[WWE signature intro playing]
[John Cena] Then…
-[Ric Flair] Woo! -[glass shatters]
[The Rock] If you smell!
[Cena] Now…
-♪ The king of kings ♪ -♪ You can't see me ♪
[Cena] Forever…
Together.
["Nobody Better Than Me" by def rebel playing]
♪ Who better than me? ♪
♪ I don't see nobody, I don't see nobody ♪
♪ Who stepping to me? ♪
♪ I don't see nobody, I don't see nobody ♪
♪ Who can tussle with the beast? ♪
♪ I don't see nobody 'Cause there ain't nobody ♪
♪ I say I'm the best 'Cause ain't nobody got me ♪
♪ Running through the ground Like there ain't nobody ♪
♪ Who better than me? ♪
[pyrotechnics rumbling]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] With the Royal Rumble looming in two weeks,
we welcome you to Titletown, Green Bay, Wisconsin,
in the Resch Center,
where Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
is sponsored tonight by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
And tonight, the most important match of Sami Zayn's career.
[Wade] Sami Zayn found himself
in The Bloodline doghouse last week.
His pathway out,
beat Roman Reigns' biggest problem, Kevin Owens, tonight.
It is win at all costs for The Honorary Uce,
or else his future in The Bloodline may be at stake.
["Monster of All Monsters" by def rebel playing]
[Cole] And we kick off Friday Night SmackDown tonight
with a match for the Intercontinental Championship.
[roaring]
[loud bang]
[Cole] Braun Strowman with a big opportunity tonight
to knock off Gunther and win his second Intercontinental Championship.
Wade, Braun is as focused as I've ever seen him.
[Wade] Yeah, absolutely.
And this particular matchup goes back a couple of months.
It goes all the way back to the SmackDown World Cup,
where Imperium caused Strowman's elimination
to the eventual winner, Ricochet.
Imperium clearly wanted Braun out of the way
because the winner got an opportunity at Gunther's championship.
Well now, Braun himself gets that opportunity.
[Cole] Braun Strowman, home field advantage here tonight.
Lives about an hour and a half from Green Bay, Wisconsin,
so excited to have this match on his home turf.
["Prepare to Fight" by def rebel playing]
[Cole] And he is flanked by his Imperium stablemates.
On Gunther's right, Giovanni Vinci.
On his left, Ludwig Kaiser.
Gunther, who has held the Intercontinental Championship
since June 10 for 217 days.
And the question tonight going into this matchup
is, will Braun Strowman's right shoulder be a factor?
I want to take you back to two weeks ago here on Friday Night SmackDown.
Braun Strowman sent into the barricade by Gunther,
and that is where the Intercontinental Champion, Wade,
would focus the attack on the shoulder of the Monster of all Monsters.
[Wade] This, to me, was so smart of Gunther and Imperium.
This collision between these two monsters was inevitable for a long time.
Why not stack the deck in your favor?
Braun Strowman, this past week on media duties,
stating that during that incident,
his shoulder was damn near dislocated.
He's cleared for competition, however.
[bell rings]
The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the Intercontinental Championship!
Introducing the challenger, weighing in at 335 pounds,
Braun Strowman!
And his opponent, representing Imperium.
From Vienna, Austria.
Weighing in at 250 pounds,
he is the Intercontinental Champion, Gunther!
[Cole] And as Gunther prepares for his title defense,
I would like to take a moment to talk about the wrestling boots
that Braun Strowman is wearing tonight,
created with the Green Bay Packers in honor of eight-year-old Jackson Sparks.
Jackson died in the Waukesha, Wisconsin Christmas parade attack
back in 2021.
There, a look at the boots.
Jordan was a huge Braun Strowman fan.
Those boots will be auctioned off
to help raise money for the victims of that tragedy.
So here we go, Wade.
Strowman, Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship.
[Wade] Let's point out that Gunther
sent Kaiser and Vinci to the back moments ago.
Apparently wants to prove a point that he needs no help in defeating the monster.
[Cole] Gunther has had a very solid Intercontinental Championship reign,
-to say the least. -[Wade] Solid?
Come on, it has been spectacular.
He's mown down everybody in his path,
with the one exception being the Monster of all Monsters, Braun Strowman.
[Cole] And a very cautious start here tonight for the champion.
[crowd booing]
Is Gunther concerned about Braun Strowman?
We've seen him try to stay away from the Monster of Monsters
the last few weeks.
[Wade] Well, Gunther's style has always been to physically dominate all opponents,
overpower them, bully smaller Superstars.
Tonight, though, Gunther is completely out of his depth,
competing against the biggest and strongest in WWE.
But fear? Absolutely not. No fear whatsoever.
[Cole] Gunther goes right for the injured right arm and shoulder
of Braun Strowman.
That will be the strategy for the champion tonight.
Strowman-- Oh, my goodness.
And Strowman taking the fight
right outside the ring to the Intercontinental Champion.
However, remember, Gunther has the champion's advantage.
He will only lose the title if Strowman pins or submits him.
Count-outs, disqualifications go the champion's way.
[Wade] Braun has come out of the blocks hot in this one,
perhaps aware that chances like this do not come around often.
[Cole] And Strowman understanding,
and now Braun Strowman going to put the pressure on early,
the Monster of all Monsters.
There's a Strowman express on the tracks,
and Gunther sent over the side of the announce table!
Strowman in control with the Intercontinental title on the line!
In this matchup for the Intercontinental Championship
between the champion Gunther and the challenger, Braun Strowman,
has been fought both outside the ring and inside the ring
during the commercial break.
Both men doing a good job breaking the count
from official Jessika Carr
because Strowman understands he has to pin or submit the champ, Wade,
in order to win the title.
[Wade] Well, this ring ain't big enough to hold these two beasts in there.
But right now, Gunther going straight back
for that previously injured shoulder of Braun Strowman.
We mentioned it earlier. This was the target two weeks ago.
[Cole] Wade, you got to give Gunther credit.
He realized that somewhere,
he was going to have to face Strowman for the championship.
So he struck first, taking out the shoulder a couple of weeks ago.
And now tonight, Strowman with a target on the arm.
[Wade] Well, Gunther hasn't wanted to engage Braun at all until recently
because he's smart enough to realize
that his own skill set doesn't mesh well with that of Braun's.
Styles make fights. Why not avoid a bad matchup if you can?
And Braun's a bad matchup for anyone.
[Cole] Shot by the champion, and that'll bring Strowman to his knees
in the favor of the champion Gunther.
Because Braun goes six-eight, 335.
Gunther's a huge man as well, six-four, 250.
[Wade] Talk about all the plaudits have gone,
but none is greater than his high in-ring IQ,
and he's displaying that for us all right now,
chopping down that monster,
and targeting the one weakness on that body.
[Cole] You take the arm out,
you really take a lot of the power game away from Strowman.
[Wade] Well, this is really the strength of Strowman
versus the skills of Gunther.
Gunther said it himself recently.
"Braun is the strongest man in WWE,
but I am going to expose him as an overgrown meathead
with no skills whatsoever."
[Cole] How good is "The Ring General" Gunther?
Well, back in 2020, CBS said he had the match of the year.
ESPN said that he had the match of 2022,
The Clash at the Castle against Sheamus for the Intercontinental Championship.
That's how good Gunther is inside the ring.
[Wade] Well, if you've never seen Gunther before,
it takes you one match to understand that this guy
is generationally good.
Proves it week in, week out.
[Cole] And when is the last time you've seen the Monster Among Monsters
in this type of predicament?
And again to the injured arm!
[groaning in pain]
[Cole] Cover now by the champion.
Hook of the leg, and Strowman still able to kick at one.
[Wade] How much has this matchup swung
since the beginning where Gunther looked hesitant,
he was backing away,
he was getting outmaneuvered by Braun.
It's done a complete 180, and now we're back to normal service
with Gunther in complete control.
[Cole] And, Wade, you know, the shoulder had to be bothering Braun
coming into this matchup.
You made mention that during a lot of media appearances
over the past week talking about this matchup,
Strowman did say that he-- the injured shoulder was not at 100%.
And trying again, the power of trying to power Gunther up,
and the shoulder gave out.
Strowman not able to do it.
And that's going to be a problem now for the challenger.
[Wade] Strowman's biggest strength is his literal strength,
and it's disappearing before our eyes.
Such is the job that Gunther has done.
[Cole] Great technical prowess for the Intercontinental Champion.
However, as we've learned, he can brawl with the best of them, as well.
[Wade] There's nothing that Gunther can't do.
The man is just a no-frills, dark destroyer.
[Cole] What a chop.
[grunting]
And right back to the shoulder again.
I mean, you're talking about a man in Strowman
who's been a Universal Champion, Wade, an Intercontinental Champion.
He won the Greatest Royal Rumble back in 2018.
In fact, we're in Royal Rumble season.
Braun Strowman is tied with Brock Lesnar
for the most eliminations ever in one match of the Rumble, that's 13.
That is the man that Gunther
is defending his Intercontinental Championship again here tonight.
And Strowman trying to fight back, and another chop by the champion.
And that big clothesline will take the champ down,
and looking to rally now is Strowman.
[Wade] A Louisville Slugger to the jaw did Gunther.
Now that big meat tank of a man is taking control.
[Cole] Into the corner hard.
Back body drop, landed on his knee.
Gunther landed on his knee.
Meanwhile, look at this!
Imperium, who were sent to the back earlier on by Gunther.
Vinci and Kaiser attacking Strowman.
[Wade] Getting wiped out in the process!
[Cole] But you have to imagine that Gunther picked a spot,
feigned an injury, drawing the official,
and allowing Imperium to attack.
But Strowman with a monstrous slam!
Opportunity now for the challenger!
-Into the cover! Is it enough? -One, two…
Gunther at two kicks out.
Our Intercontinental Championship match continues!
The Intercontinental Champion, Gunther,
has been putting on a master class tonight as he defends the championship
against "The Monster of all Monsters" Braun Strowman.
Wade, continuing to work on the previously injured shoulder
and arm of Braun Strowman.
[Wade] Braun Strowman trying his best to power out of that,
but that's a 250-pound Austrian attached to a severely weakened arm of Braun's.
[Cole] And look at the power now of Strowman!
He's got the champion up, and down goes Gunther!
[Wade] Lightweight, baby!
How does he continue to pull this off with that damaged shoulder?
[Cole] And Strowman now buys himself some time
to try to regroup as you look at the incredible strength of the Monster.
[Wade] Absolutely wild to do that at the best of times.
But with the amount of damage sustained by that left shoulder already,
as you see Strowman
desperately trying to shake some feeling back into that limb.
[crowd] Let's go, Strowman!
[Cole] "Let's go Strowman" chants here tonight in Green Bay.
Mentioned earlier, Strowman makes his home about 90 minutes from here.
Chops from Gunther.
Big chop from Strowman.
Gunther waist lock on Strowman, who delivers an elbow to the face.
Oh, big boot from the champion.
[Wade] Going into a complete slugfest at this point.
[Cole] Strowman with a spine buster, into the cover!
Is it enough to win the title? Gunther's got a kick at two and a half.
[Wade] What a matchup we are getting here, Cole.
The deeper this one goes, though, for me, the more it favors Gunther,
completely unsurpassed conditioning.
But with blows like this raining down on him from the Monster,
how much has he got left in the tank?
[Cole] Strowman back to his feet. Realizes this could be his opportunity.
Gunther was stunned by the spinebuster.
The challenger was looking for the Monster Bomb,
and Gunther went right back to work on the injured shoulder.
Oh!
Strowman still on his feet,
runs into a clothesline
does the champion.
[Wade] Braun can barely stand up at this point, though.
On jelly legs, and Gunther, if he can get a string of offense here,
it could be over.
[Cole] Shoulder-first to the turnbuckle,
and there's the dropkick driving Strowman into the corner.
A wicked clothesline, cover by the champion to retain.
Hook to the leg on Braun, who kicks at two.
[Wade] Such a powerful whack of that clothesline.
That could have split the diaphragm of Braun Strowman.
But now we're going up top!
[Cole] With a splash by Gunther. Cover on the challenger for the win.
Strowman kicks out again!
What an effort by Braun Strowman.
[Wade] Frustration etched all over the face of Gunther.
He knows he could have beaten any other member of the roster
five times at this point.
[Cole] The champion again headed up to the top rope.
Braun Strowman's going to meet him there.
And again, big right hand by the challenger.
[Wade] That is a lot of humanity balanced on those ropes, Cole.
[Cole] Yeah, but look at Gunther back to the bad arm,
working on the bad arm again of Strowman.
[Wade] Always thinking, always with a trick up his sleeve.
[Cole] Now, Gunther, with a six-eight Strowman up high.
Cover for the win, stacking up Strowman.
-Gunther with the victory! -[bell rings]
[crowd booing]
[Samantha Irvin] Here is your winner
and still the Intercontinental Champion,
Gunther!
[Cole] Spectacular effort by both of these Superstars here tonight.
But in the end, the Intercontinental Champion retains the title.
[Wade] Unbelievable performance from both men.
And you have to question, what on earth
is it going to take to eventually pry that championship
from the hands of Gunther?
[Cole] Wade, how physical was this match
between Gunther and Strowman?
[Wade] I feel like sitting this close to the action, I've got a few bruises.
The meat train of Braun Strowman
knocking the monstrous Gunther all over the place,
almost decapitating the big Austrian.
[Cole] But in the end, Gunther would put Strowman away,
taking advantage of a bad arm,
delivering a powerbomb, and Gunther, still your Intercontinental Champion.
[Wade] It's a question, who on earth would ever want to step in the ring with Gunther
as his reputation and resume
continues to grow week by week here in WWE,
as high a ceiling as anybody on the roster?
Well, you know, it's been an incredible seven months
as champion for Gunther.
Meanwhile, during that time, Sami Zayn has slowly endeared himself
to Roman Reigns and The Bloodline, or has he?
Here's our Progressive Match Flo.
[announcer] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
[Cole] The Bloodline has been pissed off
since Roman and Sami lost to Cena and Kevin Owens.
Some say we lost. [laughs]
I didn't lose. He lost.
[Cole] Stunner to Sami!
Kevin Owens and Cena win!
[Reigns] Why'd you guarantee a win?
You want to be the Tribal Chief?
Do you think you can do things better than me?
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?
[inaudible]
Do you think you're fit to take on the burden?
[crowd cheering]
[Owens] You've got some misdirected anger going on.
Your problem is not with Sami.
Your problem is with me.
A good way to take care of that title problem
is to do it at the Royal Rumble in a match
for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
Yeah, sure. Whatever. I don't care about you.
The only thing I want is for you to disappear.
Leave forever.
I'll see you at the Royal Rumble.
Look, I have to just say this, okay?
I'm not trying to be the Tribal Chief.
If there's anything that I did, then I am sorry.
[intense music playing]
I don't accept your apology.
As your Tribal Chief, I've got to control my anger.
Nobody deserves to be spoken to like that.
I should be the one apologizing.
I'm sorry, Sami.
It's fine.
You know, you're under a lot of pressure.
KO was right.
I'm not mad at you, but we're going to fix it.
Isn't that right, Wiseman?
He's giving you the opportunity to redeem yourself.
Sami Zayn, The Honorary Uce…
versus Kevin Owens.
I will take care of him for you, Tribal Chief.
[crowd cheering]
Wiseman.
-Hello, schmoolie. -How's it going?
-How are you? -Good.
I just want to get in there and talk strategy with the guys.
-"The guys"? -The match tonight, bro.
I'm the only one here.
-What are you talking about? -That's it.
There's no Usos. There's no Solo. Just me.
I don't understand.
-I talked to them earlier. They… -My sentiments exactly.
Last week, I said to our Tribal Chief, "Oh my God, what a perfect setup."
"Get Sami out in the ring, get Kevin Owens out in the ring."
"Boom, there's The Usos. Boom, there's Solo."
You know what the Tribal Chief said to me? He said, "Wiseman, you're wrong."
"What kind of love would I be showing for Sami if I doubted him?"
"What kind of love would I be showing for, not an Honorary Uce,
but a full-fledged member of the Island of Relevancy
if I didn't let him do this for us on his own?"
So tonight, out of love,
the Tribal Chief wants you to do this all by yourself.
-Can you do me a favor, Paul? -Name it.
Call Roman.
Text him, whatever it is.
You let him know…
he made the right call.
I will handle this. I will solve this problem tonight.
That's why he's in awe of you.
It's not a prediction, Paul.
It's a spoiler.
Huh?
[Cole] Big time pressure on Sami Zayn.
Can he solve the KO problem? Tonight.
["Booyaka 619" by P.O.D. playing]
[Cole] Hey, we're really in playoff season here in WWE
because the Royal Rumble is two weeks away.
You know what that means, the start of the Road to WrestleMania.
[Irvin] Please welcome Rey Mysterio!
[Cole] The Legendary Luchador,
one of the most accomplished performers in the history of the Royal Rumble Match.
He won back in 2006.
And tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
And we are just two weeks from tomorrow,
the Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas.
The Royal Rumble Match, and the start on the Road to WrestleMania.
Everyone's wondering if Rey Mysterio will be a part of the Royal Rumble Match.
He's been a part of over a dozen his entire career.
We can show you this, Wade.
Look at some of the Superstars
who have already declared for the Royal Rumble Match.
[Wade] I already can't pick a winner.
But whoever the winner is will go on to main event WrestleMania
and challenge for the Undisputed WWE Championship,
whoever may be holding that title at the time.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] WWE fans showing their respect for Mysterio here in Green Bay, Wisconsin
as SmackDown trends number one in the United States tonight,
buoyed by that great Intercontinental Championship moments ago
with Gunther and Braun Strowman.
You know, I've always said that the holidays
are very exciting and special to me,
especially when you've been on the road for so many years.
You cherish the time you spend with your family,
especially at Christmas.
But as you all know, I didn't have a very merry Christmas.
Yep, my son, Dominik, tried to ruin things once again.
And now he's walking around like…
like he's a thug.
Like he's some hardened criminal.
Como su padre, me rompe el corazon.
As a father, that breaks my heart.
As a man, well, I'm pretty fed up with his bull [bleep].
[crowd cheering]
I came to SmackDown for a fresh start,
and I'm not going to let Dominik provoke me.
And to prove my point,
I know exactly what I need to do to get right back on track.
And that is by entering and winning the Royal Rumble Match.
[crowd cheering]
["Dead Silent" by def rebel playing]
[Cole] A fired up Mysterio tonight
making that major announcement only to be interrupted, Wade,
by a man who has been stalking him for weeks now.
[Wade] This is the lingering darkness
in Rey Mysterio's professional world.
Put the personal stuff to one side for a second,
because this right here before your eyes is just as bad.
[Cole] Karrion Kross, accompanied by Scarlett.
The harbinger of doom…
many have called him a calculated lunatic,
accompanied…
by his siren of sin, Scarlett.
Well, well, well.
In the flesh, Mr. Rey Mysterio.
El Rey, you know, I was in the back listening to you talking about goals.
And somebody like you, Rey, you need goals.
Otherwise, I don't know how you manage
to peel your old broken ass out of bed every single day.
[crowd booing]
Let's be honest, the years haven't been kind to you,
but I digress.
As you said, the Royal Rumble's coming up,
and we all remember that one time 17 years ago
when Rey Mysterio won the Royal Rumble.
[crowd cheering]
I said 17 years ago, so relax.
[crowd booing]
Now, I'm sure that was a special moment for you, Rey.
But even more so, I'm sure it was a special moment
for your son, Dominik, now, wasn't it?
I mean, think about it. His father's a real life superhero.
He goes out there and wins the big one.
Well, why are you looking at me like that? Oh, I understand.
You don't know if it was a special moment for Dominik because
you were never really around for Dominik
when he was a kid, right?
[crowd booing]
You know what, Scarlett and I were talking,
and now that we're here face to face, I have to ask.
We need to know.
At the end of the day, who do you hate more,
your son, Dominik, for not growing up to be just like you,
or yourself, Rey,
for failing to raise your son to be just like you?
[Cole] Good for Mysterio!
Mysterio had heard enough, being insulted out here by Kross.
[Wade] One cheap shot too many,
but overpowering Karrion Kross is something else.
[Cole] Mysterio fighting through this.
Kross sent into the ropes!
Welcome to Mysterio's world.
Scarlett getting involved!
And Kross able to lock in…
the Kross Jacket on Mysterio
off the distraction by Scarlett.
I've been waiting for this for over ten years to get to you!
And now…
[Wade] Certainly is Friday the 13th for Rey Mysterio.
Welcome to your personal hell.
[Cole] Mysterio came out here tonight
to declare for the Royal Rumble Match in two weeks…
and now he has to deal with Karrion Kross.
Tick tock.
Could time be up…
for that man, Rey Mysterio?
-Liv, girl. -'Sup?
-What are you thinking? -What do you mean?
I mean, I respect fearlessness,
but wanting to enter the Royal Rumble number one,
maybe not the best way to get to WrestleMania.
It's actually the worst idea I've ever heard in my life.
And it really doesn't matter when you come out for the Rumble.
You don't have a chance.
[woman] I wouldn't go that far.
But they do make a good point, Liv.
I mean, don't get me wrong,
you definitely have a fighting spirit to take on 29 other women,
but wouldn't the best strategy be to enter the match last?
For what it's worth,
I just think someone of… your size would have a better chance to succeed.
I'm excited for the Rumble.
This is my first ever Royal Rumble, and I feel like I was built to win this.
Well, for what it's worth, I got my palm read today.
And do you see this line right over here?
Let's have a match tonight.
[speaks Spanish]
I am sick and tired of everyone forgetting
that I am the biggest and the strongest around.
Liv, you're on.
[laughs] Whatever you say.
[Cole] Let's see if we can make that match official,
but not quite sure what's got into Liv.
[Wade] You hear that slap?
["Fighting Spirit" by def rebel with Tian Sha playing]
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first from Chongqing, China, Xia Li.
[Cole] Well, this woman, Xia Li, has a huge chip on her shoulder.
Said she's sick and tired of Superstars showing up here on Friday Night SmackDown
and trying to move ahead of her in line.
One of those, Tegan Nox.
Xia Li tries to take care of Tegan.
It's live next on Friday Night SmackDown.
Royal Rumble is sponsored by Cricket
with fast and powerful nationwide 5G coverage.
You can stress less and smile more.
And by the official WWE 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.
[Irvin] And her opponent from the Welsh Valleys, Tegan Nox!
[Cole] So, Wade, does Xia Li have an argument
saying that a lot of women have come to SmackDown
and passed her by?
[Wade] Well, you know what?
Xia Li was kind of walking on eggshells in her first 12 months
here on SmackDown, trying to please everybody,
trying to smile, trying to shake some hands.
It gets to a point where you realize that gets you nowhere in this industry,
and she has been bypassed by some of the newer females on the roster,
-such as Tegan Nox. -[bell ringing]
This change of attitude, though, I think bodes well for the future of Xia Li.
[Cole] Is that how Wade Barrett--
I should say "Bad News" Barrett was born?
[Wade] You know me. I make friends left, right and center, Mike.
[Cole] Oh, and Tegan with a right hand!
Tegan Nox and Xia Li here on Friday Night SmackDown.
Tegan, of course, from Wales, just north of Cardiff.
Big uppercut dropping Xia Li.
[Wade] Kind of brawling you learn on Caroline Street in Cardiff
on a Friday night.
Been there before, Cole.
[Cole] Tegan said her late grandfather encouraged her to be a Superstar.
Rise the ranks here in WWE as Tegan now goes to climb to the top rope.
[Wade] It's a Welsh firecracker in Tegan Nox,
fights every match like it's her last.
We've spoken before about the knee issue she suffered.
[Cole] Wow!
[Wade] But wow, Xia Li don't care about any of that.
She don't care about any fairy tale.
[Cole] Cover by Xia on Nox. Hook of the leg and a kickout.
Xia Li, however, Wade, has all the tools.
[Wade] Absolutely.
One of the best strikers we've seen in the women's division.
Has been involved in combat sports pretty much
since she was born back in China,
and now she's starting to show some of that aggression here on SmackDown.
Trying to climb that ladder.
[Cole] Got to wonder if both of these Superstars
will be part of the 30-women Royal Rumble Match.
[Wade] When I was a new Superstar,
I could not wait to gain entry into that Royal Rumble.
I'm sure these two are absolutely the same.
[Cole] Two weeks from tomorrow, the Road to WrestleMania begins.
And think about it, Wade.
You win the Royal Rumble, you main event WrestleMania,
battling for a championship,
make your career in that night,
legends born at the Royal Rumble.
[Wade] All the complaints that Xia Li has completely evaporate
if she does, indeed, enter and win the women's Royal Rumble.
Straight in with the biggest opportunity you could imagine.
[Cole] And Xia Li taking out her frustration now on Tegan Nox.
[Wade] Tegan Nox really struggling since that throw from the top rope.
Finally showing a bit of response to this offense from Xia Li.
[Cole] Xia and Tegan exchanging blows.
An important matchup to move up in the SmackDown Women's Division.
Of course, the current, the new champion, Charlotte Flair,
14-time champ will have a target on her back now.
Nice throw by Xia Li.
[Wade] Absolutely.
A lot of women in the locker room licking their chops
at getting their opportunity at Charlotte Flair.
[Cole] We can tell you that Raquel Rodriguez-Liv Morgan match
will be official later on tonight.
Oh!
Liv making the challenge to Raquel
after slapping her across the face a few moments ago.
There it is, the Shining Wizard from Tegan Nox for the win.
[bell ringing]
[Irvin] Here is your winner, Tegan Nox!
[Wade] Massive win there for Tegan Nox,
shaking off whatever ring rust she may have had in the past,
climbing the ladder here in the women's division.
[Cole] She calls it The World's Shiniest Wizard,
and it is effective.
Absolutely, apparently blinded Xia Li with its master class right there, Cole.
Well, switching gears to talk now about the SmackDown Tag Team Division
and how it is heating up here in recent weeks,
I want to take you back
to last week in our main event here on Friday Night SmackDown,
The Usos against Drew McIntyre and Sheamus for the tag team titles.
Solo Sikoa would get involved,
effectively taking Drew out of the matchup.
And then Jimmy and Jey with a little double team action.
The official never saw the assist. The Usos would retain.
But what happened after we went off the airwaves
when McIntyre and Sheamus were still in the ring?
[Wade] McIntyre and Sheamus, despondent after the match.
But this just shocked the world.
The Viking Raiders, apparently on a mission from the gods,
came in and brought hell to Sheamus and McIntyre.
Couple of Ragnaroks for good measure.
Statement made.
[eerie music playing]
Gods speak.
I listen.
-We obey. -We obey.
I have seen two fallen warriors written in the runes,
sentenced to battle.
[sword slicing]
Drew McIntyre.
Sheamus.
-Suffering awaits. -Suffering awaits.
Pearce, Pearce, Pearce, we're going to make your job real easy.
We want the Viking Raiders, and we want them tonight.
Right?
I hear you, big fella.
But those lunatics can wait. I want The Usos now.
My blood is up and ready, yeah?
Their time is gonna come, but the Vikings are up first!
Yeah, I understand where you're coming from.
You're frustrated, but you got to understand.
You got to listen to your elders and betters.
You see, there was an old bull and a young bull
at the top of the hill, yeah?
All right, Yoda, now's not the time for stories.
-Now's the time for fighting! -I'm trying to talk sense into you!
Guys, guys, guys, look, I think I have a solution
that'll make both of you happy.
Next week, I'm starting a tag team tournament
where the winners will face The Usos for the SmackDown Tag Team Champion…
-There you go. -…Championship.
That's great.
Now you're speaking our language.
-You know what I mean? -All right.
We've got ourselves half a solution.
-What about the Viking Raiders? -Well, calm down.
If you'd let me finish, you guys are in the tournament.
And your first-round match next week, you have the Viking Raiders.
Perfect!
And with this tag team tournament, I foresee banger,
-after banger, after banger, -…after banger, after banger…
[both] After banger, after banger!
[Cole] Bray Wyatt is live, next.
♪ Wall to wall And I still ain't sold out ♪
[Cole] We'd like to extend a special thank you
to Hardy for "Sold Out,"
an official theme song of the WWE Royal Rumble.
It's from the album The Mockingbird and the Crow,
available January 20th on Apple Music and Spotify.
The red hot Hardy will perform live
two weeks from tomorrow at the Royal Rumble.
["Shatter" by Code Orange playing]
[rumbling]
♪ 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 ♪
♪ Just a sliver of thought can make ♪
♪ Even a thick head clatter ♪
♪ Disappear without a trace ♪
♪ While the whole world's laughing ♪
♪ But it's only in me ♪
♪ I am the coil, I am the spring ♪
♪ Only in me ♪
♪ I am the ghost in the machine ♪
♪ Only in me ♪
♪ Recount confession, give no release ♪
♪ Only in me ♪
♪ Will your stain ever live to be ♪
♪ Die 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-- ♪ -[music halts]
[Cole] You know, two weeks ago on Friday Night SmackDown,
LA Knight had just challenged Bray Wyatt to a match at the Royal Rumble event
when the mysterious Uncle Howdy would make his way to the ring.
[Wade] And while that menacing apparition of Uncle Howdy was before us,
the question was, what exactly is his intent?
[Cole] Well, his intent was to deliver a Sister Abigail to Bray Wyatt.
[Wade] Chilling statement in the physical form sent to Bray Wyatt,
but perhaps also in mental form, delivered to a petrified LA Knight.
[Cole] Strange times, indeed.
But coming up two weeks from tomorrow, for the first time ever,
the Mountain Dew Pitch Black Match.
It's unique. We've never seen it before.
We don't know what to expect.
All we've been told, there are no rules. Anything goes.
You only win via pinfall or submission.
[crowd cheering]
Green Bay.
We're here.
[laughs] And ain't it wild, man?
Ain't it wild how sometimes we forget who we are?
We forget what it is that made us in the first place.
[laughs]
But all it takes, all it takes is a little push to come along
and send you in the right direction.
And all of a sudden, you understand
all you had to do all along is revel in what you are.
And just like that, man, all of a sudden, it comes back to me.
I remember all the things that I've lost.
I remember that I am the color red
in a world full of black and white…
that I am the eater of worlds.
That I am Uncle Howdy.
I am him.
I am the nagging conscience of a world that has thrown itself away.
Tomorrow, monsters, I am everything.
I am Bray Wyatt!
[crowd cheering]
And I know… I know who I am, man.
But who… who are you?
At the Royal Rumble, it will be my true rebirth,
a baptism in the dark.
And as for you, LA Knight…
know this, son.
When the lights go out…
you… should… run.
Strong statement made by Bray Wyatt.
But someone else looking to make a strong statement of their own
as they prepare to take on their former best friend tonight,
Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens.
Kevin, in a couple of weeks at the Royal Rumble,
you'll have the opportunity to…
Are you happy?
Are you happy about all of this?
You happy about what you're making me do tonight?
You know, you couldn't just leave it alone.
You couldn't just leave me on SmackDown to do my thing with The Bloodline.
-You couldn't just stay on Raw, and… -I was on Raw.
What I'm making you do? I was on Raw.
The Bloodline came to Raw every week running their mouth,
and then I decided I was going to take The Bloodline out piece by piece.
If you happen to be one of those pieces, that's your decision, okay?
Did I ask for this match tonight? No.
Did I ask for the tag match with Cena? No.
You know who did? Roman Reigns.
He's the one putting you in these situations
because he's using you so he doesn't have to come to work ever.
This song and dance again?
When are you going to get it through your head?
I'm not being used, Kevin.
All right?
How many times you got to see Roman hug me in the middle of the ring?
How many times you got to see me and The Bloodline
getting along for months and months?
You just don't understand. This is family.
And it doesn't even matter because now I have to take care of business.
And I am proud to handle that business tonight.
-Good for you. -Yeah, good for me.
-I'll see you out there. -Good luck.
[Cole] We mentioned earlier, a ton of pressure on Sami Zayn
doing Roman Reigns' bidding in our main event later on tonight.
-["Liv Gone Mad" by def rebel playing] -♪ Watch me ♪
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first from Elmwood Park, New Jersey,
Liv Morgan!
[Cole] Liv Morgan is in action here tonight
on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox sponsored by Progressive.
You got to give Liv credit.
She wants to enter the Royal Rumble Match at number one,
and then she stepped up and slapped Raquel Rodriguez.
Liv and Raquel go one on one live,
next on Friday Night SmackDown.
Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is in Titletown, Green Bay.
We're right across the street from Lambeau Field,
home to Aaron Rodgers and the Packers,
the team that knocked off Wade's Bears seemed like every single year.
[Wade] Who doesn't beat the Bears at this point?
Let's be honest. Worst team in football.
♪ Wait a minute, wait a minute ♪
♪ The realest, the hardest By the limit ♪
♪ I said in a minute I'm about to… ♪
Hello, everyone. Welcome back to Friday Night SmackDown.
I'm standing by with Intercontinental Champion Gunther.
And, Gunther, you were successful earlier tonight
in retaining your title against Braun Strowman.
Did that victory give you the momentum needed--
Momentum is essential to success in our great sport.
And Gunther, he set an example of what it means to be a true champion.
Today is a glorious day
because I've overcome my biggest challenge so far.
For the love of our great sport and the honor of this great title,
I've beaten Braun Strowman.
[grunts in pain]
But now it's time to capitalize on that,
and go on to the Royal Rumble,
and throw body after body off our sacred mat
and go on right by the [speaks German]
…to the main event of WrestleMania.
[Cole] So Gunther joins a star-studded field
in the Men's Royal Rumble Match.
We also know this woman, Liv Morgan,
the former SmackDown Women's Champion,
is also part of the Women's Royal Rumble Match two weeks from tomorrow.
["Trap Queen" by def rebel playing]
[Irvin] And her opponent, from Rio Grande Valley, Texas,
Raquel Rodriguez!
[Cole] Raquel Rodriguez will be entering her first ever
Royal Rumble Match in two weeks in her home state of Texas,
of course, the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Raquel said earlier tonight, Wade, that she is built to win this.
A star-studded field developing for the Women's Royal Rumble,
and the start of the Road to WrestleMania.
[Wade] I think my pick is already in for the Women's Royal Rumble Match.
It is that lady right there, Raquel,
the biggest, strongest,
most dominating force in the women's division.
She's coming for the big one in two weeks from tomorrow.
[Cole] Remember, in the Royal Rumble Match,
it's every woman for themselves.
-Thirty women will enter. -[bell rings]
Over the top rope, both feet hitting the floor,
you are eliminated.
The last woman standing main events WrestleMania
for the championship of her choosing.
Raquel showing off her power and strength here.
Oh, what a boot.
You know, for Liv Morgan over the years, Wade,
she'll be entering her sixth Royal Rumble Match.
It has been really feast or famine. Liv's going over the top.
She'd be eliminated if that was the Royal Rumble.
[Wade] That would be out right there. You're absolutely right, Cole.
[Cole] In 2019, Liv Morgan set a record.
She was eliminated in eight seconds.
That's the fastest elimination in Royal Rumble history.
However, last year, Liv Morgan lasted nearly 40 minutes
in the Royal Rumble Match, proving that she can win this thing.
And Morgan sending Raquel into the corner.
[Wade] Well, listen, Cole, there was a leopard on the loose in Dallas Zoo today,
but we have an absolute nutcase on the loose here in Green Bay.
Not only did Liv…
[Cole] Cover by Raquel, and a kickout at two and a half.
[Wade] Not only did Liv Morgan slap the biggest, strongest woman
in the locker room in Raquel,
she also said she wanted to enter at number one
in the Women's Royal Rumble Match.
You got to be out of your damn mind, Michael Cole.
-[Cole] What was it, a leopard? -[Wade] A leopard, yeah.
-I think they caught it. -Awesome.
And now Morgan trying to fight out of this.
Raquel gets hung up on the top rope, and now Morgan with an opportunity
to do what she may be able to do at the Rumble in two weeks,
and that is try to eliminate Raquel over the top rope.
[Wade] Not today, Liv.
Look, size is a massive advantage in the Royal Rumble Match.
The bigger they are, the harder it is to throw them over the top rope,
as Liv Morgan just demonstrated.
[Cole] Well, and that's the reason that Braun Strowman, Brock Lesnar
hold the record for most eliminations in one single Rumble match at 13 each.
Again, power, brawn, strength come into play in your favor
in the Royal Rumble.
"The Almighty" Bobby Lashley might be my pick to win the Men's Royal Rumble.
[Cole] Look at Morgan, though. Morgan snapping.
Raquel can't even figure out what the hell Liv's doing.
[Wade] Liv Morgan is a sadist and a masochist.
[Cole] But again, Wade, it's not unprecedented that smaller individuals
can win the Rumble match.
Rey Mysterio's done it. Shawn Michaels has done it.
[Wade] Shawn Michaels won't appreciate you calling him a smaller individual,
-I'll tell you that. -[Cole] Look at Raquel!
She would have been eliminated if this was the Rumble match!
And Liv Morgan proving that, indeed, Raquel
may be the biggest and the strongest,
but she is not immune to elimination in the Rumble.
-You'll have to come on in here. -Back it up. Let's go.
Come on. Let's go.
[Cole] And now Liv Morgan out to the floor again.
The power of Raquel going to drive Liv-- No, Raquel's is driven into the post!
[Wade] Liv Morgan now doing a nice job
of utilizing Raquel's momentum against her,
once getting her over the top rope.
[Cole] Now into the steps.
And this new attitude paying dividends for Morgan, Wade.
I'm not quite sure how we'd describe it, but she's different.
[Wade] Demented grin on her face
when delivering and receiving pain, it would seem.
[Cole] Not many people who would ever want to enter the Royal Rumble number one,
as we take a look at Raquel being sent into the steel steps.
Brock Lesnar did it a couple years ago,
he wanted to enter number one, but few and far between.
[Wade] Yeah, you need an absolute miracle.
Your best bet, getting entered at number 30 or thereabouts.
Seems that Liv Morgan is now taking this one to the extreme.
[Cole] Morgan pulling out a table.
Liv Morgan, ever since losing the SmackDown Women's Championship,
has been in a much different state of mind, to say the least.
[Wade] I've loved Liv Morgan's turn to the extreme of late.
It's given her a new edge.
This is a completely different Liv Morgan
to the one that we've seen in previous Royal Rumble Matches.
[Cole] Liv back into the ring so she could break the count.
Now setting up the table once again.
Again, this is not an anything-goes match,
so not quite sure what Liv is trying to accomplish here
except to continue to cause damage to Raquel Rodriguez
and show the locker room that she is, indeed, not quite stable.
And Liv now headed up to the top rope,
and Rodriguez rolling out of harm's way,
and back into the ring.
[Wade] Took way too long to get that set up.
[Cole] High risk, and Raquel swatted Morgan away.
[Wade] Just too much time for Raquel
to recover from the beating that she had received.
[Cole] And now Raquel powering Liv up with a Tejana Bomb.
Cover by Rodriguez, stacking up Morgan.
-Raquel with the win. -[bell rings]
[Irvin] Here is your winner, Raquel Rodriguez!
[Cole] Raquel showing she's the biggest and the strongest
as she swats Morgan away.
[Wade] Liv Morgan needs to understand that everybody has their limitations,
and she found hers today in the form of Raquel Rodriguez.
Raquel hitting top form just at the right time ahead
of the Women's Royal Rumble.
But Liv Morgan did show us in that matchup
that you can eliminate anyone at any time.
And remember, the winner of the Royal Rumble Matches
go on to main event WrestleMania.
The winner of the women's match could either pick the Raw Women's Champion
or perhaps the SmackDown Women's Champion to main event WrestleMania with.
In the case of SmackDown, it could be Charlotte Flair.
The 14-time champion last week found herself
in an impromptu match against Sonya Deville.
And this was a competitive battle, Wade.
[Wade] Yeah, real sharp matchup. Didn't see it coming.
Could have caught Charlotte Flair cold. However, no.
As we said, class is permanent.
And once you're in the center of that ring in the Figure-8 Leglock,
it is good night, no matter who you are.
Successful first offense for Charlotte Flair.
…even know why I try with you.
I don't even know why I came in here because you're unreasonable.
I can't even speak to you.
What I am saying, for the fifth time,
is I want a rematch against Charlotte Flair.
I understand. I understand what you're saying.
I just can't give you a rematch. You lost.
-It's not how it works, Sonya. -Oh, really?
You're going to tell me how it works around here?
That's interesting.
Or are you telling me how it works around here for Charlotte Flair.
-Think about this just for a second. -Yeah.
All Charlotte did was exactly what you did.
She walked down to the ring. She called her shot against Ronda Rousey.
You walked down to the ring. You called your shot against Charlotte Flair.
The only difference is Charlotte won and you lost.
You know what's so interesting to me?
How unreasonable you're being with me. Let me guess.
You probably want me to go enter the Royal Rumble
and earn another opportunity by, what,
mulling through 29 other women to get back to Charlotte,
-where I already am? -Yeah.
[sighs]
Adam…
I am going to find a way to make that rematch official.
[clicks tongue]
[Cole] While Sonya contemplates how to do that,
we can tell you in two weeks, Kevin Owens getting Roman Reigns
for the Undisputed Title at the Royal Rumble event.
But tonight, he faces Sami Zayn
as Sami continues his quest to curry favor,
and perhaps become an official part of The Bloodline.
They meet in our main event, live next.
[Ric Flair] Ric Flair was never a character.
It's been my life.
The good…
and the bad.
Fair to say, I'm a complicated man.
He was ahead of his time.
He was very colorful.
Just unbelievably captivating.
The most prolific [bleep] talker.
The greatest world champion of all time.
Willing to do it his way, no matter the consequences.
People were starting to worry about him.
-You're Ric Flair. Are you kidding me? -My dad has to slow down.
How in the hell is he doing this?
It was almost like he wanted to die.
I don't know how he survived.
People keep reminding me that I should be dead. [laughs]
Woo!
[Cole] It's back in the locker room area.
That's Sonya Deville and the SmackDown Women's Champion, Charlotte Flair
in a brawl in the back!
-Come on, back it up! -Get off me!
Come on, hey, hey! You gotta loosen up.
You gotta loosen up. Come on. Hey.
Whoa, hey, come on!
Come on, you can't fight back here.
Leave it. Leave it.
-I didn't start it! -Relax.
-[Cole] Oh!
Come on, come on, come on.
Ladies, ladies, ladies, ladies, come on.
Break it up.
Hey!
Hands up. Hands up.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
Whoa.
[metal clangs]
Keep it back. That's enough. That's enough.
Come on, get it back. Get it back. That's enough.
-I stopped! -It's over, okay?
-That's enough. -It's over.
-You're done. -Stop.
-It's over. Let's get it out. -[screaming]
[Cole] Oh no!
Come on! Come on!
[yelling]
Break it up!
Get her off. Get her off!
[all yelling]
-Get off me! -Take it easy!
[shouting]
Finally some separation between Charlotte and Deville.
[Wade] Well, I'll give Sonya Deville some credit.
She said she was going to get herself a rematch,
and that might well be enough to convince Charlotte Flair
to step back in the ring.
Well, obviously, Sonya Deville will not take no for an answer.
Neither, apparently, will Cody Rhodes,
who last year made the unlikeliest return in WWE history.
[Cody Rhodes] Six full years. I didn't think I was coming back.
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.
It is a perfect alignment of all the stars.
[man] Cody Rhodes suffered a partial pectoral tear.
Then, working out, he tore the pectoral muscle right off the bone.
Having gone this long, I almost felt bulletproof.
I had been doing this since I was 20 years old.
No major injuries.
I was adamant that I perform, that I compete.
These people paid their money, you know?
And I get the chance to do that, so I can't complain.
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.
[Graves] Oh, my God.
[announcer reacting in shock]
[Graves] I can't even fathom.
-Ring the bell! -[bell rings]
[dramatic music playing]
[Rhodes] My chest was heavily damaged. I had a full tear.
It wasn't a matter of sympathy.
It was more of a matter of, is this safe?
Is this… is this cool?
The only thing I really vividly remember from the match
was I hit a springboard cutter…
and I thought I was about to vomit.
Because I had cramped up the attachment
that's on my collarbone that my pec was still attached to.
You don't want to see it, but you can't look away.
I was the car wreck.
[yelling]
[crowd gasps]
[crowd] One, two, three!
-[bell ringing] -[crowd cheering]
[somber music playing]
I have not watched that match back.
It resonates with people and, man, I'm very proud of that.
But I don't think I can ever watch it back because it's a little scary.
I clearly am willing to sacrifice a lot.
The reception was really somber because you knew I needed to go get surgery.
[pensive music playing]
Cody sustained a complete rupture of his pectoralis major on the right side.
I think that there's some nerves on his end.
He's never had a major surgery before.
I hope that this is the worst of it.
[Dugas] Things went better than planned
in that we thought it was a muscular injury,
not a tendon injury, and that's better.
The real meat of this is it has to heal.
[Cody] So I'm lying in a hospital bed,
and the questions start creeping in.
Was the surgery a success?
How long until I'm back?
Will I be as good as I was?
I'm almost ashamed to admit it,
but am I willing to go down the road that's in front of me
to get back to the level that I was at?
I know the work begins now.
[cheering]
["This Is It" def rebel playing]
[Cole] It is time now for our main event.
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Montreal, Quebec, Canada,
weighing in at 212 pounds, Sami Zayn!
[Cole] Paul Heyman told Sami Zayn earlier tonight
that Roman Reigns said that Sami Zayn must do this on his own
for us out of love.
Heyman said "Roman Reigns is in awe of you, Sami Zayn."
Sami said, "The Tribal Chief made the right call."
"That is not a prediction, it's a spoiler."
And tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox in Green Bay
is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
Sami Zayn has called this the most important match of his career.
Can Sami Zayn solve the Kevin Owens problem for Roman Reigns?
Will Sami Zayn finally be able to drop the "honorary" in Honorary Uce?
We'll find out. It's live. It's next on SmackDown.
Tick tock. Time is running out for Rey Mysterio.
He will clash with Karrion Kross two weeks from tonight,
the night before the Royal Rumble here on SmackDown.
[Wade] KO and Roman Reigns go one-on-one
for the Undisputed WWE Title at the Royal Rumble.
But next week on SmackDown live from Detroit,
we'll make it official with a face-to-face contract signing.
Expect fireworks.
[Cole] I'm sure nothing will happen there.
And also, we know The Usos will face The Judgment Day at some point
for the Raw tag team titles.
But who will challenge The Usos for the SmackDown tag team title?
The tournament starts next week.
McIntyre and Sheamus look for payback
against the Viking Raiders in Detroit on SmackDown.
Meanwhile, most important match of his career.
That's what Sami Zayn has told us.
He takes on his former best friend, Kevin Owens.
Looks to once again endear himself to Roman Reigns and The Bloodline tonight.
-["Fight" by CFO$ playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Irvin] And his opponent, from Marieville, Quebec, Canada,
weighing in at 266 pounds,
Kevin Owens!
[Cole] Kevin Owens, what a coup he pulled off last week.
He picked his spot.
He preyed on the emotions of Roman Reigns,
who was in the ring, losing his temper, berating Sami Zayn.
Kevin Owens got Roman Reigns to agree, in the heat of the moment,
to defend the Undisputed Championship against him
two weeks from tomorrow at the Royal Rumble event,
Owens with an opportunity to finally win the gold.
[Wade] Kinda gotta get to the Royal Rumble first, though, hasn't he?
Kevin Owens, burning the candle at both ends lately.
Took on the new "Wrestling God" Corbin on f, beating him.
And then now he's got his hands full with "The Honorary Uce" Sami Zayn.
[Cole] Owens has been a Universal Champion before.
He had a great rivalry with Roman Reigns a couple of years ago.
Controversial endings to the matchups.
Looks to right the wrongs, in his word, at the Rumble in two weeks.
[inaudible]
Two-plus decades of friendship.
Sami Zayn will throw that away
as he tries to again endear himself to The Bloodline tonight.
How about Roman Reigns last week, lashing out at Sami Zayn,
blaming him for the loss against Kevin Owens and John Cena?
And boy, did Roman Reigns' tone change
when he found out that he had to face Kevin Owens,
that he agreed to that matchup at the Royal Rumble.
All of a sudden, Roman's in the back of the locker room.
And what's he doing? He's apologizing to Sami
because he needs Sami to do his dirty work here tonight against Owens.
[Wade] Man, you're drinking the Kevin Owens Kool-Aid, aren't you?
All right, Kevin Owens has had issues
with Sami Zayn and The Bloodline from day one,
and he wants to be the reason that it all blows up in Sami Zayn's face.
[Cole] Kevin Owens taking the fight to Zayn.
Kevin Owens, very… Oh!
…bluntly told Zayn earlier tonight, "The Bloodline is using you."
Sami Zayn said, "I'm not being used."
"This is family, something you wouldn't understand, Kevin."
[Wade] Twenty years of friendship, blah, blah, blah.
Wrestling in bingo halls that nobody cares about anyway.
-Sami Zayn has-- -[Cole] Oh!
[Wade] Sami Zayn has grown up and moved on.
KO needs to, as well.
[Cole] Take another look at Sami Zayn
putting it all on the line here tonight.
Again, months and months of this,
Sami Zayn kissing up to Roman Reigns,
begging for Roman Reigns' appreciation, for Roman Reigns to accept him,
for Roman Reigns to bring him into The Bloodline.
And yet, after all of that, "honorary" is still in front of Sami Zayn's name.
[Wade] Because good pickles take time, Michael Cole.
[Cole] Kevin Owens unloading on Sami.
You know it's gotta kill KO to have to do this
after everything he and Sami have been through.
[Wade] It kills me having to listen to you
because Sami Zayn's career has never been hotter than it is right here, right now.
Why is that? It's thanks to The Bloodline, and it's thanks to Roman Reigns.
So start showing just a smidgen of appreciation.
[Cole] That's a way to look at it.
Sami Zayn with a shot to the face of Kevin Owens,
and Sami Zayn with Owens on the apron.
Oh my goodness, dropping Owens on the back of his neck.
Zayn in control on SmackDown.
We are jam-packed to the rafters here tonight in Green Bay, Wisconsin
for Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
Sami Zayn has called it the most important match of his career.
Take out Kevin Owens.
Solve the Kevin Owens problem
before Roman Reigns defends the championship against KO
two weeks from tomorrow at the Rumble.
[Wade] Bloodline simply do not lose.
Roman x-number 100 days as the WWE Universal Champion,
Usos' record-breaking tag reign,
Solo Sikoa undefeated since arriving at SmackDown.
[Cole] You notice none of them are here.
Cover by Sami Zayn. Hook of the leg.
That is because Paul Heyman told Roman Reigns--
Another cover by Sami Zayn…
[Wade] Because Sami Zayn has to prove he can do it on his own.
[Cole] That's what Heyman told Sami Zayn, as Kevin Owens now.
[Wade] That's great leadership.
Roman isn't asking anything from Sami Zayn that he can't do himself.
[Cole] Or perhaps he can't do it himself.
That's why he has Sami Zayn doing his dirty work.
-Ever think of that? -[Wade] Nonsense.
You're gonna have to prove yourself as a gold star in The Bloodline.
You have to make the grade.
[Cole] And it's sad to see Sami Zayn,
very proud of what he's accomplished in his career,
have to get to this point where he's been groveling for months
for the acceptance of Roman Reigns and The Bloodline.
[Wade] You want to know the dirty truth?
Every single Superstar in the locker room
would love to switch places with Sami Zayn
and be able to grovel at the feet of the Tribal Chief
if they even got a hint of a chance of being
able to join The Bloodline.
[Cole] You're wrong because Kevin Owens would never do that.
[Wade] Okay, one exception. Hang on a sec.
Maybe he says that, but if he ever got the opportunity,
he might change his tune.
[Cole] Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, battling it out.
Sami Zayn has been dominating much of this matchup,
especially after dropping Kevin Owens on the back of his neck
on the apron before the commercial break.
KO, though, The Prizefighter, trying to fight back.
He understands what's at stake in two weeks at the Rumble.
You win that match,
you stop the record-setting reign of Roman Reigns,
you main event WrestleMania as the champion, perhaps.
[Wade] Sami Zayn has to have the match of his life tonight
against his all-time number one opponent.
He knows the stakes.
He knows that he is staring down the barrel of oblivion
if he does not pull off victory tonight.
[Cole] Sami Zayn looked like he was going to go for a superplex.
Kevin able to block.
Now off the headbutt, Kevin Owens going up to the top rope.
Kevin Owens going to fly with a splash to Zayn.
Can Owens capitalize? Cover on Sami.
Hook of the leg, kickout at two.
And if you're Sami Zayn, what's going through your mind there,
realizing, "Oh my, I almost lost."
What's Roman Reigns thinking as Owens delivers the splash?
[Wade] Potentially it was your intestines going through your mind at that point,
as the full weight of Kevin Owens hanging in the air
before coming crashing down on the sternum of Sami Zayn.
[Cole] So let me ask you point blank. Zayn wins tonight, is he in The Bloodline?
[Wade] Look, far be it from me
to second-guess the movements of the Tribal Chief,
but I'll say he will be at least one step closer
to being an official Bloodline member should he pull off victory.
[Cole] And pop-up powerbomb. Sami Zayn able to avoid,
and now Sami turns it into a Blue Thunder Bomb!
Cover on Owens for the win. Kickout by KO.
What if Zayn loses tonight?
[Wade] It doesn't bear thinking about,
and I'll go as far as this.
If KO wants to insist that he is a friend of Sami Zayn,
he needs to lie there and lose this match
for his apparent friend of 20 years.
[Cole] Will you listen to yourself? Like, seriously.
[Wade] I'm a great commentator, Cole. You should start listening too.
Teach you a trick or two.
[Cole] The intensity, the anger boiling over now
between Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
So much at stake here tonight.
[Wade] KO loves nothing more than a brawl, no hold--
[Cole] Oh, an exploder, dropping Kevin Owens on his face,
who pops into a clothesline!
Both men are down!
High stakes, high pressure here on SmackDown.
What a match this has been here on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn.
Zayn trying to once again prove himself to Roman Reigns and The Bloodline.
Kevin Owens looking to quell that momentum
and prepare himself for Reigns at the Rumble.
Owens top rope, Swanton, knees up by Sami.
Cover for the win, to prove to The Bloodline he can do it.
And a kickout at two.
[Wade] Oh man, these two blowing the roof off this building in Green Bay.
I mean, it'll be no solace to Sami Zayn if he doesn't pull off the victory.
[Cole] This was during the commercial break.
Sami Zayn with a tornado DDT, almost had Kevin Owens.
Sami could not believe that KO kicked out, and the match continues.
Zayn and Owens back and forth here on SmackDown.
[Wade] Both men have been battered from pillar to post.
Now this.
The question is, who wants it more at this stage?
For me, that has to be Sami Zayn, and it is win or out.
[crowd] This is awesome!
[Cole] A "This is awesome" chant here in Green Bay,
which is jam-packed tonight for Friday Night SmackDown.
Kevin Owens has so much at stake too,
to continue to build momentum, to try to divide The Bloodline
as he heads into the Undisputed Championship Match with Roman
in two weeks.
Kevin Owens hooks the leg. Oh, my goodness!
Brainbuster by Owens off the ropes!
[Wade] Sami Zayn's entire frame
contorted at a horrible angle on that landing.
Too much taken out of KO to pull out a quick pin, though.
[Cole] Critical cover now. Cover.
Two-count kickout at the last minute for Sami Zayn.
[Wade] And there was barely anything in that kickout at all.
A split second earlier for KO, and this one was over, Cole.
[Cole] Sami Zayn, think about it. He's putting it all on the line.
He's leaving it out out there for The Bloodline and Roman Reigns
who, in this-- in my estimation, and this is my opinion only,
a Bloodline that has been using Sami Zayn for months and months now.
Kevin Owens hammering away on Zayn. Both men back to their feet.
Former best friends now bitter rivals. Again!
An exploder by Sami. Went for the clothesline.
Another one to Owens! How much does Kevin have left?
[Wade] Two horrible high landings
on the back of the neck of Kevin Owens.
Trying to get himself out of Dodge.
Apparently has no idea where he's at.
[Cole] But here's the deal.
Here's the deal. Zayn has set up in the corner.
Kevin Owens doesn't know where he is.
Sami Zayn has Kevin Owens dead to rights!
Sami Zayn could go for the Helluva Kick here!
Meanwhile… what the hell are they doing here?
[bell ringing]
Heyman said The Usos, Solo, The Bloodline, weren't here!
[Wade] It's gotta be part of Roman's master plan
to take out Kevin Owens!
[Cole] Look at Zayn. Zayn can't believe it.
Sami Zayn can't believe that The Bloodline attacked Kevin Owens.
1D!
Sami was out here trying to prove himself to Roman,
and I think in Sami's mind, Wade,
-he had Owens set up for the Helluva Kick. -Come on, man!
[Cole] Perhaps maybe would've won this match.
[Wade] It's not about winning a match, Cole.
It's about the greater good of The Bloodline, and Roman Reigns.
[Cole] Sami Zayn still questioning what has happened here,
and now The Usos clearing out our announce table.
Kevin Owens, at this rate, isn't going to make it to the Rumble.
Kevin Owens trying to fight back, though.
Solo Sikoa now with a spike, and now a kick.
And now The Usos and Solo Sikoa,
again, there's the Samoan Spike by Solo Sikoa to Kevin Owens.
[Wade] Like a pack of wild dogs.
Let's not forget what KO did to The Bloodline with a steel chair
this past Monday on Raw.
[Cole] Kevin Owens gasping for air.
-This is for you! -I'm doing my job!
For The Bloodline!
Tribal Chief sent me to take care of business.
Give me some, dawg.
-Give me some! -You did good.
-Yeah! -You did good.
-Yeah! -You know what I'm saying?
-You did it. -All for you.
You hear that?
[Wade] Sami Zayn was a good soldier tonight, Cole.
[Cole] I guess Sami Zayn is buying into this once again.
-It's easy! -All day!
Come on, baby!
[Cole] I guess if you're fed garbage enough, you're finally gonna eat it.
[Wade] You will regret saying that one, Cole.
[Cole] Solo Sikoa.
Sikoa meanwhile on the barricade.
What the hell? Solo Sikoa! Owens through the table!
[screaming]
Somewhere, the Undisputed Champion Roman Reigns,
has got a massive smile on his face.
Come on, dawg!
[Wade] Called the master plan, and it worked, Michael.
Come on!
Solo!
-Zayn! -Let's go, baby!
[Cole] The Bloodline reigns supreme, standing over a fallen Kevin Owens.
Owens is supposed to show up in Detroit next week
and sign a contract with Roman Reigns for their match at the Rumble.
I'm not sure what state he'll be in after this attack by The Bloodline,
who we were led to believe weren't even here, Wade.
[Wade] There's always a plan when it comes to Roman Reigns and The Bloodline.
And that involved a nasty Samoan Spike, followed by this. Solo Sikoa.
What an asset he is for The Bloodline.
[Cole] The Bloodline did what they're supposed to do.
They backed up the Tribal Chief.
They laid out Kevin Owens here tonight on Friday Night SmackDown. oa.