[WWE intro music plays]
[John Cena] Then…
[The Rock] If you smell…
-[bell tolls] -[Cena] Now…
-♪ The King of Kings ♪ -♪ You can't see me ♪
[Cena] Forever.
Together.
[Jimmy Smith] The SmackDown Tag Team Champions are here on Monday Night Raw.
[Jey Uso] Hey, you know exactly why we're here, Uce. To issue the challenge.
I want y'all to go to Raw
and I want y'all to bring me those Raw Tag Team Championships.
The Bloodline's going to have all the gold soon.
So let me get this straight.
You guys are going to come to our show
and you're going to challenge us for our titles?
Listen, Uce…
-["Bring The Swag" feat. J-Frost plays] -[crowd cheering]
Dawks, do my eyes deceive me?
All the way from SmackDown,
it's The Usos,
using their Bloodline privilege…
-Uh-huh. -Uh-huh.
…to cut to the front of the line for an opportunity.
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
There's only one line and that's The Bloodline!
[no audible dialogue]
Nobody wants to see y'all talking and bickering.
We want to see a fight.
[bell rings]
[announcer] And we're going to get it. The Street Profits versus The Usos.
Every move they make is a message to RK-Bro.
[crowd cheering]
[Jimmy] Right into the knees of Angelo Dawkins.
[Jerry] Cover!
[crowd] One, two…
At the last possible second.
[Jerry] To the cover. Hook to the leg!
-One, two, three! -[bell rings]
-[Jerry] Victory for The Usos! -[crowd booing]
[Jimmy] What a Title Unification Match that would be.
-Oh my! -Wait, wait, wait!
[crowd roaring]
[Jerry] RKO!
Superkick from The Usos!
[Jimmy] The Usos grabbing all the gold.
Is this what the future looks like?
[Roman Reigns] The Bloodline's going to have all the gold soon.
[music fades]
-[crowd cheering] -[rock music playing]
[Michael Cole] It's the start of the weekend.
It's a jam-packed arena and it's Fox,
and that means it must be Friday Night SmackDown.
Live at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts,
and sponsored tonight by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
-["Voices" by Rev Theory playing] -[crowd cheers]
[Pat] Well, well, well.
Welcome to Friday night, boys.
[Samantha Irvin] Please welcome the Raw Tag Team Champions,
Riddle and Randy Orton, RK-Bro!
[Cole] Well, we heard they were coming,
especially after what went down on Monday Night Raw.
As you saw moments ago, The Usos super-kicking Randy Orton
and laying down the challenge for a championship unification
of both the Raw and SmackDown Tag Team Titles.
[Pat] RK-Bro have been a heavenly pair
that have soared altitudes
-that neither of them have reached before. -[effects popping]
And there's grasshoppers flying out,
smoking grasshoppers, out of Riddle's sandals.
I am so thankful these two are here…
on Friday night.
[Cole] RK-Bro taking over Friday Night SmackDown tonight,
much like The Usos tried to take over Raw this past Monday night.
Hey, everybody, Cole and McAfee at ringside.
Randy Orton, Riddle, kicking us off tonight.
I can't believe it.
Randy, certified Hall of Famer, Riddle, an absolutely electrifying person.
I'm so thankful they're here in Worcester, Massachusetts,
we've got a little Raw Champion.
[crowd] Randy! Randy! Randy!
[chanting continues] Randy! Randy! Randy!
[chanting continues]
-[Pat] One more time. -[crowd cheering]
[indistinct]
I am so stoked to be back on SmackDown.
[crowd cheering]
Especially with my best friend, Randy.
[crowd cheering]
But we didn't come all the way to Worcester just to say what's up.
And, hey, Randy.
Did you know Worcester is where they got the name for Worcestershire sauce?
But not this Worcester in Massachusetts.
It's actually a different Worcester in England.
I learned that fun fact on a Snapple lid one time, yeah.
-Riddle. Riddle. -[Pat] Nice.
-That's good. -[Riddle] Best stuff on earth.
[crowd cheering]
-[Pat] This is New England. -So…
You and I both know that that is not why we are here.
True.
We are here because on Monday Night Raw, our show,
The Usos came and they kicked me in the mouth in our ring,
and you know what else they did in our ring?
They challenged my friend Riddle and I
to a match to unify these Tag Team Championships.
[crowd cheering]
Now here we are in your ring, on your show, Usos.
So if you want an answer, get your ass out to the ring,
and let's give it to you.
[crowd cheering]
Riddle, you got anything to add?
-Good. -[Done With That (Day One Remix) plays]
[Pat] Nothing from Riddle.
We've spoke enough.
And now our champions are here.
[Cole] The Bloodline, The Usos…
SmackDown Tag Team Champions
for a record-setting 270 days as of tonight.
[music continues]
♪ Hey, let's get it, Uce ♪
[indistinct shouting]
-[Cole] Pat, you're fired up as well. -[Pat] Hell, yeah.
Our champs just got called out by their champs,
and our champs said…
-♪ Let's go, Uce ♪ -[indistinct shouts]
[Pat] Usos ain't worried about a damn thing.
They've been running this show…
for a long time.
To record ratings.
[crowd booing]
Well, check this out, Uce.
Look who done showed up in Bloodline territory.
I see 'em. I see 'em.
It's the Raw Tag Team Champions, RK-Bro.
Hey, hey, hey, you know where you at, though?
You done know where they at?
You're behind enemy lines, Uce.
This is SmackDown live where The Bloodline reside.
[crowd booing]
So here's the thing,
we done came on your show on Monday Night Raw,
issued out the challenge to unify the Tag Team Championships.
Now you want to show up on Friday Night SmackDown, on our show.
So, check it, what is the answer?
Hold on. Hold on. Hold up, Uce. Hold on, bro.
Bro, chill.
Randy Orton, The Viper, The Legend Killer, we know all about you.
Before you say something you'll regret,
let us remind you who you dealing with, Uce.
Tell them.
-You're dealing with two twin brothers. -The Usos.
You're dealing… [panting]
-I got your back, he got mine. -The Usos.
[no audible dialogue]
-You go left, I go right. -The Usos.
-You go high, I go low. -The Usos.
-The seven-time Tag Team Champs. -The Usos.
-The true tag team. -The Usos.
The longest-reigning SmackDown Tag Team Champions in history,
-the Uce! -Uce!
-Come on. -[inaudible dialogue]
So check this out, Uce.
How about you leave the Raw Championships right here
and take your ass back to Monday Night Raw?
-Because this is the warning shot. -Pow!
You might get popped with the one and done,
-because you're the twos and we the one. -We the one.
[mic drops]
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So check it out, man.
I love your whole family. I respect your whole family.
I remember being a young boy growing up in the locker room
with your daddies, your uncles, your cousins.
I love them all, but you two are ass [mute].
[Randy] I'm gonna tell you right now.
Hey, hey, hey, you puppies wanna--
you puppies wanna yip, yip, yip, yip, yip, yip, yip, yip.
Big Dog let the bitches off the leash.
Apparently, you're going to come to the ring.
A little bit earlier I said this is your ring, your show.
Yeah, frick that, brother. This is my show, my ring.
Riddle's show, Riddle's ring. You must have forgot who I am.
"Longest reign in the history of the WWE."
[laughs] I've been setting records for 20-plus years.
-[crowd cheers] -Maybe you guys forgot that too.
Let me reintroduce myself.
Let me reintroduce my partner, Riddle,
as the three most dangerous, destructive letters
-in sports entertainment, RK-Bro. -[crowd] RK-Bro!
-[crowd cheering] -Oh, I almost forgot that challenge.
Yeah, we accept.
-[crowd cheers] -[Cole] Oh yeah.
[Pat] Sheesh.
So much greatness in the ring right now.
[indistinct chatter]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] So RK-Bro has accepted the challenge, Pat.
So let's have WWE officials make it official.
[crowd booing]
-[Pat] There can only be… -Man, chill out!
Chill!
[Pat] …one tag team that is champions of the WWE.
[Cole] Will it be RK-Bro or will it be The Usos?
Jimmy and Jey going right after Riddle,
taking him off the top rope in a hit-and-run attack
by the SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
[Pat] I'm not sure if RK-Bro has been paying attention
to what The Usos have been doing over here on SmackDown for a long time.
They will take advantage of every single tactic.
Like busting your face off the top rope when you're celebrating,
you think they've left.
[Cole] Just like Monday night on Raw, The Usos strike again.
[Pat] Our champions leave Raw's champions down and flustered in the SmackDown ring.
-[Done With That (Day One Remix) plays] -Eyes on the prize, boy.
-[indistinct chatter] -I know. It's so cute.
But how crazy is it that the boys want to unify the Tag Titles so bad?
All they need to do is follow our lead
because The Boss n' Glow run both shows.
Now, tonight, when you go against Rhea Ripley, all you have to do is--
[crowd cheers]
Don't stop on my account, Sasha.
Yeah, we want to hear.
So, what does Naomi hope to do against Rhea tonight?
All Naomi has to do is be Naomi.
That's right, because The Glow always outshines The Nightmare.
-[laughing] Ooh! -Oh!
-That's good. -That was good.
Let's go.
Oh my gosh. They're wild.
-That was something. -You look great though.
Thanks, partner.
[Pat] Hey, super clever there.
[Cole] Here on Friday Night SmackDown, it's Glow time.
[Naomi's theme music plays]
♪ Bring it to the floor ♪
[Cole] One half of the Tag Team Champions,
Naomi, being accompanied by her partner, "The Boss"…
Sasha Banks.
Well, ahead of their Women's Tag Team Championship match
this coming Monday night on Raw,
Naomi looks to follow up her victory over Liv Morgan on Monday night
with a victory over Liv's partner, Rhea Ripley.
Tonight, it's Naomi and Rhea, live, one-on-one,
next on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Randy] Pearce.
-What? -Pearce, listen, man.
Enough of the back and forth.
Riddle and I, we want this unification match. We want it now.
Listen, I know you guys want it, but as of last Friday night,
the higher-ups are still deliberating whether to have the match.
Look, I'm hopeful we have an answer tonight.
I want to unify those titles more than anything,
but dude, tonight I want Jimmy Uso so bad after what--
Maybe there is something I can do for you tonight.
How about this?
Riddle, you can go one-on-one with Jimmy Uso tonight.
That's what I'm talking about, Randy.
Nice little warm-up, bro.
[taking deep breaths]
Huge news.
Although Adam Pearce can't unify the Tag Team Titles,
he can tell us that five days before April 20,
Riddle has a little comeuppance with Jimmy Uso tonight.
Let's have a smackdown, baby.
[Cole] Meanwhile in the ring,
Naomi and Sasha, the Women's Tag Team Champions,
as Naomi gets set to go one-on-one here.
-["Brutality" feat. Ash Costello playing] -[crowd cheering]
-♪ Yeah ♪ -♪ This is my ♪
♪ This is my ♪
♪ This is my brutality ♪
[loud bang]
[bell rings]
[Samantha Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making her way to the ring, accompanied by Liv Morgan,
from Adelaide, South Australia, Rhea Ripley!
[Cole] So Liv Morgan has been going it alone over the past week
against Sasha and Naomi in singles action with mixed results.
Now, Liv and Rhea are back together
and looking to seize all the momentum tonight, Pat,
before their championship opportunity.
This coming Monday night on Raw from Buffalo,
Sasha and Naomi defend the Tag Titles against Rhea and Liv.
[Pat] A massive match coming on Monday.
It's great to see Rhea and Liv back.
A team that can conquer the world together.
The whip that Liv had at WrestleMania, a part of their WrestleMania,
I think it's up over $5,000 for charity.
-They're auctioning it off. -[Cole] Awesome.
-[bell rings] -[Pat] That thing's going to go high.
[Cole] I'm glad to see Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan back on the same page.
They've had some differences the past couple of weeks,
as Rhea and Naomi now start things off in this matchup, one-on-one.
[referee] One, two…
[Pat] Rhea is an absolute powerhouse from Down Under.
[Cole] Yeah, but we've said this before,
and there again an example of the power, Pat.
[Pat] There it is. It is just something
that I don't think you can see and understand on film
until you get in there.
She catches everybody off guard, but "The Glow" Naomi.
[Cole] Yeah, but the veteran, Naomi, is not going to take that lightly.
Rhea Ripley now catching Naomi midair. Naomi lands behind her.
[Pat] I see what you said there, when I was talking about the powerhouse,
and that's what I'm talking about.
Shoulder tackle from Down Under.
[Cole] Now, Rhea into the corner,
drives her shoulder
-in the midsection of Naomi. -One! Two!
[Pat] Just a pummeling approach here, Cole.
[Cole] Naomi and Sasha making history at WrestleMania a couple of weeks ago.
[Pat] Rhea Ripley would scare the hell out of you.
Naomi, very confident, as she should be. Record-breaker, trailblazer, electrifying.
[Cole] As Liv looks on,
Rhea seems to be toying with Naomi in the early going of this match.
[Pat] It does seem like Liv is happy with what's going on.
Now, look at that!
[Cole] Naomi… unique move as she drives Rhea Ripley
through the ropes and out of the ring.
[Pat] Caught Rhea off guard there.
No way she's doing a handstand into a head toss.
[Cole] Rhea up to the apron quickly and runs into a knee from Naomi.
And Rhea blocks-- and drives Naomi neck-first to the mat.
[Pat] Naomi had a hell of a run going there.
Knee to the face. Rhea kinda ate that thing.
Reversed it. Now what is she doing?
Looking to become Tag Team Champion on Monday, here on Friday--
Eating a boot from The Glow!
[Cole] Naomi caught her right in the mouth.
-One! -[Pat] Now, the boss is staring her down.
[referee] Two!
-Three! -[Cole] And Naomi, baseball slide.
Rhea moves out of harm's way, and a wicked clothesline.
Rhea's taken over.
-Can Naomi climb back into this matchup? -[referee] Two!
[Cole] And we are back live on Friday Night SmackDown.
It is Rhea Ripley in control of one half of the Tag Team Champions, Naomi.
Important matchup tonight, Pat.
We'll talk about that in a moment
because I want to show you what happened before the break.
-[Pat] Yeah, Rhea Ripley… -[Cole] Bang!
[Pat] …trying to remove The Glow's head from The Glow's body.
[Cole] Rhea and Liv have a match against Sasha and Naomi
for the women's Tag Team Titles Monday night on Raw.
-Naomi-- Oh, scissors kick! -[Pat] Incredibly tough.
Ate that lariat outside and has been able to come back.
A lot of abuse has been given from Rhea Ripley,
and Naomi's flying around.
[Cole] Yes, Rhea face-first into the turnbuckle,
and now Naomi going for the top rope, looking to fly.
[Pat] There's a reason they're our champions.
-She-- -[Cole] Naomi crossbody.
Lateral press for the win!
Kickout by Rhea.
[Pat] I thought she had it.
Crossbody from the top. Rhea Ripley, no matter how strong she is…
-[Cole] Oh! -[Pat] Holy hell.
[Cole] Rhea fighting back.
[Pat] You see that roundhouse kick from the ground?
[Cole] What a physical match this has been,
as Naomi goes down low to the knees.
Now Naomi planting Rhea face-first. That could be it, this could be over.
Naomi cover now on Ripley, for the win-- Rhea at two!
[Pat] Like a scissors DDT, almost. Unbelievable.
[Cole] Take another look at the impact to the face of Ripley.
[Pat] I mean, that's two maneuvers tonight that Naomi has used with her legs
that I don't think Rhea Ripley has ever seen before.
[Cole] Now a full nelson, as Ripley powers out of it,
delivers a headbutt,
and now the power of Ripley into a suplex, the Northern Lights,
cover now, kickout by Naomi at two.
Ripley can't believe it.
[Pat] See the bridge there after the suplex.
Rhea Ripley has superstar written all over her.
[Cole] And Naomi fighting back to kickout at two.
Another near fall for Rhea,
as she glances down at her partner, Liv Morgan,
who's encouraging her at ringside.
Naomi.
[Pat] Slapped herself in the face ten times,
and then Naomi delivered an elbow.
Waking herself up, maybe?
[Cole] And Naomi… Now the body shots from Rhea.
[Pat] I've got to think, Rhea Ripley was smacking herself,
you think anybody else could hurt her?
[Cole] Rhea, she was looking for the Riptide from the second rope.
[Pat] Naomi kicks out of it. Rhea still in the sky.
[Cole] Now missile dropkick!
Cover on Naomi, for the victory here tonight,
and Naomi kicks out again.
Can you believe it?
[Pat] Rhea Ripley missile dropkicks Naomi 15 feet,
-and somehow… -One! Two!
[Pat] …Naomi kicks out.
I had to see it again for myself.
That was deep cover.
[Cole] Now, a roll up. Now, is it enough to put her away?
Naomi's shoulders down, Rhea kicks at two.
Misses wildly. Springboard. Oh, knee!
Rhea may be out!
But Naomi may have injured herself as she came off the second rope.
-[Pat] We are three- -[Cole] Oh, full Nelson!
Roll through, shoulders down for the win. Ripley kicks again.
[Pat] Wow!
[Cole] And now Rhea able to roll through. She's got Naomi caught.
Looked like she was going for the Riptide.
Naomi momentarily able to counter, but not enough.
Rhea stacks up Naomi off the Riptide, gains the win.
[bell rings]
[Irvin] Here is your winner, Rhea Ripley!
[Cole] And Sasha Banks glances at her opponents,
looks at the championship, which she could lose in a couple of days,
because this Monday night on Raw, from Buffalo,
The Boss and Glow defend the Tag Team Titles
against Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan.
[Pat] After what we just saw, you can't help but think
that Rhea and Liv got to feel damn good about themselves,
but I would never count out The Boss and Naomi.
Monday night's going to be a Sunday night matchup,
and I'm here for it in Buffalo.
[indistinct chatter]
Jimmy, Jey, quick moment.
I just wanted to get a comment from you
based on what we just saw between you,
the Raw Tag Team Champions, RK-Bro, the unification of your titles,
and Jimmy, the fact you have a match tonight against--
What up, Uce?
[Pat] "No questions. We got to listen to The Big Dog."
Roman Reigns' locker room is now occupied by The Usos.
Remember where you came from.
[Cole] Last week, Madcap Moss
dramatically ended his association with Happy Corbin
and put a frown on the face of his former benefactor.
We'll revisit the moment Happy lost his smile.
It's next on SmackDown.
["Are You Ready" playing]
[Pat] Tonight, Riddle gets a chance to settle the score with Jimmy Uso.
The Usos have attacked Randy on Monday, Riddle tonight.
The score will be settled in our main event.
[Cole] And, Pat, speaking of settling the score, how about Madcap Moss?
Let's show you what I'm talking about in our Progressive Match Flo.
[narrator] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
[dramatic music plays]
[Corbin] This was supposed to be the happiest Happy talk ever.
There is only one person to blame.
Madcap Moss.
[crowd murmuring]
Never in a million years would I have lost to Drew if you hadn't distracted me.
-Get out! -You're winning. Just…
Two! Three!
-[crowd cheering] -[bell rings]
I'm so-- I'm really sorry, man.
-I was just-- -I don't care how you felt.
Tell me a joke like your job depends on it.
Because it does.
Okay, yeah.
What do you call a guy who treats his friends like garbage?
Who thinks he's better than everybody else?
A guy who dresses like he's going to a funeral for Tommy Bahama.
[crowd laughing]
You call him Happy Corbin!
[laughter]
[Cole] Oh no!
Corbin attacking Moss from behind.
[crowd booing]
[crowd cheering]
[Pat] Madcap saying I'm done with this stupid stuff.
[screaming]
[Cole] Happy Corbin brought this upon himself.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the newly solo Happy Corbin.
[crowd booing]
[Pat] Still hated.
Happy, last week it seemed that your former associate Madcap Moss…
"Associate"?
Megan, calling him my associate puts him on the same level as me.
No, no, no, no, no, no.
Madcap Moss, he's more of a hanger-on, a minion, a gopher.
He was basically my lackey.
Look, I kept him around a long time.
He's really funny to laugh at. [chuckles]
But then… then he became an anchor around my neck, dragging down my career.
Look, I'd still be undefeated if it wasn't for Madcap.
So I've dropped some dead weight, and I'm reaching peak levels of happiness.
And he's going out on his own,
he's trying to make a name for himself… [chuckles]
I say good luck with that.
Megan, you think I'm happy now?
Just wait till Madcap Moss falls flat on his face
and becomes the laughingstock of SmackDown.
-[chuckles] -[crowd booing]
It's not… It's not…
Happy Corbin knows a lot about how that feels, though, to be fair,
and it's not good when you're the laughingstock like Happy has been
when he was "Bum Ass" and such.
Well, let's get Madcap's reaction now.
Here is a man that is auditioning to be a part of the SmackDown broadcast team.
We take you to Drew Gulak.
Drew Gulak? This an audition? Let's go, Drew! Nail this thing--
My guest at this time,
the winner of the Andre the Giant Battle Royal, Madcap Moss.
-[chuckles] -[crowd cheers]
[Pat] Good question. Good intro.
Madcap, just now we heard Happy Corbin
tell the world how happy he is without you.
Doesn't that get under your skin?
Honestly, I feel sorry for Corbin.
I mean, imagine how terrible your personality must be
for people to like you better as a bum.
But I do give him credit.
Corbin brought me to SmackDown, he did buy me a nice pair of suspenders,
and he did teach me how to tell jokes.
Which is why the jokes were so terrible. [chuckles]
Rule number one of communication is know your audience.
My audience was a large, bald, rather simple man who loved puns.
I'm just glad I can move on.
Speaking of moving on,
you are set to take on Humberto of the "Lethal Lovers" Los Lotharios.
Yeah, Humberto is tough, and he's talented,
and he's going to have Angel out there watching his back.
But if either one of them thinks
that they're going to make me a "laughingstock,"
well, they can take that Lotharios Kiss Cam
and they can put it right here, baby.
[Pat] Oh, he's still got jokes, though, doesn't he?
"No more puns," he says, but still got jokes.
-Drew Gulak nailed that, by the way. -Joke, joke, joke.
[Pat] Oh.
[Cole] What d'you think the Lethal Lovers are gonna think about that?
[Pat] Wow, that's disrespectful to the Kiss Cam.
He was saying, "Kiss my ass, Los Lotharios."
[Madcap Moss' theme plays]
[Pat] And there's Madcap Moss.
I don't think we have any idea what to expect
from this post-Happy Corbin Madcap Moss.
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, he is the winner
of the 2022 Andre the Giant Battle Royal, Madcap Moss!
[Cole] As Madcap Moss gets set for action,
I want to tell you that WrestleMania Backlash
is presented by the official WWE CreditOne Visa card.
Get closer to the action with benefits like Superstar meet and greets,
sweepstakes, early ticket sales for select events, and more.
Visit UltimateWWECard.com to see if you pre-qualify now.
Terms apply.
That's what I like to see!
After an explosive split with his former tag team partner…
Happy Corbin,
Madcap Moss begins his own intrepid journey
as a singles competitor
against one half of "The Lethal Lovers" Los Lotharios, Humberto.
-It's live next on SmackDown. -Yes!
[Cole] Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home,
or motorcycle insurance.
[Pat] Speaking of insurance.
[Cole] There are Los Lotharios, "The Lethal Lovers."
Humberto set for one-on-one action with that man tonight, Madcap Moss,
who, a couple of weeks ago, won the annual WrestleMania--
[Irvin] And now, the Los Lotharios Kiss Cam.
[Cole] The Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
[Pat] How could you forget? I mean, the Kiss Cam is a large portion.
[Cole] I thought we already had the Kiss Cam before the break with Madcap.
[Pat] Oh yeah, Madcap's cheeks. I remember that.
He said, "Go ahead and kiss this ass." Ha.
But the Los Lotharios said, "That's not what the Kiss Cam's all about."
Imagine waking up and looking as good as those two dudes.
That'd be tough, right? I mean…
Never knowing what a filter looks like.
Wake up with a filter on your face.
And there it is.
Another successful kiss from Los Lotharios.
[Cole] So they would say that is how the Kiss Cam is supposed to be done.
[Pat] Yeah, and here's Madcap saying, "Well, I had one of those earlier."
"Thought those four lips would be on these two cheeks."
Madcap's back with the jokes, done with the puns.
-Post-Happy era begins now. -[bell rings]
[Cole] One-on-one with Humberto tonight, Madcap Moss.
And already, Angel trying to get involved.
But Madcap Moss knew that he'd have to keep an eye out for Angel
on the outside of the ring.
Humberto goes right after Madcap Moss.
Moss said he proved to himself that he could do it last week.
Said he was always grateful for the opportunity
that Happy Corbin gave him,
but he was treated badly one too many times.
[Pat] Madcap Moss spent the entire commercial break
trying to get this crowd to give him two thumbs up.
He wants to earn back the trust of the WWE universe.
[Cole] Oh, look at Angel getting involved.
Official Jessika Carr was over there dealing with Humberto,
and a cheap shot by Angel.
[Pat] They're not scared to do that.
They can get away with a lot because of their faces.
[Cole] And Moss fighting back.
He said he wants to use tonight to show the world what he can do.
Ooh! And early on it's been a two-on-one fight.
-[shouts in Spanish] -[Pat] I don't know what he's saying,
but he's saying something loud on the outside.
The Los Lotharios boys are happy.
[Cole] Humberto pounding away on Madcap Moss.
[Pat] I'm not sure anybody in Worcester
knows what's being said to them in Spanish,
but they don't like it.
[Cole] Happy Corbin called Madcap Moss "an anchor."
Claimed he'd still be undefeated if it wasn't for Madcap Moss,
and so he dropped the dead weight.
[Pat] And Madcap said that he was only telling those terrible jokes
because he only had to impress one person.
He apologized to everybody for being such a doofus for so long, and now he's back.
Look at the quickness of Moss.
Oh, and a shoulder tackle turning Humberto inside out.
[Pat] Madcap certainly impressive.
Still has the stupid suspenders on, but he is physically imposing.
[Cole] Happy Corbin claimed that Moss would "fall flat on his face" tonight.
[Pat] Humberto's hoping as such.
[Cole] Madcap Moss catching Humberto mid-air.
-And the power with the Fallaway Slam. -Whoo!
Yeah!
[Cole] And the WWE universe rallying behind Moss here.
[Pat] A lot of thumbs-up back to Madcap.
And Angel-- Oh!
And now Madcap Moss rolled up from behind by Humberto.
Almost caught him.
[Pat] Angel taking the spear for Humberto and then Humberto can get one too.
[Cole] Yeah, but Madcap Moss, though, looking to put Humberto away.
Madcap with the Punch Line…
-and the cover! -One! Two! Three!
-Moss successful. -[bell rings]
[Madcap Moss' theme playing]
[Irvin] Here is your winner, Madcap Moss!
[Pat] Certainly earned a double thumbs-up from me there with that performance.
[Cole] Here's the speed of Madcap Moss.
[Pat] It's so explosive coming off the ropes,
and Humberto eats a shoulder tackle at about 20 miles an hour.
And he caught Humberto, ragdolls him.
Whoo!
[Cole] And then, no laughing matter when it comes to the Punch Line.
[Pat] No more dumb jokes,
-just Madcap being an absolute boss. -[bell rings]
Thumbs-up all around, pal,
for our Andre the Giant Memorial Rumble Champion.
[speaking Spanish]
[in English] This guy is nothing!
You lost to a joke!
[Pat] I thank him for translating that for us.
[Cole] Madcap Moss, a joke no more.
I guess he didn't fall flat on his face like Happy Corbin said.
[Pat] Certainly not tonight.
[crowd booing]
Charlotte?
I want to know who accepted Ronda's request for an "I Quit" Match.
-Sorry to interrupt. Sorry to interrupt. -Was it you?
But, Adam, how did I do in my first interview?
I think I have a real knack for asking the hard-hitting questions.
You think you can just barge in on a private conversation
to ask for an evaluation of your new job as an interviewer?
Actually, how about this?
How about we give you an evaluation after you interview me,
a Superstar, in the middle of the ring?
Don't be nervous.
[Pat] Welcome to the big times, Drew Gulak. Let's go!
Scoring an interview with a champ.
[Cole] Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored tonight by Progressive.
And ladies and gentlemen, we have breaking news here tonight
on Friday Night SmackDown.
It is now official.
WrestleMania Backlash three weeks from Sunday.
Winner-take-all championship unification match
with the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles, RK-Bro vs The Usos.
Live, WrestleMania Backlash in Providence.
[Pat] Yes. I am so excited.
There can only be one tag team
standing atop the mountain of greatness here at the WWE.
Whoever made the decision, great job. I can't wait to watch it.
Well, let's get up to the ring.
Oh my God.
The man that might win a Pulitzer Prize
in just one evening of doing interviews, Drew Gulak.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great privilege
to introduce to you someone very special.
She is a living legend, a 13-time champion,
perhaps the most dominant female Superstar in WWE.
Give it up for your SmackDown Women's Champion, Charlotte Flair!
[Pat] Nailed it, Drew!
[Cole] But the problem is, if you're gonna be an announcer,
you have to learn you have to listen to your producer.
The most important thing to do.
[Pat] Obviously, but Drew's first night, he's already winning awards in my mind.
Absolutely crushed it.
Now he gets to interview a champion.
[Charlotte Flair's theme playing]
Live your dream, Drew. Live your dream.
[Cole] The Opportunity.
A 13-time champion.
[Pat] The mere mention of her name…
brings electricity.
[crowd booing]
[effects popping]
-[Cole] Or pyrotechnics. -[Pat] Well, yeah.
[Pat] I should've said her name.
That would've been much better,
but there is not enough great things to say about Charlotte Flair
in the sports entertainment business.
[Cole] Three weeks from Sunday, at WrestleMania Backlash,
streaming live and exclusively on Peacock,
Charlotte Flair will defend her SmackDown Women's Championship
against "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey.
And not just any match, Pat, a "I Quit" Match.
You have beat the hell out of your opponent,
incapacitate them to the point
where they have to utter those humiliating and embarrassing words, "I quit."
[Pat] Great host, Drew Gulak, holding the ropes for our champion.
[Cole] A big opportunity for Mr. Gulak tonight.
Not often you get the chance to interview a champion like Charlotte Flair.
[scattered booing]
[Pat] One more time, Worcester!
[crowd booing]
Charlotte, welcome. I'm Drew Gulak.
Are you ready for a hard-hitting interview?
Just hold the mic.
Very well.
Last week on SmackDown,
you declined a challenge from Ronda Rousey to an "I Quit" Match.
However, WWE management went ahead and made the match official.
Are you concerned about Ronda's submission game?
[Pat] Oh, great question.
Number one, I didn't refuse the "I Quit" Match.
And number two, I was trying to protect Ronda.
I was trying to do Ronda a favor
by telling her to go to the end of the line
because we all know how fragile Ronda's ego is.
[crowd groaning negatively]
No, but Ronda had to whine, moan, and cry, and go to management
and get the match that she wanted.
And that actually makes me nervous because it's a big mistake.
We all saw how devastated she was after she lost at WrestleMania.
[crowd booing]
I mean, could you imagine…
imagine the humiliation after a "I Quit" Match?
-Well, I did-- -Yep?
Well, I did watch the match at WrestleMania
and it looked like Ronda Rousey made you tap out.
[Pat] Drew…
-[crowd jeering] -That's ridiculous.
[crowd] You tapped out! You tapped out! You tapped out!
[Cole] See what he started?
I was fixing my bra!
-I was fixing my bra! -[chanting continues]
No.
[crowd] You tapped out! You tapped out! You tapped out!
None of you would understand. None of you, none of you, none of you.
Look, I didn't mean to impose…
Then don't impose.
But if you did see, the referee could have been in position.
Had he seen what happened,
I think Ronda Rousey would be standing here as champion right now.
-[crowd cheering] -[Pat] Drew!
You're out of line.
I am the champion and I didn't tap out.
[crowd booing]
[crowd] You tapped out! You tapped out! You tapped out!
What? What? What?
You know what? Let me ask Drew a question.
Let me ask Drew a question. Drew…
Did you quit being a competitor
so you could stand here and hold a mic and ask me stupid questions?
[Pat] Oh…
[crowd booing]
No, because I guess people like you are used to quitting.
Like all of you, I know all of you are used to quitting.
[crowd booing]
No, seriously.
I bet all of you-- I bet one of you have quit the gym.
I bet you quit your job.
Hell, I bet you quit your relationships.
[crowd chattering, booing]
No, no. You see, not me.
I'm not a quitter because quitting is not in my DNA.
You want to know what is in my DNA?
Winning!
[crowd booing]
Because I am a submission master.
I have been submitting competition for over a decade.
Actually, you don't deserve to interview me.
Get out of my ring.
[Pat] Aw.
Now.
[crowd chattering, booing]
♪ Na, na, na, na ♪
[Cole] Oh no!
Charlotte attacking Gulak from behind.
[Pat] He's going to win a Pulitzer.
[Cole] And now, Charlotte Flair, setting Gulak up for the Figure-8,
and Gulak now in the Figure-8.
And Gulak tapping out to Charlotte after the attack by Flair.
Charlotte Flair even taps out interviewers.
Say you quit! Say it! This is going to be Ronda.
-I quit! -Say it.
-Say it louder. Louder. -I quit! I quit!
[Pat] She's bullying our broadcast colleague right now.
She said, "I'm a submission master," and she's locking in the--
[Cole] And Gulak is screaming, "I quit."
[Pat] His knee is getting popped in half.
[Cole] That's what Charlotte wants Rousey to scream
-three weeks from Sunday. -I quit!
[Pat] Drew Gulak was having the greatest night of his life.
Now, probably at least a meniscus, and Charlotte loves it.
[crowd booing]
-[Charlotte Flair's theme plays] -[Cole] Charlotte Flair incensed
as she prepares for the "I Quit" Match with Ronda Rousey
three weeks from Sunday at WrestleMania Backlash.
[Pat] Charlotte Flair is ruthless.
She just told the ref to "pick up my title and hand it to me,"
and she deserves everything positive said about her.
Charlotte Flair making an example of Drew Gulak tonight.
Just like she wants to do to Ronda Rousey.
She wants to embarrass Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania Backlash.
Well, speaking of embarrassed,
Sami Zayn was livid after losing to Johnny Knoxville at WrestleMania,
and he went to WWE official Adam Pearce about it last week.
The next person who walks through that door, I want a match with them.
The next person who walks through that door,
so that I can kick the crap out of them and get my respect back.
The next person that walks through that door?
Next person that walks
-through that door. -I love it.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Yes, so the match would happen.
And as Drew McIntyre was looking for the Claymore on Sami Zayn,
Sami does what many believe Sami does best,
and he ran away, and he got counted out in the match against Drew McIntyre.
Now, Sami said that it wasn't cowardice, Pat, that it was activism.
He said he was leaving the audience with a statement.
-[bell rings] -"Showing solidarity
with the working-class," those are Sami's words.
[Pat] Of course, he can spin anything.
I mean, he is a guy known for being a rat.
He got caught in a rat trap at WrestleMania.
[Cole] Good point.
["Gallantry (Defining Moment Remix)" by CFO$ playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Pat] And here comes our one of one.
[Cole] The Scottish Warrior.
-[effects popping] -[crowd cheers]
[Irvin] Please welcome Drew McIntyre!
[Cole] After losing to Drew McIntyre via count-out last week,
Sami Zayn looks to boost his locker room standing yet again.
Can he somehow knock off McIntyre?
We're going to find out live next.
Is he still up there?
[Cole] WrestleMania beats the Super Bowl.
[Pat] Stupendous!
[Cole] Two-point-two billion social media impressions for WWE.
[Pat] Stupendous!
[Cole] WWE won in video views with 1.1 billion.
[Pat] Stupendous!
[Cole] WWE won in engagements with WrestleMania at 87 million.
[Pat] What? Stupendous!
[Cole] And listen to this.
WWE won in video watch time
with WrestleMania at 13.1 million hours
versus Super Bowl at just 3.56 million hours.
[Pat] Stu…
pendous!
-[whimsical music plays] -[crowd booing]
To us, the mat is sacred.
Gunther protects the honor of this great sport.
He is the epitome of elegant destruction,
doling out punishment to the weak.
[speaking in German]
[in English] You will obey Der Ringgeneral.
[Cole] Who's going to argue with Gunther?
[Pat] Not me. I'd say nein to that if it was approached,
but also, look at the specimen in the ring right now.
[Cole] Drew McIntyre, the former WWE Champion, set for action.
[Pat] That sword…
150 pounds.
["Worlds Apart" by CFO$ playing]
I do not know if that's true, but it's very heavy, very large.
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring, from Montreal, Quebec, Canada,
weighing in at 212 pounds, Sami Zayn!
[booing]
Okay, hang on.
I saw that little package that they showed.
This needs to be addressed, okay?
For a while now, and especially after WrestleMania,
my reputation has taken a major, major hit.
And it's been made even worse
by the fact that now people are under the misconception
that last week I "ran away" from my match with Drew McIntyre.
Let me explain something. I wasn't running away.
I am not afraid of Drew McIntyre.
I am not afraid of anything or anyone.
[crowd booing]
I am the master strategist!
And everything I do, everything is calculated
and it's all part of a master plan,
but you people don't understand that, do you?
[crowd booing]
Drew, let me say this in a way to make sure that you understand.
Tonight, I'm not going to run, I'm not going to hide.
I am going to beat you in the middle of this ring,
and I am going to regain the respect that these people owe me.
-[crowd booing] -[indistinct]
[Pat] Drew is not fazed at all.
-[Cole] Sami Zayn fired up tonight. -[bell rings]
[Pat] Sami did run from this guy last-- Oh, here we go.
[Cole] Sami Zayn has no interest in starting the matchup in the ring,
and he's gonna pay for it.
Drew McIntyre driving Sami Zayn tailbone-first into the apron,
the barricade and the apron again.
And Sami Zayn should've probably stayed in the ring.
[Pat] Yeah, I think so, and Drew's just carrying him like a little baby.
There it is. "Light work," he says.
[Cole] McIntyre is over all the fun and games.
He just got done beating the hell out of the Happy Folks' Happy Corbin.
Now-- Sami, where the hell are you going?
What the-- why are you here?
Whoa, whoa, whoa!
Hey, hey, hey! Hey, hey.
[Cole] Sami trying to use Pat as a shield, holding him hostage.
-Thank you, buddy. To hell with you, pal! -[Cole] Pat, that's a bit biased.
[Pat] He was trying to get me punched in the face by The Scottish Warrior.
What the hell am I supposed to do? Thank you, Drew.
[Cole] And now, Sami Zayn going to escape from the other side.
[Pat] That was really scary. That came out of nowhere.
-Zero to ten real quick. -[Drew screams]
Now, Sami Zayn, a rake in the eyes of McIntyre,
and now Sami Zayn finds himself with the advantage
and goes right after The Scottish Warrior,
so maybe these cat and mouse games here…
I'm not scared of you!
[Cole] …will help Sami a bit.
[Pat] Sami says he's the master strategist.
He would say that what he did last week,
even though he was scared to death, was all part of his master plan.
He actually did say that.
[Cole] Well, other people would say he was a coward, Pat.
He had nothing… wanted nothing to do with Drew McIntyre.
[Pat] I know the Canadian people are normally great champions,
very good gamblers, but they're embarrassed by Sami Zayn…
running away, looking like a coward.
[Cole] Look how the expression changed
as Sami tries to throw a big right hand that didn't faze McIntyre.
And what a Glasgow Kiss,
and now McIntyre lining up to bring Sami Zayn to Claymore country.
[crowd] Three, two, one!
[Cole] And Sami Zayn once again rolling out of the ring
and Drew McIntyre not going to let Sami Zayn escape this time.
[Pat] That time was a great avoidance,
but Drew gets his ass back in the ring, he says.
[Cole] And Sami Zayn…
said, "No way," and again,
Sami, where you going?
[crowd clamoring]
[Pat] What the hell is Sami doing?
[Cole] Sami Zayn is again running away from Drew McIntyre.
Make no mistake about it, Pat. Sami is retreating.
[Pat] Walking through the WWE universe,
just gives an elbow to a Bruins-wearing hoodie guy.
-[Cole] Much like what happened last week. -[bell rings]
McIntyre wins via count out.
[Pat] It's going to be tough to defend this one, Sami.
Two times in a-- Oh.
-[Cole] Drew McIntyre said, "Uh-uh." -[Pat] "You keep running."
[Cole] And McIntyre going after Sami Zayn.
[Pat] Look at that monster of a man running through the crowd,
-fed up with Sami's antics. -[McIntyre's theme music plays]
[Pat] Almost said something else.
[crowd cheering]
[Pat] Look at that view.
-Drew McIntyre, beloved by the universe. -[Cole] Think about this though, Pat.
At some point, Drew McIntyre is going to get his hands on Sami Zayn.
[Pat] We all want to watch Drew McIntyre do his thing too.
-[music continues playing] -[crowd cheering]
Well, it looks like Sami Zayn is still on the run.
But now, please welcome my guest, Intercontinental Champion… Ricochet.
[crowd cheering]
Ricochet, people call you flawless.
And you're going to have to be in order to successfully defend your title
against a former WWE Champion in Jinder Mahal.
I mean, you're right.
Look at Jinder. I mean, he's mean. He's imposing.
But what I see when I look at Jinder Mahal
is someone else who simply cannot match my abilities
when I step into that ring.
I see another tree trunk of a man ready to be chopped down.
Kayla, the reason why people call me flawless,
it isn't because I'm perfect, it's because I make it look perfect.
Listen, the bottom line is tonight,
this… this beautiful title, it's not going anywhere.
Just watch.
[Cole] A very confident Intercontinental Champion.
["It's About to Go Down" by Def Rebel playing]
[Pat] Another great interview here on Friday Night SmackDown.
Ricochet should be confident. This dude is awesome.
[effects popping]
[no audible dialogue]
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the Intercontinental Championship.
Introducing first, weighing in at 207 pounds,
he is the Intercontinental Champion,
Ricochet!
[Cole] Pat, Ricochet said when he won the championship
that he would be a fighting champion.
Well, last week, Jinder Mahal wanted a championship opportunity, he gets one.
The former WWE Champion, Jinder Mahal
goes for Intercontinental gold versus Ricochet live next on Fox.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] This month WWE is supporting Make-A-Wish
during the lead-up to World Wish Day on April 29.
[woman] For over 40 years,
we've come together to create joy, strength, and hope.
You can help make every wish come true.
Hope begins with you.
[Cole] Join WWE and Make-A-Wish to help restore hope for wish kids.
Visit wish.org/wwe to learn how you can support.
[Pat] Sami's still on the run.
-Oh my God! You scared me! Oh my God. -Sami.
Seriously, running from Drew again?
-It's unacceptable. -You don't understand.
-No, no. Not another word, please. -It won't happen again.
It's not gonna happen again.
It's not gonna happen again
because you're gonna have a rematch with Drew next week.
-No. -Yeah, not only a rematch,
but there won't be any running, Sami, and I'll tell you why.
Because you and Drew next week will be in a Lumberjack Match.
-[crowd cheering] -[softly] No…
[Cole] That's right. Finally nowhere for Sami to run
because Superstars will surround the ring, Pat,
so when one of the competitors leaves the ring,
they're going to get thrown right back inside.
[Pat] And Sami doesn't have a lot of friends,
so I assume those lumberjacks are going to be taking their hacks at Sami--
[Irvin] And his opponent, accompanied to the ring by Shanky,
weighing in at 238 pounds,
"The Modern Day Maharaja," Jinder Mahal!
[Cole] As we get set for this Intercontinental Championship match, Pat,
mark your calendar.
The final Saturday of July,
we're heading to Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee, for SummerSlam.
-Tickets available next Friday. -[Pat] Home of the Titans.
I have a lot of incredible memories there,
but last SummerSlam, Brock Lesnar came back, Becky Lynch came back.
That show is going to be massive and Nashville deserves it.
[Cole] And this is gonna be massive.
Tonight, Ricochet defending the prestigious Intercontinental Championship
against Jinder Mahal.
-[bell rings] -Jinder Mahal,
a former WWE Champion in his own right.
The Modern Day Maharaja looking to outpower Ricochet in this match tonight.
[Pat] On the agility mountain, Ricochet is at its peak.
The most agile man you will ever set your eyes upon.
He's flawless when he starts flying around,
but Jinder Mahal has the power advantage on the Intercontinental Champion.
[Cole] And Shanky, Jinder's running buddy at ringside.
And look at the blows to the face of Ricochet by Jinder.
Ricochet realized what he was stepping into tonight.
He said that Jinder Mahal still has the edge, the drive,
he wants to be champion.
Oh, as he looks to outpower Ricochet.
Cover now to win the title. Hook of the leg by Jinder, and a kickout.
[Pat] Jinder impressive here early against our champion.
[Cole] Look at that. Bang! Right on the back of his neck.
Ricochet says he wants to continue his legacy tonight,
but Jinder Mahal may not give Ricochet an opportunity.
Been all over the champion since the get-go.
[Pat] "Modern Day Maharaja" Jinder Mahal with Shanky in tow.
He's looking to get back on top as well.
Former champion has done amazing things in the WWE.
[Cole] And driving Ricochet into the corner,
now pounding away, Jinder Mahal.
[referee] Back it up! Come on!
[Pat] Jinder Mahal has it all, does he not?
[Cole] Tremendous shape as Ricochet looks to fight back.
-You saw Sami Zayn moments ago-- -[Pat] Here we go. Here we go.
[Cole] That's who Ricochet beat to win the Intercontinental Championship.
Kip-up by Ricochet, and there's the quickness now.
He said he needed to use his endurance tonight against Mahal.
Crossbody.
[Pat] You are not watching a video game. This is a human.
[Cole] And a cover now by Ricochet off a standing moonsault, and a kickout.
[Pat] Everything to perfection. Flawless.
Smoothly from one thing to the next.
[Cole] And Ricochet… caught though by Jinder Mahal.
Looking to put Ricochet away,
and he's able to counter Mahal's finishing maneuver,
but shoulders are down.
Mahal grabs the tights and Ricochet kicks at two.
-[Pat] Almost had Ricochet. -[Cole] Oh! Recoil!
[Pat] I'm not sure he caught that 100% clean, but he got it on the jaw.
[Cole] And Ricochet with Mahal down and out.
Going to climb to the top rope.
Mahal in the drop zone.
And Shanky pulling Mahal out of harm's way.
[Pat] You said the drop zone.
The Shanky zone is the entire ring because his reach is nine feet.
-[Cole] And now taking out both men! -[crowd cheering]
[Pat] Ricochet able to adapt to whatever.
Was about to do something mesmerizing into the ring.
Called an audible, took to the sky.
Down goes Jinder and Shanky.
[crowd] Ricochet! Ricochet! Ricochet!
[Cole] And the "Ricochet" chants from the WWE fans.
Top rope goes Ricochet.
And Ricochet connects!
-Cover on Mahal. -[crowd] One, two, three!
-[bell rings] -Retains the title!
[Irvin] Here is your winner
and still the Intercontinental Champion,
Ricochet!
[Pat] Just like Kidman used to do,
Ricochet hits a picture-perfect Shooting Star earlier in the match.
Springboard crossbody to perfection, standing moonsault,
then off the top, crossbody coming down from the clouds.
[Cole] Watch the height here.
The balance that Kidman never had.
Ricochet with the Shooting Star.
[Pat] Look at how high he gets.
Could have spun twice if he wanted it to, and Jinder can't kick out.
[Cole] He is exhilarating, he is invigorating,
he is innovative, and he is breathtaking.
And he's your Intercontinental Champion, Ricochet.
A very impressive title defense by Ricochet,
but now please welcome my guests, Sheamus, Ridge Holland, and Butch.
All right, Meggie. What's going on? How are you?
Well, Sheamus, it seemed that there was a bit of dissension
among the three of you last week.
Let's take a look.
[Cole] This was last week.
It was Butch versus Xavier,
and as Butch was trying to win his in-ring debut on SmackDown,
Xavier would catch him here
with what has become known as the Backwoods.
After the loss, Pat, Butch was absolutely livid,
and he took out his frustrations on his own team of Holland and Sheamus.
[Pat] Yeah, the Backwoods brought a lot of happiness to the New Day folk,
but Butch "The Rabid Wolverine" lost his mind
and started wailing on the Eastie Boys.
[Cole] And, Pat, look at this.
He was pouting like a petulant child after he lost.
[indistinct chatter]
[chuckles] Are you serious, Meggie? That?
We've had bigger fights
over who gets the remote control for the TV back in the house.
You see, that, where I come from,
that's a civilized discussion, Meg, do you know what I mean?
For the matter at hand, I will say we all have had a discussion
and we have all agreed that Butch needs to harness his aggression.
He's come to the conclusion, too, that we, his brothers in arms, are not the enemy.
-Isn't that right, Butchy, huh? [laughs] -Hey, hey. Whoa, whoa.
The enemy is who?
-Who? -Who?
-[chuckles]
New Day!
-[Pat] Butch speaks. -See, Meg?
There's no trouble in this paradise, do you know what I'm saying?
And all you and everybody-- hang on a second.
All you and everybody need to know-- one second.
That every night is-- What?
We've lost Butch.
What? How… How could you lose Butch?
He's not a set of bleeding car keys, is he?
We've lost Butch.
[Pat] Where the hell's Butch?
[man] Tonight's classic SmackDown moment is delivered by Pizza Hut.
No one out-pizzas the hut.
Order today at pizzahut.com or download the app.
I am issuing a challenge to anyone in that locker room.
Who in the hell are you?
I'm John Cena.
What is the one quality that you possess?
Ruthless aggression!
[commentator] Cena's a rookie.
He's a prospect here at World Wrestling Entertainment.
John Cena giving Kurt Angle all he can handle, and then some.
What's your name, kid?
John Cena.
-[crowd cheers] -Nice job.
Hey, we don't talk. We do what we do.
You're right. You're right.
I said, we don't talk. We do what we do.
And, you know, Butch's team was looking real good in that G.I. Jane remake.
[laughs]
[grunting]
[Cole] Well, there's Butch!
-Come on! -Butch attacking Xavier and Kofi.
-[shouting] -Now, Sheamus and Ridge getting involved.
Knock it off!
[men shouting]
This son of a bitch Butch is a wild animal.
-Manic. -Absolutely.
He's absolutely insane, that guy.
Starting fights, leaving the boys.
The Eastie Boys gotta get him under control.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, switching gears now.
Remember, Pat, last week we learned about the harrowing
and traumatic childhood of Lacey Evans.
From growing up in an abusive household to living life on the run,
Lacey shared with us the first chapter
in the heart-breaking and inspirational life story,
which really made Lacey the woman she is today.
We now present chapter two in the story of Lacey Evans.
Okay, here it goes.
After my mom took us and ran,
it wasn't long before my father eventually found us in Texas.
And the anger and sadness within our home grew.
He wanted to teach us work ethic and certain values
that he found important,
but the way that he went about doing so scarred us for life.
I was cleaning up job sites and shoveling shingles
by the time I was in middle school.
If our chicken pens or pig pens weren't cleaned out good enough,
he would make us climb inside of them and sit for hours.
If his food wasn't hot enough, or not what he wanted,
he would flip the tables and throw whatever dish was in front of him.
Then he would go to his room and he'd slam the door
and he'd leave us covered in food, cleaning up broken glass.
Eventually, due to my father's mental health
and his anger and his addiction,
my father found himself a wanted man on an assault charge,
and once again, we were on the run.
This time living in tents at campgrounds, jumping state to state.
I learned at a very young age
about fighting and hiding and how to use both to my advantage.
Child protective services was involved in my life
from the start just about as much as law enforcement,
but the problem was that neither saved me or my family.
I learned how to rely on myself because no one was going to save me.
I learned to keep my head up and keep fighting
no matter what life threw at me,
and I've never been handed a single thing.
My ability to still find the positives in the middle of so much negative
made me who I am today.
And when all else fails, you got to keep your head up and you got to work hard,
because unlike every single other female Superstar in the locker room,
I'm comfortable at rock bottom.
And there isn't a single thing that any one of them can do to faze me.
Because of what I've been through my entire life,
it has made me a motivated, ready for anything, confident,
caring and careful daughter, mother, wife, sister,
United States Marine…
and WWE Superstar.
Now that doesn't make me any better than any of these other female Superstars,
but they damn sure are no better than me.
[exhales]
[scoffs]
I mean, cry me a river, Lacey.
-We've all had tough lives. -Seriously.
Jeez, I don't even know what happened to this place.
It used to be the land of opportunity
and now it's just turned into the island of misfit toys.
I mean, we've got Lacey, Rhea, Liv, Aliyah.
These girls don't have any respect for us, for legends like us, Shayna.
And now, we have this new girl, another new face.
She's got all her stuff all over the locker room.
She's taken our sanctuary, our locker room,
and turned it into her own personal playground.
I mean…
[whispering] Who is she? Tell me. Our future is bleak.
Hi.
I'm Raquel Rodriguez.
It's a pleasure to finally meet you.
It's so good to meet you, Raquel. I'm Natalya.
-Welcome to SmackDown. -Thanks.
-Shayna, let's go. -Here you go.
[awkward chuckle]
Natalya, a bit spineless, some would say there,
whenever she faced Raquel Rodriguez, an absolute dominant Superstar.
Raquel going to be a player here on Friday Night SmackDown,
but right now it is time for our main event and what a main event it is.
One half of the Raw Tag Team Champions in action.
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Randy Orton,
he is one half of the Raw Tag Team Champions, Riddle!
[Cole] Well, next week, ladies and gentlemen,
Friday Night SmackDown arrives into the capital of New York State, Albany.
I have to wonder if RK-Bro is going to be around
because that Championship Unification Match for the Tag Team Titles
is official, three weeks from Sunday, at WrestleMania Backlash.
[Pat] And there's the grasshoppers, hopping their way into your screen.
RK-Bro look to become the Unified Tag Team Champions.
[Cole] But coming up next, who will draw first blood
as Riddle goes one-on-one with Jimmy Uso,
one half of the SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
Riddle versus Uso.
Our main event is live next on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle, auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
The Raw Tag Team Champions are in the ring.
Riddle is going to go one-on-one tonight with Jimmy Uso,
but let's tell you about what's gonna happen next week on SmackDown
in New York's capital city of Albany.
First Madcap Mass-- Moss, I should say,
who knocked off Humberto earlier tonight, goes one-on-one with Angel.
[Pat] Madcap Moss looking to prove himself in this post-Happy era.
[Cole] And also, next week, no more running for Sami Zayn
because Superstars will surround the ring.
When you go outside, they're going to toss you back in.
Zayn and McIntyre in a Lumberjack Match.
[Pat] If Sami tries to run like a rat, he'll get his ass beat.
-Now… it's time. -["Born A King" by Def Rebel playing]
[Irvin] And his opponent, accompanied to the ring by Jey Uso,
he is one half of the SmackDown Tag Team Champions,
Jimmy Uso!
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, we gave you the breaking news earlier on tonight.
Three weeks from Sunday, Providence, Rhode Island,
streaming exclusively on Peacock, WrestleMania Backlash.
And, Pat, we will unify the Tag Team Titles here in WWE.
Raw Tag Team Champs, RK-Bro,
against the SmackDown Tag Team Champions, The Usos.
Tag Team Championship. It's winner-take-all unification.
The Bloodline looking to do what Roman Reigns, "The Head of the Table,"
did earlier this month at WrestleMania
when he unified the WWE and Universal Titles.
[Pat] Massive news that's going to send ripple effects around the entire business.
There will only be one champion
of the entire tag team division here at WWE.
[bell rings]
[Cole] You saw Jimmy and Jey enter Roman Reigns' locker room earlier on tonight.
Of course, Jimmy must have gotten his marching orders
from the Head of the Table, the head of The Bloodline,
the undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns.
Riddle now goes right after Jimmy Uso to start this matchup off.
-Went for an RKO and Jimmy Uso escaped. -[Jey] You saw what he tried to do?
[Pat] Riddle and Randy Orton, the Raw Champions.
-Riddle is… -You saw what he tried to do.
-[Pat] …an impeccable human being. -You see that? Chess move. Let's move.
[Pat] He's quick like a cat, he can fight.
He lives in altitudes most people can't breathe in.
And everybody loves him.
[Cole] Oh, but Jimmy Uso suckered Riddle into the ring
and right into the clothesline.
[Pat] Randy had the titles over his shoulders, he threw them down.
Now he's rooting on his teammate here.
Yes, quite the odd couple, Randy Orton and Riddle,
but they've turned into one hell of a tag team
and Tag Team Champions here in WWE.
Orton, for his entire career, Pat, has been alone.
Did you ever think that he'd have quite the team like he does with Riddle?
[Pat] I actually got a chance to interview Randy Orton before WrestleMania.
I had a good conversation with him about him enjoying…
[Cole] On the Pat McAfee show.
[Pat] …him enjoying the hell out of his time with Riddle
and feeling rejuvenated with Riddle.
It wasn't like that at the beginning of their relationship,
but they've certainly come together to bring out the best in each other.
[Cole] Of course, The Usos, they mentioned it earlier tonight, twin brothers.
-They've been together since day one. -[Pat] Well, even before day one.
[Cole] They're seven-time Tag Team Champions,
and the longest reigning SmackDown Tag Team Champions in history,
270 days tonight, dating all the way back to last July.
[Pat] The Usos aren't scared about that action.
-They're down. -[Cole] Ooh!
[Pat] They will do whatever to remain champions.
That's why they've been on top for so long.
[Cole] So confident.
Of course, part of The Bloodline with Roman Reigns.
Oh, and a kick by Riddle drops Jimmy.
[Pat] I've been learning about The Usos' family
through Young Rock every Tuesday on NBC.
[Cole] Look at this, nice throw.
[Pat] Certainly generational greatness.
[Cole] Randy Orton mentioned earlier tonight
the respect he has for The Usos and their family, their bloodline.
Riddle got caught by Jimmy,
and twist and turn into dropping Riddle right on the apron.
[Pat] Right in front of Randy Orton.
[Cole] Now, driving Riddle into the steel steps.
[Pat] Jimmy Uso throwing Riddle around.
[Cole] And now into the barricade on the other side.
And Jimmy measuring Riddle with a superkick to the jaw.
Riddle's in trouble.
Can he climb back in this,
or will The Usos continue to dominate on Fox?
[Cole] Riddle's firing back on Jimmy Uso in this one-on-one matchup.
Jimmy Uso caught him, back of the neck with a kick enzuigiri.
Cover now by Jimmy. Hook of the leg. Is it enough? Kickout by Riddle at two.
-Let's go! -Riddle and Jimmy Uso, one-on-one tonight.
Three weeks from Sunday,
the SmackDown Tag Champs, The Usos,
against the Raw Tag Champs, RK-Bro, to unify the Tag Team Titles.
Winner-take-all at WrestleMania Backlash.
[Pat] Great match to learn about your opponent
in the biggest match of your life.
Unification.
[Cole] Riddle lands on his feet, drives Jimmy back to the ropes.
And Riddle caught him with a kick.
Jimmy not quite sure where he's at.
[Pat] The athleticism of the barefoot Riddle.
[Cole] Now Riddle into the corner, building momentum.
Riddle again.
Great throw by Riddle.
That Fisherman's Suplex as he drops Riddle,
and now running knee.
Nobody home.
That time he caught him with a senton.
Running knee by Riddle.
[Pat] Riddle rolling on SmackDown.
Big-time kick
like Vinny used to do up in this area for the Patriots,
-and Gostkowski. -[Cole] Oh!
And now, German suplex.
Is it enough to put him away off the bridge?
And a kickout.
[Pat] Randy Orton thought that was it.
About to ride some momentum into Monday night.
[Cole] Randy Orton trying to rally Riddle here.
[Pat] They seem to be tighter than ever.
It's actually a joy to see,
their first time here on SmackDown in some time.
-Riddle taking to the sky. -[Cole] Going to put Jimmy Uso away!
Knees to the back.
Oh! Fall!
Caught him with a Samoan drop. Cover now, hook of the leg.
Is it enough? And a kickout at two.
[Pat] Pop-up Samoan drop to Riddle.
[Cole] And Riddle got caught.
[Pat] Back of his neck, eating a knee, and a pop-up Samoan drop,
Jimmy Uso regaining quite an edge here.
Riddle mentioning Old England earlier in a promo,
here in New England tonight getting Worcester behind him.
[Cole] A critical part of this matchup.
Hey, hey, what are you doing, man?
-[Pat] Whoa, whoa, whoa. -What are you doing?
[Cole] Oh!
Jimmy Uso driving Orton right to the floor.
[Pat] Randy and Jey were getting into it.
[Cole] And now, Riddle… caught him.
[Pat] Jimmy getting distracted by the altercation with his brother and Randy.
Randy now… Oh!
Distracting the ref, and Jey Uso knocking Matt Riddle--
-[Cole] Superkick… -[Pat] Off the top rope.
[Cole] …by Jimmy.
[Pat] Chaos on the outside.
[Cole] Randy Orton now right here in front of us with a right hand to Jey Uso.
Look out now, Jey Uso dropped right on our announce table.
Riddle rolled out of the way.
-Whoa, an RKO from out of nowhere! -[crowd] One, two, three!
[bell rings]
["Voices" by Rev Theory playing]
[Irvin] Here is your winner, Riddle!
[Pat] I mean, the end of that match
had everything we could have dreamed of with these two teams.
[Cole] And that's just a taste of what it's going to be like
three weeks from Sunday at WrestleMania Backlash
when Orton and Riddle take on The Usos to unify the Tag Team Titles.
Randy would take out Jey Uso
with his patented move at the announce table.
[Pat] Jey Uso landing on a table that won't give
and then an incredible pop-up RKO
out of nowhere.
There was a glorious time when this is all the Internet was,
and tonight on SmackDown,
three weeks away from a Unification Tag Team Championship Match,
Riddle uses Randy's move to finish Jimmy Uso.
[Cole] So again, three weeks from Sunday,
Providence, Rhode Island, WrestleMania Backlash.
The Raw Tag Team Champions, RK-Bro,
against the SmackDown Tag Team Champions, The Usos.
Something has to give.
It's winners-take-all Tag Team Championship Unification Match.
And next week, right here on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox,
from New York State capital of Albany, New York,
Superstars will surround the ring.
If you go outside, you're going to get thrown right back in.
No more running for Sami Zayn.
McIntyre, Zayn, next week,
Lumberjack Match on Friday Night SmackDown.
Good night, everybody.
[rock music playing] .