[invigorating music playing]
[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[music fades]
["Saturday Night's Main Event" playing]
[Michael] Tonight at Saturday Night's Main Event.
14,186 WWE fans in attendance.
The Body is back in the WWE.
What a night celebrating yesterday, today, and the future.
[Michael] Live from New York…
[McAfee] It's Saturday Night's Main Event!
[music fades]
[Michael] Drew McIntyre's vendetta continues against Sami Zayn.
Call me the ghost of Bloodline's past.
["The Legend Goes On" by Lionel Farbert playing]
[crowd exclaims]
[Michael] Claymore from out of nowhere!
[bell rings]
[Michael] Cross Sami Zayn off the McIntyre hit list.
Liv Morgan will defend her Women's World Championship
against Iyo Sky.
["The Legend Goes On" continues]
[crowd exclaiming]
[Michael] Liv got the boots up!
Oblivion!
[McAfee] That was a massive shot that she took.
[Ventura] And kept on going.
-[crowd cheers] -[Michael] Rhea Ripley!
She wants her championship back!
Gunther will defend his title against Damian Priest and Finn Bálor.
["The Legend Goes On" continues]
[crowd cheers]
-[McAfee] Dominating performance. -[Michael] Gunther needed that.
I'm the greatest, and this here proves it.
♪ The legend never dies You know how the story goes ♪
[Michael] Michin, Chelsea.
It is all about being the very first Women's United States Champion.
You're all gonna be saying, "Red, white, and Green."
[Michael] Oh my goodness!
-Into the Unpretty-Her! -[cheering]
-Green wins the title! -[bell rings]
[cheering]
[Michael] History made tonight.
The women's division, Green with Envy.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] It's our main event at Saturday Night's Main Event.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Cody Rhodes versus Kevin Owens
for the Undisputed WWE Title.
-[crowd cheers] -[bell rings]
[dramatic sting]
[Michael] Oh, and Owens sends Rhodes inadvertently into our official.
Stunner!
Owens had Rhodes defeated off the stunner, but there was no official!
[dramatic music playing]
[Michael] Cody Cutter!
[crowd cheering]
[Ventura] Is Rhodes gonna cheat and use the chair?
[Michael] Cross Rhodes onto the chair!
Referee Charles Robinson back up, and Rhodes retains the title!
[bell rings]
[Michael] Kevin Owens is gonna be frustrated, guys.
Meanwhile, the celebration is underway.
-[music fades] -[crowd cheering]
[hip-hop music playing]
[Corey] An incredible event this past weekend
at Saturday Night's Main Event.
But what transpired after the show is one of the most heinous attacks
we've ever witnessed.
Kevin Owens once again crossing the line,
executing a package piledriver on Cody Rhodes.
We'll revisit that shocking moment and have a medical update on the status
of the Undisputed WWE Champion later tonight.
[music fades]
-[cheering] -♪ One, two, three, four… ♪
[Michael] Welcome to Friday Night SmackDown on USA.
Tonight, we get caught up on everything that went down last week
on Saturday Night's Main Event on NBC.
With Jade Cargill out indefinitely due to a backstage attack,
Naomi has stepped in to help Bianca Belair defend
the Undisputed Women's Tag Team Title.
The challengers,
WWE Women's Champion Nia Jax and Candice LeRae.
Tag Title is on the line tonight.
The former Tag Team Champions, the Motor City Machine Guns, are here.
Alex Shelley, however, said to go one-on-one tonight
with the man he feels betrayed him,
his former friend, student, Johnny Gargano of DIY.
They go one-on-one tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
♪ When the flow this hard, this heavy Kotex, I can't help that… ♪
["Taking It All" by WWE, def rebel playing]
[Michael] And we kick things off tonight
with the new Bloodline
and the new Tribal Chief.
♪ We're taking it all ♪
♪ Settle the score The one who will not take that loss ♪
♪ Taking it all… ♪
[Alicia] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Samoan Werewolf,
Jacob Fatu,
Tama Tonga,
and Solo Sikoa,
The Bloodline!
[Michael] Well, for tonight, Solo Sikoa wears the Ula Fala.
♪ Giving you a scope through my lens… ♪
[Michael] January 6th in Los Angeles, that could all change.
[Corey] Solo Sikoa is preparing for combat.
Not just any combat, Tribal Combat,
as the new Head of the Table, Solo Sikoa,
goes one-on-one with the OTC, Roman Reigns.
[Michael] In Tribal Combat, anything goes.
The winner is the Tribal Chief.
This is what Solo Sikoa and his Bloodline are capable of.
Last week on Friday Night SmackDown,
LA Knight and Solo Sikoa one-on-one.
Knight took out Jacob Fatu, but that would backfire.
[Corey] The Megastar fought valiantly,
but ultimately, as it so often does, the numbers game would play its part.
Namely, in the form of the Samoan Werewolf, Jacob Fatu.
Ripping Knight out of the ring, forcing a disqualification.
But Jacob Fatu would not be stopped.
[Michael] Andrade and Apollo Crews would come down to LA Knight's aid.
They were attacked a couple of weeks ago by The Bloodline,
and they would suffer the same fate.
[Corey] Samoan Spikes for everyone, courtesy of the new Tribal Chief,
and the man who looks to take out Roman Reigns for good
in a few weeks.
[music fades]
[crowd clamoring]
[chanting] OTC! OTC! OTC!
[chanting continues]
SmackDown.
[crowd jeers]
Acknowledge me.
[crowd booing]
[chanting] OTC! OTC! OTC! OTC! OTC!
[chanting continues]
[chanting fades]
So Roman Reigns
sat on his little boat
with the Wiseman…
and decided to challenge me,
on January 6th,
to a Tribal Combat match…
[crowd] What?
…for the Ula Fala…
[crowd] What?
…on Monday Night Raw…
[crowd] What?
…the debut…
-[crowd] What? -…on Netflix.
[crowd] What?
[scattered booing]
Instead of you people saying "what," all of you need to acknowledge me.
[crowd booing loudly]
So shut your mouth and listen to what the Chief has to say!
[crowd booing]
[chanting] OTC! OTC! OTC! OTC!
[chanting fades]
Roman, you wanna challenge me to a Tribal Combat match?
You wanna take the Tribal Chief to war?
[crowd] What?
Let's do it.
[crowd] What?
I'll leave my Bloodline behind.
[crowd] What?
You leave your Bloodline behind.
[crowd] What?
Leave the Wiseman behind.
-[crowd] What? -Leave Jimmy behind.
-[crowd] What? -Leave Jey behind.
[crowd] What?
So, Roman, listen up, and listen very clearly.
[crowd] What?
On January 6th…
-[crowd] What? -…I am walking in…
-[crowd] What? -…and I'm walking out…
-[crowd] What? -…as the Tribal Chief!
[crowd] What?
[booing]
On January 6th,
I am still going to be the Head of the Table.
[crowd] What?
On January 6th, I am still gonna be your Tribal Chief!
[crowd] What?
And on January 6th, I am still going to have the Ula Fala.
[crowd] What?
So, Roman, after I beat your ass on January 6th…
you can hop back on your little boat,
sail off to the island…
[crowd] What?
-…of irrelevancy… -[crowd] What?
…and then you can finally acknowledge me.
[crowd booing]
[sword unsheathing over PA]
[crowd cheers]
["Gallantry" by WWE, CFO$ playing]
[Michael] Well, speaking of people that has had issues
with The Bloodline.
[Corey] Perhaps Drew McIntyre and Solo Sikoa more than any other.
A great deal of history
between the Scottish Warrior and the new Tribal Chief.
Let's not forget what McIntyre did to Jimmy Uso last week.
[Michael] Sami Zayn has been in his crosshairs,
Jey Uso.
[crowd cheers]
[Michael] But again, many point back to Clash at the Castle
two and a half years ago.
Drew McIntyre with an opportunity to win a championship.
But Solo Sikoa would mess things up
to keep the title around the waist of Roman Reigns.
Many people point to that moment, Corey,
when this whole downward spiral began for Drew McIntyre.
[Corey] Could be argued that that was the flash point
for what Drew McIntyre has become,
perhaps the most brutal version of himself
that we as the WWE Universe have ever seen before.
Look at Solo, holding back the troops,
allowing McIntyre safe entry to the squared circle.
[Michael] Never one to shy away from controversy.
["Gallantry" continues]
[music fades]
[crowd clamoring]
Drew,
I gotta admit,
I was very happy when you kicked my brother Jimmy in the face last week.
I was.
I was very, very happy.
But you'd better have a damn good reason why you're interrupting me.
I'm gonna make this quick,
because it causes me physical pain to be this close to you
and not beat you within an inch of your life.
[crowd cheers]
You like what I did to Jimmy?
How about what I did to Sami?
How about when I took out your brother Jey?
Solo, I want to know,
when you lie in bed at night, do you ask yourself,
"When is Drew McIntyre coming for me?"
[inaudible]
You're the one
that cost me the WWE Title
at Clash at the Castle.
You're the one that caused my family pain and suffering and misery,
which caused me pain and misery.
But you're the one that stood up to Roman Reigns.
The only one in your family that had the balls to stand up to Roman Reigns.
The rest of them acted tough.
They acted like they were gonna do something,
they were gonna make a stand against him.
He snapped his fingers. He didn't change a bit.
So I'm torn right now.
My heart says jump you.
My head says we've both got the same goals right now.
So what am I to do?
[scattered clamoring]
Here's what I'm thinking.
I reckon Drew McIntyre starts working his way through his hit list,
starts taking out more and more OG Bloodline members,
and you, Solo, do one thing for me and for everybody else.
You take out Roman Reigns for good.
[crowd boos]
[inaudible]
Once all that business is finished,
then you and I, we finish our business.
[crowd clamoring]
-[Solo] Y'know-- -[Michael] Wait!
[Corey] Wait, it's Jimmy Uso!
[Michael] Jimmy Uso with a crutch!
[crowd exclaiming]
[Michael] Uso with his crutch to McIntyre!
Sending McIntyre into the timekeeper's area!
Payback by Uso for last week!
And McIntyre retreats!
["Welcome to LA" by WWE, def rebel playing]
[Michael] Well, now The Bloodline has to refocus,
because they've got six-man tag team action coming up
against these three men,
Knight, Crews, and Andrade!
[Corey] We are kicking things off with the fireworks.
Knight, Andrade, and Crews bringing the fight to the new Bloodline.
[crowd exclaims]
[Corey] Solo spills over the top to the floor.
Crews with a pump kick right on the chin of Fatu.
[Michael] It's time to regroup.
We got a six-man tag match coming to kick off SmackDown.
[cheering fades]
Six-man tag matchup underway, Friday Night SmackDown.
The new Bloodline against Crews, LA Knight, and Andrade.
And Crews with a dropkick to Tama Tonga.
[Corey] Apollo Crews,
Andrade, and LA Knight all looking for their pound of flesh
after several run-ins with this new Bloodline.
Look at the power of Apollo Crews.
[Michael] Crews, a former Intercontinental Champion,
a former United States Champion,
military press to Tama Tonga.
And Crews is one of those attacked a couple of weeks ago when The Bloodline
assaulted everybody after being embarrassed
in their loss inside the WarGames structure
to the original Bloodline.
[crowd] Yeah!
[Corey] No absence of malice this week from LA Knight,
who went one-on-one with Solo last week, as we saw earlier.
-That devolved in a hurry. -[crowd exclaims]
Big neckbreaker by the Megastar into the cover.
[Michael] Cover by the former champ, and a kick-out.
Of course, Knight was the champion until Survivor Series
when Shinsuke Nakamura arrived to win the United States Title.
-And now here comes Andrade. -[screams in pain]
Argh! [grunts]
[crowd clamoring]
-[Michael] Andrade with a big chop. -[Tama Tonga groaning]
[Michael] Gonna take out the new Bloodline tonight.
Crews in off the tag. Double-team now coming.
-[grunts] -[thuds]
[Corey] Double back elbow by Crews, and Andrade covered by Crews.
-One! Two! -[Michael] And a kick-out by Tama Tonga.
First time, I believe,
that Crews and Andrade and Knight have teamed together.
Makeshift tag team brought together by the attack by the new Bloodline.
[Corey] Thus far, the trio's keeping it relatively simple.
They've done their best to cut the ring in half,
to isolate Tama Tonga away from the Samoan Werewolf
and the new Tribal Chief.
And Andrade will get in on the tag.
[groans]
[Michael] Andrade, former NXT Champion.
The United States Champion as well.
[Tama Tonga yells]
[Michael] Andrade got a nice takedown on Tama Tonga.
[Fatu shouts]
Here comes Jacob Fatu on over the top rope.
[crowd clamoring]
[Corey] Tag made.
Crews now legal for his team, but keep your eyes on the skies.
Andrade's making the climb.
-Andrade and Crews gonna fly! -[crowd exclaims]
[Corey] Beautiful.
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[Corey] Wait a minute. Wait a minute.
The Megastar is lining up Solo, and…
[crowd cheering]
-Solo not gonna fall for that one. -Yeah, Sikoa gonna think twice about it.
[Michael] LA Knight still has not forgotten last week,
the victory via disqualification over Solo Sikoa
after Jacob Fatu got involved.
[crowd clamoring]
[Corey] Apollo Crews now with a front facelock applied on Tama Tonga.
Tonga in desperate need of a tag at this juncture.
[Michael] Some body shots now and a waist lock to Crews.
[Crews grunting]
[Michael] Elbow will break that up.
Tag made unbeknownst to Apollo Crews,
but here comes the Wolf!
-My God! -What impact.
The six-man tag team match continues on SmackDown.
[crowd clamoring]
[Michael] And we are back on Friday Night SmackDown.
-And the Tribal Chief, Solo Sikoa… -[crowd booing]
…now in this matchup with a big elbow in the face of Apollo Crews.
[booing continues]
[Michael] The enforcer, Jacob Fatu, looks on.
Solo Sikoa, of course…
in Los Angeles in a few weeks
when he takes on Roman Reigns.
The Ula Fala, the real Tribal Chief
on the line in that matchup in Tribal Combat.
[applause fading]
Can you imagine, Corey, if Sikoa wins that?
That would be the definitive victory
over the original Tribal Chief.
[Corey] We may not have to imagine it much longer.
January 6th, it could be reality.
-Solo Sikoa could be who he's said he is… -Oh!
…the new Tribal Chief,
the new Head of the Table,
leader of the most dominant faction in WWE.
[Michael] And now, Jacob Fatu,
one of the most incredible athletes that you will ever see.
[Fatu shouts]
[Michael] Deranged as well.
He has been nearly unstoppable, Corey.
And, Cole, I think I disagree with you. I don't think Jacob Fatu's deranged.
I think Jacob knows exactly what he's doing.
-Oh! -He just doesn't care.
[groaning]
[Corey] No regard for human life or well-being.
[Michael] Remorseless.
Absolutely.
[crowd cheers]
[Michael] A tag made. Here comes Andrade. Andrade looking to pick up the pace now.
Fatu. Andrade able to block.
Right hands now by Andrade. Fatu still on his feet.
Misses wildly.
-[crowd exclaims] -Down goes Fatu, and Andrade rolling.
[crowd cheering]
-[screams] -[Michael] And a kip-up by Andrade.
[cheering continues]
[crowd clapping, chanting]
[Michael] And Andrade, Meteora into the corner.
-Cover now on Fatu. -[crowd] One!
[Michael] Hook of the leg. Kick-out at two by the Samoan Werewolf.
This resilience of The Bloodline.
Andrade now
heads up to the top rope.
Looking for the moonsault.
-Catches him on the second side. -[crowd] Oh!
[Michael] Cover! Hooking the leg!
Almost had him! Fatu kicks at two.
[crowd clamoring]
[Corey] Andrade hung up in his feelings a little too long right here.
Feeling it's gonna backfire on the luchador.
[Fatu grunting]
[Michael] Bloodline reeling for part of this matchup now.
A tag made by Sikoa,
who can ill afford a loss heading into Tribal Combat in a few weeks.
-[Fatu] Yeah! -[Michael chuckling] Fatu.
Andrade was stopped in his tracks.
-Double-team now! -Oh wow!
Andrade hung over the top rope. Back of his head bounced off the apron.
And now driven into the ring post!
[crowd booing]
[Michael] And again, the savage assault by The Bloodline.
Solo reminding the WWE Universe that possession is nine-tenths of the law,
and right now, the Ula Fala belongs to Solo,
and only Solo, as we look again on Andrade
being ripped out of the ring in spectacular, painful fashion.
Tag made, and out Jacob Fatu.
And Andrade sent up, sent down!
That Pop-up Samoan Drop by Jacob Fatu.
-[crowd exclaiming] -The Bloodline looks unstoppable.
[crowd clamoring]
[Michael] Corey, this has been a clinic by Jacob Fatu and The Bloodline.
[Corey] I would've used the word "massacre."
Either would've been accurate.
Right now, Jacob Fatu just imposing his will,
having his way with a fallen Andrade.
Taking out Apollo Crews while you're at it.
[crowd clamoring]
[Michael] The enforcer of Solo Sikoa's Bloodline.
Into the corner, Andrade moves out of harm's way
and has an opportunity, desperately needs to make a tag.
[crowd shouting]
[Michael] A former United States Champion, LA Knight.
[crowd clamoring]
[Michael] So close.
Andrade trying to drag himself to the corner and make a tag.
[Corey] Smart move by Fatu,
trying to keep at least one hand on Andrade's body.
Trying to prevent Andrade from making the tag to LA Knight.
He is fingertips away.
[Michael] Yeah, but a step-up enzuigiri startles Fatu.
[crowd cheers]
[Michael] What a tag made to LA Knight, and here's Knight now.
LA Knight with a big clothesline to Tama Tonga!
-[Fatu grunting] -[crowd chanting] Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
[referee] One! Two! Three! Four! Five!
[speaking indistinctly]
[Michael] Now a clothesline to Fatu knocks him out of the ring.
And LA Knight now backs it up into the corner.
Solo Sikoa!
Nobody home!
-Neckbreaker by Knight! -[crowd exclaims]
[cheering, applauding]
[Michael] Tag.
[Knight shouts]
[Michael] Double-team coming.
Apollo Crews.
-Top-rope splash! -[crowd exclaims]
-[Michael] Cover! -[crowd] One! Two!
-[Michael] Kick-out by Tonga. -[crowd groans]
[Corey] Crews wasting no time trying to transition into this crossface submission.
Oh, and LA Knight drives Fatu right over into our laps!
Tama Tonga trying his best to hang on.
Crews is--
[splutters] Nakamura!
That's Shinsuke Nakamura!
Where the hell did he come from? The United States Champion.
[Michael] US Champion Shinsuke Nakamura
assaulted LA Knight!
A sneak attack!
[Corey] Solo able to break up the submission attempt.
Now Andrade putting hands on Solo.
[both grunt]
[Corey] Down goes Andrade.
Back out to the floor, Solo, a one-man wrecking crew at the moment,
dragging Tama Tonga to The Bloodline corner.
Tagging himself in, the new Tribal Chief!
-[Michael] Bang! -[Corey] Good night, Crews!
[Michael] And now Solo Sikoa with a Spinning Solo, planting Apollo!
-[shouts] -[Michael] And a Simoan Spike!
-[referee] One! Two! Three! -[Michael] Cover by Sikoa!
-[bell rings] -Win for The Bloodline.
["Taking It All" playing]
[Alicia] Here are your winners,
The Bloodline!
[Corey] Roman Reigns, are you paying attention?
♪ Break down the walls I feel exalted, appalled ♪
♪ We're taking it all… ♪
[Michael] He better,
because he's got Tribal Combat with that man in a couple of weeks.
[Corey] So first we see Nakamura come out of nowhere
and drop LA Knight with a Kinshasa.
[shouts]
[Corey] But Solo Sikoa found a whole new gear
in the closing moments of this matchup.
[bell rings]
[Corey] That may have been the most ferocious
I have ever seen Solo in his young career.
And Roman Reigns had better be at the top of his game come January 6th,
because Tribal Combat awaits.
[Michael] The Ula Fala is on the line.
Who's the real Tribal Chief?
♪ We're taking it all ♪
♪ Break down the walls I feel like exalted, appalled… ♪
[music fades]
I'm currently standing by with the Motor City Machine Guns,
and, guys, tonight is an emotional one, particularly for you, Alex,
because you take on your former mentee and the man who betrayed the both of you,
costing you the WWE Tag Team Titles, that man being Johnny Gargano.
What kind of thoughts are flowing through your mind right now?
One thought, payback. That's it.
You know, Byron, we've known Johnny for nearly 20 years,
and finally, after all this time,
he lets the mask drop and shows us who he truly is.
And it cuts a lot deeper
when it's somebody that you considered a little brother.
But tonight, Johnny,
I'm gonna make sure that you know you made the biggest mistake of your life.
Ready to go do this?
This is something I feel like I need to do by myself, alone.
And I wanna see if Johnny's man enough to fight his own battles.
Okay. Let's go get warmed up, man.
["Making Money Solo" by AREA ØNE playing]
Look, Cole, I admire where Sabin and Shelley's heads are at,
but this is WWE.
It's a different landscape.
They'd better be watching one another's backs,
'cause I guarantee you DIY will be.
Our landscape changed out here,
courtesy of The Bloodline and Shinsuke Nakamura.
But changing gears to what happened last week on Saturday Night's Main Event,
we crowned the inaugural Women's United States Champion.
-[music fades] -[crowd cheers]
[Michael] It is all about being crowned the very first
Women's United States Champion.
Looking at the finals of this tournament,
Michin and Chelsea Green, one-on-one tonight.
[McAfee] This US Championship is gonna be talked about forever.
[Michael] Who's the first-ever champion?
-[crowd exclaims] -[shouts]
[groans]
-[crowd] Oh! -[Michael] Michin now.
-Wow. -Look at this unique maneuver.
[McAfee] Jessika Carr was distracted by Chelsea.
[Michael] And now Piper Niven getting involved.
Outside the ring!
See that?!
You're proud of that?
[dramatic music playing]
[crowd gasps]
[Michael] Tornado DDT drop to Chelsea Green,
and now Michin hooks the inside leg on Green.
And a kick-out by Chelsea at two.
[dramatic music continues]
[Michael] Oh, the Rough Ryder!
-Connecting for the win and the title! -One! Two!
[Michael] And a kick-out by Michin!
-Oh no! -[crowd exclaims]
[Michael] And now Michin takes out both!
Oh, you're coming home.
[Michael] Piper Niven. Oh! Piper hit the apron hard.
Chelsea now.
-Oh my goodness! What a move! -[McAfee] What?!
[Michael] Into the Unpretty-Her!
[crowd] One! Two! Three!
-Green wins the title! -[bell rings]
-[cheering] -History made tonight!
The women's division, Green with Envy,
is Chelsea Green,
the first-ever Women's United States Champion!
[dramatic music fades]
Chelsea Green with Piper Niven by your side.
Before we talk about anything, we have to say congratulations.
So, I wanna know, emotionally, okay?
I'm gonna take you through the machinations of the match.
You hit the Unpretty-Her on Michin,
the bell rings,
you hear Lilian Garcia state the words,
"The new Women's United States Champion, Chelsea Green."
-[shrieking] Aah! -Aah!
What went through your mind?
Well, Brian, I always knew this was gonna happen,
so I know you're surprised, and that's so cute.
But I'm not. I've been doing this for ten years.
I worked my entire life to be an overnight success,
and this is my time.
This is my night.
-It… it-- -Red, white, and Green.
Say it with me, Brian.
[all] Red, white, and Green.
So let's talk about the historical significance
of tonight's win.
Obviously, you now will go in the history books
as the first-ever Women's United States Champion.
How does it make you feel to know that
you're synonymous with the likes of Harley Race,
who was the first-ever Men's United States Champion?
I would say duh. I would say duh.
I'm in the history books, where I belong.
I should have been there three years ago, but I was released.
I should have been there 2015,
but I wasn't hired.
So now's the time, Brian. Now's the freaking time!
-Anything else? -Well, it is your time.
Uh, what does a Chelsea Green reign
as Women's United States Champion look like going forward?
It looks like I'm going to Disneyland tomorrow.
So I actually have to hop on the plane.
-So can we wrap this up? -Sure thing.
Have fun at Disney. And congratulations once again.
Well deserved.
Champagne.
["Making Money Solo" playing]
[crowd exclaiming]
[Corey] Coming up, we'll take a look back at the heated matchup
between the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes,
and his challenger, Kevin Owens, from Saturday Night's Main Event
and the tragic events after the show went off the air.
That's next.
[music continues, fades]
[dramatic music building]
[music fades]
Happy holidays, everybody.
I cannot wait for the debut of Monday Night Raw on Netflix
in just a couple of weeks.
But this is Friday Night SmackDown. I'm Michael Cole. He's Corey Graves.
And there's so much to be excited about coming down the pipe.
But about what just transpired this past week?
Of course, the entire WWE Universe still buzzing
about what transpired on Long Island at Saturday Night's Main Event.
[dramatic music playing]
[Michael] It's our main event at Saturday Night's Main Event.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Cody Rhodes versus Kevin Owens
for the Undisputed WWE Title.
[bell rings]
[Rhodes groans]
[crowd roaring]
[Michael] Oh! That's a Randy Orton move that he delivers to Rhodes!
Hi, Randy.
[crowd booing]
[Michael] Now Kevin Owens, shades of, uh, Cody's dad.
And Cody is not gonna take that.
Now Cody gonna deliver the lefts of his own!
-Cody Rhodes on the offense here! -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Oh! He got him! Cody Rhodes with an RKO to Kevin Owens!
Cody looking to put him away with Cross Rhodes.
Oh, and Owens sends Rhodes inadvertently into our official.
[dramatic music continues]
[Michael] Stunner!
[Ventura] Who's gonna count? Where's the ref?
[Michael] Hold on! Here's Eddie Orengo!
[crowd] One! Two!
[Michael] Owens had Rhodes defeated off the stunner,
but there was no official!
[crowd roaring]
[Michael] Oh no! Now another official taken out!
[ominous music playing]
[crowd booing]
-KO grabbing a steel chair. -The refs are down.
He's thinking to himself he can get away with it!
He misses!
[Michael] Cody Cutter!
[crowd cheering]
[Ventura] Is Rhodes gonna cheat and use the chair?
[Michael] Cross Rhodes onto the chair!
Cody gets rid of the evidence!
Hook of the leg!
Referee Charles Robinson back up, and Rhodes retains the title!
-[bell rings] -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Kevin Owens is gonna be frustrated, guys.
Meanwhile, the celebration with the Undisputed WWE Champion is underway.
[cheering fades]
[somber music playing]
Long Island!
[dramatic sting]
[crowd booing]
[dramatic stings continue]
[heart thumping slowly]
[muffled booing]
[booing continues]
[dramatic music accelerates]
-[crowd shouting indistinctly] -[man] Make way!
[shouting continues]
[siren wailing]
[Corey] Kevin Owens's use of a banned piledriver on Cody Rhodes
caused the Undisputed WWE Champion to be taken out of the arena last Saturday
on a stretcher.
Cody was kept overnight at a local hospital due to cervical swelling
and was diagnosed with axial compression of the cervical spine
with X-rays fortunately negative for a fracture.
Cody's now home resting, and we all wish him a speedy recovery.
As for the reprehensible actions of Kevin Owens,
KO had this to say.
[ominous music playing]
What happened after Saturday Night's Main Event…
[crowd exclaims]
…was not my fault.
[crowd booing]
-[crowd exclaims] -There's a lot of people to blame for it.
Cody Rhodes,
the referees,
Nick Aldis, WWE management,
they're all to blame.
I was screwed out of winning that championship.
[Michael] Owens had Rhodes defeated off the stunner,
but there was no official!
What happened to me is a travesty, a tragedy!
I should be standing here, Undisputed WWE Champion.
[Michael] Cross Rhodes onto the chair!
[Owens] But I'm not.
[music halts]
But I took this.
'Cause I deserve it.
And I'm not giving it back
until I get what I want.
Everyone needs to understand
you can only push a man so much until they snap.
But the good news is
I haven't snapped yet.
It can all get so much worse. Trust me.
You don't want me to snap.
[dramatic music playing]
[Owens] So, Cody,
Nick Aldis,
WWE officials,
what happens next
is on…
[siren wails]
…all of you.
[clicks tongue]
["Neva Play" by Megan Thee Stallion feat. RM of BTS playing]
[Michael] We're counting down the moments.
There you see the stagehands getting everything in order
for a monster-size Grayson Waller Effect
with very special guest Braun Strowman,
the newest addition to Friday Night SmackDown.
It's going down next.
♪ Beefin' with yourself Because you do not exist in my world ♪
["Making Money Solo" playing]
[Michael] Elimination Chamber is coming to Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario,
Saturday, March 1st, 2025.
[music fades]
That's just what I'm trying to say though. Like, I get it.
You've known Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley for a lot longer than me, but…
Twenty years.
It surprises me that Alex Shelley is dumb.
What do you mean?
-Like, that he wants this grudge match. -Yeah.
Like, you can't win the Tag Team Title…
-Like, I don't get what he's doing. -I mean, it's in the name.
But he wants his payback on me. I understand that.
But, you know, he wants to challenge my manhood?
I'm all man. I made a kid, okay?
You did, yeah. Papa John, Daddy Ciampa. Of course you made a kid.
He did specify that he wants to do this on his own.
So you know what that means. You need to stay right here. Okay?
-Me? -Just, you need to stay right here.
'Cause I'm gonna go out there, handle business by myself.
I'm not some naive 18-year-old kid with a dream anymore.
No, no, no. Dream came true.
-Dream came true. -Two times.
I'm gonna go show him I'm Johnny Freakin' Wrestling. Okay?
So you stay right here.
Okay?
-You go get him. -Okay. Gonna handle the business!
-I'm gonna just stay right here. -[Gargano] Stay there! Don't move!
-Won't move a muscle. -Good.
You can trust me.
[sniffs]
["Making Money Solo" playing]
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, still to come tonight,
long-time best friends turned bitter enemies,
Alex Shelley of the Motor City Machine Guns
goes one-on-one with Johnny Gargano of DIY later tonight.
[music fades]
[Alicia] Ladies and gentlemen…
[drumroll]
[Alica] …please welcome the Friday Night SmackDown sensations,
the audacious Austin Theory
and your host of the Grayson Waller Effect,
Grayson Waller!
["Eye on the Prize" by WWE, def rebel playing]
[crowd shouting]
♪ Cheers ♪
♪ Every day ♪
♪ Hard work ♪
-♪ Let's go ♪ -♪ Now do it because I say so, say so… ♪
Welcome to the Grayson Waller…
And Theory!
…Effect.
And the hottest show in WWE keeps getting hotter,
'cause I get scoop after scoop, lad.
And tonight's a big one.
A really big one.
My guest tonight is the first transfer over to Friday nights on SmackDown.
He is the Monster of All Monsters.
Braun Strowman!
-[crowd cheering] -["Monster of Monsters" playing]
[Corey] Once again, kudos to general manager Nick Aldis
for this monstrous acquisition.
[Michael] Dressed in full Santa garb with a bag of presents.
[pyrotechnics burst]
[Michael] They mentioned the transfer window
that is now underway between Raw, SmackDown, and NXT.
Superstars have been switching brands over the next few weeks.
Some big changes coming for Friday Night SmackDown
on January 3rd as well.
Last week here on Friday Night SmackDown,
Carmelo Hayes is gonna have a match against SmackDown's newest acquisition.
Well, that acquisition was Braun Strowman, Corey.
[Corey] Carmelo Hayes threw everything he could at the Monster of All Monsters,
and Hayes wasn't without glimpses of greatness.
[referee counting]
[Corey] But Carmelo Hayes had never experienced anything
like the Monster of All Monsters…
-[crowd cheering] -…inside the ring.
[Corey] And Carmelo Hayes, thanks for coming.
-A thunderous, earth-rattling powerslam… -[crowd exclaims] One! Two! Three!
-…from Braun Strowman. -[bell rings]
[Corey] Welcome to SmackDown.
[Michael] How come these guys always pass the announce table
and never give us any gifts?
[Corey] What do you think Braun Strowman has in that bag that you would like,
that would serve you in any way, shape, or form?
[Michael] I don't know, but I'd like to receive something.
I can't remember the last time I actually received a gift on Christmas Day.
[Corey] I'm gonna get you The Lion King on DVD.
Thank you so much for coming, Braun.
How nice of Braun to help all the poor people here in Hartford.
That was lovely.
That was really nice.
-You gonna start like that? -No, no.
-You wanna piss me off right away? -No.
I'm out here spreading Christmas cheer, and you act like that?
You're right. You're right. And I thought this just made sense.
The biggest acquisition in SmackDown history…
[crowd cheers]
…on the biggest talk show in SmackDown history.
-It makes sense. -Don't get any bigger than this, baby.
-[Waller] Um… -[crowd] Whoo!
But before we start, um, I know how this goes sometimes.
I just wanna let you know I've invested a lot of money into the new set.
Uh, I spent a lot of money, so maybe we continue to spread Christmas cheer,
and we just have a civil conversation, we just ask you a few questions.
-No damage. -You run those smart mouths,
and I can promise I'm gonna wear y'all out with all this stuff in here.
-[crowd cheers] -[Waller] And you know, I gotta be honest.
I'm very surprised you agreed to come on the show.
I dunno if anyone's told you this before, but you're a little intimidating.
But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense,
because you understand the benefit of associating with A-Town Down Under.
Because…
I think I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.
[crowd laughs]
I get it, but SmackDown's very scary right now.
It's dangerous backstage. The Bloodline's going wild.
People getting attacked back and forth. You don't wanna go in the car park.
-Sorry, parking-- -Did you forget who you're talking to?
Oh, no. No, no, no.
I… I just thought it might be a good idea if Braun looks after Braun for once,
and you set up the ultimate alliance.
Braun Strowman and A-Town Down Under on the same team.
We'd be untouchable. Imagine it, Braun. Picture it. Picture it out there.
Our cunning, our intelligence,
your strength.
The brains and the Braun.
-The brain and the Braun. -[crowd boos]
I told you to watch your tongue. You want this set shoved right up your--
♪ 'Cause I'm the greatest… ♪
[Michael] So much for A-Town Braun Under.
[Corey] Braun's going to ask Santa for a lobotomy.
-Thank God Carmelo Hayes is here. -No, no, no. Hey. Cut all this out.
-[music fades] -Cut all this out.
I got a bone to pick with you.
Look, last week, Nick Aldis, he thought he was gonna humble me
and put me against Braun Strowman.
Everybody here and everybody at home knows that that wasn't fair.
I wasn't ready.
But news flash, Nick Aldis.
You can't humble greatness.
I might lose, but I'll never quit.
So, Braun, you big, ugly, dumb Santa Claus bitch,
let's run this thing back right here, right now!
-[crowd cheers] -'Cause now I'm ready.
You didn't learn your lesson last week?
Well, let me remind you one thing. Let me show you what the Braun effect is.
-[crowd cheers] -[Michael] Wasn't too bright by Hayes.
-Please! Please! -[Braun] Come on.
[Michael] Carmelo Hayes does not learn, does he?
[Waller] Braun, no!
[Corey] That would appear to be the case. Strowman's throwing palm trees.
[crowd cheering]
Let's go! I'm right here!
[Michael] Another palm tree's about to go flying.
[scattered screaming]
[speaking indistinctly]
-["Monster of Monsters" playing] -So much for being in the holiday spirit.
So we understand there's an official out here, Jessika Carr.
We're gonna have a match. Strowman and Hayes, next.
[music fades]
You'd think Carmelo Hayes would learn his lesson, right, Corey?
Maybe not mouth off to a guy the size of Braun Strowman?
[Corey] You might think that, but Carmelo Hayes made his way over
to our announce desk during the commercial break and told me,
"This time's gonna be different. I've got a game plan."
And that could make all the difference.
Remember, Carmelo Hayes had no idea who his opponent was gonna be last week,
let alone Braun Strowman.
You strategize differently when you're dealing with
somebody the size of Braun.
[Michael] So if you were Hayes, what would your game plan be?
[Corey] Turn tail and run away.
But that's why I don't compete anymore, Cole.
[crowd clamoring]
[Michael] Carmelo Hayes, a look of trepidation on his face.
Braun Strowman, the--
[Corey] I don't know if it's out of the realm of possibility
that Carmelo can outsmart Braun.
[Carr] Off the rope. Back it up. Let's go.
[Michael] Are you saying that Braun Strowman's not--
Don't put words in my mouth.
It sounded like you were saying Braun wasn't intelligent.
[Corey] I'm just saying that Carmelo Hayes may be a little more intelligent.
[Braun shouts]
[grunting]
[Michael] Braun misses wildly, misses wildly again.
There we go. This is working out pretty well.
-He just spilled my drink, but, I mean… -I told you I had a plan.
He couldn't do anything, Corey. He slid out of the ring.
Carmelo, come on!
-[crowd cheers] -[Carmelo] You can't touch me.
He came in with a pla-- Hey. Hey.
I'm gonna-- Dude. Dude, dude, dude.
[crowd exclaiming]
-[Corey] There we go! Look at this! -Oh!
[Corey] Carmelo Hayes making things happen.
-[Michael] Oh! Wow! -Hit to the neck.
[Michael] Hayes now has the big man down.
[Corey] I like this. Carmelo just bulldozing Strowman.
[Michael] Trying to overpower the big man here.
With Strowman down on the mat…
Hayes, then Braun back.
-Just shoves Carmelo Hayes. -It's all right. It's all right.
Now take a moment on the outside to regroup, Melo.
Unfortunately, that gives Braun time to recover as well.
[Braun strains]
-[Corey] Oh. -Carmelo went by the tuft of hair.
[grunts]
-Over the top and into the ring. -[crowd] Oh!
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Strowman is just such a… a scary individual, isn't he?
[cheering continues]
[Michael] 6'8", 385.
[Braun grunts]
[Michael] And again, Hayes goes down to the knee and drops Strowman to the mat.
Good strategy so far from Carmelo, off the second rope. Caught!
[crowd clamoring]
[Michael] Strowman went for the chokeslam.
-Hayes takes him down! -Oh wow!
[Michael] Right on the top of his head! Hayes realizes he's got an opportunity!
-Oh, no, no, no, Melo! -What are you doing?
[Corey] Step on the gas!
-Step on the gas, Melo! -I told you.
-I came… -[crowd clamoring]
[Michael] Uh-oh.
Turn around, Melo! Turn around!
-Oh, and Hayes! -[Corey laughs]
Cole, I think you might owe Carmelo Hayes an apology after this one.
[Michael] I… I may, because that was brilliant by Carmelo Hayes.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] This is like big-game hunting for Carmelo Hayes.
And Melo don't miss.
[Carr speaking indistinctly]
[Corey] Gonna take Braun Strowman out like a bull moose.
-Carmelo Hayes-- Oh! -[Corey chuckles]
Until Braun kicks Carmelo Hayes in the soul.
[crowd cheering]
Four!
-[Michael] And Hayes just dropped. -Five!
[Michael] And now Braun Strowman…
[Carr] Six!
-…sends Hayes onto the steel steps, catches Carmelo.
Seven!
[Michael] Carmelo slips from behind. Oh! Slap, not smart.
Eight!
-But Jessika Carr's counting at eight. -Nine!
[Corey] Nine.
-On to nine. Hayes into the ring. -Ten!
-Count of ten. Wait a minute! He did it! -[bell rings]
-[Corey] Hayes won! -[Michael] He did it!
-It's a holiday miracle! -[Alicia] Ladies and gentlemen.
As a result of a count-out, the winner of the match is Carmelo Hayes!
[Michael] Well, Hayes said he had a game plan, and…
-["The Greatest" playing] -[Corey] And it worked to perfection!
[Michael] Not quite.
I don't think that's really what Carmelo meant,
but nonetheless, he picked up the win over Strowman.
♪ Step here, step here… ♪
[Michael] And Carmelo Hayes talking trash.
And Hayes better get out of, uh, out of harm's way.
[Corey] I'd say he'd better get out of town, if we're honest.
[Michael] Because it's about to not be a wonderful life for Carmelo Hayes.
[Corey] Where's Yukon Cornelius when you need him to take out Strowman?
♪ They know that I gotta prove it ♪
[dramatic music building]
[music fades]
I'm excited about it. This is gonna be good.
-I'm so happy. -Double champ would be--
Hey, there you are.
-Hi. -[crowd cheers]
Um, I just wanted to wish you guys both luck
in your guys' Tag Title match.
And I cannot wait to be there ringside for when they raise your guys' hand--
Uh… Tiffy.
Actually…
[inhales sharply] …Nia and I have been talking,
and we think it's best that you stay back here during the match.
-Yeah, uh… -You know what though?
You could probably take some notes.
Yeah? See what a championship victory looks like?
And, you know, actually, if you wanna help,
you could get some champagne, balloons, maybe streamers.
We're gonna need all that after we win.
So maybe you should get to work on that. That's a lot, a lot of prep.
-We're gonna strategize, so… -[crowd booing]
Thanks, Tiff.
Okay.
-[chuckles] -We'll be good. I'm prepared.
I think we're prepared. We're ready.
She's gonna have the most beautiful party for us.
-Yeah, that'll be sweet. -Yeah.
["Making Money Solo" playing]
[Michael] Over a decade of friendship and mentorship all goes up in smoke
as Alex Shelley of Motor City Machine Guns
goes one-on-one with one-half of the WWE Tag Team Champions,
Johnny Gargano, next.
[music fades]
♪ One, two, three, four… ♪
[Michael] One of the fun things about Friday Night SmackDown
and Monday Night Raw is we invite all of you
to bring all of your signs to any WWE Live event you're a part of.
Of course, Friday Night SmackDown here tonight with some creative signs.
[Corey] Nobody makes any signs for me.
[Michael] Why would you want a sign? People boo you when you walk out.
♪ Countin' zeros every day You know that we never play ♪
♪ Ay ♪
♪ Time out, never been one to play with… ♪
[crowd booing]
-[indistinct chatter] -[Carmelo grunts]
[Braun] Melo!
-¿Qué pasa? -What's wrong with this guy?
Where's Carmelo at?
-[crowd cheers] -Where's Carmelo at?
-Screw you. I'm not a snitch. -Not telling me's worse than snitching.
You're… you're looking for Melo? He went that way.
That way. Yeah, come on.
Straight.
-Thank you. Carmelo! -You're welcome.
Where you at?
-The anger's perfect! -What?!
Braun, the musical, have you given it a second thought?
-I don't care about the stupid musical! -[Carmelo screams]
-[shouts] -[groans]
-[crowd booing] -[Braun groans]
What's up? Huh? What's up now?
[breathing heavily]
[growls]
[screams]
[crowd cheering]
[Braun grunts]
[intro music playing]
[Michael] Carmelo Hayes has a death wish.
He really does. I hope he knows what he's doing.
♪ Raise your fist ♪
♪ Oh, let's go ♪
[bell rings]
[Alicia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Detroit, Michigan,
he is one-half of the Motor City Machine Guns,
Alex Shelley!
[Michael] Shelley told his partner, Sabin, he wanted to do this alone here tonight.
[music continues]
[music fades]
[Michael] No smiling tonight for Alex Shelley.
♪ One, two, three, four ♪
♪ Let's go ♪
[Alicia] And his opponent from Cleveland, Ohio,
weighing in at 199 pounds,
he is one-half of the WWE Tag Team Champions,
DIY Johnny Gargano!
[Michael] Corey, let's show you where everything went south
between these former friends, Gargano and Shelley,
a couple of weeks ago with the Tag Titles on the line.
Here's when it seemed that DIY was on the brink of explosion.
-Johnny Gargano took the low road… -[crowd exclaiming]
…with an assist from Tommaso Ciampa,
opening the door for a superkick that rocked the jaw of Alex Shelley
and shocked the Motor City Machine Guns…
-[crowd] One! Two! Three! -…such that DIY…
[bell rings]
…reclaimed the WWE Tag Team Titles.
♪ Nobody's gonna save you ♪
♪ You gotta do it yourself ♪
[Michael] So, interesting background between the two men in the ring,
Johnny Gargano and Alex Shelley.
[bell rings]
[Michael] Johnny Gargano was trained by a man named JT Lightning.
[Corey] JT Lightning, I wrestled with him a million times in Cleveland.
[Michael] He brought, uh, Johnny Gargano to Cleveland All Pro Wrestling,
where he also brought in Alex Shelley.
Let me ask you, Cole, did Johnny Gargano tell you
that I was the champion there at Cleveland All Pro?
No, because Gargano thinks he invented the wrestling business.
This little twerp is the biggest problem I've got with anybody on the roster.
I would fight Johnny Gargano any day of the week,
and I can't wait to watch Alex Shelley knock Johnny's teeth down his throat.
Tommaso Ciampa? Different story. Guy scares the hell out of me.
But I will never say a good word about Johnny Gargano as long as I live.
[Michael] Well, right now, Gargano is dominating Alex Shelley.
-They first worked together back in 2006… -Oh!
…nearly 20 years ago.
In fact, they actually had a match one time
in the parking lot of Gargano's dad's catering company.
Long-time friendship between these two,
but Gargano put the friendship behind in order to win the gold.
[Corey] Know why Gargano's buddies with everybody on Independence?
-Oh! -'Cause his dad let everybody sleep over.
-Did you? -Cheaper than paying hotels.
No, I drove back to Pittsburgh. They wouldn't let me stay.
[scattered cheering, applause]
[Michael] Alex Shelley, who wanted to do this alone tonight,
has had single success in his career,
a one-time TNA Heavyweight Impact World Champion.
[Corey] Alex Shelley, such a technical wizard.
As much as Johnny Gargano knows
and likes to refer to himself as the Mechanical Marvel,
Alex Shelley has the exact same skill set, if not more.
[Alex groans]
[Michael] Shelley can twist you six ways from Sunday.
But the kick from Gargano put the brakes on Alex.
-You're the teacher? I'm the student? -Gargano, a former NXT Champion.
Three-time NXT North American Champion.
[both grunt]
[Michael] Gargano now with kicks to the midsection of Alex Shelley.
[referee] Three! Four!
[Michael] Gargano had everyone suckered in and everyone believing…
[crowd booing]
…that he was gonna do the right thing and…
[Corey] Not me.
-[Michael] You didn't buy it at all? -Not once.
[Michael] And Gargano now sent out to the apron.
[Corey] In fact, I was probably the only guy rooting for it.
I couldn't wait to watch Ciampa punch Gargano in the face again.
-Shelley up over the top. -[screams]
-[Corey] Ooh! -Right to the left arm of Johnny Gargano.
Big kick to the face!
[Corey] And listen, as much as…
Oh wow! Running knee from Shelley.
Down goes Johnny.
Alex Shelley in control.
That's what you get!
[groans]
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And we are back on Friday Night SmackDown.
Johnny Gargano, Alex Shelley, one-on-one tonight.
Shelley trying to fight back into this.
[Corey] And I will begrudgingly give some respect to Johnny Gargano
for realizing the--
Oh! The situation that he has--
-Cover here. -One!
[Michael] Hook of the leg, and a kick-out by Shelley.
[Corey] Johnny, as part of DIY, has Ciampa on his side
as we look during the break at this spear from Johnny on the outside.
But Johnny Gargano realized,
"I've got a madman on my hands in Tommaso Ciampa."
"I can either work with him or deal with him."
And I think Johnny made the right choice.
That's why we've got new Tag Team Champions.
[Michael] He knows what it's like to fight Ciampa
and decided, to your point, better to team with Tommaso.
Left hand, and once again, went for that Slingshot Spear.
And Shelley caught him this time with a kick and buys himself some time.
Shelley trying to rally in this one.
[both grunting]
-[crowd] Oh! -[grunts]
[Michael] Alex Shelley with shots ringing throughout the arena.
-[Alex screams] -[Michael] Big knee to the midsection.
-[groans] -Ooh! What a kick to the back of the neck.
[Corey] Pinning combination. Shoulders down by Shelley.
-[Johnny] Aah! -Seamlessly transitioning.
Looking for an armbar now is Alex Shelley.
Could this be a… a Gargano Escape?!
-No! Shoulders down! -[Engler] One! Two!
[Michael] Gargano was telling me earlier today that that move was actually--
[Michael and Corey] Oh!
[Michael] Cover by Shelley.
-One! Two! -[Michael] And a kick-out.
And, again, Johnny Gargano uses the Gargano Escape.
He said that he actually took that move from Shelley,
which he used the call the Border City Stretch…
-Come on! Aah! -…which you've probably been in.
[Corey] I have, as a matter of fact.
-[Michael] Did you tap? -[Corey] Hell no.
[crowd chanting]
[Michael] Oh! And a right hand by Gargano. And another one.
[chuckling] Oh!
Explosive chops to one-half of the Tag Team Champions.
-[screams] -[groans]
[Michael] Gargano caught him with a kick to the ear.
[scattered shouting]
[Michael] Johnny with another kick.
-Shelley in all types of trouble here-- -Oh! Off the second turnbuckle!
-Launched. -One!
-Cover for the win! -Two!
-[Michael] Kick-out by Shelley. -[crowd clamoring]
[Michael] Johnny Gargano.
Trying to figure out what he needs to do to put Alex Shelley away.
One! Two!
[Corey] Gargano very nearly found the answer to that question.
-Now Gargano going for the Gargano Escape. -That's the Border City Stretch.
It's disrespectful to call it anything else.
[heckling]
[Michael] It's called the Gargano Escape now.
-Have you been in the Gargano Escape? -Nope.
Never lost to Johnny Gargano.
Shelley able to counter, back to his feet.
-Did you ever fight him? -Yep.
Now--
-Oh, Gargano with a cheap shot! -[Corey laughs]
[crowd booing]
Dan Engler trying to separate the two. Shelley! Face-first goes Gargano.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Shelley with a few moments to compose himself,
perhaps restrategize his game plan.
Shelley trying to shake the cobwebs out of his cranium,
making the climb to the top turnbuckle.
[Michael] And look who's here!
Tommaso Ciampa, one-half of the Tag Team Champions.
[Corey] Johnny's meal ticket.
[Michael] Gargano takes advantage of the distraction.
-[Corey] Here comes Chris Sabin. -Get back!
-Shelley's partner… -[Sabin] Get back!
…for the Motor City Machine Guns.
[woman in crowd] Let's go!
[Corey] Shelley now from the top turnbuckle, crossbody,
rolls through.
[Michael] Hook of the leg by Gargano, and the tights, and the win!
[bell rings]
♪ One, two, three, four… ♪
[Alicia] Here is your winner, one-half of the WWE Tag Team Champions,
Johnny Gargano!
[Michael] That had to feel great for Gargano, the win tonight
over his former buddy, Alex Shelley.
Dummy!
[Corey] Well, earlier this week at WWE Headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut,
it was the Raw on Netflix kickoff.
They're both dumb.
["Big Dawgs" playing]
[Michael] You are looking live at global headquarters
for WWE in Stamford, Connecticut,
for the Monday Night Raw on Netflix kickoff show.
♪ Wait a minute Get it how you live it ♪
♪ Ten toes in… ♪
[crowd cheering]
♪ I'm a big stepper ♪
-I wanna know, is the whole world ready? -[cheering]
The newest member of the Monday Night Raw roster,
-Logan Paul! -[crowd boos]
You are looking at the future world champion.
♪ Rollin' through the city With the big dogs ♪
It will be my duty to slap that stupid smirk out of his face!
-[cheering] -♪ They ask me, "How you get like this?" ♪
♪ "How you live like this?" ♪
We're looking at two of the centerpieces of the Netflix era.
Liv Morgan, you will defend that Women's World Championship
against Rhea Ripley.
[chanting] Rhea! Rhea! Rhea!
Shut up!
Best believe I'm gonna beat you January 6th on Netflix.
[cheering]
[cheering fades]
[Michael] January 6th, it is Tribal Combat,
the battle to determine who is the true Tribal Chief.
[rock music playing]
WWE Headquarters,
acknowledge me.
[Heyman] Ladies and gentlemen,
there can only be one Tribal Chief.
That Tribal Chief is the OTC, Roman Reigns.
[Michael] The main event of Monday Night Raw,
when it premiers on Netflix, is one of the most anticipated matches
in the history of our business.
It will be CM Punk versus Seth Rollins.
The locker room's only so big.
It can only fit so many egos.
Sometimes there's only room for one of us.
Welcome to the house that I built
when you abandoned ship.
-[crowd] Oh! -I don't need a mic. I don't need a mic.
-Hey! -I don't need a microphone!
I'll see you on the 6th, beginning of the end.
[intense music builds, fades]
♪ Born to be the greatest of all time This is where I draw the line ♪
♪ Can't stop my shine… ♪
[Corey] And this match will finally happen
as the animosity between Seth "Freakin" Rollins
and CM Punk has been building for over a decade,
and these two men will finally go one-on-one January 6th.
Plus, this family saga's been building
ever since Solo named himself the Tribal Chief after WrestleMania.
The Bloodline's implosion has caused a rift,
leaving Roman Reigns no choice but to lay out the ultimate challenge,
Tribal Combat.
Anything goes, and the winner takes possession of the Ula Fala
and will be crowned Tribal Chief.
And also just announced,
the Women's World Championship will be on the line
as Liv Morgan defends her title against the former champion,
Rhea "Bloody" Ripley.
This match and so much more as we gear up for the Raw on Netflix premiere
on January 6th.
-[music fades] -[crowd cheering]
I'm standing by with Bianca Belair and Naomi.
Ladies, before you head out to the ring, it's been a crazy couple weeks for ya.
From the mysterious attack on Jade Cargill
to being part of the winning team at WarGames.
In just a few moments,
you really have a chance to solidify yourselves
as the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions.
You know, Byron, these… these past couple of weeks have been rough,
to say the least.
Trust I'm gonna find out what happened to Jade.
But I'm not gonna allow what happened to strip us of these titles.
That's just giving them what they want, and I'm not going down without a fight.
But thankfully, I got a friend right here that always got my back.
-B, I got your back forever! -[chuckles]
And you know I can never turn down a good snatch and drag.
Plus, I know how important these titles are to you and Jade.
-Mm-hmm. -They are to me as well.
So that's why I'm gonna go out there tonight and do everything that I need to
to make sure we leave here as champions.
Okay.
[sniffs] Here you go.
Not until I earn it.
Okay.
-Yeah. -I like that.
♪ N ♪
-Let's go! -♪ A ♪
♪ O ♪
♪ M ♪
♪ I ♪
[Corey] Little bit of superstition can go a long way.
I like that call from Naomi.
She's not touching the gold till she earns it.
♪ Let's go! ♪
♪ The beast is out the cage ♪
♪ You know I own that stage… ♪
[Michael] Naomi's put a lot of pressure on herself.
♪ My head is in the game I make 'em feel the pain ♪
[Michael] Steppin' up to help out Bianca Belair.
♪ One, two, three ♪
♪ Glow, glow, glow ♪
♪ Pump your fists, let's go ♪
♪ Glow, glow… ♪
♪ I'm on my own ♪
♪ Against the wall ♪
♪ The pressure's building But, no, I will never fall ♪
♪ Instead of crying They hear me roar ♪
♪ And now I see That I'm way better than before ♪
♪ I never needed you at all ♪
♪ Think I'd fall down… ♪
[Michael] Bianca Belair and Naomi have teamed together
for six-woman tag team matchups in the past.
But tonight, it's all about defending the Tag Team Titles.
[Corey] To that point, this is not necessarily a bad decision by Bianca
to choose Naomi,
someone you have chemistry and experience alongside as your new partner.
[Michael] Bianca and Naomi defend against Nia Jax and Candice LeRae
next on SmackDown.
[music fades]
[Michael] It is time for our main event on Friday Night SmackDown.
Bianca Belair and her new partner, Naomi, set to defend the Women's Tag Team Titles.
♪ I'm on my own ♪
♪ Against the world… ♪
["Not Like Most Girls" by WWE, def rebel playing]
♪ There's only one of me ♪
♪ Look it up I'm written down in history… ♪
[Michael] Well, Candice LeRae has sure been able to weasel her way into
the good graces of the WWE Women's Champion, Nia Jax.
[Corey] I think that's a skill she acquired through marriage.
[Michael] Married to your buddy Johnny Gargano.
[Corey] He ain't my buddy, Cole.
Candice LeRae, the WWE Speed Women's Champion,
a world-traveled, extremely experienced veteran.
LeRae could be the missing piece in Nia Jax's court
to become Tag Team Champions.
[Michael] Tiffany Stratton has been told to hang out back in the locker room
and learn how it's done.
That cannot sit well with Ms. Money in the Bank, Tiffany Stratton.
♪ There's only one of me ♪
♪ And I bet you'll be out Before I count to three ♪
♪ I'ma show you how 'Cause I'm the baddest breed ♪
[music fades]
[bell rings]
The following contest, scheduled for one fall,
is for
the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship!
[crowd cheering]
Introducing first, the challengers,
the team of Candice LeRae
and the WWE Women's Champion,
Nia Jax!
[crowd cheering]
And their opponents,
they are
the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
the team of Naomi
and Bianca Belair!
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] So again, Bianca Belair's tag team partner,
Jade Cargill,
out indefinitely after an assault a number of weeks ago.
General manager Nick Aldis says that the investigation's still underway
on who attacked Cargill.
Naomi now has…
decided to step up and join Bianca Belair in defending the Tag Titles tonight
against Nia Jax and Candice LeRae, and we're underway.
Bianca and LeRae will start things off.
Will Bianca and Naomi work well together, do you think?
[Corey] I expect Bianca and Naomi to work extremely well.
Tag team wrestling all comes down to chemistry,
and you can't just develop that overnight.
Luckily, Naomi and Bianca do have a great deal of history.
We mentioned they were part of a six-person tag team match
back at WrestleMania.
And here's the power of the EST.
It's not like Bianca just picked somebody out of thin air.
This is a friend, someone she's traveled with,
someone she's trained with, someone she knows.
[crowd clamoring]
[Michael] Tag is made now to the WWE Women's Champion, Nia Jax.
[Corey] On the other side of the coin, you've got Nia Jax,
who's the reigning champion, and you've got Candice LeRae,
who is willing to do Nia's bidding.
Let Nia call the shots. Let Nia be the quarterback of this team.
If Candice executes, that could spell big things,
unlike Tiffany Stratton has been able to deliver for Nia lately.
[Michael] Well, Tiffany Stratton, Ms. Money in the Bank,
looking on, obviously disappointed.
She believed she'd be teaming with Nia tonight
with a chance at the tag team gold.
But again, Candice LeRae weaseling her way in.
And tag made, and here comes Naomi,
who, remember,
earned a victory over Nia Jax a couple of months back.
Nice double-team by the champs.
Cover by Naomi.
And a kick-out.
Many believe, to this day,
she could have beaten Jax for the championship.
[Corey mumbles] Almost counts.
Double back kick by Naomi slows down the Irresistible Force!
-[Michael] Oh! -[Corey chuckles]
Good night.
[Michael] Nia covers to win the Tag Team Titles!
-Kick-out by Naomi. -[scattered applause]
[Michael] Will Bianca and Naomi somehow hang on here on SmackDown?
[Naomi] Aah!
[crowd roaring]
[Michael] And we are back on Friday Night SmackDown.
Bianca Belair and Naomi defending the Tag Titles
against Candice LeRae and Nia Jax.
Nia made the tag.
I don't believe Bianca Belair realizes that the WWE Women's Champion is legal.
[Corey] Nia Jax waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
[crowd exclaims]
[Michael] Oh, Bianca did, I guess, realize it.
Candice though!
Knee right to the face.
-And Nia with a Samoan drop. -[crowd exclaims]
-[Michael] Cover! -[crowd] One! Two!
[Michael] Bianca kicks out! So close for Nia.
Almost a double champion.
[crowd clamoring]
[woman in crowd] Come on, Bianca!
[Michael] And Nia in control
against the EST of WWE, Bianca Belair.
We see Naomi in the background.
[Corey] This is where Nia wants to be. Slow down the pace.
Get a little more methodical. Impose your will.
-Use your size to wear down Bianca. -[crowd clapping]
-Because Nia is fully aware how quickly… -Oh!
…Belair can turn the tides in any matchup.
Bianca has truly game-changing power,
but so does Jax.
[Michael] Now Nia mocking the WWE fans here tonight.
And Naomi as well.
Off the hair!
[Michael] Oh! Using Bianca's hair to her advantage.
[arguing indistinctly]
[Nia] Huh?
-[Michael] The pace that Nia wants. -Off the rope with that! One!
-Two! Three! -[Nia] Huh?! What?!
What is wrong with you?
[Michael] …so far tonight with Bianca Belair.
Candice LeRae with a cheap shot.
[crowd shouting]
[Michael] Yanking at the face of Bianca Belair.
[crowd booing]
[Michael] Nia and Candice could be closing in
on winning the Tag Team Titles.
And you gotta wonder what that would, uh, do to Tiffany Stratton,
how she would feel about it.
[Corey] Listen, I have a hard time having sympathy for Tiffany Stratton.
She might be the most dangerous woman in all of WWE.
She's Ms. Money in the Bank.
For God's sake, it's not--
No one to blame but Tiffany for having terrible timing.
[Michael] You don't think she'd ever cash in on Nia?
[Corey] I would hope not.
I would advise her to perhaps target a different Women's World Champion.
Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge.
But I mean, hey,
Nia has to understand that being champion, it comes with the territory.
[Michael] Bianca trying to power up Nia, not able to do it there.
Nia sends Bianca to the corner. Bianca fighting back now.
Elbow to the face of Candice LeRae.
Belair, across the ring, tries to make a tag.
And Nia just powers her back into the other corner.
-Tag made! -[Michael] Tag. Candice is legal.
-[Ayers] Take it out now. -The Poison Pixie from the top turnbuckle.
-[Michael] LeRae with a missile dropkick. -Wow!
[Michael] Nia drops Belair.
Cheap shot to Naomi.
-Take it out now. One! -[Michael] Candice now…
-Oh! Off of Nia with a senton. -Senton.
[Michael] Cover for the win and the titles!
-[screams] -[Michael] Kick-out by Belair.
[crowd clamoring]
[Corey] Now Candice needs to realize the onus is on her
to push the pace of this matchup.
She has gold within reach.
-[crowd] EST! EST! -Candice needs to stay on top of Belair.
You can't allow Bianca to have this much time to recover.
I don't care who you are.
[crowd] EST!
[Michael] Candice continuing to control,
and Bianca trying to fight back.
[Candice grunts]
[Michael] LeRae with a mean streak. Tag made. Here comes Jax.
And Belair trying to create some sort of space.
No one to tag though. On the apron…
Naomi was knocked off by LeRae.
[crowd clamoring]
[Michael] Bianca though…
Nia misses wildly, takes out her own partner.
[Naomi] Are you okay?
[Michael] Now Belair…
Tag!
[Corey] Here comes Naomi.
[Michael] And Nia Jax runs right into Naomi.
A little corkscrew elbow by Naomi.
Using her quickness here. Off the second rope.
-Kick right to the back of the neck. -Let's go!
[Michael] Naomi fired up.
Could be closing in on retaining the Tag Titles.
[Corey] Jax down to one knee.
Big boot just in time. Naomi now perched on the middle rope.
-[crowd exclaims] -Face-first goes Nia Jax off the X-Factor.
-Cover now. -[crowd] One! Two!
[Michael] And a kick-out by Nia.
Naomi also retaining…
almost retaining by pinning the Women's Champion.
[Corey] I think in Naomi's mind,
a win tonight would be like her winning the championship.
She said she refused to touch it before earning it.
-Naomi came within a millisecond… -[crowd clapping rhythmically]
…of that happening moments ago.
[Michael] Naomi sidesteps Jax and goes shoulder-first into the post.
Naomi with an opportunity now.
Split-legged moonsault. Nobody home!
Jax with a little quickness of her own.
Now Nia trying to position Naomi.
[crowd exclaiming]
[Michael] Looking for the Annihilator. Naomi, though, back to her feet.
[Corey] I think Nia might have collided face-first with the top of the ring post.
-Whoa! -[Michael] Belair's legal!
Naomi takes out Nia!
Nia's been busted open!
Belair now!
[Corey] From the top!
-[Michael] Oh! Takes out Jax! -[crowd] Oh!
-Cover to retain! -[crowd] One! Two!
[Michael] Candice LeRae saves the matchup!
[crowd clamoring]
[Corey] There's a lot of ground to cover for the EST.
[clamoring continues]
[Corey] A 450 splash from nearly halfway across--
[Michael] Oh, wait a minute! Nia's down! Here comes Stratton!
Ms. Money in the Bank marching down to the ring with the briefcase!
[crowd cheering]
-[inaudible dialogue] -[cheering continues]
You're doing great. You're doing great.
Come on!
[Michael] Is Tiffany out here to provide support for Jax and LeRae?
[crowd chanting]
-[Michael] Big boot by LeRae. -[crowd chanting]
[Michael] Candice, Tornado DDT.
Bianca's in trouble.
To win the Tag Team Titles, hooks both legs.
And Naomi saves it.
[scattered shouting, applause]
[Michael] Tag made once again. Naomi legal.
[Ayers shouts]
[Michael] Our official, Jason Ayers, going back and forth with Nia Jax.
-Wait a minute. -Give me!
[scattered shouting]
Now!
-Nia asking for the briefcase. -Thank you.
Hey! What are you doing?
Put that down. You get that out of here. Get that out of the ring.
Oh!
[Michael] Oh, Nia knocked off the apron by Belair.
Tag made.
Bianca over the top rope!
-[yelping] -[crowd] One!
-Two! Three! -Kick-out by Naomi meanwhile in the ring.
And Naomi with a big knee driving Candice back to the corner.
-Split-legged moonsault! -[crowd] Oh!
Cover!
[crowd] One! Two! Three!
-Naomi pulls her weight! -[bell rings]
-She retains with Bianca. -[crowd cheering]
♪ You know I own that stage… ♪
[Alicia] Here are your winners,
and still the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Naomi and Bianca Belair!
[Michael] What an effort tonight by Naomi and Bianca.
Naomi proving her worth tonight as they retain the Tag Team Titles.
And everything that could go wrong did go wrong for Nia Jax and Candice LeRae.
[Corey] Now let's take a moment to bask in this great feeling
that Naomi is no doubt experiencing
standing side by side with her long-time friend
now turned Tag Team Championship partner.
-[yelping] -Here are the closing moments.
Bianca would launch herself to the outside to take out Nia Jax.
And moments later,
the split-legged moonsault on Candice LeRae.
-[crowd] Three! -[bell rings]
[Corey] As you said, Cole, Naomi pulled her weight,
lived up to her half of the bargain.
And still…
[crowd cheering]
♪ Pump your fists, let's go… ♪
[Michael] Happy holidays, everyone. Have a great Christmas.
We'll see you next week.
[cheering continues]
♪ My head is in the game ♪
♪ I make 'em feel the pain ♪
[cheering and music fade] in ♪