[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 cheering]
Together.
[music fades]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] It is the eve of WrestleMania.
You are looking live at the American Airline Center in Dallas, Texas,
and this is WrestleMania SmackDown.
And we are sponsored tonight on Fox by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection for home, auto and more.
And here at ringside,
there is the prestigious Andre the Giant Battle Royal trophy.
Superstars are filling the ring from both Raw and SmackDown tonight
to try to make history
and win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
This battle royal, that trophy,
named after The Boss, the late, great Andre the Giant.
[ring announcer] The Eighth Wonder of the World,
Andre the Giant!
[narrator] Larger than life.
[Jesse Ventura] Look at the size of the Giant.
Seven-foot-five.
[narrator] Unmatched in power,
Andre the Giant towered over the competition
with a nearly 15-year undefeated streak.
Everywhere he went, people turned out to see him.
There was just something magical about him.
[narrator] The first-ever inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame,
Andre holds the record for most battle royal victories in WWE history,
including a dominating performance at WrestleMania II.
[crowd cheering]
[narrator] And in 2014, WWE established the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
A yearly tradition that brings the same awe and excitement
that Andre, himself, brought to the ring.
Tonight, who will make their mark in history
as the winner of the 2022 Andre the Giant Battle Royal?
[upbeat music playing]
[bell rings]
[female ring announcer] The following contest
is the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal!
In this match, eliminations will occur
when a Superstar is thrown over the top rope
with both feet hitting the floor.
The last man standing will be declared the winner!
[Cole] Big opportunity, Pat, for all these Superstars.
["We're Here To Show The World" playing]
[female ring announcer] Making their way to the ring,
Robert Roode,
and the NXT Champion, Dolph Ziggler!
[McAfee] Dolph Ziggler's here.
[Cole] Yeah, indeed, Pat. Dolph Ziggler is the current NXT Champion.
I want to show you how this happened,
take you back to early last month, the NXT Roadblock.
It was Dolph Ziggler versus then-champion, Bron Breakker.
There you see it. And Tommaso Ciampa.
Robert Roode, was key in this.
No disqualification in a Triple Threat match,
so that was legal.
And as Tommaso Ciampa looked like he may regain the NXT Championship,
Roode got involved again,
Superkick by Dolph Ziggler
and Dolph Ziggler wins the NXT Championship.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Later on tonight,
Bron Breakker's father, Rick Steiner,
will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
And then, tomorrow, his son Bron Breakker
looks to win back the NXT Championship
at NXT Stand & Deliver streaming live on Peacock.
A special start time of 1:00 Eastern on WrestleMania Saturday.
[McAfee] I can't wait for that
[Finn Bálor's music plays]
[female ring announcer] Next, from Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland,
weighing in at 190 pounds,
he is the United States Champion,
Finn Bálor!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] From Monday Night Raw, the United States Champion, Finn Bálor.
The Andre the Giant Battle Royal…
can really help start careers here at WWE.
Jey Uso won last year
becoming "Main Event" Jey Uso.
Baron Corbin, at one point, won the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
-Now, all Superstars and we're underway. -[bell rings]
Over the top rope, both feet hit the floor,
you are eliminated.
Pat, you got a pick to win this thing?
[McAfee] Uh, Drew Gulak, I think, really.
Drew Gulak is the guy that has been preparing for this for a long, long time.
But you got to look at the big bodies
any time you're talking about a battle royal.
That's why Andre the Giant was in more battle royals
than any other wrestler in history.
[Cole] And of course, this battle royal named after the great Andre the Giant.
There! Eliminated is Tozawa.
[indistinct chatter]
[Cole] And Reggie, he's had an issue
with Tozawa, of course, on Monday Night Raw.
Oh, and Reggie eliminated!
Both Tozawa and Reggie, uh,
heading perhaps for a wedding down the road.
Not together, but separately, but both getting married.
[McAfee] Yeah. Obviously,
you know, consummate the nuptials and it will be a beautiful thing.
Damian Priest is now carrying R-Truth!
-No! -[Cole] R-Truth eliminated as well.
[McAfee] I love R-Truth.
[Cole] Damian Priest, of course, former United States Champion.
Now Gulak, you see him along with Priest
and a number of others trying to eliminate T-Bar.
[grunts]
[McAfee] The Vikings are in there doing well.
They're throwing their weight around.
Imagine having your name in the same sentence as Andre the Giant.
That's what's on the-- oh, Jinder Mahal won't be one of those guys.
The Vikings took care of him.
[Cole] And awesome celebrities have been involved
in this event over the years, Pat.
Rob Gronkowski one year. Uh, not in the match but got involved.
Shaquille O'Neal.
[McAfee] What the hell is Gronk gonna do, by the way?
Is he coming back to play football or not?
[Cole] T-Bar just barely hanging on.
Remember, both feet have to hit the floor after you go over the top rope.
That's Cedric Alexander. Shelton Benjamin with a wicked knee!
[McAfee] T-Bar was looking to do some damage.
And Shelton Benjamin said, "I'm still the gold standard, cuz."
Damian Priest, who has eliminated a few different people,
finding his groove here.
The NXT Champion is on the outside.
Commander Azeez!
[fighters grunting, groaning]
[Cole] Robert Roode trying to help out his buddy Dolph Ziggler as well.
Every man for himself in this matchup
despite the fact that there are some tag teams involved.
[McAfee] And Drew Gulak and Madcap Moss
are throwing heavy bombs at each other in the middle of the ring.
[Cole] Gulak has lasted a lot longer than I thought he would in this match.
Nice shoulder tackle.
-[McAfee] What does that mean? -[Cole] Well, it…
-There you go. Sorry, I spoke prematurely. -[McAfee] Oh no!
[screams]
[Cole] Gulak eliminated by Madcap Moss, who is celebrating the elimination.
And there goes Pat's pick
to win this year's Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
[McAfee] Honestly, I thought Gulak had a shot.
[Cole] And look who's here.
[McAfee] Oh, Happy Corbin. Look how happy he is.
[Cole] Madcap Moss' buddy.
I mentioned before, Corbin actually won this battle royal a number of years ago.
Now, look at Corbin trying to help Madcap Moss out.
And Madcap Moss almost eliminated,
manages to hang onto the apron. That could've backfired.
I'm sorry! I don't know-- I don't know what happened there.
[McAfee] Tommaso Ciampa!
[Cole] And Ciampa trying now to eliminate Madcap Moss.
-Corbin actually helped him there. -[Corbin shouting]
-I'm trying! -You got to listen.
-I'm trying. -I know!
[McAfee] Little discourse there between the two.
Yelling at each other, distracting Madcap.
[Cole] But Corbin's not even involved in this match, Pat.
-I guess Happy's just gonna-- -[McAfee] He's just being a good friend.
[Cole] Happy heading to the back as Ciampa continues
to look to eliminate Madcap Moss.
Ciampa in a big match tomorrow at NXT Stand & Deliver.
[fighters grunting, groaning]
[Cole] And, uh, Corbin, of course, is leaving ringside area.
He was never involved in the match.
He just came out to support his buddy Madcap Moss.
[McAfee] He just came out to show his face, say, "Hey, I'm here."
-There's Shanky. -[McAfee] And he interrupted his guy.
[Cole] Apollo Crews sends Alexander packing.
[McAfee] Apollo Crews-- royalty kicking somebody out.
[Cole] And Apollo Crews now, Shelton looks to eliminate Crews.
[McAfee] Not good idea with Commander Azeez in the building, Shelton.
[Cole] Commander Azeez, Apollo's right-hand man.
-And Shelton… -[McAfee] Yeah, yeah. I heard that one.
Sorry about that, Shelton. Golly.
Commander Azeez looking after Apollo Crews.
[grunting, groaning]
[Cole] And now, uh, trying to hang on is Mansoor.
And Ciampa with a headbutt!
-Mansoor's still in the matchup. -[McAfee] That's good grit.
[crowd gasping]
[Cole] And now eliminated.
[groans]
[McAfee] Ciampa, don't rest on your yawnies, pal.
Oh, Apollo Crews is out by The Vikings.
[Cole] The Viking Raiders join the raid.
-[crowd cheering] -[Cole] Oh, Ivar eliminated by Azeez!
And now, Shanky and Azeez teaming up to eliminate Erik.
[McAfee] Two Vikings out.
[Cole] Veni now in the ring.
And now look at Shanky and Azeez,
two seven-footers staring at each other.
Huh? This is my whole…
[Cole] Two giants in the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
[grunts]
[McAfee] Shanky says--
Commander Azeez says, "I play that game too."
[both grunt, groan]
[Cole] Shanky trying to get the upper hand now on the Commander.
[fighters grunting, groaning]
[McAfee] These two dudes are 14-and-a-half feet of human.
[Cole] Now, Azeez, can he eliminate Shanky?
And now, both Azeez and Shanky eliminated.
[McAfee] Team effort.
[Cole] Thanks to the rest of the Superstars in the battle royal.
Smart, get the two big men out.
Now, Damian Priest and Finn Bálor, of course, they've had their issues.
[McAfee] I like that they became teammates there for a bit
and then everybody went back to beating the hell out of each other.
[Cole] Bálor able to stay in the matchup.
[McAfee] Smart. What's good for the gander is good for the goose.
[Cole] Damian Priest went for the chokeslam,
Finn able to land on his feet.
-Now, a kick right to the hamstring. -[McAfee] Big time.
[Cole] Oh, and a big right-hand!
[McAfee] Oh! Pele!
[Cole] And now, Bálor eliminates Priest,
and that brings the WWE fans to their feet in Dallas.
-[crowd cheering] -[McAfee] The Bálor club is going bananas.
[Cole] Ziggler hanging on.
Dolph Ziggler, with Ciampa still hanging on as well.
Robert Roode trying to help out his buddy Ziggler.
Ciampa fighting back on the apron.
Oh, and a Superkick by Ziggler, the way that he won the NXT Championship.
[McAfee] I love Ciampa, would love to see more of Ciampa,
hate that he was eliminated by the champ,
but that's what Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode do.
[Cole] And Roode off the spinebuster, and now Bálor fighting back.
[grunts]
[Cole] Only four Superstars remain.
Bálor, Ziggler, Roode, and Madcap Moss.
[grunting, groaning]
[Cole] Bálor. Oh, right to the midsection.
[McAfee] Bálor demolishing everything in sight.
The NXT Champ dangling by Finn.
Robert Roode, Dirty Dawg, helping out the other dawg.
[grunting]
-[screams] -[groans]
[Cole] And now, Ziggler and Roode working together
to try to eliminate the United States Champion.
From behind, Madcap Moss eliminates everybody but Bálor!
Bálor's feet did not hit the floor!
We're down to two men.
Bálor and Moss.
[McAfee] Sling blade!
[Cole] Finn Bálor looking to win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
-Bálor over the top, eliminated! -[bell rings]
[Cole] Madcap Moss with the biggest win of his career!
[female ring announcer] Here is your winner of the 2022
Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
Madcap Moss!
[Cole] The Happy Folks are going to be celebrating tonight.
[McAfee] Both of them now have won the most prestigious trophy.
Yeah! Whoo!
[Cole] How the hell did he lift that thing up?
[McAfee] Incredible strength, obviously.
[Cole] Watch this now.
Madcap Moss almost eliminated three men at once,
but it was the Dirty Dawgs, Ziggler and Roode who would hit the floor.
Finn Bálor would hang on.
And we thought Finn was gonna rally until Madcap Moss did that.
-[bell rings] -[McAfee] Used his momentum against him
and gets a win.
Yeah!
[ring announcer] Here is your winner of the 2022 Andre the Giant…
[McAfee] You can't deny Madcap using that little tiny brain of his
-and getting a massive win for him. -Whoo! Yes!
Give me the mic! Give me that!
[McAfee] Him and Happy are going to talk about that forever.
I did it!
I did it all by myself!
[crowd booing]
This is incredible!
Oh!
Ever since I was a little kid I always looked up to Andre the Giant.
He was my hero.
[crowd chanting] You suck! You suck! You suck!
He was beloved by everyone just like me.
I always wanted to follow in his enormous footsteps,
and I did it! Whoo!
[crowd boos]
I know, I know, I know.
Everybody wants a joke. Okay, okay.
What do you call a battle royal named after the smartest Texans around?
A cattle royal. [laughs]
-[crowd boos] -[McAfee] Well, that was okay.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] Well, a unique way to celebrate.
Pat, maybe we should throw the flag for excessive celebration.
[McAfee] Uh, we should throw the flag on something.
I mean, he really, really enjoyed himself there.
-Congrats on the win, though. -Welcome to ringside.
Michael Cole, Pat McAfee.
Pat, of course, with a big match Sunday at WrestleMania.
We'll get into that later on tonight, but as Madcap Moss celebrates--
Yes, he's got me flustered too. The guy stinks.
Will a new Intercontinental Champion be celebrating?
We're going to find out coming up next.
Here is our Doordash highlight of the night.
[TV announcer] The highlight of the night is sponsored by Doordash.
Get more from your neighborhood today.
[upbeat music playing]
[Cole] Ricochet, the new Intercontinental Champion
against Angel of Los Lotharios.
He could earn himself a future championship opportunity.
[bell rings]
[exciting music playing]
[Cole] That's Humberto now on the apron.
-Angel rolling up Ricochet now. -One, two, three!
-[Cole] Angel with the win! -[bell rings]
Thanks to the distraction by Humberto!
[Ricochet] You cousins like to stick together, huh?
-So, Humberto, you get in this ring… -[bell rings]
…and you come take this L, like your cousin was about to get.
[McAfee] This is a Championship Contenders' Match for Humberto as well.
[Cole] Angel pushed his cousin Humberto out of harm's way.
[referee] Seven!
[Cole] Ricochet trying to get Humberto back to the ring and beat the count.
-Nine! -[Cole] Angel's got Ricochet's foot.
-[bell rings] -The official didn't see it,
but that's Angel under the ring.
[McAfee] Both of them helping each other out.
Ricochet outsmarted by Los Lotharios.
[bell rings]
[ring announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the Intercontinental Championship!
[crowd cheering]
[ring announcer] In this match, it's every man for himself.
No disqualifications, no count-outs.
The first competitor to score a pinfall or submission wins the match
and is the Intercontinental Champion!
[crowd cheers]
♪ One and only ♪
["One and Only" playing]
♪ It's about to go down ♪
♪ Uh, huh, let's go♪
-[explosion] -[crowd cheers]
[ring announcer] Introducing first, weighing in at 207 pounds,
he is the Intercontinental Champion,
Ricochet!
[Cole] Big shoutout to our great ring announcer Samantha Irvin
as we get set for a Triple Threat match.
It is every man for himself, but we got a tag team competing.
Angel and Humberto and Ricochet for the Intercontinental Title.
Something's got to give.
[McAfee] The flawless Ricochet is outnumbered.
Who will walk out of here Intercontinental Champ?
It's next.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] WrestleMania is tomorrow night.
It's sponsored by Snickers.
Snickers satisfies.
And by WWE 2K22.
The biggest video game in WWE history is available now,
featuring a redesigned gameplay engine, stunning graphics, and new controls.
Get it today.
Ricochet defending the prestigious Intercontinental Championship
in a Triple Threat match
against the tag team known as Los Lotharios.
[McAfee] The Lethal Lovers.
["Vamos" playing]
[Samantha] And his opponents, Angel and Humberto,
"The Lethal Lovers" Los Lotharios!
[McAfee] I should have let Samantha Irvin say it before I said it
because of how great she delivers it,
but Ricochet has his hands full
with these incredibly handsome gentlemen you see on the screen right now.
[Cole] Well, it's interesting. They're a tag team, Pat.
You got to assume they'll work together in the matchup,
but it's every man for himself.
First man to get a pinfall or submission wins the Intercontinental Championship.
[Samantha] And now, the Los Lotharios kiss cam.
[McAfee] And before we get to all that, Cole, please.
The kiss cam is back.
[Cole] Yeah, I wouldn't want to miss this.
[McAfee] Well, I'm not sure…
many people agree with you.
This is some people's favorite part of the entire show.
Wait until you see the smile
that comes from this Los Lotharios sandwich.
It'll be two cheeks,
two Lotharios, all lethal love.
Hit it every time.
You see?
You see? That was great.
[Cole] Uh, it was awesome.
-[McAfee] Wasn't it? -[Cole] Good stuff.
[McAfee] That was… that was fantastic, dude.
[Cole] Again, the question for you, Pat,
is how long do you give Humberto and Angel…
working together until it just blows up in their face
and they start beating the hell out of each other
'cause they want to win that championship, the Intercontinental Title?
[McAfee] "Blood is thicker than titles," they say.
-These two obviously related. -[bell rings]
-[Cole] They're cousins. [McAfee] Love each other.
[Cole] Ricochet defending the Intercontinental Championship
he won from Sami Zayn a number of weeks ago.
Angel right to the back of Ricochet's head,
and now the assault is underway by the two members of Los Lotharios.
[McAfee] They clearly had a plan here. Look at him. He's sitting on him.
-He's sitting on him. -[Ricochet groaning]
[McAfee] Now he's biting. He's biting.
-Cole, he is biting his finger. -[Cole] Well, it's legal.
There's no disqualification under Triple Threat rules.
[Angel] Come on, Ricochet.
-[McAfee] He's gnawing there. -[Cole] If you're The Lethal Lovers,
you try to eliminate Ricochet, get him out of the way
so you can have some friendly competition with your partner, right?
[McAfee] Well, or maybe they just say, "If one of us is Intercontinental Champ,
both of us are Intercontinental Champ." That's what it appears here, early.
[Angel screams]
[Cole] Now-- oh! Angel with a running knee,
and from behind, a kick to the spine.
[McAfee] That was like a shin cam as opposed to a kiss cam.
-Shins on both sides. -[Cole] By Humberto.
And-- oh!
[McAfee] Just a sandwich there.
[Cole] And remember, Pat, immediately following SmackDown tonight,
it's the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Of course, The Undertaker will be enshrined
in the WWE Hall of Fame among others here tonight.
And the thing is,
is this championship is so prestigious, the Intercontinental Title.
More than a dozen Hall of Famers have held the championship over the years.
[McAfee] Tonight is a fantastic way
to kick off WrestleMania Weekend.
The Hall of Fame has become a tradition unlike any other.
GOATS are running rampant around here,
and tonight with Undertaker headlining that thing
and Vince inducting him, this is special.
Now Ricochet takes out both members of Los Lotharios.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] The breathtaking Ricochet.
[McAfee] That's what Ricochet does, though.
-He's powerful. -[screams]
-He's agile. -Ooh!
[McAfee] His in-ring IQ is very high.
That is why he is our Intercontinental Champion.
[Cole] He also loves what he does.
He loves being the "working man's champion," as he puts it,
holding the Intercontinental Title.
[McAfee] That's why he's okay taking on tag teams in a Triple Threat.
[Cole] Went up to the top rope, and caught there by Angel.
And now, Humberto, and-- oh!
What an arm drag by Humberto from the top.
[McAfee] Ricochet's toughness and pride and ability
is what made him sign up for this type of action.
And instead, the tag team takes advantage
and then he has to eat that.
[Cole] Oh, the impact.
[McAfee] Isn't that the biggest arm drag to ever happen inside of a ring?
[Cole] I'm not sure if it's the biggest, but…
-[McAfee] I get it. -…it sure was intense.
Los Lotharios trying to win
the Intercontinental Championship from Ricochet.
Can Ricochet climb back in this match?
[crowd booing]
[Cole] And if you haven't checked out NXT 2.0 yet,
you've got to check out Stand & Deliver tomorrow.
Some exciting young athletes and they're hungry.
[McAfee] Yeah, it's electrifying, but the next generation is in great hands.
NXT 2.0, I love.
[Cole] Stand & Deliver, a matinee show, 1:00 p.m. Eastern on Peacock.
And now Ricochet fighting back,
defending the Intercontinental Championship
against Angel and Humberto of Los Lotharios.
So far, the tag team partners,
the cousins, have been working together, Pat.
[McAfee] Yeah, it's been like a handicap match thus far.
[Cole] Every man for himself,
however, to win this thing, because the first man to gain pinfall
or submission will win the championship-- Oh!
[McAfee] Los Lotharios has been doing a lot of that through the break
and saying terrible, terrible things to the people of Texas.
-They have been very dominant. -[indistinct shouting]
[Cole] Ricochet in deep, deep trouble here.
He's had a couple of rally points in this matchup,
but really hasn't been able to get anything going.
[McAfee] Yeah, and I think anybody with a brain was wondering
why Ricochet would want to sign up for something like this,
but this is who Ricochet is.
[Cole] Well, he was embarrassed last week, Pat,
losing to both of these gentlemen here on Friday Night SmackDown.
Ricochet says he wants to be a fighting champion.
He wanted this matchup to prove that he's a great champ.
-[McAfee] His neck and his arm-- -Oh!
[Cole] Now Ricochet trying to fight back. He's got to pick the pace up,
and Ricochet understands that, but that stops him in his tracks.
Humberto with a springboard spin-kick caught Ricochet.
Cover now, to win the Intercontinental Championship,
and Ricochet kicks out.
And look at the look on the face of Angel.
Cannot believe that Humberto was gonna go for the win.
[McAfee] Humberto was sitting there and said, "Why not me? Why not now?"
Angel said, "excuse me."
[Cole] And now Angel into the cover on Ricochet.
[crowd booing]
Oh. Nothing. Nothing happened here.
-Seguro? -Seguro.
[speaking Spanish]
[McAfee] We thought this moment might come.
[Cole] Ricochet driving Angel into Humberto.
And now, Ricochet looking to fire up.
Double-teamed by-- oh no!
Ricochet turns it over. Shoulders down.
For the victory, and Angel with a kick right to the jaw.
[McAfee] They seem to be back on the same page
and Ricochet reversed everything.
And Angel delivers boot to mouth.
-This has got to be it for Ricochet. -Looking for the Wing Clipper from behind.
Oh, look at this! Humberto trying to pin his cousin
and almost won the Intercontinental Title.
Can you believe it?
What do you want?
You want to pin me?
You were stealing my pin.
[McAfee] Dallas would love to see these two fight each other.
[Cole] You had to feel this was going to happen.
-…the Intercontinental Champion! -I want to win the title too!
[Cole] And Ricochet. Crossbody off the top rope!
And here comes the Intercontinental Champion!
[groans]
[McAfee] A little disagreement from Los Lotharios
bringing Ricochet right back into this thing.
[Cole] And Ricochet rolls through! That was incredible!
Angel to his feet, quickly, Ricochet able to counter.
Now, taking out the legs of Humberto.
A Standing-- and here we go. Shooting Star. Cover. Oh!
[McAfee] Angel saving Humberto from certain loss.
The Intercontinental Championship is still up in the air.
[Cole] Well, was he saving Humberto or just saving the matchup for himself?
How pretty is the Standing Shooting Star Press?
One! Two!
-[McAfee] Uh, it was a moonsault but… -[Cole] A moonsault, you're right.
…it was flawless, is what it was.
[Cole] We're in American Airlines Center here tonight in Dallas.
Huge crowd on the eve of WrestleMania.
This is for the Intercontinental Championship.
It's a Triple Threat match.
Ricochet defending against both members of Los Lotharios.
Oh!
Humberto dropped outside the ring, right in front of McAfee,
and Ricochet now with a step-up Enzuigiri.
[McAfee] One-on-one for the first time all match.
Now, Ricochet out to the apron,
and Ricochet looking to head up to the top rope.
Angel understands what happens when Ricochet flies
and he intercepts him.
[McAfee] That's a good decision.
And a last resort for Angel. Ricochet was…
still balancing up there somehow.
What a freakshow athlete Ricochet is.
Ricochet trying to shake off the cobwebs and make it up to the top rope.
Angel's in the drop zone.
Humberto running interference.
[Humberto] No! Not tonight!
[McAfee] He said, "No, no, not tonight."
Humberto, no stranger to the skies, either, Cole.
[Cole] Humberto could look to put Ricochet away here.
[Ricochet grunting]
[Cole] Ricochet trying to block.
-[Humberto] That's what you want? -[Ricochet grunts]
[Humberto groans]
[McAfee] Big heavy right to the back from Ricochet.
[grunts]
-[Cole] Ow! -[McAfee] Onto his partner.
Innovative offense from Ricochet.
[Cole] And now, Ricochet up to the top rope.
-Angel's in trouble. -[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Get out your cameras!
-630! -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Oh my Lord!
Here's the cover off the recoil,
-and Ricochet with the win. -[bell rings]
[crowd cheering]
[Samantha] Here is your winner and still Intercontinental Champion,
Ricochet!
[Cole] Pat, when's the last time we saw that combination, the 630 into the recoil?
[McAfee] There's only one person on earth that can do what we just saw
and we're lucky that he's our Intercontinental Champion.
[Cole] Ricochet with a hell of a fight tonight.
-Odds stacked against him. -[Humberto groans]
[McAfee] Using Humberto against Angel. Then hitting a…
[crowd cheering]
-…six-- what? -[Cole] 630.
[McAfee] That's a lot of math, I'm not sure I--
[Cole] Look how he pops out of this, right into the recoil.
That is absolutely incredible,
and that is what the exhilarating,
the exciting, the innovative, the invigorating,
the breathtaking Intercontinental Champion Ricochet is all about.
[crowd cheering]
[McAfee] Drink it down. Soak it in, Ricochet.
You deserve it.
[Cole] Speaking of drinking things down,
Kevin Owens has opened up a can of you-know-what
by insulting the State of Texas and its native son.
[McAfee] "Stone Cold" Steve Austin,
the Texas Rattlesnake,
the beer-chugging,
good-time-having icon
is coming back for the KO show with a…
big-time score to settle.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] We take a look at this rivalry, up next.
[McAfee] Oh hell yeah!
[Cole] You are looking live at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
The home of WrestleMania Saturday tomorrow night
and WrestleMania Sunday.
And the main event tomorrow night as part of the KO Kevin Owens show,
for the first time in WrestleMania since his last match 19 years ago,
it is the return of the Texas Rattlesnake,
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
[uneasy music playing]
I want to have the biggest, most stupendous KO show
in history at WrestleMania.
I've been thinking about who my guest could be
and it has to be some lowlife from Texas.
I despise…
The dump…
That hell hole…
…known as Dallas, Texas.
Bunch of redneck morons.
Ridiculous, stupid.
Texas sucks!
Since none of these yellow teeth
mouth-breathing Texans can turn down a challenge,
why not challenge the absolute embodiment of Texas himself?
Nothing would make me happier
than to beat the hell out of this guy in his home state.
I know you're watching,
and I don't think you have the guts to show up.
But the bottom line is I am calling you out…
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin!
[rock music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[engine revving]
-[brakes squeak] -[engine turns off]
[Austin] Nineteen years ago, I wrestled my last match in a WWE ring.
After three rock bottoms, I lost the match.
And for 19 years, I've had to live with that defeat
knowing my time was up.
Kevin Owens, I want to thank you.
[rock music playing]
Ever since you started running that damn mealy-mouth of yours
talking about the state of Texas, the great state of Texas,
you got my attention.
What?
I want to thank you for waking something up deep inside of me
that I've kept buried for 19 years.
[Jim Ross] The Texas Rattlesnake!
You can kiss my ass.
["Bawitdaba" by Kid Rock playing]
♪ Said the boogie Said up jump the boogie ♪
♪ For the time bombs tickin' And the heads that hang ♪
♪ All the gangs gettin' money And the heads they bang-bang ♪
♪ Wild Mustangs, the porno flicks ♪
♪ All my homies in the county In cell block six ♪
[Austin] Steve Austin does what he wants…
[Ross] Austin's raising hell!
…when he wants.
[Ross] Stone Cold! Stone Cold!
[Austin] Austin 3:16 says I just whooped your ass.
["Bawitdaba" continues]
You are fixing to get your ass kicked by "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
Oh hell…
Hell no!
Uh-uh. That's not gonna be happening!
If you try to pick a fight with me,
the entire world gets to witness
as I decimate and smear
old Stone Cold all over Texas!
[Austin] You are one dumb son of a bitch.
♪ Bawitdaba da bang da bang Diggy diggy diggy ♪
♪ Shake the boogie Said up jump the boogie ♪
[Austin] At WrestleMania, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
is gonna open up one last can of whoop ass
on you, Kevin Owens.
And that's the bottom line
'cause Stone Cold said so.
[rock music plays, fades]
[crowd cheering]
[McAfee] A blessing from the heavens above.
We're only one sleep away
from "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
back at WrestleMania in the main event in the KO Show
when he beats Kevin Owens' ass!
Oh hell yeah!
[Cole] How excited are you?
[McAfee] Man, I've been slamming beers together for the last 20 years of my life.
It's glow time!
["Amazing (Remix)" playing]
♪ Bring it to the floor ♪
[crowd cheering]
♪ You ain't never seen no one like me ♪
[McAfee] I mean, it's hard not to feel it. That beat… glows.
-["Sky's the Limit" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[McAfee] It's "Boss Time" in Dallas!
♪ Cause a girl gonna push 'em all out the way ♪
[bell rings]
[Samantha] The following contest is a tag team match
scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first,
the team of Naomi and Sasha Banks!
[Cole] Well, two days before their Women's Tag Team Championship,
Fatal 4-Way match at WrestleMania Sunday.
Boss and Glow hope to seize all the momentum
when they take on the champions, Carmella and Queen Zelina.
It happens live next on Friday Night SmackDown.
[fireworks popping]
[crowd cheering]
[upbeat music plays]
[Cole] WrestleMania SmackDown on Fox
is sponsored tonight by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home or motorcycle insurance.
[rock music playing]
[Samantha] Ladies and gentlemen, in two days at WrestleMania Sunday,
all of these fantastic competitors
will be facing off in a Fatal 4-Way match
for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship!
[Cole] And again, remember the rules of that matchup.
First team to gain pinfall or submission will become the Women's Tag Team Titles.
The match tonight however,
as we take a look at the match on WrestleMania Sunday,
there's only got 25% chance to retain the titles
for Carmella and Queen Zelina.
However tonight, Pat, we got, uh,
both The Boss and Glow, that's Sasha and Naomi,
taking on the current champs of Carmella and Queen Zelina.
[McAfee] Yeah, there's a couple new alliances for sure
in the Women's Tag Team division,
but you got a lot of big-time players in that Fatal 4-Way on Sunday.
-[bell rings] -[Cole] Gonna be an incredible matchup.
And Carmella, the self-proclaimed most beautiful woman in all of WWE,
will start things off against Sasha Banks.
Both these women former SmackDown Champions.
And Carmella, protective face gear in place,
goes right after Sasha Banks.
There's been so much made over the past few weeks
of perhaps some, well, problems
between Queen Zelina and Carmella, the Tag Team Champions,
although they seem to be back on the same page.
[McAfee] Beginning of the match, they're on the same page,
they were celebrating together, it's WrestleMania Weekend.
They're gonna have to be, but yes,
Zelina has questioned Carmella's dedication to their team a lot.
[Cole] Well, Carmella's getting married next week
and she says she's so excited about this weekend
participating in WrestleMania,
heading to her wedding and then her honeymoon.
Zelina had said before
that she doesn't believe Carmella is 100% into this whole thing.
Oh, and Zelina though, working very well as a team with Carmella.
[McAfee] I'm assuming Zelina is happy for Mella.
[Cole] Cover. Kickout.
[McAfee] I assume she's happy for her about her wedding
and everything going on, but also, she likes being champ.
-[grunting] -[McAfee] As does Mella.
She just handles her business a little bit differently.
If they can get on the same page by Sunday, all will work out.
If not, The Boss, one of the GOATS around here, is in this thing.
And she's just one of the other six ladies.
[Cole] Let's not forget tag made by Zelina.
Sasha, they have five count to break before disqualification.
Remember Sunday, there would be no disqualification…
-Come on! Let's go! -…in the Fatal 4-Way match.
[McAfee] Anybody can win at anytime pinning anybody.
The champions have zero advantage.
-There you see, look for a-- -[Cole] Cover, hook of the leg,
and a kickout by Sasha Banks.
[McAfee] Brutality Rhea and Liv have been on the exact same page.
They're almost like a tag team that was destined to be together.
[Cole] Sasha and Naomi, of course, have been together since 2015, on and off.
Carmella, kickout by Sasha.
Naomi did say that, listen,
she's so fired up to be teaming again with Sasha Banks
who she calls-- and this is Naomi's words,
I don't think you're gonna argue with her--
"a living legend" in Sasha Banks.
[McAfee] Absolutely, a living legend.
[Cole] Sasha says, "We are coming to steal the show."
[McAfee] Naomi, incredible in there.
[Cole] Right now, Carmella is stealing the show tonight
dominating this matchup with Queen Zelina.
Sasha, who do you think you are?
-[McAfee] So, that mask… -I'm Carmella, you're nothing!
-[Cole] It's supposed to protect her face. -Nothing!
-[McAfee] Okay. Sweet. -[grunts]
[McAfee] They should put those in the NFL. Oh!
[McAfee] If you could eat a knee from Sasha,
I mean, you could eat anything.
[Cole] And now Sasha trying to drag herself to the corner
and make a tag. Here comes Queen Zelina.
Sasha almost there.
Zelina with a cheap shot
knocking Naomi off the apron.
She loves her work.
[McAfee] Zelina was shot out of a cannon there to save the tag.
[Cole] Listen, let's not make-- look at Sasha, roll up now.
Oh. Tag. Naomi legal.
Naomi gets Zelina back with a kick to the face.
[McAfee] Zelina too eager to get her hands on Naomi. She-- oh!
[Cole] And this could be it.
And Carmella breaking things up.
Come on, Carmella, outside! Let's go!
[Cole] Now Carmella checking out her partner, Queen Zelina.
Naomi driving them both into the corner, and a kip-up by Naomi.
[McAfee] It's worthy of conversation that Mella
saved Zelina there.
[Cole] And a tag made. Sasha Banks is now legal.
[McAfee] They're on the same page, as are these two.
You could be looking at-- oh! The new Tag Team Champs.
[Cole] If they hit that, perhaps, they will.
Tag made. Naomi's legal. Sasha Banks now,
and Naomi going to the top rope, split-leg moonsault.
Cover now on Queen Zelina.
Hook of the leg, is it enough?
-Three! -[Cole] It is!
-Naomi and Sasha pin the Tag Champs. -[bell rings]
[crowd cheering]
[Samantha] Here are your winners,
the team of Sasha Banks and Naomi!
[Cole] What a win.
Will it be Natalya and Shayna Baszler?
Will it be Sasha Banks and Naomi?
Well, ladies and gentlemen, earlier today,
Kayla Braxton had the distinct opportunity
to pay a visit to Ronda Rousey's training camp.
Ronda preparing for her WrestleMania Saturday match
with Charlotte Flair, involved in a lot of sparring today.
Coming up next, we'll have exclusive comments
from the Baddest Woman on the Planet.
[thuds]
♪ I don't know about you but I feel good ♪
[McAfee] You're listening to "I Feel Good" by Pitbull,
featuring Anthony Watts and DJWS,
an official theme song of WrestleMania.
Available now on Apple Music and Spotify.
What a banger that is.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And tonight, WrestleMania SmackDown is sponsored by Progressive.
[Cole] Can you believe, Pat, we're less than 24 hours away
from WrestleMania Saturday,
forty-eight hours away from your match on WrestleMania Sunday?
Come on, I got goosebumps just thinking about it.
It's an honor to be a part of a WrestleMania Weekend,
let alone the most stupendous WrestleMania of all time.
And as part of WrestleMania Saturday, tomorrow night, Charlotte Flair
defends her SmackDown Women's Championship
against The Baddest Woman on the Planet, Ronda Rousey.
Earlier today, our broadcast colleague Kayla Braxton
went to Ronda Rousey's training camp.
[upbeat music playing]
Ronda Rousey is sparring ahead of her SmackDown Women's Championship match
tomorrow night against Charlotte Flair.
Hey, Ronda, it looks like you're getting some last-minute training in.
Do you mind if I get a quick word with you?
No problem. Just, uh…
getting some reps in with Shayna the badass for the big day.
Well, your opponent for tomorrow is also a badass,
but you seem to be in pretty good spirits.
But after what's transpired lately between you and Charlotte Flair,
I expected you to be a little angry.
I am angry, but I'm not gonna walk around pissed off
between now and then and wearing myself out.
I can control my anger and expertly apply it.
So, until tomorrow, I'm gonna relax,
hang out with my family, feed my baby,
and they're all gonna be sitting there front row.
And, Charlotte…
you can either tap out tomorrow,
or I'm going to rip your arm off and give it to my family as a souvenir.
Believe me, they'll love it.
[Kayla] Thank you for your time.
[McAfee] She's gonna rip her arm off, Cole?
That's quite a guarantee, that she's gonna rip her arm off.
We're gonna find out tomorrow night at WrestleMania Saturday.
Ronda Rousey versus the SmackDown Women's Champion
who may well be on her way to becoming the greatest of all time.
[riveting music playing]
[Charlotte] Whether you love me or hate me,
you can't deny my talent.
Ronda, when I get in that ring,
I know I'm just as tough, if not tougher.
[Rousey] I felt like me and Charlotte were always on a course intersect
even before I was in the WWE.
[man 1] She's an Olympian. The most dominant female in combat sports.
-[man 2] First round armbar finish! -[man 1] She's a UFC game-changer.
-[woman] Rousey making a huge statement. [man 1] She's a UFC Hall of Famer.
[man 3] We're talking about a woman who changed the entire sports industry.
[woman 2] Please welcome WWE's Charlotte Flair.
-[man 4] Charlotte Flair. -[woman 3] Current SmackDown
Women's Champion.
[Cole] The 13-time Women's Champion!
You couldn't get any better of an athlete than Charlotte Flair.
She has this amazing style and strength.
Ronda Rousey crushed every barrier there was.
Charlotte, man, she's the game-changer. She's wholly unique.
[Cole] Charlotte Flair, "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey.
Two generational talents clash at WrestleMania.
[music fades]
[Charlotte] I have been on top since 2015.
I am the most dominant champion in the history of the WWE.
[crowd boos, cheers]
[Charlotte] You really think you're the me of WWE, don't you?
Let's be clear about one thing, Charlotte.
[Rousey] At WrestleMania, I'm either going home with your arm…
or you're gonna tap out.
[foreboding music playing]
[Charlotte] I still only see a one-trick pony.
[Cole] The Ronda armbar!
[Rousey] Charlotte revealed her grappling ignorance
and she called me a one-trick pony that can only win with an armbar.
[Cole] Rousey with an ankle lock!
Charlotte's tapping to an ankle lock!
Enough!
[Rousey] I guarantee I'm gonna embarrass you.
[groans]
[Charlotte] No one has caused Ronda Rousey more pain than me.
[groans]
What?
[tense music playing]
[grunting, groaning]
[Charlotte] That was just a taste of what's to come at WrestleMania.
[groaning]
[indistinct chatter]
[slow, dramatic music playing]
[Charlotte] How are you going to handle the humiliation
when I end this short-lived comeback and your WrestleMania dreams?
-[crowd cheering] -[Cole] The Rowdy One is back!
[Rousey] I knew that four months after giving birth,
I wanted to come back and punch my ticket to WrestleMania.
♪ Anything is possible Give everything or none at all ♪
♪ Our truth will not be buried We're gonna be legendary ♪
[Charlotte] Ronda, I am the mountain you have to climb
to make a legacy here,
because I'm Charlotte Flair and my legacy is bigger than yours!
[Rousey] The biggest fight for any woman is always with me.
[Cole] Will Rousey become the SmackDown Women's Champion?
[Rousey] Charlotte, I know exactly who I am.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Ronda Rousey will never ever back down from a fight.
[Rousey] At WrestleMania, I'm either going home with your arm
or you're gonna tap out.
[upbeat music playing]
[crowd gasping]
[Charlotte] Our match at WrestleMania will be the biggest fight,
and for the first time in your life,
you are going to tap out.
♪ We're gonna be legendary ♪
["All Hail the Queen" plays]
[crowd boos]
[Cole] Welcome… The Opportunity.
[Samantha] Please welcome the SmackDown Women's Champion,
Charlotte Flair!
[crowd boos]
[McAfee] The once in a generational talent Superstar,
our champion.
["All Hail the Queen" continues]
[crowd boos]
Wow, that video package was epic.
I could watch that all day.
And dare I say the masterpiece that I have created
causing Ronda Rousey immense pain
is more beautiful, more dramatic, more poetic,
than Oscar winner, CODA.
-[crowd boos] -[Cole] Jeez.
And we all just saw Ronda is very, very angry.
She's angry that no matter what submission she tries on me,
that she threatens to rip my arm off,
I will destroy her.
[crowd] What?
I can't hear you.
[crowd] What?
I love you guys, too.
Whoo!
[crowd] Whoo!
No, but this is serious.
Ronda is acting like she has her anger under control
and that she's cool.
But we all know better, don't we?
[crowd cheers]
Oh, but you want to know what's cool?
[crowd] What?
Charlotte Flair! That's cool!
[crowd boos]
The 13-time Women's Champion,
that's cool!
The most dominant woman in sports entertainment,
that's cool.
Every woman wanting to be me
and every man wanting me,
that's cool.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
-No? -[crowd boos]
Everyone wanting my autograph,
wanting to take a selfie with me, that's cool.
[crowd boos]
Beating Ronda Rousey to a pulp
and walking out of WrestleMania
still the SmackDown Women's Champion,
that's cool!
[crowd boos]
And, Ronda…
if you want a lesson, stick with me,
and I'll take you to school and teach you what cool is all about.
And as far as everyone is concerned,
I've got you beat there, too, bitch.
[laughs]
[Charlotte Flair's music plays]
-[Cole] It's tomorrow night. -[McAfee] Wow.
[Cole] It's Flair and Rousey for the SmackDown Women's Championship.
No matter how you slice it, that's cool.
[McAfee] I'm not sure the Rousey camp is gonna say that,
but Charlotte Flair should be nothing short of confident
going into her world, WrestleMania.
[Cole] It takes place tomorrow night on WrestleMania Saturday.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Flair-Rousey for the SmackDown Women's Title.
[upbeat music playing]
[Cole] Madcap Moss, winner of the Andre the Giant
Battle Royal earlier tonight, biggest win of his career.
[laughs]
-[McAfee] Oh, it's him. -I got you.
-Whew! -I got you.
[Cole] By the way, that's Drew McIntyre's sword, Angela.
And… coming up next,
Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, meet Sunday night
in the biggest WrestleMania match of all time.
We look at this epic rivalry, in-depth.
"Out For Blood" live next on WrestleMania SmackDown.
[upbeat music playing]
[Cole] Sunday night is the biggest WrestleMania match of all time.
Winner Take All Championship Unification.
The WWE Champion, "The Beast" Brock Lesnar,
versus Roman Reigns,
perhaps the most dominant champion in history.
[Lesnar] We have come to a point in history.
There is no way to embellish
or exaggerate the enormity
of the main event of WrestleMania.
[rock music playing]
-[popping, exploding] -[crowd cheering]
[rock music playing]
[Lesnar] Roman Reigns…
acknowledge me.
[laughs]
["All Nightmare Long" by Metallica playing]
♪ Luck runs out ♪
♪ Crawl from the wreckage one more time ♪
♪ Horrific memory twists the mind ♪
♪ Dark, rutted, cold and hard to turn ♪
♪ Path of destruction, feel it burn ♪
♪ Still life, incarnation ♪
♪ Still life, infamy ♪
♪ Hallucination, heresy ♪
♪ Still, you run, what's to come? ♪
Help!
♪ What's to be? ♪
[Reigns] Brock Lesnar,
acknowledge me!
[foreboding music playing]
[Reigns] That title, that's my title.
I'm in god mode. You ain't got a chance.
This is my ring, this is my cameraman,
these people, this commentary team,
that sign right there is mine!
I am WrestleMania!
I run this show and everybody works for me!
[Lesnar] You done screwed up, Roman!
Blood for blood!
I want your blood, Roman!
♪ 'Cause we hunt you down without mercy ♪
♪ Hunt you down all nightmare long ♪
♪ Feel us breathe upon your face ♪
♪ Feel us shift, every move we trace ♪
♪ Hunt you down without mercy ♪
-[thuds] -Whoo!
♪ Hunt you down all nightmare long, yeah ♪
[tires squealing]
[screams]
♪ You crawl back in But your luck runs out ♪
[Lesnar] Roman Reigns!
You done unleashed the beast, son.
You can run, you can hide,
but at WrestleMania,
I'm gonna stand above you with two titles.
I'm coming for blood!
[Reigns] I'm gonna hold the WWE Championship,
the Universal Championship,
and I'm gonna raise them over my head,
and Brock is gonna have no choice
but to acknowledge me.
Me!
Me! Me! Me! Me! Me!
♪ Hunt you down without mercy ♪
♪ Hunt you down all nightmare long ♪
♪ Feel us breathe upon your face ♪
♪ Feel us shift, every move we trace ♪
♪ Hunt you down without mercy ♪
♪ Hunt you down all nightmare long, yeah ♪
♪ Luck runs out ♪
♪ You crawl back in But your luck runs out ♪
[fireworks popping, exploding]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] WrestleMania Sunday,
the biggest WrestleMania match of all time.
Winner Take All Championship Unification.
[McAfee] The biggest match of all time
is not some billing. It is reality.
Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns,
the entire world can't wait for it.
Championship Unification on Sunday.
Let's go.
[Cole] Brock, the WWE Champion,
-Roman, the Universal Champion. -[McAfee] Whoa, whoa, whoa.
WrestleMania Boogs!
My name's Rick…
-[crowd] Boogs! -…Boogs!
I came to rock
with one half of the future SmackDown Tag Team Champions!
I'm talking about Shinsuke Nakamura!
-Yeah! -[plays electric guitar]
[Cole] It can't be WrestleMania SmackDown without Boogs
and then Pat doing some jamming on the table.
[McAfee] I mean, how could you not?
[Cole] Are you in WrestleMania mode or what?
[McAfee] Oh, this sounds so damn good…
-♪ Every time ♪ -[Cole] Just stay away from me, please.
♪ Every time ♪
["The Rising Sun" playing]
[Cole] And… wait. What the hell?
What the hell are you doing, you idiot?
Get this punk out of here!
Somebody get this idiot out of here!
[crowd boos]
[Cole] Oh, Pat, come on. You can't--
Somebody's got to do something about this Theory kid.
Week after week, Theory has got McAfee on Sunday.
What's the point?
We'll take another look.
From behind, Theory ambushing McAfee,
who hits his back of his head on the announce table.
Realizes what happened and then chases Theory out of the arena.
And this is now back in the American Airlines Center
back in the backstage area.
-[crowd boos] -Punk!
[thuds]
Who the hell do you think you are?
You want me to fire you?
You want me to cancel your WrestleMania match?
No, obviously.
Go do your job.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] That sniveling coward Theory
hiding behind the chairman, Mr. McMahon,
so McAfee couldn't get to him.
But again, cooler heads prevailing here at least in McAfee's…
because McAfee, he needs to come back out here and do his job
or he's gonna lose his match at WrestleMania and perhaps worse.
Meanwhile, back to action here.
The Tag Champs.
[bell rings]
[Samantha] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring, accompanied by Jey Uso,
he is one half of the SmackDown Tag Team Champions,
Jimmy Uso!
[Cole] Tomorrow night, The Usos take on Shin and Boogs for the Tag Titles,
but coming up next, Rick Boogs will take on Jimmy Uso,
one-on-one action, live…
on WrestleMania SmackDown.
Booyah!
[Cole] Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
And rejoining me now at ringside is Pat McAfee
after that incident with Austin Theory.
Hey, buddy, listen, I know you want to kick this guy's ass, right?
I get it.
But Mr. McMahon warned you. You got to be professional.
In two nights, you're gonna have him in the ring at WrestleMania.
Don't blow the opportunity.
-He's a punk. He's trying to punk you out. -[bell rings]
-Let's just do our job. -[McAfee] Yep.
[Cole] Here we go. It's Rick Boogs and Jimmy Uso one-on-one tonight.
Remember, The Usos defend tomorrow, WrestleMania Saturday,
against Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles.
The Usos, 256 days.
The longest-reigning Tag Team Champions in SmackDown history.
Rick Boogs, the very powerful Rick Boogs
and Jimmy Uso in this matchup.
Big match, Pat, to build momentum toward tomorrow night.
[McAfee] Absolutely.
And The Usos have been dominant,
but Boogs has this strength that can't be found.
[Cole] Look at this. He is curling Jimmy Uso.
-[crowd] …five, six, seven… -[Cole] And Shinsuke leading the cheers.
[crowd] …eight, nine…
[Cole] He is just a freak of nature, isn't he?
[crowd cheering]
-[McAfee] Can he get ten? -[Cole] And he plays a mean guitar.
-[grunts] -[McAfee] Oh!
-And then a slam. -[groans]
[McAfee] I saw a 76-year-old man
squat 1,000 pounds earlier today,
and then he just yelled at me outside of his office.
There are some feats of strength
that are just unbelievable, and Boogs is one of them.
[Cole] Yeah, but there's the veteran Jimmy Uso
driving Boogs shoulder-first into the corner.
Jey Uso looking on,
The Bloodline-- again, I've talked about this for a few weeks,
but I think it's a really important point, Pat.
The Usos really set the stage
for The Bloodline's weekend tomorrow night,
because if they go out and lose to Shinsuke and Boogs,
what does that do for the psyche
of the head of the table, the head of The Bloodline,
the Universal Champion, Roman Reigns, on Sunday night?
[McAfee] We've been asking that question for a long time,
what if, what if, what if, with The Usos losing.
Maybe getting The Bloodline in a little bit of dysfunction,
but they show up just like their cousin does.
[Cole] Boogs and Shinsuke Nakamura really with an uphill battle tomorrow night
against one of the most dominant tag teams in history,
and this is-- on his knees!
Boogs on his knees, trying to make it back to his feet.
That is incredible!
And now military pressing into a fallaway slam.
[McAfee] Are you kidding me, Boogs?
[Cole] Ken Patera and JBL would be proud.
[McAfee] I don't think anybody can be nothing short of impressed.
-[Cole] Oh my goodness. -[McAfee] What is this?
[Cole] What the hell is this idiot doing?
Cole, you're telling me, like, "Hey, keep it calm,
-keep it calm." -Pat, I get it, this guy--
the problem is, he's hiding behind Mr. McMahon,
so he thinks he can strut around here and do anything he can.
[McAfee] I'm gonna try to ignore him.
-Okay, I'm gonna try to ignore him. -He's got no business being out here.
-I'm gonna try to ignore him. -He has no issue at all
-in this whole damn thing. -[McAfee] Gonna try to ignore him.
-You got to sit here like a goof. -You gonna get boozed up?
[Cole] And drink refreshments and everything.
-Oh, come on now! -[crowd booing]
Pat, Pat, Pat.
Pat, Pat, Pat, Pat, Pat, Pat.
Let him run.
Let him go.
We're professional.
We have the Hall of Fame out here in a little bit.
[McAfee] That dude is a 12-year-old?
[Cole] Look, and from behind, Finn Bálor!
And now Theory is finally gonna get himself something.
Bálor tossing Theory back into the ring.
-Kick his ass! -[bell ringing]
Kick his ass!
-[Cole] Chaos! -Kick his ass, Finn!
[crowd cheering]
-[McAfee] Shut up. -[Cole] That's Pat McAfee
talking to Austin Theory.
We have a six-man tag team matchup.
You are two sleeps away from getting your--
[Cole] They were put together during the break
by WWE official Adam Pearce.
It's Bálor, Nakamura and Boogs against Theory and The Usos.
This happened before the break,
that child Austin Theory, Pat, throwing ice.
He's literally the biggest punk that has ever been created.
His parents decided, "I'm gonna make
the most insufferable human being to walk this planet,"
and we have been forced to deal with it for far too long.
And on Sunday, I end that son of a bitch.
[Cole] Yeah, 48 hours away from McAfee and Theory.
You're so jealous of me.
[Cole] Theory talks a big game, Pat,
but he loves to hide behind the chairman, the boss, doesn't he?
[McAfee] Yeah, I don't know what that's all about, either.
[Cole] And now Shinsuke Nakamura driving a knee into Jey Uso.
Remember, Nakamura and Boogs…
Tag Title match tomorrow at WrestleMania against The Usos,
and a kickout.
[McAfee] He threw water on me.
He's 12 years old.
[groans]
[Cole] And Austin Theory now is the legal man in the matchup,
coming off the tag.
And Austin Theory up over the top,
driving a knee right into the chest of Nakamura.
And now look at him putting Shinsuke Nakamura away.
Cover now, and a kickout by Nakamura.
[crowd chanting] You suck! You suck! You suck!
That's eerily similar to what was trending all afternoon into the evening.
-[Cole] What was that trend? -"Austin Theory stinks" was trending.
Dallas says, "Let's take it one step further."
He sucks. I couldn't agree more with either party.
[Cole] Tag, Boogs is the legal man, and now the power of Boogs,
military pressing Austin Theory now.
Again, another incredible feat of strength.
Theory from behind, drops down,
and now delivers a left-hand.
[McAfee] I'm watching the film here.
You know, the little des--
the little despicable scumbag is talented in the ring.
[Cole] There's no doubt. He's an incredible athlete.
You're gonna have your hands full on Sunday.
And look at Boogs manhandling Theory.
Oh, it's a beautiful carnival ride!
The Boogs Cruise, baby!
Making him all dizzy.
[crowd cheering]
-[McAfee] I'm okay with him being… -[Cole] Oh!
…hurt going into Sunday.
[Cole] I hope Jimmy and Jey are watching this
cover by Boogs, from the apron looking on,
because they defend against the power of Boogs tomorrow night.
Come on!
[McAfee] Boogs is powerful.
I would like to see him…
-[Cole] Tag. -…maybe rip the head off the person
he's currently entangled with.
Here comes Finn Bálor, my hero.
[Cole] The United States Champion,
who's had many problems and issues with Austin Theory over the weeks.
[McAfee] Get him, Finn!
We did the Too Sweet thing,
because we're a part of The Bálor Club together,
and he's beating wholesale ass on that punk Austin Theory.
[Cole] Snapmare by Bálor.
-Oh! And a basement dropkick by Finn. -Yes!
Cover for the win here, and a kickout by Theory.
I thought that was it. That would've been glorious.
What a start to WrestleMania Weekend and the Hall of Fame.
[Cole] Theory drops down and Bálor hangs on.
-Right to the mouth. -[Cole] Oh, and a cheap shot!
The ref never saw it,
Jimmy Uso takes a cheap shot, and Austin Theory's back in control.
[McAfee] What's that all about?
-[groans] -[indistinct chatter]
[McAfee] Of course Austin Theory is gonna take advantage.
-Finn, you all right? -[Cole] The thing is,
he can't take his eyes off of you either, Pat.
Tag, and here's Jimmy Uso now,
with Bálor right here,
bouncing him right off the announce table right in front of us.
What's that?
Oh no.
Cover by Jimmy Uso.
Almost had him, and a kickout by Bálor at two.
Six-man tag team action continues on the eve of WrestleMania,
and a cheap shot by Jey.
-[McAfee] A little cheap. -[Cole] Perfect tag team wrestling.
Official never saw it, it was dragged to the other side of the ring.
[McAfee] And this filter face ass can't stop staring at me.
You're a punk, dude!
Everybody hates you!
[Cole] Pat, he may be getting in your head.
[McAfee] No, I mean, it's okay to get in there, it's a dangerous place.
And on Sunday, I am not getting into anybody's head,
I'm just beating ass.
-[Cole] You've kicked off the SuperBowl. -[McAfee] Damn right.
[Cole] Compare that to what's gonna happen Sunday
-when you make your WrestleMania debut. -It's vastly different on that kickoff.
Nobody was expecting me to make a tackle on Sunday.
I have to go in there and punish a douchebag.
[Cole] Yeah, a guy who has been punking you out for weeks now.
All day! You hear that? All day.
[McAfee] Oh.
[Cole] Bálor dumped over the ropes.
Can Bálor and Shin and Boogs get back in this?
[crowd booing]
[Cole] We're back live on WrestleMania SmackDown
from the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
A six-man tag team match of Bálor, Nakamura and Boogs
against The Usos and Austin Theory.
And here's the cover by Jimmy Uso on Bálor, and a kickout.
Now, Austin Theory and Pat McAfee
been getting into it for weeks, a number of times here, tonight.
Just want to remind you, Pat,
that no matter what he does to you, Austin Theory,
you cannot get involved with him.
You've got a match Sunday at WrestleMania.
If you're not professional, don't do your job out here tonight,
Mr. McMahon is gonna take not only that match away from you
-but also your job. -[McAfee] Yeah, yeah.
[Cole] And I know how much you love being a part of all this.
[McAfee] I do.
And two days away, I get to do something special.
[Cole] Yes, something that very few people have ever had the honor of doing,
and that's compete at WrestleMania.
[McAfee] But who am I if I let this twerp continue to punk me? What am I?
[Cole] Who you are is you beat the hell out of him on Sunday,
that's who you are.
You shock the world inside the ring
in a one-on-one matchup with Austin Theory.
That's what you do, Pat. Oh!
Boogs knocked off the apron.
[McAfee] Would be sweet to knock him out.
[Cole] And you can fight him for real in…
-in the ring. -[McAfee] Yeah.
Right here!
[Cole] And now Jey Uso, Bálor,
trying to make a tag now to Shinsuke Nakamura.
Uso trying to hold on. Can the United States Champion make it?
Oh, and a basement dropkick by Bálor.
Creates some space, looking to get Shin in the match.
[McAfee] We're all hoping Shinsuke can get in here.
The Usos and Austin Theory have been dominant over Finn Bálor,
-desperately needing a tag. -[Cole] Tag!
Here's Theory.
Theory now the legal man against Shinsuke Nakamura
who catches him on the backside.
[McAfee] Great kick, Shin, great kick!
And another.
[grunts]
[Cole] And Nakamura teeing off on Theory.
-Oh! -Thank you, Shinsuke!
[Cole] Theory might want that cup of ice back
after the way Nakamura's beating him up.
-[groans] -[grunts]
[Cole] Theory up on the apron,
-kick right to the back of the neck. -[McAfee] Yes!
[Cole] Right here is vintage Shinsuke Nakamura!
[crowd cheering]
[McAfee] Attaboy, Shin!
[Cole] Nakamura into the cover, looking for the win.
And now The Usos breaking things up with a Double Superkick.
[crowd booing]
[both groan]
[crowd cheering]
[Pat and Cole] Boogs.
[McAfee] Back in the ring,
clearing house, into the stairs.
The Usos leveling the odds.
[Cole] And now Nakamura, Theory, the legal men.
Finn Bálor now up on the apron,
looking to make a tag and get into this matchup.
-[crowd cheering] -Come on! Come on!
[Cole] Theory and Bálor with a long history.
Austin Theory, tag made.
Here comes Bálor.
And Bálor sends Theory over the top rope, what a collision.
-And Bálor's gonna fly! -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Lands on his feet!
[McAfee] Let's go, Finn!
[Cole] Slingblade!
[McAfee] Beat his ass, Finn!
[Cole] And now with Theory down,
Bálor gonna head up top,
but The Usos, again, running interference.
And on the other side, it's Jey Uso.
[McAfee] It's all right, Finn's still in a good spot.
[Cole] And Theory able to recover and split the legs of Bálor.
And Austin Theory with Bálor where he wants him.
He looked right at you, Pat.
A-Town Down for Austin Theory,
the cover, hook of the leg,
-and Theory builds some major momentum… -[bell rings]
-…toward your match on Sunday! -[Samantha] And here's your winner,
Austin Theory!
[crowd booing]
[Cole] Austin Theory and Pat McAfee on Sunday at WrestleMania. Pat?
[rock music playing]
[Cole] Oh my God. Pat?
Come on.
Go ahead. Throw it away.
Throw your match away.
[Cole] Pat, Pat.
[crowd cheering]
Go ahead. Throw it away. I don't care.
[crowd booing]
[crowd chanting] Michael Cole! Michael Cole! Michael Cole!
♪ I don't know about you, but I feel good ♪
[Cole] And again, as we regroup here at ringside,
this matchup again, Sunday.
[McAfee] He's got fear in his eyes.
He's a little punk bitch, we all know it. I can't wait for Sunday.
Two more sleeps, I get to go.
[Cole] And now tomorrow, WrestleMania Saturday,
The Usos' record-setting SmackDown Tag Team Championship reign
is in jeopardy.
The Usos defend against Nakamura and Boogs.
We kick off WrestleMania tomorrow night
at AT&T Stadium right here in Dallas.
["The Good Life" playing]
[Cole] And here come the Happy Folks, who are very happy tonight
because Madcap Moss, earlier on,
well, Madcap Moss won the Andre the Giant Battle Royal
joining Baron Corbin, who won a number of years ago.
[McAfee] Cole, I appreciate you coming and getting me down there.
That would've been stupid. I was just eyeballing him, though.
[Cole] Listen, Pat, I can't blame you for feeling the way you do.
This guy is taking advantage of the fact that he has the support of Mr. McMahon.
[McAfee] These two are taking advantage of the fact that… we give 'em airtime.
[Cole] When we come back, it's "Happy Talk,"
and guess who Corbin's guest is?
-[McAfee] Who's that? -[Cole] Madcap Moss.
[McAfee] Oh, the Andre the Giant Battle Royal winner.
Of course.
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, that is AT&T Stadium
here in Dallas, Texas, the home of the Dallas Cowboys,
and tomorrow night and Sunday night,
the home of WrestleMania.
And here is the man,
who, at WrestleMania, had the greatest streak in sports history.
["Rest in Peace" plays]
[McAfee] Tonight, the phenom, the icon,
the living embodiment of a WWE Superstar,
The Undertaker,
officially goes into the Hall of Fame,
being inducted by Vincent Kennedy McMahon.
And Pat and I have the distinct honor
to be able to host the Hall of Fame preshow.
It starts at the top of the hour
immediately following SmackDown over at Peacock,
and then, of course, the Hall of Fame, an induction ceremony will follow,
with The Undertaker headlining the class of 2022.
The Deadman.
[Cole] Meanwhile in the ring, Happy Corbin, Madcap Moss,
-it's "Happy Talk" time. -Welcome to "Happy Talk!"
And tonight, tonight is an extra special
WrestleMania SmackDown edition of "Happy Talk,"
and it's gonna be extra happy.
[crowd boos]
Corbin…
aren't you happy for me, man?
I mean, I think the whole WWE Universe is happy for me…
because I just won the Andre the Giant--
Oh, hey, hey, hey.
-We get it, you won the Andre, man. -Yeah.
As my protégé.
That's what I expect from you.
Look, now, Madcap, we don't have to go back and say,
"I've been there, I've done that," because I did.
In 2016,
I won the Andre in my WWE debut,
-but I am, man, I'm happy for you. -[crowd booing]
Matter of fact, ladies and gentlemen, I am euphoric.
Matter of fact, after WrestleMania,
these people might start calling me "Euphoric Corbin,"
but it's not gonna be because of the Andre,
it's because of this right here.
Check out how I got this sword.
[crowd booing]
[TV announcer] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection, with home, auto and more.
[ring announcer] The following contest is a two-on-one handicap match.
[McAfee] Happy Corbin is seeing this as a teaching moment for WrestleMania.
Hanging on the apron, tonight, I'm gonna take care of things myself.
[Cole] It's been weeks McIntyre's been trying to get his hands on Corbin.
Corbin wanted nothing to do with McIntyre.
He's done a great job avoiding Drew McIntyre.
It's continuing.
McIntyre looking to send a message.
[crowd] Three, two, one!
One, two, three!
[Cole] Another victory for Drew McIntyre.
Oh, from behind!
Happy Corbin, after the match is over.
[Corbin] End of days!
[Cole] He's leaving with Angela.
Corbin has McIntyre's sword.
[foreboding music playing]
[laughs]
[crowd booing]
This amazing sword
is my lucky WrestleMania sword.
No, not that I need luck, anyway. I mean…
WrestleMania is kind of my night.
Look at what I've done. I won the Andre at WrestleMania.
I retired Kurt Angle at WrestleMania.
-[crowd boos] -[laughs]
And tomorrow, I destroy Drew McIntyre
once and for all at WrestleMania.
This sword is more of an insurance policy so no one messes with me.
When Drew carries it, it's like a fancy accessory,
but in my hands, it's a dangerous weapon.
I mean, I could take this
-and I could decapitate someone with this. -[McAfee] Jeez.
Now, it's named Angela, after Drew's late mother.
How depressing.
I think we need to give this sword a happy name.
Everyone, meet…
Euphoria! [laughs]
-[McAfee] The sword's name is Angela. -Madcap, please, give us a joke.
Okay, okay, okay.
No, hold on, I've actually got a great joke.
What does Drew McIntyre's sword
and his mother have in common?
He lost 'em both. [laughs]
-[crowd boos] -[Cole] Oh, this guy.
["Gallantry" playing]
[McAfee] Yeah, you're gonna have to answer for that.
-[crowd cheering] -[McAfee] That's crossing the line.
[Cole] That perhaps may be the dumbest comment
that Happy Corbin's ever made, and we've known that man for a long time.
[McAfee] Yeah. He has said an abundance of dumb things and that is just…
[Cole] And Drew McIntyre is, uh…
you heard Corbin tell Madcap Moss,
"You should probably go meet McIntyre in the aisle."
I'm not sure how smart that was,
because one right-hand by McIntyre just knocked out Madcap Moss.
[McAfee] Perfectly placed right on the jaw,
The SmackDown Warrior.
[Cole] And Drew's got to be careful
because Corbin's got a-- the sword in his hand, Angela.
And now, steel chair in hand from McIntyre.
-[crowd cheering] -You don't want this.
[Corbin] You don't want this.
I'm gonna hurt you.
-[groans] -[Cole] Oh!
[crowd cheering]
-[Corbin gasps] -[Cole] Oh my goodness, Happy Corbin!
[McAfee] That was a baseball swing…
of that sword named Angela.
[Cole] And now the Happy Corbin set
is just being tossed and destroyed out of the ring
like a rummage sale.
[McAfee] We've been dreaming of this to happen for years now.
[Cole] And keep in mind, listen/
[McAfee] Oh, there's some whiskey getting tossed out.
[Cole] Drew McIntyre, he gets Corbin tomorrow night
in a match at WrestleMania.
And if you're Happy Corbin…
[Cole] Oh my goodness!
[crowd cheering]
[McAfee] Just broke through the "Happy Talk" table with a sword.
[Cole] Good luck, Mr. Corbin.
-[clanks] -[McAfee] Well-- oh.
[music continues]
[Cole] Well, as Drew McIntyre storms around the ring,
almost takes us out with a steel chair,
tomorrow night, WrestleMania Saturday,
steaming live exclusively on Peacock,
McIntyre goes one-on-one with Happy Corbin.
The laughing's over, the joke's over.
Corbin and McIntyre, WrestleMania Saturday.
And also, tomorrow night, the Raw Women's Championship.
[McAfee] Bianca Belair and Becky Lynch finally have it out in the ring.
Becky's got a new haircut, she wants to do away with the ponytail.
It is gonna be electrifying.
[Cole] And WrestleMania Saturday,
father-son team of Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio
trying to shut up "The A-Lister" The Miz, and celebrity Logan Paul.
They clash in a tag team match tomorrow night.
[McAfee] Two men that are more comfortable in the ring than outside of it
will clash on WrestleMania Sunday,
AJ Styles and Edge.
[Cole] "The Opportunity" Charlotte Flair
will defend the SmackDown Women's Championship
WrestleMania Saturday.
Tomorrow night, Rousey versus Flair.
Earlier tonight, Ronda Rousey vowed
to tear off Charlotte Flair's arm at WrestleMania.
[McAfee] After months and months of pranks and hijinks,
on WrestleMania Sunday,
in an Anything Goes match,
Johnny Knoxville takes on Sami Zayn.
[Cole] And how about the main event tomorrow night, WrestleMania Saturday,
the Kevin Owens Show,
with the legendary "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
making his return to WrestleMania.
[McAfee] And to cap off the most stupendous WrestleMania of all time,
we have the biggest WrestleMania match of all time.
Winner Take All Championship Unification,
Brock Lesnar versus Roman Reigns!
[Cole] It takes place WrestleMania Sunday.
McIntyre just destroyed the "Happy Talk" set,
destroyed the ring…
-[explosion] -[crowd cheers]
-[Cole] …and now plants his stake… -[popping]
…for WrestleMania Saturday.
Good luck, Happy Corbin!
I got you at Mania!
[McAfee] Drew McIntyre, Corbin, tomorrow night.
[Cole] We'll see you at WrestleMania, but first,
we'll see you next at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Good night, everybody, from Dallas.
Have a wonderful WrestleMania Weekend.
[music continues] restleMania Weekend.