[invigorating music playing]
[man] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[music fades]
♪ One, two, three… ♪
[Michael] Friday Night SmackDown is live tonight
from Connecticut's capital city, Hartford, and the XL Center
where four women are closer to history.
It's the semifinals of the Women's United States Championship Tournament.
On one side of the bracket, Ms. Money in the Bank, Tiffany Stratton
will have the opportunity to take on "The Extreme Hardcore Baddie" Michin.
Only one can advance to tomorrow night's Saturday Night's Main Event.
On the other side,
one of the most decorated women in WWE history.
Bayley has an opportunity to once again make history
against perhaps the most annoying woman in WWE history, Chelsea Green,
accompanied by Piper Niven.
She takes on Bayley later tonight.
The new Bloodline is in an awful mood after WarGames.
They took out their anger last week on this man.
The former United States Champion, LA Knight.
[crowd cheering]
LA goes one-on-one with the new Tribal Chief Solo Sikoa tonight.
And he's the undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes.
Tonight, I moderate The Final Word before Saturday Night's Main Event
between Cody and Kevin Owens, live tonight on SmackDown.
♪ Let 'em know we on the way Countin' zeroes every day ♪
["Born a King" by WWE, def rebel playing]
[crowd cheering]
♪ Uso ♪
♪ I was born a king ♪
♪ Ran with the pack ♪
♪ I was born a king ♪
♪ They talking family… ♪
[Alicia] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
Jimmy Uso.
[Michael] Corey Graves, a hobbled Jimmy Uso
because of what happened a couple of weeks ago
at Survivor Series WarGames.
[Corey] Caught in the grueling confines of the WarGames cage,
Jimmy Uso would launch himself from the top of the steel,
but in the process, keep a look at the right foot of Jimmy Uso,
suffering a broken toe.
Luckily, Jimmy is more mobile than he once was,
but in the wake of WarGames,
Solo Sikoa offered some incendiary comments.
Well, The OTC has responded.
We will hear from Roman Reigns following his win at Survivor Series tonight.
♪ They talking family first I put that in the past ♪
♪ Put in that in the past ♪
♪ Put that in the past ♪
[music fades]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd applauding]
[crowd chanting] Yeet! Yeet! Yeet! Yeet!
That's the wrong twin by the way.
[crowd laughing]
Hey, listen.
First off, WarGames was lit.
[crowd cheering]
WarGames didn't get Big Jim,
but it got my big toe.
[crowd laughing]
You know.
[scattered applause]
I need to say something.
WarGames, to me, meant everything.
Why?
Because you're sitting there with a bunch of family that we all have.
A bunch of family we might not like.
A bunch of family we always fight.
[crowd laughs]
But it's always the biggest… the biggest message is
you can bounce back and be right back with each other 100
and throw the ones up together, baby.
[crowd cheering]
And The OG Bloodline came up on top.
[crowd cheering]
But WarGames is now behind us.
What's in front of us?
That's the question.
It hurt.
For years, man, for years I've watched
our family dominate and entertain the WWE Universe
since I was right here.
Now, the fact that we get to do this,
man, it's a… it's a whole dream.
And we get to live this every single day.
And I'm proud for this.
I watch Roman Reigns be the most dominant champion.
I'm proud of that.
-I watch… -[crowd cheering]
[hesitates]
[scoffs]
[crowd chanting] OTC! OTC! OTC!
OTC! OTC! OTC! OTC!
I watched my twin brother,
"Main Event" Jey Uso…
[crowd] Yeet!
…become one of the hottest Superstars today.
[crowd] Yeet!
Coming from a childhood memory…
[crowd] Yeet!
…to a real life dream.
[crowd] Yeet!
I'm proud of that.
I'm even prouder of my little brother, Solo Sikoa.
[crowd booing]
I mean, I said I'm proud of him.
I mean, I might not like what he's doing and all that,
but I am proud of the boy.
So, with that being said, man,
I'm so proud of that, but I also find myself…
asking,
actually reading what y'all be saying.
"What's next for you, Big Jim?"
"What you gonna do, Big Jim?"
I got an answer for y'all. The answer is I don't know.
But I want y'all to ride with Big Jim.
It's a big year in front of Big Jim.
It's gonna be a big year for Big Jim.
It might be Royal Rumble winner.
[crowd cheering]
I might go after the US Title.
[crowd cheering]
Hell, if we are over here talking about dreams, dream big.
I might as well go after the WWE Undisputed Championship too.
[crowd exclaims]
So, hey, big year in front of Big Jim
and ain't nothing gonna stop me from doing what I love to do,
and that's showing up week in, week out.
There ain't no OTC here.
There ain't no, uh, there ain't no Jay here.
There ain't no Sammy here. There ain't no CM Punk here.
The Wise Man ain't here.
Your boy Jimmy Uso showed up with one big toe.
[scattered applause]
A new year is coming for me, baby.
Jimmy Uso!
[Michael] Well, Jimmy Uso excited for--
Oh my God! McIntyre with a Claymore!
[crowd booing]
And McIntyre is not done yet.
The ring now filling up with officials.
First the attack on Sami Zayn on Monday Night Raw.
-Corey, now tonight, Jimmy Uso. -What the hell is this?
[Corey] Drew McIntyre obviously not in a very safe headspace…
-Get out. -…for the rest of the WWE roster.
The Scottish Warrior laying waste to Jimmy Uso.
Whatever big plans Big Jim had
might have just been put on hold indefinitely.
[crowd booing]
[Michael] Just another example of
the ramifications.
Do you have any idea what this means to me, Drew?
You got that sheepish smile on your face.
Even enjoying it. What the hell is your problem?
[Michael] That the four-plus-year Bloodline saga has had to
just about everyone here in WWE.
[crowd cheering]
[Candice] There she is.
Look at you. Like a Christmas present.
Are you ready?
Duh, it is Tiffy Time,
and nobody is going to take that away from me.
You're right, and I have all faith in you tonight.
And when you become the first-ever Women's United States Champion,
you won't need your briefcase anymore. [chuckles]
It is all about your legacy, Tiffany.
You want it to be you won round after round in the tournament
and became the first-ever.
You don't need to resort to cheap tactics, right?
Right.
I'm sure you are going to blow us away.
We'll be watching. Good luck.
Thanks.
[Michael] Our first semifinal matchup is next.
…a meeting. Not for you to pull a stunt like this.
We're supposed to be here to talk about you coming to SmackDown.
I wanna deal with this? I don't wanna deal with this kinda thing.
Understand what I'm saying?
We've known each other a long time, but I can't pull this.
God, the amount of paperwork this means.
All of this stuff is a giant headache, and it is all because of you.
[sighs] God!
[exhales] Hey.
-Hey, um… -[crowd cheering]
Is this still a good time to talk, or should we come back?
[sighs] It's fine.
Go in my office, please.
[sighs, inhales, exhales]
I know you said you wanted to talk,
so please tell me it is about Jade and who attacked her.
It is about Jade.
[sighs] Look, all I can say at the moment is that the investigation is still ongoing
and we don't really have a conclusion yet.
So the reason I want to talk to you is
unfortunately, that leaves us in bit of an awkward position because
I don't see any other option besides
you having to relinquish the Tag Team Titles
because you can't defend them.
No. No, I don't… I don't wanna do that.
-What are you talking about? No! -I'm sorry--
Listen, Bianca has never relinquished anything in her life,
and I don't want her to start now.
If she needs a Tag Team partner, I can step up to the plate.
-Yes. Yes. Listen, listen, listen. -[Nick sighs]
I know this is not an ideal situation,
but it's been done before, and Naomi always had my back.
-So please tell me this can be an option. -I got you.
[sighing] I don't know.
[sighs] I'll run it up the flagpole, okay?
But, listen, if you're gonna do it, you're gonna have to be fighting champions
and I'm talking about being ready to defend them as early as next week.
-All right? -Let's do it.
If you can do that, then we can do it.
-Okay. -Let's do it. We got it.
All right.
[Michael] Corey, you like the call by our general manager?
[Corey] It's a great call by Aldis, and a lot of respect is due for Naomi
for stepping up when Bianca needs her friend.
[Tiffany] It's Tiffy Time!
["Tiffy Time" by WWE, def rebel playing]
♪ Drop ♪
♪ I'm going in Bass so loud it's in my skin ♪
♪ Drop, I wanna see Ya drop, drop, drop, drop, drop… ♪
[bell rings]
[Alicia] The following is a semifinals match
in the Women's United States Championship Tournament.
Introducing first, from Prior Lake, Minnesota,
Ms. Money in the Bank,
Tiffany Stratton.
[Michael] First of two semifinal matches here tonight.
The finals to crown the very first ever Women's United States Champion
takes place tomorrow night.
Saturday Night's Main Event,
8:00 Eastern, 5:00 Pacific live nationwide tomorrow night.
[Corey] It just may be Tiffany Stratton
who provides us all with a whole new reason for the season.
I don't know about you, Cole, but I'm feeling festive tonight.
♪ I wanna see ya drop, drop, drop, drop ♪
[music fades]
["I Am" by WWE, def rebel playing]
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ I am, I am, I am the one ♪
♪ Ain't hard to see ♪
♪ Hard to see, you know… ♪
[Alicia] And her opponent, from Fontana, California,
Michin.
[Michael] Michin knocked off Piper Niven…
-It's Michin's Moment. -…and Lash Legend
in a Triple Threat matchup to advance to the semifinals.
Tiffany Stratton advanced last week with a win over Naomi and Elektra Lopez
in Triple Threat action.
Great time for the Women's division, Corey, over on Monday Night Raw.
The tournament underway
to crown the first-ever Women's Intercontinental Champion.
[Corey] Just speaks to the depth and the overabundance of talent
we have right now in WWE's Women's Division.
-Be it Raw, SmackDown, or NXT. -[bell rings]
Winner of this matchup takes on the winner of Belsie, uh, of Bayley…
-[Michael] "Belsie"? -…Chelsea Green.
She's all over me today. I'll tell you about that in the match later,
but nonetheless, Bayley and Chelsea Green later on tonight.
[Michale] Tiffany, Michin, start things off in this one.
Tiffany, a former NXT Champion.
Michin never held a championship in WWE.
She's a former Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion, however.
[Corey] I believe that fact is
why Michin has been so driven and so laser-focused recently.
We've seen, arguably, the best in-ring competition
Michin has provided in her WWE tenure recently.
[Michael] Oh, nice takedown by Michin, hammering away
with the right hands now on Tiffany Stratton.
-[Michin grunts] -Oh, and a drop-kick by Michin.
[Corey] As confident as Tiffany Stratton tends to be,
you cannot look past Michin.
She is a veteran. She has a world of experience.
And Michin knows a million-plus-one ways to beat you.
[Michael] You know, WWE Women's Champion Nia Jax seems
a bit concerned over the fact that her buddy, Tiffany Stratton,
holds the Money in the Bank briefcase.
Tiffany could cash in any time she wants for a championship opportunity.
Nia is saying, "Hey, if you become
the first-ever Women's United States Champion,
then you don't need to," as she called it, "take the cheap route,"
and use the Money in the Bank to cash in for a title.
[Corey] Michin able to put the brakes on for the moment.
[Michin grunts]
Oh my goodness.
Stratton sent to the outside, able to land on her feet,
but here comes Michin.
[Michael] Oh! And right to the face of Tiffany Stratton.
[indistinct conversation]
And Michin now, measuring her opponent, got caught face first off the apron.
[crow cheering]
And Stratton is now taking over because it's Tiffy Time!
-[Tiffany grunts] -[Michael] Oh!
[Corey] That is nasty.
[Michael] Who will advance to the finals of the tournament?
Tiffany or Michin?
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Tiffany Stratton is in control of this matchup over Michin.
The winner advances to the finals
of the Women's United States Championship Tournament
tomorrow night at Saturday Night's Main Event.
[Corey] Great wherewithal in that moment from Michin.
-Rolling out of harm's way. -[Tiffany screams]
[Michael] Tiffany Stratton could've sprained her ankle there.
She came down hard. Michin rolling out of harm's way.
And now Michin with a big kick, and down goes Tiffany Stratton.
[groans]
Winner of this match faces either Bayley or Chelsea Green.
[Michin shouting indistinctly]
The battle to become the first-ever Women's United States Champion.
Oh, nice DDT by Michin!
[Corey] That could do it. That could punch Michin's ticket to the finals.
[Michael] Off the second rope. Tornado DDT by Michin.
Cover now to advance to tomorrow night on Long Island.
And a kick out by Stratton.
[man] What time is it?
[Michael] The opportunity to make history.
The first-ever Men's United States Champion
was Harley Race back in 1974.
Who will become the first-ever Women's United States Champion?
[Tiffany grunts]
[Corey] Great athleticism by Stratton. Looking for the Alabama Slam, perhaps.
Michin has a waist lock applied.
Now grasping on the top rope. Brilliant maneuver by Michin.
Now looking to slip into a tarantula.
[Michael] And she's got a five count here before she has to break.
Can't risk disqualification here.
Shades of Tajiri with the tarantula by Michin.
Now second rope.
-Missile dropkick. -[Corey] Nobody home.
Stratton out of the way just in the nick of time.
[Michael] Tiffany now trying to use her gymnastic background
to her advantage. Alabama Slam!
Cover. Stacks up Michin.
For the win. And a kick-out at two.
Tiffany Stratton realized
that might have been it.
[Corey] I think Tiffany is spending a lot of valuable time right now
trying to recover as we look again
at the whiplash impact of the Alabama Slam.
[crowd applauding]
-[crowd chanting] Let's go, Tiffy! -[Corey] Stratton unable to finish.
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Tiffy!
[Michael] And Michin now with the sleeper hold.
Tiffany Stratton into the corner.
And that'll break the hold on Michin.
Tiffany Stratton, Ms. Money in the Bank.
Up to the second rope. Michin fighting back.
[Michin grunts]
[Corey] Headbutt rocks Tiffany Stratton.
Now Michin trying to gain her footing on the top turnbuckle.
[Michael] And Tiffany Stratton. Michin took a little bit too much time.
Stratton able to take advantage.
And now Tiffany with Michin on her shoulders.
A rolling senton by Stratton puts Michin in position now.
-[Corey] Here it comes. -[Michael] The Prettiest Moonsault Ever.
Caught Michin.
[Corey] I don't know how much of it she caught.
Michin I think maybe just elbows--
[Michael] Eat Defeat!
-Cover. -[crowd] One, two…
-[Michael] Michin to the finals. -[bell rings]
["I Am" by WWE, def rebel playing]
[Alicia] Here is your winner, Michin.
[Michael] I think you're right. I think Michin was rolling out of harm's way.
Stratton just barely caught her with the Moonsault.
Michin able to capitalize.
[Corey] I believe most of the impact was gonna be from the arms,
perhaps the elbows of Tiffany Stratton.
The majority of her weight and impact missing Michin
on the Prettiest Moonsault Ever attempt.
There it is. Eat Defeat.
And Michin has punched her ticket to the finals
to crown the first-ever Women's United States Champion.
Who will stand opposite? We'll find out tonight.
♪ Peep the game ♪
♪ I got the game on lock jaw ♪
♪ I'm that fury, I'm that fire… ♪
You're coming home with me.
[exhales] I'm gonna love you so much.
♪ Take a look, getting hot, make it cook ♪
The question is,
who will become the inaugural Women's United States Champion?
We find out tomorrow night. We have brand-new Tag Team Champions.
This is what happened last week on Friday Night SmackDown.
The Street Profits were supposed to take on the Motor City Machine Guns.
However, the Profits were attacked in the back.
They're out of action indefinitely, not medically clear to compete.
So, DIY steps up. They want a tag match.
General Manager Nick Aldis says, "You've got it."
Let's take you to the action from last week on Friday Night SmackDown.
Motor City Machine Guns defending here, Corey,
against Gargano and Ciampa.
You can shut the hell up.
[Corey] For the past several weeks, we have seen tensions
perhaps boiling over within DIY.
But in a shocking turn of events,
Johnny Gargano would deliver a low blow to Chris Sabin
off of the distraction provided by Ciampa.
Alex Shelley caught in a moment of disbelief
by a superkick from Johnny Wrestling.
-Meet in the middle and new. -[crowd] One, two, three…
[bell rings]
[Corey] A perfectly laid trap, courtesy of DIY.
♪ …gonna save you ♪
♪ You gotta do it Just say you're on top ♪
[invigorating music playing]
August 2nd, 2024.
I return home to Cleveland, Ohio, the Champion.
It's supposed to be the best night of my life,
but what happened?
[Ciampa] We were screwed out of our Tag Team Titles,
screwed out of our justified rematch for our Tag Team Titles.
In my city, in front of my family, in front of my friends,
in front of my two-year-old son.
I was embarrassed.
But I took all that, and I bottled it up deep down inside, and I soldiered on.
And the next week, I looked into this camera,
and I told the world I was gonna do whatever it takes
to right the wrong and get those titles back.
I just didn't know what that meant yet.
Then, then enter Motor City Machine Guns,
red carpet and all, jumping straight to the front of the line,
-taking our spot. -[bell rings]
I'm in the midst of chaos, all anybody can talk about is,
"Oh my God, Alex Shelley and his mentorship with Johnny Gargano."
And while they were all looking left,
we took one step right.
We're always two steps ahead.
It was so good to see my good friend Alex Shelley again.
Everything they've done for Tag Team wrestling,
I'm glad they finally got their flowers.
Unfortunately, it came at their funeral.
[crowd exclaims]
Whatever it takes.
But now we are on to better days
'cause we are your two-time WWE Tag Team Champions of the World.
Greatest Tag Team alive.
I am the madman. This guy right here, he's the mastermind.
Best tag team in the world. B-T-T-I-T-W, DIY, baby.
We are DIY.
[music fades]
[Corey] Someone else who knows a thing or two about winning
and retaining gold, the OTC.
We will hear from Roman Reigns
who has responded to the comments of Solo Sikoa
in the wake of WarGames tonight.
[Michael] We're back on Friday Night SmackDown.
Earlier tonight, we saw Drew McIntyre attack Jimmy Uso,
the ramifications of what is now a four-plus year saga of The Bloodline.
Last week, the new Bloodline, led by Solo Sikoa,
embarrassed by the original Bloodline and Survivor Series WarGames,
took out the frustration on many on the SmackDown roster.
[music ends]
[Corey] Nothing cures embarrassment quite like punishment.
The Bloodline upon arriving at the arena last week,
immediately wreaking havoc on Apollo Cruz and security.
I tell you what. You can-- What the hell?
[Corey] And as Andrade attempted to interject with LA Knight,
everybody would feel the wrath of the new Bloodline.
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.
And I still got this.
Acknowledge me.
[crowd booing]
Well, there is still one person
who won't acknowledge Solo Sikoa as the Tribal Chief.
That is the OTC, the Original Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns,
who had this to say about Solo Sikoa and his statements.
♪ Makin' money, sold low ♪
[dramatic music playing]
It's been a rough year.
Not that long ago…
we ran everything.
And then in the spring and through the summer, it all fell apart.
I lost my title.
I lost my wise man.
[crowd exclaims]
I lost The Bloodline.
[shouting]
The entire Bloodline.
But most importantly, I lost my Ula Fala.
See, the thing is, Solo,
four years ago, you weren't here.
I didn't take
that Ula Fala.
I earned it.
My father, my uncle,
your great uncles,
they crowned me with that responsibility because I was the man to lead this family.
[music intensifies]
The only thing that matters to me is my family and my Ula Fala
and the responsibility that only I can handle.
So for some, January 6 is Netflix. That's what it's all about.
For me,
it's Tribal Combat.
Your Bloodline won one.
[bell rings]
And mine won one.
[bell rings]
I say we leave the tribes on the side and let them spectate.
Tribal Chief versus Tribal Chief.
On January 6, on Netflix,
I take back my Bloodline.
On January 6,
I take back my Ula Fala.
On January 6…
I take back my respect.
And once I have that respect…
the whole world will have no choice…
but to acknowledge me.
[music fades]
You need to make some decisions because I got you figured out, Nicholas.
You like to play favorites, always tus favoritos.
And I'm sick of it.
I mean, people are getting attacked backstage.
Jade Cargill.
-Street Profits. -Street Profits.
-And not by us. -What's going on?
I mean, what kind of bingo are you running here?
Bingo.
You know what? Maybe, just maybe, we're better off with, what's his name?
-Adam Pearce. -Adam Pearce over at Raw.
Yeah. Get him on the phone.
-Right here. -Yeah, give him a call right now.
I'm sure he can't wait for that conversation.
Hey, you know, all this hype around this mystery opponent,
just for me to make light work of him, it's kinda crazy, don't you think?
-Light work? -Yeah.
We'll see how light this is gonna be for you.
-Good luck. -We will see.
[Michael] Who is Carmelo's opponent gonna be?
["Melo Don't Miss" by WWE, def rebel playing]
♪ Cause I'm the greatest, Ain't no hatin', I'm the best here ♪
♪ You want your shot Well I guess you wait 'til next year ♪
♪ I'm at the top Get respect while I get feared ♪
♪ Who got a problem, huh? ♪
♪ Tell 'em to step here ♪
♪ Step here ♪
♪ What? Yeah Come on ♪
♪ 'Cause I'm the greatest No arguing or debating ♪
-♪ He in my face… ♪ -[bell rings]
[Alicia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Boston, Massachusetts,
weighing in at 210 pounds,
Carmelo Hayes.
[Michael] Melo is gonna take on the newest member of the SmackDown roster.
You saw Drew McIntyre here earlier, Corey,
that's because the transfer window is underway over the next few weeks.
Raw, SmackDown, and NXT.
General… general manager's gonna be working out deals with Superstars
and shake up the rosters a little bit
as we head to the kickoff of Netflix on January 6th.
[music continues]
[Corey] Carmelo Hayes finds himself in the unenviable position
of not being able to prepare for his opponent tonight.
And with as deep as the talent pool currently is,
it could be anybody.
♪ I been in this here for years And I'm runnin' strong ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ 'Cause I'm the greatest, Ain't no hatin', I'm the best here ♪
[music fades]
[scattered applause]
["Monster of All Monsters" playing]
[Michael] Oh no.
[Corey] This is what you call a worst case scenario.
[Michael] Nothing light about this man.
He's one big SOB.
The Monster is in this building.
[Michael] The Monster of All Monsters.
[fireworks exploding]
Let's go!
[Alicia] And his opponent,
weighing in at 385 pounds,
Braun Strowman!
[Michael] Corey, Carmelo Hayes continues to run his mouth,
and it continues to get him in trouble.
Now he's got to go one-on-one with 6'8", 385 pounds of Braun Strowman.
[Corey] Hayes needs to somehow figure out a way
to compartmentalize the fear he is no doubt experiencing.
And look on the bright side,
a win over Braun Strowman would do wonders for the career
of an upstart like Carmelo Hayes.
[Michael] Better get his head in the game.
Braun Strowman returning to WWE.
Last time we saw him I believe was back in September
in that hellacious Last Monster Standing Match
with Bronson Reed.
So it looks like Braun Strowman is the first in the transfer window
to switch brands from Raw to SmackDown.
And Hayes now goes to work on Strowman.
If you're Carmelo Hayes,
what do you do to try to take out Braun Strowman?
[Corey] Utilize your quickness and agility.
If Strowman can't get his hands on you,
Strowman can't inflict his own unique brand of damage.
-This-- Oh God. -[Michael] Oh!
That is like flying into a wall.
Hayes cannot believe that Strowman is just brushing that off.
[Corey] That can be absolutely disheartening for a Superstar
to fire your best shot and have no effect whatsoever on the opposition.
[Michael] Yeah, but Hayes had Strowman down momentarily
as Braun shoves him out of harms way and up on his shoulder just like that.
Was going for the running powerslam.
[Braun screaming]
Oh! Shoulder first! And Hayes may have an opening!
And to your point, Corey, what a win this would be!
[Corey] No doubt. This is smart.
Smart strategy by Hayes.
Try to chop the big man down.
[Michael] This time to the back of the neck of Strowman.
Cover now by Hayes.
And a kick-out with authority at one by Strowman.
[Corey] Again, there are some aspects of this industry
that even experience won't prepare you for.
One of those issues--
-Braun Strowman. -[Michael] Oh! Strowman catching Hayes!
[crowd cheering]
In midair, running powerslam!
-Welcome to SmackDown! -[crowd] One, two, three!
[bell rings]
["Monster of All Monsters" playing]
[Alicia] Here is your winner, Braun Strowman!
[Michael] General Manager Nick Aldis should be applauded, Corey,
bringing Braun Strowman to Friday nights.
[Corey] Definitely a big get for SmackDown.
And unfortunately for Carmelo Hayes, Melo did miss
as he was unable to prepare for the task that was Braun Strowman.
Take a look at this.
Carmelo Hayes launches himself right into the grasp of the Monster of All Monsters.
And the running powerslam from Braun Strowman
is all she wrote for Carmelo Hayes.
[Michael] Braun Strowman about to wreak havoc on Friday nights.
I wasn't ready!
[man] Go home!
[indistinct shouting]
LA Knight, last week we saw you get assaulted
and ambushed by The Bloodline.
But tonight, you've got Solo Sikoa.
How concerned are you about the new Tribal Chief?
Let me talk to you.
[crowd cheering]
The man they call The Megastar is in the building in Hartford.
-[crowd cheering] -Yeah!
[crowd] Yeah!
Now whether I'm in Hartford or anywhere else,
the one thing that I've done my entire career is I've made sure
to basically handle my business and only my business and do it my way.
Now at WarGames, I was asked,
"Hey man, we'd love for you to get involved in this Bloodline business."
And I said, "No, no!"
And you know why? Because it ain't my business.
Don't need anything to do with that.
They don't have anything to offer me. I don't care about an Ufa Lafa.
I don't care about that. I don't need that.
What I'm worried about is gold.
That little red necklace doesn't do anything for me, so I tell you like this.
That whole dysfunctional family, I ain't got any love for Roman Reigns.
I ain't got any love for Solo. As a matter of fact,
that whole family can go to hell.
The only person that really is worth a damn, I could say, is Jay Uso.
Yeet.
Yeah!
So, Solo, what you've done right now
is you've let your necklace, your red necklace,
get in the way of my gold belt.
And what that means is now my fist is gonna have to get in the way of your face.
And my foot's gonna get in the way of your big fat ass.
[crowd cheering]
And what that means is
whether you remember to grab your Ufa Lafa or you don't,
you will remember whose game this is with everybody saying…
[crowd] LA Knight!
Yeah!
[Michael] Knight versus Solo Sikoa. Next.
And earlier tonight, the OTC, Roman Reigns
challenged this man, Solo Sikoa, to Tribal Combat for the Ula Fala
at the debut of Monday Night Raw on Netflix
in Los Angeles.
♪ Will not take a loss I'm taking it all ♪
♪ We kick in the door Dropping you down to the floor ♪
[bell rings]
[Alicia] The following contest is scheduled one fall.
Introducing first,
accompanied by "The Samoan Werewolf" Jacob Fatu,
and Toma Tonga,
Solo Sikoa!
[Michael] Corey, you know Solo Sikoa listened very intently
to the words of Roman Reigns earlier tonight.
[Corey] No doubt about it,
and I fully expect Solo Sikoa to use this matchup as an opportunity
to send a message to The OTC.
Solo can take out all of his anger, all of his embarrassment,
all of his frustration from WarGames out on the head of LA Knight.
And that is the Ula Fala around the neck of Solo Sikoa,
not the "Ufa Lafa" as LA Knight referred to it. That--
[Corey] As though Solo needed any extra motivation
to kick LA Knight in the teeth,
LA Knight provided it.
[Michael] And again, the Ula Fala, Corey,
that symbolizes the man who is the leader of the tribe.
He's the Tribal Chief, the head of the table, Solo Sikoa.
Of the new Bloodline.
And that's what has Roman all worked up
because he was given the Ula Fala by his father and his uncle.
[Corey] It was bestowed upon Roman Reigns in a traditional ceremony.
It's extremely valuable.
[Michael] And Solo, in his mind, stole it.
[Corey] And Solo, in his mind, took it because he earned it.
♪ Ready for war Better than ever before ♪
♪ Taking it all Break down the walls ♪
♪ My Bloodline is hard to the core We taking it all ♪
♪ I have been destined to win ♪
[music fades]
[crowd booing]
[fans shouting indistinctly]
[booing continues]
[crowd chanting] You suck!
You suck! You suck! You suck!
[crowd] OTC! OTC!
OTC! OTC!
Hartford, Connecticut.
[crowd booing]
Acknowledge me.
[crowd booing]
[indistinct]
Roman Reigns.
♪ L-A ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] He doesn't learn.
[Corey] If you're gonna make Solo angry,
you might as well make him so mad his head explodes.
The Megastar better be ready for a fight tonight.
I'm gonna get back on yours. How about that?
[Alicia] And his opponent from Los Angeles, California,
weighing in at 240 pounds,
LA Knight.
[Michael] I mean, you got to admire the courage of LA Knight.
Walk out here, get in Solo's face and not back down.
Listen, these two are no strangers to one another.
LA Knight has had run-ins with Solo Sikoa in the past
as part of the whole original Bloodline setup.
But LA Knight was upset
that last week he was attacked by the new Bloodline.
He was trying to make a point to try to get his United States Championship back
from the man who took the title from him, Shinsuke Nakamura.
[crowd] LA Knight, yeah!
[Corey] As much as LA Knight wants his United States Championship back,
I think this is more about gaining a foothold here in WWE.
The landscape is changing every single week.
We see it on Raw. We see it on SmackDown.
LA Knight knows that if you don't have gold,
if you don't have the arenas chanting your name,
you could get lost in the shuffle.
This is of the utmost importance
that LA Knight dust himself off and get back on the horse
after losing his United States gold.
[Michael] Solo Sikoa giving his Ula Fala to his enforcer,
"The Samoan Werewolf" Jacob Fatu.
[banging on ring]
[Michael] That was Jacob.
[Corey] Don't say his name too loud. Let's try to get him to forget we're here.
It's like a T-Rex. You don't move, he can't see you.
[Michael] And the very strange Tama Tonga also at ringside.
Remember, Tonga Loa out of action,
tore his biceps in the attack by CM Punk inside WarGames a couple of weeks back.
And here we go. LA Knight, Solo Sikoa underway.
[crowd] Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
[Corey] Goes to show you how LA Knight's feeling tonight.
Starting the match off of the opening bell by trading bombs
with the new Tribal Chief.
[Michael] And this could be the night to pick off Solo Sikoa.
Again, he was gonna mention Roman Reigns before being interrupted by LA Knight.
Reigns making the challenge for three weeks.
The debut of Raw on Netflix in Los Angeles.
Tribal Combat to try to bring the Ula Fala home in Roman Reigns' mind.
[Corey] Both of these Superstars currently very emotionally volatile.
Curious to see how that factors into this matchup.
Both men going for broke in the early moments.
But if Solo's making the mistake of focusing too much on Roman
and what could be Tribal Combat,
LA Knight's going to beat Solo.
Conversely, if LA Knight's thinking about anything but Solo Sikoa,
it would be a bad night for The Megastar.
[Michael] And the other thing, Corey, we saw how LA Knight responded
to Shinsuke Nakamura getting in his head, playing mind games with him.
It didn't bode well, and it didn't work out well for LA Knight
at Survivor Series with the title on the line.
[Corey] LA Knight has vowed very publicly that that will never happen again.
-But, boom! -[LA Knight groans]
He can say it all he wants. He's got to show it to the WWE Universe.
[Michael] United States Championship, the first title won in WWE by LA Knight.
Meant so much to this man.
He was a fighting champion, defended on many different occasions.
[crowd booing]
Five!
[Corey] LA Knight was extremely proud of his United States Championship reign
and has every reason to be. Boom!
[screams]
[Michael] This is where it's dangerous for Knight.
Outside the ring with Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu lurking.
[referee] Eight!
Nine!
[Corey] LA Knight rolling under the bottom rope,
forcing the official to break his count,
but unfortunately for The Megastar, right at the feet of the new Tribal Chief.
[indistinct conversation]
Get back inside the ring.
[Michael] Almost like Sikoa is getting ready for Tribal Combat tonight.
Battling outside the ring.
Sikoa now, driven into the steps by Knight.
Three!
-[Michael] Now LA Knight on the attack. -[referee] Four!
[Michael] And now it's Solo's turn to be bounced off the announce table.
And LA Knight mounting Sikoa.
And hammering away with the right hands.
-[crowd] Yeah! Yeah! -Yeah!
Seven!
[Michael] And Solo sent right back into the ring by Knight.
[LA Knight grunts]
-[LA Knight grunting] -[crowd] Yeah!
Yeah!
[Michael] Knight went across the ring.
Samoan Drop!
[Corey] And just that quickly, Solo can turn the tides of a matchup.
Launching Knight into the sky before driving him down into the canvas.
And once again, Solo has taken control of a matchup off of this maneuver.
Big-time Samoan Drop.
[Michael] Earlier tonight, Jimmy Uso kicking off the show,
talking about the success of Solo Sikoa,
even though he doesn't condone the way that his little brother goes about it.
Jimmy was then attacked by Drew McIntyre
with a Claymore out of nowhere to kick off the show.
[LA Knight grunts]
And that's Knight with a kick to the face.
And LA Knight! Down goes Solo!
[scattered applause]
[man] I love you, Solo!
[Michael] LA Knight hanging on.
Solo Sikoa now sent over the top rope by Knight again out to the floor.
The problem now is LA Knight's playing with fire
every time he comes outside the ring with Tama Tonga and company outside.
[Corey] Unintentionally.
[Michael] And Sikoa now!
Oh, the Spinning Solo right on our announce table!
-Solo Sikoa has taken control! -[LA Knight groaning]
[referee] Inside, Solo! One!
[Michael] And we are back on Friday Night SmackDown.
You may have noticed right there during the commercial break,
Solo Sikoa with a Drive-By to LA Knight.
That a classic move of one Roman Reigns.
[Corey] Solo knows exactly what he's doing.
Solo's trying his best to get under the skin of Roman Reigns.
[Michael] The Original Tribal Chief.
[Corey] Ah, look at this!
[Michael] And now again mocking Reigns once again.
Locked and loaded.
Reigns challenged Solo to Tribal Combat on the Raw premiere on Netflix.
Went for the Superman punch!
LA Knight though!
Able to counter with a back suplex!
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Does LA Knight have enough left in the tank
to turn the tides in this one?
The Megastar grasping at anything he can get his hands on,
trying to bring himself back to a vertical base.
[Michael] He was assaulted by The Bloodline last week
as The Bloodline attacked him.
[crowd chanting] LA Knight!
[Michael] Here on Friday Night SmackDown following the loss at WarGames.
Knight now fighting back.
Right hand by the former United States Champion.
[crowd] Yeah!
[crowd cheering]
Knight takes down Solo with a flying clothesline.
And now mounting Solo with the right hands.
[LA Knight grunting]
Knight been the aggressor for a lot of this matchup.
-[LA Knight grunting] -[crowd] Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
Knight into the corner!
With a running knee to Sikoa and now LA Knight in control.
[crowd applauding, cheering]
And Knight feeding off his capacity crowd here tonight at the XL Center in Hartford.
[Corey] LA wants a BFT. Here it comes!
[Michael] Solo able to counter and step outside the ring.
Moving out of harm's way is Sikoa.
[Corey] Knight gonna give chase.
Trying to line up Solo from the apron.
[Michael] And now Knight taking out both Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu!
Neutralizing that threat at least momentarily.
[Corey] It was a smart strategy as long as Jacob and Tama stayed down.
LA Knight just set the timer on himself.
-[Michael] And now Fatu! -[Corey] Oh God!
[Michael] Over the table! Over the announce table and into the wall!
[Corey] Knight just dodged a bullet
and The Megastar has a chance to knock off Solo Sikoa.
[Michael] The Samoan Werewolf sent over the table.
Superkick now by Solo.
Looking for a Samoan Spike. Knight!
-Down goes Sikoa! -[crowd exclaims]
[Corey] Side Effect by Knight.
Can LA finish the job now from the second turnbuckle?
[scattered applause]
[crowd] LA Knight, yeah!
[Michael] Knight off the top rope with the elbow!
-Into the heart of Sikoa! -[crowd] One, two…
[Michael] Solo kicks out at two!
[Corey] And that could be soul crushing for LA Knight.
[Michael] My goodness! Corey, get the hell out of the way!
"The Samoan Werewolf" Jacob Fatu has risen from the ashes!
-And he's now attacking LA Knight! -[bell rings]
Attacking Knight. The bell rings!
Sikoa will be disqualified!
[crowd booing]
And the assault is on!
[Corey] Someone needs to stop Fatu!
-[Michael] And stop Tama Tonga as well! -[shouts]
-This crazy man! -[Corey] Look out!
[Michael] Jacob Fatu on the belly of LA Knight!
[crowd booing]
[shouting indistinctly]
[Michael] Just a savage assault by Fatu!
[crowd booing]
And now LA Knight sent back into the ring. This match is over.
The officials called it off, but it doesn't matter.
LA Knight about to be a sacrifice to Solo Sikoa with a Samoan Spike.
[Tama grunts]
[Michael] And now the attack!
[Corey] Here come the hyenas.
[Michael] And I hope Roman Reigns is watching.
He made the challenge for Tribal Combat.
[Corey] Wait a minute. Here comes Andrade and Apollo Cruz!
[Michael] Two of the men taken out last week by The Bloodline,
rushing to the ring to the aid of LA Knight!
[Corey] Down goes Fatu!
But look out, Andrade!
[Michael] Spike to Andrade!
-And one to Cruz as well! -[yelling]
[crowd booing]
[Corey] It certainly looks to me
like Solo Sikoa is more than ready for Tribal Combat.
[Michael] The Bloodline led by Solo Sikoa.
♪ Taking it all ♪
They were embarrassed in WarGames.
They're pissed off tonight!
They're raising hell, as Sikoa,
to Corey's point,
seems ready for Roman Reigns in Tribal Combat.
And the battle for that,
the Ula Fala and supremacy over The Bloodline.
♪ Tell 'em my time is now ♪
♪ I'm active and ready to fight ♪
♪ Been through the struggle The hustle, the pain ♪
♪ I see the smiles From the fake on they face ♪
♪ This is my time Ain't no time to waste ♪
♪ The warrior's ready They're screaming my name ♪
♪ We taking it all ♪
♪ Settle the score No I will not take a loss ♪
[Michael] Jacob Fatu is one scary individual.
♪ We taking it all ♪
♪ Ready for war Better than ever before ♪
♪ Taking it all ♪
[Michael] The Bloodline is one scary group.
♪ I am controlling the game ♪
♪ You should not step in my lane ♪
♪ We not the same I am elite, know the name ♪
[music fades]
Braun, Braun, Braun, Braun.
[hesitates] We were just out there and we saw you and we were like…
[both gasping]
'Cause we've been trying to find a monster for months,
and you are the perfect amount of hideous.
-Perfect for Pretty Deadly The Musical. -The Musical.
-I think-- -Read it over. It's good stuff.
Come on. At least sleep on it.
-Hello? -Wasn't a no. Yes!
Excuse me, Braun Strowman, welcome back to Friday Night Smack--
Big acquisition like Braun Strowman.
Can't have Byron Saxton doing the interview.
Yeah. Why are you still standing here?
-Go! Go, man! Get out of here. -Get out of here, idiot.
Hey, we're really sorry but we just thought
a big star like Braun Strowman needs
a real journalist asking hard-hitting questions
so what about next week Braun Strowman on The Grayson Waller Effect?
Just picture that. Yeah.
[Braun inhales]
Big show. Big show for Braun.
You know what? I'll see you guys next week.
-Yes, dude! I told you, lad. -You said it!
-You called it. -Hey, how does that feel, Byron?
["Role Model" by WWE, def rebel playing]
[crowd cheering]
♪ Role model ♪
[bell rings]
[Alicia] The following is a semi-final match
in the Women's United States Championship Tournament.
Introducing first, from San Jose, California,
Bayley!
[Michael] Earlier tonight, Michin
advanced into the finals
of the Women's United States Championship Tournament.
Who will join her tomorrow night at Saturday's
Saturday Night's Main Event?
Will it be Bayley or Chelsea Green?
One woman will make history tomorrow night on Long Island.
Our second semi-final matchup is up next.
[music fades]
["Role Model" playing]
[Michael] And there is Bayley ready for our semi-finals matchup
in the Women's United States Championship Tournament.
[music fades]
[Chelsea] Shh, it's Chelsea Green
♪ Deal pain, pain… ♪
[Alicia] And her opponent accompanied by Piper Niven.
From Victoria, BC,
Chelsea Green.
[Michael] Chelsea Green with an opportunity
to advance to the finals of this tournament.
♪ They look at my light… ♪
Chelsea Green
released her video Chelsea Confessions.
And she had her Holiday Naughty List with both Michin and Bayley on that list.
♪ You wanna ♪
♪ I'm a hot mess ♪
[Corey] Can you imagine
what Chelsea Green as the first-ever Women's United States Champion
would mean for not only WWE,
but our great nation and international relations?
It's gonna have global implications if Ms. Green comes up victorious.
[music fades]
[bell rings]
[Bayley grunting]
One, two…
What was that?
I wasn't even ready.
-She cheap-shotted you. -I wasn't even ready.
-[Bayley shouts] -Back it up.
[Michael] Chelsea Green out there getting some last-minute advice
by Piper Niven.
-[Corey] Pinning combination. -Cover now.
Shoulders down, and a kick out by Chelsea Green.
Now Green. And a kick-out by Bayley.
[Corey] Bayley rolls through a jackknife pinning combination.
Chelsea Green able to escape, but now counter into a cradle of her own.
[Michael] Green, shoulders down. And Bayley kicks out.
Winner of this match faces Michin tomorrow, Saturday Night's Main Event.
[indistinct conversation]
-[referee] Come on. Let's go. -[Chelsea grunting]
[yells]
-[referee] Get her out of the corner. -Okay.
-[Bayley grunts] -[Corey] Bayley into the corner.
Big right hand by Ms. Green.
So close!
[Michael] And Chelsea now barking at the WWE fans here in Hartford.
Chelsea Green whipping Bayley into the corner.
Chelsea,
Bayley, nice arm drag, takedown by Bayley.
[Bayley yelling]
[Michael] Bayley, who off the running clothesline cover now.
Stacks up Green in a kick out.
Bayley defeated B-FAB and Candice
in a Triple Threat Match to advance here tonight.
[Corey] Look, Bayley is a Grand Slam Champion here in WWE.
The Role Model has--
-[Michael] Was a Grand Slam champion. -[Corey] Well, thus far.
As far as the championships that were in existence
during her tenure.
Nice deep arm drag.
But Bayley, to me, needs to really refocus
and remind herself what got her to the dance in the first place.
-Strong cradle, shoulders down. -[Michael] And a kick-out.
[Corey] Bayley, once upon a time, was perpetually the underdog,
but managed to overcome every obstacle.
And lately, it seems Bayley's so focused on being a locker room leader
and looking out for the health of the entire division
that maybe she's let herself slack a little bit.
[Michael] Well, Chelsea Green's lucky she's in this matchup tonight.
She knocked off Bianca Belair back in a Triple Threat matchup
after Bianca had to rush to the back to check on her partner, Jade Cargill…
[referee] Eight!
…who had been attacked by still an unknown assailant.
[Corey] Luckily for Bianca Belair, Naomi was there to pick up the pieces…
[Bayley grunts]
…volunteering to be Bianca's partner for future championship defenses.
[Michael] Piper Niven trying to provide a distraction.
Now grabbing the leg of Bayley.
[Corey] Subtlety's never been Piper's strong suit,
but big stomp by Green.
[Michael] And Chelsea Green into the cover now on Bayley.
Hook to the leg.
Who will advance to the finals of the tournament?
[Michael] And we are back. Bayley and Chelsea Green,
semi-finals of the Women's United States Championship Tournament.
-[Chelsea yells] -[groans]
[Michael] Face first goes Bayley. Chelsea looking to advance.
Shoulders down for the win.
Bayley's got a kick at two.
Chelsea, a two-time Tag Team Champion
in WWE, has never held a singles title.
No, no, no. Hey, come on.
Chelsea claimed she was gonna show Bayley her seat
to the loser's table tonight.
Back it up. Come on.
Bayley.
-Come on, Chelsea. -What are you gonna do?
[scattered applause]
[both yelling]
Don't.
[indistinct conversation]
[crowd applauding]
[Michael] Bayley back to her feet, trying to fight back here in this matchup.
Chelsea Green very competitive here tonight.
Would love to advance to take on Michin,
although Chelsea may have nightmares if she has to face Michin tomorrow night.
Remember the Dumpster Match back in Nashville?
[Corey]Trust me, Cole,
there's not a single member of the WWE Universe
who doesn't remember that
because you bring it up ad nauseam every time Chelsea competes.
She's trying to put it in the past.
-[Michael] Chelsea now. -[referee] Back in the ring. Let's go.
[Michael] Outside the ring. Trying to control Bayley here.
Chin-lock. Drives Chelsea into the ring post does Bayley.
[Corey] Rear chin-lock on the ring apron was certainly a choice, but…
[Chelsea grunts]
Big right hand from Green connects, and Bayley answers.
[Chelsea grunts]
[Michael] Both women exchanging blows outside the ring.
Opportunity to make history tomorrow night,
the inaugural Women's United States Champion.
Oh, and Bayley hanging Green up on the second rope,
who just collapses to the floor.
Three!
-[Chelsea groans] -[Michael] Oh, and a…
[Corey] Another sliding clothesline by "The Role Model" Bayley.
[Michael] And look at Bayley go, right hands unloading on Green.
Four!
[Corey] What's Bayley looking for here?
[Michael] Oh, and a suplex!
[Corey] Out to the floor. Absolutely brutal.
[screams in pain]
[referee] Two!
[Corey] You almost feel the sense of urgency within Bayley,
scrambling to get Green back in the ring
and capitalize on the nasty landing on the suplex.
This is wily--
[Michael] Clothesline back suplex by Bayley.
Into the cover now, hook of the leg. Is it enough to advance?
Green able to kick-out at two and a half.
[Corey] Let's take another look at this vertical suplex on the outside.
[Bayley grunts]
[Michael] A lot of history in this building for Bayley.
It was here in Hartford back in 2019,
where Bayley won the Money in the Bank contract,
went in to cash in on the very same night to win the SmackDown Women's Championship.
Bayley would like to creep closer to history again here in Hartford tonight.
[yelling]
Oh, and a running knee by Chelsea.
[indistinct conversation]
[Corey] Chelsea having a momentary conference with Piper Niven
on the outside.
And now Green making the climb to the ropes.
[Michael] Off the second rope, nobody home.
Bayley rolls out of harm's way. And now Bayley's opportunity.
[Corey] Big running knee rocks the jaw of Chelsea.
[Michael] And Bayley… Oh, into the corner!
Chelsea hits the turnbuckles hard.
[Bayley grunting]
[Michael] Drags her back, center of the ring Bayley…
-Cover! -One, two…
[Michael] Green kicks out again!
What a great matchup between Bayley and Chelsea Green tonight.
[Corey] For a moment, Bayley looked a little disheartened,
but The Role Model realizes she's no stranger to these deep waters.
When the stakes are the highest, Bayley always finds a way to pull through.
[Michael] Bayley looking to put Green away.
Looking for the Bayley to Belly. Chelsea Green able to counter.
Rolls out Bayley here. Shoulders down, kick-out.
[Corey] Looking for the backstabber. Bayley held on to the top rope.
[Michael] Now Bayley with another opportunity.
And Green caught her with a Rough Ryder.
-Cover by Green. Hook to the leg. -One, two…
Kick-out by Bayley.
[scattered applause]
[Corey] Now look at disbelief washing over the face of Chelsea Green
as we look again at the Rough Ryder delivered by Chelsea.
Off the ropes and a bit of a…
sort of a version of the zigzag, I think, that Bayley was looking for there.
Took down Chelsea Green
and now The Role Model looking to follow through.
[Michael] Bayley going to head up to the top rope now.
Piper Niven dragging Chelsea Green out of harm's way.
And now Bayley with another one to the back to the neck of Niven.
[Corey] That was nasty.
[Michael] Chelsea driving Bayley into the barricade.
[Corey] Into the front row.
Get in the ring, Chelsea. You can get, yeah, count outs.
Count outs are in effect.
[Michael] Dan Igler, the official, now counting.
-Chelsea Green saying, hurry up. -Four!
[Michael] Count away. Count away.
Count of five. Bayley back into the ringside area.
-Seven! -[crowd] Seven!
[Michael] Count of seven.
Green could win via count out.
Bayley able to get back into the ring.
Green meets her with a kick.
And now Chelsea Green Unpretty-Her.
Cover.
-[crowd] One, two, three. -[Michael] Oh my God, Chelsea does it.
-[bell rings] -She's going to the finals.
["Hot Mess" playing]
[Alicia] Here is your winner,
Chelsea Green!
♪ Look in the crowd and they feeling me… ♪
[Michael] So Tomorrow night, the stage is set.
One of these women will make history
as the inaugural Women's United States Champion.
Will it be Michin, or will it be Chelsea Green?
♪ Really it's not what you wanna ♪
♪ They loving the looks and persona ♪
♪ Leave the drama for ya mama ♪
♪ But you can come play if you wanna ♪
The Motor City Machine Guns came to the WWE to make a statement.
That's exactly what we did when we won the WWE Tag Team Championships
in our third match here.
But of course, it's going to rub some people the wrong way.
We know that. We saw it with The Street Profits.
It was blatantly obvious with you, Tommaso Ciampa.
I want the title.
The one person I didn't expect it from.
[Michael] A low blow by Gargano.
Shelley cannot believe what Gargano just did.
And a superkick to his longtime friend, Alex Shelley.
Eighteen years and one superkick and our entire relationship is gone.
Just like that.
That's not the same Johnny Gargano that I broke into the industry.
Well, that worked.
You've changed, but you know what? I get it.
I get it because the WWE Tag Team Championships are
the most important Tag Team Championships on the planet.
That's not what this is about anymore, Johnny. Now it's a fight.
And next week, you find out
why I'm the teacher and you're the student.
[Michael] There'll be a collision next week.
Speaking about collisions, still to come tonight.
It is the final word before the championship match
at Saturday Night's Main Event.
I'll moderate the discussion between Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens
live tonight.
[music ends]
♪ One, two, three, four ♪
♪ Five, six, seven, eight ♪
♪ Let 'em know we on the way ♪
♪ Countin' zeroes every day ♪
♪ You know that we never… ♪
[Michael] The XL Center in Hartford.
WWE fans have jammed this place tonight.
They've brought out their signs.
[Corey] Happy birthday. There's your acknowledgment.
Hartford is feeling the glow.
Each and every city we get to, more and more signs.
If you're ever in the house, let your voice be heard.
We want to see your signs.
[in Japanese] Do you feel it?
A shift has taken place.
No longer will the feeble, weak-minded,
be praised as victors.
Their weaknesses,
hidden behind false confidence,
will be dragged into the light
for all to see.
One by one, they will fall before my feet.
Broken, humiliated, and forgotten.
LA Knight was just the beginning.
He held something he never deserved.
Something
he should have never touched.
And now, he claws for what he cannot have.
What is no longer his.
What never truly was.
I am imminent.
I am inevitable.
[dramatic sting plays]
[crowd cheering]
Oh, Tiff. Tough night.
It happens, you know?
Not everyone is meant to be a singles champ like me.
But, you know…
Bummer. But perk up, ladies, because I have great news.
While Tiffy was out there trying her best,
I was talking to Nick Aldis
and Nia, next week, you and I have a Tag Team Title Match
against Naomi and Bianca.
-Ooh. -Yeah, it's amazing.
-Wow. Yeah. -It's amazing.
[inhales sharply] And, um,
I know Tiffy couldn't bring any gold to our group,
but now, Nia, guess what?
You get to have two titles. Two.
[spluttering] It's amazing.
-That's… that's great. -Yes!
-We should go brainstorm about that. -Yes, we should.
-Yes, we should. Mm-hmm. -Sorry, Tiff.
You know, Tiffy,
maybe singles wrestling just isn't your speed.
[crowd] Ooh!
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] The finals are set.
Michin will go one-on-one with Chelsea Green
with the winner being crowned
the first-ever Women's United States Champion.
[Michael] And also tomorrow night, Gunther, the World Heavyweight Champion,
will defend his title in a Triple Threat match
against both Damian Priest and Finn Bálor live.
[Corey] And Liv Morgan will defend her Women's World Championship
against number one contender, "The Genius of the Sky" Iyo Sky.
[Michael] Drew McIntyre took out Jimmy Uso earlier tonight
His vendetta continues tomorrow night
against Sami Zayn at Saturday Night's Main Event.
[Corey] The Undisputed WWE Championship is on the line in a deeply personal rivalry
as "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes defends against Kevin Owens.
[Michael] Speaking of those two,
coming up next live on Friday Night SmackDown,
the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will be joined in the ring by Kevin Owens.
I'll moderate.
It's The Final Word Before Saturday Night's Main Event,
next on SmackDown.
[music fades]
[crowd cheering]
Please welcome the Undisputed WWE Champion,
"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes.
[crowd cheering]
[intro music playing]
[Cody] Wrestling has more than one royal family.
["Kingdom" by Downstrait playing]
♪ Adrenaline in my soul ♪
♪ Every fight out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
[inaudible]
♪ Crowd is here about to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up ♪
♪ I'm home ♪
♪ Whoa ♪
♪ My father said ♪
♪ When I was younger♪
♪ Hard times breed better men ♪
♪ Better men ♪
♪ You took it all away I give it all away ♪
♪ Can't take my freedom ♪
♪ Here to change the game ♪
♪ A banner made of pain ♪
♪ I built my kingdom ♪
♪ Now you bow to me ♪
♪ You took my dreams but not my name ♪
♪ You'll follow me until the end ♪
♪ I am my kingdom ♪
♪ Lights go down, I'm ready now ♪
♪ Tear the roof of for the town ♪
♪ Gonna give 'em what they came to see ♪
♪ Hear the crowd on their toes ♪
♪ Ready for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up ♪
♪ I'm home ♪
♪ Whoa ♪
♪ And my father said ♪
♪ When I was younger ♪
♪ Hard times breed better men ♪
♪ Better men ♪
-[music fades] -[crowd cheering]
Ladies and gentlemen, the man who
will face Cody Rhodes for the championship tomorrow night
at Saturday Night's Main Event,
Kevin Owens.
[crowd jeering]
Kevin Owens.
[crowd groaning]
Okay.
[sighs]
Kevin Owens is not here.
But this wonderful crowd is here.
[crowd cheering]
So, Mr. Michael Cole, we'll do this as professionals will do it.
Let's go ahead and, uh, conduct this interview right here right now.
So, we don't have to go out in a car to do it, do we?
Nope, nope. We don't have to go to the car.
We can do it right here
in front of all these lovely folks.
[crowd cheering]
I want to kick things off with what has taken over social media
the past couple of days.
The fact that Triple H has presented you with something
that he's going to allow you to use one night only tomorrow night
at Saturday Night's Main Event.
Could you please tell us tonight what that gift is?
[Kevin] Oh my God, enough.
Enough. Who cares?
Who cares what the little golden boy
has up his sleeve for Saturday Night's Main Event?
Michael.
Michael, you know, last week you said you were an unbiased journalist.
Why don't you take this opportunity to prove that?
And ask Cody the real question. The question everyone wants an answer to.
And that is, how can Cody Rhodes be okay
with using not just me, but all of his friends
to help finish his stupid, pathetic little story at WrestleMania.
But then, he's okay with spitting in all our faces
by teaming with Roman Reigns and Bad Blood. Huh?
And Cody, you know what?
Once Michael asks that question, why don't you take a chance
to do something that I bet you are physically unable to do,
and that is be honest.
Tell the truth. Don't lie.
And tell Michael
that that's because you're as bad a friend as you are a son and brother.
[crowd exclaims]
And Cody, you know what? There's something I've been meaning to tell you.
It's that no matter how long you're champion for,
no matter how many main events you're in,
the truth will always be
you were way more interesting as Stardust.
[crowd exclaims]
[chuckles softly]
Obviously, uh, obviously, Kevin knows the assignment.
I'm sure… I'm sure Kevin has a lot more zingers up his sleeve.
Hmm. You know what?
You know what?
Why wait for him to do more of those from wherever he's at?
Maybe I'll just go get Kevin Owens right now.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Seems as though Cody Rhodes has heard about enough.
I don't know where Cody thinks he's going to find Owens
but the Undisputed WWE Champion making his way to the backstage area.
Kevin.
Kevin. Huh?
[both grunting]
[Corey] Kevin Owens apparently laid a trap for Rhodes.
[Michael] Yeah, Owens is ready.
[both grunting]
And now beating the heck out of the champion.
-[Kevin grunts] -[Cody groans]
[Kevin grunts] Huh? How's that?
[Cody groaning]
[Michael] And now back out into the arena. Kevin Owens attacking Rhodes.
Oh!
[Corey] Here's security. I don't know what they're gonna do.
[Michael] Try to preserve the main event for tomorrow night.
at Saturday Night's Main Event.
Cody Rhodes now fighting back.
This is a brawl, an all-out fight.
[Corey] We need to get Nick Aldis out here.
We need all the security the general manager can muster.
This is a main event matchup tomorrow night.
Let's get to Long Island first.
[Michael] Yeah, emotions boiling over between these former friends,
now bitter enemies.
All because of a jealous and a bitter Kevin Owens.
And Rhodes and Owens now beating the hell out of one another.
And more security and officials into the ring to separate these two men.
And Owens right back into the fray.
[man] Hey!
Back it up!
[Michael] And Cody now.
[crowd cheering]
Just a little example of what it's gonna be tomorrow.
[Corey] Big boot by Rhodes and down goes Owens.
[Michael] And finally the champion subdued at least momentarily.
Oh, and Kevin Owens with the Championship off the face of Rhodes.
[Corey] Security had Cody's arms restrained behind him
and Owens struck at the exact right moment.
He's out cold.
That's it. Go! Go!
[Michael] Owens who's been unhinged.
-He's been delusional. -Are you crazy?
-[Michael] He's extremely dangerous. -Go!
[Corey] And he may be your next Undisputed WWE Champion.
[Michael] It is going to be a perilous 24 hours for Cody Rhodes.
-That is enough. -Come on, Kevin.
[Michael] Cody is in deep, deep trouble…
That's enough!
…as he prepares to defend the championship
against Kevin Owens
tomorrow night at Saturday Night's Main Event.
[man] Take your time. Take your time.
Take your time.
[Cody panting]