[WWE signature intro playing]
[Cena] Then.
-[Flair] Woo! -[glass shatters]
[The Rock] If you smell…
-[bell tolls] -[Cena] Now.
-The King of Kings. -You can't see me.
[Cena] Forever.
[crowd cheering]
Together.
[suspenseful music]
Hey. Wait, wait, wait. Listen to me. Hey.
We are friends.
We'll always be friends.
We're brothers, and if you never want to talk to me ever again,
that's fine.
I just want to let you know,
I love you, okay?
[Owens] Last week, you got through to me, and I finally realized
it was time to get over everything.
[Cole] Sami Zayn is about to be a sacrificial lamb
for The Bloodline.
[Owens] It was time to take down The Bloodline together.
[CFO$'s "Fight" playing]
[Cole] He's here.
Kevin Owens coming to Sami Zayn's aid,
and KO taking out The Usos.
[dramatic music]
[crowd cheering]
I think we both know,
what comes next.
[CFO$'s "Done With That" playing]
[Owens] We all know where this is going.
You know exactly what we were thinking
when we looked at that sign.
Jimmy, you and your brother, against me and my brother
for the Undisputed Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania!
You don't deserve a shot at our Tag Team Championships.
What do you think this is?
Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo.
To be honest, this might be our one shot
to put this Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens problem in the dirt.
So, yeah, we accept!
[crowd cheering]
As a matter of fact, we ain't got to wait until Mania,
we're gonna see you right now.
[Cole] Now here we go.
Jey Uso being overwhelmed two-on-one.
Jimmy Uso, just in time.
-And The Bloodline comes crumbling down. -[Owens] At WrestleMania!
[def rebel's "Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
♪ Woo, woo ♪
♪ Hey, hey, hey ♪
♪ Let's go! ♪
♪ 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 crowd Like there ain't nobody ♪
♪ Who better than me? ♪
♪ Woo, woo ♪
[Cole] As we just saw, Sami and KO
are now going to WrestleMania.
You are looking live at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
And it's the penultimate Friday Night SmackDown
before WrestleMania.
Sponsored tonight by Progressive Insurance.
A triple threat of protection with home, auto and more.
-[music playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Cody Rhodes] Wrestling has more than one Royal Family.
[Downstait's "Kingdom" playing]
-[pyrotechnics blast] -♪ Adrenaline in my soul ♪
♪ Every fight out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
♪ Crowd is here, about to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
[crowd] ♪ Whoa! ♪
[pyrotechnics blast]
[bell rings]
[Samantha Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, he is the winner
of the 2023 Men's Royal Rumble Match,
"The American Nightmare," Cody Rhodes.
[Cole] WrestleMania is in the air here tonight
for Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
Reunited and it feels so good.
Kevin Owens will host the "KO Show" with his longtime friend,
Sami Zayn, as the guest later tonight.
[Wade] And last week, an embattled Rey Mysterio snapped
and took out his…
[pyrotechnics blast]
…family frustrations on "The Megastar" LA Knight.
Tonight, for the first time ever,
Rey Mysterio and LA Knight go one-on-one.
[Cole] This will be a physical matchup, and tonight,
they make it official:
Sheamus, Gunther and Drew McIntyre
sign the contract for their match at WrestleMania.
[Irvin] And his opponent, accompanied by Giovanni Vinci,
representing Imperium, Ludwig Kaiser.
[Cole] And ladies and gentlemen, next week, Cody Rhodes
attempts to culminate a life-long dream.
Can he win the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
versus Roman Reigns,
ending Roman Reigns' 936th day and counting
reign as champion?
WrestleMania begins eight nights from tonight,
a week from tomorrow, in Los Angeles.
[bell rings]
We're here tonight, ladies and gentlemen,
on Friday Night SmackDown for the first time
in nearly seven years.
It was April of 2016 where Cody Rhodes, then known as Stardust,
-had his final match here on SmackDown. -[crowd chanting "Cody, Cody"]
Tonight, he's back.
[indistinct dialogue]
[Cole] One-on-one with Ludwi-- Ludwig Kaiser.
Wade, this matchup came about on SmackDown Lowdown last Saturday morning,
when Kaiser confronted Cody Rhodes,
talking about how Gunther, the Intercontinental Champion,
who entered the Royal Rumble at number one,
lasted a record 1 hour 11 minutes and 40 seconds
before Cody would enter at number 30, eliminate Gunther, and win the Rumble.
[Wade] This is Cody being baited into a matchup
he really should not be having considering the size
of the task in hand in just over a week's time at WrestleMania.
This is a massive risk so close to such a big match.
[Cole] Yes, but it's what Cody Rhodes is all about.
Cody Rhodes making a point that if he does become champion,
he's going to be a fighting champion, and…
-Well, there is the, uh… -[crowd booing]
…advocate for Roman Reigns.
His special counsel, Paul Heyman, making his way out here
causing a slight distraction to Cody Rhodes early on.
And there's the Running Knee from Cody.
Rhodes glances back at Heyman.
He's got to concentrate on the task at hand.
This match continues live on SmackDown.
[crowd chants "Cody, Cody"]
[Cole] We are back on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
There is the man who's the number one contender
for the Universal Championship that is held by Roman Reigns.
Ludwig Kaiser, though, with a cover on Cody Rhodes and a kickout.
Cody in a battle against a very dangerous Kaiser here.
[Wade] Yeah, and this is what I was alluding to earlier.
Cody's biggest strength is his stubborn pride.
It's what's got him this far in the industry.
However, it could be his downfall tonight.
[Cole] There is the advocate,
the special counsel to Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman.
And this is what happened during the commercial break.
Cody Rhodes delivering a superplex to Ludwig Kaiser.
[Wade] This one's turning into a real barn burner,
which is probably the last thing Cody needs
just over one week away from WrestleMania.
He should really be wrapped up in cotton wool right now.
[Cole] And speaking of WrestleMania,
if you want the opportunity to be a part of WrestleMania,
you still can, and you can witness that
Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns match in person in Los Angeles.
WWE just released a limited amount of seats for both
Saturday and Sunday night at SoFi Stadium.
Don't miss the opportunity to be a part of history.
[Cody grunts]
[Cole] And Cody Rhodes taking the fight here to Ludwig Kaiser.
A fired-up Rhodes understanding that the dream of a lifetime
for The American Nightmare could be culminated next week.
Cody off the second rope.
Looked like he was going to go for the Cody Cutter
and Ludwig Kaiser made sure it didn't happen.
[Wade] The problem for Cody Rhodes here, he has to keep one eye
on Paul Heyman at all times.
He's essentially fighting a distracted fight here.
[Cole] Kaiser with the knee to the face of Cody
as Kaiser has now taking over this matchup.
-Cover now. Hook of the leg… -[referee] One, two--
…on Rhodes, and a kickout.
[Wade] I'll tell you this, Cole.
The lads from Imperium were beyond agitated that they did not get the invite
to the WrestleMania Showcase Fatal 4-Way Tag Match.
They are, of course, rather abrasive individuals.
Perhaps rubbed someone in management the wrong way.
[Cole] Gunther is not out here, the Intercontinental Champion.
He is preparing for the contract signing
with McIntyre and Sheamus for WrestleMania later on tonight.
Cody driven into the corner as Kaiser continues
to control this matchup.
[Wade] Such a dangerous competitor is Kaiser.
Really turned the mat game into a sweet science.
You have to think Paul Heyman--
-[Cole] Oh! And a cheap shot now by Vinci. -[Wade] Paul Heyman perhaps--
-[Cole] Cover by Kaiser on Rhodes. -[referee] One, two--
[Cole] A hook of the leg and a kickout by Cody.
And Kaiser now looks to wear down Rhodes again.
Wade, you were brought up with Cody Rhodes, you guys grew up
in the business together, you had many, many matches over the years.
How is this Cody Rhodes different from
the Cody Rhodes that was here a decade ago?
[Wade] Well, quite simply, it's belief.
Cody formally was playing the role of WWE Superstar like he felt he should.
Now, he's out there for himself.
He understands that this industry is ripe for the pickings
and he could be the first-ever Rhodes
to climb to the very precipice of WWE.
[Cole] Cody Rhodes told Roman Reigns Monday night on Raw
that "you're gonna remember what it's like to lose."
[Kaiser grunts]
[Wade] Man, I've never seen anybody get into the head of The Tribal Chief
like Cody Rhodes did on Raw.
That is the most alarmed I have seen Roman Reigns--
-[Cole] Oh! -…looking in about three years.
[Cole] Sliding uppercut, cover again on Rhodes, and a kickout.
Cody can ill afford a loss here tonight.
It would, uh…
stop his momentum heading into WrestleMania next week.
[Wade] Perhaps a victory here against the very game Ludwig Kaiser
would galvanize the confidence of Cody
heading into WrestleMania.
[Cole] Looking on the right arm of Cody, who again has to avoid injury tonight.
Remember the torn pectoral muscle that cost Cody Rhodes
eight months of his career.
[Kaiser groans]
[Wade] One tweak, one pull, and Cody's story is going to reach
a premature conclusion in the most unsatisfying way possible.
-[referee] Now there. -[Cody groans]
[Wade] Taken out a week before the biggest match of his entire career.
[Cody groans]
[Cole] Whipped into the corner, Cody able to launch Kaiser now
out to the apron.
[Cody shouts]
[Cole] Cody looking to fight back.
Off the second rope, and he caught him.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] The Disaster Kick is something that Roman Reigns
is going to have to try to avoid
at WrestleMania next weekend as he looks to defend his Championship.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And Cody now…
looked like he was gonna go for a Cross Rhodes,
and he's distracted again because here comes Solo Sikoa,
the enforcer of The Bloodline.
And Kaiser went to the back of the knee, taking advantage of the situation.
Remember what happened on Raw Monday night.
Solo went for the Samoan Spike, Cody blocked it,
and then he kicked Sikoa in the face.
Solo has not forgotten that.
[Cody groans]
[crowd gasps]
[Cole] Cody up and over the steps, Kaiser again in control.
Solo has changed the game here. Can Cody get back in this matchup?
[Cole] We are on the road to WrestleMania, jam-packed Las Vegas tonight,
on Friday Night SmackDown.
Cody Rhodes versus Ludwig Kaiser of Imperium.
But Cody's got big problems outside the ring.
Paul Heyman, the special counsel for the Undisputed Champion,
Roman Reigns, and Roman's cousin, the enforcer from The Bloodline,
Solo Sikoa, looking on.
[Wade] Danger everywhere he looks.
And once again we see this barn burner of a matchup,
both men taking each other out.
[Cole] Solo and Cody got into it Monday night on Raw.
Cody Rhodes who, next weekend, in the main event at WrestleMania,
will try to do something that even his legendary father,
the late, great Hall of Famer, Dusty Rhodes, was not able to accomplish:
winning the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship from a man who has held
that title 936 days, Roman Reigns.
You got to give Cody credit for taking a match like this
a week away from WrestleMania.
It's been as physical as you'd expect.
Reversal, Cody knocks down Kaiser.
Now Cody trying to build some momentum.
Oh, drop down, speaking of the dream.
[Wade] This is something we've seen time and time again from Cody.
When he gets this kind of momentum…
-[Cole] Oh, powerslam! -…he could be unstoppable.
[Cole] Almost had him. Kaiser at two.
[Wade] Thoroughly unimpressed, Solo Sikoa staring on from ringside.
Cody was lucky that Solo Sikoa
got called off by Roman Reigns this past Monday.
[Cole] Oh, and Kaiser with a clothesline.
-Cover, hook of the leg… -[referee] One, two--
…and Cody able to kick.
[Wade] Just nowhere to hide for Cody Rhodes right now.
Danger in every corner.
[Kaiser roars]
[Cole] Cody back to his feet, Kaiser with a running uppercut
and then a kick.
[Kaiser shouting]
[Cole] A nice suplex by Kaiser.
And Ludwig got caught by Rhodes.
Went for the Cross Rhodes again, Kaiser able to roll him up,
a kickout by Cody.
[Wade] What a scalp to claim this would be for Ludwig Kaiser.
[Cole] Cody Cutter!
[crowd cheering]
And that will turn the match around.
As he stares back at Solo and Heyman, Cody's fired up.
[crowd cheering]
Third time's a charm.
Cross Rhodes.
-Cover. Rhodes with the win. -[referee and crowd] One, two, three!
[bell rings]
[Downstait's "Kingdom" playing]
[Irvin] Here is your winner,
"The American Nightmare,"
Cody Rhodes.
[Wade] Well, the deck was stacked against Cody Rhodes this evening,
but once again he pulled through.
It's likely to be a similar story at WrestleMania against The Tribal Chief.
Will it have the same result?
[crowd booing]
You're owed an apology.
You're owed an apology, and since I'm the Wiseman
of The Bloodline…
May I?
I am going to be the one
to deliver that apology to you.
She did a lousy job with that announcement.
I-- [stutters]
I-- I think she's from Las Vegas, in case that matters.
[crowd boos]
So, sir, allow me.
Ladies and gentlemen,
your winner and still…
challenger for the reigning, defending,
Undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion,
Roman Reigns,
Cody Rhodes!
[crowd cheering]
The very same Cody Rhodes
that sees his road to WrestleMania
with a giant pothole in front of him
that happens this Monday night on Raw
when you go one versus one
against Solo.
And if-- and isn't that the big if--
if, if, if you survive against Solo,
then it's not the road to WrestleMania.
All roads lead to Roman Reigns,
who will be here live on SmackDown
next Friday
to see you one final time
face to face.
[crowd chants "You suck"]
Is that what we're doing, Mr. Heyman?
Are you-- Are you moving the goalposts for me?
Another thing you did, you interrupted them
while they were singing the song.
[crowd cheering]
And now, you want to move the goalposts and move them right here, huh?
Am I expected to say no?
Oh, it's six days out from the biggest match
in the history of my family. I should probably say no, right?
Well, I probably shouldn't have wrestled
with half my body hanging off
and I still beat Seth Rollins.
So, when it comes to you…
[crowd cheering]
When it comes to you,
undefeated and as good as you are,
like I said last week,
you're not ready.
[crowd cheering]
And as…
for the champion, Roman Reigns,
after Solo finds out--
[crowd chants "You're not ready"]
After Solo finds out that he's not ready at WrestleMania
on April 2nd, your boy Roman Reigns,
the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, will find out the same thing.
He is not ready, either.
[crowd cheers]
[Downstait's "Kingdom" playing]
[Cole] A confident Cody Rhodes, but it's gonna be
a hell of a week for The American Nightmare.
Solo on Monday, Roman next weekend.
[Wade] Man, what a way for Cody Rhodes to prepare for WrestleMania.
It sounds like a disaster.
[Cole] For 936 days and counting, Roman Reigns has held
the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
Will that change when he meets Cody Rhodes in the main event at WrestleMania?
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
[crowd sings along] ♪ Woah! ♪
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen,
speaking of WrestleMania, we have breaking news tonight.
The 16-time world champion, in my opinion, the greatest of all time,
John Cena will kick off WrestleMania weekend.
He will be in the first match on WrestleMania Saturday
from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles,
when he takes on Austin Theory for the United States Championship.
[Wade] John Cena, a man who has main evented WrestleMania five times,
is kicking off WrestleMania this year against a man,
in Austin Theory, who many think is the future of the entire industry.
That is huge.
[Cole] John Cena kicks off WrestleMania Weekend.
WrestleMania Saturday, a week from tomorrow.
Well, there is the 14-time Women's Champion,
focused on next weekend's task at hand,
defending the championship against Rhea Ripley
at WrestleMania.
Charlotte's here, live, next.
[man] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive.
A triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
[crowd cheers]
[Charlotte] The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Three years ago, Rhea Ripley couldn't go through me
and today…
she can't go through me.
-["Demon in Your Dreams" plays] -This is my brutality.
Your SmackDown Women's Championship, I want.
Hell, I need it.
Because I don't only want to be a star, but I bloody need to be a star.
Mami is gonna beat you at WrestleMania.
[crowd cheers]
I'll see you at WrestleMania.
[inaudible]
[Cole] We've got a damn fight on our hands.
Get off me!
[Wade] There is no slowing these two down.
[Cole] Charlotte is a star.
Rhea needs to be a star.
And they've got that star-making opportunity at WrestleMania.
[crowd cheering]
[def rebel's "All Hail The Queen" playing]
♪ Bow down ♪
♪ All hail the queen ♪
[crowd cheers]
[Irvin] Please welcome the SmackDown Women's Champion,
Charlotte Flair.
[pyrotechnics blasting]
[Cole] And tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
In an interview with Fox Sports this week,
Charlotte Flair said:
"WrestleMania is everything.
I enjoy the pressure, the expectation and the delivery."
Will she deliver once again
on the grandest stage of them all next weekend?
When Charlotte defends, against Rhea Ripley,
the SmackDown Women's Championship.
[crowd cheering]
Las Vegas!
[crowd cheers]
We are just eight days away from WrestleMania.
[crowd cheers]
Fourteen times.
Fourteen-time World Champion.
And I can tell you that was not built on fear,
insecurities, or nepotism.
The same three things have been used against me by everyone,
and I mean everyone, since I started in this business.
Fear.
What is fear?
Fear is a lack of understanding.
It's ignorance.
This business wasn't built on fear.
This business was built on respect.
Rhea Ripley, I don't fear you.
I respect you.
The only thing that I fear is my own potential.
I respected Nikki and Brie.
I respected Sasha, Becky, Bayley, Trish, Ronda, Asuka, Nattie.
I respected all of them.
Insecurities.
Damn right, I have insecurities.
[crowd shouting "What?"]
Are you really whatting me?
[crowd shouting "What?"]
This is important to me, so listen.
[crowd shouting "What?"]
Insecurities.
Damn right, I have them, and I have built this house
on every brick that all of you have thrown at me…
for the last seven years.
Lastly… nepotism.
[crowd woos]
That's right, Vegas.
I love my dad…
[crowd wooing]
…and I will never apologize
for continuing the greatest legacy
in sport's entertainment.
[crowd cheers]
And whether you like it or don't like it, you better learn to love it
because diamonds are forever,
and so is Charlotte Flair.
[crowd cheers]
Woo!
[def rebel's "All Hail The Queen" playing]
[Cole] A fired-up Charlotte Flair tonight.
I guarantee you, and she told us about it on Monday,
that Rhea Ripley sees things differently.
[Wade] Rhea Ripley seems to be impervious
to the gravitational pull of the 14-time World Champion.
[Cole] Well, still to come tonight,
two men who will also be a part of WrestleMania
for the Undisputed Tag Team Titles.
The reunited friends, Kevin and Sami.
KO hosts the "KO Show," tonight.
[music playing]
[Cole] And there they are.
Kevin and Sami.
Of course, Sami will be the guest on the "KO Show" tonight.
I'd like to be…
actually listening to this conversation.
[Wade] Turned into a bit of a bro-fest all of a sudden.
[P.O.D.'s "Booyaka 619" playing]
[crowd cheers]
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619 ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka That's my pueblo ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619 ♪
[crowd cheering]
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from San Diego, California,
weighing in at 175 pounds,
Rey Mysterio!
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] It has been such an emotional year for Rey Mysterio, that has really,
over the past few weeks, gone to places that
Rey never thought it would go to before.
Of course, I'm talking about the situation with his
estranged son, Dominik.
Dominik continuing to force the issue,
wanting to face his father at WrestleMania.
Rey saying, "I'm not gonna do it.
I'm not going to strike my son."
It has led this-- to Rey Mysterio's moment,
here tonight.
But the problem is,
Rey's going into the Hall of Fame next Friday night,
right after SmackDown.
It's the culmination of what's been an unbelievable career
for one of the all-time greats.
It's just so tough for Rey to not be able to enjoy that moment
as much as he would like to.
Oh, hey, wait a minute.
There-- There is Aalyah and Angie,
that's Rey's wife, his daughter, here tonight.
And they'll be a part of Rey's Hall of Fame ceremony next week.
But it's time for Rey Mysterio to get down to business.
[crowd cheering]
Up next, a frustrated Rey
gets to take out those frustrations on LA Knight.
They go on-on-one live, next on Friday Night SmackDown.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, we are in the gaming capital of the world,
the entertainment capital of the world, none other than Las Vegas.
Taylor Swift playing her world tour just down the street.
But the other hot ticket in town tonight is right here at the MGM Grand Arena
for Friday Night SmackDown.
And we've got a special guest tonight.
Many celebrities in the house, including Piff the Magic Dragon,
Las Vegas's own magician, comedian.
He has a residency at the Flamingo.
He's a massive WWE fan.
In fact, back in the day I heard he was a massive Wade Barrett fan.
[Wade] Yeah, now I know you're lying.
But anyway, after last week's developments, both Sheamus and McIntyre
will take on Gunther at WrestleMania in a Triple Threat Match
for the Intercontinental Championship.
The official contract signing takes place here later on tonight.
[Cole] Soon-to-be Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio set for action.
His family in attendance tonight. His wife, Angie,
and his daughter, Aalyah, at ringside.
-[def rebel's "Welcome To LA" playing] -Let 's not forget what
Dominik Mysterio said Monday night on Raw.
He was gonna show up.
[Irvin] And his opponent, from Los Angeles, California,
weighing in at 240 pounds,
LA Knight.
[Cole] Well, once again, LA Knight used his mouth
to talk his way into this match.
Yeah!
You're just over here signing autographs, huh?
You know, I tell you what. If you're not gonna fight
your little goofy son, I'll fight him.
I'll give him an LA moment.
As a matter of fact, maybe-- I'll tell you what.
I'm gonna make you proud.
I'll call myself "LA Mysterio."
I'll be a deadbeat dad too.
High five on that one, huh?
[LA Knight groans]
[crowd cheering]
[speaking Spanish]
What the hell did he just say?
[Cole] I think what he said is he's gonna kick your rear end tonight.
Rey Mysterio, not a man to be messing around with,
with everything that's going on in his life.
[Wade] If I understood that correctly, LA Knight was offering
to whop Dominik Mysterio for Rey.
Rey should have been thanking him.
[Cole] LA Knight, Rey Mysterio, one-on-one here tonight.
And LA Knight going right after Mysterio,
but Mysterio using his quickness, and here we go.
[Wade] And Rey Mysterio ready to snap at anybody who gets in his face
right now, with the one exception being, of course, his son, Dominik.
[Cole] Mysterio… trying to send LA Knight flying.
Able to move out of the way as Knight misses with the elbow.
Important matchup here tonight for LA Knight.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] I mean, it is one of the biggest scandals of modern-day WWE
that a WrestleMania taking place in Los Angeles
is not currently featuring The Megastar.
[crowd counting] Five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten!
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] And Rey Mysterio, of course, paying homage to his late,
great friend, Eddie Guerrero.
[Wade] Who, coincidently, Dominik Mysterio
wishes was his own father.
[Cole] Well, that's what Dominik says.
That kid continues to show disrespect…
to his dad, Rey, his entire family.
In fact, Dominik said that his family has blocked his number…
[referee shouting]
…kicked him out of the family group chat.
[Wade] Sounds par for the course
for the kind of upbringing he had at the hands of Rey Mysterio.
-Are you gonna let it go at some point? -[Wade] I'm not gonna let it go.
It's a statistical fact that people with bad parents
are more likely to be incarcerated.
Dominik Mysterio was incarcerated, as we're all fully aware.
You do the math.
[Cole] Oh goodness.
-[Cole] LA Knight now… -[Wade] Likely to be again, too.
…in control of-- of Mysterio.
-And again, it's, to me-- -[Mysterio grunts]
[Cole] Oh, nice neckbreaker by Knight.
It's amazing to me that Mysterio's even competing at this level,
with everything that he's got going on in his personal life.
[Wade] Well, if you understand the reports--
[Cole] Cover, by Knight, and a kickout.
[Wade] When Dominik was a youngster, Rey was very good at
compartal-- compartmentalizing
his professional career and keeping it away from his family.
And that's all he has to do now, essentially.
Keep the focus in the ring.
[Cole] Mysterio banged off the top turnbuckle.
[crowd chants "Rey Mysterio"]
As the "Rey Mysterio" chants begin here in Las Vegas.
Next Friday night, right after SmackDown, Rey Mysterio will take his rightful place
in the WWE Hall of Fame.
[crowd cheering]
The high-flying luchador, perhaps the greatest of all time.
[Wade] That's the first thing you've said tonight
that I've actually agreed with, Michael Cole.
[LA Knight shouts]
[Cole] Knight knocked down.
Mysterio still doing this at such a high level.
-[LA Knight grunts] -[Cole] Baseball slide.
[referee shouts]
And the splash to LA Knight.
[Wade] Far from having any issues in ring tonight.
This is Rey at his absolute best.
It has been one-way traffic thus far against a very, very competent
"Megastar" LA Knight.
[Cole] Rey realizes how dangerous Knight is.
It also gives Rey the opportunity to take out
his frustrations that he feels for Dominik on LA here tonight.
Kick right to the face.
[Wade] Rey Mysterio, currently making short--
Oh.
[def rebel's "It Is My Time" playing]
[Cole] And LA Knight takes advantage off the distraction,
knocking Mysterio off the top rope.
And just like that, just the appearance of Dominik,
has changed the complexion of this entire matchup.
[Wade] Here we go.
Just when you thought Rey Mysterio was ready to put this one to bed,
cheap shot from LA Knight, smartly capitalizing on that distraction.
Mysterio in trouble.
This match continues.
[Cole] And we are back live on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
Rey Mysterio versus LA Knight.
But the matchup's changed to LA Knight's favor
because of the arrival of that man,
Dominik Mysterio, Rey Mysterio's estranged son.
I guess his Mami, Rhea Ripley, let him out of the house tonight.
[Wade] Steady on. It's an equal relationship, Michael Cole.
I don't know what you're trying to imply there.
[Cole] And Rey rolling up LA Knight.
Dropkick to the face.
And tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive.
Mysterio looking to change the momentum.
-[Wade] Oh! -[Cole] Oh my goodness!
[Cole] LA Knight steamrolling through Mysterio.
-Cover. -[referee] One, two--
[Cole] Looking for the victory, and a kickout at two.
[Wade] Hall of Famer or not, when you're in the ring
with a perpetual motion machine like LA Knight,
bad things are gonna happen.
[referee warns]
[Mysterio grunts]
[Cole] Dominik just continues to show complete disrespect
for his father, his father's legacy,
everything this man has done for Dominik in his life.
Everything he's given him.
[Wade] Dominik Mysterio is currently on one of the hottest streaks in WWE.
Another huge win this past Monday on Raw.
I'm personally not surprised Rey doesn't want to fight him.
He knows he'd probably lose.
[Cole] Wade, here's a kid, Dominik, who, what, four or five years ago,
on Monday Night Raw, begged his father not to retire.
Because what he wanted to do was have matches with his dad,
team with his dad. Which they did.
They became Tag Team Champions.
The first-ever father-son Tag Team Champions in WWE history.
Dominik begged. He wanted to be a part of it.
And that all changed with the arrival of his girlfriend, Rhea Ripley--
[Wade] No, no, no.
[Cole] …who has completely brainwashed the kid
and completely turned him against his family.
Oh, nobody home.
Rey rolls out of harm's way.
[Wade] Dominik Mysterio could have had a great career
and become very rich playing it safe,
hanging onto Daddy's coattails for the next few years.
Even you've got to respect the fact that Dom simply wanted more.
[Cole] Okay, has Dom won any championships since he's left his dad?
[Wade] Not yet, but he's the biggest star
he's ever been since arriving in WWE.
Even you can't argue that point.
[Cole] That's your opinion.
I can argue it, and I will--
Oh, face first!
Mysterio to Knight.
[Wade] You are as blinkered as they come.
Get out of dad mode, Cole.
[Cole] Blinkered?
Is that an English term?
[Wade] Blinkered?
It's like horses when they race, you put blinkers on.
They only see in one direction. That's you.
You don't see the entire story.
[Cole] I think that's blinders. Anyway.
Oh, Mysterio off the top rope…
seated senton.
Off the second rope.
Springboard crossbody.
-Lateral press now for the win. -[crowd] One, two--
Knight at two.
[Wade] Yeah, time and time again we see Rey Mysterio
capable of lulling opponents into a false sense of security.
While he's getting beaten up, he will snatch back control
in the blink of an eye.
[Cole] LA Knight-- Oh goodness.
That could be it.
[referee] One, two--
[Cole] Knight for the win, kickout by Mysterio.
[Wade] LA Knight having to dig deep into the playbook this evening
against one of the industry's very best in Rey Mysterio.
Still not quite enough.
[crowd chants "619"]
[Cole] Oh, and a reverse that time by Mysterio.
Turned it into a DDT.
And now, Rey.
WWE fans wanted the 619, they may get one.
[crowd cheering]
LA Knight in position.
Se-- Oh, caught.
Knight intercepting Rey.
[Wade] A powerhouse with cat-like reflexes.
[Cole] LA Knight has been impressive tonight, but so has Mysterio.
Rey gonna dial it up.
Oh yeah, of course! Of course. What did we expect?
[crowd booing]
And now LA Knight looks to take advantage.
And Dominik just screwed his dad out of the match.
[Irvin] Here is your winner, LA Knight.
[Wade] Well, LA Knight just beat a legitimate WWE Hall of Famer,
and if that doesn't get you on the WrestleMania card, I give up.
[Dominik] Jefe.
You gonna give me what I want?
Huh?
Come on!
Come on.
Or are you gonna run away?
Or are you finally gonna be a man
and face me at WrestleMania?
What you gonna do?
[Rey mouthing "No"]
[Cole] Again, tremendous restraint being shown by Rey.
[Dominik] That's right, walk away
like you always do.
Hey, Mom.
How did it-- How does it feel to be married to such a pathetic loser?
[crowd shouting]
A coward who can't even stand up to his own son?
Hey, everybody.
I have my mom and my sister here with us tonight.
[crowd shouts]
Mom, how does it feel--
Actually, did you know that you
married a deadbeat?
Actually, you did, and I'm gonna tell you why.
Because you sat there every night while he abandoned me,
and that makes you nothing better,
so that makes you a deadbeat mom.
Oh! What you gonna do about it?
You better sit down because you're too stupid to understand--
Dominik--
Mom. Shut up!
[crowd shouting]
So why don't you guys sit down,
because we both know at the end of the day
you support him.
[inaudible]
[Cole] Oh yeah!
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
You pushed me. You pushed me to do this.
I didn't want to hit you.
You made me hit you.
You don't disrespect your mother like that.
That's my wife.
You wanted a fight at WrestleMania?
[crowd cheers]
You're on.
[crowd cheering]
I'll see you at WrestleMania, son.
[crowd cheering]
[P.O.D.'s "Booyaka 619" playing]
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619 ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, Rey Mysterio ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619 ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka That's my pueblo ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619 ♪
♪ What you gon' do when we come for you? ♪
[Cole] After months and months…
it finally came to this.
[crowd cheers]
[music continues]
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619 ♪
[inaudible]
[crowd cheers]
♪ And we the Southtown generals Diego Don originals ♪
♪ Hitman for hire Made wiseguys untouchable ♪
♪ Border bandits, running the streets And the canvas ♪
♪ We live and direct, no reruns That's what's happening ♪
♪ Blow up the mannequin Better go ask your friends again ♪
♪ Terror in their eyes When they tell you ♪
♪ Here comes the mask again ♪
♪ No time for talkin' Dig the hole for the coffin ♪
[Cole] Well, ladies and gentlemen, one family has imploded.
However, two men as close as family have reconciled.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are together again.
Sami the guest on the "KO Show" later tonight.
[Cole] And a story first broken by Variety earlier this week.
The late, great Andy Kaufman,
one of the world's greatest comedians
and one of professional wrestling's greatest bad guys,
will be enshrined in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Andy angered fans in Memphis for years, and had one of the most
incredible rivalries with WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler
on The David Letterman Show, a moment that was voted
in the top 50 moments
in the history of television.
Now Andy Kaufman will join Jerry Lawler in the Hall of Fame.
And the Hall of Fame ceremony takes place a week from tonight.
Next Friday Night immediately following SmackDown on Peacock.
And we'll have the opportunity to be involved.
[Irvin] Introducing first, the team of Xia Li and Lacey Evans.
[Cole] So Lacey Evans, Xia Li, qualifying matchup here tonight
to be a part of the WrestleMania Showcase,
the Fatal 4-Way Women's Tag Team matchup.
Already in that match, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez
who qualified last week.
They are here with us at ringside to see what team will join them.
[Wade] A scouting mission for Raquel and Liv.
[Liv] Come on.
[Wade] Take some notes on their opponents at WrestleMania.
[def rebel's "I Am a Psycho" playing]
[Irvin] And their opponents, the team of
Natalya and Shotzi.
[tank firing]
[Cole] Love this tag team.
[Wade] I do not like the tank, however.
[Cole] Why?
[Wade] Weapons of warfare should not be allowed at ringside,
-Michael Cole. -The "taking care of business" tank.
[Cole] One of these teams is going to WrestleMania.
And WrestleMania is sponsored by Snickers.
Snickers satisfies.
And by WWE 2K23.
WWE 2K23 has arrived, and this time it's even stronger
with the all-new WarGames and the "Never Give Up" 2K showcase
where fans can play through key moments in John Cena's 20-year career.
Pick up your copy today and play as Bad Bunny
with deluxe and icon editions.
♪ Kickin' ass and taking names ♪
♪ Chugging beer with all the bikers I don't ever wanna change ♪
♪ Howl at the moon, zombies I'ma eat your brain ♪
♪ Dyed my hair green Do you think I'm insane? ♪
Liv and Raquel very impressive in their qualifying matchup last week
when they knocked off Tegan Nox and Emma.
[bell rings]
One of these teams will join them.
Lacey Evans will start things off against Shotzi.
Great opportunity to be a part of WrestleMania.
[Wade] Yeah, absolutely.
This is really a nervy part of the year for a lot of Superstars
who aren't currently on the WrestleMania card.
I guarantee you all four of these in the ring right now,
they're close to panic mode, realizing…
that they could potentially miss out on the Showcase of the Immortals.
[Cole] You've had the great opportunity to perform at WrestleMania.
There's also years you weren't at WrestleMania,
at least in a major capacity.
How did that feel?
[Wade] Yeah, those were dark years for me.
I tried my best to, kind of, blank those moments out.
There was nothing worse than being so close to WrestleMania
and just missing out by the skin of your teeth.
And one of these two teams tonight is gonna do exactly that.
[Cole] Xia Li now taking it to Shotzi.
[Xia] Okay, that's what you want?
[Cole] Now mouthing off to Natalya.
[Wade] Xia Li perhaps the best striker in the Women's Division.
Well-schooled in the art of kickboxing.
[Cole] You saw Liv and Raquel at ringside.
Very impressed with that team, Wade.
[Wade] Yeah, formidable opponents…
[Cole] Cover by Xia off the suplex, and a kick at two.
[Wade] …for any of the teams who are gonna qualify to make up
the quartet in the WrestleMania Showcase.
[grunts]
[Cole] Tag made again.
Here comes Lacey Evans. And Lacey and Xia,
not quite sure how many times in the past they've teamed together, Wade.
[Wade] It becomes a friendly alliance very quickly when you realize
this could be your ticket to WrestleMania.
I'll say this about Lacey Evans,
perhaps the most sadistic individual in the Women's Division.
[Cole] And there's just an example. She loves to punish her opponents.
But again, Lacey and Xia working very well as a team.
Shotzi desperately needs to make a tag.
Cover now, and a kickout.
[Wade] The smart tactic has been keep the most experienced woman
in the division, in Natalya, out of the ring.
Isolate the less experienced, the more erratic one, in Shotzi.
[Cole] And Natalya blasted off the apron by Lacey with a cheap shot,
as she turns her attention back to Shotzi.
Roll up by Shotzi for the victory, and a kick at two.
Oh!
Again, Shotzi with a tag, though.
[Wade] Shotzi right now having to go it alone.
We know all about the kamikaze-style offense of Shotzi.
Well, her health is in danger at this point.
[Cole] Cover by Lacey yet again,
and again a kickout by Shotzi, who's hanging in this matchup.
[Wade] There's a lot about the durability of our green-haired friend.
But right now things starting to look really, really bleak.
[screams]
[Cole] Double-team.
Shotzi with a kick, though, to Xia Li.
Lacey misses wildly, and Shotzi makes her pay.
But again--
Oh, a Women's Right knocking out her own partner.
[Wade] That chemistry you were talking about just went
straight out the window, Michael Cole.
[Cole] Meanwhile, Natalya, back up on the apron, takes out Lacey.
[Wade] Kamikaze time.
[Cole] Down goes Lacey with that suicide dive by Shotzi.
[Natalya] Shotzi, Shotzi, Shotzi, Shotzi, Shotzi.
[Cole] Tag to Natalya.
[Wade] Freshest woman in the match,
and surely Xia Li ripe for the pickings here.
[Cole] Double-team.
Shades of the Hart Foundation,
and now Natalya gonna step through.
Sharpshooter, center of the ring.
Xia taps.
-[bell rings] -Natalya and Shotzi going to WrestleMania.
[Irvin] Here are your winners by submission,
the team of Shotzi and Natalya.
[Cole] So, Shotzi and Natalya join Liv and Raquel as two of the teams
in the Fatal 4-Way WrestleMania Showcase Match next weekend.
-Oh, WrestleMania? -Oh yeah. Oh yeah, we're going.
[Joan Jett's "Bad Reputation" playing]
[crowd cheering]
♪ I don't give a damn About my reputation ♪
Ronda, look at all the history in the ring right now, huh.
I mean, each single one of those women
has a reason to want to get revenge on us, right?
Let's look.
Broken hand, broken nose, broken arm, broken spirit, whatever.
What do you say we, uh…
give them the opportunity tonight?
[crowd cheers]
Wait, Shay Basz.
I got a question for you.
How many times have we sold out this exact arena?
How many times have we sold out this entire town?
And how much do they appreciate us?
[fan] Not at all.
[crowd booing]
Not enough. No.
We've already given Vegas more than they deserve.
Not again.
Not tonight.
[crowd booing]
Yeah, actually, maybe you're right.
But, lucky for you-- Actually, I should say unlucky,
we actually just came out here to let you know,
we got added to the match at WrestleMania.
[crowd cheering]
["Bad Reputation" playing]
[Cole] So, now we know three of the teams in the WrestleMania Showcase Match:
Liv and Raquel, Natalya and Shotzi,
Ronda and Shayna.
We should learn the fourth team next week.
Who's gonna head to WrestleMania?
Ladies and gentlemen, we talked about this earlier tonight,
but speaking of WrestleMania,
you know our production team is already on site in Los Angeles,
at SoFi Stadium, getting the stadium ready for the two nights
of WrestleMania.
We are building a massive set as we do every year,
so every day more seats are being opened up.
So we just found out that we released a limited amount of seats
for both Saturday and Sunday night at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Don't miss the opportunity to be a part of history.
And what an opportunity last week for both Drew McIntyre and Sheamus.
The winner of this match would face Gunther
for the Intercontinental Title at WrestleMania.
[Wade] Yeah, what an out-and-out brawl this was,
as you would expect from the likes of McIntyre and Sheamus.
They had previous fought in this world.
Of course, watched on by Imperium at ringside.
Just when things started getting tasty, Gunther inserted himself
into proceedings.
[Cole] Yeah, after Sheamus delivered a Brogue
and McIntyre a Claymore,
the Imperium would attack.
[Wade] This is where things really started to backfire for Imperium.
Just as they were admiring their handy work.
[Pearce] Gunther, I am making it official.
You will defend that Intercontinental Championship
against Drew McIntyre and Sheamus in a Triple Threat Match
at WrestleMania.
[Imperium shouting]
[speaking German] Was ist das?
[CFO$'s "Gallantry (Defining Moment Remix)" playing]
[Cole] And here comes one of the men who has the opportunity to
win the Intercontinental Title.
[Irvin] Please welcome Drew McIntyre.
[pyrotechnics blast]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Drew McIntyre will be in the ring with Sheamus
and the Intercontinental Champion, Gunther.
They sign the contract for their WrestleMania match live,
next on SmackDown.
[Cole] Still to come tonight on Friday Night SmackDown,
the reunion of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn continues.
KO with a special guest on the "KO Show," Sami Zayn,
later on tonight.
Moments ago, the ultimate disrespect shown
from Dominik Mysterio to his mother, Angie,
and his sister, Aalyah.
You better sit down, because you're too stupid to understand.
Dominik--
Mom, shut up!
[crowd shouts and gasps]
[crowd cheering]
You're on.
[crowd cheers]
I'll see you at WrestleMania, son.
[Cole] Dominik wanted it and he got it, and he may rue the day
because it's now been made official.
WrestleMania next weekend. It begins a week from tomorrow,
and Rey Mysterio will battle his son, Dominik.
The match is official, live for WrestleMania.
Also, Wade, we learned that there are now
three out of four teams set for the Fatal 4-Way Match at Mania.
[Wade] As we heard moments ago, we have now had official confirmation
for the Women's WrestleMania Showcase Fatal 4-Way Tag Match.
Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler have been added to the matchup.
We now have three confirmed teams.
One spot left to be taken.
[Cole] Adam Pearce, our WWE official, in the ring with Drew McIntyre.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the official contract signing
for the Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat Match
at WrestleMania.
Already in the ring to my left, one of the challengers--
[CFO$'s "Hellfire" playing]
Las Vegas, what's the craic?
[crowd cheering]
Now, everyone's been asking me, right?
"Why, Sheamy, are you so mad at Drew McIntyre?"
Well imagine this, yeah?
Imagine working 15 years of your life to achieve a particular goal.
Now, imagine telling your best friend about that goal
only for him to go behind your back and try and steal it away from you.
Imagine that friend,
that person being a friend that you let sleep on your-- live on your couch.
A friend that you brought to his
first training session in this business.
[crowd chants "Sheamus"]
Now…
imagine getting the opportunity
to smash that person's face in
on the grandest stage of them all,
because they're nothing but a backstabbing--
Imagine shutting up for a second.
Every week, you run your mouth,
you try to give me this guilt trip, try to make me feel bad.
And if it's not on SmackDown,
you're on social media with your little GIFs and memes you create.
Blow up my Twitter like a teenage girl.
It's embarrassing, mate.
Last week, we were in this ring reminding everybody
why we are the most physical Superstars in WWE.
We beat the hell out of each other.
And afterwards,
we should've been in the bar.
We should've been laughing about it.
That's what we did old times, but now, you're so freaking sensitive.
You get such a temper.
You can't separate what is personal and what is business.
You made this personal, Drew.
You know you did.
Oh, I've got plenty I'd love to say right now,
but I'm just gonna stick to the facts.
The facts are… I've beaten you.
And I know I can beat Gunther,
and history's shown, you can't.
-[crowd gasping] -[mic clatters]
[Pearce] Now, hold on, guys. Hold on.
Wait, wait, wait.
Gentlemen, gentlemen, listen.
You guys can fight all you want a week from now,
but in order to get there, I need three signatures on this contract.
So how about we get two of them taken care of right now?
[crowd cheering]
Girl, here's your souvenir.
[inaudible dialogue]
[def rebel's "Prepare to Fight" (Symphony No. 9 in E Minor) playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] The Intercontinental Champion.
The man who's held the title for 287 days and counting.
The longest reign of the 21st century.
Gunther marching his way down to the ring.
♪ Gunther! Der Ringgeneral! ♪
♪ Gunther! Das Maß ist da! ♪
Whoa.
I want you to justify to me this decision.
I want you to justify why I'm in a match
where these two guys can pin or submit each other
and I still lose my title.
Justify it.
Justify it, I said!
Easy, easy.
Calm down, please.
Please.
You happy now?
Whatever I have to do to defend
my Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania
will be justified.
I'm gonna beat you.
I'm going to beat you.
If I have to, I beat you.
[crowd shouts "What?"]
What are you looking at, huh?
What do you want?
[Cole] Look at Butch.
The ever-rabid Butch goes right after Gunther,
the Intercontinental Champion.
Butch, leave it.
[Cole] And Gunther is incensed.
-[Gunther yells] -Calm down!
-Okay, calm down. -Make that match now.
-Calm down, okay? -Make that match now.
Relax, relax, relax.
[Cole] Intercontinental Champion, Gunther…
got at WWE official Adam Pearce's face before the break,
demanded this matchup, and he got it.
Gunther versus Butch here tonight on SmackDown,
and what a kick to the face.
McIntyre, Sheamus, who face Gunther in a Triple Threat Match
next weekend at WrestleMania, looking on.
[Wade] It takes a lot to make Drew McIntyre wince, but that did it.
Let's take another look at this one. Cleaning the clock of Butch.
[Butch grunts]
[Cole] Gunther said that this place is a disgrace.
That's his quote.
Adam Pearce covering up his own faults.
"I shouldn't have to be in a Triple Threat.
I've already beaten Sheamus twice.
Drew McIntyre will be no match for me. The mat is sacred."
[Wade] It was really Gunther's own tactical error last week,
needlessly attacking Drew and Sheamus
in the Number One Contender's matchup, leading to a no--
-[Gunther grunts] -[Cole] Oh, what power.
[Wade] I don't know what other choice Adam Pearce would've had.
It's rare for me to defend Adam Pearce, believe me.
[Cole] And I agree with you, but here's the issue for Gunther.
He has to go into a Triple Threat Match now.
Just take another look at the great power
and technical ability of the Intercontinental Champion.
[Wade] True raw power.
[Cole] In a Triple Threat Match, Wade, of course, there's no
Champion's Advantage, because there's no disqualifications,
there's no count outs.
And the first man to gain pinfall or submission will win the title,
so Gunther's point is this:
If Drew pins Sheamus or vice versa, that person wins the championship.
Gunther, he could lose the title and never be involved in the decision.
[Wade] Gunther made it very clear in my exclusive interview at the desk
last week, Michael Cole, that he would beat either Sheamus
or Drew McIntyre, but both at the same time,
very different equation.
And I would say, if either Drew or Sheamus pin each other,
that would be a tragic end to a historic
Intercontinental Championship reign of Gunther.
[Cole] The other issue is that Gunther is one pissed off human being right now,
and we know what this man is capable of.
We know how dangerous he is.
We know how physical he is, and here's an-- Oh! An example.
[crowd gasps]
[Wade] Just feel that bass on that chop.
[Cole] Wade, listen, you've been in the ring with Drew.
You've been in the ring with Sheamus, right?
How physical is this match gonna be
with these three men involved at WrestleMania?
[Wade] Very few guarantees in life, but I guarantee you,
all three of those men in that matchup
are gonna come out incredibly hurt.
We are gonna need a lot of ice bags behind the scenes
after that one finishes.
[Cole] Now, Butch looking to try put Gunther away,
and imagine if Gunther loses this match tonight
after demanding it happen.
And now, the Boston crab,
as Gunther sits down on the spine of Butch.
Repositioning himself now.
Again.
Now, turns it into a crossface.
[Wade] Two technicians in the ring right now.
They have some history together.
Gunther actually beat Butch at the NXT Championship
about four years ago.
These two cannot stand the sight of each other.
Perhaps explains Butch's reaction a little earlier on.
[Cole] Butch, master of joint manipulation, but Gunther,
the master of the chop.
Just driving the air out of the lungs of Butch.
We saw--
Oh! Step-up enzuigiri stunning the champion.
Butch hit with another one. Gunther still on his feet.
[Wade] Gunther--
[Cole] Went for a third one, and Gunther swatted him away.
[Wade] Gunther has a clear power advantage.
Perhaps Butch's best bet is to go with speed in this one
to try and outmaneuver the big Austrian.
[crowd gasps]
[Cole] Gunther just beating the hell out of Butch.
Oh, continuing to torture Butch.
He's got a five-count before he has to break.
Oh, and Butch hits the steps hard.
Gunther dominating.
Can Butch get back in it on SmackDown?
[Cole] Back on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
This impromptu matchup between the Intercontinental Champion,
Gunther, and Butch of the Brawling Brutes.
And now, Gunther staring down at Sheamus.
-[Gunther grunts] -Look at him.
I thought he was gonna deliver the 10 Beats of the Bodhrán for a moment.
Maybe he was and he was intercepted by Butch.
He's looking to break the fingers of the champion.
[Wade grunts]
[Wade] Rare mistake from Gunther there.
Getting a little too cocky.
You simply cannot do that with Butch.
[Cole] Now, Butch starting to build momentum.
Kick to the ear.
[Wade] Man, what a huge favor it would be to Sheamus
if Butch can take a chunk
out of Gunther tonight, just making Sheamus' job
at WrestleMania that much easier.
As a byproduct, of course, the job of McIntyre too.
[Cole] Gunther turns it into a sleeper, as he offered a standing switch.
[Wade] And once again, anyone who gets any form of momentum against Gunther,
it just gets snatched away almost immediately.
[Cole] Yeah, it's that quickness of Gunther.
[Wade] One of the most unstoppable champions we have ever seen in WWE.
[Cole] Got that rare gift of power.
You see the quick-- Oh!
-Gunther lands a-- -[Wade] Oh!
[Cole] I should say, Butch lands on his feet.
Delivers a kick right to the back of the neck.
[Wade] That is how you get your bell rung.
[Cole] And now, Butch, from the apron,
went to deliver a moonsault.
Gunther with a chop to Butch right on our table.
[referee shouts]
Come on now, guys. [indistinct]
[Cole] And now, the three men who will meet at WrestleMania
staring each other down.
-And now, Butch… -[Wade] Oh!
[Cole] …sent into McIntyre as Gunther sidestepped.
[Wade] McIntyre caught in the crossfire.
Ah!
[Cole] Now, Butch starting to turn up the heat on Gunther.
[Wade] Momentary distraction on Gunther was all it took
for Butch to take control of-- Uh-oh!
[Cole] Now McIntyre having words with Butch.
Sheamus gonna get involved.
-[Wade] Oh! -[Cole] Oh, and a Glasgow Kiss.
[Holland grunts]
[Cole] Ridge Holland sent into the post by McIntyre.
Sheamus with a knee.
Gunther turning Butch inside out off the distraction.
-Last Symphony for the win. -[referee and crowd] One, two, three!
[bell rings]
[def rebel's "Prepare to Fight" playing]
[Irvin] Here is your winner,
the Intercontinental Champion, Gunther.
[Cole] And now, we look ahead to next weekend.
Sheamus looking to win the only championship he has not held
in his illustrious career in WWE.
[Wade] Bad blood at boiling point.
[Cole] Oh, went for the Claymore and took out Gunther.
Was that Claymore meant for Sheamus?
[crowd cheering]
[shouting]
Listen to that.
That Triple Threat Match at WrestleMania is bound to be a banger.
Oooooh.
-But you know what I can't wait for? -What's that? What's that?
Our showcase, Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Match at WrestleMania.
We got Alpha Academy.
We got the Viking Raiders.
We got Braun Strowman and Ricochet.
I mean, yo, what do they got in common, bro?
What do they got in common?
Ooooh.
[together] ♪ Smooth operator, hey ♪
Hey, real cute.
You all got jokes, huh?
What, you got a problem with bald guys?
You got a lot of room to talk.
You're pretty thin up top yourself, brother.
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Fam, them was just jokes.
It's not funny, either.
-It's just jokes, huh? -You guys just playing, right?
-Is this funny for you? -We ain't laughing.
You're playing like you all a tag team, dawg.
That's what I found funny.
All right, that's all right.
We gonna see who's playing at the Showcase Match
at WrestleMania, when we show up
and you fools fool around and find out.
Because we want all of y'all's smoke.
Every bit of it.
-You all want the smoke? -I'm gonna inhale it all.
[CFO$'s "Fight" playing]
[Cole] Kevin Owens, who will challenge
for the Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania.
[Cole] And tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by
Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home or motorcycle insurance.
It's time for the "KO Show" here tonight
on Friday Night SmackDown.
And guess who his guest is gonna be?
[Wade] Yes, indeed.
The friendship is back on.
The dream team are united and they're heading to WrestleMania.
We'll hear from KO and Sami Zayn next.
[Cole] It's the final Monday Night Raw before WrestleMania.
The match was talked about earlier tonight.
It is now official.
Cody Rhodes will take on the enforcer of The Bloodline, Solo Sikoa,
as Rhodes gets ready for WrestleMania.
Now, that's Raw Monday night in Phoenix,
but WrestleMania SmackDown is next Friday night in Los Angeles.
Yes, and "all Rhodes lead to Roman."
Champion and challenger meet face-to-face on the last stop
before WrestleMania.
[Cole] Also, next Friday night in Los Angeles,
how are these two gonna get along?
McIntyre and Sheamus, two-thirds of the Triple Threat Match
for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania,
take on Imperium in a tag team match.
[Wade] And we have the return of the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
A plethora of Superstars all compete to lift the prestigious trophy.
Next Friday on WrestleMania SmackDown.
[Cole] I cannot wait. SmackDown is in Los Angeles.
The night before the start of WrestleMania.
[Irvin] Please welcome the host of the "KO Show,"
Kevin Owens.
What an introduction.
Thank you.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the "Kevin Owens Show."
[crowd cheering]
Now, please welcome my guest…
my tag team partner…
my friend…
my brother…
the one and only
Sami Zayn.
[CFO$'s "Worlds Apart" playing]
[crowd] ♪ Let's go! ♪
[Cole] Wade, it was an incredible moment last week.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, who have been best friends for 20-some-odd years.
Of course, just like all friends, they've had their problems,
their differences, but in the end, they came back together last week
to fight the common-- common enemy, The Bloodline.
And now, they have themselves a Tag Team Title opportunity
at WrestleMania.
[Wade] As big as it gets.
Far be it from me to poo poo on this situation.
Kevin Owens couldn't stand the sight of Sami Zayn two weeks ago.
Last week, they're hugging.
Is next week a different story again?
I don't know how much stock I can put in this friendship
quite yet, Michael Cole.
[Cole] I don't agree with you on that point.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chants "Sami"]
Yeah, so… I did it right? The way you wanted?
Everything worked out, right?
What do you mean?
You know, I brought you on as my guest.
I gave you the big introduction, just like you wanted, right?
It's good?
Well, I didn't want any big introduction.
This is your show.
I'm a guest on your show.
Yeah, but remember I said we could just come out together?
You were like, "No, no. Let's come out separately
so the WWE Universe
can hear both of our songs and cheer for both of us."
Really, which, really, just--
You wanted your own pop.
I get it.
I didn't. [laughs]
-I did not want my own pop. -It's okay, they love you.
It's all good.
See?
I totally get it.
[crowd chants "Sami"]
I'm gonna take a seat 'cause they're gonna go for a while.
Is there any more backstage stuff that we need to spill out here
or could we talk about WrestleMania for a minute?
[Owens] Yeah, of course.
Because, look, me more than anybody, I've been talking nonstop about,
"We got to take down Roman Reigns.
We got to take down The Usos. We got to take down The Bloodline."
And even I have, kind of, lost sight of the fact--
Do you realize--
There you go.
Do you realize what we're on the verge of doing?
After all these years, from where we started, from nothing,
starting together in Montreal all those years ago,
we are on the verge of winning
the WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championship.
[crowd cheering]
We are on the verge of doing that together at WrestleMania.
Hey, and not just any WrestleMania, okay?
This year, I don't know what it is,
but WrestleMania feels different this year.
[chuckles]
No, you're-- you're right.
It's not lost on me.
I do realize what we have the chance of accomplishing.
But you're right, it is different.
WrestleMania this year is different, which is why
I brought you out here, actually, because I--
Well, I've got something for you.
[clears throat]
Now, remember a few months ago,
after…
after Roman Reigns gave you that Honorary Uce shirt?
I told you… you needed a new shirt.
So I got you one.
[crowd cheering]
[Sami chuckles]
Dude, that's awesome.
That's this year's KO-Mania shirt?
-I'll take it. Thank you. -Yeah, but that's actually, uh--
This is actually the back of it. KO-Mania's on the back this year.
'Cause, yeah, I do KO-Mania every year, but this year is different.
Because this year, it's not about KO-Mania, because…
this year, there's only one person
who took WWE by storm, who caught fire like no one else.
There's only one person that people can look at and say,
"That guy-- That guy has been the MVP of WWE for the last 12 months,"
and that person is you.
So this year--
[crowd chants "MVP"]
So, this year, yeah…
But it's not KO-Mania.
This year, it's about what's on the front of the shirt.
[crowd cheering]
[Sami] You did this?
You did this?
WrestleZaynia, baby!
[crowd cheers]
WrestleZaynia, baby.
[laughs]
Oh my God, I love it!
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chants "WrestleZaynia"]
[crowd cheers]
Oh, no, no. I hugged you last week.
You get one hug a year. That's enough.
Bring it in.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Oh goodness!
The Usos!
The Tag Team Champions, The Usos, attacking KO and Sami Zayn.
[Wade] Don't enjoy yourself too much, KO and Sami.
[Cole] Double superkick to KO.
[Wade] Got to keep your eye on the ball.
[Cole] And now, 1D.
[crowd booing]
And The Usos scatter, but the damage has been done on the hit-and-run attack.
Come on.
[CFO$'s "Done With That (Day One Remix)" playing]
You're going down, Uce!
[Cole] The reports of The Bloodline death is greatly exaggerated.
The Usos ain't done yet.
They put their 614-day and counting reign
on the line next weekend…
against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn…
-[Owens] You two are going down! -…at WrestleMania.
Come on!
Get in the ring while I'm looking at you!
Come on!
♪ Let's go, Uce ♪ I'm looking at you!