[WWE signature intro plays]
[John Cena] Then…
[Flair] Woo!
[The Rock] If you smell!
[Cena] Now.
-♪ The king of kings ♪ -♪ You can't see me ♪
[Cena] Forever.
Together.
["The Game" plays]
[Cole] Welcome to the season premiere of Friday Night SmackDown.
Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
[Irvin] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome "The Game" Triple H.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chants "Triple H!"]
There will come a time
when you believe that everything is finished.
But that, that is the beginning.
[crowd cheering]
Welcome to Fox,
and welcome to the season premiere
of Friday Night SmackDown.
[crowd cheers]
["I Am Greatness" plays]
[Cole] And it is only appropriate
that we kick off the season premiere of Friday Night SmackDown with a man
who has been the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion
for 768 days, over two years.
He's The Tribal Chief,
the Head of the Table, flanked by The Bloodline.
[fireworks exploding]
Well, ladies and gentlemen, many of you may have heard the news
broken yesterday by Variety.
I have a new partner and I have some good news for you.
A five-time Intercontinental Champion, a King of the Ring,
from NXT, Wade Barrett now a part of Friday Night SmackDown.
Cole, you have had more husbands than Elizabeth Taylor,
but I promise you this, I am gonna be your favorite one of all.
What a thrill it is to be here tonight
for the season premiere of SmackDown on Fox.
Let me tell you this.
I don't want to take time away from The Tribal Chief.
I'm just thrilled I can be here ringside to acknowledge the great man in person.
[Cole] Let's take you back last month to a press conference in Las Vegas
with Roman Reigns and social media Superstar Logan Paul.
It's time that you take your supermodel girlfriend,
and your TikTok account, and your Instagram account,
and your Twitter account, and YouTube your ass on out of Vegas.
Isn't this Roman Reigns' press conference? Hey, Roman.
Why is your mouthpiece talking for you?
You said four words and you're standing behind him.
Hey, Roman. Yeah, where is he?
[Cole] And with that, the stage was set
four weeks from tomorrow in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
WWE Crown Jewel, the next title defense for Roman Reigns
as he defends against the upstart Logan Paul.
Wade, my question to you is this.
Does Logan Paul have a chance
to unseat the Undisputed Champion?
[Wade] Come on. Every man has a fighting chance.
Anyone can get KO'd, but I got to tell you this.
What a mountain to climb.
He has to destroy, to defeat Roman Reigns.
It's almost, almost zero, but yeah, there is a chance.
[Cole] Draped in gold, The Bloodline.
[fireworks exploding]
[Cole] Reigns flanked by the tag champs, The Usos.
His other cousin Solo Sikoa.
His special counsel, Paul Heyman, and of course "Honorary Uce" Sami Zayn.
The Bloodline in full force tonight.
[crowd cheers]
Worcester, Mass.
[crowd cheers]
Acknowledge me.
["Take Flight" plays]
[Cole] I'll tell you one thing right now, this takes some balls.
Logan Paul interrupting Roman Reigns and The Bloodline.
[Wade] You asked me a little earlier if Logan Paul had a chance.
I said yeah, one-on-one against Roman Reigns.
Against the entire Bloodline, right now? The guy is out of his damn mind.
[Cole] Logan Paul has made a career out of being outspoken,
about being controversial.
It took some guts just to challenge Reigns to a match,
let alone a match for the Championship.
Already the world talking about Friday Night SmackDown,
the season premiere, and the confrontation between Roman Reigns
and Logan Paul.
I get it.
You always do, my Tribal Chief.
There's a bunch of us,
but Logan, this is my show.
[crowd cheering]
And that means you're my guest.
This is a safe place. Please, come on in.
We want to hear what you got to say,
but I also think it's important that you hear what we have to say as well,
so please, come on in.
[crowd chants "Logan sucks!"]
Just let me start with this.
They did the same thing to me years ago,
and I'm the greatest of all time now.
[crowd cheering, booing]
And that's why I feel like it's important that you come out here because
there's a lot of things we can teach you.
Wiseman.
Yes, my Tribal Chief?
Smarten this boy up, will you?
With pleasure, my Tribal Chief.
You know, as special counsel to The Tribal Chief,
the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion
of all sports entertainment,
Roman Reigns,
I, Paul Heyman, also serve as Wiseman.
And sometimes I drop these little pearls of wisdom, like this one.
My Tribal Chief asked me the other day,
"Who in the hell is Logan Paul?"
And it hit me in the head
like Anderson Silva's gonna hit
your brother Jake Paul in the head when they fight…
You are this generation's version
of Mr. T and Cyndi Lauper.
You're the outside celebrity
that's number one
on all pop culture platforms
that we bring in
to bring more eyeballs to our product.
Which also means millions and millions, and tens of millions
of more people that end up dropping down to their knees
and worshiping at the altar of the Island of Relevancy.
Which means they all get to acknowledge The Tribal Chief,
Roman Reigns.
And we were trying to figure out
who at Crown Jewel do we make
as this Insta-famous, pseudo celebrity, male Kardashian
that gets to be smashed
by Roman Reigns?
And at first I thought, "Well,
let's take Jordan Peterson."
Because Peterson can pontificate
on the proliferation
of the pessimistic pussification of the pugilistic soci--
Jordan Peterson would never have the balls
to fight The Tribal Chief Roman Reigns.
Then I thought, "Well, maybe Ben Shapiro."
Oy vey! Ben Shapiro!
Who talks so fast that no one can debate him.
Though I'd love to have an open mic night on SmackDown with Ben Shapiro
and hear Ben Shapiro atoning for his sins.
And let's be honest, Ben Shapiro is a yarmulke,
he's not a fighter,
so Ben Shapiro wouldn't have the balls
to fight Roman Reigns.
Then there's Andrew Tate.
Yeah, I agree,
the less said about Andrew Tate, the better,
except Andrew Tate would never have the balls
to fight The Tribal Chief
Roman Reigns.
So who do we have?
Mr. Big Balls himself, Logan Paul.
[crowd boos]
Jake Paul's schmucky brother,
supermodel Nina Agdal's impotent-- I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, Freudian slip.
Impulsive.
Impulsive boyfriend
who has the balls to step up
and look for a moment in his life
where he gets to provide all of his YouTube audience
with his experiential moment of getting smashed by Roman Reigns in Riyadh.
So for three months while you're in your hospital bed
with a breathing tube and a catheter,
and I surely hope they put those in the right holes…
[crowd cheers]
…and you get to have all this content creation saying,
"I, Logan Paul,
got smashed by Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel."
And at that moment in your life, Logan Paul,
you will not be offering a prediction.
You, sir, will be offering a spoiler.
[crowd cheers]
Woo!
[crowd woos]
I can't argue with that, Paul.
[Heyman] Why would he?
You really are a wise man.
Indeed I am.
But I do have one question for you, if you don't mind.
[crowd yells] What?
When you say that I'm gonna get smashed by The Tribal Chie…
[crowd yells] What?
…do you mean "The Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns?
[crowd yells] What?
Or "The Tribal Chief" Jey Uso?
[crowd yells] What?
Shut it down, uce.
Shut it down before you get cut tonight, you hear me?
Huh?
I see what you're doing, uce.
I see what you're doing.
Don't dare talk again.
Don't dare mess again, uce. Don't dare mess again, Logan.
Which one is The Tribal Chief, and which one's gonna smash me?
[Jey] Don't worry about it.
Because you're not a spokesperson, a mouthpiece
or a wise man, and I'm seeing double.
-I'm gonna get you. -I'm seeing double.
Start talking again, uce.
I'm gonna slap you right now. I'll slap you right now, uce.
I'm telling you. You hear me?
Six of y'all and one of me, and I can't tell the difference.
[crowd chants "Let him go!"]
[crowd chants "Uso!"]
Okay, okay. Hang on a second. Okay.
All right, all right.
[crowd cheers]
Let's…
[crowd chants "Sami!"]
Let's all just take a deep breath here for one second, okay?
Roman, Roman, look, Roman, you are the Head of the Table.
You are the Head of the Table.
You are the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, you are the GOAT.
More importantly, you are The Tribal Chief.
You are The Tribal Chief.
Nobody here, nobody is questioning that.
Nobody is challenging that. Nobody, okay?
This is your family.
Jey Uso…
Jey Uso did nothing wrong, okay?
The only person doing anything around here is this wannabe,
this fake, this pretender,
this YouTuber who wants to be a WWE Superstar,
who doesn't realize that at Crown Jewel, he is gonna get smashed
worse than anybody's ever been smashed in their entire life.
Yeah, keep chuckling. Let me tell you something.
We have a little saying here in The Bloodline,
"You the twos and we the ones."
Well, you are the biggest two of them all, my dawg.
That's what you are. You are a giant number two.
That is how you are gonna end up,
as a number two stain on the bottom of The Tribal Chief's shoe
when he is done with you at Crown Jewel.
And when he's finished with you, guess what?
The Bloodline will still be here.
We'll be stronger than ever, more united than ever,
because We The Ones.
[crowd cheers]
["I Am Greatness" plays]
[Cole] Sami Zayn playing peacekeeper tonight for The Bloodline.
Defusing what could have been an explosive situation from Roman Reigns and company.
[Wade] Logan Paul doing his best to sow a little dissension into the ranks
appeared to fail.
[Cole] And you have to wonder, Wade,
how will this discord affect what happens coming up next,
when Bloodline member Solo Sikoa
goes one-on-one with Ricochet on the season premiere of SmackDown.
Ladies and gentlemen, their match at Clash at the Castle
was called the Match of the Year.
Tonight, Sheamus tries once again to win his first Intercontinental Championship.
This will be a war for the Intercontinental title
in our main event.
Gunther versus Sheamus, live tonight.
Meanwhile, Solo Sikoa of The Bloodline
set to go one-on-one against Ricochet.
["Into the Rico-Verse" plays]
♪ One and only ♪
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring,
weighing in at 207 pounds,
Ricochet!
[Cole] Earlier today on social media, Ricochet talked about his…
well, the situation with The Bloodline.
He said, "I've never had a problem with The Bloodline,
but I do after what they did to my buddy, Madcap, last week in the attack."
Now, Ricochet has said this, Wade.
He has said that, "I don't like Paul Heyman."
"I don't like the way he runs his mouth."
"Solo Sikoa, well, he's just a big bully."
"The Usos, all they do is listen to Roman Reigns,
and Roman Reigns has everybody do his dirty work."
Solo Sikoa, who took exception to those words by Ricochet
right out of the blocks goes right after Ricochet.
[Wade] Look, I'm not gonna take a shot at Ricochet here
to be fair to him as we take another look at this--
Boom, out of nowhere from Solo Sikoa.
But you talk bad about The Bloodline,
it may be true what Ricochet said, it may be complete nonsense.
I'm not committing myself there, but I'll tell you this,
bad things are gonna happen when you talk smack about anyone from The Bloodline.
[Cole] Now the matchup's underway,
Solo Sikoa trying to take the early advantage.
Ricochet looking to use his speed in this matchup. The great athlete--
Ricochet runs into a right by Solo.
Sikoa said, "Don't speak about my family."
"You mention it, you get bloodied."
Get up!
[Cole] This is the man who took out Angelo Dawkins
this past Monday night on Raw as you take another look at the right.
Boom, a bit of "Bad News" Barrett in that right hand.
[Wade] I like that indeed.
Let me tell you this, Ricochet is a brave man stepping in there
with Solo Sikoa, but this is the danger that the man possesses.
These high-flyers like Ricochet
must have broken my nose in my career 15-plus times.
You just cannot block shots that are coming from wild angles like this.
[Cole] Yeah, the tremendous Ricochet.
There's the crossbody now off the second rope.
Moonsault to Solo Sikoa.
The exciting, exhilarating Ricochet looking for the win,
and kickout at two.
I want to go back to what we saw earlier on
and the problems within The Bloodline,
and again, they continue to bubble over.
Jey Uso feeling a lot of pressure, seems to have an issue
that Sami Zayn has been welcomed to the group by Roman Reigns.
Sami said earlier this week, as you take another look Ricochet
knocking Solo Sikoa to the floor yet again.
And now Solo is in Ricochet's wheelhouse.
Ricochet thought twice about it.
Anyhow, earlier this week Sami Zayn said,
"Listen, some people have-- well, endured a lot."
"They have a hard time trusting others."
"They have a hard time believing that someone like myself
could be doing good."
Jey Uso said, "I've had a lot of hard times."
"I had to learn and make people earn their trust."
[Wade] I get that.
I see both sides of the coin when it comes to Sami Zayn and The Bloodline.
On the one hand,
Sami Zayn has put his body on the line for The Bloodline time and time again.
However, I understand Jey's…
[Cole] Ooh.
[Wade] …hesitance in buying into it.
Is Sami Zayn a Trojan-- Oh, my word.
[Cole] We'll get back to that in a moment because Solo Sikoa now is showing off.
He's upset because Ricochet has Solo "The Enforcer" off his game.
That's what Ricochet has to do, Wade,
he has to keep Sikoa off balance.
Use the high flying, the speed,
and he's doing that successfully thus far.
[Wade] Yeah, it's almost been a perfect plan thus far,
but do not speak too soon.
The Street Fighting Champion of the Islands is as durable as they come.
[Cole] Both of these men former North American Champions at NXT.
Solo Sikoa becoming the first Superstar
to ever defend that title here on Friday Night SmackDown.
Ricochet whipped across the ring with authority.
And now, this is what Solo needs to do, Wade.
Slow down the pace.
[Wade] Well, now he's in full control, you got to keep Ricochet grounded.
Beat the hell out of him.
This is completely Solo Sikoa's territory now.
[Cole] Ricochet trying to fight back,
but it's hard to go toe-to-toe with a man like Solo Sikoa.
[Wade] I got to tell you this, I'm impressed with Solo Sikoa.
Out here without the rest of The Bloodline shows he has a lot of faith in himself
and of course The Bloodline.
[Cole] Oh, what a right hand.
Ricochet lands on the back of his neck. Is he okay?
Solo in control.
We got to check on Ricochet.
We are back live on Friday Night SmackDown.
It is a miracle that Ricochet is still able to continue in this match
with Solo Sikoa in control.
Wade, watch this.
Bang, right hand, Ricochet falls right on the back of his neck.
[Wade] What a sickening landing. Folding up like an accordion.
You saw all through the break,
Ricochet trying to get some feeling back in his hands.
Could be a sting or something like that.
Ricochet, at this point, for my money, can barely defend himself.
Not where you want to be in a ring with Solo Sikoa.
[Cole] The season premiere of Friday Night SmackDown
trending number one in the United States right now
as The Enforcer of The Bloodline, Solo Sikoa, runs into Ricochet.
And Ricochet now gives himself some breathing room.
Can he climb back into this match?
Started off in a good way for Ricochet,
but Solo Sikoa slowed down the pace and took over.
And now Ricochet looking to fight back.
[Wade] Learning a lot about the unyielding nature
of Ricochet right now.
Lesser men would've quit and got the hell out of dodge by this point.
[Cole] Indeed.
Ricochet, a very inspiring athlete,
and now sends Solo Sikoa flying to the corner.
And Ricochet who creates offense on the fly.
[Wade] Got the wind in his sails once again.
Picking up some steam, and now it's Solo Sikoa looking in disarray.
And Ricochet off the top rope is able to leap over Solo.
Again, just that unique offense,
and the knee caught Solo right in the jaw.
Ricochet with a kick to the face.
And a spin kick and Solo down to a knee.
[Wade] Street Fighting Champ of the Islands
can take a shot better than anyone,
but those kicks from Ricochet putting the big man down.
[Cole] And now Ricochet, with Solo Sikoa in the drop zone,
goes up top where he feels comfortable.
Ricochet…
Oh, Solo caught him,
and just like that, the Spinning Solo by Sikoa.
The cover and another win for The Bloodline's Enforcer.
["Taking It All" plays]
[Irvin] Here is your winner, Solo Sikoa!
[Cole] Ricochet looked like he was going for the 450 and he got caught.
[Wade] Absolutely.
Tells you a lot about the speed, the durability of Solo Sikoa.
Once again, a big W for the man from The Bloodline.
[Zayn] Solo's on fire. No joke.
Ever since he's been around.
Yeah, man, he's been unbelievable.
It's such a great addition to The Bloodline, The Enforcer.
You know, I feel like I have a good thing going with him.
I've taken him under my wing lately and it's really been--
What you mean, "Taken him under your wing"?
You ain't down since day one, uce. He earned his home.
That's my brother, that's our brother, uce.
-Calm down. -What you talking about?
-All right, all right. -What you talking about?
Don't be such a hothead.
Hey. Hey. Sami. Sami.
Call me a hothead one more time and I'm gonna get--
You are a hothead.
You've always been a hothead.
-Well, I didn't mean a hothead-- -No. No.
He's a hothead, we've dealt with this our whole lives.
The fact that you keep on doing this, that's a problem,
and it's been our problem our whole lives.
I don't want it to be my problem anymore,
so it's not gonna be my problem anymore.
It's your problem now, Sami.
Okay.
-You know how it is. [laughs] -You look good, let me tell you.
Hold up. Wait a minute.
Drip check.
I mean, this SmackDown Friday Night, this the Hit Row flow.
It's the season premiere of the Hit Row show.
[in unison] Money, money, money.
We gonna get more so.
And if you didn't know…
[in unison] Now you know.
[Cole] Well, now you know. Hit Row is next.
I didn't mean for any of that. I didn't mean anything by that.
-Yo, dawg. Y'all got to chill, man. -I'm chill. I'm chill.
-I didn't mean any-- -This ain't gonna work.
-[laughter] -Damn.
Well, well, well.
Lookee here!
-[Zayn] Now is not a good time. -No, Sami. Hush.
Grown folks are talking, you can take a backseat.
Yeah, so be quiet.
Look at you, you gone from "Main Event" Jey Uso to Sam Zayn being your boss?
[crosstalk]
First Roman's your daddy, now he's your daddy too?
You got two daddies? You so lucky!
You want to keep running your mouth?
Why don't you go find a partner and we'll settle this in the ring?
Yeah, I spit a little when I talk, I don't care.
-Everyone loves us, you're screwed. -Meet us in the ring.
No problem.
Hey, tell him what to do.
Go ahead, tell him. Tell him again.
-Tell him. Tell him. -Go away.
You're not a step-daddy, you're the daddy who stepped up.
-Congratulations. -We'll see you in the ring.
-You better listen. -We'll see you in the ring.
Sam. Come on, man.
-He's so mad. -Y'all got to get this right.
[Wade] Oh man, that is a matchup I would like to see.
That's if New Day can find themselves a partner.
[Cole] Sami Zayn wants to control Jey Uso?
["Best of the Best" plays]
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is a Tag Team match scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by B-Fab,
the team of Ashante "Thee" Adonis and Top Dolla, Hit Row.
[Cole] Of course, I love Hit Row, but Wade,
you called a lot of their matches in NXT.
[Wade] Yes, I think I know what this is too, I'm pumped up.
Did you arrange this, Cole?
Are we gonna have ourselves a celebration cipher
for my grand return to SmackDown?
Is that what you've organized?
[Cole] Well, maybe. We were practicing some stuff in the back early on.
Top Dolla was actually teaching me how to rhyme.
-[Wade] You rhyme? -[Cole] I'm not bad at it.
[Wade] You're more of an Elvis Presley kind of guy,
I'm more of a Warren G, Nate Dogg, you can leave the hip-hop to me, Cole.
This is my jam right here, I'm the underground music kind of guy.
[Cole] At least your references of Elizabeth Taylor
and Elvis Presley have been current tonight.
[Wade laughs] I'm just harking back to your own era here, Cole,
that's all I'm doing, making you comfortable.
["Best of the Best" plays]
[Cole] Hit Row have been very-- Wait a minute, who the hell?
[crowd yells]
[Cole] Hit Row being attacked from all angles.
[Wade] Like a pack of high-flying hyenas.
[Cole] Three guys in masks are beating the hell out of Top Dolla
and Ashante "Thee" Adonis.
[Wade] Hit Row can't get a shot in here.
[Cole] A three-on-one assault.
Now B-Fab into the ring to check on Top Dolla after this assault.
[Wade] Braver than I am.
They've beaten the hell out of Top--
[Cole] Hey, wait a minute.
From the top rope.
Wade, that was--
Was that--
I think that's Zelina Vega!
And Vega with a knee to B-Fab.
This group isn't done yet.
Who has Zelina Vega brought with her to SmackDown?
My goodness.
[Wade] Utter devastation.
[crowd boos]
[Wade chuckles]
I know who these guys are!
Legends.
Zelina Vega is back
and I did not come alone.
We are Legado Del Fantasma.
[crowd boos]
SmackDown is ours.
Be safe.
[crowd boos]
[Wade] The bingo is open.
The Emperor of Lucha Libre, Santos Escobar,
Joaquin Wilde, Cruz del Toro,
Legado Del Fantasma are here on SmackDown.
What's the nature of their relationship with Zelina Vega?
["Legacy of the Ghost" plays]
[Cole] Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
is sponsored tonight by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
The tag team of Sonya Deville and Xia Li set for action
here tonight on the season premiere of Friday Night SmackDown.
-["I Am a Psycho" plays] -♪ Welcome to the ball pit ♪
♪ You can get your ass kicked ♪
♪ Off the top, backflip ♪
♪ Hit you with the axe quick… ♪
[Irvin] And their opponents, the team of Raquel Rodriguez and Shotzi.
[Cole] The TCB, Taking Care of Business tank, is back.
[Wade] Tank commander--
[explosion]
[Wade] Whoa! You didn't warn me about that, Cole.
[Cole] Raquel Rodriguez as well.
Shotzi and Raquel have formed this team out of a mutual respect.
Both of these women had a problem with Bayley, Dakota Kai,
and IYO SKY, Damage CTRL,
and they're hoping that this newly formed team, Wade,
could perhaps put them in a hunt for an opportunity
at the Tag Team Championship held by Dakota and Iyo.
[Wade] Absolutely.
I know Raquel Rodriguez and Shotzi very well indeed from their time in NXT.
Let me tell you, there's no one more unorthodox,
more out there than Shotzi Blackheart,
and in Raquel Rodriguez, you've got perhaps
the most dominant NXT Women's Champion of all time.
It could be an intriguing team.
[Cole] Shotzi starts things off with Sonya Deville.
I would like to mention that, talking about Damage CTRL--
And there's the distraction by Xia Li and Sonya takes advantage.
Bayley, of course. Opportunity.
Bianca Belair and the Raw Women's Championship
tomorrow at Extreme Rules in a Ladder Match.
First time ever two women on Raw or SmackDown
will compete in a Ladder Match for the championship.
And there's a running knee by Deville for the win and a kickout by Shotzi.
[Wade] This one almost over before it was started.
You have to say that the team of Deville and Xia Li
have all their ducks in a row from the word go on this one.
They had a game plan and they've executed it to perfection.
[Cole] And Xia Li now.
If Sonya Deville and Xia Li pick up a win tonight, Wade,
perhaps they can be next in line for a Tag Team Championship opportunity.
[Wade] You ain't lying. Climbing up the ladder.
[Cole] Great fisherman's by Xia Li.
Into the cover, hook of the leg now on Shotzi, and a kickout at two.
[Wade] Sonya Deville has been trying to find her feet back in competition
after being removed as a WWE official.
What a way to put herself on the map right now.
[Cole] Well, Sonya and Xia working very well as a team,
and here's the double-team now on Shotzi who's able to land on her feet.
Oh! And Xia Li takes Shotzi down.
[Wade] Shotzi in the worst way needing a tag here.
[Cole] Cover by Deville. Near fall again.
Shotzi, to your point, has to make a tag at some point to Raquel.
She's in deep trouble here.
[Wade] It's been one-way traffic from the word go.
[Cole] And Shotzi rolls through, tag made.
[Wade] Uh-oh.
[Cole] Here comes the powerhouse, Raquel Rodriguez.
[Wade] Big Mami Cool, one-woman wrecking crew.
[Cole] And a Tag Team Champion, both at WWE and NXT.
And a fallaway slam by Rodriguez.
And Raquel off the second rope with that corkscrew elbow Vader connecting.
Xia Li, however, from behind as Shotzi gets involved again.
[Wade] Referee losing all control of this one.
[Cole] Oh! What a double-team.
Sonya misses wild
and there's the Texana Bomb by Rodriguez.
-[Wade] Goodnight. -[Cole] Cover.
[referee] One, two, three.
-[Cole] Rodriguez and Shotzi with the win. -[bell rings]
["Trap Queen" plays]
[Irvin] Here are your winners, the team of Shotzi and Raquel Rodriguez.
[Cole] I'll tell you, they could be dangerous as a team
if they can continue to do stuff like this, Wade.
The Texana Bomb by Raquel puts Sonya and company away.
[Wade] Impressing management for sure,
perhaps gold on the horizon for these two ladies.
[Cole] Big win for Raquel and Shotzi here tonight
on Friday Night SmackDown, the season premiere.
Still to come tonight, the Intercontinental Championship,
our main event, Sheamus versus Gunther.
Throughout the day on social media,
former Intercontinental Champions weighed in to talk about this matchup.
They included the man who kicked off SmackDown tonight, Triple H,
and also a Hall of Famer, Bret Hart.
[Wade] A who's who of the greats.
Kurt Angle jumping in, The Honky Tonk Man,
perhaps the GOAT of the-- The Miz had something to say too.
[Cole] How about the senior vice president Shawn Michaels,
"The Heartbreak Kid,"
a former Intercontinental Champion in his own right,
everyone talking about tonight's main event
because back at Clash at the Castle,
many considered their first encounter to be a match of the year.
And there is Sheamus who has never won the Intercontinental Championship
in his career.
Could tonight be the night for Sheamus to win the Grand Slam of WWE?
We'll find out later on in our main event.
[Cole] The season premiere of Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
is sponsored by Progressive.
Well, tomorrow night, Extreme Rules in Philadelphia.
The SmackDown Women's Championship in an Extreme Rules Match
where anything goes.
The champion, Liv Morgan,
versus "The Baddest Woman on the Planet" Ronda Rousey.
[dramatic music playing]
[Rousey] There's not gonna be any controversy this time.
[Graves] Oh, my God, are you kidding me?
She's cashing in, Cole!
Ronda's hurt.
[Cole] Liv's done it, Liv's the champion!
Liv's the champion!
[Rousey] There's not gonna be any controversy this time.
[Graves] Liv's arm is gonna snap like a twig.
Liv tapped.
[Cole] The referee counted three.
Well, the official blew that call.
[Graves] Rousey's pissed, with good reason.
[Rousey] There's not gonna be any controversy this time.
[Cole] Ronda Rousey has just earned an opportunity
to challenge the woman who took her championship.
Rousey gets the rematch she wanted with Liv Morgan.
I would really like to beat her more than what is allowed
within the constraints of the rules here.
This is me vying for an Extreme Rules Match.
Let's see if "Hooters Barbie" there wants to turn it down or not.
I'm literally the only person on this planet to defeat you twice.
So when I defend my championship against you,
I want you in an Extreme Rules Match.
[laughs]
It's your funeral.
[electronic music plays]
[Graves] You got to know when you're out of your depth.
This is Ronda Rousey we're talking about.
Ronda Rousey in an Extreme Rules Match is a completely different environment.
[Rousey] The biggest fight for any woman is always with me.
I am going to beat you because you're Liv Morgan and I'm Ronda Rousey.
[Morgan] I have been the underdog my whole entire life.
[Graves] Liv Morgan does not have the killer instinct needed
to beat Ronda Rousey in an Extreme Rules Match.
[Cole] Maybe she does!
Liv grabs the kendo stick as she's unloading on Evans!
Liv Morgan setting a table up here at ringside.
Morgan standing on the ringpost.
Senton through the table!
[yells]
[Cole] Morgan does have a killer instinct!
Waiting for you, Ronda. Let's get Extreme.
Hooters Barbie may think she's extreme
because she can hold a kendo stick and jump on a table,
but I am the most dangerous unarmed woman on the planet.
What do you think I'd become wielding a baseball bat?
[Cole] Here comes the SmackDown Women's Champion.
Is she dragging a baseball bat?
Liv Morgan going after Rousey and Rousey with a kick to the midsection.
-[Graves] Oh, look out! -[Cole] Oh, my goodness.
Now Ronda with Piper's Pit.
Now Ronda trying to grab the bat.
Morgan there as well and now a tug-of-war between these two women.
[Graves] Oh, look out.
[Cole] Ronda, though, intercepts, and now Liv sent right into the timekeeper's area.
Now security has arrived on the scene to try to calm things down.
[inaudible]
She attacks Ronda from behind.
[Graves] This is madness.
This is chaos.
Get some more help out here. Some more security.
These two do not want to wait till Extreme Rules.
[Cole] There's gonna be no security at Extreme Rules. Anything goes.
[techno music plays]
[Cole] Indeed, tomorrow night in Philadelphia,
exclusively on Peacock, anything goes.
Extreme Rules Match. No disqualifications.
No count-outs.
[Wade] Liv Morgan has proven over the last couple of weeks
she can find that killer instinct when needed.
She's gonna need that and more tomorrow night
because in an Extreme Rules Match,
Ronda Rousey is gonna want to give us all an atrocity exhibition.
["The End Is Near" plays]
[crowd boos]
[Cole] Karrion Kross has been called a calculated lunatic.
Of course, accompanied by the mysterious Scarlett.
And tomorrow night at Extreme Rules,
Drew McIntyre and Karrion Kross will be linked together.
A 14-foot-long leather strap
will be tied to the wrist of each man.
Anything goes. The strap can be used as a weapon.
[Wade] Omnipotent malevolence about this duo.
The intense humming of evil following wherever they go.
I would not want to be McIntyre tomorrow night at Extreme Rules.
[Cole] Since his arrival here on SmackDown,
Karrion Kross has targeted Drew McIntyre.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] McIntyre's here!
Drew McIntyre attacking Karrion Kross!
Now it's McIntyre's turn to strike from behind
to stop the ticking clock.
The time bomb of Karrion Kross.
Take down the tribe is McIntyre.
Now McIntyre with a strap on his wrist.
Goes on the assault of Kross.
[Wade] Extreme Rules is coming early.
Week after week of rage that has built up inside McIntyre
exploding in the face of Karrion Kross.
[Cole] Each and every week, it's been an attack by Kross on McIntyre,
and tonight, 24 hours from Extreme Rules, McIntyre attacks Kross.
Now ambushing the security who are trying to drag McIntyre out of the ring.
[Wade] The first time McIntyre has got the jump on Karrion Kross.
These security guards doing their best to stop them in their tracks.
[Cole] McIntyre is livid.
McIntyre with a strap wrapped around his wrist,
tied on the other side to Kross.
Security guards are getting thrown all over the place by The Scottish Warrior.
[Wade] Two hundred and seventy-five pounds of raging Scottish beef.
[Cole] Things did not go too well for that man.
[Wade] It's McIntyre. What do you hope to happen?
[Cole] Oh, Kross back to his feet and dragging McIntyre into the ringpost.
Now, Karrion Kross has turned the tables.
[Wade] You cannot afford to take your eyes off
Karrion Kross for one second.
[Cole] And again, McIntyre off the post.
Remember, tomorrow, there are no rules.
You win via pinfall or submission.
The strap that Kross is presenting tonight can be used as a weapon.
And I don't believe Kross is done yet.
Dragging McIntyre back to his feet.
Oh, my goodness, a blistering assault…
to the exposed skin of McIntyre.
And Kross with a sick smile on his face.
[Wade] There ain't a security guard in the world
who's gonna get in the way of this one.
They don't pay them enough.
[Cole] Tomorrow night, there won't be any security guards
because it's gonna be one-on-one.
[Wade] Yeah, that's chaos and bedlam tomorrow night.
An arena where Karrion Kross and Scarlett thrive.
[Cole] Scarlett cackling in the ring as Kross continues.
[crowd boos]
[yelling]
[groaning]
["The End Is Near" plays]
[Cole] You have to wonder if tomorrow night at Extreme Rules,
time is up for Drew McIntyre.
Tick tock.
The Harbinger of Doom wants to reset the current timeline.
And if tonight was any example,
tomorrow will be a vicious strap match.
But it started with McIntyre giving Kross a taste of his own medicine.
An attack from behind.
[Wade] Much deserved after months of abuse.
McIntyre raging, but at the wrong people.
[Cole] It was the distraction of the security guards
which allowed Kross to regain his composure
and go on offense out of nowhere.
[Wade] Here's the thing.
Even when McIntyre got the jump tonight for the very first time,
he still ended up eating dirt.
I don't know if McIntyre can beat Karrion Kross.
[Cole] Especially with the fact that there's no disqualification.
Will Scarlett come into play?
Will there be a distraction on her part much like we saw tonight?
McIntyre is a wounded Scottish Warrior.
And in 24 hours, he gets Kross
in a strap match at Extreme Rules.
[crackling fire]
[man] Only the foolish confuse absence with weakness.
We have been watching, waiting,
and growing stronger.
[woman] When the gods speak, I listen,
we obey,
Valhalla awaits.
-["Done With That" plays] -♪ Usos! ♪
[Cole] Everybody gunning for the WWE Tag Team Champions,
the Brothers Uso.
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, the team of Sami Zayn
and the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, The Usos.
[Cole] And tonight, the season premiere of Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
Sami Zayn made the challenge.
A six-man Tag Team match against The New Day
and a partner of The New Day's choosing. Who's it gonna be?
[Wade] If The New Day are capable of finding anybody
willing to step in the ring with them
against three members of The Bloodline,
takes an incredibly brave individual to step up to that task.
[Cole] So many stories to get into in this matchup tonight.
You saw the glare of Jey Uso sent toward The Honorary Uce, Sami Zayn.
Can they get along in this Tag Match tonight?
There's been so much internal strife.
-["New Day, New Way" plays] -♪ It's a new day, yes, it is ♪
[Wade] They're gonna have to get along here.
Taking on New Day, two of the best that I got in the ring with.
[Irvin] Their opponents, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, The New Day.
[Wade] If New Day ain't careful, this might end up a handicap match.
[Cole] Let's see if The New Day was able to find a partner.
[Wade] They're looking pretty confident.
[Cole] They always do.
Who?
[crowd chants "Who?"]
["Monster of All Monsters" plays]
[Cole] Oh, yeah!
[Wade] Hell no.
[Cole] Sami Zayn may rue the day he made the challenge.
The Monster of all Monsters.
[Irvin] And their tag team partner, weighing in at 340 pounds, Braun Strowman.
[Cole] The New Day have backup.
[Wade] Braun Strowman is not a partner.
He counts as two partners.
[Cole] Well, nonetheless, you can blame Sami Zayn.
Sami ran his mouth.
He got The Bloodline into this and I can guarantee you,
Jey and Jimmy aren't gonna be happy.
Braun Strowman who's been on fire since returning to WWE.
[Wade] Oh, my word, one of the strongest competitors
we've ever seen in this industry.
[Cole] Yeah, someone who's had some big-time matchups
with the Head of the Table of The Bloodline, Roman Reigns.
[Wade] Like a real-life Incredible Hulk,
but he doesn't need the CGI.
[Cole] The Usos and Sami Zayn against Strowman and The New Day.
Jey with words already to Sami.
Sami is gonna start things off, I believe, against Xavier Woods.
Now, what's interesting about this here
is tonight marks the 446th day that The Usos have been Tag Team Champions.
Only two teams have held the titles longer in WWE history,
Demolition and the number one team, The New Day at 483 days.
And as The Usos try to make history, try to catch The New Day,
each and every match takes on a bigger importance for The Usos.
[Wade] Getting closer and closer to the top of that all-time mountain
are The Usos.
[Cole] And The New Day proud champions. Very proud of their record.
They've talked about it on a number of occasions.
They would like to make sure The Usos don't ever break that record.
[Wade] I'm part of that New Day record. I'm one of the teams they beat.
[Cole] Yes, indeed. Look at this.
Roll-up now.
Roll through. Kofi Kingston, the legal man.
Crossbody, lateral press, and a kickout.
Oh, he almost had him. I thought he had him.
The official a little slow on the count. I thought Kofi had him there.
[Wade] Two-and-nine-tenths
catching Sami Zayn,
The Honorary Uce a little cold at the start of this one.
Still in shock at the arrival…
-[Cole] A tag made to Uso, Jey. -[Wade] …of Braun Strowman.
-[indistinct chatter] -You got him, man.
Get in the ring now.
Come on.
I ain't playing with you.
[Cole] Remember earlier tonight, Roman Reigns--
Oh, dropkick by Kofi.
Roman Reigns agreed with Sami Zayn's assertion
that Jey Uso is a hothead and then he told--
Roman told Sami, "Hey, Jey Uso is now a Sami problem."
[Wade] Yeah, what a slap in the face to Jey Uso.
That must have been… What, is Sami now the boss?
[Cole] Now The New Day double-team.
-[Wade] Whoa. -[Cole] Oh, and The Usos taken out.
The New Day rolling.
What's gonna happen when the Monster of all Monsters gets in this match?
Sami and The Usos better get on the same page.
-Come on. -Easy, uce.
-I don't need your help, man. -Easy, uce. Take it easy.
-I don't need your help. -Guys, guys, guys.
[Cole] We're back on Friday Night SmackDown, the season premiere.
Six-Man Tag Team Match.
The Bloodline against The New Day and Braun Strowman.
The Usos turned this match around during the commercial break
and finally starting to get on the same page
with Honorary Uce, Sami Zayn.
[crowd chants "We want Braun!"]
[Wade] Sami Zayn really starting to pay dividends for The Bloodline.
Some question his loyalties.
[Cole] This is during the commercial break.
Out of nowhere, Jey Uso.
[Wade] Working effectively as a trio.
You saw Sami Zayn distracting the referee
and The Usos doing what they do best.
[Cole] There's a reason they've been champion for nearly 450 days.
From day one, the twin brothers now dominating the Tag Team Division in WWE.
Oh, and…
Cheap shot as we're so glad to have the Tag Team Champions
on the season premiere-- Cover and a kickout-- of Friday Night SmackDown.
We kicked things off tonight with the Head of the Table,
the head of The Bloodline, the Undisputed Champion, Roman Reigns
going face-to-face with the man he meets at Crown Jewel, Logan Paul.
And here comes Sami.
I wonder if that was a coincidence
that it was Jimmy Uso who tagged in Sami and not Jey.
[Wade] I'm not so sure Jey is ready to be tagging Sami Zayn quite yet.
[Cole] The issue is, is that there's a trust issue.
Listen, Jey Uso does not trust Sami Zayn.
He made that abundantly clear. Sami doesn't understand why.
He says, "All I've done is try to help The Bloodline."
[Wade] I empathize with Jey Uso.
[Cole] Tag made. What a wicked tag.
-[Wade] With authority. -That hurt!
[Cole] Many people believe, myself included,
that Sami Zayn has just kissed butt to work his way up in The Bloodline.
[Wade] So what if he has? He's now an Honorary Uce.
Everybody in the locker room would love to be in his position.
You've been around 25 years. You're trying to tell me you don't kiss some ass?
[Cole] Here's the hook of the leg by Jey and a kickout.
[Wade] I've even kissed a bit of ass myself in my own career.
I wouldn't have got to where I did without that,
so I'm not gonna blame Sami Zayn for that.
[Cole] Jey Uso has taken offense to that.
Now the aggressiveness coming out with Jey.
[Wade] I understand Jey Uso's position when it comes to that.
[Cole] Oh, cheap shot.
[Wade] Because family comes first.
Any man on the planet will tell you that.
You cannot necessarily trust outsiders.
[Cole] Listen to this.
-[loud smack] -That was a tag, folks.
That is how Jey Uso tagged his way into this matchup.
[Wade] Like a Gunther chop.
We might be seeing that in the main event a little later tonight.
[Cole] Now Jimmy Uso, the legal man.
Again, Jimmy makes the tag to Sami.
Will The Honorary Uce go to work his way back into this matchup?
He has curried favor successfully with Roman Reigns has Sami Zayn.
Sami has taken a number of bullets for The Bloodline, no doubt about that.
You can't argue that point.
[crowd chants "Sami!"]
You're gonna do this?
Come on.
[Cole] Sami throwing out the olive branch and a tag made to Jey Uso.
Perhaps they can get on the same page.
[Wade] Trying to win Jey over bit by bit.
That's the thing. Occasionally, in those moments,
Sami Zayn's leash gets made slightly longer by Jey Uso.
[Cole] Tag made by Jimmy Uso.
Hey, listen, Wade. The point is, is all families fight, right?
But when it comes down to taking on a common enemy,
someone who is attacking the family, you have to work together.
-We on the same team or what? -Don't worry about that.
I stick my hand out and you can shake my hand.
We're on the same team, uce.
[overlapping chatter]
[Cole] The argument continues
as Kofi Kingston tried to make his way to the corner and take advantage.
And Kofi has an opening.
[Wade] Here's the problem, you're on the battlefield, you have to stay focused.
Even more so when the Monster among Monsters
is stood across the ring from you.
[Cole] Kofi tagged and here comes the 340-pound Strowman!
Shoulder tackles galore.
Strowman with a big boot.
This is what The Bloodline was trying to avoid.
The splash in the corner.
So agile for a big man, so quick yet so powerful.
[Wade] The difference maker with Braun Strowman,
that explosive speed that's come out of nowhere.
[Cole] What a chokeslam!
-Hey, man. -I tell you, back off.
Take it easy.
[Jey] Back off our duty.
[Zayn] I'm trying to help you. You need to calm down.
Take it easy. You need to calm down.
-I know you people are playing with me. -I'm not playing anything.
[Jey] You keep playing with me.
-[Zayn] We're on the same team. -[Cole] Braun Strowman to make the tag.
Oh, no, oh, no, oh, no.
Look out, guys. Oh, my God! Oh, my God.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Oh, my God.
[Wade] Almost got flattened here.
Welcome to SmackDown.
[Cole] The New Day with the double-team.
Xavier Woods off the top rope.
Let's go!
[Cole] Jimmy in trouble. The cover.
[crowd counting "One, two, three!"]
-[Cole] Xavier Woods. -[bell rings]
[Cole] They pin the Tag Champs!
[Irvin] Here are your winners…
The Bloodline belongs to us, baby. New Day, for us, all day, everyday.
[Wade] It was a colossal disaster for The Bloodline.
They were falling apart at the seams
and you simply cannot do that when Braun Strowman and The New Day are around.
[Cole] Sami Zayn talked his way into this matchup and that's what happened.
[Wade] I never moved so fast in my entire life.
[Cole] I'm just not quite as quick as you.
Now The New Day with the double-team
to Jimmy Uso off the distraction by the Strowman Bulldozer
and The New Day has pinned the Tag Team Champions.
[Wade] It's Sami Zayn who got them into that mess.
[Cole] Roman's not gonna be happy.
What's going on here? I'm so over this.
Max, what were you thinking?
Do not call me that name again.
I gave you and them gold and y'all turned it to trash.
You think I'm just gonna hang out here and be something I'm not? No.
What I'm not, Max, what I am, who I am, LA Knight.
Yeah!
[Wade] I knew that was LA Knight all along!
The Megastar is here on SmackDown.
[Cole] And so is the Intercontinental Champion, Gunther,
who claims the mat is sacred.
Imperium says they're going to bring class to this sport,
that Sheamus doesn't deserve the title.
It is our main event, Gunther, Sheamus,
for the Intercontinental Championship live tonight on the season premiere.
Here at ringside, Michael Cole with my new partner, Wade Barrett here tonight.
You're having fun on your first night on SmackDown?
Hell, yes, I am.
Energy off the charts and we've not even got to the main event yet, Michael Cole.
Gunther and Sheamus coming up in moments for the Intercontinental Title,
but what about next week in New Orleans on Friday Night SmackDown?
Based on what just happened moments ago,
"Honorary Uce" Sami Zayn going to go one-on-one
with former WWE Champion Kofi Kingston right here next week.
[Wade] Let me talk to you, Cole, The Megastar is back.
Am I happy? Yeah!
LA Knight goes one-on-one with former protégé, Mansoor,
right here on SmackDown next week.
And ladies and gentlemen, coming up next, it is our main event.
Gunther defending the Intercontinental Championship
against "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus.
Here is our Progressive Match Flo.
[announcer] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive.
A triple threat of protection with home, auto and more.
[Vinci] Gunther is the embodiment of greatness.
This is what a champion looks like.
[Cole] Six-foot-four, 265, commanding, imposing.
[Graves] One of the hardest hitting matchups in WWE history.
[dramatic music playing]
[Gunther] I'm gonna beat Sheamus
and I'm gonna enjoy the look of defeat in his eyes
when I break his spirit once and for all.
[Sheamus] You love talking a big fight, don't you?
I'm more than happy to kick all three of your bleeding heads
right off your shoulders.
[yelling in German]
[Graves] Ho, ho, an equalizer!
[Cole] Two of the most physical men in WWE.
Vinci and Kaiser back into play.
Relentless from the champion!
Is that all you got?
[crowd cheering]
[Graves] Sheamus wants more. Gunther looks happy to oblige.
[Cole] This is just an example of how physical it will be
when Gunther defends the Intercontinental Championship against Sheamus.
["10 Beats of the Bodhrán" plays]
[Cole] Here on Friday Night SmackDown in our main event, it's Fight Night!
[explosion]
[Cole] Well, ladies and gentlemen, earlier today,
I had the opportunity to talk to Sheamus, back in the locker room area,
as he focuses on trying to win his first ever Intercontinental Championship.
I asked him how he felt after the beatdown last week by Imperium.
He said, "I'm a little banged up, but I'm ready to go."
Meanwhile, he sends Holland and Butch to the back.
Sheamus wants to go it alone tonight for the Intercontinental Title.
Don't worry, Ridge Holland and Butch have the opportunity
to get their hands on Imperium tomorrow night,
24 hours away from an Extreme Rules
where The Brawling Brutes take on Imperium
in a Six-Man Tag Team Good Old Fashioned Donnybrook Match.
This is gonna be a bar fight.
[Wade] I'm not so certain both Sheamus and Gunther
are gonna be even able to make it to Extreme Rules
after what we're gonna witness right now in this main event.
Sheamus looking as composed and intense as perhaps I've ever seen him.
["Prepare to Fight" plays]
[crowd booing]
[inaudible]
[Cole] Gunther has said that the image of a professional wrestler is in shambles.
That Imperium is the last of a dying breed,
that Sheamus got what he needed last week because he was low class,
because he came to the ring with a weapon to fight.
So it's Gunther's job tonight to restore honor
because the ring is sacred.
[Wade] What an imposing image.
Cole, did you see that video we saw on social media earlier today?
A bunch of WWE Superstars picking who they think
is gonna win this main event tonight.
Most, such as the legendary Rey Mysterio
and SmackDown Women's Champion,
picked Sheamus, to my surprise.
[Cole] At Clash at the Castle,
one of the most physical matchups that I've ever witnessed.
Gunther won that one.
[Wade] Best match that I've seen all year
and I'll throw the mic to be ringside for the redo.
[bell rings]
The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the Intercontinental Championship.
[crowd cheers]
[Irvin] Introducing the challenger,
representing The Brawling Brutes,
from Dublin, Ireland, weighing in at 267 pounds,
Sheamus!
[crowd cheers]
And his opponent, representing Imperium,
from Vienna, Austria,
weighing in at 250 pounds,
he is the Intercontinental Champion,
Gunther!
[crowd boos]
[Cole] For Gunther, it is a long way
from Westside Xtreme, PWG, and Progress.
He is now the Intercontinental Champion in WWE,
a title that has been held by dozens of WWE Hall of Famers.
Tonight, Sheamus looks to win the one championship that has eluded him…
[bell rings]
…throughout his illustrious career, and here we go.
Throwing blows to start the match.
[Wade] Right off the bat, dropping that heavy artillery.
[Cole] Sheamus with a clothesline.
[Cole] And Gunther gonna roll out of the ring.
Remember, champion's advantage.
Sheamus must pin or submit Gunther to win the Intercontinental Title.
And Gunther taking the fight right here outside the ring.
Sheamus now driving Gunther into the barricade,
and this will not be for the weak of heart here tonight.
Gunther again to the other side, into the barricade.
[Wade] Oh, my.
[Cole] Sheamus is manhandling Gunther.
Will this be The Celtic Warrior's night?
The season premiere of Friday Night SmackDown.
24 hours away from tomorrow night in Philadelphia at Extreme Rules,
but this match has been extreme so far.
Gunther the Intercontinental Champion, Sheamus the challenger.
[Wade] You see Gunther bleeding from the mouth right now.
Sheamus smacking it in like Draymond Green punching Jordan Poole earlier today.
[Cole] Sheamus now up to the top rope. Gunther back to his feet.
This could be Sheamus' opportunity. Comes off the top rope now.
The champ's in trouble. Gunther trying to get away from Sheamus.
[Wade] Gunther has no idea where he's at right now.
Tasting his own blood.
[Cole] But gets a boot up to stop the momentum of Sheamus.
Sheamus though planting Gunther.
[Wade] Both men looking like they've been going 30 minutes in there.
[Cole] It has been a Hall of Fame career for Sheamus.
He's been a four-time World Champion, a King of the Ring,
a Money in the Bank winner, a Royal Rumble winner,
a three-time United States Champion, a five-time Tag Team Champion,
but Sheamus has never won the prestigious Intercontinental Title,
the Workman's Title, but he wants to win it tonight.
[Wade] Guy's a completionist.
[Cole] Gunther intercepting the first of what could've been
"10 Beats of the Bodhrán."
[Wade] I'll tell you this. With Sheamus' career,
most men in his position would've retired young, rich, and happy.
They'd won practically everything.
[Cole] Yeah, but Sheamus, he loves this.
[Wade] He loves this and he wants that Intercontinental Championship.
It's one of the things that continues to drive him to get better and better
despite the career he has already had.
Guaranteed Hall of Famer.
[Cole] And Gunther already showing that he's been quite the gallant champion
since he's held the Intercontinental Title.
[Wade] Custodian of the mat game,
Gunther truly is just a throwback.
As you mentioned, dominated the entire continent of Europe,
dominated NXT, and well on the way to dominating SmackDown.
[Cole] Look at the chest, beaten up,
bloodied, cut up for "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus.
As we take another look at Sheamus here right into the turnbuckle.
Remember, I mentioned earlier that Sheamus admitted
that he wasn't quite 100%,
but it wasn't gonna stop him tonight
after the assault and the beatdown by Imperium last week.
You have to wonder, as this match goes along,
and how physical it's been, Wade, if that's gonna become an issue.
[Wade] Yeah, I promise you neither man in this matchup
is anywhere near 100% at this point.
Obviously, Sheamus coming in with some issues.
Gunther's got some of his own right now,
but Gunther finally helping himself to a 180 in this matchup
after what was, for the most part, one-way traffic.
[Cole] An uppercut to Sheamus who fights back,
and now a right of his own,
and haymakers again being thrown by these gigantic men.
Now sleeper applied by the Intercontinental Champion.
Trying to wrap the legs around Sheamus.
Almost a rear naked choke there, Wade.
[Wade] Nowhere near the ropes either.
Sheamus could be passing out at this rate.
[Cole] Sheamus trying to survive.
Just trying to make it to the bottom rope,
so official Jessika Carr will have to call for the break.
She's right down in there, as Sheamus tries to power out of this.
Trying to somehow survive.
Can he make it back to a vertical base?
[Wade] Look at the intensity in the eyes of Sheamus.
[Cole] Oh, what a chop.
Sheamus fires back.
Champion and challenger beating the hell out of each other.
[Wade] Shots going in both directions that would drop any normal human being.
[Cole] German suplex by Gunther.
Who is gonna win the Intercontinental Championship?
This war continues.
Good luck, Liv.
You're going toe to toe with The Baddest Woman On The Planet tomorrow night.
Meanwhile, here on the season premiere of SmackDown,
it has been a physical matchup, to say the least,
between the Intercontinental Champion Gunther,
and the challenger, "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus.
[Wade] Sheamus has been on the receiving end of a ferocious beating
for the past few minutes in this matchup.
Trying to desperately buy himself an opportunity to no avail.
[Cole] Sheamus' chest looks like raw meat
as Gunther continues to beat the hell out of the challenger.
But Sheamus won't back down and Sheamus wants more.
The Celtic Warrior firing back on the champion,
and Sheamus looking to rally.
[Wade] What the hell did they make Sheamus out of?
[Cole] Gunther once again with the sleeper backed into the corner by Sheamus.
Sheamus with an elbow to the jaw,
and Sheamus seems to be building a little momentum.
Maybe a second wind of adrenaline here for Sheamus.
[Wade] Let me tell you, Sheamus' pride was hurt at Clash at the Castle.
It was originally about the gold.
Sheamus sees himself as the superlative toughest in WWE.
People questioned that after Gunther beat him.
Now, he's setting the balance right.
[Cole] Yeah, but Sheamus has never been Intercontinental Champion.
Look at the chest.
Those are because of chops by the Intercontinental Champion, Gunther.
Now Sheamus looking for a little payback with the 10 Beats of the Bodhrán.
[crowd counting] One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten!
[Cole] And one for good-- or more for good measure!
[crowd counting] …three, four, five, six…
[Cole] Now from the second rope.
[crowd counting] …nine, ten!
[Cole] And now from the bottom rope.
[crowd counting] One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten!
[Cole] And now it's Sheamus' turn to take control,
and they're on their feet here tonight.
[Wade] When you're in there with Gunther, you gotta go bigger than ever.
[Cole] A complete show of respect from the WWE fans for these two warriors.
Sheamus with Gunther on his shoulders.
That's a 250-pound man.
Sheamus climbing up to the second rope.
Sheamus with White Noise.
Cover, to win his first ever Intercontinental Title,
and Gunther kicks at two.
This is for the prestigious Working Man's Championship,
the Intercontinental Title held by Gunther.
Sheamus has never held this particular championship.
The one title that has eluded him in his Hall of Fame career.
And tonight, Sheamus has the chance to finally win it.
[crowd chants "This is Awesome!"]
[Cole] And Sheamus perhaps going for the Cloverleaf, the submission move.
Gunther able to fight out of it.
Now, the dropkick by Gunther.
And Gunther looking for the powerbomb to put Sheamus away.
[Wade] This is what did the damage at Clash at the Castle.
[Cole] Powerbomb by Gunther.
Into the cover to retain the title.
Sheamus kicks out.
[Wade] Kickout, but how is that lower back of Sheamus?
This is where it all started to go wrong in Cardiff, Wales.
[Cole] The neck as well.
As you see, Gunther focusing on the neck of Sheamus.
That's been an issue ever since Clash at the Castle.
The attack last week by Imperium focusing on the neck as well.
Now tonight, Gunther is turning the attack on the weak spot of Sheamus.
And now Gunther, the Intercontinental Champion,
flies from the top rope with a splash to the back of the neck.
Cover now by Gunther to retain the title
in what's been a hell of a war, and a kickout by Sheamus again.
[Wade] My word.
We are witnessing something incredibly special.
Courage of two warriors dropping bombs
until one of them is unable to stand.
[Cole] It is a massive night for Sheamus and for that man,
the champion,
250-pound splash
to the back of the neck of Sheamus,
but somehow, Sheamus able to kickout before the count of three.
[Wade] Gunther just on a mission tonight,
believing that his standards of barbarity
and technical proficiency are simply unparalleled.
[Cole] Gunther screaming at Sheamus who went for the Brogue.
Blocked by Gunther momentarily.
Irish Curse backbreaker by Sheamus.
And The Celtic Warrior now looking for the Cloverleaf.
Spins Gunther over.
Gunther with nowhere to go.
Sheamus with the Cloverleaf locked in.
Is Gunther gonna tap?
Is Gunther gonna tap out?
-[Wade] Yes. Oh! It's a tap! -[Cole] Wait a minute!
What the hell? The referee waved it off?
And Gunther, wait-- Oh, my goodness.
[Wade] I saw a tap.
-[Cole] Oh, my goodness. -[crowd boos]
[Wade] He didn't tap out?
[Cole] No, he didn't tap out.
The official, Jessika Carr, was right there,
claimed that he did not tap out.
That Gunther was just trying to drag himself toward the bottom rope.
Referee's discretion there.
Sheamus is upset.
He thought there was a tap. But nonetheless, the match continues.
[Wade] For my money, Sheamus has every right to be upset.
I want to see that again.
[Cole] Oh, and now Imperium.
Giovanni Vinci, Ludwig Kaiser coming down to try to rally the champion, Gunther.
[Wade] Is it slipping away from Gunther as we speak?
It's in Sheamus' hands at this point.
[Cole] Meanwhile, shillelagh in hand, that's Butch
and Ridge Holland of The Brawling Brutes attacking Imperium.
[Wade] They were brawling on NXT this past week.
Imperium costing The Brutes.
[Cole] Well, they've cost The Brutes the WWE and the NXT Tag Team titles.
Gunther's down. Sheamus with an opportunity.
[Wade] Absolute bedlam.
-[Cole] Oh, my goodness. Wait a minute. -[Wade] Wait a second.
Bedlam at ringside here.
[Cole] Fighting on the announce table.
Sheamus is setting up for the Brogue Kick.
Meanwhile, Gunther with the shillelagh that was handed to him by Kaiser.
The official never saw it, dealing with the fight outside the ring.
-[crowd boos] -[Cole] Sheamus went for the Brogue.
Gunther is gonna steal the damn match.
[bell rings]
["Prepare to Fight" plays]
[Irvin] Here is your winner
and still the Intercontinental Champion, Gunther!
[Cole] Gunther continues to retain the title.
Meanwhile, the fight goes on outside the ring.
A bit of what it's going to look like tomorrow night.
[Wade] A little taster of Extreme Rules.
[Cole] And a Good Old Fashioned Donnybrook Match tomorrow night.
Listen, Sheamus was gonna win.
Gunther was in deep trouble until Kaiser handed him the shillelagh.
Cut off the Brogue with a shillelagh to the face.
The official never saw it
and Gunther survives this hellacious war tonight.
[crowd boos]
[Cole] Tomorrow night, the Good Old Fashioned Donnybrook Match
and every other match goes extreme.
It's Extreme Rules in Philadelphia, live. ned Donnybrook Match