[WWE signature intro plays]
[John Cena] Then…
[Ric Flair] Woo!
[The Rock] If you smell!
[Cena] Now…
[Reigns] Acknowledge me.
-♪ The king of kings ♪ -♪ You can't see me ♪
[Cena] Forever.
Together.
["Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] With SummerSlam looming one week from tomorrow,
we welcome you live to The Big Easy, Bourbon Street, New Orleans,
where we are jam-packed tonight
for Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
And we're sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome "Main Event"
Jey Uso!
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting] Uce! Uce! Uce!
Whassup!
Hey, hey!
[crowd] Hey, hey!
"Main Event" Jey Uso is now in your city!
[crowd cheers]
["Head of the Table" plays]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Well, at least, for now,
Roman Reigns is still the Tribal Chief,
the Undisputed Champion,
and can do things on his time when he wants,
like interrupting cousin Jey Uso here tonight.
[fireworks exploding]
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] For 1,062 days,
Roman Reigns has been your WWE Universal Champion.
A week from tomorrow,
at SummerSlam in Detroit, Michigan,
Roman Reigns puts the championship,
he puts his Tribal Chief status on the line against Jey Uso
in a match where anything goes, Wade Barrett,
because it is Tribal Combat.
[Wade] I've just got to admire the mind games
from the maestro himself, Roman Reigns.
Jey Uso gets the big "Main Event" Jey Uso intro.
No, no, no. Hold the phone.
Jey Uso, meet the real main event,
Roman Reigns, Tribal Chief, WWE Universal Champion.
[Cole] However, heading into the match next week at SummerSlam,
Roman Reigns will have no champion's advantage
because in Tribal Combat, anything goes,
which means there are no disqualifications,
there won't be any count-outs.
You pin or submit your opponent to win the match.
Jey Uso has a chance a week from tomorrow.
[crowd cheering]
[fireworks exploding]
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] The confidence befit of a champion
of nearly three years.
[crowd booing]
[crowd chanting] Uso! Uso! Uso!
Oh, yes!
New Orleans…
[crowd cheers, boos]
Acknowledge me!
[crowd cheers, boos]
[crowd chanting] Uso! Uso! Uso!
You want to know why you like The Usos?
Because of me.
[crowd boos]
[Reigns] Little Jey… [chuckles]
Little Jey, you must've forgot…
If the Tribal Chief is scheduled to appear,
well, that means the Tribal Chief opens up his show.
[chuckles] Now, don't worry, little Jey is forgetful, y'all,
but we're going to remind him.
Why you think they called you the Right Hand Man, huh?
Because I made you that.
[crowd booing]
Why you think they called you "Main Event" Jey Uso, huh?
Because I made you that.
[crowd boos]
And now that you don't have any of that, you out here trying to do what I do.
You're out here trying to open my show.
You're out here trying to be the Head of the Table, huh?
Yeah, what? You think you're the face of the company now?
All you've ever wanted for three years is to be the Tribal Chief.
What you think? You're the Tribal Chief now, huh?
[crowd cheering]
No, man, I never wanted any of that.
I'm serious, I didn't want none of that.
All I did for you, uce, was watch your back,
do what family do,
support you, man.
I've been your Right Hand Man for three years, uce.
Through the mud, through the trenches, no questions asked
'cause you're my Tribal Chief.
'Cause I believed in you, man.
I believed you could lead this company, and most importantly, uce,
I really believed you could lead this family.
But you broke this family.
And now I got to do what I have to do, uce.
[crowd cheers]
Man, you broke the family,
you broke The Bloodline,
and you broke Jimmy.
And it is all your fault.
Oh-ho-ho, no, no. No, no.
-No, shut up. Just shut your mouths. -It is.
[crowd boos]
I ain't going to sit here and take that blame.
That's not my fault, that's your fault.
How?
-That's your fault. -How?
Your jealousy brought that on him. Hey, look, understand.
Okay, let me ask you this then.
As soon as he got hurt, what'd you do, huh?
He asked for a championship match, y'all.
And… Because you're selfish, huh?
Let's backtrack three years ago.
The only reason you became the Right Hand Man
is because Jimmy was hurt.
[crowd exclaims]
If he wasn't hurt,
you didn't have a chance.
You took that from him.
And you don't even get it, do you?
You don't even get it.
You're going to be all alone.
You screwed your twin brother.
Your younger brother loves and respects me more than he does you.
[crowd boos]
So, when I beat you…
you're done. You're out of here.
We're going to wipe you off the face of the earth.
You're not a part of this legacy, you won't be a part of this history.
You understand me?
Done.
Well…
As the Wiseman would say, let's…
let's turn every stone, though, let's think hypothetically.
Let's just say… [chuckles]
…that you actually beat me.
[crowd cheers]
Then that means you take this…
and this.
And that means you take everything from me right now.
I'm no longer the Tribal Chief because of you,
but at the end of the day,
I'm always going to be Roman Reigns.
So that means I can do whatever it is I want to do, but you?
[chuckles]
Nah, you ain't got anybody, man.
You got nothing.
And the fact that you're still standing here
and you want to still do this just blows my mind.
I don't get it. You can't beat me, Jey.
Little Jey, you can't beat me.
And I want to know what's going through your mind right now
'cause I don't understand the fact that you actually think you can beat me!
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting] Uso! Uso! Uso!
It's because I already beat you.
[crowd cheers]
I pinned you.
I'm the only one to do it.
And at SummerSlam…
-I'ma beat you again. -[mic thuds]
[crowd cheers]
["Done With That" plays]
[Cole] It happens a week from tomorrow.
The Tribal Chief of The Bloodline,
the Undisputed Championship
is at stake in Tribal Combat at SummerSlam
between Roman Reigns and Jey Uso.
Ladies and gentlemen, the story here tonight is this,
Roman Reigns, the master manipulator,
once again spinning a wonderful yarn,
perhaps rewriting history,
but it did not faze Jey Uso.
Jey Uso has beaten Roman Reigns before, yes,
but it took an illegal move to do it.
In Tribal Combat, Roman Reigns can use whatever illegal moves he wants
and we might see a very different outcome.
In Tribal Combat, Jey Uso can use any illegal move he wants.
Ladies and gentlemen, switching gears, because coming up next,
it is the finals of the United States Championship Invitational.
Here is our Progressive Match Flo.
[announcer] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive.
A triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
[Cole] The United States Championship Invitational gets underway.
The winner will advance to the finals
to determine who faces Austin Theory for the United States Championship.
Wait a second! Escobar!
Crossbody! Hook of the leg!
[crowd] Two! Three!
-Got him! Escobar advances! -[bell rings]
[Cole] He'll take on the winner of next week's Fatal 4-Way.
He ain't got no chance.
[Cole] Escobar says, Theory, he's coming for you.
The winner of this Fatal 4-Way will face Santos Escobar next week.
Who's going to advance to the finals of the Invitational?
You play with me like that?
-[Cole] Rey connects! To advance! -[crowd] One! Two!
[Cole] And Austin Theory dragging Mysterio off the cover.
Rey had the damn match won.
Escobar takes the fight to Theory.
[crowd cheers]
-[Cole] Got him! -[bell rings]
[Cole] Mysterio will face his protege in the finals of this invitational.
♪ Ain't no stopping us We do the impossible ♪
[Cole] Mysterio the mentor, Escobar the protege.
The two members of LWO one-on-one,
for an opportunity for the United States Championship.
[crowd cheering]
First and foremost, we are all familia.
No matter what, I will be honored to share the ring.
[Cole] The brethren from the LWO do battle.
The winner, to earn a championship opportunity.
[crowd cheering]
["Booyaka 619" by P.O.D. plays]
[crowd cheering]
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619 ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, that's my pueblo ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619 ♪
♪ What you gonna do When they come for you? ♪
♪ Ya llego Rey Mysterio… ♪
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following is the final match
of the United States Championship Invitational!
Introducing first, representing the LWO,
WWE Hall of Famer,
Rey Mysterio!
[Cole] "The Legendary Luchador" Rey Mysterio,
continues to do it at a high level
and hopes to become the number one contender
for the United States Championship,
but Santos Escobar,
in the biggest match of his career to date,
stands in his way.
Mentor versus protege,
the finals of the United States Championship Invitational Tournament.
Mysterio, Escobar, live next on Friday Night SmackDown.
[crowd cheers]
[man] The City of Brotherly Love. It's got its own beat.
[upbeat music plays]
[announcer] The birthplace of America.
Where you're always reminded,
there's tough, and then there's Philly tough.
Next April,
the knockout punch is coming.
[Cole] This is the greatest live event in entertainment!
[announcer] And that…
that's a Philly thing.
WrestleMania live from Philadelphia, April, 2024.
Tickets available August 18th.
Mm-hm. Mm-hm.
Yes.
Mate! [chuckles]
-Sorry. -What's up, dawg?
Uce, man, I love the passion out there.
It's so invigorating, it actually gave me a bit of an idea.
Whether you win or lose at SummerSlam, and…
between us, you're probably going to lose,
but that's okay, because afterwards,
how about I give you the Grayson Waller rub?
That's right, you come on my talk show,
"The Grayson Waller Effect, featuring Little Jey."
[laughs] That's a great idea, right?
-You get it? -[laughing]
That's funny!
[thudding]
-[Cole] That's "The Jey Uso effect." -[Wade chuckles]
[Wade] Jey Uso is my favorite man on planet Earth right now.
Thank you, Jey.
[Cole] Rey Mysterio set to take on his brother from LWO
in the finals of the United States Invitational.
["Our World" plays]
[Rome] And his opponent, representing the LWO,
Santos Escobar!
[Cole] Both of these men winning Fatal 4-Ways
to earn their opportunity into this final matchup here tonight.
Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
Wade, Escobar last week with a massive victory as well
over the United States Champion, Austin Theory.
[Wade] No doubt about that.
I've had my eyes on Santos Escobar for a long time now.
Incredible competitor.
He's a veteran. He's won gold all around the world,
but even Santos Escobar admits he rises to a higher level
when he's able to pick the brain of the great Rey Mysterio.
But Santos, tonight,
he's going to have to stand on his own two feet.
[Cole] Escobar, as you mentioned, holding titles around the world,
including the now-defunct NXT Cruiserweight Championship.
NXT, of course, with their own…
[in Spanish] Everything! I want you to give me your all.
-Tonight. Tonight it is. Thanks. -Let's go.
[Cole] Sportsmanship shown as we start this matchup.
-Again, NXT: The Great American Bash… -[bell rings]
…this coming Sunday over on Peacock, 8:00 Eastern, 5:00 Pacific,
as Mysterio and Escobar lock up center of the ring.
Santos Escobar saying that Rey Mysterio believed in him
and it would be an honor… Oh, kickout by Rey.
…to share the ring with Mysterio tonight. May the best man win.
[Wade] Well, I promise you this.
Show any deference to Rey tonight
and you are completely finished, Santos Escobar.
Santos is battle-hardened enough to understand that, though.
[groans]
[Cole] Escobar working on the left leg of Mysterio.
Great strategy here to take the speed and quickness away
from the Legendary Luchador, the Hall of Famer,
the former World Champion, Rey Mysterio.
[groaning]
[Cole] We were talking earlier today, Wade, about this matchup
and we understand we have a special guest in attendance here in New Orleans tonight,
high above the arena in a skybox with all his friends.
There's the United States Champion, Austin Theory.
Theory will face the winner of this matchup
with the title on the line. And a kickout.
Almost had him, did Escobar.
[Wade] When you're a champion, Cole,
you can afford an entire skybox to yourself.
[Cole] And Santos Escobar as Theory looks on.
I believe, and we were talking about this earlier today, Wade,
that this is the biggest match of Santos Escobar's career so far.
[Wade] Undoubtedly. There's a potential for gold on the line
if Santos can get through Mysterio here,
but just the fact that he's in the ring with his idol,
a man he studied for 30-plus years at this point,
it's an incredible moment for him
and he needs to make sure he's not swallowed up by that moment.
[Cole] Does that put you off a bit if you're Escobar
and you're in there against the man you've idolized your entire life?
[Wade] Yea. There's probably an element of the build up to this match.
Absolutely. But once that bell rings,
Santos has gone in fight mode as we just saw.
[crowd gasps]
-[Cole] Mysterio with a slap of his own. -[indistinct chatter]
[Cole] Oh, and one from Escobar as well,
and now things are starting to heat up.
Again, an opportunity at the United States Championship is on the line.
Down goes Escobar, second rope.
In position perhaps for a 619.
And Escobar, again, knows Mysterio so well,
slides out of harm's way,
but Mysterio launching himself over the top rope!
Mysterio in control.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And Santos Escobar knocked off of the apron by Rey Mysterio,
who catches him with a forearm,
and Escobar taken down by Rey.
These two members of the LWO
battling for an opportunity to face Austin Theory
for the United States Championship.
Oh!
Mysterio trying to control the pace against Santos Escobar.
Rey, top rope.
Oh, there's the Senton taking Escobar out.
And now Mysterio starts to pick up the pace.
Crossbody. Lateral press. Hook of the leg.
Almost had him. Escobar at two.
[Wade] Santos Escobar now wobbling all over the place
as we take another look
at the United States Champion, Austin Theory,
studying both opponents.
[Cole] The narcissist, Austin Theory,
who lost a matchup to Escobar last week here on Friday Night SmackDown
after trying to cost Mysterio the Fatal 4-Way Match.
Escobar now launching himself like a missile
to take Mysterio down,
and Rey goes down yet again.
Mysterio said, "It was time to bring some gold into the LWO."
"What's important is that one of us, either Santos or I,
can take the championship from Austin Theory."
[Wade chuckles] I don't believe a word of that, by the way,
Rey wants it for himself. Believe me.
[Cole] Escobar, crossbody,
hooks the leg on Mysterio, for the win,
and a kickout.
[Wade] We're getting ourselves a war in that ring.
Now, after a really sporting start,
the thin veneer of civility erodes very quickly in WWE
when the potential for gold is on the line.
[crowd clapping rhythmically]
[Cole] WWE fans enjoying this matchup between these two great luchadors.
-[grunts] -[crowd gasps]
[Cole] This pace right now, Wade,
does it favor Escobar or Mysterio?
[Wade] Well, Rey is really the speed demon in this particular matchup.
Make no mistake, Santos can move,
but slowing the pace down to being able to use his power…
[Cole] Shoulders down!
Neat move by Mysterio, but a kickout by Santos.
[Wade] …has to be the pathway to victory for Santos Escobar.
He's the bigger man in the matchup. Use that to control Rey.
[woman in crowd] Let's go, Rey!
[Wade] You have to think Rey Mysterio knows exactly how good Santos Escobar is.
It's exactly why he recruited him into the LWO in the first place.
[Cole] Oh, no doubt about it.
Oh, and there's a Tilt-a-Whirl Backbreaker by Escobar.
Knee to the spine.
Into the cover, trying to advance to a championship match,
and a kickout by Rey at two.
A thing of beauty by Escobar.
[Wade] I promise you this, nobody on planet Earth
has studied the moves of Rey Mysterio more than that man, Santos Escobar.
Knows Rey Mysterio almost as well as Rey knows himself.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome!
[Cole] Escobar keeping the pace right where he wants it as…
[crowd] This is awesome!
[Cole] …these two men putting on a clinic here tonight.
-[grunts] -[Cole] Rey Mysterio to the second rope.
Still, tremendous balance for Rey.
Trying to fight back.
Escobar, though, with Rey Mysterio up high on his shoulders.
Critical moment of the match. Rey hanging on.
-[crowd gasps] -[Cole] Dumps Escobar over the top rope.
[Wade] Escobar hanging on, however.
[Cole] Mysterio in trouble out there.
Maybe not! Turns it around!
Face-first off the apron goes Escobar.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Rey Mysterio starting to hit that rhythm.
-[thuds] -[Cole] Baseball slide. Nobody home.
[Wade] Escobar perhaps playing possum,
knowing exactly what was coming next from Rey Mysterio.
[Cole] And now Escobar looks to turn up the offense.
Suicide dive! Down goes Rey!
Will it be Escobar?
Will it be Mysterio to face that man for the United States title?
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, we have a developing situation here
on Friday Night SmackDown.
Right before the commercial break, Rey Mysterio suffered some sort of injury.
Not sure if he got his bell rung or what happened.
[crowd chanting] LWO! LWO!
[Cole] And we're going to show you once again, Wade.
Santos Escobar with his suicide dive.
Now, watch Rey Mysterio, how hard he hits.
And during the commercial break, as we take another look,
our doctor, our ringside physician has been working with Rey Mysterio
to try to figure out exactly what's wrong
and if he can continue in this matchup.
And again, the whiplash suffered by Mysterio
off that suicide dive by Escobar.
[Wade] Obviously, safety of athletes is always paramount here in WWE.
I have to call off this match. Rey Mysterio can no longer compete.
The winner is Santos Escobar.
Ladies and gentlemen, I've just been informed
that Rey Mysterio is no longer able to compete in this match.
Therefore, your winner is Santos Escobar.
[Cole] That, of course, a bittersweet victory for Mr. Escobar
as he advances to the finals of the United States Invitation.
He'll face Austin Theory for the title.
A true show of sportsmanship and love between these two here.
And again, Wade, we were discussing it during the commercial break.
It was pretty apparent when Rey got back to the ring after that move
-that he just wasn't himself. -[Wade] Yeah, no doubt about it.
Look, Santos Escobar was as fired up as anyone
to take on Rey Mysterio, aiming for victory.
Of course, as we see Austin Theory far from impressed,
knowing he's going to be facing Santos Escobar next.
Santos Escobar did not want to win that way.
[Cole] And we'll try to get an update on Rey Mysterio
as this program continues here tonight.
But for Austin Theory, there has to be some concern
because Escobar has already beaten Theory last week in a matchup.
As you take another look at the move that injured Rey Mysterio.
Again, no ill intent here from Escobar.
It just happened in the heat of battle.
[Wade] No, it was a competitive move,
and sometimes things go wrong in that ring as we saw tonight.
You're right, though.
Theory has lost to Santos Escobar last week,
but champions raise their game when gold is on the line.
Austin Theory will be a different man
when he takes on Santos Escobar for the United States Championship
in two weeks' time here on SmackDown.
[Cole] Santos Escobar finds himself with an opportunity
in the biggest match of his career to date here in WWE.
Escobar, Theory, for the United States title.
["Our World" playing]
[crowd] Uno! Dos! Tres!
[indistinct]
["Our World" continues playing]
Congratulations to Santos Escobar,
but all of our thoughts are with Rey Mysterio,
and we do wish him a speedy recovery.
But now, please welcome my guest,
she is "The EST of WWE" Bianca Belair.
[crowd cheers]
Bianca, we are eight days away from SummerSlam
where you will be competing
for the WWE women's title in a Triple Threat Match.
Where's your mindset right now?
You know, the numbers don't favor anyone in a Triple Threat Match,
but I stay ready so that I don't have to get ready.
So I'm ready for anything.
Did I just hear numbers?
Normally, math isn't really my thing, but three, Triple Threat.
[gasps] Let me put something in the mix.
-Eleven. -Mm. I love that number.
Eleven.
The number of days we've been Women's Tag Team Champions.
-Hello. -The number of days we've gone without…
-a celebration. -[scoffs]
Actually, it's very insulting, considering we are
the best Women's Tag Team Champions ever. [laughs]
Champ Chelsea. Champ Sonya.
-Sonya, you know what? -Hm?
-You know what really gives me the ick? -Mm.
The fact that Bianca Belair is no longer a champion,
-but the attention's still on her? Hmm. -[laughs]
If it's not about Bianca, it's about Charlotte.
If it's not about Charlotte, it's about Bianca.
Hey, Champ Sonya, who am I?
-Charlotte. -[laughing]
Hold up. Don't be disrespectful.
First of all, you already interrupted my interview,
but if you want to keep here talking,
we could have our own little Triple Threat Match.
One, two, three since you're so good at math.
Oh, of course, you make it when there's no referee.
-And no ring. -[overlapping chatter]
-[clears throat] -[Bianca] Oh. Oh.
Look at you bullies gossiping behind my back.
I can't have you outnumbered before SummerSlam.
I need you 100%.
So, what do you say, Bianca?
You want to tag up against the, uh, new champs here?
-What do you say? -[crowd cheering]
Tag with you?
-Girl, I love you, but, girl, uh-uh. -[laughs]
-Yeah. -This makes me want to do it even more.
I'm going to go talk to Adam Pearce.
Toodles.
Wait a minute. That was not a joke.
-Ho-- Hold on. -Did that just happen?
["Now You Know" plays]
Hey, Dolla.
-Spit something for 'em. -[B-Fab laughs]
But make sure you say it really, really slow
-so they can understand. -Yeah.
-They need that. -Hey, letter by letter or something.
I only need two bars for me to get it live.
[laughs]
Two words can beat Louisiana… Roll tide!
-Hey! Hey! -[crowd boos]
[overlapping chatter]
["Welcome to LA" plays]
[crowd cheering]
[Rome] And his opponent, from Los Angeles, California,
weighing 240 pounds, LA Knight!
[crowd cheers]
Let me talk to you.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting] Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
[crowd cheers]
Wait a minute. Wait, wait, wait.
[chuckles] I knew Will Smith was in the game,
but I didn't know Uncle Phil became a rapper.
-[Wade laughs] -[crowd cheers]
He says who hotter than Top Dolla?
A lotta. A lotta. Yeah!
[crowd] Yeah!
And what, uh, I think you just said before we came on the air,
you said New Orleans, corny, right?
Huh. But I don't know.
The way B-Fab's been looking at me,
I think she's got a little tingle in her loins.
I'd say she's horny. Yeah!
[crowd] Yeah!
But business before pleasure, and the business is with this man.
So, Ashante, I tell you what…
A lot of people claim to be undeniable.
A lot of people claim to be inevitable.
I live it.
And what that means is tonight,
you can be the next to get dropped on your head
courtesy of The Megastar with everybody saying…
[crowd] LA Knight! Yeah!
-Yeah! -[crowd] Yeah!
[Cole] An electric atmosphere for LA Knight
here tonight on Friday Night SmackDown,
as he gets set to go one-on-one
-with Ashante "Thee" Adonis of Hit Row. -[bell rings]
[Wade] He is unreal, isn't he?
Anyway, before we get started, Cole, last time--
Oh, cheap shot from Ashante.
Last time Hit Row were here, you started rapping live on air.
It was one of the most cringe-worthy moments in WWE history.
Please promise you're not going to do it again.
[Cole] It was better than the spitting of bars
that Top Dolla was just doing.
Stop playing with this boy!
[Wade] Top Dolla wearing a hoodie gifted to him
by Lionel Messi this past Tuesday at the Inter Miami game.
-[Cole] I don't believe that. -[Wade] That's absolutely true.
Messi told him that he's his favorite WWE Superstar.
[Cole] Okay, now I really don't believe what you're saying.
[Wade] GOATs respect GOATs.
-[Cole] Oh, and a cheap shot by Top Dolla! -[Wade] Wow.
[Cole] And here's the cover by Ashante, and a kickout.
-[Wade] Nobody calls-- -[Cole] Did you just call him a GOAT?
[Wade] Nobody calls Top Dolla "Uncle Phil" and gets away with it.
-[Cole] He's more like a sheep. -[Wade chuckles]
[Cole] Now watch the cheap shot now by Top Dolla to LA Knight.
LA Knight, though, moves out of harm's way.
Nice neckbreaker to Ashante.
Now Top Dolla up on the apron.
And, uh, well, "Flop Dolla" down to the floor.
[Wade] A little payback for you, Top Dolla.
[Cole] LA Knight with a powerslam!
[crowd cheering]
[crowd] LA Knight! Yeah!
-[grunts] -[Cole] Big elbow!
[Wade] Or name-drop elbow.
[grunts]
[Cole] Goodnight! Little Blunt Force Trauma!
-[crowd] One, two, three! -[Cole] BFT!
-[bell rings] -[crowd cheers]
["Welcome to LA" plays]
[Rome] Here is your winner, LA Knight!
[Cole] An impressive performance by LA Knight
here on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Wade] And the "Yeah" movement continues to gain momentum.
[Cole] This city knows something about "Yeah" movements here in New Orleans
as you take another look at the cheap shot by Top Dolla,
and it didn't pay off for him this time around.
[crowd cheers]
[Wade] Not many people get one up on The Megastar,
and certainly not tonight.
-[grunting] -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Blunt Force Trauma delivers LA Knight the victory.
-Come on! LA Knight! -[crowd] LA Knight! Yeah!
Yeah!
[indistinct]
[crowd cheering]
-What's up, P? -What's going on?
-Good. -Listen, after what happened earlier
between you and Grayson Waller,
he's literally been beating down my door looking for a match with you tonight.
[sighs]
You know what? He has been running his mouth tonight,
so I'ma make it nice and quick.
-Yeet. -Official yeet.
[Cole] It's going to happen, Wade.
Waller and "Main Event" Jey Uso live tonight.
["All Hail the Queen" plays]
♪ All hail the Queen ♪
[Cole] I guess we now know this is official.
Charlotte got her way, Wade.
Charlotte and Bianca against the Tag Champs, Sonya and Chelsea.
[Wade] This is going to be quite something.
A rather adversarial relationship
between two of the tag partners here tonight.
[fireworks exploding]
[Cole] Charlotte Flair will be in Detroit for SummerSlam a week from tomorrow
in a Triple Threat against Asuka and Bianca Belair
for the Women's Championship.
And we invite you to gear up for the biggest event of the summer
at the official SummerSlam superstore
coming to downtown Detroit from Thursday, August 3,
that's next Thursday, through next Sunday, August 6.
Shop the largest collection of SummerSlam merchandise
and get your hands on exclusive WWE gear you can't get anywhere else.
Go to WWE.com for more.
The alpha female of WWE,
Charlotte Flair teams up with one of her opponents at SummerSlam,
the uber-athletic "EST of WWE" Bianca Belair,
to take on the brand-new, and yes, still complaining,
WWE Women's Tag Champs, Chelsea and Sonya.
This match is live and it's next.
[Cole] Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is in New Orleans tonight,
just down the street from Bourbon Street.
And we heard the big news.
Still to come, Jey Uso's in action.
"Main Event" Jey Uso will take on Grayson Waller later on tonight.
[lively jazz music playing]
We want to say we really appreciate what you're doing for us today.
-Yeah, thanks for the hospitality, fam. -Mm-hm.
Yes, and I appreciate you guys meeting with me.
It's my pleasure completely.
But, uh, last week, I had a talk with Trick and Melo.
And they had a lot of great things to say about you guys.
They spoke very highly of the Street Profits, as they should,
because you guys are stars.
You guys should be treated like stars
and you should dress like stars.
What are y'all looking at?
-You're talking about me? -Especially you, man.
You ain't feeling the sweats, fam?
I have nothing against the sweats, but, um…
I got something a little more fitting for you.
You in the wilderness. What's wrong with you?
-Hey, brother, I'm just-- -Courtesy of The All Mighty.
-Oh, okay. -Whatever you guys want, it's on me.
-Oh, man, I appreciate it! -Oh, big money Bobby!
-Thank you, fam. -I'll take the velvet.
[Cole] Interesting.
Charlotte Flair set for tag team action here on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox,
which is sponsored tonight by Progressive.
["All Hail the Queen" plays]
["Watch Me Shine" plays]
[Cole] And yep, here comes Charlotte's partner.
♪ Instead of crying ♪
♪ They hear me roar ♪
♪ And now I see that I'm way better than before… ♪
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest
is a Tag Team Match scheduled for one fall.
Making her way to the ring, from Knoxville, Tennessee,
Bianca Belair!
[Cole] So, Wade, tonight they're on the same team, Bianca and Charlotte,
but a week from tomorrow at SummerSlam,
Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan,
they're going to be opponents in a Triple Threat Match
for the Women's Championship.
Asuka, Bianca, and Charlotte battling for the title.
And here's the deal for Asuka, Wade, there's no champion's advantage
because the first woman to gain pinfall or submission becomes the champion.
[Wade] Yeah, absolutely. What a matchup that's going to be.
Three of the best in history here in WWE
colliding a week from tomorrow, SummerSlam, Ford Field, Detroit.
That is going to be a matchup for the ages.
Women's Championship on the line.
["Hot Mess" plays]
♪ It's Chelsea ♪
[crowd booing]
[Rome] And their opponents,
they are the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Sonya Deville and Chelsea Green!
[Cole] Chelsea and Sonya winning the tag team titles
by defeating Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez a few weeks ago.
Raquel, of course, had been injured going into that matchup.
Now, both Raquel and Liv Morgan are injured.
And you're looking at the new Tag Team Champions.
And speaking of Liv Morgan,
join WWE Superstars Liv Morgan and Cody Rhodes
next Friday at Ford Field for a special volunteer experience
to support the Detroit community and fundraise for Connor's Cure.
100% of ticket sales will be donated to Connor's Cure
in support of the V Foundation.
Scan the QR code on the screen
or visit v.org/summerslamservice for more information.
[Wade] Listen, the Women's Tag Champs, Deville and Green,
they are mocked online.
They're called the complaints department from some quarters.
I've got a lot of sympathy for them
because 11 days without a championship celebration
is simply pathetic from Adam Pearce.
[Cole] I wonder if when they listen to your commentary
if they think it's the ick.
[Wade] I mean, I'm sure they think that of yours.
-I think they probably favor me. -[bell rings]
I'm on their side, Cole.
[Cole] So Champ Chelsea will start things off for her team
against Bianca Belair in this matchup.
And the question is, can Charlotte and Belair get along long enough
to try to beat the Tag Champs tonight?
[Wade] Not only are Bianca and Charlotte facing off a week tomorrow
in that Triple Threat Match at SummerSlam…
-[Cole] Oh! -…but they both cost each other
championship matches versus Asuka in recent weeks.
[Cole] Hence the reason we're here. Bianca, of course, losing her championship
in a controversial manner against Asuka.
Tag was made. Charlotte Flair now legal.
Bianca was not expecting that.
Now Charlotte Flair goes to work on Chelsea Green.
Charlotte, ooh, slamming Chelsea face-first into the mat.
[indistinct chatter]
[Cole] Bianca actually applauding her partner.
[Wade] I think that was mocking applause, if I'm perfectly honest.
-[grunts] -[thuds]
[Cole] Putting on a display, and a kip-up
by the former 14-time Women's Champion.
[Wade] It's a little showboating
for the benefit of Bianca Belair, I would suspect.
[Cole] Chelsea didn't catch Charlotte with that boot.
And Charlotte able to turn it around.
Into the corner, Charlotte backs in, Bianca makes the tag.
Now Bianca Belair,
the longest-reigning Women's Champion of the modern era.
The EST of WWE.
And Chelsea Green stomping on the toe of Bianca Belair,
trying to turn things around.
[Wade] This might be where things start to fall apart.
-[Cole] Power! -[Wade] Maybe not.
-[Cole] Tag. -[Wade] You've got to think to yourself,
you've got two singles specialists in the ring
against tag team specialists in the champions.
Sonya Deville who once ran things in WWE as a manager, along with Adam Pearce.
There's a nice move by Bianca Belair,
and a kickout by Sonya at two.
[Wade] Sonya Deville knows how to work the system better than anybody.
A large part of the reason why they have the Tag Championships is exactly that.
[Cole] Sonya, now, with the right hands, MMA style.
A pounding attack by Deville on Bianca Belair.
[Wade] Deville is vicious.
-Take another look at this. -[Cole] Oh!
[Wade] Chelsea Green getting bumped off the apron, inadvertently,
perhaps, by Bianca Belair, and took a nasty spill in the process.
[Cole] Bianca showing off her athleticism,
-and a kip-up of her own. -[crowd cheers]
[Cole] "Hey, Charlotte, whatever you can do, I can do better."
[crowd counts]
[Cole] Going to be so interesting next week in that Triple Threat Match
because the first woman to gain pinfall or submission
becomes the champion.
No count-outs, no disqualifications.
Oh, and Sonya, what a kick to take out Belair.
Cover by Deville.
Is it enough to win the matchup? And a kick at two.
Can the Tag Champs keep it up,
or can Charlotte and Bianca get back in this?
[Cole] We're back live on Friday Night SmackDown.
Sonya Deville, one half of the Tag Team Champions with Chelsea Green,
in control of Bianca Belair.
Her partner is Charlotte Flair here tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
And again, Charlotte and Bianca Belair
are opponents next Saturday, a week from tomorrow,
against Asuka for the WWE Women's Championship.
[Wade] And here's where it went wrong for Bianca and Charlotte.
They were so busy showboating to one another,
trying to get in each other's heads ahead of SummerSlam,
that they got caught by the highly annoying
but also highly dangerous Tag Champions.
[Cole] There's no doubt that Sonya Deville and Chelsea Green
have turned into a hell of a team here in WWE.
Tag made. Here comes Chelsea.
And the double team of Bianca, though, catches Sonya with an elbow,
and a big boot now to Chelsea Green as Bianca Belair looks to rally,
able to roll underneath, tries to make it to the corner.
Not quite there. Fingertip away.
[Wade] Was Charlotte really reaching for a tag there?
I feel like she could have gone a few more inches.
[Cole] Once again, stirring the pot when it's not necessary.
[Wade] I call it like I see it, Cole.
[Cole] Double team by the Tag Champs.
Trying to suplex Belair, who turns it into one of her own.
[Wade] Endurable and as athletic as they come is Belair.
[Cole] And now Charlotte reaching out for the tag.
Can Belair get there? Tag made.
Here comes Charlotte Flair.
The 14-time World Champion off the top rope.
Double crossbody.
Come on!
[crowd cheers]
[Wade] Game-changing queen of the industry.
[Cole] No doubt one of the greatest of all time
delivering chop after chop to Chelsea Green.
-[grunts] -No! No!
-[grunts] -[Cole] And showing Bianca,
"I can play the power game as well"
-with the Fallaway slam. -Come on!
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Charlotte, cartwheel into a clothesline.
Down goes Green. Cover now for the win.
Charlotte almost had the Tag Champs beaten there.
[Wade] Biggest star in the game,
Charlotte Flair starting to hit that top gear.
[Deville] Chelsea. Chelsea. Come on.
-Ah! No! -[grunts]
[Cole] Chelsea with an elbow caught her. A tag made to Sonya Deville.
And now Sonya perhaps has an opening.
Spear by Charlotte!
I don't know if Charlotte realizes the tag was made.
Well, she does now. Rolls up Deville.
Shoulders down again, and a kickout at two.
[Wade] The speed of Charlotte Flair,
even when you catch her cold, she still outwits you.
[Cole] Another great Fallaway by Charlotte.
Sonya Deville back to her feet.
Charlotte and Sonya had a history.
Now looking for the Figure-Eight.
Sonya, though, able to send Charlotte face-first.
[Wade] Desperation, but incredibly smart kick there from Sonya Deville.
[Cole] Tag.
[Wade] Preserving their time in this match.
[Cole] Bianca Belair now legal.
Shoulder tackle to Sonya Deville.
The EST of WWE is rolling.
[crowd cheering]
-[Cole] Belair, vertical suplex. -[crowd cheers]
[Wade] Belair showing up and showing out.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] And has this WWE Universe fired up here tonight in New Orleans.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd] One, two, three, four, five,
six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve!
[Cole] Well, Sonya, though, somehow…
able to step underneath Belair, grab the ponytail…
and maybe turn things around. Chelsea Green with the tag.
Spinebuster by Belair.
-Chelsea, though, is legal. -[crowd gasps]
[Wade] Really smart from Chelsea Green there. That--
[Cole] Chelsea looking for the UnPrettyHer!
Not able to connect.
As Bianca fights her off.
Charlotte gets involved as well.
[Wade] A bit of tag team cohesion from Belair and Charlotte.
[Cole] KOD time!
Charlotte made the tag, though.
Big boot!
That was not a tag!
-What are you doing? -Get out.
-Out? -Get out.
Out.
[Cole] Bianca said she was going to win the matchup,
but Charlotte takes the glory.
-[bell rings] -[Cole] They win. Pinning the Tag Champs.
[Rome] Here are your winners,
the team of Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair!
[Cole] Wade, interesting sequence there
because Belair was going for the KOD and the win,
Charlotte tagged herself in. The question is this.
The kick, was it--
Why did you want to tag?
[Cole] Even though it hit Chelsea…
you think Charlotte was going after Bianca?
[Wade] Of course. Perhaps there's a little shot in there.
But what is going to happen a week tomorrow at SummerSlam,
WWE Women's Championship on the line.
Champ, Asuka, defends against Charlotte Flair and Bianca Belair
in Triple Threat Matchup.
We both won.
-We both won. -Why did you want to tag?
It's a tag match.
[indistinct chatter]
[laughs] Embarrassing.
Bayley, why you left me last week?
No, no, no. We already talked about this, Iyo.
I didn't leave you,
I was going to get the keys for valet
'cause I didn't want to make you wait any longer.
You know how long those things take.
And after Shotzi's creepy video,
I thought it was best to get out of there.
And good thing I did, because your stuff was fine, right?
She got to my stuff.
Now I wasn't--
"Bayley, see you soon."
See? It's Shotzi. It's Shotzi.
[in Japanese] Uh-oh!
-[in English] Let's go. Get out of here. -[laughs]
[crowd cheers]
[in Japanese] Oh, little Iyo…
[laughs]
[in English] I have to face two of the best ever
at the SummerSlam in Charlotte and Bianca.
[in Japanese] Do you understand?
[laughs]
[in Japanese] Iyo, if… if… if…
[in English] If you are thinking about cashing in,
I'll make sure you regret that decision
forever, forever!
♪ Forever! ♪
[laughs]
[in Japanese] Thank you for that advice, Asuka.
[in English] I respect you,
but it doesn't matter who wins at SummerSlam,
because I will be leaving
as the WWE Women's Champion.
[in Japanese] Careful, sister.
[laughs]
[clears throat]
[Cole] Bayley is spooked,
but an obvious warning for Ms. Money in the Bank, Iyo Sky.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, it'll happen later on tonight,
Grayson Waller has talked himself into a match
with the unhinged Jey Uso tonight.
[upbeat music plays, fades]
[Cole] Back here on Friday Night SmackDown,
we have breaking news tonight concerning SummerSlam
which takes place a week from tomorrow.
It is the SummerSlam Battle Royal presented by Slim Jim.
WWE Superstars from both Raw and SmackDown
will compete at the SummerSlam Battle Royal.
["Born to Be Wild" playing]
I'm super excited about it.
Think about this, "SummerSlam Battle Royal presented by Slim Jim."
No. Yes, I'm working on that.
Hopefully, I'll have the entire roster figured out next week.
And let me call you back.
[crowd cheers]
Let me talk to you.
You know, after last week's debacle, you're looking now at,
what, SummerSlam, the United States Championship,
the biggest misstep not having the one guy,
the biggest rising star in WWE history not being in that match.
Let's make that right. I'll tell you how we do that.
The Slim Jim Battle Royal, you want to make that mean something?
Then there's only one man who can be in that
and you're looking at him. You're talking about LA Knight.
LA Knight.
-What's the craic? -This guy.
We could hear your bleeding bush all the way from Bourbon Street.
-Hey, Pearce? -Yeah?
You need to tell Mr. Catchphrases here
that the SummerSlam Battle Royal can't be won on mere promos.
You got to fight like your bleeding life depends on it, yeah?
-Mm-hm. -And when it comes to promos,
me and the Brutes here, oh, we got a line of our own, right?
It goes…
[Brutes] Banger after banger,
after banger, after banger,
after banger, after banger--
The only thing that's going to get banged on
is you getting banged upside the head courtesy of the man
-they call The Megastar. -Guys, let's just calm this down.
Look, how about I do this?
How about I officially put you and you in the SummerSlam Battle Royal?
Why don't we say next week,
we figure out who walks into SummerSlam with a little bit of momentum?
So wait a minute,
you're saying it's going to be me and this marble mouth?
One-on-one.
Yeah!
[crowd] Yeah!
[Cole] Looks like it's gonna be Fight Night next week.
Sheamus has got jokes, eh?
But how do you improve a stacked SummerSlam card?
You add in The Megastar. Yeah!
I cannot wait for a week tomorrow at SummerSlam.
Speaking of SummerSlam, we kicked off the show tonight
with Roman Reigns and Jey Uso
who battle for the Undisputed Championship in that Tribal Combat Match.
We kicked off the show with them in the ring tonight.
Jey Uso saying that he will shock the world
and beat Roman a week from tomorrow.
And then Jey had a run-in with Grayson Waller.
Whether you win or lose at SummerSlam,
and between us, you're probably going to lose.
That's okay, because afterwards,
how about I give you the "Grayson Waller rub"?
That's right. You come on my talk show,
The Grayson Waller Effect, featuring "Little" Jey.
[laughs] That's a great idea, right?
-Hey, you good? -[laughing]
[blows air]
Excuse me, Grayson.
Uh, now that you've gotten the match that you requested,
are you concerned at all that you provoked Jey Uso?
"Provoked"?
I did nothing to deserve that cheap shot that Jey Uso gave me.
I was just trying to be a good bloke, invite him on my show,
and that's what I get.
But that's okay, because tonight, Jey's going to pay.
He's so stressed about Roman Reigns, The Bloodline,
and the biggest match of his career at SummerSlam.
So he ain't ready for the Grayson Waller effect.
[Wade] We're going to find out soon
because the dynamite from Down Under, Grayson Waller,
he provoked his way into a battle with the unhinged Jey Uso.
Will Jey remain fighting fit for Tribal Combat at SummerSlam,
or is tonight the Aussie Icon's night?
We're going to find out soon in tonight's main event.
["Dead Silent" plays]
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied by Scarlett,
from Sin City, weighing 265 pounds,
Karrion Kross!
[Cole] Remember, Wade, a couple of weeks ago,
AJ Styles was in the ring in a Fatal 4-Way for the US Invitational
when his O.C. brothers were backstage and were attacked by Karrion Kross
who locked a Kross Jacket in on Karl Anderson,
and this would ultimately cost AJ the match.
AJ!
[grunts]
[Cole] AJ would rush to his fallen brothers
and would not win that matchup,
hence the reason for this match between Anderson and Kross
here tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Wade] It was pretty clear the attack on Anderson last week,
it was really a proxy attack on AJ.
Hit AJ where it hurts most.
Humiliate his boys in The O.C.
Cost AJ the match.
[Cole] Well, the heart and soul of The O.C.,
the combative Karl Anderson will step into a domain of darkness
when he faces the sinister, sadistic Karrion Kross.
It's live and it's next on Fox.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] WWE SummerSlam is sponsored by Rocket Mortgage.
Buy, sell, finance, save.
And by C4 Energy.
The official energy drink of SummerSlam.
WWE and C4 have teamed up
to create the all-new C4 ultimate energy drinks
and C4 ultimate pre-workout powders
available now exclusively at GNC.
-Come on, Karl. -[Cole] There's Karrion Kross,
-who's set for action. -Come on, Mr. Anderson.
Come on!
-You're going to tear him apart. -Get him.
-Come on. -We'll be out there.
-We got your back. -You know it.
-As always. -Listen, listen, listen.
I know you guys always got my back, and I appreciate that.
But this thing tonight between Kross and I, it's personal.
I need you to let me do this on my own.
Okay. Okay.
["Emergence" plays]
[Rome] And his opponent, representing The O.C.,
Karl Anderson!
[Cole] As we wait for this matchup to get underway,
we want to tell you that tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox…
[fireworks explode]
…is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
As Karl Anderson gets set to take on Karrion Kross,
I do want to bring forward the fact that Rey Mysterio,
who was injured earlier on tonight in his matchup against Santos Escobar,
is being evaluated in the back by our doctors
and we'll have more information throughout the weekend
-on our WWE social media channels. -[bell rings]
Match underway.
Kross taken out by Karl Anderson as the bell rings.
[Wade] Listen, Karl Anderson was embarrassed
and humiliated by Karrion Kross last week, leaving him unconscious.
His family had to sit at home and see Daddy degraded like that.
In Anderson's mind, now it's time for vengeance.
[Cole] Big uppercut to Karrion Kross.
And Anderson with another one driving Kross back.
Kross didn't know what hit him.
As Karl Anderson came out of the blocks hot,
there's a big chop as Scarlett looks on.
[Wade] "This is personal," said Karl Anderson to the rest of The O.C.
It's a brave man that goes into a war with Karrion Kross single-handed.
-[Cole] Oh, a nice neckbreaker. -[Wade] Anderson might pull it off here.
Cover by Anderson. Hook of the leg.
Kross kicks at two.
Karl Anderson, a very proud man.
[Wade] Coming out all guns blazing this evening.
Bringing one hell of a fight to Karrion Kross.
Out to make a point.
[Cole] Karrion Kross has had no chance at all in this matchup.
Finally, separated by the official.
And now Scarlett grabbing the leg of Anderson,
and that slight distraction allows Kross to go to the leg.
[Wade] This is exactly why AJ Styles
was so hesitant in allowing Anderson out here on his own.
It's inevitable that Scarlett in some way will get involved.
[grunts] Come on, Karl. Come on.
Come on!
-[Cole] And Kross now… -AJ!
…just manhandling Karl Anderson,
dropping him on the back of his neck.
[Wade] Perfectly executed Saito Suplex
that Karl Anderson will be familiar with from his time in the dojos of Japan.
[Cole] And Kross now measuring his man.
[Wade] Kross Hammer right to the jaw.
[Cole] Karl Anderson trying to drag himself back to his feet.
Take him down!
[Wade] I'm surprised he's still moving.
Hats off to Karl Anderson. Most people are out at this point.
[Cole] And Karrion Kross setting up Karl Anderson.
[grunts] AJ!
[Cole] As he screams AJ's name,
he delivers what he is calling the Final Prayer
-as he knocks off Karl Anderson tonight. -[bell rings]
["Dead Silent" music plays]
[Rome] Here is your winner, Karrion Kross!
[Wade] You need a little hatred in your heart
to get to the top in this game,
and this duo have more than most.
[Cole] And Karrion Kross is not done yet.
Kross Jacket applied to Karl Anderson,
-making Anderson suffer. -[Wade] The man's completely lost it.
Look what you did!
Look what you did, AJ!
Look what you did!
-[crowd cheers] -[Kross] Look what you did!
-Look out! -[Cole] And it brings AJ Styles
and Michin to the ring as Kross and Scarlett retreat.
[indistinct chatter]
[Cole] If Kross is trying to up the ire of AJ Styles,
he's doing a pretty good job.
[crowd chants] AJ Styles! AJ Styles!
[Cole] For at least this week,
Roman Reigns remains the Tribal Chief and the Undisputed Champion.
Solo Sikoa, the Enforcer,
and the special counsel, Paul Heyman…
-["Done With That" plays] -…still in tow.
[Cole] But here is the man
who, a week from tomorrow at SummerSlam, wants to end it all.
Wants to end the record reign.
Wants to end the Tribal Chiefdom of Roman Reigns.
He's Jey Uso.
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring, from San Francisco, California,
weighing in at 222 pounds,
Jey Uso!
[Cole] Did Roman look concerned to you?
[Wade] No. Studying, absorbing,
understanding what it's going to take
to defeat this man a week tomorrow at SummerSlam.
[Cole] Or perhaps…
a bit worried because this could be his last week at the Head of the Table?
[Wade] Could be, but I'm not buying it.
Not yet.
-Whoo! -[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Well, tonight's main event is sponsored by eBay Motors,
and it is "Main Event" Jey Uso
taking on "The Dynamite from Down Under" Grayson Waller.
Can Uso build momentum towards SummerSlam,
or will he suffer the Waller Effect?
Uso-Waller, live next.
[crowd cheers]
[man] Trying to live up to the expectations
people put on you just because of your last name.
You're already behind the eight ball.
[Triple H] No matter how good you are,
you're just Dusty's kid.
[Rhodes] When your dad is on the sports entertainment Mount Rushmore,
you have to get everything centered on you.
Maddening.
I had to get out.
This business is about betting on yourself,
and he made some really good choices.
Vince McMahon flew to his house to get him back.
I don't know how many people can say they did that.
He had a lot to prove.
[Graves] The prodigal son has returned!
But this one answer I don't want edited in any capacity.
Don't even edit this part.
[uneasy music plays]
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, next week,
the SmackDown the night before SummerSlam,
and the lingering issues between two SummerSlam Battle Royal competitors,
Sheamus and the loquacious LA Knight will be met head-on
when they step into the ring one-on-one live next week.
[Wade] The scintillating Santos Escobar has already proven
he can defeat the boastful US Champion, Austin Theory,
but will he be able to do so with championship gold on the line?
We will find out in two weeks' time right here on SmackDown.
[Cole] Meanwhile, it is the main event tonight,
and "Main Event" Jey Uso is in the ring, set for action
as he gets set for what happens a week from tomorrow at SummerSlam.
Who will become the Tribal Chief of The Bloodline?
Will Roman remain or will Jey Uso take over?
Will Jey Uso end the record-setting reign of Roman Reigns
as the Undisputed Champion?
Tribal Combat rules where there are no rules
next week at SummerSlam.
["Eyes on the Prize" plays]
[Rome] And his opponent from Sydney, Australia,
weighing in at 220 pounds,
Grayson Waller!
[Cole] Grayson Waller…
[yelling indistinctly]
[Cole] Talked himself into this match tonight
when he belittled Jey Uso
after the very emotional start to this show with Roman Reigns.
[Wade] Grayson Waller, a man who's full of himself,
a man who's made absolutely zero friends
since arriving here on SmackDown.
However, he has already proven
he can hang with the very best in that ring.
A few weeks ago, pushed Edge to his limits at Madison Square Garden.
Waller, like him or loathe him, is a major player here on SmackDown.
[Cole] And tonight's main event on Friday Night SmackDown
-is sponsored by eBay Motors. -[bell rings]
[Cole] Waller claimed it was a cheap shot by Jey Uso earlier tonight in the back.
He said that Jey Uso is so stressed out
as he prepares for the biggest match of his life a week from tomorrow
that he won't be ready for Waller here tonight.
You're wrong about Grayson Waller!
[indistinct chatter]
[Wade] I have no doubt that Jey Uso is completely unhinged right now,
but that's even more reason why Grayson Waller should be avoiding him.
-All right. -Get him off! Get him off!
[Cole] Jey Uso with an opportunity next week
-to take it all from Roman Reigns. -Two! Three!
[Cole] Roman Reigns said, "If I lose, I'm always Roman Reigns."
"If you lose, Jey, what happens to you?"
"You have nothing, no one."
"You'll be shunned by the family,
you'll be on your own, out in the cold."
Jey Uso did not seem bothered by that.
He told Roman Reigns, "I will beat you next week
just like I did a few weeks back in the Tag Team match."
[Wade] Stakes in that matchup at SummerSlam
are as high as any match I can ever remember in this industry.
The leadership of The Bloodline on the line
and the WWE Championship.
[Cole] And something that goes full circle.
Three years now, Roman's been champion.
And remember the first battles out of the box…
-[shouts] -…as champion was against this man,
his cousin, Jey Uso.
-[groans] -[Cole] Now Grayson Waller goes down low,
and Jey Uso face-first off the turnbuckle,
and now Grayson Waller takes the fight to Jey Uso.
[grunts, groans]
[indistinct chatter]
[Cole] Grayson Waller was a guest in Ariel Helwani's show this past week,
and talked a lot about how he is running the Legend Rehabilitation Program.
Helping people like John Cena and Edge
understand how social media can help them in their careers.
[Wade] Even had a mention for The Rock if I recall correctly. I think--
[Cole] Oh! A challenge for The Rock, actually.
[Wade] Those three guys are doing pretty well without Grayson Waller's help.
[Cole] Jey Uso now with a stomp right to the face.
Let's talk about Jey and the opportunity to be the Undisputed Champion.
You know, becoming champion here, Wade,
and you've won a lot of titles in your career,
but you were never at the top.
You were never the WWE-- You know what I--
But the point I'm making is, it's so hard to get there.
It's so hard to become WWE Champion,
let alone having it for three years like Roman Reigns has.
For Jey Uso, it's something he's never had the opportunity,
and to be the champ, Wade, you get everything.
You're the top of the company, you're the face of the company,
you get to star in television roles,
you go in movies, you make a lot of money,
you have everything as the champ.
[Wade] No doubt about it. Jey has tasted the prize of this industry,
but when it's SummerSlam,
Jey becomes the guy in the entire industry.
The guy at the very top
is something very few will ever get to experience.
-[Cole] Oh! -[Wade] Jey's within touching distance.
[Cole] Step-up enzuigiri.
Not only champion, but of course, head of The Bloodline
and the legendary Anoai family.
Jey Uso could be the man in charge.
-Uso! -[crowd] Uso! Uso! Uso!
["Head of the Table" plays]
[Cole] Well, speak of the current Head of the Table.
Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa,
and of course, "The Wiseman" Paul Heyman.
And Grayson Waller takes advantage!
Jey was so concerned with the fact that Roman was walking out here,
Grayson Waller took over.
Can Jey climb back into this?
[man in crowd] Let's go, Roman! Let's go, Roman!
[Cole] Friday Night SmackDown on Fox. This is our main event tonight.
-Grayson Waller in control of Jey Uso. -[groans]
[Cole] Waller took over this match
when that man, Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa, and Paul Heyman
wandered out here before the commercial break.
The question is, is there concern in Roman Reigns
as he heads into the match a week from tomorrow against Jey Uso
with not only his record-setting championship reign on the line,
but the Tribal Chiefdom of The Bloodline?
[Wade] You said earlier that Grayson Waller
did not have a single friend in the locker room.
If Waller can take a huge chunk out of Jey Uso now,
perhaps Roman Reigns will be a friend for life.
[Cole] Something we do have to remember about that match next week,
it's going to be--
it's going to be contested under Tribal Combat rules,
which means there are no rules.
That means there's no champion's advantage to Roman Reigns
because there's no count-outs, there's no disqualifications.
It's really an even playing field where anything goes.
[grunts, groans]
[Cole] Grayson Waller fighting back
as he drops Jey Uso with a sharp right hand.
[Wade] That was a beautiful chop to the jaw there from Waller.
[Cole] And Grayson Waller with the elbow.
Cover now on Uso.
Hook of the leg, kickout at two.
[Wade] Listen, what we already saw in this matchup
was how easily Jey Uso was distracted.
All along, Roman has said, "Look, he's highly emotional,
he's volatile, he's irrational."
Jey Uso really needs to keep a handle on all of that
if he's going to achieve the unthinkable
and finally dethrone Roman Reigns at SummerSlam.
[Cole] Remember, the one thing that pushed Jey finally over the edge
was the fact that Roman and Solo took out his brother, Jimmy.
We haven't seen Jimmy since. He's out with injuries.
Jey Uso said he'll never forget Roman Reigns for doing just that.
Roman Reigns, however, tried to shift the blame to Jey
and say, "It was all your fault."
"That your selfishness led to the Jimmy injury."
-[grunts] -[Cole] Now a Spinebuster by Waller.
And you mentioned The Rock and the social media exchange
that Grayson Waller had with the man…
[crowd booing]
…a week or two ago.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] Now, mocking the most electrifying man
in all of entertainment.
Waller with his own twist of the People's Elbow,
but it didn't pay off.
[Cole] Showboating only goes so far against someone like Jey Uso.
[Cole] The Rock, of course, a member of the Anoai family as well.
-[Wade] Roman is enjoying the show. -[crowd] Uso!
[Cole] And Jey Uso backing it up
as Waller retreats and gets out of harm's way.
Waller, he was looking for that Rolling Stunner,
but he ran into a Superkick by Uso.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Now as he stares back at Roman Reigns.
The man who, for a better part of three years,
Jey Uso had his back.
Roman's protector, his supporter.
[Wade] Roman's got the best seat in the house
for what we're about to witness.
[Cole] And now Uso measuring his man with a Spear!
Roman Reigns' own move!
Jey delivers a Spear to Grayson Waller right in front of the champion!
And now an Uso Splash!
-Will that be Roman Reigns' fate… -[bell rings]
-…a week from tomorrow? -[Rome] Here is your winner,
Jey Uso!
[Wade] Say what you want about Jey Uso.
When that man is in the main event, he has an extra gear.
[Cole] Right in front of Roman Reigns,
Jey delivers Roman's signature move, the Spear,
and then Jey's signature of his own, the Uso Splash.
And from behind, Solo Sikoa attacking Jey Uso from behind.
Ambushing Uso as he looked down at Roman Reigns.
[crowd boos]
[Cole] And Roman "The Tribal Chief"
calling the shots, calling The Spike,
and Jey ducks underneath.
Superkick to Solo!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Roman now into the ring!
Spear! Spear! Spear to Roman!
[crowd roaring]
[Cole] Almost a look of surprise on Jey's face
that he speared the champion!
And he's not done yet!
Feeding off the fever pitch of this crowd
until Solo gets back involved.
[Wade] Oh, Jey was almost there!
[crowd boos]
[Cole] And now a Uranage by Solo plants Jey Uso.
And that man right there could be a deciding factor
in Tribal Combat a week from tomorrow.
[Wade] Well, it would be certainly legal if he is.
[crowd boos]
[Cole] An embarrassed, humiliated champion.
[Wade] A champion who is back to business here, Cole.
Oh, yes, sir!
[crowd boos]
[shouts]
-[grunts] -[Cole] Spear Spike!
A devastating one-two punch.
[crowd booing]
[Solo] Huh!
What?
What? Talk!
[Reigns] You want this, huh?
This is what it's all about!
You disguised it in envy.
You said you wanted everything else, huh?
But you can't handle this, you hear me?
That's one thing.
[crowd clamoring]
[crowd chanting] You got pinned! You got pinned! You got pinned!
Again! Again! Pick him up.
-[Solo grunting] -Pick him up now!
Pick him up now! This is on you!
-[grunts] -Oh, yes, sir!
-[shouts] -[crowd boos]
[Cole] And again.
-[Solo shouting] -[crowd booing]
[Wade] Jey is getting the Jimmy Uso treatment
one week before the biggest match of his career.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] Roman Reigns told Jey Uso,
"Your brother Jimmy's hurt."
"Solo Sikoa backs and loves me."
"I'm always going to be Roman Reigns."
"But when you lose a week from tomorrow
in Tribal Combat at SummerSlam,
what are you going to have, Jey Uso?"
"You're going to have no one."
["Head of the Table" playing]
[music fades] Table" playing]