[WWE signature intro playing]
[John Cena] Then…
-[Ric Flair] Woo! -[glass shatters]
[The Rock] If you smell…
-[bell tolls] -[Cena] Now…
[Roman Reigns] Acknowledge me.
-The King of Kings! -You can't see me!
[Cena] Forever.
Together.
[music fades]
♪ Better than me ♪
[Graves] With Elimination Chamber two weeks from tomorrow,
the WWE Universe is still reeling
from the explosive WrestleMania XL press conference last night.
We are live from a sold-out Spectrum Center
in the Queen City of Charlotte, North Carolina,
with over 14,000 fans on hand.
And tonight, this man, WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H,
is expected to address the fallout from last night in Sin City.
[Cole] We are smack dab in the middle of the entertainment capital of the world,
the Strip in Las Vegas, with WWE fans and media from around the world.
Are you ready?
Right now, we start the Road to WrestleMania XL.
♪ Burn it down! ♪
I am your World Heavyweight Champion.
I am Seth…
[crowd] "Freakin" Rollins!
Now, what do you say we get ourselves a main event?
["Head of the Table" playing]
[Reigns] Las Vegas!
Acknowledge me!
Let's talk about Cody Rhodes,
the man who can't make his own choice, huh?
It's no longer his decision.
I choose who faces me
in the main event of WrestleMania.
I choose…
The Rock.
[The Rock] If you smell… what The Rock is cookin'.
[crowd chants "We want Cody"]
World watching, I introduce you to the Cody Crybabies.
[crowd booing]
Now, when you look at this incredible family tree,
this is proof
that there is only one royal family in professional wrestling.
WrestleMania XL.
Philadelphia.
The Rock.
And Roman Reigns.
In the biggest main event in the history of professional wrestling.
Bound by blood.
[Rhodes] Hold on.
Hold on.
Roman!
As the Tribal Chief, as the Undisputed Champion,
you have a lot of stroke.
But it is not your right to determine the main event.
It is mine!
I won the Royal Rumble!
I have made my decision.
At WrestleMania XL,
in the main event,
I choose you, Roman Reigns.
You must be stupid or something, huh?
This is a done deal.
You're old news.
Nobody cares about you finishing the story.
You're irrelevant.
Just like your dad.
Earlier, we had that family tree up there.
If your grandfather was here,
his grandfather was here,
they'd be ashamed of you.
When you're talking about his blood,
you're talking about my blood.
Hard to say what just went on right there. A lot of tension right now.
Have him talk [bleep] about our family again.
If you don't fix it, we will.
[Graves] After a week of questions, speculation, and controversy,
Cody Rhodes, the winner of the 2024 Royal Rumble Match,
will once again have the opportunity
to finish his story
as he challenges the most dominant champion of the modern era,
Roman Reigns, at WrestleMania.
And tonight's Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive.
A triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
["King of Kings" by Motörhead playing]
♪ Behold the King, the King of Kings ♪
♪ On your knees dog ♪
♪ Ha ha ha ha ♪
♪ All hail ♪
♪ Bow down to the… ♪
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome the CCO of WWE,
Paul "Triple H" Levesque.
[Graves] Wade, on the heels of one of the most controversial nights
in recent WWE history,
you have to imagine "The Game" Triple H has a great deal on his mind.
And just as many questions from the WWE Universe to be answered tonight.
[Wade] Well, let's tell it like it is.
Over the past seven days, Triple H has had to spend 50% of his time
soothing some bruised egos,
and the other 50% of his time taking this industry to new heights.
But you're right, those bruised egos don't go away easily when you're the boss.
And I cannot wait to see what Triple H has to tell us tonight.
♪ Bow down to the, bow down to ♪
♪ The King left none living None able to tell ♪
[Graves] Triple H joined in the ring by Adam Pearce,
the Monday Night Raw General Manager on the left side of your screen
and to the right, SmackDown GM Nick Aldis.
♪ Ripped open they died With their final breath ♪
[Graves] What an atmosphere here tonight in Charlotte.
♪ The King of Kings ♪
♪ Bow down to the, bow down to the King ♪
[song fades]
[crowd chants "Triple H"]
I gotta tell you, that sure as hell feels like we are on the Road to WrestleMania.
[cheering]
But before we get to that, welcome to SmackDown.
Last night in Las Vegas,
it was an incredible kickoff event to get us started
on that road to the grandest stage of them all.
But the fact is, somewhere along the way last night, we took a hard left turn,
and now that road is on fire.
But I can tell you this, it feels really good.
But I came out here because I wanted to clear up one thing.
[crowd chanting "Rocky sucks"]
[crowd continues chanting "Rocky sucks"]
I wanted to clear up a couple of things from last night
because I felt like coming out of Las Vegas,
as we were flying over here,
I felt like there was some confusion in the air.
Maybe some people don't know their role.
So I wanted to come out here and,
I don't know, just set the record straight,
because I felt like
there are people that went out there
and tried to…
assert their authority
when they don't really have any.
Because here's the thing,
I really don't care where you sit.
There is one thing that is abundantly clear here,
whether people like them or they don't like them,
the answers, the answers come from one place,
and one place only, and right now, you are looking at him.
[cheering]
So let me just say this, in the main event of WrestleMania XL,
the biggest WrestleMania of all time,
Roman Reigns will defend his Undisputed WWE Championship
in the main event
against Cody Rhodes.
[cheering]
Now, there are some people back there…
[crowd chanting "Cody"]
There are some people back there, that decision will disappoint them.
That maybe they won't like that decision.
But here's the thing,
it doesn't matter if you don't like that decision.
So with that said,
welcome to the Road to WrestleMania.
Ladies and gentlemen, now that the WWE Championship Match
at WrestleMania has been decided,
we must shift our attention to Seth Rollins
and the World Heavyweight Championship.
After extensive discussions all week,
we have collectively agreed
that Seth Rollins' challenger at WrestleMania will be determined
in Perth, Australia, February 24th, in the Elimination Chamber.
And we kick things off tonight
with a series of matches to determine the participants in that match.
And to reiterate the fact that WWE management is a united front,
I will take this opportunity
to hand over to my esteemed colleague,
the General Manager of Raw, Mr. Adam Pearce.
Thank you, Nicholas.
Ladies and gentlemen, if I can direct your attention to that Tron,
and the 12 Superstars
who will compete for an opportunity
to step into the Chamber in Perth.
"The Viper" Randy Orton!
Big Bronson Reed!
"KO" Kevin Owens!
The United States Champion, Logan Paul!
[crowd boos]
AJ Styles!
The Miz!
"The All Mighty" Bobby Lashley!
Ivar!
"The Scottish Warrior" Drew McIntyre!
Sami Zayn!
Representing Judgment Day, "Dirty" Dom Mysterio!
And finally, LA Knight!
[crowd] Yeah!
Ladies and gentlemen, 12 Superstars, six matches over three events,
and it kicks off right now with our first contest,
pitting AJ Styles
against this man,
"The Scottish Warrior"
Drew McIntyre!
[Graves] What a way to kick off the path to Perth.
In the Elimination Chamber
The Scottish Warrior one-on-one with The Phenomenal One, Wade!
[Wade] The path to the Elimination Chamber,
and indeed, if successful there,
a pathway to WrestleMania.
Huge, huge start to SmackDown.
[Graves] McIntyre brimming with confidence tonight.
I just want to take a moment to tell everybody, thank you.
Thank you for showing me, to prove it to me with your wallets,
you feel the same way as I do about CM Punk.
This shirt, shot straight to the top of the charts,
is selling more than Punk's actual shirts, which is hilarious.
So, DM Hunk is gonna make you a promise.
Punk will not get one penny of the profits.
Also, people have been thanking me for last night.
Everybody's happy that Cody chose Roman Reigns.
Remember when he won the Rumble,
and he was thinking about fulfilling that promise?
He was toying with our emotions, he was playing games,
and on Monday I tried to reason with him verbally.
He wouldn't answer.
So I reasoned with him physically, and what happened last night
is gonna finish the story!
You're welcome!
So I've saved WrestleMania, I've taken out Punk,
Cody's going to finish the story. What's the last thing?
Save the World Title.
And all I have to do,
is go through the top Superstars in WWE,
win the Elimination Chamber,
and I'll finally have my moment at WrestleMania.
And I will give you a champion you can be proud of.
I will give you a champion that's best for business.
["Phenomenal" by CFO$ playing]
[Graves] Drew McIntyre already with his sights set,
on the grandest stage of them all,
but you know AJ Styles has the exact same goal.
♪ No, they don't want none ♪
♪ They looking scared… ♪
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest
is an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match!
Making his way to the ring, from Gainesville, Georgia, at 218 pounds,
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles!
♪ No, they don't want none ♪
[Graves] Well, it begins in a matter of moments,
the first qualifier of the night.
Who will advance to the Elimination Chamber
with the opportunity to head to WrestleMania?
We find out, next!
♪ Blue collar boys Do it with our hands muddied ♪
♪ No, they don't want none ♪
[Graves] Last year, "The Viper" Randy Orton
was forced to miss WrestleMania due to injury.
Something Orton has vowed to not let happen again this year.
In fact, Orton now shifts his focus to the World Heavyweight Champion,
Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
Sami Zayn last year main evented the Showcase of the Immortals,
but this year is without a clear path to Philadelphia.
One of these two men will take a detour on the Road to WrestleMania
to Perth, Australia, for Elimination Chamber.
[Wade] That is right, Corey, because Sami Zayn and "The Viper" Randy Orton
look to book their tickets to the Elimination Chamber.
Our second qualifier match takes place later tonight right here on SmackDown.
[Graves] And Elimination Chamber is sponsored by Credit One Bank.
Get cash back rewards and live large.
And, Wade, we are moments away from the opening bell on our first
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Matchup. "The Scottish Warrior" Drew McIntyre,
-one-on-one, with "The Phenom"-- -["Welcome to LA" playing]
with "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, but, wait a minute.
[Wade] As if this wasn't good enough, two former World Champions
kicking this off, and it just got even bigger.
[Graves] Two former world champions and a man
who many would consider a future world champion.
[Rome] …please welcome LA Knight.
[crowd] Yeah!
[Wade] Oh, he's heading our way, Corey.
[Graves] Did you have something to do, with this, Bad News?
[Wade] I had no clue.
[Graves] I know you're the king of the LA Knight fan club.
[Wade] I am about to jump out of my underpants
because "The Megastar" LA Knight
is joining us at the desk for this matchup.
[LA] Oh, how convenient. There's a seat right here for me.
-I think I'll just have it. -[Wade] Best day ever. Welcome.
[Graves] Please, for everybody's sake, Wade.
Let's please keep your underpants on right now.
We got a match to call.
And McIntyre just dropped Styles with a heavy chop.
-Welcome to commentary, LA Knight. -Oh, we are here, we are in the house.
Now look, you're talking about what?
Qualifying for the World Championship, right?
You talk about, I just walked out of Royal Rumble.
You'd say that was my match, right?
And I got to go all the way across the world to qualify?
No, no. But I tell you what, I am going to go over there.
I'm going to win the Elimination Chamber.
You're looking at your next World Champion.
All I need is a one-on-one match at this point.
[Wade] Well, I love it, LA Knight.
And you've already been named as one of the people
who will have a qualifying match to get yourself to Perth.
Let me ask you, what are you doing out here, right now?
Scouting potential opponents?
[LA] I mean, you know, look, when people are talking about,
you got a World Championship Title Match coming up here.
It happens on the back end of the Elimination Chamber.
I hear my name being mentioned, and I see guys getting dropped, like that.
I say, well, let me just go ahead and take a look at
who I might be in the chamber with, right? Yeah.
[Graves] Watching this sort of physicality that Drew McIntyre is capable of,
does that give you any pause, or does it excite you?
-Does it fire you up, the prospect? -[LA] Yeah.
I'll tell you what, I'll give him some pause.
I'll give him my paws right across his mouth.
[Graves] Oh, another heavy, knife-edge chop.
But look, but this, you gotta, you gotta still give the guy credit.
The guy is a monster.
He's dropping some knowledge here on AJ right now.
-Well, listen now. -There he goes.
To give the devil his due, LA Knight,
Drew McIntyre is one of the only men in the field,
who emerged victorious in a past Elimination Chamber, the year 2021.
[commentators exclaim]
Big backbreaker, into the cover.
[LA] I mean, you wanna look at that. Look, I lack the experience edge.
Good for me, right? But look, here's the deal.
We come in, you're looking at 2023, being the, look at that, right there.
Almost got the three count on it. Didn't quite get it. You know why?
Cause you're not LA Knight. Yeah.
But here's the deal, you talk about the experience edge,
yeah, maybe I don't have that at this point.
But you look at 2023, I set the foundation.
At this point I walk in, I create the empire that is LA Knight.
[Wade] Let me ask you about that.
Bearing in mind that the Elimination Chamber
is one of the most dangerous matches in WWE,
should you qualify, any trepidation about stepping into that structure?
[Graves] Smart move by Styles at the moment,
chopping down the much larger McIntyre.
You know what? Look, for as dumb as AJ Styles,
look, he does have a little bit of brain in him right there.
But look, here's the thing, when you talk about trepidation, hesitation,
anything else that you wanna say about the Elimination Chamber,
yeah, it's gonna be a grueling match.
It's gonna be a brutal match.
But at the end of the day, look, I didn't come in here
thinking I was gonna dance ballet to become a champion here.
[Graves] AJ Styles sent all the way to the floor from the top turnbuckle
courtesy of the brutality of the Scottish Terminator.
[AJ] Got a little limp on… Whoa!
-[Graves] Oh my God! -Take that whole damn thing down.
[Graves] Styles into the time keeper's area.
McIntyre's in control.
Which of these two men will head to the Elimination Chamber?
[Graves] We are in the midst of our first of six
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Matchups right now.
AJ Styles one-on-one with Drew McIntyre.
The winner advances to the Elimination Chamber Match.
The winner of the Elimination Chamber
will have the honor of challenging Seth "Freakin" Rollins
for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania.
And we are joined at ringside by LA Knight,
one of the 12 men with the opportunity to head to Perth, Australia.
These boys are in here just chopping each other down.
You got two guys there.
Is Seth's actual middle name "Freakin," by the way?
-[Graves] I'm going to check with that. -All right, check his birth certificate.
[Wade] My loins have been tingling ever since you sat down, LA Knight.
Especially during that commercial break,
you started pointing at the WrestleMania sign.
I'm getting excited.
But right now, we've got two top stars in the ring
going hell for leather in pursuit of an opportunity.
[LA] Wade, that's what we call the undeniable kavorka of LA Knight.
You better calm down over there.
[Graves] See a blitz of strikes from "The Phenomenal" Styles.
-McIntyre is rocked. -[LA] Chop that tree down.
Whoa!
[Wade] Suddenly, the opportunity for McIntyre to put to bed
the months of misery that he's experienced
by getting back to WrestleMania is slowly slipping away.
The ball fully in the court of "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles.
[LA] He better capitalize on that instead of going to the people.
[Graves] AJ thinking about the Styles Clash right now.
McIntyre sensed it coming and able to thwart.
[LA] Oh my God.
[Wade] They just built McIntyre a little bit different.
This is the No Mercy Era of Drew McIntyre.
And I'm thrilled I'm not on the roster for it.
Where's he going?
[Graves] McIntyre hoisting Styles up onto his shoulders.
This can only end in catastrophe.
-[LA] This ain't good for AJ -[Graves] Oh no.
Styles doing his best to play it out of harm's way.
[Wade] Drew, well-scouted.
-[Graves] Look at the power of AJ Styles. -[LA] That's got to be it right there.
-Shoulders down. -[LA] One. That's two.
-That's-- ah. -McIntyre survives.
Alright. Okay, boys.
Now I see you.
[Wade] Take another look at this.
AJ Styles expertly slipping out of that move from McIntyre.
Only to show off his ridiculous power.
Almost scoring the victory. This match continues.
[LA] What you're talking about. You look at Perth, at Elimination Chamber.
And every single person going into that match.
There isn't one schlub walking in here.
You got a bunch of thoroughbreds coming in here.
But that doesn't change the fact that
each and every one of these guys will fall to LA Knight.
You look at this mush mouth moron Drew McIntyre.
You look at AJ Styles. Each and every one of them falling.
-[Graves] But that's going to do it. -And I'm going on to WrestleMania.
[Graves] Future Shock DDT from McIntyre.
And The Scottish Warrior is turning the tides.
But potentially the damage suffered courtesy of AJ Styles earlier in the match
could be a factor here.
[Wade] Well, we know what the next play is from here for McIntyre.
We've seen it time and time again.
And if this connects, it is game over for The Phenomenal One.
[LA] With that leg hurting the way it was,
I feel like he should have draped the cover there. I don't know.
This could be a bad move.
-[Graves] Styles out of the way. -[Wade] There it is.
That durability of AJ Styles.
LA Knight knows all about that after the past few weeks.
-Calf Crusher attack. -[Graves] It's in.
Styles has it cinched.
Calf Crusher submission.
McIntyre in trouble.
[LA] The way his leg is right now, you've got to believe this is it, right?
-Match is gonna be over. -[Wade] Scrambling for that rope.
Perhaps the only way out of that move.
And McIntyre's hopes for an opportunity in the Elimination Chamber live on.
[Graves] And LA Knight, how are you feeling?
We don't even know who your opponent will be in your qualifying match.
[LA] Nobody knows. Look, here's the deal.
You talk about, again, Elimination Chamber.
What is it? Six guys or eight guys? I'm not sure how many.
Doesn't make a difference.
At the end of the day, what you've got is I don't know who my--
[Graves] Oh God.
[LA] All I know is I'm going to end up in that Elimination Chamber,
when it's all said and done.
[Graves] Well, right now, things not looking too good
for "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles,
who was thinking about a Phenomenal Forearm.
But McIntyre, again, one step ahead.
A nasty crash landing. And Styles is all out of sorts.
[LA] And this is one thing you're not gonna see at the Elimination Chamber,
'cause it can't possibly spill out like this.
-You're stuck in the thing. -Boom!
Oh boy. All right, we're getting up close and personal now.
[Graves] That Georgia Bulldog mentality of AJ Styles.
Just keep fighting. Keep moving forward.
-[Wade] Ever since that knee issue-- -[Graves] Oh, look out, guys!
AJ Styles just launched in the direction of the Megastar.
McIntyre wisely rolling back into the ring to break the official's count.
[Wade] Megastar just poured a bottle of water all over AJ Styles.
What's the matter?
You want a drink?
-All right, now-- -[commentators exclaiming]
[Graves] Certainly no shortage of history between Styles and Knight.
But right now, McIntyre looking to capitalize off of the…
collision on the outside.
[Wade] McIntyre will take a win any way he can here.
Momentary distraction by LA Knight.
But once again, AJ back on top.
[Graves] Inside cradle. One, two.
Our official, Jessica Carr, all tied up with LA Knight,
who just may have cost Styles the Chamber.
[Wade] Now dropped by AJ Styles.
Only a matter of time before the Megastar…
-Boom! -…moment of distraction. Claymore!
-[Graves] And you can count to 20. -[crowd] One! Two! Three!
[bell rings]
["Gallantry" by CFO$ playing]
[Rome] Here is your winner, Drew McIntyre!
[Graves] What a win for "The Scottish Warrior" Drew McIntyre.
And had it not been for AJ Styles momentarily taking his eye off the ball,
it could be a whole different story, Wade.
[Wade] It was a heck of a matchup
until that chaotic ending once the distractions took place.
But here, ultimately, from 12, we are now down to 11.
McIntyre has officially qualified for the Elimination Chamber
in Perth, Australia, two weeks from tomorrow.
[Graves] Drew, one massive step closer to the Showcase of the Immortals
and a showdown with Seth "Freakin" Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship.
[roaring]
Well, there's several Superstars with Elimination Chamber aspirations.
Our Kayla Braxton is backstage with another one.
Thanks, Corey. I'm standing by with Sami Zayn.
And, Sami, we just saw Drew McIntyre qualify for the Elimination Chamber match.
And tonight, you face Randy Orton for that same opportunity.
But with everything you have going on,
how do you feel about your odds of making it to WrestleMania
to challenge Seth Rollins?
Look, I think if the last week has taught us anything,
it's that nothing is certain in WWE, especially not around WrestleMania season.
And WrestleMania season is an emotional time for a lot of people, myself included.
Because I'm thinking about how last year I was in the main event of WrestleMania.
And this year, I'm watching that window close fast.
But I don't have time to get emotional. I have to look at the facts.
I have to look at what is right in front of me.
And what is right in front of me tonight
is a qualifying match for the Elimination Chamber
with a 13-time world champion.
With a guy who might be the…
if not the very best ever to do it in that ring, Randy Orton.
And if I should get through Randy Orton, already waiting for me on the other side
in that Elimination Chamber is Drew McIntyre.
A man who, as he pointed out correctly, a man I've never beaten.
So it's not an easy path.
But it's a path.
So I'll take it.
There you have it.
Sami Zayn versus Randy Orton tonight on SmackDown.
Oh yes, boy. What a day. What a day.
That cloud looks just like Queen Elizabeth.
Look, we always wondered when she'd come and see us.
Hello!
Wait, are you mad at Lizzie?
-What? -Are you mad at Liz?
Look, it's not. It's…
It's my hand!
Look at it.
Let me tell you something, boy.
That Pete Dunne character
should be ashamed of himself and what he's done to you.
I mean, curse thy, Pete Dunne!
No, come on. We need to put this behind us. All right?
Now is our time. I believe it, boy.
I think now is our time. It's WrestleMania season.
I am ready.
Let's show everybody on Friday Night "Snack"Down…
Huh? Huh?
…what Pretty Deadly is all about.
Oh yeah. You feel it. You feel it brewing up.
It's bubbling. It's bubbling. Come on. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[both] Yes, boy!
-Ooh, that does look like Lizzie. -Right? That's what I was saying.
[Graves] Well, here are two men that Pretty Deadly are very familiar with.
The aforementioned Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate.
The Bruiserweight and the Big Strong Boi ready for tag team action tonight.
[Wade] Well, contrast that with the grit, drive, heart
and blue collar attitude of these two men.
They've had to earn everything they've ever got in their careers.
And it's no different tonight for DIY with their big opportunity.
[Graves] Tyler Bate has been the man to remind Pete Dunne of exactly who he is.
And the two of them have been dreaming of this point.
Dunne and Bate against DIY.
The winners face Judgment Day
for the Tag Team Titles at Elimination Chamber.
Tonight on Friday Night SmackDown, Wade,
we've got those two teams looking for championship gold.
Where, in fact, last week right here on Friday Night SmackDown,
it was the pursuit of championship gold
that led to the disintegration of one of the most powerful factions in WWE.
Let's take a look at our Progressive Match Flo.
[man] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive.
A triple threat of protection with home, auto and more.
[Graves] The founder of Damage CTRL
and winner of the Women's Royal Rumble Match, Bayley,
with a WrestleMania decision to make:
Who will Bayley choose to challenge in Philadelphia?
Now, when I think about WrestleMania, you know, I've really done it all.
But this year, this year is different.
And this year is special.
So, when I think about WrestleMania, I think about being the best.
And for me to be the absolute best, I have to beat one of the best.
Or I can go a different route. I can, I can fight a different fight.
Sometimes it comes down to what's in your heart
and proving people wrong.
And sometimes the people that you thought were your biggest support system,
the people that you thought were your friends,
sometimes you have to prove them wrong. You guys done laughing?
[speaks Japanese]
-[dramatic music] -[crowd gasps]
Yeah, that's Japanese.
I picked that up from all the times you guys talked about me behind my back.
You guys think I don't see all around me?
Bayley's done. Tonight.
[laughing]
[Bayley] You guys talk about me constantly.
All I wanted was for Damage CTRL to be the best.
But you guys see nothing in me, do you?
Iyo, what happened?
Ever since they came around, you turned your back on me.
-What happened? -[Graves] Oh my God!
The Kabuki Warriors
laying waste to the woman who
was at one time the leader of Damage CTRL.
What did Bayley just…
Oh my God! Bayley's got a pipe.
Iyo, I'll see you at WrestleMania.
♪ Better than me ♪
[Graves] The winner of the Women's 2024 Royal Rumble, Bayley,
has promised to address the events of last week
and her departure from Damage CTRL
as we head toward Philadelphia and WrestleMania, tonight.
["Watch Me Shine" playing]
[Graves] We're about to find out
who is going to join Becky Lynch in the Elimination Chamber.
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following is an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match.
Introducing first, from Knoxville,Tennessee…
Bianca Belair.
♪ I never needed you at all ♪
♪ Watch me, watch me shine now Watch me, watch me shine now ♪
[Graves] WWE is proud to support the Ad Council
and their Love Has No Labels campaign.
Celebrate this Black History Month and visit www.me/bhmshop
or scan the QR code on the screen
to purchase your own WWE Heritage Month merchandise.
$7.50 will be donated from each sale to support Ad Council.
We know Bayley has her sights set on Iyo Sky.
The winner of the Women's Elimination Chamber, Wade,
has a date with The Nightmare herself, Rhea Ripley, at WrestleMania.
[Wade] Should Rhea Ripley, of course,
be successful in her defense against Nia Jax, that is?
[Graves] You're absolutely right, and that is a big, big if.
[explosion]
[Rome] And her opponent,
accompanied by The O.C.,
Michin!
[Graves] Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
This is a massive opportunity, Wade, for Michin,
who was sort of left in the lurch by AJ Styles
alongside Anderson and Gallows.
Michin has to make something big happen tonight
against one of the most dominant females in recent history.
[Wade] Yeah, this is scary stuff for Michin.
Huge opportunity. I don't know where Michin's head is at right now.
I know deep down she wants to pull The O.C. back together.
But you're right, AJ Styles, as far as he's concerned, he walks alone.
[Graves] We know Michin is a legitimate threat.
Oh my God, the power of The EST right out of the gate!
-Ooh! -Michin with a fantastic counter.
Kick connects, and again.
The third, deep cover.
Smart strategy by Michin.
Coming out of the gate strong, trying to catch Belair off guard.
Hook of the leg.
[Wade] Yeah, undoubtedly, Corey.
I gotta say, Michin is a rank outsider against someone as accomplished as Belair.
As great as Michin can be, she just hasn't hit the same heights yet.
So this 100-miles-an-hour start from her, I like.
[Cole] Well, Michin in control. Can Bianca Belair battle back
and head to the Elimination Chamber?
[Graves] We are sold out tonight at the Spectrum Center
in Charlotte, North Carolina.
And we are all witnessing this Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match.
Michin of The O.C., one-on-one with "The EST" Bianca Belair.
Wade, we know that thus far, Becky Lynch, the only woman to qualify
for the Elimination Chamber Match in Perth, Australia.
Who do you like in this one?
[Wade] It just goes to show the tall order it is for anyone
to go through to Elimination Chamber and win.
But I've gotta back Michin at this point. It has been 90% offense from Michin.
I was not anticipating that against someone the caliber of Belair.
But Belair, of course, still in the fight.
[Graves] I don't know that Belair was anticipating the offensive onslaught
of Michin from the opening bell.
But The EST has been able to weather the storm thus far.
[Wade] The storm's just getting worse and worse, though, for Belair.
This is superb stuff from Michin.
Who smells opportunity and is refusing to let it slip.
[Graves] Michin only recently had her first opportunity
to win Iyo Sky's championship.
She came up short, but would love to right the ship
and head to Perth for the Elimination Chamber.
[Wade] Oh, but once you get Belair down, you've gotta make it count.
That was a mistake, over committing there by Michin.
And now perhaps finally a second win for Bianca Belair.
Backbreaker.
Executed by Bianca Belair.
You can almost feel the adrenaline beginning to pulse through The EST.
Spectacular athleticism.
Michin tried to counter, but Bianca countered the counter.
[Wade] Well, Bianca's just such a freak athlete.
Power and reactions above and beyond the rest of the women's roster.
Cover here by Belair to head to Elimination Chamber.
And Michin stays alive.
[Wade] This is the time of year the very best start hitting that top gear.
And you saw Belair there just glance up at the WrestleMania sign.
This is your pathway, Belair.
Well, Wade, you've had the opportunity to compete at WrestleMania.
I've heard it's addicting, the feeling of being on the Showcase of the Immortals.
That's what every Superstar in WWE strives for year after year.
[Wade] You ain't wrong, Corey, but I'll tell you this.
Missing out on WrestleMania stays in your soul for a long time.
And when you get the moments like this
to buff part of your ticket to the Showcase of the Immortals,
you know you've gotta make it count.
[Graves] Oh, fantastic counter again by Michin.
We know Belair fully intends on putting The EST back in WrestleMania yet again.
But Michin looking to play spoiler.
Looking for the superplex here. Belair in trouble.
That could do it. Can Michin capitalize?
Michin hurt herself in the process, gingerly making an over to--
[Graves] Hook of the leg.
And Bianca Belair keeps this one alive.
[Wade] And you just sense the growing confidence in Michin.
Of course, she had the excellent matchup against Iyo Sky at New Year's Revolution.
She got herself a taste of the big time.
[Graves] Michin wanted to Eat Defeat, but it's countered by Bianca Belair,
who has Michin in position.
Bianca wanted the KOD.
Michin able to stop it. Eat Defeat!
[Wade] Perhaps a fortuitous bounce out of the ring for Bianca Belair.
And those vital seconds wasted for Michin, unable to get that pin.
[Graves] You took the words right out of my mouth, Wade. Michin…
[indistinct]
…looking to punch her ticket to Perth.
[Wade] Attempt at a Styles Clash from her former mentor, AJ Styles, but reversed.
And once again, back in the jaws of death.
KOD!
[Graves] Cover by Belair.
-[crowd] Two, three… -[bell rings]
[Graves] And The EST is headed to the Elimination Chamber.
[Rome] Here's your winner, Bianca Belair!
[Graves] Credit to Michin, who came out of the gate strong.
But The EST was just too powerful.
The KOD.
And it's lights out for Michin.
Hello Chamber for Bianca Belair.
[Wade] Two red-hot favorites
already booking their places in the Elimination Chamber
two weeks from tomorrow.
"The Man" Becky Lynch, and now Bianca Belair.
Four places left to go, and those will be booked over the next two weeks.
[Graves] Somebody looking to make WrestleMania plans.
There we see the former leader of Damage CTRL.
[Wade] A week of shocks in WWE.
None more shocking than the ouster of Bayley from Damage CTRL.
2024 Royal Rumble winner is here next to address her departure.
[Graves] And the WWE Universe is still buzzing from last night.
Las Vegas, Nevada played host to the WrestleMania XL kickoff press event.
And listen to these numbers, Wade.
We are talking 100 million social views within the first 12 hours,
setting a new WWE record.
Over 4.7 million live viewers across all social platforms.
I guess this year's WrestleMania truly is shaping up
to be the biggest WrestleMania of all time.
[Breakker] You needed to see me?
-What's going on, man? -How are you?
Good.
I just want to take a second to tell you how proud I am of you.
And watching you from coming in the door to where you are right now, man,
it's been impressive to see. I…
It's awesome.
And I'm anxious to see what you can do at this level, man.
-I'm looking forward to it. -Thank you. Thank you very--
You know, while I have you,
I just kind of wanted to pick your brain because I got these two great offers.
Raw and SmackDown. I'm just trying to figure out where to go.
I don't know if you have any advice. I don't know.
Look, I…
-How you doing? -Hey, how are you?
-Wonderful to see you. -Give us a second.
Absolutely.
Now that is a hell of a talent from a really wacky family.
What do you want?
I can see now is not a good time after everything that happened last night.
I'll give you some space. Respect.
I'll come back next week.
And when I come back next week,
I'll be with my "Tribal Chief"
Roman Reigns.
And…
The Rock.
Look forward to it.
[Wade] Oh man, we talked about bruised egos earlier tonight.
No bigger bruised egos than Roman Reigns and The Rock.
They're going to be here next week on SmackDown.
That is appointment viewing.
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome the winner
of the 2024
Women's Royal Rumble,
Bayley!
[Graves] Well, tonight's Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
is sponsored by Progressive.
And, Wade, this is a woman
who stunned the entire WWE Universe seven nights ago
on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Wade] No doubt about that.
The entirety of Damage CTRL turned on her, but she was smart to it.
And now we have a WrestleMania match booked.
WWE Women's Championship belonging to Iyo Sky
is on the line against Royal Rumble winner Bayley at WrestleMania.
[scattered chanting] Bayley.
Alright, you guys made me feel a little bit better about coming out here.
Because, uh…
[cheering]
I'll be honest.
I've been having a tough time trying to put the words together
and figure out what I want to say about what happened last week.
Because there is a big part of me
that doesn't even want to believe it happened at all.
And before hearing you guys chant my name,
I thought that maybe there were some of you out there
that thought I had it coming.
[crowd chanting "Bayley"]
I'll take it. I'll take it. Hey, maybe I had it coming. Who knows?
But whether you like me or not, it sounds like you guys are cool.
We're cool right now? We're cool right now?
[crowd cheering]
That's because you guys have been on this journey with me.
You stuck with me all these years.
And you guys know what's in here.
You guys know how I feel about this.
You know my heart for this.
Damage CTRL meant everything to me.
[crowd] You deserve it!
You deserve it!
Thank you.
Damage CTRL meant everything to me, guys.
They were my family.
You guys saw how many times I put Damage CTRL before myself.
Over and over again. I gave, I gave, and I gave.
I didn't ask any questions. I didn't ask for anything in return.
And all they did was take from me.
[man] I love you, Bayley!
[crowd booing]
So I thought, you know, after I won Royal Rumble,
maybe they'd all be happy for me.
And I'd come back and everything would be fine.
But that didn't happen.
Every time I came in the back, they were laughing.
Every time I turned around.
Every time I walked into a room, they stopped talking.
I'm not an idiot.
I've been in this situation far too many times to have not have learned my lesson.
And at WrestleMania, Iyo's gonna learn the hard way.
[Dakota] Bayley! Bayley!
Dude, I've been trying to text you all week.
Are you ghosting me?
We're not on a friendship level any more? What are you talking about?
Where the hell were you last week?
You know that I'm so close to being cleared.
I had to meet with my doctor last week. I didn't know about all this going down.
-I didn't. -Cut the crap, Dakota.
Every time I walked in the back, you were right alongside Kairi,
Asuka, and Iyo.
And you were right there laughing with them.
You were right there and you tried to calm me down every time.
No. You knew what was going on the whole time.
Look. Okay. Hear me out for one second, alright?
I was put in a really tough spot.
I was. But I always believed in Damage CTRL.
I always believed in what you created.
[crowd booing]
And Iyo did too.
Up until Kairi and Asuka came along, she did.
Okay? And I know you have some weird history with Kairi.
And I thought everything would be okay.
But once the two of them got in Iyo's head, like, the rest was history.
You know what happened.
Then why didn't you tell me?
Look. I wanted to. I did.
I just… I didn't know how to do the…
[crowd booing]
Look…
I miss the three of us. Right?
You, me, and Iyo. We were like sisters.
The OG3 of Damage CTRL.
It felt like we could do no wrong because we always had each other.
Alright? And you've always been like a mentor to me.
I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you!
Honestly, I didn't know how to tell you
because it seemed to me that your plan was working. Right?
Kabuki Warriors won the Tag Titles.
You won the Royal Rumble.
That's all you.
We were so close to having it all. And look,
I thought the…
I thought the situation with Kairi and Asuka
would just blow over, but it didn't.
[crowd] What?
Fine.
Well, we're here right now.
Where do you stand?
What's it gonna be now, huh?
["Tokyo Shock" playing]
[Graves] Well, it seems as though Dakota was gonna give Bayley an answer.
But we are about to be joined by the WWE Women's Champion, Iyo Sky.
Wade, as you can see,
as usual, flanked by the Women's Tag Team Champions, the Kabuki Warriors.
[Wade] This is a sight that should strike fear into the heart of Bayley.
-Nothing positive can come out of this. -[Graves] Dakota just bailed on Bayley.
Bayley is all on her own in the middle of the ring.
[Wade] Yeah, because Dakota is not stupid. That's why.
[Graves] No, no, no. No, no, no!
[Wade] Whoa!
[Graves] Look at this. Dakota Kai wielding a steel chair.
Huh?
[speaking Japanese]
[crowd chanting "Hug it out"]
["Role Model" playing]
[Graves] Yet another in a series of shocking events within Damage CTRL.
[Wade] Dakota Kai appears to be the protector in chief of Bayley.
Not a moment too soon for the Royal Rumble winner.
I'm standing by with Randy Orton.
And Randy, with all of your past success at WrestleMania,
how determined are you to earn your spot this year starting tonight with Sami Zayn?
Well, Kayla, first off, let me just say that earlier tonight,
Sami Zayn said that it's not a given that everyone makes it to WrestleMania.
And he couldn't be more right.
I know more than anybody how it's not a given to make it to WrestleMania.
Just last year, I was injured at home watching from the sidelines.
It was horrible.
But I did learn an invaluable lesson.
Patience.
You see, in this business, The Viper has always known when to strike.
But now,
I know how important it is to wait.
So as far as Roman Reigns is concerned, I can just sit back and wait.
But my Road to WrestleMania has taken a slight detour.
Tonight, I face Sami Zayn.
And if everything goes my way, and I plan on having everything go my way,
I move on to the Elimination Chamber.
But in the Chamber, Kayla, there's gonna be one constant.
And that constant is absolutely cold, calculating, lethal.
That one constant…
Well, that one constant is the three most destructive letters
in all of sports entertainment.
[Orton and crowd] R-K-O.
[Graves] Randy Orton, Sami Zayn,
Elimination Chamber Qualifiers still to come tonight.
But it's tag team time, Bad News.
[Wade] Two of my faves. A couple of countrymen.
You can't have enough Englishmen on this show.
That's what I've been saying, Corey.
["Stand Tall" playing]
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest
is a tag team match
where the winners face Judgment Day at Elimination Chamber.
Introducing first, the team of Tyler Bate
and "The Bruiserweight"
-Pete Dunne! -[explosion]
[Graves] Well, it was Tyler Bate
who recently showed up on SmackDown and reminded Dunne just who he is.
[Wade] Well, opportunities just keep coming tonight.
This time for the right to challenge the Tag Champs,
Judgment Day, at the Elimination Chamber.
Bate and Dunne take on DIY.
And it's up next right here on SmackDown.
Sometimes in life, in order to move forward, it helps to look back.
To learn from the pioneers and trailblazers.
To gain inspiration from those who came before us.
To show us what it means to act with empathy,
and to show that love has no labels.
Join WWE and Love Has No Labels throughout the year
in celebrating people from all communities and heritages.
[Bianca] Because when love has no labels…
[Sonya] …that's a love we can all fight for.
Gentlemen, and our new addition, B-Fab.
Y'all know what time it is?
It is WrestleMania season.
Now, mind you, last week…
Final Testament's really starting to figure out what it means to dealing
with us as a unit.
Yes, sir. Don't worry. We didn't forget about y'all either, Final Testament.
We still got them receipts for y'all.
[B-Fab] But we have business to attend to.
Bigger business.
And that business starts on Monday
when Bobby goes head-to-head with Big Bronson Reed
for his spot in the Elimination Chamber.
-Yes. -It is my time.
I am winning the Elimination Chamber.
And then WrestleMania… will be All Mighty.
All told.
[Graves] How about that, Wade? Bobby Lashley, Big Bronson Reed,
in an Elimination Chamber Qualifier.
But right now, we've got tag team action
with Elimination Chamber implications.
["It's Our Moment" by def rebel playing]
♪ We are DIY ♪
♪ Yeah, we're on top Only way to live it ♪
[Rome] And their opponents, the team of
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa,
DIY.
[Graves] The aforementioned implications would be an opportunity
to challenge The Judgment Day,
Damian Priest and Finn Bálor,
for the WWE Tag Team Championships in Perth, Australia.
Both of these teams won Fatal 4-way Matches
on their respective brands to earn this opportunity.
Wade, do you have a favorite in this one? How do you see it playing out?
[Wade] I mean, I'm naturally biased for the English,
but I've got to take my hat off to DIY also.
Great determination.
A couple of guys who, throughout their careers, and they've had long careers,
they have been making gourmet meals out of scraps.
That's the only kind of opportunity they've ever been given.
A nice sporting start here. I'll tell you this, too.
Ciampa and Bate,
never been on a WWE Premium Live event.
I think Gargano, 12 months ago, was his last one.
Bate maybe was in a Battle Royale at SummerSlam.
These guys are a little under-loved,
but they've got their opportunity in their hands tonight.
[Graves] Tyler Bate stacks up Gargano. Reversed yet again.
Both of these athletes, such technical masters.
Actually, the same can be said for all four competitors.
Neither Gargano nor Bate able to sustain an advantage in the early moments.
[Graves] Four cardio machines as well.
Not quite sure how any of these competitors
is going to find an edge in this kind of match.
Wade, how impressed have you been with the return to form
of this man we're about to see in a moment?
Pete Dunne, who is the legal competitor.
Who seemed to have a bit of an identity crisis.
He was acting more like you after a few too many pints
than he was The Bruiserweight.
[Wade] Well, I don't think he drinks, so I don't know what his excuse is.
But I'll say this. Tyler Bate coming back into his life
kind of pumped the brakes on the aggression,
a little bit for Pete Dunne.
He's a lot more cognizant of having a strategy in the match.
Although that strategy just got smashed out of him by a running Tommaso Ciampa.
Dunne looking to take a high risk Ciampa out of the way.
And just uncorked a right hand
that might have knocked the incisors out of Dunne's mouth.
And here comes Gargano.
DIY bringing the heat in this tag team match.
Who will challenge The Judgment Day?
[Graves] This is tag team action on Friday Night Smackdown.
DIY versus Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate.
The winner will challenge The Judgment Day
for the undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles at Elimination Chamber.
And right now, Tommaso Ciampa looking like an absolute psycho.
[Wade] Eyes bulging out of his head. When Tommaso Ciampa hits top gear,
it's hard to stop him.
Ciampa able to stop-- Oh! Bate's attempt.
Inverted DDT. Hook of the leg.
And Tyler Bate survives.
[Wade] That was still new territory for Tyler Bate.
He's having to step up to a whole new level since arriving on SmackDown.
And he's finding that out first hand with DIY.
[Graves] Gargano is going to be legal for DIY.
Pete Dunne still not legal.
But ate a right hand from Ciampa.
Tyler Bate answers.
[Wade] Four of these guys just rearranging jaws out there.
[Graves] Our official-- Oh my God!
Oh my God! What a double-team by Ciampa and Gargano.
[Wade] Expert timing. And Pete Dunne may be down and out.
So too, perhaps, is Tyler Bate.
[Graves] What an exchange of maneuvers by both teams.
Johnny Gargano legal for DIY.
Take a look at this.
Discus lariat turned Bate inside out.
But at the top of your screen,
the deceptively powerful Tyler Bate has Gargano in an airplane spin position.
Wait, what the hell is-- What the hell is happening?
[Wade] They don't call him the Big Strong Boi for nothing.
Many people's pound for pound strongest in WWE, Tyler Bate.
[Graves] Round and round we go.
DIY all out of sorts.
[Wade] Man, I gave myself a hernia just watching that from Tyler Bate.
-That was impressive stuff. -Tag made. Pete Dunne now legal.
[Wade] Top bins! You love it, Corey.
[Graves] I love it. You know I'm a big football guy.
-[Wade] It's all tekkers. -I'm a big Preston guy.
[Wade] I like you already, man. We're going to get on fine here.
Unlike Michael Cole.
[Graves] Double-team incoming. Dunne and Bate.
Countered by Gargano.
[Wade] They just cannot sleep on Johnny Gargano.
Give him-- Oh! There's those hands broken!
Looks a lot like Kit Wilson earlier tonight.
Courtesy of Pete Dunne.
Somehow, Gargano still rolling.
[Graves] For the moment, Bate put on the brakes.
Oh, Gargano--
I'm sorry, Ciampa-- connects with a knee over Gargano.
Johnny Wrestling to the outside with a tornado DDT.
Back breaker by Ciampa. Stacked up Bate.
And the Big Strong Boi survives.
[Wade] Nailing that Project Ciampa put away many top Superstars.
Once again, the dive and DDT
followed by this Project Ciampa onto the knees.
[Graves] This is a shining example of a blink-and-you-miss-it matchup.
Chaos in action since the opening bell. Neither team able to sustain a lead.
Four fists are flying.
[Wade] Just four hungry Superstars desperate for opportunity,
refusing to let this moment slip through their grasp.
[Graves] Pumped knee by Ciampa. Tag made to Gargano.
[Wade] DIY closing in on what they do best, Corey.
[Graves] Gargano and Ciampa looking to meet in the middle.
But look at Dunne, from the outside.
Aah!
Could have snapped Ciampa's fingers!
Superkick by Johnny Wrestling.
[Wade] Throwing shots with whatever still works in this matchup.
[Graves] Double clothesline by Bate.
Could be looking for the Tyler Driver.
[Wade] Gargano just a little too wise for it.
[Graves] Superkick right on the chin of the Big Strong Boi.
Gargano over the top to the outside.
Here comes Bate yet again.
-Suicide dive takes out Ciampa. -Oh!
[Wade] Clean the clock of Gargano as he went for that slingshot spear.
The Bitter End.
Hook of the leg. Cover. Dunne and Bate have done it.
[Rome] Here are your winners.
The team of Tyler Bate
and "The Bruiserweight"
Pete Dunne.
[Graves] What a fantastic contest. We'd seen it all from both sides.
But in the end, Tyler Bate takes it high risk,
which allowed Pete Dunne to take Johnny Gargano to The Bitter End.
[crowd] One, two, three.
[Graves] Dunne and Bate will now head to Perth, Australia,
in the Elimination Chamber to challenge The Judgment Day
for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles.
And a sign of respect from both teams.
After a battle well fought.
Gonna take a second to send it backstage to our colleague, Byron Saxton.
Congratulations to Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne
who are headed to Elimination Chamber…
…just to get beat by Finn Bálor and Damian Priest.
And after Finn and Damian retain their Undisputed Tag Team Titles,
Mami is gonna wipe the floor with Nia Jax
and walk into WrestleMania as the Women's World Champion.
And I'm gonna go ahead and shoot my shot
say I'm gonna win the Elimination Chamber,
face Seth Rollins,
and Mami and I are gonna have matching titles.
Dom, don't you still have to qualify?
Qualify? I don't care who they put in front of me.
I'm gonna slap the taste out of their--
Out of their what?
Out of my what? 'Cause I'm the guy.
I'm the one you're facing next week on SmackDown.
So look, Dom, you can call your shot all you want.
The only thing that's gonna happen next week
is I'm gonna give you the beating of a lifetime.
And I'm gonna dedicate that to the greatest luchador of all time.
Rey Mysterio. You know him.
-It's his dad. -[R-Truth] Miz. Miz.
You supposed to be on Raw.
Don't let Nick catch you.
Nick, Nick Mysterio?
Nick Aldis.
Okay, I'll uh, I'll be careful.
My dawg.
[Crowd chants "We want Truth"]
[Graves] It's been an interesting night thus far,
but I'm afraid I've got some good news, Wade.
We have got one match to go.
Sponsored by Credit One Bank.
[Wade] And what a big night it is for Sami Zayn,
who may have got the worst draw of anyone in the Elimination Chamber Qualifiers.
A tall task, but the spoils are worth the risk
as he puts together his final prep ahead of tonight's main event.
[Graves] Well, standing in Sami Zayn's way is "The Viper" Randy Orton.
Which of these two men will join Drew McIntyre in the Elimination Chamber?
We'll find out next.
I think these fans Down Under are gonna get--
Nick, I said get me a challenger for my United States Title.
You put me in a qualifying match?
Qualifying matches are for unqualified people, Nick.
I'm qualified.
I'm beyond qualified.
Look at my resume, dude.
Every event that I've been a part of…
highest grossing gate,
most viewership in WWE history…
What's the common denominator?
Me!
I'm the common denominator.
I'm a prizefighter.
You have me fighting for free next Friday on SmackDown in Utah?
In Utah?
Nick, I should be getting The Rock treatment.
Walk in here, do what I want,
smack somebody across the face, back on the jet!
All right, I'll do it.
But I'm not happy about this.
I see that.
And, no, listen, just so you know, I'm going to Australia.
I'm gonna win the Elimination Chamber.
And after I beat Seth Rollins
in our rematch at WrestleMania,
I'm waltzing out of there as a double champ.
So thank you for that.
Now, just tell me who I gotta wrestle, Adam.
Oh, I'd love to if it was Monday, but today's Friday.
Nick, you wanna do the honors?
Yeah, it's Friday, which means you're on my show.
And next week,
on this show,
you're going one-on-one with a man that you know quite well.
A Superstar.
The most must-see Superstar in WWE.
-The Miz. -The Miz.
-The Miz?
The Miz.
The Miz…
[both] The Miz.
M-I-Z.
[Logan] The Miz?
You got your hands full with that one.
That's an understatement.
[def rebel's "Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
[Graves] Tonight, Friday Night SmackDown is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home or motorcycle insurance.
[Wade] And the action keeps rolling this Monday on Raw.
The Elimination Chamber Qualifiers continue.
And it's a night for the meat enthusiasts.
With Big Bronson Reed taking on "The All Mighty" Bobby Lashley
and the Megastar LA Knight, challenging Big Ivar.
[Graves] And next week, when Friday Night SmackDown
rolls into Salt Lake City, how about this?
Just announced moments ago, Logan Paul, the United States Champion
one-on-one with The Miz.
And Kevin Owens will go face-to-face
with "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio in Elimination Chamber qualifiers.
[Wade] Not only that, also next Friday on SmackDown,
Women's Elimination Chamber Qualifiers.
See the wild Shotzi square off against the newcomer Tiffany Stratton.
And Zelina Vega feels the glow
as she takes on the returning Naomi in what will be Naomi's first match
back on SmackDown in almost two years.
That is next Friday, right here on SmackDown.
["Worlds Apart" playing]
[crowd] ♪ Let's go! ♪
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is an Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match!
Introducing first, from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, weighing 212 pounds,
Sami Zayn!
[Graves] Sami Zayn all smiles tonight as he prepares
for his Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match
against "The Viper" Randy Orton.
But, Wade, the question remains.
What sort of mood will Sami be in next week
when SmackDown rolls into Salt Lake City, Utah?
Will Zayn be headed to the Elimination Chamber?
Or will Sami be hanging out with Steve-O and Bob looking for a good party in SLC?
[Wade] Well, we are gonna get our answer very soon
because the clock is ticking.
And pretty soon, one of these two Superstars is going to join…
what was he calling himself? DM Hunk?
Is that right, Drew McIntyre, DM Hunk?
-I think that's what he called himself. -"DM Hunk" was trending earlier today.
[Wade] That's a new TV show.
["Voices" by Rev Theory playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Rome] And his opponent, from St. Louis, Missouri,
weighing in at 275 pounds,
"The Viper"
Randy Orton!
[Graves] Wade, as we watch The Viper slither toward the ring,
I want to draw attention to the little graphic
that was just in the bottom of your screen.
The year was 2014 when Randy Orton successfully defended the WWE Championship
inside of the Elimination Chamber.
You cannot, under any circumstance, bet against The Viper.
[Wade] Well, at this point in time,
Randy Orton has done it all
and the only thing that will motivate him is main events and gold.
And right now, The Viper is locked in on what he has to do to achieve exactly that.
[Graves] The Viper basking in the adulation
of a sold-out Spectrum Center. Over 14,000 strong,
ready to witness this one unfold.
Will it be Orton? Will it be Zayn?
Who will join Drew McIntyre inside of the Elimination Chamber?
And tonight's main event is sponsored by eBay Motors.
The Viper versus the Perennial Underdog.
Zayn versus Orton with Elimination Chamber on the line
and potentially a date with Rollins at WrestleMania.
♪ I hear voices in my head ♪
♪ They counsel me, they understand They talk to me ♪
[Graves] Charlotte is ready. SmackDown is ready.
WWE Universe, are you ready?
It's going down. It's live.
And it is next on Fox.
[Wade] After last night's press conference fallout,
Rock called Triple H to fix things "or he'll fix it himself."
There may be trouble ahead next week on SmackDown
when Roman Reigns and Rock are both gonna be here.
[Graves] Well, tonight's main event is sponsored by eBay Motors.
This is gonna be our second
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Matchup of the night.
We kick things off on Friday Night SmackDown
with "The Scottish Warrior" Drew McIntyre punching his ticket to the chamber.
[Wade] Oh man. Didn't Sami Zayn draw the short straw?
Could have had 11 different opponents.
He ended up with perhaps the best of all of them in Randy Orton.
[Graves] I agree with you completely, Wade.
As our colleague JBL likes to say,
"If you were to build a sports entertainer from the ground up,
it would look like Randy Orton."
And somehow, this late in his career,
Randy Orton finds himself in arguably the best physical condition of his life.
[Wade] Refreshed, rejuvenated, recharged
and ready to conquer the world of WWE once again.
[Graves] Above all else, driven as Orton is sent spilling to the outside.
Look for Sami Zayn to push the pace. Sami Zayn looking to take it high risk.
Orton out of the way.
A little classic Sami Zayn maneuver.
But Randy Orton is arguably as motivated as he has ever been.
Having to sit out WrestleMania last year.
That has eaten at The Viper.
And he would love nothing more than to head into the Elimination Chamber,
win, and challenge Seth "Freakin" Rollins
for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania.
[Wade] Randy Orton stared down the barrel of medical retirement for over a year.
And now finally, once he got the all clear,
he ain't wasting any time whatsoever.
And I'll say this about Randy,
there was a something of a honeymoon period after he initially returned.
I think that ended at the Royal Rumble,
when he lost that matchup, the Fatal 4-Way for Roman Reigns' Championship.
-And this is a different Viper. -[Graves] Let me ask you this, Wade.
As somebody who's been inside the ring with The Viper,
what is it about Randy that makes him so dangerous, so successful?
[Wade] In all honesty, it's quite simply timing.
Look, the man is built like a Greek God.
We can all see that.
He's a hell of an athlete. But his timing.
Randy was born able to do things
that the rest of us take years to try and perfect.
He was just better from day one. And we're all trying to play catch up.
[Graves] As someone who's stepped in the ring
many a time with Sami Zayn back in our NXT days,
I can attest, when it comes to heart, Sami Zayn is unmatched.
Just when you think Sami is beaten down, he finds that other gear.
He taps into those energy reserves and keeps on fighting.
Case in point, Sami Zayn with a moonsault takes down Orton.
[Wade] Didn't quite fully connect with Orton,
but it got him right on the temple,
which is exactly what Zayn needed,
because he was under the cosh at that point in the matchup.
Now finally given the chance to take control.
[Graves] Wade, how many times have you been watching a boxing match
and a great fighter just gets hit on the button.
It drops 'em, it shuts your body down. That could be the case for Orton.
Or not.
[Wade] We have weak spots all over our body.
But catch that temple, catch that jaw on the right spot,
it's good night.
Sami Zayn gonna take a ride courtesy of The Viper, but no.
Uh-oh.
Uh-oh! Sami Zayn turns the tables on Randy Orton.
The Elimination Chamber Qualifier continues.
Who will advance?
[Graves] We are at a sold-out Spectrum Center
in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Watching the second Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match of the night.
Earlier tonight, Drew McIntyre toppled AJ Styles.
Now, Sami Zayn one-on-one with "The Viper" Randy Orton.
Tornado DDT. Sami's going to the Chamber.
And Orton kicks out.
[Wade] And Orton has not looked good
ever since this moment just before the break.
The slam onto our desk right on that medically repaired back.
And now following up with that DDT.
Orton just hasn't been moving the same
ever since that collision with our table, Corey.
[Graves] I couldn't agree more.
Sami Zayn once upon a time referred to himself as a master strategist.
Certainly flexing his brain and strategy in this one.
-Attacking the weakened back of The Viper. -[Wade] Yeah.
If you find any weakness on The Viper, you have to exploit it.
Otherwise you've got zero chance of beating this guy.
[Graves] Orton now joining Sami in a precarious position.
Perched on the ropes.
Randy with a front face lock.
Could be taking that final step up top.
An homage to his father, "The Ace" Bob Orton.
Superplex!
-But at what cost. -[Wade] I'll tell you right now.
We haven't seen Randy pull out that move in a long time since his return.
I assumed that had been consigned to history
because of that medically repaired back that we talked about.
Take another look at the landing.
First at Sami Zayn.
But keep an eye on The Viper.
That's a fall from the top rope.
And he's really feeling that now.
That might have been instinct kicking in for Randy Orton.
-I think he's regretting that move. -[Graves] I think you're right.
I think it was instinct. Old habits die hard.
Randy going for broke,
but in the process cost himself a valuable few moments.
Sami Zayn still in this matchup.
And now this is what Randy wanted to avoid.
Letting Sami get momentum on his side.
[Wade] It was only 12 months ago,
Sami Zayn main evented at the Elimination Chamber in 2023.
One of the most emotional nights in the history of WWE.
Trying to recapture that magic and momentum tonight
to get himself back to the Elimination Chamber.
And remember, the Elimination Chamber
is merely only the next step toward WrestleMania.
As Orton drives Sami down with a snap power slam.
[Wade] Yeah. This is Orton getting back to his best. But you're right.
At what cost is the damage to that spine having on The Viper?
He just hasn't got the same poise or pace that we're used to.
[Graves] Once again, Sami in a dangerous situation, but…
Randy dumped all the way to the outside.
[Wade] Perhaps just a beat too long for The Viper
-as he was trying to capitalize on Zayn. -[Graves] Here comes Sami.
Suicide dive.
And Orton nearly sent into the front row of the WWE Universe.
[Wade] Talk about magic and momentum. Right now, Sami Zayn,
this is your big opportunity.
[Graves] Both of these athletes know exactly what's at stake.
A chance to step inside of the most brutal structure…
-Oh! -…in WWE, the Elimination Chamber.
And Sami's greatest hopes may have just gone up in smoke.
A little payback from The Viper. I think they call that one "A Receipt."
[crowd chants "One more time!"]
[Graves] And I hate to be the one to point it out
as we look again at Sami Zayn ricocheting off our announce table.
Randy Orton still moving very gingerly by his standards.
[Wade] So now is Sami Zayn. And that could be pivotal.
As Randy once again goes for the signature DDT.
[Graves] Vintage Orton. Thanks, Cole.
And right now, Sami Zayn has got to feel
the Elimination Chamber slipping through his fingertips.
[Wade] I don't think he can feel his fingertips at all after that DDT.
And it might be academic.
Things are about to get poisonous for Sami Zayn.
[Graves] The Viper coiled. Looking for the RKO.
Shoulders down. Rolled up by Zayn. Orton kicks out.
[Wade] Just a split second away from stealing the RKO attempt again.
Blue Thunder Bomb by Zayn.
Cover.
Orton survives.
[Wade] And look at the panic in the eyes of Sami Zayn,
who may well have just thrown his best shot at a pre-damaged Viper.
And The Viper is back in this.
[Graves] And that's got to be disheartening if you're Sami Zayn.
Delivering the Blue Thunder Bomb, but not enough to put this away.
RKO!
From out of nowhere.
[crowd] One, two, three.
The Viper has entered the Chamber.
[Rome] Here is your winner.
"The Viper" Randy Orton.
[Graves] The stakes were high tonight.
And Sami Zayn gave it all he had.
But in the end, The Viper, one of the best to ever do it.
Randy Orton overcomes Sami Zayn.
And punches his ticket to Perth, Australia
for the Elimination Chamber.
Here we take another look at the closing moments, Wade.
It seemed like Sami was just getting ready to roll.
And just that quick, Orton changed plans.
[Wade] They're not the three most dangerous letters in WWE for nothing.
Two places are now taken
in the Elimination Chamber in Perth, Australia.
McIntyre and Orton.
Four more remain of course.
We'll get the next two this Monday on Raw.
[Graves] And the final two of course here on Friday Night SmackDown.
Live from Salt Lake City next week.
♪ They talk to me ♪
♪ Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me! ♪
[Graves chuckles]
♪ All the lawyers are defenseless ♪
♪ All the doctors are disease ♪
♪ And the preachers all are sinners ♪
♪ And the police just take the grease ♪
[Graves] The two men who have qualified thus far for the Elimination Chamber.
Drew McIntyre. Randy Orton.
Who will be next? It's going down Down Under!
[indistinct conversation] ng down Down Under!