[WWE intro music playing]
[John Cena] Then.
-[Flair] Woo! -[glass shatters]
[The Rock] If you smell…
-[bell tolls] -[Cena] Now.
-♪ The King of Kings ♪ -♪ You can't see me ♪
Forever.
[crowd cheering]
Together.
[music fades]
♪ Are you ready? ♪
["Are You Ready" by AC/DC playing]
♪ Are you ready? ♪
[Cole] With Clash at the Castle looming tomorrow in Cardiff,
we set the table tonight
on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
Sponsored by Progressive.
A triple threat protection,
with home, auto, and more.
[dramatic music playing]
[McAfee] What the hell?
What is-- What's going on here, Cole?
[Cole] It is a Viking Rules Match.
[McAfee] Of course.
[Cole] Because there are no rules.
It's "Falls Count Anywhere."
And Viking gear including a long ship.
I'm getting seasick.
The dragon boats are here.
["Vicious" playing]
And it's time to join the raid.
[McAfee] I felt like a Viking there for a few seconds.
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following is a Viking Rules Match.
That means there are no rules
and falls count anywhere!
Introducing first, at a combined weight of 590 pounds,
Erik and Ivar, The Viking Raiders!
[Cole] The Viking Raiders have had this issue with The New Day.
Last week, The New Day pulled one over on The Viking Raiders.
Feigning injury, they were all set to go and an attack with
Kendo sticks, and in fact, that attack left this massive scar
on the midsection of Ivar.
So Ivar and Erik with hell to pay here tonight.
[McAfee] Feeling right at home in that boat of theirs.
Going to have to represent for The Vikings in a Viking Rules Match.
["New Day, New Way" playing]
[Irvin] And their opponents,
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods,
The New Day!
[Cole] Well, Pat, I guess if you're going to fight Vikings,
you might as well dress like Vikings
to channel it, right?
They're dressed like Vikings, Kofi and Xavier.
[McAfee] Okay. Yeah, I see it now.
[Cole] That's what I was trying to explain.
[McAfee] Well, also griddying like Vikings as well.
This is going to be a grueling battle that The New Day proved
just one week ago that they are more than capable of having.
Fooling and duping the WWE Universe.
Busting out Kendo sticks and beating down The Viking Raiders.
I'm eager to see how this goes.
I'm learning more and more about Vikings as the seconds roll on.
They do not smell terrible,
but they do tend to be incredibly vicious.
[bell rings]
[Cole] So again, Viking Rules, anything goes.
Falls count anywhere. And The New Day…
[Xavier grunts]
…one of the greatest tag teams in the history of the WWE,
going right to work on Erik and Ivar, The Viking Raiders.
In this matchup between The New Day, what's your strategy, Pat?
[McAfee] Well, if you're new to the show right now,
the flags and shields…
[crowd counting]
…scattered around the ship.
If you're The New Day, you just want to do what The New Day does.
They're fast, they're quick,
they're innovative, and they're incredibly talented.
[Cole] When you mentioned all the…
Viking gear around the ring can be used as weapons.
Anything goes in this match.
[McAfee] Hashtag Viking fight.
[Xavier] Time to turn up!
[McAfee] Oh, oh, oh.
Time to turn up in this Viking Rules fight.
[The New Day grunt together]
-Just start stomping Vikings in the face. -[Kofi yells]
[Kofi] Yeah!
[Cole] Oh!
Kofi Kingston.
The Viking Raiders taken completely out of their game,
Pat, here, in the early going.
[crowd chanting] New Day rocks!
[McAfee] You hear this entire arena.
That's because The New Day has been doing this to folks for a long time.
[Cole] Yeah, The Viking Raiders
injuring both Xavier and Kofi in recent weeks.
-[McAfee] Damn! -[Cole] Over the top!
The New Day flying, they're on fire.
The Viking Raiders haven't even been able to get into this match.
[McAfee] In unison.
And then, I think Xavier Woods even gives a little extra
on top of it.
[Cole] Oh, and bouncing Ivar off one of his own Viking shields.
And again, face-first, snapping that one shield already.
[Erik shouts]
[McAfee] Those shields are built to take swords and…
[Xavier shouts]
…other weapons of that nature.
Viking weapons.
And tonight, they got to handle The New Day.
[Cole] Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston.
How sweet it would be to finally put
-The Viking Raiders away tonight. -[Xavier grunts]
Running dropkick into the shield into the face of Erik.
[front row cheering]
[McAfee] Definitely a hand gesture we should have known
before the double stomp, but The New Day
are in complete control of The Vikings.
[Cole] Now, with Ivar being held down by Xavier Woods,
Kofi Kingston now, coming off the barricade with a Splash.
[Xavier egging Kofi on]
-[McAfee] Picture perfect. -[Cole] Cover now by Kofi.
Falls count anywhere. Ivar kicks out.
New Day rolling in Viking Rules.
[Cole] And we are back on Friday Night SmackDown,
Viking Rules match.
Anything goes, falls count anywhere.
[McAfee] Xavier Woods is standing…
on top.
Oh, and a crossbody. The Vikings wiped out.
[referee and fans] One, two--
[fans groan]
[Cole] A cover and a kickout.
It's hard to see what's going on there in that mass of humanity.
[fans chanting] New Day rocks!
[McAfee] If I had tickets to a show,
-you might see somebody get pinned. -[Cole] Woah!
[Cole] Kofi sent flying over the barricade.
-Xavier sending-- Oh my goodness, -[crowd gasps]
Erik fell right on top of the back of Kofi's neck.
[man] Get up! Get up!
[Xavier yells]
[McAfee] Xavier driven into the barricade.
[Cole] Now, Ivar back in the fray.
As physical as we thought this match was going to be.
[McAfee] This is getting brutal. What's…
behind those Viking eyes?
-[thuds] -[Cole] Oh my goodness!
-[crowd gasping] -A running crossbody,
plastering Xavier into the barricade.
-[referee] One, two-- -[Cole] Cover.
Kickout at two.
[Cole] Official Jessika Carr doing
-an unbelievable job in this match. -[crowd shouts]
The impact of Ivar.
[McAfee] Xavier healthy again and then…
-[crowd chants] New Day rocks! -[Cole] Well, he was healthy.
And now, Kofi Kingston, Kendo stick in hand.
Kofi trying to use it again on Erik,
and Erik not allowing it to happen.
[McAfee] That shield was broken earlier in the fight,
and now…
the Kendo stick.
That was the last time, Kofi.
[McAfee] He's facing a different direction.
It's payback time.
[Erik groans]
[Cole] Oh, and Kingston with a kick to the midsection.
[McAfee] And Kendo Kingston's back.
[Erik groaning]
-[crowd cheering] -[groans]
[Cole] Kofi misses wild and now--
[shouting] Oh, Erik, planting Kingston.
-Cover! -[referee] One, two--
Off a massive Ura Nage, but Kingston able to kick out.
[McAfee] Erik focused, gets the Kendo stick.
[Erik] Get up!
[Erik shouts]
[Cole] Wicked Ura Nage planting Kofi Kingston.
-[referee] One, two-- -What an impact that time by Erik.
[McAfee] And then he uses the Kendo stick on Kofi's back.
The Vikings in full control now.
[yells]
[McAfee] Oh.
The Viking Raiders standing tall.
[crowd booing]
[McAfee] Proud of themselves.
They have beaten down The New Day.
[Erik groans]
[Cole] Oh my goodness. There are bodies flying everywhere.
[McAfee] Kofi.
[Cole] Kingston, what a kick to the face of Ivar.
Viking Rules means destruction.
New Day, The Viking Raiders…
-[McAfee] It also means-- -[Cole] …doing what they can.
[McAfee] Unicorn horn, sledgehammers.
Unicorn horn, sledgehammers.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] I heard you the first time.
I was just in awe when he pulled it out from underneath the ring.
[McAfee] How could you not be?
[Cole] Kofi Kingston, top rope.
Bang, right on the face…
of Erik.
-Cover by Kofi for the win. -[crowd] One, two--
[crowd shouting]
[McAfee] The unicorn horn sledgehammer,
in Kofi's hand…
breaking over the head…
of Ivar.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome!
-[crowd cheers] -[Cole] Oh, table time!
[McAfee] This is what the universe has been asking for.
Xavier, Kofi got the tables.
They have a plan. Oh, plan ruined.
[crowd boos]
[Cole] The Viking Raiders have slowed the pace.
Now it becomes physical.
Now it becomes brutal.
[McAfee] Everything was going The New Day's way.
[Cole] Now tossed on the Viking longship.
[McAfee] The beards are flowing.
[Cole] The Viking Raiders trying to take Kofi down
on the dragon boat.
[McAfee] I believe this is starboard or--
-[Cole] Oh! -[crowd roars]
Ivar dropped right onto Kofi.
Xavier Woods trying to get back in the fight
to help his partner, planting Erik…
with a spinning DDT.
-Cover by Woods for the win. -[referee] One, two--
Kickout at two.
Watch this.
Oh my goodness,
dropping Ivar onto the midsection of Kofi.
[crowd chanting]
[McAfee] We expected this to be a brawl,
and obviously it has delivered.
Oh. Xavier Woods.
-Woods trying to fight back into this. -[McAfee] Another one.
[Cole] Yeah, but he was caught by Ivar. The power of Ivar.
Misses wildly with a clothesline.
Woods now using his quickness.
Oh, and a Superkick, dropping Ivar back into the corner.
[McAfee] How does Woods still have this energy?
-[McAfee] Oh! -[Cole] Maybe not. Sit down!
[McAfee] Viking ass right to the chest.
[Cole] And now…
the double-team by Erik and Ivar.
[crowd clamoring]
Massive slam,
perhaps breaking the ribs of Xavier Woods.
-[McAfee] Look in the back. -Cover.
[Cole] Kofi Kingston, though,
with a stomp off the top rope.
Viking Rules continues.
[Cole] And we are back on Friday Night SmackDown.
Viking Rules, which means there are no rules.
Falls count anywhere. Erik and Ivar dominating
The New Day as we speak.
[McAfee] There are tables stacked on top of each other outside.
[Cole] And Ivar, the massive--
Oh! Erik of old runs into a…
big step-up enzuigiri by Xavier Woods.
And Xavier now driving Ivar into barricade.
The New Day holding their own
with this physical team, The Viking Raiders.
[McAfee] This has gone both ways throughout this thing.
-Xavier Woods has still remained… -[Cole] Oh!
[McAfee] …incredibly impressive.
[Cole] Fired up, the speed and quickness of Woods
has Erik in trouble.
Sweeping the legs. Senton by Woods.
-[screams] -[crowd cheering]
-[McAfee] Fired up. -Very impressive, Xavier Woods here.
[McAfee] Back and healthy, and it's great to see.
[Cole] Nobody's going to be healthy after this match.
This has been as physical and it's going to continue.
Steel chairs completely legal under Viking Rules.
[McAfee] Chairs, shields, boats and tables.
-[Erik grunts] -[Cole] Oh! What a right… [chuckles]
…by Erik, maybe knocking Xavier Woods out.
[McAfee] Xavier Woods took a little bit too much time on the chair.
And Erik "The Bald"…
gave him Erik's right hand.
[Cole] Xavier Woods looking to turn things around.
Kofi Kingston in to help.
Double-team by The New Day.
Erik face-first collapsing a chair.
The chair imploding. Cover by Woods and Kingston,
and Ivar with a massive Splash!
[McAfee] The New Day--
[Cole] Bang!
[McAfee] Putting Erik through a chair.
I'm not sure that chair was ever a hundred,
but it's certainly at zero now,
and Ivar…
delivering a kick and waking
-his fellow Viking back up. -[Erik] Come on.
With some heavy slaps.
[Cole] Erik still stunned. Watch this.
Watch this impact, bang.
Right off the side of the head of Kingston.
[McAfee] Shin to the dome…
-from a 300-pounder. -[Cole] And now, setting up
-Kofi Kingston this time. -[McAfee] Oh!
[Cole] Xavier Woods and Erik fighting right out of the ring in front of us.
Kofi fighting back.
[McAfee] What's-- What's this big ass Viking thinking?
What's this monster Viking thinking?
-What? -[Cole] Going up to the top rope
is Ivar.
[McAfee] What?
[Cole] From high above the ring.
Kofi rolls out of harm's way,
and now it's Kingston's time. Kingston's opportunity.
-[Kofi bellows] -[Cole] Kofi.
[McAfee] Splash to the back.
[Cole] And now, Xavier Woods with Ivar all the way across the ring.
-[McAfee] Walk the ropes. -No way!
-[crowd cheering] -[Cole] The diving elbow.
-Cover. -[referee] One, two--
Erik with a kick to the back of the head.
[McAfee] Did you see Xavier walk the ropes and fly?
[Cole] And now, Erik dumping Kofi Kingston.
And he-- He goes over the top rope, however, as Kingston hangs on.
[McAfee] This is the 12th run, fifth run, deep in this fight.
The New Day have been here before.
[Cole] The New Day on top of that…
dragon boat going to fly.
-Viking Raiders taken out. -[crowd cheering and applauding]
Cover by both members of The New Day.
Oh, and at two, both Erik and Ivar kick out.
Falls Count Anywhere.
Viking Rules Match.
That was almost the end of the day for The Viking Raiders.
-[McAfee] Old-school chops. -[Cole] What a fight.
[McAfee] Just anything to beat down the opponent right now.
[Cole] Now, so much bad blood between these two teams.
Erik and Ivar trying to end the careers of both
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods.
[McAfee] Numerous times. Almost doing so.
[Cole] Trying to do it again tonight.
They're gonna launch Kofi Kingston right into the longship.
[McAfee] That seether.
[Cole] Oh, now, using the Viking shield.
Xavier Woods attacked by Erik.
[McAfee] How much more can these dudes and Vikings take?
[crowd clamoring]
[Cole] Xavier still fighting back. What a courageous effort
-by Woods here tonight. -[crowd cheering]
[McAfee] What is Xavier Woods thinking?
[Cole] Looking to perhaps launch Erik into the table.
Erik able to block.
[McAfee] We almost saw a Powerbomb of a Viking through two tables.
Dangling on the edge of the longboat.
[Cole] Xavier-- Oh no! From behind with the shield.
Ivar taking out Woods. Kofi Kingston now…
flying into the shield and crumbling off the ship to the floor.
[McAfee] Ivar knew it was coming. Kofi thought he could get
the best of them and jump right into the shield.
And now I'm worried for Xavier Woods.
What are these Vikings going to do, Cole?
-[Erik shouting] -[crowd clamoring]
What?
[Cole] And now Erik and Ivar with Xavier Woods up high,
that is called the Ragnarök!
Driving Xavier Woods through two tables with a Ragnarök.
The Double Powerbomb. The End of the World.
[crowd boos]
[referee] One, two, three!
[Cole] And The Viking Raiders…
-[bell rings] -…win under Viking Rules.
[crowd cheering]
[Irvin] Here are your winners.
The Viking Raiders!
[Cole] This right here, Pat, would turn this entire match around.
Kofi Kingston face-first into the shield,
falling, crumbling to the floor below.
And then they call this the Ragnarök.
It means apocalypse. "End of the World."
And that is how The Viking Raiders would put Xavier Woods,
Kofi Kingston, and The New Day away tonight.
-Bang, bang through two tables. -[McAfee] And the floor.
[Cole] Goes Xavier Woods.
The Vikings, of course, to be reckoned with…
on Friday Night SmackDown.
[McAfee] Who wants to try and stop The Vikings?
"Not I," said Pat.
Well, the other question, Pat, is,
who's going to stop Roman Reigns?
Will it be Drew McIntyre tomorrow at Clash at the Castle?
Tonight we celebrate the two-year reign as champion
of "The Head of the Table" Roman Reigns.
Hell yeah. Let's do it.
[Paul Heyman] It began during unprecedented times,
it became an unparalleled run of dominance.
On August 30th, 2020,
Roman Reigns regained the Universal Championship at WWE Payback.
For the past two years,
over 23 title defenses against 14 world-class Superstars,
Roman Reigns has smashed all competition
and claimed his rightful place
at the head of the table.
Tonight, we celebrate and indeed we acknowledge
the historic two-year title reign of The Tribal Chief,
Roman Reigns.
♪ Are You Ready? ♪
[Cole] As you just saw, Roman Reigns is celebrating
two years as champion.
Tonight, The Bloodline rolls out the red carpet.
[McAfee] As they should.
I mean, we'll never see something like this again in this business.
[Cole] It happens later on tonight.
Pat, it takes place later on tonight.
The Bloodline with a celebration of Roman Reigns' two years
-as champion. -[McAfee] I can't wait to celebrate.
I love celebrating, let alone celebrating
the greatest of all time,
in a monumental occasion to be here.
What a joy.
[Cole] Roman Reigns and his Bloodline
have been unbeatable and unstoppable.
Here is our Progressive Match Flo.
[announcer] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive, a triple threat of protection
with home, auto, and more.
[McAfee] Sami Zayn gets another opportunity
to prove his worth to The Bloodline.
I need Drew occupied. I need him distracted.
I need him to take his eyes off the ball.
[yells]
-[crowd cheering] -I got this.
-[grunts] -[crowd cheering]
[yells]
[crowd gasps]
[Cole] And look who's here. Jimmy and Jey Uso.
[grunts]
[crowd] One, two--
-[Cole] Claymore! -[crowd] One, two, three!
[bell rings]
-[crowd cheering] -Spear.
[tense music playing]
[crowd roars]
[Cole] This is ridiculous. It's four-on-one.
How do you beat these odds? You can't.
The top of the mountain is mine
and you will never have it until I'm done with it.
[music intensifies]
[music drops]
[Reigns] This whole industry, this whole business runs off of me.
[Reigns' voice echoing] Runs off of me.
-[Jimmy] The Honorary Uce. -My dawg.
-What's up, man? -How you doing?
-I'm good. -Oh man.
You look good.
Tonight is a special night. I got my hair did here.
-Yeets. -Yeah, I got--
What do you think of these threads? The guy said it was tribal print.
No, it's not.
-No? -No.
I mean, are you sure? It kinda looks like it.
-Get off. -Woah, okay.
-Close, close, close. -I-- Okay.
Anyways, it doesn't even matter.
The important thing is this is a big night.
Can you believe what Roman Reigns has done?
Two years, that is unprecedented.
That hasn't been done in decades.
I just--
Tonight is such a special night.
-I got so many great things planned. -True.
-What you got? -I got these great pictures
of some of his biggest moments.
-Okay. -I got them all blown up.
They're going to be on these easels. I got this black carpet.
Man, it's a Bloodline celebration,
-the Wiseman should be here. -True.
-I agree.
I-- I don't disagree. I'm just-- He's not.
He's still hurt. He's still in traction.
What do you want me to do?
So you could throw a party, but you can't help me against your boy KO?
Okay, now come on. I already explained this.
I'm doing the best I can. Can you tell him I'm doing
-the best I can? -Yo, Uce.
I'm really trying here.
He look like he got this party on lock.
I-- I really do. Seriously.
Let's roll.
-Tell him-- I'm doing my best. -Got you.
-Could you just tell him? -Yeet.
Yeet.
"Yeet."
The Bloodline continues to prepare for Roman Reigns
two years as champion celebration, as we all anxiously await
the arrival of The Tribal Chief.
But speaking of champions, my next guest is
the Superstar who will be challenging Liv Morgan
for the SmackDown Women's Championship tomorrow at Clash at the Castle.
She is, "The Queen of Spades," Shayna Baszler.
[crowd boos]
Shayna, in less than 24 hours, you will be the--
I will be the SmackDown Women's Champion.
And you know how I'm going to take that championship, Kayla?
I am going to make Liv Morgan suffer.
I am going to tear her apart limb by limb.
I'm going to take every joint that I get my hands on
and crank and twist until Liv Morgan is crying,
begging for me to just take her to--
No matter what you say, I am not afraid.
At Clash at the Castle, I will not tap out.
In fact, I'm going to rip your arm off.
[chuckles] Okay.
I'd like to see you try.
Watch me.
-[ominous music plays] -[clock ticking]
A moment in time can mean so many different things.
[crow cawing]
For instance…
for Drew McIntyre, he has a moment tonight
to reflect on the humbling he suffered last week.
For Roman Reigns, he has a moment tonight to commemorate
being WWE Champion for two years.
And unfortunately, for my opponent,
Mr. Gulak,
he's going to have a moment tonight
that will haunt him for the rest of his life,
because the timelines are about to change.
-Tick tock. -[crow cawing]
[music fades]
♪ Are You Ready? ♪
[Cole] Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
is sponsored tonight by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home or motorcycle insurance.
And here tonight on SmackDown, we continue to recognize
the two-year championship reign of Roman Reigns.
[Heyman] Over the past two years,
Roman Reigns has been the main event.
Sixteen times Roman Reigns has main evented the biggest shows
of the year, from the Royal Rumble
to Crown Jewel, from Survivor Series to SummerSlam,
to the grandest stage of them all, WrestleMania.
Sixteen times against champions, legends and Hall of Famers.
Men like Edge, Big E, Goldberg,
John Cena and Brock Lesnar.
And 16 times Roman Reigns has emerged victorious.
Tonight, we celebrate and we indeed acknowledge
the historic two-year title reign,
of Roman Reigns.
[Cole] And still to come tonight, The Bloodline celebrates
Roman Reigns' time as champion.
[McAfee] I can't wait to get after it. Celebrate the GOAT.
This is a monumental occasion, and we should celebrate it
as such because this is a once-in-a-generation champion
that we will never get to see again.
["Dead Silent" playing]
[Cole] And tonight,
we mark the SmackDown in-ring debut
of "The Doom Walker," Karrion Kross.
[music continues]
♪ He is time ♪
♪ Famine, war ♪
♪ Pestilence ♪
♪ You cannot… ♪
[Cole] Led by the cunning, seductive,
"Siren of Sin," Scarlett.
♪ The end is here ♪
♪ Fall and pray ♪
[Cole] Karrion Kross has been described as a calculated lunatic,
who wants to reset the current timeline,
and is focused on both Drew McIntyre and Roman Reigns.
[roars]
[McAfee] Jeez.
How about that?
Would you want to fight that man?
[Cole] That man has to, Drew Gulak.
Now, what is going through Gulak's mind right now?
[McAfee] Is that Gulak?
It is.
I-- I've no idea but I feel like I know what's about to go through his jaw.
[bell rings]
[Cole] So the SmackDown in-ring debut of Karrion Kross.
Uh, Drew should not have…
-fallen for that. -[McAfee] What did Drew think?
-[Cole] Drew, a tough competitor. -[McAfee] Oh!
Karrion Kross looking to punish Gulak tonight.
[referee] One, two, three.
[McAfee] Everything Karrion does is kind of obscure.
-[Gulak grunts] -Oh!
[Cole] And Gulak trying to fight back, but Karrion Kross--
Come on!
Powerhouse of a man loves to inflict punishment
-and take it as well. -[McAfee] And take it.
-Come on. -[Gulak grunting]
[McAfee] Drew just not doing anything to Karrion.
Oh! Kross.
-[Kross screaming] -[Cole] Ran into a boot.
Karrion thrives on energy, violence, and suffering.
[McAfee] When he gets punched in the mouth, it woke him up it felt like.
[Cole] Oh, and that-- My goodness.
-[McAfee] He just dumped Gulak. -[Cole] Right on the back of his head.
What the hell is this, Karrion Kross?
[Cole] Guys like McIntyre and Reigns should be watching closely
because this could be in their future.
Karrion Kross now with the Kross Jacket…
-[referee] That's it. Ring the bell. -…locked in.
-[bell rings] -Gulak has to tap out.
[crowd boos]
[Irvin] Here is your winner by submission,
Karrion Kross!
[Cole] As Karrion Kross continues with the Kross Jacket,
look at that, that sick Scarlett in the background,
laughing at the damage that is being done here.
[referee shouts]
[McAfee] Look at that psychopath.
I feel like that man's going to be able to do
whatever the hell he wants.
And who knows if he knows what that is.
[Cole] Gulak tried to put up a fight, but to no avail.
[McAfee] Boot to the face.
[Kross shouting]
[McAfee] Dump on the head.
Are you not impressed?
Straight into the…
-[referee shouting] -[Cole] Kross Jacket.
-Ring the bell, ring the bell. -[bell rings]
[McAfee] And now they hang Drew up on the ropes there.
[Cole] A dark and cruel message.
Well, we have to switch gears now as we watch
this eerie scene unfold.
You know, Ronda Rousey is here tonight.
And what is in her future in WWE, after what happened two weeks ago?
Ronda was in the ring here on SmackDown.
Pearce, get out here and lift my suspension.
[crowd clamoring]
I'm not leaving and this show isn't starting
until I get what I want, Pearce.
Ronda, I just can't come out here and lift your suspension
because you want me to.
Tonight, Pearce, don't make me choose violence.
[Cole] Ronda went off. She was ticked off.
She would attack all the security guards
on Friday Night SmackDown before the cops finally came out and put her in cuffs.
[McAfee] That's right.
[crowd boos]
[Cole] Ronda Rousey was arrested, led out of the building,
pulled away in a cop car.
WWE official Adam Pearce did not press charges.
And indeed, Ronda Rousey is here, live tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
WWE official Adam Pearce will address Ronda's future
on SmackDown or lack thereof.
What's going to happen?
Ronda is here live next.
[Heyman] During his historic 733 days as champion,
Roman Reigns has called Friday Night SmackDown home.
[Reigns] SmackDown needs me.
I'm putting food on everybody's table around here.
[Heyman] Seven spectacular title defenses
against some of the toughest Superstars in the world today.
The Tribal Chief has smashed them all.
Kevin Owens.
Finn Bálor.
Rey Mysterio.
Riddle.
All came to the island of relevancy
on a quest for greatness,
only to have their hopes dashed
and their bodies smashed by The Tribal Chief.
[Reigns] I've beaten them all.
[Heyman] Tonight, we acknowledge the historic title reign
of Roman Reigns.
♪ Are You Ready? ♪
[Cole] So tonight, The Bloodline, Pat, will celebrate
the two-year reign as champion.
[McAfee] As it should be celebrated.
I can't wait to watch what goes down
as we say, "Hey, GOAT, good on you."
An unprecedented championship run.
♪ Sweet apple pie ♪
["Bad Reputation" playing]
[Irvin] Please welcome, "The Baddest Woman on the Planet,"
"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey!
♪ A girl can do what she wants to do ♪
♪ And that's what I'm gonna do ♪
[McAfee] "The Baddest Woman on the Planet" was almost "the baddest woman in jail."
It's great to see her again.
[Cole] And Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored tonight
by Progressive.
♪ And I don't give a damn 'bout My reputation ♪
[McAfee] She doesn't look like she's…
♪ Never said I wanted to improve My station ♪
…in a great mood, but we shall see.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Ronda!
I got here an official statement
from WWE Global Headquarters,
concerning my suspension,
and I could think of no one
I would rather have come out here and read it more than
my close personal friend and everyone's favorite WWE official,
Adam Pearce!
[crowd boos]
[Pearce] Ronda. Ronda, listen.
Whatever these decisions are, whatever that decision is,
I want you to know it has never, ever been personal.
-Personal? -[Pearce] Never.
You personally called the cops and personally had me arrested,
so it kinda feels a little personal to me, Adam.
To be fair, it was your decision, your choices that got you arrested.
And listen, we all know the hard choices are never easy
and we know that there are protocols to observe on these shows.
And you may not want to hear this, but I was just doing--
[Ronda] Just doing your job?
Yeah, the excuses. Spineless middle managers everywhere.
I would expect nothing less from you, Adam.
I can call you Adam, right, because, you know,
we're on a first-name basis now that you got me arrested.
We have some history.
-Fine. -Read it.
We could have done this in my office. You want me to read this?
-[McAfee] Yeah, read it. -Read it.
[McAfee] Let's go, Adam.
Out loud. I think that they don't want to sit here
and watch you read a letter.
Fine, I'll read it out loud.
And it reads,
"Over the past several weeks, Ronda Rousey has engaged
in behavior that has been completely unprofessional."
[crowd boos]
That's subjective, a little subjective.
"However, her behav--
her behavior has never approached the level of criminal."
-Never. -[crowd cheers]
"Her arrest two weeks ago was completely unwarranted."
Get it?
Unwarranted, unwarranted, because you shouldn't have
had me arrested, some wordplay there.
-Can I finish reading this, please? -Oh yes, please.
"Ronda Rousey has paid her fines in full."
And then some.
"And while she will remain on probate--
probation,
as of today, September 2nd, 2022,
her suspension is over
and she will resume in-ring competition immediately."
-[McAfee] Welcome back. -What was that last part?
I couldn't hear over everyone cheering.
What was that-- What was that part?
It says, "Her suspension is over and she will resume
in-ring competition immediately."
That was my favorite part. Oh God.
-Congratulations. -Oh, thanks, man. Thanks, eh.
What's wrong? Something wrong?
Having a hard day at the office?
Probation? This is absurd.
You attacked a referee. You attacked my security.
You held the show and the broadcast hostage.
You are a danger to everybody.
Ronda, it was my duty to call the police.
Duty?
[McAfee chuckles]
Look, if it were up to me, I would have never suspended you.
I would have fired you.
[McAfee] Oh.
Well, Adam, I am hypothetically devastated.
I really am, but what did you think was going to happen?
Do you think that the board is going to value your opinion over
the most recognizable female athlete in history?
[crowd cheering]
[McAfee] Valid question.
Kiss my ass.
[crowd cheering]
Is this a joke to you? Do you think this is funny?
Do you think what I come out here and do every week is easy?
Is that what you think?
Who do you think it is, Ronda? 52 weeks a year,
not once a week, twice a week, not one show, two shows,
not one network, two networks.
Who gets the show on the air?
Who gets the show off the air?
Who babysits people like you,
and who never once is told thank you?
Do you think anybody ever said to me, "Hey, Adam, thanks a lot. Great job."
Do you think anybody ever said,
"Hey, Adam, how's your day going?"
"How's your kids, Adam?"
Hell no! Nobody says that to me.
All I get from people like you is-- Shut up for a second.
[crowd boos]
All I get from people like you is grief, and from the office,
oh, from the office, but I wish somebody from the office would come and do my job.
They couldn't do it. Not 52 weeks a year, not twice a week.
And I'm proud, I'm damn proud of the job I do,
but I'm not proud of busting my ass for people
that are ungrateful, undermining,
and criticizing.
As for your question about the board of directors,
I got no problem with the board of directors or their decision.
I got a problem with you.
[crowd clamoring]
[McAfee] Yes.
Ronda Rousey walks around like she owns a place,
and God forbid it doesn't go Ronda Rousey's way,
because then all hell breaks loose.
These people call you "The Baddest Woman on the Planet."
[crowd cheers]
Do you know what I call you, Ronda?
Ronda Rousey, I call you
"the single biggest bitch I've ever met."
[crowd hollers]
[McAfee chuckles] Ooh.
[mic thuds]
Hold on, now. Maybe that was a little unprofessional.
-[Cole] A little? -I take it back.
It was the stress speaking. I'm sorry.
[Cole] Oh, Ronda Rousey going to take out her stress
on the WWE official Adam Pearce.
Adam Pearce snapped.
I believe is going to suffer from a Rousey armbar.
Pearce screaming in pain.
Adam Pearce crossed the line, but perhaps Ronda Rousey
could have handled it differently.
[McAfee] Adam Pearce…
just completely lost his mind.
-[Cole] So did Ronda. -And said a lot of things
that he's been penting up for a long time it appears.
[Cole] But, Pat, the problem is, Ronda just assaulted
a WWE official and--
I mean, she could get fined, she could get suspended again.
I mean, who the hell knows what's going to happen.
Yeah, Pearce, did he deserve it?
Yeah, probably, but he's an official.
["Bad Reputation" playing]
I mean, this is-- This is going to be great,
this is unbelievable.
[man] Delivery for Roman Reigns.
I wasn't expecting any flowers.
[coughs]
Oh God.
[crowd cheering]
Oh God.
Oh yeah. Let's not use those.
♪ Hit Row ♪
[Cole] Not sure that was wise by Sami
moments ago, but, nonetheless look who's here, Pat.
[McAfee] Hit Row. Hit Row.
["Best of the Best" playing]
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest
is a Tag Team Match scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring
by B-Fab, representing Hit Row,
Ashante "Thee" Adonis and Top Dolla!
[Cole] Here's the problem, Pat, is that we're going to
see the Maximum Male Models in their first in-ring action
on Friday Night SmackDown against Hit Row.
Maximum Male Models last week
spray painted a bus
that they thought belonged to Hit Row.
It actually belonged to The Street Profits.
[McAfee] Nobody has ever said that models are known
for being incredibly intelligent.
Not all models obviously…
[Cole] You just ticked off all models in the world.
[McAfee] I'm saying the Maximum Male Models have not--
[Cole] What about the model Rick Martel?
[McAfee] So smart.
[Cole] Hit Row's here, and Hit Row is in action,
coming up next in the SmackDown in-ring debut
-of Mansoor… -[McAfee with accent] Yup, "Man-swah."
[Cole with accent] "Man-swah."
[together] And "Mah-say."
[McAfee] Yes.
Those were the dumb models I was talking about.
[Cole] Hit Row set for tag team action,
Top Dolla, Ashante "Thee" Adonis, and of course,
accompanied by B-Fab.
["How Ya Like Me Now" playing]
[McAfee] I love this group, honestly.
[Max] I would like to introduce to you, The Sultan of Suave,
Mansoor.
[McAfee] Oh, The Sultan of Suave.
[Maxxine] Introducing,
the height of fashion,
here is Mace.
[Cole] The what of fashion?
[McAfee] "The height."
Very tall.
He's obviously incredibly fashionable.
Maximum Male Models.
[Cole] Interested to see what they can do in the ring.
[McAfee] Every time they walk into an arena,
everybody talks about them.
What they say does not need to be expanded upon,
but they get the world talking.
Tonight, can they do some talking in the ring?
We shall see.
[Cole] And it was two weeks ago,
when Hit Row attacked the Maximum Male Models
after some disparaging comments.
[McAfee] Hit Row not impressed
with what they've seen in there. I'm sure the world is.
These models have signed deals for--
Alright, yeah. One was playing rock, paper, scissors, shoot.
One was throwing a rock, paper, scissors.
Ashante "Thee" Adonis won, he goes first.
-[bell rings] -[Cole] Against Mansoor.
Tag Team action underway.
Mansoor with a nice takedown of Ashante "Thee" Adonis,
and loving his move there.
[man] He's gorgeous.
[McAfee] He just naturally goes into a pose.
That's what models do, they pose all day.
-[McAfee] Ooh! -[Cole] Oh!
[Cole] And Adonis with a great dropkick and now Mace will try his fate.
Top Dolla with a right hand and a big dropkick again by Adonis.
Top Dolla was the one that
Maximum Male Models were poking fun at,
saying, "Who's hotter than Top Dolla? No one."
[McAfee] "Not nada." That's what he actually said.
Los Lotharios coming out. Remember Maxxine Dupri!
They've caught Maxxine's eye recently.
-[overlapping chatter] -You better back up.
Why?
Run on to the back.
-Come on. -Why don't you step down?
She's not with you.
Come on, step down.
Come on. I'm waiting for you.
Waiting for what?
Come on.
You know something, come in the ring.
[McAfee] Oh!
B-Fab.
Boots to Los Lotharios.
[Cole] And from behind, taking advantage,
Mansoor.
Tag made, here comes Mace.
Unique tag by the Maximum Male Models.
[McAfee] Absolutely.
Everything is done in a beautiful fashion.
[Ashante groans]
Look at that. Simple, basic,
runway walking on the spine.
Oh, that was a big body.
[Cole] Cover now. Kickout.
Mace looking for a big win here tonight over
Hit Row, returned to WWE and Friday Night Smackdown
a couple of weeks ago.
[McAfee] Have you ever seen a runway strut be an offensive weapon?
[Cole] No, not at all, but apparently,
the only strut I've ever seen be a weapon is…
neat.
And here we go.
Oh!
Wow, what a double-team.
Maximum Male Models very impressive.
Cover now by Mansoor and a kickout right before three by Adonis.
[McAfee] You had wonder if they were
going to be on the same page as these models
because it's the first time seeing them in action, but obviously,
they are there in front of the camera all the time together.
[Mace] Come on.
[Cole] Tag made. Here comes Top Dolla.
[McAfee] A little lack of concentration, "Thee" Adonis slips away,
and "The Hot Lava Spitter" has entered the ring.
Catches a right hand from a model.
[Mansoor] Hey, hey, hey, hey. No, no, no.
Breaks said hand, delivers one of his own.
-[Cole] And Top Dolla… -[McAfee] Who's hotta?
[Cole] …agile for his size with a running knee.
[McAfee] A former NFLer. Great athlete.
[Cole] Mace driven out of the ring. Top Dolla has his sights set
on Mansoor.
-[McAfee] Framing the picture. -[Cole] Oh, what a Splash.
Tag made.
And Top Dolla.
[Top Dolla shouting]
[Cole] And Ashante "Thee" Adonis.
Bang!
-[McAfee] Now you know. -[Cole] The heavy hitter. Cover.
-[referee] One, two, three. -And the win for Hit Row.
[bell rings]
["Best of the Best" playing]
[Irvin] Here are your winners,
Hit Row!
[Cole] Hit Row celebrating their victory here tonight
over the Maximum Male Models on Friday Night SmackDown.
[McAfee] Two weeks ago,
they debuted a new song, called "We Back."
They come back tonight and get a dominant victory
over the Maximum Male Models.
[Cole] Los Lotharios are mouthing off, and now into the ring,
looking for some action, and here we go.
Angel and Humberto, and now Maximum Male Models
back into the fight and Hit Row is being taken out.
This is a four-on-two situation. You see…
Dupri directing traffic.
["Bring The Swag" playing]
[McAfee] Well, well, well.
[Cole] The Maximum Male Models spray painted the bus
of The Street Profits last week.
And Angelo Dawkins, Montez Ford,
are here and they're going to make them pay.
Evening the odds for Hit Row.
[McAfee] Montez Ford ducked.
[Cole] Oh, what a shoulder tackle by Top Dolla.
[Top Dolla shouting]
[McAfee] Damn.
[McAfee] Things change quickly,
when the Hit Row and Street Profits
are side by side.
[Cole] Not quite the way Maximum Male Models
wanted the night to go.
♪ Eeny, meeny, miny, woah! ♪
[McAfee] They are still very attractive, but tonight,
they got their asses beat by Hit Row and The Street Profits.
Hit Row and The Street Profits on a high,
Happy Corbin recently on a low.
-Like a real, real, real, real low. -Shovel low.
Take it back to last week on Friday Night SmackDown
where Happy Corbin told Ricochet,
"I'm going to bring you crashing down to reality."
Well, things didn't quite work out that way.
It was an incredible competitive matchup.
Ricochet though, in the end, the highlight of the night
-with a Shooting Star Press… -[crowd] One, two, three!
-…to knock off Happy Corbin… -[bell rings]
…and pick up the win.
[McAfee] Picture perfect Shooting Star.
Corbin, after last week--
Look, I don't want to talk about how last week
Ricochet pulled off some miracle victory.
I don't want to talk about the week before that
or the week before that.
Look, I'm happy.
My life is good.
I don't live in the past, all right?
So, when you're on a string of bad luck,
sometimes you got to double down.
I know that I'm the best man in that locker room.
So that's what I'm going to do tonight.
I'm going to go out there and I'm going to issue an open challenge.
And anybody who wants to
walk out that entranceway is going to crawl back.
[Cole] Corbin's going to issue an open challenge, next.
[dramatic music playing]
It looks like you've chosen yourself a lifelong tag team partner.
Really?
Is it you? 'Cause that'd be awesome.
I'm talking about these.
Oh, no way. I only smoke every now and then.
And yet three out of four teenage smokers
stay smokers.
Do you really want to take your chances on a partner like this?
[dramatic musical flourish]
[Heyman] Throughout his epic reign,
Roman Reigns has successfully defended his championship
in some of the most brutal, unforgiving matches
in the history of WWE.
Inside a steel cage, Extreme Rules, tables,
ladders and chairs.
Hell in a Cell.
Last Man Standing.
Through it all, The Tribal Chief has survived vicious matches…
only to come out stronger on the other side.
Tonight, we celebrate,
and we indeed acknowledge
the historic two-year title reign…
of Roman Reigns.
♪ Are You Ready? ♪
[Cole] I'm surprised you didn't dress up better for the occasion.
This is a big night for The Bloodline and Roman Reigns.
[McAfee] I put on my best tank top. Are you kidding me?
Tonight is going to be epic.
I am so pumped to be here for it.
Two-year celebration for the GOAT being champ?
What a night.
[Cole] Happy Corbin in the ring.
He drops an open challenge
so he could try to stop his big-time losing streak.
Who's going to accept it here on SmackDown?
You're gonna walk out and crawl back!
Come and get some!
[crowd boos]
[McAfee] Who is it…
-Who is it? -[McAfee] Who's gonna get a win?
Huh, who wants a shot?
-["The Rising Sun" playing] -[McAfee] Yes! Oh my God!
[Cole] Oh no.
[McAfee] I wasn't going to dance anymore but how could you not
with a moment like this?
[Cole] Be careful. You're going to hurt yourself.
[Irvin] And his opponent, from Kyoto, Japan,
weighing in at 220 pounds,
Shinsuke Nakamura!
[Cole] Well, Pat, as you celebrate, it's only appropriate that
Shinsuke Nakamura has this match tonight
with Happy Corbin, because if you think about it--
[chuckles] Oh my God, you're going to break my nose.
[McAfee] Yeah, yeah, hopefully the electricity
will keep you [indistinct]
[high-pitched voice] Come on!
[Cole] Can I get an ice pack?
Nonetheless, Shinsuke Nakamura is really responsible
for the downward spiral of Corbin from months ago.
It's pretty appropriate Nakamura has this match tonight.
If you're doing this for Shinsuke, I can only imagine
what you're going to do for Roman Reigns' championship
celebration later tonight.
[McAfee] Electric every time!
[referee] Ring the bell.
[bell rings]
[McAfee] Let's go, Shin.
I need some oxygen.
This place is amazing.
[Cole] So it's Corbin and Nakamura in this open challenge tonight.
Happy Corbin looking to finally get back into the win column.
Maybe turn his luck around.
Referee Jessika Carr right in Corbin's face.
Corbin all fired up, screaming at everybody, including the official.
[crowd chanting] Nakamura!
And the Nakamura chants ring out here tonight.
I don't think that's what they're saying.
[Cole] I wondered why it took you so long to catch your breath.
[McAfee] I'm pretty winded because of Shinsuke.
The bum-ass Corbin chants are raining down.
There's no way Happy thought somebody like Shin would be
the one coming through that curtain ready to kick his ass.
[Cole] Nakamura a few weeks ago, a barnburner of a match against
the Intercontinental Champion, Gunther.
Yeah, things have just gotten so rough for Corbin.
I mean, he loses here tonight, it's got to be rock bottom.
We thought it was rock bottom last week, but now Corbin
comes out bragging he can knock off anybody in an open challenge.
Oh my goodness!
[McAfee] See, here we go.
The moments like this are why we think he could be something great.
It's why everybody hates him so much because he could be special.
Instead, he's insufferable.
[Cole] Oh, Nakamura caught him with a kick right to the face.
And now Shinsuke Nakamura…
setting up Happy Corbin,
perhaps for the Kinshasa to put Corbin away.
Uh-oh, and Corbin caught him and into the Deep Six.
Is it enough for the win?
Cover on Nakamura.
Big match here, and a kickout by Shinsuke.
[McAfee] An eighth of a second away from Happy maybe finding some momentum.
[Cole] And then, watch this. Looking for the Kinshasa.
Corbin picking Nakamura…
out of the air.
Don't even start!
[crowd chanting] Corbin sucks!
[McAfee] We're going to let the Universe do the commentary.
[Cole] End of Day--
No, Nakamura able to slide through.
Corbin, quickly back into the ring.
-Kinshasa! -[crowd cheering]
Nakamura caught Corbin, for the win.
[bell rings]
["The Rising Sun" playing]
[Irvin] Here is your winner,
Shinsuke Nakamura!
[McAfee] This song always sounds good,
but it sounds a little sweeter
after a bum-ass Corbin beating.
[Cole] Happy Corbin
wanted the open challenge to end a losing streak.
He ran into a Kinshasa and I think now, perhaps,
Mr. Corbin has hit rock bottom.
[McAfee] With a wrestler as talented as Shinsuke,
you cannot telegraph anything that you do.
Under, back in, Kinshasa.
Shinsuke had it scouted.
[Cole] From the lowest of lows to the highest of highs.
This past Monday night on Raw
was the finals of the WWE
Women's Tag Team Championship Tournament.
Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky would take on
Raquel Rodriguez and Aliyah,
and this match was physical from the beginning.
And you see here, Bayley would get involved.
The referee never saw it, helping her friends Dakota and Iyo.
And just when it looked like we would crown new Tag Team Champions,
Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss, and Asuka would meet
Bayley and company at Clash at the Castle.
Would come down to ringside to even the odds and chase Bayley away.
In the midst of all the chaos,
Aliyah would tag herself into the match,
roll up Dakota from behind and score the biggest win
-in her and Raquel's careers. -[bell rings]
Raquel and Aliyah now at the top
of the Women's Tag Team Division.
Congratulations to the new WWE
Women's Tag Team Champions.
[fireworks popping]
["Watch Your Back" playing]
[Cole] And here come The Brawling Brutes
as Butch is set for one-on-one action.
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Ridge Holland and Sheamus,
representing The Brawling Brutes, Butch!
[Cole] Tomorrow, Sheamus takes on Gunther
for the Intercontinental Championship at Clash at the Castle.
Tonight,
Butch goes one-on-one with Gunther's man, Ludwig Kaiser,
here on Friday Night SmackDown.
Ladies and gentlemen, September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.
The WWE is proud to support Connor's Cure where
100% of all funds raised directly benefit pediatric cancer research.
Let's take a look at all the incredible work
that the WWE and these children have done.
My wrestling name is Connor "The Crusher."
[woman] In 2014, Connor's Cure was established to honor
the life of WWE fan Connor Michalek,
to help find a cure for pediatric cancer
so that no other child had to endure what Connor went through.
Shortly after his passing,
Connor was enshrined as the first-ever recipient
of the Warrior Award, leaving behind a legacy of bravery, love, and hope.
Connor was a special little boy,
though, I'd give anything to have him back with me.
Through him we're able to help all these sick kids
and their families.
[woman] The V Foundation for Cancer Research helped expand the local fund
that was started at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
into a national partnership.
Since its inception, Connor's Cure has awarded grants totaling
over four million dollars and assisted more than 500 families worldwide.
Through Connor's Cure, the WWE Universe has embodied
the spirit of community coming together
to offer hope, inspiration and--
Kick cancer's butt.
[uplifting music swells and fades]
[crowd cheering]
[man] What happened to you?
Get in.
[McAfee] Was that-- Was that JBL?
[Cole] Nonetheless, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home or motorcycle insurance.
-[McAfee] I think that was. -[Cole] I mean, you would know,
clearly, you would be the guy.
I mean, who else has a limo with horns on it?
["Prepare To Fight" playing]
[McAfee] Wait, what--
[Irvin] And his opponent, accompanied to the ring
by the Intercontinental Champion Gunther,
Ludwig Kaiser.
[Cole] This match, a little, uh…
preview of what may happen tomorrow
at Clash at the Castle in Cardiff.
This is going to be a warpath.
It is going to be one of the most physical matchups
that we've ever seen in WWE.
As Gunther defends the Intercontinental Championship
against Sheamus, the one title Sheamus has never held in his career.
Clash at the Castle comes your way tomorrow
at 1:00 p.m. Eastern, 10:00 a.m. on the West Coast,
so make sure you don't miss the Clash at the Castle press conference,
immediately following the Premium Live Event tomorrow afternoon.
Hear comments and reactions of WWE Superstars live in Cardiff.
The Clash at the Castle press conference
will air exclusively on YouTube and Facebook.
[McAfee] How about this? Butch is in action and let his hair down.
[Cole] Butch now runs right into Ludwig Kaiser
and trying to put Kaiser away.
Kaiser now is grabbing the aforementioned hair of Butch.
And now onloading is Butch
with the right and left hands to Ludwig Kaiser.
We saw Gunther in the background, looking on.
[McAfee] Sheamus just laughed right at us.
He's enjoying watching.
[referee] One, two…
[McAfee] Butch let loose in the ring for some-- the first time.
[Cole] Oh! Kaiser flattening Butch.
[McAfee] Normally Butch is barking around on the outside trying to fight everybody.
[referee shouts]
Now he's gotta take on this specimen Ludwig--
[Cole] Stepping on the hair of Butch and using almost the entire five count.
For Sheamus, Pat, if he wins tomorrow,
he'll become the Ultimate Grand Slam Champion.
The man has won a WWE Championship, he's won a World Title,
won the United States Championship.
He's been a Tag Team Champion,
a Royal Rumble winner,
a Money in the Bank winner,
a King of the Ring winner,
but he has failed to win
the Intercontinental Championship in his career.
It could happen tomorrow in Cardiff.
[McAfee] Absolutely, a game changer.
First stadium show in the UK in 35 years.
-[Cole] And there's-- -[McAfee] Butch.
[Cole] The joint manipulation again
as Butch tries to break the fingers of Ludwig Kaiser.
[Butch grunts]
And if this doesn't look like the, uh…
well, the Butch of the past…
[Kaiser groans]
…I don't know what does.
[McAfee] Chopping the body of-- Oh!
[referee] Come on, guys! [indistinct]
[Cole] Sheamus here screaming that you should be worried about
what's going on in the matchup as they cheer Butch on.
Ludwig Kaiser now,
left arm hurting so he moves to his right.
Oh, paint brushing Butch.
Oh! Nice suplex.
[McAfee] Giving him the nein right which means no.
[Cole] And now Ludwig…
perches on the second rope and--
Oh!
Butch taking out Kaiser.
[McAfee] I think there was a Flying European Uppercut coming
and Butch flips it.
[Cole] Yeah, Butch is just a…
crazy as-- Oh my goodness!
-[McAfee] There's that-- -[Cole] Holy!
[McAfee] There's that European Uppercut.
[Cole] Butch may be out cold.
Did you hear the impact of that uppercut?
[referee] No, no, no. Keep it back.
Keep it back. Let's go.
[Cole] Ludwig Kaiser and Butch
in what has been an unbelievably physical match
on the eve of what's going to happen tomorrow
at Clash at the Castle
between Gunther and Sheamus for the Intercontinental Championship.
[Kaiser yells]
-[McAfee] Now he's headbutting things. -[Cole] Butch is fighting back.
[Cole] Just a relentless attack by Butch,
driving Kaiser back into the corner.
[McAfee] Butch.
What?
[Cole] Oh! Continues to work on the left arm of Kaiser
throughout this entire matchup.
[McAfee] Butch has this never-ending energy
and it's paying off here against Ludwig.
[Cole] Oh, right to the fingers
that he's been working on the entire match as well.
Sheamus loves what he sees.
Kick by Butch, cover now, Kaiser able to kick out.
This Butch, he just goes and goes and goes and goes and goes.
The energy is infectious, I guess.
One way to put it.
[all chanting] Butch!
[McAfee] Butch with a cerebral attack here.
[Cole] I mean, there's no way a win by one of these competitors
will help any type of momentum
for the champion or challenger tomorrow, right?
[McAfee] Good vibes are always a good thing.
The universe recognizes those.
I'm sure Sheamus and Gunther
want their guys to get a big win going into a big weekend for them.
I wish I could say elite vibes for our international audience.
[Cole] Butch up to the top rope. Kaiser able to catch him there.
Bounces him face-first off the top turnbuckle.
[McAfee] Butch paused for just a moment. Ludwig took advantage.
[crowd gasps]
[Cole] Oh my goodness. This could be Ludwig's opportunity.
Ooh.
-[McAfee] What a position. -[Cole] Oh my goodness!
And Kaiser now looking for the win.
Face-first.
Cover by Kaiser. Is it enough to put him away?
And a kickout by Butch at two.
[McAfee] Eins, zwei…
almost "the three word" for German.
Somehow Butch kicks out.
[Cole] Referee Ryan Tran right there.
Kickout at two-and-a-half.
This is moments ago.
[McAfee] Butch hung up in the ropes
and Ludwig, Double Missile Dropkick to the sternum.
-[McAfee] What will Ludwig do with it? -[Cole] Ah.
[McAfee] Misses the boot.
[Cole] Butch now with a step-up enzuigiri.
[Kaiser shouts]
Kaiser meets him with an uppercut.
Looking to put Butch away again.
Lands on his feet this time.
Kick right to the side of the face.
Kaiser may be down and out.
A thunderous kick echoing through the arena.
[McAfee] Watch this. Feel this.
[Cole] Oh my God, right against the side of the face.
Oh, and Kaiser now.
-[McAfee] How the hell-- -[Cole] Cover on Butch.
How's he still in this match and how the hell did Butch kick out?
[McAfee] He got kicked right in the temple,
and somehow
has enough wherewithal.
[referee and crowd in unison] One, two--
[McAfee] Jeez.
[Cole] What an incredible match here
on Friday Night SmackDown.
Kaiser and Butch leaving it all in the ring.
[McAfee] These two getting an opportunity to prove themselves
on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Cole] Well, prove themselves once again.
[Kaiser roars]
You know what these men have been capable of.
Kaiser looking for the victory.
Butch trying to fight out of it.
[McAfee] He grabs the fingers.
[Cole] Again, trying to break the fingers of Ludwig Kaiser, oh my God.
Hooks him.
[Cole] Bitter end!
-Kaiser is done. -One, two, three!
[bell rings]
["Watch Your Back" playing]
[Irvin] Here is your winner, Butch!
[McAfee] Yeah, Butch.
[Cole] Butch with the victory tonight over Ludwig Kaiser
as Sheamus and Gunther
head to Cardiff tomorrow
for the Intercontinental Championship.
Will Sheamus realize the Ultimate Grand Slam,
winning his first Intercontinental Championship,
or will Gunther continue his reign
with the Workman's Championship,
The Intercontinental Title?
[crowd cheering]
[McAfee] What are these two lads thinking?
[Cole] Well, the Clash at the Castle may come a bit early.
[McAfee] Suspenders off.
[Cole] Because what is Friday night to Sheamus?
Nein, nein.
[McAfee] Fight Night, baby.
[crowd boos]
Ludwig saying, "No, no, champ."
Nein, nein, champ, sorry.
[Cole] That's smart strategy by Kaiser.
["Hellfire" playing]
[Cole] Keep the champion fresh for what happens tomorrow in Cardiff.
[McAfee] Ludwig saves Gunther from wasting any energy here,
24 hours before a massive night of waiting.
[Cole] Well, Pat, coming up next to celebrate…
the two year reign as champion for Roman Reigns.
We continue to look at this historic run.
[Sheamus] Come on.
[Heyman] Bruno Sammartino,
Bob Backlund,
Pedro Morales, Hulk Hogan.
These legends lay claim to the longest reigns as WWE Champion.
After 733 days of dominance, they are joined
by the longest-reigning champion of the modern era,
The Head of the Table,
The Tribal Chief,
the first ever Undisputed
WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion
Roman Reigns.
[Reigns] I'm the greatest of all time.
♪ I'm on a new level ♪
I'm in God-mode.
This is greatness on a different level.
[Cole] Drew McIntyre, Roman Reigns at Clash at the Castle.
[Reigns] Drew McIntyre, there's only one man
that carries this company on his back.
The Tribal Chief, The Head of the Table,
Roman Reigns!
[Heyman] Tonight we celebrate,
and we indeed acknowledge
the two-year historic title reign
of Roman Reigns.
Okay, that's done, that's done, that's done.
I think we're all set.
-Good, let's go. -Let's go.
-Ready? -Yeah.
Woah, hey, but shouldn't we--
I mean, shouldn't we wait for Roman,
so we can all go out there together?
The entire Bloodline, you know?
Wait, wait. What do you mean, "The entire Bloodline," Sami?
I mean the four of us. What's--
Man, you gettin' real comfortable around here, Uce.
I think you're overstepping your boundaries.
-Okay-- That's not-- -You ain't blood yet.
That's not what I'm doing. That's not what this is about.
Yo, yo, yo, check it.
Yo, tonight it's about Roman.
How about we all go out there, introduce The Tribal Chief,
and put the spotlight
all on the Big Uce?
Cool?
-Celebrate. -Yeet.
-Celebrate, it's a celebration. -Celebration.
-Yeah. -Yeet.
-Let's go.
-Come on. -Let's go.
Okay, all right.
♪ Are You Ready? ♪
[Cole] The celebration of Roman's two-year championship reign is next.
[upbeat music playing]
Hi, Tyson Fury here.
I'm really excited for the first WWE Premium Live Event
in 30 years going down at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff,
where Drew McIntyre challenges Roman Reigns
for the WWE Undisputed Heavyweight Championship,
where I will be sat ringside, live and exclusive,
to watch this great event.
Check it out, guys.
All the best, God bless. See you all there.
Cannot wait. Psyched.
♪ Uso! ♪
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen,
huge news as the undefeated,
Undisputed WBC Heavyweight Boxing Champion,
"The Gypsy King" Tyson Fury will be ringside tomorrow
at Clash at the Castle in Cardiff.
[Irvin] Please welcome Sami Zayn,
and the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions,
Jimmy and Jey,
The Usos!
[Cole] Also the "Honorary Uso" Sami Zayn,
who's dressed up tonight in a tuxedo for the occasion,
as we celebrate 733 days,
two years, and counting,
of the championship reign of Roman Reigns.
[McAfee] Sami blending right in here.
You know, he's one of the Uces,
one of The Bloodline,
and he is lucky to be standing in the presence
of the greatest faction of all time.
Let's celebrate that.
[Cole] Well, not to mention, The Usos
are now at 411 days as Tag Team Champions.
[music fades]
-[McAfee] This is awesome. -[Sami] Ladies and gentlemen.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the championship celebration
honoring the two-year historic title reign
of The Tribal Chief Roman Reigns!
[crowd cheering]
That's right.
Now, you know what, before I get started,
Uce, is it okay with you that I'm kinda hosting this?
Because I got dressed up, I kinda planned the whole thing.
Hey, do your thing, Honorary Uce!
Do your thing.
My man, thank you for that.
I wouldn't want anyone to accuse me of being too comfortable.
For the last two years--
For two whole years,
Roman Reigns has dominated everybody.
[McAfee] Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
[crowd boos]
Everyone who stepped up been sat down.
Preach!
Everyone who stepped up been Superman Punched.
Bet!
Speared.
Yeet!
Guillotined.
That's right!
I mean, they just been flat-out beat.
One hundred!
Come on. What you doing?
What are you doing?
-What do you mean? Okay, okay. -Stop.
What I'm going to need everybody to do, right,
is stand on your feet.
That's right!
Stand on your feet though!
[McAfee] Stand up, Cole.
You stooge.
Put your ones to the sky…
and help me introduce to you
The Head of the Table,
The Tribal Chief,
The Needle Mover,
God-mode himself,
the WWE
Undisputed Universal Champion,
our cousin…
[together] Roman Reigns!
[McAfee] A lot of ones to the sky for good reason.
[Sami] Yeah!
[crowd clamoring]
[Cole] Well, thank goodness he showed up in time.
[McAfee] Traffic, traffic, had to be.
[Jey] Come on, Big Uce.
[Sami] Yeah!
[laughs]
[Jey] Come on, Big Uce.
[Cole] Oh!
What the--
[Cole] McIntyre with a Claymore to Roman Reigns.
[McAfee] Roman all by himself and Drew says,
"Welcome to the show."
"Here's a Claymore to the face."
["Gallantry" playing]
[Cole] Pardon the delay, and I believe he's going to crash the party.
[McAfee] What about the celebration?
[crowd cheering]
[McAfee] This man doesn't look like he's here to have a good time.
[Cole] Sami Zayn going right after McIntyre
and ran into a Glasgow Kiss.
And I believe The Usos…
[McAfee] McIntyre still has wounds from last week.
[Cole] Yes, exactly. The Usos have hell to pay after the beatdown
on McIntyre last week here on Smackdown.
Now the two-on-one assault by the Tag Team Champions.
And Drew McIntyre looking to wipe out The Usos.
[McAfee] "To hell with your celebration," says Drew McIntyre.
[Cole] Tomorrow in Cardiff, McIntyre with an opportunity to win the title.
-[McAfee] What? -McIntyre is going to fly,
taking out The Usos and Sami Zayn.
[roars]
[crowd cheering]
[McAfee] How-- How big is Drew McIntyre?
[Cole] Six foot five, 270.
[McAfee] Just cleared the top rope.
Do you think this man's ready for a title fight?
-[McIntyre] Move! -He's in the best shape of his life.
[Cole] He just said move, and that's what I'm going to do.
[McAfee] Me too. I'm gonna grab my pencil.
[Cole] And McIntyre tosses steel chairs into the ring.
[McAfee] He's got quite a look in his eye, Cole.
[Cole] There is going to be hell to pay.
Sami Zayn trying to scramble and grab a chair, which he did,
and drives it into the ribs of McIntyre.
Claymore!
Chair on the face of Sami.
[crowd cheering]
-[McAfee] Sami Zayn knocked out. -[Cole] And now McIntyre.
[Cole] Drew McIntyre with Jimmy Uso,
and he drives Uso through the table!
[crowd cheering]
[McAfee] Manhandling The Bloodline!
[Cole] Zayn is out.
Jimmy Uso is out.
"Main Event" Jey Uso is about to feel the wrath of McIntyre.
[McAfee] Twenty-four hours from now…
Drew McIntyre can shake up the entire world.
[roars]
[Cole] McIntyre driving Jey Uso
through the barricade!
[crowd cheering]
You have to wonder, will that be Roman Reigns' fate tomorrow in Cardiff?
[McIntyre] When are you going to understand,
Roman, I will never, ever stop?
[crowd cheering]
Look around me.
The Bloodline torn apart.
God-mode deactivated.
At Cardiff,
it comes down to me and you.
I am going to kick your head
right off your body,
and you're going to look up at the new
Undisputed Champion.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Pat, the one thing we learned a couple of weeks ago,
is without The Bloodline, Roman Reigns is very, very vulnerable.
What will happen tomorrow in Cardiff at Clash at the Castle?
Will this happen to the champion, a Claymore from McIntyre?
If it does, we may end
the historic 733-day reign of Roman Reigns.
[McAfee] Drew McIntyre looks like a man possessed.
Tonight, he ran through the entire Bloodline.
[Cole] A special start time of 1:00 Eastern.
10:00 a.m. on the West Coast.
Tomorrow, on Peacock,
McIntyre, Roman Reigns,
for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
Live, Clash at the Castle in Cardiff. ionship.