[WWE intro music]
[John Cena] Then.
-[Rick Flair] Woo! -[glass shatters]
[The Rock] If you smell…
-[bell tolls] -[Cena] Now.
[Roman Reigns] Acknowledge me.
-♪ The King of Kings ♪ -♪ You can't see me ♪
[Cena] Forever.
Together.
[dramatic music playing]
[Triple H] On behalf of the WWE, Roman,
I would like to congratulate you on surpassing 1,000 days as champion.
Something that hasn't been accomplished in almost 40 years.
To congratulate you,
it is my honor to present you
with a brand-new Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
-[dramatic sting] -[music continues]
[Reigns] The entire universe.
Acknowledge me.
♪ Uso! ♪
[Cole] Jimmy and Jey are here.
Heyman specifically said they weren't invited.
Kick him in the face.
I'm talking to you, Jey.
Kick him in the face. Because that's what he did to me.
Kick him in the face and fix this right now.
The only one that needs fixing is you.
[crowd cheers]
I did what I did because I was being a brother,
and brothers treat brothers with love and respect.
And as of late, you ain't been a good brother.
This right here, this my brother.
Him, that's my brother.
And I'm telling you, Solo,
after he get done using you,
he's going to abuse you, kick you to the side,
put you in the dirt, and do what he always do.
[crowd chants "Uso"]
You want to know why they're saying Uso?
Because of me. That's why.
You're over here talking for your brother like he don't have a voice.
Why don't we just hear from Solo who he's loyal to, huh?
I acknowledge you, my Tribal Chief.
But these two right here, they're my brothers.
So what's it going to be, Uce?
You want to run this thing together with respect,
or are you just going to end up on the Island of Relevancy
all by yourself?
Man, shut your mouth--
[crowd chatter]
Not like this.
I need you. Uce, I need you.
We cannot fight like this.
We still The Ones, right?
[dramatic music builds]
[crowd cheers]
No.
[crowd] Oh!
-[primal scream] -[crowd boos]
[dramatic music plays]
What about Jey?
Jey is going to do what he always does. Fall in line.
[music fades out]
[Cole] On a night where Jey Uso is expected to make his historic choice,
we welcome you to the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa,
for Friday Night SmackDown on Fox, sponsored tonight by Progressive.
A triple threat of protection with home, auto and more.
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome, from The Bloodline,
Solo Sikoa
and Paul Heyman.
Ladies and gentlemen,
my name is Paul--
-♪ Uso! ♪ -["Done With That" plays]
[Cole] Well, there is Jey Uso,
who has to be torn apart, ripped up inside.
And the question is, will Jey leave the comfort of The Bloodline
to join his brother Jimmy,
or will he fall in line and stay loyal to The Tribal Chief?
[Wade] Well, quite frankly, we're about to find out
just how intelligent Jey Uso is.
Go with the proven commodity,
or go with the backstabbing twin brother who flushed his career,
and his family, down the toilet.
♪ Yo, yo, yo ♪
♪ Let′s go, Uce… ♪
[Cole] Solo Sikoa, Jey Uso's younger brother,
made his choice last week
to stay at the side of The Tribal Chief.
[Wade] It was the only choice he could have made, Cole.
[song fades out]
[crowd chatter]
[crowd chants "Uso"]
I let a lot of things slide, right?
But stabbing our big brother in the back is something you don't do, Solo.
[crowd cheers]
I don't know if I can forgive you for that.
So say what you need to say to me, OG.
[mic thudding on mat]
You know…
You got this all wrong.
You got this all wrong, and here's why you got this all wrong.
It's not Solo's fault.
-It's not my fault. -[crowd boos]
It's not The Tribal Chief's fault.
It's not your fault.
This is all Jimmy's fault.
[crowd boos loudly]
This is all Jimmy's fault
because Jimmy made up his own mind.
And not just for himself.
Jimmy made up his mind
for you.
[crowd boos]
Do me a favor. It's okay. Come on. It's okay.
Take a step back. Please.
Please, Solo. Please. It's okay.
Now, I'm no physical threat,
so you can understand I'm opening my heart out to you.
I'm taking a chance right now standing this close.
And here's why.
When Jimmy kicked The Tribal Chief at Night of Champions,
did he ask you about it in advance?
Were you in on that? No.
No. Jimmy pulled the trigger. For himself and for you.
That's the way he's always been because he's the older brother.
He was the first born.
No disrespect towards Jimmy, but Jimmy's always resented you.
And you want to know why Jimmy always resented you?
Because Jimmy is in on something that you're not.
Jimmy's in on the fact
that "The Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns
wants to groom you,
the right-hand man,
to be the next Tribal Chief.
[crowd boos]
That's your future. That's your destiny. That's your fate.
That's who you are going to be.
And it was never going to be Jimmy.
And Jimmy's known it since day one.
And he's resented you ever since.
[crowd boos]
See…
See, Jey, Jey, they're booing
because they don't know the truth.
And I'm going to prove the truth to you.
Tonight, at The Tribal Chief's behest, I have arranged a match.
A match that sets your trajectory to becoming the next Tribal Chief.
Tonight, you bring gold back to The Bloodline.
But it's not tag team gold,
because unfortunately, because of Jimmy,
there is no more tag team in WWE known as The Usos.
[crowd boos]
I didn't want it this way either.
This is what Jimmy caused.
But you will bring home gold to The Bloodline
because tonight, "Right-Hand Man" Jey Uso,
successor to the throne of "The Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns,
you will defeat Austin Theory
for the United States Heavyweight Championship.
-[crowd cheers] -Your path as a singles champion,
your path to become the Heavyweight Champion starts tonight,
and it starts with you beating Austin Theory.
And then, then, Jey Uso,
then The Tribal Chief will embrace you and will publicly groom you
that someday, when the time is right,
Jey Uso,
you will become Tribal Chief.
[crowd chatter, applause]
But I need your answer now.
[crowd chants "Uso"]
I'll take you up on that US challenge, though, OG.
[crowd applauding]
I love you.
Solo loves you.
You have a deal.
[crowd chatter]
[crowd chants "No"]
Hey, I'll get back to you on that.
-[mic thuds on mat] -[crowd cheers]
-["Done With That" plays] -♪ Down since, day one ish… ♪
[Cole] So still no resolution on where Jey Uso stands
as it relates to The Bloodline.
But we do know this, Wade, a massive opportunity for Jey Uso
to attempt to win his first singles championship ever in WWE.
Jey Uso, Austin Theory
for the United States Championship tonight.
And the question is this,
if Jey Uso can win the United States Title tonight,
will he go back to The Bloodline?
Look, I'm enjoying the drama as much as anyone else.
But if there were any doubts left as to Jey's loyalty,
Roman Reigns just secured it once and for all
with the gift of that United States Championship opportunity.
Still to come tonight,
Jey's decision and the United States Championship match,
but also a jam-packed Friday Night SmackDown.
Asuka is the current Raw Women's Champion.
But tonight, she gets new gold.
The new WWE Women's Championship will be presented to Asuka tonight.
[Wade] Not only that, it's a huge night ahead
regarding Money in the Bank.
Four more qualifiers coming up.
Top names in the men's and women's divisions
look to punch their ticket for London three weeks from tomorrow.
We're all excited because our first qualifying match is right now.
-♪ Viva la raza ♪ -["Our World" plays]
♪ Sube tu bandera si tu eres Latino ♪
♪ Todo los Latino Sube tu bandera si tu eres Latino… ♪
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest
is a Money in the Bank qualifying match.
Introducing first,
accompanied to the ring by WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio,
representing the LWO,
Santos Escobar.
[Cole] Rey Mysterio understands what it means
to compete at a Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
Santos Escobar hopes he will have that feeling as well.
Escobar, Ali, a qualifying match
for the Money in the Bank Contract Ladder Match.
It's next, live on SmackDown.
LWO!
[Cole] Well, this is breaking news. Paul Heyman actually wasn't lying.
It will happen later on tonight.
Jey Uso with an opportunity at the United States Championship
and Austin Theory, here on SmackDown.
[Wade] Let's not forget,
Jey still has to make a decision regarding his Bloodline status.
For my money, he stays with Roman Reigns.
[Cole] This man, Mustafa Ali, has never won a championship in WWE.
He can almost guarantee himself one
if he wins the Money in the Bank Contract Ladder Match.
However, he has to qualify for that match.
First, has an opportunity
-against Santos Escobar right now. -♪ LA Knight ♪
["Welcome to LA" plays]
-And speaking of qualifying… -[Wade laughs]
…here's a man who's already qualified,
along with Ricochet and Shinsuke Nakamura,
LA Knight making his way out here.
[Wade] Yeah! Wasn't expecting this, Cole, but I'm all for it.
What's The Megastar got for us?
[Cole] Again, the Money in the Bank Contract Ladder Match,
someone's fortune will change
three weeks from tomorrow in London.
[Wade] He's-he's coming to talk to us, Cole.
-[whistles] -[Cole] Relax. Relax, Wade.
No matter what, it's going to be me.
-Listen, I don't care about him… -No, homey.
You got to do something, homey. It's gonna be--
[Cole] Escobar-- Now, LA Knight, finally, your microphone is on. Welcome, sir.
And what brings you out here to watch the Escobar-Ali matchup?
[LA Knight] I'm out here just protecting my investment.
If you cut me off again, I'll slap those glasses off your fat head.
[Wade laughs] I agree, what a terrible introduction that was
for the Money in the Bank Megastar, LA Knight.
What an honor it is to have you here.
[LA Knight] Yeah.
[Cole] Escobar taking out Mustafa Ali.
LA Knight entering his first Money in the Bank Contract Ladder Match
three weeks from tomorrow in London.
An opportunity to change the trajectory of your career, Mr. Knight,
if you can win that match.
Over 80% of the time, if you cash in the contract,
you're going to win a championship.
[LA Knight] Everybody talks about this
being life changing, life changing, and it is, you know what?
You reach up, you grab that case, and all of a sudden,
any piece of gold is available to you.
Now, look at that.
That's the kind of action you can expect here coming into Money in the Bank.
-[crowd] Woo! -Go ahead and give him another one.
[Cole] Escobar and Ali, uh, slugging it out out here at ringside.
[Wade] I'm going to ask you, Mr. Knight, while this goes ahead of us,
would you have a preference of one of these two
in the Money in the Bank matchup?
[LA Knight] Oh! Man, I--
Hold on, you know what, a preference? No.
Wouldn't make a difference.
Any way you look at it,
I'm climbing that ladder and I'm grabbing that case.
It doesn't matter which one of these guys it is.
[Cole] You made some headlines this week talking about another member of the LWO.
That would be Zelina Vega,
who's qualified for the women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
-Basically, you called her a nerdy gamer. -[LA Knight] I didn't call her anything.
Making a mountain out of a molehill. I basically just said,
she mentioned something about all the nerds in the back.
I said, "There are a lot. And you know what?"
"I don't subscribe to that, because I'm the last of a dying breed."
-That's what it is. -[Wade] Let me be clear, Michael Cole.
-Oh. -[Cole] Oh, wow.
Hurricanrana by Escobar.
Count him out. Get in there. It's over.
[referee] One!
[Cole] Rey Mysterio, of course, in Escobar's corner,
cheering him on, as you take another look at the impact to Mustafa Ali.
[Wade] Hats off to Mustafa Ali.
He can move with the lucha with the best of them.
-That might be it. -[Cole] Cover by Escobar, and a kickout.
Ali had a great matchup at Night of Champions
a few weeks ago in Saudi Arabia against Gunther
for the Intercontinental Championship.
Ali, of course, a free agent so he can compete on any brand in WWE.
-[Wade] Well, that matchup-- -[Cole] Oh!
-Escobar with a suicide dive. -That's what you're looking at here,
because you got guys who know what this is all about.
You got a chance to take any title you want,
you're going to put your life on the line.
[Wade] Couldn't have said it better myself,
as we take another look at the highflying Escobar.
High risk, but it paid off against Ali.
You know, some people say he marches to the beat of his own drum.
I just say it doesn't mean he has any rhythm.
Speaking of titles, some people say, Wade,
that Ali may have his sights set on Wes Lee
and the North American Championship over in NXT.
-Oh! -[crowd cheers]
Escobar in control. Can Ali climb back into this match?
Who is going to Money in the Bank?
[referee] One!
[Cole] One of these men will qualify
for the Money in the Bank Contract Ladder Match.
Santos Escobar or Ali.
They will join Ricochet, Shinsuke Nakamura,
and the man with us at ringside who already qualified, LA Knight.
[LA Knight] Michael Cole, how many people say they come to this show to watch you?
'Cause I don't think it's any of them.
Right now, I'm out here sitting and you're talking all the time.
You got two guys right now, at any point, this is anybody's game.
Money in the Bank Contract on the line.
Well, not the contract on the line. Not yet.
But we're getting there.
The shot's on the line.
Oh my God. Watch out.
[Cole] Ali somehow landed on his feet.
[Wade] Just ridiculous athleticism from Ali,
as you would expect, but right in the line of fire.
[Cole] Oh, and Ali caught Escobar with a dropkick.
[crowd cheers]
And now Ali with an opportunity.
Escobar sent back into the ring.
Ali now, gonna… go up to the top rope.
Rey Mysterio looking on, trying to will Escobar on in this matchup.
Went for the 450, and a roll through.
Oh! Face-first off the turnbuckle goes Ali.
[LA Knight] Missed opportunity there.
[Wade] Nearly decapitated the man.
-[Cole] Well, that'll work too. -That's game over. Goodnight.
-Count it. -[Cole] Cover by Escobar.
Hook of the leg. Kickout by Ali.
-[LA Knight] Okay. Come on. -[Wade] Speaks volumes for the guts
and the will of Mustafa Ali.
Take a look at this offense.
Perfect timing from Mustafa Ali.
Dropkick right to the kisser.
[LA Knight] But after that, is he gonna be able to climb a ladder?
I don't think so.
No, no.
[Cole] Tremendous action in this Money in the Bank Contract qualifying match.
[Wade] Absolutely no idea
how Mustafa Ali was capable of kicking out after that onslaught of offense.
[LA Knight] Yeah, but Santos is over here counting.
He needs to capitalize on this. There we go.
Yeah!
[Cole] Double knees to Ali.
Escobar with Ali up on his shoulders.
[Wade] He was attempting that Phantom Driver.
[Cole] A roll through. Shoulders are down. Kickout at two by Escobar.
Ali on the second rope.
-Oh, what a tornado DDT. -[LA Knight] Cover him.
[Cole] Ali again looking to advance and qualify--
And a kickout.
[Wade] Stakes so high for this one.
Both competitors pulling out all the stops.
Superb athleticism once again from Ali.
Must be wondering how on earth
do you put away Santos Escobar if that doesn't do it?
[LA Knight] I don't know, but I'm loving every minute
'cause, at this point, I'm looking out for my investment here.
We got Money in the Bank coming up, O2 arena in London.
These guys are just beating each other
all the way down to the very last compound.
[Wade] LA Knight. London adores Knight,
but who is going to meet LA Knight in the Money in the Bank matchup?
[LA Knight] Let's be honest. All around the world, it's the same song.
It doesn't matter where you take me.
Everybody out here is saying the same thing, "LA Knight."
But believe me, I didn't ask for it, and I don't need it.
-[Wade] Santos. -[Cole] Oh my goodness.
-Escobar. -That's got to be game over.
-[Cole] Cover now off the Phantom Driver. -One! Two! Three!
-[bell rings] -And Escobar qualifies.
[LA Knight] We got one more guy in here now.
[Rome] Here's your winner,
Santos Escobar.
[Cole] Santos Escobar joins Ricochet, Shinsuke Nakamura,
and LA Knight as part of the field
in the Money in the Bank Contract Ladder Match
three weeks from tomorrow afternoon at the O2 in London.
[Wade] Just like LWO co-member Zelina Vega, he's now qualified, Cole.
[LA Knight] Yeah. Check him out. He's pointing that case right now.
The bad news for him, a little reference to you,
that's the closest he's gonna get to that case
when you got a guy like me in that match, because you got everybody saying
"LA Knight."
[indistinct yelling]
[Cole] The celebration for Escobar and the LWO.
Celebration under way from changing his career.
[crowd chatter]
[crowd cheers]
A pretty big night for you tonight, Jey.
Look, I know you got a big decision to make tonight.
I just wanted to tell you something that I never really got to tell you
when we were all together in The Bloodline, okay?
The time that we all had together in The Bloodline,
that was some of the best times in my whole career, man.
My whole life, actually.
I know it was some of the best times of your life too.
And in a different world, we would probably still be doing it.
The Honorary Uce and The Usos.
We'd be doing the handshake and the dance and I'd be making you guys laugh.
Making you laugh even when you try not to.
Yeah. You know how that goes.
That couldn't happen, though, because of one man, Jey.
I'm not even talking about Roman Reigns. I'm talking about The Tribal Chief.
Because when The Tribal Chief takes over, bad things happen.
When The Tribal Chief takes over,
that's when that Paul Heyman voice starts going in his head.
That's when the paranoia sets in,
when the manipulation sets in,
and he pushes too far, and he pushes too far.
Hey, I did it too, man.
I did it. I did everything I could to put the family first, just like you.
I did everything I could to try to keep things together,
just like you, and it was never enough.
I constantly had to be pushed and have my loyalty tested over and over
until he made me test my loyalty against my own brother, man,
just like he's doing to you.
[exhales deeply]
Look, man, you got a big choice to make here.
And if you want to roll with Roman
and you want to be the next Tribal Chief, I get that, man. I do.
And I sincerely hope you do win the United States Championship tonight,
so maybe they could see, The Bloodline could see
that they need Jey Uso more than you need them.
Whatever happens, just know the consequences
if you go down that route, okay?
Because it means no more Jimmy and Jey,
it means no more Usos, and that's your brother.
So do what's in your heart.
You listen to what's in your heart, not what's being put into your ear.
[Cole] Uso gets an opportunity at the United States Championship tonight.
♪ Better than me… ♪
[Cole] Here on Fox tonight for SmackDown,
Jey Uso with an opportunity to win his first singles championship.
He faces Austin Theory for the US Title.
[Wade] I'm starting to think Jey is going to go with Jimmy now.
Sami Zayn just poisoned the well
and got inside Jey's head once again.
Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome two new and very exciting additions
to the SmackDown roster.
They are the NXT Women's Champions,
Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn.
-["The Unholy Union" plays] -[Cole] NXT Women's Tag Team Champions.
This mystical team of Fyre and Dawn.
[Wade] What's particularly impressive about these two
is not only did they beat every team in NXT,
not only did they capture the gold,
they completely nuked the tag division down there in Orlando
to the point where no other teams are left.
[Cole] On the right-hand side, Isla Dawn,
she is The Unholy Enchantress.
Diabolical, deceptive, treacherous.
With her, Alba Fyre,
the risk-taking, mouthy warrior from a long line of firekeepers.
[Wade] Shamelessly seductive duo.
Ladies, welcome to SmackDown.
-["Bad Reputation" plays] -[crowd cheers]
[Cole] From the NXT Women's Tag Team Champions
-to the WWE Women's Tag Champs. -Let me get some clarification here.
[crowd boos]
You two want to call yourselves the Women's Tag Team Champions, huh?
Let me ask you a question, hey.
How much do you know about the history of those titles right there?
[inaudible dialogue]
See, uh…
I'm the reason those titles were even created.
Technically, those Shayna Baszler Commemorative Tag Titles
are mine.
You know what, Shayna, actually, I've been crunching some numbers,
and we've been running through this division so fast
that we're going to end up hungry soon.
[crowd boos]
It's true.
And it made me realize…
this division isn't big enough for the two of us.
We want yours.
[laughing]
Oh, how cute.
So you two… [chuckles] want to face us in a Unification Match?
Oh. How exciting. [laughs]
Title versus title. [chuckles]
We accept.
[Cole] Oh!
And Fyre and Dawn going right after Rousey and Baszler.
[Wade] You've got to get the first shot in against Rousey and Baszler
if you're going to have any chance.
And it doesn't look like the NXT Tag Champs do.
[Cole] And Rousey's got Fyre neutralized, and Shayna Baszler gonna bring the pain.
And Dawn, though, intercepts with a kick.
[Wade] Perfect timing from Isla Dawn. It had to be too.
[Cole] And now Ronda Rousey driven out of the ring.
Shayna Baszler trying to get back into the fight.
[Wade] Shayna Baszler certainly won't be giving up in a hurry,
but that might do it.
[Cole] And you gotta give the NXT Women's Tag Team Champions credit, Wade,
for standing up to Ronda and Baszler.
And I love the idea of a Unification Match.
[Wade] Very few women would ever have the guts
to stand up for those two black belt badasses.
You're gonna be injured, you're gonna stay home,
they're going to whine about it, and we're never gonna get our chance.
[Wade] I'll tell you something, Cole, WWE Tag Champs,
NXT Tag Champs, big egos, not enough room,
Unification Match, sign me up.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, the WWE Universe lost a legend this week,
a Hall of Famer, a former WWE Champion.
Right now, we celebrate the life and the extraordinary career
of The Iron Sheik.
[ring announcer] From Tehran, Iran, The Iron Sheik.
[narrator] Having grown up in Iran,
the Iron Sheik was as tough as they came.
They know that country by two thing: oil and wrestling.
Toughest, roughest sport in the world.
[narrator] An amateur wrestling champion for the Iranian National Army
before transitioning into sports entertainment.
By channeling political tension for his homeland,
Sheik quickly built a career
as one of the most despised ring villains of his era.
He was as advertised,
an Iranian wrestler who had wrestled for that country in the Olympics.
He didn't really have to say anything, just walk into a room
with the flag and his look and his boots.
[Slaughter] There was a lot of times I feared for Iron Sheik's wellbeing.
"The most hated wrestler of all time."
[speaking Farsi]
[narrator] With an impressive physique and brute strength…
The greatest wrestler I've ever managed.
[narrator] …Sheik's devastating Camel Clutch dismantled his opponents.
And in 1983, The Iron Sheik shocked the world…
[Dick Graham] He's sitting right on that lower back.
Oh! Arnold Skaaland threw something into the ring.
We have a new champion.
[narrator] …with one of the most iconic title wins in WWE history…
They know I'm the real Olympic champion, now I'm the World Heavyweight Champion.
[narrator] …becoming the first Iranian-born WWE Champion.
[Vince McMahon] So disgusted with Americana.
[narrator] Sheik's ability to elicit strong emotions from fans…
[Graham] They have a lot of hate in their hearts for this man.
[narrator] …was instrumental to WWE's skyrocketing popularity during the 1980s.
He acted like he's spitting on America.
He knew how to press buttons.
[Iron Sheik] Iran number one,
USA… hock tuah!
[narrator] Sheik's impact and notoriety are undeniable.
And in 2005, he was immortalized into the WWE Hall of Fame.
God bless all my wrestling friends, and have a good day.
Yeah!
[crowd cheers]
[narrator] From his captivating persona to his unparalleled charisma…
Iron Sheik's legacy is the ability to be a great bad guy.
He maintained his popularity because he was so good at what he did.
[narrator] …the Iron Sheik's legendary career
has earned him a special place in the hearts of fans worldwide.
[The Rock] Thank you for the memories, and thank you for paving the way.
Iron Sheik, you are a legend.
You will be missed, but never forgotten.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] You can relive the iconic career
of one of the greatest villains in sports entertainment,
The Iron Sheik, in a special reairing of his biography, WWE Legends,
this Sunday at 6:00 Eastern on A&E.
["We Got The Rage" plays]
Here on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox,
another opportunity to qualify for Money in the Bank.
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is a Money in the Bank qualifying match.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Iyo Sky,
representing Damage CTRL, Bayley.
[Cole] Who's heading to London?
Will it be Bayley, or Michin of the O.C.?
Qualifying match live, next.
Revenge for Dakota. This one's for you.
[Cole] This is Friday Night SmackDown on Fox,
sponsored by Progressive insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
["I Am" plays]
[Cole] Bayley's in the ring ready to take on this woman, Michin from the O.C.,
accompanied by AJ Styles.
Either Michin or Bayley will join Zelina Vega, Becky Lynch and Zoey Stark
as part of the Money in the Bank Contract Ladder Match
three weeks from tomorrow afternoon in London.
And another guest for us on commentary tonight.
AJ Styles joins us,
as Bayley gets the upper hand on Michin to start this match.
I'm a genius!
-Tossing her T-shirt… -Oh, come on.
-I'm a genius! -A genius? Oh, really?
[Cole] …in Michin's face.
-[Bayley] That one's for you, AJ. -That's not how I do it.
-Hey, by the way-- -[Cole] Uh-oh.
And Michin… flies
-and takes Bayley out. -[AJ] Yeah!
That was too sweet.
[Wade] Simply cannot take your eyes off Michin,
even if you are jaw-jacking with "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles.
[Cole] Michin rolls through. Can she beat Bayley here
and qualify for Money of the Bank?
-One! -[AJ] Michin's got this one.
She's got this. Here we go, Michin.
[Cole] Again, Michin taking out Bayley off the distraction.
And now Michin hammering away on Bayley.
An opportunity to change the fortune of your career,
of your life.
Climb the ladder, grab the contract,
cash in for any championship on any brand.
[Wade] I got to ask you this, AJ, as we're admiring the skills of Michin.
What exactly is it that Michin is bringing to the table for the O.C.?
[AJ] She's the missing piece, guys.
Listen, I'm gonna get a little loud
because my girl's out there taking care of business, so forgive me, all right?
This is a great match. Come on. Here we go.
[Cole] And Michin now sends Bayley flying.
Bayley, a former winner of the Money in the Bank Contract,
would go on to cash it in on the same night in 2019
to win the championship.
[referee] Back it up.
[Wade] Back-and-forth action between these two.
-So much on the line here. -[Cole] Oh, nice DDT by Michin.
Into the cover. Can she knock off Bayley?
Hook of the leg, and a kickout.
-Two. -[Cole] Michin incredible tonight.
She really fits in with the O.C., doesn't she, AJ?
[AJ] I'm on the edge of my seat. Are you kidding me?
Oh, Kawada kicks?
Oh, this is beautiful.
[Wade] The O.C. are looking particularly reinvigorated in recent weeks.
That must fuel gold.
I take it the plan is to grab all of the gold here on SmackDown, AJ.
[AJ] All the gold. Listen, it seems like every time the O.C. gets messed with,
they have some lady involved.
[Cole] Now, wait a minute.
Bayley, I thought maybe she had a broken nose, and…
-[AJ laughs] -…she may have one now.
[AJ] Now she does, yes.
[Wade] One of the tricks from many in the playbook of Bayley, the veteran.
In the ring, let's go.
[AJ] That didn't work out so well, did it?
-[Cole] No, it backfired this time. -[AJ] She's got her hair.
-[Cole] Oh, a driving knee to the-- -[AJ] Ref! Ref! Ref!
[Wade] Face-first into the buckle.
-This could be it. -[AJ] Oh, come on.
[Cole] Rose Plant by Bayley. Hook of the leg.
-Bayley qualifies. -[AJ] Can you believe that?
She pulled her hair.
-Ref! God… -[Rome] Here is your winner, Bayley.
[Cole] It's Bayley in the Bank part two.
[Wade] I know Bayley's your favorite. It's okay, Cole.
Seems rather-- Oh, here we go. Scarlett out here at ringside.
[Cole] Why is Scarlett out here?
Oh my goodness!
Now it's Karrion Kross
-with the Kross Jacket. -[Wade] Kross Jacket.
[Cole] Kross with a Kross Jacket on a blinded AJ Styles.
[Wade] Blinded? AJ just caught himself a nasty dose of Scarlett's Fever.
[crowd boos]
[Cole] Kross with a Kross Jacket to AJ Styles.
As we regroup out here at, uh, ringside,
we want to take you back to last week where Asuka was a guest of Grayson Waller
on The Grayson Waller Effect.
No one is ready for Asuka.
[laughs]
[shrieks]
[Cole] Well, Bianca Belair was.
Bianca Belair said she's tired of playing games with Asuka.
She tried, but Asuka pushed and pushed,
and now Bianca Belair wants what she calls her championship back.
[Wade] Bianca Belair has a long memory.
This one is not going away anytime soon.
[overlapping yelling]
[crowd boos]
For real? Seriously? Seriously, Adam?
Look, I get it, Bianca, I get it. You want to get your hands on Asuka.
Yes, I do.
But… tonight I'm presenting her with a brand new WWE Women's Championship.
Well, that's cute.
But you know, once I get my hands on her, I'm going to take that title from her.
-So… -Okay, great.
But, listen, I'll level with you, between that
and sorting out the Women's Tag Team Unification,
there's a lot going on and a lot of eyes on this.
So all I'm saying is I need it to come off without a hitch,
I'm asking you not to attack Asuka tonight.
Okay, with all due respect,
that really ain't got nothing to do with me.
You really expect me to sit here and just do nothing?
After she stole my title and she tried to blind me,
you just want me to do nothing, that's what you want?
I get it. But you're in line for a rematch.
So for tonight, tonight, I'm asking you to just leave it alone.
Tonight.
-Okay. A rematch? -Yeah.
If it was me, I would've handled it too.
Since you give me a rematch, cool, I do you a little solid.
I let her have her little moment
and I won't get involved… since I got a rematch.
-Thank you. -Thank you.
[Cole] Asuka's championship presentation's live, next.
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, moments ago Scarlett appeared at ringside,
and she blasted AJ Styles
with what Wade Barrett termed a "Scarlett's Fever,"
and then a Kross Jacket applied by Karrion Kross.
[Wade] Yeah, it just goes to show,
even if you do manage to defeat Karrion Kross,
ultimately, in the end, you always lose.
It was Kross.
-What? -Are you good?
-Where's he at? -Hold on. Not yet. Not yet.
I want Kross.
Hey, we will get Kross and that raggedy witch, Scarlett.
-God. -Are you all right?
No.
What was that?
[Cole] Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored tonight by Progressive.
Ladies and gentlemen, tonight I have the unique honor
of unveiling the brand-new WWE Women's Championship.
[crowd cheers]
And so without further ado,
please join me in welcoming the current Raw Women's Champion,
"The Empress of Tomorrow," Asuka!
["You Can't Hide"plays]
♪ Your destiny's written All over the sky… ♪
[Cole] Well, it was back at Night of Champions
in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a couple of weeks ago, where Asuka…
would have a unique use of her mist.
She would put the mist on her fingertips and rake the eyes of Bianca Belair,
blinding the champion, allowing Asuka to win the title.
[Wade] Seth Rollins got himself a new championship.
Roman Reigns got himself a new championship.
Well, now it's the Empress of Tomorrow's turn.
[song fades out]
-[crowd boos] -Asuka, on behalf of WWE,
it is my pleasure to present this.
The brand-new WWE Women's Championship.
-[boastful screaming] -[crowd oohing]
If I could have the Raw Championship, please.
[Wade] The thing is beautiful, Cole.
[crowd boos]
["All Hail The Queen" plays]
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] It is!
Charlotte Flair is here.
We haven't seen the 14-time champion since WrestleMania.
[Wade] Well, as we saw last week,
when you're women's champion, you attract a lot of attention,
but now the biggest star of them all has eyes for the gold.
[pyrotechnics booming]
♪ Bow down ♪
[Cole] Not quite the way that Asuka wanted to celebrate her new title tonight.
[Wade] How do you know? Have you ever tried to read the mind of Asuka?
[Cole] Interesting history between these two.
The greatest women's champion of all time is here.
[Wade] The biggest star in the game, right here on SmackDown.
[song fades out]
[crowd chants "Woo"]
What-what are we doing?
Charlotte, listen, I know what you're trying to do.
At least, I think I do.
[crowd chanting "Woo"]
I think I know what you're trying to do, but, listen,
you kind of need to get in line.
[crowd boos]
Excuse me?
I don't wait in line.
[crowd cheers]
I made the line.
[crowd cheers]
Woo.
[crowd] Woo!
Hi, Asuka.
No one respects you more than me.
You know that, right? No one.
I know what you can do,
but I want that championship.
So I'm challenging you for the title.
-Whoa! Wait a minute… -[crowd cheers]
[speaking Japanese]
[crowd boos]
Really?
-I accept. -Hold on, hold on.
-[crowd cheers] -[Pearce speaking indistinctly]
So, Adam, when you make this match official,
you can put that championship around my waist too.
[crowd] Woo!
[mic hits the mat]
[Cole] Oh, Asuka went for the mist and Charlotte countered.
[Wade] Charlotte just one step ahead of the game, as she's always been.
["All Hail the Queen" plays]
[Cole] So Asuka accepted Charlotte's challenge.
Adam Pearce is beside himself because he's got another problem…
in Bianca Belair, who's expecting a championship opportunity.
[Wade] Becoming a crowded field.
But of course, when the championship is that important, it's inevitable.
Once again, Charlotte Flair proving why she is one step ahead of everybody,
and in my eyes, Charlotte Flair
has absolutely earned the right to jump any line she wants.
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, let's take you back to how we kicked off
Friday Night SmackDown tonight.
Paul Heyman in the ring with Solo Sikoa and Jey Uso.
And Paul asked Jey this question,
"Are you in or are you out of The Bloodline?"
I need your answer now.
[crowd chatter]
[crowd chants "Uso"]
[crowd chanting "No"]
Hey, I'll get back to you on that.
[mic thuds on mat]
[crowd cheers]
-["Done With That" playing] -♪ Down since day one ish ♪
♪ Down since day one ish ♪
♪ We been down since day one ish ♪
♪ Yeah, line 'em all up Knock 'em down like this ♪
-[song fades] -[tape snapping]
-You got me. That was really slick. -[crowd boos]
That was slick.
You left me hanging.
Hey, it's a cliffhanger.
It makes for good television.
My whole life has been a cliffhanger.
But the next thing I want you to put in my hand
is your passport and your suit measurements.
Are you going to a wedding, OG? What are you talking about?
Much bigger than a wedding.
First of all, I need your passport
because you are going to fly on The Tribal Chief's private jet,
which will one day be your private jet, all the way to Money in the Bank.
You're going to be flying with The Tribal Chief,
with the Wiseman, and with your little brother, Solo.
I need your suit measurements
because next week, live, right here on SmackDown,
-we're going to have a triple celebration. -Okay.
One, The Tribal Chief
-will be here live next week. -Okay.
-That's always a celebration. -Okay.
Two, the new United States Heavyweight Champion,
the "Right-Hand Man," Jey Uso.
-That's a celebration. -Okay. Okay.
And number three, a public acknowledgment that Jey Uso,
you, shall be groomed by Roman Reigns himself
as the next Tribal Chief.
-OG. -And now…
I love it.
I love it, OG.
Next week, a big celebration.
I might be the new United States Champion, "Main Event" Jey Uso.
Yes, count me in.
But, OG, I don't know why you so happy.
'Cause if I'm in The Bloodline…
that means you out The Bloodline.
[crowd cheers]
Yeet.
[crowd chatter]
[Cole] Quite the ultimatum by Jey.
He has a United States Championship opportunity tonight against Austin Theory.
We're still awaiting his decision on what he's gonna do about The Bloodline.
[Wade] Jey should play poker. I have no idea which way he's going to go.
[Cole] Meanwhile… it's Fight Night!
["Bring the Fire" plays]
[explosion]
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is a Money in the Bank qualifying match.
Introducing first,
accompanied to the ring by Ridge Holland and Sheamus,
representing the Brawling Brutes, Butch.
[Cole] It is our third of four Money in the Bank qualifying matchups
here tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
Will it be Butch or Baron Corbin,
who's already won Money in the Bank in his career?
Who's going to London? We find out live, next.
-["Rest In Peace" plays] -[Cole] The Undertaker 1 Deadman Show
returns to the UK this July,
debuting in London, Wolverhampton, Manchester, and Glasgow
ahead of Money in the Bank.
Tickets available now at aegpresents.co.uk.
Asuka is there, then Charlotte shows up, and it--
Right. It literally fell in our laps. Asuka-Charlotte's huge.
I mean, if you're asking me,
why not three weeks from tonight in London, night before Money in the Bank?
I don't think it gets any bigger than…
Um, can I call you back?
-Thank you. -[crowd cheers]
Hi.
Look, I'll figure it out. You have my word.
You better.
Oh, just so you know, when I get my lick back,
it'll be justified.
[Cole] A lot of pressure on Mr. Pearce here tonight.
Meanwhile, pressure on Butch
as he gets set to try to qualify for Money in the Bank.
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome our special guests for this match,
Trick Williams
and the NXT Champion,
Carmelo Hayes.
[Cole] This is interesting
because, remember, if you win the Money in the Bank contract,
you can cash in on any title, on any brand whenever you want,
so perhaps Carmelo Hayes
could be in the sights of the eventual winner of Money in the Bank.
[Wade] Every champion on every brand starts sweating
when those Money in the Bank briefcases get grabbed.
[Rome] And his opponent, weighing in at 285 pounds,
Baron Corbin.
[Cole] Now remember, Baron Corbin is a free agent
because of the WWE draft,
and he has been making his presence felt the last few weeks down at NXT.
Let's take you back to a couple of weeks ago.
Baron Corbin would set his sights on the NXT Champion.
[Wade] Yeah. Absolutely.
Sneak attack on Carmelo Hayes,
dropping Hayes center of the ring
and making his intentions fully known.
[Cole] And then this past week, he would go one-on-one
with Carmelo Hayes' buddy, Trick Williams.
And as Williams' knee gave out,
Corbin would take advantage and deliver an End of Days,
again sending a message to the NXT Champion
-and his cohort. -[bell rings]
[boisterous laugh]
I hope that you two are enjoying the show,
because I'm about to put on another one
when I beat Butch right here, right now,
and go on to win the Money in the Bank Ladder Match again.
[crowd boos]
Look, I'm surprised you two showed up here.
Did you see what I did to your boy Tuesday at NXT?
If I were you,
I would stay on the other side of that barricade, where it's safe,
because I don't want to drop you again.
Why don't you come on this side?
Sit down like the fan that you are,
and watch me punch my ticket to Money in the Bank.
[Cole] We talk about over 80%
-of the people, the men -[bell rings]
who win the Money in the Bank Contract,
cash in for a championship.
Baron Corbin not among them.
He won the Money in the Bank Contract Ladder Match a few years ago,
but failed to cash in for a title.
[Wade] You have to think that only motivated him even more
to climb back to the top of that ladder, but it might be over.
[Cole] And a kickout by Corbin.
This is a qualifying match
for the Money in the Bank Contract Ladder Match three weeks from tomorrow.
Already qualified for the men, Shinsuke Nakamura, Ricochet,
LA Knight, and Santos Escobar qualified earlier tonight.
Backbreaker by Corbin.
[Wade] Shinsuke Nakamura, let's not forget,
but Baron Corbin reminding anyone who may have forgotten
that he is an incredibly dangerous man in recent weeks
-and he's on a wrecking spree. -[Cole] Does anybody like Baron Corbin?
-[Wade] I like him. What is your problem? -[Cole] As the NXT Champ looks on.
Even the Chef Reactions dude
on social media has been burying Corbin all week long.
[Wade] Well, social media is cheap talk.
Baron Corbin is a man who can get it done in the ring,
as he has done time and time again.
[Cole] Butch taking down Corbin, and now Butch goes to work on the big man.
A couple of elbows by Corbin. Blocked by Butch momentarily.
[Wade] Gonna attack those fingers of Corbin like only Butch can.
[Cole] Yeah, joint manipulation.
[Wade] I don't care how big you are. The fingers…
[Cole] Oh my God.
[Wade] Cringe every single time.
-Doesn't matter how many times I see it. -[Cole] Oh!
-[Wade] Baron Corbin… -How do you like it, huh?
This is how the big boys…
[Cole] He's got a major issue with Hayes and Williams.
[Wade] Well, there's that gold championship of NXT
around the shoulder of Carmelo Hayes, but take your eye off Butch--
[Cole] He tried to use his left hand for a choke slam.
-Butch rolls him up, and got him. -[bell rings]
Butch qualifies.
-["Bring the Fire" plays] -[Rome] Here is your winner, Butch.
[indistinct smack talk]
[Wade] Well, Corbin took his eye off the ball
to jaw-jack with Hayes and Trick Williams.
[Cole] It wasn't just that, Wade.
Butch injured the right hand of Corbin,
which forced Corbin to use his left hand for the attempted chokeslam.
Didn't have enough, as Butch capitalized,
turned it into a win to qualify for Money in the Bank.
[Wade] Butch is a technical wizard,
and London will go bananas for Butch at Money in the Bank.
-You think you can come up here. -Hey, hey, hey.
Of course, Corbin's got to blame someone.
[indistinct arguing]
Oh, and a right hand.
-Trick Williams goes up. -Hayes with one of his own.
And now Carmelo Hayes and Williams
being separated by officials and now security.
[indistinct yelling]
So Baron Corbin, who's a free agent in the draft, is picking on guys at NXT.
And speaking of the draft,
it's really changed the landscape of SmackDown.
In particular, we now have "The All Mighty" Bobby Lashley.
I got something…
[man] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive.
A triple threat of protection with home, auto and more.
[Graves] He is indeed something beyond human.
[Cole] Supreme dominance.
[Graves] One of the most impressive athletes we've ever seen in WWE.
[Lashley] I will destroy everybody else and reign supreme.
I will defeat anyone, anywhere, anytime.
[Graves] Lashley is WWE Champion.
[Cole] Lashley's won the Intercontinental Championship.
[announcer] The new United States Champion.
[Patrick] Thou shalt not tick off The All Mighty.
[Lashley] Because I live for this.
[Cole] Bobby Lashley will not be intimidated.
[Graves] We have been thrust back into the era of The All Mighty.
[Cole] SmackDown has been put on notice.
-["I Am a Psycho" plays] -♪ I'm a psycho, I'm a psycho ♪
♪ I'm a psycho, I'm a psycho ♪
♪ Welcome to the ball pit You can get your ass kicked ♪
♪ Off the top, backflip… ♪
[Cole] With the TCB tank, taking care of business.
[Wade] You might want to duck, Cole.
[pyrotechnics booming]
[Cole] Who will join the field for the opportunity
at changing their fortune, changing their career?
Qualifying match for Money in the Bank.
Shotzi, Iyo Sky. Live, next.
[indistinct]
Butch, congratulations on your victory tonight
and for qualifying for your first-ever Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
How you feeling?
I'm coming home and I'm taking that briefcase.
Because every night the Brawling Brutes are back in the UK is…
[all] …Fight Night, Fight Night, Fight Night--
-No, no, no, that was unfair. -[crowd boos]
Carmelo Hayes was out there,
he was causing problems--
-What? -[yells]
[metal door rattles]
[Cole] Cameron Grimes.
[Brawling Brutes laughing and mocking indistinctly]
-Nothing's going right for Corbin. -[grunts]
[grunting]
♪ You gon' hear a big boom ♪
["I Am a Psycho" continues]
[Cole] Shotzi set to qualify…
if she can knock off the Iyo Sky for Money in the Bank.
["Tokyo Shock" plays]
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest
is a Money in the Bank qualifying match.
Making her way to the ring, accompanied by Bayley,
representing Damage CTRL, Iyo Sky.
[Cole] So Bayley has already qualified.
She qualified earlier tonight with a win over Michin.
So the winner of this match will join Zelina Vega, Becky Lynch,
Zoey Stark, and Bayley
in the Money in the Bank Qualifying Match.
Now, Bayley understands, as does Iyo,
that if both are in that match, it will be every woman for herself.
[Wade] You know that's not how it's going to work, Cole.
If Iyo Sky joins Bayley in the matchup,
they're going to team up and take out every other woman in the field.
One way or another,
that briefcase would come home to Damage CTRL,
but Iyo has to get the job done here first.
[Cole] Shotzi and Iyo Sky, and Bayley already trying to provide interference.
That allows Iyo Sky to go into the cover,
try to put her away quickly, and a kickout.
[Wade] That's because Bayley is a genius.
She's stacking the deck in Iyo's favor here.
[Cole] You really think that Iyo Sky
would try to help Bayley win Money in the Bank?
-[Wade] What is your problem with Bayley? -Oh!
[Wade] Bayley is a little ray of sunshine, and the fact that she doesn't like you
speaks volumes to the type of lowlife you are, Michael Cole.
[Cole] It has nothing to do with Bayley,
it has to do with the fact that if you win the Money in the Bank contract,
your fortune will change.
The entire trajectory of your career.
Ask Bayley. She cashed in back in 2019
to win the championship the same night she won the contract.
She knows what it's about.
Iyo Sky is not going to allow that opportunity
to pass her by to help out Bayley.
[Wade] I'm not saying who's going to win out of Bayley and Iyo Sky,
if Iyo does indeed qualify,
but it does make both of their chances that much greater.
That's why it's so important that Iyo defeats Shotzi here.
Watch this!
[Cole] Iyo Sky, nobody home.
Shotzi rolls out of harm way.
Face-first off the bulldog.
[Wade] Yeah, once you give someone like Shotzi an opportunity,
that kamikaze offense of hers comes to the fore.
One of the most dangerous Superstars in the division.
[Cole] Nice suplex by Shotzi.
Iyo Sky is in deep trouble here.
Shotzi into the corner, and Shotzi could be closing in.
She's already been in one Money in the Bank Ladder Match in her career.
[Wade] Oh no, Cole, she's got that look in her eye again.
[Cole] Shotzi with a suicide dive,
taking out Iyo Sky.
Shotzi has been dominating, Wade.
[Wade] Absolutely. Turned this matchup around.
Bayley fuming on the outside.
Nothing she can do in front of the referee, that's for sure.
[Cole] I'm sure she'll try, though.
And see? What did I tell you? On cue, up on the apron.
Shotzi distracted momentarily,
-and it allows Sky to take advantage. -[Wade] Shotei uppercut.
Completely swinging the direction in this matchup, or is it?
Sky face-first. Now, the referee didn't see that one.
Shotzi, the back of her neck hitting the top turnbuckle hard.
[Wade] Absolute genius move by Bayley.
And now "The Genius of the Sky" Iyo can do her thing.
[Cole] Iyo with the moonsault connecting to Shotzi.
-Here is the cover. -One! Two! Three!
[Cole] Iyo Sky qualifies for Money in the Bank.
-[Rome] Here is your winner, Iyo Sky. -["Tokyo Shock" plays]
[Wade] Things are looking pretty, pretty good for Damage CTRL right now.
Here's the difference maker.
Bayley, the veteran, knowing every trick in the book,
sets it up so Iyo Sky cannot fail.
Iyo joins the field in London, three weeks tomorrow at Money in the Bank.
[Cole] So it's Zelina Vega, Becky Lynch,
Zoey Stark, Bayley, and now Iyo Sky.
One of these women with an opportunity
to change their life three weeks from tomorrow.
[mocking laugh]
Congratulations to Iyo Sky.
After that victory, she is headed to Money in the Bank.
But now, please welcome my guest
who is looking to pick up a victory of his own tonight,
the United States Champion, Austin Theory.
[crowd boos]
Austin, later on tonight, you'll be defending
your United States Championship against Jey Uso.
-How do you-- -That' s the thing,
is I was the last one to find out about that.
I mean, think about that. How disrespectful is that to the champ?
You see, Roman Reigns, he pulls all the strings,
he does whatever he wants, but me, I don't make excuses.
And sure, I had zero amount of time to get ready for this match,
but all I get is victories these days.
And as far as tonight goes with Jey Uso,
well, he's going to get sent back to The Bloodline
the failure that he is.
Because I'm going to beat him just like I beat John Cena at WrestleMania.
Oh, and, uh…
if Paul Heyman is looking for a new client after next week,
well, I invite him to check out Austin Theory Live.
[Cole] Theory defends against Jey Uso, our main event tonight.
[crowd boos]
[crowd cheers]
-Yo. -Yo. Did you talk to him?
Yeah. Yeah, I talked to him.
And?
I don't know. We'll see.
Look, now that that's done,
-can we focus on the Tag Titles? -Yes. Yes.
-You just get-- -Yeah, yeah.
-Hello. -Hello.
Hello. Sorry, boys. Just a quick couple of questions.
When you come here each week to just kind of chat,
do you ever think about making an effort with the way you look?
-[both laugh] -Speaking of effort, how about ,for once,
consider defending those championships? Maybe… yes boy?
-Yes boy. Yes boy. -Yes boy.
Who are these two?
-Do you lads want a Tag Title match? -Who are these two?
We think there should be a good old-fashioned fight
-to see who deserves one. -Whoa, whoa. Did somebody mention a fight?
The Good Brothers love a fight, and we want those Tag Team Titles.
What are these guys doing here? Where did they come from?
Ooh-ooh, ah-ah!
If anybody getting a Tag Title opportunity…
-[both] …it's us. -You know what I'm saying?
[crosstalk]
What's going on here?
I'll tell you what's going on. I'll tell you what's going on.
I came here to have a chat with him, these boys showed up,
then them, then them, everybody is standing too close to me!
I can't take it! What is this?! Why is this happening?!
-Take it down a notch. -No!
-Take it down a notch. -I can't take it.
Your blood pressure, your blood pressure.
For the love of God.
Hey, what he's trying to say is that apparently--
-They all want Tag Team Title matches! -They all want Tag Team Title matches.
-All of them? -Yes, all of them.
-[crosstalk] -Okay, okay, whoa…
So try this on. You all want a shot at the Tag Team Titles.
So how about next week, all of you teams enter into a Gauntlet Match,
and the winner of the Gauntlet Match faces you guys
for those Tag Team Championships?
-[cheering] -Are you all happy now?
It's official.
[crosstalk]
[Cole] So a Gauntlet Match next week here on Friday Night SmackDown.
Also next week,
the "Grayson Waller Effect" with a special guest.
We'll tell you about that in a moment,
but here is a look at this exciting young Superstar, Grayson Waller.
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome The Dynamite from Down Under…
How does Grayson Waller want to be remembered?
That's not my concern, lad.
History is nothing more than a set of lies agreed upon.
[announcer] …the man with the triple-platinum tongue…
What I can promise you, is I will never be untruthful to you.
So let me tell you some absolutes.
There is no one better in that ring than Grayson Waller.
[announcer] …The Viral Virtuoso…
[Waller] That entire locker room knows that I'm the future of this company.
If they say otherwise, that is through fear or insecurity.
I'm the biggest star.
Somehow, I'm the bad guy.
Grayson Waller runs this.
I'm not evil, I'm inevitable.
[announcer] …The Moment Maker…
They paint me as a villain, I just autograph the artwork.
[announcer] …The Aussie Icon…
And that is the Grayson Waller Effect.
Well, the arrogant Aussie's got himself another box-office guest.
"Grayson Waller Effect" with the 14-time world champ, Charlotte Flair,
next week, right here on SmackDown.
-♪ Uso! ♪ -["Done With That" plays]
[Cole] Right now, it's time for our main event
for the United States Championship.
And also, Wade, we're finally going to get a decision.
Is Jey Uso in, or is he out of The Bloodline?
♪ Down since day one ish ♪
♪ We been down since day one ish ♪
♪ Damn, line 'em all up Knock 'em down like this ♪
♪ Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, hey, Uce… ♪
[Cole] And tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
is sponsored by Progressive insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
You know, Jey Uso has never held a singles championship in his WWE career.
He has an opportunity to do just that in our main event tonight
as he takes on Austin Theory for the United States Championship.
Plus, Jey Uso will finally make his decision.
Does he stay with Roman Reigns, or does he go with his brother Jimmy?
It's all live, next on Friday Night SmackDown.
Let's get it!
Ladies and gentlemen, it's going to happen three weeks from tonight,
when we're in the O2 in London, England.
Asuka will defend the WWE Women's Championship
against Charlotte Flair in three weeks.
[Wade] And it's official. On SmackDown in two weeks,
the NXT and WWE Women's Tag Titles will be unified,
as Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn square off against Baszler and Rousey.
Winners take all.
That's two weeks' time.
[Cole] And next week, in Lexington, Kentucky,
at the University of Kentucky, a mixed tag team matchup.
Karrion Kross and Scarlett against AJ Styles and Michin of the O.C.
Also next week, every tag team in the men's division on SmackDown
will compete in a Gauntlet Match.
Winners will become Number One Contenders
to KO and Zayn's Undisputed WWE Tag Championships.
[Cole] And by next Friday Night, he will be at 1,020 days as champion.
Roman Reigns returns, but what has he returned to?
Will Jey Uso be celebrating the United States Championship
if he wins tonight as part of The Bloodline,
or will Jey Uso be out?
We find out. Roman returns next week.
Jey Uso makes his decision tonight.
[Wade] Well, Jey needs to take emotion out of the equation
and simply use logic.
You are the heir apparent to be the next Tribal Chief.
Don't screw it up.
[Cole] Will you make up your mind?
You're going back and forth on the fence all night as well.
[Wade] Because I can't read Jey Uso.
It's not my decision. It's Jey's, ultimately.
["A-Town Down" plays]
♪ Yeah! ♪
♪ You see the future Right in front of your eyes ♪
♪ Headed to the top But it's not a surprise ♪
♪ Not in my eyes, knew it And dreamt it as a child ♪
-♪ A-Town Down, my style, hostile… ♪ -[indistinct]
And that's all day…
-[indistinct] -[pyrotechnics booming]
[Cole] Well, here's one man I can guarantee
who does not give a damn about Jey Uso's decision.
Austin Theory cares about one thing,
and that's himself and the United States Championship.
And he defends it tonight against Jey Uso.
Well, what an opportunity tonight for Jey.
Let me ask you this question.
If Jey can knock off Theory
and win his first singles championship tonight, the United States Title,
does that sway his decision?
[Wade] This, right now,
what we're about to witness is a gift from The Tribal Chief.
This is the power The Tribal Chief has.
-He can create moments, opportunities-- -[Cole] You didn't answer my question.
[Wade] I'm in the process of doing it if you let me talk.
-Who cares about your opinion? -It's called sound bites.
[Wade] No. Listen. Jey Uso realizes that Roman can gift him moments like this.
Jimmy Uso can't gift him anything.
Jimmy Uso has almost flushed Jey Uso's career down the toilet.
It's an obvious call. Who do you go with?
You go with The Tribal Chief, the proven commodity.
[song fades]
[bell rings]
The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the United States Championship.
[crowd cheers]
Introducing the challenger,
representing The Usos,
from San Francisco, California,
Jey Uso.
[crowd cheers]
And his opponent, from Atlanta, Georgia,
weighing in at 220 pounds,
he is the United States Champion,
-Austin Theory. -[crowd boos]
[Cole] You know, the special counsel to Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman,
was laying it on thick tonight,
-making all these promises to Jey Uso… -[Wade] Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
…about what would happen if he stays in The Bloodline,
how he is the heir apparent to The Head of the Table.
What Jey Uso cannot forget
is what has happened to him over the past three years in The Bloodline,
in the abuse that Roman Reigns showed Jey and his brother Jimmy.
[Wade] Stop that right now.
Jey is the golden twin,
always had the most potential out of Jey and Jimmy.
Jimmy is just a spare.
He's like Prince Harry in the UK, surplus to requirements,
and now Jimmy realizes that and is bitter and jealous
just like the redheaded welterweight Prince.
[Cole] Shoulder tackle by Austin Theory.
His United States Championship up for grabs here tonight
against Jey Uso, who is an emotional powder keg.
[Wade] The other part of this equation
is that Jey has to prove himself worthy right now.
He's been gifted this opportunity,
but defeating someone as good as Austin Theory
is certainly no foregone conclusion.
[crowd chants "Uso"]
[Cole] The Uso chants here from the WWE Universe.
Jey now with Austin Theory, and Austin sent right over the table.
Can Uso win the United States Title,
and will he decide to stay with The Bloodline?
[yells]
[Cole] Meanwhile, opportunity knocking tonight on Friday Night SmackDown,
perhaps, for Jey Uso, who is looking to knock off Austin Theory
and win the United States Championship.
Also, Jey Uso to decide whether he will stay in The Bloodline or not.
And remember the caveat. Jey telling Paul Heyman,
"If I stay in The Bloodline, if I make that decision, then you're out, big man."
[Wade] Yeah, that's absolute insanity from Jey Uso.
He's got to remember he's essentially a trainee Tribal Chief right now.
Don't get ideas above your station.
[crowd] Yay! Boo!
Yay! Boo!
[Cole] Theory misses wildly.
Jey Uso now planting him up for the neckbreaker.
Cover by Jey to win the United States Title,
and a kickout.
WWE fans are electric tonight, backing Jey Uso
in his opportunity to win his first singles championship.
[Wade] Yeah, this is Roman Reigns
showing his true belief in "Main Event" Jey Uso right now.
[Cole] Or perhaps it's Roman Reigns just trying to dangle the carrot
to make sure that Jey Uso continues
-to back him up in The Bloodline. -[Wade] Such a hater. Such a hater, Cole.
[Cole] Nice drop toehold. Face-first goes Jey.
Austin Theory, the US Champ.
A very nice dropkick by Theory. Such a great athlete.
Cover to retain and end Jey's dreams,
and a kickout at two.
[Wade] Man, Austin Theory, United States Champion.
So good. So young.
-The envy of this entire industry. -[Cole] Bang.
[Wade] Look at that effortless athleticism.
[Cole] And again, back to Roman Reigns for just a moment.
Wade, if you're Roman Reigns, think about this.
-The Bloodline's crumbling, right? -[Wade] No.
[Cole] You, for three years, have held the championship, thanks to your cousins.
-[Wade] So? -[Cole] If Jey Uso leaves the fold,
like Jimmy did, Roman's naked.
He's alone with the exception of Solo Sikoa.
[Wade] Yeah, just Solo Sikoa. That's it. Right.
Solo Sikoa is a one-man wrecking crew, and don't write off Jey Uso yet.
Jey's a smart man.
[Cole] For the championship to retain,
and Jey kicks at two.
[Wade] Yeah, and not surprisingly, Austin Theory starting to get frustrated
with just how resilient "Main Event" Jey Uso truly is.
[Cole] The point I was making, Wade, is that there is strength in numbers.
Of course, Solo Sikoa is the enforcer, he's as dangerous as ever,
but for Roman Reigns to have three people in his corner,
we have seen what The Usos have meant.
He wouldn't be a champion for 1,000 days if it wasn't for Jimmy and Jey.
[Wade] It's not strength in numbers
if one of those cohorts just so happens to be a Trojan horse, Cole.
[Cole] Looking for A-Town Down, Jey Uso, though, able to counter.
Kick to the midsection.
Here comes "Main Event" Jey Uso.
[Wade] And here comes "Main Event" Austin Theory.
[Cole] Oh, and a step-up enzuigiri.
Big left hand by the southpaw.
-[crowd cheers] -Kick by Jey.
Down goes the champ, and the referee is knocked out as well.
Official Ryan Tran was inadvertently knocked down.
Jey Uso. Uso Splash!
[Wade] Jey's got this won.
[Cole] One, two, three, four, five.
He should have won the title,
but the official was knocked out of the ring.
[Wade] Well, that was completely inadvertent by Austin Theory,
a collision there, but that was basically--
[Cole] Oh, now look who's here.
Austin Theory's new running buddies, Pretty Deadly.
-Elton Prince and Kit Wilson. -[crowd boos]
[Wade] Yeah, this matchup truly breaking down.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] And here comes Jimmy Uso!
Jimmy's here.
[Wade] It's The Bloodline betrayer himself.
[Cole] Jimmy Uso taking out Pretty Deadly,
coming to the aid of his brother Jey.
And now Solo Sikoa…
Sikoa blindsiding his older brother.
[yelling indistinctly]
Going for the spike.
-Jey saving Jimmy. -[crowd cheers]
Superkick, Jimmy to Jey.
He didn't mean that.
[Wade] Are you sure?
[Cole] He didn't mean that.
[Wade] I'm not so sure, Cole.
I don't trust Jimmy Uso at all.
[Cole] Jimmy taking out Solo.
Theory back into the ring.
-Austin Theory is going to steal it again. -One! Two! Three!
[bell rings]
["A-Town Down" plays]
[Wade] Nice job, Jimmy Uso.
[Rome] Here is your winner and still
the United States Champion,
Austin Theory.
-[Cole] So Theory survives. -[Theory] I'm the best.
[Cole] Jimmy came to his brother's aid. Solo got involved.
Jimmy inadvertently with a superkick to Jey,
perhaps costing Jey the United States Title.
[Wade] Perhaps? You keep using that word inadvertently.
I'm not so sure.
Let's take another look
at the moment this all fell to pieces. It was when Jimmy Uso arrived.
[Cole] That was Pretty Deadly, who was going after Jey
before Jimmy Uso got involved and saved his brother.
There's no doubt about that.
[Jimmy] You all right, Uce?
[Cole] Solo Sikoa, however, would blast,
as you called him, the turncoat, the traitor, Jimmy Uso.
Jey protects his brother here.
[Wade] And just like Jimmy super kicked The Tribal Chief a couple of weeks ago,
here's one for his own twin.
[Cole] You cannot tell me that that was not an accident. Was it?
[Wade] We just don't know, Cole. And that's the problem with Jimmy Uso.
He's fighting everybody who's blood-related at the moment,
including Jey.
[Cole] Theory would retain,
once again surviving with the championship.
-♪ All day! ♪ -♪ Victory staring in my face ♪
-♪ All day! ♪ -♪ I'm doing like the best, man ♪
♪ It's obvious, Knock them down One by one, nobody's left ♪
-♪ All day! ♪ -♪ Best believe, I'm doing it my way ♪
-♪ All day! ♪ -♪ Victory staring in my face ♪
-♪ All day! ♪ -♪ I'm doing like the best, man ♪
♪ It's obvious, knock them down One by one, nobody's left ♪
♪ Let's go! A-Town Down! Screamin' out loud ♪
♪ A-Town Down! The future's right now ♪
♪ A-Town Down! Tearin' the place down… ♪
[Cole] What does Jey do now?
[music fades]
[crowd chants "Uso"]
[crowd] Oh!
Come on, man. I didn't mean to kick you, Uce.
I was just trying to help you out, bro.
Hey, Uce, come on, bro.
-Get your hands off me. -[crowd boos]
Come on, Jey.
[crowd heckles]
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry [indistinct].
I'm sorry.
Call Roman Reigns.
[Cole] Paul Heyman just said, "Call Roman Reigns."
Call Roman Reigns.
[Cole] And Jey Uso still has yet to make a decision.
So, ladies and gentlemen, next week on Friday Night SmackDown,
a jam-packed show in Lexington, Kentucky.
-First, this mixed tag team match. -[Wade] Yeah, absolutely.
After what we saw earlier, it has already been signed.
Michin and AJ Styles of the O.C.
go mix tag action against Karrion Kross and Scarlett.
[Cole] Also next week, the Gauntlet Match
to determine who will be the Number One Contenders for the WWE Tag Team Titles.
Who will run the gauntlet next week?
And it is the return of Roman Reigns.
-And where does Jey Uso stand? -["Head of the Table" playing]
Will he make his decision next week?
Will Jey Uso fall in line?
Will he stay with Roman Reigns and The Bloodline,
or will he leave for his brother Jimmy?
["Head of the Table" continues]
We'll find out live on SmackDown.