[WWE signature intro playing]
[John Cena] Then.
[Flair] Woo!
-[glass shatters] -[The Rock] If you smell…
-[bell tolls] -[Cena] Now.
-♪The King of Kings ♪ -♪ You can't see me ♪
[Cena] Forever.
[crowd cheering]
[Cena] Together.
[music fades]
[def rebel's "Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
[Cole] You are looking live
at the sold-out Amalie Center in Tampa, Florida.
15,738 WWE fans are here tonight
for Friday Night SmackDown on Fox, sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
Arguably the biggest match of 2022 on the last SmackDown of the year.
[Wade] That is right, because for the first time in 2022,
John Cena is here, and later on tonight,
Cena teams with Kevin Owens to take on Sami Zayn
and "The Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns.
[Cole] Massive main event, live tonight.
[crowd cheers]
["Shatter" by Code Orange plays]
[crowd cheers]
♪ You can throw it all away ♪
♪ When things break, things shatter ♪
♪ Keep it written on your face ♪
♪ The little details matter ♪
♪ Only in me ♪
♪ I am the coil, I am the spring ♪
♪ Only in me ♪
♪ I am the ghost in the machine ♪
♪ Only in me ♪
♪ Recount confession, give no release ♪
♪ Only in me ♪
♪ Will your stain ever live to be? ♪
♪ Die for me, brother ♪
♪ Know not what you've seen ♪
♪ Love one another ♪
♪ Know not where you've been ♪
♪ Lie for me, brother ♪
♪ Know not what you've said ♪
♪ Use me for cover ♪
♪ When things break, things shatter ♪
[crowd cheering]
♪ 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 ♪
♪ It's only in me ♪
♪ I am the ghost in the machine ♪
♪ It's only in me ♪
♪ Recount confession, give no release ♪
♪ It's 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 ♪
[song fades]
[loud cheering]
[Cole] Well, Bray obviously a very conflicted man,
wrestling some sort of internal demons, very evident last week.
Snappy, really no other way to describe it.
Attacking a cameraman,
applying the mandible claw.
And then as Wyatt was…
…finally called off the attack by WWE officials,
you'll notice this-- this trance
that Wyatt found himself in.
[Wade] Bray Wyatt is not always in full control of Bray Wyatt.
[crowd cheers]
Hello, my name is Bray Wyatt.
Yeah.
And, uh, honestly,
deep down I--I don't really think of myself as a good person.
You know? Although I do try really, really hard, man.
But when I look back at all the horrible things
I've had to do to get where I am today, man…
honestly, I don't regret much.
However…
last week I did-- I did something that I do regret…
Um, and I wanted to apologize, in all honesty.
Uh…
I attacked a cameraman in cold blood
and he did not-- he didn't deserve that, man,
he didn't deserve it.
And, uh…
If he's watching this, man,
I want you to know that, uh, for whatever--
["Welcome To LA" by LA Knight plays]
Yeah. Yeah.
Yeah.
Let me talk to you.
[crowd booing]
Oh, I want to apologize to the little cameraman.
[mimics crying]
You've got to be kidding me.
The master of the mind games, Bray Wyatt,
getting gamed by the man they call The Megastar, LA Knight.
[inaudible dialogue]
What happened to you, man?
You can't even keep your composure out here.
You can't even finish a sentence, and then you get all embarrassed,
and you take it out on a poor cameraman.
Wrong place, wrong time for him, I guess, but I ain't concerned with that.
What I am concerned about
is you pay one of your goons to come on down here in your Captain Howdy outfit
and you think that that takes the heat off you, right?
No, no!
You're still the responsible party, and it's time to pay the check.
But hear this…
You know,
you used to be something.
You used to be a force.
[crowd chants "You suck"]
Hey, hey, pipe down. I didn't ask none of you. I'm talking.
[crowd boos]
You used to be something,
but week after week, all you've proven yourself to be is a fraud,
a broke-down loser. Yeah.
But I got the medicine.
The Royal Rumble's coming down the pipe.
It's gonna be my first.
And, my God, do I want to make it a special one.
And I tell you how I'm gonna do that.
[crowd yells "What?"]
Huh?
-[crowd yells "What?"] -Huh?
Shut up dummies, I'm talking.
The way I'm gonna do that
is by taking you
and putting you out of your misery
when I break your ass like dishes.
You little idiot.
[crowd cheers]
Who the hell do you think you're talking to, son?
You know what?
I've been really patient this whole time,
and I've known in the back of my head
that I could have ended this whenever the hell I wanted to.
Do you understand me?
So, you know,
I-I think you're right, man.
I think you're right.
Maybe it's time that I need to remind you and the rest of the world
how cruel I can be when I feel like it.
[crowd cheers]
So, we talking Royal Rumble?
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah!
I accept.
[Uncle Howdy] Rev--Revel in what you are.
Revel--
Revel in what you are.
The dark.
Embrace the dark.
The dark. Embrace the dark.
[inaudible dialogue]
Shut up.
["Feared (Uncle Howdy)" by def rebel plays]
[music intensifies]
-[inaudible dialogue] -[music fades]
[LA Knight] I should have known. I should have known there'd be something--
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] What the hell?
[LA Knight] The hell is going on?
What?
None of this makes sense.
["Feared (Uncle Howdy)" by def rebel plays]
[crowd cheering]
Hey!
What's up, dawg?
Oh! Wiseman.
Sami! [chuckles] Oh.
[Zayn] Oh, good to see you.
So tell me, how was your Hanukkah?
Oh, about as good as your Ramadan.
Blessed. Blessed.
It is a blessed day when I get to see you.
-What can I do you for? -Well, big night tonight.
I figured me and The Tribal Chief should meet to talk a little bit of strategy.
Is he in there now or--
You know, that's a wonderful idea.
You know, The Tribal Chief and I were just talking about you.
The things that you said, live,
to a global audience last week.
Well--
I mean, your pledge of loyalty to The Bloodline
and the declarative statements
that you made against John… Cena, and Kevin Owens.
Well, I meant it.
It's that passion that The Tribal Chief has always seen in you,
and you brought it to the surface, and he's very proud of you.
-Really? -Yes.
You know what? He looked proud.
We talked after, actually, he seemed really happy with the whole thing.
Yes, yes.
Now, now, if I…
mensch to mensch, if I could just impart…
-Please. Please. -…a little bit of wisdom.
The whole concept of Roman Reigns,
The Undisputed Champion, The Tribal Chief,
standing in the middle of the ring
and you're there and the whole crowd
is chanting, "Sami, Sami, Sami."
[crowd chanting "Sami"]
It's not the right optic.
[crowd stops chanting]
Did he say something?
No.
Does he have to?
Life on the Island of Relevancy
is staying three steps ahead at all times.
Hey, green light.
No more delay tactics.
-He's good? -After you, Sir.
Delay tactics. [chuckles]
Paul, you're too much. [laughs]
You're crazy, man. All right.
[chuckles]
[sighs]
[Cole] 2022 goes out with a bang tonight on Friday Night SmackDown
as Ronda Rousey defends
the SmackDown Women's Championship versus Raquel Rodriguez.
Massive title match later on tonight.
["Hellfire" by CFO$ playing]
[Cole] And it's Fight Night!
[explosion sound]
["Hellfire" by CFO$ continues playing]
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Ridge Holland and Butch,
representing the Brawling Brutes, Sheamus.
[Cole] You know, Wade, Sheamus has already made
his New Year's resolution.
He says in 2023, he's going to get the one championship
that's eluded him throughout his career, that the Intercontinental Title.
[Wade] Yeah.
Well, I suspect that Gunther may well have something to say about that.
However, after the banger
they had earlier this year, I'm all for it.
["Taking It All" by def rebel playing]
[Irvin] And his opponent,
accompanied to the ring by The Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions,
The Usos,
from Las Vegas, Nevada, weighing in at 250 pounds,
Solo Sikoa!
[Cole] Normally, Sami Zayn would be out here as well,
but Sami Zayn is back in "The Tribal Chief"
Roman Reigns' locker room talking strategy
for what is a massive main event later tonight,
arguably the match of the entire year.
[Wade] Undoubtedly.
This is Cena's first time on SmackDown in a year and a half,
and tonight's match means Cena will have a WWE match every year
for two straight decades.
That, Michael Cole, is a record that might never be broken.
[Cole] And let's not forget to mention Roman Reigns' first matchup
on Friday Night SmackDown since back in June.
Sami Zayn with a lot to prove as well.
We kick off the night's matches tonight with Solo Sikoa.
He, of course, is The Enforcer of the Bloodline.
To take on "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus
in front of a sold-out crowd
of 15,738 here tonight in Tampa.
As this match gets underway,
I would like to offer my condolences here tonight
to wrestling commentator Don West's family.
Don passed away earlier today.
A man that made a true impact on the wrestling business.
Godspeed to Mr. West.
And now Sheamus and Solo Sikoa start things off in this matchup.
And this is quite the rivalry that has developed between
Sheamus and The Brutes and The Bloodline.
[Wade] Yeah, no doubt about that.
Solo Sikoa, a huge reason why Sheamus was on the shelf
with a fractured elbow a couple of months ago, last time these two met.
That was a warning for me,
and it may get even worse tonight for Sheamus.
[Cole] Solo Sikoa, who really has been the muscle
and the heavy for The Bloodline since bursting on the scene
back in September at Clash at the Castle, helping Roman Reigns
retain The Undisputed Championship against Drew McIntyre.
There you see The Undisputed Tag Team Champions,
Jimmy and Jey, The Usos.
Tonight marks day number 530 as Tag Team Champions.
[Wade] Traveling on a plane of their own right now are The Usos,
as indeed are the rest of The Bloodline.
[Cole] The Usos ran into Sheamus and Butch a couple of weeks ago.
Able to retain in that matchup.
And Solo, with a right-hand to Sheamus.
What makes Sikoa so dangerous, Wade?
[Wade] I'll tell you about this. So, Solo Sikoa--
we mentioned he's the heavy of The Bloodline--
let his actions do the talking.
The guy is a straight-up street thug.
He's adept at the dirty work.
That's something The Bloodline have a huge asset in their back pocket.
[Cole] Yeah, but let's not forget how physical Sheamus is.
-[Wade] Yup. -[Cole] He's a pub brawler.
Remember, many are calling his match at Clash at the Castle
with The Intercontinental Championship, Gunther, the Match of the Year in WWE.
In fact, in all of sports entertainment.
[Wade] Yeah, most opponents would be
at least a little bit apprehensive stepping in with Solo Sikoa.
Sheamus lives for opponents like Sikoa.
The harder you hit Sheamus, the stronger he gets.
Just defies all logic.
[Cole] Big uppercut by Sheamus to Sikoa.
This match will not be for the faint of heart, so to speak.
These two, as physical as they come.
[Wade] It's two of the most destructive forces in WWE
colliding before our eyes.
Something has to give, but I'm not gonna call it.
[Cole] And, Wade, let's not forget too,
The Brutes went on record a couple of months ago,
as saying that they would be the group to finally end this power trip
that The Bloodline's been on.
[Wade] There's been a lot of talk from all corners in WWE.
Nobody can scale that mountain, however.
[Cole] Solo Sikoa upset as he's knocked over the top rope.
Usos trying to calm him down. Sheamus in control.
Solo is blowing his top here on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Jey] It's all good. Get your cool, Uce. Get your cool.
[Cole] During the commercial break, Solo Sikoa has taken over this match,
slowed things down against Sheamus,
and now The Enforcer of the Bloodline in control.
[Wade] Solo Sikoa just carries a main event level gravitas about him,
which is truly remarkable considering, in terms of tenure here, Cole,
he's a relative rookie.
Not that you would ever call a man like Solo Sikoa a rookie.
[Cole] Well, Wade, pardon the pun, but look at The Bloodline.
Look at what Solo Sikoa was raised up around.
Of course, his brothers, The Usos, his dad, Rikishi,
as we take a look at what happened during the commercial break.
[Wade] This comes a little bit easier when you're of that said bloodline.
Tribute there to Umaga.
[Cole] And Sikoa quotes Umaga,
the uncle, the late great uncle of Solo Sikoa, as The Usos look on.
Sheamus trying to fight out of this.
Been really a banner year, really a year of resurgence
when it comes to "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus.
You know, I've followed his entire career, Wade.
I've called most of his matches, and I'll tell you,
this may be one of the best year of Sheamus' career
as Solo delivers the Samoan Drop.
[Wade] I've got to agree with you when it comes to Sheamus.
Absolutely equivalent of the Ballon d'Or winner here in WWE.
But when you're up against somebody like Solo Sikoa,
who can pull off moves like this almost effortlessly,
it doesn't matter how good your year has been.
It might end very badly.
[Cole] You can just see Sikoa oozing with confidence.
He takes his time. He's in no rush, no hurry.
[Wade] And we've never once seen him out of his depth.
He's been here a mere six months at this point.
Just looks unstoppable. Growing week by week.
[Cole] Oh, but took a little bit too much time there
and the veteran Sheamus able to take control
to buy himself some time.
What impact off the clothesline!
[Wade] At what point does confidence…
-[Cole] Watch this. -[Wade] …turn into cockiness?
Maybe Sikoa comes a cropper here.
You just cannot do that with "The Celtic Warrior" Sheamus.
[Cole] Is Sheamus ever gonna slow down?
[Wade] You know what, after 14-plus years at the top,
he's still having wars every single week.
[Cole] And he enjoys fighting, right? And look at Sheamus go.
[Wade] This is what makes Sheamus feel alive.
[Cole] Oh, what a big kick to Sikoa.
Solo, though, just fired up off the kick.
Missed wildly with a clothesline,
and now Sheamus lifts up the big man and slams him to the mat.
[Wade] Two alpha males refusing to take a step back.
[Cole] Sheamus with Hall of Fame credentials,
World Championships, Money in the Bank, Royal Rumble, King of the Ring,
and now about to deliver 10 Beats Of The Bodhrán.
[crowd] One, two, three,
four, five, six,
seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven…
[Cole] A little bit extra for Mr. Sikoa.
It's electric in here tonight.
Sold out in Tampa.
Man, when is somebody gonna figure out you can tap out
when he's smashing you on the chest like that?
Just get out of Dodge.
[Cole] United States talking about SmackDown.
We're the number one trend on Twitter.
And Sheamus went for the Brogue, and he ran into a superkick.
Oh, a big knee.
Sheamus to the cover.
Hook of the leg for a win over Sikoa. Kickout at two.
[Wade] Sheamus may have attempted a second bite at the Brogue there,
didn't get full extension, but did catch him with the knee.
[Cole] Watch this impact. Bang!
[Wade] It was a woozy Sheamus,
but did just enough to stop Sikoa in his tracks.
Now, can Sheamus capitalize?
[Cole] Of course he's woozy.
These two have been beating the hell out of each other.
[grunts]
[Cole] Solo grabbing the beard of Sheamus, and a headbutt.
Sheamus though, Irish Curse Backbreaker.
Rolls him over.
Now, he's gonna look for the Texas Cloverleaf.
Or in Sheamus' case just the cloverleaf, but nonetheless, it's locked in.
Solo Sikoa-- will he tap out?
[Wade] Solo Sikoa can't even see the rope right now.
-[Cole] Yeah. -[Wade] That's his problem.
He's reaching out for it face into the mat already.
[Cole] And Sheamus so wise, as he drags Sikoa back
toward the middle of the ring.
Jimmy and Jey screaming at Solo.
[Wade] That's what being a veteran gives you-- the smarts of Sheamus.
[Cole] And now look at this, the referee distracted by Jey,
and Jimmy pulling Solo out of the cloverleaf.
Now Butch and Ridge Holland taking offense,
and a brawl is underway outside the ring.
[Wade] Yeah, this was inevitable
that things were gonna kick off on the outside.
No love lost between these groups whatsoever.
Oh no.
[Cole] Sheamus off the top rope!
That's someone who knows what he's doing up there.
Oh!
And dragging Sheamus shoulder-first into the post.
Now, a Ura-nage on the apron.
[Wade] Sheamus completely ripe for the pickings here.
[Cole] And now Solo Sikoa…
-[shouts] -paying homage to Umaga
with a Samoan Spike!
Here's the cover. Sikoa with the win.
[bell rings]
["Taking It All" by def rebel playing]
[Irvin] Here is your winner, Solo Sikoa!
[Cole] And now The Usos assaulting Sheamus.
Remember Ridge and Butch trying to get back into things,
but taken out again by the Tag Team Champions.
And now The Bloodline assaulting The Celtic Warrior.
And Solo now grabbing a steel chair here at ringside.
And we know what Solo is capable of. Ask Riddle.
[grunting]
[Jey] Come on.
[Cole] Now, looking to do the same thing.
Sheamus is helpless. He's defenseless.
[Wade] We haven't seen Riddle in weeks, since he was the recipient of this, Cole.
[Cole] Looking to maybe end Sheamus' career.
["Gallantry" by CFO$ plays]
[Cole] But here comes The Scottish Warrior.
["Gallantry" by CFO$ plays]
[Cole] McIntyre is back.
[Wade] Not a moment too soon for Sheamus.
[Cole] McIntyre, who has a massive score to settle with The Bloodline as well.
And that man, who cost him The Undisputed Championship, Sikoa.
McIntyre sends Solo over the top rope.
Jimmy went for a superkick.
Claymore!
[roars]
And The Bloodline retreats.
[Wade] McIntyre back with a vengeance.
["Gallantry" by CFO$ plays]
[Cole] What an explosive start to Friday Night SmackDown.
I told you it's Fight Night.
[Wade] Unreal.
So good to have Drew McIntyre back at 100%,
firing on all cylinders.
Man, this place, Tampa, Florida,
came completely unglued for the return
of "The Scottish Warrior" Drew McIntyre.
[Cole] And ladies and gentlemen,
I told you that it was a big night here tonight on SmackDown,
and coming up next, the SmackDown Women's Championship,
Ronda Rousey versus Raquel Rodriguez.
Here's our Progressive Match Flo.
[announcer] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
Why don't you tell the China shop the bulls are coming?
[Cole] Ronda and Shayna are running roughshod over the Women's Division.
[Wade] Natalya's face is completely ruined.
[Shayna] Guess what, accidents happen.
[Cole] Shotzi suffered significant trauma.
[Ronda] Sometimes accidentally on purpose.
[Cole] Oh no.
[sobbing]
[Raquel] Every time I go to straighten my arm,
I remember what Ronda and Shayna did to me.
I want payback.
[Irvin] The following is a Gauntlet Match.
[Cole] The last woman standing, an opportunity at Ronda Rousey
in the SmackDown Women's Championship.
And there's no way that Raquel can be anywhere close to 100%.
[Wade] I'll be honest, if it was me, I'd be in hospital right now.
[Cole] With one arm stacking Xia Li up.
[bell rings]
[Wade] But there's a long way to go, Michael Cole.
[Cole] Raquel will not give up, she will not give in.
Morgan continues the pressure.
[Wade] Raquel is just not any ordinary Superstar.
♪ Champion, got the mind of a champion ♪
♪ Champion ♪
[bell rings]
[Wade] Raquel purely running on fumes at this point.
[Cole] Oh.
[Wade] Every single attack aimed at the busted left arm.
[Cole] Somehow Raquel did it!
Raquel earns herself a championship opportunity.
♪…I fought it good, Did it 'cause I said I would ♪
♪ Champion ♪
["Bad Reputation" by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts plays]
[Ronda] Raquel, you still got one more opponent.
["Limb By Limb" by def rebel plays]
[Cole] Well, according to Ronda Rousey, the Gauntlet Match isn't over yet.
[Wade] Hang on a minute. This wasn't in the rules.
[Cole] The dangerous Baszler just ripping apart the brace.
This is an absolute joke.
Baszler's shoulders down. She did it.
[bell rings]
[Wade] Raquel Rodriguez just pulled out the miracle of all miracles.
[Cole] It's Raquel versus Ronda for the SmackDown Women's Championship.
[inaudible dialogue]
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen,
dominant SmackDown Women's Champion, Ronda Rousey,
versus the upstart Raquel Rodriguez.
Will the elbow be the target for Rousey?
The Championship Match is live and it's next.
[Wade] As we've seen, Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn
are currently in The Bloodline locker room
strategizing ahead of tonight's main event tag match
where they will be taking on the problem himself,
Kevin Owens, and the returning
16-time World Champion, John Cena.
["Trap Queen" by def rebel plays]
[Cole] Time now for the SmackDown Women's Championship.
You know, earlier today,
Raquel Rodriguez, who's a second-generation wrestler,
earlier today she was FaceTiming her father, Ricky "Desperado" Gonzalez,
and he gave her a little bit of advice for tonight,
and she also talked to him about being angry.
After everything that Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler have done,
she said she's excited.
She's nervous, but she plans to shock the Universe here tonight.
Raquel Rodriguez won a Gauntlet Match to get this opportunity.
And tonight Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
What an opportunity for Raquel.
You notice the heavily bandaged elbow
that was fractured earlier this month by Rousey and Baszler.
[Wade] I love the attitude from Raquel Rodriguez.
"I'm gonna shock the world. I'm gonna make history."
Well, what I don't like is the fact that she's nowhere near 100%.
That's bad at the best of times,
but when you're against a generational athlete like Ronda Rousey,
the SmackDown Women's Champ,
it's a mission that for me I can only see ending in failure.
["Bad Reputation" by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts plays]
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the SmackDown Women's Championship.
Introducing the challenger,
from Rio Grande Valley, Texas, Raquel Rodriguez.
And her opponent, accompanied to the ring by Shayna Baszler,
she is the SmackDown Women's Champion,
"The Baddest Woman on the Planet"
"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey.
[Cole] Wade, everything you said about the Raquel elbow situation
with Ronda Rousey, I completely agree with,
but this is the reason that Ronda Rousey, in my opinion,
originally injured the elbow of Raquel Rodriguez.
Remember earlier this year
when Ronda Rousey offered an open challenge
for the SmackDown Women's Title
and Raquel Rodriguez took the challenge, had a Championship Match,
and took Rousey to the limit?
And I believe ever since then, Rousey has been concerned
with the power and the strength
of this young and upcoming Raquel Rodriguez as her and Baszler
go after the elbow knowing that this date,
this match would happen at some point in time.
[Wade] For once, I completely agree with you,
but look at Rousey immediately with a bull's eye
on that left arm of Raquel.
Let's face it.
Ronda orchestrated the maiming of Raquel because she understands,
as you mentioned, the threat that Raquel does indeed carry.
[Cole] Oh!
[Wade] Ronda front-loaded this inevitable meeting,
stacked the deck in her own favor.
That is smart, Cole.
[Cole] Yeah, Rousey going back to the injured elbow
and then the slap out of disrespect.
And Raquel Rodriguez with a shoulder tackle
knocks the champ down again.
Asked about her injured elbow,
knowing she's not 100% coming into this match tonight…
And a spinning slam by Rodriguez.
Cover now on the champ, hook of the leg, two-count kickout.
Raquel said, "Listen, I've proved I only need one good arm.
I plan to start 2023 as champion."
[Wade] I'll credit Raquel.
Last week her effort in The Gauntlet Match was superhuman.
Raquel effectively beat four women in a row to get this opportunity.
[Cole] Raquel Rodriguez has got to get the champ back to the ring.
Remember, Ronda has got the advantage.
Raquel, oh, sending Ronda hard into the ropes again.
[Wade] That was ugly.
[Cole] Her left arm giving out.
[Wade] Perhaps, but it showed there is still a lot of power in that arm
even if it ain't 100%, Cole.
[Cole] Raquel's got to submit Ronda or get a pinfall.
What a biel, sending the champion into the corner.
Raquel Rodriguez, head of steam, and a splash to Ronda.
[Wade] Nobody has rag-dolled Ronda Rousey
like this in her entire career, MMA or here in WWE.
[Cole] And this time Ronda Rousey ducks out of harm's way.
Raquel Rodriguez and the injured arm to the post.
Can Raquel climb back into this Championship Match?
[moans]
In front of a sold-out crowd here tonight in Tampa,
Ronda Rousey defending her championship against Raquel Rodriguez
and continuing to punish
and torture the already injured left arm of Rodriguez.
When you go into a matchup with an injury like this,
and you go into a match against a submission specialist,
The Baddest Woman on the Planet, "The Armbar Specialist" Ronda Rousey,
you are backed into a corner before the bell even rings.
[Wade] And here's the problem with an injury like that,
you put a heat pack on before the match, you rested all week,
-it actually feels okay. -[Cole] Oh, look at this.
But there's an inevitability-- again, someone like Ronda Rousey,
she is going to attack that weakness,
and it's gonna consistently feel worse and worse
the longer this match goes.
[Cole] And talk about submission specialist,
Ronda Rousey turning Raquel Rodriguez inside out.
Will Raquel tap out?
Ronda Rousey hammering away now on the challenger.
-[Wade] And these are the kind of-- -[Cole] Uh-oh. Stacked her up.
[Wade] These are the kinds of submission moves
we've never seen before in WWE.
That is the caliber of athlete, of fighter, Rousey is.
[Cole] Yeah, but what an effort on display by Raquel trying to fight back,
fight through the pain tonight.
Damage that was caused by Rousey and Baszler,
and there's a big right-hand.
[Wade] Most decorated female combat athlete of all time.
[Cole] Raquel, though, caught Ronda with an elbow.
And Ronda…
Oh, nice throw by Rousey.
Hook of the leg now, and a kickout at two
as she mocks the WWE fans here tonight.
[Rousey] We got a bleeder!
[Cole] An unflattering chant directed Ronda's way.
[inaudible dialogue]
[Wade] Sort of been leveled against that left limb of Raquel,
just the blood pouring out of it now.
[Cole] Again, with the arm wrapped up, Ronda Rousey continues the pressure.
At some point, you got to wonder, will Raquel tap out?
How much more of this can she take?
Wade, you know as well as anyone
how few and far between
World Championship matches are.
Raquel understands that, knows this is her opportunity.
And there.
Down goes the champion.
[Wade] But Raquel can hardly move to capitalize on it.
Here is the issue, Michael Cole.
When you get Ronda Rousey down, you have to make it count.
Raquel just can't do that.
[Cole] Struggling to get back to her feet, as is Ronda Rousey.
Raquel looking to dig down deep,
get the adrenaline flowing, the momentum going.
That's what Raquel seems to be doing here.
Oh, what a clothesline, with her bad arm, however.
Instinctively, Raquel used the bad arm.
Here's the cover now, hook of the leg on Rousey,
and a kickout. But did you notice how Raquel had to hook the leg
with the good arm there, Wade?
[Wade] Yeah, it wasn't a great cover
because that left arm is already completely shot in this matchup.
And you're right, it was an instinctive throw here by Raquel.
I think she immediately regretted it. It only made that arm worse.
[Cole] Now, clubbing blow to the back of the neck of Rousey.
And Raquel with the spinning slam, though, got caught.
Rousey looking for an armbar.
[Wade] Ronda Rousey doesn't get caught with the same move twice.
[Cole] Raquel trying to block, trying to block is Rodriguez.
Ronda Rousey still mocking the WWE fans.
Raquel though, trying to fight out of this.
And now, looking to…
Oh, turn into a Boston crab.
Now it's Rousey's turn. Will Rousey tap out?
Shayna Baszler screaming at her friend, the champion.
[Wade] Modified grapevine in the ring,
but once again, Ronda Rousey just too good
at the technical side of this game.
[Cole] Rousey looking for the ankle lock now on Rodriguez.
Raquel writhing in pain, center of the ring,
able to roll onto her back, create space.
Picks Rousey out of midair.
Face first goes the champion.
[Wade] Huge flapjack there, but once again,
Raquel frustrated with her lack of ability to make it count.
[screams]
[Cole] And now Raquel, what's she gonna do with Rousey?
Lifts Ronda up, looking for the Tejana Bomb, but…
Now Rousey forcing Raquel into the ropes,
and both women spill out to the floor.
[referee] Listen to me. Let go. Let go.
[Cole] And now the power of Rodriguez, the power of Raquel Rodriguez…
driving Ronda into the apron.
Rodriguez has got a chance.
Raquel has got a chance for the SmackDown Women's Title.
Ronda Rousey with a vertical suplex applied to…
I should say Raquel to Ronda for the SmackDown Women's Championship.
I'm so excited about the performance that an injured Raquel Rodriguez
is putting on the champion.
Here's the cover, hook of the leg on Ronda,
who's got to grab the bottom rope to force the break.
Again, Raquel Rodriguez, bad arm and all,
able to lift Ronda Rousey up and deliver.
And tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive.
But again, Ronda back to the injured arm.
[Wade] Just as Raquel buys herself a bit of momentum,
immediately swinging in the opposite direction,
straight back on that arm, center of the ring this time, Cole.
[Cole] Yeah, full weight of Rousey onto the injured arm of Raquel Rodriguez,
and now continuing to punish the challenger.
[Wade] Medical staff have repeatedly advised Raquel
not to get in that ring with this injury.
That is why referee taking a damn close look.
[Cole] Yeah, but make sure Ronda--
[referee] One…
[Cole] And again Raquel Rodriguez able to power through,
and look at Raquel Rodriguez!
[Wade] This is ridiculous.
[Cole] The strength of the challenger!
Fall away slam!
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] I do want to be clear that Raquel was medically cleared, though, Wade,
to compete in this match tonight.
[Wade] Medically cleared but advised not to get in the ring,
certainly not with someone as adept at damaging
that arm further as Ronda Rousey.
We're sold out tonight in Tampa on the final SmackDown of 2022.
15,738 taking in the SmackDown Women's Championship Match
between the champion, Ronda Rousey, and the challenger, Raquel Rodriguez,
who right now is in control of the champ, looking to out-power Ronda.
Well, Ronda, she is pulling out all kinds of submissions tonight.
Now a sleeper.
[Wade] She's like an anaconda in that ring,
grasping onto anything that will hurt Raquel.
[Cole] Raquel is fading.
Ronda Rousey looking to keep her
SmackDown Women's Championship here tonight.
[Wade] Raquel has performed miracles lasting this long,
but it might be for naught at this point.
[laughs]
Write her off at your peril, Michael Cole.
[Cole] Oh, and Rousey driven into the corner.
And again, still with the sleeper hold locked in.
Ronda… Oh my goodness!
Ronda hit the top turnbuckle hard and the champion is in trouble.
[Wade] Rousey completely rocked at this point.
What on earth has Raquel got left in the tank?
[Cole] Watch the impact here.
Ooh!
[Wade] Straight to the jaw of Ronda Rousey.
But how much has already been taken out of Raquel?
[Cole] Oh, and Raquel with a big boot to the champion.
Could this be Raquel's moment?
Shayna Baszler, Ronda's friend, blasted off the apron.
[Wade] Oh!
[Cole] And there's that spinning elbow off the second rope.
Cover for the championship, hook of the leg,
two count-- and Shayna Baszler!
[inaudible dialogue]
Did you touch her? Did you touch her? Hey!
[Cole] The official has got to send Shayna packing.
Stay out of this.
[Cole] I mean, that's ridiculous.
Raquel had the championship, maybe won right there.
[Wade] You know I've never liked referees, Cole.
I certainly don't like this one, but Raquel, you're absolutely right,
should have been victorious there.
[Cole] But nonetheless, Raquel right back on the attack, not letting it affect her.
Smart move by Raquel.
She's got Ronda Rousey in trouble here on the ropes.
[Wade] Raquel already won one gauntlet last week.
She's effectively in another here.
[Cole] And Ronda fighting back against the bad arm of Raquel.
[Wade] Ready to shock the world, Michael Cole.
That's what she said.
[Cole] Raquel now with Ronda Rousey up top.
Ronda trying to fight out of this.
And Ronda trying to… Oh.
[Ronda screams]
[Cole] Look at this!
Tap!
[Cole] In the ropes, screaming at Raquel to tap.
[Wade] Just callous disregard for human soul.
[Cole] Oh my goodness!
[bell rings]
[Cole] Immediately Raquel taps out.
She landed hard on the elbow.
["Bad Reputation" by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts plays]
[Irvin] Here is your winner by submission and still the SmackDown Women's Champion,
"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey!
[Cole] Wade, what an effort tonight by Raquel,
but in the end, the bad elbow caught her.
She came hard, landed hard with Ronda on top of her
and immediately tapped out.
Too much pain for Raquel.
[Wade] Well, Ronda Rousey won the match,
but Raquel won everyone's heart with that performance.
But how much damage has been done?
[Cole] Raquel Rodriguez could have won the championship right here
if it wasn't for Ronda Rousey's friend, Shayna Baszler, getting involved.
Did you touch her? Did you touch her?
[Cole] And then watch. Raquel will land on her bad elbow here, Wade,
and it was too much.
She immediately tapped out.
[bell rings]
[Wade] It's sickening stuff, it really is, to witness,
but the heart of Raquel in that matchup was absurd.
["All Hail The Queen" by def rebel plays]
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Yes! The Queen is here!
[Wade] Unreal, Michael Cole!
♪ All hail the Queen ♪
[Cole] Charlotte Flair is back!
It is thunderous here in Tampa!
Wade, the last time we saw Charlotte…
it was back in May at WrestleMania Backlash, remember?
When Ronda Rousey broke her arm in an "I Quit" Match?
[Wade] Yeah, I remember,
and I'm pretty damn sure Charlotte remembers too.
When one door closes, another one opens when you're the champ.
[Cole] A goosebumps moment in Tampa.
[Wade] Rousey looks like she's seen a ghost.
[crowd cheers]
[Ronda] So, I guess your arm is feeling a lot better.
How's that rehab going?
Don't answer that. Let me guess.
Your elbow's feeling a lot better and you want to challenge
for the title at SummerSlam?
No, wait, no, Royal Rumble, that's a lot sooner, yeah.
[Shayna] At the Rumble.
[Ronda] I mean, it depends on how your elbow's feeling.
I mean… How are you feeling, Queeny?
[crowd woos]
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Ronda, I'm challenging you tonight.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chants "yes"]
[Ronda] You're in luck, 'cause I'm feeling spicy.
[Cole] Woo!
Are we gonna have a championship match
right here, right now?
[Ronda] Move.
[Shayna] No. You were just in a match.
You were just in a match.
-[Dan] Ring the bell. -[bell rings]
[Cole] Indeed we are! For the SmackDown Women's Title.
Big boot by Charlotte. Ronda's down.
Cover by Charlotte.
Cover by Charlotte, and a kickout on two.
We got an impromptu championship match.
[Wade] Ronda Rousey has just been in a war,
but her ego would not let her turn down the challenge, Cole.
[Cole] And a boot to Baszler takes Baszler out of the mix.
[Charlotte] Come on, now--
[Cole] Charlotte Flair measuring the champion.
Ronda slowly back to her feet.
Spear by Charlotte!
Ronda, though, turns it around.
Ronda looking for the armbar.
Trying to… Oh, look, shoulders down.
Charlotte got her! Charlotte got her!
-[bell rings] -[Cole] Charlotte got her!
["All Hail The Queen" by def rebel plays]
[Irvin] Here is your winner
and new SmackDown Women's Champion,
Charlotte Flair!
[Cole] Holy hell!
Charlotte, she's now a 14-time World Champion.
[Wade] What the hell did we just witness, Cole?
[Cole] Charlotte Flair is back.
And now celebrating with the sold-out crowd here tonight.
What a moment!
[Wade] It's a smash-and-grab raid.
What a way to return to SmackDown!
[Cole] Wade, you hit the nail on the head.
Ronda Rousey's ego got the best of her.
And perhaps the greatest women's Superstar
in WWE history,
Charlotte Flair, took advantage.
[Wade] This industry can change in a heartbeat.
[Cole] The match was made official.
-[bell rings] -[Cole] The bell rang.
Charlotte with a boot to Ronda Rousey.
We thought she won it here. Ronda kicked out.
Charlotte would then hit a spear.
Ronda would quickly go for the armbar.
But ever the veteran, ever the shrewdest of all time,
Charlotte Flair pulling out all the stops.
As Charlotte shocks the world tonight--
[Irvin] Here is your winner
and new SmackDown Women's Champion,
Charlotte Flair!
[Cole] Charlotte Flair is back.
The Queen is back on her throne.
[pyrotechnics exploding]
[Cole] Record-setting, history-making,
14-time World Champion.
Yes!
[Cole] 2023 is shaping up
to be one hell of a year
on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Zayn] Jet skiing?
That's how you spent your Christmas?
[Roman] Why not?
Those kids don't know how good they got it.
They don't.
Hey, at the end of the day,
I'm just trying to give my family…
everything that I had growing up.
-You see what I'm saying? -[laughter]
Oh man, I love it.
Hey, by the way, look, big match tonight.
I just want to make sure we're on the same page about this stuff.
Okay, hey?
It did not bother you at all last week that the crowds chanting "Sami"
while you're out there?
Right, that…
I just wanna make sure, that stuff doesn't bother you, right?
[crowd chanting "Sami"]
God, no.
-Why would it? -Right.
Okay. I didn't think so. I didn't think so.
I meant to tell you this, but the way you were locked in,
how can anyone pay attention
to anything else than the words you were saying?
The conviction that you said 'em with?
I mean, if you have 10% of that tonight, it's a night off for me.
I don't have to do anything.
Easy. It's gonna be a great night.
Hey, it's gonna be a great night for us, right?
Right, dawgs?
[Jimmy] Come on, dawgs.
Yes, let's go.
Let's wrap this up, baby.
-[Jey] Let's go. -[Zayn] We're good tonight.
-[Jey] You got this. -[Zayn] Yeah, we're good tonight.
["Nobody Better Than Me" by def rebel plays]
[Cole] We are in Tampa Bay tonight.
Sold out at the home of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The two-time Stanley Cup Champions.
Of course, the Buccaneers play right down the street, Tom Brady and company.
Here tonight, sold out, 15,738 witnessed
to the SmackDown Women's Championship moments ago.
Ronda Rousey against a very game Raquel Rodriguez.
[Wade] Such a gutsy performance from a far-from-100% Raquel,
but it just wasn't enough, of course. Ronda Rousey slapping on the submission.
Just when the celebration was starting, though, Cole…
[Cole] Yeah, it was the return of Charlotte Flair.
Remember Ronda Rousey breaking Charlotte's arm back in May?
It's the first time we would see the Queen since then.
And you nailed it, Wade.
Ronda Rousey's ego would get the best of her
because she agreed to a championship match against Charlotte Flair
and this is how that match started.
Charlotte Flair wasted little time going to work.
[Wade] A fresh, 100% Charlotte Flair
almost with a KO right off the bat.
But of course, we know Ronda Rousey ain't going down that easy, Cole.
[Cole] And Charlotte would deliver the spear.
Ronda tried to go for the armbar. Charlotte Flair though,
who learned from the dirtiest player in the game…
[referee] One, two, three.
[Cole] …would pull out all the stops
and become a 14-time World Champion.
Welcome back.
The complexion of SmackDown has seriously changed.
[Wade] The complexion of the entire industry
has changed in the blink of an eye, thanks to the return of Charlotte Flair.
I want to take this moment now to talk about
that despicable punk Dominik Mysterio and his loser,
you know, witch girlfriend, Rhea Ripley.
Did you see what they did on Christmas Eve?
First, on Thanksgiving, they attacked Dominik's dad, Rey Mysterio, in his home.
Then on Christmas Eve, they tried to cause chaos at the grandfather's house.
This is what happened.
[Dominik] We're here for the holidays.
[Angie] Dominik.
[Dominik] What are you talking about?
[Rey] Listen, this [bleep] is not gonna happen again.
-[Dominik] Bro chill. -[Rey] This is not--
[Dominik] I'm here for Christmas.
[Rey] Get your [bleep] off me now.
Leave the house.
You did this at Thanksgiving, you're not gonna do it at my parents' house.
[Dominik] I came here with open arms,
trying to celebrate Christmas with the family.
-Exactly. -Brought Mami here.
-Yeah. Hi, Rey. -You want to take care of this?
-Let's step outside. -You want to do this outside?
-[Rhea] Accept your present. -Come on. Hit me.
You know you want to.
Huh? Come on. Hit me.
-[cries out] -[Rhea] No.
What the hell?
What the hell--?
You're gonna pay for that, huh?
You're gonna pay.
[all shouting]
[cop 1] Hey, police. Break it up.
-[shouting] -Talk to my brother.
-[cop 2] Guys, slow down. -[Rhea] I have been abused.
-I showed up at my grandparent's house. -We need a second, okay?
-[Rhea] This is abuse. -Look, look, look.
I need you to turn around for me. Put your hands behind your back.
-[Rhea] What? You're kidding. No. -Relax.
We're the ones that got abused and--
I need you to stay still now.
-She got her hands laid on. -All right.
You're arresting him? Are you kidding me? What the…
No. Dom!
No, no, no. Don't let them take me.
[Rhea] Dom… Do not start this car.
Hey, I won't make it in jail.
-Don't let them take me. -[Rhea] No, no.
[Dominik] Call Finn and Priest.
[Rhea] Stop. No.
You don't know what you're doing!
You're ruining Christmas.
-Mami, no, call them. -[Rhea] What the?
No!
[Dominik] Don't let them take me. I will not--
[Cole] I can tell you that Mami, Rhea Ripley,
bailed out Dominik and, you know,
I for one believe that he should have just rotted there.
They should have kept him there forever.
[Wade] Cole, Cole, with all due respect, you need to wind your neck…
[Kofi] Hey, hey, hey. Hey, is this low enough for you?
Can you jump over this?
The last time you jumped over the top rope you…
Well, the last time I tried to jump a broom it didn't work either.
Actually, the last time you tried to jump at all, it didn't work.
It's all good though because they don't call you
Top "Rope" Dolla, you know.
Hey, nobody calling him that.
[laughter]
You all got jokes and whatnot, but if Jimmy didn't save Jey,
-we'd be the new Tag Champs right now. -That's a fact.
Now, now, now, Ashante, let's not jump to conclusions.
[laughter]
Hey, you really jumped the shark.
[laughter]
Hey, hey, hey, Top Dolla more like Flop Dolla.
[laughter]
[all talking at once]
Wait, wait, wait. Seriously, listen.
At least now he knows that it's not as easy as I make it look.
[Kofi] No!
[Ricochet] You jump over the top rope.
-You gotta just make it over the top rope. -Oh, okay…
Whoa!
Do I look like a punchline to you? Do I look like a punchline to you?
Is this a game?
I'm not playing that game, man.
[all talking at once]
We jokin', bro, don't put your hands on me.
["Symphony No. 9 in E Minor (Imperium)" by def rebel plays]
[Cole] Don't get hot. Top Dolla should be embarrassed.
A guy that size shouldn't be trying to jump over the top rope.
[Wade] They're getting it from all angles.
They're saying on social media they've got to change their name to "Hit Rope."
[Cole] No one said that on social media.
You made that up right now.
[Wade] I read it somewhere.
Don't blame me.
[Irvin] Please welcome Ludwig Kaiser, Giovanni Vinci,
and the Intercontinental Champion, Gunther,
Imperium!
[crowd boos]
[Cole] A very impressive Intercontinental Champion.
And the second half of 2022
has really been headlined by the dominance of this man.
It was all about Gunther's path of destruction.
The Intercontinental Champion and Imperium are here live, next 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, 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]
Woo!
["Nobody Better Than Me" by def rebel plays]
[Wade] The clock is ticking and it's nearly time.
The return the world has been talking about.
John Cena returns to WWE in a few short minutes
in tonight's main event,
where he'll tag up with KO to take on "The Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns
and "Honorary Uce" Sami Zayn.
[Cole] Earlier tonight, LA Knight challenged Bray Wyatt to a match
at the Royal Rumble.
I accept.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] And then… Uncle Howdy.
Still trying to figure out what the relationship is with this entity,
this being, uh…
-[Wade] I'll be honest… -…with Bray Wyatt.
I thought it was a figment of Bray Wyatt's imagination, but Uncle Howdy is real.
[Cole] Well, there was nothing imaginary about what Uncle Howdy
would do to Bray Wyatt.
As they were staring down LA Knight, Uncle Howdy…
would attack Bray and deliver a Sister Abigail.
I still have no idea what the hell is going on.
[Wade] What the hell is going on?
[Cole] Again, LA Knight challenged Bray Wyatt to a match at the Royal Rumble.
And ladies and gentlemen, we have information on what that match will be.
Four weeks from tomorrow, exclusively on Peacock at the Royal Rumble,
Bray Wyatt makes his first in-ring appearance since returning to the WWE.
Bray Wyatt in a match.
The Pitch Black Match of Mountain Dew.
Pitch Black Match.
Four weeks from tomorrow at the Royal Rumble.
Inside the ring, Gunther and Imperium.
Ladies and gentlemen…
2022 was the year
of the Ring General.
[crowd boos]
[Giovanni] Gunther has proven to be
the most dominant Intercontinental Champion in history.
And no man on SmackDown will take his title away from him.
But do not just take our word from it.
Take a look at the men who tried.
[Ludwig] Intercontinental Champion,
Gunther!
[Gunther] I'm gonna defend my title
with dignity, respect, and honor.
[dramatic music]
Shinsuke, he will suffer at the hands of the Ring General.
Rey Mysterio… I'm gonna break you.
Sheamus, you're nothing like me.
Ricochet, I'm gonna break your spirit.
I am the Intercontinental Champion.
[crowd boos]
["Monster Of All Monsters" by def rebel plays]
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Well, here is a man who's had an issue with Gunther
and Imperium for a while now.
"The Monster of all Monsters"
Braun Strowman.
[Wade] And that is somebody that Gunther, at times,
has clearly not wanted to engage.
[Cole] Remember, Braun Strowman, he believes
he should have won the SmackDown World Cup if it wasn't for Imperium.
[Braun] Gunther, I couldn't but notice one thing about your little video.
I wasn't in it.
Which means you clearly haven't beaten me.
Now, maybe these boys are right.
Maybe there isn't a man on SmackDown that can defeat you.
But what about a monster?
[inaudible dialogue]
Hold up. You must be mistaken.
I'm not asking you for a title opportunity.
I'm telling you, boy.
[Cole] Oh!
And now Imperium, Kaiser and Vinci, going right after Strowman.
[Wade] We got ourselves a scrap, unscheduled.
[shouting]
[Cole] Now Gunther went for a chop on Strowman,
who stopped him in his tracks.
Oh, what a clothesline.
And Gunther gonna say, "Uh-uh, not right now."
[Wade] Scurrying out of Dodge wisely.
Ain't often you see Gunther looking small.
[Cole] Yeah, but are you ready, Wade, for the Strowman Express?
Down goes Kaiser, Vinci taken out.
Gunther sidestepping Strowman, who blasts through the barricade.
And now Gunther, steel chair in hand.
Strowman's down, and now the assault.
[Wade] Chairs are flying.
It's like a Waffle House brawl in here, Cole.
[shouts]
[Cole] Imperium holding Strowman down as Gunther attacks with a steel chair.
Slam him! Slam him!
[Cole] And now driven into the steel steps.
[Wade] Smashing up that shoulder of the Monster.
Three-on-one attack.
[crowd boos]
[Cole] Strowman has been taken out by Imperium.
And now Gunther targeting the left arm of Strowman.
[Wade] I don't care if you're a monster or not,
three-on-one against Imperium, it ain't gonna work.
[speaking German] Was ist los? Was ist los?
[Cole] Punishing Strowman.
Imperium keeping officials away from the ring.
Gunther is trying to break the arm of the Monster.
[Wade] Which brave official will try and split this up?
[Cole] Strowman writhing in pain, and here comes Ricochet.
Ricochet, who has had issues with Imperium,
has formed somewhat of an alliance with Strowman.
Coming out to save the day, but has the damage already been done?
[Wade] Done an absolute number on Imperium,
thankfully, for Braun Strowman.
[Roman] You already know what to do, baby.
-[Jey] Let's go. -[Zayn] Right.
[Jey] Let's go.
-[Roman] You know what I'm saying? -[Zayn] Yeet.
[Cole] Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn against John Cena and Kevin Owens.
Our main event is live, next.
["Nobody Better Than Me" by def rebel plays]
[Wade] Braun Strowman called his shot moments ago.
He's already got his reward.
In two weeks' time at SmackDown,
Intercontinental Championship will be on the line
as the Monster goes one-on-one with the champ, Gunther.
[Cole] Next week, the first SmackDown of 2023 is in Memphis, Tennessee.
This match was supposed to happen before Drew McIntyre got hurt.
But it will happen next week.
McIntyre, Sheamus, versus The Usos,
for the Undisputed Tag Team Titles.
[Wade] We all know that Top Dolla struggles to get over the top rope,
and that is a trait that will come in very handy
at the Royal Rumble, if he can qualify by beating Ricochet
in a Men's Royal Rumble Qualifying Match next week on SmackDown.
[Cole] You're having fun with this, aren't you?
[Wade] It writes itself.
["Fight" by CFO$ plays]
[crowd cheers]
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest
is a tag team match scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Marieville, Quebec, Canada,
weighing in at 266 pounds,
Kevin Owens!
[Owens screams]
[Cole] You know, Kevin Owens' son, 15-year-old Owen,
is a huge John Cena fan.
He's looking forward to this matchup tonight
because for Kevin Owens, it's come full circle.
He started his career in WWE fighting John Cena
and he ends this year teaming with him.
And tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home or motorcycle insurance.
What a year for Owens!
Not only teaming with Cena tonight,
he battled "Stone Cold" Steve Austin at WrestleMania.
[crowd cheering]
["The Time Is Now" by John Cena, Tha Trademarc plays]
[crowd cheers]
[shouts]
It has been too long!
Oh man!
Look at this!
I usually talk to you, Stew.
Tonight, I'm talking to you.
Thank you so much for allowing me to do this for 20 years.
I love you. It means the world to me.
Let's go to work.
[Irvin] And his tag team partner, from West Newbury, Massachusetts,
weighing in at 251 pounds,
John Cena!
[Cole] The 16-time World Champion,
in my opinion, the greatest of all time,
John Cena has returned to Friday Night SmackDown.
♪ It's the franchise, boy, I'm shining now ♪
♪ You can't see me, my time is now ♪
♪ Uh, it's gon' be, what it's gon' be ♪
♪ Five pounds of courage, buddy Base tan pants with a gold tee ♪
♪ Uh, it's a war dance and victory step ♪
♪ Of all stances, a gift And you insist it's my rep ♪
♪ John Cena, Trademarc, y'all are so-so ♪
♪ We talked about the bread you make ♪
♪ But don't know the recipe For dough though ♪
[song fades]
[boy in crowd] John Cena!
["Head of the Table" by def rebel plays]
[Cole] You know, John Cena is a record-setting
16-time World Champion.
But Roman Reigns has done something that John Cena never did.
Roman Reigns has held the championship
for 852 days.
[pyrotechnics blasting]
[Irvin] And their opponents, accompanied to the ring
by Paul Heyman, Solo Sikoa,
and the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions,
The Usos,
the team of Sami Zayn
and the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion…
Roman Reigns!
[Cole] There are so many rich stories in this match tonight.
But the one I want to start with is the, well, 20-year friendship
between Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
Sami Zayn said he's found his family,
that he's found respect within The Bloodline.
That "they love me." But here's the situation.
Kevin Owens did a lot of interviews this week.
He was on the Babcock and Mojo TMZ show on FS1.
He did an interview with Fox News.
And within those interviews,
Kevin Owens told a ton of stories
about 20 years as Sami Zayn's friend,
being a part of the weddings, being on the road together,
some hysterical stories and the emotional bonds
and friendship that developed over those 20 years.
I find it hard to believe that Sami Zayn, deep down inside,
is going to throw all of that away,
all of that,
for Roman Reigns and The Bloodline.
I just can't see that happening.
[Wade] Well, Michael Cole, you are a damn fool.
Do not buy into the BS of Kevin Owens.
Sami Zayn proved once and for all in the WarGames Match
where his loyalty lies.
It lies with The Bloodline.
[Cole] Wait a minute, wait a minute.
Yeah, he proved his loyalty, but where has that gotten Sami?
He's still an Honorary Uce.
"Honorary" has not been dropped from the name yet.
And again, he has to prove himself tonight to Roman Reigns.
To take out Owens, to take out Cena,
to end the, quote, "Kevin Owens problem."
[Wade] Rome wasn't built in a day, Cole.
Give it time.
[pyrotechnics blasting]
[Cole] It is a massive main event. Maybe the match of the year.
Reigns, Zayn, KO, Cena!
It is live, and it is next.
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 Credit One Visa card.
If you want to show off your WWE pride every time you pay,
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Terms apply.
What a massive match!
Sami Zayn will start things off
against who he claims is his former best friend, Kevin Owens.
Sami Zayn with a lot to prove to Roman Reigns
and The Bloodline tonight.
Meanwhile, John Cena wrestles tonight.
Meaning he has wrestled a match over two decades.
I talked to John earlier today. He told me how excited he was.
He wanted to be here. He wanted to be a part of this.
He's so proud to have said he's been a part of a match
over two decades here in WWE.
And now, we're underway.
Sami Zayn, moment of truth time for Zayn and Roman.
And Kevin Owens runs into a clothesline by Sami Zayn.
Sami Zayn saying that he has a black cloud hanging over his head.
That black cloud is Kevin Owens.
Went for the stunner.
Runs into a right-hand by KO. KO hammering away on Zayn.
[Wade] KO continues to be the problem that will not go away for The Bloodline.
[Cole] Sami Zayn, you hear him slip up a couple of weeks ago
and call Kevin Owens his best friend?
[Wade] It was a slip-up. He retracted that comment, Michael Cole.
Said in the heat of the moment.
Quit stirring the pot. I know what you're doing.
[Cole] Not trying to stir anything.
I'm just being a journalist and I'm recording facts.
Now, Sami Zayn. Kevin Owens. Oh!
Bounced right off the top rope goes Sami.
[Wade] It's horrific.
[Cole] Kevin Owens who has, of course, a history--
Come on, Sami.
You're embarrassing yourself in front of The Tribal Chief.
-[Cole] Owens loves to play mind games. -[Owens] Hey, what's on your nose?
Show 'em what you've got. Come on.
-[crowd chants "Sami"] -[Cole] And there are the "Sami" chants.
[Wade] KO draws first blood.
[Cole] But remember, let's talk about the Sami chants for a moment,
because, remember, Paul Heyman brought it up
and said it's not the right optic to have the fans cheering for Sami Zayn.
Sami asked Roman about it.
-Roman said, "Hey, I'm good." -You gonna go to him like a good dog?
-[Wade] Roman wants in on the match. -Go to him like a dog?
[Zayn] Good luck.
[Cole] And here comes The Tribal Chief,
who, of course, had quite the rivalry
early on in his championship reign with Kevin Owens.
[crowd chants "Cena"]
[Cole] Who will ever forget SummerSlam 2021?
Roman Reigns versus John Cena in Las Vegas.
[crowd chanting] We want Cena!
We want Cena!
[Cole] It is electric here on SmackDown.
[chanting continues]
Roman with a clothesline.
And now stomping away on Kevin Owens.
[Wade] Do not take your eye off The Tribal Chief for a second.
I don't care what the people are chanting.
[Cole] Roman Reigns is… Take another look.
Boom!
[Wade] I mean, that's just disrespectful of KO
to take his eyeballs off someone as good
and as dangerous as The Tribal Chief.
[Cole] Slam by Roman Reigns, and a kickout.
Roman in control with Sami.
Can Cena and KO get back in the main event
here on Friday Night SmackDown?
[Heyman] Bet that hurt, right?
-[Owens] Not as much as your voice. -[referee] Injury.
[Cole] Back live on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
Sami Zayn, Roman Reigns, dominating Kevin Owens
and John Cena in this tag team match.
Cena yet to enter the matchup.
Kevin Owens needs to fight out of the situation
and try to get to the 16-time World Champion.
[Wade] Kevin Owens has been getting mauled by The Bloodline.
[Cole] Sami Zayn…
Oh, what a throw!
[Wade] Sickening. Top of the head. Oh my God.
[Cole] Clothesline.
Instinctively, Kevin Owens popped off the throw
into a clothesline. Now has a chance.
[crowd cheers]
[inaudible dialogue]
Come on!
[Cole] And Roman Reigns, from behind, attacking Cena.
Owens was an arm's length away and Roman Reigns
not allowing the tag to happen.
And that's Sami with a modified Helluva Kick, taking out Cena.
[Wade] John Cena has waited an entire year for a tag that might not come.
[Cole] Indeed, because Sami Zayn looking for the Helluva Kick.
Kevin Owens beats him with a superkick, however, and Zayn's down.
Both men down, center of the ring.
Critical moment in our main event here tonight on SmackDown.
[Wade] KO's crawling over, but the corner is empty.
[Owens] Come on, John.
[Cole] Kevin screaming, "Come on, John. Come on, John."
Owens looking for a Pop-Up Powerbomb.
Got it. Cover, for the win on Zayn.
Two-count. Roman Reigns breaking things up,
and now hammering away on Kevin Owens.
You've already [indistinct].
Let's go! Out!
Now dragging Zayn to the corner, which allows Roman to make the legal tag.
[Wade] So smart by Roman Reigns.
We have got a jam-packed arena
wanting to see the greatest hits of John Cena.
Well, The Bloodline don't give a damn what the people want.
[Cole] Yeah, 'cause it's all about Roman Reigns,
as it has been for 852 days.
Locked and loaded. Went for the Superman punch.
Kevin Owens caught him with a superkick.
Now, KO gonna climb up high up to the top rope.
Kevin Owens, frog splash to the champ.
He's gonna pin Reigns, he's gonna pin Reigns.
And Roman tapped at two and a half.
[Wade] You don't stay the champ that long by going down easy, Cole.
You want to take it from Reigns,
you got to be a damn sight better than that.
[Cole] Roman Reigns hasn't been pinned since December of 2019.
That would have been incredible for Owens.
Oh! A Superman punch as Owens went for the Pop-Up Powerbomb.
[crowd] Ooh-Ahh!
[Cole] Reigns ready to go. Went for the Spear.
Shoulder-first into the post!
Kevin Owens has a chance.
John Cena pulling himself up to the apron.
[Wade] This is one of those momentum moments, Cole!
[Cole] Roman trying to make it to Sami.
Cena begging for Owens.
[crowd chants "Cena"]
Tag to Zayn. And here comes the GOAT, John Cena!
Shoulder tackle.
And another one by Cena.
Down goes Sami.
[crowd cheering, whistling]
-You can't see me. -[crowd yells, "You can't see me"]
[Cole] Drawing Roman Reigns into the ring.
Cena now quieted Roman Reigns!
[Wade] There is just no stopping Cena when he's in this kind of flow.
[Cole] Tag to Kevin Owens.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd yells, "You can't see me"]
[Cole] Now a double Five-Knuckle Shuffle.
[Owens] Get him!
[Cole] Owens with Reigns.
The AA.
Attitude Adjustment to the champ!
-[Wade] This is going downhill in a hurry. -[Cole] Stunner.
Stunner to Sami!
Cover by Owens.
-KO and Cena win. -[bell rings]
["Fight" by CFO$ plays]
[Irvin] Here are your winners,
the team of John Cena
and Kevin Owens.
[Cole] The GOAT returns to team with KO
for a win over The Bloodline!
[Wade] Roman Reigns will not be happy about how this one played out.
[Cole] 2023 is right around the corner.
Will we see John Cena again?
Where do things lie with Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn?
Where does Sami stand in The Bloodline?
We'll find out.
Happy New Year, everybody.
We'll see you in Memphis next week on SmackDown. n?