[WWE signature intro playing]
[Cena] Then.
[Flair] Woo!
[The Rock] If you smell!
[Cena] Now.
[Reigns] Acknowledge me.
-♪ The King of Kings ♪ -♪ You can't see me ♪
[Cena] Forever.
Together.
[music fades]
[Mike Rome] The Greatest Of All Time,
John Cena!
Welcome to the season premiere
of SmackDown!
[Cole] Roman Reigns returns to Friday Night SmackDown.
[Reigns] Now, let's be honest here, John.
You already know who the GOAT is.
It's The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns.
Leave.
Or we gonna make you leave.
I am not here to challenge you because I haven't earned it.
But I do know someone who has.
[def rebel's "Welcome To LA" playing]
[crowd cheering]
You know, while you've been sitting at home on the couch
for the last month and a half, with that gold title around your waist,
things have changed just a little bit.
Tell him whose game this is.
[crowd] LA Knight, yeah!
Over 1,100 days as champ.
I've done things you would never imagined in this business.
Who the hell you think you are standing in my ring right now?
I'm the fastest rising star in SmackDown history.
[crowd] Yeah!
Who's walked right in here and--
[Cole] Jimmy Uso from behind!
[Patrick] LA Knight tossing Jimmy Uso out of the ring.
I can do you all the same.
Make the move. Make the move, big man.
[crowd booing]
Forget about Cena. Handle him.
[brooding music playing]
[bell ringing]
[Graves] 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.
[Cole] Here comes LA Knight.
[crowd] LA Knight, yeah!
[Graves] Jimmy Uso's back.
[Cole] John Cena, AA!
[Graves] Samoan Spike to Cena.
[Patrick] BFT!
[crowd] One! Two! Three!
-[bell rings] -[Graves] What a win, LA Knight!
[Cole] Who continues to ride the wave of momentum…
[soundscape slows, fades out]
[intense music builds]
[Graves] It may be LA Knight's game. But it's Roman Reigns' world.
[crowd cheers]
[def rebel's "Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
[Patrick] With Crown Jewel rapidly approaching two weeks from tomorrow,
we welcome you to the sold-out Frost Bank Center
in San Antonio, Texas
for Friday Night SmackDown on Fox sponsored by Progressive.
A triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
And, Corey Graves, we've got a blockbuster night in store.
[Graves] Fresh off his latest boxing victory,
social media maverick Logan Paul returns to SmackDown,
and he has vowed to call out the legendary luchador,
the United States Champion Rey Mysterio tonight.
[Patrick] And the most decorated woman in WWE history,
"The Alpha Female" Charlotte Flair looks to capture gold for a 15th time.
But can she ground "The Genius of the Sky" Iyo Sky?
We'll find out tonight.
["Nobody Better Than Me" continues playing]
Ladies and gentlemen…
[crowd boos]
-My name is Paul Heyman. -[crowd] Paul Heyman!
And I have some really big shoes to fill in The Bloodline this week.
Did you see what Jimmy Uso did
at Monday Night Raw?
[crowd boos]
Jimmy Uso called the play.
Jimmy Uso took the inspiration and the motivation
of your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns.
And Jimmy Uso single-handedly
cost Jey Uso,
and even closer to my heart, Cody Rhodes,
the Undisputed Tag Team Championships.
Have you heard the other news?
I'm not the first one to break this news. I wish I had this exclusive, but I don't.
The Los Angeles Times actually broke this story just a few hours ago.
And from what my sources tell me,
it's the number one most-read article in the LA Times today.
Your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, will defend
the Undisputed Title on November 4th at Crown Jewel.
And his opponent is going to be
LA Knight.
[crowd] Yeah!
[Graves] Massive news breaking in the LA Times earlier today.
You're not gonna wanna miss this match at Crown Jewel.
[Cole] Yeah, two weeks from tomorrow, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,
Roman Reigns' next title defense for the Undisputed Championship.
Now, I know this is hard for you to believe,
but I am just like every single one of you.
[stammers] Well, okay.
You're from Texas and I'm from New York,
and I dress better than you.
And I make a hell of a lot more money than you do.
But, but…
There is commonality.
And that commonality is the fact
that we are all fans of LA Knight.
[crowd cheers]
I'm not taking anything away from LA Knight.
I'm a huge, huge admirer.
I told him that the first time I met him and shook his hand.
I'm a huge admirer of LA Knight. As a matter of fact,
if you're a fan like I am of LA Knight,
-you must-- -[crowd] Yeah!
Don't do that while I'm talking.
[crowd] Yeah!
[crowd cheering]
…you must watch Crown Jewel on November 4th,
'cause it's the last damn time
you're ever gonna see LA Knight inside the ring.
[crowd chanting] LA Knight! LA Knight! LA Knight!
Because on November 4th at Crown Jewel,
-LA Knight… -[crowd] Yeah!
Yeah, is going to get smashed
by the reigning, defending,
Undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion,
The Head of The Table, The Tribal Chief,
Roman Reigns.
[def rebel's "Welcome To LA" playing]
[crowd cheers]
I know for damn sure you ain't talking none of that.
[Graves] LA Knight is a man with a great deal on his mind and even more to say.
[crowd cheering]
Cut that damn music.
[music fades]
You want to make noise? Make noise.
Because all you've been doing out here is making a whole lot of damn noise.
[crowd] Yeah!
I'm not out here to talk to you. As far as I'm concerned,
you can take a walk.
I need Roman Reigns' ass out here now.
[crowd cheering loudly]
Where are you going?
-Get back in here now. -You told me to leave!
I don't care what you think I said. I said get back in here.
[crowd] Yeah!
Now, if your boy ain't gonna come down here,
it just gets me wondering, it just gets me in my head.
Where's your lip at now, Paul?
Because before I walked out here, I heard a bunch of idle threats.
I heard you saying what Roman Reigns is gonna do to me, right?
[crowd] Yeah!
So why don't you go ahead and tell me right here, right now,
what is Roman Reigns gonna do to me?
[stammers]
-Listen. -Shut up.
They all see you. They don't want to see me.
[indistinct chatter]
[crowd chanting] LA Knight! LA Knight!
Paul, stop right there.
You set one foot outside that ring, I'll hit you so hard,
I'll knock that hair back to gray.
Gets your ass back in here.
Word on the streets
is you said that spear last week was a warning shot, right?
Right? Right?
-[stammering] -Right?
-[crowd] Yeah!
I think they said yeah.
[crowd] Yeah!
So I got to ask you, do you think that was the right move?
[crowd] No!
Yeah. Me neither.
And I'll tell you why. Warning shots. I don't do warning shots.
You're going to take a shot at me, you better put me down for good.
I'll pull a Michael Myers on you. I'll just keep coming back.
I won't stop, I can't stop.
And as a matter of fact, I will not stop until I own Roman Reigns in this ring.
And until I own the WWE Universal Undisputed Championship.
-Yeah. -[crowd] Yeah!
So look, I tell you like this.
If Roman's scared, just say he's scared.
He should be.
'Cause he ain't ever seen anybody like me before.
As fast as I have risen in the WWE
is as fast as I will take that WWE Title off him.
Just like this. Yeah!
[crowd] Yeah!
But… Oh, you hate that, do you?
I love it, yeah. Yeah!
-How's it go? -Yeah.
You're pathetic. Shut up.
Here's how we're gonna do this.
That contract signing next week between Roman Reigns and I
is gonna take place right here.
And, well, I tell you what.
If Roman isn't gonna be here now,
and you're gonna be on the phone with him to talk about that contract signing,
then make sure that when you talk to him,
you make it completely, absolutely, 100% clear
whose game this is.
[crowd] LA Knight, yeah!
Okay.
And when he looks at you with a befuddled look,
and he's just a little bit confused and lost for words,
make sure you speak the undisputed truth
that is LA Knight.
-[crowd] Yeah! -Yeah.
[Heyman grunts]
[Cole] Well, as of today, Roman Reigns has been champion
for 1,147 days and counting.
But could that be coming to an end two weeks from tomorrow?
[Patrick] The electricity in this building is out of this world
as LA Knight barrels towards Crown Jewel.
Two weeks from tomorrow,
and an opportunity at The Head of The Table
to become Undisputed Champion in WWE.
But what day is it, fellas? It's Friday, it's SmackDown,
and that means that John Cena, the 16-time World Champion,
is live here tonight from San Antonio, Texas.
[Graves] The Greatest Of All Time is live on SmackDown.
Dominate. Dominate.
All right, all right.
Do I need to motivate you? Do I need to motivate you?
-No, sir. -I'll say less, then.
Let's go out there and fight with pride, do what we do,
and take these guys down, fight with pride.
All right? All right, let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go.
Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
[yelling]
[def rebel's "Our World" playing]
[Patrick] The mean look of Montez Ford.
But here's a man out for redemption tonight on behalf of the LWO.
Viva México!
[Patrick] What a teammate Santos Escobar is.
Certainly scintillating as he steps up for the LWO.
It was Montez Ford and Dawkins that beat Carlito to a pulp last week.
Can Santos get revenge? It's next on SmackDown.
Viva México!
[Patrick] A fired-up Santos Escobar ready for action.
Flanked by Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde of the LWO.
[CFO$'s "Bring The Swag" playing]
[Alicia Taylor] And his opponent, accompanied by Angelo Dawkins,
representing The Street Profits,
Montez Ford.
[Patrick] Bobby Lashley's influence over The Street Profits
has been there for all to see.
Never more evident than last week here on Friday Night SmackDown,
when The All Mighty met the returning Carlito backstage.
I just wanted to welcome you back to my show.
But what about this?
Carlito's very first match back on SmackDown…
against Bobby Lashley?
Against me? Really?
No. Uh, I'm not even dressed for it, Carlito.
[yelling, groaning]
-Pick him up for me. -Hey! No, no!
Put it down. Enough! Let him go.
Enough! What's wrong with you?
[Graves] An unceremonious welcome back to WWE for Carlito.
And Montez Ford looks to pick up right where they left off last week
tonight against Santos Escobar.
[Cole] This is an important matchup for Montez Ford, guys.
Because, listen, Lashley's given The Street Profits their marching orders.
You've got to become more aggressive. You've got to start winning matches.
That's what Lashley wants.
Pride is the word that he's been talking about.
Ford has got to pick up a victory tonight.
[Patrick] You're right, Cole, he keeps saying pride.
And, Corey, how exactly could they be proud of battering
an unsuspecting victim in Carlito last week?
[Graves] The entire WWE Universe is talking about Montez Ford,
Angelo Dawkins and Bobby Lashley.
That is how they are able to be proud.
They are the names on the lips of the WWE Universe.
[Patrick] Cover now, hooking the leg. Santos out early.
[Cole] We know Ford has got all the tools.
We know Montez Ford is entertaining.
He's full of charisma, but can he get serious when he needs to be?
And I think we're seeing an example of that tonight.
[Patrick] Again, grabbing that leg. Santos very much alive here.
[Graves] We've seen glimpses of it.
We've seen flashes of it in the past from Montez Ford.
I, much like Bobby Lashley, believe it is inside Montez,
but can he sustain?
Can he show the killer instinct needed to make it to the top of WWE?
The same question has to be asked about Angelo Dawkins.
[Cole] Listen, if you're The Street Profits
and you wanna make a name for yourself, right?
And you wanna make a statement, what do you do?
You attack a guy who returns to the WWE
for the first time in over a decade in Carlito.
You attack him, you put him out, you make a statement,
and tell him he can't just waltz in here and do whatever you want to do.
[Patrick] It certainly garnered headlines around the world.
-Look at this again, boom! -[Graves] Breathtaking athleticism.
Cover, top of your screen.
[Patrick] Ford now, once more a kickout from Santos Escobar.
[Cole] Bobby Lashley… I mean, what a difference he has made so far
in the short period of time he's been with The Profits.
[Patrick] He knew about their winning ability in the past,
but Bobby Lashley wanted to bring out something different in The Street Profits.
Tag Champions on Raw and SmackDown, as Ford now once more hooks the leg.
Can he get the win? Santos.
[Cole] And you may notice Rey Mysterio, the United States Champion,
not out here right now, as you take another look.
Look at the height. The full extension, Montez Ford.
Mysterio is gonna be confronted later on tonight
by social media megastar Logan Paul here live on SmackDown.
[Patrick] What a moment that will be.
Here goes Santos Escobar, starting to rally here a little bit.
That momentum derailed by Montez Ford.
Santos Escobar needs to find a way back.
We'll be back!
[indistinct chatter]
We'll be back after these messages.
[Patrick] Welcome back to Friday Night SmackDown,
a sold-out crowd.
15,692 in attendance.
As Santos Escobar looks for revenge against Montez Ford.
[Cole] Corey, we talked a lot in the early part of this matchup
of the importance of this match for Montez Ford,
but what about the importance of it for Santos Escobar?
[Patrick] Hang on a second, fellas. Cover now.
Santos kicking out.
[Graves] I don't know that the importance can be overstated
as The All Mighty looks on at his charge, Montez Ford.
Santos Escobar has worked extremely hard to get to this point in his career.
We know how much Santos desired to be United States Champion.
He came up short in that bid. So now is the time.
Now's the time to carve your next path in WWE.
[Patrick] And you got to think a victory tonight, Corey,
will really garner some momentum, maybe toward a championship opportunity.
[Graves] No doubt about it.
[Cole] Also to gathering revenge over what they did to Carlito last week.
[Graves] Oh, my goodness!
Unbelievable. Unorthodox but effective.
[Patrick] Montez now for The Street Profits. Santos again kicking out.
[Graves] Montez Ford, truly pulling out all of the stops.
I honestly don't even know what to call this.
A modified bulldog in reverse by Montez Ford.
Extremely impressive.
And listen, Lashley has shown Montez and Dawkins
what their future could look like.
Lashley had his personal tailor backstage today,
custom-fitting Ford and Dawkins for new suits.
That type of lifestyle Lashley can afford them.
[Patrick] I saw you in there looking to give your measurements.
[Graves] Yeah, and I realized I'd need a second job
to afford one of those suits, so I had to pass, but…
Up and over goes Escobar.
[Patrick] Santos now!
Taking Montez off his feet.
And again!
Santos Escobar, what a competitor he is.
[Graves] Once Escobar begins to roll, he's next to impossible to stop.
Superkick drops Montez.
[Patrick] You got to think The Street Profits and Montez Ford
will feel the wrath of Lashley if he loses tonight.
Santos now to the outside.
[Graves] Launched himself like a rocket right in the face of Montez Ford.
Take a look at the impact.
Escobar using the crown of his skull as a weapon.
[Cole] The Emperor of Lucha Libre.
[Graves] Crossbody, that could do it.
[Patrick] Here we go, Santos Escobar, can he do it?
A kickout from Montez.
[Cole] And now it's Ford who's reeling.
[Patrick] For Santos Escobar, we talk about the revenge
and sticking up for Carlito.
Carlito, an idol of Santos Escobar's.
Also an LWO brother.
Can he get the job done with Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde watching on?
-Escobar… -[Graves] Oh!
[Graves] Double knees in the corner.
Escobar could be thinking about the Phantom Driver to end this.
Ford had it scouted.
[Patrick] Montez connects.
[Graves] Escobar on spaghetti legs as Ford makes the climb.
Santos answers.
[referee] Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.
[Patrick] Escobar… from a height.
Stares Montez in the eyes.
Santos!
[Graves] Wow!
[Patrick] Can he get quickly across?
-This could be the moment. -[Cole] Yeah. Dawkins, though.
Angelo Dawkins pulling his partner out of harm's way.
[crowd booing]
[Patrick] Recognizing what Santos Escobar had inflicted on Montez Ford.
To the outside now.
[Graves] Glancing blow on the double ax handle
on a fallen Montez Ford.
But Escobar needs eyes in the back of his head
as pertains to Angelo Dawkins.
[Cole] Oh, and Dawkins pays dividends.
[Patrick] Oh! Look at this!
[Graves] Wilde, Cruz Del Toro joining the fray.
-Throwing hands at Dawkins. -[Cole] That didn't work out too well.
[Patrick] The powerhouse that is Dawkins. But there's Santos Escobar.
[Graves] Escobar just flattened Dawkins. But got caught in a roll-up.
[Patrick] Quickly inside now. Shoulders are down!
-[bell rings] -[Cole] Ford had the tights.
[Taylor] Here is your winner, Montez Ford.
[Cole] You had to expect this, the two-on-one assault now of Escobar.
[Graves] I assure you…
[def rebel's "Bad Apple" playing]
[crowd cheers]
[Graves] Is he here?
-[Patrick] Yes, he is! Carlito! -[Cole] With an equalizer.
Talk about people with a score to settle.
[Graves] Carlito able to run off Ford and Dawkins.
Something tells me this issue is far from over.
They found a way, as nefarious as it was.
Bobby Lashley, you can be sure will approve
how The Street Profits get the W tonight.
-You've done it before. -Yes, yes, yes!
-You ready? -[yelling indistinctly]
[Patrick] Championship gold on the line tonight.
Can The Queen dethrone the Genius of the Sky?
You're champion, see this right here?
-[crowd counts] -[buzzer sounds]
[Patrick] We are kicking off the Road to WrestleMania in style
at the Royal Rumble, and I'll tell you folks,
it is the fastest selling Royal Rumble in history
and the fastest selling special event in Tropicana Field history.
Make sure you are there.
Tickets are on sale right now for the Royal Rumble,
January 27th from Tampa, Saint Petersburg, Florida.
[speaking in Spanish]
[in English] Thank you very much. Thank you for looking out for Santos.
-You know, LWO is always family, yeah? -Yeah.
[speaking in Spanish]
We're family here, okay?
So I heard Logan Paul's on his way, and he's getting ready to call me out.
So I'm gonna go take care of business.
Hey, wait. Rey. Do you want us to come with you?
Because, like you said, LWO is family.
Zelina, thank you. But no thank you.
I'm gonna handle this on my own.
-I'm rolling solo today. Okay? -Okay.
Gracias. Love you guys. I love you guys.
[def rebel's "Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
[Patrick] Friday Night SmackDown is sponsored by Progressive.
Providing cars to veterans through their Keys to Progress program.
[Cole] Guys, I cannot wait for Logan Paul to come out to this ring tonight
and confront the Hall of Famer, the United States Champion, Rey Mysterio.
Makes two of us, I can't wait.
Well, you couldn't wait for last week. The return of Pretty Deadly
here on Friday Night SmackDown.
And Corey Graves buzzing throughout.
And what a match it was with The Brawling Brutes.
[Graves] A truly inspirational tale. #EltonStrong.
-[Cole] Oh, God. -[Graves] In effect.
At the expense of Ridge Holland.
And Ridge may be incredibly powerful,
but he's not the sharpest tool in the shed, if you know what I'm saying.
[Cole] Oh, don't blame Ridge.
Pretty Deadly had everybody in the entire arena fooled.
[Patrick] Pretty Deadly would then go with a quick one.
And grabbed the victory on their return.
And it had everyone wondering…
How exactly does Pretty Deadly celebrate a win?
[peaceful flute music playing]
[bubbles echoing]
Elton. Things have never been better.
Elton Strong is a global phenomenon, Kit.
And here we are with the tootsies bubbling and a massage on its way.
-I mean, we are living the dream. -I'm excited.
But I've not been this excited
since the opening night of Taylor Swift Eras Tour.
Oh, so good.
Do you know what? Lucky Trav.
Lucky Tay. [chuckles] Yeah.
-Do you know what else is big? -What?
Last week's win.
We got a very clean and a very definitive win over The Brawling Brutes.
-A squeaky clean. -Squeaky clean.
And they always disappear after a squeaky clean win.
They're gone.
Now we just get to sit back knowing we'll never see them again.
-[intense music plays] -Oh!
[groaning]
[yelling]
I'm parched. Let's go for a pint.
[crowd boos]
Hey, what up, OG?
Solo!
Did you see Raw? Did you see Raw?
Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, no longer Tag Team Champions.
And it's all because of him. Jim Uso.
Bloodline is killing it.
Tribal Chief calls the play, right?
He calls a play, starting quarterback this week.
Because you know when he's back, he's a starter.
But check it, Uce, I'm out there scanning. Red 70, black star.
Red 70, black star. Set. Hut.
-[grunts] Bullet, OG. -I talked about it.
Touchdown Bloodline!
[grunting rhythmically]
Look who's here.
[crowd cheers]
[Patrick] John Cena is here!
The Greatest Of All Time has arrived on SmackDown here in San Antonio.
And we hear he's here to respond to Paul Heyman and The Bloodline.
[def rebel's "Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
[Cole] Tomorrow night, for the first time ever,
Bad Bunny will host the iconic TV show,
and will also be the musical guest for the second time in his career.
Bad Bunny hosts Saturday Night Live tomorrow night,
11:30 Eastern, 10:30 Central on NBC.
[John Cena & Tha Trademarc's "The Time Is Now" playing]
[crowd cheers]
♪ Krrr, Amadou! ♪
From way up there, you can feel it.
You can feel it!
From way up there, you can feel it!
♪ Your time is up, my time is now ♪
♪ You can't see me, my time is now ♪
Look around!
♪ You can't see me, my time is now! ♪
They say everything's bigger in Texas. There's people as far as the eye can see.
Let's go to work.
[Taylor] Please welcome, The Greatest Of All Time,
John Cena!
♪ I got the whole block Wishin' they could run with my division ♪
♪ But they gone fishin' with no bait ♪
♪ Kid, your boy hold weight ♪
♪ I got my soul straight ♪
♪ I brush your mouth like Colgate ♪
♪ In any weather, I'm never better Your boy's so hot ♪
♪ You'll never catch me In the next man's sweater ♪
♪ If they hate, let 'em hate I drop ya whole clan ♪
♪ Lay yo' ass down For the three-second tan ♪
[crowd cheers]
♪ 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! ♪
♪ It's gon' be what it's gon' be ♪
♪ Five pounds of courage buddy ♪
♪ Tint pants with a gold T ♪
♪ Uh, it's a war dance and victory step ♪
♪ A raw stance is a gift When you insist it's my rep ♪
San Antonio is sold-out!
And everybody around the world watching could see that this place is fired up.
[crowd cheers]
Hell, y'all got me fired up.
[crowd chanting] Cena! Cena! Cena!
Thank you.
Unfortunately…
[crowd chanting] Thank you, Cena! Thank you, Cena! Thank you, Cena!
You have no idea what that means to me. Thank you.
It's, uh… it's been a rough day. Uh…
Unfortunately, I got-- I got hit with some pretty harsh truths today.
We've been doing this a long time, right?
Yeah. So-- So I feel that I should be honest with you,
and I feel I should be honest with myself.
Last week, I talked about Roman Reigns' streak.
1,138 days as champion.
Today, I found out I have a streak of my own.
2,002 days.
[chuckles] Yeah! 2,002 days. That's a long time, right?
It's been exactly 2,002 days
since I last won a televised singles match.
Yeah, I want you…
I want you to think about that for a second.
2,002 days.
My last win was in 2018.
[voice breaking] So, uh…
[crowd chanting, cheering] Cena! Cena! Cena!
I've been, uh…
I've been talking a whole lot about retirement.
[crowd booing]
I just-- I just think it's time that we all face facts.
Come on, guys.
Fact is, it's been a long time since I had a win.
[crowd chanting] You still got it! You still got it! You still got it!
Yeah, but damn it, I believe in me, I believe in you, I believe in us.
[crowd cheering]
I believe in the beauty that is all this madness.
And I believe that I can still go.
I believe that I can still bring it.
And I believe that the time is now to turn the math around.
[crowd cheers]
So here's a fact, it is gonna be a bad night
for the next idiot brave enough to walk through that curtain.
[crowd cheering]
Because whoever it is,
they're gonna get smoked.
[Graves] Wow. Cena is ready for a fight.
["Taking It All" playing]
[Cole] He better be ready. He better be damn ready.
[Graves] Oh, dear.
[Cole] 'Cause here comes The Enforcer of The Bloodline.
[Graves] The Street Champ. The Heavy-Hitter.
Solo Sikoa marching toward The Greatest Of All Time.
No fear in the eyes of Solo.
[Cole] No fear in the eyes of John Cena either.
He has conquered many a bad man in his 20-plus years in WWE.
[crowd chanting] Cena! Cena! Cena!
[Cole] Well, here we go!
[Patrick] Cena's ready for Solo Sikoa.
[Graves] Heavy rights by Cena.
Boom!
-[Cole] Come on now! -[Graves] Jimmy Uso.
[Cole] And now the double-team effort.
The damn Jimmy Uso hitting Cena from behind!
The ambush by Jimmy Uso
who's been strutting around here for the last couple of weeks.
[Graves] The backup QB just threw another TD.
-What the hell! -[Cole] Cena's got backup.
-Cena's got backup. -[Graves] Who the hell is it?
[Cole] "Main Event" Jey Uso's here!
"Main Event" Jey Uso's here!
[Graves] He's bringing Jimmy with him.
[Cole] Security trying to separate the brothers.
Bedlam here on SmackDown!
Jey Uso trying to get his hands on his brother
who cost him the Tag Titles Monday night.
[Graves] Jey Uso being mobbed by security and officials.
Time out.
[Cole] Finally some separation.
But back in the ring, Solo Sikoa wants to do more damage to John Cena.
[Graves] Here it comes.
[Patrick] Cena gets out of the way of the Samoan Spike.
John Cena has Solo where he wants him.
[Cole] Attitude Adjustment!
♪ Your time is up, my time is now ♪
I don't believe John Cena is done quite yet.
♪ You can't see me, my time is now ♪
♪ In case you forgot or fell off ♪
♪ I'm still hot, knock your shell off ♪
And how sweet that must have felt, guys, for Jey Uso?
♪ It's automatic, I win this… ♪
[Graves] A cathartic battle with a twin brother who betrayed him.
♪ …like I'm thunder and lightnin' ♪
♪ Ain't no way you breakin' me, kid I'm harder than nails ♪
♪ Plus I keep it on lock Like I'm part of the jail ♪
[Cole] John Cena has this arena here tonight in San Antonio
at a fever pitch.
And Solo Sikoa may rue the day
that he got into the sights of The Greatest Of All Time,
John Cena.
[Patrick] Michael Cole, you've been doing this for, what,
near 27 years now in this broadcast chair,
you've seen it all. You've seen the career of John Cena,
The Greatest Of All Time, as you call him,
but young budding Superstars coming through.
It's hard to look past Logan Paul right now.
Listen, Logan Paul making a name for himself,
not only here, Corey, but in the boxing world.
[Graves] Logan Paul dominating this past weekend.
Had the entire world of sports and social media ablaze,
all talking about The Maverick
who made his next intentions very well-known
immediately after the fight.
[Patrick] And, man, though, did he beat Dillon Danis to a pulp.
[Patrick] Logan Paul is here live on SmackDown.
[Graves] No time to read the news when you're busy making it.
Logan calls out Rey Mysterio, next.
[Alba] Chelsea and Piper.
It's one thing to ignore a warning.
It's another thing to meddle with a curse.
[eerie music playing]
[both] And you are meddling.
You can't hide.
It's only going to get worse.
Those titles belong to us.
[cackling]
[both] See you soon.
[Patrick] Welcome back, folks. Well, two weeks from tomorrow
we'll be in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for Crown Jewel.
But tonight we are proud to be in San Antonio, Texas
for Friday Night SmackDown.
And all the stars are here. Logan Paul here shortly.
And John Cena, The Greatest Of All Time.
And he was here moments ago, and he stood in the ring and said,
"The next person to come out is gonna get smoked."
[Graves] As Cena waited to find out who would accept the challenge,
none other than The Enforcer of The Bloodline,
Solo Sikoa was on a mission…
But Cena wasted no time bringing the fight to The Bloodline member.
[Cole] Yeah, but typical Bloodline.
It was Jimmy Uso who had ambushed and attacked Cena from behind,
a two-on-one assault before a hooded figure
would pull Jimmy out of the ring,
and it would be none other than Jimmy's own brother,
"Main Event" Jey Uso.
And this had to feel good for Uso.
[Graves] Closing moments as Solo looked to deliver a Samoan Spike.
Old faithful, the AA from John Cena.
[Cole] And just when we thought John Cena was gonna be out of the game,
he's back into the game,
thick in the middle of the situation with Roman Reigns and The Bloodline.
You say it had to feel good for Jey Uso. That's because on Monday night,
Jey Uso was in the midst of a Tag Team Championship match
alongside Cody Rhodes, and Jey Uso was stunned by what happened.
And who would emerge to spoil the proceedings for them.
[Cole] Yeah, it was an incredible matchup Monday night on Raw.
You saw Damian Priest send Cody Rhodes through the announce table.
[Patrick] Finn Bálor then looking for a Coup de Grace,
but then a spear and maybe a nod to Roman Reigns there from Jey Uso
as he looked to wrap it up and defend their championships.
Who would emerge? Only his twin brother Jimmy Uso.
[Graves] Yet another betrayal by Jimmy Uso costing Jey.
[Cole] And remember last week on Friday Night SmackDown,
Roman Reigns told Jimmy Uso, "What are you gonna do about the fact
that your brother is a Tag Team Champion over on Raw?"
[Graves] I think we got our answer.
-Man, get off me! -…you come to SmackDown.
What makes you think it was a good idea?
I had a feeling this was gonna happen.
You think he got the idea from his brother coming on Monday
and ruining my championship match?
Listen, it's not my responsibility what happens on Raw.
It's my responsibility what happens on SmackDown?
And with that being said, you just earned yourself a $10,000 fine.
Well, if you're fining him, fine his brother too.
-Fair's fair, right? -I'll tell you what I'll do.
Gentlemen, please escort him from the building.
-Man, don't touch me. -Easy. Hold on, hold on.
Easy. I'm here. Do you think it's necessary? I'll escort him out.
-You know what? You're right. -Okay.
Please escort them both from the building.
Yes, sir.
You kicking me out of this building?
Yes I am. Now, please.
Let the games begin.
Let's go.
[Graves] I like it. I like Nick Aldis throwing his weight around.
[Patrick] Quite the flex from the new SmackDown GM.
[def rebel's "Take Flight" playing]
[Patrick] Speaking of flexing. Welcome back, Logan Paul.
[Taylor] Please welcome Logan Paul.
I'm back to the ring.
[Cole] Man who has caught WWE by storm.
[Patrick] Tonight's Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive.
What a performance from Paul defeating Dillon Danis.
Corey, you saw it was instant afterwards.
Turning his attention back to WWE.
[Graves] Logan Paul lives to prove the doubters wrong.
The haters, the naysayers.
They fuel Logan Paul
perhaps more so than any other athlete walking God's green earth.
Logan Paul lives for this.
[crowd boos]
Just six days ago…
I was in England beating the living daylights
out of a scumbag.
Yeah, I don't know if y'all saw, but I won my fight.
But to call it a fight seems like a disservice to combat.
That was a pathetic excuse for a fight, a pathetic excuse for a fighter.
Which is a real shame, because I came to fight, and I should have known.
I should have known that if I wanted a real competition,
I could have just had another WWE match.
But I did get to beat up an online troll.
A coward who hides behind the mask of the internet.
Speaking of people who hide behind masks.
I know what you all are thinking.
I get it, but I'm not here for Rey Mysterio.
I'm really not.
Let me jog your memory, guys.
Uh, I already beat Rey Mysterio.
Yeah. Yeah, I beat Rey Mysterio
in my first ever WWE wrestling match.
Been there, done that.
In fact, the last time I beat Rey Mysterio,
Dominik was still his son.
The last time I wrestled Rey Mysterio,
Roman Reigns actually showed up to wrestle.
The last time I wrestled Rey Mysterio,
LA Knight didn't even have a job.
A lot has changed since then, y'all. I'm an engaged man now.
I got a boxing victory.
Hell, man, I got a multi-billion dollar hydration business, drink Prime.
I am no longer a little boy trying to navigate this industry
and figure out my life. I figured it out.
I know who I am, and I am a WWE Superstar, baby.
So no, I'm not here for Rey Mysterio, but
Rey does have something I need.
You see, Rey has respect.
I don't need your respect.
Rey has legacy.
I got my own legacy.
-Rey has the US Championship. -[crowd chants] What?
The coveted US Championship.
And I do need that championship.
[crowd] What?
So even though last weekend I just beat up a deadbeat dad,
it looks like at Crown Jewel, I'm gonna have to beat up another.
[P.O.D.'s "Booyaka 619" playing]
[Graves] Logan Paul about to get what he wanted.
An audience with the Hall of Famer, the United States Champion.
[Cole] I would like to point out that Logan Paul did not beat
Rey Mysterio in a one-on-one match.
It was a tag team matchup.
So I guess why let facts get in the way of a good story, right?
[Patrick] But what do you think Rey Mysterio is feeling
hearing "deadbeat dad" once more?
[Cole] I'm sure it riles him up, but I think Rey's moved past that.
I think Rey Mysterio just doesn't want to be called out by a man who's had,
what, a half a dozen matches in WWE.
[Patrick] This is a Hall of Famer, the legendary luchador,
now in the ring with Logan Paul.
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619 ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, that's my pueblo ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619 ♪
[song fades]
[inaudible]
You know, Logan…
[crowd clamoring]
You know, Logan,
you actually remind me a lot of my son Dominik.
[crowd booing]
Amazing natural ability.
Passion.
You're dripping with passion.
Incredible career ahead of you.
And a big mouth, just like Dom.
Oh, and I forgot.
[speaking in Spanish]
[in English] I really think you need some humbling.
And, you know…
the last time I had to kick some sense into Dom,
not gonna lie, I was a little reluctant.
But you, Logan, tu…
I'm not gonna hesitate to whoop your ass.
[crowd cheers]
You say… you say you need this.
You want this.
[speaking in Spanish]
[in English] You want this title?
Si.
So badly.
Well, you know what? I'll give you the opportunity.
Logan Paul versus Rey Mysterio
for the United States Championship at Crown Jewel.
[crowd cheering]
Oh.
[speaking in Spanish]
[crowd clamoring]
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619… ♪
[Cole] Well, ladies and gentlemen, the cocky Logan Paul
is about to find out why Rey Mysterio
is the biggest little man in the history of WWE
two weeks from tomorrow at Crown Jewel.
And remember the special start time of 1:00 p.m. Eastern,
10:00 a.m. on the West Coast.
[Graves] But is Logan Paul truly about to find out?
Because from what I'm just seeing right now,
Logan Paul has already thrown Rey Mysterio off of his game.
And think about this. Logan Paul is a man who knows how to take what he wants.
The guy spent like millions of dollars on a Pokémon card.
What length can you imagine Logan Paul is willing to go to
for the United States Championship?
You know who else will go to any length to take back what they want?
That's Charlotte Flair, The Queen.
And what an opportunity it is for Charlotte tonight
to gain the championship against "The Genius of the Sky" Iyo Sky.
This is our Progressive Match Flo.
[announcer] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive.
A triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
[Flod's "Beg For Mercy" playing]
[Cole] Iyo Sky, Ms. Money in the Bank.
Moonsault! Cover!
[crowd] One! Two! Three!
[Cole] Iyo Sky wins the championship!
♪ Cry for mercy ♪
♪ Get on your knees and try to lie ♪
♪ Beg for mercy ♪
From road to stardom to the top of the world.
Triple Threat action for the WWE Women's Championship.
[song continues]
♪ Cry for mercy ♪
[Cole] Bayley up on the apron.
[Graves] Asuka appears to be tapping out.
[Cole] Moonsault! Iyo retains!
[Nick] If the referee hadn't been distracted by Damage CTRL,
you would be standing here right now.
I'd like to tell you that next week,
you will go one-on-one with Iyo for the WWE Women's Championship.
[Charlotte] Outwork. Outhustle. Outlast. Why?
Because I don't know any other way.
Every time my opponent steps foot in the ring with me,
it's the biggest match of their career.
It's a career-defining moment.
For me, it's just another Friday.
[Cole] Fourteen-time champion.
I'm coming for number 15.
[Cole] Charlotte Flair, Iyo Sky for the WWE Women's Championship.
[Patrick] You're looking at the standard-bearer,
the peerless Charlotte Flair.
Will it be a 15th championship tonight
when Flair takes on Iyo Sky tonight on SmackDown?
[def rebels' "Eye On The Prize" playing]
[Graves] San Antonio is about to experience
a Texas-sized Grayson Waller effect.
[Patrick] Cole, Graves is like a meerkat here in the commentary desk.
Every time Grayson Waller and Austin Theory come out,
just perks up a little bit.
[def rebel's "A-Town Down" playing]
[Graves] Meerkat?
[Cole] Still trying to figure the reference out.
♪ Yeah! ♪
♪ You see the future Right in front of your eyes ♪
♪ Headin' to the top But it's not a surprise ♪
The greatest tag team of all time!
[Patrick] A-Town Down Under,
the tandem of Theory and Waller have been mighty impressive,
but so has Dragon Lee.
And tonight, Dragon Lee teams up with Cameron Grimes.
What a tag team match we've got coming your way.
It's live. It's next on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Graves] Meerkats are from Australia or something?
Down under, baby.
[Patrick] We're sold-out tonight in San Antonio.
Austin Theory backstage has been taking all the credit for the sell-out tonight.
Says everyone's here to see him.
[Graves] He is the $150-Million Hit Man.
[def rebel's "To the Moon" playing]
[bell rings]
[Taylor] The following contest is a Tag Team Match scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first from Burlington, North Carolina,
weighing in at 220 pounds,
Cameron Grimes.
[def rebel's "Control the Empire" playing]
And his tag team partner, weighing in at 165 pounds,
Dragon Lee.
[Patrick] I cannot wait to see how Cameron Grimes and Dragon Lee
do as a tandem.
Let's go back to two weeks ago on Friday Night SmackDown.
What an opportunity it was for Dragon Lee in action against Austin Theory.
Dragon Lee so impressive, scintillating, and dynamic.
[Cole] Yeah, until Grayson Waller would insert himself in the matchup.
But was Grayson ever surprised!
[Graves] Waller would be forced to pay for his sins courtesy of Cameron Grimes
with a face full of ringpost for Waller.
Opening the door for Dragon Lee to steal the win.
[Cole] Theory was irate.
[Graves] Understandably so.
[Patrick] Since last week,
since the new General Manager is in, Nick Aldis,
the talk is that Theory and Waller haven't stopped peppering him for a match tonight.
A tag team match against Dragon Lee and Cameron Grimes. Off we go.
[Cole] And this Dragon Lee has really caught the WWE by storm as of late,
since coming up to Friday Night SmackDown from NXT.
[Patrick] What is it that impresses you about him?
[Cole] He's just quick. He's the real deal.
Rey Mysterio's called him the future of lucha libre.
Just such an upside with this young man.
[Graves] Down goes Theory.
-[Patrick] From Tala, Jalisco in Mexico. -[Cole] Tag made.
[Patrick] He's a star back home but here to make a name in WWE.
[Cole] Tag was made. Waller is now the legal man.
[Graves] I have a feeling this matchup's gonna boil down to chemistry.
Grayson Waller and Austin Theory have become fast friends.
They get alongside one another, they travel together, they party together.
[Cole] That was pretty good chemistry there.
Great double-team by Lee and Grimes.
[Patrick] Oh, man!
From a team that didn't really know each other before tonight.
Dragon Lee told me earlier. They've never tagged before.
What a start so far-- Cameron Grimes!
-[Cole] There goes the ego. -[Graves] And a couple teeth.
[Patrick] Face-first into the apron, now…
The Aussie Icon, his turn into the post.
Dragon Lee to the outside.
[Cole] They're working pretty well as a team here.
[Graves] Dragon Lee continuing to take WWE by storm.
Cameron Grimes is what happens when cousins breed.
[Patrick] What a win this would be if they can get it tonight.
[Patrick] We're sold out tonight in San Antonio, Friday Night SmackDown.
Tag team action, Cameron Grimes and Dragon Lee
against A-Town Down Under.
It's Grayson Waller in the ring now.
[Cole] And Waller and Theory have really taken control of this matchup.
Easy for me to say, but what makes Theory…
Oh, I was gonna say Waller so effective,
-but here comes Dragon Lee. -[Patrick] Oh.
[Graves] Dragon Lee is an incredibly difficult Superstar to game plan for.
He can come at you so fast from just about any angle.
Dragon Lee also possesses surprising power.
-[Patrick] Tag made. -[Cole] And here comes the gritty Grimes.
[Patrick] He certainly is that. Crossbody to Theory.
Here goes Cameron again.
[Cole] Another man looking to seize the spotlight
and make a name for himself here on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Patrick] Big elbow. Cameron Grimes is rolling here on SmackDown.
[Cole] One of the hardest working men you'll meet.
[Patrick] Shoulders are down.
Quite the chemistry so far between Dragon Lee and Cameron Grimes.
Dragon Lee sees Grayson Waller entering.
[Cole] I'm not sure Waller and Theory can regroup if they lose this match.
[Patrick] Oh. Watch out. Dragon Lee can fly!
Meanwhile, back inside, Theory.
Oh!
Cameron Grimes may win this!
Cameron Grimes, what a win it'll be… And Theory out at two.
[Cole] Grimes thought he had the three-count,
but now he refocuses.
[Patrick] We've waxed lyrical about Dragon Lee, Corey,
but Cameron Grimes has been mighty impressive.
[Graves] Not as impressive as the $150-Million Hit Man.
[Cole] Yeah, as he rakes the eyes, the official never saw it.
Dragon Lee sent into the timekeeper's area.
[Graves] Shoulders down.
[Patrick] Back inside.
Grayson Waller helping out Austin Theory, looking to go
A-Town Down!
[referee and crowd] One! Two! Three!
-Gets the victory. -[bell rings]
[Taylor] Here are your winners,
the team of Grayson Waller and Austin Theory.
[Cole] Theory and Grayson Waller, despite the way they won the matchup,
continue to impress here on Friday Night SmackDown.
And a force to be reckoned with here on Friday nights.
And again, I asked you this before, Corey,
what is it that makes Theory and Waller so impressive as a tag team?
Because every man in the WWE Universe wants to be them.
Every woman wants to be with them.
These guys are magic, they are money, and the sky is the limit.
Fellas, let's take it back to Friday Night SmackDown,
the season premiere where changes were aplenty,
including Triple H introducing the new sheriff.
You need to be talking to the General Manager of SmackDown,
Mr. Nick Aldis.
I'd like to introduce SmackDown's newest Superstar
right now.
-Nobody cares. -[crowd boos]
…slap him, and I will make him respect me--
[CFO$'s "Fight" playing]
[Patrick] That stopped Dom in his tracks pretty quickly.
KO, the newest man on SmackDown.
Stunner to Dominik Mysterio!
[Graves] Well, earlier today, our Cathy Kelley
had a chance to sit down with SmackDown's newest Superstar,
Kevin Owens, for a wide-ranging and provocative interview
that you'll see right here, next.
-[crowd counting] -[buzzer sounds]
[Patrick] Folks, we are kicking off the Road to WrestleMania in style.
This is the fastest selling Royal Rumble in history,
and the fastest selling special event in Tropicana Field history.
So make sure you are there January 27th,
Tropicana Field in Tampa, Saint Petersburg.
Make sure you're at the Royal Rumble.
I cannot wait to get my hands on this.
And Bad Bunny, arguably the most popular man on the planet,
taking to social media to promote WWE 2K23.
The Bad Bunny Edition available now.
San Benito, a hardworking man,
which is one of the many reasons he is a global megastar.
The man is absolutely on fire right now.
Millions of tweets about this today.
[Graves] Not to mention last Friday,
Bunny dropped his fifth studio album
and had the largest streaming day ever for a male artist.
And it's 2023's most streamed album in a single day.
With, get this, 195 million streams on Spotify.
And earlier today,
he happened to mention a colossal 2024 tour
called The Most Wanted Tour,
where he's gonna hit 47 shows across 31 North American cities.
Congratulations, San Benito.
[Patrick] Now let's hear from Kevin Owens sitting down with our Cathy Kelley.
I'm sitting down with the newest member of the SmackDown roster,
Kevin Owens.
Kevin, welcome to Friday nights.
And I do have to ask you the question that is on everyone's mind
after we saw this bombshell trade
between Jey Uso going to Raw and you coming to SmackDown.
Um, I have to ask, how are you feeling
being separated from your longtime comrade Sami Zayn?
Uh, I mean, that doesn't feel great. You know, uh…
We worked for a very long time
to get to where we got together this year
main eventing WrestleMania, winning the Tag Team Titles.
Uh, and that's just one of the things we did together.
You know, the last 20 years we've experienced everything together.
We traveled the world together,
honed our craft trying to get here together.
So, uh, to be separated that way,
especially after we just lost the Tag Titles…
and I kind of feel like we didn't really get a fair shot at getting them back.
That hurts. With that said, though, I am happy to be on SmackDown.
I feel like it's kind of a clean slate,
which I'm looking forward to, so it's bittersweet, you know?
Well, you're gonna navigate this new landscape.
There are gonna be a lot of familiar faces,
some who aren't the biggest Kevin Owens fans,
and some who you haven't really crossed paths with yet.
Well, yeah, obviously I have a lot of history with The Bloodline.
You know, um, there's…
Me wearing this shirt is completely a coincidence.
-I was gonna mention that. -Yeah.
Uh, I'm sure they hope that we don't cross paths again, but we will.
There's no way we won't. And, yeah, there's a lot of new faces, you know…
Even not necessarily new faces,
but I've never had a singles match with Rey Mysterio,
which is something I have to do before my career is done.
I've never had a singles match with Sheamus.
I've never really been in the ring with Brawling Brutes or the LWO,
so I'm looking forward to…
You know, there's a new a lot of new faces I can punch.
But let me ask you, you've been on SmackDown for a while.
Surely there's somebody back there that you'd love to punch.
I can punch people for you. You got anybody on…
As a journalist, I have to be unbiased.
Oh, okay, look, I respect your professional integrity,
but come on, you're telling me there's no one?
You don't look at Austin Theory and Grayson Waller back there and think,
"Man, I really wish I could punch him in the face."
People do say they have punchable faces.
Perfect. Good. See? So those guys are on the list. But look,
the point is, Raw, SmackDown, no matter where I am,
all I try to do is make sure that people go home
knowing that this is the Kevin Owens show.
So that's what I'm at.
Well, thank you so much for sitting down today.
Thanks.
[Patrick] Great stuff. Love that. KO now on SmackDown.
That will be on FS1 next week. Mark your calendars,
because Rey Mysterio has made his match official for Crown Jewel,
but he will turn his attention to team up with Santos Escobar
to take on The Street Profits next week on FS1.
[Graves] And earlier tonight, The Wiseman issued the warning,
but The Megastar cannot be denied.
The Tribal Chief returns to SmackDown to make the match at Crown Jewel official,
as LA Knight and Roman Reigns sign their names on the dotted line
next week on FS1.
[Cole] Live in Milwaukee.
[Graves] Think Giannis will be around?
-[Patrick] Certainly hope so. -[Graves] Wish he was in New York.
[def rebel's "All Hail The Queen" playing]
♪ Bow down, bow down ♪
♪ All hail the queen ♪
[Graves] It is main event time.
And here comes The Queen.
It all just feels right, gentlemen.
[Patrick] The WWE Women's Championship on the line.
Charlotte Flair can smell a 15th championship.
What a legendary career for The Queen.
[fireworks crackling, booming]
[Graves] Charlotte Flair would love nothing more than to once again
take the throne tonight on SmackDown.
[Cole] She just oozes confidence. Every time she comes to the ring,
she believes she is going to win a championship.
It could be tonight.
[Graves] Judging by her track record, it's tough to bet against Charlotte Flair.
[Patrick] Friday Night SmackDown is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
For a job you'll love, visit Progressive.
[Graves] Charlotte Flair has made a career of living up to the moment.
She has become the moment, she has become the opportunity.
And tonight, for the 15th time, she can become champion.
[def rebel's "Tokyo Shock" playing]
[Patrick] We are very much in Iyo's era.
Champion since SummerSlam after cashing in the Money in the Bank contract.
Iyo Sky has been sensational.
Flanked by Bayley and Dakota Kai.
This, fellas, may represent Iyo's toughest test yet.
One-on-one with The Queen.
[Cole] Well, ladies and gentlemen,
we wanna talk for a minute about WWE Crown Jewel,
which takes place two weeks from tomorrow
at Mohammed Abdo Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Now, tickets went on sale and sold out in an incredible two hours.
However, great news,
our production team is working feverishly
to open even more seats throughout the stadium as we speak.
Keep checking in at webook.com
to see when more seats will be available for WWE Crown Jewel
two weeks from tomorrow.
[Graves] The confidence on the face of the champion.
The Genius of the Sky.
[bell rings]
[Taylor] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the WWE Women's Championship.
Introducing first, the challenger,
from The Queen City,
Charlotte Flair.
[crowd cheers]
And her opponent,
accompanied by Dakota Kai and Bayley,
representing Damage CTRL,
she is the WWE Women's Champion.
Iyo Sky!
[crowd cheers]
[Patrick] Iyo Sky defended her championship at Fastlane
in a Triple Threat against Charlotte and Asuka.
But tonight it's one-on-one. Corey, what does Iyo Sky
need to be mindful of against the caliber of Charlotte Flair?
[Graves] Listen, if Iyo Sky hasn't done all of her homework,
she will not succeed tonight.
There is plenty of tape to study from Charlotte Flair,
but it can be overwhelming.
The sheer presence that is "The Queen" Charlotte Flair
-can overwhelm a Superstar. -[bell rings]
if Iyo can stay mentally strong, she'll have a chance.
[Cole] Here's the deal. Bottom line, end of the day…
And look at Charlotte going for the Figure-Eight.
Iyo will regroup. Get to that in a moment.
[Patrick] It's a championship night here on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Patrick] Welcome back to Friday Night SmackDown.
Championship gold on the line here in the main event.
The WWE Women's Championship.
Charlotte Flair looking for her 15th title against the champ Iyo Sky.
[Cole] Charlotte Flair, Corey, is putting on a clinic.
[Graves] This is classic Charlotte Flair offense.
Utilizing her long, powerful legs, flexing her athleticism,
and reminding the world why she believes she should be champion.
[Cole] I was gonna say before the break,
I've been impressed with Iyo Sky because she has stepped up
to every challenge since she's been champion.
And here's just another one tonight Iyo Sky is looking to pass.
[Graves] Not gonna get a much better, bigger notch on your belt
than defeating "The Queen" Charlotte Flair.
Even as champion.
[Patrick] You saw Bayley and Dakota Kai there.
How can Charlotte fully focus knowing that--
[Graves chuckles]
[Cole] She knows all the tricks, especially from Bayley.
And that's what I'm talking about right there.
And Charlotte Flair…
pays for it.
[Patrick] Classic Bayley.
[Graves] Iyo looking to take to the sky. Here comes the champion.
[Cole] And just that slight interference by Bayley
has turned this match around.
[Graves] Listen, Charlotte Flair, I'm sure is prepared for it,
she's trying to look out for it.
But you have to quite literally have your head on a swivel
when you're dealing with Damage CTRL.
[Cole] Well, it's a three-on-one match is what it ends up being.
[Graves] And, you know, they say it's lonely at the top,
not at an overabundance of friends looking to come to the aid of The Queen.
[Patrick] Missile dropkick. Now in for the cover to retain.
Early kickout by Charlotte.
[Cole] But I think Charlotte likes it that way.
[Patrick] Iyo Sky, so electrifying.
A show-stopping talent.
Charlotte looking to take her crown here tonight.
And you can be sure that Charlotte
really was desperate for that one-on-one opportunity.
Not a Triple Threat.
Charlotte maybe manipulating or getting the better of Nick Aldis
early in his GM reign,
convincing him to give this one-on-one match.
[Graves] You're implying that Charlotte Flair
didn't deserve this opportunity,
that she had some sort of back channel deal with Nick Aldis?
-That's nonsense. -[Cole] What is she barking?
What are you saying? Sorry, Corey, I interrupted.
Bayley was screaming at me. I couldn't even hear you.
[Graves] Whatever she was saying
was probably more important than what you were thinking.
[Cole] But Charlotte has earned this opportunity tonight.
There's no doubt about that.
[Patrick] Looking for any way out now to gain that separation.
Hoisting Iyo. Oh!
The Queen in flying form tonight.
Oh, elbow rocking Charlotte.
[Graves] Flair answers.
How composed The Queen remains.
This is a high stakes,
high pressure situation, main event championship match.
[Cole] Yeah, but I'm impressed with Iyo Sky as well.
Taking it to the 14-time champion.
[Graves] Smart strategy, trying to take the legs out from Charlotte Flair
and negate her ability to lock in her Figure-Eight.
And two fistfuls of hair for the champion.
-[Cole] Uh-oh. -[Patrick] Iyo turned it around
[Cole] Charlotte hit hard.
The back of Charlotte's neck hit hard on the apron
as she collapsed to the floor.
[Graves] Iyo now sees an opportunity.
[Patrick] The Genius of the Sky, from the apron.
-[Cole] The power of Charlotte. -[Graves] Strength on show.
[Patrick] Oh, my goodness.
-[Graves] Oh, face… -[Patrick] Face-first!
Will Charlotte win her 15th crown tonight?
[Graves] Get her in the ring! Get her in the ring!
[Cole] Charlotte knows what she's doing.
[Graves] Charlotte Flair from the very top looking for a superplex.
[Patrick] This for the WWE Women's Championship.
What a fight we are witnessing.
[Cole] Iyo, great counter to Charlotte.
[Graves] Charlotte trying to…
obtain a preferable position…
-[Cole] Oh! -[Graves] Sit-out powerbomb.
That could do it!
[Patrick] Iyo to retain… And Charlotte out at two.
How incredible was that from Iyo Sky?
[Cole] Look at the impact to the back of Charlotte's head.
And now, can Charlotte recover?
Does she have the resilience here tonight?
[Patrick] The benchmark for success in the Women's Division
has been Charlotte Flair.
Well, tonight you can see the confidence growing week in, week out of Iyo Sky.
[Cole] Oh!
[Patrick] Here we go. Iyo to retain. And Charlotte out once more.
[Cole] What a physical battle, showing on the faces of both women.
The double knees here from Iyo Sky.
Round and round they go!
[Patrick] So far Iyo's has been a real match for Charlotte Flair.
Flair in agony.
[Cole] Can they tap? Flair may tap.
[Graves] Iyo even has a full submission applied right now.
Charlotte was able to free her arm and negate the pressure.
[Patrick] Charlotte now… taking Iyo behind.
[Cole] What a German suplex.
Charlotte's got an opportunity now.
[Patrick] Bayley looks concerned, as does Dakota Kai on the outside.
Both Superstars looking to get back on their feet. Slowly, though.
[Cole] Yeah. Critical moment in the matchup.
Who's gonna gain the momentum?
[Patrick] Big-time chops from Flair.
[Cole] Charlotte lighting up Iyo.
[Patrick] Taking the champ off her feet.
Charlotte catching Iyo now.
[Cole] Oh, what a fallaway slam.
[Patrick] Straight back on her feet.
No wasted time for Charlotte Flair.
[Cole] Kip-up by Charlotte.
[Patrick] Where does Charlotte Flair get this energy from?
[Cole] One of the all-time best.
[Patrick] Damage CTRL, Corey, look concerned.
Charlotte hunting…
Flair catches Iyo with ease.
[Cole] Charlotte with a clear power advantage in this match.
[Patrick] Where is Charlotte Flair going?
[Cole] Obviously, up to the second rope.
Oh! Massive fallaway slam.
[Patrick] Quickly across for the cover and the championship.
Iyo out in time.
[Cole] Watch the impact here to the champion, Iyo Sky.
[Patrick] You can see the urgency in Charlotte Flair.
This for the WWE Women's Championship.
Sold-out crowd in San Antonio tonight.
Charlotte Flair looking for her 15th crown.
[Cole] Iyo Sky, the champion,
giving Charlotte all she can handle and more tonight.
[Patrick] Sky from the ropes.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Charlotte Flair has it locked in.
-[Patrick] Iyo with nowhere to go. -[Cole] The Boston crab.
Charlotte looking to sit out Iyo center of the ring.
Is she gonna tap?
[Patrick] Somehow Iyo Sky is out in time.
[Cole] And what a counter by Iyo Sky.
[Patrick] Such a hard-hitting battle.
The stakes enormous tonight
in the main event of Friday Night SmackDown.
[Cole] Iyo just averting disaster. Charlotte may have injured her knee.
Charlotte may have injured her knee when she came down hard on it.
[Patrick] Iyo may have recognized that.
Sky, the Genius of the Sky.
-Looking for… -[Cole] Oh, my goodness!
Charlotte about kicked her into next week.
Spear! Spear!
[Patrick] Charlotte for the championship. Wraps the leg for the win.
Oh, no! Bayley.
Grabbed Iyo Sky's foot, put it on the ropes.
[crowd boos]
[Cole] Charlotte had the championship won.
She about kicked Iyo into next week on the counter,
and now Charlotte Flair in pursuit of Bayley.
And the fight is on.
[Patrick] The Queen is livid.
And rightly so.
[Cole] The fight is on
and in comes Bayley sailing across the announce table!
You could've caught her.
Charlotte is ticked off, and you can't blame her.
But still has an opportunity, still has a chance.
[Patrick] Meanwhile back inside.
Charlotte's got…
[Cole] Iyo used the championship! Iyo used the damn championship!
The official never saw it!
-Iyo steals it! -[bell rings]
[crowd booing]
[Taylor] Here is your winner
and still the WWE Women's Champion,
Iyo Sky!
[Cole] You gotta give Iyo Sky credit.
She took advantage of the situation.
Bayley sent through the announce table. There was chaos here at ringside.
Iyo Sky would use her own championship to help her save the title.
[Patrick] Look at this, Charlotte Flair in time, getting the legs up.
And a spear to Iyo.
And look at Bayley though, Corey, getting involved in a crucial moment.
[Graves] That is why Bayley is an invaluable addition to Damage CTRL.
As is Dakota Kai.
Recognizing the opportunity, passing the championship to Iyo.
And Charlotte once again went for the spear,
but instead found nothing but title.
[Cole] Meanwhile, inside the ring,
Bayley and Iyo are beating the hell out of Charlotte Flair.
A full beatdown by Damage CTRL.
[CFO$'s "Watch Me Shine" playing]
[Patrick] It's Bianca Belair!
The EST is back!
[Cole] She's someone with a huge score to settle with Damage CTRL.
[Patrick] Taking the fight to Bayley.
This is a fired up Bianca Belair.
[crowd roaring]
Belair ready for Iyo Sky.
Looking for the K.O.D.
[Graves] Bayley again saving the day. But look out.
[Cole] She's gonna pay for it, though.
[Patrick] K.O.D.
♪ I'm on my own Against the wall ♪
♪ The pressure's building… ♪
[Patrick] Calculated and motivated.
Bianca Belair may be Damage CTRL's bigg-EST problem.
[Cole] Don't forget about Charlotte Flair either.
She's got a massive score to settle.
♪ I'm living large now… ♪
[Graves] We'll see you next week on FS1.
♪ I never needed you at all ♪ n FS1.