[WWE intro music playing]
[John Cena] Then.
-[Ric Flair] Woo! -[glass shatters]
-[The Rock] If you smell! -[bell tolling]
[Cena] Now.
-♪ The King of Kings ♪ -♪ You can't see me ♪
Forever.
Together.
♪ Better than me ♪
♪ I don't see nobody I don't see nobody… ♪
[Cole] With Survivor Series looming a week from tomorrow,
we welcome you tonight to the XL Center in Connecticut's capital city of Hartford,
where Friday Night SmackDown on FOX is sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
And here on SmackDown, it's Fight Night.
["Bring the Fire" playing]
[ring announcer] Please welcome Ridge Holland,
Butch, and Sheamus,
The Brawling Brutes.
[crowd cheering]
[no audible dialogue]
["Gallantry" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[ring announcer] Please welcome Drew McIntyre.
[Cole] Well, ladies and gentlemen, The Brawling Brutes
and Drew McIntyre are ready for war.
Last week on SmackDown,
Butch and Ridge had a surprise for The Bloodline.
And we've brought backup.
[Cole] And that backup would be Sheamus
who missed a few weeks of action with a fractured elbow
due to The Bloodline.
And The Brawling Brutes went after Roman Reigns and company,
but the Brutes had another surprise.
[Barrett] Yes, indeed.
What a friend to call upon, an Honorary Brute, if you will.
An equalizer in the form of Drew McIntyre cleaning house.
Evening up the numbers game.
[Cole] McIntyre and Sheamus long-time rivals,
but joining forces against a common enemy.
And a week from tomorrow, in Boston, exclusively on Peacock,
for the first time ever on Raw or SmackDown, it is WarGames,
where The Bloodline will take on The Brutes and Drew McIntyre.
And we're still waiting to see
who the fifth member of The Brutes' team is gonna be.
Is this on this time?
[crowd cheering]
Yeah?
You can all hear me, yeah?
[crowd cheering]
Hartford, how are you bleeding doing?
[crowd cheering]
I'm gonna start off with this.
I know there's a lot of people…
I know a lot of people aren't happy
the fact that Drew McIntyre is standing by my side
as The Brawling Brutes get ready to go to war with The Bloodline,
considering the fact that you and me, man…
we've had a 20-year storied feud, man, a rivalry.
[man in crowd] He was your yes-man!
-That he was. -How many times we gone to war, fella?
More times than I can count.
How many people question if we actually trust each other?
The truth is though, man…
that 20-year rivalry…
has created mutual respect.
[crowd cheering]
It's created a bond.
A bond so strong, as a matter of fact,
that I asked Drew McIntyre to be my best man
when I got married in New York three weeks ago.
[crowd cheering]
Finally.
Finally, yeah. Finally.
The truth is, Drew…
[crowd chanting] Ucey! Ucey! Ucey! Ucey! Ucey! Ucey!
Ucey! Ucey! Ucey! Ucey! Ucey!
We may have an Ucey, but what I'm getting to right now
is that we The Brawling Brutes want a Brutey.
That's right, fella, the truth of the matter--
Did you just say "Brutey"?
-[laughs] -I said "Brutey," yeah.
I can work with that.
I'm feeling a little Brutey right now myself.
You are? You are?
Because I'll tell you what, man.
When it comes down to it,
there is no one I would rather be in the trenches with
than you, Drew McIntyre.
[crowd cheering]
So, what do you say, fella?
Will you be our Honorary Brutey?
[crowd chanting] Brutey! Brutey! Brutey! Brutey!
Brutey! Brutey! Brutey! Brutey!
Is that a "Brutey" chant?
[crowd cheering]
[inaudible]
You know, nobody knows what it's like
to be outnumbered by The Bloodline more than old Drew McIntyre.
Just when it seems like you've got them beat,
just when it seems you've got the upper hand,
another one appears.
Those muppets multiply like freaking rabbits.
But when the odds are even…
that's a different story altogether.
And if I am gonna go to war,
I want to go to war with my brother.
[crowd cheering]
[indistinct chatter]
Well, this is nice, fellas, but let's get serious.
Hartford, it's Fight Night.
[crowd cheering]
And, Butch, at Survivor Series, it's…
WarGames.
[crowd cheering]
All right, lads, I see one, two, three, four,
but who could be the fifth man, I wonder.
Well, Drew, I'm gonna let you know who the fifth member is.
[Zayn] My dawgs, my dawgs.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Ucey! Ucey! Ucey!
[Cole] Sami Zayn, The Honorary Uce.
I think I speak on behalf of the entire Bloodline
when I say we don't care who the fifth guy is.
We don't.
We're feeling good.
We're feeling great.
In fact, you might even say we're feeling…
[crowd] Ucey!
Gassy.
You might say we're feeling pretty Ucey about the whole thing.
[crowd cheering]
Now, here's the thing.
You think you're actually getting in our heads?
Do you know who you're dealing with?
You're talking to Sami Zayn, aka "The Master Strategist,"
aka "The Honorary Uce," aka "Sami Uso,"
aka "Ucey in the Sky with Diamonds."
[crowd cheering]
And you really think we are worried about what--
Let me… let me tell you something.
I don't make a lot of guarantees,
but I am putting my name on this one.
As The Honorary Uce,
I personally guarantee you The Bloodline will win WarGames.
[crowd cheering]
I see you getting pretty wound up there, Butch.
You and me don't need to wait tonight, pal,
'cause we got a one-on-one match tonight
as part of the SmackDown World Cup Tournament.
So here's what I'm gonna do.
I am going to run right through you,
and I am gonna give you a small taste
of what you can all expect next Saturday at Survivor Series.
[crowd cheering]
[Sheamus] Wow, Sami, uh…
I'm delighted you're so bleeding confident.
I really am. But something tells me
that when you find out who the fifth member of our team is,
well, you're probably going to crap your bleeding Ucey pants,
because it's the last thing you're gonna expect.
["Bring the Fire" playing]
[Cole] Again, the question is, who will be the fifth man
on Sheamus, McIntyre, Holland and Butch's team for WarGames
as they look to end The Bloodline's dominance.
Yeah. I've got absolutely no idea, Michael Cole.
It could even be you in your orange singlet for all I know.
That's not gonna happen. Nonetheless, Sami guarantees a win at WarGames
and he pretty much guaranteed a victory tonight over Butch
in the SmackDown World Cup match here on FOX.
That'll happen later on tonight.
Who will advance to the semifinals?
Will it be Butch of The Brawling Brutes
or will it be Sami Zayn, The Honorary Uce?
[Barrett] Speaking of the SmackDown World Cup,
it's USA versus Pakistan,
as two high-octane competitors,
Ricochet and Mustafa Ali, go head-to-head
for a place in the semifinals.
And guess what? That matchup is gonna happen right now.
-[crowd cheering] -[gunshot ricochet sound effect]
[Cole] Because it's time for The Highlight of the Night.
["It's About To Go Down" playing]
♪ It's about to go down ♪
[echoing pop]
[bell rings]
The following is a First Round Match
for the SmackDown World Cup on FOX.
Introducing first, weighing in at 207 pounds,
Ricochet.
[Cole] He is exhilarating…
he is breathtaking, he's invigorating, and is a human highlight reel.
Ricochet looks to advance to the semifinals
when he takes on Mustafa Ali
in the SmackDown World Cup on FOX, live, next.
[static hissing]
[jarring, overlapping transmissions]
[Cole] Opportunity for Ricochet tonight in the SmackDown World Cup on FOX.
Who will advance to the semifinals?
Wade, let's take a look at the brackets now
because the winner of tonight's match
gets the task of having to take on
"The Monster Among Monsters" Braun Strowman
in the semifinals next week.
[Barrett] What an absolutely daunting prospect that is.
How badly do you really want it
when you've got to through The Monster of All Monsters?
[Cole] And there is the trophy that will be presented to the winner
of the first ever SmackDown World Cup.
And again, an Intercontinental Championship title opportunity
waits for the winner of this tournament.
[ring announcer] And his opponent, from Chicago, Illinois,
weighing in at 182 pounds, Mustafa Ali.
[Cole] Well, this is one tough kid.
Ali is all taped up as he gets set for this matchup tonight.
He can't be 100 percent,
especially after what happened this past Monday night on Raw
when he took on "The All Mighty" Bobby Lashley.
[Barrett] Yes, indeed. Got absolutely put through the wringer
and questioning really how on Earth he got cleared to participate in this matchup.
He showed nothing but guts and heart.
It was not enough on Monday Night against Bobby Lashley.
[Cole] Well, in the end, it was a flat-out mauling
after a valiant effort by Mustafa Ali on Monday Night Raw
before he succumbed to the Hurt Lock of "The All Mighty" Bobby Lashley,
who has been in a zone ever since Crown Jewel.
How is Ali ready to go tonight?
Well, this is earlier today
when he was in a discussion with a trainer back in the medical area.
You're all set.
Technically, you're clear, but I advise against it.
It's too risky.
Ali, what are you thinking?
You have to be smart about this.
-You have to think about your career. -Ricochet…
-I can breathe… -[sighs] Ali.
…I can move, I can fight, all right?
I'll see you out there, bro.
All right.
[Cole] And that is how much this tournament means to Mustafa Ali.
Now on social media earlier this week,
Ali said, "Some may have given up on me, and that's okay."
"If you haven't and you're riding with me, much love."
"If you're praying for my downfall, pray harder."
"I get knocked down, but I get back up."
That's what Ali's looking to do tonight against Ricochet here,
First Round matchup, SmackDown World Cup on FOX.
He got back up, but what he didn't mention there
was he got back up in absolute agony.
[Cole] Cover. Kickout.
[Barrett] He can breathe, he can move, but everything hurts right now.
[Cole] And again, Ricochet.
And now, Ali looking to pull one off quick.
[grunts] Not today!
[Cole] And a backslide by Ricochet.
Shoulders down for Ali who's able to get out at one.
Standing switch by Ricochet.
Again, rolling Ali up, and a kick at two.
[Barrett] I get the sense that Ricochet trying to be a friend here.
[Cole] And again, hook of the leg and a kickout.
-You mean end this early. -[Barrett] End as quickly as he can.
Clearly a sympathy for the plight of Mustafa Ali.
Doesn't want to prolong the suffering.
Ali, we don't have to do this. Ali, why are you doing this?
Ali, it's your future.
It's your…
[Cole] It's about making a name for yourself,
earning an Intercontinental Championship opportunity.
[Barrett] I got to be honest with you. If I was Ricochet, I would be loving this.
In a tournament situation, give me the wounded duck.
I want an easier path into the semifinal.
Well, you have no emotion at all, Wade.
And looking for the waistlock takedown,
and Ricochet able to back Ali into the corner.
-Referee Jessika Carr… -Two! Off. I need you out.
…trying to force the break,
and an elbow by Ricochet finally breaks it.
[Barrett] He was forced to do it. Was about to get disqualified.
Now from behind, Ali to the back of the neck.
And to your point, Wade,
Ricochet worried and concerned
about the health of Ali and that could bite him.
That could come to bite him.
[Barrett] Gloves are clearly off at this point, and we got a fight now.
Friendship to the side.
[Cole] Oh! Knockdown off the clothesline by Ali.
[Barrett] That landing alone hurt Ali, though.
[Cole] Into the cover. Hook of the leg, and Ricochet has to kick at two.
And watch again.
From behind, boom,
right to the back of the neck, and it's turned this match around.
[Barrett] Finally, Ali getting a little offense,
trying to stay on top of this one.
Meandering around the match with those wounded ribs.
[Cole] Oh, Ali, the man who idolized Eddie Guerrero
and Rey Mysterio and Hayabusa growing up.
And now, hoping to earn an Intercontinental Championship opportunity,
but Ricochet with a right hand stops Ali in his tracks.
[Barrett] Two of the absolute best highflyers in the game
when at 100 percent, which clearly Ali is not.
How much has this taken out of him?
[Come] Ricochet, notice how he goes right for the ribs,
the heavily taped injured ribs of Ali.
[Barrett] Let's not forget,
Ricochet lost the Intercontinental Championship
to the current holder Gunther in June.
Really hasn't had much momentum ever since.
This is a get-right opportunity.
[Cole] And Ali, look at this.
The Backstabber from the top rope.
Can Ali stay in this?
Can he last in this match?
[groaning]
[Cole] We're back on Friday Night SmackDown.
First round action, SmackDown World Cup, here on FOX.
Ricochet versus a banged-up Mustafa Ali who's still in this match.
And this was some desperation from Ali before the commercial break,
the Backstabber off the top rope.
[Barrett] Yes, indeed. I admire his guts,
but it's just not smart utilizing moves like that
when you've got injured ribs like Ali has.
The problem is in there, he's fighting on instincts.
He can't remove that part of his arsenal.
[Cole] Yeah, he fell right on his back coming off the rope,
and of course the injured ribs.
And show you what happened during the commercial break as well,
the superplex from Ricochet to Ali, and notice how Ali buckled.
And again, the injured ribs coming into play.
Well, here's the thing.
You can fight with certain body parts hurt.
You hurt a hand, I've still got one good hand to hurt you with.
But those ribs, every deep breath you take,
every twist your body makes, it's pain.
[Cole] Ali again right to the side of the face of Ricochet.
[Barrett] Again, landing on those ribs, however, was Ali.
[Cole] And Ali, though, on the attack.
And when you're a highflyer too,
a rib injury really cuts down what you can do in the ring.
[Barrett] One hundred percent.
Meat and potatoes brawler, you can get away with it.
[Cole] Oh, launching himself over the top rope,
and Ricochet, Ricochet with a tremendous move.
Into a Michinoku Driver outside the ring,
and again to the injured back, the injured ribs of Ali.
[Barrett] You just got to give up here, Ali.
No one's gonna think less of you at this point,
but, wow, what a move here from Ricochet.
What a [indistinct], riding the crossbody out.
Turn it out into Blue Thunder Driver.
[Cole] And again, what happened, Wade, early on is, remember,
Ricochet was showing empathy to Mustafa Ali.
Concern for his health.
Now Ricochet's like, "Enough's enough. I gotta put this match away."
[Barrett] Well, hats off to Ali.
Didn't want to throw a pity party for himself.
He's come here to fight.
He's showing off his indomitable spirit, but where's it gonna get him?
That's the question.
[Cole] Ricochet heading up to the top rope.
This could be it.
Ricochet looking to end things here.
[crowd cheering]
Oh, and Ali moves out of harm's way, and Ali with an opportunity now.
Submission locked in to Ricochet. Middle of the ring.
Can Ali pull off what would be a major upset considering the injury?
[Barrett] This would be a massive miracle.
Ricochet in agony now. Cannot reach the ropes.
[Cole] Trying to drag himself to the bottom rope, or will he tap out?
Will Ali advance to the semifinals of the World Cup here on FOX?
And Ricochet makes it to the bottom rope.
It's gonna force a break.
[Barrett] Managed to wriggle out of that.
Was that the last throw of the dice from Ali?
As just a beat too long for Ricochet on the top rope, and it cost him.
[Cole] Yeah, the corkscrew off the top rope, and Ali able to capitalize
and almost, almost pulled it off.
Ha-Jime Clutch locked in tight, but somehow Ricochet with the escape.
[Cole] This is Mustafa Ali versus Ricochet.
First round of the World Cup on FOX.
And a big elbow to the jaw.
Second rope again.
Waistlock from on high.
The elbows though, trying to force some separation.
And Ricochet planting Ali
and follows it up with a wicked clothesline.
Moonsault.
-Cover for the victory to advance. -One, two…
Kickout by Ali and again he's still in this.
[Barrett] How on Earth is Ali still ticking at this point?
Full Nelson suplex followed up, wicked clothesline,
and then the pièce de résistance, the moonsault.
Somehow, Ali still going in this matchup.
Don't stop it.
[Cole] The official checking on Ali, who says,
"No, I'm not giving in. I'm going to continue this match."
Ricochet is in a fight.
[Barrett] Referee might need to save Ali from himself here.
[Cole] Nobody home. Ali able to move out of harm's way.
And this could be it. Shoulders down. Two count for the win. Kick at two.
And Ricochet right to the bad ribs.
[Barrett] Pinpoint accuracy.
[crowd buzzing]
Ricochet trying to play Mr. Nice tonight, but he is in a fight.
[Cole] Lands on his feet, Ali off the second rope, Tornado DDT.
And Ali now out to the apron.
It is Mustafa Ali, gonna throw caution to the wind,
go to the top rope, and look for his patented 450.
[Barrett] Ricochet is in la-la land,
but Ali taking perhaps a beat too long.
He's there. Can he put this one away?
[Cole] Ali, nobody home.
Ricochet moves out of harm's way.
Landing on the midsection.
And now, Ricochet trying to determine what he needs to do
to put Mustafa Ali away.
[fans clapping rhythmically]
WWE fans cheering, showing respect for both men in this match.
[Barrett] Look of regret on the face of Ricochet.
Ali back to his feet. Ricochet top rope.
Ricochet with a Shooting Star right to the injured ribs. Into the cover.
Ricochet advances.
["It's About To Go Down" playing]
[ring announcer] Here is your winner, Ricochet.
[Cole] Wade, I'll tell you what, what a performance by both of these men.
What guts though from Mustafa Ali.
[Barrett] Mustafa Ali had no right
making this as much of a fight as it ended up being.
The will, the heart of a lion,
but the human body has its limits.
[Cole] Ali would miss the 450, land on the injured ribs,
and then look at this, a thing of beauty.
[Barrett] Oh my word.
How on Earth do you come up with the physics behind that?
Regardless, it's enough.
And now, Ricochet has a date with destiny
next week in the semifinal against Braun Strowman.
[Cole] Can I correct you?
He's actually got a date with a monster because it is Ricochet
and Braun Strowman, "The Monster Among Monsters,"
next week in the semifinals of the SmackDown World Cup on FOX.
Still to come tonight,
Sami Zayn versus Butch for the opportunity to meet Santos Escobar
in the semifinals of the SmackDown World Cup.
Ricochet celebrates. Ali extremely disappointed.
["It's About To Go Down" playing]
[no audible dialogue]
[crowd cheering]
-[splutters] -Huh? Huh?
What, you talking for The Bloodline now, huh?
I know you're not dumb enough to go out there
and guarantee Ws at WarGames.
We don't even know who their fifth member is, bruh.
What did I do wrong this time? Tell me what was wrong about what I did?
All I did is go out there and say we're gonna win.
Are you saying that we're not gonna win?
-No, I know we're gonna win. -Okay, so what's the problem?
Because you don't need be running your mouth.
My dawg. My dawg.
-Let me just-- -Yo.
Listen, bro.
We need to be on the same page, all right?
Roman is on the way.
We need to be on the same page before he get here.
-Right. -Take a chill pill. All right?
-Chill. -Yeah. Chill.
-I'm chill. I am. -Bro, take a breath, Sami.
Just chill, bro. Listen. All right?
-Yeah. -Yeah. Cool down, bro.
-Cool it down. -Chill. Go chill.
-Okay. Yeah. -Cool it down.
-Man, he don't need to be-- -Hey, Uce,
and you don't need to worry about him, bruh.
We got Bloodline business to handle tonight,
and we need to figure out who the fifth member is, all right?
-You right. You right. -Handle business, man.
-You know what it is. -I got you. I got you.
You know what it is, all right? That's what we got to do.
Hey, sorry, I just forgot to say,
you know that thing we talked about earlier?
Yeah.
-Big. I'll tell you all about it later. -Yeet.
All right.
-Bro, you really like him? -Yeah, dawg.
What about you?
We gotta-- Hey, listen, we got bigger business to handle, all right?
[static hissing]
[overlapping, jarring transmissions]
It was an incredible and historic night.
Tag Team Championships, of course, on the line.
Who would be the longest-reigning Tag Team Champions ever?
Here is our Progressive Match Flo.
[narrator] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
[Cole] The Usos, with a victory tonight,
would become the longest-reigning Tag Team Champions of all time.
The New Day, the team with the longest reign ever at 483 days,
will try to stop the Usos from breaking their record.
It's only appropriate
that one of the greatest tag team rivalries in WWE history
will determine who holds the record.
Double splash.
And Xavier Woods kicked out.
[dramatic music playing]
And now Kofi Kingston with the Midnight Hour.
[crowd] One, two…
[Cole] Jey Uso breaks up the near fall.
[Barrett] Both teams tonight showing industrial levels of resilience.
[Cole] Woods sent into the timekeeper's area.
What's Kofi gonna do here?
1D by the Usos.
Here's the cover.
[crowd] …two, three!
-[bell rings] -[Cole] The Usos make history.
[Barrett] That has to be one proud Tribal Chief.
[Cole] Jimmy and Jey Uso,
the longest-reigning Tag Team Champions in the history of WWE.
A big win for the Usos,
but a tough one for my guests, The New Day.
[crowd cheering]
Guys, I know how much that record meant to you.
How are you holding up?
[chuckles] It's not the best day
because we know that when we want to become Tag Team Champions,
we have to win one match.
But in order to set that record, we have to become champions
and then successfully defend those championships
night after night for more than a year.
So of course we're not in the best mood right now, Kayla.
Kayla, losing the record was incredibly disappointing.
More so because of like how hard we worked.
-All the ridicule that we-- -Oh, come on, New Day.
Don't be disappointed. You two still have a record.
You two hold the record of being the biggest bunch of clowns in WWE.
Exactly.
You two,
you are exactly what is wrong with our beloved sport today.
I mean, for the past eight years,
you've been making a mockery of it with your trombones
and your dancing in the ring and all that nonsense.
And of course, now it's up to us to pick up the pieces of your work
in order to restore the honor of that mat that is so sacred to us.
[in mocking German accent] He wants to restore the honor.
Now it is up to us. You have been making a mockery of our sport.
-He wants to shake the hands. -And grabs the buttocks.
-[grunts] -Oh, ja.
[in normal voice] Hey, yo. Hey, this…
-You know who this dude looks like? -Who? Who?
Bro, he looks like that goofy-looking dude from The Addams Family.
Uh…
-Lurch! That's him. -Lurch.
Hey, is there any relation, bro?
That got to be your uncle, man.
He got to be your uncle, right?
-"You rang?" -There's got to be a relation, bro.
Listen here, young bloods.
Apparently, y'all don't want to settle this like gentlemen,
so how about we go find a tag team partner
and y'all three can meet us out in the ring?
[groaning softly]
Thank you for proving our point.
-We accept. -Yeah.
Good, good.
Go answer the door.
-I think somebody rang the bell. -You're right.
Do they even have The Addams Family where y'all are from?
You'd be Cousin It, but you're bald. You can't grow hair.
[crowd cheering]
Hey, Riddick. How's the voice?
Well, it's been three weeks
and I can still barely talk because of that damn Kross Jacket.
Three weeks, man. It's…
Tonight is about revenge.
I mean, I was humiliated, man.
-It was embarrassing. -Hey. Hey. Hey, stop.
Tonight's a fresh start.
I know how good you are.
You're way more athletic than he is, so use your speed.
It's a weapon.
Go out there and take the fight to him.
You got it.
["Ready For Business" playing]
[Cole] Great advice by Emma there as Madcap has revenge on his mind.
[bell rings]
[ring announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Minneapolis, Minnesota,
weighing in at 245 pounds,
Madcap Moss.
[Cole] Madcap set to take on Karrion Kross, but guess what?
Next year, WrestleMania Goes Hollywood
with a full week of events in Los Angeles from March 31st to April 3rd.
Tickets for Friday Night SmackDown
and the WWE Hall of Fame, NXT Stand & Deliver,
and Monday Night Raw at Crypto.com Arena are available at axs.com right now.
Madcap, Karrion Kross go one-on-one, live, next on FOX.
Friday Night SmackDown on FOX is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
Madcap wants Karrion Kross.
Sounded in a bad way
from the Kross Jacket that Kross put on him a few weeks ago.
["Dead Silent" playing]
♪ He is time ♪
♪ Famine, war ♪
♪ Pestilence ♪
♪ You cannot endure ♪
♪ The end is here ♪
♪ Fall and pray ♪
[Cole] Karrion Kross' oracle, known as Scarlett,
who claims that he uses… that Kross uses her abilities
to gain a stronger and deeper insight into his opponents' weaknesses,
both mentally and spiritually.
And Scarlett has paid huge dividends for Karrion Kross here
since he arrived on SmackDown.
[Barrett] Scarlett is the most malevolent presence in WWE.
Let's face it, it's never a question of if,
but when she inserts herself into proceedings
on behalf of her man, Karrion Kross.
[Cole] Kross is also a very evil individual as well,
who thrives on the energy of suffering,
loves to torture his opponents.
And now, Kross goes one-on-one with Madcap Moss,
who quickly, out of the box, goes right after Karrion Kross.
Madcap hellbent on revenge tonight.
You heard him say it.
After the Kross Jacket from a few weeks ago,
Moss wants to put Kross out.
[Barrett] He's an emotional individual.
Humiliated several weeks ago and out for vengeance tonight.
It's going so well thus far.
[Cole] Number one trend in the United States,
#SmackDown,
as Kross and Madcap go at each other one-on-one.
Madcap, he's got the speed, he's got the agility,
he's got the power, he's got the strength.
And right now, well, he was in control
and Karrion Kross, just like that, has taken over.
[Barrett] Can be just that easy for someone
with the capabilities of Karrion Kross.
But don't count out Madcap.
[Cole] A leapfrog by Madcap.
And oh, there's some of that speed.
The explosiveness that Emma referred to earlier on.
[groans]
And Kross knocked over the top rope and outside the ring.
[Barrett] A little taste of shock and awe this evening
as Karrion Kross usually thrives in the chaos.
He ain't thriving today.
[Cole] Well, Madcap's the real deal. We've talked a lot about him, Wade.
He's got all the tools to be a big-time player here on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Barrett] Yeah, ludicrously A-plus athlete.
I thought he was gonna break out when he split from Corbin.
Didn't quite go that way.
And this might be going south before our eyes.
Look at you now!
[Cole] And Kross now slowing down the pace, which he loves to do.
That methodical offensive style, punishing and torturing his opponent.
[Barrett] We see it time and time again,
Kross' ability to completely annihilate an opponent,
take control of the matchup, and run things at his pace.
[Cole] And look at Scarlett smacking Moss.
-[Barrett] Yeah. -The official, Jason Ayers, didn't see it
because Kross had drawn him to the center of the ring.
[Barrett mumbles]
[Kross] All that for this?
Come on.
[Cole] That slap may just have ticked Madcap off,
but a knee again to the midsection.
[thuds]
Again, the explosiveness of Madcap.
[Barrett] Now getting that second wind, full of grit and determination.
[Cole] Kross taken down again with another shoulder tackle.
I don't think Karrion Kross was quite expecting this from Madcap tonight.
Again, burying his shoulder in the midsection of Karrion Kross.
[Barrett] Really nice from Moss now, refusing to let others write his story.
[Cole] And the power of Kross with a Fallaway--
I should say of Moss with a Fallaway Slam.
Now Scarlett looks to regroup with Karrion Kross outside the ring.
Madcap, though, in pursuit.
-[Barrett] Kross needing a breather in-- -[Cole] Uh-oh.
Get out of this thing. You ain't even in this match.
Back it up, Scarlett. Keep it out.
[Cole] Scarlett running interference and it allows Karrion Kross to take over.
[Barrett] And what chance does any man have
with Scarlett prowling the outside of the ring?
[Cole] Yeah, she's been such a difference maker for Kross.
And now Karrion Kross looking for the Kross Jacket.
Madcap caught in it.
[Barrett] Knows all about the feelings of this particular hold.
Source of tremendous humiliation three weeks ago.
[Cole] Madcap trying to back Kross into the corner
and force the break of the hold, but Kross still holding on.
Madcap trying to sling Kross away.
[Barrett] Such a predator.
-Knows exactly when to pounce. -[Cole] That will break it.
No more. Just like that, Kross back into the Kross Jacket.
Madcap had an opening.
-He couldn't capitalize. -Yeah!
-[referee] That's it! Ring the bell. -Madcap's got to tap.
-[bell ringing] -["Dead Silent" playing]
[Barrett] I'm getting a sense of déjà vu here. Break the hold.
No.
[Cole] This is what Madcap was referring to,
Kross leaving the Kross Jacket on for a long amount of time
just like he did last month.
[Barrett] Fall, pray, and get obliterated.
[indistinct chatter]
[Cole] Karrion Kross says he will change the timeline.
As Emma rushes down to check on the wellbeing of Madcap.
[Barrett] Watch your back with that duo at ringside.
[laughs]
Nice try. Nice try.
That's my book.
I wrote that book.
You, every time.
[Cole] Well, ladies and gentlemen, coming up next,
as Bray Wyatt comes to grips
with some sort of inner struggle that's eating him up,
he looks to make amends for his actions last week.
Bray Wyatt is here, live, next.
["Shatter" playing]
Friday Night SmackDown on FOX is sponsored tonight by Progressive.
And we do know the Undisputed Champion, "The Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns,
is on his way to the arena.
So the pressure's gonna be on "The Honorary Uce" Sami Zayn.
It is the final First Round matchup of the SmackDown World Cup on FOX.
Sami Zayn, The Brawling Brutes' Butch one-on-one later tonight.
["Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
-[music fades] -[crowd buzzing]
["Shatter" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[loud rumbling]
[maniacal laughter]
♪ You can throw it all away ♪
♪ When things break, things shatter ♪
♪ Keep it written on your face ♪
♪ The little details matter ♪
♪ Only in me ♪
♪ I am the coil, I am the spring ♪
♪ Only in me ♪
♪ I am the ghost in the machine ♪
♪ Only in me ♪
♪ Recount confession, give no release ♪
♪ Only in me ♪
♪ Will your stain ever live to be ♪
♪ Die for me, brother ♪
♪ Know not what you've seen ♪
♪ Love one another ♪
♪ Know not where you've been ♪
♪ Lie for me, brother ♪
♪ Know not what you've said ♪
♪ Use me for cover ♪
♪ When things break, things shatter ♪
["Shatter" continues]
♪ Just a sliver of a thought can make ♪
♪ Even a thick head clatter ♪
♪ Disappear without a trace ♪
♪ While the whole world's laughing ♪
♪ But it's only in me ♪
♪ I am the coil, I am the spring ♪
♪ Only in me ♪
♪ I am the ghost in the machine ♪
♪ Only in me ♪
♪ Recount confession, give no release ♪
♪ Only in me ♪
♪ Will your stain ever live to be ♪
♪ Die for me, brother ♪
♪ Know not what you've seen ♪
♪ Love one another ♪
♪ Know not where you've been ♪
♪ Lie for me… ♪
-[song ends] -[crowd cheering]
My name is Bray Wyatt.
[crowd cheering]
[chuckling]
And lately, I've started to realize
that I've been conditioned my entire life to be a certain way.
And when you're conditioned to be a certain way for that long,
you start to feel like changing is impossible.
Uh, I was conditioned to be strong. I was conditioned to take.
I was taught that fear is respect.
Lately, I've started to look at the path I left behind me.
And when I look at it, it is covered in ashes and blood.
And I start to think, why do I do the things that I do?
[crowd chatter]
And can I actually change?
You know, if I was LA Knight,
I know exactly how I would handle this situation
and that makes me sad, man.
But I wanted to come out here to do this
and I feel real strongly about it.
I wanted to apologize to LA Knight for what I did to him.
[crowd booing]
I had a moment of weakness…
and I strayed from my path.
["Welcome to LA" playing] ♪ LA Knight ♪
Let me talk to you.
For seven days, I've run it over and over again,
the cheap shot heard around the world,
your head connected with my chin,
and each time, it gets me a little bit hotter than the last.
But now you're out here and you're apologizing.
[crowd] What?
If I'm honest, it's got me a little conflicted
and I'll tell you why.
Because you just talked about fear,
you just talked about respect.
And I'm looking in your eyes right now and…
-[man 1] What? -[man 2] You suck!
[crowd chatter]
[crowd booing]
I don't know what it is, but…
as I look in your eyes,
there's something that tells me that last week,
the fact that I didn't fear you
maybe garnered me some respect.
Because when I think about it,
the rarest commodity around here is respect.
It's more valuable than the dollar.
It's something I've always wanted.
You say you understand me, you say you get me.
Nobody's ever understood me. Nobody's ever gotten me.
[man] Nobody gets those shoes!
Now, I'm not sure…
I'm not sure…
what to make of your apology,
but as I look into your eyes, I think you do respect me.
And so for that…
I just want--
-[crowd exclaims] -[Cole] Oh…
Now we're even. Apology accepted.
Apology accepted, okay?
That's it. We're done.
I can go my way, you can go yours.
[crowd booing]
All right.
We're even, right?
Even.
Look, man.
There's a lot I wanna do to you right now and I'm not going to, okay?
I'm gonna fight all these urges, my brother.
But listen, the decision you're about to make right now
is going to change the rest of your life, you understand me?
We're even.
You mean it?
[crowd shouting]
[inaudible]
[crowd exclaims]
Two-for-one special. Why?
That's my house. That's how I do that.
I tell you what, all week I wanted to do that.
I've been waiting.
Dying to do that.
Now, how's that taste? How's that taste?
How does it feel, [indistinct]? Because it looks pretty good.
[crowd chatter]
I'm not quite sure what LA Knight was thinking.
Bray's not very stable.
Yeah, not stable.
And also, he's an incredibly intimidating individual.
Well, switching gears now, and speaking of intimidating.
Last week, Shotzi won a six-pack challenge
for the opportunity to face Ronda Rousey
for the SmackDown Women's Title at Survivor Series.
Then she ran into Ronda Rousey's buddy, Shayna Baszler,
in the locker room area.
I belong here and I'm gonna prove it
by enduring whatever she dishes out.
You sure do got a lot to say to Ronda, don't you?
-You're damn right. -Yeah.
Turn around and say it to her then.
-[crowd cheering] -[grunting]
What was that? What was that, Shotzi? What was that?
What was that?
Go to sleep. Just go to sleep. Go to sleep.
[laughs]
Oh my God.
Clean up on aisle green.
["Limb By Limb" playing]
[Cole] A bit of a message sent to the number one contender
for Ronda Rousey's SmackDown Women's Title.
[bell rings]
[ring announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first,
accompanied to the ring by the SmackDown Women's Champion,
"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey, Shayna Baszler.
[Cole] Shayna Baszler looks ready for business.
[Barrett] Back to her best.
I think a lot of people forgot what made Shayna Baszler such a badass.
Maybe even Shayna Baszler forgot it.
This is a former member of the famed Four Horsewomen of MMA.
One of the baddest individuals in WWE, and she's back to her best.
[Cole] You know who didn't forget she was bad? Ronda Rousey.
[Barrett] Very true.
[Cole] Well, Shotzi's got a fight on her hands next.
Shotzi takes on the submission magician.
Ronda Rousey will be at ringside.
That match is live up next on Friday Night SmackDown.
["Parasite" playing]
And a big shout-out to Ozzy Osbourne
for the song "Parasite" featuring Zakk Wylde.
An official theme song of Survivor Series: WarGames,
and it's on Ozzy's latest album, Patient Number 9,
which just went number one on the chart.
Available now on Apple Music and Spotify.
Also the song "War Pigs" by Black Sabbath
is another official theme song of Survivor Series.
[Barrett] My fellow countryman Ozzy Osbourne,
a 38-time platinum certified singer.
Nominated for four Grammys this past week.
He's appeared at WrestleMania and is a member of the WWE Hall of Fame.
♪ A troubled little boy ♪
♪ Murder scene made of broken toys ♪
[crowd booing]
Yeah. Yeah.
Hey, yo, Kross…
are you the fifth member?
Nah.
This ain't him, Uce.
Let me explain something to you.
I am not a follower.
Hmm.
So we won't see you out there when Sami takes on Butch later, right?
And you're not trying to make a name for yourself off The Bloodline, right?
Right?
When I come to take Roman's titles, which I will,
I'm going to do it on my own time.
And when I do, I'm not gonna show up with some pack.
I'm gonna show up all on my own.
Hmm.
All right, all right.
[Cole] Still don't know who the fifth member is.
Maybe we find out sometime before Survivor Series.
And there is Shayna Baszler.
Shayna shattered the nose of Natalya,
putting Natalya out of action.
That is what Shayna hopes to do to Shotzi here tonight.
[ring announcer] And her opponent, from Oakland, California,
Shotzi.
[Cole] Wade, it's the TCB, Takin' Care of Business Tank.
["I Am a Psycho" playing]
♪ I'm a psycho ♪
♪ I'm a psycho… ♪
[Cole] And WWE Survivor Series is sponsored by WWE SuperCards.
The ring awaits in the brand-new TLC mode.
Uncover your opponent's table, ladder, and chair game pieces
before they do the same.
It's available now.
It's been a very emotional week for Shotzi.
She talks a lot about getting her first championship opportunity in WWE.
It was an emotional road to get here
and now she has to deal
with a woman she calls a "bully," Shayna Baszler,
who hopes to maim her
before her match with Ronda Rousey a week from tomorrow.
And Baszler!
And again, the distraction by Rousey,
and Baszler goes right on the attack of Shotzi.
How dangerous is Shayna Baszler?
[Barrett] Just incredibly dangerous.
Won countless titles in the world of combat prior to getting to WWE.
Including the world of cage fighting, submission, grappling.
This is a bad, bad woman, Michael Cole.
Not just out to beat opponents, but as you mentioned,
she's out to maim them.
-You can't even handle me! -Watch the hair.
[Cole] Now, the question is, is Shotzi tough enough?
Roll-up on Baszler now.
Shoulders down. Baszler slips out.
And how does Shotzi bring her game up
to knock off Rousey for the championship next week.
Well, here's the deal.
When you're competing with women like Ronda Rousey
and indeed Shayna Baszler, they rule by fear.
Many of their opponents have lost before the match even starts.
Someone like Shotzi needs to show no fear, keep moving forward,
and hope that the erratic style of Shotzi can throw Baszler
or indeed Ronda Rousey off their game.
[Cole] And, Wade, this is a great test for Shotzi
because Baszler and Ronda of course similar styles.
Here's the cover, the hook of the leg, and a kickout by Shotzi.
[Barrett] Not only that, it's a perfect matchup for Ronda Rousey,
the SmackDown Women's Champ, to stand at ringside
and get a little game planning on for her opponent at Survivor Series.
[Cole] Ronda mocking Shotzi.
"Snap, crack, attack,"
of course the motto of Shayna Baszler, "The Submission Magician."
A former two-time NXT Women's Champion, Tag Team Champion as well.
[Barrett] Shayna Baszler is a human torture device.
[Cole] And Ronda Rousey has just brought her back to her roots.
Convincing Shayna that, "You are a badass"
and that's what she wants Shayna to be, and Shayna taking heed.
Shotzi trying to fight back.
Oh, and a big right hand stuns Shayna Baszler.
And a kick to the back of the neck and Baszler's down on both knees.
[Barrett] Here's the thing, many people overlook Shotzi
due to her eccentricities.
That is a huge mistake. [indistinct]
[indistinct shouting]
[Cole] Shotzi gets in Ronda's face after Ronda saved…
-Stay out of it. -Oh, really? How are you gonna make me?
Inside.
[Barrett] No doubt about it. Shotzi one of the most durable superstars in W--
-Whoa. -I need you down. Let's go.
-I said stay out of it! -Get down from here!
[Cole] And Shayna. Shotzi able to sidestep.
Caught her with a step-up enzuigiri, I believe on the temple.
Baszler's down. Shotzi into the cover.
Hook of the leg now on Baszler who kicks out at two.
[Barrett] Baszler starting to look in a mess at this point.
This was not part of the game plan.
Oh, yeah? This what you want? Huh?
Then Shotzi's got to turn her attention back to her opponent in the ring
or she's gonna get hurt.
Just like that, dumped on her head.
[Barrett] Baszler dangerous enough as it is.
[Cole] German suplex released.
Cover by Baszler.
Shotzi kicks at two.
[Barrett] Wasn't much in that kickout, though.
Ready for the taking is Shotzi.
[Cole] Sent right back out in front of us. Right in front of Ronda.
-You got so much to say. -Ronda, I told you. Come on.
You got so much to say to her, huh?
Inside.
Inside of here.
One!
Two!
[Cole] This has this turned into a… really a two-on-one affair for Shotzi.
Three!
[Barrett] You can sense Shayna really enjoying
earning the approval of Ronda Rousey.
[Cole] And Shotzi driving Shayna toward the corner.
Surprising Shayna as she came in the ring.
[Barrett] Here's the problem. Time and time again,
people have counted Shotzi out and it's come back to bite them.
No, no, no, no. Shayna, move, move, move, move.
[Cole] Oh, and Shayna's in trouble.
That's nothing for you.
[Cole] Shayna in big trouble. Shotzi looking for the win here tonight.
[Barrett] What a message this would send to the champ Ronda Rousey, and again…
[Cole] Yeah, the distraction once again.
Every time Shotzi gets on a roll, Ronda Rousey sticks her nose in it.
[Barrett] It's effectively two-on-one tonight.
[Cole] Exactly.
What was that? Huh?
["Trap Queen" playing]
[Cole] I think it was two-on-one.
The odds may be even now because Shotzi's buddy, Raquel Rodriguez,
is making her way out to the ring.
[Barrett] Recent tag partner.
The greatest physical presence in the women's locker room.
What an ally to have.
[Cole] Now Rodriguez on the other side of the ring,
as Shayna Baszler's distracted momentarily.
You kidding? After all the respect that I paid you--
[Cole] And Shayna looking to break the arm of Shotzi.
-Roll-up on Baszler. -One, two, three.
-[Cole] Shotzi got her! -[bell rings]
["I Am a Psycho" playing]
[ring announcer] Here is your winner, Shotzi.
[Cole] What a massive win for Shotzi
to build momentum
towards Survivor Series: WarGames a week from tomorrow.
[Barrett] Hand yourself a little assist
to a good friend in a time of peril, Raquel Rodriguez.
[indistinct shouting]
[Cole] Ronda and Shotzi in eight nights at Survivor Series.
[Barrett] Yes, indeed, and still to come,
the final First Round Match in the SmackDown World Cup.
Butch takes on Sami Zayn.
With "The Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns on his way,
pressure really on Sami Zayn
after he guaranteed a victory over Butch tonight.
["I Am a Psycho" continues]
Excuse me, LA Knight, are you in such a hurry
because you're afraid of Bray Wyatt?
Who's afraid? Who just apologized to who out there?
Look, do you just hang around when you're done working?
No, I don't think you do.
By the way, your questions, trash.
It's not an insult. That is just a fact of life.
Yeah. Goodnight.
[crowd buzzing]
[static hisses]
[indistinct chatter]
I gotta move this.
Get it out of here.
Get the stuff off. Get the stuff off. Get the stuff off.
Move. Get if off. Come on!
Come on. Help him. We got to help him here. Come on.
[metallic clattering]
[indistinct] Take that stuff off.
[Cole] Some would say you shouldn't poke the bear.
["Symphony No. 9 in E Minor" playing]
♪ Gunther ♪
[bell rings]
[ring announcer] The following is a six-man tag team match
scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, Ludwig Kaiser, Giovanni Vinci,
and the Intercontinental Champion, Gunther,
Imperium.
[Cole] Wade, this match came about because Imperium basically said
that New Day has made a mockery of their "great sport."
[Barrett] Well, New Day are really the antithesis of everything
that Imperium would stand for, "The mat is sacred."
But New Day, they desecrate the mat
every single time they dress up as unicorns
or indulge in that twerking nonsense in the ring.
You won't catch this trio of European greats
playing into any of that nonsense.
This is about purity.
[Cole] Vinci telling New Day,
"You hold the record as the biggest bunch of clowns in WWE history."
New Day said, "Let's have a match and we'll find a partner."
Who will that partner be?
["New Day, New Way" playing]
[ring announcer] And their opponents, first, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods,
The New Day.
[Cole] The Usos' title reign now at 488 days,
breaking the record of 483 once held by New Day.
[indistinct chatter]
[Barrett] New Day, for the first time ever,
earlier, we saw them looking visibly shaken after the week they've had.
Can they get back on track tonight?
[Cole] And who have they chosen to be their partner
for this six-man tag match?
We built all of this. We're the reason you can even be here.
["Monster of All Monsters" playing]
-[Cole] Good choice. -[Barrett] Ooh!
Oh, man.
[ring announcer] And their tag team partner,
weighing in at 335 pounds,
Braun Strowman.
[Cole] The Monster of All Monsters,
and the New Day going right after Imperium.
The Intercontinental Champion, Gunther, staring down Braun Strowman.
Matchup not even underway yet.
[Barrett] This referee's got no chance controlling these four in the ring,
let alone the two on the outside.
[Cole] Yeah. Good luck, Dan Engler.
Kaiser sent over the top rope.
And Vinci, he's gonna go flying as well, and Imperium's gonna need to regroup.
Boy, did the complexion of this match change
when Braun Strowman came into the entrance way.
Trust dive by Kingston.
However, caught by Imperium.
Face-first into the apron.
[indistinct shouting]
And Gunther intercepts Xavier Woods.
[Barrett] What a game changer.
[Cole] This could be a game changer right here.
-Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Hey. Hey. -Who do you think-- Ring the bell!
-[bell rings] -[Cole] And now the matchup will start.
Strowman and Gunther,
and Gunther doesn't seem like he wants anything to do with Mr. Strowman.
[Barrett] No, in the fog of war, Gunther wasn't intending to start the matchup.
That wasn't part of the plan.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] Braun Strowman's ready to go. Our six-man match continues on SmackDown.
We're back live on Friday Night SmackDown. Six-man tag team matchup.
The Imperium against the New Day
and their surprise partner for this matchup, Braun Strowman.
And what's interesting about this, Wade, is remember, Strowman has made his way
into the semifinals of the SmackDown World Cup here on FOX.
He'll face Ricochet next week.
If he would go on and win the entire thing,
he would face Gunther…
-Here's the thing. -…for the Intercontinental Title.
[Barrett] Strowman is many people's favorite
to win the SmackDown World Cup.
The problem for Gunther is he's used to being the dominant one in matchups.
He's used to being the biggest man on campus.
He ain't gonna be that if The Monster does indeed win.
Well, a long way to go before that happens,
but again, it's an intriguing story.
Off the spinebuster, and a kick by Kaiser.
[Barrett] You are witnessing European perfection.
[Cole] Strowman with a big paw.
Almost taking Kaiser down.
Strowman said he's confident in himself.
He looks forward to mixing it up with the talent
in the SmackDown World Cup.
He's gonna prove why he's The Monster of All Monsters.
[Barrett] First of all, he's got to try and get into this matchup,
and Imperium have done a brilliant job of keeping him isolated.
[Cole] And Xavier Woods trying to fight out of the corner.
Woods fighting back. Can he make a tag to Braun Strowman?
Can he somehow get there?
Come on!
[Cole] Strowman wants in. Fingertips away for Woods.
[Barrett] Millimeters.
[Cole] Kaiser dragging Woods back.
[Barrett] A tug of war Kaiser couldn't afford to lose.
[Cole] Woods between the legs. Crawling, stretching, trying to get there.
Kaiser doing a great job not allowing the tag to happen.
-Woods creates space… -[Barrett] Uh-oh.
[Cole] …and here comes The Monster.
[crowd cheering]
Shoulder tackle to Vinci.
[Barrett] Gunther wisely dropping out of the way, but Vinci no such luck.
[Cole] Tag made.
Here's the Intercontinental Champion now, the legal man.
Wow, picking Vinci out of midair,
but Strowman doesn't realize Gunther made the tag.
[Barrett] Just smart strategy from The General.
[Cole] A chop that usually puts men on their knees
barely registered with Strowman.
[Barrett] I've never seen such a reaction to a Gunther chop.
And Gunther says, "No way,"
and he's trying to hightail it away from Strowman.
Strowman, the train's on the tracks.
Goodnight, Vinci and Kaiser.
Gunther wants nothing to do with Braun Strowman.
[Barrett] Never seen Gunther move so fast.
[Cole] Was looking for the big Monster Slam.
[Barrett] That one had a little more sting to it.
[Cole] And so did that!
Cover by Strowman on Gunther, and a kickout at two.
[Barrett] Who the hell treats Gunther like that?
[Cole] Strowman.
[Barrett] Apparently.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And Braun Strowman now looking for a Monster Bomb
to put Gunther away.
Able to slip out.
Kick to the hamstring, and quickly making a tag to Ludwig Kaiser.
[Barrett] Gunther not a man you can count out with ease.
-That's for sure. -[Cole] Kofi's legal.
Crossbody, rolls through.
Catches Vinci before he can get into the ring.
Went for trouble in paradise. Kaiser ducked.
-Tag. -New Day about to get back on track.
[Cole] Xavier Woods going up to the top rope
and it's time for a little…
[crowd cheering]
Midnight Hour!
Cover.
[crowd] One, two, three!
[Cole] As Gunther runs away from Strowman.
New Day and Strowman with the win.
[ring announcer] Here are your winners,
the team of Braun Strowman and the New Day.
[Cole] Listen, I know we're not supposed to be biased, right?
But I want to see Braun Strowman win this tournament,
because I want to see Strowman and Gunther go after one another
for the Intercontinental Title.
[Barrett] Let's reinforce that Gunther had the opportunity
to attempt at least to break up that final pin.
When he witnessed who was stood in his way,
The Monster of All Monsters, hell no.
"I'm out of there," of course.
[Cole] How important was this, Wade?
The New Day finally getting back to their winning ways.
[Barrett] And that's a win they needed in the worst way.
I'm still in shock over Gunther.
Nobody has ever done such a thing to the big Austrian before
until Braun Strowman turned up.
So again, if you're Gunther,
you do not want to face Braun Strowman in the finals…
Well, if he wins the finals of the tournament,
you don't want to face him with your Intercontinental Championship on the line.
Let's look at the brackets now for the SmackDown World Cup on FOX.
Again, we know one semifinal matchup, Wade, for next week.
It'll be Strowman and Ricochet.
We determine the other semifinal matchup in our main event tonight.
[Barrett] Yes, indeed.
Butch taking on Sami Zayn for the rights
to challenge Santos Escobar in the remaining semifinal.
["New Day, New Way" playing]
All right. I think Braun's about to-- Braun! Bra-- Oh.
Braun, congratulations on your victory,
teaming up with The New Day, defeating Imperium.
You certainly sent a strong message to Gunther.
You're right. Exactly.
You never take your eyes off The Monster,
and I'm looking forward to winning this… [coughs]
Excuse me.
…World Cup tournament
and taking that Intercontinental Championship off Gunther's hands.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Listen, Braun. I know you're not one for big thinking.
You're looking way too far into the future,
because if you keep looking past these "flippy flippers,"
your words not mine,
it might come back to bite you.
[chuckles]
[sniffles loudly]
[Cole] It's gonna be interesting to get into that story next week
during that matchup.
That all started on social media a couple of weeks ago,
but right now, it is time for our final First Round matchup
in the SmackDown World Cup on FOX.
[explosion echoes]
["Bring the Fire" playing]
[bell rings]
[ring announcer] The following is a First Round Match
for the SmackDown World Cup on FOX.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Ridge Holland,
Sheamus, and Drew McIntyre,
representing The Brawling Brutes, Butch.
[Cole] We still don't know who the fifth member of this team is gonna be
for WarGames a week from tomorrow.
And tonight,
Friday Night SmackDown on FOX is sponsored by Progressive insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
Wade, Butch is ready to go.
[Barrett] Yes, indeed. What a performer, what a fighter.
Up next, our final First Round matchup in the SmackDown World Cup.
Butch takes on Sami Zayn and it's coming up next.
[narrator] This April…
[Graves] It simply doesn't get any bigger than this.
[narrator] …WrestleMania goes Hollywood.
SmackDown, Hall of Fame, NXT Stand & Deliver.
[Graves] You do not want to miss a moment.
[narrator] Two nights of WrestleMania.
[Cole] The greatest live event in entertainment.
[narrator] And it all culminates with the most anticipated Raw of the year.
Want it? We got it all week.
It's WrestleMania week, live from Los Angeles,
March 31st through April 3rd.
Tickets available now.
[Cole] Butch set for the final First Round matchup
in the SmackDown World Cup on FOX.
We turn our attention to SmackDown next week.
Friday Night, Providence, Rhode Island,
the night before Survivor Series, our first semifinal matchup.
Ricochet looks to take out
"The Monster of All Monsters" Braun Strowman
next week in the semis.
[Barrett] Yes, indeed. And in our second semifinal,
the winner of tonight's main event gets to take on Santos Escobar.
Either Butch or Sami Zayn
face off with the Emperor of Lucha Libre next week.
[Cole] And based on what happened earlier tonight,
Shotzi and Raquel Rodriguez become a tag team once again
on the eve of Shotzi's match against Ronda Rousey
for the SmackDown Women's Title.
Ronda and Shayna against Shotzi and Raquel.
[Barrett] One more tag match for good measure.
The WarGames advantage is up for grabs
as Drew McIntyre and Sheamus team up against the Usos.
Who will get to play the numbers game at Survivor Series?
We'll find out next week on SmackDown.
[Cole] In Providence, Rhode Island,
the night before Survivor Series: WarGames.
[dramatic rock music playing]
[ring announcer] And his opponent,
accompanied to the ring by Solo Sikoa
and the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, the Usos,
Sami Zayn.
[Cole] I wanna get back to the match next week,
Drew and Sheamus versus the Usos, because I just want you to explain to us
the importance of the numbers advantage in WarGames,
and getting the advantage in the match next week.
[Barrett] Okay, so the WarGames match is one of the most brutal matches we have,
but the brutality is exacerbated for the team
without the WarGames advantage.
One team is gonna spend over 20 minutes outnumbered
before the match even officially begins.
You do not want to lose that WarGames advantage.
-How you win if you do is beyond me. -[Cole] It's such a unique match.
It's never happened in the history of Raw and SmackDown.
It's happened a few times over on NXT.
You actually called the WarGames match.
Two rings surrounded by a cage.
Matchup doesn't start until everyone is involved in the match.
But right now, we turn our attention back to the SmackDown World Cup on FOX.
Final First Round matchup. Butch and Sami Zayn.
Who goes on to face Santos Escobar next week on SmackDown?
[Barrett] England have already won the Cricket World Cup.
They'll soon win the FIFA World Cup,
and this match is gonna make it a hat-trick of glory for England.
[Cole] It's gonna be a fun SmackDown next week
after the US knocks off England earlier today.
Meanwhile, a kickout by Sami Zayn. Butch almost put him away.
[Barrett] Yeah, you're talking while you can,
but it's great to see a Irishman…
Irishman and a Scotsman at ringside cheering on the English.
[Cole] Cover by Butch.
Sami's got a kick at two.
The Bloodline at ringside.
You saw the Usos, the tag champs, Solo Sikoa, "The Enforcer."
Roman Reigns apparently is on his way to SmackDown.
They'll all be a part of the WarGames match.
Oh!
Sami Zayn off the powerbomb, and a kickout by Butch.
[Barrett] Man, Sami Zayn guaranteed victory tonight.
You just mentioned it, Roman Reigns "The Tribal Chief" is on his way.
You don't want to let that man down.
[Cole] Not only, Wade, did he guarantee victory tonight,
he guaranteed victory for The Bloodline
in the WarGames match next Saturday night,
and we don't even know who the fifth member
of McIntyre and Sheamus' team is.
Hey, back up. Don't touch him. Don't touch him.
You back up. Don't touch him.
[indistinct chatter]
Come on, dawgs!
Let's go!
[Cole] Sami loves to talk trash
when he's out there with The Bloodline, doesn't he?
[Barrett] Even you could do it with the Usos
and Solo Sikoa standing right behind you.
[Cole] I'm not sure with Sheamus and McIntyre and Ridge on the other side.
And Sami Zayn now planted.
Tornado DDT by Butch.
Butch to the cover to advance into the semifinals.
Kickout at two and a half by Sami.
[Barrett] Hell of a lot on the line in the coming weeks
for these two gentlemen in the ring.
Butch, though, the only person operating in the WarGames match
with previous WarGames experience.
Butch trying to get to the top rope.
Sami Zayn playing defense.
Did Butch just try to yank the nose off Sami's face?
And Sami makes him pay! Into the barricade.
Who's advancing to the semifinals in the SmackDown World Cup on FOX?
[man] Let's go, Butch!
[Cole] Butch with joint manipulation with Sami Zayn
up toward the top of the ring.
Zayn trying to fight out of this
in this First Round matchup in the SmackDown World Cup tournament.
It's a little precursor before WarGames next Saturday night.
Bloodline out here, Brutes out here, and Butch with a right to Zayn.
Sheamus fired up. Cover for the win. Kick by Sami.
[Barrett] What a First Round matchup.
England versus the Island of Relevancy,
and at this exact moment here from Butch, clean to the jaw,
England perhaps getting the upper hand.
[Cole] Great match not only to advance to the semifinals
but build momentum toward WarGames.
"Main Event" Jey Uso up on the apron and he pays for it.
Sami Zayn looks to take advantage of the distraction
as he rolls up Butch who kicks out at two.
[Barrett] So many moving parts at ringside for both teams here.
A step-up enzuigiri by Butch has stunned Zayn.
Now, on the other side, Jimmy Uso with a distraction,
and Jey with a kick to the back of the neck.
Sami Zayn, Blue Thunder Bomb for the win to advance,
and Butch kicks at two.
The Bloodline working very well together.
[Barrett] Uh-oh.
[Cole] Look out now. Here comes the fight.
McIntyre and Solo, Sheamus, Ridge and the Usos.
[Barrett] Good grief, do not get in the way of these men at ringside.
Lot of beef.
[Cole] McIntyre and Solo both come over the announce table and hit hard.
[Barrett] They're aiming for us.
[indistinct chatter]
Bloodline doing what they do best, taking out everything that moves.
[Cole] And now Butch almost broke the fingers of Sami Zayn.
[Barrett] Brawling Brutes laid out at ringside. Oh!
Evening the odds is Butch, however.
This one balanced on a knife edge.
[Cole] Matchup continues.
Butch and Zayn to advance to the semifinals
of the SmackDown World Cup.
This is pressure time, crunch time.
Zayn, exploder suplex into the corner.
[Barrett] Just when it looked like Butch had all of the momentum going his way,
Sami Zayn out of nowhere.
[Cole] Sami Zayn going for the Helluva Kick.
Sheamus and Jey Uso, though, fighting into the ring.
Sami Zayn's been distracted.
Butch now trying to take advantage.
-[Barrett] Whoa! -[Cole] And Butch with a Bitter End.
-Cover by Butch. -One, two…
[Cole] Butch meets Escobar in the semifinals next week.
["Bring the Fire" playing]
[ring announcer] Here is…
[Barrett] So much for Sami Zayn's guarantee of victory.
[yelling]
[Cole] Solo Sikoa taking out everyone. McIntyre now into the fight.
[Barrett] Losing complete control.
This was an air of inevitability.
[Cole] Bodies getting thrown everywhere.
Bloodline and Brutes.
[Barrett] Lost in the chaos.
Butch has progressed through to the semifinal.
Certainly doesn't feel like a winner right now.
-["Head of the Table" playing] -Uh-oh.
[Cole] And he's here.
The man who's been Undisputed Champion
for 810 days in WWE.
The Head of the Table,
the head of the Bloodline…
Roman Reigns,
flanked by Paul Heyman.
[Barrett] Got a face like death too.
[Cole] And Roman Reigns, Superman punch,
and Roman Reigns out here
creating chaos just like he did ten years ago tonight
when The Shield debuted in WWE.
And some unfinished business when it comes to McIntyre and Reigns.
Remember Clash at the Castle.
Sikoa, the man who cost McIntyre the championship in Cardiff,
and a spear by Roman.
[crowd buzzing]
And here are two men with history,
especially when it comes to Survivor Series.
Think Money in the Bank.
But nonetheless, Sheamus and Reigns face-to-face in the middle of the ring.
And when these two lock it up inside the WarGames cage,
it's gonna be a battle.
It's gonna be vicious. It's gonna be physical.
[Barrett] Both men throwing heavy leather.
Sami Zayn desperate to redeem himself.
[Cole] Superman punch.
-[indistinct shouting] -[crowd cheering]
Roman Reigns and The Bloodline cleaning house.
[Barrett] Welcome to God mode, Sheamus.
["Fight" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Well, here is someone
that knows a little something about WarGames.
["Fight" playing]
I do believe…
The Brawling Brutes have found member number five.
[Barrett] Oh man, The Prizefighter.
[Cole] Fight Owens, fight! Superkick.
Kevin Owens knows Roman Reigns so well.
Fell victim to Roman Reigns
as part of the historic 810-day reign as champion,
but on many occasions, could have won the title.
[crowd chanting] Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!
Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!
[Cole] Owens promised things with Roman Reigns were far, far from over.
[Barrett] If ever there was a man built for WarGames, it's Kevin Owens.
Kevin taking it to The Tribal Chief.
[crowd cheering]
[fan chanting] Let's go, Kevin!
[crowd chanting] Ucey! Ucey! Ucey! Ucey! Ucey! Ucey!
[Cole] Oh! And off the distraction, Reigns with a Superman punch.
Such a roller coaster of emotions and history for Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
[crowd cheering]
Reigns went for the spear. Kevin Owens, stunner.
[crowd cheering]
["Fight" playing]
Owens and company feeling Brutey tonight.
["Fight" playing]
[Barrett] What the hell did we just witness, Cole?
Just as Roman Reigns thought he had taken full control,
KO turns up out of nowhere,
stamps his authority on proceedings.
[Cole] The Bloodline, The Brutes,
Drew McIntyre, Kevin Owens.
Let the WarGames begin!
Have a great Thanksgiving, everybody.