[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[Tessitore] "We the North" has long been the sport's rallying cry of Toronto,
and now the "we" in the North is the entire WWE Universe.
Canada's largest city has hosted two WrestleManias, 11 other PLEs,
but as this crowd that's filling up the Scotiabank Arena knows,
it's this weekend that has more star power than Toronto's ever seen.
Elimination Chamber weekend,
John Cena's farewell tour, global sensation Travis Scott,
and business to be settled between the biggest box office star of all,
the Rock, the Final Boss,
and the Undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes.
[The Rock] If you smell what The Rock is cooking.
[Tessitore] The most electrifying man in all of entertainment,
supercharging this WWE Universe.
Next year, finally, WrestleMania is coming back
to New Orleans!
You know that dropping this WrestleMania news wasn't the only great gift
that I was gonna bring to you guys here in New Orleans, right?
The Rock, the Final Boss, came here to call somebody out
who I respect, who I admire.
Come on down, Cody Rhodes.
That feels good, doesn't it? They love you, man.
But I wanted to call you out here for something, Cody,
because it's important, and that is this:
you are a great champion,
and you know that, but my friend, I want you…
to be my champion.
You above all people know I'm their champion.
Cody Rhodes, if you become my champion, I can open up doors and possibilities
for you that you never knew existed.
Every dream you've ever had, I can make come true.
I just need you to be my champion.
I don't want you to answer me tonight.
I will meet you in Toronto, Canada at Elimination Chamber.
You give me your answer then.
Before I leave, I want you to know this, the one thing that I want
more than anything in this world is that.
-All of this is about you want-- -No, no, no.
I don't want that.
I want your soul.
I'll see you in Toronto at Elimination Chamber.
[Tessitore] And here he is in Toronto.
Cody Rhodes, and with every step he takes into this arena,
he draws closer to giving the Final Boss a decision.
Mr. Rhodes, your locker room is right this way.
My locker room?
Yes, courtesy of the Final Boss.
Okay.
[Garcia] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome WWE Hall of Famer
and Toronto's own,
-Trish Stratus! -[crowd cheers]
["Time to Rock & Roll" playing]
♪ Whoa It's time to rock and roll ♪
♪ This time I'm in control ♪
[Tessitore] Not just Toronto's very own, but the WWE Hall of Fame's very own.
Wade, 25 years ago this month, Trish Stratus made her WWE debut.
[Barrett] It's Friday, I'm in love,
and what a thunderous ovation for Trish Stratus.
The entire planet loves themselves some Hall-of-Famer Trish Stratus.
None more so than right here in her hometown of Toronto.
I got a point! Look at that, Joe. I got a point from Trish Stratus!
-[Tessitore chuckles] No point here. -[Barrett laughs]
[Barrett] Best day ever.
[Tessitore] Made that debut 25 years ago, followed it up with 7 world championships,
and still to this day a major factor, a fan favorite,
-whenever she returns to action. -[crowd cheers]
[Tessitore] Great reception for Trish Stratus.
♪ I'm the queen And I'll put you in your place ♪
♪ Whoa It's time to rock and roll ♪
[music fades out]
[crowd chants] Thank you, Trish! Thank you, Trish!
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chants] Thank you, Trish! Thank you, Trish!
-It's the jersey, isn't it? -[crowd cheers]
I just wanna say thank you for that introduction, Lilian Garcia.
[crowd cheers]
Guys, what year is it?
We got Lilian Garcia introducing me.
We got The Rock back in the mix.
We got Trish Stratus wrestling tomorrow?
[crowd cheers]
And I couldn't think of a better place for it all to go down
than right here in my hometown of Toronto.
[crowd cheers]
Do you know what I love about wrestling?
The generational impact it has.
Like this little girl here…
probably, quite possibly, your dad had a poster of me
on his wall when he was your age.
I know. The one with the… the heels and the crawling, that one.
Um, speaking of generational impact,
tomorrow when I wrestle at the Rogers Centre…
[crowd cheers]
…it'll be the very first time
that my kids will see me wrestle live.
Max and Maddie.
To be back here celebrating my 25th anniversary in 2025,
to be able to mix it up with the next generation of talent is incredible to me.
Ooh, you guys…
And, you guys, I am beyond excited to be teaming up with someone
who has been taking the women's division by storm.
Ladies and gentlemen, please get on your feet,
and please help welcome my tag team partner,
your WWE Women's Champion, Tiffany Stratton.
[crowd cheers]
["Tiffy Time" playing]
[Tessitore] Tiffany Stratton, who already knows she has a date with destiny in April
at WrestleMania, with Charlotte Flair.
Toronto, it's Tiffy Time, baby.
[Tessitore] But for Tiffy Time, Vegas well off on the horizon
as the immediate and urgent matters,
the tag team showdown in front of a big stadium crowd tomorrow night
with one of Canada's all-time living legends.
[Barrett] Well, Tiffany and Trish Stratus have been victims of numerous attacks
over the past several weeks.
Tomorrow night, at the Elimination Chamber,
they get an opportunity for vengeance when they square off against
the former women's champ, Nia Jax, and Candice LeRae in tag action.
Toronto…
-[crowd chanting] Tiffy Time! -Tiff.
Can I ask you guys a question? What time is it?
[crowd] Tiffy Time!
-[Stratus] It's… -[both] Trishy Time.
-[Stratton] And… -[both] Tiffy Time!
[crowd cheers]
Show them our backs?
You know, I thought I'd put these special custom-made jerseys together,
and I want to show you some love, but maybe we show someone out here some love.
-Yeah. All right. -Let's do it.
[crowd cheers]
-We're, like, so in sync, Trishy. -We are in sync.
It's almost like we've been hanging out a lot, training together,
maybe doing yoga together.
And that is exactly why tomorrow we're gonna beat Nia Jax and Candice LeRae.
That's right. Right here in Toronto.
["Hot Mess" playing]
♪ It's Chelsea Green… ♪
[Tessitore] Oh, she just couldn't stay away from this, could she?
The Canadian native, but a US import who, as we know,
thinks of herself as significant import.
[singsongy] Snoozefest! [chuckles]
Nobody wants Dumb and Dumber hogging the airtime, okay?
Do you know who I am? I deserve the airtime.
I am the Women's United States Women's Champion.
[crowd chanting] Chelsea! Chelsea! Chelsea! Chelsea!
And, um, much like Auston Matthews,
I'm the best thing to step foot in the Scotiabank Arena tonight, Trish.
[crowd cheers]
But, see, unlike Auston Matthews,
I actually win. [laughs]
[crowd boos]
See, Trishy,
the minute that I left this dump,
everything was better for me.
I became a United States Women's Champion,
and I am honored to represent the people of America, because guess what?
[crowd boos]
Oh, but… but… but… but guess what?
The people are better in America, honey.
[crowd boos]
Chelsea,
I'm from America, and you don't represent me.
Um, I'm sorry, did I say I, uh, represent losers? No, I did not, okay?
-She's not a loser. -It's not "tacky time."
It's my time, honey.
Leave it to the real champions who don't need their mommy to dress them.
Since you think you're so special,
why don't I show you who the real center of the universe is,
and let's have a match tonight.
[crowd cheers]
I can't make it. I have plans. Gotta go.
-I have plans. Piper! -No, no, no.
No, the thing is, I think… I think it's a great idea.
I think Toronto thinks it's a great idea.
-[crowd cheers] -[Stratus] Yeah!
And I think if Nick Aldis thinks it's a good idea,
maybe he should send down a referee right now.
Nicholas, don't you dare bring out a referee!
Don't you dare do it!
-[screams] No! -[crowd cheers]
-[Barrett] Didn't listen. -[Tessitore] Oh, this is good stuff.
[Barrett] This is a disaster.
[Tessitore] Looks like we're getting Tiffany and Chelsea Green right now.
[Tessitore] Elimination Chamber weekend from here in Toronto.
Friday Night SmackDown from the Scotiabank Arena.
And the match we didn't know was coming our way,
but thrilled to have it open up this evening,
Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green.
As Chelsea hooks the leg.
[Barrett] And there was an intervention earlier on in this matchup
by Piper Niven on the outside,
and ever since then it has been all Chelsea Green
who would love to get a statement victory right here in her home of Toronto,
especially after Trish Stratus on the outside has essentially stolen
all the headlines this weekend from our US Champ.
[Tessitore] And Chelsea Green may be originally from Canada,
but did she really bother this crowd with what she said moments ago.
[Barrett] She gets under the skin of everyone,
none more so than GM Nick Aldis, who put her into this predicament.
[Tessitore] 14,252 at Scotiabank Arena
for Friday Night SmackDown.
Of course, tomorrow, many of these fans will join the massive
stadium crowd at the Rogers Centre for the Elimination Chamber broadcast.
[Barrett] Now getting a glimpse of exactly what Tiffany Stratton is made of,
and what has propelled her to the very top of this industry in about 3 short years
since starting in the world of pro wrestling.
[Tessitore] Of course, you get a glimpse of the great athleticism,
the gymnastic background.
And the shoulder up from Chelsea Green.
[Barrett] How smart is Tiffany Stratton?
What she lost in the veteran mentorship of Nia Jax recently,
she has now refound with this growing relationship with Trish Stratus.
[Tessitore] And that has served her well in recent weeks,
especially with the menacing ringside force we've seen of Nia Jax.
Oh, wow! Chelsea Green!
[Barrett] Speak volumes for the athleticism of Trish--
Tiffany Stratton, excuse me.
But Chelsea Green, no slouch either,
almost pulling out victory there.
[Tessitore] Oh, she's looking to make it happen right here.
Setting up the Unpretty-Her.
But, instead, reversing course is Tiffany Stratton.
[Barrett] Too much left in the tank of Tiffany Stratton.
[Tessitore] Stomping down!
[Barrett] Connecting in a big way.
And now perhaps in the drop zone is the United States Champ.
But wisely, Secret Service dragging Chelsea Green out of there, but…
[Tessitore] Oh, but look at Trish right on the spot.
[Barrett] Trish Stratus the ultimate equalizer tonight.
-[Tessitore] Wow! -[Barrett] Oh!
[Tessitore] From up top to the floor, Tiffy Time putting on a show.
[Barrett] Such a high-risk effort there
from Tiffany Stratton, and it pays off.
-And here we go, Joe Tess. -[Tessitore] She's trying--
Wait a minute!
Candice LeRae and Nia Jax beating down the Hall of Famer.
[Barrett] There's a little preview of what we're gonna get tomorrow night
-at the Elimination Chamber that-- Uh-oh. -[bell rings]
[Tessitore, Barrett] Whoa.
[Tessitore] And this match is over as the chief rivals
who they will meet up with tomorrow have just destroyed things.
[Barrett] Yeah, well, here's the whole point of this.
Now you soften up tomorrow night's opponents.
Before we even get to the Elimination Chamber,
stack the deck in your favor.
[Tessitore] And now back in the ring,
Trish Stratus and Tiffany Stratton
being surrounded by Nia Jax and Candice LeRae.
[Barrett] And this is like an action replay
of what we've seen the past couple of weeks.
It's squashing time.
Tiffany Stratton desperately trying to even the odds a little here
as Trish Stratus is laid out in the corner.
[Barrett] Big headbutt as now
the two of them are lining up Tiffany.
The Annihilator could be in play here for Nia Jax
as Trish tries to fight back.
[Barrett] Fight left in the Hall of Famer who has perhaps just saved
the skin of Tiffany Stratton.
[Tessitore] Stratus and Stratton showing that teamwork.
Big dropkick takes out Candice LeRae,
and she says now it's Tiffy Time.
[Barrett] The great plan of Jax and LeRae has backfired,
and, again, just in the nick of time
saving the bacon of Candice LeRae is Nia Jax.
["Tiffy Time" playing]
[Tessitore] They will be right back at it
tomorrow night.
Man, oh, man, our area here at the announce desk
just blown away with what happened early on.
Joe and Wade with you here as what is a hot weekend in Toronto.
Earlier today, we found out that we're gonna determine the chase to challenge
for the Men's United States Championship.
LA Knight has been trying to regain his title.
Others are gunning for that chance as well.
Earlier today, Nick Aldis put forth an exciting plan
in action that we will now see.
There seems to be some concern, some debate, some dispute
over the United States Championship number one contender stakes.
LA Knight believes he's the number one contender,
while the champion, Shinsuke Nakamura, has voiced his concerns as well.
So tonight, I've decided that I'm gonna give six men the opportunity
to lay their cards out on the table
and create a definitive number one contender tonight.
LA Knight will go one-on-one with Santos Escobar.
Carmelo Hayes will go one-on-one with Braun Strowman.
And Andrade will go one-on-one with Solo Sikoa.
The winners of those matches will face each other tonight
in a Triple Threat Match, and the winner of that match
will be the number one contender for the United States Championship.
And that all goes down tonight on SmackDown.
Hey, bro.
You know what happened last week was an accident.
Yadadamean? [sniffs]
Yeah, I'm sure it was an accident.
You know what, besides all that, what's up with you?
I heard you had a qualifying match tonight for the US title.
Yes, as a matter of fact I do.
You see what happened last week made me realize that our family right here,
we need to make a statement.
And that statement starts with us taking the United States Championship.
And that… that's exactly why I want you to do it.
Jacob, I want you to run the play tonight.
I want you to represent this family. As a matter of fact,
I want you to bring home the United States Championship to this family.
Understand everything that I'm doing,
it's to show you…
how much I love you, Jacob.
[Barrett] There have been major tensions between that trio,
but what an act of diplomacy by Solo Sikoa,
who has gifted his spot in the United States Championship
number one contenders tournament to Jacob Fatu.
[Tessitore] And I love the fact… Here we go, one night tournament
to determine the number one contender for this US Championship.
And here is a former US Champion, Andrade.
Past year, was so close to regaining that status.
[bell rings]
[Garcia] The following is a United Championship
number one contender qualifying match!
Introducing first from Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico,
weighing in at 230 pounds,
Andrade!
[Tessitore] Remember, it was back in early November.
Andrade came up just short.
Crown Jewel, that was the night when the then champion, LA Knight,
was able to retain in a Triple Threat.
[Barrett] Andrade takes on Jacob Fatu, and it's coming up next.
Enjoy. Compliments of the Final Boss.
-Man, you gotta try the "skrimps." -Truth.
Right good. Whoo!
What are you doing in, um, my dressing room?
-Oh, this is your dressing room? -Yeah, apparently.
My, my. That is a nice spread you got, dawg.
How you get it like this?
Well, I… I guess you, uh, consider selling your soul to The Rock.
Well, he is the Soul Man.
I used to watch him and Tony Atlas tag a lot when I was little.
-Yeah. -Maybe you should think about it.
Maybe I should.
I mean, look at all this nice stuff.
You gonna keep it all to yourself?
Don't be "shellfish."
[chuckles] You're… You're right. Right.
And you should have more than that. Go ahead, help yourself.
-You don't mind? -Yeah, no. I don't mind.
Oh, much obliged.
You think maybe you can see if The Rock can get us some jelly rolls
added to the list next time?
-Yeah, yeah. -Appreciate it.
I'ma slide right here if you don't mind.
I like sashimi.
[Tessitore] The eye roll on the sushi kills me.
[Barrett] As they stay in the good graces of the Final Boss,
and life can get a lot sweeter for Cody Rhodes,
who has a hell of a lot of thinking to do.
-["Samoan Destroyer" playing] -[Tessitore] I'll say.
Andrade's got to think about this. The Samoan Werewolf.
[Barrett] Thinking about the Samoan Werewolf
is about the worst thing you can do.
Try and think about anything else. This is gonna get nasty.
[Garcia] And his opponent,
weighing in at 287 pounds,
Jacob Fatu!
[Tessitore] The unexpected entrance into this single-night tournament
to determine the number one contender for the US Championship.
Remember, a week ago, Fatu was in that heated tag team match
and accidentally super kicked Solo Sikoa.
Tonight, it was Solo turning to Fatu and saying,
"All's good. Take my spot in the tournament.
I want it that way for our family."
[Barrett] That was about the smartest bit of managerial diplomacy
I think I've ever witnessed,
and it clearly had a positive effect on Jacob Fatu.
The ultimate olive branch.
-Go out there and win gold for our family. -[bell rings]
[Barrett] This is step one of becoming number one contender
for both of these two men.
[Tessitore] You mention the olive branch,
but how do you define where the relationship is right now
between Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa?
[Barrett] Well, clearly things have changed.
Look, Jacob Fatu had unmatched success since he arrived here on SmackDown.
Success creates ego, and it is clear that Fatu is no longer satisfied
in playing a loyal soldier to anyone, even the man he professed to love, Solo Sikoa.
[Tessitore] Big chop from Andrade.
Looking to grab some early momentum here against Jacob Fatu.
Going up top. Cross body.
[Barrett] Connected a beauty. And it's completely shock and awe.
Jacob Fatu from the very beginning here.
Something we have rarely seen since Fatu arrived--
[Tessitore] Oh, wow! Up over the top, hurricanrana,
and sends him down against the barrier.
[Barrett] And for about the first time
Jacob Fatu has had absolutely zero answers
for Andrade, who once again, apparently, is going high risk here.
[Tessitore] Wow, all the way up top,
out into the floor and slams himself against the barrier.
Can you believe this from Andrade?
[Tessitore] Jacob Fatu and Andrade.
The first of our US Championship
number one contender qualifying matches tonight.
We're gonna have three of them and then a Triple Threat
to follow up at the end of the night.
Andrade!
[Barrett] Jacob Fatu going for that pop up Samoan drop once again,
but the athleticism of Andrade converting that into a Poisonrana,
and Andrade lives on.
Take another look at this, you can see what Fatu was trying.
But Andrade had very different ideas, spiking the Samoan on the top of his head.
[Tessitore] Prior to that,
Jacob Fatu was controlling the action with a vicious assault.
[Barrett] Well, both men have been dropping their atomic bombs
on one another.
It was a hot start from Andrade.
The durability of Jacob Fatu in no doubt whatsoever,
but is being tested once again here by the Mexican.
[Tessitore] And you talk about resistance and durability.
That is what Fatu has: the ability to recover.
But right now Andrade is finding something deep into this match.
[Barrett] Andrade just exudes class and style.
Limited opponents who lack the grace and sportsmanship of others,
and Jacob Fatu has zero regard for any of that.
How sweet would it be for Andrade to--
[Tessitore] Oh, man! Oh, man!
[Barrett] My word!
[Tessitore] Fatu just exploded out of that compromised position.
[Barrett] Well, Andrade just got smacked right into the middle of next week.
He has absolutely no clue where he's at because if he did,
he wouldn't be putting himself in the corner.
[Tessitore] The running hip attack.
And he gets out of the way and delivers a big kick up top.
[Barrett] Well, right now Andrade is completely on jelly legs.
Got out of the way of that hip attack just in the nick of time,
but seems perhaps unable to capitalize.
Gotta will something back into his body.
[Tessitore] And now coming-- The running double knees.
Andrade looking to set things up.
[Barrett] You get Jacob Fatu down, you better make it count.
Andrade's going big.
[Tessitore] Again up top, again the moonsault. Doubles it up.
And able to land for the win and advance!
No! Shoulder up for Fatu.
[Barrett] Just a millisecond from victory
with that double moonsault flip completely catching Jacob Fatu unaware.
What else do you have in the tank, Andrade?
[Tessitore] He has delivered from the start
and the respect and appreciation earned
from over 14,000 here at Scotiabank Arena, the night before Elimination Chamber.
[Barrett] Andrade's so tough, so polished,
showing exactly why he's a former United States champion and looking to get back
to the top of that mountain soon with a victory here to progress.
[Tessitore] Oh, Fatu just splats him.
And now back to what he does best!
Will you look at the pure power? He's nearly moving the ring, Wade.
[Barrett] Just no way out of that kind of attack from Jacob Fatu.
Oh, Spiked Impaler DDT.
[Tessitore] And with that DDT comes prime position for the jump.
A moonsault!
Jacob Fatu.
-[bell rings] -["Samoan Destroyer" playing]
[Garcia] Here is your winner, Jacob Fatu!
[Barrett] Well, the loosest cannon of them all
progresses in the United States Championship
number one contender tournament.
That double-bounced moonsault
doing the job like it has on everyone it's connected with.
Andrade after a game fight, put to bed, and we'll see Jacob Fatu
fight once again later tonight in the Triple Threat final of this tournament.
[Tessitore] Remember that happens tonight.
That is the first of our three to get to our Triple Threat
to find out who is the number one contender for the US Championship.
Wade, you know, for months you and I have been having a conversation
saying that the tag team division here
is as deep and as highly competitive as any in the industry.
We've also find out chaotic and very unpredictable.
The returning actions of the Street Profits a big reason why,
like what happened last week.
Yeah, one of the most shocking moments of last week's show.
Pretty Deadly and DIY were contesting the tag titles,
Street Profits hit the ring and took out everyone in sight.
The Motor City Machine Guns would shortly come down
and try and sort things out
after they were jumped by the Profits at the Royal Rumble.
They attempted but ultimately failed in getting payback
as the Street Profits simply laid an entire tag division to waste
before our eyes.
Profits looking stronger than ever.
What's going on with you two?
Look, GM, I gonna keep it a buck with you.
Three months of us getting put on the shelf
and not getting a WWE Tag Team Championship match that you promised us,
we're not stopping anything we're doing until it happens.
Look, I appreciate that and I appreciate the respect, but listen,
-that's not the way we handle-- -[Santos] Profits!
[speaks Spanish] Welcome back.
I'm really happy you guys are back because what that means is you're finally ready
to apologize to me and my familia
for falsely accusing them of taking you out.
So let's hear it. That's why we're here.
No, Santos, we ain't apologizing for nothing.
Oh, good.
Good, even better, because if you're not apologizing.
-Then we're gonna beat it out of you. -What's good then?
Okay. All right. Santos, save that energy for LA Knight.
You play your cards right, you're two wins away from a US title shot.
Think about it. Now, you two.
It's Street Profits and Los Garza one-on-one tonight,
and you know that that's serious implications for the tag team title.
So I suggest you all go cool your jets and get ready for your matches.
-Say less, boss. -Go get ready.
We'll just discuss that apology later. Don't worry about it.
[Tessitore] We're gonna get right to it. It is Street Profits taking on Los Garza.
That is coming up next.
Friday Night SmackDown continues on from Toronto.
-["Redemption" playing] -[Tessitore] Los Garza, Angel and Berto
been right in the cauldron of all the battles in the tag team division.
A couple of weeks ago, they looked strong toe-to-toe with Motor City Machine Guns.
Really a fast-paced action match.
In the end, they came up just short but feeling primed for a win here tonight.
[Barrett] Got a major ax to grind against their opponents this evening.
The Street Profits, who were laid out months ago, taken out injured,
and they blamed Los Garza for that.
Now, Los Garza, for once, were innocent and vexed at the fact
that it was a false accusation.
They get a chance for payback here.
[Tessitore] Angelo Dawkins, Montez Ford back to full health.
But even when they were injured, they were disruptive,
like we saw at the Royal Rumble in the Tag Team Championship match--
-Wait, wait, wait! -[Barrett] Hold on, Joe!
-[Tessitore] Speaking of disruptive… -[Barrett] It's the tag champs, DIY,
who were dropped by the Street Profits both last week and at the Royal Rumble.
They are here, apparently, for their pound of flesh.
[Tessitore] Look at Johnny Gargano right in the face of Tez.
[Barrett] Oh, keep your eyes peeled. A lot of bad blood within these tag ranks.
[Tessitore] Meanwhile, Angel and Berto, they're saying, "Hey, don't forget us.
We'll get after it too."
It's been that kind of a tag team division lately.
[Barrett] It's just been chaos everywhere you look,
enemies everywhere you look.
[Tessitore] Would you look at this? Oh, man, right into the side of the post.
[Barrett] Well, it was Street Profits showed us last week they are clearly
the most physically dominant tag team in the division.
So big, so powerful.
Look like they put on a hell of a lot of mass--
[Tessitore] Oh, here comes Pretty Deadly!
Pretty Deadly into the mix now.
[Barrett] Well, Pretty Deadly had their championship opportunity
blown out of the wall by the Street Profits'
invasion of the ring last week.
[Tessitore] They were having a great go of it in the midst of that,
so they have an axe to grind.
Oh, my, oh, my! Elton and Kit!
[Barrett] Been a very different side
of Pretty Deadly than the one we've seen in the past.
More vicious than ever.
But now it's DIY looking to make a statement on anything that moves.
We're the champs for a reason, boys.
[Tessitore] And meanwhile, the ring is surrounded by security
trying to break things up,
and Motor City Machine Guns enter the fray.
[Barrett] Well, the former champs, Motor City Machine Guns,
who have more reason than anyone to be angry,
they've had multiple tag team
championship opportunities blown out the water with several attacks.
[Tessitore] WWE Security is sitting there helpless and hopeless right now
as the entire tag team division has decided they're here to brawl.
And now look at this face-off.
[Barrett] "Helpless and hopeless" describes GM Nick Aldis's
management of this division which has descended into sheer chaos.
[Tessitore] Everybody is going at it from high above to in the midst of the ring,
it is pure on attack mode.
[Barrett] Just keep your hands up because punches are coming left, right and center
no matter what team you're on.
[Tessitore] Los Garza was waiting for the match.
The next thing you know, DIY went on the attack
against the Street Profits,
and now Angel and Berto are trying to clean things up.
[Barrett] There are just zero loyalties--
-[Tessitore] Oh! -[Barrett] Angel and Berto going high!
[Tessitore] Pretty Deadly and six members of the security force
are laid out on the floor.
And now Shelley and Sabin trying to get the best of Ford and Dawkins.
[Barrett] The two veterans of the tag--
[Tessitore] And here comes Gargano!
[Barrett] Once again bouncing back are the tag team--
This is just a massive brawl, and there is zero chance security
can get any form of control here. They've given up.
[Tessitore] Everywhere you look, it never stops.
Unbelievable action here.
[Barrett] And all teams refusing to back off, refusing to stay down.
Finally it looks like a semblance of control is starting
to be had by our security team.
[Tessitore] Officials, referees, security trying to control things.
[Barrett] What an absolute mess in the SmackDown tag division,
and still, still the brawl's going on.
[Tessitore] This is crazy.
Unbelievable what happened here.
I know you've got a lot on your mind right now, Cody.
I'm not planning to add to a big decision to make tomorrow
that could change your life and your family's life for generations.
If I was in your position, I have no idea what I would do.
I remember a decade ago, you and I were so low on the card,
we would have done anything in the world to get to the top,
and look at us both now.
It was really telling to me.
When The Rock made the offer, you didn't reply right away.
That said a lot.
And I don't know what he's gonna do when you finally say yes,
and he finds out you sold your soul a long time ago.
[Tessitore] Could the course of Cody Rhodes take a very different turn?
That's ahead.
I'm announcing tonight that I will compete in the Elimination Chamber.
What is best for business is I main event WrestleMania.
And what is best for business
is for the first time I confidently say that I'm gonna win a 17th championship.
[announcer] John Cena entering his last chamber match ever.
[Cena] I have built my existence here off of hard work, loyalty to this company,
and respect for all of its branches.
I will win 17, not for me,
I will win 17 to someday shake the hand
of the person who wins 18.
I told Toronto when I announced my retirement
that I was grateful for the city, and I would be back,
and I would be back to kick ass.
[McIntyre] Cut it off. Cut it off now.
Lee, I'll come to that production truck if you don't cut it off right now.
We're not doing this, "Please love me.
Remember me how I was, not how I am," BS.
-[Tessitore] What's he doing? -[McIntyre] You stink, mate.
John, I guess you either die the hero
or live long enough to see yourself become the hypocrite.
-Toronto. -[crowd cheers]
Do you all remember…
[Tessitore] Oh, boy.
…after the Royal Rumble,
John Cena sat there in the press conference,
and after he used his stroke and put himself in the Elimination Chamber,
which I don't care about, I can see you, you're a hypocrite.
What I care about, as you said, everyone in that match has 7 weeks to say
whatever you want about me, and aside CM Punk saying,
"Ooh, I qualified and did it the right way," no one said anything.
I don't know if you're scared of the former golden goose,
but I'm sure as hell not.
So I'm gonna say some stuff about John Cena.
I can't help but wonder what John Cena, 2010, 2011,
would say about present-day John Cena.
He'd probably start off with some childish poopy joke,
then he would tear himself apart for going to Hollywood
and turning his back in this industry and only returning for ego trips.
And to cap it all off,
he would rip apart that giant-arse bald spot in the back of his head
that deserves its own area code.
Remember, it's not me saying it, it's past John Cena saying it.
But what I wanna say, John, is I used to be so scared of you when I was a kid,
not physically but politically, you could end a career just like that.
But I'm not that scared kid anymore, you probably don't even remember.
I am the monster that people like you created.
At Elimination Chamber, I am gonna bury you.
In 2024, I was screwed time and time again,
and you people cheered the Toronto screw job
after I won the Money In The Bank ladder match,
-I went to-- -["Rise for the Night" playing]
[crowd cheers]
♪ All rise for the Outlaw ♪
[Barrett] Well, Damien Priest, who will be in the Elimination Chamber
with Drew McIntyre tomorrow night, has apparently heard enough
from the Scottish Warrior.
[Tessitore] Yeah, the other massive acquisition by SmackDown GM Nick Aldis.
The man who cashed in on Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 40.
Drew, enough!
All you do every week is complain. Complain and cry.
You want sympathy from these people, but they see right through you.
They see right through every one of your thoughts that are delusional.
I'm not delusional whatsoever.
All I've done is tell the truth. Find a lie, I dare you.
Truth? Truth-- R-Truth makes more sense than you do.
[crowd cheers]
You want truth? Truth is, I hear,
that you're upset about the position you have in the company
because of a hell of a year that you had.
Yeah, cause I got screwed over and over and over again.
Well, let's go over this great year you had.
You won the world title at WrestleMania,
but because of this weird obsession with Punk,
I cashed in on your ass.
[crowd cheers]
Then, right here, Money In The Bank, you win, you try to cash in,
and once again you get pinned by me because of this weird obsession with Punk.
I do not have a weird obsession with Punk.
[Priest stammers] You… You don't have a weird…
Look at you right now!
-You look ridiculous. -Yeah, I dropped the pipe bombs now.
Drew, look, tomorrow at the Chamber,
the goal is to win and go to WrestleMania,
but I'm gonna take pride in pinning your ass in the ring tomorrow.
[crowd] CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
Thanks to that guy and your obsession, the last time we were in this building,
I dropped your ass.
And if you need a reminder, just step through the ropes, and I'll do it again.
-Okay. -Let's do it.
-[Barrett] Oh, here we go. -["The Vision" playing]
[Tessitore] Little more company.
Like the 5-time world champion.
[Barrett] Well, it is the most stacked Elimination Chamber match in history.
And here's another one of the combatants ahead of tomorrow's
men's Elimination Chamber match.
[Tessitore] And by the way,
Seth Rollins had arguably the most impressive qualifying match
to earn the Elimination Chamber spot.
That showing against Finn Bálor. That was incredible.
[crowd vocalizing]
-[music stops] -[crowd cheers]
[crowd vocalizing]
Sorry, boys, I had to get that one in.
It's been a while since I've been on SmackDown.
Thank you, Toronto, I love you.
[crowd cheers]
Gentlemen, look at us, the three of us.
The three amigos back together again at the scene of the crime,
and you guys, you were having so much fun reminiscing about Money In The Bank,
I figured I'd come out here and join the party
with all the lovely folks here in Toronto.
[crowd cheers]
You see, I have some very specific memories about that night.
I remember that if it weren't for some, eh, questionable officiating,
if it weren't for CM Punk having a sleepover under the ring,
and if it weren't for this moron here having the absolute worst
Money In The Bank cash in of all time…
I would have beat your ass for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
But I ain't here to talk about the past.
I'm here to talk about the future.
And I got news for you two morons.
This ain't the same Seth Rollins that hobbled into WrestleMania last year.
As a matter of fact, I feel as good as I look,
and what that means for you, you and anybody else
in that chamber tomorrow: you don't stand a chance.
-["Cult of Personality" playing] -[crowd cheers]
[crowd] ♪ Look in my eyes ♪
♪ What do you see ♪
♪ The cult of personality ♪
♪ I know your anger I know your dreams ♪
♪ I've been everything You wanna be ♪
♪ Oh, I'm the cult of personality ♪
♪ Like Mussolini and Kennedy ♪
♪ I'm the cult of personality ♪
♪ The cult of personality The cult of personality ♪
[music fades out]
Is it great to be alive
on a Friday in Toronto or what?
[crowd cheers]
Oh, man, where to begin? Look at this.
There's a couple of people I got personal issues with.
If you don't mind-- Wait, wait…
[crowd] CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
[CM Punk] I suppose I can start with you.
You feel as good as you look?
Fantastic, because you look like an oven mitt,
and I cooked you January 6th.
And I'm gonna cook you again in the chamber tomorrow.
Priest, me and you are cool.
I have no personal issue with you, but if that cage door opens,
and it's me and you tomorrow,
no quarter asked, none given.
You will be collateral damage.
You obsessed with me, you obsessed with me, and I'm obsessed with this.
I'm obsessed with one thing.
[crowd cheers]
I'm obsessed with my road to WrestleMania.
I'm obsessed with my main event.
First time ever, and if I gotta beat every single one of you
in the Elimination Chamber to do it, I will do it.
[crowd cheers]
And on top of all this drama, now we got somebody buying souls
and somebody had the audacity to ask me if I would sell my soul.
Souls, if that's something that you believe in,
and Drew, I know you do because you one time prayed for my demise,
but I know you don't even have a soul to sell because I snatched yours
at Hell In The Cell in October.
Everybody here better get real serious, real fast, and I know you're gonna have
a hard time dealing with that based on the way you like to dress,
but you're all dealing with Hell-in-the-Cell CM Punk come tomorrow.
So if each and every single one of you wake up tomorrow morning,
and don't feel like showing up, just like John Cena
decided to embark on a retirement tour
and decided not to show up, I understand.
This is not about you. This is about me.
You will not main event WrestleMania.
Not over my dead body.
Oh, yes, I will.
Oh, no, you don't stand a chance, sir.
If it ain't me, it damn sure ain't gonna be you.
I can promise you that.
[McIntyre] Listen, Seth, I beat you last year for the world title at WrestleMania.
And you, it's been six months now. You're due an injury.
I owe you one, and tomorrow at Elimination Chamber,
I'm taking your ass out.
I have kicked your ass for duty, for profit and, tomorrow, I do it for fun.
Drew, I don't even know why you're talking right now.
Everybody knows when the chamber's over,
all you're going to be doing is complaining on the Internet.
[Rollins] You don't understand. It's over for you, Punk.
All those chants, they're gonna die tomorrow with your WrestleMania dreams.
-["The Time Is Now" playing] -[crowd cheers]
[Tessitore] Oh, what did he say about Cena showing up?
Sixteen-time world-- What?
[Barrett laughs]
-[Tessitore] Really? -[crowd boos]
[Barrett] It's the Maverick!
[Tessitore] Really?
[Barrett] And, once again, you can't see John Cena.
But you do see another man who will be competing
in tomorrow's Elimination Chamber.
The only non-former world champion in the match.
Oh, what happened, Toronto? Y'all thought that was John Cena?
[crowd boos]
Face it, Canada. John Cena doesn't care about you.
[crowd boos]
You can't see him, but you could see me.
[crowd boos]
Fellas, fellas.
Look around, look at all of us full timers out here putting in the work.
John Cena can't even show up. Classic celebrity wrestler.
[crowd chattering]
Y'all don't mean that. Where's CM Punk?
CM Punk.
-Nah, you know what? -[CM Punk] Over here, you idiot.
Nah, let's start with someone else.
[crowd chattering continues]
Who's that?
Who's that guy right there in the red, Seth Rollins?
The peacock of WWE, yeah?
Mr. "Look, guys, I wore curtains to work."
Buddy, yo, you're a great wrestler,
Seth, but you… you dress like you lost a bet.
See, now, CM Punk is right, dude.
You look like if Lady Gaga threw up on a coat hanger, dawg.
And, Drew… Drew McIntyre, hey.
Congratulations, dude. Look around.
You're right at home, dude.
You can't win a championship these days,
and neither can the Toronto Maple Leafs.
[crowd boos]
And, Damian…
Damian, I'll be honest with you. I… I barely know anything about you.
[chuckles] Irrelevancy, right? Can't relate.
But, yo, I did hear you used to be, uh, a world champion, right?
Which is crazy because I guess it just goes to show that you can have a priest
standing in the middle of that ring…
[crowd chanting] You suck! You suck! You suck!
…and still I remain the answer to WWE's prayers.
And, CM Punk, I…
I wish I could see you right now over everyone standing--
-Yeah, I'm right over here. -…giving me an ovation.
[CM Punk] And if you dare to be this boring tomorrow, you're in for it, buddy.
Look, look, look. I see that expression on your face.
Such a stupid look, man.
I'd say I'd like to smack that expression off your face, but I did that on Monday.
How's your jaw, buddy?
I'll come show you.
[Paul] Yeah, yeah, yeah. Look, I'll see you fools tomorrow
when I win the Elimination Chamber.
Hit John's music. Hit my music.
["Take Flight" playing]
[Tessitore] Tomorrow night, one of these men
is going to win the Elimination Chamber.
Or possibly the one who isn't here.
All these men hoping to face Cody Rhodes,
get a chance at the Undisputed WWE Champion.
But for now, it is a lot of tension in Toronto.
The men's chamber matchup coming your way.
These big event weekends, these PLEs constantly filled with great action,
with news-making moments
like on a kickoff show this afternoon, Wade.
Here in Toronto, things got wild among the women.
Did you two attack Jade Cargill and take her out of action
so you could have an opportunity to win the tag titles?
I don't miss her. Do you miss her? These people don't miss her.
It's not like our women's division is lacking anything.
We are thriving. As--
[Barrett] Well, that powder keg exploded on the Elimination Chamber kickoff show.
Massive resumes matched only by the massive egos,
and those six women involved in that brawl will continue their beef
as Belair, Naomi and Bayley
take on Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez and NXT's Roxanne Perez
later on tonight in six-woman tag here on SmackDown.
[Tessitore] Remember, we're moving forward
with our US Championship number one contenders qualifying.
It's going to be size and power against youthful high energy and skill.
Braun Strowman and Carmelo Hayes set to come your way.
Speaking of that over the course of seven title defenses,
LA Knight proudly held on to that US Championship.
["Welcome to LA" playing]
[Tessitore] And now desperate to maintain his lofty status.
[Garcia] The following is a United States Championship
number one contender qualifying match.
Introducing first from Los Angeles, California,
weighing in at 240 pounds,
-LA Knight! -[crowd] Yeah!
[Tessitore] Trying to get back for a rematch.
-That's what's next for LA Knight. -[Barrett] Yeah!
[crowd] LA Knight! Yeah!
[Tessitore] Santos Escobar.
With so much on the line against LA Knight
and back-to-back title challenges against him when Knight had the US Championship.
We saw Escobar recently in the Royal Rumble,
but this is the first singles match since he had that November match
for the US Championship against LA Knight.
[Barrett] So this is a hastily thrown together
number one contender's tournament.
According to GM Aldis, there's been a ton of confusion over the number one
contendership situation for the US title.
-That all gets cleaned up this evening. -[bell rings]
[Barrett] And Aldis, I think, has seen the kind of chaos
that we have got in our tag division here on SmackDown
and wants to prevent the same thing occurring
in the US title scene and wisely has taken a bull by the horns.
And said to these six men, "Deal with it yourselves.
We'll get a winner one way or another later on tonight."
[Tessitore] But I love the fact that it takes place in one single night.
That you can carry that momentum through, right?
You get the three singles matches, and then you go to the Triple Threat.
[Barrett] Well, I'll tell you, you love it,
and I love it as a viewer of this.
As a competitor, the last thing I wanted in my career
was to have to compete more than once in an evening
and carry whatever tweaks and injuries you may have got
in your first match through to the final.
[Tessitore] But the thing about it is it's not like you can sit there
and say, "I got to manage things. I have to conserve energy."
You gotta win. You gotta get through this.
[Barrett] Absolutely right, there's nothing you can do.
You have to focus. You're in there with a top-tier competitor,
be it Santos Escobar, LA Knight, or any of the other four competitors
in this tournament.
You have to bring your A-game,
and energy conservation has to go out the window now.
One step at a time.
[Tessitore] You mention what we saw with the tag team division,
and the fact that Nick Aldis does not want to see that take place
when it comes to the contenders vying for the US Championship.
That was wild what we saw earlier tonight with the entire tag team division,
from champions to top contenders spilling out and brawling.
[Barrett] Yeah, it was absolute insanity, and if that happened in other divisions,
then Nick Aldis would lose complete control of his own show.
[Tessitore] LA Knight taking advantage against Escobar.
[Barrett] The former US Champ LA Knight perhaps more motivated than anybody.
Let's not forget in last week's tag match, LA Knight got taken out
by the United States Champ Shinsuke Nakamura,
who was lurking at ringside until he made his presence felt
on the back of LA Knight's head.
[Tessitore] Altering the course of that evening.
[Barrett] I mean even the comments from Santos Escobar
over the past several months.
He has been laser-focused on gaining himself
a United States Championship opportunity.
He has been unwavering in his demands to get opportunities for gold.
Well, he can get one step closer here, but it's starting
to go wrong for the Mexican.
[crowd] LA Knight! Yeah!
[Tessitore] Escobar able to get out of the way
and delivers a big kick up top.
[Barrett] The emperor of lucha libre is nimble as they come,
and he's got a deep bag of tricks to go with it.
Knight has his work cut out now because Santos Escobar has gained the upper hand.
As calculating and devious as they come, but LA Knight,
the Megastar just one step ahead.
And now looking to take this airborne.
[Tessitore] Oh, he was looking to go sliding through.
Escobar getting out of the way.
And now reversing things. Oh!
And the head of LA Knight into the steel stairs.
[Tessitore] Back here in front of a big crowd at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
The night before Elimination Chamber,
an Elimination Chamber that LA Knight was so close to making,
lost a thrilling qualifying match, was in with Jimmy Uso and Drew McIntyre,
but still LA Knight with the target he wants in front of him.
He wants his old title back, but to do so he has to get through this
against Santos Escobar and advance in this US Championship
number one contender, one-night tournament.
[Barrett] Well, what a matchup this has been so far.
The fans have absolutely been winners watching this contest,
but these two have beaten the hell out of each other,
and you are inevitably concerned about the condition of whoever the winner may be,
-as they have to compete later on… -[Tessitore] Oh, man!
[Barrett] …in the triple-threat final, that might do it.
A millisecond away for The Megastar, LA Knight,
and Santos Escobar gamely continues to fight on in this one.
[Tessitore] He was going for it with that jumping neckbreaker.
Escobar… with a big boot.
[Barrett] Expending all of their energy, taking a massive physical toll.
Such is the desire and drive to continue in this tournament,
and try and earn yourself an opportunity at US Champ Shinsuke Nakamura.
[Tessitore] Remember we saw these two battling so much throughout the fall
before Shinsuke Nakamura was able to take the championship away from LA Knight.
Fought twice for the US title back in August, back in November,
and Escobar felt like he was so close to grabbing that gold.
[Barrett] LA Knight fading rapidly at this point.
Santos Escobar just has too many answers.
[Tessitore] Knight looking to rally out of the corner.
[Barrett] Well he's tapping into some sort of energy reserve at this point
and it was badly needed for The Megastar.
[Tessitore] Big slam.
[Barrett] Now starting to look once again like the perpetual motion machine.
[crowd] LA Knight! Yeah!
[Tessitore] And dropping that elbow.
[Barrett] Well, that frenzy of energy taking over this arena here in Toronto.
LA Knight looking to give the people what they want.
[Tessitore] What he wants is to lineup a BFT.
[Barrett] Such a game competitor is Santos Escobar,
who has won championships around the world, including in NXT,
looking for his first taste of gold here on SmackDown, however.
[crowd chants] Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
[Tessitore] Oh, and Escobar trips him up, driving him right into that corner.
[Barrett] Santos Escobar simply not feeling the Kavorka this evening,
looking to play spoiler on LA Knight's hopes and dreams.
Cooking up something big in the corner
and the Luchador, Santos Escobar, taking this skyward.
[Tessitore] Escobar, so skilled, so explosive.
And he's going all the way up top.
[Barrett] And this is where you back Santos Escobar every single time.
[Tessitore] Oh!
Did you see that? That's a superana off the top rope.
Sending Knight flying looking to advance and Knight is able to kick out.
Can you believe off the top rope?
[Barrett] What a scintillating maneuver from Santos Escobar,
the lower back of LA Knight absorbing all of that impact,
and even Santos Escobar can't believe that Knight is still in this one.
[Tessitore] We're well conditioned to Braun Breakker and the Frankensteiner,
that was at a different level of heights.
Both men coming off the top rope.
[Barrett] LA Knight looks completely defenseless and who can blame him
after this assault from Escobar.
[Tessitore] Escobar…
[Barrett] And this has turned into a marathon affair.
[Tessitore] He has momentum now clearly. Trying to put himself in position.
[Barrett] And the tank of LA Knight looks completely empty.
I feel a pin there might have got the job done,
but looking to win this in style is Escobar.
[Tessitore] He's gone back up top. Looking for the crossbody.
Oh, BFT in midair! BFT in midair!
-And that wins it. -[bell rings]
["Welcome To LA" playing]
[Garcia] Here is your winner. LA Knight!
-[crowd] Yeah! -[Tessitore] Oh, that is great stuff.
[Barrett] Well, just when you begin writing off The Megastar,
a BFT out of nowhere when Santos Escobar went for broke off the top rope,
that instinctive reaction from LA Knight.
He progresses to tonight's triple-threat final.
-[crowd] LA Knight! Yeah! -[Tessitore] That is just a leap.
Still to come, that forever bond between Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn,
it is pushed to the limit.
We will hear from Kevin Owens before this night is over.
["Worlds Apart" playing]
[Tessitore] Now Sami Zayn begged Nick Aldis
to have the match he's having tomorrow.
♪ Let's go! ♪
It will be an unsanctioned match against Kevin Owens.
After back on February 3rd, Owens seriously injured Sami Zayn
with a Package Piledriver.
[Garcia] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Sami Zayn!
[Barrett] Well, Sami Zayn to me looks like a man on the march to his own funeral.
And who can blame him because to me Sami Zayn is emotional and irrational.
He's far from one-hundred percent.
He's medically un-clearable, and now he has to compete in a match type
that completely favors his opponent, Kevin Owens,
tomorrow night at the Elimination Chamber.
What an absolute mess Sami Zayn has got himself into.
[crowd] ♪ Oh-oh-oh-oh! ♪
♪ Oh-oh-oh-oh! Oh-oh-oh-oh! ♪
♪ Oh-oh-oh-oh! ♪
♪ Oh-oh-oh-oh! Oh-oh-oh-oh! ♪
-[music ends] -[cheers]
[crowd cheers] Sami! Sami! Sami!
Kevin Owens.
To say you and me have been through a lot together would be an understatement,
I'd say, right?
Um…
here's the thing, Kevin,
I feel like you've been doing a lot of running and a lot of hiding.
You're hanging out in your car. You're shooting your selfie videos.
Here's the thing, I know for a fact that you're in Toronto tonight.
And I am standing in the middle of this ring right now.
So you got something you want to say, I am inviting you out here,
out of respect, not respect for you.
But for respect for everything that we have been through.
I'm inviting you out here right now to look me in the eye,
stand in this ring with me in front of all these people,
in front of our countrymen.
[crowd cheers]
And say your final piece. And then I'll say mine.
Because I'm telling you right now, after tomorrow,
there'll be nothing left to say.
[Kevin] Sami, Sami.
Sami, over here buddy.
You see me?
You're right. I am in Toronto,
but I'm not at the arena, see, I wouldn't want to show up there
and have something happen to your neck.
Cause we need you healthy, well, as healthy as you can be for tomorrow night.
No, I'm here at the Rogers Centre. See, I wanted to take it all in.
You know, you and I have had a lot of fights in Toronto from Ted Reeve's Arena
to the Fairgrounds in Markham, but never…
never somewhere like this.
This is as big as it gets.
Tomorrow night is the biggest match we have ever had against each other.
And here you are.
This whole time trying to convince people that I am the bad guy in this situation.
And the worst part is it's actually working, some people actually believe you.
I am not… I am not the bad guy.
Everything that's happened to you so far,
everything that happens to you tomorrow night, you fully deserve.
And let me make one more thing clear.
After tomorrow night when it's all done
and I've ended your career and you're stuck to a wheelchair
and you can't provide financially for your family anymore,
I just need you to know
I'm not gonna help them. I'm not gonna do anything for them.
I'm gonna watch them suffer, because this is all your fault.
You know, I know it's not the tough guy thing to admit that you're nervous
before a big fight.
But I am. I've been nervous all week.
All week I've had this nervous… nervous pit of my stomach feeling,
but Kevin, I'm not nervous about what might happen to me.
I'm nervous about what I am going to do to you.
[crowd cheers]
I am nervous that your father, Terry, your mother, Suzanne,
who have been watching us since our very first match,
I'm nervous that your wife, your kids, that I've known since they were born,
I am nervous that they are not going to be able to forgive me.
But I'm telling you right now, I want you to know if they don't forgive me, Kevin,
I am prepared to live with that because I am prepared to end this.
I am prepared to end you!
[crowd cheers]
You know, uh, there's really only one thing left to say.
See you tomorrow night.
["Worlds Apart" playing]
[Barrett] Kevin Owens seems ice cold and disconnected,
and that is a terrifying position for Sami Zayn to be facing.
This team would work one-and-oh. Melo don't Miz.
-Yeah, it's a good name. -Name?
-It's a lifestyle, and it's… -It's awesome.
-That's what you wanted, right? -It's better than awesome.
It's awes…
-Him. -Him.
-All right, yeah, yeah, yeah. -Now let's go out there and get this done.
No, no, I'm gonna do it on my own.
I got this, man. I know what I'm doing, bro.
-Do that thing I told you. -I'm not gonna need it.
Okay.
Look who it is.
-Miz. How are you? -What's up, man?
[crowd cheers]
How are you?
-What are you gonna do? -I honestly… I haven't decided yet.
I live in Hollywood.
He runs it right now. Not just that, feel this.
Feel it, feel it.
Soft, Papatui. Could be Papa Cody.
You think I'm joking?
Look, do you… do you want to be the fourth judge in a failed TV show,
or do you want to be something bigger, something better?
Because the audience, the WWE universe, they don't get it.
They see you as the WWE champion, the face of this company, that you are at the top.
But you and I both know that there is so much more.
And you want more.
And to be honest, the only way you're gonna get it
is if you take The Rock's offer.
And if you don't, maybe someone else will.
[Tessitore] What's going through Cody's mind the night before his decision is due,
we will find out later tonight as he's with Michael Cole.
["I Am Stronger" playing]
[crowd cheers]
[Tessitore] That's coming up.
But next, Braun Strowman, Carmelo Hayes,
United States Championship number one contender qualifying match.
That is next.
[bell rings]
[Tessitore] So Carmelo Hayes and Braun Strowman going at it right away,
the former NXT champion, Hayes,
would love to cap his first year on the SmackDown roster
with the title shot, the US championship.
But man, Strowman is just throwing him around early on.
[Barrett] Oh, well, Carmelo Hayes is on a bit of a hot streak.
He's won matches three weeks in a row now, although he has had difficulty
historically getting over the line against world champion caliber competitors
like Braun Strowman who's moving!
[Tessitore] Oh, man!
-[Barrett] That big SOB… -[crowd cheers]
…just knocked Carmelo Hayes clean off his feet.
What a disparity in size and power between these two.
[Tessitore] Remember LA Knight… Wait a second here.
What in the world is Tama Tonga…
And… Oh, no!
[Barrett] And that just bounced off from Solo Sikoa.
[Tessitore] Solo Sikoa attacks with a chair.
Strowman gets him right back with it.
[Barrett] Well, Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga had numerous issues
with Braun Strowman of late, watch your back, Braun.
[Tessitore] Whoa!
Tonga goes flying over our desk.
[Barrett] How easy was that for Braun Strowman?
Just taking out a steel-chair wielding Solo Sikoa.
-Wait a second. -[Tessitore] What in the world.
-Hayes is pulling an old school one here. -[bell rings]
-[Barrett] It worked. -[Tessitore] Did you just see that?
Carmelo Hayes just flopped old Eddie Guerrero.
[Garcia] Your winner by disqualification. Carmelo Hayes.
[Barrett] It's the dirtiest trick in the game, as you mentioned,
shades of Eddie Guerrero,
but perhaps the dirty tricks of The Miz are rubbing off on Carmelo Hayes,
our number one contenders triple-threat match is set.
That's coming later tonight. It's gonna be Carmelo Hayes,
-Jacob Fatu and LA Knight… -[Tessitore] Oh, man.
…but we've got business to deal with right now.
We have an enraged SOB.
[Tessitore] He's got reason to be enraged.
He was attacked by Tama and Solo, and then all of a sudden he loses
because of the flop by Melo… And a power slam.
Man, oh, man.
["I Am Stronger" playing]
[Barrett] Well, Tama Tonga got his just deserts there,
but ultimately frustration for Braun Strowman tonight.
They want to run their mouth,
but we smashed and dragged them, yep, that's what we do.
-Yes. -That's how you do it.
Yes, thank you guys for what you did on the kickoff show
because now I don't have to wait for tomorrow to get my hands on Roxanne.
I hope tomorrow in the Elimination Chamber I get locked in there with Liv first.
Mmm, uh-uh, nuh-uh, not if I'm in there first
because I want her to myself.
-I'm trying to-- -I mean,
I wouldn't mind getting my hands on her because we all know that her and Raquel
are the ones that attacked Jade, right?
I don't know how long that they're gonna say that they didn't do it
when we all know they did.
No, they did it. So tonight we're gonna handle it.
But tomorrow night if it comes down to the three of us,
may the best woman win because I'm gonna WrestleMania.
[chuckles]
-Me too. -Me three.
[all laugh]
["All Fall Down" playing]
[Tessitore] Well, here comes another big weekend for Roxanne Perez.
About to take part in her first Elimination Chamber,
coming off a record-breaking Royal Rumble performance.
["Liv Gone Mad" playing]
[Tessitore] And the new champs, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez by her side.
On Monday night, that thrilling, exhausting championship match
when Liv and Raquel became three-time tag team champions.
[bell rings]
[Garcia] The following is a six-woman tag team contest scheduled one-fall.
Introducing first, the team of the Women's Tag Team Champions
Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez, along with Roxanne Perez.
[Tessitore] Six-woman tag team match coming your way next from Toronto.
Well, there's Liv and Raquel, the new champs with Roxanne Perez.
["Role Model" playing]
[Tessitore] Bayley knows all about Roxanne.
Hasn't been bashful about returning to NXT
and trying to put Roxanne in her place.
Part of that excellent Vengeance Day card in Washington, DC, we all loved.
Of course a weekend like this right in her comfort zone,
Elimination Chamber tomorrow for Bayley.
["Glow" playing]
And feel the glow, Toronto.
Naomi, four days removed from being on the punishing end
of Liv and Raquel's tag team tactics.
Now returns here.
[Barrett] Might be the coolest entrance in WWE,
doesn't quite hit the same without the women's tag gold
around the waist of Naomi.
[Tessitore] The EST.
["Watch Me Shine" playing]
Bianca Belair, who had the all-time longest reign as WWE women's champion
and now targeting another.
Her first match without a title in her grasp since August 23rd
because of what happened this past Monday, Wade.
[Barrett] Yeah, this past Monday on Raw,
Belair, Naomi, they put the tag titles on the line against heated rivals
Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez.
The match swung back and forth several times,
but Dirty Dom interfered several times, and that distraction proved pivotal
and it was enough for Raquel to get involved behind the referee's back
and then for Liv Morgan to crawl over, take the pin,
and now cementing Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez
as three-time women's tag champs here in WWE.
[Tessitore] Liv with the point to the gold.
[Barrett] I mean, even with the gold aside,
there have been major issues, especially between
Naomi, Belair and Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez.
And Belair and Naomi convinced…
-[bell rings] -…they have found the perpetrators
of the Jade Cargill attack a couple of months ago.
The jury's still out for me.
The evidence provided thus far has been flimsy at best.
[Tessitore] Flimsy at best, did you see the video?
[Barrett] Of course I saw the video
and that would not stand up in any court in the land.
[Tessitore] Wha… They were at the scene of the crime, walking away, Wade.
[Barrett] Two minutes after the fact,
the ambulance staff were at the scene of the crime at the same time.
[Tessitore] We're not gonna litigate this ringside in Toronto right now.
We got six-woman action with all these stars in the ring.
[Barrett] We litigate with our fists here on SmackDown,
and these six woman are doing it in style.
[Tessitore] Liv and Naomi left alone in the center of the ring
as Liv getting the best of it with the kicks.
[Barrett] Well, five of these women competing tomorrow night
in the Elimination Chamber,
it was Raquel Rodriguez who's the odd woman out, did not qualify.
Thanks in large part to Naomi and Belair's interference in their qualifier
against NXT's Roxanne Perez, who ended up winning.
-[Barrett] Oh, geez. -[Tessitore] Oh, man!
[Barrett] What a nasty landing there for Liv Morgan,
and the Role Model, Bayley, in rare form tonight.
[Tessitore] Look at Bayley, side-to-side with the dives.
[Barrett] Bayley, perhaps the greatest resume of anyone
competing in tomorrow's Chamber.
Geez!
[Tessitore] I mean she's not stopping. Back and forth she goes.
-Bayley taking control here in Toronto. -[crowd cheers]
[Tessitore] Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett back with you ringside
in front of this monstrous crowd at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto
the night before Elimination Chamber.
Six-woman tag team action.
Born out of what happened when Michael Cole was hosting
the kickoff show earlier tonight to get this Elimination Chamber weekend started,
and things just got heated up and boiled over among these competitors.
[Barrett] Well, that is a tag. Belair is in there.
Raquel has no idea that the tag was made behind her back.
[Tessitore] Oh, and look at the EST. Bianca Belair flying through the air.
[Barrett] Signature athleticism from the EST,
and now setting her sights on the woman
who she is convinced took out Jade Cargill,
and now she is punishing Raquel for that supposed transgression.
[Tessitore] Just driving her shoulder right into that midsection.
I caught up with Bianca earlier.
She says, "I still feel like we haven't avenged things over Jade,
and Liv just setting us off, putting it in our face time and again, taunting us."
[Barrett] And now those same women have taken tag gold from Belair and Naomi.
So you know every shot she is firing in the direction of Raquel
just tastes oh so sweet.
[crowd cheers]
[Tessitore] And getting the roar of this crowd.
[Barrett] Showing up, showing out, it's the Bianca Belair story!
[Tessitore] Handspring moonsault into the cover.
Kick out by Rodriguez.
[Barrett] A little extra stank in every shot that Belair is throwing.
All of the grit and drive in the world, laser focused on poor Raquel Rodriguez.
[Tessitore] Mentioned earlier, first time since August
that she hasn't been grasping gold.
Four days removed from those circumstances
and how they lost the tag championships.
[crowd gasps]
[Tessitore] Liv came charging in.
[Barrett] Did her best to save her tag team partner,
but Belair simply unglued,
and it is Naomi now who is the legal woman on that side.
[Tessitore] Did you see the height
and then crashing down that head of Raquel?
[Barrett] How much abuse has Raquel taken already?
But still there's something left in the tank.
[Tessitore] Just when she was looking for the split leg,
instead, Raquel Rodriguez getting her up top,
sending her on top of that top rope.
[Barrett] Draping the throat of Naomi…
Oh.
…across the top row, but it was the prodigy, Roxanne Perez,
who tagged herself in there, much to the chagrin of Raquel,
and now we're gonna get to see what NXT's finest can do.
[Tessitore] It's been quite the run for Roxanne Perez.
[Barrett] It's been unthinkable, story book,
and if she can pull off the unthinkable tomorrow and head to WrestleMania,
wow, what a story that would be.
[Tessitore] Bayley wants back in.
There's that flying elbow drop, and Bayley hooks the leg.
[Barrett] Well, flush to the jaw of Roxanne
and Liv Morgan had to be on point with that breakup, or it was over,
but that's what you get as reward and this one breaking down again,
shots getting fired in every direction.
[Tessitore] It was that spinebuster that sent Liv flying out.
And now out over the top rope goes Naomi and Raquel.
[Barrett] Well, a scene of a car crash at ringside,
and here to reap the benefits is Bayley,
but no, denied by Perez, wait.
Attempt at that Pop Rocks denied by Bayley, who's back on top
and looking to put this one away. Almost a Bayley to belly suplex.
[Tessitore] And there is the Pop Rocks!
Pop rocks…
-And victory! -[bell rings]
[Garcia] Here are your winners, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez,
and Roxanne Perez!
[Tessitore] The career momentum for Roxanne Perez continues,
and are we looking at the Elimination Chamber X Factor
in front of us?
[Barrett] 23 years old and now on the precipice of…
-Wait a second. Oh, God. -[Tessitore] Oh!
-[Tessitore] Alexa Bliss! -[crowd cheers]
[crowd screams]
[Tessitore] Roxanne finds out. Abigail DDT!
[Barrett] That is the sixth woman who will be competing
in tomorrow night's Elimination Chamber.
[Tessitore] We had five of the six,
but the sixth tends to do her own thing.
After what we just saw, I think it's safe to say that it's anyone's guess
who's going to win the women's Elimination Chamber match
and head to WrestleMania.
Well, my next guest is headed to WrestleMania.
She's the winner of the 2025 Royal Rumble, The Queen, Charlotte Flair.
[crowd jeers]
Charlotte, I'm really curious to find out what you think about the tag team
of your WrestleMania opponent, Tiffany Stratton and Trish Stratus
tomorrow night at Elimination Chamber.
Well, Byron, what do I think?
I think Tiffy and Trish, I mean, the team up is cute,
but let's face it, once the smoke clears,
Tiffany has a bigger problem to deal with, and that's The Queen.
So she better get focused, she better be prepared
because there's gonna be no help at the end of that rainbow,
and everywhere she goes,
I'm gonna be right there reminding her that time is rapidly slipping away,
and I'll see her at WrestleMania 41.
-Whoo! -[crowd] Whoo!
[Tessitore] Can't wait for that.
But coming up next, a shot at gold is up for grabs.
Three men who won earlier tonight now will test each other,
and what a mix of styles.
LA Knight, Jacob Fatu, and Carmelo Hayes, the upset-seeking Carmelo Hayes.
US Championship number one contender, triple-threat match.
Don't go anywhere.
[Nakamura in Japanese] A dog is satisfied with the scraps
that fall from his master's table.
If you fools feel the need to fight…
for the opportunity to be humiliated
by an honorable champion…
then I will allow it.
But know this…
whomever comes out of this is going to be made into an example.
The other dogs will see what happens when you bite my hand.
Pray that you lose…
Otherwise what awaits you is…
nothing but hell.
You got it.
I told you, I took care of Braun Strowman and all you gotta do is finish the job.
Okay, LA Knight, come on with it. Carmelo, come on with it.
Like I said before, it's either you lay down or I will beat your ass down.
Hell, I'm America's most wanted. Hell, I'm a menace to society.
Hey, let's keep it 100. That US title is coming to me.
Shinsuke,
I hope you watching right now because then you gonna understand
whoever get in my way, I'ma dog walk their ass!
[Tessitore] The distinct arrival of one of the most feared men
in the entire industry.
["Samoan Destroyer" playing]
[Barrett] Talking is supposed to humanize a monster.
It just makes it even more terrifying when Jacob Fatu opens his mouth.
[Tessitore] When the night started, Fatu was not part of this plan,
but here he is, and that comes with a warning for all.
[bell rings]
[Garcia] The following is a United States Championship
number one contender triple-threat match.
Introducing first, weighing in at 287 pounds.
Jacob Fatu!
[Tessitore] There's no more fawning sentinel
at the right hand of Solo Sikoa.
Instead it was Solo who opened up and gifted this opportunity for Jacob,
who now earned it to get to this point.
So here we go, triple-threat. Carmelo Hayes, Fatu, and LA Knight.
[Barrett] Yeah!
[Tessitore] We have mentioned it, Wade.
This version of Jacob Fatu that we've seen since early January is flat out different,
which is hard to believe that there could be a more extreme way about him,
but we have found that out.
[Barrett] The loosest cannon of them all, and he's had the most rest
between match one, and this final pathway looking real good for Jacob Fatu.
[Tessitore] That's a good point. He took out Andrade earlier.
And now here's the guy
that flopped his way, got Braun DQed, found his way to this point.
Carmelo Hayes.
["Melo Don't Miss" playing]
[Garcia] Next, from Boston, Massachusetts, weighing in at 210 pounds.
Carmelo Hayes!
[Tessitore] Now here's the one thing I'll say about Melo.
He's been among the most active competitors on this roster,
and tonight that could pay off big time with the two matches in one night.
This is already his eighth match of the year.
Had his run in the Royal Rumble.
Last year he was top ten in the WWE in televised matches.
[Barrett] We're talking about conditioning.
Carmelo Hayes had the shortest match one of anyone this evening.
It was perhaps three or four minutes long thanks to that intervention
by Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga.
Now, Solo and Tama did that in order to assist Jacob Fatu's path to victory,
removing the biggest obstacle of them all, in Braun Strowman.
["Welcome To LA" playing]
[Barrett] Carmelo Hayes also a beneficiary of that.
[Tessitore] And The Megastar is ready.
Toronto getting a double dose tonight.
[Garcia] And from Los Angeles, California, weighing in at 240 pounds.
-LA Knight! -[crowd] Yeah!
[Tessitore] Earlier tonight, that well-earned victory over Santos Escobar,
in recent weeks dealing with the menacing ringside presence of Shinsuke Nakamura
and now a chance to guarantee, to cement his position
for a soon to be title match, rematch with Nakamura.
[Barrett] Well, LA Knight gave us a banger…
[crowd] LA Knight! Yeah!
…earlier tonight against Santos Escobar,
but he did get the hell beat out of him in the process.
I question what kind of physical condition The Megastar is in,
-and for me he has to be a rank outsider… -[bell rings]
…to win this triple-threat.
[Tessitore] Well, hey, he's not bashful of who he goes after first.
He went on the attack to Fatu.
[Barrett] Yeah, you attack Fatu, you take your eye off Carmelo Hayes,
and this is what happens.
Fatu says, "Oh, yeah, how about a nice right uppercut,
and then we work with the kicks right to your gut."
As Carmelo Hayes tries to explain himself, it creates an opportunity for Knight,
who then, Fatu, is right back giving it to him.
[Barrett] I don't know how much explaining and reasoning works with Jacob Fatu.
He has one language and that is a language of extreme violence.
And he is fully fluent in it.
The Megastar with a hot start.
Oh, God.
[Tessitore] Yeah, but look who's right back up.
Gotta give more than that.
Smart by Knight, pulled down that top rope.
Oh, Hayes, looking to get this done quickly.
And then that hip check that he sends to Fatu.
[Barrett] Well, LA Knight looking to finish this as quickly as possible,
while Fatu is down on the outside.
[crowd] LA Knight! Yeah!
[Tessitore] Looking for that leaping elbow and he lands it.
[Barrett] Bull's eye, right on the chest of Carmelo Hayes.
But take your eye off Jacob Fatu for too long,
you know, he's back on his feet and swinging once again.
[Tessitore] Triple-threat with Fatu in the mix is a much different task.
[Barrett] Jacob Fatu just has that intangible quality
that terrifies and captivates in equal measure.
Just a natural born fear factor to both the audience and indeed the locker room,
and what we're witnessing before our eyes is the reason why.
[Tessitore] Just driving that lower back of Carmelo Hayes
right into the edge of the apron,
as he tried to get the best of LA Knight against the barrier.
Knight comes back with right hand after right hand and a headbutt from Fatu,
and now he does send him into that barrier.
[Barrett] What on earth is Fatu cooking up here?
Guaranteed it's highly unpleasant and wisely perhaps Carmelo Hayes fighting
with everything he's got at least to try and get away from Jacob Fatu.
[Tessitore] Triple-threat to determine the US Championship number one contender.
Oh, man, he just lifted him off the ground.
That was George Foreman-esque.
[Barrett] Absorbed ten shots, throw one, and you're still win if you're Jacob Fatu.
[Tessitore] Knight back up on his feet and getting to work on Fatu.
Suggest LA Knight and Carmelo Hayes would behoove
to team up against this Samoan Werewolf.
[Tessitore] Trying to return the favor against that barrier.
[Barrett] One-on-one, I'm backing Fatu every single time.
[Tessitore] Smashing the side.
His ribs straight into that barrier there.
And now Hayes comes in as he's stacking up against timekeeper.
[Barrett] All gas, no breaks, maximum destruction.
[Tessitore] Oh, no! A total wipeout.
Fatu missed the target and is down on his right shoulder.
[crowd chants] Fatu! Fatu! Fatu!
[Tessitore] Great scene here in Toronto
where earlier tonight general manager Nick Aldis
announced this one night tournament to determine the number one contender
for the US Championship.
Six men were competing in three singles-matches,
and it's come down to this: Jacob Fatu, LA Knight, and Carmelo Hayes.
[Barrett] Here's what happened a little earlier during our break,
it was Carmelo Hayes who got thrown sky high by LA Knight
with that massive backdrop,
and Hayes' spine hasn't looked quite right ever since.
[Tessitore] Well, it's not gonna get any better right now as he gets tossed
halfway across the ring by Fatu.
[Barrett] Whatever way you slice and dice it,
whoever wins this match has to have put in an iron-man performance this evening,
and US Champ Shinsuke Nakamura said he was looking for a worthy warrior.
I don't care who wins from here,
all three of those men in that ring qualify,
putting it all on the line in two separate matches
to chase an opportunity at the gold.
[Tessitore] Of course, LA Knight has been chasing redemption
against Shinsuke Nakamura, trying to get his US championship back.
And now again just Fatu shot putting Carmelo Hayes.
[Barrett] Well, Jacob Fatu is spoiled for choice.
Which carcass are you gonna attack next?
[Tessitore] Now he lines up LA Knight, just drapes him over that top rope.
Cody Rhodes has a decision to make.
Will he take The Final Boss's offer? We will hear exclusively the interview.
Michael Cole and Cody Rhodes coming up in moments,
but so much to be determined here in this triple-threat.
[Barrett] Watch out, Knight.
[Tessitore] Getting out of the way of that running hip attack.
[Barrett] Just in time. Knew it was coming.
Oh, I was gonna say playing possum,
but knocked out of his boots by a flying Jacob Fatu.
[Tessitore] And now Hayes looking to rally here.
[Barrett] Fatu is unbelievable, the most well-rounded fighter
I have ever witnessed in WWE.
A man who could do it all, aside from look sane.
Hayes smart to get out of the way of that Senton,
and now coming down springboarding off the rope and perhaps an opportunity,
-but not with those eyes. -[Barrett] Oh, no.
[Tessitore] Not with that face.
[Barrett] You connect with one of your biggest moves
and you get laughed at.
[Tessitore] Pop-up Samoan Drop!
[Barrett] That's when you know it really is not your night, Carmelo Hayes,
but it might be The Megastar's night.
[Tessitore] Oh, man!
Knight, the jumping neckbreaker.
Into the cover
to get that status but the kick out.
Well, after that neckbreaker, Fatu rolled onto his stomach with momentum
and that extra beat that it took LA Knight to roll Fatu onto his shoulders
cost him the three count there.
[Tessitore] Hayes is still reeling in pain after what Fatu did to him.
[Barrett] Imagine the bodies of these competitors
after what they've already been through this evening, especially LA Knight.
[Tessitore] Oh, he had a war with Santos Escobar.
[Barrett] Man, he went the distance with Escobar,
pulled out the victory and is somehow still fighting away in there.
His body must be screaming.
[Tessitore] They tried to team up. It didn't work out.
[Barrett] Going for the BFT!
[Tessitore] But instead, are you kidding me? First 48 by Hayes.
And the kick out at two and change.
[Barrett] Oh, there could be nothing more frustrating than once again hitting
a massive move for Carmelo Hayes, that First 48,
and you know Fatu was taken out with a BFT in the process.
Take another look at this.
Taking out all comers, I think Fatu was actually taken out
with one half of that First 48 in the end, but ultimately LA Knight kicking out.
[crowd chants] This is awesome!
And now Carmelo Hayes looking to go up top perhaps for his signature move.
[Tessitore] Nothing But Net, no, instead he eats a right hand
and gets sent out onto the floor by LA Knight right on top of Fatu.
[Barrett] Well, Fatu tried to catch Carmelo Hayes,
crumbled in the process but still managed to power his way up out of this.
[Tessitore] Fatu was completely affected.
[Barrett] Well, this looks ugly as… What on earth.
[Tessitore] No way! Are you kidding me?
Springboard crossbody onto the announced desk by LA Knight!
[Barrett] And I saw the back of Jacob Fatu snap
against this announced desk, much like JD McDonagh's did
several weeks ago, puncture in a lung, breaking ribs in the process.
Fatu might be out here.
[Tessitore] The distance that LA Knight just covered with all that velocity,
his entire body crashing down.
[Barrett] You go high risk when it's worth it.
But someone who might capitalize on that high risk now going up top.
[Tessitore] Looking to deliver. Nothing But Net for the upset win.
My, oh, my. Fatu!
[Barrett] Just in the nick of time.
Referee had to get out of the way of that diving Swanton.
[Tessitore] And now here comes the brutal running hip attack by Fatu.
[Barrett] A man who is, oh, impermeable to damage.
Impaler DDT connected right on the top of the head of Hayes.
[Tessitore] A jumping moonsault, he's in complete control.
Absolutely in complete control,
and Knight drags him out of the ring and takes that spot on the cover.
-And takes it! -[bell rings]
Fatu did all the work. Knight gets the W.
["Welcome To LA" playing]
[Garcia] The winner of this match is LA Knight!
-[crowd] Yeah! -[Barrett] Yeah!
[Tessitore] How clever, how smart by The Megastar.
That was genius.
[Barrett] With an opportunity for gold on the line,
you win any way you can and now officially the number one contender
to the United States Championship is LA Knight.
[Tessitore] This was just awesome stuff. That Mighty Moonsault put him in position.
[Barrett] Well, dragged out of the ring by The Megastar who seized the moment,
seized the opportunity, seized the pin,
and in the process seized the number one contendership.
What a night for The Megastar.
[Tessitore] And now he can get back to business against Shinsuke Nakamura.
[crowd] LA Knight! Yeah!
[Tessitore] The man he lost that US Championship to.
LA Knight is the number one contender, official and cemented.
What a match.
[crowd cheers]
He wants your soul.
What is that about?
My soul, I-I don't know.
And you're on top of the world. What could he possibly offer you?
I mean, if… what do you think young Cody would have done with that offer?
I know what young CM Punk would have done. I would have taken that in a heartbeat.
Lickety-split. Main event WrestleMania, biggest star in the world.
I'm wise enough now to know that I'm happy that offer never came to me.
I know a lot of people have given you advice.
[sighs] You know I have no love for Dwayne.
But I would like to see you take the offer.
What?
Follow me now. Take the offer and shine it up real good.
Turn it sideways.
And shove it up his part-time Hollywood candy ass.
[crowd cheers]
You got here because you follow your instincts and you listen to your heart.
But do you, man, I'm not trying to influence you.
I'm gonna do me and I'm gonna win the Elimination Chamber.
I'll see you in the main event at WrestleMania.
[Tessitore] When we come back, everyone wants to know
what is Cody contemplating.
Michael Cole will give us the answers.
[Tessitore] Sensational night here in Toronto.
Elimination Chamber weekend has begun.
Some of our results from earlier tonight.
Tiffany Stratton, Chelsea Green, where they're going to meet up
with Nia Jax and Candice LeRae.
Tomorrow will be Trish and Tiffany.
We got set to determine who's the number one contender for the US Championship
with three singles-matches
and then moments ago we got the payoff with LA Knight coming up with a victory
over Jacob Fatu and Carmelo Hayes.
Of course, one of the big storylines centering on this weekend here in Toronto
is Cody Rhodes' decision.
So let's go to the ring to the incomparable Michael Cole.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Undisputed WWE Champion,
the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes!
[Rhodes] Wrestling has more than one royal family.
["Kingdom" playing]
[crowd cheers]
♪ Adrenaline in my soul Every fight out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
♪ Crowd is here, about to blow Waitin' for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain Lights go up, I'm home ♪
-♪ Whoa! ♪ -[crowd] ♪ Whoa! ♪
♪ And my father said When I was younger ♪
♪ Hard times breed better men Better men! ♪
♪ You took it all away I give it all away ♪
[Barrett] What a week it must have been for Cody Rhodes, so much thinking to do,
so much contemplating.
Anyone who has ever had a job will tell you that life is way sweeter
when the boss is on your side.
Well, 10x that when the boss is the Final Boss.
[Tessitore] I mean, did you see the VIP locker room he was handed tonight?
-[Barrett] Oh, I saw-- -[Tessitore] The sushi. The luxury.
[Barrett] Whoo. I mean, how do you turn that down?
And what are the consequences if you do turn that down?
♪ Ready for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain Lights go up, I'm home ♪
-♪ Whoa! ♪ -[crowd] ♪ Whoa! ♪
♪ And my father said When I was younger ♪
♪ Hard times breed better men Better men! ♪
♪ You took it all away, I give it all away Can't take my freedom ♪
♪ Here to change the game A banner made of pain ♪
♪ I built my kingdom ♪
♪ Now you bow to me You took my dreams but not my name ♪
♪ You'll follow me into the end ♪
[crowd] ♪ I am my kingdom ♪
[cheers]
So, Cody, let's cut right to the chase. There's a lot to talk about.
Elimination Chamber tomorrow night, six men vying for the opportunity
to face you in the main event at WrestleMania for the WWE title.
[crowd chants] Cody! Cody! Cody!
Also, in 24 hours, you have to make a decision,
a decision whether you're going to sell out to The Rock.
Now let's paint the picture here.
The Cody Rhodes that I've known for 20 years or knew would never,
would never take this offer.
You scratched and clawed and fought.
They were your words to get to this moment.
You had the guts to leave this company, force them to bring you back
a bigger star than ever before.
You went on to Main Event two WrestleManias,
earn those opportunities.
Finished your story last year. And now you represent all these people.
Everyone in the WWE.
You're living up to the legacy of your father.
I want to bring up the… what may happen though, Cody.
If… If you accept the offer.
Well…
[crowd chanting]
Just… Just… Just… Just real quick, Michael,
I know, um, you've… you've got questions. I know why you have to ask questions.
Cody, you're trying to deflect. The bottom line is this.
If you accept the offer, you could have it all.
You could have everything, all the money in the world.
You could be the corporate champion.
You could decide when to defend your title, who to defend it against.
In the only profitable events of the year like WrestleMania.
Hell, The Rock could give you a seat on the board.
You could be part owner of the company. You could run this entire place.
You could have everything.
No more live events in small towns. No more European tours for three weeks.
Hell, listen to this. You can get rid of the bus.
You could be home.
With your wife and your daughter whenever you wanted to.
And, uh, wait a minute,
I'm b… I'm being told that there's something here for you, Cody.
I'm-I'm being told that there's a special gift here for you,
tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
Good luck with that decision.
Ah, Cody Rhodes.
SmackDown, Toronto, The Rock is coming.
The Rock is coming Toronto.
Getting ready to board the bird right now.
Bring it back over to The Rock because this is gonna be
a big, big night tomorrow night,
Saturday night, Elimination Chamber.
Cody Rhodes, you're gonna make the decision of a lifetime,
you know it, and The Rock knows it.
You and The Rock have been talking all week.
We've been texting all week. We FaceTimed once.
And you're gonna do the right thing.
I know that you're going to do the right thing.
Cody, by the way, enjoy the gift.
It's a Raptor truck, a gift from the Final Boss to you.
I got your logos all over.
It's a badass custom-made truck just for you because The Rock knows,
you love driving just like The Rock does on the open road.
You love driving just like The Rock does on the dangerous roads,
on the beautiful roads.
On the dusty roads.
Speaking of Dusty Rhodes, God bless his soul, the American Dream.
The Rock has been talking to your daddy all week.
He's been talking to your daddy all week long,
and he told me you've been talking to him too,
which tells the Final Boss one thing, that you are gonna do the right thing.
Cody Rhodes, Sturgill Simpson, The Rock's favorite country artist.
♪ Ain't no point getting out of bed If you ain't living the dream ♪
♪ It's like making a big Old pot of coffee ♪
♪ When you ain't got no cream ♪
Cody Rhodes, The Rock has a big pot of coffee.
He's got the cream, the sugar, the spice and everything nice
to make all of your dreams come true.
Tomorrow night at Elimination Chamber in Toronto, Canada,
they will be waiting all night long to hear one thing.
-If you smell… -[crowd] If you smell…
And The Rock's music hits, the roof blows off that stadium.
The Rock walks out and he's gonna… he's gonna walk to you, Cody Rhodes.
He's gonna open his arm and say, "Embrace me as your brother."
And I will embrace you as my champion, and you will give me your soul.
Cody Rhodes, I want to make all your dreams come true.
The Final Boss will make all of your dreams come true,
even the dreams you never knew you could dream.
Every opportunity you ever thought of, it's gonna come true.
The Rock will make that happen.
You and your beautiful, amazing wife who I had the privilege of meeting,
your beautiful little girl, Liberty,
who The Rock has had the privilege of meeting.
All your dreams come true with one decision.
Tomorrow night in Toronto, Canada, we will make history.
And you will give me your soul, and you will become my champion.
Before The Rock boards his bird…
Cody, I had a little gift made for you. And I've been wearing it all week long.
And you know, The Rock has been having great workouts in this belt
that says "Cody soul."
But right here you know this date.
This is the date that your daddy died, and this is the date that broke my heart
because your daddy was one of my heroes.
Don't break my heart again, Cody Rhodes.
I'm coming to Toronto. You give me your soul and you make me…
you make me embrace you as my champion.
I love you, brother.
See you in Toronto.