[WWE intro music playing]
[Cena] Then.
-[Ric Flair] Woo! -[glass shatters]
[The Rock] If you smell…
-[gong rings] -[Cena] Now.
[Reigns] Acknowledge me.
-The King of Kings. -You can't see me.
[Cena] Forever.
[crowd cheering]
[Cena] Together.
[music fades]
-["Nobody Better Than Me" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Patrick] It is a championship night
from the rowdy and sold-out Desert Diamond Arena in Phoenix, Arizona
for tonight's Friday Night SmackDown on FOX.
Sponsored by Progressive.
A triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
["The Time Is Now" playing]
[crowd cheering]
♪ Your time is up, my time is now ♪
♪ You can't see me, my time is now ♪
♪ It's the franchise, boy I'm shinin' now ♪
♪ You can't see me, my time is now ♪
♪ In case you forgot or fell off I'm still hot, knock your shell off ♪
♪ My money stack fat Plus I can't turn the swell off ♪
♪ The franchise, doin' big bi'ness ♪
People, let's go to work!
[crowd cheers]
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen!
Please welcome
the Greatest of All Time,
John Cena!
[crowd cheering]
[Patrick] What a thrill it is to be kicking off Friday Night SmackDown
with the 16-time World Champion, who was a guest
on The Grayson Waller Effect last week.
And things turned south pretty quickly
with the emergence of Solo Sikoa, who then turned on John Cena.
Superkick and the beatdown that followed until AJ Styles, The Phenomenal One,
would come to the defense of John Cena.
[Cole] AJ Styles and John Cena would then put on a clinic
and make Jimmy Uso pay with a little 5-Knuckle Shuffle action
before Solo Sikoa would save his brother from an AA by John Cena.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chants] Cena!
For those of you watching at home,
welcome to another sold-out Friday Night SmackDown.
[crowd cheering]
I needed to come out here to start this show tonight.
Because since you allowed me to come home,
I've been able to do a whole lot of things.
I've been a talk show guest.
I've been a host.
I've been a backstage correspondent.
-I've been a referee. -[crowd] What?
-A referee. -[crowd] What?
-An official. -[crowd] What?
A figure who enforces the rules during a match.
[crowd] What?
I'm out. That's all. You guys win.
[crowd cheering]
And my journeys, they've taken me to Hershey, Pennsylvania.
They've taken me to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
They've taken me to Denver, Colorado.
And all of those SmackDowns and Premium Live Events,
they've all been sold-out,
but they ain't been like this night tonight, no.
[crowd cheering]
You see, tonight is a very special night.
I wanted to come out here first and let you know how special this is.
Tonight is different because I don't want to be no ref.
I don't want to be no host.
I don't want to be no backstage correspondent.
I came back to WWE to compete and I feel tonight…
-[crowd cheers] -Tonight…
Tonight is the night that I would like to have a match.
[crowd cheers louder]
Admittedly, I'm getting on in years
and they say the hearing is the first thing to go.
And I know I listen to the WWE Universe,
so I've got to ask you for your permission.
[crowd cheers]
Is tonight a good night to have a match?
[crowd cheering]
Is tonight a good night to have a match?
[crowd cheering louder]
Oh, well, thank you for the energy
because I'll tell you, I'm more than just excited.
I'm actually also angry.
At The Bloodline.
[crowd booing]
Yeah. Yeah.
I'm angry enough to fight both of them myself.
But as luck would have it, as luck would have it,
I think I found myself a partner.
[crowd cheers]
Somebody who's just as angry as me.
I think I found myself a "phenomenal" partner.
[crowd cheering loudly]
["Phenomenal" playing]
[Cole] AJ Styles helped John Cena last week out of what he calls respect.
Corey, you and I had the pleasure of calling that trilogy of matches
back in 2016, 2017, between AJ Styles and John Cena.
Some of the best championship matches we've ever witnessed.
[Graves] No doubt about it, but a united front
composed of The Phenomenal One and John Cena
potentially poses big, big trouble for The Bloodline.
[Patrick] AJ Styles quick to point out that The Bloodline want to cause problems.
Well, now they've got two problems standing in their way,
Styles and Cena.
♪ Blue collar boys do it With our hands muddied ♪
♪ No, they don't want none No, they don't want none ♪
♪ They don't want none No, they don't want none ♪
♪ No, they don't want none No, they don't want none ♪
♪ They looking scared, no, They don't really want none ♪
[music fades]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chants] AJ, you're phenomenal!
Let me get this straight.
You want AJ Styles and John Cena…
[crowd cheering]
…versus The Bloodline?
[crowd cheering loudly]
[crowd chants] Yes!
Bloodline, you want some? Come get some!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Styles and Cena itching for a fight tonight.
["Born A King" playing]
-[Cole] And it looks like they may get it. -[Patrick] Oh, baby.
♪ Uso ♪
[Patrick] And it is Jimmy Uso standing alongside his brother,
The street champ, The Enforcer of The Bloodline, Solo Sikoa.
[Cole] I think each and every week, guys,
Jimmy Uso feels like he's got to do something to prove himself
after the break-away, of course, from his brother Jey
and now trying to get back into the fold within The Bloodline.
[Graves] Jimmy almost obsessed with getting back
into the good graces of The Tribal Chief.
This will go a long way toward that goal.
This could be a tag team showdown for the ages.
Styles and Cena holding the ring.
[crowd boos]
[crowd cheers]
Let's go, fellas!
[crowd boos]
[Graves] Jimmy Uso telling Styles and Cena not tonight.
Interesting strategy being employed here by The Bloodline
No, sir. No. Uh-uh.
Nah. Nah.
[Graves] The Bloodline insisting on dictating the terms of this battle
should it go down.
We're not getting it right now.
[Patrick] John Cena said he wants a match tonight.
We'll have to wait and see.
But we do have so much on tap here tonight
on Friday Night SmackDown,
including a dream match for millions around the world,
the long-awaited showdown,
two of the most accomplished international Superstars.
They're going to collide tonight.
"The Genius of the Sky" Iyo Sky,
defending her WWE Women's Championship against her compatriot,
"The Empress of Tomorrow" Asuka.
[Graves] And last week here on Friday Night SmackDown,
finally, The People's Champion came home.
We will revisit the electrifying record-breaking moment
when The Rock returned to his show, SmackDown, later tonight.
[crowd chanting] Rocky!
[Cole] And coming up next on Friday Night SmackDown,
The LWO in action.
United States Champion, Rey Mysterio, and Santos Escobar
to take on the new look Street Profits, of course,
being led by Bobby Lashley.
That is coming up with tag team action here on Friday Night SmackDown.
-["Booyaka 619" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Patrick] Listen to the roar for the WWE Hall of Famer…
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619 ♪
[bell ringing]
[Rome] The following contest
is a Tag Team Match scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Zelina Vega,
representing The LWO,
Santos Escobar
and WWE Hall of Famer, the United States Champion
Rey Mysterio!
[crowd cheering]
[Patrick] The LWO's Rey Mysterio
alongside his brother, Santos Escobar,
set to compete one week before they'll face each other.
Tonight they're together against The Street Profits, and it's next.
[crowd cheering, whistling]
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619 ♪
I don't want to tell you how to do your job, but you heard him out there.
AJ Styles, John Cena, versus The Bloodline tonight.
What do we got to do to make it happen?
Listen, I love it, but you guys know when it comes to The Bloodline,
these things, they get complicated.
-Complicated? -Complicated?
-Aren't you in charge around here? -Quantum mechanics is complicated.
Guys, listen.
Of all people, you know, when you deal with The Bloodline,
you deal with Paul Heyman.
So let me go locate Paul Heyman, and I'll see if I can get this done.
Deal?
Do we have a choice?
Why's he got to talk to Paul Heyman?
-Is Paul Heyman… -Bureaucracies.
[Patrick] Hope that match happens later on tonight.
And, folks, I'll tell you, it was an absolute thrill, Corey, wasn't it,
to have Santos Escobar on our podcast After the Bell this week?
[Graves] A truly fascinating discussion,
talking about the roots in lucha libre culture,
Santos' reverence for Rey Mysterio, and the future of The LWO.
This is must-listen stuff.
["Bring The Swag" playing]
[Cole] And talk about the future of these men…
under the tutelage now of Bobby Lashley.
♪ I bring the swag like nobody can Don't mean to brag ♪
[Rome] And their opponents accompanied to the ring
by "The All Mighty" Bobby Lashley,
Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins, The Street Profits!
[Graves] Who would have thought that after all these years
the missing ingredient for The Street Profits
would be "The All Mighty" Bobby Lashley?
Lashley has helped Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins
gain a focus unlike we've seen from these two before.
[Cole] Well, you know, it's great to have a new attitude.
However, it's got to translate to wins.
[Patrick] It certainly is, indeed.
And last week, they found themselves in a Tag Team Match,
talking their way into it,
against The LWO's Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde.
And look at this. The Revelation from The Street Profits.
Montez Ford and Dawkins pick up the victory.
But, fellas, Bobby Lashley said last week on The SmackDown LowDown,
"This isn't about wins and losses right now.
It's about making a statement."
[Graves] A statement was absolutely made by The Street Profits and Lashley,
much to the chagrin of Santos Escobar and Rey Mysterio,
who also received beatdowns from Lashley and The Profits.
[Cole] So Bobby Lashley says tonight is about making a statement.
Montez Ford said, we're following orders.
This is nothing personal.
It's about profit.
[Patrick] We are sold out tonight, folks.
15,109 members of the WWE Universe set to see action here.
[Cole] So now if you're Mysterio and Escobar tonight,
you get together as a tag team, you got to focus on The Profits.
But if you're Santos Escobar, you're also looking forward to next week
and an opportunity to take on your idol, Rey Mysterio,
for the United States Championship.
[Patrick] How does that match complicate this?
They're supposed to coexist here.
[Cole] I don't think it really has any bearing on what happens tonight.
I think that the-- Rey and Santos, close friends,
allies, of course, in The LWO--
I think they take care of business tonight then they focus on what happens next week.
[Graves] I actually agree with you, especially after discussing this
with Santos Escobar on After the Bell and the reverence he has
for Rey Mysterio, the respect he has for Rey.
Santos referred to Rey as the single greatest luchador of all time.
[Cole] No doubt.
[Graves] While also saying that Santos believes
that he is the greatest luchador currently.
[Patrick] Did that surprise you in any way?
[Graves] Absolutely not. You need to have that sort of bravado to succeed in WWE.
-[Graves] Dropkick on the money. -[Patrick] And what a dropkick at that.
But Dawkins out just in time.
[Cole] You know, Rey Mysterio, you're looking at a man who's been called
"The Biggest Little Man" in the history of WWE,
one of the great all time champs, a third-time World Champion.
And Mysterio is gonna give it his all against Escobar.
Don't expect him to have any feeling at all for his buddy next week.
[Graves] Absolutely agree with you. Big right hand by Dawkins.
[Patrick] Remember, Bobby Lashley watching on.
What did you make of Bobby Lashley's comments,
saying it's not about wins and losses it's more about making a statement?
[Cole] Well, he can say that all he wants.
But again, as I mentioned earlier, you get a new attitude.
[Patrick] Cover here, Montez Ford for The Profits.
[Cole] At some point, it's got to translate into wins, right?
That's how you make the money here.
And if you don't win matches, people don't respect you.
I think Bobby Lashley wants respect out of the team.
[Graves] I agree but I also think Bobby Lashley
is able to look at the entire landscape of WWE…
-[Cole] Oh, wow! -…where we have factions galore.
There seem to be fractures within The Bloodline.
The Judgment Day has issues.
They're trying to recruit different people.
Maybe Lashley realizes he has to have some guys watching his back.
[Patrick] Oh! Rey kicking Montez to the ground once more.
[crowd cheers]
And the folks here in Phoenix, Arizona, are loving what they're seeing.
But nobody's home.
[Cole] Dawkins pulling Montez Ford out of the way
and Mysterio crashes and burns.
[Graves] Santos coming out to check on Rey.
-[Patrick and Graves] Oh! -[Cole] Oh, my goodness!
[Graves] Just launched into next week.
[Patrick] How could The LWO get back in this match?
Let's go! Come on, bro!
[Patrick] Welcome back to Friday Night SmackDown.
Rey Mysterio, Santos Escobar in action
against Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins of The Street Profits.
Rey Mysterio just one week out from that United States Championship defense.
Hang on a second. Cover.
Ford out in time.
[Cole] Be interested to know what Bobby Lashley is thinking right now
about what The Profits have been doing so far in this match.
[Graves] Lashley's got to be impressed.
Case in point, look at the impact and intensity
displayed by Ford on that clothesline.
[Patrick] Hang on a second. Cover up top there.
Montez Ford not far away from the victory.
[Cole] Don't get frustrated if you're Ford.
I mean, Rey Mysterio, one of the best of all time.
He's not gonna go away that easily.
[Patrick] That title defense between two LWO members
promises to be fascinating.
From Sacramento, California. Next week on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Graves] And what condition will the competitors be in after the beating
that Rey and Santos have been suffering at the hands of The Street Profits?
[Patrick] Oh. Ooh! Big kick rockin' Montez. And again.
[Cole] Rey trying to fight out.
[Patrick] Oh, beautiful from Rey Mysterio. But he's caught.
[Graves] They went five-hole on Montez Ford, but to no avail.
Santos eager to join the battle. Look at the strength of Montez.
[Cole] Yeah, but the fight of Mysterio, second to absolutely no one.
-[Cole] Ho ho. -[Patrick] Mysterio. How about that?
[Graves] Unique offense from the Hall of Famer
launching Ford face-first into the turnbuckle
and Rey with a little bit of daylight to make a tag.
[Patrick] Escobar ready to go if Rey can get there.
Mysterio. Can he make the tag?
Tag made.
Escobar flattening Dawkins.
Look at Santos Escobar go!
[Graves] Escobar, with a series of flying forearms, has Ford on the ropes.
[Patrick] Ooh, big kick.
[Graves] Right between the eyes of Montez Ford.
And from the top.
[Patrick] Santos Escobar can fly.
Can he get the victory? Cover.
And a kickout at two.
You got to wonder what The Street Profits are thinking right now
with Bobby Lashley watching on.
[Cole] Lashley looked a bit concerned over that near fall.
[Graves] Took the words right out of my mouth, Cole.
[Patrick] Santos Escobar turns back up on his feet.
Massive kick.
[Graves] Big splash by Ford.
[Patrick] This got to do it for Montez Ford and The Street Profits.
And Santos Escobar out in time.
A nervy Zelina Vega getting the crowd going here for The LWO
[Graves] Montez taking a significant amount of time to make the climb
and paid for it.
Escobar a step ahead now. Joining Ford on the top turnbuckle.
[Patrick] Oh, my goodness!
[Graves] Dios mio! Wow!
[Patrick] Escobar for The LWO!
Oh, and a kickout.
[Cole] Zelina can't believe it.
[Graves] Great display of toughness from Montez Ford.
After a Hurricanrana from the very top rope.
Escobar releasing the fireworks early in this one.
[Patrick] What a tremendous competitor.
Santos Escobar here has Montez Ford now within sight.
[Graves] Double knees right to the chest of Montez.
Escobar could be thinking about the Phantom Driver.
[Cole] A finishing move Escobar uses so well.
Oh, kick right on the temple of Escobar. Tag made.
And here comes Dawkins.
[Patrick] The big man. So powerful.
Angelo Dawkins.
Dawkins, now, hook of the leg to put away The LWO.
And Santos Escobar is still alive.
[Cole] A tremendous fight in Escobar and Mysterio here tonight.
[Graves] Able to escape and rock the jaw of Dawkins with a knee.
[Patrick] Tag made for the Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio.
Rey Mysterio!
[Cole] What a counter in mid-air.
[Graves] Dawkins tried his best to put the brakes on Mysterio.
[crowd cheers]
It's time to dial it up.
[Cole] Oh, the Sky High!
[Graves] That's got to do it.
[Patrick] Oh, and breaking it up is Santos Escobar.
And in comes Montez Ford.
[Cole] And there goes Montez Ford.
-[Patrick] Oh! -[Graves laughs] Oh, nothing fancy there.
A straight right by Dawkins.
And Rey launched to the outside onto Ford.
[referee] Whoa, whoa, whoa.
[indistinct shouts]
[Graves] Referee Charles Robinson trying his best
to restore any semblance of order.
It is getting wild out here.
And Lashley with a cheap shot. That's gonna do it for Rey.
[Cole] Official Charles Robinson did not see Lashley's involvement.
[Graves] Credit the assist to The All Mighty,
who is barking at Dawkins to make the cover.
[Patrick] Rey Mysterio--
Oh, he's turned it around!
Ray's turned it around.
-Got the win. -[bell ringing]
[crowd cheering]
[Rome] Here are your winners, The LWO!
[Cole] Corey, that hesitation there by Dawkins after Lashley's involvement
cost The Street Profits.
[Graves] One hundred percent, Cole. That is exactly what it was.
Angelo Dawkins maybe has not yet developed the killer instinct of a Bobby Lashley.
Let's take another look at this as Rey is spilled to the outside
and takes out Ford.
The All Mighty makes the most of the opportunity
and plants Rey on the ring apron.
But right here.
Angelo Dawkins hesitating only a few moments.
But that's all Rey Mysterio would need.
[bell ringing]
[Patrick] And look at the reaction of The All Mighty.
[Graves] A big win tonight for The LWO.
Escobar will challenge Rey next week for the United States Championship.
But I'd say the future is a little bit more uncertain
for "The All Mighty" Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits.
[Cole] Well, Corey, this is how I look at this right now.
I mean, you look at Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins,
for years and years and years, they've been the party guys.
They like to have fun. They like to have fun in the ring.
They like to entertain.
Now they're being asked to take on this new attitude.
And it seems like they're struggling a little bit with that.
Bobby Lashley is a former WWE champion.
Lashley knows what it means to make it to the top of the mountain.
He obviously sees something in The Profits that he believes can become greatness.
Hey, Gravy, have you noticed something?
Cole's finally sitting down after last week.
You enjoyed yourself last week with the return of The Great One
who came home.
-["Electrifying" playing] -If you smell what The Rock is cooking.
[crowd cheering]
It's been a long time, Rock. But let me go ahead and tell you--
-Shut your bitch ass up! -[crowd cheers]
You clearly don't know how all this works.
Finally, The Rock has come back
to Denver.
[crowd cheering]
Maybe I should try.
Finally, the ignorant people
get to see The Rock and Austin back in the ring again
one last time.
[crowd booing]
Well, The Rock says--
It doesn't matter what The Rock says!
You see, it actually does matter what The Rock says.
In about three seconds,
The Rock is gonna whoop your candy ass all over Denver.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] The Rock with the Spinebuster!
And here it comes!
Here it comes!
The most electrifying move in all of entertainment.
People's Elbow!
And now McAfee with the opportunity.
[Graves] Are you kidding me?
[Cole] What a star-studded night!
[crowd cheering]
-Welcome home. -Come on
[crowd chanting] Rocky!
[Patrick] A monumental, an unforgettable moment in time
that was consumed by how many?
153 million views
across our social platforms.
Wow.
[Cole] Do you smell…
-[Graves] That's enough. -[Patrick] Keep it going.
[Cole] …what The Rock and Pat McAfee is cooking?
-With McAfee-- -What the hell?
[yelling indistinctly]
[crowd boos]
Talking about The Rock?
I got the views. Me!
I did! All of 'em! By myself!
Do you think I need The Rock to get a hundred million views?
I did! Get your hands off me.
-Hey, hey, hey! -Huh? Why'd you say The Rock then?
Because I did it. I did it!
[indistinct yelling]
-Time to go! -I know! I know!
[Cole] What's he all ticked off about?
[Graves] Austin Theory obviously feels disrespected.
[Cole] For what?
[crowd booing]
[eerie music playing]
[Isla] Since the beginning of time…
magic has been in our blood.
We see what others do not.
It seems everyone that's touched the Women's Tag Team Titles
have found misfortune.
It's almost like they're cursed.
Now who would go and conjure a spell like that?
[shrieking]
Because I don't care.
You can't hijack the show because your feelings got hurt.
-Hijack? -That's what I said.
-I can't hijack this show! -Let's talk about this in my office…
A hundred million views?
Yeah, that's what it was.
Nice, Austin, to see you get slapped up and embarrassed by The Rock.
-Ain't nobody embarrassed. -Hey, hey.
Hey, mate. Mate, mate.
Relax. These flops are just jealous.
They don't know what a real star looks like.
Is that right? I'll tell you what we know all about. And that's fighting.
So how about we teach the two of you tonight?
We can't be doing that. No, no, no. We got--
Actually, that's a hell of an idea.
The Brawling Brutes against Waller and Theory tonight.
-Gentlemen, it is official. -No, no, no.
Butchy, sounds like fight night.
-You can't. I've got plans tonight. -I got a hundred million views.
Enough!
I need to go talk to Paul Heyman. Excuse me.
-I got 100 million views. -It's 101 now.
-Now we got a tag match. -This guy, who does he think he is?
[sighs]
What was that? What were you doing?
You had it won and you didn't finish him!
You know what? I want the watches. I want the suits.
I want the rings. I want everything. I want it all back.
If you can't pull the trigger, you can go sit in [indistinct]
and I'll go find somebody that can.
Tough love?
Glaringly obvious that The All Mighty demands excellence
out of The Street Profits.
I think we're gonna get excellence a little bit later on in the show.
It is a match for the ages,
a dream match tonight that is the subject of a Progressive Match Flo.
[man] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto and more.
[woman] The Empress of Tomorrow.
One of the most decorated and trendsetting Superstars of all time.
Whose historic undefeated streak…
[Cole] The longest such streak in the history of WWE.
…and countless accolades…
[Cole] Raw Women's Champion.
[Graves] Women's Tag Team Champion.
[Cole] SmackDown Women's Champion.
[woman] …have made her the pride of her homeland.
The Genius of the Sky.
[Graves] One of the premier aerial athletes in this industry.
[woman] A woman who blazed her own trail from Japan to WWE.
[Graves] Her arsenal is second to none.
[woman] Using her gifted ability and high flying creativity…
[McAfee] Iyo Sky, Miss Money in the Bank!
[woman] …to cash in her ticket to the top.
[McAfee] Moonsault! Cover!
[crowd] One, two, three!
[Cole] Iyo Sky wins the championship!
From a world of stardom to the top of the world!
[woman] Now these two generational talents
meet for the first time ever in WWE.
Iyo has my title.
I'm taking it back.
[woman] A battle fueled by pride and the desire for respect.
I'm ready for Asuka. That is a challenge.
[woman] As two of the best in the world collide.
I bow down to no one.
No one is ready for Asuka!
[woman] Who will leave SmackDown as the WWE Women's Champion?
["The Future" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] You know, guys, the phrase "dream match" is often overused.
However, tonight, this is indeed a dream match
for the millions of fans around the world who have followed the careers
of both Asuka and Iyo Sky for the past 15-plus years.
[Graves] A story that began long before either woman stepped foot into WWE.
Two of the greatest athletes in the Women's Division
doing battle for the richest prize on Friday Night SmackDown.
And to claim supremacy.
[Patrick] And the recent history of all of this.
Well, Asuka was the World Champion before SummerSlam,
and now Iyo Sky is the champ.
Asuka wants it back.
They've known each other, as you mentioned, Cole, for 15 years.
Yet this is the first one-on-one match with the championship on the line.
A sold-out crowd set to witness history. And this match is next on FOX.
Here's a look at the Wiseman. Paul Heyman backstage here
with WWE official Adam Pearce.
He said working with The Bloodline is, quote, "complicated."
Trying to get a match over the line for later tonight
between Jimmy and Solo against John Cena and AJ Styles.
Well, folks, tonight's Friday Night SmackDown on FOX
is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
[Patrick] Here we go.
What a match we have on our hands here on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Graves] Look at the mesmeric challenger,
"The Empress of Tomorrow" Asuka.
["Tokyo Shock" playing]
[Patrick] In her way tonight,
the WWE Women's Champion of Damage CTRL, Iyo Sky.
[Cole] This is an extremely important match for the champion,
maybe the most important of her career here in WWE
because she cashed in the Money in the Bank contract.
But, Corey, there have been a number of critics over the past couple of months
over the championship reign thus far of Iyo Sky.
She has to be able to knock off the top, Asuka, here tonight in this match.
[Graves]I agree with you, a very important statement win
much needed tonight for Iyo Sky.
But more than that, Cole, I'm gonna look at the bigger picture.
The fact that Asuka feels as though Iyo Sky betrayed her back in Japan
in search of her own stardom.
And tonight, The Empress looks to show Iyo
that the champion has flown a little too close to the Sun.
[Cole] There's a lot to be said about that.
These two, once a member of a tag team back in Japan a number of years ago,
along with Iyo's sister, Mio.
Both would go their separate ways.
[Graves] They had creative parents.
[bell rings]
The following contest scheduled for one fall is for
the WWE Women's Championship!
[crowd cheers]
Introducing the challenger, from Osaka, Japan,
Asuka!
[crowd cheering]
And her opponent,
accompanied to the ring by Dakota Kai and Bayley,
representing Damage CTRL.
She is the WWE Women's Champion,
Iyo Sky!
[crowd cheering]
-[Cole] And the woman who stands-- -[indistinct yelling]
[Cole] The woman who stands in the way of Iyo Sky retaining her championship
has been called one of the greatest women wrestlers in history.
From her debut in the AtoZ promotion to 510 days as--
-["All Hail The Queen" playing] -[Graves] Wait, wait.
[Cole] …NXT Champion.
[Graves] Wait just a second. I was enjoying the history lesson.
But the history-maker is here.
-[Graves] You know about this, Cole? -[Cole] No clue.
But she is the 14-time World Champion.
[Patrick] And the most decorated female Superstar of all time.
And to be honest, fellas, I'm not overly surprised.
Charlotte Flair has been ticked off
by the numbers advantage of Damage CTRL for a long time now.
[Graves] Are you implying that Charlotte's here to even the odds?
Listen, let's be honest, when the stakes are the highest,
when the lights are the brightest, that is where you will find Charlotte Flair.
But waiting until the very last second
before the competitors in the championship match lock up
to make her appearance?
There's more to this appearance than just being a spectator tonight.
[Cole] Well, perhaps she took exception to the fact that I called Asuka
one of the greatest of all time.
Charlotte out here, of course, never shies away from spotlight.
[Graves] Charlotte Flair perennially in the championship picture here in WWE,
obviously wants to keep a close eye on how this one unfolds.
[Patrick] This, the biggest match of Iyo Sky's WWE career.
The WWE Women's Champion cashing in at SummerSlam.
Asuka was the champion heading in to that Premium Live Event.
[Cole] Corey, if you're Asuka, what do you do to knock off Sky tonight?
Remember, this is their first one-on-one matchup ever.
[Graves] Asuka needs to stick with what works.
Asuka didn't become one of the most decorated female athletes
in WWE history by accident.
Asuka knows what she needs to do, especially in high stakes situations.
[Cole] It is quite the atmosphere here tonight in this arena
in Phoenix, Arizona.
Everyone… You can feel it, getting set for this championship match.
[Graves] And conversely, if you're Iyo, I would look to the skies,
pun heavily intended.
That is the one area of competition
that Iyo has a decisive advantage over Asuka.
[Patrick] Is there a lot of pressure, mentally, on Iyo here to retain,
but also to retain against Asuka, of all people,
who's been so successful and so revered in Japan?
[Graves] Well, this is where we'll truly see what sort of championship mentality
Iyo Sky possesses,
because Iyo should look at this challenge as just any other challenger.
[Cole] We've talked about this for years when it comes
to the Money in the Bank contract.
It's one thing to take advantage of the situation.
Cash in your contract to win a World Title.
It's another thing to actually go out there as the champion
and defend night in and night out.
Many people will call the Money in the Bank contract cash-in a fluke.
Now you've got to go out and prove it under real match circumstances.
[Graves] Exactly what Iyo is looking to do tonight.
[Patrick] What about Asuka? Does Asuka have anything to lose here?
[Cole] I think she's got a lot to lose. The first thing is pride, right?
She's has a longtime friendship with Iyo Sky,
once a tag team, as we mentioned.
Now an opportunity to take the championship from her
in their first one-on-one matchup ever.
So, yeah, there's a ton to lose for Asuka tonight.
Not to mention, you go to the back of the line if you lose this match.
[Graves] Able to block. Pinning combination. Shoulders down.
[Patrick] Iyo out of two. Oh, look at Asuka.
[Graves] Nice deep arm drag by the Empress of Tomorrow, and a second.
[Patrick] So rapid quick, so creative.
Iyo quickly across now. And this is where Iyo thrives.
[Graves] Tremendous agility by the champion.
And the challenger wisely rolling to the outside,
attempting to regain composure.
But the champion's gonna give chase. Look at this.
Nobody home.
[Patrick] Well scouted by Asuka.
Big boot to the face.
[Graves] A high kick from the challenger just dropped the champion.
Can the champ get back into this?
[Patrick] Both Asuka and Iyo Sky hammering away here.
Near the top rope, the Genius of the Sky, the Empress of Tomorrow
with championship gold on the line.
[Cole] WWE Universe has been electric here tonight.
Over 15,000 in Phoenix for this championship match.
[Graves] Great awareness by the champion,
able to rip her challenger off the top and do damage to
Asuka's arm-- drop kick on the money.
[Cole] And Iyo starting to fly, Corey, to your point earlier.
[Patrick] Big kick again rocking Asuka.
Leaning on those comforts, Corey.
From the top rope once more.
-Yeah! -[crowd cheers]
[Patrick] We are living in Iyo's era,
she tells us.
[Graves] Will you take a look at this.
Dropkick from the top of the screen, double stomp.
Nearly a pinning combination.
Thwarted by Sky. Cover here.
[Patrick] Shoulders are down for the championship to retain.
But Asuka out in time.
[Cole] Corey, do you think it irks Iyo a bit that over the past number of years,
Asuka is the one who's really garnered the headlines here in WWE?
I mean, winning the Rumble, Money in the Bank,
Elimination Chamber, 510 days as NXT Champion.
[Graves] I'm sure it's motivated Iyo.
I don't know that Iyo is upset by it because the facts are the facts.
Asuka's record speaks for itself.
Iyo knows that if she wants to be top dog, she's got to go through Asuka.
It's that simple.
Ooh.
[Cole] They know each other so well.
[Patrick] What a signature victory it would be
for Iyo Sky to retain here against Asuka.
Imagine the bragging rights at home.
[Graves] Look at these.
Kawada-style kicks right in the grill of a champion.
[Cole] Asuka looking to win a World Championship for the fifth time.
[Graves] Iyo is rocked on the top turnbuckle.
Definitely a dangerous situation in which to find yourself,
and The Empress looking to make something spectacular happen.
Asuka trying to load up the champion.
For the Superplex!
[Cole] Critical moment here.
[Patrick] Can Asuka get across for the cover and the championship?
Cover to win the title.
And Iyo out in time.
[Graves] That's the risk and that's why we call them high-risk maneuvers.
A Superplex takes a lot out of both competitors.
Well, folks, tonight's Friday Night SmackDown on FOX
is sponsored by Progressive.
[Cole] And you are watching Iyo Sky and Asuka
for the WWE Women's Championship here tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
We are sold-out, 15,109 in Phoenix, for this matchup.
And remember, guys, Iyo Sky, the critical champion's advantage in this match.
Asuka has to pin or tap the champ in order to win the title.
[Graves] I think it all boils down to the fact that Iyo needs this victory.
This needs to be a statement!
-[Cole] That may be it! -[Patrick] Goodness!
To win the championship…
And Iyo out.
What did we just witness from The Empress?
The level of aggression on show from Asuka.
[Patrick exclaims]
[Graves] Shotei takes down the challenger.
Cover by the champion.
[Patrick] Iyo to retain the championship…
And Asuka out at two.
We knew this would be a cracker of a match, fellas.
It's certainly living up to the billing.
[Cole] Asuka trying to make it to the rope.
[Graves] Champion maintaining a waistlock on the challenger.
German Suplex with a bridge!
[Patrick] Shoulders are down to retain-- And Asuka out.
[Graves] Great counter into the submission.
Asuka has a Modified Kimura applied to the champion.
Iyo is in big big trouble here.
[Cole] Iyo has got nowhere to go. She's in the middle of the ring.
Asuka may tap the champ
[Graves] Transitioning into the armbar, full extension.
But Iyo able to get her weight out from underneath the challenger.
Looking to stack Asuka's shoulders.
[Patrick] But Iyo fighting back, blow after blow, with the left.
Now gets that separation.
[Graves] In that instance, at least for the moment,
Iyo looked downright desperate.
The champion answers.
[Cole] Punishing match for both of these women.
[Graves] Both women needing this moment to recover.
[Cole] And just what Asuka needs is Bayley…
blowing in her face.
[Graves] Tryin' to cool her down. Rather magnanimous, if you ask me.
-[Patrick] I'm with Cole. -[Graves] Nobody asked you.
[Patrick] Big right to Iyo.
[Graves] Asuka making the climb to the top turnbuckle.
[Patrick] Iyo in the drop zone!
[Cole] Iyo is not the only one that can fly.
[Patrick] Asuka feeling the energy of the WWE Universe.
[Cole] The Empress now looking for a German Suplex of her own.
[Graves] Good night!
Now there's the striking ability of Asuka.
Just a blitz of backfists and kicks from the challenger. Sliding Kick.
That could do it.
-[Graves] New champion. -[Patrick] Asuka is gonna win! Oh!
Iyo Sky just out in time.
What more does Asuka have to do?
[Graves] Asuka now looking for a Fujiwara Armbar
at the top of your screen as we look again
at the beautiful Missile Dropkick executed by the challenger
and this Sliding Kick that nearly ended things.
But look at the top of your screen.
Asuka with a Fujiwara Armbar applied. This is agonizing for Iyo Sky.
[Patrick] Stomping on the back of Sky.
[Graves] Asuka now perched on the ropes yet again.
Real estate occupied normally by the champion.
And my God, what a dropkick.
WWE Women's Champion, making this springboard look absolutely effortless.
[Patrick] Asuka trying to make her way back inside.
Punch connects and Iyo.
[Cole] Oh, no!
[Graves] And Asuka with an iron grip on the bottom rope.
[Cole] Yeah, maybe preventing disaster, at least momentarily.
[Graves] Asuka certainly mitigated the impact on what could have been disastrous.
Oh, no.
No mitigating that though.
The champion making contact with the ring post.
Asuka would be lucky if she didn't crack a bone in her foot.
The champion wisely taking a few moments to recover on the inside of the ring.
Again, champion's advantage dictates that a count-out victory is still a victory
that keeps the title.
[Patrick] Here goes The Genius of the Sky!
Can Asuka get back up and become the WWE Women's Champion?
Two of the very best on planet Earth doing battle here for championship gold.
It's Iyo Sky, the WWE Women's Champion,
looking to defend against "The Empress of Tomorrow" Asuka.
[Graves] Iyo in control at the moment, slowing down the pace of this matchup.
Both women have got to be feeling exhaustion this deep into a matchup.
-[Graves] Shoulders down. -[Patrick] Asuka to win it.
Iyo out in time.
Known each other for 15 years. This is their first one-on-one match.
-[Graves] That's gonna do it! -[Patrick] Shoulders down to retain--
[Cole] Iyo's come so close on a number of occasions in this match.
Has Asuka on the ropes right now, but she can't get frustrated.
[Graves] You're absolutely right, Cole.
Iyo spending a lot of precious time right now trying to fathom
the fact that Asuka is still in this matchup.
Iyo looking for a cross face.
There's a lackadaisical application of it.
Asuka immediately grasping for the bottom rope,
trying to force a break.
-[Cole] A great switch, putting her body… -[Patrick] Smart move.
…between Asuka and the ropes.
[Graves] Great decision, great situational awareness
by the champion.
Asuka attempted a roll-up. Did so! Asuka Lock!
-[Graves] Asuka Lock! -[Cole] Is Iyo gonna tap?
[Graves] Iyo trying to hang on.
Asuka wrenching at the shoulder and neck of the champion.
-[Cole] Iyo trying to… -[Graves] Shoulders.
[Cole] Yeah, that forced a break.
[Patrick] Oh, massive kick from Asuka!
Quickly across now. Cover for the championship.
Iyo grabbing the rope.
[Graves] Had it not been for the ring positioning of both women,
we might have a new champion.
[Cole] Exhaustion setting in at this point in the matchup.
[Patrick] Both competitors coming so close throughout this exhilarating match.
Asuka now gathering energy, taking it toward the top rope.
[Graves] Otherwise known as the middle!
Dropkick, right in the heart of the champion.
Cover by The Empress!
Asuka to win it. And Iyo out at two again.
[Cole] Asuka, perhaps, getting a bit frustrated.
You can see the exhaustion on her face as well.
[Graves] Take a look at this.
Notice how Asuka fully extending the legs for maximum impact on the dropkick.
And now this is becoming a war of attrition.
[Patrick] Tells you all about what's at stake here tonight.
Championship gold, the bragging rights.
We've touched on the history between these two,
and it's no surprise that it's turned into a scrap at times.
[Cole] It's all about the championship. These women are doing--
[Graves] The big armbar! Arm fully extended yet again.
[Cole] Again, the champ in trouble. Is Iyo gonna tap here?
[Graves] Iyo trying to shift her hips,
trying to minimize the pressure on her elbow.
[Patrick] In the middle of the ring, nowhere near the ropes.
[Graves] Asuka again looking for the Asuka Lock.
[Cole] Iyo trying to somehow hang on. Trying to survive.
[Graves] And again, this deep into a matchup, if you're Asuka,
your legs are likely heavy, your muscles are burning,
your lungs are on fire.
You may not have the energy and the quickness needed
to fully submit the champion, but maybe you do.
[Cole] And now again, Iyo in trouble. How much does Iyo have left?
[Graves] Asuka just trying to grapple her way back into the Asuka Lock.
[Cole] And Iyo just trying to somehow make it to the ropes to force a break.
[Patrick] Iyo may turn this around.
Shoulders are down.
[Graves] Asuka Lock yet again.
[Cole] Iyo being punished right now.
[Graves] Iyo may have a separated shoulder at this point.
And the challenger, the Empress of Tomorrow,
wrenching in the Asuka Lock.
-[Graves] Can the champion hang on? -[Cole] Look at Bayley.
The official… Bayley was trying to shove the rope.
[Bayley] Iyo! Iyo!
[Cole] Trying to shove the rope to Iyo Sky.
And now putting Iyo's foot on the bottom rope
-[Graves] And the foot-- -[Patrick] Charlotte Flair off her seat!
[Cole] Charlotte had enough.
Iyo survives thanks to Bayley.
[Patrick] Watch out!
[Graves] The Whiplash on Asuka was nasty.
[Patrick] The champion Iyo Sky, the Genius of the Sky,
Over the Moonsault!
Iyo for the cover to retain the championship.
[bell rings]
[Rome] Here is your winner
and still the WWE Women's Champion,
Iyo Sky!
[Cole] You know, despite all the shenanigans outside the ring
and the distraction of Asuka,
this is really a breakout moment here tonight
for the WWE Women's Champion, Iyo Sky.
[Graves] To have the crown of The Empress of Tomorrow
placed on your very own mantle
speaks volumes about your ability as champion.
It was not easy.
Asuka came within an eyelash on numerous occasions
of dethroning The Genius of the Sky.
But yet again, Bayley and Damage CTRL paid off.
Even if Bayley paid for it.
[Patrick] Asuka distracted and Iyo would capitalize quickly to the top rope.
And how beautiful is this from The Genius of the Sky?
[Graves] The Over the Moonsault,
a maneuver that has brought Iyo so much success throughout her career.
Does it yet again tonight in the desert.
[Cole] Asuka with a hell of a fight tonight, but congratulations to Iyo Sky.
Yeah. [talking indistinctly]
-Monster. -[clears throat] Gentlemen.
Yo, Solo!
A.P., he's with me. Come on in, Uce . Come on in.
Relax. Come on, Solo. Come on in, A.P.
As discussed, the contract for the Tag Team Match.
-Yeah. -I'm sorry?
I-I don't care.
As long as this match is not tonight, I'm fine with it.
Right, it's not tonight.
It's at Fastlane.
-Who made that decision? -Look, I just want to get your--
Looks good to me!
We'll be out there in the ring to sign, Uce.
-Appreciate it. -In the ring?
-In the ring. -All right.
Thank you.
-Thank you. I'll let Cena and AJ know. -Yeet.
[laughs]
Um…
Jim.
Usually, decisions like that…
need approval.
Need authorization from The Tribal Chief…
first.
-First. -First.
Let me know what he says, OG.
Excuse me, Solo.
The point is…
[deep sigh]
Don't worry about it.
After tonight…
there won't be nobody left to fight us at Fastlane
Who gave that order?
[sighs]
Call Roman Reigns.
[Cole] He is not gonna be happy with that.
[Graves] Jimmy breaking Bloodline protocol.
[Cole] Right now on Friday Night SmackDown, it's Fight Night!
["Hellfire" playing]
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is a Tag Team Match
scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, Butch and Ridge Holland.
The Brawling Brutes!
[Patrick] The Brawling Brutes always ready for a fight
and they'll certainly get one tonight.
Austin Theory, he's been on a tirade all night,
teaming up with The Dynamite from Down Under.
It is our main event tonight, sponsored by eBay Motors,
and it's next here on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Belair] For nearly ten years, we have asked the WWE Universe
to join us in fighting pediatric cancer and support the Superstars of tomorrow.
And you didn't disappoint.
You found creative ways to raise money to fund research:
running, baking, tailgating,
making art, playing video games.
And this year, we are spotlighting the top fundraisers
with a chance to meet me.
Or me, as a thank you for raising funds for critical research.
[Rhodes] Go to V.org/ConnorsCureUniverse
to find out more and to get started today.
[Cole] For the first time in what will be six years,
the WWE is coming to Australia.
This time out, the stadium in Perth
will be the home of WWE Elimination Chamber,
the final Premium Live Event before WrestleMania.
The stadium that has hosted the likes of Taylor Swift, Eminem, U2 and many more
now hosts one of the most important nights of the year.
Prepare to be wowed with a full week of WWE events
from the beautiful city of Perth on the Western Australian coast
with WWE Elimination Chamber coming Saturday, February 24th.
[sad music playing]
The great Olivia Rodrigo once said, "God, it's brutal out here."
And on the 14th of July 2023,
that sentiment echoed through the WWE Universe
as Elton Prince suffered a… [sniffles]
catastrophic shoulder injury.
Oh!
[sad music playing]
And now he walks the long, difficult road to recovery.
[can clatters]
Kit?
-Kit, I dropped my drink. -Oh.
[inspirational music playing]
-[grunts] -Oh!
-[groans] -Yes.
Come on. Oh, yeah.
[exhales]
Oh, Elton.
What Elton Prince has is a separated shoulder.
[Elton groans]
He'll be fine.
Hey, Elton, you look at me. This whole thing, it's gonna be hard.
It's gonna be really, really hard,
but you're gonna work at it every single day
and I'll be there too because I want you to get better, you hear me?
That was beautiful, but…
you're on my hair.
Oh, sorry.
[Graves] I haven't been that inspired since I saw Brian's Song.
[Patrick] Tonight's Friday Night SmackDown on FOX
is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
[Cole] That was the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen.
[Graves laughs] Ridiculously inspiring.
I'm ready to run through a wall.
[Cole] He has a shoulder injury.
-[Patrick] Hashtag "eltonstrong." -[Cole] Why're they checking his reflexes?
[Graves] I'm not a doctor, Cole
["Eye On The Prize" playing]
♪ They lay low, they know ♪
Optus Stadium, get ready. You thought Taylor Swift was exciting?
Wait till The Grayson Waller Effect hits Australia live and in living color.
["A-Town Down" playing]
[Cole] Now, hopefully this guy won't be with him.
[Graves] A-Town Down Under. Come on now, Cole.
-[Patrick] Did you lose the accent? -[Graves] Shut up.
[Patrick laughs]
♪ A-Town Down, like my next sound ♪
♪ Yeah! ♪
♪ You see the future Right in front of your eyes ♪
[Graves] Look at the physique on the Forever Champ.
KP, Theory's got muscles in places you don't even have places.
[Patrick] Dude, I know all about it.
[Rome] And their their opponents,
the team of Grayson Waller
and Austin Theory!
[Cole] So how about this guy's ego? Saying that it was because of him
that they got 153 million views of The Rock's return last week?
[Graves] Cole, could you imagine what those numbers would look like
had Grayson Waller been involved?
Had the social media world been privy to The Grayson Waller Effect and The Rock
and Austin Theory all in the same ring at the same time?
-[Patrick] Think about what you're saying. -They don't even have numbers that big.
-[Cole] Infinity. -[Graves] There you go.
[Patrick] Austin Theory alongside The Rock last week.
Grayson Waller in the ring
with The Grayson Waller Effect with John Cena.
Although he didn't even let John Cena speak, Cole.
[Cole] Listen, I spoke with Waller earlier today
because Theory wants nothing to do with me, thank goodness,
but he was bragging about how this team is 1-0 as a tag team
and they didn't even know they had a match tonight.
[Patrick] Tonight's main event is sponsored by eBay Motors.
[Graves] Theory certainly facing a tall task in the form of Butch,
who has been pulling double duty here on Friday Night SmackDown and NXT.
[Cole] Did you watch his match with Tyler Bate on NXT
in The Global Heritage Cup this week?
[Graves] I absolutely did. It was awe-inspiring.
Go out of your way to check it out if you haven't already seen it
and make sure you don't miss Butch versus Joe Coffey
this coming Tuesday on NXT.
[Cole] That's been an entertaining tournament to say the least.
[Graves] Absolutely agreed. And look at these vicious knees from Grayson Waller.
The Aussie Icon.
[Patrick] Look, we can pick holes in A-Town Down Under.
-There's zero-- They're impressive. -[Graves] No, we can't.
-There are no holes, KP. -[Patrick] None?
[Graves] You are a habitual hole-searcher.
-You poke holes in everything. -[Waller screams]
[Graves] Get your mind out of the gutter.
I know it is, I'm talking about you trying to poke holes
in cohesive units like A-Town Down Under.
And Butch nearly just snapped Waller's arm in two.
[Cole] I knew that you had some sort of expertise.
I was trying to figure out what it was and Corey just let us know.
-[Graves] Oh, yeah, -[Cole] But listen.
I think there's one hole in--
-[Graves] Oh my God! -[Cole] Oh my goodness.
[Graves] The power of Ridge Holland. Absolutely incredible.
[Graves] Double Underhook by Ridge "The Fridge."
And all the blood rush to Waller's head.
[Patrick] It was Ridge "The Fridge" Holland remember
who put Elton Prince on the sidelines with that separated shoulder.
[Cole] I think there's one hole in this tag team's game, and that's ego.
[Graves] It's not big enough.
[Patrick] But could that be a good thing? False confidence.
[Graves] Look at what Grayson Waller has already done for John Cena's career.
Imagine what he could have done for The Rock's career.
And maybe Austin Theory will be the beneficiary
of the Grayson Waller Effect.
[Patrick] Well, right now it's The Brawling Brutes in control
against A-Town Down Under. Off the ropes--
[Cole] Don't start with that now.
Oh, look at Austin Theory. That was smart.
[Graves] I was just over here thinking about the Roman Empire,
and Butch ended up nearly in my lap.
And here comes Waller.
There goes Butch.
-[Cole] Not quite. -[Graves] And… Oh, no.
[Patrick] Oh, here we go…
10 Beats of the Bodhrán.
[Cole] I think it's gonna be 20.
[Graves] Couldn't it be like "Ten Beats of Big Ben"?
Butch is British, not Irish.
[Patrick] That's a fair point.
[Graves] That's the only kind I make. Practically a historian.
[Patrick] Look at The Brutes rolling here on SmackDown.
Welcome back, folks.
Sold-out crowd here tonight in Phoenix, Arizona.
And it's Austin Theory and Grayson Waller that have control in this match now,
as Butch of The Brawling Brutes looks to fight back
with Ridge Holland watching on.
-[Cole] Cover here. -[Patrick] Hook of the leg.
Butch out at two.
This main event tonight sponsored by eBay Motors.
[Graves] These big heavy lefts from Theory.
[Cole] Austin Theory is just angry. He's just mad for some reason.
[Patrick] Tag. This, hey, look. During the commercial break.
The blind tag.
Austin Theory making his way in and look at this.
Boom.
[Graves] All Austin Theory wants to do is lead WWE into the future.
But the old saying goes, "You can't get to the future if the past is still present."
Last week the past was extremely present in the form of The Rock.
Of course Austin Theory is upset. Of course the kid--
[Cole] Wait a minute. So first, first off.
Austin Theory is the one who went after The Rock first.
He brought all of this upon himself.
He got embarrassed because of his actions.
[Graves] If you want to get technical about it,
we should probably blame McAfee for the whole fiasco.
-[Cole] Well, true. -[grunts]
[Graves] Big clothesline from Theory on Butch in the corner.
And here comes one from Waller.
Waller and Theory have worked extremely well together as a cohesive unit,
as a true team, despite having limited experience together.
[Cole] I'm just surprised they can get both their heads in the building.
[Graves] That's why we gotta have that stadium in Australia.
[Patrick] Of course, Grayson Waller is taking credit for Elimination Chamber
heading to Perth.
[Graves] It had been, what, six years since we've been Down Under?
Coincidence? I think not.
[Cole] I like to give a lot of the credit to Rhea Ripley.
[Patrick] Look at this, fellas.
[Graves] Oh, no, no, no, no!
No!
[Patrick] Excruciating.
[Graves] Great agility by the "mangy" Butch.
And here comes The Fridge.
[Patrick] This rugged roughneck, Ridge "The Fridge."
[Graves] Too brutal for the rugby pitch. Fits right at home in a WWE ring.
[Cole] He's improving so much each and every week.
Tremendous power, finesse.
[Patrick] Here's that power once more.
What a victory this would be for The Brawling Brutes if they can get it.
Grayson Waller out at two.
[Cole] I actually think if Theory and Waller--
What do you call them? A-Town Down Under?
If they actually pick up the win, I'd be more impressed with that
only because they've been a tag team just one other time.
[Patrick] Tag made.
[Graves] Butch and Ridge are like a rudderless ship together.
The Celtic Warrior to lead the charge.
Double Chopblock. Left from Theory, that might do it.
[Patrick] This spells trouble.
Breaking it up is Butch.
[Cole] Great Tag Team Match tonight.
[Patrick] Incredible.
Both these tag teams looking for that avenue toward gold.
The victory here tonight could go a long way.
[Graves] Listen, Grayson Waller may be brash, he may be arrogant,
but Waller is never afraid to fight.
Oh, man!
-[Patrick] There's that rugby tackle. -[Graves] Intercepted by Ridge Holland.
Oh, look at that! Oh, my goodness!
[Cole] Talk about interceptions.
[Patrick] Outrageous from Ridge Holland,
for the victory now for The Brawling Brutes.
And Theory out.
[Cole] This is a big matchup. Remember,
we got the big Tag Team Title Match Monday night on Raw
between The Judgment Day and Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
Winner of this match could be in line for a future Tag Team Title opportunity.
[Graves] Ridge Holland certainly making a strong case for himself
and his partner, Butch the "mangy mutt" of The Brawling Brutes.
And look at Butch! Oh my God!
Butch just throwing caution to the wind, sacrificing himself.
Holland muscles up Theory. Shoulders down.
-[Patrick] Theory can do this. -[Cole] Theory's got the tights
[Graves] A-Town…
Nope.
[Patrick] Ridge turns it around now.
[grunts]
-[Graves] Alabama Slam! -[Patrick] For the victory!
Theory out.
[Cole] Brutes look great here in this matchup tonight.
[grunting]
[Patrick] Ridge Holland now.
[Graves] Ridge looking to turn Austin Theory over
into a Boston Crab.
-There it is. -[Theory screams]
[Graves] Oh, no.
-[Cole] Theory with nowhere to go. -[Graves] Hang in there, kid.
[Cole] And Butch now… got a sleeper on Waller outside the ring.
[Patrick] The Brutes may do this.
Waller has been taken out on the outside,
and now Grayson Waller creates a little bit of separation.
[Graves] Can Theory hang on--
[Patrick] Wait! Waller with the Rolling Stunner.
[Cole] That was amazing!
-[Patrick] And Theory-- -[Cole] Waller saved Theory.
[Patrick] A-Town Down!
[crowd] One, two, three.
[bell rings]
♪ A-Town Down, screaming out loud ♪
-[Cole] Great match. -[Rome] Here are your winners.
The team of Grayson Waller
and Austin Theory!
[Graves] Michael Cole, it's extremely refreshing to hear you
give these gentlemen their due.
That was a hell of a match. That was a hell of a fight.
And in the closing moments, Waller able to free himself of Butch and then, boom.
Stunner to Holland,
which opened the door for a trip… A-Town Down.
-[crowd] Two, three! -[bell rings]
[Cole] We're never gonna hear the end of this now.
[talking indistinctly]
[Graves] I might see if these two are down for a couple of shoeys here in the desert.
-I'm the man! -2-0.
-[Graves] A win worth celebrating. -Too easy, lads.
[Patrick] Well, ladies and gentlemen, coming up next
here on Friday Night SmackDown,
a contract signing with Fastlane approaching two weeks from tomorrow.
John Cena, the 16-time World Champion and AJ Styles.
Will they put pen to paper next
and will we see it from Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso?
Don't go anywhere.
Next Friday night here on SmackDown,
after Rey Mysterio graciously granted Santos Escobar his wish
for a United States Championship opportunity,
The LWO brothers are set to battle it out with championship gold on the line.
[Graves] Earlier tonight in the WWE Women's Championship Match,
we saw a long time rivalry renewed.
Well, next week, "The Queen" Charlotte Flair
goes one-on-one with "The Role Model" of Damage CTRL, Bayley.
[Cole] Hey, did Bobby Lashley's budding relationship
with The Street Profits fracture beyond repair tonight?
We'll find out because next week in The Grayson Waller Effect,
Grayson Waller welcomes in Bobby Lashley live on SmackDown.
[Patrick] WWE Fastlane is sponsored by Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty.
The new expansion will be available September 26th on Xbox Series X
and PlayStation 5 and PC.
Buy the bundle and you can play Cyberpunk 2077 today.
Rated M for mature.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is now time to make official the Tag Team Match,
which will serve as one of our main events for Fastlane.
Without further ado, allow me to introduce one of the participants,
"The Greatest of All Time" John Cena!
["The Time Is Now" playing]
[crowd cheering]
Let's go! Let's sign this and let's have this match.
[Cole] Well, guys, Fastlane is our next Premium Live Event
from Indianapolis, Indiana, two weeks from tomorrow.
And Cena's wasting little time.
[Graves] Cena kicked off tonight looking for a fight.
Obviously, John still wants to throw hands
but may have to wait a little bit to do it.
I like this. No pomp, no circumstance.
Get the formalities out of the way and let the fists fly.
All right.
And his tag team partner…
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles!
[Cole] This is a hell of a tag team, Cena and Styles.
And there's anyone that can take out The Bloodline,
it's these two men.
[Graves] And the duo become greater than the sum of its parts.
[Cole] Styles talking earlier tonight about the respect he has for John Cena.
One of the reasons that…
he came out to help John last week.
-Oh, wait a minute. -[Patrick sighs]
[grunting]
[Cole] As Jimmy Uso beating the hell out of Styles!
[crowd booing]
[grunts]
[Cole] And Cena is heading to the back.
[crowd booing]
-[yells] -[Cole] Oh my God!
[loud crash]
Let's go! Let's go!
[clamoring]
[Cole] Well, we questioned Jimmy Uso's motives earlier tonight,
but obviously Uso and Solo Sikoa had a plan.
Solo Sikoa just jumped from like 15 feet in the air through Styles.
Solo just risked his own well-being to take out AJ.
Obviously Cena unable to make it in time to thwart
whatever the hell The Bloodline was planning.
I think it's too late.
[explosions]
-[Patrick] Oh my God. -[Cole] Get Styles out of there.
Yeah. Let's go, Solo.
Let's go. [laughs]
-[clamoring] -Let's go! Let's go!
-Take it easy. -[clamoring]
AJ. Don't move. Don't move him.
Get me some help! Call an ambulance!
-[indistinct yelling] -Get me medical!
[indistinct chatter]
What's your name?
Do you know your name?
[Patrick] We're looking at live images of AJ Styles
after a heinous and disturbing attack backstage by Jimmy Uso.
Styles set to sign the contract for Fastlane.
And this happened.
[Cole] John Cena was in the ring.
AJ Styles by himself when he was assaulted by Jimmy Uso.
It would actually get much, much worse for The Phenomenal One.
[groans]
We questioned Jimmy Uso's actions earlier tonight,
but obviously he had a plan.
And then high above, that's Solo Sikoa.
[Patrick] Solo said earlier on tonight,
"After we get through, there will be no fight at Fastlane."
[Cole] Watch Solo Sikoa from high above delivering the Splash to Styles.
-Let's go. Let's go. -[clamoring]
[woman] What do you think you're doing?
[clamoring]
[Cole] And you just saw the result, AJ Styles being carried out of here
on a stretcher into an ambulance.
-[explosions] -[gasps]
[laughs] Yeah! Let's go, Solo!
-[clamoring] -Let's go!
-Take it easy. -[clamoring]
AJ. Don't move him.
[man] Get me some help, please!
[crowd booing]
-What have I been saying? -Right here. Not right now.
Not right now!
-What have I been saying? -I swear…
Nice and easy. Come on, guys. Nice and easy.
AJ, come on, man.
What have I been saying? What have I been saying the whole time?
You're gonna be fine, AJ.
[sighs]
John, I've been telling him not to get involved with this Bloodline stuff.
I've been saying it.
Let's move!
[siren wailing]
[crowd booing]
[Graves] [indistinct] Jey Uso is by himself with his brother Solo.
[Cole] Oh, look out, Corey.
[Graves] Solo is on a damn rampage tonight.
-Look out! -[Patrick] Oh my God!
[Graves] God!
[Patrick] Nobody's safe around Solo Sikoa.
[Cole] Solo told Paul earlier tonight he was gonna take care of things.
[Graves] Unfortunately proving to be a man of his word.
[crowd booing]
Ladies--
[crowd booing]
They boo ladies in Arizona.
[crowd booing louder]
Ladies and gentlemen, my name…
[crowd booing]
…is Paul Heyman.
You can boo my kosher tuchus as far as I'm concerned.
And lo and behold.
I have in my hands…
a contract signed
by the second greatest of all time,
John Cena…
without any tag team partner
for Fastlane.
Now, you see, that's--
[crowd chants] Rocky!
Well, look what happens when you mess with The Bloodline.
[crowd boos]
Hey, yo, John.
If you smart like you say you smart,
you will jump your ass in that ambulance with AJ Styles
and you would go far, far, far away from The Bloodline.
Hey, hey! Hey, check this out.
John gonna end up in an ambulance anyways.
That's not a prediction.
That's a spoiler. [laughs]
And, John-- Check this out, Uce.
I've been waiting to tell you this.
You the twos and we--
-[Graves] Wait a minute. Cena's back. -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Oh, Solo Sikoa meeting him there. And now the fight is on.
[Patrick] Cena taking the fight to The Bloodline.
But he's all alone.
[Cole] Jimmy going for a ride?
[crowd cheering]
[Graves] Uh-oh.
Oh! Numbers game.
Solo almost victimized by an AA.
Jimmy Uso put on the brakes.
And now Jimmy just gave the signal.
[crowd chants] Rocky!
[Cole] A very cocky, a very confident Jimmy Uso tonight.
-[screams] -[Cole] Oh, no!
[Graves] Samoan Spike to The Greatest of All Time.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] What surprised me tonight was the attitude of Jimmy Uso
and how he took control of the situation.
There was no more waiting around for Jimmy Uso tonight.
He took charge.
Cena is helpless after the Samoan Spike.
AJ Styles has been carted off to the hospital
and Cena now suffering this two-on-one assault
at the hands of Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa.
Heyman looks on, and you've got to wonder what "The Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns
thinks about all this.
[Graves] I can't imagine this reflects poorly,
by any stretch of the imagination, on Jimmy Uso within The Bloodline.
Laying out John Cena.
-[shouts] -And another. Oh!
[shouting]
What?
[loud booing]
[Graves] Jimmy Uso now perched up top.
[crowd booing]
Uso Splash.
[Cole] Well, Jimmy Uso…
making it official.
Solo Sikoa as well.
The problem is John Cena doesn't have a partner.
[Graves] If John Cena doesn't have a partner,
John Cena doesn't have a prayer.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] And the beating is not over.
[Patrick] Jimmy, another Uso Splash.
[crowd booing]
[music playing]
[Cole] A hellacious beatdown by The Bloodline.
[Graves] John Cena came to Arizona looking for a fight.
But there is no way Cena could have prepared
for the mugging and beatdown he would receive…
after being outnumbered.
Just when it seemed as though Cena had control
and AA was en route… the numbers.
The Bloodline's MO, the first of two massive Samoan Spikes.
And the Exclamation Point.
[Cole] As he mocks John Cena
does Jimmy Uso.
And John Cena,
learning very quickly tonight what happens
when you get involved in The Bloodline's business.
[crowd booing] volved in The Bloodline's business.