[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[Cole] Happy New Year, everyone,
and welcome to the very first three-hour Friday Night SmackDown of the new year.
You're looking live at Phoenix, Arizona, a WWE hotbed,
and tonight we're at the Footprint Center.
We're jam-packed to usher in 2025.
But first, let's take you back to last week
and show you the situation between Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens.
♪ I can't help that I'm that girl ♪
Following what occurred at Saturday Night's Main Event,
Kevin Owens is making the claim of being a champion.
Let me be clear, he is not.
He was defeated by Cody Rhodes.
Nonetheless, Kevin is in possession
of the vaunted Winged Eagle championship belt,
something that means a lot to a lot of people.
Kevin has no right and no claim to that championship belt.
Kevin, you have until the end of the night
to relinquish the Winged Eagle championship belt
or face immediate and severe consequences
that will directly impact your future at WWE.
Explain to me why I would give you this back.
This is the only bargaining chip I have.
This is the only way I can make sure I get what's fair.
That is a rematch for the Undisputed WWE Championship
where a referee cannot rob me of my victory.
I already said that there would be immediate and severe consequences
if you didn't hand that over.
Hand the belt over or you never set foot in a WWE ring again.
["Kingdom" plays]
Cody, I'm gonna say this once, and I'm not gonna share too much.
For the sake of your health, please turn around and walk away
and let me handle this.
It's not your responsibility, Nick.
Kevin, it's mine to take that back from you.
You want a match where the ref doesn't screw you? Great.
I want a match where the ref can't stop what I'm gonna do to you.
Ladder match.
A ladder match? What are you talking about?
Ladder match. I'm telling you. I'm begging you.
Take that championship.
Take this championship.
Hang them high up.
[Aldis] At the Royal Rumble,
Kevin Owens will face Cody Rhodes
for the Undisputed WWE Championship
in a ladder match.
Sounds great to me. I'll see you there.
Okay.
[Cole] Oh, not to the neck!
This no good piece of s--
[Graves] Use your words carefully because come the Royal Rumble,
Kevin Owens may in fact be the Undisputed WWE Champion.
[Rhodes] Wrestling has more than one royal family.
["Kingdom" playing]
♪ Adrenaline, in my soul ♪
♪ Every fight out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
♪ Crowd is here, about to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
-♪ Whoa ♪-[crowd singing "Whoa"]
♪ And my father said, when I was younger ♪
♪ Hard times breed better men ♪
[Garcia] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome
the Undisputed WWE Champion,
the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes!
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, you may have noticed that Cody Rhodes
went to his neck moments ago.
That has been a problem because of constant attacks to the neck
by Kevin Owens after the--
what went down at Saturday Night's Main Event last month.
Corey Graves, we head now four weeks from tomorrow
to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana for the Royal Rumble event.
Cody and Kevin Owens in a ladder match.
[Graves] I admire the confidence and the bravery of the quarterback--
Hang on a second, I'm about to be interrupted by a whole lot of pyro.
-♪ Whoa ♪-[crowd singing "Whoa"]
[Graves] I admire the confidence and the bravery of the quarterback,
of Cody Rhodes proudly representing WWE as the undisputed champion.
However, Cody himself has to know he is playing a very, very dangerous game,
and the stakes quite simply can't get any higher come the Royal Rumble.
[Cole] Yeah, there are no pinfalls or submissions.
The WWE Championship, the Winged Eagle title, will hang above the ring.
You must climb a ladder to grab the championship
and become the Undisputed WWE Champion.
[Graves] And I've gotta say, if the American Nightmare's neck
is anything less than 100%, Cody is in big, big trouble.
♪ I stepped right over and right through ♪
♪ And you can never stop me now ♪
♪ Bow! ♪
♪ Now! ♪
[song fades, ends]
[crowd cheering, chanting "Cody"]
Phoenix!
[crowd cheers]
Normally I'd ask you, "What do you wanna talk about?"
But I think we all wanna talk about the same thing.
Timing is a funny thing in life just as it is in this industry.
We're on the cusp.
WWE is on the cusp of changing everything,
not just about WWE, not just about sports entertainment,
but about pro wrestling itself.
It starts tonight, SmackDown, going three hours here in Phoenix.
[crowd cheers]
And then of course Monday Night Raw going to Netflix.
And my…
my excitement…
it's tempered…
ever so slightly tempered,
because as much as I'd like to be involved,
I can only be involved so much because technically I am not cleared to wrestle.
[crowd booing]
And I am not cleared to wrestle
because of Kevin Owens.
[crowd applauding, booing]
Nick Aldis and management are concerned that I'm here in the first place,
but the Royal Rumble is essentially only a month away,
and at the Royal Rumble we will hang this championship above us,
Kevin Owens and I will compete in a ladder match.
["Gallantry (Defining Moment Remix)" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Graves] How's this for a surprise to kick off the return of three-hour SmackDown?
The Scottish Warrior is here.
[Cole] I would say it was a surprise,
however, with the transfer window in effect,
we can only assume that Drew McIntyre is here to talk about maybe coming
to Friday Night SmackDown at some point.
[roars]
[Cole] Corey, Drew McIntyre over the past number of weeks
has made it very clear that he is out to get revenge
on anyone who has sided with Roman Reigns.
[Graves] Very similar mindset to that of none other than Kevin Owens.
McIntyre's a superstar who feels as though the entire world has gone mad around him.
Drew feels that he's the only one that sees the truth, much like Kevin Owens.
But both Owens and McIntyre can agree that Cody committed an unforgivable sin
by assisting Roman Reigns back at Bad Blood.
[Cole] And this should be interesting because of a long history
between Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes that dates back a couple of decades.
[Graves] Both men have had very similar careers having to leave WWE
for long durations before coming back and truly finding themselves
and the success that they sought.
And right now, McIntyre is staring a hole through the Undisputed WWE Champion.
["Gallantry (Defining Moment Remix)" continues playing]
[crowd cheering]
[song fades, ends]
[crowd chattering, jeering]
I'm not here to hurt you, Cody. I'm here to help you.
[crowd cheers]
Thank you for saying that.
You're not on my list.
We go way back,
and since no one else is gonna look you in the eye and tell you this,
you're about to screw up your entire life's work.
Everything you've done,
all the dues you have paid to finally make it to the top of WWE,
be the centerpiece.
You talked about us moving into the future.
This is the greatest generation in the history of the company.
Not the '80s, the New Generation, the Attitude Era, brother.
Right now is the best wrestlers we have ever had in ring,
and if you look at the numbers, the best of all time by far,
and you're the freaking quarterback of it all.
[crowd cheers]
But you're about to screw it all up.
Nick Aldis is breathing down your neck. He won't clear you.
I know what that feels like when you want to fight
and management start holding you back.
There's a guy running around with a replica title,
like he's one of these idiots in the crowd,
pretending he's a world champion.
[crowd jeers]
They're promoting him as a world champion at live events.
And your neck is hanging by a thread.
So I wanted to come out here and tell you this SmackDown portal,
the SmackDown gimmick,
whatever the hell it's called, I don't care.
I can see you need a friend, you need somebody to watch your back
-and maybe I need-- -Drew, Drew, Drew, Drew.
-[crowd member 1] You suck! -[crowd member 2] Drew sucks!
I know you're here, the transfer window, and here you are,
you're saying that, uh, you wanna help me.
You don't wanna hurt me, right?
-That's what you're saying? -Exactly what I'm saying.
I always tell the truth.
Always tell the truth.
Okay, okay. WWE's resident truth teller…
[sighs] …well, I'd love to tell the truth back to you.
I'd love to say that years ago I watched you from afar,
I watched you carry WWE through its darkest time.
I'd love to say that you and I are kindred spirits,
the fact that we had to leave here, scrape ourself up off the mat,
and make something of ourselves, come back and finish our story.
I'd love to say
that over the last two, three years you have become not just a beast
on that microphone, but in this ring.
I'd love to say all of that, Drew, but…
I don't believe you.
[crowd oohs]
I don't believe you.
And I can just feel this tension. I can feel this situation.
It's certainly going to devolve. So let's go ahead and cut right to it.
You wanna throw hands right here, right now?
You want a shot at this championship? We might as well do it.
Everybody wants it.
Drew, come and get it.
[crowd cheers, heckles]
Cody, as similar as we are, you're gonna see the truth one day.
As soon as we're gone, they're gonna forget us.
It doesn't matter what they think. I'm telling you the truth.
I am not here to hurt you. I'm here to help you.
[crowd heckling]
One more thing.
[crowd chants "Go home, Drew"]
You need to watch your back.
[mouthing] I need to watch my back? I need to watch my back?
[Cole] Oh! On a warning from McIntyre, Kevin Owens, KO,
ambushing Rhodes from behind and went right for the neck.
[Graves] McIntyre walking away as Kevin Owens tees off on Cody Rhodes.
[Cole] Owens and now Rhodes trying to fight back.
Remember Rhodes is not medically cleared to compete because of the injured neck,
but Rhodes taking the fight to Kevin Owens out of survival here.
[Graves] Cody's back is against the wall.
Kevin Owens is intent on taking the thing that Cody values most,
the Undisputed WWE Championship.
[Cole] Rhodes is enraged
as the delusional Kevin Owens continues to attack the champion.
And Rhodes bringing the fight to KO again.
Someone needs to protect Rhodes from himself.
And finally, they're dragging Kevin Owens out of the ring.
Owens is confused. He's neurotic.
[Graves] That's your opinion, Cole.
[Cole] Well, he's no damn champion, Graves, we know that.
[Graves] Come the Royal Rumble, you may have no choice…
Jeremy, let me go!
[Graves] …but to acknowledge that Kevin Owens
is the Undisputed WWE Champion.
[Cole] Yeah, four weeks from tomorrow,
Kevin Owens's Winged Eagle Championship, which he did not earn,
along with Cody Rhodes's undisputed WWE title will be hanging above the ring,
a ladder match to determine the Undisputed WWE Champion.
[Graves] You can call Kevin Owens illegitimate tonight,
but come Royal Rumble, it is winner take all.
♪ …about to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up… ♪
[Cole] Well, ladies and gentlemen, again we kick off three hours
of Friday Night SmackDown tonight
and three nights from tonight, Tribal Combat.
Solo Sikoa goes to war with Roman Reigns on Monday Night Raw on Netflix.
Tonight, Sikoa leads Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga into a six-man tag team match
against Sami Zayn and Jimmy and Jey Uso.
Meanwhile, Naomi, accompanied by her tag team partner Bianca Belair,
is the number one contender for the WWE women's title.
Naomi looking for her first world title victory in nearly eight years.
But that woman stands in her way, the irresistible force, Nia Jax.
Jax, Naomi for the WWE Women's Championship live tonight.
And Andrade getting set for action.
He has an opportunity tonight at both retribution
and a chance at the US title perhaps down the road.
Andrade, Nakamura live next.
[Cole] Welcome back to Friday Night SmackDown.
["Sinister Samurai" playing]
[bell ringing]
[Garcia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Kyoto, Japan, weighing in at 220 pounds,
he is the United States Champion,
Shinsuke Nakamura.
[Cole] And, Corey, perhaps the most dangerous Shinsuke Nakamura
we've witnessed here in WWE.
[Graves] Nakamura kicking off the year 2025 in victorious fashion
in his native Japan,
able to spend some time with his mentor, WWE Hall of Famer, the Great Muta.
Nakamura poised for battle tonight against Andrade.
["Conquistar" playing]
[Garcia] And his opponent, from Gómez Palacio, Durango, Mexico,
weighing in at 230 pounds…
Andrade!
[Cole] So, tonight, not only an opportunity
to perhaps earn a future United States championship match,
Andrade looks for revenge tonight.
Last time these two met was back in November.
Nakamura and Andrade one-on-one.
And this is how Nakamura would pull off the victory.
[Graves] Just as it seemed as though Andrade had victory at hand,
Nakamura would expose the top turnbuckle
allowing Andrade to crash sternum first and put himself out of action essentially.
The Kinshasa to the back of Andrade's neck
would provide the exclamation point on a massive victory for the wayward samurai,
our United States champion.
[Cole] Shinsuke Nakamura.
You mentioned the big victory at NOAH The New Year at Budokan
on New Year's.
These two men, Andrade and Shinsuke Nakamura,
had a big rivalry in New Japan a decade ago,
battling for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship
throughout Japan and Mexico, and Nakamura goes right after Andrade.
[Graves] This is an aggressive, a vicious Shinsuke Nakamura
that many watched in Japan years ago have become accustomed to.
[Cole] Here's Andrade giving the United States champion
a run for his money in the early moments. I've got to agree with you.
This might be the best, most dangerous Shinsuke Nakamura,
at least we stateside, have ever seen.
[Graves] The same has to be said for his opponent Andrade.
[Cole] Andrade now from the second row, moonsault to Nakamura.
[Graves] Andrade pulling out all the stops in the early moments of this one.
[Cole] Can he knock off the United States champion?
And we're back live on Friday Night SmackDown.
Shinsuke Nakamura, the United States champion, against Andrade,
here tonight, and Andrade picking up the pace against the champ.
[Graves] Oh! Not too many superstars who can trade strikes
with Shinsuke Nakamura and live to tell the tale,
but Andrade right now is beginning to roll.
[Cole] The third-generation star Andrade, I noticed during the commercial break,
seems to be favoring the left knee a bit, Corey.
[Graves] Could play into this matchup as it progresses,
but right now, Andrade relying on the adrenaline, keeping him moving forward.
We see a very similar situation
to the footage we saw at the beginning of the matchup.
[Cole] Yeah, Nakamura, this time exploding out of the corner,
catches Andrade with the knee, and then catches him with a kick on the other side.
Nakamura, who won the United States championship back at Survivor Series
with a victory over LA Knight.
[Graves] Nakamura utilizing his striking range to great effect thus far.
Using his long limbs, big forearm right on the jaw of Andrade.
[Cole] Andrade, a former United States champion in his own right.
Both of these men once held the NXT title.
Andrade, with a big chop back over to the arena here in Phoenix.
-[Graves] Andrade… -[Cole] Oof!
[Graves] …tried to put the brakes on Shinsuke's forward progression.
-And here it is. Snap German suplex. -[Cole] Vintage Shinsuke Nakamura!
And now Nakamura is gonna head up the ropes.
Shin measuring his man.
Nakamura with a knee right to the face.
Cover by Nakamura.
Hooks the leg on Andrade and a kick-out at two.
[Graves] Take a look at that. Nakamura just whipping Andrade into the canvas
with that snap German suplex followed up by a flying knee.
And here we go. Nakamura going to the well once again.
[Cole] Yeah, exposing the turnbuckle.
[Graves] This time it pays off for Andrade
as he drives Nakamura neck first into the steel.
[Cole] Spectacular backfire for the United States champion.
And the running meteora by Andrade, looking for a win on the champ.
Hooks the leg. Nakamura kicks out in two.
[Graves] Andrade fully aware of the situation that a win over Nakamura tonight
could almost guarantee a United States championship opportunity
in the near future.
[Cole] Andrade's been in the mix for that title for many months now.
Glances back at the now exposed steel turnbuckle.
[Graves] We talk about the history these two superstars have had
all around the globe, that factors into each and every matchup
when you're as familiar as these two are with one another.
[Cole] Andrade, went for the moonsault. Caught him on the second turn go.
Here we go! Cover!
[Graves] Oh! Ho-ho-ho!
It doesn't get any closer than that without the bell ringing.
Andrade came within a fraction of a second of knocking off Shinsuke.
[Cole] This is beautiful. Nakamura moves out of harm's way momentarily.
But Andrade caught him on the second go-round.
[Graves] It's almost instinctive for a superstar
to roll away from a superstar flying in your direction.
That's why we've seen Andrade utilize that…
that adjustment so frequently.
Always one step ahead of his opposition.
[Cole] And now looking for the message perhaps.
-[Graves] Oh-ho! -[Cole] Big elbow.
There was a message: "Go visit your dentist." By Nakamura.
Andrade lands on his feet.
-[Graves] Bam! -[Cole] Oh! What a back elbow!
Cover on the champ for the win for Andrade,
-and a kick-out again by Nakamura on two. -[Graves] Oh, my God.
Unbelievable!
This entire arena in a state of disbelief
alongside Andrade, who was certain this was the end.
That spinning back elbow,
incredible velocity, even higher impact.
But not enough to stop Shinsuke yet.
[Cole] And Nakamura placed on the top rope by Andrade,
and the third-generation superstar Andrade
taking control of this match.
WWE fans talking about this match all over the world on X.
As Andrade now… Shinsuke blocks a couple of attempts at a superplex.
Looks to create some space.
-Oh! -Oh-ho!
Face first off the top of the ring post!
[Graves] Andrade's out. Andrade is out cold.
[Cole] Now Nakamura just slings him back into the ring.
And Andrade is a sitting duck.
[Graves] Here it comes. Nakamura lining it up.
Kinshasa!
[Cole] Cover by the champ. Win for Nakamura!
[bell rings]
[announcer] Here is your winner, the United States champion,
Shinsuke Nakamura!
-[Cole] Impressive victory tonight by… -♪ LA! ♪
[crowd cheering]
Well, the man Nakamura took the US championship from, LA Knight, is here.
Be careful, LA.
And Knight with a big clothesline!
Now hammering away on Shinsuke Nakamura.
The former champion is here, and LA Knight wants his gold back.
Went for the BFT, and Nakamura escapes.
-Yeah! Yeah! -[crowd] Yeah! Yeah!
You steal my title and things go crazy.
One way or another, I'm coming to collect on what's owed to me
because what goes around comes around.
And what's going around, it ain't the flu, it ain't the cold.
It's me stomping your ass to dust every time you turn around
-with everybody saying… -[crowd] LA Knight!
Yeah!
[Cole] The story, Corey, is the fact that LA Knight is in a much different place.
A much better frame of mind than he was the first time around against Shinsuke.
[Graves] I don't know if LA Knight is in a better frame of mind.
It seems to me like LA is blind with rage.
But either way, that spells bad news for Shinsuke Nakamura.
-Well, well, well. -If it isn't Apollo Stooge.
One thing we learned on the mean streets is that snitches do be getting stitches.
Oh, is that right? That's so funny. Everybody already knew you were lying.
Los Garza didn't attack. Come on. That was DIY.
Oh, no, I get it. You guys think you are slick, huh?
[Escobar] Hey, fellas, if you don't stop…
Pretty, Pretty, Pretty Deadly.
Or should I say, "Pretty little liars"?
Look, if you are if going to lie and talk about my familia,
at least do it to their face, understand?
Guys, we would never lie, Santos. You know us.
-It's ridiculous. -Ridiculous!
You know what's ridiculous?
To think all your lies won't come back and beat the crap out of you.
That's ridiculous.
Hey, chill, chill. We're friends here. No need to make a threat.
Threat?
No, no, no.
[all clamoring]
Watch your backs!
[clamoring continues]
Come on. We don't need this.
Well, actually, why don't you two stay so we can have a little chat of our own?
A nice little chat.
The two of you are telling me that it was Los Garza,
and then I've got Apollo Crews,
who said he saw with his own eyes that it was DIY.
-[Gargano] Hey! Wait a minute. -[Ciampa] Whoa, time-out.
Why are you taking the word of Apollo Stooge
and not these two fine, upstanding gentlemen?
Why? Because my eyes are connected to my brain.
Now listen, I don't know what exactly the four of you are up to,
but you're on very thin ice.
-Mr. Aldis. -Mr. Aldis.
-Wow. -[scoffs]
Listen, we know exactly what you guys are up to.
You want a shot at the tag team titles.
Well, there's only two guys that can make that happen,
and clearly Nick Aldis hates you guys.
He doesn't even think you're trustworthy.
But we love you.
-Yeah. You're pretty. You're deadly. -We love you.
You guys would be great, number one contenders, and guess what?
We make the line.
But we have a big title match tonight against the Motor City Machine Guns.
And listen to me.
It is very important that we leave Phoenix as the tag team champions.
Good talk.
Yes, boy! [laughs]
-Yes, boy! Twice he's done it. -That's twice now.
[speaking indistinctly]
[Cole] Pathetic for DIY. Insurance.
♪ I am, I am, I am the one Ain't hard to see ♪
♪ You know, you know that she's that Beauty and that beast ♪
[Garcia] The following is scheduled for one fall.
Making her way to the ring, from Fontana, California…
Michin!
[Cole] Michin looking to put Piper Niven in her place tonight.
I want to take you back to Saturday Night's Main Event last month.
It was Chelsea Green against Michin in the finals
of the Women's United States Championship tournament.
[Graves] Michin looking for a measure of payback against Piper Niven,
who has been a perpetual thorn in the side of Michin,
including at Saturday Night's Main Event, opening the door for Chelsea Green
to become the greatest Women's United States Champion in WWE history.
[Cole] The only Women's United States Champion in WWE history.
[Graves] All perspective, Cole.
[Cole] Last week, Michin interrupted Chelsea Green's championship celebration
along with her bestie, Kendrick the kendo stick.
[Graves] Come on, Cole. The champ's coming out.
[Cole] Yeah, but isn't this Piper's match?
[Graves] The champion is here. You don't differentiate.
When Chelsea's here, you stand up.
[Cole] Why is she dressed like Wonder Woman?
[Graves] She's a great American.
[Garcia] And her opponent,
being accompanied by the Women's United States Champion,
Chelsea Green!
-[Cole] First off, she's Canadian. -[Garcia] From Ayrshire, Scotland,
-Piper Niven! -[Cole] Yeah, Piper's Scottish.
[Graves] Chelsea told me that it's like when you have a baby in the US,
you become naturalized when you become United States Champion.
-It's in the Constitution. -[Cole] She didn't have a baby in the US.
[Graves] I didn't say she had a baby. I said it's like having a baby.
-So bottom line is this, Corey. -Bottom line is you're a bad American.
Chelsea Green, did you see the gifts she was giving out for Christmas?
These stupid little Christmas tree ornaments with her face on them.
Who the hell would put that on a Christmas tree?
[Graves] Me! I have two of them.
As a matter of fact, Chelsea's considering me
for a very, very, very cushy position in her cabinet.
[Cole] And what would that be, kiss ass?
[Graves] I was thinking minister of propaganda.
-[bell ringing] -[Cole] Here we go.
Piper and Michin underway here tonight. One-on-one, and Piper using her power
to drive Michin into the corner. And a big body shot from Piper Niven.
[Graves] The only reason I didn't start singing "The Star-Spangled Banner"
is Lilian's a couple of feet away from us. I didn't want to steal her thunder.
[Cole] Could have sang "America the Beautiful."
These two met in the first round of the United States Championship tournament,
Michin knocking off Piper Niven and Lash Legend in a triple threat match.
[Graves] Michin with hurricanrana again. Surprisingly good effect.
[Cole] And Michin out to the apron. And Michin now.
Oh! Down goes Piper off the hurricanrana. Michin is fired up!
[yelling indistinctly]
-[Cole] Uh-oh, uh-oh. -[Graves] Oh! Yikes.
[Cole] That sidewalk Piper slam.
Niven takes over.
[Graves] God bless America.
[Cole] We are back live on Friday Night SmackDown.
Over 11,000 here tonight, jam-packed at the Footprint Center,
Phoenix, Arizona. First three-hour SmackDown of the new year.
Piper Niven, Michin, one-on-one in the ring.
Michin with a great move, taking Piper down, cover now.
Hook to the leg. Niven kicks out as you see the obnoxious…
Women's United States Champion Chelsea Green looking on at ringside.
[Graves] While you spew insults, I'll call the action.
Big bulldog by Michin, who I've got to admit, has been extremely effective
since the opening bell.
[Cole] Looking for Eat Defeat, Michin's finishing maneuver.
Piper able to counter.
Michin's never held the singles championship in WWE.
She would love the United States title that is around the waist
of Chelsea Green to be her first.
Oh, champion! My champion!
[Graves] That means Michin would have to get past Piper Niven,
Chelsea Green's personal secretary of defense.
The whole cabinet involved here, Cole.
[Cole] Here's Piper now. Nobody home! Look at the cannonball in the corner.
[Graves] Michin answers with a cannonball of her own.
[Cole] And now Michin's in control. Piper is in deep trouble.
Oh, look at this! I love this. You go, Michin! You go!
This twerking, Michin told me earlier it's called the long back attack.
-Michin told me that. -[Graves] Michin told you that?
-You just go into business for yourself. -[Cole] She told me that earlier today.
Cover the leg now. Piper Niven able to kick out.
[Graves] No self-respecting woman would ever call themselves…
-What did you call it? -[Cole] The long back attack.
[Graves] I don't think that's a good thing.
-[Cole] That's what she calls it. -[Graves] Okay.
[Cole] And now Chelsea Green mouthing off trying to distract Michin.
Michin now heading up toward the top rope.
Piper Niven tries to make it back to her feet and does.
Michin has to roll through, lands on her feet.
Piper now got caught.
Michin went for Eat Defeat again. Piper Niven now.
-[Graves] Good night! -[Cole] Oh!
Piper driver for the win on Michin.
And a kick out at two.
[Graves] Disappointment on the face of Piper after this tremendous exchange
ending in a Michinoku driver.
Niven nearly secured the victory, but Michin will not quit.
[Cole] Chelsea Green could not believe
that Piper could not put Michin away there.
This is it. Stay on her, Piper. This is it.
[Cole] If Piper picks up the win, maybe she challenges Chelsea for the title.
[Graves] Look at you driving wedges, Cole.
[Cole] And here's Piper now, second row.
Oh! Michin caught her.
[Graves] Michin got the feet up, caught Niven right under her chin.
[Cole] And now Michin, third time's the charm.
Eat Defeat by Michin. Cover. Hooks the leg on Niven.
-[crowd] Three! -[Cole] Win for Michin.
["I Am" playing]
[Garcia] Here is your winner. Michin!
[Cole] Could Chelsea Green be next? I got an idea.
Maybe they can battle for the title in a dumpster match.
[Graves] I hope you get sent out of the country. Permanently.
[Cole] Michin with a big win here tonight on SmackDown.
The wise man is here. Paul Heyman. It looks like he may be coming out.
Send that man through the metal detector! Who knows what he's carrying.
[Naomi] My glow isn't just a look.
It's a reminder that in all of us there's a light.
We're beautiful and powerful. Can change the world.
Just by being in it.
♪ I never been better ♪
[Cole] She's back!
♪ Never been better ♪
[Naomi] I want to be a living reminder.
That we don't have to experience life the way we've been told.
♪ Never been better Better than ever ♪
That we will not be pushed around by the fear in our minds.
♪ Never been better ♪
But led by the dreams in our hearts.
[Cole] Absolutely incredible.
I do the impossible. I changed the environment around me.
I am the glow. I am…
Naomi.
[Cole] We're supposed to be unbiased out here, but I can tell you,
I am pulling for Naomi tonight.
She's the number one contender for the WWE Women's Championship.
Naomi versus the irresistible force Nia Jax live later on tonight.
Also still to come tonight ahead of Tribal Combat at Monday Night Raw.
Sami Zayn joins forces with the Usos
to battle Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu
in a colossal, six-man tag team match tonight.
Ladies and gentlemen.
-My name is Paul Heyman. -[crowd] Paul Heyman!
Tonight way before Monday,
I wanted to come out here on the record
to set the record straight.
See, on Monday, we're gonna find out one thing,
who is the real Tribal Chief?
[crowd clamoring]
And let's all be transparent about this.
Roman Reigns and I trained Solo to become
the next in line to be the Tribal Chief.
Roman Reigns and I taught Solo how to become the Tribal Chief.
Roman Reigns and I prepped, prepared Solo for the moment in time--
in the future--
the future when Roman Reigns was ready to step down as the head of the table,
the head of the family,
the head of all of WWE.
And then, then Solo would reign as the Tribal Chief.
And then at WrestleMania, what happened?
After ten years of lusting for revenge against Seth Rollins,
Roman Reigns could not turn down that lust
and finally got revenge on Seth Rollins.
And Cody Rhodes, to his massive credit, took advantage of that blind spot
and got a one, two, three on Roman Reigns.
And that is where Solo Sikoa seized the moment.
That's where Solo Sikoa stole
the Ula Fala from Roman Reigns's bag.
[crowd booing]
That twisted son of a bitch did not earn that Ula Fala.
He stole it from Roman Reigns.
He got rid of Jimmy Uso. He got rid of the Wiseman.
He got rid of all of us. Why?
Because he knew no sane man was ever going to acknowledge Solo Sikoa.
So what did he do?
He went out and he got himself this band of-of… [stammers]
Of these filthy animals that don't even belong in professional wrestling.
He got Tama Tonga not welcome in the United States.
He got Tonga Loa not welcome in the United States.
He got Jacob Fatu, who's not even welcome…
Who's not even welcome outside the United States prison system for crying out loud.
He got these men because none of us were
ever going to acknowledge Solo Sikoa.
On Monday, live on Netflix,
tribal combat.
No rules.
Except there must be a winner
and there must be a loser.
The winner of the match this Monday,
and I absolutely promise you
your Tribal Chief,
the only Tribal Chief,
Roman Reigns.
["Taking It All" playing]
♪ We taking it all ♪
[Graves] Paul Heyman knows all too well the damage that this man can do.
♪ Dropping you down to the floor We're taking it all ♪
Now would be a great time to make your exit, Mr. Heyman.
The Wiseman knows full well the destruction
that this man is capable of.
♪ Alpha, omega, the end ♪
♪ Let it begin Giving you a scope through my lens ♪
♪ I do not follow no trends ♪
♪ You see the light ♪
♪ You could believe all the hype ♪
♪ Relentless from day to the night ♪
♪ You paying the price ♪
♪ Tell 'em my time is now I’m active ♪
[Cole] Well, especially after the harsh words
that Heyman just fired at Sikoa,
saying that he stole the Ula Fala
which he now wears around his neck.
That he brought in his band of--
now this is a Heyman quote-- "animals"
to acknowledge him because nobody else would.
♪ Better than ever before We're taking it all ♪
[Graves] Paul Heyman knows as well as anybody
just how well those animals take direction
from their tribal chief Solo Sikoa.
♪ You should not step in my lane ♪
♪ We not the same ♪
♪ I am elite know the name ♪
♪ The legacy runs thru my veins ♪
♪ I am a king ♪
[song ends]
[crowd chanting] Si-Si-Sikoa!
I, uh…
I want you to know I'm about 10 seconds away
from pissing in my pants.
Why?
Because the last time we did this,
and I told you that you're not my Tribal Chief.
You had me put through a table
in front of my children
and the whole world to see at Madison Square Garden,
and if I even blink at you wrong right now,
I know Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga are coming out here
and the same damn thing
is gonna happen to me tonight in Phoenix, Arizona.
[crowd chanting]
[grunts]
Come on!
[Graves] He had no choice.
[Cole] Smart decision.
[crowd chanting] Solo sucks! Solo sucks!
Solo sucks! Solo sucks!
Phoenix, Arizona.
[crowd booing]
Acknowledge me.
[crowd booing]
Wiseman, I think it's finally time for you to acknowledge the truth.
You owe CM Punk a favor, right?
I do. I owe CM Punk a favor.
How about this?
Let me owe you a favor.
-What? -Okay?
You see, this Monday I need somebody to hold the Ula Fala
during the tribal combat match.
I need somebody that is trustworthy.
[crowd] What?
I need somebody that loves my family.
[crowd] What?
Somebody that will never disrespect my family.
[crowd] What?
And somebody that will never disrespect the Ula Fala.
[crowd] What?
So this Monday, if Roman beats me…
You want me…
-You want me to hold the Ula Fala? -Hold on. Hold on.
If Roman beats me in the tribal combat match,
you will put the Ula Fala around his neck,
and I will acknowledge him as the Tribal Chief.
Okay.
Yeah.
[crowd chanting]
But when I beat Roman…
And I will.
You know it.
I know it.
And everyone else here knows it too.
[crowd booing]
So when I beat Roman in the tribal combat match,
you will put this Ula Fala around my neck,
and everyone will know that I own this.
And that I own you.
You will be my Wiseman forever.
And then Roman will have no choice,
but to finally…
acknowledge me.
[crowd booing]
[crowd chanting]
["Taking It All" playing]
[Graves] Legacy.
Power.
Control.
All on the line Monday as Raw debuts on Netflix.
Solo Sikoa, Roman Reigns, battling to be head of the table.
Battling to be Tribal Chief.
Battling for the Ula Fala in tribal combat.
Oh, when is the last time you saw the Wiseman speechless?
Being betrayed by someone you consider a friend sucks.
You know what makes it even worse?
When it's someone you've known for years.
When it's someone who has been up and down the same roads as you,
experienced all the same things just to make it to the WWE.
Everything, everything we've been through, Johnny Gargano, thrown away.
For what?
For the WWE tag team championships.
Johnny Gargano,
I taught you everything you know about how to fight to the top of this business.
and you taught us something too.
We show up here and we realize
everywhere we go there's gonna be wolves in sheep's clothing.
You and Tomaso, you ain't no sheep.
You may have forgotten who the hell the Motor City Machine Guns are,
the most revolutionary tag team of all time,
the best tag team in the WWE.
And it took us three matches to win those titles.
Well, it's gonna take us one to get them back.
["It's Our Moment (Metal Mix)" playing]
Ciampa and Gargano are gonna have to weather the emotion
Of the Motor City Machine Guns as they defend their gold tonight.
[bell dings]
[Garcia] The following tag team contest is scheduled for one fall,
and it is for the WWE Tag Team Championship!
Introducing first, at a combined weight of 407 pounds,
they are the team of the WWE tag team champions,
Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano,
DIY!
[Graves] I've been telling the WWE universe for years
what a detestable human Johnny Gargano is,
and now everyone gets to see it for themselves.
I hope these guys are ready for the fight, the Machine Guns bring.
[Cole] We're back live on Friday Night Smackdown.
There are the tag team champions.
The highly accomplished DIY, Gargano, on the left,
Ciampa on the right, defending their titles tonight.
Bit shady, the way they won the gold this last time around.
[Graves] Oh, that's Johnny Gargano's MO. He's one of the shadiest people
-in the game. -[helicopter whirring]
I'll tell you all about it once the bell rings.
-Helicopter. -[machine gun blasts]
["Raise Your Fist" playing]
♪ Raise your fist ♪
♪ Ooh, let's go ♪
[Garcia] And the challengers!
At a combined weight of 412 pounds,
the team of Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley,
Motor City Machine Guns!
[Graves] We have seen since their arrival in WWE
what the Machine Guns are capable of from bell to bell.
We are about to see them fight with their hearts,
which does not bode well for the champions, DIY.
I promise you that.
DIY's first title defense of this championship reign,
and this is the type of guys we're dealing with.
Gargano, of course, stabbing his friend Shelley in the back.
Low blow. Win the tag team titles.
Then they go ahead and they attack the Street Profits in the back
because they don't wanna face them for the tag team titles.
[Cole] Look, make no mistake about it,
this is Johnny Gargano calling the shots, okay?
This is what Gargano has always done. He's a manipulator.
Johnny finds a star to hitch his wagon to and goes along for the ride.
He knows that Tommaso Ciampa's a madman.
The guy's like a tiger shark.
Gargano, more of a barnacle.
[Gavel] And here we go now, and this is a…
Sabin starting things off with Ciampa.
Nice deep arm drag into the corner.
and another one by Sabin.
We talk at length about how technically proficient
both Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley can be.
But now they are arguably more motivated tonight
than they have been since joining WWE.
[Cole] And Ciampa, now you mentioned it,
is this uncontrollable jealousy, short fuse, volatile, tag mate.
Double team now.
Gargano…
Ooh suffers a back elbow.
Shelley with a kick right to the face driving Gargano outside the ring.
Alex Shelley very upset over the fact that Gargano turned his back on him.
Their relationship goes back nearly 20 years to Cleveland All Pro
in the independent scene.
[Gavel] And I actually fault Alex Shelley for not seeing it coming.
I knew Johnny Gargano back in those days, and this is what I'm talking about.
This is what Gargano does. Ask-Ask M-Dogg 20.
As Prohibition.
Ask any of those guys from Cleveland.
As the Duke, for God's sake.
Any of the Cleveland guys, that never quite made it to WWE
because of people like Johnny Gargano.
[Cole] And the bottom line is Gargano uses people.
[Graves] Exactly. That's exactly what he's doing to Tommaso Ciampa.
Whether Ciampa recognizes it or not is irrelevant
because Ciampa's a champion right now.
[Cole] He did it with a number of superstars at NXT.
He's done it, uh, obviously, here on the main roster.
Tag made. Gargano's legal.
Sabin sends Ciampa over the top rope.
And now Johnny Gargano sent outside as well.
Gargano and Ciampa down on the outside.
Here comes Chris Sabin.
22 years as a tag team!
Suicide dive takes out the champs.
The Motor City Machine Guns are rolling.
[Cole] And we are back live on Friday Night Smackdown
Action continued through the commercial break in this tag team title match.
Ciampa and Gargano, DIY,
defending against the Motor City Machine Guns.
Ciampa sends Sabin into the corner who drops Johnny Gargano.
Elbow right on the ear of Ciampa.
As is usually the case to this point, it's been Tomaso Ciampa
doing most of the heavy lifting for DIY.
[Cole] You said that is usually the MO for this group.
[Graves] Right. Tommaso Ciampa, a dangerous individual.
Gargano's a glory hog.
[Cole] And Sabin with an opportunity now to make a tag of Shelley.
Alex Shelley is at 11 right now ready to start throwing hands.
Ciampa could use a tag as well.
Ciampa trying to get there.
And he does. Gargano's legal. So is Shelley.
And here we go. Shelley with an opportunity now.
These two met one-on-one, a couple of weeks back.
Gargano cheating for the victory, pulling a handful of tights in that matchup.
[Graves] Shelley has been chomping at the bit
to get his hands on the parasite once again.
Locks the jaw of Ciampa on the outside.
Neckbreaker
Shelley into the cover now.
Hook of the leg on Johnny Wrestling,
or as some people have been calling him, Johnny Cheater.
[Cole] You know who gave Johnny Gargano the name Johnny Wrestling, right?
-Johnny Gargano. -[Graves] Oh, of course he did.
You know what kind of person gives himself a nickname, right?
[Cole] Bang! Beautiful job.
Ooh, [stammers] Ciampa now holding Shelley.
Here comes Gargano.
Really have to fight out of it.
Gargano now sent outside the ring.
[Gavel] Tag made. Sabin legal for the Motor City Machine Guns.
[Cole] And here come the Machine Guns.
And Gargano and Ciampa sent back toward the announce table.
Double team. Down go the champs.
[Gavel] Suicide dives in stereo,
but look at Alex Shelley favoring the left knee.
[Cole] Yeah, Shelley could be hurt as he came down hard on the knee.
Will that become a factor in this match?
[Gavel] Take another look at Sabin and Shelley in incredible sync,
dueling suicide dives to the outside and the champions are on the ropes.
Have suffered only one defeat since coming to WWE last year.
That would be the tag team title loss.
[Cole] I don't… I don't mean to cut you off, but I don't like this.
Shelley might be hurt.
You could see him favoring his knee even after Sabin made the tag.
And Gargano now fighting back against the Motor City Machine Gun.
It's one thing to get a stinger that you can fight through
-once the adrenaline hits. -Oh, big knee.
[Cole] They're firing on all cylinders right now.
[Graves] Look at the Machine Guns go!
Double kick to win the title, stacking them up,
Ciampa gonna break things up.
[Cole] And once again, Tommaso Ciampa saving the day
and the championship for DIY
[Graves] Slugfest now, middle of the ring.
This proposition for Sabin standing and trading with an arguably bigger
and stronger Tomaso Ciampa.
I believe Jason Ayers trying to get the other two competitors out of the ring.
Ciampa now. Oh, big shot by Sabin.
Lightning quickness from both Machine Guns.
Gargano as well.
The opportunist.
Everybody down.
This is for the WWE tag team titles
live tonight on Friday Night Smackdown.
Over 11,000 in attendance in Phoenix, Arizona.
This is our first three hour smackdown as we kick off 2025 on the USA Network.
The champs, DIY, and Ciampa comes in off the tag against the challengers,
the Motor City Machine Guns.
And he found himself in trouble once again and what does he do?
Tag in Ciampa to clean up the mess.
[Graves] Luckily, Tomaso Ciampa's been an absolute madman lately.
And Shelley as well, beating up a motion tonight.
Tag made, Sabin's legal.
Double team coming from the Machine Guns, right to the knee.
Bang, this could be it.
Your favorite tag team's favorite tag team reminding the WW universe why.
[Cole] Double team again by the Machine Guns.
Tag made, Shelley's legal.
[Graves] These guys have tag team chemistry--
[Cole] Looking for… Looking for Scarlett bones.
Meanwhile, Pretty Deadly rushes to the ring.
And it allows Ciampa to take over.
[Graves] Sabin was sent into Shelley who was perched on the top.
[Cole] And remember what DIY told Pretty Deadly,
"It's important we leave here tonight as the tag champ,
especially, if you want a future tag opportunity".
Double team!
To retain…
and a kick out by Shelley, somehow.
[Graves] Good, good, and you can see Gargano's beside himself
because Johnny Wrestling's plot didn't work.
-[Cole] And here comes who? -[Graves] Angel and Berto.
[Cole, Graves] Loz Garzas.
[Cole] Who again, Pretty Deadly figure them in the attack of
-the three-- -Oh!
-[Graves] Oh, shoulders down. -[Cole] And a kick out by Gargano.
And now look at this. This is the…
[Graves] That's the Border City Stretch, Cole.
[Cole] Which Gargano stole from Shelley and named "The Gargano Escape."
[Graves] STF from Sabin. The goods are gonna do it.
The gold's going back to the Motor City.
-[Cole] And now the Pretty Deadly-- -[Graves] What the hell is this?
-[bell ringing] -The officials gotta throw the match out.
[Cole] Motor City Machine Guns seconds away from winning the tag team gold,
and these goofs who are trying to set up some Broadway musical
messed everything up.
[Graves] This sucks. This absolutely sucks.
I love Pretty Deadly, but now is not the time.
Here is not the place.
Well, it doesn't suck if you're these two men.
DIY.
They survive with the tag team titles tonight.
[Graves] Well, Ciampa did all the work as he often does,
and that twerp in front of you gets to reap the benefits.
Hit him, Cole. I dare you. I dare you, I got your back.
[Cole] Still tag team champions.
You know, I'm defending my title tonight.
Where is Tiffy? She's nowhere to be found.
She's probably upset about what you said last week,
and Tiffany, she's so sensitive and just…
But…
I'm here.
And anyway, Tiffany, she overcomplicates things.
Remember what happened with the tag titles?
I do.
You know, and after I beat Naomi again tonight,
maybe we'll get another shot at the titles.
Yeah.
I just need you to make sure Bianca stays out of my way.
Anything you need.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, still to come later on tonight,
Nia Jax, the WWE Women's Champion,
puts the gold on the line against the challenger Naomi,
who's been red hot as of late.
Women's title up for grabs later tonight.
[Graves] And we heard from Paul Heyman earlier tonight.
We know that tensions are running extremely high
ahead of tribal combat, but before we arrive there,
a massive six-man tag team match
as Sami Zayn joins forces with the Usos to battle Solo's new Bloodline.
Hey, last week, let's just talk about what happened, man.
You know I had you beat, bro.
If your boy Braun Strowman didn't get his nose involved in our business,
-it would have been nothing-- -Hang on a second.
The last thing I remember is you were about two seconds away
from catching a kick to the face and you ran away, pal.
No, no, no, hey man, I was getting the game plan.
That's what I was doing.
But look…
You and your boy Braun Strowman can get this work,
and we can spin the block anytime you want.
-We got a problem? -Nah, I got this, y'all. I got this.
It's light work, man. Ain't no problem.
This ain't no problem.
Nah, nah. I mean, do we got a problem?
No, no, fellas, no problem.
He was just telling me how, uh, next time we run it back
I'm gonna get this work, apparently, right?
That's what you were saying.
-Tell me more, tell me more. -[clicks tongue]
-No, Melo, where you going? Melo? -Don't be scared, man.
Melo.
S'up with it?
Hey, good timing, good timing, you know what I mean,
-you know what I mean? -I got yours.
Hey, fellas, we got a big one, okay?
Let me just get my gear, run this back in a few minutes,
get on the same page, yeah?
-Yeet! -Comb your hair, comb my hair.
-Do you. -Alright. Comb my hair?
Oh, yeah.
-Hey, yo-- -He need to cut that, too.
-Check this out. -What's up?
-Hey, Netflix premiere, it's gonna be on. -Come on. I'm on it.
I think you need to watch where you're going ooze.
I think you need to watch your back.
Man, why everybody always beefing?
I hate to be that guy, but at this point in the game,
Jey Uso and Jimmy need to be extremely careful,
and take every word Kevin Owens says as gospel.
The man might not all be there right now, but Kevin means every word he says.
Well, he's been sneak attacking everyone in WWE.
Let's show you what happened as we kicked off the show tonight.
Cody Rhodes to Drew McIntyre in a verbal confrontation.
You need to watch your back.
[Cole] And this is what I was talking about.
Kevin Owens as dangerous as ever, Corey.
[Graves] Owens from behind wasting no time.
Bringing the fight to the American nightmare,
attacking the already injured neck of Cody Rhodes,
but Cody would not be denied.
The Undisputed WWE Champion fighting with everything in his being
trying to fend off Kevin Owens.
And chaos would ensue.
[Cole] We have 4 weeks from tomorrow at the rumble,
these two battle for the undisputed WWE title in a ladder match.
Cody. Cody.
First things first.
-Are you okay? -I'm okay, yeah.
-Are you? -I'm okay.
'Cause here's the thing,
you're the one who talked me into this ladder match at the Rumble,
and now you seem to be hell bent on not making it to the Rumble.
Cody.
Please, put aside your hatred of Kevin Owens,
and think about the big picture, okay?
Think about your future.
And the company, okay?
Seeing as you're not doing that. I have to do it for you.
Nick, I respect the fact that you are thinking about the company's future,
that you're thinking about my future,
and I don't know if anyone's ever told you this,
but you're actually a good boss.
You're the boss.
I'm the champ.
This is the most important week in WWE history.
As much as you have the right to put me on the shelf until Royal Rumble,
as much as you have the right to send me on every media activation known to man
or send me out at the end of the night to sign pictures and takes autographs
until the cows come home,
as much as you have that right, I have the right to call my shot.
If Drew McIntyre wants to be part of SmackDown,
you should go back there and tell him he's welcome.
Tell him he has my attention, and you should remind him of those
who have gotten my attention in the past.
Before WrestleMania, I said,
"Hey, when one story ends, a whole new story begins".
Here's the story now. If I see Kevin Owens,
or even someone who looks like Kevin Owens,
I drop them on site.
["Naomi theme song" playing]
[Cole] Naomi and her tag team champion partner, Bianca Belair,
heading to the ring tonight.
February 12, 2017.
That was the last time Naomi won a world championship here in WWE.
Now tonight, nearly eight years later,
she has an opportunity to win the WWE Women's Championship from Nia Jax.
Can Naomi rewrite history?
Naomi, Nia, live next. For the WWE Women's title.
Hey, everybody, Friday Night SmackDown's in Phoenix tonight,
just a tremendous WWE town, the Phoenix area
Over the years have hosted events like WrestleMania 26,
the great Royal Rumble back in 2019,
and also in 2013, SummerSlam was here back in 2003.
Tonight, the first three-hour SmackDown of 2025
comes to you live from the Footprint Center,
here in Phoenix, Arizona,
where WWE fans have brought out all their signs in force.
[Graves] That guy just told on himself. It's gonna be a long night on the couch.
[Cole] Well, it is a work trip for us.
[Graves] But we're not married to his wife, Cole.
I don't have to go home and explain myself to her.
-"First SmackDown", good one to see. -No doubt about it.
[Graves] There we go, "Childhood dream unlocked."
Welcome, sir. We hope you're having a great time.
[Cole] And there's Naomi.
She'll have a wonderful night tonight if she can knock off Nia Jax.
To win the WWE women's title.
One of the the tag champs,
her partner Bianca Belair, is outside the ring.
Well, Candice LeRae is out here with the champ,
she has, uh, managed to weasel her way into the good graces of Nia Jacks,
who won the championship back in August at SummerSlam with a victory over Bayley.
[Graves] Why is it if somebody you're a fan of, Cole,
buddies up with somebody else, it's okay?
But when Candice LeRae gets in the good favor of the WWE Women's Champion,
she weaseled her way in.
[Cole] You don't believe Candice LeRae is using Nia Jax
for an opportunity to climb the ladder?
-Absolutely not. -Oh, my goodness.
[Graves] I believe this is a mutually beneficial relationship.
[Cole] Well, we'll see how that plays out tonight.
[Graves] Symbiotic, I believe is the word.
[Cole] Nia Jackson, the reigning queen of the ring as well.
2024 was quite the year for the irresistible force Nia Jax.
Jax has no signs of slowing down in 2025.
Here comes that million dollar smile on a wrecking ball.
The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
and it is for the WWE Women's Championship.
Introducing first the challenger from Orlando, Florida.
She is one half of the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions.
Naomi!
And her opponent from San Diego, California,
she is the WWE Women's Champion.
Nia Jax!
[Cole] Take this opportunity to welcome back the legendary Lillian Garcia,
Hall of Fame caliber ring announcer with us here on Friday night SmackDown,
starting this week.
She's trying to weasel her way into the good graces here on SmackDown, Cole.
[Cole] Naomi and Nia Jax for the women's championship.
So the question I have for you, Corey, is this,
a couple of months ago Naomi defeated Nia Jax.
Then she went on to lose an opportunity at the title,
all these shenanigans going on around the ring.
Does that play into this matchup at all tonight?
[Graves] I think Naomi has to approach this with a clean slate.
Sure, you learned from experience battling opponents in WWE,
but I think tonight and this championship is about validation for Naomi,
about everything she's been through since the last time she held singles gold.
Whether it be here in WWE or around the wrestling world.
[Cole] It seemed like Naomi may have tweaked her back
as she was sent toward the corner by Nia Jax.
Naomi with the pinfall victory in a big six-women team matchup last week
that included Nia Jax,
and that headbutt drops Naomi to the floor.
[Graves] You can tell Naomi's strategy
trying to chop down the much larger Nia Jax.
It's a sound strategy, but whether or not it will be effective remains to be seen.
[Cole] Nia Jax beat Naomi in the first round of the aforementioned
Queen of the Ring tournament, uh, last year.
Naomi, a two-time champ in her own right, two-time tag team champion as well.
Current champ with Bianca Belair. She fills in for the injured Jade Cargill.
Still no idea on who, uh, ambushed Jade Cargill,
knocking her out of action a number of weeks back.
[Graves] Jax just having her way with Naomi right now.
[Cole] Nice drop toe hold sends Jax into the corner.
Naomi's gonna have to try to out-quick Nia Jax here tonight.
[Graves] You're absolutely right, but Naomi, I think,
realizes you can't push the pace too early,
because while Nia may not be the fastest superstar.
In the early moments of the matchup, Nia can surprise you.
She's got explosivity.
[Cole] Naomi out to the apron, you see Candice LeRae in the background,
could she be a factor tonight?
Kicked by Naomi right to the side of the face of Nia.
And, uh, Nia Jax with the head butt, drives Naomi to the floor.
We want to remind everyone we still have more than an hour to go.
This is a three-hour Smackdown tonight. Women's Championship match continues.
We are back live on Friday night SmackDown.
It's all about that, the WWE Women's Championship.
Naomi and Nia Jax.
Jax, the champion, may have made a mistake there.
Can Naomi rally?
Bianca Belair, Naomi's tag team partner at ringside,
Candice LeRae on the other side in support of Nia Jax.
[Graves] Jax catches the challenger out of midair.
This could end the night for Naomi.
Oh, good night.
[Cole] Hook of the leg for the win.
No, Naomi kicks out.
Nia Jax once again putting her power on display.
Take another look at this, this the Swinging Uranage,
From Nia Jax just planting the challenger in the middle of the ring,
but Naomi with a little too much left in the tank.
Nia Jax now just having her way but Naomi's trying to fight back.
[Graves] And this is risky.
We've seen Nia get caught with this in the past.
She gets a little overconfident.
She likes to flap her gums a little too much
and it opens the door for her opponents to capitalize.
[Cole] Now big elbow drop by Nia.
Cover now to retain. Hooking a leg on Naomi.
Referee, Jessica Carr, counts to two.
[Graves] And again, far be it for me to tell Nia how to compete,
but that was a bit of an arrogant cover by the champion.
She didn't have her full weight across the shoulders of Naomi.
This match might be over if Nia was taking this
a little more seriously at this juncture.
[Cole] One of the most accomplished performers,
Naomi here in the WWE mentioned before, two time champion.
[Graves] And this strategy I like by Jax.
Just utilize your size, utilize your power,
and wear down Naomi.
This rear chin lock, it's not fancy.
It's not particularly thrilling, but it's extremely effective,
and Nia Jacks knows that.
She's just squeezing the life out of the opposition.
[Cole] And it led Nia to having an incredible year last year in WWE.
Corey mentioned, as we kick off 2025,
Nia would like to make this per year as well.
Naomi trying to fight back to her feet, and does.
And… Oh! Driven shoulder first to the post by Nia Jax,
who, right now, is in complete control, dominating Naomi.
The look of disdain on the champion's face.
-[Cole] Now-- Oh! -[Graves] Oh, no.
-[Graves] Bye bye. -[Cole] Crushing Naomi.
Nia now stacks her up for the win and to retain.
Naomi gets the shoulder up, perhaps on instinct alone.
[Graves] Unorthodox cover by the champion.
Might have caused Naomi to pull a hamstring or something just to kick out.
You see a look of concern beginning to form on the face of Bianca Belair.
First Jax crushing the challenger between her own hip and the ring post.
This could spell the beginning of the end for The Glow.
[Cole] Naomi's… Hoisting… Nia hoisting Naomi up.
Naomi trying to fight out of this now.
She does, sunset flip, cover now. For the win, is it enough?
And a kick out by Nia.
And a big clothesline by the champion.
[Graves] And just that momentary hesitation Naomi took to compose herself,
to take a breath to figure out what to do next and Jax caught her.
[Cole] And Jax about to put this away. The champion looking for the Annihilator.
Oh, but right to the hamstring.
Naomi with a kick brings the champion down.
Now a stomp to the stomach.
Naomi now from the second rope, there's the leg drop.
Will she win the championship?
And a kick out by Nia at two.
Looking for her first championship in nearly 8 years.
[Graves] Split leg drop from the challenger.
Naomi very nearly captured the gold,
but Jax just too strong even this deep into a matchup.
The WWE universe beginning to rally behind Naomi,
and that may be exactly what Naomi needs at this point.
[Cole] The headbutt drove Naomi into the corner,
but she sidestepped Jax who goes into the post.
[Graves] Nia Jax looking like she's trapped in quicksand at the moment.
Everything goes wrong.
The more Nia attempts to do, the more it backfires.
Here comes Naomi.
[Cole] Naomi with a suicide dive. Drives Jax into the barricade.
Problem for Naomi is she's got to get Jack back in the ring.
It's champion's advantage, pinfall or submission,
only way for Naomi to win the title.
[Graves] Naomi knows that full well,
a veteran of the game who certainly does her homework.
And now Nia Jax in trouble.
Big double ax handle.
[Cole] Trying to bring big Nia Jax down.
Off the second rope now, big kick, big enzuigiri.
Launched herself off the second rope.
Missed with a clothesline.
-[Graves] No way! -Naomi with the Samoa Drop.
-[Graves] Whoa. -[Cole] Samoa Drop by Naomi.
For the win and the championship.
And a kick out.
-How incredible was this? -[Graves] Unreal.
[Graves] Naomi making believers out of everybody tonight in Phoenix,
that she was about to become champion, but Jax has other plans.
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, we are live tonight in Phoenix, Arizona.
This is for the WWE Women's Championship.
Nia Jax, the reigning champion,
but Naomi giving her everything she has here tonight to try to win the title.
Bianca Belair, Naomi's tag team championship partner at ringside.
Candice LeRae in ringside in support of Nia Jax.
And now Naomi looked like she was gonna go for the Split-legged Moonsault
from the top rope and Nia back to her feet, thwarted it.
[Graves] And again just that momentary,
that fraction of a second hesitation from Naomi cost her.
-[Cole] And now, uh… -Oh, no.
-[Cole] Nia Jax… -[Graves] Oh, God.
[Cole] Has Naomi caught up in the ropes in the corner.
-And… Oh, goodness. -[Graves] Oh.
Jax just driving her hip right into the midsection of Naomi
driving all the wind out of the challenger.
[Cole] And you have to wonder how much Naomi has left.
Nia Jax from the second rope.
-And a leg drop crushing Naomi. -[Graves] Good night.
[Cole] And somehow Naomi kicked out, she's still in the match.
[Graves] Well, I… I don't like this,
but I'm starting to feel like the stars are aligning tonight.
As we look again at this thunderous leg drop
from the second rope.
Surely that would be enough for Jax to retain,
but Naomi's saying, "Uh-uh, not yet".
[Cole] Tremendous resilience out of Naomi.
[Graves] The vibe has begun to shift tonight in this arena.
You can feel it, Cole. The fans are believing.
Naomi is beginning to believe in herself, and Nia Jax is shook.
[Cole] And we also mentioned it before that Naomi has defeated Nia Jax
by pinfall, so she has that confidence.
Nia went for the Annihilator. Naomi made her pay.
And now, Naomi, feeding off the WWE fans here in Phoenix.
Tornado DDT, Jax is planted. Cover by Naomi to win the championship,
and Nia's got a kick out at two.
[Graves] Don't stop now, Naomi.
You can see the frustration on Bianca Belair's face
as we look again at this beautiful tornado DDT from the challenger that,
it's hard to believe, didn't put Nia Jax away.
[Cole] Yeah, Nia Jax perhaps just instinctively kicking out there.
As Nia now rolls out toward the apron, wise move by the champion, brilliant.
Although, Naomi's looking to take advantage of this.
[Graves] Series of knees right under the chin of the champion.
[Cole] And Nia planted again.
Naomi, for the win, wisely drags her to the center of the ring.
Great move by Naomi for the victory. Nia, again, kicks out.
This is incredible. Who's gonna win the WWE Women's title?
I have no idea how Naomi is still in this match for the WWE Women's title
against the champion, Nia Jax.
[Graves] I'll tell you how. Heart, grit, gut, determination,
whatever you want to call it, maybe fate.
Naomi has the champion reeling.
[Cole] And Naomi now-- Oh, Blockbuster.
Cover for the victory. Can she win the title here?
Wasn't able to hook the leg. Nia--
Nia kicked out.
[Graves] I loved everything about that.
Nia not-- I'm sorry, let's take a look at the action during the break.
Nia Jax with an epic Samoan drop, and here's Naomi with the Blockbuster
never releasing her grip on the champion, sliding right into a cover.
Unfortunately, not enough to keep the champion down yet.
[Cole] But Naomi continues to grind, continues to push forward,
continues to try to knock off the champ.
Naomi, leapfrog up over the top, has to roll through.
Nia Jax, though, went for the-- Oh, counter!
For the win, for the title!
-Nia, she just kicked out somehow. -[Graves] Oh!
[Cole] And now Naomi looking for the submission move on Nia Jax.
Will Jax tap out here?
[Graves] With a modified, sort of, a body scissors camel clutch here.
Jax is in trouble, middle of the ring.
[Cole] Candice LeRae now looking to try to distract the referee.
Bianca Belair gets involved. Nia Jax was able to break the hold.
Meanwhile, back inside the ring, as the fight happens outside,
Nia broke the submission hold inside the ring.
[Graves] Remember, champion's advantage is in effect.
So Jax realizes she can't lose her title on the outside of the ring.
She just threw a Tag Team Championship at Belair.
[Cole] And now Belair driven into the steel steps.
Nia's ticked off and thank goodness for LeRae.
If it wasn't for her and the distraction, Nia may have tapped out.
[Graves] Nia not wasting any more time.
-The champion is done playing games. -[Cole] Looking for the Annihilator.
Naomi back to her feet, kick right to the ear.
What's Naomi gonna do here? Up to the second rope now.
Naomi slugging it out with the champion.
Tough situation here.
Nia Jax lifting Naomi up, looking for a power slam from the second rope.
Naomi countered. Both women down.
["Tiffy Time" playing]
-[Cole] Oh, no. -[Graves] Oh, yes.
Oh, yes, Cole.
[Cole] We were wondering where Stratton was all night.
There's money in the bank, coming down to the ring.
Tiffany's gonna cash in. Tiffany's gonna cash in.
Nia's down, Nia's down.
-Yes, I wanna cash in, yes. -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Ka-ching. Wait a minute. What the--
Tiffany, what the hell is that?
-What did you do that for? -[Graves] Now--
What-- [stutters]
-[Cole] Oh, no! -[Graves] Oh!
[Cole] Tiffany Stratton just blasted Naomi.
-Candice had the official distracted. -[Graves] It was all a ruse.
[Cole] Now Nia Jax with the Annihilator,
and thanks to Tiffany Stratton, Nia Jax retains the championship.
-You're right, Corey. It was all a ruse. -[Garcia] Here is your winner
and still the WWE Women's Champion,
Nia Jax!
[Cole] Wow, we all thought Tiffany Stratton
was gonna cash in money in the bank.
Instead, she clocked Naomi with the with the briefcase.
The referee was distracted, never saw it.
Nia with the Annihilator, she's still the champ.
[Graves] And you have spent the last however many weeks
questioning Stratton's loyalty to Nia Jax--
-[Cole] I-I have. -[Graves] …trying to drive a wedge.
This looks like a cohesive unit, like a royal court.
[Cole] Now Tiffany Stratton saying, "Nia, go get yourself--
Get yourself a Bianca Belair." and a headbutt now by Jax the Belair.
-[Graves] This is just uncalled for. -[Cole] More damage to the--
Oh, Tiffany from behind with the briefcase.
-Tiffany, why? -[Graves] What?
[Cole] LeRae into the post.
What the hell is going on?
Bianca Belair, now. Belair!
Belair getting in a measure of revenge. Look at the power of the EST.
[Cole] And a KOD to Nia Jax.
Nia's down and out.
Tiffany Stratton now going after Bianca Belair--
[Graves] Oh, my God!
[Cole] …and sending her over the announcer table.
[Graves] She's gonna do it!
[Cole] She's still there with the briefcase.
[Graves] Now!
I wanna cash in.
[Cole] Tiffany's gonna cash in! Tiffany's gonna cash in!
[Garcia] Ladies and gentleman,
Tiffany Stratton is cashing in her money in the bank contract!
-[bell rings] -[Graves] Tiffy time is now!
[Cole] Stratton, Prettiest Moonsault Ever.
It's Tiffy time!
-[bell rings] -[Cole] Strat's the champion!
[Garcia] Here is your winner,
and the new WWE Women's Champion,
Tiffany Stratton.
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen,
Nia Jax's Judas finally betrayed her.
Tiffany Stratton goes from this money in the bank
to the WWE Women's champion.
[Graves] And once again, the money in the bank contract,
pays massive career-altering dividends tonight
for Tiffany Stratton.
Let's take a look at the Prettiest Moonsault Ever,
and I mean this one being singular, because this one led to gold.
A brand-new WWE Women's Champion.
[Cole] Tiffany Stratton has vaulted herself
to the top of the women's division.
She stabbed Nia Jax in the back.
But it is now officially Tiffy time.
What happened moments ago, still shock here in Phoenix.
Tiffany Stratton, the longtime running mate of Nia Jax,
would betray the WWE Women's Champion,
would lay waste to the Poison Pixie, Candice LeRae,
and, finally, after months and months and months,
the opportunity would present itself to Ms. Money in the Bank.
Stratton would rip Bianca Belair out of the ring,
and Nia Jax had just suffered a KOD courtesy of the EST.
Would pick her moment and deliver the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, j
and no matter what time zone you are currently in,
no need to adjust your watch.
It is in fact Tiffy time
for your new WWE Women's champion.
Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time in 6 years,
we've had a cash in of a money in the bank contract
here on Friday Night SmackDown,
and Tiffany Stratton becomes the 5th woman
to win her first main roster major championship
by cashing in money in the bank.
-I know another one of those. -Of course, Carmella.
Nonetheless, we look forward now to Monday night.
Netflix, an historic night for Monday Night Raw
as it joins Netflix live in Los Angeles, 8 Eastern, 5 Pacific,
and of course the battle… Tribal combat for the tribal chief
between Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa.
[narrator] The Ula Fala.
The sacred symbol of the tribal chief's mantle.
The tribal chief to a bloodline revered for decades of dominance.
[The Rock] There is only one royal family in professional wrestling.
[narrator] For years, Roman Reigns stood
as the unwavering pillar of the Anoa'i family.
[Reigns] From the day that I was born, this has been my birthright.
I was the man to lead this family.
[narrator] Guiding them to unprecedented heights.
[Heyman] The Bloodline is on top of the world, on top of the business,
and has been for years.
[narrator] But leadership comes at a cost.
Doubt and dissent began to grow from within.
No longer content to remain in his cousin's shadow,
the enforcer became the disruptor.
[Sikoa] This family will rule for decades as long as I'm the tribal chief.
[narrator] Leadership meant to be earned was taken by brute force.
[Graves] Stand against the bloodline at your own peril.
[Cole] Solo Sikoa has built an unstoppable machine.
[Graves] Roman Reigns has been sacrificed at the altar of Solo.
[narrator] A once-dominant family, left fractured.
You can't become a tribal chief and there's no tribe.
In case you haven't noticed, Roman, all these people acknowledge me.
[narrator] Now the time has come to decisively define the family's future.
Not through actions or alliances.
But forged in the fire of tribal combat.
[Heyman] This is tribal combat.
The only rules are there are no rules.
[Sikoa] One on one. Winner is the only tribal chief.
[narrator] Two Samoan warriors, bound by blood, torn apart by ambition.
This Ula Fala is going to stay on my neck forever.
[narrator] With the future of the Bloodline within their grasp.
[Heyman] For four years, no one could stand up to Roman Reigns.
No one even came close.
You not only came close, you've taken the Ula Fala.
Roman Reigns wants it back.
[narrator] Only one proclaimed the seat at the head of the table.
I didn't take that Ula Fala. I earned it.
[narrator] Only one will stand as the rightful heir to the throne.
I am walking in and I'm walking out your tribal chief.
[Reigns] On January 6th, I take back my respect.
[Cole] It is all on the line, undeniable supremacy, the true head of the table.
[narrator] Only one will be the tribal chief.
[Sikoa] After I beat your ass…
[Reigns] Once I have that respect…
-You… -The whole world…
-…will finally… -…will have no choice…
[both] To acknowledge me.
[Cole] Solo Sikoa said earlier tonight,
"If Roman Reigns wins, I will acknowledge him.
But when I win, I will put the Ula Fala around my neck,
and I will own Paul Heyman.
You will be my wise man forever, and Roman will acknowledge me."
What will happen when Monday Night Raw premieres live on Netflix
Monday at 8 Eastern, 5 Pacific in Los Angeles at the Intuit Dome.
It's Roman Reigns versus Solo Sikoa. Tribal combat for the tribal chief.
I love you, Solo.
First thing on my mind when I open up my eyes and realize
is I love you, Solo.
Just in a couple seconds,
I'm about to show the world what happens when you don't acknowledge¬
the one and only tribal chief.
So Monday, when Solo beats Roman's ass,
One, two, three. The whole world will acknowledge Solo.
[Cole] Jacob Fatu, the Samoan werewolf.
Or with Tama Tonga. And of course, Solo Sikoa.
[Graves] Well, I'm gonna tell you this, as long as Jacob Fatu is within earshot,
it's in all of our best interests to acknowledge Solo, okay?
You don't have to mean it, but as far as Jacob knows, you do.
This is a matter of self-preservation.
Don't disagree with you on that point.
[bell rings]
[Garcia] The following is a six-man tag team contest
scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, the team of Tama Tonga,
Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa,
the Bloodline.
[Cole] Solo Sikoa leading this team of, well,
what Paul Heyman called, quote, "animals."
[Graves] They got about 15 ft before they can start hearing what you're saying.
-So just mind your tongue. -[Cole] To the ring,
this is a six-man tag team matchup,
where Fatu, Tonga and Solo Sikoa take on three men who've had their differences,
but now are allies of the original tribal chief, Roman Reigns.
Sami Zayn, Jimmy and Jey Uso against the bloodline
live next on Friday Night SmackDown.
I'm currently standing by in the backstage area waiting to get a word with LA Knight.
LA, if I could have just a moment of your time.
We saw you attack Shinsuke--
I ain't got time for any of that, 'cause the man they call the Megastar
is in the building in Phoenix.
And what that means is Shinsuke Nakamura's got hell to pay
and pay hell he most certainly will.
Now I'm guessing you want to know what Nick Aldis was just talking to me about.
Well, I'll tell you what he was talking to me about.
He wanted to know what the reason was that I just attacked Shinsuke Nakamura.
He wanted to know why I did that.
Well, I told him exactly why I did that. The reason I did that
is 'cause Nakamura saw fit to come on out and blindside me every chance he could,
take advantage of my back turned every time he could, and then what did he do?
He slid right in and got his US Championship, didn't he?
Well, monkey see, monkey do, my man.
Every time I see Nakamura, he will get his head stomped in until I get what I want.
Well, guess what?
I got what I want. Next week it goes down.
US Championship, Nakamura, LA Knight, it's going down.
And then from there, I set my sights on the Royal Rumble
and taking my place, my rightful place in the main event of WrestleMania,
'cause 2025 is gonna roll my man,
and anybody who gets in the way of that train
getting smacked back to factory settings, and that is just a fact of life, yeah.
[Graves] It is official.
LA Knight can bring his sharp tongue and heavy fists,
and it better bring his A-game because the Megastar will receive an opportunity
to once again become United States Champion.
Standing in his way, Shinsuke Nakamura.
[Cole] And ladies and gentleman, by the time we get to Friday Night SmackDown
in Portland, Oregon next week,
you have to wonder if Solo Sikoa, that man, will still be tribal chief.
Takes on Roman Reigns on the Monday Night Raw debut on Netflix Monday night
in tribal combat, but right now he's got to deal with a six-man tag team match.
[crowd chanting, cheering]
Come on!
[exclaims]
Please, please hit my music. Oh, yeah! [exclaims]
Yeet!
["Main Event Ish" playing]
[Cole] Yeet!
-Come on, Graves. -[Graves] Nope.
Ordinarily, I might join you in a round of yeeting,
but when the Bloodline is this close to the table,
you can yeet at your own risk.
[Cole] They can't see me.
[Graves] I think Tama Tonga's looking this way for you.
You better be careful.
I'm gonna just throw this up just to be safe.
[Cole] Look how I'm yeeting, though. I'm yeet with--
I'll throw it up for once.
[Graves] If there's one thing I've never been curious about you,
-it's how you yeet, Cole. -[Cole laughs]
[crowd chanting]
[Garcia] And their opponents,
the team of Sami, Jimmy and Jey,
-the Uso! -[Cole] That's great.
Sami's an Uso, at least an honorary for tonight.
Sami Zayn loving it.
[Graves] It sounds to me like Sami Zayn's been putting in some overtime
trying to convince the… the family that he's actually part of it.
Yeah, I know he did.
I'm gonna just throw this up again to protect you.
That's… This is… this is not about them.
This is about me looking out for your well-being, Cole,
because I'm a good teammate.
Sami Zayn has these guys turned around so backward,
they think he's a… [stutters] …triplet.
[Cole] But I really don't want to acknowledge it.
[Graves] I don't care, Cole.
I don't think anybody's been this confused about their real family since Gypsy-Rose.
Whatever psychological wizardry Sami's pulling on the Usos should be studied.
[Cole] Solo Sikoa is not impressed.
[Graves] Yeah.
You can tell Solo's in a bad mood.
Ask Paul Heyman what kind of mood Solo's in.
The Tribal Chief Solo Sikoa.
Flanked by the Samoan Werewolf, his personal enforcer, Jacob Fatu.
[Cole] Do you think maybe that Solo's having flashbacks?
Because the last time he saw the three men in the ring together
-it was in WarGames when… -[Graves] Solo got beat.
I think it's about time you and everybody else
put the respect on Solo's name that is well deserved.
Solo survived WarGames.
Sure, Solo came up short, but Solo Sikoa has learned,
he has improved,
Solo has grown into the role of Tribal Chief.
[Cole] Listen, if Solo beats Roman Reigns on the Raw debut on Netflix Monday night,
I'll acknowledge him.
But for now, what Paul Heyman said earlier tonight is true.
He only is wearing the Ula Fala because he actually stole it from Roman Reigns.
He never earned it. He was never given the Ula Fala.
It was never bestowed upon him by the family. He stole it.
And then he brought in these, quote--
this is a Paul Heyman word-- "animals" to back him up.
So, until Solo Sikoa beats Roman Reigns, he's not really the Tribal Chief.
Just because he says he is… Hey, I could say
I'm the greatest announcer of all time. It doesn't mean it's true.
[Graves] Do you hear this, Jacob?
You hear the nonsense this man is spewing? The disrespect for your Tribal Chief?
It's nothing personal, Cole.
-I'm just trying to wind him up. -[Cole] Oh, yeah. Okay, great.
[Graves] I don't know what I'd do with myself if anything happen to you.
[Cole chuckles] I'm sure you'd do plenty.
[crowd chanting]
[Graves] Tama Tonga pacing back and forth in front of our announce table
with fury in his eyes like a caged animal.
With Solo Sikoa in no hurry to start this matchup against Jimmy, Jey, and Sami
as the 11,000 plus in Phoenix continue to party with the Usos.
Jimmy remembers what the Bloodline, the new Bloodline, did to him.
Jey Uso knows that the new Bloodline cost him
the Intercontinental Championship.
[Graves] But the reality is that the Usos don't seem to realize right now
is come Tuesday morning, the three of them may be begging for a spot at the table
from Solo Sikoa.
You and your foregone conclusions,
writing off Solo Sikoa when the man's just getting started.
[Cole chuckles] I didn't write the man off.
I said I would acknowledge him if he beats Roman Reigns in Tribal Combat.
Make no mistake about it,
[Graves] Solo Sikoa will use that Tribal Combat to his advantage.
You know that Fatu and Tonga are gonna be lurking around ringside Monday night.
[crowd chanting]
[Graves] Sami Zayn dancing around the ring
like you after a couple too many at the Dirt.
[Graves] Don't worry, I won't let those photos get out.
[Cole] We took photos?
[Graves chuckles] Yeah. With the Jack Daniels statue.
[crowd cheering]
[Graves] Capacity crowd is jacked and ready for this matchup to start.
And it's Jimmy Uso to start things off against…
-Oh, wait a minute… -[Cole] Gonna be Tama Tonga.
For the moment we got a standoff.
[Graves] Good luck, Charles Robinson.
And here we go, Cole! It's under way. Match hasn't even started.
[Cole] Six men battling it out here on Smackdown.
[Graves] I think Charles ought to just take the night off.
Let these six fight it out.
Hey, now.
The new Bloodline's gonna have to regroup. Sami and the Usos have taken control.
[Graves] Well, we finally got things settled down
and now the match is under way.
and this is Jey Uso now off the tag from his brother Jimmy.
It goes right to the arm of the Samoan Werewolf Jacob Fatu.
Six-Man Tag Team action.
Jey, Jimmy and Sami Zayn against the new Bloodline.
Tag made, here comes Tama Tonga.
[Cole] Tama taking a cautious approach against Main Event Jey Uso.
Smart strategy.
And while Tama Tonga, relatively new to the Bloodline here in WWE,
this is a world traveled competitor.
He's had great feels of glory over in Japan.
He was brought here courtesy of Solo Sikoa
to fortify the Bloodline.
[Graves] Well, that is why Tama Tonga is loyal to the man, as is Jacob Fatu.
Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu will tell you
this really saved Jacob's life, saved his career.
Brought him on board, gave him a second chance at everything,
and Solo is, uh…
He shows loyalty at every turn for Solo Sikoa because of that.
[Graves] Ooh, Tama went into the corner.
[Cole] Do you see a difference in the way that Solo Sikoa
runs the Bloodline and the way that Roman Reigns did?
Tag, here comes Sami.
[Graves] Honestly, I think Solo runs his bloodline as a more cohesive unit
than Roman Reigns ever did.
Roman was the kingpin who had underlings that did his bidding.
Solo is in there with the trenches with his guys.
[Cole] But again, Roman Reigns was appointed that by his family.
Oh!
Solo Sikoa never was bestowed the Ula Fala. He stole it.
-Of course, that-- -[Graves] If you say stole--
[Cole] Hey, that was-- No, Heyman said stole.
[Graves] You could say steal or took.
I mean, power is very rarely just given to somebody new.
It has to be taken, and that's what Solo did.
Solo took initiative that, once upon a time,
would have made Roman Reigns proud.
[Cole] Yeah, but Solo Sikoa-- Oh, look at this.
[crowd clamoring]
Getting involved there.
Solo can earn it, Corey, on Monday night.
If he can beat Roman Reigns in Tribal Combat,
then there's nobody in the world that's ever gonna question the fact
that he deserves to be the Tribal Chief.
[Graves] Let's take a look at the teamwork by the Bloodline.
Solo on the outside, just whipping Jimmy Uso's neck across the top rope.
And now Solo Sikoa into the ring, man has been so dominant as of late.
Huh? You see that, Roman? This is what's gonna happen to you!
[Cole] At this point in the matchup, Jimmy Uso knows he's in trouble.
He's one half of perhaps the greatest tag team in WWE history.
[Graves] He's also being beaten down by his younger brother.
Let's not forget that Solo, Jimmy and Jey are brothers.
[crowd boos]
[Cole] Well, you know what?
You can discuss that with Jimmy and Jey who don't ever like to bring that up
unless it's to denigrate the new Tribal Chief,
unless it's to make a joke at the expense of Solo Sikoa.
Solo has been pretty damn dominant without his big brothers lately.
And I don't mean that as disrespect to the Usos, I'm a big fan.
Get your ass up.
But let's just call reality reality.
And now, again just making Jimmy suffer, is Solo Sikoa.
And again Solo, and every move is to send a message to Roman.
[Cole] Solo right now has an iron grip on the trapezius muscle of Jimmy Uso.
This is an agonizing position to be trapped in if you're Jimmy.
[Graves] Jimmy, remember this is his return to action.
First time he's been in the ring since WarGames
when he broke his toe coming off the top of the cage with a splash.
Now separation. Jimmy needs to make a tag.
Here comes Sami Zayn.
And Sami Zayn, teeing off on Solo Sikoa.
Sami now… Collision, center of the ring, both men still on their feet.
[Cole] Here comes the tenacious Sami Zayn, but a right by Solo just dropped him.
[Graves] Sami, now sent across the ring, off the second rope.
Leapfrog, up over the top-- and a big Clothesline by Sami!
And now Sami's starting to build a bit of momentum here.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten!
WWE fans in Phoenix, formerly behind Sami and the Usos-- Oh, big elbow.
And an elbow now to Solo Sikoa.
Sami Zayn perched on the middle turnbuckle. Here he comes.
[Cole] Sami now caught by Solo
and Solo turns it around into a Spinning Solo.
Solo Sikoa has taken over.
Our Six-Man Tag Team match continues live.
[Graves] Solo Sikoa and the new Bloodline, as you've seen,
have taken over this matchup, here at Friday Night Smackdown.
Sami Zayn trying to rally and either tag in Jimmy or Jey Uso,
but a Samoan Drop by Solo Sikoa crawls to the cover.
Holding the leg now on Sami, who kicks out.
This coming Monday, Solo Sikoa can put all the critics to shame
and he can knock off Roman Reigns in Tribal Combat for the Ula Fala
to become the real tribal chief.
It's the Monday Night Raw debut on Netflix in Los Angeles.
[Graves] The Ula Fala may not have been given or bestowed upon Solo Sikoa,
but let me ask you this, Cole:
Do you know what happens to lions when they get old?
No, you don't, because they don't get old.
Lions get taken out by the new leader, by the new head of the pride.
That's exactly what we're seeing from Solo Sikoa and the new Bloodline.
Roman wasn't ready to give up the Ula Fala, so Solo took it.
It's the law of the jungle.
[Cole] And now Tama Tonga hammering away on Sami Zayn,
[Graves] One of the… Maybe the most vicious of this group.
-Look at him. -[Cole] Absolutely relentless.
How do you contend with this?
My God, Sami's being mauled right now.
[Graves] Tama Tonga just beating the daylights out of Sami Zayn.
[Cole] Charles Robinson right there, keeping a close eye on the situation.
[Graves] Now, if that wasn't bad, look who's in.
Jacob Fatu.
[Cole] For whatever's left of Sami Zayn's brain to scramble,
the Samoan Werewolf will happily do.
-Come on, buddy. -Hey!
-My Tribal Chief! -[Charles] You gotta stand back.
I'm not playing.
[Graves] He's one of the most frightening individuals I've ever witnessed.
[Cole] What is that?
[Graves] Whatever the hell Jacob wants it to be because you or me or anybody else
isn't telling him any different.
[Cole] We saw Michin twerking earlier tonight. Don't think that was that.
[Graves] I'ma just pretend you didn't compare whatever Jacob Fatu just did
to Michin earlier in the night.
[Cole] Tag, here comes Solo Sikoa.
And Sikoa now, again, takes the fight to Sami Zayn.
[Graves] So much history between all these men in this match tonight.
The takeover of the Bloodline by Solo and company.
Following WrestleMania when Roman Reigns lost to Cody Rhodes,
the takeout of Jimmy Uso and of Paul Heyman…
Jey Uso, and look at this now.
Blue Thunder Bomb by Sami! Can he make a tag?
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] I have no idea where Sami gets this, but it's become his MO.
You can never count Zayn out.
[Graves] Solo tags Tama Tonga. Jey Uso, Main Event.
Jey Uso, legal for his team.
[crowd chanting]
[Cole] And he's sounding throughout the Footprint Center.
[Graves] Superkick to the body and an uppercut from Main Event.
Well Jey Uso went for a Samoan Drop.
Tama Tanga sends him to the corner. Tag made, Jimmy's legal.
I'm not sure Tanga realizes it, but he will momentarily.
[Cole] This is that day one-ish tag team chemistry on a different level.
Yeah, you mentioned earlier, perhaps the greatest tag team of all time.
Jimmy and Jey working together now.
Jimmy going low, here comes Jey.
Double team.
[crowd cheers]
And now Jacob Fatu back into the ring.
Fatu… Uso sent him over the top rope.
-Oh, my God. -Jimmy hit hard too.
That's tough to tell who got the win from that exchange.
Now from behind, Tonga gotta roll up Jey Uso to kick out in two.
Jey Uso now-- Oh, Neckbreaker.
Cover. Hook of the leg. Kick out by Tonga.
Take a look at this.
Jey Uso with that Neckbreaker very nearly earned the victory
for himself, Sami and Jimmy.
Tama Tonga--
Meanwhile, uh, Jacob Fatu-- sorry Corey-- just ripped Jimmy Uso off the apron
and drove him in the barricade and Sami Zayn now gets involved.
Sami gets-- bang! A face full of steel for his troubles.
There have been bodies flying everywhere in the Six-Man Tag match.
Tama Tonga from behind. Jay Uso, face-first off the post.
Tama Tonga… bang! DDT for the win.
Cover now, hook of the leg. Kick out.
Take a look at this variation on the DDT by Tama Tonga.
putting in the body scissors.
Using all of his weight to drive Jey face-first into the mat.
Tag made, Jacob Fatu now in the ring.
We look on from the Footprint Center here in Phoenix.
[Fatu] This is your one?
The Samoan Werewolf…
You should've joined us!
…barking at the WWE player.
You should've joined and acknowledged Solo!
He claims that Jey will acknowledge Solo.
Everybody may have to acknowledge him after Monday night.
Kicked by Uso, Jey drives Jacob to the corner.
Sami makes the tag, he's legal.
Now Jimmy's legal.
'Cause that Superkick by Jey Uso must have rocked Jacob Fatu
something fierce.
Fatu attempted to use the rope to stand up,
and it's like his legs weren't underneath him.
[crowd chanting] Uso! Uso!
The Werewolf might be rocked.
And now Jey Uso backing it on up.
Jimmy gonna join him and Sami Zayn as well.
[crowd cheers]
Remember Jimmy's the legal man, I believe.
It's Sami now, and Jey, blasting Tama Tonga and Solo Sikoa off the apron,
a little Uso shuffle there.
-Incoming! -And suicide dive.
Drive solo and Tama Tonga into the announce table.
But now up to the top rope, Jimmy Uso.
Jimmy with the Uso Splash. Cover on Jacob Fatu, who kicks out in two.
Hey, Cole, I'd love to see another angle of that. Jimmy Uso delivering the splash.
Notice he put his feet underneath him.
Maybe this is a little bit of a mental hangover from WarGames
suffering the foot injury.
Exactly. The broken toe… Somebody came off with a splash off the top of the cage.
I don't know if Jimmy was trying to protect his foot or just protect himself,
but either way he better start praying.
And there's a splash from Jacob Fatu.
No remorse, no fear, no mercy!
A man that big shouldn't move like that.
Cover. Sami Zayn breaks things up.
Take a look at this. Double jump Moonsault, a thing of beauty.
But the Samoan Werewolf Jacob Fatu, and had it not been for Sami Zayn,
this one would be over in favor of the bloodline.
Sami sent over the top rope.
Jacob could be trying to position Jimmy for the impact DDT he uses so well.
Jey Uso's legal. Double team now by the Usos.
Main Event Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso now with a double Superkick.
Uso's in stereo. Cover now. To win this Six-Man Tag Team matchup.
Jacob kicks at two.
[Graves] Wait a second. That's Drew McIntyre.
[Cole] McIntyre, who was here earlier tonight to confront Cody Rhodes,
who has Jey Uso Monday night on the raw debut on Netflix,
causes a distraction, at least, momentarily,
and Jey Uso goes right after Drew McIntyre.
Suicide dive takes out the Scottish warrior.
[Graves] Jey knows he's got to keep his eye on the ball.
-From the top, main event, -[Cole] Jey Uso, nobody home.
Jacob Fatu, pop up, Samoan drop.
[Graves] Launched into the heavens, cover by Fatu,
[Cole] And Uso kicks out at two,
and the match continues.
[Graves] Jacob Fatu is a freak athlete.
All the gifts an athlete could hope for with none of the morality.
[Cole] Jey Uso, who is in deep, deep trouble, dragged to the corner.
And I believe Jacob Fatu is presenting Jey Uso
as a sacrifice to the tribal chief Solo Sikoa.
-I love you, Solo! -[crowd chanting] I love you, Solo!
-[Graves] Oh! -[Cole] Nobody home.
Jey moved out of harm's way. Remember Solo's legal.
Jey Uso caught him with a kick.
Solo driven out of the ring. Jacob Fatu now.
Uso. Spear!
But Jey doesn't realize,
well, maybe I'm not sure if he realizes that Jacob's not the legal man.
[Graves] There was so much chaos occurring at the moment of the tag.
[Cole] Uso Splash!
Solo Sikoa, who is legal, with a Samoan Strike!
-Solo and the Bloodline with a win. -[bell rings]
[Announcer] Here are your winners. The Bloodline!
Solo Sikoa with a definitive statement to Roman Reigns.
He slays Jey Uso tonight.
Roman Reigns, you're next.
♪ You see the light You can believe all the hype ♪
♪ Relentless from day to the night You paying the price ♪
♪ Tell 'em my time is now I'm active and ready to fight ♪
Solo is pointing down at the [indistinct]
Take a look at the closing moments of this one.
Jey Uso with the splash, unaware that Solo was the legal competitor
for The Bloodline, Samoan spike.
And what could have been a glimpse into the future,
could the same fate await the OTC?
We'll have our answers on Monday.
Monday Night Raw on Netflix, live at the Intuit Dome,
8:00 Eastern, 5:00 Pacific. It is a battle for supremacy.
Tribal Combat to determine the true tribal chief.
It is Roman Reigns versus Solo Sikoa.
In a deeply personal rivalry, main event,
Jey Uso will have a chance to settle the score
with the Scottish warrior Drew McIntyre.
Speaking of settling the score, Rhea Ripley with an opportunity
to take the Women's World Championship from Liv Morgan live on Monday night.
And this one has been brewing for a long time.
The first stop of John Cena's farewell tour begins Monday.
In one of the most emotional personal battles we've ever seen in WWE.
The main event, CM Punk versus Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
The debut of Monday Night Raw.
History in the making, live Monday night on Netflix.
♪ 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 waist ♪ ♪