[WWE intro music plays]
[John Cena] Then…
-[Ric Flair] Woo! -[The Rock] If you smell…
-[gong sound] -[Cena] Now…
-♪ The King of Kings ♪ -♪ You can't see me ♪
[Cena] Forever.
Together.
[music fades]
-[fireworks popping] -[crowd cheering]
["Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
♪ I don't see nobody, nobody ♪
♪ I don't see nobody Who's better than me? ♪
♪ Besting opponents, flexing and focused ♪
♪ I'm leaving them all Looking stressin' and folded… ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Tomorrow at high noon
is WWE Crown Jewel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
But tonight, we whet your appetite with Friday Night SmackDown.
Sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
["Liv Gone Mad" playing]
[Cole] And here is the woman who has said recently,
"I've never felt more alive."
-[bell rings] -[Irvin] The following contest
scheduled for one fall is a no-disqualification match.
Introducing first, from Elmwood Park, New Jersey,
Liv Morgan!
[Cole] Liv Morgan set for a no-disqualification match
in a fierce rivalry with Sonya Deville.
But it is a big fight night on Friday Night SmackDown,
because in our main event,
Rey Mysterio will try to win the Intercontinental Championship
for a third time in his career
against the man who has been a dominant champion,
Gunther of Imperium.
Mysterio, Gunther for the Intercontinental Title tonight.
[Wade] What a main event. Cannot wait.
[song fades out]
["Made Me Stronger" playing]
♪ I am a beast… ♪
[Irvin] And her opponent, from Shamong, New Jersey,
Sonya Deville!
[Cole] Sonya Deville says, "They will all see."
"From the darkness, you will find light."
Sonya Deville, who is looking to reestablish herself
on the scene here on Friday Night SmackDown.
Remember, she ran this show for a while as a WWE official,
but she's got an issue with Liv Morgan.
She really believes that Liv Morgan never deserved
to be SmackDown Women's Champion, and she's told the world about it.
[Wade] This is really the third bite at the cherry
after two previous beatdowns from Liv Morgan.
Sonya Deville looking to set the record straight tonight.
[Cole] No-disqualification.
Anything goes in this matchup here tonight to kick off Friday Night SmackDown.
-[Wade] Deville's talked a lot of trash. -[bell rings]
[Wade] But I've got a lot of sympathy for the Deville--
-[Cole] Oh, what a right hand! -[Wade] Oh, nice start.
One of the best strikers in the women's division.
For me, she did not deserve the post-match beatdown
from Liv Morgan two weeks ago.
[Cole] And you would think with her background, Wade,
no-disqualification would be right up Sonya Deville's alley.
[Wade] Well, that's the thing. Sonya Deville,
she's renowned in the boardroom. She's renowned as a striker.
-This perhaps-- -[Cole] Oh! And look at Liv Morgan!
Coming off the steel steps with a Meteora.
Taking down Deville before she could use the kendo stick,
and we know that Liv Morgan can use a kendo stick
and a baseball bat as well.
But Sonya Deville now blocking Morgan,
and now the tug-of-war over the stick.
The kendo stick driving Morgan kidney-first into the apron.
[Wade] Vital in this kind of matchup to get the first few strikes in.
[Cole] Liv able to duck out of harm's way,
and then a kick to Deville and dropping her.
[Wade] Bobbing and weaving like a pro, Liv Morgan.
Still with that sick, demented smile on her face.
-Oh no. -[Cole] Now Liv Morgan and Sonya Deville…
Kendo stick intercepts Liv.
And now Deville in control.
With Deville's mean streak well documented.
Ooh! And Sonya Deville really believes
that Liv Morgan should have never been champion.
Of course, Liv cashing in the Money in the Bank contract
to win the title back over the summer.
Held it for a number of months before losing it to Rousey.
-[Wade] I would argue that the Liv-- -[indistinct]
[Wade] The Liv Morgan we've seen
post-losing that championship to Ronda Rousey
is the best Liv Morgan we've ever seen.
She's found a new gear these days.
[Cole] Yeah. Liv Morgan, though, may be all out of hope here as, uh…
-Come on, baby! Come on! -[groaning]
[Cole] …Deville continues to punish Liv Morgan.
Even if Liv makes it to the ropes, it doesn't matter.
-There's no disqualifications here. -[Wade] Yeah.
I think Sonya Deville has been cooking up revenge
from the diabolical corners of her mind for the past couple of weeks.
-What are you gonna do? -[Cole] Liv just trying to drag herself
out of the ring and somehow break this hold.
Crossface with a kendo stick.
-[groaning] -[crowd chanting]
[Cole] And Deville continuing to punish Liv Morgan.
[Cole] Dragging-- Oh, now Liv has the kendo stick,
and it's Liv's turn to unload on Deville.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Remember Deville introduced the kendo stick into the matchup,
and Liv Morgan unloading.
-[Wade] Nothing worse-- -[Cole] Look at the kendo stick, Wade.
-Splintered. -[Wade] When the pendulum swings
in this kind of matchup,
and you got a sick freak like Liv Morgan swinging away at you.
[Cole] We mentioned last week that losing championships change people.
[Wade] Yeah. It's turned Liv Morgan into both a sadist and a masochist.
[Cole] Did you see Liv smile as she went down to pull out the tables
much to the glee of this crowd here tonight on SmackDown?
And now Sonya Deville with a baseball slide,
-and down goes Liv Morgan. -[crowd booing]
[Wade] That's the brilliance of Sonya Deville.
Liv Morgan just taking a beat too long. That table got caught on something,
and Deville pounced.
[Cole] Deville says, "No, I'm not going to give you the tables."
"I'm going to beat Liv Morgan with my own two hands."
[crowd boos]
[Cole] And Liv-- oh!
Sonya Deville got caught and dropped out of the ring by Morgan.
And Deville and Morgan now.
Oh, my goodness!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Putting her body in harm's way to take out Deville.
[Wade] Lucky to get out of that one in one piece
with Liv Morgan getting caught up on the ropes,
but highly effective all the same.
[Cole] Now Deville just trying to, uh…
get out of harm's way, but maybe not out there.
-Morgan! -[grunts]
[Cole] Oh, my goodness! Again, on the other side!
[Wade] She is out of her damn mind, Liv Morgan.
Protect yourself.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] It's one of the things we've noticed about Liv in recent weeks.
Throwing caution into the wind.
Using her body, as you see here, as a weapon.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Liv Morgan wearing that Chucky-inspired gear once again.
She was on the show Chucky a couple of weeks ago, led to her demise.
Ultimately, been reconstituted in time for this match.
[Cole] Morgan sweet-talking Deville. Driving Sonya into the steps.
[crowd chanting] We want tables! We want tables!
[Cole] WWE fans serenading Liv Morgan.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And Liv, I believe, is going to give them what they want.
We've seen the damage that Liv can do with a table, Wade.
[Wade] Liv Morgan has been battered from pillar to post
in this matchup already,
but still has that sick smile etched on her face.
[Cole] There was a lot of questions heading into Extreme Rules
of whether or not Liv Morgan could actually get extreme.
And she's proved that she's been able to do just that.
[Wade] Clearly a couple of screws were knocked loose
at Extreme Rules by Ronda Rousey.
[Cole] Now, Sonya Deville, though, driving Morgan into the table!
What a kick by Deville.
Liv took a little bit too much time setting up the table,
and Deville capitalized.
Again, no disqualifications
in this matchup.
Liv trying to drag herself back up to the apron.
Deville down and out as well.
[Wade] Sonya Deville has been a real player
in the women's division thus far.
We know she can strike with the best of them,
but this is showing new guts.
[Cole] Now, Deville looking for a suplex through the table to Morgan.
Morgan trying to hang on.
[Wade] She's hanging on for dear life. This looks bleak.
[Cole] Morgan with elbows to Deville trying to create some separation.
Trying to hang on. Doesn't want to go through the table.
Morgan said, "Why not?"
Liv Morgan just put herself and Deville through the table,
and now she's laughing about it.
-[laughing] -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, we kick off Friday Night SmackDown tonight
with the much anticipated no-disqualification match
between Sonya Deville and Liv Morgan.
[Wade] Just kamikaze style from Liv Morgan
who, once again continues to impress with this newfound attitude.
[Cole] And Deville catches her with that running knee.
So devastating.
[Wade] Right on the point of the jaw.
[Cole] And now Liv moving out of harm's way.
Deville able to redirect and head up to the second rope.
And now Sonya Deville with a flying knee.
Morgan's in trouble. Deville into the cover.
Looking to put this no-disqualification match away,
and Morgan kicks at two.
[Wade] Hats off to Sonya Deville for showing her unbreakable nature…
-[Cole] Bang! -…which is now unquestioned,
and what beautiful offense from Deville.
-Really taking this to Liv Morgan. -[Cole] Boom!
The impact from Deville, and somehow Liv able to kick out.
Now it's Sonya Deville's turn to bring some steel chairs in the ring.
Let's not forget what happened a couple of weeks ago
when Liv Morgan introduced some chairs
and delivered a Superplex through the chairs to Deville.
[Wade] Yeah. Payback time surely in the mind of Sonya Deville.
[Cole] And much like Morgan did, Deville filling up the ring
with a half a dozen steel chairs in this no-disqualification matchup
kicking off Friday Night SmackDown
less than 24 hours away
from WWE Crown Jewel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
[Wade] Deville now looking to commit heinous acts upon Liv Morgan.
[Cole] Morgan able to duck underneath the chair.
Now step-up enzuigiri…
-[screaming] -…drops Sonya Deville to a knee. Morgan…
A guttural scream, and now the dropkick to the back.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] And Morgan firing up now.
Liv Morgan with the unorthodox offensive style,
running knee of her own.
Morgan off the second rope.
Oh, and connecting. Sonya. Cover.
Is it enough to put Sonya Deville away?
And a kickout again.
What is going through the mind of Liv Morgan?
What does she need to do to put Deville away?
[Wade] I don't know, Cole,
but she has taken some severely perverse pleasure
in this entire matchup thus far.
[Cole] Now rearranging the furniture is Morgan.
Liv Morgan taking her time,
looking to inflict more pain and punishment on Sonya Deville.
Again, a couple of weeks ago, we saw Liv Morgan do this to Deville.
It wasn't legal then, but it's legal tonight.
[Wade] This is round two for Sonya Deville.
She has tasted this once before.
Does not want any piece of those chairs.
[Cole] And Deville was ready for this, Wade.
Blocking couple of shots to the kidney, and now Deville in control.
[Wade] Yeah. Deville is a smart cookie. Wouldn't have entered this matchup--
[Cole] And now Deville with a powerbomb into the chairs!
Stacks up Morgan for the win,
and Liv able to kick at two.
[groans]
[Cole] Watch this impact.
-Feel the impact. -[Wade chuckles]
Liv Morgan felt that one throughout her entire body
yet still continues to endure.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome! This is awesome! This is awesome!
[Cole] WWE fans appreciating the effort of these two competitors here tonight.
This is a critical matchup as well, Wade.
So many Super-- So many Superstars jockeying for position
to get their hands on the current champion, Ronda Rousey.
And Deville screaming at Morgan
as she plows her face into the steel chairs.
[Wade] Made the complete disorder at ringside here.
Both of these women continue to give one another a complete flogging.
-Oh, attempt of the Deville's Advocate. -One! Two!
[Cole] Oh, and yes.
Sonya going for her finishing move, the Deville's Advocate.
Morgan able to block. Now Liv Morgan setting Sonya Deville up.
Deville's in trouble.
Trying to make it to the ropes, pull herself to her feet
right where Morgan wants her.
Oblivion into the steel chairs!
-Cover by Morgan on Deville. -One! Two! Three!
[Cole] Morgan wins the no-disqualification matchup.
[crowd cheers]
[Irvin] Here is your winner, Liv Morgan!
[Wade] Wow. What a no-disqualification matchup that was.
Two women apparently, at times, impervious to pain.
[Cole] I'm starting to like this extreme Liv Morgan.
Watch the action here.
Liv Morgan had Deville right where she wanted her.
Oblivion into the steel chairs for the victory.
One, two, three!
[Cole] And I dare say that Liv Morgan is back.
[Wade] Back and perhaps better than she's ever been before.
[Cole] Liv Morgan with the victory over Sonya Deville here tonight.
[Wade] Liv Morgan showing certain depths to her character and her abilities
that we had no idea existed previous to the last few weeks,
and it's fantastic for her that she's broken through
whatever ceiling was above her before and reaching new heights.
And she also broke through a table.
And several other items.
Morgan, a former SmackDown Women's Champion.
Of course, the current SmackDown Women's Champion is Ronda Rousey,
who, last week on SmackDown, had an open challenge.
Who would accept? Here's our progressive Match Flo.
[TV announcer] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive.
A triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
[Cole] It is open challenge time for the SmackDown Women's Championship.
Let's get this formality out of the way.
Who's feeling lucky tonight?
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, it is the return to WWE of Emma.
[Wade] That is so cool. We haven't seen her in years.
[Cole] Can Emma shock the world?
[crowd gasping]
[Cole] There's Emma with the Tarantula.
[crowd cheers]
[Wade] Emma's got some new stuff in her arsenal.
[Cole] Can this be her moment to pull off a monumental upset?
Kickout at two.
Rousey's just raked the eyes of Emma
as the official had to sidestep and get out of harm's way.
[dramatic music playing]
[bell rings]
[Cole] Valiant effort tonight by Emma, but Ronda Rousey retains.
[crowd boos]
And now, please welcome my guest, Emma.
[crowd cheers]
Emma, you made a big return to Friday Night SmackDown last week.
How does it feel to be back?
Whew. You know, it's been five years since I stepped foot in a WWE ring.
And honestly, I wasn't sure that that day would ever come again.
So when I answered Ronda's challenge,
I could feel the blood pumping through my veins,
and my heart was pounding out of my chest. [chuckles]
But I had something to prove to myself.
[slow clap]
You can leave now.
Good talk, Emma.
But I watched you lose.
The only thing you proved…
is you are weak.
[Emma scoffs]
[chuckles]
Number one, that was Ronda Rousey.
So?
And number two…
[groaning]
["Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, Imperium,
led by the Intercontinental Champion, Gunther,
who, tonight, puts the working man's championship on the line
against the biggest underdog in WWE history, Rey Mysterio.
Mysterio, Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship tonight.
[upbeat music playing]
-Crown Jewel event. -[laughing]
-Logan Paul versus Roman Reigns. -Oh my god!
-Yo, you need help? -I just…
-Do you need help? -The Paul boys together?
I could use some support.
Are you going to support me? I'd love for you to come.
I'd be down.
Roman has his Bloodline.
He's got like five guys everywhere he goes.
I've seen them. That's why I asked because I don't like them.
-I have my own Bloodline. -I've seen, like-- in a bout.
I have my own Bloodline too
-and he's a [bleep] badass. -Exactly.
[Cole] Wow. Huge news.
Logan Paul will have backup tomorrow
as his brother, boxer and social media star, Jake Paul,
will be in Logan's corner
for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Match against Roman Reigns.
And tonight, Friday Night SmackDown is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle, auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
Can you believe, Wade, that we are less than 24 hours away?
It is a special start time of 12:00 noon Eastern, 9:00 Pacific.
Tomorrow, it is WWE Crown Jewel, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
where Roman Reigns defends the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
against the upstart Logan Paul.
Here's a look at our main event.
[upbeat music playing]
[Logan] I'm a disrupter. This is what I do.
I had someone on my podcast you guys may know.
Dude, I have to give respect to you, Roman Reigns.
You're the GOAT right now.
Bro, thank you for blessing us with your presence.
I have a habit of saying some pretty stupid stuff.
You put me against Roman Reigns, I think I'll win.
I'll say it to the camera. I don't care. Me versus Roman Reigns one-on-one.
That's my match.
[Heyman] I got to tell you,
you shouldn't open your mouth about "The Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns.
Are you afraid that I might land that one lucky shot
and drop your Tribal Chief
for the Undisputed Championship?
All right. Look, you're not from our world.
So let me just explain to you how things work around here.
[groaning]
I'd be lying to you if I told you I knew all about Logan Paul.
This man has over 30 million followers, and what he's doing is
he's bringing them all to his Tribal Chief.
But it's very simple.
He's had two matches. I've been the champ for over two years.
You're in the water with the biggest shark to ever live in the WWE.
At Saudi Arabia, I'm going to show you what god mode really looks like.
[Logan] I know you doubt me.
I've been doubted my whole life.
I run my mouth a lot, but that's because I'm confident.
My second boxing opponent of all time was Floyd Mayweather,
and he could not take me out.
I know I'm the underdog in this fight,
but what I do have is the desire to be the best.
Roman, champion for two years.
There's a chance, in Saudi, you can shock the world, right?
Obviously, he's not thinking that he's going to take you seriously.
-Hundred percent, yes. -He chokes, he's done.
[Logan] What happens if I hit Roman Reigns so hard
that I bounce his face on the canvas
and bust all his teeth in--
[Cole] Oh! From behind, that's Jey Uso!
Uso trying to beat the hell out of Logan Paul.
Paul side-stepping.
Logan Paul with one… lucky… shot.
[Reigns] Why does everyone keep talking about Logan Paul knocking me out…
when they should be talking about me…
knocking Logan Paul out?
Can't no man knock me out.
I'm tired of letting people think they got a chance.
The Tribal Chief is head and shoulders above everybody!
I run it all!
Go and take this opportunity to acknowledge your Tribal Chief.
[Logan] I think there's one thing that you forgot about me.
The Tribal Chief ain't the only one with a bloodline.
I brought with me, my brother,
the undefeated professional boxer, Jake Paul!
[crowd cheering]
[Logan] Roman Reigns, you are The Head of the Table,
but, brother, in every industry I ever do,
I am the table.
[Reigns] You're not going to have any other choice…
[Logan] One…
[Cole] This could turn into pure chaos.
[Logan] …lucky…
[Reigns] …but to acknowledge me.
[Logan] …shot.
[Cole] Can Logan Paul land one lucky shot? We'll find out tomorrow.
With a special start time of noon Eastern, 9:00 a.m. Pacific,
as Roman Reigns defends the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship
against Logan Paul.
With The Bloodline and Logan's brother, Jake, all in Saudi Arabia,
this could turn into pure chaos at Crown Jewel.
-["It's About to Go Down" playing] -♪ One and Only… ♪
[Cole] And here comes the exhilarating,
the highlight of the night,
Ricochet!
[crowd cheering]
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, weighing in at 207 pounds,
Ricochet!
[Cole] You know, it was last week on Friday Night SmackDown
that LA Knight was running his mouth,
his ego a bit out of control.
Ricochet took offense,
and he's had some things to say earlier on about Mr. Knight.
Listen, we all know that LA Knight
loves to hear himself talk and talk and talk.
[chuckles]
Well, let's see how much he has to say after tonight
when maybe he's missing a couple of teeth.
[Cole] I'm looking forward to this matchup, Wade.
[Wade] We're about to see the best of Ricochet
against one of the best I've ever witnessed in NXT.
[Cole] Ricochet takes on the self-proclaimed Megastar,
LA Knight.
They go one-on-one, coming up next on Friday Night SmackDown.
[ominous music playing]
[fire crackling]
[ominous music continues]
[eerie whispering]
[whispering continues]
[woman] Valhalla awaits.
[Cole] And we are back on Friday Night SmackDown.
Ricochet set for action.
["Knight Vision" playing]
[Irvin] And his opponent, from Hagerstown, Maryland,
weighing in at 240 pounds,
LA Knight!
Let me talk to ya.
[crowd booing]
You got to be kidding me,
'cause right now, a once-in-a-generation star,
some of them call him the Megastar,
is walking down this aisle,
and that means this incel, that incel,
y'all going to want to jump on the gravy train that is LA Knight.
But let me handle a little business here
because this little pop-tart announcer over here
just couldn't happen to get my hometown right a couple of weeks ago.
And, uh, believe me, I understand it.
What you were feeling was the undeniable kavorka
of LA Knight.
You got lost in these baby blues.
But even though you got it right tonight,
that intro you just did,
that ain't good enough for the Megastar.
It might be good enough for this gymnastic jerk up here.
[Cole] Well, Ricochet has heard enough, and he takes out LA Knight.
-[Wade] Whoa. -[Cole] By the way, Mr. Knight,
her name is Samantha Irvin, and she's pretty damn good.
And now Ricochet taking the fight to LA Knight.
He's heard enough of this loudmouth running his mouth.
[Wade] Man, I was enjoying that from LA Knight.
[Cole] Of course you were. You guys have egos.
And now Ricochet, with a shoulder to the midsection,
and Ricochet looking to make short work of LA Knight here on SmackDown.
[indistinct]
You're applauding this, Cole? That was a cheap shot… attack from behind.
[Cole] What do you mean? He took a cheap shot at our ring announcer.
[Wade] He didn't. He called her out for making a mistake.
That's what you should do in this game.
You want to be the best, don't make mistakes.
[Cole] LA Knight made a mistake by ticking off Ricochet.
[Wade] No, he made a mistake expecting Ricochet…
[Cole] Cover by Ricochet,
-and a kickout by Knight. -…to play by the rules.
[Cole] Okay, tell me all about LA Knight
for those who are not familiar with the so-called Megastar.
[Wade] Well, he's the damn Megastar who ruled NXT from day one.
Had to feature on every single Premium Live Event down there
since his arrival
because he's too bloody good to do anything else with him.
And believe me, it is an absolute coup
that he is back here on SmackDown. The best.
[Cole] Well, there's no doubt that LA Knight is full of charisma.
-[indistinct] -[Cole] Doesn't apologize about it.
-[indistinct] -[crowd boos]
[Cole] A lot of self-confidence, very boastful,
and he's pretty tough as well.
[Wade] Were you not listening to his gripe, though?
He was known as a five-tool player in NXT.
He turns up at SmackDown.
He had to change his name and try and be someone he's not.
How on earth do you treat a Megastar like LA Knight like that?
[Cole] LA Knight taken down by Ricochet.
Oh, and the highflyer,
as LA Knight in trouble, and he looks to retreat.
Ricochet… That was smart by LA Knight.
He does not want Ricochet to start flying around the ring.
[Wade] Are you surprised that he's good? LA Knight is one of the best.
Start listening, Cole. He doesn't make mistakes.
[Cole] First, stop putting words in my mouth.
I never said he wasn't good.
I just think he runs his mouth a little too much,
and he paid for it earlier on,
but now hanging Ricochet up on the top rope.
[Wade] Listen, let me talk to ya, Cole.
In NXT, we rolled out the red carpet for LA Knight every single week.
Champagne and canapés.
The SmackDown bigwigs just don't understand Megastar etiquette.
[crowd boos]
[grunts]
[Cole] Off the top rope!
Moonsault. Nobody home. Ricochet moves out of harm's way.
Leave it to the real highflyers, Mr. Knight.
And a big knee from Ricochet.
And now Ricochet, I believe, Wade, is going to show you how it's done.
LA Knight may have bit off a bit more than he can chew.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Hey, we're back on Friday Night SmackDown.
LA Knight has taken over on Ricochet, and a kickout at two, near fall.
The so-called Megastar, LA Knight, against the highflyer Ricochet.
We're going to show you what happened during the commercial break
and how LA Knight turned things around.
[Wade] Just brilliant from LA Knight. He's shown you he can do it all.
He's a technician. He's a brawler.
He's a highflyer, and he has a deep bag of tricks.
And he's using it all here tonight against Ricochet.
[Cole] And he loves to hear himself talk.
[Wade] So do I. So do a lot of people, Cole.
You're a hater, aren't you? A real hater.
[Cole] I'm not. I'm not into the whole ego thing.
But if LA Knight wins, I guess you can't complain about it, right?
[Wade] Show the man a little respect,
or he'll beat it into you, Cole.
[Cole] I thought he might have beat it into you
because all you've done is cheerlead the man the entire evening.
And Ricochet fighting back.
[Wade] I can spot talent, that's why.
[Cole] Ricochet as talented as they come.
LA Knight, though, driving Ricochet into the second rope.
[Wade] Tactic that continues to work for LA Knight.
-[grunts] -[Cole] And a knee right to the face.
Now, LA Knight going to launch himself with a shoulder tackle,
flying over the top rope.
No doubt LA Knight is a star,
-mocking Ricochet, though. -[crowd booing]
[Wade] A thoroughbred athlete
with an undeniable X-factor.
[Cole] Cover now by LA Knight.
Ricochet again kicks out.
Not gonna put Ricochet away that easy.
[grunts]
[Wade] Do you think Ricochet is starting to regret
getting in the face of the Megastar now?
[Cole] I don't think Ricochet regrets anything.
He's one of the best in the world.
[Wade] I won't deny that. I'll take nothing away from Ricochet.
I'll call myself a fan of Ricochet.
[Cole] You don't sound like one. You sound like a fanboy for Mr. Knight.
[Wade] Well, I am a fanboy for Mr. Knight. I can't deny that one.
[Cole] Ricochet back to his feet, looking to rally in this matchup,
creating some space.
A knee, though, to Ricochet drives him back to the ropes.
Misses wildly a couple of times, and down goes Knight.
Here comes Ricochet, who can fight with the best of 'em, Wade.
[Wade] The pendulum really starting to swing.
Ricochet perhaps the biggest test for Knight
since his move to SmackDown,
and right now he's looking like he's going to pass that test.
[Cole] Neckbreaker by Knight. Cover again on Ricochet.
-Is it enough to put him away? -One, two…
[Cole] Hook of the leg, and a kickout…
by Ricochet.
[grunts]
[Cole] Look at that impact.
[grunting]
[Cole] And then the neckbreaker by Knight
puts LA Knight firmly in control.
[Wade] You put down a former championship holder here
on SmackDown,
management and even you, Michael Cole, might start taking notice.
-Here we go. -[Cole] Yeah, but LA Knight again--
Oh. I thought it was going to cost him mouthing off to the…
You stay right there, so I can do my thing.
[Cole] Ricochet said, "No way." Down goes Knight!
-[Wade] Ludicrous. -[Cole] Cover by Ricochet,
for the win here on SmackDown.
Knight's got a kick at two-and-a-half.
[Wade] No human being should be allowed
to have the kind of hops that Ricochet has.
[Cole] Look at the look on LA Knight's face.
Watch this. This is absolutely incredible.
-[grunts] -[crowd cheers]
One, two…
[Cole] And Ricochet still fighting back.
[Cole] LA Knight was starting to feel a little too good in there,
but a reality check on behalf of Ricochet.
[crowd cheering]
[grunting]
-[Cole] And Ricochet… -[grunts]
…bouncing face-first Mr. Knight off the turnbuckle.
[Wade] Oh. I'll tell you this.
When you do get the opportunity to put Ricochet away,
-you have to take it… -[Cole] Crossbody!
[Wade] …or this is waiting for you.
[Cole] Ricochet looking to put Knight away.
Hook of the leg, and another near fall.
[Wade] One of the most difficult maneuvers you could ever attempt,
and Ricochet makes it look effortless.
[Cole] Yeah, the Standing Shooting Star by Ricochet,
and now Ricochet…
has LA Knight where he wants him.
Going to climb up to the top rope where he's comfortable.
630 or Shooting Star? What's he going to do?
Nothing, because LA Knight back to his feet.
-Ricochet rolls up Knight. -One, two--
-Knight's got the tights and the ropes. -[Wade] Nice.
[Cole] The official didn't see it.
-[bell rings] -[Cole] Knight steals a win.
-["Knight Vision" plays] -[crowd boos]
[Irvin] Here is your winner,
LA Knight!
[Wade] Just another brilliant play from the genius mind of the Megastar.
The man can do it all.
[Cole] So you condone that?
[Wade] I absolute-- You win any way you can.
Especially against a competitor the caliber of Ricochet.
[Cole] Let's show you what happened. Ricochet with a roll-up.
LA Knight able to counter,
and not only the tights but the ropes for leverage.
[bell rings]
[Cole] LA Knight steals a victory here tonight
-on Friday Night SmackDown. -Fair and square.
-[Cole] The Megastar with a win. -I'm the Megastar, not you.
I just don't think things can get any better than right now.
Guys, we are… we are rolling.
We are rolling. The Bloodline is rolling right now.
Dude, Roman is about to handle,
Tribal Chief is about to handle business at Crown Jewel.
-Yeet. -Yup.
-So are you boys against The Brutes. -Yeet.
And when you do, you are on the verge, boys,
of breaking the all-time record
for the longest-reigning Tag Team Champions…
-Let's go. -…in history. You're there.
-You are there. -Yeah, we are there.
We about to go out there right now
and tell The Brutes what's about to happen tomorrow in Saudi Arabia.
-What, in the ring? -Right now.
No-- [chuckles] Jey, uh…
We talked about-- Hey, we talked about this, okay.
And I feel like we're actually making some progress here.
Could you please not do that?
Could you please not go out there? There's no reason for it.
The match is made. You get a good night's sleep.
You beat The Brutes. You go on. The record's right around the corner.
-There's no reason for it. I'm pleading. -Okay, okay.
Just because you're Sami Uso now, you think you're in charge of me, huh?
Huh? Because of what Roman said?
Hey, check this out. This ain't no Bloodline thing.
This a Uso thing.
And we been Tag Team Champions before you,
and we gonna be Tag Team Champions long after you gone, Sami.
Let's go.
He's got a point, my dawg.
Jimmy, don't go. Please don't go.
Guys, don't g-- They're gone.
They're gone. Why? Why? Why?
Why are--
My dawgs!
[Cole] It is the working man's championship,
the Intercontinental Title, held proudly by Gunther of Imperium.
But tonight, Rey Mysterio hopes to win the gold
for a third time in his career.
It is our main event, Rey Mysterio versus Gunther
for the Intercontinental Championship tonight.
[gloomy music playing]
[crowd cheers]
I'm not the type of person that likes to share their feelings.
In fact, the concept is brand-new to me entirely, right?
It makes it even harder for me
when people play with me like that,
when people interrupt me
when I'm trying to do something that is obviously incredibly hard for me!
[man] Hey! Hey, buddy! Hey, we're live!
[laughs]
Hold on. Hold on. Shh. No, no. Please, please come here. All right?
Look, man.
I know you're just probably here to try and do your job, right?
I'm trying to do my job too.
[ominous music plays]
Okay? Okay, but you know that feeling you get--
you know that feeling you get when you're in traffic,
and someone cuts you off right in front of your face?
He drives by you, and he's smiling at you,
and for the next little bit, all you can think about,
all you want to do is fantasize about what you would do
if you had him just for 30 seconds.
What would you do if you had him for 30 seconds alone, right?
Me. I can't stand the way I'm thinking about things, man.
[distorted voice] It's all your fault.
I hate myself right now. You understand that?
Because all I want to do, is I want to take your head,
and I want to run over there, and I want to smash it in that…
-[voice] …your fault! -…cement wall.
And honestly, bro, I can't even handle myself.
I am a hair away, right? So I want you to do something,
and I want you to just do it for me
and do it for you, right? Do it for both of us, right?
I need you to reach down, and I need you,
from the bottom of your soul, to look me in the eyes,
look me in the eyes, and apologize to me, and tell me you didn't mean to bust this!
You didn't mean to come in and mess this up!
-[distorted voice] All… -Tell me you meant that!
Tell me you meant it!
Tell me you're sorry.
[distorted voice] It's all your fault.
It's all your fault. [echoing]
I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to.
[scoffs]
I know. I know, I know, okay.
I know. Go. Please go away.
Please. Please.
[sighs]
[ominous music playing]
[static crackles]
[Cole] Things with Bray keep getting weirder and weirder,
and as we learned this past Monday,
Bray Wyatt will be live in Riyadh tomorrow.
Special start time of noon Eastern and 9:00 a.m. on the West Coast.
You have to wonder what message Wyatt will have
for the WWE Universe at Crown Jewel.
["Done With That" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Irvin] Please welcome,
the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions,
Jimmy and Jey, the Usos!
[Cole] So do you think Jey's feeling…
Ucey tonight?
[Wade] I don't know about that.
Doesn't have the smile on his face like we saw last week.
[Cole] And tonight, Friday Night SmackDown is sponsored by Progressive.
The Usos tonight marking their 474th day
as Tag Team Champions.
Nine days away from tying the New Day
for the longest reign in WWE history,
but there's a team that stands in their way.
Tomorrow 12:00 noon Eastern, 9:00 Pacific,
WWE Crown Jewel streaming live exclusively on Peacock.
The Usos put their Tag Team Championship reign on the line
against Ridge and Butch of The Brawling Brutes.
♪ You already know it Soon as you feel that creep ♪
[song fades out]
Let's go!
[crowd cheering]
Hey, hey.
[crowd chanting] I feel Ucey! I feel Ucey! I feel Ucey!
The Bloodline is now in your city.
[crowd cheering]
-Yo, Uce. -What's up?
We on our way, baby.
To what?
We on our way, history making,
-and it starts tomorrow at Crown Jewel. -Word.
We're going to be the longest-reigning
Tag Team Champions ever!
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting] Ucey! Ucey! Ucey!
And it starts with The Brawling Brutes.
Hey, Brutes!
You the twos and…
[Usos and crowd] We the ones!
[crowd cheering]
["New Day, New Way" playing]
[Cole] And speaking of the longest-reigning
Tag Team Champions in history
at 483 days,
the team that holds the record, The New Day.
Hold up, hold up, hold up.
-Hold up. -[song stops]
Pump the brakes.
Slow it down.
Take a second.
Settle your tea kettle.
Para. Para. Stop.
Just stop, stop.
Hey, now at Crown Jewel,
it's going to be the Usos
versus The Brawling Brutes
for the WWE Tag Team Championships.
And if I'm being honest,
we're rooting for The Brawling Brutes.
[crowd boos]
But if by some Bloodline stroke of luck,
y'all get through The Brutes, and you retain those championships,
then we need you to understand one thing.
When you're on that plane flying back home,
as soon as you touch back down on American soil,
you will have the longest-reigning WWE World Tag Team Champions
waiting to tear you limb from limb to protect our record.
-[crowd cheering] -All right.
In other words…
we got next.
Because…
[crowd chanting] New Day rocks! New Day rocks! New Day rocks!
[Cole] A challenge has been laid down by The New Day,
but the Usos gotta get through The Brutes tomorrow at Crown Jewel.
[Wade] It's no easy task at all for the Usos.
[indistinct chatter]
[Cole] And from behind, speaking of The Brutes,
-that's Butch and Ridge Holland! -[crowd cheering]
Beat them.
[indistinct]
[Cole] And now The New Day and The Brawling Brutes
taking out the Usos.
[Wade] In cahoots against a common enemy.
[Cole] Well, how does it feel to have the numbers game against Jimmy and Jey?
Meanwhile, Solo Sikoa, Sami Zayn
coming to the aid of their Bloodline brethren.
[Wade] Here to even the odds.
Bloodline retaking control.
[Cole] I wonder what Roman Reigns thinks about this.
Roman and Paul Heyman are already in Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh,
getting ready for Crown Jewel.
The Bloodline taking care of business.
[Wade] Re-establishing dominance, doing what they do best.
[Cole] Oh, and Kofi Kingston runs into a superkick.
And now a four-on-one assault.
Remember a four-on-one assault
put Sheamus on the shelf with an elbow injury,
and The Bloodline have the numbers again
against Ridge Holland tonight.
Will another Brawling Brute be headed to the injured list?
[Wade] The Brutes might not make it to Crown Jewel tomorrow.
-[crowd chanting] Sami Uso! -[Cole] And the Tag Team Champions,
Jimmy and Jey, up in the corner.
[indistinct]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Looking for the Uso Splash, and now--
[Wade] Shillelagh attack!
[Cole] Butch with a Shillelagh! Taking out The Bloodline!
Coming to the aid of Ridge Holland,
-and Solo Sikoa… -[screams]
[Cole] …with a Spinning Solo to Butch.
And The Bloodline tonight unify,
tonight on the same page,
tonight protecting the family.
[Wade] Disaster of the past few weeks in the rear-view mirror for The Bloodline.
Back on track.
[Cole] They have to stay focused, Wade,
because tomorrow at Crown Jewel, Jimmy and Jey,
who are on pace to set a record, to make history,
have The Brawling Brutes of Butch and Ridge Holland
standing in their way at WWE Crown Jewel.
[Wade] Within touching distance of the Tag Title record.
It could all go up in smoke tomorrow against these boys.
[upbeat music playing]
[crowd cheering]
Excuse me.
Rey, tonight you face Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship.
Maybe winning the title
will give you that fresh start that you really need.
Kayla, I love competing in WWE.
It's part of who I am,
and I've given my whole life to this business.
And everyone knows that it's something that I've always shared with my son.
But now I'm haunted by the memories, and I miss my son,
but I'm not giving up now.
I'm going to show my son and everyone
that even when the worst happens, you can't give up.
You have to keep fighting on.
Now, Gunther is one hell of an opponent.
I can still feel the pain in my chest from the chop he gave me last week,
but I'm going to take all that pain inside me
and turn it into rage.
And that rage is going to fuel me up
to chop Gunther down to size
and become the new Intercontinental Champion.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And that is our main event still to come tonight.
Mysterio versus Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship.
["Limb By Limb" playing]
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring
by the SmackDown Women's Champion, "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey,
from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Shayna Baszler!
Wade, Ronda Rousey told Shayna a few weeks ago,
"It's time for you to be a killer again."
[Wade] Yes, indeed, and we saw last week the attack from Shayna Baszler.
Completely unnecessary against her opponent tonight.
Perhaps a little payback on the cards for Natalya.
Former tag team partners, Natalya and Shayna
square off one-on-one next on SmackDown.
[music continues]
[Cole] Shayna Baszler, former two-time NXT Women's Champion with Ronda Rousey.
One of her long-time friends out here for support.
Shayna set to take on "The Queen of Hearts" Natalya.
["New Foundation" playing]
[Irvin] And her opponent, from Calgary, Alberta, Canada,
Natalya!
[Cole] Ronda Rousey, the current SmackDown Women's Champion,
and of course, Ronda and Shayna Baszler
part of the famed Four Horsewomen when it comes to MMA.
Tonight, Ronda trying to get Shayna to be that killer that she used to be,
and we got a preview of that last week
when Natalya confronted Ronda Rousey.
If I had answered your open challenge, I'd be champion right now, Ronda.
No-- [groans]
[Cole] Shayna Baszler, a run-in with Natalya in the back,
and Shayna Baszler completely flipped out on Natalya.
Showing a little bit of that killer instinct
that Ronda Rousey has been trying to get her to at this point in her career.
[Wade] Yeah. Just a completely appalling attack.
Natalya wanted nothing to do whatsoever with Shayna Baszler,
-but got more than she bargained for. -[bell rings]
[Cole] Baszler, who is known as the Submission Magician.
The Queen of Spades against The Queen of Hearts here tonight.
What is it about Baszler?
Why do you think that she lost that edge that she had when she was at NXT?
[Wade] I've got to tell you, I've seen it before.
I've seen it time and time again.
Sometimes people become stars in WWE,
get caught up in the WWE machine,
the promotion, the interviews, the constant grind,
and they forget who they really are.
Shayna Baszler, at some point, got away from who she really is.
Ronda Rousey, though, she didn't forget who Baszler is.
Now Baszler… Perhaps the real Baszler is back.
[Cole] What type of pressure is on Shayna Baszler tonight?
As Ronda Rousey looks on. Long time friend.
They've been training partner, sparred for many years together.
[Wade] The most dominating female performer
in the history of WWE is watching on
and perhaps at times, judging negatively.
[Cole] And now, Baszler.
[Wade] You have to be perfect in the eyes of your best friend, Ronda Rousey.
[Cole] And went for that elbow, and Natalya saw it coming,
able to roll Baszler up.
Again, you see Natalya looking over her shoulder,
keeping an eye on Ronda Rousey at ringside.
[groans]
Natalya and Ronda with a rich history.
Natalya very important in the early days of Ronda's career here in WWE,
helping her to learn the game.
[Wade] Alliances and allegiances change quickly in this industry.
Power, money, and glory all at stake.
[Cole] If Ronda can get Shayna Baszler where she wants her,
what a formidable duo.
[groans]
[Wade] Make no mistake about it,
Shayna Baszler, former two-time NXT Women's Champion--
[Cole] Oh! This time Baszler connects!
[Wade] And that was just sick.
I'm speaking as someone who lost six months of my career
with a dislocated elbow.
[Cole] Natalya may have a dislocated elbow right now.
-Shayna Baszler putting the focus now… -No, no, no.
…on the left arm of Natalya.
Natalya begging, saying, "No, no."
Ronda Rousey, at ringside, has got a big smile on her face
as she watches her friend, Shayna Baszler, going into destruction mode.
[Wade] It's now needle-point precision.
[Cole] Oh, my goodness. It's hard to watch, very uncomfortable,
but that is what Shayna Baszler is all about
when she can get in the zone.
As we called her before, The Submission Magician.
[referee] What do you say?
[Cole] She knows many, many ways to tap out or harm her opponent.
[Wade] Absolute expert in joint manipulation.
Won countless MMA and submission grappling championships
around the world prior to WWE.
[Cole] Natalya, of course, a veteran.
Can take an extreme amount of punishment.
[Wade] She's going to need to show all of her veteran wiles
to get out of this predicament.
[Cole] Natalya can fight with the best of 'em, looking to brawl with Baszler.
[grunts]
[Cole] Again, Shayna is showing signs in this match,
and then having trouble at times of just keeping that momentum up,
as Natalya, with that low-basement dropkick.
Cover now, hook of the leg, and a kick by Baszler at two.
[Wade] Baszler starting to look a little groggy
after this wall of offense from the BOAT, Natalya.
[Cole] "The Best Of All Time," the BOAT as Wade called her.
Natalya looking for a suplex.
Roll up by Baszler. Is it enough to put Natalya away?
Shoulders down, kick at two.
[Wade] And immediately, just like that, Baszler back on top.
[groans]
[Cole] And Natalya-- There's the Discus Clothesline!
Cover now, hook of the leg,
and a kickout by Baszler. Ronda realized how close that was,
and now, as she glances down at the Women's Champion,
-Natalya looking for the Sharpshooter. -[groans]
[Cole] Shayna, though, with a straight right hand.
[Wade] Great strike there from Shayna Baszler.
[Cole] And now, looking for the Kirifuda Clutch.
Locked in on Natalya, submission move.
Natalya is in trouble. Natalya is fading.
Can Natalya somehow hang on?
[Wade] Simply no way out of this. Oh--
[Cole] A great move by Natalya to get Baszler on her shoulder,
but again, Baszler does not release the hold.
Kirifuda Clutch.
-[Wade] Just temporary respite. -[Cole] And Natalya is going night-night.
Natalya is fading.
-Shayna Baszler with the win… -[referee shouts]
-…with the Kirifuda Clutch. -[bell rings]
[Cole] Now, that's the old Shayna Baszler we know.
[crowd boos]
[Wade] She ain't releasing that hold either.
[Irvin] Here is your winner, Shayna Baszler!
[Wade] Just a bone-snapping, tendon-tearing badass.
The OG Baszler appears to be back, and I love it.
Ronda Rousey happy with the performance
of her friend, Shayna Baszler, here tonight.
I'm telling you, Baszler and Ronda Rousey, very formidable as a duo.
[Wade] Job done for Baszler.
Has to have impressed Ronda Rousey.
[inaudible] Shayna!
[Cole] Shayna Baszler taking her kneepad down.
-[referee, indistinct] -[crowd booing]
[Cole] And, Wade, I believe at the direction of Ronda Rousey,
just kneed Natalya right in the face.
[crowd boos]
[Wade] That's her former tag partner, former friend.
["Limb By Limb" playing]
[Cole] It doesn't matter because something inside Shayna Baszler…
woke up, thanks to her friend, Ronda Rousey.
Boom! Knee right to the face of Natalya.
[Wade] Natalya's face is completely ruined.
Baszler, who was once one of the most dangerous women
in the history of WWE,
may be on that path once again
thanks to the SmackDown Women's Champion, "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey.
If this is the Baszler that is in store for us in the future,
look out, SmackDown.
Yeah, I've known Natalya a long time.
I'm severely concerned for that injury,
but Shayna Baszler looking to get back to her best.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are whetting your appetite, of course,
for what happens tomorrow, 12:00 noon Eastern, 9:00 a.m. Pacific.
It is WWE Crown Jewel, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,
where Drew McIntyre "The Scottish Warrior"
will be locked inside a steel cage with Karrion Kross.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Drew McIntyre has had a dilemma for months now.
Not only Karrion Kross but Scarlett.
This is Drew McIntyre's idea, the Strap Match.
This is what Kross wanted.
Karrion Kross demanded Drew McIntyre.
[crowd] Three! Two! One!
[spray hisses]
-[Cole] Oh, what the hell? -[Graves] Is that pepper spray?
[Cole] Scarlett just blinding McIntyre with a spray to the eyes.
McIntyre can't see a damn thing.
And Karrion Kross from behind with a Kross Hammer!
One, two, three!
-[bell rings] -[Cole] Thanks to Scarlett,
Kross has beaten McIntyre!
Tonight, Drew McIntyre forced to fall and pray.
This is what you wanted.
Ask, and you shall receive.
[ominous music playing]
[Kross] This thing has to end. [echoing]
♪ I say we're taking over ♪
♪ I say we cross the line… ♪
[groaning]
♪ No longer be denied ♪
♪ I say we're taking over ♪
♪ I say we cross the line… ♪
[Cole] Kross and McIntyre trying to destroy each other.
♪ I will not be denied ♪
[Cole] Moments ago, there was a car accident
involving Karrion Kross and Scarlett.
McIntyre assaulting Kross!
[Wade] Kross in no state to fight right now.
Can't even defend himself.
[grunting] Get off me!
[Wade] Finally, McIntyre has snapped.
This is just the beginning! This is just the beginning!
[McIntyre] At Extreme Rules, Kross pushed me past my breaking point.
It's going to be Drew McIntyre
versus Karrion Kross in a Steel Cage Match.
[crowd cheering]
[song continues]
[Kross] Tick tock.
Hey, McIntyre,
at Crown Jewel, when they lock you inside that steel cage with me,
I promise you…
history is going to repeat itself.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] McIntyre and Kross, this is going to be a war.
Doomsday has arrived, and the clock is ticking.
[crowd] Three, two, one!
Tick tock.
This thing has to end,
and it will at Crown Jewel.
[Cole] It all takes place tomorrow at WWE Crown Jewel.
"The Scottish Warrior" Drew McIntyre
versus Karrion Kross inside a steel cage.
And there he is "The Monster of All Monsters" Braun Strowman,
who, tomorrow at Crown Jewel,
clashes with the seven-foot-three, 416-pound,
"Nigerian Giant" Omos.
The Monster of All Monsters is in action next.
[Patrick] Here comes Alexa Bliss!
Oh. Twisted Bliss! Is this it?
Are the titles about to change hands?
-Yes! -[bell rings]
[crowd cheers]
[Graves] The new WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Alexa Bliss and Asuka.
-[fireworks popping] -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] New Women's Tag Team Champions in Asuka and Alexa Bliss.
We learned on social media earlier this week
that the rematch will take place in Riyadh tomorrow,
as Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky
look to reclaim the Tag Team Titles at Crown Jewel.
[upbeat music playing]
[Cole] So, MVP here on Friday Night SmackDown.
He, of course, the spokesman, so to speak, for Omos,
where tomorrow, at WWE Crown Jewel, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,
it is "The Monster of All Monsters" Braun Strowman
versus "The Nigerian Giant" Omos.
I was particularly pleased when I found out
that "The Monster of All Monsters" Braun Strowman
would be in action tonight.
[crowd cheering]
And so close to his match at Crown Jewel
with the 7'3", 403-pound
"Nigerian Giant" Omos.
[crowd booing]
Well, you guys know that, uh…
I'm kind of a big deal around here.
You know, I use my connections to sort out some opposition
for Braun Strowman tonight.
So I got a few opponents for him. Well…
five opponents for Braun Strowman tonight.
["Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
[Cole] Oh, remember this past Monday on Raw,
Omos dismissed four men
in a four-on-one handicap match,
so MVP said, "Braun Strowman,
I want you to try to do one better tonight against these five individuals."
[Wade] Dismissed those four men with ease, let's be honest.
I'm not sure if five is going to be enough tonight.
[Cole] MVP with a big, old smile on his face.
Looking to take out Braun Strowman before Crown Jewel tomorrow.
But Braun Strowman, Runaway Train!
"Thanks for coming, gentlemen."
[Wade] Lambs to the slaughter.
He just devoured five meat puppets.
[Cole] You can't say that.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] How did that work out for MVP?
Not quite what Mr. P had planned.
Let's talk about this.
We can have a conversation. We can be civilized.
[Wade] I don't know if Braun's in the talking mood here.
[Cole] And MVP trying to get out of harm's way.
Braun Strowman, "The Monster of All Monsters,"
in a foot race against MVP, and that's not going to work out.
Uh, MVP probably shouldn't have--
-You got a stick right here, huh? -[girl shrieks]
-[Wade] Oh my. -[Cole] Probably…
He can't do that to his cane.
MVP probably shouldn't have sent Omos over to Saudi Arabia early
because Mr. MVP's in trouble.
Let's go!
[Wade] This has backfired in the worst way for MVP.
[Cole] You think? That is an astute call, Wade.
This is a disaster.
[Wade] There's more to come, Cole.
I hope he's flying in comfort class.
-[grunts] -[Cole] MVP, that is.
Because Braun Strowman, with MVP on his shoulders,
running powerslam time, I believe, from the Monster of All Monsters.
-[Wade] MVP-- Oh! -[Cole] Oh!
[Wade] MVP needs an air ambulance now.
[crowd chanting] One more time! One more time! One more time!
[Cole] Oh, my goodness.
The chants that Mr. MVP did not want to hear
because Braun Strowman is going to take it to MVP again.
[Wade] The biggest miscalculation of MVP's career.
[Cole] MVP should have tried to use all those connections he had
to get out of this.
[crowd chanting] One more time! One more time! One more time!
[Wade] This audience is sick.
[Cole] I kind of enjoy this.
Braun Strowman shutting up the mouthpiece.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And for a third time, MVP is planted.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] My question's this, Wade.
It's all well and good that he did this to MVP,
but can Braun Strowman deliver a running powerslam to the Nigerian Giant?
[Wade] We're going to find out very soon
in less than 24 hours at Crown Jewel.
[screams]
Strong message sent to MVP from Braun Strowman.
But now, please welcome my guest
who has a strong message of his own for Rey Mysterio
ahead of his Intercontinental Championship Match, Gunther.
[crowd boos]
-[Kayla] Now, Gunther-- -Ah, ah, ah.
Tonight, I'm going to step in the ring
and successfully defend my title
with dignity, respect, and honor.
Rey Mysterio has got no honor.
That's why his son turned his back on him.
One thing will never change,
and that is me being the WWE Intercontinental Champion.
["Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
[Cole] Mysterio, Gunther,
for the Intercontinental Title next on SmackDown.
[Cole] Next week on Friday Night SmackDown live from Indianapolis, Indiana,
The New Day with a Tag Team Championship opportunity.
Will they be trying to end the Usos' historic title reign,
or will it be Brawling Brutes with the titles?
We'll find out next week.
[dramatic music playing]
[Wade] Next week, we begin the SmackDown World Cup on Fox
as eight top Superstars compete in a tournament
for the first-ever WWE SmackDown World Cup.
Shinsuke Nakamura got the win over Legado two weeks ago in six-man tag.
Next week, though, Legado will look for payback.
Shinsuke Nakamura versus Santos Escobar right here on SmackDown.
[dramatic music playing]
[sniffs]
[speaking Spanish]
I always thought he was an intelligent man.
But Nakamura's choice last week
leaves me with no choice
but to make an example out of him.
[chuckles] Shinsuke Nakamura.
[speaks Japanese]
-[chuckles] -[in English] The time for talking is done
because after what happens to you,
everyone in WWE will see exactly why
Legado del Fantasma's growing empire cannot be stopped.
And that's why La Reina plus El Emperador
equals the perfect enterprise.
-[chuckles] I'll drink to that. -[chuckles]
We'll all drink to that.
[glasses clink]
["Booyaka 619" playing]
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] I cannot wait,
because it is time for our main event!
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619 Booyaka, booyaka… ♪
[crowd cheers]
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619 ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, that's my pueblo ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619 ♪
♪ What you gonna do When we come for you? ♪
♪ Ya llego el Rey Mysterio ♪
♪ Bato cabron de San Diego ♪
♪ Mash up on the scene Like a brown crusader ♪
♪ Blowing up screens Like Space Invaders… ♪
[Cole] Rey Mysterio,
the legendary luchador,
who won a Fatal 4-Way Match to gain this opportunity tonight
to become the number one contender
for the Intercontinental Championship.
[Wade] Absolute best in the history of this industry.
And of course, child after child with those Rey Mysterio masks
paying homage to the great man.
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, Rey Mysterio ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619 ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka… ♪
[Cole] Rey Mysterio, of course, is now part of Friday Night SmackDown.
He wanted to quit WWE
after the emotional situation with his son, Dominik,
but here tonight, an opportunity to win the Intercontinental Title.
And Friday Night SmackDown
is sponsored tonight by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
And it has been quite the emotional story for Rey Mysterio,
but he feels reborn here tonight on the Blue Brand,
a brand he put on the map…
about 15 years ago.
[Wade] WWE, in general, dodged a bullet
by convincing Rey Mysterio not to walk off into the sunset.
What a huge loss he would have been or a huge gain for SmackDown.
[Imperium's theme music playing]
[crowd booing]
[Cole] And a team that believes the mat is sacred.
On the left, Vinci, on the right, Kaiser, and in the middle, of course,
the Intercontinental Champion, Gunther,
who has been a dominant Intercontinental Champion.
He is so proud, Wade, to hold the title,
the title that is known as the working man's championship,
defended night in and night out all around the world.
It is what Gunther believes he is all about.
[Wade] Three classics, three throwbacks,
all three massive futures here on SmackDown.
And of course, that Intercontinental Championship,
one of the most respected titles
in the entire history of this industry.
No doubt, Gunther a proud man.
[Cole] Yeah, and a championship that Rey Mysterio has held
two prior times in his legendary career.
[bell rings]
The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the Intercontinental Championship!
[crowd cheers]
Introducing the challenger,
from San Diego, California, weighing in at 175 pounds,
Rey Mysterio!
[crowd cheers]
And his opponent, from Vienna, Austria,
weighing in at 250 pounds,
representing Imperium,
he is the Intercontinental Champion,
Gunther!
[crowd boos]
[Cole] It is a big fight night on Friday Night SmackDown.
The prestigious Intercontinental Championship,
which has been held by dozens of WWE Hall of Famers over the years,
is on the line.
Gunther defending against Rey Mysterio,
the legendary luchador, the sure-fire Hall of Famer,
a two-time Heavyweight Champion, two-time Intercontinental Champion,
four-time Tag Team Champion
looking to knock off Gunther…
-[bell rings] -…who outweighs Mysterio by 75 pounds
and towers over the biggest little man in the history of WWE.
[Wade] A complete mismatch on paper when you look at their statistics,
but we all know a little better, don't we?
[Cole] Yeah. Rey Mysterio has knocked off big men
and made a career of it here in WWE.
And if you're Rey, you play the cat and mouse game.
You try to stay away from Gunther.
[Cole] Went for a big chop, which Mysterio felt last week,
and now Mysterio looking to move away.
[Wade] Staying away from Gunther easier said than done with that wingspan.
[Cole] And Gunther with the power and a chop to Mysterio.
[Wade] Don't forget it took one chop last week from Gunther
in that sneak attack to put Rey Mysterio down.
That was just a little taste of what's to come tonight
for the luchador.
[Gunther] Huh?
[Cole] Gunther, who is efficient and effective…
[referee] Back inside the ring!
…as physical as they come.
Just thinking back to the wars
that he had with "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus.
Mysterio being manhandled.
Can he somehow climb back into this championship match?
[crowd boos]
[Cole] Oh! And this has been all Gunther
since the start of this Intercontinental Championship Match.
Mysterio tried his best to keep away from the big man.
He's going to fight back.
[Wade] Such an intimidating presence.
[Cole] And what's interesting about this
is Gunther was so confident in his ability tonight.
Imperium's not even out here at ringside
as he delivers a bomb to the apron on Mysterio.
[Wade] Just complete sneering disdain from Gunther
for any other competitor.
[Cole] What I like about this is the fact that Gunther gets back in the ring,
and he tells the official to start the count.
Mysterio has 10 to get back into the ring
after all that devastation at the hands of Gunther.
[Wade] Yeah. And Gunther has barely even broken sweat.
-Six! -[Cole] I am…
And a count now of seven by referee Jason Ayers.
Mysterio trying to crawl back into the ring. Now at a count of eight.
How much more punishment can Rey stand?
Drags himself into the ring before the count of 10
to survive at least at this juncture.
[Wade] You've just got to be completely in awe
of the big Austrian champion.
[Cole] Gunther saying that,
"I'm going to give this title the prestige it needs
and make it the greatest prize in all of wrestling."
[Wade] Well, he's doing exactly that right now
by dominating one of the greatest of all time in Rey Mysterio.
The mat is pure, and Imperium are the custodians of history.
[Cole] Gunther saying, "I didn't come here to be mediocre."
"I came in here to be in the ring with the best,"
and he's in the ring with the best, in Rey Mysterio,
and he's making fairly easy work of Mysterio here.
[Wade] Gunther has not had a mediocre day in his entire life.
[Cole] Wade, we could make a lot of excuses for Rey Mysterio
that Rey's head is not in the game.
He's still torn inside emotionally over the situation with his son, Dominik.
He was going to quit a couple of weeks ago
before Triple H convinced him to stay here on Friday Night SmackDown.
Mysterio, though, somehow trying to counter,
prevent Gunther from delivering the slam, and Rey hanging on again.
[Wade] It's a rare technique to block a slam.
You don't see that too often.
That comes with a 30-plus-year career of Rey Mysterio.
[Cole] Yeah, but Gunther again after the knees to the spine
trying to slam Rey who's hanging on.
Rey's showing some heart here.
Now up on the shoulders, trying to fight out of this.
Mysterio has got Gunther in trouble, has him all tied up.
[Wade] That's a rarity, and Gunther hasn't witnessed anything like this
quite before in his own career.
[Cole] Mysterio trying wear Gunther down and he's-- oh!
Mysterio buys himself some time to regroup.
[Wade] That towering frame of Gunther just came down crashing hard to the mat.
[Cole] The Ring General could be in a bit of trouble.
Not such a commanding presence when he's on his knees on the mat.
[Wade] Mysterio buying himself a small window of opportunity,
has to make this count.
[Cole] Now Rey Mysterio looking to pick up the pace.
If he can do that, if he can fly, he's got a chance, Wade.
[Wade] He's taken six, seven, eight shots, and the big man Gunther ain't going down.
[Cole] Uh-oh. Off the second rope.
Gunther caught him momentarily. Mysterio now with a sleeper hold.
Sleeper hold locked in on Gunther. The big man's in trouble.
Gunther with nowhere to go.
Can Rey Mysterio put Gunther out
and win the Intercontinental Championship here?
[Wade] Grimace etched on the face of Gunther.
-Is the big man fading? -[Cole] He could be.
And he slings Mysterio away, but the damage has been done momentarily.
Now Mysterio second rope, boot to the face.
Mysterio again.
[Wade] David and Goliath performance.
Mysterio made a career out of upsetting the odds.
[Cole] Gunther could be fading.
Mysterio with the sleeper locked in. Gunther back to his feet,
and that's all he can do is try to create space
by slamming Mysterio into the corner.
But now the champion's down to one knee,
and Rey Mysterio could be closing in on a win here.
Gunther's in trouble. Mysterio with the sleeper locked in,
and he's got it locked in deep.
[crowd cheers]
[Wade] Just when Gunther looks like he's fading,
comes up with something else.
[Cole] Now climbing up to the second rope,
Mysterio still trying to hang on.
And Mysterio!
Both men down. Turning point of the match.
Who's going to be Intercontinental Champion?
[Cole] This has been a war for the Intercontinental Championship.
Gunther, the current champion,
against the former two-time Intercontinental Champion, Rey Mysterio.
Gunther has dominated most of this matchup,
but Mysterio has shown flashes, and it has kept him in this match.
[Wade] Rey has had his moments. And it's--
-Oh. -[Cole] Oh. Goodness.
[Wade] It's been a real shock to Gunther
with the offense that Rey Mysterio has managed to get in.
The longest-reigning NXT UK Champion in history, Gunther.
[Wade] Gunther sees Rey Mysterio as a sideshow
despite Rey's gold-laden career.
Now just trying to rip the mask off Mysterio,
which is the ultimate humiliation.
And a count of five.
Jason Ayers telling Gunther, "Get off the mask."
[Wade] You just get the sense that Gunther has utter contempt
for anyone foolish enough to try and challenge his dominance.
[Cole] Well, the champion's a hypocrite as well, Wade.
I mean, he talks about the mat being sacred
and the importance of this wrestling as a sport,
but then yet, he does things like this to Rey Mysterio.
He should understand the tradition of wearing the luchador mask.
He doesn't care about it.
Now Mysterio trying to fight back.
A couple of slaps and here comes Rey.
Rey who's got the biggest heart in the history of professional wrestling,
no doubt about that.
[Wade] Attack on the lucha mask was perhaps a step too far from Gunther,
fired up Rey, but it wasn't enough.
[Cole] Now looking for the powerbomb to put Mysterio away
and retain his championship,
but Rey Mysterio's still got heart, still got fight left in him.
Gunther's down!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] How does Rey do it, after so many years,
still to have the guts to perform like this?
[Wade] The wars that body has been through time and again.
[Cole] And planting Gunther.
[Wade] Consistently able to find that bounce-back ability.
[Cole] The champion growing weary here,
showing signs of being in trouble.
As we look on this massive crowd
hoping that Rey Mysterio can somehow knock off the Intercontinental Champion
to win the title for the third time in his career
here tonight on Friday Night SmackDown in our main event.
[Wade] The panic in the eyes of Gunther starting to grow.
He thought he was going to have it easier tonight.
[Cole] Mysterio with the senton.
Gunther's down.
Mysterio, Moonsault off the second rope.
Cover to win the title. Can Mysterio do it?
Gunther's got a kick at two.
[Wade] It's this shift in momentum
that is a hallmark in the career of Rey Mysterio.
[Cole] Turning point here for Rey Mysterio.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And now Rey looks to pick up the pace
sending Gunther into the second rope.
Rey Mysterio is dialed in.
He's got the champion where he wants him.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Went for the 619.
Now he drives Gunther into position again.
And now Mysterio, 619 connecting!
Mysterio could be closing in on the Intercontinental Championship!
Gunther's in trouble.
Mysterio is going to try to drag himself to the top rope.
[Wade] Wow. It's there for that taking now for Mysterio.
Perhaps a third reign as Intercontinental Champion.
[Cole] But Gunther back to his feet,
and then slinging Rey off the top rope.
And just like that, the rally quelled by the Intercontinental Champion.
[Wade] Count out the General at your peril.
[Cole] Now Gunther going up to the top rope.
Mysterio meets him there.
The champ took way too much time.
It allowed Mysterio to recover, at least momentarily.
[grunting]
[Cole] And now Mysterio with headbutts,
doing anything in his power to take out the champion.
The 250-pounder from the second rope.
Mysterio will not allow him to get in any offense.
[Wade] Flying headbutt to the gut of Gunther.
Unique offense from Mysterio.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Mysterio looking for the Hurricanrana and blocked…
-[Wade] Too big, too strong. -…by the champion.
Oh, my goodness, Rey in midair!
Countered the powerbomb!
Cover for the championship and a kickout!
Mysterio can't believe it.
[Wade] What kind of feline-like physiology does Rey Mysterio have
to pull that off midair?
[Cole] Rey turned the powerbomb into a Hurricanrana
and almost put the Intercontinental Champion away.
[Wade] Never seen anything like that before.
-[crowd chanting] This is awesome! -[Cole] And the WWE fans
showing their respect to the legendary Rey Mysterio
who still goes strong after 20 years in WWE.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome! This is awesome!
[Cole] Rey climbing to the top rope.
The champion back to his feet again.
Mysterio, this time, caught by Gunther.
Oh, Sunset Flip for the win!
Almost had him again!
Mysterio almost pulled it off.
Now the Intercontinental Champion beginning to understand
what Rey Mysterio is all about.
The innate ability to survive.
That is what Mysterio has done his entire career.
[Wade] You see the eyes of Gunther. Look deep into them.
He's digging through that playbook. "What the hell else do I have?"
[Cole] Mysterio paying homage
to his late, great, his best friend, Eddie Guerrero.
Heading up to the top rope with a Frog Splash.
Nobody home. Gunther rolls out of harm's way.
[Wade] Just a beat too long from Mysterio.
[Cole] And now a 250-pounder with a massive dropkick.
Powerbomb to Mysterio!
-Stacks up Rey… -One, two!
…and Rey kicks at two.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] How the hell is Rey still in this match?
[screams]
[Wade] Just the unfading nature of Rey Mysterio.
Frustration now for Gunther.
[Cole] Gunther cannot believe it.
Rey Mysterio is surviving somehow.
[Wade] What an absolute classic.
[Cole] And the Ring General is about to blow a gasket.
Mysterio again fighting back.
-Gunther with a chop. -[crowd gasping]
[Cole] And that one chop…
Look at Rey still fighting.
Gunther into the second rope.
Rey looking for a 619
and picked out of the air with a boot by Gunther.
The Intercontinental Champion with another clothesline.
Cover on Mysterio, hook of the leg, and it's over.
-[bell rings] -[crowd booing]
[Gunther's theme music plays]
[Irvin] Here is your winner and still
the Intercontinental Champion,
Gunther!
[Cole] What a performance by Rey Mysterio,
but in the end, the Ring General, who is proving to be
one of the most dominant Intercontinental Champions
in many years here in WWE.
[Wade] The man is just like a chess grandmaster in that ring.
Whatever his opponent comes up with, Gunther can find an answer.
[Cole] A very game Rey Mysterio here tonight.
But in the end, it was Gunther that would put Rey Mysterio away
but not before Mysterio would survive.
Somehow able to kick out of that powerbomb.
[Wade] The body of Rey Mysterio just battered from pillar to post,
but yet he came again and again with more and more fight
until this, the big boot to the jaw of Mysterio,
and something new from Gunther.
-Midair clothesline… -One! Two! Three!
-…putting this one to bed. -[bell rings]
[Wade] Successful retention for the General.
[Cole] And as Gunther celebrates his victory here tonight,
we want to remind you,
12:00 noon Eastern, 9:00 a.m. Pacific tomorrow on Peacock,
WWE Crown Jewel from Riyadh.
Good night, everybody. Z