[WWE intro music plays]
[Cena] Then.
-[Flair] Woo! -[glass shatters]
[The Rock] If you smell…
-[bell tolls] -[Cena] Now.
-♪ The King of Kings ♪ -♪ You can't see me ♪
[Cena] Forever.
Together.
[Cole] Glasgow Kiss. Reigns on his feet.
-Spear by McIntyre! -[crowd roars]
And McIntyre feels it.
Sixty-two-thousand-plus feel it. The end of the reign.
-Claymore! -[crowd roars]
We're gonna crown a brand new champion.
[crowd] One, two…
-[spluttering] -[crowd groans]
[Cole] Somebody just yanked the official out of the ring.
McIntyre was gonna win. Oh my God.
[Graves] That's--
[Cole] Corey, that is Solo Sikoa,
The Usos' younger brother.
[Graves] The Street Champion, the meanest of the bunch.
[Cole] The NXT stand-out. Roman Reigns' cousin.
Another member of the Anoa'i family.
[Graves] Well, McIntyre's had enough, but Solo hangs Drew across the top--
-[Cole] Spear by Reigns! -[crowd boos]
The cover by Roman.
-[crowd] One, two… -[Cole] Thanks to The Bloodline…
…three.
-[bell rings] -…Roman Reigns retains the title.
-["Head of the Table" playing] -[Irvin] Here is your winner and still
the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion,
Roman Reigns!
[Cole] You had to know Roman had something up his sleeve.
[Graves] When it comes to The Bloodline,
they are as deep as they are dangerous.
[music fades]
♪ Are you ready? ♪
-[crowd cheers] -["Are You Ready" by AC/DC playing]
[Cole] Fresh off a breathtaking Clash at the Castle,
we welcome you to the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.
This is Friday Night SmackDown on Fox,
sponsored tonight by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
Hey, everybody, at ringside, I'm Michael Cole.
Normally Pat McAfee would be my partner, but in case you haven't heard,
Pat is fulfilling football obligations for the next couple of months.
He'll be back toward the end of the year.
So, joining me now, tonight, Corey Graves from Monday Night Raw.
Welcome, partner.
While McAfee's having fun back in college,
I'm here to tell you the truth and look fine doing it.
I cannot wait for Friday Night SmackDown.
Let's get underway here tonight…
["Hellfire" plays]
…because it's Fight Night!
-[fireworks] -[crowd boos and cheers]
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is a tag team match scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Sheamus,
Ridge Holland and Butch, The Brawling Brutes.
[Cole] Uh, Sheamus was involved in a war this past Saturday
at Clash at the Castle with Gunther.
More on that in just a moment as we get set
for this six-man tag team matchup.
But what a night here tonight on Friday Night SmackDown!
The man who saved Roman Reigns' championship,
Roman Reigns' cousin,
The Usos' younger brother, Solo Sikoa is here.
Officially joins The Bloodline tonight.
[Graves] And Monday night on Raw, we all witnessed the stunning return
of The Monster Among Men, Braun Strowman.
The Strowman Express returns tonight to SmackDown.
[Cole] And who will face Liv Morgan
for the SmackDown Women's Championship next month at Extreme Rules?
We figure it out tonight.
We have a Fatal 5-Way Elimination Match live on SmackDown.
["Symphony No. 9 In E Minor" playing]
[crowd boos]
♪ Gunther ♪
["Prepare to Fight" playing]
♪ Der General… ♪
[Irvin] And their opponents,
the Intercontinental Champion Gunther,
Ludwig Kaiser, and Giovanni Vinci,
Imperium.
[Cole] Well, Corey, for fans who are not familiar with Imperium,
get set to watch a very dominating and intimidating,
a fearless tag team group.
[Graves] A newly reunited Imperium.
We witnessed it go down at Clash at the Castle.
On the left of your screen,
Giovanni Vinci, the missing piece
who somehow makes the Intercontinental Champion Gunther
even more dangerous than he already was.
[Cole] The Brawling Brutes cannot wait to get started against Imperium
in what should be a physical six-man tag team match
to kick us off here tonight on SmackDown.
Corey, what a war this past Saturday at Clash at the Castle.
Sheamus and Gunther in what I believe may end up being the match of the year.
[Graves] You get no disagreement from me.
Brutality on a whole different level from The Celtic Warrior
and the Intercontinental Champion.
[Cole] Sheamus' body was beaten and battered.
Welts all over after the matchup, but he said, "I don't regret it."
-[bell rings] -"I put the fear of God in Gunther."
So, it's Vinci starting things off with Ridge Holland
in this six-man tag team matchup.
Vinci only the second Italian-born WWE Superstar.
The first, of course, the late great Bruno Sammartino.
Oh!
[Graves] Giovanni Vinci brings many, many tools to the table.
A world-traveled veteran.
An exciting blend of power, speed, and agility.
You can see Ludwig Kaiser is now legal.
The tag was made, unbeknownst to Ridge Holland.
[Cole] And Kaiser, as well… oh, traveled the world.
His father, of course, trained him.
He was a legend in Europe. Here's the cover by Kaiser.
A hook of the leg and a kickout.
Axel Dieter, his dad,
taught Kaiser everything he knows.
Proficient striker, razor-sharp technician.
Tag made and again here comes Vinci.
One thing they've always said about this man, Corey,
is a non-stop motor.
[Graves] Vinci has a gas tank second to none.
Very, very impressive power,
perhaps not enough to overpower Ridge Holland.
[Cole] And Ridge, with power of his own, but Vinci slips from behind.
A nice, deep hip toss by Holland.
And Holland with a shoulder tackle.
Tag made, and here comes Butch,
the manic, rabid…
Butch with a double-team.
Butch is fired up.
[Graves] Butch wakes up every morning and chooses violence.
There is nothing Butch loves to do on the planet Earth
quite as much as harm other human beings.
-And right now, Vinci is suffering. -[Cole] Oh!
A master of joint manipulation is Butch,
who began training at the age of 12 years old
in his hometown of Birmingham, England.
Oh. And Vinci with a right.
Tag made and here comes the Intercontinental Champion,
"The Ring General,"
"The Dictator,"
Gunther.
And Butch is not gonna back down.
[Graves] Butch just said, "To hell with it, I'm gonna start swinging."
-[Cole] And Gunther, who-- -[Graves] Uh-oh!
[Cole] Oh!
An explosive chop, dropping Butch.
[Graves] And Sheamus knows all too well exactly what those chops feel like.
[Cole] Not quite sure how either of those men,
Sheamus and Gunther, are walking
after what went down at Clash at the Castle.
[Graves] Oh, they're gonna do more than walk, Cole.
We're about to see 'em throw down.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Sheamus and the champion, face-to-face.
Things are about to get wild on Friday Night SmackDown.
We are back on Friday Night SmackDown.
Six-man tag team matchup.
The Brawling Brutes against Imperium.
And this is Ludwig Kaiser and Ridge Holland in the ring.
[Graves] Brutal open-hand strike from Kaiser and a headbutt.
[Cole] From the powerhouse, the rugged, Ridge Holland.
Former rugby player, who was deemed too reckless, too dangerous,
to participate in that sport.
[Graves] Brilliant strategy by Kaiser. Going low,
chopping out the knee of Ridge Holland.
Tag is made. Vinci legal and Holland in a bad, bad way.
[Cole] Vinci's gonna take advantage--
And there's the double-team by Imperium.
[crowd boos]
And Vinci, who is the legal man, back into the ring.
And Imperium right now, dominating.
[Graves] On the outside of the ring, the Intercontinental Champion Gunther
has got to be pleased with what he is witnessing from his charges.
[Cole] And now, just mocking Sheamus and Butch of the Brawling Brutes.
-Right now Vinci dominating a-- -[Graves] Wow!
[Cole] Off that suplex, floats into the cover, and a kickout at two.
[Graves] You mentioned earlier the power possessed by Giovanni Vinci.
Ridge Holland just experienced it firsthand,
and here comes the champ.
[Cole] Yeah, the six-foot-four, 250-pounder,
the current Intercontinental Champion,
who says that failure is not an option.
He wants to purify the sport of wrestling,
and that's what Gunther is trying to do as he tries to suplex Ridge Holland.
Holland, who goes 253 pounds, locks again.
And now Holland trying to get Gunther off his feet.
Oh, and a wicked chop.
Now a cheap shot to Sheamus,
blasting him off the apron, and to Butch as well.
We have a fired-up crowd here tonight in Seattle.
[Graves] We got a fired-up Butch back in the ring but he's not legal.
Butch has got to be careful not to get his team disqualified.
[Cole] And Gunther makes the tag.
Here comes Kaiser again.
Corey, it's been a number of years since Imperium's been together
but they haven't missed a step.
[speaking German]
[Graves] It's quite simple because The Ring General demands
absolute perfection night after night from both of his charges.
[speaking German]
[Cole] Let's not forget that Kaiser-- Oh!
[Graves] We've seen-- Ludwig knows firsthand
what happens when you disappoint The Ring General.
[Cole] Kaiser and Vinci, former two-time NXT Tag Team Champions.
Another former NXT Tag Team Champion in off the tag.
This is Butch, and Butch now picks things up a notch.
The step-up enzuigiri.
[Graves] Double knees.
[Cole] And the frenetic pace now by Butch.
What a German suplex!
Now a stomp to the fingers.
-[Graves] Goodnight. -A kick to the back of the head.
-Cover by Butch, for the win. -[crowd] One! Two!
[Cole] Vinci at two and a half.
[Graves] Seamlessly right into the armbar.
[Cole] Vinci trying to block, able to grab his other hand.
That allows Kaiser into the ring, but Kaiser gets caught.
Kaiser gets caught by Butch.
And now trying to break the arm of Ludwig Kaiser.
[Graves] The official able to restore some semblance of control
for the moment, but watch Gunther.
[Cole] And Gunther-- Oh! A chop to Butch, driving him out of the ring.
I believe Vinci's legal, right?
[Graves] As far as I can tell, but right now
The Celtic Warrior has seen enough from the Intercontinental Champion.
-Gunther and Sheamus now-- -Here we go again.
[Cole] Going to blows. Vinci goes right after Sheamus.
And now Butch, taking out Gunther with a knee to the face.
[Graves] A Pier Six brawl to kick off Friday Night SmackDown.
[Cole] This is why Sheamus says it's Fight Night on Friday nights.
What a battle in this six-man tag match.
[crowd chants "This is awesome"]
[Cole] And Butch and Vinci, the legal men,
back into the ring as things settle down for just a bit.
Butch into the corner.
Oh, what a clothesline!
Vinci turning Butch inside out. The Imperium has regained control.
[crowd boos]
-And Butch and Gunther in a slugfest-- -[Graves] Oh-ho-ho.
[Cole] But that uppercut drops Butch.
And now Gunther into a Boston crab, center of the ring.
The Brawling Brutes and Imperium,
six-man tag team match here on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Graves] Sheamus to this point has been a non-factor.
Each time Sheamus is tagged in, Gunther has tagged out of the ring,
avoiding any sort of physical confrontation,
as Butch reaches desperately for his corner.
[Cole] Trying to drag the Intercontinental Champion with him.
About an arm's length away, but a great job by Gunther
who now switches things into a Crossface on Butch.
Trying to lock it in.
[Graves] Butch has the fingers.
[Cole] Butch, such a master at the joint manipulation.
And Gunther, though, planting Butch
with a slam.
-[crowd boos] -[referee] No. No, no, no.
No!
No. Come on.
[Graves] The welts on their bodies may have healed
but the mental scars remain
between Gunther and "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus,
who put one another through physical hell this past Saturday at Clash at the Castle.
[crowd chants "We want Sheamus"]
[Cole] And the "We want Sheamus" chants
ring through Climate Pledge Arena.
[Graves] Trust me, right now no one wants Sheamus more than Butch,
who is being beaten to a pulp by The Ring General.
[Cole] And Gunther with yet another cheap shot, this one to Ridge.
[Graves] Gunther's mocking Sheamus, daring The Celtic Warrior.
[Cole] Yeah, and that momentary…
That distraction allowed Butch to try to climb back in it, but--
Oh, lands on his feet.
[Graves] Tremendous athleticism displayed by Butch.
[Cole] Nobody home.
Gunther shoulder-first to the turnbuckle.
Gunther trying to make a tag.
Does. Here comes Vinci,
and does a great job cutting Butch off from his partner.
[Graves] Butch still reaching.
About an arm's length away from a fresh Celtic Warrior.
[Cole] And Butch-- Oh, step-up enzuigiri, buys himself some time.
-Can he make the tag to Sheamus? -[crowd rallies]
[Graves] Seattle is rocking with anticipation.
-[Cole] Tag to Kaiser. Tag to Sheamus. -[crowd cheers]
Here comes The Celtic Warrior.
The man who's won everything in WWE except the Intercontinental Title.
[crowd cheers]
Off the Irish Curse backbreaker.
Now, 10 Beats of the Bodhrán.
[crowd] …four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten,
eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen…
[Graves] Sheamus is in fast forward tonight.
…twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five…
-[Sheamus roars] -[Graves laughs]
[Cole] Twenty-five Beats of the Bodhrán!
Taking out a week of frustration on Kaiser right there, and now Vinci.
The rolling senton by Sheamus. Gunther blasted off the apron.
[Graves] Sheamus hoisting Kaiser up,
looking for White Noise.
[Cole] Onto Vinci.
[crowd cheers]
Listen to this place!
[crowd grunting along]
Sheamus looking for the Brogue Kick to put away Kaiser.
Vinci, who's not the legal man, took the bullet.
[Graves] Turn around, Sheamus.
[Cole] And now Kaiser from behind, rolling up Sheamus, shoulders are down.
Kickout by Sheamus at two.
[Graves] Ludwig Kaiser nearly stole a victory for Imperium.
[Cole] And he still may.
Sheamus, planting Kaiser.
[crowd cheers]
Tag made to Holland.
Here comes Ridge.
Oh, and a lariat from behind to the back of the neck.
Cover now on Kaiser.
Gunther, though, with a chop right to the back of the head.
[crowd boos]
[crowd cheers]
And here we go.
Sheamus and Gunther exchanging blows again.
Flashback to Clash at the Castle.
And now Butch and Vinci.
It is indeed Fight Night.
[Graves] This is madness.
[Cole] Meanwhile, Kaiser and Ridge Holland are still the legal men.
Gunther and Sheamus fighting outside the ring.
[Graves] Sheamus was able to avoid a thunderous chop from the champ
and drop Gunther with a knee.
[Cole] Ridge Holland sends-- Oh my goodness.
Kaiser landed hard on his knee. Hit--
[Graves] Nasty landing for Kaiser. Butch from the second rope.
[Cole] Caught by Vinci.
-Oh! -[Graves] Brainbuster!
[Cole] Butch in trouble.
[Graves] But Vinci's too out of it to capitalize.
[Cole] And Kaiser's out of it as well, falling awkwardly on his knee.
Holland again back in…
back in place looking to put Kaiser away.
-[Graves] Ridge able to muscle up Ludwig. -[Cole] Tag.
Vinci's legal. I don't believe Ridge-- maybe he does know the tag was made.
[Graves] Ridge hung across the top rope.
[Cole] Double-team coming from Imperium.
The Imperial Bomb.
-Cover by Vinci. -[referee] One, two…
-[Cole] The Imperium… -[bell rings]
…win a slugfest.
["Prepare to Fight" plays]
[Irvin] Here are your winners, Imperium.
[Cole] What a fight.
[Graves] What a battle and a massive win
for all three members of Imperium
over the Brawling Brutes tonight on SmackDown.
[Cole] Gunther said, "Failure is not an option."
Imperium did not fail tonight.
The absolute power of Imperium, a force to be reckoned with
on Friday Night SmackDown.
How dangerous was that team?
Well, ladies and gentlemen, still to come tonight,
we determine who faces Liv Morgan for the SmackDown Women's Championship
next month at Extreme Rules.
One of these five women have that opportunity.
Fatal 5-Way Elimination Match still to come tonight.
[Graves] And this past Saturday at Clash at the Castle,
his arrival sealed the victory for the Tribal Chief.
Solo Sikoa joins The Bloodline live, next.
♪ I tell you I could climb to the top 'Cause I'm greater than all of you ♪
Well, ladies and gentlemen, the world lost a legend yesterday.
A larger-than-life woman
who was a part of massive moments in history over the past century,
but always carried herself with dignity and grace, Queen Elizabeth.
[Graves] We at WWE would like to extend our condolences to the entire Royal Family
and the millions whose lives she touched around the world.
[gentle applause]
[silence]
[Cole] Last Monday. Tonight, it's Friday Night SmackDown,
sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
We are live tonight in Seattle, Washington.
♪ Uso! ♪
[crowd cheers and boos]
["Done With That (Day One Remix)" playing]
[whoops]
♪ Down since ♪
♪ Day one ish ♪
♪ Down since ♪
[Irvin] Please welcome Sami Zayn
and the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions,
Jimmy and Jey… The Usos.
[Cole] And not to mention, of course, the "Honorary Uce," Sami Zayn.
And when it comes to The Bloodline, Corey, you gotta talk about the numbers
because The Usos have been Tag Team Champions now for 418 days,
and of course, the Head of the Table,
the head of The Bloodline, Roman Reigns, now, a whopping 740 days.
Over two years as champion.
[Graves] I thought the numbers you were talking about
were in reference to the members of The Bloodline,
which grew this past Saturday,
will officially grow in a matter of moments.
I said it at Clash at the Castle.
The Bloodline is as deep as they are dangerous.
Badasses from birth.
And Sami Zayn too, who's like an invaluable neighbor,
always there to make sure that nobody's checking on your windows
-when you're out of town. -So, like a pest?
Makes sure the trash cans are in when you're on the road.
[Cole] So, like a pest?
[Graves] I-I think he's more of a good friend than a pest.
[Cole] Someone who can't mind his own business.
-Seattle! -[Graves] Maybe that.
[crowd cheers]
The Bloodline is in your city.
[laughs] Let's go, baby.
Hey, throw those ones up.
Throw those ones up.
Every single one of you, throw those ones up right now.
That's what I'm talking about. I'm feeling it.
-You feeling it, Uce? -I'm feeling it, dawg.
You know what I mean? You know what I mean?
-I'm feeling it. -That's what I'm talking about. Yeah!
Let's go.
We do have some--
Okay, we do have some serious things
we wanna talk about-- that I wanna talk about.
See…
growing up as a young Honorary Uce--
Hey, chill. I got it, Sami. That wasn't funny, y'all. Chill.
Chill.
Hey, though, to all the haters and all the doubters, right?
Your Tribal Chief is still
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
[crowd cheers and boos]
No cap.
At Clash at the Castle,
he beat Drew McIntyre on his home turf.
[crowd cheers and boos]
Road game.
Little does Drew know
just how deep this bloodline runs.
Deep AF, my dawg.
What are you doin', man?
So, Seattle,
I'm gonna need everybody to get up on their feet,
put their ones to the sky,
and help me welcome
the newest member to The Bloodline.
[Jey] Damn!
The Street Champion…
Damn!
…our younger brother,
Solo Sikoa.
[crowd cheers]
-["Get Real" playing] -Let's go.
Let's go.
[Cole] Well, as The Usos said, The Bloodline does indeed run deep.
Let's show you what Solo Sikoa is capable of.
[Solo] The streets will break you or make you.
[dramatic music playing]
I'm here to fight anyone.
Size, speed, it don't matter.
'Cause you all gonna drop down to the Street Champion of the Island.
[Cole] That is Solo Sikoa.
[Solo] 'Cause you're not the only one who can call on his past.
[Cole] Roman Reigns' cousin, another member of the Anoa'i family.
[Graves] When it comes to The Bloodline,
they are as deep as they are dangerous.
[dramatic music fades]
["Get Real" continues]
[crowd cheers and boos]
[music fades]
[crowd boos]
[boos continue]
[inaudible]
You come for my family
and I come for you.
Yeah.
You create problems
and I finish them.
Solo Sikoa is here to stay.
And The Bloodline just got bigger and stronger.
Hey, 'cause you the twos,
-and we the ones. -We the ones!
-Yes, sir. -[crowd boos]
["Gallantry" plays]
-[Graves] Uh-oh. -[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Well, here's a man who's got an issue with Solo Sikoa
because Sikoa cost him
the Undisputed Championship this past Saturday.
[Graves] Drew doesn't just have an issue. Drew McIntyre has a steel chair in hand.
[Cole] McIntyre, heading toward the ring.
Solo Sikoa's not backing down.
McIntyre's got a score to settle here tonight.
[Graves] Credit to Solo for standing his ground, but…
[Cole] Oh!
Sami Zayn took the bullet.
[Graves] What a hero.
[Cole] Shoving Sikoa out of the way,
Sami Zayn took the steel chair to the back from McIntyre.
[crowd cheers]
[Graves] Six nights later,
McIntyre clearly hasn't forgiven nor forgotten
what went down in Cardiff.
I want you.
I want you tonight.
You want to fight me?
-[Drew] Yeah. -Yeah, come on.
Yeah. You want a fight? You got it.
-[Drew] I want you in this ring. -I'ma kick your ass tonight.
Yeah! Bring it! Bring it!
["Gallantry" playing]
[Cole] Let's make that official. Solo and Drew.
[Graves] Sign me up, as we look once again
at what an invaluable asset Sami Zayn is to The Bloodline,
taking the proverbial bullet, protecting Solo Sikoa.
[crowd cheers]
-♪ I run ♪ -♪ Nah-nah-nah-nah ♪
-♪ Everybody run ♪ -♪ Nah-nah-nah-nah ♪
-♪ You know you gotta run ♪ -♪ Nah-nah-nah-nah ♪
-♪ Everybody run ♪ -♪ Nah-nah-nah-nah ♪
-♪ Oh, everybody run ♪ -♪ Nah-nah-nah-nah ♪
["Run" by Our Lady Peace playing]
♪ Everybody run ♪
[crowd cheering]
♪ I used to die like twice a day ♪
♪ The feeling is contagious ♪
["Trap Queen" playing]
[crowd cheers]
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is a tag team match scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, they are the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
the team of Aliyah and Raquel Rodriguez.
[Cole] Corey, Monday night on Raw,
this team knocked off Nikki A.S.H. and Doudrop,
but they've got their work cut out for them
this coming Monday night on Raw in Portland.
[Graves] Aliyah and Raquel will defend
their WWE Women's Tag Team Titles for the very first time
against none other than Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky of Damage CTRL,
the very same women they defeated in the finals to become champions.
[Cole] Unique team, Rodriguez and Aliyah.
Won, of course, the tournament to crown them Tag Team Champions.
♪ Toxic ♪
["Toxic" playing]
[Irvin] And their opponents, Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne,
Toxic Attraction.
[Cole] The former two-time NXT Tag Team Champions,
ready to make a name for themselves here on SmackDown.
Raquel, you're a beast, and Aliyah-- well, um, you're pretty.
[laughs]
-Hey, that's not very nice. -Yeah, well, we don't play nice.
Beauty and the Beast, you wouldn't have even made it out of the semifinals
-if you would have faced us. -Facts.
Mm-hmm, and we may be toxic, but we've got each other's backs.
It's time to shatter your false reality.
[laughs]
[Cole] And, Corey, as they alluded to, this match was scheduled
for the semifinal round of the Women's Tag Team Championship Tournament,
but it never happened
because Toxic Attraction could not compete due to injury.
[Graves] Since that night, Gigi and Jacy
have been looking forward to the future, to this moment,
because both members of Toxic Attraction
realize that a win tonight will propel them
to the top of the line as contenders for the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles.
[Cole] An incredible opportunity for Jayne and Dolin here tonight
against the reigning Tag Team Champions, the powerhouse, Raquel Rodriguez,
and, of course, Aliyah.
[Graves] Listen, I've spent a lot of time following Toxic Attraction
on Tuesday nights, in NXT,
under the tutelage of none other than NXT Women's Champion Mandy Rose.
Jacy and Gigi, they never hesitate to bend the rules to get what they want.
They're not necessarily afraid to take a few risks.
[Cole] This is Jacy Jayne starting things off against Raquel Rodriguez.
We would be remiss not to mention
that Mandy Rose unified the NXT and NXT UK Women's Championships
this past Sunday at Worlds Collide in a classic match
against Meiko Satomura and Blair Davenport.
Oh.
[Graves] Jacy should have realized early on,
she is not gonna win a power battle with Raquel Rodriguez,
and here comes Aliyah.
[Cole] Yeah, the Toronto native Aliyah who grew up idolizing
"The Glamazon" Beth Phoenix.
Double-team by Rodriguez.
Cover and a kickout by Jacy Jayne.
[Graves] Listen, I've been impressed with what I've seen thus far
from Raquel and Aliyah but I think it's fair to say
that both women need to grow into these championships.
The WWE Women's Tag Team Titles come with a great deal of prestige.
And a lot of people still have doubts as to whether or not
Aliyah and Raquel are-- Oh wow.
[Cole] Aliyah, nice move into a Thesz press off the second rope.
Now, hammering away.
[Graves] …are worthy of the championships,
but tonight and every time they step in the ring is an opportunity
to silence the doubters, to prove the haters wrong.
[Cole] And again on Monday when they face Damage CTRL
with the Tag Titles on the line.
Here's Gigi Dolin of Toxic Attraction.
She's anti-establishment, rebellious.
She claims she plays by no one's rules.
[Graves] It's served Gigi and Jacy extremely well thus far in NXT.
It's translating right now on SmackDown.
Big right from Dolin.
[Cole] This is great tag team strategy,
keeping the much smaller Aliyah away
from tagging the physical powerhouse of the group, Raquel Rodriguez.
Oh, double-team, Dolin into the corner.
Oh, and Jacy Jayne.
Drags Aliyah out toward the center of the ring.
Cover now by Jayne, hooks the leg,
grabs the head, and a kickout by Aliyah at two.
Toxic Attraction have been impressive thus far.
They need to keep their feet on the gas pedal, so to speak.
Frequent tags in and out. Again, isolating Aliyah.
Dolin went for the snapmare. Aliyah, still on her feet.
[Graves] Cravate applied by Gigi Dolin.
[Cole] Nice takedown and kick to the spine.
[crowd boos]
Now mocking Raquel Rodriguez.
I'm not sure if that's the right thing to do.
[Graves] As long as Raquel's on the outside of the ring,
it's a brilliant thing to do.
[Cole] And Aliyah, who owns the fastest victory in the history of WWE,
trying to fight back now.
Tag made again and here comes Jayne.
Jacy Jayne who said, Corey, she won't be a prisoner of satisfaction,
wants to continue to work to be the best in WWE.
Oh, Jayne with a running senton. Cover now.
Hooks the leg. Is it enough?
Kickout by Aliyah at two.
[Graves] Talking about pure tag team chemistry,
you've gotta give the edge to Toxic Attraction.
Gigi Dolin, Jacy Jayne, have been a tag team unit
for significantly longer than the champs have.
[Raquel] Come on, Aliyah.
[Graves] You'll find out, the deeper this matchup goes,
how much that counts.
[Cole] Raquel fired up on the apron,
wants in this match.
Toxic Attraction doing a great job controlling Aliyah
who's trying to fight back.
We've learned a lot about Aliyah, that underdog mentality, guts and heart.
Taken her a long way so far in WWE.
Fingertips away.
[Graves] How do you learn this about Aliyah?
Every time I walk past her backstage, she just rolls her eyes at me, Cole.
[Cole] She doesn't like you, Corey.
She's got a really interesting story, does Aliyah.
She hid the fact that she was training to be a wrestler
from her parents for a number of years.
They finally accepted what she wanted to do for her career,
and now she's a Tag Team Champion. Roll-through, tag, here comes Rodriguez.
[Graves] Gigi's Dolin… Gigi Dolin's parents hid the fact
they were her parents for most of her life.
[Cole] Rodriguez with a clothesline.
And Raquel now,
the power into a fallaway slam.
[Graves] This is what Toxic Attraction needed to avoid.
Letting the powerhouse get on a roll.
[Cole] Sideslam by Rodriguez.
Dolin does not want to be there.
That corkscrew elbow off the second rope.
Cover, hook of the leg for the win.
And Gigi able to kick out.
Raquel has been so impressive
since arriving on the scene here on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Graves] I completely agree with you,
and Raquel improves every night she steps in the ring.
There's no substitute for experience and Raquel's getting plenty of it.
[Cole] Tag. Jacy Jayne now legal.
[Graves] Kick to the body from Dolin, another one from Jayne.
Double-team incoming.
[Cole] And now Aliyah with a spear, taking out Dolin.
It allows Raquel Rodriguez to plant Jacy Jayne.
[woman screaming]
And now Rodriguez has Jayne where she wants her,
way up high.
-Tejana Bomb! -[Graves] Yikes.
-[Cole] Cover. -[crowd] One, two, three.
-[Cole] Tag Champs win. -[bell rings]
-[crowd cheers] -["Trap Queen" playing]
[Irvin] Here are your winners, the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Aliyah and Raquel Rodriguez.
[Cole] You celebrate tonight, Corey, but now you gotta reset to Monday.
[Graves] You have to completely shift focus,
as we look once again as Aliyah
saves the day for her team, allowing Raquel to spike
Jacy Jayne with a ring-shaking Tejana Bomb.
-[bell rings] -And you're right. All sights now
shift to Monday night
when the new WWE Women's Tag Team Champions
will defend their gold for the very first time.
And we'll switch our attention now to what's coming up next,
a Fatal 5-Way Elimination Match
to determine who faces Liv Morgan next month at Extreme Rules
for the SmackDown Women's Title. In that match,
"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey, who last week had a run-in with WWE official Adam Pearce.
It says, "Her suspension is over
and she will resume in-ring competition immediately."
That was my favorite part.
Look, if it were up to me, I would have never suspended you.
I would have fired you.
Well, Adam, I am hypothetically devastated, I really am.
-Kiss my ass. -[crowd cheers]
You think what I come out here and do every week is easy?
Yeah, Ronda Rousey walks around like she owns the place,
and God forbid it doesn't go Ronda Rousey's way.
You know what I call you, Ronda?
I call you the single biggest bitch I've ever met.
[crowd cheers]
Hold on. Now, maybe that was a little unprofessional.
I'm sorry.
[Cole] It didn't go too well for Mr. Pearce.
[Graves] Adam Pearce out here yelling at Ronda Rousey like my dad
when you left the lights in the house on all day.
Ronda Rousey showing no remorse, no fear of repercussions,
and poor Adam Pearce better get a sling.
So I have been told, ladies and gentlemen,
that Ronda Rousey has been disciplined internally
and the results will not be made public.
You know, sources have told me this,
that WWE official Adam Pearce has gotten carried away,
he's aired the dirty laundry publicly,
hence the reason this investigation was taken behind the scenes with Ronda.
But Ronda will be in action coming up next.
[Graves] Ronda will be one of five,
all vying to be the next to challenge Liv Morgan.
Lacey Evans, Sonya Deville,
Natalya, Xia Li, and "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey
in a Fatal 5-Way Elimination Match, next.
[Cole] Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is in the Emerald City of Seattle tonight,
home of the NHL's Kraken.
Of course, the Mariners. Go, Mariners. Beat Braves tonight.
And, of course, the Seattle Seahawks.
The home tonight at Climate Pledge Arena for Friday Night SmackDown.
[Graves] Earlier tonight, we heard the challenge issued.
It has been made official.
A very vengeful Scottish Warrior, Drew McIntyre,
will go one-on-one with the newest member of The Bloodline,
the Street Champ, Solo Sikoa, tonight on SmackDown.
[Cole] And now to determine who faces Liv Morgan
for the SmackDown Women's Championship.
["Fighting Spirit" playing]
-[bell rings] -[Irvin] The following contest
scheduled for one fall is a Fatal 5-Way Elimination Match.
Introducing first, from Chongqing, China, Xia Li.
[Cole] Big opportunity for Xia Li here tonight.
[music fades]
["Made Me Stronger" playing]
[Irvin] Next, from Shamong, New Jersey, Sonya Deville.
[Cole] Corey, Deville has been clamoring for a chance,
and she gets it tonight.
[Graves] A chance to showdown with Ronda Rousey.
Sonya Deville, of all people,
was almost insulted by Ronda's arrival to WWE.
Sonya has a mixed martial arts background.
She feels as though she doesn't get the respect she deserves
because everyone's talking about Ronda all the time.
♪ Demolishing obstacles Conquering articles ♪
[Graves] Tonight's an opportunity for Sonya to do something about it.
["New Foundation" playing]
[Irvin] Making her way to the ring,
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada,
Natalya.
[Cole] Former Women's Champion.
Calls herself the BOAT, Best of All Time.
[Graves] Natalya certainly a threat to any matchup in which she competes.
A true veteran of the game.
Natalya's forgotten more about this business than most people know.
Left. Left, right, left.
Left. Left. Left, right, left.
["Bet On Me" playing]
[Irvin] Next, from Paris Island, South Carolina,
Lacey Evans.
[Graves] Glad to see the attitude hasn't changed.
♪ There's no stoppin' me now ♪
Lacey Evans has not been shown the respect
she rightfully deserves by the WWE Universe.
I'd be upset too. I am upset.
You ever seen my Twitter, Cole? It's a disaster.
[Cole laughs]
[Cole] You bring a lot of that upon yourself.
["Bad Reputation" by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts playing]
♪ I don't give a damn 'Bout my reputation ♪
[Irvin] And their opponent,
The Baddest Woman on the Planet,
"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey.
[Graves] Rousey's a woman on a mission tonight,
wearing her pink gi in honor of "Judo Gene" LeBell,
one of her trainers, who we recently lost.
A great deal of respect for LeBell.
And if Ronda can channel that energy into this matchup,
she's got a big-time opportunity on her hands.
[Cole] Friday Night SmackDown on Fox tonight is presented by Progressive.
And high above the Climate Pledge Arena,
there is our SmackDown Women's Champion, Liv Morgan, looking on.
Taking it all in, because one of these five women
will challenge her next month,
four weeks from tomorrow, in Philadelphia at the Extreme Rules Premium Live Event.
Here we go. Rules of the matchup, no count-outs, no disqualifications.
Pinfall or submission. Once that happens, you're eliminated.
You head back to the locker room.
Last woman standing will be the Number One Contender.
[Graves] It seemed to be a smart strategy.
All four women trying to gang up on Ronda.
That's what Natalya and Xia Li doing now, sending Ronda outside the ring.
Now, Xia Li looking to steal one, rolling up Natalya, using the ropes.
Doesn't matter. No disqualification in this match.
Big clothesline by Natalya.
Cover now on Xia Li
and a kickout at two.
[Graves] Natalya now looking for the Sharpshooter. Xia's in trouble.
[Cole] Lacey Evans into the ring with a Woman's Right.
[Graves] That might be it for Natalya.
[Cole] And Deville with the running knee,
taking out Lacey Evans, who…
couldn't take control after the Woman's Right.
[Graves] If you're in a match as crowded as a Fatal 5-Way,
you need to find a fallen body and execute a pinfall attempt.
Lock on a submission.
You're not gonna get many chances because it's gonna get busy in a hurry.
[Cole] Oh, and Ronda Rousey driving Sonya Deville into the barricade.
How many people like Deville after the fact
that she run roughshod over the, uh, show when she was a WWE official?
Armbar, locked in to Natalya.
Natalya, what's she gonna do? Trying to hang on.
And she has to tap out. Natalya eliminated.
-[Graves] Here comes Lacey Evans. -[Irvin] Natalya has been eliminated.
[Cole] Morgan looking on. Lacey Evans now trying to take out Ronda Rousey.
Nice neckbreaker by Evans.
Ronda Rousey catches her, though.
Just like that.
Xia Li now with a knee right to the midsection of Rousey.
[Graves] Lacey tried to get fancy and paid for it.
Now, Xia Li raining down rights and lefts on "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey.
[Cole] And Li with a leg drop. Is it enough to--
Would be an upset if she could knock off Rousey there,
and a kickout by Ronda.
[yells]
Ronda, some well-placed elbows.
Roll-through again.
Xia Li in trouble, left the arm exposed, and… thought she was gonna pay for it.
Lacey, though, from behind, rolling up Rousey.
Almost stole one there.
Now Deville into the ring.
And Deville has that head-and-arm choke applied to Xia Li, takes her down.
Armbar now on Evans.
Tap out of Xia, tap out by Lacey.
[referee] Out! They tapped! They tapped! Out!
[Cole] Lacey and Xia both eliminated.
[Irvin] Xia Li and Lacey Evans have been eliminated.
[Graves] Well, you asked for it, Sonya. Now is your chance.
You are eye-to-eye with the Baddest Woman on the Planet.
Come get it, baby.
[Graves] Put your hair up and square up.
[Cole] Oh, this is gonna be a fight.
Rousey and Deville with the MMA backgrounds.
Deville looking for the double-leg takedown.
Oh, and Ronda wrestling Sonya Deville to the mat.
And now mounting Sonya and unloading with a right hand.
Sonya trying to cover up on Rousey.
Deville looking for escape somehow.
[Graves] Sonya able to create a modicum of separation.
[Cole] Rolls through. Rousey may have Deville.
Can she get back to a base and set up Deville for a Piper's Pit?
And Deville, though, back into that head-and-arm choke.
[Graves] It's not cinched in fully, but Sonya doing her best to apply it.
Great defense.
[Cole] But still, Deville hanging on.
This will not break, remember. This will not break.
There are no disqualifications.
Ronda rolls out to the floor. Sonya still has it locked in.
And driven into the barricade,
forcing the separation.
[Graves] A creative way to break a submission hold.
Liv Morgan looking on, awaiting her next challenger.
[Cole] Ronda Rousey with that attitude,
and now Ronda's got Deville up.
Piper's Pit to Sonya Deville.
Rousey sets her up.
And instead of the armbar, she's going for the ankle lock.
Ankle lock, leg trap.
Deville nowhere to go.
Gotta tap out. Rousey's your Number One Contender.
[bell rings]
♪ I don't give a damn 'Bout my reputation ♪
[Irvin] Here is your winner, "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey.
["Bad Reputation" playing]
[Graves] Ronda said she wanted to lead by example tonight,
send a little luck to her man Nate Diaz's way for tomorrow.
But right now, that's what the future looks like.
Ronda Rousey has just earned an opportunity
to challenge the woman who took her championship.
[Cole] And remember, Corey. That happened at SummerSlam.
It was a controversial ending in which Morgan…
would retain the title
after cashing in on Rousey back at Money in the Bank.
[Graves] Sonya Deville
tried mightily
to execute a head-and-arm-choke submission,
but instead, ate the barricade, a Piper's Pit,
and an ankle lock from "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey.
[Cole] Rousey gets the rematch she wanted with Liv Morgan
four weeks from tomorrow
at the Extreme Rules Premium Live Event in Philadelphia.
Rousey, Morgan, for the SmackDown Women's Championship.
[Jimmy] Street Champion in the building. You ready?
-This your big shot, Uce. -Let's go.
This is what you've been waiting on.
This is exactly what you've been waiting on.
-Yeah. -Level up. Level up tonight.
Roman said you was the man?
You?
He was right.
Appreciate the help out there, Sami.
Well… you know, Roman,
Roman knows what he's talking about.
-Man, please, man. -Man, what?
-What, you. -What, me?
-What? -What is that noise?
Hey, yo. Come on, man. Tonight ain't about this.
It's about him.
-I know that. -He need to make a statement
tonight for The Bloodline, right?
-You're right. -Need to represent The Bloodline, right?
-You're right. Yes. -Yeet. Yo.
Look, I just want him to know, I want you to know,
anything you need,
we are all looking out for you. Okay?
-Yeah, he know. -I know he know.
But, tonight, he need to do it alone.
Drew McIntyre called you out, Uce.
Yeah, Jey's right. I gotta do this on my own.
-Yeah. -But if I need help…
I'd ask you.
Scratch that, man. No. Matter of fact, change of plans, Uce.
We all going out there tonight. Cool?
-I'm with that. -I'm cool.
All right. Move together.
-Let's go. -Cool?
-Yeah. -All right.
-Great idea actually. -Now, let's go, Solo.
-Let's go. -You got it, man.
-You got it. -Yeah. Represent.
September is Pediatric Cancer Month, so as The EST,
I am teaming up with my friends, the I-N-G,
-because they are… -Fighting!
[upbeat music playing]
[kids speaking]
…in their battle versus cancer.
And we'll be teaming up to take down cancer.
[Dawkins] Till we win.
Want to join us?
[crowd cheers]
Check you out, huh?
Busting out the stock and slapping everything.
I know. Team Diaz for life.
For real though, man, you put a clinic on. You looked unstoppable.
-You know? -Appreciate it.
I know you don't need it, but good luck against Liv.
And I appreciate you putting on a brave face, but I can tell you're upset.
I know you're bummed about losing, but…
do you know what's better than winning?
Revenge.
Let me know when you're ready to break some bones
and take over the show again.
[Cole] Look out, Liv Morgan.
♪ Maximum Male Models ♪
Meanwhile, we are set for a big tag team match.
[Irvin] The following is an eight-man tag team match, scheduled for one fall.
Making their way to the ring, Maximum Male Models.
[Cole] I know one of your favorite tag teams.
[Graves] This may be the most astoundingly attractive
collection of human beings on the planet Earth.
[Cole] You'd fit right in.
[Graves] I don't know if I'm up to their caliber.
I submitted like nine or ten headshots. They never got back to me.
[Cole] Maximum Male Models teaming with Los Lotharios here tonight.
["How Ya Like Me Now" playing]
[Graves] I mean, tell me, Los Lotharios
wouldn't be the perfect crown jewel for Maximum Male Models.
[Cole] And tonight's Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
Well, Humberto and Angel have had their eye on Maxxine.
[Graves] How could you not?
♪ Hit Row, Hit Row ♪
♪ Hit Row ♪
♪ And if you didn't know, now you know ♪
[Irvin] And their opponents, accompanied to the ring by B-Fab,
representing Hit Row,
Ashante "Thee" Adonis and Top Dolla.
♪ We be the Hit Row-y Row-y ♪
♪ So we get that dough We know we don't count it slowly ♪
♪ Stop that talkin' ♪
[Cole] They're fans of mine, by the way.
[Graves] I find that hard to believe,
but I got a question for you, Cole, who hotta than Top Dolla?
["Bring the Swag" playing]
♪ I bring the swag like nobody can ♪
[Irvin] And their tag team partners, at a combined weight of 492 pounds,
Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins,
the Street Profits.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Went to visit them in the bus today
and I needed one of those miner lamps on my head to see through all the, uh…
[Graves laughs]
Nonetheless, uh, remember how this came about, couple of weeks ago,
Maximum Male Models wanted to get back at Hit Row,
so they spray-painted what they thought was Hit Row's bus.
It ended up being the bus of the Street Profits.
[Graves] Unfortunate mistake.
The Maximum Male Models are extremely busy.
They're in different cities night after night.
There's a great deal of travel. It's exhausting being attractive, Cole.
[Cole] I would love to know what, uh,
Mansoor and Mace are wearing.
Very unique gear as they get set for this match tonight.
[Graves] You just need to know this,
you couldn't pronounce it, and you couldn't afford it.
[Cole] True.
♪ I bring the swag like nobody can ♪
♪ Don't mean to brag What about it? Yeah ♪
[Cole] Should be a high-octane matchup with the Profits,
former Tag Team Champions, teaming up with Hit Row here tonight.
♪ I bring the swag like nobody can ♪
[Cole] Ashante "Thee" Adonis, of course, Top Dolla, and B-Fab.
♪ I bring the swag like nobody can ♪
♪ It's in the bag, man, I got it, yeah ♪
[Graves] Looks like Angelo Dawkins thinking about start--
well, thought about, for a second, starting things off.
-[bell rings] -It looks like we're gonna get
Ashante "Thee" Adonis, two E's.
[Cole] Yes, and, uh, Mansoor.
And exactly-- Explain this gear to me now.
The wrestling gear that Mansoor is in.
[Graves] Cole, I'm a journalist, not a fashionista.
[Cole] Oh!
Ashante "Thee" Adonis, driving Mansoor into the corner.
-Tag. -[Graves] My sources did tell me
that what Mansoor is wearing
is not gonna be available to the general public until fall of 2023.
[Cole] Really? So, a year from now.
Tag made. Here's Top Dolla.
And the big man had made the tag to Montez Ford, who is now legal.
Oh! And Mansoor runs into a clothesline by Ford.
[crowd cheers]
And, uh, Los Lotharios and, uh, Mace saying, "No, I'll think twice about it."
Match continues here on Friday Night SmackDown.
-[Graves] Look at Mace's jawline. -What you scared for?
What you scared for?
[basketball bouncing]
[ominous music plays]
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?
[Cole] Eight-man tag team match continues here on Friday Night SmackDown.
Hit Row teaming with the Street Profits against Los Lotharios
and the Maximum Male Models.
This is Mansoor in control,
as we show you what happened just moments ago.
Watch this kick by Mace.
[Graves] So much more than just a pretty face.
Maximum Male Models
ripping control of this matchup away in favor of their team.
[Cole] Very effective, Mace and Mansoor have been tonight.
Mansoor, sorry.
[Graves] It's all right, Cole.
I don't hold you to the high standards that the Maximum Male Models do.
[Cole] Oh, look. A very unique tag.
[Graves] Everything about Maximum Male Models is unique.
Including Max and Maxxine Dupri.
Talk about a gene pool that's been blessed like holy water.
I mean, come on.
I want to know what their parents look like.
What's the matter, Cole?
[Cole] I've got nothing to say to that. I just can't respond.
Oh, and an elbow right to the back of the neck of Adonis by Mace.
Very impressive tonight.
Tag made. Here comes Angel of Los Lotharios.
Who, again, I mentioned before, have had their eyes on Maxxine
for a number of weeks now.
Oh, and there goes Top Dolla.
[Graves] Far be it for me to spread rumors,
but when Angel tore his long tights off to reveal what he's wearing now,
Maxxine's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.
[Cole] And there is Humberto…
lining Adonis. And now, as Angel-- Oh, and oh my God!
Angel just took out his own partner!
[Graves] Damaged his goods.
He's still handsome, Cole. Look at him up close.
-[Cole] Angel landed in my lap. -It's astounding.
[Cole] Taking out his own partner. Tag made. Here's Angelo Dawkins.
-[crowd cheers] -[Graves] Oh my God!
[Cole] Goodbye, Humberto. See you later.
Mace… thanks for comin'.
Mansoor.
Dawkins' got this place rockin'.
[Graves] AD is on fire.
Tag is made. Here comes Mace.
[Cole] And there goes Mace.
[Graves] Eats a Silencer for his troubles.
[Cole] Hook of the leg.
Almost had him.
Had to kick at two was Mace, as Angel tried to make the save.
Fast-paced action here in this eight-man tag team matchup.
[Graves] Dawkins dumps Angel to the outside.
[Cole] Oh, and a shot by "Thee" Adonis.
Get him up! Hold him up!
[Cole] Montez Ford was trying to fly
and he ran into a step-up enzuigiri by Humberto.
And now, Humberto
launched by Dawkins.
Nobody home.
-Talk about a Boeing jumbo jet in Seattle. -[crowd cheers]
[Graves] Wow.
-Angelo Dawkins! -No way.
-No. No. No. -Don't do it, big fella.
-You gotta be kidding me. -Tonight ain't that night.
-[Cole] Six-five, 330. -[crowd cheers]
-[Graves] Oh-ho, baby. -[Cole] Former nose tackle.
Oh.
-[Graves] Thank goodness for Maxxine. -[crowd booing]
[Cole] And B-Fab didn't take too kindly to that.
-Hey, hey, don't do… Don't-Don't do that. -[crosstalk]
-Get out my face. -Oh!
[Cole] Oh, and Top Dolla with a kick to the face.
From behind, Mace rolls him up. Shoulders down.
Kickout by Top Dolla.
[Graves] Tag is made. Mansoor from the top.
-Uh-oh. -That ain't gonna work.
[Cole] Caught by Top Dolla.
Using Mansoor as a weapon.
Tag.
Adonis is legal.
Heavy Hitter.
-Cover. -[crowd] One! Two!
[Cole] Big win for the Profits and Hit Row.
["Best of the Best" playing]
[Irvin] Here are your winners,
the team of the Street Profits and Hit Row.
[Cole] What an entertaining matchup here tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Graves] A cavalcade of characters in the ring.
The Street Profits, Top Dolla,
B-Fab, and Ashante "Thee" Adonis.
Disappointing loss. Tough loss for Maximum Male Models.
I really wanted to see the big man, Top Dolla, try to fly over the top rope.
That would have been incredible.
I have a feeling we're gonna see that one of these days.
Well, talk about big men. You were there Monday night
for the return of "The Monster Among Men," Braun Strowman.
We'll show you what he's capable of in this Progressive Match Flo.
["Are You Ready" by AC/DC playing]
[announcer] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
[ominous music playing]
[Cole] Braun Strowman, "The Monster Among Men."
[roars]
Braun Strowman is a one-man wrecking machine.
[Graves] Strowman is annihilating everything in his path.
[Braun] I'm tossing around grown men like beanbags.
[Cole] Oh my God!
[Braun roars]
[Braun] I am The Monster Among Men,
and somebody is gonna get these hands.
[roaring]
-[Graves] Oh my God! -[Patrick] What?!
[Graves] The monster is back.
A former Universal Champion.
Who the hell wants to get in the ring with this monster?
[Patrick] Taking out WWE security.
[intense music playing]
[Graves] He's even bigger and badder than before.
[Braun] The Monster of All Monsters is back, and nobody is safe.
-Nobody. -[roars]
[music fades]
[Graves] We hear the train a-coming. It's rolling around the bend.
It is the Strowman Express.
The Monster of All Monsters is back
and he is live next on SmackDown.
-♪ I run ♪ -♪ Nah-nah-nah-nah ♪
-♪ Everybody run ♪ -♪ Nah-nah-nah-nah ♪
-♪ You know you gotta run ♪ -♪ Nah-nah-nah-nah ♪
-♪ Everybody run ♪ -♪ Nah-nah-nah-nah ♪
-♪ Oh, everybody run ♪ -♪ Nah-nah-nah-nah ♪
["Run" by Our Lady Peace playing]
♪ Everybody run ♪
[crowd cheering]
♪ I used to die like twice a day ♪
♪ The feeling is contagious ♪
♪ The lights are bright I can feel the strain ♪
♪ Must be heaven or Las Vegas ♪
[Gable] Shoooosh.
Shoosh please.
[Cole] Oh, you brought these guys from Raw, I see.
[Graves] So? Needed to class up the joint a little bit.
["Shoooosh" playing]
Thank you!
[Irvin] Please welcome Otis and Chad Gable, Alpha Academy.
[Graves] Look at the size of the tree trunk, Otis.
-[Gable clears throat] Oh-ho. -[music ends]
Seattle, it's your lucky night. You got Otis,
you got Master Gable back on the Blue Brand,
back on SmackDown, baby, right where the Alpha Academy was born.
[crowd booing]
And I can tell by that warm response that you missed us dearly,
so allow me to say this.
Ah, thank you!
[crowd booing]
Oh, come on. Come on.
We haven't been gone that long. I shouldn't need to remind you.
When you're in the presence of the Academy, I need you to do one thing.
[crowd booing]
Shoooosh!
Shoosh, please.
Okay?
The reason we're here tonight
is to ruin Braun Strowman's big return to SmackDown,
much in the same way that he ruined our opportunity
at a Tag Team Championship match when he stuck his stupid hands
in our match on Monday Night Raw.
Yeah, that's right.
A match that we had won, by the way,
until Braun jumped us from behind,
because trust me, if Otis, my prized pupil, my number one guy
had seen Braun coming, he would have decimated that idiot, and left him laying.
[crowd booing]
Look at that face.
That's because Otis, much like myself, is a superior athlete.
Oh, I know. I know. Here-Here in Seattle,
you don't know anything about superior athletes.
[crowd booing]
Oh, whoa, whoa.
That's because Seattle is the type of city
that couldn't even hold on to their own professional basketball team.
[crowd booing]
[clears throat] Shoosh.
[Graves] Otis is approaching mastodon proportions.
[Cole] You think?
[booing continues]
Uh… Shoosh, please.
[Cole] A lot of SuperSonics fans here.
[Graves] They miss Detlef Schrempf very badly here.
[Cole] I was thinking of Kevin Durant.
[chuckles]
[Graves] Shawn Kemp's still got some businesses around here.
[Cole] Jack Sikma.
[Graves] Gary Payton.
[Cole] Dennis Johnson.
[Graves] Randy Johnson.
[crowd chanting "You suck"]
Yeah, yeah, exactly like I thought. A bunch of idiots.
Well, allow me to use my genius to show you just how I turned Otis
into the one and only true monster in the--
-["Monster of All Monsters" playing] -[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Did someone say… monster?
It's deafening in here.
[Graves] Braun Strowman stalking toward the ring.
[roars]
Bigger and badder than before.
[Cole] Hey, Mr. Gable, I believe it's put-up-or-shut-up time.
[Graves] Otis is staring a hole through Strowman.
No fear in the eyes of the number one guy tonight.
Maybe there should be.
[Cole] Strowman looks phenomenal.
-[Graves chuckles] -Oh, and a right hand drops--
knocks Otis into the ropes, and Gable said, "Not-Not right now."
And now Strowman, "Get these hands, Mr. Otis."
And Gable from behind, tried the sneak attack.
I don't think that was wise.
Not so fast, Mr. Gable.
-Oh. -Oh!
[Cole] Now, Otis blasting Strowman into the corner,
and Otis unloading on The Monster Among Men.
[Graves] Crushing Strowman in the corner.
Could Otis be the one to topple the monster?
[Cole] Maybe not. A shoulder tackle dropping Otis.
And now a clothesline almost decapitating Gable.
Powerbomb with ease.
[Graves] It looked effortless.
-[Cole] Oh no. No way. -[Graves] No way in hell.
-Corey-- -[Graves] No way in hell!
[Cole] What does Otis weigh?
[Graves] Three-fifty, three-sixty?
[Cole] Strowman's got Otis up and a powerbomb!
-[crowd cheers] -Are you kidding me?
["Monster of All Monsters" playing]
A 360-pounder powerbombed
by The Monster Among Men,
putting everybody on notice here on Friday Night SmackDown.
Excuse me, Drew. Ultimately, you fell short at Clash at the Castle,
but because of that, how satisfying will it be for you
to ultimately get your redemption against the newest member of The Bloodline,
Solo Sikoa, here tonight?
[crowd cheers]
Clash at the Castle should have been the biggest moment of my life.
Twenty-one years, I've given everything to this industry.
All the sacrifices led me to that moment,
and I should be standing here right now Undisputed Champion.
I'm not for one reason.
Solo Sikoa.
Solo…
I'm sure your Head of the Table
is very happy with you,
but actions have consequences.
And I promise you tonight,
you are not gonna like the consequences of your actions.
[Graves] And this coming Monday on Raw,
the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles are on the line
as champions Raquel Rodriguez and Aliyah
defend against Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai accompanied by Bayley, Damage CTRL.
[Cole] This match was supposed to happen this past Monday night on Raw
before Braun Strowman interrupted.
It will happen next week in Anaheim at The Pond
as part of Friday Night SmackDown here on Fox.
One of these teams will be the Number One Contenders
for The Usos' Undisputed Tag Team Titles.
♪ Are you ready? ♪
["Gallantry" plays]
[crowd cheers]
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Ayr, Scotland,
weighing in at 275 pounds,
Drew McIntyre.
[Cole] Drew McIntyre will be with us next week
as Friday Night SmackDown heads to the West Coast yet again.
The Pond, Anaheim, California, for SmackDown next week.
Now, you know, McIntyre, Corey, not one to make excuses,
not one to be bitter,
has accepted his fate over the past 21 years,
but he is pissed off tonight, and he has a reason to be.
He was robbed of the Unified Championship.
He had Roman Reigns pinned,
had Roman Reigns dead to rights at Clash at the Castle
before the involvement of Solo Sikoa.
[Graves] Drew McIntyre assumed for the first time ever
it would truly be one-on-one.
Roman Reigns, Drew McIntyre.
No Usos, no Sami, no Wiseman.
And then, Solo Sikoa flipped the script.
Fury in the eyes tonight of the Scottish Warrior
with very good reason.
[Cole] And now McIntyre says he has to dissect The Bloodline one-by-one.
He will start with Solo Sikoa,
who makes his SmackDown in-ring debut here tonight.
["Get Real" playing]
[Irvin] And his opponent, accompanied to the ring by Sami Zayn
and the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, The Usos,
from Las Vegas, Nevada, weighing in at 250 pounds,
Solo Sikoa.
[Cole] And notice, conveniently, the Head of the Table,
the head of The Bloodline, the Undisputed Champion,
Roman Reigns is not here tonight. He had something up his sleeve.
He pulled a fast one on everybody this past Saturday at Clash at the Castle,
and now, Corey, he doesn't even have the guts
-to show up tonight with McIntyre here. -Oh, will you stop?
You are being ridiculous, Cole.
It's a perk that comes with being the champ,
with being the guy,
with being the face of the entire industry.
Generals don't do the fighting on the front lines, Cole.
That's what the infantry is for.
The Head of the Table is exactly where he belongs,
waiting for somebody to step up.
[Cole] Well, McIntyre one-on-one with Sikoa.
The Usos and Sami at ringside.
This is really a four-on-one handicap match, when you think about it.
McIntyre yet to take his eyes off Sikoa,
the 250-pounder who's been described as ferocious, dangerous, and hungry.
The younger brother of Jimmy and Jey Uso.
There's an eight-year difference between Solo Sikoa and his brothers.
And we're underway, and McIntyre goes right after Sikoa.
[Graves] When it comes to general demeanor and attitude,
Solo Sikoa might be the most dangerous with a short temper.
The Street Champion has never met a fight he did not like.
[Cole] And the official, Ryan Tran, warning Drew McIntyre.
And Solo Sikoa now unloading on McIntyre.
[Graves] Big heavy rights to the face and body of McIntyre.
[Cole] Solo Sikoa has said that--
Oh! Never really was close to his brothers when they grew up
because of the eight-year difference. It made him stronger.
He was sort of a loner… growing up.
[Graves] That's why he refers to himself as Solo.
[Cole] Oh, and Drew McIntyre with a clothesline.
Of course, the son of the legendary Rikishi.
[Graves] On the other hand, there's a bit of jealousy inside Solo Sikoa
in that he has watched his older brothers
succeed at the highest levels of this industry,
of the fam-- Wait, wait, wait.
-[Cole] Oh, Future Shock DDT. -[Graves] That could spoil Sikoa's debut.
[Cole] And just like that, McIntyre looking to take out Sikoa.
Remember what Drew said.
"Not gonna like the consequences of your actions."
Looking for the Claymore,
and saving their brother, the Tag Champs.
[crowd booing]
McIntyre is on fire here on SmackDown.
[Cole] We are back here on Friday Night SmackDown.
It's the in-ring debut on SmackDown of Solo Sikoa,
a member of The Bloodline,
younger brother of The Usos, against Drew McIntyre.
Corey, during the commercial break, it was a four-on-one attack,
and it has allowed Solo Sikoa to get back in this match.
[Graves] The Bloodline coming at McIntyre
from every side of the ring simultaneously.
[Cole] It was a swarm of The Bloodline, and now Sikoa
with a Samoan drop. That looked familiar.
Cover now by Solo Sikoa,
and McIntyre at two.
[Graves] Solo Sikoa may be brand new to Friday Night SmackDown,
but Solo is by no means new to this game, to this business, to The Bloodline.
And you know Solo would have never seen the light of day in WWE
had he not been up to the expectations of the Head of the Table,
of the Tribal Chief.
Roman's blessing is why Solo is here.
[Cole] You said it earlier, Corey,
he may be, according to all sources,
the baddest of everyone in the Anoa'i family.
[Graves] Built like a tank. Just ask Drew McIntyre.
[Cole] Frightening eyes as well.
[referee] Two, three, four.
[Cole] Now, the attack on McIntyre. And a cheap shot by Jey Uso.
And again, Sami Zayn cackling like a hyena.
[Graves] And again, Solo has stood by and watched his older brothers
succeed to the highest levels in this business,
watched his entire family run this game.
Solo says, "It's my time now."
[Cole] It's not lost on him either what you were saying earlier
about Roman accepting him into The Bloodline.
Understanding that Sikoa was ready, how dangerous this man can be.
It just gives you another layer of protection for Roman Reigns.
[Graves] In there throwing sledgehammer rights.
[Cole] And McIntyre, against all odds,
fighting back against Sikoa.
Knee well placed in the midsection.
And a belly-to-belly throw to McIntyre.
Cover for the win on the Scottish Warrior,
who kicks at two.
[Graves] You'd be remiss not to ask
what sort of physical condition McIntyre is in.
We know Drew could be running on pure adrenaline at this moment,
after a grueling battle six nights ago in Cardiff.
[Cole] Not only grueling physically, but think about the mental toll,
that whole week, the build-up to Clash at the Castle,
in Drew McIntyre's homeland of the United Kingdom.
Oh, Sikoa backing it up.
[Graves] That may have been Drew's cue to head home and get a little rest.
[Cole] Watch this impact again.
Shades of the late, great Umaga,
and also his dad Rikishi.
[Graves] And both older brothers.
And look at Solo beginning to feel himself.
Get your ass up. You don't belong here.
You don't belong here.
-You don't belong here. -[Tran] Let's go. Come on.
[Cole] Trash-talking McIntyre, whipping him across the ring.
Drew, though, explodes out of the corner with a clothesline.
[crowd cheers]
And now, you feel McIntyre may be building some momentum,
feeding off adrenaline here.
Sikoa runs into an elbow.
[crowd cheers]
Great throw by McIntyre.
[Graves] Outrageous power from the Scottish Warrior.
Ah, neckbreaker, and a kip-up by Drew.
-[crowd cheers] -[Graves] Maybe I spoke too soon.
Drew looking like he feels just fine tonight.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] WWE fans in Seattle backing McIntyre,
was setting up for the Claymore.
Of course, Jey gets involved, and now Jimmy on the other side.
It allows Sikoa to roll up McIntyre for the win.
Shoulders down. Two-count kickout.
[Graves] Solo sent to the outside.
Jimmy Uso eats a right from McIntyre.
[Cole] You mentioned earlier, Corey, swarming from all sides.
McIntyre, six-foot-five. Looking to fly.
And Sami Zayn now gets involved. The official didn't see it.
He was over there dealing with The Usos.
And now, Sami Zayn in the hard way.
Remember, it was Zayn who sacrificed himself,
running into a chair from McIntyre instead of Sikoa earlier today.
-Oh! -[Graves] Oh baby!
[Cole] Again, Sami Zayn running interference,
cover off the superkick,
and a kickout at two.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Now, Sikoa is beginning to understand what makes McIntyre tick.
[Graves] Take a look at this, as Drew is about to deliver a Claymore.
Sikoa, a step ahead and a savate kick right on the chin of Drew McIntyre.
[Cole] Again, I hate to say it, Corey,
Sami Zayn continues to prove his worth to The Bloodline week after week.
[grunting]
[crowd] Boo! Yay!
Boo! Yay!
[Graves] This is unfamiliar territory for Sikoa.
There aren't many men who can stand and throw hands with the Street Champ.
[Cole] Glasgow Kiss.
Oh, and The Usos dump McIntyre over the top rope.
The official dealing with that idiot, Sami Zayn,
and The Usos are mugging McIntyre.
Turn around, official!
And here come the Street Profits!
[Graves] Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins trying to even the score.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] And now, Sami Zayn in the mix.
[Graves] McIntyre just got mauled by The Usos.
The Profits came down to help out.
[Graves] Montez Ford…
[Cole] From the heavens!
[crowd cheers]
There are bodies everywhere.
McIntyre back in the ring with Sikoa. This match continues.
Looking for the Samoan drop yet again.
McIntyre, though, slips out from behind.
Claymore drives Sikoa right out of the ring!
-Holy cow! It's Karrion Kross! -[Graves] Karrion Kross!
-[bell rings] -[Cole] The Kross Jacket.
-Karrion Kross! -[Graves] …and Scarlett have arrived.
[Cole] This lunatic is choking McIntyre out.
[crowd boos]
The harbinger of doom, and there's Scarlett looking on.
The Kross Jacket. McIntyre's fading.
This crazed, maniacal Kross.
[Graves] Doomsday has arrived for the Scottish Warrior.
[Cole] McIntyre, struggling to breathe.
We need help out here. Somebody get out here and help this guy.
[Graves] McIntyre trying to fight his way out of the Kross Jacket.
[Cole] But not enough. Karrion Kross decimating McIntyre.
McIntyre fading.
Kross, who wants to reset the timeline here on SmackDown.
[crowd booing]
This guy's nuts. Kross is nuts.
[Graves] Kross and Scarlett have haunted McIntyre for weeks now.
[Cole] Somebody help McIntyre. Somebody get in there and do something.
[Graves] The Scottish Warrior's world is fading to black.
-[Cole] McIntyre, somebody help the guy! -[Graves] Somebody stop Kross!