[WWE intro music playing]
[John Cena] Then.
-[Ric Flair] Woo! -[glass shatters]
[The Rock] If you smell…
-[bell tolls] -[Cena] Now.
[Roman Reigns] Acknowledge me!
-♪ The King of Kings! ♪ -♪ You can't see me ♪
[Cena] Forever.
[crowd cheers]
Together.
[music fades]
[Cole] You are looking live at Optus Stadium
for the final PLE stop before WrestleMania,
Elimination Chamber.
[Triple H] It's been an incredible night.
The official attendance, 52,590.
[Cole] The Women's Elimination Chamber Match.
The winner goes to WrestleMania to take on Rhea Ripley or Nia Jax
for the Women's World Championship.
["We Become The Night" by Motionless In White playing]
♪ Then they play the victim To manipulate the system ♪
♪ They synthesize reality To sell what you don't need ♪
♪ They drain us of our portion Just to paint another portrait ♪
[Cole] Becky's going to WrestleMania.
♪ We become the night ♪
[Cole] The Undisputed Tag Team Titles on the line.
♪ We embrace the shadow Following behind ♪
♪ So come alive, and take back your soul ♪
[Cole] Judgment Day retains.
It is now time for our Elimination Chamber Men's Match.
[grunts]
[Graves] AJ Styles.
Where the hell did AJ Styles come from?
[Cole] Logan Paul, there are the brass knuckles.
RKO! Paul eliminated.
Logan Paul with the brass knuckles.
Oh, come on, not like this.
-McIntyre's going to WrestleMania! -[bell rings]
♪ We become the night ♪
Rhea Ripley returns home in one of the biggest matches of her career
to defend the Women's World Championship against Nia Jax.
["There Will Be Fire" by Boris Nonte & Vanessa Campagna playing]
[Jax grunting]
[Graves] Mami's in trouble.
[Cole] Annihilator! Rhea kicks out!
Riptide!
-[bell rings] -Rhea Ripley retains the title!
[Waller] Welcome to The Grayson Waller Effect.
Rock, I wanna wrestle you. Any time, any place.
[crowd cheers]
If and when The Rock decides to take you up on that challenge,
you won't be fighting that battle alone.
[crowd cheers]
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. You think you're gonna face The Rock?
It doesn't matter what you think!
If you smell…
[Cole] Cody Rhodes challenging The Rock to a match.
["Nobody Better Than Me" plays]
[Graves] Five weeks from tomorrow,
Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia
becomes the grandest stage of them all.
But tonight, we are 2,362 miles away
as the Road to WrestleMania winds through Glendale, Arizona,
in a sold-out Desert Diamond Arena
where challenges will be answered, titles defended,
and greatness is upon us.
This is Friday Night SmackDown on Fox,
and tonight's SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive.
A triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
♪ I'm sitting at first Man I'm a beast, it's a gift and a curse ♪
♪ Tell 'em I'm thirsty, hungry as ever ♪
♪ Better be ready, I'm fighting forever ♪
["Head of the Table" playing]
[crowd cheers]
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome….
Special Counsel, "The Wiseman" Paul Heyman.
Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa,
and the Undisputed WWE
Universal Champion,
Roman Reigns!
[fireworks pop]
[Graves] For 1,279 days,
Roman has reigned atop WWE with an iron fist.
And tonight, The Tribal Chief
kicking off Friday Night SmackDown in the desert.
[crowd] Roman!
But five weeks from tomorrow, Lincoln Financial Field,
the biggest WrestleMania in history,
where Roman will once again defend his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
against the winner of the 2024 Royal Rumble Match,
"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes.
And Bad News, Cody will have one more opportunity
to finish his story.
[Wade] Yeah, there's some real tumult within The Samoan Dynasty
thanks to The American Nightmare.
The Samoan Dynasty thought they had the top of the card
at WrestleMania XL locked up.
But then their nightmare happened.
Cody made his call.
And things have not been well ever since for The Tribal Chief and family.
[Graves] Just when it seemed downright impossible
for The Bloodline to grow any more powerful, Wade.
Over the past several weeks,
The Bloodline has indeed done just that on a massive scale
thanks to a new addition.
[Wade] Yeah, the biggest star in our industry of this era,
combining with the biggest star in all of entertainment…
Things just got huge.
[Graves] 15,129 members of the WWE Universe
paying their respects to The Head of the Table.
[Wade] Seats not required in this arena
when Roman Reigns et al are in town.
[music continues]
[fireworks pop]
[crowd cheers and boos]
[crowd clamoring]
[crowd boos]
Glendale, Arizona.
[crowd cheers]
Acknowledge me.
It used to be louder.
[crowd chanting] You suck!
I know it's not me. It must be you.
Maybe we're in the wrong place. Let's try this again.
Phoenix, Arizona!
[crowd cheers]
Acknowledge me.
[crowd cheers and boos]
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
I'm going to try this one last time.
And if you don't get on my page…
I fulfilled my obligation, and I'm leaving.
[crowd clamoring]
Last shot.
Glendale, Arizona.
[crowd roars]
Acknowledge me!
[crowd roars]
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
We're done here.
Call the FBO. Fire up the jet.
This appearance is done. You're welcome.
[crowd clamoring]
We're done here.
[stuttering] My-my-my Tribal Chief.
My Tribal Chief, um…
We have some…
some other bits, we can't leave yet.
[stammering] We can't. He's coming out.
Just give me a moment.
[crowd clamoring loudly]
Ladies and gentlemen, in just a moment…
The People's Champ.
[crowd boos]
The BDE up in this WWE,
the greatest movie star of all time…
will be out here live.
The Rock…
after this commercial break.
[crowd boos]
♪ If you smell what The Rock is cookin' ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome…
The Rock!
[crowd cheering loudly]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd clamoring]
[crowd chants] Rocky!
[crowd boos]
Are you sure you wanna boo The Rock?
[crowd roars]
Before The Rock drops gospel on you, he's got some good news to share.
The Rock has got some news that you're probably gonna like.
The Rock has got some news that you might even be proud of.
Apparently Glendale is ten miles away from Phoenix.
Assuming the answer is yes.
But are there a lot of people from Phoenix here tonight?
[crowd cheering]
I knew it. Because that would make sense.
The Rock did a little research, and here's what he found out.
This is the truth. This is a fact.
The number one city in America
for cocaine and meth use…
is Phoenix, Arizona.
[crowd clamoring]
And here's what that means.
Finally…
your life has meaning.
Because finally, you cactus-loving crackheads
finally have something worth shooting in your veins.
As you sit and you look at greatness, finally…
The Rock has come back to Arizona.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chants] Rocky!
Glendale, can you feel it?
You feel it in the air because it's real.
The Rock's body is covered in chills. The Rock is in a good mood.
They're in a good mood. The Wiseman is in a good mood.
The Universal Champion is in a good mood.
Jimmy's in a good mood. Solo's in a good mood.
You wouldn't know it by looking at him, but that's his happy face.
He's in a good mood.
And here's why we're in a good mood, Glendale, Arizona,
because once again, and it's been decades,
professional wrestling is cool.
[crowd cheers]
Professional wrestling is exciting.
Professional wrestling is, in a word,
electrifying once again.
It's why in Birmingham, Alabama, sold out!
It's why in Salt Lake City, sold out!
It's why, tonight, in this crack den with popcorn,
we are sold out!
It's why next week in Dallas, Texas, sell out!
Two weeks from now in Memphis, Tennessee, when The Rock comes home, baby.
That's gonna sell out too. And here's why.
Because it is greatness among you.
Wrestling is cool again because of The Rock,
Roman Reigns, and The Bloodline.
[crowd roars]
[crowd chants] Rocky!
But you know who's not cool?
Is your hero, Cody Rhodes.
[crowd erupts]
Cody. You think you're tough, boy?
You wanna run your mouth, you wanna challenge The Rock.
You wanna go one-on-one with The Great One.
See how tough you are? Boy, is that it?
Well, The Rock sees you. He hears you.
And right here live in Glendale, here's The Rock's answer on SmackDown.
One-on-one with The Great One, and The Rock says no.
[crowd boos]
You think you're just gonna go one-on-one with The Great One
just because you want to?
That's not how it happens. That ain't the real world, Glendale.
You know that and The Rock knows that. But guess what, Cody?
The world wants to go one-on-one with The Rock.
Everyone wants to go one-on-one.
And you know who else wants to go one-on-one with The Rock?
Every woman in this arena.
[women cheering]
Now, you settle down, you…
you crackhead Karens, you methhead Marys.
Because The Rock, I'll tell you this right now,
there ain't no way that you are ready for The Rock's 22 inches of heaven, baby.
No, no, no, no, no, no. Keep your mind out of the gutter.
The Rock ain't talking about his Holy Moses. No, no, no.
The Rock is talking about the 22 inch guns that are hanging from his shoulders,
that he'll wrap around Cody Rhodes. But it ain't going to be one-on-one.
No, Cody Rhodes,
you think you're tough.
You think you could go one-on-one with The Rock?
Are you an idiot? Are you an idiot right now?
You got the biggest WrestleMania match of your career
against the most dominant WWE Champion in the history of the WWE,
and you're challenging The Rock?
Well, The Rock, Roman Reigns and The Bloodline,
we saw your challenge, we heard your challenge,
we had a laugh about your challenge.
But now, The Rock is a businessman. We are businessmen.
We have a counteroffer for you.
[crowd clamoring]
Here's the counteroffer.
Shut your mouth and listen to the counteroffer.
Here's the counteroffer.
Cody, you think you're tough? You and your new best friend.
That walking clown emoji, Seth Rollins?
That walking clown show, Seth Rollins? You think you're tough?
Well, how about this?
Here's the challenge, on night one of WrestleMania…
the biggest Tag Team Match in the history of the WWE.
The biggest Tag Team Match in the history of professional wrestling.
It's gonna be Cody-Seth
against a Universal Champion and "The People's Champion" The Rock.
[crowd cheers]
But it ain't just gonna be a regular Tag Match if you accept,
because The Rock and Roman, we could easily just beat the piss out of you.
But here's what we wanna do. We're gonna give you a shot.
If you two jabronis beat The Rock and Roman Reigns on night one,
then on night two at WrestleMania,
your Championship Match, Cody Rhodes,
will be free of The Bloodline.
No Jimmy, no Solo, no Wiseman, and no Rock.
We're gone. Barred from WrestleMania.
We'll get the lawyers. We'll sign a contract.
You have The Rock's word. You have Roman's word.
If you beat us on night one, then, Cody Rhodes,
you got a shot to finish your story
one-on-one with Roman Reigns.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
But…
there's always a but.
If… Not if, but when The Rock and Roman Reigns
beat your two candy asses on night one…
then on night two for your Championship Match, Cody Rhodes,
it's Bloodline rules.
Anything goes.
The Rock might just pull up a chair next to his boy Pat McAfee,
call the match.
Maybe Jimmy is the referee.
Maybe The Wiseman takes out a foreign object.
Maybe Solo wants to sing the national anthem.
It's Bloodline rules. Or, or, or…
Or…
I know, the thought of Solo singing the national anthem is very funny.
He's got a hell of a voice.
But let The Rock finish. So sit there and shut your mouth.
Or Bloodline rules.
The Rock will take that chair he's sitting on…
[crowd chanting] Solo! Solo! Solo!
Or Bloodline rules, The Rock will take his chair he's sitting in,
and he'll find his way over to you, Cody, and he'll just bash your brains in…
and it will be legal.
So you got a lot to think about, boy.
You and your walking clown show, Seth Rollins.
You think you're tough? You think you're tough?
You think you could go two-on-two
with the greatest pairing in the history of sports and entertainment?
Is that what you think? You got a lot to think about.
You meet us next week in Dallas face-to-face,
and you give us your answer.
Because here's the thing.
You listen to this, Cody Rhodes, and you too,
you walking emoji clown show, Seth Rollins.
Here's the thing…
if you don't accept this challenge, and we're giving you an option,
if you don't accept it, then you know,
and they know, and the world knows
that The Rock will do everything in his power
to make sure you don't win that title.
And let me tell you something else, punk.
There ain't a man back there that could stop The Rock from making that happen.
You know where The Rock sits. You know The Rock sits at the board.
You know The Rock owns it all. Which means The Rock is your boss.
And there ain't a man back there that could stop The Rock.
It ain't no general manager.
It ain't no Vice President of who gives a… Triple H.
-It doesn't matter. -[crowd cheering]
And here's the thing, Cody Rhodes, if you don't accept this challenge,
here's the thing.
[crowd chanting] Triple H! Triple H! Triple H!
Like The Rock was saying, if you don't accept this challenge,
then The Rock and Roman Reigns will end your story…
tragically.
So how tough do you think you are, punks? You meet us next week in Dallas, Texas.
You meet us on SmackDown, and you give us your answers.
If you smell…
[crowd clamoring]
I need something from you.
I'll do anything for my family.
[crowd] What?
But I need this one thing.
[crowd] What?
Acknowledge me.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd roars]
Roman Reigns,
my family,
I acknowledge you…
as my Tribal Chief.
[crowd clamoring]
[crowd chants softly] You sold out!
[crowd chanting loudly] You sold out! You sold out! You sold out!
Let The Rock explain something to you idiots.
This is family…
and we will do anything for family.
Now go home and smoke some more crack.
If you smell…
What The Bloodline is cooking.
["Head of the Table" playing]
[Graves] An absolutely stunning turn of events
tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
Bad News, The Rock
just acknowledged Roman Reigns as his Tribal Chief.
[Wade] The Bloodline, completely on the same page,
singing off the same hymn sheet,
is the worst news possible for Cody Rhodes,
who must be pulling his hair out right now.
[Graves] What a colossal counteroffer issued.
Will Cody answer? We'll find out next week.
He's like, "I'm about to win. I'm about to win the Chamber."
-"I got it all." Ooh! -Where's Logan? Here he comes. Ah!
Clean, clean. Play it again. Play it again.
-Clean! -You seen AJ Styles?
-Nope. -We don't know where that hillbilly is.
Let him know I got a souvenir for him, yeah.
-Hey, you wanna watch it again? -Yeah.
It's so good. Look, "RKO, I'm gonna win."
-Yeah, yeah, yeah. -Look, he's got this tight, right?
-Here we go. Oh, look at that jaw. -[laughs]
Out cold. One more time!
[mumbling indistinctly]
-All right, here we go. -His right hand is fire.
-Ready? Here we go. -One more time.
-[both exclaim] -[Orton mock laughs]
Oh my God, that's hilarious. Do it again, do it again, do it again.
-Do it again. Let's see, let's see. -Yeah.
All right, there's the RKO on Drew.
I'm excited. Back hurts a little.
Oh my God, he knocks me clean out with the knucks, that is hilarious!
Oh my God, guys, I've never seen anything as funny as that!
Quite as funny as that. Actually, I got a great idea.
You know what I'm thinking? I'm gonna top that.
I'm gonna do something hilarious tonight! I got a great idea.
How about you or you, doesn't matter who, goes in the ring later tonight with me,
and I'm gonna literally try to rip your head off?
And it's gonna be so funny.
As a matter of fact, I'm in such a good mood tonight,
You guys get to pick who is gonna get the holy hell
beat out of 'em later tonight. Who's it gonna be?
Hey, I would love to, but Theory said he wanted to fight you before, because…
-Yeah, remember you told me. -That's it!
Theory. I'll see you later. God, I crack myself up.
-[groans] -You all right, bro?
Australia, and now this? You just throw me under the bus.
I've got you a main event with Randy Orton. That's huge for you.
[Graves] We are preparing for Women's Division action here in Glendale.
[Rome] And her opponent from Prior Lake, Minnesota,
Tiffany Stratton!
[Graves] The entire WWE Universe is still reeling
from the counteroffer issued moments ago by The Rock.
We saw The Rock acknowledge Roman Reigns as his Tribal Chief.
Now we need to shift gears into the Women's Division, Wade.
And these are two women who competed just days ago
inside of the grueling Elimination Chamber.
[Wade] Yeah, and what a performance it was from both women.
But hats off to Tiffany Stratton,
who actually eliminated Naomi in that match
in her debut in the Elimination Chamber.
What a performance, what an effort from her.
[Graves] Tiffany Stratton seems to be becoming something of a fan favorite
amongst the WWE Universe,
while simultaneously one of the most disliked Superstars in the locker room.
[Wade] Well, no doubt about it.
Tiffany Stratton has a grating personality.
Even she wouldn't deny that. But the fact is she has genetic gifts
like we have never seen before in this industry.
[Graves] Case in point, and in my personal opinion,
a 79 in WWE 2K24.
I think that's a little low for Tiffany,
and I think she's gonna be upset about that.
[Wade] That is appalling. I promise you, next year's game,
that rating will be a lot, lot higher.
We're gonna be close to 90 in 12 months.
[Graves] Naomi flexing her own athletic ability.
Got a bit of a stalemate here.
Naomi the veteran with the experience advantage over Stratton.
I'd have to give the nod in the power department to Tiffany Stratton.
[Wade] Tiffany Stratton incredibly well rounded,
has the attitude to back it up.
But what a scalp it would be to claim
if she can put away former Women's Champion Naomi tonight.
[Graves] Naomi still looking for that landmark type victories
to hang her hat on since returning here to Friday Night SmackDown.
Tiffany Stratton posing a massive threat to that tonight.
[Wade] That's part of the issue.
You spend a couple of years away from WWE,
and now you feel like you've got to make up for lost time.
[Graves] Cover here by Naomi. Hook of the leg.
[Wade] Especially in WrestleMania season
when the whole roster is scrambling to get noticed.
[Graves] And why is WrestleMania season of the utmost importance
to an active Superstar on the roster?
[Wade] Well, not least because it is the single biggest pay day of the year.
You've got to be smart in this game.
It's generally a short career, and you've got to save your retirement.
-And there's plenty more reasons. -[Graves] Whoa, wow.
Look at that Facebuster by Naomi, into the cover.
-Stratton in trouble! -One, two…
And Tiffy survives.
Stratton rolls to the outside, and this match continues in a moment.
[Graves] Here comes Tiffany Stratton,
flexing her aforementioned athleticism at the expense of Naomi.
-Things looking bleak for Naomi. -[screams]
[Wade] Yeah, what a showcase it has been.
Oh, we're about to say toodles.
[Graves] Cover by Stratton.
And Naomi keeps this one alive.
[Wade] This is the kind of athleticism that took Tiffany Stratton
all the way to Team USA gymnastics.
But, man, there is some real sting on these moves too.
It ain't just pretty.
[Graves] Vicious double stomp applied, but Naomi still with plenty of fight left.
[Wade] As we've seen before from Naomi, she is built…
-[Graves] Oh my God! -…double tough.
-Can keep bouncing back. -[Graves] Tiffany's out.
Naomi into the cover. This one's got to be over.
[Wade] Yeah, and now you're starting to see some of the issues
with Tiffany's relative lack of experience.
When someone like Naomi comes along, who has this broad scope of offense
that Tiffany simply hasn't come across before can be problematic.
[Graves] Look at these women exchanging rights.
Naomi getting the best of this exchange.
I'm starting to believe Tiffany Stratton's skull must be made out of concrete
after being able to stand up after that piledriver on the apron.
-[Wade] Replying with that spinebuster. -[Graves] Cover!
[Graves] Naomi again survives.
[Wade] Yeah. Now we're learning a lot about the depth
of the playbook of Tiffany Stratton as she is being tested by Naomi.
[Graves] We are sold out tonight at the Desert Diamond Arena
in Glendale, Arizona.
15,129 members of the WWE Universe on hand
watching Tiffany Stratton versus Naomi unfold.
[Wade] Both women hurting in a bad way at this point,
digging deep, remembering it is WrestleMania season.
The time to catch the eye of management.
Get yourself on that card that is rapidly starting to fill up.
Now right in the drop zone. But Tiffy simply too quick for Naomi.
[Graves] Smart strategy, but I don't know if Tiffany's safe just yet.
Oh! Stratton went to the eyes, raking at the eyes of Naomi.
Our official did not see it happen, and Stratton taking advantage.
[Wade] Incredibly smart move there by Tiffany Stratton,
right in the drop zone is Naomi.
[Graves] Boom! The Prettiest Moonsault Ever.
[bell rings]
[Rome] Here is your winner, Tiffany Stratton!
[Wade] What a perfect example of Tiffany Stratton's ability
to sniff victory and capitalize.
She is cutthroat. She is dangerous. She is damn good.
[Graves] Well, Tiffany Stratton appears to be poised
to dominate the SmackDown landscape,
the same landscape that until recently has been dominated by Damage CTRL.
But as we've recently learned, once gold becomes involved,
nothing lasts forever.
Let's take a look at our Progressive Match Flo.
[announcer] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
[Bayley] I've been having a tough time trying to put the words together.
There is a big part of me that doesn't even wanna believe it happened at all.
[Graves] Winner of the Women's Royal Rumble Match, Bayley,
with a WrestleMania decision to make.
Sometimes it comes down to what's in your heart…
Bayley's done tonight.
[Bayley] …and proving people wrong.
-[speaking in Japanese] -[crowd gasps]
I picked that up from all the times
you guys talked about me behind my back.
All I wanted was for Damage CTRL to be the best.
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.
Bayley's got a pipe!
[crowd cheers]
Iyo, I'll see you at WrestleMania.
Bayley, I didn't know about all this going down.
Cut the crap, Dakota.
I always believed in what you created.
And I always believed in Damage CTRL.
[Wade] This is a sight that should strike fear into the heart of Bayley.
[Graves] Look at this, Dakota Kai wielding a steel chair.
[Wade] Protector in chief of Bayley.
[speaking in Japanese]
[groaning] Why?
It was Damage CTRL, right? They jumped me in the locker room.
-This is because of me. -It's not your fault.
I've got your back.
We are gonna make them pay.
["Warriors" playing]
[Graves] In a matter of moments,
the Women's Tag Team Titles will be on the line.
The champions have arrived.
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is a Tag Team Match
scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring
by the WWE Women's Champion, Iyo Sky.
They are the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Asuka and Kairi Sane,
The Kabuki Warriors!
[Graves] Kabuki Warriors face off against two women
they betrayed from Damage CTRL.
Bayley and Dakota Kai, next.
["Role Model" playing]
[Graves] We are back on Friday Night SmackDown,
and here comes The Role Model.
[Rome] And their opponents,
the team of Dakota Kai
and the winner of the 2024 Women's Royal Rumble,
Bayley!
[Graves] Tonight's Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
is sponsored by Progressive.
And, Wade, you could see the motivation on the faces,
the purpose in the steps of Bayley and Dakota Kai
who have been betrayed by The Kabuki Warriors and Iyo Sky.
[Wade] Yeah, and I'm not surprised at all at the rage and anger
in the eyes of Bayley and Dakota Kai.
Bayley personally took this unit to the very top,
the gold on their shoulders and on the waist of The Kabuki Warriors
and Iyo Sky is all thanks to the managerial abilities of Bayley.
Bayley served a purpose. These ladies then threw her to the wolves.
[Graves] Bayley led Iyo Sky to the top of the mountain,
and Bayley will have the opportunity at WrestleMania
to knock The Genius off.
-Here comes The Kabuki Warriors. -[bell rings]
Now, Wade, how important is it if you're Bayley and Dakota Kai
to manage your emotions in an environment like this?
[Wade] Well, they'd already lost their emotions from the word go.
The problem is, you lose your emotions, you lose your strategy.
You lose a strategy, you lose the match.
And that is where we are heading now for Bayley
[Graves] Bayley in trouble in the early goings of this one,
much to the delight of WWE Women's Champion Iyo Sky,
whom Bayley will challenge at WrestleMania.
Right now, The Empress of Tomorrow bringing the fight… Bayley.
[Wade] Bayley is fighting for her life in there right now, Corey.
And to me, it simply makes no sense that The Kabuki Warriors
and Iyo Sky turned on Bayley.
There's been no reason for it, and it's ill-deserved.
Every sympathy in the world for Bayley.
[Graves] I actually for once agree with you,
but keep your eyes on Kairi Sane from behind.
Sending Bayley crashing all the way to the canvas.
[Wade] Well, they got these quirky personalities, The Kabuki Warriors,
but the truth is, it is simply a facade.
They are dangerous individuals,
and, man, doesn't Bayley know all about that.
[crowd chanting] Bayley! Bayley! Bayley!
[Graves] Bayley able to stop the kick attempts of Asuka for the moment.
Nice take down.
Bayley now outnumbered on the outside of the ring.
You can see just a momentary acknowledgment
from Bayley toward Iyo.
And Asuka wisely stopping Bayley from making the tag.
[Wade] Here's the issue. Bayley really needed to make the tag
when she had the option with Dakota Kai in the corner. Here we go.
[Graves] Oh, and Dakota sent crashing to the outside now.
[Wade] That counted as a legal tag, apparently, by the referee.
It was more of a head-to-head.
[Asuka screams]
[Graves] The Empress of Tomorrow now toying
with the former leader of Damage CTRL.
[Wade] Dakota Kai still down on the outside.
Just returned after that horrible knee injury
she suffered nine months ago.
Might not even get tagged in in this one.
[Graves] Look at this, fantastic teamwork by The Kabuki Warriors.
The champions… meeting in the middle.
-Kairi into the cover. -One, two…
Nonchalant cover. Not enough to keep Bayley down for three.
[Wade] There's simply been one-way traffic from the get-go in this one, Corey,
and it simply is not letting up.
Kairi Sane smells blood.
[Graves] Certainly appears as though…
Kairi looks to finish the job that Damage CTRL began last week
at the expense of Dakota Kai, and of course, Bayley.
[Wade] These women are vicious.
There's a reason why they are Tag Team Champions.
Bayley has bought herself an opportunity, however.
[Graves] Bayley, clever way to get to the outside.
Connects with a strike to the jaw of Asuka.
One to Kairi as well.
The Role Model able to evade for the moment.
Bayley desperately still needs to make a tag
as Dakota Kai beginning to stir in the corner.
[Wade] Just in the nick of time, Dakota Kai is back,
revving up that engine and raring to go.
[Graves] Asuka desperately hanging on to the ankle of Bayley.
Bayley's got daylight.
What the hell?
[crowd clamoring]
[Wade] The fix is in, Corey.
[crowd boos]
A treacherous betrayal from Dakota Kai!
[Graves] Bayley, trying her best to fight off both Kabuki Warriors.
And Bayley is going for Kai!
Bayley throwing hands at Dakota Kai.
[Wade] She's in a fight for survival, that's why.
Swing at everything that moves.
The numbers game, simply too strong.
[Graves] Yet again, Bayley overwhelmed…
by The Kabuki Warriors.
[Wade] Well, it's been months of deceit inside Damage CTRL,
and it's coming to a head before our eyes.
[crowd chants] Bayley! Bayley! Bayley!
[Graves] Dakota Kai…
Now Iyo Sky taking out her WrestleMania challenger.
This is sick.
-After everything Bayley's done. -This is my title!
[Wade] Bayley surrounded by four snakes in the grass.
[crowd boos]
[Graves] The fourth and final dagger tonight.
Courtesy of Dakota Kai.
["Still The Baddest" playing]
[Wade] Talking about snakes in the grass.
Austin Theory was thrown under the bus earlier tonight by Grayson Waller.
Now young Austin faces an angry Viper.
It is confirmed, it's our main event,
and it's coming up later tonight on SmackDown.
[Graves] And last week, right here on Friday Night SmackDown,
Bron Breakker was unleashed on SmackDown.
Tonight, the badass is back in action.
Bron Breakker live next on Friday Night SmackDown.
[dramatic music playing]
["Nobody Better Than Me" plays]
[Graves] Tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
♪ I say I'm the best 'Cause ain't nobody got me ♪
♪ Running through the crowd Like there ain't nobody ♪
♪ Who better than me? ♪
♪ Besting opponents Flexing and focused… ♪
[indistinct conversation]
[crowd cheers]
Excuse me, ladies. I'll deal with you later on.
Jade, right now. Let's go.
I'll be right there.
[Wade] Well, Nick Aldis did the magic with this man walking out here
and signing him to SmackDown.
Fingers crossed, he can do the same with Jade Cargill.
["Breakk And Destroy" playing]
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring from Atlanta, Georgia,
weighing in at 250 pounds,
Bron Breakker!
[Graves] Quite simply put, Bad News, Bron Breakker is intensity personified.
You wanna talk about a white knuckle competitor?
Look no further than this genetic freak.
Well, Bron, not this other genetic freak.
Xyon Quinn, who has made some waves in NXT.
And if you're Xyon Quinn, what are you looking to do tonight?
What are you looking to accomplish against a stud like Bron Breakker?
[Wade] To me, Xyon Quinn is someone who's bounced around NXT, Raw,
and SmackDown last few years.
Prototypically, he has everything to make himself a major star in this game.
And if you wanna make it happen, Xyon Quinn,
disrupting this man, Bron Breakker, is the fastest way you can do it.
-Easier said than… Oh! -[Graves] Oh!
[Graves] Right out of the gate with a spear.
One, two, three!
-And that's it! -[bell rings]
["Breakk And Destroy" playing]
-[Wade exclaims] -[Rome] Here is your winner,
Bron Breakker!
[Graves] My God!
Hey, Wade, what do you say we watch the entire match over again?
[Wade] Do we have enough time? Hell yeah, we do. Boom!
It's over! Already!
250 pounds of walking gelignite.
Simply do not strike a match when Bron Breakker is in town.
I'll tell you this, Corey Graves.
It's now two weeks into the run of Bron Breakker here on SmackDown.
I'm already beginning to question who on earth will be able to stop him.
One spear, one win.
Bright future, no doubt for Bron Breakker. But I wanna change gears again.
We saw a few moments ago the disintegration of Damage CTRL,
a faction that once ran roughshod over Friday Night SmackDown.
They aren't the only faction that's been divided in recent times
on their quest for greatness.
[Escobar] I look around this table, and my heart is filled with joy.
Familia. An unbreakable bond.
Angel, Humberto,
and of course, La Madrina.
We have been entrusted to carry the legacy,
the mantle of lucha libre itself.
That is why we must eradicate Rey Mysterio's LWO.
[Elektra] Rey Mysterio is gone.
He's left a crippled, broken old man.
And Santos is The Emperor of Lucha Libre.
Santos, you made a very big mistake.
Carlito has a message for you, Escobar.
I'm gonna show you that your actions have consequences.
[Graves] Carlito coming to the aid of the LWO.
Don't take this lightly, good for nothing Carlito.
[Graves] There is no shortage of bad blood.
-Santos-Carlito… -[Wade] …in a street fight.
♪ Do you know what cool is? ♪
[Graves] Buckle up, Bad News. We are in for a wild one.
It's street fight time.
[Wade] My favorite…
-to watch, not to participate in. -[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is a street fight!
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring
by Joaquin Wilde, Cruz Del Toro, and Zelina Vega,
representing the LWO…
Carlito!
[Graves] It may seem as though Carlito is a Superstar
who might be a little out of place in a street fight environment.
Trust me, that is not the case.
Carlito grew up on the island where hardcore became famous,
and Carlito defends the LWO
against Santos Escobar in a street fight, next.
["Bad Apple" playing]
[Graves] WrestleMania XL is sponsored by Snickers.
A special welcome back to Snickers,
returning for their ninth consecutive WrestleMania.
Snickers satisfies.
And by 2K24.
Relive 40 years of WrestleMania,
and experience new match types, new career stories,
and an iconic roster of WWE Superstars and Legends.
Finish your story on March 8th.
Or with early access on March 5th.
Pre-order today. Bad News, I know you got it pre-ordered.
How excited are you for the street fight that's about to go down?
[Wade] I feel like we're a little too close for comfort.
We might have to be nimble on our feet, run away if things get close to us
because there are no holds barred
and nothing is out of bounds in street fight rules.
["Soul March" playing]
[Rome] And his opponent, accompanied by Angel,
Humberto, and Elektra Lopez,
representing Legado Del Fantasma…
Santos Escobar!
[Graves] Of course, street fight rules dictate that there is no disqualification,
there are no countouts. The only way to win,
by pinning your opponent or forcing them to submit.
Santos Escobar, I spoke to earlier today, Wade,
and he told me he was looking forward to tonight
to finally exterminating the rest of the LWO.
In Santos's opinion, Carlito is the last piece to fall.
[Wade] Yeah, there's been a real power struggle in the world of lucha libre.
There are philosophical differences between Legado Del Fantasma and the LWO
about how lucha libre should be represented going forward.
Who are the owners of the the history of 100 years of lucha tradition?
Well, we're going to get there tonight.
[Graves] Wasting no time coming out of the gates.
Fists are flying. We mentioned it before the break.
Carlito, of course, the son of WWE Hall of Famer, Carlos Colón,
who helped popularize the hardcore style.
Carlito grew up quite literally in the same locker rooms and arenas
as Abdullah the Butcher, Bruiser Brody,
some of the greatest brawlers in the history of this industry.
So Santos had better done his homework.
[Wade] I'll tell you right now, if you come up the tough way
in the ranks of Puerto Rican wrestling,
you better be damn tough.
-[crowd chanting] -[Graves] Make no mistake about it,
Santos never a Superstar afraid to bend the rules…
And Santos now might wanna create a little separation
because Carlito doing a little shopping under the ring.
[Wade] Straight for the hardware. Let's not forget,
Carlito made his triumphant return to WWE
last year in Puerto Rico at Backlash
during Bad Bunny and Damian Priest's street fight.
Proved pivotal in that match,
although things are turning around in a hurry here.
[Graves] Yeah, all our official Jessika Carr able to do in this instance
is watch on and be prepared to count a fall or call a submission.
Escobar spine first into the steel stairs.
[Wade] Well, I'll tell you right now, Corey, this kind of matchup,
these are so dangerous, can shorten careers.
There has to be a real level of anger, bitterness, and hatred
-to agree to this. -[crowd chanting] We want apples!
[Graves] Carlito yet again seeing what it is hiding under the…
What on earth is Carlito looking for?
[chuckles] Oh baby, a Kendo stick.
Why do they always have those under the ring, Wade?
[Graves chuckles]
Oh, look out!
Escobar taking out Carlito.
The street fight continues on SmackDown.
[cackles]
[Graves] Carlito in all types of jeopardy at the moment.
This is a street fight.
No countouts, no disqualification,
and this could be the end of the LWO.
[Wade] Escobar throwing industrial levels of pain towards Carlito.
-This might be it. -[Graves] Cover here, shoulders down…
And Carlito keeps this one alive.
[Wade] "The Emperor of Lucha Libre" Santos Escobar
seems to be enjoying himself a little too much in this environment.
Now he has the upper hand at least.
[Graves] 2K24 rating of 78.
I'd have to say that's a little low for an emperor, no?
[Wade] Scandalous. If I work at 2K, I would stay well clear of Santos Escobar.
He can't be happy with that.
[Graves] Santos, full head of steam. Here he comes.
Oh, ho-ho!
Face first into a steel chair, courtesy of Carlito.
[Wade] That is some veteran smarts from Carlito, lying in wait,
ready to pounce just when The Emperor of Lucha Libre
drops his guard.
[Graves] Nothing cool about the way Carlito is feeling right now.
You see the heavily taped left elbow of Carlito.
That was an injury caused months back by Santos Escobar himself.
[Wade] Nobody steals an apple from Carlito and gets away with it.
-[Graves] That was clever. -[Wade] Well, smart again.
-Veteran instincts, simply a step-- -[Graves] Uh-oh!
We're not far from the Cactus League.
Maybe Carlito looking to pick up a spring training game or two.
My God!
[Wade] I mean, your eardrums must be burst after that.
[Graves] Hammering Santos Escobar like a railroad spike.
And this has got to feel good for Carlito and all of the LWO watching on.
Catharsis, if you will.
And that's gonna do it. Good night, Santos.
[Wade] Right onto that steel chair.
One, two…
[Graves] Wow!
[Wade] Well, the body of Santos Escobar must feel like jelly right now,
but somehow has the instincts,
has the desire to keep ticking over.
[Graves] Well, as much as Escobar is able to take,
Carlito all too happy to continue dishing out.
[Wade] What a war of attrition this has been.
You get the sense…
[crowd chanting] Table! Table! Table!
[Wade] Carlito gets the memo.
And he's going in for the kill.
[Graves] A step-up knee rocks the jaw of Carlito.
And I think Carlito may have taken a little too much time
trying to set up the table to appease the WWE fans here in Glendale.
[Wade] That is the durability of Santos Escobar.
We've seen it for years in NXT, and now here on SmackDown.
Carlito back in a world of hurt.
[Graves] Escobar, an absolutely ruthless competitor.
Climbing to the top turnbuckle.
[crowd boos]
Escobar, savoring the moment.
Just a moment too long.
[Wade] Sheer agony, and now ripe for the pickings.
[Graves] Oh no.
Angel and Humberto of Legado Del Fantasma.
We thought…
We had hoped it was gonna be a one-on-one affair.
And this is all perfectly legal under street fight rules.
[Wade] Absolutely, nothing the referee can do
to prevent this mugging.
[Graves] Oh my goodness. Escobar wanted to end the LWO.
And may have done exactly that.
Oh my!
[Wade] Kicking out there may not have been a smart move for Carlito
looking at who he is surrounded by.
[Graves] Carlito the type that he will fight
until he simply cannot fight anymore.
And I think Escobar…
is intent on pushing Carlito to his limit.
-Uh-oh! -[Wade speaks indistinctly]
[Wade] But LWO got backup.
[Graves] Cruz Del Toro, Joaquin Wilde evening the numbers in this street fight.
[Wade] Not a moment too soon for Carlito,
and the LWO's fortunes…
[Graves] It is mayhem on the outside.
The LWO and Legado Del Fantasma clashing yet again.
[Wade] It would appear Legado are simply too strong tonight.
["Booyaka 619" by P.O.D. playing]
[crowd cheers]
[Graves] The Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio is back,
but obviously still not medically cleared
after suffering an injury at the hands…
of Santos Escobar.
[Wade] I got all the admiration in the world for the guts of Rey Mysterio.
-But you're down here on a busted wheel. -[Graves] Wait, wait. No.
[Graves] Angel and Humberto… Wait a minute!
Mysterio with a crutch!
The Hall of Famer teeing off on Legado Del Fantasma.
Rey Mysterio is back!
[Wade] Well, that knee injury caused by Santos Escobar
back in November…
maybe about to come back and haunt him.
[crowd cheers]
Come here!
Right here! Come here! Right here!
I gave you a way out!
And what did you do?
You come back? You sure you want this?
Are you sure you want this? Huh?
[Graves] Escobar beside himself, understandably so.
Carlito with the apple mist.
Backstabber!
[crowd cheers]
LWO drops Angel and Humberto.
Del Toro Cruz… Del Toro and Wilde are gonna fly.
[Wade] Things have gone sideways in a hurry for Legado!
[Graves] 619!
[crowd] One! Two! Three!
[bell rings]
[Graves] The LWO gets the win.
[Rome] Here's your winner, Carlito!
[Graves] It was absolute madness, mayhem, and chaos.
What a street fight.
But tonight belongs to the LWO
with a massive assist
from the Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio.
[crowd cheers]
[Wade] Wow. Well, after being wronged by Logan Paul at the Elimination Chamber,
Randy Orton is coiled and ready to strike.
Austin Theory is in dangerous territory.
He looks to defend The Viper as they go one-on-one in our main event.
Next.
[Wade] While The Final Testament
have been crushing everything in their path lately,
not least, of course,
injuring Bobby Lashley here on SmackDown last week.
Well, next week, Lashley gets a chance for revenge
as he goes one-on-one with Karrion Kross right here on SmackDown.
[Graves] Next week, our United States Champion had better tread carefully
because there is an angry Viper in search of this man.
Logan Paul returns to Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
next week.
So, Pete and I have been talking.
Nick. I just wanna say, we came so close.
So close to beating The Judgment Day in Perth,
and taking those Tag Team Titles.
Listen, you saw we had them beat.
And if it weren't for that muppet Dom,
we'd have the Tag Titles on SmackDown right now.
Exactly. Listen, we'll do whatever it takes for New Catch Republic
to earn a shot for those Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania XL.
Oh, well, WrestleMania. Listen, fellas, I appreciate your passion.
And look, I saw what happened. Yeah, I'm with you.
But WrestleMania, I mean, that's a tall order,
but what I can tell you right now is that Adam Pearce and I have been talking…
and we've been talking about the Tag Title specifically,
and we're gonna have an announcement that we can share soon.
Sorry. Excuse me, guys.
-[man] I got something for you. -[clattering]
Got you a gift.
Where are we going? Whoa! What are you doing?
What am I doing? You know damn well and good what I'm doing.
I'm looking for AJ. And if there's anybody who knows,
it's you that would know. Where is he?
-I do know where he is. And I know you. -Yeah.
And I saw what happened at Elimination Chamber.
And I'm sorry to tell you, I told AJ not to be here tonight.
If you know me like you say you do,
you don't wanna get in front of this train.
Because here's the thing. AJ Styles found it
fitting in his head to fly across the damn world
to screw me at Elimination Chamber,
to make sure that I didn't come into WrestleMania
for the World Heavyweight Championship.
And he's probably feeling really good right now.
He's probably feeling a little bit drunk on that power.
Well, guess what? The hangover is coming.
So whether you want to invite him here, tell him to stay home,
I'll go find him at home if I have to.
At some point or another. I brought him a souvenir.
I'm gonna make sure he gets it. Custom fitting for a hat.
Yeah, and there ain't a thing you can do about it.
Ain't a thing he can do about it, ain't a thing anybody can do about it.
-Oh yeah? -Yeah.
[crowd yells] Yeah!
[Graves] Certainly sounds like AJ Styles is a marked man,
courtesy of LA Knight.
["Fight" by CFO$ playing]
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome special guest commentator for this match,
Kevin Owens!
[Graves] KO is here.
And how apropos, Wade,
because we have reached the point in the night
where there is one match to go,
sponsored by Credit One Bank.
What a matchup it is.
KO gonna join us on commentary to offer a little expert insight.
After all, when it comes to Randy Orton and Logan Paul,
there aren't many Superstars who know them as well
as The Prizefighter, Wade.
[Wade] Well, KO, a big friend of the desk,
and any night that KO shows up is even better.
[Owens] Did you hear what he said? Special. Yes. I'm special.
-My mom always told me I was special. -[Graves chuckles]
[Graves] KO is special.
Randy Orton preparing to go one-on-one with Austin Theory
in our main event live, next.
[dramatic music playing]
[Graves] It is main event time here
from a sold-out Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
With the arrival of "The 150-Million Hit Man" Austin Theory,
who, Wade, has recovered nicely
since having his skull stomped into oblivion at Elimination Chamber.
[Wade] Yeah, but here's what upsets me.
Grayson Waller threw Austin Theory under the bus earlier tonight,
in what was perhaps the biggest screwjob
since the Glasgow Willy Wonka Experience, Corey.
[Graves] That was a bad one. [chuckles]
Tonight's Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle home, auto, or motorcycle insurance.
And we are joined at ringside
by none other than The Prizefighter, Mr. Kevin Owens.
-KO, welcome. -Thank you.
You know, I save on my insurance with Progressive.
I bundle everything. It's working out awesome, actually.
How are you guys? Thank you.
[Graves] Well, Kevin, these are two Superstars you're extremely familiar with.
Obviously, "The 150-Million Hit Man" Austin Theory and his pal, Grayson Waller,
who are well acquainted with your right hand.
[Owens] Two absolute idiots. They don't bundle anything.
Look at them. They're paying separately for everything.
You're an idiot, Waller. Don't wave at me.
[Wade] Listen, KO, you're a gentleman.
-You're a friend of the desk. -[Owens] Thank you.
[Wade] Can I ask you once again? You're a prizefighter.
Are you gonna promise to keep those dangerous fists to yourself tonight?
[Owens] Uh, well, you hear who's coming out right now?
That's Randy Orton. I think he's gonna be just fine.
[Wade] Got it.
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring from St. Louis, Missouri,
weighing in at 275 pounds,
"The Viper"
Randy Orton!
[Graves] As The Viper makes his entrance to the ring tonight,
it is in stark contrast to the mood
that Randy Orton was in when we last saw him
this past Saturday inside the Elimination Chamber.
[Cole exclaims]
[referee]
[Cole]
[Graves] Logan Paul, The Social Media Megastar,
The Maverick, duping the Viper,
and costing Randy Orton a potential trip to WrestleMania.
[Wade] I'll tell you this right now, there is never, ever a good time
to step in the ring with "The Viper" Randy Orton,
but there is a particularly bad time to do so.
And that is when Randy Orton has been wronged,
and he's ready to lash out.
And that is the unfortunate position Austin Theory finds himself in tonight.
[Graves] KO, you're a Superstar who's been in the ring
with both Theory and Randy Orton.
What does Austin Theory need to do tonight
if he wants to stand a chance of toppling The Viper?
[Owens] I mean, he's got to come at Randy with everything he's got.
You know, speaking of the Chamber, I was in that match,
and not a whole lot intimidates me.
But Randy Orton getting inside that Chamber,
and realizing that, "Oh, I'm probably gonna have to be
in this match with Randy Orton at one point."
That was intimidating. So Theory's got his work cut out for him.
[Wade] Last week, KO, you did mention on commentary the fact
-that you like Randy Orton… -[Owens] I do.
[Wade] Do you consider him in some ways a friend?
As much as anyone can be a friend with a Viper like Randy Orton?
He did, of course, unfortunately eliminate you
in the Elimination Chamber, any…
-[Owens] That's the thing about Viper. -[Wade] …resentment?
You know? No, I mean, I can't resent it. Obviously, we're all trying to win.
He eliminated me. What can I do?
But, uh, you know, he and I, at this point,
probably have a common enemy in Logan Paul.
But we'll talk about that at some other point.
[Graves] Well, let me ask you the other side of the coin, KO.
If you're Randy Orton, what do you need to be aware of
when it comes to Austin Theory,
who may not be a popular Superstar, but is very talented?
[Owens] Absolutely, very talented.
But obviously that idiot standing about three feet from you, Grayson Waller,
is something that Randy's got to keep in mind, you know.
-[crowd] One, two, three… -[Graves] Right now The Viper
raining down right hands on Austin Theory.
[Owens] …seven, eight, neuf…
That's French.
-Oh! Uh… Oh! -[Wade] We didn't get dix.
[Owens] No, but you did, that was a European uppercut.
Probably heard me say nine in French.
Then, this European… Europe on the brain.
[Graves] This is a multicultural beatdown.
Big right hand by The Viper.
[excited crosstalk]
Oh, slam him on the desk. Slam him on the…
Yeah, yeah, please. I am begging you.
Here we go.
-Hey, hey! -[Graves] Oh, The Aussie Icon.
[Owens] How can you rob us?
-[Graves] Grayson Waller… -[Owens] Randy!
[Graves] …preventing certain disaster for Theory.
And Orton being launched into the ring post.
-Don't you dare. -[Graves] Oh my!
-[Wade] Oh… -[Graves] No!
[Wade] Well, our guest commentator KO called it.
Grayson Waller pivotal in turning this matchup around.
[crowd boos]
Can Randy Orton get back on top as this match continues?
Randy, you okay? He's just an idiot.
[Graves] It is main event time here on Friday Night SmackDown.
Randy Orton one-on-one with Austin Theory,
and The Viper has been in a bad, bad mood ever since Elimination Chamber
where Orton was KO'd by Logan Paul, pun heavily intended.
[Owens] I know, I… Great, great call.
Absolutely despicable by Austin Theory earlier.
All our monitors are gone. We have this giant thing now.
It's just terrible. Here we go. Randy's going to get payback, though.
[Wade] Well, Orton had been in a bad way in this matchup
since the intervention by Grayson Waller on the outside.
Finally showing a bit of life in here, trying to get back on top.
[Owens] Randy's back is constantly a concern for him at this point,
but… Oh, headbutt.
[Graves] We saw the state that Randy appeared to be in
at Elimination Chamber, suffering through intense agony.
[Wade] Whoa, whoa, whoa!
[commentators exclaiming]
-[Graves] Whoa! -[Owens] Did you see that?
-[Graves] Talk about a pivot in mid air. -[Owens] Unbelievable. Yeah.
[Graves] It seemed as though Austin Theory
was trying to counter into maybe a Blockbuster.
Orton was able to put the brakes on, and still deliver a suplex.
That is next level skill from one of the greatest to ever do it.
[Wade] I was concerned when Orton was going for that superplex.
We know the issues he has with his lower back.
-It's proved an issue in the past. -[Owens] And you know what happens?
Here's a thing that people don't realize at home.
-Those ropes get very slippery. -[Graves] Certainly throughout the night.
[Owens] Austin Theory comes out here oiled up to the gills.
Probably should be illegal, actually.
I think what happened is Randy slipped, and Theory tried to take advantage.
But it's Randy Orton. That doesn't happen.
[Graves] The Viper ripping control of this matchup away from Theory.
-[Owens] Oh! -[Graves] Theory sent crashing.
[Owens] Come back and do it.
[Wade] Now Randy Orton's got that look in his eye.
[Owens] I'll move my water bottle. But do it.
-Yes. Oui! Yeah! -[Graves] Turnabout is fair play.
[Graves] Let's save this monitor, shall we, guys?
[Owens] Yes!
[Graves] Spine first across the desk,
courtesy of The Viper.
[Owens] That was fun. Oh, do it to him, too!
Yes, a double!
Oh! Did you see him bounce?
-[Graves] Waller bounced… -Did you see him bounce?
[Owens laughs]
Yeah, how about that?
-[Graves] Randy Orton… -I'm gonna untie his shoe.
I untied his shoe.
[Graves] …of The Aussie Icon.
Meanwhile in the ring, Theory's caught yet again.
-[crowd cheers] -Listen to this place!
[Owens] That's it. Oh, here we go.
[Graves] Vintage Orton.
[Wade] The man who has defined an entire era in WWE,
looking back to his best.
[Owens] I don't think I've ever been at this table
when people get slammed on it, this is fun.
[crowd chanting] RKO!
[Wade] Normally doesn't stay standing, I've got to tell you.
-[Owens] Incredible. -[Wade] I'm surprised.
[crowd cheers]
-[Owens] Here we go. -[Graves] Arizona letting Randy know
what they want. The three most destructive letters…
-[Owens] Oh! -…in WWE.
[Graves] Stopped by Theory.
[Wade] Don't write off Theory that easily. Not just a pretty face.
This man's got a dog in him.
[Graves] Oh! Great. I believe that's a Blockbuster.
Scrambling for the cover, hook of the leg.
Theory going to the pay window.
[Owens] Wow. Hey, Randy has had a lot of shoulder issues
over the years too, so targeting that's pretty smart.
[Graves] And, Kevin, I think even you would agree…
As abrasive as Austin Theory tends to be,
this deep in a matchup, Theory proves why he's a main event player.
[Owens] Yeah, that Blockbuster is no joke.
[Wade] Austin Theory could be running WWE for the next 20 years.
-He really is that good. -[Owens] Let's not get crazy.
[Graves] Well, The Viper about to take a trip.
A-Town Down… Theory went to the throat. And a chop block.
[Owens] Just picking Randy apart.
[Wade] Just so well-versed in various offense for such a young man.
Looks to put away The Viper now.
-[Owens] It's not time to pose, gotta say. -[Graves] Oh! That may do it.
Lights out. Randy, hook of the leg.
And Orton fights through.
[Wade] Let's not forget, it was just under 12 months ago at WrestleMania
that Austin Theory put away John Cena of all people.
[Owens] Great point, but you think that added to the arrogance
that we just saw because
that whole display before hitting Randy with that forearm
might have cost him a pretty incredible victory against Randy Orton here.
[Graves] It's tough to disagree with that assessment, KO.
[Wade] Still… still in complete control, however, Corey.
[Graves] Looking for a little insult and injury.
Orton dumps Theory to the outside.
Theory able to hang The Viper across the top rope.
[Owens] Don't talk to me.
[commentators excitedly exclaim]
-[Graves] RKO… -[Owens] That was amazing.
…from outta nowhere.
[crowd] One! Two! Three!
-[Owens] That was unreal. -[bell rings]
I got lightheaded from it, it was so good.
-Wow! Hell yeah. -[Rome] Here is your winner,
-The Viper, Randy… -[Owens] Unbelievable.
[Owens] Oh! No, no, no…
[Wade] Short-lived celebration.
And KO's in to even the odds.
[Graves] Owens not gonna stand for it. Evening the odds.
Throwing hands at Grayson Waller.
[Wade] We asked KO not to throw hands.
He did at least wait until the match was over.
But neutralized in his attempt
by Theory and Waller.
[Graves] Owens living up to the moniker of "Fight, Owens, Fight."
Stunner to Theory.
Waller able to shrug off the Stunner.
RKO!
[crowd cheers]
♪ I hear voices in my head ♪
♪ They counsel me, they understand ♪
♪ They talk to me ♪
[Graves] Bound by a common enemy.
A show of mutual respect. And, Wade, let's relive these.
[Wade] Well, this was a perfect effort from Austin Theory.
But lying in wait was one of the greatest of all time
in Randy Orton, with a picture-perfect RKO.
[Graves] And Waller was able to escape the Stunner.
But no such luck as pertains to the RKO.
The Viper and The Prizefighter standing tall.
Logan Paul will be in the house next week,
and The Rock acknowledged Roman Reigns.
What a night on Friday Night SmackDown. k,