[WWE intro music 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 cheers]
Together.
[music fades]
[crowd cheering]
At Crown Jewel, my mistake was believing that Iyo actually had enough confidence
to come face me one-on-one for the title,
but, oops, my bad.
-[McAfee] Who is this? -[Cole] That's Kairi Sane!
And she took out Belair!
Iyo retains the championship.
[Patrick] Kairi Sane now onboard with Damage CTRL.
So tonight I'm just gonna have to whoop all three of y'all.
[laughing]
Well, Bianca, nobody likes a sore loser.
Yeah, yeah.
But a lot of people don't like Damage CTRL.
["All Hail The Queen" playing]
[Patrick] Bianca bringing reinforcements.
♪ The empress of tomorrow ♪
[speaking in Japanese]
[Cole] Well, Asuka and Kairi used to be tag team partners.
[in English] No one is ready for Asuka!
[Patrick] And what a main event it is.
It's an all-star cast of Bianca, Charlotte, and Asuka.
But in their way, Damage CTRL.
[Cole] And now double-team!
[Patrick] Damage CTRL looking stronger than ever.
Bayley will do anything for an advantage.
Belair! The Empress of Tomorrow,
desperate to get into this match…
Can she make the tag? Oh!
[crowd boos]
[Patrick exclaims]
[crowd gasps]
[Cole] Asuka just misted her partner Bianca Belair.
[Patrick] What the hell is this all about?
[Cole] Bayley trying to figure out what the hell is going on.
Hugs all around!
[Patrick] Charlotte Flair's seen enough.
[Cole] But again, the numbers game. A four-on-one assault.
And now Shotzi just taking the fight to Damage CTRL.
[Patrick] But there's too many.
[crowd booing loudly]
[intense music playing]
[Cole] The entire control of SmackDown is now in the hands of Damage CTRL.
["Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
[Patrick] With Survivor Series: WarGames approaching one week from tomorrow,
the battle for supremacy continues tonight.
Live from the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana,
this is Friday Night SmackDown on Fox, sponsored by Progressive.
A triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
["We Got The Rage" by def rebel playing]
♪ Damage CTRL, yeah ♪
♪ We got the power… ♪
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome…
Asuka, and Kairi Sane, Dakota Kai, Bayley,
and the WWE Women's Champion Iyo Sky.
Damage CTRL!
[Patrick] Welcome to SmackDown, folks.
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages,
we've got a treat for you on the commentary desk tonight.
Michael Cole, Kevin Patrick, and we are thrilled to be joined
by the Hall of Famer Road Dogg.
Oh, you didn't know? Well, you know now, KP.
Michael Cole, if we get through this episode
without me wetting my pants, it'll be a small victory.
Hey, it must be the holiday season
'cause we got St. Nick here at ringside with us tonight.
[Patrick] Welcome, Road Dogg. Delighted you're with us.
Filling in for Papa Graves, who's on newborn duty at home.
[Dogg] Yeah, him and Wade Barrett had a baby. I can't believe that.
[Patrick] Iyo Sky, Bayley, and Damage CTRL continue to grow,
continue to assert their dominance across Friday Night SmackDown.
[Dogg] There used to be fewer of them.
[crowd clamoring]
Come on!
We're just here to have a good time with you guys. All right?
Welcome to Friday Night SmackDown.
Trust me, we don't wanna share this huge moment
with a bunch of dum-dums like you guys in the front row
in this place you call a town, but…
Whatever. Here we are.
Because, I mean, my plan…
to bring Asuka into Damage CTRL has to be,
I mean, one of the top moments in WWE history, am I right?
-[Dakota] Yeah. -Am I right?
I know you guys are like, "Oh my God, Bayley, normally you're really humble."
But, come on, this idea was brilliant. It was brilliant.
Because the new and improved Damage CTRL is, obviously,
with no doubt in my mind,
the strongest faction in all of WWE right now.
Look at us!
[crowd booing]
I mean, we're all playing chess
when the rest of you idiots are playing Candy Land.
[cackles] Yahtzee!
Oh, I got one more. I got one more.
Charlotte, you suck!
Charlotte, Bianca, and Shotzi
were not ready for Asuka!
[Bayley cackles]
Come on, guys, that was a good one.
[speaking in Japanese]
Yeah, that's what I was saying, right?
Did I miss something? What are you guys talk--
Hey, it's nothing. It's nothing.
But Iyo was just saying that this isn't the new and improved Damage CTRL
because someone in this ring is not a part of the new and improved Damage CTRL.
[crowd clamoring]
No, dude, it's because Asuka is not a part of Damage CTRL yet.
We haven't even let her in.
That's your job.
-We wanted you to do it. -Of course!
We're just playing with each other anyway. All right. I'll do the honors.
[kid] Bayley, don't!
Shh! Kid, shut up! This is a very important moment!
[crowd boos]
[Dogg] That's nice.
I'm so sorry, Asuka. You're gonna have to get used to these idiots.
Asuka, will you…
Will you join Damage CTRL?
We'll put you guys on the shirts, I swear.
Yeah!
[laughs]
That's what I'm talking about!
Now, let's celebrate!
Um, Iyo also said, and you're gonna love this idea.
You're gonna love it. She said
that yourself, Iyo, Asuka, and Kairi
challenge Charlotte, Shotzi, and Bianca
to find a fourth member…
and to meet in WarGames.
[all together] WarGames!
WarGames.
Yeah, that's what I was gonna say. You read my mind. WarGames!
We want WarGames! Two rings enclosed by a giant cage.
And the four of us are gonna beat the…
♪ I'm a psycho ♪
-[Dogg] Oh, snap. -[Cole] Well, thank goodness.
Here comes the TCB Tank!
[Dogg] Wait a minute. There's nobody…
-[Patrick] There's no one in there! -[Cole] It's a ghost tank.
-[Dogg] I thought Jamie Noble was… -[Cole] Oh, look out!
-[Dogg] It's Shotzi. -[Patrick] From out of nowhere!
[Dogg] I hope she headbutts.
[Cole] And that took some guts for Shotzi
to attack all members of Damage CTRL on her own.
[Patrick] Some people may call it something else.
-[Dogg] Guts or, uh… -[Patrick] Shotzi, she's not alone though.
-[Dogg] Not alone, thank goodness. -[Patrick] Charlotte Flair!
Bianca Belair now!
Look at Flair go.
And The EST of WWE.
[Cole] Yeah, but Bayley now on the attack.
And Bianca sent out of the ring.
[Patrick] Still very much outnumbered. Charlotte continues to fight.
Shotzi now getting beaten down as Flair thrown to the outside.
[Cole] Yeah, the numbers game just catching up
to Bianca, Charlotte, and Shotzi.
And I dare say we could be
looking at one of the most powerful factions of women in the history of WWE.
And now, they want a WarGames Match!
[Patrick] And the challenge was set.
Can Charlotte, Bianca, and Shotzi find a partner?
What a night we have in store, folks.
At Crown Jewel just a couple of weeks ago,
LA Knight was milliseconds away from running WWE
and becoming Undisputed Champion, only for Jimmy Uso.
Well, The Megastar gets his shot at revenge tonight.
LA Knight-Jimmy Uso, live on SmackDown.
[Cole] And also tonight, the man who silenced the greatest of all time
with a Samoan Spike.
And then more and more and more, John Cena.
"The Enforcer of the Bloodline" Solo Sikoa is here live tonight on SmackDown.
[Patrick] The Judgment Day, running things across on Monday Night Raw.
But the Tag Champions Finn Bálor and Damian Priest
will be keeping a close eye tonight.
Why? Because The Brawling Brutes, The Street Profits, and Pretty Deadly
will compete in a Triple Threat Tag Team Match
for the opportunity to take on The Judgment Day next week for gold.
And that match is coming your way right here, right now on SmackDown.
[Dogg] And I love it. Tag team wrestling at its finest right here.
Any one of these three teams could
go on to become the Undisputed Tag Team Champions
of dual branded Tag Team Champions.
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is a Triple Threat Tag Team Match
scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins.
The Street Profits!
[Patrick] Will it be The Street Profits reigning supreme tonight
and getting that opportunity next week on SmackDown?
What a match we've got next.
It's about to be easy money. It's about to be easy money.
What was that? Look, I appreciate the guts and I appreciate the passion,
but we cannot rush into this. We need to be strategic.
I know. I'm sorry. It was a little over compulsive.
But, Bianca, I can't control myself.
I want payback, I wanna kick their butts.
No, no, we get it, and they're gonna get their receipt, I promise.
-No, I get it. -Look, look, y'all.
We need a fourth member.
And, Charlotte, I think you know somebody that could help us out.
[clears throat] Let me think about it.
-I'm thinking. -[Aldis] Ladies.
I need to know who that fourth member is by the end of tonight.
I'ma go recruiting. Okay?
I'm thinking.
[Cole] Lot of pressure on Damage CTRL tonight.
[Patrick] SmackDown GM Nick Aldis with the ultimatum,
"Find your partner by tonight."
Meanwhile, back inside the ring, here comes The Brawling Brutes.
Ridge and Butch.
[Cole] Yeah, fresh off a victory over OTM on NXT this past Tuesday.
[Patrick] What a powerful duo they are.
The winner of tonight's Triple Threat Match
will become the Number One Contender for the Undisputed Tag Team Titles,
a match to take place next week.
["On And On" playing]
[Dogg] What an opportunity for all three of these tag teams.
Yes, boy!
[Rome] And making their way to the ring,
the team of Kit Wilson and Elton Prince.
Pretty Deadly!
[Patrick] Road Dogg, I can see you rocking that outfit.
[Dogg] Yeah, I don't know if I'd rock that outfit,
-but I'd rock their world. -[Patrick laughs]
[Cole] I wouldn't want to see you in that outfit.
[Dogg] Oh, Michael.
[Patrick] Friday Night SmackDown is sponsored by Progressive's
Keys to Progress program.
Gifting cars to veterans since 2013.
[Cole] And again, Judgment Day, of course, the Undisputed Tag Champs.
So despite the fact they're on Monday Night Raw,
they would have to defend against the winner of this match here
on Friday Night SmackDown.
-You like the disco ball? -[Dogg] I love the disco ball.
It takes me right back to a time I don't remember.
[Patrick] What a pleasure it is to have Road Dogg here on commentary tonight.
[Dogg] Oh, did you see his beautiful hair? Like, a single hair floated away.
It was beautiful. But I'm a brunette guy myself.
-I like this kid. -[Patrick] Oh yeah?
[Patrick] That's Kit Wilson alongside Elton Prince.
Pretty Deadly back to full fitness. Elton Prince.
-Thank God! -Don't know if you're aware.
Poor fellow was in a wheelchair for months after a shoulder injury.
-[Dogg] Bless his heart. -[referee] Ring the bell.
-[bell rings] -[Patrick] Here we go.
[Cole] Gonna be three men in the ring. Tags will be made.
And the winner of the matchup, first team to gain pinfall or submission.
[Patrick] Yes, exactly. What can we expect here, Cole, from a match like this?
-It's gonna be chaotic. -[Cole] Of course it's gonna be chaos.
As you see Angelo Dawkins with the big shoulder tackle.
And a lot of times… Road Dogg, you'll know this.
The team in the right place, right time is gonna win this thing.
[Dogg] A hundred percent. Because you don't have control of…
I could control what me and Billy were doing,
-I couldn't control what the other teams… -[Cole] Oh man!
[Dogg] So many people coming from so many different directions.
[Patrick] So what's your strategy? If it is you and Billy in this situation?
[Dogg] I tag-- I tag Billy in.
Uh, because I don't remember the 90s or strategizing about my matches,
-but I would tag Billy in this. -[Patrick] Look at this.
[Cole] And there, of course, Bobby Lashley,
who's brought The Street Profits under his rank.
Interesting interview that Montez Ford did with Fox News this week,
talking about the impression that Lashley has made on their team.
He said, "Bobby Lashley has seen it all. He's had a massive amount of success,
and we would be stupid if we did not sit back and learn from The All Mighty."
[Patrick] And that's humility, in a way, Cole,
coming from guys that are Triple Crown Tag Team Champions in The Street Profits.
But we're seeing a new aggression at the moment.
[Dogg] I was gonna bring that up because I love that about them.
I love the new gear. I love the new attitude.
I think this is what's gonna take them to the top.
And look, tonight we're gonna find out
if-- if all that new stuff is gonna work or not.
[Cole] Road Dogg, you know better than anyone, to survive in this business,
-it's about evolving, right? -[Dogg] Amen. Amen.
And that… Look, that's what-- a lot of guys recreate theirselves
-and have a whole other… -[Cole] Oh!
Jiminy Christmas.
But that's the kind of aggression that we were talking about
that Bobby Lashley may be instilling in these guys.
[Patrick] And look at the physique of Montez Ford.
Check this out again. Boom!
-Incredible! -[Cole] Montez Ford said…
Great work there by Pretty Deadly,
former Tag Champs in their own right.
[Patrick] Here comes Kit Wilson.
Kit and Elton Prince at the same time!
Telepathic nature of this duo. So in sync, Road Dogg.
[Cole] A lot of people believe that Pretty Deadly
will be the Undisputed Tag Champs sooner rather than later here in WWE.
[Patrick] Montez Ford now looking to create a little bit of separation.
Ford looking to make the… That's Butch on the far side.
It's the unpredictable element to this match.
Tag made for Ridge Holland.
[Cole] Here comes the powerhouse of The Brawling Brutes.
-[Patrick] Ridge "The Fridge" Holland. -[Dogg] People are gonna fly.
[Cole] And of course, Ridge Holland is the one who put Elton Prince
in the aforementioned wheelchair with the shoulder injury.
[Dogg] That's just rugby offense right there.
[Cole] Yeah, a man who was kicked out of his rugby league for being…
-[Patrick] Look at this. -[Cole] …too powerful,
and not playing by the rules.
[Patrick] Montez Ford now feeling the effect.
[Cole] Nice DDT.
-[Patrick] Just planting Kit Wilson. -[Dogg] Ridge Holland's on fire.
[Patrick] He's feeling it. He absolutely is.
Ridge across sending Kit Wilson to the outside.
-[Cole] Uh-oh. -[Dogg] Oh no.
-[Patrick] Here we go. -[crowd cheers]
[Cole] And The Profits are not gonna allow the 10 Beats of the Bodhrán to happen.
[Dogg] I was actually looking forward to that.
[Patrick] Here we go again!
Will we see it? The 10 Beats of the Bodhrán.
[crowd] …five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten!
[Dogg] Sitting this close, you can really hear it.
[Cole] Oh! You can hear that too.
[Patrick] It's an Irish musical instrument, Road Dogg, the bodhrán.
Kit Wilson taking out the legs of Ridge "The Fridge."
[Dogg] What were we talking about earlier? How do you strategize this?
-[yelling] -[Patrick] It's anyone's game!
Who's gonna be the Number One Contender for the Undisputed Tag Titles?
-This is our division! -[crowd clamoring]
[Patrick] What a cracking match to kick off Friday Night SmackDown.
The winner will become the Number One Contender
for the Undisputed Tag Team Championships.
A match that will take place next week in Chicago,
one night before Survivor Series.
Montez Ford and Elton Prince looking to lift Ridge "The Fridge" Holland here.
[commentators laughing]
[Dogg] Do you know the strength it takes to do that?
No, you don't, KP. You don't.
[Patrick] Tags made on either end.
Here comes Angelo Dawkins. Rocked by Butch.
And the mangy mutt Butch now. So unorthodox.
-[Dogg] And so lethal. -[Patrick] Butch!
[Cole] And a beauty to watch as well.
Look at Butch go. Oh!
-[Cole] Tornado DDT off the steps. -[Patrick] And quickly back inside.
[Dogg] His strikes are so unique and so effective.
[crowd cheering]
[Patrick] Wouldn't Butch love an opportunity
at Finn Bálor and Damian Priest next week?
Butch from the ropes taking down the crowd.
Moonsault, and he's now picking up the pieces.
Throwing Angelo Dawkins back inside.
[Dogg] Only one way to win.
-[Patrick] Pinfall or submission. -[Dogg] Two ways to win.
[Patrick laughs] Cover. Dawkins kicking out.
-[Dogg] Oh! -[Cole] Armbar by Butch.
[Dogg] If he didn't have enough in his repertoire,
now he's got submission maneuvers.
-[Patrick] Check this out again. -[Cole] Moonsault by Butch.
Taking out everybody at ringside.
Dawkins just powering his way out of that armbar.
[Dogg] I love it.
[Patrick] How we've seen Angelo Dawkins evolve
and grow under the guidance of Bobby Lashley.
Dawkins looking to get back on his feet. What a battle this has been!
[Cole] Montez Ford made the tag on this side,
as did Ridge Holland and Kit Wilson.
[Patrick] The powerful blows of Ridge. But here comes Kit Wilson.
[Cole] Using the ropes for his momentum.
[Patrick] Kit Wilson with ideas now,
taking to the ropes, but knocked back a peg here.
[Cole] Ah, Holland.
Wilson's not gonna wanna be up there.
[Patrick] Kit Wilson now on the top rope, the Superplex.
-[Cole] Tag was made. -[Dogg] Did he make a tag?
-[Cole] I believe Prince made the tag. -[Dogg] You got to be kidding me.
[Cole] From the heavens!
[Patrick] If so, Elton Prince is the legal man.
-[Cole] What a leg drop. -[Patrick] Elton Prince can win it.
The Pretty Deadly! Ah, broken up.
[Dogg chuckles] Wow!
[Cole] Dawkins and Butch saving the matchup.
[Patrick] And watching on, "The All Mighty" Bobby.
-Hey, what's going on? How are you doing? -What's up?
-You see him? -Oh yeah.
I know that's all you, but just hear me out.
[Cole] B-Fab and Bobby Lashley again engaged in conversation tonight.
[Patrick] Big time chop there from Butch, taking the fight to The Street Profits.
-[Cole] Listen to them. -[Dogg] You can hear it. Oh, I love Butch.
[Cole] Just a relentless offense by Butch.
[Patrick] Tag team work there, Pretty Deadly…
But here come The Street Profits!
[Cole] Yeah. Speaking of tag team work…
[Patrick] Clotheslines taking out Pretty Deadly now.
-Whose match is this, Road Dogg? -[Dogg] I'll tell you what.
Anybody's. The deeper water we get into… I really have no idea.
[Patrick] It's a Brogue Kick,
but it's after connecting with Ridge from Butch.
[Cole] Miscommunication between The Brawling Brutes.
And now The Profits gonna capitalize.
[Patrick] The Street Profits with The Revelation!
-[Dogg] Wow! -[crowd] One, two, three!
[bell rings]
[Mike] Here are your winners, The Street Profits!
[Cole] The Profits capitalized on a mistake made by Butch in this matchup.
They become the Number One Contenders for the Undisputed Tag Team Titles.
[Patrick] And they will turn their attention
to Chicago next Friday night.
What a victory this was, and a sensational match, Road Dogg.
[Dogg] Oh my God, these guys are flying everywhere.
You know, when I used to wrestle, the top rope was a no-fly zone for me.
[Cole] And watch this misfire.
A Brogue Kick by Butch to Ridge Holland. Butch couldn't believe it.
The Profits with The Revelation would capitalize
to win the Triple Threat Match and punch their ticket to face The Judgment Day.
[bell rings]
[Patrick] Priest and Bálor, watch out.
A rejuvenated and unforgiving Street Profits are coming your way.
[yelling indistinctly]
[Cole] And The All Mighty is out here to celebrate.
[Dogg] And why shouldn't he be?
[Cole] Bobby Lashley saw something in The Street Profits,
and it's paying off.
And Holland disgusted at the way this matchup ended.
[Dogg] I'm sure he is. [laughs]
His partner kicked him in the face. That's problematic.
-[Cole] Didn't do it on purpose. -[Dogg] Well, that's what you say.
[Patrick] Frustration creeping in.
And the frustration was there for LA Knight two weeks ago at Crown Jewel.
But LA Knight says I'm not done with The Bloodline just yet.
Roman Reigns retaining his Undisputed Championship
thanks to Jimmy Uso.
And LA Knight will meet Uso tonight on SmackDown.
[Cole] So the big question is who will join Bianca, Charlotte,
and Shotzi in their WarGames match?
The recruitment process seems to be underway.
Bianca talking with Michin here tonight.
[laughs]
[overlapping yelling]
[Cole] That's Michin that Damage CTRL is beating the hell out of.
We need help! Come here!
I tell you what, if I saw…
if I was a female wrestler backstage and I saw Bianca coming to me,
I'd run as fast as I can.
Well, Damage CTRL, obviously trying to take out
any possible opponent for the WarGames.
They need a teammate, and they need one fast.
And speaking of teammates,
the LWO are having a major problem with one of their own.
Here's our Progressive Match Flo.
[announcer] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive.
A triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
Last Saturday at Crown Jewel,
I put my United States Title on the line against Logan Paul.
[Cole] They just handed Logan Paul brass knuckles.
Not so fast.
Oh, wait a minute, Paul got the brass knuckles.
[Mysterio] Without those brass knuckles,
I truly believe that Logan could not beat me.
So I promise that I will do whatever I can
to get a rematch against Logan…
♪ Do you know what cool is? ♪
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.
-What is your problem? -You know what I'm talking about.
[overlapping yelling]
-What is wrong with you? -Hey!
-This is my family, Carlito! -Tranquilo, Santos!
I'm outta here.
[yelling indistinctly]
[Patrick] Meanwhile, it's Lashley-Carlito, one-on-one.
[Cole] Oh, look at Montez Ford getting involved.
[Patrick] It's all kicking off now.
[Cole] Escobar back into the fray.
And Lashley's gonna take advantage.
[Patrick] Spear from Lashley! Hooks the leg.
-And gets the win. -[bell rings]
[Cole] And The Street Profits and Lashley are not done yet.
And wait a minute. Look at Escobar.
He's doing nothing right now.
[Patrick] There is Mysterio with a chair in hand.
-[indistinct chatter] -It's supposed to be me and you.
No, wait, wait!
We're all family. We're one. LWO!
[tense music playing]
[crowd clamoring]
What are you doing?
I'm sorry. I love you too.
[Escobar screams]
I love you! You were my hero.
It was supposed to be me and you!
-What are you doing? -He did this!
-He did it, not me. -No, you did this!
-[crowd boos] -[music intensifies]
[music fades]
[Patrick] A heinous attack by Santos Escobar, fueled by jealousy,
that sees Rey Mysterio now out of action for several months.
We do send our love and our strength to the Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio.
Speedy recovery, Rey.
[Cole] And we'll hear from Santos Escobar a little bit later on tonight.
[dragon growls]
[Patrick] And now to a man who grew up idolizing Rey Mysterio.
His compatriot.
["Control The Empire" playing]
[Dogg] I thought you were gonna say idolizing Road Dogg.
[Rome] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, weighing in at 165 pounds…
Dragon Lee!
[Patrick] The scintillating Dragon Lee set for action once more on SmackDown.
And this is how this match came about earlier on today.
[speaking indistinctly]
Sorry, but I really can't believe what Santos did to Rey.
[speaking in Spanish]
[in English] Mr. Aldis, if there is an opportunity for me to avenge Rey…
[speaking in Spanish]
-[in English] Please, put me in. -I respect how you feel, okay?
[speaking in Spanish]
But you've been crushing it the last couple of weeks on SmackDown.
So what I've done is I've brought in Axiom from NXT,
and you can show Rey and the whole world
what Dragon Lee and lucha libre is all about
when you go one-on-one tonight.
Okay.
[Patrick] What a move from SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis,
giving Dragon Lee his match here to defend the honor of Rey Mysterio.
But in his way, Cole, Axiom.
[Cole] Yeah, wait till you see this young man Axiom perform.
This is gonna be one high-flying matchup.
["Strike Force" by def rebel playing]
[crowd cheers]
[Rome] And his opponent, from Madrid…
Axiom!
[Patrick] So what can we expect from Axiom?
Here's a glimpse at the sensational Spaniard.
-[Graves] Every angle scouted. -[Wade] High-octane Superstar.
[Graves] He wants to be a symbol for all those around the world.
[Axiom] I could be everything I always wanted to be.
Break free of the world I lived in and inspire others.
I remain anonymous because it's not about me.
I could be a symbol.
I am Axiom.
[Cole] You know, this matchup right here is a showcase of what Rey Mysterio
has meant to so many people around the world.
We talked about Dragon Lee and his love for Rey Mysterio,
and really growing up watching Rey.
Axiom, his first introduction was a WWE VHS cassette,
and also a Rey Mysterio action figure.
He thought it was a movie until he realized it was real,
and what Mysterio was doing was the real deal in the ring.
Axiom became a huge Mysterio fan, so these two face off tonight.
Masked luchadores in honor of Rey Mysterio.
[Dogg] I love the handshake up front 'cause you know
the physicality is about to be incredible and off the charts.
[Patrick] So diverse in their attacking arsenal here.
Dragon Lee and Axiom.
Dragon Lee has really impressed here on Friday Night SmackDown.
Cole, you've seen so many young Superstars coming through the ranks.
What is it about Dragon Lee that really impresses you?
[Cole] Well, Dragon Lee, he's just at home in the ring.
And he creates offense, and Axiom does the same exact thing.
If you got a chance to see his actions in NXT,
he's a tremendous in-ring competitor.
Now for Axiom, he's got that hybrid style, grappling, MMA.
He's got a Flying Superkick as well.
There's a collision with both men in the middle of the ring.
[crowd cheers]
[Patrick] Dragon Lee now with ideas.
At pace, Dragon Lee taking to the skies!
[Dogg] You ask earlier what he has? You know what? It may not be…
It may not… You may not… Can't articulate it.
It may be the it factor in that kid because he does
steal offensive maneuvers out of nowhere.
Just like that drop kick.
[Patrick] You just wonder, can Axiom counteract
everything Dragon Lee does?
[Dogg] Yeah, they're so evenly matched.
Says he wears the mask, it's a symbol. Saying it could be anybody.
I wanna represent everybody out there that has a dream.
[Cole] He said he shared his path of trying to become a WWE Superstar
with so many friends.
Uh, he was the one to make it, so he wears this mask
to remain anonymous and sort of pay honor to them.
[Patrick] Cover for the victory for Dragon Lee.
And Axiom still alive.
Who's gonna take this match here on SmackDown?
[Patrick] You're very welcome back to Friday Night SmackDown.
Axiom told me earlier today,
this is the biggest match of his entire life.
Gaining momentum here. Axiom wearing the red mask against Dragon Lee.
[Cole] And no doubt about it.
What a showcase for both of these athletes here on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Dogg] What is he doing?
-[Cole] Anything he wants. -[Patrick] Oh goodness!
[Dogg chuckles]
Axiom from Vallecas, on the outskirts of Madrid,
the capital of Spain.
[Dogg] That's where he flew from, I think. Jiminy Christmas.
[Cole] Look at this. Look at the height.
-The body control. -[Dogg] Yeah.
[Cole] Such a fast-paced matchup.
[Patrick] Axiom was actually part of the Real Madrid Youth Academy
in his football days. Here we go again.
[Cole] That would be soccer for us here in the States.
[Dogg] I knew what you were talking about, KP.
-[Patrick] I'm sure, Dogg. -[all chuckle]
[Cole] Dragon Lee, what a kick! Down goes Axiom.
[Dogg] That's the offense you were talking about.
[Cole] Yeah, I mean, from out of nowhere as well.
[Patrick] Dragon Lee, he's had victories over Cedric Alexander
and Austin Theory in recent weeks.
Can he add Axiom to his list of victims?
But Axiom is rallying here. Both Superstars in a perilous position.
[Cole] Great move by General Manager Nick Aldis to bring Axiom here tonight.
[Dogg] Yeah, he came right in and started shaking things up, didn't he?
-[Cole] He did. -[Dogg] I love it.
[Cole] I think Adam Pearce on Raw is a little bit jealous.
[all laugh]
-[Patrick] Dragon Lee now. Oh my gosh. -[Cole] Goodness!
-Wow! Stomp right to the belly. -[Patrick] That's got to do it.
Dragon Lee… Kicking out is Axiom!
[Dogg] Oh! Right in the mush.
[Patrick] This was all Dragon Lee. How ruthless is this?
[Cole] But it still didn't put Axiom away. And you're getting a…
-[Dogg] He kicked out. -[Cole] …glimpse into the heart of Axiom.
[Patrick] That's exactly it. Big-time resolve so far.
He continues to fight, Axiom.
[Dogg] If you're gonna be a symbol,
you got to be able to fight, that's for sure.
[Patrick] Dragon Lee, Cole, showing that he's not all high-flying here.
He's ready to mix it up and scrap with Axiom if need be.
[Cole] Same with Axiom as well. We talked about the grappling background earlier on.
-What a drop kick! -[Dogg] What a beautiful drop kick.
-[Cole] Picture perfect! -[Dogg] Textbook.
-That looked like Road Dogg there. -[Cole] Okay.
[Dogg laughs]
[grunting]
-Goodness! -[Cole] Oy vey.
-[Cole] What a release suplex. -Oh!
[Patrick] There's a kick Zinedine Zidane would be proud of you.
[Cole] You can't take a breath in this match.
[Dogg] I've never been so happy to sit out here with you guys.
[Patrick] Dragon Lee showcasing his strength now.
[Cole] Dropping Axiom right on the back of his neck.
And now Dragon Lee has an opportunity to put this one away.
[Patrick] What action so far. Boom!
[Cole] That was a pretty drop kick. And then right on the back of his neck.
Brainbuster delivered to Axiom by Dragon Lee.
[Lee screams]
[Patrick] Dragon Lee channeling the energy here in Evansville, Indiana.
Up goes Axiom.
Oh, Axiom!
-[Dogg chuckles] -[Patrick] Wow!
Turning it around! Can Axiom get the win?
[Cole] How did Dragon Lee kick out of that? How is he even conscious?
Seriously, watch the whiplash delivered to Dragon Lee.
Watch the impact here to the back of his neck.
[Patrick] Road Dogg, your jaw dropped instantly.
-[Dogg] Yeah, yeah. -[Cole] Almost Piledriver-like from Axiom.
[Dogg] My neck immediately started hurting.
[Cole] And the WWE fans loving it.
-[crowd] This is awesome! -[Dogg] Yeah. It's great action.
[Dogg chuckles]
-[Cole] Both of these men are… -[Dogg] Physical, too. Very physical.
[Cole] …wanted to show their respect for the now injured Rey Mysterio
at the hands of Santos Escobar.
This matchup came about tonight because of that.
And they're putting on a show. Rey Mysterio, you know he's watching.
He's got to be proud.
[Patrick] What a kick there from Axiom.
Taking to the top rope now.
Oh my goodness. Who's gonna get there?
Axiom. Can he do it?
-Oh! Shoulders up! -[Dogg] Whoa!
-[Cole] Dragon Lee. -[Dogg] That was not a kickout.
That was… He just was able to roll over.
[Cole] Spanish Fly, top rope.
Look at the impact by both of these Superstars.
Absolutely incredible!
[Patrick] Axiom would just call it a Fly, though, right?
-[Cole] Yeah. -[Dogg chuckles]
[Dogg] It's just risk. They're taking such risks,
but they do it with such elegance.
[Cole] Well, they understand how important this matchup is as well, Dogg.
[Dogg] Yeah, to both of them.
[Cole] Look at the power. Dragon Lee displaying the power!
[Patrick] With the exclamation mark, and kicking out is Axiom.
-What a match this is! -[Cole] That running knee.
Dragon Lee, he's got Axiom where he wants him, I believe.
-And there it is! -[Patrick] Oh! Operation Dragon!
-One, two, three! -[Cole fumbling]
[Cole] Can't say it. Tried it in Spanish. Didn't work out.
-[Dogg] Operación. -[Cole] There you go. Good job, Dogg.
[Rome] Here is your winner, Dragon Lee!
[Patrick] What a match.
[Cole] Well, Dragon Lee carries a mask in his bag,
it was given to him by Rey Mysterio
when he proclaimed Dragon Lee the future of lucha libre.
Dragon Lee making Rey Mysterio proud here tonight,
as did Axiom here on SmackDown.
[Dogg] Wow. Rey has to be proud.
Rey has to be proud because this is lucha libre of today.
And, uh, man, they take such risk. It's so awesome to watch.
[Patrick] So many near falls. Both Superstars thinking they had it done.
And look at this again. Wait, what did you call it?
-[in an accent] Operación? -[Dogg] Operación Dragon.
-I think, I'm not sure. -[bell rings]
[Cole] You know, both of these Superstars are really arriving on the scene
-at NXT on Tuesday nights. -[Dogg] Oh, there we go.
[Cole] Making Shawn Michaels and company down there proud.
[Dogg] And a little sign of respect. Just like the handshake up front.
[Patrick] Cole, you touched on it moments ago.
Santos Escobar is here tonight live on SmackDown.
And we hear that Santos Escobar wants to address the WWE Universe
and break his silence on that brutal attack on Rey Mysterio.
And that's next on SmackDown.
[bell tolls]
[Cole] WrestleMania is in Philadelphia in April at Lincoln Financial Field,
but all other events surrounding WrestleMania
will take place at Wells Fargo Center.
[Patrick] And this includes SmackDown and the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony
on Friday, where Legends will be inducted,
and NXT's Stand & Deliver live Saturday afternoon.
[Cole] And we have the honor of being ringside
at Raw after WrestleMania live on Monday.
Wade Barrett and myself. Get ready. Combo tickets are on sale now.
[Patrick] Well, what an opportunity it is tonight for LA Knight,
The Megastar, aiming to remind The Bloodline whose game it still is
when he takes on Roman Reigns' cousin,
the man that cost him the Undisputed Championship.
That's Jimmy Uso, and that match is tonight.
["Legacy Of The Ghost" by def rebel playing]
[Cole] I cannot wait to hear this explanation.
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome…
Santos Escobar!
[Patrick] Tonight's Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive.
Cole, doesn't look to be any regret in the face of Santos Escobar.
[Cole] Not at all. I mean, Santos Escobar crossed the line last week.
Rey Mysterio has done so much for this young man and his career.
Escobar has talked about how Mysterio…
He idolized Rey Mysterio, is in this business because of Rey,
and I can't wait to hear what he's gonna say
about why he did what he did to Rey Mysterio.
[Dogg] Right. And what he did to Rey, and that drop kick into the stairs…
Man, that was the… that was the one that you can't come back from.
And so I'm interested to hear what he has to say.
[Cole] Rey's gonna miss a couple of months of action.
He had to have knee surgery.
[Dogg] He's taking food off his table, man.
And that ain't cool.
[crowd boos]
[Dogg] El Diablo.
There's something I need to say.
I got to get it off my chest.
You know there's…
[crowd boos]
There's an old expression that says…
[crowd boos]
[crowd chanting] You suck!
All right, here's the expression.
You all know it.
Never meet your heroes.
You know I come from a rich lucha libre tradition…
and my family, all of them had been labeled heroes.
But to me, like most of you,
especially the little ones right there, my hero,
-Rey Mysterio. -[crowd] What?
I patterned and modeled everything in my career based off of Rey Mysterio.
-[crowd] What? -And it was my wish,
silly wish…
that the next generation would see me
the way I used to see Rey Mysterio.
[crowd boos]
You became a father figure to me.
And you made me feel at home.
But after last week, I realized that he was right.
Everything he said about you down to a tee,
Dominik was right.
[crowd boos]
Now, let's think about it for a second.
I wanted… I deserved to be the United States Champion.
And who became the champion?
I wanted to rebuild the LWO,
and who took over and brought new members?
New members like Carlito.
[crowd cheers]
[mumbling indistinctly]
Hey, Carlito…
[speaking in Spanish]
[in English] We were supposed to be like this.
[speaking in Spanish]
[in English] Right? But what did you do?
You sided with an outsider like Carlito over me?
You know what, Rey? I know you're watching from your hospital bed right now.
All this pain you're suffering right now,
I hope it reminds you of how I felt when you betrayed me.
And you…
You…
[crowd boos]
You're gonna like this one more.
You thought I was gonna come out here and apologize?
All right, I'll apologize.
I apologize for not doing more damage.
And, Rey, this one from the bottom of my heart.
I hope the surgery didn't go well.
I hope you catch an infection and they have to amputate your leg.
[Cole] Oh my God, somebody cut this guy's mic off.
As a matter of fact, I hope you never come back!
You know, you're nothing but a selfish, no good…
[Dogg] Oh snap!
…outright…
trash, that's what you are.
[speaking in Spanish]
What are you thinking?
-What are you doing here? -What are you doing here?
We discussed this, and you decided.
-It was me or him, and you decided. -Of course I decided…
-Yeah, but you decided it. -Leave! Leave!
Me and you, we're through. We're done!
[Dogg] Oh!
[crowd cheers]
The only person I hate more than you is me for ever trusting you to begin with!
[fan] Slap him again!
[Escobar] Oh, isn't that cute?
Joaquin, Raul, you're gonna side with her over me?
I made you!
You only exist because I allow you to exist.
What is this?
[speaking indistinctly]
What? Have you changed your mind? Are you with me now?
Is it the three of us again? Like before?
What? What you did to Rey, what you did to Zelina,
completely out of line!
[speaking in Spanish]
[in English] We can't understand why you did that to Rey. We just can't.
Okay. I see.
Get the hell out of here. Leave!
I don't need you. I never needed you.
You're dead weight, we're done. You're nothing.
Go!
You are not that man!
[crowd boos]
[Patrick] Oh, from behind!
[Cole] Of course. Did you expect anything different?
[speaking in Spanish]
[grunts]
-[Patrick] Who the hell is this man now? -[Dogg] I don't know.
I made you. And I can destroy you whenever I want!
♪ Do you know what cool is? ♪
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Well, the man Escobar is apparently jealous of
when Rey Mysterio brought him back into the group,
Carlito…
is here.
And of course…
Of course Escobar is gonna walk away from the fight.
What is wrong with you? Seriously, what the hell is wrong with you?
[indistinct chatter]
This is my show.
[Patrick] An emotional Santos Escobar.
And we had an emotional Kevin Owens last week on commentary.
[Escobar] Who made this happen? Me!
[announcer] Tonight's Highlight of the Night
is sponsored by WWE 2K23.
[lively music playing]
[Rome] Your special guest commentator for this evening.
Look who's here! Kevin Owens is gonna fill in for Corey tonight.
-Nice tie. -Thank you very much.
[Patrick] One-on-one action. Grayson Waller-LA Knight.
[Owens] Look out, LA. Oh!
-Say something now! -You have a lot of sparkles on your gear.
[Cole] Yeah, you're not allowed to be involved tonight, Kevin.
Or you're gonna be suspended.
[Patrick] Looking for the BFT!
-[crowd] One, two, three! -[bell rings]
[Owens] That reminds me of two weeks ago.
They gave me a nice little tool here. Let's freeze.
You see my fist right here? Coming at great velocity.
So fast you can barely see it.
Nice punch. Nice punch, Kevin. This is the aftershock.
Looking very unhappy. But they should be happy.
This is what they should look like, happy.
[Patrick] Keep it cool, KO.
[Cole] Kevin, you're gonna get suspended. Kevin, relax.
-Do something! -"Don't get suspended."
"Don't get suspended, Kevin."
-[Patrick] Don't react, KO. -Sorry, I gotta go get suspended.
[Cole] I guess, I get it.
-[Patrick] Go on, KO! -[Cole] Kevin Owens had had enough.
[Patrick] Looking for the Stunner.
Stunner!
You're suspended! You're suspended!
Road Dogg, you saw what happened. You need to behave yourself.
-Road Dogg, you listening to me? -No, no, no.
I don't even know who you are. Do you see this title?
The Legacy Title. Indianapolis is right up the road.
Pat McAfee, eat your heart out. I got my hands on it before you did.
WWEshop.com, you can go and get your own. You're looking good there, Dogg!
Oh, this thing will fit me, I guarantee you.
[Patrick] Speaking of looking good, this fella always says he's looking good.
-[Cole] Oh, here come the ego brothers. -[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first from Sydney, Australia, weighing 220 pounds…
Grayson Waller!
[Patrick] The cocky and arrogant Grayson Waller
getting set for action here on Friday Night SmackDown.
He'll be taking on Cameron Grimes here tonight.
And Theory, we hear, is joining us on commentary, delighted.
-We'll be back in a second. -[Cole] Oh boy.
[Patrick] Incredible news dropped yesterday.
WWE is headed to Lyon, Décines
for a very first Premium Live Event in France.
Backlash France will emanate from the shiny new and spectacular
LDLC Arena on Saturday, May 4th,
with Friday Night SmackDown also there the night before.
Promises to be truly epic as it's WWE's Premium Live Event
that follows WrestleMania.
-How exciting is this, Cole? -[Cole] I cannot wait.
First time ever for a Premium Live Event in France, and SmackDown.
-So, Dogg, what are you saying? -[Dogg laughs]
[Dogg] I'm not sure. I'm speechless over here.
[Cole] Meanwhile, Grayson Waller set to take on this man.
-[Dogg chuckles] -[Patrick speaking French]
[Dogg] To the moon. I love their fries and their toast.
[Cole] Where's Graves?
[Dogg] He had a… he had a baby with Wade Barrett, they said.
[Cole laughs]
[Rome] His opponent, from Burlington, North Carolina,
weighing 220 pounds…
Cameron Grimes!
[Patrick] You see the smile on the face of Cameron Grimes.
But deep down, he told me earlier today, he's frustrated.
Recent matches against Austin Theory screwed by Grayson Waller on the outside.
[Cole] And Friday Night SmackDown tonight is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
For a job you'll love, visit Progressive.
Well, look who's here with us on commentary.
-My buddy, Austin Theory. Welcome. -Your buddy?
-Are you guys buddies? -Your buddy?
-Yes! -You have no friends.
Everybody knows that.
[Cole] You talk about me all the time on social media.
-I do? Get out of my DMs. -Oh yeah.
You're always trying to message me, aren't you?
[Dogg] Whoa, whoa. That might have been me.
-A-Town Down. -[Theory] There's nothing wrong with that.
[Patrick] Here we go, then. Cameron Grimes in action against Grayson Waller.
So can Cameron Grimes use that frustration from those matches against Austin Theory,
channel that, and get the victory here tonight?
[Cole] Road Dogg, you better be careful. The last guest commentator we had,
Theory got suspended.
-[Dogg] You better not get… -[Theory] I'm a troublemaker, ain't I?
[Dogg] I need this job, Theory.
[Theory] Hey, I can make Michael Cole's life miserable, you know that?
-[Cole] I'm sure you can. -[Patrick] Lovely drop kick there from…
[Theory] Come on, Grayson! Come on!
-[Patrick] Grayson Waller trying… -[Theory] What's going on?
Look at this hillbilly. Come on. There you go.
-Show him what's up. -[commentators exclaim]
[Theory] That's my boy. That's it, that's it!
[Patrick] For the win. Kicking out is Grimes.
-Hey, he's not done. -[Dogg] That's athleticism right there.
-That is athleticism. -[Cole] It's that rolling…
-[Dogg] Grayson Waller. -[Theory] Look at that, ground and pound.
[Cole] Rolling Flatliner by Waller almost put Grimes away.
[Dogg] And Grimes has the experience here over Waller, for sure.
[Theory] Let's go!
[Patrick] I know he's right next to us, Road Dogg.
But what do you make of this menacing duo here of Austin Theory and…
[Dogg] I'll tell you what, he called 'em the ego team or something earlier.
And that confidence, you guys are definitely not lacking, so…
But you look great. I wish you'd have got your entrance
so I could've seen the lighting on your body like that.
-[Theory] That's true. -[Dogg] Sounded weird.
[Theory] I deserve that every week. That's a gift for the WWE Universe.
[Dogg] Just for me.
-[Patrick] Could they ever be… -[Cole] It's actually a GIF…
[Theory] Hey, hey, shut up down there. You have no confidence.
-All right, look at that. -[Cole] See what I did there, Dogg?
[Patrick] Kickout by Grayson Waller.
Cameron Grimes now rolling here on SmackDown.
[Dogg] There's some of that frustration you were talking about coming out.
[Patrick] Poised to really take the opportunity. Pick up a big win.
-[Theory] Come on, Grayson. -[Dogg groans]
[Cole] Didn't Grimes cost you a match against Dragon Lee, Theory?
-[Theory speaking gibberish] -[Dogg wheezes and laughs]
[Theory] You're a damn loser.
-[Cole] But I'm right. But I'm right. -[Theory] You're a damn--
-[Patrick] Oh! Cover… -[Cole] But I'm a damn loser.
…for Cameron Grimes!
Oh, kicking out is Grayson Waller.
[Cole] You knew you were doing commentary all day.
Did you think about that line in the afternoon?
[Theory] Yeah, I took my time to really think about you because nobody does.
All right?
[Dogg groans]
[Patrick] And look at Theory. He's supposed to be a commentator.
[Dogg] Yeah. He just comes in, enters into the match.
-[Patrick] Watch out! -[Cole] Oh! Well, that'll shut him up.
[Patrick] Taking out the legs of Cameron Grimes.
[Cole] Taking advantage of the distraction.
I guess you could say Theory took a bullet for the team, right?
[Dogg] Well. Oh my Lord, that looks…
[Patrick] Oh, Grayson Waller. Is this the moment?
Cover now, Waller to put away Cameron Grimes.
-[bell rings] -And he does it.
[Dogg] Grayson Waller with the Dingo Driver.
["Eye On The Prize" playing]
[Rome] Here is your winner, Grayson Waller!
[Cole] Thanks in part to Austin Theory, Mr. Waller picks up the victory tonight.
Do you see that, Michael Cole? The greatest tag team of all time!
[Dogg in Aussie accent] Not bad, eh? What's he going on about?
[Patrick] You're looking at Bianca Belair
having a chat with an emotional Zelina Vega.
We've seen a recruitment drive by Bianca, Charlotte Flair, and Shotzi here tonight.
They need a partner this evening.
[Dogg] This time I got one word for you. Run.
[Cole] Meanwhile, Solo Sikoa,
who took out the greatest of all time, John Cena at Crown Jewel…
Solo Sikoa. "His time is now." And he's next.
[announcer] 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.
[wheels clattering]
[Austin over PA] Attention, shoppers. Please clear for whoop-ass on aisle two.
That's aisle two.
[Cole] No, Austin! Austin attacking Booker T.
Huh? You want some oranges?
[clattering]
-Hey, Book. You got milk? -[grunts]
Please. Please, no more.
[yelling]
-Let's go check out, Booker. -Oh God, no.
-Let's see how much you cost. -Oh no!
Price check on a jackass.
[Booker sobbing]
[all cheering]
[Cole] Not again.
What do you think you're doing? Zelina, you good?
[Cole] Now Zelina Vega.
[Zelina sobbing]
You know, guys, I said it earlier. Damage CTRL is trying to take out everyone
that could possibly team with Bianca and her team at WarGames.
It's a frightening sight for now.
And at Crown Jewel, just a couple of weeks ago,
it was The Street Champion, The Enforcer of The Bloodline, Solo Sikoa,
and his job was to take out the greatest of all time.
[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's the biggest threat in this matchup,
and he's trying to take it out early.
[tense music winds down]
[Cole] Now Solo Sikoa now looks to punish the 16-time World Champion.
[Wade] Sikoa is like a man possessed.
[Cole] Another Samoan Spike!
-One, two, three! -[bell rings]
[Cole] A savage beatdown of the greatest of all time.
Is this the final time we could see John Cena in a WWE ring?
[applause]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Cena! Cena! Cena!
["Taking It All" by def rebel playing]
Ladies and gentlemen,
my name is Paul Heyman, and…
as The Wiseman and Special Counsel,
have I got a surprise for you tonight.
An impromptu acknowledgment, all puns intended, ceremony
for the winner of the match
at WWE Crown Jewel via pinfall
through several Samoan Spikes
direct from the Island of Relevancy, and on behalf of The Bloodline.
The winner is Solo!
[crowd boos]
You can boo all you want. But my God, are you about to cheer.
Ladies and gentlemen, the surprise of the night.
Joining us live here tonight from Evansville, Indiana.
The 16-time Heavyweight Champion of the world,
from West Newbury, Massachusetts,
John Cena…
[crowd cheers]
…is not here this evening.
[crowd boos]
And that's all thanks to Solo.
As a matter of fact, John Cena will never appear
in a WWE ring ever again.
And that's all thanks to Solo.
And I see the little kid in the front row crying.
[mocking] "I don't believe it until John Cena says it's so."
Well, John Cena can't say it's so 'cause John Cena can barely speak.
And that's all thanks to Solo.
And even if John Cena could speak right now, would he?
John Cena has such hustle, loyalty, respect, and love,
and affirmation, and admiration for each and every single one of you.
John Cena doesn't have the heart
to say goodbye to the Cenation or the WWE Universe.
So I get to say goodbye to John Cena,
and I get to say goodbye to you for John Cena.
So, on behalf of your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns,
on behalf of Jimmy Uso, on behalf of Solo…
John Cena, goodbye!
-[crowd boos] -Three, two, one.
And now you know how serious this is.
Because that was John's cue.
Someone comes out here and says,
"You'll never see him again. If you do, Solo will whip his ass."
And then…
[mimicking John Cena's entrance music]
And John Cena slides into the ring,
and hits the Five Moves of Doom on Jimmy, and the Five Moves of Doom on Solo,
and the Five Moves of Doom on me.
And we pop out of the ring, and everybody goes crazy!
And you'll never experience that again.
And it's all because of Solo.
I know what you're thinking.
No one stays gone forever.
And if John ever does come back, Solo has to be his opponent.
Solo has to be his target. Otherwise, he's not John Cena.
And we all know he's John Cena 24/7, 365.
Except he can't communicate,
which means he's not really John Cena anymore.
And that's all because of Solo.
Jimmy? Jimmy?
It would have been the greatest promo of his career.
He just had to acknowledge the real GOAT.
But now, he can't even say goodbye
since Solo spiked him in the throat.
No, you won't see him in Hollywood.
No place far, no place near.
You can't see John Cena
'cause John Cena won't be here.
And it's all because…
["Welcome To LA" by def rebel playing]
[crowd cheers]
Let me talk to you.
[crowd yells] Yeah!
You're out here talking about cause and effect…
and the one cause and effect that you haven't mentioned
is no matter how good Roman Reigns has been,
everybody knows the only reason Roman Reigns is still champion today
is because of The Bloodline. Yeah.
[crowd] Yeah!
Everybody here knows that's a problem.
[crowd] Yeah!
-The whole world knows that's a problem. -[crowd] Yeah!
-I know that's a problem. -[crowd] Yeah!
So I think to myself, we got a problem.
I got a problem-solver,
and his name is LA Knight,
-yeah! -[crowd] Yeah!
But what's that mean?
What that means is I'm standing here on SmackDown
because I made it that way.
I stood across from the WWE Champion at Crown Jewel
-because I made it that way. -[crowd] Yeah!
And The Bloodline will cease to exist, because I will make it that way.
[crowd] Yeah!
But the first stop on that path, every single one of you.
Solo, Jimmy, Paul, each one of you will fall
until it's just me and Roman. Nowhere to go, nobody to save him.
And tonight, the first stop on the path is old Jimmy Uso.
[crowd] Yeah!
Since you cost me the WWE Champion, you've been elected to pay the price.
But…
I just heard emcee Boss Hog out here.
He wanted to go ahead and give us his lyrical stylings.
Well, I got a little something for you about old Jimbo Uso,
and it goes like this.
He says yeet or no yeet.
Jim is him.
But Jim gonna be real dim…
after all the drama, he eats BFT in Blunt Force Trauma.
-Yeah! -[crowd yells] Yeah!
Which means you got yourself a first class ticket
to you getting stomped out
by the man they call The Megastar, with everybody saying…
-LA Knight, yeah! -[crowd] LA Knight, yeah!
["Welcome To LA" playing]
[Patrick] A man on a mission.
LA Knight wants to take down The Bloodline one by one,
starting with Jimmy in our main event, sponsored by Wingstop.
And it's next here on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Cole] WWE and the Big 12 Football Conference
have entered into an historic agreement.
The two organizations will work together at the Dr Pepper Big 12 Championship game
on Saturday, December 2nd in Dallas.
There will be a custom made Championship Title
for the game's most outstanding player,
presented on field at the conclusion of the game by a WWE Superstar.
Additionally, a co-branded WWE and Big 12 logo
will be featured throughout the venue and on the field,
and WWE Superstars will also be involved
in an entire week worth of activities at the Big 12 Championship.
[Patrick] Fellas, massive news has just broken here on Friday Night SmackDown,
Carlito-Santos Escobar.
The radical, the unhinged Santos Escobar,
will get his hands on Carlito one week from tomorrow
at Survivor Series: WarGames in Chicago.
They got Zelina. So at this point, we don't have any more options.
So, Charlotte, you need to make that call.
-Okay. I'm going. -Okay.
[Dogg] I'm at a loss, KP.
[Patrick] Survivor Series is sponsored by Credit One Bank.
Get cashback rewards and live large.
Got to wonder who Charlotte Flair is making a call to.
[Dogg] Yeah!
[bell rings]
[Cole] So Paul Heyman got a phone call moments ago…
And LA Knight starting this matchup now.
[Patrick] Tonight's main event is sponsored by Wingstop.
[Cole] Heyman and Sikoa are leaving the arena after receiving a phone call,
and LA Knight now goes after Jimmy Uso, who's gonna go it alone.
-What are you reading into that, guys? -[Cole] I have no idea.
[Dogg] I read into it that they're walking away.
[Cole] But what I read into this is that LA Knight has a score to settle tonight.
Because, remember, Jimmy Uso is the reason that LA Knight
is not the Undisputed Champion of the world right now,
helping Roman Reigns to retain the Championship back at Crown Jewel.
[Patrick] Fighting talk moments ago here on SmackDown from LA Knight as well,
saying The Bloodline will cease to exist.
He plans to take out The Bloodline one by one,
starting with Jimmy Uso.
[Dogg] That's what he said. The path starts here with Jim, who is dim.
[Patrick] He did say that.
[Cole] LA Knight with a hell of a performance against Roman Reigns,
nearly ending the record-setting reign of the Undisputed Champion.
[Dogg] I mean, you said it, Michael.
If it wasn't for this guy he's fighting right now, he might be wearing the title.
[Patrick] You gotta wonder, is Jimmy Uso
truly back in the good graces with Roman Reigns?
[Cole] Oh! If he beats LA Knight he will be.
[Patrick] Cover here for LA Knight, Jimmy kicking out.
[Cole] And I'm not quite sure why he wouldn't be.
I mean, he saved the championship for his cousin.
-[Dogg] Yeah. -[Patrick] What about LA Knight, Cole?
How does he ensure that he keeps this flame lit?
[Cole] Well, he beats Jimmy Uso tonight, right?
I mean, Road Dogg. You know this better than anybody.
I mean, once the momentum starts to build, you got to continue to win, right?
[Dogg] Momentum. And his rise to stardom here
is such an organic and meteoric rise. It's so cool to see.
But how does he keep that momentum?
[Cole] It reminds me a lot of you, Road Dogg,
because you really wallowed in mediocrity for a number of years in your career,
and then you just hit the right buttons.
You struck it rich, and you became a Megastar.
[Dogg chuckles] Physically, I was still not very good,
but thank you for that.
[Cole] But again, it's all building on momentum. It's continuing to win.
You know, find yourself another championship opportunity,
which, of course, are few and far between.
But you knock off Jimmy Uso tonight, you make your way back toward that.
[Patrick] Milliseconds.
That's what LA Knight was from being the Undisputed Champion,
and taking down Roman Reigns and that historic reign that we've seen.
The best of the modern era.
[Cole] Oh, what a chop.
[Patrick] You were on commentary, Cole. You watched it from up close.
LA Knight was just so close to being the man.
[Cole] Well, again. I mean, he hit Roman Reigns with Blunt Force Trauma.
For all intents and purposes, the matchup was over.
Jimmy Uso sent over the top rope.
And here comes LA Knight now, driving Uso right into the announce table.
-[Patrick] Watch out, Road Dogg. -[Dogg] You guys told me about this.
[Cole] 1,174, that's the number of days Roman Reigns
has had the championship as of today.
As Jimmy Uso's bounced off the announce desk time and time again by LA Knight.
-[Dogg] We are losing monitors as we go. -[Patrick] Yes, we are.
LA Knight, a man on a mission.
[crowd chants] Yeah!
[LA Knight] Yeah!
[Cole] All the disdain that LA Knight has for…
Jimmy Uso sent over the announce table!
LA Knight in control.
[crowd cheering]
[Patrick] Welcome back, folks. The main event of Friday Night SmackDown.
LA Knight on a mission to tear down The Bloodline.
Tonight, taking on Jimmy Uso,
the man that cost him the Undisputed Championship at Crown Jewel.
[Cole] I guarantee you Roman Reigns is watching this match as well,
making sure that Jimmy Uso takes out LA Knight.
[Patrick] Jimmy now hooking the leg. LA Knight kicking out.
[Cole] Solo Sikoa, Paul Heyman were out here earlier.
They took a phone call. They left. So Jimmy Uso out here by himself.
This is what happened during the commercial break.
[Patrick] Look at this. LA Knight.
[Dogg] Changed the whole momentum of the match.
[Patrick] Went over the top rope, and Jimmy Uso in control now.
With the amount that we've seen him stand up
for Roman Reigns and The Bloodline,
you nearly forget just how qualified and how unbelievable
Jimmy Uso is inside the ring.
[Cole] He's one of the greatest Tag Team Champions of all time.
[Dogg] Of all time, and that's an argument I'm willing to make.
[Patrick] This coming from the six-time Tag Team Champion in Road Dogg.
-Jimmy now. -[Cole] Uh-oh, nobody home!
LA Knight's opportunity.
[Patrick] Jimmy turning it around. LA Knight off the ropes.
[Cole] Went for the Samoan Drop. Great counter by Knight.
DDT!
[Patrick] Spiking Jimmy Uso, both men down.
You got to think a loss here tonight for LA Knight will be devastating.
[Cole] Well, it'd be devastating for Jimmy Uso as well.
Again, I mentioned Roman Reigns is looking on.
Roman reigns wants nothing to do with LA Knight.
I guarantee you that.
[Patrick] A brilliant night here for Friday Night SmackDown.
We're in Indiana. An electric crowd. And what a main event this is.
-Oh, Knight! -[Dogg] Good night.
-[Patrick] Well played, Road Dogg. -[Dogg] Yeah. "Come on Eileen."
I don't know.
[Cole] 80's want their song back.
[Dogg] LA's… His rise is so organic and so real.
If he doesn't-- if he doesn't win this, there goes that momentum we talked about.
[Patrick] LA Knight now across to put away Jimmy Uso. Out at two.
-We talked about… -[Dogg] Look at this, look at this.
-[Cole] LA Knight, in your face. -[Dogg] That's a crime in 49 countries.
[Patrick] Knight, so driven to put things right…
do away with Jimmy Uso.
[Cole] Just like that, though, Jimmy Uso trying to turn things around.
And we all talked a lot about LA Knight's staying power, right?
If he didn't get the job done against Roman Reigns,
but the fact that Jimmy Uso screwed him out of a championship
has made LA Knight…
-madder than ever. -[Dogg] Yeah, fueled his fire.
[Cole] And the support as well from the WWE fans.
[Dogg] What athleticism!
[Patrick] Jimmy Uso now. Well read by LA Knight.
No Superkick, caught LA Knight looking for the BFT.
-That's it! -[Cole] Got him.
-[Patrick] LA Knight. Nailed it. -[Dogg] He got him.
-[Patrick] LA Knight gets the win. -[bell rings]
[Cole] That had to feel good.
[Dogg] Oh, wow. He said the path starts with Jimmy Uso.
[Rome] Here is your winner, LA Knight!
[Dogg] Step one of mission is a success.
[Cole] Yeah, but LA Knight better turn around.
-Because The Enforcer is back. -[Dogg] He's off the phone.
LA Knight has drawn the line in the sand, but from behind!
[Dogg] Samoan Spike!
[Cole] The same spike that felled John Cena.
[crowd boos]
And Solo Sikoa, the force, the Enforcer of The Bloodline.
Guys, get the hell out of the way.
Solo Sikoa, I guarantee you,
Sikoa's got his marching orders here
from "The Head of The Table" Roman Reigns.
"Take out LA Knight, destroy him once and for all."
And Jimmy Uso now with LA Knight…
[Patrick] Just dragging their prey across.
["Kingdom" by Downstait playing]
[crowd cheering loudly]
[Cole] "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes!
[Patrick] Cody taking the fight to The Bloodline.
[Cole] Talk about a man who has an issue with The Bloodline.
A major issue with The Bloodline.
[Patrick] Cody Rhodes is going back for more.
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
[Cole] This place has erupted.
[Patrick] Rhodes, catching up with Jimmy Uso.
[Cole] Remember, Jimmy Uso one of the men that cost Cody Rhodes
the Undisputed Championship back at WrestleMania.
[Dogg] Just trying to stay on my feet out here.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] A surprise from Cody Rhodes here on SmackDown tonight.
Message sent to The Bloodline.
♪ Adrenaline in my soul Every thought out of control… ♪
Yo, so what's up? Do we got a fourth?
I called her. But I don't know if she's gonna make it in time.
You know what? It is what it is. Come on. We got to go. Let's go.
We got this.
[Patrick] We'll find out if they have a partner tonight. Next.
I don't know what I was supposed to do.
Well, I know what you got to do now. You've got to go.
[sighs] I'm sorry. All right. All right.
["Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
[Patrick] Next week on Friday Night SmackDown,
the night before Survivor Series,
championship gold is on the line.
Priest and Bálor of The Judgment Day will now defend against The Street Profits.
Ford and Dawkins won tonight,
and they're going for the championship next week.
[Cole] Well, you know, Waller and Theory got Kevin Owens suspended last week.
Well, guess who Grayson Waller has on The Grayson Waller Effect?
None other than Kevin Owens.
Next week on Friday Night SmackDown, the night before Survivor Series, on FS1.
[Patrick] What could go wrong for Waller, huh?
[Cole] Well, a lot has gone wrong for this woman here tonight, Bianca Belair.
Everyone she's tried to recruit to join the Damage CTRL team
has been beaten down by Damage CTRL.
I should say her team against Damage CTRL has been beaten down by Damage CTRL.
-That was a mouthful. -[Dogg chuckles]
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, Bianca Belair!
[Patrick] A Superstar that has been screwed out of things on many occasions
by Damage CTRL.
Motivated to assemble an all-star team.
We heard the challenge laid out by Dakota Kai of Damage CTRL
for Survivor Series: WarGames earlier on tonight.
The question is, who's gonna answer Charlotte Flair's call?
♪ I'm a psycho, I'm a psycho I'm a psycho, I'm a psycho ♪
♪ Welcome to the ball pit You can get your ass kicked ♪
♪ Off the top, backflip Hit you with the axe quick ♪
♪ Who's your daddy? Tell me now Biggest balls up in the room ♪
♪ When I slam you on the ground… ♪
[Rome] Next, Shotzi!
[Cole] Hey, we saw Shotzi show some guts earlier tonight
when she tried to attack Damage CTRL all by herself.
[Patrick] I think Road Dogg was calling it something else.
[Dogg] Yeah, well, it's moxie for sure. I just don't know if it's smart.
[Patrick] What an opportunity for Shotzi,
standing alongside Bianca Belair and "The Queen" Charlotte Flair.
["All Hail The Queen" by def rebel playing]
[crowd cheering]
♪ Bow down, all hail The Queen ♪
[Rome] And making her way to the ring,
Charlotte Flair!
[Cole] So let's recap. We know that Charlotte Flair made a phone call.
To who? We're not sure.
And Charlotte said this person would want to be a part of the team,
but we're not sure if we can get that person here on time tonight.
And, folks, the show's almost over.
[Patrick] And Nick Aldis, the SmackDown...
[fireworks popping]
…the new SmackDown GM set the ultimatum.
You have to have your partner here tonight.
Make it official ahead of WarGames next week.
[Cole] Yeah, a week from tomorrow. WarGames, Survivor Series.
Two rings surrounded by a steel cage.
One of the most unique matches in the history of sports entertainment,
professional wrestling, whatever you want to call it.
Of course, started by Dusty Rhodes back in the 1980s,
WWE has put a new twist on things here.
Two people will start the WarGames match.
Regular scheduled interviews, in other intervals,
another person will enter the matchup.
The match actually doesn't start until all members of both teams are in the ring,
and then pinfall or submission will win you WarGames.
Who have they picked to be on their team?
[Dogg] Shotzi's chomping at the bit now, she wants to fight again.
You know, we could stand here all night and talk about what Damage CTRL has done,
but we are running out of time.
Me, Shotzi, and Bianca, we accept your WarGames challenge.
And you know what?
I know a thing or two about turning on a best friend.
And there is a thin, thin, thin line
between love and hate.
But if we're going to war, there is only one person
I want on my side…
["Role Model" playing]
[cackling]
♪ Damage CTRL ♪
Do you guys believe this?
-Hey, Charlotte. -[crowd boos]
Uh, we know that you're bluffing, all right?
Because I don't know if you guys saw what we did back there,
but we took down every girl that you tried to have by your side.
And I know you don't got any numbers in your phone…
[chuckles] …because you're an idiot and a loser.
So, um, you're not gonna make it to WarGames.
Actually, you're not even gonna make it out of the building tonight.
[Cole] Damage CTRL has the numbers advantage here
against Charlotte, Shotzi, and Bianca Belair.
Things did not go well for this group earlier on tonight.
[crowd cheering loudly]
Oh, look who's here!
-[Dogg chuckles] -[Cole] Becky Lynch!
-The Man… -[Dogg] …has joined the fray.
[Cole] Becky Lynch!
Becky Lynch is on the Charlotte Team for WarGames, I believe.
[Patrick] United by a common enemy, The Man has answered the call.
What a turn of event's here on SmackDown!
[Cole] Becky Lynch coming from out of nowhere
to join Bianca, and Shotzi, and Charlotte.
[Patrick] It tells you everything about the threat of Damage CTRL,
that Charlotte and Becky are teaming up here
in the face of this common threat.
[Cole] And Charlotte Flair is not done yet.
Double Moonsault from Charlotte and the WWE Women's Champion.
And now the fight continues.
Charlotte taking it to Iyo.
[Patrick] All hell breaking loose here.
"The latest member of WarGames, for 100, Alex."
Becky Lynch!