[WWE intro music plays]
[John Cena] Then.
-[Flair] Woo! -[The Rock] If you smell!
-[bell gongs] -[Cena] Now.
-♪ The King of Kings ♪ -♪ You can't see me ♪
[Cena] Forever.
Together.
[music fades]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Merry Christmas and happy holidays.
Glad you're going to spend part of your holiday weekend with us.
This is Friday Night SmackDown on Fox sponsored by Progressive,
with a triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
["Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
[music fades]
["Head Of The Table" playing]
[crowd cheers]
[loud cheering]
[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.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Eight hundred forty-five days
as your Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
But now Roman Reigns turns his focus
to next week live in Tampa
when Roman Reigns, for the first time since June,
will have a match on Friday Night SmackDown
teaming with Sami Zayn to take on Kevin Owens
and the greatest of all time, John Cena,
his first appearance on SmackDown in over a year.
-You're the Tribal Chief. You earned it. -And always will be.
[Cole] What's interesting about next week's matchup as well, Wade,
is the fact that John Cena had his first-ever match in WWE back in 2002
on SmackDown.
He wrestled a match every single year,
up until this year, and now on the final SmackDown of 2022,
John Cena will make it 20 straight years with a match in WWE.
[Wade] I'm gonna tell you, Cole, the fact that matchup is even happening
is a rare error from Roman Reigns,
but it wasn't exactly an unforced error.
It was a hole dug by Sami Zayn that Roman Reigns fell into.
[Cole] And now Sami Zayn needs to prove himself again next week…
[fireworks exploding]
…and help Roman Reigns take care of the Kevin Owens problem.
Big history between Roman Reigns and John Cena as well.
Who will ever forget SummerSlam in Las Vegas back in 2021?
[Wade] Ooh, the best of two generations colliding.
Ladies and gentlemen,
my name is Paul Heyman.
And tonight, I'm here
to hype you
on two back-to-back historic weeks
for the greatest faction, The Bloodline.
First, tonight,
the longest-reigning Tag Team Champions in history,
The Usos…
[crowd booing]
…will successfully defend their Tag Team Championships
against Hit Row.
And, ladies and gentlemen,
that's not a prediction.
That's a spoiler.
Then…
next week, live,
from the beautiful, warm city of Tampa, Florida…
[crowd boos]
The Enforcer, the Sergeant At Arms,
he who imposes The Bloodline's will upon all others,
Solo…
will take out Sheamus,
period, exclamation point, end of discussion.
And then, ladies and gentlemen,
the biggest televised match of 2022,
when Kevin Owens
-and John Cena… -[crowd cheers]
…get smashed
by Sami Zayn
and your Tribal Chief,
the Undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion,
Roman Reigns.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chants "Sami"]
[chants grow louder]
[chants fade]
That… That's exactly what I was thinking,
because on December 30th
in Tampa, you already know what the Tribal Chief's gonna do.
I'm gonna smash somebody.
It ain't no secret I made
multiple millions of dollars by whooping John Cena,
by whooping KO because that's who I am, and that's what I do.
But, you see, like you, I'm curious because I wanna know
what the Honorary Uce is gonna do
because I don't know if y'all see it right now,
this don't look like the Sami I know. He looks a little flustered.
He looks a little irritated, huh?
So, Sami,
get it off your chest.
Tell us what's gonna happen.
[crowd chants "Ucey"]
You know, I should… I should really be on top of the world.
It's the holidays.
And really all I've ever wanted is the same thing everybody wants,
a little respect.
A little respect.
And after all these years, a place to belong.
And after all this time, I found that.
I found that with the hottest group in the history of WWE,
The Bloodline. I found family.
I found respect.
They love me. [chuckles] They love me, they love me.
-This city loves me. -[crowd cheers]
[chuckles] Everywhere I go, they actually love me.
Every city we go to, you guys are there,
it's "Sami, Sami."
[crowd chants "Sami"]
And you would think that would put me on top of the world, but it doesn't.
It doesn't because there is a black cloud hanging over my head,
and it's called Kevin Owens.
Because last week, what could have been,
what should have been a huge week for me
was ruined by Kevin Owens.
Not even by Kevin Owens. By Kevin Owens' existence,
by the fact that his name has been tied to my name
my entire career and I can't get rid of him.
And he wants to carry on and say he's done with me,
but he's not done with The Bloodline.
You don't have a problem with them. You have a problem with me.
And then, of all things, you wanna bring back John Cena?
[crowd cheers]
You-- [laughs]
You want to bring back John Cena to try to upstage me,
to upstage us, to try to steal the show.
I got news for you.
We are the show.
Kevin, listen very closely.
And, John Cena, I don't know where the hell you've been,
and I don't care, but I hope you're watching.
We are gonna destroy you.
We are going to rip you apart.
We are going to leave you mangled. Do you understand?
Because you are trying to step to The Bloodline,
and when that happens, you get smashed.
So prepare next week to do
what every other WWE Superstar has done,
and what this city is about to do,
and that is to acknowledge the Tribal Chief.
[crowd cheers]
["Head Of The Table" playing]
[Cole] Sami Zayn all fired up tonight.
A lot of pressure on his shoulders teaming with Roman Reigns next week
against Kevin Owens and the returning John Cena.
[Wade] You heard the man.
John Cena, Kevin Owens, next week
in Tampa, Florida, on SmackDown.
You are getting smashed.
[Cole] Well, there is no rest for The Bloodline…
[inaudible]
…because coming up next,
The Usos put their 523-day reign as the champions on the line.
Jimmy and Jey versus Hit Row for the Undisputed Tag Team Titles.
Up next, on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
[Cole] Later on tonight, our main event
on this special holiday edition of Friday Night SmackDown,
Braun Strowman teams with Ricochet against the Imperium's Kaiser and Vinci.
The Miracle on 34th Street Fight, tonight on SmackDown.
It's what you do.
You defend these Tag Team Titles like you do every single night…
[Cole] We are back on Friday Night SmackDown.
The Usos set to defend the Tag Team Titles.
♪ Hit Row ♪
["Best Of The Best" playing]
♪ Hit Row, Hit Row ♪
♪ Hit Row ♪
♪ And if you didn't know, now you know ♪
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship.
Making their way to the ring,
accompanied by B-Fab,
Ashante "Thee" Adonis and Top Dolla,
Hit Row.
[Cole] I think the strategy for Hit Row tonight, Wade,
is to stay grounded.
♪ My hair is white like snow ♪
[Wade] Well, they certainly know that they are swimming uphill
this evening against The Usos,
who have been completely unstoppable against all opponents thus far.
♪ …brother from the 410 ♪
[Cole] Friday Night SmackDown on Fox tonight
is sponsored by Progressive insurance.
For a job you love, visit Progressive.
We're so glad you could spend part of your holiday weekend with us here tonight.
And The Usos, 523 days
as the Undisputed Tag Team Champions.
Hit Row, who won a Triple Threat Match last week
over Legado Del Fantasma and the Viking Raiders
to earn this opportunity tonight.
Wade, what do they have to do to somehow knock off The Usos?
[Wade] First of all, I'm just admiring the new chains of Hit Row.
I was gonna get me one of them.
But secondly, to knock off The Usos,
at this point, if I'm perfectly honest,
you're gonna have to hope
that both of the twins have come down with food poisoning overnight,
because I don't know if anyone can get close to their level.
There is a reason why they have the record for the Tag Championship reign.
They are completely untouchable for me.
[Cole] Jey Uso will start things off with Ashante "Thee" Adonis,
in there against arguably the greatest tag team in WWE history.
[Wade] Personally, I'd take the "arguably" away.
The reason they've got the record is because they got rid of that.
They've taken out all of history.
They stand atop the precipice alone.
-[Cole] Ashante "Thee" Adonis… -A little Griddy. There you go.
You don't know what that dance move is called.
-You ain't down with it like me. -[Cole] No clue.
[Wade] The Griddy. You should learn it.
[Cole] Isn't that the mascot of the Flyers in Philadelphia or something?
[Wade] I don't watch that sport, whatever that is.
I'm a soccer guy. You know that, Cole.
[Cole] Ashante now in control of Jey Uso, driving him into the corner.
Gonna make the tag, and here comes the big man, Top Dolla.
Former NFL football player.
Driving Ashante into Jey Uso,
and if Hit Row can continue the double-teams, they've got a chance.
B-Fab looks on.
Top Dolla sends Jey into the corner. Lifts him up.
Jey, oh, right to the back of the knee.
[Wade] Here's the problem for Top Dolla.
Sometimes it's the natural showmanship that he has
that causes him to come unglued in the ring.
You try that stuff with a level of team like The Usos,
it ain't gonna go well for you.
[Cole] Jey Uso dragging Top Dolla back to the corner.
-Making the tag to his brother Jimmy. -Two.
You ain't got more money than The Bloodline, Uce.
[Cole] Now the Tag Team Champions, classic tag team wrestling.
Referee Jessika Carr
drawn to the middle of the ring by Jimmy Uso, and Jey makes Top Dolla pay.
[Wade] What astounding athletes,
but what sets The Usos apart more than anything
is that telepathic communication forged by a culmination of DNA
and tagging together at the very top for 15-plus years.
[Jimmy] Come on, Dolla.
[Cole] Methodical pace of The Usos.
Trash-talking as Top Dolla tries to fight his way out of the corner.
The big man doing everything he can, trying to bring Jimmy in.
[Wade] This is where Top Dolla's at his best,
angry and using his strength.
[Cole] Again, taking Top Dolla out at the knee,
The Usos are in control on SmackDown.
There's a reason The Usos have been Tag Team Champions for a record 523 days.
Jimmy and Jey completely dominating Top Dolla
throughout the entire commercial break.
[Wade] Top Dolla, one of the strongest men in WWE,
has been completely negated by the attacks of The Usos on that left knee.
[Cole] "Main Event" Jey Uso trash-talking Top Dolla,
who's been taken out of his game, being beaten down by The Usos.
Top Dolla back to his feet.
A spinebuster. It buys himself some time.
[Wade] Well, The Usos were able to take this matchup to an almost pedestrian pace,
but that might come back and bite them if Top Dolla can get over to a fresh
Ashante "Thee" Adonis and make the tag.
[Cole] Trying to drag himself to the corner.
Adonis will try to pick up the pace. Tag made to Jimmy Uso.
Tag made to Adonis. And here we go.
Now, Hit Row looks to change the momentum of this Tag Team Championship match.
[Wade] Airdrop dropkick there followed up with a Long Kiss Goodnight.
[Cole] Down goes Jimmy Uso. A kick by Adonis.
Wow. DDT.
Great move. Kip-up.
[Wade] Rewind DDT.
Respect the athleticism of Ashante "Thee" Adonis.
This might be the best he's ever looked.
[Cole] Top rope now by Adonis. Gonna fly.
What a crossbody. Lateral press to win the Tag Team Titles.
Almost had him. Kick at two and a half.
[Wade] Late, late kickout there from Jimmy Uso.
Looks shocked at that offense from Ashante "Thee" Adonis.
Take a look at the hang time here.
[Cole] Well, Sami Zayn looks shocked as well.
Ashante measuring Jimmy Uso. Zayn barking…
some orders to Jimmy.
[Wade] The Usos thought they were walking to victory.
Ashante "Thee" Adonis has other ideas.
-[Cole] Jey up on the apron. -[Wade] Taking out everything in his path.
[Cole] Oh, a Samoan drop!
-Cover by Jimmy… -One, two--
[Cole] …to retain, and a kickout by Adonis.
[Wade] Yeah, not much left in the tank of Adonis.
Had a nasty landing on his ribs there.
I need you, baby. Let's go!
[Cole] B-Fab looking on. Watch this.
-Right on the ribs, Wade. Great call. -Ribs and the hip.
Must be the worst way you can land on a move like that.
Slightly under-rotated, but it worked out well for The Usos.
[Cole] Jimmy and Jey looking to put Ashante away.
Meanwhile, Top Dolla dragging Jimmy out of the ring and into the steel steps.
Roll-up to try to steal a win here.
Almost had Jey.
Superkick.
I don't think he got all of it, but got enough of it.
Tag.
Here comes Top Dolla.
[Wade] We could be in for the shock of the year right now, Cole.
[Cole] Remember, they used the Heavy Hitter last week
to take out Viking Raiders and Legado in the Triple Threat.
Will this be enough? Cover. Cover by Top Dolla.
Hook of the leg for the titles, and breaking things up is Jimmy Uso.
Superkick. There goes Adonis.
Top Dolla lifting up Jimmy Uso, but again, the bad leg.
Top Dolla with both Usos.
Does he have enough left? He doesn't.
-[Wade] Just crumbled thanks to that… -[Cole] The leg gives in.
[Wade] …damaged left knee.
[Cole] Kick to the face. Tag made.
[Wade] Just made The Usos even angrier.
[Cole] Double superkick.
Top Dolla, 1D!
[Wade] Might be the biggest 1D they've ever hit.
[Cole] One and done.
[bell rings]
♪ Down since day one ish ♪
[Irvin] Here are your winners and still
the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions,
The Usos.
[Cole] Five hundred twenty-three days and counting.
Jimmy and Jey
reigning tall as the Tag Team Champions.
[Wade] I gotta tell you,
I think The Usos took Hit Row a little lightly and got a shock today.
But when all said and done,
The Usos just find that extra gear, that 1D, and goodnight.
This is what they've got in their record-breaking reign.
That continues.
[Cole] So The Usos victorious tonight.
Will Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn
be victorious next week on Friday Night SmackDown
as they take on Kevin Owens and the returning John Cena?
That is live next week.
The Usos have been unstoppable. You know who else has been unstoppable?
The Intercontinental Champion, Gunther.
Here is our Progressive Match Flo.
[announcer] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
[Cole] Ricochet, Gunther, for the Intercontinental Championship.
[dramatic music playing]
Oh goodness.
[crowd exclaiming]
Ricochet lands on his feet.
New life in Ricochet.
Shooting star connects!
Gunther at two and a half!
Chopped out of midair.
Powerbomb by Gunther. Stacks him up.
Ricochet is still in it!
Fifteen thousand have come unglued in Chicago.
[Wade] Cannot believe what we're seeing. Ricochet can't even stand up.
[Cole] Just like that, the Last Symphony.
[bell rings]
Gunther retains the Intercontinental Championship.
Now, why this? What is the point? The match is over.
["Monster Of All Monsters" playing]
I think Ricochet's got some backup.
Wade, Imperium's got some problems…
[indistinct conversation]
…a monster problem.
[music fades]
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci.
[crowd booing]
Gentlemen, tonight you take on Braun Strowman and Ricochet
in a Miracle on 34th Street Fight.
It is an abomination, Kayla.
I mean, this match makes a mockery of what we do.
Come on, Kayla.
Braun and Ricochet, they're sideshows.
One's an acrobat, and the other one's a strong man.
Go put them in the circus with the other freaks.
Don't put them on our mat with world-class athletes like us, all right?
Right. We will not be spreading holiday cheer,
but we will restore the honor of our sacred mat.
[crowd booing]
-♪ It's all about me ♪ -[Cole] Still to come tonight,
that Miracle on 34th Street Fight
here on this holiday edition of Friday Night SmackDown.
-[crowd cheering] -[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following is a Gauntlet Match.
Introducing first, from Melbourne, Australia,
Emma.
[Cole] Emma will start off the Gauntlet Match here on SmackDown.
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, one of these women will have the opportunity
to face Ronda Rousey for the SmackDown Women's Championship.
It is a Gauntlet Match live next on Friday Night SmackDown.
["Fighting Spirit" playing]
[Cole] And back here on Friday Night SmackDown,
a Gauntlet Match to determine the Number One Contender
for the SmackDown Women's Championship.
[Irvin] And her opponent, from Chongqing, China,
Xia Li.
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, last week,
Xia Li made her presence felt right here on Friday Night SmackDown.
It was during a Tag Team Championship match
between Damage CTRL and Liv Morgan and Tegan Nox.
As they were over the timekeeper's area,
a hooded figure delivered a spinning kick to Tegan Nox,
which would help Damage CTRL
to eventually retain the Undisputed Tag Team Championship.
-Hey, hey. This is him? -Yeah.
How dare you stick your nose in--
[Cole] Later on in the evening,
we found out on social media that that hooded person was Xia Li.
So this is a Gauntlet Match.
All the women pictured will participate in this match.
-However, Xia Li and Emma will start. -[bell rings]
Once you're defeated, you head back to the locker room,
and the winner will await the next woman to try to run the gauntlet.
The last woman standing, an opportunity next week
at Ronda Rousey and the SmackDown Women's Championship.
Oh, and Xia Li.
Xia Li had a very interesting explanation for what she did last week.
[Wade] Yes, indeed. Seemingly bitter and vindictive
that her career wasn't panning out the way she anticipated.
Jealous of newer Superstars such as Tegan Nox and indeed Emma.
[Cole] Again, if you're one of the competitors
to start this Gauntlet Match off, you wanna end it quickly.
[Wade] Easier said than done
against a life-long combat sport athlete like Xia Li.
Competed in kung fu and kickboxing.
[Cole] Emma, modified suplex on Xia Li.
Oh, and now a running forearm.
[Wade] Starting to build a real head of steam here
in this seemingly reversal in the attitude of Xia Li.
[Cole] Cover, and hook of the leg, and Xia kicks out at two.
Wade, you participated in Gauntlet Matches in your career.
[Wade] I'll be honest with you, I've been in one.
I beat the first three opponents that sent my way,
and the fourth guy cut threw me like a knife through butter, Kofi Kingston.
I had nothing left in the tank.
It's all about cardio if you want to go deep in these kind of matches.
[Cole] Mentally, that's just got to kill you, right?
You knock off three opponents, and you just can't get the job done.
[Wade] Then a completely fresh guy comes in.
I'll tell you what, it was Kofi Kingston's easiest win of his entire career,
and I hate that it was against me, but that's the truth. I had nothing left.
[Cole] A lot of people had easy wins in their career against you.
[Wade] Oh, come on, Cole! No need for that.
[Cole] Xia dominating right now on Emma. Can Emma climb back into this?
-Oh, and a spinning kick. -[Wade] Cyclone.
-[Cole] What'd you call it? -[Wade] Cyclone Kick.
[Cole] Xia, hook of the leg. She advances in the gauntlet.
[Irvin] Emma has been eliminated.
[Wade] Wow. What a utterly devastating flurry of offense, but here we go.
[Cole] I love this, Wade.
Tegan Nox next up to run the gauntlet.
Tegan is the one that Xia Li targeted
in the Tag Team Championship match last week.
[Wade] You know Tegan Nox has wanted this moment all week long.
Desperate to get her hands on Xia Li,
the woman who cost her her opportunity at the WWE Women's Tag Championships.
[Cole] And again, another one of the women that has come in recently
and stolen the spotlight, at least in Xia's mind.
[Wade] Well, it's been an epic rerise for Tegan Nox.
Two weeks after returning, got a championship match.
When was the last time Xia Li got a championship match?
That's the question.
[Cole] Well, if she wins the gauntlet, she will earn one next week.
Tegan with a crossbody.
Lateral press on Xia Li,
and a kickout at two.
[Wade] Xia Li really has had the stuffing knocked out of her by Emma,
and it's telling at this point, such is the nature of the Gauntlet Match.
[Cole] Tegan takes the fight out to the apron.
Hit the ring post hard.
Oh!
And now, Xia connects again.
[Wade] Kung fu knee to the jaw.
Highly effective in taking the Welsh Wonder down.
[Cole] Xia Li, a martial arts expert.
On display here tonight.
Oh, and a kick right to the back of the neck.
-[Wade] Once again-- -[Cole] Xia Li's been impressive.
Stacking up Tegan Nox.
[referee] Three. That's it.
[Irvin] Tegan Nox has been eliminated.
[Cole] So Xia has knocked off Emma and Tegan Nox.
And next up, Raquel Rodriguez.
And there is no way, Wade,
that Raquel can be anywhere close to 100%
after the assault by Ronda and Shayna last week.
Raquel will try to run the gauntlet against Xia Li next.
[Cole] And we are back on Friday Night SmackDown.
The Gauntlet Match continues.
Xia Li, who's knocked off Emma so far in this matchup
along with Tegan Nox,
now takes her chances with Raquel Rodriguez.
And Xia has been dominating thus far.
[Wade] Well, so far, it's been that Cyclone Kick of Xia Li
that has done all of the damage,
but wisely, she's changed up strategy against Raquel
and has been attacking that damaged left arm.
What a bull's-eye that is. And I'll tell you this.
It was borderline that Raquel was even entering in this matchup.
Last week, that was a crazy attack by Shayna and Ronda.
[Cole] And again, Xia Li targeting the injured elbow with that kick.
Now, here's the situation.
Raquel suffered a broken elbow a number of weeks back
thanks to Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler.
Last week, an attack back in the trainer's area by Ronda and Shayna.
Again, reinjured that elbow.
To your point, Raquel nowhere near 100% to compete here tonight,
-and Xia Li's taking advantage. -Yeah, and now she's in there
with the most dangerous striker in the women's division.
[Cole] Oh!
[Wade] Just a sitting duck for Xia Li.
[Cole] This is the best, in my opinion,
Xia Li has looked since bursting on the scene here in WWE.
[Wade] What a massive attitude change
it has been in the past couple of weeks, and it's already paying dividends.
[Cole] Raquel trying to drag herself back to her feet.
Buys herself some time as she sidesteps and drives Xia into the turnbuckle.
[Wade] Raquel must be in complete agony with that damaged arm.
[Cole] So much of her game, Wade, is power.
And as you can see there, really has to just use one arm,
the good arm to deliver the fallaway slam.
[Wade] Turning this matchup around in a hurry.
Of course, Xia Li, this is the third woman she's faced.
That might be it, Cole.
[Cole] Off the second rope, that corkscrew elbow.
Cover on Xia who kicks at two.
[Wade] The kickout affected the left arm of Raquel.
Now starting to question what parts of her arsenal
could she actually use in this matchup?
[Cole] And again, you saw the concern from Ronda last week.
Ronda would never say this,
but the fact that Ronda and Shayna would attack Raquel Rodriquez
shows you how concerned they are
that Raquel Rodriguez could possibly win this
-and face Rousey for the title next week. -[Wade] No doubt about it.
Perhaps the most indestructible powerhouse in the women's division.
It's the one they're all kind of scared of.
There's a kung fu knee once again there from Xia Li.
[Cole] Missed that time, as Raquel ducked underneath.
And now Raquel Rodriguez with the Tejana Bomb.
With one arm stacking Xia Li up.
[Irvin] Xia Li has been eliminated.
[Wade] Well, that to me right there is a shocker.
[Liv laughing]
But there's a long way to go, Michael Cole.
[Cole] The former SmackDown Women's Champion,
Ms. Money in the Bank,
who cashed in and won the title from Ronda Rousey,
then lost the championship to Ronda, would love another opportunity.
And Raquel Rodriguez…
bringing the power game to Morgan.
Liv, of course, a victim of what happened last week
in the loss to Damage CTRL for the Tag Titles.
Uh-oh. Looked like she was going for the Codebreaker,
and Raquel Rodriquez outpowers her once again.
Liv trying to, uh, roll through.
Raquel just too strong.
[Wade] Woah! Even with one arm.
[Cole] Liv Morgan now driving Raquel back to the corner.
I believe she caught the elbow with that dropkick.
[Wade] The newly extreme Liv Morgan.
No semblance of fear from anything in this industry.
[Cole] Liv with a running knee.
[Wade] Avenging that loss to Ronda Rousey
permanently altered the psyche of Liv Morgan.
Oh, powerhouse.
And now, Liv up top in trouble, trying to fight out of this.
Raquel Rodriguez.
Liv rolls through. Shoulders down.
For the win, and a kickout by Raquel at two.
[Wade] Victory roll wasn't quite enough. This might do it, Cole.
[Cole] Again, stacking up Raquel, who kicks at two again.
See, notice how Raquel tried to grab Liv's leg with a bad arm
and just could not do it. And now, Morgan targets the bad arm.
Rolling through again. Is it enough for the victory?
Raquel able to kick at two.
Again, Jackknife cover by Morgan.
Raquel, and Morgan's gotta kick.
Can tell the elbow really bothering Raquel Rodriguez.
[Wade] No doubt about it. The pain of that
combined with maneuvering around with that brace on her.
And now, in a sleeper hold, center of the ring.
[Cole] Yeah, and the referee's gotta get in there
because Morgan has slipped that arm underneath the throat of Raquel Rodriguez.
[Wade] Yeah, and more than a grimace etched on the face of Raquel.
[Cole] Down to one knee. Morgan's got Raquel fading.
[Wade] Eyes turning into black pits.
[Cole] Raquel somehow…
[crowd clapping in encouragement]
…trying for one last gasp of hope.
Back to her feet.
[Raquel yells]
Morgan still hanging on, but not for much longer.
Morgan and Raquel, the Gauntlet Match continues on SmackDown.
[Cole] We are back on Friday Night SmackDown.
Gauntlet Match continues. Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan.
This has been a hell of a battle. Superplex by Rodriguez to Morgan.
[Wade] Raquel blowing all expectations
and even making it this far in the ma-- even walking out here,
let's be honest, but now seemingly
buying herself an opportunity to get back on top of Liv Morgan.
[Cole] Crucial moment in this matchup.
Raquel and Morgan, who makes it to their feet first to try to gain the momentum?
And tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive.
Next week, Friday Night SmackDown live in Tampa.
Massive, massive show,
including Ronda Rousey defending the SmackDown Women's Championship
against the winner of the Gauntlet Match.
[Wade] Now once again building up another head of steam…
-[Cole] Oh, side slam. -…despite the overwhelming odds.
[Cole] How impressed have you been with Raquel so far tonight?
[Wade] I'll be honest with you, if it was me, I'd be in hospital right now.
Crazy.
[Cole] Morgan again working on the damaged arm of Rodriguez who collapses in pain.
[Raquel groans]
I'm sorry, Raquel.
[Cole] Morgan, again, to the already injured arm.
[Wade] The referee taking a very close look at Raquel who has no quit in her.
[Cole] Yeah, Jason Ayers checking on Raquel Rodriguez,
as Morgan goes to the second rope.
Plant with a missile dropkick. Down goes Raquel.
Morgan to advance in the gauntlet.
Here is the cover. Hooks the leg.
Kickout at two by Raquel.
And now Morgan…
with a Rings of Saturn type submission applied to Raquel.
[Wade] Raquel needs to start thinking about her future at this point.
Driven by wrath, driven by the desire of vengeance for those who broke her arm.
[Cole] And look at the bad arm, it's just… caught between the legs of Morgan.
[Wade] The referee needs to step in here. Do your job.
[Cole] Raquel will not give up. She will not give in.
Morgan continues the pressure.
[Wade] Sometimes a Superstar needs to be saved from herself.
[Cole] Well, Raquel Rodriguez may have only one choice,
and that's somehow to try to make it to the rope to force some sort of break.
Trying to drag Liv Morgan to the ropes.
[Wade] Drag her with one arm.
[Cole] Rodriguez trying to power out of this.
[Wade] What an absolute freak, Michael Cole.
[Cole] Rodriguez powering Morgan up.
[Raquel screams]
How on Earth is she doing this?
Liv got her knees up, and that might be all she had left.
Morgan, cover. Hook of the leg,
and again a kickout at two.
[Wade] How Raquel hasn't passed out from the pain at this point is beyond me,
and perhaps beyond even Liv Morgan who likes a bit of pain herself.
[Cole] Morgan continues the assault, but is Morgan getting frustrated, Wade,
that she has not been able to put Raquel away?
[Wade] Can't beat a one-armed Superstar. I'd be upset too.
[Raquel yells]
[Cole] Rodriguez catching Morgan. Fallaway slam to Liv.
[Wade] Raquel is just not any ordinary Superstar.
[Cole] Oh, and there is the springboard corkscrew elbow.
Cover on Morgan. Almost had her!
[Wade] Here's the problem for Raquel. Pull out a miracle against Morgan now.
The match ain't over.
[Cole] Raquel almost putting Liv Morgan away there.
Again, the opportunity at Ronda Rousey
and the SmackDown Women's Title next week awaits the winner of the Gauntlet Match.
Morgan and Raquel hammering away at each other.
[Wade] Raquel barely able to swing a fist.
-[Cole] Oh, and a boot. -[Wade] Wow!
Right to the kisser of Morgan.
[Cole] Trying to power Liv up,
having problems, of course, with the bad elbow.
-[Wade] Such a struggle. -[Cole] Oh, great move by Liv.
For the win. Raquel at two just able to get out of it.
[Wade] And even putting the pain of the arm aside,
Raquel is in such deep water in this gauntlet now
as she's been fighting for so long. The entire body starts shutting down.
[Cole] Slamming Morgan to the mat.
Even if Raquel somehow pulls off a miracle over Liv,
the Gauntlet Match still isn't over.
[Wade] We got a fresh competitor coming down next.
[Cole] Morgan lands on her feet.
Liv, that step-up enzuigiri…
stunning Raquel.
Went for Oblivion.
Raquel though picked up Morgan out of the air.
-[Wade] That might've done it there, Cole. -Cover. Is it enough?
It is!
[Irvin] Liv Morgan has been eliminated.
["Made Me Stronger" playing]
[Cole] And now, the final competitor in tonight's Gauntlet Match,
the ever-dangerous…
♪ I am a beast ♪
…Sonya Deville.
[Wade] Who must be loving what she has just witnessed.
♪ We always finish ♪
[Cole] Sonya Deville is all business marching to the ring.
An opportunity at Ronda Rousey and the SmackDown Women's Championship
awaits the winner of this portion of the Gauntlet Match,
and Deville goes right after Raquel and the injured arm.
[Wade] No let-up whatsoever.
The cogs are turning in the diabolical mind of Sonya Deville.
[Cole] Yeah, the MMA background of Sonya Deville,
she's just beating the hell out of Raquel here.
How much does Raquel have left? Can she even survive? Headbutt.
Shoulder tackle.
[Wade] Raquel purely running on fumes at this point.
[Raquel screams]
[Cole] Just not enough left in the injured arm to power Deville up.
Sonya went right back to the broken elbow.
[Wade] Oh. Knee to the jaw. There you go, Cole.
[Cole] Cover. Sonya Deville to earn an opportunity at Rousey,
and a kick at two by a very game Raquel Rodriguez.
Raquel into the ring post.
Sonya smells blood, understands this is her chance.
[Wade] Every single shot, every single attack
aimed at the busted left arm of Raquel.
[crowd booing]
Sonya Deville, a hell of a competitor,
has taken Ronda Rousey to her limits previously,
wants another bite at the cherry.
[Cole] Raquel doing everything in her power to somehow hang on.
[Wade] That arm brace is falling apart before our eyes,
tells you the beating that that left arm has taken in this gauntlet.
[Cole] Raquel is still in this. Face-first goes Sonya.
Cover to advance.
Oh, and Sonya stays alive.
[Wade] Sonya Deville must have thought walking down the aisle
that this was gonna be like shooting fish in a barrel.
Raquel Rodriguez clearly having other ideas.
[referee] Warning you. Get down there.
Break that. One. Two. Three.
Four! Come on, now, break the hold.
[Cole] And finally forcing Deville to break the hold.
Referee couldn't disqualify her there as Deville continues.
Two. Three. Four.
-You gotta break the hold. -[indistinct shouting]
[Wade] Sonya Deville doesn't make mistakes, Cole.
Smartly breaking at the right moment. Wow!
[Cole] Oh, Raquel driving Sonya! Middle of the ring.
-Somehow Raquel did it! -[bell rings]
Raquel earns herself a championship opportunity.
["Bad Reputation" by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts playing]
[Cole] And she'll face this woman next week on SmackDown.
Cut it. Cut the music. Cut it. Cut it. Cut the music, guys.
[music ends]
[crowd booing]
Raquel, you can wipe that grin off your face
'cause you haven't won anything yet.
You still got one more opponent.
["Limb By Limb" playing]
[Cole] Well, according to Ronda Rousey, the Gauntlet Match isn't over yet.
[Wade] Hang on a minute, Cole.
This wasn't in the rules.
[Cole] Well, Ronda Rousey apparently makes her own rules
and can do whatever the hell she wants
because Shayna Baszler, the "Submission Magician,"
the dangerous Baszler now going after Raquel Rodriguez,
apparently the final entrant into the Gauntlet Match,
and look at just ripping apart the brace from the broken elbow of Raquel Rodriguez.
[Wade] Man, you fight your way through an entire gauntlet
with a broken arm, and you end up in there…
[Cole] I agree with you, Wade. This is an absolute joke.
[Wade] …with a bone-snapping, tendon-tearing renegade
like Shayna Baszler, who wasn't even supposed to be out here.
[Cole] This is an absolute joke.
Raquel from behind, rolling up Shayna Baszler, shoulders down.
-She did it! -[bell rings]
-["Trap Queen" playing] -It backfired on Ronda.
[Irvin] Here is your winner, Raquel Rodriguez!
[Wade] The final trick up the sleeve of Ronda Rousey did not work.
Somehow Raquel Rodriguez just pulled out the miracle of all miracles.
[Cole] Raquel Rodriguez, broken elbow and all,
somehow able to survive running the gauntlet tonight.
And next week, Friday Night SmackDown live in Tampa, right here on Fox.
It's Raquel versus Ronda for the SmackDown Women's Title.
I cannot believe what we just witnessed.
The question is what condition is Raquel gonna be in for that championship match?
We find out next week, but what a weird couple of weeks it's been
in this saga with LA Knight, Bray Wyatt, and Uncle Howdy.
Let's take you back to last week on Friday Night SmackDown.
I'm still trying to figure this all out.
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.
Bray Wyatt, 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.
[tense music playing]
I am sick of you.
I'm being honest when I tell you, I haven't touched you.
[static]
-[diabolical laughter] -Little…
-Hey, you. -Hey.
What have you done?
Hey, you want to see something really scary?
[kid] Hey.
[music building]
[music ends abruptly]
[ominous music playing]
[sinister laughter]
[laughter continues]
["Shatter" playing]
[Cole] Bray Wyatt has been claiming for weeks he is not Uncle Howdy,
that Howdy was not his sick alter ego.
Was Bray Wyatt vindicated?
He's here live next on SmackDown.
♪ Know not where you've been ♪
[soft music playing]
[Flair] Ric Flair was never a character.
It's been my life.
The good…
and the bad.
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. -Well, 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 I should be dead.
[laughs]
Woooooo!
♪ Who better than me? I don't see nobody ♪
♪ I don't see nobody Who stepping to me? ♪
♪ 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? ♪
[Cole] Still to come tonight, our main event
on this special holiday edition of Friday Night SmackDown.
Braun Strowman teams with Ricochet against Kaiser and Vinci of the Imperium.
A Miracle on 34th Street Fight tonight.
[upbeat Christmas music playing]
[music fades]
["Shatter" featuring Code Orange playing]
[crowd cheering]
♪ You can throw it all away ♪
♪ When things break, things shatter ♪
♪ Keep it written on your face ♪
♪ The little details matter ♪
♪ Only in me I am the coil, I am the spring ♪
♪ Only in me I am the ghost in the machine ♪
♪ Only in me Recount confession, give no release ♪
♪ Only in me Will your stain ever live to be ♪
♪ Die for me, brother ♪
♪ Know not what you've seen ♪
♪ Love one another ♪
♪ Know not where you've been ♪
♪ Lie for me, brother ♪
♪ Know not what you'vе said ♪
♪ Use me for cover ♪
♪ Whеn things break, things shatter ♪
♪ Just a sliver of a thought can make ♪
♪ Even a thick head clatter ♪
♪ Disappear without a trace ♪
♪ While the whole world's laughing ♪
♪ But it's only in me I am the coil, I am the spring ♪
♪ Only in me I am the ghost in the machine ♪
♪ Only in me Recount confession, give no release ♪
♪ Only in me Will your stain ever live to be ♪
♪ Die… ♪
-[music ends] -[crowd cheering]
Y'all wanna hear something wild, man? And I'm-I'm being serious.
One of the hardest things in the world for me to do
is to walk out here and confront you guys.
You know, with everyone in the world watching me, man,
this is incredibly nerve-racking.
It's a wild, wild feeling, man,
and it's a pretty surreal feeling, man.
Like, I don't think I'll ever get used to
people being excited to see me, and I don't really understand it.
But…
[crowd cheering]
I guess… I guess I just, I don't really look at myself like that, man.
I try to present you with the realest me that I know of,
but I… I genuinely don't know if there is a real me.
I don't know, man.
But I do know one thing.
LA Knight owes me an apology, man.
[laughs]
Nobody listened to me, man.
He didn't believe me.
You didn't believe me, did you?
Hey! No, no, no.
Be honest. Be honest.
You thought it was me for a minute at least.
[laughs]
Yeah.
But the truth is,
I… I am not Uncle Howdy.
I never was Uncle Howdy.
When I think about whatever-- Uh…
Um…
When I think about whatever Uncle Howdy's-- Uh…
Uh…
I'm sorry. I lost my train of thought.
I'm sorry.
[crowd chanting "We want Bray"]
-[microphone drops] -[Bray groans]
[Bray grunts]
[Cole] Oh my goodness.
Bray Wyatt is-is assaulting our cameraman. What the hell?
[Bray grunts]
[Bray grunting]
Bray! Bray!
Let him go!
-Bray, stop it. Bray, stop it. -Bray, get off him. Get off him.
-Come on! -Bray!
-What are you doing?
What is wrong with you?
[Cole] We're still trying to process what we just witnessed.
An obviously conflicted Bray Wyatt moments ago.
[Bray grunts]
Attacking our cameraman.
Delivering a Mandible Claw.
[Bray grunting]
Bray! Bray!
-Bray, stop it. Bray, stop it. -Bray, get off him. Get off him.
Come on, man!
-Bray! Bray! -What are you doing?
[Cole] And then caught up in some weird sort of trance.
We can tell you that Bray Wyatt's been removed from the arena,
and that WWE official Adam Pearce
consulting the global headquarters to determine the correct course of action.
Wade, we gotta try to get back to action now.
Angel set for one-on-one competition after that…
whatever that is we just witnessed here on Friday Night SmackDown.
♪ Booyaka, booyaka ♪
["Booyaka 619" by P.O.D. playing]
♪ 619 ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka ♪
[crowd cheering]
♪ That's my pueblo ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619 ♪
[Irvin] And his opponent, from San Diego, California,
weighing in at 175 pounds,
Rey Mysterio.
[Cole] Well, Rey Mysterio returning from an ankle injury.
I wanna show you how this matchup came about.
Rey Mysterio on SmackDown LowDown, a run-in with Los Lotharios.
It's never easy coming back from an injury,
and now I have Kross thinking he's clever, telling stories. Well…
I'm not gonna just sit there with my arms crossed
and listen to his passive-aggressive ramblings.
Rey, you don't get it, right?
Kross was trying to be kind with you when he said you are past your prime.
[speaks Spanish]
Humberto and I, we are the future.
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619 ♪
[Cole] And Rey was obviously talking about the situation
that he's had the past couple of weeks with both Karrion Kross and Scarlett.
Karrion Kross basically said that at some point,
he's gonna put Rey Mysterio out to pasture.
[Wade] Incredibly menacing conversation with Karrion Kross,
and unfortunately for Rey Mysterio,
Angel and Humberto seem to be in agreement.
[Cole] Speaking of Karrion Kross and Scarlett,
we just saw them moments ago in the, uh, WWE Universe here looking on.
So Mysterio and Angel, interesting that, uh…
There they are again, Kross and Scarlett.
Interesting that Los Lotharios said to Rey,
"It's time for you to step aside."
"It's time for the next generation of luchadors,"
like Los Lotharios and Rey's son, Dominik, to take over here in WWE.
[Wade] You can take Rey's spot, but he ain't gonna step aside.
You're gonna have to stop him.
[Cole] And maybe slap some respect into Angel as well.
[Wade] How's about this for Rey Mysterio?
Doesn't just have to wonder about Angel and Humberto at ringside here.
Also got Kross and Scarlett. Danger at all angles.
[Cole] Basement dropkick by Rey who has not lost a step.
[Wade] And Angel hasn't lost any of his cockiness
or arrogance that he's known for.
[crowd counting]
[Cole] Great joy to watch Rey Mysterio in action here tonight
on this special holiday edition of Friday Night SmackDown.
Thanks for spending part of your holiday weekend with us tonight.
Mysterio, what's he planning to do here?
Oh, the magic of Mysterio.
[Wade] Thirty-three years and still scrapping away with the best.
[Cole] Rey, springboard off the second rope,
but nobody home as Angel rolled out of harm's way.
Caught him with a dropkick.
[Wade] Angel believes he is a step ahead of Rey Mysterio at this point,
and it would seem that Karrion Kross is in agreement.
What a scalp to claim it is of Rey Mysterio if you can pull it off.
[Cole] Off the backbreaker.
For the win on Rey who got the shoulder up.
Humberto, of course, looking on at ringside.
Kross and Scarlett in the stands here tonight looking on.
Hands off the mask.
-[Cole] Angel's got all the tools, Wade. -[Wade] No doubt about it.
Wants that one key victory
that is gonna propel him up the card here in WWE,
and knocking off Rey Mysterio will do that for anybody.
[Cole] Blow right to the back, and now Angel
trying to outpower Rey Mysterio.
What a win this would be for Angel to knock off Mysterio here tonight.
[Wade] Mysterio just a rag doll,
but you cannot count out the biggest little man of them all.
[Cole] Mysterio, top rope. The former World Champion with a senton.
And Rey sends Angel across the ring. Hit the ropes hard.
Now he's in position.
[Wade] Angel has no clue where he's at,
but fortunately, got a friend at ringside here.
[Cole] Humberto being taken out by Rey who flies.
[Wade] Taking a bullet for Angel.
[Cole] Mysterio saying, "I'm watching you, Kross."
Catches Angel, now slides back into the ring.
So quick is Mysterio.
Angel.
Cover off the superkick for the win.
Great move by Angel that caused a slight distraction to Mysterio.
[Wade] Nice little diversion there.
Wasn't quite enough to put away Rey, but this might do it.
-619! -[Cole] Mocking Mysterio.
[Wade] Could've got the Wing Clipper there.
He's gonna humiliate Rey with his own move.
[Cole] Cheap shot by Humberto.
[Wade] Angel had the chance to put this one to bed right there.
Your career is over, Rey!
[Cole] And to your point, I believe he's going to mock Mysterio here
and deliver the 619,
but Rey makes sure it doesn't happen,
puts Angel in position for the 619 of his own.
-Mysterio connects. -[crowd cheering]
[Wade] You get cocky with a legend like Rey Mysterio.
[Cole] DDT! What a move by Rey!
-Cover. -[crowd] One! Two! Three!
-[Cole] Mysterio with the win. -[bell rings]
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619 ♪
[Irvin] Here is your winner, Rey Mysterio.
♪ That's my pueblo ♪
[Wade] Mysterio just has so many ways he can beat you.
Make one mistake and it's downhill from there.
♪ 619 ♪
♪ What you gon' do when we come for you? ♪
[Cole] Rey Mysterio would intercept Angel,
deliver the vintage 619.
And, Wade, what a DDT.
[Wade] Digging deep into the playbook of Mysterio.
Message sent perhaps to Karrion Kross. There's life in the old dog yet.
♪ Y deje mi cartera en Tijuana ♪
♪ El soldado enmascarado te cuidado ♪
[Cole] Karrion Kross says, "Time is running out, Rey."
An ominous warning for Mysterio.
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, that's my pueblo ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619 ♪
These two are nothing but talk. All they do is talk and talk and talk.
Ludwig and Giovanni Vinci just riding Gunther's coattails.
Besides, did you hear what these two clowns of all people had to say about us?
They said between a strong man and an acrobat,
that we simply just belong in a circus.
[Strowman laughs]
-Their words, man. -Maybe we do.
So why don't we go out there
and show them who runs the big top around this place?
Let's go. That's what I'm talking about.
Let's go.
[Strowman inhales sharply, growls]
[Cole] Strowman and Ricochet are ready and so are we.
It's a holiday tradition on Friday Night SmackDown.
Imperium, Strowman, Ricochet, Miracle on 34th Street Fight is next.
[cheery Christmas music playing]
Did you see his face?
[laughing]
[crowd booing]
[crowd cheering]
Who the hell do you guys think you are disrespecting a legend like Rey Mysterio?
And what's this about you calling Riddick a joker a few weeks ago?
Actually, I called him a fool.
Oh, that's what it was.
Hey. Hey, hey, hey!
You have absolutely no idea what you've just done.
♪ Who better than me? ♪
Emma showing some teeth,
but there might be a price to pay for the sinister siren.
You know, the greatest of all time John Cena
had his first matchup here on SmackDown back in 2002.
Well, next week he returns to the ring live in Tampa, Florida.
It means that John Cena will have wrestled a match in WWE
every year for 20 straight years.
Here's a look at the 16-time World Champion.
["Remember The Name" by Fort Minor playing]
[Kurt Angle] What is the one quality that you possess
that makes you think
that you can walk out here and face the very best in the business?
♪ You ready? ♪
Ruthless aggression.
-What's your name, kid? -John Cena.
♪ Yeah, for those of you that wanna know What we're all about ♪
[Cole] The Doctor of Thuganomics.
♪ This is ten percent luck Twenty percent skill ♪
♪ Fifteen percent Concentrated power of will ♪
♪ Five percent pleasure Fifty percent pain ♪
♪ And a hundred percent reason To remember the name ♪
[ring announcer] John Cena.
♪ He knows how to work with what he's got Makin' his way to the top ♪
-[Cole] Oh, here he comes. -[Tazz] He's got him.
[Cole] John Cena is the champion!
♪ He knows the code It's not about the salary ♪
♪ It's all about reality And making some noise ♪
[Cena] The Champ is here!
I've been in the ring with giants,
I've been in the ring with super heavyweights.
I've been face-to-face
with the baddest human beings on the planet.
♪ Humbled through opportunities given Despite the fact ♪
♪ That many misjudge him 'cause he makes A livin' from writing raps ♪
[Cena] If you want some, come get some.
[Ross] The biggest acquisition in Raw history.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] A main event for the ages.
John Cena has beaten The Rock.
♪ This is ten percent luck… ♪
Time to swim, kid.
I ain't going nowhere!
♪ Five percent pleasure Fifty percent pain ♪
♪ And a hundred percent reason To remember the name ♪
-[Lawler] What? -[Ross] It's John Cena!
[Cole] Cena wasn't supposed to be back for months.
John Cena is going to WrestleMania.
♪ This is ten percent luck Twenty percent skill ♪
♪ Fifteen percent Concentrated power of will ♪
[Cole] There's not a Superstar today
that generates the emotion out of our fans like John Cena does.
[music ends]
["The Time Is Now" playing on solo trumpet]
[both] You can't see me.
[David] John has granted more wishes
than any other celebrity in the history of the Make-A-Wish foundation.
When you have somebody to inspire you and then you get to meet that person,
that does something to you on the inside. It's amazing.
[symphonic version of "The Time Is Now" continues]
[Cena] My passion for the Armed Forces is no secret.
From the dog tags I wear into the ring
to the salute I give every single night
for the admiration of every man and woman serving this country.
[service members cheering]
These are my heroes.
["The Time Is Now" playing on solo trumpet]
He's probably one of the busiest men in showbiz right now.
Please welcome everybody's favorite.
John Cena.
Today Show regular John Cena.
-John Cena. -Ellen's guest host John Cena.
I know what you're thinking. Has Ellen been working out?
Welcome to the ESPY Awards.
I look like Mark Wahlberg ate Mark Wahlberg.
There's a door in my way.
He makes the set a great environment.
He's a multifaceted guy, put his best into a scene.
Comedically, he is fearless.
I wanna do many movies with John Cena. He is a dream.
[woman] We always love when John Cena stops by.
Yes!
♪ He's livin' proof That he rockin' the booth ♪
Incredible.
♪ Buzzin' quicker Than a shot of vodka with juice ♪
You have almost obsessed fans, don't you?
-There are a few. -Yeah.
♪ He doesn't need his name up in lights ♪
♪ He just wants to be heard Whether it's the beat or the mic ♪
♪ Him and his crew are known around As one of the best ♪
♪ Dedicated to what they do And give a hundred percent ♪
John is the franchise player of the WWE.
He's the marquee guy.
Just a natural-born entertainer.
He's good at everything.
There's a reason why he is who he is where he's at.
♪ This is ten percent luck ♪
[Cena] Hustle.
[Graves] History has been made at the Royal Rumble.
[Cole] John Cena is a record 16-time world champion.
[Cena] Loyalty.
Commanding audiences' respect. He has made 20 years out of it.
[Cena] Respect.
He is the model in our industry for "do the work."
[Batista] I think it's something he was born to do.
♪ And a hundred percent reason To remember the name ♪
[Vince] He's just one of those people that when you meet,
you feel better off having met the man.
A real-life superhero.
♪ And a hundred percent reason To remember the name ♪
[Cena] My name is John Cena.
I'm a kid who grew up in a small town in West Newbury.
I'm still a kid absolutely living the dream.
♪ And a hundred percent reason To remember the name ♪
-[music ends] -[crowd chants "Cena"]
[Cole] So, next week, live in Tampa on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox,
it is the return of John Cena as he teams with Kevin Owens
to take on Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn live next week on SmackDown.
[Wade] And after her heroics in the Gauntlet Match,
Raquel Rodriguez, bad arm and all, takes on SmackDown Women's Champion,
Ronda Rousey, next week.
[Cole] And it's Sheamus of the Brawling Brutes,
The Celtic Warrior to go one-on-one with the enforcer of The Bloodline,
Solo Sikoa, live on Friday Night SmackDown.
[bright Christmas music playing]
It wouldn't be Christmastime without the Miracle on 34th Street Fight
where, Wade, anything goes,
and you can use anything as a weapon, even a Christmas tree.
[Wade] Yeah, and it's an absolute scandal
that Imperium have been forced to contest this matchup.
[Cole] Oh, get over it, you Scrooge.
[Wade] I'm not surprised you get excited about this, Cole.
-[Cole] You're a Grinch, aren't you? -Maybe.
["It's About to Go Down" playing]
♪ One and only ♪
[Cole] Well, this really is gonna be the highlight of the night.
♪ It's about to go down ♪
♪ Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey ♪
[Cole] Hey, will someone tell our cameraman
to stop eating the cookies out here?
It's for the match, you idiot.
["Monster Of All Monsters" playing]
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is a Miracle on 34th Street Fight.
Introducing first, the team of Ricochet and Braun Strowman.
[Cole] Folks, to commemorate the Becoming Ric Flair documentary
premiering this Monday on Peacock,
exclusive Ric Flair legacy merchandise is now available,
such as a Championship Collector's Title and a vintage collection T-shirt.
Available exclusively on WWEshop.com.
But coming up next, Wade, please, please, please
get in the Christmas spirit
because Strowman and Ricochet take on Imperium.
The Miracle on 34th Street Fight is next on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Wade] Get me a glass of port.
[rhythmic clacking]
[dramatic music playing]
[cheering]
[Lacey] Iron sharpens iron.
This is no place for the weak,
or the less than…
for the second best.
Good enough is never good enough.
You are a highly trained,
finely tuned…
fighting machine.
You wake up…
[indistinct shouting]
…work
and win.
And it is your mission
to destroy every single woman in WWE.
[Marines] Oorah!
[music fades]
[Cole] Strowman and Ricochet waiting for Imperium
in the Miracle on 34th Street Fight here on SmackDown.
[Wade] I hope you haven't been prepping Christmas puns all week.
I had enough of that nonsense
when Kurt Angle and his milk truck a few weeks ago.
["Symphony No. 9 in E Minor" playing]
♪ Gunther! ♪
[Irvin] And their opponents, representing Imperium,
Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci.
♪ Gunther! ♪
[Cole] You notice Gunther's not here.
He started his Christmas vacation a little early.
[Wade] You can just tell, Imperium, incandescent with rage
that they have to contest this charade.
♪ Gunther! Das mächtigste! ♪
[Cole] And, tonight, the special holiday edition
of Friday Night SmackDown is sponsored by Progressive insurance.
For a job you'll love, visit Progressive.
Imperium looks absolutely disgusted.
[Wade] The pure match design here
denigrates the sanctity of this great sport, Michael Cole.
[Cole] So again, anything goes in this matchup.
Really, no holds barred. It is a street fight.
Of course, the twist being it's a Miracle on 34th Street.
-[bell rings] -Great Christmas movie.
And now, Ricochet sent out of the ring.
Braun Strowman with a right hand to both Vinci and Kaiser.
So, Wade, if you were involved in this matchup,
the Grinch that you are, what would be your strategy?
[Wade] The strategy would be to isolate Ricochet as quickly as you can,
because Braun Strowman is worth three people in this matchup.
[Cole] Strowman of course still-- Oh, what a double-team.
Strowman still blames Imperium for costing him a matchup.
Here's the cover. Hook of the leg, and Kaiser dragging Ricochet out.
-Now sending Ricochet into the steps. -[Wade] I understand Strowman's concerns.
Of course, the reason he was knocked out of the SmackDown World Cup
is the two men in the ring with him right now.
[Cole] Strowman manhandling Kaiser and Vinci.
[Wade] You can smell those cookies. Focus, Cole.
Getting hungry here.
[Cole] You don't seem to be a cookie guy to me.
-Oh, and right to the back of the knee. -[Wade] It's been a long night.
[Cole] And now Vinci brings Strowman down.
Great strategy by Imperium.
[Wade] Don't expect shenanigans. Don't expect celebration.
Expect pure sport.
Cold and efficient. That's why I like them, Cole.
-[Cole] Yeah, they're just like you. Oh! -Thank you very much.
That's a big compliment.
[Cole] Vinci sent over the top rope by Strowman.
Here comes Kaiser. He's launched outside as well,
and right into his partner.
Strowman is hurting, though.
Ricochet.
Oh, Vinci into the barricade.
[Wade] Bounced around like a ping-pong ball.
[Cole] Ricochet and Strowman are in control
of the Miracle on 34th Street Fight.
We're back on this special holiday edition of Friday Night SmackDown.
Strowman, Ricochet, and the Imperium,
Miracle on 34th Street Fight where anything goes.
Strowman driven into the post, and now through the Christmas tree,
the candy canes, and the presents.
And Ricochet launches himself through the second rope,
taking Kaiser down. [indistinct]
[Wade] Oh, nice reversal from Ludwig Kaiser.
[Cole] Turns it into an armbar. And now, the candy cane Kendo stick.
Just unloading on Ricochet.
I thought that Imperium didn't want anything to do with this.
[Wade] You know what?
I think they're finally starting to feel the Christmas spirit, Cole.
[Cole] Ricochet worn out,
and now a gift-wrapped steel chair.
[indistinct shouting]
Don't do this. Come on.
[Cole] Now, Imperium just wearing out Ricochet and Strowman.
[Wade] This is supposed to be a feel-good matchup.
Strowman and Ricochet feel absolutely dreadful.
[Cole] Oh, what a right hand!
Intercepting the Kendo stick,
snapping it in half, and there's a right hand.
[Wade] You take your eyes off the monster for one second,
he eats a couple of cookies, and he's fired back up again.
[Cole] What?
[Wade] Maybe it was a glass of eggnog. Who knows?
[Cole] Oh! Strowman sending Vinci into the Christmas trees,
and Kaiser as well.
♪ O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree ♪
And this is where Vinci got a lump of coal for Christmas.
Boom!
And Kaiser is on the naughty list as well.
[Wade] There's some deforestation here on the SmackDown set courtesy of one man.
[Cole] And now both Kaiser and Vinci on the shoulders of Strowman.
-[Wade] Lug 'em, baby! -[Cole] And a rake to the eyes.
Completely legal under Street Fight rules.
Oh yeah.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] And now, Imperium.
Oh, a double suplex to Strowman on the stage.
[yelling in German]
[Wade] Giovanni Vinci has had a glass of port thrown in his face.
[Cole] Strowman hurting after that double suplex by Imperium.
Ricochet back into the fight.
[Wade] A man who can attack from all angles.
He's proven in recent weeks he can slug it out with the best of them.
[Cole] Ricochet sending Vinci back into the ring.
Now, Kaiser trying to hang on.
Ricochet, what a matchup against Gunther
for the Intercontinental Championship last week.
Steel chair.
[Wade] Just perfect timing from Ludwig Kaiser.
[Cole] Ricochet's in all kinds of trouble.
And this shot with the chair…
has taken Ricochet completely out of this match.
And now Vinci and Kaiser turn their attention back to Braun Strowman.
The Monster of All Monsters
fighting back in the Christmas tree farm over there.
[Wade] Buried under the presents, Cole. Oh!
-It's the biggest of the lot. -[Cole] Timber.
I remember when I used to go get a tree at a Christmas tree farm as a kid.
Always a lot of fun.
I never had one dumped on me but--
[Wade] No one cares about your trip to the Christmas tree farm, Cole.
There's a match going on.
What other stories are you gonna regale us about?
[classical music playing]
[Cole] Yeah, ladies and gentlemen, that is a ballerina.
There was a ballerina in a gift-wrapped box on the stage
here on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Wade] What on Earth are we witnessing, Cole?
[Cole] And she just danced her way out of the arena.
[music fades]
I like a ballerina for Christmas, Wade.
[Wade] A lot better looking than the sour-faced Ludwig Kaiser.
[Cole] Opening another, uh, another gift and--
[Wade] What the hell?
["The Nutcracker Suite" playing]
[Cole] Wade…
Why are The New Day… Why are they dressed as soldiers?
[crowd chanting "New Day rocks"]
[Wade] They ain't soldiers, Cole.
They're nutcrackers.
[Cole] I don't even know what to say anymore.
[Wade] That's our NXT Tag Champions.
[Cole] And a salute to the monster,
and here comes the Monster of All Monsters.
[Wade] Seemingly regenerated.
[Cole] Running through Vinci, running through Kaiser.
Come on!
-[Cole] The Strowman Express! -Yeah.
Let's go!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] I think Strowman just realized his partner, Ricochet,
was taken out by that steel chair moments ago.
[Wade] Ricochet might be out for the count here.
[Cole] And that's-- He took your mistletoe.
[man] Samantha, you have to kiss him…
Samantha.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] That's Ricochet's real-life girlfriend,
our ring announcer, Samantha Irvin,
and the mistletoe just fired Ricochet back up again.
And Ricochet now on fire.
[Wade] I thought that mistletoe was a dud. It didn't work for me.
[Cole] Because you were sitting next to me, dummy.
And now Kaiser misses with the right.
Ricochet, springboard moonsault.
[Wade] I've never seen Ricochet so energized.
[Cole] Strowman with Kaiser through the table!
[Ricochet stomping]
Ricochet off the Recoil.
Strowman…
[crowd cheering]
…with the Running Monster Powerslam.
[crowd cheering]
Double-team coming.
Ricochet…
flies like a reindeer.
-Cover. -[crowd] One, two…
-[Cole] What a win! -[bell rings]
["It's About to Go Down" plays]
[Irvin] Here are your winners,
the team of Braun Strowman and Ricochet.
[Cole] I don't think I've ever enjoyed Christmas so much.
[Wade] I don't think I've ever hated
Christmas so much, but that's another story, Cole.
[Cole] The mistletoe worked wonders for Ricochet.
[Wade] Was mistletoe legal in this matchup?
[Cole] Anything's legal, Wade.
It's a Street Fight.
Kaiser went through a table of Christmas goodies.
Ricochet flying all over the place.
[crowd] One! Two! Three!
[Cole] A merry Christmas to all and, Imperium, good night.
Strowman and Ricochet with the victory here tonight
on Friday Night SmackDown
as we now turn
our attention to next week.
And live from Tampa, Florida,
the final SmackDown of the year 2022
when John Cena returns
to team with Kevin Owens
to take on Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn
in our main event next week on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
Merry Christmas.
Happy holidays, everybody.
Let's go! days, everybody.