that in mind.
Keep that in mind, that's all I'm saying.
[Irvin] And her opponent, she is a former Raw Women's Champion,
the winner of the 2022 Women's Royal Rumble,
and competing on SmackDown for the first time ever.
She will challenge Charlotte Flair
for the SmackDown Women's Championship on WrestleMania Saturday,
The Baddest Woman on the Planet,
Ronda Rousey!
["Bad Reputation" playing]
[Cole] What did Sonya say just now?
[McAfee] Just like every other middle management position,
trying to leverage her power to gain an advantage,
but against "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey it won't matter!
[Cole] Now, I want you to notice that there's a brace
on the right knee of Ronda Rousey,
the knee that was attacked last week by Sonya Deville.
I spoke with Ronda a bit earlier today and she said,
"The attack probably won't work."
"I've had seven surgeries on the knee."
"No ACL, no cartilage left."
"I've worked my entire fighting style around not using the knee."
"I'm going to find a way to beat you, Sonya Deville."
[McAfee] As a man who has experienced numerous knee surgeries,
the amount of pain that "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey
has to go through every day on that knee has to immense,
but when you're The Baddest Woman on the Planet,
that doesn't slow you down. Incredible intro, by the way.
-By Samantha Irvin. -[rock theme music plays]
And as we get set for Ronda's first-ever match on SmackDown,
we are going to be greeted
by The Opportunity.
The woman that Ronda Rousey faces
at WrestleMania Saturday.
The SmackDown Women's Champion,
-[McAfee] What? -[Cole] Charlotte Flair.
[McAfee] Always great to see the champ, obviously.
[Cole] Ronda, obviously distracted by Charlotte Flair's appearance
here tonight, but she needs to keep her eye on Sonya Deville
because Sonya, a very dangerous competitor in her own right.
[McAfee] Absolutely. You don't just become a WWE official for nothing.
You have to be able to hold your own, and Sonya can do more than that.
[indistinct chatter]
[Cole] Oh, and Ronda Rousey is not going to listen to any mouth
here tonight from Sonya Deville.
She's not a WWE official in the ring.
Now, Ronda Rousey-Deville underway.
Ronda's first match ever on Friday Night SmackDown.
Now, Ronda Rousey taking down
Sonya Deville. Wait a minute, Charlotte Flair
who was over here at ringside
just jumped up on the apron
to cause the distraction, and right back to the injured knee.
[McAfee] I was about to give Charlotte the headset and she said, "No,
I'm going to interrupt, actually."
[Cole] Charlotte Flair said earlier that Ronda is--
Charlotte's gonna put on the headset. Charlotte, thank you for joining us,
as we show you the Chop Block,
but I heard you said earlier, Charlotte, that Ronda is a one-trick pony.
-All she has is the armbar? -[Flair] Exactly.
-She's a one-trick pony. -Is this Ronda Rousey?
-I'll fix this for you, Charlotte. -[Flair] Thank you.
-Can you hear me? -Yes, absolutely.
Would love to hear what you have to say for yourself after what you just did.
[Flair] I didn't do anything wrong. I'm always ready.
She should always be ready. This is my show.
-I come out when I want to. -[Cole] Was it a set-up last week?
Sonya takes down Ronda Rousey. Cover now.
Is it enough to put Rousey away? And a kick-out at two.
Was it a set-up last week
on your part to have Sonya Deville attack Ronda Rousey?
Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't.
[Cole] Are you concerned about Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania?
[Flair] No.
[Cole] As we take another look
at Sonya Deville's running knee, Shining Wizard.
Cover now on Ronda.
Come on, Ronda!
Cole, I am the mountain that she has to climb.
[Cole] Well, listen, Ronda Rousey has the armbar.
[Flair] That's all she has.
[Cole] Do you know how to get out of it?
-Come on, Ronda. -[Flair] One-trick pony.
Come on. Oh, I don't hear them anymore.
[Flair] She has to get me in the armbar first.
Okay, so you're saying, it won't even get to--
-[Flair] I know how to reverse it. -[McAfee] Okay.
Not a lot of people do. That's why you're the champion, though.
[Flair] That's why I'm the 13-time Women's Champion.
That's on me for not clarifying.
That's why no one has tapped me out.
-Come on, Ronda. -Look at Sonya Deville.
Come on, Ronda.
-No one's tapped Ronda Rousey out as well. -[Flair] See?
-You see, Sonya-- -[Cole] Sonya Deville though, in control.
[Flair] She's doing a hell of a job.
Sonya, obviously, incredibly talented in the ring,
although she is a despicable human.
And you have to love the beating.
-[Flair] Why is she despicable? -[McAfee] She leverages her power.
It's not your fault. This is not because of you.
[Flair] Wouldn't you leverage your power?
[McAfee] Interesting. Great question.
I'm gonna move on. Look at the move.
[Cole] Now in the ropes, Ronda Rousey
making Sonya Deville pay here.
The official counting.
Ronda Rousey finally lets go, right before a count of five.
Almost disqualified there,
but the viciousness of Rousey on display.
[McAfee] Look at the innovative offense from Ronda.
She's obviously better than she was before, Charlotte.
[Cole] Running knee. Kick drives Deville into the corner.
[Flair] I'm impressed.
[McAfee] More experienced, more comfortable, more to prove.
[Cole] Ronda with the rights and lefts, the combination.
Deville taken down,
and Ronda Rousey softening up Deville,
perhaps for the armbar.
And now, with Sonya up top, there's the Piper's Pit by Ronda Rousey.
Who wants a souvenir tonight?
-[McAfee] Who wants a souvenir? -Yeah? You do?
[Cole] Charlotte, watch closely.
[McAfee] I got a WWE official win for you!
-[bell rings] -[Cole] Tap-out by Deville!
["Bad Reputation" playing]
[Irvin] Here is your winner by submission, "Rowdy"…
[Flair] I am not impressed with the armbar. What do you want me to say?
[Cole] She just tapped Deville out in about three seconds.
She's thinking that your arm is gonna be the souvenir at WrestleMania,
like she just said about Sonya's arm here tonight.
-Ragdolling-- -[Cole] This could be you, Charlotte,
four weeks from tomorrow.
[Cole] The Piper's Pit sets up the devastating armbar,
and many say once you're locked in,
you can't get out.
[bell rings]
[Cole] So, on WrestleMania Saturday, Charlotte Flair defends--
Oh, you want me?
Are you looking at me?
You looking at me?
Oh, you want me in the ring?
[indistinct]
[Cole] Charlotte Flair--
-I don't think you have to go. -You and me right now?
Right now?
[Cole] Ronda wants Charlotte.
Charlotte talked a big game out here, Pat.
-[indistinct chatter] -[crowd clamoring]
[McAfee] Charlotte talks a big game because she's a 13-time champ,
Michael Cole.
She has to know there's--
[Cole] The moral of the story--
Back away. Back off.
[Cole] Charlotte and Ronda mouthing off at each other, trash-talking.
And now Ronda Rousey taking Charlotte down!
And look at this, Pat. Rousey with an ankle lock!
Charlotte's tapping to an ankle lock.
What did Charlotte say about being a one-trick pony?
[screaming]
[McAfee] An ankle lock
fully in, in stilettos, pumps, broken clubs!
[screaming continues]
[Cole] The bottom line is Ronda has more than the armbar.
She's got the ankle lock.
[McAfee] She's got a lot more than that and Charlotte just said
hello to a high ankle sprain,
at the very minimum.
[Cole] Ronda Rousey knows she has the champ
exactly where she wants her.
["Bad Reputation" plays]
At WrestleMania Saturday,
will Rousey become the SmackDown Women's Champion?
♪ And I don't give a damn 'Bout my bad reputation ♪
Ronda Rousey impressive here tonight
in her first match on SmackDown,
and then this,
the ankle lock from the master of the armbar.
That's the champion, Pat, tapping out.
[McAfee] After beating an incredibly talented Sonya, Ronda wasn't tired at all.
Flips the champ on her stomach, makes her tap,
breaks her ankle.
Now it's time for WrestleMania. makes her tap,