[WWE intro music plays]
[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.
Together.
[music fades]
[crowd cheers]
[Orton] Roman Reigns, you took 18 months from me,
so I am going to take everything away from you.
And I don't care which one of your family members
I have to go through to get the job done.
I'm coming for you.
[dramatic music playing]
It's promotion season.
If you're able to handle Randy Orton alone,
just imagine what's in store for you.
[Patrick] Off we go. It's a hot start from Randy Orton.
Jimmy Uso's task is clear from The Tribal Chief,
handle Randy Orton tonight by himself.
[Graves] Just that quickly, Orton turns the tides of momentum
back into his own favor.
[Patrick] The Viper ready to feast.
["Taking It All (feat. Stevie Stone)" playing]
[Graves] And here comes the enforcer of The Bloodline.
["Welcome To LA" playing]
[Graves] It's the defiant LA Knight, bringing the fight to Solo.
RKO!
[crowd] One, two, three!
[bell rings]
-[Cole] Oh! -[Graves] It's Roman Reigns.
[dramatic music playing]
[Graves] Roman Reigns, Randy Orton toe to toe.
But Jimmy Uso from behind.
[Cole] The pack-like mentality in full force.
[Graves] And LA Knight's back.
[Patrick] But Solo from behind.
The numbers spell trouble for LA Knight and Randy Orton.
[crowd boos]
["Phenomenal" playing]
[Patrick] Could it be?
[Graves] AJ Styles!
-[dramatic music playing] -[Cole] Phenomenal Forearm.
[Graves] AJ Styles evening the odds.
[Cole] The Bloodline has made a lot of enemies.
And there's gonna be hell to pay.
[crowd roaring]
[crowd boos]
[dramatic music continues]
["Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
[crowd cheering]
♪ I don't see nobody, I don't see nobody ♪
♪ Who can tussle with the beast? I don't see nobody, ' cause there… ♪
[Patrick] 'Tis the season, folks. Happy holidays,
as we welcome you to a festive Friday Night SmackDown
sponsored by Progressive.
A triple-threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
[song fades out]
-["Phenomenal" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Graves] Last week as we went off the air on Friday Night SmackDown,
we were left with more questions than answers regarding this man,
a newly returned AJ Styles.
But judging by AJ's appearance,
this is a very, very different man than we last saw.
[Patrick] Corey, maybe we'll get some answers tonight
from "The Phenomenal One" AJ Styles.
This, three months ago,
when The Bloodline sent AJ Styles away in an ambulance.
[Graves] This is the last time we would see AJ Styles
prior to his shocking return
in the closing moments of SmackDown last week.
Obviously, Styles has unfinished business with The Bloodline,
and he can pick up where he left off tonight
as The Phenomenal One goes one-on-one
with the enforcer of The Bloodline, Solo Sikoa.
♪ No, they don't want none No, they don't want none ♪
[song fades out]
Randy Orton…
wants Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble.
LA Knight…
[crowd cheers]
…wants Roman Reigns
anytime, anyplace, anywhere.
And I don't blame either one of them.
And I don't give a damn
about Randy Orton or LA Knight.
[crowd boos]
Understand this.
I am number one
when it comes to getting his hands on Roman Reigns.
I, I want Roman Reigns
at the Royal Rumble.
[crowd clamors]
["Welcome To LA" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Graves] Imagine that, LA Knight has something to say about that.
[song cuts out]
[crowd chanting] LA Knight! LA Knight! LA Knight! LA Knight!
Let me talk to you.
[crowd shouts] Yeah!
I ain't gonna come out here and argue with you
about who gets Roman Reigns first.
If it's Randy Orton, if it's you. Nah, nah.
Because there's nothing to argue about.
You've got to consider something right now.
After what happened to me at Crown Jewel,
I tell you what, you can have Roman Reigns…
after I get him first.
[crowd shouts] Yeah!
'Cause I'll put it to you like this…
Roman Reigns is gonna get this man first with everybody saying…
[crowd] LA Knight, yeah!
But considering what happened last week,
the first one on my list damn sure could be AJ Styles.
Yeah!
[crowd] Yeah!
Oh, you forget so easily that you stepped over my dead body
to get a match with Cena to tag against The Bloodline,
and then get your match with Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel.
[indistinct]
That's the situation--
Why don't I come up here, we can talk about, huh?
You or anyone else gets in my way,
I'll drop them too.
["Voices" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Graves] Choose your words carefully, Mr. Styles.
♪ You got your rules and your religion ♪
[song fades out]
I can appreciate both of you
and your issues that you have with Roman Reigns,
your issues that you have with The Bloodline.
But Roman Reigns and The Bloodline,
they put me on the shelf for 18 months,
18 long months.
Now, I enjoy being at home, boys,
but I was missing my second home, which is right here in this ring.
And I'm gonna tell you both something right now.
[crowd cheers]
Nothing is gonna get in my way.
So, frankly, here it goes, fellas.
Look, hey, hold on. Wait, wait, wait. Hold… Just wait a second.
No disrespect, but let me go ahead and point something out right now.
The Bloodline took you out.
Does anybody remember them taking me out?
Nah, nah.
Which means I'm bulletproof at this point.
You guys have fallen at the feet of The Bloodline.
And what that means,
you guys take every bit out on The Bloodline that you want to.
Come along for the ride.
But I've got Roman Reigns.
[Aldis] Gentlemen, gentlemen, gentlemen.
So sorry to interrupt.
If I could have your attention, please, just for one moment.
Because this is in fact a situation we find ourselves in, isn't it?
Because the way I see it,
each of you has a legitimate claim to face Roman Reigns.
So I've decided that I'm gonna give you a legitimate opportunity
to earn the right to face Roman Reigns next.
So, in two weeks…
we present SmackDown New Year's Revolution.
And at that event,
it will be AJ Styles…
versus LA Knight…
[crowd] Yeah!
…versus Randy Orton in a Triple Threat Match.
[crowd cheers]
[Aldis] The winner…
gets Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble.
[crowd cheers]
Fine, fine. Whatever it takes to get to Roman Reigns.
So, I'll see you two at New Year's Revolution.
And in my match with Solo Sikoa,
if anyone gets close to this ring,
I'll take you out too.
["Phenomenal" playing]
[Cole] What a massive announcement from our General Manager Nick Aldis.
[Graves] That is Premium Live Event-caliber,
if I may say so myself.
I like your style, Mr. General Manager. Well done, Nick Aldis.
Orton, Styles, Knight, Triple Threat.
The winner goes to the Royal Rumble to challenge Roman Reigns.
-What a way to kick off the new year. -Are you kidding me? Wow!
New Year's Revolution in just two weeks' time.
But here tonight on Friday Night SmackDown,
the stakes are enormous.
We are at the semifinal stage
in the United States Championship Tournament.
Who will advance to the final?
Will it be Carmelo Hayes in just his second match on SmackDown,
or Kevin Owens with a broken hand?
[Graves] On the other side of the bracket, we will see "The All Mighty" Bobby Lashley
go one-on-one with Santos Escobar.
Lashley looking to throw his weight around,
but we get to see how sadistic Santos can be.
[Cole] Also tonight, the brand new NXT North American Champion,
Dragon Lee, defends the title against Butch.
Something has to give on SmackDown tonight.
["Watch Me Shine" playing]
[Patrick] 'Tis the season, folks.
Let's get set for a little Holiday Havoc.
[Graves] There are 10,000 Christmas songs, and you used the same one twice.
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following is a Holiday Havoc
-Eight-Woman Tag Team Match! -[explosion]
[Rome] Introducing first, the team of Michin, Zelina Vega,
Shotzi, and Bianca Belair!
[Patrick] Not singing "Run, Run, Rudolph" anytime soon.
What can we expect from this Holiday Havoc?
An eight-woman tag team match coming your way.
Can Damage CTRL continue their dominance?
We're gonna find out tonight, here on SmackDown live.
[Graves] It's time to deck the halls.
[Patrick] Friday Night SmackDown is sponsored
by Progressive's Keys to Progress Program.
Gifting cars to veterans since 2013.
Welcome back in, folks.
A rowdy crowd here tonight getting set for some Holiday Havoc.
An eight-woman tag team match.
["We Got the Rage" playing]
♪ Haha ♪
♪ Damage CTRL ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ We got the power, we got the rage, yeah Control the stage… ♪
[Rome] And their opponents, accompanied by Dakota Kai,
Kairi Sane, Asuka, Bayley
and the WWE Women's Champion, Iyo Sky,
Damage CTRL!
[Patrick] I think it's safe to say Damage CTRL are stronger
and more united than ever before.
Last week, a dominant performance from The Kabuki Warriors.
Bayley outlining their goals for the future.
[Graves] Bayley herself announced that she will be taking part
in the Women's Royal Rumble Match.
Gotta be an intimidating sight
if you're one of the women standing in the ring.
And I'm not talking about the pumpkin pie and the cookies.
Cole, can you pass me one of those?
-It's been a while. -I'm starving over here.
-Here we go. It's kicking off already. -[bell rings]
[Patrick] And there's the bell.
Victor by pinfall or submission, but anything goes.
No count-outs, no disqualification here in this Holiday Havoc.
[Graves] Bianca right now in the corner, teeing off on the WWE Women's Champion,
Iyo Sky.
Kairi Sane is out here scrapping with Zelina basically in our laps.
Dakota is calling the shots. It's madness. It's mayhem. It's Holiday Havoc.
[Cole] None of these teams in the holiday spirit
with all that's gone on.
[Patrick] You think Damage CTRL celebrate the holidays?
[Cole] Yeah, with themselves.
[Patrick] Here with the braid. Bianca out of harm's way.
Look at the athleticism!
[Cole] And remember, Bianca cannot wait to get her hands on Iyo Sky one-on-one
for the WWE Women's Championship.
That is her goal.
[Graves] Bianca obtained a measure of retribution within WarGames,
but The EST won't settle 'til she has gold around her waist again.
[Patrick] Fresh off a victory at WarGames. Bianca was team captain on that occasion.
[Graves] Look at the power of The EST.
[Cole] This has been a showcase for Bianca.
[Patrick] Could this be over already? And look who it is!
[Graves laughs] Shocker.
Right on time yet again, Bayley saves the day.
[Patrick] Corey, there were a lot of questions about Bayley
and her involvement in Damage CTRL, a group that she started,
but last week proved that they look more united than ever.
[Graves] This is imaginary, KP.
It's you and your… and your internet friends speculating,
trying to stir up drama where there isn't any.
-[crowd cheers] -[Graves laughs]
[Cole] She just unwrapped a chair.
-[Patrick] The ballsy badass. -[Cole] Listen, I think--
[Graves] I wouldn't touch her with a 39-and-a-half-foot pole.
[Cole] Hey, listen, I think that there were problems
with Bayley and Damage CTRL.
Some major problems, but I think they've been fixed.
And they look better than ever.
[Graves] I knew you'd see it my way, Cole.
[Patrick] I don't think Bayley is gonna sit down.
-Bayley has the chair ready to rock. -[Graves] Hell of an observation, KP.
What gave you that idea?
Shotzi puts the brakes on for the moment.
And remember, Shotzi thrives in these sorts of environments.
But check out the power of Bayley, able to stop herself.
[Patrick] Bayley, one of the most decorated Superstars in WWE.
But Shotzi has the shoulders down now. Bayley out in time.
[Cole] What do you think Shotzi wants for Christmas?
[Graves] Cole, that's a loaded question, and I like my job.
-[Patrick] Look at Shotzi off the ropes. -[Graves] Whoa!
[Patrick grunts]
Big kick connects.
Shotzi has been on a roll,
riding that confidence that she received off Charlotte Flair.
[Graves] This is where Shotzi thrives. This is her environment.
The chaos, the madness, the lack of rules.
-Boom! -[Cole] Whoa!
[Patrick] Launching off the chair to great effect.
[Cole] Yeah, that creative offensive style.
[shouts]
[Patrick] I can't stop thinking about what Shotzi wants for Christmas.
[Graves] Why does that not surprise me, KP?
[Cole] You're a sicko.
[Graves] Michin with the assist,
-and Shotzi is going down! -[Cole] Oh! Wow!
[Graves] Taking out Iyo and Bayley.
[Patrick] Meanwhile, Zelina Vega is in the ring alongside Michin.
They had a match against The Kabuki Warriors last week.
-But watch out. Watch out. -[Cole] Oh, the old candy cane Kendo.
[Patrick] Kairi Sane and Asuka.
[Cole] Halloween, it was the candy corn, and Christmas is the candy cane.
Whoo!
[crowd boos]
-[Patrick laughs] Oh, yes. -[Cole] You may want to turn around.
[Patrick] Bianca Belair, Shotzi…
just beating them to a pulp.
You know what they say about Christmas. It's better to give than receive.
[indistinct]
[Patrick] Belair directing traffic.
[crowd cheers]
[Patrick] Oh, they've got a table.
[crowd cheering loudly]
[Patrick] They've got a table, but watch out.
[Cole] It's a craziest match I've ever seen.
[Graves] At this point, I'm half expecting Yukon Cornelius
to come guide Shotzi to the Island of Misfit Toys.
[Patrick] Shotzi and Belair back on their feet, but here comes the table.
Damage CTRL having their way here in the Holiday Havoc!
[Graves] Congratulations. You did it.
[Patrick] This is carnage here tonight.
It's the Holiday Havoc Eight-Woman Tag Team Match.
[Graves] Oh my God!
[Patrick] Bodies and presents everywhere.
[Cole] Whoever gave that gift was cheap. There's nothing inside.
[Patrick] This is what it's all about.
We're just days from Christmas here. Bodies on the line.
Who's gonna get the bragging rights in the Holiday Havoc?
[Cole] That's what I wanna do at Christmas, brag about Holiday Havoc.
-Oh! -[Patrick] Oh!
[Graves] Fantastic counter by Vega.
Iyo just got spiked.
[yelling]
[Graves] Martial arts exchange in the center of the ring.
Asuka getting the better, the back fist.
But Michin…
[Patrick] Caught by Michin. There's that strength of Michin.
[Graves] Powerbomb to Asuka.
[Cole] Turn around.
[Patrick] Here's the champ from a height.
[Graves] The Genius of the Sky stacks the shoulders of Michin.
[Cole] She'd be a good reindeer.
[Patrick] The EST in the way.
[Graves] Is that, "Iyo, with your nose so bright,
won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
Directly into a dropkick, shoulders down.
[Patrick] This is gonna do it. And a kickout from Bayley.
Lyrical genius, Corey Graves.
[Cole] Yeah, it's a real song, Kevin. He didn't make anything up.
[Graves] Do you not have Christmas in Ireland?
-Shoulders down. Iyo. -[Patrick] Will this do it?
[screams]
[Graves] I'm gonna let you in on a little mythology, KP.
Every time a table breaks, an angel gets its wings.
I didn't just make that up either.
-[Patrick] What's in this present? -[Graves] Nothing.
Ask Justin Timberlake.
[Patrick] The Champ's head is in it for now.
[Graves] Look at this power by Bianca Belair.
Iyo.
-[Patrick] Oh! -[Graves] Oh God!
[Cole] By the way, that's the same woman who came off the top of the WarGames…
[Patrick] Cover.
[Cole] …WarGames Cage with a garbage can on her head.
[Graves] Iyo, you're talking about. This is…
This is Shotzi, who's got a trash haircut. Not the same.
[Cole] But she had the box on her head, Iyo. Get it?
[Graves] Oh, yeah. Yeah. Oh, yes.
[Cole] It's my job to bring us back to what happened in history.
[Graves] Like Christmas Eve on Sesame Street.
KP, I can do this all day.
-Geez! Oh my God! -[Cole laughs]
What the… That decapitated her.
Not into the Christmas tree.
[Graves] But look out. Zelina has got a chair.
[Patrick] Kairi has no idea.
[Graves] Well, she does now.
[Cole] Oh no.
Dakota with the pumpkin pie.
[Graves] That's clearly left over from Thanksgiving.
-That's gotta be disgusting. -[screams indistinctly]
[Graves] No one eats pumpkin pie at Christmas.
-[Cole] Oh! -[Patrick] Oh!
[screams]
[Patrick] First, the pumpkin pie. Now the Mist.
[Cole] At least she could've used Christmas colors.
[Graves] Well, meanwhile, in the ring,
Bayley still putting in the work on behalf of Damage CTRL.
[Patrick] Chucking The EST to the outside.
Absolute carnage here tonight.
[shouting indistinctly]
[Patrick] Can't believe they took out the Christmas tree.
[Graves] You're new here, aren't you?
[Patrick] Beating down the back of Belair.
[grunting, screaming]
[Patrick] The other one.
[Graves] What's your problem? You got something against Kairi Sane?
[Patrick] I got something against taking out Christmas trees, Graves.
[Graves] That's where you draw the line?
That's where you've had enough, KP, was the Christmas tree?
[Patrick] Corey Grinch here next to me.
Bayley now has Bianca's braid.
[Graves] I'm gonna tie an antler on your forehead,
and you can be like my sled dog.
[Cole] You know, Bianca's got Christmas lights in her braid.
[Patrick] Where are these two going?
[Cole] Perhaps to open a gift.
[ominous music playing]
[Graves] What the…
Who the…
Is that Isla Dawn?
[Patrick] It is Isla Dawn.
[Graves] And Alba Fyre behind Asuka and Kairi.
[screaming]
[Graves] This is suddenly more like Halloween Havoc than Holiday Havoc.
[Patrick] They planned their Christmas gifts well in advance.
Alba Fyre now…
with the help of Isla Dawn.
[Graves] Oh!
[Cole] Damage CTRL not expecting that.
Get the hell out of here! What are you doing?
[Graves] I don't know if anybody was expecting that.
[Cole] Well, strange cats.
[Patrick] Message sent to The Kabuki Warriors.
Meanwhile, back inside the ring, Bayley.
Belair stops her.
Bayley looking for the Bayley to Belly.
Here is The EST.
[Graves] Oh no, not again.
[Patrick] Will we see the Kiss of Death?
[Graves] But keep your eyes on Iyo!
[Patrick] Watch out for the champ. Looking for the Over the Moonsault.
Connects with Belair.
[Graves] Well, here comes Michin.
[Patrick] Michin now.
[Graves and Patrick] Eat your feet.
[Patrick] The crowd are on their feet here.
Michin with ideas.
From the top rope.
Michin… Senton through the table!
-[Graves] Hallelujah! Holy crap! -[crowd] One, two, three.
-[Graves] Where's the Tylenol? -[bell rings]
["I Am" playing]
[Rome] Here are your winners.
The team of Bianca Belair, Shotzi,
Zelina Vega, and Michin!
[Graves] Holiday Havoc lived up to the hype.
What a win for Michin, Shotzi, Bianca.
[Patrick] Derailing the momentum of Damage CTRL.
[Graves] Almost forgot about Zelina Vega, who's still covered in pie out here.
That has got to feel good for Michin and company.
[Patrick] Elation for the victors here tonight.
We saw an impassioned AJ Styles earlier on.
Let's get to the bottom of AJ Styles' motivation
with a Progressive Match Flo.
[announcer] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive.
A triple-threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
[yelling]
[Jimmy] Here you go.
[Cole] That's Jimmy Uso beating the hell out of Styles.
[yells]
-[thud] -[commentators groan]
[dramatic music playing]
[explosion]
'Cause I know what it's like under pressure.
When you're under pressure, you gotta be able to call that hot route.
You gotta call that audible. But you a little quiet. You gotta project.
Red 70, Blackstar, set, hut. Right?
"Solo" on three. Let's go, baby.
[Solo and Jimmy speaking indistinctly]
Wiseman.
Yes, my Tribal Chief?
Who is the SmackDown General Manager?
Aldis, Nick Aldis.
Bring him to me.
Um, my Tribal Chief…
if I could have a moment of your time just to brief you
on this Nick Aldis, because he's--
No. No. No, no.
Bring him to me.
[Heyman] Yes, my Tribal Chief.
[crowd cheering]
[Patrick] A potential showdown between The Tribal Chief
-and SmackDown's new General Manager. -["Control The Empire" playing]
[Patrick] But to the here and the now,
it's a man rocking the gold back on SmackDown.
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the NXT
North American Championship.
Introducing first, weighing in at 165 pounds,
he is the NXT North American Champion,
Dragon Lee!
[Patrick] Dragon Lee has a new-found confidence about him,
dethroning Dominik Mysterio at NXT Deadline.
You're looking at the brand new NXT North American Champion.
[Graves] Yeah, gravity-defying Dragon Lee has been a fighting champion
since dethroning Dirty Dom.
But has the NXT North American Champ met his match?
We'll find out as he goes one-on-one with the bone-snapping brute, Butch.
♪ Have you walking through flames Burn it up ♪
[Patrick] The man that Rey Mysterio labeled the future of lucha libre,
Dragon Lee, is back on SmackDown.
And this is how he became the NXT North American Champion.
He had Rey Mysterio by his side at Deadline,
and Dragon Lee would get it done against Dominik Mysterio.
[Graves] With the pressure at an all-time high,
Dragon Lee's star would shine brighter than ever.
Operation Dragon.
-And new NXT North American Champion. -[crowd] One, two, three.
[Patrick] A night to remember for the young luchador.
[Graves] The first of likely many championships
in Dragon Lee's WWE tenure.
[Cole] Well, it's great to see Rey Mysterio,
Dom's dad, on commentary.
Uh, on crutches, however,
because of the injury sustained at the hands of Santos Escobar.
-["Bring the Fire" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[explosion]
[Rome] And his opponent, weighing in at 205 pounds,
Butch!
[Graves] Butch is ready for this challenge,
and Dragon Lee is well aware.
I bring back the honor of this title.
[speaking Spanish]
I want to wrestle everyone.
[Butch] Congratulations, mate.
I saw your match at Deadline. I saw you beat Dominik.
But listen to me.
I'm a different animal.
And Brutes or no Brutes, next week, it's Fight Night.
[Graves] Now Butch, who's been dealing
with something of an identity crisis in recent weeks,
has an opportunity to right the ship on his own career,
to capture the NXT North American Championship,
and perhaps validate the struggles that he's gone through recently.
[Patrick] But isn't there something to admire
about the approach of Butch right now?
That he's not just gonna shy away from a challenge.
He's putting himself out there, going solo.
[bell rings]
[Patrick] This is for the NXT North American Championship.
Dragon Lee has been a fighting champion.
So far, defended on NXT against Tyler Bate recently.
And here we go again on SmackDown against Butch.
An unorthodox competitor here.
What's the strategy against a guy like Butch, Corey?
[Graves] Butch is incredibly lethal and knows tons of ways to hurt you.
Yeah, it's tough to plan for an opponent like Butch,
but the same can be said…
-[Patrick] Shoulders down. -[Graves] Cover.
The same can be said for Dragon Lee.
Butch now looking for the armbar.
[Cole] Yeah, master of submissions as well as Butch.
[Patrick] Joint manipulator.
Butch now… A swing and a miss once more. Dragon Lee is so rapid.
Cole, you've seen so many young Superstars breaking through in WWE.
How impressed have you been with Dragon Lee?
[Cole] Incredible. To win a championship like the North American Title--
-[Graves] Oh my God. -[Cole] Goodness! Dragon Lee may be out.
[Graves] Dragon Lee just forgot his own name.
Holy cow!
What a right by Butch!
[Cole] I've been impressed by Butch for many years
ever since seeing him back at the NXT United Kingdom Tournament.
[Graves] I agree with you.
Became a fan of Butch many, many years back.
One of the practitioners of what he likes to refer to as British strong style.
It's grappling. It is high impact.
It is extremely agonizing.
[Cole] Trying to break the wrist and fingers of Dragon Lee.
He's controlling him, and he's not allowing Dragon Lee
to get out on the run, fly around the ring.
[Graves] Butch is going to force Dragon Lee to wrestle his type of match,
which I don't know if Dragon is as skilled in the submission game
as someone like Butch is.
-[Patrick] Oh! -[Graves] This is where Dragon Lee exists.
-[Cole] Yeah, the aerial game. -[Patrick] Dragon Lee now looking
to turn this around and gain that momentum once more.
Ooh!
[Graves] Big boot right on the money.
[Patrick] How does he do it?
You called him gravity-defying, Corey. That is for sure.
[Cole] Strong shot by Butch.
Puts the brakes on Dragon Lee for the moment.
-[Patrick] Ooh! -[Cole] Oh, goodness.
[Graves] Butch got a little fancy and paid for it.
[crowd whoops, cheers]
[Graves] Keep your eyes on the skies because Dragon Lee…
[Patrick] Oh! No.
-[Cole] Stopped him in his tracks. -[Graves] Probably a good thing.
I was about to get a bunch of tweets about how I got bars.
[Patrick laughs] Read by Butch.
Now this on the apron!
Just crushing the back.
Can Butch become North American Champion here tonight?
[referee] …two…
[Patrick] The NXT North American Championship is the prize tonight.
Butch looking for gold, and he will do anything to get it.
[Carr, indistinct]
[Graves] Well, Dragon Lee, he's got his foot on the bottom rope.
Luckily, official Jessika Carr was able to see that.
[Patrick] Oh.
[Graves] Thought her view might have been obscured by Butch's body…
which I'm sure was the plan.
[Cole] Yeah, Dragon Lee has just been punished by Butch tonight.
[yells in pain]
[Graves] Listen, Butch takes great pride in being trained and schooled
and taught by the best villains in the game.
Butch not afraid to break a few rules
and possesses some impressive athleticism of his own.
[Patrick] You can say that again.
-So does Dragon Lee! -[Graves] Oh man.
[Patrick] Hard-hitting to the outside we go.
[crowd shouts, cheers]
[Patrick] Such a courageous young competitor is Dragon Lee.
[Carr] Two…
Dragging Butch back inside.
Enjoying life as the NXT North American Champion.
Corey, you always talk about capitalizing on the valuable minutes
and these opportunities you get.
What about Dragon Lee and the impact he's made?
[Graves] Dragon Lee is only getting started, mark my words,
but this could be the end for Butch.
Dragon Lee wanted a powerbomb. Butch answers.
-[Cole] Oh, goodness. -[Patrick] Shoulders are down.
This could do it for Butch to become champion!
-Oh, Dragon Lee! -[Cole] My goodness!
[Patrick] How close was that?
[Graves] That was a little too close for me,
and I think Butch would agree. Let's take a look at this.
Great counter, double underhook into the sitout Tiger Bomb.
Legs on the shoulders.
And I don't know if old Jess Carr got a cramp in her shoulder or something,
-but I think… -[Cole] That was two and three quarters.
[Graves] I think that was a little too close for me.
[Carr, indistinct]
[Patrick] Butch is feeling the same thing.
Now frustrated.
What a battle this is.
Dragon Lee proving that he can scrap as well.
[Graves] Dragon Lee, who just uncorked a kick.
[Patrick] Oh my!
-Bang! -[Graves] Butch answers.
[Patrick] The big knee, though.
[Graves] A little quién es más macho.
-Oh! -[Graves] Snap German suplex!
[Patrick] Did you see the speed of that? Dragon Lee's turn.
-[Cole] What a counter by Lee. -[Graves] This is nuts.
[Patrick] Kicks connect again.
[Graves] Oh my God.
[Patrick] Lee lands on his feet.
[Graves] Spectacular!
-[Patrick] Oh, look at Dragon Lee! -[Graves] Sitout powerbomb!
[Patrick] To retain-- Oh!
[Cole] How is Butch still in this?
Incredible action.
[crowd cheering]
[Graves] Listen, if Butch is trying to make a name for himself,
he's doing a hell of a job tonight because this effort has been surreal.
Dragon Lee driving Butch down with a sitout powerbomb,
a move he's put many an opponent away with.
But Butch refusing to be denied tonight.
[Patrick] There's that two and three-quarters again. So close.
[crowd chanting "this is awesome"]
[Patrick] Wondered what kind of match we'd see here tonight.
Two very different competitors…
meeting in the middle.
And what a match it is!
Big kick once more from Butch.
[Cole] WWE fans loving it.
[Graves] Butch trapped in a very precarious position here.
Dragon could be thinking about the double stomp,
-but Butch… -[Lee screams in pain]
[Graves] Butch has the fingers. Oh!
Butch may have just dislocated Dragon Lee's fingers,
but Dragon delivered the stomp anyway.
[Cole] He may have just dislocated Butch's face.
[Graves] Yeah, but it's… It's a champion's mentality
we're seeing from Dragon Lee.
Oh God, I think he just-- Blergh!
-[Patrick] He smashed… -[Graves, indistinct]
-[Graves] Oh! -[Cole] Oh, good night!
[Graves] That's going to do it.
Dragon Lee…
Butch wanted a Bitter End.
Countered into a Destroyer.
This is un-freaking-believable!
[Patrick] And it's for the championship.
Here's Dragon Lee now.
-Looking for Operation Dragon! -[Graves] That's it!
[Carr and crowd] One, two, three.
-[Patrick] And Dragon Lee retains. -[bell rings]
-["Control The Empire" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Rome] Here is your winner
and still the NXT North American Champion,
Dragon Lee!
[Graves] What a battle by both men!
But what a statement made
by the NXT North American Champion, Dragon Lee.
[Cole] What an incredible matchup between two incredible athletes.
Butch is disappointed, but what a performance.
[Patrick] Dragon Lee's stock continues to soar.
An incredible match here tonight.
We expect another here in moments between Kevin Owens and Carmelo Hayes
in the United States Championship semifinal.
[announcer] Tonight's Highlight of the Night is sponsored
by WWE 2K23.
[Patrick] The cocky and confident Grayson Waller set for action here
on Friday Night SmackDown.
The US Championship Tournament first round.
[Cole] Carmelo Hayes is here,
handpicked by NXT Head Shawn Michaels to represent NXT.
[bell rings]
[Graves] Melo is one of one,
and there is a reason why Shawn Michaels handpicked him for this opportunity.
[dramatic music playing]
-[Graves] My God! -[Cole] Oh my goodness.
-Three, two, one. -[Patrick] And that's gonna do it. No!
[Graves] First 48!
Looking for Nothing But Net.
-Nails it. Hooks the leg. -[crowd] One, two, three.
[bell rings]
[Graves] Carmelo Hayes qualifies.
[Cole] Kevin Owens takes on the man who broke his hand,
the arrogant Austin Theory.
[Graves] If anybody can figure out how to overcome the obstacle of a broken hand,
it's a guy like Kevin Owens.
[Patrick] Theory says he wants his championship back.
[Cole] KO turns it around.
Oh, but he hurt his hand.
[Graves] Kevin looking for the Stunner, but Theory countered.
[Cole] Oh!
[Patrick] To the broken hand.
[screams in pain]
[Graves] Owens used the cast.
Owens has now advanced in the United States Title Tournament
and will square off against Carmelo Hayes.
I'm not like Waller, and I'm not like Theory.
You're not going to punch me in the face. You're not going to little bro me.
-["Fight" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following is a semifinal match
in the United States Championship Tournament!
Introducing first, from Marieville, Quebec, Canada,
weighing in at 266 pounds,
Kevin Owens!
[Patrick] Well, last week's grueling battle
with a broken arm hasn't deterred Kevin Owens.
He's back for more tonight.
And a final is the prize with a victory this evening.
Royal Rumble is sponsored by Cricket.
With the fast and powerful nationwide 5G coverage,
you can stress less and smile more.
[Graves] KP, KO is suffering from a broken hand,
not broken arm, but he's still not 100%.
The headstrong Canadian riding high after defeating Theory.
Can KO stop the momentum of NXT's Carmelo Hayes?
We'll find out next.
["Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
[yelling]
[Patrick] Three months ago,
The Bloodline sent AJ Styles away in an ambulance.
[Graves] Styles has unfinished business with The Bloodline,
and he can pick up where he left off tonight.
[Patrick] "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles has returned for payback
against the man who put him on the shelf for months with broken ribs,
Solo Sikoa.
It's tonight on SmackDown.
♪ …the weight That they put on my shoulder ♪
♪ Now I'm the champ And they wanna be homies ♪
-[song fades out] -[crowd booing]
My Tribal Chief,
this is SmackDown General Manager
Nick Aldis.
[sucks teeth]
Leave us.
Yes, my Tribal Chief.
How do you know I wasn't talking to you?
All due respect,
-I'm not sure I'd care if you were. -[laughs]
[crowd cheers]
Very good.
[Roman sighs]
You booked the Triple Threat Match?
I did.
And you booked Solo versus AJ?
-I did. -Hmm.
Some pretty good ideas.
You wanna know what would've been an even better idea?
If you ran it all by me first.
You see, I'm The Tribal Chief,
The Head of the Table.
Everything goes through me.
And I need you to understand that.
-Adam Pearce understood that. -[chuckles]
I know you're just trying to hurt my feelings,
but, Roman, you seem to have forgotten that I'm an executive.
I don't have feelings.
But while we're on the subject of Adam,
he's more of a middle management type.
I'm the General Manager.
The buck stops with me.
I'm the sharp end of the stick on SmackDown now.
And speaking of Solo, he's a big boy.
I mean, he took care of John Cena.
He took care of John Cena in a way that… [inhales sharply]
…I don't even recall you taking care of John Cena.
So, I'm looking forward to seeing Solo Sikoa
take on "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles.
Just like I'm so looking forward
to that Triple Threat Match.
And I'm absolutely looking forward
to the winner of that match facing you at the Royal Rumble
for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
But I appreciate the invitation.
I look forward to more productive dialogue.
I really hope we can get to know each other better.
[crowd cheers]
[Patrick] Nick Aldis flexing his power and in front of The Tribal Chief.
Now, folks, tonight's Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
is sponsored by Progressive.
[Cole] See the focus on the face and in the eyes of Kevin Owens,
who, despite competing with a broken hand and some nefarious deeds…
["Melo Don't Miss" playing]
[Graves] …advanced past Theory last week.
But Carmelo Hayes earned this as well.
♪ I'm at the top Get respect while I get… ♪
[Rome] And his opponent from Boston, Massachusetts,
weighing in at 210 pounds,
Carmelo Hayes!
[Patrick] The United States Champion Logan Paul dismissed both Carmelo Hayes
and Kevin Owens last week.
Let's hear what The Maverick has to say now.
Hey, look, Melo impressed me, okay? I'll give him that.
But now he's got to face the disgusting Kevin Owens…
[gags, coughs]
…who shouldn't even be here because we all saw him cheat last week.
Where is your integrity, Kevin Owens?
♪ I'm the best here… ♪
[Graves] Understandably, Logan concerned about the nefarious means
by which Owens obtained victory last week,
utilizing the medically-required cast
on his broken hand,
taking Theory out with a haymaker.
[Patrick] He was medically cleared to compete.
SmackDown GM Nick Aldis did approve his entry into the tournament.
And this is it now. This is what it's all about, folks.
Down to the final four.
KO, Carmelo Hayes for a spot in the final.
[Cole] Carmelo Hayes surprised a lot of the WWE Universe last week…
[bell rings]
[Cole] …despite being handpicked by Shawn Michaels himself.
[Graves] I think the chips were certainly stacked against Carmelo.
[Cole] Going to be interesting to me
to see if Carmelo Hayes targets the injured hand of Kevin Owens.
[Graves] We saw Austin Theory attempt that in the early moments last week,
but Kevin Owens did a fantastic job of defending
and keeping his hand out of the equation.
I would imagine, hopefully, a week later, maybe KO's hand feels a little bit better,
but still not 100%.
Great amateur skills by both men being displayed.
[Cole] The winner of this match heads to the finals two weeks from tonight,
New Year's Revolution.
[Patrick] That promises to be absolutely brilliant.
January 5th on Friday Night SmackDown.
What a moment this is for Carmelo Hayes! Just his second appearance on SmackDown,
and against the Grand Slam Champion in WWE, Kevin Owens.
[Cole] The winner of this entire tournament
will get Logan Paul at the Royal Rumble event.
[Patrick] Can you believe that's next month?
[Graves] I mean, that's… That's how calendars work.
[Patrick] We turning the corner already?
[Graves] Been that way for the last 2,000 years or so.
[Patrick] Carmelo Hayes.
[Graves] I'm curious to see how Carmelo combats Kevin Owens
because Kevin is a noted supporter/fan of all things NXT.
Kevin Owens keeps an eye on everything that happens down there,
so Kevin's very familiar with Melo's game.
[Patrick] Kevin Owens looking for the cover. Out quickly is Carmelo Hayes.
He's rapid quick, Carmelo.
[Cole] I mean, Kevin Owens doing a fantastic job of hanging in there.
But the quickness of Carmelo Hayes.
-Dropkick on point. -[shouts]
-[crowd cheers] -[Cole] Hayes is such a great athlete.
So much potential.
He will be a future champion here in WWE at some point.
Of course, a former NXT Champ.
[Graves] There will be no arguing that point from me.
Kevin Owens not ready to let Carmelo make his name
at Kevin's own expense.
[Patrick] For Kevin Owens, it's very personal
at this point with Logan Paul continues to insult Owens.
[Cole chuckles] Did you hear that?
[Graves] Heavy chop echoing throughout the arena.
[Cole] I mean, Kevin Owens it's personal with everyone.
There's no patience.
[Patrick] Kevin Owens just grabbing that broken hand again.
[Graves] No, because Kevin instinctively threw a right hand,
as you would in that circumstance,
but realized after the fact that it was his broken hand.
And Kevin essentially put a halt to his own momentum.
[Patrick] Oh!
The Senton connects.
[crowd cheers]
[Patrick] Kevin Owens looking to rile up the WWE Universe here.
[Graves] I mean, Kevin's plenty riled up in his own right.
Kevin Owens lives life riled up.
Hair trigger, short temper, short fuse, how ever you want to say it.
-Oh! -[Cole] Oh!
[Graves] But that quickly, Carmelo Hayes can turn the tides.
-[Patrick] Says he is HIM for a reason. -[Graves] Oh, wow. Great balance.
[Patrick] Carmelo walks the walk, talks the talk.
He's lived up to the billing.
Kevin Owens in his sights.
KO driving him into the steel steps.
Who's going to advance here
to the final of the United States Championship Tournament?
We're back tonight with SmackDown,
the semifinal stage of the United States Championship Tournament.
-[Graves] The athleticism by Hayes. -[Cole] Wow!
[Graves] Big bodyslam by Carmelo Hayes.
[Cole] Yeah. Important to Carmelo Hayes to try to catch his breath
and climb back into this.
[Patrick] Carmelo Hayes saying to KO last week on SmackDown,
"I need this more than you."
And a sign of respect between the two, but blow-for-blow now.
[Graves] Essentially, Carmelo is trying to follow in the footsteps of Kevin Owens.
Kevin was NXT Champion
when he first burst on the scene and challenged John Cena.
KO referenced it last week.
Carmelo Hayes, a top star in NXT.
Oh, big axe kick. That could do it.
[Patrick] Cover here now to advance to the final.
KO shoulders up.
[Graves] A lot of Superstars will tell you you can have success in NXT,
but it's a what have you done for me lately business,
as we look at the delivery of a fantastic axe kick by Hayes.
You can win all the titles in NXT,
but when you come to Raw or SmackDown, if you don't succeed,
everything you've accomplished in the past goes up in smoke. It no longer matters.
[Patrick] Corey, you've been there as a competitor.
Can you imagine the buzz around NXT in the locker room
if Carmelo Hayes beats Kevin Owens here tonight?
[Graves] No doubt about it. The entire NXT roster, I'm sure, is watching.
They're rooting Carmelo on.
They realize, "Oh my God."
"That's Carmelo, who I share a locker room with."
"I could be in his position soon too."
[Patrick] Massive kick for KO now. Face-first into the canvas.
Carmelo Hayes in for the cover to qualify.
Owens out in time.
[Cole] So close to making it to the finals.
Both these men with a tremendous resilience.
[Graves] Tilt-a-whirl facebuster, one of the signature maneuvers
of Carmelo Hayes, takes down Owens.
KO may be injured,
but he also suffers
from an overabundance of guts, and will, and heart.
There is no quit in Kevin Owens.
[Patrick] Certainly--
-[Graves] Oh my God! -[Patrick] Oh, wow!
[Graves] He spiked Melo. That is it.
[Patrick] That's got to be it enough. Oh, Melo kicking out.
-Wow! -[Cole] KO can't believe it.
I can't believe it. How did Melo kick out after this?
[Graves] Look at the impact.
I mean, completely vertical.
One, two…
[Graves] I don't know how Carmelo Hayes survived that.
[Patrick] Bound to be feeling the effects of it now.
[Graves] I mean, props to Carmelo for still hanging in this fight
after suffering that.
[Cole] Oh!
[Patrick] Carmelo up just in time. Superkick.
KO returns the favor.
Caught by Kevin Owens.
[Graves] Uh-oh, uh-oh.
[Patrick] You gotta admire the fight in Carmelo Hayes.
[Graves] Kevin Owens too.
Oh!
[Patrick] Owens with that broken right hand.
[Graves] Be careful of utilizing it as a weapon.
-[Patrick] Nobody home! -[Graves] Oh man!
[Cole chuckles]
[Patrick] Turning Melo inside out.
Kevin Owens now looking for the pop-up powerbomb.
-[Cole] Oh, another counter. Wow! -[Graves] First 48 instead.
Carmelo Hayes is about to do it. Melo seconds away.
-[Patrick] Carmelo Hayes. -[Cole] KO--
[Graves] Melo was thinking about Nothing But Net.
-But-- -[Cole] Pop-up powerbomb.
-One, two… -[Patrick] Cover to advance.
Oh, Melo, still alive in this fight.
[Cole] KO can't believe it.
[Patrick] Kevin Owens now… Determination. To the top rope he goes.
KO… Swanton bomb!
All across Carmelo Hayes.
Kevin Owens… Stunner!
Is that enough
-to put KO through to the final? -One, two, three.
[bell rings]
["Fight" playing]
[Rome] Here is your winner,
Kevin Owens!
[Cole] You gotta give all the credit in the world to Carmelo Hayes.
That was a pretty incredible performance tonight.
But in the end,
Kevin Owens does what he has to do to advance to the finals.
[Patrick] KO will now face the winner of Santos Escobar, Bobby Lashley.
And this is how KO got it done.
But first, well played, Carmelo Hayes.
[Graves] The First 48 used as a counter.
Hayes thinking about Nothing But Net,
the move that brought him victory last week,
but instead a pop-up powerbomb,
followed immediately by a Swanton.
And the exclamation point from The Prizefighter,
the Stunner.
Owens utilizing stacked offense with a healthy respect for Carmelo Hayes.
[Patrick] And Kevin Owens is now just one win away
from a match against Logan Paul for the United States Championship.
Who is Owens going to face in the final?
Will it be Lashley or Escobar?
We'll find out tonight.
A valiant performance from Carmelo Hayes.
But it's "The Prizefighter" KO that advances.
Love that respect between the two.
[crowd cheers]
Oh, you're back. You're back. You're back. I'm so happy you're back.
We missed you. We missed you.
You know, we haven't heard a thing from you.
We didn't expect you back.
You good?
I don't know. Are we?
[crowd] Oh!
What was that?
["All Mighty" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[fireworks exploding]
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following is a semifinal match
in the United States Championship Tournament!
Introducing first, accompanied by The Street Profits,
"The All Mighty"
Bobby Lashley!
[Patrick] Bobby Lashley raring to go.
Let's get the thoughts now of the champ, Logan Paul.
Santos Escobar, Bobby Lashley, semifinals.
Hey, I like your guys' style.
But do you really think you have what it takes
to take the United States Championship from me?
[laughs] Rhetorical question.
No chance.
[fireworks exploding]
[Patrick] The imposing presence of Bobby Lashley.
Well, we know that Kevin Owens has already secured
his place in the finals.
Who's set to join him?
Will it be "The All Mighty" Bobby Lashley or the sadistic Santos Escobar?
[Graves] "The Combat Machine" Bobby Lashley,
"The Emperor of Lucha Libre" Escobar, live, next.
[dramatic music playing]
I know the power of words, how they lead to actions.
We set the hourglass in front of The Bloodline.
They were warned.
Their implosion is coming.
And you saw how that played out.
I had to take away Drew McIntyre's temperament,
and he spiraled out of control.
We took away Rey's patience to such a degree
that he struck his own son in front of his mother.
And just for fun, I took away Shinsuke Nakamura's honor,
and look at him now.
But even the greatest proclamation…
is soon to be forgotten without a scribe,
without… authors.
Do you see the vision?
[screams]
[Patrick] Bobby Lashley, "The All Mighty,"
raring to go here in the semifinal stage
of the United States Championship Tournament.
This was two weeks ago on Friday Night SmackDown,
a hard-hitting, grueling battle between Karrion Kross
and "The All Mighty" Bobby Lashley.
[Graves] Two true heavyweights looking to establish dominance as they advance.
Bobby Lashley would deliver an epic spear to Kross,
and The All Mighty would punch his ticket to the next round,
which we are about to see go down.
["Legacy Of The Ghost" playing]
[Rome] And his opponent from Mexico City, Mexico,
weighing in at 204 pounds,
Santos Escobar!
[Patrick] What a transformation we've seen in Santos Escobar
since he made his decision to turn on Rey Mysterio and the LWO.
This was a sensational match between two guys
that have had a serious rivalry of late.
Dragon Lee looking to defend the honor of Rey Mysterio,
his idol and mentor.
[Graves] Both Lee and Escobar would throw everything
they had at one another,
but a momentary lapse by Dragon Lee would open the door
for Santos to deliver the Phantom Driver
and earn his way into the next round of the US Championship Tournament.
[Patrick] Santos saying last week, "Rey Mysterio is not around anymore
because he stole the United States Championship from me."
[Graves] KP, you said what a transformation
we've seen from Santos.
I would say it's been more of a revelation,
as in revealing his true self to the WWE Universe.
[Cole] We're going to learn a lot about Santos Escobar here
tonight in this match up against "The All Mighty" Bobby Lashley.
Two contrasting styles.
And Lashley, my favorite in this entire tournament.
[Patrick] But is there any stopping the momentum we've seen?
Cole, you've called Santos Escobar delusional.
Many have called him sadistic in the way he's approaching things lately.
But, Corey, you're right when you call him motivated,
and we've certainly seen that from Santos. He's been lethal of late.
[Graves] I think a lot of-- Oh my goodness!
Lashley nearly cutting Escobar in half in the corner.
A lot of people make the mistake of writing off Santos Escobar
because Rey Mysterio was so beloved.
When you can appreciate Escobar for who he is, for what he is,
a top-level, high caliber athlete,
your opinion changes a little bit.
And I don't know how anybody can ever bet against Bobby Lashley for any reason.
[Cole] He's a former United States Champion.
Look at him. Tremendous power, tremendous agility.
Bobby Lashley is focused.
He's locked in, and he wants to prove something to The Street Profits,
his proteges now.
[Graves] Leading by example.
Bobby has seen the top of the mountain, and it is good,
and he would love to share the view with Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins.
[Patrick] Both want the United States Championship
for very different reasons.
[Graves] Sure. But let's be honest, no matter who holds
the United States Championship,
you want to be champion for the same reasons,
for the prestige, for the money.
That's what comes with being a champion in WWE.
That's why everyone wants to be champion.
[Patrick] Santos Escobar from a height now.
Oh, Lashley's caught him.
[Graves] My God!
Chucked over the top to the floor. Can Escobar get back in this?
[Patrick] Who's going to advance to the final?
The stakes are enormous tonight. A spot in the final of
the United States Championship Tournament on the line.
Look at Santos Escobar.
[Cole] And this is Escobar's opportunity. He's got to capitalize here.
[crowd] Come on, Bobby.
[Patrick] This during the commercial break here,
Santos Escobar, Lashley.
-Kicks-- -[Graves] Into the steel ring stairs.
Escobar may earn a victory via count-out here.
Let's go! United States Champion!
[Patrick] Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins, The Street Profits,
just pumping up Bobby Lashley, getting him back inside the ring.
[Graves] Bobby Lashley is hurt.
Escobar realizes it.
[Patrick] Going after the left leg again.
[Graves] Smart strategy kicking the hamstrings of Bobby Lashley,
it's going to neutralize a lot of The All Mighty's power.
It's a smart, smart move by Escobar.
[Patrick] Santos Escobar wanted the spotlight.
He's well and truly got it,
and he qualified tonight.
What a win it would be against Bobby Lashley.
[Graves] Leg lace, attacking the knee now of Lashley.
Cover by Escobar.
The power of Bobby Lashley just a little too much.
[Patrick] How demoralizing is that, Corey,
when Lashley kicks out after a millisecond?
[Graves] I would be surprised if every WWE Superstar
who competed against Bobby Lashley didn't expect that.
But Escobar right now is trying to pick Lashley apart piece by piece
rather than bull-rushing.
[Cole] Yeah, great strategy by Escobar, as you mentioned.
[referee, indistinct]
[Patrick] The winner will face Kevin Owens,
who was victorious earlier on tonight against Carmelo Hayes.
[Graves] Another set of double knees in the corner,
and The All Mighty down to his knees again.
Escobar is doing an excellent job of taming The All Mighty.
Santos!
[Patrick] Escobar again, now driving in those knees at pace.
[Graves] Again, and Escobar doing his best to keep…
maintain some distance between himself and Bobby Lashley,
because Santos knows that if Bobby gets a hold of you,
he's never letting go.
[indistinct]
[Patrick] The word you used before, Corey, "deliberate."
Everything well-thought-out from Santos Escobar.
[Cole] He had a strategy coming in, and it's working to perfection now.
[Patrick] You starting to change your tune
about Santos Escobar at all, Cole, or still disgusted by him?
[Cole] No. I'm disgusted with his actions.
I've never taken anything away from him in the ring.
He's a tremendous athlete.
The reason he's called The Emperor of Lucha Libre.
-[indistinct] -[Cole chuckles]
[Graves] This is a scary situation for both athletes.
-But Bobby Lashley… -[Cole] Goodness.
[Graves] …is done playing games.
[Cole] Yeah, but has the damage been done to Lashley?
[Patrick] That left leg giving way.
[Cole] Yeah, smart by Escobar. Take the power away.
[Graves] Looks like Lashley can barely put weight on it.
Bobby's going to have to fight through the pain, but face-first.
[Patrick] Fighting is something Lashley knows a thing or two about.
[Graves] There's no quit in The All Mighty,
fighting through the pain.
Letting the adrenaline do its job.
Who the hell is this guy? Oh, wait. It's security.
-[Patrick] The heck is… -[Graves] The hell is…
Don't shoot him. There's a match in the ring.
[Patrick] Smart move from Santos Escobar.
[Graves] Uh-oh.
[Cole] Oh! Power!
Can you believe that?
-[Patrick] The hell's this? -[Cole] And who's this idiot?
[Patrick] Get security.
[Graves] These aren't fans, I'll tell you that much.
[Cole] Yeah, obviously, not with that type of move.
They're beating the hell out of The Street Profits,
and Escobar taking advantage.
-[Patrick] Can Escobar capitalize? -Shoulders down.
[Patrick] Looking for a quick victory here to qualify for the final.
-He's done it. -[bell rings]
[Cole] He had the tights. What the hell just happened?
[Rome] Here is your winner, Santos Escobar!
[Patrick] What the hell did we just witness?
[Cole] Well, obviously they know each other.
This is an elaborate setup, it seems, by Mr. Escobar.
[Graves] Santos Escobar to steal the victory
and advance to the final of the United States Championship Tournament.
Oh my God!
-[Patrick] Come on. -[Graves] Yes.
Humberto and Angel!
[Patrick] Garza and Carrillo are back and standing by with Santos Escobar.
-Santos… -[Graves] I love this.
…is not alone anymore.
[speaking Spanish]
[Santos speaking Spanish]
[Cathy, in English] Excuse me, Butch.
Butch, tonight, things didn't exactly go your way.
Tonight wasn't my night, but I did what I always do,
and I brought the fight.
And congrats to Dragon Lee. He brought the fight to--
♪ First day of Christmas My true love gave to me ♪
♪ One lonely boy ♪
[yelling]
Guys, guys, guys.
[Aldis] Hey, that's enough. That's enough. Hey, hey, hey.
Enough, enough.
[indistinct shouting]
Butch! Butch! Butch! Butch!
We don't do that back here. We do it in the ring.
So listen, if you want Pretty Deadly, you go find yourself a tag team partner.
And at New Year's Revolution, you get Pretty Deadly in a tag match.
All right? All right.
[Patrick] Well, that's gotta be satisfying for Butch
to get his opportunity at revenge on Pretty Deadly in two weeks' time.
But coming up next,
after three torturous months on the sidelines,
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles will look to get his revenge
on the man who tried to end his career, "The Tribal Heir" Solo Sikoa.
That match is next on Fox.
-[dramatic music playing] -You know, I thought this tournament
would lead me to facing the best WWE had to offer.
But instead, it's between a guy who cried over Rey Mysterio
and the other who won't take his shirt off when he's in the pool.
Are you serious?
Santos, you're not in my league, brother.
And, Kevin, you literally look like if Reddit was a person.
Let's be honest with ourselves, boys.
You are both battling to see who's gonna get pinned
by the greatest and most relevant United States Champion of all time.
So please, boys, enjoy this temporary clout,
because that is the only thing you'll be getting from me.
[Patrick] Roll on to New Year's Revolution
and the final of the United States Championship Tournament,
Santos Escobar, Kevin Owens.
And the winner will take on Logan Paul at the Royal Rumble.
[Graves] And after scoring the victory earlier tonight,
the menacing Michin gets her first opportunity
to challenge the "Genius of the Sky" Iyo Sky for the WWE Women's Championship.
[Cole] And it's a Triple Threat Match, where the winner will face Roman Reigns
for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title at the Royal Rumble.
Randy Orton, LA Knight, AJ Styles, two weeks from tonight
at New Year's Revolution.
-["Phenomenal" playing] -[crowd cheers]
[Patrick] Here we go for much anticipated main event
on Friday Night SmackDown.
♪ No, they don't want none No, they don't want none… ♪
[explosion]
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first from Gainesville, Georgia,
weighing 218 pounds,
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles!
[Cole] AJ Styles made it pretty clear last week,
he doesn't care about LA Knight. He doesn't care about Randy Orton.
He cares about getting his hands on every member of The Bloodline.
[Graves] Tonight's AJ's opportunity to dole out a little phenomenal justice
for past wrongs.
Tonight, forcing Solo Sikoa to answer for the attack
that took Styles out some three months ago.
I have never seen this attitude from Styles before.
♪ No, they don't really want none No, they don't want none… ♪
[Patrick] Friday Night SmackDown is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
For a job you'll love, visit Progressive.
♪ They actin' scared No, they don't really… ♪
[song fades out]
["Taking It All (feat. Stevie Stone)" playing]
[Patrick] You're right, Corey, a different demeanor from AJ Styles.
But tonight, it's the enforcer of The Bloodline in his way.
♪ We're taking it all! Settle the score, the ones who will not… ♪
[Rome] And his opponent from Las Vegas, Nevada,
weighing in at 250 pounds,
Solo Sikoa!
[Graves] As excited as we all are to have AJ Styles back in the mix,
look at the other side of the equation, that being Solo Sikoa.
You know Roman Reigns would be over the moon, thrilled
if Solo could dispose of the threat that is AJ Styles
once and for all tonight.
[Cole] So, is there any more pressure, though, on Solo Sikoa now
since Roman Reigns came out and said, "You're the Tribal Heir."
"You're the guy who's gonna take over for me when I'm gone."
Is there more pressure on Solo now to prove that he deserves that?
[Graves] In my opinion, I would think at least mentally, yes,
there is more pressure, but Solo is stoic.
Solo not showing any signs of internal turmoil.
It's business as usual as far as anybody else is concerned.
Solo knows what the job is tonight, and he needs to go out and enforce.
[Cole] He already took John Cena out of the equation, didn't Solo Sikoa?
Would enjoy doing the same to the returning AJ Styles tonight.
-[bell rings] -[Patrick] Here we go.
The main event of Friday Night SmackDown.
What a match it promises to be! The returning AJ Styles.
[Graves] Listen, it looks to me like AJ Styles came out here tonight expecting
and looking for a fight,
not a wrestling match, not a technical competition.
AJ knows this is going to be one hell of a fight
against one of the toughest men walking God's green earth.
[Cole] Do you blame him? Solo Sikoa jumped from 20 feet in the air
and tried to crush AJ Styles and end the man's career.
[Graves] Listen, I don't blame AJ Styles one bit.
I'm just… I've never seen this out of AJ Styles before.
[Patrick] I think it was wise of AJ Styles to just maybe…
Could he have dealt with LA Knight
and Randy Orton a little bit better than what we saw last week?
[Graves] Listen, AJ Styles is a former WWE Champion,
and there's no one at this table who is in any position
to question the motives of that man.
AJ is a world-traveled, world-class Superstar.
He knows what he's doing. He's one of the best in the world.
But Solo is hell-bent on destroying what The Phenomenal One has created.
[shouts indistinctly]
[crowd boos]
[Cole] And one of the most dangerous men in WWE today.
[Patrick] Can be so emotionless at times, Solo Sikoa.
The task a clear one.
So loyal to his "Tribal Chief," Roman Reigns.
Oh!
[Graves] Anointed as the Tribal Heir by the Head of the Table last week.
[Patrick] Speaking of business, we heard from Nick Aldis,
SmackDown GM, earlier on tonight.
He announced that in two weeks, at New Year's Revolution,
it's a Triple Threat Match.
Styles, Knight and Orton.
The prize? A match with Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble.
[Graves] But again, you don't think that Solo is playing the movie in his mind
as he walked down the ramp where tonight he takes out AJ Styles once and for all
and can lay him at the feet of Roman Reigns?
-[Patrick] Certainly looks like the-- -[Graves] Boom!
[Patrick] And Styles takes to the skies.
A motivated AJ Styles.
Can he get the better of Solo Sikoa tonight?
[Graves] Sky high into the air goes Styles.
Massive back body drop, courtesy of Solo.
[Cole] You know, we… Take another look at this.
[Graves] This really has to be seen to be believed.
Launched into orbit.
[Cole] You know, we talked a lot tonight about the reason
that Roman Reigns may have made Solo Sikoa the Tribal Heir.
I think it has to do with the fact that throughout the past three years…
[grunting]
…of The Bloodline,
Solo Sikoa is the one man
who's had unwavering loyalty to Roman Reigns.
Jey Uso walked away from him.
Jimmy Uso has had those times
where he didn't know where his loyalty lied.
But Solo Sikoa has always been there for Roman,
and Roman understands that.
[crowd booing]
[Graves] It's almost scarier seeing how confident Solo has become
and has continued to become as this match progresses.
AJ Styles is out here as a man on a mission.
Styles feels that Solo attempted to end his career,
and Styles wants payback.
Oh!
[Patrick] Solo connects with the headbutt.
Styles said it to us, Corey, during the break here.
Solo goes in for the cover.
Styles was just full of passion when he said, "He tried to end my career."
And you could see the passion bursting through the veins of AJ Styles.
[Graves] Unfortunately, passion is not enough to topple
someone the caliber of Solo Sikoa.
-[Patrick] Chops barely rocking Solo. -[Graves and Cole] Oh!
[Patrick] AJ's… Face-first
into the turnbuckle, he goes.
[Cole] What a collision!
[Patrick] Horrible collision for AJ Styles.
[Cole] And this is the pace Solo likes.
Slow it down. Pick your opponent apart.
-[indistinct] -[Graves] Here comes Solo!
[Cole] Solo is just like a big old grizzly bear
just playing with his prey.
[Graves] You're absolutely right.
[Cole] Mauling Styles.
[Graves] But listen to what you just said.
Solo is playing with his prey,
-his prey being AJ Styles. -[Cole] Exactly.
[Graves] This is not some run-of-the-mill Superstar,
some guy who just learned the business.
This is one of the best of all time.
And Solo is turning this into a massacre.
[Cole] Yeah, and ask John Cena
what it's like to be in the ring with Solo Sikoa.
[Graves] This may be the end of Styles.
[Cole] Oh, went for the headbutt.
[Patrick] Out of harm's way is AJ.
Can he get back on his feet?
[Cole] Yeah, critical moment for Styles here.
[Patrick] Rare you see Solo miss out like that.
Well scouted by Styles.
AJ slowly now back on his feet.
Styles at pace now, taking the fight to Sikoa.
Boom!
[Graves] AJ was able to weather the storm. Sliding forearm rocks the enforcer.
And now AJ… Look at this. Moonsault.
-Right across the knee I believe. -[Patrick] In for the cover.
-Can he get the win here on Solo? -[Graves] I think you're right, Cole.
I noticed Solo immediately grasping at his knee.
I think he was trying to get it up to defend, but…
AJ certainly getting the better of that exchange.
But now can Styles rally?
Can AJ fight through the pain as he's done so many times in his career?
[Patrick] He's weathered an awful lot in this match with Solo Sikoa.
But AJ's got that fight in him. There's that quick-fire offense.
Solo's waiting for him.
-[Graves] Oh! -[Cole] Oh, what a Samoan Drop!
-Pop-up Samoan. -[Graves] Wow!
[Patrick] Solo to put away Styles. Styles still in this match.
[Graves] Another display of the grit, determination and toughness
that define AJ Styles, who is still technically in this fight.
But after this massive pop-up Samoan Drop,
I don't think Styles has much longer.
[Patrick] Solo Sikoa with ease lofting AJ Styles.
Swing and a miss, and Styles connects.
[Graves] Pelé kick.
Solo is now down.
That may have been the Hail Mary that AJ Styles needed.
[Cole] Can AJ recover, though, and climb back into this?
AJ trying to rally.
[Patrick] Chants of "AJ Styles" start to ring out here
in favor of The Phenomenal One.
But Solo puts him to the outside.
Styles waiting for him.
[Graves] AJ trying to line it up.
[crowd cheering]
[Patrick] Here goes AJ. Looking for the Phenomenal Forearm.
Caught by Solo.
Wants the Samoan Spike.
-Can AJ get the victory here? -One, two…
[Patrick] Solo out just in time.
[Graves] Just barely escaping before the three,
and Solo now beginning to look weary for the first time in this matchup.
Solo feeling the effects of this onslaught from Styles.
Can AJ land the Styles Clash?
Solo using that low center of gravity to prevent AJ from hoisting him.
And now it's Styles who's in trouble.
[Patrick] Using the ropes to his advantage. Now connects with Solo.
AJ lining up once more.
Styles… Phenomenal Forearm!
[Graves] Wisely, almost instinctively, Solo rolling to the outside.
[Cole] Oh, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!
[Graves] Oh! Wait, Roman Reigns is back.
[bell rings]
[Cole] Roman Reigns picked his moment.
Saw the opportunity and went right after Styles.
[crowd boos]
[Cole] Eliminate one of your possible opponents.
Step up to Roman Reigns, you're going to pay.
[Patrick] AJ continues to fight, looking for a little bit of separation.
Connects with Roman Reigns.
[Graves] Reigns is down.
[Cole] Reigns is stunned.
[Graves] Well, the Island of Relevancy has been taking heavy fire
for the past few weeks,
an unfamiliar situation for The Tribal Chief.
[Patrick] This spells trouble, with Solo Sikoa back up
and now pummeling AJ Styles as Roman Reigns watches on.
-["Voices" playing] -[crowd cheering]
♪ They counsel me They understand, they talk to me… ♪
[Graves] The enemy of my enemy is my ally.
Right now, Styles should thank his lucky stars
that The Viper's in the house.
[Patrick] Randy Orton is here to fight.
Taking it to The Bloodline.
[Graves] Big right hands from Randy Orton,
who's got Roman Reigns trapped in the corner.
[Cole] And here comes The Bloodline backup.
[Patrick] Quickly outnumbered once more with the appearance of Jimmy Uso.
[crowd boos]
["Welcome To LA" playing]
[crowd cheers]
[Patrick] They didn't ask for his help, but The Megastar has arrived on the scene!
[Graves] Oh, make no mistake. LA Knight isn't here to help anybody.
LA Knight is here to fight The Bloodline.
[crowd chanting] Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
[Patrick] Jabs to Solo and Roman. Look at LA Knight go.
LA Knight battling with Solo Sikoa. Orton sending Jimmy Uso to the outside.
[Cole] This has become a nightmare for Roman Reigns.
One of the three men in the ring
are going to face Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble
two weeks from tonight.
We have the triple-threat to determine the number one contender.
[indistinct]
I told you, and I told you, I didn't want you coming out here.
Oh, you told me?
[all arguing indistinctly]
[Cole] Oh!
[Graves] Styles blasting Knight now.
LA Knight answers.
[Patrick] Styles wanted Orton and Knight to stay out of things.
[Cole] Well, they're all in the thick of it now.
[Graves] Well, it's all going down officially in two weeks.
But right now, LA Knight standing tall.
[Cole] And look at Roman. Roman's like, "Uh-uh, let them beat each other up."
[Graves] Roman's smart.
Styles, Knight, Orton Triple Threat at New Year's Revolution.
Who's going to challenge The Tribal Chief? Year's Revolution.