[WWE intro music plays]
[Cena] Then.
-[Ric Flair] Woo! -[glass shatters]
[The Rock] If you smell…
-[bell rings] -[Cena] Now.
-♪ The King of Kings ♪ -♪ You can't see me ♪
[Cena] Forever.
[crowd cheering]
Together.
[music fades]
[Cole] And we are live at the Allstate Arena in Chicago tonight.
Part of The Bloodline are arriving.
We're being told that the Tag Team Champions, The Usos,
along with the "Honorary Uce" Sami Zayn…
[Sami] Oh my God! I can't believe we ate the whole pie!
[Cole] …are in the limousine. You can see Sami there.
Sami's got to be anxious and excited.
A lot of speculation that tonight Sami becomes
a made man within The Bloodline.
The "honorary" label could possibly be dropped
as we await the arrival of Roman Reigns,
-live tonight. -Make way for the dawg.
[def rebel's "Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
♪ 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? ♪
♪ Woo, woo ♪
[pyrotechnics explode]
♪ Flexing and focused ♪
♪ I'm leaving dem all Looking stressin' and folded ♪
♪ How am I hot but I'm dressing the coldest ♪
[Cole] It is electric tonight.
You are looking live at a sold-out
Allstate Arena in Chicago,
where there are 15,103
WWE fans here for Friday Night SmackDown on Fox,
sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection,
with home, auto, and more.
And it's Friday.
And you know what that means.
[def rebel's "Liv Gone Mad" playing]
A championship night!
♪ Watch me ♪
[bell rings]
[Samantha Irvin] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship.
Introducing first, from Elmwood Park, New Jersey, Liv Morgan.
[Cole] Michael Cole, Wade Barrett at ringside.
Two weeks ago, Bayley and Damage CTRL
were out here complaining about the Women's Division.
And what does Liv Morgan do, Wade?
She comes to the ring, and tries to take on…
[def rebel's "Blue Marvel" playing]
…Damage CTRL, three-on-one, before the return of Tegan Nox.
[Wade] Yeah, not a moment too soon
just as Liv Morgan was about to get a whopping,
a big surprise return, Tegan Nox came
to even the odds.
And then, of course, Liv Morgan went extreme
just like we know she can do,
cleaning house, leading us to tonight.
[Cole] The girl with the Shiniest Wizard. Tegan Nox making a statement.
Last week, Liv and Tegan knocked off Ronda Rousey.
And Shayna Baszler turned this opportunity tonight.
[def rebel's "Blue Marvel" playing]
[Irvin] And her tag team partner
from the Welsh Valleys, Tegan Nox.
[Cole] Ronda Rousey was not happy with what went down last week.
She said, "Funny how the glitter twins," that's what she calls
Morgan and Tegan Nox, "can cheat and still be loved for it.
You want us to take this seriously? Well, it's your funeral."
Those the words of Ronda Rousey.
[Wade] Yeah, I don't know how smart it is
upsetting someone like Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler,
but it seems to have worked out in the favor of Nox and Morgan tonight
getting an opportunity for the gold.
[def rebel's "We Got the Rage" playing]
♪ Damage CTRL ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ We got the power, we got the rage ♪
♪ Control the stage, control the cage ♪
♪ We got the power, we got the rage ♪
♪ Control the stage, control the cage ♪
[Irvin] And their opponents,
accompanied to the ring by Bayley,
they are the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky,
Damage CTRL.
[Cole] Wade, this past Monday night on Raw,
mixed bag for Damage CTRL.
Iyo Sky picked up a win over Candice LeRae,
but Bayley didn't fare too well on her
Number One Contender Match with Alexa Bliss.
Becky Lynch would take out Damage CTRL, leaving Bayley all alone.
[Wade] Oh, let's be honest, overall,
December has been an absolutely horrible month for Damage CTRL.
Go back to WarGames, they're on a reverse there.
And of course, as you mentioned,
Bayley missing out on the Number One Contendership.
If Damage CTRL lose this matchup tonight, it would cap off
what has been an absolutely dreadful December for them.
[Cole] So, you're saying that there is more pressure on Damage CTRL tonight
than there is actually on Tegan and Liv.
[Wade] Well, let's face it, Dam--
[inaudible]
[Cole] We have been talking about Damage CTRL, Bayley.
Nonetheless, you were saying?
[Wade] It's not exactly been glowing, though, has it?
Let's be honest, Michael Cole.
Yeah, of course, you have the pressure of losing the gold tonight.
Tegan Nox must be--
Must be counting her lucky stars that she's returned
to WWE here on SmackDown, and has already found herself
in line for the gold. That is almost break-neck speed.
[bell rings]
[Cole] Liv Morgan saying that they are about to be
the new and shiniest Tag Team Champions with a win tonight.
And Liv Morgan right out of the box. Tag made from Tegan Nox
and she cannot wait to get her hands on Dakota Kai.
Who will ever forget what happened?
Tegan and Dakota Kai once great friends, allies, and then Dakota Kai,
a few years ago at WarGames at NXT,
turning her back on Tegan Nox
in one of the most heinous assaults in NXT history.
[Wade] Yes, some real history between the women in this matchup.
As you mentioned, Liv and Nox, they go back a long way,
-but they really have not… -[Cole] Oh!
…tagged many times together.
How good is that chemistry gonna be when you're up against
the absolute best in Damage CTRL?
[Cole] Iyo Sky makes the tag.
Again, the two-time Tag Team Champions here at WWE.
Tegan Nox has never won gold in WWE.
Would like to correct that here tonight.
[Wade] That is an absolutely remarkable stat.
-[Cole] Oh! -[Wade] I've followed Nox's career.
The fact she hadn't held gold here is truly astounding to me.
[Cole] Tag made and once again
the former SmackDown Women's Champion,
once Miss "Money in the Bank,"
Liv Morgan, and Tegan Nox causing a riot in the early going in this matchup.
[referee] One, two--
[Cole] Liv with a cover for the gold and a kickout by Iyo Sky
as we take another look.
[Iyo screams]
[Cole] Faceplanting Iyo.
Morgan just trash talking Dakota Kai.
Nice snapmare takedown by Morgan.
You know, Iyo Sky, the referee never saw that.
Now a basement dropkick to the spine of Iyo.
[Wade] Certainly didn't have the impact
that Dakota Kai felt it would, but it's done enough.
-[Cole] Uh-oh! -[Wade] Uh-oh.
[Cole] Morgan, Kendo stick in hand, and remember,
she'd be disqualified here, no chance at the Tag Team gold.
[screaming]
[Cole] Tegan Nox trying to talk Morgan off the ledge.
[referee] Come on!
[Cole] Now Dakota from behind, and Iyo from behind as well.
[Wade] Just the smarts of the Tag Champions, Damage CTRL.
[Cole] Yeah, but turning it around are the challengers.
[Wade] Certain durability to the ladies in the ring now
proving highly valuable.
[Cole] What you saw moments ago in the actions of Liv Morgan,
she just hasn't been the same, Wade,
since losing the SmackDown Women's Championship.
She's gone extreme, in her words.
[Wade] Yeah, it's given her a new lease on life.
Let's be honest, this perhaps is an even better version of Liv Morgan
than the one who held the SmackDown Women's Championship.
[Cole] And Liv Morgan distracting Damage CTRL.
Tegan Nox… crossbody from the top rope.
Can Liv and Nox win the Tag Team gold on SmackDown?
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] We are back live on Friday Night SmackDown
here in a sold-out, red-hot Chicago, Illinois.
It's Damage CTRL defending against Tegan Nox and Liv Morgan.
Tegan trying desperately, Wade, to make a tag.
[Wade] Yeah, Tegan Nox had the short end of the stick midway through the break.
-And there really is a question… -[Cole] Oh!
…as to the cardio capacity of Tegan Nox right now.
[Cole] Cover. And a kickout at two.
You see Bayley, who has taken Iyo and Dakota under her wing,
and really done a good job with the now two-time Tag Team Champions.
A great job.
[Cole] A great job, in Bayley's words, but nonetheless, double-team again.
And you made the point earlier, Wade.
Tegan and Liv Morgan, I don't know when the last time is
they actually tagged together and it's showing here
as the champs have taken control.
[Wade] You're absolutely right,
and the thing is, Tegan was away from WWE for a while.
[Cole] Cover, hook of a leg now on Nox, who's got a kick at two.
[Wade] She was not active in that time away.
I'll tell you from my own experience, any time I had time off,
it took me a good two months of competing until I felt 100% again.
Tegan Nox hasn't had that.
[Cole] Tegan Nox, an incredible story.
Grew up as a soccer star in Wales,
had a knee surgery at an early age, and has struggled
with knee issues throughout her career here,
but has battled back to come to this moment,
the possibility of winning her first-ever gold in WWE.
Headbutt by Tegan!
This is her chance to make a tag to Morgan.
Can Liv somehow get in this matchup?
And she does.
Liv now legalizes Dakota Kai.
[screams]
[Cole] Oh, and a step-up enzuigiri for Morgan.
[Wade] Liv Morgan, who has completely lost all fear of pain.
[Cole] Oh, and a big knee by Morgan.
WWE Universe has SmackDown
trending number one in the United States.
Morgan off the missile dropkick.
A kip-up, and Morgan's in control.
Bayley understands the situation's dire now for the Tag Champs.
[Wade] The gloating of Bayley has certainly--
-[Cole] Oh! Dakota! -[Wade] Calmed down.
[Wade] Wow, what a game-changer from Dakota Kai once again.
[Cole] That running kick, and it allows Damage CTRL to once again
double-team the challengers.
Down goes Morgan.
Iyo Sky, cover, hook of the leg,
and Tegan Nox saves the matchup for her team
as we take another look at what happened
with Dakota Kai and the boot right into the face of Morgan.
[Wade] Cleaning the clock of Morgan, fortunately for her--
[Cole] Oh!
[Wade] Tegan Nox able to break things up, but…
now, things starting to go south.
[Cole] Dakota did not get all of that, but it was effective.
Iyo now went to roll up Morgan.
Morgan able to hang on.
Oh, and a Codebreaker to the face.
Tag.
And now Morgan and Tegan Nox working together.
Down goes Sky.
And the Shiniest Wizard.
Cover now for the Tag Team Titles.
And Iyo Sky breaks things up before a three count.
[Wade] Well, Dakota Kai got in there,
made the break up just in the nick of time
as their grasp on the gold was slipping away.
[Cole] And Dakota Kai stopping the momentum
of Liv Morgan momentarily.
And Morgan up over the top, sunset flip powerbomb.
[screams]
Oh! And then Iyo Sky.
[Wade] Genius of the Sky doing what she does best.
[Cole] Tegan with an uppercut in the corner.
Here comes Tegan Nox unloading on Iyo Sky.
[Wade] What a comeback story this might be, Michael Cole.
-[crowd gasps] -[Cole] Tag Team Championship on the line.
Bayley realizes her team's in trouble.
[crowd cheering, whistling]
Oh! She was looking for the Shiniest Wizard again
and Iyo Sky was ready for it.
[Wade] Shotei uppercut.
[crowd boos]
[Cole] Sky calling for the moonsault.
Tegan Nox, though, does not allow it to happen.
[Wade] Completely had that one scouted.
[Cole] And now, Bayley.
Official Jessika Carr with Iyo Sky, does not see Bayley's involvement.
Bayley sent over into the timekeeper's area.
Who the hell?
Who the hell was that?
[Wade] Cleaned the clock of Tegan Nox.
[Cole] Somebody just kicked Nox's head off!
[Wade] Referee did not see any of it.
[Cole] Somebody in a hoodie just kicked off Nox's head
and Iyo Sky gonna take advantage from the top rope.
The Genius of the Sky.
-With a moonsault, connecting. -[Wade] Perfect.
[all] One, two, three!
[Cole] And just like that, Damage CTRL retains the gold.
[bell rings]
[def rebel's "We Got the Rage" playing]
[Irvin] Here are your winners
and still the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Damage CTRL.
[Wade] Oh man, we were getting one hell of a championship matchup…
-[Cole] I wanna see this thing again. -[Wade] …to kick this thing off.
[Cole] Here's the beautiful moonsault from Iyo Sky.
[crowd shouting]
[referee] One, two, three!
[Cole] And Iyo and Dakota retain the Tag Team Titles,
but thanks to some--
some individual who--
who attacked…
[Wade] Let's be honest, that was an absolutely incredible way
to kick SmackDown off,
but that suspicious mystery individual
who spoiled the matchup for all of us--
not that Damage CTRL are complaining about it--
I want to know who that was.
Yes, I want to get to the bottom of it. I'd love to know who was involved
in allowing Damage CTRL to retain the Tag Team gold.
But, moving on, this is a championship night here tonight
on Friday Night SmackDown.
Still to come,
the Intercontinental Championship is up for grabs.
The Number One Contender,
the winner of the SmackDown World Cup, Ricochet,
versus this man, the champion,
Gunther.
[Irvin] Representing Imperium, the Intercontinental Champion,
Gunther!
[Gunther] It's about passion, respect.
And that is protecting this title,
the Grand Prix of this great sport.
The Ring General will break you!
[grunts]
[Gunther] Ricochet comes in all excited.
[bell rings]
[Cole] Ricochet wins the SmackDown World Cup.
[Gunther] Congratulations.
He's one of the most gifted athletes I've ever seen.
[Wade] The excellence of Ricochet's high-flying skills.
[Gunther] Gunther impressed everybody else.
But all of that don't matter.
[groaning]
[Gunther] It's about physicality.
If I take your face
and grind it down on that mat.
[grunting in distress]
[roars]
[Wade] Sneering disdain for anybody
who does not meet the standards of the Imperium.
-[slapping] -[grunts]
I am gonna chop your whole body into pieces.
Then I'm gonna grab your lifeless body and smash it all around that ring.
[Ludwig Kaiser] Gunther is the embodiment of greatness.
[Gunther] Ricochet, I'm gonna break your spirit.
I am the Intercontinental Champion.
[def rebel's "Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
[Wade] Smackdown World Cup winner Ricochet gets part two
of his prize later on tonight, an opportunity at Gunther
and the Intercontinental Championship.
[Cole] Also tonight on Friday Night SmackDown,
it has been one of the most bizarre stories
we've ever been a part of.
The saga with LA Knight, Uncle Howdy, and Bray Wyatt.
We've received a QR code with disturbing footage
of what happened when the lights turned off last week.
We're gonna see that live, next.
[Ricochet] I hate to say "I told you so."
Because I told everybody that if I had to be the last man standing
holding that SmackDown World Cup to get my rematch,
then so be it.
[bell rings]
[Cole] Ricochet wins the SmackDown World Cup.
Ricochet, Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship.
[Ricochet] I had already envisioned the pyro, the trophy,
the WWE Universe Champion, Ricochet.
[crowd chants "Ricochet"]
Despite everything that I made happen,
I still hear what they have to say,
and they think Gunther already has the match won.
[Gunther] I am the one who took that title off you.
I'm gonna beat you again.
I'm gonna do it in the worst way.
There is nothing that can save you from that.
[Ricochet] You are in for the fight of your life.
I will not give up.
Everybody will bear witness to Ricochet taking that
Intercontinental Championship that you hold over your shoulder.
[Ricochet] I'm gonna do what Ricochet does best.
I'm gonna flip.
Because it's time to flip the odds in my favor.
So go ahead.
Go ahead and bet on Gunther.
I'm gonna bet on Ricochet.
Ricochet has been riding a wave of success.
Will it lead him to gold tonight?
Also, tonight, we are expecting the arrival
of the Undisputed Champion, the Head of the Table,
The Tribal Chief of The Bloodline, Roman Reigns,
who has a problem he has to deal with.
That problem is the Kevin Owens problem.
Here's our Progressive Match Flo.
[narrator] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection,
with home, auto, and more.
[Corey Graves] Oh, this is about teaching The Original Bro a lesson
on behalf of the entire Bloodline.
[Kevin Patrick] There's Kevin Owens!
[Graves] Kevin Owens with the equalizer, running off the champions.
Solo Sikoa doing the dirty work of The Bloodline.
A Samoan Spike!
[crowd gasps]
[grunts]
[groans in agony]
[referee] We need some help out here.
[Graves] Possible long-term damage to Matt Riddle.
[siren blaring]
[Kevin Patrick] Elias against Solo Sikoa in one-on-one action.
[Graves] Elias opted to step up on behalf of The Original Bro.
Solo is only getting started.
The man is a menace.
[referee] One, two, three!
[bell rings]
[Graves] Another impressive victory by the enforcer of The Bloodline.
[yells]
Samoan Spike to the throat of Elias.
[Kevin Patrick] Kevin Owens!
Stunner.
[Graves] Sami hightailing it out of Dodge.
Kevin Owens with plenty of unfinished business.
Big night, boys.
-Hey. -Big night.
-My dawg's night.
No, it's all of our night. It is all of our night.
But I did get my hair did, though.
-It look clean too. -Right? You think so?
-Yeah. -It's not bad.
Hey, I went to your beard guy, Yankee.
-Yeet. -Not bad, right?
No flyaways.
Right? Be honest now, though.
-What do you think about the jacket? -You look good.
-Come on, tell me the truth. -If I'm honest?
-Yeah. -You look good.
-All right. Okay, 'cause I'm-- -A little loose, but…
'Cause I had a little thing with the tailor.
I made a joke, he didn't laugh.
Got weird in there.
Anyways, all right.
If you say it looks good then it looks good.
Hey, where's Solo, by the way? I'm…
He's with The Tribal Chief. They on the way.
-Yeet. -Okay.
You know, I'm just, I got this-- I'm nervous.
Breathe. Hey, breathe.
-Right. -There you go.
You know what?
Give me two minutes, let me get…
let me get some water.
-Let me decompress a bit. All right? -Yeet.
-All right. Yeet! Yeet! -Yeet.
Big night, Uce.
Tonight The Tribal Chief
is gonna take away the Honorary Uce
and make that man a full-blown Uce.
[crowd cheering]
Man, you got him all dressed up and everything, man.
I don't think Roman's gonna make him tonight.
And did you at least talk to Roman?
It's cool, man. It's gonna be good.
Man, you know how The Tribal Chief is, you know how he be.
I mean, since Monday and Kevin Owens popping up.
Hey, honestly,
I think we setting Sami up for a big disappointment.
Tonight… is gonna be a good night.
Okay. It's all good.
[together] Yeet. Yeet.
I will say this, Sami Zayn scrubs up pretty damn well,
but is tonight the night that he becomes
an official member of The Bloodline?
Well, could potentially be a great night for Sami Zayn.
But, how about LA Knight?
Life has not been so great for Mr. Knight as of late
in this bizarre conflict with Bray Wyatt.
Let's take you back to last week on SmackDown.
If nobody else is gonna do anything about it,
I'll tell you what, Bray, I'll come back here
and do something about it myself.
I'll come back and find you right now. Yeah!
[crowd] Yeah!
[indistinct speech]
What is this crap?
I don't even know what's happening.
[thud]
[LA Knight] What?
[Cole] Well, ladies and gentlemen, just a few moments ago,
we received a QR code that apparently has some
disturbing footage of what happened
after that scene on SmackDown last week.
Let's show it to you now.
[distorted, ethereal male voices] Little pig… Little pig.
Little pig. Pig.
-Let me in. -Little pig.
-Not by the hair… -Let me in.
…on my… chinny chin chin.
[LA Knight groans]
-[muffled groaning] -[man shushing]
[muffled shouting]
[Cole] What on earth was that?
LA Knight cannot be happy about any of this.
Can you blame him?
LA Knight, he's here live, next on SmackDown.
[def rebel's "Welcome To LA" playing]
[Cole] Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
For a job you'll love, visit Progressive.
LA Knight in the ring here on SmackDown.
[music stops]
Let me talk to you.
I didn't ask any of you. Shut up, 'cause I got business to deal with.
[crowd boos]
I don't need to go through this with a fine-tooth comb.
Let's go ahead and say this.
Look, for the past few weeks,
I've been blindsided, I've been cheap-shotted.
Hell, I've been abducted and I've been tied up,
but still, I'm still knocking on Bray Wyatt's front door.
Let's go ahead and put it all into perspective.
Bray Wyatt…
you're a former WWE Champion.
You are one of the biggest WWE Superstars of all time,
and if I'm honest, your recent return,
one of the most talked about returns ever.
[crowd cheers]
Yet, all you've done since you've returned
is dress like a damn circus freak.
You've whined and cried with your victim complex.
You've said a bunch of gobbledygook that never gets to the point.
And most of all, you've taken advantage
to blindside and attack me anytime I ain't looking.
And you say, "Well, it wasn't me, my brother.
It was Boy Howdy. You don't know."
I know! I know who it was.
I know it was you, I can hear you, I can feel you.
So here's what I need you to do.
I need you to put on whatever mask you need to,
I need you to put on whatever costume you need to.
Call yourself anything you need to
so that you can walk down here and you can get stomped out.
-Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! -[crowd] Yeah!
-Yeah! -[crowd] Yeah!
[cheering]
[Code Orange's "Shatter" playing]
[Wyatt] Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
[chuckles]
[crowd cheers]
Oh. Oh, Chicago, how I have missed you.
[crowd cheers]
But you, brother, I am sick of you.
[crowd chants "Bray"]
I am sick of this entire game that we keep playing, man.
Here's the deal…
I know you don't believe me, man, and I understand why.
But I'm being honest when I tell you,
you're barking up the wrong tree.
I haven't touched you.
And I think the ironic part is that,
deep down, we both know how this story ends,
don't we?
Yeah.
Mm.
Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.
So, I have decided that since we both know how it ends,
I'm gonna give you one more chance to deliver your message,
and when I do, you better deliver it good
and make it worth my while.
Capiche?
[laughs] Come on.
[Cole] Oh!
LA Knight attacking Wyatt.
[Wade] Well, don't say he didn't warn Bray Wyatt.
But right now I feel that LA Knight is messing with forces
he doesn't understand.
[crowd boos]
[distorted audio]
[eerie music]
Little pig, little pig, little pig.
Little pig.
What have you done?
[sinister laughter]
Little pi--
What have you done?
Hey.
You want to see something really scary?
[eerie music stops]
[fan] Who's that?
[indistinct]
[grunts]
[eerie music playing]
[eerie music continues]
[crowd cheering]
What is that?
[eerie music continues]
[sinister laughter]
[laughter continues]
I don't know who you [indistinct]…
[laughs]
[laughter continues, echoing]
[Cole] And there he is, the Head of the Table.
The Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns,
flanked by Solo Sikoa and Paul Heyman.
-[Cole] A lot of speculation that we-- -Where to, Wiseman?
This way, my Tribal Chief.
[Cole] A lot of speculation that Roman Reigns may make Sami Zayn
an official part of The Bloodline tonight.
["Nobody Better Than Me" plays]
[Wade] Yes, indeed. What a night.
For the first time since The Bloodline's victory
at Survivor Series WarGames, the Universal Champ,
"The Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns is here,
and we're gonna hear from him later on tonight.
[Cole] Meanwhile, got to get back into the flow of things.
I'm still trying to comprehend what happened a few moments ago
with Bray Wyatt.
Now we turn our attention to an Intercontinental Championship Match.
It's time for the highlight of the night.
[def rebel's "It's About to Go Down" playing]
[Cole] Mustafa Ali,
Braun Strowman,
Santos Escobar…
the names of the men that Ricochet took out
to win the SmackDown World Cup on Fox,
and earn him this opportunity here tonight.
[Wade] Ricochet has been riding a crest of a wave
for the past few weeks here on SmackDown,
but will that wave lead him all the way to El Dorado and gold tonight
in the form of Gunther's Intercontinental Championship.
[Cole] "I won't give up."
The rallying cry from Ricochet.
[indistinct]
[def rebel's "Prepare to Fight" playing]
♪ Gunther ♪
[Cole] In the middle is the Intercontinental Champion,
Gunther, flanked by the Imperium members, Vinci on the left,
Kaiser on the right.
There is one date that Ricochet will not allow
to get out of his head, and that date is June 10th of 2022.
That was the night that
Gunther defeated Ricochet to win the Intercontinental Title.
A title that Gunther has held proudly for the past 187 days.
[speaking German]
[Wade] It's also the day that Ricochet's career
went into a tail spin after losing that Intercontinental Championship.
[Cole] Well, wait a minute.
That's one way that you might want to describe it, Wade.
I like to look at it as, it was Ricochet's chance to fight back.
His chance to get to redemption,
and that redemption could come tonight,
because Ricochet never gave up.
He never gave in.
He could have stuck his tail between his legs and ran away,
but he never did that.
[Wade] Well, his redeemer was the SmackDown World Cup
because until then Ricochet was having an incredibly quiet
second half of 2022.
[Adam Pearce stating indistinct rules]
You and you are out of here and this is one-on-one.
[Cole] Good job by the official, Adam Pearce, sending Imperium to the back.
He's had a busy week.
[Wade] He fired Lashley on Monday,
rescinded that firing on Tuesday.
He seems to have his ducks in order tonight, though.
[Pearce] Thank you.
[Cole] Great ruling by official Adam Pearce
to truly make this a one-on-one match tonight.
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest scheduled for one fall,
is for the Intercontinental
Championship.
Introducing the challenger, from Las Vegas,
weighing in at 207 pounds.
He is the winner of the SmackDown World Cup on Fox,
Ricochet!
And his opponent, representing Imperium, from Vienna, Austria,
weighing in at 250 pounds,
he is the Intercontinental Champion,
Gunther!
[Cole] Since 1979, the Intercontinental Championship
has been known as the Workman's Championship, here in WWE,
and that is why Ricochet believes
he would be a great person to hold the Championship.
On the After The Bell podcast with Corey Graves and Kevin Patrick
a couple of weeks ago,
Ricochet talked about the fact
that nothing has ever been handed to him.
When he was growing up, he worked in a log factory,
in a fiberglass plant, and it proved that he needed work ethic.
He needed to work hard to make it, and he's brought that work ethic
into the WWE world today.
And he thinks he has an opportunity now
to knock off Gunther here tonight.
Gunther, the first-ever Austrian-born Superstar
to compete in WWE.
CBS Sports once said he had the match of the year down in NXT.
A former NXT United Kingdom Champion, and looks to make
quick work of Ricochet tonight.
[Wade] Short time in WWE.
Gunther has become one of the greats already.
How far his career can go.
[Cole] Now if you're Ricochet, Wade, what do you need to do
to try to knock off Gunther tonight?
[Wade] Well, let's be honest.
Part one of the problem was the fact that Imperium were going
to be on the outside.
We've already had one championship matchup ruined
from outside interference tonight.
Not gonna happen twice.
[Cole] I love this strategy, though, by Gunther,
immediately going for the legs of Ricochet.
You take the legs out, you take out that high-flying ability,
the quickness of Ricochet, and give the advantage to the champion.
[Wade] Well, that's exactly it.
Ricochet has to keep his distance from Gunther,
hit and move, because get in the clutches of the big man
and it's game over.
[Cole] Gunther said that, "Ricochet is a gifted athlete.
However, I have beaten him twice."
[Gunther grunting]
Oh, and a nice takedown by Gunther.
He says that Ricochet's full of himself,
that he's only in this for himself, but Gunther says,
"I'm in this for the greater good.
I believe the mat is sacred and I want to prove to the world
what it means to be a WWE Superstar.
An Intercontinental Champion."
[Wade] Yeah, Gunther knows exactly just how good Ricochet is.
Anyone with a pair of eyes can see that,
but Gunther's quest, in part, is to erase from this industry
the acrobatics that are more suited to a circus.
His words.
[Cole] And Ricochet showing off a little bit of that athleticism there.
Gunther wants to be able to keep Ricochet close, to wear him down,
to continue to work on his body.
-Oh, and just toss him about like that. -[Gunther] Come on!
[Cole] Ricochet needs to stay away.
He needs to create space.
[Wade] In close combat, there's only one winner between these two.
It is the power, the strength, the brutality…
[Cole] Oh! Hits with a chop, and Ricochet now goes to work on
the hamstrings, the back of the knee, trying to chop the big man down.
[Gunther grunts]
Nice side headlock takedown by Ricochet.
[Wade] Using Gunther's momentum against him.
Really nice change of technique here from Ricochet.
Needs more of that.
[Cole] Ricochet, he's a former Intercontinental Champion.
United States Champion.
NXT North American Champion.
Ricochet off the second rope, but again,
Gunther not allowing any space.
Ricochet able to hang on.
[Wade] Certainly no slouch for a big man.
[Cole] Yeah, but he moves right into a suplex.
However, Ricochet lands on his feet.
Ricochet quick as a puma, and he catches Gunther
with an enzuigiri to the back of the neck.
Now Ricochet unloading on Gunther,
trying to drive the champion into the corner.
[Wade] Gunther completely rocked there momentarily.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] And a dropkick by Ricochet.
[Wade] This is why Ricochet needs to stay on Gunther,
not give him a moment of respite.
[Cole] Gunther's 6'4, 250 pounds.
-Ricochet goes 5'9, 188. -[Wade] Oh!
[Cole] And Gunther with a big boot sending Ricochet to the outside,
and Gunther realizing he has the advantage.
Will not allow Ricochet any time to recover.
[Gunther screams]
[Cole] Right onto the apron. Gunther dominating.
Does Ricochet have an opportunity
to somehow climb back into this title match?
[Gunther grunts]
[Cole] Oh!
[speaking German]
[Cole] It is a night of championships here on Friday Night SmackDown.
Right now Gunther defending the Intercontinental Title
against Ricochet.
We are sold out tonight
at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois.
15,103 WWE fans on hand.
Trying to see if Ricochet can pull off what many believe
will be an upset over Gunther.
[Wade] I got to tell you, the SmackDown World Cup final
against Escobar was perhaps the greatest performance
of Ricochet's career.
If he's gonna pull himself out of a ditch tonight,
he might have to top that SmackDown World Cup final.
[Cole] Well, you know what may have been
the biggest moment of Gunther's career?
Was back at Clash at the Castle,
and that physical battle with Sheamus.
Friday Night SmackDown on Fox tonight, is sponsored by Progressive.
You notice that Imperium is not out here at ringside.
Oh! As the match began,
WWE official Adam Pearce sent Kaiser and Vinci
back to the locker room to ensure this is a one-on-one match.
[Wade] Yeah, get this, Cole, breaking on WWE social media,
the mystery person who attacked Tegan Nox
in the Tag Championship Match earlier tonight,
none other than Xia Li.
[Cole] Yeah, I just saw that breaking. It's exclusive right now
on WWE social media. Hopefully we'll get more word
on why Xia did what she did a little bit later on tonight.
Meanwhile, Gunther continues the attack on Ricochet.
Successfully grounding Ricochet at this point
for the prestigious Intercontinental Championship.
Dozens of Hall of Famers in WWE have held this title.
[Gunther yells]
[Cole] Boston crab.
[Wade] Such a clash of styles between these two.
A live wire competitor in Ricochet
against a no-frills devastator in the form of Gunther.
And the no-frills devastator is absolutely smashing it right now.
[Cole] Ricochet desperately trying to hang on. Can he make it to the ropes?
Remember the advantage for the champion,
Ricochet has to pin or submit Gunther to win the title.
Ricochet trying to fight out of this.
Again, there are the heart and the guts we've talked about
with the innovative Ricochet.
[Wade] A career underdog with an irrepressible spirit,
that is what's taken Ricochet all the way to this
Intercontinental Championship matchup.
[Cole] Ricochet with a well-placed kick,
and another one. And you notice Gunther is on his heels.
He could be in trouble here, Wade.
Ricochet trying to build a little momentum.
[Wade] The certain durability of Gunther that we've seen time and time again.
[Cole] Oh, backbreaker.
-Cover to retain the championship. -[referee] One, two--
[Cole] Ricochet kicks at two.
[Wade] Such a well-conditioned athlete.
And immediately back into that Boston crab, center of the ring,
technical proficiency personified.
[Cole] The Boston crab, Wade,
it just continues to work on the lower back.
[Wade] It sucks all of the oxygen out of your lungs,
as did that spinning backbreaker,
targeted to perfection on that lower back,
as you mentioned, Cole. Continues to have the bullseye on it.
[Cole] Into a crossface.
Looked like he was going for an STFU, but nonetheless,
Ricochet able to get his foot
on the bottom rope and force the break.
[referee warning Gunther]
[Wade] You know, Gunther sees himself
as being above the likes of Ricochet.
Rightly or wrongly.
Just has no respect
for the high-risk, high-entertainment style of Ricochet.
[Gunther shouting]
[Wade] He uses style over substance.
[Cole] Ricochet claims that Gunther has a weakness.
He would not reveal what that weakness is,
but I'm sure it's in the back of his mind
as he tries to fight out of this predicament.
Ricochet again needs to pick up the pace.
He's got to start flying around the ring to have a chance.
Gunther doing a great job with a front face lock and Ricochet now--
[Gunther yells]
[Cole] Oh goodness!
[Wade] Well, how do you fly around the ring with a beat-up lower back?
[Cole] Or a collapsed chest.
Oh, and now Gunther, submission hold, locked in on Ricochet.
[Wade] …collapsed trachea, the way this is going.
[Cole] Ricochet trying to block.
And just listen to this.
[yells]
What does that feel like?
[Wade] Are you kidding me?
I've never taken one from Gunther, thankfully.
He came after I had retired.
[Cole] Ricochet again still trying to fight out here, but he could be fading.
Gunther could be close to putting away Ricochet
and retaining the Intercontinental Championship.
Ricochet, though, able to pin him momentarily.
[Wade] Just has that indomitable spirit, does Ricochet,
but is it gonna be enough with the overwhelming offense
from the big Austrian?
[Cole] Yes, and a sleeper locked in by Gunther.
The 250 pounder putting all his weight on Ricochet
and continuing to wear Ricochet down.
As everyone in the United States seems to be talking about this
Intercontinental Championship Match on social media,
Gunther and Ricochet.
[Wade] I think this referee is taking a close look,
thinking about bre-- ending this one, but no,
still some resilience from Ricochet.
Where he's finding this from, I have no idea.
[Cole] Official Ryan Tran right there.
Ricochet, now with some power, trying to lift Gunther up,
and a kidney shot by the champion.
[Wade] Just too much has been taken out of Ricochet's spine at this point.
You ain't picking up the big man.
[Gunther yells]
[Cole] Oh, what a throw by Gunther. Into the cover to retain…
[referee] One, two--
…the Intercontinental Title. Kickout at two by Ricochet.
[Ricochet] [indistinct] I kicked out at two.
[Wade] Just sense Gunther starting to perhaps get
a little frustrated with this resilience of Ricochet.
[Cole] Did you notice the welts all over the back of Ricochet?
Oh! Kidney shot by Gunther.
[Wade] Well, those welts on the back of Ricochet are on the outside.
It's the internal stuff I'm more worried about.
[Cole] Yeah, but Ricochet will not say die.
[Gunther yells]
[Wade] Oh!
[referee] Let's go. Let go.
[slap]
[Cole] Goodness.
[Wade] Ricochet just getting turned into mince meat, Cole.
[Cole] Saw the official again checking on Ricochet.
How much does--
-Was ist los? Was ist los? -[referee] Gunther, let's go.
[Cole] How much does the challenger have left?
[Wade] It's one-way traffic.
[Cole] Ducks underneath that.
Now from behind, a kick to the back of the neck.
[Wade] You saw how wobbly Ricochet was.
I'm impressed he's getting any offense off at all.
[Cole] Trying to fight back into this.
Step-up enzuigiri.
Drives the champ into the corner.
And Ricochet looking to rally.
Dropkick. The champ's in trouble…
and trying now, uh, to cover up.
Now Gunther wants space.
Ricochet won't allow him to have it.
The challenger went for a suplex, just not enough.
Gunther able to turn it around and send Ricochet face-first.
[Wade] Once again a--
[Cole] Dropkick by the champion.
[Wade] Error from Ricochet.
Going for a power move when he's so beat up at this stage.
[Cole] Ricochet trying to do everything he can.
Went for the powerbomb, did Gunther. Ricochet sends
the champ outside the ring and Ricochet hangs on.
[referee] Ricochet, come on.
[Cole] On the apron.
Dropkick to Gunther into the barricade.
Ricochet's got some fight left.
[Wade] And it's this unorthodox offense of Ricochet
that is working for him in this match.
Brief glimpses of hope.
Can he capitalize?
[Cole] Again, he's got to get the champion into the ring.
He can only win the title via pinfall or submission.
Gunther continues the damage.
Ricochet lands on the apron.
Kick to Gunther.
Into the ring to break the count.
Ricochet…
springboard moonsault.
Champ's down.
Can Ricochet capitalize?
Can he somehow win the Intercontinental Title?
[groans]
[Cole] 15,103 sold-out tonight at the Allstate Arena in Chicago.
This is for the Intercontinental Championship,
live on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
Ricochet in the ring, the challenger.
The champion, Gunther, in trouble as Ricochet looks to fly
and takes out Gunther!
And Ricochet is rolling.
[Wade] Huge shift in momentum in this matchup.
Both competitors completely exhausted at this stage.
It is up for grabs now, Michael.
[Cole] Yeah, but Ricochet seems to be building momentum.
Top rope, though.
A chop by Gunther will stop that momentum quickly.
[Wade] Just too easy when you have the arsenal of Gunther
to stop anyone in their tracks.
[Cole] Ricochet top rope, lands on his feet.
Gunther bore the brunt of that.
New life in Ricochet.
[Wade] Much to the horror of Gunther.
[Cole] Running knee.
Big boot.
And just like that…
Gunther has taken over.
Big clothesline. He's gonna stack
-Ricochet up to try to retain-- -[referee] One, two--
-And Ricochet at two. -[crowd cheers]
[Wade] And what a jaw-breaking clothesline there from Gunther.
Astounded that somehow, after this,
Ricochet had enough in the tank,
or perhaps, simply, on instinct, to kick out.
[crowd chanting "Ricochet"]
[Cole] "Ricochet" chants here in Chicago.
Ricochet knew he was in trouble coming into this matchup,
understood what was in front of him in Gunther,
who tries the high-risk offense from the top rope. It didn't work out.
Ricochet trying to fire up now.
[Wade] Ricochet perhaps playing a little possum, suckered in the Austrian.
[Cole] And this time Ricochet will deliver the vertical suplex.
-Cover to win the championship, -[referee] One, two--
and a kickout.
[Wade] Well, third time's a charm for Ricochet.
[Cole] Where is Ricochet getting this second wind from?
Top rope for the challenger,
looking to put Gunther away.
-Shooting star connects-- -[Wade] Nailed to perfection!
-[Cole] For the win and the title. -[referee and crowd] One, two--
[Cole] Gunther at two and a half.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Oh, Cole.
When you connect with a move like this,
executed to perfection, bang on target,
and it still isn't enough to win you the gold,
you simply must despair.
[Cole] Ricochet realizing that was his opportunity.
But was it his only opportunity?
Does Ricochet still have something left?
[Wade] Ricochet's got to go to a place he's never been to before.
[Cole] Yeah, taking the fight to the larger champion.
[Wade] I would have said this is the worst idea possible,
but it's absolutely working.
[Cole] Yeah, the champ trying to cover up, trying to create space.
Ricochet, though, back on the attack.
He's got the champion in trouble.
Now turn to the kicks and then a chop of his own.
[Wade] This is not how Gunther saw this evening going.
[Cole] Kick by Ricochet, Gunther able to block part of it.
Ricochet didn't get all of it, but he got all of that one.
Oh goodness!
Chopping Ricochet out of midair.
Powerbomb by Gunther.
-Stacks him up. -[crowd] One, two--
-[Cole] Ricochet is still in it! -[crowd cheers]
Ricochet is still in it.
15,000 have come unglued in Chicago.
[Wade] Cannot believe what we're seeing, Michael.
[Cole] Here comes the challenger.
[Wade] Ricochet can't even stand up.
[Cole] And Gunther, just like that.
The cover on Ricochet with the Last Symphony.
[bell rings]
-Gunther retains. -[def rebel's "Prepare to Fight" playing]
[Irvin] Here is your winner and still
the Intercontinental Champion,
Gunther!
[Wade] Oh my God, Cole.
[Cole] Now Vinci and Kaiser, the rest of Imperium,
out to the ring to celebrate with Gunther,
who retains the Intercontinental Championship
over a very game Ricochet.
[Wade] If Gunther was not at his absolute best this evening,
that gold would be around the waist of--
-[Cole] Oh my goodness! -[Wade] Ricochet right now.
There's no one on the planet
who could have an answer for offense like this.
[Cole] But Ricochet actually kicked out of the powerbomb.
Gunther couldn't believe it, so what does he do?
He goes to his brand-new finishing move--
It's called the Last Symphony.
As Ricochet tried to fight back.
But it was not to be.
[Wade] Just too much, too much abuse in the direction of Ricochet.
Put through the wringer too many times,
and when you've got an arsenal that deep, there's just no answer to the General,
and still the Intercontinental Champion, Gunther.
[Cole] What a performance by Ricochet tonight.
[Wade] Everything you could've hoped for--
[Cole] Now-- Now why this?
What is the point? The match is over.
The champion already beat the hell out of the man.
[Wade] Completely defenseless.
[def rebel's "Monster of All Monsters" playing]
[Cole] Well, maybe not.
I think Ricochet's got some backup.
The monster of all monsters, who's had some issues with Imperium.
[Wade] Man, if I had one guy coming out to save me,
it would be Braun Strowman.
[Cole] Well, remember, Strowman believes he should've had this match tonight,
this championship opportunity. Imperium stole it from him
back in the SmackDown World Cup,
and Strowman has not forgotten.
I haven't forgotten about either one of y'all, not one of y'all.
[indistinct]
[Cole] Wade, Imperium's got some problems.
[Wade] Yeah, a big, big problem.
[Cole] A monster problem.
[crowd cheering]
[yells in German]
Yeet. Solo.
Boss man.
Big Uce.
What's going on, man?
It's good.
What you got going on? What you got planned tonight?
Come on, man. You gonna leave me out?
You really gonna leave me out?
What you brewing up there?
Hey, if you're gonna make Sami tonight,
you gonna make him Sami Uso, I'm with it.
Honestly, Sami's my dawg.
Sami Uso, I like it. That's my dawg.
I like him a lot.
But I love our family.
I love The Bloodline, Uce.
I love you.
Us.
And if you don't want to make him
just because of his past with Kevin Owens and how they are…
Hey, Uce, I'll see you out there.
I got you.
Yeet?
Wiseman.
Yes, my Tribal Chief?
Pearce.
Call Pearce.
[def rebel's "Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
[Cole] Hey, Wade, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas,
because we are in Chicago tonight,
sold out at the Allstate Arena,
15,103 WWE fans on hand.
I know you're heading to Mexico on a much-needed vacation,
and to get you out of this.
Good luck driving back to your hotel tonight.
The Californians don't do well in the snow.
…interject, and I don't need anything like this.
Pardon me, gentlemen. I was summoned.
Sit.
Okay.
Wiseman.
Mr. Pearce,
The Tribal Chief has decided to bless your entire life,
get you out of all the trouble you caused for yourself
with those shenanigans involving
Bobby Lashley on Monday Night Raw.
Imagine this, Mr. Pearce: Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn
versus… Kevin Owens,
and any partner of his choice.
Mr. Pearce, if you like,
that partner could even be you.
Do you want to do it tonight?
[laughter]
I'm glad I'm funny. Look, okay, I get it.
Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn against Kevin Owens
and a partner of his choosing, where?
Uh…
The Royal Rumble?
My Tribal Chief, what if--
if you did this live,
on network TV, on Fox…
December 30th,
Tampa, Florida?
[crowd boos]
That sounds a whole lot better than Chicago.
Mr. Pearce,
congratulations.
You just scored the biggest
tag team match of 2022,
live on Fox.
Thank--
Thank you.
I'll let Kevin know.
So, Kevin Owens is known in the locker room as a lone wolf.
He better find himself a friend fast because he needs one
in the worst way.
We invite all of you to join us tomorrow afternoon
right here on Fox, 2:30 Eastern,
for a very special show,
a show that is very near and dear to my heart
and so many others that work in WWE.
It is the 20th anniversary of WWE Tribute to the Troops,
as we look back at an amazing 20 years,
narrated by John Cena.
[Cena] The scene…
Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida, 2003.
A devoted team of WWE Superstars and staffers
volunteered their services
in support of the men and women who risk all
defending our freedom.
Hell yeah.
[Cena] No one could've imagined that this would be the first leg
of an ongoing 20-year journey.
You're taking the same risk we do to come here and put this show on.
[Cena] As we boarded the massive military plane,
tensions were high.
We were headed into a war zone.
Get your body armor on, your Kevlar on,
and start taking your seats.
[Cena] Final destination: Baghdad, Iraq.
[woman] The WWE--
[man] It's SmackDown time for U.S.--
[woman 2] …the Superstars in Iraq.
The excitement and emotion.
On behalf of my fellow Americans,
we have come here to simply say, thank you.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] You are looking at Camp Victory, Baghdad, Iraq.
[Cena] The intent was simply to bring a piece of home
to those who were sacrificing so much those 20 years ago.
♪ I've been thinking 'bout the times When you and I would fight away ♪
I realized it was "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
He's my hero.
♪ Tomorrow is a brand new day ♪
This was more than I could have ever imagined.
[Austin] It's been our pleasure and our privilege to come out here
to see exactly what you do.
They don't come here.
[interviewer] Who comes here?
WWE comes here!
Whoo!
♪ Gonna change the world ♪
[Cena] Twenty years later, it's become a tradition like no other.
Merry Christmas from WWE. Get in here.
[soldiers shouting]
[Cena] From Baghdad to Bagram to Balad,
the show will go on
wherever our troops are stationed across the world.
[Mysterio] They're thanking us for coming?
In all reality,
we thank them for what they're doing.
[Cena] WWE's commitment to those who serve has remained steadfast
for two decades.
[Bush] The WWE knows what I know.
Our troops are our finest citizens and we owe them
a debt that can never be fully repaid.
♪ Change the world ♪
Say hello to my little friend.
[gunshots]
Fire.
Yeah!
[Cena] So, as we celebrate 20 years of WWE Tribute to the Troops,
WWE has one message.
[Stephanie] Thank you,
to our servicemen and women
who sacrifice so much to defend our freedom.
[Cena] It is you that protect the freedoms of the flag that I live under.
Thank you so much.
♪ Change the world ♪
[crowd chants "USA"]
[Cole] It is the most gratifying, the most important show
that WWE does each and every year.
Tomorrow we celebrate the 20th anniversary
of Tribute to the Troops, right here on Fox.
[def rebel's "Legacy of the Ghost" playing]
[Cole] Incredible memories, Tribute to the Troops.
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following is a Triple Threat Tag Team Match
scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring
by Zelina Vega and Santos Escobar,
Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde,
Legado Del Fantasma!
[Cole] The 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 now.
Terms apply.
Well, coming up next, a Triple Threat Match.
One of these teams will earn an opportunity
for the Tag Team Titles and The Usos live.
That match is next week.
The Triple Threat Match is right now on Fox.
[Cole] Back at the Allstate Arena in Chicago on Friday Night SmackDown.
-Hit Row set for Triple Threat action -[def rebel's "Best of the Best" playing]
to determine Number One Contenders
for the Undisputed Tag Team Titles.
Speaking of tag team matches, Wade.
[Wade] Yes, indeed.
Roman Reigns is here, and as we saw earlier,
he's already forced Adam Pearce to make a Tag Match
in two weeks' time.
But still to come, we are gonna see
if The Tribal Chief decides to officially induct Sami Zayn
into The Bloodline.
[Cole] And Hit Row, of course, made their name at NXT.
And speaking of NXT, heading back out on the road.
February 4th in Charlotte for NXT Vengeance Day.
Tickets available for that show, just became available today
for NXT Vengeance Day in Charlotte.
[def rebel's "Vicious" playing]
♪ Valhalla is here ♪
[Irvin] And their opponents,
accompanied to the ring by Valhalla,
at a combined weight of 590 pounds,
Erik and Ivar,
The Viking Raiders.
[Cole] The menacing scowls on the face of the Viking Raiders.
And there is Valhalla.
And tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
For a job you'll love, visit Progressive.
And this is a job I love because we get to call matches like this.
A Triple Threat Match, to determine who will face
The Usos next week for the Undisputed Tag Team Titles.
[Wade] Yeah, and this match really illustrates the depth
of the tag division on SmackDown.
No sooner did The Usos singly put all top teams
in their rearview mirrors, three more teams step up
wanting an opportunity at that gold.
[Cole] Now, again, the rules of this matchup,
first team to gain pinfall or submission
will win this match
and become the Number One Contenders for the Tag Team Titles.
Joaquin Wilde will…
[bell rings]
start things off for Legado Del Fantasma
against Ivar and Ashante "Thee" Adonis.
And what a kick by Ivar.
[Wade] Dropping the heavy artillery, Ivar of the Viking Raiders.
[Cole] Ashante whipped into the ropes, and Ivar.
Ashante using his quickness, lands on his feet.
Not gonna outpower Ivar.
[Wade] May outmaneuver him however.
I'll tell you this, Ashante "Thee" Adonis can get down and dirty
in the trenches when he needs to.
He knows that hand-to-hand dirty fighting from his time
-in the US military. -[Cole] Oh!
Nice dropkick, as Ivar's sent outside the ring.
[Wade] Calls that the Airdrop.
[Cole] Erik, from behind, sending Ashante over the top rope.
Now Top Dolla gets involved.
[Wade] This one completely breaking down.
[Cole] Things did not go well for Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde.
Whoa. A double tackle.
Former NFL player sends them out of the ring.
Now Top Dolla.
[Wade] Former nose tackle, one of the strongest men on the roster.
[Cole] Oh, and runs right into Erik.
[Erik shouts]
And now, double-team by Legado Del Fantasma.
[Wade] This team of Legado hasn't really had
the spotlight they would've hoped for
since arriving on SmackDown, but these two used to run NXT.
Make no mistake, they're the real deal.
[Cole] Everybody down.
Who'll become the Number One Contenders for the Tag Team Titles?
[Cole] One team's gonna earn an early Christmas present.
That's an opportunity at the Tag Team Titles
next week on SmackDown.
Will it be the Viking Raiders,
will it be Hit Row, or will it be Legado Del Fantasma
in this Triple Threat Match here on SmackDown?
[Wade] Well, it's been all Viking Raiders
in the break, but finally, Top Dolla in there
throwing his weight around with abandon.
[Cole] Yeah, not much weight left.
He's lost a ton of weight, nearly a hundred pounds, Wade.
[Wade] Still might be the biggest man in the matchup, Cole.
[shouting]
-He's sleek. -[Cole] Look at B-Fab looking on,
and look at Top Dolla
with Ivar on his shoulders.
[Wade] That is some ridiculous strength.
[Cole] Oh! And Erik saving his partner.
[Wade] Viking Raiders out here trying to please the gods.
[Cole] Yeah, plundering and pillaging everyone in this match.
First team to gain pinfall or submission will win.
Zelina Vega looking on at the damage the Viking Raiders have done.
Now, the double-team on Top Dolla who's in all kinds of trouble.
Ivar using the second rope to his advantage.
Meanwhile, Joaquin Wilde, top rope.
Crossbody right to the back of Erik.
[Wade] Just in the nick of time, the "High-flying Hyena" Joaquin Wilde,
saving it for his team.
[Cole] I never knew that hyenas were high-flying.
[Wade] That's what he calls himself, don't ask me.
[Cole] Tag made.
Here's Cruz Del Toro.
Gonna launch himself off the top rope with one foot.
[Wade] Just about connecting there.
[Cole] Missile dropkick. Didn't get all of it, but--
[Wade] Sleek moving. Sleek moves of Top Dolla.
[Cole] Oh! Del Toro pulls off a pretty one.
-Cover to win. -[referee] One, two--
[Cole] Top Dolla's got a kick at two.
[woman] Come on!
[Wade] B-Fab on the outside looking stressed because her man
almost put to bed with this move from Cruz Del Toro.
[referee] One, two--
[Cole] Legado Del Fantasma now with a double-team on Top Dolla.
This could be their moment.
Ashante "Thee" Adonis gets involved.
[grunts]
[woman] Oh my gosh!
[Cole] Adonis back into the ring.
Oh, what a DDT.
[Wade] Was that the rewind?
[Cole] German suplex by Erik.
-Oh! -Ow!
[Wade] This matchup just swinging back and forth between all three teams.
[Cole laughs] Oh, sit down!
Top Dolla with a big boot.
[Wade] Already turning into a Last Man Standing kind of matchup.
Oh no. He's got that look in his eye, Cole.
[Cole] What is Top Dolla thinking?
[Wade] I already don't like it.
[Cole] There is absolutely no way.
You got to be kidding me!
I guess there's a reason he doesn't do that often.
[Wade] Take that one back to the lab.
But somehow dropping the rest of the opponents.
[Cole] Uh-oh. Zelina Vega getting involved.
Remember, no disqualification in this matchup.
Now B-Fab.
[Wade] Dan Engler, referee, losing all control.
[Cole] Valhalla.
Again, there's no disqualification, so it doesn't really matter.
[woman shouts]
[Wade] I know where this one's going, Cole.
Getting a little too close for comfort.
[Cole] Zelina, second rope, taking out Valhalla.
I'm not quite sure how Top Dolla is actually still standing,
but he came over the top rope and landed hard.
Tag made.
Here's Ashante.
Joaquin Wilde caught.
Top Dolla powering him up.
[Wade] Just about got it.
Beautiful connection there.
That might be it, Cole.
[Cole] Cover by Ashante off the heavy hitter.
-[Wade] Boom! -[bell rings]
[def rebel's "Best of the Best" playing]
[Irvin] Here are your winners, Hit Row.
[Wade] We got ourselves some new Number One Contenders
in the force of Hit Row.
[Cole] Well, next week, The Usos put their
500-plus-day reign on the line
as they take on Hit Row
for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship.
♪ One look and then they know ♪
♪ I brake, next thing I go ♪
♪ I speed off like I’m tryna’ Make them breathe exhaust ♪
♪ Shoulders, bе with sauce ♪
♪ Play with me, you pay the cost ♪
Thanks.
Raquel, next week, there's going to be a Gauntlet Match
to determine Ronda Rousey's next challenger,
but do you think you're going to be cleared to compete?
Well, Kayla, Doc does recommend caution
and he doesn't want me rushing my comeback,
but… this is personal.
Every time I go to straighten my arm, I remember what Ronda
and Shayna did to me.
The pain, the humiliation!
And last week, they hurt my friend, Shotzi.
Oh, I want payback.
So, yes, I will be in the Gauntlet Match next week
and I won't stop until I humiliate--
-[Raquel cries out] -[Cole] Oh my--!
-You want to get involved, Raquel? -[shouting]
You're taking it personal?
Yeah, we know a thing or two about arms, huh?
-[grunting] -[Cole] Oh!
[Ronda] You taking it personal?
How's the mobility look, Ronda?
[Rousey] Hypermobile, almost.
[Cole] Raquel's already got a broken elbow!
Hold her up.
-[grunts] -Hold her.
[grunting]
I don't know, I think you look clear to me.
You know what? No.
Ice it.
Twenty minutes should do it.
[Cole] Raquel's supposed to be in next week's Gauntlet Match.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, coming up next,
for the first time since WarGames,
Roman Reigns is live on SmackDown.
[Flair] Ric Flair was never a character.
It's been my life.
The good and the bad.
It's fair to say, I'm a complicated man.
He was ahead of his time.
He was very colorful.
Just unbelievably captivating.
The most prolific [bleep] talker.
The greatest World Champion of all time.
Willing to do it his way no matter the consequences.
People were starting to worry about him.
Ric Flair? Are you kidding me?
My dad has to slow down.
How in the hell is he doing this?
It was almost like he wanted to die.
I don't know how he survived.
[Flair] People keep reminding me that I should be dead.
[laughs]
[Flair] Woo!
[Cole] A special holiday edition of Friday Night SmackDown next week.
Will Raquel Rodriguez be able to compete after the assault
by Ronda and Shayna earlier on?
One of these women will earn an opportunity at Ronda Rousey
and the SmackDown Women's Title if they can run the Gauntlet next week.
[Wade] And Christmas is all about tradition.
Well, we've got a tradition like no other.
Next week, "The Monster" Braun Strowman and the high-flying Ricochet
combine to take on Imperium,
in a Miracle on 34th Street Fight, Cole.
[Cole] Adam Pearce made that match official a bit earlier on social media.
[def rebel's "I Am Greatness" playing]
["I Am Greatness" continues]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Eight hundred thirty-eight days…
as your Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
For the first time since Survivor Series WarGames,
Roman Reigns is here.
[pyrotechnics explode]
[Irvin] Please welcome Paul Heyman,
Sami Zayn, Solo Sikoa,
the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions,
The Usos,
and the Undisputed
WWE Universal Champion,
Roman Reigns!
[Cole] Our ring announcer, Samantha Irvin, acknowledging The Tribal Chief.
And it has already been a busy night for Roman Reigns.
Earlier on telling WWE official Adam Pearce to make it official
two weeks from tonight:
Live in Tampa, Florida, Roman Reigns
returns to the ring for the first time since midsummer,
since June here on SmackDown,
when he'll team with Sami Zayn
against Kevin Owens and a partner, if Kevin Owens can find one.
[Wade] Might be easier said than done, but the whole world should be
dressed to the nines when Roman Reigns is in town.
Sami Zayn has got his Sunday best on.
Looking real sharp.
Is tonight the night that it gets made official for Sami Zayn?
Is this the commencement ceremony for Sami Zayn
as he becomes officially Bloodline?
[Cole] Wade, we've been talking about it
ever since Survivor Series WarGames,
when, in my words, Sami Zayn sold his soul,
sold out his former best friend, Kevin Owens,
to align himself officially with The Bloodline.
And as you mentioned, is tonight the night for Sami Zayn
to finally lose the "honorary" in Honorary Uce?
[Wade] Just cannot read The Tribal Chief.
Plays his cards close to his chest.
[pyrotechnics explode]
[Cole] Startling numbers.
Roman Reigns, champion 838 days.
The Usos, champion 516 days.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chants "Ucey"]
[cheering, whistling]
Chicago!
[crowd cheers]
Acknowledge me.
[cheering]
Boy, I ain't seen my Bloodline since WarGames.
And in case you didn't know,
we dominated WarGames.
It was easy. It was easy.
Easy.
[crowd chants "Ucey"]
[loud cheering]
I mean, what a night that was, huh?
What a night that was.
But let's talk about tonight,
'cause tonight is the night.
You see, every night's a good night for The Tribal Chief, but…
tonight was gonna be a good night for you.
But we got a problem.
We got a KO problem.
He's a problem, Sami.
He won't leave you alone, he won't stop stalking you.
He won't keep dragging you down, and if he's a problem for you,
he's a problem for me.
If he's a problem for me, he's a problem for The Bloodline.
But don't worry, The Tribal Chief has got a solution.
Because, Sami,
you and I, we're gonna team up,
and we're gonna have a tag match
against KO,
and he can find anybody he wants,
but it doesn't matter, because we're gonna smash him.
We're gonna smash him.
We gonna get rid of him, and we ain't ever gonna see
Kevin Owens again!
[crowd cheering]
No, you're absolutely right.
You're absolutely right.
Even after all this time, he continues to drag me down.
He's a cancer. He betrays everyone in his life.
I mean, for crying out loud, I'm his only friend.
I-- Hang on.
I-- I misspoke. I misspoke.
I-- I was his only friend.
I… I was his only friend, okay?
Listen, it'll be an honor and a privilege
to stand side by side with you
and team up and take him out, and it'll be easy
-because he's got no one. -Surprise!
[crowd cheers]
I bet you're a little surprised to see me.
[laughs]
Had to do it.
Well, it's the holiday season
and everybody loves a good holiday surprise,
including this guy.
And boy was I surprised
when I got a text message, out of the blue,
from my long-time friend Kevin Owens.
[crowd cheers]
He said, "Sup, Peacemaker."
Merman emoji, peace sign emoji.
[laughs]
Kev.
And then he said,
"Did you know you've had a WWE match
every year for the past 20 years except this one?
Your streak's about to be broken."
Mind blown emoji, eggplant emoji,
Santa Claus emoji, peach emoji.
"Do you want to be my tag team partner on SmackDown,
December 30th, in Tampa, Florida?"
[crowd cheering]
So, let me get this straight.
I haven't had a match in 2022 and we are running out of chances,
and you're asking me that on the last SmackDown of the year,
December 30th, if I want to partner with Kevin Owens
against the Ucey-est Sami Zayn and The Tribal Chief,
the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns,
in a Main Event Match that can't be missed?
Hell yes, I'll be there!
Hell yes, I will be your partner, and hell yes, we will bring the fight
to The Bloodline in the final SmackDown of 2022.
Make your list, check it twice.
The Bloodline's been naughty and won't it be nice when Cena Claus
is coming to town.
-Ho-ho holy-- [bleep] -[crowd cheers]
["The Time Is Now" playing] ♪ Your time is up, my time is now… ♪
[Cole] The greatest of all time, John Cena,
the 16-time World Champion, returns to SmackDown in two weeks,
to team with Kevin Owens against Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn,
two weeks from tonight.
Let's go!
Happy holidays from all of us at SmackDown.
♪ Aimin' guns in all your photos That's a no-no ♪