[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[Tessitore] SmackDown has come to Memphis, Tennessee.
A place that's history-rich with wrestling.
A scene that has helped shape the industry with generations of fans
as good as any you'll find.
And tonight, down there we find a card at the FedEx Forum that points us
in a specific direction, speeding ahead to the elimination chamber on ramp
and look who's ready to grab a spot.
LA Knight has come here to punch his ticket to Toronto.
A chance for a WrestleMania Main Event is everyone's desire.
And that's what the newest member of SmackDown is seeking.
Drew McIntyre has been outspoken this week.
He'll have plenty to say in moments. And what a big opportunity for Jimmy Uso.
Big Jim in a big stakes match.
It's a Triple Threat Elimination Chamber qualifying match.
Knight, the Scottish Warrior and Big Jim.
Also with us, Charlotte Flair,
the future Hall of Famer worked her way back from a catastrophic injury.
All she did was win the Women's Royal Rumble.
Now she has to decide whose title she'll go after
after what many are calling arguably the greatest night of a Royal Rumble ever.
[McAfee] This great state, this legendary stadium.
[Cena] This is what this year is about.
This truly was a takeover of the city.
[Cena] It's about making moments.
Welcome everybody to the 2025 Royal Rumble.
WWE weekend is finally here in Indy. Fun is already starting.
Indy deserves this.
In Indianapolis, Indiana,
you need to crowd surf for the people.
Indianapolis is all dressed up for WWE coming to town.
[Cole] You are looking live at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Fans, boy, did they show up for the Royal Rumble,
and that crowd topped Taylor Swift.
[Cole] The largest-attended Royal Rumble ever.
They are hyped and we are ready.
[Barrett] Alexa Bliss!
-Trish Stratus. -[Cole] Jordynne Grace is part of WWE.
Nikki Bella is back!
The biggest crowd in the history of the Royal Rumble!
Alabama Slam through the ladder!
Cody Rhodes wins.
[Barrett] One of the most sickening matches we have ever witnessed.
["Von Dutch" playing]
[Cole] The queen is back.
♪ I'm your number one I'm your number one ♪
♪ Your number one ♪
♪ I'm just livin' that life ♪
Charlotte Flair is going to WrestleMania!
[screaming] Let's go!
Ha. Ha.
I want it all. I'm coming for all the gold.
[McMahon] Thank you for making this
the biggest Rumble in history.
[Cole] Speed is in the Rumble!
Oh, my God!
[Cena] For me, it's my last Rumble. There is no "maybe next year."
[Cole] We're down to Cena and Uso.
-Jey won the Royal Rumble! -[bell rings]
[shrieks]
Jey did it!
[screaming, laughing]
[Cole] Jey Uso is going to WrestleMania!
You did it, Jey Uso!
Bet ya'll didn't see that coming. Me, Main Event, WrestleMania.
It's gonna be a party tonight, Uce!
[McAfee] 70,000! A volcanic yeet!
Four letters, one word. [grunts]
-[crowd screaming] Yeet! -[Uso] Yeet!
♪ Your number one Your number one ♪
[chanting] Yeet! Yeet! Yeet! Yeet! Yeet! Yeet!
Hey, Uce! Hey, Uce!
Please, please hit my music!
Oh, yeah!
[grunting]
Yeet!
["Main Event Ish" playing]
[Tessitore] All the waves of yeeting
that crashed down across the country still at high tide.
Take it away, Memphis, enjoy it!
[crowd] ♪ It's just me, Uce ♪
♪ Day one It's just me, Uce ♪
♪ Day one It's Jey, I line 'em all up ♪
♪ And knock 'em down like this ♪
[crowd chanting]
-[Jey] Whoo! -[cheering]
♪ Yeah, yeah ♪
♪ It's goin' down tonight, Uce Uh-huh ♪
♪ Okay, yeah, okay, yeah ♪
♪ Aye, let's get it, Uce ♪
♪ I'm 'bout to get 'em, Uce ♪
♪ I'm bout to get 'em all ♪
♪ Let's go Uso! ♪
[crowd] ♪ It's just me, Uce ♪
♪ Day one It's just me, Uce ♪
♪ Day one It's Jey, I line 'em all up ♪
♪ And knock 'em down like this ♪
[Tessitore] Indy was yeeting deep into the Rumble Saturday night.
[Garcia] Ladies and gentleman, please welcome
the 2025 Men's Royal Rumble winner,
Main Event, Jey Uso!
[Tessitore] Cleveland was yeeting nonstop to start Raw,
and now look at Memphis.
[Barrett] I've gotta tell you, Joe Tess,
there were a line of superstars as far as the eye could see
post-Royal Rumble victory for Jey Uso.
Just waiting to congratulate this man.
Perhaps internally, the most popular Royal Rumble winner of all time,
and that is clearly a sentiment echoed by this audience here in Memphis, Tennessee.
[crowd] ♪ It's just me, Uce ♪
♪ Day one It's just me, Uce ♪
♪ Day one It's Jey, I line 'em all up ♪
♪ And knock 'em down like this ♪
[crowd chanting] Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!
[Tessitore] In a Royal Rumble field of future Hall of Famers,
it was this man, Jey Uso, who was the last man in the ring.
Oh, what a night it was.
♪ Uh-huh Okay, yeah, okay, yeah ♪
♪ Aye, let's get it, Uce ♪
♪ Eh, yo, I'm bout to get 'em, Uce ♪
♪ I'm bout to get 'em all ♪
[Tessitore] And how all the emotion poured out.
♪ It's just me, Uce ♪
♪ Day one It's just me, Uce ♪
[Barrett] Just burning calories and blowing vocal cords
to kick off SmackDown.
♪ Ey, ey Main Event Jey Uso is now in your city ♪
♪ Yahoo ♪
♪ It's just me, Uce Okay ♪
♪ Day one It's just me, Uce ♪
It's Jey, I line 'em all up ♪
♪ And knock 'em down like this ♪
[crowd cheers]
[Tessitore] They can't get enough, and he can't get enough.
A magical ride for Jey Uso.
You see the numbers for his performance at Royal Rumble.
Over 36 minutes, and then that final moment with John Cena.
[Barrett] And the first ever man to win the Royal Rumble from spot number 20.
Little bit of history for you.
[Tessitore] And just think about who was left
down the stretch of that Rumble.
Those final six specifically.
And then the future Hall of Famer being pushed off the apron,
only then to see Cena come in
and show respect and share congratulations for this man, Jey Uso.
[Barrett] But it's always a shock when an underdog wins the Royal Rumble
for the first time ever.
But after the 2024 this man had,
we probably should have seen it coming.
[Tessitore] Massive crowd here at the FedEx Forum here in Memphis, Tennessee.
As the Royal Rumble winner will get the night started. Here's Jey.
♪ Uso! It's just me, Uce ♪
♪ Day one It's just me, Uce ♪
♪ Day one It's Jey, I line 'em all up ♪
♪ And knock 'em down like this ♪
-[music fades out] -[crowd cheers]
[crowd] Yeet! Yeet!
[crowd] One more time! One more time! One more time!
[chanting continues]
-["Main Event Ish" playing] -[Tessitore] Oh! We got an encore, Wade.
[Tessitore laughs]
♪ Day one It's just me, Uce ♪
♪ Day one It's Jey, I line 'em all up ♪
♪ And knock 'em down like this… ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Tessitore] Give them what they want.
[music fades out]
[crowd cheers]
Main Event Jey Uso is now…
-[crowd] …in your city! -[Jey] …in your city!
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Yeet!
Hey, look, I had a hell of a week.
[crowd] Yeet!
I got a lot of love.
[crowd] Yeet!
From my family.
[crowd] Yeet!
From my friends.
[crowd] Yeet!
And from the fans.
[crowd] Yeet!
Your 2025 Men's Royal Rumble winner.
[crowd] Yeet!
[crowd chants] You deserve it!
You deserve it!
But look, I'm here to pick a champion.
It's a Main Event at WrestleMania, right?
On Monday Night, I had The Ring General, Gunther.
So it's only right for me
to pull up on Friday Night SmackDown
and stand face-to-face
with the WWE champ.
So, Memphis, man, help me welcome my dawg…
The American Nightmare…
[crowd cheers]
Cody Rhodes.
["Kingdom" playing]
[crowd cheers]
[Tessitore] Cody is here six days removed
from that Ladder Match victory over Kevin Owens.
You know, Wade, there was a certain level of brutality to that match six days ago.
He was receiving medical attention.
He couldn't even join us in the post-show to hear what he thought
after retaining the title.
Now here he is back on his feet and ready to join us live.
[Barrett] Yeah, one of the most gruesome Ladder Matches
in the history of the entire industry.
Cody proving that he doesn't just have to win pretty,
he can get down and dirty in the trenches too,
and beat someone like KO at his own game.
[Tessitore] Shared history between these two men,
but will they be opponents down the road?
So, Memphis…
Main Event, Jey Uso.
I think I know what you wanna talk about.
Uce…
You know why I'm here, right?
You do. I got two choices to make, Uce.
Just two.
I could stand across from you
on the grandest stage of them all, WrestleMania.
That'll mean a lot to me.
Or…
I can stand next to you.
You, still WWE champ,
and me, new World Heavyweight Champion.
Quite the choice to make.
You know, I spoke to my doctor this week after the Ladder Match.
You know what he told me?
Told me I've got fluid on my elbow that needs to be drained.
Told me I got a hip out of alignment, a bunch of other lower back medical jargon
I wasn't paying attention that much to.
I mean, my doctor's a nice guy.
He's not the WWE Champion.
And one of the things that he left out, Jey,
is a good diagnosis.
How full my heart is,
how absolutely 100% proud I am
of Jey Uso winning the Royal Rumble.
I know it's your choice.
But that sign right there, having fought for it, having taken my choice
away last year and having to win it back, that's your sign to point at.
This is your WrestleMania, Jey, and you and I,
we've had some good moments in this ring.
We've won Tag Team gold. Had a libation or two.
You know this here arena is right off Beale Street.
[crowd cheers]
We could do that all over again, you know what I'm saying?
You know what I'm saying?
[crowd cheers]
But, Jey, as much as you have this choice,
I have to go to WrestleMania, and for this title reign to be complete,
not only do I have to go to WrestleMania, not only do I have to be
in the main event, I have to win.
So if you choose me,
let's make a memory here tonight in Memphis.
Let's have some absolute fun, because it will be the last time.
You feel me, sir?
[theme music playing]
[Tessitore] I think party plans may be changing.
[Barrett] Well, I mentioned a line of superstars
waiting to congratulate Jey Uso
after his Royal Rumble victory, but to the surprise of nobody,
these two were not part of the congregation.
[Tessitore] Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga by his side.
[Barrett] The clear statement made on SmackDown last week
that Fatu and Tonga are here
to run SmackDown by any means necessary,
and that may well involve taking out the likes of Jey Uso
and, of course, the champ, Cody Rhodes.
[shushes]
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah!
Okay.
First off, Cody Rhodes.
Last year,
you took that title from my family.
But as of now, Cody,
my family needs that title back.
What does that take mean to you, Jey Uso?
Big cousin, Mr. Yeet Man.
Mr. 25 Royal Rumble winner.
Hey, big cousin, don't get this twisted.
Let's just keep it one hundred.
If there was anybody to bring back that title to the family.
It's sure to hell wouldn't be your ass.
[Tessitore] Oh, Super Kick right to Tama's mug.
And they're going at it.
[Barrett] No words necessary from Jey Uso. Oh, my God.
[Tessitore] Fatu right over the champ.
[Barrett] The dogs are off the chain.
And SmackDown is in big trouble.
[Tessitore] And now beating down on Cody Rhodes.
He said, "My family needs that title back."
The Samoan werewolf lining up the-- Oh!
Jey meets him halfway.
[Barrett] Just in the nick of time for Cody Rhodes.
Cody Cutter connects.
[Tessitore] And they rid the ring of Jacob.
["Main Event Ish" playing]
[Barrett] Survival for now for Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes,
but surely a temporary reprieve.
[Tessitore] And that is how Friday Night SmackDown gets underway
here in Memphis.
And still to come, the EST walking in Memphis.
Bianca Belair, the former champ with Naomi by her side.
She's looking at a chance of gold if she can get past Piper Niven next.
[Tessitore] Wade Barrett, GM Nick Aldis wasting no time.
[Barrett] Wow, words dripping with menace from Tonga and Fatu.
Earlier, they came for blood.
They're gonna get it in tonight's main event, huge tag match.
Tama Tonga, Jacob Fatu go head-to-head
with Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso, later on tonight, here on SmackDown.
[Tessitore] Remember we're only three weeks away from Elimination Chamber,
and right now, an Elimination Chamber qualifying match.
Piper Niven is back to action.
She was enrolled "Secret Hervice"
to the US Champion Chelsea Green most recently.
["Watch Me Shine" playing]
[Tessitore] But what a challenge she faces here.
[bell rings]
[Garcia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
and it's an Elimination Chamber qualifying match.
Making her way in the ring, being accompanied by Naomi,
from Knoxville, Tennessee,
she is one half of the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Bianca Belair!
[Tessitore] And, Wade, I feel like a week ago
when we were all hanging out in Indy,
there were so many fans that we were hearing from that were predicting Bianca
would win the Women's Royal Rumble.
Now, this is a new plan of attack to find that way to WrestleMania glory
for the EST.
[Barrett] Yeah, well, the EST is pretty much the favorite
of any match she's ever in thanks to her outstanding record of achievement,
but there is no finer way to get over a Royal Rumble disappointment
than getting right back into the mix of things with qualification
for the Women's Elimination Chamber Match.
That is what's at stake here tonight.
[Tessitore] Six women will make their way to Toronto
to try to find a way to WrestleMania and fight for a championship.
This is a qualifying match.
-Bianca and Piper. -[bell rings]
[Barrett] Piper Niven inadvertently eliminating…
[Tessitore] Oh! Going right for KOD?
[Barrett] …Chelsea Green from the Royal Rumble match,
and that was thanks in large part to Bianca Belair's nimble movement.
Now, Niven has probably been skating on some thin ice as Chelsea's Secret Service
but managed to cling on to her role for now.
Surely wants to take out some revenge on Bianca Belair.
[Tessitore] Good start for Bianca early on. Just driving that shoulder
into Piper and, Wade, you brought it up.
I can only imagine what Piper has had to deal with
after she accidentally eliminated Chelsea Green from the Royal Rumble.
[Barrett] Well, I'm sure the eardrums of Piper Niven
have received quite the beating this week.
A very different kind of beating to the wall that Bianca Belair would
like to dish out, but right now it is the powerhouse Niven with the upper hand.
[Tessitore] See how she used the braid
to generate that torque and right into that clothesline.
[Barrett] And I don't have any issue with that whatsoever.
Belair uses that braid to her own advantage at times,
so it has to be perfectly legal to attack it.
[Tessitore] Remember, we will also have an Elimination Chamber
qualifying match on the men's side.
LA Knight, Jimmy Uso and Drew McIntyre, who is the newest--
Chelsea, we are trying to broadcast the match right now.
And then, of course, Charlotte Flair, the Women's Royal Rumble winner,
will be joining us live.
Charlotte has a big decision to make.
Plus, she's back. Alexa Bliss.
What a reception she received in Indianapolis as a surprise entrant--
The crossbody right into the side of the apron there, and now Alexa Bliss will
be up against Candice LeRae in a Women's Elimination Chamber qualifying match.
The Running Senton as Piper Niven is getting the best of the EST here,
a chance to get to the Elimination Chamber.
[Tessitore] Bianca Belair from off the top rope!
Crossbody here through the sky at the FedEx Forum.
Hooks the leg of Piper Niven, and a kick out at 2.
This is a critical match.
Women's Elimination Chamber qualifying match.
The road to WrestleMania is underway.
Royal Rumble, a week ago won by Charlotte Flair.
Now six women are hoping to punch their ticket,
as Bianca, what a test of strength, as she's trying to go for the KOD.
Instead, a headbutt by Piper, Wade.
[Barrett] Well, we know the incredible feats of strength
that Belair can pull off.
But only Niven can pull that off.
[Tessitore] And a shoulder up, the kick out by Belair.
[Barrett] Perhaps a mistake there by Piper Niven
after this beautifully executed spinning Bossman Slam.
Failing to hook the leg in the process, and that allowed the EST
to kick out, but--
[Tessitore] Missing with the Senton.
[Barrett] Once again straight back to full health it seems is Bianca Belair.
-Now trying to go in for the kill. -[Tessitore] Oh, man, oh, man.
Bianca, the spear, and now looking for the win.
Piper able to survive. Look at that kickback.
[Barrett] How do you take an opponent out with just a kick out from a pin?
Well, the mean, the moody, the magnificent,
Piper Niven is certainly capable of very special things in that ring,
and it could be good night now to Bianca Belair.
[Tessitore] She is going up top, trying to finish her off, but instead,
here's an opportunity for the EST.
[Barrett] The try once before failed already
and once again, just too big a mountain to climb for Bianca Belair.
[Tessitore] Slammed down again. They first fought back in December.
This is only the 2nd time they've gone one-on-one,
and Piper acquitted herself well in terms of countering with power.
Now for the win to advance.
Trying to punch her ticket to Toronto,
to Elimination Chamber this qualifying match.
[Barrett] High flying, but bone-crushing offense there from Piper Niven.
Take another look at the impact right on the sternum
of Bianca Belair, who has barely moved ever since.
[Tessitore] She's gone for the KOD a few times tonight.
There was a wild finish when they fought back in December
when Chelsea tried to interfere on the apron.
Bianca tossed her into the ring, gets out of the way there, and then lifted
Piper into that KOD and slammed her on top of Chelsea and came up with the win.
[Tessitore] Bianca Belair in scramble mode now. Once again, trying for that KOD.
Is it possible?
-[Tessitore] Wow! -[crowd cheers]
[Tessitore] Look at the sheer strength, the power of Bianca Belair!
Are you kidding me?
My, oh, my!
Elimination Chamber awaits if she gets it.
-[bell rings] -["Watch Me Shine" playing]
-[Tessitore] The EST! -[Garcia] Here is your winner,
Bianca Belair!
[Barrett] Well, spots are filling up
in the Women's Elimination Chamber.
Now joining Liv Morgan,
who qualified this week on Raw.
No doubt about it whatsoever, a woman who's done it all,
the EST Bianca Belair is going to Toronto.
[Tessitore] Two of the six entrants for Elimination Chamber now set.
You see them there.
-Party at Friday Night. -Very excited.
-Hey, what's up? Needed to talk to me? -[clears throat] Yes.
Carmelo, ladies, my apologies.
Excuse us.
Rude. [scoffs]
You are not…
Look, unless this is about putting me in the Elimination Chamber,
giving me a bye the same way you did Cena, we really ain't got nothing to talk about.
Oh, I think we do have something to talk about because, you see, uh,
I had a phone call earlier from Adam Pearce,
and he made a request for you to face a Raw superstar tonight,
and I've granted that request.
No, we're not doing this anymore, okay?
You tried it with Strowman. You tried it with Priest.
I'm all good on that.
-[knocks on door] -Come on in.
-Yeah, that's him right there. -I bet it is.
Akira. Hey, thank you for joining us.
Carmelo, you'll be going one-on-one with Akira Tozawa tonight
because if you may remember, you cost him his spot in the Royal Rumble,
and that means you could have cost him his spot in the main event of WrestleMania.
And I think that that deserves a match.
You know what? I changed my mind anyway.
Perfect. Exactly.
I'd love to wrestle you, man.
This would be a huge opportunity for me, man, honestly, and, uh,
this is gonna be a layup. [chuckles] Watch.
Air ball!
What the hell did you just say to me?
Who does this guy think he is? Oh, we gonna see an air ball.
-Yeah, we will see an air ball. -We'll see it in the ring.
-Sorry about that. -[speaks Japanese]
-["It's Our Moment" playing] -[Tessitore] That should be a fun one.
DIY got a helping hand retaining the Tag Team Championships.
Now we're gonna hear from Gargano and Ciampa,
a week removed from their controversial outing in Indy.
That is next when we come back to Memphis and the roar of this crowd
for Friday Night SmackDown.
WWE Tag Team Champs DIY fresh off their 2 out of 3 falls win
over Motor City Machine Guns at Rumble.
Memphis, Tennessee.
[crowd boos]
Give it up one time
for your two-time WWE Tag Team Champion.
[crowd boos]
We beat the Motor City Machine Guns not once but twice at the Royal Rumble,
which means officially we are the best tag team in the world.
Do the thing, do it.
Everybody knows the BTTITW
is DIY.
[crowd boos]
And with that said, I think it's safe to say
that the chances of the Motor City Machine Guns
ever holding these titles again are officially dead.
Rest in peace. Rest in peace, guys.
And it's hard because we have nothing but respect for the Motor City Machine Guns.
They are two independent legends.
Eleven years ago, they were our favorite tag team.
So tonight in Memphis,
if you could, everybody in this arena, everybody watching from home, please
stand up--
Stand up. Everyone stand up. Get out of your seats. Stand up.
Come on, please. This is serious.
Memphis, please. Memphis, this is for the Motor City Machine Guns.
Take your hats off. Bow your heads in silence.
Silence.
[crowd boos]
["On and On" playing]
[Barrett] How disrespectful. That was a moment of silence.
[Tessitore] Why would there be a moment of silence, Wade?
[Barrett] How uncouth!
Wow, wow, wow, wow, by the way, we were watching,
what a lovely sentiment that was.
We were back there having fun, of course, watching--
Interrupting a moment of silence, mind you.
Excuse me, because we felt it was important to come out here
and remind you guys of all the help we've given you
to keep those Tag Team Championships.
What's important is that you respect the moment of silence.
One minute moment of silence. We're going to do it.
[crowd boos]
Whoa, whoa, whoa, gentlemen. Gentlemen, please.
Sorry to interrupt, but, uh,
DIY, after everything that you've pulled over the last few weeks,
you're in no position to make any demands about those tag team titles.
That would be my job.
And as for you two, you don't exactly deserve a title shot,
but I'm gonna give you the chance to earn one.
Let's do Pretty Deadly versus DIY in a non-title match,
and if Pretty Deadly, get your hand raised,
well, you'll be in line for a title shot.
Oh, and one more thing--
[Gargano] No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
-[Aldis] One more thing. -[Gargano] Next week.
That match, well that starts right now.
-[Gargano] What? -I'm not even dressed!
[Tessitore] They're in street clothes.
Elton and Kit, prime position.
-Pretty Deadly, DIY, right now. -[Gargano] It's unprofessional, man!
[Barrett] It's a scandal!
[Gargano] I'm in pants!
[Tessitore] Joe and Wade back with you.
Friday Night SmackDown, Memphis, Tennessee.
In unique circumstances as we're in the midst of tag team action
between DIY, the champions, and Pretty Deadly.
This is a non-title match for an opportunity for Pretty Deadly, Wade,
to prove it and to earn a title shot. A match that was just made
right before the commercial break by General Manager Nick Aldis.
[Barrett] Well, Pretty Deadly were treated like doormats by DIY
for a couple of months before they finally snapped and said there is no quid pro quo.
We've had enough.
They've now got a chance to grab the bull by the horns,
and hopefully for their sake, this tag can go down but denied once again
by Johnny Gargano--
[Tessitore] And finally Elton Prince breaks free, and here comes Kit Wilson.
[Barrett] Now this is a Pretty Deadly team who are quite clear that they could
well be in competition tonight.
However, in their street clothes are DIY.
Didn't even get the chance to warm up, and it's started to show.
And this is a different side to Pretty Deadly.
Gone are the theatrics, the joking around, the talk about musicals.
Now it's bell-to-bell, showing that they belong at the top of the card
and in the championship conversation.
[Tessitore] No doubt about it, you can put the disco ball away
and see this level of seriousness
out of Prince and Wilson.
[Barrett] Just a new intensity in the eyes of Pretty Deadly.
Once that bell rings, they look so much better for it.
That's closing in on securing themselves a championship opportunity here.
[Tessitore] You see the teamwork now from Kit and Elton. Back and forth they go.
Gargano able to get out of the way.
Springboarding right into it. Into the cover
to earn a title shot, and Ciampa comes in to break it up.
You know, it's interesting, the recent tenuous working relationship
that had broke down last week.
They were paired up in an eight-man tag team against Motor City Machine Guns
and Los Garza last week on SmackDown,
[Barrett] And that was the moment it all went south for these 4 as a relationship,
and things now breaking down in a big way.
[Tessitore] Back and forth they go.
European uppercut from Prince, big right hand from Ciampa.
Center of the ring, toe-to-toe to determine so much
in the tag team division.
[Barrett] Tommaso Ciampa just an absolute machine in that ring.
Cutthroat competitive, explosive rage.
And Elton Prince learning firsthand about just how dangerous Tommaso Ciampa is
by coming back with some of his own.
[Tessitore] And then Gargano pulling down on his hair from outside the apron,
and he eats that right hand.
Here's the roll up.
Trying to utilize the rope, and the big boot comes in from Kit Wilson,
turns it around,
-and they come up with the big win! -[bell rings]
[Garcia] Here are your winners, Pretty Deadly!
[Barrett] Well, Ciampa tried his best to pull the tights
and pull one over the ref.
He failed, but Elton Prince grabbed the top rope, did it for him
and just beat DIY at their own game.
They get a future championship opportunity.
[Tessitore] They have gathered real significant momentum right now.
Still to come right here in the birthplace of rock 'n' roll,
you saw what happened a week ago, one of the big shocking returns at Royal Rumble,
Alexa Bliss, and now she can take a major step forward towards a possible
WrestleMania championship match.
From out of action to back to business,
Bliss is back.
Elimination Chamber qualifying Triple Threat Match
also still to come your way later tonight.
[Barrett] Yeah, because the Megastar, LA Knight,
is squaring off against Big Jim, Jimmy Uso,
and SmackDown's latest acquisition,
Drew McIntyre.
They square off, Elimination Chamber,
qualifying Triple Threat Match, and it's coming up next here
on SmackDown.
Look, I'll admit…
I will admit I was impressed last week.
You have great in-ring ability.
Your ability and my expertise, you could learn so much from me.
Miz, I did.
-You did? -I learned.
-Yes, I learned… -Uh-huh.
…how to beat you.
[scoffs]
Unbelievable.
Cody! Just the guy I wanted to see.
Do you believe this young crop of talent?
They don't have the respect for guys like us.
Like these guys, they would never have our back.
Don't you worry, we're old school. I'll always have your back.
That's cool.
Miz, I don't need you to have my back.
Oh, okay, look, I get it. It's the road to WrestleMania.
Very exciting, very unpredictable.
I mean this time last year, it was your story.
The entire world was behind Cody Rhodes, but now you heard him out there.
It's Jey's story, and I get you want to be a good guy,
you want to be his friend, but we know what that title does to friendships.
Kevin Owens.
Look, I'm just saying.
What if Jey Uso chooses you? You're still gonna be his friend?
Because I gotta be honest, man.
Jey Uso versus Cody Rhodes in the main event of WrestleMania?
It's a hell of a story.
[Barrett] Well, it's a bit like the Garth Brooks song for Miz, isn't it?
Instead though, he's got friends in no places.
[Tessitore] Yeah, he's always stirring stuff up as he does so here in Memphis,
where Jimmy Hart and Jerry "the King" Lawler
forged their Hall of Fame careers.
And a future Hall of Famer getting a lot of buzz and making news this week.
This was John Cena on the Royal Rumble post-show.
So I'm announcing tonight
that I will compete in the Elimination Chamber.
And I'm saying that because after 23 years of loyal service to this company,
I feel that opportunity is earned.
I am going to Elimination Chamber to win.
And I'm going to main event my final appearance in WrestleMania
and win a 17th championship.
I will win 17, not for me.
I will win 17 to someday shake the hand of the person who wins 18.
Thank you very much.
[Tessitore] By the way, that was a master class
at the podium on Saturday night.
So Cena declares he's taken a spot in Toronto.
CM Punk won his Elimination Chamber qualifying match.
So now there are four spots available,
and we will determine the rest of that field,
including the action that we have in front of us tonight.
["Gallantry" playing]
[Tessitore] The transfer window is now closed, but not before Drew McIntyre
joined the Blue Brand.
[Barrett] Perhaps the biggest acquisition of them all by GM Nick Aldis.
[bell dings]
[Garcia] The following is a Triple Threat
Elimination Chamber qualifying match.
Introducing first from Ayr, Scotland, weighing in at 275 pounds.
Drew McIntyre!
[Tessitore] Wade, I know like many last week,
he was your pick to win the Royal Rumble.
And I know he's not happy with the way things turned out there.
[Barrett] Yeah, the man was absolutely livid
after being eliminated in the Royal Rumble.
Trashed a locker room,
got in his car, and seemingly rode off into the sunsets,
perhaps for good until Nick Aldis, an old friend from the UK,
talked Drew off a cliff and gave Drew what he deserved
if he signed for SmackDown.
A fair shake of things.
It's all Drew McIntyre has ever asked for.
Well, he's got that now, and he's got a pathway to WrestleMania if he can qualify
for the Elimination Chamber match.
And the smile has returned to the face of the Scottish Warrior after seemingly years
of being in a downward spiral.
McIntyre, for now at least,
it's all just sunshine and rainbows once again.
A fresh start here on SmackDown with a GM he actually respects.
[crowd cheers]
You know what, Memphis?
Screw Raw. Drew McIntyre's officially back on Friday Night SmackDown.
You know this past Saturday at the Rumble, after I was eliminated from behind
by a coward.
I went to the back. I was pretty angry.
I might have torn some things up, and I got in my car,
and I drove from Indy back to Nashville.
I slept in my own bed full of rage, and when I woke up in the morning,
something had came over me.
I had clarity. I had an epiphany.
I got out of my big bed in my huge house beside my hot wife,
and I looked in the mirror and I went,
"My God, you're jacked and handsome, Drew."
Why are you so angry all the time?
And I realized I'm a product of my environment.
Raw is a toxic workplace.
Everybody trying to stab you in the back, bunch of egos.
If you're a good person, trying to do the right thing and tell them the truth,
you're apparently the bad guy,
and that bald idiot Adam Pearce has no idea what he's doing.
So now I can see clearly.
I needed a solution, and that's when my phone rang.
Nick Aldis, and I've known Nick since we were teenagers, and he told me,
"Drew, I want you on SmackDown, and I promise no more BS.
You can finally be unleashed.
Drew will be allowed to be Drew 100%."
So why am I here?
I'm here for you, Cody.
Not specifically you, what you've got, what was stolen from me, what is mine.
I'm here for the WWE Championship.
-["Born A King" playing] -So--
[Barrett] Well, one twin has already booked his spot at WrestleMania.
[Uso] Is it me?
Tell me it's not just me. Tell me it ain't just me.
Every single week, though.
Every single week, though, you come out here,
you're living in the past, bro.
You're sounding like…
You sound like an ex-girlfriend.
[Tessitore chuckles]
Yeah, you're complaining, "They stole something from me."
Homey, nobody stole-- [stammers] You lost.
Aight? And you out here--
He's literally standing out here,
acting like you don't gotta earn your spot tonight, Uce.
Tonight you gotta get through me.
You gotta get through LA Knight. Tonight I'm here to earn mines.
Yeah.
That's cool.
A couple of weeks ago, I would be angry about everything you just said,
but I'm a different man.
I'm cool, Jey. Sorry, Jimmy.
-[Tessitore] Oh. -[crowd] Oh!
It's been 20 years. I can still barely tell you apart.
Actually, it must eat you up inside.
You and your brother are so similar in every single way, just as talented,
and maybe you would be where he's at right now
if you just said "yeet" first.
Hey, that's funny, Drew.
Let me remind you who's standing in front of you, bro.
You see, this is Big Bro. This is Big Jim.
If I wanted to say "yeet," I can say "yeet," watch.
-Yeet. -[crowd] Yeet!
If I wanted to say "no yeet,"
I could throw the "no" right in the front of this.
-Watch this. -[crowd] No yeet!
So let me remind you, Uce, tonight I gots to get mines.
I gotta punch my ticket.
I gotta go to Vegas, cash them chips in. I gotta get mine.
See, you're right. There is a difference.
Jey did clock his. What about yours?
[crowd] Oh!
Yeah, Uce. So if you wanna go to WrestleMania, brother,
you gotta get through Big Jim first.
Then you gotta make it to Elimination Chamber, and you gotta get through that.
But tonight I ain't living in the past.
I'm right here present, ready to kick your ass.
[crowd cheers]
Jimmy Uso. I'm going to WrestleMania, Uce.
["Welcome to LA" playing]
[Tessitore] Now the Megastar is making his presence felt.
[Barrett] Yeah!
You can't have a Triple Threat quite yet, boys.
Cut that. Cut it. Cut that.
[music ends]
Let me go and get right to this.
Jimmy Uso, Big Jim, whatever you wanna call yourself,
I ain't got any love for you.
You're the main reason that I didn't become WWE Champion
just a little over a year ago.
So I ain't got any love for you, but I ain't gonna complain about it.
I'm gonna make good on it tonight.
But if I could for a second, I do need to say this.
In my life, in my career, I want to be somebody who affects good change
before I die.
So I'm gonna speak to all the men, all the boys here in Memphis tonight
and around the world.
I mean this from the bottom of my heart.
If something arises in your life that hits you just…
It hits you in the feels and you have to cry, let it out.
It's good for your mental health.
It's good for you. It doesn't make you any less of a man.
But with that said, there is a line where it becomes too much.
There are 3 guarantees in this life, death, taxes
and Drew McIntyre crying like a damn baby.
[crowd cheers]
My God, Monday through Friday, every single week, all you do is cry.
I think that when I walked out here,
I think I heard somebody over here call you Drew McIncrier.
But let's get all the silliness out of the way.
Let's really think about this right now.
What we're talking about right now, we're talking about WrestleMania.
We're talking about Elimination Chamber, and we're talking about me giving
both of you something really to cry about, which is you two meeting
a three-count just like that.
All your WrestleMania hopes getting dashed, so it goes.
Oh, wait. I forgot to get my stuff in. Memphis, tell them whose game this is.
[crowd] LA Knight!
-Yeah! -[crowd] Yeah!
[theme music playing]
[Tessitore] Men's Elimination Chamber qualifying Triple Threat Match.
Drew, Jimmy and LA Knight…
-[Barrett] Yeah! -[Tessitore] …next!
[Tessitore] In 3 weeks, it'll be the Elimination Chamber in Toronto.
The Rogers Centre,
the home to Major League Baseball's Blue Jays,
but for right now, compelling Men's Elimination Chamber qualifying
Triple Threat Match between Drew McIntyre, Jimmy Uso, and LA Knight.
[Barrett] Well, the early goings of this one saw LA Knight and Jimmy Uso
team up together to completely neutralize McIntyre,
but that relationship now broken down,
and that plays into the hands of the massive Scotsman.
[Tessitore] Drew McIntyre officially part of the SmackDown roster.
[Barrett] Well, this is ugly as hell.
What a brawl that turned into between these two.
[Tessitore] Every which way. The big chop from Big Jim.
Good amount of tension from this group after Royal Rumble misfortunes
among these three.
Big kick from Jimmy Uso.
And the uppercut, as that sends LA Knight into the corner
and then Drew rises to his feet.
[Barrett] There is your issue in a Triple Threat matchup.
Never get too focused on either one of your opponents,
because believe me, the other guy that you've taken your eye off
is just waiting for his chance to get back in the match.
[Tessitore] See, tonight's results that happened earlier today.
Pretty Deadly earning themselves a title opportunity against DIY,
and Bianca Belair, she comes up with a Women's Elimination Chamber qualifying win
against Piper Niven.
So Liv Morgan and the EST, they are two of the six on the women's side.
Samoan drop from Jimmy Uso into the cover,
trying to get to Toronto, but of course Triple Threat action,
LA Knight quick to get there.
[Barrett] Jimmy Uso trying to shake off that perception
that he's been left behind
compared with twin brother Jey, who is now a bona fide main event singles player.
[Tessitore] And look who's still to come.
Alexa Bliss will be in action as Knight slams down Jimmy Uso.
Her first singles match since returning from a two-year absence
and then the main event that was made earlier tonight by Nick Aldis.
We will have Cody and Jey Uso against Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga.
What a night here in Memphis.
[Barrett] What a Glaswegian kiss by McIntyre
scrambling the brains of the Megastar.
McIntyre now spoiled for choice on which opponent he decides to finish off.
[Tessitore] Just that sheer power.
At 6'5, 275 pounds, chiseled.
[Barrett] And I'm still trying to get used to a Drew McIntyre
seemingly floating on cloud nine since arriving here on SmackDown.
Now with his destiny in his hands, of course, both the men's and women's
Elimination Chambers will… Winners will go on to compete for one
of the world titles at WrestleMania.
[Barrett] And I thought you did a great job of detailing the circumstances
and how enraged he was coming off of the Royal Rumble,
but yet the reset and the opportunity that Nick Aldis saw
to go out and say, "You need a fresh start."
[Barrett] Yeah, he certainly did.
I saw the state of the locker room that McIntyre smashed up there in Indianapolis.
But he's really feeling himself once again thanks to GM Aldis.
[Tessitore] Drew McIntyre, that fresh start, that confidence
as he's in control here.
Triple Threat Match, an opportunity to make it to Elimination Chamber.
Oh, flying right out. Suicide dive out into the floor by Big Jim!
[Barrett] And immediately capitalizing is the Megastar LA Knight.
And there's a lot of danger outside this ring.
[Tessitore] Just slamming Drew's head into our announce desk.
This bigger, newer reinforced announce desk that has very little give to it.
[Barrett] That cleared mind of McIntyre might be ringing in his ears right now.
And now Jimmy Uso gets a taste for good measure.
[Tessitore] LA Knight taking it out on Jimmy Uso.
And one more for good measure.
Who will make it to Toronto? Don't go anywhere.
[Tessitore] Back here on Friday Night SmackDown.
A big chop from Drew McIntyre
into the chest of Jimmy Uso in this Men's Elimination Chamber qualifying match.
A Triple Threat match with McIntyre, Jimmy Uso and LA Knight.
So much on the line.
The winner will join John Cena and CM Punk as we fill out
the entrants for the Men's Elimination Chamber, three weeks in Toronto.
McIntyre up high. The road to WrestleMania is underway.
[Barrett] All three superstars looking incredibly worn out
as we are getting to the business end of this matchup.
Can Big Jim get the job done here?
-[Tessitore] Has a chance here. -Shut up the naysayers.
[Tessitore] LA Knight works his way back in.
Of course, so much on the line with the roar to win this match.
But, Wade, the two guys who don't win this Triple Threat,
their road to Mania becomes that much harder.
[Barrett] Yeah, incredibly murky for those that do not progress through.
[Tessitore] Would you look at that?
[Barrett] Feel the kavorka in the air.
-Oh, no! -[Tessitore] Wow!
Box jump top rope, superplex with something added by McIntyre
to send both Jimmy Uso and LA Knight flying,
and everybody's laid out.
[Barrett] Well, Drew McIntyre, such a domineering presence,
even when down and seemingly out, tied up in the rope, still managing to
pull off that-- Essentially a double German suplex.
[Tessitore] It's incredible.
I mean, from that compromise position to have that level of core power.
For McIntyre to do that after Knight had the box jump
top rope superplex cinched in.
[Barrett] Well, LA Knight saw his name up in lights on that one.
Felt the kavorka in the air.
But Drew McIntyre did not like the scent, and he's looking to mangle the Megastar.
-Attempt at a Future Shock DDT is denied. -[Tessitore] Oh, and instead it's Knight!
[Barrett] Planting straight on the top of the Scotsman's head,
who is now in the drop zone, starry-eyed…
-[crowd] LA Knight! Yeah! -[Barrett] …and without hope.
[Tessitore] The leaping elbow from Knight
for the win,
and Jimmy Uso comes in.
[Barrett] Well, just in the nick of time from Jimmy Uso.
Take another look at this
bull's eye elbow drop there from LA Knight at 2.99.
Jimmy Uso, who is highly adept at breaking up pins
from his many years in the tag ranks, clearly got his timing spot on there.
[Tessitore] Big Jim. Put Knight up top.
Looking for BFT but instead Spine Buster, jackknife.
[Barrett] And that was a weak kick out there from the Megastar.
The smile fully gone from the face of McIntyre now.
He is in the zone. This is the no-mercy era of Drew McIntyre,
who has to be closing in on victory now.
[Tessitore] And the kick up, and the determination,
that look in his face.
Center on those eyes, you see it all.
[Barrett] Well, the busted up ribs of McIntyre
clearly causing some major issues,
wants to finish this as quickly as possible, this is it.
[Tessitore] Claymore to find your way to the Elimination Chamber,
instead it's a Super Kick.
[Barrett] Just beaten to the shot by Big Jim. And now we're down to two.
[Tessitore] And now a big chance for LA Knight.
[Barrett] Telegraph the backdrop.
[Tessitore] But Jimmy Uso still rallying here, Super Kick.
Will Jimmy Uso find his way into the Elimination Chamber?
His brother won the Rumble.
And now Big Jim's trying to get to Toronto.
McIntyre pulls out the referee!
[Barrett] And pulls away Jimmy Uso's dream
of going to Toronto at the Elimination Chamber.
How smart was that from McIntyre?
Had no chance of breaking the pin up, and it's legal in this match.
[Tessitore] And McIntyre is laid out over our announce desk.
[Barrett] No mistakes the second time around for Big Jimmy Uso.
[Tessitore] Back up top, looking for the splash.
Instead he eats the knees, roll up by LA Knight.
And the kick out somehow, someway.
[Barrett] Well, that extra beat that it took Charles Robinson,
the referee, to get in-- Oh, BFT attempt!
[Tessitore] Oh, man! That was a claymore in the midst of a BFT attempt.
Both men laid out. This to get to the Elimination Chamber, and he does.
["Gallantry" playing]
[Garcia] Here is your winner, Drew McIntyre.
[Tessitore] A 2-for-1 Claymore, Wade.
[Barrett] Well, that's what you have to do in a Triple Threat match up, beat two men.
A BFT connecting in part thanks to Drew McIntyre's Claymore to the back
of the skull of the Megastar LA Knight.
And now a third spot in the Elimination Chamber for the men is filled.
[Tessitore] And Jimmy was so close to making his dream come true.
[Barrett] Well, this was the moment Charles Robinson got the 1, 2.99,
pulled out of the way by McIntyre,
who might be the smartest man in the building. Take two.
The Megastar got his knees up.
That little beat that it took Charles Robinson
to get back in the ring cost him.
And here we went for the BFT.
From behind though, McIntyre with the claymore
to the back of the head of the Megastar.
Pick which man you want to pin. They're both unconscious.
McIntyre is going to the Elimination Chamber
where he now joins John Cena and, of course, CM Punk,
who qualified against Sami Zayn this week on Raw.
Those are three big hitters with three spots left to fill.
[Tessitore] Half the field is set.
It'll be in that massive stadium setting at the Rogers Center,
home to the Blue Jays, with a chance for a championship match at WrestleMania.
What a match that was. McIntyre's headed to Toronto.
Damian Priest, we just watched Drew McIntyre qualify
for the Elimination Chamber match,
but I would love to get your reaction to what we just saw.
He's having a great day, Byron.
If he wasn't, he'd be complaining on the Internet by now, but whatever.
He's in the Chamber.
I get to go to the Chamber, eliminate him just like I eliminated his ass
-from the Rumble. -[Strowman] Priest, Priest, Priest.
While, I appreciate your enthusiasm, my friend,
you're putting the carriage in front of the horses.
You gotta qualify for Elimination Chamber and, well, next week… [chuckles]
…you're in the ring with two of the biggest and baddest
that WWE has to offer.
Yeah, I'm well aware, big man,
you and I have both walked out of WrestleMania as champion.
Jacob, he's gonna walk out of WrestleMania as champ one day.
But I'm gonna beat the both of you so I go to WrestleMania
and face the current champion.
[chuckles]
I think you're overlooking the fact, my friend, that you're not in the ring
with two normal human beings.
You're in the ring with a wild animal next week.
But you're also in the ring with a Monster.
[scoffs]
I'm not overlooking anything.
[chuckles]
[theme music playing]
[Tessitore] Well, this is what happened on Monday night.
Kevin Owens dealing with the loss in the ladder match to Cody Rhodes
and the Package Pile Driver he put forth on Sami Zayn.
We'll take a look back at Raw. We will hear from Kevin Owens.
That's next.
[Cole] What a match.
CM Punk joins John Cena as two of the six men who will be
in the Elimination Chamber match.
The disappointment of Zayn. CM Punk, offering a show of respect.
Oh, wait a minute! Kevin Owens!
[McAfee] The hell is he attacking Sami Zayn for?
No, no, no! Come on, Kevin. Not this!
[high-pitched whine]
[high-pitched whine ends]
We've been through a lot, me and you over the years. A lot.
But I don't think we've ever been through anything like what happened on Saturday.
You see these scars, these stitches,
these scars that I'm always gonna have on my face?
And-And the trauma that you can't see but that I can feel.
To my neck a-and my spine, the pain I've been in all week…
[stammers] …that I still… that I'm still experiencing right now
and I'm… it's probably never gonna go away completely.
I'm gonna have to live with that. And it's all your fault.
Because, Sami, you stood there and watched
while Cody tried to end my career.
Worse, you know, I think he was actually trying to end my…
Uh…
A-And you stood there and did nothing.
And then later on I watched the Royal Rumble match and what do I see
but you rushing to the aid of Roman Reigns
'cause someone's beating him up in the corner.
But for me… for me you did nothing.
[sniffles]
You're a horrible friend.
You're a disgusting human being.
And I'll… I'll never forgive you, never.
But I am going to make you pay.
[laughs]
You're gonna pay.
Wade, in recent months we have had numerous times
where it's hard to understand the actions and the thinking of Kevin Owens.
This is another instance of that.
Well, it was about as indignant and self-righteous as possible
after what he did to Sami Zayn this past Monday on Raw,
leaving Sami Zayn as a complete wreck.
Yeah, let's give you a medical update when it comes to Sami Zayn.
He's out indefinitely. He has spinal compression.
He's dealing with extreme nerve damage, and that is because of what was delivered.
That Package Pile Driver from Kevin Owens, and you just heard Kevin Owens' response.
["Shoooosh" playing]
[Tessitore] Oh, here's one of the surprises of the night.
The incredibly likable and well-respected Akira Tozawa.
[bell dings]
[Garcia] The following contest is set for one fall.
Introducing first, from Kobe, Japan, weighing in at 156 pounds,
representing Alpha Academy,
Akira Tozawa.
[Tessitore] Wade, he was invited here to SmackDown for this one single match.
That's after the circumstances he endured at Royal Rumble.
[Barrett] Yeah, that's because Carmelo Hayes,
who had an incredibly impressive stint in the Royal Rumble after his elimination,
got very upset and took his frustrations out on Akira Tozawa
as he was making his entrance.
Now as Akira Tozawa was taken out, there was a certain somebody.
IShowSpeed just happened to be in the right place,
perhaps at the wrong time,
was sent to the ring by Triple H and be careful what you dream about kids,
things were going oh, so well for the YouTube superstar
until one of the most devastating spears in history connected on IShowSpeed
by the Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker.
-Pretty much breaking IShowSpeed in half… -[Tessitore] Yeah.
…and it went viral, Joe.
[Tessitore] Breaking the Internet as well.
The clip is soaring past 300 million views.
The most viewed Royal Rumble social post of all time.
Triple H sending IShowSpeed out there and then Bron Breakker wrecking him.
That spear on Speed that nearly cut him in half.
[Barrett] Well, millions of fans around the world saw that
and decided, no, I definitely do not want to be a WWE Superstar.
["Melo Don't Miss" playing]
♪ I'm at the top Get respect while I get feared ♪
And here is Carmelo Hayes.
♪ 'Cause I'm the greatest No arguing or debating ♪
♪ He in my face Then I'm obviously gonna break him ♪
♪ I ain't never run from challenges I handle 'em and face 'em ♪
Hey, Tozawa.
I know you're not talking about air balls looking like Cody Rhodes got left
in the dryer too long.
'Cause let me tell you one thing about me.
When I shoot, I don't miss.
And when I'm in Memphis, they call me Ja Morant.
But the big difference between me and Ja is that if there was an all-star team,
I'd be selected.
[Tessitore] Oh, this guy.
I mean, he's conceited to a level beyond belief.
And a level of self-importance that overtakes so much of the early stages
of his SmackDown career.
As they are right to action,
and you know that Tozawa is gonna attach a little emotion to it
after what happened in Indy.
[Barrett] Well, that was a big mistake by Carmelo Hayes.
If you do a mischief
to a man like Carmelo Hayes did to Tozawa at the Royal Rumble,
-vengeance should be swift. -[bell dings]
Although Tozawa knocked out of his cleats there by Carmelo Hayes.
[Tessitore] Got the big boots up and then goes flying.
Tozawa, so springy and athletic and quick.
And cross body out onto the floor.
Great start from Akira Tozawa.
[Hayes whimpering]
[Tessitore] Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett with you on a loaded card
on Friday Night SmackDown here in Memphis, Tennessee.
Tozawa and Carmelo Hayes in the midst of their match.
Only the second time they've ever met.
The first time all the way back in March of 2023.
But this is a match that came about based on what happened
at the Royal Rumble last Saturday night in Indianapolis
when Hayes attacked Tozawa and cost him his opportunity
to participate in the Royal Rumble.
[Barrett] Ill tempered matchup thus far, of course, after how we got here,
but Melo has taken a lot of L's of late here on SmackDown,
a good chance to turn things around here…
against this wise-cracking ninja that is Tozawa.
[Tessitore] Yeah, Carmelo's been in against top talent throughout--
as he gets sent into the corner--
he's been in against Jimmy Uso and Damian Priest.
[Barrett] Melo did a nice job of trying to block that,
but ultimately eating the bottom turnbuckle,
and Tozawa may well be about to turn this thing around.
[Tessitore] Oh, my, oh, my! What an opportunity for Tozawa here.
Hooks the leg!
And the kick out at 2.
[Barrett] And I'll tell you this, Tozawa is seen by some in the locker room
as a weak link.
Someone to take advantage of if you need to blow off some steam,
and clearly Melo felt that way.
Well, Melo is now regretting that line of thinking,
and we may be about to feel the power of Tozawa.
[Tessitore] Tozawa up top.
He's gone for the top rope senton before.
But here comes Carmelo Hayes into the cover.
[referee] One, two…
[Tessitore] Instead of looking into the camera,
how about he puts a little more effort into that cover
and now he's beating down Tozawa.
[Barrett] Well, Melo, we've talked about him taking a lot of L's.
He was a big fish in a smaller pond in NXT.
Now he's a smaller fish in an ocean full of sharks.
But those teeth of Melo are growing by the week.
Oh, no!
[Tessitore] Look at Tozawa.
[Barrett] May have lost a few teeth on that kick.
[Tessitore] Big kick from Tozawa and shredding the shirt.
Alpha Academy spirit coming through here. He's gonna go for it again.
[Barrett] Well, this is part of Tozawa's problem,
sometimes he gets a little too over enthusiastic,
bites off more than he can chew and costs himself in the process.
You can't take that much time against someone as good as Carmelo Hayes.
[Tessitore] Tozawa doing his best to deny Hayes that opportunity.
[Barrett] Tozawa almost always the smallest man in the fight.
What a nice power bomb.
[crowd] One, two…
[Tessitore] And getting that right shoulder up
with a split second to spare is Carmelo Hayes.
[Barrett] Well, Carmelo Hayes looked like he was completely out,
glassy-eyed after this connection.
Power bomb there off the ropes from Tozawa, such a late kick out,
just the fingertips of the referee.
Briefly scraping the mat, not quite enough, and it's Tozawa's to win now.
-[Tessitore] Here's the roll up by Hayes. -One, two…
Tozawa able to free himself and counters it.
[referee] One, two…
[Barrett] Well, Melo thought this was gonna be a walk in the park,
he was badly mistaken.
Or was he?
A leaping DDT, expert timing, precision movement,
and now going up top.
We've seen this before, Joe Tess.
[Tessitore] Nothing But Net is lined up.
And delivered.
[referee] One, two, three!
[Tessitore] And the win for Carmelo Hayes.
[Garcia] Here is your winner, Carmelo Hayes!
[Barrett] Well, not an air ball in sight for Carmelo Hayes,
who is back to winning ways after one hell of a fight there from Tozawa.
But could that be the moment that things turn around for him?
Take another look at this leaping DDT.
You need all the time and a precision movement in the world
to pull that off, Joe.
[Tessitore] Listen, I thought Tozawa acquitted himself very well
throughout most of this match, Wade.
[Barrett] It was a hell of a fight.
No doubt in Tozawa's abilities,
but this man, who has perhaps as bright a future as anyone,
is now gloating and rubbing salt in the wounds like only he can.
Tell 'em to step here.
[Cole] Roman trying to eliminate Seth Rollins.
Seth is hanging on. Seth still hanging on.
And now CM Punk eliminates both men.
[Barrett] Wait a second.
[McAfee] Punk's out.
[Cole] Rollins with a stomp to Roman!
And now a brawl!
Somebody separate these two.
Rollins is stalking Paul Heyman.
You saw the look of concern of the fans there in Indianapolis
with what happened to Roman Reigns, the stomps from Seth Rollins.
Now, the status of Roman Reigns is still open to speculation.
We reached out to his Wiseman, Paul Heyman, multiple times throughout the week
to try to get some sort of an update, and we have yet to receive a reply
regarding the situation of the health status of Roman Reigns.
Still to come right here on SmackDown:
All hail the queen,
the 14-time world champion, the legend who worked so incredibly hard
to get back stronger than ever.
We will hear from the 2025 Royal Rumble winner.
Charlotte Flair is coming up next.
Barbecue ribs are unbelievable, my man.
Of course it's also an unbelievable scene in the industry.
16th SmackDown that Memphis has hosted, 3 PLEs here,
and we've set up rich history going back decades in Memphis, Tennessee.
[Barrett] Well, Joe Tess, I got to tell you.
A few of us have worn crowns in this industry.
Deep down we know there is only one true king, the Hall of Famer,
Memphis' own Jerry "The King" Lawler is in the house
and what a thrill it is to catch up with the legend himself
each and every time we're in his home of Memphis, Tennessee.
Great to see you, Jerry.
[Tessitore] Great reception here at FedEx Forum.
Got it. I got him. I got him.
-I got him, ref. I got him. I got him. -Sure? Okay.
Hey, like my childhood hero John Cena say, you never give up, Tozawa.
Bro, you just gotta learn how to…
[thuds]
Jey!
-What up, Uce. -Oh, congratulations, Uce.
-Thanks. -I always saw you as a king, bro.
Now you king of the ring.
Royal Rumble winner, Uce.
-That too? -Yeah, man.
I think you check on your boy, man.
Oh, man, he yeeted on himself. I gotta go.
Bro, what?
How you feeling about WrestleMania?
Man, I'd like to go face-to-face with you at WrestleMania, Uce.
Also got some personal beef with Gunther.
So I like to beat him too.
I'm just undecided, Uce.
[Tessitore] Big decision for Jey.
Of course for the women's winner of the Royal Rumble,
the record book entries just keep getting longer and longer for Charlotte Flair.
Now the first woman to win multiple Royal Rumbles.
["All Hail The Queen" playing]
[Garcia] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the 2025 Women's Royal Rumble winner,
Charlotte Flair!
[Tessitore] Wade, you, Pat and Cole were on the call there
in Indianapolis for Charlotte's big moment.
And yes, give credit to Roxanne Perez for going the distance,
but in the end there was no denying Charlotte Flair.
[Barrett] Yeah, here are the closing moments
of the women's Royal Rumble match.
The monstrous Nia Jax and NXT's prodigy Roxanne Perez were doing battle,
but it was the returning Charlotte Flair, who reigned supreme.
Lasting all the way through and finishing off Roxanne Perez at the death,
once again, booking her ticket to the main event of WrestleMania.
[Tessitore] Remember how direct she was with her messaging
on the Royal Rumble post show,
and she said, "I'm gonna make the rounds.
I'm gonna see the champions and look to feel inspired with my pick."
Who will be her WrestleMania 41 opponent?
[Barrett] Well, for many this is the greatest female competitor of all time
and results wise, she certainly backs a strong case to that claim.
Hi, Memphis.
So what's it gonna be tonight?
Do you love me?
Or do you hate me?
[crowd booing]
See, when you boo, you know what I hear?
Money.
See, you guys can't make up your minds and that's good
because I live rent free in everyone's minds.
I am wrestling's obsession.
You're obsessed with my looks.
Obsessed with my championships.
Obsessed with my last name.
Obsessed with everything Charlotte Flair.
See, I know what you're thinking.
You think that I think because my last name is Flair
that I'm better than everyone.
Well, here's the thing, that's not the only reason that I think
that I'm better than everyone.
Did you actually think I was gonna be gone for 14 months and not come back
and win the Women's Royal Rumble?
Did you actually think that I was not gonna come back and make history?
I entered the Women's Royal Rumble on February 1st, 2025
with 29 unserious women.
There was no way that I was going over the top rope.
So here's the thing, I became the first ever two-time women's Royal Rumble winner
and punched my ticket to WrestleMania.
So here we are on my time, and I wanna feel inspired
so I went to Raw and I saw Rhea Ripley.
[crowd cheers]
I went into NXT and wanted to see if Giulia would inspire me.
So here I am now on SmackDown and I wanna see it Tiffany--
[Tiffany Stratton] It's Tiffy time.
["Tiffy Time" playing]
♪ Drop, I'm going in Bass so loud its in my skin ♪
[Barrett] Well, waiting in the wings apparently was
the WWE women's champ, Tiffany Stratton.
[Tessitore] Yeah, and as for all that's changed
since Charlotte was away recovering, rehabbing that knee injury,
look no further, Wade, than the rocket ride of the past year for Tiffy Time.
[Barrett] Well, listen, Joe, people love playing fantasy general manager
-on social media. -[Tessitore] Oh, yeah.
This has to be one of the most common fantasy book matches
of the past 12 months.
The number one from the past ten years, Charlotte Flair,
versus the number one of the now, Tiffany Stratton.
We may see this match up at WrestleMania.
[Tessitore] It is always talked about, to your point, in those circles.
[theme music fades]
[crowd chanting] Tiffy time! Tiffy time!
Tiffy time! Tiffy time!
First of all, Charlotte, I just wanna say congratulations and welcome back.
Honestly, nobody, and I mean nobody
is a bigger Charlotte Flair fan than me.
And I honestly thought that WWE couldn't even survive without you,
and then you got injured and everybody cared.
For like a day.
And then I came along and ticket sales were up, buildings were selling out
and WWE is hotter than it's ever been.
And guess who's at the top of that?
Me.
Did you say something?
Sweetheart, you speak when I say you can speak.
[crowd] Oh!
And if you think there's not other women claiming to be on top,
you need to just get in line.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, Charlotte.
I have been in line.
Since the moment I debuted on TV, I have been compared to you.
Tiffany Stratton, a Charlotte Flair wannabe.
Tiffany Stratton, the next Charlotte Flair.
So pick me.
Because at my first WrestleMania, I'm gonna beat you
and I will no longer be the next Charlotte Flair.
I will be the one and the only Tiffany Stratton.
[crowd chanting] Tiffy time! Tiffy time! Tiffy time!
Tiffy time! Tiffy time!
You know, when I was in…
You know, when I was in the ring with Rhea, I saw a kid.
When I'm standing here with you, I see a child,
begging me to make her a star at WrestleMania.
So I'll tell you what, Tiffy, if you want me to choose you,
you need to do one thing for me.
You need to get on your hands and knees and beg me
to choose you.
["Not Like Most Girls" playing]
[Tessitore] Well, the former champ who Tiffany cashed in on,
wants a little of that championship chatter.
♪ Look it up I'm written down in history ♪
♪ Take a look, you'll see I'm an anomaly ♪
Now this blondie back and forth is really cute and all,
but it's a little premature.
-Right, Candice? -Oh, yeah.
Why?
Um, 'cause you're gonna be champion again.
Oh, that's right.
[clicks tongue] Okay, so I spoke to Nick Aldis earlier,
and he and I both agreed
that instead of me facing five other women in the Elimination Chamber,
I just have to face one next week.
Oh, you're so sweet.
That's right, Tiffy.
You and I are going one-on-one
for that WWE Women's Championship that you stole from me.
So, Charlotte, if you wanna become women's champion at WrestleMania,
you're gonna have to go through me.
Oh, well, this looks like it just got interesting,
so I think I'm gonna stick around and watch next week to see what happens.
[theme music playing]
[Tessitore] Oh, it got a lot more interesting.
[Barrett] Oh.
Well, it sounds like Nia Jax has got a championship opportunity
against Tiffany Stratton next week, but wow!
[Tessitore] A signature leather jacket.
She is back. Alexa Bliss.
What an instant impact, and you hear the roar of the crowd.
A couple of years away, and now right back in the mix of it all.
Bliss is in elimination qualifier against Candice LeRae.
That's coming up next.
Alexa Bliss, her first singles match since returning from a two-year absence.
Bianca Belair, and that's the last opponent that Bliss faced
in singles action, Wade.
January 28th of 2023 and now returns.
[Barrett] Yeah, that's a hell of a long layoff,
but I will say in terms of Alexa Bliss,
she was out of the game a long time,
left the industry to go and create some life, but showed zero signs of fatigue
or ring rust in the Royal Rumble match.
What was probably the most shocking return of them all at the Rumble.
Social media was ablaze with Bliss being done for good,
but, in a puff of smoke, there she was.
And I thought perhaps that was her chances of qualification
in the Elimination Chamber also going up in smoke.
[Tessitore] Alexa had arguably one of the biggest crowd reactions of the night,
as LeRae hooks the leg.
She entered the women's Royal Rumble as entrant number 21.
Tried to shoulder tackle Liv Morgan off the apron.
Raquel Rodriguez got involved lifting Alexa over the top rope
and then Liv, with a Codebreaker on the apron
that eventually eliminated Alexa Bliss.
[Barrett] Now Nia Jax, who is the wing woman to Candice LeRae of late,
has headed to the back presumably to rubber stamp the contract
for a championship match with Tiffany Stratton next week
that has been confirmed by GM Nick Aldis.
Jax clearly has full confidence in Candice LeRae beating an opponent
who's been out for the past two years, and right now Candice LeRae
is doing a hell of a job in that ring.
[Tessitore] She really is just stretching her out
driving that knee into the small of the back, arching back the neck and the leg.
Is Candice LeRae.
Candice LeRae herself came into the Royal Rumble six days ago as number 23,
tried to sneak up on Trish Stratus.
Eliminated by the Hall of Famer.
[Barrett] And I'll say this, Candice LeRae is a 20-year veteran.
We've only relatively recently here on SmackDown started to see the best of her.
She's started getting a lot more opportunities since ingratiating herself
to the former champ Nia Jax,
but she's gonna need all of those 20 years of experience
to try to combat one of the most mystical and perplexing individuals in the history
of the women's division in Alexa Bliss.
[Tessitore] Bliss turns things around for a moment against LeRae.
Well, Bliss just has that ability to keep opponents guessing.
You never quite know what is going through the mind of Alexa Bliss.
Tried to climb up to that top rope. Of course, some of her best work
through the years off the top rope, but LeRae quick to meet her there.
[Barrett] Well, this is smart from LeRae, if you have got an opponent who perhaps
has a little bit of ring rust left in them from a long layoff, pick up the pace,
go hell for leather, catch 'em napping.
[Tessitore] Wade, you mentioned ring rust.
How real is it when you have this kind of an absence?
[Barrett] Well, I'll tell you from my own career two months out,
I would get ring rust.
You would start to get fatigue, and I don't care how long you
spend on a treadmill, you simply cannot get your ring wind up without matches…
[Tessitore] Oh, my! Oh, my! [Barrett] …at the top level.
And that was fantastic from Candice LeRae
who's now in full control of this Elimination Chamber qualifying matchup.
[referee] One!
[Tessitore] First time there's ever been a one-on-one match
between Alexa Bliss and Candice LeRae,
and it comes with high stakes as Elimination Chamber qualifying match
to see who can make their way to Toronto
and hope to punch their ticket to a championship match
as we are on the road to WrestleMania.
Two of the six spots have already been determined
for the women's chamber.
Liv Morgan and then earlier tonight Bianca Belair
coming up with a win against Piper Niven.
[Barrett] And now the five-time world champion, Alexa Bliss,
starting to answer some of those questions.
How good can you be after two years on the shelf?
-One, two… -[Tessitore] LeRae hooks the leg.
-And the kick out by Bliss. -[Barrett] What version of Alexa Bliss
are we receiving here?
A very strange entity to deal with.
Not someone you can exactly go find
and ask questions about what are your motivations here?
Clearly the goal is to get back to the very top.
You look stupid.
[Tessitore] And now Candice LeRae is just mocking her and bullying her,
asking certain questions of herself after a two-year absence.
[Barrett] Get the job done and talk trash later.
A huge error from LeRae.
[Tessitore] And you can see what it brings out in Alexa Bliss.
[Barrett] Awoken that most twisted side of Alexa Bliss
that every opponent fears.
And this task just got a whole hell of a lot harder for Candice LeRae.
[Tessitore] After LeRae was in control.
But rising up is Bliss.
[Barrett] It's pulled out that most sinister, ominous side of Alexa Bliss
that has taken her to multiple world championships in the past
-and may well do so again soon. -[Tessitore] Oh!
-One, two… -[Tessitore] Into the cover.
Trying to get to the Elimination Chamber, this qualifying match had great action,
spirited competition all night long to see our competitors advance to Toronto.
[Barrett] So many sides to Alexa Bliss, a former saccharin sweet superstar
with some incredibly dark corners to her mind.
But Candice LeRae knows a thing or two about a thing or two
and is pulling out all the stops here.
LeRae up top, Missile Dropkick.
-Went to the cover. -One, two…
[Tessitore] Able to get that shoulder up.
See the frustration mounting for LeRae.
[Barrett] Well, it would be the biggest moment of Candice LeRae's long career
if she can qualify for the Elimination Chamber
in Toronto three weeks from tomorrow,
and you feel she is inching that much closer as the seconds tick by.
LeRae's never competed in the Elimination Chamber…
-One, two… -[Tessitore] Roll up.
One, two…
[Tessitore] Back and forth they go.
Round and round in the center. Look at this.
[Barrett] Well, this is just mind games from Alexa Bliss,
tying up Candice LeRae in knots, keeping her guessing.
But it's Candice LeRae who strikes first.
[Tessitore] Former NXT champion.
Oh, my!
Abigail DDT!
[crowd] One, two, three!
[bell dings]
[Garcia] Here is your winner,
Alexa Bliss!
[Barrett] Well, just when Candice LeRae built up a maximum head of steam,
it was the very best or perhaps the worst side of Alexa Bliss that came to the fore,
connecting with the Abigail DDT.
Shades of her past propelling her to her future.
And now it's Alexa Bliss that has joined the fray in the Elimination Chamber match
alongside Liv Morgan,
and Bianca Belair.
Three down, three to go.
[Tessitore] It was only six days ago that she made her return.
Now she's headed to the Elimination Chamber.
Major congratulations to Alexa Bliss
on qualifying for the women's Elimination Chamber match.
Unfortunately, the same can't be said for at least one of my guests, Piper Niven.
However, you, Chelsea Green, will have a chance next week
-if you beat Naomi. -Ah, uh-oh.
It's not if, Byron, it's when.
First I'm gonna beat Naomi,
then I'm gonna head to the Elimination Chamber
where I'm gonna beat all those other nasty girls,
and then myself, my Secret "Hervice,"
and my motorcade are gonna sail off into the sunset
that is WrestleMania where I become double champ-- first ever.
-Obviously. -[imitating tires squealing]
Speaking of Elimination Chamber, you eliminating me in the Royal Rumble.
It's not in the back of my mind, but it's in the front.
And you might make it into the Elimination Chamber,
but you also might not be champion.
Stop stalling. We all know the inevitable.
The inevitable I pound your face in.
Nasty, nasty little girl.
Hmm. Yeah. We can make that fit.
Hey, guys, so since I'm on SmackDown now,
maybe it's time that I get a chance at that title too. [chuckles]
What is going on here?
[scoffs]
Piper, I told you to get a bigger security detail, so find it!
How many people hate you?
-Find someone. -[groans]
[Tessitore] Coming up next, a dream marquee making main event.
Samoan Werewolf stepped to Jey Uso earlier tonight.
Now they get after it in tag team action.
The undisputed champ Cody Rhodes joins Jey to take on Fatu and Tama Tonga.
That is right ahead.
[Tessitore] Memphis, Tennessee, home of the blues, but nothing to be blue about
for our big winners tonight, especially Bianca Belair,
who makes her way to Elimination Chamber.
Pretty Deadly is gonna get a title shot.
Drew McIntyre is headed to Toronto for his path on the road to WrestleMania.
Moments ago we saw Alexa Bliss add her name to the list,
and Carmelo Hayes comes up with a win against Tozawa.
You ready for Signs of the Night, Wade Barrett?
[Barrett] I'm always ready for Signs of the Night
and so are my lawyers, so be very careful, Memphis.
They have brought so much energy here tonight.
Just here for Cody Rhodes. Well, you got more than you bargained for.
He's still gonna be in our main event later on.
Yeet mania, it's pretty much been a year of sheer yeeting
and it continues all the way to the showcase of the Immortals.
Michael Cole versus Uncle Howdy.
-Yes, please, sign me up. -[Tessitore] Please, please.
[Dawkins] What?
You thought you was gonna win the tag team championships and not see us?
Motor City, we wouldn't even be in this position right now
if you didn't give our opportunity away.
DIY, your days are numbered, 'cause we coming for you.
Every time The Street Profits get close to the tag team titles,
somebody just wants to show up.
Somebody wants to appear out of nowhere.
Somebody just wants to screw us over.
Well, no more.
Life's a crutch and y'all can finally say y'all saw me walking around on this thing.
Ooh, whoo!
Oh, I love that, the passion!
I see it. I feel it. I know it.
Congratulations, you've officially pissed off The Street Profits,
but you know what we don't like?
All of these strangers coming in here making shots
like they've been here the whole time.
How many brothers and tag teams are we gonna see turn on each other just for them
to mend back together because they know the grass isn't green on the other side.
So sad.
We've always been together. We're gonna stay together.
And this violence will be televised.
God have mercy on your souls, because we won't.
Smoke.
I'm currently standing by with Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley,
the Motor City Machine Guns.
Gentlemen, we know the Royal Rumble has come and gone.
We just saw those harsh comments from The Street Profits as well.
Have you guys had a chance to process what took place?
Yeah, Byron. We have.
We've had a chance to process everything.
What happened at the Rumble,
what the Profits just said.
Well, if this is your backyard, come and kick us out
'cause we're standing right in the middle of it.
Look, the Royal Rumble was the biggest match of our career.
And, DIY, we had you beat. We would be the WWE tag team champions--
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Not so fast.
What you two need to do is stop complaining and get over it.
[speaks Spanish]
Just let it go. You lost.
It's time for new teams to step up on the plate.
Yeah, I think it's funny you talk about stepping up
because last week when we needed you to step up, what'd you do?
-No, no, no. -You walked out.
-You were the selfish one. -[wrestlers clamoring]
Hey, hey, hey!
You two couldn't take the heat, so you got out of the kitchen.
Now, if you want to step up to the Machine Guns' plate, then you can--
Fight? Is that what you were about to say?
-Yeah, that is what I was gonna say. -Gentlemen, caballeros.
I understand your frustration. I really do.
In fact, no one is more upset with the Profits than Legado Del Fantasma.
Reason being the Street Profits started the whole mess
by attacking us for no reason.
I know you remember that.
That, on top of all the opportunities ripped off of our hands
puts me, us, but especially these two gentlemen really frustrated.
So if it's a fight you're looking for.
You got it. Next week, be prepared.
Bye-bye.
I think the entire tag team division is angry right now.
Of course the Street Profits, a week ago, at Royal Rumble, attacking both teams
that were in the title match.
Montez Ford posting pictures on X and simply writing,
"We're beating all the allegations."
All right, Wade, next week we're gonna be in Washington DC for SmackDown.
Continue to fill out the Elimination Chamber
and also a very attractive title match.
Well, the show is already lining up to be an absolute banger, while the champ,
Tiffany Stratton is gonna put the gold on the line against the former champ
and her former mentor, the woman she cashed the money
in the bank briefcase in on, Nia Jax.
[Tessitore] Hey, Chelsea Green was by Piper Niven's side earlier tonight.
Now she gets her own chance to make it to Toronto.
The US champ faces Naomi in Elimination Chamber qualifier.
That is next week on SmackDown.
[Barrett] And this might be my all-time favorite prospective match.
-Can only be described… -Wow.
-…as the match made in meaty hell. -Wow.
[Barrett] A spot in the Elimination Chamber up for grabs
as Damian Priest, Braun Strowman and Jacob Fatu collide
in triple threat action next week on SmackDown.
[Priest] I don't need to tell you who I am.
I ain't taking a backseat for nobody.
That bell rings.
I don't know your ass.
[Tessitore] Damian Priest, a force to be reckoned with.
[Barrett] When you get momentum like Damian Priest has,
it is hard to stop.
Y'all better be ready for punishment because anarchy
has arrived.
[Tessitore] That's one big SOB!
[Strowman] I am not someone that's easy to miss.
[Tessitore] This man is massive.
Braun Strowman is absolutely unstoppable right now.
[Strowman] The last thing you want is to get in my ring.
I'm about to beat your ass from post to post.
[Tessitore] Jacob Fatu is an absolute menace.
[Fatu] You ain't never been in the ring with nobody like me.
[Barrett] The most volatile, lawless individual
in the history of this industry.
[Fatu] I'm just getting started!
♪ Uso ♪
["Main Event Ish" playing]
[Tessitore] Remember how the night started?
Well, Memphis set to yeet like they've never yeet before.
♪ It's just me, Uce ♪
♪ Day One It's just me, Uce ♪
♪ Day One It's Jey ♪
♪ Line 'em all up And knock em down like this ♪
[crowd chanting continues] Ey, ey, ey!
[Tessitore] It's only five months ago Jey Uso was trying to break through
for his first singles title win.
That was an upset.
But to think the roster of living legends he surpassed at Royal Rumble,
the unexpected rocket ride of Jey Uso somehow flies higher.
[Garcia] The following tag team contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from San Francisco, California, weighing in at 242 pounds,
Main Event, Jey Uso!
[Barrett] Simply an indefatigable audience here in Memphis who are yeeting nonstop,
bringing the energy and the hype for the Royal Rumble winner, Jey Uso.
[Tessitore] It's Jey and Cody Rhodes back together.
The Rumble winner, the Undisputed WWE Champ
against Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga next.
[Tessitore] Put it on your sports fan bucket list.
If you have the chance, take the chance to experience
what it's like to yeet with the WWE universe.
[Barrett] Oh, hold on, Joe Tess, five minutes straight yeeting for Jey Uso.
-[Tessitore] Yes. -[Barrett] Try that at home.
Feel the lactic acid build up in your shoulders
and then think to yourself,
imagine you now have to fight Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu.
[Tessitore] Yes, that's the pressing concern,
how he approaches this instantly heated tag team showdown.
He has a decision to make, of course, as to who he faces at WrestleMania.
["Kingdom" playing]
[Barrett] Jey Uso creates more energy than a nuclear power plant,
and it's just getting augmented, and we're about to go into meltdown
as QB1 arrives.
[Tessitore] Yeah, here's the guy that can equal it.
♪ Adrenaline, in my soul ♪
♪ Every fight out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
♪ Crowd is here, about to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain Lights go up I'm home ♪
-[crowd] ♪ Whoa! ♪ -♪ Whoa! ♪
♪ And my father said When I was younger ♪
[Garcia] Introducing his tag team partner,
from Atlanta Georgia, weighing in at 222 pounds.
He is the Undisputed WWE Champion,
the America Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
[Tessitore] And, Wade, Cody knows he's all too familiar with Fatu and Tama Tonga
and dealing with this task right here.
[Barrett] He knows full well what he's in store for tonight,
and I'll tell you right now,
I don't like this at all from Cody Rhodes.
I question how close to 100% that body of Cody's is.
He was dragged to hell and back by Kevin Owens, hip out of alignment,
fluid on the elbow, plus a ton of other medical jargon Cody didn't understand.
It's not good.
-[crowd] ♪ Whoa! ♪ -♪ Whoa! ♪
[Barrett] And nobody would have begrudged Cody Rhodes taking a week off
after what he went through at the Royal Rumble.
Not only do you get straight back to the coalface,
but now you've got yourself in a dogfight with two lawless, feral thugs.
Not smart at all from the champ Cody Rhodes.
[Tessitore] Cody said, "My doctor's a nice guy,
but he's not the WWE champion when addressing the medical concerns,"
after the ladder match
that took place last Saturday night at Royal Rumble in Indy,
defeating Kevin Owens.
[music fades]
["Samoan Destroyer" playing]
[Tessitore] And without Solo Sikoa around,
we have seen a version of Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga
that should come with warning signs.
[Garcia] And their opponent at a combined weight of 507 pounds,
The team of Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu.
[Tessitore] Wade, this pairing won the tag team championships last year,
but at that stage of their journey,
it feels like it was less about conquering goals
and more about damage and statements made
and now advancing their own individual fickle agendas.
They are just pure danger, week after week after week.
[Barrett] Well, we saw them last week in the Main Event,
in a tag team match against Damian Priest and LA Knight.
The aftermath of that match saw these two unleash massive devastation
on those victors as we went off air,
and clearly when it comes to Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu,
winning a match is secondary to being able to legally maim a human being.
-[Tessitore] Yes. -That's the kind of mindset…
-[bell dings] -…that Fatu has clearly.
And after what we saw Fatu do to Braun Strowman
a couple of weeks ago at Saturday Night's Main Event,
Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso have put themselves in a world of danger.
[Tessitore] That was incredible, what happened down there in San Antonio,
that absolute beat down that continued on, seemingly endlessly.
And then Braun Strowman was able to avenge things a bit at the Royal Rumble.
Oh. And the champ making an early statement.
[Barrett] Oh, almost attempting that Cody Cutter denied by the skills of Jacob Fatu.
[Tessitore] But instead Fatu immediately turns things around.
[Tonga] Sit your ass down.
[Tessitore] Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga have been controlling the action
against Cody Rhodes here in this tag team action.
Wade, you brought up… brought up a very good point earlier.
The quick turnaround for Cody Rhodes coming off of Royal Rumble
after he took so much damage in winning that latter match against Kevin Owens.
That win came at a great sacrifice.
[Barrett] Cody Rhodes should be on the beach in Hawaii right now,
not competing against two of the most dangerous superstars
we have ever seen in this industry.
And this Jacob Fatu, he is a walking oxymoron.
He's management's worst nightmare because he can't be controlled
while simultaneously being management's wet dream
because everything he does is appointment viewing.
Damned if you do, damned if you don't with Jacob Fatu.
And this guy, Tama Tonga, is just as bad.
[Tessitore] Getting out of the way and it was Fatu who absorbed that.
From Tama Tonga as Cody Rhodes is trying
to make his way to Jey Uso, but Tama Tonga…
And there it is!
And here comes the Royal Rumble winner.
Now, this place has now come unglued.
Main Event Jey Uso, who we said six days ago has been upgraded.
It's WrestleMania Main Event Jey Uso.
[Tessitore] Momentum two years in the making,
propelling this man all the way to WrestleMania.
[Tessitore] The hip attack.
Remember it was September 23rd when he got his first singles victory.
Look to finish this off. With a kick out by Tama Tonga.
That victory came against Bron Breakker,
just a four-week run as Intercontinental Champion.
And then fast forward, you know what happened against Gunther,
and then a week ago, eliminating John Cena in Indy.
Came down to the final two to win the Royal Rumble.
Fatu able to break things up.
[Barrett] Just in the nick of time, as speedy as they come is Fatu,
despite the body mass.
And now Jey Uso gets to taste the danger of this duo.
[Tessitore] There's the roll up.
And able to break free.
[Barrett] I'll tell you this right now. It's one thing booking your ticket
to the main event of WrestleMania.
There's a hell of a lot of miles to go till we get
to the Showcase of the Immortals, and Jey Uso should be doing everything he can
to keep his body healthy for WrestleMania.
[Tessitore] Back into the cover.
[Barrett] And how the hell do you do that
when you've been dragged into a dogfight with Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu?
Human beings are fragile
and this golden ticket could go up in smoke if Jey's not careful.
[Tessitore] And then Fatu turns and just knocks Cody Rhodes off the apron.
Fatu quick to address, as he said, "Big Cuz" earlier.
Said that title's gotta come back to the family,
but I'm the guy to do it.
Look at the teamwork.
And that hyena cackle, that familiar chatter from Tama Tonga.
[Barrett] Well, you may well cackle when you're dominating a matchup
against two of the very best in the industry in Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes,
not just that but wrecking their bodies in the process.
Just a great scene here in Memphis, Tennessee.
Big crowd at the FedEx Forum as they have seen tickets punched
to the Elimination Chamber.
But this is the scintillating main event between Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso
going up against Fatu and Tama Tonga.
Look at this scene here. Friday Night SmackDown.
From the FedEx Forum.
Just three weeks until Elimination Chamber,
as WWE's Road to WrestleMania is well underway.
[Barrett] Well, Cody Rhodes got that tag just in the nick of time
from Jey Uso who looks spent.
But this is a resurging Cody Rodes,
dispelling damage clearly racking his body.
[Tessitore] Snap Power Slam from the American Nightmare.
The Undisputed WWE Champ.
Disaster kick as Cody Rhodes just digging deep after everything
he went through last Saturday.
[Barrett] You just can't keep Jacob Fatu down though.
That's the problem with this guy.
[Tessitore] Cody Cutter!
Fatu's resistance and ability to bounce back is something,
but look at that.
I mean just pressing him up into the air.
[Barrett] A one count.
How do you get a one count off a move like this that has beaten
countless future Hall of Famers?
[Tessitore] Only Fatu, Wade. Only the Samoan Werewolf.
He's trying to set up Cross Rhodes, but instead he's driven back
by the 6'2", 285 pounder.
Oh, his head coming down on the top of the post.
[Barrett] Well, just when it looked like that indefatigable…
-Oh! -[Tessitore] Wow!
Tama Tonga in position.
[Barrett] A sliding flatliner bouncing the cranium
of the WWE champ Cody Rhodes off the mat.
Cody has no clue where he's at. I guarantee you Tama Tonga does though.
[Tessitore] Oh, able to get the boot up.
[Barrett] Well, it's Cody Rhodes showing those incredible powers of recovery
that took him all the way to the pinnacle of this industry.
[Tessitore] And now up top, but Fatu breaks free,
gets to the apron and pushes Cody off.
And now, that jumping DDT…
Hook in the leg for the win,
and Cody survives able to get that left shoulder up.
Great action here in Memphis.
[Barrett] I mean there's simply no stopping Tonga and Fatu,
no matter what you do to them.
-[Tessitore] Oh, man. -[Barrett] Here's the treatment.
[Tessitore] Just lining him up as a target for Fatu.
[Barrett] Jey Uso sliding back into the fray.
-From the deck. -[Tessitore] Jey comes to the rescue.
Oh, my! He sends Fatu over the announce desk.
And now the Champ… Cross Rhodes!
-For the win! -[crowd] One, two…
-Three! -[Tessitore] Yes!
[bell dings]
["Kingdom" playing]
[Garcia] Here are your winners,
the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes,
And Main Event, Jey Uso!
[Tessitore] Wade, Jey sent Fatu flying.
[Barrett] Well, let's take another look at how this one broke down a flying--
Jey Uso created a flying Jacob Fatu.
And as we went to hell in a hand basket, QB1 Cody Rhodes doing what he does best,
hitting Cross Rhodes on Tama Tonga, continuing to lead this--
-Whoa. Oh, hell. -[Tessitore] What in the world!
[Barrett] Oh, hell. He's back.
[Tessitore] The spike comes in. Solo returns.
The last time we saw him, he couldn't even speak after losing to Roman Reigns.
He was booed out of here. Now he's back, and on the attack!
Solo Sikoa!
[crowd booing] t of here. Now he's back, and on the attack!