[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[Tessitore] The Road to WrestleMania
has concluded the decibel-crushing European portion
and now returns to sweet home Chicago.
This city has hosted three WrestleManias, and now Chicago plays a critical role
in getting us ready for the next 'Mania.
Our final destination is that, the massive Allegiant Stadium in Vegas.
The anticipation is reaching a near crescendo.
We're just 15 days away from what will be a spectacle there.
WrestleMania 41 is coming quickly.
The question is what twists and turns will happen here?
Look at this scene, a sold out Allstate Arena,
consistently one of the best crowds for the WWE,
a venue where so much history has been made,
and tonight it's where a rivalry among powerhouse big men
will decide so much.
Braun Strowman is here in Chicago tonight.
A week ago, Strowman was battling for the US Championship.
But that was once again interrupted by the Samoan Werewolf.
And now Jacob Fatu returns with Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga by his side.
Jacob told Solo he'll take care of his business with or without them.
The business tonight: number one contender, Last Man Standing Match,
title match at WrestleMania on the line.
The winner gets LA Knight.
He's here in Chicago himself, ready to get after it,
taking on Tama Tonga in this sold-out arena in Chicago.
We also have another championship opportunity.
It's the tag team division.
Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, they've come to Chi-town.
DIY looking for a way to get gold back.
The Motor City Machine Guns are not backing down.
These two teams put on a thriller the last time out at Royal Rumble.
Now they meet again.
This time to earn number one contender status.
B-Fab has made her way to Chicago.
B-Fab has plenty of reasons to seek revenge tonight.
It's a huge moment for B-Fab to settle a score, but proceed with caution.
That's the new warning from Naomi to everyone.
She's told the world she was too nice for too long.
There's nothing nice happening in her steer of action now.
On the heels of another sneak attack, Naomi heads to the ring tonight.
As we are thrilled that you are with us.
This outrageous scene here in Chicago. Good evening, everybody.
Joe Tessitore, as always with my partner Wade Barrett.
These fans, they never disappoint.
Always a red-hot crowd right here in Chicago,
and historically speaking, some of WWE's most shocking moments
have taken place right here in this building.
I've got a funny feeling, Joe. We might get another one later on tonight.
I am up for that, my man.
These fans found out just a week ago that the Second City hometown hero
is gonna be main eventing WrestleMania.
Folks, it is set.
Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns,
and Chicago's own CM Punk.
[Reigns] The OTC came here for two reasons.
One, to be acknowledged…
[crowd chants] OTC! OTC!
[Reigns] And two, was to sign this contract.
It looks like we checked those boxes,
-and that means my obli-- -["The Vision" plays]
[Rollins] Roman, I don't know why you're in such a hurry to leave, man.
This is our building. We got a lot of history here.
We came down those stairs right here ready to burn down the old guard.
We were ready to remake this company in our image.
Ah, don't get me wrong, a lot has happened in the past 12 years,
but I daresay we accomplished our mission.
You keep saying "we."
"We" died a long time ago.
It's only been me.
You've been here, but I've done all the work.
I've made this place what it is today.
-What have you done? -I'll tell you what I've done.
You, you, you!
It's that mindset that keeps me having to screw you.
And your biggest mistake is not understanding the danger
that's right in front of us.
You let the biggest snake in the world, CM Punk, into the garden.
You could have cut his head off at WarGames,
but instead you shook his hand.
And now I am left to do what I always do.
Clean up your mess… again.
["Cult of Personality" plays]
[CM Punk] I have come here to sign a contract.
[Reigns] What, do you need a highlighter? What are you doing?
Wiseman, please, just smarten him up already.
I know what you're looking for, and it's in there.
You're closing the show at WrestleMania.
You get to live your dream of all dreams.
CM Punk,
you are a WrestleMania main eventer!
See what I'm saying? One man's dream is another man's favorite check.
No, wipe those tears out of your eyes! You don't deserve it!
Main eventing WrestleMania is sacred.
He doesn't deserve it,
and this is your fault, and this is your fault.
Thank you. Thank you, as corny as it sounds to the WWE Universe
who stood by me and chanted my name for ten long years.
Thank you!
No, no, no, no.
There's only one person you should be thanking.
You should be thanking your Tribal Chief.
Because of me, you're in the main event.
Go ahead. Now, do it right.
Thank you, my Tribal Chief.
Because of you, I will see you
in the main event of WrestleMania.
Thank you.
But that's not the favor that I'm owed.
[crowd chants] CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
-["Cult of Personality" plays] -[crowd cheers]
♪ 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… ♪
[crowd cheering]
♪ Neon lights Nobel Prize ♪
♪ When a mirror speaks The reflection lies ♪
♪ You won't have to Follow me ♪
♪ Only you Can set me free… ♪
[crowd cheering continues]
♪ I sell the things You need to be… ♪
-It's… -[crowd] It's clobbering time!
[crowd cheering]
[Nash] Ladies and gentleman,
please welcome Chicago's own
CM Punk!
[Tessitore] He's home.
CM Punk in Chicago.
It creates a reaction seldom heard, seldom seen.
Of course this is where he returned to WWE.
It's 16 months and a week since that shocker
when Survivor Series: WarGames was seemingly going off the air,
and Punk arrived.
[Barrett] You know, we're the odd men out in this arena tonight, Joe.
We are the only people still sitting down.
[Tessitore chuckles]
[Barrett] And that's just because I don't want to block the entirety
of the front row.
But, wow, these people live vicariously through CM Punk.
Chicago-made, Chicago-born, Chicago-bred, and this is their hero.
[Tessitore] Wade, I rarely take these headsets off,
but I did before CM Punk was introduced,
just to experience it the way over 16,000 did,
to hear that roar, that embrace.
The Second City Saint returns home as a WrestleMania main eventer.
[crowd chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
[Tessitore] Listen to this.
[chanting continues]
[Barrett] Always anticipation, especially in this arena
when CM Punk hits the stage,
even more so after how we went off air last week on SmackDown.
The whole world wants to know what is the nature of this favor
owed to CM Punk by Roman Reigns's Wiseman, Paul Heyman.
Well, we might be about to get the answer.
♪ Look in my eyes What do you see… ♪
[music fades out]
[crowd chants] CM Punk! CM Punk!
I don't know where to begin,
but they told me…
They told me that the best television audiences were overseas,
but I knew
we were coming to Chicago.
[crowd cheers]
Rico, give me this.
-[Tessitore laughs] -[crowd cheers]
They told me the best audiences
were oversees.
Where you at, Chicago? Let 'em know!
[crowd cheers]
-[Tessitore] It's Punk cam. -[Barrett] Rico's out of a job.
[CM Punk] Look how awful this camerawork is.
[Tessitore laughs]
[cheering continues]
[Tessitore] Our Director Lee's cringing right now, but that was great stuff.
[Barrett] Those cameras are worth about ten grand.
Be careful with that.
You see Chicago, that's why we don't listen to them.
We don't listen to outside voices.
Little… Little fact.
I'm not supposed to be here.
Stop me if you heard it.
I was born at Silver Cross Hospital with a cord around my neck.
I came out blue. They had to bring me back to life.
I'm not supposed to be here.
[crowd cheers]
Every time I come out on television, no matter where it is,
every city all across the world, Netflix, USA, doesn't matter.
My goal is to make new fans every single time,
but tonight, ladies and gentlemen out in TV land,
please forgive me while I take the time not to make new fans,
but to thank 16,000 strong
of my hometown friends and family.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chants] CM Punk! CM Punk!CM Punk! CM Punk!
When they tell you you're not supposed to be here,
you say, "Well, who's gonna make me leave?"
And that's exactly what I have done every single time I lace my boots up.
Hell, every single time I go to the grocery store,
and they tell me, "You're not supposed to be here,"
I buy my groceries, I pay the man,
and then I leave, and ladies and gentlemen,
nothing has changed just because--
and I don't know if you've heard this,
but I'm in the main event of WrestleMania.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chants] You deserve it! You deserve it! You deserve it!
I deserve it?
[crowd cheers]
Ladies and gentlemen, I've earned it.
[crowd cheers]
I started in the backyards of Chicago,
and they said, "You're not supposed to be here."
I trained at the Steel Domain at Irving and Central, and they said,
"You're not supposed to be here."
I signed a contract here.
They said, "You're not supposed to be here."
I paraded out dressed like Al Capone right over there
on John Cena's gangster car at WrestleMania.
And they said, "That's as good as it gets for you, kid."
"You're not supposed to be here."
And to me that's when the hard work began.
So I appreciate everybody congratulating me,
and as I walked through the airport coming home to O'Hare,
they said, "Good luck, CM Punk. Congratulations, you made it."
And I'm here to let you know that now the hard work begins.
[crowd cheers]
I am a product of this town.
I have to thank each and every single one of you, and please forgive me
while I'm thanking you if I don't thank my beautiful wife April first.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting] AJ Lee! AJ Lee! AJ Lee! AJ Lee!
She's probably going to be a little bit mad at me for that,
but I know somebody who's not going to be mad at me
if you chant his name,
is my puppy, Larry.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting] Larry! Larry! Larry! Larry!
There's way too many people to thank,
people that got me exactly right where I need to be.
I figure coming out on here on television
and thanking each and every single one of you was a good start.
I wouldn't be who I am without this city.
I wouldn't be where I am without this city.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
And now the hard work begins
because I got a date at WrestleMania,
and I promise you I am gonna whip Seth Rollins's ass.
I am gonna put a beating on the Tribal Chief Roman Reigns
at the main event of WrestleMania!
[crowd cheers]
[Heyman] Ladies and gentlemen…
[crowd cheers]
Ladies and gentlemen,
-my name is Paul Heyman. -[crowd] My name is Paul Heyman!
I just got into Chicago. I apologize for being late.
It was no disrespect to the Second City,
and I assure you, I absolutely positively assure you
it was no disrespect to my best friend in the world,
the Second City Saint, The Best In The World,
-CM Punk! -[crowd] CM Punk!
[crowd cheers]
[Heyman] May I?
I was just getting to thank you. Yeah, come on in.
-[crowd chants] EC Dub! EC Dub! -[chuckles] Good Lord.
[chanting continues]
You can't escape. You can't--
EC Dub, EC Dub… [laughs]
[crowd chants] EC Dub! EC Dub! EC Dub! EC Dub!
I… I thank you, but tonight…
tonight, ask not, Chicago, what you can do for your Wiseman.
Ask instead what your Wiseman can do for you.
[crowd cheers]
But the first thing I can do is, if I could steal a phrase here,
to be the voice of the voiceless,
CM punk, you belong here.
You belong in this ring. You belong in Chicago, and by God,
you belong in the main event of WrestleMania.
[crowd cheers]
The last time the two of us were standing here inside this ring,
I came up to you because Solo and Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga
were breathing down my neck
and I said, "Please take me with you."
And the next week, they put me through the announce table at Madison Square Garden
and put me out for the longest I've ever been out
except when I've been fired and--
That's not funny. That's not funny.
Then you had a Hell in a Cell Match with Drew McIntyre,
and despite the fact that you whipped his ass and won,
the beating that you took was so severe,
you were contemplating never coming back.
And then I begged you, I pleaded with you, I said,
"It's 4 on 5 at WarGames.
And my Tribal Chief is in trouble.
And I don't have another way out, and I have no one else in the world to turn to.
Please do me this…
This favor. Just one… Just do this, please."
And you said to me, "Yes, I'll do it for you,"
and you saved the family, you saved the match,
you saved the Bloodline.
You deserve all the credit in the world, and for that I thank you.
And I have, if you'll indulge me,
one more favor to ask of you.
You have a favor? Another favor?
We're stockpiling favors, ladies and gentlemen.
What can I do for you?
Please tell me the favor that I owe you right now.
[crowd cheers]
Because Roman Reigns is gonna be here,
and he's pissed off about it enough as it is,
and you don't… you don't know what happens when the Tribal Chief--
Have you ever heard of his father Sika?
Do you know what happens when these Samoans get angry?
Did you say he's not here?
[crowd jeers]
Yet. Yet.
He's… He's in…
He's in training camp for WrestleMania, and he--
As he should be, and listen,
as much as I think the favor is none of his business,
I do think it's going to affect him a little bit.
I would like to tell him to his face when I tell you,
so why don't you let me and all my friends know
when Big Chief decides to show up.
[crowd cheers]
["Cult of Personality" plays]
♪ Look in my eyes What do you see… ♪
[Tessitore] A little bit of pressure on Mr. Heyman right now
to deliver Roman Reigns so that Punk can tell him the favor to his face.
♪ I know your dreams ♪
♪ I've been everything You wanna be ♪
♪ Oh, I'm the cult of personality… ♪
[thunder rumbles]
[crowd cheers]
[Tessitore] The much-anticipated WWE debut of Rey Fénix comes right now.
[bell rings]
[Nash] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first,
he is one half of the NXT Tag Team Champions,
from the Isle of Jersey in the English Channel,
weighing in at 180 pounds,
Nathan Frazer!
[Tessitore] Nathan Frazer, fearless and fast.
Two times he's been the NXT Tag Team Champion with Axiom,
and he's been the NXT Heritage Cup Champion as well.
[theme music plays]
♪ Animo… ♪
[Nash] And his opponent from Ecatepec, México,
weighing in at 182 pounds,
making his WWE debut,
Rey Fénix!
[Tessitore] Special moment. A grand arrival.
Years and years of establishing a brand, a style, a presence,
and it pays off now being on this stage for Rey Fénix.
[Barrett] One of the greatest high flyers on planet Earth.
The hype regarding this superstar is real.
Big, big expectations. This is the brother of Penta.
Wow, I wouldn't mind trying that myself.
And Penta has created some real waves since debuting earlier this year on Raw.
Much of the same can be expected from this man.
[Tessitore] The industry cred well understood with Fénix.
Simply stated, one of the most celebrated luchadors of this and many generations.
And you mentioned the case with his brother Penta.
This is the other half of the famed Lucha Brothers tag team.
Incredible reception, so much anticipation.
You're already seeing what he's capable of.
[Barrett] The most electrifying athlete I've ever clapped eyes on.
So thrilled he's right here on the biggest stage of his 20-year career,
and a hot start from Rey Fénix.
Let's give a little shoutout to Nathan Frazer,
a man who has got a fair amount of hype behind him himself.
Now he's essentially playing with house money here.
He's not got the kind of hype behind him that Rey Fénix has got,
but what a way to upset the apple cart it would be
if he pulls off a shocker today against the luchador.
[Tessitore] And would you look at the pace, the full-throttle pace
and speed blistering between these two.
[Barrett] Tell you about Nathan Frazer who's actually trained by--
[Tessitore] Nelson roll up. Looking for a quick win.
Right back on it.
-Oh! Fénix! -[Barrett] Oh! Wow!
[Tessitore] Frazer absolutely…
trying to keep up and stay with this pace that Fénix is setting early on here,
and Frazer himself a guy who loves taking risks
and has uncanny resilience.
[Barrett] Seth Rollins in part trained Nathan Frazer.
I spoke to Seth Rollins earlier today.
He said he's never seen an athlete quite as quick as Nathan Frazer,
comparing him to a superhero like The Flash.
Incredible pace there, taking out Rey Fénix on the outside,
and now the tide perhaps starting to turn in this one.
Nathan Frazer about as close to a luchador as England has ever really produced.
But moments here looking every bit the equal of Rey Fénix.
[Tessitore] Fénix…
How about it?
Welcome to the WWE, Rey Fénix.
Here in Chicago, Rey Fénix, the luchador legend,
making his much-anticipated WWE debut against Nathan Frazer
who is making a SmackDown debut.
Fénix has won five Tag Team titles
in different promotions with his brother Penta
who's been an absolute superstar on Raw on Netflix.
[Barrett] Well, if Rey Fénix thought this was just going to be a procession
through to victory, he was very, very wrong.
Frazer's made this one hell of a fight.
[Tessitore] Look at the matchup of athleticism
between these two here. Superplex.
And Frazer right back into it.
Now into the cover, looking for the win here in Chicago.
[Barrett] Well, with that rolled-through superplex
into what I guess was a Final Cut neck breaker,
you could see the influence of his mentor Seth Rollins already.
What a mentor to have.
Well, the philosophy of these two is so clear.
If you're in control, you're simply not going fast enough.
This has been a sprint from the off.
[Tessitore] Frazer lining it up, loving to go for it,
misses on the Phoenix Splash.
[Barrett] It's a move he's put numerous superstars away with in NXT.
-[Tessitore] Big knee. Huge knee! -[Barrett] Right on the point of the jaw!
[Tessitore] Fénix just crumbled to the canvas,
and now Frazer's in control, but a counter opportunity for Rey Fénix.
[Barrett] Through pulling out all the stops here.
-[Fénix] Goodbye, amigo! -[Barrett] Whatever it takes.
-[Tessitore] Goodbye Amigo kick! -[Barrett chuckles]
[Tessitore] And now Rey Fénix…
The Fire Driver! Boy, did he ever land that.
And somehow… somehow Nathan Frazer gets his shoulder up.
[Barrett] Well, I've no idea how Nathan Frazer doesn't have
a broken neck after that one.
-Watch the landing here. -[Tessitore] Oh!
[Barrett] Pretty much directly on the top of the head of Nathan Frazer,
who was completely unable to tuck the neck and land on the shoulders,
but somehow Frazer's still battling away.
Hats off to this kid.
[Tessitore] You know, you mentioned it earlier,
of visiting with Rey Fénix and describing him as a hybrid luchador in his style.
Define that a little more.
[Barrett] Well, he's somebody who can clearly do the high-flying stuff,
perhaps as well as anyone we've ever seen, but he can get down dirty and gritty--
[Tessitore] And I think you're seeing just that, Wade.
[Barrett] Strikes and submissions as needed.
He can change it up in the blink of an eye.
[Tessitore] Wow! Saw that Goodbye Amigo kick, the Fire Driver.
He starts off with that knee to the head, and now the varied offensive assault
every which way.
-[Barrett] Oh, my. Look at this. -[Tessitore] Rey Fénix.
Oh! An MMB!
Mexican Muscle Buster!
-And the win! -[bell rings]
[theme music plays]
[Nash] Here is your winner,
Rey Fénix!
[Barrett] Well, good luck to our replay crew.
That entire match was just a highlight reel.
What a performance from both men,
but this is the moment where Rey Fénix turned it all around,
and as you called it, Joe, this Mexican Muscle Buster
with that twist in there, connecting on Nathan Frazer
and finally putting the Brit to bed in this one.
Hats off, Rey Fénix. Congrats.
[Tessitore] Let's go up to the ring to Byron.
Rey Fénix, I'm sure your emotions are all over the place, but tell us,
how does it feel to finally make your debut inside a WWE ring?
[crowd cheers]
Gracias, Chicago!
[crowd cheers]
I have a lot of history in Chicago.
[speaks Spanish]
[crowd cheers]
Tonight…
Tonight, it's not the debut of Rey Fénix.
Tonight…
Tonight is so much more.
Tonight…
A rebirth of Rey Fénix!
I am reborn with love.
I am reborn with passion,
with rage, with animo!
[crowd cheers]
I waited my whole life to say this.
I am WWE animo!
-[crowd cheers] -[theme music plays]
Now that was an impressive win.
[speaks Spanish]
See… See, that's the kind of performance I expect from the two of you.
You understand?
[both speak Spanish]
-Come on, are you serious? -Yes, I am.
Look at him. He's a flying lizard.
It's just a flash in the pan.
We, on the other hand…
[speaks Spanish]
You know what?
-I'm better than him. -[chuckles] Oh, is that so?
[speaks Spanish]
Where has this fire been? I like it.
[speaks Spanish]
But if you feel that way,
you're gonna have to show me you're better than him.
I'll talk to Nick Aldis, and I'll make it happen.
Rey Fénix…
versus Berto.
[Barrett] Well, from the high-octane Rey Fénix,
our night continues on that theme here on SmackDown,
especially in our tag division because two former champs,
DIY and the Motor City Machine Guns
will clash to decide the number one contenders
for the Street Profits.
That's later tonight.
[Tessitore] And Jacob Fatu, Braun Strowman.
Who earns a WrestleMania title shot for LA Knight's US Championship?
Last Man Standing Match comes up later.
It wasn't enough that I gave you everything you have.
Every big moment at my expense.
Every girl you talked to at the bar, bragging you were champion,
that was my title.
All the money you made profited off of me being screwed.
And you realized without me in your world,
even when you were fighting for the title, no one really cares about Damian Priest
unless you're feasting off of my scraps.
So you took away both my World Title opportunities at WrestleMania
when my back was turned.
All I asked for was for you to verbally explain to me how I'm wrong.
Poke hole in my logic.
Maybe face me like a man, but…
No.
You did what you always do.
You hid in the shadows
like a vulture.
After I beat Randy Orton right in the middle of the ring,
I was heading out with my buddies. You attacked me.
Put me through a windshield.
I can live with my back hurting across the Atlantic.
But shards of glass went in my eye, and I might never be the same.
…glass in my eye! [screams]
I need a miracle. I need to pray.
And everybody knows when Drew McIntyre prays…
bad things happen.
[Barrett] That is an irate Drew McIntyre, but let's take you back to last Friday
at the O2 in London.
Strowman was looking to capture the US Title,
but out of nowhere the Samoan Werewolf turned up
and does what he does best: wrecking shop.
And now with the match thrown out, Fatu went to town, taking out the Megastar
before feasting once again on the Monster Braun Strowman.
And an emphatic statement was made.
Braun, we've seen it for months now.
Jacob Fatu has been a massive thorn in your side.
Look, that's an understatement.
I've had enough of Jacob sticking his nose in my business.
Tonight, I show him why they call me the Monster when I buzz saw him
in this Last Man Standing Match.
Then I'm going to WrestleMania, and I'm taking that US Championship
to complete my Grand Slam.
[laughing] "Last man standing"? [scoffs]
"Last man standing"? Braun, you are finished.
No matter what you say,
you still gotta go out there and face the Samoan Werewolf Jacob Fatu.
Uh-huh.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
[crowd cheers]
Do not waste your energy on this pumpkin head bumping his bacon lips
about stuff that's got nothing to do with him.
What you need to do is get your boys in order,
and, my man, you need to keep your eyes on the prize.
Yo, Knight, you got a lot of balls coming over here and talking to me like that.
Oh, you ain't lying. They're gargantuan.
Don't worry about that.
Ye, ye, ye, ye, ye, ye, ye, ye. Yeah!
You should be worried about me tonight.
I am worried about you just a little bit because if you wanna make noise,
make noise because you're about to make a lot of noise out there.
You're gonna go… [imitates Tama Tonga]
Because I'm gonna be stomping your ass out.
Now, if I can go ahead and get a referee out here,
why don't we go ahead and remind this dummy
exactly whose game this is with everybody saying…
-["Welcome to LA" plays] -[crowd cheers]
[Tessitore] Knight's not messing around.
[Barrett chuckles]
[imitates Tama Tonga] Yeah!
[bell rings]
[Nash] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first from Los Angeles, California,
weighing in at 240 pounds,
he is the United States Champion,
-LA Knight! -[crowd] Yeah!
[Tessitore] It's coming up next. Tama Tonga against LA Knight.
[Barrett] Yeah!
[Tessitore] That was a pretty awesome scene in Philly four weeks ago
when LA Knight reclaimed the United States Championship.
Of course, the early weeks of this second rein has been bogged down
dealing with Samoan headaches.
["Brother's Keeper" playing]
[Nash] And his opponent, accompanied to the ring by Solo Sikoa,
weighing in at 220 pounds,
Tama Tonga!
[Tessitore] Tama, of course, a former WWE Tag Team Champion.
This is only his fifth singles matchup of his SmackDown roster career.
His last singles match was actually against LA Knight
back on January 24th.
[Barrett] But what we have learned about Tama Tonga since his debut here
in WWE is that wherever Tama Tonga goes,
carnage swiftly follows.
There's a reason this guy behind the scenes is nicknamed the Tongan Terror.
And LA Knight may have bitten off a little bit more than he can chew,
even more so with Solo Sikoa
prowling around the outside of the ring for this one.
[Tessitore] Yeah, that tends to be an issue.
We will see if it plays a role here tonight in Chicago.
[Barrett] Already trying to get involved.
Trying to get the attention of LA Knight right off the bat.
Didn't work that time.
[Tessitore] No, it didn't, as Knight was able to parry that big left hand
that Tama thought he didn't see coming and then delivers the elbow early on.
[Barrett] Look, I think it's pretty obvious
that I'm a big fan of LA Knight.
If I had to criticize the United States Champion,
it would be that his confidence, at times, borders on delusional.
He's almost completely oblivious to the fact
that he is in major physical danger in the ring with Tama Tonga.
Even more-- Oh! Even more so with Solo Sikoa.
[Tessitore chuckles] I mean, in terms of confidence,
we are dealing with a man who described gargantuan onions
-prior to coming out to this arena floor. -[Barrett laughs]
I don't think they were onions. I think they were watermelons.
But regardless, the point still stands.
Although, however…
It is not the Megastar standing now.
Now it's Tama Tonga.
[Tessitore] Who's looking for the early win,
but Knight able to kick out with ease.
The Megastar here in Chicago. No matter where he goes-- Big boot lands--
He gets an incredible reception.
[Barrett] Popularity and fan support just breaks the scale for the Megastar.
Where he goes, we get major ovations.
And LA Knight now trying to give the people exactly what they want.
[crowd chants] Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
[Tessitore] Tama. So effective he just rolls out of the ring.
And now out onto the floor.
And face-to-face with Solo Sikoa.
[Barrett] Solo Sikoa just lurking menacingly at all times.
[crowd] Yeah! Yeah!
[Tessitore] Just caving in the front of our announce desk
slamming his head into it.
[Barrett] And the Megastar needs eyes in the back of his head.
No tactic too low down for Solo Sikoa, that's for sure.
[Tessitore] Big shoulder right into the gut of Tama Tonga.
Oh, and look at Solo jumping onto the apron
getting the attention of the referee,
and with that, Tama Tanga takes advantage as the Megastar's head
slams into the side of the desk.
What a crowd here in Chicago.
Allstate Arena is sold out. Over 16,000.
And right now they are seeing LA Knight and Tama Tonga.
As Tama Tonga's been in control ever since the interference on the outside
from Solo Sikoa creating a distraction.
But now the Megastar is trying to fight back.
[Barrett] It's been ruthless efficiency from Tama Tonga,
but write LA Knight off at your peril.
[Tessitore] Picking up the speed.
And a two-count.
Big clothesline from Tama Tanga.
[Barrett] Almost decapitating the Megastar.
[Tessitore] Such power by Tama Tonga.
Of course LA Knight's been getting a big dose of the Samoans lately.
Two-count. Watch this moments ago, Wade.
[Barrett] Another look at this.
About as devastating a clothesline as you will ever witness.
As much as can be said for the warped personality of Tama Tonga,
utterly devastating in ring.
Technically proficient.
[Tessitore] Three weeks ago, it was LA Knight, Braun Strowman
and Jimmy Uso defeating Solo, Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga.
And then recently LA Knight and Braun Strowman's US Title match
was interrupted by Jacob Fatu.
This is the second reign as US Champion for LA Knight.
As Tama Tonga just mocking him right now,
coming off that second rope trying an elbow of his own,
but the leaping elbow does not connect
and maybe some hope here for LA Knight.
[Barrett] Yeah, you can pull off a stunt like that, that mockery,
against a lesser competitor.
You simply cannot do that against someone who is a bona fide United States Champion
like the Megastar LA Knight.
If you get a window, you gotta take it, or else you'll get this.
[crowd chanting] Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
[Tessitore] And the crowd loving every moment of it.
LA Knight!
[Barrett] He's feeling that kavorka once again,
and this crowd are lapping it up.
[Tessitore] And neck breaker!
As Knight with an offensive surge as he eyes Solo Sikoa.
[crowd] L. A. Knight. Yeah!
[Tessitore] And drops the elbow on Tama Tonga.
He wants to put an end to this.
[Barrett] As quickly as possible, get yourself out of danger with a big W.
-[Tessitore] Blunt Force Trauma? No. -[Barrett] Too much left in Tama Tonga.
[Tessitore] Oh, Solo Sikoa up on the apron again.
He eats a right hand.
Oh, no. The roll up!
And a kick out by Knight.
[Barrett] Well, the master plan almost worked,
but it might backfire.
-[crowd] Yeah! -[Tessitore] There it is.
-And it does. -[bell rings]
["Welcome to LA" plays]
[Nash] Here is you winner,
LA Knight!
[crowd] Yeah!
[Barrett] Well, what a victory for LA Knight.
We will find out his WrestleMania opponent later on this evening
between Braun Strowman and Jacob Fatu.
[Tessitore] That's gonna be Last Man Standing later.
Excuse me, Paul, uh, if you don't mind, has--
I do mind!
-Has CM Punk given you-- -My Tribal Chief's about to arrive
and now you're bothering me?
Understood, but I just want to know if CM Punk has given you any
indication further about this favor.
No, and I don't know why… That he has to give me an indication
because no matter what, the-- Why…
Why… Why am I telling this to you?
Come here.
Look at me. Look at me.
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm saying this for the record.
CM Punk, I'm on record saying this, okay?
No matter what the favor is
my answer is, "Yes."
Okay? That's it. That's it.
So… So now you can just tell me and get me out of this jam
I'm having with my Tribal Chief.
The answer is, "Yes."
Anything that you want, the answer is, "Yes."
My Tribal Chief, you have arrived in Chicago!
[chuckles]
Come on, cheer up.
You're not happy to see me? Oh, you were…
[groans]
We were expecting the other Shield guy, right?
God.
You look horrible.
You look awful.
I've seen you in a bad way before.
This might be the worst I've ever seen you. [stammers]
You look like you had a horrible week.
I, on the other hand, I had a great week.
You see, once I got away from this big CM Punk main eventing
WrestleMania celebration, I was able to gain some perspective.
I was able to formulate a plan and…
You know what, I was thinking, though, Paul.
This favor thing, man.
Really dug yourself into a hole here, huh? [chuckles]
But, um, it kind of affects me too, so…
when Roman does get here,
you let me know.
Because I want to be present
to hear what this favor is gonna be too.
Wipe that tear away, pal. It's gonna be all right.
[laughs]
["All Hail the Queen" plays]
[Tessitore] Punk told Heyman that he's only going to reveal the favor
to Roman's face.
[Nash] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Charlotte Flair!
[Tessitore] The 14-time champ. The Royal Rumble winner.
The war of words between WrestleMania foes is going to continue.
Charlotte Flair…
to be face-to-face with Tiffany Stratton.
Wade Barrett's gonna be the man in the middle of it all.
Tiffany and Charlotte next.
[person whispering]
[Tessitore] Last time Charlotte Flair was next to Tiffany Stratton,
it was a split screen.
Future Hall of Famer, Royal Rumble winner steamrolled that interview.
They're going to be face-to-face right now.
["Tiffy Time" plays]
[crowd cheers]
♪ Drop, I'm going in ♪
♪ Bass so loud It's in my skin ♪
♪ Drop I wanna see you drop… ♪
[Nash] Ladies and gentleman, please welcome the WWE Women's Champion,
Tiffany Stratton!
[Tessitore] The time is now for Tiffany Stratton.
Tiffy Time in Chicago, but in 15 days, mark your clock,
when it's Tiffy Time as the champion in Vegas.
My broadcast partner Wade Barrett gets us set for another showdown
between these fiery WrestleMania rivals.
Wade, good luck with this.
[music fades out]
Now, due to the heated nature of recent interactions between you two,
I have been volunteered to moderate this interview.
First, please let me welcome the WWE Women's Champion,
Tiffany Stratton.
[crowd cheers]
And her WrestleMania opponent,
the 2025 Women's Royal Rumble winner,
-Charlotte Flair. -[crowd boos]
Do you hear that? That's power.
Hey, Chicago, what time is it?
[crowd] Tiffy Time!
That was cute.
Okay, Charlotte, I would like to start with you.
Now, please give us a little more depth as to why you chose Tiffany Stratton
as your WrestleMania 41 opponent,
and then also, do you still agree, after recent interactions,
that that was the wise choice?
Well, here we are.
She was begging, and I'm the gift that keeps giving.
She wanted a moment, and I hadn't done any charity work lately.
And every week that desperation leaks through.
No, no, no, so you're right.
I did make the right choice. You wanna know why?
Because I wanted to show the smartest wrestling fans in the world
here in Chicago
that there is no comparison.
[crowd boos]
Are you done? Wade, did she get her "woo" in?
[crowd] Woo!
Listen, Charlotte, your biggest competitor has never been within this ring.
Your biggest competitor has been them, and no matter how hard you try,
no matter how long you're out for, that's a battle that you'll never win.
And you love to put on this facade, like nothing gets to you,
like you're above everybody else, but then you're crying on some boohoo talk show?
Which one is it, Charlotte?
And the saddest part about all of this is, is no matter how many titles you win,
you could break all the records, but when it's all said and done,
you'll always come second to your daddy Ric Flair.
And at WrestleMania,
you're gonna come second to me, Tiffany Stratton.
-Do you think you're the first-- -[crowd boos]
Do you hear that? That's power.
Do you think you're the first opponent--
Chicago.
[crowd boos]
Hold on, hold on. Hold on, hold on. Hold on.
You have just regurgitated what my last opponents have said
the last ten years.
You think you're the first opponent to say that I've come second to my dad?
No, Chicago, Tiffany and everyone watching at home,
if have to come sec--
[crowd boos]
[crowd] Tiffy Time! Tiffy Time!
-It doesn't matter if you win a hundred-- -[crowd boos]
What's the matter, Charlotte? Cat got your tongue?
Oh, no. I'm sorry, they're booing so loud--
[crowd boos]
What would-- Guys, what would you like me to say?
[crowd boos]
Man, this is really cool because here's the thing,
Tiffany could win--
[crowd boos]
-You know… You know what, Tiffany-- -[crowd boos]
You can go ahead and have the last word.
Charlotte, at 25 years old, what were you doing?
You were trying to become a volleyball player
drinking in your daddy's basement.
[crowd cheers]
And what am I doing at 25 years old?
I'm walking into WrestleMania as the WWE Women's Champion.
[crowd cheers]
You say that this is just another match to you?
Seems like I've gotten to you, Charlotte.
And your WrestleMania record may be 4 and 3,
and you may be the queen inside of the ring,
but outside of the ring, you ain't the queen of ****.
[imitating Tiffany] What are you saying?
I can't hear you, Tiffy.
It's so squeaky! I can't hear you!
-[crowd boos] -Like, oh, my God.
What are you saying, Tiffy?
And for 16 more days, you get to call yourself
WWE's least favorite nepo baby.
-Congratulations. -[normal voice] Nepo queen.
Nepo queen.
Number one nepo baby.
[crowd boos]
And when I beat you at WrestleMania, Charlotte,
and when it's all said and done,
you're gonna be just like you are outside of the ring.
Alone.
[crowd cheers]
What is that record? Like what?
Zero and three? Woo!
Hey, Tiffany. Is that why Kaiser's in my DMs?
["Tiffy Time" plays]
[Tessitore] Sums it up.
And in just two weeks,
they'll be battling in front of the entire world at WrestleMania 41.
There's a new queen in town, Charlotte.
[Tessitore] WWE Women's Championship.
Charlotte and Tiffany coming your way in Vegas.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to make a major announcement.
In conjunction with Raw General Manager Adam Pearce,
next week right here on SmackDown,
we will present to you a Women's Tag Team Gauntlet Match
featuring teams from both Raw and SmackDown.
The winners will face Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez
for the Women's Tag Team Championship
at WrestleMania.
-["We Want Smoke" plays] -[Tessitore] Wow.
[Tessitore] Women's Tag Team Gauntlet to challenge Liv and Raquel.
Speaking of tag teams,
the Street Profits are on top of the world.
[Barrett] And what a hot streak they have been on
over the past several weeks across Europe.
♪ See, mano to mano We bigger ♪
♪ Want smoke in the street With The Profits ♪
♪ We here to come And get our hands dirty ♪
♪ You better approach us With caution… ♪
[Tessitore] Street Profits, the champs, making their way out
to take in the match that'll determine their next major challenge.
[Barrett] They're ready to take on all comers,
but two of the best, two former champs, go head-to-head next here on Smackdown
to become number one contenders,
as the Motor City Machine Guns square off against DIY.
["Raise Your Fist" playing]
[Tessitore] Motor City Machine Guns.
[Nash] The following contest is scheduled for one fall
and is a WWE Tag Team Championship number one contenders match.
Introducing first, with a combined weight of 412 pounds,
Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin,
Motor City Machine Guns!
[Tessitore] Sabin and Shelley, they're closing in on their goal,
but to get there, they have to face a team that's been their chief obstacle
time and again.
And the goal? Those guys, the Street Profits.
Tez and Dawkins sitting back with that gold right in the front row
-to take this in. -["It's Our Moment" plays]
[Barrett] Profits have looked unstoppable.
Since returning, they've dropped both the Motor City Machine Guns
and this tag team several times since January.
You know, these two teams want to get back to the gold ASAP.
Well, they get their opportunity right now.
[Nash] Their opponents, with a combined weight of 408 pounds,
Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano,
DIY!
[Tessitore] Speaking of the Profits, of course, three weeks ago
when we last saw them, and that's when Montez Ford
was nearly scraping the ceiling of the Olimpic Arena in Barcelona.
From The Heavens on top of Johnny Gargano and took the championships off DIY.
That was a sensational battle, but now Gargano and Ciampa
-in this spot to work their way back. -[bell rings]
Here we go, good tag action in a division that's been so deep and so red hot.
Number one contenders match to face the Street Profits.
[Barrett] It has been a red-hot competitive division.
All teams have to scratch and claw for every opportunity.
[Barrett] These two teams of course both held the gold
within the past several months.
Such has been the chaotic nature of this division.
They've also been close friends for many years,
although that got thrown away when DIY low blowed
the Motor City Machine Guns back in December
and claimed gold from them.
[Tessitore] Yeah, the betrayal with Johnny Gargano.
Third time these teams have met for the WWE Tag Team Titles.
Of course the current champions played a huge role in deciding things.
The last meeting between MCMG and DIY, the Royal Rumble,
that 2-out-of-3 Falls Match, Wade.
[Barrett] And look, all of the teams in this division
have been bickering for months now.
I would argue that the Motor City Machine Guns
perhaps had the biggest gripe of them all
after being screwed out of their tag title reign
and multiple opportunities since
due to the rampant disorder that has been the SmackDown tag ranks.
Well, now's the time to get back on track.
[Tessitore] Shelley has no problem delivering right hands.
And a little something extra for Johnny Gargano.
[Barrett] I think Johnny Gargano might have earned that with that low blow
a couple of months ago.
Must have felt pretty sweet there for Alex Shelley.
[Tessitore] Out onto the floor.
[Barrett] Four cardio machines in this ring right now.
Ciampa perhaps being the fittest of them all looking--
[Tessitore] Oh! The slingshot spear from Johnny Gargano.
[Tessitore] Joe and Wade with you here in Chicago.
-This is the number one contender's match. -[Barrett] Oh!
[Tessitore] WWE tag team championship opportunity awaits.
Off the top rope, crossbody! Good work by Chris Sabin.
[Barrett] Well, it was about fives minutes straight of abuse on poor Alex Shelley
who finally got his way over to that tag and got in the fresh Chris Sabin,
and the complexion of the match completely changed.
[Tessitore] How about Sabin breaking loose against both Ciampa and Gargano.
[Barrett] Well, when your tag-team partner has taken the kind of beating
Shelley has already absorbed,
you kind of know the deal, you might have to do this on your own,
although Shelley, seemingly, back in the mix already.
[Tessitore] You saw the champs looking on.
Five-hole to the outside!
Street Profits are the prize for these two former tag-team championship teams,
DIY and the Motor City Machine Guns.
[Barrett] Motor City Machine Guns just innovators
of that modern cruiserweight style.
Kind of guys that the locker room today had studied for years
before they arrived here on SmackDown.
We're now getting a taste of exactly why their reputations are so huge.
[Tessitore] This is exactly what you're describing, into the cover,
looking for the win to become number one contenders,
but the kick out at two by Tommaso Ciampa.
[Barrett] There's so much at stake, and I promise you this,
throughout their long careers, the Motor City Machine Guns…
As we take another look at the champs. The Street Profits sat at ringside.
They have never experienced anything quite as chaotic
-as the tag ranks here as you can see… -[Tessitore] Oh.
[Tessitore] Man, oh, man.
Johnny Gargano breaking up what could have been
a Skull and Bones attempt by Motor City Machine Guns, Wade.
[Barrett] Looks like we're in the process of Chris Sabin crashing down there.
-The turnbuckle got ripped off. -[Tessitore] Well, that's exposed now.
That top turnbuckle is completely off.
-[Barrett] Oh. -And it's an exposed top turnbuckle.
[Tessitore] Oh, he tries to ram his head right into it.
[Barrett] Well, you see what Ciampa was doing with that high ring IQ…
[Tessitore] There's the roll up!
…almost backfired on him, taking the referee's…
[Tessitore] Oh, what a big knee.
[Barrett] …attention away and trying to use that exposed turnbuckle.
[Tessitore] Those knees right to the lower back.
Hook of the leg for the win,
-and the kick out. -[Barrett] Oh.
[Barrett] Late kick out there from Chris Sabin
after that connection from Project Ciampa
that he's won countless matches with, both here and on NXT.
[crowd] Oh!
[Tessitore] For the win.
And coming in to make the save is Alex Shelley.
A fairy tale ending to a nightmare for DIY.
[Barrett] Well, we're seeing the greatest hits of DIY right now,
but it's not been enough thus far to put away the Motor City Machine Guns
and claim that number one contender's spot.
Although surely the end is nigh, Joe.
[Tessitore] Remember, Meeting in the Middle backfired
last time they went for it.
Oh, and getting out of the way.
Ciampa with the switch.
[Barrett] I don't know how Chris Sabin is still standing at this point.
[Tessitore] Uncanny ability to go two-on-one and take advantage.
And now lining up the facial and delivering it!
[Barrett] What a beauty, right to the kisser of Tommaso Ciampa.
And now defenseless is the Sicilian.
[Tessitore] And now the Skull and Bones attempt.
Again is denied!
That's two times.
Here's the roll up.
Ciampa utilizing the ropes.
[Barrett] That's a veteran referee,
Charles Robinson, you don't get much past him.
Worth a try at least.
-[Tessitore] Going into the corner… -[Barrett] Oh!
…the exposed turnbuckle!
It got him right on the head
-and it cost them. -[bell rings]
["Raise Your Fist" playing]
[Nash] Here are your winners.
Motor City Machine Guns!
[Barrett] Well, that turned into complete disaster
after Ciampa's skull rattled off that exposed turnbuckle.
Let's take another look at how this went down.
This is where Ciampa thought he pulled the wool over Charles Robinson's eyes.
Charles Robinson too smart, but here's where it went wrong.
Face first into the exposed turnbuckle, a tight high-pin by Chris Sabin.
We have new number one contenders, and the Motor City Machine Guns
have got eyes on the champs, The Street Profits.
[Tessitore] Look at that scene.
The champs sit in front row, holding up their gold.
The number one contenders are defined. Motor City Machine Guns.
…the opportunity that's presented to you.
Unlike these guys.
Who last week in their home country had a title shot and lost.
Pretty Deadly, more like pretty useless.
Imagine getting an opportunity, finally, and fumbling at the one-yard line.
I mean, are you guys a tag team or are you the Chicago Bears?
[crowd boos]
Either way, both a joke.
Oh, we're a joke, huh?
-Well, uh, we've got jokes, haven't we? -Here's a joke for you.
-The Marine 3. -[laughs] Yeah, good one.
Tag me in. Let me go, let me go.
The Marine 4.
The Marine 5.
At least The Marine was made, six times.
How's your musical?
Oh, it's funny you mentioned the musical actually.
We just got finished writing a song, and you would love it.
It's about a character who hasn't been awesome for at least ten years,
if they ever was, and what did we name the track?
Hmm, oh, it was the…
[sings] The Miz.
I'm a nine time tag-team champion.
How many titles have you won?
Oh, nine times. How many partners is that, Miz?
Yeah, yeah, you've had so many partners
and now you're here with a younger, hotter model.
You're basically the Leonardo DiCaprio of tag-team wrestling.
Which leaves me standing here, Melo,
wondering why you're so happy being relegated to the Miz.
Icing on the cake, Elton, icing on the cake,
they're not even a real tag team.
No, they're not. [laughs]
Understand that we are Melo Don't Miz.
And you two couldn't beat us on our worst day.
Because we are awes… him.
We're working on that.
[Tessitore] Remember, still to come tonight,
who will be the last man standing?
Number one contender match for LA Knight's United States Championship.
Braun Strowman, Jacob Fatu for a spot at WrestleMania.
That's coming up.
♪ I be fabulous ♪
["Count It Out" playing]
♪ I rise and they could never stop me ♪
[bell rings]
[Nash] The following contest is scheduled for one-fall.
Introducing first, from Canton, Ohio!
B-Fab!
[Tessitore] With support from Michin by her side, Wade.
Remember recently she was expressing support for Jade Cargill,
and by doing that she paid the price for the brutal attack from Naomi.
[Barrett] Yeah, that was last week in London.
B-Fab got dropped from behind.
She gets a little chance at some vengeance here, next on Smackdown,
as she goes head-to-head with last week's attacker, Naomi.
And that is coming up next.
There's B-Fab, couple of weeks ago
she didn't hesitate in taking on Charlotte Flair.
Tonight stepping up with a challenge
that comes with perhaps a little more emotion attached to it.
Out for revenge against Naomi.
♪ N-A-O-M-I ♪
["Glow" playing]
-[Tessitore] Oh! -[Barrett] Oh!
[Tessitore] Jade Cargill wasting no time. Beating down Naomi.
[Barrett] It was two weeks ago
that Cargill herself was jumped and smacked onto our announce table by Naomi.
Finally gets a little modicum of vengeance there.
[Tessitore] They're struggling to hold her back.
[Barrett] That a highly agitated and enraged Jade Cargill,
who lost months of her career
-to former big-three friend, Naomi. -[bell rings]
[Tessitore] Oh, meanwhile, B-Fab.
There's the bell to start the match
and she says, "All right, I'll take advantage, let's go right away."
[Barrett] Well, you can make way too many enemies in this game,
and of late, Naomi, I would suggest, has certainly done that.
[Tessitore] So Jade Cargill, who was out of action for months
after it was revealed it was Naomi who attacked her,
and all the drama in recent weeks.
How about the big kick from B-Fab? B-Fab is on fire early on here, Wade.
[Barrett] Legs for days, and she knows how to use them.
[Tessitore] Into the cover.
[Tessitore] What a hot start from B-Fab
who has been doing additional training at the Dungeon Training School,
run by the legendary Natalya and Tyson Kidd,
and boy, oh boy, is it paying off.
[Tessitore] With her athleticism and her frame,
she has such upside,
but then you add in the fuel of intensity and emotion and passion
in going up against Naomi and you see the results she did.
[Barrett] Well, B-Fab told me before she arrived here in WWE
she idolized Naomi.
-Wow. -[Tessitore] For the win.
[Barrett] Just the playbook of B-Fab gets deeper and deeper by the week.
This is a woman who hasn't had too many opportunities,
but everyone she's had of late, she has impressed.
You mentioned the matchup several weeks ago with Charlotte Flair,
and how B-Fab really held her own and she's doing the same here,
more than the same perhaps, against Naomi.
[Tessitore] Oh, she's in a very compromised position though,
with her legs strung up over that top rope.
And now Naomi is gonna hang her straight down.
Oh, and the damage that's done to hit the back of her head
and upper back against the corner.
[Barrett] Yeah, the clues are there. Proceed with caution.
The nice girl is gone. 2025's Naomi is highly volatile.
[Tessitore] Oh, would you look at that, that modified Lung Blower.
And now the cover.
-[bell rings] -[crowd cheers]
-[Nash] Here is your winner, Naomi! -["Glow" playing]
[Barrett] Well, surely mentally shot after that start by Jade Cargill,
but talk about expanding your playbook.
Have a look at this, you called it right, Joe,
a modified kneeling Lung Blower from Naomi.
We haven't seen that from her before, clearly expanding her arsenal.
Ahead of what is surely an inevitable clash with Jade Cargill.
Where you at, Jade?
-I'm still standing! -[crowd cheers]
-[Tessitore] She calls out Jade Cargill. -I'm still standing!
[Tessitore] Oh, she found out where she's at!
What a big boot by Jade.
And now security, they're trying to…
get Jade there, and she's taking out security.
Would you look at Jade Cargill? She's doing damage to anybody in sight.
Absolutely enraged.
[Barrett] Well, they put their bodies on the line protecting Naomi,
-but I think they'll regret it. -[Aldis] Okay, all right, ladies.
I have had just about enough of this,
and I can see that there is really only one solution.
And that solution is this,
Naomi will go one-on-one with Jade Cargill…
-at WrestleMania. -[crowd cheers]
[Tessitore] Oh, let's do it!
[Barrett] It seems both women got exactly what they wanted
from GM Nick Aldis,
in fact, planet earth got what they wanted.
WrestleMania 41, Jade Cargill and Naomi head-to-head!
[Tessitore] From proceed with caution to step into the storm.
We'll see them in Vegas!
Drew McIntyre.
The victim, no holes in your logic, right?
WrestleMania 40, you had your moment.
But your weird obsession took you to CM Punk,
and he ended up clowning your ass.
I did my job.
As Señor Money In The Bank,
I cashed in and became world champion at WrestleMania.
You screwed yourself, but I'm the villain, right?
Clash at the Castle.
It should have been about us,
but this weird obsession you couldn't let go of, it followed you.
I did my job and remained world heavyweight champion.
You screwed yourself, but I'm the villain, right?
Money in the Bank.
You should have been focused on the moment.
You tried to cash in, but your baggage once again followed you.
I remained champion.
You screwed yourself, but I'm the villain, right?
Rumble, Chamber, I eliminated you from both, plain and simple.
Then you attack me like a coward
and you cost me my shot at main eventing WrestleMania.
You know what you are, Drew? You're a hypocrite.
You make excuses, you **** and complain,
and you point your finger at everybody else other than yourself.
I know what you are, Drew. You're a junkie.
You get off on this high
from telling stupid-ass jokes every week for a cheap-ass pop,
and you play the victim every damn week.
You don't have to paint me as the villain of your story anymore.
I am your villain.
The time to pray is now, Drew. No looking for me in the shadows.
Look for me in the middle of the ring next week, face-to-face, eye-to-eye,
because I want you to stop playing the victim.
And become my victim at WrestleMania.
[Tessitore] Fired up Damian Priest.
And from that to the complexities of Kevin Owens,
they have been countless in recent months.
What will Kevin Owens have to say now?
That is next.
Well, folks, this is a part of my job
that frankly is not very fun.
Um, in this industry, there's a fine line
between coming back next week like everything's fine
and finding out that potentially you may never set foot in this ring again.
It's a cliché,
but there's a reason that we say, "Don't try this at home."
I don't want to say much more
because I'd rather you hear it from the man himself,
but ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming Kevin Owens.
["Fight" playing]
[crowd cheers]
[Barrett] Well, after that ominous warning from GM Nick Aldis.
KO looking bitter and dejected, but that has been his demeanor of late.
It's very hard to get a read on KO at the best of times.
Um…
I've been doing this for 25 years and, um,
I think I can say confidently that for those 25 years,
I really gave everything I had, every time I stepped foot in this ring.
And, uh, in those 25 years because of this industry,
I've gotten to live incredible things and experience things I'll never forget.
I've had the chance to take care of my family
in a way that I could have only dreamed of.
But, um, there's a…
there's a price to pay for that amazing opportunity.
And that's the toll it takes on our bodies.
Every single guy and girl back there has paid that price at different times,
and, uh, now it seems like it's my turn.
Because, um, the reality is, for the last four months or so,
I've been dealing with a pretty serious neck injury.
And, um, we didn't know what it was, we didn't really know how serious it was.
Thankfully this week we managed to figure it out,
and now I have to go get neck surgery.
So that's what I'm going to do.
Um, and the timing couldn't be worse
'cause let me tell you,
not getting to be in the ring with Randy Orton
at WrestleMania really sucks.
And, um, I'm really thankful for WWE.
For allowing me to come out here in front of you guys and telling you all that,
because the truth is I don't know when I'll have the privilege
to be in front of you guys again.
What I do know is, um,
the last few years I've learned not to take anything for granted,
and I will never take this for granted.
[crowd cheers, claps]
So, um…
for now I wanna say thank you
and I'm sorry, guys. Thank you.
[crowd cheers]
[Barrett] Wow.
-♪ I hear voices in my head ♪ -[crowd cheers]
♪ They counsel me ♪
♪ They understand They talk to me ♪
["Voices" playing]
♪ You got your rules and your religion All designed to keep you safe ♪
♪ But when rules start getting broken You start questioning your faith ♪
[Barrett] Well, this is a man who threatened to Punt Kick KO
all the way back to Montreal.
And I don't know if sympathy is an emotion that Randy Orton is capable of feeling.
[Tessitore] Once the closest of friends,
but then KO nearly ended Randy Orton's career
with a Piledriver last fall.
♪ They counsel me ♪
♪ They understand They talk to me ♪
♪ They talk to me ♪
[Tessitore] That explosive return to the ring we saw,
in Toronto at Elimination Chamber.
The heated exchanges,
and now the news that Kevin Owens just delivered here in Chicago.
That they'll be unable to meet in the ring at WrestleMania.
[Barrett] That's a professional level of respect there from Randy Orton
to a fellow competitor in Kevin Owens,
despite the fact that he may be burning with hatred.
What is KO doing?
[Tessitore] Said, "I gave everything for 25 years,
but I have a severe neck injury,
surgery is needed,"
and KO says he doesn't know when he'll be back again.
[crowd chanting] Randy, Randy, Randy!
Randy, I hate to be the one to tell you this,
and there's no easy way to say it,
but I'm afraid that means that
you no longer have a match for WrestleMania.
[crowd boos]
-[Tessitore] Oh, no! -[crowd cheers]
Those voices in his head!
RKO'ing the SmackDown general manager?
♪ I hear voices in my head ♪
♪ They counsel me ♪
♪ They understand They talk to me ♪
["Voices" playing]
[Tessitore] The Viper of old.
Reacting to the news.
[Barrett] What a devastating blow, of course for KO,
but indeed too, for Randy Orton,
who at this point in his career does not want to miss a single WrestleMania.
♪ Hates to love and loves to hate ♪
♪ I have a voice that has the knowledge And the power to rule your fate ♪
[Tessitore] The major shake up
with Kevin Owens revealing the news tonight.
♪ 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 talk to me ♪
[Nash] The following is a last man standing match.
The winner will earn a United States Championship match
at WrestleMania!
In this match there are no count outs, no disqualifications,
no pinfalls, and no submissions.
The only way to win is to incapacitate your opponent
until he cannot answer a count of ten.
["Samoan Destroyer" playing]
[Nash] Introducing first, the Samoan Werewolf,
Jacob Fatu!
[Tessitore] There's an atmospheric change inside every arena
when this man comes out.
It's like the temp rises, the clouds gather, the conditions become severe.
[Barrett] Yeah, talk about an aura,
perhaps the most terrifying man
I have been in the presence of in my entire time in this industry,
and that is quite the statement.
The stuff of nightmares.
A man used to flattening his prey and that being the end of it.
It's simply not that easy when you are dealing with a monster like Strowman,
and that has highly agitated Fatu.
[crowd chanting] Fatu, Fatu, Fatu!
["Monster of All Monsters" playing]
[Tessitore] Wade, he's 385 pounds of absolute power,
and as your pint-drinking, P&E jersey-wearing friend
from Indianapolis would say, that makes him…
[Barrett] One big SOB!
[Nash] And his opponent,
weighing in at 355 pounds,
Braun Strowman!
[Tessitore] And can you think of a better way
-to get it started? -[bell rings]
Last man standing, Fatu comes out to meet the Monster, and they're already after it.
[Barrett] What a clash of the titans here on SmackDown.
This is three for the price of one for these two tonight.
Destroy your most hated rival, earn a US title match…
Oh!
…and book your ticket for WrestleMania 41.
Neither man can afford to lose this match.
[Tessitore] You can already see Fatu favoring that leg
from the early impact of Strowman.
As Fatu now with the big super kick,
and looks to generate some offense, as he does.
Now, what's interesting, Wade,
is that Braun Strowman has never lost a last man standing match,
and he's been in with some of the best, Kane, Roman Reigns.
He's been in with some of the best. We saw him in this fall.
[Barrett] Yeah, if there's ever been someone
who has a match they have made their own, it's Braun Strowman,
and last man standing matches…
I love Jacob Fatu.
You rarely see him come close to losing a match,
but I almost can't see how he wins this one.
[Tessitore] Went for the running power slam,
but Fatu was able to counter and now comes with the elbow.
[Barrett] I mean, both men already have taken major chunks out…
-Whoa, no way! -[Tessitore] Wow, right to it,
with the jump-up Moonsault from Fatu.
[Barrett] Well, that will definitely keep Strowman down for a three count.
Will it do it for a ten?
[Tessitore] Again with the jump-up Moonsault.
Remember, you have to incapacitate your opponent
to the point where they cannot get up before the referee reaches a count of ten.
[Barrett] Oh.
[Tessitore] That's seven!
-[Barrett] Oh, this might be a world rec… -[Tessitore] And Strowman to his feet.
[Tessitore] Big start early on from Jacob Fatu, last man standing.
[Tessitore] It's a wild night here in Chicago in front of a sellout crowd,
over 16,000 at the Allstate Arena.
Just 15 days away from WrestleMania 41,
and this match to determine who will have a title shot there.
Jacob Fatu, Braun Strowman, last man standing,
to be the number-one contender
and face LA Knight for the US Championship in Vegas.
And remember the rules of engagement here.
You got to try to incapacitate your opponent
where they cannot beat the ref's ten count.
-Oh, the crowd's gonna go nuts. -[crowd cheers]
[Barrett] This is a high count, it might be over, Braun.
[Tessitore] Anything goes.
No pinfall submissions, DQs or count outs, and tables are welcome.
[Barrett] Well, we got up to a count of nine there.
Jacob Fatu is almost done here.
[Tessitore] Oh, big right hand.
[Barrett] What else have you got in the arsenal, Braun?
You feel like one major hit here and it's over for Fatu,
and Strowman is going to WrestleMania to challenge LA Knight.
[Tessitore] Strowman is setting up that table in the corner.
Fatu's not in great shape, but the super kick helps.
[Barrett] This might be Strowman about to fall on his own sword!
[Tessitore] A big boot.
And as Fatu goes down.
Last week it was Fatu who interrupted Strowman's US title match
against LA Knight.
These two have been heated nonstop for months now.
Brutal matches, DQs, beatdowns everywhere you look.
Oh, and Strowman goes over the top rope and leaning up against our announce desk.
Oh, and Fatu goes flying,
and the Monster is laid out on the floor over the desk!
[Barrett] Well, Fatu also taking an incredibly heavy landing,
but he's up first.
[Tessitore] And remember, gotta beat the count of ten.
It's last man standing to get a title match at WrestleMania.
[Barrett] And no one knows that better than Braun Strowman,
the absolute master at this kind of match,
but he may be beaten at his own game here.
[Tessitore] Braun Strowman's never lost a last man standing match.
Fatu runs him right into the post.
[Barrett] Yeah, he's never had an opponent like Jacob Fatu, however,
that is the caveat to that claim.
[Tessitore] Strowman's draped over the barrier. Fatu is running full chest.
-[Barrett] Oh! -[Tessitore] Oh!
[Tessitore] A steel chair right to the head of Fatu!
[Barrett] Fatu just baited in by Braun Strowman,
who knows this game better than anybody.
And how the hell, Jacob Fatu at full speed is stirring already…
[Tessitore] Here comes the Strowman Express.
Oh, my! You gotta be kidding me.
Oh, my!
Both men are laid out!
[Barrett] Both men might get to ten here. What an impact!
[Tessitore] He went full speed, all that weight, all that momentum,
crashing through the barrier.
[Barrett] How can you possibly have your faculties or physical control
after that car crash?
Oh!
[Tessitore] Oh, and at nine, both men to their feet.
This is outrageous.
Last man standing, Fatu and Strowman!
[Tessitore] It has been better than advertised.
Last man standing to earn a championship match against LA Knight at WrestleMania.
Jacob Fatu and Braun Strowman.
Braun Strowman's been in complete control the last three or four minutes,
attacking Fatu with steel chairs.
And now he's got him up on top of the crate.
He is up high atop the crate at the edge of that lower bowl.
[Barrett] Strowman may be unbeatable in this kind of matchup.
[Tessitore] No!
Suplex from there!
Oh, my!
Can you believe what we're witnessing in Chicago?
They can't. Nobody can.
Remember, they must beat the count of ten.
It's last man standing rules.
[Barrett] It looks like it took as much out of Braun Strowman
as it did Jacob Fatu,
and the count is getting high.
[Tessitore] They gotta get up here!
It continues on!
But Fatu's in a world of hurt.
[Barrett] Take another look at this as both men come crashing down.
From extreme height through our set.
Somehow, some way, making it back to their feet before the count of ten.
And this matchup with these two competitors,
after what we've seen, may well go on all night.
I cannot see either man staying down for the count.
[Tessitore] They both are struggling to stay up on their feet.
I don't know if Fatu even knows where he is.
Strowman's limping badly on that left leg. Both men are damaged.
[Barrett] Strowman promised me earlier today
that he had a silver bullet for this Samoan Werewolf.
If connects with one of his big hitters,
like the power slam, he believes,
Jacob Fatu will be down for the count.
Although after the amount of abuse already absorbed by the Samoan,
-I don't… [screams] -[Tessitore] What?
Fatu, running hip-attack
puts Strowman right through the table.
This may be it!
They are wrapped up in a broken table.
Ten count pending.
-[Barrett] It's over! -[bell rings]
[Tessitore] It's over, it's over!
["Samoan Destroyer" playing]
[Nash] Here is your winner and the last man standing,
Jacob Fatu!
[Tessitore] That shattered table taco
that Strowman could not unearth himself from.
[Barrett] The impossible was possible tonight,
after all this chaos, carnage and destruction,
Jacob Fatu has done the unthinkable
and beaten Braun Strowman with that move.
[Tessitore] Look at how the table was just wrapped around Strowman like a shell,
and he couldn't beat the ten count.
[Barrett] And the legend of Jacob Fatu,
this cold, violent barbarian grows further by the week.
Jacob Fatu is heading to WrestleMania to challenge the United States Champion,
LA Knight.
[Tessitore] Wade, that was too good. That was just too good.
[Barrett] I don't think I can take something like that every week.
We'll take a look at what transpired between Cody Rhodes
and John Cena, this past Monday, next.
[Rhodes] I think for the last two weeks you have lied to this audience.
Tell them, John Cena, really, why?
They've been saying for years that John Cena buries talent.
I don't bury talent.
I am talent!
I bury mediocrity!
You with that disgusts me.
You have manipulated your way to the top of this business,
and your ego outmatches your ability.
You sat by my side for years
and stole every secret you need to be undeniable,
but you are still underwhelming.
You have showed me one thing.
That someone mediocre wearing something meaningful
nowadays is enough to trick these people.
I have worked too damn hard to make that a symbol of mastery
to have it paraded around
by a paint-by-numbers, sociopathic, nepo baby,
who is so into himself
he had his wrestling gimmick tattooed for the world to see.
It's not where your tattoo's at, Cody.
It's what your tattoo is,
that exposes you to the world for who you are,
a common fan like them.
So after WrestleMania,
the last real champion is taking that home forever,
and exposing you for who you are.
An errand boy that got lucky.
Maybe I was chosen.
[crowd chanting] Cody, Cody Rhodes.
But you know who chose me?
[chanting continues]
They chose me.
Can you say the same, John Cena?
Or was it one guy in an office who chose you who's not here anymore
and we don't talk about it?
I'm Cody Rhodes.
I'm a wrestler like my father before me, and if anybody is a company creation,
it's you, John Cena, and not me.
Here's what you created, pal.
You created a lot of disenfranchised fans
who made it easy for me to pack up and go elsewhere and say,
"Hey, look at me."
Don't act like you cleaned up your room
before you left and went to Hollywood, John.
Don't act like you left WWE better than you found it.
And while we're at it.
Which one of us sold out to the Rock?
John, you're still my hero.
But you're also a piece of [bleep].
You had to leave because you realized at your best you can't wipe my ass.
I make empires for billionaires.
All you've ever done is steal money from their kids.
See you at WrestleMania, champ.
In all the time that I have been here and everything I've been through,
never once have they chanted at me, "You can't wrestle."
[crowd chanting] You can't wrestle!
[Cole] Cena went for a cheap shot!
Cross Rhodes!
[crowd chanting] Cody, Cody Rhodes!
Excuse me, Paul.
Sorry to bug you again,
-but… -Why are you?
…can you update us on when exactly Roman Reigns is going to arrive?
[imitates Saxton] Can you update us when Roman Reigns is gonna arrive?
Any minute.
Thank you, Paul.
-My tribal chief, my tribal chief? -[crowd cheers]
[Tessitore] Not a word spoken.
Remember, CM Punk said he will be ready to reveal the favor
when Roman Reigns arrives.
Well, Roman Reigns is now here at the Allstate Arena.
["I Am Greatness" playing]
[Tessitore] That stride's with extreme purpose, isn't it?
[Barrett] I was gonna say this is a power walking,
apparently, pyro-free tribal chief.
It's been a long time since we've seen that,
and that means things are deadly serious in the mind of the OTC.
[crowd chanting] OTC, OTC, OTC!
Chicago!
[crowd cheers]
Acknowledge me!
[crowd chanting] OTC, OTC, OTC!
-Wiseman. -Yes, my tribal chief.
Is he here?
Yes, my tribal chief.
[crowd chanting] CM Punk, CM Punk!
Yes, that's exactly who I'm talking about.
Wiseman.
Yes, my tribal chief.
Is he still talking about this favor?
Yes, my tribal chief.
Oh, Chicago, Chicago, I don't know how you deal with this guy, huh?
Wiseman.
Yes, my tribal chief?
Should I share a secret with Chicago?
[crowd cheers]
Yes, my tribal chief.
CM Punk wouldn't be back here if it wasn't for me.
[crowd boos]
CM Punk wouldn't be in the main event of WrestleMania if it wasn't for me.
And I get it, you're good people.
"He's from the same city as me. I have to like him. Yeah."
You're good people, you mean well, but you're not that smart.
CM Punk's been around forever. He has wrestled everyone under the sun.
Hall of Famers, legends, champions,
but he's never been in that main event of WrestleMania.
No, he hasn't.
Not until he was introduced to the Tribal Chief.
[crowd chanting] OTC, OTC, OTC!
That's right, you hear them chanting for the Tribal Chief in your city.
I'm right here in the ring.
I say we bring CM Punk out here so we can quit wasting our time, huh?
[crowd cheers]
Come on out here, and let me hear what this favor is.
Come on out here and indulge your Tribal Chief.
♪ Burn it down! ♪
["The Vision" playing]
[crowd vocalizing] Whoa, whoa, oh!
♪ Burn it down! ♪
[Tessitore] The other member of the triple-threat match
at the grandest stage of them all.
Seth Rollins, who was enraged a week ago in London,
when CM Punk was awarded with his first WrestleMania main event.
And then we hear earlier tonight, taking a different approach and attitude.
And seemingly reveling in this moment of discomfort
with Paul Heyman and Roman Reigns, as they await the favor of CM Punk.
♪ Burn it down! ♪
[Barrett] Well, Roman Reigns is the one enraged now.
Roman Reigns wants an answer from CM Punk.
What he did not want was karaoke
on behalf of the fan base of Seth Rollins.
[crowd vocalizing] Whoa, whoa, oh!
Chicago!
-[crowd screams] -[Tessitore laughs]
I am a visionary. I am a revolutionary.
-I am Seth… -[crowd] "Freakin" Rollins!
And I wouldn't miss this one for the world.
You see now I don't know, Roman, what this little favor is here.
But the reality, I got a feeling, is gonna knock your socks off,
and the thing about reality and you man, they don't seem to jive very well
because, well, unlike all of us, you don't like to live in the real world,
but every time you step outside of your little universe
reality bites you in the ass.
I don't wanna do a little history lesson, but example A, heist of the century.
Example B,
the main event of WrestleMania last year.
[crowd chanting] What's the favor?
[chanting continues]
I'm wondering the same thing y'all are, Chicago.
But the reality, Roman, is that you underestimate CM Punk.
You think you're above CM Punk.
You think you don't have to worry about CM Punk.
You think you ignore him, he just goes away.
I tried that.
It doesn't work.
Now he is in the main event of WrestleMania,
and that is a reality I have to deal with.
You could have stopped this in WarGames, you didn't.
You could have let me stop it in the cage at the Garden, you didn't.
And now here we are and we're waiting on this favor.
[crowd chanting] CM Punk, CM Punk!
Now I'm in a lot… a lot better place than I was last week
when we were all celebrating Punk in the main event of 'Mania.
I took a week.
I got some perspective,
and I realized that reality gives you two options,
either you suffer and you get left behind
or you adapt and you control reality.
[Reigns] The reality is…
you're untrustworthy.
I could say the word "loyalty," but you have no clue what that means.
CM Punk stands here because I made a promise to the Wiseman.
And I keep my word,
and the reality is, I didn't call you out here,
I called Punk out here.
[crowd chanting] Roman, Roman Reigns!
You called punk out here,
I'm out here to hear from CM Punk.
There's only one thing missing.
Let's find out what this favor is, shall we?
["Cult of Personality" playing]
♪ 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 ♪
♪ Neon lights, Nobel Prize ♪
♪ When a mirror speaks The reflection lies ♪
[song fades]
The favor.
What's the favor?
This is about friendship.
This is about legacy.
This is about promises made and promises kept.
This is about loyalty.
Paul, this goes back to 4400 Shepherdsville Road
in Louisville, Kentucky.
When on day one I showed up and they told you that I don't belong
and they told you to fire me and you said no.
And hell, your Wiseman is just that, he's wise beyond his years.
Paul, you prophesized this on national television on Monday Night Raw,
and if everybody else has forgotten about it,
that certainly doesn't mean I have.
And hell, even before that, if I could throw it back to the day
you left this company on Big Show's bus,
me and you and Show and RVD
standing there talking amongst ourselves.
And I mistakenly made it about me.
I said, "Paul, they're gonna fire me.
Paul, without you, I'm nothing. Paul, don't leave."
And you said, "No, no, no, you'll be fine."
And I… I said, "I'm sorry I made this about me."
Do you remember this Paul? I said, "What can I do for you?"
And in that moment you looked me in the eye and you said,
"Punk, when you main event WrestleMania…
force them to deal with us."
Well, they aren't here anymore, so I'm gonna force you, my tribal chief.
I'm gonna force you out of your comfort zone.
I'm gonna force you to deal with us.
Because at WrestleMania in the main event,
in my corner…
your Wiseman, my best friend…
Paul Heyman.
That's the favor?
You understand he loves me, right?
He needs me.
I saved him.
Even if I let him…
he wouldn't.
Wiseman.
Yes, my tribal chief.
Let this desperate fool down easy, will you?
[crowd chanting] CM Punk, CM Punk!
Are you crying?
You better wipe them up and tell him no.
I took you in.
I made you relevant. Tell him no.
I'm gonna give you one more opportunity.
Tell him no.
-No, my tribal chief, I can't do that. -[crowd cheers]
[Tessitore] Oh, Punk attacks him from behind.
Right hand after right hand.
And at GTS to Roman Reigns!
And now bitter rivals face off.
A tearful Wiseman couldn't say no to Punk.
The favor is cashed.
Punk saying the Wiseman will be in his corner come WrestleMania 41.
Friendship, loyalty, Punk and Heyman in Vegas together.
["Cult of Personality" playing] yman in Vegas together.