[WWE intro music playing]
[Cena] Then.
-[Flair] Woo! -[glass shatters]
[The Rock] If you smell…
-[bell tolls] -[Cena] Now.
[Reigns] Acknowledge me!
-♪ The King of Kings ♪ -♪ You can't see me ♪
[Cena] Forever.
[crowd cheers]
Together.
[music fades]
[crowd cheers]
["Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
[Patrick] After a historic and jaw-dropping Survivor Series,
what will the fallout be tonight
from the jam-packed
and rowdy Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York?
Welcome, folks, to Friday Night SmackDown on Fox,
sponsored by Progressive.
A triple-threat of protection with home, auto and more.
And, Corey Graves, Brooklyn is rocking tonight.
[Graves] With good reason because after a year and a half absence,
"The Apex Predator"
Randy Orton made his highly anticipated return at Survivor Series.
Our General Manager Nick Aldis has invited the free agent
here to Friday Night SmackDown tonight.
♪ 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 ♪
♪ I never needed you at all ♪
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome
Bianca Belair!
[Patrick] Captain Fantastic!
The EST has every reason to smile
after her team's performance at Survivor Series: WarGames.
["War Pigs" plays]
♪ Generals gathered in their masses ♪
[Irvin] The following contest
is the Women's WarGames Match!
[Cole] A lot has been made about whether or not Charlotte and Becky
can get along tonight.
♪ Damage CTRL ♪
[Cole] Bayley is going to start WarGames for her team.
♪ I'm ready for whatever ♪
♪ You won't find nobody better ♪
♪ I will bring the storm to you whether ♪
♪ You ready or not ♪
♪ Coming in hot ♪
♪ I am a legend in the making ♪
♪ Everything I see, man, I'm taking ♪
♪ You're looking into the eyes Of greatness ♪
♪ Gotta push through The world is waiting ♪
[Cole] Oh my God!
♪ Yeah, legends always live forever ♪
♪ You better get out of my way ♪
♪ Can't nobody stop what's great ♪
[Irvin] And now,
let the WarGames begin!
[Cole] First team to get a pinfall or submission will win WarGames.
Charlotte's 15 feet above the ring!
For the win and a kickout!
Longtime rivals Becky and Charlotte working together
for the good of the team.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] What a moment!
Figure Eight in now by Charlotte. Elbow by Bayley.
Becky with a Disarm-Her.
[Graves] Save after save.
Bayley right now is the MVP for Damage CTRL.
[Cole] And Bayley took a bullet for her team!
Manhandle Slam through the table!
[crowd] One, two, three!
[bell rings]
[Cole] Team Bianca with the win inside WarGames.
[crowd cheers]
["Watch Me Shine" plays]
♪ I never needed you at all ♪
♪ Think I'd fall down I'ma watch you fall down ♪
♪ I'm living large now ♪
♪ I never needed you at all ♪
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chants] EST!
Man, it is so cool to be in one of the best boroughs
in the greatest city in the world, Brooklyn!
[crowd cheers]
Now, last week, Damage CTRL really tried to take us out,
but my team,
we came together and we did exactly
what needed to be done.
So shout out to my girl Becky Lynch for coming through
and showing up and showing out.
[crowd cheers]
Shout out to Shotzi for her guts and her passion.
And shout out to my girl Charlotte Flair for being a bigger person
and making that call to Becky Lynch.
Now while it feels great to be standing in this ring
and celebrating that W from WarGames…
my war with Damage CTRL, it ain't over.
Because Iyo Sky,
I'm still coming for you because I want my title back.
[crowd cheers]
["Tokyo Shock" by def rebel plays]
[Dakota] Bianca!
You know what?
It's really great how you can get all of these people to cheer for you.
They love me.
[crowd boos]
Shut up!
I mean, just on the way here today,
Iyo was saying how disgusting it is here.
It smells!
Who would want to live in Brooklyn?
Hey, Iyo was also saying
that you're in way over your head, dude.
She's already beaten you twice.
So, if you want yet another title shot,
you're going to have to go through all of Damage CTRL.
[Bianca] Well, you know what?
That ain't nothing new.
So, who want it first? Who, you, Asuka?
Kairi? Who want it first? Who want to get it?
Because you all can get it.
["All Hail The Queen" by def rebel plays]
[crowd cheers]
[Patrick] Looks like Bianca has backup.
[Graves] Charlotte Flair and Shotzi.
♪ All hail the Queen ♪
Ladies, Bianca isn't the only one coming for Iyo.
And I love to go through all of Damage CTRL.
Seems to me like there's enough Damage CTRL to go around.
[Cole] Oh, here we go!
[Patrick] Doesn't take Shotzi much to get involved.
The ballsy badass straight in there, as is Charlotte Flair.
[Graves] Already having flashbacks to WarGames.
A chaotic way to kick off Friday Night SmackDown
with a target on Iyo's back, gets bigger and bigger by the day.
Guess WarGames didn't settle anything.
[Patrick] Outnumbered, but look at Bianca Belair go.
[Cole] Going right after the WWE Women's Champion.
[Graves] Oh no. Iyo's championship just stopped whatever
Bianca was trying to do in the corner.
And now it's the champion who's outnumbered.
♪ I'm on my own Against the wall ♪
Speaking of numbers, Damage CTRL missing somebody.
I thought I ran into Bayley backstage earlier today,
but… you'd think she would be out here.
[indistinct yelling]
[Patrick] Cole, you mentioned numbers.
How about the staggering numbers that witnessed the biggest shocker,
arguably in WWE history,
the return of CM Punk at Survivor Series.
We're going to revisit this and much more here tonight on SmackDown.
[Graves] And after weeks of intense confrontations and personal jabs,
"The Prizefighter" Kevin Owens
goes one-on-one with "The Dynamite From Down Under"
Grayson Waller.
[Cole] And for the first time since winning the United States Championship
last month at Crown Jewel,
Social Media Superstar
and the U.S. Champion
Logan Paul is live on SmackDown tonight.
["Bring The Fire" by def rebel plays]
[Graves] It's fight night!
[fireworks pop]
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first,
representing The Brawling Brutes, Butch!
[Graves] Butch looking mighty lonely these days,
the last standing member of The Brawling Brutes.
[Patrick] Yeah, what a strange sight this is.
Butch, after Ridge walked away from him,
will go solo against "The All Mighty" Bobby Lashley of all people.
Butch wants to prove himself as a solo competitor.
You've got to wonder, is this wise for Butch tonight?
[Graves] It's an epic David versus Goliath showdown next.
[Patrick] In a match that has just been made official,
Bianca Belair says she's not finished with Damage CTRL,
and she'll get her opportunity to go one-on-one with Kairi Sane tonight.
It's a first one-on-one in WWE for Sane in over three years.
It's all to come on SmackDown.
-[groaning] -[indistinct chatter]
Whoa, Bayley, where were you?
No one told me.
Maybe if I knew, I'd gone out there, and things would have ended differently.
[overlapping chatter]
Look, dude, that doesn't matter anymore, right?
What matters is Kairi's got a match against Bianca tonight.
Okay?
And no one knows her more than you, so I think…
I think Kairi would really appreciate your help today.
Right, Kairi?
[speaking Japanese]
Okay. Yeah. Okay.
[speaking Japanese]
Yeah.
[Cole] Graves, I've been arguing with you for weeks.
I told you something was going on.
[Graves] You understood that?
[Cole] No, but you see Bayley's look?
And she wasn't involved in the whole first part of the night.
[Graves] I think we shouldn't speculate. Let it play out.
[Cole] Oh, now you want to be a journalist?
["All Mighty" by def rebel plays]
[fireworks pop]
[Rome] And his opponent,
accompanied to the ring by The Street Profits,
"The All Mighty"
Bobby Lashley!
[Patrick] The ferocious force that is Bobby Lashley
flanked by The Street Profits.
You've got to wonder what's going on in the mind of Butch right now,
especially after last week,
in a Tag Team Match with his partner Ridge Holland against Pretty Deadly.
And look at what happens here.
Ridge Holland looks away and then walks away from his partner.
Ridge just walked out on me tonight
and I barely heard of Sheamus in months.
Excuse me, Kayla, why are we talking to this guy?
Oi.
Listen, mate, you ain't gonna walk in here
and just mug me off like that.
Brutes or no Brutes, when I'm here, it's fight night.
Make a name for yourself, kid, before you talk to me.
[Graves] Butch certainly using an interesting strategy
to make the name for himself at the expense of The All Mighty.
[Cole] And you heard what he said?
Still no idea why Ridge left,
and also he hasn't heard from Sheamus in months.
Butch going it alone.
[Patrick] Look, I understand the emotions of Butch right now,
but this can't be wise, Corey.
[Graves] Absolutely not wise.
I mean, Butch is a very, very talented, dangerous competitor.
We've seen what Butch is capable of,
but he's not in there with any ordinary man.
He's in there with "The All Mighty" Bobby Lashley,
who's in a mood after last week.
Speak to them. Hey, listen.
Listen, kid, when I told you to make a name for yourself…
[crowd chants] Bobby!
That's a name.
[chanting continues]
Don't do it with me.
You know what I can do to you?
I will break you into pieces.
Are you ready for that?
-[Cole] Oh! -[Graves] Oh, ho, ho!
[Graves] I don't know if that was smart.
[bell rings]
[Patrick] Maybe he's only got one option, Cole.
Let's get out there and go after Bobby Lashley.
[Cole] That's what he's doing.
Butch taking the fight to Lashley early on.
[Graves] Butch is ready for this brawl. Or he's got a death wish.
One of two things and… Oh God!
[Cole] Goodness.
And I mentioned Lashley being in a mood.
Remember last week, The Street Profits
were losing their Tag Team Championship Match
to The Judgment Day, thanks to some distraction by Rhea Ripley.
Lashley stormed off after watching that matchup.
Not sure if he was upset at The Profits
or the fact that The Judgment Day got Rhea involved.
[Graves] Everything that was boiling inside of The All Mighty
is being taken out right now on the head of Butch.
[Patrick] What's the strategy here if you're Butch, Corey?
[Graves] I wouldn't have accepted the match to begin with.
[Patrick] You gotta wonder, is Ridge Holland watching on?
Just abandoned his teammate.
[Graves] This has gotta be psychologically daunting if you're Butch listening
to how rabidly the Brooklyn crowd is behind Bobby Lashley tonight.
[Cole] Corey, have you been doing any digging?
Any idea what's going on with Ridge, where he is, any of that?
[Graves] I didn't really talk to Ridge very much when he was here.
Guy didn't seem to like me for one reason or another,
so I don't really have anything to tell you.
[Patrick] Bobby Lashley now, in the process…
Oh!
Connecting with The All Mighty.
[Cole] Yeah, pugnacious.
[Patrick] He's a fighter, that's for sure.
[Graves] Butch is absolutely relentless.
Flying knee rocks Bobby.
[Patrick] You got to think if your Butch,
you got to keep this momentum going, outpace, taking Lashley off his feet.
[Cole] Moonsault by Butch.
[Graves] Butch is taking an even higher risk.
[Cole] Oh!
[Patrick] Again, flattening Lashley.
Can Butch do this?
Can he take down Bobby Lashley?
Jam-packed crowd tonight in Brooklyn, New York,
Barclays Center, as Bobby Lashley putting in the work here on Butch.
It's been all Lashley during the commercial break.
[Cole] Yeah, a quick start for Butch in this matchup,
but you knew it was a matter of time before the powerful Bobby Lashley
would be able to take him out.
[Patrick] "Make a name for yourself kid, before you talk to me."
It was the words of Lashley and this during the commercial break.
[Graves] Like a runaway train flattening Butch on the outside,
and The All Mighty just continues to dismantle his opponent.
[Cole] You got to admire Butch, his guts, his tenacity,
but Bobby Lashley is just on a different level right now.
[Patrick] Do you think this ruthless nature of Lashley
is a constant learning lesson for The Street Profits watching on?
[Graves] It should be. I guarantee you that's Bobby's intent.
-Look at that! -Oh my!
-[Patrick] God! -[Cole] Sit down!
[Graves] Lashley telling everyone here in Barclays there is only one.
[Cole] The Nets could use him.
Watch this slam dunk by Bobby Lashley!
[Graves] That's like what would happen if Gronkowski spiked a full-size human.
[Patrick] You mentioned David versus Goliath, Corey,
can say that again.
[Graves] And listen, I agree with what you said earlier
about admiring Butch's toughness, his guts,
his will to accept this match in the first place.
But I'd say it's ill-advised.
[Cole] He also doesn't have any backup.
We mentioned Ridge Holland walked out on him last week.
Sheamus hasn't talked to him in a few months.
-[Graves] Oh no. -[Patrick] Oh no!
[Graves] But to this point, The Street Profits have been non-issues.
They're out here as hype men thus far.
They don't realize, Black Friday is extended!
[cackling]
[Patrick] Having a word with their mentor Bobby Lashley.
Look at the smile on the face of Lashley.
[Graves] Bobby Lashley enjoys breaking people.
That's what we're witnessing
and Bobby is savoring every second of Butch's suffering.
[Cole] The end is near, I believe, for Butch.
[Patrick] Lashley looking for the spear!
Oh, Butch out of harm's way.
[Cole] I think on instinct alone, Butch was able to move out of the way.
Lashley, I think, was going for the spear.
[Patrick] Does that give Butch an opening? Now, kick connects.
Quickly back inside, step-up enziguiri.
And again!
This is impressive from Butch.
[Graves] Butch firing off kick after kick.
[Cole] Well, Bobby not quite sure where he's at.
Couldn't even protect himself there. Oh!
[Graves] Double stomp to the arm of Lashley.
That's a smart move.
[Cole] Yeah, take the power out of the game of The All Mighty.
-[Graves] Uh-oh. -[Patrick] Oh no.
[Cole] Joint manipulation at its finest.
Oh goodness!
Did you hear that?
[Patrick] Outrageous from Butch.
Can he finish off Lashley?
This is impressive. Butch is gonna do it here. Cover!
And Lashley kicking out at one.
[Cole] This would be a major upset.
[Graves] No doubt about it.
And Butch needs to maintain this sense of urgency.
He found the opening and he's continued to pour on the punishment.
[Cole] And he's taken Lashley off his feet.
Well, at least momentarily, he did, picking it up a little bit.
[Graves] How do you game plan for this kind of power?
[Cole] What a running Power Slam!
[Patrick] The All Mighty hooks the leg now.
Oh, it's a kickout from Butch!
What character from Butch.
[Cole] Yeah, great character.
But the problem is you're going to continue to get beat down,
punished and tortured by Lashley.
[Graves] And that's the problem when you're fighting Bobby Lashley,
as much punishment as you can take,
Lashley is all too happy to dish out a little bit more.
[Patrick] But as long as Butch is in it, he's got a fighting chance.
And Butch is still alive in this.
[Cole] Oh goodness, what were you saying?
[Patrick] I don't know what I was saying.
[Cole] Turning Butch inside out.
-[Graves] Oh, what a counter by Butch. -[Cole] He's still in this.
[Patrick] Oh, spear!
-[Graves] Done, son. -[Patrick] Lashley with the spear.
[crowd counts]
[Patrick] Hooking the leg. Lashley to put away Butch.
[Cole] The suddenness of Bobby Lashley.
[Rome] Here is your winner,
"The All Mighty"
Bobby Lashley!
[Graves] It was a nearly impossible task
and Butch fought with everything he had.
But when Bobby Lashley hits you with that spear,
I don't care how big you are,
how tough you are, you are done, son.
[Cole] When it comes to these two men,
Lashley and Butch, drastically different futures, it appears.
Butch has no friends, no Sheamus, no Ridge Holland.
Lashley has The Street Profits at his side.
And The All Mighty looking extremely strong in the battle
we just witnessed tonight in Barclays.
Hell of a battle indeed.
But, fellas, you were there for it this past Saturday
when our Superstars went to war.
Here's our Progressive Match Flo.
[announcer] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive.
A triple-threat of protection with home, auto and more.
["War Pigs" by Black Sabbath plays]
[Rome] The following is the
Men's WarGames Match!
[Cole] Two teams in separate cages, every three minutes alternating members
of each team will enter the match
until all competitors are in the ring.
Once all the competitors have entered,
then the WarGames Match officially begins.
[tense music playing]
[indistinct yelling]
-You don't know? You don't know! -You got it!
-Is he coming? -You got it!
[Cole] It's five-on-four.
Judgment day has the advantage.
Randy Orton is nowhere to be found.
Judgment Day having their way.
[music fades]
[upbeat music playing]
[Graves] Rhea Ripley with the Money in the Bank contract
and a referee in tow.
Priest is gonna cash-in!
♪ I hear voices in my head ♪
[crowd cheers]
[bell rings]
[Rome] Let the WarGames begin!
[Cole] Vintage Randy Orton!
Vintage WarGames!
And McDonagh trying to escape, heading up to the top of the cage.
RKO!
[crowd] One, two, three!
[Cole] Orton and company wins!
[music fades]
[crowd cheers]
Did you invite Randy Orton to SmackDown tonight?
[crowd cheers]
I did.
In fact…
I intend to sign Randy Orton to an exclusive SmackDown contract tonight.
Does my Tribal Chief know about this?
Paul, you seem to have forgotten.
I mean, we get countless memos about it.
In fact, I have one right here.
It says, "All communication to Roman Reigns
must go through Paul Heyman."
So, consider this communication to Roman Reigns.
I'm gonna sign Randy Orton.
And if I have to offer up the entire Bloodline to make it happen…
so be it.
So, my question to you, sir, is…
what are you gonna do about it?
Anything it takes.
[Patrick] Is Randy Orton set to sign for SmackDown?
We'll find out tonight.
[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
tomorrow in Dallas at 12:00 noon on ABC.
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 WWE Superstars.
Additionally, a co-branded WWE and Big 12 logo will be featured
throughout the venue and on the field.
WWE Superstars like The Undertaker
have been involved in an entire week worth of activities
at the Big 12 Championship.
Excuse me, Butch.
Tonight, you lost to Bobby Lashley.
But I want to talk about last week.
Why did your partner Ridge walk out on you during your match?
I don't know, Kayla, and I don't care,
because right now, it's not about The Brutes.
I've got to focus on me.
And I'm here on SmackDown to fight, and I will fight anyone.
Butch, this is tough to see.
Butch, don't be sad.
Take this as a learning opportunity.
Sometimes being abandoned, it can…
it can help us find our own paths.
Even if that path, like your career, leads to a dead end.
[wheezing laughter]
[grunting]
[yelling]
[Elton] How's that, Butch?
How's that, Butch?
Think you're bigger?
You're alone! You're alone!
-[Cole] I mentioned earlier, Corey-- -You'll always be alone!
Alone.
Butch is going it alone.
Which, these days, is a risky, risky decision
in WWE where there seems to be at least safety in numbers.
Now, to another Superstar who's also flying solo right now,
but is without question more dangerous than ever before.
[announcer] Tonight's Highlight of the Night
is sponsored by WWE 2K23.
[upbeat music playing]
[Escobar] Never meet your heroes.
Rey Mysterio,
you became a father figure to me.
I deserve 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.
You sided with an outsider over me?
[crowd clamoring]
I love you! You were my hero!
You know what, Rey?
I know you're watching from your hospital bed right now.
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.
I hope you never come back!
[crowd boos]
Me and you, we're through! We're done!
[crowd cheers]
Joaquin, Raul, you're going to side with her over me?
Completely out of line!
[tense music playing]
[Patrick] Oh, from behind.
Who the hell is this man now?
-[crowd cheers] -[Patrick] Carlito arriving on the scene.
[Carlito] Santos, you made a very big mistake.
Carlito has a message for you, Escobar.
[speaking Spanish]
Carlito, Rey's career is over! He will never come back!
And it's because of you!
[Cole] Escobar's gone off the deep end.
Wait, wait. Look behind you.
[screams]
A damn sneak attack.
A man who is driven by anger, disdain, by rage.
[music fades]
[crowd boos]
Santos, given your recent history with the LWO,
what can we expect in your match tonight against Joaquin Wilde?
Catalina, I'm only trying to finish what Rey started.
Rey turned his back on the LWO a long time ago
when he chose Carlito over me.
Now my own brothers, mis hermanos,
Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro,
they're still blinded by their hero, Rey Mysterio.
They can't see he's going to do the same to them.
Cruz is still recovering
from the last time he tried to stand up for Rey.
And if Joaquin can't see the truth, Catalina,
I'm going to put him on the shelf right now.
["Legacy Of The Ghost" by def rebel plays]
[Cole] He's delusional.
[Graves] I would say more deliberate, motivated.
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Mexico City, Mexico,
weighing in at 204 pounds,
Santos Escobar!
[Patrick] Jump into WWE SuperCard Season 10 and take control of the ring.
Celebrate the biggest season ever.
Challenge your friends in the all new campaign mode.
Collect four new card tiers and much more.
The action never stops in WWE SuperCard.
You call him delusional, Cole.
Corey, you call him motivated.
Santos Escobar certainly divides opinion,
but Joaquin Wilde
is out to defend the honor of Rey Mysterio and the LWO.
They go one-on-one and it's coming your way next on Friday Night SmackDown.
Friday Night SmackDown is sponsored by Progressive's Keys to Progress program.
Gifting cars to veterans since 2013.
["Our World" by def rebel plays]
[Rome] And his opponent, representing the LWO,
Joaquin Wilde!
[Patrick] This is an emotional match for Joaquin Wilde.
He told me earlier today he considers Santos Escobar a brother.
They come up through NXT together.
They've been over at each other's homes
for holidays while here in the United States.
"But there's no going back," he said,
for what Santos Escobar has done to both Rey Mysterio and the LWO.
[Cole] So, ask Cain and Abel how the whole brother thing worked out.
I mean, at the end of the day,
I get where Joaquin Wilde is coming from.
But Santos Escobar has gone off the deep end in my opinion,
and I think he's utilizing these circumstances
to become this different individual and try to gain stuff for his own accord.
[Graves] Listen, first things first, Rey Mysterio is a grown man.
He's a Hall of Famer and does not need anyone to defend his honor.
Rey Mysterio can defend himself.
Escobar realized that he himself,
Santos Escobar, could not make it to the next level
as long as he was stuck in the shadow of Rey.
[Cole] And I 100% agree.
Rey Mysterio does not need anyone to defend his honor.
But this is what Rey Mysterio has meant to people like Dragon Lee
and Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro and Zelina.
What he's meant to their careers,
and that's why they're standing up for him.
-[Graves] Oh my goodness! -[Patrick] Joaquin Wilde!
[Graves] Breathtaking, high-risk athleticism from Joaquin Wilde.
[Patrick] A man on a mission here tonight.
And while you make great points, Cole,
there are a lot of people out there saying that Santos Escobar has never been--
[Graves] Cover here by Wilde.
[Patrick] Can he get the victory? And a kickout by Santos.
But Santos Escobar has never been as impressive as we've seen him here.
Speaking of impressive…
[Graves] Santos Escobar has been a bona fide star everywhere he's been.
Oh-ho-ho! Goodbye, Joaquin.
[Cole] You know, when you attack people from behind
and ambush them and stuff like that, of course, you're going to look good.
[Graves] Or when you're naturally talented,
you grow up in this industry, you're highly educated.
You're very, very skilled.
You're handsome, you're charismatic.
Would you like me to continue?
Santos Escobar is the real deal.
He's been the real deal back in Mexico.
It's just taking him a little time
to make it to that same star level here in WWE.
[Patrick] Escobar! Man!
[Cole] That means he has to treat everybody like garbage to get there.
[Graves] Basically.
[Patrick] Dragging his prey now back inside to the middle of the ring.
Santos Escobar in control here,
hooking the leg to put away Joaquin Wilde who kicks out.
[Graves] Santos happens to be extremely nice to me, Cole.
[Cole] You wonder why, you're his spokesman.
[Patrick] To Cole's point about being delusional, he's saying that Rey--
[Graves] You're saying I'm delusional?
[Patrick] "Rey chose Carlito over me?"
That's not true, Corey.
It's simply not true.
[Cole] He was just trying to expand the LWO
and bring everyone in as a big family,
and Santos got upset about that.
[Graves] It's a lot easier to become a top tier elite star on your own
than trying to drag a family full of anchors with you.
[Cole] Hey, and in just a little bit,
you're gonna see the new United States Champion
here on SmackDown for the first time since he won the title, Logan Paul.
The man in the ring Logan Paul can thank for being
the United States Champion today, Santos Escobar.
[Graves] There you go. Escobar inspiring the next generation already.
[Patrick] Agony on the face of Joaquin Wilde,
who's looking for some separation here.
[Graves] Listen, I'm going to say the same thing about Joaquin Wilde.
If Wilde had the smarts to tell everybody else to take a hike,
he would probably be higher on the card than he is.
Joaquin Wilde is a wildly talented competitor.
Pun intended.
He's traveled the world. He's done the lucha libre style.
He's a very, very, very talented man,
but he's always tasked with being part of something bigger.
Oh!
[Patrick] Taking out the knee of Escobar.
[Graves] This is what we need to see. This killer instinct.
There we go.
[Patrick] What a victory this could be for the LWO and Joaquin Wilde.
[Cole] An emotional one as well.
[Graves] Don't worry about the fans right now, Joaquin.
-[Patrick] Joaquin Wilde. -[Cole] Oh!
-[Patrick] Planted Escobar. -[Cole] What a DDT!
-That could do it. -In for the cover.
Is he going to do it? Oh, Escobar out at two.
[Cole] Wilde has been impressive in this matchup tonight.
Watch this rolling DDT, Corey.
[Graves] And the way he swings his weight,
driving Santos Escobar skull-first,
nearly picking up the biggest singles win of his WWE tenure.
[Patrick] He told me if there's anyone
that knows the inner workings of Escobar, it's me.
But he didn't scout that one.
This is what happens when you cross Santos Escobar!
[Patrick] It seems everyone is crossing Escobar right now.
And Santos Escobar may finish this.
[Graves] That's it.
-Phantom driver. -One, two, three!
[bell rings]
["Legacy Of The Ghost" plays]
[Rome] Here is your winner, Santos Escobar!
[Cole] And I hate to say it, but I expected this.
Santos Escobar with complete disrespect for everybody.
[Graves] Escobar is giving Joaquin a message
to send to the rest of the LWO.
["Control The Empire" by def rebel plays]
[Patrick] It's Dragon Lee!
Escobar's competitor
and opponent at Survivor Series days ago.
[Graves] And look at the satisfied smile on the face of Santos Escobar,
who just pranced past our announce table.
And look out from behind.
[Cole] That's what I was saying before. Ambushes from behind.
And this time Lee is going to turn it around.
[Patrick] Dragon Lee has all the answers for now.
Oh!
Dragon Lee looks like he's only getting warmed up.
Wiping out the knees of Escobar.
[Graves] Dragon Lee coming to the aid of a fallen Joaquin Wilde.
[crowd chants] Dragon Lee!
[Cole] He will not forget what Escobar did to his mentor, Rey Mysterio!
Come on!
["Control The Empire" by def rebel plays]
[Graves] Why aren't you guys all up in arms about Dragon Lee
attacking Santos Escobar after Escobar just had a match?
You guys can't have it both ways.
I'm LWO.
[speaking Spanish]
[Patrick] Backstage here on Friday Night SmackDown.
Look who it is.
It's the first appearance on SmackDown for the United States Champion,
Logan Paul, The Maverick is here. Next.
[Cole] For the first time ever,
Germany will host a major WWE Premium Live Event,
Saturday, August 31st, 2024,
the Bash in Berlin at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.
The night before is Friday Night SmackDown on Fox,
the first time it'll ever come from Germany.
Tickets for Bash in Berlin and SmackDown went on sale yesterday
in a huge first day of ticket sales.
Still some tickets left and are on sale now via Live Nation.
Tell me the rumor I heard isn't true.
You're going to try to sign Randy Orton,
a Monday Night Raw legend right out from underneath my nose?
Adam, Randy's a free agent.
-Oh yeah. -And yes, I do intend to sign him.
In fact, I intend to sign him
right here tonight in the middle of the ring.
-Is that so? -Yeah.
I mean, you had your chance on Monday.
Don't you worry about what we talked about on Monday,
but since you're going to take that contract to the ring tonight…
I think I'll join you.
Nice office.
[Cole] We got a Shohei Ohtani bidding war going on with Randy Orton.
[Graves] I hope Randy takes his talents right here to SmackDown.
["Take Flight" by def rebel plays]
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome
the United States Champion,
Logan Paul!
[Patrick] The Maverick is back!
Only this time he's a champion in WWE.
And many, look, are still furious with how it went down
and how Logan became the United States Champion
in a match with Rey Mysterio at Crown Jewel.
As Logan takes in the energy here at the Barclays Center,
let's go back to that Championship Match at Crown Jewel.
Rey Mysterio in a good position here, looking for the 619
when the brass knuckles were collected,
left there inadvertently by Santos Escobar,
and the opportunistic Logan Paul never hesitated in using them.
Bang to Rey Mysterio and the rest is history.
-[crowd cheers] -[bell rings]
[Graves] What a moment for The Maverick!
Logan Paul clutching the United States Title
just feels right, guys.
[Patrick] Tonight's Friday Night SmackDown
on Fox is sponsored by Progressive.
To every friend who stabbed me in the back…
to every hater who prayed on my downfall…
I got a question for you.
Where are you now?
I don't understand.
Don't y'all get it by now?
The more you hope that I fail, the harder I work.
And the harder I work, the more I win.
[crowd] What!
-And the more I win… -[crowd] What!
…the more I get to stand up here and say…
[yelling]
[crowd boos]
And to all you jealous Superstars backstage
who are mad at me because you've been doing this your whole life,
and I'm the fastest rising star in WWE history…
You want this U.S. Title?
Yeah, of course you do.
It's been on my junk, just like y'all have since I got here!
[crowd boos]
But a champion is only as good as his challengers.
And since Rey Mysterio got injured,
I couldn't give him the rematch I was so excited for.
So, I got good news.
I spoke with Nick Aldis
and we have created a tournament to determine my next challenger.
The tournament will start next week and features eight Superstars.
Santos Escobar.
Dragon Lee.
Karrion Kross.
And NXT Superstar could be anyone.
Bobby Lashley…
Grayson Waller, Austin Theory,
and, of course, Kevin Owens.
[crowd cheers loudly]
And I can guarantee whoever wins this tournament
is gonna have a nightmare trying to take this belt away from me--
["Fight" by CFO$ plays]
[crowd cheers]
[Graves] I think Logan should have taken KO's advice.
You know that thing where you say their name and they show up?
That's how this works.
[Patrick] Listen to the roar for KO here in Brooklyn.
[Cole] And that tournament sounds fantastic.
[Graves] No doubt about it.
Talk about star-studded with heavy hitters.
Logan Paul not shying away from competition, that's for sure.
That's huge news for everybody in NXT right now.
Who's gonna step up and take that opportunity?
[crowd chants] KO!
You want to talk about a nightmare?
This, you in my ring is a nightmare.
[crowd cheers]
You know, the first time I ever saw you
was like ten years ago on that app Vine, right?
And back then, it only took me six seconds to figure out
that you're an unbearable jackass.
You want to talk about junk?
The only junk around here is that crap drink you peddle.
And now guess what?
I'm here to tell you I'm in this tournament.
So that nightmare is about to end,
because your days as U.S. Champion are numbered, buddy.
[crowd cheers]
You know, it's funny, Kevin…
because you call yourself a Prizefighter.
But, buddy, I've been in the ring with the greatest boxer in the world.
And if you and I fought…
six seconds is five more than I need to K.O. you.
[crowd clamoring]
I'll never take this away from you.
You're very clever.
But here's the thing.
That's another world.
This ring, this WWE,
it's my world.
Do you understand that?
-Yeah. We'll see about that, KO. -Yeah?
-We will. -Yeah. We'll see about that, KO.
-Just wait till the-- -["Eye On The Prize" plays]
-[Cole] Oh, what a shock. -[Graves] It just keeps getting better.
[Cole] The attention hogs.
[Graves] This is like a Social Media Megastar summit.
Whoa.
Logan, mate, you're better than that.
You don't need to engage with Kevin Owens.
Lad, he's just a troll trying to get attention.
You know, he's not a forward-thinking disrupter
like the three of us.
In fact, we have a lot in common, Logan.
Kev, you love punching people in the face, right?
Well, look who you're standing across the ring from.
Logan Paul, the man that just knocks people out.
Just like that.
So, after Logan's done knocking you out,
maybe your days of punching people in the face are over.
[Graves] Oh!
Not again.
He's got a glass jaw.
[Waller] Are you kidding me?
[mic thuds]
["Fight" by CFO$ plays]
[Cole] Logan Paul is not the only one with a good right hand.
[Patrick] Sign us up.
What a confrontation that was between Paul and KO.
For Kevin Owens, one down and, well, one to go,
because he's gonna get his hands all over Grayson Waller.
Let's see if he can punch him because he's on a mission to do so.
It's Kevin Owens, Grayson Waller,
and it's live on Friday Night SmackDown next.
Welcome back, folks.
Joining us here on the commentary desk, the United States Champion, Logan Paul.
Great to have you with us.
Hey, thanks, boys. You know, it's always fun being here.
I feel like I'm a proud dad watching my kids on the playground.
You know, this is surely going to be cute.
I can tell these boys have been working hard.
[Graves] Would it be safe to say that Grayson Waller
is your favorite kid of the two?
[Logan] Nah, not… not at all. No.
Uh, he's good looking, I can see.
[Patrick] The match is underway, then. Kevin Owens, Grayson Waller, one-on-one.
-[Logan] Whoa, whoa, whoa. -[Patrick] Watch out!
[Graves] Don't want you to spill your Prime.
[Logan] Thank you, sir.
[Cole] Kevin Owens did not seem too pleased with you, Logan.
[Logan] Yeah, you know, I've always considered
Kevin Owens to be the Humpty Dumpty of WWE,
so I'm always impressed by his ability
to move that egg-shaped frame around the ring.
[Graves] Well, it was mighty kind of you to include him,
you and Nick Aldis in this fantastic United States Championship Tournament.
How did you come up with the field? Did you get to pick them personally?
[Logan] Yeah, you know, I had some input,
but Kevin Owens, he's been on my hit list for a while.
He actually Stunnered me at my first WrestleMania
and I haven't forgotten about that.
-[Graves] I was gonna bring that up. -[Logan] I hold grudges.
[Cole] He has got a pretty good right hand, though, Kevin Owens.
[Logan] I'm impressed, like I said, by his ability to move
that big body around the ring the way he does.
[Patrick] Oh! Kevin Owens just flattening Waller!
-[Graves] Oh my goodness. -[Patrick] Sent off for good measure.
[Logan] Exhibit A.
[Graves] So, as we look through this field of competitors in the tournament,
you've got Santos Escobar, Karrion Kross, a mystery competitor from NXT.
Is there anybody that you're sort of hoping
you get to step in the ring with, or that's impressed you the most?
[Logan] You know, I appreciate Dragon Lee, I appreciate Santos Escobar,
but I already beat the best luchador of all time
fair and square, Rey Mysterio.
So to be honest with you, it's gonna be a cakewalk.
I was built for this. These guys, especially guys like Kevin,
I don't know how built for this he really is.
[Cole] Are you going to bring the brass knuckles?
[Logan] I don't know what you're talking about.
[Cole] That's right. Your entourage brings the brass knuckles.
I forgot about that.
[Logan] I still don't know what you're talking about.
[Graves] You have to forgive him. He fancies himself a journalist
and tends to insult our guests.
Logan, I want to congratulate you on the massive guest you have this week
on your podcast, Impaulsive, the returning Viper, Randy Orton.
[Logan] The Legend Killer…
[Patrick] Elbow dropped from a distance.
Grayson Waller with the cover, now kicking out is KO.
[Cole] I'd like to see KO and Logan Paul.
[Logan] You know, if he is lucky enough to have the opportunity to face
one of WWE's finest, fastest rising stars in the U.S. Champion, that's fine.
Randy Orton, "The Viper," great podcast, great show, Impaulsive coming out Tuesday.
You don't want to miss it. I always plug.
[Patrick] How much have you been loving your time
as U.S. Champ, Logan?
We've seen you post photographs in bed with the title,
in the shower with the title, you're bringing it everywhere.
[Logan] You know, let me tell you something.
There's nowhere I don't go with this title.
I do everything with this title. If I breathe, I have this title.
[Patrick] Kevin Owens stalking you there, Logan.
[Logan] I saw that, he was giving me a weird little look.
[Graves] I can tell you this much.
If Kevin Owens takes his eyes off Grayson Waller
for too long, he'll pay for it.
-[referee] Watch it with that! -[Cole laughs] Did you see that?
A little quick, little poke, Grayson fell like a box of bricks.
[Patrick] Here comes Kevin Owens!
[Graves] Waller out of the way just in time.
[Logan] But a smart move nonetheless. I mean, guys like that.
You got a bowling ball coming at you with momentum I've never seen before.
You're gonna move.
[Cole] Theory's a good corner man, but he's not helping out. Oh!
[Patrick] Oh, watch out.
[Logan] Here we go. There it is.
I've lost too many beverages out here. Trust me.
[Graves] No, Logan, let me ask you.
It's a very real possibility that Grayson Waller wins the tournament.
You'll have to step in the ring against the Aussie Icon.
[Logan] Yeah, if only Grayson wrestled as good as he looks.
[Patrick] Grayson Waller now.
And now Kevin Owens…
Swing and a miss. There's KO!
[Graves] Kevin Owens from the apron.
-Oh! -[Cole] Whoa!
[Patrick] Big Splash all over Waller.
KO riding the energy of the WWE Universe here in Brooklyn.
[Cole] Help him out, Theory.
[crowd chants] KO!
[Graves] Logan, are you really up for the challenge of
facing a Kevin Owens when you've got the entire WWE Universe chanting him on?
Look, even if I'm not, I'm going to pretend I am.
[Graves] Fair enough.
[Patrick] Face-first into the post goes Owens.
[Cole] Austin Theory!
[Graves] Stomping the hand of Owens.
[Patrick] As the referee was dealing with Grayson Waller.
[Cole] And now Theory's telling Waller, "Work on the hand, I just stomped on it."
[Graves] It's really brilliant strategy is what it is.
[Patrick] KO just grabbing his arm.
-[overlapping chatter] -[commentators exclaim]
[Graves] It just went from bad to worse. KO is hurt.
All day! All day!
[Cole] Oh! What a Splash by Kevin Owens!
[Graves] Somehow, some way,
after having his right hand nearly destroyed by Waller and Theory,
Owens is still in this fight.
[Cole] This is as we came on the air from the commercial break.
And watch Kevin Owens grab his right hand after he hit.
That has been attacked throughout the commercial break
by both Waller and Theory.
Welcome back, folks.
Joining us here at the commentary desk, United States Champion Logan Paul
watching on a week ahead of the United States Championship Tournament
set to take place.
[Graves] Logan, what have you thought so far of these two competitors.
We know your personal feelings on Owens, but has Waller impressed you?
[Logan] Uh, it's… it's…
it's a great match, you know, but at the end of the day,
they're both titleless.
-And I am the U.S. Champion. -[Cole] And watch this right here.
It looks perhaps like they may have broken Kevin Owens' hand
during the commercial break.
There was some murmurings going around here at ringside about that.
So, you have to wonder
if Kevin Owens has a broken hand as he battles Waller in this match.
[Logan] Yeah, you know we all get boo-boos,
but he'll be all right.
[Graves] I want to ask you about Waller and Theory, Logan.
They referred to themselves as forward-thinking disruptors
such as yourself.
Do you agree with that? How do these guys take it to the next level?
[Logan] You know, I think they're thinking…
[Cole] Fair.
I think they're cheap shot artists.
[Patrick] Waller now dragging Kevin Owens to the outside.
But Owens just keep fighting.
He'll always fight, KO.
[Cole] Yeah. And again, the problem, guys, is Kevin Owens, it's his right hand.
The hand that he does all the damage with.
[Graves] Check this out. Oh no!
[Patrick] Owens with a DDT.
[Logan] You know, Kevin Owens is always talking
about punching people in the face,
but I think we can all agree
that he should probably just punch himself in the face
with both hands at the same time.
[Cole] Well, he may not be punching anyone now
with that right hand as injured as it is,
and now he's using one arm,
headbutts and everything else to fight back into this.
You'll never hear Kevin Owens making an excuse.
[Patrick] It's not just the vitriol between this, these two.
It's the tournament to come next week. Both competitors in said tournament.
[Graves] Uh-oh. Clear the deck.
Cannonball!
[Patrick] Just pulverizing Grayson Waller.
[Logan] It's a lot of weight.
[Graves] KO moves it well,
and the impact from the top rope is gonna hurt like hell.
[Patrick] Owens with the Swanton Bomb!
In for the cover to put away Grayson Waller, who kicks out.
[Cole] You could be on the other end of that, Logan.
[Logan] Yeah. We'll see. You know, I consider Kevin Owens
just Otis on a diet,
but I'm looking forward to the match if that happens.
[Graves] Owens looking for a Stunner.
[Patrick] And that hurt hand coming into play here as Waller goes after it.
[Cole] And again, it's obviously the hand that Owens uses for everything.
-[Owens] No! -[Logan] You know, I broke my right hand.
Now, I have a titanium plate and screw in it.
[Graves] And the fact that you were willing
and able to fight through that adversity is inspiring.
[Cole] I was wondering when that was coming.
[Graves] I'm not allowed to tell Logan Paul that he inspires me?
I was hanging on every word
when he was in the ring, giving a soliloquy, I believed it.
[Cole] So, how about…
[Graves] I'm not one of the… I'm not a hater like Cole, Logan.
[Cole] Doesn't Kevin Owens inspire you guys?
Look what he is going through in this match
and he's still hanging in there.
Kevin Owens inspires me to go to McDonald's.
[soft laughter]
[Graves] Call the match, KP.
[Patrick] Waller straight back across to KO.
[Graves] Look at this.
-This is gonna be catastrophic. -[Patrick] That hand is locked in!
[Cole] Thank goodness, Kevin Owens… Wait.
-[Graves] Shoulders down. -[Patrick] KO may turn this around.
[Logan] Oh my God! Come on!
-[Patrick] KO did it! -Literally, what the…
-[Rome] Here's your winner, Kevin Owens! -[Logan] Whatever.
Whatever. Whatever, bro.
[Cole] Waller can't believe it.
[Graves] Waller can't believe it. Theory's in disbelief.
Logan doesn't believe it.
But it happened with one good hand.
[Cole] He's rude.
[Graves] He's the United States Champion. He can be however he wants.
[Cole] Nonetheless, the tournament starts next week
to determine who's gonna face that man, Logan Paul,
for the United States Championship.
And it has been a week of returns, Logan Paul,
R-Truth, Randy Orton.
And, of course, the most shocking and thunderous return of all, CM Punk.
What a moment this was!
[Cole] It was the most social moment in WWE history up till today.
Over 95 million views across all social media platforms,
shattering records here in WWE.
I have to say,
it was probably the biggest return in the history of WWE!
[Graves] The Voice of the Voiceless has returned.
[Patrick] CM Punk in front of Chicago, returning to WWE.
[crowd chants] CM Punk!
["Cult of Personality" by Living Colour plays]
[crowd cheers]
Oh my God!
Holy [bleep].
Oh my God!
-[yelling] -What? What? What?
Oh my God!
[Cole] CM Punk is here!
[woman] It actually happened!
[Patrick] No way!
[Cole] CM Punk!
[crowd cheers]
CM Punk is back!
[crowd chants] CM Punk!
Looks like hell froze over.
I've been trying to come up with the words
to explain to all of you exactly how I feel.
I've changed.
And this is the truth.
I'm home.
This is where I belong.
Over ten years, you people never forgot me
even when maybe I wanted to forget me.
And that's why I'm back, because I love you guys.
Everybody has welcomed me back with open arms.
Well, almost everybody.
Some people are afraid.
They're afraid of what they don't understand.
But I understand the competition here, week in and week out,
competes to be the Best in the World.
But the Best in the World has not been here for almost ten years.
Some people are gonna have to come to terms with the fact
that their best efforts at being the Best in the World on this microphone,
in this ring, even at commentary, isn't just false…
but it's a lie…
because the Best in the World is back
and the Best in the World is standing live and in living color,
and his name is…
[crowd] CM Punk!
[crowd chants] CM Punk!
[Patrick] That was the passionate CM Punk on Monday Night Raw,
returning to the place he calls home here in WWE.
And we do not have to wait long to see CM Punk on Friday Night SmackDown.
He's coming your way next week
when SmackDown heads to Providence, Rhode Island.
["Cult of Personality" by Living Colour plays]
♪ I'm on my own Against the wall ♪
[Cole] A lot of pressure on Bianca Belair here in this matchup.
[Graves] The work begins tonight.
♪ And now I see that I'm way better than before ♪
♪ I never needed you at all ♪
♪ Think I'd fall down I'ma watch you fall down ♪
♪ I'm living large now ♪
♪ I never needed you at all ♪
♪ Think I'd fall down I'ma watch you fall down ♪
Well, luckily…
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by Shotzi and Charlotte Flair,
Bianca Belair!
[Cole] Kevin mentioned, Providence next week.
It's also the 21st Annual Tribute to the Troops right here on Fox.
[Patrick] If Bianca Belair wants a title opportunity,
she's got to go through all of Damage CTRL.
First up is Kairi Sane.
It is tonight's main event, sponsored by Wingstop.
Do not go anywhere, folks.
Belair and Kairi Sane is live, and it's next.
♪ Think I'd fall down I'ma watch you fall down ♪
♪ I'm living large now… ♪
Friday Night SmackDown is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
For a job you love, visit Progressive.
♪ I never needed you at all ♪
You're looking at "The EST" Bianca Belair,
flanked by Charlotte Flair and Shotzi, raring to go for our main event.
[Cole] Really a must win tonight.
[yelling indistinctly]
[speaking Japanese]
Hey.
Are you-- Are you okay?
Yeah. Yeah, yeah. I'm cool, I'm cool.
Let's go, Kairi. Yeah.
You don't really seem like yourself.
You stay here tonight.
["We Got the Rage" by def rebel plays]
[Cole] Okay, Graves.
[Graves] I don't know what that was about.
[Rome] And her opponent,
accompanied to the ring by Dakota Kai, Asuka,
and the WWE Women's Champion Iyo Sky,
representing Damage CTRL, Kairi Sane!
[Cole] Well, there's obviously a trust issue.
[Graves] I don't know why the rest of Damage CTRL
would have trust issues with Bayley,
seeing as how she almost single-handedly kept them
in the WarGames match this past Saturday night.
[Cole] Well, maybe because Bayley took out Kairi Sane a couple of years ago
before she returned to WWE.
Maybe that has something to do with it.
[Patrick] Cole, you call this a must win match for Bianca Belair.
What about Damage CTRL?
Kairi Sane representing Damage CTRL here tonight after losing out at WarGames.
[Cole] It's Bianca Belair going one-on-one with Kairi Sane tonight.
Bianca has to win to keep her hopes alive of facing Iyo Sky
for the WWE Women's Championship.
♪ Control the stage, control the cage ♪
♪ We got the power, we got the rage ♪
♪ Control the stage… ♪
[Graves] Earlier tonight…
Bianca Belair was informed
that she's gotta run all the way through the rest of Damage CTRL
if she wants another opportunity at Iyo Sky's championship.
Well, tonight will be no easy task…
as she goes one-on-one with Kairi.
[Patrick] In tonight's main event that is sponsored by Wingstop.
This is Kairi Sane's first one-on-one match in WWE
since she defeated Bayley in July of 2020.
It was one week after that when Bayley viciously attacked Kairi
and sent her packing from WWE.
[Cole] Hey, smart for Bianca to bring Charlotte and Shotzi
out with her tonight…
trying to even things up.
Big matchup for Bianca Belair.
Remember, she lost her championship back at SummerSlam.
She won the Triple Threat Match before Iyo Sky would cash-in,
and then Damage CTRL cost her a couple of months of her career
after a cheap sneak attack.
[Patrick] Then, of course, it was Kairi Sane emerging at Crown Jewel,
costing Bianca Belair.
[Graves] Look at the power of Belair,
just too strong for Kairi in that instance.
-[Patrick] And… Oh. -[Graves] Oh.
[Patrick] Corey, what about…
What about Kairi Sane here returning to WWE?
Has she changed in any way?
[Graves] Time will tell, I would imagine.
I mean, nobody stays the same for three years.
Kairi was incredibly talented, very successful.
Her last time here in WWE, I imagine she's changed a few things,
probably improved in a few areas where she had weakness.
She still was one of the hottest free agents in the world.
That's why she's back here in Damage CTRL.
[Cole] A lot more aggressive, a lot more intense.
[Graves] Unique offense. Great counter by Belair.
[Patrick] Oh, Belair, so powerful. So athletic.
[Graves] There's such a power disparity between these two.
Kairi is going to have to rely on technique and her aerial ability,
because there is no way she matches strength with The EST.
[Patrick] Makes for such a great match here in tonight's main event.
[Cole] You know, while we're speculating on the situation
between Bayley and the rest of Damage CTRL,
maybe, Corey, it has something to do with the fact
that Bayley was the one who got beat inside WarGames.
[Graves] That would be my best guess.
But, I mean, I would think by now that the women would have gone
and re-watched the footage,
watched back the tape to learn, and seen that Bayley was the MVP.
[Patrick] Asuka taking out the legs of Bianca Belair
and now Kairi Sane can capitalize.
And to your point, Corey,
it was Bayley who took a bullet for Kairi Sane at WarGames…
as Charlotte Flair went in for the spear.
[Graves] Right, not to mention the…
Oh, Charlotte Flair may have got caught red-handed.
[Cole] Oh, just trying…
Turnabout was fair play.
[Patrick] The referee--
[Graves] It's only a crime when you get caught.
[Cole] Yeah, Ryan Tran caught Charlotte Flair,
gonna send her back to the locker room.
[Graves] Wait, wait, Asuka is in the ring right now.
[Tran] You, you, you…
[Patrick] Oh yes!
[Cole] Great job by Ryan Tran, the official.
Sending everybody packing.
[Patrick] No more numbers advantage.
[Graves] Asuka just got drop kicked.
It is officially one-on-one.
[Patrick] Who's gonna come out on top in the main event of SmackDown?
A full house tonight
at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Bianca Belair wants to get through every single member of Damage CTRL
and earn a title opportunity.
In her way tonight, Kairi Sane.
[Graves] Look at this modified Boston Crab submission.
[Cole] But look at the power of Bianca.
[Patrick] Bianca Belair, three-time Women's Champion,
wants to make it four, what a tall task she has in front of her
as Kairi Sane rolls her over now.
Going for the cover and a kickout by Bianca.
[Cole] Again, Dakota Kai told the world tonight
when we kicked off SmackDown that, "Bianca, you want Iyo Sky
for the WWE Women's Championship, go through Damage CTRL first."
[Graves] Right now, Iyo Sky has got to be thanking her lucky stars
for Damage CTRL,
knowing that she's got not only Bianca hot on her trail,
Charlotte Flair would love an opportunity.
I imagine Shotzi
is getting close to feeling ready to challenge for a championship.
[Cole] Those two, along with the rest of Damage CTRL,
were sent back to the locker room by our official
before the commercial break, making sure this is one-on-one tonight.
[Patrick] Just the way we wanted, a fair match here
as Kairi Sane is all over Bianca Belair.
Look at Belair though.
-Come on, get up! -[Patrick] Eyes on Sane now.
Get up!
[Graves] You see just an angry Bianca Belair tonight.
[Cole] Yeah, and flat-out power.
[Graves] Wow!
A little vitriol behind those body slams.
The EST right now is the angriest woman in Brooklyn.
[Cole] A lot of disdain toward Damage CTRL over the past few months.
[Patrick] Certainly had their way with Bianca Belair, costing her dearly.
[Graves] And notice when the challenge was made,
when the information was transferred
that Bianca would have to run through all of damage CTRL,
Belair didn't even bat an eye.
She said, "Okay, that's what I gotta do. Let's bring it."
[Cole] Well, that's the mantra of Bianca Belair.
Dig down deep. Play hard.
-Don't complain. -[Patrick] That's it.
Not the first time she's had to get to the back of the line
to earn the opportunities.
Belair now and that athleticism.
In for the cover to put away Kairi Sane.
Kairi Sane just about survives.
[Graves] Barely got her shoulder up.
Bianca thought it was a three count. I did too.
Doesn't get any closer than this without the bell ringing.
But we take another look
at the mind-melting athleticism of The EST.
And Kairi just able to escape through the back door.
[Patrick] What a baptism by fire.
Kairi Sane, first one-on-one match in WWE in over three years.
And it's against The EST.
Bianca!
[Patrick] Bianca has Kairi where she wants her.
[Graves] Look at this. Just chucking her like a sack of potatoes.
-Cover here. -[Tran] One, two…
[Patrick] Once more for the win. Kairi kicking out early.
[Cole] I mean, Bianca having her way with Kairi Sane.
Just tossing her all over the ring.
[Graves] I think Bianca right now is trying to send them.
Oh, big back fist rocked The EST.
[Cole] Did you see Bianca's eyes roll back in her head
after that shot by Kairi?
[Graves] I think Kairi might be setting up for Sliding D…
[Cole] There it is.
[Graves] …with the back fist that rocked the jaw of The EST.
And now Kairi Sane making the climb to the very top turnbuckle.
[Patrick] The aerial artist, now from a height, connects with Bianca.
[Graves] Cover by Sane.
[Patrick] For the win. Bianca kicking out this time at two.
[Graves] Look of frustration from Kairi
as we look again at her soaring through the sky in Barclays Center,
forearm right to the heart of Bianca.
[Tran] One, two…
[Graves] A bit of a lackadaisical cover
might have cost Kairi the victory in that instance.
[Patrick] Bianca, there's that power once more.
Oh, Kairi Sane turned it around.
Belair sent to the outside.
And this is where Kairi Sane can thrive.
[Graves] Well, Kairi doesn't have much time to turn the tables in this.
Right back where we started.
Oh! Across the barricade! My God!
[Cole] Ribs first.
[Patrick] Crushing Kairi Sane.
The ruthless nature of Belair… Oh, hang on a second.
[Graves] Bayley's here.
[Cole] Oh, they told her to stay in the back.
[Graves] Obviously, Bayley didn't listen to the orders, but…
boy, Kairi better be grateful.
I got you. Come on, Kairi.
[Patrick] The orders came from Iyo Sky, the WWE Women's Champion.
Come on.
Yes, let's go! Let's go!
[Cole] It may pay off.
[Graves] Kairi thinking about the Insane Elbow.
[Patrick] Oh, scouted by Belair. Back up to her feet.
[Graves] Oh, wow!
-[Patrick] Oh my goodness! -[Graves] Wow!
Wow! Wow!
[Patrick] Belair has Kairi Sane where she wants her.
KOD!
-Kiss of Death! -[crowd] One, two, three!
[bell rings]
["Watch Me Shine" by CFO$ plays]
[Rome] Here is your winner, Bianca Belair!
[Cole] I mean, Bayley did what she could, I guess.
[Graves] Whether you agree with Bayley's motives or not,
her heart appeared to be in the right place,
coming to the aid of Kairi Sane.
Unfortunately, that wasn't enough.
And it's off to Davy Jones' locker for Kairi tonight.
[Patrick] Well, folks, it is a battle of the GMs tonight.
Adam Pearce of Raw, Nick Aldis of SmackDown,
both want to secure the signature of Randy Orton!
What's Orton's decision?
We're gonna find out next live on SmackDown.
♪ I never needed you at all ♪
["Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
[Patrick] Well, folks, the news just in, in the first round
of the United States Championship Tournament,
"The All Mighty" Bobby Lashley collides
with "The Harbinger of Doomsday" Karrion Kross,
while Santos Escobar and a fierce rivalry with the high-flying Dragon Lee continues.
All four Superstars look to advance and get that close opportunity
with Logan Paul, the United States Champion.
[Graves] And "The Alpha Female of WWE"
Charlotte Flair looks to settle the score with the woman
who betrayed her to join Damage CTRL, "The Empress of Tomorrow" Asuka.
[Cole] And for the first time in over a decade, "The Best in the World"
CM Punk returns to Friday Night SmackDown
next week in Providence, and don't forget,
it's also the 21st Annual WWE
Tribute to the Troops.
["Cult of Personality" by Living Colour plays]
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
Raw General Manager, Adam Pearce
and SmackDown General Manager, Nick Aldis!
[crowd clamoring]
Ladies and gentlemen, as your General Manager,
it is my distinct honor and privilege
to welcome back to SmackDown…
"The Viper" Randy Orton!
♪ I hear voices in my head ♪
[crowd cheers]
♪ They talk to me ♪
[Patrick] What an ovation for the 14-time World Champion!
Welcome back, Randy Orton!
Already with that massive impact at Survivor Series: WarGames.
Where will Randy Orton be headed?
Will it be to Monday Night Raw?
Or will it be to Friday Night SmackDown?
-[Graves] You can feel Randy's passion. -[crowd cheers]
How much it means to be back in WWE…
emanating from The Viper,
and being given right back from the WWE Universe.
♪ I hear voices in my head ♪
♪ They counsel me, they understand ♪
♪ They talk to me ♪
[Graves] Look at the physique of Randy Orton.
Bigger, badder and better than ever.
♪ They talk to me ♪
♪ Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me! ♪
♪ They talk to me ♪
♪ Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me! ♪
[crowd cheers]
[crowd cheers loudly]
["Voices" continues playing]
[music fades]
[crowd chants] Randy!
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chants] RKO!
[Pearce] Randy, this is electric and I--
[Aldis] Hey, hey, how dare you interrupt me on my show?
You better take your hand off of me.
Hey, Randy--
Randy, you are a Monday Night legend.
You belong on Raw.
Randy, I can give you the one thing…
-As I said… -…only SmackDown can give you.
As I said, you belong on Raw.
Put your name on this contract
and I will give you the winner of Jey Uso and Seth Rollins
for the World Heavyweight Championship.
[Aldis] Randy…
Randy…
You sign with SmackDown…
and I can give you the guys that took you out.
[Heyman] Ladies and gentlemen.
[crowd cheers]
Ladies and gentlemen…
things that live in Brooklyn…
[crowd boos]
…my name is Paul Heyman.
And I serve as The Wiseman
for your reigning, defending,
Undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion,
Roman Reigns!
Well, look who's back…
after 18 months on the shelf,
thanks to Roman Reigns and The Bloodline.
Randy Orton comes home looking for revenge.
There will be no RKOs this evening.
[crowd boos]
And there will be no decision made by Randy Orton…
because The Bloodline
is going to make your decision…
for you.
[crowd clamoring]
["Taking It All" feat. Stevie Stone by def rebel plays]
♪ We're taking it all Settle the score… ♪
[Graves] Smart decision by Pearce and Aldis to leave the ring area
because here comes The Bloodline.
[Cole] And there goes Randy Orton after Uso and Sikoa.
[Patrick] Big blows to Solo Sikoa.
Jimmy Uso back on his feet.
[Cole] Solo Sikoa, the man who took out John Cena,
now attacking Orton.
[Graves] Orton now falling victim to The Enforcer
and The Underboss of The Bloodline.
["Welcome To LA" by def rebel plays]
[crowd cheers]
[Graves] Someone else who's had a few issues
with The Bloodline lately.
[Patrick] LA Knight taking the fight to The Bloodline!
[crowd chants] Yeah!
[Graves] Solo sent packing.
[Cole] Or so we thought.
Knight and Sikoa now brawling outside the ring.
[Graves] That leaves Jimmy Uso all alone.
[Patrick] Here comes Orton.
[Cole] I love this, haven't had this on SmackDown in a long, long time.
Vintage Orton!
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chants] RKO!
[Patrick] RKO!
[crowd chants] Randy!
[crowd chants] One more time!
Let's go! Let's go!
Orton, go to Raw, go to Raw!
You're safe on Raw!
You're so safe on Raw!
[Pearce] Let's go!
[Patrick] Yes!
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chants] Randy!
Hey, Paul.
You can call Roman Reigns.
And you can tell him…
Daddy's back.
[crowd cheers]
♪ I hear voices in my head ♪
[Graves] Well, to borrow a line from Adam Pearce himself,
"It is official."
The Viper…
is coming back to SmackDown.
[Patrick] The ultimate mic drop from Randy Orton…
staring The Bloodline's Paul Heyman in the face.
[Cole] What a coup by Nick Aldis.
[Graves] Well done.
[Cole] Oh! RKO to Aldis!
Never turn your back on The Viper.
["Voices" continues playing]
[Patrick] Randy Orton is SmackDown's own.
We can't wait to see him here weekly.
SmackDown promises to be epic with The Viper in the house.
And this is trouble…
-Call Roman Reigns. -…for Roman Reigns and The Bloodline.
Next week on SmackDown, not only is it Tribute to the Troops,
it also sees the return of CM Punk
to Friday Night SmackDown live in Providence.
[Graves] The Best in the World, The Voice of the Voiceless.
[crowd cheers]
[Patrick] Welcome to SmackDown, Randy Orton! the Voiceless.