[WWE signature intro playing]
[John Cena] Then.
-[Ric Flair] Woo! -[glass shatters]
[The Rock] If you smell…
-[bell tolls] -[Cena] Now.
[Roman Reigns] Acknowledge me.
-♪The King of Kings ♪ -♪ You can't see me ♪
[Cena] Forever.
[crowd cheering]
Together.
[music fades]
[crowd cheering]
[Patrick] Happy Veterans Day weekend, folks,
and welcome inside the Nationwide Arena in Downtown Columbus, Ohio,
for tonight's Friday Night SmackDown on Fox, sponsored by Progressive.
A triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
[CFO$'s "Fight" playing]
[crowd cheers]
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome your special guest commentator for this evening,
Kevin Owens.
[Patrick] Would you look at the cut of KO,
wearing a tie for the occasion tonight.
Kevin Owens, a guest commentator this evening.
Why? Because myself and Corey Graves--
excuse me, Michael Cole-- are without Corey Graves this evening
for the very best reasons possible.
-Welcome, KO. -Look who's here.
My buddy, Kevin Owens. Of course, Corey Graves, and his lovely wife Carmella
giving birth to a beautiful baby boy on Wednesday.
Congratulations to the couple. Love you guys.
But Kevin Owens gonna fill in for Corey tonight. Nice tie.
Thank you very much. Nick Aldis let me have his tie.
I don't… I don't own ties. I don't buy ties.
-It's great to have you with us. -Bert, how are you?
-Congrats to Carmella and Corey. -Congrats, guys.
[Owens] Yeah! Whoo!
-I love Rey. -[Cole] It's gonna be some night.
Rey Mysterio, the best.
Hey, I got water. That's really nice. Look at that.
[P.O.D's "Booyaka 619" playing]
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
Joaquin Wilde, Cruz Del Toro,
Zelina Vega, Santos Escobar,
and WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio,
The LWO.
[Patrick] Well, massive credit to Rey Mysterio, the Hall of Famer,
here on SmackDown even after the infuriating ending
of his United States Championship defense at Crown Jewel.
Here's Logan Paul's entourage supplying the brass knuckles here, Cole.
-You witnessed this at ringside. -[Cole] The brass knuckles,
fell out of the ring, and as his buddy tried to pick them up again,
Santos Escobar came to Rey's aid.
He would take off after the goofy member of Logan Paul's entourage,
and Rey Mysterio would hit the 619, but look at this.
Logan Paul, brass knuckles in hand,
would use it to his advantage. Bang!
Big right hand to take out Rey for the United States Championship.
I love you, Rey. Just doing what I have to do, my man.
-You know what you did. -I don't know what you're talking about.
That was fair and square
[Cole] So, Kevin, what did you think of the way that Logan Paul
won the United States Championship?
[Owens] It was nefarious, as clearly showed by the footage.
You think he's proud of himself?
-[Cole] Logan Paul, definitely. -[Owens] He is proud of himself.
[Cole] We're gonna show you some of the Instagram photos.
[Owens] I don't wanna… I was just gonna bring that up. I don't wanna see it.
Columbus, Ohio!
[crowd cheers]
Welcome to Friday Night SmackDown.
Let's cut to the chase.
Last Saturday at Crown Jewel,
I put my United States Title on the line against Logan Paul.
[crowd booing]
As you can see, Logan stole my title.
Now we all know the referee's decision is final,
but I truly believe that Logan could not beat me
if it wasn't for those brass knuckles.
Without those brass knuckles,
I would be standing right here still as the United States Champion.
[crowd cheering]
So I promise that I will do whatever I can
to get a rematch against Logan…
♪ Do you know what cool is? ♪
[def rebel's "Bad Apple" playing]
Carlito. Carlito. [speaking Spanish]
[Patrick] Carlito arriving on the scene.
A man that is a member of the LWO, Cole,
but has a match tonight on SmackDown against Bobby Lashley.
[Cole] Yeah, I was wondering where Carlito was.
[Owens] It was surprising to see him interrupt Rey that way.
What's going on there? I'm intrigued
[Patrick] Marching to the ring with intent.
Rey Rey,
nobody wants to see you as United States Champion more than Carlito.
[Owens] That's not where I thought he was going.
But are we seriously…. We're not gonna talk about it?
We're not gonna talk about Crown Jewel?
You don't wanna talk about it? Well, Carlito wants to talk about it.
You're blaming the wrong person, Rey Rey.
Don't blame Logan.
Blame the person that left the brass knuckles on the apron for him.
Santos Escobar.
[crowd boos]
[overlapping arguments]
What is wrong with you? This is my family, not yours!
[Vega] Guys, come on! It doesn't need to be like this.
[Rey] Tranquilo, Santos. Santos.
-I'm outta here. -[Rey] Santos, tranquilo! Hey! San--
[crowd booing]
You're choosing him over me.
[Owens] He's leaving.
Santos!
Hey!
-Santos! -[indistinct dialogue]
[indistinct dialogue]
[def rebel's "All Mighty" playing]
[Cole] Well, some heavy accusations levied
by Carlito towards Santos Escobar moments ago.
Accusing Escobar of purposely leaving the brass knuckles on the apron
so Logan Paul could use them.
[fireworks]
[Owens] You think he's totally wrong, Michael?
[Cole] I don't know what to believe. I mean….
[Owens] Interesting theory.
[Patrick] Meanwhile, behold "The All Mighty" Bobby Lashley,
accompanied by The Street Profits.
[Owens] Do I have to behold him?
-Tell me. -[bell rings]
Is that a necessity?
[Rome] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring, accompanied by The Street Profits.
"The All Mighty"
Bobby Lashley.
[Patrick] KO, how's Carlito supposed to focus now after all that?
[Owens] Well, obviously, I don't know how he's supposed to,
but I hope he does because he should behold Bobby Lashley in front of him.
If he doesn't focus, it's gonna be a problem.
Monetz Ford, very sharp dresser. Right?
[Cole] I'm very interested, Kevin, when we come back from the break,
to get your take on the new Street Profits with Bobby Lashley.
[Owens] I will happily give it to you.
[Patrick] A belter of a match to kick off SmackDown.
It's Lashley-Carlito, next.
[Patrick] Well, folks, LA Knight is back on Friday Night SmackDown
fresh off being milliseconds away from becoming the Undisputed Champion.
Well, Grayson Waller senses some vulnerability there,
and is out to take down The Megastar tonight.
That match here tonight on SmackDown.
[Cole] Guys, it's been many years since Carlito has been in action here
one-on-one on Friday Night SmackDown.
He sort of renews a rivalry from back in the old days against Bobby Lashley.
[Owens] Very interesting. I'm pretty pumped to be here on commentary for this.
[Patrick] It's great to have you here.
Kevin Owens filling in on commentary for Papa Graves
at home here with a newborn baby.
So congrats again to Corey and Carmella.
[Cole] Again, I wanna get your thoughts, Kevin,
on the Bobby Lashley-Street Profits dynamic.
-[Patrick] Which Kev are you talking to? -[Cole] Kevin Owens.
[Owens] The one people wanna hear. Well, it's very interesting.
It's been an interesting several months for these guys,
but I think The Street Profits' new,
I don't wanna say new attitude,
but they conduct themselves in a bit of a different manner.
It's been working out. Look at Montez Ford screaming in my face.
Very impressive.
[Patrick] Do you like the way they're dressed as well?
[Owens] Tez. Yeah. I mean, you know, Dawkins looks all right too,
but Montez Ford's another level. I couldn't pull that off.
[Cole] Well, Dawkins is happy that we are just down the road
from the Ohio State University.
[Owens] Did you know he likes sports and football?
This man talks about nothing else.
-[Cole] Oh, look at this. -[Owens] What?
[Cole] B-Fab looking on.
Now, remember B-Fab approached Bobby Lashley last week
to have a conversation.
[Patrick] So what did you make of Crown Jewel and the brass knuckles?
Kev, you asked Cole the question. We want to put it to you.
[Owens] Well, look, as much as I hate that it happened to Rey Mysterio,
because Rey Mysterio is obviously one of the greatest of all time,
somebody I respect probably more than anyone else in that locker room,
but I can't fault Logan Paul for doing what needs to be done to win a title.
[Cole] You would have done the same thing.
[Owens] I probably would have done that and more,
depending on how long the referee's back was turned.
Montez Ford, once again, right in front of me yelling things.
[Cole] Welcome to the commentary desk.
[Patrick] Are you saying Carlito had a point about Santos Escobar?
[Owens] Well, whether or not he left them on purpose?
Oh, yeah, for sure I could-- Who knows?
I mean, Santos Escobar, you know,
tried to become United States Champion several times
before Rey Mysterio won the title.
And I believe a match that was supposed to be Santos in the first place.
So, you know, I mean.
[Patrick] Look at you bringing your journalistic knowledge to the table.
[Owens] Thank you.
[Cole] Bobby Lashley with the Hurt Lock here.
-And Carlito trying to block. -[Patrick] Carlito, nowhere to go.
And the strength of Bobby Lashley on show.
[Owens] The hands aren't locked, thankfully.
-There we go! -[Cole] Great move by Carlito.
[Owens] Almost as good as I do it.
[Patrick] What's the strategy for Carlito in a match like this?
[Owens] Oh, that's a great strategy right there!
Throw his entire body at him and put him down.
There we go.
[Patrick] Sizing up Lashley once more. Carlito!
Rocking the big man, trying to take him off his feet.
[Owens] That's tricky.
[Cole] And again you see part of the LWO at ringside
cheering Carlito on.
Mysterio and Zelina left in pursuit of Santos Escobar
after the accusations levied by Carlito.
-And look at the power of Lashley! -[Owens] That's not a small man.
[Patrick] Oh, my God.
Carlito landing on his feet.
[Owens] And that's not a small man!
[Cole] Wow!
[Owens] Oh, that was fantastic!
-[Patrick] Welcome back, Carlito. -[Owens] Hell, yeah.
You see? Eating apples, that's what it does.
-Here we go. -[Cole] And Lashley…
[Owens] He's touching the table.
[Cole] …in trouble, and needs to regroup here.
Bobby Lashley not sure what hit him.
[Owens] Bobby, don't spill my drink.
[Ford talking indistinctly]
[Patrick] Carlito rolling here on SmackDown.
Over to the steel steps they go.
[Cole] Yeah, but Bobby able to block.
[Owens] Oh! Ribs-first.
Thankfully, he didn't go in there face-first, but the ribs did go.
God help him.
[Patrick] It's an emotional night already for the LWO.
Oh! Carlito driven into the barricade.
[Cole] Yeah, I think he did the one thing he didn't wanna do,
and that was tick off Bobby Lashley.
And now The Street Profits and their antics.
That's what I'm talkin' 'bout. That's what I'm talkin' 'bout.
[Owens] That's what he's talking about.
[Cole] Much more aggressive team, The Street Profits,
and very vocal as well.
[Owens] That never works out well for the guy.
[Cole] Oh, no!
[Owens] I knew it.
[indistinct shouting]
[Patrick] Welcome back, folks.
Carlito-Bobby Lashley here on Friday Night SmackDown,
and Lashley is having his way with Carlito.
His first match on SmackDown in 13 years,
and he may regret stepping up to The All Mighty.
[Cole] First singles match on SmackDown in that frame.
As you see, Dawkins and Ford of The Street Profits…
I got the intel! The in-person intel…
[Cole] And Kevin Owens, KO with us on commentary here tonight.
[Owens] That's right, and I apologize for my voice.
Contrary to popular belief, I did not hit puberty this week.
I hit that years ago,
but I went camping with my daughter's Girl Scout troop last weekend
and I got a real bad cold.
-[Cole] Did you buy the cookies? -[Owens] Yeah, of course.
But, you know, being in a tent, it's cold out there or whatever.
It caught up to me. But Carlito, now…
-[Cole] You're from Canada! -[Patrick] Look at who's watching Carlito.
-[Owens] I live in Florida now, okay. -[Patrick] B-Fab? And there's Ashante.
-I been trying to call. -Really?
-Yeah. What's going on? -Look, don't even worry about it.
[Patrick] B-Fab we know had a chat with Bobby Lashley on last week's SmackDown.
Lashley was a guest on the After The Bell podcast,
and he said he loved what B-Fab had to tell him,
but he wouldn't reveal what that was.
[Cole] That was Ashante "Thee" Adonis, who has been with B-Fab,
part of the team here for a number of years.
As Carlito launches himself over the top rope.
[Owens] Did you see the way Lashley hit his hip on the way out of the ring?
Little things like that people don't notice sometimes.
I can speak of experience,
it's probably the worst thing you could do to yourself.
And then Carlito jumps right on him out there.
[Patrick] What is Carlito doing so well to rally here, KO?
[Owens] I mean, it seems to be going well for him
when he throws his entire weight at Lashley,
which is what you need to do for a guy like Bobby Lashley.
[Cole] Oh, look at Montez Ford getting involved.
Jason Ayers, the official, never saw it happen.
[Patrick] Joaquin Wilde now stepping across for the LWO.
-Oh, there's Dawkins! -[Cole] Oh my goodness.
[Patrick] It's all kicking off now.
Cruz Del Toro sent to the outside by Angelo Dawkins.
[indistinct shouting]
[Owens] To the outside of the outside. He was already outside.
Oh, here comes Santos!
[Cole] And Escobar back into the fray.
[Patrick] Santos Escobar.
Taking the fight is Dawkins.
Oh.
-Spear! -[Owens] You see what Montez just did?
[Patrick] Spear from Lashley! Hooks the leg…
-And gets the win. -[bell rings]
[def rebel's "All Mighty" playing]
[Rome] Here is your winner,
"The All Mighty"…
[Cole] And The Street Profits and Lashley are not done yet.
They're gonna make Carlito pay.
They've targeted Carlito since he returned to WWE.
[Owens] It seems unnecessary.
[Patrick] This is his unforgiving nature taught by Bobby Lashley.
[Cole] Wait a minute. Look at Escobar.
Santos Escobar is doing nothing right now…
as he just stares on at this three-on-one assault to Carlito.
Escobar contemplating what to do.
"Should I get involved?"
[P.O.D's "Booyaka 619" playing]
[Patrick] And here is the Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio with a chair in hand.
And now, as The Street Profits exit the ring, Escobar enters.
[indistinct conversation]
-[crowd yelling] -You're not seeing this the way I see it.
He is not… he is not our family.
-It's supposed to be me and you. -We are family.
We're together, you and me. Not him.
[indistinct argument continues]
No, wait, wait. You've got to see things my way!
[crowd exclaims]
[speaking Spanish]
We're all family. We're one, LWO.
[Cole] Rey trying to keep everybody on the same page.
[Carlito groans]
-You good? You good? -I'm all right. I'm okay.
[indistinct conversation]
-Sit up, sit up. -I'm trying. I'm trying.
-It's all right. It's all right. -I'm trying. I'm trying.
[Cole] Oh, no!
[Patrick] Santos, what have you done?
[crowd booing]
You were supposed to pick me!
No, it was supposed to be me!
It's supposed to be me and you!
What are you doing?
[Cole] Oh, no!
[man in crowd] Go, Rey!
[crowd chanting] Rey! Rey! Rey!
[man in crowd] Rey, help him up, he's your buddy.
[Rey] I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I got out of hand. I'm sorry.
I love you [indistinct].
-[yelling] -[Cole groans]
[shouting]
[Cole] The hell has happened to Escobar?
And Kevin, I know that you'd want to get involved to help out
your friend Rey Mysterio here, but…
[Owens] Nick Aldis said I'm gonna get suspended if I do anything like that.
I love you. You were my hero.
You made me do this!
It was supposed to be me and you!
All the way! Me and you for life.
-Santos, what are you doing? -You did this! You did this!
This is Rey, we're supposed to be family. What are you doing?
[Owens] Santos Escobar…
-He did it, not me! -No, you did this!
[Owens] …you're lucky I gave my word to stay at this table.
I put this thing together. Me!
[Cole] Yeah, you're not allowed to be involved tonight, Kevin,
or you're gonna be suspended.
But nonetheless, just a heinous assault by Santos Escobar,
who just snapped here tonight.
It all began when Carlito accused Escobar
of aiding Logan Paul in winning the United States Championship.
[crowd booing]
-[Wilde] Need help! -I don't believe you. I don't believe you!
Somebody get out here.
[Patrick] It was a match that the Greatest of All Time, John Cena,
called a must win at Crown Jewel.
Our jaws were left dropped after what played out,
and we will revisit tonight on SmackDown.
♪ My legacy ♪
♪ My legacy… ♪
-Santos? Santos, can I get a question? -[crowd booing]
Santos, why did you attack Rey?
[breathing heavily]
Rey had it coming.
[crowd booing]
I've turned on my share of people over my WWE career.
Rey Mysterio is probably the only person I would never do that to.
I don't know what Santos is talking about, but he's got something coming.
-I certainly hope. -So many questions
about the mindset right now of Santos Escobar.
We were also left with so many questions
after the WWE Women's Championship match at Crown Jewel.
Here's our Progressive Match Flo.
[narrator] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive.
A triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
[Cole] WWE Women's Championship up for grabs.
Iyo Sky, the current champion,
taking on the woman she beat for the title, Bianca Belair,
here tonight at Crown Jewel.
And Iyo Sky now has taken over this matchup.
Bianca has revenge on her mind.
And look who's here. Bayley from Damage CTRL.
[upbeat music playing]
Trust me.
[Cole] Down goes the champion.
Now Bayley's got the official distracted.
And now Belair with Bayley up on her shoulders.
-[Wade] The hell is this? -[Cole] That's Kairi Sane.
And she took out Belair.
The official had no idea what just happened.
Bianca, back to the ring.
Iyo Sky with a moonsault.
[crowd] One! Two! Three!
[Graves] Iyo retains the championship.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] Bayley looks like she has no clue what just happened
with the return of Kairi Sane?
[def rebel's "Role Model" playing]
[Rome] Please welcome…
Bayley!
[Cole] Well, I'm really interested to get Bayley's take
on went went down six nights ago at Crown Jewel.
Did she know Kairi Sane was showing up? Did she not?
Gonna be interesting to hear from Bayley tonight.
[Patrick] Friday Night SmackDown is sponsored by Progressive.
Providing cars to veterans through their Keys To Progress program.
[music fades]
We all saw what just happened.
Now I've had a plan and a vision for Iyo Sky and Dakota
since the inception of Damage CTRL.
Everything that I wanted to come true came true.
[crowd] What?
WWE Women's Tag Team Champions.
[crowd] What?
Ms. Money in the Bank.
[crowd] What?
And WWE Women's Champion!
[crowd] What?
Iyo has defeated the best in the business:
Charlotte Flair, Asuka, Bianca Belair.
And it is obviously Iyo's era,
all thanks to my plan.
[crowd] What?
I said, all thanks to my plan.
[crowd] What?
Yeah, yeah. Good job. Clap for yourself, you idiots.
[crowd cheering]
[Owens] You never want to encourage the idiots.
Moving on.
Crown Jewel should have been Damage CTRL's proudest moment.
[crowd] What?
But instead I was saying,
"What?"
Just like all of you, at the return of Kairi Sane.
And that is not how Damage CTRL handles things.
So, Iyo, if you could please do the honor and come out here
so we can talk like adults.
[Patrick] I think you got your answer, Cole.
[Cole] Yeah, indeed. Bayley seems to have no idea
that Sane was returning at Crown Jewel.
[def rebel's "Tokyo Shock" playing]
Bayley, one, of course, who always wants to be in control
when it comes to Damage CTRL.
[Patrick] Iyo's era is very much alive and well.
And look who is by Iyo's side.
It's Dakota Kai, but also Kairi Sane.
The stunning developments at Crown Jewel as Kairi Sane helped Iyo Sky
retain against Bianca Belair.
What's she even doing out here? And what was she doing at Crown Jewel?
Iyo, you know I had a plan for that night.
-You know that I always have a plan. -Hey, hey, hey, Bayley…
I had a plan, too.
It's Iyo's era, right?
-You remember that? -Yes.
I have Kairi to thank
for helping me retain title.
Isn't that what you wanted? Right, Bayley?
Yes, that is what I wanted. That's what I want for both of you.
I want the best for both of you. But…
[sighs] I mean, the last time we saw Kairi in WWE…
I mean, this happened.
[both grunting]
[groans]
So after watching that, I mean, you could understand my concern
with having Kairi around, you know.
Look, what's going on? Because I've been here long enough.
Like, I know how things work around here. I know how minds work.
-I know how friendships work. -Bayley, hold on. Hold on a second.
All right?
Look, we-we didn't bring Kairi into Damage CTRL to hurt you.
That was never the case.
We brought her here to make Damage CTRL stronger, right?
And look, we know how much you've done for us.
And we're very grateful. We just… [sighs]
We wanted to take some of the weight off of you. That's it.
That's it. And look, clearly it worked because Iyo is still champion.
Damage CTRL is stronger than ever.
This should be a celebration. That's what you wanted.
Bayley.
I respect you
as the leader of Damage CTRL.
And I…
forgive you.
I don't-- I don't hug anymore, though. I don't-- I don't do that anymore, so…
[crowd chanting "Hug it out"]
[crowd cheering]
[CFO$'s "Watch Me Shine" playing]
[crowd cheering loudly]
[Patrick] I'm glad someone broke that up.
[Owens] I mean, I thought it was a lovely moment, to be honest with you.
Hold up, hold up, hold up, hold up.
See, Kairi might forgive Bayley,
but I don't forgive Damage CTRL.
See, my mistake was believing that Iyo actually had enough confidence
to come face me one-on-one for the title, but… Oops!
My bad.
But it's cool, because I learned from my mistakes.
So tonight I'm just gonna have to whoop all three of y'all.
[laughing]
Bianca, nobody likes a sore loser.
Yeah, yeah, but a lot of people don't like Damage CTRL.
[def rebel's "All Hail The Queen" playing]
[Owens laughs]
[Cole laughs]
[Patrick] Bianca bringing reinforcements.
♪ Bow down ♪
♪ All hail the queen ♪
[music fades]
[crowd chanting "Woo!"]
And guess who else was upset about Kairi joining Damage CTRL?
-[def rebel's "You Can't Hide" playing] -♪ The empress of tomorrow ♪
[Cole] Oh, it just keeps getting better and better.
[Bayley] You're one of us now.
No way. No way.
[Bayley] Don't worry about her.
Iyo-chan.
Kairi-chan!
[speaking Japanese]
[in English] No one is ready for Asuka.
[Cole] Well, Asuka and Kairi used to be friends.
They used to be tag team partners.
[Owens] Can't believe she said that.
[Patrick] Well, we're hearing this is a match that will take place tonight
-on Friday Night SmackDown. -[Owens] That's a treat.
[Patrick] Yes, it is. Six-Woman Tag Team Match coming your way tonight.
I cannot wait for that.
But up next in the ring is an aerial artist
that continues to soar.
[Graves] Cameras are out. Spotlight on him.
[Cole] Dragon Lee, a dynamic second generation Superstar.
[Dragon] I love the chaos.
I'm very happy to be here on SmackDown.
I want to show the world that Dragon Lee is especial.
[def rebel's "Control the Empire" playing]
[Cole] This young man is fun to watch.
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, weighing in at 165 pounds,
Dragon Lee!
[Patrick] We are buzzing to see Dragon Lee back in action against Cedric Alexander.
They're running it back from a couple of weeks ago.
It was a sensational match,
and we get to do it all again tonight, Cole.
[Cole] Yesterday, WWE announced that in honor of Veterans Day
and on behalf of all Americans,
the company will raise one of the largest American flags in the country
atop the new WWE Headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.
[stirring music]
[narrator] Today, in America, we honor the valor,
the sacrifice, and the courage of our veterans
who so valiantly stood forward
wherever they were called upon.
To protect our freedoms
and to safeguard our future.
We are forever grateful for their selflessness.
And humbled by their sacrifice.
They are sons…
and daughters,
fathers…
and mothers.
To these brave heroes…
on this Veterans Day…
we remember,
and we say…
Thank you.
[Patrick] Welcome back to Friday Night SmackDown.
Dragon Lee-Cedric Alexander running it back from a couple of weeks ago.
We've got KO on the commentary desk tonight
alongside Michael Cole and me, Kevin Patrick.
And, KO, I know it's a match you were excited about.
[Owens] Yeah, absolutely. I've known Cedric Alexander for many, many years.
Been a fan of his work for many years.
Kind of new to Dragon Lee, but he's very impressive.
So this is pretty cool to be ringside for this.
-[Cole] SmackDown General Manager… -[Owens] Right in the teeth.
…just sent a tweet out moments ago talking about your attire.
He said when he gave you the tie,
what you're wearing isn't quite what he was thinking you were gonna wear out here.
[Owens] I don't know what he expected. All I asked him for was a tie.
I don't know…
Look, if he wanted me in the suit, he could have lent me a whole suit.
[Patrick] I think you're having a handsome day, Kev.
-[Owens] Thank you. -[Patrick] Cedric Alexander now…
looking for that big win to gain a little bit of momentum.
You know Cedric Alexander, you see how hungry he is.
-What's he like backstage? -[Cole] Oh, what a move!
[Patrick] Oh, Cedric may put this away already. Hooks the leg for the win.
Dragon Lee able to kick out.
[Owens] He's got a chip on his shoulders, to be honest.
He's, like you said, he's very hungry, but he wants to prove himself…
[Cole] With moves like that!
[Owens] If anything, you might think he's proven himself many times.
And, you know, people should have a lot more respect for him.
But this is a great opportunity to show everybody what he's about.
[Cole] These two men met in the backstage area before the show,
caught on social media, and agreed to have this rematch tonight.
Wanted to do it one more time.
[Owens] Cedric might be tired.
There's not a whole lot of velocity behind those chops.
[Patrick] And crushing his back into the turnbuckles.
-Now Cedric Alexander. -[Owens] There is the velocity.
[Patrick] Cedric Alexander flying so far.
And how does Dragon Lee recover? He may not. This could be over.
Kicking out at two.
What about Dragon Lee and all that he offers, KO?
How difficult is it going up against someone
as technical and as high-flying as Dragon Lee?
[Owens] I mean, you just never know what to expect.
Obviously, he can come at you with some of the most impressive
high-flying moves you could see.
He could take you down to the mat and wrestle you. It's--
He's very impressive all around. And during his entrance,
he comes out of a dragon's mouth.
How about that?
-[Cole] That is some great analysis. -[Owens] I know.
[Patrick] Serious observation.
[Owens] I'm just talking about things that make me jealous.
That's the only… Oh! That's the only thing that makes me jealous so far.
[Cole] Oh, wow.
[Owens] I wish I could kick that high, actually.
[Patrick] Dragon Lee now, the aerial artist.
[Cole] Oh, look at Dragon Lee go.
[Owens] I can, I can do that.
So I'm not jealous. But it was still very, very…
[Patrick] Dragon Lee takes flight.
[Cole] Can you do that?
[Owens] I have. I actually have.
But still, he deserves all the praise in the world.
[Cole] And Dragon Lee is a player here on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Patrick] Bound to have been an emotional night for Dragon Lee,
a huge, huge admirer of Rey Mysterio, who's been his idol his entire life.
-Dragon Lee now… -[Owens] Very nice.
[Patrick] It's got to be it! Dragon Lee!
Oh! Cedric Alexander.
[Owens] He didn't get his feet over the arms.
If he had, that could have been it.
[Cole] And watch the impact here.
Of Cedric Alexander… sit-out powerbomb!
[Owens] You want the feet to go right over the arms to get that leverage.
[Patrick] What momentum Dragon Lee has been building
here on Friday Night SmackDown.
Eyeing up Cedric Alexander. Oh, are you kidding me?
[Owens laughing] That was awesome.
[Cole] How the hell is Dragon Lee even gonna get up after that?
He just fell hard on the back of his neck after being launched by Alexander.
This is absolutely incredible.
Oh, my goodness. Look at the impact.
[Owens] If Cedric can crawl over there and make the cover.
Oh, chooses not to cover.
Very, very interesting.
But you might wanna just put it away, ensure the victory here.
[Cole] Looking for the Lumbar Check
finishing maneuver to try to put Dragon Lee away.
[Patrick] Blow after blow.
Who is going to have the bragging rights tonight?
A slugfest we're witnessing here.
Oh! Did you hear that?
[Owens] I did hear it.
[Patrick] Off the ropes.
[Cole] Great release. German suplex.
[Patrick] Oh, man!
Hang on a second. Cedric Alexander!
Dragon Lee still alive.
[Owens] He used Dragon Lee's his own momentum against him.
-[Patrick] How? -[Owens] Nearly put him away.
[Cole] This is absolutely incredible to watch.
[crowd and referee] One, two…
[Cole] And the WWE fans lovin' it.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome! This is awesome!
[Patrick] I'm still trying to figure out how you pull that off, KO.
Sensational from Cedric Alexander.
[Owens] I cannot do that.
[Cole] Cedric Alexander frustrated he couldn't put Lee away.
[Patrick] Quickly across now.
Dragon Lee connects!
[Cole] That may put Alexander away.
[Patrick] Another banger of a match here between this duo.
-Cedric Alexander! -[Cole] Michinoku Driver.
[Patrick] To put away Dragon Lee… Oh!
Dragon kicks out.
Just about.
[Cole] Looking for the Lumbar Check.
Turn Around by Dragon Lee.
Are the shoulders down? Now they are.
[Owens] That second delay.
Oh. Took care of that.
[Cole] Cedric may be out.
[shouts]
[crowd] Oh!
-[Patrick] Oh my God! -[Owens] I think that's it.
[crowd] One! Two! Three!
-[Cole] Incredible. -[bell rings]
[def rebel's "Control the Empire" playing]
[Rome] Here is your winner, Dragon Lee.
♪ Straight to the top ♪
♪ Let the dragon's fire rain ♪
♪ Fire, fire, rain down ♪
[Cole] What a beauty to watch.
Dragon Lee putting Cedric Alexander away
in a highly competitive and entertaining matchup.
♪ Let the dragon's fire rain ♪
♪ Fire, fire, fire, rain down ♪
[Patrick] Dragon Lee has been getting priceless advice
each and every week from Rey Mysterio,
and he's rolling on SmackDown. And speaking of Rey Mysterio,
we have word that Rey is now in a local medical facility
being treated after that heinous attack by Santos Escobar earlier on tonight.
And Rey's misfortune began last Saturday at Crown Jewel
against Logan Paul.
[narrator] Tonight's Highlight of the Night
is sponsored by WWE 2K23.
[upbeat music playing]
I've come to Saudi to become US Champ.
[Cole] Logan Paul is here.
[Wade] Logan Paul is out for US Championship gold.
He needs to go through the legendary luchador Rey Mysterio to earn it.
[Cole] Logan Paul seeking his first championship here at WWE.
-And, oh, my goodness! -[Wade] That is absolutely ridiculous.
How do you beat the greatest luchador of all time?
[Cole] They just handed Logan Paul brass knuckles.
Not so fast.
Oh, wait a minute. Paul got the brass knuckles.
[crowd counts]
Logan Paul is the United States Champion.
This moment will shake WWE and social media to its core.
"The Maverick" Logan Paul has radically changed
the complexion of WWE.
Guys, we should have done our own Instagram shoot with these Legacy Titles.
I somehow got stuck with the Cleveland Browns.
I'm a Cincinnati fan. These are beautiful.
I have Pittsburgh. I don't know anything about football--
You wave a terrible towel around if you're a Steeler fan.
Yeah, yeah, Mario Lemieux played in Pittsburgh.
-So I took the Steelers one. -Of course.
You know what I'm not gonna do is take a shower with it
and then to take a picture and post it, because I'm not a psychopath.
[Patrick] Well, make sure you go and get your own at wweshop.com.
But look at who it is. "The Megastar" LA Knight,
screwed at Crown Jewel,
hopes to respond against Grayson Waller, next.
[Cole] It was the biggest win of his career
when he finally stepped into the spotlight.
Solo Sikoa destroying the Greatest of All Time,
John Cena, at Crown Jewel.
Is it the end of the road for John Cena?
We take a look back later on tonight.
[def rebel's "Welcome to LA" playing]
[crowd cheering loudly]
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first from Los Angeles, California,
weighing in at 245 pounds…
LA Knight.
[crowd] Yeah!
[Patrick] Tonight's Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive.
You're looking at LA Knight,
a man that was milliseconds away from becoming the Undisputed Champion
and ending Roman's historic reign.
♪ LA Knight ♪
[Wade] LA Knight is on the precipice of creating history before our eyes.
[Cole] Will Roman Reigns' three and a half year reign continue?
Or is it the the upstart LA Knight's time to win the title?
[Knight] One way or another, you will be calling me champ. Yeah!
[Hypersonic Music's "Win" playing]
[crowd] Ooh-ah!
[Cole] You got to be kidding me! How the hell did Knight kick out?
[music continues playing]
Blunt Force Trauma, BFT!
Jimmy Uso saves the match.
Jimmy Uso through the table.
Spear through the barricade!
[crowd cheering]
Spear!
[bell rings]
LA Knight proved to the world he belonged on this stage
but Roman Reigns survives again.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting] LA Knight! LA Knight! LA Knight!
Let me talk to you.
Crown Jewel didn't go exactly as I'd hoped for.
And now I can come out here and I can tell you I'm sorry.
I could tell you I fell short.
I could tell you I didn't live up to the expectations.
[crowd chanting] Yes, you can! Yes, you can! Yes, you can!
Yeah, 'cause I ain't gonna say anything of that.
Because I'd be a damn liar.
Because I did exactly what I said I'd do. I walked in this ring.
I took Roman Reigns within an inch of that WWE Championship.
I dropped him on his head with a BFT…
and I had him for a one, two, three.
[crowd] Yeah!
If not for Jimmy Uso.
[crowd booing]
Let's just go ahead and call it what it was-- I got robbed.
I ain't gonna mince words about that.
But Roman Reigns, let me tell you this right now.
Take every dollar you got, everything you can…
give Jimmy Uso a raise, give Jimmy Uso a promotion.
Give Jimmy Uso the pleasure you can give him
any way you can give it to him.
Because bottom line is, if he wasn't there,
you're looking at a new WWE Champion right now.
[crowd cheering]
And so a lot of people might think, oh, well, you know what?
Back to the drawing board.
Maybe you just go to the back of the line. Huh?
Nah nah.
You got to understand something. I'm not done with The Bloodline.
The Bloodline is not done with me.
Until I own Roman Reigns,
and until I own the WWE Championship.
-Yeah! -[crowd] Yeah!
Which means that I got to take them piece by…
[def rebel's "Eye On The Prize" playing]
[crowd booing]
[Owens] Talk about somebody nobody wants to see.
-[Cole] Buzzkill. -[Owens] Yeah.
"Yeah!" You see what I did?
Does he have a microphone? Ugh, he's got a microphone
-LA Knight. -[crowd boos]
You're straight up embarrassing yourself right now, mate.
You're blaming everyone but yourself.
So what I think you need is a little bit of honesty.
Because the truth is, you know it, these flops know it…
Maybe you're just not the guy.
But I certainly know someone who's the guy.
Oh, look, everybody, it's kangaroo jackass.
[Cole laughing]
He's a comedian, huh?
Well, how about we do a little impromptu Grayson Waller Effect?
Because I have a question that I need an answer for.
Do you really think that you
belong in the ring with Roman Reigns?
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting "Yeah!"]
I'll get to that in a second.
Let me answer your question with a question of my own.
Actually, I got a question for everybody.
"The Grayson Waller Effect."
That sounds like some sort of an STD, right?
[crowd] Yeah!
This guy,
he got dropped by a Saudi movie star at Crown Jewel, right?
[crowd] Yeah!
And he's out here asking
if I belong in the ring with Roman Reigns.
Huh?
Well, I see you got your little $5 haircut here.
You're ready to take your school pictures and good for you.
The only problem is, when I look at you, I just get the feeling
you're not allowed within 50 yards of a school, you creep.
[crowd groans]
But let's be serious for a second.
You got yourself in a lot of hot water right now
because you got a match with me. And how'd you do that?
Because you wanted to go ahead and play around on the Internet.
I guess you can take the boy out of his mother's basement,
but you can't take the mother's basement out of the boy.
I think you need to remember who you're talking to, lad.
That's all these people. That ain't me.
Oh, no. I remember who you're… I remember who I'm talking to.
Because you were coming at me with a lot of energy yesterday on X.
Matter of fact, I think we call that big incel energy.
I'm gonna put it to you like this. While you're worried about
if I belong in the ring with Roman Reigns,
let's worry about the fact that right now
you want to talk a big game on X,
you've found yourself in here with a very angry, a very frustrated me.
And what that means is, I'm gonna take every bit of
anger and frustration out
when I stomp your keister into the ground,
and the whole world tells you whose game this is,
with everybody saying:
[crowd] LA Knight, yeah!
[commentators] Oh!
[Owens] Did he just hit him with a microphone?
[Cole] And he's not done yet.
Yeah, you can have my water.
-Oh! -[laughing]
Oh, Grayson, you're all wet, buddy.
Your hair looks… Why are you so wet?
…with everybody saying:
[crowd] LA Knight, yeah!
Yeah!
-[Cole] Waller's all washed up. -[Owens] Washed up?
That was great, Michael. You're washed up, Michael Cole said.
You get it? 'Cause you're wet with water.
He's got a match with LA Knight. Next.
Yeah. What are you gonna do about it?
[Cole] For the first time in what will be six years,
the WWE is coming to Australia.
This time, Optus Stadium in Perth will be home
to the biggest WWE Elimination Chamber event ever.
This is the stadium that has hosted the likes of Taylor Swift,
Eminem, U2 and many more,
and it now hosts one of the most important nights of the year.
Prepare to be wowed with a full week of WWE events
from the beautiful city of Perth on the Western Australian coast,
with WWE Elimination Chamber coming Saturday,
February 24th.
Tickets are on sale now via Live Nation Australia.
Visit wwe.com/events to register
and be one of the first to receive all the information.
[Patrick] What a brilliant city Perth is. Meanwhile, back here in Columbus, Ohio,
one-on-one action, Grayson Waller and LA Knight.
Think Grayson Waller might get booed by his own people in Australia?
[Owens] Grayson Waller gets booed by his own mother, so…
Why wouldn't his own people do it?
[Cole] Well, tonight wasn't the night for Grayson Waller
to come out here and start mouthing off to LA Knight…
[Patrick] Cover, this could be over already. Grayson kicking out early.
[Cole] …after Knight was so frustrated after the loss to Roman Reigns
at Crown Jewel thanks to Jimmy Uso.
[Owens] You know, I've been there.
It is very frustrating to lose to Roman Reigns
because of one of the Usos.
[Cole] Well, how did you deal with it mentally?
[Owens] I mean, it happened to me four times.
So, you know, after the fourth time I, you know, I'm kind of used to it.
The first couple times there were real rough
and then I took out my anger on other people.
So LA Knight's ahead of the game.
Hey, he's from… he's from Los Angeles.
I didn't know this until he came out earlier.
LA Knight. It makes sense. It just… It's just perfect.
[Patrick] Got any good schools up in Canada? No?
[Owens] Schools? Yeah, we have schools.
[Cole] He's basically saying you're uneducated.
[Owens] Well, what do you mean?
Am I "QC Owens"?
No. Just 'cause I'm from Quebec? That makes no sense.
[Patrick] Kevin, I don't want to get you hotheaded.
You're here. You're a commentator tonight. We're delighted to have you with us.
[Owens] I've kept my temper in check for the last…
There we go. Punched in the face. Love that.
[Cole] So, tell me about Grayson Waller. What do you feel about Mr. Waller, KO?
[Owens] Strong dislike, annoyance, slight frustration.
Because sometimes he's around me, and I don't like that.
[Patrick] You really enjoyed boxing both Austin Theory and Grayson Waller
at the same time a couple of weeks ago.
[Owens] That's right. You know, he doubted me.
Thankfully, Jamie Noble believed in me.
-And then I did it. -[Patrick] Cover for the win.
Once more, Grayson Waller out in time.
[Cole] LA Knight very focused tonight.
Looking to regroup quickly after Crown Jewel.
[Patrick] He says he senses some vulnerability from LA Knight.
I'm not sure that's the case. LA Knight is rolling here.
[Owens] Kickout at one. Defiance.
[Cole] A nice kickout after that swinging neckbreaker.
What is it about LA Knight, KO, that impresses you?
[crowd chants "LA Knight"]
[Owens] Well, obviously the support he's got from the WWE Universe…
[Cole] Oh! And obviously a right hand.
[Owens] Well, let's see how his jaw handles that punch.
But, yeah, the support he's got from the WWE Universe
is something to behold.
See, "behold." I wasn't beholding Bobby Lashley,
but I'm beholding-- there you go.
[Patrick] Look at this once more. The right from Grayson Waller.
[Owens] Good forearm.
Annoying. But good.
[Patrick] You wonder if the momentum of LA Knight will be halted somewhat.
This crowd seemed louder than ever
in favor of LA Knight tonight here in Columbus.
[Cole] Well, they realize that Roman Reigns
held on to the championship yet again
with the help of his family, with the help of The Bloodline.
[Patrick] LA Knight saying tonight, "I'm not done with The Bloodline,
I got robbed."
Also said, "give Jimmy Uso a raise."
[Owens] Do you think Roman pays Jimmy Uso for his assistance?
[Cole] He better. Oh, goodness. Waller tumbling.
[Patrick] Uh-oh. Watch out. Here comes LA Knight.
[Cole] And now, right on the announce table in front of us.
Don't look at me, Grayson Waller.
I don't think he can look at anybody.
His eyes are a little glazed over.
Oh, this ain't gonna help. Oh!
[Patrick] Aussie Icon, dribbled all over the announce desk.
-[crowd] Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. -[Owens] Yes. Yes. Yes.
[Cole] It's actually "yeah."
Oh, I'm putting my own spin on it. Affirmative.
[referee] Six!
[Owens] See?
-That was fun. -[Patrick] You're applauding, KO.
[Owens] Yeah. It's great to see Waller's head bounce back. Oh, no!
Oh, well,
Grayson Waller took effect as LA Knight
went back into the ring to break the count.
And now Waller taking over.
[Owens] You know you're pushing the table. Oh, ribs.
-[Patrick] Did you see his back driven… -[Owens] I did, I did.
-…into the steel steps? -[Owens] That's terrible.
I'm having…
Grayson Waller. Grayson Waller, LA.
[Cole] Oh, clothesline! What impact!
-Say something now. -You have a lot of sparkles on your gear.
That is too many sparkles. Too many sparkles, Grayson Waller.
Enough sparkles. Get out of here with the sparkles.
[Patrick] The boos ring out here in Columbus.
It's Grayson Waller on top now against LA Knight.
KO, the Aussie's turned this around pretty quickly.
[Owens] Yeah, well, we'll see how long that lasts.
Again, you know, you hear the people in support of LA Knight,
that-that matters, that plays a part.
[Patrick] LA Knight now gaining that little bit of separation.
-Quickly across to Waller. -[Cole] Oh, great move by Waller.
You got to give Grayson Waller credit, KO, tremendous athlete.
[Owens] I never doubt it. He's just very annoying.
[Waller] Hey, Kev! Takes some notes!
[Owen] What should I note? The fact that LA Knight said
you had $5 haircut and it's not even that? Oh.
Oh, thank you. Hey, look, I have a pen!
I'm going to write down how you're an idiot.
[Cole laughing]
[Owens] "Waller is…"
[Cole] He wanted you to take notes, so…
[Owens] "…an idiot." Period.
[Cole] Hey, here, here. Use the pen.
Take some more notes so Waller makes sure that…
[Owens] "Waller… can…
kiss… my…"
-I can't say the other word. -[Cole] LA Knight being tortured here.
-[Owens] Did you see it? -[Patrick] Got beautiful handwriting, KO.
[Owens] Yeah, you can sell that on eBay later.
[Patrick] Cover for Grayson Waller.
[Owens] That wasn't two. That wasn't even two, Waller.
You should take notes on how to cover somebody with some leverage.
He can't hear me. Me yelling, my voice.
[Patrick] This is a match that Grayson Waller wanted,
talking his way into it on social media.
LA Knight didn't want to get involved in a social media spat.
[Cole] So now he's involved in a half crab.
[Patrick] You saw before the commercial break,
LA Knight's back was driven into the steel steps.
Does this affect the back in any way here, KO?
[Owens] It's never good to be involved in a half crab.
Of course it affects the back.
But again, listen to the support of these people.
Oh! That'll affect anybody's back right there.
[Cole] Waller, getting frustrated, just continues to hammer away
on the small of the back of Knight.
[Owens] So now he knows how we all feel when he's around us.
Frustrated.
[Patrick] Waller has silenced the arena.
LA Knight down and out.
And the Aussie hoping to seize the moment here.
[Owens] Gingerly walking across the…
[Patrick] From the middle rope.
Grayson Waller. And that may do it. Oh!
-Oh! LA Knight kicks out. -[Cole] Knight's staying in this matchup.
He understands the importance of keeping momentum.
He lost, of course, in the championship match this past Saturday
thanks to Jimmy Uso,
but he can ill afford another loss here tonight
as he continues to strive to get to the top.
[Owens] Yeah. How you recover from a big loss…
will often dictate the momentum you carry on after.
[Cole] Oh, goodness.
[Patrick] Got to think, though, that LA Knight will hope to gain more momentum
given that he ran Roman Reigns so close.
[Cole] Oh, scouted.
LA Knight had Grayson Waller read.
[Owens] He had just done that, so he knew it was coming.
Little roll into…
-[Patrick] Look for the rolling… -[Owens] Back suplex.
Had it scouted again?
LA Knight does his scouting.
[Patrick] Can he capitalize?
Both men slowly getting back on their feet.
[Cole] Listen to the WWE fans.
[crowd chanting "Yeah!"]
[Patrick] Oh! Raining down blows on Grayson Waller.
[Cole] LA Knight taking over, off the side,
Russian legsweep followed by the DDT.
[Patrick] Rolling over Waller to put away The Aussie Icon,
who kicks out again.
[Owens] Had a bit of a hard time turning him over, but great sequence.
[Patrick] How do you not let frustration come in now, Kev,
given that LA Knight's been on top here the last few minutes.
[Owens] I mean, he's doing pretty good. He's just got to stay on him. Oh!
He left that opening.
[Patrick] Grayson Waller continues to rally, continues to fight.
Caught by LA Knight.
[crowd] LA Knight, yeah!
[Patrick] Knight with the WWE Universe firmly behind him.
Looking for that BFT!
[crowd] One! Two! Three!
[bell rings]
[Owens] There you go. That's momentum right there.
[Rome] Here is your winner, LA Knight.
[Cole] That was an important win for LA Knight tonight
to continue his winning ways here on Friday Night SmackDown.
Still has his eyes set on the championship.
[Owens] Poor Sparkles.
[Cole] Well, Sparkles was rolling. But here's the turning point.
Went for that rolling stunner.
And he was picked out of midair by LA Knight.
[Patrick] How impressive is this from LA Knight?
Boom, BFT!
[crowd] One! Two! Three!
[bell rings]
[Owens] You know, this is how this all started.
With my water bottle. But LA Knight's welcome to my water bottle.
Let's freeze this. Look at that right there.
Look at that face. Freeze it. Look at this.
Look at that face right there. See, they gave me a nice little tool here.
Look at that face. You see that?
That reminds me of two weeks ago.
Remember two weeks ago when I had them in the locker room
and I said I was going to punch both of them at the same time?
Can we… Let's bring that up. Let's bring two weeks ago up.
-[Cole] I'd love to see that again. -[Owens] There we go. See?
They're lined up like idiots.
They were doubting me at the time that I could punch them at the same--
Let's freeze, right here. Look at that.
Look at their faces. You see my fist right here?
Coming at great velocity, so fast you can barely see it.
It came across this face and this face.
And look at this. They knew it was coming. They could feel the wind from my fist.
And, look, this is the before. Let's see what happened.
Let's go. Nice. Nice punch, Kevin.
This is the after shot. Look at that.
[Cole] You're like a master with that telestrator.
[Owens] I know, I'm gonna get one for my house. Look at this.
Very unhappy. But they should be happy. This is what they should look like.
Happy, because KO delivered.
KO proved his theory, "Theory," right here, right?
That he could punch both of us at the same time.
[Cole] Grayson Waller was watching you do all this on the…
[Cole] Well, as Kevin Owens plays with the telestrator,
we want to remind you, coming up in just a matter of moments here,
our main event, Bianca, Charlotte, and Asuka
team up against Damage CTRL,
which consists of Iyo Sky, Bayley, and the brand new member Kairi Sane.
Six-Woman Tag Team Match here tonight.
[Patrick] And remember, the Greatest of All Time, John Cena,
he went into his match at Crown Jewel with renewed fire.
He called it "must-win."
That fire was extinguished by "The Street Champ" Solo Sikoa.
We're gonna take a look back at that match next.
[Cole] And we want to remind everyone that tomorrow is Veterans Day,
and WWE is proud to support our nation's heroes
in partnership with the National Medal of Honor Foundation,
to showcase stories of service and valor.
My name is Specialist 5 Jim McCloughan, and they call me Doc.
The morning of May 13th, 1969, in Vietnam,
my company was ordered to the base of Nui Yon Hill.
For two days, outnumbered 28 to 1,
89 brave American soldiers were in a fight for their lives.
[James] I was a combat medic in that battle.
Of course, being an athlete helped out a lot.
College wrestling saved my life, and allowed me to save a lot of others.
I went into the kill zone 10 times to save 10 Americans
and one Vietnamese interpreter from being either killed or captured.
I was wounded three times, and I was ordered to get on a medevac.
And I looked down and saw my own blood, and I said,
"I'm not going because you're gonna need me."
[Chérie] Jim would tell you, receiving the Medal of Honor
is a very humbling experience.
[James] The thing that was very important to me during my ceremony,
the President asked the 10 men to stand.
[Chérie] He feels a real responsibility to carry the message
that the Vietnam veteran was a man that we should be proud of.
This medal around my neck not only belongs to them,
it belongs to 89 men that fought in the battle for Nui Yon Hill.
[narrator] Tonight's Classic SmackDown Moment
is sponsored by WWE Elite Collection action figures.
Recreate unforgettable matches and collect memories with each figure.
Make your collection elite.
[Angle] I am issuing a challenge…
to anyone in that locker room to come down here and face Kurt Angle.
Who in the hell are you?
I'm John Cena.
What is the one quality that you possess?
Ruthless aggression.
[Cole] Mr. McMahon told these young Superstars to seize the opportunity.
And this is what Cena is trying to do tonight against Angle.
John Cena giving Kurt Angle all he can handle and then some.
What a great accounting for this kid here tonight.
What's your name, kid?
John Cena.
[crowd cheers]
Nice job.
[Patrick] An incredible flashback of John Cena then.
But what about John Cena now?
We're still processing
what went down at Crown Jewel, when the Greatest of All Time
clashed with "The Enforcer of the Bloodline" Solo Sikoa.
[Cole] John Cena against Solo Sikoa.
John Cena has put so much pressure on himself in this match
calling it a must-win.
"I need to silence my self-doubt."
[Wade] John Cena attacking the thumb of Solo Sikoa.
He knows what the biggest threat in this matchup,
and he's trying to take it out early.
[Cole] Solo Sikoa now looks to punish the 16-time World Champion.
[Wade] Sikoa is like a man possessed.
[Cole] Another Samoan Spike!
[referee] One! Two! Three!
[Cole] A savage beatdown of the Greatest of All Time.
Is this the final time we could see John Cena in a WWE ring?
[emotional music]
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting] Cena! Cena! Cena!
[chanting continues]
[Patrick] Such an emotional ending there. Undoubtedly, though,
Solo Sikoa's biggest victory in his young career.
And it may have changed the landscape forever here in WWE
with the destruction of the 16-time World Champion John Cena.
Solo Sikoa is back on SmackDown next week.
[Cole] So if Solo Sikoa is indeed the man to have retired John Cena,
all we can simply say to John is thank you.
That's true. And look, obviously, this is something to behold,
that John Cena's career could be over.
But I think what would cheer people up and help them process that,
even John himself, is if we go back to two weeks ago
when I punched Austin Theory and Grayson Waller.
-Let's pull it back up. -[Cole] Oh, my.
[Owens] Let's just look at it a couple more times
because I still have my thing here.
See? Oh, that's an arrow. I don't want that yet.
Freeze it. There you go. Here's the fist right there,
coming furiously at these faces.
Look, I can't even make circles. Those-- Look at that.
-[Cole] You love the telestrator. -[Owens] I do love it.
I'm gonna get one for my house. Let's go to the after shot again.
Punch. Look at that punch, you know.
So look, what happened is they were lined up.
It was the Dwight Schrute Theory, where you punch through.
-But look at how unhappy they are. -[Cole] Kev, um…
-[Owens] Oh! Speaking of unhappy. -[Cole] Yeah.
Now Grayson Waller has got his running buddy
wandering out here with him as well.
I see them, let me-- Does it still work?
Oh, yeah, it still works. Look at that anyway. Okay.
-[Cole] Austin Theory along. -[Owens] All right.
-[Owens] Okay. -[Patrick] Keep it cool, KO.
-[Owens] All right. Okay. -[Cole] Keep it cool…
Kevin-- Kevin, you're gonna get suspended.
Kevin, relax. Kevin.
-Don't get suspended. -[both] "Don't get suspended."
-Ohh! -[Cole] Don't--
-[Patrick] Don't react, KO. -[Waller] Don't get suspended, Kevin!
Who are you talking to? Huh?
Look. The shove, I can take. The water on the head, I can take.
But he just… did he just throw that empty water bottle at you, Kevin Patrick?
-Yeah, we're colleagues now. -I can't. I, Michael…
Kevin. Sorry, I got to go get suspended.
[Cole] I guess, I get it.
And Kevin Owens now making a beeline for Theory and Waller.
[Patrick] I can't blame him, Cole.
Go on, KO!
[Cole] Now, Kevin Owens had had enough.
Poking some fun at Waller and Theory here tonight.
Waller and Theory did not take too kindly to it.
-[Patrick] KO! Looking for the stunner. -[Cole] And Theory out of harm's way.
-[Patrick] Watch out, Kevin! -[Cole] From behind!
[Patrick] There it is! Stunner!
Looks better with a tie on, too.
[Cole] He did a pretty good job here on commentary,
but I'm afraid he's gonna have to go to the back
and speak to our General Manager, Nick Aldis.
[CFO$'s "Fight" playing]
[indistinct shouting]
[Patrick] Well, folks, Survivor Series is sponsored by Credit One Bank.
Get cash cashback rewards and live large.
[Cole] Thanks, Kev.
[Patrick] All the best, Kevin.
[def rebel's "We Got the Rage" playing]
[Cole] I cannot wait for our main event tonight.
♪ Damage CTRL, yeah ♪
[Patrick] Six-woman tag match. And it's Damage CTRL out first.
♪ We got the power, we got the rage ♪
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest
is a Six-Woman Tag Team Match
scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Dakota Kai,
Kairi Sane, Bayley,
and the WWE Women's Champion, Iyo Sky,
Damage CTRL.
♪…won't crash for landing ♪
♪ Going in off thе leash and they can't win ♪
[Patrick] Tonight's main event is sponsored by Wingstop.
And what a main event it is.
It's an all star cast of Bianca, Charlotte, and Asuka.
But in their way, it's Damage CTRL, looking stronger than ever.
Main event to SmackDown is next.
♪…take advantage ♪
♪ Let the whole world scream my name ♪
LA Knight, you say you're not done with The Bloodline? Cool.
Because I'm not done with you. You want me next week?
Yeah. Yeet!
Tribal Chief, what's up?
Yeah.
No yeet!
[Patrick] What do you think Roman said?
Nonetheless, next week, it is a juicy one.
LA Knight says that Jimmy Uso is the only reason
he's not the Undisputed Champion right now,
Looking for revenge when they go one-on-one next week on SmackDown.
[Cole] And speaking of The Bloodline, after doing what no one else could
and silencing the Greatest of All Time, John Cena,
The Bloodline's "Enforcer," Solo Sikoa,
returns live to Friday Night SmackDown next week.
[Patrick] Iyo's era has never looked safer.
Kairi Sane now on board with Damage CTRL.
Any issues earlier on in the night with Bayley
now seem to have been resolved.
[def rebel's "You Can't Hide" playing]
♪ Your destiny's written All over the sky ♪
♪ You can't hide ♪
[Rome] And their opponents.
First, from Osaka, Japan, Asuka!
[Cole] Asuka with a lot of history with both Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane
from Damage CTRL.
Obviously, very upset that Sane returned to WWE
and joined Bayley and company.
[Patrick] You wonder, does anyone know Kairi Sane more than Asuka does?
Knows every trick in the book as Asuka will now compete
against Kairi Sane, Iyo Sky and co.
The Empress ready for battle here on SmackDown.
What an all-star team Bianca Belair has assembled.
[def rebel's "All Hail the Queen" playing]
[Cole] Including the 14-time World Champion.
♪ Bow down ♪
♪ All hail the queen ♪
[Rome] And her tag team partners.
First, from The Queen City,
Charlotte Flair.
[Patrick] Charlotte Flair siding with Bianca Belair and Asuka
to try and put a halt to the momentum of Damage CTRL in the Women's Division.
[fireworks]
♪ Bow down ♪
The most decorated female Superstar of all time.
Friday Night SmackDown is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
For a job you'll love, visit Progressive.
[CFO$'s "Watch Me Shine" playing]
♪ I'm on my own, against the wall ♪
♪ The pressure's building But no I will never fall ♪
♪ Instead of crying, they hear me roar ♪
♪ And now I see that I'm way better than before ♪
[Rome] And making her way to the ring from Knoxville, Tennessee,
Bianca Belair.
[Patrick] Bianca saying earlier that Iyo did not have the confidence
to take me on one-on-one at Crown Jewel.
Bianca may have a point there, Cole.
[Cole] Yeah, I agree, there's so many different stories and angles
to talk about in this matchup tonight.
You got to wonder which team's gonna be victorious
as SmackDown heads into Evansville, Indiana,
live next week, right here on Fox.
[Patrick] Who will be the victor, having the bragging rights,
heading into Evansville next week?
♪ The pressure's building But no I will never fall ♪
♪ Instead of crying, they hear me roar ♪
♪ And now I see that I'm way better than before ♪
[Cole] It should be a tremendous main event here tonight.
[Patrick] Look who's set to start it all off.
Bayley for Damage CTRL
and Bianca Belair.
[bell rings]
[Cole] And tonight's main event is sponsored by Wingstop.
And Bianca Belair with her power
starting things off against Bayley in this matchup.
Interesting team of Bianca Belair, Charlotte, and Asuka.
[Patrick] Hooking the leg already here.
[Cole] Remember, those three women were battling
for the WWE Women's Championship back at SummerSlam
the night that Iyo Sky cashed in the title on Bianca Belair,
who eventually won.
Yeah, Bianca had the title for mere seconds that night
before Damage CTRL would capitalize, causing mayhem and Iyo cashing in.
Oh, Charlotte with the big boot.
Will it be this all-star team
of Charlotte, Bianca, and Asuka, to get the win tonight?
[Patrick] You're watching the main event of Friday Night SmackDown.
Six-woman tag team action,
and it's "The Queen" Charlotte Flair who catches
the WWE Women's Champion Iyo Sky.
[Cole] Oh, it's been all Charlotte, Asuka and Bianca Belair
in this matchup thus far.
Of course, all three forming a team
because of the common enemy of Damage CTRL.
[Patrick] A faction that are looking stronger than ever.
And look who is entering now.
[Cole] Yeah, Kairi Sane, who returned to WWE last Saturday at Crown Jewel.
Bayley admitting earlier tonight
that she had no idea that Kairi was coming back.
And Bianca Belair now into the ring.
Remember, Kairi Sane cost Bianca Belair
the Women's Championship last Saturday night.
[Patrick] You can see the fury in Bianca Belair
unloading now on Kairi Sane.
[Cole] Well, Dakota Kai told Bayley,
"We brought Kairi back to make Damage CTRL stronger.
Take weight off your shoulders."
-[Patrick] Oh, wow. Look at this. -[Cole] Speaking of…
[Patrick] Incredible strength and athleticism from Bianca Belair.
Kairi Sane also saying something interesting,
that "I recognize you and respect you as the leader of Damage CTRL."
Saying to Bayley.
[Cole] Again, trying to smooth things out
because Bayley was obviously shocked at the return of Kairi Sane.
Iyo Sky bounced off the announce table by Bianca.
Now Bayley distracting the official momentarily.
Kairi Sane tried to strike…
[Patrick] Bianca now with Kairi Sane.
Just hanging off the top rope.
[Cole] Oh, and The Pirate Princess hanging Bianca Belair up.
And now double-team!
Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane.
[Patrick] Frustration on the face of Charlotte Flair
and Asuka on the far side.
And Kairi Sane. Oh, a big kick there from Bianca.
Look at this one more time!
What sort of a new threat do we have here in the Women's Division in Kairi Sane?
[Cole] Kairi Sane, former Mae Young Classic winner,
former NXT Women's Champion,
former Tag Team Champion with a woman on the other side of the ring, Asuka.
Kairi Sane as dangerous as they come.
A high-flyer, can also be physical, as she takes to the top rope now.
Here's just an example of what Kairi Sane is capable of.
[Patrick] Cover now for Kairi Sane to pick up the win for Damage CTRL.
And Bianca's out in time.
[Cole] Kairi and Iyo long-time friends as well.
Both top stars in Japan.
[Patrick] Damage CTRL have Bianca Belair in the corner and they can feast now.
Bayley with the tag.
Here comes the leader of Damage CTRL. So we're told.
[Cole] I don't think there's any doubt about that.
That was all smoothed out earlier tonight.
[Patrick] Charlotte and Asuka can only watch on.
[Cole] Bayley claims that everything she's done, she's done for Iyo,
she's done for Dakota,
to make Damage CTRL one of the most powerful groups in WWE today.
And it's hard to argue, whether you like Bayley's tactics or you don't,
that she's accomplished that.
[Patrick] Yeah, it really is amazing what Bayley has done with Damage CTRL
since SummerSlam of last year.
But Belair looking to put a stop to Damage CTRL tonight.
Can she make the tag?
In comes Kairi Sane and out goes Kairi Sane.
Belair now to tag in Charlotte Flair… Flair's legs taken!
[Cole] Yeah, a great move by Kairi Sane,
taking out the 14-time champion.
[Patrick] Meanwhile, back inside, Bayley hammering away at Bianca Belair.
[Cole] Long rivalry between these two, Bayley and Bianca.
[Patrick] Bianca Belair had the longest reigning championship of the modern era
earlier on this year, and it's Bayley now holding Belair back.
[Cole] Bayley one of the long-reigning champions as well
here on SmackDown.
Bianca trying to make a tag to Asuka, trying to create some sort of space.
[Patrick] Using the hair of Belair.
Bayley will do anything for an advantage.
-Belair! -[Cole] Oh, what a spinebuster.
[Patrick] The Empress of Tomorrow, desperate to get into this match.
-Oh! -[Cole] What?
[Cole] Obviously not desperate enough.
What are you doing?
[indistinct dialogue]
[Cole] Oh, my goodness!
Asuka just misted her partner, Bianca Belair!
[Asuka laughs] Whoo!
[Patrick] What the hell is this all about?
[Asuka] Kairi!
[Cole] Asuka and Kairi, long-time friends and tag partners
[Patrick] Known as The Kabuki Warriors back in the day. And look at this now.
[Cole] Bayley trying to figure out what the hell's going on.
Hugs all around!
-[Patrick] Charlotte Flair's seen enough! -[Cole] Charlotte trying to fight back.
Bianca Belair has been blinded by the mist.
-[bell rings] -But again, the numbers game.
[Patrick] This spells trouble not only for Charlotte Flair,
but for the Women's Division here in WWE.
[Cole] Charlotte trying to fight out of this.
Asuka and Bayley and Kairi and Iyo Sky
just mauling and attacking Charlotte.
A four-on-one assault.
[Patrick] Oh, Shotzi!
[Cole] Yeah. Shotzi, a tag team partner recently with Charlotte…
Have had some success,
and now Shotzi just taking the fight to Damage CTRL.
[Patrick] And a big time fight at that.
But there's too many from Damage CTRL at this point.
[Cole] Yeah, again, this is the problem now with Damage CTRL
and Asuka seemingly joining their ranks here tonight.
Rose Plant by Bayley.
Massive numbers advantage.
[Patrick] And here comes the champ.
The Genius of the Sky.
Iyo sky with the Over The Moonsault.
[Cole] And let's not forget Dakota Kai, cackling here at ringside.
Part of Damage CTRL as well. Bianca Belair trying to fight back.
[Patrick] But at what cost at this stage?
Asuka, what have we just witnessed here this evening?
It's the pack mentality by Damage CTRL.
And Kairi Sane, not through yet.
Gonna make an example of Bianca, Charlotte…
here tonight.
And Shotzi.
[Patrick] And The Pirate Princess from a height.
[Cole and crowd] Oh!
[Cole] The Insane Elbow by Kairi Sane.
[Patrick] Just devastating.
[crowd boos]
Bianca Belair wanted this match tonight.
She could never have imagined what's played out.
Kairi Sane on board.
And now it looks like "The Empress of Tomorrow" Asuka.
This is a frightening sight.
♪ Control the stage, control the cage ♪
Damage CTRL looking stronger than ever before.
[Cole] Good luck stopping them.
The entire control of Friday Night SmackDown
is now in the hands of Damage CTRL.
♪ …see just how we manage ♪