[Triple H] Then.
[WWE signature theme playing]
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] And now Reigns setting up Cody Rhodes.
Cody caught him!
Cross Rhodes!
Come on, Cody!
This is Rhodes' moment!
[crowd] One, two, three!
-[crowd cheers] -[bell rings]
[Cole] Finished the story!
[crowd cheers]
[announcer] Here is your winner,
and the new
Undisputed WWE Champion,
"The American Nightmare"
Cody Rhodes!
[fireworks booming]
[def rebel's "Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
[Graves] Just days ago at WrestleMania,
history was made, destinies were realized,
champions were crowned, an empire was toppled,
and a story was finished.
But we are just getting started.
Welcome to a new era.
Welcome to Friday Night SmackDown.
And from a sold-out Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan,
tonight's Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
is sponsored by Progressive, a triple threat of protection
with home, auto and more.
[Downstait's "Kingdom" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[fireworks booming]
[crowd cheers]
♪ Every fight out of control ♪
-[crowd singing along] -♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
♪ Crowd is here, about to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
[crowd] ♪ Whoa! ♪
[fireworks booming]
[Downstait's "Kingdom" continuing]
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome the new
Undisputed WWE Champion,
"The American Nightmare"
Cody Rhodes!
[Downstait's "Kingdom" continues]
♪ Lights go down, I'm ready now ♪
♪ Tear this roof off for the town ♪
♪ Gonna give 'em what they came to see ♪
♪ Hear the crowd on their toes Ready for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
-[crowd] ♪ Whoa! ♪ -[fireworks booming]
♪ When I was younger ♪
♪ Hard times breed better men ♪
♪ You took it all away I give it all away ♪
♪ Can't take my freedom ♪
♪ Here to change the game A banner made of pain ♪
♪ I built my kingdom ♪
[crowd cheering]
♪ Now you bow to me ♪
♪ You took my dreams but not my name ♪
♪ You'll follow me into the end ♪
♪ I am my kingdom ♪
♪ You tried to tell me what to do ♪
♪ I saw the door and kicked it down ♪
♪ I stepped right over and right through ♪
-[crowd cheering] -[song fades]
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting] You deserve it! You deserve it! You deserve it!
[inaudible]
[chanting continues]
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
So.
Detroit.
[crowd cheers]
What do you guys want to talk about?
[crowd cheering]
This past Monday, I was out here doing some talking
and I was interrupted by The Rock.
[crowd boos]
[crowd chanting] Rocky sucks! Rocky sucks! Rocky sucks!
As his music hits and he strolled out here,
I was thinking about somebody I know, somebody who happens to be
from Detroit, and what would they say?
And I think it went a little something like this.
Who the hell told you tonight was open mic night, bitch?
[crowd cheers]
Forgive me for cursing.
I don't know what's gotten into me.
I can tell you, when Rock was in here, the air got a little colder.
The mood certainly changed.
He placed an item in my hand. I instantly knew what it was.
It was a wartime overture, if you will.
Something that I had gifted to The Rock.
It was uncomfortable.
It was awkward.
[crowd] What?
But I believed The Rock, when he said
that he was going off to Hollywood,
and I believed him even more when he said
that he would be coming back here.
And when he did, he would be looking for me.
Well, Rock, you do not have to look very far.
I will be standing right here.
[crowd cheering]
But that's, uh… that's in the rearview.
We need to look forward.
Three weeks from now, I'm going to hop on a plane,
and I am going to fly to the first of our
International Premium Live Events Backlash in Lyon, France.
[crowd cheering]
And I am going to face one of the six competitors you see here tonight.
It could be Santos Escobar.
[crowd boos]
Could be Rey Mysterio.
[crowd cheers]
Could be the fastest rising star in all of WWE, LA Knight.
[crowd yells] Yeah!
Yes.
You can't talk about LA Knight without talking about AJ Styles.
[crowd cheering]
AJ and myself, two of the only four men
who were ever NWA Champion and WWE Champion.
[crowd cheering]
Then there's
Bobby Lashley.
[crowd cheering, booing]
Bobby Lashley.
[crowd cheering, booing]
And of course, I can't leave out
my friend… Kevin Owens.
[crowd cheering]
Like all friends who happen to be wrestlers,
Kevin thinks he is better than me.
Bell to bell, I think I am better than him.
Sometimes there's only one way to find out.
If you'll forgive me for a moment.
It's not lost on me that we are
very sold out here tonight.
[crowd cheering]
I'm going to briefly turn my back on this camera,
because I want to see everybody in here tonight.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
This is all so fresh for me.
I am no longer the hunter, but I am the hunted.
And my message for those six competitors here tonight…
"If you come at the king, you best not miss."
[crowd cheering]
For those on the blue brand,
on SmackDown who claimed to be unfamiliar with me,
I will make it easy for you.
My name…
is Cody Rhodes.
Once undesirable, become undeniable.
And now, your Undisputed WWE Champion.
[crowd cheering]
[Downstait's "Kingdom" playing]
[Graves] What an incredible show of respect and adulation
for the new torchbearer.
The new Undisputed WWE Champion,
the American Nightmare.
But Cody Rhodes was not the only Superstar
to leave WrestleMania this past Sunday with new gold.
This woman was able to slay the specters of her path
by dethroning Iyo Sky and becoming new WWE Women's Champion.
Bayley's here in Detroit Rock City,
and fresh off of another victory at WrestleMania
over his own son and one of his greatest rivals,
the Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio will compete
in tonight's main event on SmackDown.
["Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
[crowd boos]
[crowd cheers]
[Owens] Sorry, sorry, sorry.
You're not invited.
There's a broom closet down the hall.
I'll take care of him.
And I'll take care of this.
Hold on a minute.
Listen to me, please, Solo.
Winning and losing matters here.
There are consequences to losing.
We lost.
That's the champ's locker room.
And Cody Rhodes is the champion.
If we want our locker room back,
the title has to come home to The Bloodline.
And that's by order of the Tribal Chief.
[def rebel's "Welcome To LA" playing]
[Graves] The Bloodline has lots of work to do,
as does this man, Bad News.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Head must be in the stratosphere after this past weekend.
-Biggest win of his career. -[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is a Triple Threat Match
scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first from Los Angeles, California.
Weighing in at 240 pounds, LA Knight.
[Wade] Well, step one of finding
Cody's new No. 1 Contender starts here.
Escobar, Lashley and LA Knight in Triple Threat action.
Here on SmackDown, next.
[crowd yelling] LA Knight, yeah!
[bell gonging]
[Cole] Stars and celebrities.
They've arrived in droves.
[female announcer] WWE Hall of Famer,
Snoop Dogg!
[Snoop] Mic check, one-two, what it do?
[hip-hop music playing]
Oh!
[man yells]
[commentator] That was raw!
[female announcer] Please welcome Lil Wayne!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] In the City of Brotherly Love,
Jey wins The Usos' Civil War.
[crowd chanting, cheering]
[tires screeching]
[music continues]
[Cole] LA Knight, AJ Styles,
so much bad blood here.
♪ This is what you want ♪
First WrestleMania, first WrestleMania victory.
[crowd yells] Yeah!
[Graves] This is Friday Night SmackDown
on Fox, sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
Wade, you have to imagine LA Knight still riding high after
his performance at WrestleMania this past weekend.
[Wade] Yeah, and things only go upwards from here for The Megastar.
Should he get victory tonight.
[def rebel's "Titan" playing]
[Graves] Much easier said than done.
WWE Universe, behold… The All Mighty!
[fireworks booming]
[Rome] Next, accompanied by B-Fab
and the Street Profits,
"The All Mighty"
Bobby Lashley!
[Graves] Another faction who's got to be feeling pretty good
about their WrestleMania Weekend.
Of course, Lashley and the Profits,
with a little bit of help from B-Fab, able to topple
the Final Testament in a Philadelphia Street Fight.
Bad News, I was worried for my safety out there.
It was wild.
[Wade] I was concerned that Bobby Lashley was going to have
the mother of all hangovers, because I know after that victory,
he was partying non-stop with the Street Profits
all over Philadelphia, but apparently back to his best.
[Graves] By now, we should have all realized
that Bobby Lashley does not subscribe to the rules
that most human beings do.
[Wade] He's working on a very, very different level,
and that includes his liver, apparently.
[fireworks crackling]
[Graves] The first of two Triple Threat Matches tonight on SmackDown.
The winners will advance to determine
the first challenger to Cody Rhodes.
-["Legacy of the Ghost" playing] -[crowd booing]
[Rome] And making his way to the ring,
representing Legado Del Fantasma,
Santos Escobar!
[Graves] Escobar's WrestleMania didn't turn out
as well as he had hoped, but Escobar looks to rally beginning tonight.
Our very own Kayla Braxton caught up with Santos earlier.
You know, Santos Escobar always has a plan.
Well, uh, some would say that
you had a plan last week going into WrestleMania when you took out
Dragon Lee, who was ultimately replaced by Andrade,
which I assume that part wasn't part of the plan.
Can you repeat that?
Let me be very clear.
Crystal clear about it.
I, we…
didn't touch Dragon Lee.
Right.
[laughing]
[Wade] Yeah, now, that is utterly baffling, Corey.
If it wasn't Santos Escobar and Legado who attacked Dragon Lee,
who the hell was it?
[Graves] Well, certainly a question that remains to be answered,
but right now, Escobar finds himself outnumbered by The Megastar
and the All Mighty and wisely,
Santos giving himself a reprieve.
LA Knight from behind, shoulders down.
Knight almost stole this one.
[Wade] That could have backfired badly on Santos.
Escobar one pinfall here and it's all over.
[Graves] See Lashley momentarily attempting the Hurt Lock.
Knight able to escape.
This is going to be fast and furious and the stakes couldn't be much higher.
[Wade] Whoa.
[Graves] Superhuman power displayed by the All Mighty.
[Wade] Immediately we see the issues of taking your eyes off
one of your two opponents in this match.
[crowd cheering]
[Graves] Escobar takes everybody out.
Triple Threat continues.
Who will advance?
[Graves] This is a Triple Threat Match to determine who will advance to
next week's No. 1 Contender's Match, which will then determine
who will have the opportunity to challenge Cody Rhodes
for the Undisputed WWE Championship in Lyon, France at Backlash.
[Wade] And the All Mighty has taken complete control of this one.
Too big, too strong, no answer whatsoever from LA Knight
and Santos Escobar is in big trouble.
[Graves] Are you surprised, Bad News?
We've watched the dominance of Bobby Lashley
for years at this point.
[Wade] Yeah, for sure.
One-on-one, I always back Bobby Lashley,
but in a Triple Threat like this, you simply do not know
how things are going to play out.
[Graves] The All Mighty looking for a home run here.
Stepping out of his comfort zone,
as Escobar perched on the top turnbuckle.
This could be a disaster for Santos Escobar.
[Wade] Escobar has been clinging on for dear life.
He needs an answer and he needs it fast.
[Graves] Heard of a fistfight in a phone booth.
How about a fistfight on the top turnbuckle?
[Wade] Once again, I will back Bobby Lashley in that situation,
but no, it's--
-[crowd cheering] -[Graves] Wow.
Oh no.
LA Knight thought he had it.
Bobby Lashley with the powerbomb.
Lashley sliding into the cover.
[referee and crowd] One, two--
[Wade] Lashley with impressive powers of recovery,
pouncing when he had the chance.
Take a look at the impact on both LA Knight and Santos Escobar.
Not quite enough.
[Graves] Lashley has Escobar up and LA Knight with a dropkick
to the knee of the All Mighty.
Smart move to chop down the powerhouse.
Crucifix Driver! Didn't get all of it.
-[Wade] Completely tied up in the-- -[referee and crowd] One, two--
In the ropes. That split second there cost LA Knight.
Just unfortunate how Bobby Lashley landed. Caught up in the ropes.
[Graves] Well, under Triple Threat rules, there are no count-outs
or disqualification, but your opponent does need to be
squarely inside of the ring for a pinfall to count.
Escobar with double knees right to the chest of Bobby Lashley.
[Wade] When you got one opponent down, you really have to capitalize.
Make the most of it. And perhaps LA Knight is about to go down for the count.
Phantom Driver attempt, perhaps…
[Graves] Able to escape out the back side.
Big power slam by The Megastar.
[yelling indistinctly]
And Detroit City is rockin' for LA Knight.
Knight lining up Escobar.
Wait a minute!
[Wade] Well, you heard the man, Santos Escobar always has a plan.
And right here is that plan in action.
[Graves] Angel and Berto utilizing the lack of disqualifications
in this environment.
And this is going to spoil LA Knight's dream.
[LA Knight yells in pain]
[Graves] Triple powerbomb.
[Wade] It was only a matter of time.
The man with the deepest bag of tricks in the industry.
[Graves] Here comes Lashley going to try his hand against
Legado Del Fantasma.
[Wade] Just swarmed.
[Graves] Like a pack of wolves.
[Wade] I don't care how big and brawny you are,
nobody has an answer for that.
[crowd cheers]
[Graves] We got backup!
Ford and Dawkins, the Street Profits have hit the scene.
And remember, Bad News.
This matchup is still going on.
[Wade] Referee has lost all control.
It's party time for the Street Profits.
Elektra Lopez bravely inserting herself between
Dawkins and his plan. And B-Fab!
The Greatest Equalizer on SmackDown.
[Graves] Oh no! Angel and Berto hit Dawkins with the MTY,
but Montez Ford takes to the skies!
Lashley, for the moment had a favorable position
with Escobar from behind, stacks the All Mighty.
[Wade] Almost stealing victory amidst the chaos.
[Wade] Flatliner by Lashley.
[crowd cheering]
Bobby Lashley could be lining up for a spear.
[Wade] Whoa!
[Graves] Escobar out of the way just in time.
BFT!
[crowd] One, two, three!
[bell rings]
[def rebel's "Welcome To LA" playing]
[Rome] Here is your winner,
LA Knight!
[Wade] One step closer for The Megastar.
We got a sold-out arena here in Detroit full of people
with tingling loins.
[Graves] LA Knight capitalizing,
keeping the momentum rolling after a WrestleMania victory.
Who will oppose The Megastar?
We'll find out later tonight.
I'm standing by with Rey Mysterio and the LWO and, Rey,
we just watched Santos fall short in his match,
and with all the history between the two of you,
do you care to comment on his loss?
Plain and simple, Kayla.
It's called karma.
Whether it was Rich Holland's attack on Cruz
or Santos' attack on Dragon Lee, it will inevitably come back to bite you.
Well, I spoke with Santos earlier and he denied
the allegations that he--
Of course.
-Of course he did. -Si.
It's like the kids say, Santos is all cap.
I learned it from my nephew the other day.
[laughs]
But let's keep it real, Kay. Santos ought to realize
that the truth will eventually surface
no matter how much you twist it, but tonight, my focus is
on AJ Styles and Kevin Owens.
You know, I've accomplished many things over the past couple years.
My induction into the WWE Hall of Fame,
forming the LWO,
but deep down inside, like I mean deep.
I truly believe that Rey Mysterio has another run
as WWE Champion.
Campeón.
Mark my words.
Campeón, Kayla.
[clapping]
[Graves] One more run for Rey Mysterio. If anyone can do it,
The Hall of Famer can.
[def rebel's "Taking It All" playing]
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen
please welcome Special Counsel,
WWE Hall of Famer, "The Wiseman"
Paul Heyman,
Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa.
[Graves] Well, in the wake of WrestleMania,
The Bloodline are embarking on a new mission
by order of the Tribal Chief.
[Cole] It's time for the greatest show in all of entertainment.
Welcome to WrestleMania!
[Graves] This is like assembling the Avengers of the Women's Division.
This is dangerous.
[Cole] Here comes Jade Cargill.
[Graves] Kai has been Jaded!
[Cole] What a night for Jade Cargill, Naomi and Bianca.
[Graves] Well, it's a story of betrayal, blood, and bonds.
Double splash off the top rope.
Who the hell are these goofs in the masks?
[Cole] Couple of mountain men out here!
[Graves] Rey and Andrade with the win.
Greatest center of all time.
Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson.
World champion tackle.
Welcome to WrestleMania 40, Philadelphia Eagles.
[def rebel's "Taking It All" playing]
Ladies and gentlemen.
My name is…
[crowd and Heyman] Paul Heyman.
Tonight, by orders of the Tribal Chief,
The Bloodline offers no excuses about what happened
at WrestleMania.
We don't blame John Cena.
We don't blame The Undertaker.
We don't even blame Jey Uso.
Ladies and gentlemen, accountability is a very big word
on the Island of Relevancy.
And your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns,
has ordered that we accept accountability.
[crowd booing]
At WrestleMania 39,
what happened?
Roman Reigns entered the ring focused.
Roman Reigns entered the ring strategic.
Roman Reigns entered the ring unemotional.
Cody Rhodes took his eye off the ball for just one second.
He was distracted by Solo.
Admittedly, that's Cody Rhodes' fault for not preparing
for Solo to distract him.
And what happened?
Just like that, your Tribal Chief took advantage
and successfully defended the title.
At WrestleMania 40, Cody Rhodes
flipped the script on Roman Reigns.
What?
What did Seth Rollins say?
Seth Rollins is a visionary.
Seth Rollins told the truth.
Seth Rollins said to Cody Rhodes, "I will be your shield,
the one piece of unfinished business in Roman Reigns' life."
So when Roman Reigns had a chair in his hand at WrestleMania 40
and he could have smashed Cody Rhodes with it,
legal, Bloodline rules,
he didn't.
Why?
Because after ten years of waiting for revenge on Seth Rollins,
for waiting on revenge of that betrayal in and of the Shield,
Roman Reigns gave in to temptation.
Roman Reigns was distracted by his lust for revenge on Seth Rollins.
He took his eye off the ball.
Cody Rhodes was prepared.
Cody Rhodes was strategic, Cody Rhodes was focused.
Cody Rhodes was ready.
And like that, it was over.
Ladies and gentlemen, your new Undisputed Champion
is Cody Rhodes.
[crowd cheers]
But like a phoenix rising from the ashes,
your Tribal Chief, w--
Losing and winning matters, right?
So there's consequences to losing.
Right?
-Right? -Right.
So that means consequences need change.
[crowd clamoring]
Solo…
Who? Me?
Me?
[indistinct chatter]
I'm telling you.
Me?
[crowd booing]
You're my brother.
I love you.
I love you too.
[crowd chattering]
[Graves] Who the hell?
-Oh my God! -[Wade] Wow!
[Graves] Oh my God! You know who that is?
[Wade] That's Tama Tonga.
[Graves] That's the son of Haku,
who has been wrecking shop in Japan for years.
[Wade] Well, now he's wrecking Jimmy Uso!
[Graves] Is this Jimmy's punishment?
The consequences for failure at WrestleMania.
[Wade] Like a kiss from the Godfather.
[inaudible]
[Graves] Solo giving the orders now to his own flesh and blood.
Samoan Spike to Jimmy Uso.
[Wade] Merciless treatment.
Of your own brother!
[Solo yelling]
[crowd boos]
Oh God, no! No, please!
[crowd chattering]
[crowd boos]
Call Roman Reigns.
[crowd exclaiming]
[Graves] Tama Tonga now with a steel chair.
I love you.
[crowd chanting] Yeet! Yeet! Yeet!
[Graves] Oh my God, Solo don't do this.
This is your brother.
[Heyman] This is not what the Tribal Chief wants!
No!
[Graves] Oh my God.
[crowd booing]
[Graves] They are as deep as they are dangerous.
Who's calling the shots now?
[Wade] Bloodline looked like they were in death spiral
coming out of WrestleMania.
But just added a cold-blooded killer.
Look at the devastation
Tama Tonga has helped cause already.
[crowd boos]
[Graves] Welcome back to Friday Night SmackDown.
What we just witnessed is still hard to digest.
You're my brother.
I love you.
I love you too.
[Wade] Solo Sikoa had a very strange way of displaying his love
for his own brother.
The whole thing was a setup.
[Graves] From out of nowhere, a mysterious hooded man
entered the ring.
That man would be none other than Tama Tonga, the son of Haku.
[Wade] Heinous attack ensued on Jimmy Uso, Samoan Spike after Samoan Spike.
Onto a prone Jimmy Uso. His pièce de résistance.
Simply no coming back from that.
It really is a new era.
We all witnessed it, Wade, with our own two eyes.
A shocking turn of events within The Bloodline.
We assumed The Bloodline would be reeling after WrestleMania
but I don't think anybody expected what we witnessed.
Well, The Bloodline look re-energized just like that.
But you're right, Corey.
I want to know who's really calling the shots.
[Graves] There's a new era here in WWE,
and Cameron Grimes looking to take advantage.
Big opportunity for this Superstar to make some waves
on the blue brand in draft season, Bad News.
[Wade] Yeah, Grimes, all he's ever asked for is an opportunity.
He's got one tonight, but personally, it's one I would
have turned down and so would many in the locker room.
[def rebel's "Breakk and Destroy" playing]
[yelling]
[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] If this is your first time laying eyes on Bron Breakker,
welcome to the party.
This man is intensity personified.
Bad News, I don't think I'm out of line saying
an entirely new breed of human being.
[Wade] Yeah, this guy is built very differently.
He knows how to use every ounce on that 250-pound frame.
And I'll tell you what, Corey, I am digging this music.
This is a fight song!
[Graves] No doubt about it.
Bron Breakker is a Superstar who doesn't get paid by the hour.
Looks to make quick work of the opposition.
Of course, the son of WWE Hall of Famer, "The Dog-Faced Gremlin" Rick Steiner.
[bell rings]
The nephew of "Big Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner.
Bron Breakker has to be seen to be believed.
[Wade] Another amazing performance from Bron
at NXT Stand & Deliver over WrestleMania Weekend.
But onwards and upwards for the man now exclusively here on SmackDown.
[Graves] Look at this, Breakker just stuffing the headlock,
takeover attempt, that is raw power.
Cameron Grimes quite the technician in his own right.
Going to have to figure out a way to solve Breakker.
-Look at this speed. -[yells]
Steiner Line!
[Wade] The old speed check.
You run that fast outside of a school,
you're getting arrested.
[Graves] Take another look at this.
[yells]
Superhuman strength possessed by Bron Breakker
and the power to match. Just ask Cameron Grimes
once he catches his breath.
[Wade] Human beings simply are not designed to cope
with that level of acceleration from opponents.
There's no training for it.
[Graves] Grimes continuing to fight, continuing to soldier forward
using his highly educated feet.
And just picked out a mid-air and planted.
[Wade] Just incredible reaction speed from Breakker.
[yelling]
[Graves] Good night.
[referee and crowd] One, two, three!
[bell rings]
[def rebel's "Breakk and Destroy" playing]
[Rome] Here is your winner,
Bron Breakker!
[Graves] Bron Breakker, a force to be reckoned with in WWE.
And Bad News, I'm making the call right now.
I'm calling my shot. Breakker is going to be a problem
for the entire roster.
A spear that nearly cut Grimes clean in half.
[Wade] It's a good job Breakker isn't paid by the hour.
He would be bankrupt.
But man, what a bright future for this man.
Onwards and upwards.
SmackDown locker room,
big problems on the horizon.
[Graves] A new generation of WWE Superstars
and a whole new era in the wake of WrestleMania,
the Showcase of the Immortals.
WWE looks very different.
Let's find out just how in our Progressive Match Flo.
[announcer] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto and more.
[Jim Johnston's "Welcome to the Queendom" playing]
[Stephanie] WrestleMania 40 might be the one I am the most proud of.
This is the first WrestleMania of the Paul Levesque era.
Philadelphia and around the world.
Are you ready?
[upbeat music playing]
[Graves] The World Heavyweight Championship match going down.
[Cole] McIntyre has won the World Heavyweight Championship.
Señor Money in the Bank.
And he's cashing in right now!
Priest has won the World Title!
Bayley hopes to defeat Iyo Sky
and win the WWE Women's Championship.
Bayley did it!
Bayley! Women's Champion!
["Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
[Wade] What an incredible matchup and incredible performance
from this woman.
She's a new WWE Women's Champion
and she's going to be here live on SmackDown.
And it's coming up next.
[Graves] We are sold out tonight in Detroit,
15,785 members of the WWE Universe
packed inside of the Little Caesars Arena.
And tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
is sponsored by Progressive.
-[hip-hop music playing] -♪ Wait a minute, wait a minute ♪
♪ The realest, the hardest At the limit, I said it ♪
♪ I'm in it, I'ma mind my business… ♪
Tonight isn't just another match.
Tonight is where I fix what went wrong at WrestleMania.
Rey Mysterio.
Kevin Owens.
You're collateral in my path through LA Knight
and to the Undisputed WWE Championship.
You see, I'm going to demolish everything.
And prove a point.
This isn't personal.
It's necessary.
You see, you're in the way of something much bigger
than you could possibly think of.
And I will step over both your dead bodies
to get to what I want.
So, LA Knight.
I hope you're taking notes,
because the damage that I cause tonight
will be just a taste of what you're going to get next week.
And I promise,
it will be phenomenal.
[def rebel's "Role Model" playing]
[crowd cheering]
♪ Role model ♪
[inaudible]
[Rome] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome
the new
WWE Women's Champion,
Bayley!
[Graves] The Role Model,
former leader of Damage CTRL,
concerns herself with only one title nowadays.
Champion.
The brand new WWE Women's Champion.
Wade, we were in the house, Lincoln Financial Field.
The emotion was at an all-time high as Bayley toppled
her longtime rival, Iyo Sky.
[Wade] Yeah, that packed-out stadium
had a pretty much unanimous approval rating
for Bayley as your new champion.
Thoroughly deserved, Bayley reaching gears we hadn't seen
from her in some time.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] You deserve it! You deserve it! You deserve it!
Damn, that feels good! Thank you!
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting] Bayley! Bayley! Bayley!
I'ma just soak it in for a little bit, because it's been a while. [laughs]
It feels so good and I feel so damn proud
to call myself your new WWE Undisputed Women's Champion.
[crowd cheers]
Now, you guys know this isn't my first time being a champion.
I've retained titles at WrestleMania,
I've lost titles at WrestleMania,
but this one feels so damn special.
This one's different,
and it's not different because
I had to defeat someone I used to call my friend, Iyo Sky.
[crowd boos]
And it's not only different
because I get to call myself a champion for this
brand new, exciting era
where this championship…
This championship represents more than just being the best.
This represents the most talented locker room I've ever been a part of.
But even more than that, what makes this one special for me,
and it's going to sound so damn cheesy.
Michael Cole is going to make fun of me,
but it's because of all of you guys.
[crowd cheers]
I swear, from the bottom of my heart, it's been you guys.
In these last 11 years of my career,
you guys have been there through everything.
The ups, the downs, the injuries, the setbacks.
And every time I thought I didn't have anything else to give,
you guys were fighting for me.
Whether it was online, whether it was at the live events,
whether it was at the PLEs,
you guys never gave up on my vision,
and I thank you so much.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting] Bayley! Bayley! Bayley!
Thank you guys. I am so excited to start this
brand new journey with you.
So why don't we start it off
by giving out a brand new opportunity.
I'm excited--
[def rebel's "Tiffy Time" playing]
[crowd cheers]
[Graves] You got to be kidding me.
[Wade] Detroit, Michigan just became the center of the universe.
Honestly,
I thought it was a little rude
I wasn't given an opportunity at WrestleMania.
I mean, who better than the Center of the Universe herself
to shine on the grandest stage of them all?
And you're clearly building to some sort of open challenge,
and, well…
I accept because…
it is Tiffy Time.
[crowd cheers]
Uh, this is a little embarrassing.
It's very nice to meet you, Tiffy, Tiffany.
Um, I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but I was not offering an open challenge.
Actually, I actually had somebody in mind.
So sorry, uh, and this person,
I've been very excited to get back in the ring with.
This person is a legend in the making.
This person made a big return at the Royal Rumble,
and that is the one and only Naomi.
Naomi?
[crowd cheering]
She couldn't even win a title if it glowed in the dark.
[def rebel's "Glow" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Graves] Pretty sure Naomi would disagree with that assessment, Bad News.
She's a former SmackDown Women's Champion in her own right.
And Naomi is coming off a big-time victory at WrestleMania.
[Wade] Naomi seems pretty damn fired up.
Um, excuse me, excuse me.
We were in the middle of something.
Oh, and by the way,
I already beat you.
[crowd booing]
[crowd cheering]
You done tried me on the wrong night, little girl.
Sure, you've beaten me before,
but here's what you don't know.
I have earned every single thing
that I have gotten here in the WWE,
and I don't plan on stopping now.
[crowd cheering]
So, Bay, I can't accept your challenge just yet.
Because first I want to take on clueless Tiffany,
right here and right now.
[crowd cheering]
[Graves] As if, Bad News!
We could have a big match on our hands.
Naomi and Tiffany.
We're going to try to get a referee out here.
Let's do it.
I know we're all still trying to process what we saw earlier
here tonight on SmackDown.
That being Jimmy Uso taken out by his
own brother Solo Sikoa and newcomer Tama Tonga.
And I'm currently standing outside the trainer's room where
I saw Paul Heyman enter moments ago to check on Jimmy Uso.
Hopefully we're going to get an update on his condition.
Paul.
Paul, first and foremost,
is… is Jimmy okay?
What happened out there?
[breathing shakily]
Please, please.
By orders.
Of the Tribal Chief.
[gasping]
[crowd clamoring]
What the hell does that mean?
[Graves] Great question, Paul. Did Roman give the order?
[Wade] Man, I don't want to go anywhere near Tama Tonga
or Solo Sikoa.
Whoever gives the orders.
[Graves] This matchup began during the break.
The winner will advance to challenge Bayley
for the WWE Women's Championship.
Naomi building momentum against "the Center of the Universe"
Tiffany Stratton.
Cover by Naomi.
[referee and crowd] One, two--
[Graves] Wade, I've got to ask you.
Tiffany hasn't been here on Friday Night SmackDown for long,
but she's got a lot of attention, garnered a lot of headlines,
and caught the attention of the WWE Universe.
What do you see as the upside for Tiffany Stratton?
[Wade] Well, Tiffany Stratton may well be installed as the best athlete
in the entire Women's Division in all of WWE,
and I don't say that lightly given the caliber of athletes
we've seen of late, such as Belair,
Cargill and of course, Naomi.
[Graves] Cover here by Naomi.
[referee and crowd] One, two--
[Wade] The other thing is, Stratton's only been in this game for two years,
and she acts like a veteran already.
In many ways, that rubs people up the wrong way,
but in other ways, she backs it up in-ring.
[Graves] And with the accolades, a long-term NXT Women's Champion.
Very, very impressive.
Tiffany Stratton certainly has all the tools to be a big-time
star here in WWE, as does Naomi,
who was originally about to be offered the opportunity
by the new champion, Bayley.
But Tiffany Stratton did as she so frequently does
and inserted herself into other people's business.
[Wade] Naomi wanted to earn the opportunity regardless,
and I've known Naomi since 2009 at Florida Championship Wrestling.
Her biggest problem has always been that she is too nice.
While Tiffany Stratton manages to make people around her
drop the pleasantries rather rapidly,
as we've seen tonight from Naomi.
[Graves] You don't have to know Tiffany Stratton
to not like Tiffany Stratton.
[Wade] But she's an irritant, isn't she?
That's what she does. She's conceited. She's up herself.
But more than anything else,
she is really damn good once the bell rings.
[Graves] Absolutely right about that. Nice tight rear chinlock
applied only for the moment.
Tiffany Stratton in complete control of the former
SmackDown Women's Champion, Naomi.
Looks to fight her way out of this hole.
Got a knee.
-Into the cover. -[referee and crowd] One, two--
[Graves] Stratton stays alive.
[Wade] Stratton has that ability to keep on taking.
As we see the Women's Champ Bayley looking on,
keeping an eye on both of these two competitors, knowing full well
she's facing the winner of this one.
[crowd cheering]
[Graves] We know how much pride Bayley takes
in a strong Women's Division here on Friday Night SmackDown
or Monday Night Raw, NXT, wherever it may be.
Bayley a true champion in that sense.
Stratton takes a short cut, caught Naomi.
That is going to hurt for days.
That sort of whiplash effect.
Your neck whips off those ropes.
You're feeling that for a week.
[Wade] And that's those great reaction skills of Tiffany Stratton,
an ability to smell opportunity,
pounce immediately, and make her opponents regret that mistake.
[Graves] I would say beyond smell opportunity, I admire Tiffany's
ability to create opportunity.
She's done a great job of that thus far.
[Wade] That's all she has done.
[Graves] Cover, hook of the leg.
[Wade] Since being hired by WWE a couple of years ago.
Tremendous crossover athlete from the world of gymnastics,
former Team USA competitor.
You don't get kicked in the face on Team USA, however.
[Graves] Up and over to the outside.
Naomi with another kick rocks the Center of the Universe.
[Wade] This one really has swung back and forth from the beginning,
neither woman really getting any headway
into taking control of the matchups.
[Graves] Oh my God.
Naomi into the ringpost, crashing down hard.
Can Naomi climb back in this or is it Tiffy Time?
[Graves] SmackDown is live in Detroit tonight, and we are witnessing
a matchup that will determine Bayley's challenger
for the WWE Women's Championship
as Naomi goes one-on-one with Tiffany Stratton.
It has been a back-and-forth matchup to this point, Wade.
What do you think is going to make the difference in this matchup?
[Wade] Well, we're at the point now where athleticism starts going
out of the window because both of these women are hurting.
They're both having to dig deep.
It's about who can dig the deepest,
who has the drive to get that championship opportunity.
And right now you have to back Naomi.
[Graves] Naomi right now trying to build a little momentum.
Can it be sustained remains the question.
Kick right on the ear of Stratton.
[Wade] Stratton is completely wobbled, but there is no quit
in the Buff Barbie Doll.
Here comes Naomi.
[Naomi yells]
[Graves] Dropkick in the corner.
[Naomi yells]
[Wade] Simply turning into one-way traffic at this point.
[Bayley] You're done for, Tiffy.
[Graves] Naomi could be looking for a split-legged moonsault.
[crowd cheering]
To punch her ticket to challenge Bayley.
Oh. Reversed in mid-air. Hooks the leg.
-[crowd] One, two-- -[Bayley] Oh!
[Graves] And Stratton survives again.
[Wade] Yes, Stratton, though, is living dangerously.
That was incredibly close to the three count.
Tiffany Stratton hurt in a big way,
barely knows where she's at,
perhaps bleeding from the nose at this point.
[Graves] On the other side of the coin,
you've got Naomi, who just took a moment to catch her breath,
regain her composure, and hopefully finish the job.
[Tiffany grunts]
With the O'Connor roll.
-[Tiffany yells] -[Graves] Double stomp by Stratton!
-Hook to the leg. -[referee and crowd] One, two--
[Graves] Wow.
[Wade] Just when you start writing off Tiffany Stratton,
it's almost toodles for Naomi. What a connection.
[Graves] Some malice behind the double stomp, but alas,
not quite enough to turn out the glow tonight in Detroit.
[Wade] And this is where Tiffany, as the less experienced star,
starts questioning where the hell do I have to go from here?
This is the kind of deep waters on SmackDown Tiffany is not yet used to.
[Naomi grunts]
Naomi has been here and done that, though.
[Graves] Great counter by Stratton. Naomi in trouble.
-Alabama slam! -[crowd gasping]
Take notes, Bayley.
[Graves] Stratton just took a moment
to warn Bayley that she's coming her way.
Prettiest Moonsault Ever. Naomi out of the way.
Stratton able to recover.
Double leg by Naomi. Jackknife pin.
[crowd] One, two, three!
-[bell rings] -[Graves] Wow!
[def rebel's "Glow" playing]
[Rome] Here is your winner, Naomi!
[Graves] That has got to be disheartening for Tiffany Stratton.
[Wade] Well, Tiffany Stratton needs to learn when and when not
to talk trash, but I don't know if that option is in her DNA.
[Graves] Naomi went around the world to get across the street tonight,
but as Bayley so desired, Naomi has earned the right
to challenge for the WWE Women's Championship.
Congratulations.
[dramatic music playing]
[Theory] The biggest WrestleMania Championship match in history.
But who was all there?
I saw Snoop Dogg was there for it.
Drew Barrymore showed up.
[Waller] Even Lil Wayne came to see…
[both] A-Town Down Under.
[Cole] Theory, Waller.
They got the SmackDown Tag Team titles.
[Graves] But let's talk about Grayson Waller.
A man that walked into his first WrestleMania
and became a champion.
Now people are saying it's The Streak 2.0,
but if you want to talk about
championship wins at WrestleMania, let's talk about Austin Theory.
[Waller] Last year walked in, walked out United States Champion.
Beat that flop John Cena like it was nothing.
[Cole] The biggest win of his career!
[Waller] And then this year you leave SmackDown Tag Team Champion.
It's like you're allergic to not winning championships
at WrestleMania, man. It's wild.
[Cole] The future is now. A-Town Down Under are Tag Team Champions.
[Theory] We are the greatest undefeated Tag Team Champions of all time.
And for all of you, well…
You're welcome.
[crowd cheers]
We'll find them a challenger next week.
[indistinct]
[Graves] Well, this man is already a member of the WWE Hall of Fame
and fresh off a victory at WrestleMania.
Does Rey Mysterio have one more run left?
He must get through the Triple Threat tonight.
[Graves] Well, this is Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
and we are in the midst of a whole new era,
but we could not have done it without you.
The WWE Universe traversing
North America, sellout after sellout.
The hottest ticket in any city we have stepped into.
And we're past WrestleMania.
We're on the other side of WrestleMania,
but the momentum keeps on rolling.
The WWE Universe continues to grow,
continues to heat up, and we are just getting started.
[Wade] Yes, we are, Corey, and tonight we are here in Detroit.
The Little Caesars Arena, home of the Pistons,
home of the Red Wings,
and tonight we're sold out.
15,785 raving WWE fans
and what a night we are having
at the first SmackDown
post WrestleMania 40.
[woman] There's one thing we know about Philly.
It is a sports and entertainment town.
We got one hell of a crowd.
[woman] The fans here are hyped.
[Graves] I have never seen Sami doubt himself
to the degree he has regarding Gunther.
[dramatic hip-hop music playing]
[Cole] Do you believe in miracles?
[bell ringing]
[Cole] Sami Zayn did it!
[Graves] United States Champ Logan Paul defends against Kevin Owens.
And "The Viper" Randy Orton.
[Graves] Down goes Speed!
Frog splash! Paul retains!
[bell rings]
[Graves] Perhaps the fastest rising Superstar ever.
Hey, what's up, WWE Universe?
Are you mad?
I hope so.
I would be mad too if I were you,
because the outsider just walked in and beat two legends
at WrestleMania.
Well, one legend. Kevin Owens is kind of a dunce.
But Randy Orton, hey, brother,
who's the real legend killer?
I walked in the champ, I exited the champ.
Retain and remain.
Like I said, what did you expect?
It was the biggest WrestleMania ever.
That's not a surprise to me.
I was a part of it.
Every event I've been a part of
has been the biggest event WWE has ever had.
Is that a coincidence? No.
Do the math.
650 million impressions on social media based on this WrestleMania.
200 million of those came from me and my team.
The Prime team, IShowSpeed,
Prime Bottle, Logan Paul.
It is a new era, as we're all saying, the #LoganPaulLevesqueEra.
Your United States Champion, out.
[def rebel's "Hot Mess" playing]
[Graves] Logan Paul continues to make waves.
And here's a woman, or pair of women, who want to make
their own waves on Friday Night SmackDown.
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is a Tag Team Match
scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first,
the team of Piper Niven
and Chelsea Green.
[Graves] Well, both Piper Niven and Chelsea Green
were understandably upset to not be featured over
WrestleMania Weekend, but when Chelsea Green arrived
at SmackDown today in Detroit,
I know you're going to have a hard time believing this, Wade,
she wanted to speak to the manager.
Reckless endangerment is what that was.
Sending me out there on Monday Night Raw against Jade Cargill?
Abhorrent.
See, unlike Adam, though, you would never treat us that way.
You would never keep us off WrestleMania, would you?
You know what? Come to think of it,
I wouldn't mind you having the pleasure
of drafting Little Miss P and I to SmackDown.
Listen, we're ready for an opportunity to show
what we can do together.
I can see that. You know what?
Let me see if I can find you two some opponents for tonight.
Okay, okay.
-He's not insufferable. -It's gonna be great.
Good luck.
[Wade] Two disgruntled Raw Superstars pitching themselves
to the SmackDown General Manager two weeks ahead of the WWE Draft.
[Graves] You want to raise your stock as high as you can.
Who's it gonna be?
Bring them out. Bring out the match.
[def rebel's "Storm Is Coming" playing]
[Graves] Uh-oh.
Poor girls.
♪ A storm is coming ♪
[Rome] And their opponents,
first from Vero Beach, Florida,
Jade Cargill!
[Graves] After Monday night's encounter, I'm certain Chelsea Green…
They love me!
…not exactly excited about the prospect
of facing Jade Cargill yet again.
But who's Jade's partner going to be, Wade?
[Wade] Does Jade Cargill really need a partner?
She might be able to do this on her own.
[Graves] Very, very valid point.
A woman who has taken WWE by storm,
pun heavily intended.
[Wade] When the gods invented human beings,
that is what they were aiming for.
[inaudible]
[Graves] Let's find out how much worse the evening
is going to get for Chelsea Green and Piper Niven.
[CFO$'s "Watch Me Shine" playing]
[Graves chuckles]
[Rome] And her Tag Team partner, from Knoxville, Tennessee,
Bianca Belair!
[Graves] I'd say it's safe to say that Chelsea and Piper's
post WrestleMania Week just went from bad to worse.
[Wade] Chelsea Green is having a fit in the ring right now.
The squeaky wheel is supposed to get the grease.
The squeaky wheel, however,
just got screwed by the general manager, Nick Aldis.
[Graves] Well, tonight, Friday Night SmackDown is sponsored by
Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home,
or motorcycle insurance.
[Wade] A screw job, that's what it's called.
[Graves] It's been a wild week, Bad News. I understand
[Wade] It's not been that wild.
[Graves] Well, it's about to get wild.
Two thirds of maybe the most
impressive WrestleMania team ever assembled.
-Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair. -[bell rings]
Of course, joining forces with Naomi this past weekend
to pick up a W over Damage CTRL
and The EST wasting no time out of the gate, reminding
Chelsea Green of who runs the blue brand.
[Wade] Well, I interviewed Bianca Belair at WWE World
over WrestleMania Week.
She told me one of her unrealized goals
is to win tag gold in WWE.
We could be seeing the start of that mission alongside
Jade Cargill.
[Graves] Piper Niven taking a--
Attempting to take a cheap shot.
[Niven yells]
Niven a powerhouse, driving Bianca down.
[Wade] Niven has been AWOL for a little while.
Ready to make up for some lost time.
And who can forget Clash at the Castle Scotland
recently announced in Niven's home country.
She wants to climb up the card ahead of that.
But that's not how you're going to do it.
[Graves] Nobody home for Piper Niven.
Tag made to Chelsea Green.
The EST tags in Cargill.
[Wade] And it's déjà vu from Monday night for Chelsea Green.
-Careful what you wish for-- -[Graves] Oh! Just planted.
What is that?
[Wade] Chelsea desperately trying to scramble away.
You cannot escape the clutches
of JD.
[referee and crowd] One, two, three!
[bell rings]
[def rebel's "Storm is Coming" playing]
[Rome] Here are your winners,
the team of Bianca Belair
and Jade Cargill!
[Graves] These two women may very well
change the Tag Team landscape here in WWE.
The momentum continues.
KO, tonight you have a massive opportunity.
If you win this Triple Threat Match, you advance to next week's
No. 1 Contender's Match,
for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Any final thoughts before you head to the ring?
Yeah.
Have you seen the last few weeks,
the cool camera shots they do where they kind of follow the guys?
I think I'm going to try to--
-Do you mind if I borrow this? -Sure.
Thank you.
Look, Byron, obviously winning the WWE Title
is the most important thing to everyone in this industry…
And, oh, speaking of titles, look at this.
This is pretty cool.
[crowd cheering]
I like tigers. I'm keeping this.
But obviously the real title I want is the WWE Championship,
and now AJ Styles and Rey Mysterio stand in my way.
And look, I can only hope that AJ is still suffering from
some sort of PTSD from LA Knight's attempted home invasion and Rey, well…
Rey and I have a lot more in common than people might think.
See, we both have sons that are way taller than us.
Of course, my son's awesome.
He's not a huge disappointment and an idiot.
But you know, that's-- That's not really on Rey.
Come on, guys. That's not really on Rey. Dominik just sucks.
But anyway, as much respect as I have for both those guys,
the bottom line is now, they're both standing in my way
and I want the WWE Championship, so I'm going to kick both their asses.
Jamie, take this mic.
Bruce hit my music.
[CFO$'s "Fight" playing]
[yelling]
[bell rings]
[Rome] The following contest is a Triple Threat Match.
Scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Marieville, Quebec, Canada,
weighing in at 266 pounds,
-Kevin Owens! -I love tigers.
[Graves] You know what they say, when one door closes,
you find another and kick it in.
KO didn't leave WrestleMania as United States Champion,
but there is still a massive opportunity on the horizon
for The Prizefighter, in tonight's main event,
which is sponsored by eBay Motors.
It's another Triple Threat Match.
The winner advances to next week's
No. 1 Contender's Match, to battle LA Knight
for the right to challenge the new
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.
The Triple Threat is live and it is next.
[Owens] Come on!
[Wade] Well, next week, SmackDown is in Corey's hometown
of Pittsburgh, and as we saw earlier, we have a No. 1 Contender
for the WWE Women's Championship.
Bayley gets to feel the glow next week right here
on SmackDown as she defends against Naomi.
[Graves] It's time to determine the new No. 1 Contenders for our new
SmackDown Tag Team Champions, Theory and Waller.
The Street Profits, New Catch Republic,
Legado Del Fantasma and AOP collide.
[Wade] And also next week, the No. 1 Contender's Match
for Cody Rhodes' challenger at WWE Backlash.
The already qualified LA Knight will face the winner
of tonight's main event, either AJ Styles, Kevin Owens
or the Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio. Bring it on.
[Graves] Kevin Owens eagerly awaiting his opponent.
I've been here for minutes. Minutes! Come on!
[def rebel's "You Don't Want None" playing]
[fireworks booming]
[Rome] Next, from Gainesville, Georgia, weighing in at 218 pounds,
"The Phenomenal"
AJ Styles!
[Graves] Wade, if you're AJ Styles, how do you put the memories of WrestleMania,
being defeated by LA Knight, in the rearview mirror
ahead of a matchup of this magnitude?
[Wade] Quite simply, with the experience level of AJ Styles,
you don't put it in the rearview mirror unless the Superstar--
Perhaps they need to do that.
AJ needs to use that bitter loss at WrestleMania as fuel for tonight.
Make up for it, reset the balance, get back on track
and get yourself to next week's No. 1 Contender Matchup
against, oh, LA Knight, the guy who beat him at WrestleMania.
[P.O.D.'s "Booyaka 619" playing]
[crowd cheering]
♪ Booyaka, booyaka ♪
♪ That's my pueblo! ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619 ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Rome] And making his way to the ring,
accompanied by the LWO,
WWE Hall of Famer,
Rey Mysterio!
[Graves] Rey Mysterio has been to the top of the mountain before,
a Hall of Fame résumé.
Will it be Rey Mysterio next week
battling LA Knight when SmackDown Live rolls through the Steel City?
Happy 412 Day, everybody.
I cannot wait to head to PPG Paints Arena, get our answer
and find out who will challenge The American Nightmare at Backlash.
[bell rings]
Well, tonight's main event is sponsored by eBay Motors.
And here we go.
[Wade] Three former World Champions, all capable, all proven,
all desperate to climb to the back-- to the top of the mountain.
They get their chance here tonight, and victory puts them in pole position.
[grunts]
[Graves] How inspiring would a victory for Rey Mysterio, to be--
As a current WWE Hall of Famer, still an active competitor,
Rey still believes he's got one run left.
-[Wade] Yeah, and I agree with Rey. -[Graves] Whoa!
[Wade] He has not lost a step.
Forget the injuries, forget the years.
Forget the miles on the clock.
-Still as good as ever. -[Graves] Uh-oh!
[Wade] That's a game changer.
[Graves] That might have evaporated Rey's aspirations for that one more run.
Right now, Owens and AJ, two Superstars who have
plenty of history with one another.
Styles beats Owens to the punch now.
AJ perched on the barricade, has his legs swept out from underneath.
-[Wade] It's a very-- -[Graves] Wait, wait, wait.
[Owens yelling]
[Graves] Clear the deck! Cannonball!
[Wade] Well, this is a very different AJ Styles
to the one we're used to seeing, but right now,
it appears to be the Hall of Famer Rey on top.
Who gets the go to next week's No. 1 Contender Match?
[Graves] This is the main event of the first Friday Night SmackDown
post WrestleMania. The first SmackDown of the new era.
AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, and Rey Mysterio doing battle in a Triple Threat.
The winner will advance to next Friday
and go one-on-one with LA Knight, with the winner of that match
being crowned No. 1 Contender for the Undisputed WWE Championship
now held by "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes.
That feels good to say out loud, Bad News.
[Wade] Yeah, you're telling me, a long story.
You think that story was good?
-[Graves] Whoa! -[Wade] Wait for the next one.
[Graves] Rey, now.
Caught out of mid-air and counters again.
Mysterio scrambling for a cover.
[referee and crowd] One, two--
[Wade] There are levels to this game, and Rey's 25-plus years at the very top
put him at a level completely unsurpassed by anyone.
[Graves] Triple Threat Match.
No disqualification, no count-out,
competitors afforded a little bit more leeway than usual.
Our official Jessika Carr keeping a close eye
on proceedings and Styles with a cheap shot slowing down
Rey Mysterio and Rey turns the tides once again.
[crowd cheering]
Rey wanted the 619, Styles sensed it coming.
[Wade] Just too much left in the tank of The Phenomenal One.
Beautiful modified neckbreaker.
[Graves] Face-first goes Owens, rolling into the cover.
[referee] One, two--
AJ Styles is headed to the final, and Kevin Owens keeps it alive
for himself and Rey Mysterio.
[Wade] AJ gripped by bitterness and rage of late,
but still as smooth as they come in-ring.
[Graves] Vitriol can be a great motivator in this business.
AJ Styles knows that better than anyone, as does Kevin Owens,
who's never met a fight he did not like.
Head-butt between the eyes of AJ Styles.
You can feel the urgency picking up in this matchup.
Big right hand from Mysterio.
[Wade] Everyone's a target in a Triple Threat Matchup.
Friendships go to one side, especially when the prize is this great.
[Graves] Oh no, apparently Rey didn't get the memo.
You don't try to superplex Kevin Owens.
Owens now into the cover, hooks the leg.
[referee and crowd] One, two--
And Styles slides in at the last possible second.
Let's take another look at this.
Rey obviously didn't learn from the mistakes of Logan Paul
and so many others.
[Wade] I mean, if not for AJ Styles, this one would have been over
because Rey was toast after that move.
But now the pugnacious KO still ticking.
[Graves] Styles. I think the momentary hesitation may have cost
AJ superkick on the chin.
Owens looking to seal the deal.
Pop-Up Powerbomb! No.
Pelé Kick!
[Wade] A slight slip on the ropes there from AJ,
but that's the difference at this level.
One minimal mistake is all it takes, and it's AJ's mistake.
[Graves] AJ was thinking about a Styles Clash,
Mysterio came soaring through the sky to take down Styles.
[Wade] Hats off to Rey Mysterio,
whose powers of recovery after that move from the ropes by KO.
[grunting]
[Graves] Styles able to counter. What the heck?
No way!
Triple-stack German suplex!
What power from Kevin Owens.
[Wade] KO versus everybody.
[Graves] Just keep fighting.
And that was the adrenaline
the WWE Universe wanted tonight in Detroit.
An unreal showing of strength from Owens.
This matchup could go any of three ways.
[Wade] This is the grittiest city on planet Earth,
and KO is the grittiest fighter on planet Earth,
and he is inching closer to victory.
[Graves] This is the Motor City and the blue-collar mentality lives on.
Monkey flipped into Styles.
Hurricanrana counter.
KO over the top rope! Dial it up, Bad News!
[Wade] The dominoes are falling! 619!
[Graves] Styles in position.
Can Mysterio drop the dime?
Oh no! Owens on the apron. Stunner!
[Wade] True ability of KO comes back to bite Rey Mysterio
and it's up for grabs now.
[crowd cheering]
[Graves] Swanton! But AJ got the knees up.
LA Knight no doubt watching intently.
Will it be Owens? Will it be Styles?
Will it be Rey Mysterio?
AJ looking to finish things, but here comes Rey back into the fold.
[Wade] He had no choice.
This was as good as over had Rey not picked himself up.
[Graves] Well, this may be over in a matter of moments.
[Wade] The welts already forming on Rey's body.
Well, they might be about to get even worse.
[Graves] Oh no! Oh no!
Avalanche Styles Clash! Cover by AJ!
-[crowd] One, two, three! -[bell rings]
[Graves] The Phenomenal One does it!
[def rebel's "You Don't Want None" playing]
[Rome] Here is your winner,
The Phenomenal AJ Styles!
[Graves] Vitriol was the secret ingredient tonight, Wade.
I think you hit the nail on the head.
Driven by coming up short at WrestleMania,
hungry for another opportunity to lay out LA Knight.
KO almost had this one.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Just an absolute car crash of an ending to this matchup.
An outstanding move by AJ from the ropes,
enough to grant him victory, and perhaps next week,
opportunity at revenge and redemption
against the man who beat him at WrestleMania
just a few days ago, The Megastar,
LA Knight.
And here he is.
[Graves] The winner challenges Cody Rhodes at Backlash.
Oh man, you can feel the bad blood boiling.
Me and you, for this, right here?
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah.
WrestleMania was just part one.
Yeah, it was.
[indistinct chatter]
No, no, no. Two times.
We're gonna do it again, and this time, I'm going on to be WWE Champion.
-I'm gonna tear you apart. -Yeah, go ahead and tear me apart.
I wanna see it. I wanna feel that.
Go ahead and do it when you can, 'cause you can't.
Yeah, I'm telling you right now.
I'll see you next week. But now… ause you can't.