[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[Tessitore] Look at this scene and hear them roar.
Complete sellout at San Diego's Pechanga Arena.
They're set for a card that has everything and everyone you need to see.
Yes, everyone, including her.
Joe and Wade with you, and, oh, if these walls could talk.
Listen to this crowd, Wade.
Since 1966, this tradition rich arena has been the home of greatness.
Muhammad Ali fought here.
Jimi Hendrix had one of his great guitar solos out there on that stage.
And in modern times,
Bad Bunny wowed this crowd on the mic
and even Jon Jones defended his title, UFC right here.
But tonight it's somebody who boasts themselves as a rising star.
Oh, it's Tiffy time.
Tiffany Stratton is going to make her first ever defense
of a WWE Women's Championship right here tonight.
But San Diego, California,
welcome to Friday Night SmackDown.
That's right, Tiffany Stratton.
She went from Money in the Bank to gold in hand
just weeks removed from cashing in.
Now Tiffany faces her first major test as champion.
Bayley is the number one contender.
The Grand Slam Champion has earned the right to fight for gold
after her sensational performance a week ago.
Plus, Jimmy Uso is here.
Big Jim comes to San Diego ready to teach a young confident superstar something.
Carmelo Hayes arrives, having talked the talk.
Now Melo tries to back it up against the veteran.
Jimmy Uso, Carmelo Hayes coming your way.
But here in San Diego,
in front of this crowd,
there's nobody more deserving to open up this show than…
The hometown Hall of Famer himself.
-[theme music playing] -[crowd cheers]
[Garcia] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome San Diego's own
WWE Hall of Famer,
Rey Mysterio!
[Tessitore] On a week when the WWE universe
is still feeling the afterglow of Penta's debut,
an all-time Lucha legend who we get to celebrate.
Rey was there sharing it all on Monday Night, on Raw Netflix
when Penta put on a show.
Now it's Rey's time to shine back here, Wade, where his roots run the deepest.
[Barrett] El Rey de San Diego.
For all the non-Spanish speaking people around the world,
that is the king of San Diego.
No finer man for the job tonight than the Hall of Famer, Rey Mysterio.
What an ovation here at a sold-out San Diego.
[Tessitore] Look at this sellout here at Pechanga Arena,
formerly the San Diego Sports Arena.
And do they love this,
and this time of the year when it all heats up,
folks, we're closing in on Saturday Night's Main Event next week,
two weeks from Royal Rumble,
and can you believe just 92 days away from WrestleMania 41 in Vegas?
[Barrett] And it is moving fast and right now
we're looking at a guy who has formally
won the Royal Rumble, Rey Mysterio.
[crowd cheering] 619! 619! 619!
[Tessitore] Whoa!
[cheering continues]
-San Diego. -[crowd cheers]
[in Spanish] Bienvenidos!
[in English] Welcome to Friday Night SmackDown.
[crowd cheers]
-This is the home of the 619. -[crowd] 619!
No cap, it feels great to be back home in front of my people,
[in Spanish] mi raza…
[in English] My city and my family, my daughter.
You know, I requested to be out here tonight.
Because I couldn't think of a better place to reminisce on a special moment.
As I get ready to do the impossible once again
and officially declare my entry
-at the 2025 Royal Rumble. -[crowd cheering]
[Tessitore] Man, this Rumble's loaded.
Now let's reminisce and take it back.
In 2006, I entered the Royal Rumble at number 2.
Outlasted 28 other superstars
and became the 2006 Royal Rumble winner.
It didn't end there.
I went on to main event at WrestleMania
and became the World Heavyweight Champion at WrestleMania 22.
Now, I'm not gonna lie. I'm gonna be realistic.
Competition is heavy this year.
Drew McIntyre.
-CM Punk. -[crowd cheers]
Seth Rollins.
-Roman Reigns. -[crowd cheers]
-John Cena. -[crowd cheers]
It's gonna be tough.
But let's go back and remember when I won in 2006.
I did it for a friend that we all know very well.
[crowd cheering] Eddie! Eddie! Eddie! Eddie!
-[theme music plays] -[crowd cheers]
[Tessitore] Two weeks in a row, KO hijacking the start of our show, Wade.
[Barrett] Well, we know what KO is gonna be doing at the Royal Rumble.
He is facing WWE Universal Champ Cody Rhodes
in a ladder match.
As he holds on to that Winged Eagle Championship.
Rey, let me start off by saying I'm very sorry
for coming out here and interrupting you.
I mean it, okay?
But I-- I had to come out here.
Because I heard you,
just now talking about how you were gonna win the Royal Rumble.
And, Rey, I mean this from the bottom of my heart,
it's never been a secret.
There's a lot of people in this industry that I respect quite a bit,
but very few I respect as much as I respect you.
In fact… in fact, I'll even go as far as saying
that there's nobody in this industry that I respect as much as I respect you.
And you know I've had an incredible career.
I've accomplished things that I dreamed of since I was a kid.
I main evented WrestleMania with Stone Cold Steve Austin.
I won the Tag Team titles with my then best friend
at WrestleMania in the main event.
I've won countless titles,
and now I get to stand here with this championship.
This is the championship belt that, as a kid, I saw all of my idols win.
This is the championship belt that I dreamed of winning
and now I stand here as the true rightful WWE Champion.
But there is one thing.
One thing left for me to accomplish so that I can truly feel
like my career is complete, something I've yet to do, and that…
is to step into the ring and have a one-on-one match
with the legendary Rey Mysterio.
So, Rey, I'm here to tell you face to face, man to man,
I hope you do win the Royal Rumble.
I am rooting for you with everything I have.
You can do it. You will do it.
I can't wait to see you beat all those other idiots.
But please promise me one thing, after you win the Royal Rumble,
promise me that I will be the champion you pick for the WrestleMania match
so that I can have my dream match
against you at WrestleMania of all places, please.
Kevin, you know I'm all about challenges.
I love competition.
But you're not the champion.
And I… [stutters] …I mean that with all due respect,
Cody's the champion.
[crowd cheers]
But… but I'll tell you this.
If I go on to win the Royal Rumble,
and you win,
I would be more than gladly face you for the title.
I'm not the champion?
[shouting] I am the champion! This is my title. I earned it!
I deserve it!
What the hell is your problem, huh?
Cody Rhodes has got you brainwashed too?
What do you got under that mask, huh?
Bleach-blonde hair that's seeping through your brain?
-Kev, Kev. -What is this crap?
-Are you kidding me? -Kev! Chill, chill, man.
What's going on here? Drew McIntyre, now you.
You're acting so delusional, you're reminding me of my son Dominik right now.
[Tessitore] Oh!
[crowd cheering]
[Tessitore] It went from respect to this.
[Barrett] Spiraled to something incredibly negative
in the blink of an eye,
and just like that, KO manages to get out and dodge
in the nick of time.
Kevin Owens just snaps over anything Cody Rhodes.
[theme music playing]
[Barrett] And to be clear, KO may claim to be a champ here.
The reality is he's officially the champ.
But no, he's merely hijacked that Winged Eagle Championship.
[Tessitore] Since December 14th.
Hey. You just got finished talking to Nick?
-I did. -Okay, so any updates?
Girl, no. Still no lead on Jade.
-Nothing? -Nothing at all.
-What… Okay, you know what? -Hmm.
We two keep pushing through like we always do.
-We got this match tonight. -I know.
I just wanna make sure that after what happened last week that we're good.
Naomi, I am so, so, so sorry, but you know that wasn't me, right?
If it wasn't for Candice pulling my hair, that wouldn't have happened.
That wasn't me, you know that, right?
-B, I know that. -Okay.
And plus, we need to focus on what's ahead of us tonight.
We may not be fighting Tiffany tonight,
but at least we get to get some get back on Candice and Nia.
-That part. -Plus, we still got our goal.
We do. Okay, so you ready? Let's go.
Hmm, well, on second thought, maybe you should wrap her up.
-Like, wrap her up? -Wrap… wrap her up.
So that last week don't happen again.
You're right. You're right. I got you. I got you. Hold up, hold up.
[exclaims] Oh, I'm sorry. See, that's why I'm wrapping her up.
-She contained. I got you. -That's why I'm scared.
I'm sorry. We good, we good, we good.
You ready?
-We good. -Okay. Let's go. [chuckles]
-My bad, I'm so sorry. -I actually like it up a lot.
[Tessitore] Well, they will have their chance
after what happened in last week's fatal four-way for the number one contender spot
that Bayley took.
'Course, Nia Jax came into this year on top of the world.
Now she's hunting for her championship to get it back.
[bell rings]
[Garcia] The following tag team contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first,
the team of Candice LeRae and Nia Jax.
[Tessitore] And in a spot like this, trying to get some Tag Team revenge.
In December, lost when she was paired with Candice,
a chance at familiar foes we just saw.
Nia and Candice against Bianca Belair and Naomi.
That's next on Friday Night SmackDown, a sellout in San Diego.
In the first place, as far as I'm concerned, if we're in San Diego,
we need Rey Mysterio on the card.
So listen, I appreciate you, uh, keeping your patience out there.
I'm gonna give you what you want tonight.
It's you and KO one-on-one.
I'll go. Thank you.
I really appreciate it. I need to take care of business.
I have no doubt about that.
[crowd cheers]
I, uh… I-I saw what happened.
They were running me through the full physical trying to get me cleared.
I would have been there for you.
-I didn't want you to get caught in this-- -No, no.
Don't worry about it, Cody. I already handled it.
Kevin Owens, Rey Mysterio tonight.
-I just want you to heal up, get well. -Okay.
Let me handle Kevin Owens tonight.
Let that be my problem,
but I promise I'll leave something for you at the road.
So you can take care of it.
-All right. -Good luck, man. Thanks.
Thank you.
You know, he happens to be right. You should probably take his advice.
-Anyway, what did Doc say? -Clean bill of health, fully cleared.
If you don't believe me, report's in there.
Hey, I believe you.
I'm just not sure if that's good news or not, because there's a lot of time
between now and the Rumble, Cody,
and even more time between now and WrestleMania.
And listen, with that in mind,
I have an addendum
to your match contract for the ladder match at the Royal Rumble
between you and KO.
I'm gonna need you to sign it, and I need Kevin to sign it,
because I can't have what happened at Saturday Night's Main Event
ever happen again.
Kevin sign it?
He's my next stop.
I'll sign it when he does.
[Tessitore] Well, it's good to hear the medical clearance for Cody Rhodes
as we're 2 weeks away from the Royal Rumble.
There's Candice Rey flanking Nia Jax.
A week ago we had that fatal four-way to determine the number one contender
and determined by a brief moment when Candice grabbed on to Bianca's grave,
snapped loose and hit Naomi.
That allowed Bayley a chance to finish things off and earn tonight's title shot.
We'll see later on.
[theme music playing]
[Tessitore] Now, the tag team division has been
feeling the glow since mid December.
[theme music playing]
[Tessitore] Naomi stepped up and in with the title hand opportunity
to be by the side of the EST.
Bianca Belair, simply one of the very best of this generation.
[Garcia] And their opponents,
they are the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Naomi and Bianca Belair.
[Tessitore] Bianca's been captaining things, Wade,
since taking back the Tag Team Championships at Bash in Berlin.
[Barrett] Yeah, no doubt about it.
Bianca Belair, who simply has an unsatiable hunger for success,
and it really was Belair last week who was the biggest loser of anybody
when it came to the outside involvement of Candice LeRae.
It was Bianca Belair who was closing in on victory
with a KOD until LeRae's involvement,
so I'm sure right now Bianca Belair
has a major ax to grind with Candice, especially.
[Tessitore] Now, you need circumstances as to how we arrived to what we will get
later on tonight with our WWE Women's Championship
as Bayley was the one to benefit the most there,
and she'll be in action against the champion Tiffany Stratton
in our main event.
[Barrett] I see Nia Jax and Candice LeRae,
thick as thieves, formed a formidable duo of late,
but it has to be said that link up between Jax and LeRae in recent months
may well have helped drive a wedge between Jax and Tiffany Stratton,
leading to Tiffany's decision to cash in her Money in the Bank contract on Jax
instead of one of the other champs on Raw and SmackDown.
[Tessitore] By the way, Nia is in quite the mood.
She came over to our announce table. I was taken a few steps back.
[Barrett] Well, she was very complimentary to me.
I don't think she's the big fan of Joe Tess--
-[Tessitore] I don't think so either. -Safe to say,
understandably Nia Jax truly is on the warpath at the moment.
Many were being intimidated. Cheap shot immediately on Naomi.
There's a game plan here from Jax and Candice LeRae.
[Tessitore] That falls right in line with what we were sensing prior to this.
Well, to start this match, she just went on the attack right away on Naomi.
[Barrett] Goes to show how important strategy is in this game
and clearly right on the same page are Jax and LeRae.
It has to be said, Naomi and Belair,
although they have history as friends, they really haven't teamed together,
certainly not as a duo, much at all, so they might be the Tag Champs here.
Question is, how good is their chemistry as a team?
Is it really Championship level? We're about to find out.
Of course. The defense of their title back in December, and that was really listen,
the injury to Jade, everybody knows the circumstances there,
but incredibly unique circumstances.
Look at the power, the vertical delayed Suplex by Bianca, but to your point,
to piece it together at this stage as she comes crashing in on Candice.
[Barrett] There's still a level of who done it as to the Jade attack.
Hopefully we find out in due course, but nobody is claiming responsibility
because if they did, undoubtedly, they'd be facing this level of abuse
-from Bianca Belair. -[Tessitore] Oh!
Getting out of the way of Nia,
but Candice LeRae took a little bit of punishment from her partner.
[Barrett] Yeah, I think that cheap shot attack at the start of the matchup
has simply fired up Bianca Belair even more.
[Tessitore] The EST showing off the strongest--
Sending Candice LeRae flying.
[Tessitore] Tag Team action here on SmackDown
as Candice LeRae and Nia Jax up against Bianca Belair and Naomi.
And Candice LeRae's been on a good offensive assault.
All 4 of these participants played a role in last week's fatal four-way
in the number one contender's match,
and thus some lingering feelings heading into this.
Look at the power of Belair.
[Barrett] Candice LeRae just got a little too overconfident
with that crossbody attempt,
forgetting exactly who she was in the ring with,
the athletic phenom that is Bianca Belair.
[Tessitore] Now gets that shoulder, breaking free with the braid.
LeRae gets back to her.
[Barrett] Yeah, savvy veteran wiles there from the 20-year vet Candice LeRae.
The woman who has dominated around the world
and looking to step her game up right here on SmackDown,
won't do it like that, though.
Too nimble was Belair.
[Tessitore] And pulling down Naomi is Nia Jax.
[Barrett] While they might not like it,
Nia Jax is a woman who can dismantle you physically and mentally.
[Tessitore] Here's the roll up.
Kick out at two.
Belair's been taking long time
with punishment from LeRae, and now here comes
the recent women's champion.
[Barrett] They're mocking Bianca Belair.
Simply nobody there to tag to for Belair,
after Naomi was just taken out with a blindside attack from Nia Jax.
[Tessitore] Samoan drop.
[Barrett] We are witnessing a statement of intent tonight
from an irate Nia Jax.
[Tessitore] A big boot comes in, unable to get out of the way.
Here's Belair looking to rally here and, again, LeRae getting a hold of that braid,
but this time it backfires.
Well, 90% of this match has been a 2-on-1 assault
against Bianca Belair. And straight to the jaw,
slugging it out is the powerhouse.
Nia Jax, and this is starting to look ugly, Joe.
[Tessitore] Jax trying to put Belair into position as Bianca fights back.
From the top rope, crossbody!
[Barrett] While it has taken out Nia Jax, the question is,
as we take another look at these freak athletics from Bianca Belair,
who has been battered from pillar to post over the last few minutes,
but perhaps finally some salvation.
Naomi's there, there's the tag.
[Tessitore] And here comes the other half of the Women's Tag Team Champions.
Naomi into the cover and gets launched by Jax.
[Barrett] Naomi, the absolute nicest person in the locker room,
but fire her up, and a very different side comes out
as Nia Jax is finding out to her detriment.
[Tessitore] Split Leg Moonsault!
The cover.
And LeRae breaks it up.
[Barrett] And there was nothing left in the tank of Nia Jax there.
Candice LeRae had to be on the ball, and she was, but that might be good night
to Candice LeRae and imminently perhaps, good night to Nia Jax.
[Tessitore] And now you can see a seemingly recharged Bianca Belair.
Samoan Drop against Naomi.
[Barrett] Just an intolerable level of force behind everything Nia Jax does.
Explains why she was the woman of 2024.
[Tessitore] Oh! Basement drop kick from Candice.
[Barrett] And that had to be expert-level timing from Candice LeRae.
[Tessitore] And then the Senton, and now Jax with the time to get back to her feet.
[Barrett] Bull's-eye.
[Tessitore] Hook the leg, Candice, and a kick out by Belair.
And she is incredulous to the fact, after that assault.
[Barrett] Just a sternum-crushing landing on Bianca Belair,
which would have put away 95% of the locker room,
but as we know, as we have found out for years,
Bianca Belair is just built a little differently than most.
LeRae lining her up, but instead gets launched herself.
[Barrett] Just powers of regeneration from Bianca Belair.
[Tessitore] Now Belair, back to what she intended, hooks the leg.
Leg drop coming in, but it misses the mark,
and she gets her own teammate.
[Barrett] Well how smart is Bianca Belair knowing full well something was coming
from behind there,
dodging out the way in the nick of time.
And some friendly fire from Nia Jax has Candice LeRae down.
[Tessitore] Looked like a blind tag right there, Naomi legal.
Bo-bo-bomb, into the cover.
-And the win. -[bell rings]
[theme music plays]
[Garcia] Here are you winners, the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Naomi and Bianca Belair.
[Tessitore] Naomi and Bianca come up with a win here in San Diego.
But it is just announced that they're headed to Atlanta.
-[Barrett] Ooh. -[Tessitore] NXT on the road in Atlanta,
Tag Team Championship match, Bianca, Naomi,
against Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson.
Still to come.
Some recent backstage tension now becomes a front and center big match.
It's Jimmy Uso and Carmelo Hayes ahead.
And you saw what Nick Aldis said to Rey Mysterio.
Rey had a deal with Kevin Owens in that Winged Eagle Championship obsession,
and the rage of Cody Rhodes earlier.
Now they're wasting no time taking it straight to the ring.
An action-packed SmackDown, from a sellout here in San Diego.
Don't go anywhere.
[Tessitore] Great night here in San Diego at the history-rich Pechanga Arena.
Place been around so long, it had an Elvis performance back in the day.
Our WWE Women's Championship is ahead.
Byron Saxton caught up with Bayley earlier today.
Bayley, we're just a few hours away.
Last week we saw you win the fatal four-way match to become
the number one contender for the WWE Women's Championship.
And now here we are.
San Diego, California, Pechanga Arena,
where tonight, in front of a sold-out crowd…
-[chuckles] -…you're gonna challenge Tiffany Stratton
-for her championship. -Yeah.
What does this match mean to you?
Well, Byron, sold-out in my home state. That's what dreams are made of.
I mean, we all dream about being in the main event of SmackDown, you know,
and for a championship, this night is huge for me.
If you think about my career, this time last year, I had just won
the 2024 Royal Rumble,
had a guaranteed championship match at WrestleMania against one of
my former best friends, someone I respect so much in this business.
And that was, I felt like a peak of my career where I thought
I was gonna do something different and change the world and I,
if I'm honest, I don't know if I really fulfilled my potential in that ring.
I took the championship all around the world.
I defended it many, many times, um, but I always felt like I was winning
at the skin of my teeth, and I just, I'm a perfectionist.
I love this so much, and I really felt like my reign was cut short,
especially with the help of Tiffany Stratton at SummerSlam when Nia Jax
took the championship from me.
So tonight is a really big night for me.
Well, so how do you feel tonight differs from the past opportunities
you've had to regain your title.
Well, if, uh, you know, we've seen what Tiffany Stratton can do this
full year on Raw and SmackDown, and from the last few months,
she's willing to turn on her best friend to get to the Tiffy top,
as she says, um, and a part of me kind of respects that, but the other part
of me makes me wanna beat her that much more, and tonight it's personal.
Bayley, good luck tonight.
Thank you.
[Tessitore] You heard her, it's personal.
And it's just the second time Bayley and Tiffany Stratton
have ever gone one-on-one,
and it's for the WWE Women's World Championship.
Our much-anticipated title fight is later tonight.
I would have had her, but every time I had Chelsea beat,
-they always gotta use the numbers game. -You know how they do.
Man, that Women's US title should have been mine.
Girl, look, keep your head up, because I know for a fact
you're gonna get another opportunity to take down that sleazy--
What in the…
This room's clear, absolutely no threats detected.
You may enter, Madam Champion.
Thank you, my spicy little secret "hervice."
Mimi, don't you think you should stand up and properly congratulate me
considering I am the only woman to successfully defend the United States
Women's Championship in history.
-You want congratulations? -Hey, hey, hey.
Chelsea, please, because you know and we know
that if it wasn't for your mall cop here, you would have never been champion.
One more step towards the champ, and it will be your last.
If that's how you wanna play it, I got a better idea.
How about I go and talk to Nick Aldis, and you and I can handle
this little problem tonight?
And then when I'm done with you, you better watch your back.
Now that's a threat.
You need to neutralize her, like, tonight.
Yes.
San Diego, the goal tonight is to make sure Carmelo stay missing.
And your boy got something to prove. Hey, I'm proud of the yeet man.
My brother got his own title match coming up, and it's time to go get mine,
but it starts tonight with Carmelo, and yo, Uce,
between me and you, Big Jim is him.
[chuckles]
[theme song playing]
[Tessitore] Jimmy Uso, a week ago, he was left fighting for survival
against Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga.
Had to hear the threat backstage from Carmelo.
[bell rings]
[Garcia] This next match is set for one fall.
Making his way to the ring, from San Francisco California,
weighing in at 251 pounds,
Jimmy Uso.
[Tessitore] The eight-time Tag Team Champion
has been involved with some big beefy battles.
Returned to Bad Blood to aid Roman Reigns. Again at Survivor Series War Games.
Now singles action.
Jimmy versus Melo. It is next on SmackDown.
Jimmy Uso about to have his first singles match since all the way
back on October 11th on SmackDown.
That's when he was in against not-so-little brother, Solo Sikoa.
[Barrett] Jimmy Uso cooked Carmelo Hayes verbally last week.
Can he do it physically in ring tonight?
[Tessitore] Now Carmelo tangled backstage with Sami Zayn a few weeks ago.
Jimmy and Jey first approached, then last week, Jimmy was all by himself
and set the stage for this.
[Garcia] And his opponent,
from Boston, Massachusetts,
weighing in at 210 pounds,
Carmelo Hayes.
Hey, Big Jim. Hold on, hold on, hold on. Let me just get this straight.
So Roman's going to the Royal Rumble,
Jey's got a World Heavyweight Championship match and, uh, what do you got?
It seems like you're living in the shadow of your brother,
who's living in the shadow of Roman Reigns.
But for some reason, you wanna take shots at me.
Well, I got a serious question for you, Big Jim.
How are you gonna take shots at me when you're sitting on the bench?
So do me this favor,
lace up those shoes real tight, Unc.
Because I'm about to show you exactly why Melo don't miss.
[Tessitore] Boy, does he like to talk, Wade. And let me ask you this.
He… He says, "Melo don't miss" all the time.
He's had some misses lately when you look at the results, he's had misses, Wade.
[Barrett] I can't deny that. And look, the easiest way
in this game to not miss, is to not take the shot in the first place.
[bell rings]
[Barrett] And Melo, to his credit, has been taking shots from the logo
against the very best in the industry like Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton,
and indeed, Big Jim, Jimmy Uso tonight.
[Tessitore] Yeah, Big Jim put his sunglasses on,
put Melo's sunglasses on after he sent them flying. I love it.
[Barrett] Whoa, just about avoiding that super kick to the jaw.
You know, who has missed more shots in the NBA than anyone, Joe Tess?
[Tessitore] A lot of big scorers. A lot of all-time greats.
[Barrett] It's Kobe Bryant. He has missed more shots in history
of the NBA than anybody else. When missing is suddenly a bad thing,
sign me up.
[Tessitore] Now stomping with that right foot
time and again, after that hot start by Jimmy,
but Melo gathering himself.
Said, "You're living in the shadows of your brother,
who is living in the shadows of Roman Reigns."
Big chop.
[Barrett] Well, Melo… Melo definitely does not miss on the mic, that is for sure,
and here's the thing about Melo,
he got that reputation for never missing from his time in NXT, and it was
genuinely true, multiple time champion down there.
This has been a growth phase, however, for Carmelo Hayes stepping up to a new level.
He's getting sharper and sharper by the week.
There's a reason why he was a number one draft pick, or a first round draft pick
for SmackDown in the draft last year.
And, eventually, he will get back to the point of not missing here on SmackDown.
[Tessitore] Missing with the running hip attack
as Melo was able to get out of the way.
You mentioned where he is in his develop and progression as he gets sent
out over the top to the apron, big right hand, but a lot of that has
to do with frequency at this stage of a career.
32 televised matches in 2024.
That was top 10 most in WWE in all of last year.
Hayes had 32 televised matches.
Onto the apron.
[Barrett] Yeah, you want a guarantee win, compete against the worst guys
in the locker room, not statistically one half of the greatest tag team of all time
in the form of Jimmy Uso.
Things get a lot more difficult then.
Oh, and things are looking real difficult now for Carmelo Hayes, who is in a mess.
Big Jim, Jimmy Uso in full control, can he grab the victory?
[Tessitore] Right over our desk.
[Tessitore] Carmelo Hayes taking a cascade of boos
from this sellout crowd here at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego.
Going against Jimmy Uso,
Jimmy's first match not involving the Bloodline since he faced Randy Orton
all the way back in December of 2023.
[Barrett] Yeah, Jimmy Uso has had miserable luck with injuries
which has really helped stall Jimmy's career
over the past couple of years, but now getting back to his best,
looking to ascend to the heights that his twin brother Jey managed to hit in 2024,
looking to put away Carmelo Hayes, but things could turn bleak here for Big Jim.
[Tessitore] First Big Jim had that return from injury, at Bad Blood.
Right now, he could use a turnaround here
as he tries to fight his way out of that compromise position.
Trading elbow
for a headbutt, and finally he fights him off, and now Uso up top.
[Barrett] Oh, goes for that Uso in the wind, but Carmelo Hayes simply too quick,
moving out of the way in a hurry.
[Tessitore] And into the cover for the win.
And a kick out at two.
[Barrett] Man, timing and body control on a move like this,
this springboard reverse DDT just beggars belief that Jimmy Uso
is still in the fight, but in full control is that man.
Him, Carmelo Hayes.
[Tessitore] See the explosiveness from Hayes,
the dynamic athleticism that he possesses.
[Barrett] Innovative, resourceful, imaginative. And damn good.
Very, very bright things in the future of Carmelo Hayes,
and it only gets brighter with victory here.
[Tessitore] Hayes looking to reverse it. Oh, and they both connect.
Both men able to turn their shoulders out.
[Barrett] Well, inadvertently both men pinning one another
after that double clothesline.
Carmelo who is perhaps shaking off the cobwebs after this.
[Tessitore] Look at that double clothesline,
double knockdown, and then their hands
were laying across the chest.
[Barrett] Oh, what a way to win a match that would have been
had one opponent not got his shoulder up, but this match is continuing,
both men gingerly getting to their feet.
[Tessitore] Uso and Hayes from here in San Diego.
Remember the Women's Championship,
Tiffany Stratton and Bayley will headline things here on SmackDown.
[Barrett] And it's really this deep water that both men historically
have got to their best.
Just such great endurance from the two of them that's taken Jimmy Uso to multiple
tag championships and Carmelo Hayes to plenty of singles championships before.
[Tessitore] A kick out. As Uso finding a way again.
[Barrett] And this is where Carmelo Hayes historically has started to come undone
since arriving here on SmackDown.
It's that frustration when he knows the kind of moves
that would have put opponents away earlier in his career aren't quite getting him
over the line here.
The question is for Carmelo Hayes, can you refocus, find something new,
something bigger to finally put Uso away.
[Tessitore] Big chop again.
It's blasting away at the chest of Jimmy Uso.
Pop up Samoan drop.
And a two-count.
[Barrett] Jimmy Uso with some timing and creativity of his own.
Certainly the biggest, stronger man in this matchup and used it to full effect
with that pop up Samoan drop.
[Tessitore] Did you see the height of Hayes there?
And thus the thunderous thud you heard raining down here in San Diego.
Jimmy's going back up top.
[Barrett] Oh, we've seen this a million times before,
going for that big Uso splash--
[Tessitore] First 48 from midair, Wade!
He lands the First 48. And somehow Jimmy survives it.
[Barrett] Well, had that been a tight pin with a hot leg after this connection
from the First 48, amazing cat-like reflexes from Carmelo Hayes.
That would have been a victory, but Carmelo Hayes just didn't
quite have enough in the tank to form a great pin there.
[Tessitore] Moments ago you asked.
He has to find the bigger move.
He found it and still…
Could this be a setup for Nothing But Net for Carmelo,
as Jimmy gets out of the way.
Super kick lands with a whole lot of power.
[Barrett] How the hell do you kick out after that kind of connection
on your jaw, Carmelo Hayes.
Jimmy Uso reaching that championship level we've seen him at before,
but again it wasn't quite enough.
Talk all you want about Carmelo Hayes missing.
Carmelo Hayes is damn special, and he just proved it there.
[Tessitore] Coming in strong was Jimmy Uso.
[Barrett] Little receipt from earlier on in the match.
[Tessitore] There's a roll up. There's a roll up.
[Barrett] Oh, milliseconds away from victory
is Hayes now with a super kick of his own.
[Tessitore] Spear!
[Barrett] Shades of his cousin, Roman Reigns.
And now perhaps a take-two, going up top for that Uso splash
and putting this one to bed.
Jimmy is on top.
-[Tessitore] There is company. -[Barrett] Oh, God.
[Tessitore] Jacob Fatu, who has been completely unhinged.
Oh, and Tama Tonga from behind.
[bell rings]
[Tessitore] And look at these two.
We saw it a week ago as well,
the Samoan Werewolf and Tama Tonga with no guard rails.
Like mad dogs being unleashed lately.
[Barrett] Lawless feral thugs.
[Tessitore] And with all that weight coming behind.
285 pounds is the Samoan Werewolf.
[Barrett] Well, nobody has the authority to keep these two under control,
other than the man who has been AWOL for weeks now, Solo Sikoa.
[Tessitore] And with it, we have seen an absolutely menacing version
of Fatu and Tama Tonga.
[Barrett] Well there's no other version of these two than menacing, but things got
even worse the last couple of weeks.
[Tessitore] It's ratcheted up.
Because this is how unfortunately what was ending up to be a thrilling match comes
to an end-- Oh, and Melo's gonna get some.
[Barrett] Well, Melo trying to buddy up to two guys who simply don't understand
the meaning of that word.
[Tessitore] Right as Jimmy Uso was seemingly set up--
Again with the absolutely brutal hip attack by Jacob Fatu.
Look at his eyes, Wade.
[Barrett] Jimmy Uso is now nothing but a carcass at ringside.
[Tessitore] And here we go, he just mentions him.
Solo Sikoa.
We have not seen Solo since Tribal Combat on the Raw debut
on Netflix at the Intuit Dome.
[Barrett] After Tribal Combat, the world was left with nothing but questions.
We knew he was coming tonight. We are about to get some answers.
[Tessitore] We will hear from Solo Sikoa when we return.
[Tessitore] From the time that we've been away,
this crowd, this sellout in San Diego,
has just been destroying the former tribal chief, Solo Sikoa.
They are letting it be known. All throughout the commercial break,
this has been going on, the crowd not allowing Solo to even speak a word.
Has he given up, Wade?
Is this an empty and hollow Solo Sikoa after losing Tribal Combat?
[Barrett] Well, nice job, San Diego, we came here tonight for some answers.
[Tessitore] Never said a word.
[Barrett] He wasn't allowed to.
[Tessitore] What happened to the proud,
boastful, confident Solo Sikoa?
Sometimes you're just never the same after a loss like that.
[Barrett] This is the bed of thorns that Solo Sikoa has made for himself.
[Tessitore] Tonga and Jacob just looking at each other.
[Barrett] And all the questions about the future of this group
still hang in the air.
[Tessitore] Jacob's gonna take control, isn't he?
So this is what it comes to, huh?
This is it, huh?
Man, I'm tired of the disrespect.
I'm tired of the hate.
Oh, Lord, you know that I'm tired of the envy, but check this out,
envy me all you want, even on my bad day, y'all still can't touch me.
I give a damn if you cheer us.
I give a damn if you boo us.
[crowd boos]
But one thing…
Shut the hell up.
-One thing… -[crowd] What?
-…I will… -[crowd] What?
-…not let you do… -[crowd] What?
-…is try to act like I never got mine. -[crowd] What?
What y'all thought I was crazy, huh?
What, y'all thought I was off the hinges, huh?
What, y'all thought I was losing it, huh?
The crazy thing about this situation…
is that I'm just getting started.
[Tessitore] That's a scary thought.
[theme music plays]
-[Tessitore] Oh! -[Barrett] Oh, no.
-[Tessitore] Oh! -[Barrett] Oh, no. This is not wise.
[Tessitore] Here he is!
[Barrett] Are you out of your damn mind, LA Knight?
[Tessitore] He's taking both of them on, Wade.
[Barrett] Well, LA Knight got beat up last week and savaged by these two
in his United States Championship match, but this…
is not smart at all from the Megastar.
[Tessitore] He's blasting them.
LA Knight and now Tama Tonga wrapping up that leg,
and here comes Jacob Fatu.
Remember, a week removed from his thrilling but truncated rematch for the US
Championship against Shinsuke Nakamura, when these two interrupted the action and
caused them-- Oh, we've got more company.
And it's a big one.
[Barrett] It's a big SOB and he's heading our way.
[Tessitore] Oh, there's a Yinzer in Indy right now screaming at his TV.
Look at this monster of all monsters.
Braun Strowman.
[Barrett] Who was taken out by Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga
about a month ago.
We have not seen him since.
[Tessitore] Look at these two!
-[Barrett] I want all of this! -[Tessitore] I mean, size them up!
Come on now.
-[Tessitore] Look at this! -[Barrett] Yes, please.
[Tessitore] Bring it-- Oh, man, just dragged out of the ring by Tama Tonga.
[Barrett] Well, if Tama Tonga is the voice of reason, we are all screwed,
but by the look in the eye of Jacob Fatu, that is to be continued.
[Tessitore] Was that not a scene though, for that moment, to see Strowman
and the Samoan Werewolf sharing the ring.
Man, oh man, San Diego's ripping tonight.
Last week, you exposed Pretty Deadly for the pretty little liars they are.
And everything they said, you made them choke on every word.
Good. That's what I expect.
But remember just one win, that doesn't make you guys
champions just yet, remember that.
Si, which is why tonight Motor City Machine Guns,
guys with a reputation and former champions,
but that's fine.
You will take that moment away. Why?
Because, remember,
there's no red carpet rolled out for us, never,
and no one is handing us respect.
And you know if you want respeto, you take it, you take it, you take it
from their hands, from their throats, from their pride.
That's what Legado does, okay?
Familia.
[Tessitore] Fiery speech from Escobar.
[Barrett] What a pep talk. I bet you want to jump in the ring now, Joe Tess.
[Tessitore] Everybody does after that, huh? [chuckles]
The depth of this division, though, on SmackDown is sensational.
All cranked up to the next level on
October 18th, when these sounds were first heard for a ring entrance
and everyone just knew things wouldn't be the same.
[bell rings]
[Garcia] The following is a tag team contest scheduled for one fall.
Making their way to the ring,
at a combined weight of 420 pounds,
Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley,
Motor City Machine Guns.
[Tessitore] Sabin and Shelley, they've already been to the top,
held the titles for 42 days.
Then the loss to DIY. Now coming off an impressive win over A Town Down Under.
Barely stamping themselves, destined for a rematch is the hope, but this is
the hurdle to overcome to get there.
Critical matchup of contenders.
Motor City Machine Guns and Angel and Berto, Los Garza in action
when we return to SmackDown.
It is time, Wade, for signs of the night as they have been loving the action here
that's gotten going underway.
[Barrett] Well, my lawyers are on high alert. "Squash her, Nia!"
Tiffy may be getting squashed if she gets through Bayley tonight.
[Tessitore] There's a YEET sign, you know, Jey versus Gunther
is Saturday Night's Main Event next week in San Antonio.
Great crowd here, 10,846 at Pechanga Arena.
[theme music playing]
[Tessitore] You name a wrestling promotion in the industry, and there's a good chance
that the Motor City Machine Guns held tag team gold there,
including 3 times in TNA wrestling.
A group, by the way, celebrating this week's announcement of a former
collaboration TNA with WWE for crossover opportunities.
And the opportunity in front of Sabin and Shelley right now,
a chance to get back to a title match.
[Barrett] Yeah, industry-changing news that broke
here with our relationship with TNA, and indeed tonight we see
the Motor City Machine Guns, a couple of revolutionaries in this industry.
[Tessitore] But Angel and Berto, they feel like they have things
going their way right now.
Last week felt like a much needed breakthrough win for Los Garza.
[Garcia] And their opponents, being accompanied Elektra Lopez,
at a combined weight of 425 pounds
representing Legado Del Fantasma,
Ángel y Berto, Los Garza.
[Barrett] So GM Nick Aldis laid down the gauntlet
to 4 tag teams last week to prove they are worthy
of a championship opportunity down the road.
Los Garza took him up on that. They defeated Pretty Deadly last week.
Motor City Machine Guns beat A-Town Down Under,
and now we are down to two.
You have to think a victory tonight and championship opportunities
against the champs, DIY,
must be coming fairly soon for one of these two teams.
[Tessitore] Yeah, no doubt about it.
That win against Pretty Deadly has snapped a 3-match draw,
and a breakthrough that now can become a launching pad.
By the way, I like the way Aldis has gone about things.
It's not like this was some formal planned-out tournament.
It was just a common sense decision based on what was happening
among all the squabbling tag teams, and it's giving us some clarity,
especially the result we could get here.
[Barrett] To be clear, Nick Aldis is an Englishman,
so common sense and Englishman go hand in hand, Joe.
And I have no bias when it comes to that.
I don't know if Allan Pearce could quite do the same.
[Tessitore] He also--
He also made a decision earlier tonight based on what we saw with
Kevin Owens and Rey Mysterio, that those two will be meeting up later tonight.
[Barrett] Yeah, cannot wait for that one, a hot start tonight here in San Diego,
and it has continued throughout the evening thus far.
Angel and Shelley just admiring each other for a moment before, of course,
Angel went about his antics.
[Barrett] Well, Legado Del Fantasma has the deepest bag of tricks on SmackDown,
thanks to the leadership of the Emperor of Lucha Libre, Santos Escobar,
who gave these two an all-time pep talk prior to this.
Go out and put the fear back into the locker room.
[Tessitore] Berto coming in over the top with all his weight
down on the legs of Shelley and then…
Right into the cover.
You can hear Angel demanding respect from this sellout crowd here in San Diego.
[Barrett] Santos Escobar demands that Legado Del Fantasma get back
to running the bingo, as he calls it.
Here on SmackDown, easier said than done against the Motor City Machine Guns.
[Tessitore] For some of the best tag team action
you will see is Sabin and Shelley,
the synchronicity as they get to work here.
And Sabin going down low.
We've seen this before.
[Barrett] Facial bang to the kisser of Angel and things have turned around
in a hurry in this one.
[Tessitore] It's not just the teamwork of Sabin and Shelley,
it's the speed by which they execute it, Wade.
[Barrett] It's almost impossible to match this.
Take another look at the facial there from Motor City Machine Guns
and all the aggression and good intent from Los Garza
has gone down the toilet in a hurry.
[Tessitore] Motor City Machine Guns,
a 5-in-1 record in WWE since their arrival.
Of course, the lone loss that came to DIY back in early December on SmackDown.
It was a costly one.
Wow.
[Barrett] Great cohesion there from Los Garza.
Grown up together, they've been tagging together for years and aiming to climb
to the top of the mountain here on SmackDown.
[Tessitore] Oh, that running knee! As they had them pinned up through the ropes.
What impact.
[crowd boos]
[Tessitore] Chris Sabin has been in a tough spot
trying to fight his way free of Angel
as Motor City Machine Guns taking on Los Garza here in San Diego.
Still to come tonight, Kevin Owens and Rey Mysterio.
And our WWE Women's Championship, Tiffany Stratton and Bayley.
Hooking the leg is Berto. And the kick out.
[Barrett] Late kick out after that gory special connects.
Face first went Chris Sabin, take another look at this.
The execution has been superb as Berto and Angel, Los Garza has been
admiring their work for the better part of the last five minutes,
through that entire commercial break.
[Barrett] Yeah well I'll tell you right now, if Santos Escobar was out here,
he'd say, "Stop admiring your handiwork, put this one to bed
and let's grasp ourselves an opportunity for the gold because
someone with caliber of Chris Sabin can do that in the blink of an eye.
[Tessitore] Sabin has been trying to rally,
trying to break free and get to Shelley.
And he does! And here comes Shelley.
[Barrett] I spoke to Shelley earlier today
he said the secret to their success is unmatched cohesion,
two bodies, one mind, firing on all cylinders now, is Alex Shelley.
[Tessitore] Much needed as well.
[Barrett] And let's not forget a couple of weeks ago as the Motor City Machine Guns
who were about to pull out victory against DIY until that matchup
was interrupted in part by Los Garza.
How sweet would it be to put them away here?
Sabin who's wretching that right leg
as Berto is in such a compromised position with these two.
[Barrett] Now he's mashed up, tied up in the ropes.
-[Tessitore] Look at that position, Wade. -[Barrett] No way to defend yourself,
both knees of Berto completely shredded by the Motor City Machine Guns.
[Tessitore] He was absolutely pretzled in that corner as they came in.
[Barrett] These innovators of the cruiserweight style,
master technicians while they're at it, true veterans of the game.
[Tessitore] And there's an example, and then he takes out the leg.
[Barrett] And once they get the advantage,
they're gonna give you no room whatsoever to get out of there.
[Tessitore] Is he gonna lock it up?
Puts it in.
[Barrett] Berto clearly in agony, Angel knows it,
trying his best to get involved.
[Tessitore] How about a double dip?
Motor City Machine Guns.
[Barrett] And referee Jessika Carr focusing very closely
on the legal man Berto,
if he taps, this one's over and…
-Oh, he gets the rope. -[Tessitore] Oh, he gets that bottom rope.
[Barrett] Yeah, but how much damage has already been done to Berto's legs?
And now it's frustration starting to cover the faces of the Motor City Machine Guns
who have been inches away from championships over the past few weeks,
and this may be about to slip through their fingers again,
unless they put it to bed.
And La Madrina again being the distraction.
[Tessitore] Here's the roll up.
And then the pickup and then the big sit-out slam!
And getting that shoulder up.
[Barrett] Well, despite the amount of abuse thrown at Berto,
still trying his best to keep his team in the fight and drag this duo to victory.
[Tessitore] Big clothesline comes in from Berto.
And now you're seeing the other side of it,
of what Los Garza is capable of.
Just like this!
The hook of the leg for Angel,
and another kick out somehow, some way,
[Barrett] Well, absolute genius innovation.
Take another look at this from the playbook of Los Garza,
Chicharito esque connection to the jaw, but still it was not enough.
[Tessitore] The height that was created off of that springboard,
-that was spectacular. -[crowd chants] This is awesome!
And you hear the reaction from this sold out crowd in San Diego.
[Barrett] This one is coming apart at the seams now.
Both teams batted from pillar to post.
Their hope's hanging by a thread, but someone's gonna win this.
[Tessitore] Looked like they were looking for MTY.
We've seen such success with that.
[Barrett] Machine Guns just had it too well scouted,
and now Chris Sabin doing his thing…
[Tessitore] Wow!
[Barrett] …as Alex Shelley has been cleared to the outside.
Picking himself back up and this is not where you wanna be if you're in Los Gaza.
[Tessitore] Here goes Sabin, five hole to the outside, suicide dive.
As Berto gets sent back into the ring.
[Barrett] I've no idea how Berto's still standing.
He's had it worse than anybody thus far in this match up, but wait…
[Tessitore] Whoa, whoa, they're setting up Skull and Bones
and Pretty Deadly is out there.
What are these guys doing out there?
There's a roll up.
Referee doesn't see it.
[Barrett] They appear to be trying to help Los Garza with the victory, here.
Inadvertently cost them just as Berto had the pin in--
[Tessitore] Double boot and now back to business, Skull and Bones line up.
Motor City Machine Guns!
[bell rings]
-Pretty Deadly involving themselves. -[Garcia] Here are your winners…
Motor City Machine Guns!
[Barrett] Well, whatever harebrained master plan that was from Pretty Deadly
to assist Los Garza in victory here, backfired in the worst way possible.
Motor City Machine Guns were poised and ready with a Skull and Bones,
and now, surely, they have a date with destiny imminent
with the tag champs DIY.
[Tessitore] Yeah, DIY, if you're them,
you know exactly what has to be coming your way.
The guys who had the championships for 42 days until early December.
Kevin, sorry to interrupt your match preparation.
-Can't you see I'm taping my wrists, Nick? -I can see that.
This shouldn't take long.
I have an addendum to your match contract, for your ladder match at the Royal Rumble.
I just need you to go ahead and sign it for me.
-An addendum? -Yes.
-What the hell is that? -Just a precaution.
Wait.
Cody didn't even sign this.
-He won't sign it until you sign it. -[scoffs]
Well, guess what?
I'm not signing it until Cody signs it.
And you know what? I don't trust you. I need to read this first.
I'm not doing that right now, I have a match.
Stop trying to distract me, Nick.
Well, that went well.
[Tessitore] Still to come tonight,
the Hall of Famer in front of these hometown fans.
KO continues obsessing on Cody Rhodes, the upcoming ladder match,
and suddenly steps into this.
Rey against KO is tonight.
Plus, the women's championship match.
A couple of weeks ago it was Tiffy Time for the cash in.
Now the danger zone for Stratton,
Bayley tries to get her prized possession back.
But right now we're ready for a heated battle that boiled up in the locker room
and now we'll head to the ring.
[Piper theme song playing]
[bell rings]
[Garcia] The following contest is set for one fall.
Introducing first, being accompanied by the Women's United States Champion,
Chelsea Green,
from Ayrshire, Scotland, Piper Niven!
[Tessitore] Wade, Piper Niven, who has been a constant thorn in the side
of any Chelsea Green opponent.
[Barrett] Well, Niven's job is to neutralize any and all threats
to Miss United States herself, Chelsea Green.
But it has to be said, when you have that shiny championship around your waist,
every woman in the locker room is a threat to Chelsea Green.
Chelsea Green, as she'd say the record breaking longest reigning US Champion.
B-Fab against Piper. Coming up next, don't go anywhere.
Last time we saw Piper Niven was in singles action,
a loss two weeks ago to Michin.
She's been incredibly effective in aiding Chelsea Green, who you see by her side.
It's her own success that's been an issue.
[B-Fab theme song playing]
And here's B-Fab, her first match on SmackDown
since she competed in the women's US championship tournament.
[Garcia] And her opponent, from Canton, Ohio, B-Fab!
[Barrett] You're right, Joe,
B-Fab has spent a ton of times watching on from the sidelines
over the past 12 months really.
Obviously, she's been managing The Street Profits
who are out recovering from a mystery attack several weeks ago,
but the truth is, you just mentioned it,
B-Fab in that women's United States Championship tournament,
had a massive breakout performance.
Even if it was ultimately a loss,
it opened a ton of eyes to the potential of B-Fab, a born fighter,
and clearly GM Nick Aldis liked what he saw, as did the rest of us.
And more opportunities incoming for B-Fab.
[Tessitore] And remember that was a triple threat.
She was in with Bayley and Candice LeRae.
We're going to see Bayley fight for the championship a little later on tonight,
but that was one of those matches.
Yes, she didn't win that triple threat.
Yes, she didn't advance, but there was a lot that she was able to take away.
We spent a lot of time with her ringside during the day today,
and she discussed that in depth.
[Barrett] Well, that was smart already from B-Fab
who knew exactly what kind of trap United States Champ, Chelsea Green,
was trying to set there.
And it simply backfired, but trying to overpower Piper Niven maybe.
A very unwise move from B-Fab who somehow is back on top.
B-Fab is a born fighter, grew up fighting on the streets of Medellin, Colombia,
and has managed to drop Piper Niven in the early goings of this one.
B-Fab's training in The Dungeon's training school,
With Natalya and Tyson Kidd.
-[Tessitore] Oh, what a slam! -I don't care what they teach you…
Yes, we saw that Chelsea. She is so annoying.
I mean, honest to God, just trying to do our jobs.
[Barrett] Give some respect for the women's United States Champion.
[Tessitore] She's not giving us room to work.
[Barrett] She gives me plenty of respect. It's you, Joe Tess.
You've got to earn that respect.
B-Fab able to get this into the cover,
-but Piper Niven able to turn that-- -You talk about earning respect…
B-Fab is doing it before our eyes,
simply the equal of the veteran Piper Niven, at every step thus far.
[Tessitore] Comes in with a big kick and Piper gets sent through the ropes
onto the apron, you can see the concern from Chelsea Green.
[Barrett] This is not going the way of the secret service member,
Piper Niven at all.
How impressive has B-Fab been here?
Nobody treats Piper Niven like this.
[Tessitore] Just as she said she would be.
She says it's about being ready and being dangerous,
and she feels she has put the work in for this moment.
Oh, yeah.
[Barrett] "Stay back," says B-Fab.
Listening intently was…
[Tessitore] Oh! She got some, Wade.
-Oh, she listened-- -That'll shut her up.
-[Barrett] Oh! -[Tessitore] Oh, the senton from Piper,
[Barrett] Right on that lower back of B-Fab.
[Tessitore] Just as B-Fab had so much momentum
and then the distraction.
Oh, and that pop-up driver. That was brutal.
Hooks the leg,
-and the win for Piper Niven. -[bell rings]
[Garcia] Here is your winner.
Piper Niven!
[Barrett] Well, Niven and Chelsea Green had to do a hell of a lot--
[Tessitore] What is she doing? Come on.
See this is the stuff that drives me crazy with these two, Wade.
[Barrett] Well, this is a warning to the entire locker room.
We saw it last week.
-If you meddle in the affairs… -[Tessitore] Oh, yeah.
-[Barrett] Well, talking of last week-- -[Tessitore] Here's the response you get.
[Barrett] Michin, who was the victim of that beatdown last week, and guess what?
Oh, with a kendo stick out here for a little revenge,
and perhaps quite wisely.
[Tessitore] Big right hand from Piper.
[Barrett] Chelsea Green got out of dodge leaving Piper Niven in there all alone.
To an enraged Michin.
[Tessitore] Just cleaning things up. Good for her.
Been some brutal battles for that US Championship
with Michin and Chelsea Green.
B-Fab owes a big debt of gratitude to Michin there,
two women perhaps on a collision course
with Chelsea Green and Piper Niven down the road.
This one is not gonna end here, I promise you that much.
And still to come, Rey Mysterio is making his way to the ring,
and you can already hear the reaction for the master of the 619, in the 619.
He's up against Kevin Owens when we come back.
Want to take a time out to remember a WWE Hall of Famer.
Bob Uecker passed away this week at age 90,
and there are moments in WWE
that are forever woven into the fabric of American culture,
and Bob Uecker was involved with a couple of those.
The man known as Mr. Baseball through his incredible sports broadcasting career,
the guest ring announcer for WrestleMania 3,
Hogan and Andre, that epic encounter.
And also was on the receiving end of Andre's grip and WrestleMania 4.
And on behalf of everyone here at SmackDown and the entire WWE family,
we extend our condolences to Bob Uecker's family, friends, and fans.
[Cole] Nia Jax retains the championship.
Now Tiffany Stratton says, "Nia, go get yourself some of Bianca Belair."
-[gasps] -Oh, my God!
Bianca Belair now.
[Graves] Look at the power of the EST!
Cash it in, cash it in.
I'm going to cash in!
[Garcia] Ladies and gentlemen, Tiffany Stratton is cashing in
her Money In The Bank contract!
[bell rings]
Oh, my Gosh!
-[Cole] It's… -[both] Tiffy Time!
Tiffany Stratton goes from Miss Money In The bank
to the WWE Women's Champion.
Well, Tiffany, we just saw the footage you making history two weeks ago.
No, no, no, no.
Not history. Tiffstory.
Tiffstory.
Well, you made Tiffstory by cashing in your money in the bank contract,
becoming the WWE Women's Champion,
but tonight it gets real because you defend that title for the first time
against Bayley who earlier today told me
she's extremely driven to win your women's championship.
What are your final comments?
Yeah, um, I mean, I actually heard Bayley and she's right.
She had a ton of big moments last year.
I mean, she's had a career of big moments, but guess what?
So have I.
I've been on SmackDown for less than a year
and I became the youngest Miss Money In The Bank,
and now I'm the WWE women's champion and unlike her,
I don't need to recreate those moments because right now,
I am those moments.
So I'm so sorry, Bayley, you're gonna have to sit back
and watch that little dream die because right now,
It's Tiffy Time.
Toodles.
[Tessitore] Did she really say "Tiffstory"? I believe she did it.
[Barrett] Love it.
[Tessitore] All right, we close in on our championship main event,
the tale of the tape, the first title defense in the early reign
of Tiffany Stratton.
You size up this match against the number one contender Bayley,
and beyond all the measurables,
the one thing that distinctly favors Bayley, experience.
Look at it there. Winning experience. She's never lost to Tiffany.
She defeated her in a triple threat at Backlash last year,
eliminated her from Royal Rumble last year,
and most recently,
their lone singles action toppled her on September sixth here on SmackDown,
WWE Women's Championship coming up.
Tiffy Time against Bayley.
[Rey Mysterio theme music]
[Tessitore] This is the moment for this crowd on this night,
to celebrate their guy in his town.
[bell rings]
[Garcia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from San Diego, California,
weighing in at 175 pounds,
he is WWE Hall of Famer,
Rey Mysterio!
[Tessitore] On a week when the WWE universe is raving
about another sensational luchador Pénta,
it's this sold out arena showering the Hall of Famer,
the ultimate Lucha star with the love and respect he so richly has earned.
[Barrett] Booyaka booyaka, indeed.
Decked out in Padre gear.
Back home in the 619
and this place, quite rightly, is coming unglued for one of their own,
one of the greatest in history.
Rey Mysterio!
[Tessitore] And the appropriate attire to come out here in the 619.
[Barrett] 25 plus years at the top and still capable of changing the game.
Rey Mysterio, a living legend, and I don't say that lightly,
what an honor it is to clap eyes on this man.
[Tessitore] Remember, our women's championship is coming up,
Tiffany Stratton and Bayley.
-And look who's sitting ringside. -[Barrett laughs]
[Barrett] Another living legend.
Victoria, former two time WWE Women's champ, one of my personal favorites,
and an absolute trailblazer who opened many, many doors for the women of today.
Welcome back to WWE here in San Diego, Victoria.
You picked a great night.
10,846,
a complete sellout at the Pechanga Arena, formerly the old San Diego Sports Arena,
and they are loving on Rey Mysterio.
He started the night by announcing that he will be in Royal Rumble.
We're just two weeks away from the Rumble in Indy.
Drew McIntyre, Punk, Roman, Seth, John Cena
and add the name Rey Mysterio to this ultimate loaded Royal Rumble.
[Barrett] Literally every entrant thus far is either a Hall of Famer
or soon to be a Hall of Famer.
It is the most stacked Rumble
I've really ever heard of thus far,
and it's gonna keep on getting bigger as we rumble the way on to Indianapolis.
[Kevin Owens theme song]
Now when the night started,
Rey turned to this man, Kevin Owens and said,
"You gotta get over your Cody Rhodes issues".
That's tough for a guy who carries around that winged eagle championship
and claims himself as such.
[Garcia] And his opponents from Marieville, Quebec, Canada.
Weighing in at 242 pounds.
Kevin Owens!
[Tessitore] Now, of course, in mentioning the rumble.
Even though we got this strong matchup tonight,
when it comes to KO, we're 2 weeks away from being an Indy for the big one.
The latter match for the undisputed WWE Championship.
Rhodes with the undisputed championship.
KO strutting around with his winged eagle championship.
[Barrett] KO tried his best to destroy the body
of Universal Champ Cody Rhodes.
Somehow Cody's ended up with a clean bill of health.
I will say not all clean bills of health are created equally,
and I question just how clean that bill of health is for Cody.
But it remains.
The championship will be on the line in that ladder match
in a little over 2 weeks time.
[Tessitore] That was great, earlier tonight to get that access we had
backstage with SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis,
as Cody Rhodes the Universal champion,
was able to meet with our physicians here in San Diego.
We came out, the report that we received is clean bill of health, medically clear.
Now, however, Nick Aldis was holding on to a contract, a binder, saying,
"I want an addendum signed because of the actions that took place
on Saturday Night's Main Event back in December."
We know what happened with the package pile driver delivered by Kevin Owens.
He wants them to sign an addendum when they fight
two weeks from this weekend at Royal Rumble.
[Barrett] Smart move once again by GM Nick Aldis,
as far as I'm aware, neither man has yet signed the addendum,
-[crowd boos] -but we will get to that, I am sure.
KO with a strong start to this one of course, overpowering the Luchador.
There were a few tricks up the sleeve of the Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio
to negate that power differential.
[Tessitore] Hall of Famer from the class of 2023
in front of his hometown fans.
[crowd chanting] 619! 619! 619!
[Tessitore] And it's roaring here in San Diego, in support of Rey.
KO with that kick to the gut just when they came together to lock up.
[Barrett] KO almost tauntingly carrying that winged eagle championship around
as much as he claims to be the champ.
To be clear, the record box…
will not hold him as the champ unless of course he defeats Cody Rhodes
at the Royal Rumble in a little over 2 weeks time.
[Tessitore] Just getting that shoulder block
and sending Rey right out onto the floor.
Absolutely insane that these two at the top of their game have yet to compete
in a singles match up until now.
This is almost a feeling out process between these two vets,
and Rey Mysterio needs to start tapping in
to the energy and adrenaline in this hometown arena if he's got any chance
of defeating KO tonight.
KO talked about how much respect he has for the Hall of Famer,
Rey Mysterio, says he has a dream of matching up with him at WrestleMania.
He said, "Hey, Rey, if you win the Rumble, pick me."
And then Rey had to remind him, "Kevin, you're not the champion."
And then we got the snapping point.
He always gets enraged when it's brought up of what happened against Cody Rhodes.
[Barrett] KO an incredibly respectful guy
at times in this industry, especially, of the veterans and the greats…
[Tessitore] Here's Rey,
…like Rey Mysterio and indeed, Dusty Rhodes,
Cody Rhodes's father, that all gets thrown out the window in a moment
with KO's current mind-set, however.
[crowd cheering, clapping]
[Tessitore] Big right forearm from Mysterio.
Oh, going for it again, but KO able to counter and slam him down.
[Barrett] And again that power differential is telling
in the early goings of this one.
[crowd boos]
[Barrett] And the people might not like it,
but Rey Mysterio has already had the stuffing
knocked out of him by the belligerent KO.
[Tessitore] Slamming into the corner.
[Barrett] Clearly targeting that mid-section of Rey Mysterio.
That slow, methodical pace of Kevin Owens,
he's got Rey Mysterio right where he wants him.
[Tessitore] Yeah, but he just ate that boot.
And now an elbow.
[Barrett] As we've seen for many years, as durable as they come is Rey Mysterio.
[Tessitore] Trying to get that leverage, but instead, oh, that knee driving up.
[Barrett] It was a nice block by KO who kept his boot on that turnbuckle.
Not something you see often,
but it speaks volumes for the caliber of competitor and veteran that KO is.
Shown a lot of love to Rey Mysterio tonight,
but the truth be told, KO is every bit Rey's equal.
[Tessitore] Now Rey pinned up against that barrier.
[crowd chanting] Rey Mysterio!
Rey Mysterio!
[Tessitore] Hear the crowd chanting for support.
Oh, and he sends him flying right into the barrier.
[Barrett] Find Rey a little breathing room at a much needed time
after he'd been under the cot for a couple of minutes here,
but now finding that second wind is the Hall of Famer.
[Tessitore] Here goes Rey.
Sliding right out onto KO!
Big rally here in his hometown of San Diego.
Don't go anywhere, more to come.
[Tessitore] Glad you're with us on Friday Night SmackDown.
Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett with you,
Kevin Owens and Rey Mysterio in the midst of their heated battle.
Still to come tonight, our WWE Women's Championship match,
Tiffany Stratton and Bayley.
This is what went down during the commercial break, Wade.
[Barrett] It was pretty much all Kevin Owens at his irritable worst.
Got thrown out, maximum damage to the frame of Rey Mysterio,
even taunting the family of Rey Mysterio who are sat here at ringside.
It's a brave man who comes into the belly of the beast
here in San Diego and mocks every single one of these fans.
This match stems from what happened earlier tonight
when Rey Mysterio welcomed us on the air in front of his hometown fans
only to be interrupted by KO.
And quickly shoulder goes right into the post.
When the subject changed to the championship and Cody Rhodes,
again KO snapped and Rey approached Nick Aldis.
He said, "He disrespected me here in my hometown."
So tonight, here they are one-on-one for the first time.
Rey up top.
And delivers.
And now Mysterio in control, hooks the leg for the cover.
[Barrett] Wheelbarrow, bulldog connected,
and this is what KO had to be aware of the entire time.
As dismissive as he has been of veterans like Rey Mysterio.
Believe me, KO has done his homework.
He is a student of the game,
and he knows exactly what Rey's strengths are better than anyone.
[Tessitore] Oh, boy.
[Barrett] We've seen this a million times.
It might be KO's first taste.
[Tessitore] But instead of a 619 in the 619,
it was the kick to the face from KO.
[Barrett] The prize fighter was ready,
perhaps going for that pop-up power bomb but denied by Rey.
[Tessitore] Rey got away from it and delivers with the DDT.
And now the cover.
[Barrett] And that was a sluggish kick out from the prize fighter Kevin Owens,
who is sucking on wind and hurting in a big way.
However, the same could be said of his opponent here, Rey Mysterio.
[Tessitore] Looking for that pop-up power bomb,
but all of a sudden the crafty Hall of Famer came up big.
[Barrett] Well, this is that championship durability
that has taken both men to the top on several occasions.
[Tessitore] You can see how much has been taken out of our competitors here.
[Barrett] Just agony etched on the face of Kevin Owens,
trying his best to get back up on top here with those jabs to the ribs.
Looks like he's finally managed it and in the drop zone is Rey Mysterio.
[Tessitore] KO up top.
Bullfrog splash!
Hooks the leg.
And Rey finds a way. Two and change.
[Barrett] Little Eddie Guerrero for you right there,
take another look at this,
adding insult to injury is Kevin Owens connecting with that frog splash.
No way Rey Mysterio was ever gonna lose to that move, not tonight.
[Tessitore] Look at this crowd, look at this scene,
hear them roar, a sellout in San Diego.
Just over a week away from Saturday night's main event in San Antonio,
Gunther and Jey, Braun and Sheamus,
and then 2 weeks away when KO himself will have the big showdown,
the latter match against Cody Rhodes at the Royal Rumble.
Earlier tonight we got the announcement. Rey Mysterio saying, "I'm in as well."
Rey's joining that big crowd of marquee names at the Royal Rumble like
Drew and Punk and Roman Reigns and Seth and John Cena on his farewell tour.
[Barrett] Both men now looking like boxers in round 12.
They really have thrown everything they've got at one another.
Thus far it has not been enough for either man to pull out a victory here,
but you sense we are closing in rapidly on that changing.
[Tessitore] KO trying to make that a reality
as Rey tries to block the effort and does so.
[Barrett] Rey had to, he had no choice. It was do or die there for Rey Mysterio.
[Tessitore] How about Rey?
For the win!
KO kicks out.
[Barrett] Just a millisecond from victory there.
Take another look, the creativity, the reactionary moves of Rey Mysterio,
hooking both shoulders down, but KO just with enough left in the tank.
[Tessitore] And this is exactly what you were describing
as it plays out like a heavyweight fighter.
Reminder we have our women's championship match still to come your way.
The first title defense for Tiffy Time.
Tiffany Stratton putting it on the line against Bayley,
but you mention the deep rounds here,
and an arena where Muhammad Ali fought 12 rounds
with a broken jaw against Ken Norton.
Now these two veterans giving everything they have.
Stunner!
[Barrett] What a beauty from KO, couldn't have looked sweeter.
[Tessitore] Did you see Rey go flying off that stunner?
And yet still finds a way to continue on.
[Barrett] Got that hometown energy running through his veins.
How many times have we seen KO pull out a victory with that stunner,
that was about as perfect as it's ever been executed,
but in San Diego against Rey Mysterio, it needs a little something extra.
[Tessitore] The first time they've ever gone one-on-one
and they are making it a memorable one, aren't they?
[Barrett] What else does KO have in the tank here,
what else does he have up his sleeve?
[Tessitore] Had the splash just earlier in this match,
and he goes with the Swanton bomb, but Rey gets those knees up.
619 here at home!
And now finding a way to climb on up.
[Barrett] Oh, well, KO apparently inadvertently…
-[Tessitore] He did. -…stumbling into the ref there.
[Tessitore] And it hit the ropes and it set him off.
And there is the pop-up power bomb for the win.
-Kevin Owens defeats Rey. -[bell rings]
[Garcia] Here is your winner, Kevin Owens!
[Barrett] Hey, look, I'd love to throw an accusation at KO there,
knowing his current mind-set and temperament,
it looked inadvertent, but ultimately it cost Rey Mysterio.
He ended up… Take another look at this,
crotching himself after the referee struck the rope.
Rey Mysterio, as he was going in for the kill, ends up eating a pop-up power bomb
after a classic matchup between those two.
And KO with all the momentum in the world
as he lifts the Winged Eagle championship,
WiIll he truly be WWE champ in a little over 2 weeks?
Let it be known, a Winged Eagle Championship
that Triple H, Paul Levesque, said was for one night
to celebrate the retro evening
of Saturday Night's Main Event, and this guy's carrying it halfway through January.
[Barrett] The level of respect here between two warriors
who put on a classic for us this evening.
-[Tessitore] Whoa, no, no, no, no! -[Barrett] Uh-oh.
["Kingdom" playing]
[Tessitore] He's setting up the package pile driver and guess what?
-[Tessitore] On site, here's Cody. -[Barrett] Waiting in the wings.
[Barrett] No finer man for the job, the true WWE champ himself,
Cody Rhodes, whose career was almost ruined by Kevin Owens.
[Tessitore] He was just medically cleared earlier tonight from the damage
that that illegal move did a month ago.
[Barrett] Well, Cody Rhodes has completely lost his mind here,
of course, great friends with Rey Mysterio.
[Tessitore] What do you mean lost his mind?
He came to the defense… to aid Hall of Famer--
Wow!
[Barrett] Oh, my God. We're gonna need more security out here.
[Tessitore] This is brawling right over our announce table, nonstop.
KO is being cleared.
Cony Rhodes is being restrained.
He was ready to put a package pile driver on the Hall of Famer, Rey Mysterio,
and thank goodness Cody came to save the day.
But in 2 weeks they won't need referees and security.
They're gonna meet up at Royal Rumble in a ladder match,
Undisputed versus Winged Eagle.
[Tessitore] What a great night here in San Diego
and just awesome fans as we're thrilled to be back here.
Now you remember, this is our first broadcast since Jan 1, 2024.
I think everybody remembers the Rock asking a certain question that night,
"Or should I sit at the head of the table"?
Oh, how things have changed in the span of a year plus.
And how about the outrageous action that just unfolded at the conclusion
of Rey Mysterio, Kevin Owens?
[Barrett] Well, it looked like a sporting handshake
post match after what was a classic,
but KO being who Ko is right now,
went for that package pile driver that caused so much damage
to the neck of Cody Rhodes not so long ago.
Cody Rhodes waiting in the wings to prevent his good friend Rey Mysterio
receiving the same treatment.
Absolute chaos and bedlam at ringside here as security cleared out.
Finally some order was restored.
A little over two weeks ahead of their meeting at the Royal Rumble.
I believe we can now go backstage to GM Nick Aldis.
-I tried. -I can't have that happen.
We can't have somebody go after Rey Mysterio like that.
I tried very, very hard to be patient with you and Kevin, Cody.
But enough is enough. You two are out of control.
And you won't even follow simple instructions like signing a contract,
so guess what? You've left me no choice.
Next week at Saturday Night's Main Event,
you and Kevin will relinquish your respective championship belts
to be suspended above the ring at the Royal Rumble.
And you will sign that amended contract in the middle of the ring,
in front of the world.
And seeing as Kevin doesn't trust me
and I don't know what you're thinking anymore, I made a call.
Someone else is going to moderate that contract signing, and I thought,
"Wow, we're in San Antonio, Texas, so who better
to moderate that contract signing than San Antonio's favorite son?"
Yes, at Saturday Night's Main Event, the contract signing will be moderated
by the Hall of Famer, the showstopper, the headliner, the main event,
the Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels.
-It just gets better. -How awesome is that?
I mean it just got a lot better.
-The master of ladder matches himself. -HBK.
-Wow. -Wow.
How good is that?
Let's go through what you're going to have in terms of some of the action.
What we can tell you was just announced.
This was a brief shining moment, and now it's a reality.
[Barrett] It doesn't get any more intriguing than this one,
a little over one week's time at Saturday Night's Main Event.
It is official.
The massive Braun Strowman is gonna go one-on-one against Samoan Werewolf,
Jacob Fatu, cannot wait for that insanity to go down.
[Tessitore] Wade, this place, everybody lost their mind
when they were in the ring opposite each other tonight.
Now Friday Night SmackDown.
Next week LA Knight and Tama Tonga. You saw the action earlier tonight.
Knight gets after Tama Tonga next week.
[Barrett] And another match next week, SmackDown, Austin, Texas.
The, you would assume, new number one contenders for DIY,
the Motor City Machine Guns,
massive victory tonight despite
the best efforts of Pretty Deadly interfering.
Well, those two teams are gonna go head-to-head
next week, live on Friday Night SmackDown.
I'm getting Sabin back.
What the hell was that out there?
You basically just handed the win to the Motor City Machine Guns.
I mean, admittedly it didn't go exactly as planned.
Ciampa, Ciampa, look on the bright side.
Who's beaten Motor City before?
DIY.
They think we're scared of them. We're not scared of anyone.
This isn't even about them.
Look in the mirror, just a couple of long-haired English boys
just happy to be here, right?
I hate people like that.
You're a joke and everybody is laughing. You want a shot at these?
Become men. I'm done with them.
It's just tough love.
He's only saying this because we believe in you guys, get your act together.
You wanna make life easier for us so we can make life better for you.
Chin up, guys. See you next week.
I don't even know how to…
What's wrong, man. I tried to tell you guys.
You keep letting them string you along and look where it's gotten you.
Absolutely nowhere, nowhere.
Where you going? Well, best of luck to you.
[object clattering]
[both grunting]
Keep our name out of your mouth.
[grunts]
[Tessitore] A violent attack from Gargano on Crews.
Motor City Machine Guns, Pretty Deadly is next week,
but it is time for our championship match.
[Bayley theme song playing]
[Tessitore] Could this be the moment that a recent champ grabs gold again?
Bayley has earned that chance. It was a week ago, Bayley won a thriller.
The Rose Plant on Naomi capped the fatal-4-way.
Among all those top veterans. And then she had a busy week.
She wasted no time traveling to both Monday Night Raw and NXT in Orlando.
And now here in San Diego to try to grab a hold of gold.
[Barrett] What an absolute workhorse Bayley is.
All three brands represented in a week by this woman,
brawling on two of them already,
and I've no doubt tonight's match is gonna degenerate into a brawl
in no time whatsoever, but this time, of course, gold is on the line.
By the way, George Kittle on X, respecting Bayley for her outfit earlier tonight.
She has his support, the NFL star,
as she heads into this championship match against Tiffany Stratton.
We mentioned that she made her trips to Raw and to NXT,
and speaking of which, look who's sitting in the front row for this.
Recently, dethroned NXT titlist is Roxanne Perez,
who had choice words for Bayley Tuesday night
and found herself on the wrong end of Bayley's response,
and you can see her staring down Roxanne.
[Barrett] Well, you talk about the respect that George Kittle has for Bayley,
that respect used to belong to Roxanne Perez too, a former admirer of Bayley.
No more, however, but it is Bayley who is up next for gold against Tiffany Stratton.
[Cole] A relentless pursuit of perfection.
A 14-time champion.
Destined for greatness.
Oh, Charlotte Flair returning.
By the way, go to her Instagram feed, Charlotte WWE.
Watch the video she posted with the simple caption, "Me versus me."
It is unreal to her 5.3 million followers.
And a huge win last week in Portland on SmackDown for Bayley.
Then she went to her hometown of San Jose on Raw on Netflix.
We discussed the appearance on NXT in Florida,
now here in San Diego to try to grab gold.
[Tiffany Stratton theme music playing]
And for the first time with Tiffy Time,
it's an introduction that'll come in a match as a champion here in WWE
and consider all that Stratton has accomplished in less than a year
on the SmackDown roster.
Wade, she has claimed one-on-one victories over former world champions
like Liv Morgan, Naomi, Nia Jax, but never over Bayley.
[Barrett] Well, there is a lot of luck involved.
First of all, in winning the women's Money In The Bank briefcase,
and then of course that cash in is really stacked to your advantage,
but make no mistake whatsoever,
Tiffany Stratton is as smart as they come to many.
She is the number one athlete in all of WWE,
including the men's locker room.
This is a woman who is a major player here in WWE,
and that championship she's raising above her head
just looks right on Tiffany Stratton.
[Tessitore] For the official introductions, here's Lilian Garcia.
[bell rings]
[Garcia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
and it is for the WWE Women's championship.
Introducing first the challenger from San Jose, California.
Bayley!
And her opponent from Prior Lake, Minnesota,
she is the WWE women's champion.
Tiffany Stratton!
[Barrett] Well, the center of the universe tonight
is well and truly San Diego, California,
but in truth that center of the universe
keeps moving to whatever town Tiffany Stratton shows up in.
[Tessitore] The WWE Women's Championship.
It has been in the hands of Tiffany Stratton for 14 days.
She cashed in that Money In The Bank briefcase
against Nia Jax back on January third,
and here we go, championship on the line.
[Barrett] And listen, Joe, like you,
I have all the admiration in the world for Bayley.
I think seven-time world champ.
I mean, I lost count a long time ago, clearly one of the GOATs,
but her prep for this matchup has been a About as terrible as I have ever seen.
First of all, she went through hell last week in a Fatal 4-Way,
got herself the championship opportunity.
How does she celebrate? She turns up on Raw.
[Tessitore] Now hold on a second, that was her hometown.
[Barrett] Fine, but it's not your job to do that.
You're a SmackDown superstar,
and not only that, you brawl with Nia Jax of all people,
then you get on a flight across country
over three time zones to Orlando, brawl with someone else--
[Tessitore] Oh, hold on, hold on.
She played a major role in NXT,
and she takes great pride in mentoring
and showing leadership within this promotion.
[Barrett] Awesome.
[Tessitore] You're blaming her for going to her hometown
and celebrating one of the pinnacle moments
of what has been the Raw debut on Netflix, a loaded show.
She wants to sit ringside and celebrate
among her hometown fans where she herself, the seed for her fandom and passion,
for this great industry was planted.
[Barrett] What's most important, going back to your hometown,
flying over to NXT, which I might add is a weekly show.
I never miss an episode.
Do it next week.
Focus on the single most important thing in this industry,
which is winning back Tiffany Stratton's championship.
[Tessitore] Of course, the gymnastics prowess
and athleticism of Tiffy Time on display,
and then there's the attempt at the Bayley-to-belly,
but into the corner.
By the way, you mentioned NXT, saying how she could have done that next week.
Next week in Atlanta, NXT, is Bianca Belair and Naomi.
In a championship match against Lash Legend Jakara Jackson,
that is going to be spectacular.
[Barrett] Oh, the ladies of Meta-Four.
I'm a big fan of those two. Cannot wait to see what they do,
but right now we have our hands full with what could be a classic between these two.
As Bayley sends the champ out onto the floor.
Championship action from here in San Diego.
[Tessitore] Glad you're with us here in front of this sold out crowd
at Pechanga Arena, the former San Diego Sports Arena here in San Diego.
We are in the midst of our WWE Women's Championship match.
Tiffany Stratton making her first defense against the veteran Bayley,
who gets the best of her there.
Bayley said earlier tonight,
"My reign as champion last year was cut short
because of Tiffany Stratton, and aiding Nia Jax at SummerSlam".
She says, "This is personal," as she comes sliding through and delivering.
[Barrett] Yeah, it could not taste any sweeter for Bayley
to win back that exact championship
against the woman pivotal in costing it her the first place,
but once again the smarts of Tiffany Stratton
not far removed from being a rookie but shows zero signs of it,
completely negating the experience advantage of her opponent tonight, Bayley.
[Tessitore] Yeah, that has been a topic of conversation.
We showed you the Tale of the Tape and all the experience of Bayley,
all the great wins through her career.
Two times in fact, holding this championship title,
but you say countered by the confidence and results and skill and athleticism
that has been displayed by Tiffy Time.
[Barrett] It's such a rare thing that a young, hungry,
up and coming superstar negates that level of differential inexperience,
but the truth is Tiffany Stratton has done it from day one.
Including her time in the NXT system
where it was gold laden just like it now is here on SmackDown.
She was the NXT Women's Champion and then a couple of weeks ago
grabbing that right there,
cashing in that Money In The Bank contract against her former friend Nia Jaxs
when she was in such a compromised position.
And continuing to work that left arm of Bayley.
And we saw in the early goings of this matchup,
it really was a slow, methodical, technical feeling out affair.
[Tessitore] To retain.
[Barrett] But the gloves have well and truly come off now
and it is Tiffany Stratton who is taking control
of the match up against the veteran Bayley.
Bayley's had such a storied career.
Stratton has never defeated Bayley
in all the times they've been in with the various matches,
only one time in singles.
Oh, and what a great job of Bayley just to get out of the way.
[Barrett] Yeah, right off Bayley, at your peril,
but once again simply a step ahead of everything Bayley is trying
is the champ Tiffany Stratton.
[Tessitore] And again taking out that leg and coming down to that hard apron.
[Barrett] I'll give you a little wrinkle here, Joe…
[Tessitore] This to retain.
[Barrett] Tiffany Stratton for the best part of the last 7 or 8 months,
has had a wing woman next to her at all times in the form of Nia Jax.
This is really the first time Tiffany has been forced to completely go it alone.
And man, she is looking so, so good doing it without any backup to call on.
[Tessitore] Yeah, she is acquitting herself quite well.
As you see some of the results from earlier tonight.
Motor City Machine Guns with a very big win earlier tonight.
We will see them in action against Pretty Deadly next week.
Oh, Bayley meets her with that forearm!
[Barrett] Well, Stratton smelled blood and did her best to get past the referee
to capitalize on the perceived weakness of Bayley.
Bayley just had too much left in the tank,
and that is the young champ over-kicking her coverage.
[Tessitore] Bayley looking to rally back and she does so
as she delivers the message right on the side of that apron.
[Barrett] Yes, skull first to the ring apron and…
[Tessitore] Trying to get that gold back with a kick out at 2.
[Barrett] With the championship on the line,
both women taking every single opportunity they can to try a cover.
I'm sure deep down Bayley knew that was not going to get a victory,
but hey, occasionally you get lucky with something like that, it's worth a try.
[Tessitore] Bayley with that knee right to the midsection.
Tiffany comes back with a clothesline.
[Barrett] Yeah, we got a slugfest in there now, Joe.
I know you love those.
[Tessitore] Oh, looking for that running hip
and just able to get out of the way again is the veteran Bayley.
[Barrett] Starting to sense a momentum shift in this one.
Tiffany Stratton no longer a step ahead of anything.
[Tessitore] Here she comes flying,
but she's met with the big right hand from Stratton.
And look at these antics.
You think you deserve this title?
[Barrett] Master in the dark arts is Tiffany Stratton.
She says it's Tiffy Time,
and she just bashes her against the side of the ring, that metal support.
[Barrett] Bone against steel,
that was the temple of Bayley rattling the ring frame.
Tiffany Stratton with an expert maneuver,
amazing how Bayley's managing to get back in.
[Tessitore] Oh!
That big hip bump there.
She came crashing in and you can see the wear and tear
on the veteran Bayley.
Up and over.
She gets her.
Oh, and it's Bayley-to-belly on the outside, just what she needed.
Bayley and Stratton for the championship.
[Tessitore] What a championship match we are enjoying here.
Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett with you in San Diego,
a sellout to see the WWE Women's Championship.
Bayley and Tiffany Stratton.
As Bayley, the first ever Women's Grand Slam Champion,
is looking to add more gold and reclaim the prize that she had last year.
Cover with the arm and not enough at all against the young athletic champ, Wade.
[Barrett] Deep into the match as Bayley is going for broke
with everything in her playbook,
and you have to think of the frustration
building in the mind of the challenger Bayley
as Tiffany Stratton just keeps on kicking out.
[Tessitore] Bayley going up top.
Won the number one contenders, Fatal 4-Way last week,
hit Naomi with the Rose Plant for that win,
and Tiffany Stratton, of course, just a couple weeks ago
came up with the cash in of her Money In The Bank contract.
[Barrett] Tiffany Stratton's going low with every single opportunity.
That is what you have to do against somebody like Bayley
if you wanna pull out a win.
[Tessitore] Tiffy Time flies.
[Barrett] Tens all around for that one, Tiffany.
[Tessitore] Power bomb to retain the championship.
Oh, man, oh, man, she's getting the best version of Bayley tonight.
[Barrett] Stacking the offense, stacking the pin,
it's not quite enough, but now focusing on that left shoulder and arm of Bayley.
Wrenching it out of the socket, nowhere for Bayley to go…
-Wait! -[Tessitore] Look at this.
The counter almost put her in position.
Now you brought up we are in the deep water of this championship match.
You questioned the past week of Bayley traveling around the country,
going to Raw, going to NXT.
Now does it cost her as we're in the deep part of this match?
[Barrett] Absolutely, this is Bayley's own mistake.
You've got to think she'd have a bit more left in the tank right now
had she not done what she's done this past week.
Tiffany looked like she was trying to set up that Cartwheel Alabama Slam
and Bayley sends her onto our announce desk,
just slams her down onto this reinforced brand-new announce desk.
[Barrett] It did not shift at all
but the spine of Tiffany Stratton certainly did,
and now head first onto the floor outside the ring.
[Tessitore] And now Roxanne Perez right in the face of Bayley.
Remember they were brawling in NXT.
[Barrett] Enemies left, right and center for Bayley,
whose focus needs to be on one thing
and one thing only, finally back where it belongs on the champ, Tiffany Stratton.
[Tessitore] There is an edge to Bayley right now as she goes up top.
You know, time and again we've seen that flying elbow drop.
-There it is. -[Barrett] Connected.
[Tessitore] There it is. Could she get the gold back?
[Barrett] Oh, milliseconds away
but straight back into another torturous hold
is the champ Tiffany Stratton, cannot even see the ropes right now,
but fighting her way out just in time.
What a classic these two women are putting on, putting their bodies on the line.
Everything they've got in order to win the gold.
Spine buster.
[Tessitore] To retain.
Man, oh, man, are they extending themselves here at San Diego,
[Barrett] And I don't know in her short career
if Tiffany Stratton has ever been dragged
this deep into enemy territory before.
I mean, for this to be your first title defense.
A primed and ready and seemingly possessed Bayley, who said,
"This is personal. She cut short my title reign
by helping Nia Jax at SummerSlam."
[Barrett] I'll tell you right now,
when you win a title you want a lay up for your first defense.
-You do not want this. -[Tessitore] Again.
Oh, and the shoulder gets up for Tiffany Stratton.
[Barrett] Tiffany Stratton just will not quit in this one.
Another Bayley-to-belly suplex connecting.
Great work by Tiffy Time as she continues to target that…
Just back and forth here we go, Joe, here it is.
[Tessitore] Prettiest Moonsault gets interrupted.
Not so easy, is it? Against a veteran like this.
[Barrett] Bayley had no choice whatsoever to try something,
thankfully for her chance here, it worked, and the tide has swung once again,
[Tessitore] A cover in the corner
and the shoulder up by Stratton.
The newly minted WWE Women's Champion, Tiffy Time,
and it is time for her first title defense
and it is coming with quite the challenge from Bayley.
As she points to the crowd, looks to deliver,
hooks the leg to get the gold back,
No.
[Barrett] Well, Bayley is having to dig deeper in her playbook
than ever before,
pulling out the kind of moves she just doesn't hit with frequency
because that is how good,
that is how durable Tiffany Stratton is
who was immediately back on top in this one.
[Tessitore] Bayley was looking for Rose Plant
but instead, here's Stratton.
Bayley able to turn out of it and look at the power,
and look at the strength and look at the skill.
Can she deliver it this time?
[Barrett] Went for that Rose plant DDT but denied by Stratton,
[Tessitore] Cartwheel Alabama Slam!
Now she's looking for it, Prettiest Moonsault Ever.
My, oh my, Tiffy Time.
[bell dings]
[Garcia] Here's your winner,
and still the WWE Women's Champion,
Tiffany Stratton!
Wade, Tiffany Stratton feels like
she has reached the next rung on the ladder.
[Barrett] That was incredible.
This Alabama Slam, followed by the standard moonsault
from Tiffany Stratton, wow, Joe Tess.
[Tessitore] It's not just the championship,
but it's how she's doing it,
the eye test, the 'it' factor.
It is indeed Tiffy Time. ctor.