[WWE signature intro playing]
[Cena] Then.
[Flair] Woo!
-[glass shatters] -[The Rock] If you smell…
[Cena] Now.
[Reigns] Acknowledge me.
-The King of Kings. -You can't see me.
[Cena] Forever.
[crowd cheering]
Together.
[music fades]
[def rebel's "Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
[Patrick] It is a blockbuster night from the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
And it's brilliant to have you with us
for the season premiere of Friday Night SmackDown
that's sponsored by Progressive.
A triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
♪ Flexing and focused ♪
♪ I'm leaving dem all looking Stressin' and folded ♪
♪ How am I hot But I'm dressing the coldest ♪
♪ Impressing the suckaz That said I was bogus ♪
[crowd cheers]
[John Cena & Tha Trademarc's "The Time Is Now" playing]
[crowd cheers]
♪ Amadou! ♪
♪ 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… ♪
It's that time! It is that time!
Let's go to work, shall we? Man, what a job!
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome
the Greatest of All Time…
John Cena.
[Patrick] What a reception for the 16-time World Champion.
And how great was it to see John Cena back in action Saturday night at Fastlane?
And the Greatest of All Time needed his tag team partner
LA Knight in a big way to dispose of The Bloodline.
[Cole] The important thing about this matchup,
it was the biggest match to date of LA Knight's career.
-And, Corey, did he impress. -[Graves] No doubt about it.
-[crowd] You can't see me! -Making the best of a golden opportunity
was LA Knight.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with the Greatest of All Time…
-BFT. -[crowd] One, two, three!
[Graves] And a massive win for Cena and Knight.
[crowd cheers]
[song fades]
[crowd chanting] Cena! Cena! Cena!
You guys know… you guys know tonight is a big night.
This is big. So I got to…
I got to do this right!
Tulsa…
[crowd cheers]
Welcome to the season premiere
of SmackDown.
[crowd cheering loudly]
[def rebel's "Head of The Table" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[fireworks]
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
Special Counsel, "The Wiseman" Paul Heyman,
Solo Sikoa,
and the Undisputed
WWE Universal Champion…
Roman Reigns.
[Cole] For 1,139 days…
well over three years…
Roman Reigns has ruled WWE
as the Undisputed WWE Champion.
And now for the first time since the week after SummerSlam…
Roman Reigns returns to Friday Night SmackDown.
[crowd cheering]
Even Paul Heyman, Corey,
is looking a bit more well-rested than we saw him last week.
[Graves] Start calling Paul Heyman "Benjamin Button."
He appears to be aging in reverse. He looks absolutely radiant tonight.
[Cole] Well, that's what happens when the boss comes back.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting] Cena! Cena! Cena!
Oh! What a pass!
I so missed that.
John boy…
Hollywood.
If you're gonna open my show…
you'd better do it the right way.
Tulsa…
[crowd cheers]
Acknowledge me.
[crowd cheers loudly]
[crowd chanting] Cena! Cena! Cena!
You chant for a coward?
The man only showed up because I took my leave.
And then he had the audacity to come back
and convince people to call him the Greatest of All Time.
Now, let's be honest here, John.
You already know who the GOAT is.
It's The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns.
But we've ran into this before, and we've handled it.
So we're gonna do it again.
Leave.
Or we're gonna make you leave.
[crowd jeers]
[crowd chanting] Cena! Cena! Cena!
A lot of energy in here tonight.
A lot of anticipation for what's about to happen.
[crowd cheers]
WWE's always unpredictable.
With SmackDown, you can never tell.
And with Roman Reigns and John Cena in the same ring,
well, who knows what's next?
I'm about to throw you a curve ball.
I'm not here to challenge you, I'm here to acknowledge you.
1,138 days
you've held that championship.
And in my mind, no matter what an announcer says,
that is the greatest accomplishment of all time.
And it is earned.
I am not here to challenge you tonight.
Because I haven't earned it.
But…
I do know someone who has.
[def rebel's "Welcome To LA" playing]
[crowd cheers]
…exactly what's walking directly your way right now.
'Cause he doesn't know.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd] LA Knight! Yeah!
[Cena] Woah, woah, woah, woah!
We're gonna make a meal out of it. We're gonna make a meal out of it.
[Knight] Think about it.
[Cena] No, no, no, it's your time.
-[crowd chanting] LA Knight! -You see?
[crowd] LA Knight! LA Knight!
Let me talk to ya.
[crowd] Yeah!
You pissing your pants yet?
You're Roman, right?
You're The Head of the Table, right?
-[crowd] Yeah! Yeah! -Yeah!
-You're The Tribal Chief, right? -[crowd] Yeah!
-Yeah. -[crowd] Yeah!
-You're defending champion, right? -[crowd] Yeah!
No, no.
I'll tell you what you are.
Right now, you're a man standing in my way.
[scoffs] Oh, my God, I'm sorry, man.
How rude of me.
I didn't even introduce myself.
Because, you know why?
You've been sitting at home on the couch for the last month and a half…
and you wear that gold title around your waist.
Things have changed just a little bit. So I'll tell you what.
Tulsa, tell him whose game this is.
[crowd] LA Knight, yeah!
[crowd chanting] LA Knight! LA Knight! LA Knight!
All right.
We're very proud of ya.
I gave you a couple of months, and they say your name now.
But let's be honest here.
Over 1,100 days as champ,
I've done things that you would never imagine in this business.
What makes you think you could ever stand in the ring with me?
Honestly. I mean…
who the hell do you think you are standing in my ring right now?
Talking like that's a good way to get yourself
referred to in the past tense.
So I'll put it to you like this.
Who am I to be in this ring with you?
I'm the fastest rising star in SmackDown history.
I'm the man who's walked right in here…
[Cole] Oh! Jimmy Uso from behind.
[crowd boos]
[Patrick] LA Knight tossing Jimmy Uso out of the ring!
I could do you all the same.
[indistinct conversation]
Him. You. You… [indistinct conversation]
You can be next. You will be next.
[indistinct conversation]
[indistinct] …big man.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] Roman Reigns hasn't been champ for over 1,100 days
by making impulsive decisions.
Forget about Cena. Handle him.
[Graves] Roman just gave Solo his marching orders.
[LA] There ain't anybody stopping you. Come on in here.
You and me… tonight.
[Sikoa] You and me… tonight.
[crowd boos]
Uh, for those of you all that don't speak moron…
He just said me and him tonight. So I tell you what.
You wanna come on down here and get stomped out?
-Yeah! -[crowd] Yeah!
Then come on down, 'cause I'll turn your ass upside down
and use you as a mop.
And that's not an insult. That is just a fact of life.
-Yeah! -[crowd] Yeah!
[Cole] Let's make this match official.
LA Knight wants to prove himself to Roman Reigns?
He can do that tonight.
Right there. I guarantee that every dollar you got…
[Patrick] What a start!
We've got champions looking to prove themselves yet again this evening.
The unlikeliest duo, now Tag Champions, in Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes,
defending their championships yet again here tonight
on SmackDown against A-Town Down Under, Grayson Waller and Austin Theory.
[Cole] It's the season premiere of SmackDown,
so why wouldn't the boss be here?
The King of Kings, Triple H,
he has a message for the WWE Universe.
We'll find out what that is live, tonight.
[Graves] Before we get there, the hard-hitting Brawling Brutes
look to spoil the inspirational return of Pretty Deadly.
Will The Brutes put their opponents back on the shelf this Fight Night,
or will "Elton Strong" inspire a successful comeback?
Guys, we'll find out… next.
That calls for a "Yes, boy!"
[Prince] Months ago,
Elton Prince suffered a devastating injury at the hands of Ridge Holland,
and doctors feared he would never walk again.
But he has made a miraculous recovery.
Because he is Elton Strong.
[both yell] Yes, boy!
[def rebel's "On And On" playing]
[Cole] Oh, goodness.
[Graves] "Oh, goodness"? I think what you meant to say, Cole, was,
"Yes, boy!"
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is a tag team match
scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, the team of Kit Wilson and Elton Prince.
Pretty Deadly.
[Cole] I am so confused about this whole thing.
[Graves] Let me clear it up for you, Michael Cole.
We are witnessing one of the most inspirational stories
to ever take place in the world of sports and entertainment.
[Cole] He had a shoulder injury.
[Graves] Do you know how hard it is
to function with one good arm, Michael Cole?
[Cole] Why is he in a wheelchair? [laughing]
[Graves] Because he uses his full body to move.
Whether it's something as pedestrian as walking
or competing in a ring, it's a full-body exercise.
I don't expect you to understand, you normie.
[Patrick] Looked like Tulsa was dancing along with Pretty Deadly
on their return here on SmackDown.
[Cole] I feel like I'm back at Studio 54.
[def rebel's "Bring The Fire" playing]
[Cole] From the disco to the punk.
It's Fight Night!
[Rome] And their opponents,
Butch and Ridge Holland,
The Brawling Brutes.
[Patrick] Now, fellas, you're looking at four Superstars from England,
but they couldn't be more diametrically opposed if they tried.
From Yorkshire and from Birmingham,
you're looking at The Brawling Brutes.
[Graves] I don't think it matters where they come from. It's quite obvious,
Pretty Deadly is very into grooming, and Butch looks sticky to the touch.
[Cole] So where are the other guys from? The Pretty guys?
[Patrick] Look, if this was America,
you're looking at lads from the likes of Baltimore, Detroit.
These are brutes. These are scrappers. Pretty Deadly on the other hand…
[Graves] I'm not even listening to you. I am just inspired.
Elton Strong. #EltonStrong.
I love it!
[Patrick] These guys are from the likes of Martha's Vineyard, Cole.
[Cole] I get it, that makes a lot of sense.
[Graves] That's in New England, not England.
[bell rings]
[Cole] While you were over there kissing the backside of these two, Pretty Deadly,
Kevin was explaining where they come from
and how it compares to the cities here in the States.
-[Patrick] Oh, look at who it is, Butch. -[Cole] And look what he's doing,
-already working on the arm. -[Patrick] Of Elton Prince, yeah.
[Cole] Oh, goodness!
[Graves] Cole, to put it in terms you'll understand,
this is basically what New York is gonna feel like
when Aaron Rodgers comes back.
It's that big. It was that catastrophic.
And we are this blessed to be living in it.
[Cole] Aaron Rodgers had an Achilles injury.
He's already walking without a crutch.
This guy was in a wheelchair for a shoulder injury for two months.
[Patrick laughs]
-[Patrick] Kit Wilson now caught by-- -[Graves] Oh, good Lord.
[Patrick] Rugged roughneck that is Ridge "The Fridge" Holland.
[Cole] And a tag made by Butch.
How great did Butch and Ridge Holland look
teaming with Tyler Bate at NXT this past Tuesday night
in their win over Gallows in that Pub Rules Match?
[Graves] Absolutely wild to witness, a great time for sure.
[Patrick] Tyler Bate, a phenomenal competitor here.
Oh, Butch!
[Cole] Corey, go help him. He might need help back in the ring.
[Graves] Oh, my goodness. Elton wasn't even the legal competitor.
[Patrick] How unorthodox is Butch? How do you defend against this guy?
[Cole] How unorthodox is Pretty Deadly? That's a better question.
[Patrick] Butch jumps to the outside, taking down Kit.
[Cole] Who names their kid "Kit"?
[Patrick] Here we go! 10 Beats of the Bodhrán.
-[Graves] This is egregious. -[Cole] This is great!
[Graves] The Brawling Brutes are gonna ruin the comeback story.
Get up, Kit. You can do it.
[Patrick] Welcome back, folks. Look at Kit Wilson of Pretty Deadly
on their return tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
Just battering Butch of The Brawling Brutes.
[Graves] Kit Wilson is looking to avenge the harm
that was suffered by his partner and lifemate, Elton,
at the hands of The Brawling Brutes.
I don't know why you guys are doing such a poor job
of explaining the magnitude of this moment.
[Cole] Because this is sports entertainment, Corey.
Injuries are part of the process.
It's not like Ridge Holland did it on purpose.
And, by the way, I learned during the commercial break
from a very good source that what they're wearing,
Pretty Deadly, it's called a "super crop top."
[Patrick] Learned from a source, eh?
[Graves] Kudos to you for doing a little research there, Michael Cole.
I do appreciate that. And I do believe that is what Kit and Elton
refer to their tops as…
Highly fashionable.
You spend a little time on a runway, you pick these things up.
[Patrick] You wouldn't know they've been out three months.
That shoulder's looking pretty good as are Pretty Deadly.
[referee] One! Two! Three!
[Patrick] Kicking away at Butch.
[Cole] I learned also today that Elton Prince
was the face of a dating app.
[Patrick] What kind of dating?
[Cole] Not quite sure. I just know he's the face of a dating…
[Graves] How disappointed would you be
if you signed up for a dating app with that face on it,
and realized that that face wasn't actually available?
It'd be like Ashley Madison bad.
Butch now looking to manipulate the fingers!
I don't think that's legal.
[Patrick] His poor hand.
[Cole] Now you're sympathizing with the guy?
[Patrick] Tag made. Here comes Kit.
Kit Wilson… at pace now.
[Graves] Now we'll see how the shoulder holds up.
Oh, no!
[Cole] Oh, goodness.
[Patrick] Butch… Butch and Kit to the outside.
-[Holland] Come on, Butch! -Come here.
[Graves] Look at this team effort. My goodness!
[Cole] He might fall off the apron. Say it's not so.
[both shout] Elton Strong!
[Graves] That, my friends, is Elton Strong.
[Cole] That's inspiring.
[Graves] I knew you'd see it my way.
[Patrick] Butch couldn't get across for the tag. Oh, he connects!
Here we go. Tag made, Ridge Holland.
Down goes Elton and Kit Wilson.
Oh, man. Look at the strength.
[Cole] The powerhouse that is Ridge Holland.
[Graves] Gutbuster takes down Kit.
[Patrick] Oh, man!
[Cole] Impressive duo.
[Patrick] You wanna talk chemistry?
Butch and Ridge Holland looking really good right now.
[Graves] Elton instinctively getting the boot up just in time.
Oh, no. This may be a short-lived comeback.
[Cole] Look at this power.
-Wow! -[Patrick] Impressive.
-[Cole] Slamming! Cover. -[Graves] Oh, no.
[Patrick] Hook of the leg to get the win for The Brutes.
Kit Wilson in the way.
[Graves] Butch with a Shining Wizard…
taking down Kit for the moment.
-Oh, no. Oh, no. -[Patrick] On the apron.
-[Cole] Oh, no. -[Graves] Yes, boy!
[Cole] Spine first on the… right on the apron.
[Patrick] Butch in agony. Meanwhile, back inside now.
-Ridge. -[Graves] Oh!
[Graves] Massive suplex.
[both arguing indistinctly]
-Gimme a second. -Don't fall for that!
Don't fall for that!
-Hey, hey, hey! -Get back.
[both continue arguing]
Relax.
[crowd booing]
[indistinct conversation]
How is it? How is it?
-It's the back of my leg, man. -Is it the knee?
Ow! It's the back, it's the back…
I'm gonna get-- I'm gonna get help down here in a second.
Come back. Come on.
Hey, it's okay. It's fine.
-I'll be fine. I'll be all right. -No, you're not. No, no, no!
Stop, please. Stop. Stop, please. Okay?
If it hurts…
[indistinct]
Look, Ridge. Ridge…
Stop. Stop.
-[crowd boos] -[indistinct conversation continues]
[Cole] Oh, and a cheap shot.
[Patrick] Look at this!
-[Graves] Oh, my God. [chuckles] -[Patrick] Are you kidding me?
-[bell rings] -[Graves] Yes, boy!
[def rebel's "On And On" playing]
[Rome] Here are your winners, Pretty Deadly.
[Graves] In the pantheon of historical comebacks,
you've got Lazarus at 1,
and Elton at 1A.
#EltonStrong.
Pretty Deadly are back, baby!
[Patrick] We saw quite the comeback at Fastlane last Saturday
with a little help from an old friend.
Here's our Progressive Match Flo.
♪ We're Pretty Deadly ♪
-We're back and stronger than ever! -Whoo!
[narrator] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive.
A triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits
versus Rey Mysterio and Santos Escobar.
But who will be their teammate?
[Graves] Ford chops the knee.
[Cole] It's a three-on-two situation.
[Graves] Could just be a matter of time before this six-man match is over.
[Cole] Rey creating some space.
-Oh, no! -[Graves] Beautiful.
Rey still without a partner to tag…
[def rebel's "Bad Apple" playing]
[Cole] It's Carlito!
[Graves] There's no way that Ford or Dawkins or Lashley
could have prepared for Carlito.
[Cole] Carlito looks great!
Mysterio takes out Dawkins.
[Graves] Escobar launching himself.
[Cole] Backstabber!
What a win!
Carlito is back.
And now, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Carlito.
[crowd cheers]
Carlito, welcome back to WWE.
Now, a week removed, how would you describe your return?
There's only one word that can describe Carlito back in the WWE…
And that is "cool."
The Apple. The apple, the apple.
That's… excuse me.
That's what I was waiting to see. The apple. You are…
Welcome back to my show, Carlito.
Your return at Fastlane was nothing short of amazing.
Masterful.
You know, because the last time I remember seeing you, I think I was,
like, beating you up on SmackDown.
But that was a long time ago. Water under the bridge, man.
I just wanted to welcome you back to my show.
All right. No big deal.
Like you said, Bobby, that was a long time ago.
But what about this?
Carlito's very first match back on SmackDown…
against Bobby Lashley?
Against me?
Really? No. I'm not even dressed for it, Carlito, but…
[groaning, yelling]
Grab me the… Grab me the chair.
[speaking indistinctly]
Pick him up for me. Pick him up for me.
-[yelling] -No, no!
Put it down! Enough! Let him go.
Enough! What's wrong with you?
Come on, Bobby, get back, get back.
Get me referees!
-Listen, Carlito… -We need medic.
Make sure you don't bite off more than you can chew around here.
-[Carlito coughs] -Let's go, fellas.
Get me a medic.
Excuse me. Ding-dong. Hello. What is this pity party going on?
-I'm a little busy right now. -Yeah, well,
I got to get busy throwing Iyo Sky, the WWE Women's Champion,
-a big celebration. -Hello, groupie.
I don't know who you think you're talking to.
We have bigger things to worry about
than you coming over here trying to be a groupie for Iyo.
Oh, bigger things. You got a big mouth saying that with these guys right here.
You need to get out of my face, because I have…
We have bigger things to worry about.
[both arguing indistinctly]
Ladies! I don't have time for this. As you can see, we're dealing with this.
Charles, do me a favor. If they want to fight,
escort her to the ring and her the ring.
And you guys can have a match and settle it right now.
Thank you very much.
-Thank you. -Yeah.
-Go. Let's go, ladies. Go. -Leave!
She best better let me know if she wants to be in a windbreaker or a T-shirt.
I'm done with this.
-[Jimmy] Yes, sir. -Yes, sir?
-Yeah. -What are you…
-What are you doing? -What you mean what I'm doing?
I'm… I'm trying to be you, uce. I'm taking the…
I'm in your playbook, uce. If the play don't look right,
I'm just out there calling the audible. That's it.
Check, check, check.
I'm calling the audibles, uce, calling the plays.
So you're the quarterback?
Probably second string, you the starter.
All right, then.
If you were the quarterback, what would you do?
Get Jey.
Jey's old news. Your brother's-- that's a pass.
The only thing that matters are those tag titles.
And every day that he has them, that's disrespect to our Bloodline.
Disrespect to our legacy.
What are our children gonna think about that?
And the fact that he's running around with Cody Rhodes as his partner,
well, that's just a slap in the face to everything that we do,
to our existence. I mean…
I don't want you to be slapped in the face, uce.
I bet you don't.
You're gonna handle that, right?
No more distractions. No more… No more audibles…
You don't call audibles. Ain't no hot routes. I do that.
We good?
-Yeet. -I don't like that.
Not again. We good.
[def rebel's "Role Model" playing]
[Graves] "A slap in the face to The Bloodline"?
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Dakota Kai
and the WWE Women's Champion, Iyo Sky,
representing Damage CTRL…
Bayley.
[Patrick] Well, it looks like Bayley has talked her way
into a match here on Friday Night SmackDown.
WWE official Adam Pearce clearly was not messing around,
and he's ordered Bayley and Zelina Vega settle their differences in the ring.
And that's coming your way next on Friday Night SmackDown.
I don't care how short that little pipsqueak is.
I'm gonna break…
[Patrick] Tonight's Friday Night SmackDown is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
[Cole] Well, Bayley thought she was gonna have a celebration…
She's waving at me. Nice to see you again.
She thought she was gonna have a celebration for Iyo Sky
after what happened at Fastlane.
[Patrick] Yeah, and let's be honest, she's flanked by Iyo Sky,
the champion, but I'm not sure Iyo would be champion today
if it weren't for the nefarious ways of Bayley at Fastlane.
[Cole] Iyo Sky had asked Bayley to stay back in the locker room area.
Bayley didn't listen to her. And, Corey, it was a good thing she didn't.
[Graves] In the closing moments,
just as it seemed Charlotte Flair was ready to win the championship…
Watch Asuka tapping on Charlotte's knee.
That is a submission, the official tied up with Bayley.
Iyo hits the Over The Moonsault.
And still…
Bayley told me, Cole, that she would rather not have a celebration
if it meant that you would be present for it.
[Cole] Oh, got it.
You saw the way she was waving at me though, before.
-[def rebel's "Our World" playing] -♪ Viva la raza! ♪
[song continues in Spanish]
[Rome] And her opponent, representing the LWO,
Zelina Vega.
[Cole] Well, listen, Zelina Vega has a point.
I mean, Carlito had been attacked by The Street Profits,
medical personnel were there. Zelina was concerned about that.
And all Bayley could do is think about herself.
[Graves] Well, listen, I think if Zelina was truly
concerned with the well-being of Carlito,
she and the entire LWO would have been around watching Carlito's back,
and we wouldn't be here in the first place.
[Patrick] How important is it Zelina Vega keeps her emotions in check here?
Clearly outnumbered with Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky watching.
[Cole] Zelina Vega is not gonna back down. There's no doubt about that.
She took Rhea Ripley to the limit in her Women's Championship match.
[Graves] I'm gonna agree with you, Cole. When Zelina lets her emotions loose,
it seems that's when she's at her most effective.
She's been able to channel her emotions, her anger, her fury toward her opponents
throughout the duration of most of her career.
But she's not gonna win a power game with Bayley.
[Cole] Yeah, but she will win the speed game.
[Patrick] A lot of people giving Bayley credit
for the way it played out at Fastlane, orchestrating that match.
And then of course, Iyo Sky is still champion.
[Graves] It's about time people started giving Bayley credit.
[Cole] And I was gonna say, as much as it pains me to say that,
the reason Iyo is the champion today is because of Bayley.
And I, for one, have been one of the people that has been saying
that there's some issues between the members of Damage CTRL.
[Graves] Taking now… Oof!
Series of right hands.
Questionable strategy by Vega,
attempting the Irish Whip on a much more powerful opponent…
And Bayley just flattened Ms. Vega.
Does anybody in WWE have more fun than Dakota Kai?
Talk about lighting up an arena.
Every time I look at Dakota, she's all smiles.
She's having a great time.
She's dancing around with Iyo's championship.
Cover here.
[Patrick] Bayley to put away Zelina Vega, who kicks out at two.
[Cole] I'm not quite sure how anyone can have a good time
spending that much time with Bayley.
[Patrick] You think Iyo Sky thanked Bayley after Fastlane?
[Cole] Uh-oh, here we go. Bayley to Belly.
[Patrick] Oh, Zelina turns it around.
[Cole] Oh! Nice kick.
[Patrick] Such a fierce competitor, Zelina Vega,
taking out the knee of Bayley.
Zelina Vega with a plan here.
Zelina! Little nod to Rey Mysterio.
[Graves] Call that the 3.5-4.5?
[Patrick] Oh!
[Cole] Zelina avoiding the possible interference
by Dakota Kai moments ago.
-Meteora! -[Patrick] And that may do it.
Hooking the leg now, Zelina Vega.
And Bayley kicking out once more.
Love when Zelina does that!
[Graves] Would have really made your day to see Bayley defeated by a Meteora, Cole.
[Cole] It would be awesome. Looking for Code Red.
Oh, and Iyo up on the apron, causing a distraction.
[Patrick] Down goes the WWE Women's Champion.
[Cole] And down goes Zelina.
-[Patrick] Bayley… -[Cole] The Rose Plant.
[Patrick] Nails it. And across for cover.
-And she's got the win. -[bell rings]
[def rebel's "Role Model" playing]
[Rome] Here is your winner, Bayley.
[Cole] Now you'd asked the question before whether or not Iyo Sky
thanked Bayley for helping her win the championship?
-I think Iyo Sky just paid Bayley back. -[Patrick] Enough is enough.
[Graves] This is just payback for Zelina attacking Iyo
who was not a participant in the matchup.
You reap what you sow.
[Patrick] I'm always flabbergasted, the way you see things.
[Graves] Very unique point of view. But I like…
-[Patrick] Oh, it's The Queen! -[Cole] And Charlotte…
Coming down to clear the ring of Damage CTRL.
[Patrick] Charlotte, remember, is bound to be still irate.
It was Bayley that cost The Queen a record 15th Championship at Fastlane.
["All Hail The Queen" by def rebel feat. Neil Kaplan playing]
[overlapping conversation]
Well, from The Queen to the King of Kings.
What a night it is here at the season premiere of SmackDown!
Triple H joining the WWE Universe here in Tulsa, Oklahoma, next.
[def rebel's "Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
-[crowd] Three, two, one… -[buzzer sounding]
[Patrick] Experience the Royal Rumble like never before
with a WWE Priority Pass powered by On Location.
Enjoy premium offerings like ringside seating, preshow hospitality,
and appearances by your favorite WWE Superstars.
Go to onlocationexp.com/wwe for full package details.
And Rumble tickets go on sale next Friday.
[Graves] But tonight is the season premiere
of Friday Night SmackDown,
and The Tribal Chief has put a target on the back of LA Knight
and sent his enforcer, Solo Sikoa,
to eliminate the latest threat to The Bloodline.
But can he stop the momentum of The Defiant One?
We will find out tonight.
[Motorhead's "King of Kings" playing]
♪ Behold the king ♪
♪ The King of Kings ♪
♪ On your knees dog ♪
-[crowd cheering] -♪ All hail ♪
♪ Bow down to the, bow down to the King ♪
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
"The Game"
Triple H.
♪ Where the traitor lost Both his name and his face ♪
[Patrick] Tonight's Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive.
[Cole] Well, the stars are out tonight at the season premiere
of Friday Night SmackDown, including that man,
the Hall of Famer, Triple H.
♪ …left him broken and dead ♪
♪ Bow down to the, bow down to the King ♪
♪ Bow down to the, bow down to… ♪
♪ The King left none living Unable to tell ♪
♪ The King took their heads And he sent them to Hell ♪
♪ Their screams echoed loud In the place of their death ♪
♪ Ripped open they died With their final breath ♪
♪ They hailed the King… ♪
[song fades]
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting] Triple H! Triple H! Triple H!
I gotta tell you, there's a big part of me that misses that.
It is electric in here tonight.
I don't know what it is, whether it's the time of the year.
Hell, it is October,
which means we just came out of an incredibly successful Fastlane,
and are well on our way to Crown Jewel.
And then just around the corner, it is Survivor Series.
[crowd cheering]
And it all starts right here tonight
at the season premiere of SmackDown.
Now, I came out here tonight
to call attention to one of the unsung heroes of WWE.
He's in the ring with me right now. He doesn't know why I asked him out here…
But not only did he have an incredibly successful career
as an in-ring performer,
but Adam Pearce, over the last three years…
Adam Pearce, over the last three years, as a WWE official
has done an incredible job doing a very thankless job.
He has managed the Superstars of Raw, of SmackDown.
He has overseen both shows,
and he has done an incredible job.
And for that, Adam, I say thank you.
And with that in mind, that job is incredibly difficult,
and it is a job that no one person should do alone.
So with that, I am very happy to tell you you will no longer be alone.
And I'm also happy to tell you that as of this moment,
you, Adam, are getting a promotion.
As of right now, Adam Pearce…
is now the new General Manager of Monday Night Raw.
[crowd cheering loudly]
Which leads me
to who will be the General Manager of SmackDown.
[def rebel's "It Is My Time" playing]
[crowd boos]
[Graves] Is Dirty Dom the General Manager?
-[Cole] No way. -Hold on!
[crowd boos]
Are you serious?
Fastlane was not…
[crowd boos]
…a tremendous success.
The Judgment Day got screwed
out of their Tag Team Titles.
Like I said, The Judgment Day…
got screwed out of their Tag Team Titles.
And now Jey and Cody…
I'm sorry, Dominik. I'm sorry. I cannot hear you with that.
[stutters] It just, it…
If you could please, please, just keep it down.
Dominik, go ahead.
[crowd boos]
Like I was saying…
[loud booing]
Jey and Cody
are defending our titles tonight
when The Judgment Day has a Tag Team Title Match.
[speaking in Spanish]
[loud booing continues]
[in English] When The Judgment Day have a Tag Team Title Match on Monday.
So how could you allow him to do this?
[booing continues]
Wow! First of all, wow!
I always thought they were pumping in that noise.
I didn't realize how loud it actually was when you were out here.
Not a lot of people know this about me,
but I have a large history as a lip reader,
and I believe what you were saying
was something about injustice
of the Tag Team Championships?
They shouldn't be defending them tonight
because there's a tag team match on Monday?
Is that the gist of it?
Gotcha. Well, here's the thing, Dominik. Um…
You're yelling at the wrong people.
As I just said,
this is the GM of Monday Night Raw.
You need to be talking to the General Manager of SmackDown.
So let me bring him out here, Mr. Nick Aldis.
-[Cole] Oh, wow. -[Graves] Wow is right.
[Cole] Nick's had an exceptional career in the sports entertainment industry.
[Graves] He's been in the ring with the who's who.
Well, first of all, I'd like to thank WWE for the opportunity of a lifetime,
to be the General Manager
of the number one sports entertainment brand in the world today,
SmackDown.
And, Adam…
I look forward to some healthy competition between our two brands.
Me too.
And, Dom, good to meet you.
-I'm a big fan… of your dad. -Yeah, I'm a champion.
[crowd cheers]
I'm gonna cut right to the chase.
As many of you know, about a month ago,
Cody Rhodes was instrumental
in a deal that took Jey Uso to Monday Night Raw,
and in exchange,
a Raw Superstar must now come to SmackDown.
So as my first official act…
with Triple H's blessing,
I'd like to introduce SmackDown's newest Superstar right now.
Nobody cares.
-[crowd boos] -Well…
I'm sorry. What was your name?
Nick?
Hold on, I don't think yours is working, use this one.
-What was your name? -[crowd boos]
Nick? Like you just said,
Jey and Cody,
that's the problem!
Now you have to deal with me.
Like I said, Dom, we'll get to that another moment.
But if you don't mind, right now,
the business at hand is SmackDown's newest Superstar.
I don't care who it is, I will…
[crowd boos]
I will slap him, and I will make him respect me.
[CFO$'s "Fight" playing]
[wild cheering]
[Cole] Well, the complexion of Friday night just changed.
[Graves] I'm a fan of this Nick Aldis gentleman.
[music continues]
[crowd chanting "KO"]
[Patrick] Oh, KO stunner.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting] KO! KO! KO!
[Cole] Good start for Mr. Aldis.
[Graves] No doubt about it.
Welcome to Friday Night SmackDown, Nick Aldis, the new GM.
Congratulations, Adam Pearce. He smooched his way to another promotion.
[Patrick] And what about the start for Kevin Owens?
Putting Dirty Dom in his place here on Friday Night SmackDown.
You didn't slap me!
You're telling me…
that Kevin Owens is on my show now.
We got Cody Rhodes running around here on my show…
And Jey Uso in tow on my show.
And Jimmy Uso's on my couch.
What are we doing? I just called the play.
You just said, "I'm the second string quarterback."
"You're the quarterback. You're the starter."
And I just told you what the plan was.
And you over here drinking my water on my couch.
Who's the quarterback, man? Who's the quarterback?
Are you serious right now, uce?
Nah. [chuckles]
But imagine if I was.
You know what I'm saying? Imagine if I was.
I'm… I'm gonna go.
Hot route, hot route. I'm gonna run the play all alone.
-Here's your audibles. -I'm running all alone.
-Let's go, Solo. Yeet! -Get out there.
-Come on, Solo. -Stop doing that.
That stupid idiot.
[Patrick] Well, she's a trailblazer, a trendsetter, a brilliant mommy,
and someone who's got a fascinating story to tell.
Get to know multi-time World Champion,
"The Man" Becky Lynch, in a whole new way.
Becky's memoir, Not Your Average Average Girl,
is available for pre-order today.
And now, from an NXT champion to a rising star
that continues to catch the eye.
[Refold & Tenzin's "Run It Up" playing]
[Dragon] I love the chaos.
[commentator] Cameras are out, spotlight on him.
The highly touted international superstar.
[female announcer] Dragon Lee!
[Dragon] I want to show the world that Dragon Lee is especial.
…but I heard you were a problem-solver. And I have a problem.
People around here are saying that these Tag Titles are cursed.
What are you gonna do about it?
-Well… -Actually, I had an idea.
Picture this. New championships. Italian leather.
Style and class, just like us.
Speaking of style and class, I actually have another meeting.
So, ladies, if you don't mind.
Terrible first impression. [scoffs]
[clearing throat] Good to see you.
-You too. -I'll cut right to the chase.
I saw what happened at Fastlane.
It's my opinion that if the referee hadn't been distracted by Damage CTRL,
you would be standing here right now as…
-Well, ref has final say. -That's true.
But SmackDown's on my watch now. Things are gonna change.
So with that being said, I'd like to tell you that next week,
you will go one-on-one with Iyo for the WWE Women's Championship.
-Thank you. -You're welcome.
[crowd cheering]
-Charlotte, I'd like to introduce you… -Jade.
Oh, I know. It's nice to meet you.
-It's my pleasure. -Oh, it will be.
[def rebel's "Main Event Ish" playing] ♪ Uso ♪
[Graves] Two alphas, love it.
♪ Aye, aye, Main event Jey Uso Is now in your city! ♪
[Patrick] Charlotte-Iyo next week on SmackDown as well.
[Cole] But now we've got a Tag Team Championship match.
♪ Day one ish It's just me, Uce ♪
♪ Day one ish It's Jey, I line 'em all up… ♪
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the Undisputed WWE
Tag Team Championship.
Introducing first,
he's one half of the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions,
"Main Event"
Jey Uso.
♪ Uso! ♪
♪ It's just me, Uce ♪
♪ Day one ish It's just me, Uce ♪
[Graves] Tough to get the crowd bouncing with championships in each hand.
-[Cole] They're bouncing, though. -[Graves] No doubt about it.
Tulsa is rocking for the arrival of "Main Event" Jey Uso.
[Patrick] Come on, Corey. Let me do it too. Come on, Corey.
[Graves] It's dead. You just killed it. It's no longer cool. It will never be.
This is it. You've ruined it.
You've ruined a really good thing, Kevin, congratulations.
[Patrick] "Main Event" Jey Uso.
And the unlikeliest of tag partner.
What a start to their reign.
Yeet! Yeet!
♪ Wrestling has more Than one royal family ♪
[Downstait's "Kingdom" playing]
[wild cheering]
♪ Adrenaline in my soul ♪
♪ Every thought out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
♪ Crowd is here, about to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
[crowd sings along] ♪ Whoa! ♪
[fireworks]
♪ My father said ♪
♪ When I was younger ♪
[Rome] And his tag team partner,
here's your other half of the Undisputed WWE
Tag Team Champions,
"The American Nightmare"
Cody Rhodes!
[Patrick] What an ovation for "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes!
[Graves] Special moment for that young man in the front row.
♪ I am my kingdom ♪
[Patrick] Look at what it means to that fan.
Cody Rhodes, a man that continues to write a new chapter
in his story now alongside "Main Event" Jey Uso.
♪ Hear the crowd on their toes ♪
♪ Ready for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
[crowd sings along] ♪ Whoa! ♪
[fireworks]
[Cole] And there's no doubt these two will be fighting champions.
[Graves] No rest for the weary to this point.
[Patrick] Let's be having you, folks. Championship gold on the line
as Rhodes and Uso defend against A-Town Down Under's
Theory and Waller, and that's next.
[Graves] What the hell does "let's be having you" mean?
[indistinct conversation]
[Patrick] Mere weeks ago,
who had Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso as a future tag team,
let alone champions? The unlikeliest of duos.
They got it done against The Judgment Day, Cole,
even with the numbers game against them.
[Cole] It was an incredible matchup. I had goosebumps calling this from ringside.
Judgment Day looked like, on a number of occasions,
they were going to put Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes away.
But somehow, in the end, they worked some magic.
JD McDonagh with the Money in the Bank briefcase backfiring.
Crossroads on the table to Priest,
and then Jey Uso would make Judgment Day pay.
[Graves] An absolutely wild closing scene.
The "Cody 1D" you're now referring to it as, Michael Cole.
Another trip to the Cross Rhodes. And new…
What a night at Fastlane for Jey and Cody Rhodes.
[Cole] Their second title defense.
They successfully defended the titles this past Monday on Raw.
[def rebel's "Eye On the Prize" playing]
[Graves] It could be a short-lived reign.
♪ Cheers, every day, hard work ♪
♪ Let's go! Now do it because I say so, say so ♪
♪ When I pop out they lay low, they know ♪
♪ Blood run hot… ♪
[Graves] A rather unfriendly response from Tulsa for Grayson Waller,
although I do understand they just got Wi-Fi
here in Oklahoma, like, last month, so…
[def rebel's "Remember The Name" playing]
[Patrick] Maybe they need to learn from these two.
What an opportunity for A-Town Down Under.
♪ A-Town Down! Tearin' the place down ♪
♪ A-Town Down! Like my next sound ♪
♪ Let's go ♪
♪ You see the future Right in front of your eyes ♪
♪ Headin' to the top But it's not a surprise ♪
♪ Not in my eyes, knew it And dreamt it as a child ♪
The new tag team champions! The Greatest of All Time!
[fireworks]
[crowd booing]
[Rome] And their opponents, the team of Grayson Waller
and Austin Theory.
[Graves] You know what, guys? I just realized
this is also the season premiere of "Austin Theory Live."
[Patrick] Oh, you did? Yeah? Oh, come on, Graves. Man!
Cody Rhodes took to social media to issue an open challenge
for the Undisputed Tag Team Championships.
And to no one's surprise,
it was answered by A-Town Down Under today.
[Cole] No doubt about it,
Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso are going to be fighting champions.
They act like there isn't a team that's undefeated.
-3-0. You know who I'm talking about? -3-0?
I'm talking about… Who?
Grayson Waller and Austin Theory.
We accept the challenge, Cody.
-Because you two are gonna go A-Town… -Down Under!
[laughs]
[both] Yeet! Oh, yeah.
[Cole] We'll never hear the end of it if these two win the tag team titles.
[Waller] Yeet!
[Graves] That's kind of the plan.
[Patrick] I mean, they have a point. They are 3-0 at this point, Corey.
[Graves] If this was another sport, we'll be making playoff predictions
for Waller and Theory.
[Patrick] What an opportunity for these two young Superstars,
-Grayson Waller and Austin Theory. -[bell rings]
And it's Waller and "The American Nightmare"
Cody Rhodes to start things off.
[Graves] Waller got a little overconfident, paid for it.
[Patrick] You see the early wave of momentum that Rhodes and Jey Uso
are riding right now as champions.
Is there any chance at all they underestimate Waller and Theory?
[Graves] That's absolutely a risk Cody and Jey face any time--
or any champion, for that matter-- is underestimating your opponents.
It's much harder to retain a championship than it is to win it in the first place.
[Cole] And the other situation is Roman Reigns is here,
and Roman Reigns has already told Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa,
that he cannot believe the fact that Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso
are Tag Team Champions together.
And that disrespects the entire legacy of The Bloodline.
I mean, he told Jimmy "do something about it."
[Graves] Somewhere in the back of both Jey and Cody's mind,
they have to realize that The Tribal Chief is omnipresent, omnipotent.
And in the house tonight. What a kick by Waller.
-[Patrick] You've got to wonder. -[Graves] Oh, no.
-Waller doesn't know the rules. -[Cole laughing]
[Graves] You're never allowed to headbutt a Samoan.
That's a rule. That's a law. He did it anyway.
[Cole] And Theory taking advantage.
I don't think Jey realized the tag was made.
And again, the point is, is what we talked about earlier
with the Roman Reigns situation.
Is Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes ripe be picked off tonight?
[Patrick] You wonder, is it a distraction, Cole, or is it a motivator
for Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes?
Cody in the same building as Roman Reigns
for the first time since the Raw after WrestleMania.
[Graves] Uh-oh!
[Cole] Who's gonna win the Tag Team Titles?
[Patrick] We are delighted you're with us tonight.
The season premiere of Friday Night SmackDown.
And fresh off becoming the new Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions,
Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso once again defending their titles,
this time against A-Town Down Under.
[Cole] I've been impressed with Theory and Waller so far in this match.
Been in control, the Tag Champs, throughout the break.
[Graves] Need I remind you that Theory and Waller
are an undefeated duo in tag team competition?
Sitting at three victories, zero defeats, and counting.
[Patrick] Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso could boast a similar fact.
[Graves] I wasn't talking about Cody and Jey,
I was talking about Waller and Theory.
[Patrick] Did you see the chemistry with Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso
at the WWE Fastlane press conference?
[Cole] Yeah, that was different.
[Graves] Under those circumstances, I can have chemistry
with just about anyone, KP.
[Cole] And we do!
[Cole] Jey Uso in a boatload of trouble here.
He's got to try to get to the corner to make a tag to Cody.
And Austin Theory, just talking smack.
You hear me?
[indistinct shouting]
[Cole] Remember, it's been a tough week already for the Tag Champs.
The win Saturday night, the defense on Monday.
Meanwhile, Theory and Waller extremely well-rested.
[Graves] And "Main Event" Jey Uso firing off rights.
Trying to fight his way all the way across the ring to Cody.
[Patrick] Can Jey Uso, Cody Rhodes, get through tonight?
Remember, next Monday on Raw, they will defend again.
[commentators exclaim]
Grayson Waller now. In for the cover on the championships.
Oh, and a kickout.
[Cole] What you're saying is the winner of this match
will face The Judgment Day Monday night on Raw.
[Patrick] Damian Priest and Finn Bálor. Look at this.
You aren't on my level!
[crowd booing]
[Patrick] Waller, so impressive.
Now stalking Jey Uso.
[Cole] The pace exactly where Theory and Waller want it.
[Patrick] What is it about this tandem that impresses you so much, Corey?
[Graves] Oh! Where would you like me to begin?
[Cole] Turning point of the matchup. Can Jey make a tag?
[crowd cheers]
[Patrick] Cody riling up the WWE Universe.
[Graves] This place about to become unglued.
[Patrick] Tag made! All right, here we go!
The American Nightmare flattening Austin Theory.
[Graves] Cody bouncing Theory around the ring like a pinball.
Boom!
Up and over goes The Nightmare.
-Boom! -[Cole] Powerslam.
[Graves] New high score.
[Patrick] He said, "Catch me if you can, Theory."
-Rhodes connects! -[both] Disaster kick.
[Patrick] Did you see the spit flying out of the mouth of Austin Theory?
[Graves] Cody chucks Waller to the outside, but check this out.
Oh, no! That's not how it's supposed to go.
Smart move by Theory. Going to the throat of Rhodes.
[Patrick] Oh, my! Theory now…
For the championship. Can he get it?
Jey Uso!
[Cole] And thank goodness for Jey Uso or this reign was over.
[Graves] Jey exhausting whatever was left in his tank.
-Oh! [chuckles] -[Patrick] Superkick!
[Graves] To be a champion, you got to dig down deep.
But Main Event…
-[Patrick] Oh! -[Graves] Superkick for Theory.
-They're lining it up, guys. -[Patrick] Here we go.
[Cole] Cody 1D.
[Graves] Done, son.
[Patrick] Jey to the outside now, wiping out Waller.
Cody has Theory where he wants him.
[Graves speaking indistinctly]
[Patrick] Cross Rhodes!
-To retain the championships. -[crowd] One! Two! Three!
[bell rings]
[Cole] Up next, The Judgment Day.
[Rome] Here are your winners, and still
the WWE Undisputed Tag Team Champions,
Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes.
[Graves] They say iron sharpens iron,
and as these two tag team partners continue to evolve,
they only get better.
But Austin Theory had The American Nightmare
in an extremely tough spot.
And right here, we almost had new Tag Champs.
[Cole] Almost. But then the Cody 1D.
The beginning of the end.
[Patrick] Jey taking a dive to the outside.
And back inside, Rhodes would do the rest.
-Cross Rhodes to Theory. One, two, three. -[crowd] One! Two! Three!
♪ Here to change the game A banner made of pain ♪
♪ I built my kingdom ♪
♪ Now you bow to me ♪
♪ You took my dreams but not my name ♪
[Cole] Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes celebrating as they head to the season…
[def rebel's "Head of The Table" playing]
[mouthing] It's my show.
-[inaudible conversation] -Hey, hey. Whoa, whoa.
Not here. Not tonight.
Not here. Not tonight, guys.
[Heyman] You got the wrong show.
You got the wrong show.
The wrong show.
[Patrick] Welcome back, folks. What a show we've got in store
next week here on Friday Night SmackDown.
Charlotte Flair, who had a victory snatched away from her at Fastlane.
Well, she's gonna be a fan of new General Manager Nick Aldis
because a championship opportunity and a one-on-one with Iyo Sky
is next week on SmackDown.
[Graves] And after the vicious attack perpetuated on Carlito earlier tonight,
the LWO looks to respond when the scintillating Santos Escobar
steps into the ring with The Street Profit with all the swag, Montez Ford,
one-on-one next week on SmackDown.
[Patrick] Tonight's Friday Night SmackDown is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
[Cole] The best thing about next week's SmackDown?
It's a home game for me. We're in San Antonio!
[def rebel's "Welcome To LA" playing]
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing, from Los Angeles, California,
weighing in at 240 pounds,
LA Knight.
[crowd] Yeah!
[Patrick] Folks, make sure you're there when we kickoff
the Road to WrestleMania in style at the Royal Rumble.
Tickets available next Friday.
[Cole] Final Saturday of January. Tampa, Saint Petersburg, Tropicana Field.
[Graves] I'm sure LA Knight is looking forward to the Royal Rumble
as is everyone on the roster.
But LA Knight had better tread lightly, be careful, be mindful tonight,
because the threat in front of him is real
in the form of "The Enforcer" Solo Sikoa,
who is personally tasked with eliminating Knight by The Tribal Chief.
[Cole] You've got to give Knight credit.
He marched down to the ring earlier tonight,
got in Roman Reigns' face, didn't back down.
Told Roman Reigns there's a new sheriff in town.
[Graves] That's all well and good, but only time will truly tell.
Plenty of people have stepped to Roman's throne…
and the king still sits.
[Cole] And again, each and every night here on Friday Night SmackDown,
the stakes get bigger and bigger for LA Knight.
Tonight, it's about survival.
Sending a bit of a message as well to The Bloodline.
[Graves] Having the attention of The Bloodline
can be a curse and a blessing. Look out.
Right now it seems as though it could be more of a curse for LA Knight,
seeing as how Solo is out here looking to destroy him.
[Patrick] What about the pressure on Solo Sikoa here in this match
to deliver for Roman Reigns?
[Graves] It's massive. It's a good thing Solo has proven that…
[Patrick] Ooh! Man!
[Graves] …he can pull off the impossible when it counts the most.
[Cole] Well, if you're Roman Reigns, think about this.
You've run this place for three years now,
plus three years, as the Undisputed Champion.
And now you've got LA Knight walk down to the ring,
get in your face on the season premiere of, eh, Roman Reigns calls it "his show."
Think about what Reigns is thinking about all that.
[Graves] In a weird way, part of me thinks, uh-oh…
Roman might be a little excited.
[Patrick] Cover here for LA Knight. Early kickout from Solo.
[Graves] In a fact that Roman is incredibly confident
in where he sits in his historic reign.
But Roman realizes that if the competition stagnates,
so does his championship reign.
Roman wants the biggest, Roman wants the baddest.
The challengers who are quote, unquote, "likely favorites" to dethrone Roman,
that's what The Tribal Chief lives for.
[Cole] Well, Reigns also, Corey, has to be feeling a lot better about himself
as well over the fact that The Bloodline,
which was so splintered a number of months ago,
is slowly coming back together.
[Graves] Something a little closer to harmony we've seen tonight.
There's no way LA Knight's gonna be able to muscle up this…
-[Patrick] Oh, say that again. -[Graves] Uh-oh.
[Patrick] Some strength from LA Knight. But Solo Sikoa is a different beast.
[Graves] Solo has that next-level striking ability.
[Cole] And you know, there is some truth to what Roman Reigns was saying
earlier tonight to LA Knight:
"You've been popular for a couple of months here.
Now they say your name. Who do you think you are?"
LA Knight still has a ton to prove here in WWE.
Now he's well on his way to doing that. Don't get me wrong,
but Reigns with some truth in that statement.
[Graves] I agree, but I think what's ringing in my ears
is the words of John Cena.
Cena didn't feel that he was in a position to step up to Roman Reigns,
but LA Knight potentially is.
That's added pressure for Knight,
and a bigger target on his back from The Bloodline.
[Cole] But a tremendous endorsement by John Cena.
-[Graves] Absolutely. -[Cole] Saying he's earned
that opportunity, earned being the key word.
[Cole] What is the mantra of John Cena been for all these years?
[Graves] Never give up.
[Cole] And that is the LA Knight story to a tee.
[Graves] Hardly disagree with that assessment, Cole.
LA Knight looking to make something special happen.
Solo trying his best to thwart it, and does so with a hell of a right hand.
[shouts]
[Graves] Oh!
[Patrick] Face first into the post.
-[Graves] I think Knight's out. -[crowd boos]
[Patrick] We're back in the main event of Friday Night SmackDown.
A man that's confidence is off the charts right now.
LA Knight in a perilous position.
It's the Enforcer of The Bloodline, Solo Sikoa, dominating here.
[Cole] And this is why this match is so important for LA Knight
because as you, as you rise here in WWE,
and you get the backing of the WWE fans each and every week,
you have to continue to build momentum.
Losses will set you back from where you're trying to go.
[Patrick] Look at this strength, though, from LA Knight. Back up on his feet.
[Graves] Uh-oh, uh-oh. He's got Solo up.
[Cole] Oh! What a well-placed elbow.
[Patrick] And the win there for Solo Sikoa, but LA Knight kicking out.
[Graves] To piggyback off your point, Cole,
the brighter your star shines in WWE, the bigger a target you become
because somebody else is always looking to take your place.
-[Cole] Look at Roman Reigns. -[Graves] Correct.
-[Cole] Wow! -[Graves] That could do it.
[Patrick] Just pulverizing LA Knight, and LA Knight just about stays alive.
[Graves] The belly-to-belly by Solo.
We've talked so much about LA Knight in this match, and rightfully so.
But how about Solo Sikoa?
What we forget is he has only been here in WWE
for just a little over a year,
and the impact that he has made on The Bloodline
and everyone here is remarkable.
[Graves] I second every bit of that statement.
[Patrick] Merely acting as a bodyguard,
standing beside Roman Reigns earlier tonight,
instructed to destroy the self-proclaimed Megastar.
Look at this!
[Graves] He's a lot more than a bodyguard, KP.
That is The Bloodline's Enforcer.
[yelling]
[Cole] Solo Sikoa understands what it means to protect Roman Reigns.
Because it protects his livelihood.
It protects the family. It protects The Bloodline.
[Graves] This dude's like a one-man Secret Service.
[Cole] Hey, ask Drew McIntyre what it's like
when you're in a championship match and Solo Sikoa arrives on the scene.
[Patrick] What happens to the momentum of LA Knight if he loses here?
[Graves] It could vanish.
Potentially, Solo Sikoa could snuff out every bit of momentum
LA has mustered over the past several months right before our eyes tonight.
[Cole] Which is why he's been put in this match by Roman Reigns…
to snuff out the momentum,
stop the world from talking about LA Knight.
Stop this phenomenon in its tracks.
[Graves] Yet again, Solo returning to that vice-like grip
on the trapezius muscles of LA Knight.
This is an agonizing position to be stuck in if you're LA Knight.
[Patrick] We saw LA Knight so dominant when he entered on Saturday at Fastlane,
now trying to rally here against Sikoa.
[Cole] Fastlane was the biggest night of LA Knight's career,
and he responded.
[Graves] How's that for a response?
Solo so heavy-handed, the Street Champ.
[Patrick] Oh, big elbow from LA Knight.
Is there a rally here in LA Knight?
-[Cole] Great Bulldog. -[Patrick] Quickly across, LA Knight.
Can he get the win? And Solo out again at two.
[Cole] LA Knight so explosive when he needs to be.
[Graves] Solo, putting LA's resilience to the test thus far tonight.
-[Cole] Oh, what a Samoan drop. -[Graves] That is it.
[Patrick] Solo now. That's got to be it.
Sikoa for the win. LA Knight still alive.
[Graves] Wow! It's a testament to the guts and the toughness,
and sheer will of LA Knight.
[Patrick] That victory at Fastlane,
the endorsement from John Cena earlier tonight,
it's bound to have LA Knight confident.
But look at this once more.
[Graves] Launched almost halfway across the ring
by "The Enforcer" Solo Sikoa.
[crowd chanting] LA Knight! LA Knight! LA Knight!
[Graves] Look at how stoic Solo remains this deep into a matchup,
practically no emotion shown.
Like a cyborg just soldiering forward toward the task at hand.
[Cole] Also, little wasted motion.
[Graves] He's very deliberate in all of his movements,
but right now, flailing desperately.
[Patrick] Trying to stay on his feet. Nobody home for Solo Sikoa.
[Cole] That would have been a disaster for Knight.
[Graves] And Knight just bought himself a few more moments to recover,
to potentially scratch and claw his way back into this fight.
[Patrick] And that's exactly what it is, Corey.
A fight here with Solo Sikoa.
The Street Champ back on his feet, LA Knight just about…
-Evades the danger. -[Graves] Nobody home.
[Cole] An important moment in this matchup now for LA Knight.
Can he rally?
[Graves] Knight trying to regain his bearings, as is Solo.
Oh, no!
Solo went forehead first into the top of the ring post.
I don't care how thick your skull is, that's gonna rattle your brains.
[Patrick] Well-scouted once more from LA Knight.
Can he capitalize?
[crowd] Yeah!
Yeah!
[Graves] Bold move by LA Knight to stand toe-to-toe with the Street Champ,
-but here he comes! -[crowd chanting] Yeah!
[Patrick] The WWE Universe firmly behind him.
[crowd] Ohhh… yeah!
[Graves] Solo beginning to teeter.
[crowd] Ohhh…
-Yeah! -[Patrick] Oh, man!
[Cole] Here comes LA Knight.
DDT!
[Patrick] Solo, across to the corner. Trying to gain a little bit of separation.
Knight quickly across.
[crowd chanting "Yeah"]
[crowd] Ohhh…
Yeah!
[Graves] Knight connects with a running knee in the bottom turnbuckle.
[Cole] Solo is in trouble.
[Graves] Still the Street Champ, but that's Dream Street at this point.
[Graves] Oh my goodness, I spoke too soon.
[Cole] Maybe not.
-[Graves] Wow! -[Cole] Tremendous power!
[Graves] My God, what power from LA Knight!
[crowd] LA Knight, yeah!
[Patrick] Outrageous from Knight.
[Cole] Knight stalking Solo Sikoa.
[Graves] LA could want BFT.
[Patrick] Pushed away by Solo.
[Cole] Oh, what a collision.
[Graves] That was ugly.
The sound of this double clothesline echoed throughout the BOK Center.
[Patrick] This bruising battle with so much at stake.
[Graves] Wait a minute! Oh, Jimmy Uso's back.
[crowd cheering]
[Patrick] And looking to feast.
[Graves] Oh, Cena!
-[Patrick] Cena, AA! -[Cole] It's breaking down in Tulsa!
[Graves] Oh, no! Samoan Spike to Cena.
[Patrick] BFT!
-LA Knight for the cover, and the victory! -[crowd] One! Two! Three!
-And, yes, he's got it! -[bell rings]
[def rebel's "Welcome to LA" playing]
[Rome] Here's your winner, LA Knight.
[Graves] What a win for LA Knight.
And I'm not even entirely sure that Knight realizes
what happened to John Cena at the hands of Solo a few moments ago.
All hell was breaking loose.
Cena stops Jimmy from attacking LA Knight with the AA,
but received a Samoan Spike for his troubles.
-This opened the door for LA… -[crowd] One! Two! Three!
…to introduce Solo to BFT.
What a win for the defiant LA Knight.
[Cole] Who continues to ride the wave of…
[Graves] Oh my God!
[crowd boos loudly]
[Cole] Roman Reigns reminding the world,
"This is my house."
[Graves] It may be LA Knight's game, but it's Roman Reigns' world.
[Cole] LA Knight may rue the day he got in the face of The Tribal Chief.
That's why I'm a legend in this game.
-You an overnight success. -[Knight groaning]
[crowd boos] ight success. -[Knight groaning]