[WWE signature intro playing]
[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[music fades]
[Graves] They are as deep as they are dangerous.
And tonight The Bloodline has descended
on Friday Night SmackDown,
where we will see one of the most chaotic
and feared tag teams in the world reunite
for the first time in WWE
as Tama Tonga and his brother Tonga Loa
do battle with Montez Ford
and Angelo Dawkins, The Street Profits,
former Tag Team Champions.
And as we set sights on Clash at The Castle,
we must remind you this has been a week of celebration
for our new King and Queen.
[Cole] In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Tonight, the men and women
battle for the opportunity to change their lives and their careers.
Who will be King and Queen of the Ring?
[Graves] Orton versus Gunther for King of the Ring.
[Cole] Big fight feel, big fight atmosphere
here tonight in Jeddah.
Gunther with a dropkick to the bad knee.
And now look at Gunther just wearing Orton down.
RKO!
Gunther went to the bad knee.
Gunther is King of the Ring!
Well, you can officially call him the King General!
[Graves] Valkyria versus Jax for the Queen of the Ring.
[Cole] Nia just punishing and destroying Lyra.
[Graves] She knows Lyra is in pain and Nia wants the crown.
[Cole] Oh, and lands on the apron and that may cost her.
[Graves] Valkyria looking to keep up the pressure.
[Cole] Maybe looking for a sunset powerbomb.
[Graves] Oh-ho-ho!
[Cole] Annihilator!
[referee] One, two, three!
-[Cole] Nia is the Queen of the Ring. -[crowd cheers]
[Graves] Tonight and the crown belong to The Irresistible Force.
[crowd cheers]
[Graves] Live from a jam-packed MVP Arena in Albany, New York,
this is Friday Night SmackDown on Fox,
sponsored by Progressive,
a triple-threat of protection with home, auto and more.
Let's send it up to the ring
and our general manager, Mr. Nick Aldis.
[Aldis] Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to SmackDown live
from the MVP Arena in Albany, New York!
[crowd cheers]
[Aldis] Now, folks, as a GM,
there is no better feeling in the world
than when one of your top draft picks
comes through in the clutch.
And ladies and gentlemen, the Superstar I'm about to introduce,
well, they did just that.
So join me now, if you will, and please welcome…
the 2024 Queen of the Ring.
The Irresistible Force.
Nia Jax.
["Not Like Most Girls" by def rebel plays]
[Graves] Well, Wade, the path was extremely arduous,
bordering on impossible.
But The Irresistible Force reminded the world this past Saturday
that she is maybe the most dangerous woman in all of WWE.
[Wade] You plow your way through Naomi, Cargill,
Belair, and Valkyria,
you are damn right you are the Queen of WWE.
Wow, what a route!
It couldn't have been any more tough for Nia Jax.
She just ate it up, swallowed it, and squashed all comers.
I bow down to this woman.
[Aldis] Your 2024 Queen of the Ring,
Nia Jax.
Nia, congratulations.
The floor is yours.
[crowd boos]
[Nia] Thank you.
[crowd chants "you suck"]
[Nia] Let's get the facts straight.
[crowd boos]
[Nia] It's a fact that I am your
Queen of the Ring.
[crowd boos]
And it's a fact that as your queen,
I get a title shot at SummerSlam.
So, Bayley, your queen
is commanding your presence
in her ring right now.
["Role Model" by def rebel plays]
[Graves] Well, the new queen not wasting any time
making a demand and our WWE Women's Champion
not afraid to answer the bell.
♪ Role model ♪
[indistinct dialogue]
[Graves] Oh, wait. Look out behind Bayley.
Piper Niven and Chelsea Green.
[Wade] For the second week in a row, Piper flattens Bayley.
[Graves] A blindsided attack by Niven and Green.
Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place if you're Bayley.
There is no respite.
[Wade] Bayley's got something the rest of the roster wants…
that WWE Women's Championship.
[Graves] Niven squashes the Champion.
You're right about Bayley, but the same has got to be said for Nia Jax,
who has a guaranteed title opportunity at SummerSlam
no matter who the champion is.
[crowd chants "Bayley"]
Nia, [chuckles]…
sweetie,
you don't have to worry about facing Bayley
because by the time SummerSlam rolls around,
your new WWE Women's Champion
is going to be my sweet pea best friend,
little spicy margarita Piper Niven.
[laughs]
[crowd booing]
[Nia] I don't give a damn who the Champion is…
because I'm gonna annihilate her regardless.
["Not Like Most Girls" by def rebel plays]
[Graves] Queen Nia with her first proclamation.
It's been a week after capturing the crown,
your 2024 Queen of the Ring
and perhaps the most dangerous woman in all of WWE.
[Wade] Just have to admire the majesty of Queen Nia
and the destruction of Piper Niven.
[Graves] Bayley has got to feel like the walls are closing in right now.
[Green] You're gonna show her!
[giggles]
[crowd chants "Bayley"]
[Styles] Um, thought about what you said last week…
and if there's some time, I would appreciate…
um, addressing my future tonight.
[Aldis] Well, I can definitely find you the time, AJ,
it's not a problem, but…
is there something you want to tell me?
It's gonna be hard enough to do it once.
So if it's okay with you, just once in the ring tonight.
That's all I need.
I understand.
-You got your time. -Thanks, Nick.
Appreciate that.
["It's Our Moment" by def rebel plays]
[Graves] Speculation has been running rampant
for the past week or so regarding the future of AJ Styles.
Apparently, we'll get our answer tonight.
[Wade] Somber tone to it, whatever's going on.
[bell rings]
[Taylor] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied by Johnny Gargano,
from Boston, Massachusetts, weighing in at 201 pounds,
representing DIY,
Tommaso Ciampa!
[Graves] Well, since being drafted to Friday Night SmackDown,
DIY have wasted no time making waves in the Tag Team Division.
After a confrontation earlier, we have arrived at one-on-one competition
as Ciampa battles Austin Theory, one half of the WWE Tag Champs, next.
["It's Our Moment" by def rebel plays]
-Yes, yes. -[Naomi] Bay, are you okay?
Yeah, I am.
Girl, I don't know what happened.
They're not getting away with this.
You good to fight tonight?
Am I good? Hell, yeah.
-Am I good to fight? -Yeah.
Hell yeah, I'm good to fight tonight.
-Let me get changed. -That's what I like to hear.
You know I got your back, right?
You always do, yeah.
I'm gonna go holler at Nick Aldis.
All right.
Get this checked first.
["It's Our Moment" by def rebel plays]
[Graves] Tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
Well, Wade, it seems to me as though Bayley might have a fight on her hands.
And we've got singles action
in the Tag Team Division coming up right now.
[Wade] I'll tell you, Bayley did not look fully healthy to me,
but if she wants to fight, she's gonna fight.
["A-Town Down" by def rebel plays]
♪ A-Town Down, the future's right now ♪
♪ A-Town Down, tearin' the place down ♪
♪ A-Town Down, like my next sound ♪
…the greatest Undefeated Tag Team Champions of all time!
[crosstalk]
[Taylor] And his opponent, accompanied by Grayson Waller,
from Atlanta, Georgia, weighing in at 220 pounds,
he is one half of the WWE
Tag Team Champions,
Austin Theory!
[Graves] We mentioned a confrontation earlier in the day that led to this match.
Let's take a look.
And with all of that said, Mr. Aldis,
we just want to know, who are the number one contenders for those Tag Team Titles?
-What do we have to do? -[Waller laughing]
Oi, Theory. Check out these bums begging for a shot.
-That's embarrassing, lad. -What is it, beg, beg, beg?
-Two little puppies. Look at you. -Puppies, huh?
Underdogs gotta eat.
Let's see if your bite's as big as your bark.
You want to eat?
How about you and Theory, one-on-one tonight?
Yeah, tonight. Tonight!
And then I take those next.
[Waller] We ain't stressed, lad, we ain't stressed.
We are undefeated.
[Graves] They are brash, they are bordering on arrogant.
But A-Town Down Under currently reigns supreme in the Tag Team Division.
But, Wade, I don't know if a lot of the WWE Universe
knows quite how much history exists
between DIY, particularly Johnny Gargano, and Austin Theory.
[Wade] Yeah, well, back in the NXT days,
Gargano was a mentor of sorts to a young Austin Theory.
They're in The Way faction together, led by Johnny Gargano,
and that experience really helped Theory get himself to the next level here in WWE.
And part of why he is a champion now.
[Graves] Got Tommaso Ciampa, a champion in the past in his own right,
a former NXT Champion.
Huh? That's all day, son. Right here.
[Graves] Austin Theory never short on bravado.
Might opt to choose his words a little more carefully
when you're dealing with a psycho killer.
[Wade] You could not get two more opposite-- boom!-- kind of mentalities,
personalities. Between the grit and drive of a Tommaso Ciampa…
and the smug, cocky arrogance of Austin Theory.
However, both highly effective in the ring.
[crowd counts]
[Graves] Right now Tommaso Ciampa just tattooing the forehead
of Austin Theory.
And one for Waller as well.
[Wade] Just for good measure.
[Graves] But Ciampa took his eye off the ball and paid for it.
Theory may have this one all sealed up!
[Wade] But there's that teamwork of Grayson Waller
and Austin Theory paying dividends already.
And that was an attack to the neck of Tommaso Ciampa,
that he has had surgically repaired in the past.
It's a thunderbolt shooting down his spine right now.
[Graves] Let me ask you this, Wade, for as well as Gargano
has known Austin Theory in the past,
do you think Gargano would have been able to give Ciampa
any sort of substantial advice heading into this match?
[Wade] Well, there's no doubt about it.
He knows Austin Theory's weaknesses,
and the biggest weakness of Austin Theory has to be mentally.
You can take the man apart.
Very easily distracted at times.
Because physically, there's no weakness whatsoever.
[Graves] Right now, Austin Theory showing off for his former mentor.
Burying elbows into the jaw of Tommaso Ciampa.
You may find this hard to believe,
but Grayson Waller told me earlier
that he is not a big fan of Albany, New York.
[Wade] I don't think Grayson Waller is a big fan of anything
other than Austin Theory and those Tag Championships.
-And to be fair, I'm sure… -[Graves] Whoa!
…the feeling is mutual between the entire State of New York.
[Graves] Wade, I don't know if you noticed,
when Ciampa made contact with the canvas, he immediately grasped at his neck.
Oh my God!
That's gonna make things even worse.
Tommaso Ciampa is in big, big trouble.
[Waller] Too easy, idiot. How's your neck?
Yeah.
[Graves] Austin Theory, one half of the WWE Tag Team Champions
in complete control of this one-on-one competition
between himself and Tommaso Ciampa of DIY.
Wade, we know it's been no secret that DIY
would love to earn a future Tag Team Title opportunity.
[Wade] Yeah, they said they would run through anybody,
including The Street Profits, last week, if they have to,
to get to that Tag Championship opportunity.
And, of course, The Street Profits laid their own claim last week
by beating the Tag Champs in six-man tag.
[Graves] Friday Night SmackDown's Tag Team Division becoming
even more crowded with contenders.
[Wade] You have to think a victory here for Ciampo--
for Ciampa would just solidify that claim,
but it's looking less and less likely ever since that neck.
-[Graves] Oh! -[Wade] But there's still fight in Ciampa.
A man who simply does not understand the word "quit."
[Graves] Look of concern for the moment on the face of Grayson Waller
trying to will his partner Austin Theory back into this battle.
But here comes Tommaso Ciampa, the Sicilian Psychopath.
Big right hand staggers Theory, and Ciampa continuing to roll.
[Wade] Ciampa needs all of the grit and drive in his soul here.
But he's tapped into something.
And this is a real momentum shift.
[Graves] Boom!
Thunderous clothesline connects.
[Wade] Flying clothesline to the jaw.
Austin Theory knocked loopy on that one.
[Graves] Ciampa drives Theory down,
but perhaps took a little bit out of himself in the process.
Hook of the leg. Cover.
[Wade] That's part of the problem.
This point in a matchup, Ciampa firing on instinct.
Take a look again at this baseball bat-like clothesline to the jaw.
[Graves] Basic instinct for Tommaso Ciampa
still includes rocket fuel impact on a clothesline.
[Wade] Thoughts are now whirling in the mind of Grayson Waller
trying to figure out how to get his man out of this predicament.
[Graves] You have to imagine on the outside
Gargano has got to be enjoying
what Ciampa is doing to Gargano's former charge, Austin Theory.
[Wade] Well, you see the attacks now from Ciampa targeted
on the neck of Austin Theory. A little payback for you.
[Graves] Oh, Theory able to counter. Looking for a backslide.
Ciampa has the arms hooked in the opposite direction.
Could be thinking about the Fairy Tale Ending.
This will end it for Theory.
Great display of strength by Theory.
Oh, no!
I don't know if Theory got all of it, but got enough of it.
This is gonna do it. Ataxia!
Theory with the cover.
Wait a minute.
[Wade] The ever-expanding arsenal of Austin Theory.
How on earth? Ciampa kicked out of that, executed to perfection!
And now it's perhaps panic stations for Austin Theory.
Where do you take this from here?
[Graves] The hallmark of a true champion, even in a non-title competition.
Does Theory have what it takes to finish the job?
This is the same young man who defeated John Cena at WrestleMania.
Theory no stranger to adversity.
[Wade] A man for the big moments.
Opportunity to put Ciampa away with some A-Town Down perhaps.
[Graves] Here we go!
I think Ciampa put the brakes on.
Ciampa picked the leg of Theory.
[Wade] Just in the nick of time.
Somehow living on in this matchup.
[Graves] Heavy artillery being exchanged mid-ring.
Both men with the same idea.
Dueling big boots.
[Wade] Just a war of attrition in the ring right now.
[Graves] Back elbow and a knee right on the chin of the Champ.
[Wade] Austin Theory must be wishing he was still in The Way right now,
because he is getting battered from pillar to post by Tommaso Ciampa.
-And it's all that Grayson Waller-- -[Waller] What did you say?
The Way?
The way these flubs don't belong in the ring with us?
What about the way Johnny Gargano held him back?
What about the way Austin Theory is relevant again
because of the Grayson Waller rub?
Huh? What about that?
What'd you say?
-Why'd you say that? -No, no, no!
[Wade] Grayson Waller is trying to claim all the credit for the success of Theory.
[Graves] And Ciampa from behind stacks him up.
-[Wade] Oh, no. -[Graves] Ciampa stole it.
["It's Our Moment" by def rebel plays]
[Taylor] Here is your winner,
Tommaso Ciampa!
[Wade] Well, you can lay that defeat
squarely at the feet of Grayson Waller, who distracted his man Austin Theory.
[Graves] Listen, I think you need to just mind your words a little better,
Bad news. I just saved Cole's life on Saturday.
I'm not about to do it to you.
[Wade] Just doing my job as a journalist, Corey.
[Graves] Grayson Waller did just basically take credit
for the rise of Austin Theory.
[Wade] And then distracted him, costing him the matchup against Ciampa.
[Graves] DIY has got to be feeling good about their title future.
[Aldis] You won the Iron Survivor Challenge.
-That was the day I knew-- -[Naomi] Hey, Nick.
Naomi.
So sorry to bother you, but enough is enough.
Bayley and I want a match tonight against Chelsea and Piper.
Well, no, no, you might not be bothering him,
but you've really rubbed me the wrong way.
Look, listen.
Normally, I would introduce myself and ask who you are.
No, no, you don't need to ask who I am.
I'll tell you.
I'm Blair Davenport.
But I have no doubt you are going to know exactly who I am.
-Mm. -Uh, okay.
Now you're done making friends,
I've got some good news for you.
You and Bayley, Chelsea and Piper… tonight.
-Done deal. -Yes!
I hate to do this, but I'm actually expecting someone.
So, if you don't mind.
Good luck.
Not interrupting, am I? You done?
[crowd cheers]
Yeah!
So, look, I've got a couple questions for you.
Just a couple things to run by you.
But before I get to that, what's the stuff with AJ?
What's the rumor? He's not really retiring, is he?
Honestly, I don't know.
Okay, well, it sounds like we'll find out together.
But now that I'm thinking about it, I've been walking around
just kind of surveying the area, just seeing who's around, what's going on.
And there's one guy I just can't find.
Maybe you know where he is. Do you know where Logan Paul might be?
Let's take a seat.
Right.
[Wade] Now, there's been rumors all over social media and in the locker room.
We are gonna get the truth straight from the horse's mouth.
AJ Styles will address his future
later on tonight right here on SmackDown.
Listen, Corey, I got to tell you, as a competitor,
you know, before anybody else when your time is up.
I hope that's not the case for AJ Styles, but if it is,
it will go down as an all-time career.
Yeah, Styles has been a friend and mentor to so many,
but AJ seemed like he had a lot of tread left on the tires
when he took Cody Rhodes to the limit recently at Backlash.
But speaking of Cody Rhodes,
our Undisputed WWE Champion headed to Saudi Arabia to defend his crown
yet again this past weekend.
Let's see what I'm talking about in our Progressive Match Flo.
[announcer] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive,
a triple-threat of protection with home, auto and more.
[Cole] Tonight we are inside the Jeddah Superdome in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
[Ibrahim] The following contest
is for the Undisputed WWE Championship Title!
[Cole] Logan Paul, hoping to hold the WWE Title
and the United States Title at the same time.
Paul made a promise he wasn't gonna use brass knuckles tonight.
What is this fool thinking?
Logan, what are you doing?
You signed a pre-knuck. He's using the brass!
Knuckles to the bad ribs. We're going viral, Jeddah.
Logan from the top rope through Cody!
Damn it! Damn it!
Cody's crushed.
Cover. We're gonna crown a new champion now.
Cody kicked.
The official's down.
Oh!
And a low blow.
And he's still got the damn knuckles.
Who the--?
[Graves] Ibrahim Al Hajjaj.
[Cole] He's the guest ring announcer.
Who the hell are you?
[Cole] Cody Rhodes, Champion!
-[bell rings] -[crowd cheers]
[Cole] But we learned a lot about "The American Nightmare"
Cody Rhodes tonight.
Rhodes remains on the top of the mountain.
[crowd cheers]
Excuse me, LA Knight. Do you have an update
with your conversation with Nick Aldis?
Look at you, you little Nosy Nellie.
How long you been waiting out here for a story?
Let me talk to you.
[crowd] Yeah!
You want to know what we were in there talking about?
You want to know the questions I was asking?
You want to know the answers he was giving, right?
You can answer. Right?
Right?
-Right. -You don't want to answer. Okay. Yeah.
You were looking for it. So tell you what we're gonna do.
Here's the answer I can give you.
There wasn't much to tell you. Nick didn't have much for me.
The only answer he had for me
is really that Logan Paul isn't here this week.
[crowd boos]
So I guess that means I'll just talk to you next week.
Wrong! 'Cause I'm here!
I'm here in Albany.
I'm here at SmackDown.
-Yeah! -[crowd shouts "Yeah"]
And what that means is,
if I'm not gonna get the answer I want, then I tell you what.
I'll make the answer I want.
So what I'm telling you right now, Logan Paul…
I want that United States Championship.
[crowd] Yeah!
And I ain't got…
Oh, speaking of creeping around. What do you want?
Hey, Kayla, what's up with your boy, man?
He's always doing all this talking, but he's never really saying nothing, huh?
Look, man, why would LA want to face you
when a first-round draft pick is standing right here?
Well, if I faced myself, I'd be looking in the mirror.
You're talking about Logan, right? Yeah.
Let's get it right. Get your names right.
Look, the truth is, he knows ball and you ain't that.
So, next time he leaves you on read, you tell him this.
If he want to talk the talk, then you're the guy.
But he want to walk the walk,
then I'm HIM.
Trash.
[Graves] Well, WWE Clash at The Castle
is sponsored by Gin & Juice, are ready to drink cocktail
by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg's new premium spirit brand,
named after Snoop's iconic song "Gin and Juice," produced by Dr. Dre.
["The Best Is Yet To Come" by def rebel plays]
Back on SmackDown, baby.
We started with that W. Let's go!
[Graves] There's the Nigerian-born Superstar Apollo Crews,
a former Intercontinental and United States Champion, Wade,
with a big opportunity to make some waves.
[Wade] Yeah, recent draftee to SmackDown.
Nick Aldis sees big things in Apollo Crews' future.
[bell rings]
[Taylor] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing, from Gomez Palacio,
Durango, Mexico,
weighing in at 210 pounds,
Andrade!
[Graves] Talk about making waves and impact.
Andrade looks to do that here on Friday Night SmackDown,
but recently he's caught the eye of some familiar faces.
[speaking Spanish]
I just want to let you know I put you in a good word with Santos.
And everyone is willing to forget about what happened at WrestleMania.
And we are ready to welcome Andrade into Legado Del Fantasma.
Thank you.
But…
no, thank you.
[Graves] "Thank you, but no, thank you."
Andrade looking to roll solo, do the work on his own.
And it begins tonight with Apollo Crews.
Wade, Andrade, a world-traveled Superstar,
a former United States Champion here in WWE.
What impresses you the most about Andrade?
[Wade] A 20-plus year career of winning championships,
no matter where he has been, including here in WWE.
There's a reason why Angel wants to bring the man
into the Legado Del Fantasma fold.
It's because he is all class, as he proved against Santos Escobar
amongst others at WrestleMania.
[Graves] Angel and Andrade tasted a modicum of success
as a tag team several years back.
What a drop kick! Almost immediately into a lateral press.
Andrade just on another level,
but might have dinged up his shoulder on landing on the drop kick.
[Wade] Yeah, it was an awkward landing on top of his opponent.
Not something you can really train for and get used to.
Take another look at this athleticism, though, from Andrade.
Might have hyper-extended that elbow on the landing.
[Graves] Oh.
Belly to back suplex. Into the cover by Andrade.
Andrade utilizing a more methodical pace.
[Wade] Kind of a blend of a high-flying luchador and a power-based style.
Added a lot of muscle mass as his career has gone on.
Same perhaps could be said,
however, of his opponent in Apollo Crews. Very similar skill sets.
[Graves] Took the words right out of my mouth. Crews can fly.
He's a powerhouse.
Andrade hesitates.
That's Angel, Angel Garza of Legado… Legado!
[Wade] Angel giving it the big sell job, distracting Andrade in the process.
[Graves] Keep your eyes on Apollo Crews.
Moonsault takes out Andrade.
-[roars] -Crews is rolling.
Can Andrade find his way back in?
From the MVP Arena in Albany, New York,
this is one-on-one action between Andrade and Apollo Crews,
who just took a gnarly spill from the top rope.
Andrade perched up high, crossbody on the money.
[Wade] This is Andrade having to show some great durability.
It was all Andrade until Angel came out here.
Distracted the man inadvertently.
But now you see Andrade back on top showing that
pipeline lucha skillset we talked about earlier.
[Graves] Wade, I've got to ask you, a Superstar
who has been away from WWE for quite some time before returning,
how does the landscape change affect
your personal perspective, if you're Andrade?
[Wade] Well, when you come back, inevitably the game has moved on.
Superstars have got bigger, stronger, faster and all that stuff,
and you simply have to raise your game to match it.
[Graves] That flying forearm rocked Apollo Crews,
but it appeared to take something out of Andrade!
[Wade] Andrade now tapping into those energy reserves.
[Graves] Could be moments away from Apollo Crews
seeing some shadows in Albany.
The WWE Universe rallying behind Andrade.
And here we go!
Double knees to the face.
Into the cover.
See Angel Garza on the outside, of Legado Del Fantasma, looking on.
A former tag partner of Andrade.
Angel claimed he put in a good word with Santos Escobar on Andrade's behalf.
[Wade] Well, I'll tell you this, Berto is not a fan of Andrade.
There's kind of a split in Legado Del Fantasma,
as there may be a split in the back of the head
of Andrade after that German suplex.
[Graves] Legado maybe considering recruiting Apollo Crews
after the display of power in that German suplex,
but Andrade able to shrug Crews off.
And connects with a boot in the teeth.
[Wade] These two men giving it everything,
looking to build some momentum here on SmackDown.
Get some new opportunities.
Wow!
[Graves] This is that outrageous power possessed
by Apollo Crews,
making it look too easy.
Moonsault. Cover.
-Andrade kicks out. -[Wade] Yeah.
Apollo Crews, a man who got lost in the shuffle on Raw,
but looking reignited here after Nick Aldis
gave him a fresh start on SmackDown.
Now is the time to capitalize.
[Graves] Angel up on the apron. Apollo took the bait.
Good night.
[Wade] Just a KO spinning back elbow there from Andrade.
[Graves] I'm not sure Andrade couldn't have executed the cover there,
but just for good measure!
Hook of the leg.
[crowd counts]
-[Graves] What a win for Andrade! -[bell rings]
[Taylor] Here is your winner, Andrade!
[Wade] Seems, as far as Angel is concerned, job done.
[Graves] Well, listen, if you're Angel, and you're trying to get
the ear of Santos, you… This makes you look good.
Oh, speak of the devil.
Should I say los diablos?
[Wade] Santos liking what he's seeing from Andrade.
[Graves] Santos is a smart man
who knows a great deal about this business
and what it takes to succeed and be a star.
Andrade possesses all of those skills.
[Wade] It would appear that the boss of Legado Del Fantasma, Santos Escobar,
is convinced.
Perhaps now the convincing of Andrade needs to take place.
Work in progress, perhaps.
[Graves] I think Legado Del Fantasma just got their answer…
from Andrade.
One thing's for sure, Wade,
Legado understands that strength in numbers,
safety in numbers, is a real situation these days in WWE.
The Bloodline exploits those facts like perhaps nobody else has.
But what we're learning more and more recently is no matter who you are,
no matter how good you are, no matter how many times you've been champion,
it's always good to have someone watching your back.
[Wade] So, let's take you back to last Friday.
SmackDown was a semifinal at the King of the Ring tournament.
Orton was taking on Tama Tonga,
and despite some chicanery from The Bloodline,
The Viper connected with an RKO,
scoring the three-count and progressing.
Now, the issues came post-match
because, as always, The Bloodline
look to do a number on their opponent.
And Orton was in big trouble until the timely
return of "The Prizefighter" Kevin Owens,
who managed to send The Bloodline packing,
throwing a few haymakers in the process, much to the relief of Randy Orton.
The Prizefighter playing the role of unexpected savior.
And Randy Orton is currently having his knee evaluated by a specialist.
We'll keep you updated.
You understand me? Put an end to The Street Profits.
Do you understand me?
Do everything in your power to take them out.
Okay?
[crowd cheers]
You know…
I've been doing a lot of thinking about this.
A lot of introspection…
about how I can better serve you while you're in charge.
And with Roman as our Tribal Chief…
there was a lot of violence in The Bloodline.
But that was to preserve the family,
to preserve everything that The Bloodline was working for.
And before Roman ever said yes to an act of violence…
there was a lot of counsel from The Wiseman.
I see you are recruiting…
some very violent men into The Bloodline.
[crowd chants "We want Roman"]
And all I see are random acts of violence.
But I don't see any strategy at all.
'Cause, Solo,
the strategy has to be
that when Roman comes back…
we have Cody Rhodes in check.
Wiseman, we got Cody Rhodes in check.
And he doesn't even know it.
[crowd chanting "Cody"]
Let me ask you a question.
All due respect.
Who's "we"?
-["Fight (Kevin Owens)" by CFO$ plays] -[crowd cheer]
I got a strategy for you.
You better go out there and fix this. Now!
[Graves] I don't know how Solo expects The Wiseman to fix this.
[Taylor] Please welcome
Kevin Owens!
[Wade] Solo Sikoa has only one way of fixing problems,
and it's usually involving bloodshed.
KO up next.
[Wade] Well, the rumors are bleak,
but let's try to ignore them for now at least.
We will hear from "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles himself regarding his future.
That is coming up later tonight on SmackDown.
[def rebel's "Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
[Angel] Hey, Come on. What happened?
You just embarrass me in front of my group, huh?
-[yelling] -[crosstalk]
Back it up!
What's wrong with you? Mind your own damn business.
Next time, stay out of my business.
Enough, enough. Come on, come on.
Go.
["Fight (Kevin Owens)" by CFO$ plays]
[Graves] Well, tonight's Friday Night SmackDown on Fox
is sponsored by Progressive.
This is The Prizefighter.
This is Kevin Owens in the ring tonight in Albany.
[music fades]
[crowd cheers]
[Owens] Thank you.
Last week I made my return to SmackDown…
And, uh, I went all the way to Saudi Arabia to do it
because I wanted to make sure…
that I had Randy Orton's back.
[crowd cheers]
Because over the last few months,
Randy Orton-- actually, scratch that.
Over the last few years,
Randy Orton has had my back…
and I wanted to make sure
that Solo and his crew
weren't gonna ruin Randy's chances at becoming King of the Ring.
Now, Randy isn't King of the Ring,
but we all saw what happened in that match.
He really didn't lose.
And, uh, while Randy is not here tonight, he's at home recuperating…
I do know who is here,
and that happens to be Solo and his little crew.
So, I figured I would be here, too.
[Heyman] Ladies and gentlemen.
[crowd cheers]
Ladies and gentlemen,
-my name is Paul Heyman. -[crowd] Paul Heyman.
I have served for almost four years as Special Counsel
and The Wiseman to your Tribal Chief,
Roman Reigns.
And in his absence,
I serve as The Wiseman
for Solo and The Bloodline.
[crowd booing]
It is within that capacity, Kevin Owens,
that I come out here tonight to talk to you,
man to man, professional to professional…
father to father…
as I think there is a mutual interest
at the moment
that I--I'm hoping I can serve.
Paul, just get in the ring and get to the point.
-May I? -I just said, get in the ring.
[crowd chants "We want Roman"]
I don't think there is a person
in this arena tonight
that wants Roman here more than I do.
And here's why.
You…
You keep calling out Solo's name,
and you know, Roman Reigns…
had and has great respect for you.
And anything that you went through with Roman Reigns
was because of how much he respected you and admired you
and dare I say, acknowledged you
as a true threat to his championship.
Solo has no respect for you
and he is recruiting these criminals into The Bloodline.
We, Roman Reigns and I,
turned down every new member of The Bloodline
because we did background checks on them.
We didn't want these people in The Bloodline
representing The Bloodline.
These are the people that you're picking a fight with, Kevin.
These are the people that you're antagonizing.
These are the people that…
they're not--they're not even people.
They're just bloodthirsty, sadistic thugs.
They're not looking for a reason to take you out.
They're looking for any excuse to take you out.
And that's bad for WWE.
I like you in WWE.
They love you in WWE.
[crowd cheers]
And if you keep on calling out Solo's name,
they're going to do something
really bad about it.
I am asking you.
I'm pleading with you, Kevin Owens.
I'm begging you.
Back off The Bloodline.
Please.
[crowd boos]
-Are you really out here… -[stuttering]
Are you really out here acting like you're trying to help me?
-Yes. -Really?
I am trying to help you.
Yes.
What in the last few years has made you believe that I would ever,
ever put any trust
into anything that comes out of your mouth?
Huh?
I'm not falling for this act.
You think I don't know that this is all you.
You're pulling the strings.
This is your M.O., this is what you do.
You went from Brock to Roman, and now Roman lost the title.
Who's your next cash cow?
Who's the next one that can keep you relevant?
Well, it's Solo!
I'm not falling for it, and I have that figured out.
But I don't know what this little act is about.
What are you trying to do?
You're trying to make sure everybody fears them.
You're trying to instill fear. Guess what?
I fought The Bloodline for four years and they gave me everything they had.
They threw me off of high things.
They handcuffed me to those ropes, superkicked me 20 times.
They hit me with a golf cart.
And I am still standing right here!
And I had a great time!
[crowd cheers]
But that, that was The Bloodline.
That was Roman Reigns and Jey and Jimmy Uso.
Guys that I, too, respect.
That-- Solo and the two guys--
that's not The Bloodline.
That's just Solo and two guys
I don't want to know, I don't care to know,
and nobody wants here!
So, you think for a second that I'm gonna stop fighting them?
Hell no! I will keep fighting them!
In fact, I will do everything I can to get them the hell out of my world!
And this is my world!
[crowd cheers]
And as far as your help goes,
I don't want it and I don't need it.
[crowd cheers]
Okay.
Maybe I'm not trying to help you.
Maybe I'm just trying to save you.
You ever think about that, huh?
You ever think that maybe, just maybe-- I've met your kids, huh?
You've met my kids. I've met your kids.
And maybe just-- What?
A man can't redeem himself after all these years?
How many times have you redeemed yourself? But me?
Oh, no, let's not think that Paul Heyman can ever redeem himself.
Not Paul Heyman, not Paul Heyman.
He can never redeem himself.
Why won't you understand what you are up against with these thugs?
Why won't you understand what I'm trying to do for you right now?
I am a freaking Hall of Fame Wiseman.
But no, let's not listen to the Hall of Fame Wiseman.
No, let's just sit here and think I have some feature.
I have some vision for the future
of Solo taking over the entire Bloodline.
Why won't anybody listen to me?
[crowd gasps]
No, no, no, sir.
I'm-- I'm sorry.
I am sorry.
-No! No! -[Graves] Oh, no.
Oh, no.
The Wiseman was in for it but…
Here comes trouble.
[Wade] For once, The Wiseman must be thrilled to see Solo Sikoa,
Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa.
[Graves] I honestly don't know if I agree with that assessment, Wade.
Heyman looked downright terrified of these three.
Kevin Owens, however, standing his ground.
Oh, and here comes backup.
Get 'em!
[Graves] Solo just sent the Tongans.
KO's bringing the fight on the outside.
It is popping off!
It is bedlam tonight in Albany!
[Wade] Absolute meltdown!
Somehow Paul Heyman escaping by the skin of his teeth.
But the fight is on now, Corey.
[Graves] We understand Kevin Owens
not wanting to heed Paul Heyman's warning.
This is how Owens has always handled business-- with his fists.
[Wade] Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa were due to do battle
with The Street Profits tonight.
Looks like that one's starting early.
[Graves] That matchup absolutely is scheduled but…
I don't know if we're gonna make it that far.
The Profits taking to the skies.
Dawkins takes out the Tongans!
We got tag team action live, next.
During the break, we were able to restore some semblance of order,
and at least enough for the official to start
this tag team showdown between The Street Profits
and The Bloodline.
This is our first time getting to see Tama Tonga
and his brother Tonga Loa of The Bloodline
in tag team action here on SmackDown, Wade.
[Wade] This is a very different version of the Street Profits that we are used to.
Now, The Street Profits got attacked by The Bloodline three weeks ago,
after Dawkins' first-round
King of the Ring match with Tama Tonga.
They have been on the warpath ever since.
Certainly not in the mood for a party.
This is business.
[Graves] Let's talk about what transpired before the madness, before the mayhem.
Paul Heyman attempting to warn Kevin Owens. Was it legitimate?
Is Heyman truly as scared of the Tongans as he claims to be?
Or is this another classic Heyman-Wiseman plot?
[Wade] I rarely believe anything Paul Heyman says
when it comes to a fear of these two Tongans,
I am completely understanding.
[Graves] Cover here by Montez.
Montez Ford, Angelo Dawkins, would love to advance in the rankings here
in the Tag Team Division at the expense of The Bloodline.
[Wade] So, here's the thing. Paul Heyman understands better than anyone
the mechanics of human nature, motivating forces and things like that.
He doesn't understand Tama Tonga or Tonga Loa
because they lack any semblance of humanity.
[Graves] No doubt about it.
Tama Tonga, Tonga… Oh my goodness.
Certainly two men who do not subscribe to morality.
You heard Paul Heyman call these two brothers thugs,
but we have to pay respect where it's due.
Prior to arriving at WWE, against Heyman's wishes,
Loa and Tama are seven-time
IWGP Tag Team Champions.
That's a standing record in Japan.
These guys may compete like savages,
they may think like savages, but these are two incredibly smart,
dangerous human beings.
[Wade] They are terrifying. They are highly effective.
[Graves] Oh, God!
[Wade] They just cannot be controlled, which is part of the reason why…
[Graves] Cover here by Tonga.
[Wade] …WWE has avoided them like the plague
up until very recently, when Solo Sikoa allowed them in the door.
[Graves] Solo obviously thinks he knows what he's doing as pertains to Tama Tonga,
Tonga Loa, and you can see the concern
on the face of The Wiseman.
If we look again at a pair of brutal--
[Wade] There's nothing technical about anything
Tonga Loa and Tama Tonga are doing here.
They're not gonna be applying wrist locks or leg holds.
They're more likely to just rip your eyeballs out.
[Graves] Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa,
who we are now watching dismantle Montez Ford.
Tag made for The Bloodline. Here comes Tama Tonga again.
Right across the ribs of a fallen Montez Ford.
[Wade] A pair of unrefined, crude--
[Graves] Hook of the leg by Tama Tonga.
Listen, if nothing else, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa,
they are battle tested.
These are true warriors, Wade.
I mean, it is in their DNA.
These guys live to fight.
[Wade] Yeah, and they're showing every ounce of their ability right now
for a fantastic start by the Street Profits.
Rode out that early storm.
And it has been one-way traffic ever since.
This is The Street Profits, two-time WWE Tag Team Champions.
-Who are-- -[Graves] Uh-oh.
[Wade] This could be a game changer, however.
[Graves] Here comes Angelo Dawkins looking to even the score,
bouncing Tama Tonga around the ring like a pinball.
[Wade] He's the heavy hitter of The Street Profits.
[Graves] Boom!
[Wade] And don't The Street Profits need those heavy hits right now.
[Graves] Twisting splash in the corner.
Followed immediately by the enzuigiri.
Dawkins scrambling into the cover, hook of the leg.
Think of what it would do, Wade,
to the momentum that The Bloodline is looking to build
if they're defeated tonight by The Street Profits.
[Wade] Think what it would do for The Street Profits,
who have made it clear they want an opportunity
at A-Town Down Under's tag gold.
[Graves] What would it do to the mental well-being of The Wiseman?
Will Heyman finally be able to catch his breath?
[Wade] A lot of health issues I'm worried about
when it comes to Paul Heyman right now.
[Graves] Tag was just made from the outside.
Tonga Loa made the tag.
Dawkins was unaware.
He became aware, in painful fashion, a few seconds too late.
He's just turned into a video nasty every single time…
-[Graves] Oh my God! -…Tanga Loa gets in the ring.
[Graves] Saito suplex dumping Dawkins high across
his neck and shoulders, now dumped to the outside.
[Wade] These two are feral.
[Graves] You can say that again.
And this barbaric onslaught from The Bloodline continues.
Dawkins, face first off of our announce desk.
Referee Dan Engler trying again to restore some semblance of order,
but Tonga Loa creeping up behind him.
Tonga Loa is a scary human being, man.
He's about as wide as he is tall.
Got deltoids like cannonballs and a nasty, mean disposition.
[Wade] There is just a serene look in the eyeballs of Tonga Loa
while he's out here causing carnage.
[Graves] Uh-oh. Uh-oh.
Tama Tonga takes out Dawkins again.
Can The Street Profits possibly find an answer for The Bloodline?
To this point in the matchup,
The Street Profits have been absolutely overwhelmed
by Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa of The Bloodline
to such an extent, "The Wiseman" Paul Heyman
has taken up safety in our timekeeper's area
to keep himself with some distance between Tonga Loa and Tama Tonga.
[Wade] Well, Paul Heyman is now ashen-faced,
bloodshot eyes… and I understand the fear.
His point is you cannot control these two
and things can spiral out of control very quickly for Solo Sikoa.
[Graves] Are you watching the same match I am, Wade?
Because I think Heyman looks absolutely correct in this instance.
Tama Tonga is mauling Angelo Dawkins.
[Wade] But what an asset to have if you can figure out
a way to control Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa.
[Graves] Arrogant cover by Tama Tonga.
We saw the look of downright concern, if not fear,
on the face of B-Fab on the outside.
[Wade] Well, let's talk about what Tama Tonga, especially,
and now, laterally, Tonga Loa
have done for The Bloodline post WrestleMania.
They got punched in the mouth at WrestleMania.
They've grown some new fangs, thanks to these two.
[Graves] Dawkins in desperate need of a tag.
Tama Tonga could stand to freshen things up as well.
[Wade] Don't believe Angelo Dawkins
is even on his feet after the beating he has received.
[Graves] Dawkins avoided contact but unfortunately
dove toward the wrong corner.
Drove toward Tonga Loa.
[Wade] Body must just feel like jelly right now.
[Graves] Oh!
[Wade] But he is tougher than most, is Angelo Dawkins.
[Graves] Well, same can be said for Tama Tonga,
who just elbowed his way out of Dawkins' suplex attempt.
[Wade] You're at the point now where it's almost
like the referee has to step in.
I spoke too soon.
[Graves] Dawkins firing on instinct and instinct alone.
Montez Ford would love to join the fray, as would Tonga Loa.
[Wade] You really want to get back in the ring with these guys?
[Graves] It's about survival at this point, Wade.
[Wade] If it was me, I'd be running for the car.
[Graves] Tag made on both sides.
Here comes Montez.
Here comes Tonga Loa.
And nothing fancy here, just a heavy hitter.
[Wade] Call it taste of your own medicine, Tonga Loa.
But it all just bounced off the big Tongan.
[Graves] Montez Ford flexing his athleticism,
able to land on his feet.
Ford is laying an onslaught on Tonga Loa, who did not flinch, Wade.
Well, that did it.
[Wade] There was almost a perverse smile on the face of Tonga Loa
until he eventually went down.
[Graves] One man who absolutely won't be smiling tonight
is "The Wiseman" Paul Heyman.
Great athleticism by Ford.
Enzuigiri connects on Tonga Loa.
[Wade] Yeah, 99% of the roster go down on that.
Tonga Loa is still on his feet.
[Graves] Dawkins just made the tag.
He's gonna be legal for The Street Profits.
Potentially a double-team incoming.
Great power from Dawkins.
Ford making the climb.
Blockbuster!
Cover by Dawkins.
And Tama Tonga keeps this one alive for The Bloodline.
[Wade] That must be the first time I've seen a grimace of pain
on the face of Tonga Loa.
[Graves] Not a frequent occurrence, that's for damn sure.
And Loa just flattened Dawkins again.
[Wade] Wobbled, but shaking off the cobwebs.
Is Tonga Loa cooking up something else devious?
[Graves] Allegedly, Tonga Loa is the more even-keeled of the brothers, but…
Oh, god!
-Wade-- -[Wade] That's a pretty low bar.
[Graves] I'm not sure-- I think Tama Tonga tagged Tonga Loa.
Dawkins has no idea.
[Wade] I don't think Tonga Loa knew anything about it either.
[Graves] Montez Ford making the climb.
Tonga Loa is down in the center of the ring.
From the heavens!
But here comes Tama.
Face first goes Ford, hooks the leg.
-And The Bloodline with the W. -[bell rings]
[Taylor] Here are your winners,
the team of Tonga Loa
and Tama Tonga.
[Graves] Well, you're right.
It doesn't seem like much of a consolation to say that Tonga Loa
is the more levelheaded.
I guess that is, in fact, why there are different degrees
of crimes in this world.
But the W belongs to The Bloodline tonight.
And things here on Friday Night SmackDown continue
to heat up in the Tag Team Division.
But Bad News, I am not only talking about the men's side of things.
[Wade] Yeah, let's take you back to last week
on the King and Queen of the Ring countdown show
as Belair and Cargill defending the Women's Tag Titles
against Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell.
Thrilling back and forth match, but the athleticism of the champs
was the difference maker.
Some stunning double-team offense
allowing the champs a successful defense
in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
So, Shayna and Zoey think they're gonna stop us?
Girl, please. You know it's just talk.
-Let's not give them that energy. -[Indi] Oi! Oi!
Let me get this straight.
You're going to Raw to hurt more people like you did Candice.
Yeah. Thanks to your heinous attack on her knee,
Candice is stuck at home.
Okay, okay. A bit extra, you think?
How?
Because Candice came after my knee first.
-Right. -Don't change the subject.
I'm not changing the subject, girl. Uh-uh. Okay?
She started it, and I finished it.
And since you want to continue to complain,
I would gladly put you on a shelf next to your little buddy Candice.
Try it.
Ooh!
That is not what I meant.
Yes, it is.
-So, I can handle this. -That's what we're doing?
[Graves] Belair and Cargill are thriving as Women's Tag Team Champions.
But this is a woman who knows all too well
what it means to be a target in WWE.
["Role Model" by def rebel plays]
[bell rings]
[Taylor] The following contest
is a tag team match scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first the team of Naomi
and the WWE Women's Champion,
Bayley!
[Graves] Bayley's been taking fire from all sides,
which is how we ended up here tonight, Wade.
[Wade] Yeah, for the victim of two assaults in the past week,
Bayley's found a tag partner.
They take on Niven and Green next.
Now the wait is almost over.
AJ Styles' future in this industry is in doubt,
but we are gonna hear the facts
from the man himself later tonight right here on SmackDown.
But before that, let's head over
to our very own Kayla Braxton to see if she's got a scoop for us.
Thanks, Corey, I'm here with Michin.
And Michin, the talk of the night is that AJ Styles
may be announcing his retirement,
and since you're a member of The O.C.,
can you shed any light on these rumors?
AJ hasn't really been speaking to us,
but the vibes between us has been a little--
Why are we talking about AJ Styles?
The talk of the night is about Queen Nia and her reign.
Who does everybody keep interrupting me?
We're in the middle of something.
Was I speaking to you?
[scoffs] The Queen was not addressing you.
And do not step to me.
Hmm.
You're gonna regret that.
[Graves] Well, Michin stepping up to the queen
and Michin's already making her travel plans.
She'll compete in a ladder match to crown the first ever
NXT Women's North American Champion.
As NXT Battleground comes to UFC Apex
in Las Vegas, Nevada, next Sunday.
Tickets are on sale now. Visit AXS.com before they're gone.
There you see the WWE Women's Champion, Bayley,
and her long time friend Naomi, prepared for tag team action.
["Taste the Jealousy" by def rebel plays]
[Taylor] And their opponents,
the team of Chelsea Green
and Piper Niven.
[Graves] Since being drafted to Friday Night SmackDown,
Green and Niven making a serious impact in the Women's Division,
including last week at the expense of Bayley.
[Wade] Yeah, Bayley took on Chelsea Green, scored a victory,
but post-match, the story was that Chelsea's
tag partner Piper Niven decided to punish the champ,
executing her own brand of bone crushing offense,
leaving Bayley struggling to draw breath.
[Graves] While, Piper would pick up right where she left off
and kick off SmackDown tonight.
As Niven and Green would flatten Bayley before the champion
could even make it to the ring to confront Nia Jax.
And things would continue to get worse for the Role Model.
[Wade] Yeah, clearly, Piper Niven has set her sights on the gold,
leaving Bayley with danger coming from all angles.
-[Jessika] Ring the bell! -[bell rings]
[Graves] Bayley has got to be feeling grateful for her friendship
with Naomi, who went to Nick Aldis and made this match happen.
Understanding that the champion was outnumbered.
And a big back elbow flattens Green,
but the tag is made to the powerhouse Piper Niven.
[Wade] I have never seen Chelsea Green move so fast than she just did there.
Get the hell out of danger.
Tag Piper in. Let her do the dirty work.
That really has been the tactics of this tag team from the up.
[Graves] Tag made from the outside.
Chelsea Green feeling that the time is right
for her presence in this encounter.
[Wade] Of course, now she's got the upper hand.
This is how it works with Chelsea.
She is a one woman ministry of complaints here in WWE.
[Graves] Uh-oh.
Sure, she'll write a strongly worded email about that suplex.
Tag made. Here comes Naomi.
[Wade] Trying to scramble over for the tag is Chelsea Green
but a body is letting her down.
[Graves] Oh! Cover here.
Green kicks out.
Now let me ask you, Wade, in your opinion…
how much credit does Chelsea Green deserve for the success,
or at least the attitude change recently of Piper Niven?
[Wade] I love it. Sometimes you need that person in your ear,
the devil on your shoulder, convincing you
that you should be getting opportunities you are not receiving.
Piper Niven is as good as anyone on the planet.
She is a veteran. She's won gold around the world.
-She absolutely should… -[Graves] Uh-oh, look out.
[Wade] …be on the upper echelons of the Women's Division.
She may well be heading there.
[Graves] Here comes Bayley with a forearm to just put Piper Niven on her rear end.
This thing's breaking down. Tag Team action continues.
-…baby. -Good job, sister.
Tag Team action live from Albany, New York.
WWE Women's Champion Bayley joining forces with Naomi
to battle Piper Niven and Chelsea Green.
And, Wade, throughout the break,
Green and Niven have continued to dominate the champion.
[Wade] Yeah, well, those ribs of Bayley have taken a real beating
in the past couple of weeks and it's not getting easier.
[Graves] Uh-oh. Cover here by Chelsea.
Wade, could you imagine what would happen if Chelsea Green,
as she attempts again,
were to score a pinfall victory over the Role Model,
over the reigning WWE Women's Champion?
[Wade] Well, I'll say this,
if Piper Niven and Chelsea Green win this matchup,
it really solidifies Piper's claim to a championship opportunity
against the champ Bayley.
[Graves] I asked what would happen if Chelsea beat the Role Model.
-[Wade] I don't want to think about that. -[Graves] Okay.
[Wade] That's nightmare material.
She's already Nick Aldis' worst nightmare here on SmackDown.
It only gets worse with a victory over the Role Model and Naomi.
Don't put those thoughts into my head.
It's been scary enough watching this new look Bloodline.
[Graves] I'm not slowing down, Wade. How about this?
Here comes Chelsea Green's "little spicy margarita"
Piper Niven,
as Bayley desperately tries to make a tag to the much fresher Naomi.
The Role Model escapes out the back door.
Wise move by the veteran champion.
Slides between the legs of Niven, Bayley scrambling for the tag.
[Wade] Got to be nimble against the much more powerful Piper Niven.
It simply didn't work.
Bayley now in a fight for survival.
[Graves] Bayley out of the way just in time
and yet again, the Role Model with a modicum of daylight.
Can she make the tag?
[Wade] Naomi is nice to a fault.
She's put herself…
[Graves] Here comes Green.
[Wade] …in the eye of the storm for a friend.
[Graves] Well, Naomi is legal and Chelsea Green is feeling The Glow.
Spiked on the apron.
Now from the top turnbuckle, here comes Naomi.
Crossbody!
[Wade] Chelsea Green wobbling around like Bambi on ice.
She is in a world of hurt thanks to Naomi's offense.
[Graves] Dropkick, takes Piper off of the apron.
Naomi looking to rally the WWE Universe.
Dropkick right to the chest of Green.
[Wade] When Naomi taps into this kind of energy
she is virtually unstoppable. The offense continues.
[Graves] Split legged moonsault, cover here by Naomi.
And Chelsea Green keeps it alive.
[Wade] Chelsea Green has no idea where she's at right now,
but has been saved by Piper Niven, at least temporarily.
[Graves] There is no safety, not when Naomi's involved.
[Wade] Naomi using her body as a missile.
[Graves] Taking out the opposition in one fell swoop.
Two birds, one stone. You know the deal.
Naomi making the climb again to the high rent district.
But look out. Keep your eyes on Niven from behind.
[Wade] Oh, it's dangerous turning your back on the likes of Piper Niven.
[Graves] Hooks the leg, does Green.
And Bayley saves the matchup for herself and Naomi.
The champion doing her best to dispose of Niven on the outside.
[Wade] Referee losing complete control.
-Oh! -[Graves] Oh, goodness.
Directly into the steel ring stairs.
I'm not sure if Bayley caught her knee.
Perhaps her ribs.
Either way, it did not end well.
Chelsea wanted the Unpretty Her.
Rear view!
Cover by Naomi.
-[Wade] Oh. -[Graves] Oh my God!
And Niven just smashed everyone.
[Wade] One way to break up a pin
and break a couple of spines in the process.
[Graves] Wade, your worst nightmare is about to come true.
[bell rings]
["Hot Mess" by def rebel plays]
[Taylor] Here are your winners,
the team of Piper Niven
and Chelsea Green.
[Wade] Well, Piper did the dirty work, Corey,
but at least Chelsea Green can't gloat about it right now.
[Graves] Bayley and Naomi
were just defeated by Piper Niven and Chelsea Green.
But, Wade, we've got some breaking news regarding Friday Night SmackDown
next week when we head to Louisville.
How about this one half of the Women's Tag Team Champions?
The Storm herself, Jade Cargill,
goes one-on-one with Indi Hartwell.
[Wade] And we saw Ciampa and Theory do battle earlier tonight.
Well, next week their respective tag partners
compete with potential tag team
Number One Contendership implications.
Gargano goes one-on-one with Grayson Waller.
[Graves] After a run in we witnessed earlier tonight,
Apollo Crews gets his chance
to even the score with Angel of Legado Del Fantasma.
[Wade] Now get this, Tonga Loa
proved his vicious value to the new Bloodline earlier tonight.
Well next week, interim Bloodline leader
Solo Sikoa will officially
anoint Tonga Loa right here on SmackDown.
I have no idea how that's gonna look.
[Graves] Well, tonight, Friday Night SmackDown
on Fox is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home,
or motorcycle insurance.
[def rebel's "Nobody Better Than Me" playing]
♪ Man I'm a beast, It's a gift and a curse ♪
♪ Tell 'em I'm thirsty, hungry as ever ♪
[song fades]
[crowd cheers]
If the rumors are true…
respect.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chants "Cody"]
[Styles] You guys have been through it all with me.
It's only right that you're out there with me tonight, all right?
["You Don't Want None (feat. Stevie Stone)" by def rebel plays]
[fireworks burst]
[Taylor] Please welcome "The Phenomenal"
AJ Styles!
[Graves] You know, Wade, it's only speculation at this point
but my heart breaks a little bit.
In 2002 I met AJ Styles in an independent company
in Georgia called NWA Wildside.
I was just breaking into the business and Styles had time for me,
and AJ wrestled with me and taught me so much that day.
And all these years later,
I can honestly call this man a friend and a mentor.
And there's a locker room full of guys and girls right now
who are grateful that they have had the honor
of sharing a ring or sharing a business with one of the classiest human beings
to ever step inside of it.
[Wade] Yeah, I agree with all that, Corey.
Words like acknowledgment,
appreciation, respect.
AJ's got all of that today from the locker room
and it's all been tinged with sadness, if I'm honest.
[Graves] I never thought this day would come.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chants "AJ Styles"]
I got to tell you…
I've been thinking about what Nick Aldis said over the past week.
I dwelled on it.
If I want another opportunity at Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship,
I would have to go to the back of the line.
He's doing his job, I understand that.
And I dwelled on this. I thought about this all week.
And I'm gonna be honest with you guys.
I just can't do that at this point in time in my career.
At this point in time in my life, I just can't do that.
I have been doing this for over two decades.
I've been busting my body in these rings.
[crowd cheers]
Blood, sweat, tears
all over the world.
You better believe it.
All that…
[crowd chants]
So that I…
So that I could become phenomenal.
But this past week, my son graduated high school.
[crowd cheers]
And I got to be there.
We had his graduation party at my house and it was beautiful.
So many friends and family were there.
And it was literally at that point, clarity hit me upside the head.
How many of these have I missed?
So, instead of being "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles…
maybe I stay at home and be a phenomenal father.
[crowd booing]
[crowd chanting "don't go"]
Gallows, Anderson, come here.
I couldn't have done this without you.
I love you.
Mm.
You guys are better than friends. You are my brothers.
So if we have to do this one last time, let's do it right.
[grunts]
-I love you. -Love you guys. I really mean that.
[crowd applauds]
But before I go…
Cody, I whispered something in your ear.
I asked if you didn't mind coming out here when I called you and well,
Cody, now's the time.
If you don't mind, please.
["Kingdom" by Downstait plays]
[crowd cheers]
♪ Adrenaline in my soul ♪
♪ Every fight out of control ♪
♪ 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 ♪
♪ Whoa! ♪
♪ And my father said ♪
♪ When I was younger ♪
♪ Hard times breed better men ♪
♪ Better men ♪
♪ You took it all away, I give it all away ♪
♪ Can't take my freedom ♪
[song fades]
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chants "Cody"]
So, before I came out here to do what I gotta do…
I just wanted to look you in the eyes…
face to face…
and tell you I had one of the greatest matches
I've ever had at Backlash in Lyon, France.
[crowd cheers]
The crowd was electric,
and if I was gonna have one last match, that would be it.
But just so you know…
this is still the house
-that AJ Styles built. -[crowd] …AJ Styles built.
[man] AJ, we love you!
And I called you out here to hand you the keys.
[scattered boos]
We have only ever exchanged one text message
between each other after that match at Backlash.
I wanted to know if you were okay, and your response…
"I'm all good, little bro."
I could say a lot about the decision that you've made,
but what's more important is that I say this on behalf of myself,
on behalf of a locker room that you were a big bro for…
Thank you very much, AJ Styles.
[crowd cheers]
[inaudible]
[cheering]
[inaudible]
Yeah!
[loud cheering]
[Graves] No!
No!
[grunting]
Ah!
[crowd chants "AJ"]
[AJ] How do you like this?
[indistinct shouting]
[Graves] Don't do this, AJ. This is making me sick to my stomach.
It was a plan all along.
Styles lured Rhodes out here to do this.
No.
Damn it, somebody stop him.
-[Wade] No one can stop him. -[Graves] Stop AJ Styles!
Don't do this, AJ!
[crowd gasps]
[Graves] AJ Styles.
You son of a…