[WWE intro music plays]
[John Cena] Then…
-[Flair] Woo! -[glass shatters]
[The Rock] If you smell…
-[bell tolls] -[Cena] Now…
-♪ The King of Kings ♪ -♪ You can't see me ♪
[Cena] Forever.
[crowd cheering]
Together.
[music fades]
["Nobody Better Than Me" feat. Supreme Madness by def rebel playing]
[man] Hey!
Hey!
Let's go!
♪ Who better than me? I don't see nobody ♪
♪ I don't see nobody who stepping to me ♪
♪ I don't see nobody, I don't see nobody ♪
♪ Who can tussle with the beast? I don't see nobody ♪
♪ 'Cause there ain't nobody ♪
♪ I say I'm the best 'Cause ain't nobody got me ♪
♪ Running through the crowd Like there ain't nobody ♪
♪ Who better than me? ♪
Whoo! Whoo!
[loud popping]
[crowd cheers]
♪ Who better than me? Flexing and focused ♪
♪ I'm leaving dem all looking Stressin' and folded ♪
♪ How am I hot But I'm dressing the coldest ♪
♪ Impressing the suckaz That said I was bogus… ♪
[Cole] Coming off a wild and unpredictable Survivor Series,
we welcome you tonight to the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.
This is Friday Night SmackDown on FS1.
Sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
-["This is it" by def rebel playing] -[crowd cheering]
[bell rings]
[Samantha Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Solo Sikoa
and the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, The Usos,
from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, weighing in at 212 pounds, Sami Zayn!
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Well, despite the fact that Sami Zayn
is wearing an Honorary Uce t-shirt,
many would argue that Sami Zayn is no longer an Honorary Uce.
That he is a full part of The Bloodline.
[Wade] Absolutely undeniable. The man is full family for me now.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Sami Zayn, part of a very wild Survivor Series this past Saturday.
For the first time ever
in Boston, Massachusetts, Survivor Series: WarGames.
[music continues]
For the first time, we welcome you to Survivor Series: WarGames.
♪ Generals gathered in their masses ♪
♪ Just like witches at black masses ♪
♪ Oh lord, yeah! ♪
[Graves] Respect to Shotzi
for giving the champion a run, but Rousey just too much.
This matchup has instant classic written all over it.
[Cole] These men pulling out all the stops for the United States Championship.
Theory falls into the cover.
-Austin Theory did it! -[bell rings]
I need to know if you're with us
or if you're gonna stab us in the back out there.
I'm with The Bloodline. I am not going to let you down.
[Cole] Oh no.
Jey Uso caught Sami with a superkick.
Stunner by Owens.
[crowd] One! Two!
[Cole] Sami Zayn preventing the official from counting to three.
Low blow to Kevin Owens.
"Roman, I will show you where my allegiance lies."
-The Bloodline wins. -[booing]
And he is officially accepted.
[Graves] That's family, that's The Bloodline.
♪ Oh lord, yeah! ♪
-["This is it" by def rebel playing] -[crowd cheering]
[no audible dialogue]
My dawg.
-[crowd cheering] -Hey, hey!
[crowd chanting] Sami! Sami!
The Bloodline is now in your city.
[crowd cheers]
Hey, guess what, Jey?
At Survivor Series, inside of WarGames,
The Bloodline yet again leveled up.
And you want to know why?
Because at WarGames,
we had the longest-reigning Tag Team Champions--
No, no, no, no, my dawg.
We're not gonna do that.
I told you in the back, tonight is about you, my dawg.
-[crowd cheers] -Yeah.
Of course, Uce. Check it.
Of course The Bloodline leveled up at WarGames.
Of course we hashed it out. But you, my dawg, you were the MVP.
They were chanting, "Sami Uso."
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chants] Sami Uso!
[chanting continues]
[Jey] Hey, Sami.
I doubted you for a long, long time, bruh.
I did.
I ain't like you.
But when you made that decision to stand with the family, bruh,
you earned my respect ASAP.
[crowd cheers]
And it's because of you at WarGames we won that match, Uce.
[spluttering] Guys, this is too much. I don't know what to say.
I do. We got one question, my dawg.
How you feeling?
[crowd chants] Ucey! Ucey! Ucey!
[chanting fades]
I gotta say, right now….
I am feeling pretty freaking Ucey, baby.
[crowd cheers]
-My dawg. -We doing it?
-Yes. -My dawg.
[crowd] Oh!
Come on in, dawg.
Come on, dawg. Come on, dawg.
[crowd cheers]
[indistinct excited chatter]
-["Hellfire" by CFO$ playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Well, so much for the good times, because it's Fight Night!
You know, Sam,
I hate to beat the bollocks out of a fellow ginger,
but trust me, by the end of the night,
you will have a massive smile on your face.
I think it's enough talking for tonight, yeah?
-[crowd cheering] -[man] It's Fight Night!
It's Fight Night! Let's go!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Sheamus is set to go one-on-one with Sami Zayn here tonight.
Sheamus still with a huge score to settle with The Bloodline.
Remember, The Bloodline put him out of action
for weeks with a fractured elbow.
And, tonight, Sheamus goes one-on-one with Sami Zayn.
-[Wade] Sheamus and the Brutes' stated… -[bell rings]
…goal was to destroy The Bloodline at Survivor Series in WarGames.
Easier said than done.
[Cole] And Sheamus misses with a wild right hand.
And Sami Zayn, collar-and-elbow tie-up, center of the ring.
It has been an interesting week following Survivor Series
for Sami Zayn.
This past Monday night on Raw,
Kevin Owens came out and told his 20-plus-year friend, Sami Zayn,
that he was quote, "Done with him."
He said, "I'm not mad at you, Sami, but I want nothing to do with you."
"You threw away everything after 20 years
and remember, The Bloodline will never be your blood."
[Wade] But they're family, though, all the same.
I don't agree with KO at all on that one.
[Cole] Hey, KO admitted he turned his back on Sami a few times
over the years, but said that,
"Listen, I'm not mad at you, Sami,
but I'm not gonna be friends with you anymore."
Sami trying to hip toss on Sheamus and runs into a clothesline.
[Wade] Clothesline on the jaw too.
Sami Zayn not feeling Ucey anymore.
Oh my word, we got ourselves a Dublin Grin in the early goings.
[Cole] Well, Sheamus did say that Sami would have a massive smile on his face
after this matchup tonight,
as we take another look at the power of Sheamus.
You see The Usos at ringside cheering Sami Zayn on.
They are at 502 days as Undisputed Tag Team Champions.
We'll talk about their next title defense when we come back.
Sheamus in control of Sami Zayn here on SmackDown.
[crowd cheering]
Get your breath, my dawg. Breathe.
[Cole] We are back on Friday Night SmackDown here on FS1.
Tonight, Sheamus and Sami Zayn.
Sami, of course, now part of The Bloodline full-time.
Sheamus, part of The Brawling Brutes.
As Sami Zayn looks for a breather,
and Sheamus gonna bring the fight right out here
in front of us with an uppercut to Sami Zayn.
Sami sent back into the ring as Sheamus looks back
at the Tag Team Champions, and Sami takes advantage.
DDT, planting Sheamus.
Sami to the… to the cover. For the win.
Hook of the leg, and a kickout by Sheamus at two.
[Wade] Just one glimmer of a distraction
is all it takes for Sami Zayn to capitalize.
That is the benefit of having the Tag Team Champions
at ringside in your corner.
[Cole] Take another look at the distraction
from the Tag Champs, The Usos,
who now have held the Tag Team Titles for a record 502 days.
Their next defense comes Monday night on Raw in Washington, D.C.
against Elias and Matt Riddle
for the Undisputed Tag Team Titles next week.
Speaking of Tag Team Title opportunities,
you gotta believe, Wade, that Sheamus and Drew McIntyre
have to be in the mix for a possible Tag Team Championship match
down the road since they knocked off The Usos
in the WarGames Advantage Match last week.
[Wade] Yeah, undoubtedly.
I've always said, if you beat a champion in a non-championship match,
you deserve a title opportunity.
I don't know if management see it that way, but--
Perhaps a loss at WarGames will negate that victory.
We will see.
[Cole] Sami Zayn, who I said on Saturday night at Survivor Series
-sold his soul to The Bloodline. -[Wade] Ha!
Where do you come up with this nonsense?
He didn't sell his soul to anybody. He proved himself a loyal family member.
He stuck to his word. He did exactly what he said he would do.
[Cole] At the expense of a man who's been best friend
for the better part of two decades, that in Kevin Owens.
[Wade] Yes, let's gloss over the fact that Kevin Owens
has stabbed Sami Zayn in the back previously too.
It's not all sunshine and rainbows, is it, Cole?
[Cole] Roman Reigns had a face-to-face talk with Sami Zayn
before the WarGames match,
said he would know everything he had to by looking into Sami Zayn's eyes.
[Wade] He got it absolutely right, didn't he?
The Tribal Chief does not make mistakes, Michael Cole.
[Cole] Sami Zayn with Sheamus.
Oh, a tornado DDT.
Sami looking to knock off The Celtic Warrior.
-Again, hook of the leg. -One! Two!
[Cole] Oh, and a kickout at two and a half.
[Wade] And it was all Sheamus up until that intervention by The Usos.
The distraction swung this match a 180,
and now, Sami Zayn, complete control.
[Cole] Ridge and Butch looking on
as you take another look at the Tornado DDT by Sami Zayn.
Paul Heyman, the special counsel to the Undisputed Champion, Roman Reigns,
during the Survivor Series post-show press conference
last Saturday night expressed his admiration for Sami Zayn.
[Wade] Yeah, they don't call him "The Wiseman" for nothing.
That is proof positive.
-Paul Heyman-- -[Cole] Oh no.
Sami's not gonna try to do this.
Deliver Sheamus' 10 beats of the Bodhrán against him.
-[crowd] One! -[Cole] Maybe not.
[Wade] Attempting to prove a point might backfire here.
[Cole] Sami is caught.
-Sheamus with a couple of back elbows. -[grunting]
Punishing Sami Zayn.
[Wade] One way to get Sheamus to snap out of it is to insult the man.
[Cole] And Sheamus starting to build momentum.
Sami Zayn, what a clothesline by Sheamus in the corner.
[yelling]
[Cole] And Sami suffering the slam at the hands of Sheamus.
Former multi-time world champion, Royal Rumble winner,
King of the Ring, Money in the Bank winner, Sheamus.
[Wade] You know what time it is. It's chest concaving time, Cole.
[Cole] I don't think Sami Zayn should've even…
Now, he hangs Sheamus up on the top rope.
[Wade] Might be the smartest thing Sami Zayn has done all day.
[Cole] Sami, who lasted nearly 30 minutes
inside the WarGames structure Saturday night
is caught by The Celtic Warrior.
Irish Curse Backbreaker by Sheamus.
And now, setting Sami Zayn up.
Looking for the Clover Leaf
if he can roll Zayn over onto his stomach, and he does.
[Wade] Locked in, center of the ring.
Sami Zayn in a world of hurt now.
[Cole] Submission move here by Sheamus.
The Clover Leaf applied to Sami Zayn.
Sami trying to drag himself somehow to the bottom rope to force a break.
Sami fingertips away.
Gets there, and referee Jessika Carr
has a five-count before Sheamus breaks, and he does.
[Wade] Just about enough left in the tank of Sami Zayn.
Did not want to disappoint The Tribal Chief.
[Cole] We talk about people who survived inside WarGames.
Jey Uso, who started the matchup, lasted nearly 39 minutes,
as did Butch of The Brawling Brutes.
[Wade] Couple of marathon men right there.
[Cole] Brawling Brutes trying to will Sheamus on.
Sami over the top rope. Takes Sheamus out.
Sami's rolling.
Can Sheamus climb back into this matchup here on Friday Night SmackDown?
[Cole] Sami Zayn, with The Usos cheering him on.
Heading up to the top rope, but Sheamus back to his feet.
This has been a battle between Sami Zayn of The Bloodline,
yes, officially of The Bloodline,
and "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus of The Brawling Brutes.
[Wade] You just get this sense, Sami Zayn and The Bloodline
would love to leave The Brawling Brutes in the rearview mirror.
They just won't go away.
[Cole] No doubt about it, and Sami Zayn just oozing confidence tonight.
You can feel it with The Usos in his corner.
Sheamus, though, caught him with a knee.
Cover by Sheamus.
Hook of the leg on Sami Zayn. Near fall.
Kickout by Zayn.
[Wade] Take your eye off Sheamus for a split second,
he'll bounce back and clean knock you out like this.
[Cole] And there's a reason that Sami has been fighting this match
with so much confidence. We kicked the show off tonight with Jey Uso,
a longtime rival of Sami Zayn within The Bloodline, telling Sami, "Respect."
"Because of you, we won at WarGames."
[Wade] There's no doubt at all anymore within The Bloodline.
They've never looked stronger.
This is suppose to be a celebration, though.
Sheamus here to play spoiler.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] Making Sami Zayn suffer,
as Sheamus climbs up now to the second rope.
Sami Zayn in trouble.
Sheamus has him in position.
Sami Zayn trying to fight out of it.
Looking for White Noise.
Zayn able to turn it into a Sunset Flip Powerbomb.
Cover, and a kickout by Zayn-- by Sheamus.
[Wade] Split second away.
Sheamus is hurting bad.
He prides himself on showing no displays of inner pain.
Throw that out the window right now thanks to moves like this from Sami Zayn.
[Cole] Great counter by Sami Zayn, and he almost put Sheamus away.
The Celtic Warrior able to kick out at two and a half.
The Usos, who have a Tag Team Championship match
Monday night on Raw against Elias and Riddle,
heavily invested in this match tonight,
as Sami looks for the Helluva Kick.
Sheamus picks him out of the air though,
and now Sheamus delivers a traditional White Noise.
Cover on Zayn. Hook of the leg for the victory,
and again a kickout by Sami.
[Wade] Sheamus just about avoiding catastrophe there.
Let's not forget it was the Helluva Kick in the WarGames matchup
that did all the damage and served KO up on a silver platter for Jey Uso.
[Cole] Off the White Noise,
Sami was able to kick out before the count of three.
And you're right, Wade,
Sami proved himself to The Bloodline inside the WarGames structure.
[crowd chanting] Sami! Sami!
[Cole] Sheamus has Zayn in position for the Brogue Kick.
Sheamus about to explode out of the corner.
Jimmy Uso up on the apron and it allowed Sami Zayn to at least…
roll out to the apron, but he may not want to be there.
[Wade] Out of the frying pan and into the fire.
[crowd booing]
[crowd] One! Two! Three! Four!
-Five! Six! Seven! Eight! Nine! Ten! -[Jessika] One! Two!
-11! 12! 13! 14! 15! -Three!
-16! 17! 18! 19! 20! -Four!
[Cole] Twenty beats of the Bodhrán.
[Wade] Thought Sami Zayn was gonna tap out.
[Cole] Man, Jimmy Uso, you saw the look on his face.
He realizes Sami Zayn is in deep, deep trouble.
[crowd cheering, booing]
[crowd counting along]
-Sheamus setting up for the Brogue Kick. -Faugh A Ballagh!
[Cole] Jimmy Uso up on the apron. Providing a distraction.
Sami Zayn…
on the back of Sheamus.
Go, go, go, go!
-Jimmy with a kick. -[Wade] It's a mugging.
[Cole] Jey Uso is directing traffic.
Blue thunder bomb by Sami. Cover. Sheamus kicks at two.
[Wade laughs] I thought the fix was in. It's gonna break down, Cole.
[Cole] And now, The Brawling Brutes getting involved.
Ridge, and Butch, and The Usos.
[Wade] It was a matter of "when" not "if" between these four at ringside.
Oh. Make that five!
[Cole] Solo Sikoa gets involved.
[crowd cheers]
-[Cole] Sikoa, the Brutes, The Usos. -[crowd] Oh!
[Cole] That Spinning Solo, delivered to the barricade to Butch.
Now attention turned to Ridge Holland.
Chaos here at ringside.
-Oh, what a kick! -[Wade] Solo Sikoa, one-man-wrecking crew.
[Cole] Sami went for the Helluva Kick. Sheamus caught him with a knee.
Meanwhile, look at this, Jey Uso. Jey Uso with a super kick.
The official didn't see it. Sami into the cover on Sheamus.
-Jey Uso helps Sami Zayn pick up the win! -[bell rings]
[Irvin] Here is your winner, Sami Zayn!
[Wade] Wow. Amidst the chaos,
The Bloodline continue to reign supreme like a well-oiled machine.
[Cole] But the story here, Wade, is the fact that Jey Uso,
a long-time rival of Sami Zayn within The Bloodline,
made good on all the things
he said about the respect he now has for Sami.
Jey Uso, along with his brother Jimmy,
helping Sami Zayn beat Sheamus in this match tonight.
[Wade] Well, there's been months of doubting
when it comes to Sami Zayn and The Bloodline,
but it's all evaporated over the past week.
[Cole] Yeah, first, there was the chaos at ringside.
Solo Sikoa, The Usos, and The Brawling Brutes involved.
Watch this super kick.
Sheamus, as Sami went for the Helluva Kick, would intercept,
but watch this. Jimmy will jump up on the apron.
It distracts the official, which allows Jey Uso to deliver the super kick
and hand the win to Sami Zayn.
[Wade] That's the type of help that you give to family and family alone,
and make no mistake now,
Sami Zayn is family when it comes to The Bloodline.
It has to be said, Michael Cole,
The Bloodline have never looked stronger than they do right now.
Finally, all members reading off the same hymn sheet.
Wade, I agree with you. When I said that Saturday night at Survivor Series,
the most dominant faction in WWE history,
but I never thought I'd see the day where Jey Uso actually helped Sami Zayn.
Unbelievable stuff, and it's a great thing,
especially for The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns,
whose plans have all come into gold.
Well, later on tonight in our main event,
it is the finals of the SmackDown World Cup here on Fox.
It is Ricochet versus this man,
Santos Escobar.
[mysterious music plays]
Legado Del Fantasma has only flourished since our arrival on SmackDown,
and now I…
Santos Escobar, will make sure that the SmackDown World Cup
is in the rightful hands of our perfect enterprise.
Winning this tournament shines a light on Mexico
and the superior art of lucha libre.
Soon, you will all see that the Emperor,
Santos Escobar, is the very best that this industry has to offer.
I mean, the results speak for itself.
The SmackDown World Cup
will give Legado a first-class flight to the Intercontinental Championship.
And when Santos becomes the Intercontinental Champion,
it will give Legado an undoubted position of power in WWE.
Me gusta eso, Reyna. I like that a lot.
Now, Ricochet, you've made it this far,
but it's about time your fairy tale
comes to its final chapter.
[speaking Spanish]
[in English] Legado reigns supreme.
-[laughing] -[glasses clinking]
Salud.
[Cole] Well, Legado Del Fantasma better not get ahead of themselves,
because there is still one more match.
It is the finals tonight here on FS1 in the SmackDown World Cup.
Our main event, Ricochet versus Escobar, still to come live tonight.
[dramatic music playing]
[crowd counting down]
♪ Wall to wall And it still ain't sold out ♪
Royal Rumble is right around the corner.
But now, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest, Kofi Kingston.
-[crowd cheers] -[Kofi cheering] Yeah!
Well, Kof, I heard that you have some big news for us.
That's right. An exclusive as the first WWE Superstar to say that
-I will be in the Royal Rumble, baby. -[crowd cheering]
Congratulations, Kofi.
But while I have you here, I have to get your thoughts
on tonight's finals in the SmackDown World Cup.
Who do you think will come out on top?
Wow. I like what I'm seeing out of Santos, but I can't bet against Ricochet.
This man is sensational, honestly.
Either of these guys has a great chance against Gunther,
because of that no risk it, no biscuit style.
Megan. Megan, why would you ask someone
who clearly has zero respect for our sport about their opinion?
-Come on. -Exactly. I mean,
he and Xavier would spend more time online nowadays than in an actual wrestling ring.
Okay. Okay. Look at y'all with your new t-shirts on. "Imperium."
Should say "Imperiyuck."
And I see where this is going, so let me just cut it off right here.
Look, y'all wanna have a match tonight, right?
Unfortunately, my tag team partner, Xavier Woods, is not here,
but I'm ready, willing, and able to engage in fisticuffs
in single competition against any one of y'all.
So the question is who is it going to be?
-Who? Who? Who? -[crowd repeating]
Who?
[crowd cheers]
That's perfect, because tonight you're gonna fight me.
[softly] Who.
Okay.
You were just hiding off to the side the whole time? Huh?
It's all right, though.
I'mma see you out there, bro.
[suspenseful music playing]
[crowd cheers]
You know what I think's pretty wild?
It's that… I think we're spoiled today.
Society has given us this lavish lifestyle.
We're all shrouded in technology and everybody has manners.
I think that we typically forget that once upon a time,
we were all just wild animals.
Spiders eat flies. Even to this day, snakes eat rats.
But nobody looks at this like an act of violence.
It's simply just animals trying to survive.
[laughs]
Some must die so that others can live.
You know? And you don't want to be the one.
Right? We don't dare talk about these things,
even though all these primal instincts are ingrained in every single one of us.
We don't dare talk about it,
because we don't wanna be the freak, right?
We wanna fit into our little place in society and carry on.
But they're still there.
I'm not the one that hurt LA Knight.
-Who's afraid? -Get it off! Come on!
Human trash bag.
If not for this sling, the consequences would be severe.
-Turn it around! -We need some help. We need some help.
I didn't.
But I heard you.
[laughs]
And oh, how you rejoiced.
[laughs]
How primal of you.
However, if I had been the one,
you would all know…
because there'd be none of him left.
[crowd cheering]
You know, Cole, to me, Bray Wyatt seems like a man who's trying to change.
He's consistently showing some form of remorse for past behavior.
Some form of remorse.
But, two women who have shown no remorse,
the SmackDown Women's Champion, Ronda Rousey
and her partner, Shayna Baszler.
Here is our Progressive Match Flo.
[man] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
Let me know when you're ready to break some bones
and take over the show again.
[Cole] Baszler and and Ronda Rousey, very formidable as a duo.
[Wade] Natalya's face is completely ruined.
Rule by fear.
Many of their opponents have lost before the match even starts.
[overlapping shouts]
[Cole] Raquel has a broken arm.
Now it's personal.
And, Ronda, I'm gonna shock the world when I beat you senseless.
[Cole] SmackDown Women's Champion
"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey versus the Number One Contender, Shotzi.
[crowd cheering]
Shotzi off the barricade.
Landed in the front row, wiping everybody out.
[Graves] Shotzi has the champion down.
-Oh no. -Oh my goodness.
[Graves] That is the beginning of the end.
[bell rings]
Respect to Shotzi, but tonight Rousey just too much.
-["Limb By Limb" by def rebel playing] -[crowd cheering]
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota,
Shayna Baszler!
[Cole] SmackDown Women's Champion Ronda Rousey not here tonight.
She's off doing PR, fresh off her victory last week, again Survivor Series,
but the "Submission Magician" Shayna Baszler is in action.
And tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on FS1
is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
Shayna Baszler, looking to break some bones here tonight.
Wade, she goes one-on-one with Emma.
[Wade] They're here to tear some tendons and make an example of another victim.
Maiming Time may be about to happen, Cole.
[Cole] Emma, she's game.
It's Shayna and Emma live, next.
[Cole] Shayna Baszler gets set for one-on-one action here on FS1.
[crowd cheering]
Don't stop on my account.
-You all right? -Yeah. I'm good, I'm good. It's just…
It's just… five years is such a long time to be gone
and so much has changed around here.
-And the competition is tough. -Stop, stop, stop.
It doesn't matter how long it's been.
It matters who you are. Or did you forget who you are?
You're a trailblazer.
The whole Women's Revolution, the Women's Evolution,
none of that happens without you.
You worked your tail off to make change, real change.
And now the whole game has changed, so yeah,
the competition is tough.
But you're Emma.
You belong here.
Thanks, Riddick.
I'll see you later.
Hey.
You got this.
-["About Me" playing] -♪ It's all about me ♪
[Wade] Emma and Madcap seem to be spending a lot of time together lately.
[Irvin] And her opponent, from Melbourne, Australia, Emma!
[Cole] Emma used to be on the old JBL & Cole Show,
which is where "Bad News" Barrett
-actually got his start. -[Wade] What a legend.
They should bring that back. That's my opinion, Cole.
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, Royal Rumble is sponsored by Cricket.
With fast and powerful nationwide 5G coverage,
you can stress less and smile more.
And by the official WWE CreditOne Visa card.
If you want to show off your WWE pride every time you pay,
visit UltimateWWECard.com to see if you pre-qualify.
Terms apply.
[Wade] Well, joking aside, Cole,
Shayna Baszler has refused to remove the ice cold stare
from Emma from the second she walked into the arena.
-[bell rings] -[Cole] Well, it was Ronda Rousey
who a few months ago reminded Shayna Baszler,
"Hey, listen. You got to get back to your roots."
"You can maim people in the ring."
"You're the 'Submission Magician'."
The MMA style, the pound and ground attack,
and Shayna's done just that.
[Wade] Well, the killer inside was reawakened in Shayna Baszler,
and she has been on a tear ever since.
[Cole] Let's not forget Emma, though. Madcap made the point.
One of the pioneers of the Women's Revolution
back down at NXT.
She made it to the finals of the initial NXT Women's Championship Tournament
a number of years ago.
Now, shoulders down on Shayna, and a kickout.
[Wade] Emma needs to remind the world exactly who she is here,
show us the competitor that helped put women's wrestling back on the map.
[Cole] Shayna Baszler… Nice move by Emma into the side Russian leg sweep.
Quickly into the cover again, and a kickout.
Emma, the first female Australian-born wrestler here in WWE.
-[Wade] Lets not forget several-- -[both] Whoa.
[Wade] Just as I was saying that… several weeks ago,
Emma put in a hell of a performance
against SmackDown Women's Champ Ronda Rousey.
A losing effort in the end, but…
[Cole] Yeah, taking an open challenge from Rousey
for the SmackDown Women's Championship.
Now here's where Baszler is so dangerous.
She picks a body part, this time the arm, and goes to work on it.
Emma already in serious pain.
[Wade] Once Shayna Baszler gets a step up on any competitor,
it can be close to "good night."
There's a certain depraved barbarity that Baszler revels in.
A former WWE Women's Tag Team Champion,
two-time NXT Champion, knows every submission move in the book.
-[Emma cries out] -Continuing to punish Emma here.
Look at how she bends the elbow back.
-Shoulders up. -[Wade] Referee taking a close look.
Baszler's own arm underneath the shoulder of Emma there,
but Baszler has Emma in agony. Baszler is just a human torture device.
[Cole] Well, and to Ronda Rousey's point, Wade,
Shayna Baszler is so dangerous.
Emma now, rolling up, trying to steal one here,
and a kickout at two.
And Shayna just had to remind the world of how dangerous she actually is.
[Wade] Yeah, I don't think too many people forgot what Baszler was capable of,
but if you needed a reminder,
just open your eyes anytime in the past four or five weeks
that Baszler has been in the ring.
[Cole] Emma trying to roll out of the situation
as Shayna continues to work on her arm.
Kick to the face, though, by Emma
creates some space, and now Emma fighting back.
[Wade] Fighting back with one arm, that's the problem.
Such is the damage that Baszler has done to that left upper limb of Emma.
Trying to get a little feeling back in there.
[Cole] Shayna looking to recover as well.
Emma caught her with a back elbow.
Emma showing some fight here tonight against Baszler.
[Wade] Yeah, you better be when you're in the ring
with someone like Shayna Baszler.
Fight for your life, quite literally at times.
[Cole] Emma hanging on. Baszler going to be sent out to the apron.
Emma may have Baszler right where she wants her.
Shayna in trouble! Neckbreaker off the second rope.
Cover by Emma for the win. Baszler kicks at two.
[Wade] Now you've got the upper hand, Emma.
You better make it count. This was superb from Emma.
[Cole] Yeah, what impact!
Now Emma trying to tie Shayna Baszler up.
[Wade] See the grimace on her face,
thanks to the damage already incurred on that left arm.
Don't forget, Emma also uses a submission move
to put her opponents away.
Emma got a full five-count version of the tarantula here.
Has Shayna hooked up in the ropes.
And the damage has been done, perhaps, to the back of Shayna Baszler.
[Wade] They don't teach you that one in MMA.
Nice trick up the sleeve of Emma. Can she put this one away?
[Cole] Oh, and look at Baszler. How smart was Baszler?
Forcing Emma to lose her balance on the top rope,
and right back to the already injured arm.
And now, Kirifuda locked in. Emma is in trouble.
Is Emma gonna tap out to Shayna Baszler here?
Emma trying to hang on, trying to hang on, but can't.
-Tap out. -[bell rings]
[Irvin] Here's your winner by submission,
Shayna Baszler!
[Cole] Shayna Baszler tapping out a very game Emma in this match tonight.
[Wade] Tap out or pass out. You choose.
[Cole] Only Shayna Baszler isn't done yet, attacking the arm once again.
I guess, she didn't like the fact that Emma was just trying to crawl away
after the Baszler victory.
[Wade] Well, the victory is in store, but now it's time to be maimed.
["Ball Pit" by def rebel playing]
[Cole] But here comes Shotzi,
who hasn't forgotten how Shayna helped Ronda gain the advantage
in their championship match
this past Saturday night at Survivor Series.
And Shotzi now taking the fight to Baszler.
[Wade] Very game, Shotzi, but already taken down by--
How dangerous is Shayna Baszler?
Back in the zone.
[Cole] An overzealous Shotzi came out to get some of Baszler,
and Baszler now looking to maim Shotzi
much like she did to Emma earlier on in the matchup.
[Wade] How many arms are we gonna break?
["Trap Queen" by def rebel playing]
[Cole] Now, speaking of broken arms,
here's a woman who Ronda and Shayna Baszler broke her elbow.
Raquel Rodriguez, who was supposed to be out of action four to six weeks,
but she's now marched down to the ring to aid Emma who's back on her feet
and her friend Shotzi.
Shayna Baszler took a look at the numbers and said, "Not right now."
[crowd booing]
[Wade] It took three women to stand Baszler down.
Only took three.
[Cole] She echoed your point.
[Wade] Tells you exactly how dangerous Shayna Baszler has become.
[Cole] How does it feel for Shayna Baszler
-to finally be outnumbered? -It took three.
It took three.
Again, the Women's Division heating up here on Friday Night SmackDown.
Ronda Rousey your current champion.
And there is more talent on the way as Lacey Evans is getting back to basics.
[gentle music playing]
[Lacey] You are the product of elite training
by the most powerful fighting force in the world,
the United States Marine Corp.
Get up. Get up. Get up, get up, get up.
Yet somehow, you found yourself lost in the crowd
with the whiners…
and the weak.
Get up, get up. Get up right now. Get up. Now, get up.
Something had to change.
Get up, get up, get up. Go, go, go.
A Mustang gets a tune-up.
Faster, faster. Get them up, get them up.
A boxer goes to training camp.
A Marine… goes back to basics.
[group] Hoorah!
["New Day, New Way" by Jim Johnston playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Lacey Evans, a force to be reckoned with, I'm sure.
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, representing The New Day,
from Ghana, West Africa, weighing in at 212 pounds,
Kofi Kingston.
[Cole] You know, Kofi Kingston, a former WWE Champion,
never backs down from a fight, but, Wade, he is about to be in a major fight.
Kofi Kingston and the Intercontinental Champion,
Gunther, go head-to-head,
coming up next, live on Friday Night SmackDown on FS1.
All day!
[Cole] Well, as a New York Jets fan,
it pains me to say that we're actually in Buffalo,
home of the Bills, but the Bills are darn good.
At least they knocked off the Pats last night.
We're also at the home of the Buffalo Sabres in the NHL.
And tonight, the SmackDown World Cup here on FS1,
Santos Escobar against this man, Ricochet.
[Ricochet] So it has come down to this.
Mexico versus the United States of America.
Santos Escobar versus Ricochet.
You know, from the moment that the competitors were announced,
everyone has been asking me this one question, and that's,
"What would it mean for Ricochet to win the SmackDown World Cup?"
I think it's pretty obvious what it means every time he walks out the curtain.
[Cole] He is exhilarating,
he is breathtaking,
he's invigorating. He is a human highlight reel.
[Wade] Ricochet has a date with destiny.
It would mean everything.
And if this… if this is the route that Ricochet has to take to finally
get his rematch for the Intercontinental Championship against Gunther, then…
you're looking at the winner of the SmackDown World Cup.
Santos… I hope you're ready.
[Wade] Ricochet feeling confident ahead of tonight's main event,
the SmackDown World Cup Final,
Ricochet versus Santos Escobar.
Who will lift the cup and become the Number One Contender
for Gunther's Intercontinental Championship?
[Cole] Meanwhile, Friday Night SmackDown here on FS1
is sponsored tonight by Progressive.
As Kofi Kingston gets set to take on the Intercontinental Champion.
Alex Wright! They know him.
You know that? You know Alex Wright?
Y'all look like a bunch of Alex Wrongs.
[Gunther's music plays]
♪ Gunther ♪
[Irvin] And his opponent,
accompanied to the ring by Ludwig Kaiser
and Giovanni Vinci, representing Imperium,
he is the Intercontinental Champion, Gunther!
[Cole] Imperium has had an issue with
Kofi Kingston and The New Day for a while now,
claiming that they don't respect the mat.
They don't respect the ring,
that they're too interested in entertainment.
[Wade] Well, Imperium despise anything
that is outside of their vision for this sport.
They see the likes of Kofi Kingston and New Day
as a side show that needs to be exterminated from our universe.
[Cole] Kofi Kingston with a win tonight could find himself on the hunt
for a possible Intercontinental Championship opportunity down the road.
Kofi, a former four-time Intercontinental Champion,
has held the United States Title, the…
Tag Team Titles on 14 different occasions,
and of course, a former WWE Champ.
-You know, earlier tonight… -[bell rings]
As Kofi Kingston gets set to go one-on-one with Gunther.
Earlier tonight, Kofi Kingston
declared himself the first entry into the Men's Royal Rumble match
the last Saturday night in January,
the beginning of the Road to WrestleMania.
[Wade] You cannot have a Royal Rumble without Kofi Kingston.
[Cole] Backbreaker by Gunther.
[Wade] If Kingston's body is still intact at that point, that is.
From the looks of Gunther, he wants to put that in jeopardy.
[Cole] Kofi Kingston is closing in on history
as it comes to the Royal Rumble match, Wade.
This year, if he makes it there, will be his 15th Royal Rumble match.
Oh, what an uppercut.
[Wade] You said if he makes it here.
[Cole] Kane holds the record
in the Royal Rumble matches, with 17 appearances.
So, Kofi Kingston closing in on that record.
Also, I talked to Kofi a little bit earlier.
He told me that he needs to make amends in this year's Royal Rumble match,
because remember last year,
things didn't quite go as he's used to in that match.
[Wade] You could put together a ten-minute highlight reel
of Kofi Kingston moments in Royal Rumbles.
I'm expecting big things from Kingston this year.
[Cole] Just listen to this.
-[loud slap] -Oh my goodness.
Gunther, of course, focusing on Kofi now.
Later on tonight, he'll focus on our main event,
Escobar-Ricochet, finals of the SmackDown World Cup.
Gunther will defend against the winner.
[Wade] Imperium must be sick of hearing about the World Cup.
Austria didn't qualify, Italy didn't qualify,
Germany got humiliated.
And now Gunther has to worry about the winner of the SmackDown World Cup.
It never ends.
-[Cole] United States is still playing. -They are, until tomorrow perhaps.
[Cole] Oh, and a shot right to the kidneys by Gunther.
What makes Gunther so dangerous, Wade?
[Wade] You know, it's his size, his brutality,
and his technical proficiency.
Very few people are able to come close to Gunther's bullying ways.
[Cole] And very few people have the survival skills of Kofi Kingston,
and the heart, and the resilience. Oh my goodness.
[Wade] Trust me, I've been in the ring with Kofi Kingston enough times.
I cannot sing his praises enough.
The athleticism is obvious,
but the speed of thought especially when he's getting a beating is unbelievable.
[Cole] Gunther, listen to this.
-[Gunther roars] -[loud slap]
[Cole] He is a human defibrillator. That's what he is.
Right now, Gunther is dismantling Kofi Kingston.
Kofi, though, sends the big man out to the apron,
and now Kofi Kingston has the chance to rally.
Kick to the face. Gunther's outside the ring.
Kofi Kingston now in his wheelhouse.
Ludwig Kaiser. Official Charles Robinson didn't see it.
He was dealing with Gunther, who capitalizes off the distraction.
[Wade] And here we go.
["Monster Of All Monsters" by def rebel playing]
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] The Monster of all Monsters.
[Wade] He's out for a little payback, Cole. Let's not forget,
Imperium helped eliminate Braun from the SmackDown World Cup.
[Cole] Yeah, and obviously, Braun has not forgotten.
And Braun…
-catches Vinci in mid-air. -[Wade] Vinci just bounced off--
[Cole] Oh, and drives him into the post.
Dumped into the timer keeper's area.
-What? -[Cole] Kaiser on the back of Strowman.
Strowman hauling Kaiser into the time keeper's area.
The monster's fired up.
[Wade] It is just effortless for Braun Strowman.
[Cole] Meanwhile, back in the ring,
Gunther hoisting Kofi up. Kofi Kingston…
with the SOS to Gunther.
Kofi trying to beat the Intercontinental Champion.
Kickout.
Kofi's got a fighting chance here on SmackDown.
[groans]
[Cole] It is Gunther, the Intercontinental Champion,
in control of Kofi Kingston here tonight.
So Gunther is gonna have some issues if he loses this match to Kofi
because not only would Kofi perhaps earn
a future Intercontinental Championship opportunity,
he's got Braun Strowman to worry about
who's still ticked off that he didn't make it to the finals of the cup,
and he's got the winner of the SmackDown Cup later on tonight,
either Santos Escobar or Ricochet.
Gunther now dragging Kofi down, shoulders are down.
Gunther's got a kick at two.
[Wade] Well, this is what happens when you have gold in this industry.
You find yourself with a lot of rivals coming in your direction.
[Cole] And we're down really to a one-on-one matchup
because Vinci and Kaiser, the Imperium, no longer at ringside.
They were chased out of the arena
by the "Monster of all Monsters" Braun Strowman.
[Wade] Once again, Imperium trying to pour scorn on the idea of fair competition.
Thankfully for Kingston, Braun evening the odds.
Kofi, dropkicked Gunther back to the ropes
and Kofi trying to rally here, needs to pick up the pace as he's doing now.
The veteran Kofi Kingston…
-New Day! -[crowd chants] New Day!
…with a Boom Drop to Gunther,
and the Intercontinental Champion's reeling.
[Wade] Been in this position many times against Kingston.
Kingston, with all that momentum, trying to put this one to bed.
[Cole] How did you ever slow that momentum?
[Wade] I didn't. That was the problem.
-[Cole] That's why you're sitting here. -Exactly.
[Cole] Kofi Kingston perhaps setting up Gunther for the Trouble in Paradise.
Gunther back to his feet.
Kingston measuring his man, able to step out of harm's way.
Went for the German suplex. Kofi lands on his feet.
Kingston caught him with a boot to the face.
Kofi looking to rally, up to the top rope now.
Kingston, splash to the back.
Cover on the champion, hook of the leg, and a near fall for Kofi Kingston.
[Wade] Kingston digging deep into the playbook.
Rarely, rarely do you see "The General" Gunther reeling like this.
[Cole] In there against a former WWE Champion,
a Royal Rumble…
highlight reel as…
Kingston comes off the top rope to Gunther again.
One! Two!
[Wade] And here's the question.
Can Gunther do it without the troops in tow
against someone the caliber of Kofi Kingston?
[Cole] We're gonna find out as Kingston, top rope.
-Oh! What a chop! -[Wade] What a game-changer.
[Cole] Now Gunther is gonna power Kingston up.
This time with a German suplex.
Cover, hook of the leg for the win. Kingston stays in it.
And a bit of frustration being shown now by the champion.
[Wade] Sneering disdain for anybody
who does not meet the standards of Gunther and Imperium,
and now it is time to torture Kofi Kingston.
Kofi, center of the ring, nowhere to go.
Kingston trying to drag himself to the bottom rope.
That Boston crab.
Gunther, though, turns it into a crossface now.
[Wade] So technically astute, so big, so strong, and so mean with it.
[Cole] Trying to slip the arm underneath the chin.
Kofi trying to make it back to his feet.
Is he able to slip out, create some space?
Kicks to the hamstrings, the back of the knee of Gunther.
[Wade] Speaks volumes for the durability of Kofi Kingston
who has truly been put through the wringer, but still in the fight.
[Cole] Looking for the SOS once again,
but a gut-wrench by Gunther. There's the power of Gunther.
Kofi, though, able to slip out from behind.
Caught him with a kick. Didn't get all of it, though.
There's the dropkick by Gunther,
driving Kingston into the corner.
[Wade] Where is the weakness? When you look at Gunther,
where the hell is any weakness?
[Cole] Gunther with a powerbomb to Kingston.
Here's the cover for the victory. Kofi able to kick out of the powerbomb.
And now Gunther is ticked off.
[Wade] Oh my word. So few people, historically,
have been capable of kicking out of that powerbomb,
as we see, once again, the versatility of "The General" Gunther.
One! Two!
[Cole] Kofi able to kick out of the powerbomb,
but Gunther right back on the attack.
[Wade] Kofi has no clue where he's at right now.
That's the problem.
[loud grunts]
-[Cole] And you were saying? -Playing possum, perhaps, Michael Cole.
Always kept me guessing.
[Cole] Gunther with Kofi up on his shoulders, planting Kingston.
Here's the cover. Hook of the leg, and that's the win.
[bell rings]
[Imperium's music plays]
[Irvin] Here is your winner,
the Intercontinental Champion, Gunther!
[Cole] That must have been what Gunther was talking to me about
earlier this week, Wade. I was in a conversation with him
and he was talking about evolving
and he was talking about changing his game.
He said he was working on this new finishing move
he called the Last Symphony.
Apparently, that is what Gunther used tonight
to take out Kofi Kingston in this match.
You've got to give credit to the champion, trying to evolve his game,
never staying stagnant
because he knows there's more competitors down the road.
[Wade] The champ simply does not sit still as we take another…
look at that blast to the chest of Kofi Kingston.
Some high-flying offense, too,
from the big Austrian, and then putting it to bed with the Final Symphony?
[Cole] The Last Symphony is what Gunther said he was gonna call it. Very effective.
You see how we used it.
Kingston was able to kick out of the normal finisher
which was the powerbomb, so Gunther took it one step further
to pick up the win, and now turns his attention
to the finals tonight of the SmackDown World Cup.
Will it be Escobar or Ricochet next in line for Gunther?
You all right, boys? Are we good?
-Yeah. -Let's get going.
I'm gonna get the car brought around.
I got a great late-night spot. I hope you're hungry.
-Yeet. -Let's get the car going.
Hold on. Hold on. Hold on.
-What's up? -Let Solo go with you.
Why?
Because, dawg, you've been making a lot of enemies lately.
Let Solo do his job. Yeet?
-Chess move. -Bet. All right.
You good, Uce? All right.
-All right, dawg. -Hope you boys are hungry.
-Yes, we are. -I'll get that car brought around.
Yo, he still ugly, though.
Well, I still can't believe it.
Sami Uso in The Bloodline, and you okay with it?
I know. I never thought I'd see the day, right?
Hell, no. You ever get a chance to talk to Sami about lying to your face?
No, man. Um…
Big Uce said he's seen what he needed to see when he looked in Sami's eyes, right?
Yeah.
We saw how WarGames went down, didn't we?
-Got the W, dawg. -Yeet.
-On me. On me, man. -That's what I'm talking about.
Watch out.
[grunting]
[Cole] Sheamus with the shillelagh.
Good luck Monday, fellas.
If you make it through,
me and McIntyre will be waiting for yous on the other side.
Banger after banger after banger…
[Cole] Sami not the only on in The Bloodline making enemies.
[Sheamus] …after banger after banger after banger…
["Still The Baddest" by def rebel playing]
[Cole] And tonight on FS1, it is Friday Night SmackDown…
♪ Damage CTRL ♪
[Cole] …with Damage CTRL.
♪ We got the power, we got the rage… ♪
[Irvin] Please welcome Bayley and the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky, Damage CTRL!
[Cole] Bayley and Iyo and Dakota Kai,
still showing the wounds from what happened this past Saturday night.
They were a major part in kicking off Survivor Series
as part of the Women's WarGame match.
♪ Let's go ♪
[alarm blaring]
[Graves] Two rings, one cage, no holds barred.
♪ Generals gathered in their masses ♪
♪ Just like witches at black masses ♪
♪ Oh lord, yeah! ♪
[Irvin] Let the WarGames begin!
[Graves] If you want victory in this battle,
there are bound to be casualties.
We knew this would be chaotic.
It is a frenzy inside WarGames.
Becky Lynch changed the complexion of this entire match.
KOD into the cage!
Becky, what the hell are you thinking?
-The Man with a leg drop! -[crowd] Three!
-[bell rings] -[Cole] Becky and company win WarGames.
♪ Manipulate the odds And make it look like magic ♪
♪ Pretty as a barb But we're still the baddies ♪
♪ Breaking down the walls We are far from average… ♪
Ding-dong, idiots, especially you right there.
Sit down with your dumb hat.
-[crowd booing] -[Cole] That's nice.
Trust me, trust me, we don't wanna be here in stupid Booffalo, either.
[crowd booing]
But I'm pretty sure, uh, Michael Cole must have missed me, huh?
-That's why we're here. -[Cole] Yep.
Or SmackDown needed ratings so they knew that they can count on Damage CTRL.
[scattered booing]
-You guys saw that footage, right? -[boos continue]
That was less than a week ago. Okay?
We were inside WarGames less than a week ago.
The three of us combined were inside that match
for a total of 95 minutes and 19 seconds.
That's a long time! Are you kidding me?
Do any of you idiots realize the magnitude of that, huh?
Do you know what that does to our bodies?
I'm sore still!
Of course you don't, of course you don't,
because you dummies cheered for Becky Lynch when she won.
[crowd cheers]
Oh, give me a break. She was in there for a cup of coffee.
-Hey, you know what? I will give Becky-- -[crowd chanting] Becky! Becky!
She's not here, so shut the hell up.
Actually, you know what? I was gonna give her credit for stepping up,
but because of you I'm not. Let's forget about Becky, okay?
Let's talk about the SmackDown roster.
Nobody back there had the guts to step up.
Nobody back there wanted to face us.
And as the longest-reigning SmackDown Women's Champion in history,
that really disappointed me.
[crowd shouts] What?
So, we're here to be your role model, SmackDown. Don't worry about it.
If you guys need someone to look up to,
we got Iyo Sky, Bayley, Dakota Kai, Damage CTRL.
["Liv Gone Mad" by def rebel playing]
[Cole] Well, not so fast, Bayley.
♪ Watch me ♪
Bayley, Bayley, Bayley,
it seems like you have a problem with the SmackDown Women's Division.
Well, on behalf of the locker room, I'm here to address it.
One, two, three…
seems fair.
-[Cole] Liv Morgan. -[Wade] What the hell?
[Cole] Liv Morgan, who's been obsessed with disorder and brutality lately.
[Wade] It's three against one, Liv, what the hell are you doing?
[Cole] She obviously doesn't care.
Dakota and Iyo sent into the steps, in the barricade.
Now, Liv goes after Bayley and takes Bayley out.
Liv Morgan throws caution to the wind, and going after Damage CTRL.
[Wade] Liv Morgan is out of her mind. It was working so well,
but this is inevitable.
-[Cole] Yeah, obviously, this is what… -[crowd booing]
…everyone was afraid of when Liv charged in the ring,
was this three-on-one assault.
-["Blue Marvel" by def rebel playing] -[Cole] Who the…?
-Oh my goodness. -[Wade whoops] No way.
[Cole] It's Tegan Nox.
[Wade] The Welsh firecracker herself.
-[Cole] Tegan Nox is back… -Wow!
[Cole] …in WWE.
Tegan Nox is here, coming to the aid of Liv Morgan.
[Wade] And not a moment too soon.
[Cole] Let's not forget the long, tumultuous history
with Tegan Nox and Dakota Kai of Damage CTRL.
[Wade] Nox displaying that frenzied offense
that made her a legend in NXT.
But again, Damage CTRL with the numbers.
Because Liv's been taken out,
and now Bayley and company
with a three-on-one attack on the returning Tegan Nox.
A valiant effort by Tegan, but the numbers game catches up to her.
[Wade] So good while it lasted, Tegan.
-Plenty of-- -Now Liv Morgan,
-kendo stick in hand! -[Wade] What an equalizer!
[Cole] Liv just shattered that kendo stick on Bayley.
[crowd cheers]
Tegan now with the Shiniest Wizard.
-["Blue Marvel" by def rebel playing] -Tegan Nox is back,
standing tall with Liv Morgan and putting Damage CTRL on notice.
[Wade] Causing utter carnage here on SmackDown.
[Cole] The World's Shiniest Wizard and a kendo stick by Liv Morgan
sends Damage CTRL heading back to the locker room.
Who do you think you are coming back with us, huh?
[Cole] There may be hell to pay for Liv and Tegan Nox,
but it was fun while it lasted.
Ladies and gentlemen, coming up next here
on Friday Night SmackDown, it is our main event
in the SmackDown World Cup.
Let's show you how these two competitors got to the finals.
First, Ricochet with a win over Mustafa Ali
and then the big upset on Braun Strowman last week.
[Wade] Yeah, and how about Santos Escobar's path to the final?
First off beating Japan's Shinsuke Nakamura,
and then beating England's Butch in the semifinal.
Now, we're here at our final, Mexico versus USA.
[Cole] It is gonna be some matchup
because you're looking at the exciting, the innovative,
the breathtaking, the eye-popping Ricochet,
a former Intercontinental Champion,
against the smooth-as-silk technician,
the luchador, Santos Escobar, from Legado Del Fantasma.
Ricochet and Fantasma's Santos Escobar
in our main event for the SmackDown World Cup on FS1.
The finals are coming up next.
And again, Wade, I cannot wait for this main event
because you've got two styles that,
in many ways are contrasting,
but in other ways are completely different.
Who's your pick for the finals tonight?
My pick has to be the Emperor of lucha libre, Santos Escobar,
one of the best I've ever seen.
Add to that the fact that he's got Legado Del Fantasma with him,
-I don't think he can be beaten. -I disagree. I pick Ricochet.
Because Ricochet wants the Intercontinental Championship back
that he lost to Gunther back in June.
The finals are right now.
["Legacy of the Ghost" by def rebel playing]
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following is the finals
for the SmackDown World Cup on Fox.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Zelina Vega,
Cruz Del Toro, and Joaquin Wilde,
representing Legado Del Fantasma,
Santos Escobar.
[Cole] And you know, Wade, it is not lost on Ricochet
the fact that you're going to have two members of Legado Del Fantasma,
and, of course, Zelina as well, at ringside for this matchup.
Ricochet said, "I have to prepare for three men tonight,
but the odds are always against me."
"My back is always against the wall. I want my title back."
"I've got to beat Escobar tonight."
Santos Escobar versus Ricochet.
They meet for the first time ever in WWE, one-on-one.
The SmackDown World Cup is at stake.
["War Pigs" by Ozzy Osbourne playing]
♪ Politicians hide themselves away ♪
♪ They only started the war ♪
[suspenseful music plays]
[Kross] This universe…
is one giant storm.
It's chaos,
randomness,
and I embraced this truth a long time ago. I embraced it.
But others, they struggle with this reality.
The more they fight against it, they come to find
that it puts them in all of the places they really don't wanna be.
I had to show Drew McIntyre this.
And I had to teach Madcap Moss
that you don't walk…
against the wind.
But now,
now it's time to take someone else into the eye of the storm.
Scarlett?
Ticktock.
[Cole] It's obvious the clock is ticking on Rey Mysterio.
Nonetheless, we now focus on Monday Night Raw
this coming Monday, Washington D.C.
The Usos put their record 502-days-and-counting
Tag Team Championship reign on the line
against Riddle and Elias Monday night on Raw.
Well, next Friday night on SmackDown,
we're actually in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
and we're back on Fox.
And next week in Pittsburgh,
we have a Tag Team Championship Match of our own on SmackDown.
[Wade] Absolutely, there's no rest for the wicked
because the winners of the aforementioned Tag Team Championship on Raw
will go on to defend their titles
against the formidable team of McIntyre and Sheamus
right here next week on SmackDown.
[Cole] Also next week, you saw Shotzi
get involved with Shayna Baszler here earlier tonight.
Shotzi goes after "The Submission Magician" Shayna Baszler.
One-on-one live next week,
Raquel Rodriguez and the SmackDown Women's Champion, Ronda Rousey,
-will be here as well. -[Wade] And I cannot wait for this.
Join us as we celebrate the birthday of Olympic gold medalist
and WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle in his hometown of Pittsburgh, PA.
Line up the pints of milk at the bar.
It is gonna be one wild night, Cole,
and I promise you I can drink you under table any day.
[eerie music]
[man 1] Do you know the man who lives next door?
How well do you know his name?
Why can't you all see?
[woman] Why can't you all see?
-[man 1] I know what he thinks. -[woman] Thinks…
-[man 1] I know how he feels. -[man 2] I know…
[woman] How he feels.
-[man 1] It's all fiction. -[man and woman] It's all fiction.
[woman] Trust us.
[man 1] Trust me.
Revel in what you are.
[Cole] Not quite sure what to make of that,
but Santos Escobar is in the ring
for the finals of the SmackDown World Cup here on FS1,
joined by Zelina Vega yet again this week.
Hello. A part of Legado Del Fantasma. I'll get it right.
The one and only. Eventually, you'll get it right.
You make people nervous, Zelina. Michael Cole clearly in fear around you.
-[Cole] It's true. -I know.
["One and Only" playing]
♪ One and only ♪
[Cole] It is time now for the highlight of the night.
♪ It's about to go down ♪
-♪ Let's go! ♪ -[effects popping]
[Irvin] And his opponent, from Las Vegas,
weighing in at 207 pounds, Ricochet!
[Cole] You know, Zelina,
we heard from you and Legado Del Fantasma earlier tonight.
How important is it for your group and Santos Escobar
to win the SmackDown World Cup
and earn the Intercontinental Championship opportunity?
[Zelina] We've explained this a million times.
He's representing Mexico, he's representing lucha libre,
he's doing this for Legado, he's doing this for us,
and we're gonna not only become the winners of the World Cup,
but also the Intercontinental Champion. Hello.
[Wade] Love it, Zelina.
You got to learn, sitting at this desk as often as I do,
Michael Cole doesn't listen to anything anybody ever says.
-It's a real shame. -[Zelina] Clearly.
[Cole] I did listen to Ricochet when he told me earlier today
that he's had some run-ins with Santos Escobar in the past.
However, tonight is the first time ever that they've met one-on-one in WWE.
Tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on FS1 is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
[Wade] Zelina, once again,
I have to compliment you on your fashion choices.
I can see that your fashion tastes are rubbing off
on the gentlemen of Legado Del Fantasma.
You are the greatest-dressed unit in the history of WWE.
[Zelina] Oh! You're so right.
The best dressed, best talker, best everything. Oh my God.
[Cole] Maybe you could give Wade some fashion tips.
[Zelina chuckles] Well, right now, we just need to also mention
that Ricochet needs to wake up from this dream that he's having
that he's actually gonna win this. Wake up to reality, Cole.
Nothing ever goes as planned in this accursed world,
and he's gonna learn that tonight.
[Cole] Zelina, the problem for Ricochet is he's fighting for a lot here.
He wants his Intercontinental Title back. He lost to Gunther back in June.
-[bell rings] -Hasn't had the opportunity
to try to win back that championship since.
And Escobar and Ricochet,
we are underway in the finals of the SmackDown World Cup here on Fox.
[Zelina] He doesn't deserve it. That's why.
[Cole] Ricochet with Legado Del Fantasma hanging out at ringside.
[Wade] Ricochet got himself a miracle last week against Braun.
Got an unexpected assist, of course, from Imperium.
He might need an even bigger miracle tonight
to defeat Santos Escobar
and the high-flying hyenas at ringside.
[Cole] Like the USA needs tomorrow against the Netherlands in the World Cup.
[Wade] No comment.
-[Wade speaks indistinctly] -[Cole] Again, Escobar takes advantage
of the distraction outside the ring.
No matter how you look at it, Ricochet's in a three-on-one situation here.
Four-on-one when you figure Zelina into the mix,
but Ricochet right back up to the apron.
[Wade] Cameroon beat Brazil in the World Cup earlier today.
[Cole] Ricochet with a missile dropkick off the top rope.
[Wade] I'm not counting anybody out.
[Cole] Ricochet going to fly with a suicide dive.
Takes out Escobar.
Come on, come on. Get up, get up.
[Cole] Now, Joaquin Wilde up on the apron causing a distraction.
[Zelina] Go!
[Wade] Santos Escobar, one of the smartest tacticians in the history of NXT.
[Cole] Why can't he be out here and have a one-on-one match?
-Oh, nice dropkick. -[Wade] It's tactics, pal.
[Cole] Ricochet missed with that clothesline,
as Escobar sends him out to the apron.
Now, Cruz Del Toro and Wilde swarming like hyenas.
The official didn't see it.
Ricochet pushed off the top rope, and this is a handicap match.
[Zelina] What? Don't! Don't! Don't you dare.
-[Cole] Yeah, see ya. Goodbye. -[Zelina] What?
Are you kidding? What kind of call was that?
[Cole] Referee Jason Ayers doing the right thing.
Making sure that this matchup is fair.
[Wade] Wow, the miracle that Ricochet needed
certainly got a lot more possible.
You! Are out of here!
-[Cole] And Zelina sent packing as well! -[shrieking]
Now, we're gonna have a one-on-one match.
Escobar, Ricochet for the SmackDown World Cup.
[no audible dialogue]
[referee shouts indistinctly]
[Cole] Here tonight at FS1, this is Friday Night SmackDown.
It's all about that, the SmackDown World Cup.
This is the finals. Ricochet versus Santos Escobar.
It is one-on-one for good
because Zelina Vega and the rest of Legado Del Fantasma
were sent back to the locker room by official Jason Ayers
before the commercial break.
[Wade] Here's the issue for Santos Escobar,
Legado Del Fantasma have been instrumental
in both of his victories thus far in this tournament
against Shinsuke Nakamura and against Butch.
[Cole] Yeah, but, Escobar, he's a true talent, Wade.
He shouldn't need those guys to
pick up a victory here tonight over Ricochet.
But Ricochet has been focused since the start of this tournament.
[Wade] Here's the thing you gotta remember about Santos Escobar,
he has a deep bag of tricks.
A strategist like no other, has a plan C, D, and E.
[Cole] Ricochet got caught on the top rope and shoved to the floor by Escobar.
[referee] One!
[Cole] Santos Escobar said there is a universal truth:
-what goes up must come down. -[referee] Three!
-Was he talking about Ricochet? -[referee] Four!
And now, Santos Escobar using his own momentum.
Going to fly through the ropes,
and Ricochet sent right on our announce table off the suicide dive by Escobar.
[Wade] Some high-flying of his own from the Emperor of Lucha Libre. El jefe.
The jefes.
[Cole] And if there's anyone…
who knows how to fly high, it's the luchador Santos Escobar
who has now taken control of Ricochet.
Into the cover now. Looking to put Ricochet away.
Two count. Kickout by Ricochet.
Got his shoulder up.
Another look. Watch the impact off the suicide dive.
Santos Escobar says he'll win the World Cup.
Version of the Lion Tamer here now by Escobar.
Knee driven into the spine of Ricochet.
Ricochet trying to work out of this situation.
Escobar said he wins the World Cup for Mexico,
he wins the Intercontinental Championship for himself.
That's his mindset, his attitude, as Ricochet looks to fight out.
-[yelling] -Again, grounded by Santos Escobar.
[Wade] Legado Del Fantasma always looking to expand upon their empire.
No finer way to do it than winning the SmackDown World Cup.
[Cole] We talk a lot about the luchador style of Santos Escobar,
but he's a great mat technician, as he's showing here.
[Wade] Yeah, absolutely.
I don't think anybody on this planet can match the aerial skills of a Ricochet,
but the power game, the technical game,
that has to go in favor of Escobar, as we're seeing right now.
[Cole] Escobar gonna get Ricochet to tap out.
Ricochet in a world of trouble here. His shoulders are down.
Ricochet's got a kick at two.
[crowd cheering]
A tremendous show of respect from the WWE fans
as Santos Escobar and Ricochet continue to do battle for the SmackDown World Cup.
Ricochet hanging on to the top rope.
Off there. One!
[Cole] Caught Escobar with an elbow.
Ricochet down to the floor as Escobar missed.
Now, Ricochet with his shoulder to the midsection.
That was a great move by Ricochet.
[Wade] Such ridiculous speed of movement from Ricochet.
We shouldn't be surprised at this point, but still he continues to confound.
[Cole] Escobar shifting his weight, his balance.
Now, Ricochet does the same. Lands on the apron.
Escobar up top. That was dangerous.
[referee] Get back inside, both of you.
[Wade] Good old-fashioned slugfest.
[Cole] Oh, kick to the face and down goes Escobar.
And now, Ricochet trying to turn the momentum around in this matchup.
Ricochet, kick again. Escobar stunned.
[Wade] Just about staying on his feet. Looking real woozy, though,
-ripe for the pickings. -[Cole] Ricochet-- Oh my goodness.
Ricochet throwing caution to the wind. It's all about the SmackDown World Cup.
[Cole] We're back on Friday Night SmackDown here on FS1.
This is the finals of the SmackDown World Cup,
Escobar from Mexico, Ricochet from the United States.
Hammering away at each other. Top rope.
[Wade] Match has swung back and forth. You get a sense, though,
the Emperor of Lucha Libre starting to take control.
-Spoke too soon. -Yes, I guess you did
because Ricochet with a superplex.
The winner of the SmackDown World Cup
gets a championship opportunity
against the Intercontinental Title holder, Gunther.
[Wade] These two have been going at it hammer and tongs.
At this point, it's about how much do you want it.
[Cole] Ricochet with a superplex that rattled the ring.
Both men down off the impact.
Ricochet will just crawl into the cover. Escobar at two.
[Wade] So little in that pin from Ricochet.
So much taken out of him already in this matchup.
[Cole] Once again, this is the finals of the SmackDown World Cup here on FS1.
Tonight, Ricochet from the United States, Santos Escobar from Mexico.
The winner to face Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship
in a couple of weeks.
[Wade] Escobar desperately trying to save Mexico's blushes
after they got knocked out of the FIFA World Cup.
[Cole] They did really well. Escobar with a couple of right hands.
Ricochet.
They fired their manager, didn't they?
[Wade] I'm not surprised.
Very, very important for the Mexicans, as is lucha libre,
and their representative Santos Escobar.
[Cole] Ricochet misses wildly, Escobar trying to fight back into this.
Both men collide, down, middle of the ring.
Critical moment right here, Wade, in this match.
[Wade] Referee checking both competitors very, very closely.
[Cole] Watch this… Bang! What a collision.
[Wade] Forehead to forehead.
-[referee] Two. -[Cole] Who will get to their feet first?
Who will recover to take the upper hand in the SmackDown World Cup?
[Wade] No idea what we do if we get a double count-out here.
Do we go to penalty?
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, we are in Buffalo, New York, tonight.
This is the KeyBank Center, Friday Night SmackDown on FS1.
It is for the SmackDown World Cup.
Ricochet versus Santos Escobar in the finals.
The winner, on December 16th, two weeks from tonight, in Chicago
will face Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship,
so a lot at stake.
The pride of winning the World Cup
and then getting the championship opportunity.
[Wade] Both of them slowly getting their wits back about them.
Have to be running on fumes at this point.
Escobar…
and Ricochet…
sizing one another up.
Ricochet launching himself on the steps.
Landed on the barricade. What balance by Ricochet!
Escobar on the barricade as well.
Both of these men on a tightrope.
[referee] Four!
[Cole] Oh, hurricanrana brings Ricochet down.
[crowd chants] Holy shit! Holy shit!
[Cole] And the official now at a count of six, at a count of seven.
Could we be looking at a double count-out in the SmackDown World Cup?
Escobar said, "No way."
"I am gonna take advantage of the hurricanrana."
Into the cover to win the SmackDown World Cup
on Ricochet, who gets the shoulder up at two.
[Wade] Ooh, Escobar about to finish this one in style.
Hurricanrana. Just when Ricochet thought he had his balance,
Santos Escobar with other ideas. What a heavy landing.
Escobar again into the cover, hooks the leg on Ricochet,
who again shows that resilience as he kicks out again at two.
It's all to battle out to win the finals of the SmackDown World Cup.
[Wade] We just have to admire, at this point,
not just the resilience but the stylish savagery of Santos Escobar.
Escobar the leader of Legado Del Fantasma.
Drops the elbow to the spine of Ricochet, continues to punish Ricochet.
-Ask him. -Now telling the official to ask him.
Will Ricochet say "I quit"? Will he tap out?
[Wade] Is in complete control since that hurricanrana on the outside.
[Cole] Yeah, but Ricochet is still in this fight.
Escobar has done a pretty decent job of slowing Ricochet down.
[Wade] Been brilliant. I'm surprised at this point Ricochet is even awake.
[Cole] Yeah, but he's still fighting back.
[Wade] Fighting on pure instinct alone.
[Cole] Escobar teetering on the second rope.
He's in the drop zone.
Ricochet realizes he may have Escobar right where he wants him.
Can Ricochet somehow pull it off? Can he dig down deep?
[Wade] What a gutsy performance thus far.
[Cole] Yeah, what a move by Escobar. Rolls out to the apron…
and back on the attack.
Ricochet just been through too much punishment.
Couldn't recover in time and now both men, top rope, dangerous situation.
Now Escobar, but Ricochet lands on his feet this time.
Tried to do what he did at the barricade, but Ricochet wouldn't have any of it.
Now Ricochet is back on his feet.
Knee to Escobar, you can feel the momentum shift.
Off the suplex, Ricochet rolls through.
Look at the power of Ricochet, vertical suplex.
[Wade] What a hot streak Ricochet has been on these past few weeks.
[Cole] Moonsault off the second rope.
Cover, hook of leg, Escobar kicks at two.
[Wade] Both men at this point in the matchup
must feel like they've had one hand
on the SmackDown World Cup trophy, as we take another look at the excellence
-of Ricochet's high-flying skills. -One! Two!
[Cole] Had the springboard moonsault, but it wasn't enough.
-Both of these men digging down deep… -[crowd chanting] USA! USA!
[Cole] …putting everything on the line
for an opportunity to win the SmackDown World Cup,
and perhaps the Intercontinental Championship.
Ricochet driving Escobar into the corner.
[Wade] This has to be Ricochet's biggest chance.
I don't know what is left in the tank of Escobar.
He went down and he went down hard.
[Cole] Ricochet up to the top rope. He's got Escobar where he wants him.
Ricochet high above the ring.
Oh, Escobar got the knees up for the win-- off the count, and Ricochet kicks at two.
[Wade] Escobar playing possum the whole time,
suckering in Ricochet, but somehow not quite enough.
The ribs of Ricochet absorbing the full impact
of the knees of Santos Escobar,
but just enough in the tank, with a millisecond left.
[Cole] Now Escobar with Ricochet up on his shoulders,
Escobar knees to the face, and yet another one.
[Wade] Gotta go for that Phantom Driver, and, oh.
[Cole] Ricochet able to counter. Now into a cover of his own.
Escobar's gonna kick out.
Both men going for finishing moves, both men able to counter.
Escobar now from behind.
Ricochet lands on the back of his neck.
Cover to win the SmackDown World Cup. Ricochet kicks at two.
[Wade] Man, that pin had everything on it from Santos Escobar. The man is in shock.
[Cole] Look at Escobar.
He cannot believe that Ricochet was able to kick out of that at a count of two.
Watch the impact on the back of the neck of Ricochet.
Escobar thought he had the win, but it wasn't to be.
[Wade] The pin had everything stacked upon it.
Ricochet somehow digging himself out the hole he was in.
[Cole] Now Escobar wisely back on the attack.
How much does Ricochet have left?
Both of these men have punished each other.
[Wade] Whoever wins this one from here, Cole,
we have got two of SmackDown's finest before our very eyes.
[Cole] Ricochet placed up on the top rope.
Santos Escobar gonna try to make his way up there as well.
[Wade] Neither man prepared to give an inch this entire battle.
[Cole] The heart and soul that Ricochet and Escobar
are both showing in this matchup tonight.
Ricochet-- Oh my goodness!
-Escobar, no clue where he's at. -[Wade] Completely glassy-eyed.
-[Cole] Ricochet… -[crowd] Oh! Oh!
[Cole] Kick to the chin.
Escobar again is down, Ricochet's got a chance.
[Wade] Escobar is a sitting duck.
Now it's there for the taking, Cole.
[Cole] Ricochet's got a chance. Escobar, no idea where he's at.
Top rope for Ricochet.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] 630… connecting.
-Ricochet into the cover. Hook of the leg. -One! Two! Three!
-Ricochet wins the SmackDown World Cup! -[bell rings]
[upbeat music plays]
[Irvin] Here is the winner of the SmackDown World Cup on Fox,
Ricochet!
-[Cole] What a match! -[Wade] Oh man.
A finer matchup you will not see all year.
It took something incredibly special from Ricochet
to win something incredibly special, a 630 Splash.
Get your protractors out, measure that one.
Should be impossible. It is for everyone else if they're not named Ricochet.
[Cole] It is a shame that we had to have a loser in this match.
What a performance by both of these athletes.
-But in the end, Ricochet wins the-- -It's go time!
-[crowd cheering] -[effects popping]
[Cole] The celebration of winning the SmackDown World Cup.
-[Imperium's music plays] -[Wade] Oh no…
[Cole] As the celebration ends, reality now sets in.
♪ Gunther ♪
[Cole] Because two weeks from tonight,
December 16, Chicago, Illinois.
Ricochet, Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship.
That's next.
[inaudible dialogue]
This… and that's next.
I don't make no lies. t.