[WWE intro music playing]
[Cena] Then.
-[Flair] Woo! -[glass shatters]
[The Rock] If you smell…
-[bell tolls] -[Cena] Now.
[Reigns] Acknowledge me!
-♪ The King of Kings ♪ -♪ You can't see me ♪
[Cena] Forever.
[crowd cheers]
Together.
[music fades]
[upbeat music playing]
[Cole] It is an island of world-class beaches
full of great adventures and experiences.
World-famous music and musicians
where you enjoy every last ray of sun.
For the first time ever,
SmackDown has come to Puerto Rico.
You're looking live at a sold-out Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan.
A late-arriving crowd here tonight, but we are sold-out.
Over 16,000 WWE fans have packed this place
for Friday Night SmackDown on Fox, sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
["Booyaka 619" by P.O.D. playing]
[crowd cheers]
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619 ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, that's my pueblo ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619 ♪
[crowd cheers]
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, that's my pueblo ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619 ♪
♪ What you gonna do When we come for you? ♪
♪ Viva la raza! ♪
[crowd cheers]
["Our World" by def rebel playing]
[crowd cheers]
[Irvin] Please welcome Zelina Vega,
Joaquin Wilde, Cruz del Toro, Santos Escobar,
and WWE Hall of Famer,
Rey Mysterio! LWO!
[Cole] It is electric here in San Juan tonight
for the arrival of Rey Mysterio and the LWO.
Just like earlier today on all WWE social media channels,
the Backlash press conference,
some verbal sparring between Rhea and Dom and Zelina and Rey.
[Irvin] Welcome to the WWE Backlash press conference.
[crowd boos]
It's no secret that I am the underdog here in this match.
But I'm excited, I'm so happy to be representing
each and every single one of you in WWE,
and let's get the SmackDown Women's Championship
and bring it to Puerto Rico.
[crowd cheering]
I'm not only going to beat you,
but I'm going to embarrass you in your home.
Now, your nightmares become reality tomorrow.
[crowd boos]
[Cole] Well, ladies and gentlemen, tomorrow night,
Zelina Vega calls it the biggest match of her career.
In front of family and friends,
can she knock off the mighty Rhea Ripley
to win the SmackDown Women's Championship at Backlash?
Hello again, everybody. At ringside, I'm Michael Cole,
of course, accompanied by Wade Barrett.
It is an incredible atmosphere here.
What an island. What an atmosphere.
What a two-nights of insane action we've got lined up.
Also with us here at ringside, our Spanish announce team
Jerry Soto and Marcelo Rodriguez.
[in Spanish] We're very happy to represent,
because this weekend Puerto Rico plays the role of all of Latin America!
Exactly! So thanks to you, our family, today we're all clearly making history.
[in Spanish] How are my people on the Island of Enchantment doing?
[crowd cheering]
You may not know this, but frankly, it's an honor for us
to get to represent all our fellow Latinos out there.
[crowd cheers]
Through the LWO!
I don't know about you,
but we are more than happy to be witnesses, tomorrow,
to Damian Priest getting his ass kicked by Bad Bunny!
[crowd cheers]
But before that happens, please give it up for
the next Smackdown Women's Champion,
Zelina Vega!
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chants]
["The Other Side" by Alter Bridge playing]
[crowd clamoring]
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, we have been talking for weeks…
about how emotional this weekend is for Zelina Vega,
and before she can even address the WWE fans here tonight,
the interruption of Judgment Day.
[Wade] The Judgment Day don't need to do Zelina Vega any favors.
Zelina Vega has caused enough trouble
over the past few weeks for The Judgment Day.
Bálor on the right, Rhea on the left, Dominik Mysterio, Rey's estranged son,
there in the middle.
[crowd boos]
[crowd gasps]
[Cole] Real classy.
What an ass.
Obviously…
needs to learn some manners.
[crowd boos]
[crowd chants]
[in Spanish] You have been a…
[crowd booing]
[booing continues]
You have been more…
[crowd booing]
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
You have been more of a father for her than for me.
[crowd boos]
[in English] And you're still the same deadbeat dad you're always gonna be.
[crowd boos]
-[in Spanish] Because Mommy-- -Look, Dom, Dom, Dom.
All you do is whine and whine and whine.
[crowd cheers]
Son, don't be such a drag.
[crowd cheers]
Now, if you have the guts, and your mommy allows you to…
[crowd cheers]
…why don't we have a WrestleMania rematch?
[crowd cheers]
[in English] One more time, WrestleMania rematch, you and me.
[crowd chants]
I got a better idea, Rey.
How about you fight me?
[crowd cheers]
[muffled] Yeah. I wouldn't.
[crowd cheers]
How about you fight the both of us?
[in Spanish] Both of us?
You two against the two of us?
[crowd cheers]
You're on!
[crowd cheers]
[indistinct chatter]
[crowd chants in Spanish] Yes! Yes! Yes!
You're on.
-[crowd cheers] -[mic thuds]
[Cole] Oh yeah!
["The Other Side" by Alter Bridge playing]
[Cole] WWE official, Adam Pearce, please make this happen.
Oh, look at the cheap shot by Dominik!
[Wade laughs]
[Cole] Oh man, I hope he gets his later tonight…
-[Wade] Don't… -…because we had a challenge.
Rhea and Dominik against Rey Mysterio and Zelina Vega
later on tonight here on SmackDown.
[gasps]
[Cole] A hit-and-run by that punk Dominik Mysterio,
and if Adam Pearce makes this official, Wade,
Dominik's gonna get his tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Wade] You know what? I have a really horrible feeling, Michael Cole,
that you are not gonna be capable of being an unbiased journalist tonight
based on that performance from you.
Well, let's see if we can make that match official.
And coming up next here on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox,
a traditional Tag Team Matchup.
I want to take you back to what happened last week
here on Friday Night SmackDown,
the OC, AJ Styles, Michin, The Good Brothers, Anderson and Gallows
celebrating being drafted to Friday Night SmackDown
before they were interrupted by Erik, Ivar and Valhalla of The Viking Raiders.
OC, handle your business.
[Cole] And the OC would handle their business,
the Big Boot and the Eat Defeat by Michin.
Anderson and Gallows with the Magic Killer
and then AJ Styles with the Exclamation Point.
Wade, the Phenomenal Forearm.
[Wade] Absolute annihilation of The Viking Raiders
trying to rain on the parade
of the newly drafted SmackDown stars, the OC.
Failing badly in the process.
["Emergence" by def rebel playing]
[crowd cheering]
-[explosion pops] -[crowd cheering]
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following is a Tag Team Match scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied by Michin
and "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles,
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, the OC!
-[Cole] Wade, the OC looks good in blue. -[Wade] You're telling me.
Thrilled to have them here on SmackDown.
And up next, we're gonna see them in action.
The OC, taking on The Viking Raiders.
[music fades]
[Cole] You know, they say when you come here
that you need to enjoy every last ray of sun.
This is San Juan, Puerto Rico,
the home tonight of Friday Night SmackDown on Fox,
and tomorrow to WWE Backlash.
What a wonderful place.
[Wade] Hey, Cole. Breaking news, you got your wish.
Adam Pearce has officially signed off
Rey Mysterio and Zelina Vega of the LWO, will take on Dominik and Rhea Ripley
in mixed tag action in tonight's main event.
[Cole] Meanwhile, traditional tag team action now.
There is Erik and Ivar, along with Valhalla,
The Viking Raiders set to take on Anderson and Gallows of the OC.
Now earlier today, at the press conference for Backlash
here in San Juan, Puerto Rico,
Triple H discussed the format
of the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament.
We are going to have more about the format at the conclusion of this match.
Joining us at ringside, none other than AJ Styles.
-AJ, welcome back to SmackDown. -[Styles] What's going on, fellas?
Glad to be back. You know, this is the house that AJ Styles built.
I love it here.
We're about to heat it up right now with the OC.
[Cole] Anderson and Gallows against The Viking Raiders.
Of course, Michin in the corner of Anderson and Gallows
and Valhalla for The Raiders.
-[Wade] I got to tell you, AJ… -[bell rings]
…what a thrill it is to have you here on SmackDown.
Let me ask you right off the bat,
we just saw the beautiful new World Heavyweight Championship.
Given your history of accomplishment,
you must have a particular interest
in the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament.
[Styles] Is there anyone that doesn't?
And if they don't, I got a problem with them.
I don't understand why they're here in the WWE.
You want the prize and the WWE World Championship,
it is the prize right now that everybody wants.
[Cole] This is Erik now, the legal man,
hammering away with the body shots on Karl Anderson,
and Anderson with a block now. Karl Anderson fighting back.
Of course, we will find out on Sunday who will be involved
in the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament.
-Will AJ Styles be part of the field? -[Styles] I hope so.
[Wade] Has to be one of the favorites, if he is.
[Cole] Oh! Karl Anderson taking out Erik at the knee.
-Come on, Karl. -[Cole] What makes Anderson so effective?
[Styles] He's been there and done that all over the world.
He knows what he's doing. He's prepared for anything.
That's what we love about Karl Anderson.
And here comes Gallows, the big man, to set things straight.
[Cole] And the big man as well for The Raiders, Ivar.
-[grunting] -[Cole] Ivar so strong, powerful,
but yet agile for his size.
A couple of back elbows.
[Wade] Really a last chance to settle some scores
before the draft officially kicks in after Backlash.
Of course, The Viking Raiders heading over to Raw.
[Cole] The OC will stay with us here on Friday nights.
[Styles] I think Ivar's still mad
after the Phenomenal Forearm I gave him last week.
[Cole] And the World Heavyweight Championship, of course,
will be part of Monday Night Raw.
That's because the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns,
is part of Friday Night SmackDown.
As of tonight, holding that championship for 978 days.
Perhaps Roman could be on your radar, AJ?
-[Styles] Of course he is. Listen-- -[Cole] Oh!
[Styles] Beautiful! That was the Cover Me Softly right there!
-[Cole] And a kickout. What was that? -[Styles] The Brother Me Softly.
That was it right there. I came up with the name all by myself.
-It's beautiful! -[Cole chuckles]
[Wade] What a tight brotherhood, the OC.
Truly have been over the past few years globally.
AJ, I got to ask you,
you've had a little time off for recovery lately.
What is different about AJ Styles this time around?
[Styles] You know, this was the first time in 24 years
that I've ever been out this long from wrestling,
and it bothered me.
It made me want more, and more is what I'm going after.
That's what makes me different this time around.
[Cole] Valhalla causing a distraction.
And it allows Ivar to take over, dumping Anderson out to the floor.
[Wade] Heavy landing for Anderson there.
[Cole] Michin having words with Valhalla.
This Tag Team Matchup continues live on Fox.
[Styles] Here we go!
[Cole] We are live in San Juan, Puerto Rico,
for SmackDown on Fox.
Sold-out, over 16,000 strong.
Anderson and Gallows of the OC against The Viking Raiders.
Tag made. Here comes Gallows!
[Wade] This is exactly what the OC needed,
-just when things were looking bleak. -[crowd cheers]
[Cole] With us at ringside, none other than former WWE Champion, AJ Styles,
who's been on the edge of his seat for this entire matchup.
Oh, and a big shoulder tackle!
[Wade] AJ, I got to ask you. The OC look reinvigorated.
What is this unit looking to achieve in the future here on SmackDown?
[Styles] We want it all. We want it all.
Mia "Michin," whatever you want to call her,
she's going for, of course, the Women's Championship.
-The boys, of course, want the tag. -[Cole] Oh!
-[Styles] That's it! Come on! -[Cole] What a Powerbomb!
Cover by Gallows for the win. Ivar's going to kick at two.
I don't know about you, Wade, but I can hardly hear myself think.
[Wade] I'm surprised the roof is still attached to this building.
They're just getting louder, Cole.
[Cole] Here's Erik now, runs into a right here by Gallows.
[Styles] Come on, Gallows.
[crowd chants]
[Cole] Gallows went for the Big Boot, caught by Erik.
And there's the power!
-[Wade] Got two belligerent… -[Cole] Tag!
…savages here to ruin the party in Puerto Rico.
[Cole] Double team coming from The Viking Raiders,
the 300-plus-pound Ivar up to the top rope.
Big Splash!
Cover on Gallows for the win,
and Karl Anderson saving the matchup.
-Watch this impact. -[grunting]
[Styles] Nice.
[Cole] Meanwhile, Anderson…
-[Wade and Styles] Oh! -[Cole] …got sat on by Ivar.
[Wade] 330 pounds of Ivar, crushing everything in his path.
[Cole] Again, Valhalla with the distraction.
[Wade] Well, Valhalla has been instrumental in this entire matchup.
-Whoa! -[crowd cheers]
[Cole] And Michin just made Valhalla pay out here at ringside.
[Wade] And that is why they call Michin "The Equalizer" of the OC.
[Cole] And it allows Gallows to take out Ivar.
Tag made. Here's Anderson.
The Good Brothers.
[Styles] Magic Killer!
-[Cole] Magic Killer connecting! Cover! -[crowd] Uno!
-Dos! Tres! -[Styles] Yes, sir!
-I'm celebrating, baby. -[Cole] The OC sends The Raiders
-packing to Raw. -[Irvin] Here are your winners,
the OC!
[Wade] Oh man. The OC firing on all cylinders.
What a way to open up their account here on SmackDown.
[Cole] Wade, Valhalla kept getting involved in this matchup here tonight,
and finally…
Michin made her pay.
[Wade] Well, that is the Head Baddie In Charge,
Michin with a vital call for the OC.
-And once you see that, it is good night. -[crowd] Uno, dos, tres!
[bell rings]
[Cole] What an arrival to Friday Night SmackDown for the OC…
[crowd cheers]
…as they celebrate their tag team victory.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, moments ago, we showed you
the brand-new World Heavyweight Championship.
Now, earlier today at the Backlash press conference
on all WWE social media channels,
Triple H explained how we're going to crown
a new World Heavyweight Champion.
It will all start Monday night live on Raw.
There will be a tournament on Raw.
Then next Friday night on SmackDown there will be another tournament.
The winners of those two tournaments
will face off the last Saturday of this month,
May 27th, in Saudi Arabia, at Night of Champions
to crown the brand-new New World Heavyweight Champion.
[Wade] Again, starting this Monday on Raw,
the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament
starts and then continues next Friday on SmackDown,
the two winners from those respective tournament nights
face off at Night of Champions, May 27th,
to crown the new World Heavyweight Champion.
♪ I'm on my own Against the wall ♪
♪ The pressure's building But, no, I will never fall ♪
♪ Instead of crying ♪
♪ They hear me roar ♪
[Irvin] Ladies and gentleman, please welcome
the Raw Women's Champion, Bianca Belair!
[Cole] Well, here is a woman
who hopes to make history tomorrow night at Backlash.
If she wins, the longest-reigning Women's Champion in history.
And tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
SmackDown's first-round draft pick, Wade.
[crowd cheers]
"The EST" Bianca Belair is live and she's next.
♪ Instead of crying ♪
♪ They hear me roar ♪
[Cole] Puerto Rico is an island of world-class beaches.
I heard, Wade, you brought your swimming trunks?
[Wade] Yes, indeed. Packed my Speedo, I don't like many tan lines.
[Cole] I'm not sure how many people would find that hot,
but one thing that is hot, WWE, the hottest brand on the planet.
[upbeat music playing]
[crowd cheering]
Sing it, baby!
[crowd singing]
[Cole] Bianca Belair told me the European tour,
one of the most fun tours she's ever had here in WWE.
And speaking of Bianca, she's the Raw Women's Champion,
and if she wins tomorrow night,
she will become the longest-reigning Women's Champion of the modern era.
She defends the title against Iyo Sky at Backlash.
Now y'all all just saw all the love that we got on the European tour.
[crowd cheers]
And the crowd, it was amazing and I can't wait to go back,
but I am so hyped to be newly drafted at SmackDown
and standing right here in Puerto Rico.
[crowd cheering]
Now y'all all know that this blue brand, it holds a special place in my heart
because I made history when I won the SmackDown Title here.
[crowd cheering]
But tonight is the eve
when I defend my Raw Women's Championship against Iyo Sky.
Now, Iyo Sky, she is one of a kind.
She's dangerous, she's unpredictable, but…
I have faced the best of the best.
I have flown all around the world, defending this title,
so I have proven that no matter where I am or what brand I'm on,
I'm always gonna show up and show out.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] EST! EST! EST!
Now, with a victory tomorrow,
I will tie the record for the longest title reign.
Which means that after Backlash,
when that clock strikes midnight, the EST of WWE
will become your longest-reigning Women's Champion of the modern era.
[crowd cheers]
So every single time I step in this ring,
-I'm gonna give every-- -["We Got The Rage" playing]
[crowd clamoring]
[Cole] Get used to this because they are now officially a part
of Friday Night SmackDown.
Ding-dong!
Hello, SmackDown.
Uh, Bianca, don't tell me that you're out here
talking about how this show holds such a special place in your heart,
and you're not even gonna tell these idiots why.
It's because I made you on this show!
[crowd boos]
That's right. I did.
Boo all you want, but it's true.
I can't say that I'm surprised you're out here
bragging about how many days that you've been champion.
Same old conceited Bianca.
You know what you should be talking about?
Your focus should be on Iyo Sky
and how she's about to end that title reign tomorrow night.
She's going to put an end
to this history party that you're very excited about.
[laughs]
And when that happens,
you and that big old head of yours can get out of our ring.
[laughs]
When Iyo Sky becomes the new Raw Women's Champion,
Dakota and I feel like becoming
the new WWE Women's Tag Team Champions.
And SmackDown and that idiot Michael Cole
will belong to Damage CTRL!
[mic thuds]
[Cole] That's nice. Glad she's back.
[Wade] That's you. She's talking about you, Cole.
[Cole] No kidding. And Bianca Belair now in trouble.
Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai, and Bayley.
And Bianca Belair goes right after Bayley,
and Bianca now trying to fight off Damage CTRL.
[Wade] That's quite simply the-- Ooh.
[Cole] And this, uh, will be the scene tomorrow night.
Iyo and Bianca for the Raw Women's Championship.
And from behind!
And Bianca holding her own.
[Wade] Cleaning house, three-on-one, what on earth?
-[Cole] Bayley! -[crowd cheering]
Bianca was going for the KOD, and now Iyo Sky!
The Genius of the Sky!
[Wade] Like always, the numbers game is just too much.
Valiant effort from Bianca Belair,
but Damage CTRL is out to cause damage.
-["Liv Gone Mad" playing] -[Cole] Bianca Belair down three-one,
but she's got some backup!
The Women's Tag Team Champions,
Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez!
[Wade] Always spoiling for a fight.
[Cole] Raquel and Morgan going after Damage CTRL.
[crowd cheering]
♪ I'm on my own Against the wall ♪
[Cole] And now Bianca will regroup, as will Iyo Sky,
because tomorrow night at Backlash,
Bianca versus Iyo for the Raw Women's Championship.
[yelling indistinctly]
[overlapping chatter]
[ominous music plays]
When someone has every single thing they need,
everything is all in the right places,
they are so sure of who they think they really are.
Right up until the point…
when you take away one little thing.
All of the formalities,
the little charade they put on for everybody,
that begins to crumble real fast.
Tonight…
I plant another seed to be reaped.
Mr. Nakamura…
how much is your honor really worth to you?
Tick tock.
[clock ticking]
[Cole] Well, before Shinsuke Nakamura heads over to Monday Night Raw,
he's got one more score to settle.
Later on tonight, "The King of Strong Style"
Nakamura against Karrion Kross live on SmackDown.
["Bring the Swag" feat J. Frost playing]
[crowd cheers]
♪ I bring the swag like nobody can ♪
♪ Don't mean to brag… ♪
-[bell rings] -[Irvin] The following
is a Tag Team Match scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, at a combined weight of 492 pounds,
Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins,
The Street Profits!
[Cole] Wade, it's one of the biggest days of the year
for red Solo cups at Cinco de Mayo.
[Wade] Well, and May parties all around,
but it ain't a true party until The Street Profits are in town
where they're going to be right here on SmackDown every single week.
[crowd] Hey! Hey!
[Cole] It is a raucous scene here tonight.
Sold-out in San Juan, Puerto Rico,
over 16,000 strong.
But up next, we'll witness this Tag Team Matchup,
The Street Profits against Imperium!
We want the smoke!
-Oh! Oh! Oh! -[crowd cheering]
[crowd] Hey! Hey! Hey!
[announcer] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto and more.
[Cole] It is a WrestleMania main event rematch.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
defend the Undisputed Tag Team Titles against The Usos.
A lot of pressure tonight, The Usos have dedicated the victory…
To your Tribal Chief!
[Heyman] Your Tribal Chief wants you to know
that success is your only avenue tonight.
He will only accept the fact…
that tonight is the night.
[Cole] The Usos need to win tonight.
They understand that Roman Reigns will not accept failure.
Oh, and a Swanton by Owens!
Cover to retain.
Kickout!
[cell phone buzzes]
Yes, sir.
Thank you, my Tribal Chief.
That was the call.
Tonight is your night.
[crowd clamoring]
[Cole] Wait a minute.
"The Enforcer" Solo Sikoa.
Tonight is the night.
[tense music playing]
[Cole] It's Riddle!
Riddle attacking Solo Sikoa!
Meanwhile, Sami dragging Jey out of the ring.
Stunner!
Helluva Kick!
-Cover! -[crowd] One, two, three!
-[bell rings] -[Cole] Zayn and Owens retain.
Jimmy and Jey can't get the job done.
Roman Reigns is not gonna be happy with this.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd clamoring]
-[clapping] -[Jey] Okay!
-Okay! -San Juan, Puerto Rico!
-What's up, though? -Hey, you know why we here.
-Backlash. -We here to handle some business.
-Backlash! -Big six-man tomorrow night.
-Come on. -Hey, Jey. I'm with it!
[chuckles] Solo, are you with it?
Jey, you with it?
-You know I'm with it. -I'm with it.
-You know I'm with it. -Let's go, baby.
Let's go!
[indistinct chatter]
[crowd chanting] Uso! Uso! Uso!
Hey, yo, Uce.
My brother asked you a question.
I heard the question.
Tomorrow, I'ma do my part,
and all I know is, you two…
you better do yours.
You just had to say something, didn't you?
[Cole] Interesting situation heading into the huge six-man
Tag Team Matchup tomorrow night at Backlash.
Meanwhile, here on Friday Night SmackDown,
Vinci on the left, Kaiser on the right, Imperium,
their last match here on Friday nights before they head off to Monday Night Raw
to take on SmackDown's brand-new team, The Street Profits.
[Wade] Let me tell you, Imperium are disgusted
by the thought of Solo cups are the concept of the smoke.
This is a nobleman's sport
and street fighting talk about wanting smoke
is not appropriate around here, Michael Cole.
[Cole] Kaiser will start things off
-against Montez Ford. -[bell rings]
Bell rings, we're underway.
[Wade] Wait a second.
There was a discreet tag right off the bat there.
[Cole] Well, Vinci is now the legal man.
Kaiser's still hammering away on Montez Ford.
[Wade] Montez Ford had no idea.
That was an interesting strategy by Imperium.
[Cole] Big uppercut.
[crowd gasps]
-Get out! -Don't be angry.
-Get out! Go! -Okay.
Get out! Get out!
[Cole] And Ford now sent outside the ring.
[Wade] Absolute blur of action from Imperium once again.
-Trickery of the fight. -[Cole] Vinci, top rope.
Tremendous athleticism by Giovanni Vinci.
And Vinci now.
Oh, rolling Senton.
Vinci, now up to the top rope yet again.
Moonsault connecting.
-Hook of the leg on Ford. -One, two!
[Cole] He's gonna kick at two.
Montez Ford has not been able to get started in this match.
[Wade] Hot start from Imperium
amidst the trickery, high-flying action from Giovanni Vinci,
putting Imperium in total control in this matchup.
Street Profits have no idea what's hit them.
[Cole] Both of these teams, of course, jockeying for position
for an opportunity to perhaps take on Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn,
for the Undisputed Tag Team Titles down the road.
Owens and Zayn, of course, teaming tomorrow night with Riddle
against The Bloodline.
Street Profits, the first tag team taken off the board
-in last week's WWE draft. -Cover by Kaiser and a kickout.
You know that had to really bother Imperium.
[Wade] Absolutely bothered Imperium.
They see themselves as the firebrands,
as they-- the number one in the Tag Division with or without gold.
[Cole] Now fighting back as Montez Ford's got to make a tag.
Angelo Dawkins, chop after chop by Ford.
-Kaiser, right back to the midsection. -[Wade] Say you're gonna make a tag.
Easier said than done when you're in with the--
[Cole] Misses wildly. Back suplex by Ford creates an opportunity.
[Wade] This has to be the moment for Montez Ford.
-Completely fresh Dawkins is in. -[Cole] Tag!
Here comes the big man, Angelo Dawkins.
[Wade] Really is a steak and sizzle tag team,
and we got the steak in there right now.
[Cole] And no doubt, Angelo Dawkins, big man, powerful, but so agile,
and there you see an example of it. That Corkscrew elbow.
Kaiser now on the apron, blasted by Dawkins.
-[Wade] Such a heavy hitter. -[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Step-up Enzuigiri by Dawk.
There it is, Montez Ford…
-[crowd cheering] -…heading to the top.
-From the Heavens! -[crowd cheers]
-[referee] One, two, three! -[crowd] Uno, dos, tres!
[bell rings]
♪ Bring the swag like nobody can… ♪
[Irvin] Here are your winners,
The Street Profits!
[Cole] Earlier this week, Dawkins and Ford said,
"We're always ready for the smoke.
We're back in blue and we're taking you to church."
[crowd] Hey! Hey! Hey!
[Wade] Well, get the Solo cups out.
Once again, you use a top draft pick, you get top quality,
and that is what we have on SmackDown with The Street Profits,
tells me SmackDown management have huge plans for these two.
[crowd cheers]
-[Cole] And celebrating, sold-out, 16,896… -[crowd] Hey! Hey! Hey!
…for SmackDown in Puerto Rico.
[crowd] Hey!
[Cole] And for the final time before the draft takes place,
it goes into effect on Monday, Cody Rhodes is on SmackDown.
On the eve of his monumental showdown with "The Beast" Brock Lesnar,
"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes is here next.
[music fades]
[Cole] What an incredible scene.
That is the Castillo San Felipe del Morro,
commonly called El Morro on the coast of Old San Juan.
We are in Puerto Rico tonight, San Juan,
where we're sold-out for Friday Night SmackDown.
16,896 WWE fans on hand.
And tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive.
Well, you know, Rey Mysterio has become a mentor
for the Number One Contender
for the SmackDown Women's Championship, Zelina Vega.
Tonight, they will team together
in a Mixed Tag Team Match against Rey's son, Dominik,
and the SmackDown Women's Champion, Rhea Ripley,
here tonight on SmackDown.
This entire building is pumped up for tonight's mixed tag main event.
You have to think Ripley and Vega,
especially now, they've got a little chance to soften up their opponents
ahead of Backlash tomorrow.
Yeah, that's because tomorrow night,
Rhea will meet Zelina for the SmackDown Women's Title.
Also, tomorrow night at Backlash,
"The Beast" Brock Lesnar
against "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes,
and for Cody Rhodes, he's calling tomorrow night a must-win.
[crowd cheering]
[Rhodes] When I first came back,
I was talking about WrestleMania and finishing the story.
[Cole] Cody Rhodes, he's gonna do it!
No, wait a minute! Solo!
Not like this!
[Rhodes] At WrestleMania, I lost.
You want to know what's more embarrassing
than laying there surrounded by 80,000 people
and not the two titles that you came to get?
What's more embarrassing is when you have to wake up the next day,
chin held high even though you didn't want to get out of bed,
looking for retribution,
looking for some modicum of satisfaction…
[crowd cheers]
…and you offer up your innocence.
[Graves] Is Lesnar here to be Cody's partner?
[Rhodes] You offer up your partnership…
[Graves] Lesnar will join forces with Cody Rhodes.
[Rhodes] …and he repays it in destruction.
[intense music playing]
[grunting]
[clanks]
[loud thud]
[crowd gasps]
[officials shouting indistinctly]
[crowd gasping]
[crowd booing]
[Rhodes] Now our unfinished tale…
has a whole new wrinkle to it.
If the question is posed to me,
"Are you scared of Brock Lesnar?"
Yes.
When Brock Lesnar looks in the mirror,
he sees a predator.
When he was only a rookie, he looked at The Rock and thought,
"That's a victim."
He looked at John Cena, victim,
Randy Couture, victim, The Undertaker, victim.
Is that what you think when you look at me, Brock Lesnar?
Victim?
I'd be crazy not to be scared of Brock Lesnar,
but I still want to fight Brock Lesnar.
[crowd cheers]
[Graves] Cody is blind with rage right now,
and Lesnar's enjoying every second of it!
[Rhodes] Brock Lesnar is brazen and cowardly.
I want to make sure that when Brock Lesnar
looks in the mirror, for the first time in his life,
he sees a victim, my victim!
Cody Rhodes just dropped The Beast!
[crowd cheers]
[Rhodes] When he blinks, I'm gonna strike.
When he breathes, I'm gonna kick.
When he stumbles, I'm gonna pounce.
[Graves] Rhodes will need the strength of ten men
to topple the most decorated athlete in combat sports history.
[Rhodes] I'm the one that has to win at Backlash
because if I don't,
the whole idea of finishing the story ceases to exist.
Make me earn it!
[tense music plays, fades]
[Cole] Cody Rhodes is putting all the pressure in the world on himself
as he goes to battle
against the most decorated athlete in combat sports history.
Cody Rhodes versus Brock Lesnar tomorrow night at Backlash.
[crowd cheering]
[Rhodes] Wrestling has more than one royal family.
["Kingdom" by Downstait playing]
[crowd cheering]
♪ Adrenaline in my soul ♪
♪ Every thought 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! ♪
-Boom! -[explosion pops]
[crowd cheering]
[Irvin] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
"The American Nightmare"
Cody Rhodes!
[Cole] And for the final time,
Cody Rhodes graces us on Friday Night SmackDown.
He heads to Monday Night Raw as part of the draft
as the rosters become official this coming Monday night,
but, Wade, Cody Rhodes has put all the pressure
in the world on himself heading into tomorrow night.
[Wade] Cole, you know how highly I think of Cody Rhodes, love the guy,
but tomorrow at Backlash against Brock Lesnar
is the single biggest mismatch of Cody Rhodes' entire career.
-I… -[fireworks popping]
[Wade] I hope he's got a game plan,
because if not, things will get ugly in a hurry tomorrow night…
-[crowd] ♪ Whoa! ♪ -[Wade] …and he will be annihilated
by The Beast incarnate.
[Cole] I'm not sure if it will play out quite the way you think it will,
but for Cody Rhodes, it is a must-win.
It is a high-pressure situation.
It is-- there are huge stakes on the line for The American Nightmare.
♪ Made of pain, I built my kingdom ♪
♪ Now you bow to me ♪
[music fades]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
So, San Juan, Puerto Rico…
[crowd cheering]
[in Spanish] What do you want to talk about?
[crowd cheers]
The Macho? The Beast?
[crowd cheers]
[in English] The Beast, the next big thing,
the most decorated athlete in all of combat sports,
cowboy…
coward.
There are a lot of nicknames
that I could attach to my opponent for tomorrow,
of course, I'm talking about Brock Lesnar.
[crowd booing]
But when I think about Mr. Lesnar,
a different name comes to mind.
"Gatekeeper."
[crowd chants] We want Lesnar!
Gatekeeper.
My old coach, Double A, he used to tell me
that when you'd really made it as a top guy in the industry,
when you were a star today, tomorrow and yesterday,
that you have reached the kingdom,
that's what he would call it, the kingdom.
And Brock Lesnar is the one standing in the way,
looming over that gate, the gate to the kingdom.
And newsflash, if you work for WWE,
you never have to fight against Brock Lesnar.
You don't have to compete against The Beast,
you can go on the road, you can call yourself a WWE Superstar,
you can travel all around, make a good living,
and never have to fight Brock Lesnar.
But Brock Lesnar picked a fight with me,
and Brock Lesnar has yet to explain why.
Maybe tomorrow at Backlash, when I beat it out of him,
he'll provide that information.
[crowd cheering]
I just saw the same beautiful video that you did,
and in it, I actually said
that I was afraid of Brock Lesnar.
And it's still true here and now,
everybody should be afraid of Brock Lesnar,
but the difference is, tomorrow is Backlash,
I don't have any time to be afraid of Brock Lesnar.
[crowd cheers]
Because…
tomorrow, I bring the pain, Brock Lesnar.
Tomorrow, it's a fair fight, Brock Lesnar!
Tomorrow, I leave this beautiful island of charm
with it etched into my heart
because this will be the place that I got back on the road
to finishing the story to claiming my kingdom,
and I did it by defeating Brock Lesnar!
-[crowd cheering] -["Kingdom" by Downstait plays]
[Cole] A fired-up Cody Rhodes
as he heads into the match
that could very well define his career here in WWE.
♪ Adrenaline in my soul… ♪
[Wade] Cody Rhodes is an American dreamer.
I'm an English realist.
Tomorrow night might be Cody's final nightmare.
[Cole] Cody Rhodes face-to-face
with "The Beast" Brock Lesnar.
-Can Cody finish the story… -[crowd] ♪ Whoa! ♪
…and claim his kingdom?
[indistinct chatter]
Excuse me. Shinsuke.
You're moments away from facing Karrion Kross,
but after his vicious blindsided attack on you last week,
do you have any thoughts?
Kayla, I have things to say to Kross.
Come on!
[Cole] Well, my former partner Pat McAfee would be dancing on the tables right now.
And by the way, congratulations to Pat, his wife Sam,
the birth of their beautiful daughter Mackenzie this week,
as we now celebrate with Shinsuke Nakamura!
-["The Rising Sun" playing] -[crowd singing]
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Kyoto, Japan, weighing in at 220 pounds,
Shinsuke Nakamura!
[Cole] It's a damn shame, Wade.
It's gonna be the last night we get to see Shinsuke on the blue brand
because he's heading over to Monday Night Raw.
But is the clock ticking?
Is time soon up for Shinsuke Nakamura?
He takes on Karrion Kross live next.
[Cole] Attention, WWE Universe.
The reviews are in and WWE 2K23
is officially the highest-rated game in WWE 2K franchise history.
And for a limited time, the standard and icon edition
are 25% off on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4,
so get your copy today.
[upbeat music playing]
[crowd cheers]
Bro, there is more drama between The Bloodline
than there is on that show Succession,
and I'm stoked for our match tomorrow, but I have a lot on my mind
and we got The Bloodline right where we want them.
You two beat them at WrestleMania and took their titles
and you proved it wasn't a fluke when you beat them again.
I beat Jimmy the other day.
You guys have had my back and I've had yours,
and there's only one thing left to do,
and that's beat The Usos and Solo at Backlash.
And then when Roman Reigns comes back,
there won't even be a Bloodline to come back to.
Am I talking too much? Do you guys have anything to add?
-What's good? -No, no, no.
Bro, everything you said was great.
There's just nothing left for us to say.
It's time.
It's time. It's time, yeah.
Nothing left to say, all right. [chuckles]
[upbeat music plays]
[Cole] And, Wade, it happens tomorrow night.
Huge six-man Tag Team Matchup at Backlash.
[Wade] Oh man. You're telling me.
And you know Roman Reigns expects The Bloodline
to get the job done once and for all.
Zayn, Owens, Riddle, against The Usos and Solo Sikoa.
[Cole] Shinsuke Nakamura set for action here tonight on SmackDown.
["Dead Silent" playing]
[Irvin] And his opponent,
accompanied to the ring by Scarlett,
Karrion Kross!
[Cole] The Harbinger of Doom.
Led, of course, by the mystic known as Scarlett.
[Wade] The energy levels in this arena have been off the charts tonight,
will meet two energy vampires in Scarlett and Karrion Kross,
who are going to convert that energy into something negative.
♪ Fall and pray ♪
[Cole] You know, it's interesting that Karrion Kross has said that…
"I never hurt anyone a day in my life."
"It was all in the cards."
♪ Fall and pray, fall and pray ♪
♪ Fall and pray… ♪
[grunts]
[Cole] He says you don't truly know who you are
until someone takes something away from you.
He said he took away Drew McIntyre's temperament.
Madcap Moss' joy,
Rey Mysterio's patience,
and tonight, he will take away
-Shinsuke Nakamura's honor. -[bell rings]
We are underway.
Nakamura and Kross here on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Wade] And you're absolutely right when you mentioned those tarot cards.
Of course, Shinsuke returned a couple of weeks ago,
Scarlett post match arrived with a tarot card
with Shin's face on it.
The cards chose the next victim
and put Shin in the crosshairs of this man.
[Cole] Karrion Kross, whose grandfather grew up in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Karrion has competed in this country a number of times.
As Nakamura explodes out of the corner to take out Kross.
"The King of Strong Style" Shinsuke Nakamura.
Power, technique, explosiveness.
[Wade] The man who spent his time away from WWE
focused on developing his jujitsu techniques.
[referee] Two!
[Cole] Karrion Kross, just like that, turns things around,
and he's not done punishing Nakamura yet.
Drives him into the post. Kross in control.
Can Shin get back in this match?
[crowd clamoring]
[Cole] We are live on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Sold-out tonight, 16,896 WWE fans on hand.
We'll be back here in 24 hours for Backlash.
Karrion Kross right now is dominating Shinsuke Nakamura.
You're a piece of trash! King of Strong Style?
You're the King of trash!
[crowd cheers]
-[Cole] And Nakamura… -[grunting]
…runs into a headbutt by Kross.
[Wade] Kross wanted to hit a little strong style of his own.
Maybe a mistake against Nakamura.
[Cole] Nakamura dropping Kross.
And now Shinsuke Nakamura fired up,
trying to fight back in this match.
[Wade] Kross unleashed an inferno of misery on Nakamura through the break,
but riding through that misery,
the enigmatic Japanese Superstar.
[crowd chants, cheers]
[Wade] Turning into a war, Michael Cole.
[Cole] Shinsuke whipped across the ring, Kross, nobody home.
Shin, oh, a nice kick right to the back of the neck.
[crowd cheers]
-[groans] -[Cole] Nakamura with a running knee,
Kross in trouble.
[Wade] Once again, some of those precision strikes.
-[Cole] Cover! -[crowd] Uno! Dos!
[Wade] But we know from the past,
Karrion Kross can take a beating like anybody and keep going.
Hey!
[indistinct chatter]
-[Cole] Now Scarlett… -Get out! All the way out!
…getting involved. Karrion Kross.
Oh!
Doomsday Saito from Kross.
Cover now on Nakamura.
Is it enough to put him away?
And a kickout at two off the distraction by Scarlett,
who can't believe Nakamura kicked out.
[Wade] Talk about the durability of Nakamura,
but how about Kross?
You have to have some hatred in your heart
if you want to make it to the top here in this game.
And this man, Kross, got more than his fair share.
[Cole] Looking for the Kross Jacket, the submission sleeper
that Karrion Kross has knocked off so many Superstars with.
Nakamura able to counter. Looking for the armbar.
[Wade] Jumping armbar! Kross trying to block it.
[Cole] Nakamura trying to lock in the armbar,
Karrion Kross trying to turn things around.
[Wade] Kross knows a little jujitsu of his own.
If that arm got extended, it was game over.
[Cole] But Karrion Kross able to power Nakamura up.
-[Wade] Guillotine! -[Cole] Shin now.
-Get out of there! -[Cole] Kross is in trouble yet again!
No!
[Wade] Snake-like arms wrapped around the neck and throat.
[Cole] And now Karrion Kross looking to power out of this.
Nakamura caught him with a knee.
-[grunts] -[crowd gasps]
[Cole] Kross knocked for a loop.
Shinsuke Nakamura with a German Suplex.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Measuring his man.
[Wade] Ripe for the pickings.
[Cole] Went for the Kinshasa.
And Karrion Kross knocked Nakamura out of the air.
-[crowd boos] -[Wade] It was a desperation
clothesline throw from Karrion Kross,
but just what the doctor ordered.
[Cole] Cover! Nakamura's gonna kick at two.
[Wade] Nakamura thinking he had this matchup won,
but out of nowhere,
Karrion Kross' sudden burst of life gives this matchup a 180.
[crowd clapping rhythmically]
[Cole] WWE fans here in San Juan trying to will Nakamura on.
Nakamura rolls through. Hooks the leg. Kickout at two by Kross.
Oh, and a knee.
Solid shot by Karrion Kross.
[Wade] Those strikes from Kross just carry a little extra weight.
That has been the difference here.
[Cole] Oh, dropping Nakamura right on the back of his neck,
and now Kross has taken over.
Karrion Kross says that's it. Cover now on Nakamura.
Hook of the leg for the win, and a kickout.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Just cannot be slack on your covers
against someone like Shinsuke Nakamura.
[Cole] Oh, this looks familiar, Wade.
[Wade] Looking for the old Kross Hammer.
It's blackout time for Nakamura.
[Cole] Nakamura trying to struggle to get back to his feet.
Karrion Kross has him locked in.
Nakamura, though, caught him with a glancing blow.
Kross down to a knee. Now a kick right to the back of the neck.
[screams]
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Kinshasa!
[crowd] Uno! Dos! Tres!
-[Cole] Nakamura with the win! -[bell rings]
["The Rising Sun" playing]
[Irvin] Here is your winner,
Shinsuke Nakamura!
[Wade] Wow. What a heavyweight battle we just witnessed
from one of Raw's newest Superstars.
Shinsuke Nakamura, building momentum week by week.
Huge victory.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Well, still to come here tonight on Friday Night SmackDown,
it is our main event.
It is a Mixed Tag Team Match.
Rey Mysterio and Zelina Vega from the LWO
to take on Rey's son, Dominik,
and the SmackDown Women's Champion, Rhea Ripley.
Mixed tag team action tonight on SmackDown.
[music fades]
[Triple H] It's time to shake things up.
Select Superstars from NXT
are eligible to be drafted to either Raw or SmackDown.
The NXT Women's Tag Team Champions,
Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn.
We are taking our Tag Team Titles with us to SmackDown.
We will set the fate for all three brands.
It is always darkest before the dawn.
SmackDown goes to the moon,
Cameron Grimes.
[commentator] Cameron Grimes, incredibly talented young man
who's got a great business sense.
Cameron Grimes, always at the right place at the right time.
And I'm taking it to the moon!
[laughs]
SmackDown selects from NXT…
Pretty Deadly!
[Prince] Two of the most handsome creatures
to ever walk the face of the earth.
We conquered NXT UK for over a year,
so we thought we'd take a trip to come take over America, darling.
[Wilson] We won the NXT Tag Team Championship.
[both] Yes, boy!
Two tasty snacks, one meal deal.
[Wade] Grayson Waller coming to the blue brand.
[Waller] I'm the biggest box office Superstar ever.
I don't thrive on people liking me,
because they know the talent that I have.
I do it in the ring, I do it on the mic, I've got a talk show.
Everything I touch is absolute gold.
And I think it's just about time to show the world.
It's The Grayson Waller Effect, baby.
Cameron Grimes, welcome to SmackDown.
Adam, I just want to genuinely thank you so much
for giving me this opportunity to show the world
-what Cameron Grimes is all about. -It's my pleasure.
Oh, my man.
-How's it feel-- -You can see I'm here with Cameron Grimes.
-Who? -Cameron Grimes.
Who is Cameron? Oh, wait. I do know you.
You were the last pick in the draft, right?
-Yeah. -I'm sure all your friends are real proud.
Last pick. Congratulations.
It's funny you keep saying that, "last pick,"
it's almost like that's worse than not being picked at all.
[laughs]
Explain to the new kid, who has no respect, obviously,
that I'm as hot a commodity as Brock Lesnar.
Both shows couldn't agree on who wanted me more,
so here I am, a free agent.
That is not exactly how I remember it, but okay.
How do you remember it, then? Explain it to me.
You're telling me this guy was worth a pick and I'm not?
Let me explain something to you.
The reason the last pick is called Mr. Irrelevant
is because that's all you
or your little career will ever be, irrelevant.
Well, how about this?
Cameron Grimes versus Baron Corbin,
and we'll see who's relevant.
[chuckles] I like where you're going.
Why don't we make this official for next week?
Cameron Grimes, Baron Corbin, right here on SmackDown?
Sounds great.
[chuckles] Is that my first match, Adam?
Listen, I witnessed firsthand in NXT,
Cameron Grimes making waves,
and now he finally gets a chance to do it here on the blue brand
against Baron Corbin next week.
Before we get to next week, though, 24 hours from now,
tomorrow night right here in Puerto Rico, it is Backlash,
and it is Cody Rhodes "The American Nightmare"
as he goes one-on-one with "The Beast" Brock Lesnar.
You heard Cody earlier tonight.
He needs to finish the story, he needs to claim his kingdom,
but he has to knock off the most decorated athlete
in combat sports history, Brock Lesnar.
[Wade] And the fractures in The Bloodline will turn into gaping chasms,
if they fail in their mission
to end the KO, Zayn, and Riddle problems for good.
Huge six-man tag action tomorrow night.
[Cole] Bianca Belair hopes to become
the longest-reigning Women's Champion in the modern era in WWE.
She defends the Raw Women's Title against Iyo Sky tomorrow night.
[Wade] Seth Rollins thought he done it all in this game, he was wrong.
He now faces the biggest challenge of his career,
a seven-foot-four, 400-pound Nigerian giant named Omos.
[Cole] Austin Theory, the champion,
does not have to be involved in the decision to lose his title.
First man to gain pinfall or submission in this Triple Threat Match
is the United States Champion.
Theory, Bronson Reed, Bobby Lashley, tomorrow night.
[Wade] The LWO's own Zelina Vega has the odds stacked against her
as she attempts to upset SmackDown Women's Champ, Rhea Ripley.
The entire island of Puerto Rico is behind her.
Can Vega pull off a miracle?
[Cole] Puerto Rico is known as the home of hardcore,
so it's only appropriate that Bad Bunny,
the global phenomenal music star,
is going to face Damian Priest in a San Juan street fight.
These two had a confrontation earlier today
at the Backlash press conference on all WWE social media channels.
[indistinct chatter]
[crowd gasping]
[Cole] Triple H trying to play peacekeeper between these two men
who used to be the best of friends and now have become very bitter enemies.
-[crowd cheers] -[Cole] A very jealous Damian Priest…
against that man, Bad Bunny.
They face off at Backlash tomorrow night.
[crowd chants, cheers]
♪ Booyaka, booyaka ♪
[crowd cheers]
♪ Booyaka, booyaka ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619! ♪
♪ Booyaka, Booyaka, 619! ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, that's my pueblo ♪
[crowd cheering]
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following is a Mixed Tag Team Match
scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, representing LWO,
the team of Zelina Vega
and WWE Hall of Famer,
Rey Mysterio!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home or motorcycle insurance.
For the first time in her career,
Zelina Vega is performing in Puerto Rico.
Her mother, her stepfather, her brother are all here tonight…
as Zelina prepares for the biggest match of her career tomorrow
against Rhea Ripley,
but up next, Zelina and Rey against Rhea and Dominik.
Mixed tag team action live on SmackDown.
[music fades]
[Cole] The beautiful skyline of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
It is the home tonight for Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
Well, tonight is the last night of Mattel's ultimate edition,
WCW Monday Nitro Entrance Stage crowdfunding campaign.
Don't miss your chance to own an epic once-in-a-lifetime collectible
based on the iconic Nitro stage,
complete with action figures straight out of Monday Nitro in the '90s.
Head over to mattelcreations.com tonight
to back the stage and make this dream item a reality.
Well, next week, SmackDown is at the University of Tennessee.
[Wade] Yes, indeed.
And if The Bloodline needed any extra motivation
ahead of Backlash tomorrow, here it is.
"The Head of the Table" Roman Reigns returns next Friday on SmackDown.
[Cole] Monday Night kicks off
the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament.
The winner of Monday's tournament will go on to face
the winner of Friday Night SmackDown's tournament
on May 27th at the Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia
to determine the New World Heavyweight Champion,
the matches start next week on Raw and SmackDown.
[Wade] And these two tag teams clashed on Raw earlier this week
and again tonight on SmackDown.
Next week, they'll do it once again,
only the Women's Tag Titles will be on the line.
Morgan-Rodriguez, versus Bayley and Dakota Kai.
[Cole] Meanwhile, tag team action of another sort,
mixed tag team action now.
Rey Mysterio, Zelina Vega,
teaming together on Friday Night SmackDown.
["The Other Side" by Alter Bridge playing]
[fireworks popping]
[Irvin] And their opponents, accompanied to the ring by Finn Bálor,
representing The Judgment Day,
the team of Dominik Mysterio
and the SmackDown Women's Champion,
Rhea Ripley!
[Cole] Rhea defends that title tomorrow night
against Zelina Vega at Backlash,
which is sponsored by Xfinity 10G network.
Get a reliable connection and the fastest Internet
on the next generation 10G network only from Xfinity.
The future starts now.
And by Mike's Harder Lemonade.
Lemonade that hits harder, for Mikes that go harder.
The world needs more Mikes.
[Wade] One less Mike would be good.
Mike Cole.
If we could get rid of him, I'd be real happy with that statement.
[Cole] Rhea and her beau Dominik
set for mixed tag team action against Zelina and Mysterio.
Under mixed tag team rules, the women battle the women,
the men will battle the men.
[Wade] I got to tell you, I have never seen
a more confident-looking Rhea Ripley than the one before our eyes.
There's two reasons for that, Michael Cole.
Number one, she is the best bloody woman in WWE.
Number two, her opponent tomorrow night at Backlash,
Zelina Vega, is simply dwarfed
by "The Eradicator" Rhea Ripley.
[Cole] Rhea called Zelina a "pip-squeak"
and a "sneaky little fish" earlier today
during the Backlash press conference.
Now, listen, is Zelina an underdog?
A massive underdog heading into tomorrow,
but as she gets set to wrestle her first match ever in Puerto Rico tonight,
twenty-four hours from now, she'll be in front of family and friends
representing the island of Puerto Rico.
Trying to knock off
-the big bad Rhea Ripley. -[bell rings]
And Rhea will start things off with Zelina here tonight.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] You think Vega's going to make it that far, Cole?
[Cole] We'll find out.
Zelina told me an interesting story earlier today
as Rhea went for the Big Boot,
now Zelina Vega looking to use her speed
and try to stay away from the powerful Rhea Ripley.
[Wade] Well, that is the only hope that Vega has, Cole.
-Because… -[overlapping chatter]
[Wade] The second Ripley has you in her grasp,
it could be game over.
[Cole] Zelina Vega trying to stay away from Rhea Ripley.
Doing a pretty good job of it in the early going of this matchup.
[Wade] It's gonna be hit and run, Cole.
[Cole] Zelina, of course, taking pointers from Rey Mysterio,
the biggest underdog in the history of WWE.
Rhea into the corner and taken off guard by Zelina
in the early going in this matchup.
[Wade] Ripley perhaps taking Vega a little too lightly.
[Cole] You know, Zelina said she was inspired
to become a sports entertainer by her uncle.
Her uncle was a former wrestler
who, at one point in his career faced Bruno Sammartino…
-[crowd booing] -…who broke Zelina's uncle's nose,
and he never competed again.
-[Wade] Whoa. -[Cole chuckles]
[Wade] Welcome to tomorrow night, Zelina Vega.
That could well be the death of your own career.
[Cole] Now it is father and son.
Sort of a WrestleMania rematch of sorts.
-Rey Mysterio and Dominik. -[crowd chanting]
[Wade] Dominik is simply tortured by his deadbeat dad,
showing love and affection to other people's kids.
[Cole] Oh, Rhea with a cheap shot to the spine.
Dominik's also being tortured
by the 16,000-plus here in San Juan tonight.
Mysterio with a deep arm drag.
Earlier tonight, tag made, Zelina.
That means Rhea has to come into the matchup.
[Wade] You don't think they're starting to warm to Dominik at all?
[Cole] No, not at all. Uh-oh!
[crowd cheers]
Zelina looking to take a page out of her mentor Rey Mysterio's playbook
and runs into a boot by Rhea Ripley.
Rhea has taken over.
Can Rey and Zelina climb back
into this Mixed Tag Match on Friday Night SmackDown?
[crowd booing]
[Cole] Nearly 17,000 on hand tonight in San Juan, Puerto Rico,
for Friday Night SmackDown on Fox. This is our main event.
Rey Mysterio and Zelina Vega against Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio
in a Mixed Tag Team Match.
[Wade] And check this, Cole.
Vega's hair tonight references the character Rengoku from Demon Slayer.
-[Cole] Oh! -[Wade] A character who died in the show.
Just like Vega's career may well die tomorrow night at Backlash.
[Cole] Well, she's in there with a real demon in Rhea Ripley,
as Zelina Vega tries to fight back.
Zelina and Rhea for the SmackDown Women's Title tomorrow night.
Will this happen? Could a miracle take place?
Hey, hey, hey!
[Cole] And now Dominik dragging his dad off the apron.
[Wade] Well… [indistinct] Dominik.
Dominik wearing hair like a 19--
[Cole] This guy is nothing but a punk-ass kid, bottom line.
[Wade] Hair's like 1997 Eddie Guerrero,
the man he wishes was his real father.
[crowd chanting]
[Cole] Rhea Ripley applauding the work
of her beau, I guess, Dominik Mysterio.
Speaking of Eddie, he was just mocking Eddie moments ago.
[Wade] You should listen to Finn Bálor. Sit down.
Don't upset The Judgment Day or you're next.
[Cole] Rey Mysterio back up on the apron, would love to make a tag.
Dominik looking on as well. It has been electric all night long.
Can you imagine the atmosphere tomorrow night at Backlash?
Rhea Ripley, though, overpowering Zelina Vega
as she expects to do tomorrow night
with the SmackDown Women's Championship on the line.
[Wade] Well, here's the deal, Zelina Vega
looks in way over her head against Rhea Ripley,
and she's not gonna have the safety net
of being able to tag out tomorrow night.
[crowd boos]
[Cole] She may not be able to make a tag tonight if this keeps up.
Oh, and Zelina creates some space.
[Wade] Take nothing away from her.
She's gutsy, she's courageous,
but she simply cannot stop Rhea Ripley.
[grunts]
Zelina lands on her feet.
-[Dominik] Come on, Rhea! -[Cole] Back into the corner.
Zelina. Oh! Shoulder-first goes Rhea!
[Wade] You want an opportunity. There it is.
[yells indistinctly]
[Wade] Vega needs this tag.
Take my hand!
[Cole] Finn trying to will Rhea back into the matchup.
Zelina Vega trying to make it to the corner.
-Tag! -[crowd cheers]
[crowd chants, cheers]
[Cole] Mysterio with the right hand, and down goes Dominik.
And now Rey Mysterio building momentum.
-Crossbody! -[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Dominik into the corner and Rey Mysterio has taken over.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd counting in Spanish]
[Cole] Oh, and Rey face-first off the top turnbuckle.
-[Wade] Just as San Juan-- -[Cole] Oh! Michinoku Driver
by Dominik for the win over his dad,
and Zelina breaking things up.
[Wade] What a victory that would have been for Dominik.
Somehow, Vega still with some wits left about her
after the beating she's taken tonight.
[Cole] Dominik in position.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And Rhea looking to thwart the 619,
but Zelina makes her pay!
Driven into the barricade!
619!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Come on, Rey!
And Finn Bálor causing the distraction.
[Wade] You fight The Judgment Day, you fight all of them.
[Cole] And now Dominik meets his dad as he heads up to the top rope again,
and now Dominik Mysterio has taken over.
Vertical suplex by Dominik.
-And now… -[crowd booing]
…shades of the late great Eddie Guerrero,
but I don't believe Dominik is delivering The Three Amigos out of respect.
Rey, though, hooks Dom, shoulders down!
-Rey with the win! -[bell rings]
[crowd cheering]
[Irvin] Here are your--
[crowd gasps, boos]
[Wade] I think they call that a Pyrrhic victory, Michael Cole.
Utterly meaningless
when you're at the boots of The Judgment Day.
[crowd boos]
[Cole] Mysterio knocking off Dominik to win the Mixed Tag Match,
now trying to fight back against Finn Bálor and Dominik.
Down goes Finn, and Rey is fighting!
Dominik though, mauling.
And I was wondering where he was.
[Wade] The Punisher of The Judgment Day is here.
[Cole] Damian Priest.
And it is now a three-on-one attack on Rey Mysterio.
And Rey at the mercy of The Judgment Day.
[crowd booing]
["Chambea" by Bad Bunny playing]
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Here comes the LWO,
but look who's leading the charge.
Bad Bunny is here!
[Wade] And he's got his old faithful Kendo stick.
[Cole] LWO wiping out The Judgment Day.
The fight spills out to ringside.
-Santos Escobar! -[crowd cheers]
[crowd chants]
[indistinct chatter]
[crowd chanting]
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] And now Dominik Mysterio! Dominik Mysterio!
[Wade] Priest got out of dodge just in time.
[Cole] Allowing Damian Priest to get out of harm's way.
Bad Bunny came armed and ready.
Tomorrow night, a San Juan street fight
where anything goes.
And that Kendo stick will be perfectly legal.
Bad Bunny and Damian Priest square off
tomorrow night at Backlash.
[crowd cheers]
["Our World" playing]
[indistinct chatter]
[crowd cheers] tter]