[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[Tessitore] Welcome to Portland, Oregon, where tonight, a massive crowd
has come to the Moda Center to watch as history unfolds.
A week that started with a title change in WWE could offer a few more.
This is a loaded card in a town that takes pride in keeping Portland weird,
and things could get really weird with two championship matches set for tonight.
As we welcome you inside to the roar of Portland.
I'm thrilled you're with us, Joe Tessitore alongside my partner Wade Barrett,
and this is our new home: SmackDown.
Michael Cole and Pat McAfee will man the desk on Raw.
What a great job they did with the Netflix debut the other night.
They were sensational.
But wait, are you ready to dig into all the drama of this roster now?
Look at us. We got our finest blue suits on, Joe.
We are ready to bleed blue, so let's get this thing kicked off
right here on SmackDown.
And you know what time it is.
Tiffy Time in the Pacific Northwest.
The new WWE women's champion cashed in.
Now we'll hear what Tiffany Stratton has to say as she joins us live.
And one of our two US Championship matches tonight, the first title defense
for Shinsuke Nakamura.
He arrives here in Portland with a sinister edge to his approach lately.
A rematch with LA Knight is ahead.
But the evening will start with a celebratory Wiseman,
the special counsel and loyal chief advisor to Roman Reigns,
Paul Heyman, has a hop in his step.
Welcome to the Netflix era!
[Cole] Over 17,000 WWE fans are on hand tonight.
For the first time ever, welcome to Monday Night Raw!
Yes, I'm back!
[hip-hop music playing]
[Hogan] What you gonna do
when the WWE and Netflix runs wild on you?
[Cole] This will not be pretty. This will be a fight.
CM Punk wins!
♪ Crown is ours, we rule the game ♪
For me, it's my last Rumble. There is no "maybe next year."
The best way to say thank you to you is with the Royal Rumble
and make history at Wrestlemania.
I'm going to win the Royal Rumble.
You want some? Come get some!
[Cole] This is the battle for Tribal Chief.
[Cole] This is Tribal Combat. There are no rules.
Who's the Tribal Chief now, Roman?
[Cole] Kevin Owens!
[McAfee] Backup's on the way!
[Cole] The American Nightmare.
[crowd] One, two, three!
[bell dinging]
Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman.
There comes a time in everyone's career where you just cannot wait
to walk down that aisle, stand in the middle of this ring,
and address the entire Island of Relevancy.
Tonight is one of those nights.
[crowd cheering]
It is amongst the greatest honors
of my entire career to announce to you
officially there is only one
reigning, defending, undisputed Tribal Chief
of the WWE Universe and of the entire Island of Relevancy.
And that Tribal Chief?
Roman Reigns.
[crowd chanting] OTC! OTC! OTC!
Yes, the only Tribal Chief is Roman Reigns,
and our Tribal Chief has authorized me
to let all of you know
what he intends to accomplish next.
And I'm not just gonna share this with everyone at home.
I'm not just gonna share that with everyone here tonight in Portland, Oregon.
[crowd cheers]
I want to share this news with one man in particular.
One individual that deserves to hear this news face-to-face.
And that man is the reigning, defending, undisputed
WWE heavyweight champion, the American Nightmare…
[crowd cheers]
…if he would please come down to the ring, Cody Rhodes.
[Rhodes] Wrestling has more than one Royal Family.
-["Kingdom" playing] -[crowd cheering]
♪ Adrenaline, in my soul ♪
♪ Every fight out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
♪ Crowd is here, about to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
-♪ Whoa! ♪ -[crowd] Whoa!
♪ And my father said, when I was younger ♪
♪ Hard times breed better men ♪
♪ You took it all away I give it all away ♪
♪ Can't take my freedom ♪
♪ Here to change the game A banner made of pain ♪
♪ I built my kingdom ♪
♪ Now you bow to me ♪
♪ You took my dreams but not my name ♪
♪ You'll follow me until the end ♪
♪ I am my kingdom ♪
♪ Lights go down, I'm ready now ♪
♪ Tear this roof off for the town ♪
♪ Gonna give 'em what they came to see ♪
♪ Hear the crowd, on their toes ♪
♪ Ready for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
-♪ Whoa! ♪ -[crowd] Whoa!
[song fades, ends]
[crowd cheering, applauding]
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
Sir, you deserve every bit of that response and even a whole lot more.
I-I have to tell you, you've done something very few men
in this business has ever done.
You've earned the respect of Roman Reigns.
I have respected you since you were a little boy.
They have every reason in the world to respect you,
and my God, what a champion you have demonstrated yourself to be.
You, sir, are a credit,
not just to WWE SmackDown, but to WWE in its entirety.
[crowd cheers]
Because you are such a great champion,
Roman Reigns has asked me to come out here and tell you straight up to your face
now that he has won back the Ula Fala…
Roman Reigns wants his title back.
And so that there are no surprises,
Roman Reigns wants you to know how he's going to get the title back.
This is not a prediction. This is a spoiler.
Roman Reigns hereby declares
he is entering the 2025 Men's Royal Rumble
with full intentions of winning and going on to WrestleMania to fight you
once again for the championship.
And so, respectfully with that in mind, Cody Rhodes,
what do you want to talk about?
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
[Owens] You know what I want to talk about?
[crowd booing]
I would like to talk about how
just when I thought you couldn't get worse, Cody.
Just when I thought it couldn't get worse
than you teaming with Roman Reigns at Bad Blood
it actually does get worse because Monday Night on Raw,
you go and shake hands with The Rock.
Why?
Because he kissed your ass and rubbed your ego the right way?
And now you shake hands with Paul Heyman and what happens, huh?
What happens? Thirty seconds after you shake his hands,
he looks at you in the eyes and says Roman Reigns wants his title back.
And you know what Cody? That is your fault.
You did that to yourself because you should have left the Bloodline
to rip Roman Reigns to shreds, but instead no, you chose to help him
and now look what happens, huh?
Forget betraying my friendship.
You let Roman Reigns take that title back, you're hurting the entire company, and--
-[Barrett] Oh, God. -[Tessitore] Cody's had enough.
[Barrett] Cody's eyes were bulging out of his head at the sight of Kevin Owens,
his opponent at the Royal Rumble. And the fight is on, Joe Tess.
[Tessitore] Three weeks away from when they meet up in a ladder match,
and Kevin Owens and Cody are going at it up in the crowd
here at the Moda Center in Portland.
[Barrett] Well, Cody made it quite clear last week on SmackDown
it was gonna be on sight when Kevin Owens shows--
-[Tessitore] Oh, no. -[Barrett] Oh, God.
[Tessitore] Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga right in the face of The Wiseman.
Days removed from Roman Reigns defeating Solo Sikoa.
[Barrett] Huge question marks over the future of these two and their group,
two of the most savage and ferocious individuals we've ever seen.
[Tessitore] Heyman cornered with no help to be found.
["Main Event Ish" playing]
[Tessitore] Until this!
Jimmy Uso!
[Barrett] Here to protect Roman Reigns's Wiseman, not a moment too soon.
[Tessitore] Superkick to Jacob, and one for Tama.
Hip after hip, Jimmy Uso clearing things up for The Wiseman.
[Barrett] All mighty.
You can feel the relief oozing out of Paul Heyman.
[Tessitore] Steel chair in hand, right across the back of Tama Tonga.
And the Samoan Werewolf meets it.
[Barrett] You've gotta meet savagery with savagery,
but it might not be enough. What the hell?
Oh!
[Tessitore] Jacob Fatu.
As dangerous as it comes.
[Barrett] They did something very, very wrong when they created Jacob Fatu.
There may be no stopping the man.
[Tessitore] And now Jimmy is in deep trouble, Wade.
[Barrett] Completely lawless and undisciplined.
And this is a move that put Jimmy Uso on the shelf for a hell of a long time.
[Tessitore] He just laid out a referee.
[Barrett] The rest of the referees quite wisely staying well clear.
[Tessitore] With the steel chair wrapped around his neck
and all the pressure of both men being applied to Jimmy.
[Barrett] As undisciplined and reckless as they come,
Cody Rhodes making his way back.
Thankfully the cavalry are arriv-- Oh.
[Tessitore] Oh, Jacob Fatu…
[Barrett] Kenny Dykstra, our producer, just got laid out.
[crowd booing]
[Tessitore] Solo Sikoa nowhere to be found.
But here comes Cody. Cody is back.
He went up to deal with KO, and now back to take care of business,
facing off with Fatu.
The undisputed champion.
Sending him out of the ring.
It all started on the invite of The Wiseman,
announcing to the crowd here in Portland Roman Reign's intentions.
Cody's response interrupted by Kevin Owens.
The next thing you know, Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga had cornered Paul Heyman.
[Barrett] Solo Sikoa nowhere to be seen.
He has been AWOL since losing in Tribal Combat on Monday Night.
Crisis averted for now perhaps, thanks to Cody Rhodes.
[Tessitore] A wild start to Friday Night SmackDown here in Portland.
["Kingdom" playing]
[staff, wrestlers clamoring]
-Get back! -Or what?
Get back! Get back!
Or what?
You better think about your life right now
because ain't no howling way that you about to take me out of here.
Get your ass out.
He didn't use his inside voice, so I put his ass outside.
I got a title to win. Yeah!
[crowd] Yeah!
[Tessitore] How about that, Wade?
[Barrett] I don't know. That was impressive. But smart, I'm not so sure.
He may live to regret that.
[Tessitore] LA Knight's rematch with Shinsuke Nakamura
coming up for the US Championship tonight.
Speaking of which, a similar storyline here.
[bell dinging]
[Garcia] The following contest is scheduled for a one fall,
and it is for the Women's United States Championship.
Introducing first, the challenger.
From Fontana, California, Michin.
[Tessitore] Michin trying to get what she thought was coming her way December 14th
on Saturday Night's Main Event.
Another go at it with Chelsea Green right now.
["Hot Mess" playing]
[Garcia] And her opponent, being accompanied by Piper Niven.
From Victoria, British Columbia, Canada,
she is the Women's United States Champion…
Chelsea Green.
[Tessitore] Chelsea Green, the inaugural US Women's Champion
after winning the tournament in that matchup that we discussed
on Long Island against Michin,
and Piper Niven, am I getting like a sparkly Secret Service vibe here, Wade?
[Barrett] Yes, you are. Piper Niven, a woman of many talents,
and she takes her role very seriously indeed.
She is First Lady of America's Sweetheart, Chelsea Green,
the Women's United States Champion, and to many the modern day Marilyn Monroe.
You have to admit, even you're impressed, Joe Tess.
[Tessitore] Well, it's been quite the celebration tour
of that accomplishment of becoming the Women's United States Champion.
It's been celebrated on social media.
It's been exceedingly pronounced and challenged for a shred of humility,
but her title was well-earned for sure.
[Barrett] In my view, it's such a massive achievement
and such an impressive accolade,
the celebrations have not been big or long enough,
and from my view, long may they continue.
Oh! Going for Eat Defeat early.
[Tessitore] Trying to get Eat Defeat right away and quickly out
to consult with Piper Niven.
[Barrett] Smart of Michin to try that, knowing full well that Piper Niven
is on the outside.
Piper Niven pivotal in that final of this tournament,
at Saturday Night's Main Event a few weeks ago.
Michin will have to keep one eye on Niven at all times.
[Tessitore] Off to a good start is Michin. Gets a cover hook of the leg
and an easy early kick out by Chelsea Green.
But with the psychology when it comes to Michin here,
she's never won a title in WWE.
This is her fourth attempt at a singles title on the main roster.
Second attempt, of course, for this US Championship that was newly minted.
How much does she have to guard against adding extra pressure to herself
in a circumstance like this as she stretches her out here?
[Barrett] Once that bell rings, the great thing about Michin
is any thoughts about pressure and stress go out of the window.
She is stubborn, fearless and highly accomplished in that ring.
However, her opponent tonight, the champ Chelsea Green, the same could be said.
[Tessitore] Chelsea, with great ring awareness, getting out of the way
and now sending Michin out onto the floor.
[Barrett] We are watching Chelsea, don't you worry about that, champ.
[Tessitore] Flying into the barrier.
[Barrett] Massively impressive there from Chelsea Green, salute to the crowd.
And how smart is this of Chelsea Green?
Remember, champions advantage for Chelsea Green does not have to pin or submit
the challenger to retain the title.
Unlike the reverse.
Things looking good for Chelsea Green thus far.
[Tessitore] Glad you're with us here on Friday Night SmackDown,
Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett, and that is what is on the line.
This is the first US title defense for Chelsea Green.
Twenty-seven days she has had that championship.
The rematch now against Michin.
[Barrett] Things are going all too easily right now for Little Miss USA herself.
Chelsea Green in complete control of Michin, who is desperately trying
to gain a foothold in this match. Easier said than done.
This is a championship caliber performance from Chelsea Green once again.
[Tessitore] Michin, who was in very good position the first time they met up
with this championship on the line back on December 14th.
Piper Niven got a bit involved on the outside.
Now sitting here is the not-so-Secret Service.
[Barrett] Service is the operative word in that now.
[Tessitore] Oh, what a great move by Michin.
-[Barrett] High angle. -The Back Suplex to take control here.
[Barrett] Landing high on the neck, Chelsea Green,
who's absolutely rocked with that move.
Take another look at this. The angle and the landing
on the back of the neck at Green
has allowed Michin a little window of opportunity here. Can she capitalize?
[Tessitore] Comes back with the elbow.
Both women greatly affected to where they've taken it to this point.
And now the big boot and an opportunity for Michin.
[Barrett] Michin trying to get back into that Michin the Menace mode
that will put her on top in this division if she can put away the champ,
something she feels should have been done at Saturday Night's Main Event.
[Tessitore] Able to blast her into the corner.
[crowd cheering]
Setting up that long back attack, Wade.
[Barrett] It's a little saucy, isn't it? What is this, a twerk?
-It's a Cannonball. Boom! -[Tessitore] And able to land it.
[Barrett] Right on the bull's-eye, the kisser of the champ.
[crowd chanting] One! Two!
[crowd booing]
[Tessitore] Chelsea able to survive.
[Barrett] We'll have a look at the impact of this Cannonball right to the jaw
of the champ, Chelsea Green, who is looking worse for wear.
As her Secret Service member, Piper Niven desperately tries
to wake her up and get her back in the firefight.
[Tessitore] Fourth attempt at a singles title on the main roster for Michin.
Chelsea Green into the cover to retain the US Championship.
[Barrett] Impact right on the forehead of the challenger,
Michin wasn't enough the first time around, and now we're seeing
some real frustration from the champ who felt this should have been put to bed.
[Tessitore] Big night here in Portland. Glad you're with us.
Massive crowd at the Moda Center.
This is the first of our two US Championship matches that we will have.
Shinsuke Nakamura and LA Knight still to come your way.
Getting out of the way is Michin.
[Barrett] High-risk attempt there from the champ
and it's all about the challenger at this point.
[Tessitore] Michin looking to get into position.
[Barrett] Piper Niven once again attempted to get involved.
Those eyeglasses offering zero protection to the face of Piper Niven.
And just when Michin has momentum and near control with Chelsea Green,
Piper Niven acts as a distraction, so she has to handle her.
Chelsea Green still down, has no idea that the challenger
has gone up top, and the champ is bang in the middle of the drop zone.
[Tessitore] Could it be? Crossbody! Oh, but a counter roll up by the champ.
Grabbed the tights.
And that is how she retains it.
[Garcia] Here is your winner, and still the Women's United States Champion,
Chelsea Green.
[Barrett] Just like Saturday Night's Main Event,
it was Piper Niven's distraction that was pivotal.
And just as the champ was attempting to get away,
that distraction now has opened the window for a beatdown from Piper Niven.
[Tessitore] Seven days ago, Michin defeated Piper Niven
and now she has to take that from Piper.
When she landed that cross body, thought she was in position
to get that singles glory, but instead the roll up and the win by Chelsea Green.
Again, glad you're with us here. Our new home, SmackDown.
The all blue right here, Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett.
I guess the transfer window applies to broadcasters.
I am more than thrilled to be here on Friday nights.
One of the great benefits of being here on Friday Night SmackDown
is we get to broadcast this incredibly deep pool of talent
in the Men's Tag Team Division.
There's a ton of hungry tag teams and only one set of championships
to go around. That spells chaos to me.
It does, as last week on SmackDown, we take a look back at some
of the happenings that happened Motor City Machine Guns looking good.
[Barrett] Yeah, mid-match, it was Pretty Deadly who came down.
They cut a deal with DIY to help them out, but Los Garza's who have had
their own issues with Pretty Deadly and they hit the scene too,
and just as the Motor City Machine Guns closed in on victory, the ringside brawl
meandered its way back into the ring, breaking up the matchup,
forcing the official to throw this one out,
leaving Motor City Machine Guns to rue another missed opportunity.
You know we would be the champions if it wasn't
for all four of these interrupting.
[wrestlers arguing]
I think I have a solution if you just let me explain.
Hey, Theory, these boys are gonna have tag title opportunities.
Tag titles?
We had the Tag Team Championships longer than all of you combined.
Maybe we should take advantage of this transfer window.
Take our talents to Raw where a certain handsome, bald-headed gem
actually knows how to handle real superstars.
[wrestlers clamoring]
Enough! All right, number one,
you two and you two clearly seem to have issues,
which is an understatement, so you can face each other.
Number two, you guys and you guys,
you can face each other because you're both former champions
as you so eloquently said,
and if you want to prove that you deserve a title shot, go out and do it.
And number three. Don't interrupt me ever again, Grayson.
Ooh. Adam Pearce didn't treat us this way on Monday, did he?
-Well, let's go find him. -See you out there, fops.
[Tessitore] I like that out of Nick Aldis.
And we will waste no time cleaning things up,
see which Tag Team can take a step forward towards a title shot, Wade.
[bell dinging]
[Garcia] The following Tag Team contest is set for one fall.
Introducing first, being accompanied by Elektra Lopez and Santos Escobar
representing Legado Del Fantasma, from Monterrey, Mexico,
at a combined weight 425 pounds, Angel y Berto, Los Garza!
[Tessitore] Angel and Berto had some recent struggles,
but they're so talented, so capable.
It's Los Garza and the always entertaining Pretty Deadly next.
Oh, Wade. Will you look at this? Pretty Deadly.
You've gotta love these boys, Joe, explain to me something right now.
I have seen you eating over on Monday Night Raw,
yet when the Pretty Deadly lads come out, you refuse to disco dance.
-[Barrett] What is the deal, bro? -[Tessitore] To the ABBA.
Oh, come on. They're right to action against Angel and Berto.
Kit Wilson, Elton Prince, you heard what went down backstage,
and Nick Aldis said, "You know what?
Let's just clean it up right now and see who's the best of you."
[Barrett] Oh!
[Tessitore] As Los Garza comes flying out early.
[Barrett] A hot start here, and Elton Prince wisely getting out of dodge
while he can.
Kit Wilson saw the worst of that dive from Berto and…
This, according to Nick Aldis is an opportunity for teams,
to put themselves in pole position at some point for a championship shot,
and I like that from Aldis.
A lot of teams demanding opportunity.
This is a "go out there and prove that you deserve it" moment.
[Tessitore] Berto getting the best of Kit Wilson early on,
hooks the leg, and the kick out.
Do you like the ABBA? You down with the ABBA?
I'm not sure it's officially ABBA, but it does sound eerily similar.
I like anything to do with Pretty Deadly.
Let me tell you this, Joe Tess, you're a man who dresses very well.
If you wore the outfits that Pretty Deadly are wearing in your local bar in Sicily,
you would turn some heads.
I guarantee you that much.
[Tessitore] Kit Wilson desperate to try to get to Elton Prince.
[Barrett] Well, it's been a clinic from Los Garza so far.
[Tessitore] It has been indeed.
[Barrett] Isolation of Kit Wilson, and perhaps that's it!
[Tessitore] Synchronicity, as Angel went right into the cover.
[Barrett] I had a chat with Pretty Deadly earlier today.
They said they're feeling confident about how things are gonna go
over the next few weeks.
They feel like DIY owe them a little favor after last week, and it's time to have
their own backs scratched this week.
-[Los Garza shouting] -[Wilson] Oh!
[Tessitore] Oh, right now, I'll tell you. Kit Wilson's desperate for help.
By the way, what happened with the instant pitching
to Lin-Manuel Miranda on their musical, Wade?
[Barrett] Oh, you know, genius like that, it takes sometimes years to pull off.
It's-It's in the, uh… the embryonic phase right now,
but it's gonna be big when they pull it off.
[Tessitore] Wilson, Berto as he gets tossed across the ring.
[Barrett] And Kit Wilson's got virtually nothing going in this match at all.
It has been a disaster class thus far for Pretty Deadly and clearly Santos Escobar
has got his men in Legado Del Fantasma cooking on all cylinders,
a tag there that I don't think Berto was aware of.
The referee certainly was and--
-[Tessitore] Oh, would you look at this. -[Barrett] Tick, tick, boom.
Elton Prince.
[referee] Get back in the ring!
What now, huh? What now? You tell me.
Good tag team action from here in Portland, Oregon.
Joe and Wade with you, ringside, of course.
DIY, Ciampa, Gargano, the WWE Tag Team Champions,
but with the depth of this tag team roster here on SmackDown,
so many teams looking to get in position.
That is what Nick Aldis has put forward here as Berto and Angel
in against Elton Prince and Kit Wilson.
[Barrett] Prince and Wilson had a horrible start to this matchup,
but it showed their durability, have got themselves back in the fight
and in control of Berto,
who has been completely battered from pillar to post over the last few minutes,
desperately trying to get that tag over to Angel but denied once again.
[Tessitore] Prince turned things around with what he was able to do.
And Pretty Deadly trying to stay in control,
As Berto looks to make his way over to Angel.
-[Barrett] With a miscue from first. -[Tessitore] And he does!
Wilson, then Elton Prince and now disaster time for Pretty Deadly,
a fresh and enraged Angel in there.
[Tessitore] Pretty Deadly, always competitive
but on a six-match losing streak.
This win will be critical to the future of both tag teams.
Enzuigiri right to the temple of Kit Wilson, who is staggered now.
[Tessitore] Angel from up top, hooks the leg for the win,
and the kick out just a count of two.
[Barrett] At this point Pretty Deadly are really clinging onto this matchup.
Look at the height, first of all that Angel gets
and look at the precision landing that he sticks unlike Michin earlier.
Now Kit Wilson in a world of trouble, this'll be signaling.
-Johnny DIY, where are you? -[Barrett] Screaming for DIY's help.
Help that does not as yet appear to be coming.
No back scratching going on this week, it seems,
[Tessitore] For the win.
[Barrett] If the master plan of Pretty Deadly tonight involve DIY,
they may need a plan B in a hurry.
Elton Prince on the outside, apparently laid out,
leaving Kit Wilson completely alone in that ring.
[Tessitore] Big kick from Angel.
And once again when the referee has his back turned,
Elton Prince involves himself.
[Barrett] Well, we needed a plan B, we got a plan B
and now La Madrina, Elektra Lopez distracted the referee.
-[Tessitore] Lopez on the apron. -[Barrett] Complaining.
[Tessitore] Far corner, Elton Prince going up top.
Santos Escobar pulls him down.
Well, divide and conquer by Legado Del Fantasma.
La Madrina takes the referee.
Santos Escobar causes the damage, Joe.
[Tessitore] Here's the double press.
-And Prince… -[Barrett] Whoa!
[Tessitore] …with the big slam down to close it out.
-Yes. -[bell rings]
-Solid victory for Los Garza. -[Garcia] Here are your winners…
Los Garza!
[Barrett] Wow, well, the cheats in Pretty Deadly
were out cheated by the Masters
with the deepest bag of tricks of all in Legado Del Fantasma.
This is the moment, referee's back was turned thanks to Elektra Lopez.
Santos Escobar pounced, leading to this.
The MTY. Nasty landing for Elton Prince.
Impressive win for Legado Del Fantasma and Los Gaza,
and perhaps soon Santos Escobar et al will be back running the bingo.
[Tessitore] Yeah, that double press MTY,
with that, perhaps some clarity in the tag team division.
Earlier tonight we heard from the SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis.
He said, "Prove to me why you deserve a title opportunity,
and we'll take it from there."
Perhaps Angel and Berto just proved to him, Wade.
One step closer to a golden opportunity, Joe Tess.
Still to come here on Friday Night SmackDown,
it will be Tiffy time.
After so many moments that we thought Tiffany Stratton would,
she finally did, a cash in and a new champion.
We will hear from the freshly hand raised WWE Women's Champion tonight.
But up next, a chance to get back the title for LA Knight.
[bell rings]
[Garcia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
And it is for the United States Championship.
Introducing first, the challenger,
from Los Angeles, California. Weighing in at 240 pounds.
LA Knight!
-Yeah! -[crowd] Yeah!
[Barrett] "Yeah" indeed.
How are your loins feeling, Joe Tess?
Because I'm not gonna lie, mine are tingling like never before.
[Tessitore] Look at the energy he's emitting right now,
the focus, the hype for this.
The first defense of the US championship for Shinsuke Nakamura.
LA Knights possible redemption.
That is next. Don't go anywhere.
Friday Night SmackDown, more to come.
[Tessitore] Saturday Night's Main Event is two weeks away, by the way,
Royal Rumble three weeks away. WrestleMania 4199 days away.
Here we go.
[Barrett] No slowing down is there, Joe Tess?
And there's never any slowing down with a perpetual motion machine himself.
LA Knight. Yeah!
[Tessitore] 2023 was the breakout superstar of the year,
and then of course in August of last year broke through at the US championship.
But now this man has that title.
["Sinister Samurai" playing]
The third run with the US championship for Shinsuke Nakamura,
but there is something about this version, Wade,
with this veteran that feels far different.
[Barrett] Mysterious, the cryptic, the man who hides in the shadows and then strikes.
He is the Shinobi assassin.
Here on SmackDown and most importantly of all, he is the United States champion.
[Tessitore] See, among his last three matches,
that was a thriller against Andrade, by the way,
but that Survivor Series War Games evening,
that is when the took the crown in defeating LA Knight.
[Barrett] A rich vein of form, back to his very, very best,
a man with a 20 plus year record in this industry around the world,
reaching yet another peak.
[Garcia] And his opponent, from Kyoto, Japan,
weighing in at 220 pounds.
He is the United States Champion.
Shinsuke Nakamura!
[Tessitore] And Wade, here's what went down last week with Nakamura.
[Barrett] Yeah, that's right, on SmackDown Nakamura took on Andrade
in a hell of a match up, singles action.
Connecting with that Kinshasa for the win.
Celebrations, post-match did not last long, however,
as the megastar came looking for revenge
after a black mist attack several weeks earlier.
Nakamura lined up for a nice little BFT but just about got away,
in the nick of time.
One way or another, I'm coming to collect on what's owed to me
with everybody saying. -[crowd] LA Knight!
-Yeah! -[crowd] Yeah!
[Tessitore] Coming to collect what he feels is owed to him.
The gold that is presented to the crowd here at the Moda Center
in Portland, Oregon.
Look at the size of this crowd for Friday Night SmackDown,
the second of our US championship matches.
We saw Chelsea Green retain earlier with her victory against Michin.
And now this much anticipated rematch of Nakamura and LA Knight.
-What a week it's been in WWE… -[bell dinging]
…when it comes to highly contested title matches,
You know what we saw with Raw.
Rhea Ripley back with gold around her waist.
By the way, record-breaking evening,
social media reach of 223 million views across platforms for the day.
It's box office after box office,
and they don't get much more box office than the megastar LA Knight,
who doesn't look quite right without gold around his waist.
[Tessitore] He would tell you that as well.
Now, let's get into the strategy here, Wade,
because I always find rematches to be fascinating.
as to what was learned in the first go
and what strategy can be changed and how to take effect
when you get into the rematch.
So you look back at what we saw in Survivor Series on November 30th.
What was learned by LA Knight?
What was learned by LA Knight
is that Shinsuke Nakamura is an absolute master at the art of war.
He only fights battles on his own terms
and can get into the minds of opponents like no other.
The difference tonight, of course, LA Knight has got nothing to lose.
He's playing with house money and he wants his gold back now.
He keeps Shinsuke Nakamura's games and tricks out of his mind,
is the question we're about to find out.
[Tessitore] Taking a controlled approach early on here is LA Knight.
Well, the people have come here tonight en masse and it is up to LA Knight
to give the people what they want.
That is a big dub for the megastar.
Who played… Oh!
part-time security guard earlier tonight, throwing Jacob Fatu out of the arena
as if he didn't have already enough on his plate,
with Shinsuke Nakamura taking his eye off the ball for a split second, of course.
The Japanese superstar pounces.
[Tessitore] Nakamura just running straight in with violence
as Knight was draped over the apron.
I was surprised by that as well.
Jacob Fatu and you saw what happened earlier with Paul Heyman and Cody Rhodes
and Kevin Owens,
and then the brawl that ensued as Fatu was enraged backstage,
and the last thing you want to do is get in the way of the Samoan Werewolf,
and yet there was LA Knight tossing out and closing the door behind him.
Fatu will not forget that for sure.
[Barrett] Yeah, it may come forward in the next few weeks we will see,
but right now, now needing full focus on this matchup,
this championship opportunity, is the megastar
whose shots are simply bouncing off the champ Nakamura.
[Tessitore] Nakamura targeting that lower leg.
[Barrett] Nakamura, of course, highly-skilled jujitsu exponent,
position strikes, inescapable submission hold,
previously competed in MMA prior to his time in sports entertainment.
Doesn't LA Knight know all about the danger that Shinsuke Nakamura holds?
[Tessitore] And running knee as he had LA Knight up on top of the ropes there,
he just falls to the floor collapsing after that impact.
[Barrett] There's a crunching landing to try and brace yourself
for those kind of falls all the way to the outside of the concrete floor.
I don't know what is left in the tank of LA Knight at this point.
He has been beaten around the ring in the--
-[Tessitore] Oh! -[Barrett] But there's your answer,
[Tessitore] The megastar looking to come back here.
And he sends out Nakamura to the floor.
[Barrett] That was Nakamura at a…
Crunching, landing head first onto our floor and…
[Tessitore] Baseball slide. Right into our desk comes Nakamura.
Slamming his head time and again.
[crowd] Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
[Barrett] It's a brand new reinforced desk.
[crowd] Yeah!
[Tessitore] As Nakamura not in good shape here.
You mentioned that it's a brand-new desk.
It's akin to like a Cadillac Escalade in terms of the size and scope.
So solid.
It's different when you hit your head on this new bad boy.
[Barrett] Didn't go down, did it? Look at that, Joe, we got a good one.
[Tessitore] LA Knight. He said he's coming to get what is his.
[Barrett] Easier said than done, however, Nakamura historically raising his game
in championship matches.
[Tessitore] Right into the ring post.
As Nakamura slams LA Knight into that post.
That is in the possession of Shinsuke Nakamura,
the United States Championship.
He has held it for 41 days since defeating LA Knight at Survivor Series
back on November 30th, this the rematch, his first title defense.
-[crowd boos, cheers] -Trading right-hand center of the ring.
Right here in Portland, Oregon, loaded night…
-[Barrett] Whoa, and LA Knight… -[Tessitore] on SmackDown.
feeding off that frenzy of energy that has taken over this arena and it is LA Knight,
the challenger now taking over the latter point of this matchup.
[Tessitore] Playing right into the emotion of it all.
Big slam from Knight.
[Barrett] And Nakamura in big trouble now,
he is right where the megastar wants him.
[crowd] LA Knight. Yeah!
[Tessitore] Elbow comes home. into the cover to get the gold back.
And the kickout by Nakamura.
[Barrett] What a stunning 2024 it was for LA Knight, derailed of late,
but this is one way to get the train back on the tracks,
ASAP in 2025.
[Tessitore] We talked about it earlier when he was making his way to the ring
to try to reclaim gold.
If you think about the last two years, ESPN named him the breakout star in 2023.
Then he gets through and does claim it at SummerSlam,
only to be defeated by this veteran Nakamura at Survivor Series,
and now he can start the new year fresh and regain the gold.
[Barrett] Nakamura trying every dirty trick in the book,
including going for the megastar's eyes. The referee unsighted.
[Tessitore] There's the roll up.
[Barrett] O'Connor roll attempt.
LA Knight almost eating that exposed turnbuckle
that came off earlier in the matchup.
Beautiful strike to the back of the head of the megastar,
followed up by that sliding German suplex.
And Nakamura has turned this one around yet again.
[Tessitore] With speed.
An explosive dynamic force is Nakamura.
You see that turnbuckle exposed, that second turnbuckle in that corner.
Look at that slide.
[Barrett] It's an uncanny ability to bait opponents into position
and then strike them where it hurts most.
That is the Nakamura playbook.
He won the championship in that PLE Survivor Series, but on SmackDown,
he's on a four-match win streak as he counters with the kick,
able to parry and counter with a kick.
[Barrett] Thunderbolts to the brain of the mega star,
but amazing powers of recovery from the former.
The megastar with a big chance here.
-[Barrett] Oh! -[Tessitore] Two and change.
[Barrett] Late, late kick out from Nakamura.
Pain etched all over the face of the jump.
Take another look, this deep into a championship matchup.
That level of athleticism and precision from the megastar is what
took him to the gold in the first place and may well do so tonight.
[Tessitore] Spectacular night here in Portland,
with The United States Championship on the line.
Can LA Knight reclaim it?
[Barrett] All the momentum in the megastar sales.
Desperation now from Nakamura.
-Countered by LA Knight. -[Tessitore] Can he turn that over?
-[Barrett] And it's locked in. -[Tessitore] It is locked in.
[Tessitore] LA Knight applying all the pressure.
[Barrett] Desperate for this submission.
Shinsuke Nakamura a million miles away from that bottom rope.
Referee Charles Robinson taking a very close look at the champ.
He's made it.
[Tessitore] And Charles Robinson forcing the break,
as Nakamura was able to crawl his way over to the rope.
[Barrett] And just when you see the finish line in sight
as the challenger there is nothing more soul destroying than that moment.
Now countered. Arm bar attempt blocked by LA Knight.
[Tessitore] You can see LA Knight, he didn't want to release that left hand,
and now he rolls him up in the counter.
[Barrett] Counter for counter like a chess game
with a hell of a lot more pain.
[Tessitore] This stretch of this match is incredible action between these two.
Nakamura.
Attempted Kinshasa!
[Tessitore] But instead of Kinshasa, a near roll-up from LA Knight,
both men toe-to-toe, move after move, no BFT but instead it's Nakamura.
[Barrett] Spinning back elbow to the temple
after a BFT attempt and Nakamura now goes in for the kill,
second bite of the cherry.
[Tessitore] Shasa attempt, Nakamura. Can the champ take it home?
[Barrett] Connected.
[Tessitore] The cover.
The foot on the rope.
Knight found a way. LA Knight survives it.
[Barrett] Well, to be hypercritical of Shinsuke Nakamura, it was a lax cover,
not paying attention after a superbly executed Kinshasa.
That right leg of the megastar loose and simply too close to the bottom rope,
that's what happens this deep into championship matches,
you don't have all your faculties, you don't execute like you normally do,
and for that reason and that reason alone LA Knight's still in the matchup for now.
[Tessitore] Turn buckle is exposed as Nakamura comes in,
but LA Knight gets out of the way.
BFT!
But they are both so drained, Wade.
-So much has been taken out of Nakamura. -[Barrett] Oh, no!
-[Barrett] Oh, my God, -[Tessitore] What did we say?
Fatu and Tama Tonga were not going to forget
what LA Knight did earlier tonight.
And why oh why in the midst of such a magnificent championship match,
but they arrive.
[Barrett] Just when the megastar had it won.
Pop up Samoan drop. The Samoan Werewolf has arrived.
You live and die by your decisions in this game,
and that decision by LA Knight to turn Jacob Fatu of all people out of the arena
a few moments earlier tonight is one he will live to regret for a long time.
-Oh my God. -[Tessitore] Oh, here comes the hit.
Right into the head of LA Knight.
after he's already absorbed such a draining punishment
going toe to toe with Nakamura.
[Barrett] Let me point something out, Joe Tess,
not one security guard is heading out here right now and who the hell can blame them.
[Tessitore] And this is how we finish off the US championship
with these absolute unleashed mad dogs.
As he moonsaults onto the former US champion.
[Barrett] We warned you when Solo Sikoa
brought these two in they are lawless, they are feral thugs,
uncontrollable, even more so now, perhaps when Solo Sikoa isn't around.
[Tessitore] Cody and Jimmy to meet up with Tama and Jacob.
As you said, no security, so it took these superstars to leave the locker room.
Super kick after super kick.
Perhaps the only two superstars in the locker room with the cajones
to take on these two madmen.
right into the steel steps as Jimmy Uso sends him over the barrier.
Solo Sikoa is nowhere to be found tonight after his loss to Roman Reigns.
They have no tribal tree.
No, no, no, no, no. Nick, Nick. Do not send them home.
[panting] Do not send them home.
They're here, me and Jimmy are here.
Come on! Come on!
Let's do this here,
let's do this tonight.
[Tessitore] General Manager Nick Aldis listening to Cody Rhodes' demands.
-[Barrett] Do it, Aldis. -[Tessitore] Yes.
[Barrett] Thumbs up from Nick Aldis.
[Tessitore] He's got it. Are you kidding me?
We've got Cody and Jimmy against the Samoan Werewolf and Tama Tonga tonight.
[Barrett] Get ready if you like carnage, you have come to the right place.
It sounds like we're gonna have one hell of a main event tonight here on SmackDown.
[Tessitore] The Undisputed WWE Champion and Jimmy Uso
against Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga
is happening right here in Portland.
Wow. And coming up next.
It's Tiffy time.
I'll look back at Tiffany Stratton's history making money in the bank cashing.
That's next on this outrageously entertaining Friday Night SmackDown.
[Tessitore] When you're at NXT, and I went this past weekend for that thrilling show
at the Shrine Auditorium.
Trust me, you never know when you're seeing a future star
like the former NXTchampion who cashed in here last week.
[Cole] 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 tonight. -[bell rings]
Naomi countered!
Both women down!
Oh, yes, that's Money in the Bank. Coming down to the ring.
Tiffany, what the hell was that?
Thanks to Tiffany Stratton, Nia Jax retains the championship.
Now Tiffany Stratton says, "Nia, go get you some of Bianca Belair."
Oh, my God!
-Bianca Belair now. -[Graves] Look at the power of the EST!
Cash it in, cash it in!
I wanna cash in.
[Garcia] Ladies and gentlemen,
Tiffany Stratton is cashing in her Money in the Bank contract.
Oh, my Gosh!
It's Tiffy time!
[Cole] Tiffany Stratton goes from Mrs Money in the Bank
to the WWE Women's Champion.
[Tessitore] That was the awesome call by Michael Cole as Tiffy time happened.
The brand-new WWE Women's Champion will be joining us tonight.
How great are those reactions to everybody on the cash in?
[Barrett] I think the whole world was feeling the exact same way
and we may be feeling that for a long time thanks to the new champ, Tiffany Stratton.
[Tessitore] And it has been a run of instant impact
since the Motor City Machine Guns arrived on SmackDown.
[bell dinging]
[Garcia] The following tag team contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making their way to the ring. At a combined weight of 412 pounds.
Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley.
Motor City Machine Guns!
[Tessitore] They're world champions for 42 days before the stumble to DIY.
Sabin and Shelley, and they're gonna be taking on a familiar foe.
A-Town Down as we roll on with Friday Night SmackDown
from here in Portland, Oregon, and you heard it.
We got Cody and Jimmy and Jacob Fatu, Tama still to come.
Having a great time here in Portland, Oregon as the WWE momentum continues
after the highest-grossing arena event in WWE history with Raw Netflix debut.
Now over 10,000 plus here at the Moda Center from Friday Night SmackDown,
and this crowd, Wade,
it's official with the main event they're roaring for.
[Barrett] Yeah, they got themselves a little surprise treat tonight
because of the thumbs up from GM Nick, all this wasn't enough,
officially official WWE Champ Cody Rhodes teams with Jimmy Uso
to take on the wild and lawless Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu in tonight's main event
right here on SmackDown.
[Tessitore] Tama and Jacob disrupting our US Championship rematch of Nakamura
and LA Knight, but right now, critical tag team match.
Guys who rewrote the playbook for modern-day tag team action.
Motor City Machine Guns ready to go after it.
["Raise Your Fist" playing]
["Remember Our Name" playing]
[Tessitore] And the challenge for the Motor City Machine Guns, Wade,
it comes against the young, confident, and never quiet, A-Town Down Under.
[Barrett] Former champs versus former champs.
Nick Aldis laid down the gauntlet. Los Garza got themselves a W
earlier against Pretty Deadly.
Who is gonna join them in winner's enclosure, pal?
It's getting one step closer to a championship opportunity.
[Garcia] Their opponents, at a combined weight of 424 pounds,
Grayson Waller and Austin Theory, A-Town Down Under.
[Tessitore] Of course they were champions, had the titles for 90 days,
losing them this last July.
They've had their ups and downs a bit since losing the titles.
Two in eight Tag Team matches.
[Barrett] Well, there were some major issues
between the members of A-Town Down Under
in the last few months of 2024, not necessarily on the same page at times,
but all that is now water under the bridge.
-And these two are-- Yeah, absolutely. -[Tessitore] I've said--
I never trust it with these two.
[Barrett] Trust me, they are thick as thieves once again.
All issues have been dealt with and they are laser focused
on reclaiming their goal that they want back at WrestleMania.
Difficult to top that, and I will say something on behalf,
of Motor City Machine Guns, a team we've all been really impressed with.
They have every right to feel pretty hard done by after their
championship opportunity got thrown out last week
due to the actions of other tag teams.
They were not granted an automatic rematch by GM Nick Aldis,
they've got to earn it the old way.
[Tessitore] But I like what Aldis did earlier today
as we were backstage and capturing
the nonstop complaints from so many of the tag teams backstage and all this.
Listen, let's just get everybody in the ring.
I mean it's not like this is an official tournament or anything like that,
but why not go out there and compete?
Prove it, see how you look, see if you can get a well-earned win,
and that was the case earlier tonight with Los Garza,
as Angel and Berto were able to defeat Kit Wilson and Elton Prince
from Pretty Deadly. And now, it's this match up.¬♠
[Barrett] So here's the problem.
There are so many teams here on SmackDown who all feel like they have a claim.
They are the number one challengers to the champs DIY.
The issue being they are all so evenly matched,
you couldn't fit a piece of paper between any of them,
so you have to go out there and back your words up.
That's all Aldis is asking for. Go out there and prove it.
If you can prove it, then maybe you'll have earned the right
to challenge the champs.
[Tessitore] Theory tried to come with that right hand,
but firing right back was Shelley.
[Barrett] Not wise to go power for power against someone as big and strong.
Oh!
[Tessitore] As Sabin comes flying in.
[Barrett] As Austin Theory, it really is that speed and maneuverability,
that cruiserweight style of the Motor City Machine Guns
that they themselves pioneered in the tag ranks.
It is gonna have to come to the forefront if they're gonna be
victorious against A-Town Down Under.
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!
[Barrett] Oi, oi, oi.
-You don't know that one, do you? -[Tessitore] I do know that one,
but it doesn't get the quite the same reception here in Portland.
[Barrett] Well, only one person responded, that was the--
[Tessitore] Nor do many Englishmen typically give it that reception.
[Barrett chuckles]
[Tessitore] As Waller showing off that great athleticism,
looking for the spinner,
and he's able to land that big right hand and straight into the cover,
hooks the leg, looking for the early win but the kick out.
[Barrett] Now once upon a time, Grayson Waller might surprise you
because he's absolutely massive.
He was a cruiserweight competitor himself back in his NXT days,
he knows full well the kind of style and maneuvers
of Motor City Machine Guns and was one step ahead
of Chris Sabin on that one.
[Tessitore] Of course his athletic background
includes success as a Golden Gloves boxer--
-[Barrett] Ooh! -[Tessitore] …back home in Australia.
[Barrett] Well, there was a blind tag there behind the back of Grayson Waller.
[Tessitore] And with that, there you get it, Sabin and Shelley.
[Barrett] Alex Shelley, now the legal man, referee saw it.
Unfortunately for Grayson Waller, his nice start in this matchup
has gone south in a hurry.
[Tessitore] Motor City Machine Guns.
Oh, and tripping him up was Theory,
and a big left hand comes booming home.
[Barrett] This is always gonna be the issue in this kind of matchup and-- Oh!
Rolling flatline to that.
[Tessitore] Grayson Waller into the cover.
You see the frustration.
Great action, Tag Team action here from Portland.
[Tessitore] Joe and Wade back with you here in Portland.
Tag Team action.
A-Town Down Under against the Motor City Machine Guns.
As Grayson Waller looking to keep control from A-Town Down Under.
Into the cover quickly goes Austin Theory against Alex Shelley, of course,
for Motor City Machine Guns, Wade.
They won the Tag Team championship when they defeated the group
formerly known as the New Bloodline.
That was back on October 25th.
They defeated DIY to become the number one contenders that very night,
then went right into the challenge against the then called New Bloodline.
Of course, all that matters now
when it comes to the Bloodline is where's the Ula Fala,
and it's around the neck of Roman Reigns.
[Barrett] Yeah, the honeymoon period for the Motor City Machine Guns was sweet
but all too short for their fan base.
They have now been targeted and outmaneuvered and indeed out muscled
by the sharks of the SmackDown locker room, such as A-Town Down Under.
Who are on full control of this matchup and slowly inching their way closer
to perhaps some championship-- Oh!
[Tessitore] Shelley able to break free.
[Barrett] The veteran--
[Tessitore] And then he lines up Theory!
[Barrett] From Alex Shelley who has been put through the ringer on this one.
It's surprising he's still ticking over, but Chris Sabin on the outside,
desperately reaching for that tag.
There it is!
[Tessitore] He gets it in front of this big crowd here in Portland.
Here comes Sabin.
Big right hand drops the former star Golden Gloves boxer.
And then he eats a boot. Sabin up top, missile drop kick.
[Barrett] Sabin simply too quick at this point in the matchup
for both Theory and indeed Waller, who is getting rocked around the ring.
[Tessitore] Running knee on the apron, now back to business against Waller.
What a spurt, offensive aggression from Sabin and the Motor City Machine Guns.
[Tessitore] And that energy is starting to peak, we're going high risk.
[Tessitore] Baseball slides as they send them into the barrier.
And that teamwork, incomparable.
[Barrett] This is why it is so difficult to put the Motor City Machine Guns away.
[Tessitore] Suicide Dive, a 2 for 1.
[Barrett] Can attack you from any angle, and now it is A-Town Down Under
sprawl around the ringside area,
that's closing in for the kill perhaps of the Motor City Machine Guns.
[Tessitore] There's the hook of the leg.
[Barrett] Such a vast array of high-impact Tag Team maneuvers,
take another look at this.
Perfect timing and execution glean from about 20 years tagging together
at the very top around the world,
and now looking to do it here once again on SmackDown.
[crowd chanting]
[Tessitore] The crowd respecting the efforts of Motor City Machine Guns.
-[Barrett] This attack means nothing… -There's the tag.
[Barrett] …if you don't get the victory.
And there's a reason why Waller and Theory are former tag champs here on SmackDown.
[Tessitore] Big kick, and as he drapes them across our announce desk.
[Barrett] Too much left in the tank of Chris Sabin.
[Tessitore] Coming in was Theory with the elbow
and then gives a little to the corner as well.
[Barrett] Just too easy for a heavyweight
like Austin Theory to turn this thing around.
Oh! Double strike to both temples there from A-Town Down Under.
[Tessitore] And Sabin finds a way to kick out.
[Barrett] Attempted to reach out to that bottom rope.
Luckily for Sabin and Shelley he had enough left in the tank to actually
kick out once he couldn't reach the rope, but in a bad way now is Chris Sabin.
Jaw completely rocked at some point in this one, but still ticking over,
showing that durability.
Go for that tag. Alex Shelley down and perhaps out.
Sabin might have to do this one on his own.
[Tessitore] Smart by Sabin to pull on that top rope, but right now trying to get out
of the compromise situation.
As he rolls them up, a counter roll, looking for the win.
Waller got some as he came in. And now there's the tag to Shelley.
Big elbow from Theory.
[Barrett] Theory just had his wits about him beating Alex Shelley to the punch.
Now, every single man down.
[Tessitore] Every which way they've gotten after each other.
Remember SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis, he put forth the challenge
to all these tag teams in the back.
You want a shot, go out and prove it.
We're going to mix you up tonight and see who looks the part.
[Barrett] Every team seems to be competing at a championship level.
-No matter who DIY end up facing. -[Tessitore] Oh! The teamwork.
[Barrett] It's gonna be a hell of a defense for them.
And it looks like it is the Motor City Machine Guns now closing in on victory.
Isolated in the ring is Austin Theory.
Grayson Waller clear out and here we go, Joe!
-[Tessitore] Skull and Bones! -[Barrett] Boom!
[Tessitore] They land it. Motor City Machine Guns.
[bell dinging]
[Garcia] Here are your winners,
Motor City Machine Guns!
[Barrett] Well, what a performance from both teams.
Blink and you'll miss it kind of stuff.
We could show you a full 10 minutes of replays from this one,
but here are some highlights.
Motor City Machine Guns taking full control,
connecting with a wide array of strikes and then this Skull and Bones
to Austin Theory gets them the 3 count, inching one step closer to a date
with destiny, perhaps a rematch they so badly desire with the tag champs DIY.
[Tessitore] We will see if that is the case,
but a big win for Sabin and Shelley
right here in Portland.
Stupid.
Lads, what was… what was that about? I thought we had like an agreement,
you know, we scratch your back and you scratch ours.
And I thought I made myself clear.
I don't want you scratching my back.
Look, we appreciate you guys having our backs,
but you got a lot of heat on you right now, okay?
We couldn't come out there tonight, you understand, okay?
That heat, Johnny. That heat, Ciampa.
That's what makes the Pretty Deadly lava lamp glow.
That's why we saved you guys last week.
They saved us? You s--
Look, look, look. Kip, Kip, Kip. I--
-Kit. -Yeah.
-With a T. With a T. -Yeah. Kit. That's what I said.
I know, of course I know your name because we're friends, right?
Yes, boy.
[laughing]
You're gonna get your title match. Trust me, you definitely will.
We're just working through some things backstage, politics, drama,
all that stuff, but we got you guys.
-We got you guys, trust us. -Do you?
We got you. [chuckles] Yeah, we do.
I don't know.
[muttering]
-Hey, guys. Hey, hey. -[groans] Not you.
I gotta tell you, if you're dumb enough to believe anything the two of them say,
then you definitely deserve everything that's coming your way.
And trust me, it's not gonna be those Tag Team titles. I'm just saying.
-Thank you very much for your advice. -Oh, Apollo, no friends.
-It's just me and him anyway. -What's going on?
Nia.
Hi, Nia. Um…
You know, I just saw Tiffany, and she was headed towards the ring.
I wonder what she's gonna say.
In fact, I should go congratulate her myself.
[Tessitore] Congratulate her herself?
[Barrett] Strange form of congratulations, but we will see, Joe.
[Tessitore] The recently dethroned Nia Jax plans on seeing the new champ.
The clock strikes Tiffy Time when we return to Friday Night SmackDown.
[Garcia] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the new WWE Women's Champion,
Tiffany Stratton.
["Tiffy Time" playing]
[Tessitore] Just 11 months ago that Tiffany Stratton signed on to SmackDown,
and it was seven days ago that she pulled off the shocker,
and she played it perfectly, Wade.
Cashing in on Nia Jax. Won Prettiest Moonsault Ever for history.
[Barrett] Now the owner of the WWE Women's Championship
continuing the 100% successful cash-in rate
of the women's Money in the Bank contract, you know, every single woman
in both the Raw and SmackDown locker rooms looked on and thought,
"You know what, this year I need to make sure I am Miss Money in the Bank.
I want a little piece of what Miss Tiffy has got."
There are no guarantees at all in this game,
but that Money in the Bank Champion--
The Money in the Bank briefcase and contract
is about as close as you will get.
[Tessitore] And how it played out when Nia had her title defense against Naomi,
and then all the drama unfolded with Tiffany Stratton
cashing in the new WWE Women's Champion.
And she is with our ace reporter, Byron Saxton.
Take it away, my man.
Tiffany, last week you shocked the entire world when you grabbed your contract,
you cashed in on Nia Jax,
and you became the new WWE Women's Champion.
So first off, congratulations.
Thank you, Byron.
[screams] It's Tiffy Time!
[crowd cheers]
Oh, man.
What a Tiffy turn of events, you guys. Am I right?
[crowd cheers]
Less than a year ago, I made my debut on SmackDown,
and in no time, I became Miss Money in the Bank.
And at the young age of 25 years old, I am already better than all of your favorites,
and I'm your new WWE Women's Champion.
[crowd cheers]
So before last week, yourself and Nia Jax were the best of friends,
but a lot of people out there are saying that the reason Nia bullied you
-for so long-- -No, no, no, no, no, listen.
Nia didn't bully me.
I befriended Nia and I got her to trust me.
[crowd] What?
Nia thinks I'm stupid. Well, who's the stupid one now?
[crowd cheers]
She thought I was naive, she thought I was just a dumb blonde,
but she all thought that because I let her think that.
[crowd] What?
And she let her guard down and because of that, I stole her most prized possession,
her WWE Women's Championship.
And I'm at the Tiffy top of my game.
And without further ado,
put some respect on my name and tell me what time it is.
["Not Like Most Girls" playing]
-[Barrett] Oh, dear. -[Tessitore] Mm-hmm.
[Tessitore] Now it's time for the former champ.
[Barrett] Time for some congratulations.
Nia Jax style. No confetti cannon, no flowers,
just a grimace and a very angry former champ.
[Tessitore] How about the look on her face
as she sees Nia Jax.
You ungrateful little ****.
[crowd cheers]
Tiffy, right now I could kill you.
You're standing there saying that you made a fool of me
and that you're at the Tiffy top.
You would be nothing without me. I made you.
I mean, congrats on rubbing two brain cells together to come up with that.
You finally took advantage. It took you long enough.
Now you're having your moment.
All right.
Yay, Tiffany, it's Tiffy time.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting] Tiffy Time. Tiffy time. Tiffy Time.
Time's up.
Now, either you give me my championship back.
Or I'm gonna take it from you.
["Role Model" playing]
[Barrett] Saved by the Bayley.
[Tessitore] Remember Bayley had the championship
before Nia got the best of her at SummerSlam.
[Bayley] Uh, ding-dong, Nia. How about you shut the hell up, okay?
You know what, Tiff, man, you, if that was a plan all along, then you
certainly got me because I definitely thought you were a little stupid. [laughs]
But, Nia, I know you're stupid.
Right?
I mean, you made Tiffany, right?
You've groomed her from the very beginning, put her right under your wing,
and she still outsmarted you. [laughs]
Now Tiffy, I know this is your, uh, moment of glory…
but I don't want you to think that I forgot that the only reason
Nia had that championship was with the help of you at SummerSlam.
And the only reason Nia kept you around was to make sure that that didn't change.
So I think that it's only fitting that I'm the one who takes that from you.
["Glow" playing]
[Tessitore] It's getting crowded here, Wade.
[Barrett] The women's locker room is clearing out.
Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on.
Uh-uh.
We all know-- Hey, ya'll.
[crowd cheers]
Check this out.
We all know I had you beat last week, Nia.
And if it wasn't for little Miss Tiffer, I would be holding 2 titles right now.
So if anybody wanna fight Tiffany for the championship,
you gotta see me first.
Naomi, nobody cares about you.
-If it wasn't for your-- -Don't try me like that.
What are you gonna do, huh?
-[Tessitore] Oh! -[Barrett] Oh, that was inevitable.
Everybody piling on Nia Jax, rubbing salt in the wounds,
you're only ever gonna get one reaction
and now, of course, ganging up on the powerhouse, Jax,
is basically the entirety of the women's locker room.
[Tessitore] Including the Women's Tag Team Champions, Naomi and Bianca Belair.
Remember Bianca Belair with that K.O.D. a week ago as Tiffy time was able to cash--
Is she lining up the Prettiest Moonsault Ever to all of them?
The new champ sent them all down.
[Barrett] The world truly runs on Tiffy Time right now.
A woman who has simply outsmarted every possible challenger
during her own championship celebration.
Ladies, ladies, allow me to interrupt this little meeting of the minds here
because I've had an idea.
Seeing as the four of you want so badly to get your hands on Miss Stratton
and the WWE Women's Championship,
I've decided that you will compete against one another in a fatal 4-way match
to determine the number one contender, and that match is happening right now.
-[Tessitore] Oh. -[Barrett] Ooh.
[Tessitore] I can't get enough of Aldis tonight.
[Barrett] It's a good job they're all in their ring gear.
[Tessitore] Nick Aldis says, "Let's just do it, fatal 4-way,
number one contenders match."
It's an electric Friday Night SmackDown right here,
where we have the #1 contenders, fatal 4-way that was just announced.
Between Nia Jax, Bayley, Naomi and Bianca Belair.
Talk about can't miss, Joe Tess, this is a can't-miss moment
for all four of these women who demand an opportunity at the new champ Tiffy Time.
[Tessitore] That's what they want. The winner of this match--
And look at the Tag Team Champions
trying to get the suplex
on Nia Jax, but she was able to do it on her own.
Can you believe the strength and power of Nia Jax, Wade?
[Barrett] Yes, I can. She has done it time and time again.
The smarts of the tag champs here knew they had to team up
to try and take her down,
but that backfired in about the worst way possible and now perhaps to capitalize
is the former champ, Bayley, the woman that Nia Jax
herself dethroned at SummerSlam.
[Tessitore] Remember Bayley won that thriller
at WrestleMania 40 in Philly against Iyo Sky,
won the Women's Championship there, lost the title to Nia Jax
at SummerSlam in Cleveland. As Naomi comes in.
Naomi, of course, mentioned what happened last week as now you see the teamwork
with Bianca Belair, but a week ago, Naomi thought she was in prime position
against Nia Jax, and we know what happened
with Tiffy Time getting involved.
[Barrett] Yes, she did, what a perfect setup by Tiffany Stratton,
perhaps the smartest woman in the division.
-Do not judge a book by its cover. -[Tessitore] Why do you say that?
[Barrett] Well, a lot of people see the blonde hair and apparently Nia Jax
took that to mean that Tiffany Stratton wasn't too smart.
She proved that to be completely wrong by outfoxing the now former champ, Nia Jax,
who's using some smarts of her own by staying outside of the ring right now.
[Tessitore] Now this is interesting with Naomi and Bianca
in the midst of a fatal 4-way, of course,
the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions forced into action in a fatal 4-way.
[Barrett] Technically against each other tonight, you know?
Both are primed and ready competitors hungry for gold,
all bets are off when that bell rings.
Hopefully they can make amends post-match as they do have tag championships
to continue defending.
[Tessitore] Bayley and Naomi locking up.
[Barrett] Well, I'll tell you right now, Bayley has more history with every
opponent in this match than anyone.
Best buds with Naomi over the past ten years and who can forget her rivalries
in recent years with the likes of Nia Jax and indeed, Bianca Belair.
So Bayley knows her opponents tonight, perhaps as well as anyone.
[Tessitore] No doubt about it, that strained history
between Bayley and Bianca,
of course the time spent
in damage control, but successful at Survivor Series War Games as teammates.
Bayley filled in for Jade Cargill after that vicious attack that still…
there are questions as to how that happened and who did it to Jade Cargill.
Great takedown by Naomi.
Into the pin cover.
[Barrett] High-energy offense and outfit here from Naomi,
who is truly making Portland, Oregon feel the glow tonight on SmackDown.
[Tessitore] Big crowd here in Portland and now Nia Jax getting involved
and sends Bayley right into that barrier.
[Barrett] Jax truly the X-factor in this matchup.
All three opponents of Nia Jax need to team up and take Jacks out, otherwise in
my book they have zero chance of winning.
Jax too strong.
She's got a mean streak, a mile wide.
Successfully slowing it down, however, is Naomi.
[Tessitore] Once again, the power of Nia Jax, hooks the leg for the win
and coming in and saving things was her tag team champion partner Bianca Belair.
[Barrett] Look at this offense going full high risk with a Hurricanrana attempt
was Naomi, but the powerhouse Jax showing all the strength that's taken
at a multiple championship reigns.
And how badly does Nia Jax want to get her hands on
former friend, former buddy, now champ, Tiffany Stratton?
[Tessitore] Bianca Belair, the EST with elite athleticism.
The two-time WWE women's champion herself.
[crowd] …three, four, five, six…
[Barrett] For many, the number one athlete in the women's division
is indeed Bianca Belair.
For other people, the number one athlete is in fact Tiffany Stratton.
What a matchup that will be.
[Tessitore] To the power bomb cover and the knee comes in from Bayley.
[Barrett] Bayley saving her own chances in this matchup by breaking up that pin
on Bianca Belair who may well have been down for the count after this power bomb.
[Tessitore] Number one contender Fatal 4-way, and Bayley keeps things alive
as she came in with that knee, and now she gets to work on Nia Jax.
[Barrett] We talked about earlier how you don't get guaranteed automatic
rematches anymore as a former champ.
I'd argue after the 2024 that Jax had, she perhaps deserved it.
[Tessitore] She had a big past year claiming the championship.
This is her 4th singles fatal 4-way match of her career.
-She has never won. Nia Jax has never won. -[Barrett] That's astounding.
What a crazy stat that is, and that can only be because other women
are smart enough to gang up on her in this kind of match.
[Tessitore] That's what happens.
[Barrett] Bayley struggling there on the ropes,
perhaps Nia Jax not in the range of an attack for Bayley.
Desperately trying to pull her into range,
but getting struck on the jaw for her troubles.
You do not want to be Bayley in this kind of situation.
Perhaps about to come crashing down, valiantly fighting her way
out of the predicament, but immediately back on the offense is Nia Jax.
[Tessitore] Oh, Jax.
-[Barrett] Oh, God. -[Tessitore] Up on the 2nd rope,
trying to get Bayley up top for that drop.
[Barrett] Elevated Samoan drop, but now the tag champs are back in there.
[Tessitore] Naomi and Bianca. Wow!
You could hear that all across Portland.
Great action. #1 contender, fatal 4-way match from here
here on SmackDown in Portland, Oregon.
[Tessitore] Glad you're with us on Friday Night SmackDown.
Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett with you here in Portland.
This is our WWE women's title number one contender, fatal four-way match.
The winner is looking to get a shot against Tiffany Stratton.
Tiffy Time was celebrating her cash-in and her new championship earlier tonight.
Here's Nia Jax hooking the leg.
And both Bianca and Bayley coming in
to save the day when all of a sudden everybody,
everybody, Wade, starts interrupting, saying I deserve the shot.
Nia, Bayley, Naomi, Bianca.
So General Manager Nick Alder said,
"You know what, let's just put you in and get this done.
Fatal 4-way right away."
Now the former enemies, Bayley and Bianca Belair,
now called a truce on the offense against the overwhelming might of Nia Jax.
This is what it takes, teaming up, finding a way.
-Bianca. -Oh.
[Tessitore] Bayley.
As they send Nia Jax out.
And how quickly friends become enemies once again
in this kind of match up with these kind of stakes.
I brought it up to you earlier, the strained history that these two have had,
but they're teaming up at Survivor Series with success in Vancouver.
Yeah, that mistrust, that dislike, it never fully goes away and now Belair
and Bayley are both tapping into that.
There's the roll up.
How much hatred used to exist between these two.
Bring it to the forefront and now perhaps…
[Tessitore] Thinking K.O.D.
[Barrett] Simply not softened up enough was the veteran Bayley.
[Tessitore] Good job hanging onto the ropes by the EST.
And look at the pace being set and all the skill.
[Barrett] Both women so fast this deep into a match up.
[Tessitore] And you know what beats speed?
-[Barrett] Overwhelming power. -[Tessitore] That's right.
And the size of Nia Jax and the power.
As Naomi tries to get to work,
it was a week ago that Naomi was in prime position, Wade.
[Barrett] Just such hard work to get Nia Jax even off her feet
And once again, Naomi tries it and there you go.
Throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the former champ, Nia Jax.
Now in the drop zone, split-legged moonsault.
[Tessitore] Can she do it?
A kickout by Jax.
Well, that was so smart of Naomi, once every other woman was cleared out
to try and get a pin as quickly as possible on Jax.
[Tessitore] Flying elbow dropped by Bayley, who hooks the leg.
And pulling on the leg away is Naomi.
[Barrett] Well, the best buddies became enemies briefly there
and now perhaps 450 splash from Bianca Belair.
Hurt herself in the process.
[Tessitore] But time and again, even after the 450 splash.
And now all three of the rivals of Nia.
[Barrett] Nia Jax has to be there for the taking right now,
taking so much offense in succession.
Wait a second, that's Candice LeRae.
[Tessitore] Candice LeRae makes her way down to the ring.
[Barrett] Candice LeRae who helped drive a wedge
between Tiffany Stratton and Nia Jax,
perhaps out here to help Nia Jax offer some advice.
Get it back in the game, demanding some water.
Take mine, queen.
[Tessitore] And meanwhile, the tag team champions getting to work on Bayley.
As Naomi and Bianca teaming up.
Double elbow drop and Bayley's in trouble against the champs.
-Now, Wade, a fatal four-way. -[Barrett laughs]
[Tessitore] The Tag Team Champions are in there against each other.
[Barrett] Hey, shake hands afterwards, ladies, there's too much on the line here.
Naomi and Belair about to throw hands. I love it.
[Tessitore] Oh, wait, what? They're not pointing this way, are they?
[Barrett] Uh-oh.
-Looks like-- -[Tessitore] Oh, suicide dive!
[Barrett] Oh, no. Jax is too big and strong.
[Tessitore] She caught her and sent Naomi back.
[Barrett] Slamming the kidneys of Naomi into our ring apron
after Naomi went for broke.
[Tessitore] And now up top.
And Belair…
In position for the win.
As Bayley comes flying in yet again.
[Barrett] Belair digging deep into the playbook
knowing she has to do whatever it takes against someone like Jax.
[Tessitore] Big opportunity for Bayley, but Naomi sees it.
[Barrett] Well, Bayley to belly suplex there
surely would have won the match for Bayley, but Naomi too quick.
[Tessitore] Rear view, hooks the leg, Nia Jax breaks it up.
[Barrett] What an absolute car crash of a matchup that still rolls on.
And back in the ascendancy is Nia Jax.
[Tessitore] Big drop and the cover,
and coming in is Bianca.
[Barrett] As a competitor, you simply have to hate being in this kind of matchup.
So difficult to find yourself a window to win.
[Tessitore] Over 10,000 in attendance at the Motor Center in Portland, Oregon.
Friday Night SmackDown.
Incredible action in our number one contenders match.
For the WWE Women's Champion shot at Tiffany Stratton.
Still to come tonight, by the way, Cody Rhodes and Jimmy Uso
against the Samoan Werewolf, Jacob Fatu, and Tama Tonga.
That is moments away in our main event.
But this crucial match here to see who will fight for the championship.
[Barrett] What an incredible job the corner woman Candice LeRae did
of getting Nia Jax back into the fight.
But with that drop kick, it might be game over for Jax.
[Tessitore] The action has been outrageous and nonstop.
Bianca.
And the kick out by Bayley.
[Barrett] Oh, and it speaks volumes for the cardio ability of all of these women.
That they are still dropping bombs on one another.
The speed of movement, the durability of these four.
Beggars belief, someone's gotta win this match.
[Tessitore] Trying to line up that K.O.D!
[Barrett] Well, that's one way to do it, Belair!
-All to the floor! -[Tessitore] Candice LeRae is tugging.
Look at this, how she got involved!
[Barrett] Ooh, inadvertently, Bianca Blair just whipped
her tag partner Naomi with that hair.
[Tessitore] And now Nia Jax drags out Bianca Belair onto the floor.
-[Barrett] Oh! -[Tessitore] Oh, wow!
[Tessitore] Right over the announce desk, crashing home.
Meanwhile, in the ring.
Rose Plant! Bayley hooks the leg!
-[crowd chanting] One, two, three! -[Tessitore] And she wins it!
[Garcia] Here's your winner!
And the number one contender,
Bayley!
[Barrett] Well, what an epic match!
Our lives just flashed before our eyes
as Nia Jax and Bianca Belair spilled over our table,
but most importantly of all, we've got a new number one contender
for the new champ Tiffany Stratton in the form of the former champ Bayley.
This is how this went down, lining up for that K.O.D. was Bianca Belair.
Candice LeRae got involved.
Tug-of-war with that hair, which got whipped into Naomi inadvertently.
-This one spilled to the outside! -[Tessitore] Oh, wow!
[Barrett] Belair and Jax falling over our table, and one Rose Plant later.
And Bayley was crowned your new number one contender.
Tiffy, stop the celebrations
and get focused on your Number One Contender, Bayley.
[Tessitore] The Rose Plant delivered by Bayley,
the Former Champ's gonna have a shot.
[Barrett] What a match that was!
[crowd cheering]
What's that?
[crowd cheering]
-C-Dog, What's up with it, man? -[speaks indistinctly]
Listen, all this talk about Roman Reigns, The O.T.C, that's--
Hey, hey, hey.
As far as your cousin's concerned, this championship.
I knew that was coming.
But we got tonight, all right?
See you out there. See you out there.
What's up, Big Jim?
You know, last week it was, uh, 3-on-1.
Now it's, uh, just me and you so, uh, what's good?
Hey, you know what? I thought about it.
I'ma let that slide, but I wanna let you know one thing.
So?
Me, Solo, rest of them boys, you know, we tapped in.
So, uh, you wanna try that again, you can end up like Braun Strowman.
I'm just saying.
Hey, what's that line you be saying all the time, bro?
Huh. Melo don't miss.
-Yeah? -Yeah.
With all those bricks, you could build a damn house.
-[crowd cheers] -Oh, and, uh…
[crowd chanting]
[scoffs]
[theme music playing]
[Tessitore] Coming up next, the unexpected Tag Team Main Event we didn't see coming.
The Undisputed WWE Champ, Cody Rhodes, pairing with Jimmy Uso
to face the dangerous Samoan Werewolf, Jacob Fatu, and Tama Tonga.
[Tessitore] Portland, Oregon, the city of roses,
and, fittingly, a Rose Plant was just landed by Bayley moments ago
to earn Number One Contender status for the WWE Women's Championship.
Wade, are you ready for signs of the night?
I'm always ready. There better not be any lies this week.
[Tessitore] Like you wearing socks in the shower?
[Barrett] Come on, man.
Boss thinks you're at work, not anymore, pal, just outed yourself.
And we do love SoCal.
I absolutely love SoCal.
[Tessitore] Our thoughts are with so many in Los Angeles County.
It is Tiffy Time.
"Sorry, Nia." Bayley's not sorry.
She's the number one contender.
Excuse me, Bayley. Congratulations.
You just won an impromptu number one contender's fatal four-way match,
which means you're gonna challenge Tiffany Stratton for the WWE Women's Championship.
But we just learned that match will take place next week.
Uh-oh.
-So how do you feel about your chances? -[sighs]
I mean, my whole career has been off chances. Right, Byron?
You know, taking advantage of those chances, taking advantage of opportunities
like Nick Aldis going out there and just
telling us to wrestle when we weren't prepared, that's what we're all about.
I mean, Tiffany took a chance on her big opportunity last night
and beat, uh, Nia Jax last week.
So, you know, I've grown up in this business.
I have known people like Tiffany Stratton my whole career
and I've wrestled Tiffany Stratton all year long, and you know one thing?
She's never beat me.
[crowd cheering]
[Barrett] Wow. Well, time waits for no man, or indeed no woman,
not even when you're on Tiffy Time.
New WWE Women's Champ, Tiffany Stratton, makes her first defense
against the new Number One Contender, Bayley.
That's next week on SmackDown here.
[Tessitore] SmackDown's gonna be in San Diego.
And Motor City Machine Guns will take on Los Garza.
Remember Nick Aldis, the general manager, said, go out there and prove it
among these tag teams to see who deserves a shot at the championship.
That's gonna be a good one next week at San Diego.
[Barrett] Well, get this, it's the worst week ever for this man.
He lost Tribal Combat.
He lost the Ula Fala.
And he lost the rights to the Bloodline.
What is next for the now dethroned Former Tribal Chief, Solo Sikoa?
We're gonna find out 'cause he's here live next week on SmackDown.
Yeah! Oh, yeah! Come on with it!
Y'all been seeing what me and Tama been doing all day!
And yo, Big Jim!
The difference between our bloodline is your bloodline left you on the front line,
the deadline! Huh.
And, Cody Rhodes, I suggest you wake your ass up!
This ain't Elm Street.
Because your nightmare… is here.
["Samoan Destroyer" playing]
[Tessitore] I mean, this is just a dangerous version of Jacob Fatu
a week where their formally recognized Tribal Chief, no longer is that.
And Fatu and Tama Tonga after Tribal Combat without Solo around…
I mean, without Solo, it's been like mad dogs off the leash all night long.
And because of that, we arrived
at this unexpected but wildly intriguing main event.
[Garcia] The following Tag Team Contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first at a combined weight of 411 pounds,
the team of Tama Tonga
-and Jacob Fatu! -[mouthing words, indistinct]
[Barrett] I thought hearing Jacob Fatu talk
for an extended period of time might humanize him,
and we haven't heard him speak much.
I am more terrified than ever, now he's opened his mouth.
He and Tama Tonga go head-to-head with Jimmy Uso and Cody Rhodes
next on SmackDown.
And a whole lot of people are asking when on this farewell tour
does John Cena become the history-making record-breaking 17-time world champion?
You'd have to win the Royal Rumble.
I mean, for me, it's my last Rumble.
There is no "maybe next year."
And I'm up here talking about thank-yous.
Well, hell, the best way to say thank you to you is win the Royal Rumble
and make history at WrestleMania!
Right?
-I'm going to win the Royal Rumble! -[crowd cheering]
You want some?
Come get some!
["The Time Is Now" playing]
[Barrett] Wow, to many, it is the most exciting matchup of the year,
the Royal Rumble matchup.
Some heavyweights already announced, some legends like John Cena,
as we just heard, and as we found out earlier tonight
by The Wiseman, Paul Heyman,
Roman Reigns will also be in the match.
Who will win and who will go on to Main Event WrestleMania?
And not only that, a friendship turned bilious.
WWE champ Cody Rhodes will put his title on the line
against a bitter and combative Kevin Owens in a Ladder Match.
All that and more in a little over 3 weeks at the Royal Rumble.
[Tessitore] Look at that artwork where you see
the Undisputed WWE Championship split with the Winged Eagle Championship
that Kevin Owens is holding onto.
Remember when it was special.
We're gonna do something retro and special.
The guy's been holding on to it since December 14th.
[Barrett] Kevin Owens likes to do things his way and his way only.
The same could be said about this duo in the ring right now.
Rules go out the window with Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu.
They didn't derange tonight right from the beginning of SmackDown,
and thank goodness for Jimmy Uso to try to solve that problem.
[Garcia] Introducing their opponents.
From San Francisco, California, weighing in at 251 pounds,
Jimmy Uso!
[Tessitore] An interesting path for Jimmy Uso since his return from injury.
[Rhodes] Wrestling has more than one royal family.
["Kingdom" playing]
[Garcia] And his tag team partner, from Atlanta, Georgia,
weighing in at 222 pounds,
he is the Undisputed WWE Champion,
The American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
[Tessitore] In 22 days, Cody will face Kevin Owens in that well-hyped
Ladder Match at Royal Rumble, but for now the immediacy of being tasked
and having asked to handle Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga.
[Barrett] What kind of maniacs would put their health on the line
against two merciless savages
like Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu.
Even more so when you look at someone like Cody Rhodes
who not so long ago was being spoken to by our GM, Nick Aldis,
about considerations for his own health and safety
after that packaged power driver attack by Kevin Owens.
This just is not a smart move for anyone, let alone the reigning WWE champ.
And, Wade, I will offer this as much as through the course of recent history
we have seen the violence and the unpredictability
of Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu.
It feels like it's up even a few levels tonight
with the absence of Solo Sikoa and him no longer being the Tribal Chief.
And this gang no longer being the Bloodline is that is now in the hands
of Roman Reigns and the Usos.
[Barrett] Solo Sikoa was perhaps the only man alive who had any chance
of controlling these pack of hyenas.
But if he's not here tonight, they become more wild,
more uncontrollable and perhaps WWE's worst nightmare
and the real reason they were not brought into this company over the past 10 years,
because smarter heads prevailed.
The issue now being Solo Sikoa opened Pandora's box,
and that lid is never gonna get popped back on.
[Tessitore] Jimmy Uso going up top. Coming down on the left arm of Tama Tonga.
[Barrett] Uso selflessly loyal to a fault coming out earlier tonight
to say Roman Reigns's Wiseman, Paul Heyman,
now puts himself in the line of fire of these two.
[Tessitore] Jacob Fatu gets to work. Jimmy in the corner there.
Remember at WarGames, Jimmy with CM Punk and of course the OG Bloodline
defeating Bronson Reed and the group formerly known as the New Bloodline.
He broke his toe during the WarGames match at Survivor Series
when the splash went through the table onto Jacob Fatu.
Big, right uppercut.
[Barrett] As devastating as the likes of Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu were
while they were running things while they were on top at this point now.
After a number of losses, they are like wounded animals,
and they are simply getting worse.
Things going south for Jimmy Uso.
Jacob Fatu in control.
[Tessitore] And Pop Up Samoan Drop.
[Tessitore] Joe and Wade here in Portland. Jacob Fatu continues to batter Jimmy Uso,
tag team action as the Samoan Werewolf Fatu and Tama Tonga in action
against Cody Rhodes and Jimmy Uso.
This all came to be because of the actions that took place earlier tonight.
As Tama Tonga knocks Cody Rhodes off the apron.
[Barrett] Feral personality of Tama Tonga, but there is no doubting
this man's excellence in the ring, pulling off moves like this leaping senton.
And now Jimmy Uso in a world of hurt and perhaps the door of him
being able to make this tag to Cody Rhodes is closing slowly but surely.
[Tessitore] Any time you hear that hyena laugh of Tama Tonga,
you know that he's having things his way.
See Cody, desperate. Trying to reach out and aid Jimmy.
Perhaps a moment of separation, but the Samoan Werewolf tags back in.
Comes straight after the undisputed champion.
[Barrett] Unleashing a storm of despair.
[Tessitore] He has been a storm all night,
disrupting the United States championship rematch between Nakamura and LA Knight.
Chelsea Green defended her US championship earlier tonight,
the rematch against Michin.
Los Garza came up with a big win in tag action,
try to put themselves in contention.
Oh! That running hip attack.
[Barrett] The head and neck of Jimmy Uso just moved about two feet in that corner.
The problem is his shoulders did not move with it.
[Tessitore] Solo Sikoa nowhere to be found without those guardrails around.
It has been an unhinged Jacob Fatu, hasn't it, Wade?
[Barrett] Just end this.
I mean, Jimmy Uso is kicking out, that is pure instinct.
There's nothing going on in the eyes of Jimmy Uso at this point,
and the referee, Jessika Carr, needs to take a very close look
exclusively for the health of Jimmy Uso and perhaps end this one early.
[Tessitore] He has been battered and bashed throughout.
[Barrett] Here's the problem, you remove whatever voice of reason
that was in the head of Jacob Fatu, here's what you're left with.
The family member that the same ones never want anything to do with.
That's what's been unleashed here on SmackDown.
[Tessitore] Now the 285-pound Samoan Werewolf
headed up to that second rope to meet Uso there.
[Barrett] 285 pounds, moves like a 150-pounder, punches like a 500-pounder.
Nobody has found an answer on--
On how to stop this guy.
[Tessitore] He's trying to fight back.
Massive crowd here in Portland, over 10,000 plus.
And finally, offensive output from Jimmy to create a moment of hope.
[Barrett] Well, this was the dying embers of Jimmy Uso connecting with Jacob Fatu.
There may be nothing left in the tank to make the tag,
but he's gonna make the try. There it is.
[Tessitore] And here comes The American Nightmare.
[Barrett] The here and the now of this industry,
the biggest star in the game, Cody Rhodes.
If anyone can put a stop to these two, it is 2025's guy.
[Tessitore] There it is. Disaster Kick.
Getting the best of Tama Tonga as Tonga looks to reverse course.
And Cody sends him out onto the floor.
And now pulls down that top rope against the Samoan Werewolf.
And Rhodes set to fly!
[Barrett] Cody Rhodes, the ultimate ambassador for WWE
and indeed this industry.
Knows that if anyone's going to stop these two, he needs to lead from the front.
And extinguish this threat before it gets even more out of control.
[Tessitore] He asked to do that earlier as they were out of control
the entire night, into the cover.
And a kick out at two by Tama Tonga.
[Barrett] Yeah, not many people will leave in that locker room to counter this threat
of Fatu and Tama Tonga
outside of Cody Rhodes and Jimmy Uso.
And I can't blame anyone for that stance.
[Tessitore] Looking for a cross, Rhodes, instead Tonga delivers that knee.
[Barrett] DDT right on the top of the head of The American Nightmare.
[Tessitore] And a kick out.
[Barrett] Such a unique application of that DDT.
There's simply no way to defend yourself when you're heading down.
Your best bet is to try and get your hands down.
Impossible to do so with Tama Tonga's legs wrapped around you.
[Tessitore] Jimmy Uso trying to get up to the apron,
and Tonga meets him right away.
And now Cody, he's gonna plant him over that top rope.
[Barrett] Cody's hurting in a big way. Undoubtedly, Jimmy Uso far less than 100%,
still giving it everything he's got.
They get some power and glory here.
[Tessitore] Superplex into the Uso Splash!
[Barrett] But now Jacob Fatu.
Pouncing, preventing victory here for Rhodes and Jimmy--
[Tessitore] Cody Cutter!
[Barrett] Uh-oh.
[Tessitore] Watch out! Man, oh, man!
Fatu just got sent over the desk.
Jimmy went flying. The Werewolf went over the announcers' desk.
[Barrett] Oh, my God, it's the prizefighter.
[Tessitore] KO comes right into the entryway,
and as Cody has said, "If I see him on-site, it's on."
Well, it's on again, Wade.
[Barrett] Well, if Cody Rhodes had the blinkers on,
they came off the second KO made his arrival.
And now Jimmy Uso is all alone, and he might just win this thing.
Jimmy on his own with a spear, going for the Uso splash again!
Can he do it by himself? No, Jacob pulls him away.
[Barrett] Heavy landing to the outside, not only preventing--
-[Tessitore] Cody's nowhere to be found. -[Barrett] Victory here for Jimmy Uso,
and this is suddenly turning very bleak.
[Tessitore] Cody has gone off to battle with KO. And now it's two on one.
[Barrett] Jimmy Uso getting his head bounced off this new metal table
that simply hasn't budged all night. Impaler DDT.
[Tessitore] And now Jacob Fatu. The moonsault!
For the win! Jimmy was left all alone.
-The Samoan Werewolf took advantage. -[Garcia] Here are your winners.
Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu!
[Barrett] Well, you have to say success for Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga,
but success too for Kevin Owens, who's got one over Cody Rhodes's opponent
at the Royal-- And this continues!
[Tessitore] They're going at it.
This is how the night started, as they have been fighting backstage
and now off to the side of our technical area.
Remember, in three weeks on February 1st,
it'll be a Ladder Match with Cody and Kevin.
But this has been going on for some time.
[Barrett] The already beaten up body of Cody Rhodes must be exhausted
after competing here tonight.
It's about to get a whole hell of a lot worse for the WWE champ,
if Kevin Owens has his way here.
[Tessitore] He's fighting on top of the production crates here in Portland.
They're gonna meet up at Royal Rumble, but it has been boiling over time and again.
[Barrett] Something bad's about to happen.
[Tessitore] Right through the table!
Kevin Owens, who says, "I spent years fighting Roman Reigns.
And I need to take that title off of Cody at Rumble to save this thing."
He warned everybody of what he's trying to prevent.
[Barrett] Take another look at this.
Oh, right through the table onto a solid concrete floor.
I mean, are these two guys even gonna make it to the Royal Rumble?
Done it this way.
[Tessitore] It's exactly how the night started,
and now it bookends with this brutality.
Right through the table.
Remember, in three weeks, it's Royal Rumble. The ladder match
between the undisputed champion, Cody Rhodes, and Kevin Owens.
What a night. SmackDown from Portland. hodes, and Kevin Owens.