[WWE signature intro playing]
[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
["Nobody Better Than Me" plays]
[Graves] Welcome to The Land,
where in less than 24 hours,
Cleveland Browns Stadium will host The Biggest Party of the Summer,
a star-studded spectacle known the world over as SummerSlam.
But tonight we come to you live from the shores of the Cuyahoga
at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse
where tonight we light the SummerSlam fuse.
[crowd booing]
And Cleveland's self-proclaimed favorite son,
the United States Champion Logan Paul,
will defend his title tomorrow night against "The Megastar" LA Knight.
But first, we all take part in a highly anticipated homecoming celebration
for The Maverick.
The heat is on tonight in Cleveland.
Live from the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse,
this is Friday Night SmackDown on Fox,
sponsored by Progressive.
A triple-threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
And this weekend's Gold Rush gets underway tonight, Wade,
with two title matches.
[Wade] The Bloodline victorious in last week's Tag Gauntlet
take their extreme physicality all the way to tonight's main event,
Tag Championships up for grabs against DIY
as they face the mother of all challenges.
And in the Women's Division,
former champs Belair and Cargill get their date
with destiny against The Unholy Union of Fyre and Dawn
for the tag gold later tonight.
["Kingdom" by Downstait plays]
[crowd cheers]
[Rhodes] Wrestling has more than one royal family.
-[fireworks booming] -♪ Adrenaline in my soul ♪
♪ Every thought 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 ♪
-[crowd sings along] -♪ Whoa! ♪
[fireworks booming]
[Alicia Taylor] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the Undisputed WWE Champion…
"The American Nightmare"
Cody Rhodes!
[Graves] An absolutely deafening welcome for The American Nightmare tonight
in the home of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
But could Cody potentially be on the precipice
of his downfall?
When tomorrow night,
The American Nightmare defends his Undisputed WWE Championship
against the new Tribal Chief, Solo Sikoa of The Bloodline.
[fireworks booming]
[Graves] A jam-packed Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse tonight,
firmly behind the champion, Wade.
How do you envision tomorrow playing out?
Will the WWE Universe be able to will Cody Rhodes past Solo?
[Wade] Well, they were not able to do it at Money in the Bank recently,
Solo Sikoa pinning the Champion in Six-Man Tag Action.
That has to be playing on the mind of the Champ, Cody Rhodes,
his reign in serious jeopardy.
[Graves] And in recent weeks,
we've seen both Kevin Owens and Randy Orton
taken out by The Bloodline,
leaving Cody Rhodes without anyone in his corner.
The American Nightmare stands alone,
preparing to defend his crown tomorrow at SummerSlam.
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
So…
Cleveland.
[crowd cheers]
What do you want to talk about?
[crowd cheers]
Better yet,
who do we want to talk to?
Solo Sikoa.
[crowd boos]
["Taking It All (feat. Stevie Stone)" by def rebel plays]
[Graves] Well, Wade, it appears that Solo Sikoa,
not a difficult man to find.
Uncharacteristically making his way to the ring alone.
[Wade] You're right, it has been a rare sight.
Solo by name,
anything other than solo by nature in recent months,
usually surrounded by a pack of wild and highly dangerous animals
known as The Bloodline.
[Graves] Solo Sikoa, a man who many believe usurped the throne
to The Head of the Table, crowning himself the new Tribal Chief.
But what remains inarguable has been the dominance
of the entire Bloodline, led by the former Enforcer.
[Wade] I like the way Solo Sikoa wears jackets.
That man has some style.
And tomorrow, after the main event of SummerSlam,
he may be wearing the ultimate accessory in the form of the WWE Championship
on the shoulder of Cody Rhodes right now.
[Graves] A menacing, stoic glare on the face
of the challenger.
Tomorrow and in approximately 24 hours, Wade,
all of the power could be back on the side of The Bloodline
should Solo be able to recapture
the title The Bloodline believes they should have never lost.
[crowd chants] We want Roman! We want Roman! We want Roman!
Cleveland, Ohio.
[crowd boos]
Acknowledge me.
[crowd boos]
I…
[crowd chants] Solo sucks! Solo sucks! Solo sucks!
I see it.
Chip on your shoulder.
You're a little brother, right?
I'm a little brother too. It's…
It's not easy what you've been trying to do.
Becoming The Tribal Chief and the lengths you've gone to get what you're after.
From a distance, I almost admire it.
But once the ballyhoo is through,
once all the cinema that The Bloodline is so famous for is over,
there's an old expression in the wrestling business,
tomorrow night at SummerSlam, the bell's gonna ring.
[crowd cheering]
And when it rings, you're going to find this out.
That you have nothing to lose.
And I have everything on the line.
Are you done?
[crowd boos]
Are you?
Because you are wasting my time.
And I am running out of patience right now.
Just like your title reign tomorrow night at SummerSlam.
No, I'm not done.
See, you're a self-appointed Tribal Chief.
I stand here the actual Undisputed WWE Champion,
I stand here…
[crowd cheers]
…atop WWE.
I sit on a throne, a throne I once broke,
and I sit there in deep emotional debt
to those who have helped me achieve my goals.
Men who paid the price with their bodies.
Men like Randy Orton.
[crowd cheers]
Men like Kevin Owens.
[crowd cheers]
And if I lose at SummerSlam,
if I lose to you, I can't repay that debt.
I don't intend to lose.
I intend to pay those men back.
Pay them back with your blood.
I intend what I did to your cousin…
Roman Reigns at WrestleMania
when I defeated him in a Bloodline Rules Match.
[crowd cheers]
Bloodline rules, huh?
Bloodline Rules Match.
You keep bringing that match up. You know what?
When you beat Roman Reigns at WrestleMania,
he was a Tribal Chief that was weak.
[crowd boos]
You see me, Cody?
I'm not weak.
As a matter of fact, I'm the opposite.
I'm dangerous.
And tomorrow night at SummerSlam,
I'm going to show you how dangerous I am.
So, you talk a big game, huh, Champ?
[crowd yells] What?
I said, he talks a big game, huh, champ?
[crowd yells] What?
Shut up.
[crowd yells] What?
Let's put your money where your mouth is, all right?
Let's make…
[Graves] Uh-oh, Wade.
-[Sikoa] …tomorrow night… -[Graves] Wade.
That's the Samoan Werewolf.
…a Bloodline Rules Match.
Okay.
[Graves] That's Jacob Fatu of The Bloodline.
And here comes Tama Tonga.
Two men who will compete
for the Tag Team Championship later tonight.
And Rhodes is outnumbered.
And here comes Tonga Loa…
The Powerhouse.
[Wade] Lurking threat that can very quickly--
[Cody] Bloodline Rules Match,
tomorrow night, that's what you want?
I've looked in your eyes.
I know what you're all about.
Allow me a moment to talk to your friends.
Tonga Loa, I see you there.
Just so you know, I ain't scared of you.
Tama Tonga, we got a lot of history.
More than most people know about. I ain't afraid of you.
And Jacob Fatu.
[chuckles]
As dumb as it is for me to say,
I ain't scared of you either,
you dumb son of a bitch.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
Tomorrow night, Cleveland, SummerSlam,
you want a Bloodline Rules Match?
[crowd cheering]
It's probably not the smartest decision I've ever made,
but it's the only decision I can make.
I accept.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chants] Roman Reigns! Roman Reigns! Roman Reigns!
Well, since you accept the challenge,
you know what I can do to you right now before SummerSlam?
If I snap my fingers,
these three men in here will tear your ass apart.
But I'm not going to do that.
Because tonight, the Tag Team Titles come back to The Bloodline.
[crowd booing]
And then tomorrow night,
that title comes back to The Bloodline too.
[crowd booing]
I get it. I get it.
Basically, every time one of you are born, there's one thing in common.
You guys hate Cody Rhodes.
I understand, but I don't have to fight your family.
No, all I have to do
is defeat The Tribal Chief.
[crowd cheering]
And since The Tribal Chief's not here…
[crowd cheers]
…I'll settle for the wannabe.
[microphone clatters]
[crowd cheering]
["Kingdom" by Downstait plays]
[Graves] Incendiary words
from "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes…
face-to-face with tomorrow's challenger,
the new "Tribal Chief," Solo Sikoa.
I assume Nick Aldis is going to have to make this official.
But, Wade, Bloodline Rules, in the main event of SummerSlam?
[Wade] Cody Rhodes just faced up
to imminent mortal danger and didn't even flinch.
Bravery off the scale,
but it's going to take more than that if Bloodline Rules
gets made official tomorrow at SummerSlam
to retain the WWE Championship.
[Graves] There's no doubt that tonight Cody Rhodes believes,
the WWE Universe believes in The American Nightmare.
What will Solo Sikoa bring to the dance with Bloodline Rules tomorrow night?
You have no idea what's going to happen.
[dramatic music playing]
[Hayes] You guys keep asking me questions about Andrade.
Why does the world want to see me in Andrade so bad?
All right, you want to talk about it, let's talk about it.
Last week, Andrade, you want to call me Bronny Jr.?
What you know about being a player?
You know nothing about making no team.
Only thing you know is quitting teams and switching teams.
Let's talk about it.
Don't say how you beat me in some cornfield in Nebraska.
Nobody's going to remember that, Andrade.
What they are going to remember is that was the night
that Melo had a breakout performance.
They're going to remember that was the night
that Melo officially became HIM.
So, the next time you and I get on the court,
it's going to be a whole different game.
It's going to be Melo in three, Melo in five,
as many times as you want to do this.
Because the same thing I said time and time again is when I shoot,
I don't miss.
["Conquistar" by def rebel plays]
[Graves] As impressive is Carmelo Hayes has been recently,
here is one man who would disagree with the "don't miss" assessment, Wade.
[bell rings]
[Taylor] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first,
from Gomez Palacio, Durango, México,
weighing in at 230 pounds,
Andrade!
[Graves] As both Superstars look to separate themselves
from the pack here on Friday Night SmackDown,
it went down two weeks ago. Tonight we run it back.
Two of the most technically gifted,
aerially skilled Superstars on SmackDown collide again.
We run it back next.
[Graves] Wade, we are preparing to run back a matchup
that has had the WWE Universe buzzing for the past two weeks,
since we first saw Andrade and Carmelo Hayes battle
right here on SmackDown.
["Melo Don't Miss" by def rebel plays]
♪ 'Cause I'm the greatest Ain't no hatin'… ♪
[Wade] You know why they spell Carmelo with one L?
[Graves] Why is that?
[Wade] Because this man does not accept two Ls in a row.
He lost last time to Andrade.
Today I predict will be a very different story.
[Taylor] And his opponent, from Boston, Massachusetts,
weighing in at 210 pounds,
Carmelo Hayes!
[Graves] Carmelo Hayes, a first round draft pick this year
on Friday Night SmackDown,
which tonight is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
Wade, it was back at the Money in the Bank PLE,
where Andrade and Carmelo Hayes
first captured the imaginations of the WWE Universe
with just a few glimpses of their athletic abilities.
Obviously an extremely different environment
than a standard one-on-one matchup.
How do you see this one playing out?
[Wade] Yeah, two incredible athletes, as you mentioned,
really well matched in the ring too.
I think the shock to most people a couple of weeks ago
in their first matchup was that Carmelo really went lucha move
for lucha move against the great Andrade.
That was a bit of a shock.
Ultimately, though, it was a coin flip ending.
Either man could have won it.
And I feel like Carmelo wants to set the record straight now.
[Graves] Well, it's no secret Carmelo Hayes is brash.
He is brazen.
How much pressure do you think Carmelo Hayes feels knowing
he was a first round draft pick,
but as long as he's been here on Friday Night SmackDown
has yet to really capture a championship or set the WWE Universe…
-[bell rings] -…ablaze as he so seeks?
[Wade] It's new territory for Carmelo Hayes.
A little smack talking going on there, as is standard for Carmelo,
but Carmelo's entire time under the WWE umbrella was just gold-laden.
He won everything there was to win in NXT,
and it's a little shock to his system that he's not done the same
since he's arrived here, despite the fantastic performances.
[Graves] I'd say Carmelo isn't unique in those circumstances
as his opponent tonight, Andrade, a former NXT Champion.
Andrade, a world-traveled gladiator.
Nice side headlock takeover by Hayes.
Two of the most technically proficient athletes on the roster.
A world of experience between them.
And a sharp knife edge chop from El Idolo.
Answered by Hayes.
I'm gonna ask you the same question on the other side of the coin, Wade.
Andrade is the reigning WWE Speed Champion,
has made certain waves since returning to WWE.
What's Andrade got to do to really separate himself from the pack?
[Wade] Well, he's got to realize that one swallow does not a summer make.
So, one victory against Carmelo Hayes doesn't immediately bump him up
into the main event spots here.
But back it up today…
[Graves] Oh!
[Wade] …and Andrade has made it very clear,
he has eyes on United States Championship gold.
Of course, that will be on the line at SummerSlam.
And I'm sure Andrade with victory tonight will be looking to challenge the winner
of that matchup between LA Knight and Logan Paul.
[Graves] No doubt both of these Superstars will be watching
that contest extremely closely,
as we've got a seesaw battle happening across the top rope.
Andrade gets the best of the exchange.
Inside cradle by Hayes. Shoulders down.
Wade, has it been apparent to you…
Oh, as Andrade again rolls up Hayes.
[Wade] Most powerful schoolboy of all time.
[Graves] No kidding.
Andrade could be looking for The Message yet again,
the same maneuver that brought Andrade victory two weeks ago.
Hayes has learned his lesson, but this match continues.
On the eve of SummerSlam,
this is Friday Night SmackDown on Fox,
and we are witnessing a battle for the ages right now,
Wade, as Andrade and Carmelo Hayes
both look to separate themselves from the pack here
on Friday Night SmackDown.
We've heard Hayes and Andrade both reference
the United States Championship.
Wade, as a former Intercontinental Champion,
what went through your mind when you realized
that was the next logical step in your career?
[Wade] Well, in truth, it's about putting together a run of results
against top-level competition.
Both of these two are really pushing close
to that championship opportunity at this point.
I think everyone realizes these two are some of the best we've got here.
[Graves] Oh!
[Wade] But one victory one week, one loss the next week,
going back and forth, it's not going to do it.
[Graves] Cover here by Carmelo Hayes.
[Wade] And that's why it is imperative
that Andrade gets out the victory here tonight.
[Graves] And what we've seen throughout this match since the opening bell, Wade,
has been that these competitors clearly learned from their past errors
the last time they competed against one another two weeks ago.
Obviously, they had an encounter in Money in the Bank.
And here we see Carmelo Hayes.
[Wade] A classic example of Carmelo learning.
He saw the attempted Spanish fly by Andrade connected
last time these two fought,
but Melo was one step ahead and followed up
with that superkick to the jaw.
And ever since, Andrade has not looked like the same guy.
[Graves] Carmelo Hayes perhaps wisely applying a submission hold,
trying to soften up Andrade, wear down the lucha Superstar.
[Wade] And it's part of what has made Carmelo Hayes
so effective during his time in WWE,
that evolution before our eyes getting better every single week.
[Graves] Here comes Andrade.
We have learned in short order
about the heart possessed by El Idolo, but…
Carmelo Hayes certainly not going to go down without a fight.
Dragon screw by Andrade.
You can tell the adrenaline's pumping.
Oh-ho-ho!
Big-time forearm by Andrade takes down Hayes.
[Wade] Andrade is hurting in a big way.
And that adrenaline is pumping, covering up that pain.
But now Andrade wants to finish this as quickly as possible.
[Graves] Ever get hurt so bad your instinct is to stand up
and walk it off?
I'm pretty sure that's exactly what we just saw from Carmelo Hayes.
But here comes Andrade.
Hayes out of the way!
Andrade going to join Carmelo on the middle rope.
-[Wade] And once again… -[Graves] Yikes.
[Wade] …that attempt at a Spanish fly and Carmelo…
[Graves] Looking for nothing but net,
Andrade sensed it coming, connects with a forearm.
Nothing fancy there from Hayes, but sound strategy.
Taking the ropes out from under the grip of Andrade.
-What's Hayes thinking about here? -[Wade] Oh!
[Graves] What a unique suplex utilizing the ropes to muscle Andrade over!
Now Carmelo Hayes with his best opportunity of the matchup.
[Wade] Andrade barely moving since taking that landing.
Just doesn't have enough in the tank to follow up that attack.
[Graves] At this point, you have to imagine
that's what this matchup is going to come down to.
Which of these two Superstars runs out of gas first?
Because it has been pedal to the metal from the opening bell.
[Wade] It's been a far less technical affair this time,
just an all-out brawl from the word go.
And you would think, in theory, that would benefit the bigger man Andrade.
But he's clinging on at this point.
[Graves] Andrade thinking about a superplex, Carmelo Hayes realizes
what's about to happen, trying to put the brakes on.
Andrade taking the final step, both athletes, top turnbuckle!
Superplex! That's gotta do it!
But Andrade unable to capitalize.
Will it be Andrade?
Can Carmelo Hayes get back into this?
This match continues.
[Graves] This battle rages on between Andrade and Carmelo Hayes.
Neither man to this point able to sustain much of an advantage.
Wade, as we get into the deep waters in this contest,
what is Andrade going to do?
What does Carmelo Hayes have to do to escape with a victory?
[Wade] Well, it's about endurance at this point,
and I've never seen anyone greater
than Carmelo Hayes when it comes to endurance.
You can see Andrade sucking hard to try and get some oxygen in those lungs,
a bigger frame on him.
[Graves] Oh my goodness!
[Wade] But just a step ahead of Carmelo Hayes at this point now.
[Graves] Andrade making the climb to the top.
The luchador very comfortable in the skies and takes out Carmelo Hayes.
Andrade, sensing the urgency, rolls Hayes inside the ring.
Andrade could be thinking about ending this match soon.
[crowd cheering]
[Wade] Andrade is feeling it now
and Carmelo Hayes is in a world of trouble.
[crowd claps]
[Graves] The WWE Universe rallying behind Andrade
and Carmelo Hayes could be seeing shadows soon,
but, no, great counter into the facebuster by Hayes.
Hooks the leg, shoulders down, and Andrade just won't quit.
[Wade] And you saw the mistake that Andrade made,
just too long to stack that offense against Carmelo Hayes.
Carmelo is simply too good.
Both these competitors are.
[Graves] Look at the welts already forming on the chest of Carmelo Hayes
from these wicked knife edge chops fired off by Andrade.
[Wade] I'll tell you right now,
at this point in a matchup of this kind of caliber,
both men feel like they've been run over by a truck.
But somebody has to win this.
How badly do you want to move up the ladder here on SmackDown?
[Graves] Which of these two men can make it to the next level?
Oh, Andrade looked for the elbow. Hayes sensed it coming.
Counter.
There it is!
Lights out for Hayes,
but Carmelo kicks out.
[Wade] Completely instinctive kickout.
But this is exactly what Andrade needs to do.
The double stack, going for that moonsault!
[Graves] Going for broke.
Nails it!
Can Andrade finish the job?
Desperate cover.
Oh my goodness!
[Wade] This is exactly the kind of substance
that took Carmelo Hayes to untold glory in NXT.
You simply cannot put him away.
You cannot write him off.
He somehow lives on in this matchup.
[Graves] Such is the competition level every week on Friday Night SmackDown.
Andrade looking for a submission, potentially a figure-four leglock.
In the middle of the ring, Carmelo Hayes with nowhere to go.
[Wade] Those ropes must feel like a million miles away to Carmelo Hayes,
who has been battered from pillar to post
over the past couple of minutes especially,
somehow making his way over to the ropes.
[Graves] Hayes able to force the referee's break,
and you have to wonder how much power Andrade
had in his legs executing that figure-four
this deep into a grueling matchup.
[Wade] Andrade must be demoralized at this point.
He's thrown everything at Carmelo Hayes.
Carmelo Hayes still bouncing back and now perhaps about to grab victory.
[Graves] Hayes looking for victory from the top.
Andrade out of the way, looking for The Message again.
Hayes counters.
[Wade] The uber athleticism from Hayes getting out--
[Graves] O'Connor roll by Carmelo.
[Wade] Grabbed the tights, it wasn't enough.
[Graves] Shoulders down, stacked up high.
-Andrade does it! -[bell rings]
-[crowd cheers] -["Conquistar" by def rebel plays]
[Taylor] Here is your winner, Andrade!
[Graves] Wow! Wow! Wow!
Wade, what a battle!
[Wade] What an exhilarating matchup!
It could have gone either way, but now, disconsolate Hayes,
Andrade picks up another huge W.
Take care of Apollo Crews tonight.
It's time to take care of business.
[Angel] Come on, easy.
-Very easy. -You know what to do.
Easy?
Was Apollo easy last week at the Gauntlet Match?
Legado Del Fantasma needs to get back on track.
Your failure…
Our failure last week is no indication of the true potential of this familia.
Our fortune will turn.
And it all starts tonight. Esta noche.
By taking care of Apollo Crews right now.
["Soul March" by def rebel plays]
[Graves] "The Emperor of Lucha Libre"
Santos Escobar looking to lead all of Legado Del Fantasma
by example tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Wade] No finer man for the job.
[bell rings]
[Taylor] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, representing Legado Del Fantasma,
weighing in at 217 pounds,
Santos Escobar!
[Wade] Well, Crews and Corbin knocked Legado out of last week's Tag Gauntlet.
The Emperor of Lucha Libre looks to get back
to winning ways next against Apollo Crews.
["The Best Is Yet To Come" by def rebel plays]
[Taylor] And his opponent, accompanied by Baron Corbin,
weighing in at 240 pounds,
Apollo Crews!
[Graves] Wade, a few moments ago we heard Santos Escobar
explaining to Angel and Berto and Elektra Lopez, included all of Legado,
that he was going to lead by example after last week's failure.
[bell rings]
Of course, that failure he was alluding to was failure
of Angel and Berto to win the Gauntlet Match
for the Tag Team Championship opportunity.
[Wade] Distraction right off the bat there from La Madarina.
Elektra Lopez allowing Santos Escobar
to get on top early in this one.
And, yeah, you talk a big game to familia,
like Santos Escobar did, you better follow up with a result now.
[Graves] Of course, Apollo Crews looks to continue building momentum here
on Friday Night SmackDown.
A bit of an unusual alliance recently with Baron Corbin.
[Wade] And somehow it's worked! It's been fantastic!
[Graves] I agree, I agree.
[Wade] Two men that look completely rejuvenated.
They look like they're ready to climb back up towards the top of the card
where they previously resided,
although, that's easier said than done
when you're getting battered by Santos Escobar.
Let's go, Crews!
[Graves] Well, every Superstar on the roster realizes
there's someone else nipping at their heels to advance.
Cover here by Santos.
[Wade] And you got to feel a little bit for Apollo Crews,
a man who was brought over to SmackDown by Nick Aldis,
given a fresh start here and has just been targeted
from day one by Legado Del Fantasma.
Cheap shotted, attacked,
and just cannot get away from this union.
[Graves] Well, you know the old adage in this business, Wade.
You can either make friends or you can make money.
Luckily, Crews has found an ally in Baron Corbin recently,
but Santos has been in control,
obviously looking to show Angel and Berto where they're lacking in their game plan.
Backbreaker by Escobar. Into the cover.
[referee] One, two…
[Wade] Santos Escobar thus far at his devious
and scintillating best.
Constantly has several tricks up his sleeve,
just waiting to pull him out when the moment's right.
[Graves] And listen in the mind of Santos Escobar,
he is a man who has always been perpetually on the cusp of great things.
Remember, it was a Triple-Threat Match against Logan Paul and LA Knight
where Santos was the odd man out.
Santos also feels like he got screwed out of the Money in the Bank opportunity.
Santos feels like he deserves a lot more than he's achieved thus far
on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Wade] Yeah, it's all about results here on SmackDown.
That's the problem. You've got to get a run--
[Graves] Whoa!
[Wade] And Santos Escobar now getting thrown around with ease
by a badly beat-up Apollo Crews,
which tells you exactly what that man is made of.
[Graves] Those runs of wins, as you mentioned,
extremely hard to come by with the level of competition
every Friday on SmackDown,
as we just witnessed a few moments ago between Andrade and Carmelo Hayes,
an absolute banger.
[Wade] Santos Escobar, I know…
[Graves] Ooh!
[Wade] …the one who will be paying close attention
to that United States Championship Match tomorrow.
[Graves] And this is where Corbin proves to be valuable.
Big right hand!
Corbin just knocked the taste out of Angel's mouth.
And now look at the power of Apollo.
[Wade] How quickly things can turn around in this game.
[Graves] Gorilla Press Slam.
Berto eats a right hand.
Moonsault by Crews.
Directly into the cover, hooks the leg.
[Wade] Crews and Corbin came ready for action today.
They knew exactly the kind of stunts Legado were going to attempt.
And it looks like it's all backfired.
[Graves] We've seen how comfortable Apollo Crews can be in the skies.
What the… Corbin just…
Someone's got to hold of Corbin from under the ring.
And now Berto pouncing.
Meanwhile, in the ring, Escobar has Crews.
Phantom Driver. Hooks the legs.
[bell rings]
["Soul March" by def rebel plays]
[Taylor] Here is your winner
Santos Escobar!
[Graves] We've seen it a million times, Wade.
The numbers game is the downfall of Apollo Crews tonight
thanks to Legado Del Fantasma.
[Wade] Plan A didn't work. Plan B didn't work.
Let's go to plan C. Oh, worked perfectly.
Big win for Santos Escobar.
[Graves] I doubt Crews and Corbin are going
to forget this loss anytime soon.
[Santos] Legado.
[Angel laughing]
Santos Escobar scoring an all-important win over Apollo Crews.
But right now I'd like to welcome in my guests, Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill.
Ladies, for weeks you've been adamant about regaining
the Women's Tag Team Titles.
So, with that in mind,
how confident are you both heading into tonight's match?
Byron, we are very confident.
Now, one thing we do is stand on business,
and we said we were coming back for our Tag Team Titles,
and tonight we're going to do exactly that.
And remember, Alba and Isla didn't even pin us
at Clash at the Castle.
But tonight it's going to be two against two
and they can try their little hardest, but they can't whoop us.
And listen, we've been waiting for this match
and they wanted all the attention.
-So, they got it. -Finally.
And when you have the Storm and the EST,
anybody stepping up gon' get stepped on.
Yes. So, time's up because tonight we're walking out
as your new WWE Women's Tag Team Champions.
Bianca, Jade, good luck tonight in your Tag Team Title Match.
And right now I will send things back to ringside with Corey and Wade.
[Graves] Well, thank you, Saxton.
Here's good news, Bad News.
We are moments away from the party this city has been waiting for.
[Wade] This might be the biggest hero's welcome of all time
as the United States Champ Logan Paul
has his big homecoming here in Cleveland.
It's next on SmackDown!
[Graves] SummerSlam is sponsored by C4, the official energy drink of WWE.
Available anywhere energy is sold.
Buy now at Albertsons and Safeway.
And delivered by Wingstop, the official wing of SummerSlam.
Choose from 12 delicious flavors and get your favorite wings
from ordering online at Wingstop.com.
Bring the flavor.
We are at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse tonight in Cleveland,
and tonight's Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive.
["Dead End Road" by Jelly Roll plays]
[Graves] Send it up to ringside with our General Manager Nick Aldis.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am here tonight,
along with these Cleveland dignitaries,
to welcome one of your very own.
So, without further ado, please welcome
the United States Champion and Cleveland's own,
please welcome Logan Paul.
[crowd boos]
["Take Flight" by def rebel plays]
[Graves] I would say less than welcoming welcome for the hometown hero, Wade.
[Wade] They bring dignitaries out here and you boo the local hero?
Who are these people?
[Graves] I asked Logan about what sort of response and reception
he expected tonight.
Logan's words were as follows,
"It's been so long since this city has seen a champion."
"They may not know how to react."
[Wade] Oh, they-- they certainly knew how to react.
But it wasn't positive.
The question is, will Logan Paul still be a champion after tomorrow night,
where he defends the United States Championship
at SummerSlam against Mr. Popular himself,
"The Megastar" LA Knight.
[Graves] You get a chance to rub elbows with any of the dignitaries, Wade?
[Wade] I mean, I didn't catch their names,
but I will say all three look incredibly dignified.
[Graves] The guy on the left is Steve. He manages the Sears.
[Wade] I think the guy on the right is Bob.
And, uh, yeah. Dignified by… Dignified suits.
Dignified outfits, dignitaries.
All right, that works for me.
[Graves] That's Sue in the middle. She books Logan's travel.
[crowd boos]
[Wade] In a dignified way.
[Graves] Extremely. The most dignified woman I know.
Hey, Cleveland, I'm home.
[crowd boos]
LA Knight…
[crowd cheers]
I have never met a man so eager to take my belt off me.
Hey, hey, bad news, Bicep Boy.
You're not my type.
And you are delusional if you think
that you are going to strip me of my United States Championship
in my own hometown.
[crowd clamoring, cheering]
[crowd chants] LA Knight! LA Knight! LA Knight!
[chanting continues loudly]
Whether y'all want to admit it or not,
I inspire this great city.
[crowd boos]
I represent this great city.
[crowd boos]
I am Cleveland.
[crowd boos]
[crowd clamoring, booing]
What kind of welcome is this?
[crowd boos]
Yo, the reason LA Knight has so many fans,
let's be honest, people like you can relate to him.
A bunch of try-hards who never made it.
[crowd boos]
And look, sounds like y'all don't think I'm a great champion.
I mean, I guess I see your point.
I've only had two title defenses in 273 days.
But hey, that's two more title defenses than LA Knight will ever have.
[crowd boos]
I'll be honest, I can't relate to you people.
I'm great. I made it. [laughs]
So, today we are here to recognize my greatness,
which is why I have brought these esteemed dignitaries, Cleveland's finest.
Actually, Logan, I'm glad you brought that up,
because, um, I put these people's names into my Google machine
after your assistant emailed them to me,
and I couldn't seem to find anything--
No, no, see, Nick, you're not from around here.
You wouldn't get it. Trust me, no. They're very legit.
And it's a little insulting to me, a little insulting to them.
This is my moment.
And ladies and gentlemen, it's time to unveil my championship banner
that will hang from the rafters of this sacred arena…
[crowd booing]
…to permanently remind everybody
that Logan Paul is Cleveland's finest.
Drumroll, please.
[drumroll plays]
[fireworks booming]
[crowd cheers]
[Graves] Oh no.
[Wade] It's a work of art.
[Graves] Somebody's defaced the work of art!
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Whoa! Oh!
["Welcome To LA" by def rebel plays]
[Graves] Oh no.
Homecoming's about to get even worse.
[Wade] Oh yeah!
[crowd chanting] LA Knight! LA Knight! LA Knight!
Let me talk to ya.
[crowd yells] Yeah!
I apologize.
But, uh, these shades ain't helping me see what--
what that banner says.
But maybe Cleveland can tell me, what does that banner say?
[crowd yells] Yeah!
Huh?
[crowd yells] Yeah!
Yeah!
[crowd yells] Yeah!
Oh, congrats! You people can read!
[crowd cheering]
My man, you better get serious.
We're 24 hours out from SummerSlam.
We're 24 hours out from you losing that US Title.
And considering what happened last week,
you're lucky that that's the worst of what's happening to you right now.
[crowd yells] Yeah!
[crowd chanting] LA Knight! LA Knight! LA Knight!
Well, I tell you what.
With everything that's coming to you…
Wait, wait a minute. Wait, wait, wait, wait.
You talk about the best thing that happened to Cleveland.
You're from Westlake. Aren't you, you goof?
[crowd cheering]
It's a suburb of Cleveland!
Well, while you're out here pretending to be Cleveland's own,
I tell you what, you're worried about homecomings,
you're worried about banners.
Since I ruined your little banner, I'm going to do you a solid.
Since tomorrow, it's going to be the worst day of your life,
I'm going to give you a little gift.
I'ma go back here
and I'm going to get you another banner, okay?
So, hang out. I'll be right back.
Wait, he just got another banner?
What, you DJ Khaled? You got another one?
Where you going, scaredy cat?
All right, let's see what we can find you here.
I got to be able to find something here. This material ain't going to work.
But we got to find something real ugly because, uh, that trash was out there…
Hey, boys. Let me ask you something.
Boys, boys, take it easy.
You guys happen to have a banner anywhere that we could use for Logan Paul?
-Banner? -Uh, no banner.
But can we interest you in a sneak peek of a song from Pretty Deadly: The Musical?
We're serving you Chappell Roan meets Cats.
[slurps, hisses]
♪ There once was-- ♪
Okay, enough of that. Anyway.
-[Elton] What about our brat summer? -[Kit] Our brat summer!
So, uh, you guys.
Banner? Nothing? You got an idea?
Oh, hold on, I got something. Actually, I tell you what.
You want to talk about an eyesore, something that looks awful,
I see something right here.
So, why don't I go ahead…
How about this thing, huh?
[Logan] I swear to God.
[Knight] State-of-the-art Hummer.
I think this thing's even electric.
I tell you what, I know Logan Paul's head is so empty,
they're going to open a Spirit Halloween in that thing,
and he's going to come through here in about three, two, one.
There he is. And, uh…
Hey! Stop! Stop!
-[Knight] Bye! -Someone do something! Stop him!
No! No! No! No! No!
Come on!
["Welcome To LA" by def rebel plays]
That's a crime! Come on!
[Graves] Well, Wade, mind games nothing new here,
for a challenger, for a championship.
And grand theft auto might be a little far.
That is the ultimate joyride.
He may be called LA.
He may hail from Maryland, but Cleveland, Ohio has adopted him as their own.
And they want to see The Megastar grab gold at SummerSlam.
Yeah!
Well, The Megastar has his opportunity tomorrow night.
But before we get to SummerSlam,
we've got a Gold Rush of our own happening tonight
on Friday Night SmackDown.
We heard earlier from the former champions
who are the challengers for tonight's WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Match.
Let's take a look at the champions in our Progressive Match Flo.
[announcer] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive,
a triple-threat of protection with home, auto and more.
Jade, Bianca. [laughs]
We just love how passionate you are about our titles.
[Fyre] We get it.
When you're champion, you have all the power.
And right now, we have everything.
Jade and Bianca want to take these titles from us.
Well, they can come and get it.
We beat them once before
and we are more than happy to do it again.
[Isla] And they still haven't accepted the truth.
But tonight it will finally dawn on them
that we are still the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions.
[laughter]
["The Depths" by def rebel plays]
[Graves] It is about that time, Wade.
The Women's Tag Team Championship is about to be defended,
and here come the champions.
[Wade] Welcome to The Unholy Union of Fyre and Dawn.
Two proponents of the scorched earth mentality
that has taken all the way to tag goal.
[Graves] Well, The Unholy Union looks to follow up on a successful defense
in NXT with a defense against the former champions,
Cargill and Belair, next.
It's your show. Why would you let that happen?
-That isn't what you wanted? -No.
I know you knew that was going to happen.
-Oh, Logan. That hurts my feelings. -Nick, no--
Make this right, buddy. What are you going to do about it?
I'll take it up with your "dignitaries."
["The Depths" by def rebel plays]
[Graves] There's a look at our Women's Tag Team Champions
as we await the challengers.
[crowd cheering]
["A Storm Is Coming" by def rebel plays]
[woman] A storm…
[laughing] …is coming.
[Graves] Well, there are storm clouds brewing over Lake Erie right now, Wade.
[Wade] Wow! Feel the chill.
Feast your eyes on this.
One of the greatest physiques this industry has ever seen.
[Graves] On top of her impressive deltoids are even bigger chips.
Both Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair
still stinging over the results
back in Glasgow at Clash at the Castle,
where they lost their championships without truly being defeated.
["Watch Me Shine" by CFO$ plays]
[Wade] Yeah, well, we finally found something
that Bianca Belair is terrible at, and that is losing.
Even her weaknesses are strengths.
Can the EST grab gold back tonight?
[Graves] We heard Bianca and Jade chatting backstage earlier with Byron Saxton.
The challengers are motivated.
They are ready despite the big million dollar grin
on the face of the EST,
Bianca is ready and raring for a fight tonight in The Land.
And again, just a reminder, at Clash at the Castle,
the team of Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark were pinned
by The Unholy Union of Dawn and Fyre,
not the champions at the time, Cargill and Belair. A legitimate gripe.
However, the champions won via the rules of a Triple-Threat Tag Team Match.
[Wade] They did exactly what they had to do, but for me,
the complaints from the former champs fall on deaf ears.
[Graves] Tonight, Friday Night SmackDown
on Fox is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home or motorcycle insurance.
And now let's throw it up to the ring and our very own Alicia Taylor.
[bell rings]
The following contest is scheduled for one fall is for the WWE
Women's Tag Team Championship!
Introducing first, the challengers.
The team of Jade Cargill
and Bianca Belair!
[crowd cheers]
And their opponents, they are the WWE
Women's Tag Team Champions,
Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn!
[crowd booing]
[Graves] Well, Wade, despite being Tag Team Champions
for quite some time now,
Fyre and Dawn both feel as though they aren't receiving
the due respect of being Women's Tag Team Champions.
What do the champs have to do tonight to open the eyes of the WWE Universe?
[Wade] Well, the WWE Universe--
[Graves] Whoa, whoa, wait.
Looking to get a jump start before the opening bell.
Look at the power of the challengers.
That backfired in spectacular fashion for the champs.
[Wade] Challengers were simply ready for that from the off.
They want their gold back.
Or at least what they see as their gold.
And the challenge--
-The champs immediately in disarray here. -[bell rings]
[Graves] A little misdirection
from the champions taking an early advantage
on Jade Cargill, the powerhouse.
And down goes Isla Dawn.
[Wade] Corey, right now Isla Dawn,
Jade Cargill is built like no woman you have ever faced
before in your long career, before reaching WWE.
[Graves] Cargill looking for a cover, hooks both legs.
[Wade] Things that work against most opponents simply
won't work against Jade Cargill.
[Graves] So, let me ask you this, if you're Fyre and Dawn,
what can you rely on from your past, from your experience advantage
over Cargill in this particular situation?
[Wade] Concern for the jaw of Isla Dawn as you asked me,
that question, just got clubbed.
But you're… You're right. It's exactly that.
You have to rely on experience.
Both Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre, highly well traveled.
Competed in Japan, competed in Europe, won championships everywhere they went.
[Graves] Alba Fyre now converting the momentum
and the challengers utilize the same play.
Big right hands from Cargill and Belair,
and the champions all out of sorts in opposing corners, Wade.
[Wade] They're just a pair of athletic freaks
that very few women have come close to finding the answer for,
and this could be a very short reign the way this is going.
[Graves] Royal Rumble Match flashbacks.
Double gorilla press slam.
The challengers in control.
Who is leaving with the gold?
[crowd cheers]
[Graves] The WWE Women's Tag Team Championship
is on the line as the champions,
Fyre and Dawn, defend against former champions, Belair and Cargill.
And, Wade, after the opening bell,
it was all challengers to the last minute or so.
[Wade] Yeah, but you just saw with one shot there
how easy it is for Cargill to scramble across the ring.
And what a tug-of-war this is.
Alba Fyre having to do everything in her power to make sure Belair
does not get tagged in.
[Graves] Jade, just as she was about to make the tag to Belair,
Isla Dawn on the outside, ripping the EST off of the apron.
That is veteran experience,
and that's got to be where the champions realize
they have an advantage, especially over Cargill.
[Wade] Well, that's how they got the head start in this matchup.
That's how they've managed to control Cargill
at this point in the match.
And with Belair down, this could be good night.
[Graves] Backstabber Swanton combination.
That's going to do it. Cover by Isla Dawn.
[Wade] Oh!
[Graves] And almost miraculously, Jade Cargill kicks out.
[Wade] Well, that was to a 99/100th of a second.
How Cargill kicked out after that, I have no idea.
We know she's built differently.
It's the only reason this match is continuing.
But for how much longer?
[Graves] Tremendous double-team attempted but countered.
Double suplex by Jade!
Here comes Belair!
[Wade] Belair scrambling back up.
There it is.
The fresh woman.
[Graves] The EST is legal for her team.
[Wade] Step up. Get ready to get stomped on.
[Graves] Double crossbody!
And this is what the champions knew they wanted to avoid, Wade,
the EST building momentum like this.
[Wade] I don't care how much dark magic these two Scottish witches know,
it simply will not work against Bianca Belair!
[Graves] High stepping into the vertical suplex.
Bianca Belair is like a one-woman army right now.
[crowd] One, two, three, four!
[Graves] Battering Dawn in the corner.
Tremendous athleticism, right over Alba Fyre.
And now we're going to double it up.
SummerSlam special two-for-one.
[crowd counts]
[Wade] Belair just three steps ahead of the champs.
[Graves] Perhaps Bianca got a bit overconfident.
Isla and Alba made her pay for the moment, but hoisted up, driven down goes Fyre.
[Wade] Belair at her most combative best annihilating…
-[Graves] Cover! -[Wade] …the champs.
[Graves] For the titles!
Here comes Dawn to keep this matchup alive.
But that may have backfired for Isla.
Round we go. Jade Cargill sent to the outside,
Cargill going to rip Isla Dawn to the floor with her.
Superkick.
[Wade] Isla Dawn completely out of this.
[Graves] Alba from behind, rolls up Bianca.
[Wade] The desperation in there for Alba Fyre.
But here we go.
[Graves] Who the hell? Is that…
-That's Blair Davenport. -[bell rings]
What the hell is Davenport doing out here?
[crowd booing]
[Wade] Well, she's just got…
She's just got the champions disqualified.
Of course they retain their championships in that--
What is this relationship?
[Graves] I have no idea.
We've seen Blair Davenport attempting to find her footing here
on Friday Night SmackDown for the past several weeks.
Big knee drops the EST. But why?
What is Blair's beef with the challengers?
Cargill continuing to soldier forward.
[Wade] Chopblock on Cargill finally takes her down.
[Graves] But just Cargill being overwhelmed by the champions
and, of all people, Blair Davenport.
[Wade] Davenport knows Fyre and Dawn well from the European scene,
from the Japanese scene--
[Graves] Look out, Wade. Oh my God!
Jade Cargill landed right on the back of her neck.
[Wade] Jade Cargill is out cold.
[Graves] What?
Jace, get somebody out here. I don't…
She's hurt.
Well, the champions retain technically.
Well, that was the first
of our two Tag Team Championship matchups tonight.
Obviously, The Unholy Union retains.
Will DIY follow suit?
Gargano, the hometown boy,
and his partner Tommaso Ciampa defend their newly-won gold
against Tama Tonga and "The Samoan Werewolf"
Jacob Fatu of The Bloodline tonight.
[Graves] SummerSlam is sponsored by Mike's Harder Lemonade.
Hard days deserve a hard lemonade,
but when you've had a really hard day
like these WWE Superstars in the ring, you need a lemonade that hits harder.
You need Mike's Harder lemonade.
["Liar" by Jelly Roll plays]
[Wade] Now, earlier today, our friends at The Ringer
released an incredible article all about the life
and career of our very own Michael Cole.
Go take a deep dive on the career of the greatest to ever do it.
With comments from the likes of Triple H,
Pat McAfee, and Cody Rhodes.
Head over to theringer.com to read more.
[Graves] And it's no secret tomorrow is The Biggest Party of the Summer,
and coverage from Cleveland Browns Stadium begins at 4:00 p.m. Eastern,
1:00 p.m. Pacific, with Countdown to SummerSlam.
Catch exclusive interviews with CM Punk, Seth Rollins, Damian Priest,
Rhea Ripley and so much more.
You won't want to miss anything on Countdown to SummerSlam,
streaming on Peacock and all of WWE's social platforms.
Bad News, you better be ready.
[Wade] Oh, I'm ready.
And, Corey, I know you're fired up to be in this city of Cleveland
because the incomparable Jelly Roll
will be performing his hit single
"Liar" live at SummerSlam tomorrow night.
[Graves] I cannot wait for Jelly Roll to rock Cleveland Browns Stadium.
And how about our Undisputed WWE Championship match
now to be contested under Bloodline Rules.
"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes
defends against the new "Tribal Chief" Solo Sikoa.
[Wade] And one of the nastiest rivalries I can ever remember
finally comes to a head as "The Scottish Psychopath"
Drew McIntyre and the always controversial CM Punk
finally go one-on-one.
Oh, and tasked with keeping this thing under control,
special guest referee Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
Expect fireworks.
[Graves] Good luck, Seth.
And how about the Liv Morgan revenge tour being in danger of coming
to a screeching halt at the hands of the former Women's World Champion,
"Mami" Rhea Ripley, who challenges Liv Morgan tomorrow at SummerSlam?
[Wade] Well, LA Knight is out on a joyride in Logan Paul's Prime truck right now,
but will the joy continue tomorrow night at SummerSlam as he challenges
the social media megastar for the United States Championship.
["Liar" by Jelly Roll plays]
[Pat] Ladies and gentlemen, Bron Breakker.
[barking]
[Graves] Bron Breakker was the guest inside
the infamous ThunderDome in Indianapolis, Indiana,
at The Pat McAfee Show yesterday,
and that poor schlub nearly met his demise
in front of Pat McAfee and the boys.
Well, Bron Breakker looks to crown himself Intercontinental Champion tomorrow
at SummerSlam.
But the current champion, Sami Zayn, the Underdog from the Underground,
has no intention of going down without a fight.
[Wade] How about this one? A heavyweight contest for the ages.
As the formidable "King of the Ring" Gunther
challenges Judgment Day's World Heavyweight Champion
Damian Priest for the gold tomorrow night.
[Graves] And the WWE Women's Championship is on the line
as Bayley defends her title against "The Irresistible Force" Nia Jax.
Will the reign of the Role Model continue?
Or has Bayley finally met her match
in the form of the new Queen of the Ring?
[intense music playing]
[Nia] I am Nia Jax.
[Cole] Strong.
Confident. Dominating.
"The Irresistible Force" Nia Jax.
[Graves] Nia is a woman on a mission.
[Nia] No one is stopping me from reaching my destiny
as the next WWE Queen of the Ring.
[Cole] The winner earns a championship opportunity at SummerSlam.
[Nia] Not Naomi.
Not Jade Cargill.
Not Bianca Belair.
And certainly not Lyra Valkyria.
[Graves] The crown belongs to The Irresistible Force.
[Nia] I am your Queen of the Ring!
Bayley, I will be taking that title off of you.
Is that right?
I don't know who you think you're talking to,
but this isn't NXT "Hugger" Bayley.
This isn't 2017 Bayley
who you put on the shelf for three months.
This is the Grand Slam Women's Champion Bayley.
This is your Royal Rumble winner.
And this is the WWE Women's Champion.
The same Bayley that's gonna embarrass you at SummerSlam.
Bayley, you're my victim.
And at SummerSlam, I'm gonna victimize you.
[Graves] The champ has heard enough.
Bayley wrapped by Stratton, and now the champion's outnumbered.
[Tiffany] The Queen of the Ring and Ms. Money in the Bank.
No one can stop us.
[Graves] Look who's here!
And Nia Jax just sent into the timekeeper's area!
[Wade] Queen Nia just got flattened!
["Can't Let Go" by ALIBI Music plays]
Look at me and look at Bayley.
I'm going to beat her.
I'm going to take her title,
and I'm going to put her down like an old, sick dog.
["Can't Let Go" by ALIBI Music plays]
♪ I can't let go ♪
You're the same heartless woman you were since day one.
You're big, you're clumsy, and you're reckless.
And I'm walking in to SummerSlam
with this WWE Women's Championship,
and I'm walking out of SummerSlam with this WWE Women's Championship.
And there's not a damn thing that you can do to stop me.
[Nia] I am the Queen of this division.
I'm on top.
I'm coming for that title.
'Cause I get to take it off of you.
[crowd roaring]
[sniffling]
Tiffy, I have a little surprise for you.
[Tiffany] Oh my gosh!
For being the perfect Princess to my Queen,
I got you your own custom briefcase.
[Tiffany gasps, squeals] Yay!
Ah.
Don't forget who got this for you.
Because tomorrow, if you decide to cash-in,
we will no longer be Princess and Queen.
And you will just have to answer to me.
Okay, I promise, I promise, I promise, I promise, I promise!
-Thank you, Queen. -You're welcome.
[Tiffany] Oh my God, she's perfect.
Oh, isn't that adorable?
I mean, personally, I would change the font, upgrade the crystals,
and make it like a pale green color,
but that's just like me making it cute, right?
Yeah.
See, because before you pushed me off the ladder so rudely,
I was designing my own Money in the Bank briefcase.
P, don't you think Cha-Ching Chelsea looks so much better than "Tacky Time"?
You know what, Chelsea?
Green is definitely not your color.
-Toodles! -[gasps]
[hushed chatter]
["Samoan Destroyer (Jacob Fatu)" by def rebel plays]
[Graves] Entering to the menacing beat of the war drums
led by the new "Tribal Chief" Solo Sikoa.
It is about main event time, Wade.
And Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu have the opportunity
to bring tag team gold back to The Bloodline.
[Wade] Sense of fear and trepidation has just washed over this entire arena,
because these four men are capable of malice, menace,
and destroying some of the favorite competitors here…
and winning gold.
What a golden weekend this could be for The Bloodline!
[Graves] On tonight's main event, sponsored by eBay Motors, DIY,
including Cleveland's own Johnny Gargano
and Tommaso Ciampa defend their gold against Tama Tonga,
Jacob Fatu of The Bloodline.
[Graves] It is main event time on Friday Night SmackDown
and The Bloodline in full force
standing in the ring awaiting the arrival of the champions.
Tama Tonga, Jacob Fatu,
I don't believe we've been formally introduced.
I'm one half of the WWE Tag Team Champions,
the Blackheart, Tommaso Ciampa.
[crowd cheers]
And I'm Johnny Wrestling.
SummerSlam 1996 was the very first WWE show
I saw in this building.
That was the night I decided I needed to become a professional wrestler.
Twenty-eight years later, I am back home in this building in the main event,
as one half of the WWE Tag Team Champions.
[crowd cheering]
The New Bloodline likes to talk about family.
Well, they forget we're in Cleveland, Ohio!
[crowd cheers]
This is my city.
These are my people.
Tonight, Bloodline, you're going to be surrounded
by 10,000 members of my family!
Cleveland, Ohio, let's freaking go!
[crowd cheers]
-["It's Our Moment" by def rebel plays] -♪ We are ♪
♪ We are ♪
♪ DIY! ♪
[Graves] The champions tonight
certainly not lacking in confidence, with no shortage of energy
to drive them forward.
[Wade] Could be a dream homecoming for Johnny Gargano in particular.
You heard that story.
This building is where he came
to his first ever WWE show way back in 1996.
It sounds like a fairy tale, but looking at their opponents tonight,
that could quickly turn into a nightmare.
This is real-life stuff now, Johnny.
This ain't dream stuff.
[Graves] The question remains,
who will be champions as we roll into Tulsa, Oklahoma next week
for Friday Night SmackDown?
Tickets are on sale now.
I cannot wait to head to Tulsa for all of the SummerSlam fallout.
But right now, it is time
for the WWE Tag Team Championship main event
on the eve of The Biggest Party of the Summer.
As the hometown hero Johnny Gargano returns
to defend his gold alongside The Sicilian Psychopath.
Let's throw it up to the ring and our ring announcer, Alicia Taylor.
[bell rings]
The following contest is scheduled for one fall
is for the WWE Tag Team Championship!
Introducing first, the challengers.
Representing The Bloodline,
the team of Tama Tonga
and Jacob Fatu!
[crowd boos]
[inaudible]
And their opponents,
they are the WWE Tag Team Champions,
Tommaso Ciampa
and Johnny Gargano,
DIY!
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chants] DIY! DIY! DIY!
[Graves] That's what it's all about tonight.
The WWE Tag Team Championship.
[Wade] The reigning champs Ciampa and Gargano,
career underdogs, they have never been bigger underdogs
than they are right now.
[Graves] Tonight's main event is sponsored by eBay Motors.
Here we go. The WWE Tag Team Titles on the line.
Tommaso Ciampa starting things off against Tama Tonga of The Bloodline.
[Wade] Unrelenting physicality
from the off from this new-look Bloodline
that are perhaps more devastating than ever.
[Graves] You've got the new "Tribal Chief" Solo
just feet away from you on the outside.
If you're Tama Tonga, if you're Jacob Fatu,
you're fighting as though everything depends on it
to bring the power back to The Bloodline.
[Wade] I would not dare disappoint Solo Sikoa, that's for sure.
[Graves] Wade, what is it about Tama Tonga
that makes him such a dangerous competitor? Ooh!
[Wade] Reckless, uncontrolled, wild, primal,
and completely devastating in the ring.
Now in full control.
Can The Bloodline grab tag gold now?
What's up?
[Graves] WWE Tag Team Championship on the line.
DIY defending against The Bloodline's Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga.
Fatu just made impact on the top of the ringpost with his skull.
[Wade] It's about the first bit of breathing room Ciampa
has managed to gouge out for himself.
[Graves] Oh, Wade, it's not often that the reigning champions
enter a matchup considered underdogs.
That may be the case for DIY tonight.
Do they have a prayer?
[Wade] Well, it's a long shot, I know,
but Ciampa and Gargano have about ten years
of history tagging together.
Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu only met several weeks ago.
They have to rely on sheer physicality to defeat the champs.
Whether that is going to be enough for DIY to overcome
this unyielding ferocity of The Bloodline remains to be seen.
[Graves] Well, let's not forget that… Oh!
…the fathers of both Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu
were an extremely successful tag team here in WWE, then known as The Islanders.
Spear by Gargano.
And Johnny Wrestling nearly put this one away.
[Wade] Well, briefly there, Tama Tonga getting completely overwhelmed
by the speed and maneuverability of Johnny Gargano,
but back up to his feet already.
[Graves] When it comes to teamwork, few do it better than Gargano and Ciampa.
Johnny just took out Jacob on the outside.
[Wade] It's absolute blitzkrieg here from DIY and it has to be.
[Graves] Oh my goodness, Ciampa going for broke.
Air Raid Crash!
My God!
Hooks the leg! DIY to retain, but no.
[Wade] It sounds insane,
but that would have been one of the biggest shockers
I can remember in a long time,
if The Bloodline had have lost that quickly in this match.
[Graves] Well, it speaks to the guts, the heart, and the resilience of DIY,
who have scratched and clawed their way to the top
of the Tag Team Division
and aren't going anywhere without a fight.
[Wade] You write these underdogs off at your peril.
[Graves] Glancing blow there by Ciampa.
Tag made by Fatu on the outside
and Ciampa never saw it coming.
We have seen the terrifying
yet breathtaking athletic ability of this man.
Boom! In the corner,
"The Samoan Werewolf" Jacob Fatu, absolute dominance.
Tag made. Tama Tonga legal.
From the top.
Splash to end it for the Tag Team Titles!
And Gargano preserves the reign.
[Wade] Desperation lunge from Johnny Wrestling
and a jab to the throat clears him out.
No respite, however, from Jacob Fatu, a man possessed.
[Graves] Jacob Fatu, the walking warning shot, the Enforcer of Solo Sikoa
who has pledged undying loyalty to the new Tribal Chief.
Oh my goodness!
Gargano just avoided disaster.
Tama Tonga looks a bit confused.
Ciampa with a roll-up, pinning Tonga's shoulders.
Tag made by Gargano on the outside, unbeknownst to the challengers.
Shatter Machine!
[Wade] And how quickly the tables have turned!
DIY setting up for their signature move!
[Graves] Here comes Tonga Loa.
But watch Solo!
Samoan Spike to Ciampa!
[Wade] The referee missed the entire thing.
[Graves] Tama Tonga from behind just wiped out Johnny Wrestling!
And The Bloodline denied again!
[Wade] That has just pissed Tama Tonga off, though.
[Graves] Tama Tonga has become unglued.
[Wade] Well, Ciampa was taken out with that Samoan Spike
from Solo Sikoa, has not moved since.
Now, it's two-on-one.
[Graves] Now, the Wolf is on the loose.
Jacob Fatu doing as he so pleases
to Johnny Wrestling.
Gargano has been taken out of the equation.
Things are beginning to look bleak for DIY.
But no quit in Johnny.
Superkick to Loa!
[Wade] This is what the hometown crowd can do for you.
[Graves] Incoming!
[Graves] Tama Tonga taken out by Johnny Wrestling!
[Wade] Feeding off that momentum from Cleveland.
[Graves] Poisonrana!
Oh no!
Turn around, Johnny!
[Wade] That ain't human!
[Graves] Into the heavens!
Driven to hell!
Jacob Fatu, the walking warning shot.
They're gonna do it, Wade!
Damn it, they're going to do it!
Implant DDT!
[crowd counts]
[bell rings]
[Graves] The gold belongs to The Bloodline.
["Taking It All (feat. Stevie Stone)" by def rebel plays]
[Taylor] Here are your winners
and new WWE Tag Team Champions,
Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu, The Bloodline!
[Wade] Well, this was the moment Johnny Wrestling caught fire.
It looked like he was a one-man wrecking crew
taking out The Bloodline on his own.
But this is simply superhuman
from Jacob Fatu bouncing up after landing on his head,
flattening Johnny Gargano
and then showing off his unique physical ability
to snuff out the dreams of this entire arena
and the reign of DIY.
[crowd counts]
[Graves] Jacob Fatu has pledged blind,
undying loyalty to Solo for everything Solo has done for Jacob.
The Tag Team Championships
are now once again in possession of The Bloodline.
Tomorrow, Solo Sikoa challenges Cody Rhodes
for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Cody Rhodes' kingdom is under siege.
The Bloodline is storming the castle.
Who will leave SummerSlam in charge of SmackDown?
[Wade] Uncontrollable, undisciplined,
and perhaps unstoppable.
This Bloodline is for real.
[Graves] Tonight belongs to The Bloodline.
American Nightmare, you're next.