[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
["Neva Play" playing]
[Barrett] The road to WrestleMania has brought us
to the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC.
A massive crowd arrives not far from where the Constitution reads,
"Establish justice, insure domestic tranquility."
But as these roaring fans know, justice and tranquility are hard to find
when the biggest prizes are on the line.
And it doesn't get bigger than this.
The WWE Women's Championship match
as Nia Jax is out to get back the gold.
Jax seeks revenge against a friend turned foe, Tiffany Stratton,
who cashed in on Nia to start the year.
Now in the midst of her rocket ride, early reign,
can Tiffy Time strike midnight on Nia's title bid?
Plus, there is Big Braun Strowman.
He finds himself in a meaty Main Event with WrestleMania hopes alive.
But this Elimination Chamber qualifying match is a hefty challenge for all.
Damian Priest is here, and the SmackDown new kid in town
is determined to earn his way to Toronto.
But standing in the way is the most dangerous of all,
the unpredictable Jacob Fatu.
He's come to our nation's capital as a massive disrupter.
Strowman, Priest and Fatu, in a triple threat, tonight on SmackDown.
Now the great Joe Tess is away tonight on assignment, so filling in for him,
none other than a former sparring partner of mine,
the voice of NXT himself, Mr. Vic Joseph.
Well, I'm so excited to be back here with you.
I cannot replace Joe Tessitore.
He'll be back next week, but I'm excited about tonight.
I'm excited to be part of SmackDown, but we can't get tonight started
without going back and reliving what took place last week on SmackDown.
[Jey] Your 2025 Men's Royal Rumble winner.
[Cole] Jey Uso gets to face the champion of his choosing at WrestleMania.
[Rhodes] I think I know what you want to talk about.
How absolutely proud I am
of Jey Uso winning the Royal Rumble.
That's your sign to point at. This is your WrestleMania, Jey.
Cody Rhodes, my family needs that title back.
Big cousin, don't get this twisted.
If there was anybody to bring back that title,
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.
Jey meets him halfway.
[Barrett] Survival for now for Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes.
[crowd] Yeet!
[Tessitore] Cody Rhodes joins Jey to take on Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga.
Cody Cutter!
Just pressing him up into the air.
[Barrett] Just can't keep Fatu down.
[Tessitore] And here comes the Royal Rumble winner.
And now just lining him up as a target.
Jey comes to the rescue.
He sends Fatu over the announce desk.
Cross Rhodes for the win!
[bell dings]
[Tessitore] What in the world?
Solo returns.
Now he's back and on the attack!
["Kingdom" playing]
[Rhodes] Wrestling has more than one royal family.
♪ 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] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the Undisputed WWE Champion,
the American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
[Joseph] The Capital One Arena is shaking,
and how a week can change a universe, Wade.
The return of Solo Sikoa.
And last Friday, Cody had a question mark on who his WrestleMania opponent could be.
Seven days later, he knows the Elimination Chamber
decides his fate at WrestleMania.
♪ Gonna give 'em what they came to see ♪
♪ Hear the crowd, on their toes ♪
♪ Ready for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain Lights go up, I'm home ♪
-[crowd] ♪ Whoa! ♪ -♪ Whoa! ♪
[Barrett] You're absolutely right, Vic Joseph, of course.
This past week on Raw, we saw Jey Uso, the Royal Rumble winner,
declare that he is going for the World Heavyweight Championship
held by Gunther at WrestleMania.
So the Elimination Chamber winner will face the WWE Champion.
Which may well be Cody Rhodes, but let's add the quick caveat.
Cody Rhodes has to make it through to WrestleMania
with his championship reign intact first,
and that is certainly not a given.
[Joseph] 13,536 on their feet for the American Nightmare.
Thank you.
[music fades]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
Yeah. [grunts]
So, Washington, DC.
What do we wanna talk about?
We can talk about how WrestleMania seems to go through the Elimination Chamber.
This past Monday, the gigantic news that our friend, my friend, Main Event Jey Uso…
[crowd chants] Yeet! Yeet! Yeet!
…has selected Gunther
to wrestle for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania.
So now all eyes are fixed on the Elimination Chamber
and who will wrestle me in the Main Event
for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
So, who's it gonna be?
Will it be the most natural athlete
ever to enter our sport, Logan Paul?
[crowd booing]
What about…
What about… [chuckles] …my friend,
the voice of the voiceless, CM Punk?
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
There's also Drew McIntyre.
[crowd booing, cheering]
And then of course the greatest of all time John Cena.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Cena! Cena! Cena! Cena!
I can tell you who it's not going to be.
It is not going to be Solo Sikoa.
Solo Sikoa, who has not qualified for the chamber,
who is not in any of the remaining qualifying matches.
Solo Sikoa, who knows when it stands to this ring one on one,
how it is with he and I.
Solo Sikoa, who I believe that Samoan Spike last week
wasn't for me.
[swords clashing]
["Gallantry" playing]
[Barrett] Well, hold that thought.
[Joseph] Well, Barrett, it's a buddy of yours.
The Scottish Warrior is here.
[Barrett] Yet another major acquisition
in the recent transfer window here on SmackDown.
The former world champ Drew McIntyre.
[Joseph] Look, I'm not trying to ruffle any feathers.
It's my first… my first night here on SmackDown ever,
and looking at Drew McIntyre,
and I'm thinking he has been very, very vocal as of late.
[Barrett] When is McIntyre not vocal?
But the truth is the past couple of weeks we've seen
a very different side of Drew McIntyre,
who's essentially been given everything he's been asking for
for months over on Raw.
It was denied to him over there,
but GM Nick Aldis gave McIntyre an opportunity to control his future,
his destiny.
Last week, he qualified for the Elimination Chamber.
The plan clearly being in McIntyre's mind,
win that, go on to WrestleMania and grab gold.
[Joseph] And he is staring a hole through Cody Rhodes
and that Undisputed WWE Championship.
[music fades]
[inaudible]
"Also, Drew McIntyre"? That's all I get?
Okay, okay. That's fair. I-It's…
It's WrestleMania season, everybody's got a lot on their mind.
You're right.
I apologize. You wanna do it one more time?
All right, all right. You guys okay if we do this one more time?
[crowd cheers]
You'll indulge me?
All right, all right, all right. Okay, this one's for you.
And also Drew McIntyre.
[crowd booing]
Also Drew McIntyre that's won the Elimination Chamber twice,
once as world champion.
Also Drew McIntyre, former multiple time world champion,
Royal Rumble winner, Money in the Bank winner.
Accolades aside, is that the same Drew McIntyre that just last month on SmackDown
stood in this ring and hugged you?
Put myself out in front of the world 'cause I was worried about you,
told you you were going to a dark place and you tried to fight me?
That Drew McIntyre?
Is it the-the "also Drew McIntyre" that a few weeks later on Raw
when I was handling business with Sami Zayn, you attacked?
Is it that-that Drew McIntyre?
Is that who you're talking about, Cody?
I don't know your deal.
I didn't want it to be this way, but you've made it personal, buddy,
so I guess I'm gonna have to remind you exactly who Drew McIntyre is.
Is that so?
Well, I can count on one hand,
the men who have defeated me since I returned to WWE.
You're one of them, Drew.
And I have not forgotten.
["Samoan Destroyer" playing]
[Joseph] Oh, no.
[Barrett] Another of the combatants in the Elimination Chamber, perhaps,
should he qualify later on tonight.
This would be perhaps the most dangerous of them all.
[Joseph] Barrett, I've never been this close to Jacob Fatu,
and I'm ready to run.
[Barrett] I'll tell you right now, it doesn't get any easier.
I go through this experience week in, week out.
Simply terrifying.
[crowd chanting] Fatu! Fatu! Fatu!
Hey yo, Drew.
You already got your spot in the chamber.
Now, see, me? I'm all gas, no breaks tonight.
So when it comes to Priest and Braun, I'm about to dog walk their ass.
And when I get done running through those two,
then I'll earn my way into the chamber.
And after I… after that, I'm going to WrestleMania with it.
And then when I'm done with WrestleMania,
I'm bringing that title back home to my family
where it should have never left.
Know what I think?
I think this is something that people want to see.
I think people wanna see a psychopath and a werewolf throw down
in the nation's capital right now.
But it's not gonna happen because I have my spot in the chamber already.
Cody, I think he wants to talk to you.
[Barrett] Smart by McIntyre. Preserve what you've got.
No reason to risk your health with a man like that.
Say when. 'Cause that's what you want, right?
Well, here's when.
When you qualify for the Elimination Chamber
and then when you defeat everybody in said chamber,
then you and I can fight over this.
[crowd chanting] Fatu! Fatu! Fatu! Fatu!
[Joseph] Barrett, who's… who's pulling up?
Look who has arrived.
Nah, nah, Cody.
If it's gonna be anybody to speak to Solo,
it's gonna be me first on some family business.
You can get the first word. I sure as hell am gonna get the last.
[Joseph] Well, Barrett, actions will speak louder than words.
Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, walking with a purpose.
Fatu with family business to take care of.
But also that triple threat qualifying match for the Elimination Chamber.
And on the topic of the chamber,
will Naomi join her partner Bianca Belair in Toronto to do so?
She must get by Chelsea Green.
Elimination Chamber qualifying match next on SmackDown.
Hey, hey, where's Solo?
He went that way.
[shouts]
It's, like, get your ass out here.
[scoffs]
[Joseph] Ooh, wrong place, wrong time for that guy.
["Glow" playing]
♪ I hear the people scream my name ♪
♪ One, two, three ♪
[Joseph] Seems like family business needs to be handled tonight,
but I understand a boyish Wade Barrett is standing by.
♪ Glow, glow, glow ♪
Trish Stratus.
What a welcome surprise, just as it was a couple of weeks ago at the Royal Rumble,
where your shock appearance blew the roof of the stadium.
Let me add to that chorus, Trish. Once again, thank you, Trish.
But let's look forward,
because two weeks from tomorrow,
in your hometown of Toronto, Ontario, Canada,
we have the Elimination Chamber coming to town.
Now, what are your thoughts on the Elimination Chamber
and are we likely to see you make an appearance?
Mmm, well, first of all, it was great to be able to deliver
a little Stratusfaction at the Royal Rumble.
I felt like coming in at 25 was a great way to kick off my 25th anniversary.
Right?
And to answer your question, the Elimination Chamber
is one of the most exciting PLEs.
It is where the road to WrestleMania is finalized.
And yes, it's in my hometown of Toronto, so I will be at Elimination Chamber.
I just have to decide if I'm gonna be watching from a seat or a suite, so…
[narrator] Shh. It's Chelsea Green.
[Joseph] You just never know who will join us on the road to WrestleMania.
[bell dings]
[Garcia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall
and is an Elimination Chamber qualifying match.
Making her way to the ring, being accompanied by Piper Niven,
from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
She is the Women's United States Champion,
Chelsea Green!
[Joseph] Well, Green wants all the gold.
It is Glow versus Green, here tonight on SmackDown.
And you see Naomi wearing some holiday-inspired gear tonight,
looking to celebrate Valentine's Day with a victory, punching her ticket to Toronto.
But Chelsea Green wants to do the same thing
and when you take a look at this matchup and you dig a little bit deeper,
can Naomi join Bianca Belair in the chamber?
And, Wade, how much of an advantage would that give them as a team
in that chamber matchup?
-[Barrett] Well, what-- -[Joseph] Shoulders down.
[Barrett] What a wrinkle it would be if the reigning tag team champions
are both in that Elimination…
[Joseph] Whoa! Another near-fall.
[Barrett] …Chamber matchup, potentially teaming up to take out
every single other woman in the matchup.
[Joseph] Crucifix.
Still not enough, and look…
[Barrett] Well, then let's face it, Vic Joseph. Little bit of a wrinkle.
-[Joseph] Oh. -[Barrett] Let me add a wrinkle there.
I would love to see the tag team champions…
[Joseph] Green from behind.
[Barrett] …go head-to-head in pursuit
of a championship opportunity at WrestleMania.
[Joseph] Chelsea Green wearing some inspired Wonder Woman gear.
She may have to have a Wonder Woman type effort here tonight against Naomi.
And look at Naomi, who has competed in the Elimination Chamber in the past.
Competed in last year's matchup as a matter of fact, and…
Oh, big leg drop into the cover to advance.
And another kick out.
You also competed in three chamber matches during your career, Wade.
You were the first to be eliminated in two of those I might want to add.
But how does experience help you in the Elimination Chamber?
[Barrett] I am missing Joe Tessitore already, but let's move on from that.
Clearly experience did not really help me.
My first one, I was kind of wide-eyed and excited.
By number two and number three, I was dreading them all week
because I knew just how painful the experience was.
[Joseph] Big Meteora,
and a kick out by Green.
Green trying to head to higher ground here of course Bianca defeated Piper Niven,
who's was here ringside last week to qualify.
[Barrett] Yes she did,
and it was Chelsea Green, who is in this match now,
-who tried to assist Niven in qualifying… -[Joseph] Whoa.
…failing to do so thanks to Naomi,
so it would be quite the moment if she gains vengeance here.
[Joseph] Who's headed to Toronto?
I am!
[Joseph] Chelsea Green looking for high risk
to send herself to her home country of Canada in the women's Elimination Chamber.
Naomi able to fight free and create a little separation.
[Barrett] Well, for the past five minutes or so, it's all been about Chelsea Green,
but this right now is a classic example of the resilience
of one half of the women's tag champs, Naomi,
and the other half, Bianca Belair, loving what she's seeing.
[Joseph] Piper and Belair are trying to rally their teammates,
and, look, when it comes to Chelsea Green, she can leave quite an impression.
Just over 5 feet to be exact.
I'll give that to you, Wade.
But Naomi right now trying to make an impression in her own right
to head to Toronto to join Bianca in the Women's Elimination Chamber,
to guarantee a championship opportunity on the grandest stage of them all,
WrestleMania.
[Barrett] Well, things now starting to go disastrously wrong
for the Women's United States Champion.
[Joseph] Big Bulldog!
[Barrett] And there's nothing the Secret Service member, Piper Niven,
can do to stop this.
[Joseph] Surprised you haven't tried to work your way into Green's cabinet yet.
Yeah!
[Barrett] I've had an offer.
-[Joseph] Into the cover. -One, two…
[Joseph] Is it enough?
Green just kicked out.
Wow.
[Barrett] We are negotiating salary, and believe me, if Chelsea Green qualifies
for the Elimination Chamber and wins,
although it's looking less likely with Naomi connecting with moves like that,
my price goes up.
Elimination chamber, first event in the Rogers Centre since WrestleMania 18.
Green no doubt wants to have the spotlight in her home country of Canada,
but Naomi wants another WrestleMania moment.
[Barrett] Chelsea Green trying to reach for that championship caliber.
[Joseph, Barrett] Ooh!
[Barrett] What a nasty connection, skull against mat.
[Joseph] Absolutely gnarly.
There goes Naomi. No one home!
[Barrett] Bounce back ability from Chelsea Green,
who is groggy but perhaps ready to go in for the kill.
[Joseph] Green back to her feet.
Just shot Naomi, center of the ring. Will it be enough?
And still not able to advance!
Green in absolute shock.
[Barrett] Well, that perhaps was Chelsea Green's biggest opportunity.
This leaping leg lariat, some may call it a rough ride.
It connected. Did not do the job.
[Joseph] Green looking for an Unpretty-Her.
Countered though by Naomi.
Another counter.
These two know what's at stake. Big match opportunity.
Naomi shifts weight. Shoulders down, center of the ring.
Naomi still couldn't put Green down.
[Barrett] Just milliseconds away for both women qualifying
for the Elimination Chamber.
[Joseph] High stakes here on SmackDown.
[Barrett] No doubt about it. Does not get any bigger.
-Connection. -[Joseph] Ooh.
[Barrett] Back Cracker from the ropes.
-And a cover. -One, two…
[Joseph] And… Ooh, another near-fall.
What a match. I just stood up from my monitor.
Piper Niven beside herself.
Chelsea Green though has got to refocus.
Right here, in this matchup, it has become a pivotal point
to who will head to the Elimination Chamber two weeks from tomorrow.
[Barrett] Well, this is Chelsea doing her absolute best,
dropping the posturing, focusing simply on achieving victory.
[Joseph] Rolling through. She's looking for an Unpretty-Her with an assist.
It was countered by Naomi.
Counter for counter. This time though, Naomi, right to the ear. X-Factor.
Into position and X marks the spot.
[crowd, referee] One, two, three!
[Joseph] Naomi headed to Toronto.
[Garcia] Here is your winner,
Naomi!
[Joseph] Naomi joins the field. One spot to be filled this Monday on Raw.
Naomi, Bliss, Morgan, Belair, Bayley.
Who joins them in the Women's Elimination Chamber Match?
[Barrett] Well, the women's tag team champions both competing
in the same Elimination Chamber matchup.
That is a wrinkle that I am desperately excited to see
how exactly it plays out, Vic.
What a night it's been here on SmackDown.
Vic Joseph filling in for Joe Tessitore alongside Wade Barrett.
As great as this night's been,
we actually have to go back two weeks ago on Monday Night Raw.
[Barrett] So as you said, a couple of weeks ago on Raw,
48 hours removed from losing to WWE Champ Cody Rhodes at the Royal Rumble,
this is an irate Kevin Owens, taking out his frustrations on a former friend,
Sami Zayn, who he blamed for not assisting KO in beating Cody Rhodes.
Now KO hit a devastating Package Piledriver causing major injuries.
Earlier today, Zayn posted his response on social media.
So I have not been doing great.
I know people have been waiting for an update,
and I apologize for not getting one out sooner,
but I'm sure most of you have heard by now
that my neck is not doing too well.
Um, there's been some nerve damage and I'm seeing specialists and this and that.
Um… But I think the last couple of weeks have been particularly tough just trying
to come to terms with everything that's happened here with Kevin and myself.
Um…
'Cause yeah, you know, it's almost become a joke
how many times Kevin has turned on me, or maybe I've turned on him,
or whatever it is, it almost seems like an inevitability of our relationship.
But, um, this one was different.
Right? I know that, and, Kevin, I know you know that.
We both know exactly what you were trying to do with the Package Piledriver.
'Cause that… that wasn't about trying to get ahead
or sending a message.
That was trying to end my career.
And for what? That's what I keep struggling with.
With… Wha… Over what?
Over… Over a wrestling match?
Over me not helping you win a wrestling match?
You… You didn't see me sprinting out there with tears in my eyes checking on you
as you lay there motionless, bleeding?
Me screaming at the doctors,
"Is he okay? Is he gonna be okay? Get him some help."
Because to me, that's being there for someone. That's… That's…
You know, that's what I thought being there for someone is.
For you, it's, um, you know.
I should have pushed Cody Rhodes off the ladder,
helped you cheat to win a match, so…
I guess we just look at things differently there, but, um…
Look, the long and short of it is, I don't know when I'll be cleared.
But when I am, Kevin, me and you are gonna go again.
And I'm telling you now, it's not gonna be fun.
I'll see you soon.
[helicopter whirring]
[machine gun firing]
["Raise Your Fist" playing]
♪ Raise your fist ♪
♪ Oh, let's go ♪
[bell dings]
[Garcia] The following tag team contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making their way to the ring, at a combined weight of 412 pounds.
Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin,
Motor City Machine Guns!
[Joseph] Wade, I've been waiting for this.
The former WWE tag team champions are in action.
They're gonna meet Los Garza.
It's live. It's next on SmackDown.
[Garcia] And their opponents, at a combined weight of 425 pounds
representing Legado Del Fantasma, Angel y Berto,
Los Garza!
[Barrett] Well, the Emperor of Lucha Libre, Santos Escobar,
has sent his men, Los Garza, to the ring.
There have been some incredibly turbulent waters
in the SmackDown tag division of late,
not least between these two teams.
They tagged together in 8-man tag a couple of weeks ago
until a communication breakdown saw Los Garza walk out
on the Motor City Machine Guns
and then there were more cross words in the locker room last week.
Both teams claiming they are owed a championship opportunity at DIY.
[Joseph] I got to ask you, Wade.
You know, there's just a lot of animosity floating around
when it comes to the tag team division here on Friday Night.
[Barrett] Well, every single tag team here on SmackDown seems to be at war
with every single other team.
Of course, the division headed up by the champs, DIY.
But the truth is, the former champs, the Motor City Machine Guns,
have had several opportunities recently,
and every single time, one way or another,
they have been screwed out of what they feel they deserve, the gold.
[Joseph] Well, Motor City Machine Guns, they've won everywhere they've went.
TNA to WWE, Mexico to Japan.
[Barrett] Connecting with that facial right to the kisser of Angel.
Things now looking bleak right from the get off
for Los Garza.
[Joseph] Oh, look at Motor City Machine Guns
and, oh, having it scouted.
Garza and Berto and turning things around here in this tag team contest.
[Barrett] The deepest bag of tricks in the game
belong to Los Garza and La Familia.
[Joseph] Which team will stand tall tonight on SmackDown?
[Joseph] 13,536 here live in Washington, DC
as the Motor City Machine Guns
trying to get back in this contest.
[Barrett] Well, it has been a master class by Los Garza,
but that momentary lapse in concentration by Angel
has opened this window to tag a fresh Chris Sabin
and now Los Garza's hard work is all undone in the blink of an eye.
[Joseph] And look at Sabin, moving so quickly into the backslide.
Rolling through Berto. Right back to his feet is Sabin.
Sabin rolling through. Shoulders are down.
Referee in great position. And a near-fall.
And you talk about savvy in-ring tacticians.
That is what the Motor City Machine Guns are.
[Barrett] Veterans, innovators of the cruiserweight style
that is so dominant today.
Two of the absolute best to ever tag in this industry
trying to make a beeline back to the gold.
[Joseph] When it comes to Motor City Machine Guns,
they heard what Los Garza said last week.
Nice combination offense. That new teams should be able to step up.
But is this going to be enough?
Into the cover and just saving things was Garza, and that was close.
[Barrett] Two competitors, one mind.
That is the motto of the Motor City Machine Guns.
This drop kick flatliner combination
should have been enough for the win, but once again,
smart move there by Angel breaking up the pin.
[Joseph] And Los Garza's now starting to take over this matchup.
Looking for a little two-for-one special is Garza.
[Barrett] So creative, so inventive. Will it be so devastating?
Hell yes!
[Joseph] Is this gonna be enough
for a statement victory for Los Garza here on SmackDown?
And no!
-[Barrett] Well-- -No, not yet.
[Barrett] I'll tell you right now, that was the slowest count
I've ever seen from the referee after this superb double team offense.
Berto connecting right to the jaw of Chris Sabin
and that extra beat from the referee
sliding into position has cost Los Garza there.
But it might be academic anyway.
It seems Los Garza in full control, pulling out all the stops, high risk.
[Joseph] This is how important this matchup is for Los Garza.
They're trying to back up the talk from last week.
Berto to the top.
Ooh! Moonsault didn't connect.
[Barrett] Well, it did connect.
Unfortunately it was to the jaw of Berto who bounced sky high.
Nice timing there from Chris Sabin.
[Joseph] Garza got wiped out.
Sabin, Shelley, we've seen this in the past.
Going for broke.
[Barrett] And this is just how dangerous
the Motor City Machine Guns have proved to be.
This ability to turn a match on a 6 pence.
[Joseph] And here they go.
Motor City Machine Guns setting up for skull and bones.
[crowd] One, two, three!
[Joseph] Statement win for the former tag team champions.
[Garcia] Here are your winners,
Motor City Machine Guns!
[Joseph] And how good that must feel to bounce back victorious here tonight.
But another superstar looking to be victorious this evening,
the former world heavyweight champion, Damian Priest.
[Priest] I don't need to tell you who I am.
That's what the last four years on Monday Night Raw were for.
[rock song playing]
[Priest] I made it to the top.
♪ I found a fire inside Somewhere deep in my bones ♪
-♪ So let it burn ♪ -♪ Burn ♪
-♪ You ♪ -♪ You ♪
♪ And rise from the ashes ♪
I ain't taking a back seat for nobody on SmackDown.
You could be a friend, an enemy.
That bell rings…
♪ Never gonna be the same ♪
…I don't know your ass.
I don't need a leader. I don't need a crew.
This is me and only me, and that's all I've ever needed.
♪ When the mistakes I've made Left me cold ♪
♪ I found a fire inside Somewhere deep in my bones ♪
-♪ So let it burn ♪ -♪ Burn ♪
-♪ You ♪ -♪ You ♪
♪ And rise from the ashes now ♪
[Priest] Y'all better be ready for punishment.
Because anarchy has arrived.
[Joseph] Well, who heads the Elimination Chamber?
Will it be Priest or Braun Strowman or Jacob Fatu?
We find out tonight.
Elimination Chamber qualifying triple threat match here on SmackDown.
This exactly what the hell I been talking about!
Solo!
Hey, man, tell me what the hell is going on,
and tell me what the hell this is.
Been trying to tap in with you for a minute, huh?
Yes. I needed time off.
Okay?
Ever since I lost the Ula Fala to Roman, I have not been myself lately.
I let you down.
I let the family down.
Do you have any idea how that feels?
But I'm okay now.
I'm good. I'm ready to go.
I'm ready to take over this business just like we've done before.
And the only way that we can do that, is together.
As one.
But it starts with you by winning the qualifying match
going on to the chamber, winning it and bringing that title back to this family.
You got me?
Jacob.
I love you, Jacob.
["Sinister Samurai" playing]
[Joseph] We are looking at the three-time United States Champion.
[Barrett] The United States Champion, it has to be said,
who has been disconcertingly quiet of late.
In contrast to our red-hot tag division here on SmackDown,
he who hides in the shadows, Shinsuke Nakamura,
has presumably been plotting his next move.
Maybe now we're about to get some answers.
[Joseph] 13,536 here in Washington, DC
in awe of Shinsuke Nakamura.
[speaking Japanese]
For weeks I have waited.
[crowd] What?
For weeks…
[crowd] What?
…I have watched from the shadow…
[crowd] What?
…praying for a worthy challenge.
[crowd] What?
A warrior to test me.
[crowd] What?
[speaking Japanese]
[crowd] What?
No warriors here.
[crowd] What?
No one…
No one to rise above the sickness weighing them down.
Just the same, weak guy consumed
with the approval of mind rest.
["Welcome To LA" playing]
[Barrett] Yeah.
Feel the Kavorka, Vic Joseph.
I don't know about you, but my loins, they are a-tingling.
[Joseph] Then scoot to your right a little bit farther.
[LA Knight] Let me talk to you.
[crowd] Yeah!
Look at old Shin out here playing two lies and a truth.
Says he's been hiding in the shadows.
[crowd] Yeah!
-Yeah. -[crowd] Yeah!
I'd say that's the truth. You have been hiding in the shadows.
[crowd] Yeah!
Then you said you were praying for a worthy contender.
[crowd] Yeah!
Then you said you were looking for a test.
[crowd] Yeah!
-Wrong. -[crowd] Yeah!
That's the biggest bunch of BS I ever heard.
That's the biggest lie I've ever heard,
because the last time you and I were in this ring,
I planted your head on that mat, and the three count was imminent.
[crowd] Yeah!
-[LA Knight] Yeah. -[crowd] Yeah!
But then all it took was half the isles of Samoa and Tonga to come down here
and just snatch that away from me.
And now since then, I've beat every cross-eyed half wit
who's stepped to me on a quest to come back and get that championship.
But…
But you want to talk about…
tests for that championship. I'll tell you the test right now.
The test is looking at you.
The test is standing here,
and my man, you've already failed that test with everybody saying…
-[crowd] LA-- -[The Miz] Awesome!
[Joseph laughs]
[Barrett] That's not what they were saying.
-Nobody said "awesome." -["I Came To Play" playing]
[Joseph] Well, Shinsuke wanted a warrior. He got an A-lister.
♪ They're never coming back Watch your future fade ♪
♪ I came to play to get my dues paid ♪
♪ I guess you had a dream ♪
[music fades]
You're uh… You guys are still going for that shtick, huh?
[crowd] Yeah!
[The Miz] I mean, I got to admit.
I was wrong, and I know I'm not wrong very often, but I was wrong.
About a year ago I said that LA Knight was a flash in the pan, that he was a fad,
but here we are, the WW universe, eating out of the palm of his hand.
[crowd] Yeah!
It just kind of proves one thing.
That…
you guys aren't educated.
I know, I know. You're not smart.
You're basic.
I mean, look at you: basic, basic, basic, basic, basic.
I see what Shinsuke sees,
and that is that you and nobody else is worthy.
You know who is worthy?
Hold on, hold on, hold on.
Uh, I got this one. I got this one.
I'm gonna guess you're gonna say The Miz.
I'm gonna guess you're gonna say something about Grand Slam champion.
You're gonna say something about former United States champion.
You're gonna say,
[imitating The Miz] "I beat John Cena in the Main Event at WrestleMania."
[Joseph chuckles]
I-I… Look, talk about same old shtick.
My God, you had to been using the same old shtick for over the last ten years,
and if my math serves me right, I think it's been at least that long
since you've been relevant.
[crowd] Yeah!
But I… I've also got to say, man, I'm-I'm kind of happy to see you here.
I almost forgot you were even here.
I… Matter of fact, matter of fact, I feel like everybody out here
probably wants to forget you were here.
So why don't you take-- talking of John Cena--
Why don't you take a page out of his book, start a farewell tour
because I know everybody's ready to see you go away.
[voice breaking] You all want me to go away?
[crowd cheers]
[wailing] You all want me to go away? [sobs]
Oh, my God. I can't believe I'm crying on national television.
But in your PSA last week you said it's okay for men to cry.
[sobs]
[LA Knight] Oh, wow.
Wow, that's good. Hey, you know what?
He's right. I-I did say it was okay for men to cry
when it rises to that occasion,
and, uh, you know,
it's just like you to make it a point to miss the point
because the point was that there's a line where you go just a little bit too far
and if you want to talk about crying,
you want to talk about crybabies.
At the very top of that list of all time crybaby ****,
it's got to be you and Drew McIntyre neck and neck.
You know, at least I've been at the top.
I've been at the top over and over again in this industry.
You want to know why I tout my resume so much?
Because guys like you don't measure to me.
When the dust settles on my career…
Oh, when the dust settles on my career,
my resume stands alone.
Can you say the same, or will you crumble when they stop chanting your name
and realize that there's nothing beneath the surface
because you, LA Knight, are not on my radar.
And if John Cena can call his shot, then The Miz can call his shot,
and I want my shot at the United States championship.
I came to SmackDown with a new purpose.
To elevate a title again.
To forge my way to WrestleMania,
and you'll be a guy on the outside looking in,
just like you always have your entire career.
[chuckles]
Hold on. Hold on.
Did you just say "I'm not even on my radar"?
I'm pretty sure that you just mentioned something I said last week
which tells me you must be watching everything I do.
Thank you for that. Appreciate that first of all.
But when you talk about the idea of…
Well, why do I deserve a shot at that championship?
Let's think about it for one second.
The man who was a champion before me, the man who's a champion now,
you put all their title defenses together,
uh, maybe 1/100th of what I did.
I was in here defending that damn thing every single damn week.
And what that means is, as much as I want that title,
oh, baby, but does that title ever need me.
I'll make that thing shine.
But… [chuckles] But you?
My man, you ever met you?
You… Dude, you suck.
You are the most impotent dork.
You got…
Is this man championship material?
No, no.
[Joseph] Whoa, well, a war of words.
[Barrett] Oh, go for that BFT. Miz, wisely getting the hell out of there.
It seemed that LA Knight finally crossed the line.
[Aldis] Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, gentlemen, gentlemen.
Please, hold the phone.
Well, you two just make friends everywhere you go, don't you?
Now, it's obvious to me that you two are looking for a fight,
and it's obvious to me that Mr. Nakamura is looking for a worthy challenger.
So, DC, are you picking up what I'm putting down?
Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
How about tonight we get The Miz go one-on-one with LA Knight?
[crowd] Yeah!
And when I say tonight, I really mean right now.
[Joseph] Oh, expect the unexpected. Miz, Knight on SmackDown.
[Joseph] Well, this matchup was made by General Manager Nick Aldis
just moments ago.
The Miz. LA Knight.
And they have gone back and forth in the ring on the mic.
What a matchup this has become.
And Shinsuke Nakamura is still out here ringside looking on
as Knight charging in on The Miz.
It was Nakamura who said he's looking for true warriors
to defend the United States championship against.
Knight into a cover and a kick out.
And wait a minute. You did this earlier with Trish Status.
Did you just spray more Sex Panther cologne because LA Knight came out here?
[Barrett] 60% of the time it works every time.
Although I will admit my bottle has not given me those kind of results.
Maybe I got a bad batch.
[Joseph] I thought I smelled gasoline somewhere.
As Knight up, get right over on The Miz and charging it.
Big power slam by Knight.
Cover and the count and a kick out by the A-lister.
[Barrett] And this has all gone horribly wrong for The Miz.
Came out here, all guns blazing, talking big talk.
He's just been outmaneuvered by the Megastar.
[Joseph] Knight, who beat Logan Paul at Summer Slam
to become the United States champion.
Looking for a BFT, countered by The Miz. Sensed it was coming.
And then right over the top rope, throat first goes LA Knight.
[Barrett] Desperation move by The Miz and I will say, someone like Nakamura,
the champ, looking on at the scene that he essentially has caused here.
He lit the fuse and now we have got a riot going on in the ring.
You would have to think by the words of GM Nick Aldis, who made this impromptu match,
perhaps the winner is going to get himself an opportunity
at the United States champ down the line.
[Joseph] Well, The Miz… The Miz very vengeful right now.
And when it came to The Miz earlier tonight,
he spoke about "at least I've been to the top" to LA Knight.
That has to sting a superstar that-that you know very well.
Into the cover and another near-fall.
[Barrett] Yeah, someone like Miz, he's constantly disrespected.
Everyone can take a cheap shot.
The truth is he has one of those resumes that will rarely be matched in this game
and as much as LA Knight loves running his mouth,
things got very real once the bell rang, and now Miz and his class,
which is permanent, have shone through.
Certainly. You side with The Miz, that he should be treated
with more respect even here on SmackDown.
[Barrett] I do agree with that because when he drops the antagonistic posturing,
the clowning around, he really is special in that ring.
Ah, look at the combination offense, big neck breaker.
Miz now into the cover.
And LA Knight able to get that right shoulder up.
And you cannot take away from the list of the accomplishments of The Miz.
He is a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
He's even beaten you for the intercontinental championship on one of--
[Barrett] And I beat him back. All right. Stop harping--
-This is tit for tat here, Barrett. -Stop harping on about my failures.
[Barrett] The truth is this.
Drew McIntyre was brought over to SmackDown in the transfer window.
Lot of hype.
Damian Priest was brought over in the transfer window.
Lot of hype. Great acquisitions for SmackDown.
Miz is every bit their equal.
Where was the fanfare? That's what I'm asking you.
It's a disgrace.
[Joseph] I hear what you're saying, and these two do have
a lot of similarities, but the difference is the people, the fans, the universe.
They just like LA Knight, a little bit more.
[Barrett] There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance,
and LA Knight just about walks on the right side of that line.
[Joseph] I don't know if you noticed,
Barrett, but LA Knight, every now and again is peeking over to his right
where the United States champion Shinsuke Nakamura is looking.
Should say lurking, cause… [shudders]
Give me the heebie-jeebies.
[Barrett] Well, you have to keep a--
-What's wrong? -Yeah.
Yeah. Step on in, Shinsuke. Come on.
Smack that.
Well, Knight taking his eye off of The Miz and the A-lister making him pay.
[Barrett] And that is where the confidence bleeds over into arrogance for Knight.
[Joseph] Miz has taken over here on SmackDown.
I-I still can't get over The Miz, took a little popcorn break
as LA Knight goes up, goes over,
belly to back, suplex counter, this time by The Miz.
Shifted his weight forward, went for the clothes line.
Didn't connect, but LA Knight certainly did.
And now he's trying to string together a little bit of offense.
Jumping neck breaker in the corner.
Well, gone is the posturing from LA Knight this time around, and…
-[Joseph] Ooh. Oh! -[Barrett] That is a good thing,
just working on instinct.
[Joseph] Big elbow.
Center of the ring. Is it enough?
And The Miz able to get that right shoulder up.
I mean, everything that was said throughout the night,
you were there ringside,
and it's a fair point that LA Knight made.
His last one-on-one opportunity for the United States championship
was interfered with.
[Barrett] Yeah, of course. It makes you furious when that happens,
but that is just part of the game here in WWE.
You have to accept it,
especially when you have a match up with the likes of Shinsuke Nakamura,
who is certainly not gonna hold back with the dirty tricks.
[Joseph] Awkward landing from LA Knight.
Flatliner from The Miz.
Miz now into yet another cover in this matchup.
And that right shoulder, getting off the mat for LA Knight.
Miz obviously didn't agree with LA Knight's statements
and believes he should be given an opportunity
at the United States championship,
and you have to think that is what Nick Aldis was talking about
when he made this matchup here tonight.
[Barrett] Well, Miz was on top of the wall 15 years ago, running WWE as the champ,
but I'll tell you right now, The Miz is absolutely ageless--
[Joseph] Looking for the skull crushing finale, counted by Knight in the corner,
Roll through. Miz shifting back, shoulders down.
Another near-fall.
Oh, just grazing off that middle turnbuckle,
but enough to rock The Miz backwards.
Miz, though. DDT. Connects with LA Knight.
Now into the cover, the A-lister for the win.
And just getting that left shoulder up was the Megastar.
[Barrett] Well, both men at this point,
not surprisingly, looking incredibly ragged.
At times in there running on fumes,
but it is the A-lister who is coming into his own
the further this matchup continues.
[Joseph] And it's important to note here,
in front of this capacity crowd in Washington, DC,
that everyone wants to be part of WrestleMania in Las Vegas,
and there's only so many ways to ensure you get to the grandest stage of them all.
[Barrett] Yeah, this is panic season within the locker room of WWE.
And as much as the fans get excited, the superstars start to dread the prospect
of missing one of very few WrestleManias that will come along in your career.
[Joseph] Oh, BFT! BFT!
Knight got Miz!
[Barrett] Out of nowhere.
[Joseph] And looking for a little bit extra.
[Barrett] A bit of emphasis.
[Joseph] Getting that exclamation point!
[Barrett] Getting that stuffing, you mean.
[crowd] One, two, three!
[Joseph] LA Knight sending a message to the United States champion.
[Garcia] Here is your winner,
LA Knight!
[crowd] Yeah!
[Barrett] Well, LA Knight surely closing in on
a date with destiny with the man who now stares down on the outside of the ring,
the United States champ Shinsuke Nakamura.
Come on. Do something about it.
Do something about it. Come on.
Come on. Come on.
Yeah. I want. I want that. I'm gonna take that.
Yeah. That's what I said.
[Joseph] Tensions rising.
Knight focused on Nakamura and potentially regaining the United States title.
You got to know.
Oh.
Hi, Nia.
I just wanna say, have fun tonight in your match against Tiffany.
Hopefully you do better than Candice did last week.
[stammers, scoffs]
Hi, Candice.
I think I'll be fine.
I'm familiar with former friends betraying me.
Funny you say that because Lily and I were thinking, you know, if you win the title,
I win Elimination Chamber,
there's a chance we could be facing each other again.
And how fun would it be for us to have another WrestleMania rematch?
Good luck.
-She is so rude. Uncalled for. -First of all, rude.
She… I was talking about her.
[Joseph] Ah, WWE Women's championship matchup still to come tonight.
[R-Truth] Y'all know what time it is?
It's the part where we crank it up.
Let's crank it up. Now here we go.
♪ People over there, what's up ♪
♪ You feel me stand up And say what's up ♪
-What's up? What's up? -What's up? What's up?
♪ Now, you can get with this Or you can get with that ♪
♪ Watch it in DC This is where it's at ♪
-What's up? What's up? -What's up? What's up?
♪ See, I be skippin' and jumpin' And leavin' the competition ♪
♪ Makin' 'em disappear Like your favorite magician ♪
♪ I ride until the wheels fall off ♪
♪ I bounce 'em back to back 'Til they necks get soft ♪
♪ Most of the time you see me ♪
[Joseph] Well, get ready, Barrett.
R-Truth takes on Carmelo Hayes,
And that's what's up, next on SmackDown.
[grunting, groaning]
Miz, Miz. I watched your match.
If you want I can teach you something.
Just let me know.
[tutting]
You know, it's too bad, man.
People like that, they don't respect talent like us, man.
-Yeah. Yeah, you're right. -They don't.
I am.
We should show them what happens when people disrespect us.
You and me, we team up. Melo don't "Miz."
Thought it was cool.
-[Barrett] Melo don't "Miz." -[Joseph] I get it.
I don't know if Carmelo liked the offer to be fair,
[Barrett] Not a fan of puns apparently or the Miz.
["Melo Don't Miss" playing]
[Garcia] The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
making his way to the ring from Boston, Massachusetts,
weighing at 210 pounds.
Carmelo Hayes!
[Joseph] Well, this matchup came about after an altercation earlier today.
-Always fresh. Let's go, yep. -You're all set, bro.
All right, sir.
What's up, OG?
Hey, look, my bad about your boy Tozawa, man.
I ain't mean to do him like that, but I had to show him that I'm him.
Who him? Tozawa?
It's Tozawa.
No, no, no, I had to show Tozawa that I'm him.
No, your mama named you Carmelo Hayes. Tozawa mama named him Tozawa.
No, no, no, Truth. I'm him. I'm Melo, but I'm him.
You is you.
Dawg, you're the reason why toothpaste got instruction.
-You making a joke of me? -I'm just saying.
Well, I'm just saying. You think this is funny.
So I'll go talk to Nick Aldis,
and we'll see how funny it's gonna be in that ring.
I am him.
You're not Tozawa, Carmelo!
[Joseph] I mean, Wade… I-I-I mean, can we agree?
Oh, Carmelo Hayes right off the bell,
getting right onto the back of R-Truth,
but can we agree that Hayes is looking a little bit too deep
into R-Truth and what happened earlier today?
[Barrett] No, no, no, no, I'm not buying that at all.
-R-Truth knows-- -[Joseph] He just wanted a haircut.
It's not a barbershop.
[Barrett] It's Valentine's Day. You've got to get yourself a fresh fade.
That's all Melo was doing.
Here R-Truth comes along and tries to clown him.
-Well, now… -[Joseph] Oh, nice.
[Barrett] …that clowning has suddenly done a 180,
and looking like the ultimate fool is R-Truth.
[Joseph] Well, Hayes right, wrong, just felt disrespected by R-Truth,
a giant misunderstanding as Hayes looking up at WrestleMania sign.
-He should be focused on R-Truth. -[Barrett] Oh, no.
[Barrett] Oh, no. He's doing that John Cena thing again.
[Joseph] That was his childhood hero.
[Barrett] No, he thinks he is John Cena.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd] You can't see me!
[Barrett] I told you!
-Just paying homage-- -[Barrett] This guy's nuts.
-[Joseph] Oh, super kick… -Yes!
…from Carmelo Hayes.
[Barrett] Hopefully knocks some reality back into the mind of R-Truth.
[Joseph] Oh, counter into a stunner.
-And Hayes is a little bit rocked. -Stone Cold Steve Austin now.
[Joseph] Look, when it comes to R-Truth--
Oh, he just got caught though.
-[Barrett] Yeah, long blower connecting. -Back and forth they go.
[Joseph] Hayes into the cover and…
-and it's Hayes who could be starting to… -[Carmelo] What's up?
…refine himself, you know, not only what we've been seeing here tonight,
first that super kick and then bam!
But also going back and picking up a win last week.
[Barrett] Well, you and I know Melo as well as anyone from his days in NXT,
not been on the best streak lately,
but he has been losing to A-plus superstars until the victory.
Got back to winning ways against Tozawa last week.
Really needs to capitalize on that momentum.
[Joseph] Truth from behind.
And, you know, you said something right there about the competition
that Carmelo Hayes has faced--
Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn, Jimmy Uso just to name a few here tonight.
It's R-Truth, Truth's first singles match on SmackDown since 2019,
and it doesn't seem to be going R-Truth's way.
[Barrett] Well, this guy is simply the future.
The future is him and R-Truth is about to learn that firsthand.
[Joseph] Carmelo Hayes position, takes a look and nothing but net.
And Hayes tonight took his shot and didn't miss.
-[bell rings] -["Melo Don't Miss" playing]
[Garcia] Here's your winner, Carmelo Hayes!
[Barrett] Well, that streak of losses that Melo picked up of late
has perhaps been the worst thing for the entire locker room.
Melo climbing the rankings once again.
[Joseph] Well, earlier tonight we heard from Sami Zayn,
but we've been told Kevin Owens has responded.
We will hear from Kevin Owens and what he has to say coming up next.
Well, well, well, well, well. It seems like we ruffled a few feathers.
I don't know what y'all mad for. We was just telling y'all the truth.
If anybody should be mad, it should be us.
We promised each other we will never let grudges consume us,
but we blame y'all for making us a liar.
So…
when I'm fully cleared,
Pretty Deadly,
Los Garza, Motor City,
DIY, y'all get in our way, we puttin' you in the dirt.
Whoo!
Oh, yes! I love that, the passion!
But you know what?
They gonna know. They gonna know. They gonna know.
They gonna know this frustration that's been burning deep within us for years.
They're just showing up like everything's fine, like everything's happy,
when it's not okay, nothing is okay!
It's finally gonna be shown to the world.
My Lord, have mercy on all their souls,
'cause the motto don't change,
because we…
want…
smoke.
The Street Profits boldly declaring which teams they intend to target here
on Friday Night SmackDown.
Well, I just happen to be standing by with one of those teams, Pretty Deadly.
Gentlemen, last week you secured the victory,
which earns you a tag team championship match against DIY.
So as you head into next week's match. How are you guys feeling?
We are feeling exquisite, Byron.
We're back to feeling like two tasty snacks.
That being said, the Motor City Machine Guns, the Street Profits and DIY,
we are done being underestimated because…
-No, no, no, boy, no. -Byron.
Look, we're not angry, we're just disappointed.
I thought we had something special here, and you threw it all away.
[scoffs] We didn't throw it away. We, uh… We chose to stand up for ourselves.
For what? A cheap match?
You caught us with our pants down last week.
-You were wearing pants. -Yeah, exactly.
That's the problem. You've seen my gear.
I don't wear pants in the ring, okay?
-We weren't ready. -Listen.
-We were good you guys. -Great.
Now, whatever happens next week, that's on you.
And I promise you this much,
your dreams of becoming the next WWE tag team champions, they're dead.
And after next week we will give your entire career
a proper moment of silence.
[Barrett] Well, DIY played Pretty Deadly like fools for weeks,
they may live to regret that next week here on SmackDown.
Oh, time will tell, but the time is now because as we mentioned,
Kevin Owens has sent us a response to Sami Zayn.
So you're not doing good, huh?
[chuckles] I'm not doing good.
Because in the last six months,
I was stabbed in the back and had my heart broken.
By three guys I loved, three guys I considered brothers.
Three guys I would have taken a bullet for.
And Sami, now you-you-you, you sit there
and you talk about the pain you're in and how your neck's hurt.
You have no idea. You don't know what real pain is.
But, um, I'll show you.
Yeah, I'll show you, you wanna…
You say you wanna go again, me and you. You wanna, uh… That's… That's great.
That's perfect.
Let's do that.
I can't think of a better place than where it all started for us, in Canada.
So cleared or not, I don't care.
Toronto. Elimination Chamber.
Come find me. Then you'll know pain.
[Joseph] Well, there is a lot on the desk of Nick Aldis,
but there is the WWE women's champion, Tiffany Stratton.
Does Tiffy's time continue tonight as champion on SmackDown?
But the women's Royal Rumble winner is here.
Charlotte Flair very interested in our following contest
here live from Washington, DC,
because when we come back Tiffany Stratton will defend her title
against the woman she cashed in on, Nia Jax.
It's going down next on SmackDown.
["Not Like Most Girls" playing]
[Joseph] But Barrett, we are now set for a championship clash.
[Barrett] And we have got the irresistible force, the former champ,
Nia Jax flanked by Candice LeRae,
a woman who has been on a nonstop war path for the past few weeks
since losing the gold to former mentee Tiffany Stratton.
Well, today is all about vengeance.
[Joseph] And you can tell for Nia Jax,
she set an elimination record in the women's Royal Rumble match with nine.
She wants her title back.
Has the clock struck midnight on Tiffany Stratton?
[Cole] Nia Jax with the annihilator. Nia Jax retains the championship.
Now Tiffany Stratton saying, "Nia, get some of Bianca Belair."
Oh, Tiffany from behind with a briefcase.
[Garcia] Tiffany Stratton is cashing in her money in the bank contract!
[Cole] Tiffany Stratton has vaulted herself to the top,
but it is now officially…
-Tiffy time! -Tiffy time!
[Stratton] What a Tiffy turn of event, you guys.
Am I right?
Less than a year ago, I befriended Nia, the queen of the ring,
and the princess of the ring.
She thought I was naive. She thought I was just a dumb blonde.
[screams] Yay!
Don't forget who got this for you.
[commentator] This is champion versus champion.
[Cole] Tiffany Stratton on her way to the ring,
but who's she gonna cash in on?
[Jax] I'm trying to cash in for my title.
If this ends bad for me. This will end really badly for you.
And now I'm at the Tiffy top of my game.
[Cole] The WWE women's champion.
Tiffany Stratton.
[Jax] You ungrateful little…
You would be nothing without me. You're at the Tiffy top.
Congrats on rubbing two brain cells together to come up with that.
Give me my championship back, or I'm gonna take it from you.
[Stratton] I'm not worried even in the slightest.
Put some respect on my name and tell me what time it is.
It's Tiffy time.
Time's up.
[Barrett] Nia Jax has got a championship opportunity and Tiffy time may well end.
Put some respect on my name, bitch.
["Tiffy Time" playing]
[Joseph] For Nia Jax, she gets her rematch tonight.
Certainly Jax is gonna show no mercy towards Tiffany Stratton.
So the question I have for you, Wade,
can Stratton pass her toughest test yet as champion?
[Barrett] Well, the jury really is still out when it comes to Tiffany Stratton
trying to conquer a woman like Nia Jax.
Tiffany Stratton has blown minds
with how rapidly she's grown into this industry,
and is now sitting pretty at the very top of the mountain.
However, the challenge of Nia Jax is like no other.
[Joseph] Just a year since her SmackDown debut,
42 days as champion, Stratton has skyrocketed to the top,
set to defend the title against the woman she cashed in on, Nia Jax.
There's Charlotte Flair.
She's gonna have a very close eye on this championship matchup
after she won the women's Royal Rumble match.
She has a big decision looming. Lillian Garcia standing by
-to get this started here tonight. -[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 Diego, California.
Nia Jax!
And her opponent. From Prior Lake, Minnesota.
She is the WWE Women's champion,
-Tiffany Stratton! -[crowd cheers]
[Joseph] Shout out to Joe Tessitore,
who sent me a text message earlier today wishing me good luck,
but saying, oh, man, he wishes he was ringside tonight to call this matchup.
[Barrett] Yeah, we are so lucky.
What a hot atmosphere, and what a red hot battle this is gonna be
against two women who cannot stand the sight of one another.
[Joseph] I just want to reset the stage for this matchup,
it was Tiffany Stratton who cashed in her money in the bank briefcase
on the first SmackDown of the new year.
And charging right in and getting overpowered by Nia Jax.
This, of course, was after Jax had already defended the women's title that night.
[Barrett] Yeah, it was the most easy layup
you could possibly have to win a championship,
Oh! And of course Tiffany Stratton had earned that right for the layup.
She held a fistful of aces, and she played her hand perfectly.
However, things have changed rapidly.
[Joseph] Tiffany almost shocked herself with that cartwheel,
but look at her escape ability here tonight trying to take down Jax,
but there is the irresistible force overpowering once again
the WWE Women's champion.
[Barrett] Oh, headbutt straight to the kisser.
[Joseph] Into the cover for the title, it's on the line,
and a kick out.
[Barrett] Athleticism meets raw power
and this is looking like a cakewalk for Nia Jax.
[Joseph] Be honest, was Jax using Stratton,
or was Tiffany's timing just right?
The timing there though by Nia Jax on point.
[Barrett] Well, for the former Team USA gymnast, Vic,
it was less pommel horse,
and more Trojan horse ingratiating herself to the then champ, Nia Jax.
[Joseph] What do you mean? You got a little disdain in your voice.
[Barrett] Yeah, of course. It was the worst move of all time.
I get it. You've won gold.
But what could have happened,
is that Tiffan Stratton could have cashed in
on another champion such as Rhea Ripley,
and then we would have a scene in front of us now where a power duo,
Stratton and Nia Jax would both hold world gold.
[Joseph] Look at the athleticism though by Stratton.
I think some would argue with you, Wade,
because it was Stratton who knew all the weaknesses of Nia Jax!
Who just dropped the champion, into the cover.
Titles on the line here in DC,
and Stratton just got that right shoulder up.
That was close.
[Barrett] We talk about weaknesses.
There are now weaknesses all over the body of Tiffany Stratton.
[Joseph] Of course, Nia Jax has the Poison Pixie fluttering around ringside.
And she is in control of this matchup.
I told you this is gonna end bad for you!
[Barrett] And I would argue the addition of Candice LeRae
into this flock of Nia Jax
was really what helped drive a wedge between Tiffany Stratton and Nia.
[Joseph] Championship on the line here in DC tonight.
Two NXT women's title matches will be on the line tomorrow at Vengeance Day.
Fallon Henley defending the women's North America title.
Giulia defending the NXT women's title in a four-way.
This traditional one-on-one,
can Tiffany Stratton get back into this matchup?
Nia Jax has been in control.
Stratton has not, and I mean has not been able to get out of the gate.
[Barrett] Yeah, I've never seen Tiffany Stratton mishandled
and mistreated quite like this before.
[Joseph] Big body slam, big leg drop.
Champion in trouble!
And a half second away from Nia Jax claiming another
women's championship here in the WWE.
You can you can almost sense that the air was let out.
[Barrett] Well this could serve as the ultimate catharsis for Nia Jax,
you can vanquish this young upstart, regain your gold,
and potentially book a ticket to WrestleMania
all in one fell swoop where you could indeed,
speaking of WrestleMania, meet that woman,
the Royal Rumble winner.
[Joseph] Oh, and the second time the charm for Nia Jax,
who has silenced 13,536 here in DC.
Is Jax about to claim the women's title?
Into the cover!
We'll be right back on SmackDown.
[Joseph] We're back live in Washington, DC,
the women's championship on the line.
Tiffany Stratton, the champion taking on the challenger, Nia Jax,
and it has been all Nia Jax.
Tiffany Stratton now trying to fight back in this matchup again.
She has not been able to get out of the gates,
has been overpowered by Nia since the beginning,
but Stratton now, the champion,
trying to rely on, maybe, some of her athleticism
to fight her way free, trying to take down Jax.
Doesn't matter how pretty it is, it's effective.
Shoulders down and a near-fall.
[Barrett] Inventive and adaptive. That has been the Tiffany Stratton story
since arriving under the WWE umbrella about 4 years ago.
She's gonna have at her inventive best to conquer Nia Jax.
-Wow, where did that come from? -[Joseph] Look at that strength.
Into the cover and a kick out.
We witnessed the rise of Tiffany Stratton in NXT.
She's been destined to be a champion,
but she's now paying the price for being one.
Into the cover. And ooh.
Well, you mentioned it, Vic.
There's a bull's eye on her back now, Barrett.
[Barrett] It's been one-way traffic so far in this matchup.
It has been almost 95% offense in the direction of Tiffany Stratton,
but this is that X factor she has.
She shrugged it all off,
somehow got herself into the upper hand position in this match,
and can she make it count?
[Joseph] And again gets caught and overpowered!
What a slam from Jax, who now is saying, "Tiffy time is up."
[Barrett] Tiffy time's up, and this is doomsday.
[Joseph] Into the cover for the W…
Whoa, the champion still with some fight.
[Barrett] Yeah, extreme durability as Charlotte Flair looks on.
Good chance she may well face the winner of this matchup at WrestleMania,
should she so choose.
[Joseph] And the winner of the women's Royal Rumble
has made her presence known across the landscape of the WWE,
but Nia Jax right now trying to take out Stratton,
who out of desperation and wisely able to turn things around.
It's Stratton now, quickly climbing to the top.
Double stomp to Jax!
Title's on the line, to retain.
Tiffy into the cover and a near-fall.
And I don't know if it was the momentum of hooking both legs, but Nia Jax's shoulder
looked like it rolled off the mat as Tiffany came down with precision,
right into the chest of the challenger.
Right there, Wade! Looking hooking both legs.
I don't know if that helped Nia out or not.
I just mentioned that Nia Jax has been asking the kind of questions
of Tiffany that no one has ever before.
Well, the same is true in reverse because Nia Jax has perhaps
never faced this level of athleticism before in her career.
Tiffany Stratton can attack you from angles that nobody else can.
[Joseph] Both women now teetering.
And Tiffany Stratton may not like the view looking down.
Stratton now, high above the ring.
-Oh! -[Barrett] She didn't like the view.
[Joseph] That's got to be it.
She certainly didn't like the landing,
but somehow Tiffy time is hanging on by a thread.
[Joseph] Like her or not, but you have to respect Tiffany Stratton,
who just got flattened by the challenger, Nia Jax, showing you a lot of grit.
A lot of determination, a lot of fight as she is defending
her WWE women's championship here against the irresistible force,
who it seemed to be fun and games is now over.
[Barrett] Kicking out on instinct was Stratton,
but instinct might be about to leave the body of the champ,
as indeed will her soul!
[Joseph] Big leg drop.
How in the hell did Stratton kick out?
[Barrett] Everything has left Tiffany Stratton at this point,
except the championship.
[Joseph] Who's walking out with the championship tonight?
Jax charging in.
WWE Women's championship on the line
and that's really the first mistake we've seen from Nia Jax,
and it's Tiffany Stratton now looking to capitalize on that mistake.
Going to the Tiffy top.
And flying through the air! Moonsault with an extra rotation.
[Barrett] Going high risk and connecting,
it beggars belief that somebody can pull out a move like that at the best of times,
let alone in this kind of territory
against a ruthless opponent like Nia Jax.
[Joseph] Swanton! Picture perfect.
And Jax.
[Barrett] Tens all around for the swanton
but only a two from the referee, Charles Robinson.
Candice LeRae just fainted thinking it was over.
What a work of art.
[Joseph] Talk about the Olympic gymnast background,
the judges would have given that a ten,
but Stratton couldn't get the three here tonight.
What a championship showdown between these two.
Well, Sheamus is on the phone to his lawyers right now
because we are getting a banger here on SmackDown.
And the spine of Tiffany Stratton just collapsed
under the overwhelming force that is Nia Jax.
[Joseph] And Tiffany not liking the positioning now.
Nia Jax knows, a smile on the face.
[Barrett] You know what we call this?
What do you call it?
[Barrett] We call it squashing time here on SmackDown.
[Joseph] Well, Nia took a little bit too much time.
Stratton trying to overpower…
Oh, one headbutt and then no one home,
[Barrett] Well, Stratton either instinctively or with momentum,
rolled out of the way.
[Joseph] Luck on the side of Tiffany Stratton,
[Barrett] Avoiding the annihilator
and the inevitable loss of the championship
that would have come with it.
[Joseph] And now it's Tiffany Stratton fired up, firing away.
Hoisted up by the challenger,
sliding down the back door, turning right around, ducking a clothesline.
Another spine buster!
[Barrett] What the hell did they make Tiffany Stratton out of?
It should not be legal.
-Here we go! -Look out for that prettiest moon…
[Joseph] Hey!
-[bell rings] -Candice LeRae.
[Barrett] With victory in her sights,
you have to think that surely is a disqualification
-with the poison pixie… -[Joseph] Hundred percent.
-[Barrett] …getting involved. -The official had no choice.
[Joseph] And now there's nowhere for Stratton to go.
Picking her spot was LeRae.
And now giving her, squishy time, is that what you call it?
[Barrett] It's squashing time!
The annihilator.
It is too late to have consequence
on where that championship is going home.
[Joseph] Oh, now what?
A steel chair. Candice, come on, you can't be serious.
Wait, Tiffany Stratton is getting helped out by Trish Stratus.
[Barrett] The Hall of Famer just in the nick of time
for the champ who looks anything but right now, Tiffany Stratton.
[Joseph] All right, Trish Stratus firing away. She's seen enough.
She was talking about how happy she was to be here earlier.
She's already going on.
And, oh, no!
Finally we're getting some help out here.
[Barrett] Well, security crew has emptied out,
but the damage has already been done.
Tiffany Stratton,
the women's WWE champ, can barely move.
-Same for Hall of Famer for Trish Stratus. -Wait a minute, Barrett!
[Barrett] And it's not over.
Good luck controlling Nia Jax.
Absolutely uncalled for, for what we just saw here tonight.
[Barrett] Well, Tiffany Stratton did not get what she was anticipating tonight,
but she has kept the championship.
["All Hail The Queen" playing]
[Joseph] Well, we've been talking about her all night.
We told you she had her eye on this matchup.
There is Charlotte Flair.
♪ All hail the queen ♪
[Joseph] And all of a sudden we gotta switch gears
because what could be on the mind
of the 2025 women's Royal Rumble winner?
[Barrett] Well, Charlotte Flair holds a royal flush
after winning for the Royal Rumble,
and you never play your hand in this game until you have to,
till you know what is in store.
And there is a good chance that Charlotte Flair
may well be looking at her future opponent
at WrestleMania.
[Joseph] I'm just trying to digest everything that just happened.
Nia Jax and what she did to Tiffany Stratton,
not to mention Trish Stratus coming in here to help out,
the Hall of Famer, who's here celebrating.
She was wiped out.
And now all of a sudden, through all the chaos
comes the women's Royal Rumble winner, Charlotte Flair.
[Barrett] The WrestleMania season is never more dangerous
than for those who hold world championships.
Welcome to the big time, Tiffany Stratton.
[singsongy] Tiffy.
Wake up, Tiffy.
Blink if you can hear me, Tiffy.
Wake up, Tiffy.
It's still Tiffy time.
Sit up if you can, Tiffy.
[normal] The queen chooses you.
[crowd cheers]
I'll see you at WrestleMania.
[Joseph] Wow, the match the world has been wanting
is happening.
Tiffany, Flair, WrestleMania,
for the WWE Women's championship.
Listen, there's something else I have to handle. I'll call you back.
Ladies, thank you for coming in. I'm gonna get right to it.
There's been a development in the Jade situation.
Finally.
I got an anonymous tip.
Well, I got a video. Looks like it was shot on a cell phone.
We don't know who sent it, we don't know who filmed it.
-I'm just gonna show it to you. -Okay.
-Is that Liv and Raquel? -I knew it.
-I knew it. I told you. -[laughs]
I told you. Everybody been saying this. Everybody thinks it's me.
-They framed me! -I know.
We've been here. I've been knew that.
Look, thank you for showing us what we both already knew.
Okay, I have to stress something. We don't know anything yet.
Let me call Pearce and we figure out the next steps,
but, look, we can't jump to any conclusions.
-Oh, my gosh. -You know what?
You don't even need to make that call because we are gonna go to Raw,
and we're gonna handle Liv and Raquel ourselves, okay?
Let's go.
And everybody owe us an apology.
[Joseph] Well, there's a man who has capitalized on many moments.
Damian Priest, always confident. There's three men and one opportunity.
Who's headed to Toronto?
Elimination Chamber qualifying triple-threat next.
[Joseph] What a night it has been.
We are live in our nation's capital of Washington, DC for SmackDown.
And the WWE universe has brought out the signs tonight.
[Barrett] Well, Washington, DC, brought the noise, "We love WWE."
We certainly make it sound like it tonight, DC.
[Joseph] I'm sure Cody would say yes by the way.
[Barrett] I don't think his wife would.
[Barrett] And it is indeed Tiffy time, a successful defense somehow.
[Joseph] Got an Eagle fan there and Valentine's Day, obviously,
in full effect, but let's go back to what happened moments ago on SmackDown.
The queen chooses you.
[crowd cheers]
I'll see you at WrestleMania.
[Joseph] An absolute monumental announcement.
Excuse me, Tiffany.
I-I know you've been through a lot tonight.
You successfully retained your championship against Nia Jax
only to be brutally attacked after the match.
And then on top of all that,
Charlotte Flair announces that she chooses to face you at WrestleMania.
What's your reaction?
Trust me, Charlotte's gonna know that it's Tiffy time,
but right now it's a little hard to focus on WrestleMania
after what Candice and Nia did to me.
I know that you have some problems with Nia and Candice, and now so do I.
So I'm thinking, me, you, Toronto. Elimination Chamber.
Are you saying that it's gonna be Tiffy and Trishy time in Toronto?
That's what I'm saying.
-Yes! Yeah. -All right?
-Trishy time. I like it. -Trishy time and Tiffy time.
Oh, I love that so much.
I know you're excited about that.
We'll see if our general manager Nick Aldis makes that one official,
-but I gotta get back to what happened… -Do it, Nick!
…a few moments ago.
Big announcement because one thing we do know:
who Charlotte Flair has chosen to face in Las Vegas.
[Barrett] Well, as we just saw, Tiffy Time somehow ticks on,
but will it make it passed the showcase of the Immortals
when the gold is on the line
against, arguably, the greatest ever in Charlotte Flair.
[Joseph] Well, this past Monday on Raw,
we found out that the men's Royal Rumble winner,
Jey Uso is gonna challenge Gunther,
who turned a promise ten weeks of hell for Jey Uso.
Coming up, Uso, Gunther for the World Heavyweight title
at WrestleMania.
[crowd cheers]
Hey, it's pretty cool, isn't it?
Charlotte and Tiffany got their path to WrestleMania,
your brother has got his path to WrestleMania.
Imagine you won last week. How big that would be.
Brother and brother both fighting for the world championships
on the grandest stage of them all.
I mean, it's not gonna happen
because I qualified for the Elimination Chamber,
which I'm gonna win, go to WrestleMania,
and beat Cody Rhodes for the WWE championship.
YeetMania running wild. No YeetMania at home with your feet up.
Listen, man, I need to give you some advice.
I used to be like you, angry.
You're angry right now, aren't you? I can see it in your eyes.
So listen closely to this advice.
Sure your career is going really, really, really, really, really, really,
really, really, really bad in the toilet.
But in the plus side, you married up, man.
Is it something I said, Jey?
Sorry, Ji--
[crowd] Yeet!
Look, I know I've got my hands full out there tonight.
I'm in the ring with a wild animal and a former world champion,
but I think people forget that I'm a former world champion myself,
and it's been five damn years since I held gold.
So tonight I run through Fatu, I run through Priest,
then I run through Elimination Chamber.
Cody Rhodes, I hope you're watching, because I'm coming for you.
[Joseph] Oh, and you can feel the intensity from Braun Strowman.
Walking with a purpose,
looking to destroy all in his path to get to Toronto,
to get to the Elimination Chamber, and to get to WrestleMania.
["Monster Of All Monsters" playing]
[bell rings]
[Garcia] The following is an Elimination Chamber qualifying triple-threat match.
Introducing first, weighing in at 355 pounds.
Braun Strowman!
[Barrett] Well, meat lovers of planet Earth,
we are gonna be eating good tonight.
Triple-chicken, triple-beef, triple-pork, triple-threat in our main event.
[Joseph] Well, you put the whole smorgasbord out there.
It sounds like we got a buffet for this matchup coming up,
because who heads to Toronto?
We're gonna find out. Priest, Fatu, Strowman.
It's our main event to qualify for the Elimination Chamber.
It's live. It's next on SmackDown.
[Joseph] SmackDown is live next week in New Orleans.
The Big Easy.
Barrett, I know you will be on Bourbon Street
at some point during your stay there, but I hope you don't stay out all night
because what a night it's going to be.
because next week will we have a moment of silence for the champions.
DIY will defend the WWE tag team titles against Pretty Deadly next week
when SmackDown heads to New Orleans.
[Barrett] And not only that, Jimmy Uso,
who has been the victim of unfavorable comparisons
to his twin brother, Jey, of late.
Well, he squares off with a big mouth Scottish Terminator, Drew McIntyre,
next week on SmackDown, live from New Orleans.
[Joseph] Well, we are set to find out who is headed to Toronto
and the Elimination Chamber.
Will it be Braun Strowman or one of his two opponents in this triple-threat match?
["Samoan Destroyer" playing]
[Garcia] Introducing next, weighing in at 287 pounds.
Jacob Fatu!
[Joseph] Wade, let's go back to what happened
at Saturday Night's Main Event.
[Barrett] Yeah, this was three weeks ago, Jacob Fatu bent on wanton violence,
assaulting Braun Strowman with extreme prejudice.
Taking out a referee and several security guards in the process.
Leaving the monster bloodied, but ultimately unbound.
[Joseph] Well, it wouldn't be done just once, as you're getting ready to say,
because he would just go one after another after another, wipe out Braun Strowman,
a sight no one has ever seen.
[Barrett] Reckless and lawless, a guy who simply is uncontrollable,
but there may well be consequences for Jacob Fatu's behavior tonight,
in the form of that massive man lurking in the background, Braun Strowman.
-[Joseph] Why do you have pepper spray? -["Rise For The Night" playing]
[Barrett] Your learn when Jacob Fatu's around, you need to be armed.
[crowd cheering]
[Garcia] And from New York City, weighing in at 249 pounds.
Damian Priest!
[Joseph] It's a triple-threat match. No disqualification.
The winner, of course, heads to Toronto for the men's Elimination Chamber matchup.
Damian Priest is getting ready to enter the ring with a wild animal and a monster.
[Barrett] A monster versus a werewolf versus, what, a creature of the night?
What can possibly go right in this main event?
Very little, but it should be highly entertaining
with a place in the Elimination Chamber
in Toronto, Canada at stake.
Kind of matchup that makes me very happy that I am safely retired.
[Joseph] These three chasing a dub here tonight,
-a massive one that would send them… -[bell rings]
…to the Elimination Chamber.
One win closer to a championship match at WrestleMania.
[Barrett] This is never gonna be a traditional sporting contest.
This is about maximizing carnage.
[crowd chants] Fatu!
[Barrett] And massacring your opponents. We are in for a treat here.
[Joseph] Well, Butcher Barrett, as you put before
with all the slabs of beef you had throwing around.
This is going to be human demolition derby.
Look at the bodies already starting to throw around.
I mean, it's even hard to take a look up and say who has the advantage
in this sort of matchup, as Strowman going right at Fatu.
[Barrett] Yeah, you simply can't pick a winner.
The only shame about this matchup is that somehow all three cannot make it
through to the Elimination Chamber, such is the stacked roster here
on SmackDown and indeed on Raw.
[Joseph] You take a look and taking out the Monster first,
but now Damian Priest looking at Jacob Fatu,
and it was Priest who competed in the Elimination Chamber in 2023,
and remember one year ago he was señor Money In the Bank,
created his own WrestleMania moment.
He can inch closer to another one if he can qualify for the Elimination Chamber.
[Barrett] These two did indeed clash several weeks ago
in the main event of SmackDown in tag action
resulted in Damian Priest getting laid out at the end of the match.
Matches are simply never over when it comes to Jacob Fatu,
and at times you question, how important is victory, Fatu?
Versus maiming other human beings?
[Joseph] Nice jumping back elbow by Damian Priest.
Priest, as we know, will not take a back seat to anyone.
Well, look how quick, Jacob Fatu back to his feet,
and then he just ran over Damian Priest.
Fatu said all gas, no brakes, and he's proven that tonight.
Can you imagine, by the way?
Jacob Fatu locked in the Elimination Chamber.
[Barrett] Well, that's exactly where he should be.
He needs to be locked in a cage, but I pity the five men
who would potentially be in there with him should Jacob Fatu win here.
[Joseph] Into the cover to qualify and a quick kick out from Damian Priest.
Fatu also said earlier he will destroy everyone tonight.
He will destroy everyone in Toronto.
He will bring the WWE title back to his family at WrestleMania,
and had a little bit of business to take care of earlier tonight.
[Barrett] Well, isn't that the most warped family loyalty
you've ever heard from Jacob Fatu?
[Joseph, Barrett] Oh!
[Barrett] He has that obsession with winning gold for his family,
while simultaneously hating the likes of the Usos and Roman Reigns.
[Joseph] Braun Strowman talked about it's been a long time
since he's worn gold.
He wants to put some around his waist.
Who's headed to the chamber?
Strowman standing tall in our main event on SmackDown.
Quite a matchup triple-threat main event, SmackDown, a lot on the line.
Who will join the field, which currently sits at four?
Think about the field this far.
Drew McIntyre, two-time winner. John Cena, his last one.
CM Punk wants to main event WrestleMania.
Logan Paul qualified Monday.
Rollins, Bálor will battle this Monday in the final qualifier,
and here and now on SmackDown,
one of these three men looking for that opportunity.
[Barrett] And Braun Strowman, who was taken out minutes earlier
had barely moved since, suddenly springing back to life,
and now getting even on the man who put him in hospital several weeks ago.
-[Joseph] And Strowman! -[Barrett] Oh!
[Joseph] Might have just been wiped out in this matchup.
And we know exactly what Jacob Fatu is capable of,
the savagery, the werewolf intensity.
[Barrett] No disqualifications in this kind of matchup,
referee incapable of doing anything regarding this carnage on the outside.
[crowd chants] Fatu!
[Barrett] And now Fatu turns his attention to the street king,
who seems to be wracked in pain.
[Joseph] Earlier tonight we had a qualifying matchup.
Naomi was able to punch her ticket.
Which one of these three men will do the same?
Damian Priest has risen to his feet,
and now he's starting to swing away on Jacob Fatu.
[Barrett] There is a darkness burning inside Damian Priest,
and you have to think Jacob Fatu hasn't quite faced anything like this before.
[Joseph] Same could be said though for Damian Priest.
Has he faced anything quite like Jacob Fatu?
The heck?
Fatu just got caught spinning heel kick from Damian Priest.
[Barrett] Find a weakness and exploit it, that has to be the strategy against Fatu.
Easier said than done but it may be something Damian Priest has figured out.
[Joseph] I don't know how Strowman was able to get back up
after everything we've seen him go through in this matchup.
Jacob Fatu's the only one in the ring.
Damian Priest though staring in, turning right around,
another big kick connecting to the side of the face.
[Barrett] Well, Priest doing a hell of a job of confusing Jacob Fatu.
Doesn't know which way to look, which way to block,
and we're about to go for some…
Oh, no.
[Joseph] Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
For a moment, I thought someone was going for a ride,
but somebody did!
[Barrett] Damian Priest attempting some old-school punishment.
-[Joseph] Whoa! -Jacob Fatu having different ideas!
[Joseph] And now Jacob Fatu, going to the top.
Flying through the air. Is this the man that's headed to Toronto?
Is Jacob Fatu headed to the Elimination Chamber?
Hook of the leg, and Priest just kicking out!
[Barrett] Jacob Fatu with all the momentum in the world there,
taking out two birds with one stone
and almost booking his ticket to the Elimination Chamber,
connecting perfectly,
but Priest just built too tough to go down without a fight.
[Joseph] So close is Jacob Fatu who called out Jey Uso last week.
Said the family needs the WWE title back.
We are here, Washington, DC.
Inside the Capital One Arena.
13,536 watching these three men
destroy themselves to earn an opportunity to head to the Elimination Chamber.
To possibly head to WrestleMania
and face the undisputed WWE champion, Cody Rhodes.
This lawless and volatile Jacob Fatu,
now shredding the Street King Damian Priest,
with an array of attacks that perhaps nobody else on the roster is capable of.
All of it tinged with extreme savagery.
[Joseph] Jacob Fatu has dominated everyone in his path
since becoming unleashed here in the WWE,
but Damian Priest right now valiantly trying to fight back.
[Barrett] Fighting back against a man incapable of self restraint.
Who has a laser focus now on bringing back gold to his family.
[Joseph] And Strowman now.
You gotta be kidding me.
We said it was human demolition derby and, Barrett, that's exactly what it is.
The words have left me for what these three are leaving
in the ring tonight here in DC.
[Barrett] Well, it looked like Braun Strowman was the one
perhaps written out of this contest after colliding with our steel steps.
[Joseph] And Strowman's gonna like what he sees
because he can remember what happened at Saturday Night's Main Event.
He's eyeing up Jacob Fatu.
[Barrett] And Jacob Fatu is about to see one big SOB!
[Joseph] And the true monster running through Jacob Fatu,
the man who was the runner up in the 2018 Elimination Chamber,
who eliminated everyone in the field,
with a massive back body drop.
[Barrett] Jacob Fatu had no idea what a nightmare was
until he met Braun Strowman in this kind of mood.
[Joseph] And all three of these men again…
Oh, wait a minute, Priest now looking for a flatliner.
-[Barrett] And the eyes of Fatu. -[Joseph] Holy crap!
[Barrett] Let the bodies hit the mat,
and Braun Strowman now with a chance
to book his ticket into the Elimination Chamber.
[Joseph] Strowman in firm control, and now looking for a little payback.
Chokeslam! And the table didn't even budge.
[Barrett] Reinforced to the nines, all of that impact absorbed
by the spine of Jacob Fatu.
Damian Priest is down and out.
-[Barrett] Surely out now is Jacob Fatu. -[Joseph] What is it gonna take?
[Joseph] What is it gonna take to keep one of these men down?
Fatu somehow hitting a super kick.
Strowman rocked. Followed up with another one.
Strowman's down. He's sitting in the corner.
Fatu charging in.
[Barrett] It's like déjà vu all over again.
[Joseph] Not once, but twice.
[Barrett] Well, we saw the carnage caused at Saturday Night's Main Event.
This is how the Monster was put out of commission.
[Joseph] And the mood has changed inside the arena.
Whoa, whoa. Watch out, Barrett. That damn savage is coming back out here.
[Barrett] Well, I told you, sometimes victory seems secondary to Jacob Fatu,
once he gets the taste of blood.
[Joseph] And there's no disqualification in a triple-threat match.
[Barrett] Well, Jacob Fatu has now absolutely lost his mind,
referee trying to plead somehow some sense into this.
[Joseph] That's around his neck.
[Barrett] You can't even call him a man,
he resembles nothing of humanity, outside of his physical form.
[Joseph] It's all legal. Jacob Fatu!
[Barrett] Jesus, no.
[Joseph] He's looking to end Braun Strowman.
[Barrett] Oh, finally a bit of life kicks into the Monster.
[Joseph] Now it's Strowman with the chair.
Strowman remembering everything that happened at Saturday Night's Main Event.
And it's Strowman now who has become unhinged.
[Barrett] Well, how do you control the uncontrollable Jacob Fatu,
and Jacob Fatu has just pulled the absolute worst out of Braun Strowman.
C'mon, Jacob, eye for an eye!
[Joseph] Strowman now intent on ending and putting down the Samoan Werewolf.
Oh, hey!
A Samoan Spike from Solo Sikoa.
And they had family business they dealt with earlier.
They're obviously on the same page.
Fatu to the top. Hitting that moonsault!
[Barrett] Fatu is going to the chamber.
-["Kingdom" playing] -[crowd cheers]
-[Barrett] Spoke too soon. -[Joseph] Oh, no.
[Barrett] A victim of that Samoan Spike last week…
-Here comes the American Nightmare. -…Cody Rhodes!
[Joseph] Oh, and Cody promised
he would get the last word with Solo Sikoa.
Tama Tonga. Damn it.
[Barrett] Well, the dogs truly are off the chain now.
[Joseph] Oh!
Cody got away.
-[Barrett] Well, Tama Tonga got-- -Wait a minute.
[Joseph] Jacob now. Will this matchup continue?
Oh, no. Jacob wiped out Solo.
Priest! Priest just wiped out Jacob Fatu!
Cody, get in the last words.
With a Cross Rhodes!
Everyone isolated, everyone wiped out.
[Barrett] And what a disastrous sequence of events.
[Joseph] Oh, went for that powerslam. Strowman sliding down.
Strowman into the post.
Priest. Does he have enough left?
South of Heaven!
Cover that man!
[crowd] One, two, three!
[Joseph] Priest is headed to the Elimination Chamber.
[Garcia] Here is your winner. Damian Priest!
[Joseph] What a match.
[Barrett] Well, we promised you carnage, a massacre, chaos, bedlam,
and we got more than we bargained for.
[Joseph] Damian Priest is in. Five are in. One spot remains.
Who will it be? Finn Bálor or Seth Freakin' Rollins?
We're gonna find out Monday on Raw,
because the winner of the elimination chamber heads to WrestleMania
to face the undisputed WWE champion,
which is the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes.
[Barrett] Damian Priest owes that man a big thank-you
for taking out Solo Sikoa and his cohorts,
opening a pathway to victory for The Street King.
[Joseph] A sign of respect,
a massive South of Heaven has qualified Damian Priest to walk through hell
at the Elimination Chamber! s qualified Damian Priest to walk through hell