[invigorating music playing]
[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[music fades]
[Michael] Friday Night SmackDown is in Minneapolis.
There you see the U.S. Bank Stadium,
home of SummerSlam 2026.
But tonight we're at the Target Center downtown
with all of the fallout of Survivor Series: WarGames.
♪ Five, six, seven, eight ♪
[Michael] This is Vancouver, British Columbia,
and it is time for the United States Title.
[Corey] Nakamura went for the eyes.
[Michael] Shinsuke a three-time United States Champion.
The women's WarGames matchup.
Here comes Mami.
Iyo! Moonsault!
Riptide through the table.
-[bell rings] -Rhea has pinned the World Champion.
[music fades]
This is a must-win match for Roman Reigns tonight.
[Corey] Roman falls tonight, so does the OG Bloodline.
Roman has to rely on family
and he has to hope that CM Punk doesn't go rogue.
[Michael] And a spear to Punk!
Reed goes to the top of the cage.
Roman Reigns in trouble on the table.
Punk saves Reigns!
The Uso Splash!
[Corey] Solo, all on his own
to pay for his sins.
[crowd counting down]
[bell rings]
[Michael] The OG Bloodline is close to reclaiming its former glory.
Let's not forget Paul Heyman still owes CM Punk a favor.
Welcome to Friday Night SmackDown.
Michael Cole and Corey Graves at ringside.
We were ringside last Saturday at Survivor Series
for all the violence and brutality of WarGames.
The physicality absolutely off the charts as expected.
There were scores settled, but it wouldn't be WarGames
without a few casualties.
There were three big-time injuries in the WarGames cage.
Let's show you what happened. We'll start with Bronson Reed.
Top of the cage with a tsunami,
but CM Punk saved Roman Reigns.
[Corey] From certain disaster.
Unfortunately, Bronson Reed would suffer a bit of a catastrophe.
Look. That's tough to watch.
Bronson Reed suffering a relatively severe ankle injury and a broken foot.
He is out indefinitely.
[Michael] Yeah. Surgery planned for next week for Bronson Reed.
Now what about CM Punk going off on Tonga Loa of The Bloodline.
[Corey] Even protecting yourself can prove hazardous inside WarGames
as this straight-edged Superstar would force Tonga Loa out of action
with a torn bicep.
[Michael] He is out indefinitely after having surgery,
And Jimmy Uso with the Uso Splash from the top of the cage.
Jimmy, Corey, also out indefinitely with a broken toe.
[Corey] A broken toe is easier to suffer through
when you come out on the winning end of WarGames.
Best wishes to all three athletes in their recoveries.
[Michael] Tonight on Friday Night SmackDown
it's been almost four years
since The Street Profits held the tag team gold.
Could tonight be the night? Montez Ford, Angelo Dawkins, B-Fab
looking to reclaim their glory, but they have to knock off the champs,
the team that made a lot of noise in a short period of time,
Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin and The Motor City Machine Guns,
Tag Team Championship match tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
["Neva Play" by Megan Thee Stallion playing]
[crowd exclaiming]
You don't see me? I'm standing right here. [exclaims]
-[yells] -[security guards yelling]
[Michael] Look out, Jacob Fatu and the new Bloodline.
[Corey] Tama Tonga, Solo Sikoa wreaking havoc backstage.
That's where we entered the arena, Cole.
[Michael] Sending security guards crashing… Apollo Crews assaulted as well.
Obviously, the new Bloodline in an awful mood
after losing to Roman Reigns and company at Survivor Series.
[Corey] Far be it from Solo and his soldiers to take any loss
lying down. This could be a long night.
Let's go.
[crowd booing]
["Kingdom" by Downstait playing]
[crowd cheering]
♪ Adrenaline in my soul ♪
♪ Every fight out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
♪ Crowd is here, about to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
-[crowd singing along] -♪ Whoa ♪
[explosions]
["Kingdom" continues playing]
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the Undisputed WWE Champion,
The American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
[Michael] Corey, Cody Rhodes will now turn his attention
to what happens a week from tomorrow, WWE Saturday Night Main Event.
From Long Island.
[Corey] Not only will Cody be defending his Undisputed WWE Championship,
but this is a deeply personal rivalry
between one-time close friends turned bitter rivals.
Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens one week from tomorrow.
-[crowd singing along] -♪ Whoa ♪
[Michael] Cody Rhodes starts off the show.
However, Kevin Owens will be here later on tonight.
I have a special sit-down interview with Kevin Owens a bit later on.
[Corey] Just cause you sunk your entire retirement
into Hawk Tuah girl's cryptocurrency
is no reason to do something stupid, Cole.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
So…
[scattered cheers and applause]
Minneapolis…
[crowd cheering]
What do you wanna talk about?
[crowd cheering]
This Saturday, Saturday Night's Main Event.
The return of the iconic showcase featuring legends,
featuring Superstars, pro wrestling's best.
what set WWE and broadcast television aflame,
Saturday Night's Main Event.
[crowd cheering]
It would certainly be the honor of a lifetime
just to compete, just to etch your name amongst those who have done so,
but it's not that simple for me, and it's not that simple because…
[scattered yells from crowd]
Kevin Owens.
[crowd booing]
["American Made" by WWE, Def Rebel playing]
[Corey] Uh-oh. This could be interesting.
[Michael] Chad Gable and American Made.
[music fades]
Cody Rhodes…
[crowd booing]
You might be asking yourself why the greatest athlete
to ever come out of Minnesota is here tonight.
[crowd cheering]
Well, that's because the transfer window is about to open,
and Nick Aldis put a little call in
to talk about possibly bringing the greatest in-ring technician
of all time to SmackDown.
[mixed cheering and booing]
But, Cody, since we're in Minneapolis, it is my hometown,
and I know these people, okay, so
you got to understand something about the people of Minnesota.
They're a little bit simple-minded.
[crowd exclaiming]
They're a little bit gullible. They'll believe anything you say,
so… let me speak some truth to both you and them.
[crowd booing, exclaiming]
Cody…
[crowd chanting] You suck! You suck!
When you first came back to WWE, you were the beacon of inspiration for me,
what I wanted to be. A professional.
A workhorse. An unmatched work ethic.
You carry yourself like a champion.
You are a champion. You even dress the part. But Cody…
That's easy. I can do that.
[crowd exclaiming]
You know… you know what's not easy?
It's being a friend, a loyal friend like Kevin Owens.
[crowd exclaiming]
And if there's one thing I know about, it's bad friends.
Take that ungrateful idiot, Otis.
[crowd booing]
All right? When I was at rock bottom, he left me high and dry,
the same thing you did to Kevin Owens.
I've looked at your whole situation,
and I've concluded that you are, in fact, a terrible friend.
[crowd booing]
But that's… that's not all I found out about you.
I found out you're not who I really thought you were.
Cody, you are the definition of superficial.
[crowd exclaiming, booing]
All Cody Rhodes cares about
is what everybody else thinks about Cody Rhodes.
And if your friends have to fall at the wayside for that to improve,
then so be it, right?
[man] You're wrong!
I mean think about it, Cody. You even went so far
as to team with the one guy that made Kevin Owens's life a living hell.
Now, I would never do that.
As far as I'm concerned, whatever you got coming to you,
you deserve it.
[crowd clamoring, booing]
[crowd chanting] Cody Rhodes!
Terrible… Terrible friend. Superficial. Uh…
I deserve it.
[indistinct yell from crowd]
That's a good… that's a good point.
You guys will be my friend, right?
[crowd cheering]
I, uh… I'm disappointed.
I'm disappointed that it's you
who is spewing all of this vitriol.
Quite simply, I see a lot of me in you.
Certainly, I mean, you…
Right? You're the same guy who has taken things that weren't special
and you've made them special.
You've maximized your minutes, right?
Failure, it's… it's the greatest teacher. You and I should know.
You were Shorty G, right.
[crowd laughing]
[crowd chanting] Shorty G!
[inaudible]
Well…
Shorty G, you're looking at stardust.
[crowd laughing]
So…
[crowd chanting] Stardust!
So I… I know all about what you're going through.
I know why you've accrued the respect of so many.
I know what you're seeking,
but you're standing here, and I bet you're thinking
that you have nothing to lose.
I've got the high ground.
I'm holding the north star in our industry,
but you're deadly wrong. You have so much to lose
because what happens, right, when you fail again?
If I learned anything from WrestleMania 39
and looking up at the lights for the three-second tan, it was simple.
I could look nowhere else but myself.
I could only look in the mirror.
So what happens
when you go for your end game one more time, and you don't get it.
Right? You're supposed to be the leader for this group right here.
Well, do you just go at Brutus?
Do you disrespect him? Do you run him down?
What happens over here
with one of WWE's most promising young women in Ivy Nile?
Does she get hurt in the wake of your self-destruction?
And what about Julius there?
Does he crumble because you can't take the blame?
That's enough, Cody.
Don't talk like you know me.
All right? You think I'm not a guy that'll step up and take an opportunity.
You're talking about the wrong guy.
If I didn't have this suit on right now, I'd whoop your ass.
[crowd clamoring]
I'm sorry, you'd what?
You'd whoop my ass, is that what you're saying?
I know you're here to talk to Nick Aldis about the trade window and all of that,
but go ahead and go back there, talk to him about that,
but also lace up your boots and ask him can you go one-on-one with me tonight.
-[crowd cheering] -[inaudible]
And Chad, I've got Kevin Owens on my mind,
and that is no good for you.
[crowd exclaiming]
["Kingdom" playing]
[Michael] Could it happen?
Could Cody Rhodes be in action with Chad Gable tonight?
[Corey] Tensions obviously running extremely high tonight in Minneapolis.
I have no doubt that our general manager Nick Aldis will do the right thing
and make this an official matchup.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, you heard Chad Gable say
he is here from Monday Night Raw because of this transfer window
that is now open.
We heard earlier today that Raw moving to Netflix on January 6th,
and, of course, SmackDown kicking off the new year January 3rd
we expect major changes on SmackDown as well.
We understand that the NXT, the Raw,
and the SmackDown general managers are all working together
to move some of our Superstars around to other shows.
More on that as we cruise along here tonight.
[inaudible]
My ribs are so bad.
-I bet. -Yeah.
But, I mean, now WarGames is over, I can focus on
who took Jade out.
Yes.
-And you know I'm with you. -Yeah.
All the way on this.
But first, let me just get through this Triple Threat match.
-Okay, you got it. You got it. -All right, sis.
Good luck. Go do your thing.
[slow clap]
Thank gosh WWE's own personal Nancy Drew is on the case.
I love that for you.
And you have so much time.
It must be such a relief now that WarGames is over,
you can focus on this little "Jade mystery."
And you'll have even more time
because you lost the Women's United States Champion tournament
in round one to moi. [laughs]
Know what, Chelsea? You're just lucky I took myself out of the match.
But actually, was it luck or was it Piper who took Jade out?
I don't remember her being ringside when Jade got attacked.
and usually, you can't win a match without her.
You better watch what you are accusing me of.
I didn't even touch Jade,
but I will happily put you in the hospital bed next to her.
And there's two of us and one of you, so why don't we send you there right now?
Bye. [screams]
[grunting]
[exclaiming]
[groans]
Okay. It's on. Come on, Chels. Okay, let's go. I'll see you in the ring.
[grunts]
♪ It's Tiffy time ♪
[Michael] What a start to Friday Night SmackDown.
♪ Drop, I'm going in Bass so loud, it's in my skin… ♪
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following is a first round Triple Threat match
in the Women's United States Championship tournament.
Introducing first from Prior Lake, Minnesota,
Ms. Money in the Bank,
-Tiffany Stratton. -It's Tiffy Time!
[Michael] First time ever. I'm sorry.
[Corey] I was gonna say I think Chad Gable was on to something
about the people of Minnesota. They lost their minds
just 'cause Tiffany Stratton was birthed here.
[Michael] It's the first time she's competed in her home state.
She's wearing Minnesota Vikings colors.
And we have another person from Minnesota.
Not just another person, but the 38th governor
of the state of Minnesota, Jesse "The Body" Ventura
here in the front row, and the big news earlier today,
on Bill Simmons's podcast,
Jesse "The Body" back a week from tomorrow.
Saturday Night's Main Event joining the broadcast team
just like the old days.
[Corey] What an honor, what a thrill to have The Body back in the booth.
It's gonna be awesome.
[Michael] Jesse "The Body" Ventura has called 25 Saturday Night's Main Events
in his career including the very first one back in 1985.
[Corey] You're in your early forties then, eh, Cole?
[Michael] Close.
["Soul March" by WWE, Def Rebel playing]
[announcer] Next, representing Legado del Fantasma,
Elektra Lopez.
I'm ready for you.
The winner of this Triple Threat match
will advance to the semifinals
for the Women's United States Championship tournament
which will take place next week live in Hartford, Connecticut.
We know that Bayley goes one-on-one with Chelsea Green.
One of these three women, Corey, gonna face Michin in the semifinals.
[Corey] Objectively speaking, you got to give the edge to Elektra Lopez.
Elektra was the only one in this particular matchup
who didn't suffer through the hell of WarGames last weekend.
[Michael] Great point. Elektra Lopez.
Part of Legado del Fantasma,
who's never held a championship in WWE.
Santos Escobar, the leader of that group, has called her "the missing piece."
From Legado del Fantasma.
[music fades]
♪ N-A-O-M-I ♪
[laughter]
♪ Let's go ♪
♪ The beast is out the cage ♪
♪ You know I own that stage ♪
♪ We knock the competition out ♪
♪ And make 'em go insane! ♪
♪ My head is in the game ♪
♪ I make 'em feel the pain ♪
♪ I hear the people scream my name ♪
♪ One, two, three ♪
♪ Glow, glow, glow, glow, glow, glow… ♪
[announcer] And her opponent from Orlando, Florida,
Naomi!
[Michael] Former two-time World Champion, Naomi,
who came so close to knocking off Nia Jax for the WWE Women's Championship
a couple of weeks ago, but on the winning team
this past Saturday at WarGames.
[Corey] We're gonna find out a lot about what Naomi is made of these days,
where her head is at.
To your point, coming up short against Nia Jax,
just riding the high of a victory in WarGames.
But it's an individual business. Naomi wants to put her name in lights,
her name in the history books more frequently.
That could all start tonight.
[Michael] Triple Threat match. The rules are simple.
First woman to gain pinfall or submission
will advance to the semi-finals of this tournament.
No disqualifications, no countouts.
Elektra Lopez, a second-generation Superstar
in this matchup against Tiffany and Naomi tonight.
what an opportunity for Lopez.
[Corey] No doubt about it, and I think Elektra showed us her brains
early on by allowing Naomi
and Tiffany Stratton to engage with one another.
Elektra trying to sit back, trying to pick her opportunities
in spots. It'll serve her well in a Triple Threat environment.
[Michael] Lopez a degree in global business.
[indistinct] as she takes down Naomi.
Now from behind, Ms. Money in the Bank Tiffany Stratton.
Who once again looked like she was gonna cash in last Saturday night in WarGames.
[Corey] I don't know why Stratton hesitated, to be honest.
And that may be the biggest regret of Tiffany's career.
I didn't come here to play no games.
[Michael] Lopez now talking trash.
Oh! Nice drop kick to Stratton.
The cover by Lopez to advance in the tournament.
Stratton gets her shoulder up.
[Corey] I like what we're seeing out of Lopez.
She's not rushing herself. A lot of times you get a big opportunity
early in your career, you tend to wanna go 100 miles an hour.
You make mistakes. You leave yourself open
for other Superstars to capitalize. We haven't seen that yet from Lopez.
[Michael] We saw the danger of the Triple Threat match.
You focus on one opponent and the other takes advantage.
And now… once a member of Team USA, gymnastics team.
Stratton showing why. Cover now and a kickout by Lopez at two.
Swanton from the top of the cage in WarGames.
At the same time Iyo Sky delivered a moonsault with a garbage can.
What a night it was last Saturday night.
-[crowd chanting] Tiffy time! -Let's go!
Now Stratton into the corner. Lopez is in trouble.
Stratton showing out here tonight in Minnesota.
[Corey] We know Tiffany Stratton never suffers from any shortage of confidence,
but I wonder if performing in front of her hometown crowd
is gonna throw Stratton off of her game.
[Michael] Crossbody.
And Naomi now looks to take over this matchup. Oh.
[Corey] Your first time competing in your hometown
can cause a lot of nerves. It can really throw you off your game,
and you find yourself tending to pander to the audience
more than worrying about your opponent.
[Michael] Have you experienced that?
[Corey] People in Pittsburgh love me. I might be mayor next year.
-[Michael] And Naomi-- -[Corey] You're not kidding. Uh-oh!
[Michael] Naomi hanging on.
Lopez now. Once.
Another kick by Naomi.
Again, Triple Threat matches, sometimes they leave you…
-[Corey] Oh! -[Michael] …odd things in the ring.
And Naomi now, shoulders down Pinning combination.
Stratton breaks things up.
Desperation in this matchup.
The winner advances to the semifinal
to crown the first ever Women's United States Champion.
Naomi, sweet move.
Mule kick takes out both Stratton and Lopez.
[Corey] Now Naomi… Oh! Double modified stunner.
[clapping and cheering]
Jacking the jaw of Elektra Lopez and Tiffany Stratton.
What is Naomi gonna follow up with?
[Michael] Uh, over the top rope and takes out Elektra Lopez.
And Naomi on a roll right now.
[Corey] Naomi doesn't have an opponent in the ring to defeat.
-[Michael] Oh! -[Corey] Oh oh!
[Michael] Stratton clocks Naomi.
And now she says, "It's Tiffy time!"
-Oh! -[Corey] Oh my God.
There was malice behind that one.
[Michael] What a stomp on the apron.
[crowd clamoring, clapping]
[Corey] Elektra Lopez got caught trying to sneak up on Stratton,
and now Lopez paying for it in the form of a snap suplex.
-[Michael] Stratton into the cover. -[crowd counting] One!
[Michael] Side leg and a kickout again.
This is incredible. Watch this.
[Corey] We've seen Stratton do this many times before,
but I don't know if she had as much heat behind it as she did right there.
[Michael] Well, she understands what this means for her and her career.
Can you imagine if she wins the United States Championship?
[Corey] Nice counter by Lopez.
[Michael] And it's Ms. Money in the Bank Half crab now.
by Elektra Lopez center ring. If Tiff taps out, Lopez advances.
[Corey] Hypothetically speaking, we could be on the precipice
of Tiffany Stratton as a double champion in WWE.
[Michael] Tiffany reaching for the bottom rope, but it will not matter.
Ropes will not cause a break 'cause there's no disqualification.
Looking, perhaps, for a crossface here.
Here's Lopez. Maybe not. Pinning combination now.
Shoulders down and a kickout as Naomi looks to break things up.
[Corey] A pinning combination of her own as Naomi…
[Michael] And a kickout by Lopez.
And now Stratton with an opportunity.
-[Corey] Cover by Naomi. -[Michael] Another kickout.
High-paced action here.
Lopez with a clothesline took out Stratton. Naomi…
[Corey] Out of the way just in time. Look at the power of Lopez.
-[Michael] Oh! -[Corey] Wow!
[Michael] Cover for the win and to advance to the semifinals.
Naomi barely gets the shoulder up.
Barely.
[Corey] Another look at the power of Elektra Lopez driving Naomi down
middle of the ring, nice hook of the leg,
but Naomi still has too much left in the tank.
[wrestlers grunting]
[Michael] Now Lopez, well-placed couple of knees to the jaw of Stratton.
[Corey] This is what it's gonna take. You've got to step up your game
if you wanna swim with the sharks here in WWE.
[Michael] Ms. Money in the Bank dumped outside the ring.
[crowd booing]
Lopez got to remember there's another competitor inside,
and that's Naomi.
Naomi misses the kick.
-Belly-to-back-- Oh! -[Michael] Oh! Wow! Here's the cover.
Is that enough?
And a breakup by Tiffany.
[Corey] Elektra Lopez busting out a modified blue thunder bomb
that nearly earned her a w.
Had it not been for Stratton's… Take a look at that.
Elektra Lopez taking a page out of Sami Zayn's playbook.
And Tiffany Stratton breaking up the pin attempt.
[Michael] All three women down. Crucial moment in this matchup.
Winner advances to face Michin next week in the semifinals
of this tournament.
[wrestlers grunting]
[Michael] Everyone exchanging blows.
-[Corey] Firing off the heavy artillery. -[Michael] The Rear View by Naomi.
Planting Elektra Lopez.
And Naomi has Elektra where she wants her.
Looking maybe for a split-legged moonsault but Candice LeRae once again out here,
a thorn in Naomi's side,
and the distraction allows Lopez to make it back to her feet.
[Corey] That momentary hesitation forced by LeRae
opened the door for Lopez, but great reversal by Naomi.
[Michael] And now Naomi looking to put her once again in a position
for the split-legged moonsault, which she hits this time.
There it is. Tiffany Stratton up over the top with a swanton.
[Tiffany yells]
Naomi sent out of the ring.
-Come on! -[Michael] Stratton fired up.
[Corey] Don't worry about the fans, Tiffany, finish the job.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Tiffany's got Lopez where she wants her.
Prettiest moonsault ever. Cover!
-[crowd counting down] -[Michael] Stratton advances.
[bell rings]
[announcer] Here is your winner,
Ms. Money in the Bank,
Tiffany Stratton.
[Corey] I, for one, entered the matchup with plenty of questions,
and Tiffany Stratton answered many of them.
Namely, can Tiffy perform in front of her hometown crowd
at the same level we're used to seeing?
The answer? An emphatic yes.
It is indeed Tiffy time.
Tiffany Stratton has punched her ticket to the next round.
[Michael] The semifinals take place next week on Friday Night SmackDown.
For the capital of the state of Connecticut, Hartford,
Bayley and Chelsea Green square off.
In the other semifinal match, it's Michin and Tiffany Stratton.
The finals take place a week from tomorrow at Saturday Night's Main Event.
On Long Island.
[crowd cheering]
So again, four women closer to possibly, Corey, making history.
The finals taking place Saturday Night's Main Event
on Long Island.
-Wait a minute. Are you hearing? -Wait. What do you mean?
There is something going on back in the backstage area.
I understand Byron Saxton's back there.
Yeah, we're rolling, all right? Michael, Corey, apparently Montez Ford
and Angelo Dawkins have been laid out in the backstage area.
-Right now. -[indistinct arguing]
Nick. Nick, can you tell me what happened?
All I know is that the Profits got attacked.
I don't know anymore, but they need medical attention.
They're hurt badly.
[indistinct chatter in background]
Guys, listen.
The Profits got attacked. I don't know anymore.
-They're hurt badly-- -[man] What's going on?
The Profits got attacked. They're hurt badly, okay?
There's no way that they can have that Tag Team match.
Hold on. You need a title match tonight?
I don't want to be insensitive, but #DIY can step in.
-Listen-- -It'll fix everything.
Johnny, it's way too fresh.
I can't have that conversation right now.
-Alex, please. Come on. -No, man.
-They want their match? They got it. -Yeah.
-It's good with you. -It's good with them. Tonight.
Okay, fine, the match is on. But listen.
You tell Tommaso don't make me regret this.
It's okay. You don't have to worry about Tommaso. I promise.
[Michael] We got a Tag Team Championship match.
Motor City Machine Guns but now against #DIY.
[Corey] I'd love to know who's behind the attack on the Street Profits.
We've got our obvious suspects, but who knows.
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first from Knoxville, Tennessee,
she is one half of the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Bianca Belair!
[Michael] It's also, Corey, still a whodunit
on who attacked Bianca Belair's Tag Team Champion partner Jade Cargill
a couple of weeks ago.
Bianca was in a Triple Threat match in the United States Championship tournament.
She had to leave the ring to check on her partner.
[Corey] Bianca was conflicted in that moment two weeks ago,
but what we saw at WarGames out of The EST
is that Bianca is still as focused as we know she generally is.
[Michael] And Chelsea Green would take advantage of that situation,
winning that Triple Threat match to advance to the semifinals.
This match made official after what happened a little earlier on.
["Taste the Jealousy" by WWE, Def Rebel playing]
[announcer] And her opponent, accompanied by Chelsea Green,
from Ayrshire, Scotland, Piper Niven!
[Michael] Notice how they attacked the injured ribs
that Bianca injured in the WarGames cage
this past Saturday back in the locker room area.
[Corey] That was an intelligent attack by Chelsea Green and Piper Niven.
Let's be perfectly honest.
I understand that Bianca was impressive in the WarGames matchup.
But she's backstage casting aspersions on everybody including Piper Niven.
How do we know that Piper was even backstage that time?
[Michael] We don't. We know Chelsea was in the ring, however.
So she had nothing to do with it.
♪ Came to get what's mine ♪
♪ I can see the finish line ♪
♪ I-I-I can see the championship ♪
♪ It's me takin' home the prize ♪
♪ Break through the ceiling There's no way to stop me…♪
[Michael] As we get underway in this matchup Piper versus Bianca,
I'd like to send out congratulations to a massive global star,
big WWE fan, part of SummerSlam this past year.
-[bell rings] -[Michael] Jelly Roll.
Variety magazine's Changemaker of the Year
helping folks through with his incredible story.
Congratulations to our buddy, Jelly Roll.
Matchup underway now. Bianca Belair and Piper Niven.
[Corey] These two have clashed many times in the past.
We have seen Bianca utilize her power to great effect against Piper Niven.
But you have to imagine, Piper Niven has picked up
a few tricks.
You don't wanna fall for the same trap over and over with the same opponent,
[Michael] Piper trying to beat Bianca for the very first time in her career.
-[crowd counting] -[Michael] Chelsea Green…
Get off of there.
…screaming at Bianca Belair on the outside
Again, Chelsea and Bayley in the semifinals next week
at the Women's United States Championship tournament.
[scattered applause]
[Corey] And a battle over the braid at The EST.
[Michael and Corey exclaiming]
[Michael] Crossbody by Piper. That won't help the ribs. Cover.
Bianca's got a kickout at two.
[Corey] Tremendous impact on this crossbody from Piper Niven,
the Scottish Superstar crushing The EST
and nearly bringing this one to an end.
[Michael] And again, no decision has been made as of yet
on what's going to happen to the Women's Tag Team Titles.
Currently the champs are Bianca and Jade,
but Jade looks like she's gonna be out of action for a while.
[Corey] The EST in all types of trouble at the moment.
If Bianca's not careful, she may find herself in recovery
right alongside Jade Cargill.
Piper Niven has that kind of power and a big, heavy body shot.
[crowd chanting] EST!
[Michael] EST chants from the WWE fans here at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
Minnesota. Tonight! Bianca bounces face-first off the turnbuckle.
[crowd clamoring]
And Bianca really in a ton of pain.
[woman] You're doing amazing.
[Corey] Beyond the actual physical pain of injured ribs,
it affects your breathing so drastically.
It's a completely different game when you're trying to compete
with bruised, broken, or injured ribs of any kind.
I'm curious to see how it affects the power of Bianca Belair.
Her core is damaged. That's where she generates so much strength.
[Michael] And so far, she hasn't been able to pull off those big power moves.
Chelsea Green now gets involved.
-[Corey] And Bianca-- -[Michael] Wow! Sidewalk slam by Piper.
Cover for the win, and a kickout at two.
Piper Niven in control.
[Michael] You know, Corey, Piper Niven has wrestled almost a perfect match tonight
focusing on the injured ribs of Bianca Belair,
using Chelsea to her advantage.
[Corey] What's better than perfect, Cole?
We just saw Chelsea Green take perfection to a whole new level.
Look at this. This is fantastic teamwork.
[Michael] I talked to you about this earlier tonight.
Oh! Do you think that Chelsea is just using Piper?
-[Corey] Absolutely. -[Michael] Oh! Senton.
[Corey] I think it's a mutually beneficial relationship.
[Michael] Out of the back of Bianca Belair.
How much more can Bianca take?
Injured ribs already after Survivor Series.
Cover now by Niven.
Bianca kicks out again. The heart of a warrior.
After suffering a senton by Niven.
[Corey] Big time senton across the ribs followed up by another across the back.
And The EST is in all types of jeopardy right now.
[wrestlers crying out]
[Michael] Now a waist lock applied by Niven,
kind of planted firmly over the kinesiotape
applied to the ribs of Belair.
[Corey] I understand that the kinesiotape provides a medical purpose,
but it also provides a great target for your opponent,
no matter what part of the body you might be using.
Look at this bear hug by the powerhouse, Piper Niven.
[crowd clamoring]
[Corey] Now Bianca is using her braid.
[Piper grunts]
[Corey] Looks to me like Niven may be running a little low on gas
as this matchup progresses, and here comes The EST.
[Michael] A headbutt by Niven.
And Belair is driven back toward the corner.
Piper been dominating since the early going of this match.
Belair, though, with an opportunity now.
[crowd cheering]
Trying to choke out Niven here. Might be Bianca's only chance.
[Corey] Just whipped off.
Here comes Niven looking to procure the win.
[Michael] Went for the splash. Belair rolls out of harm's way.
She may have an opportunity, maybe one last chance for Bianca.
[crowd chanting] EST! EST!
[Corey] Belair out of the way just in time.
I think this may have been Belair's strategy the entire time.
Just try to tire out Piper Niven.
[Michael] Yeah, just hang in there, try to survive
as Niven is whipped again across into another turnbuckle.
And Bianca Belair… face-first again goes Piper.
[Corey] And you're not thinking about it, just running Niven back and forth
the entire distance across the ring.
That's gonna cause her to spend even more gas in her tank.
-[both] Wow! -[Michael] What a crossbody by Bianca.
Injured her ribs, but will it get her the win?
Piper kicks out.
[Corey] Take another look at this.
Belair launching herself from the top, full extension.
Didn't land flush, and it might have actually backfired.
I think that might have caused Belair a great deal of discomfort
in executing the crossbody.
[Michael] Was that the last chance for Bianca?
[crowd chanting] EST!
[Corey] Niven is back to a vertical base.
But it seems as though Bianca Belair is tapping into those reserves.
[Michael] Now shoulder-first into the midsection.
Bianca Belair heading up top.
[Corey] When pressure is the greatest, Belair shines the brightest.
-[crowd counting] -[Michael] Uh-oh.
Piper with Bianca up top.
Bianca trying to somehow hang on to counter this.
Lands on her feet.
Belair on a spear takes down Niven.
-Cover by Bianca, and a kickout by Piper. -[crowd counting down]
Just couldn't grab the legs fast enough.
[Corey] I think it was a case of Belair recognizing where she was
in relation to the ropes and trying to execute off of the spear.
Smart strategy by The EST, but not enough to finish the task.
[Michael] Bianca Belair doing everything she can
to keep Piper down, but not able to take her out in this matchup.
[Corey] There's no way this deep into the match--
-[Michael] Not with a bad rib. -[Corey] No way.
-No way. -[Michael] Trying to lift Piper up.
[Corey] Right hand from Niven connected on the ear of Bianca.
-[Michael] And now… Oh my God! -[Corey] Oh my God.
Saido-style belly-to-back suplex.
I don't know if Bianca knows what planet she's on right now.
[Michael] Veteran official Charles Robinson was right there
checking on Bianca Belair.
And Piper Niven looking to put Belair away.
Piper into the corner. Bianca Belair with a spine buster.
[Corey] Where does Bianca get it?
[crowd cheering]
From dream street to potentially the winner's circle
in the matter of a few seconds.
-[Michael] Belair, there it is. -[Corey] Oh!
[Michael] Piper got the knees up to the bad ribs.
[Corey] A see-saw battle in this one. Here comes Niven.
[Michael] And Bianca. Nobody home.
She averted disaster there.
[Corey] Now can Bianca summon the will to deliver that final shot?
What on earth is this?
Oh no!
That's got to do it.
That has got to be it.
[Michael] Bianca kicks out.
That was the Piper Driver by Piper Niven here.
[Corey] Let's be honest. Bianca's got to blame herself here.
Belair essentially put herself in perfect position.
Niven had the wherewithal to deliver the power bomb
and nearly earn the w.
[Michael] Yeah, but Corey, how the hell does Bianca keep kicking out?
[Corey] I have no idea.
And I do actually agree with the people of Minnesota.
This is awesome.
And it's just about over if Niven hits this.
[Michael] Piper to the second rope and Belair to her feet!
Bianca Belair, Chelsea Green
barking at Belair on the apron.
Bianca said…
Oh no. Chelsea doesn't wanna be there, I don't think.
[crowd cheering]
She never learns. She just never learns.
Oh my God. Bianca Belair.
Piper Niven! On her shoulders. You got to be kidding me!
Bianca.
With a K.O.D. onto Chelsea.
[Corey] Wow!
[crowd cheering]
-[Michael] The cover by Belair. -[crowd counting down]
-What a win by Bianca! -[bell rings]
[announcer] Here is your winner,
Bianca Belair!
[Michael] Wow, just wow!
[Corey] I could not agree anymore, Michael Cole.
An unbelievable, dare I say superhuman effort
from The EST tonight, injured ribs and all.
And if you wonder why Bianca Belair has had the success she has,
look no further.
Unbelievable power,
dropping Niven on top of Chelsea Green.
A two-for-one discount.
What a win for Bianca Belair.
[Michael] That may've been the greatest match I ever saw
'cause Chelsea got buried.
[crying]
[Michael] Kevin Owens gets an opportunity to win the Undisputed WWE title
next Saturday at Saturday Night's Main Event.
Tonight I'll sit down with KO
and try to get to the bottom of his ever-changing demeanor.
That's later on tonight.
[Corey] We know Kevin Owens has Cody Rhodes
in Saturday Night's Main Event, but tonight The American Nightmare
will be in action per our general manager, Nick Aldis.
It is official.
Cody Rhodes will go one-on-one with Chad Gable,
the leader of American Made.
Speaking of America, before we get to that instant classic,
let's take a look at our brand-new United States Champion.
[dramatic music playing]
[speaking Japanese]
[Michael] Shinsuke pulled the turnbuckle cover off.
Oh my God. The mist blinding LA Knight.
LA Knight.
[speaking Japanese]
[Michael] This is for the United States Title LA Knight defends
against Shinsuke Nakamura.
[Corey] Nakamura went for the eyes.
Kinshasa!
-[bell rings] -[Corey] And new United States Champion.
[music fades]
[Michael] He's the mysterious Shinsuke Nakamura,
our new United States Champion.
Nakamura is here live next.
It is time to go to war.
♪ Death and hatred to mankind ♪
♪ Poisoning their brainwashed minds Oh Lord, yeah… ♪
[Michael] Here comes Mami.
Baseball bat in hand.
Bringing back bad memories for Rhea Ripley.
Iyo! Moonsault!
She's gonna do it!
Rhea just handcuffed Raquel.
Riptide through the table!
-[bell rings] -Rhea has pinned the World Champion.
[exhales, grunts]
[crowd cheering]
-[grunts] -That's what I'm talking about, B.
I know it felt good to get your hands on that Piper.
It did. It did. But, sis, I'm so sorry. I saw your match.
You did good, though.
-Man, I'm so sick of Tiffany and Candace. -I know.
I can't get ahead because them two stay on my neck.
Excuse me, ladies. Ladies, Bianca.
I know you suspected Piper Niven attacked Jade Cargill,
but I can personally confirm I saw her sitting outside during your match.
Is there anyone else that you think could've done it?
Well, Sax, we got a list to choose from.
You got Naya, Tiffany, Candace, Liv, Raquel.
Yep. Yep. You know what? I don't know who did it.
But when I find out who did it, it's on site.
-It's on site. -Over for them.
-Over. -Clobber.
[Corey] Byron Saxton actually clearing Piper Nivens's name.
[Michael] Like Sherlock Holmes.
[Corey] I was gonna go Kojak for obvious reasons.
[Michael laughs]
["The Rising Sun by WWE, CFO$ playing]
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the new United States Champion,
Shinsuke Nakamura!
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] What a return for Shinsuke Nakamura
this past Saturday at Survivor Series.
He got in LA Knight's head, and it paid off.
The sinister Nakamura, a three-time United States Champion.
He had Knight all out of sorts Saturday, Corey.
[Corey] Absolutely. I don't know if I've seen LA Knight
that far off of his game.
It's just a testament to how dangerous and sinister
this Nakamura is,
and I say this Shinsuke because
this is unlike any version we've seen before. Wait a minute.
[crowd cheering]
This is not gonna sit well with the United States Champion.
I'll tell you that much.
[upbeat music playing]
[music fades]
[crowd chanting] LA Knight! LA Knight!
Let me talk to you.
[crowd cheering]
The man they call The Megastar is in the building in Minneapolis.
[crowd cheering]
As I stand here, I look at a man here got to be the single sorriest example
of a US champ. Yeah.
[crowd] Yeah!
Cheap shot. Cheap victory. 'Cause you ain't the real deal.
The real deal is looking at you right now.
[crowd] Yeah!
And I see you standing in there holding something that belongs to me.
[crowd] Yeah.
So let me go ahead and not mince words not waste time.
I want my rematch, and I want it right now.
[crowd] Yeah!
[crowd chanting] LA Knight! LA Knight!
It figures you'd stand there looking dumber than a box of rocks.
So here's what I'm gonna do.
Since you come back, you ain't done anything except
take advantage of me when I got my back turned.
The only thing you've done to me while I'm looking you face-to-face
is hit that mist, so I'll tell you what.
Got my LA Knight mist-blockers on
'cause you haven't given me any other option except to get
exactly what I want by coming into this ring
and making sure you get stomped out.
-Yeah! Yeah. -[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Hold the phone, LA Knight.
El Idolo Andrade.
He's been in the thick of this.
LA Knight. LA Knight.
I am here for Nakamura.
[man] Andrade!
-[Andrade] I haven't finished speaking. -Hold on. Hold on.
No disrespect, my man. No disrespect.
Look, this man is in… he's in debt right now.
And I'm here to collect. When I get my title back,
I tell you what, you can get… what the hell?
-[Corey] [indistinct] It's Tama Tonga. -[Michael] Tama Tonga…
Look out!
The Samoan Werewolf, Jacob Fatu, going after LA Knight.
We saw The Bloodline kick off the show tonight, Corey,
raising hell in the backstage area, now attacking Andrade and Knight.
[Corey] The rampage continues.
[yells]
[Corey] Shinsuke better be careful in there.
[crowd clamoring]
[Michael] Nakamura with a bit of a warning as he backs out of the ring.
[crowd chanting]
[Corey] Nakamura out of the picture. Andrade and LA Knight are sitting ducks.
[indistinct arguing]
[Michael] Now LA Knight fighting back. Solo is going for the spike.
Oh, and a big boot. Spike!
Get his ass to me!
Hold him up. Hold him up. [indistinct]
[Michael] Samoan Spike to Knight.
[crowd booing]
[tapping on microphone]
[crowd booing]
To anyone that's thinking The Bloodline is finished
or The Bloodline is weak
or just because I lost two soldiers at WarGames last week
that we ain't the ones anymore.
Well, guess what? I dare you to step up.
[crowd clamoring]
Step up and take a shot because this is exactly what will happen.
The Bloodline will lay your ass out every single time!
[crowd booing]
I'm tired of people not taking me seriously.
I'm tired of people thinking that I'm a joke.
[crowd clamoring]
I'm tired of all of you thinking that it's all fun and games.
Well, guess what. You can laugh all you want.
But I'm still your tribal chief!
[crowd booing]
I'm still the head of the table.
And I still got this.
[crowd clamoring, booing]
So to anyone that wants to come down to this ring,
you're gonna end up doing the same thing
that each and every one of you will do.
Minneapolis…
[crowd booing]
Acknowledge me.
[crowd booing]
[Corey] In the wake of WarGames, Solo and his new Bloodline
certainly in a mood that could spell disaster
for the rest of the roster.
So you got us this title match, huh?
I got us a title match to fix everything.
-To fix things. -Yeah.
You think this fixes things. Oh no, no.
You just got us a title match that we should've had months ago.
Don't you think for a second
that I have forgotten what I told you last week.
You still haven't given me an answer.
But I guess we'll find out soon enough.
I'll see you out there.
[Corey] Well, the Street Profits are out,
and the smoke now belongs to #DIY.
Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Motor City Machine Guns
defend their WWE Tag Team Championships
against Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano next.
Do you have any idea
the feeling you get when they call you
and tell you, "Hey, you have to be in Minneapolis, Minnesota
because Michael Cole is going to interview you."
Do you understand the rush of excitement and adrenaline that hits you
when you hear those words?
I mean, it's a feeling… I just… I… I… I… I can barely put it into words.
You know what? Actually, I can. Let me tell you. It sucks!
It sucks. I don't wanna ever,
ever be in Minneapolis, Minnesota, let alone for a Michael Cole interview.
Is this supposed to be some sort of thrill or an honor?
Get out of here.
Well, if Michael Cole wants to interview me, fine.
But I'm not going in there. No.
I've showed up to SmackDown several times
over the last couple of months and been told I couldn't go in.
So you know what? Michael Cole, you want to interview me?
Well, the pleasure is all yours, but you have to come out here to do it.
I'm at the arena. Find my car. Come have a chat.
Or don't. I really… I do not care.
[Michael] He expects me to go out there and interview him in his car.
It's 20 degrees out.
[Corey] And never mind the fact it's 20 degrees.
KO hasn't exactly been rational lately,
and he has a history of throwing down in parking lots.
[Michael] By the way, I think I'm better than Fallon.
[Corey] I'd agree with that.
♪ Raise your fist ♪
[explosions]
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the WWE Tag Team Championship.
Introducing Chris Saban and Alex Shelley.
They are the WWE Tag Team Champions,
Motor City Machine Guns!
[Corey] Shelley and Sabin have taken the Tag Team division
on SmackDown by storm in short order.
No rest for the weary. Fighting champions.
["It's Our Moment" by WWE, Def Rebel playing]
[Corey] Not hoping anything bad happens. Just being realistic.
-[Michael] Why are you acting like that? -[Corey] Better you than me.
[Michael] Think I need to go interview him?
[Corey] I would. He didn't ask for me.
[announcer] Introducing the challengers.
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa.
#DIY.
[Corey] I can tell before the opening bell of this matchup
that this is not a good look for #DIY.
Ciampa and Gargano former Tag Team Champions in their own right,
but they're not even in the same playbook right now.
Ciampa is doing one thing. Gargano is trying to hold it together.
It seems like they barely trust one another.
As talented as they are, #DIY,
I do not like their chances tonight against a very, very ready MCMG.
[Michael] I don't know what Johnny Gargano's thinking.
He's already been stabbed in the back once in his career by Tommaso Ciampa.
He knows he can't trust the guy.
Ciampa's acting the same way that he did back in NXT
that Blackheart style. So, you know…
Does he even have any idea what he's got himself into?
[bell rings]
[Michael] Ciampa going right after Sabin as this matchup gets underway.
And this Ciampa did a few weeks ago when he won a match on his own.
[Corey] Tommaso Ciampa has been an absolute madman
for the last several weeks.
And he's leading by example.
He's barking at Johnny Gargano, "That's what we've gotta do."
"This is how we do it."
#DIY knows what it takes to make it to the top of the mountain.
It's just been a while.
[Michael] Sabin battles back now against Ciampa.
Remember, the Street Profits were supposed to be in the match.
They were attacked backstage earlier tonight.
Motor City Machine Gun said,
"We promised the WWE fans a Tag Team Championship match."
"We'll take on #DIY," and now here we go.
[Corey] You have to appreciate the fighting spirit
of the Tag Team Champions.
Sabin and Shelley get it. They may have the gold,
but they're still working extremely hard
to earn the respect of not only the locker room,
but the WWE Universe.
They understand winning the gold did not end the journey, it just began it.
Ciampa and Gargano believe they have a score to settle.
Three!
[Corey] Look at this, face-first.
[Michael] To retain the gold cover now by Shelley, and a kickout.
It was back in the Number One Contender Tag Team tournament final
where #DIY lost to The Motor City Machine Guns.
The same night The Guns would go on and knock off the new Bloodline
to win the Tag Titles.
You want this now?
[Michael] Now a tag made to Johnny Gargano.
As Tommaso Ciampa says, "Johnny, take your shot."
Johnny instead of punching him in the face decided to go to a wrestling move.
And I think that's what upsets Ciampa.
You can see the way he's acting on the apron.
[Corey] Ciampa was having… Tag made.
Great success now tagging himself in.
I'm gonna do this my way with or without you.
But I like what we're seeing from Ciampa.
Pay attention.
[Corey] Get on board or get out of the way.
I'll do it myself.
[Michael] Why does Gargano keep putting up with this guy?
[Corey] We mentioned it before. It's ridiculous.
[Michael] Battling back is Alex Shelley of The Motor City Machine Guns.
Ciampa runs into a back elbow. Tag made. Here comes Sabin.
[Corey] I'm not sure Ciampa's aware
that Chris Sabin is the legal competitor for the champions.
-Drop kick by Shelley. -[Michael] He's gonna know right now.
Double team by the champs.
[Corey] That's tag team cohesion, unlike what we're seeing out of #DIY.
[crowd clapping]
[Michael] Motor City Machine Guns hope to keep the tag title.
During the commercial break, miscommunications continue
between Ciampa and Gargano,
but Ciampa trying to win the Tag Team Titles, and a kickout.
Corey and I were discussing during the commercial break
about the friendship Gargano has with both Shelley and Sabin
of The Motor City Machine Guns and how that sticks in the craw
of Tommaso Ciampa who wants undying loyalty from Gargano.
[Corey] At the end of the day, every great tag team
has undying loyalty between its competitors,
otherwise it's time to go your separate ways.
When the roster shows you next to somebody else's name,
as a tag team,
your checks depend on it, your success depends on your partner
as much as it does yourself.
I sort of understand Ciampa's mindset right now.
[Michael] Gargano and Shelley have known each other 20 years.
Gargano looked up to Shelley early on in his career.
Oh no! Ciampa with a boot to Gargano.
-[Corey] Cue the meltdown. -You stupid…
Stupid.
[Michael] Looked like Gargano had an opportunity to grab Shelley
when he came to the corner and he backed off that.
And Ciampa delivered the kick and inadvertently took out his partner.
[Corey] Nobody home for Ciampa in the corner.
Shelley in desperate need of a tag. Boot to the gut by one of the challengers.
-Here it comes! -Looking for the Fairy Tale Ending.
A great counter this time by Shelley.
Can he make a tag to Sabin?
[Corey] Shelley has the option to tag Chris Sabin.
Johnny Gargano's down on the floor in front of our announce desk
courtesy of the running boot from Ciampa.
[Michael] Here comes Sabin now with a clothesline
to Tommaso Ciampa.
And The Motor City Machine Guns picking up the pace.
[Corey] Inverted atomic drop by Chris Sabin.
Sunset flip attempt by Ciampa.
-Big kick. -[Michael] What a kick.
[Corey] One to match for Johnny Gargano.
Minneapolis, Minnesota. Hail Sabin.
[Michael] Oh! Crossbody.
Lateral press for the win.
Kickout by Ciampa.
[scattered boos]
[Corey] Take a look at this.
Chris Sabin, full extension,
crossbody block driving all of the wind out of Tommaso Ciampa.
And the Machine Guns are rolling right now.
-Here comes Shelley. -[yelling]
Double team for The Motor City Machine Guns.
The tag champs are rolling.
-[grunting] -Green!
[Michael] Oh the knee!
[Corey] Spectacular double-team offense from The Motor City Machine Guns.
[Michael] To retain the tag team gold,
hook of the leg and a two-count. Kickout by Ciampa.
[crowd clamoring]
[Corey] This has essentially devolved into a handicap match situation
for Tommaso Ciampa.
Gargano's been a non-factor for the last few minutes.
[Michael] Well, his overzealousness…
[Corey] Who's overzealous? You blaming Ciampa?
[Michael] Yeah. Ciampa kicked Gargano in the face.
[Corey] Gargano got in the way.
[Michael] Gargano finally pulling himself up to the apron.
Ciampa with a cheap shot to Sabin.
[Corey] Even if this ends the way it appears it's going to end,
you've got to respect the effort from Tommaso Ciampa.
[Michael] Twisting neckbreaker.
Hooks the inside leg for the title, and a kickout at two.
[Corey] Ciampa has single-handedly kept his team in this matchup.
Icy stare… from Tommaso Ciampa to his longtime partner.
-[Michael] Shelley dumped out of the ring. -[crowd chanting]
-Get on him! -You two back inside the ring.
Let's go. Take it out, Ciampa. These guys back in. You, out. Them in.
One!
[Corey] Johnny's got to pull the trigger. Let's be honest.
Ciampa did all the heavy lifting.
All Johnny has to do is finish the job.
-What the hell was that? -What? What? What do you want?
-You can't win out there. -The table. You can do something.
[crowd clamoring]
Do something.
-[man] Yeah! -[crowd cheering]
-[Corey] Oh boy. -Get out of here! Get out of here.
-You're done. -Good. Go. Go.
I'll do this myself. I'll do this myself.
[Ciampa] We're done.
[wrestlers grunt]
-[crowd counting down] -[Michael] Kick out.
Ciampa was just out here screaming, "We're done."
We're seeing the implosion of #DIY as we speak.
[Corey] Face-first into the buckle. Tag.
Look, I understand.
[Ciampa] You're useless!
Ciampa's screaming that Gargano's useless.
[Corey] I understand the frustration.
[Michael] Meanwhile, the referee is distracted.
Going for skull and bones. Putting this one away.
Gargano low blow.
Wait a minute. A low blow by Gargano.
The official never saw it.
[crowd booing]
Wait for the tag, Shelley.
[Michael] Shelley cannot believe what Gargano just did.
And a super kick to his longtime friend, Alex Shelley.
[Corey] With friends like Gargano…
[Michael] And look at the smile on Ciampa's face.
And Gargano as well.
-Well, that worked. -[Michael] You gotta be kidding me.
Was this all a plan?
[Corey] Michael Cole, I think it was.
[Michael] Meet in the middle.
-Cover by Ciampa. -[crowd counting down]
-We've got new Tag Team Champions! -[bell rings]
-What a ruse. -[announcer] Here are your winners.
And new WWE Tag Team Champions,
#DIY
[Corey] What a shocking turn of events in this one.
[Michael] I was fooled.
[Corey] You and me both, Cole.
I hate this as much as Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin
for their team, for The Motor City Machine Guns,
but Johnny Gargano, when the chips were down,
did what needed to be done.
He took the road less traveled,
the low road, the less popular road.
A brilliantly hatched plan by the former,
nay, new WWE Tag Team Champions.
Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano.
What else is gonna happen tonight? First we saw that.
Now, Corey,
I've actually got to leave the announce desk right now.
I've got to walk out and interview Kevin Owens
in a car in the parking lot.
I hope you brought a warm coat because it is freezing outside.
Stick with the overcoat, Cole. Hope he didn't bring that stupid singlet.
Anyway, Michael Cole is headed out to the parking lot
to try to catch up with Kevin Owens.
We've got new Tag Team Champions. SmackDown keeps rolling.
SmackDown is live tonight from the home of the Vikings,
the Wild, the Twins, and the 2026 SummerSlam,
Minneapolis, Minnesota.
It is ice-cold outside, but trust me,
it is red-hot inside of the Target Center tonight.
The signs are out in full effect as they are each and every week.
Be it Raw, be it SmackDown or one of our Premium Live Events,
when WWE rolls to your town make sure that you have your sign ready
and let your voices be heard.
"Cody Rhodes for president."
Not the worst idea I have ever heard.
This all went down moments ago.
The WWE Tag Team Titles on the line.
Johnny Gargano, stunning not only the WWE Universe,
but longtime friends Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin.
Gargano grinning ear to ear, making the tag
to Tommaso Ciampa, and the rift within #DIY
appears to have been all a ruse or at least all in the past.
Brand-new WWE Tag Team Champions.
[talking over each other]
I'm right. I'm right.
There's my beautiful wife.
-That was amazing. -We're just missing Quill and Willow.
-Tell the kids. Tell the kids. -Daddy ain't a loser.
We ain't losers. We are the champions.
[both yelling]
Congratulations to Ciampa and Gargano, the new WWE Tag Team Champions.
As you'll notice, conspicuous by his absence,
my partner Michael Cole has been summoned to the parking lot
here at the Target Center to interview The Prizefighter Kevin Owens
ahead of his battle with Cody Rhodes on Saturday Night's Main Event.
Let's check in and see if Cole's made it thus far.
Can we go inside?
Nah, get in the car, Michael.
-You want me… I'm not getting in the car. -Come on.
You're freezing. I got it a nice, toasty 68 in here.
Come on. Let me unlock it. There.
-There you go. -[Michael] You know…
How long are you gonna keep this up?
We had a nice cushy room to do the sit-down.
Aw, come on. Let me ask you this.
Do you know how many times over the last few weeks
ever since Bad Blood, ever since I dropped the little golden boy Cody,
know how many times I've shown up
and been told you're not welcome here, you can't come in?
So you know what? This is a preemptive strike.
Listen, I was gonna plan to do an unbiased interview with you.
You? Unbiased? You?
Are you kidding me?
The number one Cody Rhodes fanboy?
-Get outta here, Michael. -That's unfair.
No, it is not unfair.
You and I have known each other for what, ten, 12 years?
-You were there… -Something like that.
And I was there at NXT.
We sat down and did interviews together,
talked about the business, spent a lot of time with each other.
i was one of your biggest supporters until just recently.
Oh my God. I was trying to get people to like me.
If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have wasted my time talking.
I can't believe you don't see things the way I see them.
How many times were you there
sitting at the table watching Roman Reigns trying to end my career? Huh?
And then Cody Rhodes shows up at Bad Blood
to stand alongside Roman.
No, no, no. It's not even just about that.
What about what Cody Rhodes said
a couple weeks ago calling me an egomaniac?
Told me I was obsessed with being the top guy. Let me ask you.
Which one of us left in 2016
because they weren't happy with the opportunities?
Was it me or Cody Rhodes?
Huh? And then who came back?
And then since he came back, it's all about Cody.
His stupid logo is everywhere.
The pyro. Not one, not two, three sets of pyros for his entrance.
-Kevin. -What?
It's not just Cody. Jey Uso,
Jimmy Uso,
Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn
all thought it was good to help out Roman.
You know what? You think I care what Jimmy and Jey Uso do?
You know, they've chosen to be Roman Reigns's pawns
long before [grunts]. It's fine. They wanna go back to that? Great.
And as far as Sami Zayn is concerned, trust me.
We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.
I, right now, am focused on Cody Rhodes.
-And his betrayal-- -You need--
Michael, you don't have any friends. You don't have any friends.
That's why you don't understand what betrayal is.
Cody Rhodes was my friend. Spat in my face. Stabbed in my back.
-Stabbed me in the back. -With all due respect…
I think you're being very petty.
And I have a little bit of advice for you if you don't mind taking it.
Maybe you should look in the mirror, Kevin.
-And realize-- -What am I supposed to see?
-That this is all you. -I see a handsome man who's right.
-Completely right. -This is all you.
-You're the problem. -I'm the problem?
You know what?
Get out of my car.
Leave my rental vehicle right now.
[Michael scoffs]
Unbelievable.
Hey, wait, Michael. Michael.
Are you gonna apolog…
[crowd laughs]
Disgusting.
[Corey] It is obvious that Kevin Owens is overflowing with angst,
anger and vitriol, and it all comes to a head
one week from tomorrow at Saturday Night's Main Event
as The American Nightmare Cody Rhodes
defends his gold against Kevin Owens.
But before we get to Long Island, we got another SmackDown headed your way,
and it is big.
The Women's United States Championship tournament semifinals begin
as Bayley goes one-on-one with Chelsea Green.
And on the other side of the bracket,
Michin will battle Ms. Money in the Bank, Tiffany Stratton.
The winners will advance to Long Island
to Saturday Night's Main Event
to crown the first ever Women's United States Champion.
It was a good conversation.
-Very good. -Cheers, mate.
What's up?
Hey, man. What's up?
You got time to talk to these Raw guys, but not me?
Raw guys? You mean the World Heavyweight Champion?
No, you mean the first round draft pick here on SmackDown.
Is there something you need?
It's not something that I need. It's something that you need.
You need to figure out where I fit in with the transfer portal thing
with Raw and SmackDown 'cause if you can't figure it out then
Monday Night Melo sounds good over on Netflix. I'm just sayin'.
Mr. Hayes,
the idea of you going to Monday Night Raw and being Adam Pierce's headache
instead of mine doesn't sound like a threat.
Sounds like something that comes with balloons and a cake.
But, seeing as you mentioned it,
I do have someone very special in mind just for you.
That's what I thought. Hey, y'all see that?
That's how you get things done around here. [chuckles] I…
["Kingdom" by Downstait playing]
♪ Adrenaline in my soul ♪
♪ Every fight out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
♪ Crowd is here, about to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
-[crowd singing] -♪ Whoa… ♪
[explosions]
[bell rings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first from Atlanta, Georgia,
weighing in at 222 pounds,
he is the Undisputed WWE Champion,
The American Nightmare
Cody Rhodes!
[Corey] Cody Rhodes knows full well that come Saturday Night's Main Event
he will be in Kevin Owens' crosshairs.
But tonight, Cody must shift focus as he goes one-on-one
with Chad Gable of American Made.
Fasten your seatbelts. Get ready for a ride.
This is your official banger alert. Rhodes/Gable live next.
-[crowd singing along] -♪ Whoa ♪
[explosions]
[music fades]
[Michael] And Cody Rhodes defends his championship
at Saturday Night's Main Event a week from tomorrow
when he takes on Kevin Owens.
But first tonight, a battle with Chad Gable.
[dramatic music playing]
[announcer] And his opponent representing American Made,
from Minneapolis, Minnesota,
weighing in at 202 pounds, Chad Gable
[Michael] To get everybody caught up, the reason Chad Gable is here tonight
is to talk about his contract with our general manager, Nick Aldis.
Come January 6th when Raw moves to Netflix
and on January 3rd SmackDown here on USA,
big changes are on the way.
A transfer window has been opened up
with the NXT, SmackDown, and Raw general managers.
We'll be shifting some Superstars around to different shows.
[Corey] I got to question Cody Rhodes's mindset here tonight.
He is eight days away
from a high-stakes, high-pressure, extremely personal championship defense.
Which you can attest to, Michael Cole.
You were just a few feet away from Kevin Owens.
This is Chad Gable, a world-class athlete, a United States Olympian.
Gable can and most likely will hurt Cody.
-My question is how bad. -[bell rings]
[Michael] Chad Gable from right here in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
You wouldn't know that by the sound of the WWE fans moments ago,
but nonetheless, what an opportunity for Gable.
Corey, if he knocks off Cody tonight,
he's got to be in line for a future title opportunity.
[Corey] No doubt about it.
I'd argue he could probably jump the line
of everyone with the exception of Kevin Owens
as the contract's already signed in that one.
[Michael] You saw the World Champ here from Monday Night Raw, Gunther,
talking to our general manager.
Cody Rhodes knocked off Gunther
back at Crown Jewel to win the first ever Crown Jewel Championship last month.
[Corey] What about the rivalry between The Ring General and Chad Gable?
Put on some absolute classics when Gunther was the Intercontinental Champion.
It seemed as though Gable was destined to be the one to dethrone Gunther.
[Michael] It was that moment when he couldn't get the job done
and where he really flipped out.
And that's where he took on his new demeanor and new attitude.
And again, Cody Rhodes can ill afford injury tonight
going into the battle for the Undisputed WWE Championship
with Kevin Owens.
The return of Saturday Night's Main Event.
[Corey] I appreciate Cody wants to keep his skill set strong.
Iron sharpens iron.
Cody wants to be at the absolute top of his game,
which is great, but physically speaking, that may not be the case
when you're dealing with somebody as dangerous as Chad Gable.
[Michael] Cody Rhodes, he's getting upset.
He's getting sick and tired of hearing some people talk behind his back
saying that he's not being a good friend, not being a loyal friend to Kevin Owens.
[Corey] When you're a friend to everyone,
you're a friend to no one.
[Michael] And Cody drops down. Big right hand.
To Chad Gable. Gable says all Cody cares about is Cody.
You deserve what's coming at the hands of Kevin Owens.
[Corey] And listen, I have a hard time disagreeing
with a lot of what Kevin Owens is saying.
I don't necessarily know that I agree with how Kevin's been handling it.
But you can understand it.
You got to have sympathy for the devil when you listen to Kevin and his reasons
for having these issues with Cody.
[Michael] Now Ivy Nile up on the apron.
Part of American Made.
[Corey] As Chad Gable refers to her, Lady Liberty.
[Michael] And now Chad Gable looking to take advantage of the distraction.
Oh, man. Right to the ankle.
Soften up the ankle and the knee of Cody Rhodes. Cody's in trouble.
Referee Jessika Carr right down to check on him.
But Cody Rhodes is in trouble. Here's the opening Gable needed.
[Corey] Lightning quick dragon screw leg whip from Gable.
Could be the turning point in this matchup.
It could be the beginning of the end for The American Nightmare.
-[Michael] Oh. -[Corey] Oh God.
[Michael] Kevin Owens, of course, took off in a car.
He's got to be watching this match somewhere
and laughing over the fact that Rhodes is banged up
at the hands of Gable.
It has been a master class by Chad Gable here tonight
in his hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Our main event on Friday Night SmackDown.
Gable has injured the left knee, left ankle of Cody Rhodes,
and he is dominating the Undisputed WWE Champion.
-[grunting] -Break it up. One. Two.
[Corey] Look at Gable, just teeing off.
The American Nightmare all out of sorts in the corner.
[Michael] I agree with what you said earlier, Corey.
Why on earth would Cody Rhodes accept this match tonight
eight nights away from a title defense against [indistinct] Kevin Owens.
Again, Gable right back to the injured ankle.
Look at the ankle lock now.
Ankle lock to Rhodes who is in the middle of the ring.
Cody's in trouble, and he sends Gable into the second rope
and buys himself a little bit of time.
A hobbled Rhodes.
Right back to the leg by Gable.
[Corey] The further this match progresses… Cover here by Gable.
[Michael] Can he pin the champ. Kickout by Rhodes.
[Corey] The longer the match, the more it looks like
what you would call in football a trap game for Cody Rhodes.
The difference is in sports leagues, you don't make your own schedule.
Cody volunteered for this.
He essentially volunteered to compete in a trap game
eight nights before a World Championship defense.
[Michael] Against the man, Chad Gable, who, you and I were talking at the break.
I can't believe this man has never held a Singles Championship in WWE.
And that's the fuel that drives him.
He knocks off Rhodes tonight, he may have that opportunity.
[Corey] And Gable now perched on the top.
[Michael] Flying headbutt to Rhodes.
Gable now cover to try to pin the champion.
Kickout by Cody at two.
[crowd booing]
[Corey] Take another look at this with Chad Gable.
À la Harley Race,
diving headbutt from the ropes right on point,
but not enough to end this one in the favor of American Made just yet.
[Michael] Gable going to the top rope maybe looking for a moonsault,
but Cody Rhodes realizing it.
Goes right to the spine, and now Cody trying to control Gable here.
A dangerous situation.
[Corey] He has that underhook. It's almost like… Yeah!
-Oh my goodness! -[Michael] From up there.
-Oh my! -[Corey] Inverted super plex!
[crowd clapping]
[Corey] Take another look at this.
The physical impact taking a toll on both competitors including Cody,
who delivered the offensive maneuver.
But Cody had a few seconds to recover.
-And here comes the champ. -[Michael] Can Cody rally?
An opportunity to climb back into this matchup
that's been dominated by Gable.
[crowd clamoring]
[crowd] Boo!
Yeah!
Boo!
Yeah!
Boo!
Yeah!
[Michael] Down goes Gable. Cody trying to rally.
Rhodes now on one leg.
Trying to build a little bit of momentum.
Up over the top. Again, leg gives out.
Gable, though, not able to take advantage. Powerslam by Rhodes.
[Corey] Cody was hobbled, came up a little short,
but still had the wherewithal
to swivel his hips and drive Gable down with a powerslam.
Here comes The Nightmare.
[Michael] Cody with a disaster kick!
[scattered applause]
Gable's down!
[Corey] Cody now
taking a page out of his good friend Randy Orton's book.
[Cody grunts]
[Michael] Gable on the shoulders and drives Rhodes into the corner.
[Corey] Gable wanted the chaos theory. Rhodes put the brakes on.
[Michael] Cody up the second rope. Got it! Cody got him.
Gable's in trouble.
The Cody Cutter. Oh my.
[Corey] Julius just pulled Gable out of the ring out of harm's way.
[Michael] The three brothers saving Gable.
-You, you, you all just… -No!
[Michael] The referee Jessika Carr is gonna send Ivy and the Creeds
back to the locker room.
No! No! No!
[Michael] Right call by the official.
[Creed yelling]
[Corey] Brutus Creed needs to study more the fine art of breaking the rules.
You can't do it in front of the official.
Look out from behind.
[Michael] Flip up by Cody. Shoulders down.
Gable able to kick at two.
Rhodes misses wildly.
Right back to the injured leg. And now looking for an ankle lock.
There's Chad Gable and he's…
Look. Trying to remove the boot of Cody to expose the ankle.
[Corey] That's gonna allow a lot more torque on this ankle lock.
Wrestling boots are made literally to protect your ankles
in the heat of battle and right now…
-[Michael] Ankle lock by Gable is in. -[screaming]
Cody screaming in pain.
Gotta make it to a rope to force a break.
Gable's got him close to the center of the ring.
The official right there to see if Rhodes taps.
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody!
[Michael] Cody chants filling the Target Center.
Whoa. Gable… send Gable face-first into the turnbuckle.
[Corey] But has the damage been done?
[crowd clamoring]
[Michael] And now Cody back to his feet.
Up to the top rope now.
Cody Cutter from the top rope.
[crowd clapping]
I don't know where Cody's getting it from.
[Corey] Cody is feeding off of the WWE Universe tonight in Minneapolis.
[Michael] Cody looking for Cross Rhodes.
Gable, though, once again picks the ankle.
Ankle lock again to Rhodes. Cody's in trouble.
Makes it to the ropes and gonna force the break.
Get up, Cody. Get up.
[Michael] Cody looks physically beaten.
Get up.
[Michael] Rhodes back up. Gable got caught. Rhodes intercepted him.
Oh and a knee again.
German suplex by Gable.
Chad gonna go up top for the moonsault.
[mixed cheering and booing]
Lands on his feet. Rhodes from behind.
Cross Rhodes!
-Cover by the champ. -[crowd] One, two, three.
-[Michael] Cody with the win. -[bell rings]
-[What a gutsy performance. -[announcer] Here is your winner,
the Undisputed WWE Champion,
The American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
[Corey] An unbelievable battle and incredible win
for the Undisputed WWE Champion, but at what cost, Cole?
Cody Rhodes still favoring his ankle.
-The champion-- -[Michael] Oh no, no, no.
Kevin Owens is here!
Owens is back!
And now stomping away on the bad ankle of Rhodes.
[screaming]
[crowd gasps]
[Michael] And Cody fighting back now for survival against Kevin Owens.
Owens and Rhodes now.
Officials in the ring trying to break up these two men.
[clamoring]
Trying to drag Owens away before there's further damage to the champion.
[indistinct yelling]
[Michael] And now Rhodes into the fray! And the brawl continues!
And Rhodes driving Owens into the barricade!
They're beating the hell out of each other.
[Corey] Get some more security out here.
We got a main event to protect next Saturday Night.
[clamoring]
[Michael] Kevin Owens doesn't give a damn about the main event.
He wants to maim, he wants to harm Cody Rhodes.
[Corey] Au contraire, Cole.
Kevin Owens wants nothing more
than to be Undisputed WWE Champion by breaking Cody Rhodes.
[clamoring]
Get off. Enough. uted WWE Champion by breaking Cody Rhodes.