[theme music]
[narrator] Then...
...now...
...forever...
...together.
[Cole] Friday Night SmackDown is in Music City, USA tonight,
just off Broadway in downtown Nashville.
And this show is stacked, including our main event.
It is a Triple Threat Ladder Match for the WWE Tag Team Title.
The Champ, the dominant brothers, Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa of The Bloodline.
They won the gold from one of the teams they're facing in this matchup tonight.
DIY, Gargano and Ciampa, who are itching for revenge tonight,
as are Montez Ford, Angelo Dawkins,
the team known as The Street Profits led by B-Fab.
The Bloodline cost them the NXT Tag titles.
Now, they want to win the WWE Tag Team titles
in a Ladder Match live tonight on SmackDown!
[Alicia] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
Multi-Platinum country music artist
and Nashville's own Hardy!
[Cole] His hit single, Psycho,
out off his album
that is available everywhere now, known as Quit.
-He played at the Royal Rumble. -Nashville, Tennessee,
welcome to Friday Night SmackDown
and give a warm welcome back
to the Phenomenal Forearm,
AJ Styles!
-[cheering] -["You don't want none" by Def Rebel]
♪ You don't want none ♪
[fireworks]
[Corey] While I agree with Hardy, I've got to say more than just the forearm
is phenomenal about AJ Styles.
[Cole] We have not seen AJ Styles in the WWE since...
June, Clash at the Castle,
when AJ Styles
took on Cody Rhodes in an I Quit Match
for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
And, Corey, AJ Styles told me in the days leading up to that match
that if he ever had to utter the words "I quit" to Cody Rhodes
then we may possibly never see him again.
[Corey] Well, thankfully, that was not the case.
AJ Styles did need to step away, recalibrate, refocus his game plan
and remind himself why he is, in fact,
The Phenomenal One, why SmackDown is in fact, the house
that AJ Styles built.
The man is back.
And we could not be happier.
[upbeat music playing]
[Cole] 11,171 on hand tonight
at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
[crowd] AJ Styles!
AJ Styles!
AJ! AJ! AJ!
[cheering]
[chanting continues]
[cheering]
I have missed you guys so much.
[cheering]
And it's only fitting that I'm here at Nashville,
Tennessee, tonight.
[cheering]
This is where it all started for AJ Styles.
And over the past couple months,
I've done a lot of things that I regret,
things I may not be forgiven for.
But I'm not here to talk about the past.
I'm talking about tonight
and rebuilding the legacy of AJ Styles.
[cheering]
So I know there's a lot of guys that don't like me.
And I don't blame them. There's a lot of other guys that need to be reminded
that this is still the house
that AJ Styles built!
"Melo don't miss" by Def Rebel]
♪ 'Cause I'm the greatest ♪
♪ Ain't no hating ♪
♪ I'm the best here ♪
♪ You want your shot ♪
[Cole] We got some company in the house that AJ Styles built.
♪ Who got a problem, huh? ♪
♪ Tell 'em to step here ♪
♪ Because I'm the greatest ♪
AJ, after everything that you've done,
I'm not surprised there's not a long line of guys
there to welcome you back.
But that's okay. Because you know what?
I took it upon myself to be that guy, to do that.
Because, AJ, I don't need to reintroduce myself to you.
You know who I am.
I'm him, Carmelo Hayes,
the one that beat Andrade three times,
and the one that's been holding it down here on SmackDown
while you've been gone.
But believe it or not, I can't believe I'm going to say this.
But I'm actually a huge fan of you.
I love old-timers like you.
And I'm sure you're out here to announce some giant legends contract
that you just signed. But--
And believe me, you deserve it.
But if we're gonna talk about things that are deserved,
allow me to talk about myself for a minute.
[booing]
Guy like me, a guy like me who deserves
to be the US Champion, not LA Knight and not Andrade,
a guy like me.
Well, if it's okay with you, I'd like to
maybe give you a little friendly advice.
I've been in the ring with LA Knight before.
And the guy is relentless.
Yeah.
He came to my house.
We had a match at WrestleMania.
[crowd agrees] Yeah!
[crowd] Oooh.
AJ, I don't need your advice
because I don't take advice from quitters.
Nope, I earned that one.
So you really think you're that good, right?
-I am. -Yeah, okay.
If you were that good,
if you were him,
you would be United States Champion right now, wouldn't you?
Well, AJ,
if you were so phenomenal,
then you'd be WWE Champion right now, wouldn't you?
[chanting]
I'll tell you what we'll do.
You're in your wrestling gear. I'm in my wrestling gear. There's ropes.
There's a ring.
It's Nashville, Tennessee.
[crowd goes wild]
Why don't you and I fight right here,
right now, in this very ring?
[cheering]
Nah, I'm good.
[booing]
[hype music]
[cheering]
[Cole] The United States Champion
is in the house in Nashville!
[cheering]
[crowd] LA Knight!
LA Knight!
Let me talk to you.
[cheering]
My God, ain't this a familiar sight?
Somebody wants to fight Carmelo.
And what's he do?
Well, he's just gonna run away, isn't he?
AJ, let me not come out and pretend you and I are friends.
We've been through the mill. Like you said, I've been to your house.
We've been through it all. Let me be honest.
The last time I saw you, you were busy misleading me,
misleading the entire world, telling everybody basically
that you were going to retire.
And then, you made a liar of yourself.
So I don't have a whole lot to say to you.
But what I will say is this.
I look at it. I look at Carmelo.
He comes out here. He says, I deserve this.
I am him.
I tell you what.
You are him.
You're the guy that's gonna get stomped out right here tonight.
The only question is there's two options in this.
The first option is
I can basically come down there,
punch you in the mouth four or five times,
walk out of here, go down to Broadway,
have a couple of drinks, and have myself a good night.
[cheering]
Or...
the other choice in this whole thing is,
AJ, it seems like you made a little challenge here to Carmelo.
He wasn't quite ready to take it.
So I'll tell you what, I'm gonna go ahead and make sure
that you wanna take it, Melo. Here's what you got.
If you can beat AJ Styles right now,
I'll make a real convincing case to Nick Aldis
that you can get the shot that you so hardly think you deserve
at the US Championship.
But I'm going to tell you what. Regardless, the chances are
you're getting stomped out tonight.
I'm still going out to Broadway and having those sips.
And when it's all said and done--
when it's all said and done, after AJ stomps you,
I'll tell you what you're still gonna hear everybody saying.
[crowd] LA Knight!
Yeah!
Now, give me a referee out of here.
And let's get this done!
[Cole] What an opportunity for Carmelo Hayes.
He may not look happy, Corey, but if he can somehow pick up a win,
if this match does indeed happen over AJ Styles may earn himself
a Championship opportunity.
[Corey] It is a very, very big if.
But we have an official, Charles Robinson is in the ring.
Styles and Hayes next.
[dinging]
[engine roaring]
[siren wailing]
[tires screeching]
[supercar zooming]
[bell ringing]
[Cole] And we are back live on Friday Night SmackDown
from Nashville.
AJ Styles in his return to a WWE ring for the first time since June
against the upstart, Carmelo Hayes.
The United States Champion, LA Knight, is at ringside.
This is what's at stake for Hayes, Corey. Knockoff Styles,
LA Knight says he's gonna talk to the General Manager
to give Carmelo Hayes the United States Championship match.
[Corey] Leave it to the Megastar, LA Knight, to sweeten the pot even more,
as though it needed to be.
This is Carmelo Hayes, one on one with one of the greatest
to ever step foot in a ring, the phenomenal AJ Styles.
What Carmelo Hayes could do tonight
could make all the difference in his career,
knocking off a surefire future Hall of Famer like Styles
on AJ's first night back, that is a massive potential feather
in the cap of Carmelo Hayes.
[Cole] Carmelo Hayes, tied three wins apiece
in his big battle against Andrade, taking the fight now to AJ Styles,
the former two-time WWE Champion.
[Corey] Let's put the shoe on the other foot.
You'd have to imagine AJ Styles, freshly back to SmackDown,
would love an opportunity
to become United States Champion yet again, particularly at the expense
of the man who defeated him at WrestleMania, LA Knight.
[Cole] Speaking of Championships,
you have to wonder, Corey, what Carmelo Hayes thinks
about his old running buddy Trick Williams
winning the NXT Championship over Ethan Page
on the debut of NXT on the CW this past Tuesday night.
[Corey] Congratulations to everybody in NXT.
An unbelievable night we all got to enjoy together.
-Right now, Carmelo, Hayes. -[Cole] Dropkick by Styles.
AJ Styles and Nashville have had a love affair over the years.
It was back all the way in the year 2000,
Corey, where AJ Styles debuted
in this city as part of the NWA anniversary show.
He won a TNA-X title here, an NWA Championship here,
tag team titles here as well.
AJ Styles loves wrestling in Nashville.
[Corey] I was in the building
the very first night they were here in Nashville.
But Carmelo Hayes now has an opportunity to really separate himself
from the pack.
We talked a lot over recent weeks between Hayes and Andrade
and how crowded the middle of the card
is right now, particularly potential challengers
for LA Knight's Championship.
A win tonight would definitely do that for Carmelo Hayes.
[Cole] Well, you mentioned AJ Styles.
He's a former three-time United States Champion in his own right.
[Corey] And AJ Styles has enough respect
for this industry.
AJ knows he's got to climb his way back up the ladder.
AJ doesn't expect to just walk in the door and receive
a WWE Championship opportunity.
AJ knows that the car--
Whoa, look out.
[Cole] Styles, and Carmelo Hayes!
[Corey] My, God. Cover by Hayes.
[Cole] Styles kicks-out. But what a move by the uber athletic Carmelo Hayes.
[Corey] What I was in the process of saying
is AJ realizes that the landscape has changed
just in the few months AJ's been away.
Carmelo Hayes wants to bear the flag.
-Cover here by Hayes. -[Cole] Floats into the cover and Styles
gets the shoulder up.
Now, AJ Styles, he has had some in-ring action over the summer,
the much ballyhooed in a publicity-driven matchup,
of course, in pro wrestling--
Noah, the big matchup there in Japan.
Styles back in action here in WWE.
[Corey] Make no mistake about it,
AJ Styles always keeps his skill set razor sharp,
whether it be here in WWE or somewhere else around the globe.
My point is, AJ was able to take a step back
from the madness of WWE to recalibrate himself,
to find himself, to let his body heal a little bit.
After 20-plus years in the ring, you're gonna have some nagging injuries
-no matter how good you are. -[Cole] And now, he's in the ring
with one of the bright, young Superstars in WWE today.
You may not like his attitude.
Oh! And Styles dropped right in front of the United States Champion.
Carmelo Hayes in control
as our matchup continues.
[Cole] We are back live on Friday Night SmackDown.
Now, you notice a half-crab in here for Carmelo Hayes and AJ Styles.
There is a reason that Carmelo Hayes is now focused
on the leg of AJ Styles.
During the matchup before the break, AJ got hurt.
The doctor checked on him during the break,
checking his left leg and ankle.
Now, as the doc went back to the ringside area,
he told Corey and I that it's a possible sprained ankle
for AJ Styles in his return tonight.
So Carmelo Hayes focuses his offense now on the leg.
[Corey] this is just terrible happenstance for AJ Styles.
Just a few minutes before this matchup began,
you could see how much offense AJ took to Carmelo
calling him a quitter. Styles would rather drop dead in the ring
than quit in the middle of a match ever again.
[Cole] Styles having trouble,
of course, bouncing on that leg but still able to deliver offense
on Carmelo Hayes.
[Corey] AJ Styles, who looks to reforge his legacy
on Friday Night SmackDown,
as Carmelo Hayes looks to create his own legacy.
But AJ is in a bad, bad way on one good leg right now.
[Cole] Styles, who once held the WWE Championship
for 371 days--
-[Corey] That made it worse! -...in the back of the neck.
And again, the bad--
[Corey] And that's the worst part.
AJ, at this point, may be a danger to himself.
AJ went for a maneuver we have watched him perform hundreds,
if not thousands, of times. This backbreaker, the neckbreaker,
whatever you wanna call it.
And instead of AJ's leg holding up, it buckled.
This could be catastrophic for The Phenomenal One.
[Cole] Charles Robinson now sending AJ to the corner.
-And Styles is calling for the bell. -[Corey] And it's unfortunate.
But this is what you gotta do.
[booing]
[Cole] And the doc is gonna head over to the ring.
Referee Charles Robinson saying that this matchup
is over after the injury to Styles's leg.
[Corey] Well, listen, this is the unfortunate
part of our business.
Injuries do happen.
Ring-rust may have played a factor.
We talked about how AJ likes to keep his skill set razor sharp
at all times. But a layoff is a layoff.
Your body is gonna react differently. AJ obviously was not in the same shape
he believed he was.
or at least AJ's brain and his body weren't on the same page.
This is where we're speculating we think
the injury may have occurred. AJ coming up.
Yeah, that could have been it right there.
Then, this is where everything went South.
AJ unable to support his own weight
to drive Hayes down across.
[Cole] And now, AJ Styles visibly upset.
[Alicia] Ladies and gentlemen, AJ Styles is no longer able to compete.
Therefore, the winner of the match
-is Carmel-- -[Corey] Wait a minute!
[Cole] LA Knight with a BFT to Hayes,
drops it right on the top of his head!
[cheering]
[Corey] Well, LA Knight certainly lifted morale here in Nashville.
But I don't know if that was necessary.
Carmelo Hayes went toe to toe with one of the all-time greats,
a wild turn of events. But then,
that's what this is all about. Anything can happen in WWE.
[Cole] Styles could not finish the match.
-Hayes gets the victory. -...as close as you're about to get.
[Cole] So I guess that means, if LA Knight keeps his promise,
Carmelo Hayes is going to earn himself a United States Championship opportunity.
One would assume that would be the case. It's a terrible turn of events.
You hate to see AJ Styles, go down with an injury.
We'll keep you posted as updates become available.
Yeah, we'll try to get some updates from the doctor as soon as we can.
Changing gears now, to what happens 24 hours from now in Hotlanta.
It is Bad Blood.
It is a very special start time on Peacock of 6:00 Eastern
and 3:00 Pacific in the main event, the return of Roman Reigns
to a WWE ring in a match for the first time since WrestleMania,
when he teams up with his once arch rival, Cody Rhodes,
against The Bloodline.
[dramatic music]
[narrator] Solo Sikoa has made the challenge
for a tag-team match at Bad Blood.
Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu.
Versus Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns.
Just tell me what you want.
I want your word
that you will have my back
so that I can have yours.
[Roman] I give you my word.
[Cole] The Bloodline is gonna tear the meat
off the bones of the Champion!
The OTC is here!
[Roman] I'll have your back.
Just understand this.
When it's all done,
I'm taking it back.
It's mine.
It's not yours to take.
[Cole] Can Cody Rhodes trust Roman Reigns
against Solo and Jacob of The Bloodline?
Cody, you should trust him.
Because you're going to need him.
[Cole] Can Solo Sikoa
make sure there is no question that he is The Tribal Chief?
Can Roman Reigns come back and prove that he is the OTC?
Can Cody Rhodes trust Roman Reigns?
We find out tomorrow night at Bad Blood,
a special start time of 6:00 Eastern, 3:00 Pacific on Peacock.
[Corey] Solo and Jacob tomorrow night. Tonight, Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa
defending their WWE Tag Team Championships against DIY.
Ciampa and Gargano, two men who have been to the top
of the tag team mountain and tonight look to return via use of the ladder.
But the Street Profits have the same goal.
Triple Threat Ladder Match for the tag team gold in the main event.
[Cole] And here it comes, the dumpster on his way
into the arena.
You know why garbage collectors are great partners?
-[Corey] Why? -They always pick up what you drop.
Chelsea may get dropped in the dumpster versus Michin Dumpster Match next!
[Corey] The dumpster got an entrance, Cole.
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following contest is a dumpster match!
There are no disqualifications and no count outs.
The only way to win is to place your opponent
inside the dumpster
and close the lid!
-[Female narrator] It's Chelsea Green! -[hype music]
[Corey] You don't think they could have sanitized the dumpster,
maybe hosed it down, emptied it out?
This is gonna be dangerous and disgusting.
[Cole] I hope she gets dumped in the dumpster,
Chelsea Green.
[Alicia] Introducing first
from Victoria, BC,
[teasing voice] "Chelsea" Green!
[Cole]This woman had the audacity
on social media to name me Michael The McNasty McNasterson.
[Corey] Yeah. I was gonna use it.
I'm a little ashamed. You disarmed me.
You took the bullets out of my gun, Cole.
I was ready to repeat ad-nauseam that name.
And can we just take a second to appreciate the trashin'--
not fashion, trashin' being displayed by Chelsea Green,
who, by the way, comes from a long lineage
of sanitation workers in British Columbia, Michael Cole.
[Cole] Where did you get that information?
[Corey] Chelsea. She spoke to her Uncle Gene about this.
[Cole] I heard, she was a descendant of Fred Sanford.
[Corey] Wow. I'm just barely old enough to get that reference.
[Cole] Don't be trashy. Keep it classy, Chelsea.
["I am" by Def Rebel]
♪ I am, I am, I am ♪
♪ The one ain't hard to see ♪
[Alicia] And her opponent from Fontana,
California,
Michin.
[Cole] Michin said that I am everything that Chelsea Green is not.
And now, you're entering my world, princess.
We go back.
We know each other.
Get ready to be dumped.
Let's show you how this all came about,
this dumpster match idea.
[Corey] Well, on more than one occasion,
Chelsea Green simply felt appropriate--
to remind Michin, that Michin--
is not the caliber of Superstar that belongs in WWE.
In the opinion of Chelsea Green,
Michin belongs in the alleyway behind Tootsies.
Chelsea looks to prove that
with perhaps a little assistance from her friend, Piper Niven.
-[Cole] I've been in that alleyway before. -I don't even wanna know, Cole.
[Cole] But last week, Michin picked up the win over Piper Niven.
So tonight, it's Michin and Chelsea in a dumpster match.
All joking aside, this is a serious situation. Anything goes.
You can use weapons, like Michin has the Kendo stick.
She gives Chelsea one of her own.
You win by dumping your opponent
in the dumpster and closing the lid entirely.
[Corey] Which again is a hazard in and of itself.
It's a dumpster. It's not some special WWE dumpster.
It's a dumpster.
It's a regulation sanitation dumpster.
Someone's body could be badly injured utilizing that thing
trying to dump someone in it.
[Cole] And we do know this:
Chelsea Green's been doing some, uh-- some dumpster diving
-as of late. -[Corey] It's training, Cole
[Cole] Oh, sorry.
She did say that Michin is nasty.
She's slimy. She's trashy. And she stinks.
And she calls Michin a bully.
[Corey] I mean, right now,
Michin is painting Chelsea Green in a very positive light
because Michin is doing what Chelsea accused her of.
[Cole] It is a historic night, first ever dumpster match on SmackDown,
-first ever women's dumpster match. -[Corey] This is not a table match.
[Cole] Yeah, but you can use anything you want.
Remember the first dumpster match all the way back at WrestleMania 1998?
Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie beat the New Age Outlaws to win the tag titles.
Oh, my goodness!
[Corey] I saw Road Dogg last week.
And he was actually crying about how brutal that match was.
And nobody appreciated it.
[Cole] And Chelsea sent right back into the ring by Michin.
We saw, uh, DX and the Dudleys battle it out in 2000.
The most recent one, 2017, Kalisto and Braun Strowman.
Missile dropkick by Michin
driving Chelsea Green out of the ring.
Michin is really turning it on as of late, Corey.
[Corey] I agree. We've seen a side of Michin that we had not seen
until semi-recently. It served her extremely well.
Now, Chelsea hanging on for dear life,
trying to avoid the humiliation,
the embarrassment of being dumped in a dumpster
on global television.
[Cole] Both these women former TNA Impact Champions
as Chelsea drives Michin face-first.
Chelsea is in control!
Hey, you gotta "bin" it to win it.
[Cole] Chelsea Green has been extremely impressive
in this dumpster match versus Michin.
Remember, you win when you dump your opponent
in the garbage dumpster and close the lid.
[Corey] Michin teetering on the verge of disaster right now.
-Here comes Ms. Green. -[Cole] Chelsea looking to put it away.
And Michin able to duck underneath and deliver a couple of Right Hands.
Michin trying to fight back into this against--
Oh! What a Tornado DDT!
[Corey] Spectacular offense from Michin into a German Suplex!
Chelsea Green all out of sorts right now.
Michin could be looking for Eat Defeat.
[Cole] And Chelsea able to hang on.
Great Counter by Green.
[Corey] Is Chelsea gonna be able to turn the tides?!
A Canadian Destroyer!
[Cole] Dropping Michin into-- Chelsea Green's like:
I can't believe I just hit that. But again, there's no pinfall.
You gotta dump the opponent into the dumpster.
-[Corey] Here we go. -Petey's gotta--
-[Corey] Oh, my God! -Oh, my God. Michin in the dumpster!
Chelsea Green has to close the lid to win this matchup!
[Corey] Finish the story, Chelsea!
[Cole] Many--
Michin's trying to block! Michin's trying to block! And she does!
-She does! -[Corey] Oh, my God.
[Cole] And Michin now, trash bags in hand.
I hope that's a Hefty.
Bang to Chelsea again!
You know what, Michin?
If life gives you garbage, you make compost.
That's what she's doing here to Chelsea Green.
Chelsea almost picked up the win here.
-Now, Chelsea just trying to survive. -[crowd] Table! Table!
Table! Table!
Table!
[Cole] And now the "tables" chants.
[Corey] Oh, Nashville--
-[Cole] Trashville. Trashhville. -...get a hold of yourself.
And now, oh, Chelsea Green able to duck underneath,
looking to put Michin away with the Unpretty Her.
Michin Counters.
Eat Defeat!
[Corey] Michin could be thinking about a cover.
But she needs to chuck Ms. Green into the dumpster.
[Cole] Little payback!
Little payback!
Remember what Nia Jax did to Michin?
[Corey] Michin now perched on the ropes.
[Cole] Payback to Chelsea!
[Corey] Splat!
Oh, my God!
Absolute brutality,
Michin sacrificing her own body
to inflict punishment on Chelsea Green.
[Cole] What about Chelsea doing her best impersonation of Oscar?
[Corey] I think she she'd be more--
Oscar's got a girlfriend. Grundgetta, I think, is her name.
[laughing] I'm serious.
Michin--
[Cole] Now with a table across the dumpster.
Not quite sure what she's thinking about here.
Well, I guess I am now.
[Corey] Oh, no. Things are about to go from bad to worse for Chelsea Green.
Michin showing the WWE Universe just how--
what the hell is that?
Oh, Piper Niven!
[Cole] Piper Niven, we are in Nashville.
[Corey] I thought that was Walter White.
[Cole] And Niven...
with a senton to Michin.
And remember, no disqualifications.
[Corey] Ride 'em, cowgirl.
[Cole] She's been in Tootsie's most of the day.
And Mich-- oh!
This is a dumpster fire tonight!
[Corey] Michin and Chelsea Green
both still technically alive in this matchup.
It's anyone's match.
[Cole] Because you got to put
your opponent in the dumpster and close the lid.
[Corey] Chelsea has barely moved an inch
since being smashed inside of the trash can
by the senton of Michin.
[Cole] D-Von and Bubba will be happy seeing that table.
They were in a dumpster. Michin trying to hang on.
Chelsea Green desperately trying to win this match.
[Corey] Uh-oh. Uh-oh. This'll do it.
And Michin been able to block.
Michin blocks again.
-Blocked. -[Cole] Oh, no.
-Totally in trouble! -[Corey] No, no, no, no!
Oh, my God!
[Cole] Chelsea Green!
[Corey] No!
[Cole] Through the table into the dumpster!
Both women are in the dumpster!
Who's gonna-- and Michin crawling of the wreckage.
Michin trying to-- she's gotta close the lid
now to win this match!
[Corey] Oh, no. This has gotta be humiliating.
[Cole] The lid is closed!
-Michin wins! -[bell rings]
[Alicia] Here is your winner:
Michin!
[Cole] Chelsea got dumped.
[Corey] Chelsea Green messed around
with the wrong woman and found out.
Michin was tired of the embarrassment, tired of the humiliation,
and returned the favor in extremely painful fashion.
Look at this thunderous powerbomb off of the apron,
through a table, into the dumpster.
And that was the beginning of the end for Chelsea Green.
[Cole] Michin with a big win here tonight
on Friday Night SmackDown
in the first ever women's dumpster match.
Oh, man. This is a Trashening for Chelsea.
[Corey] This is horrid. Oh, my God.
[Cole] Well, that dumpster is overflowing with potential.
Clean up your act!
It's been too long!
No!
[Corey] There we see the phenomenal...
AJ Styles, being checked out by our doctor.
The current reports are that AJ is suffering from some sort
of left ankle injury.
He has been taken to a local hospital for x-rays.
This video package taken moments ago backstage.
Again, AJ Styles being evaluated
and x-rayed at a local hospital
for a potential left ankle injury.
Breathe, breathe.
[Jade] Hey! Hey! Hey, sis. Okay, sis.
-Okay, I see you. -[cheering]
Yes, and I know you're gonna give Ms. Tiffy Time
the Tiffy business tonight.
Oh, yes.
Because she always talking mess.
Anyway, enough about her. Let's talk about these beautiful titles
my girls earned back. Let me touch!
-Rub mine. Rub mine. Thank you. -Oh, yes.
Listen, we appreciate you, sis.
But listen, after you get that big dub tonight,
we are going to my stomping grounds in ATL to turn up!
-We? -Girl, we not speaking French. We.
Yes, we, we, we, we Because we just talked to Nick.
And he told us, tomorrow night the three of us
-are hosting Bad Blood together! -Yes!
[excited screams]
Let me see you do the A-Town stomp.
Do the A-Town stomp!
Cut. No. Cut. Sorry.
Congratulations. Let me talk to my girl real quick. Okay?
We'll see you tomorrow.
See you tomorrow.
Call me.
Sorry to interrupt. Look, I just wanna reassure you
what we talked about last week.
I'm about to go out there and call Nia and tell her to her face
that I'm gonna beat her tomorrow night at Bad Blood.
And when I do, you're number one in line. Okay? I promise.
-I'mma hold you to it! -All right.
I'mma bring the title to the after party.
-See you there? -You better.
I'll see you after you win tonight, right?
-Yes. -All right.
[Cole] Bayley looks to call out
the WWE Women's Champion, Nia Jax, next.
[Cole] We're in Nashville.
And that, of course, is the world famous Broadway,
home to Tootsie's and many other bars
Corey and I have frequented over the years.
And that's the home tonight of Friday Night SmackDown.
And hanging high above the ring,
the WWE Tag Team Championship for the first time
in five years on SmackDown.
It is a Ladder Match, a Triple Threat Ladder Match
to determine the tag team titles.
Can this team pick up the win?
[Corey] Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins know what it means
to be Tag Team Champions.
They've come up just short a few times recently.
Can the Profits get the smoke?
We'll find out tonight.
["Role Model" by Def Rebel]
[Cole] Here's a woman on a quest for gold of her own.
♪ Role model ♪
[Alicia] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
Bayley!
[Cole] Bayley knocked off her good friend, Naomi, last week
to earn this opportunity tomorrow night
in Atlanta, WWE Bad Blood.
Bayley looks to take the WWE Women's Championship
from Nia Jax.
She lost the title to Jax back at SummerSlam.
And I wanna remind everyone, a special start time tomorrow night
of 6:00 PM Eastern, 3:00 PM Pacific.
One of the matches you'll see at Bad Blood, Nia Jax, Bayley
for the women's title.
[cheering]
In just 24 hours, I have the opportunity
to win the WWE Women's Championship back.
So I'm not going to waste anyone's time.
I'mma get right to it. Nia Jax, I'm calling you out.
I'm in your ring, Queen.
You can even bring Tiffany.
Come on.
I got something to say to your face.
Let's go, Queen.
Champ.
-We on Tiffy Time or? -[hype music]
[Corey] Queen Nia Jax operates on her own time.
[Cole] Of course, accompanied by her bestie,
Miss Money in the Bank:
Tiffany Stratton.
[Corey] Is there some kind of law that when you're a blonde woman
and you come to Nashville, you have to wear a cowboy hat and boots?
[Cole] I believe so.
Nia Jax is Champion today, many will say, because of Tiffany Stratton
and the distraction back at SummerSlam.
[Corey] That's because many are eager to discredit
the hard work and the Championship
that was earned by The Irresistible Force, Nia Jax,
after becoming Queen of the Ring.
Nia has been on an absolute tear recently.
And anybody who refuses to give Jax her credit is sadly mistaken.
[Cole] Yeah, 2024 has been the best year of Nia Jax's career
by far...
...and looks to continue that tomorrow night at Bad Blood.
Bayley, you got something to say,
say it straight to my face.
I do. And actually, that's why I called you out, Nia.
Because for as long as I've known you,
you've never understood the significance of this title right here.
You've never understood the importance of this Championship around your shoulder.
For what it means to everybody out here,
for what it means to people like me,
people who grew up loving it,
people who grew up wanting nothing more
than to hold this Championship.
You see, I sat at home.
And I sat in the crowd.
And I grew up watching people hold that title
like Molly Holly,
like Victoria,
like Beth Phoenix, Natalia, Trish, Lita, all of those women
made that title seem
like they were larger than life, that they were more than human.
And that ain't you.
But as much as it pains me to admit, there's one thing
that they weren't.
They've never had a dominant Championship run
like you have right now.
And I'll admit that, Nia.
You're on to become one of the most dominant,
if not the most dominant women in all of WWE.
[booing]
But the facts are,
there are two people in the WWE
that can take that from you right now.
One of them is me, tomorrow night, one on one at Bad Blood.
And I plan to take that Championship straight off your shoulder.
And the second one...
is your old friend Tiffy Stratton over here.
And trust me, it ain't because she's good enough.
It's because of the briefcase she has in her hand,
that thing right there.
Yeah, and the moment she gets tired of you talking down to her,
the moment she gets tired of you berating her,
she's going to grab that title and hit you right in the back of the head,
cash it in, and become the new WWE Women's Champion.
Wham, bam, thank you, ma'am.
-Are you-- -I'm sorry. I need to say something.
[Cole] Oh, boy.
Are you saying that I'm not good enough?
Are you saying, the only reason why I could beat Nia
is because of this briefcase?
I don't need this briefcase to beat Nia.
Excuse me?
I mean, why would I ever think of doing something like that?
I mean, she just has me so angry. I'm sorry. You know what?
You know what, Bayley?
Instead of sitting here
and trying to break us up,
why don't you bow down to your queen?
You want me to bow down-- you want me to bow down to Nia?
Yeah, you know what, Tiff? You're out of your mind.
I mean, as much as I don't agree with how Nia conducts herself,
I can at least appreciate and respect how dominant she's been.
Whereas you, I have zero respect for.
I'd rather bow down to a Queen
than patronize a stupid bitch.
[Corey] Oh, wow!
[Cole] And Tiffany upset went after Bayley with the briefcase
and now Nia from behind.
[Corey] Oh, sparks flyin'!
Bayley made the crucial mistake
of taking her eyes off of the Irresistable Force!
And Nia Jax making a statement.
Oh, my goodness!
[Cole] And Bayley rolling out of harm's way.
And Bayley hell bent on taking the Championship tomorrow night.
[Corey] It looks like Bayley gonna deliver on her own prophecy.
[Cole] Yeah, Bayley said it would be Stratton doing this.
But Bayley using the briefcase and now sending a message to the Champion.
[cheering]
Will Bayley win another Women's Championship tomorrow night
in Atlanta?
[Corey] This has got to be embarrassing for Nia Jax
as Bayley...
gets the last laugh tonight.
[Cole] Wait, wait, wait.
There's an official, Jessika Carr, in the ring.
Tiffany Stratton with a contract in hand.
Nia Jax has been taken out by Bayley.
What is Stratton thinking here?
[chanting]
Cash it in, cash it in, cash it in.
["Naomi (Glow)" by Def Rebel]
♪ N- ♪
♪ ...A-O-M-I ♪
[Cole] Well, it may be just a matter of time
before Tiffany Stratton decides to cash in the contract.
But right now, she's gotta worry about her opponent here tonight
who she talked trash to last week
and ended up with this one-on-one match.
♪ My head is in the game ♪
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following contest is scheduled for One Fall.
Making her way to the ring from Orlando, Florida:
Naomi!
[Cole] Feel the glow on SmackDown.
Naomi, Tiffany Stratton,
go one on one
live next from Nashville.
She's got a cowboy hat on too.
[Corey] Definitely a law.
[narrator] The countdown
to the only event of its kind
has begun.
[Cole] You want a WrestleMania moment?
-You gotta win this match. -Let's do it.
♪ Try to take me out ♪
[hype music]
[Cole] Line 'em up, throw 'em over.
Oh, my goodness!
[announcer] The road to WrestleMania
begins at the Rumble.
[narrator] WWE Royal Rumble Saturday, February 1.
Tickets on sale Friday, November 15.
Scan the QR code now to register
for exclusive pre-sale opportunities.
It's not that--
[gagging]
It's not that bad.
[side conversation]
[gagging]
Agh!
LA, what is that smelly--
My eyes are burning.
Looking great, girls.
Don't listen to them.
I'm talking about that last one--
[gagging]
Oh, man. My cake stinks.
Nah, dude, that's Chelsea Green!
Oh, my God.
What?
[gagging]
[SPEAKING SPANISH]
She's not [SPEAKING SPANISH].
Oh, Chelsea, sorry about that result. That really stinks.
Michin really did you dirty with that.
Sorry, I don't wanna recycle any more of these puns.
Is there something you need besides a shower?
[Chelsea] Uh.
Hey, what's up, boss?
You heard LA Knight. I beat AJ Styles fair and square.
So when we gonna get that title match?
I'm thinking at Bad Blood. We do WrestleMania?
You're gonna stand there with a straight face and call that a win?
Yeah.
Listen, the only thing I care about right now
is checking on AJ Styles. So I'm gonna go do that.
And you and I can talk next week.
All right.
[Cole] Meanwhile, in the ring here tonight in Nashville,
Tiffany Stratton, Naomi, one on one on Friday Night SmackDown.
This has been quite the rivalry between these two.
Tiffany Stratton eliminated Naomi all the way back in February in Australia
in the Elimination Chamber match.
[Corey] Naomi, of course, a very close, friend of Bayley.
[Cole] A nice takedown by Naomi
and hammering away now on Tiffany Stratton.
Naomi was in that Money in the Bank Ladder Match
that Tiffany Stratton won back in July.
[Corey] And, Cole, far be it for me to sow these seeds of dissension
that everyone seems to be so eager to sow.
But Tiffany Stratton appeared as though she was at least considering
cashing in her Money in the Bank contract on Nia Jax a few moments ago. Am I wrong?
[Cole] No, you're not.
And remember, Nia and Bayley have a Championship match
tomorrow night at Bad Blood.
Would Tiffany Stratton perhaps think about cashing in tomorrow?
Naomi, with that Running Clothesline.
[Corey] I don't think I should be the one to remind Tiffany Stratton.
You've also got Liv Morgan from Monday Night RAW,
the Women's World Champion.
You also got Roxanne Perez, the NXT Women's Champion.
You can cash in your Money in the Bank contract
-for a full year on any Champion. -[Cole] That's a great point.
Liv's got Rhea tomorrow night with Dominik inside a shark cage.
Maybe Tiffany cashes in on one of those.
And you mentioned Roxanne Perez successful on the NXT debut
on the CW this past Tuesday, knocking off Julia
with the return of Cora Jade.
And Naomi now Kicks right to the midsection of Tiffany Stratton.
Again, that contract you can cash in at any time
for a Championship opportunity.
And Naomi into the cover, Hook of the leg, and a kick-out.
Speaking of Championship opportunities,
Corey, Naomi is extremely frustrated last week
after Bayley beat her to win the Championship
opportunity against Nia Jax.
Bayley very happy though that Naomi gave her her blessing
going into that matchup.
[Corey] I think many people, myself included,
believe Naomi's day in the sun is yet to come.
Naomi still has-- a lot has changed since she went away
from WWE for quite some time.
The landscape has changed. The talent roster has changed.
The level of competition-- cover.
[Cole] Hook of the leg off the suplex and a kick-out.
[Corey] The level of competition has adapted,
evolved, got stronger, got faster.
You've got an upstart like Tiffany Stratton making a waves.
And Naomi's still trying to figure out where she fits in.
[Cole] Yeah, Naomi, a former two-time Women's Champion.
Remember, Bayley did tell Naomi, though,
hey, listen, if I knock off Nia at Bad Blood, you'll be first in line
for an opportunity. Tiffany Stratton, wow! What a move!
Knees off the top rope, cover on Naomi. And a kick-out.
Stratton, an incredible athlete.
She's powerful and stunning.
[Corey] And I think the more experience that Stratton obtains,
the more dangerous she is going to be as a competitor.
[Cole] Naomi with a Kick to Stratton.
[Corey] Holding the Money in the Bank briefcase
makes her, arguably, the most dangerous woman in all of WWE
from a contractual standpoint.
But once Tiffany figures things out, really gets comfortable inside the ring,
she is gonna be a force for a long time.
[Cole] Now, Naomi with a Kick right to the back of the neck of Stratton.
[Corey] And with that said, Naomi--
-[Cole] Oh! There's that Leg Drop. -Naomi's smart.
Naomi understands that the WWE Universe is talking
about Tiffany Stratton. They're watching Tiffany.
And Naomi wants to take Tiff out.
[Cole] Is it going to be Tiffy time or feel the glow.
SmackDown continues live.
[Cole] Quite the match here on Friday Night SmackDown,
Tiffany versus Naomi.
We are in Nashville tonight live in front of 11,1-- Oh! ...71 WWE fans.
[Corey] That Backpack Stunner by Naomi
just turned the tides of this matchup.
Can Naomi capitalize?
[Cole] Naomi hurt herself as well, as she came down hard on the tailbone.
Naomi looking to try to build momentum in this matchup
against Miss Money in the Bank Tiffany Stratton.
Naomi back to her feet.
And Tiffany with a Right Hand of her own.
[Corey] Big Right by Stratton. Answered by Naomi.
And a physical night so far on SmackDown.
Oh, Naomi caught her!
We're showing no signs of slowing.
Triple Threat Ladder Match for the tag team titles in the main event.
Naomi-- Ooh!
[Cole] Face first.
And Bulldog to Tiffany.
Kip-up By Naomi.
Oh, and a Sliding Slap by Naomi!
[Corey] Insult and injury.
[Cole] Boom!
Down goes Stratton.
Unique move by Naomi.
Hook of the leg now for the win! And Stratton barely gets the shoulder up.
[Corey] Looks to me like Tiffany Stratton's starting to fade.
If Naomi somehow is able to keep her foot on the gas pedal
just a little bit longer,
the W may be coming Naomi's way.
[Cole] Important match in many ways for Naomi,
especially coming off the loss last week to Bayley.
[Corey] This day and age, every matchup,
is important in WWE--
-[Cole] Oh! Great Counter! Look at that! -Oh, wow!
[Corey] Cover! [Cole] Dropkick cover by Stratton!
And a kick-out! That was amazing!
[Corey] The gymnastic background of Tiffany Stratton
coming into play. We gotta watch this again.
Stratton able to put the brakes on in spectacular fashion
before a dropkick right to the chin of Naomi.
And now, Tiffy time taking control.
[Cole] Naomi with Right Hands unloading on Stratton.
Big Headbutt to the face.
Top rope, gonna fly.
Crossbody. Tiffany rolls through and now--
[Corey] Wow.
[Cole] The power of Stratton just powering Naomi up!
[Corey] You can't not be impressed by Tiffany Stratton's athleticism.
[Cole] And Naomi able to Counter, got out of that predicament.
A Kick right to the back of the head.
Tiffany Stratton's down.
Naomi now, Split Leg Moonsault, nobody home.
Stratton moved out of the way.
[Corey] Stratton now surveying the situation.
-Here it comes! -[Cole] And the top rope,
Landed and rolled through!
Cartwheel into the corner.
Naomi able to duck out of harm's way and catch Stratton.
[Corey] Full nelson applied.
[Cole] Nice takedown by Stratton into a Pinning combination.
Hook of the leg.
Naomi rolls her over, shoulders down.
-[crowd] 1, 2, 3! -[Cole] Naomi Got her!
-[bell rings] -[crowd goes wild]
[Alicia] Here is your winner:
Naomi!
[Cole] What an incredible match and a very important win for Naomi.
She picks up the victory.
She hopes Bayley can win tomorrow night.
So perhaps Naomi gets the title shot down the road.
And the question going into Bad Blood tomorrow night
is what does Tiffany Stratton do with the Money in the Bank briefcase?
[Corey] Well, again, we need to reiterate
Tiffany Stratton could cash in on Nia or you've got Roxanne Perez.
I neglected to mention Kayloni Jordan,
the NXT North American Women's Champion.
Tiffany Stratton can use that contract
at the time and place of her choosing.
-Choose wisely. -It could be tomorrow night at Bad Blood,
where the main event is Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes
against The Bloodline.
Let's take you back to SmackDown.
Last week, we kicked off the show with The Bloodline
in a verbal battle with KO, Orton, and Rhodes.
It doesn't have to just be a tag team match.
There are three of us standing in the ring--
No, no, no. Actually, no offense.
You have your tag team match against them at Bad Blood.
You got your partner for that tonight.
I'm talking about Solo and Jacob Fatu against me and Randy Orton tonight!
Randy, come on!
[Cole] A two-on-two tag match would ensue.
But to the surprise of absolutely no one, The Bloodline
and the numbers game would play a factor.
[Corey] Remember, you saw Rhodes come down.
Kevin Owens said stay out of our business.
Randy Orton said, if we need you, come down, Cody. And it backfired.
[Cole] There you see an incidental contact
between Cody Rhodes and our official,
which caused some frustration for Kevin Owens
and allowed for the Samoan Werewolf
to set the table for Solo to feast on the carcass of KO.
[Corey] Kevin Owens is obviously frustrated with Rhodes.
KO had the matchup won after the Stunner.
Randy Orton allowed cooler heads to prevail.
Or did he?
Hey!
I love my Tribal Chief!
My Tongan brothers, they love our Tribal Chief!
Nashville, Tennessee, oh, yeah, they love our Tribal Chief!
DIY, Street Profits, Cody Rhodes,
hell, even Roman Reigns will love
our Tribal Chief!
And when you love our Tribal Chief,
you learn how to respect our Tribal Chief!
And when you respect our Tribal Chief,
oh, lord, you will worship our Tribal Chief!
And if you don't know how to do none of those three,
at the end of the day, you will acknowledge
the real Tribal Chief,
Solo!
Acknowledge me.
[tribal calls]
[tribal hype music]
[Cole] Well, they're the current Tag Team Champions.
They're not carrying the titles because the titles are hanging
high above the ring.
This is a Triple Threat tag team Ladder Match.
Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa defending tonight.
[bell ringing]
[Alicia] The following is a WWE Tag Team Championship
Triple Threat Ladder Match!
Introducing first, representing The Bloodline,
they are the WWE Tag Team Champions,
Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa!
[Cole] Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga won the tag titles
from DIY back in August.
Fatu would turn the titles over to Tonga Loa
when he became Solo Sikoa's enforcer.
Up next, for the first time in five years,
Ladder Match on SmackDown for the tag titles.
Tiffy,
if I didn't know any better,
I would think that you're trying to tease me
on when you're trying to cash in.
Maybe you should focus on Liv Morgan's
Women's World Championship match tomorrow night.
Because that's a cash-in you would actually survive.
Or you could tell me right now
that you'll never betray me.
Of-- of course not, my queen.
After all, like, you are my queen.
[Cole] The stakes could not be higher.
The Irresistible Force, the WWE Women's Champion Nia Jax
defends her gold against former Champion, Bayley,
in a trio of hosts for Bad Blood.
The Women's Tag Team Champions Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair,
along with Naomi, will be the special hosts
of Bad Blood in Atlanta.
And the Women's World Championship will be on the line
as the reigning Champion, Liv Morgan, defends against the challenger,
Rhea Bloody Ripley.
And poor dirty Dominik Mysterio will be locked inside of a shark cage.
[Corey] He's behind bars again. Also at Bad Blood,
Damian Priest takes on that man: Finn Balor,
the man who cost him the World Heavyweight Championship
in the ultimate betrayal back at SummerSlam.
Priest, Balor battle it out, Bad blood.
And a rivalry months in the making.
So bitter, so personal, It can only be settled
in one location, inside Hell in a Cell.
Drew McIntyre finishes CM Punk,
or CM Punk ends Drew McIntyre.
[Cole] In our main event tomorrow night,
Roman Reigns returns to in-ring action for the first time
since WrestleMania.
Can Cody Rhodes trust his former archrival,
as he takes on the new leader of The Bloodline,
Solo Sikoa and the werewolf Jacob Fatu?
Tag team action, Bad Blood, tomorrow night,
6:00 Eastern, 3:00 Pacific live on Peacock, from Atlanta.
Bad Blood is presented by Morgan and Morgan,
America's largest injury law firm.
Go to morganwwe.com
for a chance to win two tickets to the Royal Rumble and $2,000.
And buy Wendy's new Saucy Nuggs.
Take the Nuggs you love and sauce them up
in seven bold flavors, like honey barbecue or garlic parm.
Try them all today.
For a whole new way to Nugg, it's gotta be Wendy's.
Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, The Bloodline, their tag title's hanging above the ring.
You climb a ladder, you grab the titles, you become the WWE Tag Team Champions.
♪ We are ♪
♪ D-I-Y! ♪
♪ Yeah, we're on top ♪
♪ And we won't stop ♪
[Alicia] Next, Johnny Gargano
and Tommaso Ciampa,
DIY!
[Cole] Corey, DIY were the Tag Team Champions
back in early August,
before they were defeated by The Bloodline.
[Corey] Gargano and Ciampa have had so much success side by side,
dating back to their time in NXT.
Now here on SmackDown, they would love the chance to see
the top of the mountain in the Tag Team Division yet again.
But it will be no easy task tonight.
[Cole] Gargano and Ciampa have been teaming together for nearly a decade,
starting back at NXT.
They've been in two Tag Team Ladder Matches in their career.
So they have experience in this type of the format.
So think about what this weekend could mean for The Bloodline.
If Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa retain tonight,
and tomorrow night somehow Solo and Jacob Fatu are able
to knock off Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes,
the balance of power will undeniably shift back into the favor of The Bloodline
and their new Tribal Chief.
[Corey] They may be unstoppable.
And these two dudes may be our last hope.
[cheering]
[Alicia] And their opponent,
accompanied by B-Fab, Angelo Dawkins
and Montez Ford:
the Street Profits!
[Cole] You Know, Corey, you gotta wonder,
when SmackDown gets to Greenville, South Carolina next week,
whether it will be the Street Profits, or it will be DIY,
or it will be The Bloodline who will have the WWE Tag Team titles.
Now, here's an interesting statistic.
The Street Profits won their first ever Tag Team Championship
in a fatal four-way Ladder Match,
the NXT Tag Team Titles.
They've held the RAW titles, the SmackDown titles, the NXT titles.
But, Corey, Montez Ford,
Angelo Dawkins have not held gold since 2021.
[Corey] But I'll tell you what else is different
about Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins,
that being the presence of B-Fab
Since B-Fab came into the fold, slowly but surely,
the Street Profits have become focused.
They've begun training harder than before.
Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins are a completely different, dare I day,
even better tag team, than when they were Champions in the past.
[Cole] And again, no pinfalls, submissions,
disqualifications, or count out.
You have to set up the ladder,
climb the ladder, grab the Tag Team titles
to win the gold.
Who's got the edge in this match, Corey?
[Corey] You know, it's hard to bet against the Champions.
[bell dings]
Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, seven-time IWGP Tag Team Champions
in Japan, wasting absolutely no time
making their mark here in WWE's Tag Team Division.
You can never bet against the reigning Champions.
But, Cole, I'm honest with ya
when I say I got a feeling about the Street Profits.
[Cole] I might agree with you on that point.
But, The Bloodline brothers' father of course the great Haku.
And this matchup is now underway.
No tags in this match.
It's a free for all.
All six men in the ring, same time, or around it, at least.
And the Prophets and DIY staring up at the tag titles,
looking to fulfill their destinies here tonight
on Friday Night SmackDown.
Oh, and a Plow, Knee from Ciampa to Tonga Loa
-[Corey] Board up over the top-- -[crowd] Oh!
[Corey] ...and just Kick Tama Tonga right between the eyes.
[Cole] And Gargano now with a Kick to Loa again,
keeping The Bloodline. It looks like that's the early strategy.
-[Corey] Uh-oh! -Oh, goodness,
Dawkins running right through!
[Corey] Sign them up. Who's gonna win the Tag Team gold?
[Cole] Triple Threat Ladder Match
for the WW Tag Team title, Street Profits, DIY, climbing the ladder,
trying to grab the gold.
They tried to take The Bloodline out of this matchup,
but back into the ring.
Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, now all six men, as they battle for the Tag Team gold.
[Corey] Both DIY and the Street Profits taking their time climbing the ladders.
Because they were both looking down, making sure
that the Champions were neutralized, at least for the moment.
But Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa back up and factoring in yet again.
[Cole] And now The Bloodline, down goes DIY.
And the Street Profits, Montez Ford and Dawkins,
come off the ladder before it's knocked over.
The strategy early on for The Profits and DIY, Corey,
was to take out the champs, make it a two-team match.
Bang.
But--
[Corey] It's a brilliant strategy in theory.
In execution, maybe not so much.
[Cole] Montez Ford now flexing his outrageous athleticism.
[Corey] And look at him. Ford's gonna do it!
[Cole] Flying up the ladder. But down he goes.
[Corey] Wow. That would have been spectacular.
[Cole] Oh, leaping over the ladder is Ford.
And that, this time, taken out.
The Bloodline using the ladders as a weapon.
The situation like that is right up Tama Tonga's alley
as well as Tonga Loa.
Yeah, very vicious, very physical tag team.
When it comes to Tonga Loa, this is all substance.
It's not about style.
Tama Tonga now looking to deposit
Ciampa's face into the ladder,
guerrilla warfare in the ring.
And Tonga just bludgeoning
Angelo Dawkins.
Now looking to use the weapon again, the ladder,
and into the ladder.
And Tama Tonga up over the top.
Surprising athleticism from the right hand man,
Tama Tonga, the infamous Tonga Loa on the left of your screen,
the bludgeon of The Bloodline, and The Tribal Chief,
Solo Sikoa, his enforcer, Jacob Fatu.
We know they're here.
They're looking on probably with a smile on their face,
as The Bloodline tries to take over this Ladder Match.
[Corey] To that point, Cole, if you're DIY,
if you're the Street Prophet, you basically had to strategize
ahead of the time. It's almost a foregone conclusion
that you're gonna battle more than two members of The Bloodline,
no matter which two you're scheduled to face.
[Cole] You saw in the early going, the Prophets and DIY almost teaming up
in the early part of this Ladder Match to take out The Bloodline.
They realized what's at stake.
All the teams in this match have held Tag Team gold.
They understand the importance of it.
Ciampa again wrecked by a ladder.
-Whoa! -[Corey] Are you kidding me?!
[Cole] Dawkins, you maniac!
[Corey] Dawkins launching himself over the top rope,
taking out the ladder and The Bloodline,
at great cost to his own well-being.
And here comes Johnny wrestling.
[Cole] Gargano with a Suicide Dive.
[crowd murmuring]
[Corey] Montez Ford gonna fly!
[crowd cheering]
Bodies everywhere!
Take another look at this, first Angelo Dawkins sacrificing
his own body to take out the opposition.
And then Montez Ford doing it with style.
[Cole] Dawkins is like a flying bus,
over the top rope, taking out a ladder and The Bloodline.
[chants from the crowd]
There you see B-Fab on the outside,
trying to keep her men in line, trying to help figure out the next step
for Ford and Dawkins.
-Get that table Let's get 'em. -[Cole] They're trying to--
[Corey] There we go.
[Cole] --trying to fire up Montez Ford.
[Corey] And for all these months,
that may have been what the Prophets were missing,
that killer instinct.
B-fab not afraid to tell her men what needs to be done.
Let's do the job.
[cheering]
[Cole] That's what Montez is looking for, get the tables, Tez.
Ladder Match continues!
[Cole] Things have been fast and furious, vicious,
and aggressive, Triple Threat Tag Team match,
a Ladder Match for the WWE Tag Team titles.
Nobody's even really come close to climbing the ladder yet, Corey.
[Corey] It has been chaos at the ground level
for the most part in this match.
Tama Tonga, the right hand man, making the ascent
-to the top of the ladder. -[Cole] DIY trying to intercept,
play defense here, Gargano and Ciampa.
-And Tama Tonga-- Oh! -[Cole] Oh! Shatter Machine!
[Corey] Good night!
Double Knees right to the heart of Tama Tonga.
Can Gargano and Ciampa capitalize?
[Cole] It could be their opportunity.
Gargano, Ciampa, looking for meet in the middle!
But Gargano was dragged out of the ring by Tonga Loa.
[Corey] And just that quickly, the powerhouse,
Tonga Loa, change the complexion
of this Triple Threat Ladder Match.
[Cole] And now The Bloodline look to regroup.
Gargano and Ciampa suffering the effects of the ladder attack.
This slower pace works for The Bloodline.
-Trust me, Tonga Loa-- -[Corey] Uh oh.
-[Cole] ...can be explosive as anybody-- -Uh oh, doesn't wanna be there.
[Cole] ...when the moment calls. But now...
[Corey] Ladder wrapped around his neck, DIY with Meet in the Middle!
[Cole yelling] Oh! Oh, my God!
[Corey] Lucky he wasn't decapitated.
Meet in the Middle by DIY!
Somebody climb a ladder! Johnny, this is your chance!
[Cole] And Gargano, realizing that, trying to set the ladder up.
Ring is pretty much empty, except for Ciampa and Gargano.
[Corey] On the far side of the ring,
you could see B-Fab and the panic in her eyes
as she realizes the Street Profits' best shot is slipping
through their fingers.
[Cole] Gargano to the top of the ladder.
Angelo Dawkins now rips Gargano off the ladder, delivers a Right Hand.
Dawkins opportunity, perhaps.
Gargano with a Kick right to the face.
-There it is! -[Corey] Oh!
-[Cole] Slingshot Spear! -Got 'em!
And a Knee by Ciampa rocks Dawkins.
Incredible action here.
Now it's Ciampa.
Chaos, panic, disorder.
You expected it. This match is delivering.
[Cole] Ciampa trying to climb the ladder,
trying to shake a--
[Corey] Shake the feeling back into his leg.
[Cole] Dawkins looking to rip Ciampa off the ladder. He does.
A Big Right Hand right on the nose of Ciampa.
And another one by Dawkins. Ciampa's down to a knee.
[Corey] Dawkins has dynamite in that right hand of his.
[Corey] Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no. It's-- but Ciampa--
Ciampa's up on Dawkins'- up on Dawkins' shoulder.
Montez Ford!
-You gotta be kidding me! -[Cole] Oh, oh-ho, my God!
[Corey] A Blockbuster over the ladder,
taking out Ciampa!
Lucky he didn't kill himself!
That was almost disastrous for Montez Ford.
It's tough to tell who got the worst of this exchange.
The ladder presented an obstacle.
Ford misjudged it just a quarter of a step.
But still, the impact high on the top of the shoulders
and-- and the base of Ciampa's neck, my Lord,
like a car crash.
[Cole] There are bodies everywhere.
Ladder Match for the tag titles.
Who's gonna climb the ladder?
Who's gonna take the gold on the eve of Bad Blood?
[Corey] Angelo Dawkins has daylight.
[Cole] Dawkins climbing up to the top of the ladder.
Prophets could be closing in
on a fourth Tag Team Championship reign.
But Tama Tonga,
tremendous closing speed from Tama Tonga,
covering a lot of ground in a short period of time.
Now Dawkins just set outside the ring. A headbutt by Tonga Loa.
Tama Tonga now barking orders out at Loa.
Loa's got something nefarious in mind--
-[Corey] Oh, my God. -Yikes.
[Corey] Now dumping the ladder outside the ring
right here in front of us.
Angelo Dawkins-- look out, Cole.
Back him up!
[Cole] Tonga Loa now in control of Dawkins.
I don't know where the hell Tama Tonga's going,
but under the ring with a steel chair in hand.
Completely legal, no disqualification in a Ladder Match.
[Corey] Angelo Dawkins is essentially out on his feet right now.
-And B-Fab-- -[Cole] There we go.
[Corey] B-Fab from behind Sammy Dawkins.
Oh, but look out behind.
Chairs to the back of The Bloodline by DIY!
Totally legal in a Ladder Match.
Ciampa and Gargano now laying waste to the Champions.
[Cole] Corey, we talked about revenge.
We talked about retribution.
Think about what The Bloodline has done to Gargano and Ciampa,
what they've done to the Street Profits,
to half the damn locker room.
And The Bloodline paying for it here tonight.
DIY trying to position Tonga Loa onto the table,
-raining down Right Jabs. -[Corey] And nutty Gargano is telling--
-is telling Tez to go up top! -[Cole] No.
No, Tez, no.
[Corey] Lo is in trouble.
Montez Ford...
from the top--
[cheering]
From The Heavens, through the table,
driving Tonga Loa from the heavens straight to hell!
And now Ciampa ripping apart our announce table.
DIY!
This is what it's gonna take.
This is what it's gonna take
for the Profits or DIY to knock off The Bloodline,
beat them at their own game.
[Cole] Tama Tonga trying to fight back,
trying to fight back.
But it's a mugging.
It's the numbers game now, reversed on The Bloodline.
DIY, Dawkins.
Oh, yeah, you already know.
[Corey] DIY and the Street Profits attempting to coordinate the chaos.
[Cole] Oh, this is apropos.
Tama Tonga through the table!
The Bloodline are down!
The Profits and DIY with retribution tonight!
[Corey] Dawkins just let out a primal--
[Cole] Oh! And now the DIY turning on Dawkins
because it's about the tag titles!
It's every team for themselves, Triple Threat Match to win
the Tag Team Championship!
And Gargano and Ciampa with a ladder in the ring!
[Corey] DIY unimpeded with a trio of ladders in place.
[Cole] It's what their moniker means, Corey.
Do it yourself.
That's what Ciampa and Gargano are gonna do,
climb the ladder.
Climb the ladder, with the tag title!
-But now it's Montez Ford top rope... -[cheering]
...leaps onto the ladder, incredible feat of athleticism!
Both men top of the ladder!
Angelo Dawkins in fray.
He's climbing the ladder.
[Corey] We got a title fight on the top rungs.
[Cole] Gargano's climbing the ladder!
All four men on the ladder, closing in on the tag titles!
[Corey] This is not gonna end well.
[Cole] Who's gonna win the Tag Team Championship?
Is anyone gonna win?
-This is about survival. -[Corey] No!
[crowd rumbles echoing] Ohh!
[Cole] Tonga Loa back in!
Gargano and Tez for a ladder.
Ladders broken, crashes everywhere!
Bloodline setting the ladder up!
[booing]
Loa climbing.
Tama Tonga dragging himself back into the ring,
dragging themselves up the ladder,
and an arm's length away.
Tonga Loa up top, Tama Tonga balancing the ladder.
Tonga Loa with his hands on the Tag Team titles.
The damn Bloodline...
-[bell dings] -...rule again!
[Alicia] Here are your winners.
And still the WWE
Tag Team Champions:
The Bloodline!
[Cole] Corey, there is a reason
we haven't had a Ladder Match on SmackDown in five years.
This is absolutely insanity.
[Corey] Insanity, brutality, high risk, high reward.
The result remains the same.
Those who dare step up to Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa
all meet the same fate,
falling at the feet of the Champions.
[Cole] This is something from the heavens.
Montez Ford driving Tonga Loa through a table.
[cheering]
[Corey] And Montez Ford knew he was gonna have to go big.
The Profits knew it. DIY knew it.
Tama Tonga driven straight through our announce table.
Surely that would take Tama out of the equation, right?
-[crowd] Oh! -[Corey] Nope.
The closing moments, Tonga Loa shoving
both Gargano and Ford off of the ladder through another.
And you don't have to like it.
You just have to accept it.
The body count continues to rise
for Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa of The Bloodline.
[Cole] Will the body count continue to rise tomorrow night in Atlanta,
as The Tribal Chief Solo Sikoa, his enforcer, Jacob Fatu,
walk down to the ring to celebrate with the Tag Team Champions.
Tomorrow night, Solo Sikoa looks to solidify his role
as Tribal Chief, with his enforcer, Jacob Fatu, at his side,
against the original Tribal Chief Roman Reigns,
teaming with his long-time rival, Cody Rhodes.
It is the in-ring match return
for the first time since WrestleMania, of Roman Reigns.
It is a special start time of 6:00 Eastern,
3:00 Pacific. It is Bad Blood live from Atlanta. eigns.