[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[Tessitore] This is Philly, where the afterglow
of a Super Bowl championship still burns bright,
and the buzz of WrestleMania's season now roars from
last year's site to this year's drama.
The fans heading into a sold-out Wells Fargo Arena,
well aware of what just happened,
how the industry changed forever this week.
Yet there's so much still to be revealed.
Tonight that all happens inside this cauldron of fan passion.
A place that's now hosted 24 SmackDowns, including the US Championship tonight,
the target for LA Knight.
He proved himself winning a brutal number one contenders' tourney.
The Megastar comes here convinced gold is coming back to him.
He has to deal with the sinister, dangerous Shinsuke Nakamura.
Since November, that title's been his.
Now these two fierce rivals battle for it again.
And it's a big showdown for big Braun Strowman.
Everywhere he's turned lately, he's been dealing with Solo Sikoa,
from a spike to a steel chair.
And Solo arrives here for Braun one-on-one,
of course with Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga here in South Philly.
Gonna be an explosive moment with these two.
Plus, Drew McIntyre at SmackDown, second time in less than a month.
McIntyre will face Jimmy Uso.
The Scottish Warrior sees something--
-Oh! -[Barrett] Oh.
[McIntyre] What did you think was gonna happen?
[Priest grunts]
[groaning, coughs]
I mean, it was only a matter of time with Priest and McIntyre, I guess.
Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett with you.
Gonna be that kind of night on SmackDown.
Wow, it has been an epic week here in WWE,
the effects of which are going to be felt for years, Joe.
Yeah, the shocking turn of events at Elimination Chamber
still the buzz with everybody.
Toronto was incredible from start to the stunning John Cena-Cody Rhodes finish.
It is a very big weekend for fans of WWE.
[Cole] It's this weekend that has more star power than Toronto's ever seen.
Welcome, everyone, to the Elimination Chamber.
♪ I'm in too deep ♪
[Cole] Jade Cargill is back!
♪ I know the demons always choose me ♪
[Cole] What the-- Cargill has attacked Naomi!
-[whip cracks] -[Liv shrieks]
♪ They're always trying to consume me ♪
[Cole] Bianca Belair is going to WrestleMania!
[Belair] One step closer to get to WrestleMania
to show that I am the EST of WWE.
I thank the fans in Canada.
[Cole] 38,493 in attendance.
[Langston] Toronto has truly been incredible.
[reporter] Hometown favorite Trish Stratus is getting back into the squared circle.
This is huge. Toronto embraces wrestling.
[Cole] Trish is celebrating her 25th anniversary here in WWE.
[Barrett] The most debased performance from a human being I have ever witnessed.
-Randy? It's Randy! -Randy!
[Cole] Randy Orton is back!
Tonight we put it in gear and stepped on the gas.
Let's pave the way to the dance.
[Cole] Cena enters the final Elimination Chamber of his career.
[McAfee] And now, Cena and CM Punk.
[Cole] Oh, a stomp from Rollins just screwed CM Punk!
[bell rings]
[Cole] John Cena is going to WrestleMania!
♪ And I'm forced to face The who I've become ♪
[The Rock] If you smell--
Cody Rhodes, the moment has arrived.
I want your soul. Embrace me as your brother.
Hey, Rock, go [bleep] yourself.
[Cole] What the hell?
[Barrett] There is not a soul on planet Earth who foresaw this.
[Cole] Come on, enough already. Somebody stop this.
No!
[Cole] This is one of the most disgusting displays that I've ever witnessed.
-["Voices" playing] -[crowd cheers]
♪ They counsel me They understand ♪
♪ They talk to me… ♪
[Tessitore] And that reaction from this Philly crowd tells you everything.
The Viper, the Apex Predator, the Legend Killer,
and life as a fan is just better when Randy Orton is back and arrives.
♪ All designed to keep you safe ♪
♪ But when rules start getting broken… ♪
[Garcia] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome Randy Orton!
[crowd cheers]
[Tessitore] Wade, back on November 8th, we thought there was a real chance
we may never see him again.
That piledriver that Kevin Owens delivered, the brutal attack on Orton,
sent him out of action until last week,
and that timely and somewhat heroic return in Toronto.
[Barrett] Returning, shocking the world at the Elimination Chamber
after four months on the shelf,
attacking the Prizefighter, Kevin Owens.
And you mentioned, Joe Tess, that it's better for every fan on the planet
when Randy Orton is back in WWE.
The same clearly can't be said for Kevin Owens,
who now surely is in a world of danger
when he's in the sights of the Apex Predator.
[Tessitore] Fourteen world titles,
ten-time WWE Champion, four-time World Heavyweight Champion.
♪ All you judges You are guilty ♪
♪ All the bosses I will fire ♪
♪ All you bankers Will have losses… ♪
[Tessitore] In front of this sold-out crowd here in Philly,
16,728 on the heels
of the red-hot Elimination Chamber weekend in Toronto
and then that wild Monday Night Raw.
♪ I hear voices In my head ♪
♪ They counsel me They understand ♪
♪ They talk to me… ♪
[Tessitore] Look at this packed Wells Fargo Center.
An electric night in Philly.
[Barrett] Randy Orton here in the shape of his career.
Four months of pent up vitriol came flowing out of Randy Orton
at the Elimination Chamber.
If we know Randy Orton, like I'm sure we do,
that was just a taste of what's to come.
[Tessitore] With that WrestleMania sign hanging high, we are just 43 days away
from WrestleMania 41 in Vegas.
♪ I see heroes dyin' ♪
♪ I taste blood that's dryin' ♪
♪ I feel tension risin' ♪
♪ I hear voices In my head ♪
♪ They counsel me They understand ♪
♪ They talk to me ♪
♪ They tell me things That I will do ♪
♪ They show me things I'll do to you ♪
♪ They talk to me ♪
[crowd cheers]
[music fades out]
[crowd] Randy! Randy!
[Tessitore] It's got to be such a great feeling
to hear the roar of the crowd again and to just soak it in.
[Barrett] Even more sweet when your career was hanging in the balance
after that neck injury, sustained at the hands of the Package Piledriver.
What an ovation.
Hey, so, Philly, a lot of crazy stuff has happened since I've been gone, right?
I mean just…
Just look at the last, you know, week or so.
I mean, for as long as I can remember, ever since I started in this business,
John Cena…
[crowd boos]
John Cena has always been on the top of this profession.
And now he's just a bottom for Rock.
I guess that gives a whole new meaning to the term rock bottom, now doesn't it?
Doesn't it, John? [chuckles] But I digress.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Friday Night SmackDown.
[crowd cheers]
Now I bring up John, you know, he's one of the few friends I've had in the business.
Our careers kind of paralleled each other,
and, um, you know, we have a lot in common.
That's a short list of people that I was friends with
and had something in common with.
One of those people on that short list is also Kevin Owens.
[crowd boos]
Now, Kevin and I, we got a lot in common.
We've both done vile things to get the job done.
We both crossed the line, pushed the envelope time and time again,
but it was always to get the job done.
It was always in the name of business.
You see, guys, Kevin Owens, the wrestler,
I respect.
His story on how he got here,
how he busted his ass to get to the WWE,
it's really quite admirable when you think about it.
You could say that I admire Kevin Owens, the wrestler.
But it's Kevin Owens, the man, that I have a problem with.
Now, there's a quote out there.
I'm gonna butcher it, but I'm gonna try and deliver it here
as verbatim as possible.
It goes, "Never underestimate a jealous man's ability
to destroy another man."
If you ask me, that's Kevin Owens to the T.
Kevin Owens's veins run with jealousy.
Case in point, look at Cody Rhodes.
Kevin Owens dropped Cody Rhodes on his head with a piledriver.
Kevin Owens will tell you that he tried to end Cody's career because Cody simply
chose Roman Reigns as a tag team partner, but that's not why.
Kevin Owens tried to end Cody's career
because Kevin Owens was jealous of the gold around Cody's waist.
Sami Zayn. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens, they fought tooth and nail
long before they ever made it to the WWE.
Back and forth, but they would always come full circle.
They would always become friends again.
But at the Elimination Chamber, Kevin Owens attempted to drop
Sami Zayn on his head for a second time, this time on the concrete.
And Kevin will have you believe that he did that because Sami Zayn simply
helped Roman Reigns to his feet at the Royal Rumble, but that's not why.
Kevin Owens tried to end Sami Zayn's career
because Sami Zayn had slowly yet surely become a bigger star than Kevin Owens.
That short list I talked about earlier that Kevin Owens was on,
he was my friend at one time,
and he dropped me on my head with a piledriver,
an illegal move, by the way, for as long as I've been here,
simply because I was trying to protect my friend.
What does Kevin Owens have to be jealous about?
He's won every single title in the WWE. Every single title.
He's… If you asked any one of the guys or the gals
in the locker room, what their one goal, if they can only have one,
one goal would be in this company,
it would be the main event WrestleMania.
Kevin Owens did that not once, but he did it twice.
In one of those times,
his opponent was arguably the greatest superstar in the history of the WWE,
the history of all professional wrestling.
His opponent at WrestleMania in the main event
was Stone Cold Steve Austin.
[crowd cheers]
What does Kevin Owens have to be jealous about?
He's never satisfied. Enough's never enough.
A year and a half ago, I had a spinal fusion, and I was told
that that was a career ending surgery, a career ending injury.
Doctor after doctor told me that that was it.
Hang up the boots. You're done.
Your in-ring career is over, but I wouldn't take no for an answer.
I busted my ass to come back. But I told myself, "Randy,
don't let anything upset you in that ring.
Don't take one second performing in front of these lovely people for granted.
Don't let anything piss you off." Well, guess what?
Kevin Owens, you gone done and pissed me off.
So, last week at the Chamber when I came out to save Sami Zayn
from getting a career-ending piledriver on the concrete,
I ran into the ring, and I RKO'd Kevin Owens,
and he laid right about here.
And as I looked down on Kevin, I thought to myself,
"Man, what is this feeling coming over me?"
Normally, that would have been all I needed to do to be satisfied,
to fill the urge.
I would have been happy. That would have been it.
Case closed. See you next week.
But no, something came over me that I haven't felt for a decade,
decade and a half.
And… [chuckles] Ah, I liked it.
I liked it. I liked it, and you know what it was?
The voices started talking to me again, and those voices,
they told me to back up, measure my mark,
and kick Kevin Owens in the head so freaking hard
that even his closest family members wouldn't be able to recognize his face.
Listen, Kevin Owens, listen to me when I say,
as a matter of fact, WWE Universe, listen to me.
The entire world, listen to me when I say I'm gonna prove in short order
that Pat McAfee is only the second greatest punter in the WWE.
["Voices" playing]
[Tessitore] Oh, he says, "The voices started talking to me again."
He was set to punt Kevin Owens a week ago.
Now it seems like it's just a matter of time when he gets his chance, Wade.
[Barrett] Oh, man, when the eyes of the Apex Predator narrow,
the last place you wanna be is in the line of sight.
Kevin Owens, you have a major problem as we hurtle towards WrestleMania.
[crowd cheers]
It is so unconstitutional that you're making me defend
my title tonight in a Street Fight.
Um, excuse me, we were in the middle of something.
Well, I hope you're in the middle of discussing your consequences
for ruining my Canadian homecoming.
Nicholas, you let her bully me into a match last week,
and now you're letting Michin bully me into a match?
[scoffs] This is discrimination. I know my rights.
Well, maybe you should exercise your right to remain silent for all of us.
Excuse me.
-Are you censoring us? -Yes!
Do I need to spell it out for you? Shut up.
Actually, I've got a great idea.
How about I make you shut up tonight in a match?
No, no, no, she can't make it.
She is part of my Secret Hervice, and I have a match.
[whispers] So she won't be there.
One thing, Chelsea. Uh, Piper doesn't work for you, she works for WWE,
and I actually happen to think that's a great idea,
so I think we're gonna do that.
[Stratton claps] Toodles.
I told you we needed more Secret Hervice.
["Tiffy Time" playing]
[Tessitore] Nick Aldis always getting the best of Chelsea.
So, here we go.
Wade, you know what time it is now in Philly.
[Barrett] It has been Tiffy Time for a long time.
[bell rings]
[Garcia] The following contest is set for one fall.
Introducing first, from Prior Lake, Minnesota,
she is the WWE Women's Champion,
Tiffany Stratton!
[Tessitore] So here we go, Tiffy Time in South Philly.
Stratton, Piper Niven, that's next.
Don't go anywhere. A sellout for SmackDown.
There is your main event for WrestleMania.
Oh, my God!
Wait! What?
In a stunning turn of events…
Oh, my God.
…the unthinkable happens.
[sobs] John Cena and The Rock, I hate them so much.
[Clancy] I mean, there are millions of children around the planet
-that look up to this man. -[sobbing]
John Cena, you need to pay for this.
[Tessitore] Honestly, I can watch those reactions all day long,
and it's this photo, this singular moment.
Cena, the Final Boss, Travis Scott,
and for the first time since, we will hear from Cody Rhodes.
The Undisputed WWE Champion is here in Philly.
He'll join us live tonight.
Tiffany Stratton, seems like it was so long ago
she cashed in her Money in The Bank briefcase and defeated Nia Jax.
It's only been 63 days.
[Barrett] You mentioned Nia Jax.
Of course, Tiffany Stratton had a huge win at the Elimination Chamber
alongside Hall of Famer Trish Stratus against Nia Jax and Candice LeRae,
perhaps finally putting them in the rearview mirror,
however, no rest for the champ.
[Tessitore] What an interesting spot here for Piper Niven.
From Chelsea Green's Secret Hervice to now facing off against Tiffy Time.
[Garcia] And her opponent,
from Ayrshire, Scotland,
Piper Niven!
[Tessitore] Wade, I will say this about Piper.
She really impressed us the last time she was in singles action
here on SmackDown.
But four weeks ago, went toe-to-toe with the eventual
Elimination Chamber winner, Bianca Belair.
[Barrett] Yeah, I mean, anyone who's sleeping on the abilities
of Piper Niven is just plain wrong.
Let's go back to Clash at the Castle in Glasgow last year
when Piper Niven pushed the then Women's Champ, Bayley, to her limits,
almost becoming champ herself in the process,
if not for some severely bad luck.
Well, Piper Niven is every inch the equal of any woman in this division,
including the likes of Tiffany Stratton.
[Tessitore] Saw how bothered Chelsea Green was
with SmackDown general manager, Nick Aldis.
And she is not here ringside.
Remember Chelsea Green,
defending her Women's United States Championship
later tonight against Michin,
which has been a sensational rivalry, and that will be a Street Fight match.
[Barrett] Ooh. Good luck, Chelsea Green against Michin of all people.
Michin is the absolute queen of Death Matches.
The champ is in trouble later on tonight.
[Tessitore] Especially here in Philly. She trained not far away at the ECW arena,
so it's a style that suits her so well.
There's the athleticism, the gymnastics background of Tiffany Stratton.
[Barrett] Tiffany Stratton did indeed compete against Chelsea Green last week.
A match that was interfered with several times by Piper Niven,
so there is some bad blood between these two in the ring right now.
But it would be a huge feather in the cap of the powerhouse Niven
to get a win over the champ
and raise her stock in the women's division.
[Tessitore] She was looking for that running senton
and Stratton able to get out of the way and then delivers that basement drop kick.
A week ago, she came off the top rope onto Niven and Green outside the ring.
Springboarding in this time against Piper. Hooks the leg, looking for the quick win.
[Barrett] Incredible technique and body control here,
and, of course, Tiffany Stratton not surprised by the powerhouse style of Niven
after months now of competing against Nia Jax,
who's very similar, but now Niven's gonna ask some different questions.
[Tessitore] And she gets sent out onto the floor.
Piper Niven with that strength advantage, just tossing Tiffany Stratton.
[Barrett] So stoic in that ring.
-Never happier than when in full control. -[Tessitore] Oh!
[Barrett] A nasty landing there for both women,
but Piper Niven with the upper hand.
Can she get the W over Tiffany?
[Tessitore] Not a seat to be had here in Philadelphia for Friday Night SmackDown,
as Tiffany Stratton looking to rally against Piper Niven.
Wade, you brought up the fact that she's been through the wringer recently.
You go back to just even Valentine's Day.
Oh, and there's the offense she was looking for.
She's gone up against Nia Jax,
Candice LeRae, Chelsea Green, all victories
and last week, the tag team action up in Toronto, so she has been active.
[Barrett] Well, these are the new questions that get asked of you.
When you become champ in WWE, you have unlimited bull's-eyes
on your body, and a lot of questions have been asked of Tiffany Stratton
tonight already by Piper Niven, but showing that championship-caliber
durability when it matters most.
Tiffany Stratton back in control.
[Tessitore] First time these two have ever gone one-on-one in their careers.
As driving that shoulder into the ribs that were greatly affected earlier
on in this match is Piper Niven.
[Barrett] And Niven is such a proudly belligerent woman.
One shot from Niven is like ten from anyone else.
[Tessitore] Tiffany able to get out of the way then slams her down.
[Barrett] And now you've got this opportunity to do some damage
against the bone crusher Niven.
You've gotta make it count.
[Tessitore] How's this for counting?
Into the cover. Hooks the leg for the win.
And the shoulder up by Piper Niven.
[Barrett] Another look at the bull's-eye. Right here into the drop zone.
Couldn't have landed any more perfect.
What more would you expect from Tiffany Stratton, Little Miss Perfect?
Though she overestimated her own power there.
[Tessitore] And you get an example on the other side,
the power, the strength of Niven-- Oh, and the left shoulder gets up
just with a moment to spare to stay alive
for the WWE Women's Champion Tiffany Stratton.
[Barrett] The spinning boss man there, pulled out by Piper Niven,
should have been enough to get the job done,
but this is part of why Tiffany Stratton
is at the top of the mountain in this division.
Can dig a little deeper than most.
[Tessitore] This is the danger zone when you're up against Niven.
Nobody's home.
[Barrett] Simply telegraph for too long, and here we go, Joe.
[Tessitore] Prettiest Moonsault Ever!
It is Tiffy Time.
-[bell rings] -["Tiffy Time" playing]
[Garcia] Here is your winner,
the WWE Women's Champion,
-Tiffany Stratton! -[Tessitore] That's a great win by--
-[Barrett] Wait, wait, wait! Ooh! -[Tessitore] Oh, she's got company!
Charlotte Flair takes out her leg from behind.
[Barrett] Tiffany Stratton's opponent at WrestleMania,
Royal Rumble winner, Charlotte Flair.
-The fourteen-time champ-- Oh, my God. -[Tessitore] Oh, no.
Figure Eight, could it be?
Charlotte Flair locking it in against her WrestleMania opponent.
Oh, Wade!
[Barrett] Charlotte Flair living up to the name,
using every dirty trick in the book
to attack the body and mind of the young champ.
[Tessitore] The Royal Rumble winner
who chose Tiffany
to have her welcome back to WrestleMania moment.
And Charlotte making a big and dangerous statement as you see Tiffany Stratton
-reaching for that left knee. -["All Hail The Queen" playing]
[Barrett] Charlotte Flair has just been a step ahead of Tiffany Stratton
for the past several weeks.
[Tessitore] 43 days till WrestleMania, Wade.
And that will be the matchup.
It's officially March, so allow me to illustrate the madness
that is the current state of the tag team division.
Let's start here with the Motor City Machine Guns.
They faced DIY four months ago, and in an historic night,
after defeating DIY, they went on to win the tag team championships.
The Street Profits were next in line, but before they could make that happen,
that was disrupted
by Tommaso Ciampa.
When the Profits were ready for another bite at the apple,
they were mysteriously attacked and unable to compete,
which meant DIY took their place and in a shocking turn of events,
Johnny Gargano betrayed his friends and mentors of 20 years,
and DIY claimed the tag team gold.
When the Profits returned, they were informed by Pretty Deadly…
-It was Gar-- -Za! [clears throat]
Garza. It was Garza.
[Aldis] …who attacked them.
-You sure? -Yeah, I'm sure.
[Aldis] This was untrue, and the Profits returned the favor, and chaos ensued.
We then came to find out that it was DIY
who put Pretty Deadly up to it.
You're on your own.
-We don't need you. -We don't need you.
And that's why we have all this chaos.
Now we go to the Royal Rumble.
Two-out-of-three Falls Match between the Machine Guns and DIY,
which was disrupted by the returning Street Profits,
and since then, it has been nonstop fighting and chaos. So…
here's my solution.
Next week, the Street Profits
get their long-awaited and long overdue title shot
against DIY.
Which leaves us with tonight. With Pretty Deadly who will face Los Garza
and the Motor City Machine Guns in a Triple Threat Match
to determine who's next in line as the number one contender.
As you can see, it's really very simple.
[Barrett] There was nothing simple about that.
While Nick Aldis is making our brains hurt with trigonometry,
let me sum it up for you.
SmackDown's tag division has been a chaotic mess,
and tonight we are gonna restore some order.
-[Tessitore] How about the… -[Barrett] Ooh, that'd be no fun.
[Tessitore] Sabin and Shelley ready for the challenge to earn another title shot.
[bell rings]
[Garcia] The following is a WWE Tag Team Championship
number one contender Triple Threat Match!
Introducing first, from Detroit City,
at a combined weight of 412 pounds,
Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin,
Motor City Machine Guns!
[Tessitore] They were so close to reclaiming
their tag titles at the Royal Rumble.
Now a chance for the number one spot.
Tag Team Championship, number one contenders, Triple Threat.
That's next from Philly.
[Tessitore] So, here we go in Philly. Number one contender
Triple Threat tag team match.
It's gonna be Los Garza, Motor City Machine Guns
and the guys here who keep gathering more and more momentum and confidence.
[Garcia] And from London, England,
at a combined weight of 426 pounds,
Elton Prince and Kit Wilson,
Pretty Deadly!
[Barrett] So the entire tag division on SmackDown
has been in complete turmoil now for months.
You've got five prominent teams who cannot stand the sight of each other,
and GM Aldis is basically trying to pacify all five teams at the same time.
This is a number one contender, Triple Threat matchup.
The winners will go on to face the winners of next week's Tag Championship matchup
between the champs, DIY, and the Street Profits.
Hopefully, we get some order finally restored here.
[Tessitore] There has been very little order.
I mean, we had a moment recently where the entire locker room
spilled out into a brawl out on the floor.
[Barrett] Yeah, there's no loyalties whatsoever left, no trust.
[Angel] Get out!
Get out! Go on.
Bye-bye!
[Tessitore] Angel getting in the face of Sabin,
who waves goodbye to him and then eats a big dropkick from Kit Wilson.
[Barrett] There's your problem. You get distracted by somebody you can't stand.
You take your eye off your opponent, and you get dropped.
[Tessitore] Oh, wow, right in the center of the ring.
It was Legado del Fantasma, or Los Garza, who was supposed to take on
the Street Profits last week on SmackDown.
That was one that devolved into an all-out brawl
between every member in the tag ranks,
and clearly, only two men are gonna be legal at any point in this tag match…
[Tessitore] It doesn't matter now though, does it, Wade?
[Barrett] There's not gonna be much agreement.
-And once again, it has devolved… -[Tessitore] Those blind tags
-don't go over well. -[Barrett] …into a complete mess.
[Tessitore] Angel and Berto, Sabin and Shelley,
Elton Prince and Kit Wilson.
The Motor City Machine Guns just ran into big boots from Pretty Deadly.
[Barrett] Perhaps the Machine Guns who have more gripes than anyone--
they've had multiple championship matches ruined by run-ins from the likes
of Los Garza and Pretty Deadly.
[Tessitore] And now the teamwork coming to play
as look at that from Angel and Berto.
[Barrett] Well, this is Los Garza who need to get back to instilling fear
in the locker room and end the…
-[Tessitore] Wow! -…likes of the people
taking the group lightly.
Santos Escobar has faith in his men. They're on top now.
Can they get the dub?
[Tessitore] Excellent Triple Threat Tag Team action here in Philly on SmackDown.
Next week's SmackDown is going to have the Tag Team Championship
with the Street Profits against DIY,
but this is what Nick Aldis, the general manager,
put forth to determine the eventual number one contenders.
Motor City Machine Guns, Pretty Deadly and Los Garza, Wade.
[Barrett] Yeah. Three teams scratching and clawing to get themselves in pole position
and a shot at whoever the champs will be after next week,
and right now it's the Motor City Machine Guns that are hitting fine form
with Chris Sabin.
[Tessitore] Sabin is revving the engine…
and getting the best of Berto.
[Sabin] Let's go!
[Tessitore] Oh, they're hoping to go right back into title contention.
The recent champions, as Sabin,
into the cover to become number one contenders.
And the kick out by Berto.
[Barrett] The veterans, the Machine Guns,
they have been screwed left, right and center
over the past several months, including losing their tag gold to DIY.
Nothing has gone right for them since. Well, that could change tonight.
[Tessitore] We talked about the ring awareness
you need to have in a Triple Threat tag team with the blind tags.
There's nowhere to hide, as you say, Wade.
[Barrett] Some of these competitors wish they--
[Tessitore] Oh, the tourniquet.
[Barrett] Nicely connecting there from Kit.
[Tessitore] Big boot springboard from Berto.
[Barrett] Things are turning in the blink of an eye in this one.
[Tessitore] Everybody is showing their weaponry here.
And now the 5-hole to the outside taking out three of them by Chris Sabin.
[Barrett] Unmatched cohesion from the Motor City Machine Guns.
Two bodies, one mind.
And this could be the--
[Tessitore] Oh, they're lining up Skull and Bones.
Kit pushes him off. And the back slide by Pretty Deadly.
-And the win! -[bell rings]
-[Barrett] Yes, boy! -["On And On" playing]
[Garcia] Here are your winners,
Pretty Deadly!
[Barrett] We've got new number one contenders.
It's the boys from England, the Killer Queens.
Who will they face? Will it be the Street Profits?
Will it be DIY? We're gonna find out next week.
But tonight, Pretty Deadly, quick thinking, got everything they wanted.
[Tessitore] That's a big win. Hey, we heard from Randy Orton earlier tonight.
But that wasn't the only shocking return that happened in Toronto last week.
It was how the night started that got so much attention
with an angry Jade Cargill back in action.
And Bianca Belair, Naomi relationship, it may never be the same.
And what Bianca had to watch…
[Barrett] Yeah, so this the match from Saturday.
When no one expected it, the Storm, Jade Cargill,
returned months after a mystery attack.
It appeared that the prime suspect,
Liv Morgan, was about to face some consequences,
and then to shock the world,
not least, Bianca Belair, who was close to hysterics, looking on in horror.
We witnessed Naomi being the ire of Jade Cargill's attack.
One of the most savage beatdowns we've ever seen in the women's division.
Cargill ultimately taking Naomi out of the match, leaving us all,
especially Bianca Belair, wanting some answers.
[Tessitore] Well, I mean she's trapped in the pod and has to witness that,
and we are gonna hear from Bianca Belair
after all that fallout from this past Saturday's Elimination Chamber,
that is coming your way.
Do not go anywhere.
[Tessitore] Sold-out Wells Fargo Center,
they were roaring when Randy Orton started our evening,
and they saw Charlotte Flair attack Tiffany Stratton
and sitting nearby ringside here are the 76ers.
They're going to host the Jazz come Sunday,
and they have been loving the action ringside.
Of course, these Philly fans, you can get a mixed reaction
when you have certain struggles during the season.
Ain't no way. Ain't no way.
No.
No, no. No, no, no.
Oh, God. No, no, no.
No! No! No! What are you doing?
[Tessitore] We are gonna take a look back at one of the most shocking moments
in WWE history, and we will hear from the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.
That's later tonight.
-["Watch Me Shine" playing] -[crowd cheers]
[Tessitore] She likes to say you can't spell WrestleMania without EST,
and now Mania 41 is gonna have Bianca Belair in a championship match.
[Garcia] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome Bianca Belair!
[Barrett] Well, what a week it has been for Bianca Belair.
After winning the Elimination Chamber,
Belair sat at ringside this week on Raw, knowing she would face the winner
of Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky at the Showcase of the Immortals,
but Rhea Ripley allowed herself to be distracted by Belair,
a brief shoving match, took her eye off Iyo Sky.
And it was the genius of the Sky who seized the moment
and one Over The Moonsault later,
became the new Women's World Champion,
locking in a date with destiny with Elimination Chamber winner,
Bianca Belair.
Really a massively frustrated Rhea Ripley letting herself down.
[Tessitore] You know, Iyo countering that Riptide attempt off the top rope,
that was special.
So now WrestleMania 41, Wade,
Women's World Championship match,
the new champ, Iyo Sky, against Belair.
You know, I should really feel like I'm on top of the world right now
after winning Elimination Chamber.
And I should really be focused on going to WrestleMania, but, um,
it's really hard to do that when two of your friends are fighting.
You know, I've formed a bond with both of these women.
Jade and I, we elevated the tag team division together
and Naomi, she stepped in so all that hard work wouldn't go to waste.
And Naomi…
We were close before, but once we formed that tag team,
I can honestly say she… she became my best friend.
So, no, no, no, I do not believe that Naomi would do something like that.
I know, I know, but then again, I'm so confused,
like, I literally feel like I'm going crazy,
and now I'm being accused, so I need some answers.
Naomi's not texting me back. Jade's not talking to me.
I feel like I'm losing both of my friends, so Naomi, I know you're back there,
and I need you to come out here and give me some answers right now.
["Glow" playing]
[Barrett] Well, here we go, Joe Tess, what a murky situation.
[Tessitore] Wade, she's got the neck brace on.
[Barrett] I'm not surprised after the beatdown Naomi took
in the Elimination Chamber at the hands of Jade Cargill.
The question is, was Naomi the original assailant
to Jade Cargill several months ago,
or is she simply a victim of an unwarranted attack?
I want some answers, and clearly, Belair feels the same way.
Naomi, what in the hell is going on?
BB, this is not at all what it looks like,
and I need you to lock in with me,
and I need you to understand what I'm about to say.
I'm gonna ask you this.
When Jade couldn't compete, who stepped up, who had your back,
and who made sure you didn't have to relinquish those tag team titles?
Naomi, stop. Stop.
Did you attack Jade?
B, all of this outside noise
is nothing but distraction from what you and I really need to be focused on,
which is getting our tag team titles back from Liv and Raquel
and you focusing on WrestleMania, that's it.
Naomi, stop.
Because you're talking about everything else other than what we are here for.
We are here for Jade.
Jade, that's what we're here for. Stop talking about everything else.
It is about Jade right now.
Jade.
Jade, Jade, Jade.
Jade.
You really wanna know how I feel about Jade?
I do. That's what I'm asking.
All right.
I'm gonna tell you, and I never said this before, B,
'cause I ain't wanna be messy,
and I ain't wanna hurt her little feelings.
But the truth is, the way I see Jade,
I feel like she been piggybacking off on you the entire time.
That is my truth, and I have been forced to watch someone like Jade
succeed off of your excellence, off of your experience,
off of your hard work while I was left, pushed to the side,
to fight for myself every match, and I didn't say a word.
I let y'all get y'all flowers. I let y'all be great.
And I was proud of y'all, and I didn't say a freaking word,
but deep down, that's the way I feel.
And, no, I don't give a damn about Jade,
'cause she didn't give a damn about Bianca.
-Stop, stop, stop. Stop. Naomi, stop. -She's an opportunist.
-B, you ask for the truth. -No!
-I do want the truth. I want the truth. -I'm giving you the truth.
You're gaslighting me right now.
[both bickering, screaming]
[Naomi] Every time I stand up for myself…
-Tell me the truth. -[Naomi] …people turn their backs,
-and wanna walk out on me-- -[screaming] Stop!
Stop!
It is very simple.
It is a, "Yes."
Or it is a, "No."
And I need you to tell me right now, 'cause I will walk out of this ring,
and you will never hear from me again, so tell me here, right now.
I did it.
[crowd groans]
There you go, B. I did it.
Yeah, I did it. I did it for you.
-[Belair sobs] -I did it for us.
It was always supposed to be me.
This whole time…
No, no, no.
-B-- -[screams] Don't touch me!
You wanna know why this hurts so bad?
Because of how much I love you.
-I love you-- -No, don't say nothing else to me.
I don't wanna hear nothing else. You said enough.
I can't even look at you right now.
So this, me and you…
We're done.
[crowd groans]
Why? Because of her?
B, come talk to me.
No, wait…
[sobbing]
B, I'm sorry.
[sobs] B!
[screaming] B, I did this for you! You just don't understand that right now.
-[groans] B! -[crowd chanting] You deserve it!
[screaming] B! Don't walk out on me!
You know what? You wanted the truth.
The truth is I wish I would have pushed her harder.
[crowd groans]
I should have pushed her sooner!
Every time I start to clock in and stand up for myself,
all of y'all turn on me.
That's exactly what you're doing, Bianca.
You ungrateful ****!
-[crowd jeers] -[Tessitore] Oh.
[mic thuds]
[crowd cheers]
[Tessitore] Jade Cargill is here.
After three words just acted like a guillotine in the relationship
of Belair and Naomi, "I did it."
And here comes Jade.
[Barrett] Mop up the tears, Naomi, and get your running shoes on.
[Tessitore] Think of the level of betrayal,
the level of betrayal that was just admitted to.
[Barrett] Forget about betrayal. Right now, this is about vengeance, Joe.
[Tessitore] A week ago, she returned and smashed her neck
with that minivan steel door of the Chamber, and now she pulls her back
and is on the attack again. Jade Cargill.
[Barrett] Jade Cargill looking completely--
[Tessitore] Oh! Right on top of our announce table.
And just beating her down.
[Barrett] I mean, you can't blame Cargill.
What an emotional powder keg this is.
[Tessitore] An eruption of emotion and rage and now violence,
as Cargill is on the attack against Naomi.
[Barrett] The Big Three is done for good.
What an act of treachery by Naomi.
[Tessitore] Jaded!
-And what more needs to be seen or said. -["A Storm Is Coming" playing]
"I did it," and she just felt it.
Incredible raw motion
that we've seen here coming off what we saw at Elimination Chamber.
And Elimination Chamber, Wade, that I think in so many ways
has acted as the fuse for now,
these explosive feuds that we have seen, and we're surrounded by, including
two recent World Heavyweight Champions, Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest.
[Barrett] So this was the men's Elimination Chamber match.
Drew McIntyre connecting with a Claymore on John Cena, taking his eye off the ball,
momentarily when Damian Priest,
a man who also eliminated McIntyre in the Royal Rumble,
pinned Drew and blew his WrestleMania plans out of the water.
Some vengeance afterwards for McIntyre on Priest, capitalized on by Logan Paul,
who then ended Damian Priest's chances in the same movement.
Well, this was earlier on this evening when McIntyre arrived at the building,
taking some swift vengeance on Damian Priest as soon as he set eyes on the man.
And this is a Drew McIntyre who is back at his absolute worst.
[Saxton] Excuse me, Drew.
I know you have your match against Jimmy Uso later on tonight,
but I wanna ask you about your attack on Damian Priest earlier on tonight.
Some people are saying it was unprovoked.
Byron, have you been watching the product this past year?
Do you listen?
So many people are so shocked about John Cena's actions last Saturday,
like I didn't come out on SmackDown last week and tell everyone
what kind of person he is.
I would have prevented so many people having their heart broken
when a Claymored him in his big stupid head in the Chamber,
but then Damian Priest had to slither in and steal the pin from behind,
taking away my last chance at the world title at WrestleMania.
Unprovoked?
I'd call it well-deserved.
We're on the path to WrestleMania.
Because of Priest, I got nothing.
I got nothing to give
but violence.
And it starts tonight with the black sheep of the family.
[Tessitore] Our Byron Saxton with Drew McIntyre.
[Barrett] Oh, God.
[Tessitore] Oh, you want 385 pounds of angry and focused?
You've got it, Wade.
Everyone about to find out in the form of…
[Barrett] One big SOB.
[bell rings]
[Garcia] This next match is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, weighing in at 355 pounds,
Braun Strowman!
[Tessitore] Since he transferred over to SmackDown,
Braun Strowman has dealt with a lot.
Lost the chance to be in the Elimination Chamber.
Can avenge that tonight because it's Strowman against Solo Sikoa.
That is coming up next from a red-hot Wells Fargo Center,
a sellout here in Philly.
Deep breath. Exhale, kick it out. Three, two, one.
[knock on door]
[Rhodes] Little surprise visit.
-Surprise visit? -[Rhodes] Hey, hey, hey.
-[chuckling] Oh. -Hey, hey, hey.
-Look who's here. -How are you? You doing all right?
-I'm doing great. -Is he putting you through it down here?
-He is. -Oh, my gosh.
On behalf of WWE, uh, we would like you to be part of the 2025 class
of the WWE Hall of Fame.
Wow.
[Page] You gotta stand up and give him a hug for that, bud.
-Oh, yeah. -Ah. [chuckles]
-You're good. -[laughing]
[Tessitore] That's how you act like a champion, isn't it, Wade?
What a weekend it's gonna be in Vegas,
as we will all stand up and cheer on and congratulate Lex Luger,
who will be making his way to the Hall of Fame.
[Barrett] One of the greatest physiques in the history of the industry.
Loved The Narcissist when I was a kid.
Congrats, Lex Luger, on being in the WWE Hall of Fame.
I managed to track down Charlotte Flair,
and Charlotte, I'm hoping you can shed some light
on why you decided to ambush Tiffany Stratton tonight,
especially after she had such a grueling match against Piper Niven.
Ambush? No. You see, I warned Tiffany after the fun and games were over
that I was going to be everywhere she was.
It was her fault she didn't listen,
and it seems like the division has gone a little soft
for a threat like Charlotte Flair.
Here. Here's the thing, every time I come back, I have to remind people
that there are levels to what we do.
[B-Fab] Wait, wait, wait, wait. [sighs]
And I hope I'm wrong, but I know you wasn't over here talking
about the women's division is soft.
No, you heard me correctly.
Clearly, the division has been lacking a little talent
since the queen has been gone.
No one compares to me.
Look, Charlotte, I know you've been gone a long time,
but nobody wants to compare to you.
We want our own legacies.
Nobody is interested in bowing down to you anymore.
Yeah, you see, that's where you're wrong.
Everyone eventually bows down to the Queen.
Oh, you know what? I have an idea.
How about I see you in the ring next week in Barcelona,
and I'll show you how to bow down.
Ciao.
[Tessitore] B-Fab and Charlotte Flair next week in Spain.
A week ago at this time, Braun Strowman was viewed
as the big issue in that one night only number one contenders tournament
for the US Championship, but he had to watch as Carmelo Hayes flopped.
["Taking It All" playing]
[Tessitore] And a DQ loss was a stinging reality.
And now, here's the man to blame for much of those antics a week ago.
[Garcia] And his opponent from Las Vegas, Nevada,
weighing in at 250 pounds,
Solo Sikoa!
[Barrett] So as you mentioned a little earlier, Joe,
let's take it back three weeks ago. We had an Elimination Chamber qualifying match.
Braun Strowman taking on Jacob Fatu, Damian Priest, when out of nowhere,
Solo Sikoa arrived and took Strowman down.
Now last week on SmackDown, it was the US Title tournament.
Braun was taken on Carmelo Hayes. When Solo struck again,
it backfired badly.
However, Carmelo Hayes, never one to turn down an opportunity,
stole a page out of the Eddie Guerrero playbook
and got an irate Strowman disqualified,
leaving Strowman to exact a modicum of revenge
against Tama Tonga.
The Monster Among Men is highly frustrated
and needs to deal with this thorn in his side, Solo Sikoa.
[Tessitore] Look at the look he's giving Solo Sikoa.
That was, by the way, an outstanding night of action in Toronto last week with that
single-night tournament to determine the number one contender,
which will get paid off later tonight.
LA Knight, Shinsuke Nakamura, the US Championship match.
[Barrett] Yeah, massive main event, but you know for a fact, Braun Strowman
expected to be in that match tonight.
The reason he's not, in large part, Solo Sikoa.
[Tessitore] Sikoa tested the strength of the Big Man early on, finding out.
As he gets sent over that top rope.
[Barrett] Things are very different with Braun Strowman
when you're not able to cheap shot him from behind,
and keep your eyes peeled, Solo.
[Tessitore] Here he comes. Oh!
And he gets out of the way, and the steel steps go flying,
almost came back down on Braun Strowman.
[Barrett] Incredibly nimble footwork there from Solo Sikoa.
[Tessitore] Oh, and what a big running hip attack
right into the barrier.
Solo Sikoa off to a great start against the big guy.
[Tessitore] Solo Sikoa, his first singles match
since losing that tribal combat match to Roman Reigns back on the January 6th
edition of Monday Night Raw.
[Barrett] Sikoa was at risk of getting himself into a funk
in the aftermath of that,
but what a victory it would be if he could put away Strowman,
but I don't know if you have the--
-Oh, yes you do! -[Tessitore] Oh! Samoan drop
of 385 pounds, Wade!
[Barrett] Wow, that might have taken everything out of Solo Sikoa,
but he pulled it off, and he's pretty proud of himself.
Don't admire yourself too much, even though that was a hella
impressive move from Sikoa.
Get the job finished, celebrate after.
[Tessitore] He has been a menace for Braun Strowman in recent weeks,
the spike that cost him an elimination qualifier.
Here's the running hip attack.
Of course, Braun Strowman knows that all too well at the hands of Jacob Fatu.
And now Solo Sikoa delivering it.
[Barrett] Effective and punishing
as anything Strowman has ever faced in his career.
Solo Sikoa knows it. The man's done his homework.
This is the road map to victory and maximum carnage.
[Tessitore] Looking to line up one.
Generating all that speed, but no, he eats the big boot.
[Barrett] Well, you take too long against Strowman,
-you're gonna regret it. -[Tessitore] Wow!
Crossbody from Braun Strowman.
How about delivering a little payback?
[Barrett] Getting these hands now
is the former street fighting champ of the island, Solo Sikoa.
[Tessitore] He's looking for that Strowman Express one more time.
[Barrett] Well, it failed the first time. This is take two.
[Tessitore] And he gets him. Last time, he met the steel.
[Barrett] Knocking Solo Sikoa flat on his back.
And now dinged up. Is Solo Sikoa scrambling?
Trying to get the brain, the mind reset, trying to get back into this,
but it may be too late.
[Tessitore] Was looking for that power slam that time,
but Solo Sikoa able to turn things around.
[Barrett] Smashing the hell out of that left shoulder that ate it a little earlier
on our ring steps.
[Tessitore] Remember, two US Championship title matches still to come your way.
Cody Rhodes will join us live for the first time since the turn in Toronto.
There it is, the slam, the hook of the leg for the win.
-What in the world? -[bell rings]
Tama Tonga interrupts things.
[Barrett] Well, if plan A don't work, call on plan B. Here he is.
-Tama Tonga about to wreck shop. -[bell ringing]
[Tessitore] Tama Tonga now getting wrecked after disrupting the match.
The bell rings.
-That's how the match ends. -["Samoan Destroyer" playing]
Oh, he sends him into to the timekeeper.
As big Braun Strowman clearly bothered by things,
and now he's got familiar company,
Jacob Fatu.
[Barrett] Well, Strowman's problems just got a whole hell of a lot worse.
Out of the frying pan, into the fire
with a Samoan Werewolf staring him down.
[Tessitore] Time and again in this calendar year,
they have been face to face,
and there has been brutality.
And now each man willing to climb up onto the apron.
And square off.
[crowd chanting] Fatu!
Philly is loving it.
Literally licking his lips is Fatu.
[Barrett] Bloodthirsty animal.
-[Tessitore] Here they go, Wade. -[Barrett] Backs down to nobody,
even a monster like Braun Strowman.
[Tessitore] Fatu and Strowman, oh, super kick.
And again, and it sends him out onto the floor.
[Barrett] Oh, this is like something out of the comic books.
Watch out, Joe, this ain't gonna be good.
-[Tessitore] Here comes Fatu! -[Barrett] Oh!
[Barrett] Caught on the ropes on his way over and, you know…
[Tessitore] Oh, man, oh, man!
[Barrett] Strowman capitalizing.
[Tessitore] That big SOB just slammed him across our desk.
And now Fatu rises up and from off the announced desk.
[Barrett] Geez, this guy is not built correctly.
[Tessitore] His ability to get back up time and again, like no one else.
[Barrett] You cannot stop what you cannot kill.
[Tessitore] Sends him over the barrier and he's following him.
Oh, man!
Look at the size of these two.
[Barrett] He will take a chokeslam on our table
and shrug it off in three seconds,
get straight back on the offense.
Where the hell are these two going now?
[Tessitore] They're all the way over there in the tech area right now
on top of the tech crates.
A big super kick.
It just sends Strowman draping over that top crate.
[Barrett] The referee's been screaming for security to get out here
and get some order and who can blame them for saying,
"Hell no, we're taking the rest of the night off."
[Tessitore] And now Fatu is joining him up top.
At the production tech area,
stands Fatu and 385 pounds of big Braun Strowman.
[Barrett] Nothing positive can come from this position.
[Tessitore] Are you kidding me?
Strowman able to get back on his feet.
Chokeslams Fatu down through the tables below!
[Barrett] Oh, my God, take a look at this massive chokeslam
through part of our set.
The frame of Jacob Fatu crashing down, smashing everything below him.
And finally, perhaps the monster, Braun Strowman making an epic statement.
[Tessitore] Just the way these Philly fans prefer it.
["I Am Stronger" playing]
[Barrett stammers]
-There's no way. -[Tessitore] How is he getting up?
How does Fatu do this every single time?
Survives the biggest slams, the biggest moments.
Strowman and Fatu electric in Philly tonight.
I'll tell you, it's really hard to fathom how much this conflict
between Jacob Fatu and Braun Strowman has just escalated over the last few weeks.
Well, I will attempt to switch gears
and welcome in the man who has championship aspirations
-here tonight on SmackDown, LA Knight. -[crowd cheers]
You already set a mouthful there, but here we are, so let me talk to you.
[crowd] Yeah!
I guess it was all gas, no brakes on Jacob Fatu's big fat keister
going through that table, huh?
-Yeah! -[crowd] Yeah!
What that means is the man who cost me the US Championship
last time around out of the picture.
That means no distractions. That means Shinsuke Nakamura tonight.
It is you. It is me.
[speaking Japanese]
Which I know that you know what that means,
and what that means is one moment, one time.
One time is all it takes for the BFT to smack you back to factory settings.
And then one moment, the one moment is us standing right here
in the birthplace of the United States, Philadelphia, PA.
[crowd cheers]
And that one moment which we can never relive again,
it is here, so savor it while it is because right now that means
we are standing in the birthplace of the rebirth of my US title reign.
-Yeah! -[crowd] Yeah!
And you know if you think about it.
I've dealt with sneak attacks. I've dealt with the mist.
I've dealt with it all, and I stood tall. Uh-huh, yeah!
[crowd] Yeah!
But I'll put it to you like this.
Old Glory, it's kind of needed a better representation as of late,
and that's exactly what I'm going to give it because, Shin,
I hope the shadows were good to you because I'm not gonna be.
Out of the shadows and into the light.
Once again we can all pledge allegiance to the United States Champion
with everybody saying…
-LA Knight! Yeah! -[crowd] LA Knight! Yeah!
-Do you… Are you okay? -[coughs]
'Cause I'm gonna need you to be.
I have a street fight against Michin,
and I have no idea what's gonna happen out there.
Shake it off, okay?
Shake it off. Let's go.
Hey, Chelsea.
[laughs]
I just came here to wish you some good luck or not, actually,
because it doesn't matter if it's you or Michin, whoever has that title,
I've decided I'm coming after it next.
Bye.
-[laughs] -[coughs]
Piper, that is the last thing I needed to hear right now.
-Get it together! Get it together! -[grunts]
♪ It's Chelsea Green ♪
["Hot Mess" playing]
[Tessitore] Piper's had herself a long evening already.
I don't know if Chelsea's Secret Hervice is fully capable of safeguarding--
[Barrett] Wait a second.
Is Chelsea Green dressed up as the hardcore legend, Cactus Jack?
-[Tessitore] Oh, yes! -[Barrett] Bang bang!
-[Tessitore] I love it. -[Barrett] I don't.
-[Tessitore] Perfect in Philly, isn't it? -[bell rings]
[Garcia] The following is a street fight,
and it is for the Women's United States Championship.
Introducing first, being accompanied by Piper Niven,
from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
She is the Women's United States Champion.
Chelsea Green!
[Tessitore] And her recent history with Michin
tells us that we know exactly what we're in store for.
Michin and Chelsea, a street fight for the championship next.
[commentator] What the…
[commentators speaking German]
John Cena… [commentators speaking Spanish]
[commentators speaking Mandarin]
[commentators speaking French]
[commentators speaking Portuguese]
[commentators speaking Korean]
[Tessitore] As you can hear, the whole world is latched on
to what went down in Toronto.
Final Boss, Cena, the beatdown of Cody,
and we will hear from the Undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes.
That is coming up in just a little bit here on SmackDown in Philly.
We also heard from Chelsea Green, typically complaining,
and that's what she was doing about having to take part in a street fight
to defend her title.
♪ I'm a hot mess (whoa, oh) ♪
♪ I'm pretty but powerful They wanna know how it go ♪
["I Am" playing]
[Barrett] Chelsea Green for one night only,
hailing from Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, looks the part,
-but this ain't girls play… -[Tessitore chuckles]
…not when you're in there with this woman in a street fight.
[Tessitore] Uh, we got the garbage can. We got it all coming.
[Garcia] And introducing the challenger, from Fontana, California, Michin!
[Tessitore] They're gonna get right at it. Here we go, street fight to determine
the US Women's Championship.
As Michin is in the Eagles jersey and she's got the garbage can.
Looks like the steel chairs in there, some kendo sticks.
We'll find out what other weaponry she's brought out to the ring.
[Barrett] Well, you mentioned it a little earlier, Joe.
Michin trained at the Immortal 2300 arena, the home of ECW.
She trained in deathmatch wrestling.
This is her home turf, both in Philly and indeed in this match type.
[Tessitore] She's going to the steel tray right away.
[Barrett] Chelsea Green in a massive amount of trouble now.
The match I'm not sure has even officially started.
Referee Dan Engler technically waiting for both competitors to be in the ring.
-This could come imminently. -[Tessitore] Oh!
[Tessitore] The crowbar. The crowbar was brought out of the garbage can.
[Barrett] I actually feel for Chelsea Green here.
[Tessitore] What else does she have? Oh, I love it!
[Barrett] Good grief. Negative bias from GM Nick Aldis,
against Chelsea Green, who's effectively in an impromptu street fight
against the best of the best in this match type.
-[Barrett] And finally… -[Tessitore] Oh, Dan can ring that bell.
-[bell rings] -[Tessitore] And we are underway.
Women's US Championship.
We got two chains in the ring as well
and the steel chair could already be in play early on.
And it is!
Not the rapper, right?
-[Barrett] The rapper's in the ring? -No, not the rapper.
[Tessitore] Just two separate chains…
-[Barrett] I'm with you now. -…are in the ring.
[Tessitore] By the way, speaking of musical performers.
How about what Travis Scott did to Cody Rhodes last week?
[Barrett] Yeah, it was the worst cheap shot of them all.
I'm sure it left Cody's ears ringing for days.
[Tessitore] And Chelsea not wasting any time.
But she ends up on those chains.
[Barrett] Ears ringing in this kind of match
might be the least of these two's worries.
You see Secret Hervice on the outside looking rather disheveled,
Piper Niven after her match earlier and Chelsea Green begging for a time-out.
[Tessitore] Oh, is she biting her fingers, Wade?
-[Barrett] Yes, she is. -[Tessitore] Are you kidding me?
[Barrett] Well, guess what, Joe Tess,
it's all perfectly legal in street fight rules.
[Tessitore] You can see Michin taking advantage.
[Barrett] What on earth are you looking for?
[Tessitore] Oh, this crowd's gonna go nuts.
Philly's gonna go nuts!
Nothing they like more here in the home of EC dub.
-[Barrett] Oh! -[Tessitore] Oh, man!
[Tessitore] Right into the floor, and Chelsea tucks the table away.
[crowd boos]
[Tessitore] To the cascade of boo's.
[coughs, laughs]
Moments ago, Michin was able to undo a rope that was tied around her hands
for the better part of the last four minutes
and now Michin looking to get back at Chelsea Green.
Oh, fire extinguisher right into her face! Right into her face!
A street fight here in Philly to determine the US Women's Championship,
and it has been outrageous.
[Barrett] Oh, my God. That was like a blast of air conditioning
and I wasn't even close to it.
Imagine that burning the skin of Chelsea Green.
[Tessitore] When you're in the home of EC dub,
when you're in South Philly, you deliver.
-Oh, Piper Niven comes in to disrupt it. -[crowd boos]
She was going for the tables, and now she's on top of ours.
[Barrett] It was Secret Hervice member who got beat up
earlier this evening by Tiffany Stratton.
Finally gets her wind back helping out the US champ
just when she most needed it.
[Tessitore] Street fight rules. Consider that as Chelsea is going on up.
-Piper Niven's holding her place. -[Barrett] Oh, my God.
-[Barrett] We're going Coast to Coast. -[Tessitore] Whoa!
[Tessitore] Missile drop kick, garbage can to head.
Into the cover…
and the kick out by Michin.
[Barrett] I did not have that on my bingo card from Chelsea Green,
but that was superb, deserved a dollar--
Wait a second.
[Tessitore] We're gonna even this thing up.
We got an equalizer with B-Fab.
Man, oh, man, did you hear that? Kendo stick attack.
As she chases off Piper Niven.
[Barrett] Well, say goodbye to the Secret Hervice, ladies.
It's one-on-one.
And Chelsea Green looks like she's seen a ghost.
But don't turn around, there's something way worse lurking behind you.
-[Tessitore] Michin kendo in hand… -[crowd] Oh!
…ripping away to the gut, two to the back.
And the drop kick sends her into the corner.
[Barrett] How bad do you want to be a hardcore legend, Chelsea Green?
It was all going so well.
[Tessitore] This is good stuff here in Philly, tonight,
just the way they like it.
[Barrett] Chelsea Green got her nose busted open on NXT this past week
and now with a long back attack, garbage can in tow,
it might get even worse.
[Tessitore] And she delivers on it.
The first of our two US championship matches, it could end right here…
and the kick out at two-and-change from the champ.
[Barrett] Well, I'll tell you right now, if gold was not on the line tonight,
Chelsea Green would have just taken the L and got out of here while she still can.
[Tessitore] We have seen a little bit of everything
and now here's the steel chairs.
We've had the ropes tying up Michin's hands, the garbage can in play,
a fire extinguisher.
And the crowd has been chanting "we want tables,"
and she wants to deliver.
[Barrett] You want it, Philly? You got it.
[Tessitore] And the EC dub chants have started up.
[Barrett] Michin a woman trained in part by the innovator of violence,
Tommy Dreamer.
He must be looking on proudly right now.
[Tessitore] Yeah, you know his podcast is gonna be loving this.
Man, oh, man!
Chelsea from out of nowhere!
And now the inaugural Women's US Champion
willing herself to set up that table.
[Barrett] Well, Chelsea Green is an entertainment goddess,
but don't ever question the toughness of this woman.
How the hell is she still moving? I have no--
[Tessitore] Oh, turns the tables.
Eat Defeat onto the table.
[Barrett] The legs collapsing, perhaps that has saved Chelsea Green.
[Tessitore] I don't think Michin really cares.
This is about damage. This is about destruction.
This is a street fight, Philly style!
For the title, what in the world?
What in the world just happened?
[Barrett] Who the hell is that?
[Tessitore] She was about to win the US championship
and somebody pulled Chelsea Green out.
It's Alba Fyre!
[Barrett] What the hell is Alba Fyre doing here?
[Tessitore] And now she's attacking Michin.
Oh, Canadian Destroyer!
[Barrett] Right on the chairs! Michin is out cold!
Alba, what on earth are you doing?
[Tessitore] She is teeing up Chelsea Green to win this street fight.
-Not like this. Are you kidding me? -[bell rings]
["Hot Mess" playing]
[Garcia] Here is your winner,
and still the Women's United States Champion,
Chelsea Green!
[Tessitore] And Alba Fyre just saluted her
as if it's a new Secret Hervice agent.
[Barrett] Well, the Secret Hervice has apparently expanded.
The administration of Chelsea Green has grown in numbers and power,
and they retain the US title!
No, no, no, no, no. That was a shame.
[speaking Spanish]
Once again you two fail to capture an opportunity that was in your hands.
[speaks Spanish] And all you had to do is win.
Things need to start changing for Legado del Fantasma and soon.
And this time I don't expect it. I demand it!
[exhales sharply]
He has a point.
Why do you take that from Santos?
[speaking Spanish]
I know you, and you deserve better.
[Tessitore] Coming up next, after the turn in Toronto,
we hear from Cody Rhodes, next.
[bell rings]
[announcer] Here is your winner!
[Cole] John Cena's going to WrestleMania!
And now it's you and me at WrestleMania for the championship.
[The Rock] 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.
My soul no longer belongs to me.
I gave my soul to this ring and these people a long time ago!
Hey, Rock, go [bleep] yourself!
[crowd cheering]
[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!) ♪
[Garcia] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome the Undisputed WWE Champion,
the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes!
[Tessitore] There is no denying that left eye,
six days removed from the brutal beatdown
after giving the Final Boss the firmest hard pass on the sellout offer.
Cody is here in front of his fans.
[Barrett] This is the eeriest Cody Rhodes entrance I've ever known.
There's a somber silence hanging over this audience in Philadelphia
because they know six nights ago,
as we all do, we witnessed a travesty.
-[Tessitore] And not just the beating. -[crowd] Whoa!
But the disrespect to be punched in the face with the gifted Rolex
that his father Dusty once wore,
to be whipped with a weight belt bearing his father's date of death.
♪ 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 ♪
-[crowd cheers] -[song ends]
[crowd chanting] Cody!
[crowd chanting] Cena sucks!
So…
[clicks tongue] Philadelphia…
[crowd cheers]
City of champions…
[crowd cheers]
What…
What do we want to talk about?
It's an obvious question with an obvious answer.
It's the most watched moment in WWE history, in pro wrestling history,
and there I am laying on the bottom tasting my own blood.
What do you say to a little one, not even four years old
when she looks up at you and says, "Papa, what happened to your face?"
It's not a conversation that I was prepared to have.
So I told her what I can only classify as a… a Cody lie.
I told her that I ran into a wall.
It's not entirely untrue.
I did run into a wall, a wall designed by the Final Boss,
The Rock.
[crowd boos]
His associate.
Travis Scott.
[crowd boos]
And by my WrestleMania 41 opponent
John Cena.
[crowd boos]
You know, I drove John around for two years
from show to show, from city to city.
All I was trying to do was sponge off every bit of knowledge
that I possibly could.
I felt about John how many people here felt about John.
He…
He was a hero.
So one day I'll tell her…
I'll tell her what actually happened.
I'll tell her that a great man who did great things,
who was my model in this sport,
who is the very definition of the word virtuous.
A man who used to run to the ring with a t-shirt emblazoned on it,
the slogan "Never Give Up."
I'll tell her he gave up!
And I…
I apologize for any language you might have heard.
I'm doing everything I can to maintain my composure in this moment.
John, if you don't owe it to me, I believe you owe it to them.
We'd all love to know.
Why?
And if I know my old friend John Cena,
well, I'm sure it will be a very smooth,
well educated, well-crafted retort, a signature amount of phrases.
He'll probably say fine speech at some point in there,
and when he's done talking, he will feel bulletproof,
he will feel infallible, he will feel justified.
There is no justification for you, John Cena!
[crowd cheers]
I am well aware I am talking to the whole world right now.
However, for those in this room tonight.
I don't know if you know this story.
You might have heard it from me in an interview at some point in the past.
This was the one place that my old man was afraid to perform in.
He even one time painted his face like the Road Warrior so that he knew he was cool,
so that you knew you could cheer for him.
I never shared that same fear because for reasons unknown,
one time, mustache on my face,
climbing a ladder for the Money In The Bank briefcase,
for reasons unknown, you cheered for me, you chose me,
you saddled up and you rode with me!
[crowd cheers]
I never forgot it.
And then last year, WrestleMania 40, just across the street,
trying to finish a story that started in the late '70s,
you cheered for me, you chose me again!
[crowd chanting] Cody!
Speaking of WrestleMania 40.
You can watch it back and you can turn the audio up.
My old friend John Cena in the ring celebrating with my friends and my family.
He looked at me, he pointed at the title. And I will never forget what he said.
He said it gets heavier every day.
Well…
John, here I am holding this championship.
It is not heavy enough.
Here I am holding this championship
as I have done for the last 300 and something days.
John, I know you're watching.
I know that you think that your successor had to look like you,
had to talk like you, had to be like you, had to live like you.
Well, the next one doesn't look like the last one, John,
and you are convinced that you are the last of your kind.
You are not. I am standing right here.
I am holding this above my head as if it weighs nothing,
and at WrestleMania 41, I will do the same.
John Cena, clearly you want some.
Come and get some!
["Kingdom" playing]
[Barrett] Bowed but unbroken,
Cody Rhodes resolutely standing up to the most corrupt power,
no matter the consequences.
[Tessitore] We are 43 days away from WrestleMania 41 in Vegas.
We are in the city where WrestleMania 40
saw Cody Rhodes take that championship.
Things have gotten really different. The turn in Toronto has created this.
-♪ Whoa! ♪ -[crowd] ♪ Whoa! ♪
Main Event players pitch main event things.
Mr. Aldis.
Cody said a lot out there, but you and I both know that there's so much more.
Elimination Chamber.
Cody and the rest of the world saw the John Cena
that I've been warning everyone about.
SmackDown doesn't need some puff piece from Michael Cole or Joe Tessitore.
SmackDown needs a hard-hitting interview that redefines the main event
of WrestleMania, and no one will turn ahead to the premiere episode of
"Melo Don't MizTV."
Well, hold on. I didn't agree to that, Mike.
But you know what? I would like to ask Cody one thing.
The Final Boss comes to you with an offer of a lifetime,
an opportunity of a lifetime to change your life,
and you fumbled the bag at the one-yard line?
I mean, come on, what are you thinking, man?
If the Final boss came to me, I would have did exactly what Cena did.
But then you got guys hating like Randy coming off the couch
for four months after playing Fortnite.
Fortnite, hold up, hold up. Fortnite's for kids, man.
I was playing Elden Ring.
Randy, good to see you. Before you say anything.
-Kevin Owens isn't here. -[sighs]
But it looks to me like you're itching to get back in the ring,
so I've just had a great idea.
How about next week in Barcelona, Spain? You go one-on-one with Carmelo Hayes.
Nick, I love it.
Hey, kid, you're on the one-yard line. Don't, uh, fumble the bag.
Son of a…
He's using my own line on me.
[whispers] It's called a call-back.
-Main event things. -Yeah.
[Tessitore] Randy and Melo to start our European tour
next week in Barcelona, Spain.
[Barrett] Barcelona's getting bigger and bigger, as is tonight.
'Cause heading our way is a Scottish Warrior.
[Tessitore] Yeah, one angry Scottish Warrior.
He started the night that way and now he's ready for more.
["Gallantry" playing]
[bell rings]
[Garcia] The following contest is scheduled for one-fall.
Making his way to the ring from Ayr, Scotland.
Weighing in at 275 pounds.
Drew McIntyre!
[Tessitore] Remember Drew said
he doesn't care if it's Priest, he doesn't care if it's Jimmy Uso,
it's time to settle business.
Jimmy Uso, Drew McIntyre, that match is next.
[Tessitore] Coming off the Elimination Chamber.
He was the first to be eliminated.
He retaliated by hitting Damian Priest with a Claymore,
and now in action here tonight in Philly.
On the heels of Cody Rhodes impassioned speech he gave.
["Born A King" playing]
But right now the focus for McIntyre
is the guy who has spent his last two matches in against Drew McIntyre.
[Garcia] And his opponent from San Francisco, California.
Weighing in at 251 pounds. Jimmy Uso!
-Oh, he doesn't waste any time, Wade. -[bell rings]
Comes right in with a right uppercut.
[Barrett] Well, two weeks ago,
Jimmy Uso pulled out a shock victory against McIntyre
with a victory roll and was demonized post-match by the Scottish Warrior.
This is clearly a little payback for Big Jim.
Oh, Big Jim tried to go suicide dive but he ate a right hand.
[Barrett] You gotta know full well dealing with this version of McIntyre,
you've gotta come out of the blocks hot.
Clearly things have changed in a big way in the last week for Drew McIntyre,
who believed his pathway back to the main event of WrestleMania was set with him
inevitably winning the Elimination Chamber until that went horribly wrong.
[Tessitore] Oh, and he just took that kick to the gut.
[Barrett] Well, we've seen a very different side of Drew McIntyre
since he arrived here on SmackDown.
It was all sunshine and rainbows,
but now his worst demons have come back to the fore.
And it's Big Jim who is currently paying the price of those demons
as we saw earlier tonight.
Damian Priest also faced those demons.
[Tessitore] Got him up top. Oh, he's looking our way.
Instead Uso slams McIntyre's head into our announce table.
Oh, and a super kick.
As Jimmy Uso looking to rally with a surge on the outside!
As both men are over the announce desk.
-[Barrett] It's about as ugly-- -[Tessitore] McIntyre and Big Jim.
[Tessitore] Back here in Philly for Friday Night SmackDown,
a sellout at the Wells Fargo Center,
16,728 enjoying this action
between Jimmy Uso and Drew McIntyre,
and we mentioned back on February 21st,
Jimmy Uso pulled off a quick one on Drew McIntyre,
picking up the win after a great counter to an Alabama slam attempt
into a victory roll.
Kick out at two, able to get that right shoulder up is McIntyre.
[Barrett] Well, Jimmy Uso's been living dangerously in this one so far,
and perhaps with this version of McIntyre, it's the only way you can live,
but now he's turned things around,
got the wind in his sails and could end up repeating his feat from two weeks ago.
[Tessitore] There's that running hip-attack from Big Jim.
[Barrett] Oh, God, and imagine the place that McIntyre's mind is gonna turn to
should he take another L this evening.
[Tessitore] Quick to rise to his feet though, Wade.
[Barrett] McIntyre in desperation mode at this point.
Looking to cause maximum carnage and that recipient is about to be Big Jim.
[Tessitore] McIntyre in position on the top rope.
[Barrett] McIntyre's gonna have perennial bad blood with Jimmy Uso,
thanks to his antics for years in The Bloodline.
[Tessitore] Super kick.
Here's the cover for the win.
And again that left shoulder from McIntyre,
able to get up off the canvas.
[Barrett] Take another look at this.
Jimmy Uso connected with one of his best shots,
that super kick flush to the jaw of the Scotsman,
coming within a millisecond of getting victory.
McIntyre lives on somehow.
And Jimmy Uso revisiting the playbook and he's going big.
He's going up top, Joe.
[Tessitore] He's thinking splash, isn't he?
He's thinking he's got a chance.
Uso up top.
But instead of the Uso Splash, here's Drew.
-[Tessitore] Claymore! -[Barrett] Oh!
[Tessitore] A giant Claymore delivered.
[bell rings]
["Gallantry" playing]
[Garcia] Here is your winner. Drew McIntyre!
[Tessitore] And that's got to feel good after just six days ago
when he was eliminated in the Elimination Chamber by Damian Priest,
who rolled him up for the pinfall to come back
and get such a decisive win like that.
[Barrett] Yeah, I agree with you, Joe, it's gotta feel good,
but it quite simply is not gonna be enough to fix
the major issues swirling in the mind of Drew McIntyre.
As he connects with that Claymore.
There's only one result.
And as the WrestleMania 41 sign hangs in the background,
it also hangs in the mind of Drew McIntyre,
that is what you could have had
had you been victorious in the Elimination Chamber.
And those good feelings have immediately ebbed away from the face of McIntyre
and swirling back into the pit of misery.
-[Tessitore] Oh, no. Oh! -[Barrett] Whoa.
[Tessitore] Damian Priest from behind.
When the night started,
it was Drew McIntyre who entered the Wells Fargo Center and attacked Priest,
and now Priest gets back.
[Barrett] My God, you attack The Street King, Damian Priest,
expect major consequences.
McIntyre, you asked for this.
Damian Priest the man who…
You should have killed me, you scumbag.
I'm gonna kill you every week on sight, on sight, on sight!
Oh, you wanna do it?
[Tessitore] He's gonna break free,
he says, "Every week I'm coming after you," and delivers the big kick.
A week ago it was McIntyre who hit Priest with the Claymore
and that allowed Logan Paul to come off the top rope
and eventually eliminate Priest from the Chamber.
[Barrett] Yeah, these two have major issues going back practically 12 months.
It was Priest who cashed in his Money In The Bank briefcase on McIntyre.
This one is gonna run and run.
We've got major issues between these two.
[in Japanese] LA Knight, after tonight
you will have no other choice but to accept reality.
And reality is that the United States Championship has passed you by
and is firmly in my possession.
I knew that you stubbornly would make one final attempt
at my championship.
[in English] There is no better location
for the death of your dreams
than the birthplace of the United States.
[in Japanese] After the battle is over,
I will continue to be the champion
you never could be.
[in English] Tonight, you will beg for mercy,
and you will find none.
I'm standing by with the WWE tag team champions, DIY.
Guys, with all the turmoil going on in the tag team division,
you're set to defend your gold next week against The Street Profits.
Would you say this is your toughest challenge to date?
I'm not gonna lie, the tag division's on fire right now.
There's a lot of great teams.
There's only one best tag team in the world,
and everybody knows the B-T-T-I-T-W is DIY.
All right, you heard it earlier, all the tag teams, they want what we have,
and they can fight over who's 2A and who's 2B all they want,
but the fact of the matter is there's only one number one
and you are looking at them.
As for The Street Profits ever since they came back, they got this new attitude.
They're big. They're bad. They're dangerous.
They got revenge on their minds.
-They got a dream-- -And hope.
[scoffs] But hope is a dangerous thing
'cause they actually think they have a chance,
but next week in Barcelona,
the cold reality is they're not getting in the ring with great.
They're getting in the ring with the best.
So their dream
is already dead.
So out of respect, Byron, if you will.
We're gonna hold a little moment of silence for The Street Profits
and their dream of becoming the next WWE tag team champions.
And that moment of silence begins
-now. -[crowd boos]
-Well, according to DIY they're-- -Be respectful, man, moment of silence.
[crowd boos]
[Tessitore] I-I can't with the moment of--
[Barrett] Be silent.
[Tessitore] No, you know where it's not going to be silent
for the next three weeks? Our European tour.
Barcelona is not going to be silent.
And this card is loaded for SmackDown in Spain next week.
[Barrett] Yes, boy, because Pretty Deadly became the number one contenders
for the tag titles earlier this evening.
The question is, who are they gonna face?
Will it be DIY or will it be The Street Profits?
We find out next week when they go head-to-head in Barcelona.
[Tessitore] Hey, earlier tonight, B-Fab stepped to Charlotte Flair,
so now it is on next week, just down the street from Sagrada Familia,
B-Fab taking on Charlotte Flair in Spain.
[Barrett] And the cocky Carmelo Hayes will talk smack to the best of 'em,
but triggering a vitriolic viper may have been a major error.
Carmelo Hayes goes one-on-one with Randy Orton next week on SmackDown.
[Tessitore] It was incredible to hear from Cody Rhodes earlier tonight,
and The Miz feels like Cody could get more off his chest.
So get ready for MizTV with the champ all next week, SmackDown from Spain.
["Welcome to LA" playing]
[Barrett] Yeah!
[Tessitore] A week ago LA Knight walked on hot coals to earn this.
Surviving a single-night tournament to cement and prove himself
as the number one contender.
Got through a scribble with Santos Escobar,
then the brilliance in overcoming the triple threat.
Now Shinsuke Nakamura defending against LA Knight.
[Barrett] Yeah!
Just an amazing night in Philadelphia for Friday Night SmackDown.
We saw Tiffany Stratton come up with a win,
but Charlotte Flair attacked her with a Figure Eight leg lock.
Pretty Deadly is now number one contenders for the WWE Tag Team Championship.
Braun Strowman, Solo Sikoa, put on a show that ended though
with Jacob Fatu through two tables.
Incredible street fight for the Women's US Championship.
Chelsea Green defending with circumstances of Alba Fyre's return,
and moments ago Drew McIntyre victorious, but Damian Priest attacked him afterwards.
And now our main event.
LA Knight held this championship,
the US Championship for 118 days last year.
[Barrett] Until he lost it to his opponent this evening.
Chance to win it back.
["Sinister Samurai" playing]
[Tessitore] The reigning United States Champion.
And for the first time since competing in the Royal Rumble,
it's Shinsuke Nakamura in an official match.
[Barrett] Shinsuke Nakamura is always conspicuous by his absence.
He's been a relatively rare sight on SmackDown since winning the gold,
which according to him is because of his sheer disdain
for the level of challengers available.
Shin views the US title as the warrior's title,
and few in the SmackDown locker room make the grade in his eyes.
[Tessitore] The second title defense for Nakamura,
and of course the other was also against LA Knight.
[Barrett] Sinister ceremonial entrance for Shinsuke Nakamura,
but make no mistake, this is gonna be a fight.
[Tessitore] For the official introductions,
here's the one and only Lilian Garcia!
[bell rings]
The following contest is scheduled for one-fall
and it is for the United States Championship.
[crowd cheers]
Introducing first, the challenger from Los Angeles, California,
weighing in at 240 pounds.
-LA Knight! -[crowd] LA Knight! Yeah!
And his opponent from Kyoto, Japan, weighing in at 220 pounds.
He is the United States Champion.
Shinsuke Nakamura!
[Tessitore] Incredible support for LA Knight here in Philadelphia.
[Barrett] Once upon a time
Shinsuke Nakamura got that same kind of support,
but this is a very different version of Shinsuke Nakamura,
far more poison fueled and cutthroat.
But it's what led him to this championship.
-Will it lead him to retaining tonight? -[bell rings]
Veteran referee Charles Robinson.
Holding up that championship. That is what is on the line.
Of course these two so familiar with each other.
[Barrett] It was an arduous journey for LA Knight
to get back to number one contendership, especially with last week's heroics.
You question how much that took out of The Megastar.
[Tessitore] In one single night getting through Santos Escobar
and then Carmelo Hayes and Jacob Fatu.
[Barrett] Yeah, while Shinsuke Nakamura rested at home,
knowing full well he will be primed and ready to compete this week.
[Tessitore] Oh, that big kick. Right to the gut from the champ.
Oh, and now that running knee as he was draped over the apron.
Seeing all the offense.
Versatility of Nakamura.
[Barrett] Just unique striking ability.
It's impossible to defend against attacks like that
because you've never faced them before in training or in competition.
That is the brilliance of Nakamura.
And again, one step ahead of LA Knight,
and this is what I was alluding to, how…
-Oh. -[Tessitore] That sliding German.
[Barrett] Just what kind of condition is LA Knight in?
'Cause he seems from the off tonight, a step behind the champ.
[Tessitore] Well, you brought up everything he went through a week ago.
And now the big boot.
Back on January 10th, the last time that these two tangled.
When Knight was the winner by DQ.
Not the result he was looking for when Fatu and Tonga attacked him.
Oh, and there's the baseball slide
and things have turned in the way of The Megastar looking to reclaim gold.
[Tessitore] Just a great scene here on this road to WrestleMania
at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett with your ringside.
-16,728 sold out in Philly to see this… -[crowd] Yeah!
…our main event, LA Knight trying to get that United States Championship back
against Shinsuke Nakamura, and right now he's got great momentum.
[Barrett] The perpetual motion machine.
[crowd] LA Knight! Yeah!
[Tessitore] Dropping the elbow.
Could he be champ again?
No, the kick out at two-and-change.
[Barrett] Well, LA Knight has taken a hell of a lot of abuse
from the champ, Shinsuke Nakamura in this one,
and just when hopes were fading, LA Knight tapping into that Kavorka,
and people are starting to believe once again.
[Tessitore] Knight perching him up on the top rope,
and Shinsuke fights back.
That chop to the throat.
Oh, and Knight!
He was going for that box-jump Superplex,
but instead it's Nakamura turning things around.
[Barrett] Nakamura just has too many answers
for everything that LA Knight is trying.
Nakamura is simply a master at the art of war.
Geez, that was disgusting.
Raking the eyes of The Megastar, the referee couldn't see any of it.
It was a genius move.
What the hell's he gonna pull off here?
[Tessitore] Nakamura.
With Knight perched up high.
[Barrett] Oh!
That was a sickening landing for The Megastar.
[Tessitore] And Charles Robinson quick to check to the contender.
To retain.
[Barrett] Oh, potential neck-breaking situation there for The Megastar.
Take another look at this. You could see what Nakamura was trying.
He was trying to land LA Knight, the challenger,
bang on the top of his head and end this one in one move.
Well, LA Knight is clearly double tough, bouncing up from that one,
refusing to cave in, but now Nakamura's lining up something.
[Tessitore] Could be Kinshasa.
You heard LA Knight earlier tonight say one moment, one time,
this will be my rebirth, but right now it looks like, oh!
And what a time to come up with the clothesline!
[Barrett] Well, LA Knight clearly dug deeper than he's ever had to before.
Exploding at the champ just when Nakamura was lining up that Kinshasa.
[Tessitore] Two top competitors in the deep water now.
[Barrett] I don't know how LA Knight's even got feeling in his fingertips
at this point after that Suplex off the top rope.
[Tessitore] What a match it has been for the US Championship.
[Barrett] Well, it's devolved now into a complete scramble.
Both competitors hurting.
Oh, kick to the back of the head of LA Knight.
And you can see how affected he is, wobbling around the ring.
[Barrett] Well, Nakamura's just an expert in traps,
he laid the trap there, pounced.
We're talking about bouncing, take two for The Megastar.
[Tessitore] There's the box-jump Suplex.
LA Knight!
He's going up top.
-[crowd] LA Knight! Yeah! -Targeting that leaping elbow.
And he lands it!
[Barrett] An absolute bull's eye to the kisser of the champ
who's barely moved ever since.
[Tessitore] Nakamura's in real trouble. LA Knight senses it.
[Barrett] Oh, attempt at a BFT!
Unsurprisingly, Nakamura scurrying out of there.
[Tessitore] A lost opportunity for a moment for LA Knight
as Nakamura is on the outside of the ring.
[Barrett] Well, LA Knight's so close to tasting glory.
-[Barrett] Oh, God. Here we go. -[Tessitore] Oh, steel chair is blocked.
[Tessitore] Oh, and Charles Robinson, the veteran referee, warns him.
Of course LA Knight doesn't want to DQ this time.
[Barrett] Oh, spinning back elbow there
just as the guard of The Megastar was dropped.
Now, clearly Nakamura was trying to get himself disqualified.
He was denied and once again that steel chair brought back into the ring.
[Tessitore] That's how desperate he is,
steel chair is in the ring in a title match.
Charles Robinson goes and does the right thing to grab it.
The fans want to see a conclusion here.
[Barrett] Well, Robinson knew exactly-- Oh! Exactly what--
-[Tessitore] Oh, no, oh, no. -[Barrett] Oh, no!
The mist right into the eyes of Charles Robinson.
And that was a three-count there but Charles Robinson,
who has had the week from hell,
he got dropped by KO at the Elimination Chamber,
he's just been poison misted by Nakamura.
[Tessitore] There's no ref and LA Knight would have won his title back!
The mist went into the eyes of the veteran referee!
And now look at what Nakamura's putting forth!
[Barrett] It was a Scorpio Rising, shade to the former NXT UK Champ Meiko Satomura.
[Tessitore] He tried… He tried to get the mist into the eyes of Knight.
Knight got out of the way and it landed flush on the face of the referee,
and now the steel chair is in hand.
-[Barrett] Oh! -[Tessitore] Oh, and he kicks it away!
[Barrett] Boots it into the face of Nakamura.
-BFT! -Oh, the BFT onto the steel chair!
-[Tessitore] Onto the steel chair! -[Barrett] Get up, Charles!
[Tessitore] He has to have a ref!
Here he comes for the win.
-He did it! -[bell rings]
-A Megastar feeling in Philly. -["Welcome To LA" playing]
[Garcia] Here is your winner
and the new United States Champion,
-LA Knight! -[crowd] Yeah!
[Tessitore] And if you like the way that went down, Wade Barrett, just say…
[Barrett] Yeah!
[Tessitore] Next week we're in Barcelona, tag team championship on the line.
LA Knight's got it back, folks.
[crowd] LA Knight! Yeah! folks.