[WWE intro music plays]
[John Cena] Then.
-[Ric Flair] Woo! -[The Rock] If you smell…
-[bell tolls] -[Cena] Now…
-♪ The King of Kings ♪ -♪ You can't see me ♪
[Cena] Forever.
Together.
[music fades]
[rap music playing]
[Cole] And you're looking live at a jam-packed FedExForum in Memphis,
where tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive.
A triple threat of protection
-with home, auto, and more. -[Wade] Whoa!
Cole, look out. Get out of the way. Move.
[Cole] Sami Zayn, The Usos, Solo Sikoa, The Bloodline…
raising hell and wreaking havoc
as we kick off SmackDown tonight.
-Much like we saw Monday night on Raw. -["Head of the Table" plays]
The Bloodline has been pissed off since Roman and Sami
lost to Cena and Kevin Owens last Friday night.
[music continues]
[Cole] And, Wade, it could be reckoning time…
'cause here comes The Tribal Chief.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] 859 days
as the WWE's Universal and Undisputed Champion.
Roman Reigns, flanked by his special counsel, Paul Heyman.
-[pyrotechnics booming] -[crowd cheering]
[Irvin] Please welcome special counsel Paul Heyman
and the Undisputed
WWE Universal Champion,
Roman
Reigns!
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, on the final SmackDown of 2022 last week,
the return of the 16-time world champion John Cena,
teaming with Kevin Owens against Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn,
who is once again trying to prove himself to The Bloodline.
Roman Reigns going for the spear.
Side-step by Kevin Owens.
John Cena, climbing back to the apron,
would finally make the tag.
-And here comes Cena. -[crowd roars]
And John Cena pulling off some of his classic moves.
And then off the tag of Owens,
an Attitude Adjustment from Cena to Reigns.
-A Stunner to Sami Zayn. -One, two, three!
-[bell rings] -And Cena and Owens win the matchup.
Roman Reigns was so angry at what happened,
he sent The Bloodline to Raw for a hostile takeover.
They won two matches there, but Wade,
I wonder where things stand between Roman Reigns,
The Bloodline, and Sami Zayn.
[Wade] Well, Roman is a results-based guy.
Last week at SmackDown was a complete disaster,
but the two wins this past Monday on Raw
perhaps will have righted the ship, and maybe Roman's lightened up.
[Cole] Well, outside of a disqualification,
it was the first time in over three years that Roman Reigns
had been involved in a loss in WWE.
-[pyrotechnics booming] -[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Let's make it clear, Cole,
it was Sami Zayn who lost the match, not Roman Reigns.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Ucey! Ucey!
[chanting continues]
[chanting fades]
Oh, what a catch.
Memphis, Tennessee.
[crowd cheers]
Acknowledge me.
-[crowd roaring] -[intermittent booing]
[crowd chanting] Ucey! Ucey!
-Wiseman. -Yes, my Tribal Chief.
We're going to start things off a little differently tonight.
I'm going to give y'all what you want because…
I'd like to hear
from "The Honorary Uce" Sami Zayn now.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting] Sami! Sami!
-My Tribal Chief. -[crowd cheers]
You all saw how we just kicked off the show,
the same way we kicked off Monday Night Raw,
the same way we're kicking off all of 2023.
We are putting everybody on notice
that this year
belongs… to… The… Bloodline!
[crowd cheers]
We are starting 2023 right.
Monday Night Raw, we showed up to send a message,
and that's exactly what we did.
Solo went out there, won his match.
The Usos and Sami Zayn went out there, won our match.
We are sending a message this year.
[intermittent cheers]
Yeah.
But I don't really care to talk about this year.
I want to talk about what happened
last year.
I don't know if you tuned in last week, but me and Sami,
we had the biggest SmackDown match of the year
against John Cena and Kevin Owens.
[crowd cheers]
And what do you think happened?
[crowd shouting]
Some say we lost.
[laughs]
[chuckles] And that's just something I don't understand,
because The Tribal Chief don't lose.
It's not in my makeup. It's not in my DNA.
So I had to think about that, had to sit on that.
Had to chew on it and really think hard and long about it, and…
I didn't lose.
He lost.
[crowd buzzing]
My shoulders weren't on the mat.
Sami's shoulders were on the mat.
So I didn't lose, so…
I don't really care about that, to be honest.
We're moving forward from that, but what's confusing to me…
This is where I just… I cannot figure it out.
Why'd you call your shot?
Why'd you guarantee a win?
Why… Why'd you do that? I… I do that.
I call my shot. The Tribal Chief calls his shot. And guess what?
The Tribal Chief always delivers, and there's never a problem.
You see, it's embarrassing.
It's embarrassing when you call your shot.
When you go out there and… "Look at me, I'm like Babe Ruth, y'all,"
and then you fail to deliver.
So that's why I just don't understand. I had to keep asking myself,
"You want… You want to be The Tribal Chief?"
That's why I don't understand.
Why are you doing things like me?
Are you trying to be like me?
Do you want to do what I do?
Do you think you can do things better than me?
That's why I just…
I… No, no, no. Think about it, guys.
In my position, at the very top,
you have to always be concerned and think about these things.
You have to always keep eyes in the back of your head.
And I just have to… "Why?"
"Why are you doing what The Tribal Chief does?"
"Why do you think you can do it?" And that's…
[sighs]
Do you want to be me?
Do you want to be The Tribal Chief?
Do you think you're me? Do you think you're me?
Do you think you're me?!
Do you want to be me?!
Do you want to be The Tribal Chief? Huh?
Do you want to run The Bloodline?
Do you think you're fit to take on the burden?
-["Fight" plays] -[crowd cheers]
-[music continues] -[cheering continues]
-[music fades out] -[crowd buzzing]
Before…
Before things go too far here.
Roman, I think…
I think you need to calm down, take a deep breath or two,
because I think what's happening now
is you've got some misdirected anger going on.
You're always so calm, cool, and collected.
I… I can't remember the last time I saw you like this.
Actually, I think the last time I saw you like this,
I was the cause of it.
And I think tonight… I'm also the cause of it.
It's not Sami.
Your problem is not with Sami.
Your problem is with me.
Roman, you've been saying it for weeks, you've got a KO problem.
And now I can see it's starting to drive you a little crazy.
So, Roman, I think it's time for you to show everyone
what The Tribal Chief does.
I think it's time for you to take care of that KO problem.
Man, I don't want to tell you what to do,
but it seems to me like
a good way to take care of that KO problem
is to do it at the Royal Rumble
in a match for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
[crowd cheering]
Yeah. Sure. Whatever. I don't care. I don't care about you.
The only thing I want is for you to disappear.
Go away. Leave. Forever!
You know what, Roman? After…
what we did to you last Friday,
when I beat you,
I'm in a great mood, so I'll give it to you.
I'll leave, not forever though.
Roman, I'll see you at the Royal Rumble.
And Sami,
I'll see you whenever you manage to dig your balls out of Roman's pocket.
[crowd reacting]
[Kevin Owens' music plays]
[Cole] Classic play by Kevin Owens, Wade,
trying to goad Roman Reigns into putting his championship on the line
at the Royal Rumble.
[Wade] Seemed to work too.
We'll see if that gets made official.
[Cole] This is official:
later tonight, our main event.
The Usos' 537th tag team day reign in jeopardy.
They take on Sheamus and McIntyre tonight.
[Cole] Arriving in style here in Memphis tonight,
the current 14-time women's champion.
[rap music playing]
After eight months, Charlotte Flair returned last week
for an impromptu title match for Ronda Rousey.
She would win the title,
and the new champion is here live tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
♪ It's a New Day, yes it is! ♪
["New Day, New Way" plays]
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Xavier Woods,
representing The New Day,
he is one-half of the NXT Tag Team Champions,
Kofi Kingston!
[Cole] Now, Kofi Kingston set for a match tonight against Santos Escobar
of Legado Del Fantasma.
This matchup came about a bit earlier today
during a confrontation in the backstage area.
-Kayla was interviewing Kofi. -[blowing horn]
It is Kofi Kingston.
Year after year, highlight after highlight,
this man's performances in the Rumble
are nothing short of legendary.
Now, as much as I've enjoyed watching him in the Rumble,
I will enjoy eliminating you.
Oh, you're going to eliminate me, is that right? Oh yeah?
Now, this might be hard for you to accept,
but the sun has set on The New Day,
and this…
is Legado Del Fantasma's time.
You better put your hand out of my face, bro. Come on, man.
Oh, okay, what y'all want to do? Y'all want to do something?
Now you going to hide behind your people, is that right?
I wish you would make a move.
-Jump. -[crowd roaring]
-Five! Four! Three! Two! -[Cole] Three weeks from tomorrow,
-the road to WrestleMania begins… -One!
-[buzzer] -…with the 30-man Royal Rumble Match,
my favorite event of the year.
One man, the last man standing,
will earn a championship match at WrestleMania.
And for Kofi Kingston, he enters this year his 15th Royal Rumble Match.
Two behind the all-time leader,
Kane, who has 17 appearances.
["Soul March" plays]
[Irvin] And his opponent, accompanied to the ring by Zelina Vega,
Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde,
representing Legado Del Fantasma,
Santos Escobar!
[Cole] Zelina Vega said earlier this week that 2023
will be the year of Legado Del Fantasma.
And tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
[Wade] I gotta tell you, Cole, anybody who witnessed the exploits
of Legado Del Fantasma in NXT needs no further convincing.
They've got their toes wet here on SmackDown now.
I truly believe Escobar, Zelina Vega, et al.,
when they say this is Legado's year.
[Cole] Let's talk about NXT for a moment and the NXT Tag Team Champions,
The New Day, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods.
They're going to be watching NXT very closely this coming Tuesday night.
[Wade] Yes, indeed, they will be in attendance this Tuesday,
New Year's Evil, on USA Network.
Former NXT Tag Champs, Pretty Deadly, attempt to become
the Number One Contenders to those New Day NXT Tag Titles,
but they've got to beat three other top teams
-in a gauntlet match to get there. -[bell rings]
[Cole] And there's Kofi Kingston, former WWE Champion.
Of course, a Hall of Fame resume for Kofi.
Held the Intercontinental Championship, the United States Title a number of times,
of course, a 14-time WWE Tag Team Champion.
New Day, of course, Triple Crown tag champs
after they won the NXT Tag Titles.
[Wade] It's a ludicrous resume for Kofi Kingston,
and it's absolutely right what Santos Escobar said.
Legendary performances in the Royal Rumble.
Perhaps the last thing left for Kofi Kingston to win
is that Royal Rumble Match.
[Cole] Kingston out now to the apron.
Santos Escobar would love to pick up one of the biggest wins of his career
if he can knock off Kofi tonight.
Straight right hand by Escobar, and Kofi Kingston hanging on.
He's good. He's good.
[Cole] Again, just like the Royal Rumble Match,
you're not eliminated till you go over the top rope
and both feet hit the floor.
And Kofi's done this on occasion throughout the years, Wade,
being able to stay in it with some magical moves like that.
[Wade] Yes, indeed, getting his practice in a little early this year.
[Cole] And Kingston, kick to the face of Escobar,
and Kofi now goes up to the top rope.
Kingston with a crossbody.
And Kofi going to send Escobar over the top rope on the other side.
And… Santos would have been eliminated if that was the Rumble.
Kofi Kingston in control here on SmackDown.
[Cole] We are back live on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
Santos Escobar with a running knee to Kofi Kingston
as Legado Del Fantasma looks on.
Escobar, cover, hook of the leg now on Kingston, and a kickout.
Escobar, who fancies himself The Emperor of Lucha Libre.
[Wade] Yes, he does, very proud of his heritage.
His background represents a century of lucha tradition.
That is why Zelina Vega at ringside, carrying that lucha mask,
-a nod to that history. -[Vega] Come on!
[Cole] A second-generation Superstar. Santos' father, El Fantasma.
And the name of the group, Legado Del Fantasma,
in honor of his father.
-"Legacy of the Ghost" it means. -[speaks indistinctly]
[Cole] And what a win this would be for Escobar.
Kofi Kingston, second rope. What a dropkick!
-There we go. -[Wade] Undoubtedly,
anytime you knock off a top Superstar like Kofi--
I'm going to sit this one out. Hold on, Cole.
[Cole] That's Francesca number, like, 30,
the trombone for Xavier Woods,
as Escobar, back on the attack.
Remember, Santos Escobar and Ricochet,
the classic they put on last month in the finals of the SmackDown World Cup
right here on Fox.
[Wade] What a tournament that was, and how bitter was Santos?
Santos Escobar, some trickery of his own.
[horn blares]
[Cole] Oh, and Xavier as well.
You're out! You're out!
[Cole] Again, just another example of how Escobar could be eliminated
if he's in the Royal Rumble Match in three weeks from tomorrow.
[Wade] Well, fortunately for Escobar, that is not what tonight is about.
This could do it, Cole.
[Cole] Here's the cover.
And a hook of the leg, and a kickout.
[Wade] We mentioned it earlier.
Beating someone like Kofi Kingston would do massive things
for Escobar's career.
-He's had 23 championships in WWE. -[Cole] Oh!
[Wade] And that kick so close to putting Kingston away.
Let's go! Let's go!
-[Escobar] You better understand! -[Cole] Escobar now trash-talking Kofi.
[Escobar] I will win at the Royal Rumble.
Not you.
Kofi, you better understand that.
[Cole] Kingston whipped into the ropes, and Kofi Kingston so creative.
Look at that move by Kofi, and a kickout at two.
Man, Kofi Kingston just invents things on the fly, doesn't he?
[Wade] I'll tell you, one of the quickest-thinking Superstars
I ever got in the ring with.
Manages to keep ticking even while under the cosh,
-as Escobar is finding out. -[Cole] Oh, Kofi.
Down goes Escobar, and now Kofi Kingston trying to gain momentum here.
Kingston with a nice kick right to the face of Escobar.
Legado Del Fantasma looking on with concern.
Escobar down on the waistline of Kingston.
[Wade] Escobar, such a well-rounded Superstar.
[Cole] Kofi looking for the SOS.
-Connecting. Shoulders down. For the win! -One! Two!
-Kickout by Escobar at two. -I'm getting frustrated.
I hear them shoutin'!
Come on!
[Cole] Xavier Woods trying to keep Kofi in the ball game.
[Wade] Zelina Vega on the outside for Legado in a panicked state,
and this is the reason why.
Kofi Kingston coming within a split second of putting away Santos Escobar.
[Cole] When you start bragging in the first week of 2023
that this year is gonna be all about you,
it sorta puts the pressure on Escobar to win tonight.
[Wade] He's a confident man and so he should be after his accolades
in NXT and beyond.
[Cole] Escobar quickly to the second rope.
Jam-packed crowd here tonight at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee.
Kofi fighting back.
Headbutt to Escobar. He's down and in trouble.
Kofi now…
trying to regather himself.
Up to the top rope. Escobar met him with a knee.
-[Wade] Just a beat too long for Kingston. -[Cole] Cover by Santos Escobar,
and a kickout by Kingston at two.
[Wade] Hit on this a couple of times already.
Escobar's so well-rounded, a high-flyer, a technician, powerhouse,
tactician, but look at this for pinpoint accuracy.
Clean on the jaw of Kingston.
And how Kingston kicks out, I have no clue.
[Cole] Escobar now learning about the resilience of Kofi Kingston.
Kofi has made a career out of digging down deep.
Fighting back into the matchup.
[Wade] We see some of that power game of Escobar,
but it did not work against someone as awesome as Kingston.
[Cole] Cover! Kingston for the win. Escobar kicks at two.
An incredible match to kick off Friday Night SmackDown tonight.
Ladies and gentlemen, as you take another look…
We're being told now that there's breaking news
considering the Royal Rumble.
We're going to fill you in on that as soon as this matchup is complete here tonight
on Friday Night SmackDown.
Massive news coming your way.
Kofi Kingston now with a Boom Drop to Escobar.
[Wade] Things starting to go south in a hurry for Escobar.
This was not part of the game plan.
[Cole] And Kofi Kingston…
The New Day rocks.
[crowd chanting] New Day rocks!
[Cole] Uh-oh, Wilde.
Del Toro getting involved.
-[Wade] The numbers game… -[Cole] A kick to the face of Kingston.
[Wade] …being a specialty for Legado.
[Cole] Zelina arguing with Xavier outside the ring,
-and the Phantom Driver by Santos Escobar. -One, two, three!
-Major victory tonight. -[bell rings]
-["Soul March" plays] -[Irvin] Here is your winner,
Santos Escobar!
[laughs, speaks indistinctly]
[Cole] Escobar… what a victory to knock off Kofi Kingston.
[Wade] Absolutely massive win.
Talk about the depth of Legado Del Fantasma.
How good they are in every facet of this game.
One thing no one else has is the deep bag of tricks
that belongs to Santos Escobar.
Always something up his sleeve.
Earlier this week, Roman Reigns sent out a tweet which said,
"You say you want it all. Proceed with caution."
"The top of the mountain is a dangerous place."
Well, next to try to climb that mountain is Kevin Owens.
This is the breaking news that we promised you a few moments ago.
Three weeks from tomorrow, exclusively on Peacock at the Royal Rumble event,
Roman Reigns will put the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship on the line
by Kevin Owens.
A classic Owens tonight.
Playing on the emotional Roman Reigns to get this match agreed to.
It'll happen in three weeks at the Rumble.
Paul, I have to talk to him.
I have to explain. I don't… I'm…
He's The Tribal Chief. I'm not trying to be The Tribal Chief.
I'm not trying to do anything. I…
I gotta talk to him. I gotta explain this.
Shamoley…
now is not the time.
-Can you at least-- -Yeet.
-Damn, dawg. -He's waiting for you.
-Yeet. -I'm sorry.
Remember last week, I told you that life on the island of relevancy
is staying three steps ahead at all times?
Even three steps down the road
would be bad timing, Shamoley.
Hey, think about this.
I still love you.
[Cole] Rough night for Sami. Will it be a rough night for The Usos?
They defend against Drew and Sheamus in our main event.
[Cole] Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is in Memphis, Tennessee tonight.
Of course, the home of WWE Hall of Famer Jerry "The King" Lawler,
who I happened to beat at WrestleMania.
[Wade] Ha! I'm sick of hearing about this, Cole.
Why don't you put your streak on the line at WrestleMania
if you're so tough?
[Cole] Nonetheless, pretty soon we'll be on the road to WrestleMania.
And three weeks from tomorrow, it all kicks off with the Royal Rumble Match.
The Royal Rumble.
I mean, 30 women fighting for the same spot
sounds like complete chaos.
But luckily for me,
I live for chaos.
Entering the Royal Rumble last, that would be the easy thing to do, right?
But if I had it my way, I'd enter the ring first and beat the crap
out of every single Superstar that came down there after me.
So if anyone else in the locker room still thinks they could come out on top
and move on to WrestleMania… [cackles]
…watch me.
[Cole] I'd definitely take number 30,
but nonetheless, three weeks from tomorrow,
the Road to WrestleMania begins.
Liv Morgan and 29 other women.
Who will punch their ticket to a main event championship match
at WrestleMania?
We find out at the Royal Rumble.
Oh man, something else I cannot wait for at the Royal Rumble,
because for the first time since returning to SmackDown,
Bray Wyatt will be in action,
and he'll be taking on The Megastar, LA Knight.
I'm still trying to decipher what happened last week
here on Friday Night SmackDown.
It was a bizarre scene.
Bray Wyatt was already in the ring with LA Knight
when we had the appearance of Uncle Howdy.
Howdy and Bray stood side by side.
LA Knight had no idea what to do,
and he was even more confused after this happened.
I still can't believe that Uncle Howdy delivered a Sister Abigail
to Bray Wyatt.
[Wade] Don't understand the whole thing. It gives me the heebie-jeebies.
Clearly, gave LA Knight the heebie-jeebies too.
Smartly got out of Dodge.
[crowd buzzing]
LA, after last week's bizarre encounter with Uncle Howdy,
how are you feeling leading in to your Mountain Dew Pitch Black match
against Bray Wyatt at the Royal Rumble?
Let me talk to you.
I found myself earlier today walking through Memphis,
and I thought to myself,
"Do I really feel the way I feel?"
Yeah, I feel damn good!
Not because I'm in Memphis.
Nobody feels good about that.
[crowd boos]
Ah, pipe down, Memphis.
I feel good because Bray Wyatt's plans all blew up in his face last week
when he couldn't keep his goons in line,
gets dropped on his head for his trouble. Now, what do I have to do?
Just walk in the Royal Rumble, kick around the remaining pieces?
At the end of the night, ain't nobody talking about Bray Wyatt's
big return match. Nah, nah.
Everybody's talking about one thing, with everybody saying,
"LA Knight." Yeah!
Because at the Royal Rumble, when the lights go down,
Bray Wyatt's lights go out.
That's not an insult. That is just a fact of life.
-Yeah! -[intermittent crowd shouts] Yeah!
[Cole] And at the Royal Rumble, for the first time ever,
the Mountain Dew Pitch Black Match.
It's unique. It's never been seen before.
We don't know quite what to expect.
All we know is there are no rules.
Anything goes, just pinfall or submission.
Bray Wyatt has tried desperately to avoid this descent into darkness,
but he's failing.
Three weeks from tonight, we'll see what Bray is really capable of.
["Dead Silent" plays]
[Cole] Led by the cunning and the seductive mistress of evil,
Scarlett,
"The Doom Walker" Karrion Kross is here.
Two weeks ago,
a run-in between Emma and Scarlett in the locker room area
would lead to this match tonight.
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. -[chuckles]
[crowd cheers]
You have absolutely no idea
what you've just done.
[Cole] Well, Emma will figure out pretty quickly what she did…
[shouts indistinctly]
[Cole] …because coming up next on Friday Night SmackDown here on Fox,
for the first time,
Karrion Kross will team with Scarlett.
[Kross roars]
[Cole] Wade, it is a mixed tag team match.
[Wade] Yes, indeed.
We've never seen Scarlett in action before,
but that slap from Emma did it.
[Cole] It's next here on SmackDown.
[music continues]
[Cole] This mixed tag team match is underway here
on Friday Night SmackDown,
Kross and Scarlett against Emma and Madcap.
Again, mixed tag team rules.
Men fight the men, and women will battle the women.
Kross, right now, in control of Madcap.
They've had some history, Madcap and Karrion Kross.
[Wade] No doubt about it.
Kross has gone overboard in the past with Madcap
in some of their previous encounters, choking Moss out post-match,
damaging Moss' larynx.
Moss hoping to turn things around tonight, though.
[Cole] Kross to the corner.
He'll make a tag to Scarlett, which means, automatically,
Emma comes into the matchup. Now Emma and Scarlett go after one another.
We mentioned before, first time here in WWE we've seen Scarlett in the ring.
[Wade] Yes, indeed. This is an angry Emma, though.
That honeymoon phase of her first return into SmackDown is over.
She is in the trenches now and swinging.
[Cole] She obviously has a…
relationship with Madcap,
as we've seen develop over the past number of weeks.
-[screaming] -You saw earlier on the slap to Scarlett
because what she said about Madcap in the past.
-Emma now takes Scarlett down. -[Wade] And hats off to Emma.
There ain't many women in the locker room
-who would've slapped Scarlett like that. -[Cole] Cover, and a kickout.
[Wade] Emma looking to stand up for her man.
I think most of the women in the locker room are terrified,
as they rightly should be.
-[Cole] I'm terrified of Scarlett. -[Wade] Who ain't?
[Cole] Scarlett, oh, with a big right to Emma,
now exchanging blows in the middle of the ring.
Scarlett has proven herself so dangerous.
Oh, nice throw to Emma. Great bridge.
And a kickout at two.
Impressive by Scarlett, who has been so instrumental
in Karrion Kross' success here on Friday Night SmackDown.
Just this aura about her.
[Wade] Devilish look etched upon that face. No doubt, full of bad intent.
[Cole] Emma able to duck underneath.
-[loud grunt] -[Cole] Nice takedown.
Great throw by Emma.
[Wade] Such a wealth of experience.
-[Cole] Cover! -[Wade] This could be it, Cole.
[Cole] Off the kick to the face,
and Karrion Kross will pull Emma off the cover.
[crowd boos]
[indistinct shout]
[referee] Get out, Kross. Get out.
-Get out. Get out. -[indistinct shouts]
-Get out. -[crowd cheers]
Get out, come on.
-Get out, Kross. Let's go. -[Cole] Not quite sure how wise that was.
[Wade] A slap that barely rattled Karrion Kross.
[Cole] Yeah, but Madcap will now tag himself into the matchup.
And Madcap goes right after Kross.
And that just ticked Madcap off.
And Madcap now picking up the pace.
Now Scarlett… Oh, and that misdirection helped Kross take out Madcap.
[Wade] Spilling out on the outside now too, Cole.
[Cole] Emma bounced right off the corner post.
Now Scarlett… Emma sent flying over the announce table.
Meanwhile, inside the ring, Madcap trying to put Kross away.
[Wade] Never seen you move so quick, Cole.
[Cole] You think that was quick?
And Kross! That looked like an old Bull Hammer to the back of the neck.
[Wade] Kross Hammer followed by the Kross Jacket.
This one as good as over, Cole.
[Cole] Kross Jacket locked in. Madcap in trouble. Madcap…
-That's it. Ring the bell. -…is out.
[bell rings]
["Dead Silent" plays]
[Irvin] Here is your winner,
Karrion Kross!
[Wade] Well, a duo that thrive on chaos and disarray.
And that was the undoing of Moss and Emma this evening.
It seems we ain't done there, though.
[Cole] And I… I believe that is Rey Mysterio's mask,
adorned with a 619.
Remember, Kross has been stalking the legend, Mysterio, for weeks.
[Wade] Tarot card of Rey Mysterio, a harbinger of what's to come.
[roaring]
[Cole] The clock is ticking for Rey Mysterio.
"The Harbinger of Doom," Karrion Kross.
I know you're watching, Rey.
I know you're watching.
And you know
that is going to be you.
Ticktock.
[Wade] "Ticktock" indeed.
Just a pair of moral failures,
completely devoid of any form of virtue, Cole.
[Cole] Rey Mysterio has been put on notice here on Friday Night SmackDown.
Well, despite the fact that Wade Barrett sits next to me every week,
SmackDown continues, week after week, to be a juggernaut here for Fox.
Wind it in, Shoelace. I'm the draw here.
Last week, it was the most-watched SmackDown in over two years.
And one of the reasons?
Ronda Rousey versus Raquel Rodriguez for the SmackDown Women's Championship.
Here's our Progressive Match Flo.
[male narrator] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
[Irvin] The following contest is for
the SmackDown Women's Championship!
[Cole] Ronda Rousey defending her championship against Raquel Rodriguez.
[bell rings]
What an opportunity for Raquel.
You notice the heavily-bandaged elbow,
fractured earlier this month by Rousey and Baszler.
[screams]
[Wade] This is ridiculous.
[Cole] Cover for the championship.
-Shayna Baszler! -[crowd boos]
Raquel had the championship maybe won right there.
-[screaming] -[referee] Stop! Stop, stop, stop!
[Cole] Oh my goodness.
-Immediately, Raquel taps out. -[bell rings]
[Irvin] …still the SmackDown Women's Champion,
Ronda Rousey!
[crowd boos]
-["All Hail the Queen" plays] -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] The Queen is here!
The last time we saw Charlotte,
it was back in May when Ronda Rousey broke her arm.
♪ Bow down, all hail the Queen ♪
Ronda, I'm challenging you tonight.
[crowd cheers]
You're in luck because I'm feeling spicy.
[Cole] Are we gonna have a championship match right here, right now?
-Ring the bell. -We are!
-[bell rings] -For the SmackDown Women's Title.
-Ronda's down. Cover by Charlotte! -One! Two!
-[Cole] Kickout at two. -[crowd roaring]
And a boot to Baszler.
Spear by Charlotte.
Ronda turns it around.
Shoulders down.
Charlotte got her! Charlotte got her!
-Charlotte got her! -[bell rings]
[Irvin] …and new SmackDown Women's Champion,
Charlotte Flair!
I'm home.
[Cole] Charlotte Flair is back.
Record-setting 14-time world champion.
The Queen is back on her throne.
[no audible dialogue]
[Cole] Wade, what a moment last week here on Friday Night SmackDown,
and we saw Charlotte Flair arrive in style earlier tonight.
[Wade] Oh! Dressed to the nines, looked incredible.
Well, Charlotte Flair returns to SmackDown, next.
[Cole] For the first time in over 20 years, a WWE Premium Live Event
is coming to London.
And for the first time ever in Europe,
it's Money in the Bank.
[Wade] Yes, indeed.
There's panic on the streets of London,
in my completely unbiased opinion, the greatest city on Planet Earth.
Come on, feel the noise, everyone,
because you know those UK fans are going to bring it.
[Cole] Remember, you climb the ladder, grab the briefcase,
guarantee yourself a title opportunity whenever you want it
over a year.
Your chance at premium experiences and unrivaled access
to Money in the Bank in London
is here with a WWE Priority Pass, powered by On Location.
Go to OnLocationEXP.com/WWE
to see package offerings and secure yours today.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are in Memphis, Tennessee,
right across the street from Beale Street
and Jerry Lawler's Hall of Fame Bar 'N Grill,
who had some special guests earlier today:
McIntyre and Sheamus.
You know, Drew, standing on the same side of the ring with you
for the last couple of months
has made me want to smash your face in just a little bit less, yeah?
It's talk like that that got us in this mess in the first place.
That and you kept kicking me in the bloody head.
Good point. But all that aside,
I am proud to call you an honorary brute.
Well, you know, fella,
I appreciate that.
Good, good.
I think back about all those matches that we had.
How about the time we knocked the bleeding crap out of each other
in the ThunderDome, tore that place apart at Fastlane.
You remember that?
Oh yeah. How about the Donnybrook match?
Oh yeah. We took every weapon in the building,
beat each other to pieces with it.
I'm surprised we're still standing.
[both laughing]
And if we did that to each other, can you imagine
what we are going to do to The Usos tonight on SmackDown?
Can you imagine?
We're the ones that are going to take down The Ones,
tear them apart, and then we're going out in Memphis, back on Beale Street,
and we're going to have the party of a lifetime, fella.
Why's that?
Because when the lads are in town,
it's banger… after banger…
-after banger… after banger… -[crowd chanting along]
…after banger… after banger…
after banger… after banger…
after banger…
[Cole] King's making some money tonight.
Nonetheless, ladies and gentlemen,
The Usos put their 537-day Tag Team Championship reign on the line
against the team that Sheamus has named "The Banger Bros."
McIntyre, Sheamus, live tonight in our main event.
["All Hail the Queen" plays]
[Wade] Any beer left at Lawler's bar, or did McIntyre and Sheamus drink it all?
[Cole] We'll find out in about an hour.
[Irvin] Please welcome the new SmackDown Women's Champion,
-Charlotte Flair! -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] An absolute shocker last week on Friday Night SmackDown.
Charlotte Flair returning to WWE for the first time in eight months.
Remember, back in May at WrestleMania Backlash,
Charlotte losing an "I Quit" Match to Ronda Rousey,
suffering a broken arm.
Charlotte last week getting payback.
[Wade] Turned the industry on its head
in the blink of an eye by goading--
[effects booming]
[Cole] And tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive.
You were saying?
[Wade laughs] Before I was rudely interrupted.
I'll let Charlotte get away with that one.
But goading Ronda Rousey into making an error.
It was the ego of Ronda Rousey that accepted a challenge from Charlotte,
despite going to war with Raquel Rodriguez just moments earlier.
That was a mistake, and it was the veteran experience of Charlotte
that allowed her to exploit that weakness of Ronda Rousey.
[Cole] Raquel Rodriguez, an incredible match last week
against Ronda before Charlotte came out.
Charlotte called it "picture-perfect."
"A great way to end the year."
She said, "It'd been eating at me for eight months
because I don't consider myself a quitter."
"I never rest."
"I'm always ready to go."
[crowd buzzing]
[crowd cheering]
Memphis, Tennessee.
[crowd cheers]
Did you miss your Queen?
[cheering]
Yeah, that's what I thought. I missed you guys too.
So, you know, I was thinking, what's that catchphrase?
-Payback's a… -[crowd] Bitch!
No, no, no. Never mind, just ask Ronda.
She knows.
[intermittent shouting] Thank you, Charlotte!
[crowd chants] Thank you, Charlotte! Thank you, Charlotte!
[chanting continues]
Well, I must admit,
I never thought I'd hear, "Thank you, Charlotte," but thank you.
[clears throat] No, but seriously, you guys,
I was away for eight months, eight months.
And whether you love to hate me or hate to love me,
I genuinely was overwhelmed by the WWE Universe's reaction
to when I won the SmackDown Women's Championship in Tampa, Florida,
last Friday.
[crowd cheers]
Thank you. No, seriously.
And whether you like to cheer me…
[crowd cheers]
-Or boo me… -[crowd boos]
Oh, I get it, or, "Woo!"
[crowd] Woo!
No, I've always been about three things.
Passion, consistency, and dedication
for what I do in this ring.
[sporadic cheering, applause]
No, no.
Now, I might be a lot of different things to a lot of people,
but the one thing I'm not is complacent.
I will always do more, ask for more, demand more.
I will not rest, I will not coast, and I will knock down any obstacle
or anyone that stands in my way.
That's what a champion does.
A champion expects the unexpected and rises to every occasion.
And ladies and gentlemen,
that is what I have done 14 times.
[crowd cheers, applauds]
["Made Me Stronger" plays]
-[crowd booing] -[Cole] Well, Wade,
hold the phone.
It's Sonya Deville.
Hold on, hold on, now.
First of all, ladies and gentlemen, Charlotte Flair.
[crowd cheers]
Charlotte, here's the thing.
The hillbillies in this building
might not be bright enough
-to see through your lies. -[crowd boos]
But fortunately for them, I am, and I do.
You're standing out here
bragging about being a 14-time champion, but the thing is,
I think there should be an asterisk next to number 14.
Right? I mean… What?
You beat a half-dead Ronda Rousey?
Congratulations.
[crowd buzzing]
[crowd chants] Whoop that trick! Whoop that trick!
Whoop that trick! Whoop that trick! Whoop that trick!
My question for you…
So, my question for you…
[chanting continues]
I think they think you're a trick.
[laughs]
…is how would you fair against a fresh fighter?
[no audible dialogue]
Oh, she's the fighter, you guys.
She's the fighter.
You don't think I am?
Damn right I am.
I am the fighter,
and if you want to prove you're a real champ,
put your title on the line right now.
Memphis, what do you think? Should I put my title on the line?
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chants] Whoop that trick! Whoop that trick!
[chanting continues]
Well, Sonya, challenge accepted, Trick.
[no audible dialogue]
[Cole] Is this gonna be made official?
Are we going to have a SmackDown Women's Championship match here tonight?
I guess so. Our referee Jessika Carr has now entered the ring.
So what was Charlotte saying about not being complacent, Wade?
-Obviously not. -[bell rings]
She's accepted the challenge, and Deville now from behind.
[Wade] That was complacent.
Taking your eye off someone as diabolical as Sonya Deville.
[Cole] You got to give Deville credit, Wade, coming out here
and trying to make the most of an opportunity in a moment.
[Wade] Here's the thing, Sonya is… attempting to catch the champ off guard,
just like Charlotte did to Ronda last week.
The difference being Charlotte's pretty fresh.
We got a title match. This continues after the break.
[crowd roaring]
[Cole] Will it be a short-lived championship reign for Charlotte Flair,
out here celebrating her victory from last week?
Sonya Deville challenged the new champion to a championship match,
and that's what we have here tonight in Memphis on Friday Night SmackDown.
Sonya having her way with Charlotte during the commercial break,
and again, goes right back to the knee.
That was the story throughout the commercial break, Wade.
Sonya attacking the back of the knee of Charlotte Flair.
-Cover now by Sonya. -One!
-Two! -[Cole] Hook of the leg, kickout at two.
[Wade] Well, Sonya prides herself on being the smartest cookie
in the Women's Division.
It's why she was an official in WWE for so long.
She understands this industry,
-understands how to get on top… -[Cole] Oh!
[Wade] …which she is executing perfectly tonight.
[Cole] Cross faces by Deville.
One of the reasons you would take out the leg of Charlotte Flair
is to take away the advantage of the Figure-Eight submission
that Charlotte Flair uses for victories.
Come on.
[Wade] Hats off to Sonya for maneuvering herself
into a prime position against the new champ.
This is a championship match.
The title, the new title of Charlotte Flair is on the line.
And we could have, once again, a new champion tonight
in the form of Sonya Deville.
[Cole] Sonya Deville looking for her first championship here in WWE
as she continues to wear down Charlotte Flair.
Charlotte talked a lot, Wade,
about her passion, her consistency, her dedication.
I talked to Charlotte earlier today.
She told me that since 2012, she had never missed as much time
as the eight months she was out of action.
-She said she missed WWE. -[crowd] Whoop that trick!
She missed the WWE fans, and she missed competing.
[Wade] Here's the thing, with seven months off, how much ring rust is there?
Last week's matchup lasted 30 seconds.
We're now heading into deep water.
-Exactly what Sonya Deville needed. -[Cole] Oh!
And Charlotte with a big kick to the face as she looks to rally.
The 14-time world champion.
Clothesline delivered to Sonya Deville.
Now finding out just how good that cardio is of Charlotte Flair
after seven months on the shelf.
-Looks pretty good to me right now. -[crowd] Woo!
Chop after chop as the woos ring through the FedExForum here in Memphis.
Nice back suplex by Charlotte, and a kip-up.
That right there is vintage Charlotte Flair.
[crowd cheering]
Ja Morant-like agility here in Memphis for the champion.
Oh, and a kick by Sonya right to the face.
[Wade] A beat too long for Charlotte Flair there,
taking her eye off the nefarious one.
[Cole] Missed with a knee.
Charlotte ducking out of harm's way.
Oh, and a clothesline just caught Sonya.
-Is it enough? -One!
Cover by the champ, hook to the leg again, and Deville's got a kick at two.
[Wade] Just once again, supreme athleticism from Charlotte Flair.
That has been a standard of her entire career.
[Cole] Sonya wisely rolling out to the apron.
Sonya questioning the official.
Was that two?
Is that all you got, Sonya?
Is that all you got, baby?
[Cole] Charlotte now, hung up on the top rope by Deville.
Sonya biding her time, took advantage.
Spear by Charlotte!
[crowd cheering]
And now with Sonya in the middle of the ring,
Charlotte Flair
into the Figure-Four, bridges to the Figure-Eight.
-[Wade] No way back from here, Cole. -[Cole] Deville taps out.
-[bell rings] -Flair retains!
-[crowd roaring] -["All Hail the Queen" plays]
[Irvin] Here is your winner by submission
and still the SmackDown Women's Champion,
Charlotte Flair!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Charlotte Flair retains here tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
Wade, Charlotte looking better than ever,
looking to rule the division here on Friday Night SmackDown.
Man, I was taking a very close look to see some ring rust.
No sign of it whatsoever.
Charlotte Flair proving that class is permanent.
Charlotte Flair saying, "I couldn't find a better way to end 2022
than by winning the SmackDown Women's Championship."
But here at WWE, perhaps the highlight of 2022 was the return
of "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes
at WrestleMania.
[gentle music playing]
[crowd cheering, muted]
[gentle music continues]
[music transitions to up-tempo rhythm]
[crowd cheering, muted]
[Cody] Six full years.
That's a heck of a journey.
I didn't think I was coming back.
And I feel like coming out at WrestleMania,
everybody understood the path.
I get another shot at living the first dream I ever had.
[woman vocalizes softly to inspirational tune]
[Dusty Rhodes] Get a dream, hold onto it, and shoot for the sky.
Yes, I cannot physically put that title into my father's hands.
I cannot bestow it upon "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes…
but I certainly can put it around the waist of The American Nightmare.
I feel like, at this point, I'm just me.
The American Nightmare is real.
It's an extension of The American Dream.
I stand before you finally ready.
It is a perfect alignment of all the stars.
And I'm going to do it for you.
I'm going to do it for me.
And I am going to do it for "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd noise fades]
[announcer] Cody Rhodes tore the pectoral muscle right off the bone.
[Cody] I have been doing this since I was 20 years old.
I almost felt bulletproof.
No human being could have kept me from getting in the ring.
It's like oxygen.
I needed to be in the ring that night.
[crowd exclaiming]
[Wade] An old friend of ours, Cole.
I cannot wait till we see Cody Rhodes back in action.
-["It's About to Go Down" plays] -[Cole] And I cannot wait for this man.
A highlight of the night.
-♪ It's about to go down ♪ -♪ Uh-huh ♪
-♪ Let's go! ♪ -[effects pop]
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is a Royal Rumble qualifying match.
Introducing first, from Las Vegas, weighing in at 207 pounds,
he is the winner of the SmackDown World Cup on Fox,
Ricochet!
[Cole] Wade, you remember when Top Dolla of Hit Row tried that crazy move?
Thought he was a luchador, went flying over the top rope?
Didn't quite work out the way he wanted.
Well, it trended for days on social media, people making fun of Top Dolla.
Last week, the locker room was making fun of, including Ricochet.
Top Dolla bowed up, he knocked Ricochet down.
Hence the reason we have this match tonight.
[Wade] Top Dolla, Hit Row, Icarus,
the man that gravity forgot.
[Cole] A lot at stake in this match.
Who is going to qualify for the Royal Rumble?
Ricochet. Top Dolla. Live, next.
[Lacey] Your marine corps martial arts program training has led you here.
Ready for all, but yielding to none.
Close combat techniques,
counter attacks,
identify weakness,
and strike with precision.
You are the weapon,
and your method of destruction…
is the Cobra Clutch.
[woman shouts, gasping]
[groaning]
[cries out]
-["Best Of The Best" playing] -[Cole] Look out, Sarge.
Nonetheless, Hit Row out here.
Top Dolla with a scowl on his face.
And of course, he's upset with the fact that Ricochet continues to make fun of him
for this botch a couple of weeks ago.
Royal Rumble qualifying match here tonight on Friday Night SmackDown,
which is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
[Wade] Top Dolla has taken a lot of flak lately.
When you screw up in this game,
you have to be prepared for some mockery.
We've all been there. Some just take it better than others.
But I'll say this about Top Dolla.
He's been spitting back on social media.
He dropped a diss track this past week to Ricochet's own theme music,
which I'm sure doesn't sit well with our high-flying friend.
[Cole] Kofi Kingston's already in the Royal Rumble match.
One of these two men will join him. Either Top Dolla or Ricochet.
Top Dolla said, "I will smack his chrome dome."
-[bell rings] -Talking about Ricochet,
and Dolla right out of the box.
Ricochet looking to use his quickness, who said,
"2023 is about to blow up."
[Wade] Dolla's got a chrome dome of his own, hasn't he?
[Cole] Exactly. I couldn't quite understand it, but nonetheless.
The power of Top Dolla.
[Wade] Now, this is what I like from Top Dolla.
[Cole] You're saying you don't like when he tries to be a high-flyer?
[Wade] Absolutely not. Flies like a lead balloon,
but Top Dolla is a man who made millions in the NFL.
[Cole] Cover, hook of the leg, and Ricochet kicks.
[Wade] Millions in the NFL pancaking 300-plus-pound O-linemen.
That is the guy we all want to see in the ring.
Forget trying to outdo Rey Mysterio and Ricochet.
Just be that bad dude.
[Cole] That's what Top Dolla is doing right now.
Dominating this matchup with a big boot to the face by Top Dolla.
Tell us a joke now. Let's go.
[Wade] This could be the making of Top Dolla's career.
-This is what we've been waiting… -Two! Three! Four!
[Cole] Yeah, the aggressiveness…
[Wade] …to see breakout for months here on SmackDown.
[Cole] Ricochet sent back to the center of the ring.
Brand-new attitude from all members of Hit Row.
There's B-Fab, saying moments ago, "You think all this is funny?"
[Wade] Ricochet hasn't got out of the blocks this evening.
I'm the Top Dolla.
[Cole] You better watch what you're saying about Top Dolla as well.
The big man, near 300-pounder--
A kick to the side of the face by Ricochet.
Ricochet, now, rollup. Shoulders are down on Top Dolla.
Almost had him. Kickout at two.
[Wade] The second Top Dolla took his eye off the ball there,
he was made to pay for it.
[Cole] Ricochet!
What a move. Top Dolla's down.
Ricochet has an opportunity here.
[Wade] Smartly using Top Dolla's momentum against him,
and now is your opportunity to capitalize.
[Cole] Ricochet going to head up to the top rope.
From the top.
Shooting Star Press!
[Wade] Picture perfect.
-[Cole] Top Dolla is staying home. -…two, three!
-[bell rings] -Ricochet's going to the Rumble.
-["It's About to Go Down" plays] -[Irvin] Here is your winner, Ricochet!
[Cole] Ricochet will be a part of the men's Royal Rumble Match
three weeks from tomorrow.
The winner of the Rumble Match,
a championship in the main event at WrestleMania.
[Wade] Ricochet ended 2022 on a high with his SmackDown World Cup win,
but it doesn't get much higher than this.
Shooting Star Press nailed to perfection,
and the only thing that might beat a SmackDown World Cup win
is a Royal Rumble win.
[Cole] Might?
We're cool?
[indistinct]
This isn't a joke?
You got respect for me, I got respect for you.
You earned it.
[Cole] That was cool by Top Dolla.
Ricochet heading to the Royal Rumble three weeks--
Oh my goodness!
Ashante "Thee" Adonis.
-Huh? -This is what you wanted?
-[Ashante] Huh? -You think you're better than me?
You think I'm a joke?
[Ashante] Line him up. Line him up.
-Lined him up. -[Cole] And now, B-Fab.
[Wade] Just turned into a mugging.
[grunting]
-[crowd booing] -[Cole] It's finally just boiled over.
The anger and angst of the past few weeks suffered by Top Dolla and Hit Row,
and now Ricochet the recipient of this punishment.
[Wade] Hit Row don't look like a joke anymore, do they?
Get this guy up.
-Yeah. -Bottoms up.
-Get him up.
Get him up!
[Cole] Hit Row just doubled-teaming Ricochet.
Beating the hell out of him with no end in sight.
[sarcastic cooing from Hit Row]
Matter of fact, I ain't done.
I ain't done.
-["Monster Of All Monsters" plays] -[crowd roars]
[Cole] Finally, "The Monster of All Monsters" Braun Strowman
sending Hit Row scattering.
Ricochet said that Braun and him have developed a bit of a friendship,
that they've had each other's backs in recent weeks.
-Strowman comes out there to Ricochet. -[Top Dolla] Mind your business.
[Cole] Braun will now focus on next week, Wade,
because he's got an Intercontinental Title match against Gunther.
[Wade] Oh, does not get much bigger than that,
but what a friend to have in his moment of need.
Braun Strowman saving the day for Ricochet.
-You know what time it is. -Hey, defending again, boy.
-Let's go. -Huh? On me.
-On you. -Let's get it.
-Yeet. -Let's get it.
-See you out there. -All right.
-Come on, man. Let's go, OG. -Yeet.
-Wiseman. -Yes, my Tribal Chief.
Bring me Sami.
Call Shamoley.
[dramatic music plays]
[Gunther] Braun Strowman is the strongest competitor in this company…
[roars]
…but it is on me to expose him for what he really is.
An overgrown meathead
with no skill
to justify
to square off with Der Ringgeneral.
[shouting]
No matter who I face, man or monster,
I will remain the Intercontinental Champion.
[dramatic music fades out]
[Cole] We're in Green Bay, Wisconsin next week,
and they call Green Bay "Titletown,"
and in Titletown, we have a title match.
Gunther, the Intercontinental Champion, his first defense of 2023,
against "The Monster of All Monsters" Braun Strowman,
live, next week on SmackDown.
-[rap music playing] -[crowd cheering]
[music, cheering fading]
I mean, you…
-you wanted to see me? -Sit.
Look, I have to just say this, okay?
I acknowledge you as The Tribal Chief.
Everybody does.
Roman, you are The Tribal Chief. That is not even a question.
Okay? Nobody's questioning that. No…
I'm not trying to be The Tribal Chief.
I'm not trying to take power. I'm not trying to do any of that. Okay?
But if there's anything that I did that gave you that impression,
then I am sorry.
I am… I am sorry.
[exhales heavily]
I don't accept your apology.
As your Tribal Chief,
I hold myself
to a very high standard.
At the end of the day,
I've got to control my anger.
Nobody deserves to be spoken to like that.
Nobody…
deserves that in front of the whole world.
So, no, I don't accept your apology because…
[sighs]
…I should be the one apologizing.
[exhales] I'm sorry, Sami.
[exhales] I mean, it's fine.
You know, you're under a lot of pressure, right?
Right? I mean, as The Head of the Table, I…
-It's… -I get it.
And I appreciate that, but it's no excuse.
[sighs heavily]
I'm embarrassed to say, but he was right.
KO was right. I'm not mad at you.
I'm mad at him and I'm taking it out on you.
And that's not right. It's not.
But we're going to fix it. We're going to fix that.
The KO… The KO problem's done, man. It's done.
We're going to fix it.
Isn't that right, Wiseman?
Your Tribal Chief is giving you the opportunity to redeem yourself,
because next week, live on SmackDown,
one-on-one,
Sami Zayn, "The Honorary Uce,"
versus Kevin Owens.
Yeah.
Yeah. Let's do it.
Hey, we will take care-- No, no. No, no.
I will take care of him…
for you, Tribal Chief.
-♪ Uso! ♪ -Oh, that's The Usos' music.
-I got to get out there. -Hold on.
-["Done With That" plays] -Where you going? Stay.
Let's watch this together.
-Yeah? -Yeah. Yeah.
Sit down.
All right.
-There you go. -Huh.
Hey…
[music continuing]
[Cole] Roman just apologized.
Sami Zayn has another opportunity
to not only prove himself to The Bloodline,
but also take care of the KO problem for Roman Reigns.
Because remember what Roman did earlier tonight, Wade,
I should say KO did to Roman.
Preyed on Roman's emotions and got Roman to agree
to defend his championship against Kevin Owens
in three weeks at the Rumble.
[Wade] Man, there is a lot to break down over what we've seen tonight,
but let me just add this.
That is a must-win match for Sami Zayn next week on SmackDown
against Kevin Owens.
[Cole] And the Royal Rumble is sponsored by Cricket.
With fast and powerful nationwide 5G coverage,
you can stress less and smile more.
And by the official WWE Credit One Visa card.
If you want to show off your WWE pride every time you pay,
visit UltimateWWECard.com
to see if you prequalify now. Terms apply.
Meanwhile, in the midst of all this, those men, The Usos,
defend the Tag Team Titles that they've held for 537 days.
["Hellfire" plays]
Because it's Friday night, and that means…
it's Fight Night!
[explosive boom]
-[crowd cheering] -[music continues]
[Cole] A lot of pressure on The Usos tonight.
After what went down the past couple of weeks,
The Usos can ill afford to lose those Tag Team Titles
with Roman looking on.
[Wade] In my experience, it takes a lot to get Sheamus and Drew out of a bar,
but the prospect of winning those Tag Championships
will certainly do it.
-["Gallantry" plays] -[crowd cheering]
-[effect pops] -[crowd cheers]
[Cole] You know, before Survivor Series back in November, Wade,
Drew McIntyre and Sheamus picked up a tag team victory over The Usos
in the WarGames Advantage Match,
hence earning an opportunity at the Tag Team Titles.
Remember, this match was supposed to take place last month.
However, Drew McIntyre was injured.
Finally get the title match here tonight.
[Wade] Yeah, but instrumental in the WarGames Advantage Match
that you just mentioned was Kevin Owens' involvement.
He ain't involved tonight.
-[effects pop] -[crowd cheers]
[Wade] They're got to do it alone.
[Cole] Sheamus and McIntyre with an opportunity
to end the historic 537-day reign of Jimmy and Jey, The Usos.
-The Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions. -[bell rings]
The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the Undisputed
WWE Tag Team Championship!
Introducing the challengers,
the team of Sheamus and Drew McIntyre.
[crowd cheering, booing]
And their opponents, accompanied to the ring by Solo Sikoa,
they are the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions,
-Jimmy and Jey, The Usos. -[crowd] Usos!
[Cole] Tag Team Title match, our main event, live, next.
[crowd cheering, booing]
[Cole] This is for the Undisputed Tag Team Titles.
The Usos holding the titles for 537 days,
taking on Sheamus and Drew McIntyre.
You've got to be unbiased in this match.
I saw you waving and talking to your buddies Sheamus and McIntyre
during the commercial break.
[Wade] Yeah, you know what, this is as focused as I have ever seen
-Sheamus and Drew. -[bell rings]
There is malice in their hearts tonight.
The Bloodline cost Drew the WWE Championship at Clash at the Castle.
Sheamus had his elbow fractured.
Drew had his eardrum burst at WarGames.
Yeah.
Winning the tag title tonight might start to balance that ledger.
[Cole] Sheamus starting things off against Jimmy Uso.
At ringside for the Bloodline, Solo Sikoa "The Enforcer,"
the man who really cost McIntyre the championship
in the match against Reigns at Clash at the Castle…
back in Wales in September.
Solo did some damage in that Music City Street Fight on Raw
-Monday night as well. -[Wade] Wow. What a matchup that was.
-But there is no fun and games… -[Cole] Oh! What a throw.
[Wade] …tonight for McIntyre and Sheamus.
Tag his ass.
McIntyre said, "Listen, The Bloodline keeps getting stronger and stronger."
"It's going to take a group effort."
"We've all got to team together to try to knock out The Bloodline."
McIntyre now as Jimmy, or I should say Jey, "Main Event" Jey Uso,
comes in off the tag.
[Wade] Talk about him getting stronger and stronger.
McIntyre returned from his layoff last week to save Sheamus
from the hands of Solo Sikoa,
about to get the Matt Riddle treatment with that chair around his neck.
[Cole] Clothesline by McIntyre.
The focused 6'5" "Scottish Warrior," Drew McIntyre,
[Wade] 280 pounds.
This is the biggest McIntyre has ever been,
and doesn't Jey Uso know it, now Jimmy too.
[Cole] Oh, and a Samoan Drop.
Usos, so dangerous.
Cover, hook of the leg, and a kickout by McIntyre.
Perhaps the greatest tag team of all time.
[Wade] Perhaps? Come on, Cole. Wash your mouth out.
Absolute nonsense.
Clear, undisputed greatest tag team of all time
by virtue of the record they carry.
[Cole] And remember, Roman Reigns,
the Undisputed Champion, The Head of the Table,
The Tribal Chief looking on,
watching this matchup with his special counsel, Paul Heyman,
and, of course, Sami Zayn, back in the locker room,
as The Usos defend the titles.
[Wade] Roman Reigns has to be liking what he's seeing so far.
[Cole] And there they are. Speak of the devil.
-Right. -[Cole] Roman looking on.
Roman apologizing earlier on to Sami Zayn,
telling Sami he was sorry that he blew his top,
lost his temper earlier tonight.
It's not about Sami, it's about Kevin Owens.
[indistinct shouts]
[Cole] And he gave Sami Zayn the opportunity next week
to correct the KO problem.
Cheap shot by Jey.
As Sami and Kevin Owens have been made official now…
will go one-on-one on SmackDown next week.
[Wade] That is a match Sami Zayn will be losing sleep about.
You cannot lose if you're Sami Zayn against KO next week.
[Cole] But give Kevin Owens credit, Wade.
He picked his spot tonight.
Roman was emotional.
He was in a state we haven't seen him in about two years.
Kevin Owens came out and he forced the hand of The Tribal Chief
and got a championship match of his own
at the Royal Rumble in three weeks.
Oh, and Jey just taking down McIntyre.
The Usos, so damn impressive.
Here we go.
Again, looking over the shoulder of Solo Sikoa.
Tag made. Here's Jey.
[Wade] Never out of their depth are The Usos.
That is the most impressive aspect of this reign.
Never once have they been underwater.
[Cole] And the thing is, is they control the pace, almost constantly,
as McIntyre tries to fight out of this and drops down to the floor.
Oh, and he runs into a clothesline as he delivers it to Jimmy Uso.
And now Jey.
McIntyre driven into the barricade.
Can Sheamus and Drew end the historic reign of The Usos on SmackDown?
-[crowd yelling] -[shouts indistinctly]
[Cole] Friday Night SmackDown here in Memphis.
Tag Team Championship match.
Sheamus and McIntyre rallying against The Usos,
who have their Tag Team Titles on the line.
Sheamus looking to put away The Usos…
with "10 Beats of the Bodhrán."
[crowd cheering]
[crowd] One, two, three four,
five, six, seven, eight,
nine, ten,
11, 12, 13, 14,
15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20!
[Cole] 20 Beats of the Bodhrán.
The Usos' 537-day reign in trouble.
-[speaks indistinctly] -[Cole] That's Sami.
-Heyman. -Come on.
[Cole] Cover in the ring by Sheamus for the win, and a kickout at two.
[Wade] Roman Reigns don't eat popcorn.
[Cole] Again, this matchup for the Tag Team Titles.
Sheamus almost putting Jey Uso away.
Tag made, Jimmy's legal.
And a kick right to the face of Sheamus.
Now Jey with a superkick.
Going up to that top rope, Jimmy Uso.
Uso Splash connecting to retain.
Hook of the leg, Sheamus kicks at two.
[Wade] A late, late kickout, Cole.
Man, things started off badly tonight for The Bloodline,
but things were almost, almost pacified right there.
[Cole] The first SmackDown of 2023 jam-packed.
FedExForum on Beale Street in Memphis.
Trending number one in the United States on Twitter:
Friday Night SmackDown.
And the Tag Team Championship
between The Usos and Sheamus and McIntyre.
Now it's Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso up in the opposite corners.
McIntyre and Sheamus.
Now Sheamus, gonna climb up to the second rope.
McIntyre's already there.
Usos are in trouble.
[crowd cheers]
How about double White Noise?
-Cover to win the championship. -One, two…
-Kickout at two by Jey Uso. -[crowd cheers]
[Wade] 99.9% of tag teams get put away right there,
but not the greatest tag team of all time, The Usos.
[Cole] The normally stoic Solo Sikoa looking on.
You can almost feel the angst in his body
as he watches his brothers, Jimmy and Jey Uso,
defend the Tag Team Titles.
[Wade] Solo Sikoa ain't happy unless he's the one in the ring duking it out.
[Cole] Jey Uso went for the kick, caught him on the other side.
And in the corner, tag made by McIntyre.
Drew is legal. Jey Uso realizes it now.
There's the neckbreaker. Jimmy Uso into the ring as well.
He's going to suffer one of his own.
McIntyre into a kip-up, and McIntyre on fire.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Now that's how a big man flies.
McIntyre over the top rope, wiping out The Usos.
[Wade] 280 pounds of flying Scotch beef.
[crowd shouting] Three! Two! One!
[Cole] Looking for Claymore Country.
-For the championship. -[Wade] This is it.
[Cole] To end the historic reign of The Usos.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Once again, Usos just have impeccable timing.
-[crowd] Two! One! -[Cole] The Claymore by McIntyre.
And it was Jimmy at two and a half, saving the Tag Team Titles.
[Wade] Jimmy Uso, with barely anything in the tank,
let it all out to break up that pin perfectly.
[Cole] What's going through the mind
of "The Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns, who--
What did you say about not eating popcorn?
He's obviously into this matchup,
realizes his cousins, The Usos, could be in trouble.
Sami Zayn, Paul Heyman looking on as well.
[Wade] Can we get popcorn out here, Cole?
[Cole] I don't eat that. Oh!
And shoulder-first into the post goes McIntyre.
Sheamus makes the tag.
[Wade] Probably the freshest man in the match, which doesn't say much.
The Celtic Warrior.
Tag made, Sheamus doesn't realize it.
Jimmy's now the legal man.
Double superkick.
1D!
-One and done. -One! Two!
-No! -[crowd cheers]
McIntyre!
McIntyre saves the match.
[Wade] Man, you cannot get closer to three than Charles Robinson right there.
[Cole] Are you kidding me?
I thought The Usos retained.
[Wade] The whole world did.
A split second away from an Uso retention,
but this matchup and the hopes of McIntyre and Sheamus lives on for now.
[Cole] McIntyre with a Glasgow Kiss.
Solo Sikoa…
catching McIntyre,
and then a Spinning Solo into the barricade.
The official, Charles Robinson, didn't see the attack by Solo.
[Wade] A cheap shot. It was only a matter of time.
Now the brutes are out here.
[Cole] That's Butch.
Butch and Ridge Holland going after Solo Sikoa.
The Brawling Brutes, Sheamus' buddies.
[Wade] Is the damage already done to McIntyre?
[Cole] Knee to the face.
Superkick.
Brogue!
Sheamus crawls to the cover to win the Tag Team Titles,
and Jey Uso… saving his brother and saving the gold.
[Wade] Both Usos a complete mess. Drew McIntyre down and may be out.
Sheamus might have to win this one on his own.
[Cole] Sheamus teetering top rope, comes down on both Usos.
Jimmy into the ring.
Sheamus now looking to put The Usos away.
Kick to the face. Sheamus losing his balance.
Jimmy Uso rolling him up. Jey Uso helping his brother.
-And The Usos win. -[bell rings]
["Done With That" plays]
-[Irvin] Here are your winners… -[shouting]
…and still
the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions,
The Usos!
[Cole] As The Usos celebrate, Sami Zayn celebrating as well.
Next week, arguably the most important match of Sami Zayn's career.
[Wade] If he loses, it might be the final match of his career, Cole.
[Cole] Owens, Zayn,
next week,
live on Friday Night SmackDown.
The Usos, 537 days and counting