[WWE intro playing]
[John Cena] Then…
-[Ric Flair] Woo! -[glass shatters]
[The Rock] If you smell…
-[bell tolls] -[Cena] Now…
-♪ The King of Kings ♪ -♪ You can't see me ♪
[Cena] Forever…
Together.
[Wade] Sami Zayn found himself in The Bloodline doghouse.
His pathway out, beat Roman Reigns' biggest problem, Kevin Owens, tonight.
You happy about what you're making me do tonight?
[Owens] Did I ask for this match tonight?
No. You know who did? Roman Reigns.
He's the one putting you in these situations
'cause he's using you.
[Heyman] Tonight out of love,
the Tribal Chief wants you to do this
all by yourself.
[dramatic music playing]
I'm not being used, Kevin.
And it doesn't even matter
'cause now I have to take care of business.
[Cole] Two-plus decades of friendship.
Sami Zayn will throw that away as he tries to again endear himself to The Bloodline.
[Wade] He knows that he is staring down the barrel of oblivion
if he does not pull off victory tonight.
The question is, who wants it more at this stage?
For me, that has to be Sami Zayn.
[Cole] Exploder by Sami.
Sami Zayn has Kevin Owens dead to rights.
[bell rings]
What the hell are they doing here?
Sami was out here trying to prove himself to Roman
and 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.
Hey, I'm doing my job.
-Hey. -For The Bloodline.
Tribal Chief sent me to take care of business.
You did good. You did good.
[Wade] Got to be part of Roman's master plan to take out Kevin Owens.
[Cole] The Bloodline reign supreme.
Standing over a fallen Kevin Owens.
[Cole] And we are live tonight
with Friday Night SmackDown in Detroit, Michigan.
Yeah! Come on.
My dawgs in the house.
That's right.
All The Bloodline all up in it tonight.
-[Jimmy] My dawg. -[Sami] You know what I'm saying?
[crowd cheering]
You know what I mean? You know what I mean?
[laughing, yelling]
-Whoo! -[Jey] Let's go.
Tribal Chief.
[Cole] Roman Reigns is here to sign the contract
with Kevin Owens for their massive championship match
at the Royal Rumble.
["Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
Ladies and gentlemen, you are looking live
at the jam-packed Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
14,239 WWE fans on hand tonight
for Friday Night SmackDown on Fox, which is sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
["Hellfire" by CFO$ plays]
[Wade] Here on SmackDown, it's Fight Night!
[fireworks booming]
[crowd cheering]
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following is a first round matchup
of the SmackDown Tag Team Championship Contender's Tournament!
Introducing first, representing The Brawling Brutes,
from Dublin, Ireland,
weighing in at 267 pounds,
Sheamus!
[Cole] So, Wade, the question at the end of this tournament,
it will be answered.
Who will face The Usos for the SmackDown Tag Titles?
["Gallantry" by CFO$ plays]
[crowd cheering]
[booming]
[Irvin] And his Tag Team partner, from Ayr, Scotland,
weighing in at 275 pounds,
Drew McIntyre!
[Cole] This match is going to be a banger.
[Wade] It always is when the bros are in town, Cole.
[Cole] McIntyre and Sheamus could be considered the favorites
of this Tag Team Contender's Tournament.
[Wade] Six World Championship reigns between them, Michael Cole.
That is the caliber of athletes
that we are looking at in the ring right now.
Someone looking to end The Usos'
now-record reign of 551 days
as SmackDown Tag Champs.
["Vicious (The Viking Raiders)" plays]
[Valhalla] Valhalla is here.
[Irvin] And their opponents, accompanied to the ring by Valhalla,
at a combined weight of 590 pounds,
Erik and Ivar,
The Viking Raiders!
[Cole] And listen, you have to admire the moxie of The Viking Raiders.
Two weeks ago, Drew and Sheamus upset
after the controversial ending to the Tag Team Championship Match
with The Usos.
As soon as SmackDown went off the air, the nasty Viking Raiders would attack.
[Wade] What a mauling it was!
Complete brutality to Drew and Sheamus, weakened after their championship match
against The Usos.
Followed by two Ragnaroks here, Cole,
completely wiping the floor with Drew and Sheamus.
Not something you see particularly often.
[Cole] We'll take a look at the brackets here in a moment for this
SmackDown Tag Team Champion Contender's Tournament.
We can tell you that the winner of this matchup will face
the winner of Hit Row and Los Lotharios later on tonight.
All first-round matches take place here tonight live on SmackDown.
And as the Tag Team Tournament gets underway,
we would like to send out our condolences to the family of Jay Briscoe.
Jay passed away suddenly earlier this week.
He and his brother Mark formed one of wrestling's great tag teams,
and many here in WWE
paying their respects and sending their condolences,
as this matchup gets underway.
[bell rings]
And here we go.
Bell rings, and the tournament underway here on Friday Night SmackDown.
This is going to be a vicious matchup!
[Wade] Yes, undoubtedly.
Two of the favorites it would have to be said for this particular tournament.
Only one of them gets to go through.
Of course, unfortunate in a sense that they meet in round 1.
Not that either team is complaining.
[Cole] Sheamus and Erik land hard over the top rope.
Now, Ivar and Drew McIntyre going at one another.
Oh, and a big score to settle by Sheamus and McIntyre in this match.
[Wade] Undoubtedly, four of the hardest hitters in WWE.
Flesh and bone is going to be the ultimate loser in this one.
[Cole] Sheamus, the 267-pounder, a former five-time Tag Team Champion,
driving Erik into the barricade here outside the ring.
[Wade] You cannot express the level of indignity
that Sheamus and Drew suffered
in that beatdown two weeks ago after their championship loss.
They have been in a frenzy ever since.
[Cole] Sheamus tweeted out that the Vikings invaded Ireland in 841 A.D.
-[crowd cheers] -The Celts never forgot.
Sheamus looking for the 10 Beats of the Bodhrán on Ivar.
[crowd] …four, five, six, seven.
[Wade] And Erik, though, gets involved to stop that.
Erik again sent over the top rope. Sheamus, vicious forearm.
Now it's Erik's turn.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd] One, two, three,
four, five, six,
seven, eight, nine, ten,
11, 12, 13!
[Cole] I told you he'd pay for it.
[Wade] Come on! Stop the match, referee.
[Cole] Why? You're not enjoying this?
[Wade] I'm enjoying it. I'm not too sure Erik and Ivar are.
[Cole] You suffered a few of those.
[Wade] It's the reason I'm retired, Cole.
[Cole] And Sheamus with Erik on his shoulders.
Going to try to climb the ropes here.
[Wade] Sheamus looking possessed, but perhaps a slip
just in the nick of time for The Viking Raiders.
[Cole] And now Ivar getting involved again,
and what a forearm by Erik!
[Wade] I don't know how much Drew and Sheamus buy into this…
[Cole] Oh goodness!
[Wade] …Viking mythology.
But they started off this match going medieval on their Viking asses.
-[Cole] Speaking of-- -[yelling]
The Viking Raiders dominating!
Can Sheamus and Drew somehow get back in this?
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] There are 14,239 WWE fans
jam-packed in the Little Caesars Arena here in Detroit, Michigan,
tonight for Friday Night SmackDown.
And it's all about Tag Team matches tonight.
Viking Raiders cover on Sheamus and a kickout.
All four first-round matches
in the SmackDown Tag Team Championship Contender's Tournament, Wade.
Sheamus and McIntyre against The Raiders tonight.
[Wade] Well, what a way to kick this tournament off.
The Celtic brotherhood of Drew and Sheamus is currently getting messed up
by two belligerent Norse savages.
[Cole] And you brought up a great point during the break, Wade.
Drew McIntyre, who's been involved in some of the physicality in this match,
has never been a legal participant thus far in this matchup.
Sheamus has taken a lot of punishment.
[Wade] Such is the abilities of The Viking Raiders
isolating Sheamus on their side of the ring.
That is the difference between a tag team
with the background of The Viking Raiders
and essentially two singles athletes in Drew and Sheamus
who have come together for this matchup.
[Cole] Looking over the shoulder of Valhalla.
The Viking Raiders, former NXT and Raw Tag Team Champions,
looking to reach the top of the mountain again.
Sheamus with the wicked uppercut, and a straight right hand by Erik.
[Wade] Cleaning the clock of Sheamus,
but Sheamus of course swinging straight back.
[Cole] We promised a fight. This is not disappointing.
Tag to Ivar.
The Viking Raiders, a combined 590 pounds.
[Wade] Just ridiculous athletes for that size.
The way they move defies physics.
[Cole] Oh, and a clubbing cross face and another tag.
Now, the frequent tags by The Viking Raiders
who may have the advantage, Wade, because obviously they tagged
a hell of a lot more than McIntyre and Sheamus have.
[Wade] Drew and Sheamus, they're tight.
They go back a long way, but both are highly volatile.
Just as likely to start smacking each other as their opponent.
[Cole] We saw what they did last week.
The Irish Curse backbreaker by Sheamus
creates some separation, creates some space.
And now can he make the tag to The Scottish Warrior?
Earlier on, bang, a clubbing crossface right across the jaw.
[Wade] That is Sheamus getting a taste of his own medicine
and no doubt he loved it.
Here's McIntyre.
[Cole] McIntyre, 275, taking down Ivar.
The former two-time WWE Champion.
McIntyre's been a Tag Champ in his career on two different occasions.
[Wade] Just unleashing a storm of pent-up rage.
[Cole] What a belly-to-belly throw by McIntyre sending Erik across the ring.
[Wade] Ludicrously strong man is Drew McIntyre,
and don't The Viking Raiders know it?
[Cole] Dual neckbreakers, into the kip-up by McIntyre.
Drew is on fire here tonight.
Ivar backing McIntyre into the corner.
[Wade] Ivar smartly taking the sting out of Drew's offense,
just when Drew was on the floor--
[Cole] Oh! Michinoku Driver by McIntyre.
Cover to advance to the semifinals, and a kickout at two by Ivar.
[Wade] McIntyre might be the only man
on the roster capable of treating Ivar like that.
[Cole] And Ivar still with the wherewithal to kick out again.
Watch the explosiveness of McIntyre.
Turning this around into a Michinoku Driver for the near fall.
One, two…
[Wade] Look of concern etched on Valhalla's face at ringside.
She's the vessel that communicates with the gods.
Passes those communications onto The Viking Raiders.
[Cole] How the hell do you know that? Here's a tag now to Erik.
Don't get into the whole journalist thing.
Erik sent into the corner. Ivar knocking McIntyre down.
Cover now, to advance to the next round of the tournament.
McIntyre kicks at two.
[Wade] You see Erik going to utilize some of those Norse grappling techniques
he calls Glíma,
ancient grappling star coming so close here to putting away McIntyre
with a baseball bat-like clothesline to the jaw.
[Cole] There's nothing traditional
about what The Viking Raiders do in the ring.
Ivar going up to the top rope. McIntyre met him there.
McIntyre up to the second rope. What does he plan to do with Ivar?
[crowd cheers]
Oh, this is not going to be good.
[Wade] Cannot do that with a 300-pound-plus Ivar, surely.
[Cole] Erik going to make sure it doesn't happen.
And now it's McIntyre who finds himself in trouble.
[Wade] Knee completely caught up in that top turnbuckle.
[Cole] Sheamus comes to his aid.
Erik meets him there, though.
Sheamus, White Noise!
McIntyre, tremendous core strength! Ivar goes flying.
McIntyre and Sheamus are back in this.
Who's going to advance in the Tag Team Title Tournament?
Jam-packed here tonight in Detroit for Friday Night SmackDown.
First-round matchup in the Tag Title's Contender Tournament.
It's Viking Raiders and McIntyre and Sheamus.
Man, The Viking Raiders dominating most of this match so far.
[Wade] While Drew and Sheamus
good as their word delivering yet another banger,
but two ferocious vessels carrying out the will of the gods,
clearly getting the upper hand.
Somebody hoping to get an opportunity to stop The Usos'
now-record 551-day reign as SmackDown Tag Champs.
McIntyre looking to build some momentum,
looking for the Future Shock DDT.
-[crowd cheers] -McIntyre, a kip-up again.
Suddenly McIntyre and Sheamus are back in control.
And McIntyre is ready.
[Wade] Things starting to turn south.
[crowd] Three, two, one.
[Cole] Went for the Claymore Kick and ran into a spin kick from Ivar.
[Wade] Incredible reaction stop there from Ivar.
Both men down, desperately needing the tag.
[Cole] Ivar trying to make it to the corner, he does.
He makes a tag to Erik, Sheamus also makes the tag as well.
Sheamus and Erik now are the legal men in this matchup.
Sheamus promised this would be a banger and it has.
[Wade] All four men battered from pillar to post.
Getting into a slugfest is rarely a smart idea, Erik.
[Cole] Sheamus slamming.
[crowd cheers]
And now Sheamus looking to line up Erik to put this match away.
[crowd grunting]
[yelling]
[Cole] Went for the Brogue Kick and Valhalla now makes her presence felt.
Erik tries to take advantage of the distraction.
[Wade] Sheamus has been around the block one too many tights for that.
[Cole] What a throw by Erik. Tag.
Ivar now the legal man.
And now Ivar going up to the top rope.
[Wade] Oh no.
[Cole] The 300-pounder from up top.
Splash to Sheamus.
The cover for the win and to advance in the tournament,
and a kickout at two by Sheamus.
[Wade] How the hell do you kick out of that one, Cole?
[Cole] Ivar's asking himself the same thing.
[Wade] Sheamus getting turned into a human pancake
by a man who has no right whatsoever coming off the top rope.
Well, they didn't build Sheamus like anybody else.
They made him just a little bit tougher.
[Cole] Now, Ivar in off the tag
and the Raiders perhaps look to double-team.
Sheamus does not like to be cornered
and he's gonna try to fight his way out of it.
[Wade] Sheamus takes a back step to nobody.
[referee] Two.
Three.
[Cole] Oh, and a knee to the face.
[Wade] Precision timing.
[Cole] Claymore!
[crowd cheers]
Sheamus and Ivar are legal.
Brogue Kick! Cover.
[crowd] One, two, three.
Sheamus and Drew advance!
-[bell rings] -["Hellfire" by CFO$ plays]
[Irvin] Here are your winners,
the team of Drew McIntyre
and Sheamus!
[Cole] It was as physical, Wade, as we thought it was going to be,
but in the end, Sheamus and McIntyre
move a step closer to another opportunity at the Tag Team titles.
[Wade] I'm not surprised. Nobody in that matchup
is even capable of standing up after the hellacious beatdown.
It all started with this, Cole.
[Cole] Sheamus with a knee to the face.
Drew McIntyre would deliver a Claymore,
and Sheamus would turn his focus once again
to Ivar with a Brogue Kick.
[Wade] With a volley of offense like that, there might be no stopping
Drew and Sheamus in this tournament.
[Cole] We'll take a look now at the updated brackets again.
All first-round matchups will take place tonight.
McIntyre and Sheamus left-hand part of your screen have advanced.
They'll take on the winner of the Los Lotharios-Hit Row match,
coming up later on tonight.
And if you're The Usos, Wade,
I think if there's one team you don't want to face,
it's McIntyre and Sheamus again.
[Wade] They beat 'em two weeks ago, but they needed a lot of help.
Next time, it might be very different.
Private jet, five-star transportation.
[Sami] Hey, I'm sorry to interrupt.
Roman, do you have a quick second to talk?
Sit.
Okay, well, look, I know tonight's a big night for The Bloodline
and it's supposed to be a great night.
I couldn't help but notice that the greeting in the parking lot
felt a little… frosty.
I just want to make sure everything's cool, 'cause…
All right? Everything's cool?
Sami, I saw how you looked last week.
And I know you're trying to cover up everything tonight.
So, why don't you just give it to me straight?
Tell the truth. What's going on?
Everything's fine, really.
No. Tell me the truth.
Okay. Well, look, if I'm being honest,
yeah, I was a little disappointed last week.
You know, I-- I felt a big privilege that you put me in this position
to be able to take care of this Kevin Owens problem.
And I take a lot of pride in that
and being able to carry my weight for this family.
And I-- I was just about to put him away and…
I just didn't know The Usos were going to be coming out there.
I didn't know the plan.
So, yeah, I felt a little… I don't know, slighted?
You know, Kevin Owens keeps saying how I'm being used, being used.
And I don't know for a split second…
I-- I don't know. It's all fine.
Get out.
What?
I'm not gonna do this every single week.
I don't want to hear his… Just get out.
Get out.
[stammers]
It blows my mind.
The Tribal Chief has got to run his game plan by the Honorary Uce.
When did this start?
When do I have to ask you for your approval?
Just get out. Why don't you go find Kevin, huh?
Why don't you go find your own bloodline or something?
Stop using me, man. Just go. Get out of here, man.
Wiseman?
Yes, my Tribal Chief.
[muttering] It's the big door, you'll find it right there.
[crowd cheers]
["Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
[Cole] Roman is supposed to sign a contract with Kevin Owens tonight.
Nonetheless, just a week before the Mountain Dew Pitch Black Match
at the Royal Rumble, LA Knight
is live in action next on SmackDown.
[Wade] Hey, Cole, it has been a great night so far
in the Motor City at Little Caesars Arena,
home of the Tigers, the Lions, the Pistons and tonight SmackDown.
One of my favorite cities in the US.
[Cole] And everybody is getting ready for next week's Royal Rumble Match.
Everything is bigger in my home state of Texas.
And in San Antonio, at my first ever Royal Rumble,
I plan on making it the biggest moment of my career.
I am counting down the days, the minutes,
the seconds until I rush to that ring…
[speaking Spanish] …en frente de mi familia, mis amigos, mis Tejanos…
[in English] …and earn my way to WrestleMania.
[Cole] And will it be a memorable homecoming for Raquel Rodriguez?
Over 30 family members will watch Raquel be one of 29 women
looking to make history, change the course of not only their career
but their lives in winning the Royal Rumble match
and main eventing for a world title at WrestleMania.
["Welcome to LA" by def rebel plays]
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following content is scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring, from Los Angeles, California,
weighing in at 240 pounds, LA Knight.
[Cole] Now, listen.
A week from tomorrow, of course,
the Royal Rumble event at the Alamodome in San Antonio,
and for the first time ever,
we have a Mountain Dew Pitch Black Match where this man,
LA Knight, will take on Bray Wyatt.
Now, it's unique. We've never seen this match before.
We have no idea what the rules are.
All we can tell you is anything goes and you win via pinfall or submission.
Wade, Bray Wyatt has been desperately trying to avoid falling back
into what he used to be in the past.
Is he failing? We'll find out at the Rumble.
Let me talk to you.
[crowd cheers]
Can someone help Bray Wyatt figure out
what the hell is going on?
[crowd cheers]
One week, he's not Uncle Howdy.
The next week, "I am Uncle Howdy. I am him." Huh?
Then this lunatic asks LA Knight, "Who are you?"
I can tell you exactly who I am.
One name says it all with everybody saying LA Knight.
Yeah.
And what that means is I'm the guy at Royal Rumble
who's going to make you think to yourself that, "Maybe I shouldn't have come back."
"Maybe I should have stayed away."
"After all, it is LA Knight's game."
Because while you've been living check to check on past glory,
walk on into the LA Knight bank and find out those checks they were trash,
because whether it's pitch black,
whether it's broad daylight at Royal Rumble,
I will off you on switch just like that.
And that's not an insult. That is just a fact of life.
-Yeah! -[crowd cheers]
Shut up.
[Cole] Well, good luck, Brent Jones, the opponent tonight for LA Knight
in this matchup as Knight prepares for Bray Wyatt a week from Saturday.
[Wade] That has to be the most intense look in the eye
of LA Knight that I've ever seen.
Forget the words he--
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] The mind games continue.
[Wade] LA Knight--
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Trying to refocus. And Jones taking advantage.
[Wade] Oh, this would be a shocker of all time, Cole.
-[Cole] Well. -[Wade] That didn't last long. Huh?
[Cole] Not at all. Big clothesline by LA Knight.
Bray Wyatt's first match in… Oh.
[Wade] BFT.
[Cole] WWE will be at the Royal Rumble. Off the Blunt Force Trauma.
A win for LA Knight.
[Irvin] Here is your winner, LA Knight!
["Good Friendship" by Wickalina Mirela plays]
♪ We're really glad That you're our friend ♪
♪ And this is a friendship That will never ever end ♪
[music distorts, slows]
[coughs]
[oinking]
Oh, dude, we're back.
[crowd cheers]
[hammering]
[Bray] Yes!
I can see you.
Welcome back to the Firefly Funhouse!
[crowd cheers]
[laughs]
Pardon the dust. It's been a while.
There's a mess all over the place.
We're working on that.
[laughter]
I have seriously missed you so much.
And I cannot wait to have lots of fun here
with my friends once again.
[laughs]
Hey, dude. Let me talk to you. LA Knight seems super cool.
Can we invite him to the Funhouse to be our friend?
Rabbit.
Yes?
Shut the [bleep] up.
Dude, I'm really, really worried about that Pitch Black Match at the Rumble.
Hey, dude, LA Knight is cool with me, man.
He's like The Miz but with muscles.
Plus I'm scared of the dark.
[kids] Aww!
[laughs] I love the dark chocolate.
Ist wunderbar. Yum, yum, yum!
[laughter]
You know, I was thinking to myself, like, "What kind of deranged Woodstock
damaged ding-dong names their son Los Angeles Knight?" [laughs]
He never had a chance.
[laughs]
[mumbles]
Let me holler at you, player.
[light music playing]
It's actually normal that you're afraid of the dark, you know?
Because in the dark,
that's where things like to hide under your bed
and come out when you're sleeping.
Things that want to… eat you!
[laughs]
Now that I think about it, you should be scared of the dark.
[twinkling]
[distorted static crackling]
[maniacal laughter]
[eerie music playing]
I told-- told you so.
I told you-- I told you so.
I told you so. I told you so.
I told you so.
All you needed…
All you needed was a little push.
I hope you're satisfied.
I hope you understand…
you are the one that opened the door,
and now whatever comes through it is your problem.
See you at the Royal Rumble.
Bye!
[laughs] Have a nice day.
It was a pleasure. I missed you guys so much.
Bye.
♪ We're really glad That you're our friend ♪
♪ And this is a friendship That will never ever end ♪
[Cole] Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored tonight
by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
Another first-round matchup in the SmackDown
Tag Team Championship Contender's Tournament.
Los Lotharios, Angel, and Humberto in the ring.
They will take on Hit Row.
That is a Top Dolla dressed like Mr. Wrestling in the '70s.
And Ashante "Thee" Adonis accompanied by B-Fab.
[Wade] Yes, indeed Top Dolla still upset that he's not in the Royal Rumble matchup
a week from tomorrow.
[Cole] Why would he be upset?
-[Wade] He's been in the lab. -[Cole] He lost to Ricochet.
[Wade] He's been in the lab with a pen and a pad
and dropped a diss track on Braun Strowman and Ricochet,
who took Top Dolla's spot in the Royal Rumble.
You can track that down on social media.
[Cole] Was that just your attempt at a rhyme?
[Wade] It wasn't my attempt. I think it was Dr. Dre's attempt.
Stealing from the best.
[Cole] So the winner of this matchup will take on McIntyre and Sheamus
who knocked off The Viking Raiders earlier tonight
here on Friday Night SmackDown.
-[Wade] Are you dissing Dr. Dre? -[Cole] No, not at all.
[Wade] Have you ever been heard of him, Cole?
Are you familiar with Dr. Dre?
[Cole] I am. I have his headphones.
Nonetheless, things will start off tonight.
That'll be Humberto starting things off
with Los Lotharios against Ashante "Thee" Adonis.
Interesting matchup, because I really don't know
who you pick to win here.
-Both are teams evenly matched. -[Wade] Yeah.
Unusual clash of style, the lucha libre style of the Lotharios,
and of course, I don't know how you describe
the style of Hit Row, but Ashante "Thee" Adonis
certainly the high-flyer of the group.
They've established that, Cole.
[Cole] I don't think you'd ever call Hit Row high-flyers.
Here's the double-team now, oh, by Los Lotharios.
Very talented tag team.
Cover now by Angel and a kickout by Ashante.
[Wade] Couple of lover boys who'd love to get their hands on gold.
Do you know how much easier
it is to get dates when you're a champion in WWE?
[Cole] Standing dropkick by Ashante and he will now drag Angel to the corner,
and here comes Top Dolla.
It would be wise to stay on the mat and use his power game
to try to put Los Lotharios away.
[Wade] He's paying attention and listening to you, Cole.
You're talking a lot of smack lately, Michael Cole.
[Cole] I mean, he should figure out that he's not a high-flyer,
and then when he beats people up…
What you want, Cole, huh? You're running your mouth.
Why don't you come over here, huh?
[Wade] Ooh!
You have gone white as a sheep, Michael Cole.
[Cole] He doesn't got to get hot.
What's he so upset about?
I wasn't the only one making fun of the fact that
he tried to fly over the top rope and fell on his rear end.
[Wade] You pull up in the hood and talk your talk, see what happens.
Top Dolla ain't playing. B-Fab knows it.
[Cole] Trying to fight out of this and make a tag is Angel.
[Wade] Maybe Top Dolla is going to hit you with a diss track next, Michael Cole.
[Cole] Maybe he should thank me if, oh, he can turn things around,
playing his power game and pick up victories, right?
Off the second rope. Springboard. Great move into the sunset flip.
Adonis misses.
[Wade] Ashante "Thee" Adonis… Oh! Could be a KO.
[Cole] Humberto, you might want to turn around.
Here's Top Dolla.
Double-team by Los Lotharios and Top Dolla now knocked out of the ring.
[Wade] Hit Row all over the place at this point.
Lotharios see their chance.
[Cole] Top Dolla and Ashante now right on to our announce table.
[Humberto] What are you doing, Michael?
-What are you doing? -[Cole] Thank you.
Very talkative, everyone who's with me here tonight.
[Wade] They're all aiming for you.
[Cole] B-Fab getting involved. The official didn't see it.
He was dealing with Ashante. Ashante going to roll up.
Cover and advance.
[bell rings]
["Best of the Best" plays]
[Irvin] Here are your winners, Hit Row.
[Cole] Hit Row advances here tonight for the win over
Los Lotharios thanks in part to B-Fab.
[Wade] What a chaotic matchup it was, but ultimately we now know
who Drew and Sheamus will be facing next week in the Tag Title
Number One Contender's Tournament.
[Cole] Check out the left side of your screen.
The semifinals are now set.
The other two first-round matches will take place later on tonight.
Hit Row better be on their game come next week.
[Wade] Well, what a matchup that's going to be next week on SmackDown.
Banger after banger after banger. Will it continue next week?
Ladies and gentlemen, speaking of next week,
WrestleMania season begins Saturday night in San Antonio,
where all roads lead to the Royal Rumble Match.
[melancholic music playing]
[Cody] No human being could have kept me from getting in the ring.
The reception was really somber
because you knew I needed to go get surgery.
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.
"How long until I'm back?"
"Will I be as good as I was?"
I know the work begins now.
[Brian] I saw Cody a few weeks after the pec repair,
and as much as he has the sheer determination
and desire to get back, we also have to respect Mother Nature.
[Cody] As boring as a three-pound dumbbell is, it's my workout currently.
Although Cody is a ridiculously talented athlete,
he does not heal any faster than anybody else.
We're at two months. It feels like six years.
They're telling me nine months, and I'm trying to respect that,
and that involves patience.
Patience is not my strong suit.
[triumphant music playing]
We are at the Nightmare Factory.
This is the place where I can make myself bulletproof.
Cody has done the work
and he looks and feels better than he ever has.
[Cody] Well, now, the question is no longer if…
but when.
Since I came back at WrestleMania, I have made it crystal clear what I want.
[crowd cheers]
At the Royal Rumble, I'm back.
[buzzer sounding]
[Cole] It is official.
The return of the American Nightmare a week from Saturday
in the Royal Rumble Match,
and Cody Rhodes with a flair for the dramatic.
Will he be able to do what Charlotte Flair has already accomplished?
Win a Royal Rumble match.
The SmackDown Champion Charlotte Flair is here live, next on SmackDown.
[crowd cheers]
You know, I've made a career out of chucking bodies around.
That being said, the Royal Rumble Match
is absolutely tailor-made for the Monster of All Monsters.
But heed my warning.
Anyone that stands in my way on the road to WrestleMania
is going to get these hands.
[rock music playing]
[Cole] A few years ago, Braun Strowman won the greatest Royal Rumble.
He also holds the record for most eliminations
in one Rumble match with 13.
Can the Monster of All Monsters do it again?
Can he win the Rumble Match and battle in the main event
for the Undisputed Championship at WrestleMania?
["All Hail the Queen" playing]
[crowd cheers]
♪ Bow down, bow down ♪
♪ All hail the queen ♪
[Irvin] Please welcome the SmackDown Women's Champion,
Charlotte Flair!
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] The 14-time champion.
[fireworks crackling, booming]
[Cole] The SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte is here.
And tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive.
Well, there's been no rest for Charlotte Flair
since she won the SmackDown Women's Title
from Ronda Rousey a number of weeks ago.
She has had major issues with Sonya Deville.
Here is our Progressive Match Flo.
[announcer] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive.
A triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
I want a rematch against Charlotte Flair.
I understand what you're saying. I just can't give you a rematch.
You lost. It's not how it works, Sonya.
I am going to find a way to make that rematch official.
[Cole] Inside the locker room area, Sonya Deville and Charlotte Flair.
[overlapping chatter]
I didn't start it!
Relax--
[clanging]
[yelling]
[overlapping chatter]
Bring it! Come on!
[Cole] Sonya promised to push the issue.
[crowd cheering]
Detroit! Whoo!
[crowd cheers]
It is great to be in the Motor City. Help me out here real quick, Detroit.
We just saw the footage from last week, and it seems that Sonya Deville
has a real problem with me.
I mean, I don't know why.
Maybe it's because I beat her two weeks ago?
Yeah.
So, now, I'm talking to you, Sonya.
If you have a problem with me, you don't need to go whine to Adam Pearce
or attack me from behind.
Come say it to my face, woman to woman.
[crowd cheers]
Come on, Sonya.
Detroit would love to see you.
[crowd cheers]
["Made Me Stronger" by def rebel plays]
I'm sorry.
I'm having a hard time understanding this.
Do you think that I care what this dirty, disgusting city wants?
No.
[crowd booing]
No. No, no, no, no.
I care about what I want, what I deserve,
and that's a title opportunity.
But let me guess, you don't think I'm worthy, do you?
[crowd boos]
Shut up.
You don't think…
[crowd chanting] You suck! You suck! You suck!
Clearly, you don't think I'm worthy, and neither do you guys.
But let me tell you something.
If you'd get off your high horse, you would all realize
that every single time I walk through that curtain, I'm a star.
[crowd boos]
And every single time I open my mouth and speak,
you shut yours and you listen.
And last week, Charlotte, it took six people to rip me off of you.
So, are you really that arrogant and entitled that you just don't see it?
Is that what it is?
[crowd chanting] You suck! You suck! You suck!
I think Detroit has made up their mind about you.
-No, but-- but here's the thing, I… -[laughs]
I see that. You are a star.
Sonya, I have always told you, you are a star.
But are you saying that the other women in the back aren't stars?
What is it that you think that you have that makes you think
that you're more special than everybody else?
I mean, you come out here week after week demanding title matches
that you think are owed to you.
So maybe, maybe I'm not the entitled arrogant one
in this room.
Look, look, you called your shot and you lost.
And on top of that, you tapped out.
[inaudible]
[crowd chanting] You tapped out! You tapped out!
No, so, maybe you should be doing what everyone else is doing.
And that's focusing on the Rumble instead of trying to jump
to the front of the line.
That's about the title.
But if you want to fight, I'll fight you right here in Detroit.
[crowd cheers]
You want to fight me right here, right now?
[Charlotte] What do you say, Detroit? Right now.
[crowd cheers]
No.
[crowd booing]
No.
Why would I do that when there's nothing in this for me?
No, thank you.
Unless… you're willing to put your title on the line.
[Pearce] Okay, okay, okay. Now, I've heard enough.
What are we doing out here? Are you serious?
I thought I made myself clear. Sonya, if you want to--
[Cole] Oh, and a cheap shot!
[Wade] Uh-oh. Never turn your back--
[Cole] And then she runs away.
[Wade] Never turn your back on Sonya Deville.
[crowd booing]
Are you serious? What is that all about?
[overlapping chatter]
Let's go have a talk.
[Sonya] When I'm ready, baby.
Sonya, I'm saying that let's go talk about it.
[crowd cheers]
Can you believe this guy?
[Heyman sighs]
My Tribal Chief…
I've never liked Shmuley since day one.
But I support your visions for the Island Of Relevancy.
And I try to look at things from the perspective of a Special Counsel.
And indeed, my Tribal Chief,
as your Wiseman and… as your Wiseman,
just perhaps, if you could take in--
into your ruthless consideration…
Isn't it better, as we're about to sign a contract
to defend the title against Kevin Owens
of all people,
that when it comes to Sami Zayn…
my Tribal Chief,
maybe it's better to have him in the castle
pissing out…
than out of the castle… pissing in.
[Cole] That's why he's the Special Counsel.
Reigns signs the contract live tonight.
[announcer] You are the weapon,
and your method of destruction is…
the cobra clutch.
[dramatic music playing]
Your opponents have two choices.
Tap out or blackout.
You will break their spirits.
[whimpering]
You will capture titles,
and you will make every woman in WWE
tremble in fear at the name… Lacey Evans,
and that's an order.
["Bring the Fire" by def rebel playing]
[Cole] Here on Friday Night SmackDown,
our SmackDown Tag Team Championship Contender's Tournament continues.
[excited chatter]
[Cole] Sheamus and Drew McIntyre already advancing tonight,
telling his Brutes, "Go get the job done."
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following is a first-round match
of the SmackDown Tag Team Championship Contender's Tournament.
Introducing first, representing The Brawling Brutes,
the team of Ridge Holland and Butch!
[Cole] Royal Rumble is sponsored by Cricket.
With fast and powerful nationwide 5G coverage,
you can stress less and smile more.
And by the official WWE CreditOne Visa card.
You want to show off your WWE pride every time you pay,
visit UltimateWWECard.com to see if you pre-qualify now.
Terms apply.
You know, there's always a chance that The Brawling Brutes
could meet Sheamus and McIntyre in the finals of this tournament.
[Wade] Ooh! I spoke to Ridge earlier today, he said both he and Butch
would love to square off with Sheamus and Drew,
beat the hell out of each other,
and then make up afterwards over a few beers.
["Symphony No. 9 in E Minor (Imperium)" by def rebel plays]
[Cole] The Intercontinental Champion, Gunther,
telling Vinci and Kaiser to go it alone.
[Irvin] Their opponents, representing Imperium,
the team of Ludwig Kaiser
and Giovanni Vinci!
[Cole] You know, Gunther, just to talk about him for a moment,
what a title defense last week
against "The Monster of All Monsters" Braun Strowman.
[Wade] You ain't lying there.
And Imperium is surely inspired by Gunther's epic performance last week
and want to try and go one better here tonight.
[Cole] The winner of this matchup will take on the winners
of the Legado Del Fantasma and Maximum Male Models Match
later on here tonight.
[Wade] There is a ton of history between the four competitors
in this particular matchup.
They battled all over Europe, and then they battled all over NXT,
and who could forget the Donnybrook Match a few months ago
at Extreme Rules?
The Brutes being victorious on that particular occasion,
but this one incredibly difficult to call.
[Cole] It's Vinci starting things off with Ridge Holland
in this matchup here tonight.
Imperium former two-time NXT Tag Team Champions.
[Wade] This is the two powerhouses of the respective teams.
Vinci probably pound for pound the strongest on SmackDown.
However, Big Ridge "The Fridge," England's answer to William Perry,
no slouch in the power game.
[Cole] Vinci a bit clumsy outside the ring,
knocked water all over the desk earlier and ruined all my notes.
-[Wade laughs] -[Cole] Tag made.
Here comes Butch. Butch up to the top rope now.
Double-team by The Brutes, and the dangerous Butch into the ring.
[Wade] A lot of people coming for you today, Cole.
Top Dolla came for you too.
[Cole] Kaiser tagged. Now Ludwig Kaiser. Oh!
Tremendous athlete, great technical skill inside the ring.
[Wade] That's beautiful execution, and doesn't that sneering face know it?
[Cole] Kaiser is flawless in many ways.
[Wade] There is no faults or weaknesses in Imperium whatsoever.
Excellence coming as standard.
[Cole] The man who loves joint manipulation,
Butch, going right to the elbow
and the wrist now of Ludwig Kaiser.
[Wade] Cannot tell you the mental intimidation
you get when somebody is attacking those smaller joints.
Much weaker than the elbows and the knees.
[Cole] Double-team. Crossbody by Vinci.
And following up with a kick by Kaiser. Ridge goes down as well.
[Wade] What a flurry, just ruthless efficiency.
Who will win? This match continues.
[Cole] First-round matchup in the SmackDown Tag Team Championship
Contender's Tournament.
Imperium against Butch and Holland, The Brawling Brutes.
[Wade] Butch has gone through the wringer these past few minutes,
desperately needs a tag, and here it is.
[Cole] Here comes Ridge, "Ridge the Fridge"
as Sheamus likes to call him.
The powerhouse of The Brutes with a clothesline,
and there's another one.
[Wade] A bit of Northern grit in there to rattle some teeth.
Ludwig Kaiser, no clue where he's at now.
[Cole] Into the corner, bounced off the top turnbuckle.
Ridge flattens him. Look at Ridge go.
[Wade] This match has done a complete 180 since Ridge Holland got in there.
[Cole] Running powerslam by Holland.
And Ridge fired up.
Again, their mentor, Sheamus, of The Brutes
along with Drew won a first-round matchup earlier tonight.
[Wade] Imperium once again--
[Cole] Oh, look at the power of Holland.
Imperium pays for it.
[Wade] Two-on-one, no problem.
[Cole] Tag. Here comes Butch.
Moonsault off the apron. Takes out Vinci.
Double-team into the corner on Kaiser.
Who's going to advance in the tournament?
Outside the ring, Vinci drives Ridge into the steps.
Butch momentarily distracted by that.
Kaiser with a waistlock on Butch.
Stacking him up, Butch picks the ankle.
[Wade] A technician like no other.
[Cole] With an ankle lock now on Kaiser.
Middle of the ring, Kaiser now trying to work out of this predicament.
Butch takes it down into an armbar.
[Wade] There's no way out of the offense of Butch.
Give him an opening, he'll take it every single time.
[Cole] Kaiser trying to roll through.
Butch still has it locked in.
Referee's there. Shoulders not quite down.
Kaiser makes the tag, here comes Vinci.
Close enough to the corner to make the tag to his partner.
Vinci, top rope, right onto the back of the neck of Butch.
Cover now by Vinci to advance. Butch at two.
[Wade] As Ludwig Kaiser was getting tied up in knots,
that desperation tag leading to this world-class athleticism
from Giovanni Vinci almost, almost putting Butch away.
[Cole] You talked a lot earlier about the power of Vinci,
but, as you mentioned, tremendous athleticism.
-Now, Ridge Holland. -[Wade] No weaknesses whatsoever.
[Cole] Looked like Imperium was looking for the Imperial Bomb,
and Ridge Holland caused the interference.
Butch now cover, stacks him up for the win here,
and a kick-out.
[Wade] These four men have each other so well scouted.
Their histories intertwined for so long, it's going to take something
very special to win this one.
[Cole] Here tonight in Detroit,
14,239 WWE fans on hand, jam-packed,
into the Little Caesars Arena.
It is a night of Tag Team Tournament action,
first round of the tournament, four big matches tonight.
[Wade] How gutting would it be for either one of these two teams
to go out in the first round tonight?
This is a potential final right here.
[Cole] Oh! Tornado DDT plants Vinci.
Both men down. Ridge Holland back up to the apron.
Kaiser up on the apron on his side as well.
Who's going to make a tag to try and turn the momentum of this matchup?
[crowd cheers]
Tag made to Ridge. Tag made to Kaiser.
Kaiser with a kick, startles Ridge and follows it up with a slap.
[Wade] Thudding boot to the chest.
[Cole] Oh, and a head-butt!
[Wade] Tip of the cap to ya!
[Cole] Oh! Great throw by Ridge Holland.
[Ridge] Butchy!
[Cole] Double underhook, and now calls Butch back to the apron.
Butch now going to climb to the top rope.
Vinci running interference.
[Wade] This one breaking down in the worst way.
Referee starting to lose control as is perhaps inevitable,
but that might do it.
[Cole] Butch caught him with a kick, and Vinci goes down as well.
Kaiser with a kick to the back of the neck.
Vinci now catching Butch.
Oh!
[Wade] Brainbuster on the floor, Cole.
[Cole] Kaiser. Tag made by Vinci. Vinci's legal.
Holland I don't think realizes it, but he does now.
Vinci setting up Kaiser. Double-team coming.
Imperial Bomb! Cover!
Imperium advances!
[bell rings]
["Symphony No. 9 in E Minor (Imperium)" by def rebel plays]
[Irvin] Here are your winners, Imperium!
[Wade] Wow. Well, we said it was going to take
something very special to knock one of these two teams away.
A brainbuster on the floor right in front of us, Cole,
and Butch hasn't moved since,
followed by, as you mentioned, the Imperial Bomb putting Big Ridge away.
Massive victory for Imperium, and they progress through
to the semifinals of the Number One Contender's Tag Tournament.
[Cole] Now we go to the right side of your screen.
You see the brackets there as Imperium advances
to next week's semifinals.
One first-round match remains tonight.
Imperium will take on either the Maximum Male Models
or Legado Del Fantasma.
Imperium victorious here tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Wade] Tradition, pride, honor, and legacy.
Could this be future Tag Champs?
Your Tribal Chief would like to see you now.
["Sold Out" by Hardy plays]
[Wade] We'd like to extend a special thank you to Hardy for "Sold Out,"
an Official Theme Song of WWE Royal Rumble.
It's from the album Mockingbird and the Crow,
available now on Apple Music and Spotify.
[Cole] And congratulations to Hardy for his newest album,
The Mockingbird and the Crow, for making it to number one on iTunes.
Imagine trying to compete
in the Royal Rumble with a fractured ankle.
Imagine trying to throw a body
over the top rope with a dislocated shoulder
or compete against 29 other women with a broken arm.
Yeah. So, all those other women in the locker room
better stay away from me,
because as far as I'm concerned, I'm not just going to eliminate you,
I'm going to tear you apart,
limb by limb.
You know, ladies and gentlemen, Shayna Baszler,
one of the most prolific competitors in Royal Rumble match history.
Last year she tied a record by eliminating eight women in one match.
-Can she do it again? -Whoo-hoo!
Shayna Baszler is cutthroat,
she's ruthless, and she may be unstoppable.
Can you believe it's been 30 years?
Thirty years of the longest-running
weekly episodic television show in history,
Monday Night Raw.
[thunderclap]
[crowd cheers]
[Vince McMahon] Welcome, everyone, to Monday Night Raw.
We are live from New York City.
-Boston, Mass. -Mexico City.
-Chicago. -Tokyo.
-Berlin. Milano, Italy. -Los Angeles.
London, England.
["I'm Good (Blue)" plays]
♪ I'm good, yeah, I'm feelin' alright ♪
♪ Baby, I'ma have the best Freakin' night of my life ♪
♪ And wherever it takes me I'm down for the ride ♪
[fireworks booming]
♪ I'm good, yeah, I'm feelin' alright ♪
[Cole] You are watching the longest-running
weekly episodic television show in history.
This is Monday Night Raw.
[yelling]
["I'm Good (Blue)" continues]
-Tyson and Austin! Tyson and Austin! -Look at this.
-What? Wait a minute? -Oh man.
One, two, three.
-[bell rings] -No.
He beat Razor Ramon.
[Jim Ross] Shane McMahon is on Nitro!
-I now own WCW. -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Monday Night Raw, the show that brings out all the stars.
What a right hand by Hugh Jackman.
["I'm Good (Blue)" continues]
Oh my God.
[laughs]
[Cole] Miz! Skull-Crushing Finale! Miz is champion!
[Ross] All or nothing in the moonsault!
[Mick Foley] Yo, Adrian, I did it.
[announcer] Big E cashing it in!
We have a new champion.
[Cole] Roman Reigns is on top of the mountain!
♪ I'm good, yeah, I'm feelin' alright ♪
♪ Baby, I'ma have the best Freakin' night of my life ♪
[Stephanie] Oh, no, please!
-[grunting] -[thud]
Yowie-wowie!
[The Rock] Finally, The Rock has come back… home.
[Ross] It has been eight long months of rehabilitation,
but The Game has returned!
[Cody] Everyone thinks the decision to return to WWE was difficult.
It was not.
[Ric Flair] I want to thank you for the memories.
The spirit of Ultimate Warrior will run forever!
♪ So I just let it go, let it go ♪
♪ Oh, na-na-na-na-na ♪
♪ No, I don't care no more, care no more ♪
♪ Oh, na-na-na-na-na ♪
♪ So come on, let me know, let me know ♪
♪ Put your hands up, na-na-na ♪
♪ No, baby Nothing's gonna stop us tonight ♪
Calm down, ladies.
[yelling]
Ding-dong! Hello, idiots!
[crowd booing]
Have a nice ride!
[tires screeching]
[Chris Jericho] Welcome to Raw is Jericho!
[Ross] The biggest acquisition in Raw history.
♪ Sacramento, Sacramento, I won't stay ♪
I quit!
Yes! Yes! Yes!
♪ I'm good, yeah, I'm feelin' alright ♪
♪ Baby, I'ma have the best Freakin' night of my life ♪
Don't let him in here!
[Steve Austin] Oh hell yeah!
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Here's to another 30 years of memories.
The 30th anniversary special of Monday Night Raw,
live from Philadelphia on Monday night with three massive matches.
Also, some special friends along the way.
[Wade] Yes, indeed.
The who's who of WWE legends
from the past 30 years are going to be there.
World Champions, Hall-of-Famers, WrestleMania Main Eventers.
Nobody wants to miss the Raw 30th anniversary show this Monday.
Scarlett has just brought it to my attention
that, in one week,
I will be stepping into the ring with Rey Mysterio.
[clock ticking]
Now, normally, I get really, really amped up
before a fight,
but this time… not so much,
because El Rey can't figure out
whether he wants to be a family man
or he wants to be the greatest of all time.
In this business, you can't be both.
That's not how it works.
So now, I'm going to take him out.
Following that, I'm going to take out all other 29 Superstars
in the Royal Rumble 'cause that's mine too.
Time is running out for everyone.
Tick…
[intense music playing]
Tock.
[ticking echoes]
[Cole] Next Friday, Friday Night SmackDown in Laredo,
Karrion Kross and Rey Mysterio.
-["Soul March" by def rebel plays] -[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following is a first-round match
of the SmackDown Tag Team Championship Contender's Tournament.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring
by Zelina Vega and Santos Escobar,
Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde,
Legado Del Fantasma!
[Cole] Our final first-round matchup of the tournament here tonight.
Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
Who will be the final team to make it to the semifinals
of the Tag Titles Contender's Tournament?
Will it be Maximum Male Models, will it be Legado Del Fantasma?
We find out live next from Detroit on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Cole] Final first-round match of the Tag Titles Contender's Tournament,
it'll be Maximum Male Models against Legado Del Fantasma.
Zelina Vega from Legado is here with us tonight.
Cole, I know nobody ever speaks to you from the locker room,
but it just so happens they speak to me,
and I am aware that Zelina Vega has some breaking news.
[Zelina] Yes, and lucky for you, I have three pieces of news.
Number one, Joaquin and Cruz are going to win the Tag Team Tournament.
Then beat The Usos and then also win the Tag Team Titles.
Get away from me.
Santos is going to win the Royal Rumble, and most importantly,
now, I'm telling you, I am officially in the Royal Rumble,
and I'm going to win the Royal Rumble.
[Wade] Wow, that is my favorite.
That's who I'm picking, Zelina Vega, for the Women's Royal Rumble Match.
[Cole] Who are you picking in this matchup?
The Models or Legado Del Fantasma?
[Zelina] Is that a real question?
-[Cole] It is a real question. -[Wade] Who are you asking?
[Cole] Well, because Wade was talking up the Maximum Male Models earlier today,
and I was wondering if we could do the same thing with you out here.
[Wade] I was talking about their fashion. Their fashion is outstanding.
Do you respect the fashion of the Maximum Male Models, Zelina?
[Zelina] No, I don't respect anything that comes…
Somebody told her that a trashcan bag could look good on her,
but clearly she took it seriously.
Look at her.
[Cole] Thank God they found Mace, as he's in this matchup now
with a double-team against Mansoor.
[Wade] I got to say, hats off to the Models' style this week
by Italian designer Salvatore Toto Schillaci.
[Cole] Did you see that on their YouTube channel?
[Wade] No, I know a lot about fashion, and let me tell you,
those outfits they're wearing, they're one-offs,
so do not try and steal the look, Michael Cole.
[Cole] Zelina, what do you think of the look of the Maximum Male Models?
[Zelina] Um, I think it's low-class, I think it's disgusting,
and I think it's really just trying to imitate the fact that
Legado is above them in everything, and in fashion also.
[Cole] The winner of this matchup will advance to take on Imperium
next week in the semifinals.
Double-team by Legado Del Fantasma.
[Wade] I'll tell you, a lot of people have been underestimating
this Tag Team of Legado.
They are far more than Santos Escobar's henchmen.
This is familia, and they run the bingo here on SmackDown.
[Cole] Zelina loving what she sees.
[Zelina] Look how angry Maxxine looks. Oh my God, you're so mad. Oof.
[Cole] Tag made.
[Wade] I've always said it, it is reckless to mess
with Legado Del Fantasma,
and perhaps Maximum Male Models are learning that firsthand, Zelina.
[Zelina] Exactly.
[Cole] Double-team on Mansoor.
[Zelina] You're looking at the future Tag Team Champions right here.
Look at this teamwork. The perfect enterprise. Hello.
[Cole] Cover. Is it enough to put him away?
Oh, breaking things up is Mace.
[Wade] Just in the nick of time.
[Zelina] How is this legal? How is this okay?
[Wade] It isn't legal. Referee not doing his job, Zelina.
-[Zelina] Clearly. -[Wade] That's the issue.
[Cole] Mace with a big kick.
There goes Del Toro. Wilde's in trouble.
Meanwhile, in the ring, double-team perhaps coming
from the Maximum Male Models.
[Wade] You can laugh at the fashion choices,
Mace is just a beast of a man, and Mansoor--
Oh. Oh!
[Cole] Looks like he's wearing boxer shorts,
but nonetheless, tag made.
[Zelina] Smart.
Future Tag Team Champions, look at them. Look at them go.
[Cole] And using… Oh. Taking him down.
[Wade] Joaquin Wilde, the hothead of the group.
[Cole] Oh, a big missile dropkick.
[Wade] Lucha at its finest, Michael Cole.
[Cole] Double-team by Legado.
[Zelina] You know that's right.
[Cole] Cover now for the win and to advance to the semifinals.
-[bell rings] -[Zelina] Oh, was I wrong?
Was I wrong? Did I lie?
[Irvin] Here are your winners, Legado Del Fantasma.
[Cole] Let's show you the updated brackets.
The semifinals are now set for next week here on SmackDown.
Left side of your screen, Drew and Sheamus against Hit Row.
Imperium now will take on Legado Del Fantasma
in what should be a tremendous entertaining match here next week.
["Soul March" playing]
[Cole] Celebration for Legado Del Fantasma.
[crowd cheering]
-Roman, you asked to see me, yes? -Have a seat.
[Sami exhales]
Look, it's no secret.
I've got a temper.
But that's why I put people in place,
like the Wiseman, to counsel that anger.
Apparently, I wasn't hearing you.
You just wanted communication, right? Clear communication.
You want to be a part of the game plan, part of the team.
You're a perfectionist. You're-- [laughs]
You're like me, actually.
R-Right.
You don't become the GOAT
if you don't think of all the little details,
and that's what you do, and that's why we get along.
That's why this works, right?
Ex-Exactly.
Thank you so much for understanding.
I'm not going to lie, I walked in here expecting the worst,
but it means the world to hear you say that, really.
It's on me. That's on me.
[sighs]
Sometimes I just expect…
the same amount of love, respect, and loyalty
that I give out, you know?
No. I mean, don't say that. Roman, don't say that.
We all love you, man. We all love you.
You're the Tribal Chief, you're the Head of the Table,
you're the one steering this whole ship.
This is nothing without you.
Look, we…
I will always put
what's best for The Bloodline first,
what is best for this family first.
Anytime, anything, whatever you want me to do,
please just tell me and I will do it, okay?
-Clear-cut communication here. -Yeah.
This is what I need you to do.
I need you to find The Usos.
I need you to make sure those SUVs are in place.
I need you to call the pilots and make sure that the jet is fueled up
and it's ready to go.
Me, Solo, and the Wiseman, we're going to go to the ring,
we're going to sign the contract and then let's get out of here.
-It's done. -We're good?
It's done. We're better than good.
Really, thank you. Thank you so much.
I owe you one of those.
[Sami gasps]
[crowd cheering]
Okay.
[whispers] Thank you, Tribal Chief.
["Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
[Cole] As Roman Reigns tries to figure out that situation,
we can tell you this.
Roman Reigns is due out here in a few moments
because he will sign the contract
to make his match official for the Undisputed Championship
a week from Saturday at the Royal Rumble against Kevin Owens.
Reigns, Owens sign the contract live next on Friday Night SmackDown.
Next week on the eve of the Royal Rumble, we're in Laredo for SmackDown
where the clock is ticking and time may be running out
on Rey Mysterio as he takes on Karrion Kross.
[Wade] It's been banger after banger after banger,
but will that streak continue for Drew and Sheamus
next week on SmackDown when they take on Hit Row
for a place in the final
of the Number One Contender's Tag Tournament?
[Cole] The other semifinal matchup should be an entertaining one.
Imperium takes on Legado Del Fantasma, Semifinal Tag Title Tournament Match
next week on Friday Night SmackDown.
Meanwhile, in the ring, WWE Official Adam Pearce
set for the contract signing.
["I Am Greatness (Entrance Theme)" playing]
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] For 873 days,
Roman Reigns has ruled WWE
as champion, but the question is,
do only eight more days remain in that reign?
[fireworks booming]
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, a week from tomorrow,
Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas,
Roman Reigns, the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion,
with one of the longest reigns in the history of WWE
takes on "The Prize Fighter" Kevin Owens for the title.
Meanwhile, Roman Reigns dealing with some other issues
within his own Bloodline that perhaps will give Kevin Owens advantage
if Roman Reigns takes his eyes off the prize in the title defense
next Saturday night.
And I can't help but feel for Sami Zayn,
who, in many ways, and this is my opinion,
seems very gullible to me in this whole situation.
[Wade] Clickbait sensationalism from Michael Cole once again.
We all know that families have quarrels.
That's all it was, Michael Cole, a family quarrel within The Bloodline.
We all saw it two weeks ago,
and it was all solved over a bucket of popcorn.
[Cole] But aren't cracks starting to show within Roman Reigns and The Bloodline?
The fact that Sami Zayn has become very popular,
maybe more popular than the Tribal Chief during this?
The fact that Sami Zayn almost beat Kevin Owens,
had Kevin Owens beat last week,
Roman Reigns sends in The Usos to mess things up, why?
Was Roman Reigns worried that maybe Sami Zayn
was going to do something that Roman Reigns won't be able to do,
and that's beat Kevin Owens?
[Wade] Well, let's make something very clear.
There is nobody in the entirety of WWE who is more popular than that man,
"The Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns, and secondly, Roman Reigns
has forgotten what the word fear means.
The dominance of this man has no bounds.
[fireworks booming]
[Cole] But what comes when you're a leader?
A leader with power.
A leader that controls things,
because it chips away and chips away at you
to the point where paranoia begins to set in.
You believe the walls are closing in, that everybody is out to get you,
perhaps even people within your own group, the people that are close to you,
and maybe that is what's happening now when it comes to Roman Reigns.
[Wade] What you are doing right here is taking a giant leap in logic
from what we've witnessed from Roman Reigns.
No issues.
[crowd cheers]
[inaudible]
The Head of the Table!
[crowd clamoring]
[Cole] Oh, wait a minute! Kevin Owens! Where the hell did he come from?
Kevin Owens now in the ring! Kevin Owens, stunner!
Stunner! Owens just stunned Reigns!
Owens just stunned Roman Reigns!
Superkick to Solo!
Here come The Usos trying to drag Kevin Owens out of the ring.
[Wade] Here come the cavalry, but perhaps seconds too late.
The damage, perhaps, already done.
[Cole] Superkick.
Kevin Owens with another one. Kevin Owens standing tall.
[Wade] Kevin Owens with a master plan.
[Cole] Owens stunned the champion.
-And he's not through yet. Owens. -[Wade] Oh no.
[Cole] Pop-up powerbomb through the table!
[crowd cheers]
[Heyman] No! No! No!
[Cole] Can Kevin Owens do the unthinkable a week from tomorrow?
[Wade] In their wildest dreams, nobody saw this coming.
No! Please! No. No. No. Please, no.
Please! I'm a father! Please!
[Cole] And Kevin Owens makes it official.
He signs the contract.
And now Sami Zayn is out here.
The Tribal Chief did send him away to do some business, right?
[Wade] Sami Zayn missed the fireworks.
[Cole] And now, Kevin Owens,
a hit-and-run attack of massive proportions.
Kevin Owens sending a message to Roman Reigns
that I can do this, that I can shock the world
and knock you off and end that historic championship reign
at the Rumble.
[Wade] There'll be no sneak attacks
at the Royal Rumble a week from tomorrow, though, Cole.
That's the difference.
["Fight (Kevin Owens)" by CFO$ plays]
[Cole] Will it be Kevin Owens' night?
Will "The Prizefighter" Kevin Owens…
knock off Roman Reigns to win the championship
a week from tomorrow at the Royal Rumble? ship